Having reached Howrah and taking the train ticket

Having reached Howrah and taking the train ticket

It was the first Wednesday of the year and i was in Howrah Gear. Took the accommodation next to Esplanade and hoping to spend the next two to three days in the city that had much to offer as a cake. Perhaps the last night journey from Puri and the broken sleep for the past two-three days gave me the urgency to head towards National Capital even if there were risks waiting to unravel.

From Dharmatollah Railway Counter i took the ticket and from there i headed towards Ras Behari Avenue to search for an accommodation that i may not have to vacate in submission. The stroll through Ras Behari Avenue reminded me of the previous foray to this area when in 2008 i had come visiting Kolkata via Asansol Adda. Went past Venkateshwar, Ma Tara and Metro lodges. All seem to be highly inhabitale; inhibiting was the tariff of some and not bearable. The search wasn't futile in the sense this area lay in vicinity of Kalighat. On the way back took tea leaves from Druba Tea Centre (perhaps that is the name i can recall) as they had put the hoarding of Original Tea CEntre and were ready to roll. It was the bus i decide to take to Esplanade and soon had to replace it with the metro as the traffic on the road was too strong to disappear in one go.

Having retired for the night, it was the battle for the next day when i had to vacate room early and train was well past seven from Howrah Gallery. Went to Kalighat and on return handed the key of the lodge after having taken the belongings from room cot. Hoping to catch on College Square fervour took the bus towards that end and in the middle of the journey realised the bus was headed towards Dakshineshwar fence.
Struggling with a sprained and yet manageable neck i managed to take this ride and within 75 minutes i was in my destination. It was after three i had my turn and it was a cherished moment which would be hard to forget. The wait for doors to open was worthy by all sense as i had my kachodi bhaji from shops along the fence coming along with jhugni from a territory having makeshift vendors. This one i visited for the first time and i relished to no end. The vendor selling Ma pictures was kind enough to hand over the pictures i desired and this Dakshineshwar Day was the one i aspired. Before leaving Ma K Dwar i collected the Calendar from a room adjacent to the library. If possible one should collect them as they have major festivals etched on them.

The commute back began with a bus going towards Dunlop and further by a bus going towards Ras Behari Avenue. One Bong family having boarded the bus remarked "Govt ke bus" given the broad seats it had and the body illustrating that it had been on roads more than the desired hours. It was in Rabindra Sadan roundabout i mistook the bus heading in the opposite direction and i deboarded and took a taxi as time was my consideration. Paying 30 i reached near R B Avenue and from there walked to Druba Tea Centre for tea leaves which i wanted in my tea pot to appear. It was a struggle for a while as on return the metro i took had developed some glitches and refused to shoot. I boarded a taxi where already one person was on the back seat. i paid 50 and somehow managed to reach Esplanade by which the clock had 6.40 shine and perhaps looking to the looming train fine . Just one hour to collect the luggage and reach Howrah, it was a rush i could barely manage.

It was already seven and from Maidan bus station the taxiwallahs were asking for my hiked rate submission. Somehow took the bus for Howrah and there were gentlemen cooped inside who were suggesting i should have tried the Taxi ride. By half past seven i was in Howrah and the enquiry centre revealed the train had been reset for 10:40 cure. Took the meals from Jan Aahar and waited for the 10:40 shine.
The Howrah station was fairly clean and with no filth/fluids around this remarkable progression was amazing given the unmanageable crowd that round the clock abound. Locals from Bolpur, Digha, Burdwan and other places were trooping in and trooping out and the size of the crowd quite sizeable and not leading to any bout.
Kolkata and Puri were great and the glow on the face showed they are not bound by any chase.
Hope Odisha and WEst Bengal have their moments of pride and have as much investments as they try. Administrators in both the states need not get bogged down by what critics say and need not respond to all provocations and the best part is they are on a chair from where they can take decisions with no fear. Decisions they have to take even if less populist some may look as the economy has to be brought on track and job schemes have to be back. Let's Look at The Big Picture and the challenges we have to meet and not get derailed by critics claim.