BANGLA ACCOUNT-1

Day: -1 9th April 2011 Location: Chambal Express It is the start of my journey for my summer internship in Prentice Hall India. I am in a train bound to Kolkata and surrounded by Bangla speaking people. The kids in next cabin are at their maximum decibel level and twice I have reprimanded them for their behavior. Perhaps it is a glimpse of what I will be experiencing for two months in Kolkata. My fellow passenger who hails from West Bengal has warned me about the humid weather in Bengal at this time of the year. To my comfort, he said that the city is one of the cheapest in the country and there will be plenty of culinary options available for me in Kolkata. Moreover the timing of my journey can’t be more apt. It is often said that cricket, politics and religion are the three glues which keeps Indian united. These are the essence of India, without them it is hard to imagine India in its current state. This reminds me of the novel “The 3 mistakes of my life” of Chetan Bhagat whose plot revolves around these 3 themes. Current scenario of Bengal has an exciting mix of these three ingredients where elections, religion and cricket will be occupying the major space in the psyche of a common Bengali.

The auspicious festival of NavDurga is going on with its full vigor and I will be reaching Howrah Station on the day of “Saptmi”. This will be followed by “MahaAsthami” and “MahaNavmi” respectively. I don’t need to explain what NavDurga means for Bengalis. It is the same as Ganesh Utsav for Marathis and Baisakhi for Punjabis albeit with more vigor, enthusiasm and energy. I have heard many tails about the Black Magic prevalent in Bengal which becomes more intense during the “NavDurga” celebration. This reminds me of my stay in Kota, Rajasthan where I befriended a Bengali friend who once told me that all the black powers roam freely in these 9 days of celebration. Not a firm believer of all this stuff, I am looking forward to have an altogether different experience of NavDurga celebration in the heart land of Bengal.

IPL-4 started yesterday with the first match being played between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super King. The excitement of watching IPL Tournament in this famously Cricket crazy city will be unmatchable. Moreover it is not the country which is playing this time but the City of Kolkata itself is fighting for its pride in a club tournament. This ensures that in Kolkata versus others matches the frenzy, excitement and thrill will be much higher as compared to other matches. My fellow passengers, who hail from Bengal, discussed in length yesterday match and felt bitterly disappointed about the performance of Gautam Gambhir. Even though they are not located in Bengal from past few years, their loyalty for Kolkata Knight Riders has still not waned. It is not hard to imagine the feelings of a proper Kolkata resident for their club. Also it will be for the first time for me, when I will be watching IPL in a city which is taking part in this tournament. In the last 3 IPLs, I was in Lucknow where the hostel environment during the matches was unmatchable. I hope that environment in Kolkata in KKR matches will easily outdo my previous experience.

And lastly the lifeline of India, the oxygen which keeps us alive in spite of all the hardships we face in our daily lives, is also present here. Yes, I am talking about politics, election and democracy. Something which is present in India right from the grass root level to the highest echelon of governance. In a short span of time West Bengal is going for state election. Though every election is unique in its own right but these elections are expected to be historic in the history of Bengal. For the first time in last 35 years the ruling Marxist front is starting the race behind the starting line. Whatever be the result, it will be a history in the making. This government holds the record of the longest serving Communist government in the world. This time either its record will be extended or it will be broken. The main opposition party is led by mercurial Mamta Banerjee of TMC. The situation of Bengalis is akin to proverbial “from frying pan into the fire”. With an abysmal record of governance as the Central Minister of Railway, she does not inspire much confidence in the voters. BJP and INC are virtually nonexistent in the state. Hence the voters in Bengal are forced to choose the best from the worst.

My train has crossed Allahabad station and is expected to reach Howrah station tomorrow in the morning. Let’s see what this Bhadra Lok Land (Land of the Gentle man) has in store for me.