The Highs and Wows of Delhi

Yes, atleast for the next few posts it'll be all about Delhi, that is until I get bored of it.

Delhi so far has been pretty interesting. The people, the city and the food have been over-whelming to say the least. The sights need a different mention on its own. Every morning, I take the Metro from my place to Chandni Chowk and then take a rickshaw from outside the station to my college. Right outside a Gurudwara over there (its apparently a pretty popular one!), there's this long (read, very long) line of beggars and not so well off people squatting on the side of the road forming a line of atleast one hundred strong. They are there, dependent on a Sardar and his family to feed them.

I kid you not. A Sardar family comprising of an old man, an old woman, a young girl and another young boy come there every morning (I've been taking that route for the past 3 weeks, so it really is a regular event) in a tempo truck loaded with Chappathis and Sabji and actually feed these people. Imagine the amount of patience, money and respect they have. They feed close to a hundred people, EVERY morning! The simple thought that a hundred people are dependent on you for their breakfast (probably the one proper meal they eat everyday) can stump anybody. Its probably a religious sentiment for the Sardars or something, but this act of unbelievable kindness can wake up anybody and make them feel sorry for living in this world.

And this sight actually makes me feel sad. Sometimes, I'm just unable to look at that long line of people waiting for their food and I look away, pretending to ignore the sight, but my heart aches and it is indeed a pity that I have to watch that every single morning. But then again, just to prove that there is indeed a concept of Balance in this Universe, soon as the Rickshaw passes by these people and takes a right turn at the signal, The Majestic Red Fort welcomes me with all its Pride and Glory.

If there's one thing I am thankful for, it is this sight every morning. The Red Fort is a stupendous sight early in the morning with the sun shining brightly right above it. The sheer history behind it, the volume of importance it holds for us Indians (if you didn't know, Shah Jahan built the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid and developed the city of Indraprastha around it, which later gave birth to Delhi as we know it now) boggles my mind. I can only say that I am blessed to watch this majestic building every morning.

Delhi so far has been a contrast of sorts for me. My class consists of people from varied backgrounds and a simple one on one conversation can tell you that. That is one of the things I like about my class, the variation and the opportunity to learn about different cultures and lands humbles me. There's this omni-present group of Bongs (Who have ears sharper than Cats!) ready to pounce and mutilate anyone who even as much as mention Calcutta in a bad light, this group of Delhites, this guy/girl who somehow seems to mingle with everybody and this quiet guy/girl, who chooses to sit back and enjoy the view. Good Times.