When do you ban pubs?

Karnataka CM Yeddyurappa says that he will not allow pub culture in Karnataka.

"We will not allow pub culture in Karnataka...the incident is an unfortunate local incident...activists of Sri Ram Sene went on a rampage. Attacking women-this is not part of our culture...if required, the government will invoke Goonda Act," he said.

If people decide that its more important to leave everyone to choose and follow their culture, obviously causing no harm or destruction of others' culture, then this unfortunate incident would not have happened.

If you can decide that flyovers and air flights are now within culture limits, I am sure that there are many people in this country, and in Karnataka also who would have qualms about not having their feet firmly rooted on Mother Earth. This did not deter the government from building flyovers or an international airport

"There is a conspiracy behind this...some elements are trying to disrupt peace in the state. The opposition is jealous of the popularity the state government has garnered in the last eight months."

So now that he has accumulated all the accolades and popularity in the last eight months, he plans to use that as bait to get out of this fix? When a matter comes up which requires level headed intervention, the government conveniently throws the ball over to the culture committee to take over. When he banned smoking at public places, where was the long held culture of beedi amongst majority in the state? There are even traditions where tobacco is given as a gift on occasions.

Through the ban, he stuck to modernization and health issues chant, arising due to lifestyle in the present day. Now with pubs, he chooses to whirl back the time machine to culture and tradition!

Stick to an era at least !

Pink City: Jaipur

This is a long overdue post. I went o Jaipur mid Jan for a wedding, and going there I realized how I missed the amazing food and lovely winters of the north.

The wedding was at Jai Mahal a old Palace in Jaipur which has been used as the official residence of the Prime Ministers uptil 1948. Following this, the palace was converted to a luxury hotel in 1955.

There were also a life size chess board and it looked beautiful. I could not capturea picture, but if you go to the link and watch the Photoessay, you can see more pictures of this palace.

These are some views of Jai Mahal from its grand gardens.




Following the wedding we went on for the evening dinner at Chokhi Dhani, an ethnic village resort located a few kilometers outide the city of Jaipur. They have amazing snacks and wonderful recreational activities planned out for he guests. Camel rides, astrologers, elephant rides, all kinds of savouries and authentic Rajasthani dinner, which is a good 4 course meal in itself.

Below is a typical village hut with some writings, and hee there was water and some hot milk being served inside. A typical feature is that most of those here are so courteous and ardent in their hospitality, one can very rarely say 'NO'!

This is the entrance to a haveli which housed a magician and there was dancers who performed with earthen pots and brassware as their props.

Here is a dancer with her pots dancing in traditional Rajasthani attire to the tunes of the instruments played by the lady seated behind her. This dance was being done doors and beds made of rope and propped with bolsters serve as the seats for the guest.

This trip has been truly wonderful. The last time I was in Jaipur I was not sure I saw why its called Pink city, but this time I did see that everything which has been built by the Maharaja is pink be it the Stadium, the palace, the Hawa Mahal.

The saying is that the city was painted pink for the visit of the Prince of Wales, and from then the pink city has got the name and stuck to it. Many old blocks can be seen with the peeling paints but all that remains is still pink. The peeling paint only adds to the old run down rajput city's appeal!

Reelaax

I want to spend the weekend relaxing.
I guess there are many things which one might relate to relaxing.

Maybe spending some time alone, away from the city drool
Maybe splurging in a relaxing spa for a day long treatment
Maybe going on a long drive for a picnic in the woods, or by the banks of a river
Maybe spending time with close friends chit chatting over meals and coffees
Maybe sifting through heaps of sale items trying to find that perfect pair of trousers
Maybe visiting an old age home, or an animal shelter to give a boost to your conscience
Maybe lazing in bed with a book

Whats your pick ???

1.5 Years

When I said that I will save a special post for Whisky, I thought I would maybe have a video of her and her antics. Her antics are usually pertaining to trying to catch a small fly to wasps and bees which come into the room for the sheer warmth as compared to the chill of Bangalore nights. But pictures are something I have posted before also, so a more apt post would be if I write about all that she is, and all the problems that she creates about the house (usually when no one is at home). Else she is a very docile cat. She loves to welcome you when you get back from work. She will come to greet you at the door, she will rub herself (as all cats love to do), and even just plop herself right on your feet rooting you to the spot. She loves to be picked up, and she will lick your face, hand and will rub her head under your chin.

Her favourite spot during the day is lazing at the balcony in the sun, or else she will be on the rug with some piece of wrapper playing catch all by herself. Let evening come, and she will crawl under the blanket with anyone who has done the job of opening up any blanket. She will either sleep on top or under, as the person who is tucked in bed is willing to accept it. She is very flexible in these matters, a true well bred cat!

I have always brought her up on a mix of dry and wet food. I five her fresh meat and fish only in very small portions and she gorges on them. But even on these cases, she will not over eat. She will leave meat aside if she is done, and then when she comes back for them, in most cases they would be covered with ants and there she would lose her precious food to someone so small and tiny in front of the mighty cat!

She has her share of outdoor fun too, and at these times are those when I fret and worry about her. One day, she decided that she will just go for a stroll, and jumped out of the window on the balcony and from there she further found a ledge and then the stairs all the way down to the ground floor. Once she reached there, she realized that there is no way she remembers which floor she lives on (It’s the 6th). There are far too many stray dogs also down there, and with her bell ringing as she moves even an inch, I was quite sure that she is in much more danger than she can fathom. But she is not that bad a cat; she climbed up to the ground floor balcony, and tucked her self between some plants and old furniture for the night. She pulled through for the first time, all by herself outside in the cold. She has always been indoors with a warm blanket since the age of 2 months. And now at 1 year she wants an adventure, the teenage rebel spirit in her has awaken I believe.

I searched, I called, I whistled but she was I believe too scared to meow or else she really was not ready to come back home, or even better she was not hungry yet. The next whole day, I have no clue what she did, and where she roamed about. She was hungry and did not eat anything that was one thing I was sure by evening. I came back from work, looked all through the stairs, lift lobbies and even through the car park but she was no where to be seen. One I was up at my balcony, standing and making an aerial look out for her, there she is sitting on the hood of a car and looking up at me! I ran down and I think she was quite taken aback from the noise person running towards her. She jumped and ran, but under the car, not towards me or into my arms! Tsk tsk.... When she was sure it was just me, she came out meowing and pushing her way towards my legs. I picked Miss. Dirty Self up and took her upstairs and first thing fed her. She had in one sitting; I believe food that she would have else had in a span of a day! After that she was so tired I believe, she went right back to her spot and decided to sleep peacefully in the warmth.

This incident has been a good 3 months back and till date she has never tried to do that again, or rush to the door when the door is to be opened. So I think maybe my baby girl has grown up a little now.

She still loves to use all pieces of cardboard available in the house as her scratch pads, but I guess that is better and easier to clean up too rather than have all the footwear and other vaguely possible scratchable items being succumbed to her mercy.

Have a good day!

I just read Monika's blog entry and I also decided to see for myself whether I had any drafts which I did not post. As far as I remember, I just write and then post it, unless its a list of things or if it is to be completed after some web research. In fact, I do not have a single draft in my blogger as of now. This would also ensure that my posts are very interspersed as compared to many of you, who post on a daily basis. I guess, I love reading much more and I read religiously all the blogs which I follow.

Many a times, I read many blogs, and wonder what strikes one to start writing on these topics. I believe small incidents through the day motivates a person to write in vast cases, where as happenings in life result in heartfelt posts of many.

One of the favourite types of posts for me are those which involve pictures, and also reviews of books, places, restaurants, food and movies. I have not done many reviews excepting the first and last on the above list of reviewable items! I have always hoped for good travels to blog about, as I feel places truly are captured by different people in completely different ways. One can also do different things at the same place. I shall be soon travelling again, so should be back with a batch of photographs.

Another favourite type of post which I do is photos of Whisky ( my cat), I haven't posted many of those recently and as of now, my next post is reserved for Whisky.

Have a good day.

An eye for dreams

Following are a string of pictures which show what I would like to decorate my home with

A chest of drawers with each drawer assigned to a various specific items ( Easy to find stuff)
























A geometric print rug to liven up the bedroom


























I am a huge fan of futons. You have the required informal look and after some years you can easily shift this to the den to get a new living room furniture set. (If required)














Vases and lamp shades attract the right kind of attention





















































The sheer pleasure of a bar and bar stools in the comfortable confines of one’s home






















I love beds with a very comfortable headboard for throw on cushions and loads of reading.