[First posted on Sunday, November 27, 2005]
The chill is never a threat in this part of world. To most, the cold is rather tame. Except for that cocktail of fog and pollutants that hang heavy every morning, winter in Kolkata is eminently enjoyable. Temperature hovers in teens during nights, and a colorful evening is always in order. An occasional soiree late in the night is a perfect icing on the cake. Talking of cake, X’mas and new year eve present grand opportunity to hoodwink calorie-saving advices.
Yet nothing carries more enthusiasm than the picnics and outings in the winter. Bengalis have infinite love for food and travel. And travel they do, to places far and near in summer and puja holidays. How can winter be different? It’s now time for short sojourn amid fun and fiesta and lots of soaking in the sun. The city heads toward that ‘little-known patch of green beside a rivulet’ one spoke about, while people from suburbs rush to fill the headcount in Kolkata.
For the academic, Kolkata was never cooler than 6.7 degrees, recorded in the winter of 1899. According to stats, Jan 15 of 2003 was the coldest at 9.4 degrees in the last decade and half. ‘Officially’, winter is said to have set in Kolkata when the temperature drops below 17 degrees.
As if it matters..! It does, but only when the chill is rather warm. If not, why bother what the met office says? Really so, why bother? My fun is mine, and yours is yours. Let’s enjoy.
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