


Let’s Go Local

Links Delhi Can Use

Internet has already become a dependable resource to keep up with local ongoings in a busy schedule. We book movie tickets online, read online local newspapers or tabloids. Our banking transactions and bill payments are also done online. There are several other things you can do online locally.

I am looking for a rented place these days. There is Locanto, Indianroomates.in and click.in where I find most relevant advertisements. Though, once in a while you can come across a fool’s advertisement like:

I am male 35 year old, living in 2bhk apartment. Looking for a female partner to share my bed. Room rent: 5000k.

!!

Sounds like a dating advertisemnt straight from fropper.

I check all listings for foreign movies, plays, exhibitions, dance shows and recitals in Delhi City Limits magazine. (published by Outlook magazine group). If you are an art lover residing in Delhi and are not going to these events, I would say you are missing something. You can check all these events online here at Delhi Events Web site. This site is diligently and passionately maintained by its founder Rohit Malik at not-so-great-profit. How do I know? I read his interview in the newspaper; he says he wants to keep the site going for the love of it.

Here is a blog, Gurgaon Watch, that posts updates about goingons in Gurgaon. If you reside in Gurgaon and contribute to it, write to the blogger. :)

I wanted to enrol in Maruti Driving School at Delhi. A search told me that they had only 1 centre in entire Delhi. Google Local Search for business is another useful search engine. Just Dial local search engine also provides results at par.

With elections close by, Delhi’s electoral list is being revised. You can check your name in the online voter list, using this search engine. I could find my name there. :) Did you find yours?

If you haven’t had passport, you can register your self online at Indian passport site. This facility of registering yourself online is available for several other cities. How it works? You fill up form online, and then passport department provides you an appointed time to appear with the requisite document. You do not have to wait in any long queue like I did several years ago. You can then track your application status on Indian Passport Website. For Delhi, this is the page to track your application.

We Delhiwallahs always lament that we can not flag a taxi on road. We usually depend on radio taxis that charge Rs. 15 per kilometre. Not anymore. A radio taxi entrant Quick Cabs, charges you only Rs. 7.50 per kilometre! Make most of it while it lasts (Though I hope its here to stay.) Their number is 45 333 333. Though their web site says that their call centre support will be fully functional from September 7.

I have saved the best bit for the last. We are already used to renting movies and other DVDs online. You can now also rent books online in Delhi via FriendsofBooks. The highlights of this service are that it has free doorstep delivery and pickup and no late fees. Yaye! :D On the downside, this library still needs to add more books to its collection. Yet to begin with its basic plan for Rs. 300 per month for two books sounds good.

Smita, how do you find their book collection? They have Chitra Divakaruni’s few books :) , but not the latest and more popular ones.

If you guys have more online utilites about Delhi to add, please write in the comments. I will update this post.

Update: Like FriendsofBooks, BookmeABook is a site where you can rent a book in Delhi.

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42 Responses to “Let’s Go Local”


  1. 1 Withering Willow September 5, 2008 at 2:04 pm

    Wow! That was some information. :)

    I am male 35 year old, living in 2bhk apartment. Looking for a female partner to share my bed. Room rent: 5000k. Now this sounds really funny and stupid at the same time.

    I too read about Rohit Mallik and how he wants to carry on what he id doing even if its not a profitable venture. Very few people have such kind of passion.

    I am glad that getting a passport has become relatively easier due to the online service. I remember you taking of from office to get the job done. :( But I can always take the benefit now whenever I get my passport. Yey! ;)

    Thank God…we have some taxi service which charges 7.50 bucks/km. I would surely try it when needed. Cool you shared this info!

    FriendsofBooks seems like a nice concept. Are you trying it? I liked their collection. The 300 rupee plan where you can take 6 books for a month looks fine though security is a little hefty. :(

    Anyways thanks for the wonderful post. I wouldn’t have been able to discover so many useful sites. :)

  2. 2 Anshul September 5, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    Thats quite comprehensive list of very useful links….

  3. 3 Shefaly September 5, 2008 at 6:24 pm

    @ Poonam

    Interesting post!

    Rohit Mallik seems inspired by Craig’s List’s founders, Craig and Jim. Consumers can use Craig’s List for free but companies are charged to place adverts etc on it. The List is the first port of call for people who are moving, looking to sell or buy things, rent or rent out their properties, seeking like-minded people for running etc. In the UK, eBay owned Gumtree is such an aggregate list. Rohit Mallik can make money if he can find people to run the site in other cities and get companies to participate as well. :-)

  4. 4 Reema September 5, 2008 at 7:12 pm

    Informative post about Delhi. Thanks!

  5. 5 vimal September 5, 2008 at 7:21 pm

    (Should be) An informative post about Delhi :D !!!

    Btw, what kind of sicko would give an ad like that ???

  6. 6 Smita September 5, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    Net makes life easy na? But yes your post is gonna be darn useful for Delhiwallaha’s.

    Friendsofbooks….just 2 days back when I was browsing through HT website this article about this site caught my attention and it took me just 3 mins to hop onto this site. Unfortunately it is only for NCR :(

    But yes I browsed through the collection, I would say it is average. The article said they have started with 3000 odd books. As far as Indian Authors are concerned there are hardly any books :( they only have the popular titles. What about people who want to experiment???

    But I hope this is a good beginning and these people are inspired to expand :)

    Thanks for the sweet mention :)

  7. 7 Smita September 5, 2008 at 7:30 pm

    @Vimal

    This ad is nothing :) you should start reading tabloids & their ads for the pure purpose of this weird kind of entertainment ;)

  8. 8 arvind September 5, 2008 at 8:33 pm

    I am male 35 year old, living in 2bhk apartment. Looking for a female partner to share my bed. Room rent: 5000k.
    ROFLMAO !! :LOL:
    cant beleive.. ???
    let shiv sainiks see..they sure will break the hell out of delhi roads :D
    noice post by the way..
    never knew much about delhi though i lived in faridabad for 17 years :D

  9. 9 Poonam Sharma September 5, 2008 at 11:53 pm

    @Withering Willow: Yes, I knew you would be happy to know about cab and friendsofbooks. :)

    @Anshul: Thanks :) You have also contributed Gurgaon watch link. :)

    @Shefaly: Yes, there are several sites working on same (craiglist) model. But Delhi events is only listings of events, and not any actual services. So I am not sure if he is able to charge, perhaps he does. Yes, such sites would work in other metros too.

    Hey, I hadn’t expected you to comment on this local post. :)

    @Reema: :) Thanks

    @Vimal: Actually after that I found several ads by males seeking female flatmates. Perhaps they do get like-minded. See Smita’s answer.

    @Smita: Yes, this post was for Delhiwallahs. And friendsofbooks does have average book collection but better than our local library. A sad fact. :( You can though give them your feedback.

    @Arvind: Live-in phenomenon has caought up. Shiv Sena can do little about it as it is matter of personal choice. You lived in NCR? I had no idea.

    @

  10. 10 Roop Rai September 6, 2008 at 12:57 am

    oooh nice blog!!! I met chitra divakurni btw … she is on the advisory board of an organization i work closely with …. she’s also the faculty of the creative writing program in the university here in houston. a really nice and approachable lady.

  11. 11 sakhi September 6, 2008 at 11:36 am

    hey that was nice to know more about delhi.. i wish we have something like friendsobook in ahmedabad.. it would be really helpful! :)

  12. 12 Shefaly September 6, 2008 at 1:33 pm

    @ Poonam:

    “Hey, I hadn’t expected you to comment on this local post.”

    Well, I have lived in Delhi for almost 2 years and I still visit on nearly every trip to India. :-)

    Secondly, nearly every issue is amenable to abstraction so my comment is more in that realm than on the specific issues related to Delhi.

  13. 13 Mahak September 6, 2008 at 3:12 pm

    I tried the online passport application site…but it was still in the testing phase!! i hope its running now..getting passport made in Delhi is a nightmare….especially with the bribe to the police officer who comes for verification….

    I liked the event website!! N I C E

  14. 14 falcon September 6, 2008 at 6:30 pm

    What have u thought abt a shoutbox

  15. 15 Su September 6, 2008 at 10:34 pm

    hats off to ur patience! how do u manage to make so many links in ur posts? :O

  16. 16 Tanveer September 7, 2008 at 12:56 am

    You should take a look at http://www.BookMeABook.com...
    their collection is a lot better…they have been around for a lot longer…

    I’ve been a member for sometime now..they have a referral sceme as well.

    If anyone is interested drop me an email at tanveersaxena@in.com ; I could sure use a lot of free months of membership.

    Cheers
    Tan

  17. 17 Amit September 7, 2008 at 10:50 am

    Thankyou for so many informative links. The Delhi Events and The Electoral Links are very useful. I have always wanted to attend Film Festivals. :)
    The first time I saw Quick cabs, I was quite shocked. 7.5 Rs/Km? I have saved their number since then. :)

  18. 18 Meena Vathyam September 7, 2008 at 7:05 pm

    Not from Delhi and first timer here…..thought the classified ad was funny…sorry I don’t have any links for you ….good luck

  19. 19 Poonam Sharma September 7, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    @Roop: Oh ubercool..you met Chitra. :) Which organisation do you work for? I read on your blog but forgot :(

    @Sakhi: Why dont you encourage some young book lovers to start a service like that? It requires less investment and more income.

    @Shefaly: I had no idea that you had lived in Delhi. Where? Yes, you are right you could call these “abstract issues”

    @Mahak: No doubts! Getting a passport in Delhi is like experiencing the hell. I did experience that. Now the online registration service is running.

    @Falcon: Soon buddy! Perhaps by this weekend.

    @Su: Because I love to do it, I manage it. Main problem is to remember to insert all of them. :)

    @Tanveer: Thanks for mentioning this site! I am considering this, I will write to you for referral. Do we get any benefit if we go through referals?

    @Amit: Yes Amit, do attend film festivals. Update me too as these days I am too lazy to check up. :)

    and quick cabs could be revolutionary thing. :)

    @Meena Vathyam: Welcome to Visceral Observations! No problem if you didn’t have any links to offer, your comments are most welcome! :)

  20. 20 Shefaly September 7, 2008 at 10:43 pm

    @ Poonam: Various places. South Ex, Lodi Estate and then Noida, which is as good or as bad as Delhi since at that time, all activity was in Delhi.

  21. 21 falcon September 8, 2008 at 12:37 am

    what u will think abt it by weekend???

  22. 22 Liju Philip September 8, 2008 at 6:13 am

    At least that guy is honest that he wants a girl to share his bed. He needs to be commended for that ;) Or was he trying to mention (share bedroom)??? Its the SMS generation you see.

  23. 23 praneshachar September 8, 2008 at 11:05 am

    very useful not only for localites but also for those who hop frequently as they may hv their evening at their disposal so they can also use the opportunity for spending useful time in their areas of interest.
    poonam nice collection o links and very good compilations listing all importanct events and places go ahead kkep going and u will be rewarded

  24. 24 ManofRoma September 8, 2008 at 6:47 pm

    Good example of a very useful post for readers (from India, of course lol).
    I have posted a longer comment on your good post “11 ways to beat your depression” (I know I am 5 months late lol)
    Ciao

  25. 25 Xylene September 8, 2008 at 6:54 pm

    Bangalore does have such services like the taxi one, although its a bit expensive (15rs/km) but its premium one (Logan).

    Books, I wanted to register in one. But havent heard about how good their service is gonna be.
    There is one for movies as well right? But the local DVD guy is cheaper.

  26. 26 Kumar.A.P.P. September 8, 2008 at 10:39 pm

    Good collection of links… Stumbled!!!

  27. 27 Manasa September 10, 2008 at 3:22 pm

    Very informative. If I goto Delhi, I can refer to this post :D

  28. 28 Nova September 10, 2008 at 3:59 pm

    Hey thats an informative post… Must bookmark for all Delhiites :)

  29. 29 dinu September 10, 2008 at 9:49 pm

    good collection :), we a group of bloggers in cochin started keralacitizenbloggers.com with some information about kerala and cochin .. its a new baby still ;)

    I liked the dating cum rental advertisement ;)

  30. 30 Arti Jain September 11, 2008 at 8:38 pm

    Hey Guys,
    Its Arti from FriendsOfBooks.Thanks for your blog mention!
    Just to add to the discussion- our basic plan starts at Rs.150 a month for two books. The refundable security deposit is Rs.750/- …refundable being the operative word:-)
    We don’t hit you with registration fees,late fees and suchlike!

    About our collection, we are growing everyday. We actively seek YOUR suggestions for the books we carry. It is our way of democratizing the collection-so we don’t decide what everyone should be reading but it becomes a more collaborative collection. Our members send us suggestions for book titles all the time, that we then get for our library.

    Lastly, friends in Ahemdabad (and from other cities who have contacted us) have heart, we hope to reach you soon.
    Thanks again for your interest in http://www.friendsofbooks.com
    Happy reading!

  31. 31 Su September 12, 2008 at 10:58 pm

    That sounds interesting… but tiring too… :P

  32. 32 Vaibhav September 13, 2008 at 2:28 pm

    Here are a couple that are useful:

    foodiebay.com

    burrp.com

  33. 33 falcon September 13, 2008 at 4:35 pm

    weekend has come… i suppose u were talkin about this weekend

  34. 34 vimal September 16, 2008 at 3:44 am

    You have been tagged :

    http://vimalsparadise.blogspot.com/2008/09/love-is-in-thetag.html

    Btw, where are you? Is everything alright where you stay?

  35. 35 mysticalme September 16, 2008 at 4:02 pm

    I am male 35 year old, living in 2bhk apartment. Looking for a female partner to share my bed. Room rent: 5000k…

    LOL.!!

    my first time here on your blog..loved it!

    very informative post..

    I love the Friday magazine..”Whats Hot” from The times of India group…
    it too details delhi events…all about music art food!!
    :)

  36. 36 Arpit September 17, 2008 at 11:44 pm

    a wholesome informative blog! really worth reading :)
    and thanks poonam for that signature thing.i got it from your blog but i dont know how to use the super stickies??????

  37. 37 Poonam Sharma September 18, 2008 at 2:07 pm

    @Shefaly: Yes, Noida has come a long way now, but it is bigger hub of crime than Delhi.

    @Falcon: I tried, it did not work. :( Need different code.

    @Liju: Nah, it was undoubtedly a lonely desperate guy seeking company. And about commending him.. ahem

    @praneshachar: THanks for that pat on my back! :D

    @manofroma: I, too, will pay my attention to comments in my old posts soon.

    @Kumar A P. P. and Manasa: Thanks for coming by and appreciating!

    @Nova: Thanks buddy! Its been a lon time I saw your comment in this space.

    @Dinu: that blog is a good idea. Keep at it! and you men… :rolling my eyes:

    @Arti: Thanks for coming by, and yes I noticed that feedback section. I hope you ahve checked out another competition: BookmeABook.com

    @Su: ;)

    @Vaibhav: Thanks for those good links. I have bookmarked them and use them. I think I can make another post about local services and include these new links.

    @Falcon: See my answer above

    @Vimal: THank you, blogmate! I will try to do it soon. You are perhaps only blogger in my circle where I can comment without hitch because you are not on wordpress.

    @mysticalme: Welcome to Visceral Observations!

    Thanks for your compliments, loved them. I too like Friday magazine from TOI, and then HT too tried to copy it.

    @Arpit: Thanks and you are welcome for all the information. I answered your superstickies question at your blog. Alas, my comment has been marked as spam, please release it from your spam.

  38. 38 Arpit September 18, 2008 at 10:57 pm

    oh i am really sorry! i too was about to ask…then when i read one of your post on your comments being marked as spam…i deleted it before i read it:(

  39. 39 Tanu Bhandari September 19, 2008 at 8:33 am

    Very useful info shared.
    Thanks

  40. 40 pr3rna September 19, 2008 at 6:05 pm

    Poonam, I am late to comment on this post. Still I would like to add that I follow the Delhi Events site regularly. I agree with you it is a very useful site. Very informative post.

  41. 41 Manoj September 24, 2008 at 8:57 am

    Wow! what an information!! Wisdom!! :)

  42. 42 Poonam Sharma September 24, 2008 at 4:13 pm

    @Arpit: Superstickies has a save as image option. Do taht and then upload image in your post. I hope this helps.

    @Pr3rna: You hardly comment here, P3rrna! :( I am glad taht a fellow Delhite found it useful. :) I meant to include more like Searchmycampus which is your sidebar. I will make a aprt 2 post, I guess.

    @Manoj: Was thare any wisdon? :0 Jury is out on it. :P


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