A Memorable Business Visit
Rahul Roy – Founder & CEO of Aitihya
On a vibrant afternoon of May 1, 2025, I, Rahul Roy—the Founder and CEO of Aitihya—along with our CSO, Souvik Biswas, embarked on a mission rooted deep in the cultural soil of Bengal. We headed towards the Khadi Mela organized by the Government of West Bengal at Tala Park. Our hearts were filled with purpose—to find, connect with, and uplift the artisans who carry the legacy of Bengal in their hands.
Though the mela was scheduled to begin at 1 PM, we reached around 1:50 PM, only to find the gates closed and the stalls unopened. A bystander advised us to return post-3 PM if we truly wanted to witness the fair in its full bloom. Hungry yet hopeful, we stepped out and found solace in a nearby café.
There, over a shared pizza and two refreshing mango mojitos, we discussed our dreams with the café owner. His warmth was unmatched. When we shared the vision of Aitihya, he beamed with joy, took a leaflet from the 40 we had carried, and said, “I know many artists—I’ll surely tell them about your work.” His encouragement was the first blessing of the day.
We returned to the mela around 3:10 PM, and to our relief, some stalls had started opening. As we walked in, stall by stall, we met entrepreneurs and craftspeople from various districts showcasing Khadi garments, jute bags, handwoven textiles, and ethnic wears. Many were thrilled to hear about Aitihya, amazed that students like us had taken such a bold initiative to bring Bengal’s heritage to the world stage.
While some mentioned that they were not the actual business owners and needed to consult their superiors or cooperatives, they still appreciated our work deeply. Many said they would get back to us after talking to their organizations. We noted down names, contact numbers, and district details with care, knowing that each one was a doorway to a story worth telling.
Soon, our 40 leaflets were all distributed. We walked nearly 2 kilometers to find a print shop and got 30 more printed. Stall after stall, we kept moving forward until we reached one beside the entrance gate. There, we received uplifting words from individuals who were touched by our effort. Later, we realized it was the stall of the West Bengal Khadi Bhavan.
An officer there, upon hearing our story, advised us to visit Khadi Bhavan after the mela. “I am part of the West Bengal Government’s Khadi Committee,” he said. “I’ll ensure all necessary permissions and help you get state-level promotion.” His promise added a new dimension to our hope.
“Just by seeing your website, I can say this initiative has heart. Do come to us—we’ll help in every way we can.”
We thanked them and moved ahead. One of them remarked, “Just by seeing your website, I can say this initiative has heart. Do come to us—we’ll help in every way we can.”
As we walked further, a woman crafting jute bags by hand caught our eye. We approached her and spoke of our work. She listened with glowing enthusiasm and, to our surprise, pleaded, “Please let me sell through your platform. I’ve been waiting for such an opportunity.” Her sincerity was touching.
A similar moment arrived when another woman, elderly and kind-hearted, said, “I’ve always wanted to sell online. You’re like my sons. May you grow big and strong.” Her words felt like a mother’s blessing.
Then, a sight left me awe-struck. A man sat quietly at his stall, designing traditional Bengali-themed t-shirts live, with brushes and colors in hand.
