Dawangere Idly Dosa Point

There is nothing as quintessentially Indian as eating out on the road-side. It may be not very hygeinic at times, but for the mind certainly it is a great and relaxing experience. Nothing beats going with friends to an Idly
Dosa Joint and having a sumptous meal. Today, a couple of us friends went to a place in Wilson Garden called the Dawangere Idly Dosa Point. It was just super. Even the darshini idlys dont compare to the Idlys
of this place.

But the most important part of this place is the atmosphere you get, and the general warmth of people all around. One cant that in a sterile atmosphere in an upscale joint.

You come back feeling completely rejunevated and even emotionally charged.

This is India that one misses when one goes abroad, and no amount of Pizza Huts, and McDonalds can replicate such an atmosphere.

We are a culture which likes to celebrate. We like to eat well (although the poor cant do it), and we take
great pride in socializing and being generally social beings. There is nothing more Indian than a social
gathering.

20,000 march to demand land rights

"NEW DELHI: A massive rally of over 20,000 people from 15 states on Sunday reached the national Capital after marching 340 kms from Gwalior, demanding their rights to land and livelihood.

The "Janadesh March", organised by Ekta Parishad, was flagged off at Guwalior on October 2 and have already marched for 24 days."

I read this news in Times of India web edition today.

The government of India is busy doling out land in the name of SEZs who already have big money. While tribals
are --- at the cost of their lives (6 out of the 20,000 died on the way to Delhi) --- protesting to get their livelihoods.

What kind of an India are we living in?

We dont need a single SEZ at this time. No biggies need to be given any tax sop. In fact, they have to be penalized as per the law of the land for any illegalities done.

Let us support these tribals in any and all we can .

Jai Hind,
Samir

The other Bangalore

Today as I was walking towards Cafe Coffee Day on100 ft road in Indiranagar, I saw a huge crowd gathered there by the roadside. When I inquired, I was told that a 13 year kid was knocked spot-dead by a BMTC (Bangalore Municipal Transport Corporation) bus. The kid was apparently riding on a bicycle.

Over the period of my stay in Bangalore, I havent stopped noticing the umpteen number of people who ride bicycles in Bangalore. When I first moved to Bangalore from the US, I too bought a bicycle. But the carbon dioxide/monoxide that I had to inhale on the signals along with the dangers of riding (a bicycle rider is not even considered as important as a mosquito by bike-riders and motorists) made me give it up soon.But there are a huge number of Bangaloreans who need a bicycle to make their living. It is as dangerous a living as fighting on the LoC, I think.

Huge number of Bangaloreans also travel by buses everday. One needs to watch the crowds on various bus stands. Who cares for their comfort? The Kumarswamis of this world (and thanks heavens he is not a CM now) buy huge buildings which they rent out to IT companies, once they become CMs. Can they be even remotely called representatives of the people ?

And now there is this so called Lead India initiative. What percentage of Indians can read English in thefirst place? How dare an English paper even claim to represent India , let alone lead it? No wonder, Mayawati has been hailed as an upcoming world leader. Her corruption apart, certainly, she can at least probably claim to speak the language of the people, unlike the likes of Times of India.

regards,

Samir