Response India Marks 40th Anniversary with ‘Response Certificate of Merit’ in Collaboration with Govt. College of Art & Craft, Calcutta
Kolkata, 21 March, 2025 : Response India, one of the leading marketing communications agencies, begins its 40 years’ celebrations with the Response Certificate of Merit in partnership with the Government College of Art & Craft, Calcutta.
To give back to the community, Response India, is taking a meaningful step towards fostering young talent in the creative industry. In collaboration with the prestigious Government College of Art & Craft, Calcutta, Response India is instituting the Response Certificate of Merit, designed to recognise and nurture exceptional students from the college.
This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic excellence and industry expertise by offering meritorious students an internship with Response India. Each year, up to three outstanding students will be selected for a three-month internship at the agency, gaining hands-on exposure to the dynamic world of marketing communications, branding, and design. Upon completion, they will receive a Certificate of Internship, with the possibility of professional association with Response India for exceptional candidates.
During the three-month internship at Response India, students will gain hands-on experience to hone different skills in advertising, including copywriting, design marketing communication, social media management, use of Artificial Intelligence, understanding consumer behavior,and brand building. They will also develop essential skills like multitasking, presentation skills, and research techniques. By immersing themselves in real-world projects, students will refine their creativity, adaptability, and strategic thinking, preparing them for successful careers in the
dynamic field of advertising.
Commenting on the initiative, Ms Rashi Ray, Director of Response India, said, “Creativity thrives on fresh perspectives. As Response India steps into its 40th year, we want to include and engage with the student community who will go on to become the creative thinkers of tomorrow. This is our way of training creative talent, providing them an industry platform while keeping alive the rich legacy and artistic excellence that the Government College of Art & Craft represents. We’re honoured to partner with them in this collaboration.”
The Government College of Art & Craft, Calcutta, founded in 1864, is celebrating its 160th Annual Exhibition in March, making this partnership even more significant. The institution has been a cradle for many of India’s celebrated artists, like Ganesh Haloi, Jogen Chowdhury, Jayasri Burman, Paresh Maity among other distinguished alumni; this association is a step towards strengthening the link between academia and industry.
Mr Chhatrapati Dutta, Principal, Government College of Art & Craft, Calcutta, expressed his enthusiasm, “For the Government College of Art & Craft, Calcutta this is possibly the first-ever academia-industry collaboration. Response India, has been nurturing advertising talent for four decades. This initiative is more than just a milestone; it is a bridge between tradition and innovation, offering our students invaluable industry exposure and mentorship. The Response Certificate of Merit marks the first beginning of a long-term association between two iconic Kolkata institutions, fostering creativity, learning, and professional excellence. We deeply appreciate Response India’s thoughtfulness in celebrating its 40 years with an initiative that invests in the future of marketing communication and design.”
Echoing the sentiment, Prof Deep Gobinda Chowdhury (In-Charge), Graphic Design/Applied Art Specialisation, Government College of Art & Craft, Calcutta added: “The Response Certificate of Merit will expose our students to the real-world thinking and application of advertising and design. It’s an invaluable opportunity for them to apply their academic learning in a professional setup. Not only will the students gain practical experience but this will also motivate them to strive for professional excellence in the fields of applied arts and advertising.”
To mark its 40th year milestone, the agency also released its special Response 40 logo, a symbol of four decades of creativity, storytelling, and impactful brand communication. This launch marks the beginning of a year-long celebration, filled with initiatives that honour Response India’s past, engage with the present, and inspire the future of advertising in Kolkata and beyond.
Mr Sidhartha Roy, CEO, Response India, spoke on the alliance, “Calcutta has long been a hub of creativity, and partnerships like these ensure that young talent get the right platform to flourish. At Response India, we are honoured to collaborate with the Government College of Art & Craft, offering this three-month internship program that bridges academic learning with industry practice. This partnership reflects our commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative professionals and we feel Response India will be instrumental in shaping the future of advertising and design.”
Founded 40 years ago by the legendary Ram Ray, Response India is one of Kolkata’s most respected legacy advertising agencies, known for its deep understanding of culture, creativity, and communication. With a strong presence in brand strategy, design, and integrated marketing, the agency has shaped the advertising landscape in Bengal, India and beyond. Over the decades, Response India has worked with leading brands across industries, from real estate, lifestyle, and hospitality to FMCG and corporate sectors, crafting campaigns that blend innovation with tradition. Their client portfolio includes some of the region’s most prominent businesses. Response India, a leading communications and advertising agency, has worked with several national brands and crafted some memorable campaigns for them in the past 4 decades. Versatile with brands across varied industries including real estate, steel, FMCG, entertainment, fashion, media and retail, their client list is a testament to their expertise.
