With all the hoopla about the minimum temperature of Calcutta being lower than the maximum(!!) temperature of London(a publicity stunt more than anything else), it got me thinking about the things that would happen if our winters really were so severe.
Well first things, it would SNOW....and that would be the ultimate Xmas gift. I've never seen snow all my life, well I have seen it, in pictures and on the telly, but never actually experienced it. I've always wanted to build a snowman, haven't you? Always wanted to throw a huge snowball at that irritating neighbour, always wanted to taste a snowflake. If we became like London, all that would be possible. The people however would have a hard time. I've seen people wearing so many layers of clothing even at 15 degrees, that you'd feel that you've been transported somewhere north of the Arctic Circle. And then there's the rain. Does it ever stop raining there? And what astonishes me even more is how the footballers play in that same rain, at near zero temperatures, with shorts and t-shirts. Every winter I watch them play, and count my lucky stars that Calcutta doesn't have rain in winter.
Thinking about it though, we are not very different. We were even called the second city of the Empire when those guys ruled us! I'm glad they don't rule us anymore, we're not second to anyone. And to back up my point,Calcutta has recently been declared the most cosmopolitan city in India, beating the myth about Delhi and Mumbai being hugely more cosmopolitan. We're similar to London in that respect as well. It is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, let alone Britain. So that makes us sister cities right?
Well, yes and no. Sure, they modeled Calcutta to mirror their capitol when they were here. But there is something that they didn't give us. Something which the people here give to this city. And that something is SOUL. I know you see and hear news headlines everyday about all the wrongs of this place. But have you ever thought about why the newspapers don't print the good stuff which keeps happening here? Everyday it's either this fire, or this building collapse, or this corrupt official. There's never a front page article about the good that so many people here are doing. It's those same lost stories which make Calcutta what it is. Having just finished college this year, some of my friends have gone to other cities to work. And they all say the same thing, "I wish I could stay back in Calcutta." So far, I've been lucky enough to have got a posting in this city itself. But if, and when, I have to go somewhere else for work, or otherwise, I'm sure I would be saying the same thing.
So what if don't have Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, Lords' or the London Eye? We have Park Street, the Howrah Bridges, the Eden Gardens and the Victoria Memorial, and so many more. We'd never exchange any of it. So Miss Chief Minister, if you are listening, don't put all your efforts into building a second London. Make a better Calcutta for all of us.
Well first things, it would SNOW....and that would be the ultimate Xmas gift. I've never seen snow all my life, well I have seen it, in pictures and on the telly, but never actually experienced it. I've always wanted to build a snowman, haven't you? Always wanted to throw a huge snowball at that irritating neighbour, always wanted to taste a snowflake. If we became like London, all that would be possible. The people however would have a hard time. I've seen people wearing so many layers of clothing even at 15 degrees, that you'd feel that you've been transported somewhere north of the Arctic Circle. And then there's the rain. Does it ever stop raining there? And what astonishes me even more is how the footballers play in that same rain, at near zero temperatures, with shorts and t-shirts. Every winter I watch them play, and count my lucky stars that Calcutta doesn't have rain in winter.
Thinking about it though, we are not very different. We were even called the second city of the Empire when those guys ruled us! I'm glad they don't rule us anymore, we're not second to anyone. And to back up my point,Calcutta has recently been declared the most cosmopolitan city in India, beating the myth about Delhi and Mumbai being hugely more cosmopolitan. We're similar to London in that respect as well. It is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, let alone Britain. So that makes us sister cities right?
Well, yes and no. Sure, they modeled Calcutta to mirror their capitol when they were here. But there is something that they didn't give us. Something which the people here give to this city. And that something is SOUL. I know you see and hear news headlines everyday about all the wrongs of this place. But have you ever thought about why the newspapers don't print the good stuff which keeps happening here? Everyday it's either this fire, or this building collapse, or this corrupt official. There's never a front page article about the good that so many people here are doing. It's those same lost stories which make Calcutta what it is. Having just finished college this year, some of my friends have gone to other cities to work. And they all say the same thing, "I wish I could stay back in Calcutta." So far, I've been lucky enough to have got a posting in this city itself. But if, and when, I have to go somewhere else for work, or otherwise, I'm sure I would be saying the same thing.
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