One of the one percent in 13 million. Wading through the warm, wet air of a humid May, she says, almost casually, “No, I will not say I ran away from my father’s home in Noida. That’s too romantic. I just left his house.” The Delhi Walla...
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One of the one percent in 13 million. How to find her? The Delhi Walla is at the Indian Christian Cemetery in Paharganj. I’m looking for Jyoti Mariyam Hora. A few days ago The Indian Express carried a report about her on an inside page: For Jharkhand...
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One of the one percent in 13 million. There she is. Now, she is over there — her frock ballooning around her. Is she real or just a smudge of pink? This moment she is laughing. This moment she is silent. This moment she is on the...
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One of the one percent in 13 million. He is sitting still. The Delhi Walla sees him on Prithviraj Marg, an avenue in the central part of the city, which is lined on both sides with residences of some of the country’s richest industrialists. I walk towards...
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One of the one percent in 13 million. Savoring the easy sunlight of a fading winter, he says, “I’m not a regular to this garden. Today is my off from the office and I came here… just to sit and… and to think… actually to think of...
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One of the one percent in 13 million. Settling down at the table by the window, she says, “I will take the grilled fish. At my age, one needs to be figure-concious.” The Delhi Walla meets Naz Ikramullah in the elite India International Centre (IIC). We are...
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One of the one percent in 13 million. He is standing quietly on a stationery scooter. The Delhi Walla approaches him. The scooter is parked in an alley in Turkman Gate, a congested neighbourhood in the Walled City. He looks to his left. A fighter cock, Sultan...
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One of the one percent in 13 million. Sitting beside a basket filled with lemons, he is twirling up his white mustache. The Delhi Walla meets Ram Dulare, 81, on Parliament Street. He sells lemons on the pavement here. His customers comprise sarkari karamcharis, people employed in...
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One of the one percent in 13 million. She appears to be sleeping. The Delhi Walla is with Mumtaz Begum. We are in a windowless room in Nizamuddin Basti, a village in central Delhi. Mumtaz Begum’s body is to be cleaned with multani mitti for ritual purification....
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One of the one percent in 13 million. He is sleeping. Flies are resting on his white beard and on the crisp white sleeve of his kurta. The Delhi Walla meets Muhammed Anwar in the chilla, or retreat, of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. Here the city’s iconic 14th...
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