Bengal Global Business Summit: Instagram puts up photo exhibit

Kolkata: Coinciding with the Bengal Global Business Summit, photo and video sharing app Instagram on Thursday started its first ever photograph exhibition in India which showcases the diversity of West Bengal.

Crowdsourced from a group of 17 active Instagram users who come from various age groups and diverse backgrounds, the photos convey the multiple facets of life unique to the state.

"This is our first photo exhibition in India. We are starting from Kolkata because of its heritage and culture. We are planning more such community-centric events in other states to actively engage our users," Ankhi Das, Public Policy Director of Facebook, told PTI.

She said in Kolkata they have aligned the timing of the three-day exhibition at the ICCR gallery with the business summit so that anyone who comes from outside can get a slice of life in the city just by seeing the Instagram photo gallery.

The two-day business summit aimed at attracting investments in the state begins tomorrow.

The visuals are of beautiful landscapes, people, food, festivals, wildlife, architecture among others.

Facebook officials worked with the local community 'Instagram Calcutta' (@ig_calcutta) to curate images which reflected the theme of diversity in Bengal.

Instagram, owned by social media giant Facebook, has around 400 million users all over the world and 80 million photos are posted on the app every day.

"Asia is our largest growing market and in India our users have been doubling every month," Das said adding that the increase is due to the rise of the number of smartphones and the awareness on the impact that photos can have.

Describing Instagram as a photo sharing platform, the official said, "Everyone can become a photojournalist now by sharing what is happening around them".

Facebook has recently opened the app for advertisers.

In India, advertisers on Instagram include P&G, Nestle, Paper Boat, Grofers, TrulyMadly Matchmakers, Sportskeeda, etc.

Instagram's enhanced ad formats, targeting and buying options are helping advertisers drive sales or raise awareness.