Thursday, September 29, 2011

Oh Singapore !!

With its smartly managed construction and busy moving traffic Singapore almost reminds you of a military parade- everything in perfect precision . Wish we had more and more of that kind of discipline and the ensuing comfort that comes along with it !!! At . least we in Mumbai can learn a lesson or two from there .

The Chijmes area in Singapore where I went today is a foodies delight with multiple cuisines served under one roof. A particular Brazilian restaurant servies tons and tons of meat . The premise being that you are given a card once you want any meat preparation the red side of the card should be up. Once you have had your fill the green side should be shown by any individual patron . There were some Brazilian attractions like fire dancing etc !!

But there is flurry of constructions activities in Singapore and my sense is that all small quaint structures will not be visible in times to come . The space crunch and increasing needs due to commercial expansion is the inevitable cause .

Cookery shows on television

Even children these days seem to like cookery shows. The chatty nature of the program coupled with the fact that pleasant things like food are shown and discussed with no reference to the daily stresses of life - so generously used in Indian sitcoms and daily serial shows to get those adult viewers addicted . Children at the end of the day even seem to get bored of cartoons and don’t mind watching the cookery shows . These food shows have also enhanced our vocabulary related to varied cuisines and we are most open to experimenting with new dishes , different additives in our day to day food . So keep the good working going !!!

The Balance

The Team Anna crusade continues in some way or the other . There could be lots of debates and arguments related to the movement but at least a germ of an idea is sown and it will flourish going ahead .
Talking about ideas in a fast city like Mumbai there is no time to think – where will the new things , concepts to grow , progress come from !! Along with the speed , race and movement we also need time to reflect , introspect and grow !! Both speed and stillness go hand in hand if we have to strike that balance !!

The icons of the new economy…

A recent business trip last week took me to NOIDA – the busy NCR region could not escape my observations . There was lot of greenery around and it looked like a planner's delight . Then there were the obvious pictures of Sister Mayavati looking at you at every corner and reminding you that your support is necessary to make her the next Prime Minister of India .

NOIDA, Gurgaon are the new India – full of confidence , new jobs , new economy , plush cars etc . However one thing that struck the nostalgic streak in me – there are hardly any signs of old economy – no friendly neighborhood grocer shops , no vendors , no trace of any old fashioned type of selling . The Mall culture is all pervasive and people have taken to it like nobody's business . Under one roof you have it all – daily utilities, window shopping , food , entertainment etc .

Monday, August 29, 2011

Fasts and more .. but fast please

So now that the period of fasting is over for Team Anna and also a lot of other people around India – the period of introspection begins as we have got a lot of food for thought . Did we really win as a democracy or such movements are possible only in a democracy ? The heartening thing is that the cause managed to awaken the urban middle class from the ennui that has set in .

I personally think that we need to take up the cause of the Mumbai infrastructure in a big way i.e. the Anna Hazare way if you may say . The flooding and perennial construction work has affected the commute , the general living standards . Then there are a host of issues related to infrastructure, certain amenities like playground etc - but no one really has taken up the cause in a focused way like the way it was done in nearby Thane and other places . We really need some help here !!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Back after a long time …..

It took so much time to get back to blogging . There was too much on my platter ..
But at least I am back .One thing that comes to my mind when we talk about finding time for things is the amount of time we spend on phone calls . We cannot invariably forget the numerous unsolicited calls these days due to the last minute rush of various companies related to sales of personal investment product and services . As a result one is subject to ruthless calling for mainly insurance or other financial products . And not to forget credit cards – you might be in a meeting and suddenly there is a call : we are pleased to tell you that your card has been upgraded . Well it could be a great distraction at times . But these are the outcomes of a booming economy where consumerism is on the upswing .

So much for Team Anna !!



The Team Anna sojourn !!
So what is happening with the state of corruption in India or the corrupt State ? It is a simple yet difficult questions . Millions throng on the streets to express their solidarity. But will the Machiavellian moves suppress the honest and sincere attempts to shake a giant monster that has only flourished since years and years of " thought and mind enslavement "


Chennai snippet
One of the work related trips took me to the southern city of Chennai and what a change when dinner was served in the hotel on the roof top in a typical Dhaba kind of a setting !! More than the food it was the ambience which was delightful – with the live music , the lights and the general enthusiasm in the environment.

BTW – It is Hotel Pride at Kilapuk !!


State of Mumbai
The state of roads in Mumbai certainly calls for a certain amount of radical thinking and some fast work . Day by day the state of roads does not become the commercial capital status which the city has .The rains only add to the woes of the commuters . Of course there is metro rail work going on and there is general digging which has made Mumbai land surface similar to that of the Moon – if we may say so . But when will these craters pave the way for smooth roads . All other major cities – Hyderabad , Delhi have moved ahead with their wide and spanking new roads ,airports and general infrastructure !!

Two Roads

Two roads running along side each other .                                 The try to meet but don’t bother . The seem to meet and then depar...