Re-registration

For anyone who cares/ needs to know, here is the vehicle re-registration procedure:
- NOC from source state
- NOC from Destination state - be shocked by how the 20 Rs form fee multiplies 10 fold
- Commercial/ Sales tax to be paid at destination state ( varies with age and type of vehicle)- excellent staff interaction here - pay the tax at a nominated bank
- Lifetime Road tax to be paid yet again ( varies with age and type of vehicle)- Be prepared to be appalled by officials who tell you" Why did you not sell off before coming here? Sentiment-aaaa?"
- Get an agent to do the rest- some 3 -4 forms and trips later and a little less bank balance you will in all probability have the new registration in place.

It is still worthwhile to have your papers in order but you will really wonder if TN and MH are in the same country

Mobility

I have got my 4 wheel driving licence. The test was fairly simple but meant waiting in the hot sun by the Tiruvanmiyur beach side for over an hour. ( There exists a very good opportunity to open an AC juice outlet) The RTO inspector was a kind soul and i drove confidently. I struggled with reverse though, but, he let me do it at my pace. Then a mugshot and verification of details followed and I was told I would get the license by end of day. Pretty simple. And hopefully this time i will put it to good use. Next on the line up I need to be able to move in water- time for swimming lessons. . .I have till year end going by my 2008 resolutions.

Anush drew something that looked like a crayon - so i said " You drew a crayon?"
She retored " No Amma- Anushka draw rocket"

Cars and Preserve

The learner's license and the visit to the tax office for an NOC proved to be pleasant surprises. So professional contrary to the dreadful stereotypes I had in mind of such interactions

I have completed the theory sessions and have moved on to the simulator at the driving school Trow is the theory exam - hope i pass:-)) I took a mock one on the web and found I did pretty well. ( 8 on 10)


And yes i found lingenberry preserve here in Chennai at a place called Gourmet 5 off Cenotoph road- My mother makes brilliant cake with this as the magic ingredient in it.

Only thing i thought i was from Sweden but turns out it is from New york- so just not the same. I should have guessed when it was not priced that high.....this could explain it....

"The Swedish lingonberries are similar to but different from American cranberries. Swedish lingonberries are much smaller and deep red inside, not white inside like cranberries, creating a different preserve. Lingonberries are available fresh in North America only in the regions where they grow wild—Maine and Canada."

Nano 2008

2008 has surely begun as a year of promise. The much talked about TATA one lakh car for the common man was launched and aptly christened “Nano”.

Inevitably there will be parallels drawn against the Maruti 800 but let us be fair- those times were different.

Another very different reason to put India on the world map.

Hats off to Tata !