THE BLAME GAME

BY ADITHIMANASA

“The girls are to be blamed! Just look at the way they dress…” 

Picture courtesy- www.policymic.com

I couldn’t help overhearing two ladies talk among themselves. The women were sitting behind me. One was pointing at the front page of a newspaper. It was evident that the two were discussing about a girl being gang-raped. The saree clad women were very sure that the victim’s dress ‘provoked’ the rapists. 

A few men sitting in the bus looked at the women and nodded their heads in agreement. On getting some attention, the women’s conversation grew louder and louder. The women also pointed at a few college going girls in the crowded bus. The girls were oblivious of what they were discussing as they were only hoping to get a seat. Many of them had their ear plugs on listening to the radio.  

The women were worried at the way the young girls were dressed up. They were upset that the girls chose to wear sleeveless tops and low waist jeans. “How can you blame the men? If these girls walk around in skimpy outfits, they are bound to get unwanted attention. The men will get tempted. Why wear such clothes and invite trouble? ” they were heard saying. 

One more woman joined them. She opined that girls partying late into the night and roaming in the streets after dark are also reasons for the increase in the number of rapes in the city. I wanted to know what they had to say about women working late at nights. Is working for a BPO a crime then? What about female bartenders? What about students working part-time to arrange for the exorbitant college fees?

Picture courtesy- www.huffingtonpost.com

No girl is stupid. Necessity makes people take up odd jobs even if they are uncomfortable with it. Sometimes people are compelled to work 20-hours a day! All are not blessed. All are not lucky. I wondered what these women had to say about such hardworking females.

The bus slowed down and a pretty lass got in. She was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. The topic immediately changed. The women yet again began to talk about her clothes. I turned and looked at the women. While one had a frown the other had a worried look and yet another was shocked out of her wits. I couldn’t help but chuckle. 

Picture courtesy- www.dailymail.co.uk

All of a sudden, we heard a cry. A girl punched a man on his face. The frightened man got off the bus before anyone could catch hold of him. He ran across the street and vanished. People in the bus were curious to know what had happened to the girl. Why did she punch that man? The aged conductor tried consoling her. She had hit the man for misbehaving with her.

The women were no longer talking. They kept looking at the brave girl who was still fuming with anger. The salwar kameez clad gutsy girl got down at the next stop and walked away. An eerie silence in the bus loomed.

ZAIKA, INDIRANAGAR- A REVIEW

BY PRIYA JAIN

Planning an evening on a Friday night is a literal nightmare, not only do you fight colleagues and others to ensure you get out of work, but even land up at a full restaurant and are forced to make an exit because it’s too full or too noisy!

This strange experience actually happened to me a week or two ago when I tried to plan a surprise for a friend of mine. We walked into the latest, crazily popular watering hole to find it too full and we walked out. Amazingly enough, my friend was quite a sport and agreed to find another place to wine and dine.

The very normal décor!

Considering we were in Indiranagar, it wasn’t too hard to find another place to eat. But that did not happen before we walked in and out of two other restaurants. One was closed for renovation and the other was, well, just closed!

We finally, grudgingly, trudged into ZAIKA. Considering I was red-faced from all the closed restaurants (and the plan going out of the window), I insisted we eat right there. I realized later and again much later that it was a pretty bad idea. The reasons will come one by one. 

The two of us were welcomed warmly and asked to choose a seat. Well, the whole restaurant from any angle looked the same to me; anyway we chose a seat right around the middle.

We were given rolled & roasted papads to nibble on as we decided our orders. While we chose our order, I noticed that the décor is fairly similar to most other restaurants. There was nothing very memorable about the restaurant or the décor.

Dal Dhaniya Shorba

We chose a soup to begin with. Dal Dhaniya Shorba priced at Rs 85 by two. The first taste of the soup which had dal and coriander tasted a lot like my mom’s homemade dal. It grew on us with a few more sips later. But not enough to try it ever again.

Karara Palak Patta Ka Chaat

The starters of choice were Karara Palak Patta ka chaat & Mil Jhol Subz kurkure. Karara Patta Palak Chaat priced at Rs 175 was a very refreshing starter, unlike any I have ever had before. The spinach leaves were fried to a crisp and topped with several vegetables along with a generous helping of curd and spices. Quite nice. A definite re-visit!

Mil Jhol Subz Kurkure

Mil Jhol Subz Kurkure priced at Rs 195 were just spring rolls with a different name! Really average and not really something that I will ever try again. I expected a tangy flavoring with a lot of vegetables and a sprinkling of condiments, but never mind that.

Description of Kehkashan

After the disastrous beginning, we cautiously ordered just one dish and two parathas for the main course. Kehkashaan was the subzi priced at 190 and Bharwan Amritsari Kulcha at Rs 50 and Lachcha Paratha at Rs 45 were our super cautious orders.

The parathas were perfect, but one was quite enough for each of us to feel overfull. Kehkashaan was very edible and we actually ate the leftovers without bread!

Drinks were cool!

Drinks of choice were Pineapple and cinnamon martini at Rs 295 and Tequila sunrise 275. Both were quite decent and not too many complaints there.

Now the thing is, we are good eaters. On a good day, we have easily polished off 3 starters and at least 3 main courses. And this was a good day. But the food gave us a bloaty feeling. Most people say, that happens thanks to the food additives like soda. Now I am not sure what they added in the food, but I have never had a harder walk down the stairs and then to the parking!!

Added to the absolute nightmare of the bloaty feeling was- the bill! The bill was, as it is nearly 1400. But the taxes were the real back breaker. An additional 300 bucks! I could have had at least 3(much nicer) meals at a local Darshini.

Incidentally, as I was writing this- I got a call from Zaika- asking if friends and I would like to come to the restaurant for a New Year buffet on 31^st. I decided then and there, a big no!

All in all, it is ok if the cost of the food is worth it. Here I found neither the worth nor the satisfaction of blowing up nearly 2000 rupees on a dinner that could have easily been 4 other meals.