Reposted from here : http://qr.ae/GcmH9
Life in a Metro (I know the Question was something different in Quora but when you say Metro to a Bengali - I assume you are talking about the Subway :) - Hence, suffer my answer
Kolkata doesn't move or change a lot. So, have one experience in today's Metro - run backwards - add a few political events and you have the history reconstructed. There are AC Metros today and the whole new stretch is not underground. This is because Didi happened, Kolkata became more crowded and funds are scarce.
Now, imagine the Metro in 1900s - Metro Life used to alternate between a sudden flash of neon lights amidst the dark underground. There traveled the Bhadralok alongside others of his kind - skin to skin, sweat to sweat; beaming with pride of travelling in the 8th wonder of the world - The Underground Metro Station. "What India will do tomorrow, we do today !".
There weren't any smart cards and the new tokens to start with - so, it was a good old ticket. But some of those weight machines used to work. Folks would still make queues to get the tickets but not to get on to the train. Getting inside the train has always been a mad rush, an exceptional excitement and experience that underlines the high point in the daily life of a Bob Like Bengali.
Once, inside Alokda used to debate in a high pitch with other Alokda as to why Gates in Park Street opening towards "LEFT" has political ramifications instead of any operational requirement. Somewhere, around the start of new Millenium and after 6 years of everyday Metro Ride, Alokda stopped caring about the Park Street LEFT alignment and his eyes would go "GREEN" when it would hit "Kalighat" Metro.
Irrespective of your Political inclination or Paan-Chewing Rules, Stations were treated like a Holy place - they would keep it clean unlike the rest of Kolkata. Women were still treated with respect and men used to let go off their seats - if a lady is there standing. Unlike rest of India - there was no lustful intention involved. The action is due to the fear that commands a Bengali Man - A woman whether in the form of Wife, Mother or even the Goddess; all make him S#$t in his pants.
Cafe Coffee Day is a modern day phenomenon and hence, you can rightly expect - there weren't as many kiosks as there are now. Couples would still flock together and you could see a lot of school kids bunking their classes and getting down near Maidan, Parkstreet and Esplanade.
One disappointing fact is - though the numbers were less but the success rate used to be high - of Suicides/Accidents on the subway system. So, it kind of goes away from the very nature of things tending towards chaos and a Bengali's tendency to let it happen.
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