In Kolkata, a 2026 calendar that promotes not a business but a struggle for survival

Calendars usually promote an institution or product, but a 2026 calendar has emerged in Kolkata that represents a challenge: to save the iconic tram, which is near extinction, at a time when AQI levels in the city have reached unacceptable levels.

The calendar – both wall and table – was printed by Tramjatra, a lively tram carnival started in 1996 by tram enthusiasts in Melbourne and Kolkata; One of the mainstays of this carnival was Roberto D’Andrea, a former tram driver from the Australian city.

Filmmaker Mahadeb Shi, one of the founders of Tramjatra, said, “The main aim is to highlight the struggle for survival of the Kolkata tram. Currently, the city stands at a painful crossroads, ready to erase its own 152-year-old living legacy. But we covertly criticize without resorting to open criticism. The design is clearly pro-tram ‘calendar art’, our idea was to create a love for trams.”

Last year, for the first time, a calendar was created with the help of colored pictures of trams taken by an unknown Australian enthusiast in the 1960s, who passed them on to Mr D’Andrea. The 2026 calendar features images taken by Mr. D’Andrea himself over the years, as well as quotes from literary giants such as Rabindranath Tagore, Tennessee Williams, Sunil Gangopadhyay, Narayan Gangopadhyay, Shibram Chakraborty and Bibhuti Bhusan Bandyopadhyay.

“The theme is ‘The Tram Conductor’s Camera: A Tribute to the Nonapukur Workshops and the Trams They Designed and Built, 1996-2016.’ Nonapukur is rapidly deteriorating, with only 270 personnel remaining, down from over 1,000 about 10-15 years ago. We plan to release it before the New Year, with all proceeds going to fund tram-related activities,” said Anurag Mitra, the financial analyst who designed the calendar, which included a note from Mr. D’Andrea.

Once a prominent means of transportation, Calcutta’s tram has declined rapidly in recent years; only two routes still remain functional and the West Bengal Government is making no effort for its revival; The Minister of Transport, on the contrary, advocated stopping the tram. It is only organizations like the Kolkata Tram Users Association (CTUA) and Tramjatra that are still taking to the streets through protests or tours to demand steps to save the tram from death.

“The aim is to create awareness about the tram and encourage people to use it. The pollution level is at its worst as the AQI is crossing 300. The faster we get rid of diesel vehicles, the better for us. We need an electric-powered system; something like a tram that draws its power directly from the overhead line and not the electric vehicles you have these days which will only add to pollution by producing battery scrap,” said Indranil Banerjee, an electrical engineer with Indian Railways. A member of CTUA.