Rediscovering Delhi: A city of mixed cultures

New Delhi: Delhi is a hub of mixed cultures. No single community can stake claim to the national capital. It is the only cosmopolitan city where one will find Punjabi migrants settled in residential colonies post partition alongwith the residents living in Old Delhi for generations. And now, the demography has changed. There is a huge influx of people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh who have made Delhi their home. So, nobody is an outsider in the heart of the country. We explore five such places in Delhi which represent the cosmopolitan culture of Delhi: 1. Chittaranjan ParkHome to the Bengali community, CR Park is an affluent neighbourhood in South Delhi. It was established in 1960s. The Indian government had set aside a piece of land for the families displaced from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). CR Park has tried to recreate a mini Bengal in the hustle and bustle of Delhi. Bengali cuisine, the magnificent Kali temple, freshwater fish, Bengali sweets and everything that reminds of Bengali culture can be found here. 2. Tibetan colony (Majnu ka Tilla)Majnu ka Tilla, a Tibetan colony on G.T. road, opposite Timarpur, Delhi is home to many Tibet refugees. After the Tibetan freedom movement of 1959, many fled to India seeking refuge. A Tibetan camp came up across the road on the Yamuna riverbed for rehabilitation of Tibetans fleeing their homeland after the Chinese occupation.Majnu Ka Tilla offers a plethora of Tibetan culture, many shops and restaurants reflect the essence of Tibet. 3. Lajpat NagarEstablished in 1950s, it was formed by the Hindus and Sikhs who migrated from newly formed Pakistan after partition in 1947. Also known as refugee colony, the place was a refugee camp for Bengali widows. 4. West DelhiAlso called as unofficially Mini Punjab. The place is a settlement of Pishori Sikhs, Rawalpindi Sikhs and Punjabi Hindus. There is also a Sahibzada Zoravar Singh, Sahibzada Fateh Singh Gurudwara in Fateh Nagar constituency. The ancestors of the current generation living here had migrated from Peshawar and Rawalpindi. 5. Karol BaghThe area is a settlement of Sikh and Hindu migrants from Pakistan after partition in 1947. The place has also been home to a large Bengali population and has one of the oldest Durga Pujas ever. There is also a sizeable Marathi and Tamil speaking population in Karol Bagh. 6. Chandni ChowkThis part of Old Delhi, called Shajahanabad is a true blend of all cultures. A Jain mandir, Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, Hindu Gauri Shankar Temple, Christian Central Baptist Church built in 1814, Sikh Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, Muslim Sunehri Masjid built in 1721, all are located in Chandni Chowk thus reflecting the unity in diversity of Delhi.