North Kolkata Calling !!

Biryani is perhaps the most popular dish in India.One can believe Pista House of Hyderabad if they claim that they are selling more than 7/8 Lak plates per day. But that cannot be a reasonable excuse for claiming a patient.Both the Muglai and Andhra Pradeshi influence played  important role in producing  Hyderabadi biryani which is considered the best in our country.One,however cannot deny that various forms of biryani exists. This could easily be detected  if one travels from place to place while tasting the variety !   

Let us not take any name-we could call him ram shyam or rahim. He was a happy go lucky man in the truest sense.Sometimes,though, he felt an urge to peep a little further from the laxman rekha, that he himself has built around him. This time he, unfortunately, peeped a  little too further-just, maybe to have a little more fun out of his daily round the clock life. Sorry-got himself into trouble! A trouble that took his life !! A chit fund victim ? Maybe.     

In a report by Abhinanda Datta (The Telegraph, Metro Dt.6th May 2013) it is stated" Chatubabu Latubabur Bari, now known for the family's annual Durga and Kali Puja." It is to be noted that the word 'now known' is perhaps incorrect.If one cares to search history (or the Net) one could easily find the importance of the house in various fields for centuries.Apart from Durga, Jaggadharti,Saraswati,Kali and even Kartik Puja -the Jhulan & Charak Utsab too is celebrated till now.The house is equally well known for its patronage towards Indian Classical Music ! Chatubabu himself was a musician and perhaps the first Bengali Sitarist. Eminent artists like Bade Gulam Ali Khan,Amir Khan,Udayshankar, Ravishankar, Vilayat  Khan,Roshan Kumari,Allarakha, Karamutalla etc. performed in this house. This tradition is still maintained by mainly Saibal & Mausam Deb.                        

We came to know from The Hindu (17th April 2013) that an exhibition will be held in Washington DC in December 2013.Expectation is that it will attract more than 7 million visitors. Object is to highlight the Indian- American story. As claimed by Lavina Melwani the early Indian presence dates back to 1790. Heartiest congratulations to the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History for the endeavor !

Sanyasis dancing with fire at  Chatu Babu's Bari ! Beadon Street.                 

There was tremendous optimism that India would grow quite rapidly. Some even believed that it won't be long when the country would touch and might even surpass China. This expectation grew when our growth  touched 8 per cent and our finance minister expected it to go on..adding more percentages as years passes. Finally there was a bubble bursting effect when it fell all the way to 5%. The industrial growth, especially seems to tumble to its lowest. Will FDI help? Will tourism industry bring in some respite? OR will....will will..will and a lot of wills etc.do the needful ? In the mean while Institutions, producing large numbers of educated youths, are unable to provide satisfying jobs or explanations !! Any more optimism left ?? YES I HOPE SO !!

Basanta Utsab organizer     Mausam Deb says a few words !