Business mood in Durga Puja markets in malls and footpaths

This year, Durga Puja starts on October 1 and the markets are in business mood. Apart from malls, the shops in New Market, Gariahat and other footpaths are gearing up to woo the customers. While the shopping malls display pomp and show apart from glamor, the roadside shops have an advantage of their own. Their overheads are less in comparison to malls. Hence, they can offer products at much lesser prices and customers can even bargain to get the items at cheaper rates. This makes for fair competition and there is all round satisfaction. The common people are the patrons and they have to weigh their wants with their finances. While the rich can afford to gorge on pizzas and ice creams in air-conditioned comfort between shopping, the not-so-fortunate ones have to make do with jhal muri and tele bhaja.

There are the two famous malls in south Kolkata. One is the South City Mall on Prince Anwar Shah Road, the other is the Acropolis Mall near Kasba. This year, the Covid threat perception is considerably low. As a result, businesses expect good returns. The rush has led to traffic jams in and around these malls. Obviously, the festive season has arrived and footfalls are on the rise. These are in thousands. The authorities of the malls confirm this. Puja early shoppers crowd Kolkata malls, markets to trigger revival hopes. This festival brings out the best in not only fashion but also in the general outlook of the people. Some of them work out plans to move away from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the holidays among nature.

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Lord Shiva’s views on Kalighat and marriages (satire)

Lord Shiva was taking his early morning walk among the hillocks of Mount Kailash. It was a daily routine meant to keep his body fit. His eyes suddenly fell on Kalighat – it was home to a fiery lady who loved to live simple so that her devoted followers could roll in money.
Lord Siva beckoned to Durga who was tinkering in the kitchen – she had learnt a couple of new recipes and wanted to try them out. Shiva would have to be her guinea pig.
‘What is bothering you now?’ she sounded annoyed.
‘Things are happening in Kalighat,’ Shiva said.
‘Things always happens in Kalighat,’ Durga replied in a matter-of-fact voice. ‘You know why it is famous, don’t you?'

‘You don’t understand,’ Shiva sighed. ‘The lady appears to be moving out from the place.’
‘Nonsense,’ Durga came and stood beside her Lord. ‘She is attached to it and will not leaving right now.’
‘You mean she will leave but is waiting for an auspicious time?’
‘Sort of,’ Durga replied. ‘She has set her eyes on bigger stuff. She is bubbling with energy and this place is choking her.’
‘Tell me one thing – how will she adjust herself to a life away from her home? A life minus jhal muri, telebhaja, langcha?’
Durga smiled.
‘Women can adjust to any change – it is a gift that they possess. After marriage, the girls adapt to their new homes in no time.’
It was now Shiva’s turn to smile.
‘From what I see and hear, today’s marriages do not last a lifetime,’ he said.
‘You are mistaken,’ Durga objected. ‘There are so many TV reality shows where women participants talk about their married lives, how they met, how they tied the knot, how they are living happily ever after.’
‘Fine. But – I would like to know how many of the knots are still intact? How long did the bond last? From what I know, filmdom is chock-full of actors and actresses who have married more than once. It seems to be a trend, a sort of fashion. Tell me - to succeed, do you need to change partners.’ (to be continued …)


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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Didi’s Delhi dreams – from telebhaja to aloo chat (satire)

Didi woke up fresh. She had a really good and sound sleep. That was because she had played the cards correctly and had come up with all the aces. She had grown up from the ranks and knew just how to present her case so that her audience will be spellbound and believe whatever she says – no matter how outlandish they may sound.
Suddenly her phone rang – it was her faithful Man Friday who was better known as Moo Cool. She smiled when she remembered the beautiful drama that the two of them had played. It was for a good cause and was a diversionary tactics. It was one of her strategies.

‘Did you have a good sleep?’ Moo Cool asked.
‘Of course,’ Didi replied. ‘I think we now need to plan for the future.’
‘You mean capture Delhi?’
‘Yes,’ Didi said. ‘I am fed up with this place. I want a change of scenario.’
‘I know how you feel. Our leaders in Delhi talk big but their works are all small time.’
‘I want to change all that.’
‘Here you had to tackle 34 years of misrule,’ Moo Cool sighed. ‘In the center it is more than 60 years misrule.’
‘If I can dislodge the men in Delhi, I can show them how to run the country,’ Didi said. ‘You make a start from our oath taking ceremonies. As a first step, invite some leaders who will support my cause.’
‘No problem,’ Moo Cool said. ‘I’ll include Kaloo Prasad, Akki Lays, Cage Reeball, Ab Dulha – all of them fit the bill.’ ‘Yes. All of them love our sweets. And - they do have a soft corner for me,’ Didi said. ‘Ensure that rasogolla and sandesh are sent along with the invitation. They will have a positive effect.’
Moo Cool rang off and Didi sat with the bunch of newspapers. She loved to read what the media had to say about her victory. At one time she had doubts whether she would be able to retain power. There were fingers of accusations against a section of her people. But – Moo Cool, with his contacts in Delhi, ensured that she remain unscathed.
And, she had her team of Arrah Bull, Money Rule, Abhi Shake and Dee Wreck at the ground level to see her through.
Didi yawned. Life was becoming boring. She was tired of local issues and wanted to divert her attention to international issues. She wanted to taste the charm of the unexpected in Delhi. If she dealt the cards rightly now, she could win the gamble. Then she could hand over charge to someone like Moo Cool and shift base to Delhi.
No doubt she will miss her telebhaja and jhal moori but will get used to chana batura and aloo tikia. (to be continued…)


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Didi finds jhal-muri too hot to handle (satire)

The henchmen of Didi were finding it extremely difficult to keep pace with her activities and whirlwind tours. It was election time and she kept her people on their toes – her regular walks set the mood for the fight and she was loving every moment. Her secret has always been the element of surprise.
‘Shall I ask them to send in another round of jhal-muri?’ Abhi Shake asked her.
Didi gave him a hard stare.
‘I think we can go in for tele bhaja for a change,’ she said. ‘Beguni or aloor chop would be fine.’
Abhi Shake relayed the message to the restaurant in the corner.
‘Tell them to use fresh mustard oil,’ Didi reminded him. ‘I don’t want to get ulcers.’

Moo Cool coughed discreetly to get her attention.
‘Yes,’ Didi looked at him.
‘I have arranged a chopper for your next trip,’ he said. ‘It will be faster and the villagers will be impressed. They will turn up in large numbers to see a chopper from close quarters. We can be assured of a full house.’
‘Good,’ she was satisfied. ‘We must blow away all opposition. Leave no stone unturned. All of you know our strategies. Let us coin slogans that will send out proper messages.’
‘That is what we are doing,’ Patro Chatto said. ‘There are innumerable freelancers in the field – they are educated and waiting for proper jobs. They are doing a beautiful job and work for a pittance. Many of them are from the IT industry and are waiting to go abroad. This slogan making is a stop-gap arrangement for many of them.’
‘What about our engineers?’ Didi wanted to know.
‘They are studying the intricacies of flyovers,’ Patro explained. ‘Especially the art of making flyovers that can come down so that it can be rebuilt. We have to keep our workforce bagged and create prospects for the lower level to prosper.’
‘Yes – we are a party of the masses that works for the masses,’ Didi said.
By then, another round of refreshments had come. The attendant placed a plate in front of Didi and she loved the aroma of freshly fried beguni in mustard oil – she bit into one and closed her eyes. It was much better than jhal-muri. (to be continued …)


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