During the discussion an audience member shared an observation that challenged many stereotypes.

During the discussion "Haryanvi: Dialect, Language, or Cultural Identity?" between academic and policy professional Arjun Singh Kadian and linguist Dr. Usha Udaar, an audience member shared an observation that challenged many stereotypes. Living in Noida, she reflected on the contrast between the formal functioning of Residents' Welfare Associations and the everyday care shown by a man from a nearby village, who voluntarily looked after her animals and the surrounding natural environment. She also spoke about another persistent misconception: that Delhi-NCR has "no culture", or that it can simply be reduced to "Jats and Gujjars". Such assumptions not only erase the region's many communities and layered histories, but also unfairly stereotype Jats and Gujjars themselves. She reminded the audience that this landscape has witnessed centuries of invasions, and that many of these rural communities stood at the frontier of resistance, protecting their land and sustaining local society through generations of political upheaval. Her reflections were a reminder that the villages of Delhi-NCR hold histories of resilience, coexistence, and ecological care that deserve to be understood rather than caricatured. Courtesy: Indraprastha Cultural Festival #DilliDehat #DilliDehatProject