पंडित पाव भाजी वाला

"पंडित पाव भाजी वाला", One amazing example of brand popularity. All Jaipurites are well aware of the "चौपाटी" at Birla Mandir, JDA circle. Some time back, my cousin told me about this awesome pav-bhaji vendor who stands in front of Birla Mandir and also said that I really must try his pav-bhaji as it is really buttery and yummy. I decided to give it a try and concurred with my cousin after tasting the vendor's pav-bhaji that it really is yummy. Soon it beacame one of our favorite pav-bhaji hang out spot with friends.
Last month as I was passing in front of the Birla Mandir, the numerous vendor that usually stand there caught my eye. And guess what? There were at least 20 to 30 pav bhaji vendors standing one after the other, as they always did. And what were their names? Each and every one of them is called पंडित पाव भाजी!! With slight variations in their names, like New pandit pav bhaji, Old pandit pav bhaji, Famous pandit pav bhaji, Sabse purana pandit pav bhaji... etc. each of the vendors had taken up the famous brand name पंडित पाव भाजी.
Seeing such mass usage of a popular name in pav bhaji vendors, I felt that even the uneducated pav bhaji vendors seem to understand the importance of a popular brand name in their own way. I found this an interesting case study of branding at a very local level.

दोस्ती Continued ...

Coke ke saath Dost free! A very inspiring theme for a coke commercial. It makes me wonder, if it were to happen for real? Wouldn’t it be a wonderful gift for so many of those lonely hearts out there… To find your soulmate, your buddy in a total stranger? Its believable. To me. So many of those lonely hearts yearn to be a part of that hep gang that seems to perpetually hang out at the canteen or the coffee shop. Fun? Hmm yeah maybe.

When I introspect, I realize that I have been blessed with some of the most loving friends. I may rave and rant to them about the most idiotic of topics but they would stand by me always. Solid rocks! No matter how many birthdays I might forget, no matter how long I loose touch, they r always there for me, my F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

...to be continued

FATEH SAGAR LAKE, UDAIPUR

My visit to this natural wonder makes me want to share some thoughts about this beautiful water body. Pale pink and orange hues in the setting sun give it the most beautiful aura. It attracts not just hordes of people, but the skies over it flaunt an amazing variety of birds.

As the evening sun begins to set, dipping low over and yonder the hills, from the far horizons in the west one can see scores of green squawking parrots, flying in flocks overhead and crossing over to fly towards the eastern horizons, on their return journey to their nesting grounds from the feeding grounds.
As the sunlight begins to fade from somewhere near another water body of Udaipur, Lake Pichola, from a banyan tree in a park at the lake’s edge, come out the flying foxes (megabats), flapping their huge wings in the darkening sky. The flying foxes, more commonly known as fruit bats, come out to feed at dusk. Flying in the orange sky they look like phantoms, ready to swoop down on unsuspecting victims.

As i stood there under the evening sky, craning my neck upwards to see these marvelous creatures fly overhead, I could feel the freedom of these winged creatures.

The photographs were clicked by me just after the sunset on a cool rainy day.

दोस्ती

Sometimes in life we create such unforgettable memories, that each time we relive them its like reliving the most wonderful parts of our life. But even more precious are the people we create these memories with. Because it is only with very few special people that we are able to create those wondrous moments of sheer joy, when our heart beats with happiness.

But when we are distanced from those we love, the pain leaves our heart bloody. When the memories are the only anchor which stop our heart from sinking in the dreary waters of loneliness, its those happy moments that help us keep afloat.

When relations turn sour, and friends are lost and forgotten, life seems to loose meaning. To find that lost happiness turn back the pages of your life and reach back to once more hold that special persons hand and no matter how complex the situations in life are, be there for your friend. ... to be continued.