In Residence

Chandni Chowk was a fascinating area to grow up in. I have always liked its charmingold havelis and narrow bylanes. They are so narrow that cars can’t pass through andso you do dua salaam with all your neighbours when you walk up to your home. ThePM has to visit Chandni Chowk at least once a year, on August 15. From the ramparts of theRed Fort, he can see four domes: of the Gauri Shankar Mandir, Central Baptist Church,Fatehpuri Masjid and Gurudwara Seesganj. Chandni Chowk is the only street in the worldwhich has the symbols of four religions standing next to each other.

You also get the best of cuisine here: the chhole-puri at Standard near Ajmeri Gate,Gyaani ka falooda in Fatehpuri, the chaat at Natraj, jalebis from Dariba and, of course,the paranthas from paranthe vaali gali. And never mind the lack of space, nowhereelse will you find so many cricket clubs. Unfortunately, Chandni Chowk’s character ischanging, it’s becoming commercialised. Most people can’t afford the upkeep oftheir havelis, so they are selling them off to builders. The government needs to earmarkprivate havelis and set up a fund to maintain them. We also need a Walled City DevelopmentBoard. After all, this is the real Delhi.