One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] The mobile phone alarm beeps without fail at 6.30. Though she doesn’t really need that morning alert. She gets up moments before, alerted by her…
No small wonder. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Time passes. Places are transformed. Something routine in timeless cities like Delhi/Dilli/Indraprastha/Khandavprastha. This year the Mughal Gardens in Rashtrapati Bhawan (formerly the Viceroy’s House) has been rechristened Amrit Udyan. Here’s…
No small wonder. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] In our fast-changing ever-uncertain times, it stands tall and dense as an emblem of great endurance. It was here long before the coronavirus pandemic, and will, hopefully continues to exist…
On the hilltop. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Breathe out a deep sigh, before marvelling at the irony. Here’s a most amazing Old Delhi alley with a deep solid character, but without a name. This walkway strip is…
The parlour confession. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] Neha Ansari is young and wishes to spend her life as an artist. Her immediate career goal is to become a hotel receptionist. She recently finished a 11-month-long “hotel management course” in a…
Sunny day walk. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] It is limpid in some places, parched in others. It is not a stream. Rationalists will rightly dismiss it as a mere optical illusion. But the magic is palpable— an…
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] The main street of Old Delhi’s Matia Mahal is a sea of people, this afternoon. One person in the crowd is crouched on the ground….
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Moong dal, arhar dal, vegetable kofta, aloo gobhi matar, farsan, choorma laddu, dhokla, tillar papad and fresh rotis. This picturesque Gujarati thali will soon be…
Rue du silver. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] See the photo. That deg is filled with molten chandi, the silver. Anybody can come and get a bowl full of it for 30 rupees. If only. But then it…
Life of a traffic island. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] A city gets truly authentic when it is not on show. Easier to find its soul in ordinary places, during ordinary moments, when nothing is happening. When one…
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