CHRISTMAS DAY WITH CG AUSTRALIA AND FAMILY,
DEC 26, 2018
Which one's the Turkey? Intimate Christmas Day delicious lunch chez Tony and Kate Huber, CG, Australia, along with their lovely daughter Miriam and friend Cheryl. Thank you dearest friends for making me feel not-so-alone on this happy day ๐๐
JAPAN NATIONAL DAY, DEC 21, 2018
Celebrating Japan National Day with Consul General Mr Noda San and his lovely wife Roselle Noda, who ensured everything worked beautifully. Doesn't Tanuja Mullick look adorable in a kimono ! ๐๐ Great Sushi and wines. Check out the Japanese whiskies.
GERMAN CG HOSTED CHRISTMAS DINNER, DEC 16, 2018
Christmas dinner at dear friends German Consul General Juergen Morhard Petra Morhard. His welcome home speech, was as usual pithy, warm and funny. Listen to punch line in video ๐ Their love for India and numerous Indian friends are ample proof of his superlative diplomatic skills. โฃ๏ธโฃ๏ธ Rita Rozite Allwyn Saldanha Merry Christmas to you all
CELEBRATING NINA ADVANI'S BIRTHDAY, DEC 14, 2018
Celebrating Nina Advani's birthday over three days and nights. Champagne dinners of fresh seafood and spicy Goan lunches,Magician, bhangra drummers, super bands, much bonhomie. In South Goa's most fabulous hotel !
Kudos to Natasha Hingorani and Alekkha H Advani for uber-amazing arrangements. Sabrina Jhangiani Poonam Lalvani Indira Bhojwani Ajit Lalvani and Dilip Jhangiani, Meenu Thadani, Benu Kapur, Raju and Esther Daswani, Jihaann Advani Anu Shivdasani.. whom have i missed?
HANUKKAH DINNER CELEBRATION, DEC 6, 2018
Israeli Consul General Ya'akov Finkelstein and his charming wife hosted their annual Hanukkah dinner celebration. In the video he narrates the story behind the festival which dates back to the time of the Maccabes . It is also known as the Festival of Lights.Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.
HELLO MAGAZINE, DEC 3, 2018
HELLO magazine ! Debutants Ball was a classy affair. A most enjoyable soiree spent in the company of dear diplomat friends. Thanks to Rashmi Uday Singh and Shobhaa De who have been my loyal friends for over 30 years ! Click on the video for the most incredible voice ๐ of Sarosh Nanavaty Wowie ! Take a bow Avantikka Kilachand !
THAILAND NATIONAL DAY, DEC 1, 2018
Celebration of National Day of Kingdom of Thailand. Thanks Consul General Ekapol Poolpipat, always sartorially elegant. The cultural program was beautifully presented.
ATOUT FRANCE, DEC 1, 2018
Champagne Soiree ! Bubbles, wine, music and great food at the Sofitel. My dear friend Biswajit Chakraborty put on a grand show for French Tourism (Atout France) headed by the inimitable, gorgeous Sheetal Munshaw. Please listen to the fabulous live band's music in the video, evoking French oo-la-la ambience
DUTCH PHOTOGRAPHY, NOV 30, 2018
Fascinating new exhibition "Contemporary Dutch Photography" shows different interpretations of Still Life. For ' Fake flowers in Full color', the photographers bought fake flowers and paint and created a bouquet.
Then they broke down the photo into four color separations- cyan, magenta, yellow and black. The results are clever and startling to behold.
If you like photography in any form, do not miss this exhibition that runs till end January 2019. ๐
EXHIBITION AT JEHANGIR ART GALLERY, NOV 27, 2018
Alisha Mashruwala Daswani is the young lady with my friend Shobhaa Dรฉ. She's initiated an extraordinary Exhibition to raise funds for underprivileged children. On sale are Horse heads sculpted by Arzan Khambatta and painted by maestros like Jaideep Mehrotra, in pix with wife Seema. Consul General Italy Stefania Costanza loved the show ๐ Please go have a dekko. ๐ Jehangir Art Gallery.
ITALIAN CUISINE WEEK, NOV 23, 2018
"Where there is no wine there is no love" โ Euripides.Celebrating Italian cuisine week in Mumbai with friends. Thank you Stefania Costanza , Consul General Italy. Both red wines were songs on my lips. Cheers Jennifer Larson Sonia Hays Rosimar Suzano Juergen Morhard Ralph, Jamshyd Godrej Oscar Bencivenga.
129TH ANNIVERSARY OF BRAZIL NATIONAL DAY, NOV 17, 2018
Proudly presented 129th anniversary of Brazil National Day last night. Quick: Which football player name comes first to mind? Congratulations dear Rosimar Suzano Consul General Brazil on a charmingly organised soiree.
CELEBRATED BELGIUM'S KINGS DAY, NOV 16, 2018
Belgian Beers, Cheeses and Chocolates were flown down specially by Consul General of Belgium , Peter Huyghebaert, to celebrate Kings Day. The dramatic fashion show was attended by Miss World 2017, the gorgeous Manushi Chillar ! Cheers
POLAND'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF RESTORATION OF INDEPENDENCE, NOV 15, 2018
Celebrated Poland's 100th anniversary of the Restoration of Independence tonight. Congratulations Consul General Damian and Joanna Irzyk ๐ (top right) Poland's first CG in Mumbai !
DIWALI GIFT FROM MARIA MARTA PIGANI, OCT 31, 2018
Maria Marta Pigani is the stylish wife of Argentina Consul General Alejandro Meyer. She also makes the best Quiches in town ๐๐ My Diwali gift came a week early from her to me. A home -made, delectable, delicious, flavorful, luscious, mouthwatering, savory, scrumptious, succulent, AND tasty Quiche a L'Argentina. And of course a Malbec red to accompany it. Un millรณn de Gracias. Happy
NATIONAL DAY OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY, OCT 30, 2018
I was honored to once again present the prestigious Ceremony to celebrate the National Day of Republic of Turkey last night. Its been a privilege to do the same for the last seven years. A warm welcome to the newly arrived, dynamic Consul General Tolga and Pinar Kaya. It was a truly rocking evening, with Lucky Draw tickets on Turkish Airlines given away. No, I did not win any. Sigh
SPECIAL EVENING WITH NIMROD ASSOULINE AND SONIA MALANI, OCT 14, 2018
"The boy in the bright blue jeans, Jumped up on the stage, And lady stardust sang his songs,Of darkness and disgrace." Fellow David Bowie lovers find each other across the world. Theresa, Per, Jennifer, thanks for the visit ๐ Instant Karma ! Instant ๐ Vanita Advani Malani ๐ Sonia Malani were there too. Nimrod Assouline the special evening you gave me the amazing Israeli wine for , was tonight !
GERMAN DAYS AT TOTE ON THE TURF, OCT 12, 2018
German Days at Tote on the Turf was hot/happening/huge fun. Live German band are rocking the shite outta Bombay till Sunday ๐ Go ! German beer, sausages, music, dance. What more do you want ?
WELCOME RECEPTION FOR NEWLY ARRIVED GLOBAL DIPLOMATS, OCT 9, 2018
My dear friend, gorgeous Consul General Italy , Stefania Costanza, hosted welcome reception for newly arrived global diplomats to our bewildering and chaotic city.
ANOTHER FAREWELL DINNER FOR AJIT SINGH, SINGAPORE CONSUL GENERAL, OCT 9, 2018
The diplomatic Legend is sadly leaving India after 15 years. Ajit Singh, Consul General Singapore spoke authoritatively on politics and economics and interwove advice with felicity of knowledge and humility. We have been friends and brothers. Missing Balveer bhabhiji.
ANOTHER FAREWELL DINNER FOR AJIT SINGH, SINGAPORE CONSUL GENERAL, OCT 6, 2018
Saying goodbye to a dear friend is always difficult. But leave they must, since diplomats have limited tenures. Another farewell dinner for Ajit Singh, Singapore Consul General, hosted by the inimitable Rashmi Jolly, Hon Consul, Czech Republic.
FAREWELL DINNER FOR CONSUL GENERAL SINGAPORE AJIT SINGH, SEP 25, 2018
Au revoir dear friend Ajit Singh,Consul General,Singapore, diplomatic legend across India. Having served his island country in Delhi,Chennai & Mumbai, his savvy savoir-faire has won him close friends in all the upper echelons, across a diverse range of industries. His charming and kind wife, my Bhabhiji, Balveer Kaur (absent in this post, since she is back home for short visit) has been the epitome of elan.
Thanks Gul Kripalani( Hon Consul Iceland), Mahendra Sanghi ( Hon Consul,Kazkhstan),Dilip Dandekar ( Hon Consul,Mongolia) and Ramavtar Goenka (Hon Consul,Kenya) for hosting this exclusive farewell dinner.
You will be much much missed dear Ajit Singh๐ช๐
FAREWELL TO CONSUL GENERAL FRANCE, YVES PERRIN, SEP 1, 2018
Au Revoir Yves Perrin, Consul General France,not goodbye.We love Caroline Perrin Deflandre and you- for your warm friendship โ for loving India โ for the most delicious wines you served with such generosity-for the sumptuous food Caroline made (which i have never found in all my years of gorging through France) ! A bientot chers amis, nous sommes famille ๐
Laurent Perrier bubbles
Au revoir , my dear friend Yves Perrin , Consul General France. I always called him David Bowie and he indulged me, knowing my love for Bowie ! will miss you and Caroline Perrin Deflandre !
73RD ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE OF REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA, AUG 28, 2018
Celebrated the 73rd Anniversary of Independence of Republic of Indonesia. Congratulations Consul General Ade Sukendar and ever elegant wife Isnawati Sukendar for a truly memorable evening.
70th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN SWITZERLAND AND INDIA, AUG 15, 2018
Stunning performance by the Swiss Military Small Band to celebrate 70th Anniversary of the Friendship Treaty between Switzerland and India. Welcome to India, newly appointed Swiss Consul General Herr Othmar Hardegger and elegant wife Yvonne. Also, Namaste to the new Turkish CG in India Mr A. Tolga Kaya with his equally charming wife Pinar Erguvan Kaya.
They are all amateur musicians, doing their army stint. After this tour of India, they will disband and go their own ways. But the melodies they played and their performance will stay with us forever. Thank you Swiss Military Small Band for also helping us celebrate India’s Independence Day !
FAREWELL DINNER FOR CONSUL GENERAL FRANCE AT UMAME, AUG 14, 2018
Adieu Andre Ruche. You carry with you the gratitude of thousands of Indians whose French visas you signed to enable easy travel to France. We will really miss you. Happy some of your Consular friends could join the farewell dinner at Umame. God speed and God bless.
Marguerita slurpilicious cocktail. Shown by bartender Vinay, friend last two decades. Hugely admire self made experts like him. People like him make Bombay the city it is ! Respect !
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF CONSUL GENERAL NEW ZEALAND MR. RALPH HAYS
Happy birthday to hipster diplomat, Ralph Hays, Consul General New Zealand. Tx Sonia Hays for this celebration. Great venue,delicious food and wine, interactive quizzes and singing made this soireรฉ memorable.
CELEBRATED SINGAPORE'S 53RD NATIONAL DAY, AUG 10, 2018
The sad news is that our friend Mr Ajit Singh, Singapore Consul General and his gracious / gorgeous wife ( my bhabhiji) Balveer Kaur are leaving us soon after five wonderful years in Mumbai. Tonight Ajit celebrated Singapore's 53rd National Day. Yes, the ever reclusive Ratan Tata joined us, as he does every year. Thanks Ritesh Choudhary, the best ever F&B Director The Taj Mahal Palace ! The people who understand the power of FB are in my photos ๐๐
Marguerita slurpilicious cocktail. Shown by bartender Vinay, friend last two decades. Hugely admire self made experts like him. People like him make Bombay the city it is ! Respect !
CONSULAR CORPS CHARITY EVENT, AUG 6, 2018
I have been privileged to host this Consular Corps Charity Carnival Event for the last 20 years ! This year, Gul Kripalani's daughter Priyanka Kripalani made it extra fun! Cheers to all my Diplomat friends who enrich and enliven our quotidian lives ! Watch how The South African Consulate team strut their stuff ! Wow !
Consul General South Africa Maropene Dirupzela Ramokgopa is no ordinary diplomat ! She proudly represents all the wonderful facets of her country ! With her deputy Lerato Mashile, an accomplished dancer.
242ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE USA, AUG 4, 2018
On 4th August night, at the celebrations of the 242nd Anniversary of the independence of the USA. Both banquet rooms packed to the brim, great wine and food and an amazing rock band, who had everyone bopping away! Congratulations Consul General USA Edgard D. Kagan, your team did you proud with this fantabulous evening !
