
“The only joy in the world is to begin
Friends,
I am living in Kolkata city for the last 15 years. I love this place because it is also called the City of Joy.
I always celebrate New Year with great pomp and show in Kolkata. The best thing is that the weather in the month of January stays very pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold.
It is a city where all kinds of festivals are celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm.
The people here are art lovers and celebrate all the festivals with open hearts. But this time I did not visit outside for the new year celebration. Because of the bad weather with the severe cold, I decided to stay at home and enjoy the day to participate in the function of our society here.

One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats
Today I am remembering that day when five years ago I celebrated the New Year in a different way. I used to live alone in Kolkata in those days. It was January 1st and I was sitting in my flat thinking about how to celebrate the new year. That day was also a bank holiday and I was alone in my flat.
Suddenly, my mobile got ringing, there was a call from my friend Niranjan. Coincidentally he was also alone in those days.
Hello dear, how are you celebrating the new year? — he asked.
Brother, I am all alone this time and suffering from loneliness. I do not understand how to welcome this new year.– I said.
I am also single and want to welcome the new year with great zeal and make the day memorable.
Get ready quickly and come to Millennium Park. There will be a party on the cruise.
But will you get a single entry there?
Of course, these moments spent by you will be memorable, I believe.
I got excited listening to his words and quickly decided to join and celebrate the new year on a cruise. That was my first experience.

Happiness depends on ourselves
It was now four o’clock in the day and I can join the evening party there on the cruise.
I reached Millennium Park well in time. My friend Niranjan was waiting for me. We found that a lot of crowds there and all are looking happy and dressed up well. All are looking as if they are all ready to celebrate the new year party on the cruise.
There was a long queue for tickets but Niranjan had already taken two tickets which were feeling relief for me.
A beautifully decorated cruise was standing at Babu Ghat of Hubli river near Millenium park. We both boarded that cruise while pushing and shoving because of overcrowding there.
The cruise journey started in a short while. The evening had set in and it was getting dark slowly. Decorated with twinkling lights, our cruise floating on the river was spreading a beautiful and captivating shade.
After a while, the melodious tune of the DJ started playing. all are looking in a colorful mood. Many food items were available on the cruise. Listening to the music some are also enjoying the delicious food of Kolkata.
I also went to the food stalls and wanted to satiate my taste buds with the typical Kolkata cuisine.
I also enjoyed Kolkata’s famous rosogulla and then a delicious chaat made my mood savoury. Here children – old people, boys – girls were dressed and enthusiastic to celebrate the new year.

I wake up every morning with a great desire to live joyfully
Our cruise was slowly moving and after a while reached the middle of the river. There was a fantastic view of the twinkling lights on both ends of the river. We were enjoying that beautiful view of lighting making the shadow in the river water.
And the best moment was when the melodious music of the DJ’s tune was forcing the body to dance.
Then the DJ people announced – Hello my friends, do you all want to make the first day of the new year memorable?
The whole crowd spoke in unison – yes .. yes … yes ….
What was it then? There was a dancing floor on the stage and everyone ran towards it to participate in the dancing.
My friend said – let us also dance with them.
Initially, I was hesitant to go there. I was thinking that what would be thinking about this old man who joined to dance with young and energetic boys and girls?

The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise
Surprisingly, a member of the DJ came to me and took me to the dancing floor. The lights dimmed, the music turned louder, and soon people were drawn into a separate world of excitement and happiness.
It did not seem that people do not know each other. Everyone was dancing together without hesitation. Perhaps this is the specialty of the people of this city and this is the reason why this city is called the city of joy.
I also started dancing among those people as a novice.
In those moments I had completely forgotten myself – my old age, my troubles, and my loneliness. I felt young once again. I had enthusiasm again and had a beautiful dream and a will to live.
Really, apart from all these, what else is needed to live a happy life?
Please click below the link for enjoying my dance on the stage.😂😂
Please click the link below for one more memoir….
BE HAPPY….BE ACTIVE….BE FOCUSED….BE ALIVE…
If you enjoyed this post, please like, follow, share, and comments
Please follow the blog on social media … visit my website to click below. www.retiredkalam.com
Categories: मेरे संस्मरण
Nice blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, dear.
LikeLike
Good morning! Happiness is a blessing! Enjoy it my friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sir,
Today, I am trying for a difficult cartoon sketch.
Let us see the final outcome..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Best of luck my friend! I am sure you will accomplish it with grace and finesse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your encouraging words.
How is your day?
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome. I am working on a new painting Sir, all good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How dedicated are you?
Your hard work inspires me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
100% dedicated Sir, otherwise I would be playing golf, which I don’t like, hehehe… hard work produces talent, and I must develop it every day, as an artist and as a human being. I am glad to hear that I inspire you, as you inspire me too. Have a pleasant night my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well said, Sir.
Hard work produces talent. Thanks for sharing your thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome Sir!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good evening Sir.
How is your day?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good morning! I hope you have a nice day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How is your day Sir?
LikeLiked by 1 person
After a nice walk through downtown and the historical district of the city, I am now ready for a beer and for some work… How about you?
LikeLike
That sounds like it was a very special party with lots of treasured memories. Thank you for sharing. Do you celebrate on the cruise every year now?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha .. Not get the time, as I am living with my family 😍😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Are wah!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I can dance as well.😍😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mr. Verma ! Dominique Lapierre & Larry Collins have written a Novel called ,’ The City of Joy ‘. They have used this phrase for a Mohalla of Kolkata called ‘Anand Nagar’. Later on this phrase has been used for the entire city of Kolkata by writers and journalists . But a German Novelist and Noble Laureate , Gunter Grass in his Novel called ‘Show Your Tongue’ has written that MA KALI has shown her Tongue by seeing the dirt of the city of Kolkata . Anyway your experience of the new year five years back had been a Moment of Joy in the City of Joy . Thanks !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Sir for this important information. I like your knowledge in depth about the city and places.
LikeLike
Thanks ! Because I have gone through the Novel, the City of Joy .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Sir, We get so much vital information from you.
Keep writing.
LikeLike
Thanks !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good night, Sir.
LikeLike
I used to love rosogulla. They’re so delicious. Great post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Rosogulla of Kolkata is delicious and famous.
Thank you so much for sharing your feelings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stay blessed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My Kolkata is my nostalgia. Well shared ☺️☺️☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much.
Enjoy the day in the city of Joy.
LikeLike
☺️☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good evening.
LikeLike
Wonderful post. Great photos. You brighten the day. Thank you.
‘One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats’
‘The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise’
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, well said.
The secret of a happy life is continuous small treats.
Thanks for sharing your feelings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are your wise words, my friend. Have a lovely day full of blessings. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good morning,
Have a nice day.,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well said.
The secret of a happy life is a continuous small treats.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are a generous soul. Thnakyou.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful compliment.
Thank you so much. Have a nice day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been to India, to Bangalore, but never to Kolkatta. Is it the biggest city in India? Anyway, thank you for a very interesting read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bangalore is also a beautiful city. Please visit Kolkata also if possible.😊😊
Thanks for sharing your feelings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have seen you on my blog, liking the blog. So I thought I would check you out. Such a pleasant surprise. I loved the good vibes of a happy post. I am glad you met up with Niranjan and had a wonderful New Year’s Eve on the Hubli river.
Best regards,
Zakiah
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, dear,
Sometimes we enjoy the moment that reminds me that life is precious and we should enjoy it to the fullest.
Thank you so much for your visit, I also visited your blog and found valuable reading..
LikeLiked by 1 person