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Posted on: Jan 21, '09

Nostalgic Delhi

Nostalgia Urf New Delhi-India

The IGIA speakers blared in an echo
” Flight No 9W230 ,
New Delhi to JFK (New York)
is delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions caused by Fog. Passengers are requested to collect their refreshment tickets
from hospitality Crew”
This came to us three ,Me and my two wonderful daughters, as a cruel shock.
It was my 5th visit to India ever since I settled in NY (USA)
30 years back.But for my daughters ,it was their 2nd visit in last
26 years.
Airlines world over, are Professional Money Savers(PMS)
and would
not
bother to sense our inner desires once their ticket is sold.

Not that we did not spend two grand and enjoyable fortnights in New and Old Delhi to the brim but for the fact that we never left a moment to make it a joyous party. We were rather wondering if we could steal another opportunity to go back to the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk and devour us with some choicest Breakfast delicacies at Haldirams.

Cycle Rikshaws still support the mass movement ,
though legally banned.
But indeed the charms of movement stand unhindered
courtesy CNG coaches.

Four hours at Airport waiting lounge was as short as refresh call to the Cloak-room.,
for we were sharing each other of our wonderful experiences of last
29 eventful days.

For my girls it was their first conscious visit to Papa’s birth place ,since they grew up and popped their neck around .
Indeed what they felt was much nourishing an experience than they could dream of.
The glittery comparison with
Times Square and Floral Park ceased
at the yummy corners of
Bengali Market and Chandni Chowk.
Barring the hum and fervour ,Lajpat Nagar ,South Extension Markets looked much younger to
Mall Culture at Select City Walk, DLF Mall, Metropolitan Mall etc in South Delhi-Saket, flaunting the tallest and best names in World class Shopping choices.
Karol Bagh,by all means, still holds high in its own unique terms.
INA market served all and one
Euro-American choices at one snap.
Dilli Haat spread the fragrance of Mini India with myriad forms of creativity at their best.
Be it State Eatries or Handicrafts in wood, weaving furnitures, textiles, Home decore, Potteries, Carpets,
Gastronomic appetizers and
indeed the live regional Dance performances…
all zoomed in an out like a klaedoscope .
No money was enough to visit the wonderful galaxy of abundantly cultural emporiums kissing the horizons of Connaught place.
Indeed the Choori and Hinna Bazaar of Hanuman Mandir left indelible marks that was befittingly video recorded.

Modern Delhi Metro Rails has virtually redrafted
the vast and colorful map of Delhi to a Journey of minutes-
Name it and reach without fauz-paus.
No more succumbing to cheating taxi/three wheeler street smart goons.
Khadi Gram Udyog Bhavan created memories of Ghandian era once again..
and believe me that
my kids perhaps played the best of their
pocket burning fantacies in there.
Perhaps the best buys in Khadi Silk and Khadi Sarees.

History comes alive practically on every 5th milestone in Delhi,
and reminds of the nostalgic glorious past..
be it Moghul Empire,Tughlak Dynasty,
British Raj or the Post Independence era.
History speaks through stones ,lanes,
thick shady trees,markets,linguistic patterns,
traffic geometries,cultural noises,
Museaums,Bus stand terminals…
Just name it and its nostalgically fragrant.
Rashtrpati Bhavan and Parliament House
to India Gate unto National Stadium.
Cleridges Hotel to Conn.Place..
Teen Murti Round Circular Park,Mughul Garden ,Kashmere Gate,Bazaar Sita Ram,Nai Sarak,
Raj Path,Zymkhana Club,Ashoka Hotel
and an array of
Most Modern Chain of Taj ,Hyatt,ITC hotels.
Garden of Seven Seasons,India Habitat Centre,
Siri Fort Auditorium.
Jamun trees still flaunt on either sides of most of Lutyans lanes.
World Class Hospitals still behave younger to
AIIMS and Safdarjung,Moolchand Hospitals.
JLN Stadium ,Pragati Maidan,IG Stadium,
Ambedkar Stadium..Talkatora Gardens
and Swimming Pools spell the Modern class of New Delhi.
Go West and North and we experienced
the best of metropolitan development under names of
Dwarka ,Janak Puri,Pitam Pura & Azadpur Mega markets.
South and East of Delhi are equally amazing that add
galaxy of Techno industrial and Metro Residential combinations of Modern extended Delhi Culture.

Gurgoan to Noida(BPO Capitals of Europe and US)…
Faridabad ( the den of World class Hinna)to Sonipat ..
its all humming with tremendous nostalgic fragrance
but indeed the modern geography of development has added sparkle to its existing luster.

Warmth-Blood relations,relatives.friends of relatives still
come out and extend open hearted help and escorts to
guide and advise.,inspite of the Jamming traffic on roads.
Development has reversed the visibility of
Bicyles to Cars and Sedans ;
Plain roads to Flyovers.Main lanes to Defined drive ways.
Its changed a lot indeed, but with a delicate touch
by preserving the nostalgic past.
The best part is “We enjoyed the Warmth in the Hearts of Delhites”
The Airlines has announced Boarding and yet we are not through with our wonderful sharings ..May be it’s a never ending Nostalgia.. An ever enduring memory.

My americanised girls said “We Love Our INDIA”
Its our India.

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tenjade_destiny said:
wonderful description, being in delhi for past so many years, even i won't be able to narrate it so beautifully, loved readin it

January 21, '09

suchislife_ia said:
We are attending a machinery show in New Delhi. It is in February. Our company has sent a saw for it, but nobody from here is coming. I sent this blog to my boss so he could forward it to those who are attending, for New Delhi info! Nice timing my friend!!

January 21, '09

alamara2000 said:

Hey friend, you can become a very good guide now, Even they don't show us around so nicely, like you have written here.
Kudos dear.
Keep it up.

January 21, '09

suchislife_ia said:
Oh wonderful! I feel like I am visiting India! It sounds like such a nice time for you and your daughter's to bond, too! And what about the bicycle rickshaws? really they are banned? that is not true for bangladesh, correct? Thank you for sharing this very cool time!!

January 21, '09

sazzyme said:
wowowowowowowowoow super cool post
darn u make me wanna go around delhi and yet i luv where i am right now in the great white north.

and to think ur american bred dottys enjoyed too..makes my heart leap with joy..coz then i am darn sure when my kids grow up they aint gonna turn out to be ABCs..or CBCs in my case.

but then again..thats gotta lot to do with ur parenting too astroji...u musta instilled in ur kids right from the start..where u hail from. i do that too..

and yet and yet..there are such gud natured???!!! puns and backlashes on NRIs..

to which i just say..i am DARN TOTALLY DARN more INDIAN to a fault than our brethern residing there..
ya agree?

nyways..wonderful post!

-proudly indocanadian.

January 21, '09

geetsudha said:
hi astro,honestly the best read ever about delhi,looks like u visited whole of delhi with ur lovely daughters n enjoyed it,well i hv enjoyed it with u all,thank u.u dont get the warmth of indians anywhere else.hope ur dotters will visit again n again.

January 21, '09

sudhakriti2000 said:

Super.The nostalgic fragrance of our land ,waters,air and people's warmth is an ever alive aroma that delves and lives into our souls.I am glad to know that as a good parent you have not missed the hly duty of befriending your children with Motherland,Passionately warm post.
You make me tickle a few drops of tears missing my land..

January 21, '09

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