The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the celebrations to commemorate the Bicentenary of publication of Bengali newspapers today (June 30, 2017) in Kolkata organized by the Press Club, Kolkata.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the first newspaper of the country, ‘Hicky's Bengal Gazette’ was published from Kolkata in 1780. Appreciating the Kolkata Press Club, he stated that it has taken the responsibility of celebrating the bicentenary as a true and worthy successor of Bengal’s rich tradition.

The President dwelt on the glorious past of the evolution of Bengali newspapers. Referring to the advent of technology in communication, the President mentioned the growing importance of social media in the country.

On the occasion, the Governor of West Bengal, Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi released a commemorative volume on the two hundred years of Bengali Newspapers, brought out by Kolkata Press Club and presented its first copy to the President.

This release issued at 1855 hrs.