Parks in Delhi
Delhi has many parks, so you are never too far from a green spot, to walk and breathe in. The green cover in Delhi has been growing year on year and will hopefully reach the prescribed 33% soon. Also, Delhi has the second highest species of birds, among cities ( first being Nairobi) - who would have thought.
There are 5 city forests in Delhi - each covering hundreds of acres (the ridge is 80 kms, check out it's uniqueness at http://toxicslink.org/delhiridge/about-delhi-ridge/importance-for-delhi ), filled with birds, deer, neelgai, and the omnipresent peacocks. But these are not what makes the Delhi evenings and winters, so vibrant. It is the parks. The 450 large parks - with an occasional historic ruin thrown in, like the Lodi Garden. Or the smaller parks dotting the city. But mostly, the tiny patch of fun, nor more than 200 mts from any Delhi house. Which start beckoning you like a mirage in a desert, as soon as the sun starts setting, on a summer evening.
Little children start making restless gestures as the 'park time' approaches. The bigger ones start harassing the 'designated park chaperon' from 30 minutes before the 'park time'. And the more intrepid ones just dash out - with their balls, raquets or just the euphoria of going to The Park.
There is another group which gets equally excited at this time. The retired/senior citizens. The parks are social hubs - where they meet their friends under the pretext of exercising or accompanying grandchildren. The more adventurous ones join laughter clubs, where they systematically laugh - according to a given process. But it's when they meet in the evenings, and sit on benches, placed specially for them, as the sun sets slowly over the trees, that they really laugh. And chat about their various ailments - sometimes jokingly, sometimes with a hint of nervousness.
Of all these, my favourites are the little babies. Who come in prams, eyes aglow with excitement, heads turning vigorously to take in all the sights and sounds of the park. They are freed from the prams once the maids find their friends and a nice spot of green to sit on. While the maids swap news on food, clothes and employers, the little babies sit on the grass. They explore their surroundings on fours, mostly upto a 1 metre radius - before their maids pull them back into the circle. They pluck grass and sometimes eat them. They also watch ants, lady bugs with rapt attention. After exploring nature, they explore each other. Poking each other's noses - the nose is a favourite - patting on the cheek or simply just reaching out and touching. To feel and connect and understand.
Such a good way to relate. Such a good way to live.
There are 5 city forests in Delhi - each covering hundreds of acres (the ridge is 80 kms, check out it's uniqueness at http://toxicslink.org/delhiridge/about-delhi-ridge/importance-for-delhi ), filled with birds, deer, neelgai, and the omnipresent peacocks. But these are not what makes the Delhi evenings and winters, so vibrant. It is the parks. The 450 large parks - with an occasional historic ruin thrown in, like the Lodi Garden. Or the smaller parks dotting the city. But mostly, the tiny patch of fun, nor more than 200 mts from any Delhi house. Which start beckoning you like a mirage in a desert, as soon as the sun starts setting, on a summer evening.
Little children start making restless gestures as the 'park time' approaches. The bigger ones start harassing the 'designated park chaperon' from 30 minutes before the 'park time'. And the more intrepid ones just dash out - with their balls, raquets or just the euphoria of going to The Park.
There is another group which gets equally excited at this time. The retired/senior citizens. The parks are social hubs - where they meet their friends under the pretext of exercising or accompanying grandchildren. The more adventurous ones join laughter clubs, where they systematically laugh - according to a given process. But it's when they meet in the evenings, and sit on benches, placed specially for them, as the sun sets slowly over the trees, that they really laugh. And chat about their various ailments - sometimes jokingly, sometimes with a hint of nervousness.
Of all these, my favourites are the little babies. Who come in prams, eyes aglow with excitement, heads turning vigorously to take in all the sights and sounds of the park. They are freed from the prams once the maids find their friends and a nice spot of green to sit on. While the maids swap news on food, clothes and employers, the little babies sit on the grass. They explore their surroundings on fours, mostly upto a 1 metre radius - before their maids pull them back into the circle. They pluck grass and sometimes eat them. They also watch ants, lady bugs with rapt attention. After exploring nature, they explore each other. Poking each other's noses - the nose is a favourite - patting on the cheek or simply just reaching out and touching. To feel and connect and understand.
Such a good way to relate. Such a good way to live.
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