World Hepatitis Day 2026 programme was held at the proposed University campus, Sonarpur, under the theme "No Hep Village", symbolizing the vision of creating hepatitis-free communities. The event brought together over 250 participants, including students from 11 schools, healthcare professionals, Hepatitis Patient Forum members, community representatives, and volunteers. The programme was graced by Shri Debashis Dhar, Hon'ble MLA, Sonarpur North, as the Chief Guest, while renowned actor Debshankar Haldar attended as Guests of Honour. The programme featured awareness sessions, a Poster Making Competition on the theme "Know Hep, No Hep" and a Short Speech Competition on "Prevention is Better than Cure", alongside a Live Crafting session by members of the HPF members and a prize distribution ceremony. The event concluded with a Cycle Rally to the Indian Institute of Liver and Digestive Sciences (IILDS), reaffirming the collective commitment towards eliminating viral hepatitis and building healthier communities.

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World Hepatitis Day was also observed at M.M. High School, Purulia, with the participation of approximately 110 students and several teachers. The programme was attended by Mr. Swapan Kumar Sau, Headmaster of the school, along with Mr. Indranil Mukherjee, Mr. Rajib Mondal, Mr. Manasram Chattopadhyay, and representatives from the local police and civic police. A 2.5-kilometre awareness rally was organized through the surrounding locality, engaging students in promoting messages on hepatitis prevention and healthy living.

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World Hepatitis Day was celebrated in collaboration with the National Service Scheme (NSS) Department of Suri Vidyasagar College. Around 150 students participated in the programme, which featured a Hepatitis Quiz Competition and a Slogan Writing Competition. The programme was inaugurated by Prof. Tapan Paricha, Principal of Suri Vidyasagar College, as the Chief Guest. Other distinguished attendees included Dr. Shaibal Majumdar, Dr. Kajal Chatterjee, and Prof. Rita Mukhopadhyay of the Department of Philosophy. The event was coordinated by Satyidananda Mukhopadhyay. The programme concluded with an awareness rally around the college campus, where students enthusiastically participated in spreading the message of hepatitis prevention among the local community.

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The 8th session of the year-long Ritwik Japan programme by The Liver Foundation, West Bengal focused on "Ritwik and Time." Dr. Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay reflected on time as a lived historical and human experience, while Prof. Manas Ghosh (Jadavpur University) discussed Ritwik Ghatak's enduring influence across cinema and other disciplines. The programme concluded with the screening of the completed version of Ghatak's documentary on Ramkinkar Baij. Two distinguished personalities associated with the completion of the documentary, Gokul Sarkar and Abhijit Goswami, were present at the event and shared various memories and experiences from the making of the documentary.

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The seventh session of Ritwik Japan, organised by The Liver Foundation, West Bengal, was held on 4 June, featuring discussions on the shared humanistic vision of Ritwik Ghatak and Ramkinkar Baij. Dr. Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay and Dr. Abhijit Chowdhury highlighted the programme's continuing cultural journey, while artist-scholar Anindyakanti Biswas and Prof. Abdul Kafi explored Ramkinkar's artistic legacy and Ghatak's Subarnarekha. The programme also included a screening of Ghatak's documentary on Ramkinkar Baij, an audio tribute to Nabarun Bhattacharya, and a special display of sculptures by Ramkinkar Baij and Ritwik Ghatak.

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The John C. Martin Centre for Liver Research & Innovations (JCMLRI), a unit of the Liver Foundation, West Bengal, and Jadavpur University signed a five-year Collaborative Research Agreement on 12 May 2026 to advance interdisciplinary research, innovation, and academic collaboration in liver and translational sciences. The MoU was signed by Dr. Selim Box Mandal, Acting Registrar, Jadavpur University, and Dr. Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay, Secretary, Liver Foundation, West Bengal, in the presence of Dr. Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Amitava Datta, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and Dr. Abhijit Chowdhury, Chief Mentor, Liver Foundation, West Bengal. Effective from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2031, the partnership will support collaborative research, joint PhD supervision, scientific publications, intellectual property development, and shared research facilities, fostering translational research, innovation, and capacity building through close collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and students.

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As part of the Public Health Support for Communities in the Sundarbans initiative, the Liver Foundation, West Bengal established Nutrition Counselling Centre in Dayapur and Rangabelia to address malnutrition and improve nutrition awareness among children, adolescents, pregnant women, and the elderly. The initiative empowers local Self-Help Group (SHG) women as Para Nutritionists, enabling them to provide community-based nutrition counselling, promote locally available nutritious foods, conduct awareness sessions, and encourage healthy dietary practices. Supported by nutrition experts from IILDS, the programme aims to reduce malnutrition, strengthen community health, and create a sustainable, community-led model for nutrition education across the Sundarbans.

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The 6th session of ‘Ritwik Japan’, organised by Liver Foundation, West Bengal, was held on 4 May, despite adverse weather and the prevailing election atmosphere. Dr. Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay and Dr. Abhijit Chowdhury reflected on the enduring relevance of Ghatak’s artistic vision, Eminent theatre director and actor Sohini Sengupta shared personal memories and reflections on Ritwik Ghatak’s films and his creative legacy. The programme concluded with poetry recitations by Swapna Dey, featuring works by Birendra Chattopadhyay, Premendra Mitra and Ritwik Ghatak.

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Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital (IILDS Unit I) celebrated its first anniversary on 7 April 2026 with the inauguration of a modern two-bed dialysis unit by Dr. Manimoy Bandyopadhyay, Director, SSKM Hospital, addressing the growing need for accessible kidney-care service. Dr. Manabendranath Roy, Chairman, Board of Governance, IILDS; Avtar Singh, Secretary, Gurdwara Sant Kutiya; Dr. Abhijit Chowdhury, Chief Mentor, Liver Foundation; Dr. Partha Sarathi Mukherjee, Executive Director, IILDS, and Shamik Gangopadhyay (Friends of LFWB) spoke about the importance of affordable and compassionate healthcare and the need to bring quality medical services closer to the community.

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The 5th edition of ‘Ritwik Japan’, hosted by Liver Foundation, West Bengal, took place on 4 April at the proposed University of Human and Health Sciences campus. The programme began with a Rabindra Sangeet performance by Alokananda Ray, followed by an engaging lecture by Prof. Anindya Sengupta (Jadavpur University) on Ritwik Ghatak’s distinctive cinematic language, editing style and social vision. An interactive exchange with the audience further enriched the session, deepening appreciation of Ghatak’s enduring artistic legacy.

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The palliative care centre ‘Arun Porosh’ was inaugurated on the 98th birth anniversary of social worker and educationist Arun Chowdhury. The five-bed centre, established in his family home, will provide free and compassionate care for patients with advanced and chronic illnesses, prioritizing comfort, dignity and emotional well-being. Speakers included Arati Sharma Ray, District Judge, Birbhum; Dr. Shubhabrata Ghosh, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Birbhum; Professor Mesbah Kamal, University of Dhaka; Dr. Shankar Nath; Dr. Shaibal Majumdar; Dr. Abhijit Chowdhury, Chief Mentor, LFWB and son of Arun Chowdhry; and Dr. ParthaSarathi Mukherjee, Chief Secretary, Liver Foundation. A group song was performed by Abhik Ghosh, a retired teacher of Patha Bhavan, along with Ashramik Partha Chakraborty, Ranendu Das, Manas Bishnu and others.

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The fourth edition of ‘Ritwik Japan’, hosted by Liver Foundation, West Bengal, was held on 4 March 2026. The session featured reflections by Dr. Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay and Dr. Abhijit Chowdhury on preserving Ritwik Ghatak’s creative legacy. Eminent theatre critic Shamik Bandyopadhyay delivered the keynote lecture, offering rare insights into Ghatak’s life, cinema and theatre through personal memories and historical perspectives. The programme concluded with a musical tribute by Abhik Mukhopadhyay, celebrating Bengal’s rich folk heritage.

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Indian Institute of Liver and Digestive Sciences (IILDS) completed 10 years on 27 February 2026. Founded with the belief that healthcare is a service, not a commodity, IILDS has grown with a strong focus on compassionate, patient-centred care. The anniversary programme brought together Dr. Manabendranath Roy, Chairman, Board of Governance, IILDS; renowned pediatricians Y. K. Amdekar; Dr. Ashisa Janila M.; Dr. Kalyan Basu, Vice-President, LFWB; and Shailesh Chowdhury. A key highlight was the launch of the Paediatric Gastroenterology Department, the first specialised unit of its kind in an Eastern Indian hospital, led by Dr. Ujjal Poddar. The Mandira Bhavan auditorium was named after the late Fangisheli Mushali, Director, Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, honouring her association with the Liver Foundation. Dr. Somnath Chattopadhyay spoke on donor collaboration, while Ashish Kumar Ghosh highlighted IILDS’s bond with the local community. A coffee-table book marking the decade was released, 15 staff members were felicitated, and the programme, conducted by Dr. Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay, concluded with a speech competition and musical performances by Dr. Chandan Chattopadhyay and Parbati Purkait.

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A two-day training programme for field staff, organised by LFWB and held at JCMLRI on 20–21 February 2026, focused on strengthening community health preparedness among local para-health workers across 11 Gram Panchayats in the Sundarbans region. Dr. Purnendu Ranjit, Pathologist, IILDS; Ms. Samarpita Sadhukhan, Clinical Nutritionist, IILDS; Dr. Pabak Sarkar, Project Scientist, JCMLRI; and Mr. Tushar Mandal, Project Coordinator, Public Health Support Project, led the sessions. Through lectures, practical demonstrations and hands-on training, field staff were prepared to support NCD screening camps in seven Gram Panchayats with the help of local para-health workers.

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The first Popular Science Talk on Machine Learning, organised by the Bigyanbhash team, was held on 30 January 2026 at Briddhi Hall, KolkatS. Prof. Kuntal Ghosh of the Machine Intelligence Unit, Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) delivered an engaging lecture, exploring pattern recognition, the evolution of computing, neural networks, and the historical foundations of machine learning beyond the popular notion of "artificial intelligence."

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The Consortium for Rural Healthcare Providers' Welfare (CRHPW) organized Community Health Festival at Chinpai School Ground, Chinpai Gram Panchayat, Suri-I Block, Birbhum, replicating the successful model developed by the Liver Foundation, West Bengal under its community public health initiative. The festival promoted preventive healthcare through three main interactive stalls on nutrition, emergency care, and health & hygiene. Demonstrations on affordable nutritious local food, encouraged healthy eating habits. The emergency care stall offered hands-on training in basic life-saving techniques, along with free BMI and blood pressure screening. The health and hygiene stall, managed by local students, highlighted personal hygiene, sanitation, and simple daily exercises. By engaging local residents, Rural Health Care Providers, Self-Help Groups, students, and volunteers, the festival demonstrated an effective community-based approach to improving rural health literacy and promoting healthy lifestyles.

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'Boiwala' is a unique mobile library initiative by Arunjyoti Pathagar, designed to take books directly to readers' doorsteps. A specially designed e-rickshaw carrying a curated collection of books will travel through villages and urban neighbourhoods, promoting the joy of reading and fostering a culture of books among people of all ages. The initiative was inaugurated on 7th January 2026 at Nagari Sudhanshu Badani Sikshaniketan by “A Tireless Swimmer in the Ocean of Books” Swagata Das Mukhopadhyay. The launch also featured an interactive discussion on reading and community libraries, marking the beginning of a new effort to make books more accessible to every community.

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As part of Public Health Support for Communities in the Sundarbans project, LFWB organized Community Health Festival at Meriganj I Panchayat, Kultali Block on 21 Dec, 2025, promoting preventive healthcare, nutrition and emergency preparedness through interactive community engagement. The festival featured three key stalls on nutrition, emergency care and health & hygiene. Nursing students, Self-Help Group (SHG) members Rural Health Care Programme (RHCP) representatives demonstrated affordable nutritious foods using locally sourced ingredients, basic life-saving skills, BMI and blood pressure screening, and healthy lifestyle practices. The initiative demonstrated the potential of community-led health festivals to strengthen health awareness and preventive care in rural areas.

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The Indian Institute of Liver and Digestive Sciences (IILDS), in collaboration with Sun Pharma and Sygnus, hosted a high-impact session, "Protect Liver, Preserve Life," at Taj Vivanta, Kolkata. This 360-degree dialogue on Liver and digestive Diseases featured a multidisciplinary approach, covering genetic markers, public health, and surgical interventions. Renowned experts including Prof. Abhijit Chowdhury, Dr. Dipankar Mondal, Dr. Phalguni Hota, Dr. Souvik Mitra, Dr. Srijan Majumdar, Dr. Kishalaya, and Dr. Chandan Chatterjee from IILDS—led sessions for an audience of medical professionals and sales experts. The event underscored IILDS's commitment to innovation and education in the fight for a liver and digestive-disease-free India.

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The 2nd Kolkata Pancreas Meeting (KPM), a biennial national congress on pancreatology, was held on 12–13 December 2025 at Hotel Taj Bengal, organised by IILDS under the Liver Foundation, West Bengal. With over 200 delegates and 26 eminent faculty members, including six international experts, the meeting focused on “Recurrent Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis: Scouring the Moot Domains.” A key highlight was the inaugural Dr. TN Lahiri Mazumdar Oration, delivered by Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy on “A Lifetime of Pancreatic Endotherapy.” The Competitive Journal Review recognised young researchers, with Dr. Arihant Seth securing first place, followed by Dr. Pragnya Ghosh Dastidar and Dr. Brateen Roy. Delegates received 9 West Bengal Medical Council Credit Points, reinforcing KPM’s role as a leading academic platform for pancreatology in India.

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To mark the centenary of legendary filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak, Liver Foundation, West Bengal launched a 100-day installation exhibition at the proposed University of Health and Human Sciences, Natagachi, Sonarpur. Opened on 4 December, one month after Ghatak’s 100th birth anniversary and will remain open for 100 days as a symbolic tribute to his centenary. It hosts a special programme on the 4th of every month, exploring different aspects of his artistic legacy. The exhibition was inaugurated by his son Ritoban Ghatak, along with the Liver Foundation’s leadership and eminent cultural personalities. Lead artist Shovon Tarafdar introduced the installation artists and their installations, followed by cultural and musical performances featuring songs and folk compositions associated with Ghatak’s films.

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A training-cum-awareness programme on palliative care was organised for the nursing staffs of IILDS and students of CINHS, focusing on holistic approaches to palliative care and the vital role of effective communication with patients and their caregivers. The programme featured insightful sessions by Ms. Meheli Chakraborty, CEO of Ruma Abedona Hospice, National Faculty, IAPC, and Ms. Gilly Burn, Founder and Director of Cancer Relief India, a globally recognised pioneer in palliative care. Their engaging presentations highlighted compassionate caregiving, communication skills, and best practices in delivering patient-centred palliative care.

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The Liver Foundation, West Bengal, successfully organized a Community Health Festival on 26 October 2025 at Gobindokati Agrodut Sangha Ground in Hingalganj Block, Sundarbans, as part of 'Community public health support' initiative. The festival promoted preventive healthcare, nutrition awareness, emergency medical preparedness and community participation through a range of health education and capacity-building activities.

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The communication teams of IILDS, CINHS and LFWB have revived Soul, the organization's monthly newsletter, originally launched in 2008–09 but later discontinued due to operational constraints. The newsletter was relaunched in September and has since been published regularly every month, featuring articles, photographs, artworks and poetry contributed by LFWB members from its various units.

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Dr. Dilip Mahalanabis pioneered community-based health solutions, with his work on oral rehydration solution saving millions of lives from cholera-related diarrhoea. In his memory, LFWB's annual memorial oration honours national leaders whose contributions have transformed public health. The third oration was delivered by Dr. Gagandeep Kang, Director of Global Health at the Gates Foundation, who led the development of India's rotavirus vaccine. Reflecting on her experience, she underscored the importance of integrating research, public policy and public health to improve healthcare outcomes.

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