The World is my Playground

Upcycle   - the New Cult! Pollution, cutting trees, environment conservation etc. are a few hot burning topics been spoken about a lot.. but our habits and the need for surging economy towards growth and development itself is a hurdle towards conservation. In between, there are sensitive groups who keep taking small initiatives to add their contribution to our own cause of saving some resources than money for the generations to come!!! Upcycle – another cult setting in is the best solution for conservation wherein you recreate and transform anything which probably is of no use. You save many trees from being cut by not getting new furniture made You don’t contribute to air pollution Anything manufactured in factories certainly has effluent emission in the water bodies or environment The noise of course, as output of manufacturing and construction. My recent visits to some eateries in Gurgaon intrigued me to write this piece, high tech enviro...

In a flashing visit of his Excellency H.E .  Pekka Haavisto, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Finland in India, we got a chance to capture some points from his vision to develop the world, especially human capital in amalgamation with the environment. Therefore in a multidimensional meet, with a focus to boost the economy of Africa and how India can be a key contributor or driver for the same, various aspects were discussed. “ Africa and Great Power Politics – Views from Europe and India ” was the topic covered at Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, India. We all are aware that India and Africa have pre-colonial connections, apart from genetic and the lions we know of.. we’ve had business connections; and subsequent to the continent split up, trade routes were developed. Africa is rich and endowed with the best natural resources, minerals, space, and sunshine; hence NOW it is time to boost up the long-struggling economy, reviving our age-old connections and buil...

Gujarat, a land of plenty; it's not only known for it's the longest coastline but there are plenty other natural wonders located in the land of Gandhi. It's home to some of the famous mammals which are: Asiatic Gir Lion and the state is proud for it's growing population which has crossed 600.. second is the Black Bucks and the Wild Asses apart from the hyenas, bears and bats found in plenty. 22nd September 2019, a group of enthusiasts set out on an elaborately planned day trip to capture the entire essence of Little Rann of Kutch. This was the third official outstation trip organised by  # FEAtrails . Greater Rann we all know of.. and the Rann Festival has made it all the more popular with Amitabh Bacchan being the campaign hero. A part of this largest salt desert of the World lies a patch in the eastern side, known as Little Rann of Kutch. This geographical wonder is home to Wild Asses and the Sanctuary details have been submitted to UNESCO in 2006 to be declare...

......... thoughts from the Capital city of a Secular Republic India...... Recent   setting up of a milestone on 5th August 2019,  in history of India, by scrapping Article 370 which gave Kashmir a special status dividing it from India was a bold and righteous move by Indian Government, under leadership of Narendra Modi, towards a peaceful society. The move itself instigated entire India to debate on communal perspective which I personally believe has no grounds... And while all this was on, I happened to visit Old Fort in the Capital of India, Delhi. Masjid built by Shershah Suri The Old Fort, which occupies a huge piece of land in a place/ city where finding space is a challenge, I got some intriguing thoughts rather questions which might stir the souls of those who spark up divisional movements.. # Old Fort is believed to be the Old Indraprastha, land of Pandavas who were Kshatriya in origin. #The influence of Mauraya empire is also spoken about in that space...

The Urban skyline of Ahmedabad is getting filled up with high voltage lights, new construction, loud and jazzy commercial outlets, in between the umpteen modern options emerges another one "Just Foodinn", an old and renowned restaurant chain of Ahmedabad. The fourth branch caters to the South West new zone of Ahmedabad. It is located at One World Capital building, Bodakdev. Run by Abid Ali Rabari, who has been serving the city for over 15 years from now; ventures out to bring in a World Cuisine menu, retaining their favorite Indian Delicacies. Abid with his hard core dedication and the right expertise and experience has made Just Foodinn, one of the old favorite brands having a loyal league of foodies. Apart from the favorite Butter chicken, which they are known for, food inn has added some very interesting creative Delicacies. The Menu is curated by Chef Shivam Kothari who holds a bag full of wisdom, that of over seventeen years, picked up from Oberoi Hotels, Emirat...

Saturday 22nd June 2019: Agriculture, call it a tradition, an occupation or being part of the nature and our existence with it!! Just like Kastoori or the musk is within the deer, but it keeps hunting outside, similar is with our Agriculture sector. It had always been our primary resource, but we complicated the same hunting outside, making farmers dependant on complex and manipulative processes. We all know that various climatic and financial factors with overburdened chemical dependency has made this sector gloomy, turning down into a compounded cyclical process which has now started affecting the urban too; giving the realisation to human race now to bridge the gap between the two. Farmer suicides and pesticides in food chain with increase in cancer cases is just the tip of the iceberg. Purvi Vyas, Mentor WGWLO & Babita Jain Chair person FLO With such an initiative Ficci FLO Ahmedabad on 21st June, organised an event Coordinated by Shilpa patel , Kinnery Sh...

Past decade, community service, awareness of serving the society and formalising a law of giving 2% of income as compulsory contribution was put in action. April 2014 onwards, it was formally announced under section 135 of companies act that organisations earning over 5 crore profits have to contribute and they get tax benefit too.. Now Ahmedabad gets a restaurant where you will contribute 2% of your bill amount to Visamo kids, with a proof on the bill. Rather than putting your cash contribution in boxes where you aren't sure where the money goes, this is a better approach. The concept has been introduced by  Dr. Shankharupa Damle who used to be completely into social projects. Another USP of this restaurant is the direct employment given to local chefs of various pockets in India. They have a menu serving cuisine of West Bengal, UP, Maharashtra, MP etc. And the local people who have hands on experience have been roped in to serve authenticity. Hence it's ...

Double Tree by Hilton today was home to Divas in Ahmedabad.. amidst the culinary creations by few women, walks in a Tall, fair lady, with a perfect figure, wearing Stilletoes designer dress which is a knee length skirt with a front slit.  Ficci Y Flo, today had organised a session by celebrity chef Sarah Todd under the title 'Food for Thought'. Where Sarah shared her journey for the young aspiring ladies to inspire and guide them. The recipe of her success is; 1. In Sydney she turned to a model by virtue of her vitals at the age of 18, then there was no looking back but loads of hard work for ramps, endorsements and shoots. Sleepless nights and still looking fresh. Maximum changes she has done in a day is 60. All this made her travel the world.. 2. After a decade of toil, her culinary creative skills suddenly started knocking down the corner. She remembered her childhood when her mother used to make cookies and sell them for survival. Later she became a mother...

Getting off on a hot Sunday in the month of June when the temperatures soar to 45 degree celcius, enthusiastic bloggers and some entrepreneurs under guidance of Anil Mulchandani set off on two extremely off beat experiences. One to a shooting range and the other to a Maratha Royal food sojourn at Madhav Bagh. 1. Misirote farm is run by Sardar Ishwar Singh and Sardarni Gyaneshwari, who also manage Savli Taluka Rifle Association. The farm set amidst a rural backdrop is an eco friendly get away which also imparts residency certificate courses in Rifle shooting. They have high end computer integrated, voice simulated trap shooting range. S. Ishwar Singh has been instrumental in promoting trap shooting in India as a sport. Misirote is a two hour drive from Ahmedabad, it is located in Parthampura on banks of Mahi river. The place is a good option for day picnics or weekend stays. 2. Madhav Bagh: the Indo British Royal Mansion now has four rooms ready for tourists to exper...