WWW.POWAI.INFO

Stacey is a from Shillong, who has lived in England. She is also a musician and plays drums, guitars.

Her favorite quote is “When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep — not screaming, like the passengers in his car”– Stacey Hieriem.

Micheal is British, working in Thane, loves powai, but prefers there were forums for expats where they could meet regularly and exchange ideas.

Check out their audio interview here Listen to this episode

Thank You both of you for your time!

Download this episode (right click and save)

Rushina is gastronomy columnist, writer, consultant and author with her own consultancy company. She has written innumerable articles in magazines such as mE magazine from DNA and Times of India, Crest. Also a prolific blogger she talks about her life in Powai, here is an exclusive interview with her.

1. How long have you been living in Powai? And why did you decide to make Powai as you home?

I have been living in Powai for 8 years now. At first I refused to look at Powai as an option, because I grew up in South Mumbai and I considered Powai the back of beyond! But then my husband brought me to look at Raheja Vihar and I changed my mind instantly. It was such a lovely peaceful, secure place. Perfect to bring up children in. I have never wanted to move away, I cannot imagine living anywhere else!

2. Can you share some of your experiences of living in Powai, right from the day you selected the property, till today? How has Powai changed in your opinion?

Initially, I was happy to live in an area where that was relatively quiet, Raheja Vihar being cut off from a heavy traffic infested main road. And then I found an amazing amazing sense of community. I would take my son to down to play and made friends with lots of other young moms, and there would be a host of grandmas ready to coo over my child. I think that assuaged the guilt that he did not have his own grandparents near to give him the kind of attention only grandparents can. It also helped me get lots of foodie inspiration, learning about the regional cuisines of India from the multicultural population of our area. And celebrating every festival from Holi to Idd. Children play safely downstairs even on their own, the watchmen have an eye on them as do other moms. And though the area has gotten more congested with new buildings coming up, it has also brought new amenities like a More store and a bank and lots of new restaurants.

3. What kind of extra amenities would you like, which are at present lacking in Powai?

It would be great if the approach road to Raheja Vihar could be sorted out somehow, there is a bottle neck that causes traffic snarls daily. It would also be very good if the areas green patches could be conserved, one of the biggest advantages that our kids have is these open spaces. It would also be nice to have a movie theatre and somewhere to have literary meets and cultural gatherings.

4. What do you think is the biggest advantage of living in Powai ? And what to do you think is the single most disadvantage of living here in Powai?

5. Can you tell us something about yourself?

I am a gastronomy columnist, writer, consultant and author with my own consultancy company. I have written innumerable articles in magazines such as mE magazine from DNA and Times of India, Crest. I am also prolific blogger and blog on food at a-perfect-bite.blogspot.com and am currently working on a book on food in Mumbai. I also spearhead my own consultancy firm called ‘A Perfect Bite’ and have worked with work with companies such as Soam restaurant, Beacon Holidays, Nature’s Basket, Amore Gelato and Casamia restaurant Mumbai

My kitchen is the meeting point of culinary cultures, while I am Gujarati I am married to a Garhwali and my search for A Perfect Bite has taken her all over the world. Luckily I have found the perfect cover for my obsession with all things food and brazenly use it to legitimise my foodie idiosyncrasies; such as shamelessly discussing food with anyone, anywhere, going to any lengths to get my hands on new recipes and ingredients. My obsession with food carries into other aspects of my life, I read a lot of food books and LOVE to cook. I also love to read. My Website: http://aperfectbite.in/

6. What do you think about this initiative of www.powai.info ? Do you think you can contribute to this website and help get Powai connected?

I think it is a great initiative. The website is smart, the content is well put together and very inclusive which helps people feel like they are involved and belong. It is also good to be able to be informed of things happening in the are with the click of a mouse. I have already been talking about the website and will continue to do so.

7. What would you like to see in www.powai.info  - in terms of Content (what kind of articles, photographs, news stories, important info) and in terms of Design (Looks, colours, interactivity-ease of use)

Considering my food journalist bent of mind, I do think that the food section could be improved. Add a listings section so we know of food festivals and offers in the area or new restaurants and the like. Also with the rest reviews, they need to be more objective. And I suggest you go beyond dining out with a section on home cooking, recipes and the like. Perhaps a similar interview to this in which one gets a peek into the home kitchens of Powai residents and their recipes as well.

Dimple Virginker Wagle a Goan, a teacher, a theater professional now on a sabbatical to nurture her two kids, who made Powai her home for last 9 years, agreed to let us interview her on her life in Powai. Check out this tongue in cheek interview to know what she thinks about Powai and the promises it holds.

1. How long have you been living in Powai? And why did you decide to make Powai as you home?

Nine years to be precise.My husband works in BKC,so an agent from Andheri brought us here to show us some MHADA flats and that rainy July day as we passed thru HG,I wished I could afford to rent a place here.And lo behold ,one fell into our lap the very next week.Then I got greedy and wished I could own a flat in HG ,and lo behold again,within a year we found one(Ofcourse my husband who has to work out and work for the finances wont give the same version)

2. Can you share some of your experiences of living in Powai, right from the day you selected the property, till today? How has Powai changed in your opinion?

When we first shifted here I would take my baby in a pram all over the place and we would be greeted by enthusiastic senior citizens on their walk and glanced at by jogging dudes.Six years later when the other baby came we tried hard manoeuvering the pram amidst honking cars,bikes on the wrong side of the road and irritable pedestrians,till me and my daughter decided we were better off on the lawns of the various parks.Earlier it wasn`t congested so,the commercial blocks were much less .But now the race seems to make it the fanciest concrete jungle at the cost of community welfare

3. What kind of extra amenities would you like, which are at present lacking in Powai?

I wish there was a community hall or auditorium where we could have major plays,dance performances,a place which was seeped in creativity,where one could expect workshops in various fields for kids and adults,a place where like minded people could work together to add colour to life ,to chill and nothing like it if a well-equipped library too was thrown in.Inshallah…

4. What do you think is the biggest advantage of living in Powai ? And what to do you think is the single most disadvantage of living here in Powai?

Powai lies between the Central and Western routes,is well connected by public transport,and is self-sufficient with hospitals,malls and schools(vying with each other to make us bankrupt without good reason).There is still some greenery around with a lake to give that added natural environ touch.And ofcourse one can hope the winds blowing from the IIT campus will suitably effect one`s offspring:P
The disadvantage is the terrible roads ,which are not an exception in Mumbai and the ever worsening traffic scene.Sometimes the distance from places like Prithvi,happening Bandra,town etc can be a dampener.

5. Can you tell us something about yourself?

Iam a proud Goan,who has now settled in Mumbai via NewDelhi.I had been teaching in Delhi and Mumbai before I took a sabbatical to be a full time mum.I used to do theatre and also conduct workshops for youngsters.I dig good books,movies,plays and conversations with friends over coffee,besides a tumble and play with my kids.Before the younger one came i did volunteer my services at a couple of NGO`s.But at herat I like to work with kids or sit and listen to people unburden their woes

6. What do you think about this initiative of www.powai.info ? Do you think you can contribute to this website and help get Powai connected?

The name itself is a puller,since one can immediately connect to anything related to one`s dwelling place.The amount of info is exhaustive and so are the aesthetics.I could contribute maybe if the paycheck is laden with enough zeroes in the right places;).But on a more serious note probably yes.

7. What would you like to see in www.powai.info – in terms of Content (what kind of articles, photographs, news stories, important info) and in terms of Design (Looks, colours, interactivity-ease of use)

Well you guys are already doing a good job.But maybe a little daily column which at the end of a tired day one looks forward to,some hope inspiring,some touching pieces to feel alive and good.Well its just a suggestion and maybe something for that worked up un-noticed mother and her kids.Oops

Anju kohli and her extended family shifted to Powai from Sion about 7 years back,  Besides raising her kids and managing her house, she is actively involved in powai, doing her bit for the good of the community. A resident of Powai Vihar, she agreed to speak to powai.info, as a part of  “People Talk”. Check out her video interview to know more on what Anju thinks is missing in Powai.

Sukraj Nahar, Founder of Nahar Group

Sukhraj Nahar believes in achieving a fine balance between aesthetic value and quality of his projects.

At the age of 16, Sukhraj Nahar came to Mumbai to pursue his ambition of creating landmark structures. “I always wanted to make homes for people, even when I was a child. It was a dream,” he shares. In a short period he successfully built Nahar Group, which today ranks amongst the leading real estate developers in the country.
In the last four decades, Nahar Group has built approximately 10 million square feet of residential and commercial projects. Chairman Sukhraj Nahar’s vision has enabled him to take a view that is beyond bricks and mortar.
Starting with his first residential project, Dimple Apartments, in Santacruz, Nahar Group has created several landmarks, such as Shah and Nahar Industrial Estates in Worli and Lower Parel, Nahar and Seth Industrial Estates in Bhandup and Chakala, Nilgiri Industrial Estate in Sewri, and residential projects like Vrindavan and Vindhyachal in Bandra, Everest and Mount in Andheri.
He then extended operations to Ahmedabad and Pune where he has built some of the finest residential apartments.
Sukhraj Nahar not only conceptualised mini-townships in Mumbai but also developed one at Mulund, Sarvodaya Nagar where currently 1,500 families stay, enjoying a host of amenities including a Sarvodaya Jain temple. “We are constructing two more towers called Sarvodaya Heights in Sarvodaya Nagar,” he says.
The Group’s current focus is on establishing their dream project ‘Nahar’s Amrit Shakti’. Designed by architect Hafeez Contractor, and landscaped by Belt Collins & Taib Landscape Studio, Nahar’s Amrit Shakti is being developed at Chandivali near Powai over 100 acres. Conveniently located and easily accessible from the eastern as well as western express highway, the project is in close proximity of airport, commercial hubs and proposed metro rail stations. He says, “We have received an overwhelming response for the new projects at Nahar’s Amrit Shakti wherein 640 2-BHK flats were sold within a month. Many NRIs have invested in this project.” The Group has also completed a recent project at Walkeshwar called Nahar Panorama.
The Nahar Group practises their four-fold belief – superior quality across all product and service parameters, value based offerings, a people-centric and customer delight approach and maintaining the trust of patrons. “I believe in meeting every customer personally and listening to his needs. The customer is the real teacher and we take his feedback seriously. It was because of our customers who wanted compact flats that we changed our product keeping the amenities intact and launched 2 BHK flats at Nahar’s Amrit Shakti.”

But Nahar also feels that customer preference has changed. “Initially the customer was just looking for a house but today he is selective. He is equally interested in the amenities, landscape, and location. The customer is clear and careful about what he buys.”
A very transparent human being, Sukhraj Nahar believes in clarity of thought, which even reflects through all his projects. “We work hard on bringing quality projects and share a transparent relationship with customers. There is nothing hidden. What you see is what you get.” His suggestion to buyers is that this is the right time to buy. “TDR rates are going up but yet builders have not increased their prices. The rates have stabilised so those postponing their decision to buy should re-consider.”
Under his leadership, the Group has earned prestigious awards for its domain expertise, management practices and corporate social responsibilities. These include the Township Award at Pan-India level in 2007 instituted by Times Glory, Award for the Best Garden by Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, Excellence In Innovative Marketing Award from MCHI, Project of the Year Award, and the recent Star Builder Award among others.
Besides opening and running six primary schools in rural areas of Rajasthan, he has set up medical research centres in Bhinmal and Ahmedabad. Religious by nature Nahar has constructed Jain temples in Mumbai and Rajasthan. For his immense contribution to social causes and community welfare, Sukhraj Nahar has been honoured with numerous awards including the prestigious Mahavir & Mahatma Award by the Times of India Group and Hindi Bhashi Achievers’ Award instituted by Navbharat Times. Vilasrao Deshmukh, former Chief Minister, honoured Mr. Nahar with a special award for valuable assistance rendered to the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai in dealing with the unprecedented floods in Mumbai on 26/27th July 2005.
The success story of Nahar Group is one of entrepreneurship and vision, without forgetting the underlying principles of social justice and community care.

Article Source: http://snowcempaints.blogspot.com/2009/07/sukhraj-nahar-of-nahar-group.html

Aromas is known for its coffee boutiques spread all over Brisbane and Gold Coast. With the beginning of their operations in India in partnership with Ideal Hospitality Private Limited, Jayant Mhaiskar, CMD, Aromas talks about the company’s plans

Neha Malhotra (NM): What kind of an agreement has Aromas signed for its India operations?
Jayant Mhaiskar (JM): Aromas has entered into India through MOU with IHPL (Indian Hospitality Private Limited). Aromas will be holding five percent share in of IHPL. Ownership of brands will remain with IHPL. Fixed royalty fee per outlet opening will be paid and IHPL will share 1.5 per cent of gross revenue with Aromas.

NM: What are the offerings that customers can look forward at Aromas?

JM: Aromas, offers completely new and exciting experience and is poised to be one of the city’s landmark destinations. A perfect location to catch up with friends or to close business deals over steaming cup of rich and aromatic gourmet coffee and tea. One can choose from an abundant choice of gourmet coffees and exotic teas, tongue tantalising appetisers, quick time bites and soups, salads, pizzas, pastas, cakes, muffins and cookies. Its rich and sophisticated experience extends in its offer of variety of coffee and exotic teas from around the world that delivers a lingering aroma that one carries along after every visit.

NM: Who are the target customers for your cafes?
JM: Aromas is aiming at offering sophisticated coffee and tea experience to all the coffee and tea lovers. And for people who wants to share memorable moments with their loved ones.

NM: What are the company’s future plans for expansion?
JM: We are planning to open 99 outlets in next three years at pan India level (60 lounge & 40 cafes). As we work on a lease model, the requirement in terms of investment for opening Aromas’ is Rs 70-75 lakh for a lounge and Rs 45-55 lakh for café.

Interview credits:

• Indianretailer.com
• Moneycontrol

Miss Mumbai experience- The journey

It all started with reading the advertisement, “Kaun  Banegi Miss Mumbai 2009” in DNA newspaper .

Had about four auditions to reach the final 20 who would compete for the three main titles

1. Miss Mumbai

2. Miss covergirl

3. Miss hottie

The grooming sessions were filled with fun and enthusiasm , every day giving us a new challenge. Trust me I loved every bit of it. From the dancing to gyming , I enjoyed every bit of it. We got trained with basic make-up techniques, possing classes, a question answer session, dining etiquettes, ramp walk with gyming and dance rehearsals being almost regular. This event got delayed about four times in the whole with problems cropping up but finally it was held on 17^th October at Indian education society bandra.

Finals:

We had in overall four rounds:

1. Saree cum introduction round: The walk was on my favourite song,” afreen”. That song really gets me in the mood . The moment I slowly lowered the saree and showed my face, I could hear the cheers from the crowd. My heart almost skipped a beat as I walked the ramp in rhythm to the music. Saree is one of the most beautiful apparel a woman can wear and she looks most elegant and gorgeous .
2. Funky and indo- western round: This was one round which allowed the contestants to walk the ramp the way they wanted. This was all about playing on the stage.
3. Talent round(dance): This marked a start of power- packed performance which I could have only imagined to perform .Taking the center stage had always been my dream and there I saw it  turning into reality. I just loved it when I danced and I could hear the constant cheering from the crowd.
4. Question and answer round: This is one round that’s judges the personality of a person.

After these rounds I did get the first runner up award,” miss covergirl”

Final words:

From a game lost, it is the experience you win and I did win a lot of support, fame, recognition, experience and most of all I understood the trend of this industry. It was an amazing journey.
Don’t know the road ahead, but I am sure it is all for the best.

Reality check:

Four months have passed and I haven’t yet got my prize money of about 60,000 which would include cash and gift hampers. It thus becomes important in a local beauty paegeant to see who your organizers really are and see the credibility of the contest.

• How long have you been living in Powai? And why did you decide to make Powai as your home?

We came to Bombay essentially  for work, I was working for Indian Airlines and was posted  to Bombay also my husband works for Air India We found it very convenient as it is closer to the Airport. He found Powai very beautiful, because of the lake and greenery maintained by Hiranandani’s. It was so open and there was hardly any crowd way back in ‘98 that was the prime reason we wanted to live in Powai.

• How has Powai changed in your opinion?

It is still beautiful, but it really troubles to see all the Hills dissapearing slowly, inspite of the efforts of some alert citizens.

• What kind of extra amenities would you like, which are at present lacking in Powai?

Actually I don’t want theatres here , because it would get too crowded, I would like some kind of traffic sense maintained here. Something can be done to maintain traffic. Shopping or a extra outlet of Mcdonalds:)

• You were one of the finalist of Mrs Gladrags 2009, Please tell us about your experience at Gladrags and how did it happen to you?

One of my friend who was taking part, insisted that I at least apply for it. It was such a wonderful experience, working and learning with Maureen Wadia made us ready for anything.

We would train very hard from morning 7am to 11pm, it included Leena Mogre gym workouts, choreographers who taught us ramp walks We had to walk continuously for 6 hours to train,it was very tasking,but we loved it.As far as the selection process goes the were many entries from India and abroad.

I would really love to help or mentor aspirants who want to take part for Miss India or such kind of events as my gratitude.

In this new section called “People Talk” , residents of Powai talk about their move to Powai and the transition of Powai from a quiet beautiful place to a bustling commercial centre. They share their thoughts and Ideas on how to make powai more beautiful to live in.

Here in “ People Talk” residents can voice their thoughts on Powai, this is a place where ordinary people can come together and participate , and create a responsible, empowered community of citizens.

They also offer some valuable sugeestions to improve the website and make it more community driven.

This month I am featuring 3 residents.

Manoj Khatri

Jai Talwar

Ashish Mantri

 

Ashish Mantri is a CA, when not working, he loves to spend time in reading, travelling, photography – specially of birds & nature, and writing about them

A big thanks to Ashish for taking time to answer this interview

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