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'Everyone feels at home in Delhi. It is home to everyone'

'Delhi represents the composite culture of our country. You will find people from every state of the country here. You will find every language in the country being spoken here. There is more history here than any city in the country,' says writer-columnist Sadia Dehlvi, in Rediff.com's continuing series where well-known Indians speak about their India.

I love the diversity of India. The diversity in history, culture, people, languages, places, seasons...

It is very difficult to point out what I love the most about this country. But if you insist then I will tell you that I Love Delhi the most in this country.

It represents Sufism which I love. There are so many important and historical dargahs here.

Delhi represents the composite culture of our country. It is the capital of the country and reflects the rest of the country.

Here you will find people from every state of the country. You will find every language in the country being spoken here.

Everyone feels at home here. It is a home to everyone.

I am passionate about my city. It is steeped in history. I was born here, I have lived here and I hope to die here. My ancestors have been here for centuries.

Delhi is one of the oldest cities in the country. When you see the Kashmiri gate and Ajmeri gate, you know that different corners of the country are represented here.

Look at the buildings and architecture – Mughals, British, and the Kings before that have left their mark on Delhi.

There is more history here than any city in the country.

The Sufis that I revere lived here.

I am really not impressed with India’s growth rate. It has not trickled down and that is our biggest challenge.

We have failed to eradicate poverty.

We have failed to eradicate illiteracy.

We have failed to empower women.

Minorities here are still marginalised and we have failed to address their needs.  

Sadia Dehlvi is the author of two books on Delhi’s Sufi history, The Sufi Courtyard: Dargahs of Delhi and Sufism, The Heart of Islam. Her family has lived in Delhi for generations.

Sadia Dehlvi spoke to A Ganesh Nadar.

The complete series: Why I love India