::: The Heart Of India :::. Review on New Delhi

My last review on the Hollywood movie THE RING couldn’t get posted on the main page of the site due to some technical difficulties. Thus, many of you must have missed it. Do check it out whenever you get time. It's posted on my profile page.

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----------------------------New Delhi – the capital of India. Whenever I think about New Delhi I find it very tough to make up my mind that whether it’s a good city or not. Then I think no city can be perfect. Each city has its own share of problems and same is the case with New Delhi. But why are the problems attached with New Delhi so complex and big in magnitude compared to the other cities? Maybe, because it’s the capital! But then the allure attached with Delhi also can’t be found in any other city.

History

British created the New Delhi and made it the capital of India in 1931 shifting it from Kolkata. In about last seven decades Delhi has grown in all spheres. The population which was about 70,000 at that time is now well over the figure of 8 million!

Partition and New Delhi

The sudden rise in Delhi’s population was caused by the partition in 1947. The Muslim families living in Delhi shifted to Pakistan. And many Hindu and Punjabi families of Pakistan took refuge in Delhi.

Commercial Capital

New Delhi can also be called the commercial capital of India. Industrialists, entrepreneurs and migrant labour come to Delhi, in search of jobs, career opportunities and success. The result – city has not only grown population wise, but also area wise. Few years back the outskirts of the city comprised of vacant lands, trees and greenery. Now all those vacant spaces have been developed into residential colonies and commercial complexes.

Monuments

Delhi has around 1300 monuments, which stand proudly simultaneously with the other high buildings, which have cropped up like bamboo shoots. The villages of medieval times like Khirkee, Begumpur, Hauz Khas, Sheikh Sarai and Nizamuddin are also now a part of the city.

Demarcation Of Delhi

Earlier Delhi was demarcated in two parts – Old and New. Now it is – North, South, East and West. Not only are the Indian citizens coming to Delhi for job opportunities, foreign investors and multinational companies too are venturing here. As a result the city has become very cosmopolitan especially the southern & the central part.

Unity In Diversity

Just like we have many different traditions in India and the people from two different parts of India can be as diverse as day and night, similar is the case with Delhi too. You may see different lifestyles and habits for different localities. South Delhi undoubtedly is the pacesetter. People residing in other areas try to follow the fashion and lifestyle introduced there.

On The World Stage

It’s one of the most historic capitals on the globe. Two of its monuments – the Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb have been declared World Heritage Sites. For a foreign tourist this city is the right mirror of India showing its cultural wealth, convolutions and zing.

Still Growing

Although Delhi has already grown a lot and covered almost all the ancient sites and the Yamuna too, yet this process still hasn’t stopped. It’s still growing – for the good or the worse? Only time will tell!

Education

The level of schools and colleges in Delhi is excellent to say the least. Delhi University is undoubtedly one of the best universities in India, comprising of reputed colleges like St. Stephens, Hansraj, Maharaja Agrasen, SRCC and also not to forget IIT Delhi. Schools are not that bad either.

Women Crimes

This is the biggest problem of this otherwise a pretty good city. Delhi’s reputation in this regard is so bad that now days, whenever there is a sex crime, a common man’s first reaction is that it must have happened in Delhi or the culprit must have been a Delhite. Delhites have been labeled as sex starved wolves and appropriately so. They behave as if they have never seen a woman before. Not only rapes, but the increasing number of eve-teasing and molestation cases also prove my point to the core. If Delhi can do something about this, it will be nothing short of Paradise.

Pollution

Air and water pollution is yet another big headache for this city. Sometimes the pollution increases to such a level, that it’s impossible to breath!

Nightlife

The city has grand nightlife with many pubs and discotheques functioning. In some cases cops have to forcefully shut down the bars at 3 AM.

Malls & Multiplexes

They are a symbol of the changing nature of this city. The city is multi-ethnic now and there are huge numbers of malls & multiplexes operating all over the city.

DPS Scandal

DPS scandal is an example of double standards of the people (maybe not only of Delhi but all over India). I really feel sorry for that young girl. They both are two immature kids who did something wrong in the heat of the moment. But what enjoyment are the matured adults getting when they pass on this clip to their other friends or show it to them proudly. If youngsters do it, I can still understand, because sex maybe a new experience for them. But when 40-50 year old matured people do it, it’s really shameful. Then they have a hearty laugh about it, and pass rude remarks like the girl being a whore, she won’t get married now or the boy won’t get admission in any school. Why? Why won’t the girl get married or why won’t the boy get admission? Does one mistake, means you are deprived of the basic right of education or marriage? Who doesn’t make mistakes? People should understand this and treat those two kids, especially the girl with respect & love. Humiliating them will only further dent their squat psyche.

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----------------------------This was my attempt of looking at Delhi from different angels. I hope you liked it. Please don’t forget to read my last review on ''The Ring''. https://mouthshut.com/review/The_Ring-67877-1.html

© Tanmay Singh, 2005