The decade that was..

the first DECADE of the 21st century is going to end in a few hours from now, and as i drive back to the memory lanes, i see a lot of wonderful things that happened in and around ME..

FRIENDS from my college whom I cherish having.. my first CRUSH in college.. the SONG i sang on college day.. the NIGHT-OUTS during exam times.. the hostel MESS.. the PROXIES i put for my friends.. subjects like M2, SAS, DSP, MP etc which gave jitters.. the BYHEARTING of PROGRAMS in C and MP.. my first MOBILE with BSNL connection.. the TRIPS we had in the name of EDUCATIONAL TOURS to MANGALORE and KERALA.. going to MYSORE during semester holidays.. my first NOVEL.. visiting HORANADU, SRINGERI, HIMAVAD-GOPALASWAMY HILLS, BANDIPUR, KARWAR, GOKARNA, MURUDESHWAR, and other places with family.. the ASSIGNMENTS which prof gave.. my hard earned B.E degree..

my first RESUME.. job search in NEWSPAPERS and on INTERNET.. trip to Mt. ABU, DWARKA, PORBANDAR, AHMEDABAD and 2 JYOTIRLINGAS at NAGESHWAR and SOMANATH with grandparents.. developing interest in TOURISM and PHOTOGRAPHY.. giving INTERVIEWS at various companies.. my first JOB at INFOSYS..

FRIENDS again from my training batch.. my first SALARY.. the EXAMS during training.. the MANGALORE trip for a reunion.. the MYSORE trip where i broke my back.. my first PROJECT for a bank.. the start of SLOGGING.. my first ONSITE trip within a year of joining..

my first FLIGHT.. a new COUNTRY.. meeting many new FACES.. working along with THEM.. learnt COOKING.. travelling around LONDON, SCOTLAND and WALES.. the x-MAS vacations and later shopping on BOXING DAY.. my first high-end EARNED mobile which is still with me.. seeing SNOWFALL for the first time and WALKING on snow..

staying in PUNE for 10 months.. attending CAT coaching at IMS.. staying in a PG.. visited MUMBAI, AJANTA-ELLORA, AURANGABAD, SHIRDI, SHANI-SHINGAPUR, and 3 JYOTIRLINGAS at TRIAMBAKESHWAR, GRISHNESHWAR and BHIMASHANKAR.. the trek to HARISHCHANDRA GADH.. my first SIZZLER.. my FIGHT for getting released from project.. giving all MBA exams.. clearing NONE.. enjoying the project PARTIES..

back in BANGALORE.. put into a DEVELOPMENT project.. winning my first POWER PROGRAMMER award.. amazing TEAM.. my SECOND onsite trip to UK.. more FRIENDS who were like FAMILY.. visited uncovered places in first trip - CAMBRIDGE, BLACKPOOL, SNOWDANIA, BATH, STONEHENGE, BRISTOL and also LUCERNE, INTERLAKEN, JUNGFRAU, BERN in SWITZERLAND.. getting into BLOGGING.. winning the most SPIRITED team award.. my first PROMOTION.. getting hit by RECESSION..

travelling 3 HOURS by BUS to office back in bangalore.. my first BIKE.. trip to UDUPI.. the trek to KODACHADRI.. para-sailing in GOA.. staying in a RENTED house.. construction of our NEW HOME.. my brother going for his first ONSITE.. another ONSITE for me but this time in INDIA.. transfer to GURGAON.. cool WORK and CHICS.. covered entire DELHI.. visited MATHURA, AGRA, VARANASI, JAIPUR, AJMER, PUSHKAR, DEHRADUN, HARIDWAR, RISHIKESH, MANALI and VAISHNO DEVI.. the FUN i had in travelling.. my first RIVER RAFTING.. the start of GIRL HUNT for marriage..

got BOWLED in the first BALL.. my ENGAGEMENT and subsequent rise in my mobile BILL.. the SLEEPLESS nights.. my marriage with SOUMYA.. our trips to DARJEELING, SIKKIM, SUBRAHMANYA-DHARMASTHALA, TIRUPATI, CHENNAI, HYDERABAD.. her tender CARE.. my first LAPTOP.. finally getting RELEASED from the project after 3.5 years..

i might have MISSED out many other things though.. there also were some SAD moments, but i wish not to jot it down..

thanks to ALMIGHTY for all the things happening.. it's been a FANTASTIC decade.. hoping the same EXCITEMENT continues to the next decade..

ending the decade by WISHING ALL A HAPPY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2011 and a JOYOUS NEW DECADE!

~! 7 !~

Completed 7 years in Infosys

Super

Day 4 - Old memories of Hyderabad

We woke up lazily on Wednesday morning, had breakfast and left for Yousufguda by bus from CBS. As we entered Ameerpet, she kept on telling things which had changed. There was no flyover 5 years back, the road she used to do for shopping, etc. On way we saw Sarathi Studios where number of movies were shot. We got down at Yousufguda and first saw her college - Chaitanya PU college. Then we went to few roads down and she showed me her old doctor's clinic and the chemist shop next to it. The chemist shop owner recognized her and he took us to his home opposite his shop. There we had a cup of tea, and they gave us a box of sweets for Diwali.

 

Later, we went to MGM High School, where she did her schooling for 3 years. Opposite her school was her home, where they used to stay. The owner of the home recognized her, called us inside and they started talking about old memories. Here too, we had a cup of tea and then left for her dad's bank.

All along the way, she was recollecting her old memories and showed her friend's houses. The excitement on her face was growing and I was happy about it.

 

On the way to Karnataka Bank, we saw Satya Sai Nigama and Venkateshwara temple, where Telugu film shootings take place.

 

We reached the bank, which was about 1.5 kms from her previous house and Singh uncle welcomed us. There she met many officers whom she knew from long time. Among them was Sundari aunty, who gifted us sweets for Diwali. She also got us introduced to the Bank manager. Her dad had worked with most of them and so recognizing his daughter wasn't a difficult task. We then went to Regional Office which was just above, and met few more.

 

We were about to leave the bank for lunch, when Singh uncle called us for lunch at bank itself, as it was organized by an auditor. Earlier, the manager also had called us for lunch. We declined it earlier, as I wanted to go to some authentic Hyderabadi restaurant, but Singh uncle insisted we have our lunch over there itself. With no option left, we had our lunch at the bank.

 

We thanked everyone and left the bank. We caught an auto to Pullareddy Sweet shop at Panjagutta, which is the most famous sweet shop in Hyderabad. Anyone who goes to Hyderabad wouldn't return with a box of Pullareddy sweets. There was a huge rush, as it was Diwali time, and we managed to get 3.5 kgs of assorted sweets after being in the queue for more than half an hour.

 

We next walked to Ameerpet shopping area and saw Chandana Brothers, Chermas and other shops. We went to Narsingh over there, which is famous for ladies dress materials, and after rounds of selection, chose a dress for her sister. We then went in search of Swagruha condiments, which was famous for its "Gongura", as told my many people in the bank. After a bit of searching thru the narrow roads, we found the place, and ordered 2 kgs of Gongura & mango pickle. Gongura is a famous side dish for food and very much used back home.

 

Carrying all these load, we boarded a bus back to CBS. We were at our hotel by around 6:30 PM, and hurriedly packed our stuffs. We checked out of our hotel at around 7:30 PM, and packed curd rice for dinner. We took a rick to Kacheguda station and we were at the station by 8 for our 8:45 train. The train came on time and we left for Bangalore. The next day morning, we arrived at Yeshwantpur by 10:30 AM and took a rick back home.

 

This trip had been very amazing and a good one. In 2 months, we had covered capitals of 2 states in the south. Still there are lots of places to be covered in our wishlist, and hopefully we would be covering it.. sooner or later...

Day 3 - Hyderabad local sightseeing

Tuesday morning, again we woke up early and left the hotel by 7:30 AM to APTDC office on Tank Bund road by a rick. We reached the office by 7:45 and surprised to see not many people waiting. We had breakfast at the same Haritha restaurant adjacent to it and again waited for more than half an hour. The bus finally arrived and we sat, and still waited for half an hour before finally leaving at around 9.

The guide mentioned about the day's tourist places to be covered. First was the Birla Mandir, then Charminar, Salarjung Museum, Nizam Jubilee Pavilion, Chowmahalla Palace, Zoo, then break for lunch and continue to Golconda Fort, Qutub Shahi tombs, shopping for pearls and then finally drop at Lumbini Park. The trip looked quite exciting.

The first spot we covered was Birla Mandir. On the way, we saw the Secretariat and head quarters of Andhra Bank. He stopped us at some main road and asked us to go thru a narrow lane upwards for Birla Mandir, giving us 45 mins time. Cameras were not allowed inside the temple. Birla temple was fully built of marble and is situated at some height. The presiding diety over there was Balaji, which was considerably tall. There were few small temples of Ganesh & Hanuman around. From the top, we could see the Hussain Sagar lake, but it was dull due to weather.

The bus arrived at 10 and next we proceeded towards Charminar. It’s a very famous landmark of Hyderabad situated at the heart of old city. The guide told that there wouldn't be a halt over Charminar, and the bus would just circle it due to the heavy rush there. As we entered the old city, heaps of garbage greeted us. It was an ugly sight to look at, wonder how people stay there!

Charminar was built by Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the ruler of Qutub Shahi dynasty after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to Hyderabad. He built this famous structure to commemorate the elimination of a plague epidemic from this city. He is said to have prayed for the end of a plague that was ravaging his city and vowed to build a mosque at the very place where he was praying.

After encircling Charminar, we next proceeded towards Salarjung museum. Near the museum, the guide made us wait for 15 minutes when he came back with the tickets. He already mentioned that he would take us only around the important 3 galleries and later one could come at his own time to have a full look of it.

The Salarjung Museum is the third largest museum in India housing the biggest one-man collections of antiques in the world. Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung, former Prime Minister of the Nizam of Hyderabad, spent a substantial amount of his income over thirty five years to make this priceless collection, his life's passion. The collections include Indian Art, Middle Eastern Art, Far Eastern Art, European Art, Children Art along with a Founders gallery and a rare manuscript section. The museum building in a semicircular shape with 38 galleries, spread on two floors, displays only a part of the original collections.

Near the entrance, in an open hall, one of the museum's important exhibit - a musical clock, was kept. The time was close to 11 and people had sat to see the timekeeper emerging from the upper deck of the clock to strike a gong as many times as it is the hour of the day. A goldsmith beat his sticks, which indicated the seconds. This musical clock was bought by Salar Jung from Cook and Kelvy of England and it had more than 50,000 parts. It was a visual treat at 11. But I thought, the musical clock at Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore, was far better than this in comparison.

Behind the clock, there was a gallery of sculptures, and the famous among them was that of Vieled Rebecca by G.B. Benzoni, an Italian sculptor. Her beautiful face hazily is visible through a marble but gossamer veil.

Next, the guide took us to art gallery which had paintings. In between paintings, was a captivating double-figure wood sculpture. It stands before a mirror and shows the facade of a nonchalant Mephistopheles and the image of a demure Margaretta in the mirror. A warrior on the front & a woman at the back. It was marvelous.

Next we went around galleries which had collections of antique clocks, crockery items and porcelain works. I later went to the museum shop and enquired about price of miniature double-figure model, and he told it costs Rs. 400. We finally exited the museum at around 11:45.

Next we came to Nizam's Jubilee Pavilion museum, which is about 1 km from Salarjung Museum. It is situated near Purani Haveli, a place acquired by Nizam II around 1750. The museum has a vast collection of objects including gifts and mementos presented to the last Nizam on the occasion of the silver jubilee celebrations in 1936. There are also models made in silver of all the prominent buildings of the city and citations in Urdu about H.E.H. Mir Osman Ali Khan, gold burnished wooden throne used for the silver jubilee celebrations, gold tiffin box inlaid with diamonds, gold model of Jubilee Pavilion, silver coffee cups studded with diamonds. Sadly, photography was prohibited inside.

From there, we came to Chowmahalla palace. It had a big gateway as entrance. Chow means four, and Mahal means Palace. Chow-Mahalla therefore means four palaces. It had a beautiful garden and on either sides of it were the Northern and Southern courtyards. At the far end was the Durbar hall and next to it was a Clock tower.

The oldest part of the complex currently under restoration (in Southern courtyard), comprises of the four palaces Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal and Aftab Mahal.

The northern courtyard has a long corridor of rooms.

The clock tower houses what is affectionately called the Khilwat Clock which has been ticking away ever since the palace was built.

The grand pillared Durbar Hall has a pure marble platform on which the Takht-e-Nishan or the royal seat was laid. There were spectacular chandeliers hung in this regal hall.

On the first floor, there were various porcelain crockery items used by the then Nizams.

There was a room exclusively for weapons used by them.

Also there were fire resistant almairahs brought from England.

Having seen all these, we were a bit tired. We next went to the zoo and the guide made us take a quick round around the zoo in a zoo cart. There was nothing special in the zoo - the usual tigers, lions, elephants, bear, peacock, some birds, etc. One animal which was rare was the Bengal tiger, or white tiger. It would have been better if zoo had been skipped.

We were too tired by this time and finally the guide took us to a Haritha restaurant after some 20 minute drive. This restaurant was located at Taramati Baradari which was once a caravan station for traders and travelers. A buffet was arranged and was quite sumptuous. We finally finished lunch by around 3 PM.

Post lunch, we visited the Golconda Fort. Ibrahim Qutub Shah built this fort way back in 1512 and designed a perfect acoustical system by which a hand clap sounded at the fort's main gates, the grand portico or "Fateh Darwaza”, was heard at the top of the citadel, situated on a 300-foot (91 m)-high granite hill. The acoustics were due to the diamond shaped cuttings on the top of the wall. This is one of the fascinating features of the fort.

The grand fortress is protected by three formidable lines of defense. The first, an outer fortification made up of granite blocks. The middle wall surrounds the base of the hill and the innermost one follows the contours of the highest ridge.

The Golconda Fort was famous for diamonds in its heyday, and it is said that world famous Kohinoor diamond was from this fort. There was an area called Nagina Bagh, where once merchants came from various parts and sold their diamonds.

There were army barracks and inside was a small stone of great weight, about 200 kgs. It was said that whoever wanted to join the army, in those days, had to lift this to find their capacity!

The guide gave us half an hour time to go to the highest point of the fort which was around a kilo meter - "Baradari". The steps were big enough and we halted after every few steps. Baradari is the main entrance to the fort located on the eastern side. On the way, we saw Ramdas jail and also Ibrahim mosque.

We finally reached the topmost point which had a very vast area. The winds were cool and a bird's view of Hyderabad could be seen. The Minarets of Charminar was vaguely visible. At a distance, we could also see the famous Qutub Shahi tombs. They were total 7 in all.

The magnificent fort could be seen entirely.

We descended the steps, took some rest at the basement and went to the bus. After some time, we went near the Qutub Shahi tombs. Nobody was interested in getting down and to see them, so we just proceeded back to Hyderabad.

It had begun to get dark by the time we entered Hyderabad. As this city was famous for its pearls, the guide took us to a famous pearl shop - "Bhagyalakshmi Pearls" claiming that they were the oldest family in this business. We had a look at the Hyderabadi pearls and it was good. The rate was also good ;) , so didn't purchase anything.

We finally got dropped at Lumbini park at around 7:30 PM. We purchased tickets for laser show which was about to start in few minutes at the park. For the show, we had to deposit our bags at the counter & could take only camera & mobiles. The show started at 8 PM it was very good lasting for half an hour. History of Hyderabad was shown along with other items, not to forget the telugu film industry. Music was loud and the fountains danced to it synchronously.

After the show, we came to the other side of park and boarded the last boat to the Buddha statue at Hussain Sagar lake. The statue stood tall, at one side of the lake and it shined in the lights. This statue is the prime attraction to anyone who visits Hyderabad. From the small island where this was placed, we could see the Necklace road twinkling.

After the boat ride, we came back, crossed the road and took a bus to CBS. We reached our hotel at around 9:30 PM, had authentic Hyderabadi Biryani for dinner and went off to bed.

It had been a great day, and lots of places covered. Only one day remained for us, and that was the day to recollect her good old days, her house, school, college, etc. We were beginning to think that the trip was getting over soon..

Day 2 - Ramoji

We got up early morning and without having breakfast rushed to the APTDC reservation centre at Basheerbagh in a rick. We reached the office at sharp 8 and there were a little more tourists waiting. The receptionist over there told that the fare for RFC had been increased by Rs. 100 per head, and so we had to pay extra, and the final amount per head had come to Rs 700. As we waited, we wished my Chickamma birthday wishes till the bus arrived at 8:15. The Ramoji Film City tour, or RFC tour as they called, was fully booked for that day. The driver stopped at Haritha restaurant on Tank Bund Road for breakfast. Later, we started for RFC by 9:45.

It took a little more than half an hour to reach Ramoji Film City. The weather was dull with light drizzling. The driver got off the bus, and returned with the entry tickets for all and also a sticker to be worn on the chest. He told us to come to the other side after security check and the bus would take us to the actual location of RFC.

RFC is about 5 kms down after the main entrance. A huge area. On the way, we saw Sanghi Venkateshwara temple on a cliff. As we entered RFC, the landscaping began to change. Every building looked like a model. I was wondering if I was still in India only. So clean and neatly maintained. Its located on a hill so had some ups and downs. On the way, we saw Sitara Hotel, where film stars halt while shooting and a couple of other buildings.

The driver stopped us near to a place called 'Eureka' at 11 and asked us to go on round of RFC by our self and be back near the bus by 5 PM. The first look of Eureka made us spellbound.

We first went into Eureka, where there were some areas like Meena Bazar, fun rides, Wild West, Alampana restaurant, etc. As per the film required, these simply can be turned to whatever to be. Pictures tell it all...

The settings were all colorful. For songs, just had to change the background. Only the front part of houses were seen, and backside was empty. :) Wonder how many people have actually travelled abroad ;)

There were models of Laurel and Hardy, a petrol bunk, a tired director, and many others.

A replica of Hollywood made me feel I was actually there!

Besides it, was Ramoji tower, a multi storied building (actually?). The guides over there were shouting that Earthquake show was about to start and so we entered the tower. Inside, while waiting for the show, Ramoji, the founder of RFC was giving fundas on a huge LCD TV. The show began after a while and it was an illusion show where we had been taken 37 floors up the tower and made to watch how RFC would have been had an earthquake struck. It was a really nice show. As we came out, we passed thru the dismantled portions of the buildings (!).

Adjacent to it was a Movie Magic toy train which travelled quite a distance. All thru the ride, different people were welcoming us. There were miniature models of Taj Mahal, London Bridge, Statue of Liberty and Eiffel Tower. There was also an Indian Mt. Rushmore having Bolly & Kolly - wood actors.

Next, another guide was shouting about the Movie Magic show. We entered that too. Here, someone from the crowd was picked and was asked to enact Basanti of Sholay fame. The catch was, she only rode the cart and another person did the movement of the cart while the camera captured. Later, in a next room, a couple of guys produced the horse running sounds with winds using the instruments kept. The final version was a mix of both, resulting in a audio-visual movie :) Now I know, how could Basanti have sped so fast in her tonga ;)

After the movie magic show, we came to the entrance of the Movie Magic area where a tall tower stood.

Having seen all these, our tummy began to beat. There was a Spirit of Ramoji show being held at Eureka at 12:45 but we decided not to attend it. Instead, we went in search of a restaurant where good food was available at reasonable price. After some R&D, we finally went to Dil Se restaurant at around 12:45 PM. A buffet lunch was organized for Rs. 120 per person & we tasted all the items & loaded ourselves. It was yummy!

After having lunch, we came near the bus bay. The bus itself was funny to look at.

The bus took us around the RFC campus. There were the Mughal Gardens (outer) & Brindavan Gardens (inner), a fountain block, Fatehpur Sikri, Taj Mahal, house where Chandramukhi was shot, a God-less temple, rows of houses, a police station, a central jail, Delhi airport, a dhaba, & many more illusion buildings basically for film shootings.

Warangal railway station with Mumbai on the Station name, with trains arriving from all cities of India, a railway platform & stalls, a train & an engine on rubber wheels made us feel like being in a railway station itself. It seems, Jab We Met & some other films were shot here itself.

There were multistoried buildings looking like a box, where films like Robot were shot. Also there were buildings only with pillars where fire sequence could be shot.

There was an entire area dedicated to shoot foreign locations. Houses as in London and Swiss banks were modelled.

And a European styled Jug fountain..

RFC also housed the head quarters for E-TV & other sister channels. The broadcast of Kannada news happens from here itself. These buildings were real for sure :)

No two streets had the same lampshades!

We then came to Hawa Mahal, from where the whole of RFC could be seen. It had a splendid look.

There were idols of dancing ladies too..

And a sanctuary park..

Next, we went to 'Sayonara' Japanese garden.. Yo..! we visited Japan too!!

Next by bus, we came to candle garden..

From there, we came to Ajanta-Ellora caves, known as 'Kripalu' caves. A sleeping Buddha was carved there..

Next, we saw the Sun garden. It was beautiful.

Finally we came back near Eureka & went to Fundustan. It was a little gaming area for kids. We also saw the Train restaurant there.

And a ship..

Next, we went to Borasura, a magic box.

Finally we came back to the main entrance & took a ride on Ranger.. Goddamn crazy it was..! Rotating a full circle. A wonderful experience for both of us, especially for her as it was first time sitting in such a ride. Too thrilling!

By this time, it was already 4:45 PM. We quickly had a cup of tea and came back to the bus. We started back for Hyderabad by around 5:15 PM. On the way, we called Singh Uncle to check if he was at home. He said his house was on the way back and asked us to get down at Kothapet and take a rick to Saroor Nagar. He said he would be back in half an hour from office. We did so, and reached his place by 6:45 PM. Only aunt & his daughter were there at that time. After casually chatting, uncle finally turned up at 8 PM. We said, it was already late and had to get back to lodge. But he insisted us to stay for some time, and he would take us to Ashtalakshmi temple nearby. We went in 2 bikes to the temple. Riding bike on Hyderabad roads made me more confidence that I could ride in any of the road!

Ashtalakshmi temple was one among famous temples in Hyderabad located in Ramakrishnapuram. Its fully made of marble. In the entrance was a small Ganesha temple & after that was the Ashtalakshmi temple. The presiding deity here was Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara, and surrounding it, in a shape of an Octagon were the 8 Lakshmi Avatars.

 

Having seen this, we came back to his house and we began to leave when uncle again insisted we have dinner at his place. We had no option, as he wasn't letting us go. We finally had dinner, and took leave of them. Again on bike, we followed uncle & his son, and they dropped us at the lodge by around 10:30 PM. We were totally exhausted by then and just went to bed. The next day, we had to be ready by 7:30 AM for local sightseeing tour.

Overall, the day was superb, and the memories of RFC will stay for long. No wonder, it has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest film studio on earth. Hats off to Ramoji ! Its worth every Rupee ! :)