I’d written about the coming together of a bunch of extremely diverse politicians to form the third front a few weeks back. My concern was the fact that there was no common ground. By common ground, I mean a rationale common ground to form an alliance. Alliances like these are extremely opportunistic and nothing more than trying to get a leg up in the on-going political battle.

In exactly under 2 weeks, the TRS has pulled the plug on the TDP in Andhra Pradesh, differences apparently on the seat sharing issue. A rediff article that I read talks about this in detail and articulates the grounds of the severance – ill treatment of the kith and kin who were made to wait from 2230 hrs to well past mid-night and the fact that the number of seats to be shared between these two foes turned friends was something short of the expectations of our friend, Mr. Chandrashekar Rao.

The article goes on to show the level of immaturity of our politicians – our friend (read TRS) called some reporters personally, late in the night to inform them of the break up. Spare a thought for the reporter who was woken up in the middle of the night and informed of this! He now wants to go alone in AP!

Having lived in the AP for a good part of my working life, I believe that the state has progressed significantly over the last 2 decades. A lot of this is the doing of Mr. Naidu and his unwavering commitment to development. Dr. Reddy has been an able successor, in the fact that he’s kept the development agenda going.

The pace at which Hyderabad and AP are growing for sure gives its neighbors the jitters – Karnataka was in the receiving end over the last year and a half odd as AP smartly pulled the mat from under to move some very lucrative business start ups out of Karnataka. Any rationale businessman would do that and I won’t complain if I was a businessman. I want value for every buck I spend and will go to even Timbuktu, if I had to.

The simmering rivalry has now left the state, on the brink of assembly elections with 4 big parties in the fray – The ruling Congress, the opposition of Mr. Naidu and the TDP, fledgling Mr. Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam and of course, Mr. Rao’s TRS – pardon me for not including the BJP! If you do, this becomes 5. I don’t know the pulse on the ground and people’s penchant for change here today. With so many choices and each party capable of tapping the right hot buttons, the verdict of a hung assembly is a no- brainier!

Hung assemblies set up the stage for coalition politics and arm twisting – literally. I wont be surprised to see the same folks who were friends become foes, become friends again in 60 odd days time.

At the root of this all is the fact that we just let any man and his dog form a political party ( I don’t mean to be disrespectful here, this is just an expression). With so many options, people are confused and so too are parties. Can’t we just move to a US like 2 party system to manage this chaos better? They are a democracy too and largely successful. If you think 2 is too small, let’s make it 3! No more! You have to be a part of either – you don’t like it, move around! Till we get a handle on this, I am sure we will have many more parties and many more such stunts of alliance break ups and going back to hug one another on an opportunistic basis.

Any guesses on who’s pulling the next plug?

My money is in my wallet as I think anyone guessing that right is a true genius! If someone does indeed guess that right, I’ll doff my hat off to you and connect offline to see how you guessed!

Image Credit: Blmurch

Popularity: 15%

It was one of those weekdays! The kind of day whose only highpoint is the tasteless goop that is passed off as ‘food’, that too in impossibly large quantities. What’s the correlation between bad food and the quantity it is served in anyway? That’s some food for thought! I’ve had enough eating expensive gum in the canteen. I needed to be free. Between death and food, I choose food, that too good food.

The situation warranted a trip to old city, the much reviled yet treasured part of Hyderabad. The very mention of “old city” in the presence of outsiders (read non-Hyderabadis) conjures up technicolour visions of massively ornamented chandeliers, colorful bangles literally changing hands, seductive perfumes wafting from small, crazily stocked shops, piercing call of the Masjid muezzin to the faithful and the faithless alike.

But to me, old city means Adaab, and my destination Shadab, the Biryani Mecca of the faithful! It is where I get my plateful. It is where I satisfy the hunger in my soul. It is where I slake my thirst with cool and colorful Faluda or Lassi if that’s what my taste buds scream for. No matter how far, it is home 10km away from home. Stepping into Shadab is like getting a visa to the old world.

It welcomes me with open arms and insanely crowded tables. Its uniformed waiters greet me like an old friend does. Once in, I can’t wait to be ushered to a table. Soon, I am at a table with a dingy, chequered table cloth that hath seen the spillage of countless dishes and withstood the test of time. And I thought chequered cloths belonged to Formula 1!

I don’t care. I don’t want to care. I am too hungry to care. Get me my plate of heaven I say.

Lo and behold, in a matter of minutes I am staring at a rust coloured copper vessel holding my precious, the heavenly melange of chicken, spices and rice. I dig in with relish. The first feeling is that of relief; the taste hasn’t changed at all. Next is the warm feeling that flows through you when you see a beautiful woman. You know what I am talking about.

I let the fragrance and the atmosphere in Shadab transport me to a different world. The world of the old Nizams creating their histories in the majestic Falaknuma Palace. Around them are the hushed movements of the liveried waiters serving deliciously fragrant biryanis from copper vessels onto silver plates. Oh, I feel like the old Nizams, I feel like I am king. My 60 min of fame, and that too for mere Rs.120/-

Ladies and Gentlemen, my humble stomach is now the proud recipient of a plateful of Shadab’s delectably delightful biryani. Go eat!

Image Credit: Abhinaba

Popularity: 14%

As India Special sets to create its Hyderabad section, the first thing that struck me was our own beloved Cafe. Irani chai to be more precise.

Found everywhere, every nook and corner, from MG Road to Charminar, Nagaram to Shamshabad, Hi-Tec City to Singapore City – ah!  Thankfully a cuppa chai is never really far away. From Mass to Class these guys serve everyone. And no true Hyderabadi really minds getting into these joints and sharing his cup of chai with friends… Old saying – “Do rupiye ki chai aur do karod ke baatan” explains it all – the true fursat of a Hyderabadi.

The local hangout of most college goers, salesmen, collection agents, businessmen and the daily wage earners… The local cafe never disappoints anyone. Its ok to squeeze into a table with 6 people, 5 of whom you may not even know, order for a plate of osmania biscuits and pay only for what you eat (the rest is taken back and not billed), ask for the naram lukmi for breakfast, or the mirchi and samosa for the eveneing snack… The cafe has evolved over time to provide much more than just just a hot cup of tea. And yes, how can I miss the cream bun? The staple food of the many who cannot afford much. Any so many of these places serve basic dal chawal meals at just about Rs.10-12 .

Rio, Blue Sea, Bahar, Shadab, Bawarchi, Astoria, Alpha, Turning Point, Tea Den, Lovely Tea Den, Red Rose, Alpha, Nimra, President Cafe, Moghul Darbar, Madina, Embassy Cafe, Garden Restaurant and Paradise just just a few of the popular ones… Of course there are some interesting names like Arose cafe, Sheraton and Palace Light as well! But names apart, all of them definitely reek in the paisa and run a steady business, not to mention their immaculate part in keeping tradition alive.

Today, its probably a bit expensive to pay 4.50 for that favourite cup of chai… But then its a small price to pay to sit and spend some of the best times of your life with some great friends… all in fursat!

Chote, do chai la – Ek Empty!

Image Credit: Shabbir Siraj

Popularity: 18%

I get nostalgic once in a while ever since I have moved from Hyderabad to Leeds, United Kingdom. When I look back, I find them very funny and I wish I had a time machine to go back and enjoy those moments.

Pan Dabbas

First thing I remember is Pan dabbas at the end of every road, next to a bus stop or adjacent to Irani Chai hotel. Typically a 7ft height and 3 ft length box in which this guy serves pan, cigarettes, gutkhas to all those who enjoy guilty pleasures. His hands would be busy making the pan but he’s all ears and eyes on every one passing by his shop. They maintain a complete database on every one’s movement, and if it’s a girl then she is certainly to be in his database. An informer in the guise of a panwala.

Anna’s Gang

Few steps next to the Pan dabba, you’ll find gang of teens on a prowl to pounce a sponsor to quench their smoke and tea urges. Every gang will have a leader and to qualify for this position, either you need a thick wallet or a well built body or be smarter than the rest. The rest of the gang would call him as “anna” (elder brother).

Their daily routine would be to have an eye on all girls and try to outsmart each other to impress the girl. By any chance if the girl gives any positive glance at one of the guys, he proclaims her to be his girl and the very next moment she becomes “bhabi” (sister-in-law) for rest of the gang. Poor girl, she wouldn’t have a clue on this whole episode on her.

The guy’s sole objective of the day is to wait for that moment of time when that girl passes by to try and create opportunities to talk to her. There is a code of conduct in flirting, in that only members of the same colony are supposed to flirt with girls of their colony. There will be a gang war if an outsider enters into their fort for any girl in their colony.

Boarding The Bus

Now let’s just have a look at life at a city bus stop. You will see people spread for half a kilometre to catch a bus with their own calculations guessing the driver would stop the bus exactly where they are standing. Most of the bus drivers derive sadistic pleasures to stop the bus far away from the bus stop and watch people, who are running to catch it, from the rear view mirrors. Those who are able to board the bus feel lucky and have a smirk on their face for having made it.

News On Wheels

If you catch the bus during office hours, you don’t have to read the daily newspaper. You will find a bunch of grey haired people sitting in the back seats of the bus discussing events from the newspaper on their way to offices. If you are lucky, they would also try to pop you into their group discussion on current politics. It’s a saga of news on wheels everyday in the city buses. The bus would have all older generation occupying the back seats and younger generation towards front of the bus (near ladies’ seats).

The Autowalas

Finally the interesting episode of autowalas. Amidst all this busy day if someone chooses auto-rickshaw to reach their destination, they must ensure to have enough patience to win unreasonable arguments with Autowalas on the extra money they try to rob off the customer. Who says kings and kingdoms are passé, the Hyderabadi autowalas consider themselves as one.

I am sure anyone who has experienced a slice of Hyderabadi life would relate to these…

Image Credit: Vijay Bhandari

Popularity: 18%

Dear Hyderabad,

Hi!!! How are you? I am doing well and I hope you are doing well too.  It has been a very long time since we met and had a very long catch up.

I wanted to apologise to you for not being in contact with you for so long. I am a little busy with the things happening in my life here in the UK. I would definitely tell you everything in person when we get to catch up. Any way, enough about me and tell me what is up with you?

I heard that there is a lot of political disarray going on in your life. What is it all about? Are you able to cope with it perfectly? I remember you telling me that you would solve this by the mid of this year. Well all the best Hyderabad. Hope you will solve it soon.

Also heard that one of your good friend from Satyam had been into shady transactions and now been arrested. Why did he do that? What went wrong? He was one of the best persons you were proud of. Sorry to hear that.

Hey what is your stand on prevailing traffic problems? Any luck in that case yet? Heard there are lot of freeways, highways and flyovers being constructed? Hope every thing will go well which is good for you and me as well.

London, my friend here in the UK, said ‘hi’ and wished you a happy new year. I have a great time with him. But, I cannot wait to see you. Convey my regards and love to my Mom and Dad. I am going to pay a visit as soon as possible. We can have fun as we always used to do and especially we can have your hand made biryani.

Miss you.

Love,

Bhaarath

P.S. Hey by the way, congratulations on your new airport. Few of our friends showed me the photographs. It is awesome.

Popularity: 10%

If there is one thing I am known for among my friends, it is my love for Bangalore. The place I love, where I was born and grew up. I wonder if there is something about this place or is it just my comfort zone? It felt great to be back here after three years in Hyderabad but now I am not so sure.

Things have changed drastically over the years, makes me wonder if the pace we are moving at is a good thing or bad? Bangalore was a beautiful laid back city, safe and clean a long time ago. I don’t ever remember people cribbing about how bad the roads were, about the traffic or how unsafe our children and senior citizens are. These are the things we read about every other day in the papers now!

We crib about the government doing nothing about the infrastructure in a growing city like Bangalore but I would like to know how many of us contribute to this. When I walk past residential areas I have seen garbage thrown around, gutters turning into dust bins which obviously clog the drains and one heavy shower all of us are cribbing about why we pay taxes and how useless our government is? Isn’t it our responsibly to keep our surroundings clean? How much effort does it require not to throw stuff on the roads or into gutters?

Our government definitely lacks the will but what is stopping us as citizens? Why can’t we put in our efforts where possible?

How many of us car pool? We may be neighbors with kids going to the same school or working around a certain area but each of us will crib about the lack of public transport and how bad the traffic is, how bad the roads are in etc.

To me as an old Bangalorean, it almost feels like I am in a new city, with the old beautiful buildings being replaced by grand malls. People from other cities fancy Bangalore; to some of us it’s depressing to see all those old building like the Victoria hotel, Lido Theater; all gone welcoming the huge and hip malls. Pangs of a growing city I guess. Bangalore has been my home, and all of us see it changing. But for better or worse, I am not sure. This is not the Bangalore I grew up in; this is not the Bangalore I want. Bangalore – I MISS YOU

Popularity: 13%

In 2006 when I left Hyderabad for UK, I had mixed feelings. I was fully convinced that I was leaving a place where my heart was to a land which would open the doors for me to a bandwagon of opportunities. Bandwagon of opportunities – sounds a bit of an overstatement, but it did give me opportunities that I was looking for. The rich experience in London landed me in New York with a world wide open.

At heart, I am still a Pakka Hyderabadi. I might have some Brit or American jargons running through me, my kids might speak in twisted tongues, my wife might advise me to use the likes of Salvatore Ferragamo or CK One but my heart pumps for Hyderabad. I am still the same Hyderabadi – Lazy, sluggish, take-it-eejee Hyderabadi.

Kya tho bhi hai, mamu ? Kuch tho bol derai aur logaan sunrai.
Na kuch ata, na pata. Sab ko topi pahna rai Kaiku Kathe ?

Yeh Bharat Maata
Isey Kuch Nahi Aata

Hyderabad Ki Charminaaraan Ki Kasam

Thumhaare Dataan Ko Phod Daalthun

Ari….Iski tho !.

When can I get to hear these again ?
When can I go to Hyderabad and eat Paradise Boneless Chicken Biryani ?
When can I have a lassi from Zam Zam café – Malai maarke ?
Will I ever get to drink the tea from Blue Sea ?

They say there is a Hyderabad in Pakistan. But how many know that there is a Karachi in Hyderabad …I mean Karachi Bakery whose biscuits became famous during the Iraqi war. Talking about “Famous”, who can forget that little shop called “Famous” which sold famous icecream where people came from far and near to get a taste of it, Gokul Chat Bhandar who hit the national headlines for the wrong reasons but still serves Chat with the same taste. This is just some of my favourites.

Walk down the Laad Bazaar (also called Choodi Bazaar ) to get a glimpse of the colourful bangles or the Monda Market to get the fresh(est) smell of the jasmine flowers or take a trip to Shilpa Ramam where you can see some of the best artistic talents on display. What sells in America or Europe for thousands of dollars sells in Shilpa Ramam for thousand rupees or less.

I miss the open restaurant at Our Place in Banjara Hills, the chicken burgers at the Universal Bakery which can beat McDonalds thumbs down any day, the Chutney’s chutney, Hotel Minerva’s Dosa, the hot and spicy Andhra Chicken Curry at Southern Spice and the Jubilee Hills’ checkpost Paani Puri where even the cleanest hands in New York can’t beat the cleanliness of the Pani Pooriwaala..

The taste of Hyderabad lingers on ….

With the hope that one day, I will be able to get back my Hyderabadi life, even if it meant for a few days.

Kya Bolthe Ustaad ?

Popularity: 21%

Going to police station to lodge your complaint, worry about uncomfortable interactions may be a thing of past for people of Hyderabad. 

Yes Hyderabad Metropolitan police now have introduced a new way to lodge your complaints or seek emergency assistance. Apart from the Dial 100 service, the police department is launching this new service.

Citizens can now alert police about Terror Alerts such a suspicious baggage, person. They can also use this service to report crime, pass information about wanted criminals, traffic and any other social nuisance. The following options have been publicized as of now and more may be added. So all you Hyderabadis, keep these handy.

Emergency number: 9010100100

Message Prefix Codes:

• te – Terror alerts and complaints
• t – Traffic Issues
• w – Eve Teasing, Harassment of women
• c – any other crime
• n – nuisance

Apart from these police department would send periodic messages to subscribers in different areas about wanted criminals, any alerts etc.

I think this is a very great step in curbing or at least enabling people to participate in crime control. My kudos to Police Department.

Popularity: 15%

Hyderabad is a happening City. After it turned BPO hub, it has become even more active. You find traffic all through the night and especially the cabs which are shuttling for the BPO employees.

Most of the drivers, have a great sense of humor and they bring it out to display on the radio that is used in the cabs. I happened to be on one the cab, where a funny conversation was taking place. Here it is for your reading.

*ing: Salim the cab driver, Balraj the Supervisor and other drivers

Supervisor: Salim bhai line pe aao.

Salim: Aan ustaad bolo

Supervisor: Suvarna medam ko pickup karna tha kya hua

Salim: Hau ustaad, udaritch jaaroon

Supervisor: Kab jaate miya, rasta maalum?

Salim: kya baat karre, merkoo maalum, wohitch birdge kane hain na, wahaan jaage line pe aatoon.

10 min later…

Supervisor: Salim line pe aao, Salim line pe aao…. Kahaan ho message clear hain?

Some other driver: Bilkul kilear hain, paani hain paani

Supervisor: Kaun bola, yahaan channel number dikhra, aane ke baad kilometaraan kat kartoon

Some other driver: aan karlo karlo

Salim: Haan Haan, Balraj anna (supervisor), yeh galli mein hoon, doosra ya teesra ghar hain?

Supervisor: Gaadi aage leke jaa, ek ghar ke paas kutta bhownkta, vohitch ghar hain

5 min later

Salim: Balraj line pe aao, Balraj line pe aao

Supervisor: Haan bolo

Salim: Yahaan bahut kutte bhownkrey

Supervisor: Tereko dekhoto koi bhi kutta bhownkta, haaran baja medam aate…

By the time they finished their conversation, all of us in the cab were in splits laughing. You will relate to the above if you know Hyderabadi accent and lingo. Watch “Angrez” a movie full of Hyderabadi language, you will be up to speed totally

Wish you a Happy New Year!

Popularity: 34%

Let me do a disclaimer before I try to tickle your bones. All the explanations (or rather definitions) down below are purely fictitious and not intended to hurt or  derogate anybody or anyplace. It’s just my attempt to make it sound funny.

I was born and grew up in Hyderabad. I have come across lot of places in Hyderabad during my school, college and other day-to-day events. I found some of the places really have funny names if we just alter them or try to derive meaning either from Hindi, Urdu or Telugu language. So, why to delay? Lets get started now.

Begumpet – Some of you might have heard of this name. We used to have our old airport here. Begum in Hindi or Urdu is someone’s wife. So, why would a place be named after belly of somebody’s wife? Does it not sound funny? I know guys, Pet is not exactly a belly or stomach, but like I said I am just taking the meaning from the way it sounds. “Butterflies in my stomach” is a saying, but for Begumpet its “aero planes in her stomach”. Kick me if you don’t like though.

Lal Darwaza – It means a Red Door, and who’s door is what I always wonder whenever I had been to this place. I cannot find one now though.

Madannapet – ‘Anna’ means brother in the local language and this place is famous for “mandi” where you find all vegetables for a cheaper rate. How does the name sound if we tweak a bit: Mad-Anna-Pet. Mad Brother’s Belly, my God there you go, you find another belly or stomach here. I would like to know the guy who fancied belly in the name of the place now.

Sikh Village – There is a small story associated with this place. My mom used to take me to this place whenever I was ill in my childhood. Why only this place? Because my mom found a best allopathic doctor here and he could cure illness with his midas touch. Fair Enough! When I was a kid I used to think this place as “Sick Village” not Sikh and it was only when I grew little old, I realized the actual name of this place. Blame me for this misinterpretation.

Banjara Hills – The word ‘banjar’ means a barren land, and obviously you would expect lot of poverty in such places. Wrong, this place has Richest of Rich people living. What a contrary and misleading name?

Amberpet – Scratching my head now to find another pet in the name. As it was not enough to mention pet of mad brother, begum earlier, somebody has really gone further to imagine a pet for Sky (Amber in Hindi) to name a place.

Barkatpura – This is another contrary name is what I found. The word ‘Barkat’ means prosperity, and I don’t think rich like who lives in Banajara lives in this place to be prosperous.

I will stop now as some of you are already started growing impatient with my poor jokes. In case if you are not, I will come back with some more definitions soon. Cheers!

Popularity: 85%

Yesterday I was scouring Internet and stumbled upon something, which read “Paul Merton in India“. The title caught my attention and I dove right into it. Well it is about a British Comedian, Paul Merton, and his travel to different cities in India. I watched a few episodes of this series on the Channel 5 website. I was certainly not happy of what I have seen.

Why was I unhappy? Here’s why.

The show lands in Delhi and visits Eunuch extortionists, there ends the matter with Delhi, moves on to Rajasthan to show us a temple filled with rodents, meet sadhu’s who worship Lord Shiva and hang heavy stones off their genitals. The show then moves to south, hits Hyderabad to show a 20-minute coverage of Friends of Snake society, where they catch snakes in neighbourhood.

Travels further southwest goes to Bangalore and guess what the show cover? Visits a jail and shows the details of

Image Courtesy: Wikipedia

caterer supplying food for a jail. Shows the condition of the jail, cramped people taking some strange dance classes. Get’s on a train and sets off for Chennai, meets an artist on train who paints with a brush in his mouth.

Episodes next week will cover the show will visit to Chennai and Mumbai and from what preview shows me, they will be on beach filming people fight, meeting Mumbai railway children who spent their life on platform and a record holder father who gets his genitals kicked by his son.

If this fair is supposed to seem funny, then well it at least did not seem funny to me. What leaves me baffled is purpose of this program? What is it trying to explain to people of Britain? Is it educating them about conditions in India? I disagree; it shows things that give an impression that the land of the country is full of street performers, snake charmers and other lot.

While it mentions cities as IT Capitals, Tourism spots, what follows the description is some content, which will leave a the same image of the country. Any person, who is shown such content, will carry a wrong impression of the country.

I am not denying that what has been shown happens in India, it does. However, I would have been glad for people to see all this along with the magical sculpture works of Belur and Hallebeedu of Bangalore, mind blowing palaces of Rajasthan, all those festivities, culture and lives of people, which depict other side of India. I feel showing only one side of the coin, is not right. People who have visited India might spot the difference, the rest might have a permanent impression and truly tag it “Incredible India”.

I hope Channel 5 comes up with something else, which will show India in true colours, rather than this portrait painted only in grey!

Do watch an episode or two on this Channel 5 and let me know what you think. For me my instantaneous reaction was, “There is more to India”.

Popularity: 16%

Image Credit: Harsh Mangal

By the grace of US economy meltdown Domestic Real Estate sector bubble seems to have busted.  Real investors are regaining their sense. After stock market, real estate is the most affected sector.  Indian real estate market which has grown at about 30% annually is slowing down.

Investors are not the only affected party.  Banks and financial institutions that have financed Real estate ventures, Real estate companies that have mushroomed in hordes in the last few years, brokers who market these ventures, politicians who bought plots near so called Special Economic Zones or what is called ‘corridors of growth’ and suppliers of raw materials who has put up huge investments in production with the notion that grown is real and will never go down, all seem to have been hit by the declining values mounting losses.

99% of the averages Indians still believe that putting money in real estate is the safest form investment and believe that real prices will always go up or remain where they are but will never come down.  They should be made aware of what has happened to real estate in US.  Owning a house or a piece of plot is considered as a status symbol in India.

In the past 4 years dream of own house for middle class India became a reality as they found a decent employment with Corporate India and easily available Housing finance.  With news of  amazing economic growth, NRIS pouring money in real estates (special ventures came up to cater to the needs of only NRI investors), Government coming out with SEZ, IT parks, Ring roads,  promotions held by Real estate companies ..  All contributed to the real boom.  Unknown companies became National companies in no time.

Some borrowed money at abnormal interest rates; some went for IPOs with mind boggling valuations and started huge projects without considering the actual demand and ways of financing and marketing their projects.  Couples of sectors mainly cement and steel benefited most from real boom.

Land and flat valuations sky rocketed.  In most of the metros 1 Crore worth flat has become a normal thing.  Developers started huge gated communities, luxury villas and developed plots.  In the name of projects they artificially increased the prices of the plots.  An acre of land which would have costed 5 lakh suddenly became 5 crore plot.

In Hyderabad alone prices increased 10 fold in 3 years.  Poor peasants became millionaires overnight.  Lush green fields paved way for black top roads and ventures mushroomed around urban areas.  Every other day we had a call from a real estate company offering plots or flats.

When everything was going well, Subprime crisis in US came into light and the real show started getting disturbed. With the recession that has almost set-in in most of the countries, liquidity crunch and falling stock markets, real estate also started coming down. 

Due to increase in Interest rates by Banks, demand started falling.  Real estate companies which were operating on Bank loans, initial booking amounts from customers and private borrowings could not bear the cost of funds as the sales plummeted. Raising cement and steel prices added to the cost and they had to raise the prices of flats and plots.

Infact sales went down not because there wasn’t enough demand.  It was lack of affordability that brought the demand down.  Even an employee of a Multi national company earning 50 thousand per month wasn’t able to buy a two bedroom flat as the average price of a 2 BHK was between 30 to 50 lakhs and his entire salary would go towards payment and a meager residue is not enough to maintain his life style.

Those who initially made money started bigger ventures and those who saw big bucks started fresh ventures.  I personally know a cash rich aquaculture farmer who ventured into real estate…  Totally unknown territory for him and now lamenting about the unsold flats.  Take a look at the valuations of the Real estate companies that came out with high valuations and their stock price in the past few days..

Companies that have taken the reality ‘Bite’

Now most of the companies are sitting on huge built up space and find no takers.  If the situation continues for few more months I am sure we will see more ‘Auction notices’ from banks and financial institutions in place of advertisements. 

If you want to but any real stuff in metros like Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi or Chennai, be patient and wait for another 5 to 6 months.

Popularity: 16%

Image Credit: Gabriel Agu

This is a true story as unfolded by an informer who felt cheated by the Income Tax sleuths. India Special respects the anonymity of the individual and hence this column is written with no author to its credit.  The facts given below are explicitly owned by the guest author who has written it. Team India Special can not guarantee the authenticity of the information given below. The article has been presented as is, without any editing – based on the request from the Guest.

In the words of the guest, the story unfolds…

A friend of mine who wants to stay anonymous narrated the following incident:

In 1996 when the then Hon’ble Finance Minister P Chidambaram announced rewards to informers who provide the genuine information about the tax evasion which subsequently contributes to the national exchequer. My friend was given this information with some guidelines by a top IT official of IT dept. Hyderabad. Being lured, he sometime in August ’96 gave solid (according to him) information to the IT dept. about tax evasion by a company to the tune of Rupees sixteen crores plus with all relevant documents to substantiate his statement.

In February 1997, the informer (my friend) visited the ADIT (Assistant Director of Income Tax), Hyderabad and enquired about the status. He initially refused to respond and subsequently admitted that nothing has been done about it due to lack of manpower and the complex nature of the required operation. However assured him that he will coordinate with his counterpart in Mumbai where the said company’s HO is situated and this will be done within another sixty to ninety days.

In August 1998, the informer again approached the ADIT (by that time, the previous officer was transferred and a new person has taken charge). He could not trace the file and said that ‘you have done your job and we will do our part. No need to follow up’. The informer  then sought an appointment with the DIT which was in vain. Having decided not to give up he approached the CCIT who also could not give him a satisfactory answer as the said file was not traceable.

Back home, he drafted a letter to the then Hon’ble Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh enclosing the copy of the information submitted to IT dept. along with copies of all relevant enclosures and copy to the Hon’ble Finance Minister, mailed under Registered with AD. The CJ’s Office directed the DIT with the copy of the detailed information and its enclosures (ccing to the CCIT and informer).

This worked! On 6^th January 2001, an all India raid was conducted by the IT dept. and prima facie established that the information is genuine by 31^st March 2001 (after almost 5 years from the date of submission of the information) and the informer was asked to collect an interim reward of Rs.90k from ADIT, Mumbai. He collected the said sum in April 2001.They also said that investigation procedures and assessment of the actual tax evasion and the recovery thereon will take another two years.

From June 2003 to September 2004, the informer kept on following up with various IT officials in Mumbai through STD calls worth more than Rupees sixty five thousand. In October 2004 he went to Mumbai, stayed at a PG accommodation for Rupees three thousand a month and started running after various offices of IT department literally from pillar to post. During this, he found out that the assessment of the said case of tax evasion was done for Rupees one crore eight thousand from what he had originally substantiated for Rupees sixteen (plus) crores. The then DIT of Mumbai gave him an option for settling his claim for a consolidated sum of Rs.five lakhs, else to wait till the Board decide for a full 10% of the recovery. He opted for a one time settlement and that too immediate on 21^st of April 2005 (less Rs.90k, the interim reward, and net 4.1 lakhs).

The funniest part in the whole episode is, he could find out that, out of the 85 CITs who did the assessment has favored the said company by overlooking vital evidences the informer had submitted along with the information. The informer had to wait for about nine years for getting the portion of his claim in addition to the telephone bills amounting to 65k and PG expense of 21k at Mumbai clubbed with his other expenses a little over 31k (during Oct ‘ 04 to April 05).

Just because of one corrupt official who for Rupees two million, under assessed the tax evasion to the tune of Rupees 15 crores, if not more! The recovery was only about Rupees 68 lakhs. What a plum position, to be a bureaucrat!!

This reminded me of a Hindi movie “Nayak”. High time we should have such Nayaks in every state and at the centre to identify, suspend and/or dismiss such corrupt officials which will add strength to the national finance, make good of all deficits.

JAGO INDIA JAGO!

JAI HIND!!

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Image Credit: Vangala

Yesterday, I was going to office with a friend in his car. We both work at the same office and also live in the same colony, same lane, just a few buildings apart. Only the office is a little far, just about 30kms away from home, at the other end of the city. We either take his car or mine, sort of car pooling.

Yesterday we had his neighbor too along with us whom we dropped at Kondapur, an area near-by to Hitec City. He is into Real Estates. We dropped him at a construction site where they were building an apartment with 2/3 Bedrooms. The surrounding areas too were packed with concrete buildings, claimed as posh ones.

If I am not wrong, the rent in these apartments could go up to 25-30k (INR) a month and they could be priced at anything between Rs.60 and Rs.80 lakhs (INR) because of the sheer presence of the Hitec and several multinational corporations.

Of course I couldn’t be wrong as one of my close pals had recently rented a 3 Bedroom apartment at the same place for 25k per month. Absurd! But thats the fact.

The neighbor told us that most of these so called posh apartments have no drainage and sewage facilities. They just look good.

Then he showed us some dirty water collected along the sides of a few apartments and a large pool (the dimensions of a small swimming pool) a few meters away.This was filled with a pool of stagnant and dirty water/wastes. Most of the drainage from these buildings just flow into it. Some portion of the road too are used for this purpose.

We were shocked and in disbelief I cried out “Shit” to which my friend complemented, “Literally”.

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It was 10 years back that I first experienced what the lawmakers of India were up to. I had finished my graduation and was preparing for my MBA. I had to go to my mock CAT exams early in the morning and it was one of those days where I didn’t carry any money with me – rather, I left my wallet at home. We lived in Hyderabad.

It was raining and the cops had blocked a few new one-way roads in Begumpet. Reason being the massive over bridge construction program. I was enamored by the sheer development of Hyderabad and the schemes that the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu brought with him and the changes that he made to the state economy

In simple words – it was too good to be true. Unbelievable!

Every time I looked at the road, it reminded of Chandrababu Naidu and the great deeds that he had done for the state. It is a different fact that he subsequently he lost the election to the Congress. But he did what he could – Rejuvenate Hyderabad.

Coming to the point, I was riding on a bike. In front of me, there were two friends of mine on a similar bike. As they moved along, two cops in white and khaki uniform whistled. My friends stopped. They had a brief conversation after which I saw the pillion rider taking out a fifty rupees note and handing it over to one of the cops. A minute later, the same cop walks a little faster and hands over the cash to his senior as if they had some clandestine dealings.

My friends wait in anticipation.

The second cop returns and asks them to go. My friend seemed concerned, asked the cop “Saab, chalaan ?” (Sir, receipt ?)

The cop showed his stick and said ” Kya chalaan, kaunsa chalaan – hum thumko kahaan pakde” (What receipt ? I didn’t catch hold of you”

My two friends were stunned at the developments but decided to move despite seeing Live corruption and being helpless with it.

The police moved on with their lives. My friends continued to pursue their dreams. But that scene is still engraved in my mind today – I wish I could have a time machine and go back to the past and show the senior lawmakers what we have been going through.

It pained me to see lawmakers turning lawbreakers and this happens only in India. Those who do so, definitely leads by example, as well – whether for the good or the bad, it’s a different discussion.

From then on, I decided to fight the system. So what if I don’t get what I want in the time I want, so what if had to undergo severe stress and trauma to reach where I am today when compared to my friends or batchmates, so what if it took a very long period of time to drive the point home…at least I know that I have done the right thing and I stand by that…

I continue to do that – I shall never budge to the crooks that eats our system from the inside. And I shall definitely not care of those who support the crooked system, either. I am no saint but this is the best that I can do to protect my country from the evils of the corrupt and the undignified.

Speaking of the laws of the land, my next article will be on the laws governing driver licenses – how should they be, in an ideal scenario. We definitely need some introspection in this field and I am sure you will agree to my point. So watch out !!!

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