Burfi, As sweet as it gets but meaningful

After a long time I could find time to watch a film and I watched this movie called Burfi. The name of the movie was very unconventional and the reviews in the news papers were good, though I could not make out the theme of the movie from the review.

As the movie started, it took some time for me  to understand what is happening. As it progressed, it kept shuttling between current event and flash back and that too without any notice or hint. That also made me think, is it current event or flash back? The movie also progressed rather slowly.

What I said above  not withstanding, it was a refreshing movie, full of life and fun. So much of misfortune and sadness that the hero and heroine had in their life due to god's gift (or was it lack of it) but   the way they dealt with life was so simple and funny. Their characters made you think of our able bodied people's responses to similar situation ( and we able bodied figured poor second to these two souls). Every thing in the movie bordered to comedy yet none of it was a comedy, it was something that forced you to think. It was simple yet had a deep message. It did not make you cry (despite all the sufferings that the leads of the movie go through) yet it made you sit up and take note.

As for acting, the expressions, the communication through non verbal means, and the finesse in portraying the character by the leads was absolutely flawless. It was unbelievable the way Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra (PC to you all) acted in this movie. Just superb. No other words are required.

In order to retain pleasure of the readers of my blog, of watching this movie I have refrained from giving out the story. Guys n Gals you must go and watch the movie. Most of you will love it, few of you may hate it but one thing is sure, you will not be able to ignore it. It will haunt you for days to come, albeit in a positive manner (some you may disagree with this statement).

Borrowing from a famous advertisement, 'Burfi' is priceless, for everything else there is 'some' card ( pun intended). Don't mess your chances to watch a movie which is funny yet potent. Just go and watch. Happy watching.

Mansoon Magic at Lohagad

Mystical Lohagad

Iron Fort or Lohagad is 2000 years or so old fort replete with history. This fort has been famous in the recent history as a place where the riches that were captured by Chatrapati SHivaji, the legendry Marathi King, from Surat, a major trading port of Mugals in that era, were stored. When I was looking around to trek to Lohagad, two distinct options emerged.

 The first option was to travel to Lonavala by Train, followed by to Malavali (station next to Lonavala on Lonavala – Pune route) by a local train and then trek by road via Bhaja caves (a small detour to visit these famous Buddhist Caves) through a route that can take us to either Lohagad or VIsapur. Take the right fork at the junction and that takes us to Lohagad village. The climb to fort starts from here.

The other option that emerged is to travel by road from Mumbai (or Lonaval) to Lohagad village and then start the climb. This drive will take the travelers twice under the Mumbai – Pune Super expressway. At Ambawane village junction, one has to take left bound arm of the fork, in fact at most junctions it would be leftward road that one has to take.

After this research, we concluded that we will travel by road via Lonavala to Lohagad. That also meant that we would miss Bhaja Caves.

Having firmed up the plan and decided to do this trip on 7th July with night stay at Lonavala we did the packing (considering that it is rainy season, extra change of dress, shoes, etc was required) and got ready to move next day.

On 07th Jul, we started at 0730 and stopped over at first food court to have some tea etc. We left that place in about half an hour and reached Lonavala town by about 1100 hrs. Going through Lonavala town on the other side of railway track was a difficult task due to heavy traffic (Lonavala on weekends is very crowded). After crossing the town the ride was smooth till we reached the fork of Dhudhiwane and Lohagad.

The initial climb on the narrow, nearly single lane road in itself gave me a serious doubt about my Indigo diesel with four people inside able to climb these gradients. The road was narrow, shoulders of the road pathetic and lots of loose gravel coupled with the steep gradients steep were the reasons for the doubt. Hats off to Indigo’s super power, the vehicle took the climbs in its stride and we could drive to Lohagadwadi, the village at the base of the fort.

There, after paying the parking fee of Rs 20, we parked the car and started the climb. This is the village where motorable road from Lonavala and the route from Malavali which is mostly taken by the trekkers merge.

Initially climb was on dirt track and it was steep at few places. There were lots of monkeys in the beginning of the trek and during the climb to give climbers company. There was a small board at the foot of the trek giving the history and a rough map of the fort which was informative and useful.

The dirt track also had two medium size canons laying enroute.

After some time the dirt track converted into staircase made using original rocks cut into rough steps of varied size. The height variance can be sometimes difficult for some people. As we gained the height, the natural beauty of the surrounding including the backwaters of Pawana Dam became evident. It was a mystical day with intermittent rains and clouds descending on the trekkers. This hide and seek with the clouds was the bonus to us travelers.

After some time these rough staircases gave way to more regular ones which had standard height and were more systematically constructed. They were therefore easy to climb. As the staircases start, the first door, traditionally called Ganesh Darwaja arrived. As expected for any fort, this door no 1 on the way to top also had huge steel nails mounted on it to deter the elephants of enemy forces from breaking open this door by brute force of impact of their head.

Further climb to the fort continued. There were few caves enroute which were supposed to be grain stores and Nachani ( a hill grain) stores like the one in the photo below:-

Just short of second gate, there was this bastion for which steps lead from the left of this gate through a small arched gate. The Archeological Survey guard on the fort told me that that there is a set of toilets at the end of this bastion but there are no guiding boards. The boards are essentially required.

View of the bastion. And second gate.

The climb through remaining gates is not complicated but the degree of difficulty increases in the final two flights of stair which have become uneven and can have running water coming down over them and certain places may also have moss.

The final door called Mahadwar leads to a courtyard having walls on three sides and a door leading to the areas of the fort, which must have had some specific use. There is no roof on this courtyard.

There are some balconies around this courtyard approached from flat ground of the fort. The photo below shows a view from one such balcony. Mazar inside is also in the view.

Once inside, there is vast expanse of land most of it flat and some of it high ground. We roamed around in the fort and saw Shivaji / Shivji and Hanuman Mandir, Shatkoni talav (Trimbak Talav), 16 koni Talav (hatti talav), Dargah, a domed structure which is the first thing that is seen as the fort is reached.

We saw two more mazars, Vinchu Kata ( a outcrop of a about 1500 yard spur, which is part of the fort and has fortification) called so because it looks like a sting of scorpion and Laxmi Kothi, a cave in the fort.

Another interesting phenomenon which can be witnessed only during monsoon is a reverse shower, a effect of strong wind flowing from the valley to the fort on the down stream falling down as water fall. This strong wind pushes up the gushing water in a strong spray which is used by everyone to have a nice rain dance. See it below.

After a ‘Dekho’ around in the fort, we started our downward descent. After a trek of about one hour in the midst of rain and clouds we came down to Lohagadwadi. Had a good fill of Bhaji (Pakode), Vada Pav, Jhunka Bhakar and Fresh corn at Lohagadwadi and completed our trip. In took a total of 3 hrs and 30 min to complete the trip.

It could have taken lesser time to climb up and come down and also actually the fort has many things to see and we did not try to see every thing. I would recommend that at least three hours be kept to wander around in the fort itself. For an informed trip, it is recommended to read through this article on the net, which I could find post this trip while reading about the fort to write the travelogue. The reference is  ‘http://fortsinmaharashtras.blogspot.in/2009/05/lohogad-and-visapur.html’

My recommendation is to read this article before embarking on a trip of Lohagad. Other points of interests were:-

(a) The signage on the road from Lonavala for Lohagad is non existence. The leftist alignment at all most all junctions is true but one needs to ask as there is no signage.

(b) There are no proper toilets on the fort. The archeological survey of India guard told me that there are toilets during the climb at two places but again no signage about these toilets which are essentially required.

(c) Also, no source of drinking water that I could see but I am told one of the pond has drinkable water.

(d) In monsoon, wind cheaters are a better option but umbrellas may serve some purpose.

(e) Some eatables should to be carried but the wrappers must be carried back to ensure no littering.

(f) Eating in the shops at Lohagadwadi post trek is a great fun in itself, don’t miss that fun, Any hotel at that place is good for this purpose. Don’t look for superior hygiene etc just enjoy the food.

Mumbai to Belgaum by Road

Hi All, I had an occasion to travel by road (one of my most favorite thing which I love to do) from Mumbai to Belgaum and back between 26 n 28 Jun to attend a marriage. This is a small travelogue about this travel.

For start, it was a straight forward journey on combination of Mumbai – Pune Super Express Highway (expressway as it is known) and NH 4 from Mumbai all the way up to Belgaum.

We set out in my Indigo LS (2007) car at 0715 from Colaba in Mumbai and after picking up my mom from Prabhadevi, we set our car to Mumbai Pune road through Tilak bridge. As expected, the traffic on the roads was thin due to early hours from Mumbai crowd standards.

After crossing Vashi, I choose to take the Palm Beach road to avoid bottlenecks at Market yard signal and Uran Phata signal as well as the Belapur pass. It was longish but very smooth. At Kamothe, we entered expressway. Continued driving smoothly. Small bottleneck awaited us at Amrutanjan point (highest point on Expressway / NH 4). On the other side it was worst because of an apparent pile up of some vehicles including trucks.

Once we cleared Amrutanjan point, we reached at a rapid speed to BP Expressway (Company Owned, Company Operated or COCO petrol pump) after Second Toll Booth on Eway, by about 0955 ( In two hours from Prabhadevi. This kind of time is not possible once traffic picks up in Mumbai).

After taking fuel (I generally stick to High Speed or like wise diesel though many argue that only normal diesel should be used) we headed for Kailash Parbat outlet at this Fuel Pump. One reason I like this place to eat is that it is thinly crowded, may be because it is just 20 to 30 min from Pune. After quick bite we were at our task (of driving to Belgaum) at 1020 and entered Pune part of the Bangalore Bypass of NH 4.

We crossed Shirval at 1141 hrs ( 210 km from prabhadevi), in about four hours drive. My son took over from me (he is 20 and a budding long distance driver, may be following footsteps of his dad) at 1150 (218 km ex Prabhadevi) as the Shirval ghat started. This was a one ways (thankfully) hence there was no worry about incoming traffic. This 11 km ghat was left behind in a jiffy. Crossed Satara (bypass) (263 km / 1241 hrs) and Karad (bypass)  (323 km/ 1327 Hrs).

There were many hotels before Karad but we thought of having Lunch post crossing Karad. We realized that there were hardly any good places (as they looked at a glance) to eat post Karad. We finally found Sai International at 360 km (1415 hrs). A good place with non AC and AC dinning halls and a restaurant. Had lunch there which was served quickly and it was testy and good.

By now, my son had finished driving 142 Km in normal and rainy conditions. It was his first long distance drive. I took over from Sai International at about 1500 hrs, crossed Kagal and entered Karnataka. The road became better and well laid out. There were Truck Lay bys and Bus Lay bys. The Bus lay bys also had, very thoughtful of planners, toilets for Ladies and Gents with Ladies toilets (again very thoughtfully) placed away from incoming traffic (as noticed by my son, a student of architecture). This complex also had drinking water taps. Both the lay bys for trucks and buses were woefully missing on NH 4 stretch of Maharashtra, something MSRDC can and should implement ASAP.

Bus Lay By

Truck Lay By

Karnataka road was very good, all concrete and very well laid out. Even when I wanted to limit my speed to 100 km, involuntarily the speed very easily used to reach 120 km, something Indigo reaches without sweat.

Karnataka Road

Balance 140 km from Sai International was covered in just one hr and 30 mins and we checked-in in a hotel by 1645 hrs. This leg of 500 km was thus done in 7 hrs and 35 mins of total time or about 6 hrs and 15 min of driving time with a average speed of  79.78 km / hr.

Return leg started on 28 Jun at 0710 from Belgaum. This time my son was driving from the beginning. Reached Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Temple at 0920 (120 km). We were lucky to get darshans of Devi Mahalaxmi (fondly called Amba Bai in Maharashtra) quickly. I also got the chance of doing a Pradakshina round the deity (courtesy a security staff), an unlikely event in present set up where having mere darshans is becoming difficult. After darshans we had breakfast at Kolhapur at old Rajwada (where the temple also is located). It was a very small place but the breakfast of Kurma Poori was good.

Old Rajwada, Kolhapur

 Left Kolhapur town at 1015 hrs and stopped for tea break (I have electric tea maker which runs on Cigarette lighter point from Cars supply) at 1200 hrs after 90 km from Kolhapur on the roadside. Had self made tea and some snacks and started off at 1225 hrs. My son drove for 320 km and I took over from him at about 1400 hrs after taking diesel (regular as high speed diesel was not available in last four pumps). Crossed Pune by 1455 hrs (376 km) and hit Eway. After a halt of 20 min at Shri Dutta Snacks post last toll on Eway, we completed expressway stretch by 1620 hrs. By this time we had covered 472 km in 8 hrs and five min of total time (with a stoppage of one hr and 40 mins enroute).

The nightmare started after crossing Eway. We finished expressway at 1620 hrs and reached Prabhadevi, a 41 km stretch at 1735 hrs a full one hr and 15 mins in heavy Mumbai Traffic. Inevitable but irritating.

After dropping my mom, we reached Colaba by 1815 hrs.

Now few quick facts. Total distance covered 1050 kms.

 Average we got (between BP Expressway filling on the way to Belgaum and refill post Karad on return leg) – 16.45 km/ Ltr with AC on + 4 Pax.

Total Toll one way to Belgaum was 476 Rs. No of toll booths – 8. Distribution of toll booths – Vashi, Expressway, Khed Shivpur, Anewadi, Taswad (Karad), Kini, Mah / Karnatak Border and Hataragi.

Overall, I rate this drive as good and safe. A journey recommended for families also. The drive is scenic in Maharashtra and even better in Karnataka. Road quality also is good in Maharashtra and very good in Karnataka.

 If one gets a chance, this drive is a recommended.

Finals of 25th Marathi Commercial Drama Competition

After many years I got the opportunity to see Marathi Nataks at Mumbai, courtsey Dept of Culture, Govt of Maharashtra.


It was the Finals of 25th Marathi Commercial (and not amateur) Drama Competition being conducted at Marathi Sahitya Sangha Mandir at Girgaum by the Dept of Culture, Govt of Maharashtra. There were a total of 10 dramas selected from about 25 entries of variety of Drama Companies. I could See Love Birds, Karun Gelo Gaon, Sukhanshi Bhandato Amhi and Mi Revati Deshpande.

It was real fun watching such quality dramas produced by these companies. The situation dead that I write the researched views about them but have no time to do research.

Let me put my quick thoughts about these dramas.

Love Birds - a thriller which holds you spell bound. the plot is superb. The struggle of Amruta Subash, the lead actress, to (so called) educate her husband (who has lost his past memories in an accident, but can remember what is taught) about his past life. One sympathises with her, the drama goes on with realisation that the hero and heroine might have killed old lover of the leading lady. As the plot unfolds, the heroine also committees one more murder. Every thing was to go as planed (for whom, guess it or see the Natak, I am not going to let the cat out) but for a private detective who has joined this plot out of sheer luck (or may be bad luck).

What comes out at the end is a action packed (emotional and not stunts) thriller which keeps you glued to your seat). The Music was good, the use of video to link up the events outside of the set, crisp dialogue delivery and acting of all the people are the strong points.

Karun Gelo Gaon - Is a marathi - Malvani (or so I thought) comedy with all the actors being natural and good. Vaibhav Mangale happens to be the pack leader. The drama had slapstick humour with all the ingredients thrown in like a tamasha dancer, a local MLA, film crazy villagers etc. There were some sutle but below the belt humour, some high quality humour and some very vital points made humorously. At the end the drama succeeds in highlighting the plight of the soul of Konkan, the land on the west coast.

Sukhanshi Bhandato Aamhi - is a serious drama with a lead role of a psychologist and a split personality patient. the doctor, an idealist as a Young boy from village has become materialistic due to pressures of his ambitious wife and the city called Mumbai. He is minting money and thinking that it is essential for him to mint to provide better avenues to his son.

He has been neglecting his mother who is still at his village, neglecting other aspects of life till this patient whom he admits in his hospital show him a mirror to make him understand that the mirage that he is running behind in his life is not happiness but rather a fight with real happiness. The doctor tries to run away from reality till his son decides to seek his Happiness!!! by leaving the doctor and his wife behind and migrating abroad. A very powerful story delivered superbly.

Mi, Revati Deshpande is a off beat drama. It is about gender disorder in a professor who has been living duel life of a lady and a man. his family always thinks very poorly of him because they think he seeks company of females to satisfy his male ego / taste without realisation of the reality. Only his female servant and psychologist friend who knew reality try to manage the rift. The rift widens by the additional affection shown by the professor to his erstwhile student and now his daughter in law, who is pregnant.

The rift reaches a stage where all efforts of the psychologist fried and the servant fail and the professor decides to let go of the male in him and decides to live life as a female.

A complex subject handled skillfully with lead roles of Mohan Joshi as professor, Ramesh Bhatkar as doctor friend. It was well enacted drama except for where I got the seat (in the balcony) the audio was very poor.

A very unconventional story delivered with care and elan.

Pench Tiger Reserve - Second Safari

Road to Indore and Back Part VI

10 May 10

We had to get up at 0400 hrs as Lallan, our Gypsy driver was to pick us up at 0500. We had a quick cup of tea at Kipling’s Court at 0455 hrs and Lallan arrived at dot 0500 hrs. We reached the Turia gate at 0510. After making the permit by showing our web booking print out, I gave the permit and money to Lallan who did remaining formalities. Sudama was our guide for this trip.

We set out at 0530 hrs and ours was second vehicle into the forest. First we went to Junewani Talab, as last few sightings in the morning safari were here. There were many animals for whom the day break was just happening. Lake was full of life and merriment but obviously there were no tigers because if there were tigers, the remaining animal kingdom would be in super quiet mode.

After some wait we decided to look for other animals and also check other water points for tigers too. The sighting was good with all the animals that we saw yesterday were registering their presence with us with regularity. We also saw various types of Owls sitting in the voids of various trees, a pair of male and female jungle lizards again in a void of the tree.

At a spot when we saw restless Deers and two Jackals we thought the Jackals were hounding the Deer’s. We were focused on jackals and here came Wild dog with near orange coat and black bushy tail (like German Shepherd dogs) charging behind the Deer. We saw the dog but even before our son could click his Canon 450 D, the deer and the dog chasing them vanished behind rocks. We got to see a wild dog but no photos could be clicked.

Driving further we saw variety of birds including two types of Eagles, Black Stork, scores of Peacocks, Jungle Fowl, etc. On the way to Hand Pump, there were pug marks of a tiger. Also at a spot on the route there was smell of Tiger Kill (dead Animal), so we went to Hand Pump region where yesterday two Gypsies had sighted the Tigresses with collar but no luck there too.

We decided to go to Elephant Camp at Alikatta and check for Tiger Show This is how the show works:-

Forest staff takes their Elephants out early in the morning and track tigers. At one such location they keep track of the animal and later as safari vehicles arrive the Elephant camp they are given token for sighting the Tiger in that location.

The safari vehicle then takes you to that location where the tourists board the Elephant, go in the wilderness (where Gypsies can’t go) sight the Tiger and return to their vehicles. The charge per person is Rs 100 for this elephant ride and sighting.

There was a sighting very close to Elephant camp and we went there, boarded the Elephant and saw the Tiger (actually the Tigress with radio collar, the lead actress of BBC documentary, ‘The Spy in the Jungle’, available at Animal Planet (and other e commerce sites too) website for USD 19 only, other actors are her cubs) in flesh and blood for the first time resting under shrub kind of growth. She was the same animal whose pug marks we had seen.

There was a sense of fulfilment though I must admit that other sightings had already made our trips more than ‘Value for Money’. When we returned to Elephant camp (only place where toilets are available) as the group members found there way to rest rooms, we could witness Rotis being made for Elephants right from making the dough to making the Rotis (no stretch of imagination one can call such thick rotis ‘Chapatis’, if one does it all the Chapaties of the world would commit suicide). It was interesting to watch. Each Elephant is fed Chapatis of 10 kg dough apart from vegetation in the Jungle that they eat.

From this place we set out again to check Pench river bank and other water points. After all, we had seen only one Tiger where as as per 2005 census there are 33 Tigers in Pench Reserve and the actual numbers have only gone up. On our way we also saw Bison, herds of deer resting in the shed, some standing and some sitting comfortably. Another interesting sight was to see group of three female Langoors sitting around a tree trunk, huddled facing tree with their young ones clinging to their stomach sheltered from rapidly increasing heat of the jungle between the mothers and the tree.

Eventually it was nearing 0830 hrs and the guide and Lallan decided to try our luck at Junewani Talab yet again. Reason, for last four days, a pair of Tiger and Tigress has been sighted at Junewani around 0900 hrs. We reached Junewani at about 0905.

A Tata 207 with two foreigners was the only vehicle waiting. The driver told us that Tiger roars and deer’s warning calls were being heard for last half an hour. We also decided to camp there (in the gypsy, no one is allowed to get down from vehicle). At about 0910 hrs there was commotion among deers in the vicinity of a dry nullah which leads in to Junewani (though now blocked by bandh which also serves as road and a bank of the present lake created by this bandh. Sudama, our guide sensed that Tiger(s) is present near by. Then the roar was heard yet again.

Within 3-4 minutes my wife noticed some rapidly moving object in that area and alerted the guide who checked with his binocular and confirmed that it’s a Tiger. There was no further hint for next five minutes and suddenly out of no where a Tigress climbed from the dry nullah on to slightly higher ground.


What a majestic sight it was to have an audience with King of the Jungle for the first ever time in the wild and in the open. That was not the end of a romance with Tiger for that day, it was merely a beginning. Soon yet another Tiger appeared and both sat there on the high ground. From there if they had to come to the lake they had to climb the bandh and climb down to the lake and the prospects of that happening looked good.

Soon enough the tigress started the climb, came up on the bandh, inspected the surrounding and walked down to the lake. She got into the water to cool herself and drink water. She sat down into the water and started drinking it intermittently.

In another 3-4 minutes the Tiger came up on to the bandh but did not get in. He walked down to opposite side of the lake and got into water in repeat action of what the tigress was also doing. As the tigers landed at the lake there was a pin drop silence among all the animals. The mischievous Langoors climbed the nearest tree. The small duck like birds (I was told the name but cant recollect) who were fishing into the pond just went underwater and came up to breath only to go underwater again. Peacocks and Pea hens went into hiding and there was a different kind of silence in the area. As the tiger’s roar was heard by other guides too, at the final count there were a total of six gypsies / Tata207 out of 28 that entered when tigers came.

After some time the Tigress came out of the pond and joined the Tiger on the other side of the pond in to the water. After about five minutes they both got up and walked into the nullah leading to Kalapahad. Soon we could not see them and the scene changed.

The Langoors started playing vigorously as if they were trying to make up the lost time, the small duck like water birds came up and restarted fishing in the water, peacocks also could be seen. In fact one langoor rushed to water and drank water to his hearts content as soon as the tigers were out of the scene. What an experience it was. How many in this world would get to see the Tigers up front and close? We were among the few lucky ones.

Time was nearing 1000 hrs hence we returned from the Reserve. Had good breakfast at Kipling’s court and rested. We had called for an AC Indigo taxi to drop Mom and daughter to Nagpur (Charges non AC 1600 and AC 2000 irrespective of the vehicle one hires) for their flight which was at 2035 hrs. That taxi came at 1400 hrs. we started from Pench and went to Rukhad to Bison Retreat (another property of MPSTDC, 35 km from Pench and 23 km from Khawasa on the way to Jabalpur) to have lunch. Lunch was excellent. Post lunch, mom and daughter went to Nagpur and we started form Jabalpur at 1555 (172 km). NH 7 within Pench forest was two lane. It became four lane and stayed so till few km beyond Seoni. In fact the Seoni bypass was not officially opened but we were told that we can go through it. We did go and there were little adventures crossing it but we did cross. In any case it is fully ready and would open in about 10 days (by 25 May). The two lane NH7 post Seoni has okay surface and not too heavy traffic. We reached home at Jabalpur at 1845.

Journay to Indore and Back - A Date with Pench Tiger Reserve -Continued

Part V

Ist Safari in to Pench Tiger Reserve

Afternoon Safari starts at 1600 till 1900. One needs to reach the gate by 1530 (this seems to be time during summer when temperatures are high). Chandan was our driver and he arrived on time at 1520 hrs at Kipling’s court (pick up is from your resort/ hotel).

We reached the main gate at 15:30. The procedure is complicated, in that, either one gives net booking print out or fills up a form (and pays the charges) at a window where they make a permit (530 on web booking and current booking). Pick up your permit and then go to another hut where show your permit and the forest people make entry in a register and take guide fee of Rs 150. After you pay guide fee and attach its receipt on permit, another forest person allots you a guide (so three queues in all, thankfully, your safari driver does the last two jobs for picking up the guide). Actually all these tasks can be done at one place where they should make permit, take fee for guide and allocate guide. Three queue system just appears to be a method to give work to more people but it ends up harassing the tourists.

We finally entered the main gate at around 1600 hrs. The sanctuary was awash with variety of animals. We saw Langoors, Jackals, Peacocks and Peahens, Wild Boar, Deers, Nil Gai, Sambar, etc many times during the safari. We could see variety of birds also like owls, Tiger Brush, etc. Our guide searched for elusive tiger on large number of water holes but we had no luck. After looking for tiger at around six water holes (out of twelve) and Pench river bank we returned to Junewani water point (Talab) at around 1815 hrs.

What about Tiger? No, we could not see any but the scene was superb. The Deer, Peacocks and Langoors were giving tiger sighting (Danger) calls. Very different kinds of sound then their usual calls. All of these animals wanted to drink water but in the hierarchical Jungle none could dare till ‘King of the Jungle’ (at least this jungle is ruled by tiger) has had his drink of water.

The animal kingdom was stand still with a pregnant silence and the mankind around (about 10 safari jeeps full) were excited that finally they would sight the King. The animals were standstill and fearful, the humans were excited but the King was unmoved. He was somewhere there but would not oblige any one of us. At 1830, the forest inspector (or whatever they are called, who has been present there, indicated that the time is up and we must go out of the park.

All safari jeeps returned with heavy heart without sighting. Morning safaris has had sighting of tigers (one male and one female) at the same spot to their heart’s content.

We were very happy with all the sightings and had no special regrets for not sighting Tiger. We also knew that tomorrow morning again we would go to Jungle and have our chances. Only Dr Abheek Ghosh of Nagpur and some of his friend had sighting of one tigress (who has a radio collar on her which is likely to be removed in two days as her tracking would be discontinued on 11 May 10) at Hand Pump area.

We came back to Kipling’s court at 1920 hrs. Had a cup of tea and had dinner at 2100 hrs. Food was good. We were all tired and slept off at 2200 hrs. In any case, tomorrow morning Lallan (our Gypsy driver who is very famous naturalist) is to come and pick us up at 0500 hrs as park entry starts at 0530 hrs.

Sahib, Sindh, Sultan, The NWFP Flavors in a Authentically Different Environment

On a day’s outing last 10 Jul, we (self and wife) were in the City Centre Mall at Road No 1, Banjara Hills. After spending lots of time wandering in the mall, around 1345 hrs we started looking for a place to eat. We went up to 5th floor where their food court equivalent is. This whole floor is with BJN Group (whatever BJN means).

This group has four eateries if I remember correctly (It was 10 Jul 2010, long time has passed). One continental, One Bar, One Chinese and the last one was – Sahib, Sindh, Sultan.

Hell of a funny name for a restaurant to be called as such! The curiosity got better of us and we went to this place for Lunch. This place serves Indian cuisine with stress on NWF Province (now in Pakistan). As we entered, there was a hall, specious one, for dinning and also a different section too, where also one could dine.

As we explored further, we realized that the main hall resembles the railway platform and the other section, in fact, is like a railway coach, a dinning car to be precise. This section also had resemblance of Rly sleepers and the metal that is put on sleepers under it, to make it appear a dinning car on a platform.

To add to the authenticity, the waiters also were dressed in Railway waiter’s period uniform and the head waiters like Ticket Collectors. It felt very interesting and was done up very well.

When we were given the menu card, the mystery was let out. Sahib, Sindh and Sultan were the names of first three Steam Locomotives which ran on Indian Railway system in its infancy when first ever train ran between Mumbai (if my guess is correct, Byculla was the origin) and Thane in the year 1857.

In the memory of those engines, the place has been named accordingly. How interesting! Also the decor is period decor of a railway platform and a dinning car of that era with the waiters and headwaiters uniforms complimenting the decor.

So far so good. The décor and the theme were impressive. Then came the turn of food. Before ordering food we sought one of their non alcoholic drink (can’t recollect the name) for my wife, which was good, and a beer (no issue with the name, it was Kingfisher 330 ml) for self.

Thereafter, we ordered one Chicken dish and one other dish with nan and tandoori roti. At the time of ordering the prices appeared steep but I must admit, their portions were commensurate to the prices, in fact they were big. Two of us had difficulty in finishing, we had to get one of the dish packed to carry back home.

How about the quality? We were very happy with overall experience with SSS. The decor, theme, ambience and the food was good. The staff was also nice. The day was my wife’s birthday. When we mentioned to their staff post lunch, they felt bad that we did not inform them earlier else they could have managed a cake.

All the same, they produced a complimentary Phirani dish for her to celebrate her birthday. The Phirani was also good. The place also has Maghai Paan too, on order. The day at City Centre was would up with a lovely Maghai Pann after a delicious lunch in a great place.

Do we recommend it? Whole heartedly, particularly for voracious Non Veg eaters (we are not). Our cost, I would say was about Rs 800 for two (I don’t recollect the exact amount) with drinks and food.

So! Keep up the date with Sahib, Sindh, Sultan on one of the Sundays when you plan to visit City Centre Mal on Banjara Hills.

Happy Eating.