Once in a BLUE Moon...

I had never thought that I'd live to see this day.. Cows would fly before this happened! But it did!!! And last heard, cows still have their feet planted firmly on the ground! (Thank God for small mercies!) The Yamuna has WATER! 

(This is not even the river itself! It's just a connecting stream thing!!!! Couldn't click the river itself! Reason given in the post so read on!)

I had heard about it in the news but thought it's all hogwash, they must be talking about some part of Yamuna nowhere within the peripheries of the city of Delhi. All my life I have seen the dirty mucky canal type thing under this huge bridge with a lot of weeds and grass growing and garbage strewn all around...and I saw this with my fingers firmly clutching my nose, jabbing the nostrils shut so I don't inhale even a sq. mm of that stench! But dude! I stood above the Yamuna bridge today and had my hands on the railings (yes both!) clasping tightly because the current and flow of the water made my head reel! And I swear had no railing been there I would have definitely plopped in!!!! And never popped up again! :P And it was not the stench that made my head reel...really!

Miracles do happen...once in a BLUE moon...

P.S- But that water even now shall not get anywhere near me!!! Not now, not ever! It's more toxic than my college canteen's dahi bhalla even now! Or maybe not.....Ummmmmmm.. Uhhhhhh.....Tough one that! :P:P

Wading in the city!

It rained cats and dogs today. I had to almost swim back home. The traffic was a bummer, drains overflowing, it was a sight to see. Makes one wonder about the drainage system of the city... God save Delhi's pride if the rain gods decide to flash their teeth during the Commonwealth Games! :P Perhaps if they paid attention to the more essential repairs rather than turn to rubble the footpaths and then batter them up again and again in a vicious cycle... perhaps then the citizens would not have to contemplate buying a boat as standby option in a city where even the sole river does not have water enough for a man to drown!

Dressing Up Delhi

 Image source: thecommonwealthgames.org

What's the hype all about? Okay, I know I was supposed to be on hibernation but something came up today that I just could not ignore. It's going to be a shift from my regular way of writing so kindly forgive me dear readers!

The Commonwealth Games have got the whole of Delhi mad. It was irritating even when it began but now it's crossed all limitations. The hypocrisy of those in power emerges like the blazing sun and burns our vision. The city is being dressed up like a bride- new roads, modern bridges, footpaths renovated, new flyovers, better stadiums, new parking lots- the entire city is being scrubbed and shined for the visitors. All this is great stuff I agree but what the heck does the government mean to do by troubling the residents of the city. Why all this renovation work now? Millions being blown everyday for a few outsiders who are going to visit for a matter of two weeks and go? What about those who live here? Do they account for nothing?

Today I found out from Dopey that the students who lived in hostels on-campus were being forced to move to PG accommodations so that the visiting people could stay there. I mean what the hell? It's sheer beastly, that's what it is. What about those outstation students who can't find a place to move into? Nobody gives a damn? 

Footpaths are being renovated for the visitors. Why was this not done earlier? What about those Delhi citizens who walk these roads every day? Don't they matter? For all this renovation roads are dug up all over. It is impossible to walk in Connaught Place now because there's construction work and debris everywhere. Rains make it worse, it becomes slushy and even worse. To cross the outer circle road is no less than a risky challenge, because there are no subways open right now and no traffic police manning the road for most part of the day and vehicles speed down in a constant stream making it impossible to cross. 

Stadiums are being broken down and built again for those sports persons who are going to come in for the Commonwealth Games. What about our own sports persons? Didn't they deserve better stadiums and better training apparatus? Why is everything being spruced up for CWG 2010? Why was this not done before?

New parking lots, flyovers, and all in that part of the city that shall be visited by those coming for the Commonwealth Games. What about the remaining part of the city? Do they not matter? The citizens who live here, pay the exorbitant taxes, walk down these footpaths, use those roads, practise in these stadiums seem to matter not a whit.

My problem is not with the dressing up. My problem is with why now? We pay for it and it is we who suffer. And instead of showing even an ounce of shame, the Delhi Government proudly says " Come out and play". The audacity is surprising really!!! 

Back from the Dead! ;) :P

Like it or not, here I am again!;) Yea, the hibernation is over...And god do we take some things for granted!!!!! Roti, for example! Ask for roti in Kerala and what you get is sweet bread! Ask for parantha and they give you the Kerala porotta made of maida which can gift you with endless trips to the loo if you don't limit the intake. (yea yea..that is exactly what happened to me, and don't you dare laugh!Wait till it happens to you freaks!:P)

The first thing I craved on hitting home soil again is my beloved dilli ka khaana. I'm gonna binge the month away. :) 

LESSONS TO BE REMEMBERED WHILE VISITING KERALA

Lessons learnt on the trip were many. The most popular thing in Kerala? Its not coconut trees silly! It's കള്ള്, the local liquor that can be found in shops at every nook and cranny! My little sister who can't read a word of Malayalam learnt how to read the word because that's what you find wherever you look.  

Lesson no 2: Everywhere you turn is a canvas with a view.. Seriously, Kerala has stunning spots to visit and is a photographer's delight. :) It sure was mine.


Lesson no 3: If you're visiting relatives or friends in Kerala just pretend to have a stomach upset! That's the only thing that can save you from actual stomach upset caused by the copious amount of food you will be made to consume otherwise! 
Lesson no 4: Don't trust restaurant signboards in Kerala. Just because it reads "INDIAN CONTINENTAL CHINESE" it doesn't mean that they serve any of that. True story.
Lesson no 5: when there's nothing else, there's always Maggi!:)
Lesson no 6: (for girls only) Do not wear Janpath chappals/jootis if you ever wish to see them again!
Lesson No 7: Do not stand under a coconut tree! Ever!
Lesson No 8: You want to use public transport? Learn the language first or you're done for!
Lesson No 9: Do not say "I'm not hungry" on visiting someone. It's worse that an insult. Refer to Lesson 3 again.
Lesson No 10: Do not insult Argentina or Brazil when the football season is on! Trust me! Even if you think they suck!
Okie...more on this later, now I need to go binge on some aloo ka parantha...O Delhi thou art my tummy's delight!


P.S: Minstrel's itinerary for tomorrow- Golgappas, Rajma Chawal, Dhokla and Chole Bhature!