I belong to Somewhere
I love the streets of Delhi around festivals. They're so lively and happy. My entire family is Delhi based but i moved here few years ago and i didn't know how important it is to belong to somewhere until I came here.
This place is like an entire country in one city. When you see so many sweets outside the sweet shop, you know it's Diwali, every street is lit. When every society is hosting dance nights or pandals you know its Navratri or Durga Puja, when you go for a movie and the first few rows are full of guys in Kurtas you know its Eid. From Christmas to Lohri to Rakhi to Karwachauth, you don't have to ask anyone, the streets of Delhi tell you which festival it is.
My first few months here when i was travelling in a metro around Rakhi, and I heard little kids call their 'Mamu' I felt so alive. These relations and these words- 'Massi', 'Mamu', 'Chachu' are very common here, whether you're shopping in Sarojini or DLF. Just walking around and hearing these makes me feel like I belong somewhere. Like I am not just a single being but a part of this microcosm of cultural dynamism. When I enter a cafe or lounge and I hear Punjabi music playing, or when i ask a person for directions and the entire bus starts discussing which route would be ideal for me, i know i'm in Delhi. In my college days i realised, people here have fewer friend circles but many cousins who they make their plans with. And all the clothes shopping, dancing and socialising here happens at weddings. I didnt know i had a natural affinity for all these things until then.
Being a defence kid, you live a great life as you have your own fraternity that's so close knit, but you're never able to answer the question, "So where are you from?". It is only when you leave that life behind that you realise how important it is to know the answer to that question. Because to know where you're from is to feel alive. I'm a Delhi-based Himachali. It's been good knowing that.
This place is like an entire country in one city. When you see so many sweets outside the sweet shop, you know it's Diwali, every street is lit. When every society is hosting dance nights or pandals you know its Navratri or Durga Puja, when you go for a movie and the first few rows are full of guys in Kurtas you know its Eid. From Christmas to Lohri to Rakhi to Karwachauth, you don't have to ask anyone, the streets of Delhi tell you which festival it is.
My first few months here when i was travelling in a metro around Rakhi, and I heard little kids call their 'Mamu' I felt so alive. These relations and these words- 'Massi', 'Mamu', 'Chachu' are very common here, whether you're shopping in Sarojini or DLF. Just walking around and hearing these makes me feel like I belong somewhere. Like I am not just a single being but a part of this microcosm of cultural dynamism. When I enter a cafe or lounge and I hear Punjabi music playing, or when i ask a person for directions and the entire bus starts discussing which route would be ideal for me, i know i'm in Delhi. In my college days i realised, people here have fewer friend circles but many cousins who they make their plans with. And all the clothes shopping, dancing and socialising here happens at weddings. I didnt know i had a natural affinity for all these things until then.
Being a defence kid, you live a great life as you have your own fraternity that's so close knit, but you're never able to answer the question, "So where are you from?". It is only when you leave that life behind that you realise how important it is to know the answer to that question. Because to know where you're from is to feel alive. I'm a Delhi-based Himachali. It's been good knowing that.
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