Eateries dish out slice of freedom history with Netaji’s favourites on his birth anniv
Times of India | 24 January 2025
Kolkata: Eateries and pice hotels in the city, once frequented by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, continue to keep his legacy alive by serving his favourite dishes with a slice of freedom struggle history to people for decades. Not just that, on January 23 — the freedom fighter's birth anniversary — these popular eateries either offer freebies to their customers or have his favorites on the day's special menu as a mark of tribute to Netaji.
Besides known for the delicacies these joints offerm, most of these places have historical significances too.In the colonial India, freedom fighters would utilize these eateries to conduct secret meetings and gather intelligence inputs. The British govt would even raid these places several times. One of such places is the ‘Luxmi Narayan Shaw and Sons' outlet on Bidhan Sarani near Scottish Church College, serving fritters since 1918.Keshto Kumar Gupta, the third-generation owner, recalled how his grandfather, who had set up the shop, would deliver ‘telebhajas' (fritters), ‘muri' (puffed rice), and chai (tea) during the secret meetings of freedom fighters held in the area. "At one of these meetings, my grandfather met Netaji," said Gupta.
Since 1942, the shop has been distributing free fritters to the entire neighbourhood on Netaji's birthday from 8am to 3pm."Children get two and adults get four telebhajas," Gupta chuckled.
Located behind Presidency University, Swadhin Bharat Hindu Hotel has its connection to Netaji's college days. Arunangshu Panda, the current owner, recalled how Netaji, a student of Presidency College back then, was a regular at his grandfather's eatery. Both his grandfather and Netaji had the Cuttack connection that struck a chord. On Netaji's birthday, the eatery serves his favourite dishes — ‘Puishak er Chorchori' (made of Malabar spinach), ‘Murighanta', and ‘Mishit Doi' (sweet yogurt). "We also serve complimentary meals to the first few customers," said Panda. Netaji and other freedom fighters also visited the sherbet and syrup shop on Bankim Chandra Street, the Paramount. Many a times, they managed to dodge the British cops when they raided the place, recalled its owner.