Kolkata’s tram system, one of the oldest in Asia, offers a nostalgic and culturally rich experience for anyone who boards it. On October 3, students of Class IV of Modern High School for Girls were taken on a tram ride to enhance their knowledge of ‘Our City of Joy’ and its traditional and cultural heritage
Photographs courtesy: Modern High School for GirlsAban Confectioner, head of the primary and junior department, said: ‘Providing students with various opportunities to encourage experiential learning is a priority. We have been collaborating with Calcutta Tramways for many years and earlier our students were even taken to Esplanade in a bus to take a tram ride to Kidderpore across the Maidan where the tram tracks are laid over grass!’
As students boarded the iconic trams from the front of their school, sporting self-made badges ‘Trams We Will Miss You’ with the doodle of a tram, they were transported back into the bygone era when the electric carriages were the heartbeat of the city’s transportation network
The clanking and squeals of the tram, the wooden seats and the wide, open windows provided an old-world charm, making the ride feel like a live classroom. Abhipsha Mitter, a student of Class IV, had a memorable day. Sharing her experience, she said: ‘It wasn’t my first tram ride. Two years ago, my parents and grandmother had taken me on a Puja Parikrama ride on an AC tram from Esplanade to Shyambazar. This time, it was super fun with my classmates. We took two trams from our school doorstep to Esplanade tram depot and back. Our class teacher had told us that the 150-year-old Calcutta tram service was being withdrawn. We carried dry snacks to munch on the way. The best part was it was a book-free day for us! I’ll cherish this memory forever’
As the tram trundled through historical neighbourhoods such as Park Street, adjoining streets of New Market, Chandni Market and Esplanade, the students enjoyed the small joys of life chatting and singing with their friends, observing an ordinary day in the city
They spotted iconic city landmarks like churches, mosques and historical buildings
The teachers explained to the students why the trams are a sustainable and eco-friendly travel option
For the children, the tram ride was not just a journey but a cultural and historical exploration of a vibrant and bustling city. As the tram service in Kolkata is slowly being phased out, the school hopes this experience will remain memorable and help them to connect with the rich history of Kolkata