Back at HQ

 Left Kolkata and landed back in Pune, after a stint at JIS University as a Pro-VC. Of course, met a lot of friends in the last few days, played a bit of Golf at Fort William too.. nice memories to carry back. And these parting shots..

Lucky shot of the Bridge and station, Howrah.

Waiting to take off, while another plane lands.

First Impressions of Kolkata

 It is historic. Much more than any city I have visited. Looks as though every building has a story to tell, in many parts of town. And trams.. the only place that has a few trams running, still. The river ferry is also unique to a few places in India, and Kolkata is one of them. The song Chingari Koi Bhadke with a backdrop of Howrah Bridge made that immortal in the movies.

There are a lot of franchised restaurants all over the city now, including some known to me, and some unknown. Mio Amore is a cake shop with multiple outlets. . Arsalan is a famous one for Biryani, and generally, non-veg. food. There are a few others too, such as Ganguram's, Haldiram's and so on. Small shops selling sweets are all over the place, and many other eateries that sell stuff by the roadside.. quite popular, by the look of it. There's a Professor pally and a Culture Mod (crossing) on the way to my office at Agarpara campus. 

Spencer's is a store among bigger retail stores. Many branches, including one where I live now. A comprehensive store selling almost everything including daily needs. My go to place, looks like. I like to browse and buy, a 'dying' breed these days. 

As for clothes, it seems that lesser is better. Because it's quite hot, and a fan or an AC is a must most of the time. But you could get used to it. I prefer this to the extreme cold in North India. 

I am also looking forward to the Durga Puja season, which is supposed to be a highlight - this time in September last week. 

Look forward to catching up with old friends too. One I have already caught up with. A few more, I have promised to..

West Bengal and Kolkata

 I have visited Darjeeling, Siliguri and Shantiniketan too, but most visits have centred around Kolkata (Calcutta). IIMC used to host us for some meetings when I was in IIML and IIMK, and I went to Kolkata for a few admission interviews when I worked for KIAMS, Harihar.

Recently, I visited for some alumni meets of IMT Nagpur and Ghaziabad, and also to meet a friend a couple of years ago. A family visit also happened in the early 90s from Hyderabad. I always enjoyed the food and the ambience of the city, and the Clubs there too. I have been to around 3 or four of them, thanks to friends. Alpana, a friend from an MDP at IIM Indore, Sudeshna and Roopsha who are past students, I am yet to meet. But I have met Siddharth Agarwal of KIAMS, Aditi Sood and Pushpak from KIAMS there, and also Naveen Das and other colleagues when we visited NSHM. The Gariahat market used to be a haunt when we visited earlier. Some pics from visits-

Gariahat shopping, above, and Science Museum, with childhood friend Ajanta Sircar, below

Tollygunge with Dash.

Streets..

Tram ride, boat ride..

Kolkata- A Pictorial Tour

A pic is worth a thousand words- here are a few thousand words.

 With my classmate Dash-we met 37 years ago at IIMB, where we have been partners in crime.

 You ain't seen nothing if you don't do the Amar Prem run..Chingari koi bhadke..

 This is Tolly Club, and the building below is where we did an alumni party of
IMT Ghaziabad a few years ago, when I worked there.

A fuller view..