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 .