CT Mobile Car Brings Joyful City Experiences to Kolkata Women on International Women's Day
For countless women residing in shelters, care homes, and support institutions, the simple pleasure of exploring their city purely for enjoyment remains an elusive luxury. Outings are typically infrequent and often tied to essential needs rather than leisure activities.
This International Women's Day, the CT Mobile Car embarked on a heartfelt mission: to gift these women a few precious, unhurried hours with Kolkata, the city they call home. As this specially designed vehicle navigated through Kolkata's vibrant streets, what began as a simple drive transformed into something far more meaningful.
The journey became a cherished opportunity to pause for small treats, revisit fading memories, and witness the city awakening around them. For those few hours, Kolkata ceased to be merely a place of residence; it became a living, breathing entity to be experienced, remembered, and enjoyed anew.
Trail 1: A New Perspective on Iconic Landmarks
The first excursion commenced from Dharmatala, passing the majestic General Post Office before heading toward the iconic Howrah Bridge. The early morning bustle of Kolkata unfolded outside the windows of the CT Mobile Car.
On board were Pooja Das and Jolly Nath, two women whose lives exemplify remarkable resilience. Pooja, who has an intellectual disability, recently completed baking training and now works at a café, where she continuously builds new skills and confidence. Watching the cityscape pass by, she smiled at the novelty of being out purely for a ride.
"I have never seen Howrah Bridge like this, especially at this hour. It feels special," Pooja shared.
Seated beside her was Jolly Nath, who has been healing from schizophrenia and steadily rebuilding her life with dedicated support. As the car approached the Ganges, she paused to absorb the serene view.
"Kolkata is so big and beautiful," Jolly said softly. "Sometimes when life becomes difficult, you forget to look at it. Today I felt very peaceful."
The ride included a brief stop for refreshing coconut water and concluded with a warm breakfast of toast and chicken stew, where morning conversations flowed over cups of tea.
Trail 2: A Nostalgic Journey Through Time
For Pritha Gupta, aged 70, and Shova Kundu, aged 86, the second trail evolved into a beautiful journey through time. At the sprawling greens of the Maidan, the sight of blooming palash trees instantly triggered cherished memories for Pritha, who recalled frequent visits during her college years.
"In college we used to come here so often," Pritha said, smiling as she picked up a fallen palash flower. "We would sit for hours, talking, walking... seeing this again makes me feel like those days have come back."
The two women playfully exchanged flowers, laughing like teenagers reliving an old, joyful ritual.
At Victoria Memorial, the atmosphere turned delightfully playful as they blew soap bubbles into the air, watching them drift gracefully across the gardens.
"It feels like childhood again," laughed Shova. "At this age, who thinks they will stand here blowing bubbles and eating chaat!"
Their memorable ride concluded with plates of bhel puri and papri chaat, as stories of old Kolkata continued to unfold.
Trail 3: Discovering Kolkata's Vibrant Colors
The third trail paired Sadia Parveen, 17, and Rina Paswan, 32, for a vibrant ride through a street adorned with colorful murals and graffiti. The bright artwork immediately captivated their attention, transforming the lane into what felt like an open-air art gallery.
They stepped out briefly near the trees, soaking in the surrounding colors before sharing pink cotton candy. Later, the ride paused for ice cream, with Rina choosing roasted almond and Sadia opting for mascarpone cheese with fruits.
Rina, who lives with dwarfism, laughed joyfully as she took her first bite.
"I never thought I would be out on a city ride like this," she said. "Today felt like a picnic - colors, candyfloss and ice cream!"
Sadia, who has a speech and hearing impairment, expressed her happiness through wide smiles, excited gestures, and enthusiastic nods, silently conveying just how much she had cherished the experience.
Voices of Joy and Reflection
Pooja Das reflected: "I was so excited about the ride that I could hardly sleep the night before. We don't get to go out like this very often, so I kept thinking about the city and the journey ahead. Seeing the Howrah bridge, the river flowing below and the city waking up in the morning felt beautiful. It's a moment I know I will remember for a long time."
Pritha Gupta shared: "For a few hours, it felt like I was transported back to my childhood and my younger days. Blowing bubbles in front of Victoria brought back memories of carefree childhood moments, while standing at the Maidan reminded me of the days when I used to come here with my husband during our college days. It felt like time had taken me back."
This International Women's Day initiative by the CT Mobile Car successfully created precious moments of connection, joy, and rediscovery for women who seldom have the opportunity to experience their city in such a liberating and joyful manner.
