Thursday, March 15, 2012

ME AND DELHI

Finally after months, I have reached an expression which says….. 
“Itna bura bhi nai hai” 
and when said by a girl, it means…. 
“I really like it”.

Yes people it’s the same me writing in yet again about my experience so far in this city, “DELHI”.

There was a day when I “hated” this place like anything. I mean it was so confined, I felt lifeless here. And then is the day today, when this very “lifeless” place has taught me what “life” is actually all about. Funny thing I tell you. But I guess this is how it goes…..this is how “THE GREAT LESSONS OF LIFE” are taught.

My first hand experience with DELHI was like “Impossible”. But then impossible exists with a wide possibility of it being possible. So it happened.

Had it not been for this place, I would have never emerged as what I am. I would not have realized my ambitions, my desires and my dream. I became “Self dependent”, in its true sense. And believe you me, being on your own is just amazing. Yes I missed everyone, my family and my friend a lot too much, but at the same time realized “That’s what life is all about”. All my fear has vanished to the extent that sometimes it’s hard to believe that I am the same timid girl who was hell scared of everything and everyone (Oh yes, that was me a long time ago, in those school days).

With the advent of Delhi in my life, things changed, situations changed and so did I.

I cried and sobbed at times and however disheartened, I knew that I am not meant to stop, so I took a step forward every time I felt pushed back. 

I laughed uncontrollably at several situations, unreasonably sometimes, and realized that, to be or not to be happy, all depends on only one person and that’s  “You….yourself”. 

I started believing myself and the fact that my existence is for a cause.

I, for the first time sensed being responsible for a lot of people, and at most for my family. 

I realized that love is not what we see with our eyes wide open, it is something else…..yes it is “Something Else”. And with that I can undoubtedly admit that I love my parents, my sisters, my brother and yes My best friend. 

This very place gave me some really “happiest days of all”, friends and memories to be cherished all lifelong.
There are, at the same time, people who like always, are still a part of a constant dilemma within me, but then that’s how things are meant to be. This taught me to “LET GO” certain things and people as well.


Because it’s about Delhi, not mentioning the place would be totally injudicious of me.
Delhi as a place is fantastic with respect to almost everything, provided you realize that your safety is totally in your hands. What adds comfort and some beauty to this place is “DELHI METRO RAIL CORPORATION”. Seriously, had it not been for the metro, I would have never liked this place to the extent that I now do. Another reason that makes Metro so dear to me is the calmness that “some” metro stations have, an excellent relaxing spot for me……yeah at times ;)

The markets and the malls together provide a beautiful contrast, it’s like there is everything for each and every strata of society. The ease of availability of almost everything, the exposure with respect to the norms, traditions and globalization as a whole here is just perfect for a start. The beautiful historical monuments add a tint of uniqueness to the city.

Oh the food…..!!! I skipped that (How could I!). Well Delhi, dear readers, is incomplete without the rich description of food here. It’s really difficult to compile it all here in a few sentences (Will need another article to describe that :P). Keeping it sweet and simple “Extensive Variety and Fabulous Taste”, provided you choose wisely.

And I hate to reveal that an enormous portion of the city still remains unexplored by me. Hoping for the best, may that be unleashed soon. The more you explore this place, the more you love it.

Through all this really nice stuff, I came across the darker portions of Delhi as well. Of all that, what causes me the worst distress is the network of beggars here. Yes it’s a network, and a huge one. I have had many encounters with situations which left me hundreds of questions, all unanswered till date.

At a metro station, one day, I saw a perfectly fine woman, except that she wore all dirty and ragged clothes, with two kids. And I was really shocked at what “teachings” she was passing onto her next generation. Yes, she was training them how to beg money in the most harassing manner of all, so as to extract the best out of anyone around. I mean not out of some genuine mishap, but people here beg because it is their “Family Business”!!!!!
And if someone comments
What on earth is wrong in giving alms to those who are actually lame or wounded?”
 I too want an answer, 
How do the same people get hurt every day with the same and fresh wound again?”.

I guess that’s the network that keeps the wounds fresh for like “forever”. When I see someone with that bandaged and yes quite prominent cut, slit, or a torturous burn, I too really feel bad. But at the same time it is hard to believe that a human can do such a heinous thing to another just for the sake of “MONEY”.
Thus with effect to all this, I never give money to any beggar. People might find me stone hearted at times and that’s just because I make myself one, for I cannot be a part of this system (With no offence to one who does for it’s all a matter of choice and a different point of view).

Another thing that drives me mad is, when I see a similar lot of those beggars around taking drugs all openly and widely. Sometimes I feel sorry for them for what they have got themselves into. They beg and they consume drugs; that’s how life works for them. But seriously, no sympathies at all. No one is there to catch hold of them, even when this is done publically. Please correct me if I am wrong in saying that supplying drugs at such a wide scale and that too not for a medical cause, is illegal. And this, my friends is not an issue hidden in the obscure end of the city. It happen all day all night in the heart of Delhi and I am sure about the fact that soon, too much drugs will stop this heart from beating.
There are a lot other darker issues in this city, like the Yamuna Water Pollution.
If only these issues get resolved, Delhi would be a really nice place for a long and a happy stay.
Anyways, as for now, as much as I want things to get better, I really enjoy the brighter part of the city. And I am happy being a part of it. I don’t know how long will I stay here, but I am sure of one thing, I will miss this place wherever I land up next.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe your own words….Strange but true.

And when finally after months I say that……
 “Itna bura bhi nai hai”.
I genuinely mean……...
 “I really like Delhi”.