We veterans of this beautiful colony commenced living our childhood in a beautiful two storied stucco bungalow in 1972 (original structure still standing) where each home was cosmetically different from each other. Built by our grandfather with spacious front and back yards, managed by knowledgeable gardeners with abundant flora and fauna, wide concrete driveways where we played pithoo, hopscotch, skated, and walked on cleaner streets lined with parrot green Ashoka trees that started at 5 feet. This is where we learnt the values of being neighborhood friendly.
That was Vasant Vihar.
Lazy, laid back, slow paced with less traffic where bus number 660 would come once every hour, where one could leisurely walk across the streets without the fear of being run over. Residents were regular morning and evening walkers, acknowledged each other, were serene and polite, genuinely cared for each other, and casually dropped in at each other’s homes. This is where we created our best friendships.
That was Vasant Vihar.
Shopkeepers like Link Chemists, Smart Drycleaners, Sheviks who respected old customers, the one and only Modern Bazaar, tiny Book stores and tinier C block libraries, renowned music teachers like Mrs.Chatterjee, Mrs.Tiwari, Mrs.Bagchi and their music schools, Nirulas with the famous hot chocolate fudge were places where easy going residents enjoyed walking to and spending a lot of extra time. The simple joy of celebrating festivals, evening walks with friends in the rain, and running away from dust storms, Princess Diana’s visit, and the excitement when Big B moved in, was special. This is where we also started our journey to become all-rounders, ready to face challenges in life.
This was the Vasant Vihar of the 70’s and 80’s that I would like to remember.
This is where we spent our childhood, adolescence, early adult years and loved every nook and corner of Vasant Vihar.
Never wanted to live anywhere else!!!
By CHANDANA ASTHANA
49, Paschimi Marg, Vasant Vihar