Kanpur is a city rich in history and culture. Kanpuriya people have an attitude which can give Lady Gaga a run for her money. And their warmth is unmatched. Maybe these were the reasons I fell for a Kanpur boy. Even after over 2 years of marriage, the learning from the city are too many to remember but once learnt, impossible to forget! I am talking about the the sights, the smells of the city which leave no time for the distractions offered by the technological advancements like music players, smart phones, tabs etc. With the paan stained walls, among the gutkha chewing people and the borderline cute nuances of the language, Kanpur is one large offline social networking platform. Why? Here's why:
1) Smartphone: I checked my emails and Whatssap and Facebook and texts an hour before I de-boarded the train at Kanpur Central station. The next time I picked up my phone was on my way back to Delhi. The people and places at Kanpur are so engaging that a non - Kanpur resident won't find any time for the fancies of a smartphone. I was so entranced by warmth of relatives I had never met before or the home like feeling wherever I was invited, that I was almost rudely ignoring my phone.
2) Apna hi ghar samjho: Somehow, Dil waalon ki Dilli is still far behind Kanpur when it comes to treating guests. No fancy cutlery and crockery is on display, no starters and dessert and mouth freshners, you won't find tens of dishes on any grand dining table. Food at any one's home in Kanpur seems like food at your own home. I was served food in steel plates (most preferred by me), with desi ghee and lots of love. And no, the love wasn't the punjabi type (aur khaiye - aur khaiye). No one forced food down my gullet but instead made me feel like a member of the family - making me comfortable enough to take as many servings as I wanted. Oh, but the chaat is something most Kanpur-ites are very sensitive and passionate about! Never compare Delhi's chaat with Kanpur's. That would be an endless debate. Especially if you are the only Delhiite.
3) Aao panchayat karein: Within minutes of entering any Kanpur household, you shall know half the family controversies, complete history of the neighbours and all speculations about near and distant family! It's so entertaining and exciting! Who ran away with who, who should be getting married next, whose married life is on the rocks, which saas -bahu don't get along. You are made privy to the family's hot gossip. And there's nothing like gossip to make you feel a part of the family :)
5) Offline connections: In a close knit city like Kanpur, friends and family don't keep in touch just over Facebook. They meet on weekends, public holidays, festivals and special occassions like birthdays and anniversaries. Shopping in Naveen Market is still more happening than the Rave 3 and Zed Square malls or Jabong and Flipkart. If you don't see them active on the social media, just assume that they are busy networking in person.
The vibrant city of Kanpur might not be of everyone's taste, but it's flavours are uniquely endearing. Among all the paan spitting, gutkha chewing, gossip sessions, chaat tasting and food rich religious activities, I learned the true meaning of 'social networking'.
Kuch din to kaatiye Kanpur mein! :P
