Kolkata has prospered over the last decade

The other day I was listening to the famous video song of Usha Uthup on Kolkata. It showed different scenes of the City of Joy and I longed to go back to the old days of the 1960s. I had left the city in the 1960s (it was known then as Calcutta) and subsequently visited it on special occasions. The last time was in 2019 to attend a marriage. I noticed that the city I grew up in had changed. There were flyovers, and skyscrapers alongside new attractions to woo tourists. Once there used to be the zoo garden, botanical garden, museum, Victoria Memorial, Birla planetarium etcetera. Now there are additions like the Eco Park, Nicco Park, Science City, floating restaurant on the Hoogly River and innumerable hotels and restaurant.

Most of these have come up during the tenure of Mamata Banerjee as chief minister. She is not only the supremo of Trinamool Congress TMC but also gifted with artistic talents. How Mamata Banerjee unwinds herself with artistic pursuits. She can wield the brush as well as the pen and was instrumental in promoting the annual Durga Puja festival on a global scale. However, her efforts to bring industries to her state have not met with much success. On the whole, Kolkata has prospered over the last decade. It is evident in every walk of life. Bengalis love the ilish fish and, even though the price might go up to Rs 2000 per Kg, there are buyers. Uemployment is a major issue in Bengal but there is no dearth of buyers of ilish.

Some popular stories in this and related sites –

Chinese missile tactics force Taiwan to reroute ships and cancel international flights

Politicians are like chameleons

Princess Charlotte steals the show at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Tension increases between the U.S. and China on Taiwan - Chinese warplanes visible

Eggs are an integral part of street foods

Harrowing times in Pakistan - more than 280 people killed in rain-related incidents since mid-June

It is difficult to mop up black money

Floods in Kentucky leave at least 28 dead

The wonderful hobby of throwing mud at each other

Priyanka Chopra eases out Deepika Padukone from Captain Marvel

Sure shot way to woo tourists – bait them with the Big Ben and Eiffel Tower (satire)

‘The die has been cast and very soon no one need to go to London to see the Big Ben or to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower,’ Didi announced. ‘They’ll get it all here in our city.’
‘Yes,’ Moo Cool added. ‘Many such masterpieces would soon decorate the City of Joy. They will add to its charms and bring in the tourists.’
‘All thanks must go to Didi,’ Patro Chatto said. ‘We can proudly say ‘I have seen the Big Ben from up close’ or ‘I have clicked a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower.’
‘This is a major step in our efforts to woo tourists,’ Didi gave a wry smile. ‘We must arrange some more promotional videos with our brand ambassador.’

‘Don’t worry, ‘Dee Wreck assured. ‘We have covered the tram. Our next target is the hand pulled rickshaw. Our model actually wanted to draw the rickshaw and not just sit in it as a passenger with the strains of the super hit song ‘mein rickshaw wallah…’ in the background.’
‘I know him,’ Didi smiled. ‘He loves to live his role. Ensure that he gets a suitable actress as company. He flowers in the company of women.’
‘What is the next landmark in your sight?’ Moo Col wanted to know.
‘I am debating on getting either the White House or the Berlin Wall,’ Didi said. ‘Both are equally good.’
‘What about the location?’ Dee Wreck was curious.
‘We have installed the Big Ben in Lake Town, right?’
‘Yes.’
‘And plan to have the Eiffel Tower in the Eco Park, right?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then the White House can come up in the Millennium Park on the banks of the Hoogly.’
‘But – we had planned to have the giant Ferris Wheel there? Like ‘The Eye’ in London?’ Dee Wreck reminded.
‘Plans can and do change,’ Didi said. ‘Moreover London is already symbolized by the Big Ben.’
‘Then what about the Berlin Wall?’ Moo Cool asked.
‘I have not yet decided,’ Didi admitted. ‘It will be a toss-up between the Berlin Wall and the Great Wall of China.’
‘And, you want it on the borders?’
‘No – installing it on the border will send out the wrong message. It might affect the supply of ilish and I will lose the support of the ilish lovers. I don’t want that.’
‘Then where will you position it?’
‘All around Nabanna,’ Didi said. ‘It will save my policemen the trouble of wearing helmets all the time. Helmets can become a nuisance because you keep sweating - have you not seen cricketers on the field remove the helmet to get rid of the accumulated water?’ (to be continued …)


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

Moody wants bows and arrows to eliminate Big Daddy (satire)

Didi and her books in Book Fair (satire)

Lord Shiva waits for his patisapta (satire)


Brazil declares war on mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus

The FMCG world belongs to Baba Ramdev - worship noodles instead of yoga

Beggar of Mehsana with a heart of gold – gifts gold earrings to 10 poor girls


“The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar” - Disney’s upcoming television movie

'Avatar 2', sequel to 'Avatar' of 2009 expected to release in December 2017

Aamir Khan no longer the face of Incredible India


Bomb attack kills 9 persons in Cairo near road leading to Egyptian pyramids

Woman with fake passport in a British Airways flight from Ibiza leads to panic

Tourists to Morocco told by Foreign Office to be vigilant about possible terror attacks