As we come together to celebrate the UK alumni reunion every year, we are equally committed to honouring our shared responsibility toward a more sustainable future. Through thoughtful choices, we hope this reunion reflects not only our shared memories but also our shared values – celebrating the past while building a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Continuing Our Commitment to Environmental Sustainability – Glasgow Reunion 2026
Building on the sustainability initiatives introduced at our 2025 Milton Keynes Reunion, the BSMC UK Alumni Chapter is continuing its commitment to making our annual gatherings more environmentally responsible.
For our 2026 Reunion in Glasgow, we have offset 5 tonnes of CO₂e through Circular Ecology’s General Portfolio, supporting projects verified under internationally recognised Gold Standard and Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) schemes.
Alongside the carbon offset, we are also supporting the planting of 10 trees through Circular Ecology’s partnerships with Ripple Africa and Eden: People+Planet.
This builds on our 2025 initiative, when we offset 3 tonnes of CO₂ and supported the planting of 12 trees for our Milton Keynes Reunion.
Across our last two reunions, the BSMC UK Alumni Chapter has therefore:
- Offset 8 tonnes of CO₂/CO₂e
- Supported the planting of 22 trees
These may be modest steps, but they reflect an important principle for our alumni community: celebrating our friendships and shared heritage while remaining mindful of the footprint we leave behind.
Our goal is to not only reconnect and celebrate our shared experiences, but to also do so responsibly, in line with sustainable values. We’re taking this step as part of a larger journey toward being more environmentally conscious.
Our Glasgow 2026 carbon offset has been certified by Circular Ecology.
Commitment to Social and Cultural Sustainability
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond the environment to preserving cultural heritage and celebrating the communities that keep traditional art forms alive. Through our annual reunion initiatives, we promote appreciation of artistic traditions while strengthening our shared connection to Bankura and our roots.
Celebrating Living Heritage: Dashabatar Taas of Bishnupur – Glasgow Reunion Initiative 2026
Environmental responsibility is only one dimension of sustainability. Cultural sustainability is equally about preserving traditional knowledge, supporting artisan livelihoods and ensuring that distinctive local art forms continue to be valued by future generations.
For our 20th-year reunion in Glasgow, we chose hand-painted wooden coasters inspired by the Dashabatar Taas of Bishnupur as our memento – a way of carrying a piece of Bankura with us. This circular playing-card tradition depicts the ten avatars of Vishnu and has developed its own distinctive artistic form and rules in Bishnupur.
Today, the craft faces an uncertain future because of limited patronage, recognition and livelihood security for its remaining practitioners. Through this memento and the accompanying article in our reunion souvenir, we hope to celebrate this living heritage, raise awareness of its vulnerability and encourage greater appreciation for the artisans and traditions that sustain Bankura’s cultural identity.
Read more in our Glasgow 2026 Reunion Souvenir uploaded in the Events page of the website.
Celebrating Traditional Art: Pattachitra Heritage – BSMC UK Alumni Reunion 2025 Initiative
As part of our commitment to social and cultural sustainability, family of each alumni and our estmeed guests received a memento featuring traditional Pattachitra art – painstakingly hand-drawn by skilled artists from remote regions of eastern India. This initiative not only celebrates and helps preserve a rich and historic art form, but also provides meaningful support and visibility to the artists and their communities. Thanks to Muditaa Fashion for being a partner to get this masterpiece designed and delivered for the year Alumni meet 2025. Please see our Events page of our website to find the contact details of Muditaa Fashion.
