There was a time, not very long ago, when a 'Delhiwallah' could be recognised by the specific quality of his witticisms. He could be identified by how he wore what he wore, what he ate and what he did at different times of the year. There was a time when there was a special kind of pride associated with belonging to this city, of being part of a distinct cultural milieu, of sharing a similar experience of history and defending a known value structure.