Kolkata is known as the City of Joy. You need to spend at least a week in the city to agree to that. But, to agree with the title, you just need to exit the Howrah junction. You will see a fleet of Yellow Cabs waiting for you. However, before proceeding towards the city, you will eventually see a hoarding saying “The City of Joy welcomes you”.
Before I witnessed this hoarding, I beheld Amravati Express dissecting the South India terrains by passing through Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. As the train proceeded towards Kolkata from Goa, I saw changes in people, food items and railway stations. This is the best part of travelling in train, after reading novels, for me. It makes the train journey interesting and upsurges your curiosity after every station. Especially if you are a foodie.
I had visited Kolkata earlier when it was still known as Calcutta. It was famous as hometown of Indian cricket team skipper and was governed by CPI. I had vague memories of the city like travelling in trams, playing cricket with my cousin and enjoying Bengali sweets. Hence, Kolkata was as good as any new city, yet to be explored.
When you disembark the train and observe the Howrah terminus, you will find it painted in pink, green and blue. Quite colourful a station, I must say. The next thing you start noticing in Kolkata, after the hoarding, is the number of yellow cabs steering past you. Even Google was not able to help me in finding the reason behind that color. In case you know the reason, feel free to comment here.
Kolkata
Yellow Cabs
After yellow, you will see a lot of blue and white color on public structures like parks and walls. These colors are due to “The Banerjee Effect”. No, there was no Mr Banerjee who discovered any scientific effect and named it after himself. Banerjee effect indicates the ramifications of changing the state government and allowing Ms Mamta Banerjee to occupy the chair. She has painted all these structures in white and blue. It must be quite confusing for pedestrians when they would come across an identical looking park, they apparently crossed a few yards before.
During your 11-day West Bengal itinerary, you can choose to explore places in a Yellow Cab when you are in Kolkata.
Another Banerjee effect caused installation of a plethora of white & British styled street lights along the roads. These lights are unnecessary as they lit the roads more than what is essential. According to an allegation, the contract of installing these lights was given to a relative of Mamta Banerjee. If the allegation is right, it explains the unnecessary utilization of government funds. Apart from this, there have been no major changes or developments in Kolkata. The same streets and shops are still unchanged and present as it were 15 years ago.
Finally, we reached a friend’s house. This friend is rather a very good friend and she left no stone un-turned to make me uncomfortable. Yes, unlimited food makes me uncomfortable. Jokes apart, I had an amazing dinner before crashing to bed.
Next day I had breakfast (twice) and a heavy lunch. I bet, this was the maximum food I would have eaten on the same day, in my lifetime. The heavy lunch was planned at another dear friend’s house and she had the same plans. Lunch was a delight for people like us, surviving in hostel. The highlight of the meal was Mishti Doi and Rasgullahs! How I wish to go to Kolkata whenever I think of them! Sigh.
Stuffed with food, we were in no mood and physical state to explore the city. We had to catch a train to Hasimara in order to proceed towards Bhutan. Hence, we rested for a while, which was necessary, and left for Sealdah Railway Station. Bhutan? Yes, Kolkata was our base for enjoying good Indian food before we enter the land of Datshi. Datshi is the national food of Bhutan. More details will appear in subsequent blog posts. J
When I was proceeding towards the station, I realized that Kolkata still has a rich culture and sweet people around. But, one day was not enough to comprehend the culture of the city completely. I can only hope to be able to spend more considerable time in the city.
Eventually, we reached the station in time and boarded the Kanchan Kanya Express. Before the train reached its maximum speed on the tracks, I had already settled and started wondering about how the “Land of Thunder Dragons” would treat us. My next post will inform you about reaching and entering The Royal Kingdom of Bhutan. Till then, I bid you goodbye. Comments would be appreciated. 🙂
Image Credit: www.demotix.com
10 comments
Good to know more about Kolkata:) Nice post:)
I am glad you liked the post 🙂
Nice write up..! Like the sarcasm n humor ! Calcutta has its charm with hospitality being its forte..!! The warmth and sweetness of the people, food and culture is truly worth experiencing ! 🙂
Thanks for the comment 🙂 Can’t agree more with you !!
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