Trump got elected, Indian Government banned 1000 and 500 Rupee notes and the world that I am a part of became slightly more complex over night - the night of 8th November. But these are minor blips in the time-curve of the world. People move on, life goes on, stuff keeps happening, we live, we die.
I have had to cut down on my regular dose of panipuri since the cash crunch. It's brutal - my denying panipuri to myself. My love for panipuri started in the year 2000, when I moved to Mumbai for studies. Before that, i.e, during all my life before, which was in Bilaspur, I never liked the concept of the thing - it was called gupchup there. (I was more a chaat and samosa lover.) I did try a few times, but never liked it. But when I tasted the Mumbai version, I became a fan. During my 4 years at IIT Bombay, one of my favorite time-killers was to walk to the Main Gate, get on and cross the road outside, walk towards the Y-Point Gate, and eat a plate at every panipuri wala. There were various varieties, each good in its own way. There was a chaat shop right opposite Y-Point Gate that had a particularly exquisite variety and that used to be my last plate. After that I entered back into the campus from the Y-Point Gate and walked back to my hostel or any other of my time-killer hotspots. I did that every 1-2 days. As anyone can tell, this is not the kind of activity for which you can expect to get company very often. Jeetu, Ravi, Anshu - they came along at times. On most times, I went alone.
My love for panipuri continued even after I left Mumbai in 2004. It even grew - so much that I used to search for it and eat strange varieties in Chennai during my 6 months there. Then I moved to Pune, where it's different from the Mumbai versions, not as good even, but still one of the better versions in India. I have lived and traveled to a lot of places in India since then, across its length and breadth, and I make it a point to try panipuri or whatever it's called there. I still find the Mumbai version the best.
My love for the thing has intrigued many. My friend Manis often used to wonder how it is even possible someone like me exists. But in fact, a lot of guys are in awe of me as this is how they also want to be, but they are in some kind of a closet. And many ladies find this amusing too, and perhaps think the same as Manis. Some call it a girly trait, but I am convinced it is not from the fact that majority or all in the crowd eating with me on any occasion are usually guys. Girls probably eat in nicer hygienic places, and not so often. I prefer roadside. It tastes best. And every day... or so.
I have had to cut down on my regular dose of panipuri since the cash crunch. It's brutal - my denying panipuri to myself. My love for panipuri started in the year 2000, when I moved to Mumbai for studies. Before that, i.e, during all my life before, which was in Bilaspur, I never liked the concept of the thing - it was called gupchup there. (I was more a chaat and samosa lover.) I did try a few times, but never liked it. But when I tasted the Mumbai version, I became a fan. During my 4 years at IIT Bombay, one of my favorite time-killers was to walk to the Main Gate, get on and cross the road outside, walk towards the Y-Point Gate, and eat a plate at every panipuri wala. There were various varieties, each good in its own way. There was a chaat shop right opposite Y-Point Gate that had a particularly exquisite variety and that used to be my last plate. After that I entered back into the campus from the Y-Point Gate and walked back to my hostel or any other of my time-killer hotspots. I did that every 1-2 days. As anyone can tell, this is not the kind of activity for which you can expect to get company very often. Jeetu, Ravi, Anshu - they came along at times. On most times, I went alone.
My love for panipuri continued even after I left Mumbai in 2004. It even grew - so much that I used to search for it and eat strange varieties in Chennai during my 6 months there. Then I moved to Pune, where it's different from the Mumbai versions, not as good even, but still one of the better versions in India. I have lived and traveled to a lot of places in India since then, across its length and breadth, and I make it a point to try panipuri or whatever it's called there. I still find the Mumbai version the best.
A lot of people passionately claim chaat and samosa are the best in their hometowns. I too do that. So lemme tell you Bilaspur has the best chaat and samosa. Period.
There have been lots of interesting experiences around having panipuri. Conversations with the guys making them turn quite interesting; quite similar to talking to cab drivers - you get a picture of what's going on and what really matters - and it sometimes shakes you up. Although I'm shy and not much of a chatter, I do try to gossip sometimes, starting with some funny comment, but only when I am the only one being served.
My love for the thing has intrigued many. My friend Manis often used to wonder how it is even possible someone like me exists. But in fact, a lot of guys are in awe of me as this is how they also want to be, but they are in some kind of a closet. And many ladies find this amusing too, and perhaps think the same as Manis. Some call it a girly trait, but I am convinced it is not from the fact that majority or all in the crowd eating with me on any occasion are usually guys. Girls probably eat in nicer hygienic places, and not so often. I prefer roadside. It tastes best. And every day... or so.
I would have written more, but I must go now - it's evening and I can stop no more. More on this some other time. I have to rush... Some decisions to be made - ragada or aalu? 'Medium' - of course. Kaanda along would be good. And masala-puri in the end, obviously!
