Kaleidoscopic Kolkata

In response to the blog prompt given by the #madeofgreat campaign initiated by Tata motors. To find out more about the campaign visit http://www.madeofgreat.tatamotors.com/

KOLKATA:

The land of Nobel laureates and freedom fighters, of Kings, Queens and Conquerors, of Arts, Science, and Cuisines, of greats like Rabindranath Tagore and Subhash Chandra Bose. The birthplace of Renaissance and freedom struggle, of modern Indian literary and artistic thought, the land of culture, cross-culture harmony, and joy, the land is Kolkata.

Nestled on either sides of the eastern banks of River Hooghly, Kolkata is in the lower delta basin of the Ganges from where it merges into The Bay of Bengal, home to the great White Bengal Tiger in Sunder bans, and the oldest city of India. Even after the passage of centuries it still retains its ethnicity, rich culture and heritage and its mythological and regal splendour.

The city needs no introduction, and its my honour to speak in its honour. If we are to only dwell on its Drive, Design, and Connect. In a phrase we can say, it is truly a 'traveller's dream destination.'

Kolkata is world renowned for its Drive network. It has an excellent and extensive transport system which keeps it bustling throughout the day, and the citizens carefree about their travel. It is the only eastern city with an International Airport.

It has the oldest underground railway network in India, and is reputed to have got India's first broad gauge railway line too. It is also the first Indian city to start the Metro Rail system, and the only Indian city to date with a local tram system.

It also prides in having the oldest commercial harbour along the Hooghly River, and also has India's only riverine port to boast.
The waterways too are a great option to travel and the on-road vehicles are very easily accessible.

When we venture into its topic of Design, There are few cities in India that are so beautifully constructed as Kolkata. Right in the midst of the city we have the Hooghly River bisecting the city into North and South Kolkata, and right alongside it we have the Maidan which is a large open field providing a fresh green respite to the overpopulated and pollution prone city. Thence, It is rightly nicknamed as The Lungs of Kolkata. Circling it like dazzling bubble of life and gaiety, and comprising Central Kolkata are the various institutions and performance grounds for its diverse and rich arts (dance, music, literature, theatre, song lore, handicrafts, painting and every form of art you can think of), exhibitions, and industrial and commercial hubbub. Several political headquarters, Victoria Memorial Hall, and Kolkata Race Course too enjoy their pride of place in this nexus.

Towards North we have the old Kolkata which still proudly flaunts the 19th century architecture, and still keeps alive the bygone eras. Many ethnic bazaars, monuments and places to eat and tour too are found here.

On its opposite part of it is in its amazing contrast, the South Kolkata. Developed after Indian Independence, this area houses more uptown residential areas, posh localities and a more modern outlook.

Flanking its western side is Fort William, which houses the Headquarters of the Eastern command of the Indian Army. And the city's east end is home to India's sole China town.

In matters of Connect, Kolkata has always been forefront of all Indian cities. It has established numerous Sister Cities ties with cities around the globe like Pittsburgh, Dhaka, Odessa, Naples, Jersey City, etc, to promote its culture and social ties. It is connected not only by airways but shipping contingencies and ports too, with almost any city of the world. It even extends its rail and road ways to Dhaka in Bangladesh to promote goodwill and camaraderie.

It is also the first city in India to operate cellular phones and 4G mobile internet network. Therefore, it has the strongest and most secure cellular and broadband network, connectivity and mass communication systems of India.

If you would ask me, I will say Kolkata is a kaleidoscope of dazzling colours and light from every angle we see.