THE new sunday express Voices Anand Neelakantan Ravi Shankar Devdutt Pattanaik Preeti Shenoy Dinesh Singh Mata Amritanandamayi MAGAZINE Buffet People Wellness Books Food Art & Culture Entertainment January 5 2025 SUNDAY PAGES 12 Owning the Weekend A quiet movement is reshaping weekends. It’s not happening in crowded cafes, parties or at late-night cinema screenings, but in intimate gatherings and unique spaces where shared passions come to life ADVENTURE Delhi By Cycle Pedal’s Progress Imagine the city waking up as cyclists glide through Old Delhi’s historic lanes, sharing stories under open skies. Delhi By Cycle offers a unique way to plug into the city and its heritage. Founded in 2009 by Dutchman Jack Leenaars, Delhi By Cycle brings locals and travellers together to explore the city’s culture and heritage, though at a slower pace. Fifteen years and 6,50,000 km later, this cycling community offers curated routes that wind through bustling streets and forgotten historical gems. “Our tours immerse participants in the city’s rhythm,” says guide Utkarsh Rai. “We combine the joy of cycling with storytelling,” he adds. The community captures Delhi’s essence in distinct ways. Expanding beyond the capital, the group now leads multi-day tours to Vrindavan, Agra, and Jaipur, with special journeys like ‘Krishna’s Trails’ that blend history, mythology, and scenic beauty. delhibycycle.com TRAVEL Vagabond Experience Wonder of Wanderlust Sometimes the best trips are the ones where the destination takes a backseat. This philosophy guides Vagabond Experience, a Mumbaibased travel community founded almost a decade ago for people who wish to slow things down and see the world differently. “There is something uniquely precious about sharing experiences with strangers you may never cross paths with again,” says Shannon Fernandes, co-founder and head of sales and marketing. “A core value of our experiences is ‘slow travel’—we aim to explore each destination at an immersive, comfortable pace,” she adds. Take their Ladakh trek, for instance. It is intentionally longer, reaching remote areas where silence speaks. For the team, ‘slow travel’ isn’t just a catchphrase; it’s a way to truly feel a place come alive. These journeys are led by their ‘Experience Managers’ who encourage each person to connect in their own way. As one traveller, Ritu Bisht, shares, “There’s no rush; you can take your own sweet time to soak in the views.” They also offer international slow travelling experiences and weekend community activities like foodwalks, pyjama parties etc. vagabondexperiences.com C By rishabh thakur ome Saturday and a quiet excitement pulls Ashi out of , bed. The local cycling group she joined recently would be getting ready to pedal past Delhi’s historic silhouettes. By afternoon, she’s sitting beneath a canopy of trees, engaged in rejuvenating discussions with fellow book lovers. Some weekends, her hands would be covered in clay shaping delicate , pottery in a sunlit studio, discovering a meditative rhythm in every spin of the wheel. On Sundays, she might find herself, mic in hand, sharing her poetry with strangers who feel like friends. In cities across India, weekends are connecting communities where shared passions come to life. These niche groups offer city-dwellers something money can’t buy—genuine connections, the tingle of exploration, and the sense of belonging. They are not limited to Delhi or Mumbai. Across metros, locals are finding “third places”—sanctuaries to unwind, bond, and explore shared interests. At book clubs, art gatherings, or cycling groups, Indians are creating spaces that go beyond pricey brunches and packed malls. As life in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru become faster-paced and more isolated, weekend communities serve as safe spaces where people can break free from the mundane and focus on their shared interests. Delhi-based heritage enthusiast, writer and filmmaker Sohail Hashmi says, “Through these niche clubs and communities, the city and its people are gradually becoming more aware of life outside their routine.” He has been conducting heritage walks for over 20 years. “There are thousands of people drawn to unique passions, be it heritage, birdwatching, poetry or street food. , These communities are meeting points, creating regular spaces for like-minded individuals to connect, share, and rediscover their city beyond the everyday grind,” he adds. Furthermore, the rise of weekend communities reflects a broader shift in urban social dynamics. As people become more selective about how they spend their time, they are gravitating toward gatherings that offer intellectual depth and real human connect. These spaces cancel out the transactional nature of many social interactions in crowded urban environments. As a result, they go beyond being a temporary escape to become cultural evolution, shaping the way urbanites experience their weekends, build friendships, and reconnect with themselves and their cities. According to Shrestha Mudgal, researcher and psychologist, “These communities are thriving since people are able to meet their basic, social and self-esteem needs. There is a growing desire to find a meaning. They are reaching out for activities that provide them with a better immersive and indulgent experience.” From the drum circles of Goa, Bangalore Terrarium Club’s miniature gardens, Art Society of India’s creative showcases, Pune’s Open Mic Community’s poetic performances to Bangalore Photowalks’ cultural captures, new communities are redefining weekends. In the past, joint family setups and close-knit neighbourhoods fostered an environment where cultural values were passed down through generations, strengthening individuals’ identity Now, as India’s familes . become increasingly nuclear, many bonds stretch thin, leaving a big void in building and maintaining social connections. Many individuals feel loss of the stability and support that once defined their sense of self, affecting their view of their place in the broader cultural narrative. The overwhelming nature of digital interactions and a growing urban isolation is nudging people to look for spaces where they can be fully present, engage meaningfully and find personal fulfilment , beyond their screens. According to a Meta-Gallup survey in more than 140 countries, nearly one in four, which roughly translates to more than a billion people, feel very or fairly lonely Weekend . communities offer something unique: a sense of purposeful and organic kinship, allowing members to bond over shared interests like heritage, fitness, literature, or the art of savouring wine. Moreover, the rising cost of living and inflation, traditional urban socialising through fine dining, events, clubbing or shopping has put a heavy price tag on lifestyle. Niche communities are the affordable alternative. As they grow, their impact goes beyond weekends. They’re building support systems, inspiring new interests, and crafting a collective identity that celebrates the diversity of India’s urban culture. And with every heritage walk, run, or book discussion, they’re making the city a little more connected, one weekend at a time. FOOD & BEVERAGE Wine in a Million Sip and Savour Like all great wine clubs, Wine in a Million's philosophy is savouring the finer things in life, though it goes a step further by turning people from ‘wine curious’ to ‘wine confident’. Founded by Tarini Arun Kumar, this Bengaluru-based club offers a unique space where oenophiles-to-be can step into the world of wine without the pressure or pretence often associated with it. Tarini had noticed the discomfort among friends whenever the topic of wine came up. “I’d see them shrink in their seats when a wine menu was presented. It would just be passed around until someone finally made a decision,” she recalls. What truly sets the platform apart is not just the wines but the welcoming community it has nurtured. Unlike typical wine clubs that can feel exclusive or intimidating, Wine in a Million is where newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts alike can feel at home. Tarini shares an anecdote about Krunal, who moved to a new city and felt isolated. “He came for the wine, but what he didn’t expect was to leave with a whole new group of friends. That’s when we knew we were doing something special.” The heart of Wine in a Million lies in its moments of genuine connection. Whether it is a casual chat over a new bottle or a late-night conversation about wine regions, members bond over their shared curiosity and love for wine. As Krithika, a long-time member, puts it, “I am glad that, in this world of such cruelty, there is still hope for camaraderie even if it's at a wine club.” @wineinamillion Turn to page 2