New Delhi, Wednesday, April 20, 2011
08 my city
Ghich pich: Delhi-speak for something desidictionary very congested and chaotic. Eg: “This market is such a ghich pich”
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Flavours of Delhi 6 delhi meandmy
We take a look at some cold refreshments to enjoy on a hot afternoon vaishali.bhambri@hindustantimes.com
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alking around in the congested lanes of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi can be a daunting task in the summers. So while you are here, we suggest you try out some real cool options, for which the area is known for — eat and drink! From chilled dahi bhalla (made at a shop that’s been around since 1940) to the special kulfi (made by a local family), you can sample some real good eatables in this area at affordable prices. Take a dekko yourself.
baeljuice dryfruitkulfi What better way to beat the Delhi heat than by savouring this desi ice cream? While walking down the super-crowded streets of Chandni Chowk on a hot summer afternoon, pick up a kulfi to cool you down. It’s easier to walk around with a kulfi stick in your hand than with a loaded plate of eatable. Try the pista kulfi sold at the mobile carts, priced at R10 a piece. You can find another popular kulfiwalla right outside Nataraj dahi bhalla shop. With two options to choose from, one can go for kulfi faluda (R30) or a stick kulfi (R15).
The juice extracted from the bael fruit, is a big hit with people who frequent this market. High in roughage, the orange-coloured sweet juice has a cooling effect. To serve it cool, the thick pulpy juice is stored in a huge clay pot. “Bael juice helps in combating heat strokes. I make it a point to make my daughters drink this juice, whenever we come here to shop in the afternoon,” says Kalpana Jain, 34. You are likely to spot the vendor at Fatehpuri Chowk.
tangy jaljeera
This traditional summer cooler has a cooling effect, and comes loaded with the healthy properties of mint. Garnished with special spices, this tangy drink comes in two sizes — small for R5 and large for R10. It’s a must-try while you are in Chandni Chowk. The drink, served in a glass (a disposable one only on request), is garnished with gram flour pakori. You can munch on these small particles, as you enjoy this refreshing drink. You are likely to spot many vendors selling jaljeera in the market. We spotted this vendor near the Town Hall area.
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PHOTOS: ZABEEH AFAQUE
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PHOTO: ZABEEH AFAQUE
Vaishali Bhambri ■
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natraj dahi bhalla Don’t be surprised to see a big crowd outside this stall, all shoving and pulling. All they are jostling for is a plate of dahi bhalla, sold here for R30. Established in the 40s, this shop is a hit during summers. The plate of sweetened curd comes with two water-soaked spongy bhalle, garnished with tamarind chutney. “Our dahi bhalla is almost synonymous to Chandni Chowk,” says Inder Bhai, the owner of the shop. You can also try their desi ghee tikki for R30.
lemonbunta This desi form of lemonade — a sweetened soda bottle — is popularly known as bunta or kancha in Delhi. The bottle has a marble that works as a cork and is a best-seller in this part of Old Delhi. The drink is mixed with ice chunks and a special masala that gives it a distinct flavour. To make your own bunta at home, you can buy this masala here at R30 (200gm). The drink comes in two varieties — salted and sweet. Try chilled lemonade for R25 at Pandit Ved Prakash Lemon Wale located at Dariba Kalan, opposite Sis Ganj Gurudwara.
sweet lassi
yehdillihai! What do most people do in the Vasant Vihar shopping complex? Shop, right? Well, not really! This gentleman is seen visiting a wayside palmist to know his future. Only in Delhi!
dilse Hi Pooja, I read your msg in dilse column...my nme is arjun...and i m new in delhi..i need a frnd ..may i ur frnd?? Plzz reply. —Arjun My dear wife sha, I dont know u before our mariage bt in only 7 mnth u knw me frm bottom to top nd i understand before u say what u want to say.Thanks for loving me so much —Ur Lallu ram ani Hii, This message is for pooja. even i think that i cud frenz wid u. im 23 yrs old wkin as a software engineer. reply to this msg if v can catch up sometime. — Ashish Kapoor
Two lassi joints — Amritsari Lassiwalla (established in 1974) and Meghraj (been there since 1900) near Fatehpuri Masjid — are the most popular lassi shops here. Meghraj’s lassi, priced at R30, is a mix of yoghurt and sugar. The adjacent Amritsari lassi stall has a lot of flavours to choose from — mango, rose, banana, saffron, cumin, often garnished with chopped almonds.
Hilal, Plz mat ja na yaar ..:( tum ho toh gata hai dil,tum nahi to geet kahan,tum ho toh hai sab haasil tum nahi to kya hai jeena? please mat ja.. — SV Niharika, Hi i m rohit.i live in noida me too wanna have friendship with you if you read this reply me in this column. —Rohit
iced shikanji
Pyari Saru, Bade achchhe lagte hain ye dharti, ye nadiya, ye raina aur tum.Miss u so much. —Urs Rajesh
A fine mix of lemon, spices and chilled sweetened water (with chunks of ice) makes shikanji a true summer thirstquencher. We sipped a big glass of the drink, priced at R10, and it gave us a kick, literally! This mobile shikanji-selling cart has no fixed address. If you are lucky, you might find his cart parked at the Nai Sadak area, amidst the busy shops selling second hand books. The vendor has a trash bin attached to the cart.
Hi, Niharika (west delhi girl), I am boy frm south delhi n m looking for a true friendship. I saw yur msg on dilse ht on Apr 17 edition. i wanna be yur frnd. can i have pleasure of being yur frnd, please contact me through this column. —South Delhi Boy Hi Jaan, Within these days you taught me wat love and wat life is. I'm really thankful to you for coming into my life. Nowadays i feel without you my life is incomplete. Hope you liked my
To my kissmiss, i miss you lot...dont worry ...be positive aap jaldi thik ho jaayego...i am always with you...eat proper...be happy..and dont think negative about yourself...i love you so much...be a brave girl...have patience janu. —From your's Gauri Hi, Dis msg is 4 d gl who boarded a bus 4 dilshad garden wearing maroon top & blue denim & shared seat wid me & wen u left d seat 4 enquiry abt drvr/cndctr i offered u seat. At dilshad grdn u ask abt mtro stn 4m me.I realy admire ur nature.wud u lyk 2 hv frndshp wid me?..if yes den cont thru dis column. —Rajput guy Hey Anil, Rukti Dhadkan Ki Saans Ho Tum..Bujti Nazro Ki Pyaas Ho Tum..Tarasti Zindgi Ki Aas Ho Tum..Fir Kaise Na Kahu Ki Dosto me SabSe Khaas Ho TUM. _*I miss u frnd*_ —P to S Sammi, I love u 24 hrs n i cnt live widout u, plz all readers tell her it. —ASM Hi Adhira i read ur msg in dil se.i understand ur feelings.like to do friendship with u.want to know more abt u. rply through dil se or on facebook.. -Ur new fren Hey South Delhi gal, i am also looking for a pure relationship. so can we share our feelings —John
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Preeti and Manali of IP University flaunt their side fringes
Dear Diary,
Dear Diary,
A few days back, I got a call from from an old age home, asking for donations. I donated a little amount, but was not sure of its authenticity, as Delhi has a lot of fake people. So I decided to visit it. Once there, I saw some old and abandoned people. I was proud to see that the old age home is being managed by the youth of India. I have decided that every month, I will donate some portion of my salary to this place and visit it whenever I get free time. —Manit
Delhi is a city full of beggars, especially on the roads. We get to see a lot of beggars on the red light crossing. These beggars consist little children, young women and even men, who are fit enough to earn their daily bread and butter. But these people have a habit of begging. Once I saw a woman beggar, asking for money with a medical prescription in her hand. She was showing it to the people and pretending that she was very ill, and asking for money to buy medicines. I saw many people giving her money out of pity. When she came to us and showed us the paper, my uncle, who was travelling with us, checked the piece of paper, and to our surprise, told us that the prescription was seven years old and was fake! I was shocked to learn that beggars can fake to such an extent. I hope this condition improves and there will be less beggars in Delhi in the future. —Sonalika Sudhakar
Dear Diary,
Vivek of IP Rahul of Shivaji University shows off College looks cool his retro goggles in his spiky hairstyle
gift, i was really confused wat to buy for you but i felt u wil like heart shaped chain. I love you and I want to marry you... Will you marry me?? —Urs loving, Puchu
Harjas and Prerana of IP University show the black and white side of life
The other day, I was travelling in the Metro and saw a family carrying a live duck in a bag. I saw it when the bird peeped out from the bag. I wondered how they entered the Metro with a live bird, and also managed to cheat the security at the gate. I think we should understand our responsibilities. —Himanshi