Sunday, January 15, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
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.
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.
Going Past Bali Sahi in Puri
Going past Bali Sahi and on to the beach road in Puri you come across hotels and handloom centres. Beginning with Hotel trimurti, hotel Ambar, hotel Om, Sambalpur handloom, Orissa State Tantuja, Orissa Tantushree. Further down the road is Hotel Seagull, Handloom Market Complex, UTkalika Orissa State Handloom Emporium, Sri Kanchi Kamkoti Sankaracharya Math, Dr Babaji Mohapatra M.H M.S Govt. recognised, Shree Sankar Taxi Centre, Lily Cottage (Shipping Corporation Co-op Credit Society Limited Holiday Home. This is followed by Hotel Palinpuri, Hotel Park, Sargam South Indian restaurant (packet food for train here is the signboard).
Hotel Ocean View, Balaram Travels (from here the first lane goes inside), Kaluram tours and travels, Ma Mandir, Sea View Hotel, Vithal Kamats restaurant, Hotel Swapnapuri, Victoria Club Hotel, Puri Hotel, IDBI ATM, Amber Restaurant, Deep Resorts, United Bank Of India, Sri Sri Balananda Tirthashram, Central Excise and Customs Holiday Home. This is followed by hoarding of Mani Tirumala Nandan Road( 80 per cent apartments sold out).
Next i come across is Jay Maa Kali Mistaana Bhandar from where i used to have curd in 2009.It was the search for the curd in 2009 that made one gentleman take me to dahi ka karkhana and this was none other than Jay Maa Kali Mistaana Bhandar. Next to Pramod babu kia dukan from where i have the tea is hotel trupti.
Hotel Ocean View, Balaram Travels (from here the first lane goes inside), Kaluram tours and travels, Ma Mandir, Sea View Hotel, Vithal Kamats restaurant, Hotel Swapnapuri, Victoria Club Hotel, Puri Hotel, IDBI ATM, Amber Restaurant, Deep Resorts, United Bank Of India, Sri Sri Balananda Tirthashram, Central Excise and Customs Holiday Home. This is followed by hoarding of Mani Tirumala Nandan Road( 80 per cent apartments sold out).
Next i come across is Jay Maa Kali Mistaana Bhandar from where i used to have curd in 2009.It was the search for the curd in 2009 that made one gentleman take me to dahi ka karkhana and this was none other than Jay Maa Kali Mistaana Bhandar. Next to Pramod babu kia dukan from where i have the tea is hotel trupti.
Monday, January 2, 2012
The ride from Puri to Howrah
The ride from Puri to Howrah
Supposed to vacate the room by 10 in the morning i had over 12 hours to spend before the return journey to Howrah could commence. Stay beginning from the last Tuesday of December, it had been comfortable to the point that miles could be clocked on foot and hours could be sent on writing. Just before quarter past 10 the room was vacated with the luggage stored in an adjoining room for the next 10 hours. This gave me the opportunity to go past Bali Sahi Road and take the stretch from Hotel Trimurti to right up to Jay Maa Kaali Mistaana Bhandaar.
It was the desire for Khaja that led me to the Lord Jagannath's temple before noon and the best way to reach was through rear gate. Against this the January One rush was huge and still one could afford to be out of temple premises within one-and-a-half hour given the structured movement of the crowd. Long was the moustache of the man perched on a platform giving instructions on how one should move in and get out engaging in no sessions of bout. ON Jan one he could be spotted in the morning and late in the evening. AS for Jan two, the rush was palpably less and in and out movements involving no brush. Post Khaja - inside the temple right opposite Lord Jagannath's idol Khaja is 5 rs a piece and if one steps out few metes away it comes for rs 10 - the concern shifted to the time that had to be spent before taking the return train. It was walk past Dolamandap Sahi and roundabout that helped in getting the requisite circulation in the legs and later engage in writing fest. As the evening approached the ride to the station via Grand Road showcased its grandeur and how over the years it has been able to maintain the momentum. Once inside the station the monumental rush was evident given the spate of trains that were supposed to leave in the late evening. Proportion of the crowd comprised of those hailing from North India and heading towards their destination via Howrah.
Came across one gentleman manning a shop between platform 4 and 5 and he could hardly be spotted given his low height and surfeit of articles his shop showcased. Limited interaction revealed that he had been manning the shop for the past 42 years and i wished him well.
It was already half past 10 and still the entire coaches hadn't pulled inside the platform. Probably the hosepipe between the two coaches had developed some snag and it took some efforts from personnel underneath the coach to repair the same. When i entered the 3AC coach after a while commotion broke out as two gentlemen from the State of West Bengal were having issues on luggage and how it had to be accommodated. One gentleman came to my side and narrated his tale in Bangla. Could make out much of his narration but had to limit my conversation given my Bangla limitations. Having Taken the seat in B1 or B2 i shifted to another coach (seat number 16) as some had their long list of RACs and wanted to be through. THe side upper was ok and attempted sleep amidst majority who hailed from Bangla Fief.
Morning was spent amidst some hailing from Hati Bagan(Kolkata). Discussions revealed that they had been visiting Puri for the past 16 years and making a point to stay in Hotel Puri, the one i had sighted quite often when i went for beach ride to a greater degree. This Hati Bagan Group comprised close to 30 members and probably they had taken five rooms in Puri. The tariff was a meagre 100-150 rs in the earlier period and now it stood at 900 rs (100 rs discount as they had been keeping their date on an annual basis). They even managed to get a Oriya cook who prepared the food in lumpsum and get them the required pump. Stay starting from Dec 28 and winding to Jan 2. THen and there i realised how freely i could interact with them. Exchange of ideas were on Jagannath Temple and the place where the meals are prepared before being offered to the Lord and how one can hope to get a view of the same. UNanimous were our views that Jan One saw a big rush and thanks to the arrangements the movement was without any hassles and brush. This reminded me of the College Street Pandal in Kolkata when in the month of October, not less than a million visit the pandal during the entire duration and yet there is no shoving and pushing. Structured is the movement and splendid is the mind of those who visit them.
The Hati Bagan residents seem to be the most cherished group and best wishes to the old lady who conversed with me in Bangla and i wished her she would be visiting Lord Jagannath's Abode for the next 10 years.
AS we inched towards Howrah Station, we were told that the train is more an hour late and by the time we reached most of us had the taxi parked at the gate. THe taxi i took to reach Esplanade and from there i reached Chandni International on foot. Akram was the manager whom i handed keys when i finally left and the oranges was from Mushtaq who seem to be in no zest.
Best wishes to Surya Sen lodgewallah for letting me stay for 10 days; best wishes to orangewallah on Surya Sen Street who was kind enough to hand me the best oranges; best wishes to favourite cabin (S S Street) for giving me the desired tea; best wishes to newspaper vendor on S S Street; best wishes to a tea vendor on Dolamandap Sahi, Puri (next to the ramashree lodge); and best wishes to the vendor between platform 4 and five on Puri Station functioning for the past 42 years.
During the stay in Odisha and Kolkata, elaborate and appropriate was the conduct of people i came across and rooted to the ground was their round the clock toss.
Supposed to vacate the room by 10 in the morning i had over 12 hours to spend before the return journey to Howrah could commence. Stay beginning from the last Tuesday of December, it had been comfortable to the point that miles could be clocked on foot and hours could be sent on writing. Just before quarter past 10 the room was vacated with the luggage stored in an adjoining room for the next 10 hours. This gave me the opportunity to go past Bali Sahi Road and take the stretch from Hotel Trimurti to right up to Jay Maa Kaali Mistaana Bhandaar.
It was the desire for Khaja that led me to the Lord Jagannath's temple before noon and the best way to reach was through rear gate. Against this the January One rush was huge and still one could afford to be out of temple premises within one-and-a-half hour given the structured movement of the crowd. Long was the moustache of the man perched on a platform giving instructions on how one should move in and get out engaging in no sessions of bout. ON Jan one he could be spotted in the morning and late in the evening. AS for Jan two, the rush was palpably less and in and out movements involving no brush. Post Khaja - inside the temple right opposite Lord Jagannath's idol Khaja is 5 rs a piece and if one steps out few metes away it comes for rs 10 - the concern shifted to the time that had to be spent before taking the return train. It was walk past Dolamandap Sahi and roundabout that helped in getting the requisite circulation in the legs and later engage in writing fest. As the evening approached the ride to the station via Grand Road showcased its grandeur and how over the years it has been able to maintain the momentum. Once inside the station the monumental rush was evident given the spate of trains that were supposed to leave in the late evening. Proportion of the crowd comprised of those hailing from North India and heading towards their destination via Howrah.
Came across one gentleman manning a shop between platform 4 and 5 and he could hardly be spotted given his low height and surfeit of articles his shop showcased. Limited interaction revealed that he had been manning the shop for the past 42 years and i wished him well.
It was already half past 10 and still the entire coaches hadn't pulled inside the platform. Probably the hosepipe between the two coaches had developed some snag and it took some efforts from personnel underneath the coach to repair the same. When i entered the 3AC coach after a while commotion broke out as two gentlemen from the State of West Bengal were having issues on luggage and how it had to be accommodated. One gentleman came to my side and narrated his tale in Bangla. Could make out much of his narration but had to limit my conversation given my Bangla limitations. Having Taken the seat in B1 or B2 i shifted to another coach (seat number 16) as some had their long list of RACs and wanted to be through. THe side upper was ok and attempted sleep amidst majority who hailed from Bangla Fief.
Morning was spent amidst some hailing from Hati Bagan(Kolkata). Discussions revealed that they had been visiting Puri for the past 16 years and making a point to stay in Hotel Puri, the one i had sighted quite often when i went for beach ride to a greater degree. This Hati Bagan Group comprised close to 30 members and probably they had taken five rooms in Puri. The tariff was a meagre 100-150 rs in the earlier period and now it stood at 900 rs (100 rs discount as they had been keeping their date on an annual basis). They even managed to get a Oriya cook who prepared the food in lumpsum and get them the required pump. Stay starting from Dec 28 and winding to Jan 2. THen and there i realised how freely i could interact with them. Exchange of ideas were on Jagannath Temple and the place where the meals are prepared before being offered to the Lord and how one can hope to get a view of the same. UNanimous were our views that Jan One saw a big rush and thanks to the arrangements the movement was without any hassles and brush. This reminded me of the College Street Pandal in Kolkata when in the month of October, not less than a million visit the pandal during the entire duration and yet there is no shoving and pushing. Structured is the movement and splendid is the mind of those who visit them.
The Hati Bagan residents seem to be the most cherished group and best wishes to the old lady who conversed with me in Bangla and i wished her she would be visiting Lord Jagannath's Abode for the next 10 years.
AS we inched towards Howrah Station, we were told that the train is more an hour late and by the time we reached most of us had the taxi parked at the gate. THe taxi i took to reach Esplanade and from there i reached Chandni International on foot. Akram was the manager whom i handed keys when i finally left and the oranges was from Mushtaq who seem to be in no zest.
Best wishes to Surya Sen lodgewallah for letting me stay for 10 days; best wishes to orangewallah on Surya Sen Street who was kind enough to hand me the best oranges; best wishes to favourite cabin (S S Street) for giving me the desired tea; best wishes to newspaper vendor on S S Street; best wishes to a tea vendor on Dolamandap Sahi, Puri (next to the ramashree lodge); and best wishes to the vendor between platform 4 and five on Puri Station functioning for the past 42 years.
During the stay in Odisha and Kolkata, elaborate and appropriate was the conduct of people i came across and rooted to the ground was their round the clock toss.
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