Just as I SEE & FEEL IT !!

  Before its construction this locale was a ridge, enclosed with Kikar trees, populated by jackals and wild pigs. This area was visited by ht e residents of Kashmere Gate, Civil Lines during the weekends for partridge hunting.

 There were plans to have a central business quarter, as the edifice of the new capital of Imperial India began taking shape, mooted by W.H. Nicholls (the chief architect to the Government of India) who deliberated a central plaza based on the European Renaissance and Classical style. However after Nicholls left India in 1917, it was Robert Tor Russell, {chief architect to the Public Works Department (PWD)}, Government of India who eventually designed the plaza.

The area is instantaneously identifiable on any map of Delhi, being the big circle in the centre with radial roads spreading out in all directions, like spokes on a wheel. It is a rationally designed area and is home to one of India's first underground market- Palika Bazaar (Municipal Market), named after Nagarpalika. While outer Circle known as Connaught Circus (officially Indira Chowk), houses rows of shops and hotels, the restaurants and the Middle Circle has offices and small eating outlets.

 Connaught Place is one of the biggest financial, commercial and business centres in Delhi. It was developed as a showpiece of Lutyens' Delhi featuring a Central Business District. The place is named after the Duke of Connaught, the construction work was started in 1929 and completed in 1933. CP was renamed as the Rajiv Chowk after the late Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

        

{Facts taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connaught_Place,_New_Delhi)

 A small historical backdrop for a place that forms the heart of Delhi was essential for many of us have been to this place umpteen number of times and yet do not know much about it...CP from the time of its establishment holds the record of being one of the busiest commercial hub...and till date continues to be so...

  But as a wanderer around CP the essence of the place for me is very different. As I walk around the inner circle moving around the European Renaissance and Classical style Central Plaza, it’s like one can breathe the imperial air and sense British ladies walking around dressed in lacy gowns.

 Sip a hot cup of coffee sitting in a corner in Indian Coffee House and feel the aura that the very presence of so many diverse people creates. Every single person moving around in CP has a purpose of their own but all form the very spirit that CP has...

 There is no dearth of branded outlets in CP...one is free to shop for any branded item but the charm that is there to pick up random items from Pallika Bazar, Janpath, vendors from Gujarat and Rajasthan cannot be found in the sophisticated showrooms. The traditional and old charm of CP is retained by these vendors who make small stalls of books / accessories/ clothes / bags etc, just outside the big showrooms. Strange you know but these vendors are not hassled by the big names, branded outlets, rich or poor, they are out there to make a living of their own....

 You can choose eateries / food joints like McDonald / CCD / Barista / Nirula’s / Cafe 100 / KFC / Yo China, etc for eating wide variety of delicious snacks. But the magnetism and masti of eating golgappa, cheese balls, samosa, potato fry, kufi faludu, momo, etc, from the street side vendors is unrivalled and scintillating.

 You are in a mood to hangout and relax then just sit on the railings of the outer circle / pallika bazaar eat a chuski and observe all kinds of weird / happy / funny / sad faces all around you. As the eyes and mind wander around,  in one far corner you can also see a lady in her twenties I presume barely clothed, malnourished lying down in a corner of the Central Plaza, probably sleeping or in pain as it is evident she is pregnant.  

 As the sunsets and CP is all lit up with lights, and crowd ever enthusiastic enjoying expedition in CP, eyes fall on some people who are out on business you see. Indians and Foreigners both can be their clients and hence begins the transaction.  

 Tall buildings, branded outlets, eateries, restro-bars name it and you get it in CP...but for me the extravagance of CP comes from the elegant architecture of the European Renaissance and Classical style Central Plaza, the imperial air that still blows around CP, the people from all race, caste, color, creed, rich and poor, young and old, the road side vendors, janpath, pallika bazaar, the handicraft shops and the list is endless...

So here it is the Dil of Dilli if I may call it so - Connaught Place / Rajiv Chowk, just as I SEE & FEEL IT !!

Wet and Wonderful

(this article was also published by Hindu on May 12 2010)

Meghalaya is one of the most exciting places, rich in tribal culture and natural beauty.
Meghalaya is a rich reservoir of tribal culture, floral and faunal biodiversity, huge forest cover, a variety of orchids, home to over 250 species of butterflies, making it an exotic and captivating tourist destination.

Meghalaya (the abode of clouds) is a traveller's delight. The wide array of tourist destinations can be clubbed into three chief zones: the Khasi Hills, Jantia Hills and Garo Hills. The Khasi Hills are home to the wettest place on earth – Sohra, popularly known as Cherrapunjee. The Sohra area is on the outskirts of capital Shillong. Dotted by breathtaking waterfalls, deep gorges, swift flowing rivers and can be called the ultimate eco-friendly travellers' destination. It is also the traditional capital of a Hima-Khasi tribal chieftainship.
Unique

The living root bridge situated in Nongriat is one of its kind. It is called the Double-Decker Root Bridge or the Umshiang Double Decker Root-Bridge. Other attractions in the Khasi hills are Mawsynram, also considered one of the wettest places on earth. It has the Mawjymbuin with magnificent stalagmites and a dome-shaped rock called the Symper Rock. The Khasi hills are also abode to the second largest river island in Asia, the Nongkhum Island. A wooden bridge from the Weinia Falls leads to the island. The island is formed by the bifurcation of the Kynshi into the Phanliang and Namliang. The picturesque village of Mawlynnong situated in the Indo-Bangla border has the distinction of being the cleanest village in Asia. The villagers, mostly agriculturists, ensure that the virgin forest cover is kept unharmed. The sacred groves that have been preserved over centuries by means of traditional religious norms are a storehouse of incredible of medicinal plants, orchids and more. One of the most famous groves is the

Mawphlang sacred forest, an ideal destination for nature lovers.
Smit is the heart of Khasi traditional culture, where the Nongkrem dance is performed every year in November.

The biggest artificial lake is the Umiam Lake, popularly known as Barapani, offers water sports. It is situated on the Shillong-Guwahati highway and is surrounded by pine trees and picture perfect blue skies. Jakrem is famous for its hot sulphur springs, which are believed to have curative medicinal value.

Shillong, the capital, also has plenty of tourist destinations. Known as the Gleneagle of the East, the Shillong Golf Course is one of the oldest and best natural golf courses of the world. Set amid the undulating valleys it has an 18-hole course.In the heart of the city is the Cathedral Catholic Church. The Lady Hydari Park and the Wards Lake are other tourist spots. Enchanting falls around the city include the Elephant falls, Sweet falls and Spread Eagle falls.

Architecture

Jaintia Hills is a land of hills and prosperous mineral deposits. It is home to the Nartiang village, famous for the summer palace of the Janitia kings. The Durga Temple of Nartiang has a tunnel that reaches the Myntang. The presence of the largest assortment of monoliths in one single area is found in the Nartiang markets: Menhris (upright stones) Moo Shyrang and Dolmens (flat stones in the horizontal position) locally known as Moo Kynthai.

A drive to the border town of Dawki is an exhilarating experience as the road passes through deep gorges and ravines. The Lumshnong hamlet is the dwelling of the Umlan, the largest and deepest in the sub-continent. It is also inter-connected with two other caves: Kot-Sati and Umskor caves.

A beautiful arch bridge connects across a stretch of paddy fields leading to the Tyrshi falls thundering down to the Pynthor below. Jarain Pitcher Plant Lake sits calmly amid gravelled footpaths, pitcher plant garden and green house interpretation centre.

Densely forested Garo Hills is one of the richest biodiversity spots. The Baghmara Reserve Forest is home to langurs, birds and elephants. Siju is famous for Dobakkol or the bat cave, one of the longest caves in the sub-continent and contains some premium river passages. The Siju bird sanctuary lies alongside the banks of the Simsang.Sasatgre village is home to orange plantations and falls within the periphery of the Nokrek gene-sanctuary-cum-biosphere reserve.

Meghalaya is the destination that vacationers will want to venture into. A marvellous blend of nature and adventure is forever ready to be served on a platter for those who dare to think beyond the horizon to the abode clouds. The hill state is a cosy getaway during these times of summer, in the arms of nature, in the land of rain soaring high in the skies this is Meghalaya for you, the consign to be.