D for Delhi !!

All of a sudden, had this urge of penning down a weird thought that has occupied my mind since I last visited Delhi. It’s the D word that’s playing on my mind like a Himesh number which you may loath as much but can’t get off your head. This bizarre connection of the word D with Delhi- it’s like the two were destined to be together. One needs to pardon me if all this sounds rigged because I shall be using both English, Hindi & Delhi lingo to prove my hypothesis.

Going chronologically, we could see the fixation of all major Dynasties with Delhi…be it the Pandavas, the Mauryans, the Tugluqs or the Mughals. Every single Dynasty to have ruled the subcontinent gave it their best shot to gain a foothold in Delhi. To take this serious note further, Delhi also stands for Development. Be it the Delhi Metro, the BRT, the commonwealth village, the International airport or the construction of multiple-lane roads, Delhi is the leading icon of Development in the country.

But hey, Delhi also stands for Demolition (read DDA flats). Ask people of the panic and fright they have gone through in the past few years. When every truck or bulldozer scared the hell out of Delhites residing in questionable plots and when 3BHKs were reduced to 2 room-flats in a flash.

However, none of my discussions, thoughts or dreams (sometimes nightmares) about Delhi is over without the mention of DTC buses. One ride on the DTC could change your outlook towards life, leave you transformed. I learnt how to book my seats throwing my handkerchiefs from a distance (read Planning); I learnt the art of pretending to be asleep or ill while being seated comfortably on a ladies seat. I learnt how to stand right in front of the conductor with utmost confidence throughout the journey without purchasing a ticket (read confidence building). I have seen men evolve from being regular DTC travelers to frequent flyers without losing their principles. While in the DTC they would deliberately brush their arms, legs and whatever else with ladies in the rickety environment; in a low-cost airline they would book aisle seats to brush their elbows each time the air-hostess passed.

Next in line is Delhi’s Dialogue-baazi. Every single mortal, and I repeat – every single mortal you see in Delhi is an encyclopedia. And you could avail all the gyan for free !! You don’t need to attend Satsangs as the aunties in Delhi do after spending the whole day bitching, shouting at neighbors or fighting with their husbands. You get it while crossing the roads, getting off the bus, purchasing clothes or visiting a temple.

We know Delhi for its Defraud or Do numberi too…right from the early bollywood days such as the Kishore Kumar starrer Dilli ka Thug. Here you have a duplicate for everything – clothes, cellphones, electronic gadgets and even people. There’s defraud in education too…just visit one of the “Guaranteed “ IIT coaching institutes around Kalu Sarai and you would have your answer.
Delhi is also known for its Dikhawa – show off. No matter how poor or middle class you are, you would carry the latest and most expensive mobile phones. You might even keep saying “hello…haan pahunch raha hoon” ten times over the phone even though there may be no one on the other side…just for some attention!! Young guys and gals wearing Designer clothes roaming in the shopping malls day after day without purchasing a needle – all a part of the game. You also can’t ignore the weddings here – after all you marry once (sometimes twice) and this is the only time you could show-off your riches. These weddings will be packed with Dhol, Dance and Daaru (served inside the cars during the Baarat). Someone had once correctly pointed out; Delhites can dance at virtually anything…even at the electric Generator’s beat!!

What the Delhites however know best is to live...live to the fullest !! The celebrations here are the loudest in the country, celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm. Hence during a certain Diwali or even a Dussehra, if theres any place you wish to be, its Delhi!! The people here are also amongst the country’s best foodies …so I get the next D for this blog – Delicacies. All the little food joints across India boasting of being Punjabi Dhabas look pale in front of the real ones in Delhi. Dal Makhani that’s so famous across North India is by far best prepared in Delhi.

Good or bad, there’s something about Delhi…..she is such a Darling; she gets the best out of me and keeps me coming back for more!! Any takers for the D fixation now???