City Landmark - Peepal's People, Outside Jama Masjid, Gurgaon

City Landmark – Peepal’s People, Outside Jama Masjid, Gurgaon

The social ecology of a city tree. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s like an island in the sea. So different from the surrounding world. This gigantic peepal tree. Its massive trunk spreads out into an array of…

City Style - The Gentleman's Dressing, Central Delhi

City Style – The Gentleman’s Dressing, Central Delhi

A story of many-layered clothes. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] On an intolerably hot and excessively humid morning, he’s wearing an overcoat and two jackets, along with two long-sleeved shirts and much else. “Why?” one is naturally prompted…

City Hangout - Valley of Flowers, Central Delhi

City Hangout – Valley of Flowers, Central Delhi

A surprise beauty. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] At first glance, it looks like a huge patch of snow that didn’t melt for some reason. But it soon becomes clear that one is gazing upon a field of…

Mission Delhi - Bishen Das Sharma, Embassy Restaurant, Connaught Place

Mission Delhi – Bishen Das Sharma, Embassy Restaurant, Connaught Place

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] This morning the restaurant at the colonial-era Connaught Place is practically empty except for some elderly gentlemen drinking coffee, or may be some fancy tea….

City Hangout - Muhammad Akhtar's Book Stall, Near Aggarwal Sweets, Vaishali

City Hangout – Muhammad Akhtar’s Book Stall, Near Aggarwal Sweets, Vaishali

Rare wonder. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s got almost everything a human being would need. This particular suburban zone in Vaishali in Ghaziabad suburb in the Greater Delhi Region is chock-full of malls, multiplexes, mithai shops and…