DIALOGUE
‘Happiness is easy to tackle. When i am happy, somebody else is not.
Can we reach out? Can we be more human?’ generation has their joys, you have yours, and I have mine. At that time it was great but obviously things have to change.
How much do you think street culture has
evolved in Delhi?
Well there was hardly any street culture except the bandar walla and the bhalu walla. They, of course, are not there anymore. Back then you’d find an odd khomcha walla but there aren’t that many of those left either. Most of these shopping areas weren’t there. Even Karol Bagh barely existed – that came after 1947, but people who lived on this side of Delhi hardly ever ventured that side. The accessibility to markets and street culture didn’t exist back in the day. You have a much more varied and interesting street culture today.
What about personal pursuits? What gets your creativity going?
I’m really drawn by novelty. It could be an idea, a textile; a new kind of approach to cinema, to writing, an action…for instance the Commonwealth Games was a huge novelty and really got me fired up. I get very passionate about what I believe in. The moment I get bored, I just stop doing what I’m doing.
Does that filter down to people you work with as well?
No, that’s not the case with human relationships: I have been very fortunate to have a large group of friends. But I can get very impatient with somebody who is too self-opinionated.
Do you manage to go to theatres?
NOV — DEC 2012
I prefer going to a theatre as opposed to watching something at home – the last film I saw was Kahaani. That was some time ago and I just don’t get enough time to go out for a film as often as I’d like to. Maybe I’m getting slower in my work. There’s so much to do, so much to catch up on…
You are always pictured wearing saris. Do you have a favourite type or shop?
Depends on my mood! But I don’t visit the big
shops, or the malls. Sometimes I’ll go to Fab India, or Kamayani, sometimes to the Cottage Emporium. There are these set shops where I know I’ll find something I like.
Do you ever eat ice cream at India Gate?
Oh I did a lot of that. It goes without saying. But these days it’s become a bit too crowded, almost like wading your way through Chandni Chowk. In fact ice cream was eaten only at India gate. Nirulas came much later.
How do you spend time with your
grandchildren?
My grandchildren…they tell me stories rather than me telling them and I think I have a lot to learn! Honestly sometimes I feel very uneducated around them. One of my granddaughters knows the entire Greek mythology, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. And she’s only about 11years old! When we were young we used to read Noddy and Tintin books! I’m awestruck by how much knowledge kids acquire so young today.
What’s on your reading table right now?
I read two or three books at the same time. One could be something – just a novel. Then I read philosophy. It could be the Quran, the Bible, the Mahabharata, and The Gita…
That’s one of the luxuries I haven’t let go of. I make sure I read.
Liberty also needs to come with a sense of responsibility. Of course we should be free to do what we want to, but it needs to be done without stepping on someone else’s liberty. That’s what I feel is very important. It’s all very nice to have a wedding but to have music blaring till past midnight is not very considerate. We need to aspire to be a society which is caring, considerate and free.
Your doors are said to be open to everyone…
Is that a challenge?
That’s always been a part of me. Anyone can walk into my house at any time. And since I am in public life I think the most important thing is to be able to interact with the public. It makes life very exciting. The canvas looks very big. Except on Sunday mornings, I like to keep those for myself.
Where would you eat out in the city?
Depends on what we want to eat really. Whether it’s Indian, Chinese, Italian…for South Indian we usually go to Saravana Bhawan. I try and go out at least once a week with the family.
Have you ever thought about writing an autobiography?
No. I haven’t so far. I don’t get the time…
But the idea is not an irresistible one.
Fact File
Are you religious?
Sheila Dikshit was born on March 31, 1938 in Kapurthala, Punjab. She is the eldest of three sisters.
Do you think those values have prevailed in
Delhi today? Any message for Delhi residents?
She married into the family of the late Shri Uma Shankar Dikshit, noted freedom fighter, a former Governor and Union Cabinet Minister. Her late husband Shri Vinod Dikshit was a member of the Indian Administrative Service.
Not in the ritual sense but I do believe in certain values.
The one thing I really feel strongly about is a sense of understanding and consideration. We are not living in isolation. No individual is living in isolation. You have to understand and absorb another’s aspirations. I find very often most of us live in a cocoon. If we see someone needy or unwell then we need to reach out and help. Happiness is easy to tackle. When I am happy, somebody else is not. Can we reach out? Can we be more human?
Holder of a Master of Arts degree in Histor y, with a honorar y doctorate from Delhi University, she received her education at Convent of Jesus and Mar y School, New Delhi and later at Miranda House, Delhi University.