Delhi — a home away from home

Delhi has become my second home after my posting here in 2016. For quite some time, I couldn't adjust to the cacophony of its noises 24/7 but slowly I am now used to it.

The national capital is a place with myriad hues and colours. And the architectural marvels that dot the capital and Lutyens' Delhi, with its imposing structures and green canopy, leave me awestruck. What I love about this place is that every neighbourhood has a small park where people go for walks and spent time chit chatting.

The capital has good transit network with the DTC buses and the Delhi Metro extending services far and wide. I commute to my workplace at Connaught Place, the heart of the city, mostly by Metro, as it reduces my travelling time.

During weekends, I spent my time visiting the parks, memorials, museums, art avenues, exhibitions, fests, the Kartavya Path in the sprawling India Gate campus, Dilli Haat, Mini Janpath, and exploring many famous eateries. Then there are capital's iconic landmarks — the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayan's Tomb, Safdarjung Tomb, Purana Qila, Sunder Nursery, Hauz Khas and many more.

I have never felt like an outsider, as Delhi and its people have welcomed me with open arms. My landlord's kids visit me often and have picked up few Assamese words. They even performed Bihu, Assam’s folk dance, at a school dance competition. Their parents send home-cooked food almost every day. Their mom even tied rakhi to me this time, becoming my extended family.

The capital has given me a sense of belongingness and has become a home away from home.

Sabir Nishat, Guwahati