This blogger keeps getting brickbats for these StateOfDelhi posts. That’s passé. Then there are times when the readers miss the satire and take the posts too seriously. This seems to have happened with the last blog. It got some of the regular readers quizzing on why is one so angry? The satire was perhaps too sharp for some Dilliwalahs and it apparently reeked of indignation to them. To these well-wishers I offer my unconditional apology and express my gratitude for their love. Thank you!
Now, let’s get back to my tirade.
Life, one thought, was slowly and steadily getting back to normal in Delhi. However, the moment one stepped out on Delhi roads – one discovered that it’s all normal already. Gol-gappa stalls are busy. The chaos on the streets is back and so is the traffic. Our man AK is back too. He is at same places you see him most – on billboards! This time he is commanding every Dilliwalah to get vaccinated. Good intent alright but then there is a smart statecraft at play too. Many vaccination centres have been set up at Delhi government-run schools. You go there for the vaccination but come back praising the infrastructure and acknowledging AAP’s good work. How good is that for strategy (Michael Porter can take a walk!)? The game is on, Dilliwalahs, and it’s Manish Sisodia One – Amit Shah Zero!
Who says government-run enterprises have no humour? Look at the response of Delhi Metro to an anxious lover who tagged Delhi Metro. The man was asking if they will be operational during a weekend in June. He added that if he can’t get to meet his girlfriend then a break-up is imminent. The reply that Delhi Metro twitter handlers gave was cute and laced in humour. They put a GIF of Amrish Puri from his iconic film, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and replied: “Metro chalu hai mere dost. Ja ji le aapni zindagi” Metro services are operational, my friend. Go live your life.
The compassion for the long suffering Dilliwalahs was visible in yet another act of the Delhi government. Home delivery of liquor within Delhi for orders placed through mobile applications and websites has now been permitted. Hic hic hooray! It’s another matter that the government could not get you oxygen or an ambulance when you needed it for someone. And that caused so much trauma and anxiety. Well, here is a novel way to assuage those feelings and the accompanying pain. Get tipsy Dilliwalahs. And no, don’t you bother of what the watchman or the neighbours think of you when liquor deliveries happen. You won’t be able to see their ‘I-know-you-Daarubaaz’ smiles from under their masks anyways!
StateOfDelhi Suggests: The day Delhi reports zero case of Covid-19, wear your mask and step out to go to Chandni Chowk. The restoration work is almost over and the place looks so much better. They have converted the entire 1.3 km road as a walk-way and made it free from vehicular traffic. Those ugly electric wires that used to hang over those defaced poles have all gone. And all the joints that have featured in our previous blogs from the area are now open. So if you have had both your jabs – get out and sample some real cool stuff. And yes, the Delhi Metro will drop you right there in case you want to take your date to a trip filled with nostalgia and some awesome street food.
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