The City Reminiscent Of The Past In The Present

Kolkata defies change. This is not to say that over the decades, especially over the 2000s&ndash2010s, Kolkata has not changed. It is simply a city that is defiant to change even as it changes one stretch at a time. It has changed both physically and mentally. The flyovers that continue to sprout like the branches of a giant banyan tree eating into the old fa&ccedilades of rajbaris in north Kolkata may be an eyesore for old-timers. But even in a city where shops close for extended and undefineable lunch breaks, the existence of time is being slowly acknowledged&mdashin dribbles, in data plans, in the opening and closing times of bars and the countless restaurants and eateries, and in the &lsquoone-way traffic&rsquo timings that seem Tropical Prussian for visitors.