Disappointment and deep anguish with civic problems notwithstanding, most people we talked to were passionately in love with their city. The love affair with a so-called “decadent city” takes legendary dimension, comparable to the romantic tale that inspired the white marble mausoleum Taj Mahal. ‘It’s a kind of hate and love relationship. We think it is only our prerogative to criticize Agra, but we would not tolerate others doing it,’ says Surendra Sharma, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society.

 Green Activist Ravi Singh feels ‘it’s the people who make a city and the cynical resilience of Agraites to bear all kinds of civic deformities, deprivations, neglect, and still put up a brave face, is indeed an admirable characterstic.” Obviously there is something special about the soil and the air of this city that attracted the founder of the Mughal dynasty and later the British colonialists, Ravi adds.

 While the Taj Mahal represents the climax of 5000 years of excellence of a great history, the birth of great literary ideas and religious sects in the Agra region, make the city a melting pot of diverse cultural traditions. The city is a proud inheritor of the great Islamic traditions, the Christian values, and the all pervading influence of Hinduism.

 Here we present some views of some popular socialites of the city:

 Harsha Gupta, young IT professional, says, ‘Founded by Raja Badal Singh in 1475 and the heart of the Mughal Empire, Agra truly stands as one of the most cultural cities of India. It is an epitome of Indian heritage and hosts both ancient and modern history- the home of Ghalib, Nazeer and Meer, doyens of Urdu adab. It is renowned beauty- The Taj Mahal attracts tourists from throuhgout the world. Whether it is the Red fort or the beautiful Etmad-ud-daulah Agra is bestowed with beautiful monuments of the yester years.’

 ‘Besides history we now see Agra as a budding city these days, growing and developing in spheres such as education, entertainment and cuisine. Its inlay marble work, leather goods like shoes and eateries like Dalmoth and Petha are now known worldwide’ adds Harsha.

 ‘Agra has one of the best medical facilities, a string of international standard good hotels and excellent road and rail connectivity with all major destinations in India. Recentely Agra's youth has been in limelight for dance, music and academics as well. Thus, there is no arguement that Agra is the best- one of the shining jewels of what we call- India’ Harsh concludes.'

 ‘I feel proud to be born in the abode of the Aryans, Arya Griha, as Agra was known. Historically and culturally significant, this land finds its mention in the Mahabharata as Agravana. This city has an air of royal elegance to it from food to the lifestyle of people who live here. No wonder the rulers of our country choose this land as their seat of governance. The spirit of Agra is something I love about this city. People here can go out of their way to help you and that makes it look like one big joint family. Culture and traditions still survive here even when they are slowly getting eroded around us in other bigger cities. In a nut shell, with all her handicaps of infrastructure and governance, it is the oneness of people like a close kit family that I love about my city’, says Dr. Siddhartha Mishra, young homeopath.

Dr. Suraj Kumar and Dr. Darsha Kumar, Medical practitioners, say, ‘This city has given us whatever one needs to develop and blossom in life. Born here, we got our early education in Agra and later our professional career began here. We had many choices but after marriage we settled in Agra because we felt this was the best place to be in. We however keep wishing that some day the city would be cleaner and greener and become India’s best heritage spot.’

‘Traffic jams at every crossing, mounds of filth and dirt all around, non-existent drainage, erratic power supply, overcrowded streets, excessive heat and freezing cold… this is how perhaps an outsider would describe Agra. But for me… It is my unique world…’ says Dr. Neelam Mehrotra, English teacher at St. Peter’s College.

‘Sit on the banks of river Yamuna near Kailash in the monsoon and the fragrance of a morning fills you. Ruins of ancient monuments, deserted and lonely remnants of a glorious past take you down history’s memory lane. Take a rikshaw ride through the crowded, colourful Kinari Bazar and once upon a time havelis with intricately carved gates stare at you.’ Matchless is the contentment from the mouth watering jalebis and kachoris in the morning and spicy hot samosas in the evening. And always the famous dalmoth petha to give as gifts for the food connossieurs. It’s a small city, commuting is hardly a problem inspite of the increased traffic. And so I have the enviable happiness of having my life each evening over a cup of tea with friends. There is the gaity and friendliness of restaurants where you invariably meet acquaintances and friends. I go out of Agra to see great cities, metros and malls but every time I step down from the train at Agra Cantt. Railway station, the air I breathe tells me I am back home… Dr. Neelam concludes.

Sudhir Gupta, Financial consultant, says, ‘Numerous times in the last 40 years of my active life I have felt like moving out to some other city in India, but when I weighed the pros and cons, it didn’t take too long to be reassured and convinced that the grand Mughal city was the best. Everywhere I go, I don’t have to explain to people where Agra is, the Taj Mahal is too good an address and brand to let to go. Agra is the city of heritage, of seminal ideas of Sulah kul, the star tourist destination, with a rich cosmopolitan legacy which fills me with a sense of pride. The food, the ambience, the colourful tapestry of life in its varied hues, the literary and educational traditions, its indeed a wonderful place to settle.’

‘We have been in business for a fairly long time and know the city pretty well. Few other cities in India can boast of a highly evolved entrepreneurial class whose members on their own have been trend setters in commerce and industry. The Iron foundries, the glass industries, the numerous pulses, oil mills, handicrafts and marble units, the shoe trade, petha and mithais, have made the Agra brand truly global’ says Gautam Seth, a businessman.

‘As youngsters we spend time fishing in the ponds around what then used to be the Central jail which now has become a sprawling commercial hub of the city, the Sanjay Place. Times have changed, the city’s skyline is also surely changing, but the core values of a great cultural city remain, the essential character has not gone any drastic change. Some day Agra will become a dazzling metro, showcasing the best of India.’