Remembering Kolkata Maidan – the heart of the city

Calcutta (or Kolkata), was founded in 1690 by Job Charnok and the city celebrated its tercentenary a few years back. It had been a red bastion for 34 years and the Trinamool Congress took over the reins in 2011.
Those in power love to weave dreams and, it is gradually waking up to the reality that the city needs a lot of more attention to compete with other Indian cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi or Chennai or foreign cities like Singapore and Hong Kong. Leaders want to make Kolkata into another London while the citizens wait for better, pothole free roads.
The Metro rail has infused some blood into the dying arteries of Kolkata as did the circular rail, the second Hoogly Bridge and a number of flyovers. But the fact remains that people who matter shy away from investing in the city because of the attitude of those in power and the red tapes and policies that continue to choke the best of intentions. Bengalis have been branded as intellectuals – a thinking not necessarily shared by others. Moreover, Bengalis are fond of white collar jobs and are said to abhor any activity where intelligence is not required. It is generally believed Bengalis consider themselves to be poets and novelists par excellence.
They also adore good foods which very seldom match with their constitution and proof of this lies in the number of medicines available in the market to cater to various types of illness associated with such disorders.
Another love of Bengalis are fairs and exhibitions like the book fair, textile fair, and leather exhibition. But, this is not about the likes and dislikes of Bengalis. This is about the Kolkata Maidan – a vast expanse of greenery that is fondly called the heart of the city.
Anyone who has visited Kolkata and not dropped by the Maidan has committed a crime of sorts because, even today, this place is one where there are sports clubs and used to be considered to be the breeding ground of footballers and cricketers.
Way back in the fifties and the sixties, a tram ride through the pollution free environments of the Maidan was a really satisfying experience. Greenery and open space on one side and the landscape of a bustling city on the other side!
However, over the years, it has lost its sheen. It was and still is being abused no end in spite of protests by environmentalists. Invaders have ravaged its innocence and choked its breath because unauthorized stalls cropped up in every nook and corner overnight. These, in due course of time, earned official patronage to become authorized.
In addition to this, the serenity of its surroundings was broken by the din and clamor of rickety State Transport buses even as burnt diesel devastated its natural beauty. Trees and bushes that were once planted by the city fathers to maintain the equilibrium of Nature just rotted away. In addition to these happenings, the construction of the underground railway system fondly known as the Metro rail snatched large portions of the Maidan to accommodate the infrastructure.
In the bargain, the size of the Maidan reduced and, to compensate this loss, the Millennium Park was created on the banks of the Ganga.
Another loss for Calcutta was the horse-drawn carriages that would be in front of the Victoria Memorial – the place where young and old alike could jog along and inhale fresh air in the mornings. Alas, nowadays, one has to pay an entrance fee to enter its grounds.