Kolkatans - prepare to die young

Yes, you heard me right. For the past few days, The Telegraph has been running an awareness campaign by means of its pages to disclose how adulterated fuel (katatel) used by Kolkata autos has turned the air we breathe into sheer poison. Today, they provided the icing on the cake (somewhat!) by quoting city doctors. These doctors hold the view that young Kolkatans who are getting affected by cardiac diseases despite having no family history of these ailments have the poisonous Kolkata air to blame.

But the bigger question- is Kolkata’s transport minister reading these reports???

Problem of 50 paisa

Recently, I've been forced to cultivate a hobby of collecting 50 paisa coins....all because of the shrewd autowallahs (especially those whose vehicles ply between Jadavpur 8B bus stand and Baghajatin) who always demand the exact fare of Rs. 2.50 and never give back the change if it's Rs. 3.00. If Rs. 5.00 is given, they would make you hear some sweet nothings (though these dialogs are quite somethings, at least to me) and then reluctantly give back the change. However, if your stars don't favor you, you may encounter someone who would drive the auto forward without giving anything back saying "Khuchro nei to othen keno?" (If you don't have change, why do you board the auto?)

25 paisa is already an extinct species and I feel awkward whenever I get a single coin of this denomination (coz if it comes in pair, my 50 paisa problem is solved). So, until the 50 paisa follows suit, my turmoil would continue.