Calcutta(Known as Kolkata nowadays), the capital of the British East Indian Company during the British rule, the workshop for great humans like Mother Teresa, Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Saurabh Ganguly and the likes is one city that i'm proud to be associated to. The city happens to be a second home to me after New Delhi. Though people call it Kolkata, i'll call it Calcutta because its the name i'm attached to. I can say that i'm a 'half-bengali' since i've stayed a huge part of my short life in Calcutta only(fifteen years in a city isn;t a joke).
One of the oldest cities in India, and the biggest Indian sea port(before aeroplanes came into commercial use) is fondfully known as the 'City of Joy' , and no wonder it is called so, it deserves this tag. Being a Delhi'ite by birth, i am proud to say that Calcutta is way better than Delhi - a million times. And let me just iterate an incident that had seen myself in Calcutta at the popular Gariahat market.
On the junction of the road, a man snatched a woman's handpurse when she was boarding a bus, and ran away. Looking at this, the woman cried for help, and atleast thirty(or more) people started runnign behind him. And they kept on chasing him for atleast a kilometre till the moment they finally caught him. The bag was returned to the lady, and the thief to the police. Can you believe it. In which metropolis of the world would you find such things. People, who dont even know each other,haven't ever seen each other's face, run behind someone else's possession leaving their own work priorities behind just for the sake of humanity - Thats the spirit of Kolkata, and i'm proud to say that i've lived among those noble humans.
Its communism that has ruptured the city's growth for half a century now. In 1947, when the British were forced to run out of the nation, Calcutta was the most advanced city. But successive ignorant governments left the city there only, and seemed like the city's development stopped.
Calcutta's tourism department toils very hard to ensure that the public system supports every human out there in the city. The aim is simple - Let everyone be happy,healthy and prosperous. Let no-one go to bed without having three square meals a day. And proudfully, i can say that this is one city where this is ensured. Even beggers get to eat before calling it a day, something that the biggest cities on the planet dont get to see.
The city is a heaven for art and craft lovers. Bengali's and Calcuttians(as i'm used to say this phrase for years) have an unseen 'craze' for artistic skills. This is one city where the first thing taught in school is NOT the words and numbers, but to pursue and learn things, and pursue your love, your interests.
Calcutta, best known for its joyous people, can be best seen during the 'Navaratri', locally known as 'Durgo Pujo'. This is a religious festival which has the most importance in the region. The festival celebrates Lordess Durga killing the evil, and bringing stablity to the world. And the city's joyous air shows that Bengali's still celebrate it, just like Catholics celebrate the Christmas.
Arts, Sciences, Sports - no matter what field it is, Bengali's have shown their steel. If you happen to come across any Asian whose name ends with "Banerjee","Chatterjee","Bandhopadhay","Sengupta" or "Bose" , just know that you've just come across another member of the 'smart race'(thats in case you're a racist).
Known for its great architecture, rich culture, varied legacy, in case you happen to visit India, make it a point that you visit this city. Though the city may not be pretty 'advanced' as the other Indian cities, it is one city you'll love to reside in. And the large number of Foriegn immigrants settling in the city proves it.
So make it a point, and visit Kolkata - the real Indian Soul
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