Journaling Khirki #3
This set of illustrations is based on KhirkeeVoice Issue 7.
1) Sustainability Development Goals
The set of 17 sustainable development goals put forth by the United Nations are an important focus of developing cities throughout the world, including Delhi
"While the task seems insurmountable when considered at a global or national scale, at the scale of a neighborhood or community, the possibilities of collective action to create noticeable change from within seems somewhat more achievable, and doable."
This illustrations captures few of the ideas the issue provides regarding achieving these goals at a neighborhood scale. Firstly, addressing the goal "No Poverty" - Khirki's tight knit socio-economic fabric makes it quite conducive to build networks of support for businesses during times of duress. For example, during the demonetization phase, most of the financial transactions in Khirki happened on an "udhaari" (Money Borrowing) basis - taking goods in exchange for records in a ledger. This informal system of resource management and exchange could prove to be a useful tool to bail out struggling businesses, built on the foundation of community support and collaboration.
The goal of "No More Hunger" could be addressed by encouraging local street vendors (as it would also address goals of economy) and encouraging practices like hydroponics, vertical farming and home gardens. Not only would this increase the communities self-sufficiency, it could address goals of "Climate Action" by making the settlement more green. It also lends to "Responsible consumption and production" Goals.
Building better education facilities, and spaces for collaborative learning could address "Quality Education" goals, and adopting solar energy systems and smart metering of electrical and water supply/consumption could address "Sustainable cities and communities" goals as well. There are plenty of proactive measures neighborhoods like Khirki can take to achieve these goals. This said, tight knit communities like Khirki are already considerably more sustainable than isolated gated communities in Delhi - and there is always room to improve and set a precedent standard for the rest of the city.
2) The March to White Castle
"It has been 10 years in this glamorous city for me, I have not been able to set foot in the Castle even once."
Select City Walk mall across Press Enclave Marg (road) is colloquially referred to by Khirki Residents as the "White Castle", a mythical faraway place of aspiration, luxury and a better standard of life. Some people work as employees over there, some occasionally visit the mall for solitude from the scorching summer heat, and for some, it is a mark of aspiration, that if they do well in life, they might be "allowed" inside by the increasing confines of classism that envelope Delhi.
"The sound activates the human senses just like an alarm clock, the nose sniffs out the amount of spices in the daal, the pungence not much of a reflection of acquired skills in cooking. Living like the chickens caged in the Kasai shop, these people share each others timbre and flavours."
"School-College going students and workers parade the streets in unison, like frightened cockroaches scattering from one quarter to another, with one objective in mind. Before the sun spreads its gleaming light on these streets, few quick final exchanges finishing their duties. Their exit from the space, leads to the appearance of the real caretakers of the city. The only time when ragpickers and sweepers monopolise the city spaces,"
Khirki has a unique morning atmosphere, the settlement is filled with an array of noises, smells and other sensory characteristics that mark the start of the day. Ranging from the gathering at nukkad tea stalls, to the morning shopping for eggs, to the mass procession of students and young professionals making their way to the bus stops, metro stations - lining up towards the White Castle, a metaphorical gateway to the city. The energy is palpable, as the scent of breakfast and conversations on politics, aspiration and prejudice envelope Khirki. The same goes for the end of the day, as activity patterns change, the energy stays the same;
"The setting of Sun sees the city go into a dense commotion, the chaos amplified by the activity on the streets. The activities that follow after an unending day full of the mundane: personal slandering, repressed desires, longing of the past, swift movements, shattered muscles, vilifying the Government, criticizing people’s mentality and attacking migrant workers for all the filth in the city."
3) Coping with Impermanence
The life of a student at Khirki is a unique one. They form part of the ephemeral layer of Khirki, as they arrive seeking cheap accommodation, and leave with a bag full of memories. Constantly stuck between emotionally detaching themselves from their shanty student hostel rooms, or investing their personal growth and time into it. Let it be keeping the bare minimum things in the room to treat it as temporary refuge, or filling the room with material objects that make it comfortable and personal, -
Both the approaches speak about the individual’s attempt to cope up with the impermanence and strangeness of city life and sustain themselves.
This issue beautifully captures the stories of young students, especially women, who arrive at Khirki filled with aspiration and uncertainty, and grow and learn together. They fill the void of family distance whilst bonding over political views and opinions, religion and faith and lastly, tight knit proximity. A highly unique, and active ecosystem of youth exists behind the rather unassuming monotony of clustered buildings that stretch across Khirki.
They traverse along the winding streets, making their way to the DDA housing colonies across the western end, where their evening coaching centers are located - vocational training, SAT and GRE preparatory institutes, civil services coaching and what not.
Roommates hold an important place, especially when they are also friends. They leave notes for each other. They plan trips with each other. They buy food for each other.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government pushes to improve educational infrastructure and teaching methods for kids in places like Khirki, focusing public funds towards developing better classrooms, providing good furniture and coming up with innovative teaching methods to keep young kids invested and interested in education.
Delhi government has been working on infrastructural development & improving quality of education in government schools since their term began in 2015, and has recently introduced a ‘Happiness Curriculum’ for students in grades I to VIII.
the objective of these programs is not only promoting quality education, but also to develop an all-rounded personality with a focus on mental development.
the schools around South Delhi, which include areas like Khirkee, witnessed a monumental shift in its infrastructure. With changes in furniture and vastly improved state of cleanliness, the energy of classrooms had transformed completely.
Few more excerpts from Issue 7:
Full KhirkeeVoice Issue 7: