DilliMeriJaan

Usually, there is way too much beauty around and they mask the occasional ugliness – so I pass them by. But sometimes, even I, shudder.  Like when someone carelessly breaks a leaf, while walking in a park. Or drops a wrapper. When people scribble on fresh paper, only to throw them in the bin. Or take print-outs of things without stopping to think – railways, movie theatres, airlines – all accept e-tickets on phone!  When people pour glassfuls of water for themselves, others, take a sip and throw the rest. I shudder and watch open-mouthed, gallons of water being wasted during Holi, millions of pollutants being released during Diwali or when India wins a Cricket match. I am amazed that such a wanton show of idiocy is considered ‘celebration’. I shudder most when I see no one raising a voice. Not because they don’t realise the adverse affects of such acts. But because they don’t want to be ‘unpopular’. This #Earthday2016, let’s get unpopular. Let’s shout,...

It was Earth Day. She was rushing to the metro station to catch the metro. To lead her ‘Earth Day’ walk – where Delhi-ites were going to appreciate trees and talk about things they would do to be green. She took her eco-warrior role very seriously. That it was insanely cheesy to make people stand in a circle, under a tree, and take a pledge to turn ‘green’, was something she did not get. So she was driving really fast – the metro station was not at a walking distance from her home. It was early morning and there was no traffic. Which is why she did not see the SUV that she banged into.  It emerged from a corner at a speed much slower than her car. Her tiny car just about reached its monstrous tires but yes, there was a perceptible scratch and a very loud screeching stop. She waited for the arrogant, eco-insensitive, gelled hair, pot-bellied individual to emerge and maybe shoot her. It was Delhi and this was an SUV. Obviously she would be shot. When the befuddled, scrawny, bes...