Bangalore to Chennai - JAWA 250cc

It was fun driving a 1971 model JAWA 250cc bike from Bangalore to Chennai, guess what the bike did well in nearly 400kms stretch with only 2 stops.

I had terrific day driving a 38yrs old bike in monsoon rain for more than 200kms, however I really enjoyed the ride like hot and sweet. I was not expecting the rain hence didn’t carry a rain coat which is hot, same time stealing all the passer by eyes on the bike is sweet.

I also lost the path once and had to increase the distance by 75kms extra, the pretty thing after I reach home I got a good remark from the family saying WoW kool bike. Even at one stage during the drive, one of the fellow biker in the highway asked me if JAWA re-introduced in India by looking at my shining JAWA 250. Actually this is not a CZ imported JAWA but the first ever produced bike in the Ideal JAWA factory in Mysore, Karnataka, India. The factory was closed during 1996 due to labour and finance issues. Only this model bike came with the name JAWA from this factory, rest of the models produced in mysore factory was branded as Yezdi.

I covered the whole distance in 7 hours, the bike gave around 35kmpl. I think it is still economic to have a classic bike with this sort of running mileage.
Route traveled: Shivaji Nagar (Bangalore) -> Electronic city(Bangalore) -> Hosur -> Krishnagiri -> Vaniyambadi -> Ambur -> Vellore -> Ranipettai -> Sriperumbudur -> Poonamallee -> Porur(Chennai) -> Guindy(Chennai) -> Velachery(Chennai)

Making me SWEET

There are lots of ideas to have a sweet people appearance. Though I didn't come out with a single solution that could be followed. Afternoon time yesterday, the office boy walked into the cabin and called everyone for a birth day party. We all jumped with joy to grab our piece of cake, me a sweet lover got closed all the work off way and run to the breakout area for the b'day party. Normally people who got birthday will know it is for them so they can either excited to celebrate and scared get attacked by birthday bumps.
It was my official birthday ;-) yesterday (as my records says 17/July as birthday), hmm as it is not my real birthday I often do anything to make that day special. Hence I really forgot 17/07, I only realized when the whole team asked me to cut the cake. This is not a surprise but for sure kind of scary event I know what is going to happen next.

I wondered some times how to appear sweet to people I face, but I realized the easy way after cutting the cake yesterday. It also make sense to think this way, probably I have many people in the team who really waiting for chances to attack me like this.

Hummer H3 finds path in India.

India shining and Indians Rocking, of course this applies to all possible industries while not to leave Automobile segment.

I remember we had only HM Ambassador cars on Indian roads, Also heard my grand father saying some Maharaja’s were denied procuring a Rolls Roys. But today the seens are changing in Automobile industry. The most talked TATA NANO is an Indian born car, most prestigious Europe brands like Landrover and US icon JAGUAR is now Indians owned brand. Is that stops all, no not really. The world war famous jeeps are even in action today in here, not to loose the thrill with offroad fun.

This trend is keep growing and today I witnessed a Hummer H3 brand new Tamilnadu registered vehicle infront my office at Old Mahabalipuram Road.

I was chasing the offroader in my bike to take couple of first shots of Hummer H3 in Indian roads. (Fun watching Hummer H3 competing with Auto rickshaws)It was amazing to see the world’s path on automobile is targeting in here, we have no infrastructure to compare to any other developed nation, But ….

At one point I have to go infront of the Hummvy to take picture. Guess what it wasn’t only me starring at the offroader but all of the passing crowd. Look at this picture here, motorist attention goes towards Hummer, I envy the owner now. I will also hope no one should come forward asking for banning this machine as it distracts the fellow motorists. My travel today in the usual road turned out to be a great tour by spotting this Hummer H3.

It is not known, why Indian roads are so poor. Ha ha ha ha it is Hummer way... We didn't make roads poor but we make roads for off roading!

Indian Returns

Folks, its been long time ever since I wrote in here. Actually I was writing blogs but not in this space. As I have chosen to restore my Mahindra Classic last few months I was totally busy in my restoration project (visit http://mahindraclassic.blogspot.com).

Now back to my travel. Last week I got a chance to visit my hometown in my newly renovated Jeep. Here is the video. Look the way we over take the bus in highway. A typical indian road with formers, animals, cyclist and many more interesting stuffs.



I hope this video is enjoyable. I will get back to you people with lot more travel information.

Family Fiesta - Singapore

Yesterday we had a Family Fiesta organized by the company where I'm working now. Kind of corporate get together, The event turned with full of fun. One of the attraction in the event was to assume and dance with house cleaning items as musical instruments. You know what, some senior employees got excited and the show went on to it's peak. Look at the video clip, which will show you the fun I had. ;-)

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Singapore Deepavali Celebrations

Singapore, a perfect blend of multi culture society. The seven percent Tamilians in Singapore (South Indian descendants) celebrate Deepavali (referred as Diwali in North India) in a grand way. Though fire crackers are banned in Singapore,as everyone knows Singapore stands for Shopping hence any festival that gathers peoples attraction is a key for traders to make their business live. Here in Singapore Deepavali also one of the important festival for the people and traders.

The Tamilians in Singapore gather in a place called Little India (Will write more about this are in the future)every weekend to meet their friends and Relatives & Of course for shopping too. This is the place is covered by a road Serangoon road. Look at the pictures, The whole of Serangoon road is decorated. But this is not all, while I roam around the area, Found all most the entire area is decorated as well.

The Singapore Indian Association also has launched a special Deepavali shopping village to offer the traditional Deepavali items. In fact this is been supported by many other organizations, they are also the sponsors for the decorations in this area.

Both the sides of Serangoon road, we can find so many shops lined up to offer discounts and variety of Indian origin cosmetics, jewelery and dress materials. All the decorations seen in here are done by the traders around the area to welcome the Deepavali festival.
Last year I was in Japan celebrating my Deepavali all alone. This year I'm alone now but on Deepavali it will be more fun as I'm joining with my family in India for the celebration. Probably thats why the whole singapore is looking colorful to my eyes.

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Rental Guidelines - Singapore

The below guidelines are drafted in making a better living place for innocents in Singapore. These are only guidelines, make appropriate addition and modifications on case to case basis. Don't be a looser in any case.

1. Always go for approved HDB flats or private condominium.
2. Never pay more than 1 month rental deposit and 1 month advance rental when u sign a new contract. Agents commission is half month's rent for housing contract, as the rentals are now sky rocking we should press for 2year contract with half month's agent commission.
3. Avoid taking houses where the owner is letting out flat for 1st time.
4. Avoid taking houses which are unoccupied previously.
5. If a tenant is staying there take feedback from him regarding the owner, house, why he is leaving the house, etc. It is likely that the tenant may tell u something which the owner or agent won't tell you.
6. If the house is approved, always go for a Utility account in your name or else get the original bill from the owner. PUB sometimes gives away discounts on the utility bill which the owner may not pass on to us
7. Do not believe the owner if he says he is going out of country (for work/business) and won't come for 1 year or so. It can so be that he will be in Singapore. Also do not fully trust the agent. He might be involved with the owner in luring you to take the house.
8. I have learnt from reliable sources that there is/are a group of agents who look for owners having money problems. They assure the owners that they can get tenants who are ready to pay advance rents (4/5 months) but in return the owner has to pay them a premium amount above the agent commission. This way the agents earn good money in a single deal. In this case follow point 2 above.
9. Deal only with registered Agents , ask them for their registration number etc.
10. Demand and get your receipts for Agent commission with GST paid, make sure that the receipt hold registration number of the agent. collect the Agent's IC/PR copies as well.
11. Do never trust the owner/agent if they say the rentals are gone high so you need to double to current rental price. Ask the current Tenant how much they pay, if rent quoted looks really high increase, immediately walk out and don't deal with the agent/owner any more. We don't really need to encourage abnormal increment on the rental. After all it's our hard earned money.
12. Never agree for 6month diplomatic clauses saying if you leave before 6 months you need to pay the whole 6 months rent plus deposit etc.
13. While discussing with the police I understood, bank transfer of money could be treated as friendly loan and the owner/agent can escape with this point when there is a problem. Hence even if you do a bank transfer make sure you are getting a receipt for the money you transfer.
14. Do not do a single money transaction without a valid proof/receipt.
15. Never sign a contract in hurry, you may not notice the catch in it. There are plenty of houses, even if you loose one there is always another house awaits for you.
16. Try not to accept visiting a house for inspection with another prospect who is also interested on the house through the same agent. Because some times the Agents are organizing such dirty tricks to make the rentals/bargain high. So, always make sure you are the person only visiting on that time slot. If you happen to visit with many other treat it as high risk in loosing money every month.
17. Never speak to anybody saying the rents are going high, this habit encourages the owners/agents to hike the rents without any limit because we are acting as free advertisement media for them.
18. Trust me there are good amount of Houses are available from JTC for us and approach them for getting the house of your need. Where there is no hassles and truly safe.
19. You can also verify the ownership of the house owner with HDB for the house you are proposed to rent. By doing this you will come to know whether you are dealing with a genuine owner.
20. While getting a furnished house, take the inventory carefully if you have a digital camera take pictures of damages in the house. It may be useful while you leaving the house. Make sure to get the inventory list signed from the Owner/Agency.
21. Make sure the electrical equipments are inspected throughly, if you don't do it then you may have to pay for the problem it had previously.
22. Make sure that you writing on the agreement about the owner's responsibility of repair/maintenance of any goods in the house if the charges/expense going to be above $50.
23. Please for your own interest, take extra caution while dealing with real estate. Also never accept if the above points are not met. Because we all have heard of numerous incidents people loosing money because of their ignorance. It cost a lot!

I really hope and wish you all have a good living experience in Singapore, after all we are here to stay in Uniquely Singapore. I found most of the Singaporean neighbors are friendly with each other, so enjoy your stay!

Your critics are welcome, please find time to fill up some comments here!


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