On my quest for Comics, Coffee and Channa Bhatura!
“ Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans”
Delhi’s cultural temperament is tolerant and accommodating. Characteristically, the city is defined by duality and takes pride in it. While it has quickly embraced the eclectic, fast-paced lifestyle, flanked by high-end clubs, swanky cars, and impressive structures. Its other side boasts of narrow lanes marked by gastronomic fervor, the settlements from 1947 partition that has now turned into societies. A life that hasn’t moved beyond the service class.
What attracts me to this city? Is it the changing urban landscape? That Lutyens’ architecture or those historical landmarks? Or, is it the diversity we see all over the city? I don’t know. I have no clear answer. What I know is, this city fascinates me and liberates me. Travel, Food, Cafes and Theater. I am in pursuit of exploration. As long as I can, my quest for culture, history wouldn’t just end here. And, I intend to continue exploring the City of Djinns.
The Melting Pot
As George Bernard Shaw puts it beautifully, “There is no love sincerer than the love of food”. I can’t help but, gleefully agree that food is the melting pot, a concoction of different cultures, civilization laced with the flavor of rich heritage. From travel guides to blogs and to Canada and The Britain, the reference to Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, and Channa Bhatura has lost its count. The gastronomic affair goes on.
Choley Bhature is one of those few snacks that I can eat any day, any hour. Channa Bhature is an Indian breakfast snack. Choley/Channa (Chickpeas) are cooked with a blend of spices and just to add some glamor, sprinkled with onions. Nothing can be more delectable than this. So my weekend plan was to travel on the metro and reach my destination. As I crossed the Moolchand station, the name struck my mind. A few weeks back, I had heard about this place.
Baba Nagpal Corner, the joint that has made Moolchand famous was just nearby. And, before we could decide anything else, we got down at the next station Lajpat Nagar. When asked about Nagpal Corner, the auto-wallah told us about a parantha joint. But, that information wasn’t important to us. Now, we were desperate to eat only at Nagpal’s. Finally, we reached there.
This place has been listed in all over the places -Top 10 street food joints in Delhi, NDTV food guide and several other blogs.
The eatery didn’t disappoint us at all. Choley Bhature platter comes at an economical rate of 60 INR. If you plan to visit this joint, don’t forget to buy a glass of Lassi. Goes very well with it. Now, as I write and think about it, I am left salivating. Paneer stuffed Bhatura, pickle, sliced onions, and channa. The breakfast was truly worth our time, worth the effort of traveling all the way to this place and worth writing about :)
Comics, Characters, and Novels
I see a spirit of vibrancy, youthful disposition everywhere today. If I look at myself, I have never been a fan of comics. But, this wave of Pop Culture isn’t just influencing the kids, teens or college goers, parents display that vivacity trying to catch up with the younger lot, amassing as much information they can about everything. Simply put, I think our parents are no longer medieval and we can no longer claim to be the only ones who are part of the MTV generation. Just saying.
Delhi Comicon was a steal for kids and comic lovers. I could spot a Batman, The Joker, some Indian demigods as well.
For a non-fan like me, the steal was buying a Minion T-shirt, a bookmark, some postcards and getting clicked at the photo booth. Going to this event wasn’t bad after all. It is all about experiences. Been there, done that!
Next, we boarded the metro and got down at Janpath station. We went to a cafe called Cha Bar that houses the Oxford Bookstore. For a bibliophile, this place could be a retreat and one can easily spend hours reading a book here.
The evening ended at Connaught Place. Walking around this place is always enjoyable. I love planning. I love day dreaming. I love anticipating. Sometimes, I receive more than I expect and sometimes less. Nonetheless, things are always exciting to me. And, these experiences never let my high spirit fizzle out. I look forward to each day. Every nook and corner of this city have something new to offer. I believe it’s how and what you want to experience. Living in the same place can be detrimental at times, certainly not good for the spirit. But, my search wouldn’t just end here nor my Delhi Belly appetite. From what I understand, my love for this city would continue for a long, long time. The City of Djinns!
