South City-1
South City-1South City-1 Samvada Editors
Life in South City 1: Navigating the Challenges
As 2024 comes to an end, I read up all my articles of the year to summarise the challenges we face as a colony. Life in South City 1 is…
The Retreat Society’s Christmas Carnival: A Joyous Celebration of the Season
Retreat Society hosted a Christmas Carnival on 25th December. The event was thoroughly enjoyed by the residents with unbridled enthusiasm and festive cheer. The carnival had a plethora of attractions:…
A Makeover For M Block: Residents Take Up Cudgels
As children, we were taught how five fingers together make a fist, and you could be strong and fight any challenge. This message resurfaced when I recently saw some residents…
Revolutionising Sarees
We’ve witnessed the saree’s remarkable journey – from wedding celebrations to corporate boardrooms, and from casual meetups to glamorous events. However, #ShalmaliUncharted takes this narrative a step further. #ShalmaliUncharted is…
Surinder Dhir’s Journey for Accessible Travel for All
Surinder Dhir’s story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of advocacy. As a wheelchair user and avid traveler, Surinder has turned his per-sonal challenges into a mission…
The Slim Homes Thrift Store Brings Responsible Consumption
Slim Homes launched its Thrift Store Program in December 2023. Surabhi Pahuja (I-35) proposed the idea and we got off on a good start from January 2024. The program aims…
Batting for Textile Waste Management: South City 1 Scores Again
Residents of South City 1 discovered the environmental impact of textile waste management and joined the Circular Textile initiative, the Clothes Collection Drive at Gurugram by Saahas Zero Waste, Slim…
Part 2 – Life in South City 1: Hope and Not Much of Glory
On part 2 as I attempt to focus on the positive and the future, I cannot but think of “Hum Honge Kamyaab,” the Hindi version of the song “We shall…
History of Veer Baal Diwas
Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, in 17th century wanted to consolidate his rule, which led to, according to many accounts, forced conversions to Islam. Pandits from Kashmir approached Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, ninth…
Pruning of Trees – A Necessity: Navigating Stringent Laws
All, including the government departments, the various agencies, and the legislature know and understand that “Pruning of Trees” is an essential practice for maintaining the health and beauty of urban…
CLAT Uncertainty Ordeal
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) took place on December 1st this year. The law entrance exam is conducted every year and aspirants are known to dedicate a year, if…
Samvada Recognises Our “Green Guardians”
The automotive industry along with its coatings and equipment suppliers are working towards carbon-neutral, green initiatives in coatings. A resident of South City 1, Virendra Gupta, was the key organiser…
Sustainable Rainwater Harvesting Makes A Comeback After 25 Years
In a landmark move, Captain Raj Chopra, the President of our South City 1 Residents Welfare Association (SCRWA), in collaboration with the Municipal Corpora-tion of Gurgaon, has successfully initiated the…
Soul-Pleasing Delicacies, Sumptuous Langar Mark Gurudwara Festivities
The South City 1 Gurudwara held a magnificent celebration of Gurupurab, which began with the Head Granthi of the Gurudwara reciting Akhand Paath and was a collective celebration of the…
Club Road Speed Breakers Bring Benefits, Improve Residential Safety
Local WhatsApp groups have found a new topic this month – speed breakers on Club road. Speed breakers, while sometimes seen as a minor inconvenience by a few residents, play…
Palm’s Children’s Fete: Kids Steal The Show With Their Entrepreneurial Spirit
On 16th November 2024, the Palms society came alive with color, joy, and youthful energy, as children from the community hosted their very own Palms Children Fete. The fete was…
Samvada Introduces “Green Guardians”
“Eco-friendly living is the new luxury,” screamed a headline in the Economic Times. This is so true as is the fact that people who follow eco-conscious lifestyles, are indeed exalted…
Are Social Media Bans For Teenagers The Right Step?
The Australian Prime Minister recently proposed to ban children under 16 from social media, without any exceptions. He says it’s for parents like him, who are worried sick about safety…
Here’s Our Residents’ ‘Mann Ki Baat’ On Delhi NCR Pollution Health Crisis
As Delhi NCR’s pollution worsens, schools are logging on to a new reality: online classes. While e-learning provides a temporary reprieve, it’s a stark reminder that the city’s air is…
Practical Knowledge, Special Offers Behind South City Ayurveda Health Camp Success
On Saturday, 23rd November 2024, a Free Ayurveda Health Camp brought together health-conscious individuals in South City 1 eager to explore natural wellness solutions. Organised by Nirog Street, the camp…
Bird Photography
Bird photography by Arushi is one of the most popular topics in Retreat Lens and Wanderlust Club. Arushi is a talented baker with a passion for creating delicious treats. But…
We Don’t Need No Education, We Don’t Need No Schools
Living near a large school in a busy Indian city can be challenging, but in South City 1, where there are three big schools packed into the neighborhood, things can…
Scent of Saptaparni
Autumn is here with it’s nippy Dawn and Dusk. Walk through any road in the evenings and you cannot miss the unmistakable all pervasive heady fragrance. The source of this…
“Retreatians’ Diwali Delight: A Joyful Evening of Fun and Fellowship”
The Retreat community came together for a spectacular Diwali celebration, filled with excitement, entertainment, and warmth. Tambola Time The evening kicked off with a thrilling game of Tambola, which saw…
The Fraternity of Strangers
I wonder how many of us have experienced the wonder of having the fire within us stoked by strangers. I was pleasantly surprised and indeed fortunate to have encountered these…
Durga Puja: A Joyous Socio-Cultural Exchange
For every Bengali, Durga Puja is the most anticipated festival of the year. We eagerly await the four / five days of revelry, rituals, and family reunions. We started doing…
Life on Land
Poem 1:“Earth’s canvas, once so greenNow fades to brown, sereneHuman touch, a heavy handLife on land, lost in the sand” Poem 2:“Mountains tall, forests deepBiodiversity, in endless sleepHuman greed, a…
Elections Done, Time to Demand
Now that our elected officials have taken an oath and started working for the betterment of their constituents, SCRWA wants help of all South City 1 residents to create a…
Slim Homes Sales: Crafting Joy from Pre-Loved Treasures!
We are excited to share the success of our recent “White Elephant Sales” held on October 26th and 27th, 2024, at D3/4 Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, and The Arcade, South…
South City 1 On Its Way Towards Becoming Zero Waste Society
We at South City 1 started segregating our Textile Waste since April 2024 and until October 2024, we have successfully managed to ship 955kg of Tex-tile Waste to Saahas Zero…
Karwa Chauth Celebrations
The festival of Karwa Chauth was celebrated with full grace by the ladies of Block Q and neighbouring blocks. The event took place at the recently developed grassy area on…
Brinjal- Humble But Healthy
In the 1890s, The Bombay government asked the farmers to cultivate brinjal in the rainy season and urged Europeans to include it in their diet. Thus, with some ingenuity, this move…
Dandiya Nite in The Retreat Complex on October 11
One and all enjoyed the Dandiya Raas till late in the night with the thrilling music. Dandiya Raas is celebrated of the Devine Feminine through 9 nights of dance, music…
Karwachauth 2024 at Palms
United in spirit, united in colour! The Palms’ women celebrated Karvachauth with an explosion of hues – pinks, reds, yellows and blues.
Dusshera Celebrations
Dussehra festival was celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm by the residents of our block. The event brought together families and neighbours, fostering a sense of community and joy. Traditional…
Crowdfunding for South City 1 Gates
Crowdfunding: The practice of funding a project or venture by raising money from many people who each contribute a relatively small amount, typically via the Internet. South City 1 Residents…
Small Action Towards A Plastic-Free Future
It couldn’t have been better timing when Shalini Malhotra from C Block reached out to me about the beautiful reusable cloth bags from Slim Homes, made from refurbished fabric. The…
Electoral Fever in South City 1
Posters and banners with Votes for … MHARA Haryana…‘haath badlega’… etc are visible everywhere. Autos and tractors are blaring names of Daualatbad, Mukesh, Mohit, Narbir, Naveen, Vardhan and a few…
The Retreat Society Shines in the “We Make Gurgaon Trash Free” Initiative
The Retreat has been shortlisted for its exemplary efforts in wet waste compo-sting and sustainability practices in the Times of India’s “WeMakeGurgaon Trash Free” initiative. Out of hundreds of participating…
Don’t Count Calories, Count Chemicals: Join Us On A Journey With Real Food
For years, I obsessed over calories. Like many of us, I was taught that weight management was all about simple math; calories in versus calories out. I tracked everything, from…
Mr Punia Celebrates His Special Day
On September 1st, Dharam Singh Punia (Ivory 405) hosted a birthday party to celebrate his special day. The group expressed their heartfelt wishes for his good health and a year…
Celebrating 55 Years of Love and Togetherness
An Inspiring Conversation with Shiromani and Raji Anand I had the privilege of sitting down with Shiromani and Raji Anand, a delightful couple who recently marked a remarkable milestone—their 55th…
Fogging in A Block: An Essential Measure for Protection from Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes, which are carriers of diseases like dengue and malaria, pose a serious threat to our health. This monsoon season brought its challenges, as many Residents and their loved ones…
Retreat Launches Hobby Clubs for Enhanced Social Engagement
Retreat Society has taken a significant step toward fostering social connections among its residents by introducing Hobby Clubs. This initiative aims to provide a platform for members to pursue their…
A 10-Year-Old’s First Book: The God of the Wild
Reyansh Mehra, a 10-year-old resident of Palms has published his debut novel ‘The God of the Wild’. The young author, whose love for books inspired him to create this story,…
Training & Capacity Building Sessions by Slim Homes
Slim Homes had the proud privilege to team up with MCD, HUL, Xynteo and Garbage Free India, to conduct training and capacity-building sessions on Waste Segregation at source, for Malls…
Plastic Waste Collection On Tuesday, 1″ October 2024
Please drop off your clean, dry and BAGGED plastic waste between 12 noon to 1 pm. Points of collection for the plastic waste -1. Near B-85; 2. D Block Gate…
Residents of South City 1 Seek Solutions to Lingering Problems
On August 20, 2024, Capt. Raj Chopra, President of The South City 1, RWA of Gurgaon, the Governing Body, Mr Ashwani Duggal General Secretary, and Residents expressed their disappointment and frustration…
The Peaceful Candle Light Vigil
The Peaceful Candle Light Vigil on 18th August, at Leisure Valley Park was a continuation of the #WeWant-Justice #Women Reclaim The Night movement that has brought thousands and thousands of women…
Physiotherapy Centre At The Retreat
A physiotherapy centre is being run by the Retreat society under the care of Dr Guddi Kumari. She is a passionate sports physiotherapist by qualification with an experience of over…
‘Laghuvan’ Turned Four
Our mini urban forest, ‘Laghuvan’ turned four on 15th August 2024. On this day, in 2020, under the expert guidance of Latika Thukral and Sohail Madan, all of us in…
Cleaning Of A Vacant Plot In South City 1
As happens across all colonies, vacant plots become fertile grounds for unruly and dense undergrowth, more so in the monsoons. Our B Block in South City 1 was no exception. Clearing one such plot…
Hosting Guests and Causing Inconvenience to Neighbours?
I wish to share a very draining experience I had one Sunday afternoon. I live where my ground floor used to be an office space that closed a couple of…
The Retreat Celebrates Independence Day with Enthusiastic Participation
The Retreat proudly celebrated India’s Independence Day with a series of vibrant and patriotic events that brought together residents of all ages. The festivities began with the hoisting of the…
Independence Day Celebration in Q Block, South City1
This year, our Q block came together to celebrate Independence Day with great enthusiasm and patriotism. The event was a vibrant display of our love for the nation. The morning…
Independence Day @ Palms
This year too Palms residents came together for a vibrant Independence Day celebration filled with patriotism and joy. A graceful Kathak performance by young girls of different age groups was…
‘Wrinkles Acche Hai’ (WAH)’
As far back as I can recall, ironing clothes has always been a chore I tried to shy away from. In fact, during my days at Medical College, the only…
Haryali Teej
Retreat Ladies Celebrated Hariyali Teej with a lot of enthusiasm and enjoyment. A jhula was decorated for them and snacks were arranged to fuel the fun.
Luncheon with the Morning Flowers
A day before International Senior Citizens Day, which is celebrated on 21st August. ‘Morning Flowers Group of ‘D’ Retreat’ decided to celebrate it with a grand gastronomic BBQ. This amalgamation…
Planted, Uprooted And Stolen – All In A Day’s Work!
Wanting to cash in on the monsoon and tired of breathing in dust-laden air, some of us in B Block decided to turn some green (money) into what is truly…
South City-1 Will Be A Gated Community? Let’s Decide
SCRWA is happy to announce that the district authorities including DC, Gurugram Police and Department of Town Planning have granted permission to SCRWA to install Gates / boom barriers at…
India Wins the World Cup
I am elated that the Indian cricket team has won the T20 Cricket World Cup – 2024. I am proud of the National Cricket team and every team member who…
Is this the Road to Heaven?
The month of July has been the harbinger of good news to residents of South City-1. Soon after the permission to install gates to cover 12 blocks of South City…
Age – Old Romance
R.S. Vaidyanathan, resident of the Palms, South City 1, shares why and how much he is in love with his walking stick “I am a nonagenarian”. I use a Walking…
Should South City-1 Attempt to be a Zero Waste Colony ?
If South City1 must become a Zero Waste Colony, SCRWA will need to enrol as a Bulk Waste Generator (BWG). As a colony, we will have to do the following:…
Tree Plantation at Retreat
The Retreat, like in last few years, organised a tree plantation program in its society this year too. Many people, especially children, participated enthusiastically in this program held on 28th July…
Morning Flowers
On the 11th of July the Seniors of Retreat, {nomenclature “Morning Flowers Group of ‘D’ Retreat”} had a get-to-gether. It was Mr Ranbir Singh’s (Heights-703) belated birthday celebration. There are quite…
Plant Parents (www.slimhomes.in)
We at Slim Homes launch the “Plant Parents” drive in an attempt to foster a relationship between people and plants. The “Cut & Style” salon at the South City 1…
Boating in South City 1?
Waterlogging and flooding of roads in South City 1 is a recurrent phenomenon during every monsoon, as it is elsewhere in Delhi-NCR. Perhaps taking a cue from what IAG (I…
Fire In Green Belt Doused In 20 Minutes
Tons of Horticulture waste in the green belts surrounding South City is a disaster waiting to happen. As the temperatures approached 50 degrees in NCR, such collections of Waste are prone…
“Senior Living Is Not An Old Age Home” say Mr & Mrs Bose
Mr & Mrs Bose have been residing in senior living homes in Bhiwadi. On asking them about their experience and what senior living is like, they said: To tell you…
Chabeel- A Glass full of Kindness
The Sikh community honours the Guru’s martyrdom by offering Chabeel to the needy on hot summer afternoons. 5th Sikh Guru- Guru Arjun Dev Ji – He who taught the Sikhs to…
Sunk Cost Fallacy and SCRWA EC
Imagine that as a resident of South City, you have to go to a shop in a Mall in NOIDA because that Brand is available only there in NCR. You…
SCRWA Representative Meets the Minister of ULB
On 19th June 2024, SCRWA, represented by Pavneet Singh and Yash Suneja, met the Minister of Urban Local Bodies and presented issues facing our residents. 1. Bad condition of Central Avenue,…
How Can Psychology Help You At Your Work Place
Courses being offered at Apeejay Stya University of Behavioural Sciences are big hit among the students and working professionals. A doctor recently confessed that after doing a course in clinical…
Horticulture Waste in South City
Problem Unless handled effectively, Horticulture Waste poses a problem of: 1. Mounds of unsightly waste piling up in parks, green belts and on the road sides, 2. Danger of catching…
Chief Minister’s visit to South City
Lazing on the Sunday afternoon as the electricity was playing hide and seek and the fury of the sun God was at its peak the loud doorbell pierced the siesta….
Getting Off On The Right Foot With Greensole
Towards the end of May 2024, I got to know about the GreenSole initiative of collecting and recycling old and damaged shoes. We at SC1 decided to participate in it….
Act of Kindness
An unsettling glumness hung over my morning as my cleaning lady entered, her usual smile replaced by weary lines. Sleep deprivation etched itself on her face. Upon inquiry, she revealed…
NCDPA Sustainable Living Challenge
Recently NCDPA organised a video challenge for all the interested citizens to promote sustainable living practices. Anyone can participate as age is no bar. All you have to do is…
Retreat Resident Usman Turns 95
The Retreat Seniors Club recently marked a significant milestone, celebrating Retreat resident Usman Khan’s (Ivory Tower) 95th birthday during their June meetup. The celebration was nothing short of delightful, with…
Varanasi’s Hidden Gem
Samvada Editor and The Retreat resident Shampa Moitra recently visited Varanasi to explore a Napali Mandir in the city. The Nepali Mandir is a captivating replica of the famed Pashupatinath…
Drunk Youngsters Chased by Cops Bang into an Electric Pole!
The need for securing South City-1 by installing gates and restricting access for outsiders especially late at night became apparent yet again this month. A car driven at high speed…
Fire in The Drycleaning Shop Clothes Catch Fire
In the early hours of the morning of 23rd May 2024 at 6am, the car-cleaners pressed hard on the doorbells of several residents of D Block, alerting them of an…
Some Residents Are Using Blocks and Parks as Their Private Empires
This issue has been bothering many residents of South City 1 for a few years now. Residents in a few blocks have come together and improved security and infra-structure (roads,…
An Act of Compassion
As the North broke all records of heat this year, everyone was seen scampering indoors and ways to beat the heatwave. AC, coolers, cold water, cooling drinks, we humans have…
Every Day is a Sun-day
Feeling hot, hot, hot… You’re hot, I’m hot, he’s hot, she’s hot. Many of us will recall this popular dance song of the nineteen eighties by Arrow. However, wewould never…
Perilous Sip
We all have, at some point, taken a perilous sip and happily offered that to our children and loved ones, albeit unknowingly. Yes, I am referring to the sip of…
Dr. Meenakshi Girdhar
Dr. Meenakshi Girdhar is a life coach and mentor. She holds a doctorate degree from one of the Central University of India, with a specialization in problem-solving appraisal and positive…
The Costliest Coffee I Ever Had!
As the temperatures soared in Gurgaon last week I decided to chill in the cool, antiseptic climes of a five-star hospital. While the virus in my gut ensured I did…
Maiden-filled Hydrotherapy Session For Senior Citizens At The Palms Apartment Pool
On Sunday, May 26th, The Palms Apartment hosted a cooling, relaxing, and rejuvenating hydrotherapy session exclusively for senior citizens. This morning event, held at the apartment’s swimming pool, offered participants…
Heatwave and Mental Health
Millions of people across North India have been enduring scorching summers. Temperature is touching 49+ degrees in Delhi NCR consistently. Studies have found links between rising temperature and a range…
Tips For Helping Animals Survive The Summer Heat
Place mud pots filled with cool, clean water outside your home or in places where there are community or working animals. Inexpensive mud pots will help keep the water cool…
Irrate Residents Paste Posters To Boycott Lok Sabha Elections!
On the last Sunday of April, the entry gates of South City 1 had a new “decorative” element. A few residents of South City had installed about a dozen posters,…
RWA Blood Donation Camp
It was way back in 1942 during the Second World War when blood donors were required to help the wounded soldiers, that voluntary blood donation started in India. The gift…
SCRWA Office As A Campsite
When we were young camping meant adventure and fun with friends and a time to enjoy the unique joys of childhood. I for one was always excited when our school…
DHBVN Complaint Centre is Now Open in South City 1
South City -1 started getting populated in the mid-nineties and initially, all Electrical infrastructure was being managed by Unitech. About a decade ago, Unitech started having financial trouble and refused…
My New Venture
Mindful Wandering – to awaken our senses for better mental health. We are aware that high-stress lifestyles contribute to poor mental health and are marred by chronic lifestyle diseases. People…
Green to Grey – The Metamorphosis of Our City!
Flashback – Circa 2000 The car drive from Vasant Kunj was beautiful. While our eyes were feasting on the beautiful green and yellow mustard fields on MG road (yes, now…
- Yashovardhan Sinha on Crowdfunding for South City 1 GatesHow will the gates function? Will all of
- B K Mathur on A Personal Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman YojanaGood
- Raji Anand on Peeping Toms: Councilor ElectionsYes, all must come in large numbers to v
- meena wanchu on Luxury RedefinedTrue, new luxury is Nature! Green Earth
- meena wanchu on Ghasola village fire & UsKudos to the solidarity of the Palm Soci
- Saurabh Agarwal on My First Nightout With My Friends (Bharatpur Trip)Very well put together.... Keep up the g
- mamta Agarwal on My First Nightout With My Friends (Bharatpur Trip)Extraordinary, very proud of you.
- mamta Agarwal on My First Nightout With My Friends (Bharatpur Trip)Wow, Vanya so proud of you, it's really
- meena wanchu on Durga Puja through the lens of an Atheist TeenIt is surprising to know that at such an
- Anil Alagh on Durga Puja through the lens of an Atheist TeenShort and sweet. May Ayush return to exp
- manisha mishra on Bringing Maa Durga Homeawesome one shampa..?
- aru gaur on Karvachauth Celebrations At the RetreatThank you Shampa for capturing the beaut
- Vandana Bakshi on Durga Puja through the lens of an Atheist TeenSuch a well articulated post, I am very
Yashovardhan Sinha on Crowdfunding for South City 1 GatesHow will the gates function? Will all of
B K Mathur on A Personal Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman YojanaGood 
Raji Anand on Peeping Toms: Councilor ElectionsYes, all must come in large numbers to v
meena wanchu on Luxury RedefinedTrue, new luxury is Nature! Green Earth 
Saurabh Agarwal on My First Nightout With My Friends (Bharatpur Trip)Very well put together.... Keep up the g
mamta Agarwal on My First Nightout With My Friends (Bharatpur Trip)Extraordinary, very proud of you. 
meena wanchu on Durga Puja through the lens of an Atheist TeenIt is surprising to know that at such an
Anil Alagh on Durga Puja through the lens of an Atheist TeenShort and sweet. May Ayush return to exp
manisha mishra on Bringing Maa Durga Homeawesome one shampa..? 
aru gaur on Karvachauth Celebrations At the RetreatThank you Shampa for capturing the beaut
Vandana Bakshi on Durga Puja through the lens of an Atheist TeenSuch a well articulated post, I am very