I am back to Delhi for a short stay. The place where I was bought up , I spent good number of decades in the city. Today's Delhi is a city that embraces everyone, yet belongs to no one. There is a well known saying that, Delhi "never belonged to anyone" the notion has been persisted for centuries. History bears witness to the reign of many kings and rulers over Delhi. Each came, stayed for a while, and then Delhi passed to someone else. I feel the same this time the city appears to be difderent. I used to be habitual to staying in the crowded city but now it sucks to breathe in Delhi atmosphere. It is strange how people assume Delhi to be their own place.
I lived in Delhi for more than 3 decades. From schooling to academics to career. I have seen eveey bit of it. No wonder, living in Delhi is dream for many. The city offers a unique blend of ancient monuments, bustling markets like Sarojini Nagar, chandigarh chowk and a fast paced, energetic lifestyle. I have many good memory of each of the places. But today it appears to be different. The air is suffocating. The traffic and noise is alarming. People were shouting on roads. There are rags all over the places. As soon as I stepped out of the railway station the places appears to be a different world. The new world appears unknown to me, I am finding myself in a no man's land. Even though it was a morning time, but the city has becomes to noisy. May be the place is over crowded with autos at one side of the road and busses plying on different state is rustling on the other side.
The change is evident. But I never thought that I will unable to bear the rush of the city. This is not happening to me, even my sister who is staying Jammu feel the same. She asshme that staying in Delhi untorelable. She has her reason. After staying in quite and serene place like Jammu which is covered with high mountains and the people were very soft spoken. Quite opposite of what Delhi used to be. I was habitual of staying in Delhi. I never seen a differrnt life. I assumed the life the culture to be the same. Unless I turned towards village.
My village, is set up newe a forest. After spending last few years, i must confess Village life is inherently peaceful due to its close connection with nature, slower pace, and strong, supportive community ties, offering a calm alternative to urban hustle. Villages offerclean, fresh air and scenic environments (fields, forests, mountains) without the noise or smoke pollution of cities. I started liking the place more now. Coming back from such peaceful place to bustling city is chaotic. I find everything awkward. Even the tone of the people. They have a harsh accent, completelly different from what I get in village.
Too chaotic to stay in one place
I find it strange how people move from the calm life of village to city. Only to earn money and livlihood. But they are not realzing, in pursuit what all things they are leaving behind. I belive the real life does exist in calm surrounding of village. Citylife is tough, and I consider it not in good living terms, it is getting unbearable. But still people live here, and consider it to be the only life they could get. I have seen both the side and consider my village as a better place than bustling city like Delhi. I used to consider Delhi to be my place, but now I admit, Delhi can never belongs to anyone.
In good faith - Peace!!