The World is my Playground

Day in and day out we are reading about pollution, global warming, chemical processing and revival of heritage. Volunteer Groups, NGOs, stringent Government policies have already realized the damage that has been done by the new age human civilization. The efforts at individual and group levels in getting back and being rooted are some baby steps being taken in the huge Urban clutter, where "Retail therapy" is the buzz word.  This so termed "Therapy" is just a stop gap solution, temporary and hollow, promoting "use and throw" concept amidst the new generation...but still empty and hollow, leading no where!! Some good hearts amidst the herd have rolled up their sleeves and taken conscious charge to not allow chemicals get into their food stream.  Sunday, 23rd September, in the Capital city, where 'vertical growth" spending on weekends in the malls, showing off brands and price tags is the culture which has seeped in.

The Iconic landmark on the map of any tourist or celebrity visiting Ahmedabad is Vishalla. One place which has been deep-rooted yet standing firm on the ground since 1978. Rustic, soothing, natural and humane are the core essential aspects of the age-old restaurant in town. Vishalla is not only known for its authentic food which comprises of over forty items which are first served to the deity in the temple after an ‘ aarti’ ; a daily ritual, and if you happen to reach there at 7pm then you can be a part of this truly divine experience. The food, therefore, is addressed more as ‘ prasadam’ . Moreover, the ingredients used are pure and natural with no entry of any artificial color in your platter. The authentic Gujarati food is served over disposable dry leaf plates or ‘pattal’. Wall of Fame The village-like rustic environment gets dramatic in the evening when the lanterns light up the mud houses and dining tops created with uneven logs of wood; retaining its natural shap

13 th September 2018: India as we all know; not only has a diverse culture but so stands for its architecture and heritage. In my recent trip to South India, wherein my plan was to touch upon some key points in the Indian Peninsula, beginning from Hyderabad (the eastern part) thereon heading to Nanded in Maharashtra , back and then reach Kochi in Kerala, drive to Munnar to view the spectacle of an era i.e Neelkaranji flower bloom; reach Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, take off for the southernmost tip of India – Arichal Munai via Rameshwaram and come back to Ahmedabad. As we all know, due to the man-made catastrophe in Kerala, I was in constant hope that rain will certainly stop, life in few days will get back to normal (first week of August), but flood conditions worsened as water from the Dam reservoirs was released through 3 gates, adding on to the upheaval of nature’s fury which made me cancel my bookings from Hyderabad to Kochi... it was quite disappointing; but the news reports

Madurai, a place which I was always fascinated to go since my childhood days, but things happen only when the time is right! Staying at Taj Gateway was in my wish list, after trying to book online; no room, then trying to put up a special request too failed as the property was completely booked. Hence my plan was to spend at least a day out there as the property is spread across an expanse of 10 acres out of the 63 acres of one only green hill i.e ‘Pasumalai’ out of the other three rocky hills in Madurai. Tamil Thali as in food varieties on my plate at a go.. was an experience which I had kept pending for the last day of my ten-day solo trip!! 8 th September ‘18, after visiting two temples, headed onto Taj Gateway Pasumalai, the property is located at a hilltop, reaching out to the hotel through a completely silent road winding upwards through a green patch itself is a beginning of an invigorating experience. As soon as I got off my car, two peacocks welcomed me, givi