While coming up with new topics to write about (which of course are abundant), here's another series of snapshots from the everyday of Delhi.
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| Lazing around at the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place downtown Delhi. |
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| Ramesh the andawallah (eggman) sells omelettes and chai in front of the American embassy. If you had to leave for work in a rush and skipped breakfast, he's your man. Since Chanakyapuri, the embassy district, does not have any kind of retail outlets available, Ramesh has the monopoly on breakfast and snacks. His clientele mostly consists of people queuing for a visa interview to the American embassy. Another example of the effects of immigration policy to the economy. |
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| The Delhi winter can be hard on people on the streets, blankets are vitally important for many. Every year the homeless are distributed blankets by various NGOs and the government. This winter, to save money, the city of Delhi decided to distribute bubble wrap instead. Needless to say, the reception was rather cold. |
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| A woman praying in the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place. |
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| A rickshaw wallah taking five in Nizamuddin East market. |
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| January 5th was the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, an important figure of the Sikh faith. A parade led by Sikh elders in their festive attire, weapons and white horses marauded through the colonies of south Delhi making sure everyone was aware what was going on. The procession included elephants, camels, white horses, several marching bands and a whole army of Sikh warriors. |
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| Sikh youngsters showing their skills in Gatka, a Punjabi martial art. |
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| "I'm the king of rock, there ain't none higher, sucker MC's should call me sire...ahem" |
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| A vegetable vendor was decorating his stall with candles to celebrate Diwali, the Hhindu festival of lights. |
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| The Hindu temple at the Nizamuddin East market has interesting sponsors. |
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| A peek down from a flyover revealed a dwelling and a dump. As the city is in constant flux of migrants from surrounding states, housing is a serious problem. Beggars and poorer labourers with only occasional income end up inhabiting the spaces under flyovers and bridges in arrangements like these. |
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| The main strip of Nizamuddin East in the morning. This spot is where my daily commute begins. The routine usually includes a good refreshing loud argument with an auto-rickshaw driver. Some of them have already started to recognize my face and casually ignore me knowing I'm not easy money for them. |
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| The future of India is safe. |
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| A tuba player, member of a marching band. These bands fill the soundscapes during the hindu festival season when most Indians prefer to have their weddings. Marching band versions of Bollywood hits are played with supersonic cadence, often with rather cacophonous results. |
