Of Changes

Today is Bengal Bandh. I must say our state has come of age. Despite the fact that traffic was unusually light today during the rush hour, all private and Government offices remained open including the Trademarks Registry. At my office, which is Bong infested, we had a full house in terms of employee attendance. Triviality for those who reside outside Bengal, but major change in attitude for those who have been born and brought up in the State.

In other developments the old tree at Vien that was destroyed by the cyclone leaving behind a tree stump has now been completely uprooted by the Kolkata Municipality. The surrounding seating area under the tree’s shade, affectionately referred to as the Throne, has been destroyed and replaced with a patch of the same pavement that it was on. I miss that tree. Over the years many have sat under its shade, and then lack thereof, sipping tea while fending of flying cockroaches and big fat rats that used to reside beneath it and become friends. Now its all gone. Just like that.

I wonder if its a valid excuse that something should not be maintained simply because its become too difficult to maintain or because there is a cheaper/more practical alternative than maintaining it. Personally it isn’t cause I’m not like that, but from a state’s perspective. Practicality is important I understand, but is it fair to achieve the same at the cost of one’s identity? I’m not sure there.

One of the things I liked about this city was that people never bothered replacing the old with the new and efficient. Now things are finally changing. Attitudes, as well my favourite pavements.

Also today this space turns a year old. It was started form the offices of a tax consultancy in Bangalore. It’s first anniversary post is being typed from within an IP Firm in Kolkata. Random information.

Cheers.