BRIEF CASE: The 'Big B' Effect

It was not very long ago when a multiplex made its way to Darjeeling, the queen of hills, which the British chose as their summer capital and a sanatorium. Its very advent gave the residents a taste of a big city. Never mind the price of the tickets, but watching the first-day, first-show or Hollywood flicks in the multiplex not only became the in-thing but also a status symbol among Darjeelingites.
One thought ticket touts like Romeo and Ravi, the favourites of every moviegoer, would make a quiet exit. I went home after almost a year and a half in October with the faint hope that the three-hour bumpy bus ride along NH-55 from Siliguri to Darjeeling would be less painful and the perennial water crisis would have been solved to some extent.
To my utter dismay, the national highway had more potholes than ever before and Darjeeling was still waiting for water. People were paying 25 paise per litre of water. And those who couldn't afford it would queue up for hours to get just 20 to 30 litres of water from the public hydrants. It was heart-wrenching to see the queen of the hills going from bad to worse.
But to my surprise, the 'Big B' effect had Darjeeling in its firm grip. So far, Amitabh Bachchan was the only Big B for me. Rather puzzled about this new 'Big B', I asked an aunt about it. Quite gently, she told me that it was a big new store. "We fondly call it the Big B and its effect is magnetic", she said. I was soon to discover the power of its magnetism. The next day, she took me to the newly opened bazaar at Ladenla Road and said, "Ever since it opened, we've been thronging this place. It's not only the latest tourist spot but it has also become customary for us to bring every guest here. I sometimes come here even five times a day".
It was unbelievable. For a while, one could only watch in growing astonishment as one saw the large number of people entering the huge shop. The change was obvious and the message loud and clear. Once famous for her serenity and tranquillity, Darjeeling is witnessing a slow metamorphosis and awakening to the urban mindset. In majestic disdain stands the lofty snow-capped Mt Kanchenjunga in the background. Thankfully, it's still the big K in the neighbourhood.