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East Bengal Hoping That Dempo Drop Points

East Bengal would look to close in on leaders Dempo when the city giants face a struggling Mumbai FC in their round 22 fixture of the I-League at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Friday. After their upset win over league champions Salgaocar in the last round, East Bengl are eight points behind Dempo. But Dempo being way ahead,There are five more rounds to go for the marathon league to conclude and Dempo have outings with both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal left. Mumbai FC may be struggling at the relegation zone with 17 points from 21 matches, but Morgan said they would be determined to earn full points. Referring to their 4-0 win over Tollygunge Agragami in a local league mach, he said: "It was not easy. We had to fight to win. Against Mumbai also it won't be easy. It will be a tough outing but the boys are looking forward to it." East Bengal's attack would be bolstered with the return of a fit-again Gurwinder Singh. The attack and the midfield wo

Kanamachi In Kolkata

Raj Chakraborty shoot 'Mann Bawre' song at Victoria Memorial, Maidan and Prinsep Ghat with Sayoni, Srabanti and Ankush for his new Bangla movie 'Kanamachi', playback singers Shreya Ghoshal and Mohit Chauhan. Kolkata always a favourite city of Raj. And it is very difficult to shoot in the crowd of the city. So, it was a challenge for him. And he shoot with excellence as his fame of a director is charismatic. The story of 'Kanamachi' on the backdrop of Kolkata handling the issue of taxi fares for NRI's.-- A. B.

Gajon In Bengal

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Gajon of Bengal is a traditional dance with songs in praise of Lord Shiva, during Chaitra - last month of Bangla calendar. Although this profession is very rare to find at present, some rural folks still love to perform this ancient art publicly. Here in this picture, a similar group performing Gajon songs at a place near Kolkata.-- A. B.

Early Bengal Oil Paintings

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These priceless oil paintings once enhanced the beauty of inner mahals of Bengal zamindars and baboos. Now, the touch of time made them pale yet worthy to praise. Skillful painters of early Bengal created these paintings in between the year 1857-64 approximately.-- A. B.

Mohun Bagan Had To Satisfied With 1 Point

In I-league match Air India played better than Bagan today. Manandeep scored 2 goals for Air India. And Bagan also scored 2 goals. But major part of the match Air India players prevailed Mohun Bagan. And they showed attacking football with several scopes to goal. On the other hand, Bagan seemed not in a position to play according to their fame. They showed football with lack of pace and energy. When the result was 2-1 in favour of Air India, Bagan tried to grip the required pace and in spite of 'Man Marking' captain Odafa Okolie sparkled and scored the goal to equalise. But the full time result failed to bring win. Hence, Mohun Bagan had to satisfied with only one point. Thus, the point distance with Dempo remained long and the next matches of Bagan would be more tough to win I-league. -- A. B.

Indian Idol Audition In Kolkata

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Indian Idol judges Anu Malik, Sunidhi Chauhan and Salim Merchant came here in the city yesterday to take the audition of this big popular reality show. Speaking about Kolkata, popular music composer Anu Malik said, "I grew up loving Bengal. I listened to a lot of Rabingrasangeet and Nazrulgeeti and also songs of Kishore Kumar, Hemanta Mukherjee, Salil Chowdhury when I was young. Being myself a melody composer, I connect Bengal with melody." Talking about the Kolkata auditions, he said, "This year we have raised the bar and we are searching that ´one´ voice and till now we have already got some amazing singers. "The girls are better this time and has a possibility to win. Moreover the good thing is that they have gone back to their roots and singing more classical and Lataji´s (Lata Mangeshkar) songs in the auditions." Music composer Salim Merchant praised Kolkata´s singing talents. -- A. B.

Biggest Buddhist Monastic Complex Found In Bengal

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Dantan going to be included as the historical place in the tourist's map of Bengal 'cause the biggest Buddhist Monastic Complex (Boudh Vihar) have been found at Mogolmari of Dantan under Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal. The Archaeological Department of Calcutta University started the excavation work here from the year 2003 and the excavation of last phase i.e. sixth phase was started on 12 March and ended on 25 March. So far as 12 Buddha statues have been found under this project and names of 3 have been found: the statue in the pose of Saraswati with Veena in hands and tangled by snakes named 'Janguli'; the statue in a sitting position with a lotus in hand named 'Abalokiteswar' and the garlanded statue named 'Lokeswar'. Other 9 statues will be named soon. Height of each statue is 42 cms. Before it, two Buddhist Monastic complexes found at Jagjibanpur of Malda district and the other at Karnasubarna near Berhampore in Murshidabad. Thi

Rabindranath's Houses Of Darjeeling

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Rabindranath Tagore stayed several times at Kalimpong and Mongpu. The houses where he used to live, still there, but neglected. 'Gouripur Lodge' is the name of a bungalow where the poet loved to live at Kalimpong, near Darjeeling. The lodge surrounded by various trees and within calm atmosphere beside hills. Tagore first came here on 25 April, 1938 and zamindar Brojendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury of Gouripur arranged for the boarding & lodging of the poet here. The poet was craving for a calm and peaceful place to live in for a few days. So, he liked the place. After a few days, the enthusiastic local people delightfully arranged the 80th birthday celebration of Tagore here. The famous writer of 'Na Hanyate' Moitreyee Debi came from Mongpu and insisted the poet to write a new poem. And the poet wrote 'Janmadin' - the famous poem. A memorable event occurred on that day - the poet recited this poem over telephone and All India Radio Calcutta broadcas

Ganga Sagar Mela : Historical Significance

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Poush Sankranti means Uttarayan Sankranti. And from ancient times, Uttarayan Kaal is the best time to start auspicious works in our country. And Ganga Sagar Mela held during this Makar Sankranti. Sagardwip - the old island of Sundarban area in the coast of Bay of Bengal, and its ancient name is Shwetdwip (the white island). The southern part of it, where river Ganga meets Sagar, named Ganga Sagar. Once upon a time, the Sagardwip was full of inhabitants in an area of 170 square miles. About 2 lakh people plunged in typhoon in the year 1688 and since then, the island remained abandoned for ages. The foreign merchants and English re-discovered the island abandoned. In the year 1727, Alexander Hamilton mentioned it as a sacred pilgrimage for Hindus. Since ancient times, sages and pilgrims used to take holy dip here. In the eighteenth century, the island became a harbour. William Hicky wrote in his book 'Memoirs Of William Hicky' that he landed here from Madras by ship

Dadasaheb Phalke Award To Soumitra Chattopadhyay

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Soumitra Chattopadhyay is the recipient of 2011 Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his lifetime achievement. It is the highest award for Indian film industry in the name of Dadasaheb Phalke - The Father Of Indian Cinema. When the news came this evening, the actor Soumitra Chattopadhyay was on the floor of director Goutam Ghosh's new film in Kolkata. So, the actor shared the big news with the whole unit. The good news spread like a storm of joy and happiness and the veterans of Bangla film industry expressed their views with joy. Actor Aparna Sen said, it was her great privilege to act in so many films with Soumitra. And said, Soumitra is a great actor. Director Mrinal Sen said, in this untoward atmosphere of political scenario, the news of this award for Soumitra is like a fresh breeze of joy. Singer Manna Dey said, Soumitra is my favourite actor. So I'm glad to hear the news. Director Buddhadeb Dasgupta said, I'm very glad. But Soumitra Chatterjee deserved the award e

Abar Bomkesh (2012) Movie Show Timings

Book advance tickets of Anjan Dutta's 'Abar Bomkesh'. Premier Show at Priya on 23 March and Special Premier Show at Nandan on 24 March. This Bangla movie released on 23 March at Nandan 1 (6.15), Priya (12.30, 2.40, 7.00), Roxy (3.00), Prachi (2.30, 5.15, 7.45), Basushri (3.00), Inox (City Centre 1 :9.30, 2.00, 6.15, 8.20 / Forum: 2.30, 7.30 / Swabhumi: 1.00, 5.30, 7.30) ; Durgapur: 12.00, 4.30, Rajarhat: 2.00, 6.30, 8.30, Bardhaman: 10.00, 3.00, 5.00, Shiliguri 1: 3.00, 5.10, Shiliguri 2: 1.30, 6.40, Liluah: 2.45, 7.15, Broadway: 12.00, 4.15, 8.45, Bioscope: 2.40, 4.40, 6.15, Fame(South City):9.00, 1.50, 4.00, 6.10, 8.20; Highland Park: 10.00, 2.45, 5.00, 9.30; Hind: 12.30, 7.30; Big Cinema: 2.00, 6.45;) and other cinema halls of Bengal. Online ticket booking websites: www.famecinemas.com / www.pvrcinemas.com / www.inoxcinemas.com / www.inoxmovies.com / www.paradiseroxy.com / www.priyaentertainments.com Releasing on 23 March in Mumbai, Bengaluru & Dhanbad a

Toy Library For Kids

Toy libraries now growing in the city to cater to kid clients from toddlers to the time upto age 8 and hence their parents are also happy to save money. Affluent parents of the city had to spent minimum 3000 rupees a month for two or three branded toys to meet up their children's craves. And it is a known fact that kids always need new toys. Now as the toy libraries are here in the city, parents sighing relief by borrowing branded toys for their children for a minimum subscription. Children can borrow up to eight toys in a month from these libraries in lieu of a membership fee varying between Rs 350 and Rs 800. Once bored with these toys, they can exchange them for new ones. Apart from a physical set up where children can come and select toys, these toy libraries also have an online presence. The parents and kids can simply log on to their website, choose toys and order online. Nutty Newton, Toyz World, Toy Land are some such libraries that started as a single

Ganga Sagar, Rabindranath And Oil Paintings

Coming articles (in picture): 1. Significance of Ganga Sagar Mela 2. Rabindranath Tagore's house in North Bengal 3. Ancient oil paintings of Bengal -- A. B.

Eden Garden

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Beautiful Eden Garden of Kolkata, where held the annual flower fair. It is a nice place full of trees and flowers. A children's park is also there. The cricket stadium is beside it. -- A. B.

Flower Show 2011

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Glimpses of beautiful Flower Show of last year held at Eden Garden, Kolkata. -- A. B.

Abar Bomkesh In Kolkata

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Detective Bomkesh Bokshi will again unravel the mystery, 'Chitrachor' this time. The investigation, I mean the story will say at the end, who would be the thief of picture. Abir Chatterjee is playing the role of Bomkesh and the others like Shashwata Chatterjee as Ajit, Ushashi as Satyabati . The director Anjan Dutta went this time to north Bengal with his team to shoot in jungle. The Bengali crime thriller movie is slated for release on 23 March 2012.-- A. B.

Manohar Aich 100

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100 years ago, on this day, Mr Universe Manohar Aich was born in Bangladesh. Now he resides in Kolkata and became the pride of the city. He won the 1952 Mr Universe title and three-time Asian Games gold medal winner in body building. His chest measured 54 inches and waist only 23 inches. He is known also as 'Pocket Hercules' due to his short height. He is a happy person with his sons, daughters, students, admirers, friends and well-wishers. Manohar Aich - the pride of Kolkata is being felicitated today by the city for his marvellous centenary. -- A. B.

Best Of Bangladesh

By the audition in 4 regions, 24 best selected will be screened and finally best 6 would be selected to take part in grand finale to be held in Kolkata in June. Aromatherapist Keya Sheth announced it in a press meet in Bangladesh. 24 competitors would be selected from the audition in Dhaka, Chitagong, Bogura and Khulna. The Bangladesh final would be held in the first half of April and 3 each from both Miss & Mrs category, would be selected to participate in the grand finale of Kolkata. This unique "sundari" competion is being held in both Bengal and Bangladesh by the supervision of Keya Sheth. For the final round, 32 competitors would be selected from the 16 districts of West Bengal. These 32 and other 6 from Bangladesh, would compete for the final round. Bangladesh witnessed 'Miss Bangladesh' and 'Miss Dhaka' till now, but, not only Miss, Mrs would compete also for the "best" crown - it was a dream for the Mrs of Bangladesh before

Ladies Special Tram In Kolkata

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2 Ladies Special trams and buses introduced yesterday in the city. Ladies Special tram will run from Goriahat (7.25am, 9.30am) and from Nonapukur to B B D Bag. And the Ladies Special bus will run from Sealdah Stn. (9.45am) to Howrah Maidan. -- A. B.

House Of Sister Nivedita

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Kolkata Municipal Corporation declared the house of Sister Nivedita, 16/A Bose Para Lane as heritage building last year and was decided to prepare an archive there with the memoirs of Sister. But the present owner of this house reluctant to sell the house and said, 16/A is not the house of Sister Nivedita, but she resided at house no. 16 and hence the project facing setback. We know that Sister Nivedita established a school for girls at house no. 16 and therefore 16/A also a part of house no. 16 where Sister Nivedita was resided. At present, condition of house no. 16/A is very grave as shown in the picture. It is under dilapidation. Therefore, it is high time to undertake the house and start the works of renovation as done by the Ramakrishna Mission in the case of Swami Vivekananda's paternal house in north Kolkata.-- A. B.