Shipbuilder’s heritage initiative to preserve sacred and migration-linked riverfront landmarks

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) has launched restoration work at two historic ghats on the Hooghly River, Mayer Ghat in Bagbazar and Suriname Ghat in Garden Reach under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme. The initiative aims to safeguard Kolkata’s cultural heritage while improving public access and aesthetics.
The company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) for the project.

Located in North Kolkata, Mayer Ghat is closely associated with Ma Sarada, the spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who used the ghat during her stay at Udbodhan. The beautification will preserve this sacred site for future generations while enhancing its appeal.

Suriname Ghat marks the departure point of the sailing ship Lalla on 26 February 1873, carrying 410 indentured labourers to the Dutch colony of Suriname. Between 1873 and 1916, 63 more ships carried 34,304 Indians to the South American nation. Today, people of Indian origin comprise over 35 per cent of Suriname’s population. Memorials at the ghat including the Mai Baap statue symbolise the resilience of those migrants.

GRSE’s Caribbean link dates back to 2023, when it delivered Ma Lisha, the largest and fastest ocean-going passenger-cum-cargo ferry in Guyana, a country bordering Suriname