Kolkata….the city of joy, now more popularly, the city of Dharnas and rallies. The city that almost all Bengalis living outside the region has a relative in, the city where childhood memories are carved in, the city where strangers come and make it their home and as a friend recently told me, a city that is politically conscious and not religiously divided.
Yes it is a city with hordes of problems, it is a city where the Red mark is etched out in every corner (and recently the flower of the Trinamool Congress) and where taking public matter to the streets is the only solution. Like almost all Bengalis living elsewhere, I have had relatives here and thus every winter I would visit this place. Unfortunately for me, I was cut out from the hustle-buslte of the city as my relatives decided to stay some kilometers away from the centre. Thus I, as a child, saw a part of Kolkata that was serene, green and filled with common faces. Very unlike the real Calcutta (as was known then).
But that did not mean I did not visit the centre at all. Most of my experiences were bitter feeling a bad impression on my young mind. Whenever, we would come to Park Street or Park Circus, we had to battle the terrifying bus rides, having to quarrel with all the passengers and the conductors for a rupee or even lesser than that. If this wasn’t enough, such matter would become public matter and everyone would join either side to battle the cases (as if it was required). This was something I faced every time I traveled to the centre. Naturally, my idea of Calcutta was bad. My child’s mind did not understand all these matters and I simply didn’t like the place.
Coming here after a long time and actually getting to stay in the centre has made me change my opinion a lot and also the fact that it has been some years from that experience now. I am commuting to my workplace everyday without any hassles though I should state that I am not traveling in those buses any longer but in the metro. Yes, the rallies are still there, the loudspeakers still cracking with those voices but I feel there is a change. I am feeling that the people are changing, their attitudes are changing and ultimately there is chance for some progress to take place. Mamata Bannerjee has already spear-headed the campaign for a wind of change with ousting the Left in many local elections and with the upcoming State Elections coming up soon, things are likely to change much more.
It may take many more years for the city of rallies to go back to being the City of Joy. For this to happen many things will need to change. Firstly, the people, who as I said are already change. I feel it is time for the people specially the politicians to realize that battles can also be fought in places other than the roads shouting slogans and calling bandhs. This only cripples the lives of many and makes the country loose millions in the process. It is also time for the private investments to come into the state and make it once more a prosperous place. It is time for the city to be the centre of developmental process.
As for me, right now I am liking the place and the amiable people who are ready to help you at every step.
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