India, Oct. 21 -- A yellow pipe is running down a Kaka Nagar wall, passing in front of a foundation stone. The inscription states that the Kaka Nagar Flats' foundation was laid by Bhim Mohan Singh, junior vice president of the New Delhi Municipal Council, on August 22, 1970. The pipe has no respect for the lettering. See photo.

Delhi is dotted with such foundation stones. Fixed into walls, standing beside park paths, tucked near entrances, they often escape attention. Citizens might enter buildings for years without reading them. Those arranging the ceremonies, however, appear to have anticipated a wide readership with an interest in names, designations, honorifics and dates. Sometimes even weekdays.

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