Intro: Kolkata is not just a city, it’s a feeling. A confluence of history, art food, literature, and legacy. Kolkata breathes in poetry and exhales politics. It’s where colonial architecture meets tram-lined streets, where Rabindranath Tagore’s spirit floats in the air, and where every corner has a story to tell. If you are visiting the City of Joy, DHANUSH KUMAR writes about these timeless landmarks and buzzing locales are a must on your itinerary. 1.Victoria Memorial The crown jewel of Kolkata, the Victoria Memorial is a majestic white-marble monument built in honor of Queen Victoria. Surrounded by sprawling gardens, this Indo-Saracenic structure now houses a museum featuring colonial era-paintings, sculptures, and manuscripts. Why Visit: For a walk through British India’s legacy, surrounded by romantic architecture and lotus ponds. 2.Howrah Bridge More than just a bridge, this steel cantilever icon is the heartbeat of Kolkata. Stretching across the Hooghly River, it connects the twin city of Howrah and Kolkata and carries nearly 100,000 vehicles a day, yet feels timeless in its grace. Why Visit: To watch the sunrise over the river, see hand-pulled rickshaws in action, and feel Kolkata’s pulse. 3.Dakshineswar Kali Temple Located on the banks of the Hooghly, this 19th-Century temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali and was once frequented by the saint Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. It’s architecture- nine spires, red-and-white hues, and wide courtyards is captivating. Why Visit: To soak in spiritual serenity and watch riverfront rituals stepped in ancient traditions. 4.Indian Museum Established in 1814, the Indian Museum is the oldest and one of the largest in Asia. With exhibits ranging from Egyptian mummies to Buddhist relics and Mughal armor, it’s a treasure trove for the culturally curious. Why Visit: To explore the layers of Indian and global history in a grand colonial-era building. 5.Kalighat Temple An important

Intro: As the first raindrops kiss the parched earth and the skies turn dramatic with monsoon clouds, India’s national parks undergo a breathtaking transformation. Verdant landscapes, mist-draped forests, and gushing rivers make these natural havens come alive. While many assume the monsoon is off-season for wildlife, it’s actually the time when nature is at her most expressive. DHANUSH KUMAR writes about India’s most spectacular national parks to explore when it rains. Periyar National Park-Kerala Tucked in the heart of the Western Ghats, Periyar is an emerald paradise during the monsoon. Its namesake lake swells with rain, and mist curls around the cardamom hills. While tigers remain elusive, elephants, sambar deer, and wild boars roam freely across the dense terrain. Boat safaris offer a tranquil way to spot wildlife against a lush, rainy backdrop. Why Visit: For surreal boat rides through the rainforest and misty encounters with elephants. Valley Of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand A UNESCO World Heritage site, this Himalayan treasure comes into full bloom from July to September. The monsoon awakens a riot of alpine flowers, over 500 species, including blue poppies, orchids, and daisies. Snow-fed streams, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant meadows create a landscape straight out a fairytale. Why Visit: To witness a living canvas of wildflowers blooming against snowcapped peaks. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh While some central Indian parks close during peak monsoon, Kanha’s buffer zones remain open and offer a quieter, rain-soaked safari experience. The sal forests glisten with dew, and the entire landscape turns lush and alive. It’s also the inspiration behind Kipling’s The Jungle Book Why Visit: For a dreamy, less-crowded safari in one of India’s most beautiful tiger habitats. Silent Valley National Park-Kerala True to its name, Silent Valley is nature at its purest and quietest. Rain transforms this untouched rainforest into

Intro: There are bridges, and then there are breakthroughs. The Chenab Bridge, rising like a myth from the rugged heart of Jammu and Kashmir, is not just India’s latest engineering marvel, it is a declaration. A promise. That no terrain is too tough, no dream too distant. DHANUSH KUMAR writes about the Chenab Bridge, the world’s tallest railway bridge, and how it is set to redefine connectivity across Kashmir-geographically, economically, and emotionally. Towering at 359 meters above the Chenab River, the Chenab Bridge is more than just a world record. It is a declaration that no mountain is too high, and no dream too distant. Spanning 1.3 kilometers across a formidable Himalayan gorge in Jammu’s Reasi district, this bridge forms the most breathtaking piece of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link project Designed to withstand earthquakes, high-velocity winds, and time itself, the bridge is India’s boldest move yet in making Kashmir accessible by rail. Built from 28,000 metric tons of steel, its elegant arch, resembling a drawn bow, is already spoken of in the same breath as the Eiffel Tower for good reason, it stands taller. Kashmir, Connected Like Never Before All-Season Access to the Valley The beauty of Kashmir has always come at a price, its remoteness. For decades, landslides, snowfalls, and seasonal blockades made consistent travel a dream. The Chenab bridge answers that dreams with steel certainty, offering all-weather, high-capacity rail access into the valley Tourism Reimagined From the snow-draped meadows of Gulmarg to the saffron-scented fields of Pampore, Kashmir has never lacked allure. But now, a family from Chennai, a photographer from Jaipur, or a writer from Delhi can board a train and roll effortlessly into a landscape that once felt like a fable. Design Meets Excellence Build under some of the most testing conditions of the planet, freezing

Bus travel in India has transformed dramatically over the years. What once served primarily as a feeder mode of transport or even a basic long-distance travel option has evolved into a sophisticated industry. The rise of powerful luxury buses, coupled with the rapid development of highways, has fueled this remarkable growth. In Part 1 of this series, I explored the early changes in bus designs and operations. The last two decades, in particular, have been a thrilling period for bus travel in India. Memories of Long-Distance Buses Before 2000 Before diving into recent changes, let me take you back to the late 1990s. During 1999-2000, my daily observations included long-distance buses running between Mumbai and Mangalore operators like CPC and Ballal. These buses took about 24 hours to cover the route, often carrying bulky cargo on their roofs. At that time, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway was not yet operational, so these buses took routes passing through the outskirts of Mumbai, where I lived. These were all seater buses, and I often wondered how passengers could endure such long journeys sitting upright. The First Sleeper Bus Encounter – Early 2000s In the early 2000s, during a school outing to Mumbai’s Fort area, I spotted a unique bus operated by Paulo Holiday Makers from Goa. This bus had its entrance in the middle and featured a hybrid seating arrangement: one half with seats and the other half with sleeping berths aligned along the direction of travel, similar to Indian Railways’ side berths. Though I couldn’t enter the bus, it left a strong impression as the first sleeper bus I had ever seen. The body was built by a Goan manufacturer called Damodar. The Rise of Sleeper Buses (Mid-2000s to 2010) Fast forward a few years to around 2005, sleeper buses became more common,