Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Dumping places of garbages in Kolkata being replaced by Compactor - a modern machine. In near future, there will be no places marked for vat in the city of joy. This machine is a movable compactor installed in car. The garbages will be collected and stored on this compactor then the car will be sent to Dhapa dumping ground. The authority said, the movable compactor will run from April. Moreover, stationery compactor will also be placed at the existing vats. And it will be covered by iron plates, so there will be no chance to scatter the garbages on road and the existing vats will be renamed as Transfer Station.-- A. B.

The media exposed with the explosive statement of Guild that the power cut at Kolkata Book Fair this evening at the time of press meet was deliberate as the time of next programme was already up. But the question is, there might be other substitutes to end the said programme. Eminent writers of Kolkata also expressed their views that the awkward situation might be averted. Although the power cut was only for a minute, it was not desired. Later, the eminent ex Pak cricketer Imran Khan delivered a lecture in memory of recently departed cricketer of India - Pataudi. Imran said, Pataudi was his idol. And he learnt how to play test cricket with patience, tolerance and total skill from Pataudi. Imran also said that excessive play of 20-20 cricket is the main cause of failure in test cricket for Indian cricketers. The short over cricket only for entertainment and money but test cricket is the original cricket we should play well. Sharmila Tagore later delivered the thanksgiving

Poulami Ghatak of Kolkata is again the Champion of National Table Tennis for the seventh times. She beat Samini in Lukhnow by 4-0 (11-9, 11-4, 11-8, 11-7) game. After 11 years, Bangla again the champion of National Junior Volleyball. They defeated Kerala in the final easily by 25-15 25-14 15-25 25-13 points at Durgapur yesterday. Bangla again the champion of B C Roy Trophy in football by average goal rate in Shiliguri yesterday. Although Jharkhand defeated Bangla by 2-1, but as the runners Mizoram beat by Karnataka, Bangla became the champion. -- A. B.

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Roadside puja in rural Bengal. -- A. B.

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Kolkata Phul Mela or 9th Flower Fair 2012 inaugurated today at Eden Gardens. The fair will remain open till 30 January. -- A. B.

It's winter, and bird fair is here in the city of joy. Crowded bird fair just ended on 24 January at YMCA Hall of Vivekananda Road in north Kolkata where more than hundred exotic birds were exhibited by the courtesy of Calcutta Bird Breeders' & Lovers' Association. Amongst them, some rare species of Macaw and Kakatua were the main attractions of the visitors. A fresh Bird Fair is now running at Santosh Mitra Square in central Kolkata. -- A. B.

Chinese New Year - Dragon year, celebrated in the city of joy Kolkata with fun frolic and joy. -- A. B.

Bengal's beautiful 'Basant Utsav at Shantiniketan' tableau will lead at the Republic day parade in New Delhi this morning. And the eternal rural harvest image will reflect at Kolkata parade. The picture above is tableau for Delhi parade and below for Kolkata parade. -- A. B.

In the year 1824 on this day, the great poet of nineteenth century Bengal - Michael Madhusudan Dutt was born at the village Sagardari in Jessore district of British India. His education was started by the inspiration of his mother. Two years after his learning at Khidirpur school in Kolkata, he admitted to Hindu College. At the college, his classmate were Bhudev Mukhopadhyay, Rajendralal Mitra, Rajnarayan Basu etc. At that time his poems were published on various newspapers and periodicals. The poet cherished a dream to go to London and Europe since childhood. So he adopted christianity and became known as Michael M Dutt. Then he admitted to Bishops College and learnt Greek, Latin, Sanskrit languages. Later the poet stayed in Madras (Chennai) as a teacher at the school of Madras Male Orphan Asylum. At that time, he was known as journalist and poet. He edited the paper 'Hindu Patriot The poet used blank verse in Bengali for the first time. The poet wrote his own epit

Italian journalist, author and columnist Beppe Severgnini inaugurated the 36th Kolkata International Book Fair (Boi Mela) yesterday. The function started with the signature tune written by Anindya Chattopadhyay and Chandril Bhattacharya, composed by Shantanu Moitra and sung by Koushiki Deshikan and Monali Thakur with unique hand-shadow by Amar-Sabyasachi. Then Kolkata Music Academy's orchestra played compositions of Vivaldi. Beppe Severgnini said, the passion of two cities are same, India was the focal theme of 2009 book fair in Italy - and now Italy is the focal theme of 2012 Kolkata Book Fair. A 6-day long literary meet will run from 26th January at the fair. -- A. B.

The touch of colours before to prepare the idol ready for the puja. -- A. B.

Inauguration of 36th International Kolkata Book Fair 2012 today at Milan Mela ground in Kolkata. Focal theme of this year's book fair - country Italy. At international level Britain, Vietnam, USA, Indo-Latin American Association, Spain, Turask, Peru, China, Apple Publishing International, Japan, Israil and gigantic Bangladesh pavilions will be there. A 6-day long literary meet would be the main attraction of book fair where eminent writers of national and international fame will discuss about the present status and future of books. Bengali version of Severgnini's La Bella Figura will be released on this occasion. The Bengali version of this book is called Chhokher Aloy Italy. This years book stalls have been reduced to 782 from 842. The event would witness the Guild pay tribute to Swami Vivekananda. A children's pavilion would be dedicated to Sukumar Roy, to mark his 125th birth anniversary. The book fair would be inaugurated by Italian journalist, author and

Preparation of Saraswati puja - unfinished clay models about to get finishing touch now. -- A. B.

A few days later, Saraswati puja. But the clay idols are yet to prepare. So, artists are busy to ready the images in time. -- A. B.

Clay models of goddess Saraswati now under preparation. Here are few images kept in open air to dry by the help of sunlight.-- A. B.

Saraswati puja - next Saturday. Clay idols are being prepared to deliver timely. -- A. B.

You must thinking it's a kite - I mean, bird, flying on the sky. But no, it's a kite - I mean, a kite, made of paper, about to fly. In collaboration with Japan, kite festival is now running at Kolkata Maidan. Various type of kites are flying there - just like this amazing one published on newspaper. -- A. B.

Saraswati puja coming near - artists are busy to prepare the images. -- A. B.