He has always been regarded as one of the tallest leaders of India Inc, famous for his adherence to old world values of simplicity, humility and grace
Ratan Tata
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He has always been regarded as one of the tallest leaders of India Inc, famous for his adherence to old world values of simplicity, humility and grace.
And so, neighbours of former Tata Chairman Ratan Tata, (now one of the most visionary investors in IT) were not surprised to note that not only did the reclusive patriarch partake of the Ganpati celebrations this year by keeping a Ganpati at home, but also that he sportingly made an appearance in the procession when it was being taken for immersion on Saturday night. "To be honest the Ganpati was housed at the staff quarters of Tata's bungalow Halakai," says a source.
"As is known, Mr. Tata lives very simply at his modest (for his standards) sea-facing bungalow in Colaba and his faithful staff of three have been with him for many years," the source says, adding, "So no, though he did not accompany it all the way to the Cuffe Parade immersion venue, amidst the firecrackers and live musicians, he did very graciously see it off from his gate when it was being taken for immersion around 8 pm. This small gesture conveyed the grace and all encompassing nature of the man." Nice!
Reaching out
Word comes in that last week, on the occasion of Paryushan, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray paid a visit to the Breach Candy hospital along with senior members of his party, to check on the health of Acharya Maharaj Shri Vijay Premsurishwarji, one of the Jain community's senior most personalities who is currently in the ICU.
Uddhav Thackeray with Acharya Maharaj Shri Vijay Premsurishwarji in Mumbai.
"Uddhavji spent time with Acharya Maharaj," says a source, adding, "he also spoke to the doctors who were treating him and inquired about the progress of his health and treatment. And he took the opportunity to wish Michhami Dukkadam to all the Jains across India." Thackeray's gentle ways – in stark contrast to his more strident late father Bal Thackeray – have set him apart.
Uddhav Thackeray photographs Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar in Udaipur
His passion for wildlife photography has resulted in many solo exhibitions in the city and his photographs of Maharashtra's famous forts have won him acclaim. Recently, he also had a meeting with Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, at the latter's Shambu Nivas place, where the artistically inclined politician got the erstwhile Maharaja to pose at his Palace for his lens.
Accent on Manish
He is arguably the second-most famous Manish in India today, (after ace designer Manish Malhotra) and now that soft-spoken Chef Manish Mehrotra will be coming to town after years at the helm of Rohit Khattar's Indian Accent restaurant at the Manor Hotel in Friends Colony Delhi, there is much excitement.
Manish Mehrotra and Ananda Solomon
Mehrotra will be in Mumbai, just a few months after conquering New York with the successful opening of Indian Accent in midtown Manhattan, which has received rave reviews from guests and critics alike. Not many know that before all his success and fame, Mehrotra was once a trainee chef under the legendary Ananda Solomon during his days with the Taj Group, and credits his humility and grounded-ness to his mentor.
His stint in Mumbai later this month will see him bring a three-day Indian Accent pop up to the Magazine Street Kitchen on September 25th -28th. Tickets are already online for Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000, and given his cult like following, insiders expect the event to be a complete sell out. After all, among his numerous awards and accolades, Indian Accent is rated the number one restaurant for 2016 in San Pellegrino's respected list of Asia's 50 best restaurants!
Masterchef for CEOs
With the ongoing coverage of the upcoming new season of MasterChef India, featuring three celebrity judges, including the addition of Zorawar Kalra (news of which we broke on this page in July) more news comes in from the MasterChef franchise: Next week, Masterchef Australia's chef Gary Mehigan, one of the three judges on the show, will be in India as part of a new series for Indian CEOs.
Gary Mehigan
The British-born Gary will cook three meals, each seven courses at five-star hotel venues in Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi and the menu is said to showcase, "different flavours and delicacies from the lands of the Seven Wonders of the World," according to a spokesperson. Following this, chef Gary will be in conversation with India's leading food critic Vir Sanghvi, who will also host the events. As for the damages, we hear it's an invitation only affair and invitees dine free. Nice!
Gathering no moss
Ever since the arrest this week of the high-flying head honcho of a publicly listed real-estate firm for financial fraud, his critics have been attributing his run of bad luck to his insistence on owning a Rolls Royce. "Conventional wisdom amongst some of India's oldest business clans holds that not only does the stately vehicle attract too much attention, but also its share of misfortune," says a business insider.
"If you think about it, most of those who have one of these cars have faced some degree of strife," he says, recalling how the young scion of a large conglomerate (also facing the long arm of the law this week) had emblazoned his business firm's name on his Rolls as a marketing scheme. "Not only did the business fail, but things have not been going too well for the rest of the clan," says the insider, adding, "Today a Rolls in business circles carries the same stigma that the Mercedes had once held in Bollywood." That's the way it rolls these days folks.
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