Surti Santa !!

Whether this Christmas brings cheer to the world or not, this Surti Santa seems more worried about the Santa Caps and Masks on sale!

Yuletide Spirit...

Christmas is here... and its time to spread the cheer around, Surti Style!!

Morning News...

Early morning news under the Banyan Tree... Athwa Lines!

Ashwini Kumar Road

Just as you cross the Varacha Road Railway Garnala (Underpass) and head onto Ashwinikumar Road, you come across a this interesting sight as you travel with the trains just above your head!!

Nearby the above road... an tired man tries to rejuvenate himself at the end of a hard days work!

Steely Defense...

An interesting steel sculpture in one of the diamond factories.. Are diamonds to be like this? Heavily guarded??

Umiya Dhaam...

Located right in the centre of Varacha Road is the Umiya Dham Temple.. an interesting work of art, where the Diamond Polishers come to pray. Navratri sees this temple become the hub of one of the biggest Garba's.

Diamond Hub...

For those Surtis who's impression of Varacha Road was an overpopulated area with bad roads and traffic, here's what it looks like now.. The buildings you see are Diamond Polishing Centres.

The Traffic Island on Varacha Road is aptly designed to reflect the shape of an inverted Diamond. The bldg behind it is a diamond polishing unit, where state of the art laser cutting machines are used.

Its said, 8 of 10 diamonds polished in the world are done in Surat.. Here's one more diamond factory.

Security in these diamond units is state-of-the-art, and all bldgs are completely sealed and aircon. Compared to the manual techniques used for polishing diamonds, currently its technology at work!

Surat Zoo...

Located at Sarthana, just opposite the Old Octroi Post while coming in from Kamrej and entering Varacha Road is the Surat Municipal Zoological Gardens, which is very well maintained, and has an amazing variety of species. Its spread over a vast area, and has all the amenities you would find in the good Zoos around the world. Incidentally, India's largest Butterfly Park located within the Zoo is all set to be open for public from 12.12.08. It surely warrants a visit!!!

Sensex Pizza!!!!

While driving through Varaccha Road, came across an interesting Pizza & Bhel outlet... named SENSEX !!! The Bombay Stock Exchange should open one on Dalal Street too... Would give the Bulls & Bears something to chew on!!!