04-21-2008, 08:49 PM
<b>In Norway, 'Taj Mahal, Agra' have Paki owners</b>
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21 Apr 2008
OSLO
Everything from cuisines to decor at a restaurant owned by a Pakistani-origin businessman here reminds of the flavours of the sub-continent.
The aroma of 'Dal Makhani', 'Shahi Paneer' and 'Chicken Tikka' with soothing instrumentals of legendary Indian composer S D Burman playing in the background set the right mood for a perfect dinner.
Metallic idols of 'Radha-Krishan' and 'Nataraj' placed near the dining table add the Indian touch. "Many businessmen who are of Pakistani and Lankan-origin own 'Indian' restaurants here. They have even grabbed so many popular Indian names for them," says one of the Indian restaurateurs Baljit Singh of 'Bombay Darbar' restaurant at Carl Johan Gate here.
<b>"They know it is the 'Brand India' which sells here. Not many people would be interested if they were to use names of people and places in their own country</b>," he says, adding, "Taj Mahal, Agra, Gate of India, Little India, Anarkali, and Shalimar are some of the prominent restaurants owned by our regional cousins."
At one point, an eating joint named 'Gandhi' was owned by a Pakistani-origin businessman Ali Hashmi. In 2005, a Punjabi restaurateur bought it from him.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Link
21 Apr 2008
OSLO
Everything from cuisines to decor at a restaurant owned by a Pakistani-origin businessman here reminds of the flavours of the sub-continent.
The aroma of 'Dal Makhani', 'Shahi Paneer' and 'Chicken Tikka' with soothing instrumentals of legendary Indian composer S D Burman playing in the background set the right mood for a perfect dinner.
Metallic idols of 'Radha-Krishan' and 'Nataraj' placed near the dining table add the Indian touch. "Many businessmen who are of Pakistani and Lankan-origin own 'Indian' restaurants here. They have even grabbed so many popular Indian names for them," says one of the Indian restaurateurs Baljit Singh of 'Bombay Darbar' restaurant at Carl Johan Gate here.
<b>"They know it is the 'Brand India' which sells here. Not many people would be interested if they were to use names of people and places in their own country</b>," he says, adding, "Taj Mahal, Agra, Gate of India, Little India, Anarkali, and Shalimar are some of the prominent restaurants owned by our regional cousins."
At one point, an eating joint named 'Gandhi' was owned by a Pakistani-origin businessman Ali Hashmi. In 2005, a Punjabi restaurateur bought it from him.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->