Kolkata City of joy is now Kolkata

Calcutta, the name the British gave to our city will be soon rechristened as `Kolkata’; the state of West Bengal is also proposed to be renamed as `Bangla’. These changes are being introduced in deference to the wishes of the people of West Bengal, a fact testified to by the Legislative Assembly's unanimous endorsement of the motion on the proposed alterations moved by the Left Front Chief Whip Robin Mondal on 20 July 1999.

On the occasion of the 309^th birth anniversary of the City Of Joy on 28 August 1999 the State Government intends to publish a gazette notification replacing Calcutta with `Kolkata'. Following the same principle Contai will be Kanthi, Midnapore will be renamed Medinipur, Berhampore will be called Baharampur and Burdwan will be known as Bardhaman. The change from West Bengal to Bangla, however, needs the approval of the Lok Sabha and assent of the President. This process might take some time.