Check this out…

 Calcutta’s latest venture:

https://www.telegraphindia.com/amp/my-kolkata/places/bengal-paddle-a-steamer-from-the-1940s-will-ferry-passengers-on-the-river-hooghly-once-more/cid/1888221

Calcutta has so much going for it but it all gets lost, somehow, in the mire of politics…

Anti-veil protests…

go beyond Iran.

Mahsa Amini has become a rallying point for women the world over. Maybe the time has come for the world to sit up and take notice of women, for we are the foundation on which the world is built. We have tried many ways to make the world understand this, accept us and give us our rightful place. Mahsa is the latest among a long line of women who, down the ages, have tried to make the world SEE them—-see us women not just as commodities or who can bring money in, but as persons with intelligence, feelings, and capabilities. But the world just refuses to do so. The fact that the protests in Iran are being picked up by women in other parts of the world is a signal going out that we sisters will stand together to fight for what is our basic right….we will fight to be seen and heard…we will fight for each other…the fight has gone beyond the hijab, it is now our soul that we are fighting for…

https://indianexpress.com/photos/world-news/in-pictures-iran-protest-continues-long-history-of-resistance-8177968/3/

The Puja in Calcutta…

is a whole lot more than worship of the goddess…it is not only the victory and celebration of good over evil, it is also the triumph and celebration of man’s art and craftsmanship. 

https://www.telegraphindia.com/education/the-durga-puja-is-a-mega-opportunity-for-art-college-students-not-only-to-watch-senior-artists-at-work-but-also-to-lend-a-hand-themselves/cid/1888968

Bhadu folk singers…

from East Burdwan’s Khangodosh highlight their poverty and unemployment through songs, travelling across 40 villages in the district. 

https://www.telegraphindia.com/amp/west-bengal/villain-in-folk-songs-no-jobs-under-mgnrega/cid/1887431

To war, in step…

Raibeshe, known to be a virile war dance, being performed at Gonnaserandi village in Bengal’s East Burdwan district by a troupe of girls. The dance breaks into fierce acrobatic movements after the initial few minutes. Another glass ceiling broken by girls…

Check it out here: 

https://www.telegraphindia.com/amp/culture/to-war-in-step-a-dance-form-that-has-broken-gender-and-caste-formats/cid/1887317

Russians and the Queen…

The Kremlin paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth on her passing and dozens of Russians laid flowers at the British Embassy despite the dire state of relations between London and Moscow. “The Queen and the royal house have always been the personification of peace and goodness,” said Muscovite Anton Avramets. 

https://www.telegraphindia.com/amp/world/some-russians-mourn-queen-elizabeth-ii/cid/1885659

Meet…

Subrata Ghosh of Durgapur in West Bengal. Not only does he cultivate roses,  but he is full of stories about each one of them….

https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/he-rose-he-rose-he-rose-from-the-beds-meet-engineer-of-roses-and-his-bouquet-of-curiosities/cid/1885901

Taking part in…

a French regatta are two bravehearts-Swapan Purakait and Sunayana Shetty. This couple from Gariahat are in Libourne in southwestern France. 

https://www.telegraphindia.com/amp/my-kolkata/news/kolkata-couple-from-gariahat-to-vie-in-double-sculls-in-french-regatta/cid/1885270

Barefoot College…

Sanjit (Bunker) Roy, an alum of a top-ranked school and college opted for the path less trodden. His is a fascinating journey. Read about his work here:

https://www.educationworld.in/barefoot-college-tilonia/amp/