[Reader-list] "Our City"

[CM@Nangla]

Dear All,

We are a month into the demolition of Nangla, along with the demolition of
dwellings all over the city, the fires that have ravaged various
settlements, and the fear of both demolition and fire in many more other
settlements. What is the view to the city that we are to proceed in, for
the coming time?

>From extensive conversations in the localities (LNJP, Dakshinpuri and
Nangla Maanchi) and bus stands, with our broadsheet on the experience of
being in Nangla, a few images of the city emerged.

1- "Simat-ta shehr" - The city is closing in upon itself. Till now, the
city has been open to different kinds of people, who have come into it and
evolved, over the years, their own ways of living in the city. There have
been ways of improvised living that have hosted them till they start giving
back to it and making it. But it seems that the city is now no longer open
for many kinds of people. They have been made to give way to a new
"sajaana" (design/ornamentation/restructuring) of the city. This
withdrawing/receding no longer has space for us. This city is not "our
city".

2- "Kisi kisi ke liye jagah" (A space for only few) - Anyone could come
into the city, at least till today, knowing they can do something or the
other in the city. "Kuchh nahin ho to kabaad bech ke bhi jeevan ji lenge."
(Life can be made out of anything, even scrap, in the city.) This image of
the city stands radically altered today. "Shehr ko khali kiya ja raha hai.
Ab hamare liye yahan jagah nahin hai." (The city is being emptied. There is
no space for us here any more.)

3- "Dhakelte huwe shehr ke kone bade ho rahe hain" (We are being pushed,
and the corners of the city are being made to expand.) - The deep feeling
of being thrown away to the edges of the city changes the image of the
city. We are aware that the gali (lane) and the basti (settlement) are
being ripped apart (“cheera jana”). There is almost a physical
experience of being pushed away (“dhakka lagna”), torn apart
(“ukhaade ja rahe hain”), thrown to an edge.  How far can the city
spread?

Our conversations are on. We will keep sharing. 

CM Lab, Nangla Maanchi

http://nangla.freeflux.net
http://nangla-maachi.freeflux.net

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It quenches the thirst of the thirsty, 
Such is Nangla,
It shelters those who come to the city of Delhi, 
Such is Nangla. 
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