Metro (The Kolkata Subway) - Then and Now

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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JAY 12:47 AM  No comment

My Motorcycle Diaries.

My Cellphone was incessant. The whole world breaks lose to disturb my beauty sleep, which anyways has long alured me since I moved outta college.

"Hello" A very impatient worried voice replied "Sir, there are people around with flags. Shouting and there is chaos. They want the warehouse shut"

There was no manager available and people down the rung didn't know how to face the adversity.

"Shut it and ask all of the workers to move out. We will start work in the evening"

Sukumar Pal, the Loss Prevention Officer who happened to be the localite, dealt with the crowd and coolly handled the situation. He got the shutters pulled down and sealed. Except for the security everyone was goarded off from the site.

After that, what followed, was an ugly day of phone calls all of which were answered with the explanations on future coarse of action on how deliveries to the stores can't be made today. It's been the second consecutive day of Bandh/strike called by Political parties. It had crippled productivity and to beat the blues, I was getting some work done by shutting the warehouse from outside while inside workers were going bout their work as usual. In the Repacking centre, all women workers had also turned up and production was up to meet the surge in demand and sales in the stores. Only, some localites got a faint idea what was going on inside and soon a crowd gathered there and demanded immediate closure.

Its been an year since I walked out of college and since then its been a roller coaster (..shouldn't I name this article The Rollercoaster Diaries). This wasn't a unique morning, but just a part of series of challenges thrown in past one year while living in THE COMMUNIST BASTION in India - Kolkata.

Only this time, the strike (Bandh) has been called to protest the Price hike in petrochem. The reasons for bandhs don't matter anymore. Every month we are plagued by 2 to three days of strike in this part of the country. The Party ruling the state and the opposition are equally vehement about protests and thats the way they do it - "Jay, the more ya sleep the more ya reap."

You may lose time but your deliverable in modern corporate ain't lowered. At times it frustrates and at times it makes you smile. There is a shining Indian story and there is this part still living with communist ideologies...

... and then there is Jay who can talk about the economics of price hike and inflation..

lol BullShit. "Chalbe Na" Shut the F@#$ up and sleep.

[In this era of celeb blogs - I donno how many are gonna read it. But hey! do gimme credit for a hungry man, who could not pile up his ration before the bandh took effect and all shops were shut, has written it :) ]

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JAY 1:59 AM  6 comments

Wolf - at witz' end

Ur sorroundings influence you. It does Indeed. My uncle has been a small time political activist (He was fighting the communists.. ). With our constant effort he finallyu distanced himself from all political affiliations.. All?. That's what we thought. But chor chori se jaaye sheena zori se na jaaye. (which means no matter where and how u put Richard Gere, he will create a kissing story out of it ;).. why the fuk did they vote him the sexiest man.. If they did .. tell him since then, a lot of water has flown down the bridge and .. people like Brad pitt and George Clooney have come and gone).. Back to the subject. So this uncle of mine is taking a bed rest for three months coz an accident. Now all his aquaintances come to the house and discuss, politics and business (rn't they synonymous :-?). 24x7.
So it has rubbed on to me, I've gotten into politics and I picked up this news about Wolfowitz. Sounds NAZI.. Nah re. Infact, he is a Jew. President of World Bank. Served in the defence deptt. All the sleazy CV points.
So, this guy is on the news coz of the nepotism he has indulged in. Now, there is an Indian connection to it. Bush made him the president of World Bank to clease corruption. All the presidents of the World Bank have to be Americans .. So, much for the proponents of democracy (rolls his eyes).
So, a man on a mission sends a troupe of lawyers to India to check the corruption in the Health Sector fundings. They summon our Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram and wanted to interrogate him .. phewww. The FinMin refused to talk to anyone except their leader ( I guess it was Shaha Riza herself (correct me, if I m wrong). Pissed off. They all went back and recommonded the blockade of all funds to India's Health Mission. And it got Blocked. Some people still treat the third world as their colonies.
Now, its time for Mr. Wolf to answer. He has been charged with showing extra favors to Shaha Riza and had granted her extra powers. Hi hi hi ... ho ho ho... Maza Aaaya

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JAY 7:39 AM  4 comments

Faux News Vs Clinton.

The Clinton outburst starts of on a cautious note.. but increasingly becomes.. Funny.

High cost being in Global eye.



and as u have seen this .. look how the media wants its pound of flesh.

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JAY 2:32 AM  9 comments