Everybody loves a parade and this was quite evident on our first weekend in India. January 20 was the Festival of Muharram, a Muslim holiday. On our return to Kolkata from Kharagpur, traffic frequently had to detour, which simply means that a four-lane highway suddenly became a two-lane highway to accomodate parades. We would see colourful lines of people streaming across fields and along laneways to join the throngs of people lining the highway to watch the passing procession. In the parade were large brightly-coloured, sparkling-tinselled replicas of shrines carried by groups of people. Music, singing, and laughter added to the happy festivities.
January 23 was another special day which warranted a day off for schools: students and teachers. This day was a celebration of the Indian Freedom Movement. Open truckloads of people sped up and down the streets shouting and waving flags, in plus 28° C. This was quite a contrast to what we heard from Ontario where the temperature was minus 17° C -- and where schools were closed in some areas due to a snowstorm.
The people of Kolkata certainly show a deep commitment in honouring their traditions and customs.
The SCAW 2008 Kolkata Team
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