On an early Indian winter morning of Nov 2014 I travelled with my relatives to meet my cousins, to a village 60 km from Delhi. Our intention to leave early to avoid Monday morning Delhi traffic did not prove to be useful. At any time of day Delhi traffic is manic. It took us just over an hour to reach there in good old Hundai Santro. I enjoying the back window seat in the car, over looking out of the window I observed peacefully the space time went past by me. It was memories, the colour of soil, tractors, signboards, fields, cows and the smell of air. The north Indian countryside and highway roads take me back into time. These are the same roads where I travelled countless journeys. It feel so different now.
My cousins stay in this model village in a well knit society where each member of society has a duty to perform. Food is offered to needy and shelter to homeless. It was peaceful, quite, open, breezy. Compared to the Delhi’s congested roads and buildings with limited open spaces the village was very refreshing. At around 16-18 degrees it was cooler by Delhi standards. An ideal place to live in this weather. However temperatures sore to 45 degree in summers which will make it difficult for any living being. We visitors had simple meal there which was prepared in bulk for the community. I saw many people from difficult backgrounds who have now come to exist peacefully there – from the person who cant remember anything (even forgets to eat), to an 75 year old lady hardly able to walk, to 2 young guys who were treated with electric shock in a orphanage.
After lunch and spending a good time chit-chatting we went for a stroll around the village and here are some of the pictures.
Pic 1 – Me and Mum
Pic 2 – Closer Look
The journey back took longer and we had for a very late Lunch in Shalimar Bagh, Delhi. I seriously wish people in Delhi can find the right balance, a peaceful life and appreciate the openness they are missing. Delhi has changed and become even more congested so I wonder if that day will ever come.