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Social Anxiety Disorder: A Fresher’s Perspective

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The excitement of meeting new people, making friends, and knowing more about university life is what is on the minds of freshers. But it is not the same for people with Social Anxiety Disorder.

Social Anxiety Disorder or SAD, more commonly known as social phobia is one of the most common anxiety disorders. People suffering from this disorder tend to excuse themselves from attending social gatherings, parties, and often find it difficult to meet new people, initiate a conversation and make friends. Socialising is really difficult for them. A lot of times, they come across as shy or even arrogant. In simple words, they might be called an introvert but suffering from SAD is different from being an introvert. The constant worry that is on their mind, the panic attacks that they might get even on the thought of attending a social event is what describes a socially phobic person.

Leaving school and joining college is a big turning point in our lives. However, this brings excitement to some while fear to others. For people suffering from SAD, the fear of coming out of the cocoon of school life and stepping in the big wide world of college is very high. In this new and bigger world, the fear that people face is that they will have to talk to new people, make friends and adjust themselves among a completely new set of people.

On the first day of college, they find themselves in a big pool full of unknown faces. Not knowing whom to talk to, what to say, how to start a conversation is very common. You might find people who are very bubbly and try talking to everyone, as well as those who are introverts and prefers not speaking much. But you should not let this affect you. All you need to know is that it is completely fine to be feeling the way you are feeling and it will get better with time.

A second-year student of Gargi College shared her experience of being a socially phobic fresher. She said, “Before the first day of college, I had thoughts that I would end up feeling isolated. This would freak me out. The fear of talking to new people was constantly on my mind. But I realised that it was not just me. However, one year into college I have a group of five friends, and they are the people I can fall back upon. You need to know that everyone is sailing in the same boat and all your other classmates are also just out of school. It is not easy to step out of your comfort zone but with the right people by your side, it becomes much better. You might not find your set of ‘right people’ on the first day but you will soon find them.”

Finding your best friend on the first day of college is not really possible. Finding your gang takes time. It is very common to feel lonely and not have anyone to talk to. But this does not mean that you will not make friends throughout your college life. You will surely meet people who might turn out to be your friends for life. But do not rush into anything.

Do not feel pressurized and don’t let the situation become a source of worry and panic for you. You might also see some ‘newly become friends’ going out and chilling while you might be sitting in some corner alone trying to avoid social gatherings. Don’t let such things make you feel worried. Get over the thoughts that you will have to be alone forever. Because that is not true and you will find people in whose company you will feel comfortable.

A student of Kamala Nehru College shared her experience and said, “I have always felt petrified in meeting new people. In school, I had a bunch of friends who made me feel comfortable but when I entered college, I was struggling to make friends while I saw some people go out every day with their new friends. This made me anxious. So, I joined them. I did not enjoy but I did this just to make an image in front of some people. But today, when I look back at it, I realise how stupid I was. Today, I have a group of people who make me feel much better. It took me one whole year to find them. Wait for the right time and things will eventually fall in place. You are not as lonely as you think you are.”

It might be difficult for you but you need to realise that social phobia doesn’t have to control you. Be comfortable. Get over the thoughts of embarrassing yourself. Stop thinking about what everyone else thinks and have fun in college.

Feature Image Credits: FTI Portfolios

Priya Chauhan

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Arts & Culture

Amitav Ghosh’s Sea of Poppies: Revisited After a Decade

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A 2008 Man Booker Prize nomination , Amitav Ghosh’s eye-opening work of historical fiction touches upon many contemporary social issues.

Set in the pre-Independence, colonial Indian subcontinent, Sea of Poppies by decorated historian and author, Amitav Ghosh is the saga of a phenomenon. In the first installment of the Ibis trilogy, the narrative of the book traces the lives of a diverse set of characters, forced together into complex social set-ups by the opium trade of British colonies with China and a slave-carrying ship.

On the face of it, the book seems only to be characterised by a Dickensian cast and crew that includes an out-of-place American, an opium addict from China and a European girl who’s actually native; but, there is definitely a lot going on under the surface.The book has many unconventional, honest, and raw women characters who break moulds. There’s Deeti, the widow of an addicted opium farmer, who choses and fights for her freedom by marrying outside of her caste after her husband’s death. There’s Paulette, who decides to run away to Mauritius aboard a slave-ship to escape the dire realities of her life back home and there’s Muniya, a young albeit naive girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. These women not only reflect the verity of our sociological growth as a country but also exhibit a deep insight into the kind of lives that women of our land have had.

The book also delves into an exploration of the caste divide in both rural and urban India before Independence and also talks about the rigidity of the society. Panoramic and rich in satire, Ghosh’s writing expresses what we already know in a manner that is opaque yet atrocious. The story-telling is engrossing and well-punctuated by his masterful weaving of local dialects and colloquial slang into the narrative. Painstakingly detailed historical accounts from the 19th century that reflect deep philosophies of an economically strained and colonised nation make the book a delightful read and coerce you to discern the deeper consequences of the historical events of a two hundred year span of imperialism.

With an absolutely appropriate title, Sea of Poppies is a meaningful read for all those interested in historical fiction that provides a lens to look at our nation and society in the contemporary world.

Feature Image Credits:Penguin Random House Canada

Bhavya Pandey

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Campus Central

Article 370 of the Constitution Revoked; Protests Continue

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In response to the abrogation of Article 35A and Article 370, the nation saw countrywide protests being organised by various organisations.

Student leaders, political figures, and dissenting students took to the streets of Mandi House  to make their way to Jantar Mantar to protest the abrogation of Article 35A and Article 370 which granted special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The protest was supported by organisations including Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), and All India Forward Bloc (AIFB).

The move has left people confused and shocked. People have been vocal about their dissent through social media. The varied reactions, some celebratory and some condemning it have made Delhi the hotbed of protests and celebration rallies this week.

“There’s a new way of misogyny in the air after the abrogation. There are memes and posts about men wanting to marry a Kashmiri woman. Does this mean they intend to kill all our boys? There has been excitement over the prospect of buying land. So, it was never about the people, was it? Only the land,” said a Kashmiri woman.”I’ve been here for 10 years. I went to university here, I got my first job here. I’ve never come out for a protest ever before but the latest news forced me out of my house. I need to be seen, I need to be heard.” added another Kashmiri woman on the conditions of anonymity.Amidst placards, posters, and media personnel running around to take interviews, a few protestors drew graffiti and wrote slogans on the road as leaders from the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Lenininst) spoke about the issue.

Shortly, a counter protest by unknown people began outside the barricades. They unfurled the national flag and waved it high while shouting slogans demanding ‘azaadi’ (freedom) from ‘anti-nationals’. Their display of hyper nationalism found itself in slogans praising the nation as the police and CRPF forces formed a tight, protective circle around them. The counter protesters also chanted aggressive slogans like “desh ke gaddaro ko, goli maaron saalon ko” (shoot all the traitors of the nation).

As the valley spends its third day without any communication channels, reports and rumours of protests, stone pelting, and death in the rehion leave the Kashmiri students in Delhi distressed.Students are yet to hear from their families back home. Reports of curfew and increased military presence has only added to their fears and worries.

The abrogation has left Ladakh as a Union Territory without its own legislature. Students from Ladakh spoke against the decision. Mohammad Ali, a student from Jawaharlal Nehru University said,“The MP proudly smiles and boasts his hapoiness on TV, he say the people of Ladakh are happy, but let me tell you that they aren’t. There have been protests because we don’t welcome this move. Bifurcating the state only puts us in a more vulnerable position. Ladakh’s ecology is in danger due to climate change and rising tourism. The abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A will only damage the ecology further as outsiders will try to set up their companies. Tell me, how do you take such a major decision without asking the people? Is this what Indian democracy stands for?”

Many students chose to cover their faces at the protest or chose to not show up at all. Fear of being recognised and reported grips the Kashmiri diaspora in Delhi. “As a Kashmiri woman, my fears have only increased this year. First it was Pulwama, and now this.” The suddenness of the abrogation has left students torn between the legalities and the emotions it provokes. “It’s unconstitutional and undemocratic, that’s all I can say,” said a university student. “They’ll have to lift the curfew someday, and when they will, there will be bloodshed. I am terrified of that happening.”

Feature Image Credits: Noihrit Gogoi for DU Beat

 

Jaishree Kumar

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Arts & Culture

DU Alumnus Ravish Kumar Wins 2019 Ramon Magsaysay Award

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After gaining prominence with his ground breaking reporting on shows like Prime Time, Hum Log, and Ravish Ki Report, NDTV Journalist and Senior Executive Editor, Ravish Kumar was conferred with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award.

Being one of the five recipients of the 2019 Magsaysay Award, the Asian equivalent of the  Nobel Prize,  Kumar has been awarded the prize  for “harnessing journalism to give voice to the voiceless” and his “unfaltering commitment to a professional, ethical journalism of the highest standards”.

Other recipients of this year’s Magsaysay include Ko Swe Win of Myanmar, Angkhana Neelapaijit from Thailand, Raymundo Pujante Cayabyab from Philippines, and Kim Jong-Ki from South Korea.

Ravish Kumar, an alumnus of the prestigious University of Delhi is a History Honours graduate from Deshbandhu College. Initially, he was interested in Public Affairs and further pursued a postgraduate diploma in Hindi Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, but dropped out eventually.

In 1996, he became a part of the New Delhi Television Group (NDTV) and rose to the top with his dealing of the common problems on Prime Time and influential reporting of the same criticising the Government and the authority coupled with professional attitude with a fluid explanation of critical issues presenting facts and figures substantially.

Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honour. It celebrates the memory and leadership example of the third Philippine president after whom the award is named, and is given every year to individuals or organisations in Asia who manifest the same selfless service and transformative influence that ruled the life of the late and beloved leader.

“In electing Ravish Kumar to receive the 2019 Ramon Magsaysay Award, the board of trustees recognizes his unfaltering commitment to a professional, ethical journalism of the highest standards; his moral courage in standing up for truth, integrity, and independence; and his principled belief that it is in giving full and respectful voice to the voiceless, in speaking truth bravely yet soberly to power, that journalism fulfills its noblest aims to advance democracy,” says the citation by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation.

Previously, he has also been awarded the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award twice in the years 2013 and 2017 respectively. He has also won the Red Ink Journalist of the Year Award in 2016.  Ravish Kumar is also a celebrated writer, who has authored books like The Free Voice India, Dekhte Rahiye , and Ishq mein Shehar Hona.

The Award will be presented in formal ceremony in Manila, Philippines on 31st August, the birth anniversary of the Philippines President whose ideals inspired the Award’s creation.

Feature Image Credits: Edugenius Blog

Faizan Salik

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Campus Central

Students Demand OBC Reservation in DU’s Postgraduate Hostels

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The University Grants Commission clearly mentions that there will be reservation for the candidates from the OBC category in the hostels. However, most of the postgraduate hostels do not notify or implement the stipulated reservation policy.

The University of Delhi (DU) has come under the scrutiny of students due to the inability of the authorities to provide reservations to candidates from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota in hostels. The University has a number of hostels under its fold namely D.S. Kothari Hostel, Gwyer Hall, Jubilee Hall, Mansarover Hall, Post Graduate Men’s Hostel, and VKRV Rao.

A group of students from the University came together against this mismanagement and have demanded reservation rights to the OBC category in hostel accommodations. The University Grants Commission (UGC) had circulated the Central Educational Institutions  Reservation in Admission) Act 2006 and Amendment Act, 2012 to all central educational institutions directing them to reservation provisions including the admission of OBC students to these institutions.

However, most of the hostel notifications do not mention OBC reservations for the postgraduate students in DU. Satchit, a student of Cluster Innovation Centre, and a resident of Post Graduate Men’s Hostel spoke to DU Beat about this matter. He said, “My department provides five seats to be allotted in the hostel- two seats for  candidates belonging to the general category, two for candidates from the OBC quota, and one for SC/ST candidate. But the hostels do not have reservations per day. The department provides reservation from their end, but the hostels have no such policy. Thus, even if an OBC student has been allotted a hostel seat, he may not necessarily get it.”

According to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the University Grants Commission  has issues instruction to all the grant-in-aid institutions, funded by the Government except minority institutions under Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India to implement 27% reservation for the OBC candidates.

“As per the information available with the Ministry, during 2015-16, 22 out of 40 Central Universities have successfully achieved the prescribed percentage of student intake from OBC Community,” the MHRD  told the Parliament two years ago.

The Ministry further added, “All Indian Institutes of Technology/National Institutes of Technology/Indian Institutes of Information Technology achieved the stipulated 27 % intake of OBC students. Further, 13 Indian Institutes of Management out of 19 and 22 out of 31 National Institutes of Technology recorded more than the stipulated 27% student intake.”

“The Ministry of Human Resource Development through UGC instructs Universities/Institutions to furnish periodic reports on the implementation of reservation guidelines for OBCs for admissions to courses at all level and Hostel accommodation for students,” it said.

(With inputs from NDTV)

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

Stephen Mathew

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Campus Central

UGC Recommends Institute of Eminence Status to DU

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The University of Delhi (DU) has been named among 19 other institutes for Institutions of Eminence (IoE) status in a list released by the University Grants Commission(UGC) on Friday, 2nd August 2019.  The University is ranked 474 in the world rankings (QS 2020) which is one of the highest rankings among central universities. The UGC has recommended 10 public and 10 private institutes for the Institutions of Eminence  status.

The Institutions of Eminence scheme is aimed at developing 20 world class institutions which would put India on the global education map. The move allows greater academic, administrative and financial autonomy to the university. DU has consistently been among top rankings with. The University was ranked eighth this year.

The UGC, in its 542nd meeting held on 2nd August 2019 has considered the reports of the Empowered Expert Committee (EEC) appointed by the Government under the Chairmanship of Shri N Gopalaswami has recommended 15 public institutions and 15 private institutions to be considered for Institutions of Eminence. Since the scheme has only provided for 10 public and 10 private institutions, the UGC has examined the list of 15 public and 15 private institutions using ‘transparent and verifiable criteria’, according to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

Image Source: PIB
Image Source: PIB

Institutes which are given IoE status from public category includes IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IISC Bangalore, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, University of Hyderabad, and BHU and private institutes which are recommended for IoE status include BITS Pilani, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Jio Institute (Reliance Foundation, Maharashtra) ,O.P JINDAL University and Shiv Nadar University.

Last year, the Ministry had granted Institution of Eminence status to six educational institutions. It included three public and three private institutes including Reliance Foundation’s yet-to-be-built Jio Institute, which had created a wide debate in the country. Gopalaswami, former Chief Election Commissioner who headed the expert panel which initially identified the list of IoEs commented, “We considered two types [of institutions], those who are already ranked well and those which are potential institutions. We might have felt something has potential, but government may feel something else, they may have felt that if an institution is not ranked at all, it cannot be considered. It is entirely justified.”

  • Benefits of the IoE Tag for the University

According to the Institutions of Eminence scheme, “These selected institutions are proposed to have greater autonomy compared to other higher education institutions. They will be exempted from approvals of government or UGC for academic collaborations with foreign institutions, except institutions in MEA and MHA list of negative countries. Once identified, the target for Institutions of Eminence will be to break into top 100 bracket in one internationally reputed ranking framework in 10 years.” Due to this prestigious status DU will get INR 1,000 crore from MHRD to achieve world- class status.

The decisions brought cheers among the students and academicians in the University. Welcoming this move, Stephen Mathew, a second-year student of St. Stephens College said, “I feel proud to be a student of the University. Personally, I feel safe in the university space per. It has also allowed me to grow academically and otherwise.”

Chhavi Bahmba, a fresher from Daulat Ram College commented, “I believe the University deserves it for the level of diversity and exposure offered. It offers a great undergraduate courses, however this status can help to work upon on few things like placement, infrastructure, etc.”

However, the UGC has denied the tag to some prominent institutions like Azim Premji University, Ashoka University, Indian Institute of Human Settlements etc. since they have not been placed in any global or national rankings. These recommendations are to be submitted to the MHRD for conferring the final status.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

Sriya Rane

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Admissions

4 Things You Could Do After Pursuing Economics Honours

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Economics is one of the most sought after courses at the University of Delhi (DU). If you are in your last year of pursuing Economics Honours, here are a few career prospects you can explore for yourself.

Economics is a multidisciplinary subject that finds its place in the three verticals of the contemporary Indian education – Science, Arts, and Commerce. It is not everyone’s cup of tea and calls for one to have a knack for it. Here are a bunch of things you could consider after completing your graduation as an Economics Honours student:

     1.Masters in Economics

This option is an ideal and obvious choice for someone who wishes to increase their in-depth knowledge of Economics as a discipline and further consider options in academia. It will allow you to specialise in a certain branch of Economics and comfortably call yourself an expert in the subject. Prestigious institutions in India such as Delhi School of Economics and Jawaharlal Nehru University await you in case to decide to take this up.

  1. Analysis

To gain a headstart in the corporate world, taking up an analysis-based job is a great idea. Be it as an investment analyst or a financial analyst, this field can be considered to be a typical job profile for an Economics graduate who has achieved a good academic record. These options provide you with an excellent chance of getting to work with big multinational giants in the initial years of your career itself.

  1. Think Tanks

Think Tanks are resource bodies that are responsible for the deconstruction of economic phenomenon and issues for the prime purpose of policy interventions and offering recommendations.  Niti Ayog, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, and the Center of Policy Research are among the top think tanks of India that work in the field of public policy and economics where you could consider applying.

  1. Business Journalism

If you have a flair for writing and an understanding of economic events, then this is your go-to option. Research papers, journals, magazines, and newspapers can be your working ground and you can hone both your skills by taking up this career path.

So, get out there, make the most of your learning and create a niche for yourself in a world that is controlled by the reins of economics.

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

 

Bhavya Pandey

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Campus Central

Editorial: Dear Freshers, Welcome to the Real World

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Here is a note from our Editor summing up the next three years of your life-the rollercoaster ride.

Every year around 55,000 students take admission to the prestigious University of Delhi. Many leave the comfort of their home to pursue their academic goals and become the best version of themselves. Undoubtedly, the University is a breeding ground for personal growth. It is one place which gives you an experience of a lifetime- be it friendships, fun, extracurricular activities, or academics.

Every day you are going to meet a number of people who have different ideas and opinions, who differ from your political and societal views. You might be hesitant in the starting, but as months pass by, you will witness a change within yourself, a change which will make you realise how important inclusivity is. You will gradually empathise with the boy from North-east and his conditions back at home, and also understand the struggles of the girl from Kashmir.

It probably feels great to know that you are no more a child who has to wake up at 6 a.m. every morning, wear that boring school uniform, and go to school. The thought of having the freedom to walk in the college anytime without anyone to question or the freedom to attend classes, party with friends, and shop makes everyone excited. However, one must also realise that this image created by Bollywood will soon be busted. Not always will you have the freedom to walk in, sometimes you will have to reach as early as 8 a.m. for that one important lecture, or will have to sacrifice a get-together plan because you are too broke. All the NCERT books, guides, model test papers, and reference books will soon be replaced with a number of readings, heaps of xeroxed notes, neverending assignments, and ten-year books to study two days before the exam.

The people who you are friends with, or the groups you are a part of, will play a huge part in shaping your personality and character. In the coming months, you will pick and choose many people who you think will stay with you forever, with whom you will have all the fun. But let’s burst this balloon. This is not going to be the case. There will be happy days when all of you will chill and have fun in the cafes of Hudson Lane or Satya Niketan. But not all days bring sunshine, there will be gloomy days also; how you handle it will truly shape you as a person.

There will be situations where your college life will appear to be harsh and unwelcoming. You will experience situations where you will end up feeling that you don’t fit in the cultural space. Trust me, when I joined college, I felt the same. Most people feel the same. You might feel left out. But it is important to understand that every transition brings its own ups and downs. It is slow, gradual, and definitely challenging. And when we talk about the transition which can probably shape your entire career and personality, it is not going to be easy. You might leave the University with a completely transformed version of yourself, but I am sure that version would be a more refinied, responsible, and experienced one.

My advice to each one of you will be to simply invest in yourselves, join societies, question everything, apply for internships, meet new people from different cultural backgrounds, plan night stays and road trips, explore the night life, explore Delhi, and most importantly explore yourself. Choose your friends wisely and you will find your chosen family who will stick by you during the most adventurous and exciting years of your life

Christian D. Larson said, “Believe in yourself and all that you are. know that there is something greater inside you that is greater inside you that is greater than any obstacle.

So, fasten your seatbelts as you embark on the journey of a lifetime!

 

Anoushka Sharma

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Admissions

DU to Hold a Special Admission Drive for Reserved Category Candidates

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The University of Delhi will be conducting a special admission drive for students belonging to the reserved categories from 29th to 30th July 2019.

A formal announcement was made by the University on 26th July 2019 which confirmed that a special admission drive will be conducted for students belonging to the reserved categories.

This drive will consider the left out students of reserved categories along with those students who were not able to pay their fees or missed their chances because of any other reason.

The students belonging to the reserved categories-Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Other Backward Class/ Economically Weaker Section/Persons with Disabilities/ Kashmiri Migrant/Children of Widow/ Minority (Sikh) who missed to apply in their respective categories at the time of registration can do so by requesting a change. Such applicants will also be considered for admission in their specified category in the entrance based undergraduate courses in the subsequent lists. Although, those candidates cannot claim admission in the lists that have been already announced.

All those women applicants who are residents of NCT Delhi and have already registered but could not apply for admission in Non-Collegeiate Women’s Educational Board  (NCWEB) shall be considered for admission in NCWEB automatically. They will be admitted if they meet any of the preceding cut-offs. Also, applicants who were admitted but could not pay the fee shall be given a second chance.  

All the applicants who cancelled their admission or could not take admission during the preceding cut-offs will also be considered for admission under this list, if seats are available.

In addition to the special drive, the University is also planning to conduct a detailed audit of the admission procedure. The main motive behind this audit is to look into the colleges that have admitted more number of students than the designated seats.

A University official also pointed out that some seats for the reserved categories have not been filled up yet.

3.67 lakh applications were received by the University for undergraduate admissions this year, out of which 2.58 lakh applications were completed with fees payment. The large number of applications shows the level of competition that the students had to face to grab one of the 64,000 available seats.

The seventh cut-off list will be announced on 6th August 2019 and the process of document verification will go on from 6th to 8th August 2019.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

Priya Chauhan.

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Arts & Culture

Six Off-Beat Things to do in Delhi

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Set aside the clichés and the same old hangouts, here are a few unique things to do in our city that will actually expose you to its heart.

Delhi’s must-visits are punctuated by its forts, monuments and marketplaces. There’s not even a sliver of a doubt that India Gate and Qutub Minar are the city’s historical marvels and you need to go enjoy them. But if you really want to know the city or if you’ve seen the tried-and-true and are looking for something new; here are six off-beat things to do in Delhi:

 

  1. Naughara Gali’s Painted Havelis
Naughara Gali, Kinari Bazar Image Credits: Hiveminer
Naughara Gali, Kinari Bazar
Image Credits: Hiveminer

Far from the Chandni Chowk crowd, chaos and chatter, you’ll find a peaceful lane located just off of Kinari Bazaar. With its nine painted Jain havelis or mansions built in the 18th century and intricately carved white marble Jain temple, Naughara’s little hamlet is a tranquil oasis. The interiors are decorated with murals and paintings in vivid colors. Visit this lane to step into a bygone era but do keep in mind that leather and photography are not permitted inside.

  1. Qawwalis at Nizamuddin Dargah
Nizamuddin Dargah on a Thursday Evening Image Credits: The Better India
Nizamuddin Dargah on a Thursday Evening
Image Credits: The Better India

The resting place of one of the most famous Sufi saints, Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya, the Dargah is located in the Nizamuddin West neighbourhood of New Delhi. Thursday evenings are characterised by serenading qawwali renditions by families who have been performing there for centuries, such as the Nizami brothers. Spend an evening with welcoming strangers and gifted artists.

 

  1. Visit Champa Gali
Champa Gali, Saket Image Credits: DforDelhi
Champa Gali, Saket Image Credits: DforDelhi

This up and coming local favorite is gradually gaining momentum and has garnered significant popularity among the youth of Delhi, not only for its distinctive food joints and cafes but also for its labyrinthine, Parisian bylanes. Champa Gali exudes a welcoming, old-world charm and is a hotspot of bohemian themed cafeterias, coffee shops, art galleries, and a few stores that offer organic produce and tid-bits. The old ruins of the Saidulajaib neighbourhood, housed next to the Saket locality of South Delhi have been revamped and are now can be found decked with fairy lights, eccentric decor, and taverna-like spaces that are sure to offer a great evening hang-out with friends.

 

  1. Street Art at Lodhi Art District
Lodhi Art District Image Credits: LBB
Lodhi Art District
Image Credits: LBB

One of the prominent residential districts of Lutyens Delhi has been revived to house India’s first public open-air art gallery. Facilitated by St+Art, the alleys of Lodhi Colony are decorated with more than 20 murals, art exhibits, and wall paintings that have been painted by both Indian and International artists. Located between the Meherchand and Khanna Markets of the neighbourhood, the street art at Lodhi is a must-visit on a breezy evening, when you can enjoy a stroll past the creative marvel of these walls and snap a few Instagram-worthy shots. Visit the markets nearby for a bite of delectable street food and do remember to try out the fresh fruit juice from one of many vendors in the vicinity.

 

  1. Phool Mandi, Ghazipur at the break of dawn
Ghazipur Phool Mandi Image Credits: Holidayiq
Ghazipur Phool Mandi Image Credits: Holidayiq

Delhi’s famous Phool Mandi or the wholesale flower market offers more than 600 kinds of flowers for sale each morning. Recently shifted from Baba Kharak SIngh Marg to Ghazipur at the Zorawar Singh Marg in the Tis Hazari area, the flower market is a must-visit; whether you are an avid haggler, budding photographer, or simply fond of flowers. The exquisite buds on offer at the market from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. include tulips from Holland and orchids from Sikkim, and are made available to the retailers and early-shoppers at one-fifth the sale price. The catch is you will have to get to this market as early as possible if you want to escape the mad rush and want to be able to choose your blooms undisturbed. Visit the market for a unique retail experience like never before.

 

  1. Daryaganj Book Market
Daryaganj Sunday Book Market Image Credits: Delhipedia
Daryaganj Sunday Book Market
Image Credits: Delhipedia

Ask any book-lover of Delhi, and they’ll tell you about the two kilometer stretch of Daryaganj market which turns into a book paradise every Sunday. Both sides of the road are lined with stalls upon stalls selling all kinds of books – which can be purchased both ‘by piece’ and ‘by kilo’. Located a short auto-ride away from the Chandni Chowk, Daryaganj hosts hordes of book-shoppers on the weekends so make sure to reach by nine in the morning to be able to get what you are looking for.

So, get out there and make the most of your time here, at the place we like to call a myriad of emotions -Delhi!

Feature Image Credits:LBB

 

Bhavya Pandey

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