Thursday, April 07, 2016

Kolkata: My proud city

Guess what! Just now I was going through an article written in yahoo titled "Kolkata's Old-World Charm Proves That It's The Best City In The World", and  wondered  how could I have not written any thing about my city yet.




So, here I am ready to write about it with all my love and respect.I don't know why but there is a magic in the city. Everything there is so appealing, so fresh. Whenever I feel sad or depressed, I take a glance at the pictures of the city and feel so rejuvenated from inside. I have spent a long chapter of my life here covering my childhood, adolescent and youth. Now I can feel the charm, the beauty of the city living miles away from it.

I will not give a detailed description of Kolkata here. I hope nobody need that. I will only express what I feel for my city. Yes I miss it a lot now. I am very honest in saying that I have never missed it so much before. I still remember when I was in my school, we went for a vacation in Puri, Orissa and I was so unhappy returning home. I remember those words Mom told me when I expressed it to her --"Home is always a Home". I may have not understood the feeling that moment but today I feel it very strongly.

What makes Kolkata so special to me? Is it the congested buildings of North Kolkata, The smell of old Books while passing by College street "Boi para", the delicious smell of baked goodies had in Flurys in Park Street, the mesmerizing view of the Ganges, or the essence of walking down  the busy footpath of Gariahat in the "Chaitra Sale" season. I think I love all of it.

I still remember before the Durga Puja , me and mom regularly used to go to Dakhshinapan, a shopping complex in South Kolkata for buying new clothes. I used to love the salwar suits sold there. It is pocket friendly and looks very nice. While returning we used to take a rickshaw and I used to glare at the incomplete pandals across the road. There was a peculiar smell that surrounds before the Puja.

I still remember the day I got admission to Presidency College, I felt so proud.If you ever go to the campus you will feel the warmth. Looking up to that historical staircase of the main building or just having a panoramic view of the entire campus while standing in the field.

Another place is the area covering Park street to Esplanade. Roaming around in the  new Market during Christmas season when the place will turn to green red an white color zone, the lighting in the Park Street area all is so special.

Durga puja season will comprise of extensive pandal hopping, gorging into those spicy phuchkas, rolls in the temporary stalls.Going around the city at night and shockingly see such a crowd in the midnight. You will not find it anywhere.

Winter there will be an occasion of different sort of Fairs. The most lovable was the BOOK FAIR where you can jump into a pool of different books showcased infront you. But Since, the fairs got shifted from the famous Maidan, to the Milan Mela Ground,I never felt the charm anymore. For me it was the place of reunion too..I met so many old friends of mine there.

I feel so bad now as I can get to see my city only twice a year that too very faintly as I become to busy with my family. But I just love being there. Hope I can go back soon.

OH ! I am feeling sad now.. let me go back to the pictures of my dear city to turn on my mood again.

Till then enjoy!!



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