City Faith – A Sacred Tree, Shiv Shani Temple, Basant Lok
A leafy tree that is also worshiped. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Our first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru once famously declared that dams were the new temples of modern India. But now, with climate change, we might also…
City Walk – Chirag Delhi Village, South Delhi
A small town stroll. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Ladies standing by a corner, murmuring to each other in low voices. Idle shopkeepers silently watching the street life outside. Small town vibes are evocative of slow living, letting…
Mission Delhi – Muhammed Israil, Jacobpura, Gurgaon
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Furiously transforming cities like Gurgaon in the Greater Delhi Region are full of promises and draw hopefuls from across the country who want to build…
City Monument – Isa Khan’s Mausoleum, Humayun’s Tomb Complex
Little gem. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Poor Isa Khan! Such a beautiful tomb the little-known nobleman built for himself long before his death and so miraculously it has survived the passage of centuries. But, he had the…
City Life – Five Comrades, Gurgaon Railway Station
Band of brothers. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s a miserably humid afternoon and all the five guys are drenched in sweat. Pradeep, Sonu, Pintu, Naveen, and Parveen are lounging in an airy and less-crowded corner of Gurugram…
City Hangout – Best Reading Spot, Agrasen ki Baoli
Book lover’s space. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] One can’t run short of words in praise of Agrasen ki Baoli—a stone step well so beautiful that it has often appeared even in Bollywood movies. The well’s 14th century…
Mission Delhi – Manohar Fakir, Central Delhi
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] This junk collector intensely feels the impact of climate change. Every day, for instance, the homeless man has to figure out where to get fresh…
City Food – Alam Tea House, Kucha Chelan
Tea oasis. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Musty smelling. Pink walls. Toasted rusks generously smeared with Amul butter. And sweet milky chai. Alam Tea House feels like one of those Walled City chai khanas that must be a…
City Hangout – Frangipani Island, Niti Marg
White stars. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Traffic islands seldom distinguish themselves as works of beauty. But then there’s that traffic island in Central Delhi that contains a grove of fulgent frangipani trees, laden with white flowers resembling…
Mission Delhi – Dilip Singh, Connaught Place
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Evening shoppers are gathering around this suited, hatted figure… in silver! Everyone’s looking puzzled. Is it a statue? Can’t be, the head is moving slightly….
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