Charming Kolkata: Why Calcutta is a Great
City to Live in

chillibreeze writer — Elizabeth Gupta

Need an editable PowerPoint map of India

Get off the train at Howrah Station, or drive out of Dum Dum airport, and Kolkata hits you. You can’t make head or tail of this assault on your senses till you get to your destination and settle down with a soothing cup of coffee. When I made Kolkata my home, this is how I felt. But, day after day, and now, 6 years down the line, something still happens to impress on me how charming the city is.

Charming in the architectural splendour of the British legacy – after all it was the Second City of the British Empire – and charming as one goes over the Lake flyover and sees the lush Rain trees on Southern Avenue; charming in celebrity chef Shaun Kenworthy’s Blue Potato living quite cheerfully beside the phuchka wallah down the lane; the charm of the mighty Hooghly; charming the way the Mercs share road space with the indestructible Ambys; charming too – and for me, this is the real charm – in the milkman who came to deliver milk to our neighbours and who rang our bell wanting to know what the beautiful music we were listening to was. He didn’t want to come inside, but stood just outside our door, mesmerised by Vilayat Khan’s Alahiya Bilawal; charming when the gardener discusses the plants he thinks will look good outside the door; charming as the boy from the friendly neighbourhood store delivers our provisions uncomplainingly even at 10 p.m. if necessary (in Kolkata everything can be had ‘home delivery’), or Mithudidi in the store who remembers what you need but haven’t put on your list, and sends it anyway.

How can I fail to mention Football – the sport that Kolkata identifies with? Flags of the different countries participating in the World Cup flying in the areas or ‘paras’ that support them; ‘Bienvenido Deigo’ in Spanish and Bengali splashed all over the city to welcome the all-time great. Forum happily co-exists with the pavement stalls of Rashbehari Avenue and Gariahat and the timeless New Market which is where everyone goes eventually because ‘your’ shops know what you want, and are interested in what you buy, even advising against a buy if they thought it wouldn’t suit you! Charming, too, are Kolkata’s festivals: from the exotic pandals of Durga puja to the nativity scene on the lawns of St. Paul’s Cathedral; the Christmas cakes in every paanshop, and the Santas on Park Street, to the fabulous traditional Christmas cakes and confectionery at Flury's, it's fun and bonhomie with which the New Year is ushered in.

Of course, there are huge drawbacks and problems with the Government oblivious to the citizens for whom it exists, but the Kolkatan bears it all with as good cheer as he can muster. He will break out into a discussion about the Government, or lack of it, any time, any place, any situation. There will not be even the whisper of a hurry in his dealings with you. It is as if there is all the time in the world, and why are you in this almighty hurry anyway? There is an air of friendliness without being familiar which I find absolutely charming. When you go to pay your various taxes, the offices are in a building which can be described as a maze at best. One is standing in queue, rather resignedly, but soon there will be someone who realizes you are in the wrong queue, wrong office, wrong place, and will not only tell you where to go, but will also make sure you get to the right place.

Charming, therefore, in the ordinary people who take an interest in your life and are a witness to it. And so, when you see that the rickshaw wallah at your gate is keeping an eye on your kids and your home, or when people, not caring which religion or region you belong to, switch to English or Hindi because you don’t obviously know Bengali, the charm of Kolkata gently steals over you.

Chillibreeze's disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article.

Out of 5 “chilies”, our editorial team gave this article...

 

—About our writer: Elizabeth writes for Chillibreeze.

>> Read more articles written by Chillibreeze writers:

1. Articles related to Content and Outsourcing
2. NRI and Expat Articles
3. Potpourri
4. Travel Writing
5. Top 10 List
5. Book Reviews and Interviews

Chillibreeze Premium Services Speedy document, PPT and Keynote makeover services for Companies and Business Consultants. Rough hand drawn sketches and white board diagrams converted into professional PowerPoint slides for next day delivery. Quick editing and fine tuning of content. Raw data converted into reports and PPTs, to your specification. Contact us with your editing and formatting requirements. Resources for Editors and Writers Get visibility as a writer by publishing on our website. Pick a topic from the list provided by Chillibreeze, write and submit. (Note: only 10% make the cut and get published) Contact us to find out about the process for submitting articles. Upgrade your writing: English Essentials a course on the nuances of editing and writing error free.