Le Monde - A Poetic Travail » Bangalore

Namma Metro!

Nisha — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:25:02 +0000

Delhi Metro as we all know is the second metro to be commissioned.

Then after a series of delays, from one Ugadi to another, “Namma Metro” was finally flagged off in Bengaluru, the third in India fondly called Namma Metro, meaning “Our Metro”.

The stretch is a short one, just about 4 KM covering 6 stations.

I got the chance to try it out while on a trip to Bangalore about 2 months back, having to catch a train from KR Puram. (A journey I’ll not forget in a jiffy…but that story must wait)

I thought (planned) it would be a great idea to take an auto to MG road, take the metro to the last stop Baiyappanahalli, get out… take a feeder bus to KR Puram station which is just a short distance of 3km.

Man proposes and God disposes!

I reached MG road and the auto fellow stopped about 500metres short of the metro station saying that if goes there he would have to take a “big round” to go to where he wants. I was already fuming, but the prospect of trying out my third metro in India cooled me sufficiently and I picked up my luggage and lugged it to the station.

On reaching , I was promptly asked by the security to open my luggage which I had meticulously packed. There was no X-Ray machine hence this routine. I was ok with this, since security is required. By chance I could open the lock and it was ok with the security people who waved me off without checking. I was happy that my time was saved but I could not digest the laxness in the security.

Buying ticket, a breeze, getting into the platform and then the train, no issues.

Reserved space.

The train was quite empty. I was surprised. I could not find an assignable cause for this. I could travel in comfort, so I am not cribbing. I think at last my plans are being upheld. I also saw a place reserved for physically disabled people. I do not remember having seen such sign at any other metro.

But no! Come last stop, I alight along with other passengers and go towards the exit. The station as the one in MG road is quite modern , but still being completed at places. I came out to find the feeder services have not commenced.

I get hold of one of the hordes of auto guys and he flatly refuses to engage the meter and demands Rs 100. Being the Indian I am, I bargain down to Rs 40 for the 3KM distance to the railway station.

The route.

The metro travel itself was quite comfy but the allied services needs to be upgraded quickly, in order to give a good experience to the commuter.
This happened about 2 months back. I hope by now some more stations have been added to the route.

When you visit Bangalore next, I guess a ride is a must for all travelers All the best Namma Metro!

P.S.- This post is written by V.

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Review: 1947 Veg. Indian Restaurant

Nisha — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 02:45:31 +0000

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Recently I was in Bangalore for a hop, skip and run kind of a trip. But that does not mean I can not enjoy some delicacies at a decent place. Right ? Here is review of a Veg. Indian restaurant named 1947.

As the name suggests, this vegetarian family restaurant situated at Banashankari III on outer ring road near Deve Gowda Petrol pump, is with an ambience of year 1947 in contemporary period.

The side entrance is through the stairs and leads to 2nd floor restaurant.

If you don’t want to take stairs, lift is waiting for you but then you’ll miss the famous quotes and immortal pictures of 1947 era which the whole staircase is decorated with.

The main entrance has a rusty look with floor made of worn-out wooden planks.

spinning wheel, lantern and….

…. and electric switches.

Some antiques like spinning wheel, lantern and electric switches on wall give a nice feel of Indian freedom period but they are just showpieces. In my opinion the aura could have been made better.

For example the sole lantern has electric bulb inside. If not oil lamp, it could have that flickering bulb resembling to a flame inside.
The 2nd floor restaurant is air-conditioned. The weather in Bangalore is not that hot compared to northern cities of India. I think proper use of khus (vetiver roots) instead of air-conditioning would have provided today’s generation something to ponder about.

Similarly old looking tables and chairs would have given it an authentic feel of 1947.

The food is sophisticated without overpowering the palate or the flavour. The menu, including Jain menu, provides you a greater variety to choose from and the food speaks for itself.
We had ordered Daal shorba, and some other soups, some starters, salads and baskets of rotis to end with malai kulfi. Among vegetables Dal Palak and Shimla ka bhutta made of corn and baby corns are worth mention.

Service was not always great. First time the soup came to our table within 3 minutes of ordering but later when we started dining, it went down… maybe it was one of case.

All in all, 1947 Bangalore is a tasteful place to be at with your family and friends.

Some other information:
Time:
All Days –
11:30 AM – 3:30 PM and 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM

Price for 2:
Rs.300-Rs.800

Landmark:
near Deve Gowda Petrol pump, outer ring road

Parking:
Valet parking available

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Twilight at Hosur road ?

Nisha — Thu, 13 May 2010 18:29:22 +0000

More than sunrise, I like to click the skies at evening… especially when the sun is not set fully.
I think the diffusion of sunlight through the atmosphere and dust gives surroundings a feel of life and completeness compared to when it is totally dark and the contours of silhouettes represent mere outlines.
What do you say?

And somehow I always get an opportunity to click … so what if it is from a moving vehicle.

Though I have been to Bangalore 2-3 times, I am not familiar with roads or landmarks; main reason being my travelling in hired cars & cabs. Thus my query…. Is it Hosur road bridge?

On way to old Bangalore airport.

For more pictures of skies around the world check at Skywatch Friday.

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For regular personal updates, subscribe to this website by e-mail or on your reader. For those small stories and tit-bits that don’t always make it to this place check out my Twitter or Facebook accounts.

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Wandering Wednesday Photo – Glass House, Bangalore

Nisha — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:29:01 +0000

Glass house in Bangalore’s Lal Bagh garden is made in line of London’s Crystal Palace.

The glass house….

January and August are the best time to visit to see the garden bursting with full bloom and when this Glass house hosts flower show bi-annually; on 26th January and 15th August (our republic day & independence day respectively).

Another view….

Not only a flower show but you can see creativity with flowers at its best. I want to align my next visit with it.

It is being maintained as a heritage monument of Bangalore.

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For regular personal updates, subscribe to this website by e-mail or on your reader. For those small stories and tit-bits that don’t always make it to this place check out my Twitter or Facebook accounts.