Tushar Mangl's Blog, page 27
April 3, 2017
B as in Blogger #AtoZchallenge
Blogger has been an integral part of my blogging life. It pioneered the blogging revolution along with Typepad and Wordpress.As with many great tech evolutions, Google bought blogger with an aim to garner more users and more business, especially for Adwords. Google Adwords literally grew up with Blogger.
So what's the future ahead for this service which started almost 17 years ago? (It began operations in 1999)
What should ideally have been its biggest rising point, in fact, turned out to be a disadvantage for blogger. After its acquisition by tech major Google, its popularity dwindled much like what happened with Orkut. Wordpress which was already gaining ground in 2003 is now the much-preferred choice of bloggers.
Many say that it is because Wordpress chose to be independent whereas Google was perceived to be controlling, this happened. I personally have never found any problem with blogspot and have been blogging here since 2006. I was tempted to move to Wordpress but truth be told, I just love blogger. I have had many team blogs here and enjoyed most of its features.
This has become like a home for me, where I am always welcome, where so many of my friends hang out and where I discover such rich and soulful content.
So what's the future ahead for this service which started almost 17 years ago? (It began operations in 1999)
What should ideally have been its biggest rising point, in fact, turned out to be a disadvantage for blogger. After its acquisition by tech major Google, its popularity dwindled much like what happened with Orkut. Wordpress which was already gaining ground in 2003 is now the much-preferred choice of bloggers.
Many say that it is because Wordpress chose to be independent whereas Google was perceived to be controlling, this happened. I personally have never found any problem with blogspot and have been blogging here since 2006. I was tempted to move to Wordpress but truth be told, I just love blogger. I have had many team blogs here and enjoyed most of its features.
This has become like a home for me, where I am always welcome, where so many of my friends hang out and where I discover such rich and soulful content.
The Junction - Hauz Khaz /Green Park, New Delhi
I was recently invited for a meet and greet program at this new place The Junction, which is owned and operated by Mr. Umang Tewari. The USP of the place is location.The location is absolutely brilliant. Bang on the main Aurobindo Marg, near the Metro Station and in the heart of the Green Park and Hauz Khaz hubs.
You enter this place, and the first thing you think is 'how beautiful.' The 20,000 sq. ft. the area has been wonderfully done up with modern art and snappy colors. You hardly get to see so much outdoor space in Delhi food hotspots. They have divided the whole place in several short eateries like the bakery (The Big Baker), the Pizzeria, Sushi Place, The Bar, Potet etc. The story is all good until you get to the service. It does not lack in courtesy but speed. The food is good but then looking at such lush ambiance your expectations automatically go up. What I had was mostly Indian and it was good especially the chutney fish. Go for nice relaxed evenings with friends and families. Would definitely recommend the dim sum. And the mocktails. I tried a few and all were superb! Sharing some pictures.
Oh! how can I forget the lovely people I met. Food bloggers and reviewers active on various social media. Good food becomes so much better when you have the company which loves food as much as you do.
[image error]
You enter this place, and the first thing you think is 'how beautiful.' The 20,000 sq. ft. the area has been wonderfully done up with modern art and snappy colors. You hardly get to see so much outdoor space in Delhi food hotspots. They have divided the whole place in several short eateries like the bakery (The Big Baker), the Pizzeria, Sushi Place, The Bar, Potet etc. The story is all good until you get to the service. It does not lack in courtesy but speed. The food is good but then looking at such lush ambiance your expectations automatically go up. What I had was mostly Indian and it was good especially the chutney fish. Go for nice relaxed evenings with friends and families. Would definitely recommend the dim sum. And the mocktails. I tried a few and all were superb! Sharing some pictures.
Oh! how can I forget the lovely people I met. Food bloggers and reviewers active on various social media. Good food becomes so much better when you have the company which loves food as much as you do.
[image error]
March 31, 2017
A Challenge I always wanted to undertake #AtoZChallenge
A to Z Challenge is one challenge I always wanted to do. One has to write 26 blogs in April, each one beginning with a letter of the English Alphabet. I was thinking what is that one thing that starts with A or is themed around it, which is significant enough to write on it. Then I realized oh. I got to write about the A to Z Challenge.
A to Z is like 17 years old challenge. Yups, right. It is so old. For bloggers, it is like a ritual they must perform once in their blogging life. I have been putting it off for 5-6 years I guess.Many bloggers complain about the lack of time or energy. Hence unable to do this. Others feel that it restricts their imagination as they are bound by a set of rules.
Here is my take on this -
If you are a blogger and love blogging, you got to do this.You will connect with the global brethren of fellow bloggers who are also undertaking the same challenge.Trust me, its always fun to write as a group rather than doing it all alone.You are not writing on Sundays. Which is rest enough from all that writing.About procrastination
That is true. Lazyness creeps unto us more than we want it to. Create a writing plan. Set reminders on phone. As you friends and fellow bloggers to bug you to write.You are imaginative and you can do this easy peasy. Remind this to yourself quite often.Read a lot about what others are posting for this challenge. It will give you inspiration to write.
This is going to be a fun activity. I am ready for this challenge (so I think), are you?
A to Z is like 17 years old challenge. Yups, right. It is so old. For bloggers, it is like a ritual they must perform once in their blogging life. I have been putting it off for 5-6 years I guess.Many bloggers complain about the lack of time or energy. Hence unable to do this. Others feel that it restricts their imagination as they are bound by a set of rules.
Here is my take on this -
If you are a blogger and love blogging, you got to do this.You will connect with the global brethren of fellow bloggers who are also undertaking the same challenge.Trust me, its always fun to write as a group rather than doing it all alone.You are not writing on Sundays. Which is rest enough from all that writing.About procrastination
That is true. Lazyness creeps unto us more than we want it to. Create a writing plan. Set reminders on phone. As you friends and fellow bloggers to bug you to write.You are imaginative and you can do this easy peasy. Remind this to yourself quite often.Read a lot about what others are posting for this challenge. It will give you inspiration to write.
This is going to be a fun activity. I am ready for this challenge (so I think), are you?
March 30, 2017
How Delhi Lifestyle Exhibitions help you find the most exclusive designer stuff in the city
Ever wondered where to find the most exclusive and yet affordable designer stuff in the city?
The answer is "Fashion & Lifestyle Exhibitions" - They are the best platforms to showcase and buy an exclusive collection of products such as garments, accessories, art, beauty and much more - all at an affordable price. They curate the best of the brands and offer discount coupons or vouchers to make shopping light on your budget.
Being the Fashion capital of the country, Delhi NCR hosts over 500+ Fashion & Lifestyle Exhibitions along with trunk shows every year.
How to find about these shows?
Via "Delhi Lifestyle Exhibitions" - a leading information group that provides regular shopping regular and discount vouchers for various Fashion & Lifestyle shows of Delhi/NCR. Join "Delhi Lifestyle Exhibitions" Facebook group and you can also follow it on Instagram to stay updated.
Here is their upcoming event calendar -
March 31st My Best Friend & Me Hyatt Regency, Bikaji Cama Place April 1st & 2nd India Wedding Fair Leela Ambience, Surajmal Vihar April 1st Fashion Doze Crowne Plaza, Rohini, North Delhi April 1st London Market Oberoi Maidens, Civil Lines April 1st, 2nd, 3rd Vivaha Ashoka Hotel, Chanakyapuri April 3rd & 4th Adaah Essex Farms, South Delhi April 5th Eventique Hyatt Regency, Bikaji Cama Place April 6th Aheli Crowne Plaza, Rohini, North Delhi April 6th London Market Eros Hotel, Nehru Place
As it is always said, Shopping never ends, it is merely suspended !
March 27, 2017
With Yogi Adityanath at helm, a change of perception in U.P. Governance
Much has been written about Yogi Aditya Nath's rise to the top post as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, many loving the Prime Minister's choice and several criticizing the same. Time will, of course, tell how good the new C.M. does and how good does his PR machinery works. But a change of perception in Uttar Pradesh government is already visible.
Take the example of Romeo Squads. We all have heard so many politicians and learned wise people telling us how girls should behave and how they are often cause of eve teasing among other stuff. The C.M. has brought in a fresh change to this discourse. With Romeo Squad, no one is talking about what the Juliet is doing. What is she wearing? How is she behaving? The focus is squarely on the Romeos. The implementation may have gone over zealous but it is high time the society accepts that reigning rowdy elements is better than keeping your daughters confined.
Also changing is the perception of eating beef. Fine, people are unhappy that illegal slaughter houses are being shut down. But an image has been built that it is a religious issue. It is high time, the society and populace of Uttar Pradesh accept that the probability of availability of very low quality and unhygienic meat at illegal slaughterhouses is extremely high. If your favorite kebab wala can't procure meat from a proper slaughterhouse, it is good that you are not eating it.
A pro-Hinduism effort is looking positive as well. Off late, all over India and especially Uttar Pradesh has become an uncomfortable zones for Hindus. You can be an orthodox Muslim and be rewarded for it. but God forbids you are a devout Hindu and the Media would devour you up. We are being treated badly even though Hindus form a large component of India's population. Yogi Aditya Nath is changing that outlook and here is hoping that he changes a lot more, albeit with a positive vibe.
Take the example of Romeo Squads. We all have heard so many politicians and learned wise people telling us how girls should behave and how they are often cause of eve teasing among other stuff. The C.M. has brought in a fresh change to this discourse. With Romeo Squad, no one is talking about what the Juliet is doing. What is she wearing? How is she behaving? The focus is squarely on the Romeos. The implementation may have gone over zealous but it is high time the society accepts that reigning rowdy elements is better than keeping your daughters confined.
Also changing is the perception of eating beef. Fine, people are unhappy that illegal slaughter houses are being shut down. But an image has been built that it is a religious issue. It is high time, the society and populace of Uttar Pradesh accept that the probability of availability of very low quality and unhygienic meat at illegal slaughterhouses is extremely high. If your favorite kebab wala can't procure meat from a proper slaughterhouse, it is good that you are not eating it.
A pro-Hinduism effort is looking positive as well. Off late, all over India and especially Uttar Pradesh has become an uncomfortable zones for Hindus. You can be an orthodox Muslim and be rewarded for it. but God forbids you are a devout Hindu and the Media would devour you up. We are being treated badly even though Hindus form a large component of India's population. Yogi Aditya Nath is changing that outlook and here is hoping that he changes a lot more, albeit with a positive vibe.
March 24, 2017
India on My Plate - Gurgaon
March 21, 2017
Hashimpura - Vibhuti Narain Rai
The Indian state, even after seventy years of Independence has miserably failed in providing a secure and just society to its citizens.
Vibhuti Narain Rai's chilling recount of India's biggest custodial killing wherein forty two Muslims were butchered down by policemen because of their religion is a stark reminder of this fact. Even more so, the fact that the incident happened just next to the country's capital is a huge shame for our nation. When the media got the whiff of the incident, it did what it does the best. It was 1987 and the media as subservient to a particular political party as it is today. It brushed under the carpet a henious crime.
On the night of 22 May, 1987 near the Delhi Ghaziabad border, members of the powerful Provincial Armed Constabulary rounded up some forty plus Muslims, put them in a van and took them to a canal to shoot them and throw them in the running waters. Its thirty years almost to the incident and we have not provided justice to those families or even an answer to their mothers and fathers why thier sons were so blatantly killed. What were those compelling circumstances that the entire Indian system, including the media and the judiciary failed to bring perpetuators to book. Indeed, the matter has been allowed to die a slow death, akin to the genocide of 1984.
This book is a must read for the author was the S.P. of the area where this happened. He was also one of the first people to reach the crime scene. Being a policeman himself, even though he was not directly involved in the investigation, he saw it all, he had all the accesses and knowledge of what was happening.
Hashimpura is a reminder of what all is wrong with our society and most of it is our mindset.
Vibhuti Narain Rai's chilling recount of India's biggest custodial killing wherein forty two Muslims were butchered down by policemen because of their religion is a stark reminder of this fact. Even more so, the fact that the incident happened just next to the country's capital is a huge shame for our nation. When the media got the whiff of the incident, it did what it does the best. It was 1987 and the media as subservient to a particular political party as it is today. It brushed under the carpet a henious crime.
On the night of 22 May, 1987 near the Delhi Ghaziabad border, members of the powerful Provincial Armed Constabulary rounded up some forty plus Muslims, put them in a van and took them to a canal to shoot them and throw them in the running waters. Its thirty years almost to the incident and we have not provided justice to those families or even an answer to their mothers and fathers why thier sons were so blatantly killed. What were those compelling circumstances that the entire Indian system, including the media and the judiciary failed to bring perpetuators to book. Indeed, the matter has been allowed to die a slow death, akin to the genocide of 1984.
This book is a must read for the author was the S.P. of the area where this happened. He was also one of the first people to reach the crime scene. Being a policeman himself, even though he was not directly involved in the investigation, he saw it all, he had all the accesses and knowledge of what was happening.
Hashimpura is a reminder of what all is wrong with our society and most of it is our mindset.
March 20, 2017
We are saving the banks with our money to fund the lavish expenses of the rich
Banks are looting us to appease the high and mighty. The divide between rich and poor is increasing because banks in India are looting the poor and middle class to fund lavish dreams of the rich and influential people.
Read and Sign this petition now, to voice this blatant exploitation of bank consumers.
Read and Sign this petition now, to voice this blatant exploitation of bank consumers.
March 13, 2017
Ghungroo - The Sounds of Yore - Delhi's first Dinner + Theatre experience
Ghungroo - The Sounds of Yore is a captivating experience of theater which is followed by concept dining.
Attention has been paid to every detail. I had the opportunity to visit the green rooms before the performance began to talk to the performers. But a signal snafu at Delhi Metro delayed me. I reached the venue just in time, to be met by the gracious people of the group.
The dinner post the performance is delicious and splendid. I
About the organizers - Rudra XPRudra XP specialized in soul enriching experiences, group tours, travel and other customized journeys. It is a small team of passionate people who just love their work. In all my interactions with them, I found them extremely involved with their work and totally crazed up with the idea of creating something special.
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Ghungroo & Angaare are hosted at the Parsi Anjuman which is near the Delhi Gate.
To reach - If riding Delhi Metro to the venue, disembark from ITO station and exit from gate no. 3. Its 6-10 minutes walking from the station, next to Maulana Azad College.
By Road - Its on the Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, just opposite the Petrol Pump
_________________________________________________Interested in getting your place reviewed here? Drop in a mail at Orangy.In@Gmail.Com
March 12, 2017
Elections 2017 - BJP wins the votes but loses its identity
For the ruling party in Delhi, the elections in five states were crucial. True, in assembly and state elections, national considerations take second seat but still, the elections mirrored the national mood.
For the Indian National Congress, the results have given it a rude shock. With the absence of its ailing President, the party could not put up a strong show and its campaign was wanting of any imagination or astuteness. Still it came close to power in Goa and Manipur and wrested back Punjab which all in all is not bad for it.
For the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party, the writing now is clearly on the wall. The party has now left devoid of any ideology, cadre or thought. Its win is purely pinned on the charismatic Prime Minister who is now 'the party'. Even in places where the BJP lost, it was mainly because the PM didn't try enough. Like in Punjab where the election was as usual outsourced to the regional partner.
Indeed, the results show a clear trend that the BJP is a totally leaderless and faceless party with just one name to lead it. Their is no second line of command to speak of. Or even third or fourth for that matter. Take the case of Punjab. The one party one post rule was thrown out of the window for a sitting cabinet minister who was also made the chief of the party state unit. Still, the party could only win 3 seats. The media won't tell you that the high profile, Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, where the current Union Finance Minister had badly lost last time, the BJP did not even put up a decent fight. It's base has now almost eroded from Amritsar and other regions of Punjab.
In all other states where the BJP has won, the trend is common. On the state level it does not have any popular or credible face. In Goa, the sitting chief minister and several of his ministers couldn't even save their own seats.
The party has now been reduced to a cult of one personality. Instead of celebrating its victory it should introspect on its loss. So as to rise as a nation's favorite party and not its favorite cult or sect.
For the Indian National Congress, the results have given it a rude shock. With the absence of its ailing President, the party could not put up a strong show and its campaign was wanting of any imagination or astuteness. Still it came close to power in Goa and Manipur and wrested back Punjab which all in all is not bad for it.
For the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party, the writing now is clearly on the wall. The party has now left devoid of any ideology, cadre or thought. Its win is purely pinned on the charismatic Prime Minister who is now 'the party'. Even in places where the BJP lost, it was mainly because the PM didn't try enough. Like in Punjab where the election was as usual outsourced to the regional partner.
Indeed, the results show a clear trend that the BJP is a totally leaderless and faceless party with just one name to lead it. Their is no second line of command to speak of. Or even third or fourth for that matter. Take the case of Punjab. The one party one post rule was thrown out of the window for a sitting cabinet minister who was also made the chief of the party state unit. Still, the party could only win 3 seats. The media won't tell you that the high profile, Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, where the current Union Finance Minister had badly lost last time, the BJP did not even put up a decent fight. It's base has now almost eroded from Amritsar and other regions of Punjab.
In all other states where the BJP has won, the trend is common. On the state level it does not have any popular or credible face. In Goa, the sitting chief minister and several of his ministers couldn't even save their own seats.
The party has now been reduced to a cult of one personality. Instead of celebrating its victory it should introspect on its loss. So as to rise as a nation's favorite party and not its favorite cult or sect.
