Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Ferry ghats of Kolkata are one of the main device to cross river Ganga. Numerous commuters availing vessels daily. -- A. B.

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Walking on the road becomes more delightful to find a tea stall just when you need. Kolkata always ready at roadside to make the drive full of joy. -- A. B.

After 12 years, West Bengal participating in Republic Day parade in New Delhi on 26 January with a beautiful tableau of Shantiniketan. According to the final blueprint of tableau, the prayer room, paintings of Kala Bhavan, open air class etc of Shantiniketan will be depicted and images also be there. A group of young dancers will perform through the way beside tableau with springtime dress and song "Neel Digante Oi Phuler Aagun Laglo...". -- A. B.

Fish fair at Keshtopur, Bandel near Kolkata. Various sizes, various species of fishes on sale now to attract prospective customers. -- A. B.

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After the holy dip at Gangasagar, pilgrims now returning back home via Kolkata. -- A. B.

Once upon a time Raja Krishna Ram Roy of Bardhaman digged a dighi (big pool) to save his substance from famine. Later it was named as Krishna Sayar. Every year boat race is being organised here. Today, the festival of boat race or Nouka Baich organised here with much fun & frolic. This year's winner is Damodar. -- A. B.

The 3-day long Kolkata Pet Fair 2012 (13-15 January 2012) closed today with much fanfare and joy. It was running at Park Street. So many native and exotic species of birds, animals and fishes exhibited at the fair. -- A. B.

Today is Makar Sankranti. More than 4 lakh devotees taken the holy dip on the Gangasagar at Sagar Island 180 Kms from Kolkata. Last night rituals with fire was performed and before the dip, rituals on the water also performed. Then, lakhs of pilgrims took holy dip on Gangasagar. -- A. B.

Joydeb-Kenduli Mela running from this auspicious Makar Sankranti for 3 days at the riverbank of Ajoy of Joydeb in Birbhum district of Bengal. A flavour of rural fair alongwith live performance of Bauls are the main attractions of this mela. Many changes occurred in this year's fair - about 40% stalls and 'Aakhra' of Bauls shifted at the sand bank of river Ajoy, so the village may spare some space for day-to-day works. Moreover, the riverbank provided 'moram' road. Increased the number of lavatory and drinking water tube-wells. Lights, securities and administrative amenities provide this year for 7 days in spite of 3 days only. About 500 police personnel including females provided at all the 3 watch towers and 6 police booths in the fair. A details guide map of the mela also being provided this year. As a whole, Joydeb mela is running with changed and enhanced facilities this year.-- A. B.

On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, enthusiastic persons, especially kids are flying kites across Bengal. -- A. B.

Tens of thousands of devotees have assembled at the Sagar Island in West Bengal to take a dip tomorrow early morning in the Ganga where it flows out into the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. The state government has made elaborate arrangements for the annual Gangasagar fair began today. Over four lakh devotees have reached the island with around 20,000 more waiting on the other side of the river Buriganga. As there is no Kumbh Mela this year, the number of pilgrims is likely to increase. About 150 km from Kolkata in South 24-Parganas district, this island is considered auspicious by the Hindus, who gather here on Makar Sankranti, which is annually celebrated Jan 14, for a holy dip and to pray by offering coconuts at the Kapil Muni temple. The devout believe that a single dip in the sacred water washes off sins of one's lifetime. This year, the pilgrims will take the holy dip on Sunday too. A three-pronged security arrangement has been ma

Today is a rather special day for the Bachchan family. Not only was it Beti B's first Lohri yesterday, according to a source , today on Makar Sankranti is when the Bachchans are also likely to announce the name of Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan's first child. -- A. B.

The Lohri festival is an annual thanks giving day and an extremely popular harvest festival in India, especially Northern India. The Lohri festival is being celebrated in Kolkata also with traditional joy, happiness and enthusiasm. -- A. B.

Birds enjoying winter of capital Delhi. Migratory birds like storks and ducks are the attraction of winter at Delhi Zoo. -- A. B.

Digha Beach Festival Mandarmani Udaypur 2012 Attractions: - West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Samudra Utsav (Beach Festival) 2012 at Udaypur Beach this evening, which is just 4Km far from New Digha. All the sea beaches from Udaypur to Mandarmani including Digha, Tajpur all are decorated for Festival. Food Stalls containing sea foods, & other delicious foods, various cultural programs will be organized and an exclusive firework exhibition will also took place at Digha Sea Beach Festival 2012. Most importantly, to attract more tourists to Digha, Mandarmani beaches, from now on Water Sports will be available at Digha- Mandarmani Beach. Rose Valley took the initiative to produce Water Sport Boats and brought two expert Water Sport players from Goa.

Digha sea beach is the nearest beach to Kolkata where weekend can be spent. The government of West Bengal trying to upgrade the standard of Digha beach to decorate it as the finest tourist spot near the city of joy. For this purpose, Digha Beach Festival being organised at a place near Digha. It will run from 13 January to 16 January 2012. Various events and functions are being organised to give the festival a grand success. Water sports would be introduced for the first time in Digha, as well as at the nearby Tajpur and Mandarmani beaches. The water sports will include: para- sailing, water skiing, snorkelling, water zorbing, etc. Beach volleyball, beach kabaddi and a half-marathon will be the beach sports events at the Digha beach festival. There will be an all-terrain bike competition too. Live musical bands will perform on specially erected platforms on the beach. The food festival organised during the festival will offer delectable seafood, including local fa

Pilgrims across India on the way to Gangasagar about 180 Kms south of Kolkata, to take holy dip on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti. -- A. B.

A new turn in Kolkata Premier Football League - Aryan beat East Bengal by 4-1 at home of East Bengal today. In the first half, East Bengal was in lead by Tolge's goal, but Aryan scored 4 goals in the second half in which hat-trick of Charls and another goal by Gopal Debnath. Thus, Raghu Nandi's Aryan checked East Bengal. But, supporters of East Bengal didn't accept the defeat and agitated. They detained the players on the ground after the match for a long time. -- A. B.

Although the hues of winter now changed, black clouds covered the whole area of Bengal sky, rains reducing the maximum temperature and the city feeling awkward, - time goes on its own course leaving sweet memories of one's childhood, when the elder females of family used to engage themselves making varieties of pithe-puli. Those sweet days and dishes vanished now. But we've still a longing for those sweetcakes of our Ma, Masi, Pisi, Kaki, Jethi... To return back the lost flavour of those days, the festival of pithe-puli is being organised on 12 January at Rajdanga of Kasba area in the city. Those who came from Bangladesh, will make sweetcakes like Bhapa pithe of Dhaka, Senka puli of Faridpur, Mug pakan of Narayangunj, Andosa of Jessore, Kachi pora of Khulna, Dudhpuli of Maimansingha, Chandrakala of Chattagram, Chandrapuli of Barishal etc. Moreover, sweetcakes like doi-malpoa, ghi-pithe, oindria pithe or mugpaoli will also be there. Preparation of this festival i

Khoka chalu cheez - Shyam Bazar ae Soshi Babu with another super-hit Bangla movie of Deb 'Khokababu' releasing on 13 January with Shubhoshri in lead role. -- A. B.

To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, 12 January declared as the 'Yuba Diwas' or Youth Day. On this day, at 6:31am, with the call of siren, the auspicious moment of Swamiji's birth will be marked. Later, at 8am, two rallies will start, one from Goal Park, and another rally from College Square. And overall programmes of various youth activities, public services, cultural functions will be organised across Bengal. -- A. B.

The Chief Minister of West Bengal just unveiled a bronze statue of 'Bharat Pathik' Swami Vivekananda at Dakshineswar Temple to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swamiji, who was very much concerned with Dakshineswar Temple. -- A. B.

Now the second Derby match being played at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata between the ever rivals of the city of joy - East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan. East Bengal played without any concrete plan during first half. On the other hand, Mohun Bagan played very well, without giving East Bengal any scope to score. The first goal by Odafa was good, but Sandip Nandy was responsible for the goal also. The best goal of first half was by Manish Bharguv - a fantastic header. -- A. B.