Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 22 (ANI): The Governor of West Bengal CV Ananda Bose on Friday unveiled the logo of 'Kala Kranti Mission' and also flagged off a cycle march from Raj Bhawan in Kolkata on the occasion of World Car Free Day.

Bose, while addressing the public at the event, said that the mission is meant for the development of art and culture in the country.

"...Raj Bhawan is dedicating itself for the promotion of art and culture in Bengal...it is a wide realisation throughout the world that it is the soft power that matters and not the hard power (military or economic power)...soft power is represented by art, culture and heritage and India has the richest repository of culture and tradition..." said Bose.

He added, "...we did not come in even on 30th place in the world in displaying soft power...Kala Kranti is meant for the comprehensive and wholesome development of art and culture in the country and this will not remain confined to West Bengal...it will be extended to other states as well with their cooperation..."He also mentioned the importance of the cycle march on the occasion and said that while art cleanses the inner world we have to cleanse the outer (physical) world also.

Bose also reminded the people of a cycle march in Chicago where thousands of cyclists marched on a highway and the message behind that was that we have the right to live in an environment-friendly world and breathe clean air.

"Today the message of kala kranti will be taken to the nooks and corners of Bengal by the cyclists that in art we try to cleanse the inner world and they (cyclists) are representing cleansing of the outer world and protection of the environment," said the Governor.

Bose also announced that the Kala Kranti event will be formally inaugurated on the eve of Durga Puja.

Additionally, as a part of the Kala Kranti mission, 108 awards which will be termed as 'Durga Bharat Samaan' will also be released on the eve of Durga puja, and with the passing of the Women Reservation Bill, more than 33 percent awards will be given to women artists, said Bose. (ANI)