One of India’s latest imports, with five outlets in Delhi and one in Thane, Burger King (BK, colloquially) has been the new place to go for quite a few weeks now.
Location and accessibility
After the first Delhi outlet that opened in Select City Walk, BK has expanded to three more outlets in Connaught Place, Greater Kailash -I, Nehru Place and Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj. The locations, all prime ones, are easily accessible by metro and otherwise.
Menu
Burger King is known for its signature ‘Whopper’ burger (both chicken and mutton) and it is what one should ideally try. However, it also has options more suitable to the Indian palate, albeit not so delectable like the tandoori burger. There are other options like the Chicken Royale Burger to go with if the Whopper doesn’t please you. However, if we were to give our two cents, stick to the Whopper and definitely do not venture over to the tandoori, the Indian twist has done no favour to the burger.
For the vegetarian crowd, the chain offers the staple veg-whoppers and paneer burgers. It also offers a Spicy Bean Royale Burger which most takers took some time to adjust to but in the end, the spice worked.
The beverages, desserts and other snacks and combos are nothing out of the ordinary, just the sundae and softie collection, including the Oreo McFlurry which has been rechristened ‘180 Degrees’ and comes in a Gems avatar also.
Affordability
The signature Whopper is only a little more expensive than McDonald’s but definitely value for money with the size being practically double of that which McDonald’s offers. All in all, it might not be what you order in on a broke weekend but something that you’d like to have occasionally.
In comparison
The seasoned McDonald’s consumer might find BK a little less juicy or unfamiliar while the KFC-lover will miss the crispy crust. And in comparison to Dunkin’s saucy burgers, BK definitely falls short.
Final Verdict
Deciding whether BK is better or worse than the other options may not be possible, but another burger joint in town, and a globally renowned one, is always welcome.
The capital of our country has many things to offer to its occupants and visitors alike. It has one of the best roads in the country, it is a food lover’s paradise and a dream come true for the enthusiastic consumer. Amongst it all, it has another thing to offer. Ghosts! Yes, believe it not, the city houses a large number of haunted places worth visiting (if you are up to it) and also has variety in terms of the supernatural. Being one of the ancient cities of India and the royal seat of the Mughal and British empires, it has a heritage of old buildings, which frankly, make great haunting grounds for ghosts. Let’s take a look at some of them which are infamously famous!
1. The Lothian road cemetery
Graveyards throughout history have always been the ground for superstitious beliefs, the only reason being that it is because people bury their loved ones there. The Lothian cemetery too, like all others, is not without rumors. Built in the year 1808, the British used it to bury their soldiers who died in the revolt of 1857 at the hands of Indians. It is the oldest Christian cemetery and the also, one of the most haunted ones. Or so it is believed. There are different stories circulated around this 200 year old graveyard.
The most common one being the story of a Sir Nicholas. The yarn goes as such. Sir Nicholas fell in love with an Indian, who, he later found out was happily married. Overcome with grief, he shot himself in the head. It is said that he can be seen walking down the Dariya Ganj Road, with his head in his hands and disappearing into the cemetery, where he was presumably buried. Some also claim to have heard Sir Headless Nicholas (Harry Potter anyone?) crying out the name of the woman he loved. Another story is of a small boy who walks around the cemetery in the dark, searching for his parents.
2.The Khooni Darwaza
This place definitely is the reason enough for white folks to keep out.
Originally known as Lal Daawaza, this 15.5 high gateway was built by Sher Shah Suri in the 1540s. Situated on the Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, it is one of the thirteen surviving gates of Delhi and has three staircases leading to the different levels of the gate. The story around this archway is a pretty interesting one. the place earned its dressing title after a Captain of the British army shot the three sons of Bahadur Shah Zafar in cold blood and in front of hundreds of people.
Khooni (Lal) Darwaza, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg | Image Courtesy: Wikipedia page of the place.
It is said that the spirits of his sons still roam the ruins and, according to local folklore, are a nuisance to only foreigners (white people) whom they understandably hate.
3.Delhi Cantonment
The Delhi cantonment is the most beautiful and greenest stretch of Delhi. And it is also haunted. Established by the British Indian Army in 1914, it currently houses the Indian Army Headquarters, Delhi area. People claim to have seen a lady clad in a white sari who asks for lifts from motorists. People who do not stop ( and usually people do not) will find her running faster or along the vehicle even if it is running at high speed. The story is that the lady was a hitchhiker who was killed in a car accident. And if someone does stop, well, no one knows what happens next. The story has been doing the rounds for a while now.
Delhi Cantonment Area | Image Courtesy: www.musetheplace.com
4.House No W-3
House No W-3 is located in one of the posh localities of South Delhi, Greater Kailash. Decades ago this used to be the home of an elderly couple who were brutally murdered. The killer was never caught and their bodies were discovered in the underground water tank. Since then the house has remained deserted. Nearby residents have claimed they could hear cries and sobs emanating from the house. Nobody could verify if the causes were human or supernatural.
House number W-3, GK-1, Delhi|www.taleportmagazine.com
Supposedly, the property was bought and the house was renovated but after the initial renovation, the owners never occupied the place. Got cold feet maybe? Maybe. But whether the rumors are true or not, they have certainly intrigued many self-proclaimed ghost busters who have visited it over the years.
5.Firoz Shah Kotla Fort
Have a wish? Need answers to your myraid problems? Write a letter to the Djinns of Firoz Shah Kotla and your wishes might just come true!
Nestled between Delhi’s Ring Road and a cricket stadium by the same name, lie the forgotten ruins of Firoz Shah Kotla. It was built by the great emperor and builder Firoz Shah Tughlaq in the 14th century. This sprawling fort contains within its walls numerous palace rooms, and mosques which still attracts the faithful. What sets it apart from other haunted areas is the nature of its otherworldly occupants. Djinns. Djinns who grant wishes. Yes, these spirits of fire are said to haunt the ruins and they are the reason why this fort sees such a large number of visitors.
Firoz Shah Kotla fort, Delhi | Image Courtesy: www.tripadvisor.in
Every Thursday a large number of believers flock to the ruins to offer sweets, fruits and even meat to the benevolent spirits and hoping that the Djinns will solve their problems in return. They write their problems on paper and stick those papers or their photocopies in niches and alcoves along the walls, spelling out the exact nature of their problems. It is believed that in the 1970’s a fakir named Laddoo Shah moved into the ruins and since then the practice of writing letters began.
These are only a few examples. There are many more such ‘infamous’ places. Most of them are actually beautiful and have architectures to marvel at, but many are famous only because they have been labeled as haunted.
Heard of names like Matt Preston (Masterchef Australia), Adam Platt ( New York Times), Liza De Guia ( Food Curated) and Vir Sanghvi ( HT Media). Know what they have in common? They are all earning a living off simply tasting extraordinary food.
The latest career option making waves in the market is Food Writing, or being a Food Writer. Let’s take a close look at what this offbeat career has to offer!
The Profession’s Overview:
Food writing involves writing about food and restaurants. The easiest and most identifiable form of food writing is found in restaurant reviews. Critics who review the latest restaurant openings, trends, and chefs are an important factor in food writing. Certain restaurant reviewers focus solely on the dishes served, while other food writers branch out to detail ambiance, service, and featured cuisines.
The Qualifications:
There are no formal academic qualifications which are required to perform this job. Anyone can elect to be a freelance writer, although most people choose to specialize in a specific subject area, which in turn demands knowledge and insight into that topic; food writing is no exception. Traditionally, it is an area where a writer’s flair for the written word is allowed to flourish, so a good understanding of creative writing and language expression is essential.
Some writers express the belief that a degree in English, or the required language, or Journalism is a benefit, although this does not guarantee that the writer will have a strong ability in being able to convey an exciting or authoritative written argument.
However, more important than formal qualifications, is a strong and genuine passion for food. Without this, an eloquent expression will not be of much use.
Job Requirements:
Delivering clear and consistent appraisal of restaurant standards and food quality, while also having a thorough knowledge of health codes, rules and regulations pertaining to restaurant’s hygiene and standards. A good-understanding of tastes and ingredients, sometimes you might have to guess a missing or an extra ingredient in the dish. Supply original, focused and engaging written copy to newspapers or magazines.
Working for a daily is great, but you might have to pursue this as a freelancer for a while; in that case, manage your own time effectively to secure additional freelance writing jobs. And just sometimes, you might also have to interview industry leaders and venue representatives.
Vir Sanghvi (Hindustan Times) | Image Courtesy: www.outlookindia.com
Liza De Guia (Food Curated) | Image Courtesy: www.foodcurated.com
Matt Preston (Masterchef Australia) | Image Courtesy: www.adelaidenow.com.au
Adam Platt (New York Times) | Image Courtesy: www.grubstreet.com
Working Conditions:
In spite of the travelling and continual need to sample restaurants spread over a city or even larger geographical area, a majority of the food critic’s work takes place at home. For this reason, it is classed as a low-risk working activity, although candidates should make themselves aware of appropriate health and safety risks involved because of the extended time spent in front of the computer. A combination of deadline demands and the need to travel on several days of the week can lead to a potentially stressful working situation, and it is crucial that the critic can handle stress and time management responsibilities in an effective way. But, mostly you will get to travel and eat cuisines you may not have heard of.
Experience:
Many food critics will typically start by organizing their own visits to restaurants and events they like, and then creating their own personal portfolio of reviews and features. The critic is then armed with appropriate material for submission to publications. As with most freelance jobs, finding new work becomes easier with each published article, so it starts out as virtually impossible and gets simpler from there. Candidates should be aware that this is a popular and competitive subject area, and so it can be difficult to get a foot in the door. Established food writers can become quite well known, and a hectic first year can be enough to establish a portfolio of regular, paying publishing clients.
Employment and Scope:
Most critics begin by looking at well-known “foody” magazines, or any one of a number of supermarket customer magazines. It does not take long for the writer to realise that these publications are inundated with potential feature ideas, and so it pays to spread their wings and look elsewhere. Most fashion and lifestyle magazines and most newspapers also, have a section dedicated to food and beverages, so some legwork is required to find a potential spot. Often, the critic will need to look at publications abroad also, as it creates the possibility of finding new and exciting partnerships.
No matter what, Food Writing is an offbeat but an exciting career option. If it excites you, think about it pursuing it!
Kriti Sharma for DU Beat.
Featured Image Courtesy: www.now-here-this.timeout.com
Arthagya, The Economics Association of Indraprastha College for Women (IPCW) organized its Alumni Meet on January 10th 2015. A get-together after years saw alumni turning up from batches as old as 2006. The retired faculty also showed up in quite some numbers to attend the programme. While the alumni, retired faculty and teachers interacted with each other, the current batches kept the audience entertained with several performances.
Each alumni member at the time of registration was given a topic which required them to rack their brains and confess to the audience something they remembered related to it. From the most notorious pranks to the coolest teacher memories, they had the audience in fits of laughter. While the second years gave some musical performances, the eminent ex-faculty shared their most valuable experiences and advice.
Visiting alumni and former faculty members interacting with each other
The interaction was followed by a formal lunch where photo sessions were conducted. After lunch a round of ‘dumb charades’ and ‘tug-of-war’ took place among the alumni and the present students. Last event of the day witnessed everybody shedding all inhibitions and dancing to both old and new tracks of the visiting DJ.
Mrs. Usha Jain, a retired professor hugged almost every single organiser and thanked them for organising the event. “Without your excellent efforts, this would not have been possible. We will see you at the next Alumni meet”, she said. Everyone was overjoyed to have come back to their alma mater, which was depicted by their excitement to write down messages on the alumni-board, the key memorabilia of the day.
Arthagya, The Economics Association of Indraprastha College for Women (IPCW) organized its Alumni Meet on January 10th 2015. A get-together after years saw alumni turning up from batches as old as 2006. The retired faculty also showed up in quite some numbers to attend the programme. While the alumni, retired faculty and teachers interacted with each other, the current batches kept the audience entertained with several performances.
Each alumni member at the time of registration was given a topic which required them to rack their brains and confess to the audience something they remembered related to it. From the most notorious pranks to the coolest teacher memories, they had the audience in fits of laughter. While the second years gave some musical performances, the eminent ex-faculty shared their most valuable experiences and advice.
[caption id="attachment_28691" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Visiting alumni and former faculty members interacting with each other[/caption]
The interaction was followed by a formal lunch where photo sessions were conducted. After lunch a round of ‘dumb charades’ and ‘tug-of-war’ took place among the alumni and the present students. Last event of the day witnessed everybody shedding all inhibitions and dancing to both old and new tracks of the visiting DJ.
Mrs. Usha Jain, a retired professor hugged almost every single organiser and thanked them for organising the event. “Without your excellent efforts, this would not have been possible. We will see you at the next Alumni meet”, she said. Everyone was overjoyed to have come back to their alma mater, which was depicted by their excitement to write down messages on the alumni-board, the key memorabilia of the day.
