India

Some Interesting Facts About Cafe Coffee Day

- Roshan

  • It was started in 1996. The first single cafe was in Bengaluru’s Brigade Road. VG Siddhartha started CCD with an initial investment of 1.5 Crores. In 2005, CCD opened its first international outlet in Vienna. CCD has a total of 1752 cafe’s spread over 243 cities.
  • It was in 2010 that CCD’s logo, the layout of the stores, and interiors were revamped. This happened because of an investment of INR 10 billion (US$140 million) in Coffee Day Resorts, owned by the company. This gave a boost to the coffee chain numbers.
  • The present CCD logo was chosen to denote the coffee chain as a place to talk. It was to convey a relaxed and fun hangout for the aspirational, urban youth in the country. That’s how Café Coffee Day touched the hearts of the Indian youth, assuring them that all they need is a cup of coffee and a peppy place to talk it all out.
  • Besides brewing happiness in coffee, the company also produces coffee machines and furniture for the CCD outlets. This is how the brand does its cost-cutting and focuses on making great coffee easily accessible and affordable for all.
  • The amazing coffee that we sip at Cafe Coffee Day comes from the coffee estates of 20,000 acres owned by the company. Out of these, 10,000 acres of coffee farms were inherited by V G Siddhartha from his parents and have been the secret behind the evergreen taste of CCD’s coffee.
  • Café Coffee Day grows three varieties of beans primarily – Dark Forest, Arabica & Robusta in the estates. Then too, it is the largest producer of Arabica beans in Asia. It exports the Arabica coffee beans to various countries including the USA, Europe, and Japan.
  • On 29 July 2019, Siddhartha went missing, and his body was found in the Nethravathi river  backwaters two days later. A letter, assumed to be written by Siddhartha addressing the board of directors and staff, was made public in which he takes responsibility for not creating a profitable business model. In 2023, the company managed to trim its debt by 95%, with a 75% year-on-year revenue increase in its retail coffee division. 

Top 10 States With The Most Population In India

- Roshan

As of 2024, the top 10 most populous states in India are:

  1. Uttar Pradesh – 235.7 million

  2. Bihar – 126.8 million

  3. Maharashtra – 126.4 million

  4. West Bengal – 99.1 million

  5. Madhya Pradesh – 86.6 million

  6. Rajasthan – 81.0 million

  7. Tamil Nadu – 76.9 million

  8. Gujarat – 71.5 million

  9. Karnataka – 67.7 million

  10. Andhra Pradesh – 53.2 million

These figures are based on the latest available estimates for 2024. Uttar Pradesh remains the most populous state, with a population exceeding 235 million. Bihar and Maharashtra follow, each with populations over 126 million. The top five states collectively account for a significant portion of India’s total population, influencing various aspects such as political representation, economic planning, and resource allocation.

Why Are External Hard Drives So Expensive In India?

- Roshan

External hard drives can appear expensive in India compared to global prices due to factors like import duties, taxes, and the overall cost of doing business in the Indian market. Additionally, the specific type of external storage (HDD or SSD) and its capacity significantly impact the price. While HDDs are generally cheaper, SSDs offer faster performance and greater reliability at a higher cost, according to Lenovo.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Import Duties and Taxes: India has a high import duty on electronics, which directly increases the price of imported goods like external hard drives.

Cost of Doing Business: The cost of running a business in India, including infrastructure, labor, and logistics, can contribute to higher prices.

HDD vs. SSD:

HDDs (Traditional Hard Disk Drives): These are generally more affordable and offer larger storage capacity, making them ideal for backup and archiving.
SSDs (Solid State Drives): SSDs provide faster data transfer speeds and greater reliability but are more expensive per GB. They are a good choice for laptops or as a primary storage drive in a desktop.

Market Demand and Competition: The Indian market for external storage is relatively competitive, with various brands offering different price points. However, demand for specific types of storage (like high-capacity HDDs for AI) can also lead to price fluctuations, according to reports.

Storage Capacity: Larger external hard drives will naturally cost more, but they also offer more storage space per dollar.

Food Delivered Right To Your Door Step

- Roshan

Do you like ordering food delivery? (e.g. Skip, Door Dash, Uber Eats)

Yes I do. I like ordering in a bunch of food that I haven’t tried or that I really like. We don’t have Skip the Dishes or Door Dash here and Uber Eats sold off it’s India operations to Swiggy. So we have that and Zomato which are the two major national food delivery service apps. It’s a great alternative to making bland food at home or if you are like me, don’t know how to cook anything other than the bare essentials like coffee and sandwiches or omelettes. What if I want something more than that?

Right now, I am living alone at home due to my dad’s ill health he and my mom are staying at my sister’s place since there is more space there for them and a male nurse. I usually make toast for breakfast and sometimes order in idli or dosa, since I don’t know how to make them. Maybe the occasional upma.

Lunch/dinner could be a sandwich or a burger or even pizza. Momos. None of these I can make at home except for sandwiches and the options that I do have with those are also limited. How about fire rice with some honey glazed sesame pork? Or shawarmas? The options are endless. I remember when the only delivery for food was KFC, Chicking or Dominos.

Prompt from Journaling Prompts from The Coffee Monterz Co . Com

McDonald’s India’s “Korean Menu”

- Roshan

McDonald India does it again! I’ve said this before both here and on my food review channel that India does not do international dishes that well, especially in the mass market. Fast food giants like McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC etc just fail when it comes to trying to replicate an international flavour. Now I do mean this is for the Indian wings of these companies. I do not know how the rest of the world does things.

In India most foreign food dishes are not authentic. Rarely do we find them. Whether it is fast food or proper restaurants. Even if it is an international brand in India, it’s still run by Indians and I guess that is what the issue is. They will add some oregano to the burger and call it “Italian”. Add 2 jalapenos and call it “Mexican”. Some cafes will change a few items of the Full English Breakfast and voila – you have American Breakfast! And now “Korean” Regular chicken burger, but add a bit of Korean sauce and voila! Add paneer and cauliflower and call it Chinese (IndoChinese is more appropriate).

I just got to find out about the new McDonald’s Korean menu which is basically just their regular menu of 4 burgers with a Korean sauce added! That’s it – instant Korean!  Korean McAloo Tikki Burger®? Or no, wait, Korean Chicken Surprise Burger? The Korean McSpicy™ Chicken Burger and Korean McSpicy™ Paneer Burger and the Korean McEgg® Burger!

Dark Fantasy Vanilla Cream – India’s Answer To Oreo

- Roshan

Dark Fantasy – India’s answer to Oreo! Even though Oreo is very popular and loved in India, we have a home grown product to rival them. Sunfeast has Dark Fantasy which is a similar kind of cream biscuit. The Vanilla cream is the direct rival to Oreo’s main biscuit. The luxurious aroma of cocoa and vanilla, with this cookie’s rich crème crafted from the finest vanilla beans pocketed between intricately carved biscuits.

Satisfy your sweet cravings with this heavenly chocolate and vanilla indulgence. Perfect for unwinding after a long day, enjoying a cosy movie night or treating yourself to a luxurious moment of bliss. Once you are home from work or a day out running errands, you just want to plonk yourself on your sofa and get a nice coffee or tea or maybe you want a cold drink. Perfect as an evening snack as you kick your feet up and watch some Netflix or HotStar.

Dark Fantasy Vanilla Crème will put a smile on your face instantly. With each bite, you will find yourself diving deeper into an indulgent fantasy. Overall taste wise, it’s a good alternative to Oreo and I wouldn’t mind either in my cupboard.

Indian Food Recipe : Kerala Beef Fry

- Roshan

Indian do not eat beef – take that information and throw it out along with the garbage! Some Indians do eat beef while the vast majority does not. Kerala Beef Fry is a classic South Indian dish made with a few simple spices, coconut slices, and curry leaves. It’s pressure cooked then lightly fried in coconut oil.

Ingredients

  • Beef (chuck roast), 2lb, 3/4″ cubed
  • Coconut Oil, 3 tbsp it ain’t called beef “fry” for nothing 
  • Shallots (6) or Red Onion (2), thinly sliced
  • Garlic Cloves, 3, minced
  • Curry Leaves, 1 sprig

Marinade

  • Red Onion, 1, diced
  • Green Chili, 2, diced
  • Ginger, 2″, minced
  • Garlic Cloves, 8, minced
  • Coconut Slices, 1/2 cup, (fresh or frozen)
  • Curry Leaves, 1 sprig
  • Salt, 1-2 tbsp
  • Meat Masala*, 1 tbsp
  • Coriander Powder, 2 tbsp
  • Red Chili Powder, 1 tbsp
  • Turmeric Powder, 1 tsp

How to Make Meat Masala

  • Green Cardamom, 1/4 cup
  • Fennel Seeds, 1/3 cup
  • Cloves, 1 tbsp
  • Cumin Seeds, 1 tbsp
  • Cinnamon Stick, 2
  • Dry Red Chilis, 8

Instructions

Make the meat masala.

  • In a small saute pan on medium-low heat, add all of the spices. Toast the spices just until warm and you can smell the aroma of the spices. Once the spices cool down, add the spices in a small spice grinder or blender. Grind until a slightly coarse powder forms. Store in an air-tight container.

Marinate the beef.

  • In a large bowl or in the pot of your pressure cooker, add all of the ingredients under the marinade section, then mix together.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.

Cook the beef.

  • After the beef is marinated, pressure cook the beef on high for 10 minutes (about 4 whistles).
  • You do not need to add water to this. Moisture will naturally extract from the beef as you pressure cook it.
  • Do not discard the moisture from the pressure cooked beef.

Fry the beef.

  • In a wide/deep pan (or uruli) on medium high heat, add the coconut oil.
  • Once the oil is hot, add in the shallots, garlic, and curry leaves
  • Saute until lightly golden then add in the cooked beef along with its juices.
  • Continue to stir the beef around in your pan so that it evenly fries and encourages the moisture to reduce. This usually takes 15-20 minutes.
  • About halfway through, sprinkle in about 1-2 tsp of meat masala over the beef and then continue frying
  • The beef is done frying when all the moisture is gone and a gravy/spice coating has formed on the beef. That’s it! Serve with some hot Kerala porotta!

Wendy’s India Finally Opens An Outlet In Kochi (Edapally)

- Roshan

Another bolt from outta the blue. Another major international fast food restaurant chain has finally launched in Kochi! Kochi is happening! Last year, maybe 7 or so months ago we got Popeyes launching in a couple of cities in Kerala, including Kochi in late July. And now Wendy’s India! Its the world’s third largest quick-service  hamburger company with more than 6,500 franchise and Company restaurants in the U.S. and 29 other countries and U.S. territories worldwide. Wendy’s opened its first outlet in India on the 6th of May 2015 with an outlet at Sector 29 Market Gurgaon.

This won’t be my first time eating Wendy’s – they have been around in India for a while. Back in 2016 when I was in Gurgaon/New Delhi for 2 weeks I was able to go and get me a burger and fries at a Wendy’s which was about a 20 minute Uber ride away from my hotel. I remember loving it and thinking that it was better than McDonald’s and Burger King. Their fries were so good and I got a Peach Ice Tea to go with the Chicken Baconator. However, sad news!

Looking at the India menu, it does look like the talon & claws of religion denies us with the best of Wendy’s – no Baconator, not even the chicken one. And ofcourse no beef as it is a national chain – Wendy’s India has a different menu from your American, UK & Canadian ones. Anyways, I am glad that they are here because I have hassled Wendy’s India to get off their asses and expand to the Southern area of India for 9 years! I will order some tonight for dinner!

8 Year Old Who Was Claimed To Be The Youngest Serial Killer In The World

- Roshan

I just heard about this case early this morning and I am not sure how accurate and true it is but it seems to have been featured on many major newspaper’s websites hence it must be a true story. Listening to the story at 1:30 am did send a chill up my spine, mainly because of the ages of the victims and the murderer.

An 8-year-old boy from the Indian state of Bihar, Amarjeet Sada, is claimed to be the “youngest serial killer in the world.” You read that right. He was born in 1998 in the village of Mushahar in Bihar. He has murdered three people, including from his own family. Sada committed the first murder at the age of 7. In 2006, Sada allegedly murdered his six-year-old cousin, the daughter of his uncle. It is thought he also killed his own baby sister who was only eight months old. His last victim was even younger – a six-month old baby girl called Kushboo who lived in the neighbourhood, the report says.

It has been stated that when in police custody, Sada smiled a lot and showed no remorse after admitting he murdered his sister a few months earlier and his cousin the year before, swinging his legs as he sat and told his story an even demanded biscuits from the police. At the time of his capture, one psychologist called him a “sadist who derives pleasure from inflicting injuries”. He is understood to have been released in 2016 and his current whereabouts are unknown – possibly having changed his name and assumed a new identity.

Scariest Places In The World : Tunnel 33, Shimla, India

- Roshan

While you are busy admiring the scenic beauty of Shimla, do not be surprised if something else catch your attraction. Tunnel no. 33, the longest tunnel of length 1143.61m built on the Kalka-Shimla railway track is a famous tourist spot. But this tunnel is well known for some untold secrecy. Colonel Barog, an English railway engineer was given the charge of building this tunnel in 1898. He was given a strict deadline for completing his assignment. In order to achieve the target in given time limit Barog ordered labours to dig both the sides of the mountain thinking that they will meet at the center and he will get the desired tunnel.

Alas! There was some miscalculation in Barog’s work and his idea of digging the hills was a complete failure. The British Government was so annoyed with him that they charged him with a 1 rupee fine. He was very upset and one day when he was in a walk accompanied by his dog he committed suicide by firing upon himself. Though his dog tried to gather people by seeing his master bleeding but till then Braog breathed his last. Colonel was buried near the incomplete tunnel on the Kalka-Shimla railway track. After the completion of the tunnel it was named after Barog in order to pay him respect. Now physically there is no sign of Barog but it is believed that Barog never left that place.

The local people of Shimla believe that there exists some kind of eeriness inside the tunnel. People have also seen the ghost of Colonel Barog in and out of the tunnel. It has been reported that there have been unnatural movements of a person inside the tunnel. People claim to have seen the ghost of Barog moving inside the tunnel. Government have tried to block the entrance of the tunnel but the lock has been broken each time and since then the door can be opened by anyone. But people say that the spirit of the Colonel is a friendly one.

RIP Ustad Zakir Hussain

- Roshan

Indian tabla maestro, composer, percussionist, music producer and film actor Zakir Hussain died at a hospital in San Francisco, his family said on Monday. Hussain died due to complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the family said in a statement. He was 73. He had been hospitalised for the last two weeks and was later taken to the ICU after his condition deteriorated.

In his career spanning six decades, the musician worked with several renowned international and Indian artistes, but it was his 1973 musical project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist TH ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical and elements of jazz in a fusion hitherto unknown. His groundbreaking work with Western musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, and George Harrison brought Indian classical music to an international audience, cementing his status as a global cultural ambassador.

Hussain was also awarded the Govt of India’s Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990, Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, Ratna Sadsya in 2018. In 1999, he was awarded the United States National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship, the highest award given to traditional artists and musicians. Hussain has received seven Grammy Award nominations, with four wins, 3 in 2024.

Zakir Hussain, who is regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation, is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola and his daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.

The 5 Largest Pizza Chains In India

- Roshan

India’s pizza market is dominated by several major chains, each with a significant presence across the country:

  1. Domino’s Pizza: The largest pizza chain in India, with over 1,900 stores in 2023. Domino’s was the first American pizza brand to open in India in 1996. It has about 55% of the organized pizza market share and 70% of the home delivery market share.
  2. Pizza Hut: The second largest pizza chain in India, with 922 stores. ntering the Indian market in 1996, it offers a diverse menu that blends international and Indian flavors, appealing to a broad customer base.
  3. La Pinoz Pizza: The biggest Indian pizza company, with 700 stores. La Pinoz is growing quickly.
  4. U.S. Pizza: Positioning itself as the third-largest pizza chain in India for a while, until La Pinoz grew, U.S. Pizza focuses on delivering fresh and cheesy pizzas. Their menu includes classic pan pizzas and authentic Italian crust options.
  5. Chicago Pizza: Specializing in takeaway services, Chicago Pizza boasts over 100 outlets across India. The brand emphasizes customizable pizzas made with fresh ingredients.

These chains have successfully adapted to Indian consumers by incorporating local flavors and preferences into their menus, contributing to their widespread popularity.

Let’s Look At Why November 14th Is Children’s Day In India

- Roshan

November 14th is celebrated as Children’s Day in several countries, with India being one of the most notable. Here are the reasons why:

  1. Birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru in India: In India, November 14th is celebrated as Children’s Day to honor the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first Prime Minister. Nehru was fondly known as “Chacha Nehru” (Uncle Nehru) and was known for his deep love and affection for children. He believed that children were the future of the nation and advocated for their care, education, and well-being. After his death in 1964, his birthday was declared as Children’s Day to honor his vision for children.
  2. Promoting Child Welfare and Rights: Celebrating Children’s Day on this date underscores the importance of child welfare and encourages people to acknowledge and advocate for children’s rights. In India, it serves as an occasion to promote the need for providing children with good education, healthcare, and a nurturing environment.
  3. Celebration of Childhood: Children’s Day highlights the value of childhood and the need to cherish and protect it. Schools and communities in India organize fun activities, cultural performances, and events to let children feel special and enjoy their day.
  4. Raising Awareness: November 14th also serves as a day for raising awareness about the issues children face, such as access to quality education, child labor, and health and safety concerns. It’s a time to reflect on the challenges children encounter and work towards building a better environment for them.

While Children’s Day is celebrated on various dates worldwide, November 14th holds special significance in India because of Nehru’s legacy and his strong advocacy for child welfare.

Choosing The 10 From The 22 Kerala Dishes

- Roshan

I just saw the list of 22 dishes from Kerala Cuisine that you must try. Having gone through that I feel that I can throw some of them out as “must try” and only include these 10 from the list :

  • Puttu and Kadala Curry
  • Appam with Stew – One of The Most Popular Kerala Food Items
  • Kerala Prawn Curry
  • Naadan Beef Fry or Kerala Style Beef Fry
  • Malabar Parota
  • Kerala Style Fish Molee
  • Banana Fritters
  • Palada Payasam
  • Thalassery Biryani
  • Chatti Pathiri

My Favourite Choice For Ice Cream, Pizza, Donuts & Burgers

- Roshan

Write about your favourite place to eat: ice cream, poutine, pie, burgers (pick your poison)

Well since we don’t get poutine I will substitute it with pizza and since we got really go for pie, I am going to go for donuts.

Ice cream : Hands down the best/favourite is Caravan ice cream parlour which is a childhood favourite. It’s located in Marine Drive right next to Broadway. Or atleast the OG place is. They have a couple of other outlets but this one is the one to go to. Or order in.

Pizza : Here I will go with P60 formerly known as 360 Degree, which is the best place for thinner crusts, real pork sausage/bacon/pepperoni an excellent cheeses. Most of their pizzas will satisfy you so much, even if they have now increase their prices.

Donuts : I am not a big donut person, in that I rarely do ever get one. But if were to get some Donut Factory would the best choice. Not only do they have a varied selection, their donuts are delicious. Nothing to battle franchises like Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Creme or Tim Hortons but then we don’t have any of them here yet.

Burgers :  Hands down the best place for burgers is The Burger Junction, which also has a couple of outlets because the demand is so high. Their beef and chicken burgers are the best in India and they also have pork products. Hmmm now I am craving one so bad.

Prompt from 70 Travel Prompts or Topics for Your Blog for the Month of November at DownshiftingPro

Haunted Kerala : Morris Bungalow, Vagamon Heights

- Roshan

Morris bungalow is one of the most haunted places in Kerala. This historic mansion, which was once the abode of an Englishman named Morris, has earned a notorious reputation as one of the most haunted places in the region. The story of Morris and the bizarre occurrences that have taken place within the bungalow’s walls have captivated the imaginations of locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike for generations. During the era of British rule in India, Morris Bungalow was a symbol of opulence and grandeur. Morris, a young Englishman, inherited this luxurious mansion from his ancestors. However, beneath the grand facade of the mansion lay a tale of family discord and tragedy.

It is said that Morris and his father had a bitter argument, the details of which have been lost to time. Unable to bear the weight of his despair, Morris allegedly took his own life within the confines of the mansion. The circumstances surrounding his death remain shrouded in mystery, adding to the eerie aura that surrounds Morris Bungalow.

Locals and visitors alike have reported spine-chilling encounters and unexplainable phenomena within the bungalow’s walls. Some of the most commonly reported occurrences include:

  1. Mysterious Shadows: Visitors have reported seeing shadowy figures moving about the mansion, often in rooms that should be empty. These fleeting apparitions are said to resemble Morris himself, adding to the speculation that his spirit may still linger within the mansion.
  2. Phantom Footsteps: Echoes of footsteps have been heard when there is no one present in the mansion. These phantom footfalls often reverberate through the hallways, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
  3. Disembodied Voices: Whispers and faint voices are occasionally heard emanating from the walls, as though the mansion itself holds secrets that it is eager to reveal.
  4. Cold Spots: Drastic drops in temperature have been recorded in certain areas of the mansion, even during hot and humid Kerala summers. These cold spots are often accompanied by an unsettling feeling of being watched.
  5. Objects in Motion: Items within the mansion have been known to move on their own, seemingly propelled by an unseen force. This phenomenon has led some to believe that Morris’s spirit is restless and trying to communicate.

Some believe that Morris’s untimely death left his spirit trapped within the mansion, doomed to wander its halls for eternity. Others speculate that the mansion is cursed, bearing witness to the unresolved conflicts that tore Morris’s family apart.

Haunted Kerala : The Ghost Of Lakkidi Gateway

- Roshan

Located in the Wayanad district of Kerala, Lakkidi Gateway is the shortest route to cross over the Thamarassery pass. However, the discovery of this route is what has turned the gateway into one of the most haunted places in Kerala.

The Story: It is said that in colonial times, a British engineer took help from a person named Karinthandan to find Lakkidi and in order to attain the credit for finding the way himself, he killed Karinthandan. Later, many travelers passing the new route reported the wandering of the soul of Karinthandan. A witch doctor exorcised Karinthandan’s spirit and tied it to a tree using an iron chain. The tree and chain are now a tourist attraction and pilgrim spot. The tree is located near the highway at Lakkidi, opposite the Pepper Wayanad Gate hotel.

Karinthandan’s spirit is said to haunt the area, appearing as a phantom figure and screaming threats.  Some say that trespassers have heard terrifying screams and screeches in the evening.