City Life - People of a Desolate Patch, Near National Science Centre

Hidden living. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Here’s a fine example of how an urban expanse that looks desolate can be lush with life. At first glance, there’s not much going on around here. Tucked away between the…

City Monument - Chor Minar, Hauz Khas Enclave

Terrors of the past. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Right here in the terribly genteel Hauz Khas Enclave stands an ancient tower mainly noted for cruelty beyond the unspeakable. But The Delhi Walla will speak of it anyway….

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Vishab Thappa, Jammu

The 183rd death. [Text and photos sent by Vishab Thappa] They found him dead with a book of short stories by Sadat Hasan Manto on his chest. Vishab Thappa’s body was cold when they touched him. He was reading Thanda…

City Hangout - Best Stalls, Daryaganj's Sunday Book Bazaar

Bibliophile’s paradise. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Imagine Agra without the Taj. Well, a similar horror was recently experienced by Delhi’s booklovers for whom their city’s most cherished landmark is arguably the secondhand book bazaar held every Sunday…

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Divya Patpatia, Anand Vihar

The 182nd death. [Text and photos sent by Divya Patpatia] Divya Patpatia, a writer, mother, teacher, compulsive storyteller, and lawyer died at the age of 70, after dinner on her wedding anniversary. She died choking of excessive laughter, her lungs;…

City Landmark - Metro Footbridge, Laxmi Nagar

The route to aspirations. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s no secret that Delhi can never get its fill of foot bridges. They’re all over the place, aren’t they? And specifically at Metro stations, where these spans quickly…

City Food - Shambhu Nath's Oriya Snacks, Hauz Khas Road

The faraway flavour. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Even if you choose the superfast Purushottam Express it’ll take you a good two nights and one day from Delhi to reach the great Jagannath Temple of Puri in Odisha….

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Q aka Srivatsan Manivannan, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat

The 181st death. [Text and photos sent by Srivatsan Manivannan] I died. Death pleases me. I speak from the romantic afterlife, enjoying this divorce from the responsibilities of love. There exists no greater pain than of a life chained to…

Mission Delhi – Abdul Wajid, Todarmal Lane

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] There are different ways of owning a piece of the city, The Delhi Walla realises, while walking with Abdul Wajid — a 19-year-old college student…

Our Self-Written Obituaries – Taruna Khatri, Jodhpur

The 180th death. [Text and photos sent by Taruna Khatri] She often looked at herself in the mirror and wondered if anyone knew she was a troubled child. Taruna Khatri, obnoxious and overly emotional, to be 21 in a week,…