Kaushik Ghatak

Alongside my professional work, community has been a constant anchor. Having called Singapore home for many years, I've found that contributing to a community requires the same skills as leading an organisation — and often teaches you far more about yourself in the process.

Serving as President of the Bengali Association Singapore gave me a deeply personal lens on what it means to hold a community together — balancing tradition and evolution, diverse expectations, and the quiet but important work of making people feel they belong.


Bengali Association Singapore

President — 2024 & 2025
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Dr. Kaushik Ghatak, President of Bengali Association Singapore
Dr. Kaushik Ghatak
President, BAS 2024–2025

The Bengali Association Singapore (BAS) is one of Singapore's oldest and most respected cultural organisations, founded in 1956. With over 1,000 member families from diverse backgrounds, it holds a pre-eminent position in Singapore society and within the global Bengali diaspora.

BAS sits at the intersection of cultural preservation and national integration — celebrating Bengali heritage through festivals, performing arts, sports, and community programmes, while actively participating in Singapore's multicultural tapestry and government-supported assimilation initiatives.

I served as President from 2024 through 2025. Leading an organisation of this history and scale — volunteer-run, community-financed, and deeply personal to its members — was one of the most rewarding challenges of my adult life. It required the same clarity and listening I try to bring to executive coaching, but in a context where the stakes are human, not commercial.

What I valued most was the chance to bring people together: long-standing members with roots stretching back decades, and newer families finding their footing in Singapore. The common thread was a shared sense of identity and belonging — something I came to appreciate more deeply through this role.

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Durga Puja

BAS's most significant annual celebration — bringing together 500+ families for the five-day Durga Pujo festival, combining spiritual observance with cultural performances and community bonding. Led the 2024 and 2025 editions as President.

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Borshoboron

The Bengali New Year celebration — a joyful gathering of the community marking Pohela Boishakh. Organised and hosted annual celebrations in 2024 and 2025, drawing members from across Singapore.

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Cultural Programmes

Live concerts, theatrical productions, poetry evenings, sports events, and the annual Milon magazine — BAS's bilingual publication since 1960. A rich calendar of events keeping Bengali culture vibrant in Singapore.

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Community Integration

Active participation in Singapore government initiatives promoting multicultural integration and national cohesion — ensuring BAS's role goes beyond the Bengali community and contributes to the broader Singaporean society.



Other Community Activities

Community involvement for me extends beyond a single organisation. This section will grow as I continue to contribute to various causes and initiatives.

More community activities and initiatives to be added here — speaking at community events, mentoring, charitable work, and other contributions.

Coming soon