Random Musings of a Technocrat

Hello readers, I came up with the idea of this blog when a friend visiting Kolkata, requested me for suggestions on what are some iconic & happening places to eat in Kolkata. I thought why not take him on a 4 days food tour across the length and breadth of the City of Joy. Let's Experience Kolkata’s culinary heritage over four delicious days. Each day is grouped by area to minimize driving, with breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner stops that highlight iconic eateries (some over a century old) and popular modern spots. Parking tips are included for each stop. Bon appétit! Day 1: North Kolkata – Heritage Bites Galore Breakfast (8:00 AM) – Putiram Sweets , College Street (12A Surya Sen St, near College Square). Start early at this 150-year-old sweet shop famed for its kochuri (fried flatbread) with chholar dal (Bengal gram curry). Pair it with a syrupy pantua (Bengali gulab jamun) or creamy raschhora . Timing: Opens ~6:30 AM. Parking: College Street is busy; park ...

In Bangladesh, massive crowds join Poila Boishakh processions carrying vibrant masks and motifs, showcasing the festival’s artistic flair and unity. For Bengalis living far from home—like those in Hyderabad—such scenes evoke nostalgia and pride. Poila Boishakh , the Bengali New Year, is a time of new beginnings and cultural celebration. Every year around April 14th or 15th, Bengalis across the world mark the first day of the Bengali calendar with joy. In Hyderabad, a city known for its diversity, the Bengali community comes together on this day to recreate the warmth of their homeland. They greet each other with “Shubho Noboborsho” (Happy New Year) and celebrate with food, music, and festivities that make them feel “a home away from home.” Cultural Importance of Poila Boishakh Poila Boishakh (also spelled Pohela Boishakh ) carries deep cultural and historical significance for Bengalis. It heralds the month of Boishakh and thus the start of a new year in the traditional Bengali sola...