We are a happy people in our old city. (Are you?)

We-in-Kolkata love rain in-general. From childish age to day, water-logged streets is an annual scrap-book add-on. We love rain. A home in a city by the river, it's a great joy - so is the city of joy a joy.
These days, it's raining. A summer true in feel has just passed by. The heat is subsiding. It's pleasant. Mosquitoes are also our annual add-on. A part of our lives. This season as well, mosquitoes-new are stinging.
The yellow taxi has stayed on. It's a beauty. After sunset, these appear like beautiful metallic toys in the glare of the street lamps, these are beautiful. Despite the arrival of aggregator-served cabs, the yellow taxis still refuse you a trip, unafraid, undeterred by the new mode. If at night, I ask for a trip with full-confidence of being refused. They live up to my expectations most of the time. It gives me great joy at being refused. Then I avail the online cab. It's such a happy-feel.
People are critical of the city, especially ones who have left us for 'better' lifestyles and 'pay'. They have worked 'hard' to 'achieve' in life. Ones who have grown up, here, once.
Newer patches of once-open-fields surrounding our old city are now home to real estate. Some occupied, some still awaiting new residents. The fresh lots in credit cycles help money business thrive. There is happiness stored in these vacant buildings, takers are earning elsewhere to become complete owners someday.
We are a happy people, in our old city.
Food, you get all varieties, just name it, at all prices. Even at home, it's now possible to enjoy your favourite food with complete pleasure. Reasonable pricing, many believe, when they compare food costs with other cities.
We enjoy variety and look for options in our world limited by strong ideologies and resources - two constraints we have always lived with.
Politics? We have so many options to talk about.
Media? In terms of content it's a 'wow' city. But you need eyes to see. Only some see it. Others see and yet ignore it. Perhaps we don't have the routine crime stories so 'strong' to feed broadcast production every day. The 'prime time': we are important at least once a week! There are wonderful stories for rest of the country. Some in city get angry, some hyper at nationally-reported stories. Some laugh while watching.
But city of joy is loved by all, no matter which side of the fence the critics sit. Every one has some Kolkata-connect.

We are a happy people, in our old city. (Are you?)

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Photo by Aditya Chinchure on Unsplash