Why Kolkata 2 London?

Out of all the cities in this world, why did politicians choose London as the city to convert Kolkata to? Why not take other places as an example, like New York, or Paris, or Singapore, or Berlin? Why London? Why choose a city from a country that ruled us for more than 200 years?

Pondering over such questions I realized that it is not so much about a specific city as far as the development is concerned. But choosing London perhaps has a significance. It is one city that everyone seems to know about. It is easy to relate to. Whether it be because of the colonial rule that educated us about their country, or the popularity of London as a well-developed cosmopolitan city. No matter what, people in our country do have a fascination for the Sahibs and the Memsahibs, so why not try to be like them!

So London it is! Kolkata has to be transformed to London. But where do we begin? What are the challenges that we will face to do so?

There are numerous points that come to my mind. As I have spent a significant amount of time in London, and more so in Kolkata, sometimes I get shivers to even think of the magnanimity of this task of transformation. Almost everything needs to change, and we all know how easy it is to change!

So change is needed in infrastructure, the police system, the transport system, the roads and footpaths, the beautification of the city, the airports and stations, the sewerage system, the parks, the education system, the buildings, the schools, and above all, the people and their habits.

Do we have a plan for this? Have we done a thorough analysis of the changes required? Where is the implementation plan? How long will it take to convert the 2011 Kolkata to even a 2011 London? Have we set a target by when Kolkata and London would be just the same?

I am hoping our dear ministers who make promises of such transformation read this and give us some answers. Meanwhile, in the posts to come in this blog, I will dutifully point out the changes required as per my analysis, albeit with help from my friends, acquaintances and ofcourse you, dear readers!

This is Mission Kolkata2London!