Ever since the summer vacation began, we hardly ventured out of home because of the scorching weather in Kolkata. However, on Monday, we decided to go out for a Bengali lunch at a restaurant in Ballygunge. After the sumptuous meal, my family, including my elderly parents and my sister’s family, thought of spending some time together at Rabindra Sarobar.
The Lakes were crowded with evening walkers, joggers, college students and couples when we reached. We were enjoying the ambience when suddenly, without any warning, the storm gushed in. We could hardly keep our eyes open, thanks to the dust storm. In no time, everyone around was scurrying for cover.
We, too, ran for cover. Even as we were looking for shelter, a tree uprooted in front of us and a little later a lamp post collapsed. We managed to huddle under a tin shed and none of us knew the exit route.
To add to our woes, it started raining. We tried to book a cab but nothing was available and there was no official or guide or cops around to guide the harried visitors. Finally, we had to walk for 45 minutes to reach Dhakuria to get the usual yellow cab.
With kids and senior citizens in tow, it turned out to be a traumatic experience for us. Places like Rabindra Sarobar should have authorised personnel for assistance especially in such circumstances.
As told to Bishwabijoy Mitra
