globalcitysurat: 2017

Friday 22 September 2017

Diamond polishing

Surat is a major hub of diamond cutting and polishing.^[29] Gujarati diamond cutters, emigrating from East Africa, established the industry in 1901 and, by the 1970s, Surat-based diamond cutters began exporting stones to the US for the first time. Surat is the largest diamond hub in the entire world. It is to believed that 9 out of 10 diamonds in Manhattan, New York, is from Surat. Major diamond polishing factories are in Varracha and Kataragam area. Most of the diamond business is dominated by people from Saurastra.^{[citation needed]} Surat is also called the Diamond city.^[30]

Surat, previously known as Suryapur, is a city in the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat - the modern port city of today boasts of a great historical and cultural heritage. The history of Surat takes us back to the epic age of Mahabharata and Ramayana. According to mythological beliefs, Lord Krishna stopped in the city whiles his journey from Mathura to Dwarka.

Surat of today has earned the reputation of an important industrial hub and commercial center of the country. A glimpse on the history of Surat will prove that the city has always been a great trading center.

The great explorer Hiuen Tsang referred the Surat City as Sowrata and described it as a business town on the shore of Arabian Sea near Gujarat.

Surat reached the highest point of prosperity during the sixteenth century. The Surat Port was considered important by the European traders. The British and the Portuguese waged battles against each other to gain supreme control over the trading route. The French and the Dutch also arrived in the city with merchandising objectives. The place is also known as India's western gateway because of its strategic position. People of many races from various places have come to Surat from the ancient times, because of which, the city has witnessed a blend of many traditions and cultures.

Surat is also known to be the world’s largest diamond manufacturing centre, home to over 5,000 diamond manufacturing units including most advanced, large-scale diamond cutting factories in the world. The Surat SEZ boasts of over 100 listed companies and is fast emerging as a leading jewellery production hub.

The art and culture of Surat is much diversified and the people here are generally of soft nature. The pleasure loving people of Surat have a very stylish and spirited outlook. The language that is mostly spoken in the Surat City is Surti Gujrati language.

Many people refer to the unique culture of Surat as the “Surti Culture”. Surti culture though distinct in its flavor still retains the main essence of the Indian culture. Most residents here are Hindus, though other minority communities like Muslims and Christians are also its residents. Most of the major Hindu festivals are celebrated here but especially the festivals of Navaratri and Diwali along with Makar Sankranti are celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Apart from the history and highlights of Surat, Gujarat is also proud to be the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, India's Father of Nation. Today the state has conserved Mahatma with museums, statues, ashrams and much more. This is the place where he was born and started movements that forced British’s out and gave India independence. The very famous Sabarmati Aashram, which was one of the residences of Gandhi, is just 3-4 hrs drive from Surat. One who wishes to learn more about the life of Mahatma Gandhi should visit this place.

Diamond City" : Surat is well known for its Diamond business.

"Silk City" : Surat is also known as "Textile city"

Monday 18 September 2017

Food

Famous Food

1.Locho

A funny story follows the invention of Locho. While preparing the usual Khaman, an irregular consistency led to another dish coming out, the Locho which tastes surprisingly tasty and mouth-watering. You can find it on every hawker’s menu list and has a mild sweet spicy taste. Served with green chutney and crispy sev, Locho is a popular snack among our Gujju brothers. You can even find amazing varieties of Locho like Schezwan and Italian Locho. A popular food center called Jaani’s serve the best Locho in entire Surat.

2. Ghari

People on diet, be alert! Ghari will tempt you to just forget about all the calorie counting and soon you will find yourself stuffing the delicious sweet dish of Gujarat. Prepared in pure ghee and stuffed with assortments of dry fruits, nobody can stop just at one. Ghari holds a special place in the hearts of Suratis who prepare these at home during their popular festivals and celebrations. Vendors sell thousands of Ghari every year, which itself is a record. You can go to any store serving sweets and find the tasteful dish ready to become the favourite of many!

3. Surti Sev Khamani

Want to eat something that simply tickles your taste bud? Then Khamani is the dish for you. Made from Chana dal and variety of spices mixed into it, Khamani has a spicy tangy taste that you would want to relish even after going away from Surat. Surat’s famous Khamani is spiced up by their unique combination of ingredients like ginger, a little sugar, chillies, Garlic and pepper powders. Garnished with the popular besan Sev, the dish is extremely popular for breakfasts and evening snacks.

4. Undhiyu

A combination of 8 special vegetables grown in Surat, when cooked for hours, make the traditional vegetable casserole of Surat, known as Undhiyu. The dish derives its name from the Gujarati word “Undhu”, which stands for being upside down. The vegetables are stirred well upside down in special earthenwares to give Undhiyu its exquisite succulent taste. The recipe is passed on from generations in every household of Surat. So, the next time you visit a Gujarati restaurant, don’t forget to order this traditional dish of Gujarat served in the best authentic way.

5. Bhajiya

The Bhajiyas served near the footpaths of Surat city have a variety of categories yet each different from the other. Visit these stalls opposite Iscon mall to pamper your taste buds with the best varieties of Bhajiyas in the world! They range from Aaloo Bhajia, Kanda Bhajia, Chilly Bhajia, Ratalu Bhajia, Tameta Bhajiya and more. The feeling of eating near the footpaths with glittery lights of the malls and streetlights, in the open air, is simply amazing, to say the least! One must try eating near these footpath stalls of Surat and experience the footpath eatery system where people come with their families, spread their mats on the footpath and sit there to eat and relax .

6. Ponk Vadas

The winters bring Ponk Vada to Surat that is as delicious as they sound. The crispy hot snack uses Jowar as its main ingredient and is a toothsome yet healthy dish you can have every winter evenings. The people of Surat relish those cold foggy evenings spent eating Ponk Vadas throughout their lives. While you are in Surat, visit one of the roadside vendors to enjoy the delicious snack with Sev and green Chutney. There is something different about eating on those roadside stalls whose taste can never be found in lavish hotels.

7. Collegian

Ask the people who ever stayed in Surat during their student life and they’ll tell you how to enjoy Collegian in the best way! Collegian made its way into every student’s heart with its tangy crunchy taste and ease to prepare. Easily available at every vendor’s stall, Collegian is made from peanuts, onion, tomato and chilli with crunchy sev dressing. Outside every college of Surat, one can easily find students walking, chit chatting about their days and eating Collegian together.

8. Nan Khatai

So you want to take Surat’s memories with you as the trip ends? Well, this is the one thing you must pack with you while returning. Let your friends and family know why Surat should be called as “Food Capital of India”. Nan Khatai is an Indianized version of cookies with almond toppings. The eggless biscuit melts effortlessly in the mouth and thrills the taste buds with its crispy sweet taste. A popular snack with tea in the house of every Surati.

9. Ice Dish

We all are familiar with Ice Golas that are very popular in every part of the country. But our Gujju friends needs the best of the bests when it comes down to food, which led to the invention of Ice dish, which is simply a makeover version of Ice Gola yet so much better! They usual gola is dressed in vanilla ice cream, a generous amount of cream, dry fruits and different flavours to make this unique dessert. The next time you’re throwing a party back at home, try Surat style Ice Dish to make your party the talk of the town.

10. Rassawala Khaman Dhokla

People of Surat take their time out to visit the Chowk which serves the best Khaman Dhokla dipped in a spicy gravy with of course the dressing of sev. Rassawala Khaman Dhokla is another variety of Khaman, a very popular street food of Surat city that has a fan following all across the globe. You can try preparing this at home, but people say they never get the taste of streets of Surat.

11.Mava kulfi