Chandernagore, Sept. 11 -- Once a French colony, Chandernagore is again all set to revive its French legacy, with the state government joining hands with France to restore its colonial-era heritage and promote the town as a major international tourism destination.
The initiative was marked by a three-day celebration in Chandernagore from September 11 to 13, with the town decked up with lights and a series of cultural programmes. French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou attended the events, which also saw the launch of the restoration programme for the historic French Registry Building. The state government and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the restoration and development of Chandernagore's heritage.
State Tourism minister Shankar Ghosh, Chandernagore MLA Dipanjan Guha, Hooghly District Magistrate Khurshid Ali Qadri and Police Commissioner Sunil Yadav were among those present. Ghosh said the renewed engagement with France would usher in a "new era of Indo-French partnership." Taking a dig at the previous government, he said that despite Chandernagore 's rich French legacy, no significant work had been undertaken to revitalise the town and tap its tourism potential.
Mathou said he was hopeful about the new government's efforts and expressed his desire to see "shared development of Bengal, particularly Chandernagore ." He said the celebration of Indo-French culture and the revival of the town's French heritage could strengthen people-to-people ties while also opening avenues for investment in several sectors.
The Registry Building, located opposite the Chandernagore SDO office near Rani Ghat, has remained in a dilapidated condition for years. Built in 1875, it once housed important administrative functions, including land registration and marriage-related records. The building was declared a heritage structure by the state government in 2017.
The MoU envisages restoring the building to its former character and developing Chandernagore's French heritage as a tourism attraction. Plans are also underway to hold an annual French Festival in the town.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.