My experience in Kolkata during a recent visit

So I was in Kolkata from May 5th to 8th for some personal work. I’m from North Bengal, and I’m part Bengali, part Nepali. Back home, I rarely get to speak Bengali — most people around me speak Nepali, Hindi, or English. So I was actually looking forward to this trip, expecting to finally hear and speak Bengali more freely.

But honestly, I was surprised. I went around quite a bit — Howrah, Central Kolkata, Newtown, Tollygunge — and almost everywhere, people were speaking in Hindi. Shopkeepers, cab drivers, even random people on the streets. I barely had more than 8–10 short conversations in Bengali the whole trip.

I don’t hate Hindi or anything, but I kinda had this expectation, you know? Like, when you think of Kolkata — cultural capital, birthplace of so much Bengali art and literature — you expect Bengali to be all around you. Instead, it felt like I was in a mostly Hindi-speaking city with bits of Bengali here and there.

Not trying to bash the city or anything. Just… didn’t expect this.

https://redd.it/1kijsch
@rkolc

Felt disgusted by this so-called YouTuber's remarks on Satyajit Ray. Dismissing a cinematic legend as someone who 'only showed poverty' is not just ignorant, it’s laughably ill-informed. Sharing here for discussion
https://youtu.be/SCX7dUw3bDc?si=100NKLnvMSPCceVC

https://redd.it/1kiphzp
@rkolc

Witnessed an accident for the first time.

Today while waiting for a bus in baguihati bus stop, I witnessed an accident. A man was trying to board a bus on the far side of the road, running with it but ended up under it, head smashed, blood everywhere, spot death. It was my first time witnessing an accident, I felt traumatized. I couldn't spot the bus driver, he was gone, saw the conductor running for his life and a crowd running behind him but he got away as well, not that it was his fault. I quit smoking a few months ago but I needed one today, felt like crying and sad for the deceased's family. After a while, police came and took the body in chota hathi trailer. I urge everyone of you to be careful while travelling and it's okay to miss a bus or two.

https://redd.it/1kiphpq
@rkolc

Fact Check Portal AltNews says Bengal news Channel - ABP Ananda showed Philadelphia plane crash scene as an aftermath of INS Vikrant strike by Indian Navy at Karachi
https://redd.it/1kiunea
@rkolc

Bengal based Jac Olivol new HQ inaugurated at Lower Rawdon Street, Kolkata

https://redd.it/1kixczq
@rkolc

বাংলার মুখ আমি দেখিয়াছি...
https://redd.it/1kj1b80
@rkolc

Bollywood actor Vinay Pathak accused of plagiarising Kolkata Bengali director Anindya Bikas Datta for an OTT webseries

https://redd.it/1kj2a0i
@rkolc

I witnessed protesting teachers near Bikas Bhavan.

While returning from Kolkata today, I felt uneasy since morning due to the scorching heat and rising temperature. I felt relieved when I boarded an AC bus. My journey back to my hometown then led me to witness protesting teachers near Bikas Bhavan, lying and sitting on the road in the scorching heat. Some were chatting and even smiling. Witnessing this made me feel bad, uneasy, helpless, and angry that those who can help aren't doing anything to ensure justice. I can only imagine their mental and physical pain. This shames the city, the state, and its government.

We worry so much about wars abroad, but ignore these struggles in our own city. I hope they get justice soon.

https://redd.it/1kj38sh
@rkolc

Never forgive, never forget

https://redd.it/1kj4et0
@rkolc

Saw this Cab in Jodhpur Park.
https://redd.it/1kj4uhm
@rkolc

TOI 10 May: 2 Pakistan-trained operatives nabbed in Kolkata
https://redd.it/1kj4d5b
@rkolc

Kolkata- irony
https://redd.it/1kj5a04
@rkolc

Now apparently Mumbai (not Kolkata) being promoted to have been built India's first underground Metro- Post by social media influencer having 1 lakh + followers ! Really ! !

https://redd.it/1kj4cpz
@rkolc