Wednesday, August 20, 2008

MC DONALDS IN INDIA OFFER HEALTHY FOOD

McDonalds in India provides westerners with a little taste of home. Just don't expect the menu to be the same as it is in the U.S. Among other differences, you won't find beef on the menu. Diets in India are often impacted by the many different religions in India. Hindus don't eat beef, so there is no beef on the McDonalds' menu in India. Muslims don't eat pork, so the McDonalds Corporation in India is quick to point out on their website (mcdonaldsinindia.com) that not only is there no beef, there is no pork or pork byproducts in any McDonalds restaurant in India. Additionally, with the high number of vegetarians in India, about half of the menu at McDonalds in India is vegetarian, which makes it a good choice for diners who want some healthy options - whether or not they are vegetarian. Here's a glimpse of what you can order at a McDonalds in India,

McVeggie

The McVeggie ™ sandwich starts with the oh-so-familiar sesame seed bun. In between the bread, you'll find a vegetarian patty that is made from peas, carrots, green beans, red bell pepper, potatoes, onions, rice, and seasoning. This vegetarian burger is garnished with lettuce, and has mayonnaise made without eggs spread thickly on the bread



McAloo Tikki


Potatoes (aloo in Hindi) are a popular filling food item in India. McDonald's in India's McAloo Tikki ™ sandwich includes a patty made out of potatoes, peas, and spices. It also includes tomato slices, onions, and vegetarian mayonnaise.




Paneer Salsa Wrap

Paneer is referred to as cottage cheese in India, but it is nothing like what we call cottage cheese here in the U.S. It is made from milk but is similar in texture to tofu. McDonald's in India's Paneer Salsa Wrap ™ starts with a small slab of paneer that has been dredged in a coating that is a cross between Mexican and Cajun in flavor. I'm not sure if it is then fried or baked, but the coating is crunchy. The paneer patty is wrapped in flatbread and topped with a salad mixture that includes lettuce, red cabbage and celery and then is finished off with vegetarian mayonnaise, salsa and cheddar cheese.

Crispy Chinese
McDonald's in India's Crispy Chinese sandwich is somewhat misnamed. It is crispy, but I'm not sure it resembles anything that I've ever eaten in a Chinese restaurant either in the U.S. Nevertheless, this vegetarian patty which is topped with a creamy Schezwan sauce and lettuce is a nice addition to McDonald's in India's vegetarian menu.

Veg McCurry Pan

If you are in the mood for something similar to pizza, but don't want a tomato-based sauce, McDonalds in India's Veg McCurry Pan ™ is a good choice. It starts with a rectangular shaped crust that is topped with a creamy sauce (made without eggs), and vegetables including broccoli, baby corn, mushrooms and red bell pepper. It is then baked until the crust is crisp and the toppings are hot and bubbly.

Pizza McPuff

The McDonald's in India's vegetarian Pizza McPuff ™ is another favorite of mine. It also starts with a rectangular shaped crust, but instead of a creamy sauce is flavored with a tomato-based sauce and then is topped with carrots, beans, bell peppers, onions, peas and mozzarella cheese.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) 4 LESS


CNG stands for Compressed Natural Gas. It is one of the most viable alternatives to traditional fuel energy resources (petrol) for the automotive industry. CNG is low in pollutants, high in calorific value and heat yield, economical and available in abundance globally.
Reasons for switching over to this alternate fuel are mainly:
1. Economic benefit: The cost of CNG is almost a third of the cost of Petrol in terms of calorific value resulting in substantial saving in fuel cost, and investment on the CNG kit is paid back in a short period
2. Environment friendly: The use of CNG as a fuel reduces vehicular exhaust emissions significantly. Carbon Monoxide emissions are reduced by 70 to 90% and Hydrocarbon emissions by 40 to 60% as compared to vehicles that use the conventional fuel - Petrol. Carbon Dioxide emissions, a cause for global warming, are also reduced significantly by 10%
3. 100% Income Tax Depreciation: Corporate Organisations, firms, etc. can claim 100% depreciation on a CNG Conversion Kit as this is a pollution controlling equipment. Organisations that buy CNG Conversion Kits should consult their Income Tax Consultants and avail of the depreciation benefits
4. Flexibility and ease of use: The basic engine characteristics of a vehicle are retained while converting it to run on CNG. The vehicle therefore is capable of running either on Petrol or CNG at the flick of a switch on its dashboard.


CNG is becoming popular in India as it is enviromental friendly and 1/3 price of petrol. It now used mostly by trucks, buses and tourist vehichles but as time is passing more and more private cars are getting on CNG. Once the frequency and avalability of this CNG gas station increases more and more cars will be having it.


Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Our National Animal

India has its fair share of Tiger Reserves. India’s National Animal, the tiger happens to be a symbol of strength and speed. India boasts of two-dozen Tiger Reserves. The fastest mammal on Earth, the tiger happens to be the joy and pride of India. The Royal Bengal tiger is amongst the most majestic species of the tiger. Sixty percent of the total population of the wild tigers in the world resides in India. Amongst the best-known tiger reserves in India is the Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh. It is often referred to as the crown in the wildlife heritage of India. Tourists at Bandhavgarh can spot Royal Bengal Tigers, cheetals, leopard, gaur, sambhar, and many more faunal species. Which is your national animal ?

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Bikes are for all

India has a huge market for motor bikes. Almost every house has at least one bike for themselves. It has become necessity more than luxury to have a motor bike due to traffic and gas price and it provides most convinient way to reach local destinations. Other than that Indian love riding for style and fun. In India more than 6 Million motorcycles are purchased every year.
In India Motor cycle Market Has a Bike for the need of every individual whethere style, power or comfort.

Lower - Middle Class


These 100 CC motorcycles in India consist of those bikes which offer great value for money advantage. These bikes attract mostly the office goers who want maximum fuel-efficiency with minimum price that may start from Rs.32,000-35,000 ($800 – 850) approximately.
Middle Class


The market of 125 cc segment bikes in India is very stiffly competitive and its players like Bajaj, TVS, Hero Honda launch their bikes with comparatively attractive design and sporty features. These bikes also offer fuel-efficient performance but also bear a quiet higher price tag starting from Rs. 40,000-45,000 ($1000 - 1100)approximately.

Middle - Upper Middle Class

These bikes are relatively bigger in size, sporty and stunning in looks and superb in performance. These motorbikes attract young riders passionate for style and performance. Motorcycles in this category host lots of sporty features like: sporty aerodynamic looks, large fuel tank, robust on road presence, large alloy wheels etc. These bikes carry a heavy price tag starting from Rs.55,000-60,000 ($1400 - 1500)approximately.

Higher Class
The bikes in this segment have created a niche market in India that attracts those bike enthusiasts who want ultimate biking experience. These bikes are teamed up with heavy duty engines for right from the grand on road presence to the unmatched power performance. In India there are not so many players in this field but Royal Enfield, Yamaha and Honda are up there thundering the roads with their macho bikes.

Starbucks of India

India has always been predominantly a Chai (Tea) drinking nation. Coffee has been only moderately popular in some southern states, other than that it has been Chai (Hindi term for Tea), Chahaa (Marathi term for Tea), cutting (Mumbai term for half tea cup), maramari (another popular term from western India for tea) all the way!However, there has been a sudden change in this trend with coffee becoming more and more popular in recent times especially among the younger population. The roadside Chai (Tea) thelas (shops) outside colleges and offices have been replaced by hip coffee joints like Barista and Café Coffee Day. The Chai (tea) that used to cost couple of rupees (5 cents) is replaced by coffee costing something like Rs. 100 ($2.50).

New Delhi-based Barista Coffee Company opened its first "coffee bar" in India four years ago. Today it operates 130 cafes around the country, which bear an uncanny resemblance to Starbucks. The company is quick to dismiss any comparisons. "Our inspiration was the traditional Italian Espresso bars where the idea is to create a 'home away from home," said Brotin Banerjee, vice president of marketing with Barista. India's Barista cafes offer similar gourmet coffee drinks to Starbucks and Wi-Fi access in a handful of locations.Barista's menu features everything from a latte to cappuccino, caramel cafe, cafe mocha, flavored coffee and deserts like brownies and cakes. Regular patrons at Barista are students and young professionals 18 to 35 years old.


Café Coffee Day is another cool place to sit and relax witha cup of cofee. CCD just like Barista offers a pleasant experience but at a comparitively chaeper price. Café Coffee Day (CCD) pioneered the café concept in India in 1996 by opening its first café at Brigade Road in Bangalore. Recognizing the potential that lay ahead on the horizon, Café Coffee Day embarked on a dynamic journey to become a large organized retail café chain with a distinct brand identity of its own. From a handful of cafés in six cites in the first 5 years, CCD has become India’s largest and premier retail chain of cafes with 607 cafes in 98 cities around the country. “Enthused by the success of offering a world-class coffee experience, CCD has opened a Café in Vienna, Austria and is planning to open other Cafes in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Egypt and South East Asia in the coming months.”

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Get paid for incomin calls

The mobile phones in India were a big buzz 5-6 years back and only 1 million people had cell phoned in India. The major reason cited was that you have to pay even to receive a call. I remember a time of 5 -6 years back where a call charged Rs.33 ($0.75 Approx) per minute and later it came down to free of charge. All because of a healthy ongoing competition of the markets. Now see the major shift in the every growing economy of India that 250 - 300 million people have cell phones.

But the incoming charge is going to hit back again. Surprised!. But the only difference this time that you get paid for receiving incoming calls. For the 1st time ever an incoming call will neither be charger nor free infact a person will be paid for recieving it. Isn't that interesting. This is major ploy by Virgin mobiles to attract the market of cell phones connections. Currently a person will be paid 10 paisa per minute ($0.04 Approx) to receive an incoming. Virgin Mobile has entered the Indian market through a 50:50 joint venture with the Tatas. The Tata Group’s telecom arm, Tata TeleServices, will form the JV to introduce the Virgin brand in the world’s fastest growing telecom market.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi7r54TBf-A