December 06, 2006
Money for Marriage
One day I was approached by a beggar who said something to me in rapid Hindi. Being a frequent viewer of Bollywood movies and a heavy visitor of matrimonial websites, I only understood the word shaadi, which means marriage. I also assumed the beggar’s request had something to do with money. I interpreted the phrase as “My sister is getting married, so please give me money”. My Hindi-speaking coworker informed me that what was actually said was “Give me money and I will pray for a quick and happy wedding for you”.
December 04, 2006
ARNABuzz
ARNABlog received some publicity by being mentioned in the SFU Business Buzz magazine:
“This is a story all about how Arnab’s life got flipped… I mean, about his AIESEC internship following graduation. He seems to be continuously sent around India by Satyam, an IT and consulting firm. Arnab always has something unique to say about the surrounding sights and culture. His flatmates are truly a bunch of characters and his search for Mrs. Arnab continues.”
The complete article about the Arnabian delight can be found in the October 2006 issue (page 5).
December 03, 2006
Maharashtra Marvels
On one long weekend, I ventured to Maharashtra with the goal of exploring the famed Ajanta and Ellora Caves along with 3 South Koreans and another Canadian. The nearest major city to the caves was Aurangabad. In and around the city we visited Daulatabad Fort, complete with cannons, moats, bat infested tunnels, and other hazards, and also Bibi ka Maqbara, the “poor man’s Taj Mahal”. Ajanta contains only Buddhist sculptures and paintings compared to Ellora’s broader range of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain artifacts. Nonetheless, I preferred Ajanta due to its spectacular natural backdrop.
Having finished the caves in two days, we had a day too spare. Pune was nearby so we headed there. In Pune, I went to the zoo, parks, gardens, and a building where Mahatma Gandhi had been imprisoned. On the train journey home, we celebrated the birthday of my Korean roommate, with cake bought at the train station and some Rums Up (composed of India’s favorite soft drink, Thums Up, and another popular liquid).
Having finished the caves in two days, we had a day too spare. Pune was nearby so we headed there. In Pune, I went to the zoo, parks, gardens, and a building where Mahatma Gandhi had been imprisoned. On the train journey home, we celebrated the birthday of my Korean roommate, with cake bought at the train station and some Rums Up (composed of India’s favorite soft drink, Thums Up, and another popular liquid).
December 02, 2006
Travel Checklist
This is the result of many days of research. The plan is to visit as many sites as possible!
Places of interest in Ladakh – jammukashmir.nic.in/tourism/ladakh/tourism.htm
Lei
Places of interest in Himachal Pradesh – himachaltourism.nic.in
Shimla
Manali
Kulu
Dharamshala
Places of interest in Punjab – www.punjabtourism.org
Chandigarh
Amritsar
Places of interest in Uttaranchal – gov.ua.nic.in/uttaranchaltourism
Dehradun
Haridwar
Nainital
Almora
Mussoorie
Corbett
Places of interest in Sikkim – sikkim.nic.in/sws/sikk_tour.htm
Gangtok
Places of interest in Uttar Pradesh – www.up-tourism.com
Agra*
Allahabad
Ayodhya
Jhansi
Lucknow*
Varanasi
Vrindavan
Fatehpur Sikri*
Places of interest in Rajasthan – www.rajasthantourism.gov.in
Ajmer
Alwar*
Jaipur*
Jaisalmer
Jodhpur
Mount Abu
Pushkar
Udaipur
Neemrana*
Bikaner
Sariska
Deeg
Ranthambor
Bundi
Chittaurgarh
Kota
Places of interest in West Bengal – www.wbtourism.com
Kolkata*
Darjeeling
Shantiniketan*
Kalimpong
Sunderbans
Places of interest in Gujurat – www.gujarattourism.com
Ahmedabad
Somnath
Dwarka
Gir
Places of interest in Madhya Pradesh – www.mptourism.com
Bandhavgarh
Khajuraho
Indore
Gwalior*
Sanchi
Places of interest in Orissa – orissatourism.gov.in
Bhubaneswar
Puri
Konark
Places of interest in Maharashtra - maharashtratourism.gov.in
Mumbai*
Pune*
Mahabaleshwar
Lonavala
Aurangabad*
Ajanta*
Ellora*
Nashik
Matheraan
Alibag
Ganpatipule
Places of interest in Karnataka - kstdc.nic.in
Bangalore*
Mysore
Aihole
Hampi*
Badami
Coorg*
Mangalore
Nandi Hills*
Belur
Bijapur
Halebid
Bidar
Places of interest in Tamil Nadu – www.tamilnadutourism.org
Chennai*
Madurai
Mahabalipuram*
Kodaikanal
Kancheepuram*
Rameswaram
Kanyakumari*
Ooty
Places of interest in Andhra Pradesh – www.aptourism.com
Hyderabad*
Vishakapatnam
Tirupati
Vijayawada
Warangal
Nagarjunasagar
Puttaparthy
Places of interest in Kerala - www.ktdc.com
Alleppey*
Cochin*
Trivandrum*
Calicut
Munnar
Wayanad
Kovalam*
Varkala*
Other places of interest
Andaman & Nicobar - tourism.andaman.nic.in
Delhi* - delhitourism.nic.in
Goa - www.goatourism.org
Lakshadweep - tourism.pon.nic.in
*Visited already!
________________________
Places Visited So Far (Days Spent):
Hyderabad
Mumbai (5)
Hampi (2)
Delhi/Lucknow/Neemrana (10)
Chennai/Kanchipuram/Mahabalipuram (4)
Aurangabad/Ajanta/Ellora/Pune (3)
Kolkata (12)
Bangalore
Cochin/Alleypey/Varkala/Trivandrum/Kanyakumari/Kovalam (6)
Nandi Hills (1)
Coorg (2)
Total Places: 23
Places of interest in Ladakh – jammukashmir.nic.in/tourism/ladakh/tourism.htm
Lei
Places of interest in Himachal Pradesh – himachaltourism.nic.in
Shimla
Manali
Kulu
Dharamshala
Places of interest in Punjab – www.punjabtourism.org
Chandigarh
Amritsar
Places of interest in Uttaranchal – gov.ua.nic.in/uttaranchaltourism
Dehradun
Haridwar
Nainital
Almora
Mussoorie
Corbett
Places of interest in Sikkim – sikkim.nic.in/sws/sikk_tour.htm
Gangtok
Places of interest in Uttar Pradesh – www.up-tourism.com
Agra*
Allahabad
Ayodhya
Jhansi
Lucknow*
Varanasi
Vrindavan
Fatehpur Sikri*
Places of interest in Rajasthan – www.rajasthantourism.gov.in
Ajmer
Alwar*
Jaipur*
Jaisalmer
Jodhpur
Mount Abu
Pushkar
Udaipur
Neemrana*
Bikaner
Sariska
Deeg
Ranthambor
Bundi
Chittaurgarh
Kota
Places of interest in West Bengal – www.wbtourism.com
Kolkata*
Darjeeling
Shantiniketan*
Kalimpong
Sunderbans
Places of interest in Gujurat – www.gujarattourism.com
Ahmedabad
Somnath
Dwarka
Gir
Places of interest in Madhya Pradesh – www.mptourism.com
Bandhavgarh
Khajuraho
Indore
Gwalior*
Sanchi
Places of interest in Orissa – orissatourism.gov.in
Bhubaneswar
Puri
Konark
Places of interest in Maharashtra - maharashtratourism.gov.in
Mumbai*
Pune*
Mahabaleshwar
Lonavala
Aurangabad*
Ajanta*
Ellora*
Nashik
Matheraan
Alibag
Ganpatipule
Places of interest in Karnataka - kstdc.nic.in
Bangalore*
Mysore
Aihole
Hampi*
Badami
Coorg*
Mangalore
Nandi Hills*
Belur
Bijapur
Halebid
Bidar
Places of interest in Tamil Nadu – www.tamilnadutourism.org
Chennai*
Madurai
Mahabalipuram*
Kodaikanal
Kancheepuram*
Rameswaram
Kanyakumari*
Ooty
Places of interest in Andhra Pradesh – www.aptourism.com
Hyderabad*
Vishakapatnam
Tirupati
Vijayawada
Warangal
Nagarjunasagar
Puttaparthy
Places of interest in Kerala - www.ktdc.com
Alleppey*
Cochin*
Trivandrum*
Calicut
Munnar
Wayanad
Kovalam*
Varkala*
Other places of interest
Andaman & Nicobar - tourism.andaman.nic.in
Delhi* - delhitourism.nic.in
Goa - www.goatourism.org
Lakshadweep - tourism.pon.nic.in
*Visited already!
________________________
Places Visited So Far (Days Spent):
Hyderabad
Mumbai (5)
Hampi (2)
Delhi/Lucknow/Neemrana (10)
Chennai/Kanchipuram/Mahabalipuram (4)
Aurangabad/Ajanta/Ellora/Pune (3)
Kolkata (12)
Bangalore
Cochin/Alleypey/Varkala/Trivandrum/Kanyakumari/Kovalam (6)
Nandi Hills (1)
Coorg (2)
Total Places: 23
November 21, 2006
Driving Test
Indian drivers are known for their passionate distaste of traffic rules, liberal usage of the horn, and uncanny maneuvering abilities. They are also required to pass a rigorous written examination if they wish to obtain an authentic driving license. As a frequent “joy-walker” I must also be aware of proper road regulations. The top ten excerpts from the state of Karnataka’s practice test:
12. Which lane must you be in while making a right turn:-
a. any lane.
b. extreme left lane.
c. extreme right lane.
28. Before leaving a vehicle parked, you should:-
a. Turn the ignition key off.
b. Stop the engine, lock the ignition, remove the key, and set the hand brake.
c. Look the car.
56. Over speeding or dangerous driving:-
a. Attracts strict warning from the authorities.
b. Is an invitation to accident.
c. Is an offence and is punishable under the law.
72. A pedestrian is crossing the street at an intersection in an unmarked cross walk, you should:-
a. Yield or give the pedestrian the “right-of-way’.
b. Proceed with care as pedestrian is ‘joy-walking’.
c. Reduce speed and warn pedestrian.
87. When the Motor Vehicle Inspector demands any information:-
a. Not obligatory to furnish it.
b. It is obligatory to furnish it.
c. He can refuse.
102. Why do we have speed limits?
a. To keep the traffic within a safe speed for existing condition.
b. More vehicles can be used on roads.
c. Authority can identify who is speeding.
106. When you approach a barrier, it is:-
a. Obligatory to stop the vehicle.
b. Mandatory to stop the vehicle.
c. Caution to stop the vehicle
116. When a cow is standing across the road:-
a. As to and wait until it clears the road.
b. Pass if from front.
c. Pass it from behind.
134. A driver shall drive in ‘one way’:-
a. Always in the direction specified by sign board.
b. Reverse direction in emergencies.
c. Both ways on Sundays.
136. If you are fined for any traffic violations you must feel:-
a. Proud.
b. Humiliated.
c. To correct your attitude in future.
Answers: 12. (c), 28. (b), 56. (c), 72. (a), 87. (b), 102. (a), 106. (c), 116. (c), 134. (a), 136. (c)
The complete practice exam can be found on Karnataka’s Road Transport Office website.
12. Which lane must you be in while making a right turn:-
a. any lane.
b. extreme left lane.
c. extreme right lane.
28. Before leaving a vehicle parked, you should:-
a. Turn the ignition key off.
b. Stop the engine, lock the ignition, remove the key, and set the hand brake.
c. Look the car.
56. Over speeding or dangerous driving:-
a. Attracts strict warning from the authorities.
b. Is an invitation to accident.
c. Is an offence and is punishable under the law.
72. A pedestrian is crossing the street at an intersection in an unmarked cross walk, you should:-
a. Yield or give the pedestrian the “right-of-way’.
b. Proceed with care as pedestrian is ‘joy-walking’.
c. Reduce speed and warn pedestrian.
87. When the Motor Vehicle Inspector demands any information:-
a. Not obligatory to furnish it.
b. It is obligatory to furnish it.
c. He can refuse.
102. Why do we have speed limits?
a. To keep the traffic within a safe speed for existing condition.
b. More vehicles can be used on roads.
c. Authority can identify who is speeding.
106. When you approach a barrier, it is:-
a. Obligatory to stop the vehicle.
b. Mandatory to stop the vehicle.
c. Caution to stop the vehicle
116. When a cow is standing across the road:-
a. As to and wait until it clears the road.
b. Pass if from front.
c. Pass it from behind.
134. A driver shall drive in ‘one way’:-
a. Always in the direction specified by sign board.
b. Reverse direction in emergencies.
c. Both ways on Sundays.
136. If you are fined for any traffic violations you must feel:-
a. Proud.
b. Humiliated.
c. To correct your attitude in future.
Answers: 12. (c), 28. (b), 56. (c), 72. (a), 87. (b), 102. (a), 106. (c), 116. (c), 134. (a), 136. (c)
The complete practice exam can be found on Karnataka’s Road Transport Office website.
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