Vasant Ritu in Delhi

Hi Friends,

Wondering if readers of my Blog are still around. Haven't written one in quite a while. Here I am again with a little bit of this and that, egged on by my son based in Hong Kong,. Will try to be more regular from now.

The spring season is truly one of celebration in the West, after long,harsh and bleak winters.It is a season of joy in Delhi as well, but much shorter(less than two months- Feb and March), and not for the same reasons.The farmers rejoice because its harvest time,and also an end to the severe cold weather (the last one was particularly bad with cold wave conditions lasting over long spells in Delhi), which comes as a relief especially to the poor.

It is also peak wedding season with the inauspicious period of the Hindu calender beginning in March and lasting till may.We have about one doz Wedding invites from friends and relatives,which means over 30 events. Each wedding in Delhi is marked by three, or two, and some even four events. I can neither fathom nor stomach the more and more lavish scales at which weddings are being organised in north India.The fun movie " Band Bajaa Baraat" which we saw yesterday brings out the ludicrous amounts which Delhiites have started spending over their gaudy,and often vulgar weddings, in a humorous,but quite true to life vein.

The winter annuals in the capital have taken longer to bloom this year because of the long and wet winter.But are nearing their peak now,and the lawns are lush green. A drive (a walk is better) around the city's parks, gardens and even the traffic round abouts in Lutyens Delhi is an exhilarating experience.It laterally lifts ones spirits.After a couple of spells of unseasonal rains, the dust has settled and the foliage is fresh.

The month of February also sees the more fortunate Delhiites, who live in either bungalows (mostly Government) and in Farm Houses , (mostly unauthorised)having a passion for gardening,hosting Garden Lunches. I have added pictures taken at homes of two friends at two recent lunches for your viewing pleasure.Both were real treats to the eyes as also the palates.

The famous and historical " Mughal Gardens" at Rashtrapati Bhavan have been thrown open to the public and is drawing large crowds.But how many parents are taking their young ones to see it and not the Shopping Malls which have unfortunately become the ultimate family pleasure haunts for the young Delhiites ?

After a long and very cold winter, the weather in Delhi has suddenly turned balmy. The lawns at the two DGCs - the Delhi Gymkhana Club and the Delhi Golf Club are packed with Members, mostly old timers ( Uncles) in Harris Tweed jackets or crested Blazers,spending leisurely afternoons there, tucking lavish spreads of ethnic and foreign cuisine and guzzling pints of Lager with friends and families. If you are not lucky enough to be a member of the two elitist clubs, get hold of a Member and go there to get the best out of Delhi Spring, without having to spend a penny from your own pocket!

If the weather in Delhi is at its best, the topics of discussion are at their worst. There is talk of nothing but " Corruption- Corruption, and Corruption"- everywhere, prompted no doubt by our media fired up over the issue. As if corruption in our country is a new or sudden phenomenon. The question I have been asked by very knowledgeable and informed persons in recent days is " Will the Govt last- Will the PM resign ?' and so on.Has the rot set in too deep for being cured, is the question I ask?



With the Tri- country Cricket World Cup just commencing in Bangladesh, India and Srilanka, the Cricket mania is visible everywhere. What I can't understand is the media building a hype over India winning the Cup this year,though all of us know that there is many a slip between the "Cup" and the lip,especially in the case of Indian players who are heartless lovers and often flatter to deceive! Yet the news magazines and papers continue to carry banner headiness- INDIA- INDIA".It would of, course,be nice if we can win it.

Don't wish to make the Blog too long. So Adieus Amigos!

Happy Vasant. I'll be back before Holi.

Desi Maali