Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Everything was ready. Netaji Subhas Chandra Basu International Airport was ready to receive. Fans of Messi eagerly awaited to see and welcome their dream footballer. But when Messi arrived, he escorted and exit the airport through another door due to security reasons. Therefore, thousands of fans, gathered at the gate to see Messi, felt very disappointed. Most of them are unfortunate to get tickets of the match and thus expressed their sorrows to the media. They remained unfortunate to see Messi. -- A. B.

Argentina and Venezuela football team already arrived in Kolkata. Yuvabharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) is ready for the match on 2 September. The main attraction Messi of Barcelona is arriving in Kolkata tonight. The city of joy is ready to welcome him with tremendous enthusiasm. -- A. B.

Durga Puja - 34 days to go. Clay model of goddess Durga preparing at Kumortuli, Kolkata. -- A. B.

Goddess Durga. www.flickr.com user OoOoO The Durga Puja festival is still more than a month away in Kolkata, however anticipation is already building. Durga Puja pandals have started making their plans known to attract the crowds. ... Read Full… Click here to read the full story --

17 September - Kite Festival in Kolkata. The Festivity will merge with Vishwakarma Puja. Kolkata - the city of joy alongwith Bengal, very enthusiastic to celebrate the day. Various colours of kites already flying on the sky. Kite market of the city is being decorated with vivid colours and designer kites. A kite shop owner of the city displaying here fancy China kites to attract prospective buyers.-- A. B.

Durga Puja - 39 days to go. Craftsman of Kumortuli preparing the clay image of goddess Durga, in Kolkata. -- A. B.

Durga Puja - just 40 days to go. The artist preparing the clay model of goddess Durga at Kumortuli in Kolkata. -- A. B.

When the world's eye placed on Mathura-Brindaban, the place where Shri Krishna spent his playful childhood and lovely adolescence periods, remained neglected. After the birth of Shri Krishna, his father Vasudev brought him at the house of Nanda and left him under his custody. But when Shri Krishna's maternal uncle Kansha send the female demon 'Putana' to kill Shri Krishna, Nanda feared and left his own house with family to save the life of Shri Krishna. About 90 kms away from home, he took shelter at a place surrounded by forests and hills. Nanda and a few of his neighbours constructed houses there and used to live. Later, the place was named 'Nandgaon'. Shri Krishna spent his entire childhood there playing with other cowboys. About 7 kms away, there are a village named 'Barsana' where Shri Radha was lived. Adolescent Shri Krishna used to meet Shri Radha at Barsana. And thus, their love affair developed. There are still the house of Nanda, th...

Kolkata - the city of joy also celebrating the birthday of Lord Krishna with traditional devotion and enthusiasm. It is the day to renew the love and mutual faith within friendship of mankind. -- A. B.

In the year 1897, on this day, Sir Ronald Ross succeeded in demonstrating the life-cycle of the parasites of malaria in mosquitoes. He demonstrated it in the laboratory of Presidency General Hospital (P. G. Hospital) in Kolkata. And for this great discovery he received Nobel Prize in 1902 in Physiology. Sir Ronald Ross was the first Indian received Nobel Prize. -- A. B.

This evening, an hour ago, the chief minister of Paschim Banga laid the foundation stone of a new project - 'Beautification of Marsh' at Baishnabghata-Patuli suburbs in Kolkata. Main features of this project are: pavement made of whetstone; pretty fence around marsh; fence of colourful trees/bush planting through surrounding marsh; sitting arrangements for general public covering total area of the marsh; heritage lampshades at four sides of the marsh; the lighted island of the marsh; food court; padle-boat for the visitors; construction of children's park and it's maintenance; visible stretched platform inside the marsh. The project will be completed within next six months. The implementing authority claims that the proposed spot will be a kind of eco-park. -- A. B.

In the year 1939, on this day, Kobiguru Rabindranath Tagore laid the foundation stone of 'House of the Nation' Mahajati Sadan in Kolkata. The building was conceived by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Rabindranath attended the function and within his speech, the poet recited his famous poem "banglar mati, banglar jal". The building is an auditorium with clay models of freedom fighters and an archive itself with facility of libraries. It is a heritage building of Kolkata and many organisations performing various cultural and social functions there. Famous magician P C Sircar performs here. Veteran singer Manna Dey performed here several times. The auditorium is air-conditioned. But the auditorium with its ancient history not getting due importance. Much more functions should be organised there, so that the nation may know the heritage value of this remarkable monument of Kolkata. It should also be included in the list of 'Places of Interest' by Wikiped...

Bankimchandra mentioned 'Garh Mandaran' in his novel 'Durgeshnandini' and according to this novel, there was a gigantic fort cum palace of Virendra Singha surrounded by river Amodar. Village Mandaran of Arambag subdivision under Goghat police station of Hooghly district in Bengal conveying the heritage of those ancient history still now. The time ruined the fort and palace, but many tourists goes to Mandaran to taste those ancient remains still now. Zilla Parishad has a plan to make the place as a tourist spot but the plan is yet to implement due to paucity of fund. The cited area now under preservation. It is now being utilised as a picnic spot. One can find there a few species like peacock, deer, hare and birds. At the centre there situated the said ruins. Beside this, one can see century-old tamarind tree - like the only witness of ancient history. The tree is 150 years old. The said river Amodar is no more, due to lack of reformation in time. But, if proper preserva...

Kumortuli of Kolkata - where clay images of goddess Durga are being prepare - temporally shifted to Bagbazar area, due to renovation work of existing Kumortuli. Most of the craftsmen preparing the idols from there, but with a hope to meet old buyers of images, some of craftsmen stayed at Kumortuli and erected temporary shelter at roadside to prepare images of goddess Durga.-- A. B.

The Kolkata Museum of Modern Art (KMOMA). As the cultural capital of India, Kolkata is defined by its blend of the traditional... Read On ikonotv Click here to read the full story --

In the year 1947 on this day, India witnessed Independence - at midnight. City of joy Kolkata also celebrating this remarkable day with usual joy zeal and enthusiasm. -- A. B.

In the year 1906 on this day, school and college was established by the National Education Board in Kolkata. A few ideas evaluated from the national movement of the year 1905 and amongst them 'unity' 'boycott' 'swadeshi' and model of national education were the main features. Bengal National College & School was established under National Education Board. The main centre of both of them was in Kolkata. Rasbehari Ghosh was elected as the president of National Education Board and Aurobindo Ghosh was the first principal of Bengal National College & School. In the year 1966 on this day, the famous statue of Swami Vivekananda made of white marble was unveiled by the then principal of Ramkrishna Math & Mission Swami Bireshwarananda. The statue was made by renowned sculptor Mani Paul and it is situated at Gol Park of south Kolkata. In the year 1988 on this day, the first toy library of eastern India 'Uncle Lyon's Toy Library' was established at ...

-- A. B.

HAPPY RAKHI CELEBRATION 2011 RAKHI: Brothers tease and sisters scold, but on this one day in the year they come together to strengthen their bond. Yes I am talking about the most popular brother-sister celebration of India "RAKHI". Rakhi is actually… Click here to read the full story --

City of joy Kolkata alongwith Bengal celebrating the auspicious occasion of 'Rakhi' today with joy and traditional enthusiasm. It is the occasion of Hindus, Jains and Sikhs that spreads brotherhood and love for all. A simple thread of emotion with a belief to protect from all the hazards and evils of life. Raksha Bandhan as its present concept initiated by poet Rabindranath Tagore in the year 1905 on this day to curb the division of Bengal.-- A. B.

-- A. B.

The sky here now on Twitpic

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday uncovered a stadium named after the Nobel winning collection of poems Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore as a tribute on his death anniversary. She inaugurated Gitanjali stadium, a multi-disciplined… Click here to read the full story --

Water-logged road - but love for beloved poet - Rabindranath - in every heart. [the photo was taken by a press photographer in Howrah on Monday and published on yesterday's newspaper.] -- A. B.

Today, "Baishe Shraban" of Bangla month - 70th death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. The government of West Bengal declared the day as holiday to observe the day with reverence and love for the immortal poet. Tagore was a poet - the poet of all the poets. He felt and put his feelings in writing thus we can feel our imaginations and aspirations in every moment of life. He was the last word of feelings. When we feel sorrow - his creations are our solace, when we feel happy - we find with joy that he already guessed our happiness and written our feelings years ago. So, no new grief or happiness are there for us to write more - he already written for us. And that is the greatness of a poet's thought. Rabindranath our soul, Rabindranath our life. Today, in spite of rains, the city of joy Kolkata is observing the day with several rally and all the rally will meet at Metro station. In the evening, a cultural function will be held at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kol...

In the year 1940 on this day, the Oxford University came to sick Tagore in Kolkata and honoured the poet with 'Doctorate'.-- A. B.

Kolkata - the 'City of Joy' now witnessing a rare event on the stage of Science City Auditorium - Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar, Meena Mangeshkar and Hridaynath Mangeshkar are among the audience there to pay tribute to the great poet Rabindranath Tagore on his death anniversary. Lata and Asha - both are not well today to sing, but Lata Mangeshkar sang a few lines of Tagore 'tomar holo shuru, aamar holo sara' and applauded by Asha Bhosle alongwith audience. -- A. B.

In the year 1941 on this day, poet Rabindranath Tagore passed away at 12:10pm at his Kolkata residence of Jorasanko Thakurbari. The sky was crying for him 72 years ago, the sky of 'City Of Joy' also crying for him, today. -- A. B.

Today, on the occasion of Kishore Kumar's birthday, an aesthetic park on his name was inaugurated at Tollywood alongwith a resting place for the technicians and junior artists. Here, in this park, one can listen songs of Kishore Kumar all the time. It is indeed a great tribute to the legend as well as helpful for the persons of Bengal film industry who can take rest here. -- A. B.

Today is the birthday of legendary singer Kishore Kumar, who was reigning Bollywood film industry by his unparallel voice during 60s and 70s. He was favourite singer of Satyajit Ray - the renowned film-maker. Ray utilised his voice first in the film "Charulata" based on Rabindranath's novel 'Nashtaneer' with a Rabindrasangeet - 'ami chini go chini tomare'. And later planned to take Kishore as lead singer of 'Gupi-Bagha' which was not materialised. But utilised his voice later in the film "Ghare Baire" based on Tagore's novel by the song 'Bidhir bandhan katbe tumi' which was also a remarkable experience.--- A. B.

Primary project - Baboo Ghat to Baje Kadamtala Ghat (about 900 metres) : Iron railing through the riverside and road to walk beside it with beautiful trees alongwith seats. There will be jetty, museum, painting gallery, auditorium, food court etc. Kolkata Square in between Eden Garden and Fort William. Beside this, there will be Kolkata Library Square where will remain engraved art of ancient literature. Kolkata Gateway in between Fairly Place and BBD Bag. There will be Multi Transit Point at the centre of Princep Ghat, Eden Garden and Fairly Place. Decoration of BBD Bag, Baboo Ghat and Princep Ghat Rly. Station. Two bus services to connect riverside areas. And there will be separate room for the ladies at every ghat.-- A. B.

Today, at 3pm beautification work of the bank of River Ganga in Kolkata will start. On this occasion, a function, organised by Kolkata Municipal Corporation will be held at Millennium Park on the bank of River Ganga.-- A. B.

The legendary Prof Kajuo Ajuma of Japan passed away last Thursday in Tokyo. He loved India and himself was a specialist on Rabindranath Tagore. Major part of his 80 years he passed to cultivate India. And lion's share of that major part was occupied Tagore. He was dedicated to spread Tagore culture in Japan. And it was rare in world history. Shantiniketan was his second land. To cultivate Japanese culture and literature, he established 'Nippon Bhavan' at Viswabharati and India-Japan cultural centre 'Rabindra-Okakura Bhavan' in Kolkata. Rabindranath was his north star till the end of his life. A few years ago, he told in Kolkata in clear Bengali that, he was admirer of Bangla and Bengalee. And this admiration was grew centering Rabindranath. In his opinion, Tagore was not only for Bengalees, but for the entire world. Japanese reverence for Tagore is like Goutam Buddha. These two noble person enriched the cultural and spiritual fields of Japan. Ajuma tr...