Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Millions of pilgrims visited Dakshineswar temple of Kolkata on 1 January 2012 on account of Kalpataru Utsav. The event commemorates the day on 1 January 1886 when his followers believe that Sri Ramakrishna revealed himself to be an Avatar, or God incarnate on earth. Photo published on newspaper.-- A. B.

Wishing a very happy & prosperous new year :) -- A. B.

It's midnight. Passed 2011 and entered 2012 with a new hope and aspirations. The city of joy now on the roads, hotels, restaurants and discotheques to celebrate the new year. Lights, songs and firecrackers marking the historical moment of advent of new year 2012 - Happy New Year! -- A. B.

3 January 2011: legendary singer Suchitra Mitra died. The news shocked the city of joy. Then came Makar Sankranti - Gangasagar Mela. Pilgrims across India came to Sagar Island via Kolkata. In the meantime, we lost two famous icons of city - actor Geeta Dey and singer Pintu Bhattacharya. Kolkata mourned but then came Kolkata Book Fair - the annual gathering of book lovers. Saraswati puja observed in the city alongwith Bengal with traditional devotion and festivities. Then came March - the month full of colour - Dol or Holi celebrated Kolkata with fun and frolic. Supermoon came to give delight to the city of joy by became 10% bigger and 30% brighter. 3 April Suchitra Sen turned 80 years old. 14 April Bangla new year's day observed Kolkata traditionally. In May, Kolkata celebrated birthday of two icons - Manna Dey and Satyajit Ray. Then came the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore - Kolkata observed the completion of 150th birth centenary and death anniversary in August en

A brief pleasure trip for the city of joy - double-decker train introduced by the Indian Railways for West Bengal recently. It is running between Howrah and Dhanbad. -- A. B.

Circus one of the main attraction of winter in the city of joy Kolkata. This year six Nigerian attracting kids by their tricks of balance. Once tiger and lions were the main attraction of circus. But due to ban on the show with these ferocious animals, circus owners planning to introduce new items in circus. Those African youth performing the new item well alongwith play of elephants, camels, horses, dogs, birds etc. -- A. B.

Kolkata's first theme park near Jorasanko inaugurated yesterday by the Mayor. KMC decorated the park with vivid colours and greens depicting Tagore's literary creations like extracts from 'Amal O doiwala' (excerpts of 'Dakghar' or 'The Post Office'). The theme park named: 'Rabindranath O Paribesh' (Rabindranath and environment). It is the Dr. Jatindra Mohan Park, near Girish Park. KMC has plans to create more theme park in the city. -- A. B.

100 years ago, on this day, "Jana gana mana" - created by Rabindranath Tagore, was sung for the first time, at the convention of Indian National Congress in Kolkata. To commemorate this occasion, a programme organised at Town Hall of the city this evening by the Govt. of West Bengal. Eminent film director Rituporno Ghosh will conduct the function.-- A. B.

Christmas day - 25 December. And Sunday also; to celebrate the day apart, a joy ride through Maidan area also experienced the city of joy. -- A. B.

Park Street, St. Paul's Cathedral, Bow Barracks of Kolkata started to celebrate the festival of joy and love - Christmas, when the bell tolled 12 midnight. Enthusiastic people across Kolkata now gathered at Park Street and enjoying the fun & frolic of Christmas with jingle bells and within garlands of colourful lighting. Bow Barracks of the city also decorated with lights and kids of this area gathered to get gifts from Santa - chocolates, sweets etc. St Paul's Cathedral crowded with enthusiastic people praying now with candlelights. Christmas carols now can be heard inside all the churches of the city of joy.-- A. B.

Book fair is the main attraction of this year's Poush Mela at Shantiniketan. Literary collections of Rabindranath translated in 26 languages will be exhibited here for the international tourists. Moreover, souvenir collections published to commemorate Tagore's 100, 125 & 150 birth anniversary will also be exhibited, translated in Indian and foreign languages. Tourists and foreigners started to come here already. Apart from this, usual items of rural handicrafts will also be there. The mela is officially open for 3 days (23-25 Dec) but unofficially it will run upto 31 December. -- A. B.

Christmas - 3 days to go. Park Street of Kolkata adorned with garlands of light to celebrate Christmas Eve. -- A. B.