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India.com
4 days ago
- India.com
24 Hours In Delhi: A Mapless Journey Full Of Surprises!
The sprawling capital of India, Delhi is a city of paradoxes. It has an ancient history and modernity that coexists in a pleasant juxtaposition. Its chaotic nature can stupefy even the most seasoned visitors, filled as it is with intricate markets, street vendors, and its rich history. Do you ever wonder what would happen if you spent 24 hours in Delhi without a guide? I wouldn't be able to guess, and Delhi would make sure I don't. Without a guide, Delhi transforms into a canvas, waiting for you to paint it yourself. Turning a corner means that you might discover new treasures, beautiful landscapes, or new surprises. Morning: Lost in the Lanes of Old Delhi As the day begins, delve into the mesmerizing heart of Old Delhi. With no guide in hand, you surrender yourself to the cramped corridors of Chandni Chowk, known to be the oldest market in the region. The tantalizing scent of chai, parathas, and jalebis fills the air. Following your nose, you bump into Paranthe Wali Gali – a street renowned for its stuffed crispy parathas. While you are enjoying the vibrant tastes, a friendly shopkeeper chats with you while telling stories about the Mughal era when this region used to rule the world of trade. Surprisingly enough, there was quite a lot of commerce there. While exploring you find yourself lost without a map. You are standing next to a helpful driver who offers to guide you around. What seems to be one of the tallest minarets in India, Jama Masjid, appears in front of you. As you walk closer to it, remember what climbing the stairs is like – the view from the top will have you feeling ecstatic. Looking over the expansive courtyard will be jaw-dropping as well with the strange yet hypnotizing blend of crumpled buildings and Delhi's all too narrow streets extending to what appears to be miles. Afternoon: A Coincidental Exploration of Delhi When the sun is at its peak, you find yourself making your way towards Central Delhi for an unexplained reason. Not having a map means not having a defined plan. You take a chance on a bus that looks crowded, and now it's a matter of faith as to what your instincts tell you. The first stop of your journey is the stunning war memorial known as the India Gate. Numerous activities take place on the sprawling lawns surrounding it filled with families, tourists and street vendors alike. You buy yourself an ice cream and become a part of the multicultural festivities. Roaming from the India Gate gets you closer to the peaceful oasis, which is the Lodhi Gardens. A splash of green amongst the concrete chaos, these gardens are a must visit for any traveler. The soothing breeze calms your entire psyche. While wandering in the gardens, you notice the ancient tombs perpetuating the grandeur of the Lodhi dynasty and its rulers. Sitting under a tree, peacocks decorate your view by wandering everywhere and reflecting on how getting lost in the city leads you to places filled with calmness. Evening: A Cultural Detour in South Delhi. By this time of the day, South Delhi's multiethnic upscale colonies and cultural attractions begin to allure you. Without a guide, the next step is to board the metro, which is Delhi's life line. Hauz Khas is your stop. Hauz Khas is not only very modern but also has many historical structures. You have come to the Hauz Khas Complex, which consists of a medieval reservoir and the other accompanying ruins. This is for sure a photographer's dream. As you walk in the direction of the surroundings, you discover an artsy café where you take in a cup of coffee as well as the colorful Indian sunset shining over these ancient ruins. After, you continue from Hauz Khas to Khan Market, a shopping center which is mostly frequented by people of higher class in Delhi. Without a guide, your next step is to use your sense of orientation. You make it to a rooftop restaurant where you feast on butter chicken and naan while listening to live music. The city looks incredible with lights and you unveil that being lost in the city of Delhi has its own appreciation. Night: It's Unexpected Twist In Connaught Place It's evening and you are in Connaught Place, the economic and cultural center of Delhi. You could aimlessly stroll around the circular pillars without having to navigate, soaking in the beautiful colonial architecture and busy nightlife. You discover Janpath Market, a splendid marketplace where you exchange money for gifts and other items. The people make this place come to life which makes it easy to forget the passing of time as you wander through the smaller streets. Your 24 hour journey ends at a street food place where you eat a portion of hot chaat and drink a glass of lassi. As you digest and enjoy, you feel the joy and noises of Delhi come to life. It dawns on you that becoming lost in this wonderful city is not about achieving a goal, but relishing the path. Unfiltered, you experienced Delhi with no boundaries – stunning, disorganized, and utterly mesmerizing. The most rewarding thing one can get while getting lost: Conclusion A day spent in Delhi without a map and trust me it will be one of the biggest adventures of your life. Vast and diverse cities like Delhi are beautifully chaotic and it is simply impossible to get bored. If you are ready to experience a place like no other then Delhi is a city worth visiting. So instead of focusing on the particulars of the visit, put on some comfortable shoes and go for a stroll. Who knows, you may stumble upon some unexplored views.
India.com
27-05-2025
- General
- India.com
How Delhi City's Street Names Reveal Its Forgotten History
India's capital, Delhi, is a city that showcases its history on its street signs. Each street sign offers a glimpse into what the Mughals, ancient empires, and freedom fighters have left behind. Hence, the street signs here tell a partial history of this megacity. A more detailed description would explain how the city was built layer by layer. Chandni Chowk, located in the modern part of Old Delhi, is a Chowk (market) that was the heart of the Mughal capital, Shahjahanabad, built by Shah Jahan in the year 1639. The name 'Chandni Chowk' in english would mean ' Moonlit Square' a marketplace that sold lanterns during the peak of Mughal civilization. Points of interest like Lodi Colony and Nizamuddin share a common trait of drawing their names from people of significance or particular dynasties. The Lodi Colony bears the name of the Lodhi dynasty, which governed regions in the northern parts of India before the rise of the Mughals. Meanwhile, Nizamuddin is in reference to a greatly esteemed Sufi saint known as Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, whose dargah continues to be a source of great reverence from people of all religions and socio-economic factors. These names, bearing the memories of great saints and rulers, also showcase the great mix of religions and cultures that have existed in harmony in Delhi for many centuries. British Colonial Heritage: Street Names But, when the British East India Company started capturing major parts of India in the 18th and 19th centuries, their primary goal was to impose their culture and identity onto the subcontinent. These included the changing of numerous streets and landmarks in favor of British decorum by naming them after prominent English monarchs, officials, and military officers. The iconic commercial center of Delhi, Connaught Place, was in honor of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn who made a visit to India in the early 20th century. In the same manner, streets with names like Curzon Road (now Kasturba Gandhi Marg) showed loyalty to his Lordship Curzon, who had once been the Viceroy of India and is infamous for his administrative policies along with the partition of Bengal. Postcolonial India began the process of shedding its colonial past by altering the names of roads and areas associated with colonial rule. Those roads that were named by the British were renamed after Indian leaders and other prominent figures who contributed to the independence. For example, during British rule, one of the major avenues was called Kingsway. After independence, it was changed to Rajpath showcasing sovereignty of the Republic of India. Such examples explain the change in identity of a nation and power and why politics is instilled into everything. Celebrating Legends: Roads Named After Visionaries and Freedom Fighters A discussion on the nomenclature of the roads of Delhi cannot be had without giving credit to those who lost their lives for the sake of the freedom of the country. Roads like Netaji Subhash Marg, Bhagat Singh Marg and Ashoka Road are named after the revolutionary leaders whose contributions towards achieving independence is unforgettable. Each name is a reminder of the sacrifices made and the victories garnered through the efforts in achieving self-rule. Even the relatively unknown heroes are acknowledged in the urban sprawl of Delhi. One example is the name Chittaranjan Park which gets its name from Mr. Chittaranjan Das who was a famous lawyer and politician and an important part of the Non Cooperation Movement. Another example is Kamla Nehru Ridge which gets it's name after the wife of Mr Nehru who was a social worker, though, she is most known for being the wife of one of the most famous leaders of India. By these people being given the honored of street names, their narratives are kept alive and fresh in the minds of people. Cultural Tapestry: Celebrating Diversity Through Names Delhi has remained a fusion of multiple cultures, religions, and traditions, and this is evident in the varied street names. Jama Masjid, Gurudwara Rakab Ganj and ,St. James Church Road are some names that emphasize the multi faith character of the city as people from different religions have coexisted peacefully. In Old Delhi, vibrant markets like Matia Mahal Bazaar and Paranthe Wali Gali manifest the unique culinary traditions of the region, encapsulating the lifestyle of the common people. In addition, 'Rabindra Marg' honors Rabindranath Tagore, India's first Nobel Laureate, while 'Sansad Marg' (Parliament Street) refers to the core values that nourish a nation's governance. Rabindra and Sansad Marg, as well as other streets, show reader how Delhi takes pride in great intellectual works and prides itself on political accomplishments too. These names show how Delhi's intellectual pursuits are blended with its political achievements. Forgotten Corners: Unearthing Hidden Histories While certain monikers of streets and roads boast of their historical anecdotes, some remain anonymously mysterious. Some alleys and bylanes can be referred to as forgotten due to their linkages to people and events which no longer exist. These streets are like a treasure hunt for Delhi's history that is slowly being buried and lost in time. Khari Baoli, the largest spice market in Asia is said to be derived from a stepwell ('baoli') nearby which had salt water in it ('Khari'). Even though the original baoli does not exist anymore this is a great example of how the memory lives on in the name and connects contemporary traders to when settlements were customary for water sources. These times are so intertwined, just like the name Daryaganj, a colorful book bazaar today was once regarded as part of the darya, or river bed of Yamuna. This is another example of how people shaped geography and cities over years. Conclusion: Streets as Living Archives To sum up, the street names in Delhi are like living archives as they retain bits and pieces of history in today's rather chaotic world. From the empires and freedom fighters to the common man, every name renders a different perspective towards history and complements the narrative of this complex city. With every modification and development that happens in Delhi, new facets are bound to be added to its streets. But those old names will remain, echoing stories of the past for those who wish to hear them. Therefore, the next time you find yourself walking around the streets of Delhi, make sure you give a glance to the signboard. One may be fortunate enough to find a piece of history that is waiting to unveil its unspoken truths.
Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
It's BJP versus its own government in Madhya Pradesh as party tries to set house in order
Tensions between a group of BJP MLAs and the party-led Madhya Pradesh government are flaring up, with the legislators publicly criticising the state administration over local issues. Over the past few days, MLAs Preetam Lodhi (Pichhore), Vijaypal Singh (Sohagpur), and Pradeep Patel (Mauganj) have come out against the government on various issues. The legislators' protests come at a time when the state BJP is undergoing an internal churn as a part of the party's process to pick its new national president. This is barely six months after the November 2024 bypolls in which the BJP retained Budhni but lost Vijaypur to the Congress. 'This has also added pressure on Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to ensure unity within the state unit,' said a senior BJP functionary. Trouble started on Saturday after Lodhi, who has emerged as a vocal critic of the state government, targeted a minister at a public meeting in Shivpuri district. 'A lazy minister has come, and due to his arrival, the lights of Congressmen have been turned on. If the work of our workers and the public is not done, I will get their tap connections and roads cut,' he said. Apart from police reforms, Lodhi has renewed his demand for Pichhore to be declared a separate district, a promise that he claims former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had made. According to the MLA, multiple meetings with Yadav have yielded no results on either demand. 'The CM has personally assured me that the problems will be solved. As far as the local Superintendent of Police (SP) is concerned, I have not yet spoken to him about the issues between the police and our leaders. We all have been invited to the Cabinet meeting on Monday to discuss the issues affecting BJP MLAs and the local administration,' Lodhi told The Indian Express. The BJP was also left red-faced in Narmadapuram after Vijaypal Singh blocked traffic for several hours on April 24 to demand the construction of an approach road to link rural areas to the newly built Betul Marg from Obaidullaganj. The absence of the road has left several villages disconnected, fuelling local discontent. Singh called off the protest after the Pahalgam terror attack. Denying any tension with the police, Singh said the CM had personally called him and assured him that his demands would be fulfilled. 'I hope the administration now listens to the leaders,' he said. In Mauganj, differences between Pradeep Patel and the police played out at a police station in Nai Gadhi on April 25, where the MLA courted arrest, claiming threats from the local police. He also staged a six-hour protest over his long-standing tensions with the police. Patel and the police have had run-ins over sensitive communal issues, with the MLA alleging that the police did not take action in one such case. 'I do not know why the police wanted to file a case against me. I have spoken to the CM on the issue. Hopefully, the message has been delivered to the police. It was a matter of forced religious conversion and the thana in-charge was suspended based on my complaint. Now, he has been made the thana in-charge of Nai Gadhi police station and hence he wants my arrest,' he said. Directive to the police The state police, seemingly in a bid to placate the BJP leaders, issued a directive on April 24 mandating its personnel in uniform to salute MPs and MLAs at government functions and general meetings. The Congress targeted the government over the directive, with state Congress president Jitu Patwari claiming that it amounted to 'an insult to the police uniform'. The CM defended the directive, saying it was 'tradition and rule' to give due respect to public representatives. The directive is among the several measures, including personal calls and hush-hush meetings with party bigwigs, that the CM is taking to ensure that the party's MLAs and MPs do not raise the banner of rebellion. According to a senior BJP leader, the issue of lack of unity in the party is not confined to just the three MLAs. 'Many office-bearers in municipal corporations have also been at the receiving end of the ire of local party leaders. In Sagar, the Mayor formed the Council without informing the state leadership, for which the party has issued a notice to him. The Dewas Mayor also did not take permission from the party for implementing changes in the Mayor-in-Council and has also fought with the local MP. In Bina, the Nagar Palika Chairperson's negligence in appointment has led to a section of BJP leaders becoming upset,' the leader said. Claiming that there was 'no place for indiscipline in the party', state BJP president V D Sharma tried to address the issue on Saturday. 'There will be no tolerance, no matter who they are. This is the BJP. There is no question of indiscipline in the party. We have had discussions on this. Sometimes, these things happen,' he said.
Al Jazeera
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Pakistan calls for ‘neutral' investigation into Kashmir attack
Pakistan has called for a 'neutral' investigation into the killings of tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi has blamed on Islamabad, saying it was willing to cooperate and favoured peace. India has identified two of the three suspected attackers as Pakistani, though Islamabad has denied any role in the attack on Tuesday that killed 25 Indians and one Nepali national. 'Pakistan is fully prepared to cooperate with any neutral investigators to ensure that the truth is uncovered and justice is served,' said Pakistan's interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, on Saturday. 'Pakistan remains committed to peace, stability and the following of international norms but will not compromise on its sovereignty,' he told a news conference. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, 'The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this perpetual blame game, which must come to a grinding halt.' India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to pursue the attackers to 'the ends of the earth' and said that those who planned and carried it out 'will be punished beyond their imagination'. Meanwhile, calls continue to grow from Indian politicians and others for military retaliation against Pakistan. After the attack, India and Pakistan unleashed a host of measures against each other, with Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian airlines, and India suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty that regulates water-sharing from the Indus River and its tributaries. The two sides, who both fully claim Kashmir while partly governing it, have also exchanged fire across their de facto border for two straight days after four years of relative calm. The Indian Army said it had responded to 'unprovoked' small arms fire from multiple Pakistan Army posts that started around midnight on Friday along the 740km (460-mile) de facto border separating the Indian and Pakistani areas of Kashmir. It reported no casualties. Pakistan's military has not yet commented on the exchange of fire. Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani diplomat, told Al Jazeera that there was 'a sombre mood' in Pakistan with a great deal of apprehension about what might happen next. Lodhi said, 'The nuclear neighbours are on the brink of a more dangerous confrontation, so there are fears, especially because of speeches by Prime Minister Modi as well as the Indian media.' The former ambassador stressed that, due to this rhetoric, there is a fear that India might take 'kinetic action' against Pakistan. 'That would mean a very strong, robust response from Pakistan,' she said. 'So, the fear and the apprehension are really focused on the fact that we could be on the threshold of a full-blown crisis,' Lodhi concluded. Indians living in Jammu and Kashmir's border village R S Pura have also begun cleaning out community bunkers as diplomatic tensions with Pakistan escalate. 'We are the residents of border areas. Whatever happens in India, our areas will be the first to be affected,' resident Balvir Kaur told the Reuters news agency. 'We are preparing ourselves so that we are ready if anything happens. The Indian government would not need to think whether its people living in the borders are safe. We do not want to be a burden for them.' In an editorial published on Saturday, Pakistan's Dawn news outlet said, 'It is time again to give diplomacy a chance as neither Pakistan nor India can afford war.' The editorial added that 'these are dangerous times in the subcontinent, and there is a need for both Pakistan and India to show restraint, and handle the post-Pahalgam developments with sense.' Meanwhile, Indian security forces have continued their hunt for the suspects and have demolished the Indian-administered Kashmir houses of at least five suspected rebels, including one they believe took part in the latest attack. Pieces of broken glass littered the site of one such house in Murram village in Pulwama district on Saturday. Locals said they had not seen Ehsan Ahmed Sheikh, a suspected fighter whose house was destroyed, in the past three years. 'Nobody knows where he is,' neighbour Sameer Ahmed told Reuters. 'Ehsan's family have lost their home. They will suffer for this, not him.' But citing 'interest of national security', Indian authorities have declared a ban on live coverage of the large-scale military and security operations.
Express Tribune
04-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Soft power key to Pakistan's diplomacy'
Dr Maleeha Lodhi and Dr Duksha H Saiyid engage in a dialogue about Pakistan's missed opportunity for cultural diplomacy at the "Culture and Art – The Soft Power of Diplomacy" event in the federal capital. PHOTO: ZUNAIRAH QURESHI/EXPRESS A discussion on soft power diplomacy through cultural exchange was recently held by the Asian Study Group (ASG) in the federal capital right next to a hall hosting a dinner for the Bangladesh cricket team, which was in town for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With the Pakistan cricket team placing last and out of the high-stakes tournament hosted at home after 28 years, talk of cultural diplomacy and its importance in restoring the national image stood in contrast with the country's apparent priorities. The programme titled "Culture and Art – The Soft Power of Diplomacy" took the form of a dialogue between former Pakistan ambassador to the US and permanent representative to the UN, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, and Youlin Magazine Editor and historian, Dr Dushka H Sayid. At the same time, the audience comprising members of the diplomatic corps and professionals from various backgrounds supplied the conversation with their own insights. Soft power diplomacy refers to the use of cultural and social exchanges of tangible as well as intangible tools such as films, local cuisines, art, sports, student-exchange programmes and developmental investments to build relationships with other nations and craft a positive national image. It focuses on influencing nations through positive engagement as an alternative to hard-power-driven coercion. As an example, Dr Lodhi shared her own efforts towards projecting Pakistan's soft power when, as Pakistan's high commissioner to the UK, she organised a large-scale concert in Trafalgar Square, London, which included performances from local artists and celebrities, a fashion show and a community band. "Money is not the issue; I was able to raise half of the funding for this event through the Pakistani business community in the UK alone. What we need is the chief executive of the country to take interest in this, and then we need to have a foreign minister," said Dr Lodhi while explaining what it would take for Pakistan to get serious about soft power diplomacy. "We need to have a foreign minister," she reiterated with a smile to resounding laughter from the audience. In response to a question that asked why soft power diplomacy does not work in Pakistan, Dr Lodhi said that it was essential for leaders to first have faith in the future of the country and belief in what they represent. "It is crucial for the leadership of the country to believe that soft diplomacy is useful, that it will help Pakistan promote its objectives abroad and solve its image crisis." Dr Lodhi further elaborated upon her point by drawing from her experience as an ambassador to the US during the 9/11 catastrophe, when she had to leverage Pakistan's soft image to counter misconceptions of its involvement with the Taliban and the ensuing Islamophobia that Muslims faced. Dr Sayid, on the other hand, pointed out the role of Pakistani films like "Shah" and "Waar", which were released to international acclaim. She further highlighted the role of CPEC in changing the narrative of China and delivering its message of maintaining peace as a testament to the successful use of soft power diplomacy. Audience members engaged with the talk by sharing stories of their own attempts at highlighting indigenous traditional arts like Punjabi Sufi music over mainstream popular media and wondering how the influence of Pakistani dramas in India, where the content is found relatable, may have impacted the country's perception across borders. In response to which younger participants expressed concern over the negative image that may result from the kind of regressive notions that are perpetuated in local TV dramas. Many appreciated the talk for discussing a vital topic. "Just this morning, in a meeting, we proposed a series of cultural actions which would help change the image of Pakistan," shared the UNESCO Pakistan culture and heritage expert, Dr Christina Menegazzi as she thanked the speakers for highlighting the subject. Others expressed their disappointment at the speakers having barely spoken, with the event scheduled for 2 hours wrapping up in less than 1.5 hours.
