About Kolkata

Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it is the principal commercial, cultural, and educational centre of East India. It has been one of the most important cities in the country and has been an important center of trade in the country since centuries. Often called the 'city of joy', the city boasts of its rich cultural heritage which is easily reflected in the livelihood in and around the city. The blending of Eastern and Western cultural influences over the centuries has stimulated the creation of numerous and diverse organizations that contribute to Kolkata’s cultural life.

Climate

Kolkata has a tropical wet-and-dry climate with an annual mean temperature of 26.8 ℃. Summers are generally hot and humid while the maximum temperature during the dry spells of April and May exceed 40 ℃. A short spell of winter, lasting about two and a half months during December and February, are comparatively cool and the best time to visit the city. The temperature in February ranges between 18 ℃ to 25 ℃. You may expect a comfortable weather in Kolkata during the time of the workshop.

About Jadavpur University

Jadavpur University is a premier educational and research institute in India, ranked among the top universities in India and the world. Originating in the anti-colonial National Council of Education, Bengal (1906) to “achieve self-reliance through the empowerment of youth by imparting the best of global knowledge, technical education, and awareness of social, cultural, political, economic realities of the state, the nation and the world” the university has consistently set new frontiers in science, technology, humanities and social science innovation and outreach; it has provided research and policy support for state and national governments and international bodies, and conventional and non-conventional technological development for society at large, including both established industries and disadvantaged groups, through innovation and adaptation.

The Department of Philosophy was established in 1956, with strong foundations laid by stalwarts like Prof. Gopinath Bhattacharya, Prof. Kali Krishna Banerjee, Prof. Pranab Kumar Sen, Prof. Debi Prasad Chattopadhyay, Prof. Pradyot Kumar Mukhopadhyay and Prof. Sailaja Kumar. With its unique, innovative and extensive curricula and research programmes it aims to help pupils acquire a deep understanding of the philosophies of India and the West, both classical and contemporary, enabling students to build a meta-understanding of the wisdom contained in numerous fields of human knowledge by equipping them with the critical and rational capacity to evaluate diverse world views. The Department ranked in the 151-200 band of subject-wise positions in the QS world ranking 2024, which makes it one of the top Philosophy departments in India. This is a commendable achievement as a State level University Department. The Department strives to foster free, rational and environmentally conscious citizenship of a global era. The Department runs the following research centres: 

• • Centre for Sri Aurobindo Studies

  • Centre for Buddhist Studies

  • Centre for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology

  • Bimal Krishna Matilal Centre for Logic

With a wide range of teaching and research interests, the Department has built an exceptional record of research and learning.

How to reach 

There are a number of Kolkata-specific app for cabs that serve in the city:

(1) OLA (2) UBER  (3) InDrive (4) Snap-e

You can simply travel between any two points in Kolkata by booking these cabs through the apps.

By Flight: If you are coming to Kolkata by flight, the best way to reach Jadavpur University Campus is to take a cab from the airport. There are a number of options for cab that you can avail:  (i) Take a pre-paid taxi from within the terminal, or (i) Take one of the app cabs. You can also avail local buses (VS-1, V-1, AC-37A, VS-2, AC-43) or any other bus towards 8B Bus Terminus, Jadavpur. 

To reach Jadavpur University: Get down at 8B bus stop on the Raja SC Mullick Road, Jadavpur. Gate no.1 and gate no.2 is just opposite to the bus stop.

By Train: If you are coming by train you will be getting down in one of the 4 train stations - Howrah, Sealdah, Shalimar or Kolkata Station (Chitpur).

From Sealdah Station: Few buses like 45, 45A, KB17, 234, 240 are usually available, you can get down at Jadavpur 8b bus stop. However it is better take a local train from Sealdah railway station. Take trains towards the South line and get down at Jadavpur station. Come towards platform no.1 by crossing the over head footwalk. Once you walk down a flight of stairs and exit from the station, take right and walk for approximately 5 minutes to reach gate no.1 of the University. You can also take a rickshaw to reach gate no.1 of the University.

From Howrah Station: The best way to reach Jadavpur University from Howrah station is to take the East-West (green line) metro from the Howrah station to Esplande metro station and transfer to the blue line of the metro. From Esplanade, take a blue line metro towards Ravindra Sarovar metro station or Mahanayak Uttam Kumar metro station (Route map given below). You may take shared auto from Mahanayak Uttam Kumar station and get down at 8B bus stand  If you are taking shared auto from Ravindra Sarovar metro station, then get down at gate no.4 or gate no.5 of Jadavpur University. You can also take buses like 45B, AC1 from Ravindra Sarovar metro station. Another way to reach from Howrah station to Jadavpur university is to take direct buses like AC1, E1, S5, AC5 and get down either at gate no.4 of the University or at 8B bus stand, Jadavpur.

From Shalimar Station: The best option is to take a bus/shared auto to Howrah station and then use the above mentioned route. 

From Kolkata Station: One can take the 260 bus from Gauribari to Sealdah and follow the above mentioned route. The metro can also be availed from Belgachia metro which is 850 Mts away from the railway station and take a blue line metro towards Ravindra Sarovar metro station or Mahanayak Uttam Kumar metro station and reach Jadavpur university, following the aforementioned route. 

Available accommodations nearby

The following list provides a few hotels near the Jadavpur University (JU) Campus. If you have already registered for the workshop, and you want the local organizers to  book your accommodation (some advance payment may be required), please fill up the following form by January 25, 2025:

Places to visit in Kolkata