Passer-by by Sachin




		With a keen eye for detail and a wealth of description, join Sachin on his journeys as he explores a new city and discovers much more than any other passer-by.


		*The Faces of Kolkata* (6th September 2002) I am tired. The day has been long but fulfilling. The relief is evident and shared by the trees swaying contentedly in the night, freshened by the rains. The roads are silent, not a soul around... Didi (23rd August 2002) Didi has an earthen warmth, her wrinkled forehead adding a few more years to her age and hands that speak of the daylong labour. I watch her in awe as she handles all the customers and her chores efficiently... *Holi* (16th August 2002) The sweeper, the caretaker, the liftman, took great pleasure in coming into each room and applying gulal on us. And then they waited for us to give them some baksheesh... *Underground Wonder* (9th August 2002) At some stations and some of their entrances, there are escalators. As one goes down, a gush of wind greets you. Believe me; it's really cool and amazing the first time... *An Evening in Paris* (2nd August 2002) This city just doesn't know the importance of Irani restaurants situated at strategic corners. I remember the one at the corner of Shivaji Park where Abhijeet and I had spent hours discussing everything under the sun - from girls to religion to studies to movies... *Hazra Roadscape - Part II* (26th July 2002) It's still crowded. The morning cacophony continues but people are now hurrying back to the comfort of their homes. The egg-roll centre is doing roaring business. The sweet-mart shop is closing and the boys are cleaning and washing the floors... *Hazra Roadscape - Part I* (14th June 2002) The balcony overlooks the Hazra road. The bungalow opposite has just woken up. The servants however have already started cleaning the driveway... *Of Leisure, Religion and Music* (7th June 2002) Rabindra Sarobar is a favourite picnic spot for the Kolkatans. Young and old, men and women, all come here to spend a peaceful time... *Saraswati Pooja* (31st May 2002) There were alpanas in rice-paste lined up in front of each idol and some dog-eared engineering books with some kumkum and turmeric hiding the name of the author... *Life at Maharashtra Nivas* (24th May 2002) The toilet is just enough to accommodate a sitting person of width not more than 42 inches. So if anybody fatter wants to shift to Maharashtra Nivas, make a separate arrangement for the toilet before you enter... *Kolkata Book Fair* (17th May 2002) Throughout the week, I had been looking forth to the arrival of the Saturday, when I would finally get to see the largest book fair in Asia... *That Little House* (10th May 2002) It must be having some address - some numbered nameless existence on Upper Wood Street. Though I don't care even if it did not; for it needs no address... *Chowringhee* (3rd May 2002) The weather in Kolkata has been great this morning. Cloudy skies, mist-covered horizons and a cool breeze sending shivers down the body... *House Hunting - Part II* (26th April 2002) Fear of being thrown on the roads made us roam around half of Kolkata in search of the elusive place to live... *House Hunting - Part I* (19th April 2002) Our house-hunting expeditions have now taken us to different parts of Kolkata and a couple of those incidents are worth a mention... *Poverty* (12th April 2002) In Kolkata, poverty with a big 'P' stares at you from every conceivable angle. That the people are poor is an understatement... *East-bound* (5th April 2002) ...here I am, in the land of intellectuals, sitting day-in day-out at the Salt Lake office, doing nothing but yawning. There is a deep urge to throw it all and cuddle in the guesthouse with a book... *Dreams* (29th March 2002) It's only dreams that perhaps sustain me. I keep on dreaming, imagining utopian, idealistic situations, where there is equality, peace and love all around. I see the daily intransigence of us humans...