Bye-Bye, Mayur Vihar 1 Extension

Well, friends, neither me nor my spouse live in MV1 Extension anymore, so it is up to you to keep this blog alive and kicking with updates about the neighborhood. Feel free to contact me here and let me know what's new and exciting or awful and noteworthy. Other than that, this blog will remain as sort of an archive about an East Delhi neighborhood with a list of apartment societies, religious places and other public areas, that will help you find your way around if you are new. Just refer to the beginning of the blog and work your way forward or use the search word tool. Hope you will enjoy your stay. We did.

Keep it safe. Safe especially for women!!!! 

Be good to the animals, the people who have less than you do, 

don't litter and don't engage in road rage :-)

It is up to all of us to make a neighborhood friendly, secure and pretty!

Be proud like our neighborhood head hauncho and show respect for those near and dear.

GOOD-BYE!

Big Bazaar Coming to Mayur Vihar

If they cannot make a jingle out of that title/ headline, then it's their own fault....

pardon the poor picture quality this time

WHEN WILL IT OPEN???? WHO KNOWS, probably in time for the DIWALI business season!

Most of you have probably seen it already, driving by, but just in case you have not heard:
the metro station for Mayur Vihar Extension now houses a Big Bazaar super market, which is pretty darn convenient considering some of us still bemoan the departure of the Reliance shop at Star City Mall and the fact that practically nothing has happened in the DLF Galleria mall next door. What a waste of real estate.... As I am actually out of town, please, let me know any updates on the mall situation. I'd love to see these places really come alive and turn our neighborhood into something special.

If you want to know the difference between Mayur Vihar Phase 1 and Phase 2, you only have to consider the fact that neither a Nirula nor a Cafe Coffee Day could survive in Mayur Vihar II for more than a year or so. While phase 2 was made for government employees and only offers DDA flats, Mayur Vihar Phase 1, including the extension, offers apartment societies, spacious roads and overall a more peaceful living. Maybe because in Phase 1 and the Extension  there arent so many temples :-)  , while Phase 2 has a famous Shiva temple and an old Ganesha temple. Who knows, but I can only keep recommending MV1 and its Extension as an ideal place to live in all of Delhi. It is most ideally situated traffic wise, close to CP and to Noida, it has modern facilities and good schools, and is really trying to grow retail-wise. Plus we have two Cafe Coffee Days (CCD), one of them at Sikkim Plaza in Phase 1 near the Alcon School is way too small and I am surprised to see they have not extended the premises, while the other one at Star City Mall still has not bothered to advertise their existence to the outside for people who drive by and also remains rather small and without any upgrading where seats are concerned.
In the West they used to measure development by the amount of Mc Donald's in the region, in India you can use the presence of a CCD as the indicator for an upswing, I suppose....Oh well....

What else is happening in the 'hood, folks??? DO KEEP US INFORMED!!!! Send me your stories....This blog here if for you, participate!
Best wishes to you from your Mayur Vihar Reporter, tina, currently out of country :-)  Cheers!

Mango Season

another contribution by Mr. Raj: thank you!

Oh No, Dinga Has Arrived

Why I am scared of “Dinga” ? What has Dinga done to me to warrant such fear? Well, it´s not me alone, all “mango lovers” should be scared of “it”! “Mango Lovers?”  “It?”

Ok, to cut a long story short, Dinga colloquially means “short” or “deformed”. This small mango- yellow in colour, delicious to eat- but insignificant in stature is the last on the list. Yes, there is a mango hierarchy – it depends from person to person, but whichever mango variety is on top, Dinga is the least favorite.

Mango season starts with the “Safeda” – the first lot is sweet but bland since they are from last year or plucked too early. Later we start seeing green raw mangoes for pickles and “Aam Panna” a cool sweet and tangy drink made from raw mangoes to take care of the hot summer wind “loo” Then comes the real thing and before you realize it, the market is flooded with the fresh “Safeda”. These have a good pulp, are firm and can be eaten sliced, diced or as mango juice. Very soon they have competition from “Chausa”,            ”Langda”, “Totapuri”, and “Dushheri” : to each his own. During the mango season from April till July, one or the other variety is visible in the market depending on their arrival in Delhi.

And then comes “Dinga” – this mango sounds like the death knell for the mango season for that year. From then on it´s all downhill and today I found this in our Mayur Vihar market , so bye- bye mangoes 2012 – see you next year if we are around.

Chai Chai Chai

Hello Neighbors,
I am glad to present our first guest writer here who will tell you about the neighborhood chai wallah! Thank You, Rajesh, for your excellent contribution. It is good to recognize everyone who makes living in Mayur Vihar 1 Extension a little bit more pleasant.

"I would like to talk about our friendly neighbourhood chai wallah. He sits opposite the taxi stand and at the entrance to the main market. So everybody going to the market passes his spot and he is a busy man. He is from Bihar as all hard working migrant people are. I also like to sit there sometimes to hear the gossip and gossip there is plenty. The other day they were talking about some girls and boys caught by the police while making out in the car. So there was a general discussion about morality of these society wallahs as well as the police, because it seems they were let off after the usual exchange of bakshish. One person commented "no wonder I saw the police taking them towards the Yamuna, whereas the police station is toward the Sai Baba temple". Funny thing is that by sitting there and having tea , I become part of "us" and not "them - the rich society strata". Now I am entering his inner circle of clients - haha, or maybe he charges me extra for tea and so I am in the inner circle. There are 3 or more modes of tea presentation - one in a glass, one in plastic cups, one in plastic bags for transit and then the royal tea of mine served in a nice hard paper cup - even though I have never asked for it. His tea is good, but not in league with the best chaiwallah teas I have had. Yes, maybe within our extension his tea stall is the best and cleanest. He makes it fresh and sometimes throws in ginger and cardamom. But drinking tea gets divine if you have a mathi with it - a salty fried crisp that goes so yummmm with hot tea and costs you only 10 rupees.

Then there are different types of tea drinkers - the hurrying types like taxi wallahs or auto wallahs on the run, then there are the regular ones just going to the office, who have a tea with some snacks in lieu of breakfast, and finally the lazy ones like me who sit with a newspaper and soak up every bit of street atmosphere, isn´t it interesting? I also see some regulars like one big guy with white hair in a pony tail : after watching him a few times, I realized the other day that long hair can be itchy and hot ; I  do not know how girls / ladies manage during the hot months, but he was handling his hair in the heat in a clumsy fashion, and the result was a big mess of hair around his hair band - lol.

Go have your morning cuppa there sometimes and get the latest buzz.

Thanks & Regards, Raj-Global Guru.

 

Success Story

Dear Neighbors, please read the "Hilton Mascot" post (4 Oct 2011) with ensuing comments and see how we can make a  difference in our own communities. My heartfelt thanks to Mr. Zaki Ali from Riverview Apartments and the Delhites' National Initiative in Palliative Care on their efforts to help a homeless lady. All is well that ends well.

And thank You, all my readers, for continuing to visit our blog and making comments.

Lastly , someone is looking for a play school in Mayur Vihar Extension. If you know of a good day care facility for small children in the neighborhood, let us know. How about starting one yourself?

Take care of yourselves during these hot days! Best wishes your MVEX reporter B.

Neighbors, start writing!

Hello Neighbors, you must be wondering why this blog has been inactive for some time. Well, yours truly has gone back abroad and is no longer roaming the streets of our neighborhood. All the information here about the apartment societies, schools and other places will pretty much stay the same, so in that way, this blog will not become "old". However, for current event, news about this quarter of East Delhi and other thoughts and ideas, you will have to write yourself. Meaning, send me your text and photos or happenings via email and I will post them for you! Please, do stay involved in your neighborhood. Report about new developments or take photos of the business district. Let us all know how MV1 Extension continues to be a great place to live in Delhi.
BEST WISHES to you all, neighbors! Keep in touch!

Soccer in Mayur Vihar Extension

During my afternoon walks this week, I saw for the first time that there is something strenuous happening in our neighborhood: I discovered that we have a children's soccer club in our midst with 2 African coaches. The lady who brought this amazing feat to life is Mrs. Anju Abbott. She started the BLACK TIGER SOCCER CLUB for boys (and girls) age 5 to 15. Four times a week the kids slave away over that  round piece of leather. And boy, do they work hard. It certainly is a great alternative to cricket and the big field next to Vigyapan Lok Apartments could not find a better use. (right next to Mayur Vihar Extension metro stop)

Practice Makes Perfect:
Soccer Drill

So if you think you would like to torture your child a bit , why not stop by and have a look for yourself ?
You can call Mrs. Abbott at  98 11 402 831 and or get her email address from her blog
http://blacktigersdelhi.wordpress.com/
Read more about her in this 28 Dec 2009 issue of the Economic Times
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/indias-untold-stories/anju-a-housewife-with-will-power/articleshow/5386787.cms

This is one sure way to keep warm during the cold winter days.

Running in the fog

GREAT PLATES Restaurant in Star City Mall

We have finally tried out the restaurant  "GREAT PLATES" (whose owner, we were told, is also running a few other restaurants in Noida) in our little Star City Mall . You might have noticed it, since it now occupies the bright corner spot where SINGH's DELIGHT used to be. "Great Plates" has unique sitting booths. I am not a fan of the green color or that airy pillows, but if you are a love-starved couple, these booths really do make you feel cozy and romantic. What's better: the food is actually really good and very affordable. With 3 people we spent 550 rps. Not bad for a nice evening meal. The staff is a little unprofessional and spooky looking but you get over that. As long as the cooks can cook, right?! Bon Appetit!

Cozy booth inside and outside. Good for a romantic
get-together or a fun evening with 4.
GREAT PLATES at Star City Mall

Of course they do TAKE AWAY and free home delivery 011-2271-2233 or 2271-3322 (practical, ey?)
They accept credit cards and Sodexo and now I have made enough PR for them. I would like to give these place a little competition to Cafe Coffee Day and also offer GOOD COFFEE during the day, so the place isn't deserted all day, but I doubt whether the owners ever catch on to the opportunities out there.... GOOD LUCK!

CHEERS!

Cooking with a view. It is good to see that there is no
funny business going on the kitchen !

HYBERNATING in Mayur Vihar 1 Extension

Did you know that there are bears in our neighborhood? NO? Well that is because they are still sleeping through their winter sleep and you can't see them.
Gosh, do you feel like hiding in front of your heater all day in bed, too? I am. This is why you haven't heard any interesting stories of late. Waiting for warmer weather. But warmer weather means mosquitos will stir again, and we don't like that either. Where is heaven when you need it?
Stay warm, neighbors. More soon!

Christmas at Star City Mall

Even if you are not a Christian, all of us may enjoy a little bit of Santa's good cheers. I was happy to find this spread around Star City Mall which decorated their main hall quite nicely. More importantly, I was glad so many  young neighbors came by to have their coffee and chai in the mall , socialize and warm up a bit. It is awfully chilly these days. If you really want to get toasty, sit at Cafe Coffee Day, there the heaters were working nicely. And don't forget the Asman toy shop who offers lots of gift opportunities.

So come on over to feel that spirit , get a hot chocolate and hang out with your loved ones. At least this mall management still makes an effort to brighten our gloomy December days, even though most shops are still vacant.

By the way, did you ever try hot red wine (or hot rum) during winter months. Just add sugar and cloves , some water and a dash of lemon juice to the cheap red wine, heat it slowly until the sugar is dissolved and there you go: you have German GLUEHWEIN, that means glow wine (afterwards your cheeks will glow :-)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

Fenced In

You have all seen the new side walks in our neighborhood, and certainly across the ASN School and near Samachar Apartments it all looks real dandy. They have even "cleaned" up the area around the trash dumps. But what about Club Avenue across from the CNG Station? WHO in godesses' name has come up with putting back the fences after improving the stones on the sidewalks? Who will walk behind a fence? Not that the sidewalks desperately needed a make over anyway. Looked more like a case of "malai" to me, if you know what I mean. New public trashcans, better cleaning of our roads, more streets lights at night all this would have been more important than sidewalks.

Wonderfully spacious and luxurious:
SAHAKARITA Marg across the ASN School

UNusable even with new stones to walk on:
Sidewalks on CLUB AVENUE

What do you think? Is this all a case of preventing small-time vendors from settling in on open sidewalks or what is the mystery behind the fences? May be if I hear a good explanation, I'll get used to it. Fact of the matter remains: fenced in sidewalks are a great waste of space. In the end they will only be used for piddle points. Tell us your opinion.

New Shops in MV1 Extension

Hello Neighbors! We  have a couple of new shops in our 5 Star Village. Have you spotted them already?

CHHAPAI is here, if only a bit hidden in the Gupta Arkade/ a.k.a Samachar Market/ a.k.a DDA market /aka Atlanic Plaza/Anupama Arcade/ Why are there so many names for his one shopping area here?

Ethnic sarees, duppattas, stoles & cordinates
Open from 10-10 every day except mondays

Two months ago this sari shop opened its door across from Mother Dairy's vegetable stall and next to the electric shop. It's a beautiful and elegant place. Do stop by! Mr. Khan is most helpful in showing you the most wonderful silk and cotton saris with block prints. There are also lovely shawls and nice fashion jewelry. I bought a nice gift there today: earrings, bangle and a ring for 460 rupees. Silk cotton kurtas can be bought for 850 rps which I feel is very reasonably priced. Give this new shop a chance. It is a great addition to the market. If all the other shops were as clean and beautiful as this one, we wouldn't have to rush to any malls anymore.

You might have seen the new kebab place KATHI JUNCTION. Located in a corner near the meat shop and close to Domino's, it it a welcome edition since there are simply not enough food places in our neighborhood. I have yet to eat there and probably won't, but you may know more about its quality. Tell us.

If only the mouth watering recipes were served in
mouth watering surroundings

The outside trash is still such a turn off and I cannot understand why shopkeepers don't put their heads together and organize common dumpsters so this area can be a great community place.
I wish we would get a coffee shop or some other places to sit and enjoy. If this large "lawn" area would ever get cleaned up and benches were put up, we would all only be too happy. I wrote the Municipal Department about the trash, but no word from them. If all of us would complain, may be someone woke up and improve this disgusting site. 

10.000 Viewers

We have crossed the 10.000 hit mark yesterday, after the blog is only 9 months old. A successful baby was born :-)  I thank all my viewers , followers and contributers, commentators for their interest. Here is the breakdown of where they are clicking from

India 7,820

United States 661

United Kingdom 177

Germany 121

Malaysia 87

Australia 55

Romania 49

United Arab Emirates 47

Canada 36

Singapore 36

Children's Day at Riverview Apartments

Farah from Riverview Apartments was nice enough to tell me about a lovely event that happened in her society last weekend. As I did not know about the idea behind it, I asked her to explain more:
"Children's Day is celebrated in India on the occassion of the birth anniversary of our first PM Jawaharlal Nehru.  He was lovingly called Chacha Nehru by children, and he was very fond of them. The kids in our society are quite active and they just decided on the 13th November, a Sunday, to organise this painting competition. It was they who told everyone going from door to door canvassing as it was not an official society event. About 15 kids got together , roped in a few of us for organising, settling and monitoring the events and then found some judges. We brought in "neutral" neighbours(whose kids were not participating) and they judged the paintings. 1st prize went to Faiz Ahmed, 2nd prize to Saloni and 3rd to Srinandan."


Congratulations on so much energy and creativity!

High Rise in Mayur Vihar Extension

This huge shell of a building has been standing on Club Avenue between Fraser Suites and the CNG Station for quite some time now. The sign only says Antartica Properties and we don't know yet what it will be, who will use it, but we do know one thing: it's tall. Fraser Suites apartment users must not be amused to have the sun taken away from them, but during the summer months, they might be grateful to be in the shade of this high rise.
Seeing how narrow it is and how flimsily it is made, one would like to warn future dwellers of it already, but life is a risk. When the next earthquake hits, they might start throwing bed sheet ropes over to the more sturdy looking Fraser Suites. Also not amusing is the way the workers dangle from the scaffold high up without any protection whatsoever. It might be a case of "Peepli Live", when he falls, the worker's family might be blessed with some money, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Taking the sun from Fraser Suites

Getting a bit of white coloar

Unprotected construction workers

Who will rent these narrow offices?

Covering the whole of Fraser Suites, this high rise will be the
main focus soon in MV 1 Extension. With occupants adding
to more clogged up traffice on Club Avenue and CNG mayhem