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The Bittersweet Reality Of Kolkata’s Remarkable Heritage
My trip through Kolkata revealed a city that wears its history like a badge of honour, even as it grapples with the demands of modernity.
This article is the Ninth in the series of 12 Months, 12 Cities And A Year Of Transformations.
Did you know Kolkata was the former capital of British India?
My September was all about feeling nostalgic for old things. So I spent a lot of time meeting old friends, eating food I used to love as a kid and watching movies that were my college favourite. And also, I was planning another trip! This time, to feed my curious mind!
Twice or thrice a year, I take a trip to a city that is well-developed. To learn in practice, about the past of the city, what formed it and how the present modernisation contradicts the past of this city. Kolkata was on my list for so long! I was always amazed by the grandeur of this city. And hence decided to take a glimpse into the architectural marvels this city holds.
And it was exactly as I expected it to be. A yellow cab ride from the airport to the hotel was like stepping into a time machine. From colonial-era architecture to narrow lanes filled with the aroma of street food, the city spoke to me in a language that was both- nostalgic and alive.