Who Killed GDG Kolkata?

Once upon a time, GDG Kolkata was a vibrant, thriving community that embodied the spirit of collaboration and innovation. The numbers speak for themselves: in 2019 alone, GDG Kolkata hosted around 30 events, an incredible feat that showcased the dedication of its organizers and the enthusiasm of its members. But fast forward to 2024, and the GDG Kolkata of today is a shadow of its former self, with only three events organized so far this year. So, what went wrong?

The Rise and Fall

The shift began post-2019, around the time a new organizer, Lead 1, took charge. Under previous leadership, GDG Kolkata was dynamic and inclusive, regularly organizing events that engaged the tech community in meaningful ways. A glance at their past events on their Meetup page and their new website confirms this legacy of excellence.

But under the new leadership, the frequency and quality of events began to decline sharply. In 2023, GDG Kolkata managed just five events, two of which were collaborations rather than original efforts. One of these, a DroidFest collaboration, was held at a free venue with food sponsored by Google, yet attendees were charged—a move that raised questions about motives and transparency.

The trend continued into 2024, with only three events so far. Among them was a so-called collaboration at IIT Kharagpur, which appears to have been little more than a photo opportunity for the organizers. What was once a bustling community now feels like an afterthought.

The Missing Faces

Perhaps the most telling sign of GDG Kolkata’s decline is the absence of its key figures from 2018/2019: Abhishek Nandy, Raveesh Kumar, Anubhav Singh, and Ritwik Raha. These names were synonymous with GDG Kolkata during its heyday in 2018-2019, yet they are conspicuously absent post-COVID.

• Abhishek Nandy and Anubhav Singh have maintained active roles within the broader Google developer ecosystem, particularly with GDG Cloud Kolkata. Abhishek, in particular, is a founder of multiple East India communities, including GDG Kolkata itself. Yet neither has participated in a GDG Kolkata event in years. Were they sidelined or silenced for asking uncomfortable questions?
• Ritwik Raha, now a Google Developer Expert (GDE), has been involved with GDG Cloud Kolkata and TFUG Kolkata, but like Abhishek and Anubhav, he has had no presence in GDG Kolkata’s activities post-COVID.
• Raveesh Kumar, once an active contributor, also disappeared from GDG Kolkata around the same time. While his departure appears to coincide with a general withdrawal from community work, it still raises questions about the environment that led to his exit.

Meanwhile, other former organizers listed on the Meetup page (Manisha, Riya, Shuvam) seem to have relocated abroad or to other cities, which naturally explains their absence. But the disappearance of these four key figures, all of whom remain in Kolkata or are active in parallel tech ecosystems, is deeply concerning.

Among all organizers listed of pre-covid era, only Rivu and Sayak continue to involve with GDG Kolkata.

The Bigger Picture

This sharp decline in activity, combined with the absence of experienced and foundational organizers, points to systemic issues within GDG Kolkata’s leadership. The community seems to have devolved into a closed group, prioritizing control over collaboration and personal benefit over community growth.

This is not just a loss for GDG Kolkata but for the larger tech ecosystem in East India. The legacy of GDG Kolkata was built on inclusivity, innovation, and a commitment to empowering developers. It’s tragic to see this legacy squandered.

A Call for Introspection

Who killed GDG Kolkata? The answer lies in its current leadership, whose actions have alienated the very people who built the community. The lack of transparency, the sidelining of key contributors, and the diminishing quality of events are all symptoms of deeper problems that must be addressed.

It’s not too late to revive GDG Kolkata, but it will require introspection, accountability, and a return to the values that once made it great. Until then, the community will remain a shadow of its former self, with its true potential buried under layers of mismanagement and missed opportunities.