A Young Girl Irons the Collars of an Old City

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Khandwa lies in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, holding onto stories, memories, and tastes that define it. As capitalism’s grip tightens, dreams of a revival grow louder – through a fair celebrating history, nostalgia, and the poetic essence of local culture. This vision paints Khandwa as an emotional boulevard, a vibrant dot on the map of memories, making it a place that belongs to its people.

In the Nimar region of Madhya Pradesh,

breathes my city—Khandwa

which has footprints 

of an old town, 

fading slowly within the boots 

of today’s time. 

Its roads are half-built 

and half-balanced 

on the gossip mills 

of grandmothers’ stories.

Its residents are victims

of capitalism turning assets into liabilities.

Let me clean up the dirt 

from Kishore Kumar’s 

Ganguly House

and organise a fun fair 

within the cemented arms 

of history.

Let the graveyards of grief 

bloom into a nursery of celebrations 

as the award-winning movie Lion 

is played to tell the tale of

Saroo Brierley—a 5-year-old boy

who was lost in 1986.

Let his thirst for reunion

with his blood relations

after seven years of search 

on Google Earth 

be fruitful to adorn 

the chromosomes of technology.

Let Nimadi Sev 

replace popcorn

and Matka Kulfi replace softies

because we have tastebuds 

inherited from 

our ancestral tongues.

Let me make sure that 

the paper cups are recycled 

and are used for Makhanlal Chaturvedi’s 

old magazine Karmaveer’s publications.

I hope someday, 

my city will be in magazines

and newspapers.

I hope someday, my city will

be a giant dot on the country’s map

sprouting into an emotional boulevard.

About the Author

Khatija Khan

Khatija is a poet and a Management student pursuing a BBA from her hometown, Khandwa. When the world seems to crumble, words become her sanctuary. Her work has been published by The Writers Pocket, Poems India, Indie Press, Kala Laya and more. She dreams of publishing her poetry book in the coming years.