Heritage bookstore in College St set to open new outlet
Dasgupta, the well-known heritage bookstore in the city, is going to open its outlet in south Kolkata on 1 May.
The customary ritual of appeasing the taste buds of sons-in-law on Jamai Sasthi may burn a hole in the pockets of many families this year. Fish prices are soaring high in Kolkata, and the reason for this has been attributed to the demand and supply dynamics.
Fish delicacies such as “Ilish bhapa”, “paturi” and “sorshe chingri” are some of the supreme elements of the Jamai Sasthi platter. And the abrupt surge in demand has for fish has ushered inflation in the market.
Jamai Sasthi, or Jamai Sashti, is on 19 June this year, and as was done in the last few years, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has declared a half-day holiday on the day for the Bengali households to celebrate the occasion with extended family members.
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To satiate the taste buds of Bengali ‘jamais’, the supremely popular Hilsa fish is always the first choice. On expected lines, prices of the fish have seen a hike. While Hilsa is being sold at Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 per kg, another popular fish, Rui or Rohu, is available for Rs 450 per kg and Bata for Rs 150 per kg.
“I usually prepare at least five different fish recipes every year but looking at
these exorbitant prices, I would have to take a few dishes off the menu this year,” said a fish buyer in a south Kolkata market.
“This year our family has decided to ditch the traditions and eat out, instead. Everything in the local markets has become extremely expensive. Therefore, eating at a restaurant is a more economical solution,” said another
buyer.
For some people, however, the high prices have failed to prove a dampener.
“During Jamai Sasthi, my entire family gathers at my place; this is a day that strengthens the family bond. Prices will increase every year, but one should never forget the practices which have been followed through the generations,” said Rukmini Roy, a buyer at Lake Market.
Apart from fish, prices of seasonal fruits like mango and litchi have also seen a hike due to the surge in demand.
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