Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Beautification work of the river bank of Kolkata started last year. And the first phase of the project, covering a one-km stretch along the river from Babughat to the Millennium Park is now ready to be inaugurated on 24 May at 6pm by the chief minister of West Bengal. The original plan covers a 10 km stretch along the river's Left Bank from Pramamik Ghat at Baranagore in the north to Dahi Ghat in the Garden Reach in the city's southern fringes, it was decided at the meeting that the initial work would be taken up on a one kilometre stretch from Babughat to the Millennium Park. The project, called 'Hooghly River Front Development, Kolkata,' envisages setting up of a cultural node in the northern end and a nature retreat, along with development of the jetties at the Fairlie Ghat, Millennium Ferry Ghat, Babu Ghat and Outram Ghat. Besides, it also includes setting up a 'Kolkata Square,' an open air theatre and a 'Water Shrine' alon

NGO Green Tycoon organised a unique anti-spitting campaign on Howrah Bridge on Saturday. Volunteers made people aware of consequences of spitting tobacco on the bridge. They also collected signatures from passers by, who took oath to never spit on the bridge again. The signatures would be forwarded to prime minister of India, West Bengal chief minister and officials of Kolkata Port Trust. -- A. B.

Parineeti Chopra, now known as Zoya of Ishaqzaade, says, "If I had to choose to act in any of Priyanka's remakes, I would love to do Fashion." About her competition with sister Priyanka, she says, "I think I would be really foolish to say that I intend to beat Priyanka. I don't want to overtake her. She is way ahead of me. She is a wonderful actor and I have to learn a lot from her." Parineeti was launched in Ladies vs Ricky Bahl last year, is being admired for her performance in Ishaqzaade. -- A. B.

It never happened before. She refused many awards earlier, even Dada Saheb Phalke award. But, accepted the Banga-Bibhushan award, sent her daughter Moon Moon Sen and granddaughter Raima Sen to bring the award. So, we're feeling honoured also. -- A. B.

In the year 1873 on this day, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa deb worshipped Sarada Ma as 'Tripura Sundari Debi' (The Divine Mother). To mark the auspicious event, every year, on this day, Phalaharini Kali Puja being performed at every RK Math. This night the special puja also performed at Alambazar Math in Kolkata. Swami Vivekananda came to this Math after returned from Chicago in February, 1897 and stayed at Alambazar Math for one year. He also used to worship goddess Kali and Ramakrishna-Sarada Ma on this day.-- A. B.

Bangabibhushan and Bangabhushan Samman would be given today at Netaji Indoor Stadium at 5pm. The greatest honour of Bengal - 'Bangabibhushan' would be given to 14 personalities in the field of cinema, music, sports, literature, drama, poetry and painting, who enriched the culture of Bengal and promoted the fame of Bengal to the world. They are: Pandit Ravi Shankar, Suchitra Sen, Leslie Claudius, Rudraprasad Sengupta, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Sanjib Chattopadhyay, Bibhas Chakraborty, Jogen Chowdhury, Ustad Ali Ahmed Hussain Khan, Ranjit Mullick, Shaonli Mitra, Goutam Ghosh, Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty and Joy Goswami. 'Bangabhushan' Samman would be given to Ustad Rashid Khan, Bikram Ghosh and Nachiketa. -- A. B.

It looks like a complete Kolkata sweep in Mumbai films, TV ads and music. The year 2012 has to be the finest for Bengali actors and filmmakers in Mumbai tinseltown, commercials and even at the National Awards. Suddenly everything related to the once cultural capital of India is hot and happening. It probably started off with 'Bidya Bagchi' and Bob Biswas's bone-chilling turn in the first sleeper hit of the year, Kahaani directed by Sujoy Ghosh and shot in the city of joy. For the first time in years, a non-Kolkata filmmaker chose not to make a caricature of the city and its residents and deftly captured the magic moods of the vibrant megapolis during Durga Puja. It marked the national recognition of two of Bengal's shining character actors, Parambrata Chatterjee (grandson of the legendary filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak) as the supportive cop, Rana and Sashwata Chatterjee, whose 15-minute screen presence gave Bollywood films a brand new villain who

'Anjali Gitan Ri' - the name of translated Gitanjali in Rajasthani language by Ikram Rajasthani of Jaipur, published yesterday in Kolkata. -- A. B.

50 poems of Rabindranath Tagore translated in 'Mandarin' - one of the main language of China. This is the tribute to the great poet after 88 years of his visit China. -- A. B.

Inauguration of lighting of Chandannagar Strand today. The Strand on the bank of river Ganga is a beautiful place and pride of Chandannagar. The mega lighting project of the Strand is now completed. Today at 4:30 pm, the mega mela of new lighting will be inaugurated. The picture of Strand here is the earlier view before lighting. -- A. B.

40 degree C temperature at 3pm in the city and feeling like 45 degrees. So, Kolkata experiencing hot wave. The wind blowing fire of burning sun. -- A. B.

-- A. B.