A Day at RAIL UTSAV 2025

 

PMW's IR WAG9 & WAP7 Models in HO Scale.

I recently had the opportunity to attend RAIL UTSAV 2025, organised by the Rail Enthusiasts’ Society in association with the Calcutta University Institute. It turned out to be a wonderful day dedicated to all things railways, model trains, and enthusiasts who share the same passion.

The main reason for my visit was to assist my oldest and first model railroad friend, Kaustav, at his stall. Some longtime readers may remember him from his impressive Wrightsville Port Layout, which I had featured years ago on my blog. You can revisit that memory here: link. He was representing his venture, Precision Model Works with a stall showcasing a compact layout alongside an impressive collection of Indian Railways model trains.

On display were several beautifully crafted HO Scale models, including the WAG9, WAP7, WDM2, and the charming NMD6 from the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Also featured was a detailed Kolkata Tram model, along with a prototype of the Kolkata Tram in O Gauge, which drew considerable attention.

The event itself was packed with engaging discussions, informative lectures, and plenty of opportunities to interact with fellow railway enthusiasts. The Precision Model Works stall was especially well received throughout the day. There was always a steady crowd gathered around—some mesmerised by the locomotives moving back and forth on the tracks, while others eagerly asked how they could get their hands on these precision-crafted Indian models.

Although it was a long and tiring day, it ended on a very positive note for Precision Model Works, with a healthy number of orders and encouraging appreciation for an Indian venture dedicated to quality railway modelling.

As for me, most of you already know my long-standing love for trains—both real and miniature. If you share the same passion, do drop by my other blog, Indian Train Spotter, where I share my photographs of trains from across India.

For a railway enthusiast, it was a day very well spent.

Kaustav checking if everything is working fine.

Kaustav, Aritrim & Myself taking a closer look at the fine details of the WDM2 Model

A Night with the Indian Navy Band

 

There are some events that become annual traditions, and for me, the performance by the Indian Navy Band of the Eastern Naval Command at The Tollygunge Club is undoubtedly one of them. It has grown into one of Kolkata's signature social and musical events, and I rarely miss the opportunity to attend.

This year was no different. The evening once again showcased the exceptional talent, precision, and discipline that the Indian Navy musicians are renowned for. From stirring military marches to timeless classics and contemporary favourites, every performance reflected countless hours of practice and an unwavering commitment to musical excellence.

The atmosphere at The Tollygunge Club was electric, with members and guests enjoying an evening of outstanding entertainment. Beyond the music, the event is also a wonderful celebration of the enduring bond between the city of Kolkata and the Indian Navy.

As always, I left the venue looking forward to next year's performance, knowing that this cherished annual tradition will continue to be one of the highlights of Kolkata's cultural calendar.

Vidya Vox Live in Kolkata

Went for an awesome concert today at Nicco Park organised by Mirch Live (Radio Mirchi). Had watched some of her videos online and when we went for the concert, Vidya Vox more than delivered an awesome Musical Experience.

Kolkata2Kanyakumari: Hyderabad - Lumbini Park (Multimedia Fountain Show)

Lumbini Park is a small public, urban park of 7.5 acres (0.030 km2; 0.0117 sq mi) adjacent to Hussain Sagar in Hyderabad, India. India named after Lumbini of Nepal dedicated to Lord Buddha. Since it is located in the center of the city and is in close proximity to other tourist attractions, such as Birla Mandir and Necklace Road, it attracts many visitors throughout the year.Boating is one of the best part and people go to the Budha idol placed in the middle of the tank band in the boats. Constructed in 1994, the park is maintained by the Buddha Purnima Project Authority that functions under the directives of the Government of Telangana. In 2007, it was one of the targets of the 25 August 2007 Hyderabad bombings that killed 44 people.

Multimedia Fountain Show
Emotion Media Factory installed India's first spectacular water multimedia show in Lumbini Park. The multimedia fountain show plays daily to a large audience, the installation combines a full spectrum of media elements, from dazzling laser animation, live video, stunning sound quality, rhythmic musical fountains and extraordinary beam effects, all astonishingly portrayed on one of the largest water screens in India. The elements coalesce to re-create stories and historical and cultural aspects of Hyderabad’s past, present and future, enthralling thousands of guests each night.

The park is open to visitors on all days. A laser show is held at venue everyday at 7:15 pm except weekends when it happens twice at 7:15 pm and at 8:30 pm.

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When Kolkata’s Stars Came Out to Celebrate Kolkata

 

There are some evenings in Kolkata when you know almost immediately that you are going to remember them for a long time. This was one of those evenings.

It was a cool February Sunday and we found ourselves at the Tollygunge Club for what promised to be a rather special evening — Celebrating Kolkata. And special it certainly was!

The moment we walked in, there was a distinct buzz in the air. This wasn't your usual evening out. Everywhere you looked, there seemed to be someone familiar. The stage and the audience were filled with Kolkata's Who's Who — film stars, industrialists, politicians, musicians, fashion designers and personalities from just about every walk of life. It was quite literally a star-studded evening!

For me, there were two people in particular whom I was really looking forward to seeing — Bappi Lahiri and Shashi Tharoor. And as the evening unfolded, I wasn't disappointed.

The proceedings began with the Governor of West Bengal, Mr. M. K. Narayanan, addressing the gathering. The evening was being compered by Mr. Sanjay Budhia, Managing Director of the Patton Group, who did a wonderful job of keeping things moving as personality after personality came onto the stage.

And there were plenty of them!

As the evening progressed, there seemed to be a never-ending parade of familiar faces, with people coming up to receive or present commendations. I found myself playing a little game of recognition from my seat — Oh, there's so-and-so! Among those I managed to spot and recognise were Krishna Bose, Sanjiv Goenka, Harshavardhan Neotia, Partha Chatterjee, Aparna Sen, Roopa Ganguly, Nandita Das, Rituparna Sengupta, Konkona Sen, Raima Sen, Debashree Roy, Paoli Dam, Dev, Arindam Sil, Anjan Chatterjee, Suhel Seth and the ever-multifaceted Pritish Nandy, among many others.

There was also a fashion show, with several of the evening's celebrities taking to the stage in creations by fashion designer Jyotee Khaitan. It added another glamorous dimension to an already glittering evening.

But then came the part I had been waiting for.

Bappi Lahiri!

The legendary composer and singer took to the stage accompanied by none other than Usha Uthup — Kolkata's original Didi. And what a combination that turned out to be! The duo launched into some of their legendary numbers and, almost instantly, the mood in the room changed.

It was impossible not to tap your feet.

Watching Bappi Da and Usha Uthup perform together was one of those moments that takes you back through the years. Their music has been such a huge part of our lives that you don't really need an introduction to the songs — the first few notes are enough to transport you somewhere else. The two of them absolutely rocked the evening!

And then, as if the evening hadn't already provided enough entertainment, came Shashi Tharoor.

I have always enjoyed listening to Tharoor, and seeing him in person was something I had particularly looked forward to. He rounded off the evening with some of his trademark anecdotes, wit and, of course, that wonderfully elaborate vocabulary that has come to be known as Tharoorian English. There were plenty of laughs as he regaled the audience with his stories.

Looking around that evening, I couldn't help feeling that this was Kolkata at its best — a fascinating mix of the old and the new, of cinema, music, business, politics, fashion and culture, all coming together under one roof.

Among the other personalities I remember seeing were singers Urmimala Basu and Iman Chakraborty, fashion designer Anamika Khanna, tabla maestros Bikram Ghosh and Tanmoy Bose, actresses Mumtaz Sorcar and Jaya Seal, hotelier and industrialist Karan Paul, and many more.

It was one of those rare evenings when you could simply sit back, look around and think — Yes, this is Kolkata!

A cool February evening, the magnificent Tollygunge Club, some of the city's best-known personalities, a little fashion, a lot of music, plenty of laughter and two people I was especially keen to see.

Quite a memorable way to spend a Sunday evening — celebrating the city I call home.

When Jim Morrison Came Alive at The Tollygunge Club

 

The Tollygunge Club is always playing host to one musical extravaganza or another, and when we heard that Peace Frog, a Doors tribute band all the way from Venice Beach, California, was performing at the club, there was no way we were going to miss it. After all, with legends like FireHouse performing here, we knew the club wouldn’t just bring any ordinary act to town.

Boy, was the Main Lawn packed for this one!

Peace Frog certainly didn’t disappoint. The music, vocals and theatrics were so convincing that it felt as though Jim Morrison himself had come to life through the vocalist. From the haunting melodies to the unmistakable energy of The Doors, every moment transported us back to the golden era of rock.

It was a spectacular night of music, nostalgia and pure rock ’n’ roll—a chance to relive some of The Doors’ greatest classics, right here in Kolkata. What a show!

A Couple of French Guys Jazz it Up

The French Duo: Le Chartier-Moqadem

Friday 16th September 2011, 8:00pm at The Tollygunge Club

For their first tour of India the French musician duo Eric Le Chartier on Trombone and Jamal Moqadem on Piano produced a soulful combination of Jazz and Western Classical enchanting a selct audience of music lovers at The Tollygunge Club.

Abhijeet Launches his First ever Rabindrasangeet Album

And yet again, I'm at Starmark. That's the 2nd time this week. The last was a Book Launch and this time around it was for the Launch of renowned Bollywood Singer, Abhijeet's first ever Rabindrasangeet Album called Oi Asonotoler.

Nilanjana of Chaplin fame and one of the most popular Radio Jockeys from 91.9 Friends FM was present alongside Abhijeet to launch the Album. The shutterbugs had a field day, before they could let the Singer get on with some Q&A and sing some songs thereafter.

ART IN LIFE 2011 Curtain Raiser at CIMA GALLERY

I was so looking forward to visiting CIMA GALLERY for this event after visiting ART IN LIFE 2010. Last year when I first visited CIMA GALLERY, a lot of myths were broken. I, like most people, felt that Art Galleries are meant for the upper crust of society, and yet when I visited the gallery for ART IN LIFE 2010, I was shocked to see items as cheap as Rs. 50 too.

The ART IN LIFE Project is the brainchild of the curators of the Gallery who go to extreme lengths covering the length and breadth of the sub-continent scouring the art and artisans to bring their creations to us. It is their endeavour to keep these Arts alive and ensure that better commerce prevails to keep these artisans true to their art. Their belief is that if these artisans don’t get their livelihoods from these beautiful creations, they are forced into seeking opportunities in other fields and thus with them dies a legacy of our heritage and culture.

ART IN LIFE 2011 opened privately to a bevy of Celebrities and Socialites of Kolkata and it was a pure joy to see the likes of Rituparna Sengupta and Kiran Uttam Ghosh who went crazy shopping. Aparna Sen was the first to show up followed by Rituparno Ghosh and Anamika Khanna . The gorgeous Moon Moon Sen too floated in like a butterfly. Madhu Neotia just couldn’t get enough of the simple yet exquisite saris.

Aparna Sen

Rituparno Ghosh

Rituparna Sengupta

Moon Moon Sen

RJ Purbasha of 91.9 Friends FM

All I would say is that if you’re looking to buy some nice stuff for yourself or your home or better still as a gift for someone this Durga Puja, ART IN LIFE 2011 at CIMA GALLERY is the place from 02 September to 01 October 2011.

CIMA GALLERY

Sunny Towers (2nd Floor),

43, Ashutosh Chowdhury Avenue,

Kolkata, India 700019

Date: 02 September to 01 October 2011

Hours: Daily: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Phone: +91 33 24858717

Website: http://www.cimaartindia.com/