Life in the National Capital: An Enchanting Spell on Young Lives

India Gate, New Delhi

Delhi has been nothing short of a rollercoaster—a mix of exhilarating highs, unpredictable twists, and moments of calm. As someone who calls this bustling metropolis home, my life in this city is a blend of the city’s vibrant culture, unrelenting pace, and deeply personal experiences. When I first arrived in Delhi, I was struck by its sheer enormity. The city seemed to have a personality of its own—one that was loud, unapologetic, and full of contrasts. The city felt overwhelming yet inviting, chaotic yet strangely comforting. 

Being from Maharashtra, living in the vicinity of Mumbai, I was quite adapted to a fast-paced life. Yet, I realised I was so far off from the mark of being “Mumbaiker” who are like the epitome of quick-natured lifestyles. There is a catchy saying that goes like “Alibaug se aaya hain kya?” to mock a person who is relatively slow. Historically, it was because people from nearby towns and cities could not catch up with the lifestyle in Bombay and often ended up being a statue in times needed, so the phrase. Almost stereotypical, yet I felt like I was that guy, in truest sense.

I remember my first ride on the Delhi Metro, sandwiched between a sea of strangers. It was a crash course in how Delhiites navigate life—assertive, adaptable, and always on the move. At first, I used an Uber as a go-to medium to travel. Not so typical of me, but retrospectively, nervousness struck so hard, I couldn’t help, but do the same for couple of weeks or so. But, life in Delhi taught me resilience and adaptability. The daily commute through its busy streets and crowded metros was initially daunting, soon became an adventure. The auto-rickshaw rides, where bargaining felt like a sport, added their own charm. Over time, I began to appreciate the organized chaos. The Metro became my lifeline, connecting me to every corner of the city—from the markets of Chandni Chowk to the modern cafes in Khan Market.

Delhi Metro

My fate tied a knot with this place as if it was a marriage made in heaven. As an aspirant, it felt this city had a singular focus; to clear the exams. I mean judging by the number of students living and coaching centres around, its quite inspiring and intimidating at the same time. Everyone seems working tirelessly towards the same goal. The picture is painted that the atmosphere in Delhi is quite apt for studying, with people charged with determination and ambition.

I am a quick learner as everyone says and I want to tell what I learnt. Its all bullshit what they say about the students in Delhi. The crowd we see in Mukherjee Nagar & Old Rajinder Nagar is mere crowd and nothing else, masses would be a correct word. They have lost their ability to think on their own, they sound like a broken vinyl record that keeps on playing the same tune again and again and again. Ironically, a serious and ambitious aspirant wakes up at 11 in the morning with an excuse that they were studying all night which is definitely a lie, while an absolute waste bag of a person who does drugs and drinks alcohol throughout the day wakes up early to buy booze. I was seriously very mad at how word by mouth is an authentic source in Indian culture even now. On the bright side, I came across activists in Delhi who I thought were the torchbearers of democracy at first. Truly, its not so appealing, they are paid for protests usually, but I understood that these people were better than a moron sulking in a room pretending to read O. P. Gauba, as if he understands every word but somehow can’t explain it to other people because its too complicated for us to understand. Yet, I spent most of my time too, reading standard books for preparation until I inclined on empiricism. Somehow, I was taking up coaching classes for nearly 8 hours everyday and maintaining a track on studying for another 4 hours, I was truly a zombie following the same schedule for a year, with the time invested always pointing at the North.

I persevered, for something that I truly loved, the food diaries and solo travels, exploring the fascinating blend of culture this city offers. My weekends were incomplete without a trip to Chandni Chowk, taking on spicy golgappas, buttery parathas, and jalebis fresh out of the pan. Hauz Khas Village and Khan Market for lazy brunches with my loved ones offered me with some of unforgettable memories. No matter how many delicacies I tried, the joy of a simple plate of momos from a street-side vendor always hit differently. Every meal in Delhi felt like a story­—a reminder of the city’s diversity and its ability to bring people together over food.

Kartavya Path

The people are definitely a unique breed, an amalgamation of being a complete nuisance, straightforward, opinionated to the point they seem to be a bigot, yet full of heart. On the other end, a simple match in cussing someone becomes the most significant parameter in being acquainted. The other guy acts like he knows the person’s ancestry just because they were cussing the same person with the same word, coincidentally. Eventually, what I experienced is they have a cup of tea together and end up fighting because of distinct political ideologies. The funny thing in Delhi is they can share a wife and be a cuckold, but cannot fathom a person with different ideology, that is just not possible.

The bustling lifestyle was always the mouthpiece. I found it endearing to travel in traffic, among frustrated corporate employees who became more frustrated seeing a dude with blonde hair styled like nail studded rods, having all the fun with his girl in the metro. The heat often tested my patience but the winters were a thing of joy. Despite its hustle, Delhi offered me moments of peace. I often found myself retreating to Lodhi Garden or Nehru Park, where the sound of birds replaced the honking horns. Evenings spent walking along Rajpath or sipping tea at a quiet café gave me a sense of balance amid the chaos. I learned to find beauty in Delhi’s imperfections—whether it was the resilience of its people during a power cut or the unexpected joy of a rain-soaked evening after a scorching day.

Living in this city is a unique experience filled with opportunities and challenges. While the fast pace, pollution, and high cost of living can be tough, the vibrancy and energy of the city make it a compelling place for those seeking excitement and growth. The culture of the Capital, along with its mix of modernity and tradition, provided the perfect backdrop for my preparations, with prevailing challenges which one cannot avoid. Delhi taught me the importance of perseverance, balance, and pursuit of success. In conclusion, as a UPSC aspirant living in Delhi, is both testing and rewarding.