haradwaj LS

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  • City Registration

    City Registration

    City registration is an essential part of living and working in Germany. I did my registration today at Erlangen. Lucky for me, my flatmate helped me do it. She accompanied me all the way to the Rathaus and waited for me. This Blog should guide you through the process in Erlangen.

    Pre requesites

    Before you go for the city registration you need to have the following documents

    1. Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
    2. Passport
    3. Marriage certificate (if married)
    4. Previous city regisrtation document (if you have stayed in Germany before)

    Wohnungsgeberbestätigung: The word is a mouthful but it means Confirmation of residence form. It is not the same as the Rental Contract. I got both the documents together. Wohnungsgeberbestätigung looks like this.

    Wohnungsgeberbestätigung

    Process

    The registration happens at the Rathaus. Click here for the Google map link. The Rathaus opens at 8 am. It is better to reach early as the queue builds up quickly. Also, they may not entertain you if you reach late.

    Once at the Rathaus, you need to get a token. The token dispensing machine looks like the photo below. You need to press Burgerservice.

    Token vending machine

    The tokens are called in the display. There were 7 counters out of which 6 were serving the Burgerservice. It took them under 30 mins for 15 tokens.

    The officials are very helpful. Provide them with the documents that they ask for. If you have the registration from an earlier time in Germany, then volunteer to provide the document. It makes it easier for them to fill in the documents.

    In about 15 mins you will be done with your city registration. They will provide a regisration confirmation document.

  • T-0 : Takeoff

    T-0 : Takeoff

    Unlike many other changes, which often feel subtle this one has a clear demarcation. This flight journey  separates me and my family by 4.5 hrs, transforms me into a student once again , a foreigner living in a new country. I will soon be calling a new place my home for a couple of years.

    Of course, there is the sadness in leaving the loved ones behind. I felt the same when I left home for the first time 20 years ago. But now no one talks about it. So this too shall pass! Besides, some very young readers follow the blog and I don’t want to sound too sensitive.

    So, I started the journey with 47 kg of luggage, a box of sweets and one Meghana biriyani (I intended to get 2 but then I ran out of space). Among the luggage was my radio, which I am eagerly waiting to listen to. I especially enjoy the short wave and effort needed in tuning the radio, the static noise, the poor audio quality and the foreign music.

    Bangalore T2 terminus

    The box of sweets is for my new roommates — 2 of them are Germans. So I hope they enjoy it. The biryani is for an Indian friend who has been craving it. I know that feeling from last year!

    The first Etihad flight took me to Abu Dhabi. The  connecting flight to Munich was scheduled after two hours but it got delayed by three hours. I had nowhere to reach so I was fine with it.

    Abu Dhabi airport

    But the cherry on the top was the free food they offered due to the delay. I bought a chicken wrap, Sprite and potato chips. I couldn’t eat it all so I packed it for my lunch.

    Free food to compensate delay

    The only slight worry was the Biryani. The airhostess in both the flights were so kind to keep the biryani in their fridge.But, I hope it has not gone stale during the wait at Abu Dhabi.

    I have another two hours to reach Munich and 2 more to Erlangen. I am looking forward to meeting the friend and handing over the Biryani. I am also excited to meet my new roommates. Later this week I shall meet a few other new friends I’ve made. I have also signed up for a hike this Saturday.

  • Black Gram Curry (Saurashtra Style)

    Black Gram Curry (Saurashtra Style)

    Ingredients

    1. Black Gram: 150 gms
    2. Onion: 1 large
    3. Tomato: 1 large
    4. Curry leaves
    5. Corriander leaves
    6. Chilli: 1
    7. Ounty Powder: 1 tbsp
    8. Mustard: 0.5 tsp
    9. Salt: to taste

    Procedure

    1. Boil Black gram for 3 whistles. Do not throw the water.
    2. Heat oil and add mustard seeds, slit chilli and curry leaves
    3. Fry Onion till it becomes glassy
    4. Add Tomato and cook till it becomes mushy
    5. Add Ounty powder and fry for 30 secs
    6. Add the boiled black grams and the water from the boiling.
    7. Add salt to taste and cook for sometime.
    8. Add corriander for garnishing
  • Black gram Ambat

    Black gram Ambat

    Ingredients

    1. Black Gram: 150 gms
    2. Onion: 1 large
    3. Tomato: 1 large
    4. Curry leaves
    5. Corriander leaves
    6. Ounty Powder: 1 tbsp
    7. Mustard: 0.5 tsp
    8. Salt: to taste

    Procedure

    1. Boil Black gram for 3 whistles.
    2. Heat oil and add mustard seeds and curry leaves
    3. Fry Onion till it becomes glassy
    4. Add Tomato and cook till it becomes mushy
    5. Add Ounty powder and fry for 30 secs
    6. Add the boiled black grams and add 1 glass of water.
    7. Add salt to taste and cook for sometime and cook for 1 whistle
    8. Add corriander for garnishing
  • Ex – Boschler

    Ex – Boschler

    This Friday evening almost feels just like another regular weekend. I think it will take until Monday, when everyone goes to work, and I sit alone Jobless to comprehend this completely. I have ended my tenure at Bosch and looking ahead at uncertainties.

    Last Day at Bosch

    I was greeted with Gobi Paratha in the breakfast. It was as if Bosch was giving a farewell treat. I have written about my love for Parathas in Two Parathas and Pongal.

    Following the lovely breakfast, I logged in early as usual. I just had to get my final clearances today. I waited for the Teams window to light up with green dots as colleagues logged in.

    I received pings and calls from friends who could not join the farewell meeting call yesterday. So many kind words flattered me.

    Bosch India
    My Bosch Team
    Debanjan and me

    My colleagues planned a lovely farewell lunch. We clicked a few photos before we started

    After some confusion about the restaurant between Empire and Aromas of Biriyani we settled with the latter. There was the usual banter, Deepak messing with Debanjan and Nitesh. Nitesh could not dodge Deepak’s teasing in spite of strategically choosing to sit the farthest away from him.

    I was then presented a Titan Smart watch as a farewell gift which I loved.

    Luckily, I also got an opportunity to meet my ex – team mate. She presented me a bouquet.

    Bouquet from Mary

    Finally, the time came to submit my laptop and ID Card and bid farewell to Bosch.

    Conclusion

    For the first time I deviate from the normal and I feel like a maverick. There is thrill in this adventure and it is making me euphoric. For the longest part of my life there was always a template and I walked on it meticulously:

    School -> Graduation -> Job -> Marriage

    Finally, the day came when I broke away from the template. But with me today my wife, my parents and my rest of the family also broke away from a standard template of their expectations from me.

    I don’t know if they feel scared and anxious or adventurous and euphoric as me. But I’m deeply grateful for their unwavering support.

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  • Last Day At Bosch

    Bosch India
    My Bosch Team
    Debanjan and me
    Bosch Team Lunch
    Bouquet from Mary
    Bouquet and Farewell Gift

    Today marked my last day at Bosch. It was a fun journey filled with immense learning and friendships. A BIG thankyou to the team and I wish them the very best.

    Read more about my day here Ex – Boschler

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  • Onion Chatni

    Onion Chatni

    Serves: 3

    Ingredients

    1. Chana Dal (Unroasted) : 3tbsp
    2. Red chlli: 5
    3. Onion : 2 Big
    4. Tomato: 2 Big
    5. Curry Leaves
    6. Coriander Leaves
    7. Mustard Seeds: 0.5tsp
    8. Urad Dal: 1 tsp

    Procedure

    1. Heat 2 tbsp oil in pan.
    2. Fry Chana dal and Red Chili.
    3. After it gets reddish fry onion until it becomes soft.
    4. Fry tomato lightly.
    5. Switch off the stove.
    6. Add Curry leaves and Coriander leaves when hot and mix.
    7. Make a paste in a mixer grinder after it cools.
    8. Add 1 tbsp oil in a pan.
    9. Tadka: Heat Urad dal and Mustard seeds till it splutters.
    10. Now there are two ways to proceeds.
    11. For thick chutney: Simply mix the tadka with the paste made earlier
    12. For watery chutney: In the tadka add the paste. Add little water and cook for sometime.