Aadab Hyderabad!

Hyderabad is confusing. Really confusing. Till only a decade ago, this place was just another state capital. Known for its unique fusion of Nizami and Deccan culture. Enter a certain gentleman by the name of Chandrababu Naidu. This place took off as a hotspot of IT activity in Asia..nay, the world.. and how! Since then there's been no looking back. There's been an influx of talent from across India and the globe and the local economy has taken off. Hyderabad now rivals all the erstwhile 'metros' in popularity and is one of the most sought after destinations for global corporations looking to set up offices in India. So much for an epilogue. But what truly defines Hyderabad is something that transcends narrow cultural political and technological boundaries. Here you have a place that's unique in its appeal to a nation and its people who are truly and literally 'on the move'.

The traffic in Hyderabad is a metaphor for the times and the attitude of the Hyderabadis. 'Hallu Hallu chalenga to kaise hoyenga miya? ' One of my colleagues at work said it best: "In Hyderabad, if someone sticks his hand out of the car, he has no intentions of making a turn." There are other things though that more than make up for the horrible traffic in Hyderabad.
The food, for instance. :)

If you're in Hyderabad and you're not a foodie, too bad. Such a waste. This is the place to be for those restless souls continually seeking new gastronomic delights. The Nizams sure knew how to dine in style! It's only in Hyderabad that you'll find hundreds upon hundreds of different Biryanis that will rock your tastebuds. And then there's the chicken! Uniquely spicy with a generous sprinkling of the locally popular curry leaves. And there are the myriad varieties of kebabs that will leave you mesmerized. And if you thought this place is not all that great for vegetarians, you'd have to be wrong. The Andhra veg cuisine is rich in variety. They use so many spices and flavours that you'll never for a moment feel left out in the midst of the gluttonous meat-eaters!

The language in Hyderabad is distinctly different from anywhere else in the country. Like other components of the culture, the language here has been heavily influenced by the Andhra and Muslim cultural identities. Most Hyderabadis are fluent in both Hindi and Telugu, so people from up North usually don't have a great deal of trouble settling in.

All in all Hyderabad is a place that welcomes one and all in it's magnanimity. A unique meeting point for the old and the new, the North and the South. As a newcomer this place just hits you with its vibrance and grows on you. It'll take a while before I get familiar with the nuances of Hyderabadi culture and truly begin to understand what being a Hyderabadi really means. Till then, I can only manage to say in true Nizami style,

Aadab Hyderabad!