Sundeep Bhutoria is a culturist, social activist and wildlife enthusiast based in Kolkata, India. He is associated with various non-governmental organizations and is at the forefront of several social and cultural campaigns. He has also penned many travelogues—including some bestsellers—that touch upon the cultural and social mores in different countries of the world through his own experiences.

Humanism and Hope: The Legacy of Film Director Satyajit Ray

Still shot of actor Subir Banerjee from the film "Pather Panchali" (1955) by Satyajit Ray. Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Sundeep Bhutoria (right) seated with Satyajit Ray's son, film director Sandip Ray (center), and renowned actress Sharmila Tagore (left) at the Satyajit Ray Memorial Lecture, Kolkata, India, in 2013.
Satyajit Ray (left) with Ravi Shankar discussing the music for Ray's film "Pather Panchali" (1955). Wikimedia Commons

Individual struggle for the collective good was often a Ray leitmotif. As he once put it, “I too am an activist—as an artist. That’s my way.”

Tiger, Tiger Running Out?

According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority, at the turn of the 20th century, India was home to 40,000 tigers. Today their number in the wild does not exceed 4,000. This story echoes that of other animals, such as one-horned rhinos whose population declined to fewer than 2,400 in India.