Gitanjali ready to live life again

NEW DELHI: From the dishevelled ex-model in rags who had fallen off the ramp, unable to walk the tightrope of life, Gitanjali Nagpal now appears ready to stop and smell the roses as she begins a new innings after intensive rehab.

In her first open chat since she was isolated for treatment at a Delhi psychiatric hospital, the former model says she’s ready to step into the open and take a deep breath of life. She also wants to reconnect with her estranged mother and peers in the fashion world.

But she still is a tad shy of the glare of publicity. ‘‘I hope those cameras and mikes are not there. It was quite overwhelming the last time,’’ Gitanjali told TOI as she walked down the Vimhans hospital corridor expecting to leave for a court appearance on Saturday.

‘‘I want to be out so that I can go for a walk, have different meals and do things I wish to. I have been eating khichdi and curd for long as I really liked it. But now it smells like an insect to me. I love continental food. So I am happy to go to Hisar as long as I am going out,’’ she said.

Gitanjali’s mother and a hospital attendant will accompany her to the Jindal’s Girls School hostel in Hisar where they will spend the next three months. ‘‘My mom has been coughing badly since yesterday. I was thinking if it was possible that I go to Hisar first and mom can join me later when she is better,’’ said a concerned Gitanjali.

The ex-model is looking forward to living with her mother, who refused to acknowledge her wayward daughter’s existence even until a few weeks ago, and understand her responsibilities.