One Chocolate, One Chewing Gum...

I went out shopping for glasses to Chandini Chowk in Old Delhi today. Shopping there is such an experience. You drive from home to Connaught Place and catch the metro to Chandini Chowk. The swank spotless metro always leaves me impressed. Get out into Chandini chowk and the electric wire of energy that is India hits you! It's beautiful.This is where the economy rolls up its sleeves and goes to work. Duck low hanging wires, skip over puddles, shut your ears to the incessant honking and wonder at the myriad things in sale. You also find some hilarious hoardings like the one below. I thought this was one community that did not need to advertize its global presence at all!

The aroma wafting from the halwai's dukan at the end of the lane ropes you in closer. The quaint old beggars make for an interesting study as do the kids frolicking about darting in and out of alleys as the parents conduct transactions. On the way back after we'd managed to procure glasses without having to part with a small portion of my savings I gave in to the tummy that rumbled for fresh chilled mausambi juice. Aaah!

The metro ride on the way back done, we got into the car to drive home. At the first red light this little kid comes around stopping at the car to ask for change as I smiled at him. His innocent smile stole my heart and I called him over to my side. As I rolled down my window I told him it was great to see him so happy and he should always stay so. He felt the cool draft of air rush out of the car and extended the hand over the AC vent exclaiming how cool the air felt. Such is human emotion that both of us knew he was not interested in the money I had preferred, though we went through the charade. Before I could remember to ask his name the lights changed and my friend scampered away with a quick "bye bhaiya"

So entertaining and touching was this eposide, it reminded me of an incident in Mumbai when a group of kids serenaded me and a friend to a chorus of "One Chocolate, One Chewing gum" till we grinned and handed them over some money.

I hope this little kid from today always stays happy and brings cheer with his smile. This is the youth that can transform this country with its good cheer and lack of baggage.