Delhi (the central institutional area of New Delhi) is a very cool place. The roads are wide and well maintained all the buildings are cool and fancy. There is a particular whitewashed villa style of architecture that dates back to the Raj that is particularly distinctive and nice. We visited the Center for Policy Research (which houses the National Knowledge Commission) and the building was gorgeous. We also visited two government buildings Krishi Bhavan and Nirman Bhavan, considerably less gorgeous. At Krishi Bhavan we met Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Union Minister for Rural development and architect of the NREGA. Again very cool to meet in a small group (< 10 people) with a cabinet minister ! He has honourable mention earlier in this blog as part of the NREGA padayatra at Anantapur. We held a workshop at the India International Center, which is this cool classy culture-vulturish club in New Delhi where all the intelligensia hang out. And we stayed at the Hotel Jukaso Inn in Connaught Place, a funny but comfortable hotel done in faux European style complete with narrow winding staircases. We also visited Khan market, a upmarketish shopping and eating area, again nicely European in feel. All very interesting experiences.
Hindu coverage of the event at the PM's residence:
http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/13/stories/2007011306761200.htm
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