NEW DELHI – New Aruna Colony in the Indian capital, accommodating a large number of Tibetan refugees, adds an exotic aura to the multiplicity of the city with its eating joints and an oriental setting.
The place, close to the Delhi University campus, is a favourite among foreign tourists and a haunt of regulars. In the alleys one can see a free flow of Western tourists and Buddhist monks having their favourite and sumptuous Tibetan dishes.
“Food is the main reason why I always stay in the hotels here,” says Michael Howard, an American tourist. “They are like Chinatowns in our cities.”
New Aruna Colony is the new name for Majnu ka Tilla. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit made the change in December 2004.
Rinchen Norzom from Tee Dee restaurant says: “The relative cheapness is one big draw here. People pour in any time of the day for dishes from Thenthuk, Thukpa and Keema to mutton Phingsha and Lowas.”
Amit Dixit, a student, says: “I treated eight friends here for dinner. I couldn’t believe it, the bill was just Rs.300!”
Tibetan Karma Chopal, who works as a travel agent, says hundreds of Tibetans from the US, Canada and Europe every year visit India, which is home to around 100,000 Tibetans as well as their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
Some of them travel to Dharamsala, the capital of their government-in-exile. Many make it a point to grace New Aruna Colony.
In February, the Tibetan New Year Losar attracted a large number of Tibetans living in different countries. While the young and old can be seen playing carrom on the sidewalks, they do brisk business in other fields as well.
Apart from hotels and restaurants, many are into garment business. The monastery market, adjacent to the inter-state bus terminus, is famous for its leather jackets and jeans.
Despite good business, not all Tibetans are happy with their situation.
Dorji, a shopkeeper who had served in the Indian Army, says: “I had to start from scratch without any aid. We deserve to be treated better for our contribution to this country.”
The Tibetan struggle for freedom from Chinese rule and to preserve its culture and religion have attracted sympathy from all over the world including well-known Hollywood names like Richard Gere and Sharon Stone. And for those who want to know more about the Dalai Lama, this is the place to visit.
Buddhist literature and DVDs are there for those searching for calm, while New Aruna Colony is a place for a soothing and exotic outing.
