Dilli- part 1

Kaun jaayega Zauq , par Dilli ki galiyaan chhodkar!!!

When Sheikh Ibrahim Zauq was asked of his plans to go back home to Agra, he responded by saying this. Well, I, like Zauq, am an immigrant who’s almost made Delhi his home- don’t think I’m leaving this place for some time. I may not have Zauq’s poetic skills though- thought I’ll scribble down some words though-

Ye roads, ye galiyaan
Aur unme woh sexy kudiyaan,
Chala main in roads pe,
Sang apne doston ke,
Kabhi hansa, kabhi kabhi roya,
Yaheen apne ambitions ko sanjoya,
Jab poore huey toh “oh-yea”,
Jab nahi toh “sab tha moh-maya”.
College gaya, chai piya,
Propose kiya, Reject kiya,
Accept hua, reject hua, ditch hua,
Achcha hua, kabhi shaayad bura hua,
Kabhi hansta raha, kabhi sab saha,
Job kiya, resign kiya,
Aur fir job kiya, aur fir resign kiya,
Kabhi paidal chala, kabhi blue line pe,
Kabhi chetak pe, kabhi Santro pe,
Kabhi main baja, jaise concert mein tabla,
Kabhi ghussa hua, jaise anda ho ubla,
kabhi achcha laga, kabhi bura laga,
Fir bhi ye shehar sabse pyaara laga.
Dilli badla, par fir bhi na badla,
Aakhir kaun jaaye yaar,
Dilli ki galiyaan chhodkar!!

I might complete this one someday- this was just a summary.

Something that makes Delhi so special is the food here. This section today is dedicated to the food stalls in Qutb institutional area.

I first went to these dhabas in the winter of 2002. Went to Laxman da dhaba opposite IIFT (I thought it was Indian Institute of Fashion Technology). Was bowled over by the Gobhi Parathas and the Tibetan red chilly pickled sauce. I still am. Spent plenty of evenings and nights there…with friends… Every time somebody comes to Delhi for the 1st time, I take him/ her to this gali. There is something about it- the ridge beside the food area, the energy of the students , the romance in the air…kuch toh hai…

While I’ve been out with many a friends to this place, the cake is reserved for one friend of mine (he will also appear in the blog entry when I write about Andhra bhawan)- Simran Shekhar Singh, athva Triple S.

Triple S and I first went there in the summer of 2006. We were regulars there- almost every evening after citi- sometimes traveled on his bullet, sometimes on my chetak 4 stroke… I shall remember that as the place which cemented our friendship.

While I dedicate this series of blogs to the city and its parts, I shall dedicate this to also some great people who made it special for me.

This is dedicated to Triple S, the genuine gentle giant, great friend and partner in travel in many a Delhi adventures..