Delhi Walla Life - discovery of India

NOTE: Click on the photographs and view the better and the tiny details of the moment in Enlarged Photographs.

Gone with the Wind:-

Sweet memories remind us about the road we have traveled and the people we have loved in the journey of life. The things are so wonderful that I just don’t want to lose the imprints I have in my mind. Those moments and feelings get stronger with fleeting time.

I recall the moments when I had this very habit of picking up the small pebbles from the lane while walking, thinking to store them and treasure forever. There has been one pebble which is so special and close to heart. The pebble recollects the magical moments of the City of hearts, the alluring thought-provoking Delhi/Delli.

I’m grounding settling and breathing those memories. The heat, the dust, the busy roads, those traffic jams and a whiff on the lanes of mouth-watering snacks prepared on streets, all reminds me Delhi-6.

I still cannot forget the best Nescafe coffee from the vending machine of NewDelhi Railway Station. And to fill up the tummy with the nutritious Rajma-Chawal plate sold along the streets was the best low-priced delicious option. The big glass of Special Lassi covered with dry fruits is lip-smacking treat indeed.

Living Life to the fullest:-

Memories of Delhi bring back the music and the latest updates of the traffic jam on roads from the FM radio which is like forever-yours friend, while driving. The most beautiful but time consuming journeys that ever happened to me were while traveling over heavy-loaded DTC buses and green color EMU trains.

Delhi people draw chatting with strangers anywhere and everywhere. Making the best of the moment the delhi-wallas soon babble on discussing the family issues, asking solutions and ideas from you.

Very weird! But dilli people magnetism pulls one and all into the dialogue dissolving the boundaries.

Survival Skills:-

When I was doing my college training in Delhi, there many hits and tricks to survive in the city were taught by my friends. Learnt about the short-cuts ways to the destination through the by lanes and other smart ways of getting the seat to sit in the trains : P

And one more weird but wonderful thumb rule to follow was to choose either standing for hours to see vehicles stopping by or just non-stop run and cross 3-5 roads around the circle to be on the other side saving time. Of coarse life was endangered but one has to practice it till expertise as vehicles literally does not stop for you.
So prepare to be active :P

Slow the dance and Enjoy the Music:-

Do you run through each day,
On the fly?
When you ask, "How are you?"
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

As the lines of the "Slow dance" poem (By: David L. Weatherford) goes, I felt we need to stop chasing the fast life and enjoy the moment.

Other friend of mine (Vicky) helped me to halt and salute the music. He introduced me to the Sweet-Pan sold near CP, Regal Cinema Hall, *Nizam’s Kathi kabab sold at CP(Connaught Place) and the authentic North Indian cuisine restaurant *Ek Boti Do Roti at CP have been the most appealing delicacies in Delhi. And lovely Mother dairy ice-cream cannot be forgotten or ignored.

* Address at the end of the post.

Ahh! I feel like lifting myself and dropping right to those places and relishing there at the fullest...

Ambience Tone:-

My beloved city Delhi brings alive the summers the terrible heat but with sweet lime sold on street.

The fog and mist of winters when hardly any driver could see through while driving on the road came with the warmth of heavy woolen clothes and jackets.

And the splendid Delhi rain or dribble-drizzle drenches the body with joy.

Call it any season; Delhi has its own very unique and radiant grace that touches heart and soul instantly without expectation.

Bits of Bliss:-

Every day this capital of India which is full of connections, confusion, heat, dust, dirt, and hassle-bustle at Yamuna Bridge, (one that connects Lakshmi Nagar to ITO crossing) gets Still in traffic jam.

But the beauty in that Still tick is captured by the elephants tied along the banks of river Yamuna. Those huge elephants are delights halts of the hassle moment, perhaps the reason I love Delhi.

Shopping Street Shine:-

Those colorful Janpath shopping lanes and those little pleasant joys of being able to buy from the minimum money is significant experience.

My first tiger print stole/scarf was bought from there many years back costs just 2 dollars.

The bits of pleasure through shopping unique and inexpensive goods can be well attained from several shops/ bazaars like Dilli Haat, Janpath and Tibetan Market, Khan Market, Paharganj, Chandni Chowk, Lajpat Nagar (Central Market)Karol bagh, Sarojini Market, Delhi-NCR.

The choices are countless but the markets are crumbling and chaotic. But sure worth for certain shopping adventures.

I remember, those long walks through the underground crowed tiny lanes of PalikaBazar and in the corridors of the CP covered with enormous branded shops was incredible and still cherished.

There's always a First Time:-

Wearing patiala suits with the unfurl dupatta and walks by side of the road which leads to the endless moments of history, portions of Forts, Mosques, monuments, Guru Dwara and local Bazaars in all the city confides its miraculous mysteries.

Delhi have been the place where I had my first cappuccino at CCD (Café Coffee Day), my first ever McDonald burger,
my coffee at Mocha with my friends.

Of coarse, latter having discovered the Cha Bar, Delhi's most happening tea lounge at Connaught Place's Statesman Tower (Barakhamba Road), which is as part of the Oxford Bookstore, was my key destination. What tempted me about this place was that the place is full of life.

A comfortable couch, reading novels while sipping the coffee/tea or glazing out the windows, the unique city life keeps occupied.

Old is Gold:-

Looking back the oldest and first memories of Delhi are when I was a little child. My paa whenever went on the tour to Delhi from Mathura, made sure to bring those lovely bird shaped balloons which were sold at IndiaGate.

And a very strange plastic toy frog shaped, attached with the thin pipe, jumped when being pumped was much loved. It was sold at IndiaGate.
One can still find those playthings sold there.

Still when I see the bubbles in air, it’s the IndiaGate thoughts that infuse my mind instantly. The first amusement park of India, Appu Ghar with its exquisite roller coasters still strikes a chord in heart.

My each day is like assorted toss in Delhi, full of charm and charisma.

 In the recent times, watching the movies like Lakshya, Rang de Basanti and Delhi-6 mesmerized glimpse of the city simply added on the admiration I have for the city spirit and experience. I still like to get hooked to the TV screen to see the celebration of the Republic Day and Independence Day to peep into Delhi’s colourful spectrum.

Brief moments but the memories last a life-time.

Lasting Moments:-

I wonder sometimes memories are so fascinating that they never fade with time rather gets stronger with each regard. But I like to remember the quote, “We must always have old memories and young hopes”.

My aesthetic static moment is Delhi! Déjà vu!!
Indeed! Delhi is full of je ne sais quoi (stylishness, sophistication)!

Perhaps one can never forget the Enduring Legend Born in New Delhi, the “Monkey Man”, the Kala Bander.

Its like what I say, desi dilli ishstyle mein kahani Sunaiyoo..oo..!!

NOTE:

• A tini-mini thanks to Vicky for introducing me to some aesthetic sides of Delhi.
• Heartily thanks to Rohan Devesar for the above inspiring picture of IndiaGate contribution. You have a long way to go:)  I’m glad that he instantly agreed to share the picture. Cheers Buddy!
• I’m truly proud to have friends like Amit Semwal aka Omit d Photographer, Vinit Saini aka SRK and Rakhi for enormously support and affection.
• And last but not least Thanks to Rahul Sharma aka Pietersen Rahul, a very aspiring passionate photographer who have his own stimulating and energizing angled pictures.
• I also owe a million ton thanks reach out to all my friends out in Delhi, the Dell'IET/ Delhiwallas for their motivation.

* Nizam's Kathi Kabab
H-Five & Six, Plaza Building,
Connaught Place,
New Delhi,
Tel. : +91-11-2332 1953
site: http://www.nizams.com/

* Ek boti Do roti
P-22/90, Connaught Place,
National Capital Territory of Delhi 110001
Tel: 011 23343935

NOTE : Request not to void the copyrights of the photographers. These pictures cannot be used anywhere eles without permission.

Hope You liked my way of Discovering Delhi Walla Life, revert your :)thoughts !!