Kolkata, West Bengal, 01^st June 2026: The Kolkata Chapter of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) hosted a special felicitation evening in honour of Shri Dilip Ghosh ji, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Government of West Bengal, overseeing the Departments of Panchayats & Rural Development, Agricultural Marketing, and Animal Resources Development, at JW Marriott Kolkata on Sunday evening.

The event brought together over 150+ prominent members of the restaurant and hospitality fraternity, industry stakeholders, and government dignitaries for an evening focused on dialogue, collaboration, and the future growth of West Bengal’s hospitality ecosystem.

One of the key highlights of the evening was the presentation of NRAI’s flagship CSR initiative, Sip Smart, presented by Mr. Rudresh Agarwal, Joint Secretary, NRAI Kolkata Chapter. The initiative aims to promote responsible drinking practices and create greater awareness around road safety and responsible social behaviour.

Addressing the gathering later, Shri Dilip Ghosh ji acknowledged the challenges currently being faced by the restaurant industry and urged stakeholders to remain patient and optimistic about the future. He emphasized that the Government of West Bengal is committed to proactively supporting the hospitality and restaurant sector through improved ease of doing business and smoother operational processes at the ground level.

The Hon’ble Minister further highlighted the importance of tourism and hospitality in strengthening the state’s economy, generating employment, and increasing overall spending power within the ecosystem. He encouraged businesses to continue expanding within West Bengal and reiterated the government’s intent to create a more supportive environment for industry growth and entrepreneurship.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Piyush Kankaria, Chapter Head, NRAI Kolkata, said, “This evening is dedicated to felicitating Shri Dilip Ghosh and acknowledging his contribution to public service. We look forward to a smooth and progressive collaboration between the restaurant industry and the Government of West Bengal. Together, we aim to create more opportunities for skill development, upskilling programmes, and employment generation, further strengthening the hospitality sector and its contribution to the state’s economy.”

Adding a memorable artistic touch to the evening was a captivating live sand art performance by renowned artist Vaibhav Katwate. Through a powerful visual narration depicting the journey and life of Shri Dilip Ghosh Ji, the performance beautifully captured moments of leadership, dedication, and public service, leaving the audience completely mesmerised and earning heartfelt appreciation from all present and a special felicitation from the Hon’ble Minister himself.

The evening reaffirmed NRAI Kolkata Chapter’s commitment to fostering stronger partnerships with policymakers, promoting responsible hospitality practices, and supporting initiatives that drive sustainable industry growth across West Bengal.

About NRAI

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) is the voice of the Indian restaurant industry, representing over 5,00,000 restaurants and food service establishments across the country. In West Bengal alone, the industry generates employment for approximately 9,00,000 people. Through advocacy, industry engagement, and initiatives such as Sip Smart, NRAI continues to work towards the sustainable growth and development of India’s hospitality ecosystem.