Eindhoven specifics

I moved from India to Eindhoven in 2009 September. Here is some information specific to the city....

Note: Since Jan 2014, I have transferred this blog to http://indiansinnetherlands.com due to better features. So for latest (and correct) notes, kindly click here: http://indiansinnetherlands.com.

1. There are plenty of Indians in Eindhoven due to Philips, ASML, NXP and also students coming to TU/E
2. Indian restaurants: Sri Ganesh (south indian vegetarian), Touch of India, Taj Mahal, Jothi stores (in the order of my recommendation)
3. Indian grocery stores: Rohit, Omid stores, Jothi Stores, Sri Cash and Carry.....always watch out for expiry date. Also the Turkish and Chinese stores carry a lot of Indian stuff like variety of vegetables, dal etc. But if you want ready idli mix, pani puri packet etc, you have to go to Indian stores.
4. Most Albert Heijn stores in Eindhoven are open till 10.00PM Monday to Saturday. Few Albert Heijns are open for 8 (12.00 to 20.00) hours on Sunday. Check their website for the timings....http://www.ah.nl ; click on  'winkels'.
5. If you are looking for a short stay, click here for the hotels in Eindhoven.
6. If you are looking for single person, shared accommodation basis etc, click here and register for kamernet.nl (this is not via agent).
7. Weekly Saturday market happens on the 'Woenselse Markt' street from 09.00 to 17.00.
8. Medicine at off hours (5.00 PM to 8.30AM, holidays, weekends) is available at Catherina hospital, in the Emergency department. You can drive/cycle to the emergency dept parking. Remember to carry your insurance details also if you are buying prescription medicine.
9. The Centrum shops are open till 17.00 Monday to Thursday, Saturday and first Sunday of the month. On Friday shops are open till 21.00. Except for the first Sunday of the month, shops are closed on other Sundays.
10. There is a shopping mall called 'Winkel Centrum' on the northern side of the city. Open timings are similar to centrum except that it is open on last Sunday of the month instead of first Sunday of the month. See link  http://www.eindhoven-actueel.nl/woenselxl.html
11. Pathe cinema complex in the centrum is popular among bachelors. While it costs about € 8 for each movie, you can buy a monthly pass for about €20 for unlimited movies. All English movies are screened here.
12. Stratumseind is the pub street of Eindhoven - even if you do not drink, this street is a must visit on a Friday/Saturday late night.
13. Cricket for amateurs, tennis ball: go to facebook group TUeCricketEindhoven. People play for fun every Saturday in the TU/E premises starting somewhere in April thru September. Though the mailing group is very large, only about 10 to 15 show up. Click http://www.facebook.com/groups/TUeCricketEindhoven/. 
14. A cricket tournament for amateurs takes place in June/July organized by High Tech campus folks. In 2013, 6 teams participate in this tournament - High Tech Campus, Cognizant, TU/E, Satyam, Wipro and ASML.
15. Cricket for professionals (leather ball): go to facebook group http://www.facebook.com/eindhovencc.
16. Popular day care for kids in the region is Korein. They have centers in multiple places around Eindhoven. Admission is generally available.
17. There is a mailing group isn-request@listserver.tue.nl where a lot of people in the Eindhoven area announce and request for information/buying/selling. The group has a good percentage of asians. Daily things like accommodation availability, moving help, second hand articles, carpooling, discount tickets etc etc are discussed/traded here. I suggest you join this. To join, send an email to the id with 'help' in either subject line or body.
18. Travel by bus is cheaper with OV-chipkaart. There is no day-pass available. Buying a ticket on the bus costs € 3.50 per leg of travel. The same with a OV-chipkaart will most likely cost much less depending on the length of travel.
19. Travel by bus is free for kids upto 4 years old. 4 to 11 is free after 09.00 when accompanied by an adult and the child has a 'stadpass'. 
20. Popular Taxi company that operates in Eindhoven is Ciba; phone: 0402443333 
21. The train station in Eindhoven has an escalator to reach the train platform. But from the train platform to the transit area, it is only staircase...no lift either. 
22. Nearest formal temple is in Roermond (45 Kms). There are a couple of mandirs in Eindhoven where bhajans are organized.
23. To print pictures, you can go to Media Markt or Hema. 
24. http://www.ste.nl/ has Dutch language courses on Saturdays.
25. Volkuniversiteit Eindhoven offers reasonable price Dutch courses (I heard...not my experience).
26. Kempen and Rots-Vast are good agencies for house hunting. I have heard some negative comments about Stoit-Groep that they are damn expensive when you vacate!
27. For initial stay, if hotel cost is turning out to be too expensive, you can try http://www.pensioneindhoven.nl/index_en.html. It costs about 110/person/week inclusive of breakfast.
28. Tamil movies are sometimes screened in 'Bioscope' theater complex. Hindi is also being screened in Pathe off late. Chennai Express and Ram Leela were screened in Pathe (tickets were sold out couple of days in advance).
29. In February every year, 'Bollywood dance' event is held. A good DJ and other entertainment is done. 
30. In February every year, Carnival is celebrated for 3 days. People are dressed in crazy dress and it is all pure fun. There is also a parade that takes place. Entire centrum will be filled with people in fancy dress. In fact you can find only a hand full not dressed oddly!! Google for the dates Carnival takes place (Note: Celebration in Masstricht is supposed to be even bigger).
31. In August every year there is a games fair that happens on John F Kennedylaan. A stretch of 1 KM is blocked for this event that runs for 10 days. For details see  http://www.parkhilaria.nl/
32. In October every year, Eindhoven Marathon is held. Few Indians also participate.
33. In October every year, at night a circular route of about 10kms is lit with different types of lamps. At one point there is a small lake that is lit with lights. 
34. In November every year, "Glow" festival is held. For a week, Eindhoven centrum is lit with artistic and creative lighting. Light is focused on the Catherina church or the Hooghhuis building making it look like the whole buiding is painted or broken or rearranged. This is a must see.
35. In November every year, the Netherlands Kannada get together is held. For details, go to http://shrigandha.nl
36. In November (or Diwali time), Indo-Dutch organization generally have a functions. About 200 to 300 Indians and also quite a few Dutch gather at that time.
37. For Diwali, you can buy sparklers in Action shop or Toys XL in the Piazza complex in the centrum. Ask for fireworks-sparklers. You get big and small size packs.
38. The Eindhoven main library is located in the Centrum. It is huge and carries books from various categories. Only hitch is that there are very few English books in most sections. There is a small but separate English section where you can find English books. Some kids books are also in Einglish.  Visit  http://www.bibliotheekeindhoven.nl/www/Nieuws/obe_nieuws.htm for details.
39. For free legal help in Eindhoven, visit http://www.juridischloket.nl/contact/bezoekhetjuridischloket/Pages/Eindhoven.aspx. Per my knowledge, it is a body by the city council who will help in civil cases. At least the consultation is free.
40. Swimming lessons for kids: Tongelreep (also possible for adults), Kikkersprong (bit more expensive, but more personal attention as in 1 instructor for 5 to 8 kids), TU/E sportsclub
41. Foot ball for kids: http://www.woenselseboys.net/
42. Weekly Bhajans are held on Friday evening. For details: http://www.jayaramschoolofdivinity.blogspot.nl/
43. Bharatanatyam classes are held by a professional dancer near the centrum. Leave me a comment if you need details. Here is a performance video (go to minute 5.00, the one in the white dress): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82S68mdDExo
44. If you need ornaments, visit: https://www.facebook.com/ShrithasCollection and ask for details.
45. If you are working in Rabobank, you can join the TU/E sports club. You get access to swimming pool, badminton, tennis, squash and a variety of other sports.
46. Try this http://www.beyondmarketing.com/eindhoven/

Lastly: If you know of any information that should have been here but is missing, please leave me a comment.

Disclaimer: This is my best effort and no responsibility will be taken for any inaccuracy