My Memories of Imphal From 1941 : Chapter 10 :: Download
Dr Mohendra Irengbam *
Author in Delhi 1953
Part 10
Home Lighting and
Imphal Town
So, when I went to Delhi in late 1953, I noticed that Imphal was not alone that was bereft. I was heartened that Imphal was not after all, a wretched town. It beggars belief that all the grandeur you can see now in New Delhi was non-existent in 1953.
New Delhi in the early 1950s, was an enormous terrain, covered with an abundance of thorny kikar (acacia) trees (chigongleie pambi in Manipuri) – branches of which were used as Indian national toothbrush (Daton). It was inhabited by jackals and wild pigs.
I remember Talkatora Gardens, the old Mughal Garden that was cleared of acacia trees to accommodate delegates from all the states of India, for the Republic Day celebration in 1955, long before a stadium was built there. I went there to meet my brother Gokulchandra, who led the Manipur contingent.
New Delhi as the capital of India was mostly in the dark. Only the House of the Viceroy (now Rashtrapati Bhavan), the Secretariat (now Houses of Parliament), the India Gate, Kingsway (now Rajpath), the upmarket circular Connaught Place with its shopping malls and posh air-conditioned restaurants, were lit up.
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* Dr Mohendra Irengbam wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer can be contacted at irengbammsingh(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was webcasted on February 19 2023 .
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