Avial

For those who are unaware, Mylapore is an orthodox (not the orthodox in Christianity sense but more like traditional) neighbourhood in Madras with a historic significance. When I went to India in Jan 2010, I decided to take a trip through the nostalgia lane like every other earning-in-dollars-US-return dude. Though not very related to the topic, can someone answer why such people take pride in dining at "Kai-endhi Bhavan" (street food, especially the ones outside star hotels), ability to argue with autowalas, board a moving bus, ... ? It is my observation that they would not settle for anything less than a Bisleri for water, pay an additional Rs.20 (40cents) to avoid any argument with autowala and dread to board a bus with no vacant seats citing unrelated reasons like timing constraints. Without further digression, let me tell you how I enjoyed my Mylapore day. Marina Beach After waking up at 5AM, checking gmail for online friends and other routine morning ablutions, I heade...

To feel at home. To step out of the airport to smell idli/ vada and sambar; to wonder if I am over-reacting and to realize that some family is invariably having idli/ vada and sambar in a corner of the arrival lounge. To get on to 21G bus wearing my "I love NY" t-shirt, with a couple of large suit-cases; to extend Rs. 500 bill for a Rs. 10 ticket and be tempted to say - "Keep the change!". To be the only guy to sweat in the bus during "Madras winter" evening. To reach home only to be scolded for the "stupidity" of carrying huge luggage in the crowded public transport. To bear hug my parents and sister. To tell them all the NY stories and reasons for me growing "thin". To get pampered unnecessarily for the imaginary "hardships" I am having to undergo in NY. To go out to a store at 9PM and find the city already sleeping. To be able to roam around in a shabby t-shirt, jeans and a slipper without feeling odd. To be able to sit bet...

People of this world can be divided into 3: Those who have no clue about Paranthe Wali Galli. Those who have heard of it. Those who have been there. This entry is intended to enlighten the first category, remind the second of what not to miss and inform the third of what they probably missed. Where is this? Chandni Chowk, Delhi How to get there? The best way to get there is by Delhi Metro. You can get down at Chandni Chowk station and walk to this street. Associated Activities Red Fort Jama Masjid Saree shopping Paranthe Wali Galli literally means bylane of Parantha (fried bread with a filling) makers. The first of the shops was established back in early 1870s. Owing to the increasing popularity of the Paranthas, the founder, Pt. Gaya Prasad brought his relatives to expand the business. Eventually, around 20 shops came up; all run by the members of the same family. According to wikipedia, famous politicians such as Pt. Jawarharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Jayaprakash Narayan were re...

"When the student is prepared, the teacher will appear" I have always been a great fan of pasta, cheese, cream, olive oil and hence Italian food. Having spent a fortune in Italian restaurants, it was time for me to learn the technique of making good Pasta. Just as in the saying, Ms. Veera Cooper offered to teach me the art. Whole Foods Store Good food requires good ingredients. Fresh vegetables and cheese were purchased from the chef's favorite store, Whole foods. This store has some amazingly delicious fresh cheese, bread, deli products in addition to vegetables, meat and other groceries. A foodie can easily spend more than a couple of hours tasting the samples of bread, cookies, peanut butter/ almond butter and enriching his/her knowledge of available options. Located near WTC site, the prices could cause a few frowns; but the products are worth every cent you spend on them. Pasta Recipe Though thousands of recipes are available on-line, this section is here just to pr...

Where is it? Grimaldi's Pizzeria is located in Brooklyn, near the water front below the Brooklyn bridge. How to get there? Take the A or C train to High Street and walk to the water front. The pizzeria is located on the Old Fulton Street and can usually be identified by a long queue. Catch * No slices * Expect long queues. Other associated activities * Brooklyn Bridge walk * Brooklyn ice cream factory for some great ice-creams. In their own words, Grimaldi's is an institution in the world of Pizzas. According to some non-authentic sources, the reason for their location in Brooklyn is the ban on coal-oven cooking that existed in Manhattan when the Pizzeria was being setup. Grimaldi, who wanted to offer the experience of authentic pizza to his customers, decided to have it right across the east river under the Brooklyn Bridge. The pizzeria is very popular among the residents of New York and enjoys patronage by celebrities like Mayor Bloomberg and former NYC Mayor Guiliani. Zagat ...

I am one of those (read many) Indians who don't know what is the manifesto of any national party, confused about whom to support and hence I am politically neutral. Though election in India is a humongous strain on our insufficient resources, we have been performing this democratic ritual "religiously" (pun intended). It gives the government a necessity to analyze and cater to the needs of the public. More importantly, it gives the public an opportunity to replace the failed government with a party with most appealing vision and manifesto. At the end of a unsatisfactory governance by the UPA, I need to decide whom to hand over the responsibility of the next government. There are three possibilities: the incumbent Congress-led UPA, BJP-led NDA and UNPA. Of these, UNPA is a conglomeration of regional parties who are confused about their loyalties. They are bonded more by the force of animosity with UPA/NDA rather than their own ideologies. To state the truth, each member ha...

It was the first time that I took my camera out during the day time and I could immediately observe the power of 18/55mm IS kit lens. It is very easy to shoot portrait pictures using this lens. They provide lovely bokehs without too much effort. I am motivated to get up earlier in the morning to be able to shoot in daylight. The following is the picture of my friend, Mr. Kuppambatti, taken in the Riverside drive (yes, it is next to Hudson river).