Special state status

At last to Delhi and a day trip today around New Delhi with my new friend, Anju.

She tailored the trip especially to my interests and was flexible when we came across unexpected events.

Anju took me to the street in New Delhi where all protests take place. A great crowd had gathered to demand Special State Status for a Jharkhand state where mines were being closed and people's livelihood is at risk. Below the hand in the picture, there was a sea of noisy and good natured humanity. There were drummers and other musicians; miners were dressed in costume and covered in ashes, people waved flags and chanted.

It was actually very quiet in Delhi today because is was a holiday. The Moslems were commemorating the martyrdom of Hussayn ibn Ali with an enormous procession. It was much more of a party atmosphere than I expected with thousands following the main procession.

My day started at a holy Hindu shrine. Then we saw a 14th century step well, tucked away in the heart of New Delhi. We visited Connaught place, designed by Lutyens and we went to the Parliament buildings. (We even saw the dog who allegedly joined Prince Charles on his visit and stole the show in the photos!)

The most poignant part of the day was to visit a slum area to meet artisans trying to make a living there. A woman was making chapattis over a fire, just like in thousands of Indian homes. An open sewer was only a few feet away. I was offered hospitality and food from the warm, friendly people, who do not want their homes to be demolished.

It was hard to take it all in today.