The serene neighbourhood of New Alipore, Kolkata, is far from the polluting hustle and bustle of the central city, yet it is near it. My husband and I, along with our caretaker and household help, run the PreetiRang Homestay from a quaint, charming, old-fashioned but well-maintained house with a red and grey brick facade from the early 1960s. We have several rooms on the ground floor, first floor and third floor of the house that we can share with interested travellers. We live on the second floor of the building. The door to our floor is open round the clock. The uniqueness of our house is the openness compared to modern-day boxed-in rooms. Guests say that the light and energy flow is very positive. I have worked with the development sector (not-for-profit organisations) on various issues for over three decades. Now, I focus on gender mainstreaming and training of staff, poor women, girls and boys. I am also learning Vedic texts, including the Bhagwad Gita, alongside chanting. I am more of a yoga than a gym person. I believe in simple living and high thinking. I value people. I am a people and service-oriented person. I am always ready for a healthy, open discussion on spirituality, society and social justice. My husband has worked in the edible oils sector, the media industry, and on environmental issues. His interests are varied. His understanding of politics is better than mine, which is not saying much. He is a quick-witted and quick-thinking person. We have different ways of looking at things. We complement each other. Is that not a better way of saying we have healthy arguments despite almost four decades of marriage? ;) Our thinking is open and liberal. Our daughter has studied Design and is charting a career in a different city - Delhi. Following the footsteps of my sister, who runs an animal sanctuary in California, she has turned her love of dogs into caring for stray animals. On the ground floor, we have a fully furnished apartment – with two bedrooms, a drawing room, roomy living and dining space and a full-service kitchen. Both bedrooms have a double bed and a spacious, sunlight verandah that opens into a small courtyard. This apartment can be accessed through an entrance common with ours or an independent entrance on the side. We will happily usher guests in, chat, and help with requests. The first floor of the lovely, traditional royal red brick and grey building façade of PreetiRang Homestay, accessed by a broad staircase, leads to four well-appointed rooms with attached baths. Each room has a double bed. All the rooms also open into large, spacious balconies from which you can peer onto the nice street or admire Nature’s sunrise and sunset with birds chirping in the trees. Guests can also partake of breakfast and meals at the common dining area, which is serviced from the kitchenette. We will share an occasional meal with longer-term guests. Laundry services are available locally and can be arranged. The Homestay is a mere stone-throw away from umpteen eating places with food prices to suit every guest's pocket and home delivery. Some of them are listed below: Cafes: Barista, Café Coffee Day, Choco Bakery, Lava coffee and many others. Restaurants: Arsalan, Zaika Bar and Restaurant, Purani Dilli, Bijoli Grill, Alipore Dhaba, Super Snack Bar, Krishna South Indian Restaurant, Banana Leaf, 6 Ballygunj place (takeaway), Wow Momos, Kowloon (Chinese). Sweet and savoury eateries: Tiwari’s, Gokul Shree, Gupta Brother’s Restaurant, Bikaner Sweets, Radharam and Balaram Mullick Sweets, etc. Street cuisine: Anamika rolls, Khirki Bhelpuri, Hot Chips, Momos, Samosas, Chops, Phuckas, Jhal muri etc. Pastry shops and ice-cream outlets: Cakes, Mio Amore, FNP, Baskin and Robbins ice-cream outlets and many others Public transport is available round the corner to travel to any part of the city.

The guest is expected to: - take care of the premises and help maintain them. - not litter the place - not wipe shoes or stain the linen - not waste electricity - not waste water - keep the main doors locked - not compromise on the security of the other residents - ideally, return by 10.30 or 11.00 pm - smoking inside the house is not permissible

• Internet Access
• Garden
• Parking

• Shopping Centre
• Local Bus Stop
• Hospital
• Park
• Cinema
• Local Train Station