CALCUTTA BROADWAY- a genesis !

Today is Sunday,29th September’19.I am sitting in my Gazebo in Raichak Farm House.It is raining outside,and the environment is soft and emoting. I am listening to Caravan music,as well.

On 14th.September’19,I launched my latest venture CALCUTTA BROADWAY. A philanthropic venture, focused on the junior artists,technicians, and support staff of Performing Arts, like, Music, Theater, Dance. These informal sectors are under attack from Technology based TV programs forcing audience to stay indoors,unless the performance has something which beats the TV viewing.To my mind,it always does. For example, Theater is the only performance where the Actors and the Audience are in direct eye contact.

I did a small dip stick research, and it was not difficult to find out the pain points in this profession,specially in Bengal. I also interviewed, talked and took inputs from many Seniors, Celebrities, Intellectuals, Critics, involved in Performing Arts, and understood what needs to be done. I saw,as expected, very little is being done in this area,philanthropically.

So, there was an Opportunity, for serious professional givers or philanthropists, like us to invest some time and money to try and raise this issue in society. As I have always believed, my work all my life has been to create TREND LINES and leave the HEAD LINES to others who follow after me. This has happened in INTELLIGENT WORKPLACES(INFINITY), SOFTWARE FINISHING SCHOOL(GFS)and other projects of mine.

Here is the scenario, we in CALCUTTA BROADWAY are trying to address. Imagine a 24-28 year old theatre artist, a dancer, a singer, working with a group,staying in a mofussil town,as the city life is very expensive, and whatever he/she earns regularly, if she does,is not sufficient. At times,as luck would have it,they could also be the only bread winner in the family. So, any health, education area is of immense issue for the family. If they had some support which steadies their livelihood,in such areas, it will go a long way.Mind you, they are giving
us a lot of joy and happiness, with their skillful performances on stage. They are extremely passionate in what they do.
SO, THAT SET MY MIND THINKING.

After burning some midnight oil, I came out with this concept of a comprehensive family Health Insurance Card. I called it BROADWAY HEALTH. We again, went through a lot of negotiations with INSURANCE AGGREGATORS and Group Insurance Companies and came out with this comprehensive Health Insurance, for the Family of six(6). Parents, Couple, two kids, COVERED. We also persuaded the Insurance Company to support the OTC Product category, like, cough-cold, doctor fees, stomach upset,etc. Wow! That was difficult to convince.But we did it, within a limit. So,we have made a major breakthrough.We will start with 26 Famiies,covering a maximum of 156 beneficiaries.As we roll this out after Pujas, we will add modules of 26 Families everytime.
I will also call upon donors to contribute on this module through Calcutta Broadway.

So, this again is a Trend line. Lets hope there will be many more Donors coming forward. And, to the ARTISTS,I would now say, go and give us your best. Learn, develop, prosper and pursue your passion with full honesty and commitment.

Visit www.calcuttabroadway.com and www.bikramdasgupta.com