jayaraman
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Kolkata (formerly Calcutta ) is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in eastern India on the east bank of the River Hooghly. The city has a population of almost 5 million, with an extended metropolitan population of over 14 million, making it the third-largest urban agglomeration and the fourth-largest city in India.
The city served as the capital in India during the British Raj until 1911. Once the centre of modern education, science, culture and politics in India, Kolkata witnessed economic stagnation in the years following India's independence in 1947. Since 2000 however, an economic rejuvenation has arrested the morbid decline, leading to a spurt in the city's growth. Like other large cities, Kolkata continues to struggle with urbanisation problems like poverty, pollution and traffic congestion. A vibrant city with a distinct socio-political culture, Kolkata is noted for its revolutionary history, ranging from the Indian struggle for independence to the leftist and trade union movements.
Referred to as the "Cultural Capital of India", "The City of Processions", and the "City of Joy", Kolkata has been home to luminaries such as Rabindranath Tagore, Ronald Ross, Subhas Chandra Bose, Mother Teresa, Satyajit Ray, Satyendranath Bose, Swami Vivekananda and many others. |
jasdudley
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Kolkata is the newname of the city formerly known at Calcutta in India. The name change occurred in 2001.
Also, as a side note, another city in India is getting a name change. The city of Bengalore will soon be changed to Bengaluru. Apparently, Bengaluru is a transliteration of "city of boiled beans." I know it sounds ridiculous, but it comes from the 14 century, when some king was passing through on a hunting trip/safari, and a native women offered him a bowl of boiled beans. The king liked it so much, he named the city after the dish. I also read the name change is to make the city more recognizeable on a worldwide level, as the city, using the words of an Indian governing official, "becomes the upcoming Silicon Valley of the world."
well, sorry for the longwinded repsonse. I just though it was worth mentioning:) |
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