00:54IST
The Toy Room, Inderpuri
New Delhi, India
Mommie took me to the State Bank of India today. A branch in Chandni Chowk, probably the oldest branch of the bank in the country. Been around since 1861. Massive, cream coloured building with huge black gates. Inside is a wide space of organised chaos. Departments serving different functions of the bank and scores of people scurrying about. A spiral staircase led me to a museum-of-sorts explaining a bit of history of Chandni Chowk bazaar and of thr bank. An aristoratic looking security officer - a bored expression with a long white beard and a long, hawk-hooked-nose. He sat me down and told me tales about the amazing spectacle shop in Balli Maraan that sells superb, designer frames at dirt cheap rates and if I don't go there then I'm a dimwit. He talked about himself - that he hails from Delhi and has served his life towards work for 36 years - six in the army and 30 to the bank, and that this was his last year of service. He lit a ciggarette and bid me farewell, saying he gets bored, enjoys talking to people when they come along. People hardly come along. Good day today!
The Toy Room, Inderpuri
New Delhi, India
Mommie took me to the State Bank of India today. A branch in Chandni Chowk, probably the oldest branch of the bank in the country. Been around since 1861. Massive, cream coloured building with huge black gates. Inside is a wide space of organised chaos. Departments serving different functions of the bank and scores of people scurrying about. A spiral staircase led me to a museum-of-sorts explaining a bit of history of Chandni Chowk bazaar and of thr bank. An aristoratic looking security officer - a bored expression with a long white beard and a long, hawk-hooked-nose. He sat me down and told me tales about the amazing spectacle shop in Balli Maraan that sells superb, designer frames at dirt cheap rates and if I don't go there then I'm a dimwit. He talked about himself - that he hails from Delhi and has served his life towards work for 36 years - six in the army and 30 to the bank, and that this was his last year of service. He lit a ciggarette and bid me farewell, saying he gets bored, enjoys talking to people when they come along. People hardly come along. Good day today!
