The ride to Hati Bagan and return from Park Circus in Tram Clan

The ride to Hati Bagan and return from Park Circus in Tram Clan

As i took the bus for Hati Bagan with a view to get the cyber cafe i had spotted the other day, i was ruminating over how the day had started. Hadn't even stepped out of the lodge in the morning in came a priest whispering the Lord's name and dropping hints that the new territory could be tried. Unexpected was his entry and unexpected was my imagination that the 500-km away territory could be on the itinerary. By the time i was in Dharmatala Reservation Centre and the effortless ease with which the ticket for the said destination was procured, it amply showed the time was not ripe for National Capital foray.It was for the umpteen time that plans had been shelved for National Capital bell and here another railway ticket not requiring the identity proof gell was procured against a thought process that hardly remained static and constantly hectic.

As against the ease with which the ticket had been procured this morning the attempt to procure the same the previous day was met with a repeated wall. First the query to a lady in the enquiry counter suggested the waiting list to be 31 and howsoever hard i may have tried the battle against the waiting list would not have been won. Not convinced at the conviction at which she spoke that no single seat could be pledged for the next day journey to a Capital beginning with letter D ( as N denotes Nervous and not New), i tried to do a double check at a different reservation centre about 1 km away.

The reservation centre on the ground floor had all the resources on the nuances of reservation and patience not bordering on emotions. The query here suggested that waiting list could well be 3 and there were fair chances that a confirmed ticket could be handed with glee. THe reservation personnel was swift to press that no tatkal ticket could be dispensed with unless the xerox of identity proof was parted with. Perhaps with no xerox machine in functioning mode in and around the GPO reservation centre led me to postpone my departure by a day and post reservation meeting with babas and good-looking gems i parked myself at BBD Bag for a tram fun.

Tram was not easy to be found as number 2 and 6 going to the destinations were not sighted from which perhaps i could have boarded and alighted. THere were fewer and disappearing flock that came to BBD Bag during the time i was committed to the tram bang. Some came, had a long conversation with those aligned to tram fame and took time to decide on the destination they wanted to gain. With no hope in sight, someone getting down from one tram suggested i better try the bus or any vehicle that doesn't lead to rancour and fuss. Readily accepted his suggestion but here in entire readiness were not the buses and one could understand being a Sunday with trickling business. Buses to Kalighat, Behala and other distant places came and disappeared but not one could be sighted that would take me to College Street where some sport back-of-the-mind thriving wear. Perhaps the walk, which should have been tried in the first place, could have reduced the trouble and handed me daily dispensed hug and care .

Disoriented i was post no ticket infusion and tram transition, i took the meals from Lakhan Lal on S N Banerjee Street and this gave me the confidence to undertake the renewed walking feat. Walks have been unparallel not accompanied with shrieks and there is something magical in the air that no matter how much has been covered on foot, you may look disoriented for an hour or so and get the magical spring in your steps as the city is earthy and repeated visit worthy.

If Saturday saw me try to secure a setting for a Bangla Cinema in and around Hati Bagan, the success wasn't coming my way as i was well past show timings and most seats taken by those who had prospective planning. On the spur of the moment, the cinema decision was made and it was not like i could repeat the 'Mone Pore Ajo Seidin' feat(where i entered the theatre with the ticket and prime positioning in hand and post viewing had tea amidst a College band).

The return from Hati Bagan to Esplanade was by tram and it was a treat given the spectacular commotion the streets were in and not ready to retreat. Time spent in the tram was considerable given the stoppages it shines after every two-minute interval. Slow and yet steady are the arsenal at its command; hopping and getting down comprises the majority of its flocking band. If Saturday saw me relish the tram wonder, Sunday came with no thunder. But Monday was again different. Post rail ticket and meals, i hopped on to another one going towards Park Circus intersped with searches on lodges across KIdwai Road. Tram was the priority for the return towards Esplanade too as it gives overwhelming answers to life bordering on clue. With no pushing and shoving trams are the best when time is plenty and the knowledge that is ushered in is more than elementary.