Adda at Dristi-Kone

One of the things that people say about Kolkata is its unprofessionalism. To some extent I believe so as well with my dealings in some cases. But you still meet good people who understand and lend ears to you. I went to this ophthalmic optician nearby while my stay at Kolkata and got a session of learning. For long I was planning to a new pair for my eyes and coming here was not only relief to get a good deal but also turned out to be a nice adda with the shop. Stationed at first floor, not many people flood the shop. Also, I have not come across many opticians requesting customers to leave shoes outside before they enter their 'sanctum sanctorum'. A tradition we Indians follow religiously at home or temple. It rapped me instantly that this is going to be an interesting moment for me.

Talking about professionalism the shop enthralled me with its no-attitude attitude. It gave me a comfort zone with choices and my wish. They even gave minute details about Transition lenses which I enquired for, which I had contemplated before. My mom had prescribed me to meet Tapan for his unbiased suggestions and she was so true. A young guy that he is, Tapan shows a matured discipline and an uncharacteristic charm towards his profession. He likes to talk about lenses, science behind them and so on. We, in fact, carried on for over an hour or so disucssion about lenses and which works how.. etc.... and so engrossing was our discussion that it also ranged from people, their likings towards this subject to shipping orders even to US (for some Calcuttans who stay there). Interesting, isn’t it? I felt so. After a while, as I was selecting my own new pair frame, Abhik – the owner of the shop – joined in. He elaborated the history of shop and the reason for this unique and sweet name. Just like me he also feels that the name is trendy even today for an optician in spite of the fact that the same was chosen by his father a decade ago or so. That is Dristi-Kone (pronounced Drishti Kone). I even earned my share of flavoured black tea at the shop, as they offered the same to my mom. It is also fascinating to note that Abhik designs clothes for many Bengali celebrities. Quite a talent oriented shop, I must add here.

By the end of our discussion, I didn’t feel like just being one of their customers. I might have emptied my pocket for a possession, but gained much more than that. I have asked them to get themselves online or at least, begin a blog on it. Let customers like me get more to know from them and their experiences. They know their craft, love it and I don’t mind getting more out of their knowledge that benefits my understanding about a new subject altogether. The good thing is that they try to address the concern base on problem and not on revenue proposition. I hope they continue to remain like that; full of energy and interested about their subject. At the end of it, I doubt Delhi or Mumbai – city that breathes, eats and drinks professionalism – had given me such an enthralling discussion to remember or would have spent time with me without even thinking of my intention to purchase a pair or not. I simply don’t mind if Kolkata stays asleep as long as there are some good people around like them.

** Dristi-Kone can be reached at 033-25764136, CA-6, 1st floor, Deshbandhu Nagar, opposite Baguiati AC Market, Kolkata -700059