I happened to go to Nehru Place, a large commercial complex in south Delhi. Nehru Place, when it came up in the 1980s was seen as the most modern and happening commercial district of Delhi. It was conceived to relieve pressure on Connaught Place the then only large office complex place in Delhi, besides numerous "industrial estates" and to spur economic growth in the "far south" areas of Delhi. It had features like underground parking.
Over a period of time Nehru Place has become the largest market of office automation and IT in India and perhaps Asia. You would normally associate an electronic market with sleek and smart environment. But Nehru Place is ..well a place of contrasts.
On one side is an old single screen cinema which was once a land mark, and on the other side is a modern multiplex and a large hotel and a modern office building with controlled entry and exit, clean corridors and working lifts. But most of the original structure of Nehru Place, is dirty and dingy. The two faces are like the two faces of the country, the modern shinning one which we see in some cities and the old part not touched by economic growth and modernity.
In the "old" Nehru Place hawkers block part of the corridors selling food and mobile accessories, and pan strains can be seen all over. There are no garbage bins. Garbage dumped at certain places on the open walk ways. Someone must be doing the cleaning but garbage retrieval does not happen. The washrooms can be smelled from a distance.
The whole place is badly maintained and dirty but has a lot of energy, people, rushing about, many of them who have come from towns a few hundred kilometres away come to shop for IT goods, often carrying their purchases back with themselves. There were customers from African and Central Asians too. Looking for deals and comparing prices. Buying computers, computer peripherals mobile phones. The USP is the price. Large brands have company outlets which are used by customers for checking out features, but buying is reserved for the shop offering the lowest price. Brokers accost you offering you laptop repair and pirated software. Oh yes Nehru Place is also known as one of the largest market for pirated software.
Right in the middle of the Nehru Place open area the Delhi Police Band was playing. Apparently the shopkeepers association had invited the Delhi Police Band for a performance. Right next to it were young lads moving around with sheets of paper with names of software typed on it. "Sir Windows 8, Adobe"
Police from the local thana (police station) were hanging around talking on the phone while the band played on.The garbage was also around there.
The Good co exists with the Bad in Nehru Place. Perhaps the Bad needs to be exist with the Good to make the Good, Good whether it is the spiritual world or the material world.
Over a period of time Nehru Place has become the largest market of office automation and IT in India and perhaps Asia. You would normally associate an electronic market with sleek and smart environment. But Nehru Place is ..well a place of contrasts.
On one side is an old single screen cinema which was once a land mark, and on the other side is a modern multiplex and a large hotel and a modern office building with controlled entry and exit, clean corridors and working lifts. But most of the original structure of Nehru Place, is dirty and dingy. The two faces are like the two faces of the country, the modern shinning one which we see in some cities and the old part not touched by economic growth and modernity.
In the "old" Nehru Place hawkers block part of the corridors selling food and mobile accessories, and pan strains can be seen all over. There are no garbage bins. Garbage dumped at certain places on the open walk ways. Someone must be doing the cleaning but garbage retrieval does not happen. The washrooms can be smelled from a distance.
Right in the middle of the Nehru Place open area the Delhi Police Band was playing. Apparently the shopkeepers association had invited the Delhi Police Band for a performance. Right next to it were young lads moving around with sheets of paper with names of software typed on it. "Sir Windows 8, Adobe"
Police from the local thana (police station) were hanging around talking on the phone while the band played on.The garbage was also around there.
The Good co exists with the Bad in Nehru Place. Perhaps the Bad needs to be exist with the Good to make the Good, Good whether it is the spiritual world or the material world.
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