Once Upon A Time in Mumbai - Review

This is a story of a time when Peru (Guava) used to cost only 25 paise.

Sultan Mirza a person who had come from Chennai aka Madras that time to Mumbai made sure he made friends instead of enemies in his line of work which would make it easy for everyone to work. He was one of those guys who did not like bad things to Mumbai aka Bombay.

Then comes in Shoib Khan who with the attitude it is "My Way or the Highway" wants to reach the top and want to go there fast by hook or crook.

That is the background of the main character, now the movie well I was expecting some fundoo action or else some smart moves by main characters but what I got in the initial part was a Love Story of both characters which was totally baseless in the movie. What I think is director was short of story and wanted to add glam and bore the audience added Rihanna and Mumtaz. Well Rihanna aka Kangana does not know how to act (this is her first movie which I have seen) and Mumtaz aka Prachi Desai was really OK!

In second half, I thought more action would be on the way but no it was just same boring stuff and then the expected happened Shoib Khan goes to rival gang and does not like what Sultan does to him. To all fairness what Sultan did was slap Shoib, I thought now some gangwar will happen who will have the upper hand etc etc but no, Sultan wants to do a rally, I mean wtf yep he did give a good speech but no use sir.

For the background score Mr Pritam just ripped of Marlyn Manson Beautiful People song and songs were not required in this.

So all my hopes got dashed where I was expecting to see a good movie but it ended in a duh! and Bore! and and...the movie could have got over in one hour if the romance would not happen.

Road Trip - Konkan Beaches

Planned 3 days ahead on what to do for the big X'mas weekend and a good friend also leaving for USA early next month so decided to head down south to the beaches with his dog named Kasper

Day 1:
Started at 3 am so that we get empty roads and reach early to the first destination which was Dapoli. Around 300 KMS from Mumbai, Dapoli is a small town with beaches namely Murud, Kurde and Harnai 10 Kms away from it. To reach Dapoli you have to take NH17 and take a right turn from Khed town which looks like a diversion and then drive through the hills for 30 Kms to reach Dapoli.

Murud: Super white sand and water is clean which makes you go in without a second thought (ie until and unless you don't like water and the same sentence will be repeated in the next blog also). Here you can go for Dolphin Spotting, wind surfing and speed boat at a reasonable cost.

Karde: It is the empty cousin of Murud beach and driving to that place is pain in the ass as the roads are bad but reaching there you feel like you deserve that drive. There are lots of places to stay near the beach which looked quite good and neat. More of a family area and away from human settlement.

Had breakfast and Lunch just next to the beach.

Around 3 pm we started driving back and stopped on the way to shop for Cashew nuts which are cheap and good compared to Mumbai (as my mom told me).

The Wall Project - Mumbai

King of PopImage by kapil_b via Flickr

On 15th and 16th August BMC decided to make Mumbai more cooler by telling the Mumbaikars to draw what they feel and they did with super enthu and created some wicked wall paitings.

Now they decided to make it even more better by calling out Mumbaikars for painting the remaining walls and this time I would not miss it. So after partying on Saturday night and starting Sunday morning with hangover was not a good start but went through it and reached Mahim station where two of my friends were already waiting for me with the paints (i am no great painter tho). The theme which they had decided on was teach Mumbai. So wall was divided by BMC team from क to ...

So we got च, छ, ज and we made चाबी, छत्री and जहाज . The best part of all the painting and drawing was we got to meet people with cool imagination and some awesome drawing quality. I loved to draw the background paint and added few things here and there in the photo. I am all praise to BMC who helped each and everyone who were painting and had all the colours available.

So some of photos and how it is please feedback on how it looks.

Midnight Buffet - La Brasserie (Le Meridian)

Immense bay windows overlook the shimmering pool. A sumptuous buffet presents familiar and exotic selection of Indian, French, Italian, Oriental, and Mediterranean specialties. The midnight buffet is especially popular for a late night haunt.

This is what they have written on their website to which I agree to the last sentence about Midnight Buffet, being to few in Mumbai and for me this one tops the list.

With 2  soups, 10 starters, 10 main course, ice creame and live kitchen. At times you do get a bottle of beer or glass of wine complimentary. The service is generally good and food does taste really good.

Damages: Rs. 550+ per person

Generally the Buffet closes at 3 pm.....

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

MidNight Buffet - Parabola (Rodas ECotel Hotel)

As many would say not the best nor near the best amongst the buffet and I would seriously agree with them but this is one place where you can get food after 12 pm. So you hungry and insomniac soul who just want to sit and eat their very very late dinner in Powai so this is the place.

Cost around Rs. 350+ per person this place gives you almost everything 2 soups, 6+ starters, 6+ main course and at times an live kitchen. Service is good but not that great. Also note that they do not refill the food which is finished so make sure you do reach there by 12 or else you might miss some of the food as the place is packed (coz there is only one around)

Also check out the menu card of Parabola here

So a 2.5 star rating for Parabola

Foot in Mouth Disorder Part Deux

Almost a year back the same incident happened which i am about to write it down...please read this and then proceed reading....

Down at a bar to meetup with friends and bump into friends and we are getting introduced and all.
Me: handshake "Hi, i am Vishwas"
Girl: "are you Vishwas Kasat"
Me: surprised "Yes"
Girl: "do you remember me?"
Me: still in state of shock "mmm...no sorry...i cannot recollect your face"
Girl: "i am XYZ"
Me: "ohh hey how are you?"

Now the story is, i used to wish this girl on her birthdays and bumping into each other after 4 years almost of no contact with each other, really took my by surprise but here comes the best part

Girl: "how can you forget me?"
Me: "you know you have grown healthy"
Girl: Calling out a common friend "do you think i have increased weight?"
Common friend: "you are the same for past 4 years"
Girl: "see"
Me: "mmm...noo..i mean...the light is bit dull and i did not expect to bump into you in here....thought you were out of town."

So learnt two things in this encounter..
1. Never forget a girls face and name
2. Never tell a girl you have become healthy

So another of my FOOT IN MOUTH DISORDERS

Sundarbans

The Sundarbans (Bengali: সুন্দরবন Shundorbôn) is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. It lies at the mouth of the Ganges and is spread across areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India, forming the seaward fringe of the delta. The forest covers 10,000 sq.km of which about 6,000 are in Bangladesh. It became inscripted as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997, but while the Bangladeshi and Indian portions constitute the same continuous ecotype, these are separately listed in the UNESCO world heritage list as the Sundarbans and Sundarbans National Park, respectively. The Sundarbans is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove pawan are great forests. The area is known for the eponymous Royal Bengal Tiger, as well as numerous fauna including species of birds, spotted deer, crocodiles and snakes. It is estimated that there are now 500 Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. Sundarbans was designated a Ramsar site on May 21, 1992

"Sundarban" (সুন্দরবন Shundorbôn) literally means "beautiful jungle" or "beautiful forest" in the Bengali language. The name Sundarbans may also have been derived from the Sundari trees that are found in Sundarbans in large numbers. Other possible explanations can be a derivation from "Samudraban" (সমুদ্রবন Shomudrobôn "Sea Forest") or "Chandra-bandhe" (name of a primitive tribe). But the generally accepted view is the one associated with Sundari trees.

History

The first Forest Management Division to have jurisdiction over the Sundarbans was established in 1869. The Sundarbans was declared a reserved forest in 1875-76, under the Forest Act, 1865 (Act VIII of 1865). The first management plan was written for the period 1893-98. In 1875 a large portion of the mangrove forests was declared as reserved forests under the Forest Act, 1865 (Act VIII of 1865). The remaining portions of forests was declared as reserve forest the following year and the forest, which was so far was administered by the civil administration district, was placed under the control of the Forest Department. A Forest Division, which is the basic forest management and administration unit, was created in 1879 with the headquarter in Khulna.

The mangrove-dominated Ganges delta – the Sundarbans - is a complex ecosystem comprising one of the three largest single tracts of mangrove forests of the world. Shared between two neighboring countries, Bangladesh and India, the larger part (62%) is situated in the southwest corner of Bangladesh. To the south the forest meets the Bay of Bengal; to the east it is bordered by the Baleswar River and to the north there is a sharp interface with intensively cultivated land. The natural drainage in the upstream areas, other than the main river channels, is everywhere impeded by extensive embankments and polders. The Sundarbans was originally measured (about 200 years ago) to be of about 16,700 km². Now it has dwindled to about 1/3 of the original size. The total land area today is 4,143 km² (including exposed sandbars: 42 km²) and the remaining water area of 1,874 km² encompasses rivers, small streams and canals. Rivers in the Sundarbans are meeting places of salt water and freshwater. Thus, it is a region of transition between the freshwater of the rivers originating from the Ganges and the saline water of the Bay of Bengal.

Biotic factors here play a significant role in physical coastal evolution and for wildlife a variety of habitats have developed including beaches, estuaries, permanent and semi-permanent swamps, tidal flats, tidal creeks, coastal dunes, back dunes and levees. The mangrove vegetation itself assists in the formation of new landmass and the intertidal vegetation plays an important role in swamp morphology. The activities of mangrove fauna in the intertidal mudflats develop micro morphological features that trap and hold sediments to create a substratum for mangrove seeds. The morphology and evolution of the eolian dunes controlled by an abundance of xerophytic and halophytic plants. Creepers and grasses and sedges stabilize sand dunes and uncompacted sediments.

Flora:

The Bangladesh mangrove vegetation of the Sundarbans differs greatly from other non-deltaic coastal mangrove forest and upland forests associations. Unlike the former, the Rhizophoraceae are of minor importance. Differences in vegetation have been explained in terms of freshwater and low salinity influences in the Northeast and variations in drainage and siltation.

The Sundarbans has been classified as a moist tropical forest demonstrating a whole mosaic of seres, comprising primary colonization on new accretions to more mature beach forests, often conspicuously dominated by Keora and tidal forests. Historically three principal vegetation types have been recognized in broad correlation with varying degrees of water salinity, freshwater flushing and physiography and which are represented in the wildlife sanctuaries:

Fauna

The Sundarbans is very rich in wildlife. However the management of wildlife is presently restricted to the protection of fauna from poaching and designation of some areas as wildlife sanctuaries where no extraction of forest produce is allowed and the wildlife face few disturbances. Although it is clear that the faunal resource of Bangladesh has diminished in recent times and the Sundarbans has not been spared from this decline, the mangrove forest retains several good wildlife habitats and their associated fauna. Of these the tiger and dolphin are target species for planning wildlife management and tourism development. There are high profiles and vulnerable mammals living in two contrasting environments and their statuses and management are strong indicators of the general condition of wildlife and its management. The Sundarbans are home to approximately 500 Bengal Tigers as of 2004, one of the largest single populations of tigers.

Recent studies revealed that the Bangladesh Sundarbans support diverse biological resources including at least 120 species of commercially important fishes, 270 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, 35 reptiles and eight amphibian species. This represents a significant proportion of the species present in Bangladesh (i.e. about 30% of the reptiles, 37% the birds and 34% of the mammals) and includes a large number of species which are now extinct elsewhere in the country. Of these wildlife, Sarker has noted that two amphibians, 14 reptiles, 25 aves and five mammals are presently endangered. The Sundarbans is a paradise for the ornithologists for watching, study and research on avifauna.

Forest inventories reveal a decline in standing volume of the two main commercial mangrove species — sundari and gewa — by 40% and 45% respectively between 1959 and 1983. Also, despite a total ban on all killing or capture of wildlife other than fish and some invertebrates, there appears to be a pattern of depleted biodiversity or loss of species (notably at least six mammals and one important reptile this century), and that the "ecological quality of the original mangrove forest is declining" (IUCN 1994).

It is also having many World Records to its credit. It is the only place on Earth which is simultaneously having all these together in one place

Wildlife Sanctuary (1976)

· National Park (1984)

· Crocodile Reserve

· Tiger Reserve (1973)

· Reserve Forest (1978)

· An International Biosphere Reserve (1989)

· An UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985)

There are three wildlife sanctuaries established in 1977:

1. Sundarbans East Wildlife Sanctuary: Extends over an area of 31,227 ha. Freshwater and Sundri dominate interspersed with Gewa and Passur with Kankra occurring in areas subject to more frequent flooding. There is an understory of Shingra where, soils are drier and Amur in wetter areas and Goran in more saline places. Nypa palm widespread along drainage lines.

2. Sundarbans South Wildlife Sanctuary: Extends over an area of 36,970 ha. There is evidently the greatest seasonal variation in salinity levels and possibly represents an area of relatively longer duration of moderate salinity where Gewa is the dominant woody species. It is often mixed with Sundri, which is able to displace in circumstances such as artificially opened canopies where Sundri does not regenerate as effectively. It is also frequently associated with a dense understory of Goran and sometimes Passur.

3. Sundarbans West Wildlife Sanctuary: Extends over an area of 71,502 ha. Includes areas which support sparse Gewa and dense stands of Goran and discontinuous patches of Hantal palm on drier ground and river banks and levees.

ITENERY:

We have organized a Cruise Ship which can take in maximum of 15 people and this will be the place where you will be staying for 6 days. With the help of the cruise one can go to the remotest of the places in Sundarbans and view its beauty.

DAY 1:

KOLKOTA – PORT CANNING (BY CAR)

PORT CANNING – PAKHIR ALAY (BY LAUNCH)

DAY 2:

PAKHIR ALAY – SAJNE KHALI (Here we will stop for Permits) – SUDHARNA KHALI – DO BAKHI – PAKHIR ALAY (All of these places are having watch towers)

DAY 3:

PAKHIR ALAY – CHAMTA II – DEUL GHORANI – NETI DHOPANI GHAT – PAKHIR ALAY

DAY 4:

PAKHIR ALAY – JHINGA FOREST

DAY 5:

JHINGA FOREST – PAKHIR ALAY

DAY 6:

PAKHIR ALAY – PORT CANNING – KOLKOTA

Note:

• Our star attraction will be Jhinga Forest which is never included in Regular Sundarbans trip. It is situated very near to the core area and is also close to the Bangladesh Border
• Cruise Boat with overnight stay options too have to move out of the Park and Anchor outside by 5 PM, that is the reason why most of our night halts will be at PAKHIR ALAY. For night halt at Jhinga Forest, we have availed special permission.
• EXTRA INFORMATION

Inclusions:

- Accommodation

- Meal

- Mineral Water

- Transport

- Coach Ticket

- Cruise Boat

- Toll, Tax, Fee

- Entry permission in Sundarban Forest

- Driver, fuel

- Guide

Exclusions:

- Personal uses

- Air Ticket/Train Ticket

- Tipping

We shall ensure all services as mentioned in the itinerary. Extra taxes for camera/video camera have to pay by the tourist.

Mail me on vishwas.kasat@gmail.com

Rains!!!

It was Friday when it started raining in the morning and we thought finally rain god has listened to us and poured its heart out. Everyone happy and singing as greenery set in.

Now Monday, 4th Day of unstoppable rain and good to see that no news of people getting stuck in the rain or floods in Mumbai (or news channel are all in Gujarat). Today left for office as on usual time but took a rickshaw to Goregaon station instead of regular route to Andheri. Got a fast train and got down at Bandra was feeling nice as i got a connecting train to CST.

Got onto a Panvel Train in Wadala Road and after few minutes we listen to a message that the train is canceled due to some technical problem (as A always says even if a dog pees on harbour line trains will stop). Got down went back to Bandra and thought going to office by bus (see my dedication) but when i saw the bus stop which was full and almost more than 100 people waiting for the same bus. My Dedication dwindled and left for home now sitting here and waiting for the rains to slow down so that i could do some work which was pending.

Keep falling my love...

Fond Of Food

Well started another blog which is close to my heart....fondoffood.blogspot.com

In this blog i shall be writing about places to eat in mumbai and at times about my mum's food which she never gets bored to make specially for me...

So check it out and give me your feedback

Hand Book

"Hey, get down this is first class" (यह फर्स्ट क्लास हैं) you listen to these words often when someone gets into first class and by the looks and dressing people just tell them about it. By the time it is already too late train has started moving out of the platform and if the guy is unlucky a Ticket Collector (TC) pops of nowhere.

Almost once guys with second class ticket enter first class compartment as it always looks empty (during non-peak hours).

I suggest the railways to make a hand book for newcomers to Mumbai about Railways system and how to identify first class coach and other stuffs so that they are not caught because they came to Mumbai for the first time. (I guarantee that it is going to be the best seller if put in multiple languages)

On a platform, lots of people are standing where first class coach comes and then suddenly they look confused seeing a second class coach passing by them, they run frantically up and down the platform to get into the train. If only they had the "Hand Book" they knew where to stand on a platform to get into the train.

This might not be informative to others but if a railway senior guy reads this i guess he is going to agree.

(Blank)

The topic is named Blank as i dont know what to term it as...

It was a saturday afternoon, called up a friend of mine and asked him whats his plan for the evening. He said why dont you come over i am going for a party with few friends of mine. Party...i havent being to one for a very long time.

At around 9 pm i reached home and his friends were getting ready, introduced myself and shook hands. After half an hour got going to a big 5 star hotel and entered the club after a nice rickshaw ride. At first everyone was a bit tight not wanting to dance but just see each other face. I kinda got into the groove and dancing on my own....one of the girls joined me in and we did some sleak moves together. Dancing for around 2 hours time to head back home.

Got in the rickshaw and the girl said i want to see Mumbai at night....i said sure why not we shall go for a walk. Walking up and down the same street talking about dreams, people, and other random stuff. Got to see some rats which scared the girl but i laughed over the issue.

Few weeks later...chatting on GTalk came to know that the girl started to like me and if it was not for the rats....i would have got a kiss from her. I knew it was coming but i did not know it was coming that early. Talking to her is fun...she can play with words and know how to induce someone into helping her....i kinda liked the style.

I am still smiling knowing that someone likes me....and thinks about me.

Technorati Tags     Love,dance,Blank,party

End of the Week

7th April, just reached home and took bath after fighting my way out of the train. Sitting with just my towel on, listening to anykind of music right now. Feeling so different from last week first of all happy that HR did a goof up in the holiday list, that 7th April was a Gudi Padva but instead it was 6th April, so i am doing one thing for the first time in my life.....THANK YOU HR PEOPLE..

7th April..woke up at around 9:30 pm to the sound of Full House in our D1 room of Anand Resort in Bordi Beach...3 hours drive from Mumbai towards Dahanu. When i was about 10 or 12 years old was there for the first time and being there on the 5th the place is the same but only a swimming pool and a new hotel at the end of the park are different. It was so good to see the whole damn thing same again. We then watched some old skool shows and had Kanda Poha for breakfast and some chai. Cleaned up the whole place keeping out the stuffs which was not ours. Packed up our bags and left the hotel. Started our way to dahanu decided to halt at a bakery and buy some breads and biscuits. And my word Agnees Bakery had the most softest Mawa Cake ever had for a long time. I had 2 of those, then buying some butter bread made our way out of Dahanu. Then halting to Sawe Farm in Gholwad buying some dry chikoo, chikoo achar a blue carry bag for my sister. I hope she likes it. Reached Highway and went to Atithi Hotel eating some Parsee food like Chicken Dhansak, Egg Akuri and Salli Botti, saw a juke box which was of i guess around 30 years old. You have to press 2 buttons at a time to select a song of your choice.

6th April: Waking up at again 9:30 am, with sound of "Utho Utho" and then ordering some Upma and chai....planning to go to the beach. Everyone getting in their shorts first going to hotel Gajanan for Misal Pav and drinking tea the Indian way...with saucer, went to the beach and as i was the first who entered the water it was all mud and sand. You could see the brown waves coming on...towards you and you think hell get out of it, i said wtf enjoy the sun and water...you dont generally go to the beach too often. Went as far as i could feeling the water and seeing my white shirt turning brown. At the end of it we raced till the beach from deep inside the water and guys if you want to increase your stamina run in the water.....it took our breath out only after 20 steps while we walked all the way out. I decided to roll on the water while i was shot and a video was taken...water going inside my mouth.....gave a blooper kind of shot. Walked our way into the hotel and went for a dip in the pool...swam for 15 minutes...to clean up from the mud and sand before entering the room to take bath. Took bath...and hotel guys prepared a gujurathi thali and i kind of hogged on it..it was due to swim in the sea and then the pool i must have hogged in around 10 rotlis and topped it off with Chaas...it was so filling...went upstairs and thought of sleeping but ended up staring at the TV till the race started....seeing the BMW in the pole. But Massa winning the race was a good end...i kinda slept inbetween a power nap. Fresh up and decided to go and buy some food for the night and we have MTDC hotel which serves non veg food. Went in search for some alcohol and ciggies. Headed for Shiv Pani Puri place which is one place always crowded at night time...ordered 70 puris and had them all. Went back to the room and started our drinking session. Watched GAGS show which made people fool by doing some tricks on them, really laughed our guts out when seeing some of the crazy things what they could do. Then slept....

6th April: Was awaken by Pravin who stays at Mulund...he hosted me for the nite to sleep as my colleagues to pick me up from Thane but i changed the location to Mulund...on the highway. Had a good chat with Pravin and his family members so helpful to a person who just came to their for the first time and taking care of me. I thank them again....

Got picked up from Mulund highway at 11 am and having a hangover, reached Fountain...ate onion uttappa and Sweet lime soda just to cool down my stomach. Listening to some odd music at times reaching Bordi at 2:30 pm. Checked in our room and planned to have some smirnoff, just to give it a start. Played cards and then went off to sleep. Went to see a sun set but were suggested to go to a mountain and see it...and it was surely so cool...did a race by running backwards. Ending the night by playing cards and drinking.....

2nd April: As we had a 3 day off, decided to go to someplace out of mumbai and decided on going to bordi beach and final list after calling and planning was Vishwas, Prasad, Bawa (Kaiwan) and Olly (Alwyn).

And story ends...

Technorati Tags     fun,Bordi,drinks,run,eat,race

Beat Box - Bauchklang

Listen to these guys sing (oops i mean Beat Box) their way...into people hearts. I was supposed to go their show but then it turned out to be show was going on and i was sitting in office playing games (testing games).

Bauchklang are an European group where these guys don't have any instruments..just their microphones...looking into the mail from Blue Frog i just went on youtube to check what they do and they do some fine performances.

I hope they shall be back in Mumbai soon and perform on Sundays....i hate it when they plan to do things during the week.

Enjoy the song....

Bombay DUG UP!!!

Left office at 10 pm. Got a bus reached bandra at 11 pm and then i thought i was lucky to get a call centre car to drop me next to my home. I got in it hoping that i would reach in half an hour but no it took almost an hour to reach Goregaon from Bandra.

First hurdle came near Nanavati Hospital a massive hole has being dug up at centre of the road which looks similar to a crater in the moon. Only one car can pass at a time. It took almost 20 mins to clear that hurdle.

Then came jogeshwari, the footpath on the left hand side has being dug up and the great rickshaws just come in between without any signal.

My driver an old man around age of 55+ got pissed off really at some point, whenever he saw the road empty he thought he was sitting in a ferrari and trying to zip past the rickshaws and other cars with honking galore. That the part which i hated most....

So from now on decided not to travel by road (or say call centre cars) until the slow paced BMC fill up the whole mumbai up. Go anywhere and roads are dug and traffic going insane. If the BMC does not complete the work before monsoon then gonna see a massive chaos all around.

Work fast a**h****