“Dilli mein ishq karne ka waqt kahaan hai, log milne ke chakkar mein bichad jaate hain (Where is the time to fall in love in Delhi; people end up separating when they meet).”
If you think these are the opening lines of a poem on Delhi by a hapless lover, well, it’s not.
This is how senior journalist Ravish Kumar began his talk at the Times Lit Fest in New Delhi on Monday. Known for using unusual media and tropes to get his views across on topics of national importance, Kumar did not disappoint on Monday.
He recited a poem called ‘Love in the Times of Note Bandi,’ to discuss the repercussions of demonetisation.
“Parko ke bench khaali hai, coffee ke mug udaas hain, teddy bear ke aankhon se aansoon nikal rahe hai. Premiyon ke shareer se deodorant ki nahin, puraane noto ki gandh aa rahi hai ( Park benches are empty, coffee mugs are sad. There are tears in the eyes of teddy bears.. Lovers are not emanating the smell of perfume but the stink of old notes).”
The government’s move to demonetise Rs 500 and 1,000 notes has created quite an uproar in the country.
But what happens to matters of the heart when one does not have any money to spend, Kumar asked.
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