Mr. Sitaram Sharma, Chairman, West Bengal Federation of United Nations Associations, has been nominated by Govt. of India as Chairman of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Kolkata, an autonomous body under Union Ministry of Culture, fora term of two years. Late Prof. S. Nurul Hasan, the then Governor of West Bengal was the first Chairman of the Institute, founded in January 4, 1993. His Excellency Mr. M.K. Narayanan, Governor of West Bengal is the President of the MAKAIAS, Society.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Kolkata is located at Azad Bhavan, IE- 166, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700 106. The Institute is a centre for research on the life, times and work of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and the study of social, cultural, political and economic developments in Asia from the middle of the 19th century. The Maulana Azad Museum is located in one of the earlier residences of Maulana Azad (at 5 Ashraf Mistry Lane), where it maintains a muscum of memorabilia, photographs and documentary films.
Presently, Mr. Sharma is the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Belarus in Kolkata, and Vice President of Indian Federation of United Nations Associations.
Mr. Sitaram Sharma, after taking over as chairman, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies called on HE Shri Pranab Mukherjee, President of India, at Raj Bhawan Kolkata on 15 Sept 2013 to seek his support and guidance.
The West Bengal Federation of United Nations Associations (WEBFUNA) is affiliated to the Indian Federation of United Nations Associations (IFUNA) which, in turn, is a member of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA).