Driving in Kolkata
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason why Kolkata was associated with squalor in the Western mind?

  • As a result of the Naxalite movement
  • Because of the flight of industry from the city
  • Due to the city's extensive slums
  • Because of the international attention given to Mother Teresa's work (correct)

    • What was the consequence of the partition that accompanied India's independence for Kolkata?

  • The city experienced rapid economic growth
  • The city had to absorb several million refugees from East Pakistan (correct)
  • The city became a hub for industrial development
  • The city's population decreased significantly

    • What was the outcome of the Naxalite movement in Kolkata?

  • The movement was successfully suppressed by the government
  • The movement transformed into a peasant uprising
  • The movement led to successful land redistribution in rural West Bengal
  • The movement resulted in urban guerrilla warfare (correct)

    • What is the current stance of the Communist Party of West Bengal towards investment?

    <p>The party has fiercely embraced capitalism and modernity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the perception of Kolkata by India's prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi, in 1985?

    <p>A dying city</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main strategy used by drivers in Kolkata?

    <p>Forge ahead while honking</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of honking in the narrow side streets known as lanes?

    <p>To announce the arrival of a taxi or small truck</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is unique about the rickshaws in Kolkata?

    <p>They are hand-pulled</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the city of Kolkata distinct among great cities of the world?

    <p>It is the only city with hand-pulled rickshaws</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the governing authorities' attitude towards hand-pulled rickshaws?

    <p>They are trying to eliminate them</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Traffic in Kolkata

    • Drivers in Kolkata, including private cars, taxis, buses, and three-wheel scooters, use a strategy of "Forge ahead while honking" due to the lack of stop signs.
    • Pedestrians often attach themselves to a group to cross major thoroughfares safely.
    • In narrow side streets, loud honking signals a taxi or truck approaching.

    Rickshaws in Kolkata

    • Kolkata is one of the few cities in the world with a large fleet of hand-pulled rickshaws.
    • The rickshaw pullers are usually skinny, bedraggled, and barefoot men who use a small bell to alert pedestrians.

    Kolkata's History and Image

    • Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, has a population of nearly 15 million people.
    • The city's image is often associated with poverty and squalor, partly due to Mother Teresa's work.
    • However, Kolkata has a rich intellectual and cultural life and has made significant progress in recent years.

    Challenges and Changes

    • After India's independence, Kolkata faced challenges from absorbing several million refugees from East Pakistan.
    • The city experienced power outages, labor unrest, and violence in the 1970s and 1980s.
    • In 1985, India's prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi, called Kolkata "a dying city."
    • However, the Communist Party of West Bengal has since embraced capitalism and modernity, and the city has seen significant changes and improvements.

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    Description

    This quiz is about the driving strategy and traffic rules in Kolkata, India. Learn about the unusual methods used by drivers and pedestrians to navigate the city's roads.

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