Kolkata diary
Kolkatans celebrate Eid with hugs, food
On Eid, the faithful offered namaaz at major landmarks such as Red Road, 182-year-old Tipu Sultan Masjid in Esplanade, century-old Nakhoda Masjid and over 200-year-old Lal Masjid in Beck Bagaan and also at smaller mosques. Even non-Muslim residents shared the happiness of the festival by sharing confectionaries and delicacies typical of the festival. Age-old traditions of exchange of gifts and greetings between Muslims and non-Muslim neighbours were witnessed in the city. True to their reputation of participating in all festivals irrespective of religion, city residents donned new clothes and went for a day's outing to the food streets of the city.
City sees hottest day of the season
The city residents perspired and rushed for summer chillers on the hottest day of the season with mercury touching the 40 degree mark on Friday. Despite the onset of monsoon, the increase in temperature has left the people drained out. The people are preferring to stay indoors during the day either at homes or inside offices for avoiding the heat. Evenings are of no respite as temperatures hover at an average of 35 degrees even at 8 pm. City residents are waiting eagerly for thundershowers to return and give some respite from the soaring temperatures.
Football fever grips city
Fifa World Cup has gripped the neighbourhoods or 'paras' of the eastern metropolis with football crazy locals extending support to their favourites Argentina and Brazil. They are donning jerseys, hanging huge flags of the two Latin American countries on rooftops and on walls, and painting the streets with the flags and names of their favourite stars of the two teams. The pubs are also filled with football fans who are watching the group matches over a few drinks. Not only pubs, even confectioneries are cashing in on the football fever by doling out sweets, especially 'sandesh', with flags of the different teams on them.
Protest against killing of senior scribe
Kolkata journalists from various media houses came out on a protest to condemn against the assassination of 'Rising Kashmir' editor-in-chief Shujaat Bukhari in Srinagar. Holding placards against the growing attacks of journalists, the journalists protested against the atrocities on their colleagues across the globe. Incidentally, several journalists in West Bengal were attacked during the recent panchayat elections. Press Club president Snehashis Sur and secretary Kingshuk Pramanik issued a joint statement demanding that the accused be immediately arrested.