Category: Uncategorized

Kerala Meals Kitchen in Indira Nagar Bangalore

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Entrance of Salt Mango Tree

Outside Counter for Tea

I, Me and My Tea

Menu Board

Plant by the Path

Zoom in to see two Crows Perched on the Wire

Through the name of this shop seems a bit too cony, it’s good to see a Kerala Kitchen restaurant in the upscale part of Indiranagar in B’lore. If my memory goes, this restaurant has been here for the last two Onam – serving sadya to other Kerala dishes to its patrons.

Chai and Kadi at Salt Mango Tree
Tea here is fifteen bucks, which is an okay price. But, the tea served is just warn, not the sizzling hot, which is best on a chilly moody day.

I love the militaristic design and usage of space. The walls are speckled with black and white photographs of popular Malayalee personalities. Initially, when this restaurant opened, it took some time to attract customers, however now I see many people during lunch and dinner time.

Salt Mango Tree
Address:
971, 5th Cross, 12th Main, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru
Ph#  +919886037105

Best Wishes to the Team!

Keep dolling out tasty Kerala dishes and keep bettering!

Muralya Milk – Market Buzz

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Invitation to Franchisee

Another post on Muralya Milk brand. It’s about the trending buzz of Muralya brand of Milk in different forums. I saw this post on Where in Trivandrum, a Facebook group for citizens in Trivandrum. A person has posted about home delivery option available for those who stay in apartments.

Home delivery facility is a convenience given to customers staying at high-rise buildings. Have you come such post from MILMA?

The essence of this post is all about the way a brand is spreading to new areas, acquiring new customers and spreading the buzz of a newly launched brand.

—- Story update!

I was at a funeral and I overhead this conversation between two persons. From the talk I could make out that one person is working with MILMA.

Conversation in Malayalam roughly translated like this –
Looks like MILMA is in trouble!
what trouble!
Brands like Muralaya..what do you say.
Oh, our milk quality is superior
Also, it was started by someone who left from MILMA
Oh…

Ruckus – Posts on Ruckus by Seth Godin

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There are many ideas, points which Seth Godin keep trumping in his blog. And one of the word that I like is Ruckus. I have understood as to create something new, groundbreaking, novel, pushing the boundaries, or trying to find a solution, shortcut, standing up, leading, making the change, questioning, etc.

So, when I searched the words ruckus on his blog, here are the few blogs that came up on search.

Sharing it here so that you can read it on the go.

Ruckusmaker day 

On making a ruckus in your industry

Today is the best day

The top 5%

False limits

“Summer’s almost over”

A hierarchy of organizational needs

Encyclopedia of Hartals and Bandhs in Kerala

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During every hartal or bandh in Kerala, I just have a desire – to make a list of all the hartals in Kerala. For What! Just for reference and to get some inference from it! I am not sure if anyone has collected all the hartals and make an excel sheet on the hartals, reason for hartal and who initiated it.

In a era of data mining, data intelligence this is a small request! So, without waiting for anyone, let me make one with one entry at a time.

Date                            Why is this Hartal?                                    Who Initiated it?
===========================================================
8-01-2012 Mullaperiyar Samrakshna Samiti Mullaperiyar Dam Row [
2 28-02-2012 Trade unions in India Protest against the ‘neo-liberal economic & labour policies’ pursued by the Central Government
3 05-05-2012 UDF Protest Against Murder of T. P. Chandrasekharan
4 24-05-2012 LDF & BJP Petrol Price Hike
5 02-08-2012 CPI(M) Protest Against the arrest of CPM Kannur district secretary P Jayarajan
6 15-09-2012 LDF & BJP Petrol Price Hike

Got tired copying this list from Wikipedia. I think, this is not a productive way to list things.

A good list of hartal prepared by Mani karthik https://manikarthik.com/complete-list-of-hartals-in-kerala-from-jan-july-2008/

HARTAL BILLBOARD 

Probably, each town or city should have a special electronic billboard to help public during hartal. For instance, it should show places where people can buy lunch or even donate lunch packs. What if households in a certain area come together to make food packets for people who are strangled?
Also, a hartal helpline for people who require conveyance and struck at home. 

Punch Word for 2019

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What’s your punch word for 2019?

Call it the catalyst, the trigger which prompted me to choose three words – the guiding words for 2019!

So, why should one pick words or coin a phrase for each year? Many moons ago, I remember the slogans coined by the Rotary Club, but it never occurred to me then to have one for myself.

Now in 2019, I’m aiming to make it different with more focus and growth.

At first I had thought of the word – Abundance. It means, abundance of love, happiness, sharing, Money, Love, Social connection, Spiritual growth and so on.

But now, I think, abundance could be one of the thing, but not all. So, here’s my three words for this crucial year.


Consistent |Confidence |Abundance ( Guide Posts for 2019)

What the heck are these 3 Words

1 Consistency – I have a serious problem this. I start with full gusto, but somewhere I splutter and then fade away. Change only comes with heroic consistent steps.


It’s early days of 2019 so I’ve time to fine-tune these three words or will retain it. I liked the word ruckus  which Seth Godin keeps mentioning in his blog. Let me see where I can fit in the word and thought behind it in my daily vocabulary.

So, have you thought of this concept? What are your three words?

Feel free to share it in the comments box or feel free to call and tell me.

Cheers!

P.S: It’s a new year – perfect time to press the reset button. A fresh year to flourish and start executing things. Another post on starting afresh. What about the thought of quitting your job in 2019?

Who Fixes Railway Loo?

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Off the Rod 

On 26th Dec 2018, I went to Trivandrum Central to see off my cousin’s family. They were travelling by the evening Chennai Express. The train was at platform 4, and the 2 tier was closer to the engine side – a long walk from the stairs. To spot them I walked through the 2 tier compartment and as I crossed one bogey I passed a loo.

The toilet door was ajar, with an unrestricted view of a commode without the seat cover. The seat cover seems to be tucked behind the toilet – well placed so that it wont’ be a hindrance for users

 On seeing it, I went inside, locked the door and clicked this pic.

So, this is 2 Tier train loo and the train is about to depart is some time. After seeing this, here are the thoughts that came across:

  • How much money will it cost to fix a new rod and attach the commode seat cover.
  • Who’s responsible for this job?
  •  Who gives the requisition to fix such issues on any station? Who can order a change in seat cover? Is the facility for toilet seat cover change available at all railway stations? 
  • If a VIP or VVIP is travelling in this train, can he or she order this to be fixed?

Other questions related to it!

  1. Does the railway employees who clean and fix toilet issues wear a different shirt color ( khahi or blue color) so that we can spot them and request them to clean the loo or tell them of the broken seat?
  2. Can a train commuter ask the train attendant or TTR to get such an issue fixed?
  3. Is it possible for a generous train commuter to pay and get it repaired?

What more Job Done by Sports and Youth Minister

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What the Ministers of Sports and Youth Affaris in India should Ideally do

Here’s another blink moment. Today, while walking in the park, I thought of people who are spending the early hours to exercise, get fit and stay health. Yes, we all like to be fit and healthy, but our habits, preoccupations often hinder such activity on a regular basis.

Who will Mentor the Public 
We know each one in a society has to fend for themselves – to grow, nurture, read, learn and to generous. But, every often we forget these building blocks and get carried with our daily chorus. After all, life is hectic with work taking a big chunk of your time.

So, in this context if there’s someone who can remind us to do the best things on a regular basis? What is that person is a your spouse, parent, kid or a neighbor or a friend. Or in a progressive way, it could be the Minister or a Mayor or a Councillor of your locality.

When it comes to heath or fitness, the role of \sports minister could fit it!

So, this makes me think of this….

What does a sports minister do in a day?
Apart from signing files, or sitting on files, what does he or she do in this role?

As I have no politician connection, I don’t have anyone to ask what’s their daily task or to-do list?

Probably, these are things they must be doing…..( A wild guess)

  • Planning to attend public meetings after meetings
  • Preparing the points to tell in a meeting
  • Planning a political maneuver or talking to supporters
  • Discussing with peers on who others ministers are doing on the job 
  • Having good food and enjoying all the perks 

What I wish they can do in their tenure as a sports minister ( My desire and wishes)

  1.  Wake early and go for a walk with a group of bureaucrats and talk to people about healthy habits ( role model)
  2. Visit sports clubs in rural areas and find the problem faced by them and redress.
  3. Plan and arrange ( crowd funding ) to start a sports academy or facility
  4. Set up indoor ( TT, Chess, Caroms or Badminton facility) for public
  5. Understand the running of public swimming pools ( How to run them efficiently)
  6. Get sponsorship from sports brands to set-up football fields or koko or kabidi playgrounds 
  7. Participate in local tournaments or practice some sports daily or at least 2 -3 times a week
  8. Search for ideas from the citizens and ask people to suggest low maintenance games ( e.g, football, Table Tennis, Frisbee, hand ball, Kabidi, Ko Ko, etc

Why should a sports minister do this…

My idea of a minister going out to the public is simple. First, it benefits the politician as he or she will attract goodwill of people, and that will also lead to popularity. Second, it motivates many lazy people to start a healthy lifestyle, 3) Creating more playgrounds means more happy and stress free activities for the public.

Additional links on Personal Growth and Development

1. Finding a mentor or accountability partner 

What Older Women do to spend Time

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I saw this viral video after reading a short article on the Times of India. Ys, I liked the way this topic of old ages was presented in the lighter vein.

And, this made me think of the older ladies in our place. I mean most ladies ( including my mom) I know from Kerala. What do they do in a typical day? How do they spend their time? Are they enjoying their retired, relaxed day?

 From what I see, most of them them, like old men, is just passing another day, killing time in not so fruitful way.

Well, that’s what I think. I could be wrong. So, I wonder what could be the ideal life of a lady who has passed their prime, say in their mid 60’s.Can they plan, lead an activity packed life which their peers would envy? How often do you see oldies with a balanced life?

Here’s are few things I noticed about the activities of older women in Kerala:

  1. Addiction towards TV serials
  2. Spend time on social events
  3. Baby sitter for their grand children
  4. Accompany their kids to foreign lands or to their homes  
  5. Sleep for long hours

Other alternatives:

  • Start reading on diverse topics
  • Engage in board games or indoor games
  • Travel to places and start a travel blog ( tips and help )
  • Organize meetup for seniors
  • Start gardening or open a nursery ( home nursery)
  • Start a take away food counter ( if interested in cooking)
  • Open a tuition centre 
  • Take up hobby like ( paper crafts, quelling, vegetable carving, etc)

Travel Stopover Activities for Rail Traveller

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What can people do when they go for four hour travel travel? Just imagine, that you got a seat for yourself, what can you do in a 4 hr train journey? I bet there’s a lot of things you can catch  up, provided you plan for it. Here’s the list of things you can do:

  • Write a blog post using a note book or laptop or mobile.
  • Think of way to make secondary income
  • Plan or re-plan your career options
  • List out the relatives you’ve not met in the last 6 months
  • Make a list of things to be done in the next week
  • By-heart an opening dialogue in a movie or an opening chess move
  • and more…

Here’s another thing – what all can you sell to train commuters in a railway station:

  1. Hand sanitizer ( Must)
  2. Air pillow, Chain and lock
  3. Mosquito repellent ( must )
  4. Lunch box  ( sandwich kinds)
  5. Towel and toilet tissue
  6. Paste, brush and face wash
  7. Water
  8. A futuristic Indian railway station can have these services:
  • Railway historian ( Hear the erstwhile stories about Indian Railways)
  • Travel advisor ( An expert to plan your trip)
  • Spa or Leg massage services as see in airports
  • Guide or tourist information centre
    ( Recruit people who can speak 4- 5  Indian languages)
  • Home-stay guide ( for people who prefer to stay in homestays)
  • Escort services ( approved ones)
  • Provide a list of activities available for commuters who are waiting for the connecting train
    ( sort activities by duration and interest – for instance a visit to a historic place, attend a short cooking workshop, city tour, or a museum or visit a popular restaurant in the city/town) 

Smelly Potty Rooms of Indian Railways

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As a frequent train commuter, I’m habituated to unclean, broken and smelly train loos. There were time when the stink and dirt in the loo made me think of cleaning the dirty train toilet. For more than one time, I have kept a packet of Odonil ( air freshener) and recently I kept a Air refresher packet inside the train loo. Well, if I can do this, you can do more! Or, we all together can do more. Isn’t?

During one of the trips in Kochu Veli Express, I pondered on this plan on how to get a clean loo for train. Caution here, this is a weird, crowd-sourced community service idea.

Here goes the plan…

We know that train travel is cheaper than tickets charged by private vovlo buses run by Kalladas and KPN’s of the world. So, if there were people who are rich, and generous, they can contribute a small part to get the loo cleaned.

For this to happen,  Indian Railway should have an option on the IRTC website, where the travelers can book to clean the loo.

Option on the IRCTC website: Clean loo ( Full Amount) / Contribute Rs 100, etc.

It means, a person while booking the ticket can easily add an extra money to get the loo thoroughly cleaned by an team. This can work on crowdfunded basis also. For example, if the cost of cleaning four loo in a bogey is Rs 1,000, then the website will show how many has contributed so far, and how much money is required to reach the full amount.

Wow – It could be the fist crowd funded project by railways.

Just imagine 70 odd people travelling in a bogey, contributing an extra of Rs 50 or 100 each will not pinch anyone’s wallet. What if a millionaire or rich politician travels in a train and he or she contributes this way. If they want, they get additional publicity for it.

When I say clean loo, it means real clean, something close to the loo at Anandashram at Panaji, Goa. If you have’nt been to this hotel, then keep in mind to visit this restaurant when you are in Goa.

Well, this loo should have toilet tissue, sanitizer, aroma spray which will automatically spray when someone leaves the toilet, or hand soap, tissues, and also a person to clean the loo for the entire journey. Or a person who will check the loo at every train stop.

One benefit for the railway is this, they don’t have to look for additional funds. All they need is to create a mechanism so that generous commuters can donate the money.

Can it be done? Next, you travel by train, will you close your nose while you get inside the loo, or will you feel happy the clean loo… Just imagine the foreigners, our guest who travel by Indian Train, what will be their experience. Can you make it clean for your guest and the impression they form about our country?

One thing I know, no Swatch Campaign will succeed unless we form a process, a system which works 24/7 to maintain cleanliness in our country.

What’s your thoughts?