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Tuesday, May 06, 2008
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New Delhi

New Delhi

INSIDE DELHI

Summer daze

With the Capital sizzling at over 40 degrees Celsius this past week, Delhiites are bracing themselves up for the sultry summer days ahead.

On a hot, sunny afternoon if one is travelling down a highway or a rather long road on the outskirts of the city, the sight of vendors selling “jal zeera”, lemonade and water is a big relief. Driving down to office, a friend residing near Indira Gandhi International Airport spotted several such vendors on one particular stretch — from Mahipalpur to Subroto Park. A number of cars and even auto-rickshaws coming from or going towards National Highway-8 stop midway as the occupants of the vehicle decide to take a break and guzzle down some “jal zeera” or “nimbu paani” before re-embarking on their journey.

The other day, the friend noticed that a couple travelling in an auto asked the driver to halt as they got off to have some drinks.

Carrying a lot of luggage with them, the duo seemed to be only too glad to have spotted a vendor serving the drinks on that particular scorching afternoon, especially since there were no shops around selling bottled water or packaged juices.

The couple were visibly relaxed after gulping down some lemonade and even filled some of it in their empty mineral water bottles. Even the auto driver was treated to a drink of his choice before the trio resumed the rest of the journey.

Parul Sharma

Delhi’s devils

For lovers of sport, all roads these days are headed to the Ferozeshah Kotla where the local Delhi Daredevils are slated to play half of their fair share of matches in the Indian Premier League.

With frenzy for cricket at a fever pitch and all competitive nerves strung taut, the “rude” Delhi stereotype was unashamedly on display at the stadium this past week as the Devils faced off with their challengers from Bangalore.

Packed like a tin of sardines, the stadium was witness to another internal fray of sorts, with cheering factions trying to outdo each other and resorting to crass gimmicks to drive home their point.

One such family who sat — well, they hardly sat — in the clubhouse played the part of the archetypal big-hearted, brash and brazen citizens of Delhi to perfection. If swearing choicest Hindi expletives at the opposing players was not enough, the select quartet decided to harass each spectator who was making his way back after visiting the refreshment stall by passing uncalled for comments on their attire, gait and, unpardonably, their physical attributes.

Hurling abuses left, right and centre, the “star” performer of this loathsome gang was a thirty-something who remained perpetually perched on his chair making it impossible for those behind him to watch the match.

“There is nothing happening on the field, Aunty-ji. I will keep you posted on whatever transpires,” he sneered at the disgusted couple behind him who requested him to sit down.

Though the dejected couple gave up trying to drill sense into the man’s head and left the venue during the innings break, some equally boisterous cads approached our hero and profusely appreciated his antics, proclaiming his group to be the most interesting outfit in the clubhouse.

“Isn’t that true?” gloated our man before hitching up his shorts to his thighs, “I’m thinking of auditioning for a cheerleader’s position now.”

Kunal Diwan

Danger zone

In a city on a construction and sprucing-up spree ahead of the Commonwealth Games-2010, some government servants got a rude reminder recently about the “realities” of living in one of the many government residential complexes.

At the government complex located on Minto Road in Central Delhi, residents were fortunate to have not come in the way of a huge block of concrete that fell due to poor upkeep of the place.

“Early last week a block of concrete fell down from the top floor balcony of the eight-floor Tagore Road Hostel located in the residential complex. The block fell near the main entrance of the hostel, bounced, and smashed a parked car. We were lucky that no residents or passers-by were injured in the accident,” said the president of the residents’ welfare association of the hostel, S. P. Sharma.

“What is worrying is that despite repeated reminders to the Central Public Works Department – in charge of the upkeep and maintenance of the area — about the several fissures that have formed in the building, no action has been initiated. We have submitted several written complaints warning the Department about the danger of having to live in such a touch-and-fall housing complex,” he added.

Shaken by the turn of events, the residents are at their wits’ end now whenever they have to step out.

“Of course there is a phobia about when another accident would happen and there could be serious ramifications,” said Mr. Sharma.

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

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