On a Budget, in Dubai

June 2007
whats on - Wine-N-Dine

The moment you set foot in Dubai, the grandeur of the city awes. The shiny and glitzy glass and metal facades which form the cityscape can leave a newcomer dazzled and wide-eyed. But the City of Gold does not demand its visitors to pay the toll in gold. You can enjoy all its facets – sights, shopping and eating out – on a restricted budget and yet return with a fulfilling experience.

In the back lanes of several of the shiny towers, you will find tea and fruit juice joints. With a huge immigrant population, strong and flavoured tea is a favourite. While scouring the Souqs for fresh condiments, perfumes and electronics, you will find large servings of Kiwi Juice at Dhs 2 very refreshing.

If a quick bite means grabbing a Jumbo Vada Pav or an Idli-Vada before jumping into a fleeting bus or train, you must reach out for a Shawarma in Dubai. A Lebanese item, it has shreds of roasted chicken with tingling sauces rolled up conveniently in a Pita bread, apt for the person on a move! The Shwarma’s are priced at Dhs 3, with a guarantee to satiate hunger-pangs at all the odd hours.

For a more substantial luncheon, look out for the famous chain restaurant – Karachi Darbar. A no-fuss eating joint, office-goers can be seen galore; they come here for quick service. Although a little cold-shouldered, you find that the food seems to appear magically in a flash, piping hot. Savour a three-course meal of Chicken Tikka, Dal Ghost, Rotis, Lassi and their famous hot Jamuns for a neat Dhs 50 for two people.

Similar to the Shwarma joints, you will find the city dotted with small joints which prepare burgers, Indian-style, if you please. At Dhs 5 a plate, these chunky burgers surely give a beating to McDonalds, KFC and Burger King in terms of value-for-money which are priced at Dhs 18.

As the scorching sun sizzles behind the cooling waters, another facet of Arabia comes to life. People prefer to spend a relaxing evening over Shishas and endless hours of banter. This perfect setting of Al Paras fortunately comes minus the high price-tag. An open air restaurant, they have Khus sheets with water running over them to keep cool.

You will be escorted to an elevated wooden canopy, with a carpet and seating on cushions for the party. The meal commences with an earthen bowl of Hummus with a generous dollop of olive oil, cheese stick, mint leaves and Khaboos. The Kebabs, their speciality, are served along with a live barbeque, so you can enjoy the meal at a slow pace. This is accompanied with Irani Rice, liberally sprinkled with homemade butter. This rice itself is flavoured and most people don’t find the need to combine it with a gravy dish. This elaborate evening might cause a small dent of Dhs 250 for five people. But then, its is all worth it!

If you, though, prefer a quick dinner minus the frills, head for the back alleys of Bur Dubai, where you will find the labour class of the opulent city voraciously digging into heaps of Biryani. These cubby holes also have separate seating for families, often in upstairs booths. A meal can be enjoyed here for as little as Dhs 7 for two people.

Be warned though, a trip to the world-famous malls can surely leave your pocket light of all that you saved up with this culinary budget.

Pondicherry - The French Connection

March 2007
whats on - Getaway

Pondicherry The French Connection

Sights are manifold, from pastel-coloured churches to bright temple towers; Joan of Arc's heavenward gaze vies with the tall carved pillars from Gingee at the seafront; cricket competes with petanque.

Pondicherry, a confluence of spiritual aura, French colonial heritage and Tamil culture, is one of the few surviving union territories with a pristine coastline. Fondly called Pondy, it is a charming Mediterranean town with cobbled streets, stylish houses and ornamental gardens. Pondy instantly transports the first-timer to a picturesque town. All the roads and institutions have names in French, such as Hotel de Ville, which is the Town Hall. Little wonder then that Pondy is often called the French Riviera of the East. The French first arrived and ruled the town for nearly 281 years. Today, it stands as a living and breathing monument of the French culture in India.
A convenient way to see Pondicherry is at leisure, by a cycle rickshaw. And, if you really want do want some pace, hire a motorcycle. They come for as little as Rs 100 per day (fuel extra). It is easy to whizz about, zigzagging through the lanes, all over the town with no chance of every getting lost. This French Boulevard town has everything planned down into a grid, much like New York City.
Sights are manifold, from pastel-coloured churches to bright temple towers; Joan of Arc's heavenward gaze vies with the tall carved pillars from Gingee at the seafront; cricket competes with petanque. Apart from the monuments, there is the French Consulate and the Foyer du Soldat for war veterans of the French Army.
The restaurants serve a rich variety of French, Indian, Asian and continental food, with the latest pizza for an American bite. A favourite with tourists is Rendevous, a quintessential French restaurant.
For an avid shopper, Pondy has a lot to offer and is a favourite shopping destination. With taxes low or practically non-existent, Pondy is soft on your purse. It is known for its traditional doll making, textiles and silks. It is also the birthplace of several world-class brands in leather, pottery, aromatics, fashion and handmade paper. Scented candles, incense sticks, lamps and articles made with handmade paper and dry flowers are the flavour of Pondicherry.
On the border of Tamil Nadu is the international city of Auroville, which has the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Inspired by the teachings of Sri Aurobindo, Aurovilled has been largely realized through the vision of his French disciple, known as the 'Mother'.
The French have a saying - Plus ca change, plus c'est le meme chose - which means, the more things change, the more they stay the same. And this could be somewhat the case for Pondicherry. At the crossroads of eastern and western culture, and of ancient and modern spiritual disciplines, Pondicherry truly is a heritage town.

Fact File
Area: 480 sq.km
Language: Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, English & French
Population: 973, 829
When To Go: The climate is tropical, which means that is is hot and humid. Average temperatures are 24C degrees typical of January and 30C degrees for June. The monsoon is active from October through December.

Shack Up!

USP Age
What's On - Wine-N-Dine

If you are yearning for the soft sands of Goa just head for 100ft Road, Indiranagar to shack up at The Beach. This restaurant will instantly transport you to the sultry beaches of Goa – sand, ocean, coconut grooves, et al.
Designed like a Goan shack, you feel at ease the moment you step in. The first things you notice are the lush bamboos which stand tall, blocking away any reminiscence of still being in Bengaluru city.
Essentially divided into four areas, you can enjoy 'an evening in Goa' in all the sections. The Predo Shack is lit subtly with goblets of candles, and is walled off with glass. The high-backed chairs are accompanied by beautiful tables, which are filled with sand and white pebbles, make it a perfect venue for a quiet romantic evening.
The Beach Area has a more upbeat feel to it. The high ceiling with jute and bamboo complete the Goan-shack feel. The glass tabletops are balanced on coconut tree stumps. The stools which make up for seats, are also logs of coconut trees. The accompanying bar area too has a backdrop of bamboo shoots. You will be tempted to dig your feet into the soft sand which makes for the flooring while enjoying hip-hop and house music dished out by the resident DJ.
The bar serves both Indian and imported liquor. Must-try is their Margarita and Long Island Iced Tea. ‘Sex on the Beach’ also came recommended by the manager. You can enjoy your drink over the gentle murmur of waves. The Beach boasts of a water machine which forms waves, thus completing the 'oceanic experience'.
The Lounge area has under-played lighting with low seating. You can laze on the sofas for hours on end. Head for the fine dining section, which is on the first level for a hearty meal. They serve both lunch and dinner, with a multi-cuisine menu. But the kitchen specialises in Goan dishes from where Xazuti, a coconut-based gravy, comes highly recommended. You have a choice of meat – fish, chicken or mutton. The Goan curry which is another hot favourite among patrons, too has a coconut base, spiced delicately with Goan condiments. They also specialise in Continental dishes.
Going by the crowds flocking The Beach every weekend, it sure seems like Goa has found some tough competition in Bangalore.

Go Gizmo

Boys have always loved toys, but girls aren’t behind in the game either. And they do it with panache. Here is a low-down on the must-have gadgets which will enhance your style-quotient instantly.
A book which doesn't run out of paper and a pen out of ink. No wizardry required for modern-day iball Digital Notepad on which you can draw or make notes. It holds up to 150 pages of handwritten notes which can be transferred to computer. Email the tailor to have your dress tailored, or send handwritten emails to friends…computer can be made truly ‘personal’ again.
OSIM helps you rid(e) away your fat. And this does not need heading for the closest race track; the ride comes home for you. iGallop is a mechanical saddle which moves the body in multiple directions giving a full body workout and melts away the fat.
Want to spice up the ride with music? Then you will love the techni-colour iPod Shuffle which can hold up to 240 songs. Tall as your little finger, this mp3 player is now available in vibrant tints - fuchsia pink, electric blue and lime green. Clip it on your collar or belt and rock on for 12 hours, non-stop.
Lost your way in the Ghats? Look up your camera! Exilim EX-S770, the digital camera from Casio can take maps you found on the internet, emails, even business documents. This is besides the 1739 pictures or 43 minutes of video you can take. A slim card camera in funky colours, slip it in your handbag and make any moment a best-shot.
Your nail chips in office or the keys fall in the dark at the doorstep? Hit SOS, or keep Miss Army Kit alongside. This pocket-sized pink kit fits in 16 disarming tools including knife and flashlight; needle, thread, and safety pin for wardrobe malfunctions; mirror, nail fileand perfume bottle for an unplanned date.
Shopping alone and can’t trust the sales woman’s advise? Snap a picture and ask your girlfriend for advice. With Intel UMPC aka Ultra Mobile PC access media and online content on the go. Chat, watch videos, go through presentation on your drive back home…everything you would do on your PC, scrunched in a handheld device.
Word of warning – these gizmos can get very addictive.

Rock of all Ages

CityInfo
Bangalore
Cover Story

Rock of all Ages
Diamonds are a girl's best friend

A journey into the glimmering world of Damas will leave you breathless. At the stunning range, of course, but also at who’s shopping. 10,000 sq ft of dazzling gold and diamonds shaped into one of the country’s largest collections of jewellery, caters not just to bridal parties and platinum couples, but also to teenagers and children. “Our range is yet unmatched,” beamed managing director Shaheeda Abdul Kader.
The latest collection at Damas is Farfasha, meaning ‘chill out’ in Arabic. It was launched on the eve of Valentine’s Day and its brand ambassador is the smouldering hot Lebanese singer, Nancy Ajram. “We chose Nancy because she is the icon of the youth today,” explained Abdul Kader. Farfasha is an affordable collection especially designed for the young and young at heart.
Another favourite at Damas is Aya – meaning verses – which consists of pendants, all inscribed with lines from the Koran. The store’s expert craftsmen are currently working on inscribing the Bhagvad Gita too.
Quite unlike local jewellery stores, Damas carries the complete range of each of the brands it houses. The selection includes Italian jewellery brands, Uno Aerre, Aprile and Salvatore Bersani, the Swiss Gemtique, and even middle-range collections like Uno Trend and Celine Renato. Sidra, and Alice & Alex are exclusive collections of jewellery for children. Fior is a beautiful Sri Lankan brand of floating diamonds. Boudoor, literally meaning constellation of moons, is Damas’ in-house collection.
Damas has a network of over 250 branches worldwide. You’ll find over 90 per cent of the largest Italian jewellery brands and some of the best Swiss watches here. The Italian brand Aprile, in particular, is extremely popular with the Indian market.
The jewellery conglomerate believes in showcasing craft that is unique. Not only does Damas house well-known international brands, it also fetes local talent. Anjana Das, a Bangalore-based designer has her collection of Biorlet diamonds sharing the limelight with Gemtique and Boudoor.
Abdul Kader knows beyond a doubt that the Indian consumer has arrived. “A large chunk of our customers in Dubai were Indians. Indians have the purchasing power, but they don’t always find the quality they’re seeking. Why should they have to make trips abroad just to shop?”
The name, the glamour, and the style associated with Damas have all arrived intact to India. Not surprising, since Damas literally means indestructible. The brand was created in Dubai in 1907, and the name is derived from the Greek, Adamas, meaning indestructible or unconquerable, another synonym for Diamond.
So when it came time to travel to India, what made Damas pick Bangalore over other metros? Chairman Tawfique Abdullah initially came to Bangalore for a visit and fell in love with its lush greenery. When he brought it up with the concierge of his hotel, he was told, “No matter what you plant in the soil here, it flourishes.” Abdullah was so charmed with this insight on the richness of the city that he decided to bring his brand to Bangalore.
World-class jewellery usually costs the earth. This myth will be effectively shattered on your first visit to Damas, the city’s definitive jewellery mall.
Damas, 16/2 Commissariate Rd, Opp Garuda Mall, Bangalore. Ph: 4112-7200.

Gone in 6 Days

080
Zone In Zone Out
Feature

Gone in 6 Days
You may have missed the good deals, but don’t miss the last flight out this summer!

With March bounding into view, another scorching summer with an increasingly restless family looms. But before you curse your globe-trotting neighbour and turn resignedly Ooty-wise, consider this: it’s not too late in the year for an impromptu foreign trip. No such thing, you say? Allow us to prove you wrong, with several deliciously picturesque examples.
We know what you’re thinking. The flights out of the country are the first to fill up, so not only have you missed the special holiday deals, there is also a chance you will be shelling out 30-50 percent more than the actual fare. But here’s how the glass is half-full: hotel bookings are more readily available and rooms are more affordable during off-peak season. And haggling with local vendors will be easier when there aren’t too many fleece-able tourists to drive prices high. Agreed, this isn’t your long-planned dream holiday. This is better.
Your options for the destination are endless. For instance, you can get last-minute reservations in most South East Asian countries – Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mauritius, Thailand, Bali, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. Of course, Nepal is passé now. Besides, as Girija Chandran, director, Hammock Holidays, says, “Why go to a place where there is a chance of getting caught in crossfire?” So leave the soaring mountains, and head for the cool blue beaches this summer.
Sri Lanka is a recommended destination if you want to have all the fun, without shelling out all that money. This island country is dotted with exotic resorts at half the cost of those in India. In fact, a trip to Sri Lanka might work out to be cheaper than a stay at an Ayurvedic spa resort in Kerala! Besides being easy on your bank balance, the country offers great beach fronts. The culture here is soaked in tradition, coloured by Buddhism.
Mauritius and Maldives are other fabulous seaside holiday destinations. Remember to pack that sunscreen if you don’t want to come back looking like a lobster. If soaking up the sun does not excite you, the snow-capped mountains in Europe will. All 16 countries require a Schengen visa.
“Ease in availability of visa depends on which European country you want to visit,” explains Monesh Devjani, Director Cloud 9. Visa for France, Austria and Italy are the easiest to acquire. Spain and Germany, on the other hand, are difficult. Acquiring a Schengen visa can take a week to ten days. But if you apply now, you can take your holiday when summer scorches Bangalore in May.
A trip down under to Australia and New Zealand is also a good option. Visas to these countries are hassle-free and don’t require too much documentation. And if all goes smoothly, you should have your visa in hand within a week.
Chandran is quite positive about last-minute travellers, “10-15 percent of our clients make last-minute travelling plans. But then there are always last-minute cancellations, which is a boon for eleventh-hour holiday planners. You can get through.”
It isn’t too late to leave on that jet plane. After all, the best thing about off-season is that the beach is still there, but the hammock is cheaper. So don’t shy away from split-second vacation plans, it’s in the blink of an eye that most miracles happen. And going from bored corporate lackey to chilled-out vacationer in 24 hours is nothing short of miraculous.

ECNR Explained
As per the Emigration Act, 1983, certain categories of Indian passport holders require to obtain ‘Emigration Clearance’ from the office of Protector of Emigrants (POE) for going to certain countries. As per Emigration Act, ‘emigration’ refers to the leaving of an Indian citizen with the view of taking up employment in a foreign country.
(ECNR) Emigration Check Not Required is a clearance check required from the passport officials. You will need one full day off from office if you want an ECNR stamp on your passport. And no, your agent cannot help you out here. You have to submit the papers personally at the Passport Office in the morning and collect your stamped passport on the same afternoon.
Girija Chandran from Hammock Holidays advises, “Even if you are not planning to make a trip to any of these destinations, it’s a good idea to have your ECNR pre-approved; you never know when a good package may come your way!”
ECNR is a means to safeguard the interest of individuals who are of employable age. The Indian Constitution recognises a graduation certification as qualification for obtaining an ECNR. It protects the rights of gullible, illiterate citizens who might be in the danger of being shipped off for employment to foreign land by touts. Children do not need an ECNR.
However, there the laws concerning ECNR are arbitrary, so do check your facts. For example, in the eyes of emigration authorities, South-East Asian countries – Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand –are all at par. But it’s only if you are travelling to Malaysia that ECNR is mandatory.

Travel agents
Hammock Leisure Holiday Ph: 5126-2220, 2535-2877
Cloud 9 Holidays Ph: 5696-5570, 5697-8969
Thomas Cook Ph: 2558-1337, 5123-9071
Charter Tours Ph: 2532-0606/0707
Leisure Holidays Ph: 2558-5411, 5112-1911
Footloose Yatra Consultants Ph: 2535-7116/7
Holiday Mantra Ph: 3061-5955, 98456-64340
Travel Tours Ph: 2228-7027/28
SOTC Ph: 2238-4444/6128
P&O Travels Ph: 2551-8888
Cox & Kings Ph: 2223-9192, 2227-6021
Source: CityInfo

WWW
lastminutetravel.com
The site has on offer some of the online best deals. And you won’t have to pay through your nose, if you net the right ones.

Tattoo Me, Mark Me, Brand Me

Cafe Beat
Cover Story

Tattoo Me, Mark Me, Brand Me
“Women have a higher threshold for pain. It’s generally men who scream while getting tattooed.”

Want to profess undying love for your partner? Or want to make a style statement, which will last you a lifetime? Then get yourself marked for life – get yourself a tattoo.
Tattoos have steadily gained popularity in the last decade – a trend that shows little sign of slowing down. They come in all shapes and sizes, and you can emblazon them anywhere on your body.
Let’s look at the origins and meaning of this incredible painful yet popular art-form. The practice of tattooing means different things in different cultures. Sailors travelling to exotic foreign lands began to collect tattoos as souvenirs of their journeys (a dragon showed that the seaman had served on a China station), and tattoo parlours sprang up in port cities around the globe.
So what about regular people like you and me? What is it we’re trying to mark on our bodies and what is the message? Arpita, a client-servicing manager at O&M in Mumbai gifted herself a tattoo when she turned 30. “I had always wanted a tattoo, and would envy my friends who flashed them at parties. I‘d even thought of the design – an angel. But there was always social pressure and the taboo which is associated with tattoos in our culture.” But her urges got the better of her detractors. And the experience? “Not at all painful, just a slight tingling sensation. It’s been six months now, and I plan to get another tattoo on my shoulder. It will probably be a psychedelic design this time.”
There seems to be another motive behind the tattoo: a primitive, profound and inexplicable fascination with the process of puncturing the skin, letting blood, and consenting to change the body for life. Many people have tried to figure it out, but it remains a mystery; something intuitive that defies rationale.

The Tattoo Addition
Tattooing can be addictive. And most people who have been under the needle once, keep going back for more. Anisha, a die-hard rock fan, has three tattoos. “I was known as Kid Rock in college because I loved music. Floyd was the defining factor in my life back then.. I have a plan for my back. The Division Bell on my shoulder is just the beginning…” So then why a tattoo on the arm? “I always wanted a tattoo here. So I got a marijuana leaf etched when I went to Bali. And the exclamation mark on my neck - that defines my attitude – exclaiming at life.” Each of her tattoos have been etched in different parts of the world, by different artists. And Anisha is not yet content. “I will be getting my next tattoo on my back in Manila, after I get my pay check,” she beamed.
Most people sport tattoos to make style statements that express themselves and their personalities. Deciding which part of your body to tattoo is very important for a few reasons. Your main concern should be aesthetics, meaning the way it looks on your body. There are so many styles of tattoos possible. It may be one of the most versatile mediums behind digital art. You can make a tattoo look like a watercolour painting, a piece of metal, an open wound, or anything else you come up with. But the greatness of the tattoo is limited by the technical skill and creativity of the tattoo artist.
Kasmin, a 23-year old journalist, got her tattoo on her upper arm – a very macho place for a girl. “I went to the tattoo artist and he showed me his portfolio. The design I saw had some Chinese symbolism, but even he did not know what it meant.” The design was so intricate that the artist offered her to do it in two sessions, first to outline and then the filling. But Kasmin was too excited to wait till the following weekend. “It wasn’t painful at all. It felt like red ants on my skin. So I didn’t mind the five-hour session. But the artist was tired.” It’s painful wield a tattoo needle up and down at a rate of several hundred vibrations per minute for five hours straight!

Is it painful?
Being snapped by a rubber band, a slight tickling, a bee sting, a sunburn, being pinched, pins-and-needles, like when your foot’s asleep, numb, pinpricks, tingling, like a drill going into your skin, uncomfortable - all of these phrases have been used to describe what it feels like to get tattooed.
Your personal tolerance for pain, the size and type of your tattoo and the skill of the artist help determine the amount of pain involved. If you have difficulty with an injection at the doctor’s office or if the sight of blood makes you queasy, you might want to think twice before visiting the tattoo parlour.
Kasmin’s tattoo artist admitted, “Women have a higher threshold for pain. It’s generally men who scream while getting tattooed.”
Pain also depends on the location of your tattoo. The lower back and ankle are popular places for tattoos, but it’s much less painful to get one on your chest or upper arm. That’s because the skin right above your bones tends to be more sensitive to needles, while there’s extra body mass in the upper arm or chest to cushion the bones.
Before you make a decision to get a tattoo, do yourself a favour and read about possible health issues associated with the practice. A tattoo is pretty much a medical procedure, as it involves contact with blood, contaminated needles, and other medical waste. Every tattoo shop should be as clean and professional as a doctor’s office.
Since the needles used in tattooing are solid (not hollow like a syringe), and HIV doesn’t live outside the body for very long, transmission is unlikely. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, there has not been a single documented case of AIDS transmission from a tattoo. Infections can occur if proper care isn’t taken after the tattooing session; allergic reactions to pigments are also a risk.
Unlike the US, there are no laws which have been created for tattoo parlours in India. So you will need to do use your discretion in choosing the right parlour to get yourself a tattoo.

Are you really, truly sure you want a tattoo?
After you’ve explored the tattoo process and learned about all the health/ safety considerations, here are several more points to consider:
- A tattoo is permanent. What’s cool at 18 might not be very appealing on a 40-year-old you!
- Tattoo removal is considerably more painful and expensive than tattooing. The process usually takes several sessions and offers varying results. Doctors say tattoos can be lightened but not always completely removed.

After Tattoo Care
Taking care of a new tattoo can prevent health problems and also ensure that the quality of the image is protected. A tattoo takes about two weeks to heal completely. During the healing process, it’s important to take good care of your tattoo. Make sure the area is clean and dry.

I’ve changed my mind!
How do you remove a tattoo?
- Laser treatment is one of the most common methods. Different wavelengths of light are used for different pigments. The laser beam passes through the skin and is absorbed by the ink.
- The excision method is useful when the tattooed area is comparatively small. This helps in the complete removal of tattoos.
- Dermabrasion involves spraying a small portion of the tattooed part with a solution that freezes the area. An abrasive instrument used to peel off the skin, followed by dressing the area to stop the bleeding that may occur.
Whatever the cons maybe, they seem to be outweighed by the pros. And more and more youngsters want to get themselves tattooed.

Temporary Tattoos
Not ready for the real thing? A temporary tattoo may be a good choice and they’re a fun, pain-free way to enjoy tattoos and the culture without permanent side affects. Stick-ons, rub-ons, and painted-on tattoos are fun. Or you could try one of the massively popular henna tattoos that Madonna and other stars have made popular. They offer the coolness of a tattoo without the pain, risk and expense.
And they also answer the million-dollar question: what do you do when you don’t want to have that tattoo 10 years later?

The Tattoo as Make Up
Want to look as good the morning after as the night before? Permanent tattoos to highlight eyebrows, line the eyes or even a mole above the lip are very doable. Many women do this to avoid the hassle of putting on makeup each day.
Look around to see if the studio is clean and professional. That says a lot!
Ask questions: Is the equipment sterilised? Are the needles and other materials single-use? Are gloves being worn? (Professional tattoo artists won’t mind these questions.)
Play watchdog with the tattoo artist to be sure safety measures are being followed while he’s applying your tattoo.
Make sure all needles are opened in front of you.
To be doubly sure, you may want to watch your tattoo artist work on someone at his studio so you know how the entire procedure works out (including the procedure, cleanliness, pain etc).

Tattoo Parlours
Mumbai
Scissors Over Comb, Samudra Mahal, Worli Ph: 2496-6118
Funky Monkey Tattoo and Design Studio, Bandra
Ekta & Usha Shah Ph: 2369-2976, 2368-0619.
Samir Patange Ph: 2207-2622, 98203-42044

Bangalore
Body Craft Ph: 98450-17920, 2551-0209
Graffiti Inc Ph: 98440-20643, 2212-5178/9
Bodycraft, Frazer Town Ph: 2551-4596/3661

Chennai
The Rock, Egmore Ph: 2821-3197

The World's First Diet Whisky

CityInfo
Mumbai
Cover Story

The World's First Diet Whisky
McDowell’s DietMate will arrest the urge to over indulge in eating. And thus keep your cholesterol under control

“Drinking alcohol makes me fat.” Health conscious Mumbai-ites have long restrained themselves from drinking. But what is a party if you have no alcohol flowing? The growing concerns about weight and obesity among alcohol consumers led McDowell’s No1 to address their concerns. It seized this opportunity to address a key
consumer need for fitness with the introduction of DietMate, a diet whisky.
The caramel content in alcohol is the only source of calories. However, it is used in a minuscule quantity to enhance the colour of whisky. It is the fried and fat-soaked snacks eaten as accompaniment to liquor that leads to obesity.
Mc Dowell’s developed the concept of DietMate Whisky based on the feedback it received from people looking for a product of this nature. The whisky has an extract added from a flower – Garcenia – an ancient Indian herb. The extracts of this flower helps burn excess body fat and mars the appetite. This in turn keeps the cholesterol levels in the human body under control. This is effective since people overlook how much they snack once they start drinking.“ McDowell’s DietMate will arrest the urge to over indulge in eating. And thus keep cholesterol under control,” said Alok Gupta, Executive Vice President, United Spirits. The best part is that there are absolutely no side effects!
The McDowell’s No 1 DietMate is a unique blend which has been meticulously researched and perfected. It has the smoothness of a reserve whisky.
“McDowell’s No1 DietMate understands the consumer’s concern for fitness. Keeping in mind this growing need of health conscious drinkers, Mc Dowells No. 1 has come up with this unique offering. With increasing stress levels, health complications and work taking its toll, more and more youngsters are looking for healthier alternatives that fit into their lifestyle,” said Gupta. Diet whisky is the first alcoholic drink with cholesterol control properties. “The product is a result of two years of intensive R&D. We have been careful to retain the taste, aroma and colour of the whisky,” said Gupta. The taste of the original McDowell’s No 1 whisky has not been tampered with.
People who have sampled the new DietMate find it comparatively smoother than normal whisky.
Feedback from these early tests has shown that they like the taste of the whisky.
After the runaway success of DietMate in Mumbai, the UB group plans to bring out other diet variants. The product was first launched in Mumbai. Since then it has been launched in Thane, Nagpur and recently in Goa. It will soon be launched in Pune and Kolhapur as well. DietMate is available at Rs 336 for a 750 ml bottle. Cheers to good health!

Vie Fi

CityInfo
Mumbai
Gourmet Pick

Vie Fi
“Our chefs create unique dishes, you will not find anywhere else in Mumbai.”

If you’re looking for a good meal in an exotic ambience, Vie’s the place to be.. The food has rare constituents and alluring flavours from the Mediterranean.
As you enter the lounge, you are greeted with a sprawling wooden deck, which extends onto a glass landing. This rolls straight onto the beach, where you can dig your feet into the warm sand. On a lazy evening, chill out with a glass of Kingfisher beer as you soak yourself in the warmth of the evening.
Vie has been aesthetically divided into separate spaces, ensuring the guests their privacy and choice of ambience. Besides, they also have a private members lounge accompanied with a bar area. The restaurant has two large bars, which serve an exotic variety of cocktails. You can choose from their illustrious fresh fruit blends, Collins, Daiquiris and flavoured Martinis.
“We have a special menu every fortnight, where our chefs create unique dishes, you will not find anywhere else in Mumbai,” boasted Suneil Dudhalkar, manager.
The BBQ kitchen is a hit among the regulars at the restaurant. The menu boasts of some of best grills served with a Middle Eastern flavour. Indulge in sappetizers like Pomfret Charmulla, Chicken Juniper and Blue Cheese Chicken Tikka.
“We have recently introduced Sunset Coffee Session,” informed Suneil. The coffee session consists of a round of coffee and snacks like sandwiches between 4 and 6.30 every evening.

Vie Lounge & Deck, 102 Juhu Tara Road, Opp Little Italy, Juhu
Ph: 2660-3003
7 pm – 1.30am

A Twist In The Tale

CityInfo
Mubai
Cover Story

A Twist In The Tale
Global cuisine goes Asian. At Seijo & The Soul Dish.

How about a trip around the world even as you are seated at a restaurant?
Seijo & The Soul Dish offers the best of world cuisine. What’s unique about the myraid dishes served here is that each of them have been given a diustinctive South East Asian flavour.
Seijo and the Soul Dish is an open air Pan-Asian diner. The Singapore Laksha, which is a specialty at this restaurant is prepared using authentic ingredients. These can be eaten with Mirin, which is a type of rice dish.
The restaurant area is galactic. With a seating capacity of 100 people, this area has been designed in a courtyard style and the ceiling is 25 ft high. “This is in keeping with Japanese styles. They believe in openness,” explained Kishore D F, proprietor. There is a lot of greenery and bamboo shoots all around. The dining area has a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Besides the Japanese touch, the interiors also have a distinct Asian influence. Modern Japanese Art, popularly known as Manga Art, adorns the walls. And the sound of flowing water adds to the ambience.
The chef, Irfan Pabaney has trained in Singapore, and makes an amazing array of Sushi – Egg, Maki Roll, Prawn Sushi, Lobster Sushi and Spicy Tuna Sushi. The Indonesian Sambals, which is a popular form of curry, is another one of their specialties.
There are three variations of the Thai curry served here, each of which have distinctly different flavours – red which has a dominant chilly flavour; green which has a dominant coriander flavour; yellow which has a dominant turmeric flavour. “We use authentic ingredients, which are all imported from various South East Asian countries.
On offer on the starters menu are the likes of Chicken Otak-Otak which is minced chicken in five spices. This is wrapped in a banana leaf, steamed and then grilled, before its served. Their range of vegetarian starters includes Kakiyagi, a combination of spring onion and fresh corn. there’s plenty more to choose from.
The bar at Seijo and the Soul Dish is equally fancy. This bar area is separate from the lounge and the restaurant area. Huge Japanese manga artwork adorn the walls of the bar, where world beats accompanied by a live percussion beats set the mood for the evening. This mainly Jconsists of African and South American strains. Sprawled over a 3000 sq ft area, it is a modern ecliptic bar, which has a distinct New York style to it. It specialises in different types of Martinis. The barman will fuse various flavours in Martini like vanilla and yellow melon.
The signature drink is Batida. Seijo and the Soul Dish prides itself as being the only restaurant in Mumbai to serve this drink. It is a Brazilian carnival drink, made with fruit juices and raw sugarcane liqueur. This liqueur is specially imported from Brazil. Teetotallers can opt for the Mohito, international drink. It is a comination of ginger and lemon.
Brazilian drink, New York-styled bar. Wouldn’t that make Seijo & the Soul Dish a multi-cuisine restaurant? Kishore disagreed. “All our dishes have a South East Asian twist.” The restaurant has been rated the Best Looking Restaurant in India.
“Very urban and very different from any other place in Mumbai,” as one of their customers would have it.

Seijo & the Soul Dish, 206 Krystal, Waterfield Road, Bandra
Ph: 2640 5555

Rustic Echoes

CityInfo Mumbai
Gourmet Pick

Rustic Echoes
11 Echoes is designed to create the perfect setting; rustic in design, with strong influences of the Mediterranean.

Across the shores of the Arabian Sea, built in a gentle curve, 11 Echoes is an all-new destination for Mumbai’s happening crowd. The restaurant is an eclectic mix of modern European cuisine, great cocktails, pastas and a warm ambience. As Puneet, one of its owners, said, “Great emphasis was laid not only on the quality of the cuisine but also the music and the setting of the place. This enhances the overall experience at 11 Echoes.”
Spread across two levels and divided into four unique spaces, 11 Echoes is designed to create the perfect setting; rustic in design, with strong influences of the Mediter-ranean.
The exotically lit inner area is furnished with plush white sofas that accentuate the feel of a lounge, while the stone floor and the high wooden ceilings meet whitewashed walls in a gentle curve. A wooden deck encompasses the bar area which leads you to the fine dining section outside. The Aqua bar, inspired by the ocean, beckons you to enjoy heady cocktails even as the sea mists your senses. Sample the delicious Pomegranate Couscous or bite into a juicy Seared Fillet Mignon. Compliment your meal with a mug of Kingfisher beer. The terrace dining area, which overlooks the expanse of the ocean, is the perfect setting for a quiet candlelight dinner while you watch the rippling of the waves as you dine in candlelight and enjoy the music that runs through the entire space.
Let the 11 Echoes fill you -- mind, body and spirit.

11 Echoes, Opp Palm Grove, Juhu Beach. Ph: 2617-7524/25

Whisky For Tee

CityInfo
National Cover Story

Whisky For Tee
The McDowell's Signature Club Golf Championship is India's largest Inter-Club
golf Event.
By Our Correspondent

The New Sign of Success, McDowell’s Signature has been closely associated with the sought-after sport of golf. Once a niche sport, golf has expanded in its reach and appeal.
McDowell’s Signature has fostered its association with golf with McDowell’s Signa-ture Celebrity Golf, which is golf for a cause; McDow-ell’s Signature Club Golf Championship, a one-of-its-kind tournament in India attracting participation from India’s top golf clubs. And of course, the association is further consolidated with McDowell’s Signature World Cup of Golfing Cricketers, another pioneering event, by creating a platform for successful cricketers of yesteryears from eight test playing nations.
In its fourth leg, the McDowell’s Signature Club Golf Championship 2005 witnessed great excitement as the Noida Golf Course won the all-India finals at the lush greens of the Pine Hurst Golf & Country Club, one of the elegant courses of Bangkok.
“The McDowell’s Signa-ture Club Golf Champion-ship attracts vast participation. This year witnessed participation by more than 4000 golfers from 30 golf clubs across 20 cities around the country making it the largest of its kind in the country,” said Vijay Rekhi, president, UB Group Spirits Division.
To ensure wider participation, the tournament was played in a three-tier format: Stage one, the intra-club stage was where participating club members played among each other to select the club team. There were three handicap categories 0-8 (played on gross stable ford), 9-16 and 17-24 (played on 3/4th nett stable ford). The winners and runners-up from each handicap category formed the six-member club team.
At stage two, regional finals, club teams battled it out among the other clubs of the region to decide the regional champions.
In stage three, the finals, four regional champion clubs were pitted against each other at Bangkok to decide the McDowell’s Signature Champion Golf Club of India.
“This brand property is aimed at fostering the brand’s association with the premium and aspirational game of golf, which is very quickly gaining in popularity among the country’s successful young adults,” said Rekhi.
“On the fairway, it is not who you are, but what you can do that counts. This emotion uniquely captures the essence of our brand – for the young and successful who have created wealth by changing business paradigms, instead of just acquiring it,” said Alok Gupta, executive vice president, marketing, UB Group Spirits Division.
Apart from the premium imagery that golf helped the brand project, the Signature blend will be the cornerstone of the brand’s identity.
McDowell’s Signature won global acclaim for its blend, winning an award at the prestigious ‘Concours Mondial de Bruxelles’. It was also awarded the ‘Best in Class’ Award at the Annual International Wine & Spirits Competition held in the UK.

Flit Like A Butterfly, Kick Like A Bull

080
Wellness
Feature

Flit Like A Butterfly, Kick Like A Bull

Cardio kickboxing is all the rage these days amongst those seeking more excitement in the daily exercise regimen.

Bored with your aerobics class? Looking for a workout that totally kicks butt? Want to increase your stamina, flexibility, and strength while listening to your favourite dance mixes?
If this sounds good to you, then cardio kickboxing may be your ticket to wellness.
Kickboxing combines the best of a variety of different exercise disciplines to provide an overall workout. It combines self-awareness and control of martial arts, the focus and strength of boxing, and the grace and rhythm of dance. Martial arts and boxing develop strength, speed, balance, coordination and awareness. The dance moves give the workout energy and rhythm that improves coordination and body awareness and provides a workout for the heart.

What is Kickboxing?
Cardio-kickboxing (aka aerobic boxing, aerobox, boxercise, boxaerobics) is a high-impact cardiovascular workout that blends elements of boxing, martial arts and traditional aerobics into a 30 to 60 min exercise routine to provide overall physical conditioning and toning.
The roots of kickboxing date back to the Far East 2,000 years ago. Kickboxing as we know it today developed under various influences. But modern competitive kickboxing was actually popularised by Billy Blanks’ in 1998.
Kickboxing is a unique way to improve endurance, confidence and strength. The one-hour sessions offer a great workout focusing on developing general fitness and body tone. It improves fitness, flexibility and stamina - an excellent workout. Essentially it is boxing with kicks - combining western and eastern techniques.

What’s the workout like?
Kickboxing classes usually comprise of 10 to 15-min warm-ups, which may include stretching and traditional exercises such as jumping jacks and push-ups, followed by a 30-min kickboxing session that includes movements such as knee strikes, kicks, and punches. After this, at least 5-mins is devoted to cooling down, followed by about 10-mins of stretching and muscle conditioning. Stretching is really important because beginners can strain their muscles, and slow, proper stretching helps relax muscles and prevent injury.

What can you expect?
- Cardio kickboxing does not involve physical contact between competitors.
- Classes vary but generally feature a variety of punches, kicks, knee strikes and other self-defence moves interspersed with a bouncing base move.
- Some cardio-kickboxing classes spend a part of the time kicking and punching weighted, padded targets or engaging in actual sparring.
- The class may also incorporate traditional exercises, such as jumping jacks, abdominal crunches, leg lifts and push-ups to create a total body workout.
- Unlike weight training programs, kickboxing uses your own body weight for the workout.

Why Kickboxing?
- Besides keeping your body fit, kickboxing has tons of other benefits.
- It is an ideal vehicle for physical, mental, personal and emotional development.
- Its rigorous workout - controlled punching and kicking movements carried out with the discipline and skills required for martial arts can do wonders for feelings of frustration and anger.
- Practicing kickboxing moves also helps improve balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
- Unlike the complicated moves of aerobics, kickboxing is very easy to learn and follow. The moves in cardio-kickboxing involve dance movements, which make you feel energised and explosive after the workout.
- Kickboxing reduces and relieves stress. Which is why even people with a cardiac problem, can do a kickboxing workout, with the help of a personal trainer.

How many calories does cardio-kickboxing burn?
- With 600-800 calorie burnout per hour, kickboxing has been rated as the highest calorie workout by Muscle & Fitness, America.
- A 60-70 per cent pulse rate is essential for weight loss, which can be achieved by everyone. If you want to increase your endurance and stamina, a 85% pulse needs to be reached. An 85% pulse workout is not for everyone and can be achieved with gradual increase in the intensity of workout.

You may not acquire fame as Jean Claude Van Damne did in Hong Kong for his kickboxing stunts, but it is surely a great way to get a total body workout. And in the bargain you will also learn simple self-defence moves.

Expert Speak:
Prakash Kumar, Director, Indian Fitness Academy
I introduced Tae Bo Do, commonly know as kickboxing, 5 years ago in Bangalore. My 26-year background of boxing and martial arts has definitely helped me train my students better.
Kickboxing is a stress reliever, since the workout demands a high amount of concentration, which involves the right level at which the kicks and boxes are aimed. Kickboxing requires strength, endurance, technique, and focus; it mandates your mind and soul as well as your body.
I insist that a fitness test should be taken before any person is enrolled onto the kickboxing programme. The fitness test decides the level of workout to be prescribed.

Karuna Horo, Fitness Expert, Talwalkars
Being a combination of martial arts and boxing, kickboxing involves several combinations of movements, which can be experimented with. This ensures that the workouts are not boring. It has also helped people feel more empowered and confident.
Women tend to put on weight on their mid-section and the lower body. Kickboxing helps target these problem areas and lose weight quickly. You can see the results within the first 3 months.

The Basics
Before you decide to jump in and sign up for a class, you should keep a few basic guidelines in mind:
- Know your current fitness level. Kickboxing is a high-intensity, high-impact form of exercise, so
it’s probably not a good idea to plunge in after a long stint as a couch potato.
- When you do begin kickboxing, allow yourself to be a beginner by working at your own pace and not overexerting yourself to the point of exhaustion.
- Check it out before you sign up. If possible, observe or try a class beforehand to see whether it’s right for you and to make sure the instructor is willing to modify the routine a bit to accommodate people’s different skill levels.
- Start slowly and don’t overdo it.

‘Tis The Season To Be Really Cool

Cover Story
080 - Feature in Cover Story
CityInfo - Dubai & India (Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata)

‘Tis The Season To Be Really Cool
What will you be gifting this season? Ties? Scarves? Soap on a rope? A toaster that can send emails?

Technology does not have to be dull. In fact, after dipping toes into the techno world, you will see why it’s so vital to a man’s existence. Take a peek at our wish list and see if any of these goodies will catch you his eye.

Garmin Street Pilot 2610
‘It’s right around the corner honey.’ Does that ring a familiar bell? If you want to reach from Point A to Point B without circumventing the entire city, gift your man the Garmin StreetPilot 2610. It will sit pretty on the car’s dashboard and guide you to your destination. It’s got a sensitive touch screen with four buttons for easy one-hand operation. Makes sure you reach the next baby shower party before the baby has been named.
Available at: www.garmin.com


Nokia 8800
He may not wear jewellery, but he will not mind being spotted with the Nokia 8800 adorning his palm. With a sleek and sexy stainless steel body, it slides down to reveal a deep black keypad beneath the shield. And if that hasn’t impressed him enough to junk his Smartphone, dim the bedroom lights. Fire it up. When the phone is on charge, it gives off a cool blue light. Didn’t you always want to do a blue light?
Available at: www.nokia.com

Exilim EX-S100
She’s sleek. She’s sexy. She’s a camera. Casio’s Exilim EX-S100 is the world’s smallest optical zoom digital camera. And don’t be misled by the size. It comes packed with powerful features such as 1.4 sec start-up speed, 0.01-release time lag and 7-point Multi Auto Focus. He will have eyes glued on its 2.0” LCD where he can see you through its 2.8x optical zoom lens.
Available at: www.casio.co.in

Casio Privia PX-500L
If your nephew gets butterfingers on the keyboard, let him paint by numbers. The digital lighting key function on Casio PX-500L will make playing Flight Of The Bumblebee child’s play. The key lights will make him master at the piano on the first go, as they show which key to play along with over 100 rhythms. He can now bid goodbye to his tutor.
Available at: www.casio.co.in


Oakley Thump
If his idea of a jog is plugging on an MP3 player, a smart pair of goggles, and a bottle of fresh lime on the hip, that’s what he ought to have. Oakley Thump is the world’s first digital music eyewear. It has flip-up lens, which filters out all UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light while seamlessly pumping out 120 songs. So don’t wait for him to come back for breakfast; he ain’t gonna be back for another 6 hours.
Available at: www.oakley.com

Digital Photo Frame

In this age of paperless offices, and plastic money, memories still last forever. Now capture thousands of these joyous moments in a single frame with the Digital Photo Frame. Compatible with most memory cards, it will sit perfect on his new rosewood table at office. Now he can see thousands of your photos in one single frame.
Available at: www.ceiva.com

OSIM Massage Chair
Doing the salsa after a long day at work might do little to relieve him of stress. But a personal masseuse would certainly be welcome. The iMedic 200 will help him relieve those tired muscles and drive away the fatigue. After a 15-minute massage, you’ll can get down and enjoy a rumba.
Available at: www.osim.com


Tissot T Touch
Its blue, its Swiss and can tell more than just the time. Just a touch on the screen will bring alive its hands to activate one of the functions: Thermo, Alarm, Compass, Chrono, Altimeter and Meteo. This sapphire crystal watch will make sure he neither loses direction, nor does he fly his Micro Light too low.
Available at: www.tissot.ch

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones
If the cheerleaders in the bedroom give you a headache in the FIFA Cup, then here is the perfect reliever. QuietComfort 2 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones use state of the art noise reduction technology which dramatically reduces unwanted noise. But remember, if are going to nag, he won’t be listening.
Available at: www.boseindia.com


SoundDock Digital Music System
First iPod put music into the pocket. Now bring home the ideal partner to enjoy its crisp and full sound. The SoundDock system is an ideal partner for his iPod. It’s simple; just dock the iPod and bring the evening to life. And a card-sized remote even controls basic iPod functions across the room. So rock on.
Available at: www.boseindia.com

iMate Jas Jar
Videoconference with him while he hits the road in California. Meanwhile he shoots sights of the city with the same phone. How you wonder? Because the iMate Jas Jar comes with two cameras onboard over a 3G network. And if that doesn’t make his business associate sit up and take notice, the swivel from a conventional PDA-cum-phone into a mini-laptop sure will make heads turn. Besides being the first 3G phone based phone, it also supports Wi-Fi, sports a QWERTY keyboard and a pivoting VGA screen.
Available at: www.imate.com

Digital Camera Binoculars
The coming racing season, the professional photographers will seek help from you and your partner. With these Digital Camera Binoculars you can capture all the action-packed moments.
Available at: www.meade.com/captureview

Sony PSP
Boys will always remain boys. Don’t believe us? Hand him a Sony PSP and he’ll be engrossed for hours. This sleek Playstation Portable comes packed with music, games, video and internet browsing.
Statutory Warning: This gizmo is highly addictive.
Available at: www.sony-mea.com

Creative Zen Vision
Can’t accompany him for his business trip to the Bahamas? Fret not. Hand him Creative Zen Vision. With a whopping memory of 30GB, it can click and store tens of thousands of photos, or up to 120 hours of video. It has a transflective screen that provides excellent image and Video quality even in bright sunlit conditions, ensuring you don’t miss any of the beautiful sights and scenes.
Available at: www.creative.com

Samsung Portable DVD Player
It’ll accompany you at the beach, resort or desert safari. And will make sure you are never bored even for a moment. The Samsung Portable DVD player with an extended 4.2hour Li-Ion battery, 3D sound, 2 headphone jacks and a picture CD viewer is the best companion. Even for a romantic getaway. You can watch your favourite movies take while sunbathing on the beach.
Available at: www.samsung.com

Sony DPP-FP50
He shot them. Now you produce the evidence of the crime. With the Sony DPP-FP50 portable printer, you can hand out family photos right away. You will get perfect lab printing quality, without the hassles of plugging onto a PC for download of images. It comes with an in built LCD, slots for memory stick, compact flash and SD media with PictBridge technology.
Available at: www.sony-mea.com

Wood Winds

CityInfo Mumbai
Gourmet Pick

Wood Winds
Karma is one of the very few restaurants, which serve really thin crust pizzas in Mumbai.

The entrance is embodied with the word Karma carved into a wooden sun. This is just the beginning of the woodworks at Karma, the pub-cum-lounge in Mumbai.
Wood panelled floors, brown textured walls and a wooden bar counter, accompanied with dim lighting and candles make for a cosy and comfortable ambience at Karma. The mood is set with lounge music playing softly in the background. As the evening mellows, the tempo increases and creates a peaceful crescendo.
Karma maintains a soothing effect with low and comfortable seating. They also have beanbags placed near the bar area.
The food is definitely noteworthy in this place. Milano Pepper Pizza is the best thing one can order at Karma. It is a 14-inch paper-thin pizza with edges rolled up and stuffed with cheese. “Karma is one of the very few restaurants which serve such thin pizzas in Mumbai,” said Nitin, assistant business developer. Their other speciality is the Lebanese Falafel Pizza.
Karma also serves pastas – Pesto, Penne Ariaeiatta and Sussilli with Forchi Sauce. These would make a great combination with Karma’s signature drink Karma Sutra that is a zingy combination of gin, tequila and cranberry juice.
An average meal for two will make your pocket lighter by Rs 500. Karma also has an unlimited lunch buffet for Rs 150. They have counters serving soups, salads, noodles, rice and sandwiches. And don’t forget to order a mug of Kingfisher beer, which goes very well with the Dim sum at Karma.

Karma,
534 SVP Rd
Opera House
Ph: 2361-7171
12.30 pm – 12.45 am

Gujarati In-Flight Cuisine

CityInfo
Edit

I guess I just was not prepared for a journey by train. I mean, gastronomically.
If you’re accustomed to flying and to cabin crew bringing out trays of waxen edibles, you forget that you must take food with you on a train.
It takes about a day, 24 hours, to get from Bangalore to Mumbai on the Udyan Express and there I was with a croissant, a packet of chips and two cans of Diet Coke.
Bangalore sailed by my window and greenery yielded to open fields and naturally, my thoughts drifted to the croissant, on which I would gorge to the envy of my fellow passengers — a substantial Gujarati family — and what’s more, I speak Gujarati fluently.
As it turned out they had the same idea. Someone said “food” in Gujarati and the cousins who debated the dropping of Saurav Ganguly fell respectfully silent.
In seconds newspapers were spread out across the compartment. I raised my legs to allow the Sports section to serve as a placemat for my immediate neighbour.
A huge basket was pulled from under a seat.
Plates emerged from nowhere.
Parathas followed dhokla followed pickle.
I replaced my croissant quietly. I silently twisted in envy and hunger.
“You there!” the matriarch said. I snapped to attention and saluted, “Ma’am.”
“Look at you. Thin and starving.” I preened at this compliment.
“Eat!” she barked.
I ate. I even beat the quarrelling cousins to helpings of thepla and mango pickle.
I ate till I could eat no more. And before the approving matriarch could offer my hand in marriage to a cousin, I fell asleep.
By the time we steamed into VT, I had bested the family at their own dinner and
I ate all their gulab jamun.
And then, I loosened my belt and saved the croissant for the long cab ride home.

Choose Your Lobsters and Crabs

CityInfo
Cover Story, Mumbai

What You See Is What You Get
At Mahesh Lunch Home, you can choose your lobsters and crabs before it is cooked and served.

It may not be a good idea to count your chickens before they are hatched, but you sure can choose your seafood before its served to you. At Mahesh Lunch Home, the seafood of your choice is brought live to your table before it is cooked and served to you. You can choose your lobsters and crabs before the chef begins working his magic and transforming them into appetizing and finger-smacking dishes.
The restaurant is known for its Prawns Gassi which can be had with Appams.
“Gassi is another name for curry, except that it has a little more body than the conventional curry does. It is made by grinding coconut with handfuls of red chillies, with cumin seeds, coriander seeds and tomatoes for taste, kokum and tamarind water, thereby assuring that the taste is both hot and sour,” said Suraj Shetty, director.
Started as a humble Mangalorean eatout specialising in seafood in the corporate hub of Mumbai, Mahesh Lunch Home has grown to become a much sought after destination for seafood.
“When we started 27 years ago in Fort, the restaurant was frequented mainly by office-goers in the area,” said Shetty. “But the consistent quality of our food has attracted people from all over Mumbai.” Mahesh Lunch Home has also gained an equal amount of popularity among foreigners visiting the city. Begin your meal with a glass of Solkadi, which is a popular Mangalorean drink. It is the Konkan elixir for the digestive system. The extract of a tamarind variety called Sol (kokum), it is tonic for the soul. No Mangalor-ean meal is complete without this appetiser. The ingredients for this drink are supposed to have soothing properties and help combat acidity. Solkadi comes as a highly recommended drink if you order a plate of Crab Curry and rice.
Mahesh Lunch Home is modest in every sense, except for its food, which is exemplary. The interiors of the restaurant are simple yet contemporary. The décor combines glass, wood and brick to create a welcoming warmth. The lighting is subtle, concealed behind frosted sheets of glass with fish embossed on them. A massive fish tank at the far end of the restaurant will not escape your eyes. It has some beautiful fishes. Mind you, these fishes are not for eating!
The staff at the restaurant is friendly. And if you can’t decide what to order, follow their advice. Rest assured, you will have no regrets. And if you want to play safe, order Solkadi with Fried Fish and Rice – satisfaction guaranteed.
Everything is incredibly fresh, but favourites include Surmai Fry, Pomfret Curry and Tandoori Pomfret. Also recommended are the Prawn Koliwada, Crab Tandoori, Pomfret in Green Masala, or any of the fish curries. Some of the more popular dishes are Pomfret Tandoori, Crabs in Butter Pepper Garlic and Lobsters in White Sauce. They have delicious Pomfret, Surmai, Mackerel and Prawn Masala. They also make excellent fish in gravy called Fish Masala.
If you’re tired of the usual rice or chapattis, try the Neer Dosas. They are thin dosas or crepes made of rice flour. They are thin, light, puffy and delicious; they simply melt in the mouth. They go very well with Fish Curry or Prawn Masala.
Mahesh Lunch Home also serves meat, chicken and Chinese dishes, but only the misguided would come here and skip the sensational seafood.
And if all of this has set your tongue on fire, polish it with a cool malai kulfi for dessert.
Mahesh Lunch Home is a restaurant infrequent visitors to Mumbai must visit, if only to sample what the seafood craze in Mumbai is all about.

Mahesh Lunch Home
8B Cawasji Patel Street
Ph: 2287-0938

Juhu Tara Road
Santacruz West
Ph: 5695-5554
12 – 3 pm & 7pm – 12.30 am

Silk Route

CityInfo, Mumbai
Cover Story

Dress Up Your Home In Silken Splendour This Festive Season
Svistii, the newest home linen store in the city, has a colourful palette of bedsheets & bedspreads, drapes & duvets for you to choose from.

Having carved a niche for itself as the most favoured home interiors store in Bangalore, Svistii recently launched an outlet in Mumbai.
The home linen you will find at Svistii is not your common, run off the mill kind. Each design has been carefully crafted, after a lot of research by the designers. This has given Svistii the status of an exclusive linen store.
Like most success stories, Svistii too has modest beginnings. It started off as a home textile company. Today, it ranks among the favourite haunts of the elite in Bangalore.
Designs of life, with the vibrancy of colours and a symphony of craft, Svisti houses a rare assortment of fabrics, colours and designs. The collection at Svistii draws inspiration from the rich textiles of India.
You might have seen a lot of Rajasthani bedsheets, but the collection at Svistii is a class apart. Their range includes exquisite silk duvets and ethnic cotton bed spreads in bright colours.
Gaurav Jain, the owner of Svistii, is staunchly against rip-offs of popular designs. Every piece at Svistii is well researched and resourced after a thorough screening. “I see at least 25 pieces before I pick up one,” said Jain. In fact, Svistii also restrains itself from popularising its merchandise through catalogues to avoid replication of their exclusive designs.
“Our USP is customer delight, which comes with the essential elements of quality, authenticity and style,” Jain said.
Svistii has an extensive range, which will bring life to all the rooms in your home -- Bed sheets, bedcovers, duvet covers, silk curtains, quilts, rajais, throws, dhurries, table accessories, pillow and cushion covers, wall hangings, Svistii features all of these and more. A Svistii home can be easily recognised by the quality of their products..
And if you don’t find something fitting just right in, drop in the following week. Svistii religiously adds new designs to their already exhaustive collection every week.
“We don’t repeat designs,” claimed Jain. “Our designs are constantly evolving.” Unless, of course, clients come back asking for more in the same design,” confirmed Jain.
“Pastel colours in pure fabrics are our forte. Some of the best designs in curtains and cushion covers (prices starting from Rs 70) can be found here. The handiwork done on the cushion covers is extremely intricate. And of course, comes with a high price tag attached. The filigree work on these unique pieces is done by expert artisans, using precious Swarovski crystals. Which makes them exquisite as also expensive -- Rs 2100 apiece.
The collection of designer bed spreads at Svistii begins from a price range of Rs 5000 and shoots up to a whopping Rs 75,000.
Jain added, “Svistii is about fabric energy. It’s a symphony of exquisite craft and vibrant design. Walk into our plush showroom any day and you’ll find it difficult to resist the richness in variety. Customers can choose from any of the yardages on offer and we can make sheets, table cloths or curtains according to the person’s requirements.”
Affordable rates, excellent quality, unparalleled service, latest designs, vast range and customer satisfaction are what keep Svistii way ahead of others in its league.

Svistii
63 New Oberoi
Shopping Centre
Nariman Point
Ph: 5632-5757

Pondicherry - A Confluence of Cultures

Pondicherry is a confluence of spiritual aura, French colonial heritage and Tamil culture, creating an ambience not felt anywhere else in India. Pondicherry is a melting pot of varied cultures, all of which come together in this small but varied own.

A letter from Pondy

Mon ami,

I landed in Pondicherry five days ago. Feels like I’ve been transported back in time to a French colony - a charming Mediterranean town with cobbled streets, stylish houses and ornamental gardens. As the French would say Rues chiques, maisons élégantes et jardins d’agrément. You would have noticed that I have picked up a bit of French. Really can’t help that. All the roads and institutions have names in French like Hotel de Ville which is the Town Hall. Even the local policemen dress French. They still endorse red kepis (caps) and belts.

I have been bicycling all over the town. Pondy has a pristine coastline stretching over 30 kms. The palm-fringed beach has really caught my fancy. And there’s so much to do! There are resorts, a water sports centre, a fishing village, the backwaters. Boy! I can’t decide what to do first.

And you never get lost here. This French Boulevard town has everything planned in a grid.

I’m planning to go to the international city of Auroville, which has the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Will attend a few sessions at their Yoga centre; probably attain Nirvana.

I’ll write more later...

Getting there

Pondicherry is best accessible by road from Chennai, Bangalore or Kerala. From Chennai it is a pleasant ride along the scenic East Coast Road. It will take you about two and half hours for an easy, pothole-free journey. Bangalore would be a longer journey – six-and-a-half hours if you drive non-stop.

A tourist taxi journey up and down from Chennai in a Ford Ikon, would cost approx Rs 5,800 + toll tax. An Indica however, would be the cheaper option.

Buses also ply regularly to Pondicherry. There is no direct train route to Pondicherry either from Chennai or Bangalore. Chennai is the closest international airport, and directly connects to the highway to Pondy. And there are good transit hotels available in the vicinity for travellers who arrive in the night.

Getting around

A novel way to see Pondicherry is in a cycle rickshaw. Plenty of rickshaws are available especially around the Ashram area. They will show you Pondicherry and its sights at a leisurely pace. And a great experience for those who have not sat in one. And unlike Kolkata this one is not pulled by a human, it is an extension of the cycle.

Are you a health freak? Then hire a cycle. It costs around Rs 20 per day. If you are not the sort who wants to pedal around, hire a motorcycle. They come on hire as little as Rs 100 per day (fuel extra).

History

The history of modern Pondicherry starts with the arrival of the French in 1673, who ruled for most part of the next 281 years. In 1947 the English left India for good, but it lasted till 1954 when the French handed Pondicherry over to an independent India.

The origin of Pondicherry however is buried in legends. Excavated remnants testify trade connections with Rome and Greece, dating back to as far as 100 BC. Ancient Roman scripts mention one of the trade centres along the Indian coast as Poduca or Poduke, which refers, historians affirm, only to the present Pondicherry. Before this period nothing is known with certainty.

Heritage

Pondicherry, which is a conglomerate of different cultural influences, is a heritage town. It is at a crossroads of eastern and western culture, and of ancient and modern spiritual disciplines.

It has a rich French cultural heritage, having been the capital of the French colonies in India since the 17th century.

Sights are manifold, from pastel coloured churches to bright temple towers; Joan of Arc’s heavenward gaze vies with the tall carved pillars from Gingee at the seafront; cricket competes with pétanque. Apart from the monuments there is the French Consulate and the Foyer du Soldat for war veterans of the French Army. Of the cultural organisations the French Institute, the Alliance Francais and the Ecole Francais d’Extrème Orient are noteworthy. These movements converge in a practical manner in the twin communities of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville.

An Investor’s Paradise

With the status of industry accorded to tourism, the Government of Pondicherry has prepared a master plan to promote tourism in the Union Territory of Pondicherry. This offers a great investment opportunity to entrepreneurs.

It is estimated that about 3000 additional hotel rooms are required in the next five years. The identified areas of investment include resorts, hotels, theme parks, golf courses, water sports, ferry service between Pondicherry and Chennai, operation of regular chartered flights, and so on.

As an incentive to investors, many concessions and benefits are being provided.

Among them are:

• Grant of interest subsidy on loans by the financial institutions.
• Exemption of luxury tax for hotel accommodation.
• Exemption of sales tax.
• No entry tax for tourist vehicles.
• Majority participation by foreign investors in case of joint venture projects.
• Income tax holiday for 5 years.

The Government also encourages Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and foreign nationals of Indian origin to invest in tourism projects. All the incentives offered by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, are available in the Union Territory of Pondicherry as well.

Architecture

The French relinquished their control of Pondy 50 years ago, but reminders of the colonial days remain. Neat, pleasant, and charming, Pondicherry has a beautiful beach and a sea that is always warm and refreshing. Viewed from the sea, the skyline is typical of that of a Mediterranean fishing village. The town has been planned on a grid right from its inception; divided in a French section and Tamil section, with each having its own distinctive streetscapes. The French Town has colonial style buildings with long compound walls and stately gates. The facades have vertical columns and tall windows and are coloured cream, yellow and pink. Streets in the Tamil Town are lined up with verandas and extended porches where residents would gather and passing guests would spend the night. The colours dominant here are green, blue and brown.

People

When you walk down the streets you canhear French being spoken. French words and phrases squeeze themselves into the colloquial slang like Bonjour, Comment ca va, monsieur? The locals speak French with astonishingly Parisian pronunciation and without any grammatical errors; and switch over to Tamil, again with the perfect Tamil accent.

But the hallmark of Pondicherry is the flat-topped cylindrical red kepi - a hat worn by the police. The French have a saying - Plus ça change, plus c’est lr même chose which means - the more things change the more they stay the same. And this could be somewhat the case for Pondicherry.

Shopping

For the avid shopper, Pondy has a lot to offer and is fast becoming a favourite shopping destination. With taxes low or non-existent Pondy is soft on your purse. It is known for its traditional doll making, textiles and silks. It is also the birthplace of several world-class brands in leather, pottery, aromatics, fashion and handmade paper. Scented candles, incense sticks, lamps and other articles made with handmade paper and dry flowers are the flavour of Pondicherry.

Eating Out

The restaurants serve a rich variety of French, Indian, Asian and continental food, with the latest pizza for an American bite.

Hotels

Pondicherry has a wide choice of hotels for most visitors: beach resorts for the leisure traveller, heritage hotels for those who want to experience something different, high class commercial hotels for the corporate visitors and the neat ashram guest houses for the spiritual seeker.

A Lot to See. A Lot to Do.

Monuments abound in Pondy and each one has a story to tell.

Churches

The large number of 18th and 19th century churches in Pondy is yet another legacy of the French. Notable are the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Eglise de Notre Dame de la Conception, the Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges, the Eglise de Notre Dame de Lourdes and the Chapel of the Sisters of Cluny.

The Aayi Mandapam

Located at the centre of the Park, it is the best known monument. Built during the reign of Napoleon III in France, the Aayi Mandapam is named after a 16th century courtesan, Aayi, who demolished her house and built a water tank instead. This reservoir served French engineers later to bring water to the town.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Sri Aurobindo, the great seer, poet and prophet of the twentieth century, made Pondicherry his home from 1910 till his death in 1950. His vision and ideals continue to draw people from all over the world.

Auroville

Located 10 kms north of Pondicherry, Auroville is envisioned as a universal town, where people from different nationalities, faiths and beliefs, can live in peace and harmony. This international City of Unity was constructed under the guidance of The Mother, a Paris-born painter and musician who became Sri Aurobindo’s disciple and close companion. The development of this utopia is still in progress.

Pondicherry Museum

On display are the findings of Arikamedu, the Chola bronzes and sculptures, glimpses of French heritage, specimens of traditional handicraft, paintings, armouries and carvings.

Chunnambar Resort

Known for its virgin beaches and backwaters, Chunnambar has a water sports centre which offers exciting boating experiences. It is also a great tourist spot.

Botanical Garden

Established by the French in 1826, it preserves a large variety of exotic species of plants from all over India and abroad.

Villiayanur

Architecturally the finest in Pondicherry, the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswarar Temple attracts hundreds of devotees during Brahmo-thsavam, a ten-day annual festival held in May-June. The temple car rising to a height of 15.25 metres is profusely decorated, pulled out from its usual position and taken on a procession around the town. It is an awe-inspiring sight.

Mansion of Ananda Rangapillai

Built in 1773, this mansion is a fine specimen of Indo-French architecture. Ananda Rangapillai was the courtier of Joseph Francois Dupleix, the Governor.

Anglo-French Textile Mills

Established over a century ago, a visit to the Anglo-French Textile Mills is an education in itself. The mill gives a ten percent rebate on purchases made by tourists who go on guided tours. The acclaimed fabrics and products of this mill make ideal mementoes and gifts.

The Government Park

It is the centre of the old colonial part of the town. The Park provides a cool and lush green anchor around which most government buildings are situated: the Lt. Governor’s Palace, the Legislative Assembly, Government Hospital, the Ashram Dining Room in a beautiful Villa, the Cercle de Pondichery, a private club, and old Hotel Qualité.

Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus

Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this church is noted for its gothic architecture and stained glass panels which depict the entire life of Jesus Christ.

Festive Cheer

Almost every month, there is an important fair or a festival in Pondicherry. Some are religious in nature, others cultural and spiritual and still others, purely gourmet. There is the International Yoga Festival in January, Maasi Magam in February - March at the beach of the Fishing Village and Fête de Pondichery.

A private beach for the asking

If you want to stay right on the beach then the Pondi Ashok is the place for you. On the outskirts of Pondi, this ITDC hotel has its own private beach Blue seas, white sands, palms, a hammock and an interesting book…it’s sheer heaven.

Sightseeing Tour

The Pondicherry Tourism & Transport Development Corporation conducts a daily sightseeing tour in and around Pondicherry. There are both half-day and a full-day trip programmes. For more information and bookings, contact: Tourist Information Bureau, 40 Goubert Avenue, Beach Road % 413-339497

Beyond Pondicherry

Pondy is a perfect base to explore the rich destinations around it. The cool and lush hill stations of Yercaud and Kodaikanal; the imposing Gingee Fort, the holy temple towns of Kanchi-puram, Tiruvannamalai and Chidambaram, the heritage sculptures and magnificent rock temples of Mamallapuram, are perfect for a day trip.

Unwind

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Unwind
Shivamani’s high-voltage energy inaugurated the city’s newest music centre

After creating waves of music in Chennai, Unwind Center has entered Bangalore. The Center is a spot where amateur performers, students and well-known artists will come together to do what they love: Make music.
Percussion maestro Shivamani inaugurated the Center, holding the crowd spellbound with his magic on the drums for almost 45 minutes. He even jammed with a few Bangalore musicians, giving a great start to the story of Unwind Bangalore.
Bands from across India and abroad will come together to perform here, where all kinds of music is appreciated and encouraged. It is a unique platform for showcasing talent – and that’s everything from Jazz to Bengali folk, Metal to Veena performances.
The visionary behind it all is John Christian. He’s quick to point out that all the events at the Center are free of “drugs, alcohol and sexual suggestiveness.” The days of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin excess are long gone, in other words.
So father’s, don’t hesitate to send your daughters here as Unwind Center has religiously stood by its objective of ‘good, clean fun’.
They cater to the musical inclination of people of all ages. In fact, they even have an 8-year old studying guitar.

Unwind School of Music
The school features a six-month Fastlane course, which ensures learning an instrument. The tutors are professional musicians who are either studio artists or Live performers.

Academy of Music
The academy is offering 10-month courses in the disciplines of Audio Engineering, Live Audio Digital Recording and Digital Audio Workstations. Only 12 students will be enrolled for this course, which starts in November this year.

Unwind Center
280 Wilson Garden
10th Cross, Opp Wilson Garden Post Office
Ph – 5535-0737 or log on to www.unwindcenter.com