Visit Vuzu from Your iPhone
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Have a look at Vuzu and see what they are offering and how. Better still see the free streaming videos for iphone and desktop computers. Also meet the wonderful members of the community of users who upload the videos. What is more, there is a earn cash section on the site for users to make money with vuzu. Explore and learn more about how you can earn from Vuzu.
posted @ 8:42 PM,
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Hiran Minar
Those who take their chance to cross the River Ravi from Saghian Bridge to go to Sheikhupura in the suburbs of Lahore have to pass through the flower nurseries. Also, along the road has come up a Flower Market near Saghian Bridge. After turning on Sheikhupura-Sargodha Road from the Chowk where a beautiful replica of Hiran Minar (The Deer Tower) has been made, you drive along the bumpy two-way road lined up on both sides with smoke emitting factories of different kinds: fabrics, chemicals, glass, and paper pulp. At places the pungent whiff reminds as if one is driving on Grand Trunk Road near Kala Shah Kaku. Wall chalking, religious and or commercial slogans - is another thing that one notices all along the road to Sheikhupura.Jehangir Abad turned Sheikhupura is situated in Ravi-Chenab corridor and fast turning from a market agricultural town to an industrial city. Adjacent to Lahore, the town is surrounded by old places like Sangla Hill (old Sakala), Nankana Saheb (birth place of Baba Guru Nanak) and Jandiala Sher Khan (last resting place of Waris Shah).
Hunting grounds were an important part of the physical environment of Moghal emperors. The place where the town stands today was one of Jahangir's (Prince Salim) princely dominions during his father Akbar's reign. The town was founded by Jehangir, near village Sahu Malli, during his rule in 1607. The king declared the barren jungles adjoining the place as royal hunting ground. After the death of king's darling deer Mans Raj, this hunting ground was changed into a protected sanctuary and hunting was prohibited. In the memory of his favourite antelope, the king also constructed an octagonal tower in 1607 at the foot of the grave of the deer. In 1620, a square lake like pond and Baradari was added to the monument. A causeway with its own gateway connects the pavilion with the mainland and minaret. At the centre of each side of the tank, a brick ramp slopes down to the water that used to provide access for royal animals and wild game. Later he conferred the entire area upon Sikandar Moin.
A special feature of Hiran Minar is its location and environment: the top of the Minar is perhaps the best place in the province of Punjab to get a feel for the broader landscape and its relationship to a Moghal site. Looking north from the top of the Minar, one can see a patch of forest which is similar to the scrub forest vegetation of Moghal times, while to the west are extensively-irrigated fields, a product of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but similar in size and appearance to the well-irrigated fields of the Moghal period. The Lower Chenab Canal has turned the land into one of the most fertile area in the country now.
In eighteenth century, Nadir shah and Ahmed shah Abdali passed through Jehangir Abad once they came to attack India. Punjabi poet Syed Waris Shah had composed some pointing details of the attacks and conditions of the society of the time in his classic folk romance Heer Ranjha. Sikh came to the power in the later half of eighteenth century when Moghal authority weakened after the death of Aurangzeb Alamgir. It is during Sikh rule that the name of the town was changed from Jehangir Abad to Sheikhupura.
Sheikhupura was separated from Gujranwala and declared district in 1920 with Sharq Pur and Khankah Dogran as two of its tehsiels. Electricity came into the town in 1931. During independence movement, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah addressed a huge crowd in Sheikhupura while going to Faisalabad (then Layal Pur) in 1942. Later, the geographical boundaries of the district were again changed in 1962. The remains of once majestic Sheikhupura Fort, constructed by King Jehangir, reminds of the times gone by. Five storied building of the Fort speak of the expertise of its architects. The Moghul Fort was built in 1619 for use as a hunting lodge. The Fort is built of bricks rather than stone, a common feature of Moghul forts. The Fort was later used by Sikh Princess Rani Nakayan and her private quarters are decorated with superbly preserved frescoes depicting dancing girls, hunt and court scenes and images of Guru Nanak. History has it that Arbeel Singh fired one hundred rounds on the Sheikhupura Fort to break in. During Ranjeet Singh's time, the Fort was renovated. Some of the murals are still there on the walls of the Fort. Around the Fort, some wood carving on doors, windows and balconies of old havelies can be seen being eaten by termite.
Maharani Jind Kaur (some time called Rani Jindaan), who was described by Lord Dalhousie as the only woman in the Punjab with manly understanding and in whom the British Resident foresaw a rallying point for the well-wishers of the Sikh dynasty, was kept under close surveillance in Sheikhupura Fort. Henry Lawrence laid down that she could not receive in audience more than five or six sardars in a month and that she remain in purdah like the ladies of the royal families of Nepal, Jodhpur and Jaipur. Maharani Jind Kaur was later exiled from the Punjab. She was taken to Firozpur and then to Banaras. Her annual allowance, which according to the treaty of Bharoval had been fixed at one and a half lakh of rupees, was reduced to twelve thousand. Her jewellery worth fifty thousand of rupees was forfeited; so was her cash amounting to a lakh and a half. The humiliating treatment of the Maharani caused deep resentment among the people of the Punjab. Even the Muslim ruler of Afghanistan, Amir Dost Muhammad, protested to the British, saying that such treatment is objectionable to all creeds."
Old Rai Pur and now famous Nanakana Sahib, a birth place of Guru Nanak and last resting place of Waris Shah in Jandiala Shekhan are also claims of Sheikhupura to international fame. Gazetteer of the district written by British reads, Nanakana Sahib was then in the heart of jungle thirty miles from the nearest railway station and on the anniversary of the Guru's birth was visited by a few hundred pious pilgrims. These days much more Sikhs from all over the world visit the birth place of Baba Nanak.
Despite being near Lahore, the town has not developed and all the civic facilities are over burdened. Over crowding, population increase, litter, and power outages have all played a part in turning small hamlet into a teeming sprawling slum. Moghal King who founded it would not be able to recognize the town if he comes back. There are no sufficient healthy recreations in town and people of Sheikhupura go to Lahore to have an eating experience at Food Street, for celebrating basant bash or for other recreations. The main road that passes through the town was once landscaped on both sides. Now the landscape and green strips along the road have vanished. The bifurcation railing in the middle of the road has broken down at places and people have made crossing points there. Completion of Jinnah Park was very festive for the residents of Sheikhupura but now it gives a repulsive look rather than that of a recreational place. On entering the gate one realizes that the park is not being maintained. Result: polythene bags and wrappers are scattered every where, the grass has not been mowed, there are no flowers, and benches are broken and dusty. A rehriwalla who sells 'Dahi Bhallay' in front of the park says, "I used to do much better business when the park was newly completed but now no body comes here."
The main attraction of the town is a Hiran Minar Complex. Aside from common visitors, foreign dignitaries, guests of the federal or the provincial governments, who visit Lahore, are sometimes taken to Hiran Minar in Sheikhupura for a short break. It is also on the schedules of some tourist operators. But the monument is not being maintained properly and local population is not benefiting from it. Given proper care, it could be turned into a real restful facility for locals as well as foreigners.
What Sheikhupura really needs is: an identity, completion and commissioning of bypass, some grass in Jinnah Park and along the road and development of Hiran Minar.
Labels: Travel
posted @ 1:23 PM,
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Cats' Island
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Flying over Astola Island (Pakistan)‚ my first sight of the Island and the speed boat anchored in a bay far below quite took my breath. Pointing hull of the boat lay in pale blue shallows‚ riding on the swell. Even a hardened seaman would have melted at the sight of a creature as beautiful as the speed boat. I looked forward to the promise of sailing around the Island in a boat and later exploring it in the company of botanist experts on a purposeful visit.We landed on a rough helipad marked with a circle in lime on the edge. Soon a sleek and small boat puttered towards us. I felt like a warrior and navigator Vasco da Gama, when he reached Calicut on May 20, 1498.The boat skated over shallow coral and bumped alongside the Island. Climbing aboard‚ we were introduced to the crew and a bunch of other guests. I resisted complaining of ennui that I experienced on the introduction to so many experts in the field I know nothing about. But soon instructions were shouted and guests joined in enthusiastically often snaring themselves in the lines and becoming more nuisance than help. Within minutes we had slipped into the rhythm of this trip: leaping off the bowsprit‚ snorkelling round the stern‚ or windsurfing around the Island. I climbed the bowsprit and watched the boat cleave through the chop. A frigate bird‚ twitching on the breeze‚ tracked our progress.
After short cruise around the Island, we descended and stepped ashore into a world of giant boulders. The flora and fauna are as they would have been centuries ago, but spellbinding: The natural vegetation is composed of the type able to survive arid climate. It does not only suffer from extreme drought but also from wind carrying saline particles. Salt sprays coupled with sand particles clog the respiratory mechanism of plants, affecting growth. “Prosopis juliflora is the most significant widespread species distributed in the island. Indigofera oblongifolia and Hycium depressum are also prevalent forming large bushes.
Other types of vegetation found include Sueda fruticosa, Aerua persica, and Tamarix dioca,” The experts gave these names but to me it looked like undergrowth in the form of shrubs and creepers. The island supports a large number of breeding seabirds including Larus hemprichii and several species of terns. The internationally endangered Green turtle and critically endangered Hawksbill turtle frequents the site for nesting purposes along the sandy beach threatened.
Astola is the only site along 1,000 kilometres Pakistan coast where Hawksbill turtles have been sighted. Dolphins and to a lesser extent, whales have also been reported. In fact, in December 1994, a large whale (possibly sperm whale) skeleton washed up on the shores of Ganz, Balochistan. The bones of the whale are on display in Gwadar town. Astola is also rich in corals, oysters and important commercial fishes.
Isolated island such as Astola, which has been cut off from the mainland for ages, supports endemic life forms. One such endemic species, Echis carinatus astoli, a sub-species of saw scaled vipor was discovered by a German scientist who took a specimen back with him for display at the Senckenberg Museum in Germany. If a detailed study is carried out, it is likely that many other types of sub-specie of small mammals, reptiles, plants, and shrubs could be discovered. No detailed surveys have been undertaken in the area as yet, so there is a lack of count data for the important species.
A short walk through the Island‚ a nesting site for many seabird species is most intriguing. Without the usual predators‚ fearless birds have been nesting on the ground‚ or on branches at eye level. Only a few visitors the Island attracts are able to come within centimetres of magpie robins‚ tropic birds or noddy terns staring straight back at you. Sadly, the sea-bird population has dropped over the years, as a result of increased numbers of feral cats which feed on the eggs and disrupt the nesting and breeding sites.
Astola is used as a base for fishermen who frequent the Island between September and May to catch fish in general and lobster and oysters in particular. Between June and August, the Island remains free from human interference due to rough sea and high tides. On finding a small Island ideal, the fishermen decided to bring their cats along in order to rid it of its resident vermin. What they do not realise is that by doing this, they trigger a change of events that leads to destructive changes in the Island’s habitat. A few fishermen and their pet cats on a trip to Astola unwittingly can almost destroy this unique ecosystem.
An NGO concerned with conservation of nature plans to initiate an awareness raising programme in Astola Island as a first step towards a community-based conservation programme to reverse the degradation of the Island’s biodiversity. Astola requires urgent conservation efforts, may be at government level, as the natural ecology is being damaged due to the introduction of feral cats.
About 25 kilometres south of Balochistan coast, Astola is six kilometres in length and administratively comes under Pasni subdivision of Gwadar district. According to the Balochistan Gazetteer, printed in the beginning of the 20th century, the island - known as ‘Satadip’ among Hindus - was held in extreme reverence by the Hindus and pilgrims from all parts of the Subcontinent venerated in increasing numbers. It is said that goats were taken to the Island for sacrifice; only the blood was spilt at the shrine of Kali Devi while the flesh and entrails were thrown out to the sea. Even now the Island has an aura of mystery. There are architectural remains of an ancient temple of the Hindu goddess Kali Devi. A prayeryard has been constructed in the memory of a Muslim saint associated with oceans. A small solar operated light tower has been installed on the top of one of the Island’s cliffs for the safety of passing vessels.
Locals have given it the name Haft Talar meaning seven rocks but the Island appears to form a single block with an estimated height of two hundred feet at its summit. An isolated rocky area has broken away from the main block towards the south end. Given that the Island is not sheltered from the open sea, it is subject to strong wave attack during the southwest monsoons, when wave height exceeds 3.5 metres. The coastline therefore suffers from severe erosion.
Astola is one of the biggest offshore islands in the Arabian Sea. Possessing a unique habitat, it was identified as part of a Global 2000 eco-region. It is the only significant offshore island along the north coast of the Arabian Sea, and as such maintains the genetic and ecological diversity of the area. But irony is that presently it does not merit even a dot on most Pakistan maps.
It would be worthwhile to study Astola Island’s leeward side as an offshore (oil or even for liquefied gas) embarkation platform in the extreme north end of the Arabian Sea. As the largest Island of Pakistan, Astola has a considerable potential for being developed into an eco-tourism site where both local and foreign nature enthusiasts can visit and behold rich flora and fauna of the Island, as well as witness the flourishing marine life in the clear waters through glass-bottomed boats.
The communities living on the mainland would benefit by providing services to the eco-tourists as an alternative income generating venture. Currently there is no recreational and or tourism activity on site for which it has potentials.
Our days ebbed away, an evening anchored beside the quintessential postcard coast Island and we sailed back, it was as though sea and wind‚ hull and rig were singing a perfect note. {Image Muzaffar Bukhari}
Labels: Travel
posted @ 1:27 PM,
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Luxury Redefined
posted @ 1:13 PM,
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Markhor in Chitral
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Markhor population swells in Chitral game reserve, read the report here.
Labels: Wildlife
posted @ 1:30 PM,
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Being Doused at Ti Kwen Glo Cho Hot Springs
John-Francis Bourke, a photographer from Brooklyn says, “My mom passed away last March, and since I usually go home to Ireland to spend Christmas with her, I needed to do something totally different. So I Googled ‘remote undeveloped Caribbean island,’ and this is what I came up with — honestly, true story. I’ve always traveled with friends or girlfriends who need to see everything, who really need to digest the destination. I found it all too tiring, because New York is so exhausting every day. I always fantasized about going somewhere where I could sit alone. So I did a lot of sitting in Dominica. At the springs, bamboo pipes channel the hot water from the side of the mountain into the cast-iron tubs. All the bathtubs are vintage — probably not a word they use in Dominica — but they’re really ancient, I would imagine from old plantation homes or other old-style homes. The water has a bit of a metallic taste. I don’t know if it’s from the mineral salts or from the tub, I have really no clue."
posted @ 12:54 PM,
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Seats of learning in Lahore
Friday, February 13, 2009
Universities and Chartered Institutes
Hajvery University, Lahore
University of the Punjab
Beaconhouse National University
King Edward Medical College (KEMC)
Government College University (GCU)
Forman Christian College
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology - Lahore Campus
Lahore School of Economics (LSE)
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
Minhaj University
University of Central Punjab
University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore
University of Lahore
Imperial College Of Business Studies (ICBS)
University of Management and Technology
University of South Asia
National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences - Lahore Campus
Lahore College for Women University
Virtual University of Pakistan
Allama Iqbal Open University - Lahore Campus
National College of Business Administration & Economics (NCBA&E)
Institute of Management Sciences
University of Education
University of Health Sciences
University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Kinnaird College for Women
College Of Medical Technology
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan - ICAP
Institute of Continuing Dental Education
Institute of Leadership and Management
KAPLAN International
KEYNESIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & SCIENCES
KSA-Institute of Management & Information Technology
Punjab Institute of Cardiology
Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP) - Lahore Campus
Institute of Chartered Accountancy, Pakistan - Lahore Campus
Pakistan Readymade Garments Technical Training Institute Lahore
Allama Iqbal Medical College
Mansora University
Professional Institutes and Colleges
Services Institute of Medical Sciences Lahore
Skans School of Accountancy
Lahore Medical and Dental College
Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP) - Lahore Campus
Institute of Chartered Accountancy, Pakistan - Lahore Campus
Pakistan Readymade Garments Technical Training Institute Lahore
Allama Iqbal Medical College
National College of Arts
Oriental College Of Arts (OCA)
University College of Information Technology (PUCIT)
Fatima Jinnah Medical College
Canadian School of Management - IGS - Lahore Campus
Teachers Training College
College of Science Education
Shalimar Medical College
Ahmad Hassan Polytechnic Institute
Institute of Heritage Education- www.inheritedpak.com
Colleges and Institutes
NKFACT Institute of Computer Science and Nasreen Kayani Foundation
The Superior College
Central College
Government College of Science
Islamia College Lahore
Islamia College for Girls
Diyal Singh College
APWA College for Women
Queen Mary College (Lahore)
Institute of Islamic Sciences
The Superior College
M.A.O College
Punjab Group of Colleges
Kinnard College for Women
Gulberg College for Women
Lahore College for Women
City College Lahore
Government Degree College Johar Town
Government Degree College Township
Government Degree College Batapur
Government Degree College Harbanspura
Government Degree College Badamibagh
Government Degree College Shadbagh
The Institute of Management Sciences
The Learners School & College
The Professionals Academy of Commerce
Usmania College
Mughal Pura Degree College
Unique Scholars College
Gates College
GLOBAL College of Commerce
Hira college
KIMS College
KPSI Sons of Pakistan
Lahore City College
Lahore Medical & Dental College Lahore
Leader Ship College
Markaz Tanzeem-e-Islami
Modern Group of Colleges
Superior Group of College
National Cadet College and School
Pak Lawrence Institute
Lawrence College
Pakistan Public School and Inter College
Prime College Of Management & Informatics
Punjab Computer College
Quaid-e-Azam Group Of Colleges
Quaid-e-Azam College of Commerce for Girls
Quaid-e-Azam College of Commerce for Boys
Quaid-e-Azam College of Sciences for Boys
Quaid-e-Azam College of Sciences for Girls
Quaid-e-Azam Law College
Punjab Law College
Queens Degree College
Shahwanis School And College
CECOS London College
Centre of Financial Excellence
College of Physicians & Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP)
Forces Cadet School and College
Lead College for Girls
Leads College for Boys
Unique College
Unique School
Modern College for Girls
Modern College for Boys
Standard College for Boys
Standard College for Girls
Comsit College of Commerce
Leads University
Superior College for Commerce
Superior College for Sciences
Government Degree College of Raiwind for Boys
Government Degree College of Raiwind for Girls
Government Degree College Iqbal Town
Government Degree college Samanabad for Girls
Government Degree College Samanabad for Boys
Government Degree College Gulberg
Government Degree College Mustafa Town
Government Degree College Mozang
Peak Solutions College
Skills College of Information Technology Lahore
Major Secondary Schools
Bait-Ul-Ilm School Website
Brooklyn International School System
Government High School Shahdara
Government M.P.E High School Shahdara
Central Model School
Convent of Jesus and Mary, Lahore
Queen Mary School
Laurelbank Public School
International School of Choueifat, Lahore (ISC)
Crescent Model Higher Secondary School
Lady McLagun High School
Aitchison College
Muslim Model High School
American School of International Academics (ASIA)
Noor Din Islamia High School,Ichra Lahore
Divisional Public School Model Town (DPS)
Government School Township
Government Pilot High School
Din-e-Islam High School Nishter Lahore
Froebel’s International School, Lake City Lahore
posted @ 11:13 AM,
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Add Butter and Pay More...
While the world is talking about the weirdness of Beijing style food, I thought of highlighting the position of Lahori food on the chart of bizarreness. I am sure it stands somewhere in the top 10. So here we go:Roughly translated, Tawa gurda kapoora means kidneys and testicles in a large frying pan. To avoid the embarrassment of associating such words with food, most of us now call it Taka tak. It refers to the sound made by the skillful chef while frying these organs and hitting the pan with two sharp slicers in a captivating rythm. He keeps slicing and frying them until the kapooray (testicles), gurday (kidneys), dil (heart), maghaz (brain) and chaampain (ribs) become a homogeneous mixture of meat and thick masala curry. You can make your pick and choose which parts to include in your serving. It is DELICIOUS.
One of the most famous spots to try this out is Butt taka tak at Lakshmi chowk, Gawalmandi. It is located right next to Butt Karahi that has been reviewed earlier. Not only will you enjoy the typical outdoor dining experience in the heart of Lahore, you will also find a bunch of live chickens to give you company while you listen to the magical beat of taka tak. Not to mention all those large tables smothered with uncooked goat organs (as you can see in the above picture) giving you a feeling of being part of a massive autopsy project.
What? .. Yikes? .. No! The moment you take the first bite of this scrumptious meal, will be the time when everything else, such as traffic noise, diesel smoke, smell of chicken shit, autopsy tables, etc., will stop bothering you. So dive in and give it a try.
Price range: Rs. 150-250, Cleanliness: Substandard
Labels: Aqeel Ahmed, Menu Lahore
posted @ 11:04 AM,
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Fazal e Haq - aka Phajjay ke Paye
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Fazl e Haq or Mr. Phajja was perhaps the first person who commercialized the idea by coming up with a Paye specialty restaurant in the Red light district (Taxali gate) named as Phajjay ke Paye. People would (and still) flock to this place every morning and wait in queues to have a breakfast of sticky and rubbery meat of goat feet. The Siri on the other hand is not a breakfast item. A typical Siri meal is accompanied by assortments like Maghaz (brain), Zuban (tongue) and Khad (Jawbone) - everything cooked of course. You eat it with Roti or Kulcha. Another reason for having started his venture in the red light district of Lahore was perhaps the purportedly aphrodisiac nature of these meals. Aphrodisiac or not, they are rich in cholesterol for sure.
Fazl e Haq has now grown into a chain of restaurants covering almost all the major areas of Lahore. This includes Fortress stadium (you can see that in the picture), Gawalmandi, Red light district, Model town, and a few more places that I am not aware of. The new menu includes typical desi food stuff in addition to their specialty.
You must go to the Taxali gate outlet to have the authentic experience. It is very close to the Shahi Mosque. If you think the Siri Paye experience can be risky, you should go to the Fortress stadium outlet.
Price range: Rs. 100-250, Cleanliness: Different at different outlets
Labels: Aqeel Ahmed, Menu Lahore
posted @ 1:24 PM,
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Greenhouse Dome Kits
Have a look at Greenhouse dome kits. It is is going into production and should be available to purchase early soon. Given its low cost polydome design, this dome is an ideal introduction to geodesic domes. No need to worry about angles, mitres or complex mathematics. Just about anyone can one put together this using basic DIY tools.
See the advantages over other greenhouses and garden structures. This is much stronger than rectangular based garden structures, better airflow and atmosphere for you and your plants, can be covered in polythene, glass, ETFE or pretty much any other material you want, simple to assemble only requiring basic DIY skills, environmentally friendly materials and design, modern design that will not date like some other designs, available as a part assembled kit for even easier assembly, easy to personalise to your own needs and more more affordable than any other dome currently on the market.
posted @ 1:14 PM,
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Lahore at British Library
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Photograph of the Chauburji Gateway at Lahore, Pakistan, taken by an unknown photographer in the 1880s, part of the Bellew Collection of Architectural Views. Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, is considered the cultural centre of Pakistan. Islam came here after the advent of Mahmud of Ghazni in 1021 AD, and it was subsequently ruled by a succession of dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate, followed by the Mughals, the Sikhs and the British. It reached its apogee under the Mughals, known as the Garden City and with enough architecture to rank it with other great Mughal centres like Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. The Gateway of the Four Minarets or Chauburji was once the entrance to one of Lahore's many pleasure gardens. The garden, together with one of the gate's corner minarets (on the north-west) is now lost. An inscription on the gateway records that the garden was established here in 1646, in the reign of Shahjahan, by a lady described as Sahib-e-Zebinda Begum-e-Dauran, or 'the elegant lady of the age'. The lady referred to is probably Jahan Ara Begum, the eldest and favourite daughter of Shahjahan, who was known to have built gardens at Lahore. The gateway is beautifully decorated with rich mosaic-work.Explore Lahore History at British Library here!
posted @ 12:02 PM,
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Gowalmandi Food and Heritage Street
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Sizzling spicy foods on display in Gowalmandi reminds of what Vasco de Gama shouted after setting his foot on South Asian soils on the dawn of May 21, 1498, "For Christ and spices!" No data for consumption of spices in Gowalmandi Food Street are available but a proprietor of one of the biggest shops in the street told, "On the average I sell about 120 Kilograms mutton and over 40 kilograms of chicken every day. People prefer to eat mutton karahi and chicken barbecued. A milk shop proprietor said, "My daily milk consumption - in the form of chilled milk, yogurt, Kheer, khoya, lassi -- is over 2000 kilograms." (Consumption should be a little more now. This data is old.)
In the street, every body is lead by aroma of the food in front or on the fire. Variety of languages greets your ear. Unfazed by noisy crowd and the bustle, the waiters will get the orders and you will get the whole picture while sitting in an open street nicely lined with thin upright tiles, though sometime orders may change. I was served Makhan Mutton Karahi when I had ordered chicken leg piece -- an ultimate achievement in food in this part of the world. I did not mind this deal at all but the large family that had ordered the sumptuous dish had to wait longer and made lot of observations.
Over the years, the Food Street has become a major tourists' attraction in Lahore for locals as well as foreigners. One can always see them eating, roaming around or standing near a huge black vat, where Peshawri Chappal Kababs are made, and taking photographs. Davis, a 'Khalis Angreez' who was in Lahore in connection with book exibition and I met him in the Food Street asked lot many question and remarked, "In west there is hardly any place where one can see food being cooked. It is so mouth-watering just to watch". Sikhs from across the boarders are also seen wearing "what is it in the Food Street" look. Davis opined that Food Street (and Pakistan in general) is one of the most inexpensive places in the world as far as food is concerned.
On my last visit to the food street, I had enough on my own plate, literally, to deal with but I could not help noticing what was happening on an open-air dinning table being shared by another family -- mother, father and five children. Each one of the children had thought of something different to order but they ultimately settled for Tez Massala Mukkhan Mutton Karahi and Chicken Tikkas followed by chilled Kheer served in thoothees.
Once the ordered food was laid out, the disciplinarian mother served the helpings in plates of her children and husband, of course giving him the best and the biggest share (a good old-tradition withering rapidly). Mother told the children to start their supper with the name of Allah Almighty, the most merciful and the most beneficent. After counting the pieces in his plate, the younger boy instead of eating innocently remarked, "Mama! Just like home, you are giving me lesser even in the Food Street. She looked at her food-obsessed son sternly and spontaneously pointed out, "And just like home, you are looking what others have got instead of concentrating at what is in front of you even in the Food Street." The dialogue reminds me of my own mother. What has the place got to do with parenting? It remains the same. I keep thinking.
Gowalmandi Food Street is an experience packed with dining options. Who says that you have to wait for Bassant or Food Festival to go there? It has become a permanent cultural feature of Lahore, hard to ignore for any one. When did you visit the Street last.
Labels: Lahore, Pakistan Cuisine
posted @ 8:57 PM,
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Scuba Community
Are you Scuba diver looking for other divers to interact? Have a look at DiveBuddy.com - Online Scuba Community. This is the only real social network for scuba divers. It is a focused niche for scuba divers only. Explore the site and see what they are offering and how. Better still, read about all things related to scuba.
posted @ 5:09 PM,
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Karachi Hot n Spicy BBQ
Ordinary name, ordinary atmosphere but extraordinary paratha rolls. Lahories have only a few places where we can find paratha rolls. Karachiites, on the other hand, are 'blessed' with numerous choices of paratha rolls that can be found in every nook and corner of the city. My today's review offers you a comparable (if not better) option - Karachi Hot n Spicy. They have around 15 different paratha roll styles. Some of them are really creative selections, such as German cheese rolls, Chicken malai with cheese rolls, Behari roll, etc. You can also order a chicken cheese platter, which has everything as that of a roll except the roll itself. Taste is really good, I won't give it a 10 out of 10 though.They serve a number of other Desi and Continental options. Karahi is good but not as good as Butt Karahi (reviewed in the past). You can also try their Cheese naan. Nicely molten cheese evenly spread inside a fresh, oven-hot tandoori naan. It is good but immensely rich and greasy .. so try it carefully or you'll lose your appetite and therefore a chance to cherish the lovely paratha rolls.
Located in the middle of H-Block food street, DHA, Lahore, the facade of this restaurant is really bad. A wide kitchen on the ground floor hides the shady and small entrance to a basement hall, which is the sitting place for customers. If you can ignore that, you are in for a treat.
Price range: Rs. 150-250, Cleanliness: Average
Labels: Aqeel Ahmed, Menu Lahore
posted @ 2:17 PM,
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Riddex
One of the best ways to get rid of mice and roaches is a use Riddex. It is a safe and chemical free way to decontaminate. Simply plug in a single Riddex Plus and it immediately turns the wiring in your home into a giant digital pest reseller creating an invisible digital force field. Chasing mice, rats, and roaches from your home by interfering with their nervous systems.
posted @ 2:13 PM,
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What is Doodh Patti
Doodhpatti is taken so frequently that even foreigners traveling to Pakistan know this and its taste (and ask for it). Hence the name of this blog that is showcase for some of my travel articles.
This is my cup of tea.
Labels: Pakistan Cuisine
posted @ 8:17 AM,
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Shahi Pan Wala
Friday, February 6, 2009
posted @ 9:55 PM,
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Web Hosting Rating
One of the most powerful factors to have an effective presence on the web is good web hosting. Businesses, causes and even individuals need to have uninterrupted hosting to take advantages of the Web.
Given the demand, there are many web hosting services available on the Internet. It looks as all are offering similar services. Fact is that every one of those services is different with own features and strength. That is why it becomes a difficult task to choose the best one.
Thanks to Web Hosting Rating – a very comprehensive directory of web hosting providers - that they have made the task simple by offering web hosting rating. Web Hosting Rating is one of the biggest searchable web hosting directories featuring complete information on different web hosting providers, their web hosting plans, promotional and discount coupons, and unbiased rating and independent reviews by real customers.
Browse Web Hosting Rating Directory and see how they help users to choose the right web host for their business or personal portals. Better still, have a look at Top 10 Web Hosting Providers and you will find the best that suites your requirement. The rating system is based on the customer satisfaction, affordability, reliability, uptime and technical support. Also see their article section and learn about web hosting. My recommendation: start at Web Hosting Rating directory when you need to find the best web host.
posted @ 9:19 PM,
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Pakistan Cuisine
Labels: Pakistan Cuisine
posted @ 8:25 PM,
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Bundu Khan
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
It is a mouth-watering experience even to write about the Behari kababs of Bundu Khan let alone eating them alongside the spicy tamarind sauce. Beef behari kababs is the best thing Bundu Khan makes and no one beats them (atleast) in Lahore. They are spicy and so tender that they have lost their fibrous meaty identity - which is, for your information, a compliment to the chef in the state of Behar, India. The ideal combination is to have poori parathas with them. Poori parathas are crispy, greasy and rich in LDL cholesterol but tremendously delicious.Bundu khan offers more than just the kababs and parathas, but everything else on their menu is ordinary and does not deserve a space on my blog. Bundu Khan chain of restaurants has its roots from Karachi and has 4 branches in Lahore. The DHA branch in Lahore (Sector Z, DHA) has the most glassy looks.
They have increased their prices unreasonably in the recent past, while quality is the same. Keeping the price constant could mean a fall in the quality and taste in the future which will be a shame. Despite these negatives, Behari Kababs deserve a try.
Price range: Rs. 250 - 400, Cleanliness: Good
Labels: Aqeel Ahmed, Menu Lahore
posted @ 11:40 AM,
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KB Burgers
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
I have grown up eating KB burgers. It is my childhood association with them more than its fame that is compelling me to write this review. The taste, nonetheless, is fantastically unique and unforgettable. Two fried beef kababs are spread inside the freshly baked long bread topped with sauces of various sorts and a sizzling hot fried egg (or boiled if you choose so). It is finally garnished with finely chopped fresh mint leaves before being capped with the remaining half of the brown surfaced partially fried bread. Above all, everything is done in front of your eyes. An expert chef is skillfully managing the assembly line of a few dozen burgers wearing polythene gloves behind a wall-sized glass window. What a treat!You can find it on the Poonch road in Samanabad near Choburji. 20 years ago, this used to be a simple roadside dhaba. They have maintained the unique taste even today but changed the outlook entirely. Prices are very affordable. A regular double beef burger costs you around Rs. 44 and you can eat two for a meal. To keep up with the trends, they have included a bunch of continental burgers in the menu as well. That is the ordinary part of their menu and is not something for which you would want to travel a long distance to come all the way to this place. As far as traveling for the beef burgers is concerned, I know a couple of friends who traveled all the way from Ireland and Washington to satisfy the urge. Everyone who has experienced the addiction, please feel free to leave a comment and share your experience.
Price range: Rs. 60 – 120, Cleanliness: Excellent
Labels: Aqeel Ahmed, Menu Lahore
posted @ 2:29 PM,
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Watch Your Weight
Monday, February 2, 2009
Weight watchers must have a look at ScalesEtc.com and see the bathroom scales they are offering. They have scales that can handle weights from fractions of a gram to hundreds of pounds and their scales come in different forms.
posted @ 10:25 AM,
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Nothing Like a Hot Cup of Doodh Patti in Winter
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Ishrat Hyatt
Winter is here with a vengeance and today was a particularly cold day, partly cloudy, with a biting chill and the possibility that it was snowing up in the hills.
Winter has its own charms cosy fires; a variety of nuts and hot drinks that warm you through, especially tea, which is an all time favourite with people of all ages whether they are rich or poor. Especially popular is doodh patti tea brewed in milk with lots of sugar. Of course experts will say it is not good for the health too much cooking of the leaves and all that sugar but it is the most delicious form of tea and very well liked by a lot of people.
This kind of tea is available in all food shops that cater to what we call the common man because they like to have a piping hot cup after their meal, especially labourers who find it filling as well as refreshing. Sometimes an enterprising person will set up shop near an outlet where only food is served and so he manages to cash in on the habit.
This is what the man in the picture has done as he has this small tea stall next to a man that has a small food stall nearby. Recession and high prices have affected everybody and though it is lunchtime he is sitting without any work to do because customers are few and far between though, he does get a few orders from offices nearby and from his regular customers.
He said the high price of milk had forced him to raise prices and not everyone could afford Rs10 for a cup of doodh patti, so he had lost customers but those who were addicted to this kind of tea still patronised him. The other factor that affected his business was that offices had started keeping tea bags and powdered milk since it was quicker and easier to serve tea in this manner.
Before this trend, the office peon would bring a tea pot and I would put my tea in it, he said, but now only one or two offices send for it. He also informed that many men, especially labourers, bought a couple of naans and had them with doodh patti to save money.
Winter is the time he usually did a roaring business but not this year. He wanted to know if things are going to get better or worse and what would happen to the poor in the country since prices were touching the sky, (Aasmaan ko choo rahi hain). I voted for PPP but I think I have made a mistake, he said. Allah be praised, I still make enough money to survive though I don't have any for extra things or requests from the family.
Despite the health warnings and the perceived consequences, a friend from Karachi and I had a cup each of his brew (made to order) to warm ourselves and bolster his spirits. Yummy!
posted @ 10:00 PM,
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What is Doodh Patti?
Tea is taken in Pakistan more than any other drink. You get a cup of tea made by boiling tealeaf (patti) in water and mixed with lots of milk (doodh) and sugar anywhere. Those who prefer more milk boil tea leafs in milk instead of water.
Doodhpatti is taken so frequently that even foreigners traveling to Pakistan know this and its taste (and ask for it). Hence the name of this blog that is showcase for some of my travel articles.
This is my cup of tea.
Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the best travel destinations in the world – desert expanses in Thar and Cholistan, Lush green plains in Punjab, mighty mountains in Northern Pakistan and Chitral, and many just to yourself places, what else. Start of the world history can still be traced down to Pakistan – Indus Civilization. Pakistan has a lot to offer to every one; not only to travelers, hard core adventurers, mountaineers, rural tourists, and vacationers but also to anthropologists, archeologists, and researchers?
