Grandpa's Mango Shop in Hooghly district of West Bengal

Only passionate Indian roadies (and more so if they are in the profession of sales and marketing) get to spot and enjoy sweet and juicy seasonal mangoes at 'Dadur Aamer Dokan' (Grandpa's Mango Shop) by the roadside while out on a leisurely drive.

Location: Somewhere in Hooghly district, West Bengal.
Photo courtesy: Biswarup Bose.

'Hijras' begging on Kolkata throughfares

'Hijras' begging at prominent road intersections on Kolkata throughfares.

Photo courtesy: Neeraj Pandey.

Colourful camel carts in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Colourful camel carts in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

Let's go fishing on NH34 at Gobindapur, near Shantipur, Nadia district, West Bengal

Let's go fishing on NH34 at Gobindapur, near Shantipur, Nadia district, West Bengal.
Incidentally, Shantipur is famous for its Bengal Tangail Sarees.
The condition of the road has deteriorated to this extent in September 2014 as seen in the picture.
If you are planning a drive/ ride to North Bengal, Bhutan or the seven North Eastern sisters, be ready to embrace dips or fishing jaunts almost throughout the stretch of this 'highway'.
For the uninitiated, NH34 is the major lifeline of 434 kms between Kolkata and Dalkhola (West Bengal) via Ranaghat, Baharampur, Malda.
At Dalkhola, one meets NH31 (a part of the East - West corridor).
Road On Right (ROR) from Dalkhola: Siliguri via Islampur, Kishangunj.
Road On Left (ROL) from Dalkhola: Purnea (Bihar), Bhagalpur.

Khardung La moments (01)

A collection of happy/ proud/ joyous moments of those who made it to the highest motorable road in the world, Khardung La in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir alone or with friends and family.
It's not that each of them had a 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach Khardung La. Their grit and tenacity to achieve the near impossible played the most important role to reach Khardung La.

Parimal Gandhe's 'public display of affection' for his 2004 Fiat Palio

Parimal Gandhe's 'public display of affection' for his Fiat Palio (2004).



My Italian Beauty, now the Odometer showing 1,18,990, and she is still awesome to drive. Her heart is as young as when she was born eight years ago.
She has been to so many places, with many awesome memories, so many emotions. Shared the best moments of my life with her.
Wish she can speak. She has never let me down. Most of her life spent in worst of roads, but never gave up. She still puts the smile on my face every time I hit highways or bad roads.
She is a beautiful lady. She needs more attention, but well, she deserves it.
Many a times people say I am crazy for Fiat - but yes that is what Fiat does to you. Its pure passion.
Palio, even after 12 Years of launch in India still lives in the heart of every Fiatian.

Happy Durga Puja 2014 & a glimpse of Abasar Durga Puja pandal in Bhowanipore

Happy Durga Puja 2014 & a very happy Asthami for today to all Indian Roadies and their dear ones.
Which are the most striking Durga Puja pandals you visited this year?

There's this Durga Puja organised by Abasar Sarbojanin Durgotsab Committee, Townshend Road, Bhowanipore in Kolkata which I visited on Saptami (1st October 2014). It was a fantastic work of creativity and meticulously handcrafted metal & clay work.
Must have taken numerous artisans 6 - 9 months for the fabrication job.
Makes me feel terribly sad that in another 3 - 4 days everything will be dismantled.
If you are in Kolkata, don't miss the opportunity to visit this pandal. There's ample parking space in lanes and bylanes surrounding this location.

Looking forward to your photos of Durga Puja pandals you visited and the associated fun, food and 'adda' in Kolkata and across India in the Facebook.com 'page' and/ or 'group' www.facebook.com/IndianRoadie, www.facebook.com/groups/IndianRoadie.

Enjoy the festival :)