The Writer's Fork: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

BHOPAL, MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA

Often while flipping through television news channels one might hear the lovely or annoying sound (depending on the perspective of the listener) of the advertisement by Government of Madhya Pradesh advocating “Hindustan ka Dil Dikho.” See the heart of India.

The reason I love Bhopal is because it's a little city which is beautiful and mysterious. It's pretty and it doesn't make a big deal out of itself. Like Delhi, or Mumbai or Bangalore. The metropolitans are in-your-face. The little quiet ones, that don't make a big deal of themselves require a blogpost.

Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh, located in the heart of India. Bhopal is famous for its lakes and is often called as the “City of Lakes”. It has artificial as well as natural lakes. They are colloquially called as “Bada Talaab” “Chhota Talaab” etc. Since it is located on the Malwa plateau it is higher than the north Indian plains and the land rises towards the Vindhya range to the south.

One travels not because it is luxurious and comfortable to travel but because of “value additions” to an individual. These ‘value additions’ include broadening of perspectives, rediscovering yourself, acknowledging the presence of the unfamiliar and adapting to new environments. I visited Bhopal every year from 1994 till 2009 during the summer months. I would definitely endorse the following activities-

· Boating in paddle-boats in the Upper Lake
· Driving on the beautiful V.I.P. road during the night, when the yellow lights of the road create postcard-like perfectness
· Having tea in Jehan Numa Palace (this is one place where one can really spoil themselves).
· A stroll in Van Vihar National Park- The speciality and uniqueness of this park lies in the fact that this national park has very few “caged sanctuaries”. Occasionally one might find deers standing 5 feet away crossing the street (!).
· Old Bhopal – because old things have a story. You’ll find monuments- vast & splendid in the backdrop of random people heckling and commuting to/fro work. It’s beautiful like the way Old Delhhi/Chandini Chowk is. Post Script- Try a Faluda Challenge. I think the unbeatable record is 8. We once tried it and couldn’t go beyond the second, it’s a very mean cup. Very very mean.
· Have an ice-cream at ‘Top and Town’ for Rs. 20/- at New Market and thank the lord for inflation can’t burn your pocket.... yet.