BANKURA
An Idol evening

If there was one night when the stars graced this earth, then it had to be that of May 11, when Indian idol contestants, Amit Sana and Aditi Paul rocked the Bankura stadium.

My friends and I realised that they were not any less popular than filmstars or sports personalities when we found people of various age groups dancing to Aditi's rendition of Dhoom, machale.

Loud cheers greeted Sana when he appeared on stage. There was also the popular Bangla band Kaya who also entertained us. It was one of the most momentous evenings of my life.

Saptarshi Das, Bankura Zilla School

CALCUTTA
Goodbye, green bench!

It is as famous as the college itself ' the cluster of benches at the far corner of the St Xavier's campus. This is where friendships started and romances bloomed, not only for Xaverians but for other college-goers as well. But the green benches will soon pass into history.

The most popular college hangout in the city is making way for plush gymnasiums and a new building. The building will have a library and residential quarters for staff. Two separate gymnasiums are being built for boys and girls. Old-timers are peeved but college authorities argue that they need more space and there isn't any to be had elsewhere.