Latest news with #DurgaPujo
The Hindu
08-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kolkata's youth, on Bengali ashmita
'As a non-binary person, I find the most freedom in expressing myself through Bangla. It doesn't confine me to gendered pronouns: I can simply be a 'tui' or 'tumi' to those I love. My Bengali identity thrives in Satyajit Ray's films, in the comfort of aloo-sheddho bhaat, and in the Durga Pujo essays I wrote every year in school, guided by my grandfather's handwritten notes.' — Zoya Khan, filmmaker, 27 'Political movements, intelligence, culture: Bengalis have always been at the forefront of these things.' — Pratyasha Pal, a post-graduate student of History, 23 'Bengali identity is the Bengali language, Durga Pujas, and football. The way we express ourselves in Bengali, our mother tongue, is crucial to expressing our true emotions.' — Guddu Adhikari, hospital intern, 21 'We have a lot to be proud of, as Bengalis, like our literature and our freedom fighters.' — Soumit Choudhury, journalism student, 19 'To me, anyone who speaks Bangla is Bengali. There isn't a divide if you are Hindu or Muslim or where your place of origin is. As a student of Bengali literature, I am very attached to our great writers: Rabindranath Tagore, Jibanananda Das, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.' — Riya Nayak, Bengali literature student, 19 'Bangla is our mother tongue, and to me, that is the most important aspect of being Bengali.' — Aniket Pal, voice actor and blood bank staff member, 25 'Bengali identity is everyone who speaks in Bengali, be it in West Bengal, Tripura, or Bangladesh. It is our mother tongue, and that is where our identity lies; it is a shared identity.' — Abhinab Das, student of philosophy, 20 'If there is anything called Bengali ashmita, then it is a reaction to what is happening in our country right now. Before, this identity was more cultural; now it is a matter of ego as well.' — Rushati Saha, illustrator and graphic designer, 25 'For me, my Bengali identity is associated with Durga Pujas, football, and staying in Kolkata. I was raised in Lucknow, so my exploration of the conventional Bengali culture has been limited.' — Pritam Sarkar, studying Comparative Literature, 20 'Bengal's culture and heritage are great, but the current rate of unemployment and lack of opportunities in West Bengal make me wonder if I have enough to be proud of.' — Shinjini Guha, MBA student, 21 'My favourite part of being Bengali is being in love and expressing love in Bangla. This is the sweetest language in the world.' — Swarnali Adhikari, medical student, 24
Business Upturn
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Thomas Cook India launches first ever outlet in Siliguri, 10th in West bengal
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on April 28, 2025, 13:19 IST Thomas Cook India opens its first ever outlet in Siliguri – Strategic move to tap into West Bengal's high-potential market. Increases consumer access to 10 locations in the State. The new Siliguri outlet intends to leverage the strong travel demand from the region. Growth drivers include exclusive Bengali group tours – accompanied by a Bengali-speaking, experienced Tour Manager; local cuisine on tour; and tours curated during the Durga Pujo festival. With a strategic intent to capitalize on the strong and growing demand from West Bengal, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India's leading omnichannel services company, has inaugurated a new outlet in the high-potential market of Siliguri. The new outlet expands Thomas Cook India's network to 10 locations in the state of West Bengal. In its commitment to enhance access and convenience, Thomas Cook's new outlet will cater to the North Bengal and Sikkim travellers across diverse customer segments — families, couples, Young India's millennials & Gen Z, business professionals and seniors. The Siliguri outlet offers end-to-end travel services: International & Domestic Holidays (Group Tours, Personalized Holidays, Cruises, etc.), Value Added Services like Travel Insurance, etc. Additionally, Thomas Cook's AI booking platform assists customers in planning their personalized vacations in real time by checking availability and making reservations in a matter of minutes. Siliguri and West Bengal Travel Trends: Top destinations: International: Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, France, Spain-Portugal, Australia-New Zealand, Scandinavia, Greenland, USA, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai-Abu Dhabi. Domestic/Indian subcontinent: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andaman Islands, North-East India, Kerala, Bhutan. Holiday duration: Increased from 3 days to 5–8 days for short trips, and from 5 days to 10–15 days for longer trips. Spiritual tourism demand: Destinations like Char Dham, Ayodhya, and helicopter aerial darshans to Om Parvat–Dev Bhoomi. New emerging destinations: Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya. Top traveller segments: Multi-generational families, couples, millennials, Gen Z, and seniors (Gen S). Quote:Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said: 'West Bengal is an important source market for us, and we are witnessing a significant demand from the state. Hence, we are delighted to announce the opening of our first ever Gold Circle Partner franchise outlet at Siliguri. Strategically chosen for its central location, this new outlet will enhance our ability to serve the growing and diverse needs of customers in the region, offering easy access and seamless services to our customers — right at their doorstep! We also have exclusive Bengali tours with co-travellers from the State, accompanied by a Bengali speaking expert Tour Manager and the comfort of select Bengali cuisine while on tour. On behalf of my Team, I extend a warm welcome to our customers from Siliguri. My Team and I look forward to co-curating memorable holidays for each of our customers – both within India and international.'
