Powering Bengal 2026 Showcases Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Social Impact
Kolkata, August 8, 2026:
The inaugural edition of “Powering Bengal 2026 – Business Conclave and Business Excellence Awards”, organized by the Onkar Group, successfully brought together leading voices from industry, technology, healthcare, entrepreneurship, media, and social development to celebrate Bengal’s growing ecosystem of innovation and enterprise.
The event, held at Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Kolkata, served as a dynamic platform to recognize outstanding contributions by entrepreneurs and changemakers across sectors.
The conclave was inaugurated by Smt. Agnimitra Paul, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Department of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal. In her address, she reflected on her own entrepreneurial journey from humble beginnings and emphasized the transformative role of women leadership in shaping the future of business and society.
The event witnessed the presence of several distinguished personalities, including Prahlad Roy Goenka, Chairman of Onkar Group; Debasree Roy Sarkar, Managing Director of Peerless Hotels; Dr. Sonali Roy, COO of RISE Foundation, IISER Kolkata; Ravindra Chamaria, CMD of Infinity Group; Manjit Nayak, Director of STPI Kolkata; and Kaushik Bhattacharya, CEO of Ranjhiya Digital. Eminent journalists Arkaprava Sarkar and Arup Kali also graced the occasion.
Lifetime Achievement Honours
The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards were conferred upon:
- Shekhar Chakraborty, Chairman, Conveyor & Ropeway Services Pvt. Ltd.
- Dr. Tapan Misra, Founder, Sisir Radar
- Dr. Nandan Gupta, Chancellor, Swami Vivekananda University
Key Award Winners
The event also recognized excellence across diverse categories:
- Biplab Jana – Best Innovation in Healthcare
- Sushobhan Mukherjee – Excellence in Technology Entrepreneurship
- Abheek Kar – Recognition for sustaining a 121-year legacy in biodegradable natural fibre manufacturing
- Dr. Dhiresh Choudhary – Best Social Entrepreneur
- Ayan Sen – Excellence in Urban Development
- Chanda Chakraborty – Best Woman Entrepreneur of the Year
- Lakshmi Nayar – Recognition for pioneering Bengal’s first pearl jewellery brand
- Dr. Arijit Banerjee & Arpita Banerjee – The Power Couple Award
- Suparna Das – Start-up of the Year in Rehabilitation
- Souvenir Koley – Social Worker of the Year
A Platform for Collaboration and Growth
The conclave highlighted Bengal’s long-standing tradition of enterprise while also showcasing emerging success stories that are redefining the state’s economic landscape. Discussions during the event explored the growing potential of Bengal’s IT and electronics sectors and their positioning on the global stage.
The event concluded with a strong call for enhanced collaboration between government, industry, academia, entrepreneurs, and civil society to unlock new opportunities, foster innovation, and strengthen Bengal’s role in the national and global economy.
Reported by:
Biplab Das
Editor-in-Chief, Onkar Bangla
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Powering Bengal 2026 Highlights State’s Strength in Innovation, Enterprise and Social Leadership
By Suman Munshi | Chief Editor, IBG NEWS
Kolkata, August 8, 2026:
Kolkata witnessed a significant convergence of business leaders, innovators and social change-makers at the inaugural edition of “Powering Bengal 2026 – Business Conclave and Business Excellence Awards”, an initiative aimed at recognising and promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship in Bengal.
Hosted at the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Kolkata, the event brought together representatives from diverse sectors including technology, healthcare, industry, media, and social development, reflecting the evolving economic landscape of the state.
The conclave was formally inaugurated by Smt. Agnimitra Paul, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge of the Department of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal. Addressing the gathering, she highlighted her personal journey as an entrepreneur and underscored the growing influence of women leadership in driving economic transformation and innovation.
The programme was attended by several prominent figures from industry and academia such as Prahlad Roy Goenka, Chairman of Onkar Group; Debasree Roy Sarkar, Managing Director of Peerless Hotels; Dr. Sonali Roy of IISER Kolkata’s RISE Foundation; Ravindra Chamaria, CMD of Infinity Group; Manjit Nayak, Director of STPI Kolkata; and Kaushik Bhattacharya, CEO of Ranjhiya Digital. Senior journalists Arkaprava Sarkar and Arup Kali were also present.
Recognising Lifetime Contributions
A key highlight of the event was the conferment of Lifetime Achievement Awards on distinguished personalities who have made notable contributions in their respective fields:
- Shekhar Chakraborty, Chairman, Conveyor & Ropeway Services Pvt. Ltd.
- Dr. Tapan Misra, Founder, Sisir Radar
- Dr. Nandan Gupta, Chancellor, Swami Vivekananda University
Celebrating Excellence Across Sectors
The awards ceremony acknowledged individuals and organisations demonstrating excellence in innovation, entrepreneurship and social impact:
- Biplab Jana – Recognised for innovation in healthcare
- Sushobhan Mukherjee – Honoured for achievements in technology entrepreneurship
- Abheek Kar – Acknowledged for preserving a 121-year-old legacy in biodegradable natural fibre manufacturing
- Dr. Dhiresh Choudhary – Awarded for contributions to social entrepreneurship
- An Sen – Recognised in the field of urban development
- Chanda Chakraborty – Honoured as Woman Entrepreneur of the Year
- Lakshmi Nayar – Recognised for pioneering pearl jewellery branding in Bengal
- Dr. Arijit Banerjee & Arpita Banerjee – Awarded as Power Couple for their joint entrepreneurial efforts
- Suparna Das – Recognised for innovation in rehabilitation services
- Souvenir Koley – Honoured for contributions to social work
Driving Bengal’s Future Growth
Beyond recognition, the conclave also served as a platform for dialogue on Bengal’s future, particularly focusing on opportunities in the IT and electronics sectors and their global potential. The discussions emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between government bodies, private enterprises, academic institutions, and civil society.
The event concluded with a collective vision to position Bengal as a leading hub for innovation and enterprise, while nurturing talent and encouraging sustainable development.
