by MK Gupta (S 139)
It was 7 Oct 1962, when my parents along with their three children and an old aunt shifted to our newly constructed house (S-139). There was no electricity connection and the night was spent by using an old kerosene lamp and some candles.
The reason for shifting-Next day was Dusshera and my parents wanted to celebrate it in our new house.
8 Oct Monday, started on a happy note with Puja being conducted & the ritual of noting down the event in a family book, recording the presence of family members and rates of a few major commodities (The book is there with the family since 1955 and continues). Photo of 1962 page is shared here.
The property was a prized possession even in those days. The 208 sq yard plot was purchased by my father @ Rs Sixteen per sq yard from DLF in five yearly installments. The construction was done by raising money from various sources including a loan from Delhi Govt. By the way, GK was carved out of a village called Yaqutpur.
We, the three siblings were 18, 16 & 14 years old. I am the 2nd one & have vivid memories of the times. My elder brother was doing his BSc, Physics Hons from Ramjas College, DU and the other two were in school.
My father worked with Allahabad Bank at Scindia house branch.
The daily journey to Scindia house by my father and to DU by my elder brother were treacherous & time consuming, as the bus had to be taken from Kailash Colony.
Earlier we were living in Shakti Nagar, North Delhi & DU was just a walking distance & CP was just seven KM.
However, the joy of living in your own house, overcame all the difficulties.
Electric connection was given within a few days by DESU. Their office used to be in Nizamuddin, those days.
Come 20 Oct 62 and the Sino Indian war started with major offensive by China in Ladakh & along the McMahon Line. Even though there were just a few houses in G K 1 at that time but night curfew was imposed. All the window panes were covered & no lights at night. Z type trenches were dug by civil defense workers at a few places. Sirens, warning air raids were heard occasionally. With hardly any civilians around, life was tough. However, the war ended within a month.
It may be of interest to know the rates of a few commodities in those days; Gold=Rs 120/10 gms; Silver=Rs.218/50 per kg; Desi Ghee=Rs7/50 per Ser; Wheat=Rs 46/per quintal (100 kg); Gur=Rs 90/quintal.
The land rate in G K 1 in 1962 was Rs 22 per sq yard but the rates started going up after the Chinese war. By the end of 1965, it had touched Rs 70 per sq yard. However, no one including some clairvoyants would have imagined a rate of Rs five lakhs per sq yard after 50-60 years. Well, there are many memories of the last sixty years and perhaps a small booklet can be written on all the experiences. However, would like to share a few facts with the readers of “Samvada”.
It was a beautifully laid out colony by DLF with well laid out roads, a tree in front of each house with tree guards of bricks, properly laid out storm water system, concept of back lanes, provision of parks & community center, underground sewerage system, which is sustaining even now, street lights, market with shop cum residence concept, provision of schools etc.
DLF office was situated at the place where South Delhi Club came up later on. It was originally planned to be a community center/club for the residents. How it was taken back by DLF is another sad and interesting story.
We had to walk down to Kailash Colony for taking a bus to old Delhi Station or Regal.
The nearest DMS booth and market was in Kailash Colony. We could get milk from Zamrudpur also @50p per liter.
LPG was introduced in 1965 with Ashoka store being the agent for HP Gas.
DU special used to run from Kalka Ji to Red fort/North Campus.
The first few shops started opening in our market in 1963.
Coca cola co. Used to door deliver a crate of 24 bottles @ Rs.4/30.
After the Chinese war, lot of Americans, mainly defense expats started living in GK 1 and the colony at times was referred to as American Colony. Many Maharanis, princes & film stars owned houses here especially in B Block. Anyways, there is a kaleidoscope of memories, which will perhaps be shared in the next issue.
