DANCE OF DEMOCRACY WITH DAD, FISH, RUM & POLITICS.... RAMBLINGS OF THE ETERNAL ERRAND BOY IN KANNUR.

 DANCE OF DEMOCRACY WITH DAD, FISH, RUM & POLITICS RAMBLINGS OF THE ETERNAL ERRAND BOY IN KANNUR.

My dad has just turned 92 and over the last two decades I am always there around him this time of the year in Kerala. His date of birth is actually 03 June 1932 but his school certificate somehow enrolled him as 15 June 1932. This year I arrived between these dates to celebrate a small cake and cheers with our customary old monk. He really enjoys the excitement of the company rather than the drink and he actually just nurses one small drink the whole evening while I may have a couple at least.

An outing with childhood favorite temple pond 2 years ago in Trichambaram – Kannur

A Temple in the village of Azhikode which few would recall is home to partly paralysed NSG Commmando P V. Manesh who still has a piece of grenade splinter in his skull while finishing off terrorists in The Oberoi in Mumbai on 26/11.

Ancient soccer clubs  of Spirited Youth Club and Luck Star of Kannur which dad once took us to watch a match in seventies and used to produce great players including V.P Sathyan -Captain for India.

We played soccer barefoot on hard gravel in the hot sun and happily nursed our bruises daily.

Soccer has transformed in Kerala from those days. Wonder if Messi and Neymar have heard of Kannotumchal like many football crazy villages in India which ranks around 100 in FIFA despite Sunil Chettri. Matches can end in this part of the globe in fisticuffs after a World Cup Match !!! Did we believe we would have floodlit soccer grounds in every town.

During  our schooling in Shillong for a good 12 years in the same institution my sister in St Teresa’s , brother and I in St Michael’s respectively studied in Kannur ( apparently because parents thought we were losing our touch with Malayalam and rapidly becoming Khasi mamas) only for a brief period in 1971 for 3 months. Were we glad!! I proved them right and left my Malayalam there for good !! I miss those Shillong days now . I was quite fluent in Khasi,  Sylheti, Bengali and Assamese.

Dads school where he enrolled in 1937.

 

 

Birthdays 90,91 & 92 !! at his age he has one advantage he couldn’t be bothered about change of attire nor headgear ! (unlike the PM)

Once an avid reader of OLIVER STRANGE AND LOUIS LAMOUR now mostly reads just the newspaper ….( HIS 2 CRUTCHES - PREMAN AND PHULMANI)

Since my moms departure Dad does not like to come to Delhi and I try to make as many Kerala visits to catch up on the discussions mostly around cricket, tennis family and repair and maintenance matters and catch up on all the Kannur local news since my last visit. He still manages to read the newspaper with one eye and maintains a fairly strict routine which I also try to adhere during my breaks in Kerala hoping to eat less and take walks and failing consistently. The fresh fish , crabs and prawns are just too tempting.

 

Monsoon Fishing Embargo ( June -July) For Fishermen at Mappila Bay -Ayyakara- Meagre catch on some days. Kuttiatoor Mangoes of Kannur in an earlier season also sometimes called Nambiar Mangoes. Kerala has some mangoes around the year almost.

 

Fish Shop Reception Committee

 

 

A Portuguese cannon & a Dutch plaque at St Angelo’s fort. The Portuguese, Dutch and British occupied this fort at various times near Mapilla Bay. At his favorite salon closeby. Have to admit his haircuts are snazzier than mine! And the reception committee at our fish shop.

During these trips to Kerala at least 3 times a year my job also entails being parttime driver/plumber/carpenter & running errands for dad ranging from his haircut to odd repairs and maintenance of the apartment, his car or his bank , pension related work. The other important job relevant to our times is man management trying to incentivize his “two crutches”, the multi-taskers  maid Phulmani ( of Jharkhand) and driver Preman , the very loyal duo who have been doing a reasonably good job for over a decade,  looking after him at his advanced age and slowing gait. I keep enthusing him to walk around a bit and not be lying around too much but he is getting extremely lazy and stubborn. The advantage of old age and poor eyesight and hearing also ensured that he chooses to see, hear and wears only things that he wants. So mostly cannot argue nor motivate him.

This year’s birthday visit unlike the last 4 trips got slightly postponed due to the “dreaded” Lok Sabha- General Elections Results. Would not have dared to arrive on 4^th June. This 5 yearly event has never made any qualitative changes in our relationships since dad’s political moorings are “slightly” different to mine.  In fact the past years the first health check-up on dad happens even before I have had my first cup of tea upon reaching home. This unique “senior citizen agility” health check-up happens simply without any thermometer, gadgets syringes or samples or medical equipment but just with the vibration on my eardrums only. It just revolves around how brutal, clinical and sharp he is at pointing out the many faults of this current regime.  It gives me small pleasure to take the blows dancing around the ring floating like a butterfly while he stings like a bee. This way at least I know immediately on arrival at Kannur that his faculties are  still in shape. It seems to dad like as if I just had Chai in Delhi at Lok Kalyan Marg with the PM  & HM before boarding the flight to Kannur. He does not waste too much time to give me a lecture on how the country is finishing under the current regime. Since May 2014 he has fallen prey to every conspiracy theorist lurking in a lungi behind a swaying coconut tree. It could vary from EVM tampering, Balakot proof, Black Money, missing 15 Lakh deposit ,Nirav, Mallya, demonetization disaster, his English pronunciation, educational qualifications , covid mayhem, Art 370 failure, Nawaz Sharif biriyani, Manipur to the PMs beard , Tagore like hairstyle during the pandemic , his foreign jaunts etc. and all the other familiar negativity that the frustrated Opposition comes up with. Despite various infra projects like the airport in Kannur and National Highway improvements that come in after 2014 in his eyes Sanghis can do no good. Dad’s election predictions at the state level have also invariably been a thunderous flop for a good decade but he would still not relent. He also nurses other grudges such as Tharoor not upping his game, youngsters Priyanka or Pilot not taking over the mantle of the grand old party. He was also shocked to see the ruling party gaining new ground and making baby strides in Kerala in his own backyard where it was impossible a decade ago. At least we both agree that The Left is best left alone in their last bastion.

After his selective hearing I mostly prefer to just surrender on the first day and apologize on behalf of the PM, HM, DM, FM, EAM ( all of whom have btw retained their portfolios again!!). Next time I must remember to take a written and personally signed apology letter from the Cabinet in Delhi before I venture to meet dad. Especially since I meet them all at Breakfast lunch and dinner just because I come from Rajdhani. He somehow likes the NSA probably because he started his career in Tellicherry as an freshly minted IPS. Quite a few NSAs have had a Kerala connection.

At the end a few blows every few months is all worth it after all its for nice walks on the beach, home food and afternoon snoozes that I come here for a break. I must avoid being near the TV during the 9pm news debates on TV. His hearing is almost gone thankfully so does not have to suffer Arnab.  Cricket matches with a glass of rum and papadums are the only common meeting ground . A victory over Pakistan does bring cheer to one and all. Oh wait !! why was the match delayed? I said because of the swearing-in ceremony! HM called the BCCI secy who called PMs friend The Donald and the mayor of NYC etc!! Common Dad I was just joking!! New York is not New Delhi. It rains there.!)

To a visitor murals at Kannur airport reflects the fertile ground for an impending political battle. Many Chief Ministers of Kerala including the current one hails from the region of Kannur.

By the time my vacation draws to a close he relents and feels he was too harsh and relents at breakfast with compliments of the PM’s good Hindi oratorial skills, his curt voice, his ease at Hindu  temples, his sharp dressing, the half sleeve kurta and general Gujju enterprise and looks up expectantly at my reaction.  I have to prevent getting choked on my idlis and humbly submit that’s thanks to his secret training sessions at governance from 10 Janpath to end my Kerala trip on a cordial and peaceful note. If he had something nice to say about “Motabhai” then I could return to the Kannur airport each time sipping rum and nibbling shrimp and smiling. Dream on Ramesh!! Thankfully Dad’s not yet on social media and the maid has to help him use his smart phone. He is happy with his tiny Nokia type of phone.

The choppy waters of the Arabian sea ( saw the sun only once this monsoon week)

Beloved Papa Paul

The story of beloved Papa Paul who departed to his heavenly abode at 2.23 am on Sunday 10^th November 2013.

Ravi Darshan Bushnel Paul was born In UP on 2^nd April 1922 to parents Helen & Rev J.D.B Paul who was then the first principal of Ingraham Institute at Ghaziabad. Boshi ( as his siblings called Him) Had four sisters: Bonilla Viola , Cherry and Nargis. They were orphaned in early  childhood and grew up learning about togetherness, God and family through difficult yet family bonded years.

He attended Ingraham institute for his formative schooling and eventually ended up in Rawalpindi at Gordon College, where in addition to his studies he discovered his prowess in hockey and swimming. In 1941 he came to Lucknow Christian College, graduated and was in college hockey XI which was won the UP State Championships.

It was in 1946 that he met and married Nirmal Paul who was with him for 63 years of glorious marital bliss. In 1947 they were blessed with a son, Joseph( Raju). In 1949 they had a daughter Parveen.Papa devoted his entire life to raising the 2 children to be the best they could be. He enrolled them in  away- from - home boarding schools and sacrificed enormously to pay the huge fees. With his wife at his side, he set  about coaching them in all viewpoints and people. He taught by doing and lived a scrupulously useful life, full of stewardship and consistent patience.

He loved the true Christian life of love , faith and charity. He gave his tithes and supported the leprosy home and Shanti Bhawan locally.He helped anyone who came to his ddorstep, be it a child, an adult or an organisation. In a true humble spirit and purity of heart, he never bore anyone a grudge. His simplicity was model to emulate.

How fortunate I have been to have known Parveen’s dad  for 2 decades . Having spent many evenings  with Papa Paul ( in the initial days over a peg of good old OLD MONK RUM ) trying to decipher  the many ills that plague this nation from corruption to communalism, terrorism and match fixing in cricket  I found that he had the most practical solutions to many and  being a good listener he had the wisdom and experience that very few people had when he chose to give his opinion. Having served in the Air force  among the various subjects his insight on Indo Pak relations were interesting. His love for hockey was a common trait that I  shared and so did Parveen. However I had the embarrassment of him watching me swim when I was 35 and he 80. Boy was I glad it was not a competition. He took to the DDA swimming pool like fish to water to my amazement. His calm presence and experience in dealing with many iissues personal and professional is unmatched and his hospitality whenever my friends joined me at Parveen's house was worth ever moment. I was most enthusiastic if he gave me any task to do, mostly he found me fit to replenish his stock of Old monk rum ( which as a  true army man since he stopped drinking he loved to distribute) and which I relished doing once every few months.

He also had this enormous heart to always help people remotely connected with him and always remembered all our birthdays. Papa Paul always found time to enquire about my family’s welfare and I was honored to have his sagacity as an adviser and non executive Director of my company.

He has contributed immensely in all our lives by his timely suggestions, advise and unmatched calmness and grace.

A wonderful man and I along with all my friends will miss him forever. Rest In Peace Papa Paul!!!

MALABARI - THE ORIGINAL TRAVELLER

Like a true Malayali based outside his shores for over 4 decades  I kept returning to my hometown in the heart of Malabar in North Kerala on vacation from school, college,university and work . Being an outsider i discovered here the everyday, the exotic and the esoteric merge quite seamlessly

Kannur, the most enchanting district of North Kerala is breath taking. The Lakshadweep Sea washes the sands of sugary beaches laced with rows of green coconut palms. Some of the beaches of this Moppilla bay are even drivable. Long rivers break into silvery spray and merge into the blue green waters of the Sea.

The ships of Solomon, they say: anchored along our coasts to collect timber for building the 'Temple of the Lord '. Kannur finds a mention as NAURA in the 'Periplus of the Erithrean Sea' a Greek work of great antiquity. The Kolathiris were based at Chirakkal.The Pazassi Raja ruled from Kottayam in Tellicherry taluk. The Beebi (Queen) of Arakkal, Kerala"s only Muslim royal family controlled parts of the coast and even the Laccadive Islands'The quest for spices lured several European powers to this land.The advent of the Portuguese ( 1498) marked the beginning. They were followed by the Dutch and the English. Fortifications at Tellicherry and the Fort St. Angelo attest to their arrival while Mahe closeby was controlled by the French and the policemen today continue to wear the typical hat of the gendarme!!

In winter watch a Theyyam ceremony - a popular Hindu ritual form of worship and a living cult with several thousand-year-old traditions, it embraces almost all the castes and classes of the Hindu religion in this region. The performers belong to the indigenous tribal community and is unique, since only in Kerala, do both upper and lower castes share an important position in a major form of worship.

Ayesha Manzil is a beautiful, old colonial style mansion overlooking the Arabian sea in Tellicherry . Its present owner the charismatic Mr Moosa and his charming wife Ayesha are the soul of Malabar.They produce the finest of cuisine in the local Malabar flavour like no other.

Driving eastward into hill country one comes to Wayanad where Tranquil Resort is a Plantation Hideaway set within a 400 acre Coffee Plantation Estate located 6 km from Sultan Battery, Wayanad which affords the adventurous soul with breathtaking views, scenic treks and un-spoilt surroundings.

Tree- houses in the foothills and verdant forests till the high ranges , quiet getaways and serene backwaters , martial arts , ancient rituals and even ayurvedic massages.

Feels great to see the original Malabar town beckoning again to come and explore the Kerala's best know secret!

Delhi food street -Hauz khas village

Delhi Intensive - Old Delhi

Hauz Khas Village -Urban Village no-1 – DELHI’S FOOD STREET

Its been 2 decades since someone had quite aptly described Hauz Khas Village  "
"Hauz Khas Village’s preferred mode of locomotion is designer bullock cart,
raising designer dust, causing designer dislocation of spine on encountering designer pothole!!! Well , designers are also the ones who put it on the world map such that its not uncommon for a curious traveller who has just descended in the capital to ask for Hauz Khas Village in the same breadth as Khan Market or Emporio.

The one big difference is that Hauz Khas village is for the youthful frolickers, creative minds, musicians and followers of the Republic of Bohemia!! With art galleries , boutiques, travel cafes such as Kunzum and special interest travel such as mine - Oasis World and several other specialists such as Wild World India and Banjara Camps each catering to their select clientele.

Its making most of the news for the food these days!
The biggest draws are  Amour ( Mediterranean ), Yeti ( Himalayan) & Out Of The Box ( a nice pub being renovated after recent Fire!) opening up again for a grand view of the monuments lake and greenery from their rooftops , and Kafe d’or ( mostly Italian) and hold your breadth --- Tango - a Latino Restaurant run by Bhuvanesh!! Smaller coffee places such as Bagel Cafe , Emma’s cafe and Flipside cafe
Already establishing themselves in the village are Gun Powder a very affordable eatery for south Indian or Peninsular non veg and with the finest lake view.
The Living Room cafe & Kitchen is one of the finest and  Mediterranean food joints in town and quite atmospheric in the evenings with some great music on most weekends.

With all other regular eateries such are Naivedyam and Park Balluchi still going strong die hard Foodies are hoping to see better days!

There is a much improved parking lot and steet lighting and unlike before most visitors can now still get a taxi or an autorickshaw driver to come here without a major  scuffle. The Metro lines being complete it is not too faraway ( 2 kms) from Green Park station

One of New Delhi's most fabulous patches of greenery surrounds Hauz Khas Village , a nice walkaway around a lake and some impressive Lodi Sayyid period monuments dot the region.Adjacent to the crowed lanes of the village another world thrives. Some very docile spotted deer roamed around quite abundantly in this lung of South Delhi being blessed with good vegetation and water bodies was a haven for the winged and feathered species ! The Island on the lake looks like a good breeding spot for waterbirds.

Thankfully not too much designer hype but still very bohemian good clothes , shawls, some decent food, gifts, jewelry, leather, art galleries, travel agencies, fashion institutes, advertising agencies, event managers but more importantly its quite quiet and laid back. Its quite stylish and has got some real wacky names and unlike a standard DDA shopping market
All in all its nice to be part of Hauz Khas village after the last two decades of rumble and tumble.Please visit and call me if you need directions.

Ramesh, 2 Hauz Khaz Village ,Ground floor New Delhi -110016,
26851454, 9810009248

The Heritage Walk of Old Delhi – Jain Mandir, Bird Hospital, Gauri Shankar Mandir, Dariba Kalan, Jama Masjid, narrow streets and alleys of the 17 cent walled city, Kinari Bazaar, Gurdwara Sis Ganj, end the walk with a mouth watering Indian cusine at Haldiram’s.

There seems to be a renewed interest in revisting our heritage . Everyone is talking about it.

Why not explore it.

The tour begins at 0800 hours except Sunday being a closed day. 
Jama Masjid, the magnificent Friday Mosque which dominates the landscape walking through a myraid of galis ( narrow lanes) in the Chandni Chowk area which is one of the busiest market area in India with spicy roadside cuisine, jewellers, retreaded tyre shops, cycle repair shops, spices, office stationery and decorations for every Indian ceremony.
Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Christians and Sikhs enjoy a symbiotic relationship for centuries. 
Their places of worship are all well worth a visit as they are living example of peaceful coexistence. However like many places in India dressing appropriately is the key and helps in bridging western and Indian cultures. 
Remember on such cultural trips to avoid exposing your limbs and covering your hair with a scarf is important in the religious places of worship; shoes and socks are to be removed. At the Jama Masjid ladies are provided with a mandatory gown to be worn over their clothes. In the Jain Temple it is always neccessary to remove leather garments and even belts.

The food is definately worth a try. Try and nibble a few kababs or even try a spicy vegetarian parantha and top it with some local sweetmeats.

Ramesh, 2 Hauz Khaz Village ,Ground floor New Delhi -110016,
26851454, 9810009248



Mehrauli Walk

Mehrauli is extremely interesting; it is Delhi’s oldest continuously inhabited locality since the 8th century. Obviously, the long history translates into a number of old buildings and structures, dating back to the close of the 12th century, and right up to the end of the British Raj. Through the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, Mehrauli became a popular retreat for the British and the rich and powerful of Delhi: those who could afford it invariably built a mansion here where they would come now and then from north Delhi for a holiday. 

The walk begins by strolling up the easy slope to a crossroads, the Mehrauli Bus Terminal. This is a crowded and busy area, and helps being watchful of buses racing along at full speed as they move in and out of the terminal. The first of Mehrauli’s interesting buildings: the Public Library is a circular building, fringed by a verandah of pleasant arches, topped by a dome. A small, obviously colonial building, newly whitewashed and in thankfully good condition. The hillock is dominated by the Tomb of Adham Khan a general in the army of Akbar – the greatest of the Mughal Emperors. We walk up the stairs and wander into the tomb and take photographs. Like most places in India children from the neighborhood are in abundance noisy but cheerful born posers for the camera. Cross the main square opposite the tomb for the road to the Dargah.

The Dargah, is the shrine or tomb of the 13th century Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, and one of Delhi’s most important centres of pilgrimage. Over the years much of the shrine has lost its original form hence we skip the details but stop by on the way to admire the impressive step well - Gandhak ki Baoli, recently cleaned by the Archaeological Survey of India. We walk on, passing two tall stone structures on either side of the lane. These formed the Naubat Khana (the drum house) to the dargah. Musicians would sit in the balcony of the drum house, and play on kettle drums to welcome visitors to the shrine. The structure on the left has been taken over by a local gurudwara . The structure on the right is more or less intact, made of good solid stone with beautifully carved oriel window supports on the sides. We continue our walk past the Naubat Khana, to the doorway of the Dargah. There are shopkeepers here selling chadars of green cloth embroidered in glittery golden tinsel; rosaries; roses; and other votive offerings. We turn right and walk on till the lane opens out into a square, with the red sandstone-and-white marble gateway of the Zafar Mahal, where the last Mughal Emperor and his beautiful queen Zeenat Mahal were kept captive before being transported to Rangoon. 

This palace has lots of intriguing features, so takes up a good bit of our time. When we emerge, turning left go up a narrow lane past two old tombs, both four-sided, somewhat conical domed roofs. One’s been turned into a grocery shop; the other appears to be a home. The lane—by now less than four feet across—slopes up slightly and joins the main road of Mehrauli Village. A man is selling raw sugar - gur in its myriad forms: large discs of orange-gold, sacks of pale yellow shakkar; heaps of brown bura powder. All of it smells gorgeously intoxicating, but with the dust of the road right there and the numerous flies, one may wonder how hygienic all of this is. Further down the road, past shops selling gaudy polyester saris aglitter with sequins and tinsel, a man is selling large bunches of brown tobacco, hung upside down from the rafters of his shop. Below stands a row of earthen chillums and gleaming hookahs and household articles and utensils.

Even though this was once the main Mehrauli-Gurgaon road, be prepared- it’s narrow: two cars coming from opposite directions can cause a traffic jam if there happens to be a hand or bullock carts not to mention a cow spawled in the middle of the road !!! all jostling for space with screeching scooters , motorbikes and vegetable carts . 

In 21st century India can technology be far behind even in medieval villages . Optic fibre is being laid in the same place local municipal crew is slogging hard with some smelly sewer work: they’re manually lifting filth out of the open drains and piling it into a deep-sided cart pulled along by a large and patient bullock. We hold our noses and race past—only to run into the mother of all traffic jams: a buffalo with a consignment of large steel pipes or bricks has spilt across the road, effectively choking half of it off with an impatient lorry driver, and pedestrians alike. 

We squeeze past, walking intrepidly through the slow moving traffic further down the road, looking at traces of old architecture: semi-circular arches, Greek columns and shuttered windows in buildings; traditional dripstones with sandstone supports in another. We go past the Jamaluddin Building—conspicuously labeled, its name and date (1940) spelt out in plaster below the ornate facade—and the Kali Prasad Haveli, a much more typically Indian mansion. 

The road opens out at the Jahaz Mahal, the boat shaped building beside which men sit selling spices: huge yellow heaps of turmeric and bright red dried chillies contrasting with the dull red and grey bulk of the building. We wander around Jahaz Mahal, admiring the carving on the pillars and braving the treacherously narrow, steep staircase to climb up onto the roof and look out over the water body - Hauz Shamsi beyond. 

It’s a long walk back to the parking lot, but its worth ending the walk at via the beautiful flower market .

Nizamuddin Visit

13^TH CENTURY SUFISM IN 21^ST CENTURY NEW DELHI

Ever wandered what Sufism is all about???

Nizamuddin like many other villages of New Delhi has an interesting medieval touch is in the heart of town not very faraway from Humayun’s Tomb and at the end of Lodi Road 

If one wanders here in the evenings one can get a feel of Sufism is "the name given to the mysticism of Islam" 

Sufism spread within a century to nations as diverse and widely separated as Persia, India, Indonesia, Syria, Egypt, Mesopotamia and North Africa. 

Sufism had succeeded in inculcating the sentiments of fraternity, equality and equity, coupled with sense of service to humanity, in the followers, irrespective of race, community, caste, creed and colour
It is founded on the pursuit of spiritual truth as a definite goal to attain. According to many scholars, it is impossible to relate Sufism to any religion outside of Islam however for centuries in India its followers had a sizeable number of Hindus and even today the shrine is revered by Hindus and Muslims alike who believe a prayer here at difficult times can do wonders..

It gets it name form Hazrat Nizamuddin the famous saint who lived here in the 13th century. His Tomb became a shrine and is headed by a Pir who is a descendant of Hazrat Nizamuddin’s sister as he himself was a celibate. The Sufis followed austere lives but that life is difficult to follow and now in modern day 21st century Delhi this practice became almost non existent and donations from visitors keep the place going. Nizamuddin is dotted with many tombs as it was considered a peaceful resting place. Amir Khusrau the famous poet, Jahanara the daughter of Emperor Shahjahan, Mughal emperor Mohamed Shah the brothers of the last Mughal Bahadur Shah Zafar all have their tombs here. 

Inayat Khan Sufi the mystic who has a good following in Europe also has a dargah here. His mother was was a descendant of Tipu Sultan family from Mysore and migrated to the west in the early 20th century and settled in Suresnes near Paris. Inayat Khan's daughter Noor-un-Nisa served with British military intelligence during the Second World War but was captured by the Nazis in France and executed at Dachau concentration camp in 1944, posthumously receiving the highest civilian wartime awards of both France (Croix de Guerre with gold star) and Great Britain (George Cross).

For those not initiated to Sufism do not be disheartened as Nizamuddin is worth a visit even for the quwwali music which is played every evening and fine mughlai cuisine in the very affordable restaurants around the village. However like most public places in India it helps to dress modestly. Carry a scarf!!!!

Ramesh, 2 Hauz Khaz Village ,Ground floor New Delhi -110016,
26851454, 9810009248

Health Regulations

For entry into India 
Any person, Foreigner or Indian, (excluding infants below six months) arriving by air or sea without a vaccination certificate of yellow fever will be kept in quarantine isolation for a period upto 6 days if:

1. Any Foreigner or Indian arrives in India within 6 days of departure from an infected area.
2. Any Foreigner or Indian has come on a ship which has started from or transited at any port in a yellow fever affected country within 30 days of its arrival in India provided such ship has not been disinfected in accordance with the procedure laid down by WHO.

For leaving India 
There is no health check requirement by Indian Government on passengers leaving India.

For further details and updated information, please visit 
www.immigrationindia.nic.in/health_regulations.htm

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DELHI LATEST FOOD STREET Hauz Khas Village

CRITIQUES RESTAURANTS ET CAFE Hauzkhasvillage.in

TLR – The Living Room Cafe & Kitchen

Ici vous serez servis dans un cadre lounge et tendance. Des succuleux plats de poissons en passant par les hamburgers maison ou les desserts comme en Europe, vos papilles vont se régaler. Une agréable pause occidentale dans votre vie indienne. Toutefois la qualité a un prix : prévoir au minimum 500rs par personne..

BAGEL CAFE

Dans un cadre décontracté, la sympathique équipe du Bagel café vous proposera sa spécialité : les sandwichs dans du pain Bagel. Vous trouverez ici du véritable cheddar ou encore du saumon fumé. Et on ne vous parle pas des desserts ! A recommander pour une pause déjeuner avant une balade dans le parc.. Prix à partir de 200rs par personne.

KUNZUM

Inimitable café a Hauz Khas village ! Ce concept de café destin é aux voyageurs voulant échanger autour d un café ou laisser leurs impressions sur un des nombreux carnets de voyages est séduisant. Dans un cadre cosy, vous vous préparez vous-même votre café, profiter du wifi pour montrer votre blog a vos nouveaux compagnons et laissez un mot sur votre dernier voyage pour donner un tuyau au prochain baroudeur qui lira ce carnet ! Si le concept du tout gratuit est super, n oubliez pas de laisser quelque chose car sans cela un lieu aussi magique est pratique ne pourrait pas exister ! A voir absolument !

YETI

Dans un cadre traditionnel, cet oasis de calme vous permettra de souffler un peu du bruit des rues de Delhi. Découvrez leurs plats traditionnels allant des Momos, succulents raviolis, en passant par les Combos , idéaux pour avoir un aperçu général de la cuisine Nepalais et Tibétaine le tout servi par un personnel très a l’écoute et en costume traditionnel. A essayer!

NAIVEDYAM

Ce très bon restaurant spécialisé de la cuisine de l’Inde du sud est souvent complet le soir donc pensez à réserver ! L’utilisation d’épices moins piquants que ceux de la cuisine de l’Inde du Nord permettront aux estomacs fragiles de se reposer. Vous serez accueillis avec une petite soupe de bienvenue qui vous ouvrira l’appétit. Essayez donc leurs très bon Dosas vous ne serez pas déçus. Très beau cadre et prix plus que raisonnables (comptez 200rs pour un repas complet).

PARK BALLUCHI

Le Park Balluchi, dépasse les autres restaurants de part sa taille et son environnements feuillus.

Son menu est principalement non végétarien et offre une cuisine d’Inde du nord. Il sert non seulement la cuisine d’Hyderabad, d'Awadh et du Punjab mais également des plats végétariens et non végétariens du Cachemire et de la frontière du nord-ouest dans un style purement Balluchi. Une large variété de mise en bouche et de plats principaux non-végétariens sont servis sans compter de nombreux pains indiens (nans entre autre).

Ce restaurant propose également une série de bons vins et spiritueux. Vous pourrez aussi le privatiser lors des soirées a thèmes puisqu’il peut accueillir jusqu'à 200 personnes grâce a un système de buffet et un espace en extérieur.

Ce restaurant est aussi bien adaptes aux grands groupes qu’aux couples a le recherche d’un diner romantique ainsi qu’aux familles.

Comme vous devez entrer dans le parc du village pour y accéder, les voitures sont gardes a bonne distance et vous effectuerez une petite promenade dans le secteur boisé avant de vous restaurer. Pour ceux ayant du temps ou des enfants pleins d’énergie, venez tôt faire un tour dans le parc, observez quelques cerfs communs, lapins et paons curieux, afin de vous ouvrir l’appétit puis restaurez-vous dans cet endroit où la nourriture est véritablement délicieuse ! ! !

GUNPOWDER

Certainement un des restaurants avec une des plus belles vues de Delhi. Situe a une centaine de mètres du parking a l‘entrée du village, ce restaurant se trouve au 4eme étage d’un vieil immeuble avec une vue imprenable. Il s’est vu décerné le Prix du Times Food en qualité de meilleur restaurant de cuisine de l’Inde du Sud non-végétarien. Ainsi pour tous ceux qui pensaient que la cuisine d’Inde du Sud était uniquement végétarienne avec les Dosas, Idlis et Sambhar, voila un endroit a essayer !

Pourquoi le nom de Gun powder? Pas uniquement car ils servent cette sauce épicée! En effet ils proposent également du Porc aux épices, du chamois, du poisson au curry, de l’appam et du stews typiques du Kerala et du Chettinad, ainsi que des plats de l’Andhra pour tous les gouts. Ils proposent également de bons curry végétariens avec du pumkin (ma mère ne croira jamais que je viens de dire ca !).

Les fumeurs profiteront du beau balcon pour admirer la vue!

Ouverts tous les jours à l’exception du lundi.

A ce moment Hauz Khas Village est vraiment "Food Street" pour nous!

Chaque fois que je sors de mon bureau à Hauz Khas village, je vois un panneau nouvelles d'une nouvelle cuisine pour frapper. L'estomac de Ferozshah Tughlak doit être barattage dans sa tombe. Nous avons maintenant un Salon de Thé d’Elma ( Tres Anglais!!!) a commencé par le proprietaire de The Living Room . Golconda Bowl pour les amateurs de la nouriture Hyderabadi. Deux places avec terrace sur le toit - Amour pour la vie dure Italienne et Out Of The Box apportant dans le village notre deuxième pub pour faire la fête avec des amis dans le soir. Attendez! la liste n'est pas terminée, nous avons "Dabbang bombe" Sonakshi Sinha et son partenaire avec Kafe'd'Or sur la rue principale avec de la nourriture de style européen mais comme d'habitude l'attente d'une licence de bar. Alors mesdames et monsieurs qui est la rue marche ancien a Delhi avec 10 retaurants dans 150 metres à Delhi? Oui mes amis sans doute s'est Hauz Khas Village!!!!

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