That was me with my mind experiencing delirium; I was somewhat set to begin my new phase of life. A fresh graduate looking at the mirror thinking, Man! I’m too pretty to be an engineer.

As I dragged the luggage down the stairs I recalled if I had with me, my resume file, sun glasses, nail paints and so on…
Finally my last ten minutes arrived within the premises of my comfort zone. I hugged tight my mom, dadiji and my sweetheart brother. The thought of being away from family itself was overpowering my nostalgia.

I reached Bangalore in the evening. Everything was fixed from before, a posh place to stay, internet facility and my motives. What I knew about the place staying up in the north eastern part of the country was petite. “An IT hub where people work, earn and are independent” was my anytime impromptu naïve definition for it. But that was just the beginning of what I had to learn.

A kitchen and no cook, No car with no driver and mails lined up to attend interviews were making me realize that things have changed in no time. What I needed was reconcilement and an emotional equilibrium.

I am lazy but not weak. My dad has the strongest daughter! He has to be proud. This feeling became my food for thought. I jotted down things I needed to know, from tea making to Volvo bus numbers.

When life starts making us learn it does till we reach near perfection. There were times I faced rejections, lost ways, walked kilometers, made mistakes, felt impatient, lost hopes.

There was a stretch of monotony that made me wish for serendipity. There were no miracles but there came new friends, new opportunities and inspirations. I wasn’t the best but I learnt how to be the best. For me Bangalore is more than what I can ever tell anyone because it whispered me who I am.

Today it’s a bit cold outside and drizzling. It’s my birthday. I am sitting beside my window watching the leaves stride with every touch of breeze. My dad couriered me my birthday present. A new pair of shoes. That is exactly what I need in my run. And now when I see my reflection in the glass pane I know,

I am more than an engineer!

By: Richa

richa.mit011{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Gramin Restaurant Bangalore

My Experience:

This is one of the few best value restaurant I know of in Bangalore. It feeds you what it charges. No wonder, it’s crowded and offer discounts on “take away”(but I guess that’s only in weekends).

Menu at Gramin

Menu:

It offers usual Indian food, with more inclination towards taste of North India. Naan, Paneer, Gobi, Lassi, Rice, Daal etc. are there in the menu. So you can guess what else would be there.
Must have: Jal-jeera.

Taste:

8/10 based on food I had on two different occasions. For middle class vegetarian like me, it’s best I can get and afford in Bangalore.

Cost:

Meal for two: Rs 400

Ambience:

7/10. It’s bit packed and congested. Not a lot of breathing space. But still it’s well maintained and of course, hygienic.

Service:

7/10. Mixed reaction. Obviously better than service provided in other Bangalore restaurants, but still they need to be taught on term “Hospitality”

Value for Money?

For me in Bangalore, this is 9/10. So that sounds like a Yes!

Written By Omprakash

chemnitr @ Bangalore Forum

In January, 2008, two students from Gustavus Adolphus College traveled to Bangalore, India.
Their goal: to produce a film exploring the consequences of a relentless series of American influences on the lifestyle, culture and identity of the inhabitants of Bangalore city.
What they were confronted with was a myriad of conflicting opinions across various generations of the cities residents.

Raised at a time when control by the British over the region was still fresh in people’s minds, the older generation tended to view influences by the United States as the new wave of economic neo-colonization of the region. However, the younger generation, more inundated by these influences via the media, have adopted this culture as part of their own and see it as an essential part of their identity as the next generation of Indian leaders.

From the media to romantic relationships, the outsourcing culture to night life, watch these opinions clash as we explore the true identity of BangalAmerica.

By: Siddarth Selvaraj

Boston University

Live Thai food counter at Crowne Plaza, Electronic City, Bengaluru

Complemented with carved fruits, fresh spices and earthen pottery, the Thai Food Festival will be spread over a scrumptious lunch buffet and an extensive a-la carte dinner menu. The choices will include a variety of authentic Thai dishes ranging from Pad Thai (claimed to be Thailand’s National Dish) all the way through soups, stir fries, curries and sweets.

Authentic Thai dish- Tao Hoo Phaad Medmamoung

Commenting on the launch of the Thai Food Festival, Shaun Langdon, General Manager – Crowne Plaza Bengaluru Electronics City and Regional General Manager for India, IHG said, “As part of our new food and beverage plans and initiatives, we would like to introduce cuisines from around the world leveraging our global reach and give our guests an opportunity to experience international cuisines. The Thai food festival is a new beginning in F&B at Crowne Plaza Bengaluru Electronics City and we look forward to taking dining, to a whole new level in Electronics City”

Chef Jumpa Promnok and Chef Darunee Loaarun, who have been instrumental in ensuring authenticity to the food festival, remarks, “We are very excited to be here and to be able to promote Thai food in India. Through our specialties Gai Phad Medmamoung and Pla sam Ros as well as ingredients such as Galangal, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass and straw mushrooms we hope to delight our guests and bring them back to the hotel again.”

Chef Jumpa Promnok and Chef Darunee Loaarun preparing for the Thai Food Fest

The newly launched Crowne Plaza Bengaluru Electronics City is located in Phase 1 of Electronics City. The 195-room upscale business hotel was recently converted from The Ottera Hotel. In addition to being Electronics City’s business solution, the hotel offers some of the finest dining and leisure options in Electronics City.

About the Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts is a dynamic hotel brand currently located in nearly 60 countries around the world. Truly international, Crowne Plaza offers premium accommodation, designed for the discerning business and leisure traveller who appreciates simplified elegance combined with the practicality of the latest features, as well as value for money. At Crowne Plaza, guests can enjoy a 24-hour business service, wireless high speed internet access in the lobby plus fitness and leisure facilities.