My Pug Marks

Of late, worse than the pollution, population & politicians (elections are underway here where I stay); it has been crows and pigeons that have been giving me a heart ache! In a city where there isn't enough space for people to stay and more get pouring in everyday, it looks like things aren't much different for these birds as well. When town was full & expensive, people moved to suburbs. When prices shot up in suburbs - hey there still were the outskirts to stretch and extend Mumbai further. When trees were full, there were poles & buildings. And now - these little funny creatures don't mind to procreate on our window ledges! People are generous of course. I have seen elevators in some Jain dominated buildings having stickers saying how you can wash away your sins by feeding them. Humbug! So, every morning (especially weekend mornings) when you are having the best sleep of your life (at least the week!) - they simply can't stop moving round and...

Image Courtesy: Delhi! ‘garche hain mulq-e-dakhan mein in dinon qadr-e-sukhan kaun jaaye Zauq par dilli ki galiyaan chod kar’ - Mir Zauq These famous lines by Mir Zauq, a contemporary of Mirza Ghalib defines the quintessential nature of the city we call Delhi. Roughly translated to English, in these lines Mir Zauq is saying that although the seat of power and all the worldly comforts have shifted to the Deccan region of India but still, who can even think of leaving the by-lanes of Delhi? A true dilliwala can understand what it means. Delhi is the capital of India. Like every capital city should be – it has been painted in the colors of modernity and is a suitable representation of the growth that India has witnessed. However, unlike many cities, or cities which even weren’t cities then, Delhi has been painted in colors representing grandeur and layers and layers of them, one over the other. Delhi itself represents history. It has assimilated everyone. Mughals, Khiljis, an...