Life can be so startlingly unpredictable. One moment you’re wrapped in the warm glow of birthday celebrations with indulgent friends, and the next, your country faces the sobering reality of conflict, casting a shadow over all festivities.
May has always been a month of multiple celebrations for me. Let me clarify—these occasions are less about celebrating myself and more about honoring the relationships that have enriched my journey. These cherished fellow travelers deserve acknowledgment, and what better way than through shared experiences around exquisite dining tables?
The festivities began with my cherished group at Bayroute, led by Zarine Khan followed by an elegant sit-down dinner at Neuma by my close friend Atul, then a grand celebration for my woman achiever friends at the newly opened and already-famous Red Box in Juhu, a dinner by my bestie Vinny Mirchandani and a more intimate gathering at a charming French restaurant by KRS Jamwal. This delightful parade of celebrations kickstarted May with undeniable panache. Yet, as I write this column, the month has transformed into one filled with worrisome developments that concern all Indians.
Not because we lack faith in our rockstar Prime Minister and his team—each of us rests easier knowing our capable PM is at the helm with his stellar cabinet and an equally brilliant defence minister. Rather, our worry stems from concern for our families, friends, and countrymen, but most profoundly for those brave soldiers at the frontlines who sacrifice their comfort and safety every moment to ensure ours.
Culinary delights across Mumbai
Bayroute has unveiled a swanky new location at Nesco, attracting Bollywood’s elite to this grand yet intimate venue. Their menu remains a triumph of Middle Eastern flavors, featuring crowd favorites like the 7-Layer Shawarma, succulent Lamb Pirzola, and delicate Salmon Tripoli, all perfectly complemented by indulgent desserts like the Baklava Sundae that I’ve always adored.
The cuisine ranks among my favorites, and I invariably choose the refreshing Zanjabeel & Grapefruit cocktail to enhance this immersive dining experience. Having always been enamored with Europe’s Al fresco dining culture, I particularly appreciate Bayroute’s inclusion of indoor and outdoor options.
Red Box at Juhu became the vibrant backdrop for gathering my closest professional women achiever friends, all of whom reveled in the garden-inspired interiors and the exquisite European cuisine.
The afternoon doubled as a celebration of my appearance on the cover of Perfect Woman Magazine. While I’m far from perfect, I confess it felt wonderful to grace a magazine cover once again—an honor made possible by the magazine’s trailblazing editor, Khooshi Gurubhai. Which of us doesn’t occasionally enjoy such recognition?
Odisha: A celebration of women entrepreneurs
While these celebrations were undoubtedly magnificent, May’s true highlight was my journey to Odisha to host a Fireside Chat for INWEC’s Business Mela. The brain behind this magnificent event was my close friend Preeti Pallavi Patnaik, whose visionary leadership transformed the National Women’s Business Mela 2.0 in Bhubaneswar into an extraordinary platform showcasing Odisha’s entrepreneurial stars at the mela as well as on stage at panel discussions, talks, motivational discussions and ramp walks.
What set this mela apart was its dual nature—not just an exhibition but also a symposium where ideas flowed stimulatingly between established entrepreneurs and aspiring businesswomen. The energy was palpable as women from across the state converged, each bringing unique products, projects and perspectives to this vibrant marketplace of innovation.
The fireside chat I flew into Bhubaneswar for , aptly titled “Sparks of Creativity: Entrepreneurial Innovation,” had legendary Prahlad Kakkar in a chat with me discussing candid insights on branding, luxury, marketing and entrepreneurship which had the audience hanging on every word. What struck me most was Prahlad’s genuine amazement at the caliber of Odisha’s women entrepreneurs—he was, to use his own word, “gobsmacked” by their creativity and business acumen.
During our dialogue, we explored fascinating dimensions of entrepreneurship rarely discussed in conventional forums. Prahlad shared his belief that “true innovation happens at the intersection of tradition and modernity,” a philosophy beautifully exemplified by many of the businesses showcased at the mela. I contributed perspectives on how women entrepreneurs often bring unique multitasking, problem-solving and risk talking approaches to business challenges, creating solutions that serve communities while building sustainable enterprises.
The entrepreneurs themselves were sprightly, enthusiastic and inspiring. Swati Kejriwal and Suman Das, the tireless Co-Conveners working alongside Preeti, demonstrated exceptional organizational prowess. Rosie Das’s ‘Ethnic Tree’ clothing line caught my eye with its contemporary take on traditional textiles—a brand I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking elegance with cultural roots. Debasmita Giri Couterier’s ‘Soul By Indian’ showcased craftsmanship in ensembles that deserves international recognition, while author Manoo Ukil’s works ‘Magic of Mangalajodi’ and ‘Mahagopanare Mahabahu’ revealed Odisha’s rich ecological and cultural heritage. The exquisite jewelry pieces by Sasmita Samal of Indie Huez demonstrated how traditional craftsmanship can be reimagined for the modern connoisseur.
Each of these women embodied the true spirit of ‘Make in India’—not just epitomising Niti Aayog’s ‘Vocal for Local’ Initiative, elevating Odisha’s rich traditional arts and crafts to contemporary relevance.
The day culminated in an unexpected honor—receiving the Achievement Award for my writing, Luxury Branding, and philanthropy for my work with Harsha Trust in the tribal areas of Odisha. The award, presented by His Excellency the Honorable Governor of Odisha, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, was a humbling reminder of the impact collaborative efforts can have in underserved communities. This recognition will remain etched in my heart, not as a personal achievement but as an acknowledgment of the transformative power of community-centered development work. And also etched will be the cake that was cut on the aircraft on the way back to Mumbai by the crew with all passengers cheering and singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me
Such is life’s rich tapestry—threads of celebration interwoven with strands of concern, joy tempered by responsibility, personal triumphs contextualized by national challenges. As May continues to unfold, I carry both its lighthearted moments and its weightier concerns with equal respect.
(Write to Nisha JamVwal at [email protected])
