Of friends and farewell
Who says friendships must be confined to your own generation? Some of my most cherished friends are around 80 (though I've never actually asked exact ages!) - age has never even crossed my mind in friendship.
Mahendra and Manju Sanghi possess more flamboyance and joie de vivre than most rambunctious twenty-somethings I know. Their dinner parties are pure magic - not just because of the intoxicating blend of intellect and glamour that defines their legendary terrace soirées, but because of the sheer artistry of it all. Ashwin Sanghi their very celebrated author son adds to the chutzpah of this gregarious couple. The stunning artwork adorning their walls, the expansive living room that flows seamlessly into a verdant garden terrace even more alluring in this monsoon, and the warm personal attention they lavish upon each guest creates an experience so memorable that I find myself floating in those happy moments for some days afterward. While bidding farewell to my dear friend Kobbi Shoshani - Israel's flamboyant consul general par excellence - was undeniably sad, the exquisite venue and thoughtfully curated menu transformed what could have been a melancholy evening into a celebration of friendship.
Vivek Phansalkar , ex chief Comissionar of police looked relatively more relaxed. The consular corps were happy to be part of this fun evening. Vaibhav, their other son was in his element chatting up a storm with Manju and me. And I left last.
The Season of Meaningful Shopping
Mumbai is witnessing the renaissance of conscious shopping through beautifully curated "edits" or fairs- a far cry from the mundane bazaars of yesteryear! The Parv Foundation's fair at NSCI drew hordes of eager women longing to shop with purpose, supporting philanthropic causes under the dynamic leadership of chairperson Mamta Surana. It's become a magnificent platform for homegrown businesses showcasing their exquisite wares and inaugurating it with Nayantara Thacker was a joy and pleasure especially when we took a turn around the kiosks and stalls together shopping happily to encourage all of these enterprising businesses.
But my heart truly belongs to the Shaila Trust and their edit, helmed by two extraordinary octogenarian superwomen whose energy puts people half their age to shame. Founders Padam Chaddha and Bilkis Merchant, alongside the brilliant organizing group of Vibha Vig and Bittu Chaudhary, Seema Agarwal, Amla Jain, Neeta Anand and some chosen few who are creating something truly magical this August 7th at the President Hotel. This pre-festive edit doesn't just champion women entrepreneurs - every rupee from stall rentals goes toward feeding and educating Balwadi children. Isn't this precisely how we can give real meaning to "India Shining" alongside "Make in India"?
When Brilliance Takes Center Stage
Arundhati Bhattacharya, former SBI chairman and current president and CEO of Salesforce South Asia, captivated audiences at Quorum, masterfully orchestrated by the MBA Guild. The fireside chat, conducted by my dear friend and industrialist VN Dalmia who flew in from Delhi for this , held everyone spellbound as Arundhati shared intimate vignettes about navigating her extraordinary career while gracefully balancing the demands of family and a very public professional life.
Celebrations Worth Noting
Another remarkable woman achiever is IAS officer Sonia Singh, who drew the entire bureaucratic community to her glamorous birthday lunch and was hospitable and joyous at her celebration. I found myself a nook with my Favorite’s Anjali Singh and Bhavana Roy, and I found overall even with other guests the conversation was more stimulating than other lunches!
The party crown of the week undoubtedly however belongs to Aftab "Affy" Patel, who is famous for bringing luxury brands like Rolex, Swarovski, and Bateel to India. His celebrations for his wife Aisha's birthday was a rocking success and also effortless in its vibe! Inca has emerged as this year's ultimate party destination, and seeing it packed on a Monday night - particularly during the traditionally quiet Shravan month - was quite the social coup!
And Affy looked delighted at his own party, doting on his lovely. The small plates for the main course were just what rounded the evening to be more Magical!
Reading this exuberant column, you'd never guess that I'm currently feeling absolutely steamrolled by Mercury retrograde, which astrologers warn will torment us until September. I'm wondering how I'll survive this cosmic chaos - I've barely managed to do guest appearances at these fabulous events while personal challenges keep hitting me like waves against the shore!
Do send some positive energy my way, won't you? I'm desperately hoping to report sunnier skies in my next dispatch!
Write to Nisha JamVwal at nishjamwal@gmail.com
