Chapter 68: Site seeing New Delhi (Part-1)

Tania had been listening about how the ancient sages had downloaded the DNA of the people living in the present and those who had lived in the past as well as those who would be there in the future lives.

Naturally, she wanted to know about herself and what would be said about Sanya, her past self.

Hence, she insisted that they visit the Nadi Astrologers tomorrow and Dada ji rescheduled their site seeing trip for tomorrow to accommodate the Nadi Astrologers in the morning.

Dada ji was highly amused but was ready to oblige his granddaughter.

"OK ..Tania, we will be going there first thing tomorrow morning and since all will be interested in getting their palm leaf read, I will need to make an appointment."

Saying this, Dada ji rang up someone and spoke with him for a few minutes. He cut the call and informed that they all had got appointment for tomorrow morning. For today, they will stick to their schedule.

Dadi ji knew this to be a fact but Nikita and Igor were highly suspicious about this Nadi thing. They believed that there was some trick involved.

"The vehicle that I have hired is Innova, It is a big car in which we all can fit in comfortably, Dada ji informed everyone.

"The driver has come to pick us up and is waiting at the reception."

"Do you ladies want to go to your rooms for 10 minutes to powder your nose or visit the wc or something?"

"Please go ahead, but ensure you lock the doors properly on your way out," he added. "Meanwhile, I and Igor will hold the driver here in the lobby."

The ladies disappeared to their rooms upstairs via the lift. Within 15 minutes they were in the lobby.

Soon they were seated in the Innova and were off.

The driver had the guide on the adjacent seat who was giving a running commentary about the various roads as they passed.

"This is the inner ring road that runs around Delhi, but the population went beyond it and now there is an outer ring road and population has gone beyond that too."

"The inner ring road is presently called Mahatama Gandhi Marg."

"We are taking the flyover right across this road and entering Luytan's Delhi, means modern Delhi that has the seat of government of India."

"We are going straight to India Gate and the War Memorial. India Gate's original name was All India War Memorial and it was built in order to commemorate the 82000 soldiers of the Indian Army who lost their lives during the First World War which took place during 1914 to 1921, as well as in the Third Anglo-Afghan War."

"The names of around 13300 servicemen, including some soldiers and officers from the United Kingdom, are displayed on the gate."

"The architecture of India Gate is world famous and akin to the triumphal arch that looks like the Arch of Constantine and also compared to the Arc de Triomphe and the Gateway of India in Mumbai."

"The designer of the memorial was Sir Edwin Lutyens."

"After the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, there was a simple structure including a black marble plinth with a reversed rifle which was capped by a war helmet and bounded by four eternal flames built under the Memorial Archway."

"This one was the Amar Jawan Jyoti or the Flame of the Immortal Soldier."

"In 2014, the Government of Tndia announced plans to construct a National War Memorial around the canopy as well as a National War Museum at the park nearby."

"This work is completed now and you can visit all three places."

"India Gate Parade or the Republic Day Parade is the most ceremonious and prestigious event that happens in front of India Gate every year and on January 26th, each year, India commemorates the day it became a republic with an esteemed presence of many national as well as dignified guests from other countries on Rajpath."

"You can also go for boating at the Boating Club adjacent to India Gate grounds."

"We have reached please get down and have a look around. We stop here for an hour."

After an hour, the group came back to the car.

The guide informed. "Now we will proceed to Rashtrapati Bhavan and will avoid a few roads but will see a few Government buildings like National Museum, Ministry of External Affairs (new building), Udyog Bhawan (where Ministry, Commerce and Industry is situated along with Textiles etc), Krishi Bhavan (Ministry of Agriculture and allied offices), the Vigyan Bhavan (knowledge Building) where important government of Government meetings are held."

"Hyderabad house is another place where important meetings used to be held, now most meeting are at Vigyan Bhavan."

"On your left is Hyderabad House, We will see the National Museum shortly on the left and on the right is the new External Affairs building."

'As we pass the roundabout, you may be able to see the Meridian Hotel. The Shangrila hotel is on Ashoka road and on your right. A little way ahead on your left is the Department of Communication. Opposite it is the Metro station."

"We will see pass a huge white building called Sansad Marg Post Office as we take a left turn and next to it is the building of Department of Post. Since the street is one way ahead, we will turn left and see Niti Aayog (Planning Commission building)."

"Now we are proceeding towards Rafi Marg, on the right you will see Shram Shakti Bhavan that houses the Ministry of Labour as well as many other Ministries."

"Further ahead on the right is CSIR and on the left are MP flats. We are turning right now and the building on the right is Rail Bhavan housing the Railways Ministry."

"On the left is the Krishi Bhavan that houses the Agricultural Ministry."

"At the red light we turn left and are now driving up the Rajpath. At the lat level of rajpath are the governmental buildings and straight ahead is the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India."

"We can not stop long outside the main gate of Rastrapati Bhavan as it is not allowed. So, I will explain as much as I can about the area."