The Charm Of Chandigarh

Nowadays, the heart of the city – Sector 17 Shopping Plaza, wears a forlorn look.

But during the 80s and 90s, when mobile phones were unheard of, televisions were rare, the heart of the city was a “one stop entertainment center”.
People came in hordes for various reasons.

After completing my studies, I remained unemployed for some time.
It was during that period that I gained lots of insights.
I learnt many a thing that perhaps can never be taught by any teacher or book.

Words fascinated me. Books were expensive, but resources were scarce.

So I asked Rajeev Chaudhary, proprietor of English Book Depot, Sector 17 if he could give me books on hire basis.
He told me, “There is no such system here. But you can sit in the corner of the shop and read till the end of the day.”
I thanked him profusely for his favor.
He was so kind that he even arranged a chair for me.
I devoured lots of fiction, non-fiction, spiritual books.

Khalil Gibran, RK Narayan, Osho, Raman Maharishi, Ruskin Bond were my favorite authors.

Jai Kumar was a self proclaimed teacher of sex education.
He was an illiterate man of about 35years old but befooled many so called educated people.
He cleverly sold them expensive “magical” black tablets for “extra stamina”.
In his shows, held opposite the General Post Office, he regaled his audience by singing vulgar songs.

Then there was a Pathan who sold “Pathan Ka Halwa” – an aphrodisiac concoction made by mixing strange herbs with honey like sticky liquid, opposite State Bank Of India building.
Halwa sold like hot cakes. Interestingly, it was purchased more by females!

Maulvi Sahib as he was popularly known, sold rings with different colored stones, to ward off the evil effects of planets.
But ironically, his own life was spent in extreme penury.

Haryana Canteen was a favorite of all.
It sold eatables at throwaway prices.
A samosa was sold for 50 paise, jalebis for Rs 15/kg.
My favorite besan barfi was for 35 paise/piece!

Flute seller Ram Kumar entertained visitors by playing sweet melodies.
I requested him to give me few lessons on flute. He obliged.
In the scorching afternoons of May, under an Amaltas tree, in Rose Garden, he taught me how to play a flute.

Situated on the foothills of Shivalik mountain ranges, Chandigarh nestles among the beautiful trees of Gulmohar, Kachnar, Amaltas, Dek.

For diehard Chandigarhians, the charm of the city never fades.

For them, Chandigarh is not merely a city, it is their very soul!

~ Sanjay Gargish ~