gourmet's trip through Kolkata set-3

Calcutta Bistro

The paradise of all our cravings , Calcutta bistro has been the budget man's only source of worldly pleasures from food , if I dare to speak on behalf of all around Jadavpur ! Hid in a tiny alley aside sukanta setu, I dare say that we are rather privileged to have it near our college! Hunan chicken and Hakka noodles continue to be my favourites every time I visit the place , but varied reports have confirmed that their chilli chicken is fab too. I'd give 4 1/2 stars to it. Maybe I'd give it 5 next time ,if they can improve their Indian cuisines a bit!

Denzong

This is a rather odd addition to the list of elite food stations in Kolkata , but ask all people around Jadavpur university, and denzong is being spoken of with utmost fondness. A momo hub for us , which brings forth the glory of Sikkim in every steamed or fried piece they serve! The soup is also quite an experience , with a sprinkling of green leaves adding to the delights! Add to these , the part fried part steamed Phalet , something , I've come across only in denzong , and you have got a mixed bag of delicacies to try out. Only complaint is , they charge extra for the soup , which was not the case a year ago. But anyways , it deserves a 4 star!

Banzara

Banzara has had its share of loyalists , and it is privileged to host us foodies time and again , in it s dimly lit interiors ! The biriyani is a delight , the amount and consistency always bringing a smile to our face. The Chinese dishes too pack a punch , and the gravy noodles sure is a tasty treat . Besides , Banzara always plays a soft music , which is personally a plus point for me. All in all, I'd suggest people to dig up this place , near the 8b bus stand , if you already haven't done ! 

Golden Gate

Golden gate is the elite restaurant of our college area , it's arguably the best luxury dining experience one can expect to enjoy in and around Jadavpur. With a plush interior complementing an equally grand exterior , it's eye catchy to say the least . And dare I say I love all their soups ....oh boy , I'm a huge fan of the baby corn soup . The cuisines are delightful to the palate , and don't come across as too spicy . The appearance of each of the dishes make you go weak in the knees. And one line about the ambience in here..... FANTASTIC! So, happy dining , provided you are prepared to shell out a few bucks , for a hitherto unknown restaurant !

Paramount

I have a huge grudge against these guys that stops me from giving 6 out of 5 to them , that is , the exorbitant price hike in all their glasses . They are one of the heritage sites of Kolkata , according to me. Anyone who has tasted their cocoa malai will never disagree with me . And if I add a much more modest companion in the famed Dub Sherbat , no one can deny them a 5 out of 5 stars rating . Their policy of caring for your well being , whether you have enjoyed a glass or not , touches your heart too , and soon after leaving , your mind craves to return as soon as possible. Paramount is nearly 90years old , I'd wish it goes on and on , serving glassful of delights to all around college square for many years to come.

Baskin Robbins

When uncle told me that a treat at a foreign ice cream shop would soon become a reality for me , the kid in me didn't realise that he was talking about Baskin Robbins ice cream parlour . I was still a young kid , who was amazed by the sundae ice cream shown on tv . I had the opinion that all those good looking icecreams were meant only for the tv audience , and could never be replicated in reality . However , the misconception was cleared in a delightful manner , when uncle gave me a licence to choose anything of my choice at the shop. I was full to the brim by the time I had indulged in all of my favourite flavours , in the best possible  ombinations . Immense thanks to uncle and Baskin Robbins , for flagging my icecream fantasies!

gourmet's trip through kolkata set-2

Sanjha Chulha

The roadside eatery is quite a prominent landmark when one travels along the e m bypass . It's a convenient place to eat out, while returning from some place.the parking place is an advantage.the pricing of the food is quite reasonable too. The chicken chap on offer is sumptuous truly. It was the first of it's kind in the barren stretch of road between ruby hospital and science city ,and although several other eateries have now come up, sanjha chulha has managed to retain its charm !

Malancha

This is north Kolkata's legacy, with Malancha's cutlet fanning the appetite of many a food loving Bengali author. Me as a south Kolkata guy, was curious to taste the famed kobiraji, and I was not disappointed at all. It was huge, with the plate just managing to contain all of it! If you are the calorie conscious one, then you must as well skip this item, because it is loaded with oil. But those with a guilt free pass to indulge can safely tuck in to the deep fried egg covering of the fish interior! One is more than enough to fill you!

Hong Kong

A great feasting experience here at Hong Kong express. This was a suggestion from a college friend who had been smitten by the bug to dine here again after being overwhelmed by his experience the first time. And truly speaking, i'm glad that I listened to him because the Chinese delicacies were pleasing to say the least. My Cantonese chow was both tasty as well as voluminous, and I needed real effort to finish the generous amount on offer. If the pricing is ok with someone, go ahead to this triangular park location and enjoy!

Sigree

It's expensive, get this straight first! But the single time experience of dining here brought me to know of murgh ka salan , a fab dish. The prawn item on offer was quite well prepared too, as was the biriyani and kebabs. But since cost of food is quite high, one can think twice before spending here. It was slow going for us as the service was a bit slack. A 3 star rating from me.

Banzara

Banzara has had its share of loyalists , and it is privileged to host us foodies time and again , in it s dimly lit interiors ! The biriyani is a delight , the amount and consistency always bringing a smile to our face. The Chinese dishes too pack a punch , and the gravy noodles sure is a tasty treat . Besides , Banzara always plays a soft music , which is personally a plus point for me. All in all, I'd suggest people to dig up this place , near the 8b bus stand , if you already haven't done ! 

Denzong

This is a rather odd addition to the list of elite food stations in Kolkata , but ask all people around Jadavpur university, and denzong is being spoken of with utmost fondness. A momo hub for us , which brings forth the glory of Sikkim in every steamed or fried piece they serve! The soup is also quite an experience , with a sprinkling of green leaves adding to the delights! Add to these , the part fried part steamed Phalet , something , I've come across only in denzong , and you have got a mixed bag of delicacies to try out. Only complaint is , they charge extra for the soup , which was not the case a year ago. But anyways , it deserves a 4 star!

Golden gate

Golden gate is the elite restaurant of our college area , it's arguably the best luxury dining experience one can expect to enjoy in and around Jadavpur. With a plush interior complementing an equally grand exterior , it's eye catchy to say the least . And dare I say I love all their soups ....oh boy , I'm a huge fan of the baby corn soup . The cuisines are delightful to the palate , and don't come across as too spicy . The appearance of each of the dishes make you go weak in the knees. And one line about the ambience in here..... FANTASTIC! So, happy dining , provided you are prepared to shell out a few bucks , for a hitherto unknown restaurant !

    

Barista gariahat

When my professor invited us over to gariahat to find a place to sit and chat about a short film script , that I was making for an intercollegiate competition , little did I know what ideas he had . The chocolate creamy drinks with pastries just flew off our plates here at barista , once we got what was ordered . We hadn't ever thought that he would indeed take us to sit at such a grand place . In any case , we discussed our plots over a second cup of coffee , entirely at his expense , I must say!! It was a fine experience , with us enjoying every moment spent at the lovely ambience of barista. Oh.....a short footnote .....the ideas that we exchanged over the barista coffee and chocolate , fetched us the second prize, in the competition , later on! 

Golden spoon

Park street never Fails to surprise. This little known location is actually very cost effective , but often gets overshadowed by the more illustrious counterparts . Taste the chowmein and chilly chicken here , and if you are one who is perpetually short of cash it love to eat  , I'd bet you would keep coming back to here. Another of their delicacies is available from their roll counter-the chicken kathi roll. The inside is just loaded with great pieces of meat! Fabulous!

Golden joy

 A bit of a mess , considering the location , which is inside the Chinatown , a long way into topsia. Amidst the tannery odour , you come across this place , get inside , and immediately get transported to the far east! The ambience is fully Chinese , with the scripts hanging on the walls , and plenty of Chinese folks dining . The food is a marvel , with Hunan chicken and Hakka noodles ruling our minds . My friend went for vodka , and said , he loved the experience! Nice!

Beijing

 Another location headache , deep inside topsia. Actually, Chinatown rakes your brains to get you to your desired locations , and then gives you fabulous food to appease your appetite. It's the same case with Beijing , where generous helpings of food that is quite classy to taste. The special drinks called screw driver got my friend so obsessed , that he kept asking for more . The prawn chillies were a marvel , and so were the bowls of steaming thukpa ! Definitely decent enough for a family outing. As the ambience is nice!

Girish Chandra dey and nakur

 North Kolkata is famed for its sweets . I have a sweet tooth , and I simply love moving around north Kolkata , trying out new delicacies. I've been to nakur several times in the past, and though I'm extremely fond of their sweets , I somehow don't find the justification for the pricing and the hype surrounding it. The shop looks less of a sweet shop , and more of a bank vault , with loads of iron grilles , as if to protect the shop from potential sweet dacoits ! They could have easily looked after the customer satisfaction part , as they take ages in giving a certain customer the right amount of attention!

Anadi cabin

Legend has , that even Ravindranath Tagore had been engrossed by the delightful double duck egg moghlai of Anadi's , at the heart of esplanade. What's more , the place used to be a happy hunting ground for my grandparents , both before and after their marriage. I've heard stories about the legacy of the duck egg moghlai , from grandma , who always gushed about it. So, I went there with loads of expectations , only to be filled with sadness , over the lack of proper maintenance . The plates are dirty , the interior has a dishevelled look. The moghlai manages to hold its forte till now , but  if the aesthetics are not taken care of , I'm afraid the place will lose its attraction pretty soon.

Alibaba's

When my friend said that theirs is a biriyani , that takes pride in being light, I didn't understand anything . It took me one look at the preparation to realise what he meant by it- the biriyani was completely non-oily . But the strangest part was that it still retained its classic taste . Now this is an awesome combo , when you can gorge on biriyanis , without the horrors of getting too much fat inside ! The chicken chap too deserves mention. All in all, a nice place!

Bhojohori manna

I'm not one who believed in eating Bengali food outside , that too after paying a hefty sum . But my stance got broken after I tasted the delightful cuisines on offer at bhojohori manna. Who would have thought that a simple thing called dal , would keep me drooling over it? Add to it , specialities like the bhetki fry, prawn in green coconut , chitol machh , and chicken dakbungalow. I've realised that I'd committed grave mistake in denying the calls of the place uphill now , and I look forward to going back soon!

Kc das

 The landmark of esplanade is a landmark sweet joint for me. Whenever I go to esplanade , if I happen to walk towards dharmatala street, I make it a point to cross the road , just to enter kc das , and gorge on their fluffy white rosogollas. The purity of the chhana makes me close my eyes , and savour the sugary treat . Often , I go and have just a single rosogolla , because I might not have an empty stomach at that time , but the love of the place keeps me going! Go on folks, never try to adulterate your signature stuff! It's heavenly

Gupta brothers

Ever heard of Noodle samosas? No? Let me tell you , this china meets India food item is an innovation of the Gupta brothers . I was shocked to the core when I bit off the samosa corner to get the inner noodle strips coming out . Nowadays , many other stalls are starting this innovation , but it was this elite place called Gupta brothers , from where I first tasted it! The kachodis too are quite tasty . It's a vegetarian paradise !

Trincas

 This place housed my first date , so I'm always a little emotional about it. The window seats overlooking park street , where we sat and dined out for the first time , continue to be by favourites. Whenever we walk past trincas now , we look at the place where we sat. although the window has now been covered , I still can't stop reminiscing . The staff here are extremely cordial and the food is of excellent quality too. There isn't much to complain about regarding  the pricing , considering the location and the quality obtained . I'd suggest you to visit in the evening , because the live band plays here , which make sthe ambience even more better.

Scoop

 One of the finest window seats of Kolkata , is available, with scoop , and they are a blessed ice cream parlour owing to this single criterion! When you sit with a loved one , having ice cream sundae , and looking out at the river Ganga , flowing below the imposing second Hooghly bridge , you can't help , but marvel , at the beauty of the entire scenario. The tables are a bit dirty here on the first floor , but you tend to forgive that , as the scene keeps you engrossed . I've been lucky to be here in the morning, at times , when the crowd was less , and the atmosphere was more quiet. The window seats are in demand , so you really need to be early if you want to have the best seats!

trailblazing a Gourmet's trip through Kolkata Set-1

Ivory Kitchen

Camac street houses this little place. Arguably one of the best buffet options in Kolkata, ivory kitchen is a delight for foodies who can gorge on for hours! It's really good for them, because the vast options of Indian and Chinese goodies require a lot space in the stomach and a lot of time as well. Priced at nearly 700 bucks per head, it's a little pricey. But when you remember about the liberty that you get here, sitting in the spacious seats , you'd like to discount the price. So , go ahead and gorge, there's no one stopping you. The ambience is nice , and the food are all yours to enjoy !

Barbeque nation

 Another of the city's must visit buffets ! You should be here , if you have the capacity to eat a huge number of dishes at a single sitting . Just the dessert items number more than 10. And you have the full main course before that, with chicken , mutton, biriyani ,nans to fill your tummy! But it's a different story altogether that at times , I've skipped most of the main course just to accommodate the starters , which are in a league of their own! The complete package of starters include chicken , fish, vegetables , and are just too good to be ignored. The flagging system , that signals the end of the starter session and beginning of the main course is a unique thing!

The French loaf

 The collection of bakery items at their disposal is simply mind lowing. The ambience is quite nice in the shop. Located just at the road bend of santoshpur and ajaynagar, this place is one that is a getaway for all those getting down at the busy bus stop after a day's travails . The soft cakes with puffy interiors are just the right medicine for soothing a ragged self. The lighting in the shop is classy . Whether you prefer to eat here , or take it away is your choice , but honestly , they serve really nice bakery products!

Charnock city

They have an attraction that few others can boast of ....the advantage of height! With a view spreading out over miles and miles of Kolkata , dining can be an awesome experience ! The best part is the food , that is multi cuisine. The prawn in green coconut used to be a favourite of my family members . An evening outing here was quite a nice one , although I wouldn't bet about the visibility around then. Price is on the higher side .

New punjabi hotel

The one thing that is sure to distract you while you cross the road at the shyambazar 5point crossing is the aroma of moghlai delicacies . The erstwhile golbari , though still there , has part of it reincarnated as the new punjabi hotel. The area is not spacious at all ( it can't be ,there's no scope to get much space here ). The place is also pretty hot, but all these complains take the backseat once you concentrate on the mutton and the parathas. They are oily , true, but somehow , you just can't ignore the calls of the dishes when you pass by !

Oh! Calcutta 

 Another of the famed Bengali dining places of Kolkata, oh!calcutta manages to hold forte even after its high prices. The reason lies in the novelty they offer. Hilsa , as a fish is tasty enough , but the fish bones cause a huge nuisance. But these people here actually know of a technique , by which they can de-bone a complete fish without disrupting it's structure ! And my word......how awesome it tastes is something beyond my capabilities to describe. The prawn preparations are also classic , as also the Bengali dessert items! 

Marco polo in china

 This place is expensive but downright classy . The multi cuisines give you a range of options to try out from . The pork chops and crispy chilly baby corn are cute little options to look out for any time. I would also bet that you'd love the rice noodles . The ambience of the place is soothing , and if you want to be in a state of complete peace of mind , you should definitely dine here . The Hakka chow and soup also deserve mention .  But if I tell you that for a bottle of mineral water , you have to shell out a 100bucks , that gives you a fair idea about the cost , right ??? But it's undoubtedly good food!

Mocambo

Continental food knew no better than mocambo , even a few years back. Theirs was this park street restaurant , where every one would rush with near and dear ones , to taste exotic cuisines . The chicken a la Kiev is an all time favourite . The steaks are fantastic to say the least and the proportion served is also quite generous . We loved the fish Diana and the crab preparation too. All in all, it's a place never to be missed when one is in Kolkata .

Zeeshan

 Having the biriyani in zeeshan , is like having your favourite aunt cook your favourite dish at home for you, it's so familiar for me! Never oppressing with their prices , they continue to rule youngster's minds and tummies. The role counter is also a favourite place , with those hot roles being handede out all day ! The frenzy of activity tells you that it's a place that is frequented by loads of people . There's nothing gala about the decor must the food is the one that attracts! 

Ralli's

 They are well known for their syrups, and I frequent them in the summer months , just to have my thirst quenched by the rose syrup . Apart from it , pineapple shake is also a personal favourite. Of late , I've suffered from a bit of inconsistency as far as the quality of the food is concerned . But still, Ralli's has given me enough good papdi chats to recommend it to friends . The kachodi chat and the dhakai parota are also quite popular here. But the strongest attraction continues to be the syrups!

Sharma 

 I love the amriti that is their forte. Once you have the good fortune of tasting a hot amriti , you'd feel you want to get lost in that sugary syrupy maze , and never come out. The kajur barfi is a personal favourite . The kachodi and sabji are always there if you require a quick bite. The lassi is a bit over priced if you consider the amount that is served , but the little amount that you have , just fulfills your every desire!

The silver oak

Housed in sarat bose road, it has a lot of competition, what with more illustrious spots located on both sides of the street. although it has managed to hold its own on the food front, the ambience is not Upto the mark. The multi cuisine restaurant serves good Indian food, but the ambience needs to get better. Smoking needs to be prohibited. 

Mamma Mia

 The ice creams are not bad themselves , but the price tag makes them unpalatable at times . What is the logic behind such exorbitant high rates is beyond me . Maybe , the gelato is appealing to people because of the promise of not adding to the calorie count . But is it worth the hype? I'm not so sure about that. I remember a simple ice cream cone , with chocolate flavour costing me about 89 bucks , whereas the same thing of equal taste was available at around 20bucks in Kwality walls. And I didn't find anything out of the world in it , that' would justify my expense. So, not a great recommendation from me, if you value your money!

born free

 It's a difficult world where the statement "I was born free, but everywhere , I'm in chains!" holds true. Every citizen sees the light of this world, with a right of living peacefully. Yet, within a matter of years, he's chained, whether by the nuances of studies, or as he progresses in the years, by his boss's ordeals, or by family/social duties. He is taught the hard truth about the world, that he's bound to be shrouded by protocols, formalities , bindings, agreements , and Terms-&-conditions. So , a child fails to realise that he was privileged in being born on this earth, as he is pressurised into the rat-race prevailing everywhere!  

         Hence, to me , being 'born free' would mean, to grow up with a smile, enjoying everyday on this world, without a deal to worry  about or a deadline to meet! It would be my sole right, to breathe in fresh air every morning , to meet &greet all the birds that pay me a visit on my balcony. I would enjoy an afternoon siesta on my hammock, without getting bad dreams about a disgruntled boss. I would embark on journeys around the globe, without the hazards of passports & visas. I would share camaraderie with all the residents of every nationality in this world as we would be united by the bond of universal brother/sisterhood. Terrorism, fascism, civil wars, famines, apartheid and other like wise terms would be obliterated from the dictionary. 

        

  It's a free world, we can strive to do just that little extra bit for each other, which will enable us to create a situation where everybody greets a stranger with a smile and not with a suspicious look. Only then can we ensure that every individual in this world would have the title of being "BORN FREE" !

rock on: our story at MAHERA

ROCK ON : the film most appropriate to describe the saga of the four of us - our friendship dates back to the time when we were in the formative years of our life . that strong bond of growing together has seen us through to this age. We stayed in the same neighbourhood,  shared interests , hobbies, played indoor & outdoor games together. music remained an integral part of our friendship ,as we grew up . we even performed on stage shows. Priyabrata Banerjee on the guitar, Pratik Sarkar on the keyboards , Srinjoy Das on the drums made an awesome combo, with me rounding it off in vocals. we sang, we enjoyed, we cheered each other, we fought , we made up! 

we had crushes , we went on dates, we had heartbreaks & we shared our losses over alcoholic influence,as we consoled each other ! we made caricatures, cracked jokes , invented up mad-cap dialogues & comments, imitated people.....but that one thing that kept us sailing through thick & thin , was our sense of warmth when we stayed in each other's company!

    time constraints & job obligations have eaten into those precious moments we looked forward to spending together every evening ; nowadays, I feel the tug at my  heartstrings , when those happy hours are reminded, but we try to make up for the loss of good times by getting together on the phone, despite being scattered across india. it's an indescribable feeling , when the familiar voice rings out on the other end of the phone, with our customary slang-laden greetings being transferred pan-india! 

HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY folks. Your indelible signatures adorn my memories. thanks guys , for being there and shaping my life ! we ROCK!

my to-do note as FINANCE MINISTER ( scribbled for UNION BUDGET)

I'll earmark a bulk of the budget to clear the pan stains off our major government buildings and erase love graffiti from the heritage buildings .

i'll Entitle people to receive Re 1

mobile phone balance for every advertisement SMS(regarding good hair/good skin/fly to america etc

etc) that enters our inbox.

i'll reduce the price of paanipuris so that college students like us

manage to have a wholesome evening snack

without burning a hole

in the pocket.

i'll reduce prices of cricket-tennis balls

whose prices  are increasing like the  table of 5(eg

30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and now Rs 55)  every year, and making 6-hitting a very costly affair for the batsman,as  every time a ball is lost , the poor bloke has to pay from his pocket.

i'll assign  money to install CCTVs at traffic police kiosks to check how many bucks are passed into each traffic sergeant's pockets everyday from drivers.

 I’ll assign money to build "couples only" parks , so that couples are spared prying eyes!!

i'll increase price of cigarettes and alcohol so that people are forced to stop

subjecting their fellow people to passive smoking .

D-Day B-Day

“Everyone of you have gone home?” , i demanded over the phone to one of my mates, more out of disappointment than of concern.  After all, it was my birthday , and all my friends , who had promised to assemble in our lecture theatre , after our respective hospital ward duties in our medical college , claimed that they had some  ‘personal’ problems and so, were on their way home , or had already reached home!

   As i stood and disconnected my phone, I was gutted, i felt low. How could my dear mates alienate me and leave without a prior intimation?? How did all of them need to return due to an ‘unforeseen emergency’  occurring simultaneously in ALL their homes ?? i needed an explanation for this , but nobody provided any clear statements .

   Lost in my train of thoughts, i ambled towards the college canteen. The desire to attend the lecture class was no longer present, so i aimed to brood over my solitude on this desolate birthday for me!

  Little did i know i was in for a massive shock as i entered the canteen! I was walking through the door aimlessly, with a dejected countenance, when a collective melee of sounds greeted my ears. There they were.....ALL of my friends, laughing their hearts out at me, with a wicked twinkle in their eyes! In the midst of them lay a gorgeous chocolate cake , adorned with spectacular toppings!

 It then dawned upon me that my pals had hatched this plan to give me the most memorable birthday party of my life!! As i blew off the candle and cut the cake amidst “HAPPY BIRTHDAY “ chorus  sung by them, i felt blessed , i felt proud! I was on cloud nine with delight! As the customary cake smearing occurred and our faces became distorted beyond recognition, we posed for the cameras! It was a scintillating display of camaraderie from my friends who had even worked out that i would be going for the canteen after being disgusted with their  decision to leave for home !!

Olympics Salute

we salute your unerring skills & steely nerves/

your determination to portray india's verve/

a collective dream of a billion people provide /

wishes for OLYMPICS : be our national pride !

we'll shout for you, we'll egg you on /

we are proud of you, india's daughters & sons /

fight for our nation's pride with every drop of blood & sweat /

let not your efforts & preparations go to waste!

the TRICOLORS are out again/

OLYMPIC thoughts rule our nation's brain/

it's war time in London, we aim to reign/

go INDIA go, glory is ours to claim !

the toned bodies on track & field taut with tension/ 

every Indian soul prays for your glorification/

back home , we hold our breaths in anticipation/

an OLYMPICS medal : our benediction!

a nation waits, with bated breath/

as her trusted soldiers, whose skills we faith/ 

embark on their London raid/

we hope new stars would be made!

Preparations done , mission fixed, now focus ahead /

medals beckon , but it’s a difficult path to tread/

give your best shot , don't you worry/

india unites to wish you OLYMPICS glory !

your passion speaks , a thousand words/

united souls, your war cries heard/

an OLYMPICS medal : the driving force/

in LONDON,vanquish all your foes !!

the adulation, the fame, the mad chants of your name/

It's all part of the bigger game/

Achieve  the holy grail – an OLYMPIC medal /

life after LONDON , will never be the same !

Oye ladies, an open letter to you from a female-addicted male fan!

Husband,boyfriend,fiancé would be there forever . Don't let go OPPORTUNITIES for the sake of men. Aim Big , and let relationship COMPROMISES take the backseat when it comes to life-changing career decisions! If  your male partner is considerate enough, he'll obviously love to see you SHINE too! And if he doesn't agree, well, with  our Indian  male:female sex ratio, finding another guy won't be difficult....... But a similar SCOPE might be! 

On the other hand , don't devote yourself SOLELY to your job . It's a part of your identity, but not the whole. Go on sabbaticals , play with your kids, enjoy with "Girls-only" hangouts......the feeling of being RELAXED will do a world of good in the schedule of a working woman! 

Staying FITis of paramount importance, but unrestrained partying , drinking are not! Ladies, you're blessed with grace & charm , unlike us men. So, what's the harm in pampering yourself to remain healthy &  beautiful,both in the eyes of yourself as well as the beholder! 

Lastly, forget gossips, be amicable , but abhor being manipulated, and deal with uncouth advances in office strictly, and we hope the WORKING WOMAN will stand out in the society as a symbol of  DEDICATION & RESPONSIBILITY! 

the nook of the almirah

"Ah, this looks a perfect place for hiding"....I remember telling myself, as I climbed up the shelves of our Godrej almirah, to reach the top of a stack of clothes! The massive shiny red almirah always caught my attention, as a four-year old, but since it was labelled as being strictly 'out-of-bounds' for me by my parents,I never got a chance to get up close & personal with it !
       That day, I had found out the  almirah door was unlocked! Seizing the opportunity,I swiftly climbed the shelves & perched myself on the top of the clothes and pulled the door to shut myself in! "Ha ha! no one would find me now!" was the thought that kept me pretty satisfied. The soft clothes made me feel cosy, as I lay on them. Tired by my adventure,i soon fell asleep. little did I know, that my penchant for playing hide-n-seek in an unconventional manner,would result in such a chaos!
            *******
I was awakened by the pangs of hunger and  warmth of my surroundings.it was stuffy inside, and dark, but I remembered where I was. I thought that perhaps,I had managed to give the slip to Mom for a long time, and now, pleased with my exploits,I would reveal my location. There was a commotion going on somewhere in the distance, which I couldn't make much sense about.
As I pushed the door open, the noise increased, and on pushing open the door completely,I was stunned..............the room was packed with our neighbours, everybody staring at me wide-eyed! My mother was sobbing, father was trying to control her, while two burly policemen sat on a chair. Following the initial shock, everyone burst into  rapturous exultation. Mom came & slapped me hard. I was utterly confused. Dad came and placed a protective arm around me!
          
what I found out later was that,I was missing for more than five hours, which caused grave concern in the neighbourhood. The police had been called in to aid in tracking me, and they were interrogating, when I had reappeared from the room almirah!
The incident was a life-changing event.the almirah became my most favourite furniture in the house, despite the massive gaffe I had committed! Nowadays, when I remember my exploit,I have a good laugh, and I go and pat the almirah!