 Kolkata
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.
People of diverse religions, languages, culture and communities have
been dwelling in Kolkata since the days of yore.
The Bengalis comprise 63.6% of the city's population whereas the Hindi-speaking
people constitute 21.24% of the population.
There are also Nepalese, Oriyas, Gujaratis, Biharis, Punjabees, etc.
who are inseparable parts of the metropolis. It is these people who
have instilled life and charm into the city of joy and made it so
vibrant, dynamic and cosmopolitan in nature.
Kolkata has experienced a high rate of population growth for more
than a century, but events such as the partitioning of Bengal in 1947
and warfare in Bangladesh in the early 1970s precipitated massive
population influxes. Large refugee colonies have also sprung up in
the northern and southern suburbs. In addition, a large number of
migrants from other states--mostly from neighbouring Bihar and Orissa
and eastern Uttar Pradesh--have come to Kolkata in search of employment.
More than four- fifths of the population is Hindu. Muslims and Christians
constitute the largest minorities, but there are some Sikhs, Jains,
and Buddhists also.
The dominant language is Bengali, but Urdu, Oriya, Tamil, Punjabi
and other languages are also spoken.
Kolkata is a cosmopolitan city; other groups present include a variety
of peoples from Asia (notably Bangladeshis and Chinese), Europeans,
North Americans, and Australians.
The Bengali language, fascinating ambience and appealing features
of the city and above all, the renowned hospitality and warmth of
the Kolkatans have captivated their hearts.
The city, with all its merits and demerits, rises above all petty
reasoning and criticism and douses its denizens with love and warmth.
Kolkata was racially segregated under British rule, the Europeans
living in the city centre and Indians living to the north and south.
The pattern of segregation has continued in the modern city, although
the distribution is now based on religious, linguistic, educational,
and economic criteria. Slums and low-income residential areas, however,
exist side-by-side with more affluent areas. The haves and have-nots,
opulent and indigent, together form an integral part of this colourful
city. |
The
Floatel
Quantum
Designs