Happy New Year!

Image Source

Wish you all a Very Very Happy New Year!  Stay Happy, Stay Blessed and Keep Loving T.A.G!

#MovieReview: Talvar ~An emotionally rich re-enactment of a hard hitting real life crime!

Source

Talvar movie releases on 2nd October and is directed by Meghna Gulzar. Based on the Aarushi Talwar and Hemraj murder case of 2008 in Delhi that had the whole nation in uproar, I was fortunate to watch it first at a special screening organized for a chosen few.

Meghna Gulzar reopens the double murder case in her movie presenting the audience with hard facts and a plot that is well researched and brings out all the sides to the case. The screenplay is crisp, engaging and very frank. The editing is expertly done and the director is able to take the story forward with well-planned twists and turns.

The acting is realistic and all the actors played their roles well. Irrfan Khan as the Investigating officer suited his part and I followed him in his investigations of the case. 

Konkona Sen and Neeraj Kabi as Nupur and Rajesh Talwar again had me empathizing with them and feeling their sadness at losing their only daughter and then suddenly also feeling that niggle of doubt regarding their innocence. 

The actor playing Hemraj brought this misunderstood and mysterious servant alive in the movie forcing me to question if Hemraj was really just a victim or if he was as involved in the crime as shown during the investigation?

Sumit Gulati as Rajesh Talwar’s compounder, Kanhaiya who was also a major suspect in the case played the role beautifully. The other characters are also played their parts well and in all the movie sometimes left its re-enactment mode and seemed like everything was happening in reality.

The names of the Talwar family have been varied like Talwar is now Tandon, Aarushi is Shruti to give the movie a somewhat fictional feel.

The young girl, Aarushi would never have thought that she would die so young and like this and all through the movie this same thought kept running in my mind. Why did she have to die so young and like this?

The various theories, facts and investigation procedures used in trying to solve the crime have been well meshed to bring a tight, fast paced and interesting film that had me engrossed right till the end.

All in all, Talvar is re-enactment of the most controversial murder case in India but it should be taken like it is meant to be, a fictional movie and not seen as the solution to the crime. I was thoroughly entertained all through the movie that is emotionally rich and recommend it to everyone. Go watch it with your friends and family.

Read more about the movie on the official Website:http://jungleepictures.com/talvar/

and watch the Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQNMsw8LjjcLjjc

#TATASkyTransfer: Watching TV shows just got Simpler!

I love watching Cricket matches, News and WWE shows like RAW and Smack down but often sitting down to enjoy them is so difficult for me.

Consider the following scenarios :-

Scenario 1 :
Wake up at 6:30 AM
Leave for Office at 8 AM
Come back by 10 PM, Eat something and go to sleep.
Repeat all through the weekdays.
Result: All favorite shows missed!

Scenario 2:
Wake up at 6:30 AM
Leave for Office at 8 AM
Record favorite shows via remote command.
Come back by 10 PM, Eat something and go to sleep.
Repeat all through the weekdays.
Watch my favourite recorded shows during the weekend!
Result: Did not miss anything!

People commuting daily in NCR(National Capital Region) will surely be able to relate to the above scenarios.

The first scenario is depicted by the current set top box which is used by everyone. People like me who travel up+down for a total of 5 hours daily, are not able to watch the favorite shows. 

Other set top boxes let us record the shows but with so many restrictions. Naming a few :-

• Only 2 shows can be recorded at a time of which one should be playing on the TV. 
• We also need to be physically present to do so.

Source

Tata Sky+ Transfer set top box allows me to remotely issue a command using the Tata Sky website or mobile app and record the shows easily.

Over and above, it allows me to transfer them to my mobile or tablet so that I can use my 5 hours of daily commute to catch up on all the excitement that I missed. Once transferred, it doesn't require an internet connection anymore.  Now this is what I call a Win-Win situation.

Some amazing features of Tata Sky+ Transfer set top box are:-

• Recording shows in HD(High Definition)
• 500 GB of Hard Disk space to record all the shows.
• Instant streaming of recorded content from Set top box to a mobile device via Wi-Fi.
• Ability to transfer recorded content to a mobile device or tablet via Wi-Fi.
• Record from anywhere : Using the Internet recording feature from the site or the Tata Sky app, one can issue a command to record their favorite shows from anywhere.

To conclude, Tata Sky+ Transfer box will make catching up on my favorite shows so much easier in my day to day life and I will certainly be switching to this device soon!

Read more about Tata Sky+ Transfer here: http://www.tatasky.com/transfer/

What do you think about Tata Sky+ Transfer? Do share your thoughts with me. I love hearing from you.

#Airtel4G: The Fastest Network Ever

Internet has slowly carved its undeniably important place in our lives. We wake, eat, party and sleep with it. We carry it everywhere and are dependent on it to make our lives better. We want to stay connected with the virtual world of Internet and surf through with ease and fluidity but majority times our pleasure is hindered due to slow speeds.

However, now my friends those days of frustration and irritation over snail like speeds which held us back from so many things right from watching our favourite videos to video chatting with friends to staying active on Facebook, Twitter etc. are over because Airtel 4G is here!

Source

Rolled out in over 296 Indian cities, Airtel is the first telecom provider to offer 4G services. We can enjoy the unbelievably fast speeds offered by Airtel 4G and we don’t even have to pay anything extra! The prices are still the same as were for 3G but the features have taken a huge improvement leap.

Getting ourselves 4G is also super easy. Just tweet with #GetAirtel4G and your 4G sim will be delivered to your home for free! It’s so cool!

“What will you do with these unbelievable speeds under your hood?” 

If asked this, I’ll just have to say that firstly, I’ll do a happy dance and then I’ll hop over to Twitter and Facebook to update my status, telling my friends about these unbelievable speeds and will encourage them to upgrade to Airtel 4G!

In the long run, I’ll have the confidence of having a fast Internet whereby I can surf and search for anything in minutes, even seconds.

Next, I’ll be able to work even when on the move and not worry about the slow speed and the difficulty faced in connecting with my colleagues via video chat. All my mails will be synced fluidly and I will be able to reply to the important ones sooner, thereby increasing my efficiency.

I’ll also be able to watch my favourite videos and listen to music while I travel to my office each day. No longer the slow loading and the frustration of having to stop after every few minutes while the next part loads which can take any amount of time depending on the Internet speed.

Surfing will become faster and easier. I know how much I love to aimlessly surf the Internet for long hours. With faster speed, this experience will become sweeter.

Playing online games will become easier and more efficient. With no more lags which happen due to slow speeds, I know I’ll enjoy playing online better.

Fast Internet was like a dream and we have all dreamed about it but now it is a reality because of Airtel. So what are you waiting for? Go get Airtel 4G and enjoy faster and better Internet.

Read more about Airtel 4G here: http://www.airtel.in/4g/

Ford Figo Aspire - First Impressions!

Ford is a brand one always relates with powerful cars, be it Ford Endeavour or Ford classic. Their presence on the road is something to talk about.

Source

When Figo Aspire's first teaser was launched a few months back, it was seen as a sub 4 metre sedan targeted to replace the Ford Classic. It doesn't disappoint. This car is made from scratch especially keeping Indian conditions in mind. The fact that the indicator stalk is positioned on the right and wiper stalk on the left, tells you all about it!

At first glance you will notice the Aston-Martin like front grille with good treatment of chrome and a fairly aggressive chin. The stance is aggressive though the car looks a bit out of proportion when you compare it with the likes of Honda Amaze and Hyundai Xcent. 

Rear profile is simple and plain with tail lamps, Ford badge and a broad chrome strip running across which makes it appear broader than it really is.

Source

It is equipped with a similar dash which we are used to seeing in the Ford EcoSport i.e button heavy. What surprised me was the quality of the plastic used on the dash and overall fit and finish, it is unlike the European standards for which Ford is known for. 

Source

It will be offered in 3 engine options : 1.2 litre petrol mated to a 5 speed manual transmission, 1.5 diesel mated to a 5 speed manual transmission and a 1.5 petrol engine mated to a 6 speed dual clutch automatic transmission. Alongside 3 engine options, it will be offered in 4 variants to give people a wide range to choose from. The 6 speed DCT will be a segment first and personally I would be looking forward to this one for my daily commute in NCR(National Capital Region) 

Source

Engines are tuned up to give more power than they give in the Figo and Fiesta. The 1.2 litre petrol which makes 70 bhp in the figo, is uptuned to make 87 bhp which makes city drive-ability a breeze. The oil burner on the other hand, the same 1.5 TDCi engine makes 98 bhp which is more than the 90 bhp it produces in the EcoSport. The turbo lag is minimum because at 1400 rpm all the available torque is granted to the wheels and city driving becomes quite easy. Body roll while cornering is persistent which will disappoint the enthusiasts. This car is meant to be both a city ride and is a good highway cruiser.

Up tuning the engines, designing the car from scratch, black and beige upholstery for dashboard, all these points prove that Ford is taking Indian market seriously and have given it their all.

One small feature that I liked the most was Ford MyDock which can hold a smartphone in your view and can be used for navigation.

Source

Pricing will be a key factor as it will go against the likes of Maruti Swift Dzire, Honda Amaze and Hyundai Xcent. If priced right, it can set a new benchmark in the segment as it has options for different types of prospective buyers.

More info when the car is launched.

Loose weight the Healthy Way! #HoneyDietIsHere

Crash dieting is the new trend in weight loss. Appearing to be an easy and quick way to loose that extra flab on our body, we often do not consider the side-effects of such diets. Although they make us loose some weight early on, thereby inspiring and enhancing our belief in them but after a while the toll on our body becomes apparent.

Source

Some side effects that we can see just after a few days of trying such diets are:

1) Feeling fatigue and lethargy: The first symptoms that appear are a reduction in our activeness. We feel lethargic and often times sleepy, quite in contrast with our natural self.

2) Loss of concentration: When we suppress our hunger, we try our best to ignore those grumblings of our stomach but while we may succeed in not eating anything, the hunger makes us distracted. We are unable to concentrate on anything leading to loss of quality in our work life and rifts and dissatisfaction among our loved ones towards us in our personal life.

3) Mood Swings: When we are hungry. We dont have the energy to do anything. We feel lazy, sleepy, distracted and all this leads to mood swings because food is a great mood balancer. Try going hungry and you will see how sometimes you get angry then suddenly you feel like crying and even at the most unexpected gesture you feel so happy that it feels like anything is possible!

4) Low immunity towards diseases and infection: Crash diets not only hamper our mood, they severely harm our body. Our immunity gets weak. We start getting sick easily and are unable to get well easily too because our body’s weakness makes it difficult to fight against the diseases and infections.

5) Loss in vital nutrients: Different food products provide our body with different nutrients. All these vitamins and minerals make us healthy, strong and happy. When our body doesn’t get these nutrients, it is unable to function properly leaving us unhappy, sick, listless and weak.

Source

So to have a glowing face and a healthy body, it is necessary that we eat healthy with more fruits and vegetables in our diet and exercise every day. By combining these two, we can not only loose weight but also maintain it.

Source

Talking about healthy food, I incorporated honey in my diet (Honey Diet) and am impressed with the results. I feel more happy, healthy, energetic and less prone to eat junk.

1) Honey is a great source of nutrients, minerals and it also provides our body with energy. 

2) Known to be helpful in loosing and maintaining healthy weight, honey has been used by people since ages. 

3) It also is a natural sugar substitute with no side effects and also doesn't increase our weight unlike sugar. 

4) Honey provides us energy and keeps our stomach feeling full for a long time, thereby reducing our chances of over eating.

5) When used in face packs it cleans our skin and naturally heals it, leaving it glowing and supple.

6) Honey is also used to cure cough and cold because it is a natural immunity booster and helps our body fight against infections and diseases.

7) Aids in digestion.

8) Is tasty and we can eat it guilt-free!

So don't take shortcuts and go all the way to have that stable healthy weight. Eat healthy, exercise and include honey in your diet to get that ideal healthy you have always dreamed about! #HoneyDietIsHere

I use Dabur Honey which is 100% honey and a trusted product been used in my family since decades. :)

UC Browser ~ Lite, Fast and #YuviSurfsUC

Source

I am a fanatic Cricket lover and religiously follow all the matches and stay updated on all the latest news from the Cricketing world but with my hectic lifestyle and family responsibilities, I get little to no time to sit down peacefully and watch TV or read a newspaper to acquaint myself of all that is happening in the world and in Cricket. Sometimes it is the office, sometimes it’s household work, sometimes it’s the guests. Interruptions are always there and I often find myself away from my TV, unable to watch my favourite Cricketers playing. To compensate, I rely heavily on my smartphone and the Internet to surf the news and follow the matches. However, the slow Internet speed and the heavy web browsers make it difficult to surf, leaving me irritated and grumbling. I am unable to do anything because howsoever good the Internet package, the browsing speeds change from place to place due to factors like whether 3G has been launched at the place or if the service provider is present in that area and so on. So, I need a browser that is able to handle the slow Internet speed and adapt itself to give me satisfactory browsing without taking too much time to load and getting interrupted every time the speed changes.

Here the best browser till date that I have come to rely on is the UC Browser which is lite, fast and works like a charm even on slow Internet speed. It is available for free download for android, iOS, Java and PC. Apart from its ability to work on slow Internet speeds, it also has an added bonus for Cricket fans like me with its lite and fast Cricket Service, UC Cricket which enables us to follow the matches (Live scores with auto update, fixture and results), watch videos, read the latest news and even add reminders to get notifications before every match! I can also chat with other Cricket buffs using the optimized comment section. Isn't this browser with its cricket service just awesome!

The UC Cricket service gives us all the information at one place and so I don’t have to Google again and again to check the score or navigate to other Cricket based websites that maybe heavier and not load properly at slow speed. Since UC Cricket is lite, it works way faster and loads easily as compared to the other cricket services. The same goes for the UC Browser which loads properly even on 2G or edge speeds and enables the users to “Surf it All! Surf it Fast!”

Apart from this, some of the other amazing features of UC Browser are an easy interface, options to change the themes and have fun with add-ons etc., seamlessly switches between UC Browser across our devices by syncing open tabs and bookmarks and even has a resume option to resume our download if we get interrupted!

Have you used UC Browser and UC Cricket? Do share your thoughts with me in the comments.

Singing to the tunes of the all new Honda Jazz!

Different colours but all with that same oomph. Here stands the new Honda Jazz!

The prospect of witnessing and driving a new car, before it is available to the dealerships is very exciting. Add the opportunity to drive it on the only track in India to host Formula 1 championship, the Buddh International Circuit and the proposition turns into an irresistible one!

I was presented with such an opportunity on 4th of July to witness such an event organized by Honda "Hangout with Honda" to showcase their premium hatchback offering, the All New Jazz!

Stylish and Jazzy is the new Honda Jazz!

Step into the car and you are greeted with an all familiar cabin of the 4^th generation Honda City. The steering wheel with audio controls and Call answer and disconnect options, Touch panel Automatic Climate Control, AVN and Space (Loads and loads of it), all similar to the Honda city which gives it a very premium feel.

After driving both the Manual and Automatic with CVT & Paddle Shifters petrol 1.2 litre i-VTEC engine models on the circuit for 2 laps each, cornering nicely and gaining straight line speed on the back straight of the track, I fell in love with the Jazz.

Sitting comfy in the new Honda Jazz

Here are the few features of Jazz which made me sing to it’s tunes, Literally!

Honda Jazz lined up, ready for us to take them for a ride!

a) 1.2 litre i-VTEC and 1.5 litre i-DTEC engines:- Jazz is offered in two engine options, a 1.2 litre petrol motor capable of generating 90 ps power and a 1.5 litre oil burner producing 100 ps of power. Petrol engine is the same unit as found in the Amaze and Brio. Diesel unit is the same as found in Mobilio, Amaze and City. I-VTEC engine is a free revving engine capable of going all the way to 6500 rpm ( tested the same thing on the track) and if driven sedately claims an ARAI fuel economy of 18.7 kmpl for the manual and 19 kmpl for the CVT variant. The diesel engine is the one to watch out for as in India, the soaring prices of petrol and long commuting distances often urge buyers to go with a diesel car. It claims a class leading ARAI fuel economy of 27.3 kmpl! Now this is impressive. A good mix of power and fuel economy, delivered by one engine.
b) “Magic Seats”:- These seats are not per say magical in the “mystical and supernatural” way and won’t help you disappear either. It is a term by Honda which means these seats can adapt to various needs of a person. It features 4 modes – Tall ( rear seats fold upwards) , Utility ( rear seats fold to form a flat bed), Refresh ( both front and rear seats fold to give so much of space) and Long ( where 60:40 split can be used).

More space with these 4 modes in the MAGIC Seats.

c) Design :- Based on the “Exciting H” platform of Honda, the sharp lines and aerodynamic design, 3-D effect LED tail lamps, good usage of chrome gives it an upmarket feel. The doors open wide and the tailgate extends to the bumper to make loading of luggage easier with a massive 374 litres of boot space.

Exterior Design Concept

Interior Design Concept

 

d) Gearbox :- The 6 speed transmission of the diesel engine offers good sorted out ratios for a relaxed drive and good fuel economy. The 5 speed manual is the tried and tested one which also does the duty in other cars like city and mobilio. The CVT torque converter was the one which caught my eye. It has 7 ratios and paddle shifters so that we can have greater controls over the gears. Although I won’t term it as exactly sporty but it is a good enough gearbox for everyday use and for the enthusiast which comes out of us every once in a while.

It is a great practical car with enough options for every type of hatchback buyer from diesel engines to CVT, It makes for a compelling practical use buy.

Recipes that make me drool!

I love to eat and you can judge my passion for food from my eclectic tastes and ofcourse my refrigerator which hosts a variety of things and which in my mother's words can "feed the entire colony"!

Give me tasty food and I am a happy man! While I love experimenting with new recipes and am always on the lookout for food that looks yummy and also tastes yummy, there are a few recipes that are sure to make me drool. I can give up any food option if they are in front of me and if I have a choice of eating either of the two.

Today, I'll share some of my favourite recipes that never let me down and which are guaranteed to make me happy and satisfied.

Source

1) Ma ke hath ki Dal Makhani
There is nothing more tasty than a meal cooked by a mother. Even normal recipes turn into extraordinary when she cooks them. Being a Punjabi, Dal Makhani is a normal presence on our meal list but nothing beats the Dal Makhani prepared by my mother because there is the extra ingredient called 'LOVE' added to it.

Give me Dal Makhani with either white butter or fresh cream and I am happy. It doesn't matter if there is chapati, naan or rice with it. I can even eat this recipe alone and still be super satisfied with a contented smile on my face!

Source

2) Chicken Biryani
I just love the aroma, the long grains of rice perfectly cooked in rich spices and complemented with expertly cooked chicken in a Chicken Biryani. I love all kinds of Chicken Biryani be it Hyderabadi or Lucknowi or some other varied preparation like the Sindhi Biryani from other parts of the country.

Give me a plate of steaming Chicken Biryani and you have really made my day!

Did you know that there are almost 12 types of Biryani that I have tried and I have been told that this number is not even the half of the number of variations that exist in India. Cool, isn't it!

Source

This is a Tamil style Chicken Biryani. Lavishly sprinkled with fried onions, cashew nuts and containing boiled egg apart from Chicken, doesn't this recipe look just delicious!

Lucknowi Biryani with its rich flavour of saffron, rose water, the expertly cooked chicken and the right mix of spices giving the long grained rice its memorable taste, is a recipe fit for the Nawabs!

Laced with fried onions and cooked in fine, fragrant condiments and spices, Hyderabadi Biryani is another big hit for me!









The above are just a few of the lip smacking variations of this recipe. India being a culturally vibrant country is full of many tasty varieties of Chicken Biryani.

Source

3) Tunday Kebab
If you haven't eaten Tunday Kebab, named after their maker Tunday Kababi in Lucknow, these kebabs just melt in your mouth and are so tasty that they are sure to make you come back for more!

I love eating Tunday Kebab with green chutney, some onions and either roomali roti or ulte tawa ka parantha. Prepared in special spices, this recipe has fans all over the world. A not-to-be missed recipe, this one is a must-eat whenever I am in Lucknow.

Luckily, now a franchise of Tunday Kababi has opened in my city too which is like a boon from God. Really! Try out this recipe and you'll know why I love it so much.

Source

4) Butter Chicken
Just imagine that creamy, slightly sweet but still spicy chicken cooked perfectly in a tomato rich gravy. Made you feel hungry, right? Well, this is what I feel whenever I think of this very sumptuous and a favourite of mine, recipe.

Ravish it with butter naan and you are in heaven!
I am always left drooling and craving the Butter Chicken or Chicken Makhani, whenever someone asks me about the food that I love and that make me drool.

Source

5) Faluda Kulfi
A perfect summer treat, I absolutely love eating Faluda Kulfi. Malai Kulfi containing pista, kesar (saffron) and almonds, garnished with faluda which is flavourless like simple boiled noodles and flavoured with some rose flavoured sugar syrup, this recipe is a must eat and guaranteed to make you love it!




The above recipes are only a few of the many recipes that make me drool. 
The list of my favourites goes on and on from 

Source

Aloo Parantha made by my mother, 

Source

 dhokla,

Source

khandvi, 

Source

tandoori chicken,  

etc.

If I sit down to write about all the recipes that excite my taste buds then I would be writing for a very long time! :)

What are your favourite recipes that make you drool? Share with me in the comments section.

This post is my entry for #BloggerDreamTeam campaign.

#LufthansaPremiumEconomy ~ A 'paisa vasool' experience!

Source

I still remember the day I bought my first bike. There were so many options but I wanted one that was stylish and value for money. I wanted a 'paisa vasool' bike.

I love exploring and buying things but consciously or unconsciously am always looking for 'paisa vasool' deals. We, Indians are like this. We know the value of money, have been taught never to spend recklessly and always lookout for a little extra in everything.

Getting something extra is always such a happy surprise and guaranteed to make us happy. So when I heard about the latest offering from Lufthansa which promises a total 'paisa vasool' experience, I just had to share the news with you all and read about it more myself.

Being a happy person, always on the lookout for great stuff available at great bargains, I think Lufthansa's Premium Economy Class is a definite hit here. Promising comfort, entertainment and personal space like the first class but at rates just a little above Economy class, here are the top reasons why I recommend Lufthansa's Premium Economy class to everyone.

Source

1) Bigger and wider seats with more leg space, 50% more space. These bigger and wider seats with increased leg space is sure to come in handy for taller people and promise a better and more comfortable journey. Bid adieu to all that extra cash you pay every time you request seats with extra leg space and are told that they belong to premium quota and will charge extra!

2) Get welcomed with a welcome drink. Sit and enjoy the welcome drink when travelling in Lufthansa Premium Economy class. There is also a drink holder to keep your glass and avoid spilling it!

3) No longer are you required to sit with your hands in your laps. Take advantage of the separate armrests, rest your hands and enjoy the flight!

4) Footrests further add to your comfort. Say goodbye to the pain you experienced when travelling, sitting with bent legs for long hours!

5) Additional storage space at each seat to keep our important stuff with us on board. Forget those times when you had to separate from some of your stuff due to lack of storage space!

6) 2 * 50 lbs free baggage is another great thing about Lufthansa Premium Economy class. Now freely keep those extra things without worrying about baggage weight going overboard because now you get to keep one 50 lbs baggage for free!

7) Get pampered further with the travel kit you get when travelling in the Premium Economy class. Consisting of a toothbrush, a moist towelette, an eye mask and ear plugs, these are sure to keep you feeling fresh all through the flight.

8)  Lufthansa offers an extensive food menu from which you can order your preferred food and get served in style in china tableware.

9) Enjoy your food on the fold-out table which is sturdy and can be used easily while you work on your laptop. Feel comfortable and easily complete your office work or eat like home while travelling in Lufthansa Premium Economy class!

10) Stay hydrated and fresh with the water bottle provided for your use. Say goodbye to calling the air hostess again and again for water!

11) Enjoy watching shows on the 11"/12" screen provided in front of each seat. Change channels, regulate volume and play using the detachable remote. Flying is no longer boring!

12) When you travel in the Premium Economy class, you can pay a fee to go enjoy and experience the Business Lounge which is sure to leave you wishing for more.

With all these impressive features available at such attractive 'paisa vasool' rates, I surely recommend Lufthansa's Premium Economy class travel to everyone and am sure to plan a travel in this class myself because who doesn't like a little extra!

Read more about the Premium Economy Class offered by Lufthansa here: http://premium-economy.lufthansa.com/

What are your thoughts? Share with me in the comments. I would love to hear from you.

This post is written for the #LufthansaPremiumEconomy contest on Indiblogger.