Home Garden – Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea Elegans)

Continuing my series, this post is about my Parlour Palm.

The Parlour Palm, scientifically known as Chamaedorea elegans, is a popular houseplant appreciated for its graceful, feathery fronds and adaptable nature.

The Parlour palm was discovered in Central America and brought back to the United States, where it became a popular indoor palm.

Parlour palms grow in attractive clumps with light-textured foliage cloaking thin trunks. These slow growers can take years to reach full height (2 to 6 feet indoors and 6 to 16 feet outdoors).

My fondness for Palms is already common knowledge.

Parlour Palm on balcony
Parlour Palm on balcony

I got it as a gift from our neighbours who were leaving Thailand and I have kept it outside my bedroom window ever since. The sight of its fronds swaying in the breeze is something I look forward to, everyday.

With minimal maintenance and stunning foliage, this plant is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts.

I keep this plant in indirect sunlight. It lives in our south-facing balcony in the summers and north-facing balcony in the winters, where it receives sunlight 1-2 hours a day.

The only thing I do for maintenance is clipping dead fronds from time to time. Unlike Gurgaon, there’s not so much dust here, so I don’t mist it often.

water it thrice a week; less if it has rained.

fertilise it every 2 months or when it shows signs of growth.

You can read more about this plant here.

Home Garden – Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia Seguine)

Continuing my series, this post is about the Dumbcane plant that my wife has been neglecting for quite some time.

Dumbcane, scientifically known as Dieffenbachia Seguine is recognized for its striking variegated leaves, typically featuring shades of green and cream. It’s a popular choice among plant enthusiasts due to its ability to adapt to lower light levels. It is one of the most common plants that people have in their homes.

It is native to the tropical regions of the Americas.

Dieffenbachia Seguine (Dumbcane)
Dieffenbachia Seguine (Dumbcane)

Although we have had it for quite some time, I recently took over its care, moving it to an earthen pot (from a black plastic pot, if you can believe it) and fertilising it. I have no idea where it came from.

I keep this plant in indirect sunlight. It lives in our south-facing balcony, in the summers and north-facing balcony in the winters, where it receives direct sunlight 1-2 hours a day.

The Dumbcane requires no maintenance at all, not even dead-leafing.

water it twice a week; less, if it has rained.

fertilise it every 2 months or when it shows signs of growth.

You can read more about this plant here.

It’s worth noting that this plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can be toxic if ingested. It’s always advisable to keep this plant out of reach of pets and small children.

Home Garden – Snake Plant (Dracaena Trifasciata)

Continuing my series, this post is about the Dracaena Trifasciata, commonly known as the Snake Plant.

The Dracaena Trifasciata is an incredibly resilient plant that thrives in various conditions. Known for its striking, upright leaves that can grow several feet tall, this plant is a favorite among indoor gardeners. People say it purifies the air, but I am skeptical of how much impact it can actually have.

This plant is native to West Africa, specifically from Nigeria to the Congo region.

Dracaena Trifasciata (Snake Plant)
Dracaena Trifasciata (Snake Plant)

The pot is Fjärilsbuske from Ikea, and has a beautiful glaze.

I keep this plant in shade all the time, as it prefers indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions. It sits next to my working desk.

The Snake Plant requires no maintenance at all, making it perfect for those who may not have a green thumb.

I water it twice a week. It is drought-tolerant, so I don’t have to worry about watering it frequently.

Additionally, I fertilise it every 2 months or when it shows signs of growth, helping to promote healthy foliage and overall vitality.

You can read more about this plant here.

Our dog was initially a bit hesitant to go near it, probably mistaking the stems for real snakes.

Home Garden – Orange Jasmine (Murraya Paniculata)

Continuing my series, this post is about the Orange Jasmine plant that we recently bought.

The Orange Jasmine (Murraya paniculata) is a fragrant, evergreen shrub or small tree prized for its lush foliage and beautifully scented white flowers. Despite its name, it’s not a true jasmine but gets its name from the sweet, citrus-like fragrance of its blooms, which resemble orange blossoms.

Orange Jasmine (Murraya Paniculata)
Orange Jasmine (Murraya Paniculata)

Native to South and Southeast Asia, it is often used as a hedge or ornamental plant due to its dense, glossy green leaves and attractive shape. It can grow up to 12 feet tall in the right conditions.

Its white, star-shaped flowers bloom in clusters, often multiple times a year, especially in warm climates. These are followed by small, oval red berries that attract birds. The plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It’s relatively low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.

The pot is Honungspalm from Ikea.

I keep this plant in direct sunlight. On our south-facing balcony in winters & north-facing balcony in summers, where it receives bright sunlight 2-3 hours a day.

This plant requires low maintenance, however, pruning the branches triggers growth and maintains the desired shape.

water it four times a week, however it can tolerate drought well, once established.

fertilise it every 2 months or when it shows signs of growth.

You can read more about this plant here.

Home Garden – Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Continuing my series, this post is about the Aglaonema, commonly known as Chinese Evergreen.

The Aglaonema is a versatile houseplant that thrives in lower light conditions, making it a popular choice for indoor gardens. It is known for its striking foliage, featuring vibrant green leaves often adorned with splashes of silver, cream, or red. Mine has leaves with red borders around it and a firm, white stem.

This plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, particularly Southeast Asia. This includes countries like Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam & its namesake Southern China. This means it is right at home in our house.

Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreens)
Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)

I don’t know when my wife got it and stared neglecting it, but I am looking forward to restoring it to good health again. It lives in a wooden pot.

I keep this plant in shade all the time, on our living room shelf. It always grows its leaves towards the window; where it sees sunlight coming from.

The Chinese Evergreens require no maintenance at all.

water it twice a week. 

fertilise it every 2 months or when it shows signs of growth.

You can read more about this plant here.

Retro Computing: Windows ME/Setup

Continuing my adventures with Retro Computing, this time on Synology Virtual Machine Manager. Next up, Windows ME Setup.

Windows ME was critically panned on release. It dropped many features from previous Windows versions, but did nothing to improve stability. I made an ISO from my old and scratched Windows ME disk, mounted it in Synology VMM and let it boot.

The boot screen sent me into throes of nostalgia. So did the next steps.

I could feel myself going crazy when the setup GUI came up; thankfully, the mouse & keyboard worked without any tinkering. The installation process and steps were quite similar to Windows 98.

The whole process was much faster than Windows 98 SE, because VMs run natively on the Synology, which has official/proper Hypervisor support.

After the first reboot, I was presented with the famous “first time” Windows ME boot splash screen. Another huge dose of nostalgia.

The second phase of setup has much different graphics compared to the first phase, a bit more bright & modern.

More to come, soon.

Home Garden – Jungle Flame (Ixora Coccinea)

Continuing my series, this post is about the Jungle Flame plant that we recently bought.

The Jungle Flame, scientifically known as Ixora coccinea, is a vibrant, evergreen shrub native to Southeast Asia. Commonly referred to as Flame of the Woods, Jungle Geranium, or Maui Sunset, this plant is celebrated for its clusters of small, tubular flowers that bloom in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink, providing a striking display throughout the summer months . 

What makes the this plant stand out are its dense clusters of small, tubular flowers that come in shades of red, orange, pink, and yellow—resembling tiny flames, hence the name. It blooms year-round in tropical regions, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.

Scarlett Jungle Flame (Ixora Coccinea)
Scarlett Jungle Flame (Ixora Coccinea)

The pot is Persillade from Ikea.

I keep this plant in direct sunlight, on our south-facing balcony, where it receives bright sunlight 2-3 hours a day.

This plant requires low maintenance, however, pruning the branches triggers growth and maintains the desired shape (Like a hedge).

water it five times a week. It’s essential to keep the soil consistently moist but let the top soil dry out between waterings. I reduce the watering frequency if it rains.

fertilise it every 2 months or when it shows signs of growth.

You can read more about this plant here.

Short-Term review of the Meteor 350

I wrote my first impressions of my bike after just a week of ownership. This is the second, short-term review of the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 after 5000km.

Meteor 350 At Khao I To waterfall
Meteor 350 At Khao I To waterfall

The Good

  1. The engine doesn’t show signs of overheating, even without liquid cooling, even after long rides at sustained high speeds. However, I don’t do much stop-and-go city riding and that could be another story.
  2. The power of the bike is perfectly suitable for asian highways, where the top speed for motorcycles is around 90 kmph. It reaches that speed with ease and still maintains reserve power for overtaking. However, I am most comfortable cruising at 80 kmph because:
    • Above that speed, the mirrors vibrate so much, everything you see in them is a blur
    • The engine starts feeling stressed around 100 kmph and there’s very little reserve overtaking power above that speed
    • The handlebar vibrations are a bit too much for my arms

      Even up-hills, there’s enough torque to carry the bike upwards without downshifting much.
      I don’t see the appeal for the 650 cc twins, except in US and EU, especially since they don’t have the obligatory thump.
  3. The touring seat is excellent and is a must for long highway rides. I remember on the Thunderbird, my legs started going numb after some time, no such thing on the Meteor.
  4. Service and spares are so cheap, it is a bit unbelievable
  5. The engine is unbelievably refined for a Royal Enfield. No vibrations at regular speeds and no clanking sounds like the previous versions.
(Dirty) J Series Engine on a Meteor 350
(Dirty) J Series Engine on a Meteor 350

The Bad

The entire fuel tank and related systems suck.

  • The fuel warning indicator starts flashing with a good 6-7 litres of petrol left and the dash starts playing a doomsday signal.
  • The tank is more wide than it is deep, so, while filling the tank, the fuel cut off gets triggered after only a few litres. Then I have to beg the operator to fill more manually. Overall, like this, I can only fill around 7 litres between the warning light and tank full.
  • The fuel meter in the digital cluster is unreliable. It has 6 markings and can change swing back or forth 3 levels in minutes.

That’s it, don’t have more complaints and am very happy with the motorcycle.

Home Garden – Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Last 4 years, I had been avoiding getting plants for our home here, because our stay in Bangkok felt temporary. Having realised now, that we’re not going anywhere any time soon, I decided to dive back into gardening. First up, Golden Pothos.

Golden Pothos, scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum, is a beloved houseplant known for its vibrant heart-shaped leaves that can bring a touch of nature indoors. Often referred to as “Devil’s Ivy,” this plant is praised for its adaptability and low maintenance requirements, making it a perfect choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. In India, it is more well-known as the money-plant.

It is native to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific.

I have written about them before & I discovered that we already have one in our house here, that my wife has been neglecting.

Epipremnum aureum (Golden Pothos)
Epipremnum aureum (Golden Pothos)

This one is in a glass pot, on our living room shelves, indirect sunlight.

Hanging Epipremnum aureum (Golden Pothos)
Hanging Epipremnum aureum (Golden Pothos)

This one is in a hanging configuration, hanging in our south-facing balcony. There it receives direct sunlight 1-2 hours a day in the evenings.

This plant requires no maintenance at all.

water the outdoor one thrice a week and the indoor one twice a week, reducing the frequency for the outdoor one if it rains.

fertilise when it shows signs of growth which is mostly during spring and summer.

You can read more about this plant here.

Food that I miss

Below is a list of food that I miss dearly, because I can no longer eat them.

01-Chicken Cutlet

Chicken cutlet PC bongeats.com
Chicken cutlet PC bongeats.com

Perhaps one of my favourite foods. It is simply minced chicken with spices crumbed with bread and deep fried. I don’t even remember when I first had it, but my earliest memory is eating it at one of my aunt’s house in Kolkata. I have had various kinds over the decades. Some of them have a bone sticking out of the corner.

Growing up outside Kolkata, it was rarely found anywhere, even at Bengali restaurants. Hence, I looked forward to my annual trips to Kolkata in those days.

It is best served with sliced onions, carrots/beetroot and cucumber with mustard sauce. I hate it that modern places have now started serving it with Lemon and Tartare sauce, equating it to a Schnitzel.

02-Juicy Lucy Burger (Cafe Delhi Heights)

Juicy Lucy Burger, Cafe Delhi Heights, PC : bornofweb.com
Juicy Lucy Burger, Cafe Delhi Heights, PC : bornofweb.com

I normally don’t like eating mutton, but the Juicy Lucy burger, Cafe Delhi Heights’ signature burger was an exception. This burger was famous for being too big for most people and I would often go to eat it with my friends to compete with them on who can finish one.

PS: K & Rajat could always finish at least 1.5. I think I can now, too.

It was served with breadsticks and butter.

03-Chicken Stroganoff (Bisque)

Chicken Stroganoff, Bisque, Gurgaon
Chicken Stroganoff, Bisque, Gurgaon

Bisque is a little known bakery in Central Arcade, DLF Phase 2, Gurgaon. We came across it when we used to live nearby. I have had many Stroganoffs, but none like the Chicken Stroganoff here. For me, this was and is, the ultimate comfort food.

Ther purple onions and bits of black pepper complement the softness of the chicken and rice perfectly.

04-Six Chilli Chicken burger (Smokey’s BBQ & Grill)

Six Chilli Chicken Burger, Smokey’s BBQ and Grill
Six Chilli Chicken Burger, Smokey’s BBQ and Grill

Smokey’s BBQ and Grill was a restaurant in DLF Cyber Hub in Gurgaon. We used to go there often from work & I always ate the Six Chilli Chicken burger.

Unlike most places which put hunks of chicken inside the burger, Smokey’s put a minced chicken patty, interspersed with 6 types of chilli. The burger was delicious. So were the sides of salad, baked beans and fries.

Unfortunately, this place closed down even while I was there.

05-Vegetable Chop

Vegetable chop, PC colorandspices.com
Vegetable chop, PC colorandspices.com

The Bengali vegetable chop, defying the definition of what a chop actually is, is a delicious dish. Unlike the Chicken Cutlet, it is stuffed with vegetables (beetroot being most common) but like the cutlet, it is breaded and fried. Also, not readily available outside Kolkata while I was growing up.

PS; Extra points if there are bits of groundnut inside.

06-Anything at Banani’s Kitchen

Banani’s Kitchen, Gurgaon
Banani’s Kitchen, Gurgaon

Banani’s kitchen was a Bengali and Dhakai restaurant in Gurgaon. Unlike most Bengali restaurants, which did not do snacks like chop and cutlet, this place did. They did everything I liked about Bengali food and there was not one bad dish at this restaurant.

The ambience was nice and cosy and since it was directly opposite our daughter’s school, we often ate here after picking her up from school. This was also, the only place where we allowed ourselves to go and eat during weekday nights.

Th entirety of my knowledge of Bengali & Bangla music also comes from this place.

Notable dishes included their pulao, chhola narkol daal, ogo bideshini, luchi, mughlai paratha, gondhoraj lebu shorbot & nolen gur/pan ice cream.

It’s a shame though, that this place closed within a few years. I blame Bengalis like Ayan who refused to eat here.

07-Chicken Coriander Pesto Pizza (Pizza Express)

Chicken Coriander Pizza, Pizza Express, Ambience Mall, Gurgaon
Chicken Coriander Pizza, Pizza Express, Ambience Mall, Gurgaon

Pizza purists will start swearing at the thought of this desi-fied Pizza, but this Pizza is too good to be insulted. It has bits of Chicken Tikka, crunchy & juicy onion rings and a coriander based sauce, giving it it’s desi taste.

I used to pour the accompanying garlic oil on top and ate it. I have not had a pizza as good since then.

The last time I visited Ambience Mall, I made sure I ate it.

08-Berry Pulao at Soda Bottle Opener Wala

Soda Bottle Opener Wala was one of our favourite places in Gurgaon, located in Cyber Hub.

Soda Bottle Opener Waala, Cyber Hub, Gurgaon
Soda Bottle Opener Wala, Cyber Hub, Gurgaon

Their signature dish is berry pulao. which is Pulao with berries and cashew nuts, soaked in ghee. Already quite heavy in itself, if you pair it with something like Paneer Sanju baba or Akuri, you will be in food coma the rest of the day/night.

Berry Pulao at Soda Bottle Opener Wala
Berry Pulao at Soda Bottle Opener Wala

I still go to there South City Mall branch, when I visit Kolkata.

09-Classic Pesto Chicken Pizza (Tossin Pizza)

Classic Pesto Chicken Pizza, Tossin Pizza
Classic Pesto Chicken Pizza, Tossin Pizza

This is another one of those comfort foods, which you order at the end of a rough day, because Roti and Dal just won’t cut it. I remember it coming with a hemisphere of lemon, too.

10-Dal Bukhara (Bukhara, ITC Maurya)

Dal Bukhara, Bukhara, ITC Maurya, Delhi
Dal Bukhara, Bukhara, ITC Maurya, Delhi

I remember I purchased the Times Food & Nightlife Awards book with my parents at Ambience mall and Bukhara was number 1 in that list for Delhi. Years later, I took my (extended) family to ITC Bukhara for my birthday treat &it was such a proud moment for me.

Slowly, as my purchasing power grew, we started going there for less special occasions. Rajat & me used to treat each other here for referring each other to their respective companies.

The Dal Bukhara is unique in the way that it has a strong flavour of garlic and tomatoes. It is gently simmered over a charcoal flame for 24 hours & is best had with Naan Bukhara and without any other dish.

11-Kung Pao Chicken (Yo! China)

A Yo! China outlet
A Yo! China outlet

Yo! China was a chain selling low-cost indo-chinese food. While any Chinese will inadvertently faint if you showed them the food here and called it Chinese, their King Pao chicken was delicious. When I had newly shifted to DLF Phase 2 and stayed alone, I often ordered this because of how cheap and delicious it was.

I remember that it came in an earthen pot, something unthinkable for low-cost places like these.

12-Anything at Punjab Grill

Punjab Grill, Ambience Mall, Gurgaon
Punjab Grill, Ambience Mall, Gurgaon

Punjab Grill was open of those fancy places at Ambience Mall we saw every weekend but rarely went to, because it was too expensive. But when we did, the food was so, so tasty.

North Indian spread at Punjab Grill
North Indian spread at Punjab Grill

Recommended is their buffet which often has all their signature dishes, including Seekh Kebab, Dal makhani and Tandoori Broccoli.

This is one of the few places in this list which is also in Bangkok, but we seldom go there because of well, how expensive it is.

13-Pasta (The Big Chill Cafe)

The Big Chill, Delhi
The Big Chill, Delhi

When we moved to Delhi, The Big Chill Cafe was this legendary place which we visited all the way in Saket. Eventually, they did open up more branches and one even in Gurgaon.

Their pastas are just amazing. Each and every one of them.

Aglio Olio Peperoncino at The Big Chill
Aglio Olio Peperoncino at The Big Chill

I miss going to their branch at Ardee mall with my family.

14-Chicken Burger (Hot Millions)

Hot Millions 2, Sector-17, Chandigarh
Hot Millions 2, Sector-17, Chandigarh

Long before anyone in the tri-city area had even heard the name McDonalds, we had Hot Millions. It had Pizzas, Footlongs and best of all burgers. I used to eat/order from here regularly when we lived at Panchkula.

Chicken Burger at Hot Millions
Chicken Burger at Hot Millions

Their Chicken Burger had a greasy bun, with a greasy minced chicken patty inside, slightly burnt, but crispy. With loads of mayonnaise and vegetables, this is perhaps the best burger I have ever had.

The last time I went there, I ate 3 of them and then cried.

15-Anything at Nirula’s

Nirula’s, Connaught Place, Delhi
Nirula’s, Connaught Place, Delhi

Saved the best for the last. The timeless classic, the oldest fast food chain in India, Nirula’s. I have been eating here since my childhood. I rediscovered this chain. when I moved back to Gurgaon for work.

Although the main branch is at Connaught Place, luckily we had an outlet near our office and frequently, we ordered from here.

I almost always chose between their Chicken Chop (Not to be confused with a Bengali chop) or Chhole Kulche or both.

The Chicken Chop came with such mouth watering coleslaw, I still cannot believe it.

The chhole kulche came with a hemisphere of lemon wrapped in a smash muslin cloth.

I just checked their latest menu and it has been modernised a lot and most of the classic items are now gone.

I am hungry now.