Hoogly cruise

Today afternoon I went river cruising on the Hoogly all the way to Batanagar and then to Belur and back. Four hours passed in a jiffy.

I started from the Millennium Ghat opposite Shipping Corporation of India office at the Strand Road aboard a yacht which is the best one available in Kolkata and owned by Karan Paul. The cruiser, that can house 14 persons, had a drawing room, a lounge, a bedroom, toilet, pantry and many other modern amenities.

This was the first time that I was on this yacht. Karan had acquired this piece of floating luxury about a year and a half ago for his personal use. I was a guest of the President of Kolkata Racquet Club (picture) who organised this exclusive get-together for his friends on a visit to Kolkata from Dubai and also invited few of us on board. Those who have been to this part of the Ganges on a boat would know how beautiful the Howrah Bridge, Vidyasagar Setu, Bally Bridge, the ghats, The State Bank of India building, Belur Mutt and other river front landmarks look from the river. It was an amazing experience. The last such memorable Hoogly experience was during the time of the Pujas when Kolkata Police Commissioner Mr Gautam Mohan Chakraborty organised a very small ride to see the idol immersions of Maa Durga. We were also treated to a delicious Chinese cuisine at that time and today once again, at the yacht, we helped ourselves to some of the most delectable snacks and the mishti doi.

Late in the evening I briefly visited a lounge at the Camac Street with Arpita for a small get-together with the cast of Raja Sen’s new film Laboratory. I met Raveena Tandon and her husband Anil and other team members of the film (picture).

I also met June Maliah and discussed about our recent London visit where we all had a whale of a time at the Leister Square (picture).

I was in office whole of yesterday and till today noon working for the upcoming executive meeting of WFUNA in New York. This year, I am the Treasurer of this organisation and there is some serious work to be done. I am also planning to propose in the meeting that the next executive meeting of the UNA Youth Convention be hosted in India.

Let me see how things shape up.

ess bee