Named ’CITY OF JOY’, Kolkata is indeed one of the best to live in, a city
where most of it’s inhabitants are ’happy’!!
Capital of West Bengal and previously the capital of India(if I’m not
mistaken until 1930’s), Calcutta(as it was known until a few years back)
is a city with lot’s of history associated with the ’British Raj’
which is still visible everywhere.A city with various areas that gives
you an impression of still living in the 19th century and believe me,
living in such a city in the modern world is indeed something to be
proud of !!!!!
Life is not too fast in Calcutta(I’ll prefer calling Kolkata as
’Calcutta’ because the name is very close to my heart and many people
still call it’Kalkatta’!!) when compared to other Indian metropolitan
cities, e.g Mumbai & Delhi.A city that has two sides, one that gives you
an impression of living in 19th century as mentioned earlier( e.g
Chitpur area), the other one making you living in the 20th century(e.g
Park Street, Salt Lake....).
Latest addition to Calcutta are ’Rajarhat & New Town’ where development
is the latest ’motto’ & one is bound to see a totally new Kolkata just
a few years later...Calcutta is thus developing quickly, on average one
flyover being inaugrated every year( 4 years earlier there were none,
today there are atleast 4 flyovers in the city), shopping malls( the
city centre at Salt Lake gives you the impression of being in Dubai
(I can say that as I have visited best malls in Dubai-Deira, Burjuman),
Forum, Metro shopping complex & many more under construction) , Latest
multiplex cinema halls (INOX, 89 Cimemas)are the latest additions to
Calcutta.
It will not be fair on my part if I do not mention the famous’New
Market’ of Calcutta situated in the centre of the city since more
than 100 years.The New Market is same as it was when it was built,
thus making you feel sopping 100 years back.
As far as open space is concerned, The Victoria Memorial, Eden Gardens
Minto Park, Chatterji’s Bungalow, the famous ’Maidan’have always
increased the pride of the city.Newcomers like Millenium Park, Hyde
Park, the newly inaugrated ’joggers park’ & others add to the beauty of
Calcutta!!
Transportation :
The Kolkata ’Metro’ which is the first Indian underground transport
network (Delhi is the second but still covers only outskirts areas).
The metro is extremely clean & can be match the standard of those
found in Europe.Also Kolkata is the only Indian city that still has
electric trams running on it’s streets.Going around Calcutta in a tram
takes you back to the historical transportation system (Mumbai also
had trams running by BEST which was discontinued in early 60’s).
The black & yello Ambassador taxi( now only yellow) is another Brand
of Calcutta, which is the 2nd city city(after Mumbai) to have maximum
number of taxis in India.Delhi also has black & yellow Amby cabs but
there are Autos & Maruti vans that do the job of cabs mostly.The
comfort offered by an Ambassador taxi, esp on Indian city roads, is such
that it beats all the modern cars....You feel like a Maharajah when on
board of an Amby taxi(provided the car is good condition, of course!!!)
The Red & Yellow Minibus( Tata) is also very famous but beware...it’s
always full & rarely stops 4 u( you have to run to catch it & almost
jump to get out of it!!!!!). & do board an empty Minibus(esp at night)
for a spine crushing journey....so fast that you’ll even forget
Rajdhani & Shatabti....or better even a Pharrariii...
Public transport is extremely cheap in Calcutta(except taxi which has
become quite expensive nowadays).Bus, Tram, auto&Metro remain very cheap.
Another thing that needs to be mentioned is the famous ’Howrah Bridge’
near the Howrah railway station.The bridge is one of the best in India
and was built by the British in 40/50’s.Also worth visiting is the
Vidyasaagar Bridge, esp at night when it is extremely well lit and may
give you an impression of being in Europe....
This review on Calcutta concludes.Do comment.