1st Week in Hyderabad

As expected, life was easy the first week. Left my sons with the grand parents and joined work 2 days ago. Hyderabad realestate is steaming hot and thats all people want to talk about. Doing my best to ask dumb questions about roads and areas to divert the topics but it some how ends up being a discussion about how the real estate is doing there.

I am put up at Rd#12 Banjara and everything is very accessible. Roads are in pretty bad shape compared to what they were during the congress plenary 6 months ago.. I think its due to the rains. Tried to visit Hyderabad Central and PVR Cinemas on a sunday evening and realized that it was a major safety hazard to even consider going in there at that times. People were packed in every floor and the only way in and out was through the main door [ update : Firemarshall has issued an ultimatum to Hyderabad central to fix the issues or it will be shutdown in 2 weeks ]

McDonalds opened its doors in Hyderabad recently at IMAX with a 20Rs Veg burger, 20Rs Softie and 6Rs fries etc. This is a big hit in hyderabad, and there are lines in front of this joint all day long. Heard some one complain that there was no cheese in the burger.. I dont intend to try it any time soon... Will keep you posted if I do.. Subways seem to be doing well, also a new concept called Yo!China is doing well. 3 More mc'y'd's and 2 subways are expected to open soon.

Some eye openers since my arrival.. [ mostly through newspapers or tv ]

1. Beggar mafia is REAL : Cnn IBN had a hidden camera expose that showed how doctors help beggars amputate their hands/legs etc., and some of the beggars that were forced into this profession by others

2. Internet based NRI marriages are not working : TV9 had a program in which they claimed that atleast 800 AP women are affected. Some cases were bad, one guy just left his wife in the US airport, took her passport and left; one family tried to kill her in India to avoid the issues they woudl face in US. Gist of the story was that India now has some sort of a domestic issue agreement with US and that they would be able to take action going forward.

3. Land Grabbing, Fraudulent Documents, Defrauding NRI's is at a peak. One realtor that was working with me to find a rental said.. and I quote him.. "Take this sir, belongs to an NRI and I have him in my pocket, I will get you what ever you want .. ".. decided not to deal with him any longer.

4. Refer to Wow Hyderabad .. to see whats happening around HYD and whats coming up. Focusses more on the high end happenings, but its a good start.