Indian Council For Cultural Relations (Ministry Of Externalaffai

Working for the Indian Council For Cultural Relations here on S.C. Mukherjee Bye Lane is a bit like stepping back in time. The address is 7/E and it’s tucked away in a part of Calcutta that has a lot of old-world charm. Being connected to the Ministry of External Affairs means we have a lot of official looking documents around, but the office itself feels very local. The building is older and has those thick walls that keep things a bit cooler, though we still rely on the ceiling fans quite a bit. There are stacks of files and books everywhere you look, mostly because there is always so much going on with cultural programs and international exchanges. It’s a bit of a maze getting here if you aren't used to the bye lanes of Bangla 712235, but it’s a nice area once you get your bearings. We spend a lot of our time on the phone or typing up reports that need to go to the main offices. It’s not a fast-paced corporate environment; it’s more about being steady and making sure the details are right. We have a small staff and we’ve all been together for years, so we know who is responsible for what. It’s a lot of traditional office work, but it feels like it’s part of something bigger, even if we are just sitting in a quiet lane in Calcutta doing our part.