VIVEK SHUKLA
The writer is a Delhi-based senior journalist and author of two books ‘Gandhi's Delhi: April 12, 1915-January 30, 1948 and Beyond’ and ‘Dilli Ka Pehla Pyar - Connaught Place’
Posts by: VIVEK SHUKLA
Fewer pagdis, less Punjabi, still Karol Bagh
From fading Urdu signboards and disappearing Partition-era memories to mounting parking problems and changing shopping habits, Karol Bagh continues to balance its rich historical identity with the pressures of modern commercial transformation in the heart of Delhi
When Delhi burns, these trees bloom even brighter
These days, when the sun burns fiercely through the afternoon, take a walk along Chandragupta Maurya Marg in Chanakyapuri. You will see rows of amaltas trees covered in golden flowers. The trees on both sides of the road look as if they are wearing bright golden earrings
Jackals, ghosts, and silence: walking Delhi’s ancient Ridge
A walk through Delhi’s Central Ridge reveals a rare surviving wilderness of rocky trails, ancient trees, wildlife, and layered history, even as renewed legal protection raises hopes for preserving one of the Capital’s most important ecological and historical landscapes
Allnutt to Elias: principals behind 145 years of excellence at St. Stephen’s
Nearly 145 years after its founding, St. Stephen’s College is set to appoint its first woman Principal, Prof Susan Elias, marking a historic moment in the institution’s long history shaped by influential educators, nationalist figures and generations of academic leadership
Beyond the Red Fort: Delhi’s hidden Mughal past
From Zafar Mahal in Mehrauli to lesser-known mosques, gardens, and sarais, Delhi’s Mughal heritage extends far beyond its iconic monuments, revealing stories of decline, continuity, and neglect that continue to shape the city’s historical landscape today
Khan Market: stories behind a landmark
Built to rehabilitate Partition refugees, Khan Market has evolved into one of Delhi’s most exclusive retail and dining hubs. Beneath its modern sheen lie stories of displacement, resilience, and enterprise that continue to shape its identity more than seven decades later
Reimagining Civil Lines beyond the Raj
As the Centre considers reshaping Civil Lines, the historic neighbourhood stands at a juncture between preserving its colonial-era architecture and redefining identity through contemporary use, sparking conversations on heritage, and the future of one of Delhi’s oldest administrative districts
Unchanging addresses in a changing Delhi
Across parts of Delhi, some families have continued to live at the same address for generations, rebuilding their homes over time but remaining rooted to place, offering a glimpse into continuity and belonging in a city shaped by constant change