This week saw the launch of Svastii, a new-age high end spa and salon at the Hiranandani Business Park, Powai.

I walked into Svastii which is a dream wellness destination for connoisseurs of beauty, luxury and style. The interiors at Svastii are designed to instantly soothe the senses and are a fusion between ancient Indian traditions and contemporary international influences.

There are a plethora of services spanning all areas from quick lunch break treatments like reflexology to luxurious body  treatments like the Thai massage, Javanese Lulur, Lomi Lomi.

I decided to try out the Svastii Men’s facial skin care treatment which not only comprised of superior products but was well complemented by the skilled hands of the professional spa therapist. I left Svastii feeling pampered and rejuvenated ready to take on the week ahead. We strongly recommend Svastii to all who are looking to unwind, relax and pamper themselves!

“Everybody’s free to feel good”

Svastii.The new age wellness haven

AG -3 Ground Floor, Delphi A Wing, Orchard Avenue Road, Hirnanadani Business Park, Powai, Mumbai 400-076

For appointments call 42155277-80

Nestled in one of the most popular places in Powai, Spice Hut is a cozy restaurant that offers authentic Indian cuisine at affordable prices.

Establishing a name for itself despite arduous competition, Spice Hut has retained its flavor and standing by delivering lip-smacking food at each order. The restaurant offers a wide spread of dishes to choose from, each prepared delicately with the freshest produce, under the able guidance Chef Atiq.

What we ate:

On being recommended, we ordered the Sizzling Chicken Tikka for starters. As the names suggests, the chicken pieces were delivered on a ‘sizzler plate’ with hoards of vegetables accompanied alongside. The pieces were fresh, one could tell and succulent enough to disappear without working on them. We also feasted on the Murg Malai Tikka – roasted chicken in white sauce, which came with lightly spiced onions and capsicum.

For the main course, we ordered what the restaurant was best known for – The Biryani. The Hyderabadi Biryani and the Dum Biryani were both finely prepared with judicious use of spices and oil. The flavors were delicate enough to leave a lingering after taste and strong enough to tempt you into ordering another serving.

Portions & Prices:

The food prepared at the restaurant is worth the price you pay for it. Also, with generous servings with each portion of the meal, you can be assured that what you pay for is what you get.

Branches:

The restaurant has its parent kitchen in Chembur near Diamond Gardens. The owners also have plans to expand their chain in the near future.

Discounts & Specialties:

The management has worked on a scheme that lets the consumer avail of a 25% discount on the total bill. After the meal, the restaurant offers you a small delicacy that makes its way from Jaipur. For further details you can contact the owner, Mr. Anand on 9821310229

The review was done for us by Poonam Advani she can be reached at www.poonamadvani.com

Fortis Hospitals launches Cancer Institute comprehensive, customised cancer care under one roof

Most advanced cancer treatment service with an holistic approach in the central part of Mumbai-

Mumbai, 1st September, 2010: Fortis Hospitals Ltd -one of the leading hospital network of India today inaugurated a dedicated cancer institute at its Mulund facility bringing in comprehensive cancer care with an intergrated approach under one roof. The Fortis Cancer Institute offers comprehensive customised, cancer treatment with dedicated consultants across Medical, Surgical and Radiation Oncology backed by the latest in Cancer Technology.

Addressing the press conference Mr. Malvinder M Singh, Group Chairman, Fortis Healthcare Group said, “”We are bringing renewed hope to cancer patients in Mumbai by providing diagnosis and treatment expertise with a human touch. While Fortis Healthcare is an established leader in super specialty care and specifically in cardiac, orthopedics and neuro sciences, our Cancer Instuite in Mumbai will expand the spectrum of our super specialty and provide unparalleled care to cancer patients with an integrated approach. I fully expect that our comprehensive cancer program will offer the best service to our patient with umost care.”

“At Fortis Cancer Institute we will ensure that each patient receives compassionate care through the expertise of a responsive and experienced team of healthcare professionals. We are the first hospital in India to acquire the most sophisticated radiation therapy equipment -Elekta Synergy LINEAC with Volumetric Modulated ARC Therapy (VMAT) which can treat tumors and small lesions in the brain and other parts of the body quickly with precision. VMAT technology helps target the treatment area more accurately and reduces treatment time by 35-­40%. This combines with sophisticated Oncentra Treatment Planning System which reduces the treatment planning substantially hence giving a faster turnaround time to patient and benefiting the patient in quick and customized treatment. We are the first ones to invest in this technology in the country.” said Mr. Vishal Bali, CEO Fortis Hospitals Ltd.

Addressing the media at the inauguration Lisa Ray said, “Courage, fortitude and the right attitude towards life can overcome all odds. In any adverse situation people tend to give up but in my life and my fight against cancer I have learnt that by facing the challenge head on, hope can break through and win. It takes a lot of resilience to face such a situation in life but I believe nothing is impossible if we have the attitude to fight for it. I am happy to associate with Fortis Cancer Institute which has the best clinical talent and infrastructure to give patient the right care. I am also glad to associate with the group to extend my support for spreading awareness around cancer cure in our country. My motto is ‘never stop fighting’ and we will conquer cancer in our lifetime”.

Fortis Cancer Institute also announced the institutuon of a “Fortis Lisa Ray Award for Conquering Cancer.” This award would be given to that Cancer survivor who has conquered Cancer with confidence and someone who did not let the disease affect his/her zest for living. The intention of the award is to instill hope and confidence in Million other cancer patients that “Cancer is indeed curable”.

Powai woke up to the danger lurking just below the tranquil surface of its lake on Thursday morning when a crocodile attacked and killed a morning walker. This is the second croc attack in the area since June this year.

Vijay Bhure, 32, a resident of Tirandaz village, was dragged into the lake at about 6.30 am, eye witnesses said. The incident has sent waves of panic among those who frequent the lake. The area, often crowded, wore a deserted look all of Thursday.

On June 1, Shankar Pawar, a 28 year old resident of Powai narrowly escaped death when he was attacked by a crocodile while fishing.

On Thursday, Bhure, an employee with the mechanical department of a local construction company, was walking near the IIT guest house area.

Some locals from Tirandaz gaonthan, where Bhure lived with his mother, wife and two children, say that the crocodile grabbed him by his right leg and dragged him into the water.

However, these details were unclear and unconfirmed as police say he was fishing with an inflated tube as an aid.

“He left home for his walk as he usually does. At around 7 am, other walkers told us that a crocodile had killed him,” said Vijaya Bhure, the victim’s wife.

The Fire Department recovered Bhure’s body at about 9.45 am. It appeared that the crocodile had grabbed him by the legs.

Forest officials said that a crocodile would not attack a human being unless a person was very close to the water body.

S A Thorat, chief conservator of forest, said, “It is unlikely that Bhure was standing far from the water,” and added, “To avoid such incidents people should not be allowed to go too near the water. We have been telling BMC to prohibit people from fishing or venturing into the lake.”

Ecology experts said massive construction activity in the area had cost the crocodiles their resting and breeding sites and they were forced to venture to other areas.

The Maharashtra State Angling Association (MSAA) identified two such locations and requested the BMC to lay sand and create mud banks around them.

Not too long ago MSAA had requested that three sites used by crocodiles for basking and laying eggs be cordoned off.

Dinesh Gondalia, deputy commissioner (Water Works Projects), BMC said that with increase in such incidents, they would seek guidance from experts to find out ways to avoid any further attacks. The lake premises where the incidents have been occurring is owned by BMC.

News Source: Mumbai mirror

Environmentalists have blamed the Rs 40-crore shore beautification project for Thursday’s fatal crocodile attack on Vijay Bhure (32) at Powai lake. The civic project has been on since 2007 and there have been five attacks since then.

Environmentalists said the lake’s sloping shores were where the reptiles basked and bred, but the slopes were destroyed for the project. “There was a spot near Powai police station where crocodiles laid their eggs, but that site was destroyed too due to the dumping of debris,” said Sunish Subramanian, founder, Plant and Animal Welfare Society, Mumbai.

“The lake has also shrunk over the years, so it’s natural that the crocodiles venture out of their territory. The water is contaminated, which means there are few fish left for the crocodiles. This forces them to prey on humans and livestock,” said Krishna Tiwari, head, City Forest Project, Bombay Natural History Society.

In 1980, the Forest Department counted 18 crocodiles in the area, but locals felt the number would have risen significantly since then.

Environmentalists have now launched the ‘Mission Save Powai Lake’ campaign on Facebook and Orkut against some parts of the beautification plan.

Bhavika Jain, Hindustan Times
Email Author
Mumbai, August 28, 2010

A major police operation was underway near Jalvayu Vihar at Powai in Mumbai this morning. The entire area was cordoned off. One combat vehicle and several policemen have taken guards across the road surrounding Jalvayu Vihar. The operation started at around 11:55 am and traffic has been redirected, creating a fair amount of chaos.

Armed policemen have been seen running for cover, many of them armed only with service revolvers. In between the operation, policemen on motorcycle have been seen crisscrossing the streets and taking cover behind trees.

Jalvayu Vihar has been under heavy protection for the past six months after intelligence reports cited the possibility of a terrorist strike on the building.

Jalvayu Vihar is one of the popular Residential Developments in Powai neighborhood.

Source: http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/aug/270810-police-operation-Jalvayu-Vihar-Powai-Mumbai.htm

Some eyewitness accounts

RT @vsfilms: Anti terror drill. Armed cops scampering & hiding behind pillars in a simulated attack. Unconcerned oldmen/kids roam around.

Ankur Handa Finally …its over now …the barricades have been removed and the traffic has started moving…

Few in the city would expect to meet as gory an end as this : Powai resident Vijay Bhure ended up as breakfast for three hungry crocodiles when he had gone fishing to Vihar lake on Thursday morning.

Bhure was sitting on an inflated rubber tube with his feet dangling in water when, according to witnesses, he was dragged inside by a crocodile. Two more crocodiles followed the first and dragged him from the shore.

The incident occurred around 7 am and those present could not help the 32-year-old. It was more than an hour later, after 8 am, that local fishermen pulled out his half-eaten body, Powai senior inspector Ashok Jadhav said.

Bhure’s family, however, denied he was fishing in the Vihar’s waters and claimed he had gone there for a morning walk. “He left around 6 am and we learnt that he had been attacked by crocodiles a couple of hours later,” his mother, Shinwari Bhure, said. But Shinwari and his wife, Vijaya Bhure, residents of Tirandaz Gaothan near the IIT campus, could not explain how he fell prey to crocodiles if he was just having a morning walk.

Bhure is also survived by two children — an eight-year-old daughter and a seven-year-old son — and was the sole bread-winner of the family.

One of the family’s neighbours, Dinesh Gade, said, “Bhure was a very kind and helpful person. The entire locality is mourning the loss. He was employed as a lift mechanic at Hiranandani Gardens but also used to repair all kinds of electronic goods.” People from the locality claimed that the crocodiles had gone berserk ever since the start of the desilting work in the lake. “They hide behind the silt that is left on the shore and attack morning walkers,” another neighbour said. There were several crocodiles attacks in the recent past, they claimed.

Jadhav said people often went into the lake for fishing despite repeated warnings.

Read more: Crocodiles kill Powai resident at Vihar lake – Mumbai – City – The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/-Crocodiles-kill-Powai-resident-at-Vihar-lake/articleshow/6425747.cms#ixzz0xmg6G6sf

In Powai Eco-friendly Ganeshji is available at shop no 60 ground floor,powai plaza. Call Mr. Bhagwat on 25701649 or his residence at 25786397 OR Visit Maati Crafts at Powai Plaza, call them on 022-25717209

For Custom made which is  costlier. this is a single piece and not made by any die

Contact Kiran Jangir

Her address is IIIrd floor, sarodarshan bldg., above syndicate bank, Dr. Moose Marg, Near Talavpali, Thane-400602. Cost Rs.11,000/- Material Clay

Email: sculpturebykiran@yahoo.in

Now you can have one more place to have excellent coffee in Powai.  Britain’s coffee chain Costa Coffee has now set up at Haiko Mall, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai. it is located in the basement below KFC.

Costa Coffee is a coffee house company based in the United Kingdom founded in 1971 by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa, as a wholesale operation supplying roasted coffee to caterers and specialist Italian coffee shops.In 1995, the company was acquired by, and is now a subsidiary of, the Whitbread company.

The international chain, which entered India in September 2005 through a master franchisee tie-up with Devyani International.

Here is a review from burrp

Costa Coffee, the largest coffee chain of UK, opened its first branch in Juhu, Mumbai. A quick run through the menu revealed that much of it consisted of similar things that our very own Café Coffee Day and Barista stock, but priced surprisingly higher than both.

I tried the English Toffee Milkshake (Rs 78) which though unusual, could have done with a wee bit of additional flavoring to make it taste really good.

My friend sipped on a cup of hot chocolate (Rs 65) and gave it top marks, specifically mentioning that ‘it wasn’t extra creamy or heavy but was light and frothy like a milkshake.’
We munched on a Chicken Wrap (Rs 87) which was chicken with mint chutney and onions wrapped inside a crisp cover of a white-flour roti.

But what transported me straight to heaven was this sinfully divine dessert called Chocolate Tavoletta (Rs 50) A decadent bar of sin made up of chocolate, nuts, raisins, bits of shortbread biscuit and nougat, that just melts in your mouth even as you crunch down on the crusty biscuits bits. A must try!

Certain beverages are available in small, medium and large serving sizes and cost appropriately.

The staff is polite, well-informed though slightly myopic, as we had to really try hard to catch their attention.

Worth a visit, if you are in the area.

The Thirty Somethings group on www.powai.me had its first get-together, the event was put up by Joy, an American here on work, we were around 6 people who met at Aura, Rodas.

Aura has happy hour till 8pm, so we made the most of it, and thanks to the excellent service from the Aura staff, the snacks and the cocktails were amazing. Except the Paneer we had no chance to complain. After the party we headed to Velvet Lounge at Renaissance, due tho the resourceful of Joy, we again had great service at Velvet Lounge.

Check out the rest of the pics on www.powai.me click here http://www.powai.me/photo/albums/30-somethings-night-out

Also if you want to join in for our next event do join the Thirty Somethings on powai.me.

Priti,Ram,Joy,Ajay,Vinay,Manoj