In the geopolitical tug-of-war between Mainland China and the smaller landmasses around it, Taiwan stands out like no other. This tiny island — some six Taiwans could fit into the large north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh — found its independent voice following the 1949 civil war between the Nationalists led by General Chiang Kai-shek and the Communists led by Mao Zedong.

Kolkata: Bathed in moonlight, the resplendent marble edifice stood like a mute witness to the passage of time, watching the scene unfolding around it, just as it has watched for well over a century.