Paul Wen, 71, walks with difficulty and limited vision on the streets of old Chinatown in Kolkata. Once a chef at a luxury hotel, he now lives alone, surviving on food from community members. He says, "Even during the upcoming Chinese New Year, I have no family to look forward to." The Chinese population in Kolkata's Teretti Bazaar and Tangra has dropped from over 50,000 in the 1960s to between 1,500 and 2,000 today. Many, like Wen, are elderly with no family support. The 1962 Indo-China War caused deep scars. Many were detained for years, and racism pushed younger generations to leave. Monica Liu, a Deoli camp survivor, is now a restaurant owner but recalls, "I cannot eat potatoes and gourds. I ate only that in the detention camps for over 5 years." Binny Law, president of the Chinese Indian Association, said efforts to retain youth failed as opportunities vanished. The closing of Tangra's tanneries hit the community's economy hard. Neglected roads, crumbling houses, and rising real estate pressure mark the once-thriving neighborhood. Traditional spaces like the Pei May Chinese High School are now occupied by security forces since 2024, blocking community use. Monica has moved the High Court to reclaim it. Cultural traditions survive through dedicated efforts. James Liao trains young men in lion dance at his old factory studio. Chinese temples remain, tended by elders who still celebrate rituals and prepare traditional foods like mafaa. Yet, as New Year celebrations become quieter, the community fears its heritage will fade. "Our children used to come back during New Year... but that has started to fizzle out," says a local woman. With dwindling numbers and little development, Kolkata's Chinatown stands at a crossroads, fighting to keep its identity alive.