AMI, KOLKATA (আমি, কলকাতা)

AMI, KOLKATA (আমি, কলকাতা) (eBook)

Ek Sahar er Atmokatha: Itihas er Adhale theke jaoa manush, smiriti o somoy er Galpo (এক শহরের আত্মকথা: ইতিহাসের আড়ালে থেকে যাওয়া মানুষ, স্মৃতি ও সময়ের গল্প)

Description

The Autobiography of a City: Stories of the People, Memories, and Time Hidden Behind History

What if Kolkata could tell its own story?

This book is the answer to that question.

I, Kolkata is not a conventional history book. It is the autobiography of a living city, where Kolkata becomes the narrator of its own journey, recounting its birth, growth, triumphs, sorrows, struggles, love, rebellion, literature, music, language, and the countless lives that have shaped its soul.

From the ghats of Sutanuti to the skyline of New Town, from the timeless conversations at the Coffee House to the endless rows of books on College Street, from the emotional farewells at Howrah Station to the profound silence of Belur Math, from the grandeur of Durga Puja to the spirit of the Language Movement, the memories of Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Satyajit Ray, Jibanananda Das, Lalon Fakir, Swami Vivekananda, and countless known and unknown individuals are woven together like invisible threads throughout every chapter.

This is more than history.

More than travel writing.

More than memoir.

It is an attempt to listen to the heartbeat of a city.

Inside this book, you will discover:

• The origins and evolution of Kolkata
• The stories of the Bengal Renaissance, India's freedom struggle, and political transformation
• The rich legacy of literature, music, theatre, cinema, and art
• The everyday life of neighborhoods, ghats, trams, Coffee House, the Kolkata Book Fair, and the city's enduring spirit
• The invisible cultural and linguistic bond between the two Bengals
• A hopeful vision for the Kolkata of tomorrow

If you were born in Kolkata, this book will take you back to your roots.

If you have never lived in Kolkata, it will introduce you to the city in a way that history books never can.

And if you have ever fallen in love with Kolkata, you may find yourself turning these pages with the feeling that...

The city is speaking to you.

About the Author

Manas Mondal was born and raised in an ordinary family in Kolkata. From an early age, the city's winding lanes, rich history, vibrant culture, and countless human stories left a lasting impression on him. That deep connection has continued throughout his life, drawing him back to the city he has always called home.

In 1995, he joined the Indian Navy, where he served for fifteen years. His naval career instilled in him the values of discipline, courage, leadership, and service to the nation. After retiring from the Navy, he spent a year with Reliance Industries in Jamnagar, followed by fourteen years and three months in key leadership roles at Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GSFC).

After an accomplished professional career spanning more than thirty-one years, Manas made a conscious decision to leave behind the security of corporate life and return to his roots in Kolkata. For him, some cities are more than places to live. They become part of who we are. Kolkata has always been that place, his lifelong anchor and the place his heart calls home.

A bestselling author on Amazon, Manas Mondal has written multiple books across different genres. I, Kolkata is his fifteenth book. His writing explores themes of resilience, history, human relationships, self-discovery, and the untold stories that shape our lives. He believes that a book is not written merely to be read, but to leave a lasting imprint on the reader's life.

He is the Founder of B3 Author Academy and the creator of the Million-Rupee Book Method™. His mission is not simply to help people become authors, but to empower them to transform their life experiences into books that create knowledge, influence, and a lasting legacy.

He firmly believes that every person carries a book within them. Some choose to write it. Others carry it with them for a lifetime.

For Manas, I, Kolkata is far more than a history of a city. It is the autobiography of a living city, a tribute to the forgotten people behind history, the fading memories of generations, the passage of time, and the enduring spirit of Kolkata. Above all, it is his heartfelt homage to the city that gave him life, taught him to dream, and, after many years away, welcomed him home once again.

SNIGDHA
In the quiet corner of her room, she’s built a world of dreams,
Where silent plays of her guitar echo her heart’s deep themes.
Lost in the pages of books, walking beside a friend,
Merging with clouds and mountains, her soul seeks no end.
Even with scars of surgery etched upon her chest,
She rises again, chasing the skies with will and zest.
Sometimes it's Nathula’s climb, sometimes Tungnath’s trail,
Yet within her flows a steady, calm rhythm that never fails.
She’s a cherished daughter-the sparkle in her parents’ eyes,
Queen of her home-a pillar for her husband and child’s rise.
She’s a friend to her daughter-in-law-open-hearted, full of grace,
With affection and warmth lighting up her space. Not a celebrated writer by fame or name, yet each word she pens carries life’s flame. Even if not light, let her warmth quietly land on the hearts of readers, like a gentle hand.
Her life’s core mantra, her soul’s quiet flood-
“Be Good and Do Good”

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