What would a hodophile do when travel is restricted and she has responsibilities at home also. Especially a person like me who is a life enthusiast, a yoga instructor, and a writer too. I have not learned to crib and be upset all the time. I’ve learned to find happiness in small things and appreciate the things around me.
So while I was going for some work, my wanderlust soul urged me to acknowledge and write about my city, Noida. The greenest and one of the cleanest cities of India. Although I’d always loved the entry but never got time to stop, appreciate, inhale and absorb its beauty. But this time I did, all thanks to my husband who is passionate about photography.
Incidentally, 17th April is celebrated as Noida Day. So as Noida turned 45, I thought of introducing my readers to Noida and let them know the things I appreciate about my beautiful city.
NOIDA is a planned satellite city of Delhi, located on the banks of river Yamuna in the Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. It has been ranked the “Best City in Uttar Pradesh” and “Best City in Housing in India” in “Best City Awards” conducted by ABP News in 2015. It is considered to be the country’s greenest city with about 50% green cover, the highest of any city in India .
So as I voted for Noida in Swachh Survekshan 2021, I realized that apart from some famous Malls and Green Zones Noida has much more to offer. I’ve been living here for the past twenty years and the city has evolved into one of the most beautiful cities in the country. The skyscrapers, the flyovers, the Metro network, the tricolor street lights, the green belts, etc. make it a city of international standard. The walls and pillars have beautiful and colorful murals displaying Indian culture, flora and fauna.
It has therefore become one of the best realty destinations too. The housing societies here offer a range of luxurious services apart from security and a gated complex which includes a swimming pool, gym, club, supermarkets, saloons, power backup, etc.
To add to this Noida is a city which has clean toilets. One can walk in anytime and relieve his/her bladder. Noida Authority has done a commendable job by constructing pink toilets for women with facilities for sanitary napkins and baby care.
Public Toilet
In the past few years, Noida Authority has been doing an admirable job. Roadside heaps are passe`. People have learned to segregate their waste. Many housing societies and even independent house owners are making their own compost.
Thankfully my house is just opposite to green belt and we’ve also planted a lot of air-purifying plants so we don’t feel suffocated when the NCR pollution levels are high. Hospi
Noida is thus a city that offers great countryside life along with good infrastructure and facilities of international standards.
View from my Balcony
As far as tourist places are concerned, one can visit and enjoy nature at Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Botanical Garden, and Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal and Green Garden. For entertainment one can go to WOW (Worlds of Wonder) which has an Entertainment Park and a Water Park, Kidzania – which is a place of learning and earning for children and they love it, or Smaaash – a Gaming and Entertainment center. Apart from this, Iskon temple is a temple of Krishna, where you will not only fall in love with the bhajans, dancing devotees, and prasadam but the food too. Do not forget to taste an eggless cake and waffles from the shop here. Though due to Corona some of the things might not be available as of now. I always purchase my Cow ghee, multigrain porridge, seeds, etc. from here.
Iskon Teple
One can visit Noida Haat which is just behind the temple and enjoy a cultural treat here. Many more tourist attractions are also coming up. So do plan a visit to Noida to enjoy nature, malls, and tech parks.
