Humans of Agra. Ps- walking in the present of past!

Ashraf bhais father was a Khansama. A very famous one! He served President Rajendra Prasad when he dined at the red brick building nearby, in Agra. His son is now an computer engineer, working

online for some foreign companies- mostly working in the nights. His brothers are doing well too- Ashraf being the only one deciding not to study and there he is now- doing odd jobs!

He lives on this patch of land in a house added upon itself in time. The land was given to his father by the Christian church diocese that is amongst the two that holds most land outside old Agra city. The area used to be called Steele Kothi, and then Mr Steele dies after the independence and the land went to the diocese. Professor quarters were made there for the St. John’s college- belonging to the same church- but the honourable church, Ashraf bhai says, let them keep their corner of the land. So what they are Muslims- bhai says.

The house is on the corner about the lane just off the hariparbat chauraha. The barely 12 feet wide lane, almost hidden by time and circumstances- leads to the glorious gothic colonial architectural marvel, called the Queen Victoria girls college!! There must have been a day when the building must have looked out upon the hariparbat and what a sight that must have been! It is now hidden behind a layer of hideous Indian socialist architecture, almost wanting to be hidden! In these days of the DPS s and the Millennium schools- well, who wants to note it anyway.

Ashraf bhai says that when Mrs. Someone ( name to be confirmed-) was the principal of the girl’s school, she allowed boys to be students till class five! Ah, mystery solved! This is how yours truly started studying in a girl’s school!!-)

Ashraf s house has hens, ducks and probably cats and dogs too! And it’s got time hanging on every tree and corner. It’s lightly hanging- but very much keeping the house, it’s occupants and the lane - and the girl’s school, away from the change that is traveling at speed on the MG Road in front!

Bhai wants us over for lunch- but we who have no time at hand- had to decline. Next time bhai, and of course I’d use your promise to take your help for anything I may need in Agra! And see your father’s picture with the president.