Author Archives: kolkatagives

Arindam & Sanjukta Samanta, CA

Originally from Kolkata, Sanjukta & Arindam are currently executives working in Silicon Valley and busy parents of two sons. Both came to the US for graduate studies in Computer Science. Arindam is also an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and Narendrapur Ramakrishna Mission, two of the finest educational institutions in West Bengal.

Right after the aftermath of cyclone Amphan, Arindam & Sanjukta were moved by the levels of devastation in the rural areas of Bengal and their heart went out to the people in these impacted areas. Determined to make a difference, both of them took time from their hectic schedule to make personalized appeals through social media platforms and other channels. Their appeal received overwhelming support from the Bengali population in the US and they ended up raising over $17k in just a few days from ~250 donors.

What attracted them to Kolkata Foundation was the organization’s ability to operate with multiple NGOs working round the clock to provide disaster relief to those affected on the ground, as well as the commitment to efficiency, transparency, and rigorous monitoring of fund utilization.

Having seen what can be accomplished through determined action, they are inspired to continue pushing forward over the years.

Shubhomoy & Sanjeeta Mukherjee, NJ

A graduate of IIT Kanpur and IIM Kolkata, Shubhomoy has worked at several Wall Street firms as a research analyst and currently holds a senior position at Blackrock. Sanjeeta graduated with a Masters in Business Economics from Ethiraj College, Chennai.

Shubhomoy and Sanjeeta Mukherjee have been associated with Kolkata Foundation since 2017. Apart from contributing financially, they led a successful fundraising campaign in 2018 to fund the education of 200+ children at Samaritan Help Mission. Shubhomoy has also been helping to lead Kolkata Foundation efforts focusing on healthcare initiatives and efforts to strategically grow the impact for the various supported nonprofits.

Shubhomoy and Sanjeeta have been actively involved in social programs for many years, with a focus on anti-trafficking. An avid enthusiast of meditation, Shubhomoy worked to launch the Overseas Volunteers for a Better India in the TriState area — his experience led him to see the synergies with Kolkata Foundation’s philosophy and approach, and he has been able to help influence the organization’s efforts on fundraising, outreach, and programmatic efforts.

Sanat & Indrani Chattopadhyay, NJ

Sanat and Indrani live in Newtown, PA. Indrani likes to keep busy with family and various philanthropic activities, especially focusing on women’s empowerment while Sanat maintains a hectic schedule as Executive VP and President, Merck Manufacturing. Alums of Jadavpur University, both passionately support community activities and try to be a force of good for the world. Sanat sits on the Board of US-India Strategic Partnership Forum and Hilleman Laboratories through which he actively helps many different causes to promote welfare in India as well as globally.

Sanat and Indrani, rooted and brought up in Kolkata, have been involved with Kolkata Foundation from the very inception and have always been inspired by the impact that Kolkata Foundation has had so far though their activities in education and healthcare in West Bengal.

Recently, as the Covid situation in India developed into a national health emergency, Sanat partnered with USISPF and Pratham to organize donation of millions of masks, hundreds of oxygen concentrators, sanitizers, ICU beds, and financial support to India.

Their daughter Shilpita, an environment enthusiast, actively supports NRDC and their son, Shubham enjoys mentoring and coaching underprivileged students (e.g. America Needs You).

Sanjay & Mausumi Dasgupta, NJ

Mausumi and Sanjay live in Princeton, NJ. Mausumi is a strategy executive at JP Morgan Chase. Sanjay is a graduate alumni of Princeton University and currently works as a Portfolio Manager at Millennium Management. Both are passionate about philanthropy in the education sector and long term supporters of Khan Academy, Princeton, and IIT.

When the Covid lockdown hit India, Sanjay and Mausumi worked closely with various charitable organizations to send support to the daily wage workers to provide 20K masks and ~250K meals to 12 villages. During this time, they met Kolkata Foundation and immediately connected with the team at many levels.

The nonprofit selection process that Kolkata Foundation follows is meticulous, finding exceptional organizations working on educational excellence, medical support and self reliance. These NGOs did not have large overheads and provided transparency. It was exactly what Mausumi and Sanjay were looking for, as they extended their support.

Their children Sabar, Emily, and Navin are involved in various social works and wish to continue carrying out the passion of their parents.