Akshay G

The journey of this "chaat angadi" started way back in the mid-90's. I remember coming here as a kid. Back then, there was no shop or no particular place allotted for this small mobile vehicle. Where all kinds of 'puris' were not more than Rs.5 a plate. Today, the man who once owned this mobile vehicle, owns a nice rented shop in the middle of MICO layout(B.T.M 2nd Stage) and is happily serving a lot more customers and assuring them of better hygiene. Its not him alone anymore, but has employed a couple of people to help him with the increased demands today. He has also introduced his own recepies of making chaats like the 'dahi sev puri' and samosa masala or the cutlet masala. The prices too vary between Rs 10 and 15 for a plate, depending on the chaat you prefer. The shop generally starts at around 5 in the evening and goes on till 9.30 in the night. Most of the software professionals coming back from the electronics city, stop here for a plate of 'chatpataa taazagi' and to fill their stomach. Not to forget, the kids who drag their grandparents for a quick bite, is quite a sight here! None the less, he is open everyday and serves as many as 300 to 400 customers everyday. For people in and around the areas of Bannnerghatta Road, who are still looking for a nice hot plate of chaat, may head here.

Everything from Mast Kalandar’s cheerful orange and yellow interiors to the squeaky clean ambience to the yummy, fresh food emphasises their tag-line “Eat Happy”. If you are looking for a quick bite to eat and are tired of fried and unhealthy fast food like pizzas and vadas, make sure you visit this all vegetarian punjabi restaurant. All their food is cooked fresh and made without any artificial flavours and colours. Started in the year 2005 on Bannerghatta Road, it has since opened many more branches on C.M.H Road, B.T.M layout, Koramangala and many more. They specialise in authentic punjabi cuisine with their famous chutneys and buttermilk and not to forget their lassi. They also cater to various software companies on Bannerghatta Road who wish to have healthy food rather than fried and junk food. The prices are affordable too, where a simple meal of roti-daal, side-dishes and chutneys costs around Rs.50, and for those of you who seek more options, there are different combos on offer at various prices. There are also low cal combos for those who want to keep a check on their waistline. So if you are looking for a place to fill your stomach with lots of healthy food then MAST KALANDAR is the place to be.

The Forum, located in the centre of Koramangala is undoubtedly the favourite mall for most of the Bangaloreans. The first of it's kind in the city, it was inaugarated in March 2004. For most south Bangaloreans, living in prominent areas like Jayanagar, J.P Nagar, Bannerghatta Road, etc and people living in and around Koramangala, it seems to be the most popular hangout during weekends. The mall has various branded stores which offer various choices for buyers. But, more than shopping itself, people come here for "window shopping" or for a quick bite at the Mc.Donald's or KFC fast food joints. For customers looking for more choices in their platter, they can head to the Transit lounge located on the 2nd floor. Landmark, a store which offers various choices in the latest books and music, magazines and many more is definitely worth a visit. But the place that most Bangaloreans head to in the mall is the 3rd floor, which consists of the PVR multiplex, with nearly 15 screens, which vary in comfort and price. Movies in popular languages are screened and their listings are advertised in all leading newspapers. The mall has certainly boosted up the standard of living of the surrounding areas. So for an all in all experience, please do visit the mall and have fun.

The new BENGALURU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT which opened on the 23rd of May, saw a lot of improvement in the transport system for the passengers to reach the airport. The new Volvo buses(VAYU VAJRA) and exclusive taxis like EASY CABS and MERU taxis have made it more comfortable for the passengers to reach on time. Even though the average time from the centre of the city is at least one and a half hours(45 kms from M.G.ROAD), the passengers don't seem to be complaining and further improvements are being undertaken to facilitate faster movement from and to the airport. The city seems to have worn a new look and the people have welcomed the new airport with far greater satisfaction, than the "we don't have a choice" attitude. The new government is doing all it can to widen the Hebbal - Devanahalli stretch which can provide for easier movement of vehicles. Other than these new exclusive taxis and buses launched for the transport, there are also the regular private City taxis and the all famous autorickshaws which also move to and fro the airport, at their own stipulated fare. A humble appeal to all Bangaloreans to cooperate with the progress, so that we not only have an "international" airport, but also an "international" level of transport and road system in the city. ~~ ROCK ON BANGALOREANS ~~