8th Inked Happiness Lifetime Achievement Award conferred upon Masaharu Koga
The 8th Inked Happiness Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred upon Masaharu Koga at the ICCR Kolkata on July 31st 2026. The Award was instituted to honour individuals for their journey of celebrating the joy of fountain pens, inks, paper, writing, and popularising their use. Past winners of the award have included the late Dr Bibek Debroy, Prof K C Janardhan, Dr Sovan Roy, Prof Y Pitkar and Nikhil Ranjan among others.
The event focused on Japanese pens, inks, washi and the arts that provide them with such cult status – a theme on which Prof Y Pitkar presented an extremely well-researched and highly appreciated keynote address. The Acting Consul General of Japan in Kolkata, Mr ASHIDA Katsunori, spoke generally on fountain pens, their use and the passion that drives the craftsmanship, and the industry in Japan. The event was also graced by the Deputy Consul of Japan, Ms MAKINO Miho.
Jadavpur University, the Knowledge Partner of the event, was represented by Prof Dr Amitava Dutta the Pro VC, who articulated the importance of fountain pens and inks in these times of digital domination and plastic pollution. He stressed on reaching out to youngsters who are increasingly being drawn further and further away from handwriting, not only to address sustainability issues but also to help them develop better mind-body coordination and address a variety of psychosomatic issues confronting them. Dr Prof Dutta highlighted the research work done at the University in the field of bio-inks.
Prof Bharula of IIT Kharagpur talked about the workshop on fountain pen designing that was conducted by the Department of Architecture earlier this year and informed the audience that it has now reached critical mass. Sulekha will collaborate with the esteemed institution to take the initiative to the next stage.
Dr Sovan Roy, whose contribution in shedding light on the history and legacy of fountain pen making in India, a past recipient of the Inked Happiness Lifetime Achievement Award, was present despite his serious illness.
“I may not be physically present, but my heart and soul are there with you”, said Prof K C Janardhan, the Maestro, who could not attend due to medical reasons. In his absence, I was forced to deliver the welcome address.
In his message, Atul Koirala of Nepal said, “Revival of handwriting is not a nostalgic retreat; it is a strategic imperative for modern governance”. He also highlighted how Nepal has pioneered what is believed to be the first initiative of its kind in parliamentary history worldwide—the Right to Write initiative. An initiative through which specially engraved fountain pens were presented to all 236 Members of Nepal’s Federal Parliament, in the presence of the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Rt. Hon. Chairman of the National Assembly. He added, “It was more than a ceremonial gesture; it reaffirmed that contemplative leadership remains central to democratic governance and legislative accountability” and extended an invitation to the global diplomatic community to convene a future edition of this forum in the lap of the Himalayas, Nepal, where the world’s highest peaks inspire thoughtful dialogue, enduring friendship, and our shared future”.
Two inks were launched at the event. The first one is dedicated to Toshiko Soma, the wife of freedom fighter Rash Behari Bose. The ink was unveiled by the acting Consul General of Japan in Kolkata, Mr ASHIDA Katsunori. “We bow our heads in respect as this memorial ink is unveiled to honour her contribution to our freedom movement, and as an example of the eternal bonds of fraternity between the people of Japan and India” it was said.
The second ink is dedicated to Prof Pitkar whose contribution to the cause, the common cause of fountain pens, inks and writing, cannot be overemphasised.
Both the inks were conceptualised and designed by yours truly and have been created by Sulekha, who was also the official partner of the event.
The highlight of the event was an exhibition by Souvik Roy, a collector of extraordinary knowledge and depth, who displayed a sampling from his collection – strung along the theme of Japan. The exhibits, mostly matchbox lebels represented a particular time period when Japan was the destination for Indian entities seeking quality printing. Eeshita Basu Roy exhibited her collection of Japanese calendars and a vintage Japanese kite.
