City Landmark – People’s Publishing House, Connaught Place Landmarks by The Delhi Walla - September 26, 20220 Gorbachev's tomb. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Russia is fighting with Ukraine. Kyrgyzstan is fighting with Tajikistan. Armenia and Azerbaijan too have clashed, yet again, with each other. It all is in this month’s news (September 2022). Mikhail Gorbachev too was buried this month. The death of Soviet Union’s last president bookends the story of the socialist state that contained all these currently warring republics from 1922 to 1991. That said, something of that extinct Soviet Union, or USSR, continues to exist in a little-known Connaught Place bookshop. On entering, you first have to deal with Lenin’s arresting stare. The USSR founder’s hand-painted portrait hangs close to the glass door (the door has a Che Guevara poster). In Marina Arcade since 1948, People’s
City Hangout – Art District, Mandi House Hangouts by The Delhi Walla - September 26, 2022September 26, 20220 A new-look much-loved zone. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Here you are, sitting on the steps, in easy intimacy with green grass and smoggy sky. Submerged in solitary thoughts. Or, perhaps arguing with a friend whether Godard really was the James Joyce of cinema. This is the same old Mandi House circle, but fresh off a facelift by the NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council). It has even got a name—Art District, the metallic grey fonts installed on the plaza that skirts beside Lalit Kala Academy. Being in Mandi House is now giving as much thrill as leafing through the September issue of a fashion magazine, eyeing at all the trends that are going to gild the forthcoming seasons. For