strange but very nice...
The road that leads to our home from the main road in Tollygunge, at one point, passes a cemetery. From the road all one can see are trees and it has a very peaceful air about it, as a resting place should be. Today when we turned into this road, I saw many impromptu stalls selling flowers, incense, and pictures of Jesus and wondered what it was about....rows of stalls....and then it struck me - today is All Souls Day, and people were visiting their loved ones in their resting places...I guess they were decorating the tombs and praying....While those who have gone, never leave our hearts, I do believe this was a lovely gesture...
But I've not seen this anywhere - anywhere - it had to be in Cal!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Seen on...
one of those killer brown and yellow buses:
It's not very clear, but one can make out the words - Validue to16/11/2016
Making sure that the meaning is very, very clear - including both 'valid' and 'due' with the date - so you know that the registration is valid till - and renewal is due on.......howzzat for underscoring??
Making sure that the meaning is very, very clear - including both 'valid' and 'due' with the date - so you know that the registration is valid till - and renewal is due on.......howzzat for underscoring??
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Today's Telegraph - Calcutta...
UPA II
PRESENTS
MANMOHAN SINGH
(SONIA AND RAHUL
GUEST APPEARANCE)
EK HAI
TIGER
PROMPTED BY
SCANDALS, RATING AGENCIES
INDUSTRY
FOREIGN INVESTORS
OPPOSED BY: MAMATA BANNERJEE, PRAKASH KARAT
SPECIAL EFFECTS AND SOUND: BJP AND SAMAJWADI PARTY
TARGET AUDIENCE: MIDDLE CLASS IN TIER 1, JOBLESS & FARMERS IN TIER 2 CENTRES
Sunday, September 9, 2012
A typical 'Oh Calcutta'
Yesterday we were on Lindsay Street (the road that runs in front of New Market). It was raining, and though it was only 6 in the evening, it was dark. The pavement in front of the shops have been occupied by hawkers of all colors and shades.
We wanted to go to Raymond's, and there was just enough space in front of the shop to allow us to make a dash for it. After we finished, we stood just outside the door on the first step, which was covered, waiting for the driver to bring the car.
The human drama being played out in front of us on the sidewalk was typical, lovable Cal.
On the right was this movable cart fitted with a coal chulha - the Indian cooking stove - with a Tibetan/Sikkimese cooking vessel, on one side. It had 4 large pans fitted one into the other. In the lowest, thupka was boiling away, and the other three pans had momos steaming in them. Next to this was a stack of bright green square plates, bowls one on top of the other, and spoons in a mug. There was another vessel with a sauce in it, and a bottle of ketchup. The remaining bit of space on this cart was used as a tabletop to fix the momo platter for the customers. A steady stream of people kept the momo-man busy. He had rolled up his trousers and was happily and busily serving all his customers, completely oblivious of the rain. Beside this cart was another one selling tea in the earthern cups or bhaands.
To our left was this amazing cart called Dosa Bagan - literally meaning Garden of Dosas or Dosa Garden!!! There were two men with shower caps on their heads to keep their heads from getting wet, and they had these two huge stoves in front of them on which they were cooking, turning out idlis, vadas, and dosas with their accompanying chutneys. Plates with compartments were stacked in one corner with spoons. They were serving customers almost non-stop, there were so many people wanting a South Indian snack!
This was not the time to think hygiene.......it was the happiness on the faces of the people snacking away in the rain that was a treat to watch.
And why not?
Why should they let a little rain spoil their Saturday outing, pray?
We wanted to go to Raymond's, and there was just enough space in front of the shop to allow us to make a dash for it. After we finished, we stood just outside the door on the first step, which was covered, waiting for the driver to bring the car.
The human drama being played out in front of us on the sidewalk was typical, lovable Cal.
On the right was this movable cart fitted with a coal chulha - the Indian cooking stove - with a Tibetan/Sikkimese cooking vessel, on one side. It had 4 large pans fitted one into the other. In the lowest, thupka was boiling away, and the other three pans had momos steaming in them. Next to this was a stack of bright green square plates, bowls one on top of the other, and spoons in a mug. There was another vessel with a sauce in it, and a bottle of ketchup. The remaining bit of space on this cart was used as a tabletop to fix the momo platter for the customers. A steady stream of people kept the momo-man busy. He had rolled up his trousers and was happily and busily serving all his customers, completely oblivious of the rain. Beside this cart was another one selling tea in the earthern cups or bhaands.
To our left was this amazing cart called Dosa Bagan - literally meaning Garden of Dosas or Dosa Garden!!! There were two men with shower caps on their heads to keep their heads from getting wet, and they had these two huge stoves in front of them on which they were cooking, turning out idlis, vadas, and dosas with their accompanying chutneys. Plates with compartments were stacked in one corner with spoons. They were serving customers almost non-stop, there were so many people wanting a South Indian snack!
This was not the time to think hygiene.......it was the happiness on the faces of the people snacking away in the rain that was a treat to watch.
And why not?
Why should they let a little rain spoil their Saturday outing, pray?
Friday, May 4, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Check these out...
I love it that the old name board is still there - POLICE SECTION HOVSE - with the old spelling of House.
This picture is for my Jamaibaba who cannot get over the Pilot on the door of these completely wretched yellow and brown buses....He goes into gales of laughter every time he sees the door of the bus cab with this word on it!
If this isn't just too charming, then what is???
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
A very different sight...
A rickshaw-wallah sitting in his rickshaw under a large spreading tree, engrossed in a book - and this was on the very busy Prince Anwar Shah road...
A picture of peace....
A picture of peace....
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Is it time to say...
RIP
to Bengal, and Calcutta in particular??
considering the antics the Chief Minister is up to????????
it's turning out to be a circus, with her as the ringmaster, and the clowns, trained animals, hoopers, trapeze artists, tightrope walkers, jugglers et al...
Typically old-world Cal...
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Only in Cal...
When every one goes in one direction, someone suddenly decides on a different course...
You won't miss the flyovers...
Lunch time...
You won't miss the flyovers...
Lunch time...
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The Grand Old Lady...
is getting a makeover...
It's been raining since last night and now Cal's looking pretty again.
Winter in Cal is not cold bleak, it's dusty bleak, and so this rain is more than welcome....
It's been raining since last night and now Cal's looking pretty again.
Winter in Cal is not cold bleak, it's dusty bleak, and so this rain is more than welcome....
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Red....
Calcutta is all set for Valentine's Day.
Someone once told me Cal was the 'City of Lovers'......it's true!!!!!
Someone once told me Cal was the 'City of Lovers'......it's true!!!!!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Another 'oh Calcutta' moment!!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
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