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TODAY'S INSIGHT
Planning a break from monotony? Now what, thinking where to go?
If you are one who just wants to go everywhere and wish to explore as much of the world as possible. Let’s make it easy for you by giving you a brief glimpse into the “City of Joy – Kolkata”.
Kolkata has something for everyone from art, literature, history, religion, spiritualism, sports, food, and more that can be said to be the perfect amalgamation of old-world charm and modern India. Every street in this city has a story that will mesmerize and charm you. Being one of the largest cities in India, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal. It is located on the east bank of the Hugli River. After Mumbai and Delhi, Kolkata is the 3rd most populated metropolitan in India. Mainly, the industrial revolution in India started here. During British rule and the Indian Independence Movement Kolkata/Calcutta was the nucleus. This compelling history, beautiful attractions, and mouth-watering traditional Bengali food are all that make the city a perfect tourist destination.
Though you must have a list of places to visit ready yet we will quickly take you through some of the popular ones:
Despite so many attractions in the city, certain landmarks become the identity of the entire city. The gateway of Kolkata - Howrah Bridge or Rabindra Setu, is one such iconic structure that due to its beauty and majestic appeal has been the face of Kolkata for centuries. Built across the Hooghly River, it is the sixth longest and fourth busiest cantilever bridge in the world with over one lakh of vehicles and millions of commuters passing through every day. Don’t miss getting a complete view of the bridge through a boat ride on the Hooghly River.
A must-visit place in Kolkata, the Victoria Memorial is one of the most glorious monuments of India. Representing the resplendent and majestic British architecture which stands as a real icon of the city. It is constructed with beautiful white marble on the Maidan in Central Kolkata and is dedicated to Queen Victoria, Empress of India from 1876 to 1901. Spread across acres of land, this opulent white marble structure is surrounded by well-maintained gardens. The huge fortress has 25 galleries that feature portraits, sculptures, stunning architecture, arms, and armor.
A visit to this planetarium will be worth remembering for the science enthusiast and believer in God. Constructed in 1963 adjacent to St, Paul’s Cathedral now serves as a museum. A series of shows are organized wherein numerous scientific theories and discoveries are displayed which explain the complex world of planets, galaxies, solar systems, and life cycles of stars.
An ideal place to visit for nature lovers. Built across a huge area, the area has various beautiful gardens like fruit, tea, rose, butterfly, etc. The most important attraction is the replicas of the Seven Wonders of the World built across the park. A lake surrounds the park and the boat ride is a must-try.
Located in Kalighat Kolkata, it is one of the most important 51 Shakti Peethas. The temple is 300 years old and the structure of the temple was completed under the patronage of Sabarna Roy Chowdhury in 1809. Atmaram Brahmachari and Brahmananda Giri were the two saints who created beautiful and unique Idols of Kali with the touchstone. Goddess Kali is said to be the divine protector of Earth so do take the blessings as they will give you strength and courage to face all odds.
Best time to visit
If you are planning a trip to Kolkata then the best time will be between October to March. October and November come with an autumn season with clear blue skies, though the weather remains warm and humid you can be a part of Durga Puja, the largest and craziest festival of Bengali. December to March brings the winter season when it is cold and less humid and it is the time when the largest Kolkata Book Fair is held in January.
Where to stay?
Where to stay keeps you worried before and while you travel?
A variety of hotels are spread all around the city out of which one will be of your choice and fit into your budget.
Hotels near New Town and Chinar Park will be a great option if you want to stay somewhere near to the airport or the stay near Esplanade, Sudder Street or Park Street will be great if you wish to enjoy the local market and things around the city.
What to Eat?
We are sure that you must have heard about maach –bhaat, Roshogullas, Mishti Doi, and Sandesh, so get ready to satiate your taste buds with the magic of Kolkata’s cultural inventions. Endless surprises are waiting for you right from the starters to the main course followed by the desert. The city offers culinary treats and for sure you can’t just have one.
So whenever you are in Kolkata on a trip, make sure you go out and relish the authentic flavors of the ages-old Bengali delicacies. Bengali cuisine isn’t just fish and rice there is a fabulous vegetarian spread and an amazing range of sweets available which are the hallmarks of the cuisine.
The new ingredients that are added, subtracted and different cooking techniques set the cuisine aside from any other. The city cuisine is well-known for its exquisite tastes so one by one let’s take you through the lip-smacking full-course meal of Kolkata:
Without any doubt, this is a perfect treat for seafood lovers. When combined with rice it makes the staple of Kolkata cuisine. Every Bengali non-vegetarian restaurant will have this on the top of their food menu. This traditional dish is a spicy fish curry made along with potatoes & tomatoes, usually seasoned with onions, ginger, garlic, and turmeric.
This dish is the traditional add-on at every Bengali restaurant and home. It is one of the most popular dishes which is made with banana flowers and coconut. “Mocha” is a Bengali flower that after being cleaned properly is pressure cooked and later the spices are added which gives the dish a relishing flavour.
Popular across the country as one of the best Bengali desserts, Sandesh is made from milk or cottage cheese and sugar which is molded into a variety of shapes like circular discs, and balls. This buttery desert puts a perfect end to the main course of traditional Bengali cuisine.
The food and culture of Kolkata speak a volume about it. So why wait longer? Start planning your next trip to the beautiful “City of Joy” – Kolkata.
TODAY'S INSIGHT
Moving into a new apartment seems to be overwhelming. But, finding a perfect apartment that fits both your lifestyle and budget won’t be easy. Finding a good home on rent for the next few years involves dealing with brokers, settling rent, sorting out the legalese, building a good rapport with the owner, and what not!
Usually, we overlook some of the must-haves while choosing a place to live. We have compiled the process for you, step by step. So, let’s take you through where to look for a suitable place, how to rent, what to consider before renting, and more:
Where you live is as important as the layout of your apartment. You may find a beautiful apartment at an affordable monthly rent but what if it is located somewhere there is negligible public transport connectivity? Make sure to find a home that provides seamless last-mile connectivity to the important areas of the city, especially your workplace, markets, hospitals, schools, etc.
Shortlist the area that is important for you like the workplace. Accordingly, look for locality and society around. This will help you avoid wasting time touring various apartments that just won’t work.
Whether you are moving out of your childhood home or rented apartment, you will surely bring a lot of stuff with you to your new flat. You must have collected a lot of memorabilia over your life thus far. It will be good to have an honest conversation with yourself about whether you're holding onto certain things because they're useful or because you are emotionally attached to them so can’t leave them and go. Also, you are moving with the family of how many people or you will be staying solo. This will help you make a better decision of what kind of apartment will be perfect for you - a studio apartment, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, or 3 bedrooms, multi-level unit, or some other setup.
You can’t go out and say yes to the very first apartment that you have visited to take on rent. It’s also not easy to find a perfect place with all the essential amenities that fit your lifestyle like a Modular kitchen, high-quality electrical fittings, a good outdoor area, elevator, security, gym, and more in just one go. Give an extra effort to check that the apartment has everything you need before signing the lease.
Also, sometimes it is quite annoying to lug your office bag, and groceries if there is a long walk from the car to your home. Check in advance that is there a designated parking facility available and if not then where you can park your vehicle safely.
Firstly, think twice if you can reasonably afford to live here. If yes, then before seriously considering a house/apartment, consider your monthly budget. Also, before finalizing, conduct a bit of online research, visit the various brokers around, and communicate with the people living nearby to get a sense of the genuine rental rates in the neighbourhood. This will help you save money and from paying extra.
Renting a property in India is not easy, as you not only have to keep minimum 3 months’ rent saved in advance before moving in but also have to pay a security deposit which may vary from one month to six months depending on the kind of property you are renting – furnished or unfurnished and the locality. Make sure to check about the deposit amount with the landlord before you plan to rent the property. However, this amount is refundable and sometimes adjusted in the monthly rent with the mutual understanding between both parties at the time tenant vacates the apartment. In case the tenant vacates the property without prior notice to the landlord, utility bills are not cleared or any damage to the property is done then it is considered as the compensation amount.
However, if you are renting an apartment through any mediator (broker), please check the amount of brokerage you will suppose to pay to rent a flat/apartment. Don’t forget to negotiate the brokerage amount.
After you have moved in, rent is not your only financial obligation. You have to pay for the utilities such as water, sewer, cleaning, garbage, and maintenance throughout the time you will live there. Before signing the lease, double-check with your landlord about who will pay for what.
What if you have a perfect luxurious apartment but the locality you are staying in is putting a bad impact on you and your child’s personality and behaviour? Before renting do carefully consider the locality and potential neighbours. Walk around society and have a word with people about their experiences. This will help you get a sense of the place and the people living around it.
Prevent conflicts later between the two parties by spelling out everything of relevance in the contract. Before signing the contract you as a tenant must visit the property and conduct a proper asset condition assessment and read the terms and conditions in the agreement carefully. The agreement should mention the following:
A legal contract on a stamp paper duly registered with the local authority with all the terms and conditions put across is a must whether you are giving your property for rent or you are renting a property. It makes the process smooth and appropriate for both the parties - landlord and tenant.
Don’t rush into making a decision, consider all the aspects carefully so that you won’t regret it later!