India, Jan. 27 -- Surprises never cease to crop up in my beloved Delhi, although, when I reminisce, I find this Delhi to be so very different from the place where I was born and grew up-in a few years from now, I will be touching the magical mark of sixty years- Insha-Allah!!! These are surprises that keep the passion to continue living here alive, despite the megapolis tottering on the edge of a bottomless abyss.

I encountered one such surprise more than two decades ago, when I chanced upon an opportunity to care, to love- dispassionately. Then, I worked in the vicinity of Delhi's sprawling International Airport. At some distance from my office were robust pockets of greenery. As I strolled on the edge of a stagnant water body, immersed...