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Nehru Place: A New Media Market; Tripta Chandola

N eh r u P la ce, a t t h e fi st si h t , seem s li e a h u g e ji sa w p u zzle, w h i r g k g ch fa i led t o a m u se t h e ch i ld a t p la y a ft er a w h i le. T h e ch i ld a t p la y , p r eco ci u s a n d o i p a t i t , seem s t o h a ve i d u lg ed i t h e d a r k fa n t a si sh r o u d i g t h e i n o cen t m en n n es n n sleep . T h e b lo ck s b r ea k i g t h e m o n o t o n y o f t h e b a r r en la n d s, t h e d a r k a lley s n a n d i la t ed r o o f t o p s. B u i i g s i cest u o u sly w o ven i t o ea ch o t h er n ever so ld n n n k n o w i g w h er e t o st a r t a n d w h a t t o en d . A n d a s i o n a sa d i i i p u lse, t h e n f st c m p a t t er n i g i s ven a jo lt b y co n cr et e co r r i o r s o n ly t o feel t h e su r r ep t i i u s d t o b r ea t h e d o w n t h e n eck . So m eb o d y ' n a u sea i so m eo n e else' b r ea t h . T h e b lo ck s s s s b r ea k d o w n t o b u i i g s, b u i i g s i t o flo o r s a n d flo o r s i t o r o o m s, i d i d u a l ld n ld n n n n vi m a r k ed o u t sp a ces fo r p r i t e co n su m p t i n . O r i t h e o t h er w a y r o u n d ? T h i va o s s seem s t o h a ve p er p lex ed t h e cr ea t o r a lso . O r t h e i t er est w a s lo st , m i w a y . O r n d t h e ey e fo r t h e d et a i w a s m i n g . ls ssi T h e b lo ck s i t h em selves st a n d a s co m p let e u n i s. A t lea st t h ey seem . T h e n t la y er s, w h i ch m a k e t h e b lo ck , t h e flo o r s, a r e co n fu sed b u t co n st a n t . It i t h e s r o o m s, t h e ca r ved o u t p r i t e sp a ces, w h i va ch a r e st u ck t o g et h er i p r eca r i u s n o p er m a n en ce. T h e r o o m s a r e li ed u p i su ffo ca t ed sem b la n ce. T h e r o o m s seem n n li e o ld , d i t y , h a g g a r d , d r u n k en m en w h o h a ve t o , o n ce i a w h i k r n le, st r et ch t h ei n er vo u s h a n d s t o feel t h e fr o zen fi g er t i s o f so m eo n e, a n y o n e t o k n o w r n p t h ey a r e t h er e. T h a t t h ey ex i . O t h er w i t h ey seem t o b e su sp en d ed i t h ei st se n r o w n p er cep t i n s, i t h ei o w n r ea li i o n r t es. A R ea li y d i t ffi lt t o co m p r eh en d , cu o t h er w i se. T h i i t h e fi st i p r essi n w h i s s r m o ch N eh r u P la ce, a s a st r u ct u r a l m a m m o t h , h a d o n m y sen si i t i b li es. N eh r u P la ce st a n d s i fu ll ex p o su r e o f t h e co n t r a d i i n s i n ct o t r ep r esen t s b et w een t h e m a k e i i t h e m a r k et s i h a s a n d m em o r i t h a t t s, t es co n st r u ct s i . t M a r k i g s o n t h e sp a ce: t h e m a k e o f N eh r u P la ce n N eh r u P la ce w a s t o b e t h e b i g est o f a ll t h e 15 D i r i g st ct C en t r es p r o p o sed i n t h e 19 6 2 m a st er p la n . T h e 19 6 2 m a st er p la n o f D elh i w a s t h e fi st st ep t o w a r d s r ` o d er n p la n n i g i In d i ' a n d N eh r u P la ce w i h i s i a g i a t i n w a s t o d efi e m n n a t t m n o n t h e n ew u r b a n sp a ce a n d t h e n ew u r b a n co m m u n i y co n su m i g t h e sp a ce. t n T h e st r u ct u r es i t h e la y o u t a r e m a r k ed o u t a s u n i s w h i n t ch w o u ld a llo w fo r ` m m er ci l, so ci l a n d cu lt u r a l cu r r en t s a n d cr o ss cu r r en t s t o m eet , m er g e a n d co a a co a lesce. `The new complex will not merely be a centre of economic activity, where business and trade will be carried out or where a few offices goers and shoppers will meet. It will really be a focal point of cultural synthesis and crucible of intellectual ferment from which will radiate new ideas and new thoughts. On piazzas, Tamilians and Kashmiris, Punjabis and Gujratis, Biharis and Bengalis, will rub shoulders with one another, exchange glances, and make friends; in its coffee houses and restaurants, poets and writers will gather from all parts of India, bubbling with passion and poetry, and engaging in animated discussions; and on its theaters and community halls will appear musicians and artists from all States and regions, presenting different facets of our life and society. The new centre will truly be a confluence of our diversities, a cross-roads of

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our country, harbinger of cultural synthesis and national integration for which Pt. Nehru worked all his life' (J a g m o h a n , R ep o r t o n N eh r u P la ce, 19 72 ) . . It w a s w i h t h ese u n d er st a n d i g s t h a t t h e co n cep t u a li t i n a n d t n za o i p lem en t a t i n o f t h e p la n t h a t ` eh r u P la ce' w a s p u t i t o p r a ct i m o N n ce. A n d w i h i t h i r h et o r i t h e st r u ct u r a l la y o u t , i s b r a zen b o i er o u sn ess, m a k es t n s c t st sen se. H o w ever , i p a r t s. B eca u se t h e m a k e i m a r r ed b y t h e m a r k et s i h a s, t h e n s t co r n er s a n d co n ver sa t i n s, t h e i t er sect i n s a n d t h e i t er a ct i n s. o n o n o N eh r u P la ce o n d a y s t h er e i p o w er cu t , w h i s ch i ver y r a m p a n t i t h e cen t er , s n seem s li e t h e fo g h o r n i d i r ess. C a lli g o u t i t h e o b li o n . T h e i k n st n n vi lleg a l g en er a t o r set s clo g t h e co r r i o r s a n d m a k e t h e co n ver sa t i n s i p o ssi le. O n d o m b o t h er d a y s, w i h i t h e st ea d y flo w o f t h e cr o w d s a n d t h e co n ver sa t i n s, i t n o t seem s li e r u m b li g i p a i a n d g r i k n n n ef. D u r i g o n e o f t h e co n ver sa t i n s, a g i l w h o sells p ea n u t s o n t h e co r r i o r s, n o r d co m m en t ed , ` a very long time I did not understand the logic of air conditioners. I was told they make the for room really cool. Cold. But when I used to stand in front of them from the outside, it just splashed very hot air on my face, I used to wonder, why pay so much extra for some more hot air? Now I know'. It i t h e lo g i o f t h i p la ce w h i s c s ch w o r k s i co m p let e d efi n ce t o i s ex i en ce. n a t st M r . A n i Seh g a l, t h e P r esi en t o f t h e N eh r u P la ce W elfa r e a n d Im p r o vem en t l d A sso ci t i n , t r i a o ed t o ex p la i t h ese, ` n Jagmohan was a bureaucrat and not a politician when he thought about Nehru Place. Had he been one he would have imagined or atleast implemented the center differently. From the district center for the elite, the place has been turned into a business slum and because it does not fall into the constituency of any of the politicians, as there is no vote bankno one is interested in working for its improvement. This place needs to be cleaned up thoroughly to become what it was imagined to be'. T h e fi st o p er a t i n a l b u i i g i t h e co m p lex w a s t h e P a r a s C i em a h a ll. O w i g r o ld n n n n t o i s st r a t eg i p o si i n i g , t h e h a ll a ct ed li e a fu n ct i n a l b i t c t o n k o llb o a r d fo r t h e co m p lex a t t r a ct i g vi t o r s, vo y eu r s a n d p o t en t i l i vest o r s i t o t h e sp a ce. In n si a n n i s i i i l p h a se, m o st o f t h e b u i i g s w er e t a k en b y co r p o r a t e h o u ses, t n t a ld n g o ver n m en t b o d i a n d t h e p u b li sect o r u n i s. T h e ch a r a ct er o f t h e co m p lex es c t w a s n o t co n so li a t ed a s a sh o p p i g co m p lex , i w a s st i d n t ll a n o ffi co m p lex . ce A b d u l M a jeed , a d d r essed b y m e a s K h a n ch a ch a ji w a s a n em p lo y ee o f N H P L fo r , 12 y ea r s b efo r e h e w a s left w i h o u t a jo b w h en t h e u n i w a s clo si g d o w n t t n r em i i n sces a b o u t t h e p er i d , ` those days the corridors and the courtyards were washed everyday. o in Everyday without fail. That time you did not see the filth, all these people just walking around like thisat that time, it was the office goers, the babus, who used to come to this place'. In t h e p r esen t , K h a n ch a ch a ji set s u p a st a ll selli g sp a r e h a r d w a r e p a r t s , n u n d er a st a i w a y s. H e t o o k a p er m i fo r t h e p la ce a ft er h e lo st h i jo b a s r t s secu r i y p er so n n el fr o m t h e N H P L . H e m a k es co n fi en t cla i s t o t h e t d m ` m a g i a t i n ' a n d t h e ` o st a lg i ' o f w h a t N eh r u P la ce w a s, st i i n o n a ll st r i n g t o vi a cq u i e a leg i i a t e st a t u s w i h i t h e sp a ce. H e i st i r t m t n s ll fi h t i g h i ca se a g a i st g n s n N H P L fo r r em u n er a t i n s. ` do not need to sit here. I have two shops and one of my sons is in South o I Africa but if I leave this place, I will leave something of mine behindt'. Ir o n i lly , t h e d o w n fa ll o f t h e co m p lex i t h e p a st a n d t h e g lo r y o f t h e ca n m a r k et i t h e p r esen t i a sso ci t ed w i h t h e set t i g u p o f t h e ` n s a t n seco n d h a n d h a r d w a r e' m a r k et i t h e a r ea . T h e h a r d w a r e sh o p s fi st m a d e t h ei p r esen ce n r r felt i t h e ea r ly 8 0 ' w h en t h e co r p o r a t e b o d i a n d t h e g o ver n m en t u n i s n s es t w er e co m p u t er i n g t h ei p r o cesses. A t t h a t t i e, t h ey a ct ed m o r e li e ser vi zi r m k ce p r o vi er s t h a n ven d o r s a s t h ese ser vi d ces w er e ver y sp eci li a zed . T h e clo su r e o f m a jo r P u b li sect o r u n i s, t h e sh i c t ft o f t h e co r p o r a t e h o u ses t o t h e d evelo p i g su b u r b s o f G u r g a o n a n d N o i a a t m u ch lo w er r ea l est a t e p r i n d ces, t h e sh u t t i g d o w n o f t h e u n t i a t t h e O k h a la In d u st r i l a r ea a n d P a r k i g a r e n s a n co n st a n t ly li ed a s t h e m a i r ea so n fo r t h e ch a n g e i ch a r a ct er o f N eh r u st n n P la ce. M o st o f t h e b u i i g s t h r ee flo o r s u p w a r d s la y a b a n d o n ed . T h e ld n a ccu m u la t i g d eb r i o f i s o w n m a k i g , t h e p r eca r i u sly sw a y i g elect r i w i es n s t n o n c r a n d eer i i la t i n n a r r a t es a t a le o f n eg li en ce a n d a b u se. B u t i t er est i g ly , e so o g n n d esp i e a ll t h ese m en t i n ed fa ct o r s t h e r ea l est a t e p r i t o ces a t N eh r u P la ce h a ve n o t a n d d o n o t sh o w a n y si n s o f d ecli e. T h e r ea l est a t e r a t es a r e st i g n ll o n e o f t h e h i h est i t h e ci y . ` g n t Everyone is convinced that the one day this will become the Nehru Place of the yesteryear, the most happening district center of the city', r em a r k ed o n e g en t lem a n w o r k i g a s a n n a ssi a n t ch a r t er ed a cco u n t a n t i a fi m . st n r

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T h e n o t i n (s) o f t h e i a g i a t i n (s) o f N eh r u P la ce co n st a n t ly ci cu la t e a n d r eo m n o r ci cu la t e i t h e p o p u la r n a r r a t i r n ves a n d m em o r y co n so li a t i g t h e co llect i d n ve co n st r u ct ed i en t i i o f t h e sp a ce. W i h i t h ese, cla i s, co llect i a n d d t es t n m ve i d i d u a l, a r e m a d e a b o u t a sso ci t i n s, a ffi a t i n s a n d b et r a y a ls. ` n vi a o li o These people who come now, what do they know about Nehru Place? I have seen Nehru Place grow from the times when it was infested with dense forestation to this. The buildings, most of them, were constructed in front of me', k h a n ch a ch a ji a n g r i ly r et o r t ed w h i le co m m en t i g o n p r esen t st a t e o f N eh r u n P la ce leg i i i n g h i i t m zi s lleg a l st a t u s o n t h e ex p er i t i l k n o w led g e o f t h e en a sp a ce. H . . Si g h w h o o w n s o n e o f t h e la r g est g a r m en t w a r eh o u ses a n d sh o p s i t h e P n n co m p lex d i la y s a d eep sen se o f b et r a y a l b y t h e sp a ce. H e i a self t a u g h t m a n sp s a n d w a s o n e o f t h e ea r li est g a r m en t ex p o r t er s t o sh i ft t o N eh r u P la ce. ` When I saw the plans of Nehru Place, I was promised the boulevards of London and Paris, the pulsating district centres of Europe. Little did I know that this is the shape it will take? I wanted to imbibe the city way of life and left behind the chaos of chandani chowk. But now I am in gulfed in the same. I wanted to have a showroom in a place where my foreign clients will not have a problem, would not be bothered about the dirt or the beggars'. N eh r u P la ce w a s t o b e t h e ` u lsa t i g m et r o p o li w h er e `.the tourists alighting from the p n s' .. Jumbo Jet, driving along the Outer Ring Road straight to Nehru Place living in its modern hotels strolling on the piazzas and shopping malls, and then getting on to the nearby historical places around which woodlands and parks have been recently been laid by us'. (J a g m o h a n , R ep o r t o n N eh r u P la ce, 19 72 ) K h a n ch a ch a ji co n t i u i g o n t h e d ep i t ed st a t e o f N eh r u P la ce co m m en t ed , ` n n la here where you see, next to sona sweets, the clock tower; was to be the idol of Nehru. They started with the project left it midway and leaving behind this clock. Nobody even notices it'. T h e st a t u e i su p p o sed t o b e s er ect ed i t h e cen t r e o f t h e co m p lex i J a g m o h a n ' r ep o r t . n n s F r om ` cen t r e o f N eh r u P la ce' i J a g m o h a n ' r ep o r t t h e st a t u e i lo ca t ed ` ex t n s s n t o So n a Sw eet s' i d i t es t h e sh i i g n a t u r e o f t h e cen t r e a n d t h e flu i i y i ; n ca ft n d t n t h e st r u ct u r a l m a r k i g o f t h e sp a ce, b o t h li er a lly a n d m et a p h o r i lly . n t ca M a r k i g o f t h e sp a ce: t h e m a r k et s i N eh r u P la ce n n T h e m a r k et s i N eh r u P la ce a r t i la t e t h e g lo b a l co n n ect i n s i lo ca l n cu o n la n g u a g es. It h o st s A si ' la r g est seco n d h a n d co m p u t er m a r k et , In d i ' a s a s; p r o b a b ly A si ' a s w ell, la r g est G a r m en t ex p o r t cen t er a n d t h e w o r ld ' m o st a s s u n i u e p i a t ed so ft w a r e m a r k et . M a p p i g t h e n et w o r k s, i flo w s a n d o u t flo w s, q r n n o f t h ese m a r k et s p r esen t s a co m p li t ed a r r a y o f i t er sect i n s a n d ca n o i t er ject i n s co n n ect i g t h e lo ca l w i h t h e g lo b a l. n o n t T h e m a jo r i y o f t h e g o o d s fo r t h e Seco n d H a n d h a r d w a r e M a r k et co m e fr o m t t h e So u t h E a st A si n co u n t r i w h i a es ch i t h en a ssem b led a n d r e-a ssem b led t o su i s t t h e lo ca l n eed s. H er e, i t h i m a r k et , t h e essen ce o f t h e sy st em d i n t eg r a t es n s si pi ece b y p i ece, b i b y b y t e. T h i t r en d r eflect s o n t h e cu lt u r e o f t h e t s co n su m p t i n o f ` m p u t er s' a s co m m o d i i o co t es. Sa ch i , a h a r d w a r e seller co m m en t ed , n ` most countries abroad the life of a computer is considered to be anything between year and a year and half. In Up gradation is the key to technology there. Over here people do not sell their computers, they hook on it like their TV's. Passing it on to others when they are through with it'. A n o t h er i t er est i g a sp ect o f t h e m a r k et , r ela t i g t o t h e seco n d h a n d n n n h a r d w a r e m a r k et a n d t h e p i a cy n et w o r k (t h o u g h i d i r n ffer en t co n n o t a t i n s) i o s t h e la ck o f w a r eh o u ses w i h i t h e co m p lex . T h e m a r k et o p er a t es t h r o u g h t h e t n i fo r m a l d i er sed a n d d i r i u t ed n et w o r k s o f a p p r o p r i t i g r eso u r ces fr o m n sp st b a n w h er e a va i b le. L i e t h e p eer -t o -p eer ex ch a n g e n et w o r k o n t h e In t er n et . la k M o st o f t h ese sh o p s a r e co n n ect ed t h r o u g h t h e i t er co m , t h e set u p o f w h i n ch i s i lleg a l, r efer r ed t o a s t h e choti line, the small line. W h en p a r t i la r g o o d s o f a k i d cu n a r e n eed ed ca lls a r e m a d e t o t h e fello w -t r a d esm en w h o w o u ld h a ve i . t T r a n sa ct i n s a r e p r efer r ed i ca sh , fo r w h i o n ch t h e ven d o r s co m p ly w i h a co st t cu t t i g a s w ell, a s t h i a ssu r es li u i i y i t h e m a r k et . n s q d t n T h e fa ct t h a t M i o so ft ' h ea d q u a r t er s st a n d i t h e m i d le o f t h e m a i cr s n d n co u r t y a r d o ver lo o k i g t h e co r r i o r s w h er e t h e p i a t ed so ft w a r e i so ld ju st n d r s b r i g s fo r t h t h e i o n y o f t h e si u a t i n . Is i a d eli er a t i n o f d esi n ? T h e sp a ce n r t o t b o g w h er e t h e M i o so ft b u i i g st a n d s w a s m a r k ed o u t fo r a n o t h er ci em a h a ll, cr ld n n r et r ea t o f ci em a t i i d u lg en ce, i t h e o r i i a l m a r k i g s. T h i d i r essi n fr o m n c n n g n n s g o t h e o r i i a l d esi n r a i g n g ses t h e n eg o t i t i n s b et w een t h e va r i u s a g en ci w i h i a o o es t n t h e sh i i g p o w er h i a r ch i ft n er es. P i a cy , i i i s ever y d a y a r t i la t i n , fa i t o r s n t cu o ls a r o u se a n y sen se o f ` lleg a li y ' T h e a b st r a ct n o t i n s o f T h e st a t e, p o li fo r ce i t . o ce b ei g r ep r esen t ed b y t h e lo ca l co n st a b le `thulla' o n d u t y . T h e la b o u r p r a ct i n ces

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w i h i t h ese n et w o r k s a r e t a ct i t n le i n o va t i n s t o su st a i t h e t r a d e. M o st o f n o n t h e st a lls a r e m a n n ed b y y o u n g b o y s w i h i t h e a g e g r o u p o f 12 -15 a s i ca se o f a t n n r a i a n d a r r est , t h ese b o y s a r e t r i d ed u n d er t h e ju ven i le co u r t . It a lso m u ch ea si er t o b a i o r b r i e t h em o u t . l b P la cem en t a g en ci a ssu r i g a n d o ffer i g a ll k i d s o f jo b s a lso t h r o n g t h i es n n n s p la ce. T h er e a r e p a m p h let s, p o st er s a n d p eo p le p o st ed i t h e co r r i o r s n d a t t r a ct i g p o ssi le ca n d i a t es. T h e p r o li n b d fer a t ed a b u n d a n ce o f t h ese, t h e p la cem en t a g en ci es, i d i t es t o w a r d s t h e sp a ce w h i n ca ch t h i co m p lex o ffer s t o s ` y eu r s' t o i d u lg e a n d i a g i e. vo n m n E a ch o f t h ese m a r k et s w i h i s o w n m a k i g s lea ves a d i i ct m a r k . ` are involved t t n st n We in decent trade practice. We have educated, mostly foreigners, clients. Our service is to a very dignified clientele. While the computers are used by everyone, anyone who can afford, and so attracts all sorts of people and problems, M r . H P Si g h ex p la i ed o n w h y co m p u t er m a r k et s g et t h e p r o m i en ce ' n n n co m p a r ed t o t h e g a r m en t s t r a d e a s w ell a s ela b o r a t i g o n t h e ` r esen t ' st a t e n p o f N eh r u P la ce. T h o u g h a ck n o w led g i g t h e i p o r t a n ce o f t h e ` m p u t er n m co m a r k et ' t o t h e b ei g o f N eh r u P la ce, h e co n d em n s i fo r t h e ch a o s a n d n t co m m o t i n i cr ea t es. o t St r u ct u r a lly a lso t h i d i i ct i n i a p p a r en t w i h t h e m a r k et s i t er sect i g s st n o s t n n b u t n o t i fr i g i g i t o ea ch o t h er ' sp a ce. T a k i g P a r a s ci em a a s t h e cen t r e o f n n n n s n n r efer en ce, o n t h e left li t h e P a h a r p u r B u i ess A r ea a n d o n t h e r i h t , t h e es sn g b lo ck s w i h t h e co n cen t r a t i n o f t h e G a r m en t ex p o r t t r a d er s. B o t h t h ese t o a r ea s m en t i n ed a r e ch a r a ct er i i lly d i o st ca ffer en t fr o m t h e cen t r a l co u r t y a r d w hi ch t h e m elt i g p o t o f t h e m a r k et . H er e co m p u t er h a r d w a r e, sp a r e p a r t s, n ca r t r i g e r efi d lli g , p i a t ed so ft w a r e, seco n d h a n d b o o k s st a lls, a ccesso r i t o n r es t ech n o lo g i l g a d g et s, n i n a ck s, co b b ler s, ea t er i ca ck es, p la cem en t a g en ci es, d i i a l g t co n ver si n s, b o o k s, t o y s a n d o t h er h a r d w a r e-so ft w a r e p er i h er a ls a r e o p a va i b le. T h i i a lso t h e st a g e w h er e m o st o f t h e sp ect a cles u n fo ld ; evi i n la s s ct o o f t h e h a w k er s fo r ` lleg a l' en cr o a ch m en t o f sp a ce, a r r est o f ven d o r s selli g i n p i a t ed so ft w a r e, d i la y o f g r o t esq u e g en er a t o r s (t h e P a h a r p u r b u si ess a r ea r sp n a n d t h e g a r m en t b lo ck s h a ve t h ei p o w er b a ck u p sy st em s o n t h e r o o f) a n d r en co u n t er s w i h t h e cr o w d s. T h i i a lso t h e sp a ce w h er e t h e ` p t i ess' i m o st t s s em n s felt i t h e a ft er a ffect s o f evi i n s a n d r a i s. W i h i t h e leg i i a cy w h i n ct o d t n t m ch i s o r d a i ed t o N eh r u P la ce, i i i t h i sp a ce t h a t t h e ` lli t ' ` lleg a l' n et w o r k s n t s n s i ci , i a n d n ex u s u n fo ld , o f p i a t ed so ft w a r e a n d p eo p le. r In t h e r ecen t p a st , n et w o r k s flo u r i i g o n flesh t r a d e h a ve co m e u p i a n d sh n n w i h i t h e sp a ce. Iso la t ed a n d a b a n d o n ed b u i i g s, esp eci lly o n e a d ja cen t t o t n ld n a P a r a s C i em a w h i n ch h a s dhabha, ea t i g st a lls, w er e p o i t ed o u t a s o n e o f t h e si e. n n t M r . A n i Seh g a l co m m en t ed t h a t , ` there are no residential units within the complex it is l as practically empty after seven in the evening and converts into this space for crime thrillers. Drug addicts, prostitutes and other anti-social elements throng this place'. W i h i t h ese n et w o r k s, t h e t n p la cem en t a g en ci es, a r e a lso i en t i ed a s a n i p o r t a n t n o d e. T h ese a g en ci d fi m es ca t er t o t h e n eed s a n d d em a n d s o f la r g e co r p o r a t e h o u se a n d i t er n a t i n a l n o cli t s b y lu r i g w o m en w i h t h e p r o m i o f jo b a t lo ca l a n d i t er n a t i n a l en n t se n o levels. N eh r u P la ce a s a sp a ce seem s t o h a ve a sch i p h r en i i en t i y sp li a t a n g les zo c d t t vi b le o n ly w i h t i ed h ea d s. si t lt T h e d i i ct i n b et w een t h e fo r m a l a n d i fo r m a l, o ffi a l a n d u n o ffi a l st n o n ci ci a g en ci i h i h ly b lu r r ed a s a p p a r en t fr o m t h e n eg o t i t i n s a t N eh r u P la ce. es s g a o T h e li i s o f a ct i n , leg i m t o sla t i n a n d ju r i i i n b r i g i g fo r t h t h e a n x i i o sd ct o n n et es. A lo n g w i h t h e N eh r u P la ce Im r p o vem en t a n d W elfa r e A sso ci t i n , t h er e a r e t a o i d ep en d en t b o d i w h i n es ch h a ve a ssu m ed t h e r o le o f t h e g o ver n i g a g en ci i n es n t h ei a r ea o f co n cer n . O n e o f t h em i t h e P a h a r p u r B u i ess C en t r e a n d r s sn so ft w a r e t ech n o lo g y i cu b a t o r p a r k . P B C si n ed a M em o r a n d u m o f n g u n d er st a n d i g w i h t h e M C D t o t a k e o n t h e r esp o n si i t y o f m a i t a i i g t h e n t b li n n n fi ve-a cr e p a r k . T h e n ew s r ep o r t st a t es, ` PBC, which offers integrated business services to foreign companies entering the markets, launched its outdoor environment drive Nehru Place Greens as the environs are not most hospitable for the visitors'. P B C a n d t h e N eh r u P la ce G r een s sp li N eh r u t p la ce i t o t w o p r esen t i g t w o co m p let ely i p r essi n s, o n e i o r d er ly a n d clea n n n m o s w i h n o p a r k i g p r o b lem s; t h e o t h er co n st a n t ly n eg o t i t i g fo r sp a ce, ch a o t i t n a n c a n d co n t est ed . H o w ever , si ce D D A t o o k o ver a s t h e m a i t a i i g a g en cy t h e n n n n cla i s m a d e o ver t h e fi m ve-a cr e la n d b y P B C a r e co n st a n t ly ch a llen g ed ca u si g a n t en sed si u a t i n . ` t o This would create the impression that the Government cares only for the builders' T h e . a sso ci t i n s w i h a u t h o r i i a n d a g en t s o f a u t h o r i i a o t t es t es, t h e d a i ly n eg o t i t i n s a o w i h t h e sa m e, t h e n o t i n s o f leg a l a n d i t o lleg a l, t h e cu lt u r a l sy m b o li t h a t cs

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Nehru Place: A New Media Market; Tripta Chandola S A R A I

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evo lve a r o u n d t h em t a k e p la ce a t a co m p li t ed m u lt i la y er ed level. A t w h a t ca level t h e n eg o t i t i n s a r e ca r r i a o ed w i h i t h e va r i u s g o ver n i g a g en ci i a n t n o n es s i ssu e u n r eso lved . W h o w er e t h e b a r g a i i g a g en ci n n es? W h a t w er e t h e n eg o t i t i g d ea ls? W h o w er e t h e p la y er s? H o w a r e/w er e t h e ch a n g es a n a cco m m o d a t ed w i h i t h e la r g er co n cep t u a l fr a m ew o r k ? t n T h e m a k e a n d t h e m a r k i g s: t h e co n su m p t i n o f t h e sp a ce n o O n e o f n ew s r ep o r t o n N eh r u P la ce, ` Welcome to Nehru Place, where toilets make way for offices', r a i ses t h e p r o b lem s fa ced w i h i t h e sp a ce w i h M r . A n i Seh g a l a s t h e t n t l elo q u en t m o u t h p i ece. T h e L a ck o f p u b li co n ven i ces, fo r o n e, a m o n g st o t h er s. c en F o llo w i g t h e ca se o f o n e p a r t i la r t o i n cu let i t h e co m p lex i st a t es, ` n t Public conveniences, of course do not exist. So much so that one of the public toilets has been converted into an MCD godown'. T h e t r a ject o r y o f t h e ` fe' o f t h e p a r t i la r t o i li cu let i q u est i n , i d i t i g n o n ca n t o w a r d s m o r e p r eva len t t r en d , i sy m p t o m a t i o f t h e st r u ct u r a l ch a n g es s c u n d er t a k en r eflect i g o n t h e n eg o t i t i n s b et w een t h e i fo r m a l a n d fo r m a l n a o n a g en ci a t N eh r u P la ce. T h e ` i n g t o i es m ssi let ' r evea ls t h e co n cep t u a l sp a ce p er m i t ed fo r i s fu n ct i n a li y i t h e st r u ct u r a l d esi n , sp a t i l p r a ct i a n d t t o t n g a ce p a t t er n s. T h e t r a n sfo r m a t i n , d i la cem en t a n d d eleg a t i n o f a sp a ce a ssi n ed o sp o g t o a fu n ct i n , essen t i lly p r i t e, i n a t u r e i t o a sp a ce m ea n t fo r p u b li o a va n n c co n su m p t i n r a i o ses a lo t o f q u est i n s a b o u t t h e fu n ct i n a n d t h e fa ct o r s o o p er m i t i g i . A s a lso t h e n o t i n s o f d i i ct i n b et w een ` r i t e' a n d ` u b li i t n t o st n o p va p c' n p u b li sp a ces. T h o u g h a n i d i ect i fer en ces o f so r t s, t h i ` i n g t o i c n r n s m ssi let ' a lso r efer s t o t h e ` en d er ed ' sp a ce N eh r u P la ce i In i s st r u ct u r a l co m p o si i n , t h e g s. t t o n a t u r e o f t h e t r a d e p r a ct i ces, d efi i i n t ve b r a zen ch a r a ct er i i a li a t i g a n d t s en n i t i i a t i g. n m d n N eh r u P la ce, a s a ca se i st u d y , r a i n ses q u est i n s a b o u t t h e co n cep t i n a n d o o co n su m p t i n o f p u b li sp a ces? W h a t i t h e n o t i n o f ` u b li sp a ces' W h a t a r e o c s o p c ? t h e t er m s o f a ccess a n d a va i b i t y i p li la li m ed i t h i co n cep t i n ? Is t h i co n cep t , n s o s u r b a n a n d w est er n , a li en t o o u r sen si i t y ? b li L a st i g i p r essi n s n m o N eh r u P la ce r eso n a t es w i h a p r o fo u n d p r esen ce o f t h e d efi i i t n t ve a b sen ces. T h e m a k e a n d t h e m a sses fu se t o g et h er t o cr ea t e a la b y r i t h o f d u st a n d d eca y . T h e n m a sses, i t h e fi st i p r essi n , t a k e o ver t h e m a k e. It i t h e n u m b er o f p eo p le n r m o s w a lk i g t h a t i en ch a n t i g w i h ever y st ep d efi i g t h e sp a ce, b ei g d efi ed b y n s n t n n n n t h e sp a ce. C o n t i u i g ch a o s a n d co m m o t i n b y t h e lo u d ca lls m a d e o u t t o t h e n n o i a g i a r y a u d i ce m a r k s t h e p la ce. E ver y t h i g a n d ever y o n e seem s t o b e m n en n ca lli g o u t t o so m eo n e. In i s d ep i t ed st a t e, t h e m a k e a n d t h e m a sses, n t la d esp er a t ely seek o u t fo r a t t en t i n , so m et i es em p lo y i g ex p li t t a ct i o r o m n ci cs o t h er w i r esi n i g t o t h e fa t e o f a n o n y m i y , ca lli g o u t t o t h e a n o n y m o u s. se g n t n T h e m o vem en t o f t h e m a sses st a n d s i st a r k co n t r a st w i h t h e st a t e i w h i n t n ch m o st o f t h e b u i i g s st a n d . It i ea si ld n s er t o i a g i e t h e b u i i g s i , so li a r y m n ld n n t a b a n d o n m en t . T h e d i se a n d d eca y m o st b u i i g s a r e i m a r t h e la n d sca p e. B u t su ld n n i i o n ly a ft er a d eli er a t e co n t em p la t i n t h a t t h e a t t en t i n i d i t s b o o s ver t ed t o t h e ver t i l h i h r i ca g ses. T h e sp r a w li g p a n d em o n i m o f t h e p a vem en t s n u co m p let ely en g r o sses o n e' m o vem en t s, m o t i n s, a ct i n s a n d r ea ct i n s. s o o o D u st , d eca y a n d d i se p la g u i g N eh r u P la ce co n st i u t e a n a r r a t i su n t ve o f i s o w n t b ei g . T h e ` i se' t h e st a t e i w h i n d su , n ch N eh r u P la ce h a s fa llen , i co n st a n t ly s eva lu a t ed a n d va li a t ed b y t h e d i r essi n s i p r esen t s fr o m t h e p la n , a s i w a s d g o t t p la n n ed . T h e p la n i et ch ed a s t h e sa cr o sa n ct ep i h et o f N eh r u P la ce i t h e s t n p o p u la r p er cep t i n , n a r r a t i o ves a n d ex p er i ces t h a t em er g e fr o m t h e sp a ce, en a b o u t t h e sp a ce. T h e p r esen t i i s m a k i g st a n d s n u ll a n d vo i . n t n d C r ed i s |D i t scla i er |G et t i g i vo lved | o n t a ct U s m n n C

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