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Kolkata
WORK
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
Calcutta
is a very firmly a Bengali city. The influence of Bengali culture
is seen in every aspect. However, since there are a large number
of other people too, the Calcuttan is quite sophisticated , not
regionalistic, in approach. Biharis and Marwadis are prominent.
Nepalis and some north east peoples also feel at home. Fairly
large numbers of people from other parts of India have made Calcutta
their home.
It
is said, "if you can manage to live in Calcutta for two months...you
won't feel at home anywhere else, you've been captured by the
Calcutta bug."
There
are innumerable instances of people from other cities who live
for a while in Cal, complain about EVERYTHING all the time, leave
at the earliest possible opportunity ..and are seen to quietly
come back when they chance comes and settle in Cal for good. And
these are not the Arty-culture types but hard headed business
executives!
Overall
Calcutta may have declined , but the intellectual and cultural
level of the population as a whole is MUCH HIGHER than anywhere
else in India even today.
The
Work culture of Calcutta usually gets criticised.
It
is true to some extent: there is a combination of very high skills
and sheer laziness. Those who work, do so very hard. Others have
a grouse that they are ill paid and consequently take it easy.
Rivalry among unions and political parties has worsened this situation.
While things are changing for the better overall, traces of the
old-gentry-landlord-culture still remain, in spite of the communist
influence. It is called "bhadra lok" culture. (Correction: It
is one and the same!)
People
are allowed to do their own thing and slightly off beat types
are appreciated, too. People have a great sense of humour. Calcutta
women rule, say ladies from Cal. (Women are quite unselfconsciously
active in social and public matters.) There seems to be a great
deal of leisure, with fierce animated discussions on various topics
at tea shops and street corners. (They wouldn't come to blows--they
are actually old friends, much to the disappointment of tourists)
Who
is Calcutta good for, in terms of relocating?
Given
the pace of the city, the amenities, the services and so on, "Calcutta
is excellent for middle level professionals who have put in a
hard ten years or more and now wish to enjoy the fruits of hard
work." It is also excellent for spouses for the same reason. "Family
life and togetherness is possible in Calcutta to a degree more
than in a city like Mumbai ". Children get a broad education and
exposure to values. Those who hail from a joint family background
seem to like Calcutta. Group activities are numerous. (This is
not the case in Mumbai for instance). People seem to have more
spare time, and many avenues to spend it.
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