Nangla's Delhi

Of late, Nangla seems to be emptying. When I step out for a walk in the evening, there are fewer people in the lanes. Till recently, I used to have to watch my step; but now it seems to me I can walk without care. The group of men who had made the threshold of one of their houses their usual spot to play cards, were a usual sight till late. I haven't seen them around for some days now. Far fewer people can be seen in the market. Sellers sit around, waiting, with nothing to do. A friend tells me he gets ample space to play these days. Earlier he either had to make do with little, or had to “capture” space. People who manage or own eating places say a lot of food gets left over from the day, even though they prepare it in quantities that would usually get consumed in a single day. Fewer CDs and television sets are being rented out from shops. Public toilets don't open at 4:30 AM as before. The person who mans the STD phone booth says almost no one comes to make calls these days. Maybe now they don't need a phone to keep in touch with the places they used to call up till now...