‘Sangrama’ has been clothing Kochi women with some awesome dresses. Owned by Mr. Sangeeth Kumar and his wife Rama, ‘Sangrama’ has been Kochi women’s favorite ‘desi’ dress hot spot. Their exclusive showrooms for churidar materials at Panampilly Nagar and Mullassery Canal Road are much sought after in the city. ‘Sangrama’ boutique now offers something more for all those who love to dress smart!

They have started a new stitching centre at their Panampilly Nagar outlet, and they have tailors all the way from Calcutta, stitching some awesome patterns and designs for you. ‘Sangrama’ clothes are brought from different parts of the country and you can dig into ethnic clothes at its best. Chikan work, embroideries, cotton printed materials, tie and die, block prints, you name it and they have it! With rates that are reasonable and apparels of high quality, ‘Sangrama’ stands a class apart from the other boutiques in town.

Being into business for quite some time, ‘Sangrama’ boutique knows what women in Kochi demands. So for all those who want to try out some ‘classic’ clothes, check out ‘Sangrama’ today. For more details, you can ping them at 0484- 2367223 or 3266239.

Here is a new cotton paradise for Kochiites. Cotton Hut has hit Kochi with an exclusive collection of cotton wears. You can shop kurtis, dupattas, stoles, salwar materials and patialas from here. You get to select some trendy haram pants, which is the in-thing in fashion now, from Cotton Hut. Both men and women can choose apparels from here. The shop located at Panampilly Nagar, is a place you would not want to miss checking out.

Cotton Hut has been into business since the past two months, and the response they have been getting from Kochiites is quite remarkable. “We sell our goods at the best reasonable rates. As we manufacture the apparels for our store, we ensure that they are of the best quality”, says Dinesh, Owner of Cotton Hut. You get to shop some trendy skirts that come at prices of 400-800 rupees and tops worth 500 and more.

There are night wears and pyjamas for both men and women. Work out trousers (for both genders), clothes for babies, etc. are the other clothes that you can check out from Cotton Hut. Dinesh adds “We are supplying for 52 clubs on the onset of the Olympics 2012”. Well, so now we know they master in quality as well! The shop is a family business, and they are all excited about the store being opened in Kochi as our city is now one of the India’s most sought after fashion hub.

You can stitch your clothes from here. You buy a salwar material from Cotton Hut, and you get a discount when you stitch it from there!

Drop in at Cotton Hut: ‘HB-29’, Sreyas Palace, 4^th Cross Road, Panampilly Nagar, Cochin- 36. You can ping them at 0484- 2313058/59 or mail them at sreyasexports@gmail.com.

Kochivibe has some interesting news for foodies in Kochi. We found out the best Momos haven in the city. And for those who have not been acquainted to momos, they are a Chinese dish made out of simple flour-and-water dough and filled with veggies/chicken/meat. They are steamed and hence healthy as well. Kochi always lacked good momos places, and here is a brand new momos shop which you must try out!

Shifu Momoz is located at Panampilly Nagar Shopping Complex, and you can relish on some yummy momos here. They have chicken and veg momos. The prices are completely worth the momos and we ensure you that you shall return back happy. Here are the rates (to make things easier)! Veg momos are charged 20 rupees (half plate) and 40 (full plate). Chicken momos are priced 30 rupees (half plate) and 50 rupees (full plate). You also get chicken and veg chowmein as well, all priced below 50 rupees.

This small shop has a Kung Fu Panda effect to it. Wondering why?? Kashyap Saigal, who owns Shifu Momoz says that Kung Fu Panda has inspired him and hence you get to see Kung Fu Panda pictures and paintings there. “I’ve always felt that Kochi lacks good momo places. I love momos as well. I wanted to try how Kochiites would welcome momos, and I must say that the response is awesome”, said Kashyap.

The shop is open from 3. 30 p.m and you can drop in anytime till 9. 30 p.m. You also get a home delivery. Ping them at 9633918717. So Kochi, drop in at Shifu Momoz to enjoy some great momos!!

One hot spot for food, clothes and shopping! The most sought after residential area in the city. A locale which connects the city easily and more! Yes, you go that right. Panampilly Nagar is the place. No matter whether the land prices are soaring high, the demand for houses and apartments in Panampilly Nagar never seems to be less. So for those who have been living here, working, or for those who love this place, here is some good news. Panampilly Nagar is all set for its beautification AKA make-over.

The Ernakulam District Tourism Promotion Council is planning to work for the betterment of the roads here. From medians to traffic isles, including the main road, there will be a complete make-over which will be given to our p’nagar. The canal which passes nearby Girinagar, which has been in a very bad condition since the last few years, will also be cleaned.

The DTPC has much in store for Kochiites in the months to come. From road works to beautifying various places in and around Kochi, our officials are all set to make Kochi a good tourist spot, as well as a better place to live in.

It’s ‘Shanghai Nights’ in Kochi from the 22^nd of September, Kochiites. So make sure you indulge in the best Chinese food Kochi can offer. Drop in at ‘Bombay Bistro’ at The Center Hotel, Panampilly Nagar. Located at Avenue Center, the hotel is easily accessible and has been in the news for the amazing food it has been serving Kochiites.

This Chinese food fest will end on the 16^th of October, and they would serve you yummy ‘a la carte’ from which you can choose what you prefer for your taste buds. Yummy soups, slurpy noodles, and Szechwan at the best, you name it, they have it. For more details, contact them at 0484- 41 41 222, 9539 008 106 or 9995 488 880.

The time when we used to say ‘Aye Auto’ and get an autorickshaw is over.  Kochi has now become a war zone for civilians and we face a battle every day. Getting from point A to point B is easier said than done now a day if an autorickshaw is your mode of transport. With each passing day, auto drivers are becoming even more arrogant and unruly. I am easily the most frustrated person in Kochi and here is why.

Today trying to get an autorickshaw ride in Kochi ideally needs you to display your gymnastic skills on the road. If you are in dire need of an auto you are required to play daredevil, and jump in front of it so that you draw the attention of our hero. (Yes you got that right, I meant the autorickshaw driver).

I worked in Mumbai for two years and I often made use of the autorickshaw and taxi service in the city. In the two years, there has not been a single time that I ever had a problem with an auto driver (or taxi driver for that matter) that refuses to go to your destination. No matter how close or far your destination is, these guys are always happy to take you. And that’s not all. What really takes the cake is how they switch on the meter (without you begging for it). Once you reach your destination the auto driver hands you a rate card with the rates of different meter readings. The rules are quite strict and the drivers know they would be in deep sh*t if they don’t comply.

If the authorities can make sure that these rules can be adhered to in big cities like Mumbai, it begs me to ask why it is so difficult to implement the rules here? Well, when some complain the high literacy rates in our state (which I think is the last excuse that should be given for this cause), some others blame the arrogant Malayali attitude. Again, I wonder why we don’t find exceptions amongst them.

If you thought age would be a bar in being rude, you got that wrong. I’ve come across men and women who are 80+ being charged humongous amounts for short distances, and if they don’t succumb to the driver’s demands, they are forced to bear with foul language. One of my friends was telling me how she was charged 50 rupees from Kadavanthra till Panampilly Nagar, a couple of weeks back. And when she asked why this high a rate, she was almost threatened. Being a girl who didn’t want to hear abusive language in the public, she paid off the money and walked off.

The situation is grave. Kochi auto rickshaw drivers are the worst. Unless our cops and authorities stick to the laws stringently, I have to say that travelling in the city would be a nightmare in the coming days. And my fellow Kochiites, we need to take a stand here, that we won’t pay huge amounts for short distances, and also that we won’t be scapegoats anymore. Once the public is strong, we can see a change in the autorickshaw driver’s attitude as well. I hope so!

Bookworms and those are stuck at home not able to go out and play should check out the Monsoon Book Fest at the DC Books, Panampilly Nagar. Starting on July 1st 2011 to July 25 2011, the fest has quite a few other attractions to offer. Apart from their wide range of English & Malayalam books they have discounts running and they are even conducting daily lucky draws.

DC Books is located at The Kairali Co-operative Housing Society, South end Panampilly Nagar.  Call Mr. Rajeev at 9745604781 for more details.

Aspiring DJ’s, we have some good news for you. Say hello to ‘The Loop’, school for DJ’s. Confused on what to do this summer vacation? Always wanted to mix some music for your house parties? Wanna learn what the heck is the difference between progressive trance and tech house is? If your answer to all this is yes and you think you have what it takes to be a REAL DJ, consider joining The Loop.

The Loop is located at the Kochivibe office at Panampilly Nagar. Registration for classes are open. Check out what timing suit you. You can call us on 0484-4044141 or 9995060768 and get more details on the classes.

Check out www.facebook.com/theloop.djschool for updates!

Illuminations, lights and crockery would add spark and glitter to your home, along with giving you the feeling of being in a great place. As most of the shops in the city that supply  lampshades and crockery, Kapoors have also got nice stuff. The best part about Kapoors is that they are a brand and their name is well known across the nation. Even though the outlet in Kochi is just a franchise, they have the original Kapoors lights from Delhi. They have outlets in Kannur and Calicut as well. Manager Praveen Mohanan says, “The price must be a little high, but we have a lifelong guarantee and also I can ensure that we give you only the best stuff”. But sadly, the ranges from which you can choose the products are quite less, that means the options are less. It’s been two years since Kapoors has been serving Kochiites. When their crockery is exclusively from Sri Lanka, their lamps and certain other stuff is imported and some are Indian also. And Kapoors have yet another feather in their crown. They are the ones who supply lights to major hotels (including their bars and rooms) like The Metropolitan, Le Meridian etc.

This little shop in Panampilly Nagar has a long way to make it big. With its counterpart’s boutiques and branded outlets that burgeon in Kochi, Sankalp expects to make it in par along with its equals. The shop was opened two months back, and is located at G-184, 3rd Cross in Panampilly Nagar. Rathish. K. Das, who owns the shop, says that the whole idea behind bringing this shop is to familiarize Kochiites with national clothing and style. “By April end, we might make it full-fledged. Kochi is in the process of becoming a cosmopolitan, and Panampilly Nagar is the hub for clothes and accessories. We are trying to bring all their needs under one roof”. The clothes are priced economically, starting from 500 rupees. Even though you might not see too much of prints and ethnic clothes, you can always check on some cute embroidery ones. The kurtis, salwar materials, along with bags and bangles are nice. Maybe you might not end up shopping your stuff here, but it’s worth a try. Brought from Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Calcutta and Delhi, the clothes are matchless. But this is a great start Rathish, and wishing you that you make it big out there!