D Evil's Own Paradise by Dr.A.Cool AAH

2015-09-24T12:44:00.003+05:30

HONDA : The Paper Ad.

Brilliant:
More details @ Ad Age
A Must see

Women Entrepreneurs up close in Dilli Haat!

2015-02-10T16:45:00.001+05:30

One fine warm wintry Sunday, decided to go to Dilli Haat to hunt for a copper finger ring for my son. Did not get the ring, but yes, the new theme was pretty fresh.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development had organised an exhibition on the Women of India in Dilli Haat. Women artisans and entrepreneurs from across India had their various products displayed.

As usual there were your usual press photographers, and of course many other photographers armed with their DSLR cameras and fancy lenses and tripods, shooting anything and everything that moved or did not move. :-)

This inspired me to whip out my cell phone,- a Samsung Galaxy Note 3, and I too joined this gang of shooters, and celebrate the Women of India festival.

Have a look at what I saw.

Katputhlis or puppets from Rajasthan

Nimbu Mirch ka Totka

Blurred

This is an ancient Indian charm, which comprises a lemon and a few green chillies strung up together. Supposed to ward of evil.

Scientific reason: the smell keeps of the insects.

These are fancy replicas of the same.

Husband Wife Katputhlis - Their backsides ;-)

Husband Wife Katputhlis posing for the camera

The Puppet ArmyThen there were these varied colorful trinkets which go by the name of Bangles, Anklets, Ear Rings, Finger rings etc. What interested me was that these were all handmade and also the amount of people buying them :-)

Rings

Ear Rings

Bangles

Anklets

Beady Bracelets

Gem Stone necklace

Tribal Necklace

Silver

More Trinkets

Gem Stone Rings

Well, ! where women are men will follow :-). Saw this chappie looking very forlon in the midst of all the women. Straightened up immediately when I told him that his photograph is to be taken.

Children cannot be far away :-)

Singh is King :-)

the Indian one string violin

And where children are, Toys ARE!

Glass Ganesha

Peacocks

Fake Flowers

Cobblestone Path

Soulful Soles

Grass Baskets

Beautiful! Expensive!

Fish Out of the water

Checkmate!

Inventory Taking

Wood

Professional Photographers

Pickles from Kumaon

These were delicious!

Resting

Women making the other women rich

Funny Menu Delicious Food

Chat

Chai

Nest

So now we know our future! we return home with empty pockets!

Buddha in Metal

Buddha in Marble

my favorite

Key Rings

Silk Shawls

Bags

Add caption

The Chinese Factor

More Chine tribal art

Coins you don't see

More Coins

Chhavanni!

Ganeshas Cloned

Kid Art

Quilting

Kali

World Cup FIFA songs (playlist)

2014-05-26T14:54:00.001+05:30

Tripura Rahasyam

2014-02-11T23:24:00.001+05:30

Tripura Rahasyam

great stuff. Now I just need to findthe book ;-)

Options for Android :-) The Future of Android

2013-09-10T23:22:00.001+05:30

So we had an eventful 2-3 weeks..Nokia bought out by Microsoft, KitKat and Google android and now the IOS 7 launch ...iPhone 5??!! whatever

#pastries #desserts etc

suddenly remembered an old photograph I had taken.. #google have a look for inspiration

For some more entertainment have a look at these

Android KitKat 4.4

The safest safe

2013-08-19T23:02:00.001+05:30

Guarded by the skulls and bones

happy vishu

2013-04-15T21:33:00.001+05:30

happy vishu, a photo by srinathiyer on Flickr.

The Vishu Saddhya

Wonderful company

2013-04-10T00:05:00.001+05:30

Wonderful company, a photo by srinathiyer on Flickr.

So we finished a meeting ... it was hot .. and we decided to go to this place right in themiddle of town..No this is NOT goa or some resort.. its just a small place down the road

Friends, Nostalgia, Family and Sweet Potato

2013-03-29T14:09:00.001+05:30

Past week or so was alone at home. Got in touch with a few of my old friends who I have not met for about 19 years. Just hi how are you on FB till now. When one of them coincidentally told me that I have not ranted my cynicism on the blog for some time now. And so here I am again... but here I am because something happened today. Had been feeling nostalgic for the past couple of days and wanted to go back in time. Today kind of did!

Wife and kid were away in Bangalore and it was parrtttttyyyy time :-)...well not really.. that's what I guess all married men would like to do and think when their wife goes away from home.

Actually the bubble really bursts when you your life life still goes on -- morning maid, a hurried breakfast which is usually coffee (filter of course :-)), a couple of hurriedly made toast which are usually somewhat brownish black in color and juice if one can find any. Then close the house ... ya it becomes a house more than a home :-)...then rush to office ..work work gossip gossip, lunch at the office cafeteria or sharing colleagues lunch boxes ...then one comes back to the house. and then starts the eternal question of what to have for dinner as through out the day one has not had much food ;-).

So this was the routine I had been following for sometime. Though am a good cook (I hold a degree in Hotel Management and used to stay alone for a better part of my life, which ensured that I start cooking and also in my growing up years used to see my dad and mom cook fantastic food), these were some days when I just did not want to cook and eat alone.

But kya karen...paapi pet ka sawal tha..and my stomach was growling and threatening to stop functioning. So.. in order to appease my stomach had to eat..lest I start spending more time in the loo :-). So the fisrt 2-3 days, cleared up all the food in the fridge. Leftovers basically..my wife is a good cook ;-).

From Pepsico Quaker Upma

Then started the days of reckoning..no food in the house...so started a hunt..and hallelujah!!! i found a few packs of these ready to eat stuff Quaker has come out with these ready to eat Upma and Poha. Ready in three minutes. Good stuff..finished all packs at home except the one you see here.

Was planning to make this today.

THEN this strange feeling of nostalgia enveloped me. And kinda had a flashback. Don't blame me for this...the weather in Delhi today is such...that it brought back memories..memories of me standing behind my dad in the kitchen. Mom sitting in the balcony. And I eagerly waiting with wide eyes for the pressure cooker to open, the green chilies to be cut and the sweet aroma of coconut oil when roasted enveloping the entire house...Yes! am a mixed breed..part Tamil Part Kannadiga Part Mallu and Part Delhi...ukhaad lo jo Ukhaadna hai :-)..so I like coconut oil ..lots of uses for that too.

Nostalgia and memories makes one do a lot of things.. in a trance.. I went out all the way to Vasant Vihar..got Sweet Potatoes ..and came back. Time was kind of standing still.

Somehow went back to the past..saw my dad washing the sweet potatoes, putting them into the pressure cooker, lighting the gas, cutting the green chilies, pouring the coconut oil into a small pan, heating it up, adding the cut chilies and salt, frying them up for a couple of minutes..the pressure cooker whistled thrice..and voila everything was plated up..

From the kitchens of my dad

It took me about 8 minutes to finish this off..all the while I was this 4 feet tall 8 year old, slurping away with a smile!

Yep, this is something which Hotel Management does not teach us. These are recipes that life and parents teach us.

Oh by the way just for general knowledge, sweet potatoes are a great street food here in North India. They roast them add some chat masala / a mixture of spices and squeeze a lemon and give it to you. A must try if you are ever in Delhi in the winters. How does it look? click here

So signing off for today! :-) need to rush to the airport..mu house to become a home today again :-) Wife and kid are back.. NOW it is party time!

The Rage Continues!! part 2

2013-03-05T22:27:00.000+05:30

The driving tips by my good friend Rajiv Dubey to a very large extent were very meaningful. The one thing it did for me was to look at other people doing their "Delhi Driving" and make me smile and laugh most of the times.

Now sometimes when I want God to show me a way..I tend to go stand next to the driver who honks the loudest..I see "Gujjar Boys" written on rear windshield of a car..I think of getting myself a Rayban and get into a courageous mode of "Never Hide".

We sure need to really ponder about when we are following these rules..unknowingly or knowingly. After all we are the TRAFFIC !

Continuing his driving tips from my earlier post.

Delhi Driving Rule # 14:
Evolution of Delhi Drivers:
All drivers in the city have graduated from small vehicles to big vehicles, for example:
Cycle->Moror Cycle->Car
Moror Cycle->Car->SuV
Rickshaw->Auto Rickshaw->Bus
No Wonder all why Car Drivers drive their cars like Motor Bikes. Bus Drivers drive like Auto Rickshaws. Auto Rickshaws drive like Rickshaws.

Delhi Driving Rule # 15:
Which lane to drive in?
Right most lane is where you should drive, irrespective of your speed and capacity of vehicle. The other two lanes are just for decoration purposes and for illegal parking/encroachment. Driving in right most lane protects your car from being overtaken from the right side ;) — at Delhi!!!

Delhi Driving Rule # 16:
Final Rule !
Everyone in Delhi has some connection in Police Department, Home Ministry, Parliament, Prime Minister's Office, President's office etc. Go Crib!
Delhi Driving Rule # 17: What do people say to a Cop, if caught:

a. Tu Janata Nahin Main Kaun Hoon? (Dont you know who I am?)
b. Lo Baat Karo!! (Dials a phone number and get the Cop to speak to someone).
c. Sorry Sir, I am in a hurry...my wife is in Hospital..about to deliver.
d. Sorry Sir, Loose Motion! Running Stomach etc.
e. Sorry Sir, Galti Se Mistake! I thought that RED light was a sign to "Jump" the light.
f. Sorry I did not know (about license which expired 2 years ago).
g. Sorry Sir, Will never do this again! (After the Challan Ticket has been issued).
h. Negotiate the final deal!

Delhi Driving Rule # 18:
Parking
We don't park our cars, we just stop them where ever we want. Try Parking in CP or Nehru Place- you cant get out by opening any of the doors. Now, the Car companies are working on an option that you could remove the engine and get out by opening the front Hood!! — in New Delhi.

Delhi Driving Rule # 19:
Driving in Space!!
We drive in 'Space"!! Hell No! that does not make us astronauts!!
We drive where ever we find SPACE on the road and off the road, shoulder of the road, side walk, foot path, opposite side of the road, on Escalators (check this out on foot over bride @ ITO), Subways etc. etc. We are Space-Riders!! Yay that makes us awesome!

Delhi Driving Rule # 20:
Horn Ok Please!
The Horn has to be used for following purposes:
1. To Scare away the pedestrians
2. To alert the car ahead of you, for your arrival
3. To Turn Left
4. To Turn Right
5. To go Straight
6. To take a "U" turn
7. In case your brakes are not working
8. In case your head lights are off and you cant see anything (at least people will hear your arrival)
9. To Over take someone
10. To let someone overtake you (very rare)
11. Generally...to make sure that its working alright and battery has not failed....

(keep adding to the list)

Delhi Driving Rule # 21:
Road Signs: Lights
Green: Go
Yellow: Go faster
Red: Jump
Blinking: confused light

Road Rage! Naah..Road Humor.. an incomplete guide to driving in Delhi

2013-02-26T14:57:00.001+05:30

This is something people who drive any kind of automobile will emotionally bond with.

Why? That's because a person driving in Delhi undergoes various emotions .. love, hatred, WTF attitude, ..etc.

These are some of the emotions I guess everyone goes through when driving on the Delhi roads. Tell me more if you think these are not the only ones :-)

Discovery of road blocks and nakabandi leading to Confusion

Surprise - when someone gives way to you and no surprise when people jump signals and honk

Wonder and Surprise is commonplace (traffic jam)

Happiness when and Unhappiness all at the same time

Amusement and Weariness - best experienced at any of the tolls or on narrow alleys. Amusement..when you are an innocent bystander, weariness when you are stuck in the jam.

Courage - Timidity - Cowardice..This happens in any particular order depending on how big you are

Pity and Cruelty..The same people who find dogs cho cuute..run them over

Complex emotions..less said the better.usually a gun or a knife or a rod or a baseball bat emotes these complexities of the mind and should

Pride yes.. Modesty & Shame..wtf is this????

Closeness - Detachment - Distance..something you will see in abundance..bumper to bumper

No Caution only Boldness and Rashness

Patience..is a virtue - mere Tolerance is for the lesser mortals and Anger is everywhere

Relaxation only when you have parked.. Composure when you have parked in a parking zone - Stress ..after you park you need to worry about the car

Envy..Bhala meri gaadi uski gaadi se choti kaise??!!

Fear for own's life and Nervousness when driving and WHAT Security are we talking about..Security is only for the VVIPS

Togetherness - Privacy.. Best seen at night on lonely roads or near colleges

No Respect only Disrespect for people and the law

COURAGE is what everyone has everyday who drive and don't drive to get onto the Delhi roads.

I AM TRAFFIC Something to ponder about

some sights of delhi ..check this out

So what made me get into this trip of emotions?. Suddenly out of the the blue a friend of mine Rajiv suddenly started updating his FB status with Tips on Driving. Something which everyone should learn ;-)..took sometime to get into his FB page and copy pasted them here. Have a look..It's a nice read.

PUBLIC NOTICE: DO NOT READ THIS WHEN DRIVING :-)

Delhi Driving Rule # 1

The one who overtakes you at twice the speed meets you at the next Red Light...waiting for you....Tch Tch!

Delhi Driving Rule # 2

Indicator Light:

The indicator light is NEVER to be used to indicate which direction the Car has to turn. It’s a TOP secret. If you reveal which way you have to turn, you will be giving away National Secret to enemies and thereby jeopardizing National Security. Best use of indicator lights is to use them as "hazard sign" while driving to confuse people.

Delhi Driving Rule # 3:

Lane Driving:

Always drive between the two lanes i.e. not in the lane- but between the lanes. You have a big car, you need space equivalent to two lanes. Plus, your father owns the city so might as well put the space to good use! — at Delhi!!!

Delhi Driving Rule # 4:

Driving in a Direction, opposite to traffic!

As long as you have your head lights on, you can go in any direction. Headlights make you invisible to the incoming traffic. Best way to drive against the incoming traffic is to look busy and talk on the mobile phone and keep your headlights on. This will not only make you a better citizen, but also a good driver (if one can go home alive).

Delhi Driving Rule # 5:

Texting while driving

Cell Phone to be used only for texting while driving. Do it in the fast lane. That may slow the traffic down, but no problem, people behind you are not in a hurry. In fact compose ppts, make sales pitch etc. It's important!

Delhi Driving Rule # 6:

Garbage

Best way for to handle waste-management is while driving.

You are Rich. You can afford food. So, show it off! Eat or drink whatever you like just chuck it out of the window. The car behind you usually is a Garbage Truck and loves it when you throw garbage at it! Next time-try aiming well, specially if you have a beer pint to chuck! — at Delhi!!!

Delhi Driving Rule # 7:

Traffic Jam Rule

If you are stuck in a traffic jam, start honking furiously and flash your head lights repeatedly. This will enable God open a new highway for you from the place you are standing till your destination. Better still, start flying your car in the sky to reach faster(applicable only if you have a flying License)

Delhi Driving Rule # 8:

“Gujjar Boy” Rule:

Run. Hide. Save your life.

Delhi Driving Rule # 9:

The 99-1 Rule:

99% of our drivers were born with above average driving skills and rest 1% are divided in 3 categories:

A. Maniacs- are the drivers who drive faster than you...will definitely have a crash!

B. "Bloody, trying to Race me" -The guy at same speed as you.

C. Anyone Slower: is learning to drive. Walking in the garden. Is old man, has no reason to be on the road etc. — at Noida

Delhi Driving Rule # 10:

Railway Crossing Rule

If you travel upcountry and find a Railway Crossing, go and park on the other side of the road. Once the Barricade is lifted, the traffic from opposite direction will automatically get re-routed Via Agra so that you are able to sail through the crossing easily.

Delhi Driving Rule # 11:

Stopping on the “Stop” line on the Red Light

Continuously honk at people who have dared to stop on the line, before the Zebra Cross. You are superior citizen have right to stop on the Zebra Cross itself. It will help pedestrians to discover new routes on the road and better their survival skills on road. Also, keep "inching forward" while the light is Red, just to challenge the flowing traffic on the other side. — at Delhi!!!

Delhi Driving Rule # 12:

How to take right turn fast:

Keep the car on the left most lane or middle lane. Block the traffic going straight. Once you get green signal (or not), turn right, block the right lane as well, you will get first chance to turn and others will turn GREEN.

Delhi Driving Rule # 13:

Spit-Power!

Eating Paan and Gutkha is a Royal Habit and world is your spittoon. If you chew Paan-Gutkha not only you look great with mouthful of gooey substance, you smell great too. Most importantly, you must also color the roads Red (black is boring).

Spitting is most effective when you are driving. To demonstrate, open the door while driving to relieve yourself. You must shoot a video and post it on youtube on “how to spit, while driving” so that world is educated on this awesome talent of yours. — at Delhi!!!

to be continued....

Fly Time !

2013-02-19T22:48:00.000+05:30

after a very long time dabbled in aeromodeling .. no not the one made out of balsa wood the petrol engines and the remotes and all..a plane made out of waste :-)

Used to make these as a kid..today kind of taught my 8 year old how to make it..

wingspan of about 5 inches..branded as Boroplus..and it flies :-)

take a look

Plane

For those who came late

2013-02-19T14:59:00.001+05:30

Phantom: The Secret of Vacul Castle-Part1 by Google Chirantan Ghosh to contact me

Comic Con 2013

2013-02-19T14:41:00.000+05:30

So we went to ComicCon 2013. Had fun. For once did not get asked incredulously "what??!!?? You still read comics?!!"

This time didnt take many pics but was amazed at the crowds..compared to last year and the year before last..the place was jam packed.

Check out the little photosynth I created..you can see some f the comic characters too there

tribute to Nirbhaya

2012-12-31T14:03:00.000+05:30

Hope a fire like this burns all those demented :"men" and "women" !

The Turkish Affair @ Nokia Indiafest 2013

2012-12-17T00:16:00.003+05:30

Not captioning these..the story is all yours..:)

No one is promised tomorrow.

2012-12-13T23:56:00.000+05:30

Found this during one of those surfing aimlessly moments and said I need to copy paste it here.

One of the best eye opener message that really give you goosebumps

It was their anniversary, and Aisha was waiting for her husband Rajiv to show up.
Things had changed since their marriage, the once cute couple couldn't-live-without-each-other had turned bitter.
Fighting over every little things, both didn't like the way things had changed.
Aisha was waiting to see if Rajiv remembered it was their anniversary!
Just a
s the door bell rang she ran to find her husband wet and smiling with a bunch of flowers in his hand.
The two started re-living the old days. Making up for fights, then was d plan for champagne, light music And it was raining outside! It was perfect.
But the moment paused when the phone in the bedroom rang.
Aisha went to pick it up and it was a man. "Hello ma'am I'm calling from the police station. Is this Mr Rajiv Mehra's number?"
"Yes it is!"
"I'm sorry ma'am; but there was an accident and a man died. We got this number from his wallet; we need you to come and identify his body."
Aisha's heart sank.!!! She was shocked!
But my husband is here with me?"

"Sorry ma'am, but the incident took place at 2 pm, when he was boarding the train."
Aisha was about to lose her conscience.
How could this happen?!
She had heard about the soul of the person coming to meet a loved one before it leaves!
She ran into the other room.
He was not there. It was true! He had left her for good!! Oh God she would have died for another chance to mend every little fight! She rolled on the floor in pain. She lost her chance! Forever!
Suddenly there was a noise from the bathroom, the door opened and Rajiv came out and said..... "Darling, I forgot to tell you my wallet got stolen today".

LIFE MIGHT NOT GIVE YOU A SECOND CHANCE. SO NEVER WASTE A MOMENT WHEN YOU CAN STILL MAKE UP FOR YOUR WRONGS!!!

No one is promised tomorrow. Have a wonderful Life with no regrets!

The Art of Drinking Tea - Desi Style

2012-08-21T15:30:00.000+05:30

Tea or Chai ..this is something we Indians have grown up on and us South Indians also have the privilege of growing up on pure invigorating South Indian Filter Kaapi.

This short note is nothing about the types of tea or coffees or anything. Its very to the point on how to drink or sip tea desi style

So lets now get back to the rhythmic chant of Chai Garam up north. Available in every corner of every street, nukkad or gali..outside every office ..in fact everywhere..prices ranging from a measly INR 2 to INR 5, a hot sweet milky concoction which takes you to heaven and back.

The tea stall look something like this

This Ramlal has got nothing to with the Ramlal in Sholay

A typical Chai Wallah

The art of making tea is something which we can delve into later. For now here how one drinks his tea desi style.. buy tea or chai from any chaiwallah like the one shown above

Stage one post ordering chai, pour the liquid into the saucer

Tea in a saucer

Stage two.. slowly balancing the saucer, take it to your lips..make sure you do not cry over spilled tea

Slurp tea from the saucer

Stage three..drink or sip whatever your choice...and whatever you do you just HAVE to make a LOUD slurrrping sound

Stage four..place empty saucer down and repeat from Stage one

Repeat Stage one to four

Well that's it. How many of us have really enjoyed their tea like this?

Monkey and the soup stick

2012-07-16T18:58:00.003+05:30

During grocery shopping in Vasant Vihar. This little guy had the soup stick which my son gave him

Little Guy

Mumbai from the 21st floor

2012-07-11T17:53:00.001+05:30

Had gone to Mumbai couple of weeks back and that's when it started raining there. Clicked a few pics which show Mumbai in all its colors

Colors

lower class, middle class & the upper class

peek a boo

panoramic

Child Beer is Passe'..its time for Fruit Bear!

2012-05-15T21:38:00.001+05:30

moon super moon ..closest to the earth yesterday and today

2012-05-07T00:02:00.001+05:30

2012-04-30T15:42:00.002+05:30

Photographs for now. Story later :-)

Satyamevjayate

2012-04-19T09:55:00.002+05:30

Satyamev Jayate Theme Song lyrics

Tera rung aisa chadh gaya
Koi aur rang naa chadh sake
Tera naam seene pe likha
Har koi aake padh sakey

Hai junoon hai junoon hai
Tere ishq ka ye junoon hai
Rag rag mein ishq tera daudta
Yeh bawraa sa khoon hai
Tune hi sikhaya sachchaiyon ka matlab
Tere paas aake jaana maine zindagi ka maqsad
Satyamev... satyamev... satyamev jayate
Sachcha hai pyaar tera, satyamev jayate

Tere noor ke dastoor mein
Na ho salwatein na shikan rahe
Meri koshishein toh hai bas yahin
Rahein khushbooein gulshan rahe
Teri zulf suljhane chala
Tere aur paas aane chala
Jahan koi sur na ho be-sura
Woh geet main gaane chala

Tera rang aisa chadh gaya
Tha nasha jo aur bhi badh gaya
Teri barishon ka karam hai ye
Main nikhar Gaya main sanwar gaya
Jaisa bhi hoon apna mujhe
Mujhe ye nahin hai bolna
Qaabil tere main ban sakoo
Mujhe dwaar aisa kholna
Saanson ki iss raftaar ko
Dhadkan ke iss tyohaar ko
Har jeet ko har haar ko
Khud apne iss sansaar ko
Badloonga main tere liye

Mujhe khud ko bhi hai tatolna
Kahin hai kami to hai bolna
Khahin daag hain toh chupayein kyon
Hum sach se nazrein hatayein kyon
Khud ko badalna hai agar
Badloonga main tere liye
Sholon pe chalna hai agar
Chal doonga main tere liye
Mere khoon kee har boond main
Sankalp ho tere pyaar ka
Kato mujhey to too bahe
Ho surkh rang har dhar ka

Let me know if any corrections need to be made :-)

You Read They Learn

2012-04-19T09:31:00.002+05:30

Love the new Hindustan Times campaign. An innovation for sure after a very long time.
The timing also is very perfect with the Aamir Khan Satyamevjayate show