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.

The Weekend Jam comprises a string of live performances by artists from the ArtistAloud.com repertoire across the country and aims to connect with fans across the cities.

The first weekend Jam by ArtistAloud.com was kicked off at  Planet M Powai on April 30th. Artists who performed live included Sharad Jagtiani, Kavita Seth, Abhinanda Sarkar, Nakash Sargam ,Rishabh Srivastava, Ritika Sahni, Uvie and Sid -Suhas. The  performances were live streamed to an online audience via a link to the artist aloud web portal.

ArtistAloud.com is a revolution in the Indian Independent Music Scene that aims to give not only an artist but also the consumer the control and right to build the demand for Independent Music on a global level that is a sheer expression of musical speech by an Artist towards his audience.

Here is a one of the videos of the performances, given by Nakash Sargan.

Seldom we have good acts in this part of town, recently “The Smirnoff experience” was back after a 2 year hiatus with  Cosmic Gate (ranked in the top 20 of DJ Mag’s latest Top 100 DJ list) along-side Nikhil Chinapa,  DJ Pearl and Jalebee Cartel on Saturday May 8^th, 2010 at The Renaissance, Powai in Mumbai.

For those who missed it , Check out the some pics below

The afternoon of the 16th of April saw Om Heritage – host a fusion of music and spirituality in the form of vocal and instrumental music by children and  spiritual discourses by some eminent personalities in the field.  The afternoon commenced with the traditional lighting of lamp by the Chief Guest Mr Narain Bhatia from Chinmay foundation.  After being ushered by the little flower girl Anya, introduction to the events the initial part of the show was brilliantly hosted by Isha and Jai Sethi who also had the audience swaying to their melodious flute recital at the very outset.  Ishan, as the accompanying tabla player completed the ‘all children’ instrumental recital.  The kathak performance by young Shreya Baweja and Ananya Rao was a clear proof of their passion and talent in this art form.  Aryana Rao, a fledgling classical singer presented a short classical bhajan.  Aryaman then continued the flow of melody with another bhajan that he sang and played on the keyboard simultaneously.  The group song recital of the popular and beautifully worded ‘Give me some Sunshine’ was a testimony of the coordination and collective talent of the young and enthusiastic group trained by their young teacher Mr Vinod.

After the children’s programme, the keynote speaker for the evening Mr Narain Bhatia chose to speak on the importance of fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of motherhood in today’s context.  Drawing analogies from his own life he candidly spoke about how a mother, through her involvement could help her children become better adults.  One of the maestros of vocal music Shri Hemanshu Nanda – founder of Swaranjali, the music division of Chinmay foundation was also present through the show.  He spoke most informatively on how music was a source of peace and happiness for the mind and soul and appreciated the support given by the parents in nourishing the talents of their children despite the pressure of academics in todays educational environment.

In the closing address Mita Vaidya, the chief coordinator of Om Heritage thanked all the children, their parents, the invited speakers and all those who took time off their busy routines to participate in the event.  She acknowledged the continued patronage of Mr Niranjan Hiranandani under whose guidance Om Heritage continues to draw its inspiration to progress on the path of extending spiritual awareness in the community of Powai.  Om heritage has also been blessed by the guidance of Shri Dayanand Saraswati of Arsha Vidyapeth, Coimbatore, Rishikesh and Saylorsburg.

Niranjan Hiranandani along with Mr.Ram Naik launch Powai resident Rajan Khanna’s Book called “Reflections of an Activist” at S.M Shetty school Powai.

Rajan Khanna with daughters Devika and Aditi

Rajan Khanna is amongst the very well known figures in Powai. His endeavour to create awareness among the community in Powai.

His book “Reflections of an Activists” mirrors the issue in the city of Mumbai.Views expressed and solutions suggested towards the betterment of the society , so that in the long run the city is well equipped at handling human inflow of people, traffic, water issues besides creating an equlibrium between concrete and eco-friendly surroundings.

Rajan has covered a plethora of issues in his book, besides being universal issues, they affect each one directly or indirectly. The book aims to enlighten Mumbaites on dangers lurking in the corners of the city.

IT Bombay was the second IIT to be established in 1958 with assistance from UNESCO and with funds contributed by theSoviet Union. UNESCO agreed to provide equipment and technical experts mainly from the Soviet Union, while the Government of India accepted the responsibility for all other expenses  the cost of the building project and recurring expenses.
The site chosen for the institute was Powai, eighteen miles (29 km) from the of Bombay (Mumbai), with an area of 550 acres (2.2 km²) which was donated by  Shri Chandrabhan Sharma patriarch of Powai, to contribute to the cause of nation building. This is the same site where the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology proudly stands. While construction was being completed, the first academic session of the Institute opened on July 25, 1958, in its temporary home at the Synthetic and Art Silk Mills Research Association (SASMIRA) building in Worli (Bombay) with 100 students. These students were  from over 3,400 applicants for admission to the first year undergraduate programmes in Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Metallurgical Engineering. One of the  objectives of establishing the Institute was to facilities for studies in a variety of specialised engineering and technological sciences. The need for establishing adequate facilities for postgraduate studies and research was kept uppermost in mind in the founding years.Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone of the Institute at Powai on March 10, 1959.

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

Here is a breif interview with Mr Anand Bajpai, founder of HIGWA (Hiranandani Garden Residents Welfare Association).This is a interview which was taken a few months back, but have not been able to upload because of some technical difficulties. You can get in touch with Mr. Bajpai on bajpai_anand@hotmail.com

Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, Powai  initaited a Programme on WORLD AIDS DAY 2009 for Enhancing Aids Awareness. The event started with a street play on Aids awareness performed by the students of the hiranandani nursing college .

After the street play, there was a debate on AIDS and HIV, between particiapting schools

1. Hirnandani Foundation school (Anirudh Thyagrajan & Arunav Vaish)
2. City Intentaional school (Shailendra Pande & Kopal Cheema)
3. St. Mary High School Girls.

It was these enthusiastic Kids who made the event such as a great event, Even though the kids were misinformed or rather  underinformed.

The HFS school kids were very confident in their demeanor, but I personally found them to be less sensitive about the whole issue.I hope the schools and parents can get together and help spread the message of awareness.

The City International Kids seemed more informed and aware, but lacked the confidence to push themselves.The School teacher Ms Satwant Palekar who accompanied the kids, said she was going to speak to the school and probably and encourage students to become more aware about the Aids and HIV.

St. Mary girls were reading from their notes and didnt take the debate very seriously and had a “we know it all” kind of attitude.

The winner were of-course the HFS kids. Iam very sure they got the winning marks by the judges for their sheer confidence. Keep it up guys.

The Theme for the year is “Universal Access and Human Rights” which will continue to be promoted with interschool debate followed by street play on the campaigning slogan
“STOP AIDS: KEEP THE PROMISE”.

The Guest of Honour were

• Ms. Neha D.Hiranandani
• Ms Juhi Pande-Channel [V] VJ
• Ms Elsie Gabriel
• Ms Krishna Iyer form the Kripa Foundation

After a gestation of over 8 years, numerous edits and redrafts Powai based author Mathew Menacherry debut novel Arrack in the Afternoon published by leading publishing house HarperCollins.was launched at Crossword Powai at 5pm on Saturday the 28th of Nov, 2009.

This delightful first novel traces the changing ethos of Mumbai as seen through the eyes of the protogonist Verghese Konnikara. The story is of an alchoholic, a chronic depressive, who decides one day to end it all by jumping under a truck on the highway. He survives, however, and following a strange turn of events, is transformed into a godman of sorts.
The tale weaves through the debris and chaos that is modern day Mumbai and also explores the phenomenon of instant stardom, which is now such an intrinsic part of our celebrity culture.

Grandson of scholar and literary critic the late M.P. Paul, Mathew says his style of writing is not influenced by that of his grandfather. “To be honest I haven’t read any of my grandfather’s works as I can’t read Malayalam. I haven’t read any of my aunt Rosy Paul’s (Malayalam author) works either,” says Mathew who was raised in Mumbai.

But being raised in a family that respects literature did have an influence on him, he says. “It was a treasure trove of books, some even rare copies, that greeted us whenever we came down for holidays to Puthenpally. My grandfather was a bibliophile and an avid book collector. A trip to Puthenpally was eagerly awaited as we could plunge ourselves into the world of words and prose.”

Mathew’s own plunge into the world of words and prose began when he started penning down his thoughts into poems. “They are nothing great, although my mother, Annie Paul, likes them.”

The author is in fact planning to turn his collection of poems into a book. “It will tentatively be called ‘Blurred’ and hopefully be in the form of a coffee table book,” says Mathew, whose day job is Director of Business Development, Anthea Aromatics, a company that manufactures specialty chemicals for use in the fragrance and flavour industry in Mumbai.

“The company was started by my father, Dr. Vincent Paul, who was a scientist at Hindustan Lever. He left the company to start Anthea. As he was new to the field, he roped me in to help him. To be honest, I would rather be writing,” says Mathew who adds that his book Arrack… took eight years in the making – five years to write and three years to edit. “I was not a very disciplined writer. When I went back to my earlier chapters while editing, I realised the latter chapters were better written, so I had to rework them,” he smiles.

A movie buff, his list of favourite films includes Kireedom and Nadodikkaattuand Arabhi Katha.Mathew says he dreams of making a movie himself. “But only when I have the time to wholly devote myself to it.”