The origins of the ‘water pipe’ smoking device date back to around the 16th century. It was invented in India during the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar. However, smoking tobacco was not a widespread activity in India even after it’s introduction by the Europeans. The equipment was essentially designed in order to filter the smoke from tobacco using water. This ancient smoking equipment was then famous among ambassadors and aristocrats. The Arabs call  it the ’shisha’ and are the world’s largest smokers in number, for they use it for social smoking. The Arabs have most number of cafes offering hookah in the whole world according to statistics. This smoking trend is the most happening style these days in the Hyderabad city hangouts.

There are a lot of places in the city where most of the teenagers are most expected to smoke hookah. Busiest places in the city like Himayathnagar, Sr Nagar, Jubillee hills, Vidyanagar etc. which are always full with students on the streets are one of the hot spots for hookah parlours. Hookah, in the past few months, has overthrown the craze for hangout places like gaming centers, movies theatres and even restaurants. This new trend has been very rapidly evolving in improving the tastes and flavours offered and the fun loving youth is fast accepting the changes in habits.

There are many hookah smokers who think smoking hookah does not cause as much harm as cigarettes or cigars. This makes only a few of the hookah smokers aware of the fact that it is equally harmful as smoking cigarettes and even potentially more harmful when consumed in higher amounts. The very design upon which the device is designed, smoke purification using water, is not much effective as it is thought to be by the teenagers. Due to this lack of wealthy information and hype of unhealthy fashion the young are definitely not on the right path.

“I don’t think hookah is a very harmful habit and I also feel it is much better than cigarettes.” says Kaushik, one of the frequent hookah smokers and a student from Pixelloid animation school, Hyderabad. “I actually don’t bother about the health part over the fun part.” says Shashank Maganti, another hookah smoker and student from Narayana junior college, Hyderabad. There are opinions among the youth regarding the ill effects of smoking hookah which actually convince a lot of their peers to start smoking it.However there is some resistance among the non smoking youth, who simply cut off the very thought of hookah as a fashion. “Who said hookah is fashionable.?Its bullshit and is not worth the money” says Subrahmanyam a student from GITAM university Vizag. Vijeyendra Vallam a student from CVSR college of engineering says “i dont advice the prevalent smokers but would ask the new comers to think as of what is the very purpose of smoking hookah”.Our country apart from offering wide diversity in traditions and cultures also has a very diversified bunch of opinions and attitudes among the same age group. There are a lot of places in world which use hookahs made and exported from India. Contradictorily there are reports on raids and bans on hookah smoking in a few parts of the country, especially Gujarat. The government is not so amused with the widespread popularity of hookah smoking in such places.

Several hookah parlours and cafes have been banned and their licenses have been canceled in the western countries like the U.S.A and Canada in the past, which now have been revived due to the increase in the popularity globally. The main crowd targeted for these parlour owners is reportedly the young-adult age group and people from middle eastern countries and communities. The rate of increase of the popularity has triggered many scientific research institutes to perform and analyze tests on hookah smoking. The results are not very pleasing. Doctors and scientists have confirmed the effect of smoking hookah is as genuine and as good as smoking cigarettes. Scientists say that the moisture from the water used for purification may make the smokers less irritated which falsely interprets them about its true ill effects.

So it would be very wise if every teenager smoking hookah thinks over issues relating to health and even wiser  if they make decisions which not only bring a change in their habits, but also among the others.

http://www.vidyouth.com/2009/06/22/getting-hookahed/

Amidst all the pollution, unrest, price rise and all the pandemonium gripping the city of late, if there is one respite for the common man, where he can enjoy nature like it used to be – it’s in a glass of freshly prepared juice at Fruitoholic! With moderately priced juices and smoothies, it’s a popular hangout amongst the young and the old alike. It has three different joints at three corners of the city at Himayatnagar, Kharkhana and SVM Mall. Apart from the regular fresh fruit juices, this place also serves Yogurt smoothies, Milk shakes, Mighties, Vegetable blends and Coolers. Recently the store has included sandwiches, salads and desserts in their carte du jour.

Moses Edla of Badruka Degree College, a regular at Fruitoholic says, “It’s nature served chilled in a recycled paper glass at Fruitoholic. I am quite a regular at its Himayatnagar joint beside The Clove restaurant. When I have had a rough day I go to this place and have my favorite banana-orange smoothie which livens me up instantaneously! My friends and I turned the place into our regular hangout and the modestly priced menu goes easy with our pockets too.”

Fresh fuits! Credits: Spinal Tap

Swati Reddy of VCE, another known face at their Kharkhana joint says, “This place is such a relief from the other popular overcrowded and overpriced places in the city. I first got to know about this place through a friend of mine and I have been a regular from then. My favorite is the jumbo sized apple-orange milkshake with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. I even skip my meals to enjoy it. I sometimes go for a quick sip to this place before I rush to catch my college bus. This place is ideal for a quick bite with your partner when you don’t have much time. My mom and I have a drink every Saturday, it’s like a weekly ritual for us. Fruitoholic! Rocks!” she says.

Ideal for morning joggers, fitness addicts and health freaks, this place provides the required nutrients and vitamins, all in the different array of fruits and vegetables. The place first opened up in Himayatnagar but to a very ordinary response. The place was considered to be like any other fruit stall and had to face stiff competition from the neighboring Café Coffee Day and Pure ’o’ Naturals . But as the place began to have more customers it became popular and in no time it became one of the busiest fruit juice cafés in the city. It started to grow and opened new stands at Karkhana and very recently at the SVM Mall. The recipes for their favorite fruit juices can also be known on request says a stall employee at Himayatnagar.

Fruitoholic! - SVM mall. Credits: Spinal Tap

B.K.K.Anurag of VCE, who is a regular at their SVM mall joint says – “It was when we went to the SVM to celebrate a friend’s birthday that I first checked out this place and I must say it was love at first sip. It was a very hot day and the cold blackcurrant smoothie was just nirvana. Since then I have enjoyed all their fruit juices and we also order them home when there is a party. The home delivery is free and brisk unlike other hi-fi eateries.”

As full of life and nature this place may seem, there are a few complaints by the customers. Akshay of MREC laments, “The place is very small to hang out for long hours. The SVM outlet has only one table and is almost considered a place for take-away. The Himayatnagar joint is better with outdoor seating but it still lacks the ambiance one expects.”

“Sure the place lacks space and the hi-fi ambience but nothing can beat the smell and taste of fresh fruit in every thing you order here at fruitoholic,” says Ramesh Babu, a Cognizant employee.

The storekeeper at the Himaythnagar stall Kishore is more than happy to talk about the response and the attention the store is getting. He adds, ” It has been nice to see many people being supportive and we have been welcomed warm heartedly. We are working on the complaints we are getting about our store and  are working on it. I am sure we’ll soon get to cater to a wide range of customers and try and satisfy all of them. ”

So next time when one feels the blues of the frantic urban life they know where to head for, to hold nature in one’s palm and sip life through it.

For those internet bugs out there: Fruitoholic is on Facebook

“Chaat is tasty, easy to find and amazing comfort food. Most importantly, it is easy on the pocket too. What else could one ask for! It is a fabulous option anytime, any place. It is very me!” said Yerremsetty Sandhya, a student of Loyola College. B. Aakruthi Vaishnavi, a student of Sreenidhi Institue of Science and Technology said,  “I think the reason why chaat is so popular is because it is so yummy and tangy. It is ready to eat and you can get it instantly. Chaat can be had even on a full stomach! I love Dahi Puri and the meetha chutney that is added to it. I can eat Pani Puri any time of the day!” she further added,  “The best chaat I ever had was in Chandni Chowk, Delhi.I have many memories attached with chaat as in my school days, my friends and I used to go to this particular bandi opposite the bus stop there and eat Pani Puri for Rs. 2 per plate everyday!”

A man prepares the stall before it opens. Credit:Mystical Vigilante

Apart from the tangy, tongue-tingling taste that chaat offers, there are some other reasons why it strikes a chord with the younger lot.  “Chaat bandi’s serve as an avenue for friends to meet and converse over some snacks. It is cheap and readily available. Chaat is a lifeline for us college students. Whenever we are hungry and running short on time, we can go to the nearest chaat stall and grab a quick bite to keep us going through the day. The best part is that we don’t have to dig deep into our pockets for it!” said Ronny Mukherjee of Guru Nanak Engineering College. He further added,  “I absolutely relish chaat! My day feels incomplete unless I chow down a plate of Bhel puri!”

According to  Kailasa Manisha of Aurora Degree College, the secret of chaat’s success lies in the fact that it has lesser calories when compared to other junk food. “It is spicy but at the same time, it is light too. It has lesser calories than pizzas or burgers and thus, is a relatively healthier option.” She then added,  “The affordable prices have got a lot to do with its popularity. We youngsters are almost always low on cash, therefore, chaat usually comes to our rescue. I feel that Indians are addicted to Pani Puri because it totally suits our taste buds.” For Suman Tatelu of JBIET, it is the easy availability that makes chaat her favourite. ” I love Pani Puri because you don’t have to go far away or to a big place to eat it.” she said.

Lip-smacking Pani Puri! Credit:Mystical Vigilante

Hungry kya? Chaat kha!!! Credit:Mystical Vigilante

Pani Puri... Keep it coming! Credit:Mystical Vigilante

Although chaat rates really high among youngsters when it comes to easily available, affordable and tasty food, it has been constantly criticized for being unhealthy and unhygienic. But, this doesn’t stop chaat connoisseurs from relishing it. As it is said, Khaane waalon ko khaane ka bahaana chaahiye! (People, who want to eat just need an excuse to eat!) Rasamsetty Lavanya of Jyothishmati College of Engineering and Technology said,  “The hygiene level of chaat depends on the place you are eating at. I agree that it doesn’t come under the proper diet plan, but it is amazingly comfortable street food. Whenever I’m hungry, I head to the first chaat bhandar in sight!” Debsuta Roy of Institute of Aeronautical Engineering said,  “Nowadays many chaat stalls are taking precautionary measures for hygiene and are using plastic gloves while making chaat. I love  chaat because you can’t find that taste in any other food and it refreshes my mind.”

Chatpata Ragada chaat in the making! Credit:Mystical Vigilante

Krithika Sundaraman of ILS Law College, Pune thinks the hygiene levels play a role in the taste.  “It is probably the unhygienic conditions of chaat bandi’s that makes the food so tasty. In big hotels or restaurants, where chaat is made with mineral water and is to be eaten with spoons and forks it doesn’t taste that good! Certain things should be had in specific places. It is fun to eat chaat from the roadside bandi!”

However, there are still a few who are not die-hard fans of chaat. Karthika Anagha of St. Francis College said,  “I don’t like chaat. I inherently dislike the taste. I’m a classical singer and I think it is bad for my throat. My first impression about chaat itself was bad as I was down with an upset stomach the first two times I had it. But, I like Pav Bhaji.”

Chaat is evidently a clear winner when it comes to popular fast food among young college-goers. It can be easily said about chaat, ‘No one can eat just one!’

The Hussain Sagar almost being the heart of the city is the most obvious choice for some relaxation to most people. Also a number of people enjoy their morning walks around the sagar, on ‘necklace road’. Says Mani Vedantam from MJCET, “I love to come for morning walks here every day. The air is fresh and the sunrise is simply superb, no traffic on the road and peace all around.” Nature has its way in painting itself around the Hussain Sagar and many a number of budding photographers try to capture the canvas. Krishna Chaitanya, also from MJCET says, “I love photography, and my very first tryst with photography was taking snaps of the Hussain Sagar with the Buddha statue and the Birla mandir in the background”. Easy availability of various types of eats from palli batana to Chinese food makes it convenient to hang around and take in the beauty.

In one corner of Hyderabad is the Osman Sagar also known as Gandipet lake. It is Hyderabad’s drinking water reservoir and it is bigger than the Hussain Sagar. This Sagar has a park next to it which makes it a very nice place to go to. Says Rahul Choudhary from CBIT, “The Gandipet Lake is just up the road so in case any of us want a breather from college the obvious choice would be the lake. It is a like a sanctuary for us.” . It is a stones throw from other beautiful and elegant locations like the Nehru Zoological Park an the Golden Mile ‘Manikonda’ and ‘Sardar Vallabhai Patel Police Academy‘. The traffic over here is low as this is relatively far location for many.

Another attractive locale is the Durgam Cheruvu located near Hi-Tech city. It is a very well maintained park and a number of people throng this place during the morning and evening times. It is also quite well known to host a number of rock concerts and parties here. Says Bharath Bhushan from MVSREC, “I am a rock addict and I attend any concert in the city. I attended the rock concert at Durgam Cheruvu and loved the audience and the ambience there. It rocks.” It is a very private place, quiet and tranquil, and surrounded by all the trees in the place it has a very soothing effect. Rekha from VNR VJIT says, “Durgam Cheruvu has such beautiful landscape and a calming effect on me.”

The least known among such places but slowly gaining eminence is the Shamirpet lake located along the Karimnagar highway. It has the added bonus of having a very beautiful road alongside it which makes for a great view. It also acts as a rest area for many traveling along the road. Archana Bellamkonda from RV college says, “Once while me and my cousins were cruising along the highway, we happened to come across this lake. We got down and spent some time over there. I then resolved to come back with my friends and I did. We had a whale of a time along that long drive and chatting by the lake.” It is a very huge lake and there are also a few fishermen fishing here so it is not completely devoid of human habitation!

While these innocent pleasurable moments of life are unforgettable, there is a darker, lesser known side to these places. These places are also the converging point for illegal and indecent activities. A lot of shady activities do take place here, most of which go un-noticed. Around the Hussain Sagar there are people eve teasing girls where as at Durgam Cheruvu people come for anonymity about who they are because they arrive with their lovers. At Osman Sagar young boys jump in to have fun swimming but sadly end up as statistics instead. At the other end, around Shamirpet lake the open wide road seems like an invitation to many young bikers who try wheelies and dare devil stunts, unfazed with the danger they might be facing.

While just a drive might be harmless. A lot of activities go un-noticed or simply ignored most of the times. But these place have their moments of glory and shame alike. While all this places provide as get-away for most people , it is also true that day by day there are a lot of illegal and dangerous activities going on in these places. The fact that there are a number of underage kids with out licenses driving on our roads and getting away with it and the increase in the number of accidents along these routes is reason enough to be careful next time while choosing any location to zoom off to.

Shilparamam! The word evokes fantabulous feeling of transporting us into the world of handicraft, arts and crafts. It is basically an arts and crafts village established in 1992 and is spread over an area of 65 acres. It is located very close to the newly constructed Hitex Grounds at Madhapur and promises to be a cynosure of all eyes. The whole idea behind the construction of this wonderful world is to promote our own culture which is waning rapidly.

Presently the All-India Crafts Mela 2010 which was scheduled to come to an end on December 31 has been extended till January 3 because of good public response. Sankranthi mela also started from 8-31 January with cultural programs everyday. Around 300 stalls have been put up by handloom weavers from all over India. Artisans from around 18 states are exhibiting their products. The varieties on display include Gadwal, Pochampally, Mangalagiri and Venkatagiri from AP, Banaras sarees from UP, Maheswari and Chanderi from MP, Patolas from Gujarat, Kota from Rajastan and Kantas of West Bengal. The Artificial flowers segment was a runaway success. The flowers made of paper were preferred by many and visitors were seen displaying their huge beautiful collection of flowers. “My living room is going to be complete with these flowers. I have a huge vase ready for it”, beams Shilpa, an Architect.

Puppetry Statues. Credit: Pearl Rive

Chilaka josyam. Credit: Pearl Rive

Colourful Terracota. Credit: Pearl Rive

Some other attractions at the Mela were competitions for women in traditional wear,  Bathukamma devotional songs and Ammavari (goddess) dress competitions for kids. Traditional festive food is being served at “Grameena” everyday.  Kids have more to look forward to, including boating, bullock cart rides, the village museum etc. The museum had a setup of a village and lifelike statues were installed everywhere portraying people from all walks of the society. The expressions were so real and life like on the statues. The models of the village market, puppetry show, a village house, carpenter, miller, barber, tribal lifestyle, granary blacksmith etc are some of the highlights. The museum was brimming with people.

The actual highlight of Shilparamam is the tall man who is 7 feet 6 inches named Mr.Gattaiah. He’s kind of slow in his movement with a swollen toe, an injury may be. His voice is as big as his stature but gentle in manners. He is a native of Ramagundam, Karim nagar district and is 34 years old. He obliges visitors for photographs and also accepts small donations from them. Shilparamam proves to be the perfect destination for all ages and is definitely a welcome change from all the Hi- Fi malls in and around the city. We are in dire need to promote our age old customs and traditions.

The Hoarding. Credit: Pearl Rive

Flowers. Credit: Pearl Rive

People at the Stalls. Credit: Pearl Rive

Cultural programs are being organized daily at the venue, in the evenings from 6.30 pm and puppetry, pagati veshalu, puli veshalu etc. are part of the fair. On Sankranthi day Shilparamam turned into a virtual sea of humanity and it was indeed a huge colourful Mela with large number of women turning up in gorgeous sarees/dresses of all hues and colours. “I have come here to participate in the Rangoli competition which I do every year. I hope to get a prize this time”, says Lakshmi, a home maker. “The management sucks! They were so adamant to conduct the competition indoor, inspite of the cloudy skies and weather forecast of moderate rains. Public Relations Officer, Ms. Jyothi (23) was of an opinion that all participants should blindly follow her instructions just because she makes the rules there. We put all our efforts in bringing out a good Rangoli and all they want is their publicity through TV Channels. These competitions is more of a show than the spirit of the festival. I’d rather not be a part of these stunts. I have least expected this kind of rude and unfriendly behavior from Shilparamam staff.” fumes Ramya Satyam Pothireddi, a finalist of the three day Rangoli competitions. TV5, NTV, ABN Andhra Jyothi, Hmtv channel reporters were present to cover the event.

Handmade paper and Jute stalls were a huge hit. They are considered eco friendly and people were thronging these stalls. Jute ear rings, bracelets, neck pieces were unique. Paintings were also sold like oil, water color and canvas medium. One artist from Orissa sold pen drawings which were surely unique and worth buying. They ranged from Rs. 500-Rs.1000 per drawing. They had such charm. Thanjavur glass paintings were also sold.

There were also shawls & woollens from J&K, handlooms from Uttaranchal, Madhubani paintings from Bihar, appliqués of Orissa, Sandal work of Karnataka and handicrafts from Pondicherry. “I have bought myself an exotic Pashmina stole as it goes well with any dress I wear especially my jeans”, says Sandhya, a student.

Shilparamam, termed as the crafts village is made in the most ethnic way in midst of  Cyberabad, popularly known as High Tech city and is  developed with the motive of preservation and promotion of our country’s rich heritage and arts by our state government. It was started in the year 1992 and is spread over the allocated 62 acres of land  to motivate the existing few artists to make sure that the present generation living in the concrete jungle understand and  relish the beauty of ethnic India.

It is an ideal place for shopping and learning while munching the authentic andhra coastal village sweets and snacks made in front of us. There are spots to look at in the so called kaleidoscope of our county like the rock museum named as the ‘prakruthi raaga’ where one can witness the creativity of a sculpturers who have put in all thier meticulous efforts to bring up a picturesque village atmosphere .

The other places like Grameena (the food court),rural museum are a must places to visit to get the real touch of a village . The Grameena or the food court are located in the central part of Shilparamam enabling the visitors to taste the age old ethinic Andhra dishes which are served on a fresh banana leaves. The rural museum is one of the most attractive and highly appreciated place of shilparamam visited by many.It consists of huts constructed out of  clay and thatched roof covered with palm leaves giving a perfect appearance of rural andhra. “Nikhila,a teenage city dweller who never visited a village was over joyed at the site of the huts and models made out of plaster which almost look live.”  These models depicts the life of various tribals and artisans in the village. There is a separate recreational place for the visitors consisting of a green lawn and swings which are always filled with kids and elderly people doing some breathing exercise . Anuradha , a parent of a 6 year old kid said ”kids now a days do not have proper open space to play and run around due to the present appartment life style . I try bringing them here often so that they get to breath little fresh air and play around while I shop.”An old couple who reside few yards away  from shilparamam say that they come here regularly as it makes them feel homely, specially the terracotta sculptures and the rangoli designs on the sun baked walls .

Sculptures. Credit: Rachel Carter

Rock Museum Credit:Rachel Carter

Credit: Rachel Carter

Apart from the above mentioned places, there are some party venues like the very famous Shilpakala Vedika which meets the requirements and standards from a local level meeting to an international event.Most of the film premiers, performances and product launches take place here .They also have a private dining area to meet the needs of their customers. There is  another spot within the complex named saampradaya vedika which is the place where one gets to see royal Indian traditional marriages .

Another attractive place is the konaseema,which resembles the original place nested in the midst of water. The konaseema of shilparamam is true replica of Konaseema areas of Andhra filled with lakes,beautiful temples and greenery where private parties can be held . At this place one can see a farmer with a conventional bucket drawing water from a pond and another farmer with his oxen at work which can undoubtedly be confused for it to be live, men at work.

Shilparamam  not only encourages the traditional arts but also creates a platform for the tribals and the rural folks to exhibit their talent .The most popular dance performed here are by the khoya people belonging to the hunting class and the dappu dance performed by the tribal folks . Apart from dances and cultural shows,many seminars and art exhibitions take place .

Shilparamam is one such place which has a festive look all round the year filled with melas like  sankranthi mela,Bengali festival,Rajasthani festival,Jammu&Kashmir festival,South Indian festival,North Indian festival,West Indian festival,Folk awards,Saree mela and Dussehra utsav,Art competition,Diwali festival and All India Crafts mela held in the months of January to December respectively.

Credit: Rachel Carter

Credit: Rachel Carter

Credit: Rachel Carter

An Indian story is incomplete without festivals being celebrated stands apt for shilparamam as they celebrate festivals like The International Kite festival as a part of Sankranthi sambaralu,the telugu new year-Ugadi , Navarathri as a part of dussehra celebrations ect.There is a special wing seperated from the shopping area called the Training center where mostly the women are trained in special arts like jewelery making, mould making, embossed wall painting, sculpture making with Plaster of Paris, music classes etc for which they are charged. Competitions are also conducted in the festive seasons to bring up the competitive spirit amongst the learners. Added to the excitement all the best arts get a privileged place in the art exhibition.

Credit: Rachel Carter

Credit: Rachel Carter

Beads and various funky wristbands. Credit: Rachel Carter

India is very famous for the herbal treatments discovered by our historians and its forms the responsibility of the trained people to spread the knowledge for the betterment of human race. The state government keeping this in mind has allocated a beautiful piece of land for complete body rejuvenation and beauty treatments for women along with medical consultation.<pic 08>The above mentioned places form just half of the attraction which shilparamam carries. The major portion of attraction lies in the wonderful shopping arena filled with colorful stalls where one cannot stop shopping and craving at the attractive things at display, exhibiting the charm of their respective state.

Credit: Rachel Carter

It has stalls from all the states of India extending from kashmeer to kerala selling various things from accessories  to sarees and ghagras to kurtas. Added to the shopping fun they have arranged a puppet show by trained people form Rajasthan, attracting a huge crowd and very often one can see kids dancing to the puppet tunes. For the convenience of the insomniacs they have arranged for a night bazaar where the stalls are open from 3 p.m to 3 a.m along with food stalls. Different themes have been planned by the authorities to make the night stalls even more attracting like the stone age, vedic age, sultanate and the authentic or the modern age making it different from the other night bazaars of the city.

A tourist commented with atmost satisfaction, relaxing on a rock, surrounded by shopping bags says “I carry not what I have shopped at shiplaramam  but a  traditional Indian heritage as a bundle of  gifts to my friends in Chicago .”

On the whole Shilparamam is one such place which is ought to be visited by one and all for the compact experience of the whole country in just 64 acres of land and specially for a village thadka for the ones who have never been to with in a stroll of 3 hours.

Bikanervala is a two storied building,located in the prime of the city at Road No.1, Banjara Hills, which has already turned into a hot spot. The ground floor  includes the Sweets Section, Chat Section and the Ice cream Section and the first floor accommodates a plush restaurant with beautiful interiors and special dining areas. “The interiors, colorfully and tastefully done offer the perfect ambience to have a good feel along with good food. I thoroughly enjoyed my food here and I am bound to come back again.” says Sanketh, a visitor. The restaurant offers buffet lunches and dinners that are reasonably priced and include a vast variety of items, varying from the soups, salads to the delicious sweets and desserts.

The name Bikanervala might sound new in the twin-cities, but it dates back to the 1950’s, when it was first established at Chandichowk, in

New Delhi, the capital of India. The name came from the family origin in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Soon, it became a well established eatery and led to the foundation of its sister branches throughout North India. Spreading its wings further south, it established itself in Hyderabad, which became one of the 30 outlets all over India. Bikanervala also set foot in the International territory by having 2 branches in Dubai, 2 in Octland and 1 in Sharjah. It also has plans to launch itself in the USA and Canada in the near future.

The mouth-watering sweets! Credit:Enigmatic Euphony

Munching yummy food. Credit:Enigmatic Euphony

The special dining space. Credit:Enigmatic Euphony

Inaugurated hardly a month ago, Bikanervala has already craved a niche for itself in the hearts of the Hyderabadis. On the day of the inaugural, the place was decorated with flowers and filled with big-wigs showering greetings and blessings. “The owner himself welcomed each and every guest with a friendly smile, a tilak on the forehead and a sweet in the mouth. I was totally flattered by the hospitality that was offered by them even with crowds of people pouring in.” shares Srinija, who happened to visit it on the day of the inaugural.

Array of delicacies! Credit:Enigmatic Euphony

The response which Bikanervala has been getting from the day one has been overwhelming as per the expectations of the management. It is presently being headed by Mr.Shyamsundar. On being asked what is the specialty of Bikanervala, the Hotel Manager, Mr.Anant Kumar explains, “Our specialty is our expertise in the North Indian cuisine which has gained many hearts over the years at every branch of ours.” He adds, “The North-Indians, residing in Hyderabad are already familiar with our brand. The challenge in front of us now is to please the South-Indians with our cuisine. The major difference in the North and South cuisines is the spice in the food. We are ready to inculcate any of the necessary changes as required by our customers.” With such an open mind, Bikanervala can sure go places in no time. “It being located on such a busy road, the only problem is the parking, especially during weekends.” says Mr. Prakash. The management has already taken up the issue and has proposed the possible solutions regarding the same, which would be implemented soon.

During the festive season, special sweets, as per the occasion are also provided by Bikanervala, some of them include:

The restaurant. Credit:Enigmatic Euphony

Agra Gajjak, Khasta Gajjak, Rewri for Makar Sankranti

Kesar Gujia, Long Lata, Chandarkala, Sindhi Gujia, Samosa Gujia for Holi

Kaju Burfi, Badam Burfi, Pista Lauj, Kaju Roll, Kaju Kalash for Raksha Bandhan

Besan Laddu, Kaju Burfi, Rasmalai, Shakkar Pare, Gujhia, Malpua, Kalakand, Rasgulla, Khoya Burfi, Malpua, Diwali Mix, Bikano Mix for Diwali, etc.

Bikano is the International brand of packaged sweets, namkeens, syrups and bakery items manufactured by Bikanervala which are available at any of its branches. Specially packaged items, which can be used as gifts are also made available to the customers as per their convenience.

So Hyderabadis, go ahead and give in to the great taste of the Bikaners.

Just as Buddhism connotes peace and serenity of the mind, the pleasant location of Anand Buddha Vihara indulges in imparting the same. Young or old, people of all ages are often found coming here in search of their share of peace of mind and to take a break from their normal hectic lifestyle. Madhu, a regular visitor says, “I come here very often. It makes me feel good. It helps me beat any kind of tension. I come here, spend quality time with myself and go back with a clear and peaceful mind.” Pavan says, “If I come here before any big exam, I’m sure of making it through. I make sure I spend at least half an hour before every exam I write. It is so peaceful out here.”
“Apart from the serene atmosphere, it’s the scenic beauty that pulls me to this place. I come here, enjoy the beautiful ‘over the cliff’ view of the city and capture it in my camera,” Says Prakash.

Lord Buddha Credit : Inverted Frequency

Following the Buddhist traditions and values, the main aims and objectives at this Vihara have been to disseminate Buddhism and provide various other humanitarian services. When asked about the aims and benefits of the meditation hall, one of the monks said, “It helps to inculcate the habit of meditation among people and imparts social values. I personally feel it’s a place for introspection.” Kannan, an observant nearby local says, “This Vihara is situated in such a place that it welcomes both, the plush neighborhood and the lower income dwellings.“ Ram, a cynical observer of the surroundings of the Vihara says, “If not for the beggars, this would have been a better place!”

When asked about the other social objectives of the Vihara, the monk said, “We believe in providing facilities to the poor and the needy. We provide various facilities for the orphans and the estranged senior citizens by establishing schools and hospitals. We also impart education about Buddhist literature and the teachings of Lord Buddha himself.”

"Over The Cliff" View Credit: Inverted Frequency

The Vihara also boasts of well-maintained gardens with adequate lighting facilities which give it a well-lit look in the evenings. Also situated under a Peepal tree is a well sculpted statue of Lord Buddha. Under this very tree, the monks of the Vihara perform their daily religious rites. At the office of the Vihara, in the ground floor, there are various self-help books for sale which impart the values of Buddhism.

Inspite of the negative aspect put forth by Mr.Ram, Anand Buddha Vihara stands out for its well maintained gardens, serene atmosphere and the ambience.  Although the roads leading to it are well constructed, the directions may come across as being a little tricky. In any case, Anand Buddha Vihara is the place to be when in need of a break for solace and comfort.

In this milieu, Chaaypani seems to have carved a niche for itself by offering people a quick tasty snack in a small and cozy environment. It calls itself, ‘The adda for foodies’, offering more than just chai and paani. It caters to different clientele in food ranging from Indian to Chinese cuisines and also burgers and pizzas and other fast foods. As per the nomenclature, ‘chai’ i.e. ICED TEA is served best here compared to Barista, Coffee day, etc.

Chai is served at the right temperature and with just the right quantity of sugar and lemon. Not actually having ‘ice’ in the iced tea ensured that the melting ice didn’t dilute your drink by the time you finished it. All tea served here is made from premixed powder. Though it calls itself Chaaypani, it offers only four flavors in tea. The varieties offered here are lemon tea, ginger tea, elaichi tea and masala tea. The product range of Chaaypani includes Coffee premixes, Tea premixes and the Daily creamer.

Coming over to sandwiches, “Grilled cheese sandwich had the right amount of cheese and was crisply done, not soggy or overtly dripping with cheese”, says Ruchita, a die-hard foodie. The chole bhatura was unique in taste too. Priced at Rs.50, the chole had no whiff of vanaspati usually used in its preparation and tasted almost like a home-made one. The masalas were added to ensure the perfect blend between the taste and the spicyness. A regular visitor, Anitha, a resident of Habsiguda says, “The bhaturas served here are really soft and you need not pull and tug at it to tear it either ends up with greasy fingers. This place deserves a 5/5 rating because of its quality and quantity that one pays for.”

“Also, icing served on the cake is utterly mouth watering,” as told by Srinivas, a chef working there. After having a sumptuous meal, having a shake would complete the course of the meal. The different shakes offered here are Mango, Chocolate, Badam and Strawberry. The Bowl ‘o’ Chaat which consisting of fruits and spices gives the tongue a ‘Khatta meetha’ taste which is definitely worth eating at Rs.40. Sumantha of HMT Nagar says, “Veg Honey Salad is a special kind of salad that is served nowhere other than in chaaypani. I make it a point to eat here alteast once a week”.

Wanna party or just hang out? Credit: Candid Eves

The ambience is simply perfect with just a few steel tables and chairs around. Adding to the ambience, hygiene is another important factor. One can blindly walk in without any ambiguity. Adding to this is the packaging of food in disposable containers which gives an impetus to the level of hygiene practiced here. A meal for two would cost less than Rs.200 here when compared to the other eateries.

How did “CHAAYPANI” come about? Well, the brainchild behind this is Mr.Narendra Sethia who is quite a foodie. The idea that started with his launching of ‘Chaaypani’ (the tea and coffee premixes) went on to the opening of this food joint. Now, his young daughter infuses the energy and passion required to run this ‘adda’. The one disadvantage that the place finds itself in is the relative anonymity of the location in one of the by-lanes of Habsiguda, which is quite difficult to locate for first time visitors. Yet, the advantage is that one doesn’t find this kind of vegetarian joint catering to a niche clientele anywhere in the vicinity of Habsiguda. The ratings for this hangout would be:

Pluses: Food is cooked with very little oil but with refined oil only.

Minuses: As the place is small, it can get crowded during weekends

Location: Lane opposite HDFC Bank, Habsiguda

Food: 4.5/5

Ambience: 3.5/5

Hygiene: 5/5

F3 was inaugurated by the honorable MLA of Dilshukhnagar, Mr. Sudhir Reddy, on 22^nd of December, 2009. Speaking on the occasion, he said “I am delighted to be here and proud to see such development in this area.” He congratulated the owners and wished them all success. It is located at Chaitanyapuri, opposite Kalaniketan Wedding Mall, making it easily accessible to the college goers in and around that area.

The Private Lounge! Credit: Enigmatic Euphony

The engineering colleges situated around that area include Sri Datta, Gurunanak, CVR, Sri Indu, JNIT among others. “The major crowds at F3 include the students from these colleges and the youth in the surrounding areas,” opines Swetha, the co-owner of F3. On asking what led to F3, she adds, “Hookah joints and coffee lounges are the most preferred among youth today and including a gaming zone would be an added advantage. There are very few such joints in this locality,thus, making F3 an instant hit!”

There are very few places in the city which offer Xbox and PS3 gaming and F3 takes the privilege of being one of them. “The Wi-games and Xbox games are so amazing that anyone would get hooked onto them. This has already become a regular hangout for me and my friends,” shares Vijay. He adds, “The demeanor is so pleasant that we can both relax and have a good time. The quality of food and service are also good.” The separate section for hookah ensures that the people who aren’t very comfortable with the odor don’t even get a whiff of it. “The environment is so comforting and with the soothing music on the go, you can hardly keep track of the time. I can probably spend the whole day here and never get bored,” declares Anudeep, a student of Sri Datta College.

The Open Kitchen at F3. Credit: Enigmatic Euphony

“The food here is utterly delicious and also reasonably priced, so it doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket,” says Shravan. When asked what is a must try at F3, he opines, “The chocolate sandwich is a must try as it is different and simply yummy.” The menu includes a vast variety of items ranging from teas, coffees, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, pizzas, pastas, pastries, Chinese items, mocktails and ice-creams and other smoothies. Cloud 9, the energy drink, is the beverage partner of F3. The chief chef, Steven assures,  “Best efforts were put onto each item to have an enriched taste and quality. Some of the items on the menu are specially designed to cater to the needs of the customers.” The hookah is also available in varied flavors, which can be ordered as desired.

The private lounge at the far end of the place ensures privacy for private parties to be conducted. It also accommodates a huge screen with a projector to watch television or movies, as per the request.It has been planned in such a way that a huge place can be provided for slightly larger parties and even cricket matches and fun events can be viewed on screen.“The place has got all that the Hyderabad youth desire and I would definitely recommend it to everyone who want to have fun,” affirms Meghnath, a college goer.

For all those, who are looking out for a refreshing experience, F3 surely deserves a try.

The Hookah Lounge! Credit:Enigmatic Euphony

Inaugration by Mr.Sudhir Reddy Credit:Enigmatic Euphony

Having a great time with hookah! Credit: Enigmatic Euphony