The Delhi Duchess

Who is the Delhi Duchess? Well, that is me! My friend Shamrock (nickname) came up with this brilliant nickname once he learned that I come from a Dutch speaking country. The Duchess is no longer a nickname, it has become a phenomenon. People bow for the Duchess, kiss her hand, people have forgotten or never knew her real name, the Duchess is assisted by a personal assistant and a butler, emails and text messages are addressed to and signed by the Duchess. And that is not all, last Wednesday, on WORLD REFUGEE DAY, the Duchess made her first appearance in the Delhi top newspaper. My star is rising............................ (and so is my ego).

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Of gajras & some great music…

A DIFFERENT SOUND: Rock shows and gigs have been rocking the capital all summer. But this musical do was slightly unusual. And it was the musicians who made this one different. The band that was performing called themselves the Powercuts, which is as Delhi as it gets in the summer. Also, this was a retro band of expatriates from various embassies. They played everything, from old favourites like Beatles and Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash. After a break, they played hard rock to suit the tastes of the younger crowd. AND THE CROWD LOVED IT: The guests loved their performance as they got to hear the best of all kinds of music. A member from the band, Kerstin, who hails from Sweden, said, “I enjoy playing in Delhi. The crowd here really appreciates good music. It’s fun playing.”
THE HEAT DIDN’T BOTHER THEM: Most of the guests were from various embassies, and the place was choc-a-bloc with avid rock fans. Pretty Julia Arevalo was a little troubled because of the summer heat. “I am feeling a little hot,” she said, and added, “But who cares about the heat when you have such good music!” And all her friends nodded in agreement. That’s the spirit, we say! LONG NIGHT OF DANCING: Jack, one among the group from the American embassy, was enjoying himself thoroughly. “I’ve been here with all my friends since early in the evening and I am really enjoying the music,” he enthused. Aftab played the host, and went around asking the guests if they were enjoying themselves. And they sure did! GAJRAS OR EARRINGS?
We noticed that a Dutch girl, Lauren, had worn gajras as earrings. She said, “They smell so good and fresh, I just had to buy them from the florist.” She made quite a style statement by wearing them like earrings and not in her hair. One of her friends told us that everyone called her ‘The Dutch-ess’. Unusual nickname, unusual earrings! (Contributed by Pallavi Pasricha & Piyali Dasgupta)