French Ambassador visits Kolkata and Chandannagar

H.E. Mr Alexandre Ziegler, Ambassador of France to India, on his way to Chandannagar, a confluence of Indian and French cultures for centuries with Consul General of France to Kolkata, Mr Damien SYED and
Director of Institut français India, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Action, Dr. Bertrand DE Hartingh

H.E. Mr Alexandre Ziegler, Ambassador of France to India, on his way to Chandannagar, a confluence of Indian and French cultures for centuries with Consul General of France to Kolkata, Mr Damien SYED and
Director of Institut français India, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Action, Dr. Bertrand DE Hartingh

Ambassador visits the Sacred Heart Church with Father Orson Wells in Chandannagar
It was designed by a French architect in the 17th century

Ambassador visits the Sacred Heart Church with Father Orson Wells in Chandannagar
It was designed by a French architect in the 17th century

Ambassador in Chandannagar with urban conservation architect Aishwarya Tipnis

Ambassador in Chandannagar with urban conservation architect Aishwarya Tipnis

Ambassador in Chandannagar with urban conservation architect Aishwarya Tipnis

Ambassador in Chandannagar with urban conservation architect Aishwarya Tipnis

Ambassador in Chandannagar with urban conservation architect Aishwarya Tipnis

Ambassador in Chandannagar with urban conservation architect Aishwarya Tipnis

Ambassador inaugurates an exhibition on history of Chandannagar at Institut de Chandernagor, which preserves the French cultural heritage of the city

Ambassador inaugurates an exhibition on history of Chandannagar at Institut de Chandernagor, which preserves the French cultural heritage of the city

Ambassador inaugurates an exhibition on history of Chandannagar at Institut de Chandernagor, which preserves the French cultural heritage of the city

Ambassador inaugurates an exhibition on history of Chandannagar at Institut de Chandernagor, which preserves the French cultural heritage of the city

Ambassador conferred “Ordre national du Mérite” to Ms Fabienne Fichet who works in favour of underprivileged children
of Kolkata

Ambassador conferred “Ordre national du Mérite” to Ms Fabienne Fichet who works in favour of underprivileged children
of Kolkata

Ambassador conferred “Ordre national du Mérite” to Mr Christophe Plais who works in favour of underprivileged children
of Kolkata

Ambassador conferred “Ordre national du Mérite” to Mr Christophe Plais who works in favour of underprivileged children
of Kolkata

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West Bengal, 5 - 7 February 2017

The Ambassador of France to India, H.E. Mr Alexandre Ziegler, was in West Bengal from 5th February evening till 7th February morning. His second trip to the State took him to the capital city of Kolkata as well as Chandannagar.

During his visit to the former French township on 6th February, Ambassador Ziegler met with Father Orson Wells of the Sacred Heart Church in Chandannagar. Thereafter, he undertook a guided heritage tour of historic French buildings with urban conservation architect Aishwarya Tipnis. Visiting the Institut de Chandernagor with its Director, Dr Phalguni Mukherjee, he inaugurated an exhibition on the history of Chandannagar at the cultural centre and museum. Mr Ziegler also went to Chandernagore College, where he had a lively interaction with students of the Department of French and its Head, Professor Basabi Pal.

In the evening, during a reception hosted at the Consulate General of France in Kolkata, the Ambassador of France conferred the insignia of Knight of the National Order of Merit on Ms Fabienne Fichet, founder of the NGO, "Les Galopins de Calcutta", and Mr Christophe Plais, founder of the social enterprise, "Terra Indica".

Ambassador Ziegler also met different local partners to prepare for the third edition of France’s “Bonjour India” festival, which will be inaugurated in November 2017. On this occasion, France will be the “theme country” of the International Kolkata Book Fair 2018.

Ms Fabienne Fichet, the founder of "Les Galopins de Calcutta" works towards improving the lives of street children in Kolkata. www.galopinsdecalcutta.org

Mr Christophe Plais is the founder of the company and foundation "Terra Indica", which works extensively with underprivileged youths of the city. http://terraindica.com/en/showroom-2