How Delhi didn't let me use my Pepper spray!

As a part of my research in Indian Handicrafts and with an intention to meet artisans and designers and to understand their range of products and creativity, I had to be in Delhi, as it is one place where I could visit various Handicraft and Handloom exhibitions,Emporiums and Craft Museum.

So with a detailed plan I fixed my itinerary for 4 days in Delhi, with no waste of time to afford.

As the departure date came closer I could only recollect how in 2013 I had got selected for a course at Tata Institute of Social Science but left it because of the odd timings as the unfortunate Nirbhaya Gang rape case was fresh in my mind and Mumbai was a stranger city for me.

This time in 2017, I gathered the courage to step out and try to kill the guilt of being scared years back. I planned to go solo to Delhi, get my work done and come out stronger.

Where man wants to fly, these sparrows are enjoying their breakfast ~ at Mumbai International Airport.

The day had arrived, 18th January 2017, time to fly to Delhi. As soon as I landed my dear friend from Delhi sent an Uber that would take me to her home,my shelter for the next 4 days. Ok, uber, umm.. remember the ola and uber creepy stories that flash our news feed on Facebook? My mind was juggling with it! 😁  This driver had nothing to do with the passenger(me), he was enjoying the phone call conversation with his friend(I'm guessing they spoke after a long time) and he continued till I reached my destination. And here I was, sitting with my pepper spray in my hand! Haha!

With a warm welcome from my friend and a little refreshments, it was time to get started. My first visit to Nature Bazaar's Design Mela. This being as close as 15minutes from my friend's place she and her mom accompanied me. Interactions with the artisans and designers showcasing their skills and products, noting down things, dinner and chilling out with friends (like literally!) Well, what a wonderful day!

Day 2: Google Maps, I'm glad you exist! But apparently that auto wale uncle hates you for he is smarter! 😁

From filing an RTI at Development Commissioner Handicrafts in R K Puram to Dilli Haat. Walking and taking auto with my GPS on and Pepper spray in hand. I had to walk through a patch where there were men chilling out at Chai tapri, yes!they looked at me like I was some Tandoori Chicken, or like how I look at food on other people's table, but that being a Central Government offices zone there was not much to worry about. It took some time there, as they refused to accept my RTI as "sir nahi hai" I knew all the rules, and I was in no mood to wait unnecessarily for sir as thats not at all required, from counter to counter and finally after the legal procedure I successfully filled it. About Dilli Haat, well its a treat for people who love handicrafts and handlooms. I was roaming like that kid in the park! Talking to artisans, noting down things, wow!! So much to love! On my return, I took an auto for home, this old smiley emoji faced uncle didn't know the landmarks I was telling about but I told him we could go as per the map. He agreed, all was fine till I told him to take it via flyover instead of taking it from under that, to which he says, "beta, ye technology insaan k dimaag se toh badi nahi. Hume raaste pata na hote toh hum savari kyon bithate? Abhi subeh kuch ladko ki exam thi, late ho rahe they,bolte uncle GPS jaisa bataye leke chalo, humne GPS band karvaya aur unhe time pe le gaye. Tum thikse pata batao perfect pohcha denge!" 😁 reached safely without any need to keep that pepper spray in hand but still holding it and laughing at myself! That ride was fun! Besides hanging out with my friend to buy her husband's surprise birthday cake and shopping for decorating his room and time spent with her was just sweet!

Day 3: Time for some Metro ride!

Craft Museum, Pragati Maidan

It was my third day in Delhi and now I was used to the autos and routes,however now it was time for Delhi metro. My pepper spray had shifted from in hand to handy because of the crowd. Here, I saw a security guard was touching a blind lady...😐 but! Then I saw how he was holding her hand, whistling and making way for her, guiding her inside the metro! Can I ever forget that smile on that beautiful women's face? And moreover the sweet gesture of this man on duty? I can still feel that pepper spray in my pocket and a stupid smile within me! Meeting the artisans, hearing about their work and stories and getting that glace of beautiful museum of Indian crafts only made my smile wider! What can make a better evening than meeting a friend after a long time and then joining that Birthday treat with friends?! It was Pizza to end with 😍

What could make me anxious and sleepless till mid night after such lovely 3 days?

Well, I had to take a visit to narrow streets of Delhi as a part of my voluntary quality report for Visit.org

I had to walk down the streets of Delhi for 2 hours with a stranger guide. I had mixed thoughts, I thought of skipping it. But then, what if it turned out to be amazing? What about the street children I had been scheduled to visit?  Ok, I had to go for it. Eyes shut!

Day 4: Street walk with Salaam Baalak Trust guide, Devraj.

One person at a time please, its narrow!

Getting down at Rajiv chowk metro station was the beginning. I had to meet my guide at a decided location, which showed 15 minutes walking distance from my location. It was a cold morning, walking down with my Gps on and pepper spray in hand, I finally met Devraj, my guide who would take me to such lanes, Salaam Baalak Trust's Shelter home for street kids and their office. His work was to tell me about the life of street children and then tell me about Salaam Baalak Trust's work and mission and Ofcourse, he being amongst the street children taken care of by this organization, he was also going to share his personal story. And my job was to note everything down and then later submit a report about this. I cannot miss to mention this, he did a great job! This teenager from Nepal who left his home because his mom died and his dad was a drug addict, came to Delhi, spent nights at the station and now being with Salaam Baalak Trust since past 3 years! He is so well groomed, he now continues his education, lives a very disciplined life that me and you make resolutions of! His routine is that he wakes up at 5am, goes to the park, does his exercise, goes to classes, learns English and is now very fluent with it.He has now started working with this organization as a guide and tries to take care of some of his expenses. His dream is to plan after 12th standard and live a successful happy life. He hates skipping his routine and wasting time. When I asked him what he does for entertainment, he said he listens to his favourite sad songs 😔 He doesnt make friends to avoid waste of time. He looked at me and said ma'am you must be having a family, you must be living with them, I could see how he misses having a family, I just smiled at him and said You are an inspiration Devraj.

When those who are privileged give love and education to those who aren't.

Need I say how beautiful was this walk? Thank God I went for it! Well, it felt like a pat on my back all the way from heaven when while walking back to the metro station I came across Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhavan! Infact, there was an ongoing exhibition of handloom and Handicrafts which I would have missed if I didnt take up this walk! Bonus! Sometimes you love Nature and its conspiracies! I met these amazing artisans from Chattisgarh, Odisha, Madhubani and guess what? An artist from my home state, Maharashtra!

Post a great home made dinner, I packed my bags with additional weight of gifts and memories from Delhi and my friends.

The only woman on this planet,I dont mind sharing my first name with! Thank you Aditi, you made my trip! I'll miss our late night conversations and the time spent with you!

On my way back, Govinda and Rohit Roy were in the same flight! With all Govinda songs, moves and memes on my mind, i was very happy! Happy to have made it! Also, as my pepper spray slips inside my bag, my co-passengers weren't great. One to my left and the other to my right, trying to get personal and having the glimpse of  my flesh visible through the gap between my ankle length socks and full length denim, I had put my bitch mode on and gave them a look and counter questions instead of answering their questions like do you live alone in Mumbai? I knew I need not answer this and not tell them my purpose on this planet, all I had to say was toh Mumbai ja rahe hai ho aap.hmmm. I had a good escape as I got to shift to the Isle side seat though.

As i returned, Mumbai heat and crowd in the locals was waiting for me, but never the less, Thank you Delhi for being so kind and warm this winter!

Warm regards,

Aditi!