KOLKATA, July 27 -- In Bengal, it is hard to find a middle-class home that didn't once have the iconic Godrej Storwel almirah. For generations, the modest steel cupboard was not just furniture but became a family heirloom. Kolkata was among the biggest markets for the Storwel, and even today, it continues to occupy pride of place in many homes.
The city's enduring relationship with Godrej extends beyond homes. Outside Kolkata's courts and office districts around Esplanade, where the fading profession of pavement typists still survives, many continue to use Godrej typewriters. When Godrej entered typewriter manufacturing in 1955, American brand Remington dominated the Kolkata market. Over time, however, Godrej emerged as the preferred choice, securing nearly 75% of the West Bengal government's typewriter orders in 1998 and 1999. Although the company stopped manufacturing typewriters in 2009, many of these machines are still in service on Kolkata's pavements.
These are among the many stories showcased at the centenary exhibition of Godrej's Kolkata branch at its Salt Lake office. Marking 100 years of operations in the city, the exhibition traces the evolution of the brand and its close association with Kolkata.
Vrunda Pathare, Head of Godrej Archives, who has been instrumental in preserving the company's history, said the exhibition is as much about Kolkata as it is about brand. "For a company that is 130 years old, a Kolkata branch completing 100 years is a major milestone. When we speak of the company's transformation, we don't just tell the story of our products but also of the places that shaped us. Kolkata has been part of our journey at every step, and we wanted the city to
celebrate this milestone with us," she said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.