Kolkata 2025: A City Wounded, Yet Still Kind
The year 2025 has not been kind to West Bengal. The state, once known for its culture, intellect and warmth, found itself drowning in despair. There was little to celebrate, and even less to feel proud of.
Unemployment soared, leaving thousands of young people disillusioned and desperate. Scandals piled up like dust on forgotten bookshelves—coal scam, cow scam, sand scam—each one more shameful than the last. political murder,Trust in public institutions crumbled.
Then came the heartbreak that shook the city: Tilottama, a bright medical student from R.G. Kar, was murdered. Her death was not just a tragedy—it was a wound that refused to heal. As if that wasn’t enough, a female law student was assaulted shortly after, adding to the growing fear among young women.
The SSC scam made things worse. Over 26,000 teachers were left jobless, their futures snatched away by corruption and mismanagement. Schools suffered, students suffered, and so did the soul of Bengal.
The tragic death of young girl Tammana during the ruling party’s victory celebration remains under investigation. No punishment has yet been given to the accused. Her mother and family continue to endure unbearable trauma, pleading for justice that still feels out of reach. #JusticeForTammana
In 2025, Lionel Messi’s visit to Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium turned into chaos, leaving West Bengal facing global embarrassment. While Maharashtra, Delhi, and Hyderabad have proven they can host international events with success, the West Bengal government failed to organise this one — and the people of the state were left ashamed before the world.
And yet, amid all this darkness, Kolkata—true to its name—still found ways to be the City of Joy.
One such moment came when actress Swastika Mukherjee lost her belongings in a cab. She feared the worst. But the cab driver, instead of ignoring the situation, went out of his way to return her bag. Swastika was overwhelmed by his honesty and kindness. It was a simple act, but in a time like this, it meant everything.
Another story unfolded late one night. A young woman, drunk and vulnerable, pleaded with a cab driver to take her home safely. Not only did he do so with care, but he also talked her mother, gave her his location, and promised to drop her daughter home unharmed. He didn’t ask for praise—he simply said, “It’s my duty.”
These small acts of goodness remind us that Kolkata still breathes with humanity. That even when politics fail and systems collapse, ordinary people rise to do what’s right.
So yes, West Bengal in 2025 may be grim. But in the quiet corners of the city, in the backseat of a cab, in the hands of a stranger—kindness still lives. And that is why Kolkata, despite everything, remains the City of Joy.
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