Travelogue: Biju Patnaik Park, Bhubaneswar

 

- Rahul

Travelogue/Hindu Temples: Mai Sthan Mandir, Chandmari, Motihari

 

(C) Rahul 

Travelogue: Double decker Train

I came across a double-decker passenger train for the first time in Bengaluru. 

I think the train was 22625/MGR Chennai Central - KSR Bengaluru AC Double Decker Express

- Rahul

Book Review: '99 Moon Avenue' by Anumita Sharma

 

'99 Moon Avenue' is a novel in English written by Anumita Sharma. It was published by Redgrab books in year 2020. Here are the online shopping links to get it: 

99 Moon Avenue: Buy 99 Moon Avenue by Sharma Anumita at Low Price in India | Flipkart.com

Buy 99 Moon Avenue Book Online at Low Prices in India | 99 Moon Avenue Reviews & Ratings - Amazon.in

99 Moon Avenue by Anumita Sharma - Redgrab books

The novel tells two parallel stories. One of the stories moves in the current time, set in year 2001, where a girl (Sarojini) comes to Delhi to study in a newly established private university. The university has not yet got its academics settled, and her department has got a tyrant as its director who picks on Sarojini to vent his anger, compounding her challenges. There is another character called Jalaj (interesting name), a journalist, and their paths cross and friendship develops. Then, near the end of the novel, there is a shocking tragedy which changes the course of their lives. 

The second parallel story is around the life of a woman named Cornelia and is set in the colonial era when the British used to control India. It is a "ghost story". Both stories converge because of the venue, which is "99, Moon Avenue", a locality with colonial era bungalows situated in Delhi. 

Story of Brave Sarojini 

Now, if I speak about the stories without revealing any "spoilers", I loved the first of the parallel stories very much. Story of Sarojini could have very well been a separate novel in itself. It is a powerful story of coming of age, rising against all odds, realism, tragedy, a girl fighting against a hostile society, and many more. The writer gets 10/10 in this. 

I don't know why feminist or women-centric platforms have not yet identified this author despite her showing extreme talent in weaving unique women-centric stories one after the other. This is her fourth book that I have read. In all her books, she brings up such strong female characters. At the same time, she is not a typical male-hating intellectual either. If you read this book, she has not done injustice with the second lead Jalaj who was a male character trying to compete with the main character in the matter of space. The author has this brilliant balance of mind.

Superb Sense of Humor

Although this novel is about struggle, ghosts, history, and tragedy, I could not miss the author's astute sense of humor especially in the first half of the book. Have a look yourself: 

On page 59, she describes a "flea attracting" pet dog in the most hilarious way possible:

Notice the hilarious way insects encircled the dog's "surprisingly healthy body" like "comets"; or that the dog looked like a cross between "dog and donkey". It is the most comic page I have read in a long time. 

On page-25, she describes a newspaper where Jalaj worked in this wonderful manner. Notice how she "names" the paper or the party too. 

I had a great time going through these pages. If you notice, the author is god in the appropriate use of "adjectives"; which gives the sentences a completely unique sense of feel. 

I have also noted down a few of her sentences from the initial pages of the book:

*** 

The interviewer was the iron-grey haired, wrinkled senile Ashwin Singh, Director of the Advertising department. No doubt, a retired specimen picked from an erstwhile reputed firm. He seemed to be suffering from age-related amnesia for he jolted down everything in a small pocketbook…

Mr. Singh consulted the pocketbook when Sarojini entered his chamber and grinned as if a playful pixie had traversed through his jottings and entered his sunken mouth to bid her welcome, “So, you are Mr. Upadhyay’s ward?” (P-36)

***

“… …”, informed the clerk Mr. Venkatasundaram of Equity Professional University, a young man quite in variance with the pre-historic Director, a lad of breeding steeped in the ignorance of youth, overly excited to be holding a position of importance for the first time in his life.” (P-36-37)

***

In the tantalizing hour just after sunset, Mrs. Rai’s guests began appearing one after the other through the darkening foliage of the stately trees haphazardly dispersed in the front yard. The homing birds were whistling their evening ditties and the flowers were cooling off in the tepid breeze. Sarojini was given the task of opening he door and welcoming seven talcumed and perfumed ladies. They poured in the sea of blues, reds, greens, yellows, exchanging greetings and effusively complimenting each other for the applique work, zari work, kantha work in their friends’ sarees, alluring shapes of heir dainty sandals, ethnic make of the kundan jewelleries, as if they only saw beauty… (P-38)

***

Ending

I liked the ending of the story which was open to the way things could have gone in future. 

Historical Content

The "historical" content in the book was also nice. We get to know many new things about Delhi and its history including things like Mughals, eunuchs, British men and women from the colonial era, or the construction and development works. It makes the book enriching and gives it depth. At the same time, it tells the richness and profoundness of the writer's knowledge and research too.

Criticism

When it comes to constructive criticism, I wish this book came in the form of two separate books. Although, the author gets full credit for her experimentation and boldness of merging two stories into one. I also wish the pages with "adult" content were "censored" in next edition or made more subtle. It won't make much difference to the plot but will make the book accessible to readers of all age and encouraging for readers who do not like such content.   

Recommendation 

Overall, '99 Moon Avenue' is a brilliant tale you are not going to forget forever after reading it. If you like reading novels, go for it. 

- Rahul 

Participation in Blood Donation Camp

I had donated blood two times before, but for relatives. I had never donated blood in a 'blood donation camp' because of concerns. This time around, I decided to go for the experience. And I liked it. 

A blood donation camp was organized in our office in collaboration with a blood center called 'Jankalyan Blood Center, Pune'. It was managed well on one floor of our food court building. It was time-taking and many employees who had come for donation left because it was going to take around 2 hours. I had gone specifically for this purpose on a day I had taken leave (I came to know about the blood donation drive too late and hence decided to go even on a day I was on leave), so I waited and went through all the phases. 

They measured hemoglobin level before passing the person for donation. They also kept three small tubes which would be used to test the blood later on. Donors can email them if they wanted a copy of the blood report.  

Here is a certificate I got. I have erased part of the data due to privacy reasons. 

The certificate also has a coupon which said that due to my blood donation, I could get one unit of blood over next year.

I did not feel any problems after donating blood and it was a good experience to remember. I don't think I qualify to recommend anyone, but if you are interested, you can go participate at a place of convenience too.   

- Rahul 

Vitamin B12 Tablets from Nutrela/Patanjali

We have been told that Vitamin B12 is scarcely found in vegetarian food and most of the known sources are in meat and animal origin. Due this, vegetarians are often found to be lacking Vitamin B12 in their body. Many/most of the medicines or supplements are of animal origin too. I recently came across a Patanjali Nutrela Vitamin B12 supplement and it is of plant origin. 

You can check it out on Flipkart here: 

NUTRELA Vitamin B12 Bio-Fermented Capsules By Patanjali Price in India - Buy NUTRELA Vitamin B12 Bio-Fermented Capsules By Patanjali online at Flipkart.com

I looked at the ingredients and found that most are plant based. But, we were told that plant based foods did not have Vitamin B12; then how did this medicine based on plant based extracts contain Vitamin B12?

The packaging mentioned that this is "bio-fermented" and hence when I searched the internet, I found many articles which told that it is possible to make Vitami B12 by bio-fermentation. 

The packaging mentions that this is India's first bio-fermented Vit B12 medicine. Hats off to Patanjali Ayurved for this innovative product. 

Disclaimer: I have not consumed it myself, but I read many users on Amazon and Flipkart Reviews that they have found it really good. You can make your own decision on trying this product. 

- Rahul

List of Some Hospitals in Pune

Apollo Clinic, Kharadi

Apollo Clinic, Aundh

Apollo Clinic, Vimannagar

Apollo Spectra Hospital, Saras Baug

Ruby Hall Clinic, Wanowrie

Ruby Hall Clinic (Grant Medical Foundation), Sasoon Road

Ruby Hall Clinic, Hinjawadi

Sahyadri Hospital, Hadapsar

Sahyadri Hospital, Nagar Road

Sahyadri Hospital, Deccan Gymkhana

Nobel Hospital, Hadapsar

Jahangir Hospital and Medical Center, Sasoon Road

Manipal Hospital, Baner

Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, Chinchwad

Sanjivani Vitalife Hosital, Aundh

Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Erandwane

Oyster and Pearl Hospital, Shivajinagar

Sancheti Hospital, Shivajinagar

Travelogue: Moving Around Pune (Part 3)

                    A vintage car seen parked near Kalewadi phata (March 2019)

Statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar near Pune Railway Station (2023)

A map showing Abhi Smart Airport Bus service routes in Pune. Not many are aware of this bus service. (2023)

Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, Chinchwad, Pune (2023)

TCS Office, Hinjawadi, Pune (2023)

Megapolis Housing Society, Hinjawadi, Pune (2023)

Aundh-Rawet Road (2023)

District Hospital, Aundh, Pune (2023)

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Flyover, near Shanghvi, Pune (2023)

Westend mall, Aundh, Pune (2023)

- Rahul 

Travelogue: AeroMall at Pune Airport

If you land at Pune Airport after a long time, you would realize that there is a new way to get an Ola/Uber/Taxi/Auto now. Government has constructed an "Aero Mall" besides the main airport building and one has to walk to reach the place. 

Earlier, Pune Airport was very convenient because we could get a taxi right after coming out of the exit gate. Now, you need to walk to a distance, get over an escalator, then walk, and then you reach the second floor of Aero Mall from where you can get an Ola/Uber taxi. 

You come out of the Exit gate: 

 

On your right hand side, you will see escalator at the very end. Walk towards the right: 

Get to the upper floor over an escalator or elevator and then walk towards the taxi area: 

List of all facilities. You will find a big food court now on the second floor with major food brands present: 

Here is the area from where you can get Ola/Uber/Taxi. You can book a taxi from your mobile app or from the kiosk.

Glimpse of the food court on the same second floor.

- Rahul Tiwary 

Travelogue: Apollo Clinic, Aundh, Pune

 

- Rahul 

Travelogue: Cognizant, Hinjawadi, Pune

 

- Rahul

Shopping Comparison: More Supermarket, Tata Star Bazaar, DMart, and Patanjali Store

I visited all these stores in a short span of time and could not resist comparing the experiences, for whoever it can help or can serve even as a piece of reading.

More Supermarket

More Retail is part of Aditya Birla Group and I am a fan of this Indian business group. 

I realized that More has several formats of stores, some are big, like "More Hypermarket" are, and some are smaller in size which are "More Supermarket". I visited a Hypermarket. 

I was a regular customer at More long time back and I visited multiple times recently. I loved the Hypermarket concept instead of smaller and crowded Supermarket which I used to visit few years back. I noticed that More Hypermarkets were not too much loaded with inventory and it felt that just enough varieties and just enough quantities were kept. I don't like the stores which keep dozens of options for a simple thing; it just wastes our time and attention. Since most customers are repeat customers, it is much better to make available the necessary objects right away. I am not a fan of "retail therapy" propaganda and I get exhausted if I have to scan thousands of objects from my eyes (and brain). In stores, I make very quick decisions and move on and I do not enjoy shopping as an elaborate exercise. More Hypermarket appeared just as perfect for me to get things and move on to next isle. 

I also noticed that More Hypermarket was really spacious and it did not have too much crowd on any occasion. It was a really good deal. 

Tata Star Bazaar

Star Bazaar is from Trent Limited which is part of Tata Group, a pride of India.  

Experience at Star Bazaar was surprising weird. It felt that items were kept in a haphazard manner, and it was too confusing and time taking to find an item I needed. The kitchen and utensils section had very limited items and those also were kept in between racks of other items. Many items were not available. The inventory and food products were fresh and good which was a plus side. 

I remember visiting a different store of Tata Star Bazaar a few years back and I remember it as lacking space and not a great experience either. 

DMart

DMart is from Avenue Supermarkets Limited, a publicly traded company in Indian stock market and I had doubled my money from its IPO, a fact which I don't want to forget. 

I have been visiting DMart for many years and only after BigBasket and Swiggy Instamart came into being, I stopped visiting DMart regularly. After visiting DMart after a gap, I could understand that "nothing changed". The store is like before, items are like before with some improvements in "home section" which has got bigger with more variety of items. But the crowd and lack of enough space to walk in the store is as it is. I am not a price sensitive customer anymore and DMart does not seem to be understanding the evolving customer needs. But, from business strategy side, DMart seems to be focused on its targeted set of customers and in that area, it may be doing just fine. 

Patanjali Store

Most stores are franchisees of Patanjali Ayurved, a new business group in India which needs no introduction. 

I have been shopping at Patanjali stores in many cities wherever possible and I have always been highly impressed. I love their products and although the stores are managed with very less staff, I find it always in order. It is so timesaving to shop at Patanjali stores because you do not have to search, compare and make too many decisions. The billing experience is fine also, since I use a "Swadeshi Samriddhi" membership card, but while recharging it, I realized that my newly acquired RuPay card did not work there, so I had to pay via UPI. 

Due to lack of variety in products, spacious and less crowded stores, good quality products and stores situated at convenient locations, I have always been happy with my experience at Patanjali Stores. Plus, we get a "bonus" of being able to help the environment, local farmers and community and promotion of Ayurveda and herbal products too. 

- Rahul 

Breaking Bad

A movie was appearing on TV and its title was interesting, "Breaking Bad". I immediately liked the lead character Walter. I even liked his name.

Walter is a high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with a terminal disease. After coming to terms with the reality of his impending death, he decides to go rogue and start manufacturing and supplying addictive drugs to provide enough money for his family (wife and son)! Now, when the next phases of the complex plot start to unfold, with some pretty interesting events happening through it, I began to wonder about the rationale behind all this. 

The man is about to die, and he decides to enter the world of crime? Why? Not because of any inner calling or because of his nature (he used to be a good guy), but because he felt himself responsible for providing enough money and resources for his family even after he is dead! In the normal course of the world, if a person is about to die, he may turn to religion or do some noble things in the hope of making up for the lost time or opportunity. But this guy turns evil and starts collecting bad karma and sins! It seemed so illogical! 

I was convinced that the plot was absurd and that a man with so less time left would never start doing bad things; then after a while I saw a silver lining. The key to understand this was to look at it as "temptation". 

It is absolutely true that the better a person is, he faces more challenges in life. A characterless, principle-less and spineless person would never know what it is to face challenges and temptations and still be good. Perhaps since Walter was a good guy all through, due to some cruel fate, he was given the temptation to be evil near the end of his life, and he fell for it. This could be the only way it can be. 

At the same time, men's natural instinct to play the role of "provider" and to go any extent to succeed in the role has often done so much harm to them and their soul and many times it does not feel worth it. But "men will be men" and men's brain is wired to think and behave a manner and often they can't help it. 

It is a pity to see Walter plunge into more crimes and become a manufacturer of drugs which would certainly do so much harm to many young men and women. I also felt bad for such TV shows and films which try to show "human side" of drug dealers and other types of criminals, just in order to ensure commercial success of their production. Art without soul often becomes an "aimless arrow".    

- Rahul