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.
The biggest technological extravaganza of the world, Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2015) wrapped up recently, being held from January 6th- January 9th, 2015 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas,Nevada, USA. Like every year, thousands of new products were unveiled and hundreds of new technologies were introduced.
Last year we told you about the weird gadgets introduced in CES 2014. ( See here.) This year we are back with some weirder ones! Let’s dive in:
1. iSet Watch :Tennis Statistic Watch
Wearables are the new fad, however not all of them are productive. This smart tennis watch helps you keep a score while playing tennis – you win a point, you tap & it shows 1-0. The watch helps you track your score & works best if both players are wearing the gadget. But the question is, why?
iSet Tennis Watch | Image Courtesy: www.01net.com
2. SleepPhones
There’s not much to write about this one. It’s a pair of wireless headphones inside a headband made specifically for those who can’t sleep without listening to music, priced at $28.95.
It’s not easy to raise a baby, especially the younger ones. Introducing, Baby Glgl (pronounced Glug), the most useful gadget ever. It is equipped with an inclinometer which calculates the best angle for tilting a baby bottle to reduce air bubbles. And that’s pretty much it.
Baby GlGl bottle | Image Courtesy: www.ibnlive.in
4. E-Tape
An inch tape is a highly productive tool, but why not push the lines? The E-tape is an inch tape with a screen which displays accurate measurements and converts them into feet, inches, millimetre, etc. It also sends this data to your phone. Though not useless, it’s definitely bizarre!
5. Sony Walkman ZX2
Beautifully designed and exceptional acoustics, this is a smart Walkman, which is also equipped with Android OS for enhancing multimedia experience. It can surely put any mobile device to shame in terms of looks and sound quality. But why would one buy a Walkman in 2015? Why would anyone use a 4 inch screen with poor resolution?
Also, the walkman runs on android JellyBean which is now 3 years old & is equipped with a low resolution (480p) 4inch screen . The biggest shocker is the price – $1,119.99 (INR 70,0000+) for a Walkman seems bizarre! However stunning it may be, it’s still just a music player.
6. Rollkers
Everyone’s in a hurry in this fast-paced life, but some companies have taken it way too seriously. A French company showcased a prototype of Rollkers; automatic skates which attach to the sole of your shoes and claim to increase your walking speed upto 7 miles per hour! You can’t help but laugh, imagining how everyone will look with wheels beneath.
University Grants Commission (UGC) has sent out a notification to all the universities across India to adopt semestrisation of courses and espouse grading system for results by dropping the numerical system of marking. The change will be administered from the academic year 2015-16. Direction by UGC also includes introduction of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) and Credit Framework for Skill Development (CFSD).
The amendment has come out as result of a meeting that was held between the Human Resources and Development Minister Smriti Irani and state education ministers earlier this week.
Delhi University which is already following the system of semester education will now introduce grading system. After getting rid of the Four Year Undergraduate Programme, Delhi University will now gear up for another major shakeup in the college level education.
Under CBCS, the students will be able to pursue three types of courses – foundation, elective and core. It will be mandatory for students to pursue core subjects every semester and choices will be available to pick electives from a pool of subjects unrelated to their disciplines.
The news of grading system is acquiring mixed response from the University students. A part of the crowd feels that the reform is favourable for the students, as it will provide a pool of subjects to choose as an elective apart from their core subject. The reforms will not only provide wider options of subjects across disciplines to the students but also help them acquire more credits. Coherent mobility across all the institutions will also be ensured.
A professor from Delhi University says, “This is a recipe of disaster for Delhi University. Essentially CBCS is the new form of FYUP, probably in the three year format. As per the UGC diktat this is supposed to start from next academic year which is nearly six months from now. So the time is even less than what was there for FYUP with the administration.”
The UGC will also set up a facilitation cell to extend necessary assistance to the universities in their transition process.
University of Delhi has started declaring results of undergraduate courses this month. A few students around the University have criticized the evaluating department for unfair and biased correction of examination papers.
The option of evaluation of answer sheets had been done away with during the October-November exams in 2013. The official notification had declared that since examination sheets were jointly corrected by a number of examiners, revaluation would not be continued. However, the administration reintroduced the system of revaluation in the University in October 2014.
According to University Information Centre, Revaluation means to reevaluate the paper of a particular subject completely. Under this the candidate has to surrender his/her original marks of particular subject and accept the final result when declared by the University as a result of Revaluation.
Important points for revaluation
Particulars
Summary
Fee Structure
Rs. 1000/- per paper
Documents Required
Photocopy of current Statement of Marks for Verification of Roll No. including subject and marks for which revaluation is required.
Verification required
Verify the filled document from the Head/ Principal of college or Institution with stamp and signature
Timings
9.30 AM to 1.00 PM and 1.30 PM to 3.00 PM
Submission
Candidates are advised to submit their request to Revaluation Cell Counter.NORTH CAMPUS – (Window No. 1), Examination Branch, North Campus, University of Delhi 110007SOUTH CAMPUS – (Window No. 1), Examination Branch, South Campus, University of Delhi 110002
Results duration
Result may be issued by post within the 45th to 60th day of submission of form or shall be uploaded on the website as per the notification of University of Delhi.
1. Revaluation is allowed only in theory papers of non professional courses, which have not been jointly valued.
2. Select the papers carefully in which you wish to seek revaluation. No second application for additional papers shall be accepted and summarily rejected.
3. Revaluation is to be applied for within 15 days of the date of uploading of results of University website.
4. The Candidate is required to produce a photocopy of his/her current Admission Ticket and/or statement of marks for verification of Roll No., marks etc., at the time of submission of Application Form for revaluation and also to attach self address envelop of 9”x4” sixe with Postal Stamp worth `5 affixed, for sending revaluation result.
5. Entries made by the candidate be got verified from the Principal for the College concerned.
Please note that
1. When you apply for revaluation, you surrender your original performance and will now accept the revised performance in which:
a) there can be NO CHANGE,
b) there can be INCREASE in the marks,
c) there can be DECREASE in the marks.
2. The application is to be made by the candidate in his/her own handwriting and under his/her own signature and not by anyone else on his/her behalf.
3. (a) If the award of the Revaluation varies from the Original award upto and including + 5% of the maximum marks, the original award will stand.
(b) If the award of the first revaluator is beyond + 5% and up to + 10%, the average of the marks of original examiner and the first revaluator will be taken.
(c) If the award of the revaluator varies from the original award by more then + 10% of the minimum marks, the answer script will be examined by a Second revaluator (Other than original and first) and the average of the two nearest awards out of the three awards thus available (including the original award) shall be taken as final.
It is often said that being a vegetarian is a ‘missed stake’. One spends all his life fighting the non-vegetarian lot and bearing the consequences of being a ‘ghaas-phoos’ eater.
The decision to live a vegetarian lifestyle is a noble one but the world can be an extremely cruel place for a vegetarian. While your non-vegetarian group of friends can grab a bite at swanky places like KFC or Burger King, your best bet is probably the Indian KFC-Karnataka Food Centre (idli or dosa, anyone?)
However, if you study at Delhi University, there is still hope for you. Both North and South Campus areas offer some amazing eateries that present lip-smacking delicacies (at pocket friendly rates, of course) for the small, yet swelling vegetarian community.
North Campus Veg Fiesta
1. Chache Di Hatti, Kamla Nagar Chache Di Hatti serves the best plate of Chole Bhature in the over-populated North Campus. Seasons come and go, but the crowd outside Hatti never dwindles. The menu is completely vegetarian, though limited. They offer only aloo wale bhatoore, sade bhatoore, kulche and chhole accompanied with rich flavours. It’s a must visit if you enjoy Punjabi street food and don’t mind waiting in long queues. There is also a lack of seating space.
2. Tom Uncle’s Maggie Point Don’t let the name fool you. Tom Uncle really knows how to take something as basic (and unassuming) as maggie and turn it into a plate that is nothing short of sheer genius recipe. One of its highlights is the extensive vegetarian menu. 90% of his menu is vegetarian, with the exception of certain egg based items. Other than maggie, you can also get pasta, chaat and beverages. Their Oregano Maggie and All in One Maggie are big hits with the students.
Tom Uncles Maggi Point, North Campus |Source: Volunteer India
3. Apni Rasoi, GTB Nagar In the mood for some ‘ghar ka khaana’? Apni Rasoi is the answer to your earnest prayers. Though they offer Chinese, it is believed that their North Indian variants are the best on Campus! Popular choices include kadhai paneer, dal makhni and lachha parantha. If you have a hard time deciding across dishes, you can play it safe and opt for the vegetarian thali. It serves 100% vegetarian food. They even deliver and according to campus lore, they are every hostellers’ go-to restaurant.
South Campus Veggie Extravaganza
1. FrenZone, Satya Niketan
A satisfied customer is essential for business survival. At FrenZone, you can always expect value for money services. The waiting period here is quite less and the waiters are well-trained and intuitive. This eatery is ideal for vegetarians because they can choose from a wide variety of items. The menu offers equal number of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. In fact, the veg ‘sandwiches &burgers’ are more in number than the non-veg ones. The vegetarian tandoori food is definitely the highlight.
Frenzone’s menu for ‘sandwiches and burgers’ | Source: Zomato
2. Idli King, Satya Niketan
South Indian food is every vegetarian’s refuge because all dishes of this cuisine are purely vegetarian. Idli King does an extremely good job of offering some of the classic South Indian delicacies, keeping the southern flavours intact. If you enjoy authentic South Indian snacks like rice idlis, vada and upma or dosas and uttapams, you will surely appreciate this restaurant. They also whip up some amazing tomato and coconut chutney.
3. Chowringhee, Satya Niketan
Chinese food is what Chowringhee specializes in. Chowringhee has ample veggie options available, along with the standard non-vegetarian dishes. For instance, they have three varieties of equally popular ‘thukpas‘ – vegetarian, egg and chicken thukpa.
Chowringhee, Satyaniketan’s menu |Source: Zomato
Many people tend to overlook Chowringhee’s tandoori momos. Chowringhee has a great variety of vegetarian rolls on offer too!
DU Vegetarians, follow this list and fraternize with the wonderful food that our campus has to offer! Bon appetite!
Feature Image : Chache Di Hatti, North Campus Image Source: Projects Jugaad
