Food for Thought...

They did it in style, created history and made every Indian proud of himself. The spectacular win has left all spellbound and made it impossible to praise the team enough. A win at home, chasing the highest ever total of a world cup final, recovering after the loss of the two biggies, and a stunning six as the victory shot, they did it all to make it a big event and a moment in the history India. But hold on, is the World Cup win big enough for the men of authority in the nation to go irrational. ‘Netas’ of our country within seconds decided to reward the cricketers with cash and plots of land. Was the prize money not enough for the players that the Government decided to part with the taxpayer’s money at its own fancy?

While Sheila Dixit announced a crore rupees for the Delhi players, Maharashtra government promised the same for their men, and the Karnataka Government assured a plot to each team member. This act of the Government officials provokes only one question in my mind, ‘Are you paying it from your own pocket?’ The answer is an obvious no! If they had to draw cheques on their Swiss accounts, I’m sure they would have spared a moment to do up their finances. It doesn’t hurt to spend or squander someone else’s hard earned money.

It’s a shame on the Indian Government. A country where around 37% of the population is below the poverty line, farmers in and around AP and various other states in the country are committing suicide for land issues, millions of people in West Bengal have turned the footpaths into their abode, pre-natal deaths still occur due to medical negligence in states of Bihar and UP, do we have surplus wealth to shower on people. If yes why not take up these challenges, utilize the money rationally and make India a little bit cleaner and healthier. The Indian democracy was created with a vision to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots but on the contrary it has played a big role in actually widening the gap. I wish the GoI was a wee bit more responsible and foresighted. I believe running a Government is not the job of an emotionally weak person and our ‘netas’ have proved themselves to excel in that. They have failed miserable at the test of integrity and faith.

What came as even more surprising is the fact that much of the money promised by the ‘netas’ is going to come from the state education budget. I’m lost for words! Aren’t you! The people who shoulder the responsibility to make a brighter future and a better nation are playing with the money allotted for something as pious as education. Are these ‘netas’ thick skinned or dumb-head! With the election nearing, I wish the All Mighty inculcates in them value and integrity. At this point in time if the Indian cricketers deny the loving gifts of the ‘netas’, it will be a bigger victory for India and the youth.

A Visual Tour of My City

The city of joy, the erstwhile capital of British India, Calcutta, a mix of many cultures and coloured in many hues. The city holds up for its visitors and residents a smooth blend of the old and the new.

Here's a visual tour of my city, hope you'll enjoy it~~

The Then Calcutta:

The Howrah Bridge connects the corners of the city across the river Hoogly. If you happen to take the train to this city, the bustle of Howrah station is sure to raise your spirit.

Howrah Bridge over the Hoogly River

The basic modes of transport in Calcutta have always been the yellow coloured ambassador 'taxis', the buses, the rickshaws, metro and the 'tram'.

Taxi

Hand-pulled Rickshaw

Tram

Calcutta Metro (the first in India - 1986)

Places in the South and Central Kolkata will self narrate the history of the city and also that of India. The colonial relic is still intact in the form of architecture of buildings in these areas and the names of the street.

Victoria Memorial Palace (Maidan)

Birla Planetarium (Theatre Road)

Calcutta High Court (Dalhousie Square)

Raj Bhavan (Dalhousie Square)

Writers' Building (Dalhousie Square)

The different places that you just saw above give the city its identity. The Shahid Minar, the horse-drawn carriages outside the Victoria Memorial, a view of the Raj Bhawan, a visit to the Indian Museum (the largest Museum in the country), the National Library (largest library in the country) are a must for anyone who comes to this city.

Kolkata is a city that truly cares. The St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Birla temple, the Kalighat temple, Dakshineshwar temple, Belur Math, Nakhoda Mosque or the Golmandir Gurudwara, each of these places speak for the strong religious sentiments of the city. Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity or Nirmal Hriday are places that add extra warmth and care.

St. Pauls Cathedral (Cathedral Road)

Dakshineshwar Temple

Belur Math

Esplanade used to be the shopping hub for decades till the concept of posh malls and departmental stores arrived. This place is at the heart of the city and you'll get to see occasional visitors from different countries shopping from the Grand arcade stalls and trying 'gola' and 'phuchka'. You name a thing and you'll surely get it over here. The 'New Market' is as old as the city is, so don't get misled by the name. Other shopping malls would include 'Treasure Island' and 'Shree Ram Arcade'.

Esplanade Star Theatre

Among the oldest and five star hotels in the city are 'Oberoi Grand', 'Taj Bengal' and 'Great Eastern'.

Oberoi Grand Hotel

Taj Bengal Hotel

In this city it's not just about people with a big heart but also big appetite. There's tremendous love for good food among the Calcuttans. There's possibly no cuisine that you'll not get here. Park Street in the southern Kolkata has some of the finest and oldest restaurants of the city.

Kwality (Park Street)

Moulin Rouge (Park Street)

Today's Kolkata:

Gone are the days of shopping from standalone shops of Esplanade and Gariahat. Today in every nook and corner you'll find an exquisite shopping mall. And moreover it's no more just about shopping, it's about meeting up with friends and hanging around as well.

City Centre 2 (Rajarhat)

South City Mall (Prince Anwar Shah Road)

International Airport

With rise in trade and commerce, almost all aspects of the city has undergone major changes. Hoteliers have also come up with luxury hotel chains for business and leisure stay.

Hyatt Residency

ITC Sonar Bangla Ganga Kutir (Raichak)

Kolkata is also one of the many Indian cities touched by the IT revolution. The small, medium, big, huge IT firms have changed the face of the city to a large extent. The high rise buildings are symbolic of the urban youth.

IT Park (Salt lake, Sec V)

This was more of how the city looks like but trust me it's more than what meets the eye. One needs to come and stay here to know the real Calcutta. This city has a much longer history compared to other large Indian cities. Calcutta along with Bombay reached a million population by 1910 and developed at a similar time as New York, London and Berlin.

It is a herculean task to capture the true essence of the city so old and dynamic in a few words. It also has its share of things that are harassing, annoying, exasperating, irritating, and can literally make u mad, but at the end of it, it's my city and no matter where I go, I'll always long to be back in Kolkata for what it is and much more.

A Day in the Life of India...

The perfect weekend, and an incredible start to the new year; 2nd April 2011 witnessed an uncontrollable outburst of emotions of billions of Indians across the globe as Dhoni, the Indian skipper hit the winning six in the CWC finale. Cricket is a game for all Indians. One doesn't need to know the technicalities or the tricks-of-the game to enjoy it. And when it comes to a nail-biting match like that of yesterday's, anticipations, hopes, prayers and excitement know no bound.

I wonder how a feeling it must be for the Indian Captain and his team. Many a thousand people experience professional success, but for how many does the entire nation celebrates! They have put smiles on billion faces, and in turn bagged their blessings and good wishes. I'm in complete awe of the entire affair. It was amazing watching the men in uniform dismantling the Sri Lankan army. A sure treat to the eyes and senses, both team played with dignity and style. Yes, we won at the end, but what makes it a special win is the journey of victory. Be it the match against the Aussies in the QF, Pakistan in the SF or the Lankans in the final, the Indian cricket team has set newer standards for themselves and the world.

Today we are the undisputed leaders, the world champions in cricket! There's a twinkle in every eye, smile on every face, a leap in every step, a song in every heart, and an ambition in every Indian, long live India and her children. Three cheers to usssss!!! :)

In India it is 'C' for Cricket not Cat!

Cricket World Cup, the most awaited event for the cricket playing nations of the world, imagine what it can do to India, where people eat, sleep and drink cricket. India has been and will always be a cricket fanatic nation with people worshiping both the game and the players. But one thing I fail to fathom is the men and cricket connection. To me it looks like one of those umbilical cord relationships. I've seen men swearing by the game. Even the most serious man at work would keep checking the scores on the Internet every moment. The ever so techie urban men also become utterly superstitious. So much so that if lifting of their right arm suddenly and a sixer or a wicket for India coincide at the same mini-second, they can keep that arm in the air for hours in the hope of another six or a wicket.

To capture the enthusiasm of Indians in words is hell of a task. There are days of unofficial holiday when work ceases in offices and factories, the streets witness no motion. Be it the shops around the corners of the street, the latest shopping mall, the plush lounge bar, the spectacle everywhere is the same, a TV screen small, big or huge with numerous eyeballs fixed on it. A sudden feeling of brotherhood creeps into everyone. Even someone like me who doesn't bother to follow even a critical match very closely, can make out every moment of it from a closed room by the sound of yelling, hooting, cheering and sighing that goes on around and the bursting of fire crackers confirm that we have won!

Now that India has made it to the semi-finals of the CWC 2011 after a spectacular match against the Aussies, the entire nation is geared up for even a bigger play with Pakistan. I won't be surprised if the GoI declares a holiday on 30th March! Lol.