Kolkata-the city of joy

Introduction
KolkataKolkata ,, formerly known asformerly known as
CalcuttaCalcutta, is the capital of the, is the capital of the
IndianIndian state ofstate of West BengalWest Bengal..
Kolkata was the commercialKolkata was the commercial
capital ofcapital of East IndiaEast India, located on, located on
the east bank of thethe east bank of the
Hooghly RiverHooghly River. The city of. The city of
Kolkata has 4.5 million residents,Kolkata has 4.5 million residents,
and the metropolitan area,and the metropolitan area,
including suburbs, has aincluding suburbs, has a
population ofpopulation ofapproximately 15.7 million, making it theapproximately 15.7 million, making it the third most populous metropolitan areathird most populous metropolitan area in Indiain India
and the 13thand the 13th most populous urban areamost populous urban area in the world. The city is also classified as thein the world. The city is also classified as the
eighth largest urban agglomerationeighth largest urban agglomeration in the world. Kolkata served as the capital of Indiain the world. Kolkata served as the capital of India
during theduring the British RajBritish Raj until 1911 when due to geographical disadvantages and growinguntil 1911 when due to geographical disadvantages and growing
nationalism in Bengal the capital was shifted tonationalism in Bengal the capital was shifted to New DelhiNew Delhi..

Economy
Kolkata is the main business,Kolkata is the main business,
commercial and financial hub ofcommercial and financial hub of
East IndiaEast India and theand the northeastern statesnortheastern states. It. It
is home to theis home to the Calcutta Stock ExchangeCalcutta Stock Exchange
— India's second-largest— India's second-largest boursebourse..
Until recently, flexible production hadUntil recently, flexible production had
always been the norm in Kolkata, andalways been the norm in Kolkata, and
thethe informal sectorinformal sector has comprised morehas comprised more
than 40% of the labour force. Forthan 40% of the labour force. For
example,example, roadside hawkersroadside hawkers generatedgenerated
business worthbusiness worth Rs.Rs. 8,7728,772 crorecrore (around 2 billion(around 2 billion U.S. dollarsU.S. dollars) in 2005. State and) in 2005. State and
federal government employees make up a large percentage of the city's workforce. Thefederal government employees make up a large percentage of the city's workforce. The
city has a large unskilled and semi-skilled labour population, along with other blue-city has a large unskilled and semi-skilled labour population, along with other blue-
collar and knowledge workers. As in many other Indian cities,collar and knowledge workers. As in many other Indian cities, information technologyinformation technology
became a major growing sector in Kolkata since late 1990s, with the IT sector growingbecame a major growing sector in Kolkata since late 1990s, with the IT sector growing
at 70% yearly — twice that of the national average.at 70% yearly — twice that of the national average.

Transport
Public transportPublic transport is provided by theis provided by the
Kolkata suburban railwayKolkata suburban railway, the, the
Kolkata MetroKolkata Metro,, tramstrams and buses.and buses.
i) ai) a pulled rickshawpulled rickshaw; a two-wheeled; a two-wheeled
passenger cart pulled by a human runnerpassenger cart pulled by a human runner
ii) aii) a cycle rickshawcycle rickshaw, also called a pedicab, also called a pedicab
iii) aniii) an auto rickshawauto rickshaw, also called a tuk-tuk,, also called a tuk-tuk,
bajaj, mototaxi, or baby taxibajaj, mototaxi, or baby taxi
TheThe Kolkata MetroKolkata Metro is a massis a mass rapid transitrapid transit
system serving the city ofsystem serving the city of KolkataKolkata and theand the
districts ofdistricts of South 24 ParganasSouth 24 Parganas andand
North 24 ParganasNorth 24 Parganas inin IndianIndian state ofstate of
West BengalWest Bengal. The network consists of one. The network consists of one
operational line and five lines currently underoperational line and five lines currently under
construction. It was the first such form ofconstruction. It was the first such form of
transportation in entire India when it firsttransportation in entire India when it first
opened its commercial services back in 1984.opened its commercial services back in 1984.

Howrah Bridge
TheThe Howrah BridgeHowrah Bridge is ais a bridgebridge
that spans thethat spans the Hooghly RiverHooghly River inin
West BengalWest Bengal,, IndiaIndia. It was. It was
originally named theoriginally named the NewNew
Howrah BridgeHowrah Bridge because itbecause it
links the city oflinks the city of HowrahHowrah to itsto its
twin city,twin city, KolkataKolkata (Calcutta).(Calcutta).
On 14 June 1965 it wasOn 14 June 1965 it was
renamedrenamed Rabindra SetuRabindra Setu, after, after
Rabindranath TagoreRabindranath Tagore a great poet and the first Indian Nobel laureate. However it is stilla great poet and the first Indian Nobel laureate. However it is still
popularly known as thepopularly known as the Howrah BridgeHowrah Bridge..
The bridge is one of the four on theThe bridge is one of the four on the Hooghly RiverHooghly River and is a famous symbol ofand is a famous symbol of
KolkataKolkata andand West BengalWest Bengal. The other bridges are the. The other bridges are the Vidyasagar SetuVidyasagar Setu ,the,the
Vivekananda SetuVivekananda Setu and the newly built engineering marveland the newly built engineering marvel Nivedita SetuNivedita Setu. Apart from. Apart from
bearing the stormy weather of thebearing the stormy weather of the Bay of BengalBay of Bengal region, it successfully bears the weight ofregion, it successfully bears the weight of
a dailya daily traffictraffic of approximately 80,000 vehicles and, possibly, more than 1,000,000of approximately 80,000 vehicles and, possibly, more than 1,000,000

Food
Bengali cuisineBengali cuisine is a style of foodis a style of food
preparation originating inpreparation originating in BengalBengal, a region, a region
in the easternin the eastern South AsiaSouth Asia which is nowwhich is now
divided between thedivided between the IndianIndian states ofstates of
West BengalWest Bengal,, TripuraTripura, and, and Barak ValleyBarak Valley ofof
AssamAssam and the independent country ofand the independent country of
BangladeshBangladesh. With an emphasis on fish and. With an emphasis on fish and
lentils served with rice as a staple diet,lentils served with rice as a staple diet,
Bengali cuisine is known for its subtle (yetBengali cuisine is known for its subtle (yet
sometimes fiery) flavours, its confectioneriessometimes fiery) flavours, its confectioneries
and desserts. It also has perhaps the only traditionally developed multi-course traditionand desserts. It also has perhaps the only traditionally developed multi-course tradition
fromfrom South AsiaSouth Asia that is analogous in structure with similar traditions found inthat is analogous in structure with similar traditions found in FrenchFrench
andand Italian cuisineItalian cuisine, as well as the, as well as the kaiseki ryorikaiseki ryori ofof Japanese cuisineJapanese cuisine..

Sweets
RasgullaRasgulla is a veryis a very
popular cheese based,popular cheese based,
syrupy sweet dishsyrupy sweet dish
originally from theoriginally from the
Indian stateIndian state ofof OrissaOrissa..
[1][2][3][4][1][2][3][4]
It is popularIt is popular
throughout India andthroughout India and
other parts of South Asia.other parts of South Asia.
The dish is made fromThe dish is made from
balls ofballs of chhenachhena (an(an
Indian cottage cheese)Indian cottage cheese)
andand semolinasemolina dough,dough,
cooked incooked in sugarsugar syrup.syrup.

Culture
Kolkata has long been known for itsKolkata has long been known for its
literary, artistic and revolutionary heritage. As theliterary, artistic and revolutionary heritage. As the
former capital of India, Kolkata was theformer capital of India, Kolkata was the
birthplace of modern Indian literary and artisticbirthplace of modern Indian literary and artistic
thought. Kolkatans tend to have a specialthought. Kolkatans tend to have a special
appreciation for art and literature; its tradition ofappreciation for art and literature; its tradition of
welcoming new talent has made it a City ofwelcoming new talent has made it a City of
Furious Creative Energy. For these reasons,Furious Creative Energy. For these reasons,
Kolkata has often been dubbed as the CulturalKolkata has often been dubbed as the Cultural
Capital of India or the Literary Capital of India.Capital of India or the Literary Capital of India.
A characteristic feature of Kolkata isA characteristic feature of Kolkata is
thethe parapara or neighbourhoods having a strong senseor neighbourhoods having a strong sense
of community. Typically, every para has its ownof community. Typically, every para has its own
community club with a clubroom and often, acommunity club with a clubroom and often, a
playing field. People here habitually indulge inplaying field. People here habitually indulge in addaadda or leisurely chat, and these addaor leisurely chat, and these adda
sessions are often a form of freestyle intellectual conversation.sessions are often a form of freestyle intellectual conversation.

EducationInstitute of Cost and WorksInstitute of Cost and Works
Accountants of India(ICWAI)-Head office forAccountants of India(ICWAI)-Head office for
Cost and Management Accountants is situated inCost and Management Accountants is situated in
Sudder Street in main city area.Sudder Street in main city area.
Kolkata's schools are either run by theKolkata's schools are either run by the
state government or by private (many of which arestate government or by private (many of which are
religious) organisations. Schools mainly usereligious) organisations. Schools mainly use BengaliBengali
oror EnglishEnglish as theas the medium of instructionmedium of instruction, though, though
UrduUrdu is also used, especially in Central Kolkata.is also used, especially in Central Kolkata.
The schools are affiliated with any of the followingThe schools are affiliated with any of the following
—— West Bengal Board of Secondary EducationWest Bengal Board of Secondary Education, the, the
Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE),,
thethe Central Board for Secondary EducationCentral Board for Secondary Education
(CBSE)(CBSE), the, the National Institute of Open School (NIOS)National Institute of Open School (NIOS) and theand the A-LevelA-Level (British Curriculum).(British Curriculum). UnderUnder
thethe 10+2+3 plan10+2+3 plan, after completing their secondary education, students typically enroll in a 2, after completing their secondary education, students typically enroll in a 2
yearyear junior collegejunior college (also known as a pre-university) or in schools with a higher secondary(also known as a pre-university) or in schools with a higher secondary
facility affiliated withfacility affiliated with West Bengal Council of HigherWest Bengal Council of Higher Secondary EducationSecondary Education, ICSE or

Sports
The most followed sports in Kolkata areThe most followed sports in Kolkata are
football and cricket. Kolkata, a majorfootball and cricket. Kolkata, a major
centre of football activity in India andcentre of football activity in India and
home of top national football clubs suchhome of top national football clubs such
asas Mohun Bagan ACMohun Bagan AC,, East BengalEast Bengal,,
Chirag United S.C.Chirag United S.C., and, and
Mohammedan Sporting ClubMohammedan Sporting Club is knownis known
as Mecca of Indian Football.as Mecca of Indian Football.[114][114]
Calcutta Football LeagueCalcutta Football League, which started, which started
in 1898, is the oldest football league inin 1898, is the oldest football league in
AsiaAsia.. Mohun Bagan ACMohun Bagan AC, one of the, one of the
oldest footballoldest football
clubs inclubs in AsiaAsia, is the only club to be entitled 'National Club of India'. Kolkata is also, is the only club to be entitled 'National Club of India'. Kolkata is also
home tohome to Kolkata Knight RidersKolkata Knight Riders IPLIPL cricket team franchise. Matches between Eastcricket team franchise. Matches between East
bengal and Mohun Bagan are known as derby macthes and draw huge crowds. Thebengal and Mohun Bagan are known as derby macthes and draw huge crowds. The
biggest margin of a Derby remains 5-0 in favor of East bengal, which is a record tillbiggest margin of a Derby remains 5-0 in favor of East bengal, which is a record till
date.date.

Conclusion
The city and its port were bombedThe city and its port were bombed
several times by theseveral times by the JapaneseJapanese duringduring
World War IIWorld War II, the first occasion, the first occasion
being 20 December 1942, and thebeing 20 December 1942, and the
last being 24 December 1944.last being 24 December 1944.
During the war, millions starved toDuring the war, millions starved to
death during thedeath during the Bengal famine ofBengal famine of
19431943, caused by a combination of, caused by a combination of
military, administrative and naturalmilitary, administrative and natural
factors. In 1946, demands for thefactors. In 1946, demands for the
creation of a Muslim state ledcreation of a Muslim state led
toto large-scale communal violencelarge-scale communal violence resulting in the deaths of over 4,000 people.resulting in the deaths of over 4,000 people.
- Presented by
Saikat Rakshit.

Kolkata-the city of joy

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (20)

Similar to Kolkata-the city of joy

Similar to Kolkata-the city of joy (13)

More from sunnik

More from sunnik (8)

Kolkata-the city of joy