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Meri Dilli..! and that too Dil Se..!


We are in the final lap of bringing down the curtains on year 2011. Significantly the year also marks the completion of 100 years of DELHI as the CAPITAL of modern INDIA . This city also happens to be my HOME for over 50 years now. The city has seen me growing up from being an "SCHOOL KID" to become an "OLD MONK". I have traversed the entire length & breadth of Yeh Mera India and still continue my hip hopping to all the metro cities . However I am always in a hurry to be back home to Meri Dilli. This city is my eternal love...

I have watched her transforming from being a big urban village to a chity chity bang bang metropolitan. This city has walked her way from being a citadel of political power to being a Jantar Mantar of Collision politics. From the fortress of Babudom to being kingdom of Corporate czars. From a city of monuments to a city of Millinium Malls and from being Maverick to coming into Mainstream

Way back in 60's & 70's "Dhaula Kuan" neither was a fear junction nor a stalkers heaven. Way back then Fiat Padmani, Bajaj scooters & Jawa bikes were a rage but there was nothing called road rage. People defenately were bullied on roads & streets but never "bullet ed" on the drop of a hat. Eve teasing was prevelent but it was never this stressful for the "EVE" to venture out after the dusk. The city was dusty but not as dirty & dreadful as today...

East Delhites were then ridiculed and sarcastically called Yamuna Par'. With passage of time much water has flown down the Yamuna and collected muck. Today East Delhi remains a source for raking the moolah for Land sharks, Builders and the Politicians ...

Delhi over the years have remained the home of urbanized middle class who loved their city as much as they loved their foggy winters and dusty summers. The summer's "Shikanji" and winter' s " Allolo Paratha" always gave them enough reasons to celeberate their everyday with laughter that was always dil se...

I don't know was it politics or demand of time that forced Delhi to be brewed into a toxicating concoction by annexing part of Haryana & UP into Delhi. If today this city is branded for being most infamous, ineffable, intimidating and intoxicatinglly brash & arrogant; it is Perhaps the price that this city is paying for being an NCR .

You know when you mix up "states" the city that emerge becomes a cocktail. The heady cocktail has drifted away Delhi from being a fun city to become a city that remains fatigued with Crime & Criminals , Pollution & Corruption. May be the famous phrase Dilli Dilwalon Ki is turning to be a proverbial myth..but that will not stop me from being in love with Meri Dilli..! and that too Dil..Se...!
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HT said…
I don't think I have ever read a more perfect assessment and reading of the city. Only someone who has spent multiple decades in the city can read her so well.

Very well written, nothing half baked about the post or the city itself.
December 22, 2011 at 3:12 PM
KAYARBEE said…
Thank you Himanshu..
December 22, 2011 at 10:04 PM
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