All posts filed under: Projects

A 100 day challenge: Fitness, food and a few important things

When visiting Stephanie last month in Switzerland, she and I reminisced about when we met and how we met. We actually met through our blogs! I was quite active on blogger at that time, having discovered blogs around 2002. I found some correspondence between us dating back to 2004, but we might have connected even before that time frame. We were both prolific blog writers—Stephanie wrote a lot about her experiences in India and that’s what got me interested (why would someone leave paradise, a.k.a. Switzerland, and spend a year in India?!). I used to write a lot of ‘diary’ like posts about life in general, my travels and experiences. Over the years, I’ve lost that habit (of writing on my blog regularly, not writing for work, which is my bread and butter!) and I still remember it feeling so good to just write. It didn’t matter what the topic was—and I didn’t have reservations about writing about what I ate for breakfast or what I did for lunch. It was my blog and I …

Published: “Letter from Bangalore”

A piece I wrote for the magazine, “Vision – fresh perspectives from Dubai“, published by Touchline, October edition. It’s published quarterly in the English language, and has a print run of 60,000. It features reporting on business, culture and life in the emirate, high profile interviews with influential thought leaders, In-depth special reports and notes from different parts of the world. I did a piece on the cycling in Bangalore (my favourite topic!) and how, despite the lack of roads and infrastructure, enthusiastic Bangaloreans have sparked off a revolution on two wheels. Read the piece here — LETTER FROM BANGALORE.

Jane Jacobs themed photo walk in Bangalore on May 4

Came across this interesting concept called Jane’s Walk, named after Jane Jacobs (1916-2006), an urbanist and activist, whose writings championed a fresh, community-based approach to city building. More about the walk: Jane’s Walks are free, locally organized walking tours, in which people get together to explore, talk about and celebrate their neighbourhoods. Where more traditional tours are a bit like walking lectures, a Jane’s Walk is more of a walking conversation. Leaders share their knowledge, but also encourage discussion and participation among the walkers. And who is this walk targeted at? According to the website, “Everyone knows something about where they live. Every perspective is important to building vibrant and healthy cities.” This walk is intended for: — Anyone who enjoys getting to know their city and neighbours. — People who want to participate in meaningful conversations about the social and built future of their neighbourhoods. — People engaged in the work of building cohesive communities and improving the walking environment. — People who want to change their cities and neighbourhoods, for example to narrow …

The X-Files, Part 3: A list of entrepreneurial ventures run by women

This is part 3 of the series on entrepreneurial ventures run by women. You can also visit part 1 and part 2 for more categories. In part 3, I’ve listed all our talented women who are a whizz in the kitchen. Whether it’s baking delicious cupcakes, catering for large get-togethers, giving you a taste of Indian cuisine, or showing you the healthy way – you’ll find everything related to food here. (*Please note that these are all based in Bangalore). CATERING, BAKING, FOOD, CULINARY CLASSES, HEALTH FOOD Curry Classes, Sandhya Aiyer Oza Description: Customised cooking classes email: sandhya.oza@curryclasses.com Website: Curry Classes Her story: Curry Classes is now based in Whitefield, Bangalore. Looking to teach and help first timers, young brides to be, bachelors and anyone interested in learning simple ways of cooking. A well cooked meal at home is healthier than a take away. If anyone cares for what goes into that meal you eat it will be you… so STOP thinking cooking is tough, START thinking of what you would like to learn. Get …

The X-Files, Part 2: A list of entrepreneurial ventures run by women

This series is a continuation from Part 1. These are all run and led by women entrepreneurs. In Part 2, I’ve listed three categories: — JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES — CLOTHING/APPAREL, FASHION, BEAUTY/MAKE-UP, SKIN CARE, HAIRCARE — FITNESS, SPA, SALONS, WELLNESS So, without any further ado, here’s the first category: JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES A SunnyDisposition, Susan John Description: Bags and clutches Facebook: ASunnyDisposition Her story: Whether you’re looking for those absolute essentials or for that luxurious Indo chic makeover, A Sunny Disposition has it. What you find in the shop is both versatile and flexible giving you an access to the different looks you’ve wanted and more- be it ethnic or contemporary, chic or bohemian. PIC Flames of the Forest, Mrinalini Cariapa Description: Designer silver jewelry with semi-precious gems Contact: +91 9880673144 Facebook: Flames of the Forest Her story: I founded Flames of the Forest, an exclusive collection of designer jewelry, in 2006. I travel extensively to source rare semi-precious gems – like coral fossil, jaspers, solar quartz, lodolite -and sets them in sterling silver, turning …

Bitten by the travel bug

Bitten by the travel bug

Looking back, I’ve always been a bit of a wanderer and a gypsy. I’ve always had the yearning to discover, learn, journey and share. I’ve never been happy sitting in one place, one city, one country (and maybe one universe?!). I know – it doesn’t really make for a very stable and predictable career, but it does bring with it experiences that are out of the world. Jumping out of a plane was perhaps the most exciting and nail-biting thing I did last year, but I enjoyed even the mundane walk through a small town where every experience is novel. Experiencing a serene sunset, cycling through rural villages, enjoying a cup of tea by the road side, rafting down a raging river – I would have never known life’s simple pleasures if I hadn’t ventured out of my comfort zone. And I’ve managed to pack a bit in the last year. From diving into the deep blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, to experiencing a royal way of life in Jaisalmer; from a journey …