#Kolkata Food Diaries

[mysticalunknownflower]

Calcutta Diaries 3: Dakshineshwar Mandir, Ramakrishna Mutt, in and around new town, Thursday doors, Cee's Photo challenge,

This post brings an end to our stay in Kolkata. We were happy to leave the city because we were eager to return home and had had enough of living out of a suitcase after traveling for 5 weeks. To be fair, Kolkata new town, with its laid back life, restaurants serving tasty food, easy availability of rickshaws to take us to the community mall, friendly staff at the Marriott and the sumptuous…

[newslobster]

Anushka Sharma Shares Her Breakfast Diaries From The Sets Of 'Chakda Xpress'

Anushka Sharma Shares Her Breakfast Diaries From The Sets Of ‘Chakda Xpress’

Kolkata’s streets are indeed a foodie’s paradise. If you look around and explore, you will come across a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian treats. If we were to make the list of most popular street foods of Kolkata, Jhalmuri would definitely be among one of the top contenders. Therefore, without this tangy dish, your journey to Kolkata would be incomplete. Well, it seems like Anushka…

[kolkatapersonified]

St. Paul's Cathedral@aditisworld

[sappho-info-qr-museum-display]

Influences In Legacy

Sappho influenced literary figures such as Virginia Woolf, Charles Baudelaire, and T.S Elliot.

The name Lavender Menace is a reference to Sappho’s motifs of lavender adorning two young women who love each other. This organisation used the ‘Lavender’ menace as a driving symbol in getting lesbians accepted in feminism.

Sappho for Equality is an organisation based in Kolkata, India, working for the rights of lesbians, bisexual women, and trans men.

In 1894 French writer Pierre Louys published ‘The Songs of Bilitis,’ erotic poetry that he claimed was translated from Ancient Greek found in Cyprus, written on the walls of a tomb. He completely made up Bilitis and he wrote those poems mimicking the style of Sappho. This ‘Bilitis’ and Sappho fanfiction, if you will, became a symbol for a Lesbian rights organisation called ‘The Daughters of Bilitis.’

Natalie Barney was an American writer who presented herself to renowned dancer and courtesan Liane de Pougy as a page of love sent by Sappho and later became the subject of Pougy’s roman-a-clef Sapphic Idyll. Barney herself wrote Five Small Grecian Dialogues under the name Tryphe, which contains long passages about Sappho. Barney also dated a woman; Renee Vivien, a poet who was one of the earliest modern translators of Sappho’s poetry.

In her diary, Virginia Woolf speculated that critics of her book A Room of One’s Own would call her a Sapphist for its descriptions of female friendship. Woolf’s novel Orlando features a gender-fluid character based on her lover Vita Sackville-West.

In the 1970’s, Sidney Abbot and Barbara Love wrote Sappho Was a Right On Woman, in which they highlighted and explored the connection between feminism and lesbianism. This occurred around the same time as the Lavender Menace movement.

In the Summer of 2000, a bunch of British lesbians decided to travel to Lesbos and have a wild package holiday. They came to Lesbos as it was home to Sappho, who is regarded as the first recorded lesbian. The documentary made on this event is compiled of film the lesbians took on their trip, and aptly named ‘Lesbians go Mad on Lesbos.’ The group of partying lesbians faced a lot of prejudice and backlash from locals, particularly the mayor, who tried to ban them from having their holiday on Lesbos. This documentary was largely inaccessible to the public and lost in archives until recently when lesbian YouTuber StrangeAeons, requested for the archives to have this film restored and available for her series exploring sapphic history.

Sappho is largely responsible for the Lesbos tourism industry. Due to this being her home island, lesbians tourists are apparently ‘10 a penny.’ Lesbos villagers are largely accepting of lesbians as they have been visiting the island since the 70s and providing a large income for the island since. Lesbos even has attractions related to Sappho for this demographic, including the popular bar, ‘The Tenth Muse.’ There are two lesbian-run bars on the island, as well as a massive statue of Sappho herself. The local stray cats hang around these lesbian bars to get scraps of food, making them as reliant on the lesbian tourists as the villagers.

The Daughters of Bilitis was one of the first lesbian organisations to be established, as long as we are not counting medieval nunneries. Since it was founded in San Francisco in 1955, lesbian were very much subject to public hostility, so it formed as a sort of secret lesbian society that eventually evolved into a well known lesbian rights group.

[lsesu]

Say hello to Kolkata, India

Like many of our students, Anooshka Choudhary, your Postgraduate Students’ Officer, has returned home to Kolkata, India, and must adjust to the current situation. Finding motivation to study can be a little difficult, but there’s always a few *bright* spots that make it bearable – like having your favourite home cooked food (aloo paratha pictured – an Indian brunch speciality).

Here’s Anooshka’s tips on studying efficiently during the current situation:

Plan ahead Since it is difficult to keep productive during the pandemic circumstances, I have started making a list of things to do for the following day before I go to bed. I plan my day according to the things I need to do rather than timeslots, so this helps me keep my day flexible. I also reward myself with an extra episode on Netflix, for example, if I reach my targets. 

Binging on my favourite food (aloo paratha) while studying is such a lucrative incentive to keep going.

Stay organised Given the fact that I have a lot of deadlines like every other LSE student, I recently invested in an academic planner. This helps me keep up to date with my deadlines and my progress, therefore, acting as a motivator during such situations. 

Plug-in sessions I plug into weekly catch-up sessions on Zoom with my friends (virtual study groups) so we clarify our doubts and keep each other motivated. This also enables social interaction during quarantine times.

Study playlist I believe that the right type of music can be a powerful tool that can boost your mood, energy, and focus. Find a study playlist that inspires you and keeps you going! Here are a few I recommend, https://www.hercampus.com/school/carthage/best-spotify-playlists-studying

Maintain a diary At the end of the day, I take a few minutes to note down 3 things that I am grateful for and list down my achievements for the day. This takes only a couple of minutes but acts as an immense motivator and mood up lifter

Connect with your hobbies Now that you have a few extra hours per day, I’d recommend spending some quality time connecting with what makes you happy. Personally, I have been spending a few extra hours reading books that have been on my reading list forever and it is a blissful feeling. 

Connecting with my hobbies- reading my favorite author, Elif Shafak while listening to peaceful music is the best feeling ever! It helps me wind-down and focus better.

[naveenkumarchandra]

Malda Diaries: The Joining

It has been a long wait for us in the West Bengal Cadre. 10 weeks into the cadre and we haven’t yet been to our districts. But when the time finally came, I can’t imagine if I could’ve been any more excited have they sent me directly to the district and it couldn’t have been more action packed.

We have spent 6 weeks at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI) in Kolkata and another 4 weeks at another training institute at Kalyani. Though bothbthe places were very kind to us and we enjoyed our stays, but all of us were looking forward to only one thing, joining our districts.

I and Anjana, took Shatabdi Express from Howrah to Malda, the best option as a flight to the nearest airport would’ve meant 4-5 hours drive to Malda, Shatabdi took 4 hours to reach the place. It was a comfortable journey, we got off at the station at around 19:30 and the driver was there to receive us. Got our luggage out, I looked back at the board at the exit, “Malda Town”. So, we have arrived, finally.

It was Saturday night when we have reached Malda, at around 21:00 after settling down, I messaged the DM, that I have reached the circuit house. This place was new, the old circuit house has now become the residence cum office of the divisional commissioner of Malda Division.

The next morning I got up and gave the DM a call and that’s when I knew, it has already begun, “Yes Naveen, I am going to visit a flood affected area, I’ll see you there, I’ll leave in 30 minutes”, said the DM. I was not surprised but yes it was a Sunday and and yes I was not actually expecting it on my first morning but I have most definitely thought about such a scenario. I got up, rushed to the washroom and got ready in 20 minutes. Anjana was still sleeping, couldn’t blame her as we have slept at around 2:00 AM.

I had already called my driver and we were on our way, it was the first time I was traveling on a field visit. Excited, of course, but then I didn’t know what to expect. We have all read about it, floods, and what the administration was supposed to do. But this was different, this wasn’t books, but real life. People were in danger, they were struggling for food and shelter.

I reached Ratua 1 block, it took me more than an hour and that’s when I realised the districts here in Bengal were very big. Not just geographical size but the population too, they were as big as sub-divisions in many other states.

When I reached the BDO office of the concerned block, the DM has just arrived and I saw his vehicle enter the premises just before mine did. I went inside the BDO office, and saw the DM and rest of the block level functionaries inside the office. I met with the DM first and he introduced me to rest of the people there. The DM was very cordial and kind in his reception and response, we talked about my training, LBSNAA, the time we have spent in Kolkata etc.

That’s when, around 30 minutes in, the DM received a call and we left for the spot. It was a 15 minute drive and one could sense the unease in the air. As we approached the one could see more and more people, the crowd started swelling and so did the noise, there were a lot of force and one could see the situation was tense.

We got down and the DM was at the spot in a flash, it was sunny day and the temperature was high with sun on our heads. In a matter of seconds, people have surrounded the DM and as I was just behind him, me and the rest of the people from the administration as well. There were the local MP and MLA also present, they were trying to talk and listen to the people, fight with each other, talk to the DM all at the same time. But the DM has his plate full, he had to listen to the conflicting parties, the various groups of people, reassure them, listen to the politicians and hear them out, try to take their concern on board and also, tell all of them and convince them about his plan.

The issue was that the increasing level of water in the river and breaching of the check dam built to contain the flow. Now a new one was an urgent need but the villagers were split, they wanted a channel diverted first so that this dam doesn’t meet the same fate but any delay now was also very costly as the water was gushing in. Another concern was that of the security of people working on the construction site. Add to all this the relief measures and you get a couldron simmering of a situation made of as many problems as there are ingredients in Indian dishes.

But, my only task here was to observe the DM. It was amazing, how easily he was managing everything. I didn’t hear him shout or raise his voice or show frustration or disappointment. He was listening very calmly even when people were shouting at his officers, though no one even once said anything to or about him. He calmed everyone down and told them about his plan, he reassured the politicians of about There concerns, talked to both sets of people and told them why in his view immediate construction was important but assured that the diversion of channel would also be looked at once immediate relief measures are done. He sat there with them and discussed other local issues, invited them to his office and met with the people.

I could see a mighty river on both the sides of the road, we were in fact at the spot where many such structures could be seen breached. It was a horrifying sight but one which introduced the service to me in the best way possible. It was cutting edge, it was in there, in the thick of the things, among the masses, it was not about an office and a car.

We got into our vehicles and got back to the BDO office. The MLA has come there as well with many of his followers. I could see that he had certain demands and the DM was well aware. It was amazing to see how the DM managed to keep everything under his control.

The day was eventful, the DM asked me to join him in his car and we left back for the city. He asked me about myself, the family, background and other things. I was also curious to know about his experience, he told me about it. It was his third year in the district and he gave me a broad outline about the place and what to expect here. I asked him, “Sir, how has your experience been in the service, on the field?”, he said, “I have enjoyed it”. This short and sweet answer was enough for me to look forward to the district training to begin. As a matter of fact though, it already had. I was out on a Sunday, the whole day, visiting a flood affected area, talking to people, observing the DM and learning all the while. It couldn’t have been better.

[shoemon]

Grandmothers, moving on…Kolkata diaries #6

Kolkata doesn’t change very much, every time I visit. This is the first time I am here, after both the grandfathers have passed, and it has become the normal in the grandmothers’ lives.

For the last 28 years, I have been coming to Kolkata and having a great time. Lots of food, love and family has been part of the journey. This weekend, my brain has spent in reflecting on how the lives in the house of my grandmothers has changed.

My didun(mom’s mom), from my earliest memory, is a super-charged, disciplined poet who kept busy keeping up with dadu’s(mom’s dad) schedule. She would wake up early and do everything before we were awake. Then we would be fed tea, a plate of various fruits, read news to and encouraged to roam on the terrace in open air. 

As I grew older, she started reciting deeper and more personal poems to me. She became more human, as she told me about childhood romances, the struggles of her marriage, and fears.

Few years ago, she suffered a cardiac issue. After which, the doctor mandated 1 hour walk everyday. This walk has now become my favourite part of time with her. Every sunset hour, we put on walking shoes and go around a nearby lake multiple times - talking about a lot of things we have always spoken about.

Since my dadu passed 2 months ago, Didun has found herself completely incharge of her own time - probably for the first time in her life. Alone in a mansion, she divides her time between errands, music, writing, cooking and walks.

My thamma(father’s mom), has always been (insanely) selfless, intelligent and hyperactive. As a child, she would spoil me with all the food, attention and gifts. Honestly, not much changed through the many years. My dada(dad’s dad), wasn’t a very demanding man. He spent most of his time with his plants, newspaper, naps and the TV. Majorly, my thamma has been the boss of the house and everybody abided by her rules. But slowly her kids (and their kids) got older. She still kept serving all of us, as we grew more independent. She used to take us out and around in Kolkata all by herself, but slowly that stopped. With her worsening arthritis, she chooses what she does with the limited ammo of walking she has - and she invests it in going to the bazaar everyday for the fresh produce.

After dada’s passing 2 years ago, thamma has pretty much continued the same life - looking after my uncle and his family. She has also taught handloom classes, and she continues to do that 3 days a week.

For me, life in Kolkata has always centred around my grandmothers and seeing their changing lives works as a marker for my life as well. In what ways do you connect with your grandparents?

[albiabiocare]

Some Important Reasons on Why Small Businesses Must Choose PCD Pharma Franchise in India

Business is a complex world. You should stay innovative as well as competitive, in order to sustain and win the markets. Winning customers is the next big challenge. And before all, you need to add up a sufficient amount of capital, to kickstart your venture.

 However, things have all changed with the idea of a pharma franchise. You just have to pay a certain amount as a royalty fee to the franchisor. The rest will be taken care of by the latter. Moreover, compared to an actual business enterprise, your idea of franchising has probably a low risk or failure rate.

 From being your own boss to stressing less effort on the part of branding, turning yourself into a franchisee is a big advantage in today’s era. That too specifically establishing one of the medicine franchise companies is much more beneficial and let’s analyse the numerous reasons why the pharma and medical industries are the real entities to start your franchising journey in India.

 1.     Demand is High:

 Is there any particular region in India where there is a genuine low demand for medicines? Well, the supply might get disrupted due to various external factors; yet, the demand stays the same. Because, medicines are equally important as your food and water, and to ensure that you are fit and healthy, clinical consumption is a prerequisite irrespective of age.

 And the notable thing is that your brand, as a pharma franchise company, maintains a good rapport, both with the manufacturing company as well as the distributing company.

 2.     Experience is Non-Mandatory:

 If you take a retrospective look at the owners of some top PCD pharma companies in India, you will find that nearly the majority of the founders did not start with sufficient work experience and this is your catch. Because the ‘pharma’ sector is one of the few Indian domains, that does not require you, that is the franchisee, to have on-field experience or medical knowledge about the pathways and mechanisms of all the drugs.

 However, keep in mind that some level of expertise or training in marketing, branding, new product launch and promotion, market, industry & competitive analysis, etc. will be helpful in the long run of your franchise.

 3.     Investment is Low:

 Being in the healthcare industry, though you have guaranteed returns, in the beginning, you are required to spend some cash over the expenses that your business should officially (or legally) incur. They include these, but are not limited to:

 ●     Drug license

●     FSSAI registration

●     TIN

●     GST number

●     Medical licensing costs

However, when you consider a franchise, you would require somewhere within 2 lakhs totally to start off the venture. Low investment/capital is also a reason why many of the successful PCD pharma distributors​ of this gen work for multiple companies.

 4.     Low Administrative Efforts:

Just by recruiting 1 or 2 sales and marketing professionals, your pharma franchise company is all set to enter the markets. Since administration pressures, sales targets, recruitment errors, boss stresses, hiring hurdles, and more such concerns, are automatically resolved with the aid of a franchise. So, you will only require a few staff members for your team to handle the work (s) much efficiently.

 5.     Enjoy Business Monopoly:

Only a pharma franchise can give you that monopoly and chance to pick any desired location of your choice, for the drug distribution. You can be your own planner and executor for the business without any middle management pressures.

Pharma industry indeed is an Oligopoly in India, but in the case of a franchise, the case is different. Besides the stated, you will have the opportunity to select the stock (s) whichever have a good quartile of demand in the respective target location.

 6.     Public Health Stats are Better:

 The supply chain, logistics, and distribution patterns for pharma and/or medicine franchise companies are great in India. Specifically, the regions such as:

●     Surat

●     Nellore

●     Kolkata

●     Thrissur

●     Coimbatore

●     Delhi

●     Mumbai

 Have a bright future owing to the Indian medical domains. With over INR 8.6 trillion (i.e. US$ 132.84 billion) before FY22 from Rs. 4 trillion (US$ 61.79 billion) in FY17 at a CAGR of 16–17%, these numbers prove that having a pharma franchise company in the healthcare industry in India, will be a profitable idea. So, if you invest here, then it is likely that you may get fine returns as the years pass by.

 What You Can Do With Your Franchise

 Now, that you may be convinced with the fact that a pharma and medical oriented business will be a success, here are a few more things that you should focus on as a budding enterprise in India;

❖    Provide a few attractive promotional and marketing inputs/kits such as bags, pens, diaries, coupons, visiting cards, etc. for all vendors, suppliers, & customers as well.

❖    Always update and report all the medical and healthcare based news and notifications promptly in your respective online and/or offline portals.

❖    It is advisable to provide gifts and occasional presents to physicians and doctors at least in your target locality.

❖    Know that specific drugs and medications are banned or restricted in Indian borders. So, ensure that you don’t market the “wrong” type of products.

❖    Though you have plans to start a franchise, still you must undertake proper competitive analysis, in order to not plagiarise what your rivals are doing already.

Key Takeaways

 Medical and pharma industries have the best scope when it comes to franchising in India. Considering the perspectives such as low investment or capital, higher returns, great demand and supply, customer attraction, no pressures, monopoly market, and low administration, these benefits can make your pharma franchise a big hit in the industry.

Wanted to associate and work closely with experienced and legally certified

PCD pharma distributors​

in India? Then, you should ring the experts at Albia Biocare right away. With just a call, you can turn your business idea into a successful brand and make yourself the most profitable entrepreneur among many other companies in the country!

[swag1988]

This is my second episode of weekend diaries and this time we visited a new BONG FOOD JOINT NOSTALGIC KOLKATA..... The flavor and the taste really took us back 2 kolkata and made nostalgic Check out the video and please subscribe my channel EAT&TRAVEL STORIES https://youtu.be/E2XV9pyP5_U #NostalgicKolkata #bongfood #bongcuisine #indianfoodbloggers #eatandtravelstories (at Nostalgic Kolkata) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTJQewtluXm/?utm_medium=tumblr

[kolkatapersonified]

Some beautiful paths can take you a different world.

@roop.dey

#kolkatapersonified #kolkata #kolkatadiaries #kolkataphotography #cityofjoy #kolkatacity #photography #kolkatastreets #photooftheday

[saurabhsarkar]

One of the best Dish I had from Kolkata Trip is Dahi Bara. I had this from "Garam Hinger Samosa-Kachori", a small Snack Restaurant located just Infront of Dakhineshwar Temple. They serve lots of snacks items like Luchi-Dal, Samosa, Kachori, Bhajiya, Sweets, etc. Dahi Bara/Dahi Bhalla was one of the best food item I & @foodiegentleman had from that particular place. It was really scrumptious. For Kolkata Trip Stories, you can have a look at Kolkata Diary Highlight. 💫❤️🤩 . . . 🛎️ Garam Hinger Samosa-Kachori 🔶 গরম হিংয়ের সিঙ্গাড়া কচরী 📍 Infront of Dakhineshwar Temple Entrance, Kolkata . . . . . Tell me in the comment section, if you love Dahi Bhalla/Bara♥️ . . . Keep Following: @TASTEwithSaurabh ✅ Use #TASTEwithSaurabh . . . tags: #foodblogger #foodislife #foodporn #raipur #foodislove #indianfoodbloggers #raipurfoodie #foodoftheday #raipurfoodblogger #foodblogger #indianfood #indianfoodblogger (at Kolkata) https://www.instagram.com/p/CE3PmqXlwsv/?igshid=ex2owgs60igw

[foodfunfantasy]

Congratulations @bhojon_e_jibon your post get featured today... . A PLATE FULL OF LOVE ❤ 'CHALIA KUCH KHATE HAIN ' Want it or not ????? In plate - Black forest supreme (40/-) and choco excess (25/-)pastries from @mioamore_bakery Diary milk crackle @cadburydairymilkin (45/-) Milkybar toffees from @nestle (1/- / per piece ) Sean Papdi from @swissyum.kolkata (60/- for 1 box ) NAMKEEN,Chole and other sweerts from local shop . . For more food updates follow @bhojon_e_jibon For more food updates follow @bhojon_e_jibon For more food updates follow @bhojon_e_jibon . #food #dessertporn #chocolate #dessertplatter (at Kolkata The City Of Joy) https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8ZNeKJ3Vw/?igshid=1er78fo4ooizh

[bengalifoods]

Reposted from @miss_biswas1 এটা পেলে আর কিছু প্রয়ােজন আছে? . We Benagli people are too much crazy about "vat mangso". isn't it? . #stayhome #staysafe #rice #chicken #chickenrecipes #kolkataphotographer #foodlovers #foods #kolkatabuzz #kolkata #kolkatagram #kolkatablogger #kolkata diaries #kolkata_igers #kolkatafoodie #kolkata_diaries #bengalifood #bengalifoods #bengalifoodblogger #calcutta #miss_biswas1 - #regrann https://www.instagram.com/p/B_KCJh2lppz/?igshid=1x9zlpaz2xj6h

[sathyabhat]

Kolkata diaries part 1 - the classic Ambassador taxi, the food(kathi rolls, puchka, jhalmuri) the drinks and live music. #travel #food #kolkata Band in focus: @thegrooverzindia (at Kolkata) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9d4mcnFwsO/?igshid=ox0k8n9bachw

[swag1988]

This is my second episode of weekend diaries and this time we visited a new BONG FOOD JOINT NOSTALGIC KOLKATA..... The flavor and the taste really took us back 2 kolkata and made nostalgic Check out the video and please subscribe my channel EAT&TRAVEL STORIES https://youtu.be/E2XV9pyP5_U #NostalgicKolkata #bongfood #bongcuisine #indianfoodbloggers #eatandtravelstories (at Nostalgic Kolkata) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTJPzpSlEBl/?utm_medium=tumblr