An ignored neighbourhood of Delhi gets VIP Attention 3,Safdarjung Road,New Delhi,is too posh an address for the intelligence bureau of an ignored Delhi neighbourhood preparing to display its cultural persona. Its not about me,it is about Jamia Nagar, says Sara Pilot,mistress of the sprawling bungalow,allotted to her MP husband Sachin Pilot. Its not about me in my garden, she repeats,clearly defining the court in which we will play conversational tennis. She is dressed in a deep blue silk churidar-kameez,rust brown lipstick and simple slippers. No jewellery,branded watch or makeup. She smiles but cautiously,leading us to her verandah and is a gracious hostess as she serves saffron kahwa. Her golden retriever Rio,who stretches at her feet is a contented sort too. With Lora Prabhu,her partner at the NGO Centre for Equity and Inclusion (Cequin),Sara is emphatic about the upcoming Jamiabazaar. Culture,cuisine,creativity sound oft-heard words on a mustard hued publicity pamphlet,but the idea behind it is deeper than a shade of spring. Cequin,which runs a centre for womens welfare in Jamia Nagar felt that the cultural buzz of the neighbourhood had undiscovered potential. People just do not go to Jamia Nagar for food or shopping and,especially after the Batla House incident,the area has been shrugged away, says Prabhu. For hand-embroidered salwars or delicious biryani,Delhiites will go to Chandni Chowk,but who goes to Jamia Nagar? adds Sara. To rivet attention to an experience waiting to burst into our social diaries,Prabhu and Sara intend to bring Jamia Nagar out of its confines. Through a two- day bazaar at the India Islamic Centre in South Delhi,they hope to attract fussy Delhiites and others used to shopping within Delhi. Next year we may be able to hold Jamiabazaar in Jamia Nagar, says Sara tentatively. For the first Jamiabazaar,many underprivileged women from conservative Muslim famillies who have never stepped out of their homes for work or leisure will sell a variety of hand-made items. Home products,candles,embroidered salwars and kurtas,and knick knacks. A fashion show by women who wear the burqa is being rehearsed too; the choreographer is the local beautician. A dance performance and a play complete the activity menu. But Sara and Prabhu are also relying on Jamia style biryani,kathi kebabs and achari gosht to underline the cultural distinction. All we did was offer a platform,not training or product development, says Prabhu. I do not have a shop to sell their wares,or linkages with Fabindia, says Sara. What she does have is an important surname as a part of two influential political Indian families that attracts media attention,which might otherwise look the other way. She agrees,adding that people give her respect and trust because of the commitment her two families have shown for the country. Even if I am not entirely comfortable about my privileges attracting attention to my work,I try to use it as a resource to further the cause, says Sara. Prabhu nods in agreement completing her sentences. What is yet to be seen is whether the two can really turn Jamia Nagar into Delhis untapped tourist destination. Jamiabazaar is on at the India Islamic Cultural Centre on March 13 and 14. Time: Noon-6 pm.
