My first published interview! - Hiten Tejwani, DNA Pune

He balances a hectic professional life with a healthy personal life,stressful shooting schedules, and sneaks in a little me-time every once in a while. Yet, he's willing to learn more. Hiten Tejwani now has a Bollywood film, Tere Aane Se, up his sleeve.

After 12 long, hard-working and very successful years, Hiten is a face to reckon with on Indian Television. He’s currently seen on TV in Pavitra Rishta and Sanskar Dharovar Apno Ki. Why the shift to Bollywood? This and a lot more, on this candid chat with the humble actor-

From television to films- Why this shift?

Frankly speaking, I feel anyone who starts acting, be it in theater, TV , or even advertisements, is looking at Bollywood. After 12 long years in this industry, I have learned a lot, and there’s always something more to explore. I have always wanted to get into Bollywood. I have been an Assistant Director in the past, and have even edited many films. When I was offered roles in television soaps, I wanted to explore. All that I am today, every part of my success and experience- it’s all because of TV. 

How has your experience been so far, shooting this film?

It’s been great! It’s challenging. There’s not much that I can reveal right now, but all that I can say is that there is a whole lot of hard-work that I have put into this character I am portraying. The film starts with me, Sanjeev, a 60 year old, reminiscing about his life. And then you go on to see me play a college student, a mischievous young rock-star…and how his life unfolds, the circumstances that make him that 60 year old man. You’ll see the character evolving, and it’s a journey I want to take you through. It’s extremely challenging. Especially since this is not something you have seen before.

How have you prepared for this role?

The most challenging part is that there is absolutely no reference to any other character. I couldn’t refer to any material. Everything has been thought of carefully, it’s all my imagination. I take an hour before the shot, sit back in my dressing room, and think- about Sanjeev, what he would feel, what he would go through, and after 60min, I walk out of my room as Sanjeev. And once again, it’s not been easy. All the roles I have portrayed in the past, all the experience I have got from TV, all of this has contributed to this particular role. In the last 12 years, I have done a whole range of roles, and it’s all helping me today.

What do you prefer shooting for- television or films?

Well…they are almost the same nowadays. The main difference would be the time it takes to shoot a serial or a film. With TV, you don’t get much time to prepare. It’s all done that day itself, on the set. Shoot, and leave. But I don’t really feel there’s much difference now. Gone are the days when it took 3 years for a film to be completed. It’s all done very quickly now. I can’t really pick a favorite.

What next?

Let’s see. I have 3-4 scripts, will go through them once I’m done with this film. I’ll take it one step at a time

Any dream role?

I want to portray a character that becomes a classic in the coming years. I want people to look back, and remember this character distinctly, even years later.

How do you keep in touch with your fans? Any special message you’d like to give them?

I’m active on social media, I interact with them on Instagram and Twitter. I also reply to the text messages. Everyone’s been really kind to me, and I want to thank them for the appreciation. There will be roles that I will probably be experimenting with in the future, but that’s only because I want to learn more. I request you to keep the support coming in, and once again, thank you for being there for me.

And with this, we ended the chat. What was meant to be an interview left me feeling liberated. The zeal and enthusiasm to keep learning was overwhelming. We wish you all the best for the film Hiten!

Here's the link of the DNA article-

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=61978&boxid=36813&ed_date=2014-03-29&ed_code=820040&ed_page=2

Street Shopping, Pune: Featured on the DNA website

Oh look, I've been featured again! <Wouldn't have known had a friend not called me up to tell me about it. *sigh* God bless him.>

Here is the article-

http://www.dnaindia.com/pune/lifestyle-shop-the-street-smart-way-in-pune-1972291

As we enjoy the luxuries of globalization and modernization, it's difficult to let go of the habit of haggling with street vendors, something that most of us have grown up with. With prices almost skyrocketing, seeing the jealousy and disbelief etched upon your friends faces as you show off your best buys is turning out to be quite a delightful experience. Getting good deals from Sarojini Nagar, Delhi and Colaba Causeway/Linking Road, Mumbai are now passé. Pune is now opening up to the culture of street shopping.

Street shopping , though a little off-track, can be one of the most exhilarating shopping experiences of your lifetime. This is not something that a novice shopper can deal with.The variety of products available at astonishingly low rates, the sense of achievement on having bagged a good deal, picking up triple the number of products for half the amount you’d spend at a mall, and to end it with a finger-licking roadside chaat – this experience is not to be missed out on if you are in India. 

If you are looking at funky products, fabulous bargains, or simple photo opportunities, M.G.Road and F.C. Road in Pune are a must try.  Clothes, jewelry, bags, shoes, home décor items, ethnic items, you name it, they have it. Navigate your way through traffic, kids selling stickers and balloons, and other shoppers as you peruse the stalls. From branded items off the runways to dirt-cheap seasonal trends, MG Road and F C Road are a fusion of traditional and modern styles. These shopping destinations in Pune attract a whole lot of young college crowd, looking out for inexpensive trendy items. The quality of the products picked up is questionable, but something worth Rs. 300 that lasts for 3 months is something that most of us as shoppers can live with.

The people, the smells, the tastes, the organized chaos, the cacophony of sounds -  all of this combined makes for an enthralling shopping experience. There are 2 rules that we absolutely must not forget while street shopping-

1.       Don’t buy in haste, there is ALWAYS a better deal waiting for you at the next store

2.       BARGAIN.

Street shopping is an exciting experience, you never know what you might find. Every buy here has a story. Plan out a day of street shopping with your girls, and shop till you drop! End it on a relaxed note with wine and kebabs at the Greek-themed bistro-By The Way if you are at F.C. Road, or with a Barman’s Pitcher and some Masala Fries at Thousand Oaks’s, Camp if you are looking at something fun near M.G.Road. 

Beef Steak Burger

Yay to another feature being published!! DNA, Pune, Page 2 :

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=61713&boxid=34941&ed_date=2014-03-24&ed_code=820040&ed_page=2

What seems like a millennium ago, a phenomenon called Burgers (previously known as Burger King) arrived in Pune. Back then, Pune Camp (M.G. Road) was populated with a cosmopolitan crowd; a mix of foreign students, Christians, Parsis and the elite. The crowd went wild for this place, and for someone who had started this as a small experiment, it ended up being a main business. 25 years since this phenomenon hit this town, Mr. Shapoor Irani, the man behind the burger joint, is still coming to terms with the fact that this place is one of the most famous burger joints in Pune.“I am an MBA graduate, I had nothing to do with this field when I decided to open this joint. I recognized the need in the market for burgers, had an empty space lying around back home, and decided to give it a shot. It’s become such a big hit, it’s not easy!”  

Considering it’s esteemed competition, this joint is surprisingly low-key.  Orders are taken over a small counter , while the cooks prepare the burgers in the background. While the orders are competently prepared, the options are straightforward- burgers, fries and drinks.All the customers are loyalists, and word-of-mouth publicity has got it this far.  If you are in Pune, looking for a fast-food quick-fix, you know where to go.

The Beef Steak Burger has established itself in the competitive market. Mr. Irani went on to tell us how people from Mumbai and Goa come over on weekends to get a taste of the special beef burgers. “On weekends, it’s maddening. There is a long queue of customers waiting to order, and the guys in the kitchen work at the speed of lightning. All the beef burgers are sold out EVERYDAY, there are people who settle in for the chicken burgers because the beef ones are over. I feel bad, but there’s nothing that I can do. I want to continue providing good quantity of quality food, at inexpensive rates.” On quizzing him about the daily sales he smiles and says- I can make 200 burgers, and I can make 10,000. Depends, you can never say. But we are always well prepared.” Does he wish to expand the business? “No not as of now. I have a tough time handling this, how much can one man do? Everything here is freshly prepared, I do not sell frozen patties. The shelf-life automatically decreases, so I can’t be looking out at franchises. I want to give my undivided attention to the 2 stores, I don’t want to compromise on quality, quantity, prices, or my attention” Mr. Irani’s passion for the business is reflected in the way he tells us how a burger is made, describing each step in detail while preparing a burger by himself. 

The store has 2 branches, one on East Street and the other one at Koregaon Park. The stores open at 11:30am and close down by 10:30pm, and are always buzzing with customers.  A beef steak burger is priced at Rs. 80. The customers know what they want, and they know they can get it here- cheap, filling, and most importantly, consistent. Majority of the customers are students, and that is something that has not changed since the store opened back in 1988-89. “The foreign students would come here for the beef burgers, you’d get the loyal AFMC guys coming in every evening, and every Sunday you’d find the NDA chaps occupying the whole place, all throughout the day. Pune has been very kind.”

A good burger is a beautiful thing, almost like an unimprovable piece of art- a satisfying messy presentation of ketchup, cheese, mayonnaise, beef and of course the custom-made buns. If you're looking out for messy American burgers that remind you of Jughead while you eat them,  you will definitely enjoy this place. And if you are lucky enough to get Mr. Irani to spend some time with you, you’d not want to leave.  

Arthur's Theme, Pune

A hot and lazy Sunday afternoon saw us walking into Arthur's Theme.The place was empty, and I had my doubts about entering. But I've never heard a bad review about Arthur's Theme, which is why I decided to go ahead with this.

A small place with wood paneling and dim lights immediately takes you to a small café somewhere up in the Himalayas. Full marks for the presentations- lights, music, the wine bottle on the table; this is exactly what you want on a lazy weekend.

We took the table by the window, and proceeded to order. Because it was uncharacteristically hot (it’s only mid March!) I decided to go ahead with a non-alcoholic Sangria. The staff is polite, courteous, and extremely humble. My drink was served within 10 minutes. After having spent all of Sunday morning “café-hopping”, in search of that one drink that would make the heat bearable, I had finally found it. Sweet, cold,  and a strong flavor of apple-what more could one ask for? Once again, full marks for the presentation.

We ordered an Alfredo, which is batter-fried calamari, served with a garlic dip. This one arrived in 15 minutes, and just by the smell of it we knew we had ordered a winner. A rich buttery aroma filled the place while I tried to get a good shot. After a certain point I could not hold back any longer, so please forgive me for this poor quality image.

The squids were fresh, not too chewy, and absolutely delicious! Perfect for beer and game nights. The dip compliments it perfectly, and I strongly recommend this dish for starters.

We then ordered a Mariana and a Duncan (I LOVE the names of the dishes here!) Here’s the verdict-

Mariana

I expected potato skins, and was a little disappointed to see them being served like this-

But the disappointment was short-lived. The potatoes are crispy, tasty, and go well with the yogurt dip. You can’t stop after one. The garlic and herbs blend well to give a distinct flavor to this dish. Highly recommend it, do try it out.

Duncan

Classic chicken wings in barbeque sauce. Even though it’s a standard preparation, no one has ever managed to do a good job. This one, however, is as close to perfect as you could get. It looked a little messy to eat, but once we started, we finished off 8 wings between the 2 of us within 15 minutes, I kid you not. The caramelized barbeque sauce does the magic. Try it, please do!

I’m glad Sunday ended on such a happy note. It’s good to see a few old places that have managed to keep up their standards. I am DEFNITELY coming back again, this time with the boyfriend. Good food, affordable prices, and an ambiance that gives you the experience of fine-dining somewhere in the mountains, Arthur’s Theme is highly recommended.

Deliciousness and Laughter- Fat Cat's Cafe

This weekend has been the best one that I’ve had this year. Catching up after months, re-visiting old memories, and a whole lot of bonding over good food- awesome weekend was awesome. Laughter and good food have been the highlights of the weekend, and why not? A place like Fat Cat’s Café can only guarantee deliciousness and laughter, duh! 

We planned to meet up for a coffee, and ended up spending the whole evening here. Similarly on Sunday we stopped by to eat a red velvet pastry (we all have our cravings) and ended up eating a lot more (as soon as you walk into the café, I think the aroma clouds your judgment, and you end up ordering all that’s on display. It’s not a bad thing) So here’s a summary of what you might have missed if you didn’t come over to Fat Cat’s this weekend ( :P)

Bacon Cheese Quiche

Crab Melts

Coffee Cake

Red Velvet Pastry

Apple Pie

Baked Raspberry Cheesecake

Cold Coffee

Here’s what it went like (warning- pictures might make you drool)

Bacon Cheese Quiche

A soft creamy blend of bacon and cheese, complimented by a delicate flakey crust that enhances the flavor. Take a look at the inside of this-

The red bacon with the creamy cheese is sure to make one drool. And it tastes better than what it looks like. And I doubt you’d get any other place that would be so generous with their bacon servings.

Crab Melts

One word when you bite into it- “mmm” You don’t even want to take some time out to say “It’s awesome”. The name is self explanatory- the crab melts in your mouth.

Also, it’s one of those rare occasions where you’ll find such authentic and tasty and FRESH crab anywhere in this city. If you’ve missed this, I feel bad for you.

Coffee Cake

Melanie (the baker/owner) continues her magic with baking. I’ve had the red-velvet cake, the baked cheesecakes, and now the coffee cake. And I think I have found my favorite (yes, imagine something better than the red velvet cake. Imagine.)

The flavor of the coffee, the frosting, the chocolate- I’m drooling while writing about it. You get the point.

Red Velvet Pastry

Everyone’s heard of the red velvet pastry here. Everyone. I don’t need to say anything about this, it’s found it’s niche.

"It looks like Christmas!!" 

Apple Pie

Autumn at grandma’s place for a family re-union- this is what the apple pie will remind you of. Of laughter, memories, nostalgia, sweetness, and good food, this apple pie will remind you of a happy childhood.

Baked Raspberry Cheesecake

I’ve had the blueberry cheesecake and absolutely loved it ( the red velvet cake was even ignored for a couple of minutes while I drooled over the cheesecake last weekend) Hence the decision to try out this new flavor. I personally prefer the Blueberry cheesecake, but I feel even if they come up with a plain cheesecake I’ll love it. Magic, that’s what it is.

Cold Coffee

Yes, even the cold coffee deserves a mention. And I love the way they are served chilled with ice, it’s like the stuff you see in ads. Reminded me of the days I used to come back home after my evening games, and mum used to have a glass of cold coffee waiting for me at the table. Good thought ^_^

So if you don’t know what to try out here, come along, have a cup of coffee, read a book, eat a red velvet cake, and experience magic.

And I have pancakes for lunch

I went over for lunch this afternoon (yes, lunch, cos I eat pancakes for lunch. No kiddin!) and since it was an unconventional lunch place, I ended up having a good time. Good food and good company is always a winning combo :)


And here's what we ordered-

Vanilla Cinnamon French Toast (yes, it's the second favorite here)
Onion and Corn Pancake
Grilled Salami
French Fries
Coffee

Who wouldn't be excited about a lunch like this, eh? :)


Vanilla Cinnamon French Toast- Love. Try it (have recommended it in a previous review too)

Onion and Corn Pancakes - This is the first time I've tasted pancakes that are not sweet (had a bad experience in Mumbai with a crepe once, decided to stick to the sweet preparations only) and BOY are they good. Soft, fluffy, thick- they make it like they mean it! The corn and onion pancakes go very well with the sour cream, and you absolutely must try this!!! MUST!

Grilled Salami- you can't really go wrong with this. Crispy, well cooked, not too much oil- have it for breakfast maybe, with eggs and coffee.

Fries- Crisp, tasty, and stayed that way even after cooling down. What more does one need? Though bad French Fries can spoil your mood. Luckily, these are good)

Lunch was a fun affair, and I suggest you do go try it out some day you are feeling a little too mischievous. (Not adventurous, but mischievous )


Happy eating!

Chill scene Saturday- Shatranj, Pune.

A not-so-hectic weekend, after ages. And honestly, I was craving for a break. So while friends were making extensive plans of going to fancy places for dinner, I suggested we do something different. Surprisingly, it was very easy to convince everyone for a lunch at Shatranj, Koregaon Park. Many had heard of the place and it's wonderful tandoori items. I'd heard about it sometime last year, from a friend. Seeing his excitement while he described a relaxed Saturday evening  at Shatranj with his colleagues, I made a mental note to visit the place as soon as possible.


So here I was on a Saturday afternoon, excited about finally being here. The place is spacious and well-managed I must say. The seating is outdoor, in an open air arrangement. One is unlikely to find such an ambiance in other parts of the city- a quiet green place where you can unwind over beer and good food, and not spend much by the end of it. Perfect for an outing with close friends after a hectic week, this place is more enjoyable during the night.





The service is prompt, and it's reassuring to know that the waiters have a good idea about the menu (they helped us decide our order) It's the confidence with which the waiters recommend dishes that makes you want to try them out.

This is what our lunch looked like-

Paneer Tikka
Fruit Punch
Margarita
Chicken Tawa
Veg Lahori
Dal Fry
Cheese Garlic Naan
Jeera Rice

Here's how it went-


Paneer Tikka






The paneer could have been a little softer- it tends to become a little hard when it cools down. The masala too didn't seep in too well (though I feel that's how it works with paneer?) The masala is a little salty, though overall the dish tastes fresh and average. It is served with onion- a little cabbage in the salad would actually help balance out the extra salt. We had to ask for the chutney to be served along with it. I suggest you have it with the green chutney, it's pretty refreshing.
In a nutshell- average. There are a few changes that can be made to the presentation, but otherwise it is an okay dish.


Fruit Punch

If in case you don't know it by now, I live on sugar rushes. That's why you'll see me eating a whole lot of desserts, ad drinking a gazillion  mocktails. So the Fruit Punch shouldn't come as a surprise.
This mocktail is sweet, refreshing, and when left on the table, takes you to a shack in Goa.

The drink looked a little heavy though- milk, along with pieces of fruit. The drink is a combination of apple, chickoo and orange juice. Perfect, if you ask me, though it could do without the apple pieces in the drink. I really enjoyed the drink, and I suggest you try it on a hot summer day.




Margarita

This one was a disappointment. Since I don't drink, I only had a sip of it, but it was enough to give me an idea- it's TOO sweet (they could do away with the concentrated sugar syrup I feel), a little too strong (maybe cos of the excess sugar, alcohol, and cherry liqueur clashing horribly) and there are smalls pieces of something jelly-like in the drink. Do away with the ice and the jelly and the concentrated sugar syrup...let the drink be a little more easy and relaxing.




Though of course Shatranj is a place you'd like to visit for beer..but once in a while when you do feel like having a cocktail, it must be good.


Chicken Tawa




The dish looked extremely appetizing. Served on a "tawa", this dish came with a thick rich gravy, garnished with tomatoes. The dish tasted as good as it looked. There was a generous quantity of chicken, and the pieces were well cooked and fresh. They could be a little softer though- they could try grilling the pieces a little more before adding them to the gravy. But overall the dish is absolutely delicious, with a  nice blend of flavors. This dish is medium-spicy...and almost perfect. This is the kind of good food you would want to eat after a tiring and long week, you know. Do try this, please!



Veg Lahori

This one was a recommendation by the manager. He seemed very confident and positive about it. He also kept insisting we take the whole portion, instead of ordering it by plate. After much persuasion, we gave in.  After having one bite of the dish I understood what he meant by asking us to order a larger portion. This dish is one of the tastiest veg dishes I have eaten in a long time.




 It looks rich, appetizing, and if you haven't already filled your stomach with starters, it will definitely make you drool. The gravy is semi-thick, rich, and a little sweet. The taste reminded me of the food I had back in Punjab (which basically is a compliment since the Mughlai food up north is mostly brilliant)  This is one of those dishes you'd not want to waste, no matter how full you are. TRY IT!





Dal Fry







An inviting color, a delicious aroma, a strong flavor and a rich tadka, this dish will vaguely remind you of home. This with some jeera rice, and you're sorted. Very light on the stomach, and a lovely after-taste. You MUST try this out. Even a simple dish like a dal fry can be tasty, you know.



Jeera Rice
This is well cooked, and it's one of those rare times when I actually got a hint of the jeera in the rice. Coupled with the dal fry, this was one refreshing meal!



Cheese Garlic Naan



The cheese does get a little dry once it cools down, so you might not get the flavor after some point. Though the cheese and the garlic together make for an interesting combo.






Do visit  if you're looking for a place to unwind,good food and cheap liquor. It's quite a good deal if you consider the ambiance and the good food, and the service. Not bad, if you're not looking at anything fancy, just a laid back evening with your close friends, beer, and good food.

Aamchi Pune, to Our Pune-Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day: a time of the year reserved only for our better halves, the special loved one, soul mates and family. More often than never, we leave this day aside to make all those lengthy preparations to come through, trying our best to make our special someone feel the love. But when do we stop, think and spend time with something that we’ve been with all these years? The place will be permanent, even though the people may change. The city that has made us what we are, and has been the center of all the opportunities that we seized without a second thought. The city with a deep rooted culture, yet cosmopolitan. Amchi Pune, the city with Ravivar Peth and Shaniwad wada,  M.G Road and Koregaon Park... a place where you can celebrate Ganpati in Dagdusheth, and the Pune Wine Fest at Rohi Villa.

So why not celebrate the most romantic day of the year with your city? That’s precisely what I came across this year, at Phoenix MarketCity, and absolutely loved the initiative! A refreshing take on Valentine's day, it did changed my perspective this time around. 

 It only came to my notice after I saw #ILovePune on Twitter, which not only got me to look up the details of the contest, but also observe and participate.  Each reply brought a smile on my face, lighting up my mood with every tweet. It was lovely to see so many people I don’t know, connect with me on our hometown (Social Media Junkie Alert, yeah!) I have spent a large chunk of my life travelling, but since the last 12 years, Pune has been my home. It has given me the people I value the most, and the education and profession I’ve always longed for..opportunities and life lessons, it's been a wonderful journey here in Pune. This is precisely why every tweet got me a little nostalgic about old times and growing up in this place. I’ve seen it change from a small town with the only shopping ‘mall’ being West Side in M.G Road, and the only multiplex being Inox  back in 2001, to a city with multiple malls (Phoenix Marketcity being one of the biggest) and a gazillion multiplexes. I doubt  the younger generation will be able to see such a magical and drastic change over a reasonably short period of time.  I’ve watched this change, been a part of it, grown with it.

I decided to pamper myself this Valentines, and headed over to Phoenix for some shopping. On reaching, I saw a small crowd collected near this enormous flex board where people would come and write why they loved Pune. They were also sticking something that looked like coins ( on inquiring, I found out that they WERE coins) I loved the vada pav cartoons that some of them were making, and the bun-maska chai...there was a really cute cartoon of a dog holding up an umbrella for a cat... looking at the pictures got me nostalgic. And it doesn't stop here! The money collected after selling the coins is being donated (Yes, I was curious, cos it struck me as odd. Why would you collect money on Valentine's, right?) to an NGO- Ekansh (for physically disabled people) What a BRILLIANT initiative!

 They even let people get pictures clicked where they’d get the polaroids within no time. Since I was alone, I couldn't really get myself to draw or take pictures (where are your friends when you need them? :P ) Jokes apart, I was pretty impressed by the innovation of this particular idea. 

I would never have stopped to think about the love I have for my city on Valentine’s Day. I absolutely loved how beautifully Phoenix brought out this new way of looking at this precious romantic day, yet bringing out the essence of it. We never forget to dedicate time to make our loved ones feel better, but how often do we spare a few minutes to thank the city that has made us who we are? 

Being from an Army background, I should be used to traveling every 2 years. But Pune does this to people...no one wants to leave Pune,we all get back here.One way or another.

Being Featured On Thought Catalog

Yes, you read that right. I am still trying to get over the fact that this happened with me. Of course, it's no big deal, but then you don't really come across such exposure everyday, you know.

Honestly, Thought Catalog is like my guilty pleasure. So yes, it was a little embarrassing to find out that an article was actually published! I was in shock for 5 minutes...and then it struck me. Of course I was happy, of course I was squealing! But within seconds I realized this would mean a whloe lot of negative feedback from ALL OVER THE WORLD! (That's the worst part about the arts..it's so subjective, you are bound to get haters) But it's been 36 hours since the article was published, and I've not got bad reviews *touchwood* (Though there were two who went off on another tangent- something about how I made feminist sound like a bad thing. Lulz, cos I go on to say something on the lines of "to each his own" Oh well, the word I should have used was"humanist" So yeah, my bad too. Someone was kind enough to point that out to me. Anyway, I sincerely hope they got my point)

Also, phew!

*Note- It's been 5 days, I'm guessing the negative comments have started pouring in. I am not surprised. It does hurt to see yourself being misunderstood, and even though you don't want to know it, you end up clicking on the link and reading all that people have to say.....*sigh* Some people,very simply, told me this- you have written something which has been published on an international portal, you are bound to get feedback. Not everyone will agree. You just got to be strong. Don't bother what something someone sitting in a chair in some remote corner of the world has to say about this. This is what you felt, and you wrote it.
And yes, there are those who agree, and I am glad they liked reading it (I get around 20-30 mails everyday from people thanking me for the article) and then there are those who absolutely hated my guts the moment they read the article. To some I might be oblivious, naive, or maybe a plain and simple fool. But I have nothing to prove to anybody. I know where I come from, and that's enough to keep me from changing my stance on the whole thing.

In case you haven't checked Thought Catalog (and don't wish to in the future) here's what I wrote-

20 Generalizations Indian Girls Are Fed Up With

Sometimes life isn’t fair, and though people are opening up to the idea of the “modern woman”, there are a few who judge us incorrectly, especially here in India. I won’t go into a lengthy explanation; once again, I am just trying to prove my point here. It is definitely going to sound feminist, but I assure you, I believe in equality of the sexes. I am just expressing my opinion here.  Not everyone might agree, but you might want to read it.

1. Not every girl wants to get married by 23. So before you ASSUME she’s of marriageable age, ask her what her views on marriage are. One hint, might save you the drama- just because she does not want to get married now does not mean she never will. She has other plans for herself right now, let her live a little.

2. Just because a girl wishes to do her PhD after Masters does not mean she doesn’t want to settle down in life. Give her a break, and respect the fact that she has the confidence to take that up, cos yeah, PhD is no joke. There will come a point when she would happily devote herself to her family, and balance it out with her work life. Her degrees, or lack of them, won’t make any difference.  Let her study while she wants to, okay?

3. Just because she is 27 and unmarried does not mean she’s been rejected by many men. Maybe, being single is a choice she has made.

4. Having a boyfriend does not make her characterless.

5. Just because she has recently gone through a break up doesn’t mean she is vulnerable and available.

6. Just because most of her friends are boys, does not mean she is “having a good time” with all of them.

7. Just because she has a drink in her hand does not mean she is an alcoholic.

8. Just because she wore a short skirt to one party does not mean she dresses up that way every day.

9. Just because she is ambitious doesn’t mean she isn’t a family person.

10. Just because she doesn’t discuss her plans doesn’t mean she’s clueless about life. Give her a chance, alright?

11. Just because she is outspoken doesn’t mean she is a rebel.

12. Just because she comes home late from work does not mean she is sleeping around with her colleagues.

13. After a hectic week, give her some time to relax over the weekend. Don’t make that one weekend party make her look like a she’s a frivolous party-girl without a job.

14. Just because she is out shopping alone does not mean she is depressed or lonely. It’s how she relaxes, respect that.

15. Just because she is on a holiday alone does not mean she doesn’t have company.  Maybe it’s a break to get back her lost confidence, or maybe that’s how she is. Admire her spirit instead of giving her advice, okay?

16. Just because she is a woman doesn’t mean she can’t kick ass in military school.

17. Just because she has a tattoo doesn’t mean she is attention seeking. Maybe that’s her way of expression.

18. Just because she doesn’t know how to cook doesn’t mean she won’t make a good wife. Remember when you were just married and cooked chicken curry which was um, a disaster?

19. Just because she likes everything pink and shiny and fluffy doesn’t mean she lives in her own world. She can handle some situations much better  than her male counterparts.

20. Just because she is pretty does not mean she is a whore. And just because she is friendly does not mean she is flirting with you.

Yes, we cry, we are emotional; we take things personally, and sometimes over-react to situations. But this does not give any one the right to judge us in the wrong way. Times are changing; don’t confine her within those boundaries, no matter how orthodox you are. There are some who might be fighting this losing battle, yet compromising on their decisions and plans, just to please society. Respect that.




In case you do want to check it out, here's the article-

http://thoughtcatalog.com/pea-tea/2014/02/20-generalizations-indian-girls-are-fed-up-with/#iHVTlX2fop5gfvpH.01

Keeping Calm..and drinking Coke. Picture Credits to ze boyfriend. 

<In case there are more of you who decide to get super aggressive about "feminism", do go through the comments, or well, let me clarify-

1. Too angry
2. Too distracted
3. Operating from the space of knowing only those who abuse the power of being feminists.
4. MY BAD. Geddit? MY BAD.


In case you feel some points are applicable to boys as well, I am sure you have a reason for saying so. And I respect that.

In case you feel I am degrading women, well I clearly didn't mean to. This is something that most of my friends have faced, and I am writing out of experience. Coming from an Army background, I have been all over India. And have faced many such issues personally, no matter how progressive the families have been.THAT'S the space I am operating from. In case you don't agree, you are more than welcome to share feedback, but let's not make this a debate. Some experience it, some don't. Let's leave it at that.

Thank you>


Cheers!

The Flour Works, Pune

Weekends. A new place to visit, a new dish to try, a new experience, a new mood, a new story. This Saturday was no different.

Albeit a little late (people and foul mood to be blamed for the procrastination) I headed over to The Flour Works for work. Situated at a quiet corner in Kalyani Nagar, The Flour Works is a café hidden away from the hustle bustle of the city life.  Though the ambiance was quite a disappointment.  I follow them on Facebook, and from the updates that I have been seeing, I had high expectations.  To keep it short and simple- I have seen prettier places. The seating arrangement outdoors is well spaced out, but they could definitely improve the presentation. Honestly, it looks like a glorified parking lot. The indoors is much better, but there’s a particular smell that didn’t quite suit my liking. I decided to sit outside, even though it’s cozier indoors.  A place one could come on a date with- white curtains, lights, seats by the windows, wine, a table for two, and all that jazz. The couples did seem lost in their own world <Valentine’s season….*super sigh*>

I chose a table outdoors, and settled down with my diary and laptop. It was 15 minutes later that I was offered a menu card- service is a little slow here, as I found out during the course of my visit. The waiters are friendly and quick, but I wish I didn’t have to keep prompting them.

The menu has an interesting choice of dishes. Starters, Main course (pastas, etc), Sandwiches, Burgers, Pizzas, Desserts, and the beverages.  I decided to order myself a Chicken Sandwich- safe choice, and easy to eat.I also ordered a Ginger Jolt, something to wash down the sandwiches with.

The sandwiches arrived within 15min, which is a good turnover time I feel.  Though the Ginger Jolt took 45 min (told you, slow service) The sandwiches looked good, and I couldn’t wait to bite into one of them.

I was dreading they’d be bland, with mayo. But BECAUSE they exceeded my expectations, I was more than overjoyed. The bread isn’t hard, the chicken is fresh, the lettuce is fresh and crispy, the onions give the perfect flavor (or else this would be a bland dish too) and the cheese is absolutely perfect. As soon as you bite into the bread, you get a generous amount of chicken in your mouth, and a hint of butter, and CHEESE. There’s just enough cheese to hold the two pieces of bread together, and to give a strong flavor at the end.  As I said earlier - perfect quantity of cheese. The sandwich is served with a small portion of fries, which is EXACTLY how much is needed. By the end of it, it got a little heavy with the butter and cheese and chicken, but on a better day I’m sure I could finish it off.  When you are too confused with the variety of choices being offered here, do consider having this sandwich. It’s a 9/10 from me.

The Ginger Jolt gets a 10/10. As the name suggests, it jolts you out of your mood (in a good way of course) A sugar rush (which is what I live ON I guess :/) a strong flavor of ginger, and a hint of lemon- this is what fixed my mood today. And it’s a strange combination of flavors, which is what’s so refreshing and intriguing about it. This is applicable to all the refreshments being offered here. Absolutely LOVED what they had to offer. I’m definitely coming back for the drinks here.

<Pssst- I heard the women on the other table talking about how brilliant the CCCV is. That’s next on my list>

It was a heavy meal, but thanks to the drink I didn’t get too lazy. By the time I finished working, the sun had already set, and the crowd around me had changed completely. There were couples on dates, young girls gossiping, girlfriends catching up…the vibe of the place had changed. It was definitely better than what it was in the afternoon, but I still feel the space outside can be made much prettier.

And since I cannot resist sweets, I managed to pick up a carrot muffin too. So yes, I’m now going to take your leave. The muffin awaits me. Happy reading folks!

P.S.- Muffin: Minus the walnuts, it would have been good. Walnuts make it bitter. 4/10.