A different Day-Tour....Delhi

New Delhi or NCR, is always in the news for some reason or the other. A region which has been the centre of political establishments & achievements thereby creating historical significance is bound to be in the Limelight at most times. Aided by the changing cultural, socio-economic backdrops & and an ever changing migrant working population the region witnesses rapid transformations to cater the changing demands or requirements. Delhi hosts a variety of places, specially historical, worth visiting, depending on the individual's  interests, preferences & mood.

But I am here to explore the Laziness of Delhi which is highly affordable and a Real Treat if you want to enjoy a day or two in the winter season away from the traditional comforts of private taxis/cars, happy brunch or eat-outs at different cuisines. You can get all the elite-comforts at any other city for more or less same price, nothing special about them.....let 's explore little differently, amidst the crowd & daily bustle.

A foggy morning & early start would be ideal kick-off. Step out of the blanket, get ready & here we go! Caution : Don't over-burn, over-stuff or starve yourself. Take a day off from conventional touring....just collect the Bits & Pieces, you will relish stitching the memoir later..

Breakfast : Get to the road side Vendor, grab an Aloo-Paratha with Pickle & then sum it up with 'Adrakwali Chai', the milk tea with sugar & ginger. 'Bhaiya feeki banana', if you want to avoid tasting a syrup. Now get the Daily/Monthly Pass from nearest Metro Station & embark on 'The Journey'.

Neeli Chhatri Mandir : On the banks of Yamuna, near to Nigam Bodh Ghat (burning ghat in Delhi) & 'Yamuna Bank Station' on Metro-Blue Line, this Temple dates back to the days of 'Battle of Kurushetra', if historians & folklores to be believed.

It goes as....after the battle was over, Yudhisthir bathed on the banks of Yamuna & performed the religious rituals at this temple before setting his feet on the throne of Hastinapur. 

However, appearance & continuous maintenance does not give the temple any pre-historic look, yet certain things are better believed to feed Romanticism.

National Museum : Located on Janapath in Lutyen's Delhi & close to 'Central Secretariat Station' on Metro-Yellow Line the Museum bodies real Collection of Conserved Indian Art-Items from sculpture, painting, musical instruments, handlooms, manuscripts of pre-historic times to the very recent beautiful 'Swaraswati' pandal-idol from West Bengal. Use the available Audio-Guide for better understanding.

Mirza Ghalib : Get down at 'Chawri Bazaar Station' on Yellow Line & take the walk through the busy & narrow lanes of Old Delhi to 'Galli Qasim Jan, Ballimaran' and meet one of the greatest ever poet in his Abode. If you are lucky to be in Delhi on 27-December or around that week evening functions are common at the house to commemorate the Poet.

Karim's & Parathewali Gali : Try out only the Kebabs at world famous Karim's, the cuisine started by the Cook from Mughal Kitchen & then the unique 'Rabri-Paratha' at Parathewali Gali. Kindly note only cash is acceptable at these places.

Hauz Khas Village Area : Now let's go to this area, near 'Hauz-Khas Metro Station' on Yellow Line. This place has attracted some Glamour Quotient owing to certain movies like 'Lakshya', 'Rock Star', 'Tamasha', etc.

A walk through to the Vast Deer Park/Lake/Tank area surrounded by Medieval Architectures all around, takes you to a different world. As you come out of the Lake Area, little ahead lies Firoz Shah Tughlak in his Tomb.

This entire area has the most modern amenities like open cafe, library-cum-bar-cafe (SOCIAL), restaurants, music against the backdrop of these Partially Restored Architectural Ruins. Just soak in the atmosphere for sometime at an open air cafe. Shopping without good bargaining skills is expensive.

                        

The tour is now over. You may now finish off as you like it. Try the Kebabs or Parathas again at Old Delhi or rather be in the Warm & Cozy ambience of the Village, exploring the drinking/eating options. If you want a little different ending to the food riot, go for the kebabs at Qureshi's in Alaknanda/Kalkaji area, an open air experience.

Hope you have had a Great Day, it was a pleasure being the Guide. Have a nice rest & deep sleep....GOOD NIGHT !

(Picture Courtesy : Google)

Psychologist & Psychriatist

The moment you say you have visited one of them, eyes will start looking towards you, as if you are a Zombie....those who are a bit more politically correct will avoid immediate eye contact to hide their expression. But invariably among the acquaintance circle the Hush will keep growing.......for having turned mad, mentally disturbed. The basic assumption is that there cannot be "any smoke without fire". Quite strange still in our country Mental Health Issues are for 'Other Planet Residents' and not a normal health concern.

Mordern City Life, Financial Needs & Work-Life imbalance has generated or instigated several mental issues, which people don't speak off, considering career prospects, image building etc. Very Often you hear people telling friends or relatives too busy to call/meet, stating professional demands....which either they are ignoring or too stressed out to even talk for a while.In Corporate World Slide Shows/Presentations, Meetings, Safety Moments Mental Health Issues get discussed but not much beyond some procedural formalities.

Sometime in the past, in a filthy atmosphere, the increasing irritation of having to deal with unethical, manipulative, spineless, visionless, insensitive, arrogant, unprofessional individuals on a daily level was causing prolonged mental disturbance. The resistance was too much to really change things for the better, even though everything was crystal clear. The unsystematic system & it's existing players were not feeling Safe & Comfortable to come out and try to make a better tomorrow. The viscous  cycle kept repeating.  This was compounded by some personal disturbances & damages. To remain calm, composed & decent things were taking its Toll to the extent that prolonged sleep disturbance became chronic. 

A good old friend suggested to consult some professional....and I went for Psychologist Consultation. He said, "first of all thanks that you came so early, no one speaks of this problem. It's a really strainous when you have to deal with such unwanted people on a daily basis....it's a pity when TRUST factor becomes zero. I think you will not need to come back again just follow one of the 2 things that will do, if you Love Yourself.

1) Ignore the people, or what they say & keep being decent : a tough one as you have to live day in and day out in the Negativity

2) Show the mirror : be ruthlessly straightforward, call a spade a spade right on the face. People will find it rude/uncomfortable, your image/fortune will be destroyed, but you will continue to Live happily. No use being nice & decent to useless people. Be yourself and don't pause to please others. "