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Time of India
17 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Shopping Para Gariahat
1 2 3 4 The Gariahat neighbourhood, a microcosm of the city's history, commerce, culture and daily life, has evolved with the onslaught of times but its lively and dynamic environment characterized by shopping on pavements as well as din and bustle has not changed over the last several decades. With the cacophony of street vendors in the backdrop, Gariahat, pulsating with commerce and culture, encapsulates daily rhythms of life. The area, spread over Ballygunge, Golpark and Rashbehari, evolved over the years with high-rises, malls, restaurants, cafes and branded retail outlets. The 9.3km Gariahat Road serves as a lifeline of south Kolkata, cutting through localities like Ballygunge, Dhakuria and Jodhpur Park. ORIGIN The area, including Gariahat and Ballygunge, was once part of Dihi Panchannagram, a cluster of villages purchased by the East India Company in 1758 after the fall of the then Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah. The major part of Gariahat neighbourhood falls in Ballygunge and after the opening of the suburban railway connectivity in 1862, middle class educated people settled in this locality. In the 19th century, the Gariahat market was set up as a small market and has since grown into one of the biggest markets on the southern fringes of the city. Famous personalities like poet Jibanananda Das, writer Sunil Gangopadhyay, politician Subrata Mukherjee, yesteryear actors Suchitra Sen, Bikash Roy and Pahari Sanyal were associated with this place. BIG COMMERCIAL HUB Being a shopping district, Gariahat presents a kaleidoscopic view of the city's dynamism. The pavements of the area serve as shoppers' paradise, from garments, saris, handicraft items to other household items. Over 3,000 hawkers or street vendors run their stalls on both sides of the road at the market visited by thousands of shoppers daily. During the festive times like Durga Puja or Poila Baisakh, the customers' turnout swells nearly three times. The fish market at Gariahat is known for its wide variety. The Dakshinapan Shopping Centre situated on Gariahat Road near Dhakuria was set up by Kolkata Improvement Trust in 1988 with 141 shops selling mostly garments and handicrafts. In the past one decade, several malls sprang up in this prominent shopping district of the city. Septuagenarian Rekha Lodha, who has been living in the Gariahat area for over four decades, said, "From my younger days I preferred buying sarees from Gariahat, a place where a woman can shop till she drops. Whenever guests come to stay in my house, they don't give a miss to shopping in Gariahat, which is so popular among the residents of other states as well." The road heading towards Ballygunge station from Gariahat crossing has turned into a jewellery hub with branded showrooms and standalone shops on the lines of central Kolkata's Bowbazar. TRANSFORMATION The first makeover of Gariahat came with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation's Operation Sunshine, a drive to evict illegal hawkers to free up pavements and carriageways. Earlier, the encroachments spilled on to median dividers and pavements, narrowing down the space for pedestrian and vehicular movement. The second transformation came in 2002 with the construction of a 571-metre Gariahat flyover that changed the appearance of the area. Also it resulted in the abolition of a cobweb of tram tracks near the crossing. The Gariahat tram depot that was set up in 1943 used to operate services on different routes like Dalhousie Square, Bidhannagar, Howrah, Kalighat, Behala, Joka and Galiff Street. Today the 25 no. route tram service between Gariahat and Esplanade is operational, although the number of cars has dipped over the years. Manju Baid (68), a resident of Purna Das Road near Gariahat market, said, "I have a soft corner for tramways in this area as it is the most convenient and easily available transport. I still avail myself of the Gariahat-Esplanade service to go to Park Circus or Chandni market." REALTY DEVELOPMENT The skyline of Gariahat started changing in the 1980s with the development of residential projects Rajwadi Complex. Over the past two decades several high-rises like Megh Malhar Apartment and Nilanjan Apartment came up there while various real estate developers, including PS Group, Mani Group and Orbit Group built projects in Ekdalia and other localities of Gariahat. Several old buildings at Ekdalia, Dover Lane, Mandeville Gardens, Hindustan Park and Triangular Park localities have been razed, making way for new apartments. Despite booming realty, many century-old private properties are still well-maintained there, thereby presenting a slice of old south Kolkata. Sunita Mussadi, a Ballygunge Circular Road resident, said, "While the charms of old Kolkata are getting wiped out in many parts of the city, Gariahat still presents a fusion of the old and the new. Here you can find century-old buildings as well as new high-rises; old shops as well as new swanky stores. This area contains a unique blend of tradition and evolution." SOCIAL LIFE For south Kolkatans, Gariahat has been a prominent attraction for addas and socializing since the time when roadside tea stalls and small eateries were the only hangout zone. Of late, several snazzy cafes and restaurants have come up there and the adda zone of the locality remains intact even among tech-savvy youngsters. Along with old-timers, the area has a significant footfall of youngsters studying in different educational institutions like Basanti Devi College, South Point High School and The BSS School. Anjan Chatterjee, chairman and managing director of Speciality Restaurant Ltd, said, "I may live in Mumbai and visit London frequently but my bond with Gariahat remains as strong as ever in the past five decades. Gariahat was a meeting point for our local friends and we still maintain this. I have lived in Jadavpur, then Dover Lane followed by Gurusaday Road. Even today when I go to Kolkata, I catch up with my friends in the Gariahat area. " Debasish Kumar, Trinamool Congress MLA and KMC councillor, said, "The Gariahat area always evokes nostalgia in me. There was a time when we used to have addas at local tea stalls and would share one 'bhand' tea with friends because of less pocket money. Now time has changed and addas at tea stall have moved to swanky coffee shops." FOOD, CULTURE & GAME Apart from shopping melange, the locality is also known for its cultural mosaic. The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark, set up in 1961 — the most popular place in the city for learning foreign languages — has brought the area under a cultural enclave. Gariahat caters to gastronomic cravings of foodies in the city. From street stalls selling 'phuchkas' and 'kathi rolls' to restaurants preparing different cuisines, this area serves everyone's palate. The space under Gariahat flyover hosts an open air public chess playing arena. In the evening, people assemble at the chess corner and play the game. Abhijit Sadhu, a resident of Triangular Park, said, "Watching the game and having addas with friends over tea in 'bhand' (earthen pot) under the flyover in the evening has been my weekend schedule for over the last 20 years."
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
'Op Sindoor' not over yet: Modi
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said 'Operation Sindoor' was far from over and warned that India would continue to exact a heavy price on those who sponsor terrorism, asserting that Pakistan has already been hit "three times inside its home." Addressing a rally in West Bengal since the launch of 'Operation Sindoor' earlier this month, the PM invoked the region's deep cultural and emotional connection with 'sindoor'. To reinforce India's hardened stance against terrorism, he referred to the traditional ritual of 'Sindoor Khela' observed by Bengali women during Durga Puja. "Now that I am standing on the sacred land of 'Sindoor Khela', it is only right that we speak about a new resolve against terrorism 'Operation Sindoor'," Modi said to loud cheers. He added, "On April 22, the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam shook the nation. The pain and anger felt across West Bengal were deeply understood. I could feel your outrage. The terrorists dared to wipe off 'sindoor' from the foreheads of our sisters. But our brave soldiers made them realise the power of that sindoor'." "From this land of Bengal, I, on behalf of 140 crore Indians, declare that 'Operation Sindoor' is not over yet," Modi said. "There was a lot of anger in West Bengal, too, after the barbarity committed by terrorists in Pahalgam. I understood very well the anger and rage that was within you. The terrorists dared to wipe away the 'sindoor' of our sisters. Our army made them realise the power of 'sindoor'," he reiterated. 'Operation Sindoor' was launched by India on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The operation involved precision strikes on terror infrastructure across the border in Pakistan. Asserting India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, Modi said, "After the Pahalgam attack, India has told the world that if there is a terrorist attack on India, the enemy will have to pay a heavy price for it. Pakistan should understand that we have entered your house and killed you three times." While the PM did not spell out the details of the three instances, his remarks are being widely interpreted as a reference to the 2016 surgical strikes following the Uri terror attack, the 2019 Balakot air strikes after the Pulwama bombing, and the recent cross-border strikes as part of 'Operation Sindoor'. "We destroyed cross-border terror infrastructure, which Pakistan had never thought of. We have hit Pakistan thrice inside their homes," he said. In a direct rebuke to Islamabad's military establishment, the PM accused Pakistan of institutionalising terrorism. "Terrorism and mass murder are the biggest expertise of the Pakistani army, because whenever there is an open war, they face defeat," he added.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
PM Modi sounds poll bugle in West Bengal, tears into Didi's 'nirmam' government
PM Modi PM Modi repeatedly called out Bengal's "nirmam sarkar (cruel government)" at a public meeting in Alipurduar, signalling BJP's strategy for 2026 assembly elections. Modi devoted over half his 35-minute speech to attacking Trinamool on issues ranging from teachers' recruitment scam to recent violent anti-Waqf law protests in Murshidabad. But the loudest cheers came when he shifted focus to Operation Sindoor. "I have come to the land that celebrates sindoor khela," Modi said, referencing a Durga Puja ritual. "Every terrorist strike comes at a cost. We entered their homes thrice and struck. We worship Shakti and Mahishasurmardini," he said. "People in Bengal were angry after the terrorist attack and I could understand your anger. Terrorists wiped out our sisters' sindoor, but our soldiers taught them sindoor's power," Modi said. "They (Pakistan) attacked us after Partition. They raped women and terrorised people of Bangladesh. Pakistani soldiers are experts in genocide and spreading terror but fail in real battles. That's why they rely on terror," he said. The PM then returned to Bengal's political landscape, linking the violence in Murshidabad and Malda with what he called TMC's cruelty toward its people. "Whatever happened in Murshidabad and Malda was an example of this cruelty. Goons ruled in the name of appeasement. MLAs marked households and they were burned as police stood by. The administration is cruel and indifferent. Bangla-r chitkar, lagbe na nirmam sarkar (Bengal's cry: we don't want this cruel govt)," he said. He criticised teachers' recruitment scam, claiming middle class and poor were the worst hit. "Trinamool has pushed hundreds of families to the brink, destroyed the education system, and ruined the future of lakhs of children," he said. "Society is torn by violence and lawlessness. Women are unsafe," Modi said.
The Print
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Mamata rips into PM Modi for ‘politicising' Op Sindoor—‘hold elections tomorrow if you have the guts'
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief's scathing remarks came at a press conference held just minutes after Modi, addressing a rally in West Bengal, referenced the cultural and religious significance of sindoor (vermillion) in the state, highlighting a ritual performed by Bengali women during Durga Puja. Referring to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who was tasked with holding press briefings on Operation Sindoor during the India-Pakistan conflict, Mamata alleged that the Prime Minister selectively invokes India's pluralist ethos when it suits him, while weaponising religion for political gain at other times. New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a no-holds-barred attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday, accusing him of 'weakening' India's fight against cross-border terrorism by 'politicising' Operation Sindoor, even as multi-party delegations travel abroad to secure the country's interests. 'Please remember that every woman respects sindoor. They take sindoor from their husbands. You (PM) are not the husband of everybody. Why don't you give sindoor to your Mrs first? Sorry to say, I should not go into all these matters, but you compel us. You compel us to open our mouths by calling for Operation Bengal like Operation Sindoor,' Mamata said, adding that the operation was named Sindoor for political gain. According to the West Bengal CM, during the rally held in Alipurduar in North Bengal, some BJP leaders—speaking in the Prime Minister's presence—reportedly claimed that 'Operation Bengal' would lead to the defeat of the Trinamool Congress, just as Operation Sindoor neutralised terrorists in Pakistan. 'Through his statement he has compared terrorists with the soil of Bengal, the dignity of women of Bengal. What does he think of himself? He thinks he can get away by saying anything he wants? By doing whatever he wants? If he wants to carry out Operation Bengal like Operation Sindoor, I dare him to hold elections tomorrow…they should hold elections tomorrow if they have the guts,' the TMC supremo said. Mamata also took another swipe at Modi saying he may not be holding the PM's post by the time elections are held in West Bengal in 2026 as he had himself spoken about retirement from public life after turning 75. 'At one point he used to call himself a tea-seller, then he called himself a security guard and now he wants to sell sindoor. Sindoor cannot be sold like this. Sindoor symbolises the self-respect and dignity of women. Is he not ashamed? Blue films are playing out on the streets of Uttar Pradesh (a reference to MP highway sex scandal). One BJP MP blamed the widows of Pahalgam for failing to resist the terrorists,' she added. At the Alipurduar rally earlier in the day, Modi attacked Mamata's government over the Murshidabad riots and the teacher recruitment scam, accusing it of fostering violence, corruption and lawlessness. The people of Bengal are desparate to oust the 'nirmam sarkar' (cruel government), he added. Accusing Modi of indulging in relentless publicity campaigns, Mamata said that while the Indian armed forces were the country's asset, the PM was akin to a 'cassette'. She also sniped at the PM referring to US President Donald Trump's claim that he brokered the truce between India and Pakistan. 'You cannot utter a word on what America says.' 'You conspire against the opposition, create divisions between communities. You play divisive politics. But when you travel to Saudi Arabia, you embrace the Sheikhs. Then you don't see a Hindu from a Muslim. During the conflict, you get Colonel Qureshi to hold press conferences. Hindu and Muslim do not matter for you then,' Mamata went on to say. The PM has weakened the fight of our motherland, she added. 'All opposition parties are lending support to you and you are disrespecting them. Shame on you and shame on your government and shame on the BJP.' (Edited by Gitanjali Das) Also Read: BJP-led NDA outlines game plan at key meet—Op Sindoor, caste census, Emergency & best practices
Mint
3 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
'We have entered your house, killed you thrice': PM Modi to Pakistan at Bengal rally
In a stern warning to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a rally in Alipurduar city of West Bengal, declared that Operation Sindoor is far from over, referring that the mission will continue until its objectives are fully achieved. PM Modi said by declaring that Operation Sindoor is 'not over yet', he was voicing the resolve of 140 crore Indians, underlining the national significance of the operation. Speaking of Operation Sindoor which was launched on May 7 when Indian military forces struck nine terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), PM Modi said India destroyed cross-border terror infrastructure, 'which Pakistan never thought of.' The prime minister also invoked Bengal's deep cultural and emotional connection with 'sindoor' [vermillion], referring to the traditional ritual of 'Sindoor Khela' during Durga Puja. Also Read | Operation Sindoor: Who are the Indian Army officers behind the logo? "Now that I am standing on the sacred land of 'Sindoor Khela', it is only right that we speak about a new resolve against terrorism 'Operation Sindoor…. Terrorists had dared to wipe out sindoor of our sisters, but our forces made them realise strength of sindoor. From this land of Bengal, I declare on behalf of 140 crore Indians that Operation Sindoor is not yet over,' PM Modi said. Asserting India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, PM Modi said, 'After the Pahalgam attack, India has told the world that if there is a terrorist attack on India, the enemy will have to pay a heavy price for it.'
