With it comes another mystery....why is it that the day we got our independence is observed in a rather sombre manner and the day we figured out what to do with this independence by writing a nice big book, celebrated with so much fanfare??
Beats me is all I can say.
Another mystery is: how is it that a culture which breaks in song and dance and gaiety at the drop of a hat, has such a serious-even-a-smile-is-not-my-middle-name rendezvous with anniversaries that are probably the most memorable in its long existence.
It probably has to do with the fact that the establishment has never let go of its "Company" roots in its appearance, although it has taken on a definitely desi hue in its actions, and more importantly its inactions.
But whichever way - this nation is truly great. I love it.
The month is going past quite fast and there has been some bit of action - a trip to Mumbai; Pongal; as is fast becoming the norm, a scary level of tempo at the workplace; a trip to Purana Quila; Ghajini in a movie hall; Dostana & Fashion [Backlogs :-( ] on the DVD.
It is really ironic that after living for 12 years in Delhi and that too barely a mile away from it, it took me such a long while to visit Purana Quila. So to make amends I need write about this literally old fort (with much of the ammo which is bound to come from the wikipedia window which is opened next to this). Going along with the wife and my new girlfriend (my "robust" camera), I think I got some really good snaps of the place.
Trivia -
1. The site has been occupied by someone or the other since 1000 bc [so it is just 3009 years old :-) ]
2. Humayun initally built the fort, which was later, literally fortified by Sher Shah Suri
3. The primary structures within the complex are:
- Qila-i-Kuna Mosque
- Sher Mandal (Which is an Octagonal multi-stories mound like structure)
The whole place is well maintained, with a small museum being run by the Archeological Survey of India, which showcases pre-historic artefacts primarily discovered in and around Delhi.
Enough of Purana Quilla - time for a hop-skip-&-jump --> Russia --> Russian dolls.
Here's a photo of the rather ubiquitous albeit full of character dolls...
