So the other day my mother had her school play for the DPS annual day. She was playing a part on stage and was quite nervous. Anyway, there was a fight at home regarding the car. To avoid chaos I agreed to drive down mehrauli road at 6:30 am to drop her to school and get the car back.. We reached school at around 7:15 (Yeah in 45 minutes, dunno how because I was quite asleep!) . I got out of the car and helped her with the bags and everything. The school ground was filled with little kids dressed in their respective costumes and all ready to go to Kamani (the auditorium) where the play was to show. I said bye bye to mom as I sat in the car and she walked towards the school. Then suddenly I heard my mother's name being cheered and greeted. Apparently, a bunch of kids were calling out to my mother. "Poonam maam,Poonam maam" they screamed as they came and hugged her around her waist. Some of them caught hold of her legs because they weren't tall enough. More kids swarmed in like bees as if mom was covered with honey. They just wouldn't let go and she had to walk with them clinging on. They kept shrieking with laughter and yelling out her name, fought with each other for their share of her and she smiled all the way without a sign of discomfort or frustration.
She looked like the perfect teacher and I was immensely proud to be her son.
I yawned and honked at the gatekeeper to open the gate and drove back home with that image in my head wondering what I'd eat for breakfast. But that's just my life....
Saturday, February 21, 2009
नमस्ते जी
हाँ तोह भाई श्रीमान और श्रीमती,
अगर आप कभी बगीचे में गए हों तोह आपको ज़रूर एक फूल दिखा होगा। इस फूल को आप लोगों ने तोर कर सवार होगा या किसी प्रेमी उर्फ़ प्रेमिका को दे दिया होगा। क्या आप जानते हैं के "फूल" शब्द किस अक्षर से शुरू होता है?
वोह अक्षर है "फ"
Okay that was fun :) , The hindi font is really smart. Anyway so here's a fun little experiment.
Say the word "फूल" out loud. If you're saying "Fool" then you need some hindi lessons. For those who know the correct pronunciation of the first syllable, here's something to do.
Try and write फूल in english and try to spell it in a way to recreate the perfect pronunciation of "फूल"।
I was quite amazed to find out that one cannot recreate that particular syllable sound in english. There seem to be no combination of letters that produce that sound when pronounced together.
Quite random but yet amazing don't you think ?..... Oh btw, this particular discovery has been running in my head for about 3 weeks now.. Today when I actually got myself to write about it , I discovered that there is a way in which you can reproduce the sound... Try figuring out how and leave ur comments :)
अगर आप कभी बगीचे में गए हों तोह आपको ज़रूर एक फूल दिखा होगा। इस फूल को आप लोगों ने तोर कर सवार होगा या किसी प्रेमी उर्फ़ प्रेमिका को दे दिया होगा। क्या आप जानते हैं के "फूल" शब्द किस अक्षर से शुरू होता है?
वोह अक्षर है "फ"
Okay that was fun :) , The hindi font is really smart. Anyway so here's a fun little experiment.
Say the word "फूल" out loud. If you're saying "Fool" then you need some hindi lessons. For those who know the correct pronunciation of the first syllable, here's something to do.
Try and write फूल in english and try to spell it in a way to recreate the perfect pronunciation of "फूल"।
I was quite amazed to find out that one cannot recreate that particular syllable sound in english. There seem to be no combination of letters that produce that sound when pronounced together.
Quite random but yet amazing don't you think ?..... Oh btw, this particular discovery has been running in my head for about 3 weeks now.. Today when I actually got myself to write about it , I discovered that there is a way in which you can reproduce the sound... Try figuring out how and leave ur comments :)
Sunday, February 1, 2009
A few days back I found myself searching for the passport office's website on the internet. My younger brother needs his passport renewed from a 5 years minor passport to a 10 year full fledged thing and so I was assigned the task. (I being the elder responsible one :P ). Anyway, google brought me to the passport departments website and I have to say, I was IMPRESSED. Not by the idea of a website dedicated to the process of passport applications but by the simplicity with which the website offered information. Within 15 minutes I knew exactly what kind of passport my brother required, the documents needed for renewal and I downloaded the application forms too. To top it all, the website told me the timings of the passport office, the counters for different types of passport applications. Every bloody thing I could imagine was there on the site.
But you know our opinions about government procedures don't you ? I'm equipped with a Master's in Computer Applications, I've been using the internet for years but still my trust in the information presented on the website lacked confidence. I don't know why it happens, but whenever I've gone to one of these government offices, I somehow always feel as if they're out to get me. It's not just me , If you ask me they're out to get everyone.....
I had to call someone and find out if I've got everything figured out to the 'T'. So, I searced for the passport office telephone numbers. This is where things started getting interesting. I think I'm going to use a new paragraph :D
Like I said, I tried finding out the passport office numbers.
OBSERVATION : No numbers on the main website.
REASON : Unselected city in the PASSPORT office drop down list on the main page.
RESULT : Extreme frustration on discovery.
I had to kill the webpage, I just had to. I picked up the phone and dialled "9511-2222222". That's JUST DIAL's enquiry service (For those living in the stone age). I waited for someone to pick up and soon enough a friendly voice greeted me. I asked for the Delhi Passport office numbers and the information was promptly sent on my mobile. They concluded the call by asking me if I was looking for some passport agents. I said No! and hung up. I really don't care for their courtesy at the end of the call. Why would I want numbers of passport agents at the end of the call ? If I want them , I will ask for them in the beginning. It just pisses me off.
Anyway, coming back to the numbers of the passport office. I got 5 (Wooohooooo!!). "I've got them now", I thought to myself and furiously punched the first number on my landline.
What followed was something I like to call " THE Tringg Tringg, No response Phenomenon". To put it simply, NOONE BLOODY ANSWERED. I tried the other numbers, same thing, over and over again for every number I dialled. Finally, someone picked up. I was so overjoyed on hearing the euphoric "hello" , I couldn't utter anything for the first few seconds. Eventually I managed to put forth my question.
"For Tatkaal passports, what documents are supposed to be submitted?".
The ass on the other end of the line said , "Please call the enquiry counter.." and he hung up. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.. It took me 25 minutes to get through to one number and he hung up in 20 seconds. I couldn't take it so I called the same number again and again and again. I got through again, a different guy this time. I changed my question this time around and asked
Me : "Can I have the number of the enquiry counter?".
Stranger in passport office : "The enquiry counter doesn't have a phone. You'll have to come here".
............. and he hung up again.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!, I couldn't win , I just could not bloody win. It drove me insane and I decided to visit the passport office with my queries the next day. But there was one slight problem. I didn't know whether the timings for the enquiry counter were the same as that of main office. Again I called them up and found out that the enquiry counter was open till 4pm. I thanked my stars and prepared a list of questions that I had to ask.
Next day, I got off at AIIMS and for some strange reason I thought that Bhikaji Gama(Cama :S ) place was right around the corner. So I walked..... By the time I got there I had my new jacket on my arm, the top two buttons of my shirt were open and I was sweating like a pig. Apparently, Bhikaji Cama (Gama) place wasn't exactly around the corner.
I found the passport office which is at the extreme end of the complex, behind Hyatt. I took a wrong turn so I had to walk all around the complex to get there but I think there is a left from the ring road that goes right to it. I spotted the entrance and stood in line. There was huge guard blocking the gate with his arm and he wasn't looking to happy. He seemed to do the OPPOSITE of what he was SUPPOSED to do. Instead of allowing people to go in, he was stopping everyone he could. But honestly, I was impressed by the kind of protocol that the security followed. Noone was allowed in without a proper authority letter or a valid ID proof. I happened to catch the name of the company on the logo of his uniform. It said "Fireball". They were good!.. Well, my turn came and I told the guard I had to visit the enquiry counter. He gave me one of those weird stares which seemed to question my existence. I had to repeat my statement to get a response out of him.
The enquiry counter was behind the main office building. I'd just wasted 15 minutes of time standing in the wrong queue.... This was just not my day. But eventually I did get to the right queue and the right counter. Things were looking up, I was happy :) . The man on the other side of the counter asked me what I wanted to know. I handed him my brothers old passport and fired away a few questions. To each question I asked he had the same answer, "The new form is 10 Rs, take it and fill it". I tried hard to make him understand that I had already gone through the information on the website and it clearly mentioned I needed FORM # 2 for passport renewal. "The new form, Form #1 is Rs 10. The information on the website is incorrect", he said.
I thanked him for telling me the correct form number and told him that I had a printed copy of the form already. The only thing I wanted now was a list of the documents that had to be submitted with the form. But, he refused to divulge that information. I tried explaining to him that I had come all the way from Gurgaon just because they didn't have a phone at the counter but my explanation fell on deaf ears. He said that I should buy the form (that I already had printed at home) and there was a list of documents behind it. I told him to just tell them to me but he refused. His exact words were , "Aap form le lijiye, uske picche likha ha". "Toh aap nahin batayenge , agar mein form nahin lunga?", I asked. He replied "Nahin!!, aap internet se hi dekh lijiye.. Wahan likha hai sab kuch saaf saaf". He was contradicting himself and I couldn't bear to look at him anymore, so I moved out of line, cursing him as I went down the steps.
I stood in the same line 3 more times till he finally agreed to give in and told me what I needed to know. It turns out that my feeling about the information on the website was correct. One just cannot trust these government offices. I have never been able to get my work done in 1 day. It's always something or the other that I need to come back for. Incomplete documents, unmentioned attachments, always something.
But on the brighter side, at least they have a website. They even have an online registration where you can fill in the form online and then take a print. The income tax department is better in this regard. Their online system seems flawless. I applied for a PAN card online, paid a Rs 60/- fee by the credit card and the pan card was at my house within 2 weeks. It was the simplest thing I ever did. But then again, the PAN card gets moolah in for the government.
It's a shame that we don't trust our own government, but we just criticize the system don't we? Who will make a change? I develop websites for a living but would I make one for the passport department ? I don't think so, I'd rather post a new blog entry and ridicule the exisiting one...
But that's just my life!!!
But you know our opinions about government procedures don't you ? I'm equipped with a Master's in Computer Applications, I've been using the internet for years but still my trust in the information presented on the website lacked confidence. I don't know why it happens, but whenever I've gone to one of these government offices, I somehow always feel as if they're out to get me. It's not just me , If you ask me they're out to get everyone.....
I had to call someone and find out if I've got everything figured out to the 'T'. So, I searced for the passport office telephone numbers. This is where things started getting interesting. I think I'm going to use a new paragraph :D
Like I said, I tried finding out the passport office numbers.
OBSERVATION : No numbers on the main website.
REASON : Unselected city in the PASSPORT office drop down list on the main page.
RESULT : Extreme frustration on discovery.
I had to kill the webpage, I just had to. I picked up the phone and dialled "9511-2222222". That's JUST DIAL's enquiry service (For those living in the stone age). I waited for someone to pick up and soon enough a friendly voice greeted me. I asked for the Delhi Passport office numbers and the information was promptly sent on my mobile. They concluded the call by asking me if I was looking for some passport agents. I said No! and hung up. I really don't care for their courtesy at the end of the call. Why would I want numbers of passport agents at the end of the call ? If I want them , I will ask for them in the beginning. It just pisses me off.
Anyway, coming back to the numbers of the passport office. I got 5 (Wooohooooo!!). "I've got them now", I thought to myself and furiously punched the first number on my landline.
What followed was something I like to call " THE Tringg Tringg, No response Phenomenon". To put it simply, NOONE BLOODY ANSWERED. I tried the other numbers, same thing, over and over again for every number I dialled. Finally, someone picked up. I was so overjoyed on hearing the euphoric "hello" , I couldn't utter anything for the first few seconds. Eventually I managed to put forth my question.
"For Tatkaal passports, what documents are supposed to be submitted?".
The ass on the other end of the line said , "Please call the enquiry counter.." and he hung up. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.. It took me 25 minutes to get through to one number and he hung up in 20 seconds. I couldn't take it so I called the same number again and again and again. I got through again, a different guy this time. I changed my question this time around and asked
Me : "Can I have the number of the enquiry counter?".
Stranger in passport office : "The enquiry counter doesn't have a phone. You'll have to come here".
............. and he hung up again.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!, I couldn't win , I just could not bloody win. It drove me insane and I decided to visit the passport office with my queries the next day. But there was one slight problem. I didn't know whether the timings for the enquiry counter were the same as that of main office. Again I called them up and found out that the enquiry counter was open till 4pm. I thanked my stars and prepared a list of questions that I had to ask.
Next day, I got off at AIIMS and for some strange reason I thought that Bhikaji Gama(Cama :S ) place was right around the corner. So I walked..... By the time I got there I had my new jacket on my arm, the top two buttons of my shirt were open and I was sweating like a pig. Apparently, Bhikaji Cama (Gama) place wasn't exactly around the corner.
I found the passport office which is at the extreme end of the complex, behind Hyatt. I took a wrong turn so I had to walk all around the complex to get there but I think there is a left from the ring road that goes right to it. I spotted the entrance and stood in line. There was huge guard blocking the gate with his arm and he wasn't looking to happy. He seemed to do the OPPOSITE of what he was SUPPOSED to do. Instead of allowing people to go in, he was stopping everyone he could. But honestly, I was impressed by the kind of protocol that the security followed. Noone was allowed in without a proper authority letter or a valid ID proof. I happened to catch the name of the company on the logo of his uniform. It said "Fireball". They were good!.. Well, my turn came and I told the guard I had to visit the enquiry counter. He gave me one of those weird stares which seemed to question my existence. I had to repeat my statement to get a response out of him.
The enquiry counter was behind the main office building. I'd just wasted 15 minutes of time standing in the wrong queue.... This was just not my day. But eventually I did get to the right queue and the right counter. Things were looking up, I was happy :) . The man on the other side of the counter asked me what I wanted to know. I handed him my brothers old passport and fired away a few questions. To each question I asked he had the same answer, "The new form is 10 Rs, take it and fill it". I tried hard to make him understand that I had already gone through the information on the website and it clearly mentioned I needed FORM # 2 for passport renewal. "The new form, Form #1 is Rs 10. The information on the website is incorrect", he said.
I thanked him for telling me the correct form number and told him that I had a printed copy of the form already. The only thing I wanted now was a list of the documents that had to be submitted with the form. But, he refused to divulge that information. I tried explaining to him that I had come all the way from Gurgaon just because they didn't have a phone at the counter but my explanation fell on deaf ears. He said that I should buy the form (that I already had printed at home) and there was a list of documents behind it. I told him to just tell them to me but he refused. His exact words were , "Aap form le lijiye, uske picche likha ha". "Toh aap nahin batayenge , agar mein form nahin lunga?", I asked. He replied "Nahin!!, aap internet se hi dekh lijiye.. Wahan likha hai sab kuch saaf saaf". He was contradicting himself and I couldn't bear to look at him anymore, so I moved out of line, cursing him as I went down the steps.
I stood in the same line 3 more times till he finally agreed to give in and told me what I needed to know. It turns out that my feeling about the information on the website was correct. One just cannot trust these government offices. I have never been able to get my work done in 1 day. It's always something or the other that I need to come back for. Incomplete documents, unmentioned attachments, always something.
But on the brighter side, at least they have a website. They even have an online registration where you can fill in the form online and then take a print. The income tax department is better in this regard. Their online system seems flawless. I applied for a PAN card online, paid a Rs 60/- fee by the credit card and the pan card was at my house within 2 weeks. It was the simplest thing I ever did. But then again, the PAN card gets moolah in for the government.
It's a shame that we don't trust our own government, but we just criticize the system don't we? Who will make a change? I develop websites for a living but would I make one for the passport department ? I don't think so, I'd rather post a new blog entry and ridicule the exisiting one...
But that's just my life!!!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Chandni Chowk to Gurgaon
I am a foodie... I love to eat, I love the way food looks, I love the way food cooks, I love to watch cooking shows on tv (whenever I watch TV - very rare) and I love to cook too. People who know me would agree that I have a never ending hunger for hunger. Well my romance with food takes me places. I want to travel the world but my sole motive is to experience diverse cusines. Unfortunately, being vegetarian for almost 2 years wouldn't help.
Since the world is out of reach right now, I make do with Chandni Chowk :) . Chandni Chowk is situated in the old delhi. The simplest way to get there is to catch the Delhi metro from anywhere to "Rajiv Chowk" (C.P). From Rajiv Chowk , change trains and board the one going to Kashmere Gate. I'm not sure but I think it's the 4th station on that route. Anyway, once you're there take the "Chandni Chowk" exit , NOT the Townhall. Almost instantly your nostrils would be taken by shock. The unlimited urinals ( some structured, others created by whim) fill the air with a unique essence that you're not really searching for. Once you regain consciousness, you need to find a way to get to "Fatehpuri".
Now Chandi Chowk , is not 1 chowk as you might think of it to be. It's really a collection of these small sectional market areas (each famous for it's own product) . The markets are clustered together within narrow streets and lanes which gives an overall illusion of it being one really big huge market. Some names that I've heard of "Khari Bawri" , famous for dry fruits I think (might be wrong), "FatehPuri" , my usual adda etc etc.
To get to FatehPuri , you'll probable take a rickshaw ride (if they're still there, they come and go as they please even after a ban!!!). The other option is to take the shuttle bus service which is quite comfortable. Regardless of your mode of transport, you would be dropped a little away from your destination. "Giani Di Hatti". Ask around, walk a few steps and you'd be there before you know it.
The huge red sign board adorned with a goldenish yellow font is not really what you'd call "Creativity" , but considering that the place has been around since before partition, I guess you'd let it pass.
The next visual you'll probably see is of people holding a HUGE glass and attacking its contents with a stainless steel spoon. Welcome to the land of the most amazing Rabri Falooda in delhi.
For a small price Rs. 35 / glass, your taste buds have an orgasmic experience like never before. The ordering procedure is as follows.
The counter is on the right side of the shop. On the left a man sits cross legged behind a huge steel container of Rabri (Basically Full Cream Milk, cooked with sugar till it becomes really thick). He takes a big glass, adds faluda to it (white noodles) and then puts one big helping of the creamy rabri on top. In front of him (on the outside of the shop) stands another employee whose work is to add sugar syrup (i think that's what it is) and mix the contents of the glass before handing it over to you. The first spoonful that goes into your mouth says it all....
Giani ki hatti is divided into 2 parts. One is the part that sells Rabri and Milk Shakes (also pretty good) and the other part sells Gajar Ka Amazing halwa. For people who love Gajrella (Gajar ka halwa in punjabi) , you cannot MISS this. I think it's around 25 Rs per plate, but its absolutely worth it. It's got the right amount of sweetness, its cooked in desi ghee and you don't have to search to find the dry fruits. This part of the Gianni di Hatti also sells other stuff which I haven't really tasted.
Now we move onto the dhabha which is adjacent to Giani. On one of my visits , I got the chance to meet the owner. This person (educated) , speaks fluent english, stays opposite the dhabha on the first floor. Now if you've never been to Chandni Chowk or old delhi , you wouldn't be able to visualize the construction of these houses, so you need to pay the dhaba a visit to understand why it's so shocking. Anyway, the owner says his great grandfather started the dhabha and it's been around for over 100 odd years. This place sells the BEST parantha's ive had. They're priced between Rs 22 - Rs 35 and they're HUGE. The parantha's are so big a person with an average diet (not me) cannot finish one alone. [I can, Wooot!] . I wonder why these are called parantha's (they're actually stuffed naan's) , but I really don't care.
The entrance of the dhabha is decorated with a tandoor , two to three humongous cooking pots and a few workers constantly stirring the curries being cooked. One would also notice, the mounds of parantha mixtures, standing (uncovered, yes uncovered) on top of a rack. This is what goes into ur parantha's and for the people who got disgusted with the "uncovered" part of it, well that's what makes em delicious!!!! . Once you move into the dhabha, you see rows of tables lines up together and these small green stools. The tables almost always have a plate full of cut salad (uncovered - I don't eat this ever) , a squeezy bottle of green chutney ( I eat this always!!) , a pile of green chillies and pickle!!.
Once you rest your rear comfortably on one of the stools, a scrawnny looking waiter comes up to you holding a dirty rag in his hand rattles off a long list of paranthas. Gobi, Mattar, Alu, Pyaaz, Methi , Pudina, Paneer, Butter, Palak , Dhaniya ...... Once you choose your parantha, the plates are laid (cleaned with the same cloth the waiter's holding). If you're feeling super enthusiastic you can try ordering one of the new paranthas (like methi - not to good), but I strongly recommend ordering Aloo Pyaaz or Paneer for the first visit. You can also order the usual daal fry or makhni daal or shahi paneer (not too good). The paranthas come stacked on small plate and the first time you see the plate, you feel , Wow!! big paranthas, only to realize that there's one plate each for the paranthas you ordered. Yes! one parantha is so huge, it needs to be cut into pieces (1 piece equivalent to 1 normal naan) and stacked on top of each other. The parantha experience is incomplete without butter (Rs 6 per cube) , and meethi lassi (available at a shop to the left of giani) . The lassi is served in a Kullahr (an earthen glass) and is topped with actual Malai. It's the most amazing lassi ever. The dhabha doesn't mind you getting the lassi from another shop (it's not like those snooty restaurants). Once you have your lassi, ur paranthas, green chatni , pyaaz if u want (ask for fresh cut) , hari mirchi , butter cube, you're all set to dig in. It's one hell of an experience you won't forget.
Some Fun Facts about The Parantha place
----------------------------------------------
1. The first time I visited the place , I ordered 2 paranthas (because I had already had parantha's at the famous Paranthey wali gaali in Chandni Chowk (more abt that in the next post) and I had assumed that the parantha would be of an average size. The owner came up and said "I don't think you've ever had our paranthas, please order one!!!".
2. Once I packed the paranthas and brought them home. It was winters. From Chandni Chowk to Gurgaon the parantha's remained warm (and i kid you not). When I ate them for dinner they were still soft.
3. They also serve Laukki ka raita (BottleGourd raita). It's nice although not too uncommon as I thought it would be.
4. From Gurgaon - you can reach parantha place in under Rs 50. [if u take a metro from dwarka].
5. Meal for one (approx Rs 40)
Some Notes about Gianni Di Hatti
---------------------------------------------
1. He has an employee whose work is JUST TO MIX THE CONTENTS OF THE GLASS.
2. Rabri is best had as dessert after the parantha place. (so make sure you don't stuff yourself)
3. Make sure rabri is had without the ICE that they mix in the glass (You can tell them not to put ice). Ice dilutes the rabri and the real fun is to eat it thick and creamy.
Phewww!! I'm hungry now.......
Do visit Chandni Chowk and then post your comments. More about it in the next post.
Cheers!!
Sameer
Since the world is out of reach right now, I make do with Chandni Chowk :) . Chandni Chowk is situated in the old delhi. The simplest way to get there is to catch the Delhi metro from anywhere to "Rajiv Chowk" (C.P). From Rajiv Chowk , change trains and board the one going to Kashmere Gate. I'm not sure but I think it's the 4th station on that route. Anyway, once you're there take the "Chandni Chowk" exit , NOT the Townhall. Almost instantly your nostrils would be taken by shock. The unlimited urinals ( some structured, others created by whim) fill the air with a unique essence that you're not really searching for. Once you regain consciousness, you need to find a way to get to "Fatehpuri".
Now Chandi Chowk , is not 1 chowk as you might think of it to be. It's really a collection of these small sectional market areas (each famous for it's own product) . The markets are clustered together within narrow streets and lanes which gives an overall illusion of it being one really big huge market. Some names that I've heard of "Khari Bawri" , famous for dry fruits I think (might be wrong), "FatehPuri" , my usual adda etc etc.
To get to FatehPuri , you'll probable take a rickshaw ride (if they're still there, they come and go as they please even after a ban!!!). The other option is to take the shuttle bus service which is quite comfortable. Regardless of your mode of transport, you would be dropped a little away from your destination. "Giani Di Hatti". Ask around, walk a few steps and you'd be there before you know it.
The huge red sign board adorned with a goldenish yellow font is not really what you'd call "Creativity" , but considering that the place has been around since before partition, I guess you'd let it pass.
The next visual you'll probably see is of people holding a HUGE glass and attacking its contents with a stainless steel spoon. Welcome to the land of the most amazing Rabri Falooda in delhi.
For a small price Rs. 35 / glass, your taste buds have an orgasmic experience like never before. The ordering procedure is as follows.
The counter is on the right side of the shop. On the left a man sits cross legged behind a huge steel container of Rabri (Basically Full Cream Milk, cooked with sugar till it becomes really thick). He takes a big glass, adds faluda to it (white noodles) and then puts one big helping of the creamy rabri on top. In front of him (on the outside of the shop) stands another employee whose work is to add sugar syrup (i think that's what it is) and mix the contents of the glass before handing it over to you. The first spoonful that goes into your mouth says it all....
Giani ki hatti is divided into 2 parts. One is the part that sells Rabri and Milk Shakes (also pretty good) and the other part sells Gajar Ka Amazing halwa. For people who love Gajrella (Gajar ka halwa in punjabi) , you cannot MISS this. I think it's around 25 Rs per plate, but its absolutely worth it. It's got the right amount of sweetness, its cooked in desi ghee and you don't have to search to find the dry fruits. This part of the Gianni di Hatti also sells other stuff which I haven't really tasted.
Now we move onto the dhabha which is adjacent to Giani. On one of my visits , I got the chance to meet the owner. This person (educated) , speaks fluent english, stays opposite the dhabha on the first floor. Now if you've never been to Chandni Chowk or old delhi , you wouldn't be able to visualize the construction of these houses, so you need to pay the dhaba a visit to understand why it's so shocking. Anyway, the owner says his great grandfather started the dhabha and it's been around for over 100 odd years. This place sells the BEST parantha's ive had. They're priced between Rs 22 - Rs 35 and they're HUGE. The parantha's are so big a person with an average diet (not me) cannot finish one alone. [I can, Wooot!] . I wonder why these are called parantha's (they're actually stuffed naan's) , but I really don't care.
The entrance of the dhabha is decorated with a tandoor , two to three humongous cooking pots and a few workers constantly stirring the curries being cooked. One would also notice, the mounds of parantha mixtures, standing (uncovered, yes uncovered) on top of a rack. This is what goes into ur parantha's and for the people who got disgusted with the "uncovered" part of it, well that's what makes em delicious!!!! . Once you move into the dhabha, you see rows of tables lines up together and these small green stools. The tables almost always have a plate full of cut salad (uncovered - I don't eat this ever) , a squeezy bottle of green chutney ( I eat this always!!) , a pile of green chillies and pickle!!.
Once you rest your rear comfortably on one of the stools, a scrawnny looking waiter comes up to you holding a dirty rag in his hand rattles off a long list of paranthas. Gobi, Mattar, Alu, Pyaaz, Methi , Pudina, Paneer, Butter, Palak , Dhaniya ...... Once you choose your parantha, the plates are laid (cleaned with the same cloth the waiter's holding). If you're feeling super enthusiastic you can try ordering one of the new paranthas (like methi - not to good), but I strongly recommend ordering Aloo Pyaaz or Paneer for the first visit. You can also order the usual daal fry or makhni daal or shahi paneer (not too good). The paranthas come stacked on small plate and the first time you see the plate, you feel , Wow!! big paranthas, only to realize that there's one plate each for the paranthas you ordered. Yes! one parantha is so huge, it needs to be cut into pieces (1 piece equivalent to 1 normal naan) and stacked on top of each other. The parantha experience is incomplete without butter (Rs 6 per cube) , and meethi lassi (available at a shop to the left of giani) . The lassi is served in a Kullahr (an earthen glass) and is topped with actual Malai. It's the most amazing lassi ever. The dhabha doesn't mind you getting the lassi from another shop (it's not like those snooty restaurants). Once you have your lassi, ur paranthas, green chatni , pyaaz if u want (ask for fresh cut) , hari mirchi , butter cube, you're all set to dig in. It's one hell of an experience you won't forget.
Some Fun Facts about The Parantha place
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1. The first time I visited the place , I ordered 2 paranthas (because I had already had parantha's at the famous Paranthey wali gaali in Chandni Chowk (more abt that in the next post) and I had assumed that the parantha would be of an average size. The owner came up and said "I don't think you've ever had our paranthas, please order one!!!".
2. Once I packed the paranthas and brought them home. It was winters. From Chandni Chowk to Gurgaon the parantha's remained warm (and i kid you not). When I ate them for dinner they were still soft.
3. They also serve Laukki ka raita (BottleGourd raita). It's nice although not too uncommon as I thought it would be.
4. From Gurgaon - you can reach parantha place in under Rs 50. [if u take a metro from dwarka].
5. Meal for one (approx Rs 40)
Some Notes about Gianni Di Hatti
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1. He has an employee whose work is JUST TO MIX THE CONTENTS OF THE GLASS.
2. Rabri is best had as dessert after the parantha place. (so make sure you don't stuff yourself)
3. Make sure rabri is had without the ICE that they mix in the glass (You can tell them not to put ice). Ice dilutes the rabri and the real fun is to eat it thick and creamy.
Phewww!! I'm hungry now.......
Do visit Chandni Chowk and then post your comments. More about it in the next post.
Cheers!!
Sameer
Friday, December 5, 2008
Searching the unknown
I've often found myself feeling miserable, bored, irritated. Never really figured out the exact cause for these feelings to surface. Sometimes it's anger, sometimes hunger. What I do understand of these mixed emotions is that there is something I crave to get. What? I don't know. But if I were satisfied with my life and how things were moving, maybe I'd be clearer in the head. Is it only me or is this a common occurrence ? Is a person ever completely satisfied ? Maybe!, when they know what they're running after. Whether they get it or not then seems secondary. With a goal in place, it's just the path that needs to be figured out.
It's strange, but my search for the unknown continues day in and day out. There's no reason for me to feel this way , but still I do. Maybe I search myself, maybe I search love, maybe a song, maybe an opportunity, maybe a goal , I have no freaking clue.
What I do know is that I'm searching the unknown.....
It's strange, but my search for the unknown continues day in and day out. There's no reason for me to feel this way , but still I do. Maybe I search myself, maybe I search love, maybe a song, maybe an opportunity, maybe a goal , I have no freaking clue.
What I do know is that I'm searching the unknown.....
Sunday, November 30, 2008
OLLO got 9.2 on IMDB :D
Good morning!!,
To be honest with you I was concerned, scared actually that the director of the amazing "Khosla Ka Ghosla" wouldn't be able to churn out another hit. That's what happens with comedies today. The sequels suck. Take for example, "Phir Hera Pheri","Golmaal Returns". But I guess that's where "Oye Lucky Lucky Oye" a.k.a OLLO ( courtesy my good friends) is different. It is NOT a sequel to KKG.
9.2 on IMDB , It seems to be amazing. The soundtracks great too. All punjabi numbers. My favorite is "SuperChor". It has this unique punjabi rap thing going in it. I have a feeling this is the beginning of Punjabi rap. Hmmmm, I hope I get well soon. Need to watch this one ASAP.
Have a long day ahead. Need to complete my project (the great palampur website) now also my college project... and then there's that god damn practical exam tomorrow which I need to study for.... Sigh!! ( I've lost count of the number of exam's i've taken in the last 6 years).
Oh btw, Heroes season 3 episode 10 sucked.
(to be continued ....)
Cheers!
Sameer
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Waiting for the medicine to act.
Well hello, I have finally resumed posting on my blog. (Wooohooo!! all you lucky readers). Anyway, its 10 minutes to 11 pm and I have a terrible cough. a terrible cold and some nauseating fever. But still , I write. Not because I can't live a single day without editing this blog, but because I'm waiting for my paracetamol to act. I'm waiting for the sweat to break so that I'm not forced to remove my quilt in mid sleep. That's what happens with these medicines. You anxiously wait for the fever to break and when it does, sweat breaks with it too. It's the most horrible feeling ever. Hmmmm, well not quite the most but yeah it's one of those horrible feelings.
Anyway, so I am going to watch the 10th episode of Heroes season 3. I'm hooked onto the show and to a few other spectacular one's, but i'll leave selling them to you for another post.
Cheers!
Sameer
Anyway, so I am going to watch the 10th episode of Heroes season 3. I'm hooked onto the show and to a few other spectacular one's, but i'll leave selling them to you for another post.
Cheers!
Sameer
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