As a member of the Bengali Association of Aerospace Park (BAAP), I found out that our association’s website had been independently evaluated and ranked in a global research index called the Global Durga Puja Digital Index (GDPDI). It has also given the scope of improvements, from which we implemented few. I felt this deserved a proper write-up, not just because BAAP features in it, but because the index itself is a remarkable piece of independent research that the Bengali community worldwide should know about.

What is the Global Durga Puja Digital Index (GDPDI)?

The Global Durga Puja Digital Index — commonly referred to as GDPDI — is the world’s first independent research index that systematically evaluates and ranks Durga Puja association websites from across the globe. As of Edition 4 (March 2026), the index covers 256 associations across 41 countries and 6 continents.

The index is published under GDPDI Independent Research and is not affiliated with any employer, government body, or commercial organisation. It is entirely open-access and based on publicly verifiable international frameworks including:

Every association is evaluated across 11 distinct digital criteria and awarded a score out of 100. The GDPDI is the only index of its kind — there is no comparable global ranking system for Durga Puja associations anywhere in the world.

🔗 Explore the full index: gdpdi.github.io/gdpdi

How Does GDPDI Score an Association?

Each association’s website — not the association itself — is evaluated. The score reflects digital maturity, not the scale or grandeur of the puja celebration. A small association with an excellent website can outrank a famous one with a poor digital presence.

Where Does BAAP Stand in GDPDI Edition 4?

In GDPDI Edition 4 (March 2026), the Bengali Association of Aerospace Park was evaluated and ranked as follows:

A score of 78/100 places BAAP in the Outstanding band — the highest tier in the GDPDI scoring framework, reserved for scores of 78 and above. To be ranked 13th globally out of 256 associations across 41 countries — for an association that completed its very first Durga Puja in 2025 — is a remarkable achievement.

Notably, BAAP holds AI Rank #1 globally in the index — the highest AI adoption score among all 256 associations evaluated — reflecting the association’s investment in its AI-powered chatbot at ragaichatbot.github.io/aichatbot, which allows visitors to ask questions about the association and Bengali festivities.

Why Does This Matter for the Bengali Community?

The GDPDI is significant beyond just rankings. It is the first attempt to systematically document and evaluate the digital presence of Durga Puja associations worldwide. For Bengalis in the diaspora — across the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia — Durga Puja associations are lifelines of cultural identity.

The index reveals how associations are investing in digital infrastructure to reach their communities, welcome new members, and preserve Bengali cultural heritage online. It also highlights a growing trend: associations that adopt AI, multilingual content, and accessible web design are the ones building lasting digital communities.

What Can Associations Do to Improve Their GDPDI Score?

The GDPDI full research report (available for download at gdpdi.github.io/gdpdi) contains individual scorecards for every association with specific recommendations. Generally, associations can improve by:

Explore the Full GDPDI Index

The complete GDPDI rankings — including all 256 associations, their scores, country-wise and continent-wise rankings, and the full downloadable research report — are freely available at: