jEDI blogs

Even though Delhi is now littered with malls and all sorts of knew construction, there are shopping areas which I feel haven't changed in decades. Whether its your Karol Baghs or Chandni Chowks or scores of other places like that, majority of people still shop in there. Maybe its for the experience, maybe they like being pushed around and trampled upon but when it involves serious shopping, malls are the last place an average Delhiite would head towards. And so did I today, although my reasons were less about shopping and more about everything else.

The plan was to visit all these places and also visit some relatives in between, people living in far off corners. A semi-grand tour of Delhi, if you like. It was obvious that such an exercise would take the whole day and we wouldn't be home before 10 pm at night in any case. There was no way I was gonna drive around the whole day in Delhi and also attend to other things. Hence, the general consensus was to hire one of those all day special taxi cabs.

First look at him and I thought he's just some kid who skipped school today and ran away with his Uncle's car. Meet Mr Mahinder - the juvenile taxi driver. I must say I had serious doubts about him and nearly sent him back. Mahinder assured me that he had been regularly driving cabs for over 3 years, was over 18 and had a driving license. Yeah, sure! Like those things couldn't be faked! Anyhow, I trusted him and as the day progressed I was much at ease.

I'm not sure there's anything very interesting to report about my day in terms of what I did today. Again, I hung about in shopping markets, had lunches-teas-dinners at relative's, closely examined the places I remembered and noticed the changes, and generally observed people around me. Thankfully, people accompanying me knew exactly what they wanted, and in some cases what I wanted which is a blessing really, and they kept buying it. The only thing I seemed to be interested in were the food stalls, which was again natural.

Amid the boredom of sitting in a car and driving around Delhi for the whole day, the person who kept me entertained throughout was Mahinder. He was quite a happy chappy, full of life and enthusiasm. He kept cracking jokes, which were kinda childish (hardly surprising), kept telling me about everything that was happening in Delhi, every damn bridge that was built in the last 3 years, every road that's been converted to a flyover, every right turn that's been closed due to construction, you name it! I came to know that Mahinder actually, is from Uttaranchal. And as soon as the summer heat strikes, he'll run back to his village. The village surrounded by mountains, lush green meadows and a small river flowing through it, with the cool breeze blowing over it, and huts with huge thatches. Life was so calm and peaceful there. And in late fall, he'd come back to Delhi and start driving a cab again. I noticed Mahinder was so happy when I talked to him about where he lives, about his life and so on. Perhaps, no one ever bothers talking to him I felt. But there was more. He really felt like a genuinely happy kid to me, which was really great to see. Most of the people around me seemed so grumpy, unhappy and whiny and here's this kid. There’s hardly anything worth mention or of material value in his life but he's so happy and satisfied. Happiness truly, is a state of mind.

Nearly 10pm at night and we reached home after what was a long and tiring day. It was again the usual day but what lit it up was this cheerful kid. Hence, this post the jEDI dedicates to you Mahinder. Heck you probably cant even read, but that's beyond the point. Hope you are having a great time in your small little mountain paradise. Be happy and jovial as ever and yes, don't miss school! Ok, just kidding.

jEDI