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
Kartavya Path: where India’s Republic comes alive
From a colonial axis of imperial power to the symbolic heart of the Republic, Kartavya Path embodies India’s democratic journey. Each Republic Day, it transforms into a living stage where duty, diversity, military might and constitutional values converge in the national imagination
Jhankis of unity: how Republic Day tableaux reflect India’s soul
Rolling down Kartavya Path each January, Republic Day tableaux — or jhankis — blend art, history and statecraft, turning the parade into a moving canvas of India’s diversity, aspirations and shared national imagination
The coffee house Delhi refuses to forget
Demolished during the Emergency in 1976, the Indian Coffee House at Connaught Place was more than a café. Half a century later, memories of its politics, arguments, friendships and defiance continue to shape Delhi’s cultural imagination
Echoes of Iran in Capital cityscape
At a time when Iran is facing one of its most widespread upheavals in decades—Delhi quietly preserves centuries-old Persian legacies. From Mughal monuments to living cultural institutions, the city reflects an enduring Indo-Iranian bond that has survived borders, politics and time
SRCC at 100: how one man’s vision shaped India’s commerce education
As Shri Ram College of Commerce marks its centenary in 2026, its journey from a modest commercial school in old Delhi to one of India’s most sought-after institutions reflects the enduring educational vision of its founder, Lala Shri Ram
Wenger’s at 100: celebrating a century of sweetness
The bakery, which introduced European-style confectionery to the capital in 1924, has transitioned from an elite colonial tea room into a democratic landmark. Today, the Tandon family continues to serve classic recipes that have survived world wars and independence
Sentinels of smog: migrant workers who keep Delhi running
Even as pollution, prices and pressure tested everyday life in 2025, small civic gains, cultural life, community work and shared celebrations offered Delhiites reasons to stay optimistic and carry on
Delhi: Finding the silver lining in a year of transition
Despite the dual challenges of hazardous pollution and economic strain in 2025, Delhiites are finding reasons to remain optimistic. From political shifts and environmental milestones to global sporting icons, the Capital is embracing a spirit of recovery and celebration