Design Fest 2026, the first-ever art, craft and design–based festival of Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), was inaugurated by S Suresh Kumar, IAS, Chairman, DVC, in the august presence of Abin Chaudhuri, eminent Architect and Guest of Honour. The inaugural ceremony was also attended by Shri Swapnendu Kumar Panda, Member (Technical), DVC, Shri Sudipta Acharjee, CVO, DVC, Additional Secretary, and other senior executives of DVC. Conceived as a unique platform to promote creativity, traditional skills and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, Design Fest 2026 seeks to connect artisans with a wider audience while celebrating India’s rich craft and design heritage. The festival features a vibrant array of stalls set up by artisans from different parts of West Bengal and Jharkhand. Visitors can experience a diverse showcase ranging from traditional crafts, paintings, sketching and handicrafts to modern innovations such as 3D printing, interactive games, and CSR-focused exhibits highlighting DVC’s community development initiatives. Design Fest 2026 is a three-day programme and will conclude on 17 January, reaffirming DVC’s commitment to inclusive development, cultural promotion and creative innovation. The Fest is open to all with no entry fees.