It
was in the year 2005 when I permanently moved in to Kolkata, the city I
hated. Though Kolkata has always been my destination for summer
holidays but I never liked the city. Every year, during my summer
vacation I would visit Kolkata with my parents, meet all the relatives
under the sun, and update each of them about how the year went for me.
Life was moving on a smooth note until the year 2005 came, at the age of
17 life took a 360 degree turn and everything changed. I was packed off
to Kolkata for my higher studies. Maa made it sure I stay in a hostel
so that I would learn to do my own things and become independent.
The
first few months were really queer and homesickness added more flavor
to it. This was the first time when I was staying away from my parents.
Studies, College, Ragging, Hostel, new friends, days were passing by
with it but at the end of the day when I would come to the bed I missed
home, I missed my parents, my friends. So this was nothing less than a Russian Revolution in
my life.
Slowly
and steadily I started gelling up with the change. Small outing with
friends near the bank of Ganges, Metro and Tram rides.. Street shopping
at Esplanade, gorging on street food. I was enjoying my College days
while exploring a new city. The city I hated the most for its humid
temperature, for its sultry streets, overcrowded buses and trains, its
laziness and what not and suddenly I had started liking each and every bit of the city. 
The vintage buildings, yellow colored taxis,the colorful Pandals and Idols during Durga Puja,hand pulled
rickshaws,the red colored flags during elections and the list was
appending with every passing day. Lately I was actually becoming a part
of it.
The city I hated the most had technically become my City now.
The
city which gave me a sweet tooth, introduced me to Plays and Theater,
my craziness over Foot Ball, my love for antiques,arts and books. It
has redefined the concept of Communism to me.
It
made me to fall in love with the color red and yellow, cotton saris, terracotta jewellery and
parallel cinema. It nurtured my culinary skills and discovered the
"romanticism" in me.Yes,
I am a die-hard romantic.
It gave me my short lived flings, heart
breaks and friends for life long. The city which witnessed my adulthood,
my evolution from a teenage college girl to a Woman.
My
dad always used to say “How far you go, how successful you become but
you should never forget your roots, your place, and your land".
Today
when I am 2000 km away, sitting in my PG room and remembering my good
old days just one thing comes to mind.. Who said long distance
relationship doesn't last? My love for Kolkata is increasing and
deepening by every passing day.
“Home is where my heart is, home is where my parents live”
