City Walk – Ghamand Sarai Street, Gurgaon Walks by The Delhi Walla - June 23, 20230 True paradise is the paradise lost. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Some believe a land becomes our own only after its soil grows fertile with our memories. A city too begins to truly belong to us only after our beloved places in it cease to exist. Such disappeared markers (cafés, cinema halls, bargain stores) eventually fade out of Google maps, but never from our private biography. Here is a lane in the megapolis that throbs with similar absences—in this case, of two chai stalls, and of an elderly citizen. The street lies in Gurgaon’s Sadar Bazar, adorned with the old Ghamand Sarai gateway. Memory 1 The most striking aspect of Raja Tea Stall was the silbatta, the grinder to crush the
Mission Delhi – Pinky, Meharchand Market Mission Delhi by The Delhi Walla - June 23, 20231 One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] She is rolling out yet another atta ball, building up a stack of perfectly round garma-garam tawa rotis. Meanwhile her little daughter is glued to the mobile phone screen. Her son is sitting on a chair, feet up. It could be a commonplace scene in any home. And it is, up to a point. Pinky’s roadside establishment is parked towards the penumbra portion of Meharchand Market. Her business is to rustle out “ghar ka khana.” Her 50-rupee homey thali meal comprises of dal, roti, rice, sookhi subzi and a paneer dish. Friendly yet reserved, she is an entrepreneur and a single parent. “I’m alone raising my kids, they are