“Apnu Ahmedabad”- a place for all fun, frolic and money

Hello everyone,
After living in Ahmedabad for more than two years I am in a position to pen down some unique features of this tier II city.
No doubt it is a very good, developing city with a better standard of living. People are quite jolly, friendly and lively. Every weekend is meant for outing after and all, all home makers also need weekend. Hotels have waiting queue of about 1-2 hours every weekend. Even after having restaurants every few kms., it is still a good business opportunity to start a chain. As compared to restaurants, hotels are less in number.
Almost every MNC has got its branch in Ahmedabad and is providing employment to a vast majority of people. It is a good place to work, with good transport system (better than over crowded trains of Mumbai), good infrastructure.
No shortage of power, water and other amenities.
The government is keen on developing this city at quite a rapid pace and it is a lucrative place to start any business.
Roads are excellent, suited for long drive with Highways like Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway very well built. (I really miss this highway; have traveled a lot owing to my alma mater situated on this highway)
Dalvada, Gote, Thepla, Khakra and Undhiyon are some famous delicacies of Ahmedavadis.
Mount Abu- one of the most common destinations for outing besides Saputara, Udaipur and Diu.
Festivals are also a name of celebration. May it be the most famous Navratri of Gujarat or Dussherra or Diwali or Uttrayan.
I need not describe about Navratri- no doubt Gujjus’ dance to their souls. They do Garba in their own groups with varied steps hard to imitate.
In Diwali vacations you will find not a single shop open, not a single vendor on road. It’s a total shut down here and all neighboring tourist places are occupied by Ahmedavadis. I found it a bit strange as because in my home town I never saw something like this when people lock their homes during Diwali and go out for trip.
The very next day of Diwali is celebrated as New Year of Gujaratis with all fervour. And you will find people wishing “Happy New Year” more often then “Happy Diwali”.
One more tradition attracted my attention this year. There is some thing called-
“Labh Pacham”. That means people will start their business after Five days of Diwali. Hence there is total Shut down for 5 more days. Good Vacation time!!!! Strange, but true!!!
Uttrayan or Makar Sankranti is another famous festival of Ahmedabad. Jalebi, Khaman, Khandvi and loads of kites, all scattered on terrace of people is a common sight on January 14th every year. Every person irrespective of age, gender is busy in flying kite and shouting- “Kaipoch che”. In the night skies are filled with glittering fire shots and roads and food joints with people.
No doubt, people celebrate every festival with gusto and the festivals are nothing but another name of Celebration.
People are quite friendly, calm, relaxed, broad minded and at the same time conservative also. They are very passionate about their language to an extent that if the person opposite to them does not understand the language they will continue speaking in Gujarati. However, it is not a very difficult language and those who know Hindi will not find it much hard.
The big business mind of people walks with people and follows them everywhere. After all Gujju’s are known for making money out of any and every business.
Half or more than half of Gujarat resides in USA. There is separate community in India known as NRG- Non Resident of Gujarat.
Overall Ahmedabad is a good place to live and enjoy and earn money.
“Atyare atlu bas thayu”
Jai Shree Krishna!!!