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Vol. 1 Issue 5 JUNE 2009

HOT DEALS & OFFERS!!!

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Explore

Chitradurga Fort 34

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jewelry

ALSO INSIDE Events calendar pic speak listings

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Paragliding tips and hotspots

Go Eco

Bamboo craft to organic food, ways to go eco-friendly

Vol. 1 Issue 5 JUNE 2009

Editorial Team Barkha Shah Fanny Chakrabarti (Vizag) Trupti Shetty (Pune) Sachin Somanna (Mysore) Sanskrity Sinha (B’lore) Unika Prusty (Hyd) Krithika Sukumar (Chennai) Anto Thermadam / Nina Nair (Cochin) E-mail: editor@metromela.com Sales Arun (9394167576) Pushpita (Hyd - 9951150094) Pannalal (Pune - 9730666891) Aravind (Chennai - 9842870035) Jayakeerthi (Mysore - 9886675524) E-mail: sales@metromela.com Photography Durga Prasad / Urmi Misra (B’lore) Jyothi Swaroop (Vizag), Amrit (Hyd) Sumanth Kumar (Chennai) Jay / Kurush / Siva (Pune) Prashanth Nanjappa (Mysore) Anto Thermadam (Cochin) Distribution LT Naidu Design & Layout www.designeighteen.com Printed and published by Nitin Chowdhary on behalf of MetroMela Internet Services Pvt. Ltd, Plot No. 244, Kavuri Hills, Phase II, Madhapur, Hyderabad – 500081, Tel–0990813 2372 / 73. www.metromela.com

Editor’s Note Hello Friends!

Monsoon has been playing games. In some cities it has come gushing down, in others it’s happy playing peek-a-boo and in a few others it’s still playing truant; possibly its way of telling us that each city is different from the other. And possibly that’s why we’ve been exploring so many cities to tell you how they are different.

We are happy to tell you that we have spread our wings to Ahmedabad and Chandigarh as well. Both these city sites are up on metromela.com. We will be adding a few more shortly. We’ve also launched our applications on Orkut and Facebook. Search for MetroMela application in either of the sites and you will find us there. With these applications, you can organize events and set up meetings at venues / hangouts in your city. Hope you like metromela.com in these new avatars too.

Coming to this issue of our magazine, we’ve put up a nice guide on eco-friendly products available in various cities. There’s also a pet care guide including everything from pet shopping to grooming and training. We even have interesting alternative therapies guide where you can learn more about color therapy, fish therapy and more. Apart from that, there are delicious monsoon recipes for you to try out from expert chefs from different cities. And of course there are exciting discount offers, available to you as coupons as well!

Do write to us on what you liked and what could have been better in this issue.

Let us know what you want to read about. And do browse through metromela. com for more local info.

Happy Reading!

Edited by Barkha Shah.

Printed at Brilliant Printers Pvt Ltd, Bangalore Disclaimer: Utmost care has been taken in scrutinizing the editorial contents of MetroMela magazine before going to press.

However, the Editor and Publisher shall not be held directly responsible for any inadvertent misrepresentation of fact/facts or misprint, which may occur despite our best efforts.

Barkha Shah

Vol. 1 Issue 5 june 2009 hyderabad

Fish Aquarium Finjaan Tea Lounge

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bangalore

Delay Aging Fancy Costumes on Hire Chitradurga Fort Butterfly Park

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Chennai

Madras Terrace House Chennai’s Story through Pics Tips on Writing Bespoke Jewelry

29 30 33 34

Pune

Football and Rugby Academy Paragliding Tips Taljai Forest Fun Trend Alert for Men

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cover story

35 36 39 40

Vizag

Go- eco

From bamboo craft to rain water harvesting to organic food, there are a number of ways in which you can go eco-friendly.

Truly Therapeutic

6

The art and science of healing is not just about pills and syrups.

Pet a Life

Grooming and caring for your pet dog

Hot Deals Event Calendar Listings

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Vizag’s Hidden Treasure Strum the Guitar Play School Fun Monsoon Food Prelude Samata NGO for Tribals

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Cochin

Tips on Art Beautiful Alleppey Glitter of Diamonds

51 52 54

Mysore

Journey to the Rail Museum After School Fun

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Alternative Medicine

Why are some colors moodenhancing? How do fish make our feet look beautiful? Can dance and drama add zest to life?

Find out how life around us can be therapeutic.

Truly Therapeutic The art and science of healing is not just about pills and syrups.

Possibly because healing is not just external. After all, a positive mind and a happy heart can help deal with several maladies too. That is why adventure, colors, nature, music and even fishes can be therapeutic.

Read on to know more about interesting alternative therapies.

Color Therapy

M

etromela.com got Madhubabu, a color therapist and man of many talents to tell us something about color therapy, an art he discusses to perfection. At Sanjeevini in Hyderabad his centre for alternative medicine in Himayatnagar, he initiates hundreds of patrons into more joyful and colorful existences. Some excerpts from a fascinating conversation:

Colors and their medicinal properties The medicinal properties of colors are several. Yellow, for instance, has purgative properties and helps relieve eye and throat infections, kidney and liver diseases, syphilis and indigestion.

The color red can be used to treat low blood pressure, depression, anemia, paralysis, advanced cases of TB and all respiratory diseases like asthma. It also helps in the reduction of pain. Green serves as an aphrodisiac and is good for treating psychiatric problems, high blood pressure, infertility, influenza, sexual disorders and cancer. The color blue is a universal favorite and is good for high blood pressure, anxiety and sleeplessness. Purple is a highly effective color that should be worn all the time. It cures emotional problems,

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skin problems, migraine, epilepsy and rheumatic pain. The color orange helps one get rid of kidney and gallstones, appendicitis, hernia and is more useful in the production of milk after childbirth.

The color violet is useful in all nervous and emotional disturbances and all acute diseases. It also helps cure arthritis.

Colors and Chakras There are seven chakras in the human body. Each chakra corresponds to a particular color. The Muladhara chakra, for instance corresponds to the color red.

The Swadhistana chakra, to the color orange, the Manipura chakra corresponds to the color yellow, the Anahatha chakra corresponds to the color green and the Visudhi chakra to the color blue.

The Agna chakra and the Sahasrara chakra correspond to indigo and purple respectively. A problem arising in a particular chakra can be directly treated by the right balance of the color corresponding to that chakra.

Diagnosis and Remedies The individual body constituency of the patient and his physical and mental nature can be derived through the use of color diagnosis. For example, if a person selects red color from the VIBGYOR choice, his nature would also

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be diagnosed as arrogant, more tense, hyperactive, fast thinking, less patient, prone to develop high blood pressure, migraine, tensional headaches, psychosis etc. All these are opposite for the green color. There is a difference of opinion among specialists, with some saying that the color chosen during tests is the color lacked by the body and others saying that it is the color present in excess in the body. So there is unfortunately no agreement in terms of the basis for diagnosis.

Internal and External Therapy Internal therapy involves advising the patient to eat specific foods, especially raw fruits and vegetables of relevant colors.

Charged fluid intake is also recommended.

You can charge food and fluids by placing them in the light of a beneficial color for a prescribed duration of time. In external therapy the application of color is done through colored bulbs, colored charged water and oil, colored creams, colored clothes etc.

Take the example of a high blood pressure patient. In his case, blue and green are more useful and we can prescribe foods like green leafy vegetables, blue berries, blue grapes etc for him to eat as they would be beneficial. Similarly, he would be asked to wear blue and green colored clothes and given charged oil for massage. He would also be asked to sleep in a green or blue colored room as far as possible as it would reduce his blood pressure. In the same way, he would be asked to use blue colored bottles to drink water and paint the interiors of his home blue or green.

Sounds interesting? Search for ‘color therapy’ on metromela.com to know where you can experience it.

Find Therapies Around You You can find several things around you therapeutic – nature, adventure, music, dance and even cinema. Motivational speaker, social worker and a MTV Youth icon nominee Sheetal Sanghvi of Urban Ashram in Pune, believes that Adventure therapy can help in soul searching. It could be a luxurious holiday, indulgence

Fish Nibbling

F

Therapy

ish therapy is not new to the world. Leeches, maggots and fish have been used to exfoliate the epidermal system. The fish used in such cases is called ‘Dr. Fish’ or ‘Garra rufa’ which originate from Anatolian Highlands in Turkey and Middle East. These are one of the many toothless varieties found in the aquatic world.

Procedure

In fish nibbling therapy, there’s a small tank with numerous Dr. Fish in it. After you clean your feet, you are made to immerse them into the tank. What’s next? Fish swarm around your precious feet and start nibbling at the dead cells.

The fish being toothless can’t nibble at the skin and hence there is nothing to be scared of.

Benefits

These fish leave your skin smooth, glowing and new as they nibble off the plaques softened by the warm water. It is also believed that this fish counters aging of skin on feet and hand and prevents corns. Dr. Fish leaves the skin smoother and also rejuvenates it. It increases blood

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circulation and is believed to reduce skin diseases like dermatitis. It is a 100 per cent natural therapy with nil side effects and this makes it even more favorable.

Dr. Fish in Bangalore

You do not have to travel to Singapore or Malaysia to try this innovative idea. In Bangalore, you can drop in at the Kenko Reflexology and Spa on Vittal Mallya Road. The cost for a 10-minute session is Rs. 175 while a 30-minute one can cost Rs. 475. The fish spa treatment is also available for those suffering from Psoriasis and minor Eczema. The experience of fish spa is best followed by Foot Reflexology (Rs. 400 to Rs. 850) treatment at Kenko. Foot Reflexology is a simple, safe and holistic therapy in which alternating pressure is applied at various points on the feet. The spa also provides hand reflexology services, combo services of foot and hand or hand and shoulders at varying charges apart from Ear Candling in which one end of a hollow candle is placed on the ear canal and the other end is lit. The treatment, it is said, draws wax out of the ear canal and hence, helps those with sinus.

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all cities Nature therapy - Sheetal (2nd from left) and group meditating in nature

“Adventure therapy is a great way to step back and analyze your life in a different perspective. Plus the adrenaline rush is amazing.”

in adventure sports like rafting, parasailing, paragliding, trekking and rock climbing or anything else. “Adventure therapy is a great way to step back and analyze your life in a different perspective. Plus the adrenaline rush is amazing,” he adds.

Then there is Nature therapy, through which even the sound of waves against the shore, the pleasant winds and the chirping of birds can be therapeutic.

Try talking to your plants or even going for nature trails. Fresh air will help you clear your mind as well.

People with a ear for music and rhythm for dance, can use Music and Dance Therapy as a great way to vent out their emotions.

Tuning in to one’s own bio-rhythm can bring inner peace. Besides, have you realized how feel-good movies uplift your mood?

Cinema and Drama therapy, Sheetal says, is widely used in group therapy sessions where people get together and share their views.

Motivating books as well can make you reflect, introspect and vent.

So Bibliotherapy is worth a try.

Sheetal adds that instead of being critical of any situation just step back and evaluate. Go for a drive or sip coffee and enjoy your time alone. Remember to keep yourself happy!

To know more about these alternative therapy centres, log onto metromela.com ●

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Home décor, Restaurants

From bamboo craft to rain water harvesting to organic food, there are a number of ways in which you can go eco-friendly.

Go Eco Pic by Flávio Takemoto, Brazil

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The Dune

Holidaying Organically – Chennai

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f words like recycled, natural, handcrafted and organic are not alien to you, then you are probably aware of the incredible range of décor products, furniture, clothes and even food that are designed out of eco-friendly materials or are made naturally.

Metromela.com brings you an interesting ensemble of an Assamese handicrafts store in Bangalore, a sweets shop in Hyderabad, an eco-friendly weekend getaway close to Chennai, and an organic food restaurant in Cochin.

Okay, we know we are taking you a little out of Chennai for this one, but isn’t that one of the rules of unwinding (getting out of the rut you are in)? Well, that’s where The Dune comes into the picture.

It is about an hour-and-a-half out of Chennai, down the East Coast Road. And that’s where metromela.com is sure you are going to find a little peace of mind, the organic way.

The Dune, owned by French couple Dimitri and Emilie Klein, is basically an ecolodge, one of the only ones in the vicinity of Chennai. The restaurant here is called FUN

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(meaning Food yoU Need).

FUN serves what those at The Dune say is hypotoxic or non-toxic food - to put it simply, healthy food, using no or limited oil. The gourmet fusion food was created by French chef Krisof (who is no longer with them) but is carried on by the Indian chefs there.

Food at the multi-cuisine FUN is completely organic and is grown in Klein’s farm in Kodaikanal. The Dune also has its own two-acre vegetable garden. So you can be sure, among other things, that you are eating 100 per cent organic food, no pesticides attached. Besides, if you are already into yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic

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Keelputhupet, Pudhukuppam, Via Pondicherry University, Pondicherry.

Tel - 413-2655751

massages, then The Dune is a good place to go to.

Designed on a 30-acre plot of land and created in 2006, The Dune is dotted with individual cottages, both air-conditioned and non-airconditioned.

Every cottage here is environmentally-friendly. The cottages are all built at quite a distance from each other, so you have your privacy.

Then the beach bungalows are uniquely designed and built using reclaimed building material from South Indian colonial houses and Chettinad palaces. The Dune cottages are also equipped with a solar water heating system

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The Dune, owned by French couple Dimitri and Emilie Klein, is basically an eco-lodge, one of the only ones in the vicinity of Chennai.

The restaurant here is called FUN (meaning Food yoU Need). FUN serves what those at The Dune say is hypotoxic or non-toxic food - to put it simply, healthy food, using no or limited oil.

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and on campus is a waste water treatment plant. And if you really want to go the eco-friendly way, MetroMela suggests that you opt for the non-airconditioned room because the ventilation facility is so well-designed that cool air keeps circulating despite the fact that you are in hot, hot South India.

The Dune also has on campus a swimming pool, tennis court, restaurants and 700 meters of private beach. It offers catamaran rides too. It has also been proved that art is therapeutic in nature and so for those looking in this direction The Dune is also the base for the Artists In Residence program, which provides work studios for artists from all around the world. Over here, you will be able to see the Zen garden of French painter William Wilson, the beach front door from the designer NoArt, and more sculptures and installations, all created by artists who at one point stayed at The Dune.

As far as recreation is concerned, there is no cable connection. DVDs are available though. So you could catch up on English classics or Hindi new releases based on your interest. Cycles are also available on rent. And if you like dogs, they have a couple of those for you to pet too. Now that’s what we call fun!

The Ants

Naturally Made Handicrafts – Bangalore Nestled amidst lush green trees in Indiranagar in Bangalore, lies Ants, a great handicrafts store. The Ants was started under the

guidance of the Action Northeast Trust (ANT), a non-profit organization based in Assam. The store stocks crafts made by tribal groups from northeastern India including a contemporary array of apparels, furnishings, jewelry, accessories, pottery and stationery. The store also offers customized and tailormade products and takes bulk orders too.

get

10 % discount see page 60 for details

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# 2023/B, 14th A Main, 1st Cross, HAL 2nd Stage, 100 Feet Road,Indiranagar, Bangalore – 560038.

Tel – 080-41521742

The ground floor of Ants has apparel, black pottery and bamboo furniture. There are kurtis (Rs. 400-900), stoles, scarves and shawls made of Aagor cotton and Endy silk (or Eri Silk) for women, apart from men’s kurtas and shirts besides a collection of trendy and traditional stone jewelry.

An exciting range of products carved out of black pottery by the tribes of Manipur is available in a separate section.

These include pots, tea sets, mugs (Rs. 500–600), jugs, cooking utensils like girdle and the like priced Rs. 175 onwards. These black pottery items are polished dull black.

Also, there are mud pot serving sets available at Rs. 300 and candle holders at Rs. 30. A wide range of cane and bamboo basketry by the tribes of Meghalaya is an addition.

These are priced between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000.

The last section on the ground floor has furnishing and home décor products made

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So visit the store anytime between 11 AM and 8 PM and go for the black pottery and bamboo products. If not, a visit to the cafeteria (9 AM to 8.30 PM) to enjoy a cup of tea while reading your favorite book is a must try. Ample parking space is available and the attendants are warm in serving.

The Ants was started under the guidance of the Action Northeast Trust (ANT), a non-profit organization based in Assam.

The store stocks crafts made by tribal groups from north-eastern India. from loin loom weaved by the women in Nagaland.

These include cushion covers, bamboo coasters, floor mats and the like. The section also stocks Kauna Reed mats and baskets, a unique craft of Manipur. Besides, there are bark boxes, pen stand, photo frames, wall hangings, diaries and board games that are all handmade. The toys for sale are made by physically disabled children, so when you buy one, you know you are shopping for a cause. An open terrace cafeteria upstairs serves special multi-cuisine recipes. To engage you further

also given away for special occasions like birthday, wedding anniversary etc.

Chaturthi.

Coming to its core business,

It’s easy to sense that this is not the regular Mithaiwala, whose business is just to sell sweets. Along with a mouth watering display of sweets to your left, there is a collection of paper bags, files, folders etc all made with recycled material available free.

Sweet and Eco-friendly – Hyderabad Emerald Sweet Shop opposite Ramakrishna Math, in Hyderabad was a revelation to metromela.com. It’s easy to sense that this is not the regular Mithaiwala, whose business is just to sell sweets. Along with a mouth watering display of sweets to your left, there is a collection of paper bags, files, folders etc all made with recycled material available free. On the walls you see pictures of kids involved in eco-projects.

Surprised? Yes, the owner not only sells sweets but educates Emerald Sweets people about the Indira park, Lower Tank depleting water Bund Road, Hyderabad levels and the – 500080. urgent need to Tel – 040-2765433 incorporate rain water harvesting.

All eco lovers would be thrilled with what they see here, like the 4% discount if the customer carries his or her own jute or cotton bag. A free sapling is

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And if you return plastic covers with Emerald labels you can get bath powders at a discount. Above all you get eco-friendly clay Ganesh idol free for Ganesh

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Emerald offers sweet items prepared with ghee. Savories and snacks are prepared with refined sunflower oil. All items are free from chemical flavors and preservatives. Usage of colors is minimized. Colors,

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is a collection of around 200 books through a tie up with Blossom, Bangalore’s leading bookstore.

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Step inside and you come across a series of posters evangelizing the goodness of organic food, wheat grass and fish.

Soothing music plays in the background at this air-conditioned restaurant. Climb up and you will enter their exclusive seafood restaurant, open only for dinner.

Ironically, an aquarium gives you company at this seafood section.

if any present, are of herbal origin only.

Silver foil (Varak) is never used.

500 grams) which just melts in your mouth.

We see milk sweets, dry-fruit sweets, flour sweets, Bengali sweets, diet sweets, formulated sweets, beverages, snacks and savories. Sweets here are sold by kilo. Some of the interesting ones that caught our eye were Dry Fruit Laddoo (Rs. 650), Anjeer Roll, Milk Mysorepak, Kaju Barfi (Rs. 650), Gulab Jamun (Rs. 300), Rasmalai and Jalebi (Rs. 180). In Diet sweets, worth a try are the low sugar Khajur Sweets (Rs. 200) mixed with sesame and peanut powder and made without ghee or oil. Products are available on bulk order too.

Food, Fun and Health – Cochin It’s an old-fashioned building with nice bamboo windows. That’s Lumiere, the organic restaurant near Panampilly Nagar in Cochin. There is an essence of things natural even in the building’s make.

Lumiere is a restaurant that boasts of providing organic dishes at an affordable price. All the ingredients used here are organically cultivated without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These come from their eco-farms like the one at Kanthalloore in Munnar.

You can start with soups and salads followed by some finger food. Options are interesting with names like avocado soup. Other drinks include the organic Lumiere’s wheat grass juice, green tea and more. Appetizers here include onion fritters and garlic mussels to name a few.

For your main course you can choose from the vegetarian thali meals (Rs. 65), fish curry meals (Rs. 90) or seafood special thali meals (Rs. 190). You can also order additional side dishes from the assorted menu of chicken Lumiere dishes G-268, 11th Cross Road, and fish Panampilly Nagar, Cochin – 680036. fries.

Tel – 0484-4012000

Well, so Emerald is a sweet shop with a strong message.

So this time when you buy sweets at Emerald, find out if rain water harvesting can be done at your place too.

Visit it anytime between 10 AM and 9 PM and don’t forget to buy Kaju Paakam (Rs. 600 a kilo) and Pudina Sev (Rs. 70 for

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Desserts are available too.

Their seafood specialty section has a range of fresh catch of pearl spot or karimeen, seer fish, snapper, mullet, tiger prawn, halibut and pomfret. You are charged according to the weight of the fish that you choose to get cooked.

There’s also an organic vegetable store and an organic bakery here. So you

can buy vegetables, breads, cakes and snacks made from organic wheat and other pulses for your home. Haven’t had enough of “natural” stuff? Try out the ecofriendly handicrafts available here.

Lumiere is the only restaurant in Cochin that offers pure organic food. So it’s a healthy and delicious option for you to try. Vegetarian thalis and sea food are a must-have. Besides, banquet facility is

available for you to organize small parties or official meetings. Home delivery is also on offer. Parking facility is available for six cars at a time. Drop in for lunch or dinner between 11 AM and 11 PM. Looking for more things eco-friendly? Visit metromela.com and browse through. ●

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Lumiere is a restaurant that boasts of providing organic dishes at an affordable price. All the ingredients used here are organically cultivated without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

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pet care

Pet a Life M

an’s best friend, dog, is the most preferred when it comes to pets. While it’s a great way to fill your home with warmth and laughter (and yes, also a bit of work, at least in the early days) it can be a great companion for people.

So when it comes to taking care of pets, there is a lot that you need to know in terms of grooming, training and even shopping. Metromela.com helps you with a guide.

Grooming it right Hyderabad The name couldn’t have been more obvious. And if that still doesn’t ring a

16 june 2009

bell, the door with haircuts, full shaving, and Paw Prints paw prints all over a special treatment for # 7-1-22/12, Begumpet, will. Paw Prints reducing body hair loss.

Hyderabad – 500016. in Hyderabad is a Prices for all these services Tel – 9849010231 grooming centre for vary based on the size / dogs, run by Aparna weight of dogs from Rs. Rao. Aparna has 250-600. had an association What’s good is that the of ten long years pets here are groomed by with the Blue Cross Society for dogs in someone who really knows her job and Hyderabad. Later with requests from uses professional equipments like blow friends, she started Paw Prints to groom dryers and hair clippers custom made for canines. dogs. So fix an appointment between 9 So what does she do here? Everything AM and 6 PM and get your dog groomed right from nail clipping, ear cleaning gorgeous. and teeth brushing to bath basics like shampooing and conditioning. Blow drying, brushing and pet cologne is also Shopping Made Fun offered to the pets. Besides these, tick/ – Bangalore flea control is also done.

Other additional services include Paws Pet Shop’s location surprises dandruff control and regular oil massage, you. Guide your way into a small lane

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Cute pet clothes, tiny ‘paw’ wear, interesting collars (even Swarovski studded ones) and trinkets (Rs. 30-400) for pets are worth a look – at least for the designer gowns, pearl necklaces and ski jackets!

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behind St. Joseph’s Commerce College, Bangalore and allow a board to tell you where it is. A tiny lane and a small church are what make up the vicinity. But what surprises you more is the treasure of pet stuff available here.

Metromela.com climbed up the multistoried house to be welcomed by a Wire Haired Daschund. The young owners followed next. Paws was started by Sandeep Atmaram and Ridhima Coelho in the second half of 2008 purely because of their Paws love for pets. And it # 10, 2nd Street, shows – in the product Markham Road, Off Brigade range available here Road, Ashok Nagar, and their knowledge on Bangalore – 560025. pets and pet care.

Tel – 080-41317297 This is a pet shop for all things related to dogs, cats, birds and fish, though the balance tilts towards dogs more. Pet food is available in a range of brands like Pedigree, Royal Canin, Whiskas, Sabor Vida and more. Prices range from Rs. 60 caption (500 grams) to Rs. 4,000 (15 kilograms) depending on the brand. Chews are available too from Rs. 20 to Rs. 600. You muzzles and more. You can pick from a simple leash or an automatic one that will also find food supplements and stops rolling at the click of a button. bowls with adjustable stands here. Then There are some metallic chains as well, there are all kinds of collars and leashes, perfect for the bling factor. And if you need name tags, they can get those made as well.

What may bring a smile to your face are the grooming products and accessories available here. Shampoos (Rs. 60500), deodorants, clothes, shoes, bows and more are all there for you to pick from. Cute pet clothes, tiny ‘paw’ wear, interesting collars (even Swarovski studded ones) and trinkets (Rs. 30-400) for pets are worth a look – at least for the designer gowns, pearl necklaces and ski jackets! Paws also has a range of beds for

pets that can be custom-made for you.

Blankets, toys, books, kennels (even for transportation), fish tank / bowls, bird feed and magazines comprise rest of the stuff here.

Paws does have a wide range of products for your pet. It’s rather unlikely that a pet lover would return without buying anything from here. But the best part is that you can bring your pet along at this store too. Paws welcomes them. Parking space is along the roadside here. Home delivery is done on Tuesdays. The store is open from 11 AM to 8 PM and is closed on Tuesdays.

Schooling for pets – Chennai Have you ever wondered if your ever loving dogs could get some schooling too? Metromela.com came across Woodstock Dog Training School at T Nagar, Chennai and believes it could be the school for your pet. Started in 1988

by J Rangarajan, a dog trainer himself, Woodstock opened a branch in Chicago as well in 2003.

The trainers from Woodstock come over to your place and train the dog

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in your presence. You can enroll your pet for Domestic Obedience Training which is for household pets and extends to a duration of almost three months.

It involves 20-24 sessions with eight sessions a month kept as an average.

This training involves teaching basic commands of walking in line with the master, sitting, staying in a spot till asked to move, lying down and coming when called. There is also Show Obedience Training where they train dogs for a specific dog show.

Woodstock also Woodstock gives Industrial # 8/1, Nana Street, Security Training T Nagar, Chennai – 600017. apt for security Tel – 044-24361569 dogs at corporates, factories etc. The dogs are trained for safekeeping, chasing and catching the intruders and also as sniffer dogs. They are trained specifically not to accept food from strangers too.

Woodstock also has Grooming program, christened ‘Woodstock Groomobile’, where experienced trainers come home to groom your pet. The accessories and products are also provided by Woodstock for these sessions.

The membership is available here for quarterly, half yearly and yearly periods.

The training is available for all dogs irrespective of their breed. Woodstock Shivaji Rao, one of the better known dog also provides consultancy services with trainers in Mysore shares some valuable respect to getting a new dog, dog rearing tips on pup care with us. or behavioral problems.

• When you bring home the pup, first This place is niche and perfect if you ensure that it gets acclimatized to the wish to train your dog and get complete environment. value for your money. The dog trainers • Comfort, safety and amusement are here even maintain a report card for your the three most important points to be dog whose progress you can follow. The taken into consideration for this. sessions are usually for thirty minutes, • As pups tend to chew anything and everything around them, remove all two times a week and you are supposed hard and sharp objects from the pup’s to train your pet everyday then. You can surroundings. call them anytime during the day and • Provide your pup with a cozy and discuss the training schedule.

Valuable tips on Pup Care - Mysore

Do you know pet stores, parlors and vets worth recommending? Log on to metromela.com and recommend a merchant. You stand to win points. ●

18 june 2009

warm bedding to sleep.

• Give the pups toys and artificial bones to play with and to strengthen their bones.

• Pups need a lot of space to play and roam around, so make sure you provide your pup with ample space (and time) to play and exercise.

• Try to include natural foods such as milk, chicken, chicken heart, oatmeal,

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vegetables, boiled rice, carrots and cheese, along with supplements, in the pup’s diet.

• Pups should be provided with four meals a day, until they are four months old and, thereafter, three meals a day until they are eight months old.

• Make sure your pups are vaccinated with disease-resistance medicines between six and nine weeks of age.

• After the initial vaccination, booster vaccinations should be given three weeks after the initial vaccination.

• Do take the pups for regular checkups and keep the vet updated on the growth of your pup.

• Pups need to be groomed regularly, as it not only makes them look nicer but also strengthens the bond between you and them.

• Keep the living area of the pup clean and hygienic, and ensure that your pup is free from ticks.

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city hotspots

M

atsya Darshini is a centrally air-conditioned aquarium house in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad with a variety of aquariums, of different sizes and shapes, arranged neatly along the sides of the walls. In the middle there is a huge attractive aquarium, which generally has a bunch of inquisitive visitors, especially kids pressing their faces against the walls of the glass dome to take a peek at the aquatic creatures. It’s a common sight to see school students with their teachers learning about fish and taking down sketches here. In fact, the caretaker says that more than a 100 schools have visited their aquarium so far.

Apart from fish, complete sets for the aquarium and the fish bowl are available.

It also includes fish feed, net, pebbles, artificial plants for decoration, antibiotics and medicine for fish, aerators etc.

Aquariums start from Rs. 3,000 and go up to Rs. 21,000 and above depending upon All kinds of fish, ornamental and fresh the size and design. Fish Bowls range water ones are seen here. You can first from Rs. 90-120. These are good enough see the assortment in the showroom for a pair of and go to their sales counter if you fish. Also if Matsya Darshini wish to buy them. There are tiger you’re a firstZaheera Nagar, Road fish, gold fish, silver fish etc, with timer ensure No. 10, Banjara Hills,

that you do not give excess feed (not more than 8 granules per fish per day).

Change the water every third day and use a net for this. A complete set of standard size fish bowl with fish, fish feed, pebbles and grass plant would cost you around Rs. 200.

Though there isn’t much variety available at the aquarium, what impressed us was the way the staff educates the visitor about fish selection, care and rearing.

So if you are a fish lover or if you wish to present a ‘fishy’ gift to your friend or kids do visit Matsya Darshini that offers affordable fish bowls and aquariums.

But, just a word of caution, make sure you take care of them as you would be bringing a new life home. It’s not a mere decorative piece.

Parking space is available for a few cars in the front, but more parking space can be found a little ahead of the building.

Visit anytime between 1 PM and 8 PM. ●

Hyderabad – 500034.

Tel – 040-65262158

If fishes fascinate you, then Matsya Darshini is the place where you can see, learn and even get yourself a pet.

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JUNE 2009 19

all cities

the least expensive being the white and black striped fish, at Rs. 20 per pair and the most expensive at Rs. 300 per pair being the gold fish. The best part is that the staff is well-informed and trained to assist you at every step, right from the entrance to the sales. Surprisingly the so called fish market doesn’t carry any stench, as it is well ventilated. Edible fish stock comes daily and it is not carried forward to the next day as the quantity bought is only 150 to 200 kilograms.

hyderabad

Somethin’s Fishy!

hyderabad

restaurants

Brew a Delight A refreshing world of tea, in spite of the ubiquitous coffee joints.

in various flavors adorn their collection.

For the health freaks, they have in store Hyson Green, Green Needles, Organic Green etc. We tried the green tea and found it to be a pleasant way to add anti-oxidants to the body. The Natural Green Teas are also said to prevent cancer, cholesterol related ailments, cavities, ageing etc. For those conscious n Arabic, Finjaan refers to a small of the extra pounds there is Slimming tea. flute-shaped cup that is used to They also have the Natural Black Teas serve tea. Quite an apt name for a and White teas from places like Fujian, tea lounge / shop, that has carved province of China and Darjeeling. a niche for its unique varieties of tea.

Must-tries are their specialties like Located in Tolichowki in Hyderabad, the Chinese Ginseng Oolong, Jade Rings and place has walls mounted with tea jars and Jasmine Leaf and White Teas like Jasmine cartons from all over the world. There are Pearls, Chinese Flower and White Gold. also a vintage collection of tea pots and An interesting find is Pink Tea called books on exotic tea brews. For those Rose Bud which comes with the flavored who wish to sit and sip a teacup, decent essence of Bulgarian Roses.

Must-tries are their specialties like Chinese For the less patient crowd who wants Ginseng Oolong, Jade Rings and Jasmine Leaf and an instant sip and a feel of the place, iced teas in various flavors are readily White Teas like Jasmine Pearls, Chinese Flower served in curvy glasses and in tempting and White Gold. An interesting find is Pink Tea combinations of colors. A glass of tea is called Rose Bud which comes with the flavored available from Rs. 30. And of course, tea essence of Bulgarian Roses. is available to buy and prepare at home with some of them even being priced at around Rs. 7,000 for 25 grams.

Finjaan is one of those rare tea lounges in Hyderabad, a city that has grown in the lap of Irani cafes. A must visit for all Chai enthusiasts and a push Finjaan enough for the # 9-4-76/2/1, Main Road, non enthusiasts Tolichowki, Opp. Mughal to give it a try.

Residency Apartments, The ambience Hyderabad- 500008. is casual and Tel – 040-23561738 the tea flavors are unique and worth a try. Whatever be your cup of tea, you’ll definitely find it here. Service is decent. There is some space for parking right beside the store. Finjaan is open from 10 AM to 9.30 PM. ●

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20 june 2009

table-chairs arrangement have been made on one side, and a low seating arrangement on the floor with glass-top tables on the other. The exterior walls of the lounge area are glass fitted, for you to take a look outside. Eye-catching yellow lamps hanging from the rooftop add a cozy feel with its warm lighting.

We checked out the variety available here and were amazed at the exotic assortment. They have The Red Tea from the high terrains of Assam that promises to rejuvenate your senses. There is Nilgiri tea or Blue Mountain Teas in three different flavors - the Blue Mountain Tips, Black Enigma which is grown 8,000 feet above sea level and Imperial, one of the finest organic teas made from Chinese plants of over 100 years. Darjeeling teas

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bangalore

doctors/hospitals

Delay aging Y

ou can’t avoid aging but you can definitely delay it. Dr. Mukta Sachdev, consultant dermatologist at Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, shares her tips on what it takes to delay aging. Dr. Mukta is an MD, Fellow in Cosmetic Dermatology (USA) with a Diploma in Practical Dermatology (UK). Excerpts –

Hide your age with beautiful skin. Tips from an expert to help you delay aging.

Antioxidants and the right diet Right food for skin is a must to delay aging. With balanced food you can ensure that you take in antioxidants that delay aging of the skin. Vitamins E and C are effective antioxidants and help in keeping the skin firm and slowing down the aging process.

Eating right is definitely an important thing when you are fighting aging skin; certain diets have been proven to slow down the aging process. Berries, dark green leafy vegetables, salmon, tomatoes and even some whole grains are excellent for healthy and young looking skin.

Exercise and a healthy workout Exercising enhances your skin’s

22 june 2009

Dr. Mukta Sachdev

appearance and also helps your entire body, mind and spirit feel better. As soon as you start to exercise, you will begin to notice that your skin doesn’t look as old and there aren’t as many wrinkles visible due to the release of natural endorphins.

Timely Rest Adequate sleep is essential for skin care and repair. Your body needs to rest for your skin to look youthful.

Sunscreens

This is the mainstay of any anti-aging skin care routine and is one of the best preventive measures against aging.

The primary cause of premature aging is exposure to sun without adequate protection and care. So find a good sunscreen with an SPF of 30 suited to your skin type and use it on a regular basis.

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Anti-aging and retinol based products Consult your dermatologist to know which is the best anti-aging skin care product with retinol (form of Vitamin A) individually suited for your skin and start on a preventive anti-aging skin care routine as early as you can. Good skin care will go a long way in preventing aging. Also, modify this routine based on your age, skin type, occupation, environmental conditions, seasonal changes and hormonal changes. There are several non-invasive treatments available for anti-aging too.

Do consult an experienced dermatologist for advice as to what may work in addition to the above measures to keep your skin looking youthful. ●

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Shringar in Bangalore, though tiny and ‘missable’, is popular among schools for its dance and drama costumes and accessories available on hire.

H

oused in a small room in Halasuru, Bangalore, Shringar Costumes is stacked with colorful costumes and fancy dresses. You can’t browse through them like you would in a mall. Everything is laid in quite a haphazard manner. So you need to ask for your desired costume from the manager and he will show you the one across colors and sizes.

For all those school going children who are active in extracurricular activities like dance, dramatics and fancy dress, Shringar Costumes is worth a visit. The categories of costumes available on hire here vary from mythological characters, cartoons, birds, animals, kings, queens, national leaders to fruits, vegetables and more. Costumes for Indian classical as well as western dance are also available. The shop even provides make up facility for these dances. All costumes available here are for children from 2 to 18 years of age.

Besides costumes, Shringar stocks accessories like a doctor’s stethoscope, a dancer’s ghungroo, an angel’s wings or magical wand and a joker’s mask. All these materials are given on hire at a starting rate of Rs. 100 for 24 hours. However, a Bharatnatyam costume is given on hire at a higher rate of Rs. 1,000. If you prefer buying new costumes rather than using a hired one, Shringar offers tailoring facilities too. Quite a few annual school function dresses as well as fancy dress tailoring is done here. That apart, marriage and temple jewelry is available for sale too.

What’s good about this place is that it is a rare find, prices are reasonable, and the dresses are available in all sizes. In fact, you are allowed to alter according to your needs. So check it out anytime between 10 AM and 9 PM. Parking space is available. ●

Shringar Costumes # 15, Car Street, Halasuru, Bangalore – 560008.

Tel – 080-25302816

bangalore

Keep it fancy

accessories

bangalore

city hotspots

Magic with

Stones

Chitradurga Fort in the North of Karnataka would leave you speechless with its architecture in stone.

F

orts and palaces carry a mystical charm. They speak stories through their existence just like Chitradurga Fort does in Karnataka. The fort stands testimony to wars fought here, even while it finds a reference in the Mahabharata.

Located at a distance of about 180 kilometers from Bangalore, The fort has 19 main entrance Chitradurga Fort can be accessed gates, 35 smaller entrances from the National and 35 secret bays. This Highway 4 (NH 4), fortification is believed to through Tumkur and towards Davanagere. have made Chitradurga Fort Sign boards will unconquerable. The fort guide your way to was used for defense by the Chitradurga district Nayakas until Haider Ali where the beautiful defeated them in 1799 AD. fort stands.

Chitradurga Fort was built in 1568 by the Nayakas, feudatory chieftains under the Vijayanagara Empire.

It rests on a hilltop overlooking the plains of Chitradurga district. Seven walls

24 june 2009

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barricade the fort – a typical feature with the forts designed in medieval India for safety from enemies. The fort has 19 main entrance gates, 35 smaller entrances and 35 secret bays. This fortification is believed to have made Chitradurga Fort unconquerable. The fort was used for

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bangalore

One of the gates letting you in

defense by the Nayakas until Haider Ali defeated them in 1799 AD. Marks of bullets and embrasures are still visible on the walls.

The fort was intelligently built as we see separate entrances for elephants, strongly

built lock systems, enquiry posts at entrances and watch towers (impressive and can be climbed up) all around to guard enemies’ movements. There are also temples, granaries, water tanks and oil pits. All these are built of big blocks of stones and are strong enough even to

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this date. In terms of natural splendor, we also see some natural rock art. Elephants, frogs, ships and more find shape among the rocks, making it a picturesque hill fort.

Chitradurga also encompasses 14 temples

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JUNE 2009 25

bangalore

of which the Hidimbeshwara Temple is considered to be the oldest one. The temple dates Chitradurga district to the period of Mahabharata, as Bhima (one of the Pandavas) is said to have tied the knot with Hidimbasura at this temple only. Among others ancient temples is the Ekanatheshwari Temple which is worth visiting. So while the fort takes you on a historical tour of the empires of Karnataka, its reference in ancient epics thousands of years back is remarkable and makes you wonder about mythology.

It takes 4-5 hours to explore every possible corner of the fort. It involves a climb up the hill through rocky ways that makes the visit adventurous as well.

Though the monsoon is considered to be the best time to visit as the rocks look beautiful in the midst of greenery, the stones get slippery and you have to be very careful with your footwear. Worth a visit during the weekends when there is a light show as well (7 PM to 8.30 PM). A night stay at a hotel in Chitradurga is not a bad idea. Refreshments are available in a canteen inside the fort housed in what used to be the room for priests.

Metromela.com advises you to have food at the canteen only and throw the waste in garbage bins nearby. Don’t carry food items to the hilltop as there are no garbage bins there. Also, please do not write or scratch on the fort walls as it may deface the monument and you may get three months of imprisonment or a fine of Rs. 5,000 or both, under The Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. Visit it to soak in its natural beauty and architectural splendor. ●

Aerial view of Chitradurga Fort

Glimpses of Hindu and Muslim style of architecture

Way uphill to the fort

26 june 2009

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bangalore

Remains of Hidimbeshwara temple inside the fort Temples inside the fort

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JUNE 2009 31

bangalore

city hotspots

Breathtakingly

beautiful Butterfly Park in Bangalore leaves you mesmerized with its colorful inhabitants.

This eco-centric environment also features an artificial stream and natural flora.

B

annerghatta National Park is not just home to wild animals but also to delicate and beautiful butterflies. That’s another fact that not many are aware of it. Spread across seven acres, it includes a butterfly conservatory, a museum and an audio-visual room built in a three domed structure. Nestled in the lush green ambience of the park, it is a haven for over 20 species of butterflies.

The butterfly conservatory in the first dome leads you to a beautiful butterfly

28 june 2009

Butterfly Park

Biological Park, Bannerghatta, Bangalore – 560076.

Tel – 080-27828540

trail. It may sound incredible but as you enter this home of butterflies, these winged creatures in all their flattering colors give you a warm welcome. The conservatory seems like an auditorium with closed doors from outside and as you enter the arena, the show begins. To charm you further, there flows a stream gushing through the small world of flora planted there.

Water flows below the tiny bridges and watching the little fish in it along with your multicolored hosts seems like living a dream.

Once you are through the Butterfly Trail, the exit leads you to the second dome with a museum dedicated to the lives of butterflies. The museum offers information on

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evolution of butterflies with exhibits of some preserved, exquisite species with their biological names on display. There’s also an audio visual room in the third dome that screens videos and films on butterflies.

Butterfly Park is a part of the eco-tourism initiative in Karnataka. It is India’s first such park and a must visit place for children who are losing touch with nature. The museum and the audio-visual room are very useful for science students and school children to get an insight into the biological aspects of butterflies.

All this for an entry ticket of Rs. 20 for adults and Rs.10 for children. You are not allowed to injure, trap or disturb the butterflies. So on your visit here, let them just be. Otherwise you can be fined Rs. 500 for such acts. Visit it anytime between 10 AM and 5 PM. The park remains closed on Tuesdays. ●

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city hotspots chennai

Artistic Terrace House A several decades old reclaimed house, The Madras Terrace House in Royapettah, Chennai has fast established itself as a muster station for (sometimes lesser known) artists, actors and artisans to display their skill.

The small, white-walled house acts as a venue for plays, exhibitions and events on a regular basis. Its sea-green doors and windows match the chairs laid out at the open air ‘tea kadai’, shaded by two bright yellow and orange embroidered patio umbrellas.

A store stands in the vicinity.

The Madras Terrace House regularly displays exhibitions of painting by artists from

within the city, and outside.

Previous exhibitions have included the paintings of V Hans Kaushik, Blodsow and M Natesh. It also holds exhibitions of quaint items created by artists and artisans across the country; like the ones being currently displayed are items made from elephant dung from People Tree and Haathi Chaap.

The house also holds book club meetings and film screenings, and theatre activities (a recent solo performance by Pritam Chakravarthy is wellremembered) and stores books published by Blaft (publishers of ‘The Tamil Anthology of Pulp Fiction’ and Kuzhali Manickavel’s ‘Insects

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If you’re new to Chennai and bored, some of the events at The Madras Terrace House might cure your boredom.

Are Just Like You And Me Except Some Of Them Have Wings’).

There is also a store inside that sells quaint accessories and knick-knacks from different parts of the world - jewelry, funky Janota shoes from Goa, wooden figurines from Indonesia, a tea-cup and saucer with Tamil alphabets embossed on the edges, and more.

It also houses the ‘K’ collection, a casual wear line designed by Kaveri Lalchand who conceptualized The Madras Terrace House.

However the prices are a bit steep – you might end up paying a couple hundred more than you would outside.

Tops are priced Rs. 450 onwards, prices of jewelry and knick-knacks can vary anywhere between Rs. 150 and a couple of thousands.

However, for their uniqueness

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of design, some of the items are worth their price.

The Tea Kadai serves tea, coffee, chaat (aloo chaat, sev puri) and some delicious cupcakes (cannot be missed).

The items are priced between Rs. 15 and Rs. 40.

So visit it for the number of avenues it offers in terms of entertainment – from art exhibitions to music performances to being a book hub or even for some shopping fun. It’s ppen from 10.30 AM to 7 PM. Cars will need to be parked in the crowded lane outside the venue, as it does not offer parking space. ●

The Madras Terrace House # 15, Sripuram, 2nd Street, Royapettah, Chennai – 600034.

Tel - 09840530269

JUNE 2009 29

chennai

pic

speak

See Chennai through our eyes

Spenzer Plaza Charles Durrant and John W. Spencer set up the first departmental store, Spencer Plaza, in the Indian sub-continent in 1863-64 in Chennai.

Till 1983, the beautiful heritage building survived on Mount Road, when a fire burnt it down. Today, it has risen again, and though it bears no resemblance to the building it replaced, Spencer’s Plaza is the best known shopping destination in Chennai.

Marina Beach The second longest ‘city’ beach in the world, and spans about 12 kilometers from Fort St. George to Besant Nagar.

Armenian Church Armenians arrived in India as early as 2000 BC, and then again in 327 BC along with the forces of Alexander.

This Church was destroyed and was reconstructed in 1772 and stands strong today, supported by the Armenian community living in Calcutta.

chennai

Chennai Central the magnificent terminus was constructed in 1873, as the second station in Madras, after Royapuram.

Madras High Court This building is an excellent example of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, and was built in 1892. The central domed minaret once housed the lighthouse for over 75 years, producing a kerosene-fuelled light visible 32 km away.

Santhome Basilica in Chennai is dedicated to St. Thomas, and is one of the only three churches in the world that are built on tombs of one of the 12 apostles of Jesus.

The Kapaleeshwara temple in Mylapore is dedicated to Lord Shiva. While the present structure is not more than about 350 years old, ancient writings and hymns dating back to the 6th century also refer to this temple.

Information Courtesy – Storytrails, an organization that conducts city walks and tours.

Advertorial

Runway to Housing Dreams A reputed realty foundation, Nahar, is offering its customers the opportunity to shape their dream weekend habitat with their own hands.

T

he picturesque East Coast road has yet another offering that promises tranquility away from the city’s blaring horns, restless streets, and racing clocks; an idyllic subterfuge that you can create for yourself, a space to return from with happy stories of the weekend, and a place to be more of yourself, and less of what is expected of you. The Nahar Backwaters, 11 acres of open unconstructed land located in the rustic Sulerikadu village - a convenient 8 kilometres from Mahabalipuram – offers 98 plots of sizes between 661 sq ft and 7922 sq ft, all untouched by metal or cement. The project is a tangible evolution of Nahar Foundation Private

Limited’s driving vision, a fervent belief that dream homes are created not by the genius of one architect, but by compliance to the customer’s dream for his own living space. The plots are unfettered by blue-print plans and offer interested parties the option of constructing their own homes, or entrusting their requirements into the hands of Nahar Foundation Private Limited.

A silent haven of peace, a step away from the backwaters, the Nahar Backwaters stands testimony to the quality that Nahar Foundation Private Limited is known to uphold in their choice of location, design and landscaping.

Nestled in lush greenery and

Nahar Constructions saw its beginnings in 1999, when brothers Tolachand Nahar and Sumerchand Nahar decided to set up their own firm, that reflected their penchant to provide quality realty solutions, and that aimed at creating homes, and not just houses for their clients. Their keen eye for detail, and expertise with the intricacies of construction has brought over 50 prestigious residential projects to the firm’s dossier. Nahar Constructions was renamed Nahar Foundation Private Limited, and can speak of impeccable reputation, strong held by its team of motivated and dynamic professionals, who aim utility, whilst creating homes that will be their customer’s pride and joy. Nahar Foundation Private Limited aims to have a strong presence in dealing with building material, interior design, real estate asset management, and investor services by 2012, but their shortterm goal, they say, is a constant one – to translate their customer’s dream into reality.

neatly manicured gardens, the gated community, protected by a high rise compound wall is far removed from the traffic of the emerging modernity of the Sulerikadu village, but it can still provide modern amenities, including portable water facility, at the reach of a hand. Nahar Backwaters also provides 12.5 grounds of recreational space, that incorporates plans for an air

conditioned state of the art gymnasium, open and closed party halls, an amphitheatre, a luxurious 50 ft long pool, and a neatly laid out jogging track. A children’s play area, a guest house, and an area of indoor games is also available inviting a game of billiards, table tennis or badminton.

The Nahar Backwaters seems to have all the makings of being a favored choice for the elite, in search of a nook for weekend getaways, but prefer a plot in a gated community to the hassle of an independent house. All plots are Panchayat approved.

So go on, dream. Envision.

Imagine. Create a space that you can’t deny being your own. Convert the blue print in your mind into words.

And leave the rest to Nahar Foundations Private Limited.

Your dream habitat might not remain a dream for long.

For more details, visit stores. metromela.com/nahar and browse through. ●

S

owmya Rajendran, associate editor at Chandamama, one of the most famous children’s publications in India speaks on tips for budding writers. Here are the excerpts from her conversation with metromela.com.

Tips for Budding Writers The freedom to imagine is an ability rarely found in adults. Writing, like reading, is hard work. It requires patience and practice to work at your articulation.

Here are some tips to hone your writing skills - however old you might be!

• Read: The more you read, the more at ease you will be with words.

Enjoying other people’s writing will teach you more about your own style and expression.

• Fight: Your laziness, lack of will, and excuses to get away from your craft.

• Imagine: Nobody knows what you’re

thinking. The mind is where you will be the freest anywhere on this planet. Relish it.

• Observe: The world is a curious beast. People are full of intrigue. Your placid-looking Yoga teacher could be a fighter pilot. Learn to study your environment. How does your mum look when she sees your report card? Does she sigh first or does she frown? Record her reaction in your writer’s brain. Use it.

• Avoid clichés: Unless you are making fun of them. Writing what someone else has already written is no fun. Discard dead phrases and search for fresh ones.

• Don’t Dream: In your stories, that is.

The worst thing a writer can do in a good story is to end it by saying ‘Oh it was all a dream and I got up!’ Be brave to persist with your fantasy. Don’t give up midway.

• Write: Don’t wait for the Muses. It’s a popular belief that writers have to sit around for ages before the Muses decide to visit them. While it adds a welcome

chennai

Penning Stories

extracurricular

bit of color and romance to the writer’s personality, in truth, if the Muses don’t come to Mohammed, then Mohammed will have to go to the Muses. Writing needs practice, work at it.

• Show: Be proud of your writing; show it to your peers. The responses you get from your readers are bound to be interesting. Criticism will also help you grow as a writer.

I am tempted to add two more tips to make the number a round 10, but I have nothing more to say. If you read this right till the end, that is 10/10 enough for me.●

chennai

accessories

Bespoke jewelry At Rasvihar in Chennai, jewelry designer Ahalya S crafts each piece using unique combinations of metals and stones.

Ahalya S also offers customized bespoke jewelry that the store promises will be unlike other customizations offered by jewelry stores.

They add that the personality of the client will be considered when designing the piece.

The jewelry comes with unique wrapping as well. For instance, your nose-ring may be fitted into a paper box with dried leaves and chocolate scents.

for guests to relax in as they choose their buy, add to the decor.

S

haded by trees, Rasvihar designer jewelry store is a tastefully designed house in Sterling Avenue, with a wooden gate. Walk past the neatly-swept driveway and into the spacious postColonial house and you see teakwood almirahs displaying jewelry in the corner of every room. Soft lighting and comfortable sofa sets

34 june 2009

Jewelry designer Ahalya S crafts each piece using unique combinations of metals and stones. We like the earrings of pearls encrusted between white and yellow gold, silver and rubies placed to form a bold flower earring and a silver choker with an inch of gold at the nape (all priced over Rs. 15,000). The designs are contemporary and the combinations of metals and stones experimental with most of the jewelry priced in thousands.

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At Rasvihar, the jewelry designs are definitely not run-of-the-mill. Though the prices are often an object of complaint, there are customers that weigh them in terms of uniqueness too. So if

you are looking for a unique piece of jewelry or are willing to shell out to get your share of bespoke jewelry then head to Rasvihar. Vehicles can be parked within the Rasvihar compound and you can visit

Rasvihar

# 17A, Sterling Avenue, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600034.

Tel – 044-28269912

between 11 AM and 8 PM on weekdays or 1 PM and 6 PM on Sundays. ●

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extracurricular pune

Khare’s Football and Rugby Academy is living its dream of promoting the sports of football and rugby.

I

Kick-off

f you’ve ever been on Law College ground in Pune in the evenings, you wouldn’t have missed the sight of zestful kids playing football or rugby. These players are from Khare’s Football and Rugby Academy or KFANDRA as it is popularly known which trains boys and girls to be professional football and rugby players. The academy was started by two brothers Swapneel and Surhud Khare in 2000.

The academy is not a place for those who want to learn the sport just for fun.

It is for those who have a passion for the sport. So discipline, integrity and dedication are imperative here. Kids are also encouraged to undergo the trial period on offer as it helps them to understand the training procedure.

Once enrolled, a student is put in a batch according to the age group. The groups are for 5-8 year olds, 9-11 year olds, 12-15 year olds and those above 16 years of age. Each level has a beginner’s and an advanced level. To get to a higher level, the student has to take a physical test every three months where parameters like fitness, skill and stamina are taken into consideration.

session from 5 PM to 7 PM (except for kids under 11 for whom it starts from 5.30 PM) that comprises warm ups, fitness drills which are football related and of course the main game. You could choose to play here seven days a week, five days or even on alternate days. Every week a mini tournament is also organized to test the skills of the students and their advancement towards the sport. As far as the dress code is concerned, they prefer that the children stick to shorts and Tshirts.

There aren’t many training centers for boys and girls to learn football or rugby in the country. Khare’s is one of the few and a good one at that. The coaches are strict disciplinarians and extremely motivating while ensuring that the kids enjoy themselves to the hilt. They even ensure that there is a first aid kit in hand in case of injuries. Other than that they have academy merchandise too. Pay and park facility is available. ●

Khare’s Football and Rugby Academy (KFANDRA) Law College ground, Pune – 411004.

Tel - 09822856765

Every day there is a two-hour

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JUNE 2009 35

pune

extracurricular

Fly

high

I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky…

P

aragliding is the closest we can get to flying. It’s exhilarating, it’s fun and it’s an experience of a lifetime. Pune is lucky to have TemplePilots, one of the top schools in South East Asia for paragliding. Metromela. com spoke with Anita, a core team member of TemplePilots, who has been an adventure enthusiast since her childhood days. She was also the only woman pilot and Indian to fly at the Third International Flying Festival at Vagamon,

36 june 2009

Kerala. Here’s Anita guide on the sport of paragliding.

clearly and to listen well.

What you also need is ‘time’.

Is it for me?

Is there an age limit?

Just about anyone can learn to paraglide. Training classes are not very strenuous, and it doesn’t take any unusual strength or skill to learn to fly.

In fact it requires the same effort as you need to learn driving or cycling. Paragliding is more about finesse than fitness, more about skill than strength - which is why women often do much better than men because they don’t try to fight the paraglider around. To be a successful paragliding student and pilot, you need to be able to think

There is no age limit, but it’s important to have the maturity to respect the risks involved. Participant ages range from students in their teens to seasoned pilots in their 70s. Most of the active pilots are from the age group of mid–20s through mid–40s.

It is not uncommon, however, to see senior citizens as paragliding pilots. Your body weight needs to be above 40 kilograms.

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Suitability Check As far as physical fitness is

concerned, you should be able to jog, run and walk up a hill. In the learning phase you will need to do a bit of hill climbing and ground handling calls. You should not have heart ailments, asthma or epilepsy and you should be able to judge distances, motions and orientations as you move in three dimensions. Apart from that, you should have a good judgement, a concern for personal safety, a positive attitude and most importantly the will or desire to fly.

What is a paraglider?

Paragliders are advanced evolutionary aircrafts that

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pune

can go places and do things unlike any other vehicle. The entire paragliding set (wing, harness, helmet) weighs less than fifteen kilos and easily fits into a backpack. It is easy to transport, easy to launch, and easy to land. The paraglider itself is constructed of rip-stop nylon from which the pilot is suspended by sturdy Kevlar/ Dyneema lines. All paragliders are shock and load tested for safety. The pilot is seated in the harness and connected to the glider in a sitting position. The pilot can choose the sitting inclination for maximum comfort as desired.

Paragliders are classified depending on the weight of the pilot and the level of

proficiency. There are training gliders (basic) for beginners, intermediate gliders for club level pilots for soaring and fun flying and advanced gliders for competition level flying.

What can I do with a paraglider?

With a paraglider, you actually fly like a bird. With this gift of wings you become a recreational pilot who can not only spice up the weekends but travel with your best buddy (paraglider) to fly anywhere in the world.

While training you will start out doing short flights trying to master the take off and landing technique. As you progress you will be ready to fly higher and enjoy as pilots do – the art of soaring!

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Average recreational pilots, using thermal and ridge lift, easily stay up for 2 to 3 hours or more, can soar to altitudes up to 15,000 feet and travel crosscountry for great distances.

How safe is it?

Paragliding is an outdoor sport in which you are trying to harmonize with the forces of nature. Like any other adventure sport it is exciting because of that little element of risk but no more than climbing or swimming.

Personal judgment and attitude are of fundamental importance.

Is it scary?

a smooth transition from ground to the air.

There is no free-falling or jumping off cliffs. It is a gentle adventure and once airborne the experience can be serene, quiet and peaceful. There is an element of potential risk involved, but if you are prepared to learn paragliding properly, stick to the rules, respect the elements and understand your own limitations the risk involved is very small. Even a fear of heights is rarely a factor, as there is no sensation of falling.

During training you fly in supervised conditions where most of your decisions are taken by your instructors as you gradually learn to take charge.

Best places to fly in India

This is a very common question, and the answer is, “NO, not at all.� The pilot runs down a gentle slope and glides away from the mountain. The launches are

Bir, located in the Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh is among the top ten flying sites in the world. It has been a host to several international competitions especially in the months of October-November

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JUNE 2009 37

pune when it attracts hoards of pilots from all over the world.

Ideal for cross country flying, Bir is not for the beginners in the sport. A popular route is flying to Dharamsala from Bir. On good days it’s not unusual for pilots to be flying at an altitude of 8,000 to 10,000 feet and enjoying the beauty of this marvelous mountain range in all its glory.

Discovered by Temple Pilots, Kamshet, between Mumbai and Pune has grown to become the most popular flying site in the country. The Western Ghats offer great dynamic conditions for pilots of every level. Especially ideal for training, there are several flying sites in the region that are suitable in differing wind conditions. The Kamshet region also boasts of the longest flying season from October through to June.

Most picturesque flying site in the region being the Pawna lakeside which offers fantastic views of the massive Pawna Lake, Tikona fort, Mulshi Lake, Tungi and the Lohegad forts.

Close to Pune is another beautiful hill station of

38 june 2009

Panchgani that’s another popular flying site in the region. Pilots, on good days easily do distance flying of 80 to 100 kilometers. Pilots have also attempted to fly from Panchgani to Kamshet. Flying is the best in the months after monsoon when the whole region is glistening in its pristine lush green glory.

Further down is Goa, a great holiday destination and ideal for easy, leisure flying by the coast. The northern beaches of Anjuna and Arambole make for wonderful flying sites especially in the winter months. After February and March it really gets very hot here and almost un-flyable.

Kerala is as beautiful as it can get for pilots floating thousands of feet above the landscape and relishing in the eagle’s eye view. Munnar, a popular hill station has some of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats. The weather is most ideal and the expanse of tea gardens spread all across the landscape make Munnar a very friendly place to fly.

There are several flying sites in the region and Munnar is slowly gaining popularity

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among the top flying destinations in the country.

Vagamon is another popular flying site a few hours from Munnar. It hosts the annual International Vagamon Flying Festival that sees pilots from all over the world coming and enjoying flying in this beautiful countryside.

Further there’s Rajasthan to add to the offering. One can do some flying in popular tourist destinations like Pushkar and Mount Abu on the Gujarat-Rajasthan border.

North Eastern Himalayas have a beauty of their own and look to be very popular flying destinations in the near future.

Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Gangtok are the more prominent take off points in this region which offers world class flying potential.

Uttaranchal, the Kullu Valley, Nainital, Kodaikanal and several such destinations are now opening up and getting discovered by pilots as new flying sites.

So shed your inhibitions and fly high! ●

TemplePilots

S.No. 54/11, C25, Kamdhenu Riddhi, Mahatma Society, Kothrud, Pune -411029.

Tel - 09823384654, 09970053359

Anita, the paragliding expert

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city hotspots pune

Forest Fun Taljai Forest now has a selfless man for its care. Tambe and his volunteers have been doing a good deal of work to ensure that the forest retains its splendor.

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ocated close to the Sahakarnagar area is the protected land of Taljai Forest in Pune. We drive down the serpentine road with a beautiful view of the sunrise, in the accompaniment of squirrels, rabbits, the shrill cry of peacocks and the chirping of birds.

As we reach the forest land, we see a Japanese-like rock garden with people practicing yoga. Elsewhere, an elderly man is ploughing land, digging pits, watering saplings and moving boulders along with some volunteers. The man, a retired manager of a bank, is Pandurang

Tambe, who initiated the process of beautification of this land by planting saplings. Tambe’s motive is to give back the world what he has gained and supporting him in this venture are his volunteers.

Typically, Tambe and his volunteers dig, clear the area, pick up stones, build fence, plant saplings etc. Before monsoons this kind of work ensures that the rain seeps into the ground giving natural water to the plants.

The dedication and self motivated spirit of Tambe and his core team is contagious. In fact, what started as one sapling has now turned to this gorgeous rock garden, thanks to the persistence

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and hard work by Pandurang Tambe and his volunteers. Through this venture he has also given a sense of purpose and value to his retired fellowmen and taught integrity to the young children working here. A definite inspiration for all of us! Visit Taljai Forest and contribute by participating in this selfless activity. Carry your digging tools and bottle of water.

You may just find a new you here. â—?

www.metromela.com

JUNE 2009 39

pune

accessories

Trend Alert for Men

I

f good clothes accentuate a man’s personality then wearing the right accessories can further complement the look. This time, Metromela. com got in touch with Fashion Guru and socialite Bharat Rathod of the designer store Billionaire in Pune, for his tips on accessories for men. Follow these ideas for a charming new look.

Ties, scarves and cufflinks

Ties enhance the formal look. And this season casual printed ties are in. Painted ties are also in fashion. Scarves are definitely a must-have fashion accessory and can be worn in different drapes as per the occasion. The Arabic scarves worn by Abhishek Bacchan or sported

by Shah Rukh Khan in several events are this season’s must haves. Again, opt for conventional sober scarves for official use and flashy scarves otherwise. Cufflinks from brands like DKNY, Dior etc portray the fashion savvy man.

Bandanas and Tattoos

The bandana look has made a huge comeback after being sported by actor Saif Ali Khan. The huge tribal tattoo starting from the shoulder is a design that is growing in popularity too. Perfect for those on the bike.

Hats

The Hip Hop hats are considered very much in vogue this season. They protect you from the sun and look uber cool.

Belts

For men belts are the most important accessory. For formals, medium size

A perfect guide on accessories for the fashionconscious man - right from ties, down to shoes. belts with medium size buckles look fine.

For casuals, digital print belts and white belts are extremely popular this season.

The metallic side chains look pretty neat as well. For occasions like receptions, a studded belt with Swarovski crystals looks classy and adds the right amount of glitter.

Jewelry

Contemporary jewelry is in for men. Opt for metal or silver thumb rings. Leather bracelets and lockets in tribal designs are in vogue. Bracelets in artificial silver or matte silver are a part of a timeless collection.

Shoes

Italian bottleneck shoes make a great style statement and white shoes a la Jeetendra have made a huge comeback this season. Even grey matte shoes look classy. Metro, Regal, Roberto Cavalli, Woodland, Lee Cooper and Red Tape are great brands for shoes. Flip flops from D & G and Paul Smith are cool and great picks too on casual wear.

Eyewear

Aviator sunglasses from brands like

pune Christian Dior, Police, Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY, Ray Ban etc are stylish. For corporate executives, white glasses create the professional and suave look. Funky colorful frames are popular among the younger crowd.

Bags and Wallets

Carry regular wallets on formal wear. On casual wear digital print wallets are popular.

Leather laptop bags or trendy bags from Crocs and Benetton are cool and functional.

Casual sling bags or side bags are extremely fashionable with great utility value too.

Watches

Sleek watches are in especially with silver and golden belts. Tag Heuer, Rolex, Prada, Swatch and Tissot etc are great brands. Go for the big dial ones.

Dos and Don’ts

Right attitude is a must for carrying off any accessory.

Don’t go over the top. Play with only one area while accessorizing like neck, hands, ears etc than wearing everything at one time. Avoid looking like a Christmas tree.

Your attire and accessories need to go hand in hand. With casual look wear casual accessories while for formal clothing the accessories must be formal.

Fashion needs to be very instinctive so wear what suits you and adapt accordingly.

And finally, always carry a smile. It’s an accessory that brings out the best in your entire personality. ●

Model – Viraj Pagar Location Courtesy – Aperture India

pune

Accessories for Men Scarves, Bandanas, Belts, Watches, Hats, Wrist Bands, Eyewear and even Bags‌ Who says men don’t have accessories to experiment with.

Models – Viraj Pagar and Saurabh Gadiya Pics by – Jay Location – Aperture Gallery

vizag

city hotspots

Vizag’s hidden treasure Years of weather-beaten handiwork and climatic changes have given Vizag a natural wonder to behold the Erra Matti Dibbalu.

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arge bramble bush embedded in loose red soil, just off the Vizag-Bheemili Road, conceal the Erra Matti Dibbalu from sight. Inward lies, what MetroMela believes to be, Vizag’s hidden treasure and a heritage site that most Vizagites are unaware of – an amazing and endless row of breathtaking and towering red soil hills that sit amidst green shrubs and play hide and seek with the cloudspeckled setting sun. Years of weather-beaten handiwork

44 june 2009

and climatic changes have given Vizag a natural wonder to behold – the Erra Matti Dibbalu - which resemble a mini-Grand Canyon and are just about 28 kilometers away from Vizag city. Erra Matti Dibbalu means Red Mud Hillocks in Telugu.

Popularly known as the Red Soil Hills, these natural ravines spread extensively in various formations – some jagged, some deep, some maze-like and some creating walls along trekking pathways – thanks to recurring wind currents

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and soil erosion. Said to be over a million years old, they comprise sand, clay and silt and are acknowledged as a rare geographic phenomenon.

They are also favorite location spots for film shootings and for tourists.

In the recent past, the Erra Matti Dibbalu have made it to the news due to reports of the hills being flattened to make way for a shopping plaza (proximity to the pristine beach make them susceptible to prime realestate property dealers).

Fortunately, the intervention of Vizag’s Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) chapter and its concerted efforts to prevent this mishap through public awareness campaigns, has been a big blessing and has averted this to some

extent. In fact, INTACH, with convenor Rani Sarma at the helm, is now pushing for the need to convert this fragile and archaeologically sensitive heritage site into an eco-tourism spot. This should give it some semblance of protection.

Metromela.com thinks that the Erra Matti Dibbalu is a treasure that every Vizagite should hold on to. A natural wonder of any kind, that’s taken years to form, is rare to see and even tougher to preserve.

Visit the Erra Matti Dibbalu and you would perhaps get to know why we are saying this. However, be cautious as the density of the hills in some places can be misleading and you could easily lose your way here. Preferably visit the site with a group and unravel Vizag’s hidden treasure. ●

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extracurricular

Strings, a soundhole, a fingerboard, a plectrum and you, can together create beautiful rhythm.

vivag

Strum the Guitar T

he guitar is one of the most pickup and produce that big rock’n’roll melodious, versatile, adaptable sound. And yes, if you don’t plug it in, and beautiful of all musical you don’t hear it. instruments; and of course, absolutely super cool. As kids we’ve all Acoustic or electric, musicians have owned toy guitars with always been which we posed as our able to play favorite rock stars. Over this fabulous the years this amazing instrument in ways Acoustic or electric, instrument’s sheen musicians have always that were never hasn’t dimmed a bit to exist. been able to play this thought and it’s still immensely Classical, country, fabulous instrument popular. jazz, blues, rock, in ways that were flamenco; the There are two basic never thought to exist. guitar has been types of guitars used in all genres Classical, country, – acoustic and electric. of music. From jazz, blues, rock, Both are basically Jimi Hendrix flamenco; the guitar the same, they and Clapton to has been used in all are normally Jimmy Page, six stringed Santana, Satriani genres of music. (although and Yngwie there are those Malmsteen, have with seven, eight and even twelve thrilled us with their creations on the strings), have grooves called frets on guitar. their lovely long necks, at the end of which there are tuning pegs, which are While these are the old masters, today a used to tune them. The main feature new generation of artists is being trained that distinguishes them is their body. and nurtured. Metromela.com decided Acoustic guitars have a hole in the to focus on the budding talent in our center of their hollow beloved city, by listing the places body, where they could learn to play the guitar. So…strum on!

which helps to produce that soft, mellow, resonating sound; while rock guitars are solid bodied, have more tuning knobs, their strings pass over a magnetic

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Kids from the age of eight can join the guitar classes at Vizag School of Music. The instrument is taught here in three modules – basic, intermediate and advanced. They teach the western classical guitar and give vocal training as well. Theory and practical exams have to be given by the students on the completion of every level. Reading and writing music is also part of their curriculum. Classes are held twice a week for an hour each. Students are given the

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JUNE 2009 45

vizag opportunity to perform in a concert on passing every level. Their fee for the basic level is Rs. 450, for the intermediate level it is Rs. 650 and for the advanced level it is Rs. 1,000 per month.

Examination fees are extra since external examiners are called.

Students are finally awarded a diploma certificate by the Royal School of Music.

Lionel D’Lima has been teaching music since 1982 at the Elsa House of Melody in Vizag. For guitar classes, he takes children from the age of nine, the age at which he feels their fingers are strong enough to pluck the chords. He follows a system where there are as many as eight grades or levels of learning to be passed. The exam for every grade is evaluated by examiners from the Trinity College of Music. There are three theory

46 june 2009

exams and one practical exam to be passed. He teaches theory (reading and writing notations and music) and playing. He takes classes from 3 PM to 8 PM everyday and students are free to choose their time slot for an hour of learning and the number of classes they would like in a week. The fees vary accordingly; it is Rs. 200 per month for one class a week, Rs. 300 for two, Rs. 400 for three and so on. He also takes special one and a half month long crash course during the summer holidays for which the fees charged are separate.

For guitar classes, Lionel D’Lima takes children from the age of nine, the age at which he feels their fingers are strong enough to pluck the chords. He follows a system where there are as many as eight grades or levels of learning to be passed.

with an orchestra. He has been playing for the past 28 years and claims to have performed in over 4,000 shows. He takes guitar lessons for kids who are eight years and over. His classes are normally held twice a week on Mondays and Fridays. Although he doesn’t follow a set syllabus, he does teach them all the chords and even some vocals so that they get their notes right. His lessons mainly concentrate on light Carnatic music, which can be played even with the guitar’s western chords. He charges Rs. 300 for a month’s classes; he also takes home tuitions but the fees for him to teach at your place are around Rs. 100 per class.

For complete contact addresses of these guitar learning hubs, log on to metromela.com. ●

U Narayan Rao is a professional guitarist

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schools

Tiny tots need a lot of care and understanding in their first year of school. Read on to know how.

T

he first year of school for little ones can be a test for them as much as for their parents.

Stepping out from the secure cocoon of their homes, your small wonders can give you some anxious times while adjusting to the environment of their new schools. Metromela.com had a chat with Poonam Shah, mom and educator of pocket sized scholars.

Poonam is the correspondent of the popular Teeny Boppers play school.

Today the school is among the finest play schools in Vizag. Here are her views on…

The first days of school

Children suffer separation anxiety during their initial days in school. Vomiting, incessant crying, clinging to one person, frequent visits to the toilet and developing slight temperature are some symptoms of this. It is important to be patient and loving at this time. In school, we generally hug the kids and let them sit on our laps for as long as they want because this creates a sense of security in them. Children are not forced to sit in the class or participate in activities for the first 15 days till they get comfortable. At home too, parents must ensure that the

Toilet training

The best way to deal with tantrums is to ignore them. Walk out of the room and don’t appear flustered or try to reason with the child. Children give up when they see that you’re not interested.

It is important to train children to use toilets correctly. At school, we take them to the toilet once every 45 minutes. Even at home, the repetition of this action will ensure that they don’t soil themselves. Do not put children in diapers because it is difficult for teachers to detect when kids wet themselves. It also discourages them from expressing their need to visit the toilet. Instead, keep teachers informed of the child’s toilet habits and if he has missed his morning potty. This will help teachers and helpers in attending to the child’s needs. Refrain from scolding the child for soiling himself.

Encouraging shy kids

A healthy lunch box

child is not nagged about settling down in school. Going to school means waking up early, so it must be ensured that they go to bed early and get adequate sleep.

Handling tantrums

Some kids are more introverted than others and do not participate in class activities. Let them be. Pushing them will only make them withdraw more. Give them time and once in a while ask if they would like to take part. After a while of observing, you’ll find that they open up on their own. Many shy children are good observers and absorb more than we give them credit for.

Disciplining aggressive children

Every once in a while we come across one or two children who are aggressive and sometimes violent with others. They may bite, kick or hit their classmates.

Teachers along with parents have to be firm while dealing with this behavior. The child must be made to realize that his action hurts others. Just a firm ‘no’ and one minute spent alone sitting in the corner can stop this. Don’t shout or nag the child but make sure he/ she knows that such actions are not acceptable. Gentle discipline early on reduces the need for harsh punishments later.

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Your child’s health should be your prime concern in the early years. Junk foods are easy snack options but cause irreparable harm in the long run. Make an effort to give your child healthy, homemade snacks and fruits. Like we do at school, encourage them to eat on their own.

Even if they make a mess, they learn to handle cutlery and it improves their motor skills. Give them new and different foods so they can experience a variety of flavors and textures. Sweet treats must be given in moderation and fizzy drinks must be avoided.

Going easy

They are still little, let them have fun.

Do not force them to write or memorize things. Expose them to good music.

We at school have found that children learn faster through songs and activities.

Spend time doing things that do not include watching films or T.V, eating out or shopping. Avoid taking them on shopping sprees as children exposed to advertisements everywhere, start demanding things without knowing their value or benefit. Take them once a month if you must. Make it a special treat that they must earn by being good.

Make playschool fun for your little ones.

Help them grow, unfurl and be happy individuals. ●

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JUNE 2009 47

vivag

Playschool Fun

vizag

restaurants

Monsoon food prelude I

t’s that time of the year when all of us look forward to cuddling up in bed, warm soup in hand and a book to leaf through lazily. But Executive Chef Virender Sharma of the Grand Bay in Vizag, with 33 years of having ruled the kitchens of many a five-star hotel in India, has some other plans. As the rains get ready to beat down your windowpane, Virender has dished out some cold soups instead, which he promises, would warm

the cockles of even the wettest soul. Cold soups, one of the most preferred foods for summer, are recommended on a wet rainy day too as they are easy to digest and are safe for health. The soups mentioned here are simple to make and the ingredients are readily available in the city’s supermarkets. Ideally, serve these soups either with bread sticks and bread rolls or with green salads and fruit salads.

Gazpacho (serves four)

Here’s a cold soup that is known to be hot favorite for summer. But it can be had in the rains too because it tastes great, feels great and is very easy to make.

Ingredients Tomatoes – three Cucumbers – two Onion – One small Green bell pepper – one Yellow bell pepper – one Garlic – one clove Extra virgin olive oil – few drops Lemon juice – two tablespoons Tomato juice – 200 ml Fresh bread (dices) – 150 gms Tabasco – few drops

Cucumber Mint Soup (serves four)

This cold soup can be garnished with a bit of cheese. To lower the calorie intake in this soup, you can replace regular cream with low-fat sour cream.

Ingredients Plain yogurt – 300 gms Fresh cream – 50 ml Mint leaves – one bunch Green onions – three Cucumbers – two Garlic clove– one Salt and pepper powder (to taste)

Method Peel onion, cucumber and garlic and chop it. Put these ingredients (except olive oil, lemon juice and the peppers) in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours. Thereafter, run the ingredients in a blender. Sieve and reduce the thickness of the soup by adding water, if required. Garnish with chopped green and yellow bell peppers, and with a few drops of extra virgin olive oil and the lemon juice. Add Tabasco, according to taste. Serve chilled.

Method Peel cucumber, garlic and green onions. Mix all the ingredients, except cream, in a blender and purée until smooth. Strain the blend into a bowl. Cover and chill the soup for at least two hours. Add cream in a light consistency. Garnish with chopped mint and serve – cold.

So as rains hit your windowpanes, try out these simple ‘cool’ soup recipes. And if you have some interesting ones to share, write to us at editor@metromela.com.

48 june 2009

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pause for a cause vivag

Samata for Tribals

W

e sit in the comfort of our homes, watch documentaries on the sufferings of people and vocally empathize. We all feel this sudden urge to lend a helping hand. But like a flickering flame of a candle that is sniffed out in the material world-wind, our desire fades. How many of us dare to take the first step to change that small thought into action? Only a handful.

Metromela.com met one such couple,

Ravi and Bhanumati Rebbapragada, through Samata, provide legal support and advocate sustainable development at grassroot level.

Ravi and Bhanumati Rebbapragada, which is actively involved in making a difference to many lives in an unassuming way. Ravi is a graduate in rural management and Bhanumati is an alumnus of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. The couple allows their work to speak through Samata, the NGO that they run in the city.

From “living with the tribals of the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, who showed where the problem lay’’ in 1991, today Samata has grown into a movement that provides legal support and advocates sustainable development

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in areas like healthcare, drinking water, basic infrastructure and primary education, within a balanced-ecological framework.

At the grassroots, Samata has built some 40 community-managed primary education centers in villages where it runs the Balamitra Tribal Education Program, using some relevant Waldorf Education techniques (where literature, music, art or even mathematics are not subjects to be learned but to be experienced).

Samata trains tribal youth as community

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JUNE 2009 49

vizag

Samta

teachers (who in turn teach the younger children coming from tribal communities like the Khonds, Bagata, Nookadore, Kondora etc) to cultivate traditional song, music and crafts in an interactive curriculum.

Use of natural ‘work and play’ materials like mud and dyes to make clay models and bamboo, reeds and jute for weaving and craft are encouraged.

At the outskirts of Vizag, Samata’s model school in

Sagar Nagar has a community of tribal students, teachers and volunteers from Germany.

The motley group gives us an interesting insight into the interchange of cross-cultural ideas. Music activities like flute and eurhythmy are interspersed with animal-life lessons. A teacher-training program is also conducted, once every three months, here.

At the macro level, Samata strongly believes in the thought that “the health of

At the outskirts of Vizag, Samata’s model school in Sagar Nagar has a community of tribal students, teachers and volunteers from Germany. The motley group gives us an interesting insight into the interchange of cross-cultural ideas.

50 june 2009

www.metromela.com

D. No. 14-40-1, Krishna Vihar, Emani Colony, Gokale Road, Maharanipeta, Vizag – 530002.

Tel – 0891-2737662

the hills is the wealth of the plains”. It advocates support to tribals to protect and safeguard their rights against proposed bauxite and other mining activities in their areas, to campaign against large-scale displacement of tribals for proposed irrigation projects, to help achieve tribal self-rule by promoting decentralized governance institutions like Gram Sabhas (village counsels) and to create awareness amongst tribal women in taking up leadership in governance and community struggles.

The organization has also had its brush with fame, back in 1997, with the landmark Supreme Court judgment

(Samata Versus The State of Andhra Pradesh and others) ruling in its favor to prevent non-tribals from mining in the tribal belt of Anantagiri mandal.

But the simplicity and grit of Ravi and Bhanumati’s working method continues to be the driving force for the organization’s good work.

We watch a young tribal girl walk in shyly into the office to speak to them, and we can’t miss the confident twinkle in her eye.

Samata is a registered non-forprofit NGO. You can contact them at D. No. 14-40-1, Krishna Vihar, Emani Colony, Gokale Road, Maharanipeta, Vizag – 530002.

Tel – 0891-2737662 ●

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extracurricular cochin

Art Expression Ideas, emotions, imagination and concepts – what can’t you express through art?

S

asi K Warrier who has been nurturing young talent through his Indian School of Arts in Cochin, believes that art can help you express a whole new world. It helps you bring color to your dreams and add character to your imagination. Sasi learnt painting through his father KK Warrier, a renowned mural artist and the winner of the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award for his outstanding contribution to the field of painting. Art therefore, runs in

his genes. Here are Sasi’s tips for parents and kids interested in taking up this art.

Tips for parents • Kids may start painting at any time. Some kids may start drawing at the age of three, and others may start late. So when you see your child drawing, give him/ her the right exposure and encouragement.

• Never view the drawings of your child through your perspective; there is a thought behind the child’s drawing.

Try to understand it through his perspective and appreciate him. This will increase his / her confidence.

• Never compel your child to draw according to your will. Let them enjoy what they are drawing.

• Don’t push kids into joining drawing classes for

winning competitions.

• The most important thing is to try to asses the talent of your child. Observe and train him accordingly.

Tips for kids • Never let your spirits go down even if you are not well complimented.

• Look around your surroundings and improve your observation power. That will enhance your drawing skills.

• Draw whatever you like.

If possible try to sketch what you see or would like to portray.

Interested in knowing where you can learn the intricacies of art in Cochin? Log on to metromela.com and search in ‘Extracurricular’. ●

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JUNE 2009 51

cochin

city hotspots

Beautiful Alleppey Alappuzha is breathtakingly beautiful with its lush green paddy fields, coconut trees and scenic lagoons.

A

visit to Kerala would be incomplete without a visit to these palm-fringed backwaters. Alleppey or Alappuzha in south Kerala derives its name from two Malayalam words Ala which means broad and Puzha which means river. Located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, it has a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers. It is also known as the Venice of the East (a name given by Lord Curzon) and is very close to Cochin, making it a perfect hotspot for weekend getaways.

The houseboats or kettuvallam available here, were earlier used to transport rice from the villages to the towns through a

canal. They are made of anjili wood and measure around 70 feet in length and 13 feet in width. Fully furnished, they have a sundeck, kitchen and toilets. You can pick single bedroom houseboats as well as those which have up to five bedrooms.

Non- air conditioned and air conditioned options are available. A one day cruise in a non-air conditioned houseboat costs between Rs.7,000 and Rs.13,500; while an air conditioned houseboat cruise ranges from Rs.6,500 to Rs.16,500. These tariffs are applicable till October. In DecemberJanuary the rates are 25 per cent higher.

So, if you are planning a holiday then, make sure you book your houseboat in advance.

How to reach Alleppey

• By road - It takes nearly one and a half hours on the National Highway from Vyttila (Cochin) to Alleppey. Enjoy

The commercial canal of Alleppey where trading used to happen in houseboats. Raja Keshavdas, who was the Divan of Alappey, constructed this canal.

the three minute ride over the CochinAlleppey Bridge.

held in June- July is another crowd puller here.

• By rail - It takes two hours from Cochin to Alleppey railway station.

Kumarakodi is located 20 kilometers south of Alappuzha. This is the place where Kumaranashan, one of the greatest poets of Kerala is buried. He was known as Shelley of Malayalam literature.

Main attractions

The backwaters are its main attraction.

The snake boat races, which take place in August and September every year, draw visitors from across the globe. You can take a boat ride in these backwaters either in the ferry service run by the KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) or in the private cruises arranged by the DTPC (District Tourism Promotion Council).

Places to visit

Krishnapuram Palace is built by Marthandavarma, one of the great rulers of Kerala and is located at Karthikappally in Kayamkulam. It is famous for its 18th century mural depicting the story of Gajendramoksham. This is one of the largest murals in Kerala. The palace museum houses antique sculptures, paintings and more.

Edathua Church is situated 24 kilometers from Alappuzha, on the Alappuzha - Thiruvalla route. This church was built in 1810 and bears the name of St George. It is believed that prayers and offerings at this church help heal mental disorders and other ailments.

During the annual feast (5-7 May) pilgrims from all over South India, irrespective of caste and creed, visit the church and seek blessings of the saint.

The Sri Krishna Temple at Ambalapuzha is located 14 kilometers from Allappey and is among the famous temples in Kerala that boast the typical temple architectural style of the state. It is equally famed for its Ambalapuzha palpayasam (sweet milk porridge offered to the deity). It was in this temple, that the 16th century poet Kunjan Nambiar staged Ottamthullal, a solo dance performance with high social content.

For more information on Cochin, log onto metromela.com. ●

Pathiramanal is a little island on the backwaters where you’ll find many rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. The island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is accessible only by boat.

Chambakulam is located 14 kilometers southwest of Alappuzha in the middle of the backwaters. Here you can see the St. Mary’s Church, built in 1579 by the Portuguese and believed to be among the seven churches found by St. Thomas, the Apostle. The Chambakulam boat race,

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JUNE 2009 53

cochin

Alappuzha Beach is one of the most popular picnic spots in Alappuzha. The pier, which extends into the sea, is over 137 years old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attractions of the beach. There is also an old fascinating light house. You can also spot Chinese fishing nets here which are fixed shore operated nets.

cochin

accessories

Glitter of Diamonds The mere mention of diamonds or vajra (Sanskrit name for the stone, meaning thunderbolt) floods the heart with a multitude of feelings.

D

iamonds were formed deep inside the earth over three billion years ago. They are spectacular, magnificent and eternal and so when you own a diamond you also own a piece to history. We spoke with S Sanathana Pai, on what to look for while buying diamonds and how to care for these precious stones. He is the Managing Director of A Geeri Pai Jewellers in Cochin that has been dealing in diamond jewelry since 1875. Here are

54 june 2009

his tips.

On buying diamonds The prices of diamonds perplex most buyers. It is the cut, clarity, carat and color (the 4Cs) that determine the beauty, rarity and price of the diamond. The higher 4C rating a diamond has, the rarer and more expensive it is.

Cut, clarity, carat and color

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The angles and proportions of a diamond are referred to as the cut. It takes a master cutter to unveil the true brilliance of a diamond. A well cut diamond reflects light internally and disperses the light through the top of the stone. Hence a well cut stone is priced higher than a deep or shallow-cut diamond. Cut also refers to the shape in which the diamond is cut – round, square, pear or heart shaped. Since the round shape is the most symmetrical of all the shapes, it reflects all light that enters it and hence is more enchanting, brilliant and higher priced.

Nature has made each diamond unique.

It has naturally occurring features known as inclusions (characteristics such as fractures or minerals that look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers) that make each diamond unique. These inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection, known as clarity. This scale was established by the Gemological Institute

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Diamonds are weighed in carats. The word originates from the carob tree. The seed of this tree was the standard for weighing precious stones. One carat equals 200 milligrams. A carat is also divided into 100 points. A 0.50 carat diamond is equal to 50 points or ½ carat diamond.

cochin

of America and ranges from flawless (F) to included (I). The greater the clarity the more valuable it is.

Diamonds are weighed in carats. The word originates from the carob tree.

The seed of this tree was the standard for weighing precious stones. One carat equals 200 milligrams. A carat is

also divided into 100 points. A 0.50 carat diamond is equal to 50 points or ½ carat diamond.

But one should understand that a one carat diamond does not cost double the ½ carat diamond. In fact it would cost you more than double the amount. This is because less than 5 per cent of diamonds used to make jewelry are larger than one carat.

Diamonds are available in shades of blue, green, yellow, pink and the rarest of them, red. But the most popular one is the white diamond. The color scale established by the Gemological Institute of America is used to grade the color and it ranges from D (colorless) to Z. On a Diamond Quality Pyramid the colorless stone graded D is of the highest value.

A diamond is a precious gift you can give your loved one and a great investment as well. The desirability and value of diamonds truly remains forever. To know more about A Geera Pai Jewellers, visit metromela.com. ●

Caring for your diamond •

•

•

• •

For your diamond to look brilliant you need to keep them clean. If they are smudged, soiled or dirty, their ability to reflect light is marred. So be careful not to wear diamonds while doing coarse work like gardening or washing dishes. Though diamonds are hard they can be chipped away along the grain.

To clean, use a mild detergent, lightly brush the stones, rinse in warm water and pat dry.

Keep your diamond jewelry in a fabric lined box with separate compartments for each piece.

Diamonds can scratch each other when stored together.

Take your diamond jewelry to your jeweler once a year. They will fix the loose settings and polish your ornaments.

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JUNE 2009 55

mysore

city hotspots

Journey through the Rail Museum The Rail Museum is a treasure trove of vintage locomotives, steam engines, memorabilia and more.

W

e see an old caboose at the Rail Museum in Mysore that has been converted into a ticket counter, and we like the vintage look that it lends to the entrance. The museum, an outdoor exhibit of vintage locomotives, was set up in 1979 by the Indian Railways. It is the second such museum after the National Railway Museum in Delhi.

The Rail Museum is a treasure trove for those interested in the history and growth of the Indian Railways.

There is an extensive collection of vintage locomotives, steam engines, photographs, memorabilia, paintings, railway signals and lights. The museum depicts the growth of the Indian Railways and tells you a lot about the development of railways as a whole. As we walk around the clean premises, looking at the well preserved locomotives, we feel we’re traveling back to the past.

The prime attractions here are the two

coaches and the other railway accessories contributed to the museum by the Royal family (the Wodeyars) of Mysore, displayed in the Sri Ranga Gallery. There is also a saloon called the Maharani’s saloon carriage, manufactured in 1899 consisting of a kitchen, a dining car unit and a royal toilet. The royal coaches provide a glimpse of Indian royalty and have added grace to the museum. The Chamundi Gallery showcases some great paintings and photographs related to the Indian Railways.

The museum also has on display the first steam engine built in India. There are several models of vintage coaches, which reflect engineering brilliance. The kids can also enjoy a joy ride in the batteryoperated mini train that runs on the museum grounds.

Metromela.com recommends Rail Museum as a must visit place in Mysore, and as a good family outing on weekends. It provides knowledge regarding the development and growth of Indian Railways – an education for kids as well as for adults. There is ample parking space around the museum. A nominal amount of Rs. 10 (adults) and Rs. 5 (kids) is charged as entrance fee; you would need to pay extra for the use of cameras. Parking space is available inside the premises and it is open from 10 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 5 PM (Closed on Mondays). ●

56 june 2009

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schools mysore

After-school

fun C

hildren are, quite obviously, the happiest when left alone to play after school. But this could be a nightmare for working parents since they cannot physically supervise their kid’s activities after school. At the same time, parents would love to ensure that their kids do not remain idle. So are there any solutions? Well, Metromela.com met up with Deepika Rao, who manages Hive in Yadavagiri, Mysore’s first and only after-school activity center. The center conducts about 12 activities like drawing, painting, craft, reading, games, dancing, singing, theater, computers, karate and creative writing for kids. Deepika gives us some useful tips on some after-school activities that could be initiated by parents for their kids. She promises that these activities, for kids in the age group of four to 14 years, would prove to be both enjoyable and educative.

Educational Activities Art, music, dance, science, math and literature would challenge your kids’ five senses and make them want to explore

more. So give prime importance to these activities. Make learning enjoyable, and give them playful tasks through which they can learn too. For example, use either rhymes or alphabets when playing hide-and-seek. This would help to improve both recitation and phonetic skills. Try to reduce television viewing.

Instead, entice your kids into reading newspapers and magazines by providing them with colorful and enjoyable reading material. One of the best ways to stimulate early literacy skills and build on children’s natural comfort is to use art as a language and to allow kids to scribble and draw whatever they would want to.

Activities that help in personality development Involve children in theatrical activities, as this would naturally help them to extend everyday playtime and also help them to overcome stage fear. Encourage kids to get involved in team games, as this not only aids physical growth but also helps kids to learn how to socialize and present themselves outside home. If your kids love indoor games, then draw

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Valuable tips on after-school activities for anxious parents.

their interest towards board games and puzzles as this could help build their word power and improve their reasoning power.

Playtime Playtime is very essential for kids. So try to ensure that they are left on their own for an hour a day. Get some useful board games like Giant Bowling, Maze Balance Board, Basketball Goal, Hidden Pictures Games, Alphabet Boxes, Speed Stacks, etc. If you plan to install computer software for your kid’s use, ensure that you choose Science, Math, Spelling, Amazing Animals, World Explorer and other educational software. Make sure that you do not choose software that would push your kid to boredom.

Deepika suggests that above all it is important to spend quality time with kids and make them feel important. So give your child moments of fun even while they learn and grow. ●

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JUNE 2009 57

1O% off

accesories, mens clothing

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hyderabad

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valid till 2 aug 2009

mysore

off

off

# 2-46/2/8, Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500081., Tel: 23114349 Landmark: Behind ICICI ATM

hyderabad

2O% 8%

Luxor Inn

valid till 31 jul. 2009

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Vishweshwarayya Building, KR Circle, Mysore - 570001., Tel: 2420235 Landmark: Next to KR Circle

chennai

hyderabad

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valid till 31 dec 2009

chennai

chennai

Hotels and Serviced Apartments Plot No. 27 & 28, Arunodaya Colony, Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500033., Tel: 23114477, 88 Landmark: Lane Opp Image Hospital

off

Abhisiri Corporate

Domalguda, Hyderabad - 500029.

Tel: 040-23225182 Landmark: Lane behind Sadhuram Eye Hospital

valid till 31 jul 2009

1O%

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1O%

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off

off

5O% off

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valid till 3o jun 2009

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15%

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5O% off

Royal Pest Control # 8-1-523/161, Brindavan Colony, Tolichowki, Hyderabad - 500008., Tel: 64566174

valid till 5 nov. 2010

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Plot No. 128, Road No. 11, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034., Tel: 9396843777 Landmark: Next to Rajini Sarees

Accessories/Men’s Clothing

Kapaas

# 1-43/B, Main Road, Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500081., Tel: 66848882 Landmark: Near ING Vysya Bank

Tours and Travels

Sri Shakthi Cabs

# 86, JJ Khan Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600014., Tel: 044-28481818

valid till 31 aug 2009

Music and Movies

Nathan’s Rock Salad

# 96, Kavery Complex, Shop No. 23, Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600034., Tel: 28252020 Landmark: Near Hotel Ganpath

Offers are MetroMela specific. To avail these offers, cut and use the coupons above while shopping.

15%

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# 7, RKP. Road, Saidapet, Chennai - 600015., Tel: 9841377822

off

chennai

chennai

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1O% 7% off

chennai

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Yoga and Meditation # 3655, Plot No. 131, Kaveri Nagar, Kuppam Road, Kottivakkam, Chennai - 600041., Tel: 24512546

off

bangalore

chennai

# 40, Pondy Bazaar, T Nagar, Chennai - 600017., Tel: 28153391 Landmark: Opp Rajkumari Theatre

valid till 31 aug 2009

chennai

off

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bangalore

5% 10%

# 32, 3rd Cross Street, Kasturba Nagar, Adyar, Chennai - 600020., Tel: 42117250 Landmark: Near Domino’s Pizza

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# 179, Royapettah High Road, Mylapore, Chennai - 600004., Tel: 42087166 Landmark: Near Vidya Mandir School

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chennai

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The World Winner

valid till 30 jun 2009

12% off

# 210, Brigade Road, Bangalore - 560001., Tel: 41510500 Landmark: Next to Levi’s

on purchases worth Rs. 1000/and above

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valid till 31 jul 2010

Home Decor

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# 66-G-1, Gem Plaza, Infantry Road, Bangalore - 560001., Tel: 41130637 Landmark: Near Safina Plaza Complex

off

5%

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home decor

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# 737/C2, SRG Complex, 10th Main, Basaveshwaranagar, Bangalore - 560079., Tel: 41288257 Landmark: Next to Diwakar Enterprises

3% off

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East

# 598, 2nd Main, Koramangala Village, Koramangala, Bangalore - 560095., Tel: 25719576 Landmark: Near Koramangala Indoor Stadium

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bangalore

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Kashmir Art Industries

# 45,1st Floor, Cathedral Road, Chennai - 600086., Tel: 28111182 Landmark: Opp Stella Maris College

off

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off

valid till 9 oct 2009

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3%

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# 2023/B, 14th A Main, 1st Cross, HAL 2nd Stage, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar, Bangalore - 560038., Tel: 41521742

valid till 31 jul 2009

Offers are MetroMela specific. To avail these offers, cut and use the coupons above while shopping.

EventCALENDAR

WHAT’S HAPPENING in your city June 13th – 21st, 7 PM

Fete de la Musique ‘09

Also known as the World Music Day, is held every year on the Summer Solstice Day. Alliance Francaise de Bangalore .

For more information call 080-41231340.

Hyderabad June 16th & 30th, 8 PM

Jazz & Blues Nyte at Ahala Jazz and Blues nights at Ahala for musicians and jazz lovers.

Bangalore

paintings by Abid Shaikh.

May 16th – June 30th

Sumukha Gallery For more information call 080–22292230.

Brews and Bites at Polo Club

Enjoy your late afternoon at the alfresco bar discovering a selection of gourmet teas along with a choice of classic tea time favorites.

The Oberoi For more information call 080-25585858, 41358136/34.

May 25th – June 29th, Event occurs every Monday

Bleed - Bulls Unplugged Monday RedBull and Opus present Bulls Unplugged nights, featuring college bands and upcoming artists from around the city.

Opus For more information call 080-23442580, 09844030198.

June 15th – July 1st

Local Spine Paintings by Abid Shaikh

Sumukha Art Gallery presents Local Spine, an exhibition of

Taj Krishna For more information call 04066662323.

June 1st – 30th

Express Lunch at La Cantina Express Lunch at La Cantina offers a gourmet experience in quick time.

June 24th, 7.30 PM

Nagamandala - Play

Geleyara Balaga Theatre Group presents Nagamandala, a play in Kannada written

by Girish Karnad and directed by D T Channakeshava Murthy.

Novotel Hyderabad For more information call 040-66824422.

May 13th – June 30th

Mango Uncut at Arena

Ranga Shankara For more information call 09449153301.

Celebrate the advent of summer with an array of Mango drinks, Mango preparations and mango-based desserts to pamper you this summer at Taj Deccan.

June 20th & 21st

Mr. & Mrs. 2009

A unique consumer show organized by Infinite Expositions.

Online Partner Buzzintown.com.

ITC Kakatiya For more information call 040-23393939.

June 1st – 30th

NIMHANS Convention Centre For more information call 080–65605052.

International Bands - Black Gold and Marco Polo All that Glitters in ITC Kakatiya is Black Gold. Get mesmerized by the

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WHAT’S HAPPENING in your city

sensational numbers of the duo.

Art World For more information call 044-24315371.

ITC Hotel The Kakatiya For more information call 09849649616.

Pune

June 17th, 19th, 21st, 24th, 26th & 28th, 8 PM

June 26th – 29th

Interior & Exterior Expo – Hyderabad

White nights at High Time

An opportunity for merchants in the Asian markets to showcase their best.

NTR Stadium For more information call 040-32409000.

Passion art exhibition Artworks by Sathish Gujral, Jehangir Jani, Sachin Kirkire, Amit Kalia, Jaiprakash Chowhan, Ashok Choudhary, Ashok Acharya, Ramesh Thorat, Rajpal & Somnath Das.

GRT Grand presents White Nights at High Time.

GRT Grand For more information call 044-28150500.

Chennai

June 19th – 22nd

Family Shoppee

June 1st – 30th

Paintings by Olivia Fraser & Farhan Mujib Apparao Gallery presents an exhibition of paintings by Olivia Fraser & Farhan Mujib.

Apparao Gallery For more information call 044-28332226/0726.

An annual festival on Automobiles, Banking, Cosmetics, Consumers, Educational, Electronics and more.

Art exhibition

An Idiot for Dinner - Play Evam Entertainment presents an English play based on the French film “A Dinner of Idiots” directed by Michael Muthu.

Casa Blanca presents Make Them Love You, a series of hand-painted signs exhibited in the streets of Chennai that explore the negotiation between interior desires and exterior space.

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June 21st

Central presents Wars of DJs (Finals).

Young DJs decoding the Ultimate music.

June 20th & 27th, 7.30 PM

Make Them Love You - Exhibition of hand-painted signs

Pulse (The Studio) For more information call 09324244551.

Wars of DJs (Finals)

Prakrit Art Gallery For more information call 044-42188989.

May 18th – June 30th

May 25th – June 30th Pulse (The Studio) presents a workshop on Jive and Salsa.

June 1st – 17th

Sivagami For more call

Rimari Art Gallery For more information call 02041280104.

Workshop

Valluvar Kottam For more information call 044-45036222.

Prakrit Art Gallery presents a show of paintings of well known artists.

62 june 2009

June 1st – 30th

Pethachi Auditorium information 0940222363.

Pune Central For more information call 020-66099000.

June 1st – 30th

Art exhibition

Deep Art Gallery presents an exhibition of oil paintings on florists.

Deep Art Gallery For more information call 020-25658761.

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EventCALENDAR

WHAT’S HAPPENING in your city

June 1st – 30th

Art Exhibition

November 21st – 23rd

Kerala Gem & Jewellery Show

An exhibition of Warli Painting.

The Art of Jewellery presents the Kerala Gem & Jewellery Show.

Rudraksh Art Gallery For more details, call 09373388883, e-mail rudrakshart@yahoo. com

Le Meridian Convention Centre For more information call 080-25201687.

September 17th – 20th

Cochin June 20th, 27th, 30th

Classical Dance Concert A series of Indian Classical Dance concerts.

Kerala Kathakali Centre For more information call 04842215827.

Inside Outside Mega Show - Kochi July 3rd – 5th

Fashion Expo 2009 A platform for new and latest product launches and buyers and sellers to meet.

Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium For more information call 04842350293.

Inside Outside Mega Show is the largest event of interior design, furniture and furnishings, building and construction industries.

Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium For more information call 022-22882536.

h y d e r a b a d

Building, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills. Tel – 64628188

The Colour Factory

2nd Floor, Odyssey Retail Store, Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills. Tel – 66363388 Flowers and Gifts

Royal

Pest Control Specialists in Anti Lizards, Cockroach, Termite, Rodent & General Pest Control. We also deal in Netlon mesh and water proofing.

# 8-1-523/161, Brindavan Colony, Tolichowki, Hyderabad - 500008 Tel: 64566174 Alternative Medicine

Homeocare

Plot No. 490, Road No. 10, Gayatri Hills, Jubilee Hills Tel - 64613060

Navajeevana

Flat No. 127-G3, Anitha Enclave, Road No. 10, Jubilee Hills, Tel - 32574342 Books and Stationery

Walden

Trendset Towers, Road No. 2, Banjara Hills, Tel - 23551613

Odyssey

Plot No. 461, Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills, Tel - 66363388 Doctors and Hospitals

Usha Mullapudi Cardiac Centre

Plot No. 222, Gajularamaram, Qutubullahpur Municipality, Jeedimetla, Tel - 23090609

Yashoda Cancer Institute

Raj Bhavan Road, Somajiguda Tel - 23414444 Extracurricular

Panache The DJ School # 103B, 1st Floor, Myfair

64 june 2009

Sheela’s Arts & Crafts

Shop No. 17, Lal Bahadur Stadium Complex, Basheerbagh Tel – 23236944 Vases, wall hangings, bed spreads, table covers, figurines, paintings etc.

The Candle Shop

Lower Ground Floor, Ashoka Metropolitan Mall, # 6/3/2, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills Tel – 23386244 Designer and aromatic candles in over 500 varieties.

Abhisiri Corporate

Domalguda. Tel – 23225182 Professionally managed company exclusively for corporate gifts.

Furniture

S. B. Sofa Makers & Door Curtains

# 8-2-603/B/34/56, Road No. 10, Zaheer Nagar, Banjara Hills.

Tel – 9391362537 Specialists in making customized furniture especially sofas.

Gyms, Spas and Salons

std code- 040

Hampshire Plaza

Hotels and&Serviced # 6-1-79 80, Lakdi Ka Pul. Apartments Tel – 23335555 Four star deluxe hotel with 100 rooms, pub, coffee shop

Mandava Suites

Plot No. 27 & 28, Arunodaya Colony, Madhapur Tel – 23114477 Practical and stylish interiors with quality infrastructure; managed by our professional team, makes Mandava Suites your ideal choice.

Emensee Suites

# 31, Kaushik Enclave, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills Tel – 40073470 Service villa with walk in wardrobes, bathtubs, LCD TVs, Wi-Fi facility etc.

Jack’s Hobby Store Kids’ Shopping At Shopping Centre, # 3-315, RP Road Tel – 27813329 Radio-controlled toys for kids.

Plot No. 160, Road No. 10, Banjara Hills Tel – 23320588 Unisex salon for hair coloring, facials, pedicure, manicure etc.

O2 Spa

3rd Floor, GVK One Mall, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Tel - 44767881

www.metromela.com

TGIF

RK Cineplex, 1st Floor, Road No. 2, Banjara Hills Tel – 40151925

Rattle n Hum

4th Floor, Jaya Chambers, Plot No. 1102, Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills, Tel – 64556000 Restaurants

Finjaan

# 9-4-76/2/1, Main Road, Tolichowki, Tel – 23561738

Anjappar

# 6-3-456/23, Dwarakapuri Colony, Punjagutta Tel – 66101077

Sholay

Prajay Corporate House, Chikoti Gardens, Begumpet Tel – 66285566

F9 Diners

4th Floor, Pavan Priyanka Plaza, Kondapur Tel – 9948878661 Schools

Reebok Juniors

# 6-3-200/B/6/A, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills. Tel – 66635008 Kids’ Health

Lotus Children’s Hospital # 6-2-29, Lakdi Ka Pul Tel – 40404444

Rainbow Children’s Hospital

# 22, Road No. 4, Banjara Hills Tel – 23319061 Malls and Super Markets

Evlas

Pubs and Clubs

Q-mart

Road No. 2, Banjara Hills Tel – 30222211 Men’s Clothing

Stanza

# 2&3, 2nd Floor, GVK One Mall, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills.

Tel - 44767766

Indus International School

Survey No. 424 & 425, Kondakal, Shankerpally Tel – 08417-302100 Co-educational international school offers education from Grade 1 to 12.

Diksha

Plot No. 9, AP Text Book Colony, Karkhana Tel – 44553144 Co-educational Waldorf school, where there are no textbooks till Grade 5.

Tours and Travels

Kiran Cabs

# 104, 1st Floor, Hanumanth Reddy Complex, Cross Road, Tadbund, Tel – 64509080

Limra Travels

# 12-2-725/32/4/D, P & T Colony, Mehdipatnam Tel – 23516597

EXPLORE YOUR METRO’S BEST MERCHANTS

b a n g alo r e

Doctors and Hospitals 3rd Floor, Total Mall, Sarjapura Tel – 39893979

Narayana Hrudayalaya

Home Decor

# 258/A, Bommasandra Industrial Area, Anekal Taluk Tel – 27835333

Royal

Electronics and Appliances

Pest Control

GK Vale

Specialists in Anti Lizards, Cockroach, Termite, Rodent & General Pest Control. We also deal in Netlon mesh and water proofing.

Croma

Koramangala, Bangalore.

Tel – 9663303268 (Aslam) Accessories

Accessorize

Lido Mall, 1st Floor, Swami Vivekanada Road, Trinity Circle, Ulsoor, Tel - 40923847

C Krishniah Chetty

# 224, Sigma Mall, Cunningham Road, Tel – 41131222 HM Vibha Towers, 1st Floor, # 25, Hosur Road, Koramangala, Tel – 66969850 Extracurricular

Coles Sports World

# 26/1, Stephens Road, Frazer Town, Tel – 25483320

Lourd Vijay Dance Studio # 4, 1st Main, Chakravathy Layout, Tel – 23315566 Flowers and Gifts

Ever Exotic

# 35, Commercial Street Tel – 25588731

# 28, Castle Street, Ashok Nagar, Tel – 41128044

Alternative Medicine

Ikma

Soukya

Samethanahalli, Soukya Road, Whitefield, Tel – 25318405

Jindal Nature Cure

Jindal Nagar, Tumkur Road Tel – 28374804 Books and Stationery

Blossom

# 84/6, Church Street Tel – 25320400

Magazines

# 55, Prestige RR Basement, Church Street Tel – 41464669 City Hotspots

# 10, Raheja Arcade, Koramangala Tel – 41128044 Furniture

Cane Boutique

# 272, Kishore Prabha Chambers, Intermediate Ring Road, 2nd Stage, Domlur Tel – 41152093

East

# 598, 2nd Main, Koramangala Village, Koramangala, Tel – 25719576 Offers colonial, contemporary and custommade furniture.

Big Banyan Tree

Ramohalli, Mysore Road

Nandi Hills

Chikkaballapur District

Gold’s Gym

Mirza House, # 2, Convent Road, Richmond Town Tel – 41477626

Manipal Cure & Care

Carmichael House

Shop No. 110, Upper Ground Floor, Commercial Street Tel – 41108623

Industree Crafts

Shop No. 228, 2nd Floor, Garuda Mall, Magrath Road Tel – 66641124 Hotels and Serviced Apartments

Golden Palms Hotel & Spa

Golden Palms Avenue, Hobli, Tumkur Road, Tel – 23712222

Hotel Vivanta By Taj ITPB, Whitefield Tel – 66933333 Kids’ Shopping

Apple Of My I

Cinema Paradiso

# 1459, 38th Cross, 4th T Block, 11th Main, Jayanagar Tel – 41503400 Pet Care

Shevar Dog Spa

# 123, 2nd Cross,18th Main, 6th Block, Koramangala Tel – 9880176610

Yashbans

Yashbans Farm, Off Hennur Road, Kyalasanahalli Tel – 65639548 Pharmacies

Apollo Pharmacy

# 154/11, Bannerghatta Road Tel – 40304050

Medplus

# 12/1, Shop No. 1, Main Road, Uttarahalli, Tel – 40940545 Pubs and Clubs

Firangi Paani

Funny Bunny Inc.

Geoffrey’s

# 58/A, 4th Main, 3rd Stage, Off 80 Feet Road, Indiranagar Tel – 25214847

# 1, The Royal Orchid, Golf Avenue, Airport Road Tel – 25205566

Malls and Super Markets

Restaurants

Monday to Sunday

Aromas of China

2nd Phase, Aurobindo Marg, JP Nagar, Tel – 41214121

# 19, Lalbagh Road, Richmond Town, Tel – 41113355

Namdhari’s Fresh

Barbeque Nation

# 41/1, Ramakrishnanagar, Kanakapura Road Tel – 41218523

# 67, 15th Cross, 6th B Main, 3rd Phase, JP Nagar Tel – 40919191

Men’s Clothing

The Egg Factory

Chemistry

# 656, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar, Tel – 41739196

Prestige

# 165, Commercial Street Tel – 25588599 Music and Movies

F Chisel

INOX

FOR MORE SUCH ARTICLES LOG ON TO

Tel – 41128888

# 2985, 12th Main, HAL II Stage, Indiranagar Tel – 41154031

Gyms, Spas and Salons # 915, 6th Block, 80 Feet Road, Koramangala, Tel – 41288524

std code- 080

2nd Floor, The Forum Mall, Koramangala, Tel – 22067878

Ground Floor, White House, St. Marks Road, Tel – 42110041 Schools

Your Kids R Our Kids

# 155, Golf Link Road, Amarjyothi Layout, Intermediate Ring Road, Koramangala Tel – 41261500

5th Floor, Euroamer Garuda Star Mall, Magrath Road

www.metromela.com

JUNE 2009 65

c h e n n a i

Accessories

Extracurricular

Rajmandhir Jewellers

Institute of Hispania

# 45, Cathedral Road Tel – 42177742

Mochi

Chennai Citi Centre, Shop No. 2, RK Salai, Mylapore Tel – 43577409 Alternative Medicine

Sanjeevani

# 11/55, Greenways Road, RA Puram, Tel – 24951234

Cholayil Sanjeevanam

# 50, Block 1, 1st Floor, AMM Towers, Thiruvalluvar Road, Mogappair,Tel – 26569181 Books and Stationery

Write Site

F130, First Floor, Phase 3, Spencer Plaza, Anna Salai Tel – 28496879

Books & Beyond

# 29, Arunachalam Road, Saligramam, Tel – 42193003 City Hotspots

The Madras Terrace House Address - # 15, Sripuram, 2nd Street, Royapettah Tel – 9840530269 Doctors and Hospitals

Apollo Hospital

# 21, Greams Road Tel – 28293333

Malar Hospital

# 52, 1st Main, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Tel – 24914023 Electronics and Appliances

OHM Computers

G-5, Nakoda Complex, Narasingapuram Street, Ritche Street.

Tel – 28587833 Keyboards, motherboards, web cameras and computer related accessories

iStore

# 89, Reliance Building, RK Salai, Mylapore Tel – 43930318

66 june 2009

# 3, 1st Floor, Nimmo Road, Santhome, Tel - 24614850

Jus Drums

# 6, 3rd Street, Nandanam Tel – 9840046827 Flowers and Gifts

MishMash

# 7, 1st Seaward Road, Valmiki Nagar, Tiruvanmiyur, Tel – 43042658 Gifts and personal accessories for all occasions.

The Store

The Madras Terrace House, # 15, Siripuram II Street, Off RK Salai, Royapettah Tel – 45038391 Furniture

Indika Creations

# 12-A, Gandhi Nagar, 4th Main Road, Adyar, Tel – 24421707 Specialize in antique furniture with intricate designs.

Rani Arts & Teak

# 8, Harrington Road, Chetpet, Tel – 42327887 Handicrafts, colonial furniture, durries, carpets, jewelry and more.

Gyms, Spas and Salons

A Cut Above

Hotel Savera, # 146, Radhakrishna Salai, Mylapore, Tel – 28114700 Family salon for facials, waxing, threading, bleaching, hair bonding etc.

Salon Nayana

# 124, GN Chetty Road, T Nagar Tel – 28343064 Specialize in hair cuts, curls, perms, rebonding, extensions etc.

std code- 044

Home Decor

Linenbox

Mint Box Company, # 55/8A, 7th Avenue Lane, Besant Nagar, Tel – 45511991 White colored bed linen, table cloths, place mats, bath towels, bath mats etc.

Tulsi’s Arterior

# 62, Josier Street, Nungambakkam Tel – 65643255 Antique-looking and heavily embellished furniture, home linen and artifacts.

Hotels and Serviced Apartments

Asiana Hotel

# 1/238, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Semmencherry Tel – 67411000

Taj Mount Road

# 2, Club House Road, Tel – 66313131 Kids’ Shopping

Hunky Dory

241-C, Kilpauk, Tel – 42857602

Shanthi’s

# 11, 1st Avenue, Indira Nagar, Adyar, Tel – 24412111 Lifestyle Homes

Nahar Akruti

X4, Nahar Villa, 7/21, North Mada Street, Thiruvanmiyur, Tel – 24454112 Residential project with 4 apartments with three bed rooms.

Men’s Clothing

Manyavar

Address - Shop No. 1, Windsor Palace, # 34, Balfour Road, Kellys, Tel – 26444717

Hi-Style

C-28, 2nd Avenue, Anna Nagar Tel – 26220486 Music and Movies

Sathyam Cinemas

# 8, Thiru-vi-ka Road, Royapettah, Tel – 43920246

www.metromela.com

Pet Care

Veera Pets Fashion World Ground Floor, Shop No. 18/19/20, VSD Plaza, AA1, Second Avenue, Anna Nagar Tel – 26205773 Pharmacies

Apollo Pharmacy

Dhandapani Street, T Nagar Tel – 43506624

Medplus

# 3, Omes Road, Kilpauk Tel – 26610062 Pubs and Clubs

Fuel

# 216, EVR Periyar Salai, Poonamallee High Road, Kilpauk, Tel – 43989898

Blend

# 2, Club House Road Tel – 66313131 Restaurants

Lydie’s

# 2/196, Ruby Garden, East Coast Road, Muttukadu, Tel – 27472602 Vegetarian and nonvegetarian Continental food.

Dhabba Express

Address - # 9, Cenotaph Road, Teynampet Tel – 24328211/24328212 Authentic Punjabi food along with a highway dhaba ambience.

Women’s Clothing

Erum Ali Design Studio

# 4&5, Shyam Garden, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam Tel – 42323032 Yoga and Meditation

Sivananda Yoga

L-12, 26th Street, Anna Nagar Tel – 26630978 Yoga for relaxation, fitness and weight loss.

EXPLORE YOUR METRO’S BEST MERCHANTS

p u n e

Accessories

Extracurricular

CG Ashtekar

Imaginer

# 596, Sadashiv Peth, Junnerkar Datta Mandir, Laxmi Road, Tel – 24450014

Cygnus Galaxy

G-2, Millinnium Plaza, FC Road, Shivaji Nagar, Deccan Gymkhana, Tel – 32516655

Hotels and Serviced Apartments

Pet Care

C/O Ritesh Ramaiah, 420/419A, East Wing, Aurora Towers, MG Road, Tel – 9372405520

Studio Estique

Bund Garden Road Tel – 40188444

# 1170, Barave Complex, Jungli Maharaj Road, Shivaji Nagar Tel – 9822790642

Aperture India

Taj Blue Diamond

Pharmacies

1st Floor, Millennium Plaza, FC Road, Deccan Gymkhana, Tel – 9881423372

Alternative Medicine

Flowers and Gifts

Jeevana Kerala Ayurvedic Centre

Bougain Villa

# 1076/13, Vidya Vihar, Shivaji Nagar, Tel – 25663385

# 351, Precious Gems, Lane No. 6, Koregaon Park, Tel – 64010687

Chinese Acupuncture

Divine Roses

# 5, Vrindavan Society, North Main Road, Koregaon Park, Tel – 65231581 Books and Stationery

Manneys

# 7, Clover Center, Moledina Road, Tel – 26131683

Crossword

Kids’ Health

Dr. Anand N. Pandit # 917/1, FC Road Tel – 25650355

Vastalya Hospital

# 925, Synagogue Street, # 3/2, Camp, Tel – 26131528 Furniture

Kids’ Shopping

Nirmitee

All for Small

# 47/22, Law College Road, Erandwane, Tel – 25457788

Monarch Ergonomics

Shop No. 1 to 5, Nityanand Complex, Bund Garden Road, Tel – 26165458

City Hotspots

Gyms, Spas and Salons

3D Destination Fun

Gold’s Gym

Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park

# 11, Koregaon Park Tel – 66025555

Kent Exclusive, ‘A’ Wing, Wanowrie-Shiwarkar Road, Fatima Nagar Tel – 26860021

Sohrab Hall, 1st Floor, Sassoon Road, Tel – 26059600

Ratna Chintamani Building, Sujay Garden, Mukund Nagar, Tel – 66027777

Sr No. 53/60, Kalyani Nagar Tel – 32912212

Le Clinique

# 759/76-5, Unique Kid’s Mart Private Limited, Deccan Gymkhana, Tel – 25662291

Lilliput

# 1-B, Moledina Road, Camp Tel – 26052882

Home Decor

Men’s Clothing

Aditya Birla Hospital

House of Carpet

Jai Hind

Electronics and Appliances

Dass Electricals

Sangahvi Nagar, DP Road, Aundh, Tel – 66092480

Croma

Ishanya Mall, Shastri Nagar, Yerawada, Tel – 66402830

Muslin

# 2011, Ishanya Mall, Airport Road, Yerawada Tel – 41280090 Home Services

Biochem Pest Control

Shastri Nagar, Yerawada Tel – 40004000

Plot No. 164, ITI Road, Parihar Chowk, Aundh, Tel – 25886708

Uni Style Image

Sterling Centre, MG Road Tel – 26131306 Music and Movies

Adlabs

# 21, Kanchan Plaza, Hadapsar Tel – 66239523

Premier Plaza, Old MumbaiPune Highway, Chinchwad Tel – 39843984

Sharp Pest Control

Cinema Paradiso

L4/16, Airport Road, Maharashtra Housing Board, Yerawada, Tel – 9822966110

FOR MORE SUCH ARTICLES LOG ON TO

Pubs and Clubs

1000 Oaks

# 2417, East Street, Camp Tel – 26343194

Zafraan Aquaa

# 702, 7th Floor, Panchashil Tech Park, IBM Building, Tower C, Yerawada, Tel – 65005566 Restaurants

Yana

1st Floor, Mariplex, Vadgaon Sheri, Kalyani Nagar Tel – 66092451

Schools

Dorabjee’s

Doctors and Hospitals

# 32, Sassoon Road, Tel – 26050550

Shop No. 3, Sindhudatta Chambers, DP Road Tel – 26050750

Malls and Super Markets

Satara Road, Tel – 24370747

Jehangir Hospital

Apollo Pharmacy

Zamu’s Place

Ishanya Mall

# 3, Neelay Commercial Complex, Sinhagad Road, Hingne Khurd, Tel – 24347754

Pets Paradise

Shop No. 8, Ground Floor, Sterling Center, Moledina Road, Tel – 66203540

A - 1, Ground Floor, Shahinsha Building, Off North Main Road, Tel – 64004222

Chinchwad, Tel – 30717615

std code- 020

Shop No. 1, Survey No. 31, North Main Road, Koregaon Park, Tel – 64012424

www.metromela.com

# 189, DP Road Tel – 26123610

Kangaroo Kids

# 65-66/11, Lane No. 3, South Main Road, Koregaon Park Tel – 26051321

Symbiosis School

15th Lane, Prabhat Road Tel – 25670895 Women’s Clothing

Pallod Creations

# 1, Suma Heritage, Bhandarkar Road Tel – 25666222

Anokhi

G-2&3, Arthavishwa, Lane No. 5, Koregaon Park, Tel – 41285858 Yoga and Meditation

Patanjali Yoga Centre

# 15, C Wing, Shalimar Gardens, Aundh Road, Khadki Tel – 25820431

JUNE 2009 67

v i z ag

Accessories

GKB Opticals

Shop No. 651 to 653, Dwaraka Nagar Main Road, Dondaparthy Tel – 2733138

Kothari’s Diamond Jewellery

# 10-1-25, Waltair Road, Asilmetta, Tel – 6637566 Alternative Medicine

Heritage Kerala Ayurveda

3rd Floor, Venu Regency, Waltair Main Road, Tel – 2535477

Prerna School of Perfect Eyesight B-1, Mayuri Manasa Apartments, Beach Road Tel – 2507109

Extracurricular

Anjali-The Art People

1st Floor, Rednam Gardens, Jail Road, Tel – 9951277644

Razzle Stars

Address - Krishnanjali Towers, Balaji Nagar, Siripuram Tel – 6464411

std code- 0891

Lilliput

Shop No. 28-10-17/2, Ground Floor, Alluri Sitharama Raju Road, Suryabagh, Tel – 6639697 Malls and Super Markets

Karachiwala Stores

Spencer’s Hyper Market

Hyderabad House

# 10-1-43, Siripuram Fort, Waltair Uplands, Tel – 2757599

# 52-14-77, Resapuvanipalem Tel – 6615331

Archies Gallery

Men’s Clothing

Schools

Mufti

Timpany School

MF Khan International

Bethany School

Address - # 10-1-8/2, Waltair Uplands, Tel – 2575216 Furniture

Naayaab Interiors

Signature Towers, Asilmetta Tel – 6672898

PCH

Music World

Jyoti Book Depot

Gyms, Spas & Salons

City Hotspots

Erra Matti Dibbalu Bheemili Road

Indira Gandhi Zoological Park

Madhurawada, Tel – 2552081 Doctors & Hospitals

Apollo Hospitals Waltair Main Road Tel – 2727272

Manipal Hospital

# 18-1-3, Jagadamba Tel – 2555577 Electronics & Appliances

Access 2 Future

Siripuram, Tel – 2701455

Angels Advanced Clinic

# 10-1-39/B, Waltair Uplands, Siripuram, Tel – 6674999

Jagadamba

CBM Compound Tel – 2755156

# 10-50-29, Waltair Main Road Tel – 2567722 Women’s Clothing

Dolls-n-Chic

# 28-1-70, Prakashraopet Tel – 2549853

Jagadamba Centre Tel – 2564796

Prapancha

Do-Up Salon

Pet Care

Kalanjali

Siripuram, Tel – 2704273

# 7-8-1/3, 3rd Floor, Varun Towers, Siripuram Tel – 2701232

Visakha SPCA

# 26-15-200, Main Road Tel – 2564759

# 10-1-261/1, Sri Ram Jain Arcade, Asilmetta Tel – 2710566

Home Decor

Pharmacies

Karukarya

Hirawat Furnishings Hirawat Centre, Dabagardens Tel – 2522423

Skipper Furnishings

# 5, Leela Plaza, Dabagardens Tel – 2508818 Hotels and Serviced Apartments

Fortune Inn Sree Kanya

Sreekanya Road, Diamond Park Tel – 3988444

Digital Shoppy

Beach Road, Tel – 2560101

68 june 2009

Music and Movies

Peejay Plaza, Siripuram Tel – 6463939

Shanthipuram, Dwarakanagar Tel – 2598697

Plot No. 12, Door No. 9-24-3, KM Towers, CBM Compound Tel – 9348860888 Aspen Towers, Resapuvanipalem Tel – 6642233

Indian Spice

Darling’s Paradise

Flowers and Gifts

# 13-1-1C, Green Park Road, Jagadamba, Tel – 2565995 Dabagardens, Tel – 6666064

Restaurants 4th Floor, The Landmark Building, Waltair Uplands Tel – 6646776

Jail Road, Tel – 2502740

Ashok Book Centre

3rd Floor, Sri Kanya Canopy, Waltair Main Road, Siripuram Tel – 6666776

# 10-50-25/1, Siripuram Tel – 3297719

# 10-1-27/A, Uplands Road, Asilmetta, Tel – 6646809

Books & Stationery

10 Downing Street

Grand Bay

Kids’ Shopping

Mira Collections

# 10-50-11/7, Ram Mansion, Waltair Main Road Tel – 2550775

www.metromela.com

Apollo Pharmacy

# 65/1, Shop No. 6, Dutt Island, Siripuram, Tel – 2788652

Hetero Pharmacy

# 10-50-11/2, 1st Floor, Main Road, Ramnagar, Waltair Main Road, Tel – 2546002 Pubs and Clubs

Chrome

Varun Towers, Siripuram Tel – 2529000

Rosso

4th Floor, The Landmark Building, Waltair Uplands Tel – 6646776

Someplace Else

# 10-3-3/2/1, Asilmetta Tel – 3204025

Puja’s Collections

# 30-15-78, Main Road, Dabagardens, Tel – 2704574

Vinis Mall

Hirawat Towers, Waltair Uplands Tel – 6620222 Yoga and Meditation

Chinmaya Mission

Plot No. 13 & 14, Chinmaya Sadan, Doctor’s Colony, Pedda Waltair, Tel – 2755151

The Yoga Village

Beach Road, Tel – 2566640

The Park, Beach Road Tel – 2754488

EXPLORE YOUR METRO’S BEST MERCHANTS

c o c h i n Accessories

Pixetra

Lakshmi Chambers, MG Road Tel – 4045050

Muscat Towers, Sahodaran Ayyappan Road, Kadavanthara Tel – 400566

Alapatt Jewellery

Extracurricular

A Geeri Pai

House of Alapatt, MG Road Tel – 2375697

Tanishq

# 40/9351, MG Road Tel - 2360808

Kirtilals Jewellery

Door No. CC 40-1019, Perumpilli Buildings, MG Road Tel - 2372911

Kirthi Diamond Jewellery # 34/ 572, Bypass Road, Palarivattam, Tel - 2807151 Alternative Medicine

Naivedya Ayurveda Hospital Ponnurunni, Vyttila Tel – 6573926

Nethaji Institute of Nature Care Kunnumpuram, Kakkanad Tel – 2422880 Books and Stationery

Hamlet

C-2, Kurian Towers, Banerji Road, Tel – 2395389

Higginbothams

NSS Kalapadanakendram Elamana Road, Tripunithura Tel – 2776123

Nrithakairali

Thillana, # 38/354 A, Karithala Road, Panampilly Nagar Tel – 2314391 Flowers and Gifts

Capri

# 35/65A, Thadikaran Centre, Palarivattam, Tel – 2334274

Saga Department Stores XII/799, Jawahar Road, Parwana Junction Tel – 2224882 Furniture

Style Spa

B.C.G. Estate, N.H. Bypass, Palarivattam, Tel – 2332630

Monarch Ergonomics

# 33/2402, II Floor, Thirunilath Building, Geetanjali Junction, NH Bypass, Tel – 2340171 Gyms, Spas and Salons

Kaya Skin Clinic

Acel Estate, Iyattil Junction, Chittoor Road, Tel – 2368834

Ground Floor, Shop No. 14, Swapnil Enclave, Marine Drive Tel – 3092789

City Hotspots

Talwalkars

Veega Land

Pallikara, Kumarapuram P. O. Tel – 2684001

Maharaja College Ground Junction, Puthuran Plaza, II Floor, MG Road, Tel – 2382696

Doctors and Hospitals

Home Decor

Ernakulam Medical Centre

Fabindia

N.H. Bypass, Palarivattam Tel – 2807101

Lakeshore Hospital

N.H. 47 Bypass, Maradu, Nettor Tel – 2701032 Electronics and Appliances

Kuruvithadam Agencies Ravipuram, MG Road Tel – 2381646

# 1/279(1), Napier Street, Fort Cochin, Tel – 2217077

Welhome

# 18, Bay Pride Mall, K P Shanmughan Road, Marine Drive, Tel – 3277120 Hotels and Serviced Apartments

Le Meridien

Maradu, Tel – 2705777

FOR MORE SUCH ARTICLES LOG ON TO

std code- 0484

Taj Malabar

Willingdon Island Tel – 6643000 Kids’ Health

Mother and Child Hospital Vyttila, Tel – 2303283 Kids’ Shopping

Dew Drops

North End, MG Road Tel – 2364609

Mamma’s Collection

Tel – 2366463 Pubs and Clubs

Jules Bar

Le Meridien, Maradu Tel – 2705777

Velocity

Hotel Crystal Plaza, Banerji Road, Tel – 2397308 Restaurants

Tharavad

Sheetal Building, Thoppumpady Tel – 3052535

At Yuvarani Residency, Jos Junction, MG Road Tel – 2377040

Malls and Super Markets

Kaloor Coffee Shop

Nilgiri’s

Sreekandath Road, Ravipuram Tel – 2385270

V-Mart

Kaloor, Tel – 6942507 Schools

Chinmaya Vidyalaya

Vyttila, Tel – 3264953

Kattiparambu, Kalathara Road, Kannamaly, Tel – 2247505

Men’s Clothing

The Choice School

Globers

Padma Junction, MG Road Tel – 2370903

United Colors of Benetton

# 40/1045, B1, Ground Floor, Amritha Towers, MG Road Tel – 3224152

Wills Lifestyle

# 40/7182, Ground Floor, MG Road, Tel – 3918800

Weekender

Kalangot Towers, MG Road, Pallimukku. Tel – 4030575 Music and Movies

Cinema Paradiso

# 37/797 B, Aarcee Square, SA Road, Kadavanthara Tel – 4043300

Saritha

Banerji Road, Tel – 2366183

# 53, Nadama East, Tripunithura, Tel – 2779057 Women’s Clothing

Jayalakshmi

MG Road, Tel – 2366458

Kalyan Silks

Hospital Road Junction Tel – 4081111

KNG Brothers

Broadway, Tel – 2352410

Twinkle

MG Road, Tel - 2364730 Yoga and Meditation

Nethaji Institute of Nature Care Kunnumpuram, Kakkanad Tel – 2422880

Sanjeevani Yoga Centre

Pharmacies

# 28/3596, Chilavanoor Road Tel – 2310346

Dhanwanthari Medical Store

Life Yoga

General Hospital, Broadway Tel – 2370478

Changampuzha Samadhi Road, Edappally Tel - 2330009

Oriental Pharmacy

# 253-1, Market Road

www.metromela.com

JUNE 2009 69

my s o r e

Accessories

Extracurricular

Variety Jewellery Hall

Okinawa

# 68, Ashoka Road Tel - 2520048

Manjula Jewellery Mart # 194/95, 3rd Cross, New Street, Indiranagar Tel - 2442160 Alternative Medicine

# 8, 3rd Cross, N Block, Aravindu Nagar, Kuvempunagar Tel – 9845105165

Mysore Kala Kendra

Address - # 286/3, 6th Main, Vani Villas Mohalla Tel – 4246101

std code- 0821

Lakshmi Bai Road Tel – 4255566 Kids’ Shopping

Lilliput

F-1, Panchavati Plaza, Kalidasa Road, Tel – 4266136

Young Stars

# 69, Devaraj Urs Road Tel – 4243007

Sri Datta Ayurvedalaya

Flowers and Gifts

Indus Valley

# 7, Hotel Ramanashree Complex, Bangalore Nilgiri Road Tel – 4269363

C 1, Shop 10 & 11, New Kantharaj Urs Road, Kuvempunagar, Tel – 4259779

Hundred Hugs

Rajendra Sports

# 1224, Irwin Road Tel – 2449586

Post Box No. 3, Lalithadripura, Ittigegud, Tel – 2473437 Books and Stationery

Sapna Book House

# 1433, Narayan Shastry Bhavan, Devaraja Mohalla Tel – 4004499

Chetana Book House

Renuka Charya Temple Street, KR Mohalla, Tel – 2445494 City Hotspots

GRS Fantasy Park

Off KRS Road, Metagalli Tel – 2582781

Kashmir Gift Emporium

# 663/3, Double Road, Kuvempunagar, Tel – 2545177 Furniture

Style Spa

The Loot

# 1915/11, Mannars Market, Shivarampet, Tel – 2430706 Malls and Super Markets

Girias

Mysore Trade Center, Bangalore Nilgiri Road, Tel – 2424330

Sony World

# 37, Venjay Edifice, J.L.B. Road, Chamarajapuram Tel – 4264482

# 506, Double Road, Kuvempunagar, Tel – 4280156 Gyms, Spas and Salons

Men’s Clothing

VLCC

# 13, 1st Floor, A Layout, New Banimantap Extension Tel – 6556373 Home Decor

Kothari Furnishings

# 117, 35th East Cross, Ashoka Road, Tel – 4269329

Shankar Handicrafts

# 12, Dhanvanthri Complex, Dhanvanthri Road Tel – 2422126 Hotels and Serviced Apartments

Lalitha Mahal Palace

Siddarthanagar, Tel – 2526100

Royal Orchid Metropole

# 5, Metropole Circle, Jhansi

70 june 2009

Bombay Groove

# 1293-D-2, KSTDC Complex, Jhansi Lakshmi Bai Road Tel – 2425349

Khatta Meeta

# 7, Dhanvanthri Road Tel – 2427088

The Chocolate Room

# 119, HT Road, 2nd Stage, Vijayanagar, Tel – 4282465

Schools

# 2902/1, Vani Villas Mohalla, Temple Road, Tel – 2516986

Bafna’s Men’s Avenue

# 1150, Mazanine Floor, Girnar Plaza, Narayan Shastry Road, KR Mohalla, Tel – 2425299

Electronics and Appliances

Restaurants

Loyal World Super Market

Shahnaz Hussain Herbals

# 46, Vivekananda Road, Yadavagiri, Tel – 2412121

# 13-14, Hotel Regaalis, Vinoba Road, Tel – 2426426

Xcel Designer Furniture

Doctors and Hospitals

Vikram Hospital

Lounge Bar

Spoon Bill

K.B. Arcade, # 1/3, Bhudevi Farm, Vinoba Road Tel – 2416603

# 16, Devaraj Urs Road Tel – 2417407

# 22B, Vinoba Road, Jayalakshmipuram Tel – 2512401

2nd Stage, Vijayanagar Tel – 4004091

Nilgiris

Maharana Pratapsingh Road, Nazarbad, Tel – 6522100

Basappa Memorial Hospital

Purple Haze

# 2 C, Muslim Hostel Complex, # 2904, Kantharaj Urs Road, Saraswathipuram Tel – 2342715

1st & 2nd Floor, Shree Ganesh Arcade, Kalidasa Road Tel – 4252621

Planet X

Pubs and Clubs

www.metromela.com

Chopda’s 299

Music and Movies

Woodlands

Curzon Park Road, KR Circle Tel – 2422871

Rajkamal

Shivarampet, Tel – 2423554 Pharmacies

MedPlus

# 831, New Kantharaj Urs Road, Saraswathipuram Tel – 2346105

Apollo Pharmacy

Ground Floor, BGS Apollo Hospital Complex, Adhichunchanagiri Road, Kuvempunagar, Tel – 4266853

# 17/A, 17/B, Bommur Agrahara, Srirangapatnam Tel – 8236-217351

Jnanasarovara

Boogathahalli Post, Mysore - Bannur Road, Parashuramnagara Tel – 2479814

Kidzee

# 5915, 2nd Stage, Vijayanagar Tel – 9448129074 Women’s Clothing

Fabindia

# 451, J.L.B. Road, Chamarajapuram Tel – 4259009

KSIC Mysore Silk

# 4/1, URS Complex, Old Bank Road, Tel – 4000044

Yashaswi Silks

# 74, Devaraj Urs Road Tel – 2431830 Yoga and Meditation

Ashtanga Yoga

# 235, 3rd Stage, 8th Cross, Gokulam, Tel – 2516756

Atma Vikas Yoga

Double Road, Kuvempunagar Tel – 2341978

EXPLORE YOUR METRO’S BEST MERCHANTS

Setting

HOTEL

So where do you

want to stay?

welcome to our First Transit Hotel After an excellent experience of catering to client satisfaction we have launched a First Transit Hotel at GMR Shamshabad. This Transit Hotel is strategically located opposite to International Airport junction and is first of its kind in Hyderabad.

It is a 30-room property and a Sleep in Lounge.

The hotel is truly a preferred choice for short stays and those who want to be close to the airport. It has a multi-cuisine Restaurant.

Guests can avail services of pick and drop to the Airport around the clock.

With its elegance style and comfort it will be the discerning traveler’s ideal Transit stay.

HOTEL

HOTEL

Near International Hotel, Shamshabad.

Ph: 08413 - 223355, 97045 23535. firsttransithotel@gmail.com

New Standards in Hospitality