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In 'Travel The World With Kids’ we talk to moms around the globe interested in exploring their backyard attractions with their kids - this edition in Hyderabad!
In The Women’s Web ‘Travel The World With Kids’ series, we talk to mums from all over the globe who are interested in exploring their backyard attractions with their tiny tots! We hope you find them useful, if someday you choose to visit their part of the world. Presented in Q&A format, this one is with Lakshmi of Bukvorm’s Blog from Hyderabad.
Famed for its beautiful pearls and mouth-watering dum biryani, the ancient city of Hyderabad has undergone quite a transformation in recent years to become the glistening glass and chrome ‘Cyberabad’. Lakshmi talks to us about some kid-friendly things to do in the capital city of Andhra Pradesh!
Hello Lakshmi! How would you describe yourself?
An avid book-worm, a blogger, a Search Engine Marketing expert by profession and a part-time baker by passion. I live in Hyderabad with my three year old daughter, my husband and in-laws.
What would you like to say to parents visiting Hyderabad with young kids?
If you are travelling to Hyderabad in the summer, do carry lots of water and wet wipes. It can get very dry here and children often tend to get dehydrated. Even if your child is already potty-trained, I’d suggest carrying diapers along too, because you might not find clean washrooms everywhere.
What is the best time to visit Hyderabad with kids?
The best time would be around September – December. It is neither too warm nor too cold, and you wouldn’t have to worry about carrying woollens or about your child catching a cold.
Which outings in Hyderabad, have you and your kids enjoyed most?
I’ve loved going to the Jawaharlal Nehru Zoological Park here in Hyderabad, it is one of the largest zoos in India. You can even rent a cottage there. I’ve loved going to The Colour Factory. It is a lovely place where you get to paint and make your own mugs, bowls and much more. They have special sessions for kids too. You can even have a go at the potter’s wheel!
The Salarjung Museum is a great place to go too, but only if your kids are old enough to enjoy it. The Ramoji Film City is a must-visit. If you love history, you should definitely visit the Golconda Fort. They have a special light and sound show that you should not miss.
For tourists visiting Hyderabad for the first time, do you have any particular tips?
The city has a great Metro Train system which connects Hyderabad and Secunderabad and almost every place that you need to visit. Utilise it as much as possible; it is quite safe and very prompt. Don’t forget to bargain with the Auto-wallahs if you’re taking a rick!
Are there any particular restaurants in Hyderabad specially suited for kids?
My daughter loves going to Little Italy. They have great food in addition to high chairs, crayons, and the staff is very friendly too. They go out of their way to make sure my daughter is happy and entertained and that makes me a very happy camper!
Are there any particular shopping areas in Hyderabad that you think kids will enjoy?
The Inorbit Mall is something kids will enjoy because they have a special play area for kids and have loads of food stalls. They even rent out strollers for a nominal fee. The Old city is a great place to shop for bangles and antique jewellery but it might get a little crowded and intimidating for young kids.
Any kid-friendly day trips out from Hyderabad?
You can visit Nagarjuna Sagar which is a couple of hours away. It is one of the largest dams in the world and is about 150 kms away. Apart from this you can also visit Srisailam, which is located in the Nallamalai hills on the bank of the river Krishna. It is a lovely place with lots of waterfalls around. Be sure to carry a change of clothes if you are heading there though!
In your opinion, how kid-friendly would you say Hyderabad is?
I’ve lived in two other cities too but I feel Hyderabad is the best place for me to bring up my daughter. Most of the places I have gone to have been very child friendly and safe. There have been a lot of instances when I’ve had to venture out alone with my daughter to visit friends or even have a coffee and have always felt safe even at night.
Thanks Lakshmi! Hyderabad sure seems like a nice place to visit with kids!
*Photo credit: Lakshmi (Lakshmi with her daughter)
Previous Interviews In The ‘Travel With Kids’ Series:
Sunayana from Kolkata
Sunita from Pune
Anuradha from Mumbai
Artnavy from Bengaluru
Leonny from Singapore
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Neena was the sole caregiver of Amma and though one would think that Amma was dependent on her, Neena felt otherwise.
Neena inhaled the aroma that emanated from the pan and took a deep breath. The aroma of cumin interspersed with butter transported her back to the modest kitchen in her native village. She could picture her father standing in the kitchen wearing his white crisp kurta as he made delectable concoctions for his only daughter.
Neena grew up in a home where both her parents worked together in tandem to keep the house up and running. She had a blissful childhood in her modest two-room house. The house was small but every nook and cranny gave her memories of a lifetime. Neena’s young heart imagined that her life would follow the same cheerful course. But how wrong she was!
When she was sixteen, the catastrophic clutches of destiny snatched away her parents. They passed away in a road accident and Neena was devastated. Relatives thronged her now gloomy house and soon it was decided that she should be married off.
Women today don’t want to be in a partnership that complicates their lives further. They need an equal partner with whom they can figure out life as a team, playing by each other’s strengths.
We all are familiar with that one annoying aunty who is more interested in our marital status than in the dessert counter at a wedding. But these aunties have somehow become obsolete now. Now they are replaced by men we have in our lives. Friends, family, and even work colleagues. It’s the men who are worried about why we are not saying yes to one among their clans. What is wrong with us? Aren’t we scared of dying alone? Like them?
A recent interaction with a guy friend of mine turned sour when he lectured me about how I would regret not getting married at the right time. He lectured that every event in our lives needs to be completed within a certain timeframe set by society else we are doomed. I wasn’t angry. I was just disappointed to realize that annoying aunties are rapidly doubling in our society. And they don’t just appear at weddings or family functions anymore. They are everywhere. They are the real pandemic.
Let’s examine this a little closer.
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