Snapshots From North India

Dec 1998, 5AM
"Pair of cotswool, Shirt n Trouser, One or Two sweaters, One thick jacket with deep pockets, One multipurpose striped muffler and Pair of woolen hand gloves. All topped up with a long cap flaunting a woolen star ball at the end."

Yes, I used to be this multilayered onion back in 1998 while riding my bicycle to maths tuition classes on those chilly winter mornings. With fog limiting the sight to just a few feet around, I never gave up the hope for meeting that someone special on the way. The romance of those mistful mornings is still a class apart. I relived those special memories during my recent trip to North India this Christmas. Here m sharing some of those interesting moments that I captured during my winter trip.

8 Degree Celsius

Remember your first smoke in childhood? Well I smoked that for long and even loved that to bits. Yes, I am talking about those harmless winter puffs that nature makes available to anyone who tries it at the right time and at the right place. Free and without any warning label or harmful side effects. It was winter and I was in North, so here I am, all set to try one at the railway station. Even though the camera failed to capture it, you can see the dense fog around me. And yes, its not 6 or 7 AM, its 10 in the watch!!

Idli in North

The way North Indian food used to be a special cuisine in South India a few years back, it was the same in North India for South Indian food (Specially Idli and Dosa). Both sides of the country used to tweak the original recipe to suit the palette of their native customers (just like pizza hut indianized its pizza in India). Over the time, I witnessed a considerable increase in authentic North Indian food down south. Same way, I discovered authentic south indian delicacies in north but the thing that surprised me most was that, North, while excelling in its punjabi cuisines even surpassed in its quality of southern delicacies. For example, this mouth watering plate of Idli was served with TN style Sambhar, thick white Coconut chutney (little sweet), green chutney with a flair of mint and spicy brown chutney with a twist of tamarind. Hmm south speciality restaurants do have a point to ponder here.

My Toy Shop

While searching for presents for my young nephews, nieces and little Cousins, I chanced upon this familiar little shop in a corner of the crowded old market. 'Yes, This is my toy shop' I yelled with joy as I jumped in to check it out. From supplying my first 'Ping Pong' bats to 'Business Board' game, this shop formed an integral part of my childhood. Its been years I'd been here but the memories are still afresh.



Though the shop board bore the brunt of time, the variety and quality of toys was still intact. The familiar key-run toys were now replaced with push button and battery operated ones. Soft toy section was dominated by 'Made in China' labels while flashy hi-tech gadgets made their way to the showcase. As usual, I didn't return empty handed from it and continued my relationship through gen next.

Til ka Taad

Til or sesame is believed to have warming properties. So as soon as winter kicks in the North, til makes it way to all the sweet shops round the city. It comes in the form of Gajak, Revadi, Til laddoo, Til biscuit and the list goes on.



The only classification it used to have earlier was 'sugar based' and 'jaggery based' but now I discovered some 40+ varieties with names like 'Chini Agra Biscuit', 'Gur Agra Biscuit', 'Chini Roll', 'Gur Roll' etc etc.

Jingle all the way

When I touched down in Bangalore, Christmas was just over but one can clearly make out the festive mood that had set in. Santa Caps, Christmas trees, Chinese lanterns (China again!!) and Hanging stars were everywhere to be seen. Here's one well decorated Christmas tree that I found in Pizza Hut.



Even though I missed out on the melodious carols of the season but I did manage to get hold of this snowman as soon as he came out of his igloo.



So here's wishing you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2007. Have fun, drive safely and hey, don't forget to make those sweet smileys on back of those dew drenched cars.

Flight No 6E 304

Date : 20 Oct'06
Time : 8:35 PM
Flight : Indigo AE 304
Itinerary: Chennai to Delhi
Mood : Amused
Special : Twinkling Diwali Night



Thanks to my lethargic approach to travel planning, I ended up booking tickets to Delhi from Chennai instead of Bangalore. Even though I wasted one day in journey, the flight proved to be quite an amusing experience.

As soon as I buckled up my seat belt, I realised there was a big group of youngsters on board. Gang of some 30 odd boys and girls, quite fresh out of college and undergoing training at sprawling Infosys campus in Chennai. New joinees in IT are quite easy to identify, they wear their 'access tags' wherever they go, on the streets, in buses and suprisingly, in the airplane too ;-). You can make out the sense of relief of first job and proud of being employed by one of the biggest home giants. Many were travelling for the first time and a lot of research was goin on about the aircraft seatbelts and wings. This was their first Diwali from their first salary. Sheer excitement and joy marked their journey and I was a part of it. Here's an account of the same.

Before I began, I must admit that even though Indigo claims to be a low cost airline, they have left no stones unturned in hiring a good looking crew. There was a very cute air hostess on board, much to the delight of the male fraternity present there. While she was busy giving away the safety instructions, they were trying hard to make her tip and finally she gave in with a tight lipped laughter. A huge applause followed her performance. It was not only surprising but strange too, and I had a good laugh over the ongoing events. Even the most stern looking faces finally eased up. Afterall its better to get wrinkles from a smile than from a frown. The plane rushed through the airstrip and there echoed an energetic Jaikara "Jaikara Sherawalin Ka - Bol Saache Darbar Ki JAI". Those who don't know about Jaikara, its literally a shout of victory, triumph or exultation commonly used to mark the safe journey of travel but I was encountering it for the first time in an aircraft. It was quite a nice change of breaking the norms after a long time. It felt as if I'm in a college bus to a college fest, lots of giggles, leg pulling and ofcourse, tonnes of PJ's.

I took a break from flashbacks of my college life, first job and first flight to glance through the window upon the twinkling lights of Chennai. Lakhs and lakhs of light bulbs were scattered like a sheet of stars mirroring the sky. This Diwali was quite special for me. Whole family was going to celebrate it together after 3 long years. Moreover, a surprise visit and I was quite excited bout it. I pulled over the lever of my chair and slouched back, trying to relax amidst the chaos and energy marked by festive spirits. What a joy, festival of lights has just begun!!