Category: Uncategorized

Hot Rasam on a Chilly Evening

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Rasam in-progress

Every time when the weather in Bangalore dips below 20 C, I have a craving towards soups and rasam. Thankfully, my spouse make such hot, spicy rasam and equally tasty beef  soups today that I badly feels like sharing it others.

So, this is my new rasam business idea here.

Start a small outlet selling rasam shots, soups & breads and if possible cutlets. To start such a unit, you need a small space. All you need is a place to keep the prepared rasam or soup and keep in it under a hot stove.

There were times when I wished that I owned an independent house in Bangalore. I could sell rasam or hot soup right from my house. What about serving rasam in tequila glass or our Indian chai cups. I bet it would a great to have rasam shots during chilly evening!.

Rasam Shots!
Yes, I’m confident that with this recipe, I can make thousands of rupees if not hundereds!!! Not kidding, no fancy dream. I mean it. Well, at least that’s what I think I can do.

ell, the concept of such an idea is not about making money, but my desire to share these healthy and homemade rasams to people who will thank me for it. Rasam with fresh garlic, tomato, puli, corriander leaves, etc. WOW! If you don’t believe me, just call me and drop in my house to taste one of these!

So, did you like this idea? Will it work? What will happen to hot rasam sales during summer months? These are few other questions in my mind. Finally, what price should I sell rasam and soup? The price shouldn’t be too low nor too high? What can it be?

Last week when I visited Foodhall at 1 MG Mall, I had chicken soup. The price for a cup ( not a bowl) is  Rs175. And, it was not my kind of taste.

So, here I’m leaving the case open for other soup or rasam explorers. Finally, one more question, Where in Bangalore do you get the best rasam? I remember having rasam at coconut groove when it had an outlet in Koramangala. I feel there should be more of such healthy drinks in each locality made by homemakers or enterprising women. What do you say about this?

Amen to this Soupy Idea!

P.S: If you like this idea, probably we can try this out by selling in by road side. It will be an experimental basis, like the momo stalls by the road side. A simmering pot with rasam and chicken soup! Just dreaming of it! What if there’s Rasam Point like Chai Point?

Shiro UB City

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Shiro at UB City

At one point of my life, I was a weekend visitor to City Bar. The pulsating club music, rocking crowd, and the ambiance of this place pulled me to this club. Also, close to this bar was Shiro – a restaurant with Japanese, Balinese and Chinese cusine. One remarkable feature inside this place is the big statue of Buddha.

Shiro Website – My 2 cents

I’ve few reservation about this website. The faded color background used on the website makes reading a painful thing. Also, the gallery is taking more time to load. I feel there could be more done to share Shiro’s brand story rather than sticking to the minimal content given on the site.

About the food:
Just once I had my b’day dinner in this restaurant. So, this one nibble don’t qualify me to give a verdict on food. One thing I liked was the ambiance. I think other patrons would nod in approval about the same.

Bye Shiro Shiro!

Charles

Are you a Caregiver?

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Just while returning from my morning walk, I noticed a minor accident. One guy was sitting down, and two girls were standing with a worried look. Few other people were around telling something about the accident.

I think, the girls must have rammed their two wheeler on that fella. At this juncture, I had this epiphany. Imagine a stranger or a friend who comes along the way and lifts the trouble from you and talks on your behalf and resolves the issue. Don’t you feel nice to have a savior or a guide or a guardian who takes the weight of your woes?

Yes, most of us would love to have someone like this. A person who would come and clear our debts, help us out when you’re struck with a business problem, or who would give us the right answers.

Problem, is that we also could be someone’s guide, helper, mentor. But, we don’t. We’re too busy with our life, that we hardly care about other things, unless when it affects us.

I just want to remind this aspect to you! Go, be a mentor or guide to your neighbor, friend

Become a caregiver!

Mad Magazine and Slice of Margin Humor

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Bat Mobile Busted!
Volcano Burst

When I browse Mad magazine, the place I scan my eyes are the drawings outside the margin and in the corner part of the book. These minute pointers often hold as much as wit as the centerfold or even more. And in this wit laced magazine, I like the ones which dig super hero’s and the like.

So, what is your favorite cartoonist? Which comics do you collect? Are you an Asterix fan or you are more at home following the Adventures of Tintin or Sergio Aragones something else?

Little Idea – Big Idea

So, what’s the lesson from these minuscule cartoons from Mad comics. The lesson here is simple – use the margin space in text books. The space could be used to print a witty cartoon, or something explained in a lighter vein. I haven’t come across books which are done this way – probably there are books. The book series “For Dummies” does a good job at presenting topics in an informal and less intimidating way. I still dread the fat accountancy books I studied during Bcom. Books by MC Shukla for one and another one is Batliboi, if my spelling is right!.

Finally, here’s the essence. Next time you get a chance to publish a book, don’t waste the little corners. Use it to engage with the audience!

Best

Charles

For Baking Newbies in Hyderabad

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Baking Accessory Store in General Bazar

Just when I wrote the caption, I had this confusion, is it ‘In’ or ‘at’ a location. As a person with a poor grammar knowledge, let me clear this for once and for all.

Use of In in English Language

Here’s is what I found about the usage of prepositions:

One more resource on the usage of preposition “AT” in writing.

P.S: If you’re looking for baking ingredients in Hyderabad, here’s a list of places on this blog.

How Much Bribe Will You Pay in a Lifetime in India?

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I’m sitting in a hotel banquet hotel writing this piece of thought. This is what I saw from this reputed hotel in Hyderabad – the banquet manager of this hotel told us that there’s a liquor inspection happening. He said that any liquor bottles kept should be removed. After few minutes a gang of govt babus came in, escorted by the hotel staff. These guys sniffed around and went way. I’m damn sure that these inspectors must be well fed by the hotel guys. It’s a farce exercise!!!

All these inspection made me think of different inspections. Remember the school inspection. In Central School, annual inspection was a routine kind. Our typical school life used to be disturbed with the news of notice which was read by the class teacher, saying that inspection guys will be coming next week. So, come with your best dress, polished black shoes, and books with notes, etc.

The inspectors are senior guys who from Delhi. During such inspection, these serious looking inspectiors sit along with the students, and ask random questions to students. It usually scares the shit out of me as I’m one of the dumps who just scrape through the class exam. During the inspection, I try my best to be invisible to the big man sitting behind the class.

Fast forward to this moment, when I know that all kinds of inspection involving govt staff will involve kickbacks, bribe or any kind of goodies.

Well, what all kinds of bribe do we pay in India, in 2015.

  • To expedite driving license process, or to bypass the test.
  • Start a business. While applying for license, or to overcome the delay.
  • RTO ( Big Time) I wish I was an employee in this dept!
  • Police ( Big Yes) Who gets the max, traffic guys or the other guys
  • Telephone Dept used to get ( to get telephone ahead of other) Now, it’s non-existent as they lost the monopoly
  • Train booking ( not much!) Thank you IRCTC website
  • Building Inspectors ( again the rules are vague allowing these inspectors to harass the builders)
  • Sales Tax ( A big scope for all sorts of manipulation)
  • Forest Guys ( Timber is the new gold)
  • Revenue Dept ( Land rules and property disputes are big Yes for fleecing people)
  • Hotel Industry ( all kinds of inspection, etc)
  • Tax Dept ( Save tax, evade tax, etc, etc)
  • and many more…

 Well, I’ve paid to traffic cops when I broke the signal, when I rode without papers, paid to cop when they towed my scooter away, paid bribe when I applied for food license, etc. Not surprising, a recent new report shows how a third of Delhi residents had paid bribe to avail public services. Shameful!

So, what’s your experience when it comes to paying bribe? Have you shared your bribe incident with your friends, colleagues or in public forums or on website such as I Paid a Bribe.com? If not, lighten your woe by telling the world about your bribe story. And, when you’re dealing with a sarkari matter, such as a registeration, or anything such thing, it’s advisable to know the kind of bribe levels prevailing in the market. It’s best to be aware

35 Mobile App Ideas for Startups

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I often get ideas on the fly. Most ideas which sprout in my mind, has a very limited shelf life. Often I think it’s an eureka moment. But, I forget most of these ideas on the same day. I thought of penning down ideas which hover around me,

So, what mobile app ideas are likely to be a hit, which will be a waste of your money and effort. What about monetizing these mobile app? Will it be beneficial to people, or will it add to the app clutter.

1) App to spot public toilets or in hotels

    Don’t know if there is one mobile application in India to geo spot loo in India. Creating one will be helpful to all the wandering souls in our country. This app can spot, women friendly loos, mark the cleanliness factor ( give star rating), and many other aspects. Such as, the closest loo ( how many km…), etc.

2) Puncher shops & Petrol 

    I bet there should be one by one. Especially is cities like Bangalore, where getting a flat tire in an unknown locality will be catastrophic. Probably, it can spot petrol shops, road side assistance services in case of car or two wheeler breakdown.

3) Sharing & More Caring World

   There are many times when we need a photocopy or print out or even buy a diaper or more importantly a condom in the middle of the night. Or it could be a craving to have fish, or chicken or beef or pork. How do you connect with people who can provide assist your or lend you this favour. Is there a way to connect or ask questions through the app and get immediate response. Is there a way to crowd-source and help people get over a mini or major crisis?

As cities are getting less-caring, or be dis-connected, such an app can connect with people who can spare a gas cylinder, or even give a needy person a ride to the hospital, or give them a hot coffee. Is it possible? Who will authenticate the users, without which all the unwanted elements can spoil the use of such an app.

4) App to Barter Goods

   I have extra coconuts in my store room which I’m willing to trade for something equal. How can connect or meet a person who require this and willing to pay a consideration or exchange? Can I trade my knowledge on digital marketing and in return they will pay this month’s grocery bill or water bill or electricity bill.

Barter system which was active in yesteryears could come back, if there’s a way to connect with users. I’m serious about this. It can bring a parallel economy, which will thrive using the connectivity of mobile apps. Will this app idea work?

5) Donate 

   This scenario happened in Trivandrum. The jackfruit tree in our house yielded more. We wanted to give . away the excess jackfruit to anyone who was willing to take it. But, how do we find and reach a person in our locality? How will I find it? I can’t go on knocking each door and ask them? A better way would be to connect through a mobile app, reach people who will be pick or share the item or even a service.

Recently, I installed an app called Hey, neighbor. I think such apps will suit the purpose

6)

Reboot Old Book Stores

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I don’t like the sight of empty shop, especially where it is a book store. In the recent past I visited two such bookstore which wore a deserted look.

One is near Domlur flyover in Bangalore and another one near Over Bridge Junction in Trivandrum.

The book store in Bangalore is part of a big chain, but I was surprised to see very few customers. After browsing for a considerable time I ended with a pen, just b’cos I didn’t want to leave the store with an empty hand. At the counter, I forcefully started a conversation with the guy. I told that they could probably start a old book collection, where people can sell used books in a separate counter. He immediately dismissed the idea. My idea was simple – this would bring more visitors, esp people who have placed their books for sale.

The Story of Continental Book Store in Trivandrum

A decade or so back, I was a frequent visitor to Continental Book Store at Overbridge junction, Trivandrum. The visit happened mostly during evering on the first working day of the month. With my salary in hand ( all cash), I visit this store to buy pens, some stationery stuff. Sometimes, I just browse through the erotica session at the back end of the book store, etc.

In 2015, when I visited this place after a long-long gap, I was not surprised to find myself the only customer. The old charm of this big store is long gone. The book counter, the old inventory all speaks of its bad phase. Here again I went around the usual session opening up the picture erotica book, something I haven’t seen earlier. Yes, a new experience seeing erotic picture book.Have you seen one? It’s like a picture story book you have seen as a child. The castles and houses coming out of the book – here’s it’s hot stuff springing to action!

This time I took two cook book and at the counter I asked the young chap if he is part of the owner. I passed the same comment. Why not start a old book counter, which will bring more participants. He said, that old books are dusty and it will spoil other books. Probably, he is right from his side. But, I wanted more customer, more action. I just wanted to tell him… times have changed and all book store are facing the heat from online stores.

While walking back I thought I should have told a more convincing idea. So, here’s the plan to revive these book stores.And, I believe there are lot of folks in Trivandrum who just love to hang around old book stores looking for a good deal, or to exchange their collection. For inspiration, you can visit Blossom Book store in Church Street, Bangalore.

Anyways, here’s my plan:

1) Start a session dedicated to old books.
2) It could be rebranded as old and rare book section
3) Start a facebook page where you can post old, rare and high demand educational books
4) Post picture of new book arrivals
5) Invite authors for book reading session. In B’lore, Landmark is doing this exercise on a regular basis
6) Start a vintage comic book session ( there are many Indrajal Comic fans like me). I bet this could bring those people who love Mandrake, Bahadur, and  Amar Chitra Katha fans.
7) Once in a while, conduct a caricature or cursive writing workshop
8) Get a handwriting expert to visit the store and publicize this event on your Facebook page

Salary in Bangalore

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Close to the heals of the blog titled, Salary in Kerala, I’ve started this blog, with the intention to collate the different salary structure in blue collar as well as while collar jobs in Bangalore.

The idea of bringing all this together is give me or people like me, some ideas on the salary prevailing in various jobs in Bangalore. As a metro, we would be imagining the kind of pay earned by different people. Let’s see how far your gut feeling about the salary is true.

Salary of security staff in a private apartment

Rs 6,500 for a month. Agency takes a cut, and this amount or maybe a bit higher is paid for freshers. I’ve asked security guys in the company where I used to work. They used to get Rs 8k. A very bad pay, considering the fact that they sometimes have to streach day and night.

Monthly wages for a vessel cleaner in a typical Andhra restaurant in Domlur side

This I got from my maid. She said that her sister who is working in a hotel, earns around Rs 6,500 per month. Her job – clean big vessels, aluminum curry containers. These are heavy vessels and I was thinking of this puny lady, who has to move or lift these vessels.

I also recollect the scene I saw in a restaurnt in Ameerpet, Hyderabad. It was typical Santhi Sagar kind of hotel, serving vegetarian dishes. It was noon time, and there were many customers who were going in and out. In this mele, I was looking for a loo. I couldn’t find one. Then I saw one door and I pushed it ajar. Inside, was a dimly lit room where I found it difficult to focus. An impoverished lady was sitting in this wet place, and there were hundreds of vessels around her. What a sad job? I closed it quickly knowing that I made a mistake, but it opened to the work people do behind the scenes.

Job Salary in Kerala

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For a long time, I had this idea on the back of my mind. It has sprouted as a result of me imagining of salary of people I come across in my life. Well, I’m not concerned about people who draw 5 figure salary, but the average worker, the blue collar kind.

Only way I can accumulate a list like this is by asking people about how much it pays in their job. Though it sounds simple, it may not be an easy task to collect and build on it. As the saying goes, 1000 mile Journey starts starts with a first step, so is my effort to build a repository which could be helpful for me, or for you.

The figures given here are approximate. So, which calculating it will be plus or minus some amount.

Salary of a Margin Free Store Employee

Rs 6000, to 7,000 for a fresher ( I got this info from the margin free store at Kumarapuram).

Clerk in state service

Deputy collector with 22 years in revenue department

Vigilence officer in Police