Delhi in May- June is not the best of places to work in. Yet, I’ve had my share of fun here. With this visit, I have now lived in most of the major cities of this country after having visited some well known places of the world. Here’s an objective assessment of these places in order of my liking.
1. Bombay…
I’ve lived in this city for around 6 months (all stays taken together).I just can’t think of settling down at any other place in India (God willing). Having said that, I must stress that I love Bombay primarily for its old downtown area. It’s archaic buildings in Anglo-Saxon architecture, the peaceful localities of central Bombay, the Regal theatre and Café Leopold in Colaba, Swaminarayan (Dadar) and Siddhivinayak (Prabhadevi) temples, the age old Irani restaurants, the Bombay High Court, those bus rides along the Arabian Sea, the nightlife, and of course it’s people are just some of the other alluring factors.
This city can both make and break men. For the common man, life is a struggle here. But its energy is contagious. It has inspired many a great careers and has nurtured a host of great men. Truly, no city in India even comes near to Bombay. It rulez. It inspires.
Victoria Terminus
The Bombay High Court
Regal
Gateway of India
Leopold
2. Muscat…
I remember Muscat for its high sophistication, scarce population, exotic locales and those high speed car rides (almost all major car companies of the world have show rooms here…cars are the only means of transport available…and everybody can afford them…that’s Muscat for you) . It’s only after coming here that I realized that the Arabian Sea is actually blue! :). The city is sparking clean too. Given the number of Indian faces one comes across (mostly mallus), it’s almost as if India shifted to a posh setting. I’ll never forget Muscat for the landing at the Seeb International Airport…as the aircraft descends and hovers above the sea, seconds before landing, the sight of the arid mountains in contrast with the dark blue sea remains unparallel.
That's a solid rock in the background, right in the middle of the sea...
3. Gold Coast…
I stayed here for a week in March, 2005. The place is known all over the world for its sublime beaches. Surfer’s Paradise and Burleigh Heads are the two prominent Surfing venues. State-of-the-art malls, extremely friendly Aussies, the Pacific Ocean, cheap eat-outs, outstanding nightlife, sea doves and the extremely economical and efficient public transportation system make it worth its name.
Isn't that serene?
4. Berne…
Although I’ve just seen the old city, the sights and sounds of this fantastic part of the world deserve a special mention. The sights of flashy trams moving through its old lanes, basking tourists at the Parliament Square, the house of Albert Einstein, those age old human settlements, and the chimes from that archaic cathedral make this place special.
Berne, basking in it's medieval glory.
5. Brisbane…
Though I didn’t see much of the city, the towering skyscrapers, the GABA Cricket Stadium, and the wonderful people at the QUT, Faculty of Law will stay in my cerebral alleys forever.
A cutting-edge bridge over the Brisbane river...
6. Geneva…
‘Posh’ is one word I would use for describing this famous metropolitan. Lake Geneva, the University, extremely fashionable people, the WTO Headquarters and host of other International Organizations make it a charming city. French is the language spoken and prices are sky high.
How about this for a home?7. Chandigarh…
I lived here for a month in April-May 2004 for my first ever work experience at the Chandigarh District Courts at Sector-17. This planned city had a very pleasant climate at a time when most of north India was oppressively hot. It’s highlights; the four lane roads with the latest flashy cars zooming about, the lush green public parks, the market at Sector-17, the good-looking crowd, the ever so gregarious and friendly Sardars, the peaceful localities, the spotless cleanliness, the disciplined people, the proximity to Shimla and of course, the parathas!
8. Bangalore…
I stayed here for a fortnight in November 2005. People, this place truly rocks! The malls, the pubs, the crowd, M.G. Road, M.T.R, the ISKCON temple and of course the National Law School (we stayed in its campus for a week while researching for the WTO moot), the sprawling campuses of the Indian Institute of Science and that of IIM-B make it special.
Bangalore Central...
MTR...Bisi Bella Bath (rice cooked with lots of spices) Rocks!
NLS...enlightenment at the other end!
ISKCON temple by night...
9. Calcutta…
As with any other Non Resident Bengali, the association with this place dates back to my childhood days. The best-bit; dirt-cheap high quality food at the roll walaas and the authentic Chinese restaurants, the old streets, the yellow taxis, Kalighat temple, Eden Gardens, the underground rail network, Park Street, Writer’s Building, fish markets and of course the kind hearted and emotionally charged people. Although I’ve been to the city a legion of times, I’m yet to witness a Durga Puja there.
10. Hyderabad…
This city has everything to take one for a ride. The people here know well how to enjoy life. The outskirts have some brilliant resorts which make every visit worthwhile. And of course, how can I ever forget Hyderabadi Biryani!
Authentic Hyderabadi Biryani specially prepared for me at batchmate Basava Rao's place by his cook.
11. Pune…
Pune is another city I’ve frequented many times. Two of my closest cousins grew up here which meant we visited them quite often. My uncle used to stay in the tranquil cantonment area and his house had borne with a host of other cousins. Lately, my brother shifted his base there- another factor which has kept me associated with this city. Pune has recently become one of the major higher education centers of the country, a fact that gives the city a very young, hip-hop look. The Osho Ashram ensures a constant inflow of foreigners. With such huge student population, the city does have its share of fun, frolic and quite obviously, trouble!
12. Delhi…
Delhi is beautiful, albeit extremely hot in May-June. It has some excellent shopping arcades and ravishing food joints. Buses are all dilapidated and the auto-rickshaws hardly run on meters. This political capital of the country gets a lot of media attention. While South Delhi has an opulent look, the old city is very crammed up and wears a worn out look. Delhiites dress up very well. However, there is nothing here other than the Supreme Court that inspires. It doesn’t throb like Bombay.Delhi Haat and Ansal Plaza are worth a shot. The unlimited thali food at Andhra Bhavan Canteen for Rs.5o is incomparable.
With Arun and Rachit at India Gate...
13. Dhaka
Extremely conjested.Read the Bangladesh post
14. Chennai
I stayed here for a week in November 2005. It was a time when the entire city lied completely inundated and had virtually nothing to offer. So, it would be unfair to comment about it before giving it another shot. Do read the Chennai post
P.S.- I’m heading back home on the 24th. The law school reopens on the 3rd of July. Professional commitments would keep me occupied till the 10th of July. I don’t intend to participate in moots this year and would hopefully post pieces related to relevant social issues every fortnight from now on. I haven't done justice to the tiger paper and can sense a feeling of guilt gripping me tight. I'll make amends.
And I take my photography quite seriously. So, kindly respect my copyrights. Special thanks to Sangeetha for the Delhi picture.
