Showing posts with label Metro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Metro. Show all posts

Thursday, April 26, 2012

From DTC to Metro

Delhi once gave me shapely arms. At least twice a day, I was assured of an intensive session of physical exercise, equivalent to any modern gym equipped with sophisticated technology. I, as well as my fellow female colleagues, could boast of a 26 inch waist. And that too without a diet, in fact we used to hog like wolves all day. All courtesy, DTC buses. A ride in a DTC bus of those days was quite an educational tour. On a busy route, a DTC bus was a colossal cuboid of humans rolling across the streets. Those lucky enough to have a foot-hold clung to their good fortune. People from all walks of life were forced to forget their differences as they shared space aboard these indifferent machines. Labourer, teacher, housewife, student – all were equal. Summers were even more humbling.


This time the capital welcomed me with the Metro. The Metro is like the latest hottie in college. Everybody is talking about it. Everybody wants to be seen in it. Not one day goes by without me hearing an incident that happened on the Metro. I myself travelled it for most of my interviews. You can do a complete behaviour analysis of the current Delhiite while sitting on those seats.

First of all Metro stations are so secure that you can stand proud while you wait for it. Unlike when you wait for a DTC, you don’t have to rivet your eyes around for suspicious characters. And even if you do spot someone creepy, you know that help isn’t at all far. Moreover, you know the exact amount of time you have to wait, which will be max eight minutes. Unlike DTCs you aren’t going to be spending an easy half hour stagnating under the sun.

All the technology does usher in some snobbery. Swanky swinging automatic doors, tokens and smart cards, stations built like international airports; that’s a lot to brag about. People are generally seen staring into the distance with an air of superiority, mostly with a pair of headphones glued to their ears. They seem unruffled by the multitude of people milling around. For even in the new fangled Metro, there is rush. Sometimes, I wonder how the doors are able to close. I guess you can’t win everywhere.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Back in Teekhi Delhi!


My sincerest apologies for the sudden absence. Being a human being, sometimes the world around me demands and I simply have to supply. Without any more fanfare, let me tell you that I am now in Delhi. Delhiites and people who have been to Delhi would know that this is not a city one takes lightly. Millions of people have tried their luck here for hundreds of years. It’s the perfect place for a reality check. The crowd here is rough, rude and ever increasing. Itcan trample on your dreams quite painfully.But, after a month of being shoved and pulled around, you realize that it doesn’t matter anymore. And suddenly, you are one of the mob, standing and watching a nervous newbie complain about the crowd. And you don’t have the time to console this person.

And soon, you get a new feeling. Like nothing can stop you from reaching what you want. Whether, its the soaring temperatures in summer or the biting chills of Delhi winter, you find that you are still delivering, still functioning, still very much enjoying too.

I almost grew up in Delhi. Did my college from DU. I am back after six years. Some of the gigantic changes that I am witnessing shock me, others surprise me pleasantly, and still others leave me nostalgic. How did I live without bhalla papdi, bhel puri, gol gappa, I wonder? How did I shop when it wasn’t Sarojini Nagar, Karol Bagh or Janpath, I ponder? But I am back, and am enjoying every taste, khatti, meethi and lots of teekhi!

Kismat ko aazmaane
Tere dar pe aaye hai hum
Gar Dilli dilwalon ki hai
To sapne dekhenge hum
Inhe na tod deejiye
Tere nakhre uthaenge hum