Tag Archives: Kolkata

In & around Kolkata, previously known as Calcutta.

Family

Babai left for Gangtok

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We had our initial plans for visiting Barrackpur, Basirhat & Kolkata together with Babai and we would go to our destinations from Kolkata airport. But later, Babai told us that he had to attend his classes from 29th and so he could not stay with us in Barrackpur, Basirhat and Kolkata.

As scheduled before, we reached Kolkata/Barrackpur yesterday. My dada, cousin at Basirhat, his wife (Boudi) and his daughter (Tota) came to Barrackpur to pay Shubho Bijoya pronaam to our Kakima along with his sister-in-law and her daughter. They were waiting for us to reach Barrackpur from airport so as to see us before they leave.

We reached Kolkata airport and then had some coffee with Soumya, who had come to see is at the airport at the Café Coffee Day at the airport. He arranged for a car for us for 4 days of our travel in and around Kolkata.

Then we went to Baguiati for buying some sweets for Babai to carry with him to Gangtok and also for Kakima’s house at Barrackpur.

After that we went straight to Barrackpur. It was nice to see everybody there waiting for us. We had some photographs and then Dada and his family left for their house at Basirhat. Jaya and I will be going to Basirhat day after tomorrow after the Lakshmi Puja.

Ladies of three generations!

Three brothers – with dada and Laltu

Teen Choudhurani – Joyita, Boudi and Jaya

Bhai-bone: Babai & Tota

We had some chats. Jaya gave the gifts that we brought for kakima, maasi, Laltu and Joyita. She also took gifts for Charu and Sandhya.

In the morning after breakfast, Jaya, Babai & I left for airport to see Babai off. We asked Laltu several times to come with us with his family. But he did not come as he said that he was not feeling well and wanted to sleep.

Babai & Mama

We reached airport around an hour before the flight. Baikunth Nath, a friend of Soumya is now working with Spicejet with which Babai is going to Bagdogra. He was there at the airport and arranged his check-in. Babai then came to us and then went for security checking. We decided to wait for the departure of his flight. So, I took Jaya to Top Deck restaurant on the first floor of the airport. We sat there and ordered for a glass of fresh lime soda for each of us.

After Babai boarded his fight and his flight took off, we left for meeting our relatives at Kolkata. We went to the house of Mama. From there we went to see my Baro Maasi and then to see my Chhoto Maasi. They three are the only surviving siblings of my mother. They’re very happy to see us. We then returned to Barrackpur feeing the absence of Babai. We’re missing him very much!

Family, Healthcare

Routine Medical check-up

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During my last visit, the doctor advised me to go for complete check up for diabetes. Therefore, while we were returning from Gangtok, we decided to go for complete check up at Apollo Gleaneagles Hospital, Kolkata. Their complete check-up package consists of blood tests (before and after foods), urine tests, stool test, ECG, USG, X-ray, eye test. It took almost whole day yesterday to complete the tests.

Today went to the hospital as per the appointed time with the doctor at 11.30am. Also, we are to fly to Ranchi in the evening at 5.45pm. But, reports were not ready so we had to wait until 2.00pm. Thank God that the reports are OK and there is no visible adverse effect of diabetes & hypertension.

Laltu & Jaya with their ice-creams.

The doctor checked and continued with the existing medicines. After check up and consultations, we went to Mani Square as we could manage half an hour time. My cousin Laltu has come from his office to see us. So, we went to Mani Square for having ice cream with him and to buy some gifts for Dido, his son. After enjoying the ice cream and purchasing the gifts for Dido, we rushed to the airport.

We checked in on time, but there was a huge rush for security checking at the airport as this is the busy period at the airport. As we cleared the security check, the boarding for the flight was announced and we straightaway went to board the flight for Ranchi.

We reached home after almost 11 days of tour!

Family, Food, Friends

Evening coffee at Peerless Inn

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On the advice of the doctor, Jaya & I went to Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata for complete Diabetic check up. After a daylong tests at the Hospital, when we came out we were a bit tired. We were to go to the house of my cousin sister – Babuldi. We will be staying there tonight with them. Her daughter – my niece – has delivered a baby a couple of months back. So, we will be meeting our grandson too, there.

We called Soumya that we were leaving the hospital. He has actually arranged a vehicle for us. It will stay with us until we reach the airport tomorrow. He requested us to see him before we go to the Babuldi’s house for a cup of coffee. We were feeling to have some good coffee and also we have to pay him cash for settlement of the rent of the car.

Balduldi stays near Kona Expressway after Vidyasagar Setu. Peerless Inn will be a minor deviation from the route. So we agreed to go there for coffee. On seeing us Soumya immediately ordered for coffee. Also, we bought some chocolates and pastries for Babuldi’s house from the coffee shop at Peerless Inn.

The coffee was hot and nice. After the coffee, we took his leave and went to Babuldi’s house.

Family, Food, Friends, Healthcare, Travel

Check up at Apollo, Kolkata

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During this holidays in India for two weeks, we planned for a quick medical check-up and consultations at Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata followed by a visit to Basirhat.

We reached Kolkata last evening. We checked in at Peerless Inn, Kolkata. It’s location is excellent, at the heart of the city on the Esplanade.

Chowringhee in evening

We were invited by Jaya’s friend Rina for dinner. We went to their house after Jaya did some shopping at Esplanade and New Market.

We had lovely dinner cooked by Rina. As I like fish, so she cooked fish in the dinner. We had good chat with Shubhro – husband of Rina, Rina and her son Soumya. Soumya works as Duty Manager at Peerless Inn, Kolkata.

Dharmatala in night – a busy thoroughfare in day and a calm sleeping in night

We returned after midnight to our hotel – Peerless Inn. I peeped out of our room window. Kolkata looks very awesome in the night.

Chowringhee after midnight – glowing golden but alone!

Nishir aandhare ruposi kolkata – Beautiful Calcutta in the darkness of night

We went for our check ups and medical consultations in the morning of March 3, 2012. It continued until afternoon.

Celebration, Family, Friends

Our wedding anniversary 2011

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20 years ago, Jaya & I were married on this day in Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Because of my professional obligations we are staying at two different places on our anniversary day.

In fact, three of us are at three different places, Jaya is in Ranchi, Babai is in Gangtok and I am in Baghdad. Jaya is however in Kolkata today. I am missing her very much. Last year, we three were together when we were in Pondicherry on this day.

Through Ferns N Petals, I sent a cake, a bunch of red roses and a teddy to Jaya. They delivered these gifts in the morning. I was confirmed of the delivery by them via text message on my mobile. She liked the roses and the teddy. She also said that the cake was nice. Thanks, Ferns N Petals.

She went to her friend’s house and celebrated the day with her friend Rina. She also visited Dakshineshwar temple for offering puja.

For me, it was a routine day in Baghdad, with only Babai & Lina wishing me in the morning. Thanks, Lina & Babai.

Travel

Kolkata, the City of Joy

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There is no direct flight from Bagdogra to Ranchi. We went to Kolkata and stopped for a day. Tomorrow is the birthday of Jaya’s friend – Rina. We checked in at the Peerless Inn, Chowringhee.

Chowringhee is one of the best addresses in Kolkata. It still oozes of the imperial heritage. The building nearby are majestic and imposing and reminds of the British raj.

The tall Shaheed Minar can be seen from the room window. It is a war memorial. It is to pay homage to all the martyrs in the war. In the background, we can see the great Eden Gardens, the greatest cricket stadium in India.

Shaheed Minar with Eden Gardens as the backdrop

After celebrating the birthday of Rina, we will move to Ranchi day after tomorrow.

Food, Travel

Top Deck, NSC Bose Airport, Kolkata

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Arrived at Kolkata airport at 9.30 am from New Delhi. My next flight for Bagdogra is at 1.55 pm. So, I preferred to walk into the first floor. There is a good bar-cum-restaurant there – Top Deck.

First had some coffee there. The sat there, read newspapers and watched TV. Then had fish and chips. It was nicely prepared.

At 12.15 pm asked for settlement of the bill. It was a nice restaurant with good courteous staff.But, I had some delays as the POS was not working and was delayed as the staff went to somewhere else to get the debit card charged at a POS with their sister restaurant.

After that, went for check in for the Spicejet flight for Bagdogra.
Celebration, Family, Food, Travel

Our anniversary at ITC Sonar

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We were returning from Pondicherry. We had to spend a night at Kolkata to catch the next flight to Ranchi. This time, I decided to stay at ITC Sonar.

It’s an excellent hotel and quite spacious too! It has some good collection of old sculptures.

This is our second visit to this hotel. Jaya and I had stayed here once for two nights, when we came to Kolkata to get my stitches removed after the operation of a lump on my left knee.

We had our anniversary dinner at the hotel. In fact, today is the anniversary of our wedding reception.

We decided to go for North Indian dinner. The restaurant is quite nice with very good ambiance. The quality of the food was also very good. We had red wine followed by dinner.

This time we kept the celebration as private. Jaya, Babai and I were only there. We enjoyed a lot!

Family, Travel

Relaxing at Kaya Kalp Spa

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I started my journey from Baghdad to Ranchi on November 16 and reached Ranchi after more than 24 hours, thanks to lay over time and waiting time at the airports added with flight delay in the last leg. After that we went for a trip on November 20 to Pondicherry, Karaikal.

At the end, on November 24, feeling so stressed physically that I headed for the Kaya Kalp Spa at the ITC Sonar Hotel, Kolkata where we checked in for a night before reaching Ranchi.

The one hour oil stress relieving massage at the spa really rejuvenated me. The massage was excellent and it relieved of the stress.

It was followed by two glasses of red wine and some nicely cooked kebabs. It was a great evening, after a long time!

Family, Heritage, Travel

The Grand Hotel at Kolkata

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From the childhood, I was awed by the grandeur of Hotel Oberoi Grand at Chowringhee, Kolkata. This hotel is in a very old British era building. The building has the touch of that period. It  smells of that history. The hotel is still maintaining that heritage. I had twice attended meetings and seminars in this hotel.

The Grand Hotel had humble beginnings as Mrs. Monte’s Boarding House at 13, Chowringhee Street. Acquired by the Armenian real-estate baron Arrathoon Stephen, it turned into a 3-story 500-room hotel. Acquired by hotelier Mohan Singh Oberoi in 1938, it became the Oberoi Grand.

While returning from Maldives and Sri Lanka, we have to spend one night in Kolkata to catch the flight for Ranchi on the next day. I decided for The Oberoi Grand, this time. The style of furniture reminds me of the imperial era and has that classic look.

The stay at this hotel took me back down the history. I liked its ambiance and the touch of history. The best part of it is that it is at the heart of the city.