Over the years

No shopping expedition in Delhi is complete without a trip to the GK1 M-Block market. Fifteen years ago, before Delhi was overrun by malls, and foreign brands weren8217;t so easily accessible, M-Block, as it8217;s popularly referred to, was the only place you could buy a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates. Terrorists chose their target well: the market is bursting with people on Saturdays and there are, literally, human traffic jams down the narrow aisles. The past few days, we8217;ve repeatedly heard reporters refer to M-Block as a posh market, denoting quite inaccurately that it8217;s for the rich only. Sure, the cost of renting commercial space here is among the highest in the world over Rs 1000 per sq ft. Yet, you have a choice of buying branded shades from a trendy store for Rs 20,000 or for Rs 300 from a pavement kiosk, right there, within the market. As college students, we hunted for bargain clothing here. When I go back to M-Block I see a new generation of youngsters haggling with the street vendors.

Like the rest of Delhi, the complexion of M-Block has also changed dramatically of late. In the late 8216;80s and 8216;90s, it was at the peak of its popularity. But it had a seedy underbelly that possibly added to its character. I8217;ve seen a foreigner jump out of a first floor window and land at my feet: a feeble attempt at suicide, or else, she was stoned out of her mind. Late-night drunken brawls were common. However, GK1 residents still stroll across to buy paan from Prince Paan, a landmark that also serves the best nimbu soda I8217;ve ever had. The lone chaatwala in the market has a shop that has steadily diminished in size. He probably figured out it8217;s far more lucrative to rent out his premises than slave over a kadhai of boiling oil.

Weiner, the shop for imported food items is no longer unique. Dezine, the store every mother-to-be headed to for a newborn8217;s wardrobe has competition from brands like Mother Care and Gini 038; Jony. GK1 M-Block now has over 25 jewellery stores. Perhaps you have to sell diamonds to survive the market8217;s astronomical overheads. Even the generator fumes that hit you when you stroll in the market can8217;t keep away shoppers. Within a couple of daysnbsp;of the blasts, the market was back tonbsp;its usual bustle.