Much of the debates in banks and offices where employees have a lot of spare time will revolve around how they spend what turned out to be a mini vacation last week. Bengal has had a surfeit of holidays – some granted by a generous government. But last week was a bonus that no one had to offer. It came in the normal course without anyone lobbying for an extra holiday in order to take the family out to a forest resort or the beach in Puri that is in any case jammed with visitors from Bengal.

Those who had been looking at their calendars from the beginning of the year would have discovered that Doljatrahad fallen on Wednesday followed by Holithe following day.Holiis normally confined to communities from other parts of India. But Kolkata makes no distinction between Doljatra and Holi just as it makes no difference between Kali Puja and Diwali or between Dashami and Dussehra.

The result is that both days turn out to be holidays everywhere Rswith no complaints. But last week there was Good Friday to follow the two days when there was a splash of colours and a bigger splash of food and entertainment. When does Kolkata miss such a glorious opportunity? So obviously there was much to talk about and experiences to share even if, in the process, customers had to be kept waiting at the counters or canteen tables remained occupied with friends and colleagues gulping down more and more cups of coffee and sandwiches. Clearly there were many options for mini-vacation seekers. The first option was to get away to Santiniketan for what is traditionally celebrated as Basanta Utsab. Poets, painters, musicians, actors and students make a boisterous crowd on the campus. The well-rehearsed items of song and dance are followed by impromptu sessions that come alive with mutton chops and singaras.

It is the sense of camaraderie that matters more than the splash of colours and the free flow of emotions is greeted with bursts of spontaneous laughter. Santiniketan has a spirit of its own. But think of a steamer trip to the Sunderbans or a few days near the forest at Sukna. They have a strong appeal of their own which beckons every time the calendar offers an opportunity like the one last week.

The election may have posed some hurdles just as the rush made it difficult to get train reservations. But there are many who think that a small group of around eight can make the best of such a welcome break by hiring a Sumo or a Scorpio for a trip to the Ayodhya hills since the heat is still not as unbearable as it will be next month. A visit to Bankura to get a taste of terracotta and the Bishnupur gharana is something of a childhood dream for those otherwise caught in the hustle and bustle of a teeming city. But then there are also the incurable Kolkatans who will make the best of the holiday to stay at home to watch the election campaigns and the T- 20matches where India&’s fortunes always fluctuate. Eat well, sleep more than usual and watch television for election news and cricket Rs what better way to spend the holiday? One was left asking for more.