Kochi Gallan » ernakulam

South railway station to be modernized

Kochi Gallan — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 15:36:21 +0000

In what can be seen as a move to raise the South Railway Station to International standards, The South Indian Railway has said that the railway station will be provided with world class amenities. This Gallan has come to know that the plan includes separate areas for arrival and departure, mechanized conveyors for handling parcels, and elevators and escalators for mobility. These facilities are expected to solve the problem of over-crowding of platforms and to increase the efficiency in the functioning of the Railway stations.

The other features proposed include an elevated vehicular drop-off at either side of the station to help passengers arrive directly at the departure level which will have waiting areas and ticket counter; and also, facilities to enable those arriving at the station to disembark at the ground-level platforms and take escalators to the arrival hall in the basement to exit the station. The statement by the Southern Railway was in reply to an RTI query raised by Mr. Vinu Choolackal. While this Gallan is certainly happy at the announcement, hopes that this plan does not run down the drain, just like numerous other projects initiated in Kochi. Because a better and upgraded Railway Station is just the need for the hour for Kochi.

This was how Kochi looked then!

Kochi Gallan — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 08:30:28 +0000

Hey Gallans… Got to see this picture in Wikipedia and thought it would be worth sharing with you all.. The pic is of a water-colour painting of the Fort of Kochi, from across the backwaters.. Looks like the flagged building in the photo should have been the fort of Kochi, which might also have paved way to the place being named as Fort Kochi.. Who knows !

Sadly, the artist behind this wonderful piece, inscribed as ‘View of Kochi’, is unknown.. Interesting ! Ain’t it?

Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:View_of_Cochin.jpg

Always My Queen!

Kochi Gallan — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:36:37 +0000

For, it was the duty of this Gallan to write what his homeland means to him.. Sharing those humble thoughts with my fellow Gallan mates here.. Hope you all would enjoy… Cheers.

“E

ven though it’s been more than eleven years since I’ve been back here, she still makes me feel a tourist each time I step out of my house. She intrigues me like she has intrigued others before throughout the centuries, right from the days of the Perumpadappu Swaroopam to the Colonial period under the numerous European Powers.

Be it the gruelling 45 minute drive from North to Kakkanad each morning, I never EVER get bored. Sure, village roads are highways compared to what we have as our city roads, but hey if you can get around in the city with a 4 wheeler you sure can put Collin McRae or Sebastian Loeb to shame at the World Rally Championship any given day. I cannot imagine starting my day without overtaking a lorry that is already overtaking a bus on a two lane road (the math don’t add up here, but I’ve proven it possible). I cannot speak anything or act sane for the whole day unless I first scream at fellow drivers and pedestrians for not observing rules (which I myself can’t live without breaking). I just do not feel normal unless I travel at speeds of 50km over pothole-ridden tarmac, which if not observed closely after a downpour could fool you into thinking that you ‘re driving the car into a pond (Been there, done that- Landed in a hole so bad that the entire steering and suspension had to be replaced. Cheers mate).

But then who gets sick of all the action? A Kochi without its trademark rash drivers, seemingly deaf pedestrians and golf ball surfaced roads would be like New Delhi without the Parliament, Rashtrapathi Bhavan and the India Gate. Oh, seems I forgot the major thing here in the local transport scene- the Red buses. Who hasn’t got on a city bus filled to the brim with people such that the packing efficiency is above 90% (There have been instances of kids never getting off buses they have climbed onto. An occasional school bag is found at times, though.) Who hasn’t heard the conductor telling you to move forward while the kili in the front goads the passengers in the front to move backwards? No one. At least those rare few in the middle who managed to survive would agree with me. And in spite of all these rigorous conditions on board, the average Kochiite steps forward with his usual ‘Bring it on’ attitude and proudly sits near the window side (ladies) seat of the rickety structure with a beaming smile on his face, while the driver races his counterpart from a rival bus with the vengeance collected during a past life.

Whenever I need something I think of going nowhere else other than the 4 km long, 4 lane wide road that runs parallel to the railway track which divides the city- Yup, “the” M.G. Road. From Madhava Pharmacy Junction in Kacheripady to the Venduruthy Bridge in Thevara, this road has everything I could ever ask for (at discounted prices frequently, thanks to the numerous festive seasons). And if its low cost DSLRs and iPods that I desire, where to but Menaka near Marine Drive? Speaking of which, ever been to the Rainbow Bridge at Marine Drive where the lovebirds frequent each day after (or during) class hours? If the view of the backwaters and distant ships near the Cochin Shipyard don’t make you go weak in the knees, the breeze from the Arabian Sea sure will.

For lovelorn/scorned writers and poets like me suffering from a severe case of writer’s block, a walk through Fort Kochi is like pure, unadulterated therapy. The sound of crashing waves and fresh salty air, the nearby Seagull Bar (Big B fame)- all the above ingredients would provide one with enough material to scribble for a lifetime. During the countless number of trips that I make here, I never ever forget my camera being the shutterbug that I am. Fort Kochi and Mattancherry never disappoint me – if I don’t get the shot of the peeved tourists and their quarrelling auto driver who’s out to make a quick buck, I adjust with the usual combination of the Cheenavala (Chinese fishing nets) and the murky beach. Kochi being the multi-ethnic city that she is, her heavily saturated heritage just forces its way into you once you open your eyes to the little things that she tries to show. Home to the Jews, Arabs, Romans since ancient times, along with British and Dutch expats more recently; the city has had a long harmonious life exuding the shine of co-existence (sheesh!).

Be it temples, churches, mosques or synagogues that separate the beliefs of her people, or the economical divide among the denizens, at the end of the day everyone is a Kochikaaran , talking to each other and walking hand-in-hand like best buds. Whether its coffee at CCD with pals or fighting in the infinitesimally long queue at Shenoys at First Day First Show, life has its own unique meaning and rules in Kochi. Whether you say that she doesn’t have sufficient infrastructure or call her a glorified metropolitan city, she will always be my own vibrant little town with her own rustic charm. She’ll still be my mother. She’ll still be my lady. Call her Ernakulam, Cochin, Kochi or Couchin, she’s my Queen. Love her or hate her, but you just can’t take down the Queen. “

Photo Courtesy: Manu Madhavan Photography

Kochi oru nerkaazhcha

Kochi Gallan — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Malayala naattile pacha parishkarikal thingi parkunna kothuku kadikal ettavum kooduthal nadakkunna athi vegam payunna life styles ulla sthalam.
Kochi kandavanu achi venda enna chollu ivide ethunna arkum thonnum.. karanam ivide kittathathaayi mattonnum illa.Ettavum kooduthal vyajan irangunna sthalam kunnumkulam aanennanu veppu. Ennal aa vyajane vellunna originalukal kochiyil kittum.Big B enna cinemayil mammooty parayunnund Vendi vannal bushinte appante vare passport undakkunna perappu pillar kochiyil undu ath sathyam aanennu anubhavasathar parayum.
Parishkaram thalakku pidich parakkam paayunna kochamma maarum ara trouser ittu mndudukkan madikkunna valyappanmarum ippol oori thazhe pokum enna reethiyil low waist pants ittu freak aanennu swayam parayunna teenage paiyyanmarum swantham mukhathine kaalum valiya coolers vech nadakunna sundari pennungalum niranja kochi.
Kochiyilethunna ethoraalum aadhyam cheyyuka onnukil mookku pothum allenkil kothikine kollum kaaranam innu kochiyil ettavum kooduthal ullath wastes um kothukum aanu! Kothuku ennu vechaal sadha kothukalla nalla yamandan onnonnara kothuku.Orikkal kadi kittiyal pinne jeevitha kaalam ath marakkoola.
Kochi nagarathinte ettavum valiya prathyekatha enthaanennu chothichal aadhyam orma varika mikkavarum traffic block thanne arikkum.Manikoorukal veruthe poyi kittum onnu traffic block il pettu kazhinjaal. Oru paniyum illathe neram veruthe kalayan buddhi muttunna enne poleyulla ethoraalkum ettavum priyapetta sthalam thanneyanu kochi.Karanam onnu marine drive ilekku irangiyaal mathi neram pokunnnath ethra pettennu aanennu dhaivam thampuranu polum parayan kazhiyilla!
Marine Drive ile sundaramaaya kaazhchakal kaanam allenkil shopping complex ukalil kayari veruthe alanju thiriyaam. Puthiyathayi irangiya cinemayude vyaja dvd kalo cd kalo chumma kandu resikkam. Ithum poraathavark chicking ilo pizza hut ilo poyi solli irikkam!

photo credit:varun

A new ‘Bake my Day’ at Kadavanthra,cochin

Kochi Gallan — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 05:40:46 +0000

A new ‘Bake my day’ is opening tomorrow at Jawahar Nagar,kadavanthra,Cochin.While seraching for the reviews of the other ‘Bake my day’ at PK Road,Thevara,This Gallan found one review at mouthshut.com.Check it out by clicking here.’Bake my day’ is offering the following:-

Cakes
pastries
Gateaux
Brownies
Mousse cups
Wheat Bread
Multi Grain Bread
Cookies
Savouries
Coffee & Cold Drinks
Burgers & Hot Dogs
Snacks
Puffs
Rolls

Not lets wait and see if they will make our day like they say in their tagline “we’re called bake my day because we’re here to make your day’ .

Ring Bake my day at 0484 4011153

photo credit:emiline220

A snap of Ernakulam,at her best

Kochi Gallan — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:00:37 +0000

Clint Soman,a friend of Kochigallan.com clicked this snap .Awesome is the one word that can be called to sumarize his Landscape click.Way to go man ,We want more.(please do click on the image to enlarge & enjoy to the fullest).

Barista, Bay Pride Mall

Kochi Gallan — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 07:57:11 +0000

The coffee shop by the waters, thats what barista is! Located at the Bay Pride Mall facing Marine Drive, it is the perfect place for a hangout and extremely good coffee. they have munchies for all kind of people. Even though the prices are a little high, the food, ambience and excellent customer service pays up to it. the barista has wi-fi even though they charge you for it. they provide you with board games like checkers, ludo, chess, etc. they have world class cappucino priced at Rs.40 and chocolate cakes are a speciality. you may even try your own recipe, the staff will help u with it. you can stay there for how much ever time you want waiting for your late-coming beloved, or blasting out with your huge gang of friends or alone staring into the waters..!!

Bay Pride Mall,
Marine Drive walkway,
Marine Drive,
Ernakulam,
Kerala
Ph:-0484 3043410

PS: The Barista Coffee at Marine Drive has been shut down. Read more at : http://kochigallan.com/eatout/barista-cochinkochishutting-down/

Malu’s eatout for strangers in kochi

Kochi Gallan — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:45:50 +0000

Agreed KochiGallan has got awesome content for FOOD JUNKIES but what about the NEW IN TOWN??.I found no artikle for them.So, I decided to write one myself.Here is my 7 favorite EATOUTS in Kochi.(not in any particular order).So here goes nothing.

EATOUT 1)Cocoa tree is famous for its special chocolate cakes. Delicious ice cream to eat in is great with hot chocolate sauce or takes out served in waffle cones. Cocoa Tree is a great place for good coffee, superb hot chocolate and a range of teas and infusions. You can have a range of freshly prepared snacks like sandwiches too.�� If u want the best cakes in town ,with no doubt u can choose Cocoa Tree. They provide good service and the atmosphere is really good.

EATOUT 2)Caf� Coffee Day or CCD�� throws a large range of coffee may be hot ,cold, powdered or international. It also offers lip-smacking cool drinks, cool refreshers, quick bites, sundaes, tea, ice creams, coffee add-ons etc.The negative part is that its a bit expensive.

EATOUT 3)Golden Dragon in Vazhakala that was opened recently is completely into delicious mouth-watering Chinese food. The menu has got a wide variety of items that you can really try out!! I think many people do not know much about this place because it�s a few kilometers away from the city. The background score adds effect to the Chinese ambience.

EATOUT 4) Vegetarians!!! Here is something for you. An excellent Vegetarian hotel which is very captivating -Sri Krishna Inn. You get delicious food, both North Indian and South Indian. It provides with good quantity and reasonable too.The staff here is very welcoming and cordial� The look of the place is strikingly attractive compared to other hotels. You can be there at anytime.

EATOUT 5)dal roti is a small restaurant in Lily Street, Fort Cochin offering cuisine of the plains of North India. The menu includes thali’s, a range of parathas like Lachidhar parathas, Mughalai parathas, curries, rice dishes, kebabs, roti, and sweets. dal roti chai is very famous. I liked its ambience and the customer service. It�s a casual place with few small tables. You should try this place at least once when you visit Cochin.

EATOUT 6)Kettuvallam is a small hotel located at Kadavandra. The food here is totally into Kerala style. The hotel appears to be somewhat like a houseboat. For all seafood lovers
you can step in and have all those spicy� prawns ,crab, lobster and a wide variety of fish dishes .The meals here is awesome. You will have a feeling of having a �sadhya� .

EATOUT 7) Chicking at Palarivattom. I had been there a number of times. May be because it�s very near to my college. There is one in Ernakulam too. Chicking provides with something extraordinary, the tastiest crumb fried chicken with garlic paste, coleslaw etc.!!!!. You don�t get those items in ordinary hotels. Their service is really good. They don�t complain you for sitting there for long. One important thing that I have noticed is they provide u with all the help when you are there for celebrating a birthday party. They don�t restrict you from doing anything. Though it�s expensive to a certain extent, my friends and me take pleasure in being out there.

by- Malvika manoj