Dilemma Over Coffee | Payal Gandhi Hoon
Have you ever pondered about the services you really rely on in a day – from a petrol pump, to the service at a store, cab, airline, restaurant, movie theatre, after sales service, car service and so on? Any time in our busy lives, if we do have a good service experience; either we don’t have... Read More
How do I say ‘Goodbye Bombay’?
I have been putting off writing this for some time. I wasn’t really sure how to word it. Or how I would feel whilst writing my swan song. How do I say ‘Goodbye Bombay’? Yes, it’s true – I am leaving Maximum City. Mr Jules has been called back to... Read More
Refrain From Being Conspicuous By Your Silence
Many years ago, I was handling a critical project for a very high profile customer of the organisation I worked for. This one customer was contributing to more than 10% of the revenue of the company. In addition, their margins were also significantly higher than other customers. Interestingly, customers are... Read More
On the Edge by Ravleen Sethi
As I stood at the far corner of the lift; Two extreme thoughts struck me inside, I was watching two facets of life coincide. ON one EDGE was the last door, After which everything came to a close, And there is darkness on the floor. On the other EDGE was... Read More
The Foundation for Mother & Child Health opens in Powai
It has been ages since I mentioned the Foundation. For new readers – yes I do actually have a volunteering job – when I’m not blogging (or shopping)! The last time I talked about our work was here. I explained how FMCH specifically reduces and prevents malnutrition amongst children in the... Read More
Harry – Star Jeweller to the Expat Wife
It’s not usual that I am the last to know about something. Especially when it comes to shopping. But I was definitely not in the know when it came to Harry – Star Jeweller to the Expat Wife. I told my friend MaximumCityMadam, that I had a 100 year old... Read More
NO FAMILY, NO WELFARE STATE…
Millions of new-age Indian families are stuck in the groove of helplessness. Their young ones have flown the coop and dispersed all over the world. Life is rushing forward so fast that there is time just for a phone call or email. So, who will take care of elders, bereaved... Read More
Gender lies in the eyes of the Culture By Payal Gandhi Hoon
Culturally speaking the Indian man grew up with an unconscious conditioning towards women. With the advent of more and more women actively joining the workforce, the society and at large the corporate are working towards removing the unconscious bias. We have achieved a fair bit and yet have much to... Read More
Shopping with Entrepreneurial women | WATC India Editor
I had a busy few days last weekend, out and about in Bandra, Mumbai, seeing what Bombay’s women have to offer. I had a lovely time visiting some beautiful shops, a Mompreneur India fair and a lovely art gallery – all run by amazing creative, entrepreneurial women. Apart from being... Read More
The Changing Colours of the Mumbai Sky
Every so often, I take a photograph of the Arabian Sea from my living room balcony, with the same block of flats in the distance. Perhaps when the light glows after dusk, or when the sun is setting – or when the sky is lit up by lightning or fireworks.... Read More
The Raj Company (and a brush with the Mumbai Mirror!)
When the Mumbai Mirror recently requested to interview me about antiques hunting, they asked if they could meet me in Chor Bazaar for an photo opportunity. Well you know how much I love Chor Bazaar…but you also know that with temperatures around 40 degrees and rising humidity in Mumbai, I... Read More
Accommodate, don’t complain!
For you it was easy to say it all up, Perhaps, the complaints cheered you up. You suspected, assumed and decided, Perhaps, the respect was just one sided. You joked, I laughed, I laughed, you judged. You complained, I explained, I explained, you said it was fudged. You questioned, I... Read More
Dreams are a collaboration between you and your Ecosystem
A good number of educated, smart women still feel chained by the lack of support as far as their homes and kids are concerned, and very often every such woman who is not working would give this reason for being a stay-at-home-mom. Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong in being... Read More
A week of highs and lows: Rejoice in women like Maya Angelou | By Caroline Graham
Last week was a week of real highs and lows for women – a week that shows how much progress women have made in breaking down barriers and reaching the greatest heights, yet women are still suffering the most heinous acts of aggression and hatred, often suffering at the hands... Read More
Flights of Dreams | Payal Gandhi Hoon
‘Inspiration’ is the much needed breath of fresh air and literally translates as immediate influence of the divine or being blown into…It’s when writers say the words just flowed through my fingers or a singer expresses herself being a medium of the song. Can you think of the last time... Read More
I Love My Accessories but my Children are Not on that List
As I entered Saloni’s home, I was greeted with squeals of excitement. The kind that usually happens when few friends are getting together after many days for an all ladies event and the excitement is overflowing. Saloni greeted me with a big smile and an even bigger compliment, “You look... Read More
Inter-Religious Marriages – Destined for Success or Failure?
Does it have less chances of success than a same-religion marriage? Social surveys show that marriages within different communities/regional groups (but within the same religion) can be compatible with both husband and wife making efforts. Even young couples belonging to Indic* (see note) religions like Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism can make... Read More
Inspirational Woman: Vimla Patil | ‘A FATHER’S DAUGHTER’
If I am asked to describe my life and work, I would succinctly use these three words to outline my personality in a nutshell. Also, I would call myself a South Mumbai woman – I was born here, went to school and college here, worked my entire career here, got... Read More
What Lies Beneath?
Beneath the calmest waves, lie the harshest oceans. Beneath the freest wills, lie the toughest determinations. Beneath the extreme adventures, lie the biggest risks. Beneath the strongest decisions, lie the most fragile confidences. Beneath the most-quick witted logics, lie the toughest experiences. Beneath the simplest styles, lie the highest vanities.... Read More
My A-Z of Mumbai Shopping
After my A-Z guides to Mumbai Places and Food, I give you the BombayJules A-Z Guide to Mumbai Shopping. Note: 1) Please follow the links for location information and further details 2) Do bear in mind that these are my personal choices (with the exception of Nature’s Basket) 3) Regular... Read More