Citadel of East and Pujo

Citadel of East and Pujo

Citadel of East has a lot going in its favour and the flavour of Pujo embraces those who are its adherents and even those showing a faint inclination to fall in line howsoever long it may take. The stay in the Citadel of East may have mirrored the limited aspirations of city folks but it equally mirrored the aspirational quotient of those who get lost in the haze of the city round the year and get an equal chance to join the bandwagon at this point of time. The turnout in College Square and M.Ali Park and the structured movement of the swelling crowd illustrated the strong undercurrents of adaptability. Visits on more than one occasion to these centres showed the rich fabric the city is endowed with and the rich heritage it basks under.

Recalling the immersion procession and the chants it reverberates with, there is a strong longing to have this association year after year.

The long nights spent in the middle of the city amidst chants of Goddess followed with immersion of the idol was a truly moving experience in the Citadel of East. Had been waiting for loading of the idol in the vehicle that was supposed to depart at 5 in the evening from Ram Krishna Raj Krishna Kali Temple in Central. Since ten past four in the afternoon the wait started and when the idol procession finally hit the city roads it was well past seven and it took a little over three hours to reach the Prasanna Kumar Ghat. It was 11.30 and the search was for a public transport that could take me back to Central.

With no meals outlet open, the walk from Metro Station in Esplanade to Central was taxing and the number of hours walked on Thursday (Dussehra) could be a record one. From where i got the thrust to engage in activities round the day could be traced to the positioning next to the lorry carrying idol since half past 7. Thoughts did cross my mind at Burra Bazar that i should call it quits but something kept me glued to the last step. And by grace of the Goddess i was there till the last moment. What a day it was and how beautifully it wrapped up with thoughts on similar festivity slated for next year.

Again thoughts on those whom i came across and intend to come in the coming period.
Best wishes to Shree Krishna Mistaan Bhandar for the kachori and tea served; best wishes to Lakhanlal (on occasions the meal may have led to a minor upset); best wishes to all those tea vendors for serving the tea i desired; best wishes to all residents of the city for the sweat they undergo given the river that flows.

It is a city that flaunts its happiness index by sweating by a proportion that has few parallels in the country; and it is a city that has record footfalls in the face of adversities.

Kolkata Coasting wasn't that difficult except for bed bugs and scarcity of hugs. From the different residents and other lesser known towers whom i came across day and every hour, the Kolkata Stay provided me warmth and a new hope to sway.
Coming across a stay of a considerable period the stint provided me a glue of unwavering future.

Ranting from a taxi

Ranting from a Taxi

AS i spot a man speaking to himself at Lothian Road in the National Capital, this expertise developed over the years can't be the preserve of a few. Competition has been coming thick and fast for those who speak and soak in that experience. The man on Lothian Road was speaking about his ills and the ills plaguing the nation. Illogical wasn't his act and illfounded were not his apprehensions that game changers can't alone be moolah bringers.

The man on Lothian Road spoke and this reminded me of "Zindabad" Rant from a taxi that went past Chittaranjan Avenue Court the other day. The Indian Oil employees appeared puzzled and so were others and we were in entire agreement that his freedom from a long distance train journey confronted by interlocutors of unbelievable scale made him rant and relish. It was the freedom he was relishing and sitting next to the window seat in the taxi made him less amenable to interlocutors pressure.

When Kolkata was my home and the residents gave me hope and foam

When Kolkata was my home and the residents gave me hope and foam

Kolkata

THe ride from Somnath to Ahmedabad

The ride from Somnath to Ahmedabad

Perhaps this piece should have been written earlier but given the F1 gloss - which ultimately led to spectators glued to the seats and failing to flee- and the successful Kolkata toss, the story could not not be penned and the the smooth ride from Somnath to Ahmedabad could not be showcased as a unifying trend. The stay in Somnath may not have stretched to one week or more but whatever little time i spent there it reminded me of places like Dilsukh centre - for the tea i took quite often- and the man on the first floor of the shopping arena who was kind enough to hand me the newspaper coming from the House of Femina. The tea inside the shopping arena was equally strong; the aberration being the shop remaining closed for some hours during which i failed to display my frown. THe bhelpuris - known in Kolkata circle as Jhalmuris- were tried quite often from shops on ground floor; one run by brother-sister duo and the other run by a middle aged man looking for a durable duo.

The close-to-a-week placement in Somnath i have tried in the past and probably that gives me the strength to withstand the horrifying national capital blast. AS i bid goodbye to Somnath, with the hope to come here again for another spiritual shot, the stay was grand and only thing missing was net band. The honey to keep cold at bay i tried and the mosquito-fighting apparatus i put on a functioning mode showed the longing i had for this place with all-pervasive peace tone.

As i left Somnath and later Veraval, the sighting of hoardings and havelis was my dose of survival. The number of educational institutions and lodges that one comes across length and breadth of the country are phenomenal and there are no dearth of hoardings advertising them. When i left Veraval to head towards Junagadh on the way to Ahmedabad some weeks ago, the first sighting was of Noble Group of Institutions- Making your dreams come true is our responsibility. Swamped with an integrated technical educational campus, the hoarding next to the Veraval bus stand has nothing novel about it except the attempt to catch as many eyeballs as possible. Possibly the wait at the bus stop made me engineer efforts to get a glimpse of such and other hoardings and as i inched towards Junagadh i had a sizeable sighting of the same.

In Keshod is the Shakti Centre offering tea at prices within your range and it has a refreshing flavour that easily recharges you after a bout of long distance travel. Similarly in Junagadh opposite the bus stand is Shri Ram Guest House (AC and Non AC rooms) and therein is another tea centre serving the cuppa with a mandate that keeps you glued to action in and outside the bus for a fairly good time. It was in Junagadh that the staff of the bus was replaced by a young fleet and it was a ride towards the State Capital with fewer interruptions. It was in Junagadh and places further away that one could sight hoardings of Saputara Monsoon Festival , held between July and August. It is almost two months since that fest ended and it evolved with themes on fun, romance, adventure and discovery. Saputara being part of the annual calendar, the themes would have a new trajectory year after year would be the belief of those who sighted with alacrity. Almost on the outer limit of Junagadh is Sakharbaug Zoological Park and so is the Mahanagar Seva Sadan. At Jetpur the bus stops adjacent to a pic of Sai in blue outfit. And that turns the thought on Ahmednagar in and out visit.

The bus having left Jetpur, the signboard ahead showed Porbandar 112 kms away and one which most of the residents of the State have tried once in their lifetime sway.

The next halt is Gondal, with a hoarding of Gondal Sunflower Preschool . THe tag line of this school reads" We build those who build the nation." Perhaps the tag line is ok except for the fact that there are too many claimants to claim that they are builders to the nation.

The route followed from Veraval included Keshod, Junagadh, Jetpur, Virpur, Gondal , Rajkot before reaching Ahmedabad. On the way sighting is possible of GSRTC buses going towards Modhera, Vishwamitri, Gir, Saurashtra, Dwarka, Somnath, Kutch, Junagadh, Una and Shentuche. It was close to 5 in the evening and the stoppage time at Rajkot bus stand was more than required to keep a long lasting grin .

As the bus moved out of Rajkot bus stand, there are different shops with signboards like World Class Plumbing done here , Himalayan Refrigeration System. Further ahead is Business Centre- House of electronics and appliances. There are a large number of passengers boarding the bus at Rajkot. But are there enough seats to get them aboard?. As i try to figure out there is one gentleman who gets in and out of the bus at every little or big halt the bus goes in for to make it a ride to be sought . Probably he has learnt the art of detachment to be followed by attachment given the thinking he is encircled with that there are surplus time with all those on board and most prefer to stay from home beat.

Except for his transgressions, the bus ride from Veraval to Ahmedabad was a uniting one as it unified my belief that no matter how big the distance may be, it is preferable to take roadways bus for the common touch it showers us and the commonality that binds all of us.

The car chalaks who are haughty and come heavy on you courtesy the new class

THe Grand Prix where most would agree to disagree

As the Formula One Grand Prix India gets underway under the amazing scanner of those interested and those willing to get interested and yet to have expressed the intent of interest , this Grand Prix would be an event where most would agree to disagree. The event, slated to last three days, with Oct 30th the final day of race, the skyrocketing price tag for Grand Stand is in entire conformity with the skyrocketing prices prevalent outside showing much of our decision-making disability. Suggestions have come forward that prix prices have to be revised, resulting in some stands different from grand and where few would play a prank are coming in the price tag of Rs 15,000 and if possible less if the negotiating skills are best. Well, tickets that would spell automatic entry to the F1 circuit, and in effect to a circle of admirers and foes are still there in plenty to be lapped up and the story doing the rounds is that it is already a sold out event; something the organisers are bent on spreading given the lavish spread that they want to ensure it coming.

Organisers and those intended/interested to join the organisational firmament and yet not been zeroed in given their physical appearance not appealing have been told to try their luck elsewhere. All those with moisturiser laden faces and gym declared aces would be taken to act as escort and give the much-needed security wart. Well, reports on lowdown of this Prix which has fewer prefix other than Grand fix is all about how one positions and functions during the three-day traction.

No one dare to call it a rarity of rare events because once this Prixwith Grand Zigs is complete more in such series would happen given the private enterprise attempt to get in discourse of flaunt weapon. Perhaps the heat the government departments are facing and with little sign of spilling to the corporate basin, the event would have never come at a more appropriate time to show the corporates might and the govt. in a sizeable tight. Perhaps the 270-km/hour zoom onRajpath in the beginning of this month and those in attendance to keep the crowd at bay showed the entire disconnect with India and those in black outfit and displaying moisturiser laden output were a big farce with no mammoth task. Looking to be downright supervisors who had more than their share of senior advisers.

Once the F1 circuit begins to host the Prix and Pace, there would be nothing stopping this F1 race. Already the clamour is from doctors, dentists, engineers and software bears that they want to be associated - as you have stewards on aircrafts- and this clamour is nothing but an attempt to upgrade their grammar. Because more firangi class would be there who would be carrying thesaurus and other wares. Once this F1 event has been declared a success of unimaginable proportion, the chorus would grow that cricket stadiums across country be converted to the F 1 circuit given Cricket India's punctuality to remain functional when they play inside and become dysfunctional when they report for daily wages outside (Across Seven Seas).

Lot of turbulence is expected post F1 boast as the airstrips in and around the country would be seen as potential circuit.

Can't write because this netwallah is in a hurry to fix some deal.

Those endowed with the expertise to blow their trumpet

Those endowed with the expertise to blow their trumpet

Ride from Kolkata

Ride from Kolkata

THe ride from State of West Bengal began on a smooth note as i was approaching the Bihar Fort. Amritsar EXpress was the train i was glued to for the next 12 hours and there was a Bong family comprising Pa Ma and Da not raising in the first hour any brouhaha. It was only when one student of Burdwan returning to Panagarh was made to unseat by the Bong Head of Family i could sense the sense of uneasiness that had erupted.

THe lower seat i occupied was enough for this student travelling on a student pass to take a portion of that one as he was supposed to travel for just half an hour. Few hours later the solitary man supposed to get down at Jasiddih was told by Bong who was allotted the middle berth to go to the upper berth. He took it sportingly as he knew in the season of occupation (the US was first to occupy Afghanistan and Iraq and subsequently got portions of wall street occupied by its residents). Occupation on the upper berth was too much for the Jasiddih man- he claimed to be suffering from some heart ailment- and he came down heavily on the Bong clan.

THe Bong shifted his wave of protest against me for offering the Jassidih guy a seat and would have perhaps liked me to take a retreat. Such was the nature of interaction but nowhere offensive and hurting. Given my interactions over the years the Bong Clan was still miles and miles away from being difficult; sober to an extent and opening their wallet for jhalmuris now and then .

It was interaction with another one i came to know that for 2 paisa one full glass of tea could be availed in Howrah in 1951 and nowadays the same tea comes for Rs 5 and Rs 7.Having reached Bihar Fort and and having completed the spiritual quest, the strangest part of the episode was departure of train from P F 7 when i had read that it would depart from P F 4. Had it not been for the Sleeper Class Guys i would have missed the train and in effect the sanity.

All in all Those Occupied in Occupation Thunder have nothing to lose and are waiting for others to Surrender. It may be about Greed, Graft and Breed. And in the final length it would be about how the Ground Situation has been Read and no one has been left to bleed.

This colony gate of S J Enclave A 1 block is an epicentre of terror

This colony gate of S J Enclave A 1 block is an epicentre of terror

This would look trivial for others that terror is being fomented by groups residing and parking themselves in A 1 block S J Enclave. The colony gate right opposite the place i reside is epicentre of terror. The terror that never gets tamed and rear its head every morning. What i am suggesting is that being a part time journalist i know my handicaps and my limitations. For not even once i approached anyone who could shake off the foundation of those who engaged in reign of terror and continued uniterrupted. THe faith in the sysytem is nil and would continue to stay in the same frame for all times to come.
THere is one resident who is a chartered accountant and who has a fair degree of support from residents and authorities. Why i say authorities precisely because for almost seven years he has continued withoput any break in torturing me and undermining my very existence. THe year 2005 beginning when his dwelling was at frentic pace of construction he used to park his vehicle next to my place of stay and hurl abuse and even through his men. My little objection to why he was doing all that was an exercise in futility and just to keep myself safe i rarely pointed out his transgression, quite intimidated by the huge structure he was raising and the money he had pumped in. In 2006, the Chartered Accountant along with his men having shifted their base early in the year, raised the pitch of atrocity against me and whenever i used to go out for newspaper assignment they in a group used to break into long spell of laughter and hurl abuse. THis time round, different from early 2005, i verbally objected to their acts of indiscretion (of passing abuse and intimidation) and what i met with was "Tu aage chal Yahan par mat khada reh" .
I used to take all that abuse and intimidation in my stride as i was helpless as i am now.
This form of intimidation continued uniterrupted and to date there is no lessening of the torture tirade.
From 2005 and 2006 the security guards and drivers employed by Chartered Accountant thrashed out an agenda where they were supposed to do this: Stalk me whereever i go, pass abuse on me and openly rant : Yeh ladka kahan jayega Saamne rahta hai Hamare sahib ki taqat (paisa aur torture)ko nahin jhel payega.
This would have never continued had some in the authorities not been giving him active support. "Kyunki mein lachar tha mere parents lachar the hum ek sadhran zindagi ji rahe the. Kanoon ki bandishe us par lagoo hoti hai jo lachar hai. Jo Paisa ka tohfa pesh karta hai woh kanoon ko darkinaar karta hai.":
The year 2007 and Chartered Accountant's Servant Ram and the CA's two sons had taken vantage position and started the tool of intimidation by banging the gate of the place i reside, fiddling with the locks we had put on our gates and openly vaulting their ambition by stating that no matter what come this journalist would be nipped in the bud. Since 2006-07, Servant ram has fiddled with the gate locks for as high frequency as 20 times to 10 times in a day. JUst on Thurdsay night/morning Oct 14, 2011 Servant Ram was out there till 12 in the morning and fiddling with the gate locks and fomenting trouble. Can you believe that with the colony security guard around this would have been possible. Perhaps it is a pointer of their complicity with those in Authority.
The CA's men have openly vaulted their ambition and the abuse of the past seven years and intimidation showing no abating shows how much the system is in the grip of this CA and how seamlessly he has turned it around to intimidate me. Not a single night passes when they create mayhem at gate locks; not a single hour passes during day and night when CA's two sons (even iif one is not there for some time) and servant claim that the journo has to be nipped in the bud and come what may the CA's money power (this coming from CA's sons and servant) would see to it that the journo accedes to their demand of surrender. "Ladka Naha raha Hai. Ladka So Raha Hai. Ladke ko Bahar nikal nahi toh ghum andar ghooste. Ladka akele hamari taqat bardassht nahi kar payega. If that wasn't the case the another colony driver who used to stage mehfil collection of goons and intimidate used to say" Ladka kamre ke andar chipa hus hai aur usko bahar nikalna hai" This colony driver and one bulky security guard doing the same stay adjacent in a house that is owned by shipping man. THough the colony driver is not to be seen these days who used to spit and make others spit whenever i used to go past them.
So far by God's Grace i have saved myself and my family but i don't know for how long i can survive this phase iof intimidation. Had the complicity with the authorities not been there the CA's servant, sons, security guards and colony security guard would not travelled that big a distance to torture me during day and night. Tearing letters, just one fixed deposit recepit holding on to all communications for a fairly long time, intercepting landline calls and this followed by CA's sons claiming that journo has spoken now and and he has spoken on these issues, to intimidating me by stalking me wherever i go.
This year there was a change of colony security guard after the previous colony security guard who was at the helm for over five years and gave enough handle to CA's servant and his men to demolish the second hand car we purchased from HT newspaper office and nothing functional was left in the car for the period it was parked near our house. THat Colony security Guard who was at the whims and fancies of CA men did all in ensuring the gate locks of our residence was fiddled tampered, all efforts made to see that the gates never remained shut from seven in the morning to 9 in the evening and whenever i made an attempt to close the gate the very next moment it was opened. Mujhe stalk karne se ky hoga pehle is torture karnewale ko toh roko.
Servant Ram openly branded the weapon of intimidation by opening the gates himself and if ever one wanted to close the same asking him to not do the same. SErvantt Ram's intimidation and CAmen's other torture tactics is an illustration of how weak the system is and how helpless the commoner is. SErvant Ram and CA's two sons have time and again in the past five years flaunted their wealth power by telling the fewer one or two driver or typist we have employed that : "Tum hamari Duty karte ho Iski Nahin"
There was one driver of the other house who the CA used with total wealth power and this driver used to intimidate by asserting: Iska gate tod denge Iskaa makan Tod denge" For over three years they indulged in this. He is not to be seen now and perhaps he he has been replaced by others. The colony gate is the epicentre of terror and authorities are seeing to it that the momentum of terror is maintained. One should not be surprised that there is an increase in intimidation after this.

Aaj bhi yeh gate ke saath khelte, CA abuse deta aur uske aadmi terror phelate.
Today was another day when i saw (i have been witnessing this for years now) when in plainclothes the authority guy was cracking jokes with CA men and seeing to that the terror agenda goes uniterrupted. A very simple query is had sincere efforts been made in the past seven years the CA and his goons would have never flourishered to this level of torture and made life miserable for a journo who is just leading a simple life and intends to remain simple.
In the train from Chhatisgarh to Kolkata, a man boarded it from Raipur. From the moment he came to my seat he started showing his muscle. He began to throw all used bedsheets on the upper berth where i was sleeping. I objected but he continued. And he was abusive and seeking services from attendant. I could make out from which department he belonged. The next morning i told another guy that this man is from the authority department otherwise how he could afford to throw used bedsheets and blankets on someone sleeping on upper berth. This has happened with me on several occasions when people who are supposed to maintain order surprise and demoralise me with their conduct.


Whom to trust and whom to detest. Mark my words you can't trust the one who maintain order because it is all about money and this CA and his men have used it to to their advantage.
THe moot point is we as residents of A 1 block S J Enclave are second grade citizens and we believe in God and God only. I would suffer and still i would pull along as atrocity and those who perpetrate can't continue with no interruptions. Mere karm kai ki mein saath saal torture saha. Koi seh sakta.
I am a commoner and i am being faced to undergo all this as i don't have resources. Had i engaged in the same act of misconduct the very first day i would have been bumped off. I have a clean heart and i would remain steadfast in my conduct and no matter what the provocation be.

God would save me from these torture groups.
Yehi is Desh ka Nyay hai. Commoner has to have faith in the almighty.

How other people have been used/employed to make my stay in the capital painful and how torture flourishes when support is coming from others.

This colony gate of S J Enclave A 1 block is epicentre of terror

This colony gate of S J Enclave A 1 block is an epicentre of terror

This would look trivial for others that terror is being fomented by groups residing and parking themselves in A 1 block S J Enclave. The colony gate right opposite the place i reside is epicentre of terror. The terror that never gets tamed and rear its head every morning.
What i am suggesting is that being a part time journalist i know my handicaps and my limitations. For not even once i approached anyone who could shake off the foundation of those who engaged in reign of terror and continued uniterrupted. THe faith in the sysytem is nil and would continue to stay in the same frame for all times to come.
THere is one resident who is a chartered accountant and who has a fair degree of support from residents and authorities. Why i say authorities precisely because for almost seven years he has continued withoput any break in torturing me and undermining my very existence. THe year 2005 beginning when his dwelling was at frentic pace of construction he used to park his vehicle next to my place of stay and hurl abuse and even through his men. My little objection to why he was doing all that was an exercise in futility and just to keep myself safe i rarely pointed out his transgression, quite intimidated by the huge structure he was raising and the money he had pumped in. In 2006, the Chartered Accountant along with his men having shifted their base early in the year, raised the pitch of atrocity against me and whenever i used to go out for newspaper assignment they in a group used to break into long spell of laughter and hurl abuse. THis time round, different from early 2005, i verbally objected to their acts of indiscretion (of passing abuse and intimidation) and what i met with was "Tu aage chal Yahan par mat khada reh" .
I used to take all that abuse and intimidation in my stride as i was helpless as i am now.
This form of intimidation continued uniterrupted and to date there is no lessening of the torture tirade.
From 2005 and 2006 the security guards and drivers employed by Chartered Accountant thrashed out an agenda where they were supposed to do this: Stalk me whereever i go, pass abuse on me and openly rant : Yeh ladka kahan jayega Saamne rahta hai Hamare sahib ki taqat (paisa aur torture)ko nahin jhel payega.
This would have never continued had some in the authorities not been giving him active support. "Kyunki mein lachar tha mere parents lachar the hum ek sadhran zindagi ji rahe the. Kanoon ki bandishe us par lagoo hoti hai jo lachar hai. Jo Paisa ka tohfa pesh karta hai woh kanoon ko darkinaar karta hai.":
The year 2007 and Chartered Accountant's Servant Ram and the CA's two sons had taken vantage position and started the tool of intimidation by banging the gate of the place i reside, fiddling with the locks we had put on our gates and openly vaulting their ambition by stating that no matter what come this journalist would be nipped in the bud. Since 2006-07, Servant ram has fiddled with the gate locks for as high frequency as 20 times to 10 times in a day. JUst on Thurdsay night/morning Oct 14, 2011 Servant Ram was out there till 12 in the morning and fiddling with the gate locks and fomenting trouble. Can you believe that with the colony security guard around this would have been possible. Perhaps it is a pointer of their complicity with those in Authority.
The CA's men have openly vaulted their ambition and the abuse of the past seven years and intimidation showing no abating shows how much the system is in the grip of this CA and how seamlessly he has turned it around to intimidate me. Not a single night passes when they create mayhem at gate locks; not a single hour passes during day and night when CA's two sons (even iif one is not there for some time) and servant claim that the journo has to be nipped in the bud and come what may the CA's money power (this coming from CA's sons and servant) would see to it that the journo accedes to their demand of surrender. "Ladka Naha raha Hai. Ladka So Raha Hai. Ladke ko Bahar nikal nahi toh ghum andar ghooste. Ladka akele hamari taqat bardassht nahi kar payega. If that wasn't the case the another colony driver who used to stage mehfil collection of goons and intimidate used to say" Ladka kamre ke andar chipa hus hai aur usko bahar nikalna hai" This colony driver and one bulky security guard doing the same stay adjacent in a house that is owned by shipping man. THough the colony driver is not to be seen these days who used to spit and make others spit whenever i used to go past them.
So far by God's Grace i have saved myself and my family but i don't know for how long i can survive this phase iof intimidation. Had the complicity with the authorities not been there the CA's servant, sons, security guards and colony security guard would not travelled that big a distance to torture me during day and night. Tearing letters, just one fixed deposit recepit holding on to all communications for a fairly long time, intercepting landline calls and this followed by CA's sons claiming that journo has spoken now and and he has spoken on these issues, to intimidating me by stalking me wherever i go.
This year there was a change of colony security guard after the previous colony security guard who was at the helm for over five years and gave enough handle to CA's servant and his men to demolish the second hand car we purchased from HT newspaper office and nothing functional was left in the car for the period it was parked near our house. THat Colony security Guard who was at the whims and fancies of CA men did all in ensuring the gate locks of our residence was fiddled tampered, all efforts made to see that the gates never remained shut from seven in the morning to 9 in the evening and whenever i made an attempt to close the gate the very next moment it was opened. Mujhe stalk karne se ky hoga pehle is torture karnewale ko toh roko.
Servant Ram openly branded the weapon of intimidation by opening the gates himself and if ever one wanted to close the same asking him to not do the same. SErvantt Ram's intimidation and CAmen's other torture tactics is an illustration of how weak the system is and how helpless the commoner is. SErvant Ram and CA's two sons have time and again in the past five years flaunted their wealth power by telling the fewer one or two driver or typist we have employed that : "Tum hamari Duty karte ho Iski Nahin"
There was one driver of the other house who the CA used with total wealth power and this driver used to intimidate by asserting: Iska gate tod denge Iskaa makan Tod denge" For over three years they indulged in this. He is not to be seen now and perhaps he he has been replaced by others. The colony gate is the epicentre of terror and authorities are seeing to it that the momentum of terror is maintained. One should not be surprised that there is an increase in intimidation after this.

Aaj bhi yeh gate ke saath khelte, CA abuse deta aur uske aadmi terror phelate.
Today was another day when i saw (i have been witnessing this for years now) when in plainclothes the authority guy was cracking jokes with CA men and seeing to that the terror agenda goes uniterrupted. A very simple query is had sincere efforts been made in the past seven years the CA and his goons would have never flourishered to this level of torture and made life miserable for a journo who is just leading a simple life and intends to remain simple.
In the train from Chhatisgarh to Kolkata, a man boarded it from Raipur. From the moment he came to my seat he started showing his muscle. He began to throw all used bedsheets on the upper berth where i was sleeping. I objected but he continued. And he was abusive and seeking services from attendant. I could make out from which department he belonged. The next morning i told another guy that this man is from the authority department otherwise how he could afford to throw used bedsheets and blankets on someone sleeping on upper berth. This has happened with me on several occasions when people who are supposed to maintain order surprise and demoralise me with their conduct.


Whom to trust and whom to detest. Mark my words you can't trust the one who maintain order because it is all about money and this CA and his men have used it to to their advantage.
THe moot point is we as residents of A 1 block S J Enclave are second grade citizens and we believe in God and God only. I would suffer and still i would pull along as atrocity and those who perpetrate can't continue with no interruptions. Mere karm kai ki mein saath saal torture saha. Koi seh sakta.
I am a commoner and i am being faced to undergo all this as i don't have resources. Had i engaged in the same act of misconduct the very first day i would have been bumped off. I have a clean heart and i would remain steadfast in my conduct and no matter what the provocation be.

God would save me from these torture groups.
Yehi is Desh ka Nyay hai. Commoner has to have faith in the almighty.

How other people have been used/employed to make my stay in the capital painful and how torture flourishes when support is coming from others.

Esplanade and beyond by Puneet Rajhans

Esplanade and beyond by Puneet Rajhans

As i take a walk through Esplanade, mirroring the expectations of those out with their wares and those binding by bargaining skills, the streets appeared to be comparatively free of commotion and fusion given the weekly holiday it happened to be. Thursday being the last day of the current festive occasion, the normal bristle and brisk pace was expected to gain momentum. But Friday onwards not much of a break from festive frame could be gauged and all those stores out to do a windfall were seeing fewer enquiries. This followed by a Sunday when things were no different.
The hawker and his collection of papers and journals suggested they had been rolled out in anticipation of demand. One had the cover on how the 2G scam was being bandied around and an attempt being made to get in the legal tussle even those figures who solely abided by the Cabinet Decision. If you start going by this logic, half of the Cabinet would be seen putting in their papers, not realising that a fair amount of action has been taken against the actual beneficiaries and conduits. Hoping against hope they (who have moved petition in the Courts) want to zero in on those who had no role whatsoever as the then Telecom Minister (Czar) was the sole mover and in entire defiance of rules laid down. The moot question being was the then Telecom Czar listening to anyone? Well, he milked the system to his advantage.
The rush for bank guarantees and first come first served exceptional route employed showed how eager the then Telecom Czar was to make a windfall. And in the entire process detected and dissected later, people are being made fall guys. The bottomline is that against whom allegations stand tall and unwavering have seen action coming and now any attempt to draw a political mileage can boomerang.
The political class is already under unmanageable stress; can't hope to brush everyone with the same taint brush in the face of absurd allegations. If things start proceeding this way no politico with a comparatively better grasp and scale can sail; the political theatre would suffer and we would have a weakened nation state.

People can't see where the civil rights movement is headed towards. Being apolitical , some in the movement have tried to turn mighty political. Well most of us despise most political formations across board. And here some activists have given a call to defeat one particular formation not realising that this political formation is a fringe player as far as this parliamentary seat goes. Because two political heavyweights from two different political families who made fortune by getting into state politics are locked in the contest. Does that mean that civil society would like to throw weight behind those who have made fortune from political innings in the State? Or it would like to be apolitical and stress on the task it is geared towards? Why not try this experiment in the state assembly polls beginning next year. It could fetch the response you desire. It would be better no civil upsurge of uncontrollable nature the country is witness to.

Well the telecom scam was a blessing in the guise in the sense that all private players and govt. departments who believed in tweaking the rules come what may would desist from doing the same - and the money quotient that came into play would be a thing of the past. Probably we would be in a spell of indecision on various decision-making fronts ; and that could get the system restructure from the state of disrepair it is in.

As these observations cross wide sections of people including me, the other headline on the Nadia mishap and the details coming out show how a private driver brought this nuisance around. As reports in papers suggest that a private driver of a junior politico in the State of West Bengal went past sea of humanity giving a damn to instructions to stop. When the cop put the cane on his vehicle, he informed his political boss that he had been mishandled. And the junior politico came with his followers and this led to a ruckus. The private driver who was bent to disregard rules led to this inflammation and the administration took the stick. The times we live in and the administration that gets the stick for stray elements like drivers who are a law unto themselves.

Walk past Esplanade by Puneet Rajhans

Walk past Esplanade by Puneet Rajhans

As i walk past Esplanade stores, the search is for the toast i relish and the tummy that looks bearish. Perhaps the long swift walks in the past few days have led to an unexpected body upheaval, leading to back ache and no swift movements. Perhaps some nights have been consumed by how early the dawn would break and i could step out for the morning cuppa.
This morning i avoided taking anything given the meals (two serving of rice) taken the previous day may have played with the tummy temerity - and given the blues that i would have liked to avoid. Fault was mine and mine alone as i tried liquids stationed along streets and the singhara (samosa) which could have had the blue content.
A frenetic search post chowringhee joint and Kanha food station saw me in Sonu Tea shop in Hogg Street. Here toast is rs 4 a piece and sweets like laddu, pentau and baalu sahi come between 3 and 4 a piece. Post toast and tea intake, i head out for a tea that is fairly strong and with no sugary feel. The search leads me go past Dr Tewary Clinic, UP & Bihar restaurant and other food joints like Rang Mahal and Regent. Theatres on the way and in the vicinity are Chaplin (probably functional) Elite, Metro, Roxy and Paradise next to IT Department.

Return to the lodge gets me to the morning papers i desire and here the Nadia mishap is the most unfortunate one where just because of a private driver the entire mayhem broke out. The driver of a politico could not resist the temptation to drive past a sea of humanity knowing fully well the lanes were thick with people. Having been told to stop he did not heed and instead informed his political boss (manhandling allegations he bandied around) and this led the political boss to open a front against administration. What a sham the junior politicos indulge in and the animals they rear in their background who create climate for mayhem.

Later the meals at Shree Krishna Mistana Bhandar was a prized opportunity and the one i relish. Few hours later i set out for the blog knowing fully well this is the sole occupation i can keep myself true to my existence. Had this blog route not been there i would have found difficult to connect with the world which i cherish and hope peace undercurrent never gets bearish.

US-Pakistan ties: Up Down and Up

US-Pakistan ties: Up Down and Up

The US finds its ties with Pakistan complicated and yet important. Complications that grow whenever there is a thunder in Neighbouring Afghanistan, leading to its erosion of manpower and resources, and important when Pakistan gives to the US Administration the inputs it desires on China and India.
In the times we live in and the Pakistan that gets bombed in by drones and bombs, the US-Pak ties could be a ready reckoner for those willing to study stock markets across world or to be more specific the inhouse Sensex. Sensex vaults, stays put and trims to the levels not seen before. This is how the analysts analyse pre and post tea/coffee sessions. Amidst different channels, they are voluble in their take on the rally, on the impediments and on the never before seen crash. Stiff resistance is what they see at a particular level to be followed by the big picture alarming them when the course is not to their desirable standards. Similar is the sentiment that defines the US-Pak ties.
It is not swift, built over half a decade and likely to bloat flashing a new facade. Howsoever thick the China-Pak ties may be, it won't be as grandeur as US-Pak one. Because it has stood the test of times and even in the harshest provocations like US officer Mullen not sullen to point at Haqqani-ISI grand positioning and how the US template would have a new awakening. Because for the US, the sentiment from Pakistan is durably strong. An engagement for over 50 years can't be brushed aside by Afghan histrionics. Let China not underestimate this durability quotient because once the terror mavericks (over which even Pakistan establishment and people have no control) start indulging in war games in Chinese theatre, China would be the first state to declare Pak as a failed state.
The Up, Down and Up theatrics would continue no matter who speaks from US or Pak having an entirely different view. There may be street protests in the cities and towns of Pakistan; Pakistan may have to play second fiddle to the US on a range of issues or US playing the same to Pakistan, the two sides would engage and reach a new frame. There could well be a time when tyrants (terror groups) from Pakistan Soil would have reduced to a trickle; there would be peace and pace as the nation state priorities won't remain fickle.
Let the ties blossom and in this endeavour the new upcoming friends become awesome. Awe-inspiring would be the tales from subcontinent as one and all would be content.

Amidst Chants

The long night i spent in the middle of the city amidst chants of Goddess followed with immersion of the idol was the most satisfying experience. Had been waiting for the loading of the idol in the lorry since ten past four in the afternoon. When the idol procession finally started it was well past seven and it took a little over three hours to reach the Prasanna Kumar Ghat. It was 11.30 and the search was for a public transport that could take me to Central Avenue.
With no meals outlet open, the walk from Metro to Central Avenue was a bit tiring and the number of hours walked on Thursday could be a record one. From where i got the thrust to do all that brisk activities i engaged in could be traced to the next to the idol stationed lorry walking i indulged in since half past 7. Thoughts did cross my mind at Burra Bazar that i should call it quits but something was prodding me to keep glued to the last step. And by grace of the Goddess i kept hanging there till the last moment.
Best wishes to Shree Krishna Mistaan Bhandar for the kachori and tea served; best wishes to Lakhanlal (even though on some occasions the meal may have led to a minor upset); best wishes to C Guha looking for a job and with whom i could connect for a while; best wishes to Jhalmuri for swift movement and intake of bhelpuri; best wishes to all those tea vendors for serving the tea i desired; best wishes to the boy in the lodge who cleans the room and is never on a short fuse; best wishes to a resident staying next to Dum Dum; best wishes to all residents of the city for the sweat they undergo given the river that flows in the middle of the city. Perhaps had the National Capital been in the middle of a swift and heavy river (flowing right in the middle), the sweat factor would have made the city a liveable one. And here the National Capital is being Milked for National Mileage.

Dona spoke the lines: I love you, i miss you". These lines were spoken near the ghat on Thursday by Dona one of the participants whom i sighted at Ghat only. For whom these lines were spoken i could not make out as i went past her. But it surely provided an insight to those preoccupied by thoughts on flames. Same lines looked repetitive as i went past Cafe Mission the other day. This time the man was professing his affection on a cell to be followed by a natural course of defection.
These were some dissolvable moments. More to follow.

Stroll through B B Ganguly Street

Stroll through Bipin Bihari Ganguly Street and you are face to face with a range of optical stores and tour operators. Surpassing any length of imagination are the optical companies that have their base here and functioning on days when there are no holidays and no festive turnaround. Post Pujos, they are thick in action and the amount of options before a customer or those trying for glasses are phenomenal. Some of them are Optical Stores, Optical Trendz, Bentex Optical, Eagle Opticals, New Vision, Ghosh Dastidar Optical Co, T C Dass & Co ( Reliable Optics), Optical Palace, Mondal Mansion, dealing with optics, Eternity Vision, Marshal Optical Co, Aditya Optical Co, View Point Opticals , Chittaranjan Optical Co, Idea Optics, New Optics World, Maharaja Optical Co and Metro Optical Co among others.

As for tour operators and the destinations they bring on table are Puri, Digha, Darjeeling, Ghatsila, Pelling and Gangtok. There are others, having made quantum leap in tourism and offering new destinations, given the desire of the exploring class to explore and strut around. But the overwhelming presence of optical stores do give a hard time to Tour operators to widen their ambit coupled with some functioning from inner courtyards and some having steps to be negotiated before reaching them.
Amazed at the OPtical Turnaround the B B Ganguly Street has had over the years, it illustrates the desire of the optical companies to stay put no matter the quantum of challenge they face from their big, bigger and emerging counterparts. Exceptional to this turnaround has been the presence of food joints and beverage counters who have the latitude to slug it out despite the not that noticeable positioning some of them are in.
On a Sunday when the entire city was on a festive cruise, with fewer shops open, this street had a forlorn look. Not to be found were fleet of buses, shadowed by trams and personal transport, and no shops of any rectitude were open for aam janata. Some were tempted to engage in cricket cruise, not methodical by any yardstick but symmetrical to the way cricket is played in the streets. Up and down stroll showed no commotion of any nature. One desiring to show the lap of luxury one could be in by having a hoarding of immaculate nature looked to be equally deserted. Beginning with roof top parties, kitty parties, entertainment parties descending to engagement ones to be followed by parting ones were the strengths of this restaurant. But with no numbers to talk about.
As usual this street was the epicentre of idol procession route and that day as well, most shops down with shutters and the crowd comprising of people hailing from other places to catch a glimpse of the Goddess.
The morning stroll beginning at half past five in the post festive period showed the enduring nature of festive fervour with few willing to stray or indulge in morning cuppa exacerbated gossip. Search for the paper in the vicinity of this Optical Street was a trying one given the identified spots from where hawkers function. Fewer vehicles and fewer men, the street's fascination for energy thrust was illustrated once trams began to run past 6. With trams in circulation, the circulation in legs and wheels was the next act to follow.

Idol Immersion in the City of Heart

Idol Immersion in the City of Heart

The idol immersion was the last piece of action before the 10-day festivity came to an end. Having been to College Square and Raj Krishna Rama Krishna Kali Temple Pujos, the next halt happened to be Kalighat Temple. The metros having a running spell from 4pm to 4am, the public transport bus was the choice i was left with. Undoubtedly, with exceptions of few, they are amenable to our expectations- and do fairly well in ferrying passengers.
Got down much before the Kalighat stop came and the walk from Netaji Bhawan to Kalighat was a bit taxing as the strong humidity and body writhing in pain were sapping whatever little energy i was left with. Once in the precincts of Kalighat, the sight of the developing crowd coupled with the one that went right inside the temple, saw me engage in another battle of not giving into the demands of surroundings, the huge rush and huge levels of humidity.
Joined the Queue that gets an opportunity to view the Goddess from a fair distance, the starting point was a good 100 metres from the temple. The wait lasted for over an hour with thoughts on the searing rush making me believe there would be upheaval of sorts. Nothing of that sort happened except someone misbehaved with the lady, part of a family, ahead of me. As for this family, a very disciplined lot with the head of the family in late 30s and raising two small kids. The head of the family appeared to be a man of principles saying little to some range of protests coming from his wife who looked aghast at a parallel line going through. This head of the family had already answered two calls from his boss, who knowing it that one of his junior associates was in the spiritual quest and yet putting queries to him time and again through cell. The head of the family just dismissed the persistent queries as nothing more than an urgency to establish that the boss was in the thick of work and the junior was out on another assignment. Besides this family i could not recall any other association that left an imprint.
As the devotees waded through different challenges to reach the final doors of the temple, there were some entities who came from nowhere to intrude and endure. Post Goddess sighting the urgency was to get out as early as possible. That did not take much time as customary rounds had been given a miss and coming out a priority. Outside and like others i too was sweating like anything. The Pujo (pandal) in the vicinity of Temple with a hoarding of Greetings and Good Wishes from National INsurance Co. was the most endearing one. There were others like one adjacent to Golden Scissor shop and one on Mahim Halder Road. Equally powerful and enticing. Just fail to understand why papers like Telegraph and TOI don't cover such Pujos just because they are not in the apartments and no so-called celebs visit them. These and other papers, which have a exhaustive coverage on city issues like Metro failing on one Sunday two years ago (September) and the lead and the second one on the front page in Telegraph was on Metro failings. The Pujos in College Square and Mohammad Ali Park have been enthralling in equal measure.
As i came out and halted next to Netaji Bhawan metro station, the lassi and the large quantity i could lay my hands on was my priority. Done with that i moved to Esplanade to try other liquid options as sweating had taken a toll - and lasting for a while.

The ticket from reservation counter

The ticket from reservation counter

Working from a cyber cafe where the room to make the mouse and the keys entirely functional is remote, one does not have much chance than to settle for the little. Here the deliberations are on online forays one has to make while going for real estate deals or deals of other nature. Perhaps underscoring that tickets of all scales have to be of online imprint. This brings me to the thrust i placed on securing the railway ticket from a railway counter for my onward journey.
Post Pujo and i was confident to get the ticket from the counter. Having secured the details from net on seat availability, i thronged the Dharmatolla reservation centre with no success. Howrah reservation counter was the next option to try for and there were queues and showing in effect the travelling blues. Been in the queue for almost half an hour and the queries i put to the personnel did not elicit the desired response and the riddle remained unplugged even after the enquiry foray.
It was a day when nothing seemed to work and online ticket requisition was all i could think of. A day later armed with same details i approached the Dharmatolla reservation centre and secured the twin tickets with not much of a hassle. The question of paramount importance is whether the status of tickets would give the TTI the leverage to show his prowess or i would be fortunate to carry my journey with fewer hassles.

Bus Number 235 going to Behala

Bus Number 235 going to Behala

Having read about Behala and having been there more than 7 years ago, the next destination was this one. Learning that metro does not go anywhere near that, i waited at the stop for the bus going in that direction.
The bus number 235 took me to Behala from Esplanade. From the moment i boarded the bus, the vacant seat was all that i was looking for. Moved to the rear side in the hope of getting one. But one after another seat became vacant in the front side. And once having moved to the front, the rear sections showing up as vacant ones. This form of a riddle i found it difficult to wriggle out. Here there were different set of commuters who seemed quite upbeat on getting to their destination. The two boys who boarded much before Diamond Harbour Road came were seen exchanging notes on the AC accommodation the different centres comply with. Here one was prodding the other to go for a movie in Ajanta Cinema but other seem to be least interested in. Mind you the DH Road is equally taxing but the air is not thick with pollutants.
It was a journey that lasted over 40 minutes and it was at the fag end that i secured a seat. Once in Behala, the search for Pujo for which a newspaper had carried a report on a previous day. Since the actual Pujo name i could not recall, the efforts to locate it proved futile. In came the information on Nutan Da Pujo. Quite breathtaking and mesmerising. Splendid view of Goddess was enough to cheer me up. And i made an observation about the same at comment counter. This outing was followed by two cups of tea at a shop opposite the chemist counter which has Saridon (one is enough tag ) gave me the requisite energy to carry on with my onward journey. The tea was as strong as the tea vendor could prepare and his spiel that this one is stronger than the beer showed he was speaking from his heart.
Before writing about the return journey, it is better to elaborate on the structured crowd in all pujos including College square , Mohammad Ali Park, Behala, Central Avenue and in and around Kalighat. Inside Kalighat Temple it is a different matter altogether given the rush round the year.
The return journey from a bus stop adjacent to Behala Dristhi Silpa Niketan was not the one to remember. Not for the fault of the driver or conductor. There were few commuters standing next to my seat. Most of them were not sure of their orientation. One of them kept falling on me repeatedly. Despite reminding him he kept doing that . Later another person replaced and he too appeared to be failing in his steps. I deboarded the bus much before and saved myself from these troublemakers who are a nuisance and an aberration.
Aberration or a string of that i have encountered little. What i have come across faces with big heart.
My best wishes to Saronjeet Haldar for giving me the seat in metro; best wishes to Kashinath Auddy, staying in College Street, and having stayed since childhood in the city. Eighty plus he got down from a tram and bared all about the city and its vibrancy. Best wishes to A Das at the teller counter of HDFC bank in Girish Chandra Avenue who was clinical in his verification drive before clearing the cheque. Best wishes to the the Net Cafe guy with whom i got argumentative the other day. Hope he swells and has a smooth sail. Best wishes to all those who see its simplicity and vibrancy in equal measure.

What is first come first served basis?

What is first come first served basis?

It all boils down to who had the first mover advantage. The first mover advantage that politicos and officers could boast of in the past to the civil society reps making the most of this by pitching the tent in the first capital of independent India. Nowadays the public reps who claimed to have the support of sizeable first come first served constituents in the past would be wary enough to do the same; repeating it would be suicidal. THe civil society would like to enthrall the aam janata with a confidence that they and they alone have a reservoir of first come first served support in a bid to checkmate the political class. And herein any provocation from political class would handle the civil reps the first mover advantage on a platter.
It is all about perception and that is what the political class is paying for, not realising when members after members showed the accretion in the wealth over a perod of time. Continuing unchecked in this theme, this led to the private class to show its aptitude and class; the best reflection being the way the IPL matches are conducted and prior to that the astronomical bids they placed for IPL teams. IPL was not solo but one of the events that showcased the money infiltration with no checks and balances. That spawned the all-weather friendly debate on corruption and subsequent events of telecom scam and CWG adding to the legitimacy of having a corruption watchdog.
Had care been taken during IPL itself with equal degree of responsibility shown during CWG (non-hosting would not have landed the political class in dire straits that it finds itself in now), the template of allegations and barbs would have not grown manifold. The civil reps need to bear this mind that in the pursuit of noble goals, things should not go out of control. After all a strong nation state is the best leverage to work with, with the equal desire to stem the desire of greed and goad with a firm hand.

The National Capital vis-a-vis Citadel of East

National Capital vis- a-vis Citadel of East

The National Capital vis-a-vis the Citadel of the East

It is the National Capital with national outpouring of efforts that gives the capital the national mileage which it would be in all fairness desisting in some cases. Perhaps had it not been the compatibility with the National tag, the different architects of modern day India would have never pitched their tents here and claimed the support of sections across section.
From 70s to right up to the first decade of the new century, the political class has employed the National Capital thunder to dethrone their rivals or bring in their level of supremacy. It was in 2011, post CWG and 2G that the civil groups realised the import and devised National Capital Roadmap that would accrue them benefits of a scale that no city in India can endow them. Perhaps the first attempt to showcase how vulnerable the political class is and how loathing they have been in their efforts to streamline the inclusive agenda- bringing the development to sections that deserve. It is the political class that is to be blamed entirely for the situation we are in, faced with a prospect where we could be on the brink of a civil upsurge. It is this National Capital where members of political class having lost polls get nominated to the other House to enable them to retain the Govt. Accommodation. This Very National Capital is witness to Govt. Accommodation turning to Memorials.
This National Capital may draw its strength from the institutions it houses and the role they are mandated to play. But this very National Capital has had its share of notoriety, like the redlines and bluelines running past us and mocking at the system when they get away with after knocking one here and one there. Though they are off the roads, any thought of bringing them back would be suicidal.
This very Capital that boasts of bikers gang and chain snatchers gang. - and the electronic media instead of suggesting measures to wipe their tail believes in blowing their operations. The electronic Media would in a scale of propriety try to wean away from the desire of highlighting the ills and in an exercise of neutrality try to focus on positive spins of the National Capital. Perhaps a campaign on Personal Transport and how it has engineered Traffic Blues would be desired. Perhaps a campaign that no matter how much goes in upgrading the infrastructure, the roads would creak and people would fret and fume. Perhaps a campaign on how residents are on a short fuse - and what tempts them to be abusive and which others abhor. A campaign on greed and how it has spawned realisation of private schools, colleges and private fiefs would be sought after.
As in this National Capital where prices skyrock and hopes of sustainability dwindle, the hope of resurrection lies in giving the breathing space it desires. Had the Commonwealth Games not been hosted in the National Capital (India should have made the bid by suggesting that a Tier II city would host), perhaps the ills that have sprung along would have been avoided. The sheer ecstasy that defines those in the high income group who move in here and get an apartment/house to their name and add more dwelling numbers in line with personal vehicles shows the audacity to have a sizeable stay and a sizeable load on infrastructure. Had public transport as a concept been rained heavily on residents and personal transport coming with a levy, much of the resurrection would have happened. The seminars/ conferences/workshops need to be organised far away from the National Capital and so have to be the headquarters of Public Sector Giants quite a distance away. The Private Giants have shown the heart and need to have a large base functioning from Non Metros and Yet To Be Recognised Centres.
The suburban stations have to be functional for all long distance trains (Rajdhanis and Durontos included ) and a levy to be charged for those hosting big theme parties and drawing support from NGOs and other govt. set ups.
All the launch parties/functions of big ticket announcements, films, book release functions deserve to be in places which haven't been heard often. Let the National Capital belong to a commoner like the Citadel of the East Belongs to a Commoner.
A stay in Kolkata may not bring one face to face with the vagaries of life or a life pulsating with different and undiluting challenges. The commute may be one area where one would feel the need to bring out a personal transport and yet fewer fall to that bait. Metro is the best option they try and the buses are not ignored either and here people from wide sections and strata use them. Wiping out sweat from forehead is a normal sighting and equally tangible are sights of lassi/lemon drink and other variants being tried. The buses share the space with other modes but there are fewer of them. Speeding or overtaking is not desired. As one would suggest that the roads are not wide enough to give that leeway. But on a thin day when the city is not in the thick of transactions, speeding is fairly less. The sighting of yellow taxis is as common as sighting of a bong boarding and deboarding a bus. Those who haven't stayed for long won't be able to spell the power picture but with fewer or no power interruptions, it is as sturdy as the mindset of the resident who takes pride in moving out and trying jhalmuris as solo or part of a entourage.

How can you rely on this bank? When they would listen to the pleas of customers?

How can you rely on this bank? When they would listen to the pleas of customers ?

The bank on Ganesh Chandra Avenue has its hands full. Coming to the rescue of customers is the least it can do. But it believes in catering to high networth individuals and houses. The bank on Ganesh Chandra Avenue has on its rolls staff who can't be eligible to try their luck in any other private banks and have haughty airs about themselves.
Today being Saturday, the working hours are 9: 30 to 12: 30 and being a day followed by Sunday there should be extension of hours they work or pretend to work. Now look at the way they flash their irresponsibility card. The customer, be it any small or big entity should be given the comfort that his/her urgent pleas would be addressed in a manner that defines the functioning mode of the bank. What they did was highly irrational. Sunday is a Holiday. Monday to Thursday is no different. Being festive and making others feel like fugitive, Monday to Thursday they won't operate and any customer desiring of availing cash through cheque has a zero chance of success.
I went to the bank at half past one hoping against hope that working hours would be till 2p.m. The man at the gate, who happened to be one of the middle level executives, showed me the etched message on the notice board displaying the working hours on a Saturday. Coming to know that i don't carry ATM card of this bank, he took pride in informing me that from Monday to Thursday they won't operate either. Having told about the writer part and the paper for which i have worked in the National Capital in the past made no difference to him. He was upfront: "Exceptions would have been made in the past when you tried to withdraw cash against cheque from the National Capital." Probably underscoring the fact that nothing of that luck i can be blessed with, even when for straight five days the bank is on a holiday. Had there been any high networth individual, they would have gone out of their way to entertain him/her. Since the customer could flash no links, he had to settle with defeat staring him. Even the prodding part like the Identity card i have and the application i am prepared to make did not find the desired success.
The bank's irresponsibility stems from the fact that there are five holidays starting from Sunday. And herein they should have stretched the working hours for customers, small or big. As for the ATM card, i had to encounter numerous difficulties when someone stole it three years ago. Perhaps even before it got stolen, the ATM Card hardly used to function. And i decided once and for all to do away with this so-called ATM Card and once it was stolen i never sought a new one.
Here you have a HDFC bank which is on an extended holiday and here is a bank which takes pride in serving high networth individuals.