If you find someone talking passionately about food, sports, and politics, make sure they are Bengali. Members of the Bengali community reside in all parts of India. Although it originally belonged to the eastern part of India, many factors have contributed to the geographical shift to other regions. The division of Bengal and related work are two important factors for the expansion of the Bengali community. Members of the Bengali community are found in almost every city and town in India and the world. It is jokingly said about the community that you go anywhere in the world and you will definitely find an established Bengali there. Such is the strong presence of Bengali.
New Delhi, the capital of India, is home to a large Bengali community. Chittaranjan Park, the locality is commonly known as mini Bengal. Visit the locality at any time of the day and you will find Bengali chatter. This is the stronghold of the Bengali Bhadralok community. Get to know any Bengali residing in Delhi and you will hear the familiar response. Chittaranjan Park is also known as CR Park or basically as Chitto Park. This town was formerly known as the East Pakistan Displaced Persons Colony. During the division of Bengal and the creation of Bangladesh, most of the Bengal Hindu community from East Bengal arrived and settled in this locality. This town was part of the Government’s project to rehabilitate Bengalis. Over the years, this place has become a microcosm of the state of Bengal. It is therefore a family sight to find Bengalis buying fish or enjoying late night snacks at the various stalls.
The Bengalis who come to Delhi find in this locality the best alternative. The setting, the family accent and the food make one feel at home. Even those who cannot afford to rent a property in this locality (this is one of the posh areas of Delhi and property prices are high) visit this locality for their monthly shopping. Staying elsewhere in Delhi, Bengalis come to CR Park for the rice, lentils and Bengali foods. Even Bengalis living in the neighboring regions of Delhi, in Gurgaon, Faridababd and Noida, throng this town in search of food and other Bengali items. Typical Bengali items like kashondi (Bengali-style mustard sauce) and leafy greens (koi shaag, kolmi shaag) commonly eaten in Bengal are available here. Local malls selling all things Bengali make this place reminiscent of the home state. During the Bengali marriage occasions, these shops have all the necessary items required. The shop owners are just like their counterparts in the state of Bengal. The shops are closed in the afternoon, after the afternoon siesta they open in the evening for the next round of business.
Also, why only the malls and people; even the houses in CR Park have a similarity of design and structure commonly found in Bengal. The houses, individual houses or apartments have shuili, bel and jova trees. The residential sections give the first time visitor a Bengali spirit.
CR Park residents still follow Bengali rules and customs when it comes to weddings. The Bengali wedding functions in this town of Delhi continue to have the same rituals that take place in the state of Bengal. Even the Bengal festivals are celebrated with the same fervor and the atmosphere is Bengali.
