I live in Chitaranjan Park in New Delhi. A predominantly Bengali suburb where the average age is well past 60 years. Considering I behave like a 60 year old-I seem to fit in just fine. My house overlooks a beautiful park with lush grass, a product of the recent rains. If the residents ever have to rate the best hangout spots in C.R.Park, I would imagine this park coming second only to the Kali Mandir down the road.
This park is much loved by the older Bengali men and women, 5-12 year old boys who are practising to get into the Indian Cricket Team and teenage lovers hiding away from their parentals. All in all, it's a collection of the young and the old, songs and conversations, cricket and badminton and dogs and cats. While older women sit in circles and sing Bhajans, their older husbands discuss Lalu Prasad Yadav. While a 10 year old yells at his sibling for losing his tennis ball, a 17 year old professes his love (in whispers of course) to his girlfriend.
However, what I like most is watching the patrons of the park every morning. My unintentional alarm clocks, these men are an active bunch who like to get their dose of aerobics every morning. The first day I was rather frightened by the strange noises that erupted at 6.30 a.m. I shot out of bed wondering how fifteen odd men had found their way into my room. Upon closer scrutiny, I discovered a burly looking gentleman with an army moustache leading a group of men in stretching exercises in the park. Raucous laughter soon followed! C.R.Park's very own LAUGHING club! With arms and legs waving in the air all I could make out was a bout of unusually loud-artificial laughter. Apparently, it's good for you...
This park is much loved by the older Bengali men and women, 5-12 year old boys who are practising to get into the Indian Cricket Team and teenage lovers hiding away from their parentals. All in all, it's a collection of the young and the old, songs and conversations, cricket and badminton and dogs and cats. While older women sit in circles and sing Bhajans, their older husbands discuss Lalu Prasad Yadav. While a 10 year old yells at his sibling for losing his tennis ball, a 17 year old professes his love (in whispers of course) to his girlfriend.
However, what I like most is watching the patrons of the park every morning. My unintentional alarm clocks, these men are an active bunch who like to get their dose of aerobics every morning. The first day I was rather frightened by the strange noises that erupted at 6.30 a.m. I shot out of bed wondering how fifteen odd men had found their way into my room. Upon closer scrutiny, I discovered a burly looking gentleman with an army moustache leading a group of men in stretching exercises in the park. Raucous laughter soon followed! C.R.Park's very own LAUGHING club! With arms and legs waving in the air all I could make out was a bout of unusually loud-artificial laughter. Apparently, it's good for you...
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