Mango Bhel

Started on a humble cart this chat outlet owned by Seena has now found its place in a small shop in JP Nagar 3rd phase. Dishing out a variety of unique mouthwatering chats this place is a favorite among young and the old. One of Seena’s sought after chats are the flavorful Mango bhel. It is a pleasing mixture of puffed rice, groundnuts, and chopped onions, host of tasty frills, few chatpata sauces and of course the grated raw mango which makes this bhel totally different from the ordinary ones. Other popular specialties here include papad masala, tomato puri, moong dhal masala, peanut masala, timepass masala, nippat puri and lot more.

Seena used to sell a selected few chat items on the by lanes of JP Nagar. His tasty blend of chats used to attract many people and his popularity grew everyday. His business boomed and he was able to shift his base to a small shop near Sri Ramana Maharishi Blind School in JP Nagar 3rd Phase. Seena prepares chats with ease and élan. His small outlet is very clean and tidy. As his orders increased Seena hired few helping hands to assist him especially during the evenings.
It’s become an adda for many youngsters who flock here to tickle their taste buds by gorging nearly 2 or 3 different varieties easily and indulge in some peppery talks. Seena serves everybody with a smile and makes the waiting time as pleasant as possible. Some people are so addicted to Seena’s preparations that they place the order and wait patiently or come back after a while to dig into the zesty chats. Years of experience has made him whip up the savories in a jiffy although few items like tikki puri, dahi puri may take some time. All the chats are served on clean paper and banana leaf plates along with plastic spoons. Water and soft drinks are available to wash down the tangy stuff. Those who would like to add a dash of sweetness alongside their chats can choose from a small selection of readymade sweets sold here.

Another unique feature of this shop is that chats are packed for people who like to relish it at the comfort of their home. The packing is done in a very smart way such that the chats remain fresh and not lose its flavor for a long time. For bhel to remain crisp the ingredients are packed separately if one wishes so that one can mix it later on. The prices for all the items are very nominal.

So what are you waiting for? Gather your buddies and head towards M.A.R chats to enjoy a tangy evening of chatpata chats.

M.A.R chats is located at:
No.126, 3rd cross,
J.P Nagar 3rd Phase,
Bangalore - 78

Belaku Vriddhashrama

Belaku Vriddhashrama is a lovely and peaceful home for orphan women and has been considered as one of the best old-age homes in Bangalore. The discipline, the way of life and the services rendered to the inmates of this old-age home has been appreciated by one and all. The highlight of this Vriddhashrama is that it provides all the services to the inmates free of cost.

Belaku which means Light does not consider the old-age home as merely a feeding center for the aged people. It wants to give a new image to the concept of the old-age home. The plight and living conditions of these orphan old women is heart touching. Along with basic facilities they need peace and happiness at this crucial stage of life. Belaku considers the service it is undertaking as the most holy and essential one to be done to the orphan women.

The inmates of this ashram although old physically, possess rich, knowledge filled experiences and talents. Hence without neglecting or ignoring them one should appreciate their golden moments. Only then it would be a great contribution to the society. With this aim and object Belaku Vriddhashrama is serving the needy orphan women. Belaku expects the same kind of help and cooperation from the public and join hands with them in treading this path of service.

What can Public do?
· Donate woolen sweaters, blankets, shawls, carpets, walking sticks, spectacles
· Donate toiletries and groceries
· Donate food items like bread, buns, fruits, horlicks, etc.
· Bear Rs.800/- towards the monthly medical expenditure
· Bear Rs.1000/- towards the monthly milk expenditure
· Bear the expenditure of one day feeding
· Join the endowment scheme

Details of feeding:
· Breakfast – Rs.100
· Lunch – Rs.250
· Milk – Rs.100
· Dinner – Rs.250
· Meal for full day – Rs.700

Meeting Schedule:
Everyday between 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm public can meet these elderly people to exchange pleasantries and thoughts which would bring lot of joy to these people. Spending some warm moments with these aged friends would be as precious as donating monetary benefits to the ashram.

Belaku is located at:
“Mayura”, No. 1966/B, South End ‘D’ Road,
9th Block, Jayanagar, (Near Ragigudda temple),
Bangalore – 69
Ph: 26494588

Kalanjali

Kalanjali is a one stop place to expertise in diverse forms of art like singing, dancing, learning musical instruments, etc. As the name itself suggests it is a destination for people with a creative bent of mind. Housed in a beautifully designed structure Kalanjali (located in JP Nagar 3rd phase) enables students to pursue varied interests in art under one roof. Some of the courses offered here are:

• Carnatic classical vocal music
• Hindustani vocal music
• Light music vocal
• Kathak dance
• Carnatic Tabla, Flute, Harmonium, Veena
• Sitar, Guitar, Keyboard
• Painting, sketching, craft classes
• Clay modeling and painting
  

Apart from these, summer classes are held for children and theatre workshop by noted theatre personality Arjun Sajnani is held once in a year. From small kids to aged elders, people flock here to learn the various art forms with lot of enthusiasm. Exams are also conducted as per the syllabus for that particular subject like music and certificates are given. People who want to just learn these classes as a hobby can skip the exam courses. Classes are held usually once or twice a week for each category making it convenient even for working people to attend so that they can take a break from their hectic work and pursue some creative hobbies.

Once in a year during the auspicious occasion of Guru Poornima, as a gesture to offer salutation to the gurus, Kalanjali organizes its annual fest. This occasion provides an opportunity to all the Kalanjali students to showcase their talents in a packed auditorium. The works of students in the category of painting and other crafts are exhibited during this event. Due to the large number of students this program is held for 2 days to cover the performances of all the students.

All said and done if one has the thirst for learning the Kalas (art) then quench it at “KALANJALI”.

By the SENIORS for the PUBLIC - ANANDAVANA

A long stretch of tall trees, unkempt rock benches, and muddy paths, aptly named Miniforest is located in JP Nagar 3rd phase. It consists of 3 blocks. All are lined with beautiful majestic trees planted ages back when this part of JP Nagar was still a remote area and not many frequented these lovely woods. As the surrounding areas saw phases of developments the Miniforest also underwent few changes. But the 3rd block of the Miniforest saw drastic change. This modification was not done overnight. This was possible due to the combined efforts of a group of senior citizens who took small steps of progress with lot of vigor and enthusiasm. This task is even more commendable since it was done voluntarily without any interference from the government.
Firstly the mud path was transformed into a neat walking track with well maintained lawn, plants and of course the trees throughout. Cement benches was placed at convenient locations. With the aid of few corporate companies (which are coincidently located at the vicinity of the park) a kid’s play area was also included in this well planned forest turned park which was christened as “ANANDAVANA” (Park of happiness).
Some of the unique features of this park are:

• Writing boards where thoughts, general knowledge information, announcements, etc. are written on daily basis
• Granite laid corner dedicated for doing pranayama and meditation known as “Yoga Kendra”
• A corner dedicated for cardio exercises with few gym equipments to use
• Supply of various news dailies to engage the people at the “chat corner”
• Drinking water
• Tall lamps laid at regular intervals throughout the park which is switched on till the wee hours of night aiding people to enjoy their post dinner walk
• The entrance of the park is lighted attractively in a arch format
• Latest addition are speakers installed at regular intervals in the park which plays soft, soothing music in the mornings and evenings making the visit to this park a rejuvenating experience

Apart from these features the senior citizens who maintain this park with great love and care have also been organizing cultural evenings once in a month at the “Yoga Kendra”. Famous artists like Sangeeta Katti have graced this place to perform. Usually this is held during the Sundays for around 2hrs with a good turnaround of people to enjoy the concert. Some people sponsor coffee and biscuits voluntarily during these shows.
Even activities like free medical checkups, sale of literary books and handouts are undertaken here. This park serves many purposes for people of all age groups. Working people in the vicinity of the park frequent here to take a break from their hectic schedule or simply stroll around after the heavy lunch, elderly people visit for walk and catch up with their buddies, kids enjoy playing in the merry-go-round, swing and slide , ladies of course indulge in gossip along with their evening walk. To add some glamour, celebrities like Girish Karnad also frequent this park at times.
To make all this happen was not a smooth ride for the group. They had to face some hurdles and are still facing whenever something new has to be incorporated. But they never feared or retraced their steps back, instead went ahead with determination to make whatever they aspired happen and are still going strong in this path. The public also has joined hands in small way by contributing whatever they can on monthly basis voluntarily for the development of this park.
Hats-off to this group of senior citizens who are striving hard everyday to maintain the cleanliness, discipline and beauty of this park with lots of concern and dedication. True to its name it is a pleasure to unwind at “ANANDAVANA”, gazing at the greenery and listening to the gentle music and twittering of birds.

Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Limited (NICE) Park

The Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project taken up by the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Limited (NICE) has gifted Bangalore with a world-class expressway. The first phase which includes 41 kms outer peripheral road linking Hosur Road to Tumkur Road, 9.1 kms Link Road linking city centre to outer peripheral road, 12 kms expressway upto Bidadi, development of interchanges at Hosur Road, Tumkur Road and Link Road. The first phase which almost complete is like a blessing for Bangaloreans since traveling through the chaotic traffic inside the city was a nightmare while one wanted to travel to Mysore, Mangalore, Bidadi, etc. Now it is a smooth sail driving through this expressway. Within no time one can reach the destination.
As an icing on the cake Mr. Ashok Kheny, Managing Director, NICE Ltd., has maintained a beautiful, lush green park as part of his corporate office. This park is open for public free of cost. Apart from the well pruned lawn there are marvelous fountains which light up in the dark depicting colors of our national flag. As one sits gazing at this striking view inhaling the fresh air around ones mind dwells in serene reverie. There is also a small children’s park to entertain the kids but there is no food stalls available (phew! Saved is our nature from the ruthless garbage). Apart from the attractive park, the surrounding areas are also maintained well and are bathed in lights of different hues which make riding on the expressway a magical experience in the night.
As if all this was not sufficient there is also a splendid display of fireworks (which matches the types of the firework in Sydney or San-Francisco). This is usually arranged during the weekends, after 8pm and lasts for about 15 to 20min.
So what are you waiting for, make use of this free entertainment before it gets too crowed and ends up as yet other overly visited place in Bangalore.

Innovative Film City, Bangalore

Hey guys namma Bengaluru has added another feather to its cap. People who break their heads as to where to head during the weekend can now cool their heels in the world of entertainment, the Innovative Film City. Spread across a sprawling 58-acre plot in Bidadi industrial area it is a stones throw away from Bangalore. One can find hoards of entertainment options under one roof. For more details regarding the place you can visit http://www.innovativefilmcity.net/. The place is still under construction but it is open for public under trial run. Few sections like gokarting, cartoon city, aqua world are functioning in full force. There are even food outlets to tickle your taste buds. The ripley’s museum and Madame Tussad’s wax museum is world class. One will really beam in pride that namma Benagaluru is no less when compared to Hollywood of Los Angeles. Once the film city is completed it will be a feast for Bangaloreans, what with 21 screen multiplex and state-of-the-art shopping malls set in the European styled buildings. Already when one enters the film city one wonders gaping at the Greek style architecture whether one is in Rome or Italy.