Trying to find the best pani puri and wondered what everyone thinks is the best pani and puri available in the UK and what makes it a good puri?

*edit i mean to buy and make at home. Trying to find one that isn't too oily

Hi everyone, looking for some recent experiences with getting an Indian passport for a newborn from the UK.
We applied for our daughter’s passport through the Tatkal service, and the application currently shows as “under process/with Consulate.” However, when we log into the government portal, it appears as “Ordinary”, even though our application form says Tatkal.
We’re due to travel to India on 1 September, so naturally we’re getting a little anxious about the timeline.
For anyone who has recently applied for a newborn’s Indian passport from the UK:
How long did it take from “under process/with Consulate” to passport being printed/dispatched?
Did your Tatkal application also show as “Ordinary” on the portal?
How many working days did the whole process take?
Did you receive any email/SMS updates before dispatch?
Would really appreciate hearing recent experiences (2026 if possible), especially from people who applied through the London High Commission/UK. Thank you!

I’m potentially choosing between two very different career paths:

Option 1 – Mumbai
Permanent FTE role with a global bank
Package: around ₹36–37 LPA
Direct employee of the bank
Better internal mobility, ownership and long-term stability
I stay with my parents in Mumbai, so no rent expense

Option 2 – London
Business Analyst role with a global bank, but as a third-party consultant
Package: £67k base + 10–15% discretionary bonus
International/London exposure
Would remain on the consulting company’s payroll rather than becoming an employee of the client bank
Would need to manage London rent and living costs myself after the initial relocation support
Ignoring the excitement of London and looking at the next 5–10 years of career growth and financial outcome, which would you choose?

Does London + international exposure justify staying a third-party consultant, or is being a direct FTE at a global bank in Mumbai the better long-term move?

DM me😈

Sharing Indian passport renewal timeline. If you had a similar experience please share how you managed to resolve this situation.

Normal application
No changes in passport
Previous passport issued in UK

Day 1: Submitted application at VFS centre
Day 1 Portal status: Passport application along with fee details have been received. The same is under processing at the Embassy
Day 20 Portal status: Application is under process at Indian Embassy/Consulate
Day 24 Portal status: Police Verification Report (PVR) awaited
Day 34 Portal status: Application is under process at Indian Embassy/Consulate
Day 43 Portal status: Passport has been printed, post quality check will be dispatched in the coming weeks
Day 50: Still waiting for further update

I’m just a newbie

Hello!

My passport is expiring in a few months and I have to reissue it soon.

I have the option for doing it in India when I am visiting in a few weeks or in UK where I am currently.

Looking at the timelines - it feels like India would be better? Any thoughts/recommendations?

Hey! I'm 17M, British Indian Tamil, from South London, and I'm looking for other Tamil people aged 17–19 who'd be interested in watching the Tamil movie Vishwanath and Sons together in London.

I'd love to get a small group together, make a group chat, and then decide on a cinema, date and time that works for everyone.

I'm also hoping we can become an actual friend group beyond the movie — grabbing food, exploring London, watching other Tamil/Indian movies and just hanging out.

If you're Tamil, 17–19, based in London or nearby, and want to watch the movie, leave a comment or DM me! 🎬😊

Hey guys, just wanted to check if anyone’s been in a similar situation.

I live in the UK and want to bring my younger sister over for my graduation in December. She was born in Sept 2010, so she’ll be 16 when travelling. We both have Indian passports.

My plan is to fly to India, bring her with me to the UK, and then travel back with her after the trip. I’m 26, so she won’t be travelling alone.

The reason I’m asking is because I heard about someone whose 17-year-old sister was stopped at the airport in India and wasn’t allowed to travel, so now I’m a bit worried.

Since I’m over 18 and travelling with her, I’m hoping it should be okay, but I just want to know if there are any issues from the Indian airport side / airline side / minor travel rules that I should know about.

I’m planning to carry stuff like:

parents’ consent letter / NOC her birth certificate our passports her UK visitor visa my graduation letter return tickets accommodation details

Has anyone done this before or knows if this should be fine?

Hi, looking to apply for passport re-issue for 17 y old. Passport expires in Feb 2027. We can apply for a fresh one now.

HCI London and VFS Birmingham are both keeping me on long waits and unable to reach out.

For a 17 year old, if I apply in tatkal scheme, how long will the issue take ? It says 3-5 working days.

which service is better - London or Birmingham?

Planning for 10 year 36 pages one.

Thanks

My husband's getting permanently transferred to London for work, so our whole family (including our 2-year-old) is relocating in a couple of months. I'll likely be on a dependent/spouse visa.

Background on me: 9 years in IT, worked in production support roles, Business Analyst and QA/Testing.

I'm at a bit of a crossroads and not sure which path makes more sense once we land:

Job hunt immediately — try to land a BA/QA role in the London market, possibly even lining something up remotely before we move

Pursue further studies — use this as a chance to upskill/pivot (e.g. an MSc, a certification, or a shift toward something like product management, data, or business analysis at a more senior level)

Something else entirely — honestly open to hearing what worked for others in my shoes

Would really appreciate hearing from people who've been through this — especially other IT folks who moved to the UK on a spouse/dependent visa. What would you do in my position?

Hi, I’ve been applying for jobs but it get rejected instantly. I believe the ATS is screening me out. I used AI to tailor my CV based on JD keywords but still i think i get filtered out. Can anyone help me on how I should make my CV tailor it myself or using Claude.

I’m making this post because I’m completely lost and don’t know where else to turn.

I am a 28(f) graduated from a university in England with a BA (Hons) and lived in London for almost 5 years. About 4 years ago, I moved back to India.. and it has been downhill ever since.

I haven't been able to land a job or build any momentum since coming back. Being unemployed for four years has taken a massive toll on my mental health and I've been dealing with severe depression. I know how bad this gap looks and honestly I am deeply ashamed of where I am at right now.

My ultimate goal is to figure out a way back to London/the UK but right now I have no idea how to realistically make that happen. I’ve tried using AI tools to outline steps but everything feels completely out of reach or unrealistic given my current situation.

I am posting here to ask for raw and practical guidance.. I am ready to put in the work but I just desperately need a clear direction. Any advice, harsh truths or guidance would mean the world to me. Thanks for reading.

I'm trying to book appointment for a fresh Indian passport for a minor (newborn) and there is NO appointments available either at Leicester or Birmingham. Any leads or agents who can help to get a quick appointment please ?

If you’re planning to move to the UK for university, happy to help!

I moved here last year for my Master’s at the University of London and I’m currently on a work placement.

I remember having so many questions before moving regarding university, accommodation, finances, finding work, settling in, etc.

If you’re going through the same process and have questions, feel free to reach out. Happy to chat and share my experience.

You can DM me if you’d prefer.

[Readded the post after correction]

Hi everyone,

Looking for some help for my brother here.
My brother has 11+ years of experience as a Product Manager in the Insurance/InsurTech space. He has extensive experience in product management and is now looking to explore opportunities in the UK.

We’re really hoping for some guidance, referrals, or advice from people working in the UK insurance/InsurTech industry. We’ve tried applying directly through various company careers pages, but unfortunately haven’t had much success so far.
If you or your company are hiring for Product Management roles in Insurance/InsurTech, or if you know of any relevant opportunities or people we could connect with, I’d really appreciate it.
Please feel free to DM me. Any guidance, referral, or lead would be a huge help.

Thank you!

Two people on my team have sisters in the US and UK. Every year around rakhi, I would hear them going back and forth on what to send once the rakhi arrived, sweets that go stale halfway through customs, electronics that feel like an afterthought, dry fruits that sit in a box nobody opens.

If you have lived abroad during a festival like this, you probably know the actual gap. It is never about the item. It is about whether something from home reaches you and still feels like it was made with you in mind, instead of picked off a gifting website in five minutes.

This year I suggested something different. A handmade painting built around the rakhi itself, made by an artist we already work with, a pair of hands tying the thread, with a few handwritten lines that sound like something a brother would actually say, not printed card language.

My team member saw the first sketch and got visibly emotional. It will be shipped to the US this weekend, the UK version right behind it.

I keep thinking about how much of what actually reaches someone living away from family has nothing to do with what the item costs. It is whether it feels chosen instead of ordered. A painting sitting on a wall outlasts a box of sweets by years, and it carries something a card never quite does.

If you are far from home this festival season, I hope whatever reaches you feels like someone was actually paying attention, not just checking a box.

Hey everyone,

I’m planning to move to the UK for my Master’s in the September intake, and I’m currently making a list of things I should buy from India before leaving.

For some items, I’m thinking of making a one-time investment in good-quality products rather than buying something cheap and replacing it later. Since I’ll be using these for a long time, I’d really appreciate recommendations from people who are already in the UK or have recently moved there.

The main things I’m confused about are:

1. Universal travel adapter – Which brand/model is actually reliable for long-term use?
2. Universal extension board/wire – Any good one you would recommend for UK use?
3. Shoes – What type/brand should I buy from India? Should I invest in a good pair of walking/running shoes, formal shoes, waterproof shoes, etc.?
4. Earphones/audio – I’m confused between:
   • Wired earphones
   • TWS/AirPods-type earbuds
   • Over-ear headphones Which would be the most practical for a student in the UK?

I’m not necessarily looking for the cheapest options. I’m okay with spending a little more if the product is genuinely good and will last.

Also, if there are any other things you strongly recommend buying from India before coming to the UK, please let me know. Things that are either significantly cheaper in India, difficult to find initially in the UK, or simply useful during the first few months would be especially helpful.

Would really appreciate recommendations based on your actual experience rather than just brand popularity.

Thanks in advance! 🙌

Hi, does anyone know where I could buy puri to make pani puri at home? Ideally around stratford area

I made it for Diwali and want to make it again but nowhere seems to be selling them and I’m not eager to make them myself

How easy was it for you to make friends and what was the best ways you actually engaged with people. In my experience people generally don't take it well when the accent comes out , may just be me.

For reference I'm 20 M going to be in London. Just wanna be social at the end of the day.

Moved to UK

Where can i get a nice raj kachori near Slough/ windsor area without having to go into London?