Jun 10, 2002 06:22 PM
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(Updated Jun 10, 2002 06:22 PM)
The Indra Cafe of Mysore is a very popular restaurant. It is located in the Dhanawantri Road. It is a vegetarian Restaurant, with which I am not only very familiar, but have been a frequent visitor since 1960. During my last visit to Mysore in 2000, I and my family, including our daughter Kasturi, who was born in Mysore, and who lives in USA, had gone to Indra Cafe for an evening high tea. We had Masala Dosa, Vada Sambhar, Kesari Bath and hot Gulab Jamun.
I joined the Orientation & Study Centre, Mysore, as a Faculty Member in June 1960. The Orientation & Study Centre is situated on the Lalitha Mahal Road. It faces the Palace Guards Training Establishment, and from here one can have a grand view of the Chamundi Hills, having the Temple of Goddess Chamundi. Now, the Orientation & Study Centre is known as the Administrative Training Institute (ATI), with some cosmetic changes; but the basic infrastructure with the beautiful cottages still remain as before. The Officers' Club in the O&SC Campus is still there. Some of the 1960 staff are still there. Uma, the Librarian is there. On our 2000 visit, we had a look at the last Cottage where we used to live in the sixties.
The Indra Cafe is also an ideal place for having meals. Whenever we used to go for an evening picture, we used to come to Indra Cafe for dinner. Rice, Sambhar, hot Rasam, Vegetables, Kesari Bath and hot Gulab Jamun. The sweet Pan with flavoured Masala was always the last item. We used to return to Lalitha Mahal Road by a Tanga.
The Lalitha Mahal Road leads one to the Lalitha Mahal Palace, where the film 'Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje' was shot. Now it is a 5-Star ITDC Hotel, where a cup of Coffe costs you Rs.50/- only.
Mysore is the only city where the gardens on both sides of the road are designed and maintained by the State Horticulture Department. I have not seen this in other cities of India.
The climate of Mysore is ideal, always temperate. At night and in the early mornings you need a light sweater.
A meal in Indra Cafe, in those days was very inexpensive. Even now it is quite reasonable. Perhaps an average meal would cost you from Rs.50/- to Rs. 75/- only. The staff are very friendly. The food served is always fresh and hot.
It is from Mysore that I went to London for higher studies on a Ford Foundation Fellowship. It changed my entire career graph and my profile. Mysore, I still remember you !
