CELEBRATING ADVENT OF CHRISTMAS

Celebrating advent of Christmas with fountains of Malbec wines. May we all find a moment of cheer and joy to share with others, especially the less fortunate. Thanks Alejandro Meyer.

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CELEBRATING HAPPY HANUKKAH

Celebrating Happy Hanukkah at the residence of Israeli Consul General Ya'akov Finkelstein and his lovely wife Nurit. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days,also known as the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication. Shout out to Orna Sagiv Dov Steinberg Danny Zonshine.

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ASSEMBLY OF INDIAN FRIENDS FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER

What a wonderful assembly of Indian friends for your charming Christmas dinner dear Petra Morhard Juergen Morhard in your uber-elegant home.The duck was so very succulent and also thanks for the Bratwurst (my faves). Yummy Pinot Noir too. Merry Christmas and God Bless your family.

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I HOSTED A PRIVATE CEREMONY

I hosted a very private ceremony on 15th Dec 2017, where the French Ambassador conferred France President's highest Awards on two worthy individuals. My dear friend Andre Ruche,head of Visas and Immigration was one. And Joseph D'Cruz who has served 40 years at the Consulate. Very moving, very emotional and very good champagne !

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NATIONAL DAY OF THAILAND

The very stylish Mr Ekapol Poolpipat, Consul General Thailand celebrated the National Day of the Kingdom of Thailand, with song,dance and high spirits. Cyclone warnings notwithstanding, the BallRoom at the Taj Mahal Palace was packed with cheerful guests. And a good time was had by all. Cheers !

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DINNER HOSTED BY NEWLY ARRIVED BRITISH DEPUTY HIGH COMMISSIONER

Private dinner hosted on 19th November by newly arrived British Deputy High Commissioner to Mumbai. Welcome to India and am sure your tenure will be highly successful. Cheers.

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CELEBRATED THE BIRTH CENTENARY OF ICON OLIVER TAMBO

The inimitable Ms Maropene Dirupzela Ramokgopa Consul General South Africa organised an extraordinary event to celebrate the Birth Centenary of apartheid Icon Oliver Tambo. Chief Guest Ms Stella Ndabeni- Abrahams, Deputy Minister of Telecommunications was truly impressive. Wonderful to interact with the delegation from #southafrica at dinner.

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WELCOME ITALIAN CONSUL GENERAL OF ITALY

The very popular Consul General of Germany Juergen Morhard and his Sehr Elegant wife Petra Morhard hosted dinner at their über wunderschöne residence to welcome the new Italian Consul General of Italy Ms Stefania Costanza. Most global diplomats attended, and on this post i am only featuring newbies like the American CG power couple. The German rotwein was köstlich ( delicious) and that matters to me too 💖 10/10 on VAM > Vinod's Approval Meter

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KING AND QUEEN OF BELGIUM VISIT INDIA

Stunning performance by world famous Scala Choir of Belgium. Twelve young ladies sang Chaar Kadam from PK film ( among Coldplay, Radiohead, U2 songs) in honour of the visit of The King and Queen of Belgium. Overjoyed to meet the brilliant Brothers Kolacny and discuss their unique concept. Dinner followed with flowing rivers of molten chocolate and florets too! Congratulations Peter Huyghebaert on another massive success !

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BELGIUM FOOD FESTIVAL

Four hour Sunday brunch at "A TASTE OF BELGIUM" Festival of Belgian culinary wonders with Michelin chef Bart Tastenhoye. I feel like a stuffed Turkey ! Fenix, The Oberoi till 11th November. Go foodies, its unmissable!

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NATIONAL DAY OF TURKEY

I was honoured to host the National day of Turkey. Friends of Consul General Sabri Ergen got a chance to wish him adieu, since he is now nominated Ambassador of Chad and leaves India imminently. Bilgen Ergen ,Damla and family will be sorely missed. The music by CelloPianoDuo was mindblowing.

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WELCOMING PAUL CARTER, NEW BRITISH DEPUTY HEAD OF MISSION TO MUMBAI

Au revoir Colin Wells. Sorry to see you leave. We will miss your unique sense of humour. Best of luck in your new Russia posting. Welcome Paul Carter, new British Deputy Head of Mission, to Mumbai. Hugs Tara Greenall see you soon.

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HUNGARY'S CONSUL GENERAL DEAN PROMOTING HIS COUNTRY'S DELICIOUS WINES

How wonderful to taste delicious Hungarian wines normally not available in India. Thanks Consul General Norbert Revai-Bere for asking me to present the world famous Tokai wines.
Egészségére ! Cheers !

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NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION OF SPAIN

National Day of Spain. Yes they celebrated Viva Espana

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68TH NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION OF CHINA

Honoured to host 68th National Day of China. As the debonair CG Zheng Xiyuan said "the rains have gone and so have the tensions". Emotional tribute to Dr Kotnis and his medical team who went to China in 1938! Lovely bonding evening. Congratulations Simon Zheng You are outstanding diplomat !

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ART EXHIBITION AT TAO GALLERY, WORLI

Jaideep Mehrotra unveils his newest masterful oeuvres at Tao Gallery, Worli. I marvel at the worlds he has created again, re-inventing, re-defining the way we look at art and life. Hugs Seema Mehrotra 11/10 on VAM > Vinod's Approval Meter. Brinda Miller Krsnaa Mehta Asad Lalljee Saroja Sirisena Guido Thielman AD Singh Rahul Akerkar Malini Vachani-Akerkar Tanuja Padwal Sunil Padwal Nisha JamVwal Sammeer Sheth

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ANIL DHARKER'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Anil Dharker's birthday celebration.Sparkle evening with real Bombay people. Amy Fernandes served up a delicious dinner. Lovely catching up with the inimitable and gorgeous Neena Gupta Get ready for the Mumbai International Literary Festival next edition.

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INDONESIAN NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION

The natty Indonesian Consul General Saut Sriringoringo, affectionately known as Ringo hosted a very successful National Day celebration. Guests stayed on till midnight, a testimony to his overwhelming popularity. See who all you can identify in the images…

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CONSUL GENERAL SRI LANKA HOSTED FAREWELL DINNER FOR CG ITALY UGO CIARLATANI

Saroja Sirisena Sri Lanka's gorgeous Consul General hosted farewell dinner for the very popular CG Italy Ugo Ciarlatani. Ugo's now posted to Paris with his uber stylist wife Vanessa Mancini Ciarlatani Ugo's close Consul General friends Sabri Ergen Ajit Singh ( Singapore CG) Balveer Kaur Pablo Ramirez Arnol Buda Cueva Jacome Yves Perrin ( France CG) Andrea Alba Gonzalez (Argentina) et al raised a toast to say arrivederci !

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LAUNCH OF SHIRAZ, PINOT NOIR AND SAUVIGNON BLANC AT THEIR CUTTING EDGE MAGAZINE STREET KITCHEN

Born in the picturesque Adelaide Hills, Geoff Hardy Wines are top drop and oh so yummy. Gauri Devidayal and Jay Yousuf hosted dinner to launch the Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc at their cutting edge Magazine St. Kitchen. Check out the utterly delectable food we ate!
Both are medal winners from the Adelaide Hills, South Australia: Fruity Sauvignon Blanc and a really top Shiraz 2014. Thanks Geoff Hardy.

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FAREWELL DINNER FOR ITALIAN CONSUL GENERAL UGO CIARLATANI

Our VFS farewell dinner for the debonair Italian Consul General Ugo Ciarlatani and gorgeous wife Vanessa Mancini Ciarlatani. Our loss is Paris' gain. We will miss you both very much. Ugo, that was a great speech last night ! Thanks to all of you who turned up. Rashmi Uday Singh Vidya Malavade Salvatore Ianniello Sudhir Patil Nalini Gupta Pervez Roshni Damania Aarti Gupta Surendranath.

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SAROJA SIRISENA CONSUL GENERAL SRI LANKA HOSTED FAREWELL DINNER FOR SAMINA NAZ

Saroja Sirisena Consul General Sri Lanka hosted farewell dinner for the inimitable Samina Naz Consul General Bangladesh who is now Ambassador designate to Vietnam. Good luck dear Samina from your genuine well wishers. Balveer Kaur Jalpa Vithalani Maropene Dirupzela Ramokgopa missed you Sumit Mullick.

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DAVID AKOV'S FAREWELL TREAT

And so another dear diplomatic family departs India tonight. Dynamic David Akov, Consul General Israel and adorable architect wife Tamar Akov start a new chapter in their extraordinary lives. Sindhi dinner chez moi,with close friends as per their wishes. Long live India-Israel friendship. Arrivederci. Au revoir. Much love from me.

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VINOD ADVANI BIRTHDAY PARTY

Intimate birthday celebrations with my close global diplomat friends. Thank you, Saroja Sirisena for the idea. The real friends were all there, except for a couple who were ill. Thanks for brill bonhomie Maropene Dirupzela Ramokgopa, Tony Huber, Alejandro Zothner Mayer, Sumit Mullick Jirajett Wongnorraset Sabri Ergen Bilgen Ergen All you need is love ( John Lennon) for this violent world to change. Happy birthday to me and thank you all my FB friends for honoring me with your wishes and affection. Missed the positive energy of Caroline Perrin Deflandre Petra Morhard Rosimar Suzano and Vanessa Mancini Ciarlatani who cooked the most delicious Italian dinner just for me a few days ago. Am so sorry India is losing you and your husband Ugo Ciarlatani, Consul General Italy to France.

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PINKEY AHLUWALIA'S FAREWELL TREAT

Dear Pinkey Ahluwalia, You really conquered this city with your ever smiling face and made hundreds of friends. But only a privileged few know much you have faced in life with tremendous courage, grace and faith in the Almighty. You are not just an example to your family of gorgeous ladies but also to people like me who often face loneliness and heavy challenges. It was bitter sweet to say Au Revoir to you last night. You go to your new posting in Shanghai with the knowledge that you have so, so many good wishes. I know you will make Belgium proud wherever you travel. We all love you. Wahe Guru. Wahe GuruLerato Mashile Inderjit Ahluwalia Peter Huyghebaert.

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207TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARGENTINA NATIONAL DAY

I was delighted to event the 207th Anniversary of the Argentina National Day. Highlight was His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias who epitomises grace and dignity. Bravo Consul General Alejandro Mayer and newly arrived Consul Gabriel H. Rosa for the excellent arrangements.

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NATIONAL DAY OF SLOVENIA

National Day of Slovenia. Dear old buddy Sanjay Patel, Honorary Consul General and his elegant wife Anita hosted an enchanting musical dinner soiree.World Champion Denis Novato regaled us with his diatonic accordion. Lovely catching up Balveer Kaur Saroja Sirisena Sumit Mullick Rb Norani Missed Vanessa Mancini Ciarlatani Caroline Perrin Deflandre Petra Morhard Juergen Morhard Imtiaz Kazi

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POLAND'S NATIONAL DAY

Poland's National Day ! Celebrating its Constitution thats 226 years old ! Wow ! Thank you Consul General Leszek Brenda. You are a super representative of your astonishing country.I ❤️💙💜Warsaw Angelika Nowak Nicolas Lepage

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SOUTH AFRICA NATIONAL DAY

Hosted the South Africa National Day for the 10th consecutive year ! Her Excellency Maropene Dirupzela Ramokgopa, CG South Africa was the perfect host. As usual,the proceeds of me being Event's Master Of Ceremonies have already been given to the Nursery of Blind Children that i support in Sion. Blessed are those who give. Long live South Africa - India friendship !

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ARGENTINA WORLD MALBEC DAY

Hosted the Argentinian World Malbec Day. Bold and fruity reds. Delicious. Cheers Pablo Ramirez Arnol Andrea and Alejandro.

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THE OBEROI MELTING POT

Raised money for charity. Hosted soiree and even sang out of tune. 24 consulates participated in the Oberoi Melting Pot. Was wowed by food from Argentina, Italy, Germany (my fave sausages!) Singapore, South Africa, Turkey and outstanding wines from Hungary.

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156th ANNIVERSARY OF THE REUNIFICATION OF ITALY

I was honoured to host the 156th Anniversary of the Re-Unification of Italy tonight. Mr Ugo Ciarlatani, Consul General Italy was at his witty best and his gorgeous wife Vanessa Mancini Ciarlatani was the perfect hostess. Viva Indo-Italian friendship. Delighted to have met up with old friends Anand and Anuradha Anand Mahindra after yonks.

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TASTING FRANCE IN MUMBAI

Tasting France in Mumbai ! Great branding promo hosted by dynamic duo Yves Perrin, Consul General and elegant wife Caroline Perrin Deflandre at their seaside residence. City's top chefs cooked up French faves and served sumptuous desserts . ITC,Taj, Oberoi, Trident Hotels and Sassy Spoon offering French food all week . Go gorge!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY SABRINA JHANGIANI

Sabrina Jhangiani Happy birthday. Day long lunch. Dilip, Haresh, Nina, our darlingest Indira aunty, Kiwi, Piku, Natasha Hingorani, Kabir Hingorani little prince Arjuna, Prema Jagtiani, Benu Kapur. Missed Kavita Advani, Nalini Sardana, Kalra Anjali Thadani. Talent in enormous dollops and Love without strings we always had between us blessed ones. Right ? Ashitta Tham, Vijay Boolani, Naresh Bhojwani, Imtiaz Kazi.

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