Destination Infinity's Blog, page 11
March 1, 2021
Home Baking Products & Ingredients in Chennai: Baker’s 360 Degree
Baker’s 360 Degree is a shop exclusively selling products & ingredients for home bakers in Chennai. This shop is located in Mogappair West, near the Mogappair West Bus Depot and EB Office. (Google Maps location link)
Here is a video we made showing a glimpse of the home baking products available here –We went to the shop on the day of its inauguration as we were surprised to find a shop exclusively catering to home baking requirements. We spoke to the management and were once again surprised to find that they are the same team that managed Shopping Singapore, a popular department store in Mogappair East.
They mentioned to us that ingredients for home baking were either available only in bulk or are quite expensive when bought at supermarkets. They said they are trying to encourage this segment by bringing affordable retail packages for home baking ingredients.
Here are the categories of products available with them as per their brochure – Baking tools & equipment, Baking raw materials, Essence, Dry fruits, Nuts, Squashes, Confectioneries, Herbs, Sauces, Party decoration items, etc.
So if you are a home baker in Chennai, you now have an exclusive shop where you can not only buy but also get new ideas for innovative baking products that you can make right in your house!
Destination Infinity
February 24, 2021
Senganthal Poonga: A Nice Park/Garden in Chennai
Senganthal Poonga is the latest addition to the Chennai greenscape by the State Horticulture Department. It is similar to Semmozhi Poonga, and is even situated quite near @ Gopalapuram (Next to DAV Girls School) in Chennai. (Google Maps location)
We went to Sengandhal Poonga the last weekend and very much liked what we saw although work is still in progress.
Firstly, it’s very green with a lot of plants and trees. Secondly, the decorations – especially near the entrance – has been done really well. See the embedded video on this page to get a glimpse of the same.
There is a children’s play area, gym for the elderly, and even a rainwater harvesting pond! Restrooms are available, but a nursery (selling saplings) and a canteen will be coming up shortly – as mentioned to us by the management there.
There is an entrance ticket for each person and currently the park functions only from 9 AM to 5 PM on all days – including Sundays. There is ample parking facility for both cars and bikes. For the current ticket fares, see the video.
The camera is charged separately. It seems people can even approach the management for movie/film shoots and pre-wedding shoots. But there are separate charges for these activities.
It’s good to see the state putting up green facilities in the heart of the city. Very much needed.
Destination Infinity
Large 80-Feet Painting/ Mural of Gandhi at Chennai Railway Station
The Chennai Suburban Railway Station, the large building next to the MGR Chennai Central station has a new tourist attraction – A large 80-feet mural/wall-painting of Mahatma Gandhi!
When you come out of the MGR Central Railway Station through the side-gate where cabs/autos wait to pick you up, you can see this painting on the side of the large building in front of you.
Actually, this painting starts from the 5th or 6th floor, so you’ll have to look up to find it. Since this is outside the building, you can also see it from the last few platforms (10-12).
Destination Infinity
Chennai Book Fair 2021 (Exhibition Details)
The annual Chennai Book Fair 2021 is being organized by BAPASI this year too and I went there on the opening day to have a peek at the facilities and arrangements.
Dates: Feb. 24 to Mar. 9
Timing: 11 AM to 8 PM.
Location: YMCA College of Physical Education, Nandanam, Anna Salai (Google Maps Link)
Ticket Cost: Rs. 10 per head (Online ticket booking link)
Entry to the book fair is free of cost on the opening day, and for school students on all days (who bring a valid school ID card).
Stalls List, Publisher Names at the Venue: Click here. For viewing the Layout, click here.
Parking: Available for Bikes (Rs. 15) and Cars.
Food Stalls: Available.
Restrooms: Available.
This year, wearing a mask has been made compulsory for all visitors and exhibitors. COVID-19 protocols like hand-sanitizer, temperature checks, etc. are in place.
I saw volunteers near the entrance having a bunch of masks. So even if you go there without one, maybe you can request them to give or sell masks to you. Kindly make sure to follow social distancing norms.
Like every year, this year too they are organizing informative programmes and contests. For details about these events, visit BAPASI home page.
Here is a Highlights Video from the Chennai Book Fair 2021 with photos and videos from my visit yesterday –See the above video for more details and information about this year’s chennai book fair 2021 exhibition. Do visit when possible and take advantage of the huge collection of books and the minimum 10% discount on all books.
Destination Infinity
February 17, 2021
Interesting Indian God Statue(s) Photos (Chennai-Bangalore Highway)
When we were traveling from Vellore towards Kanchipuram on the Chennai-Bangalore highway recently, we found a Temple/Math on the main road (left side) which had a few interesting Indian God Statues installed outside.
Not wanting to waste a good opportunity to take photos, we immediately stopped and clicked the photos of those colourful Indian Gods. You can see those photos in the above-embedded video. Hope you like it 
Destination Infinity
February 8, 2021
I Love Avadi – Selfie Point in Chennai
‘I Love Avadi‘ is a typographic sculpture, like Namma Chennai which doubles up as a nice selfie point in Chennai. It’s located in front of Avadi Corporation Office (Google Maps link) and near Ponnu Super Bazaar in Avadi.
It seems this typographic installation in Chennai is coming up at a cost of 20 Lakhs (along with other amenities that are expected to be added here). This one was opened before the popular Namma Chennai at Marina beach. I Love Avadi selfie point was inaugurated by Minister Mafoi K Pandiarajan. You can see the selfie he took in front of this sculpture from this twitter post.
Since we are located nearby, and we are selfie-crazy people, we went to the spot as soon as we got to know about it. This is located on a platform that is surrounded by railings. Fortunately, this enclosure was open when we went, so we were able to go near the installation and take a few photos.
I made a small video using the photos I took there. It’s embedded above.
I Love Avadi Selfie Point Photo:
Destination Infinity
There is an Opportunity in Every Crisis. Find it.
No one is immune to crisis. Everyone experiences crisis situations from time-to-time. How one reacts to a crisis situation makes all the difference.
It’s normal to get bogged down initially during a crisis. However, when you sleep over it and give yourself some time to heal, you’ll often be able to look at the situation in a new light.
If you see through the situation carefully, you’ll realize that there is an opportunity in every crisis. Realizing this is very important as the right attitude will enable you to see clearly and react in a way that you never thought was possible.
For example, Ray Kroc was 52-years old when he discovered the first and only McDonalds restaurant that had raving fans around the locale it was operating from.
He had been into various businesses by then, but nothing surpassed his expectations. Age was an issue, but he did not think of it as a problem. He knew that with his experience and dedication, he could take McDonalds to all over the US, and all over the world.
He did.
In the free 7-Day crisis management mini-course by Sage Flow, you’ll find two more examples of people who began their businesses very late, and in challenging situations, but still managed to create successful brands.
One Change you need to make During a Crisis
That’s the only mental change you need to make during a crisis. Success will follow.
When a crisis hits us, it’s natural to think about our situations, our problems, our potential losses, and everything else connected with us.
However, that’s not the way to overcome a crisis and succeed.
People win only when they start thinking about the needs of others. That is the basis of most successful businesses.
This is important even and especially during a crisis. Imagine how many more people might also be in a crisis situation like you. Why not stop thinking selfishly and start thinking how you can help all these people to get out of their crisis, and consequently lift yourself out of the crisis, too?
There is an opportunity in every crisis. People only need more help during difficulties, and it’s your opportunity to solve their problems and give them what they need.
If you need the right motivation to come out of your crisis, have a look at this Dancing Through Crisis course by Sage Flow.
February 3, 2021
MESSENGERS OF ALMIGHTY, GOD @ Parvathamalai (Near Tiruvannamalai)
This is a guest post by a reader, T.K.Madhumoorti.
Messengers of Almighty, GodHow mystic is this statement? Human Saints (Both Asli and Naqli) both call themselves messengers. Animals don’t. But I have seen such human logic-defying acts of animals conveying beyond doubt that they are the true messengers.
I am a Tax/Audit consultant extending various business related services to companies / individuals for the last 17 years. As part of my profession I keep going on tour to various places.
Though my primary concentration is work I also list out the temples in the place where I am visiting to quench my spiritual taste and get current to charge myself. One such visit was to a place near Tiruvannamalai called Parvathamalai.
It was a Full moon day. Five of us set out to the Hill with a temple for Mallikarjuna Swamy on top with a steep climb up the 4500 odd feet with no designated pathway.
There were thick clouds and the moonlight was obscure. We started around 10 pm through the dark and dense forest with our torchlight as the guide.
Occasionally we could see arrow marks drawn by the devotees on the rocks showing us the way. We reached a point and decided to relax for a while where, accidentally, my torch feel and broke. Hence, our one source of light was also gone. We put the burden on Lord Shiva and kept moving.
After walking for a while we could see two sparkling eyes moving towards us. We got a chill through the spine and stopped totally terrified and not knowing what to do. We just prayed and stood.
A few minutes and we found it was a BAIRAVA (Dog) moving towards us with a wagging tail. It was waiting to receive us and show us the way up the hill.
GOD’s MESSENGER INDEED.
As it walked before us it (Sorry HE and not it) kept looking back to ensure that we are walking behind. When we stop he also stopped. Thus with the help of the Messenger of God we reached the hilltop safely and with a lot of thrill and shrill involved in the climb.
We reached the temple around 3 am. Did all the pooja and rituals ourselves as that is the system in this temple. We relaxed for a while and then returned back like a rolling stone within just 3 hours.
I can proudly say that I am good in my profession extending my best services to my clients as I am in judging the true messenger of God.
About the Author: T.K.Madhumoorti is Tax/Audit consultant providing business-related services like Company and firm registrations, GST Registration, IT and GST filing, eTDS filing, Accounting and Book Keeping services, etc. You can reach him via email: amtruth08@yahoo.in.
Namma Chennai Selfie Point at Marina Beach
A ‘Namma Chennai‘ typographic sculpture based Selfie Point has been opened at Marina Beach, on the beach road opp. Queen Mary’s college in Chennai recently. Here is the link to the location on Google Maps.
Being photo crazy people, we went there within the first week of its opening. We didn’t take a selfie as there were always too many people around it, and we were wearing a mask. We did manage to take a photo of the place.
I made a small 10-sec video with different effects applied on this photo along with some music which you can see on this page(embedded above). You can find the photo we took at the Namma Chennai Selfie Point, below.
This sculpture has come up at a cost of 24 Lakhs. But cities like Coimbatore, Hyderabad, and even our own Avadi Municipal corporation have already installed such typographic selfie points, it seems!
If you remember, I already wrote a post on Chennai Corporation’s similar initiative to beautify Kannagi Nagar with large wall-paintings. I think these are good activities – we need more such in our city.
Namma Chennai Selfie Point –
Destination Infinity
