What does it take to transform oneself from a k-nags resident to a kolkata-40ite? A 17 hour Rajdhani travel? Probably much more than that. Let me start from the beginning. I and Nakul shifted to this home 1.5 years back. Yes, everything in my life is 1.5 yrs old (Our marriage, my MBA, Nakul's job, our long distance married life). After a splendid welcome to Kolkata, I mean 1 month stay in ‘The Park’ (courtesy: HSBC, our bread and butter), we finally reached our present landlord thanks to magicbricks.com. What did it take to get into this house? Something more than a rent agreement and rent. We first needed to convince our very skeptical landlord that we’re a couple (with our height difference and kiddish looks, we earn the reputation more of loving (or not-so-loving :P) siblings than a couple). Secondly, that we’re married and not like his erstwhile unmarried live-in relationship tenants for whom he had acted as a witness in the court ultimately. Finally, a marriage certificate too and all this got us here where we are.
So since past 1.5 years, I’ve been a frequent traveler to Kolkata juggling between two of the most contrasting places on earth – Knags Delhi & Tollygunge Kolkata. How? Let Us C.
5 pm is night here. So much so that a travel from Delhi makes one feel jet lagged. Shops shut at 1 pm so much so that if one happens to be the unfortunate soul to be out between 1-6pm, you would rather be wondering what happened – Curfew? Strike? This is not a city which seems to value cleanliness much – be it on the roads or themselves. Transport is decent – though Nakul is yet to find a bus which can fit him (height wise obviously!). Everybody here is expected to know Bengali unless you interrupt ‘Aami Bangla jani na’.
Do these facts show I detest Kolkata? Ok, let me interpret them differently. In my last 8 years at Pune, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata, Kolkata is probably the most adorable city I could come across. More so, after having stayed at Delhi, I fall in love with Cal over and over again. Why? Well, several reasons. Unlike Delhi, shopkeepers here still believe in the old adage ‘Grahak hi bhagwan hai’, pretty clichéd but Delhi surely needs to revisit it. Drivers here are civilized enough to not blare horns blatantly, stop midway any road, not let pedestrian pass, reverse your f****** car w/o indication, etc.,etc. And most importantly, people here can be trusted – be it repairing your laptop, hiring an auto, buying a charger, booking a ticket or as simple as simply walking on the road past 8 pm.
Comparisons apart, 2 things which will drive me to come back to Kolkata even with Nakul not around – Puchka a.k.a. golgappa (even you should come here for puchka, they are ‘THE’ best in the world!) and of course, my dear Rosogulla!
The most fascinating truth is how this city has managed to preserve its originality, if I must say so, maintained its pace and is at utmost peace with itself. From a time when I questioned why it is called ‘City of Joy’ to experiencing the joy myself, I’ve been awed by its warmth! No doubt, Aami Kolkata-ke bhalo baashi!
