It's always a fascinating drive to the city center of Calcutta from the airport. The stark contrasts, sights, sounds are all so visible on this one-hour ride.
The smell of frying fish, the sound of a loudspeaker blaring some political message that is not meant for the ears of non-Bengalis, the sight of women wearing large bindis, the new signs of capitalism, along with trams and buses from the 1950s.
On the drive, I see grimy lanes of slums from a Dominic Lapierre book, antique 18th century buildings with balconies, from where people have witnessed several important moments in history, new shops selling the latest smartphones, Kali temples, political posters.
There is a very unique aura that this wonderful city has! Oh Calcutta! You are indeed my favourite metro city in India, and it is indeed a pleasure to once again be your guest.
The smell of frying fish, the sound of a loudspeaker blaring some political message that is not meant for the ears of non-Bengalis, the sight of women wearing large bindis, the new signs of capitalism, along with trams and buses from the 1950s.
On the drive, I see grimy lanes of slums from a Dominic Lapierre book, antique 18th century buildings with balconies, from where people have witnessed several important moments in history, new shops selling the latest smartphones, Kali temples, political posters.
There is a very unique aura that this wonderful city has! Oh Calcutta! You are indeed my favourite metro city in India, and it is indeed a pleasure to once again be your guest.
No comments:
Post a Comment