YPOST

In the days when there were no calculators or computers a bridge on two pillars of 71 feet was built in the city of Kolkata by the britishers. Call it howrah bridge or a vintage bridge which has no nuts and bolts (the entire structure is riveted) and is still standing tall for the last 70years. It is the 6^th longest bridge in the world. The people of Kolkata are proud of having this bridge built in their city. It is an iconic landmark and symbol of Kolkata.

The enigma of the structural marvel can be experienced by taking a walking tour of the bridge. It looks dazzling after dusk when the entire city is at its dazzling best. The silence of the river below , the blue sky above, the cool evening breeze and the majestic sweep of the Hooghly makes for a surreal sight.

From a distance the modern yachts as well as the traditional boats can be seen on the ganga showing different facets of the ancient modern city. The beauty of the bridge could not stop big bollywood directors also from shooting various scenes of their movie on the bridge. From Vidya Balan to Ranbir Kapoor all have been a part of the scene shot on the majestic bridge.

Ria Shah

PGPMC

2nd sem

The run up to Christmas starts nearly a month in advance. The city’s Anglo-Indian households get into the festive mood and preparations start for the big day ahead – or Burra Din as it is called here. The excitement in and around New Market is palpable. Baubles, bells, toy Santas and of course the faux fir trees are aplenty. Cake shops are busy with the cake mixing – in fact Flurys has a cake mixing ceremony which takes place a month before Christmas where all the various dried fruits are mixed with juices and rum. The city’s meat shops also get busy with the preparation of salt beef.

As it gets closer to Christmas, Kolkata gets its few weeks of the elusive winters. It is a homecoming of sorts for many Anglo-Indians who have moved to Canada, US and the UK. The Bow Barracks, off Central Avenue along with Wellesley Street, Elliot Road and Ripon Street, where most of Kolkata’s Anglo Indians live transforms into the veritable tinsel town.

If you are in Kolkata during Christmas, you must visit the Bow Barracks to witness the festivities. There are a number of events lined up from the 23rd of December all the way to New Year’s Eve. The highlight for the children in the neighbourhood is Santa Claus arriving on a rickshaw – can it get more Kolkatan than this? About 700 children – not limited to Christians – get snacks and gifts – all made possible by funds raised by the Anglo-Indian community.

But one cannot ignore Park Street. No way! Flurys is stocked from floor to ceiling with its unbeatable mince pies, Dundee cakes, plum puddings and other seasonal varieties like Yule logs, chocolate cones and nougatines. In fact it stays open all day and night on the 24th of December.

The midnight of the 24th of December is always reserved for the midnight mass at St. Paul’s Cathedral. It was consecrated as the first Episcopal Church of the Orient in 1847. It is surely a treat to be there with the whole service conducted in candlelight as every Kolkatan irrespective of caste and creed joins hands in prayer. Apart from St Paul’s, midnight masses also happen at St. Thomas’ Church, St. John’s Church and Portuguese Church.