In Kolkata's landmark high-rise housing, Hiland Park, which stands on what were once swampy lowlands and green paddy fields, Durga puja celebrations harked back to the area's days of yore. The theme was Gram Bangla (rural Bengal).
The plush residential complex recreated bucolic Bangla amid its soaring concrete towers, complete with a wilting paddy field, clumps of kaash flowers, hurricane lamps lit with bulbs and even a true blue farmer from the Sunderbans along with his cows and goats--some of which have now developed a taste for popcorn, courtesy kids.
The Rs 24 lakh-budget lowland spectacle at Hiland caused a none-too-enamoured resident to comment: "What with gram Bangla being wiped out for Tata Nanos and all that, soon the Hiland type gram Banglas may be all that remains."
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