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Experience the Elegance of Duchess Utsav 2024 at Hotel Savera

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Get ready, Chennai! The much-anticipated Duchess Utsav is back, and it promises to be a celebration like no other. Mark your calendars for September 12th and 13th, from 10 AM to 8 PM, as Hotel Savera transforms into a vibrant hub of creativity, craftsmanship, and culture. The grand inauguration will be at 10 AM on September 12th, graced by renowned personalities who will set the tone for this spectacular two-day event.

A Festival of Creativity and Artisanship

Duchess Utsav isn’t just another fashion and lifestyle exhibition—it’s a celebration of creativity, entrepreneurship, and the rich tapestry of Indian art and artisanship. This year, Duchess Utsav 2024 continues its tradition of bringing together the finest in design and craftsmanship from across the country, showcasing a wide range of offerings that are heart-made and hand-made with love.

Whether you are looking for legendary brands or newly launched labels, your favorite designers or the next big name, Duchess Utsav has something for everyone. From traditional to contemporary, ethnic to chic, the event will feature the best in clothing, fashion accessories, jewelry, home decor, gifting, gourmet foods, organic products, and much more.

Shop, Explore, and Enjoy: The Ultimate Retail Therapy

Prepare for an unparalleled shopping experience as you explore a carefully curated selection of fashion and lifestyle products. Update your festive wardrobe with stunning ensembles, find the perfect accessories to complete your look, and discover unique accents for your home. With an array of gifting options available, it’s also the ideal opportunity to pick up something special for your loved ones.

A Spectacular Fashion Show to Remember

On September 13th at 12 Noon, the excitement continues with an exclusive fashion show at Maple Hall, Savera Hotel. The runway will come alive with a dazzling display of RMKV Wedding Silks, exquisite diamond, gold, Jadau Polki, and Temple Jewelry from JJ Jewellery Mart, and stylish footwear by Gaitonde. It’s a fashion extravaganza you won’t want to miss!

Spread the Word and Bring Your Friends

Invite your friends, spread the word, and get ready to enjoy the best in retail therapy right here in Chennai. Duchess Utsav is more than just an event—it’s an experience, a celebration of style, and a testament to the beauty of craftsmanship.

For any queries, please reach out to Sujata Mundhra at 9841288631 or via email at sujatamundhra@gmail.com.

See you at Duchess Utsav 2024 – where style meets elegance, and creativity knows no bounds!

Luxurious wedding venue, villas, getaway destinations on ECR
By Juliana Sridhar

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Basking in the success of her family’s entrepreneurial venture is Rafica, daughter of Dr. Zainuddin and homemaker Hafsa. She was born and brought up in Chennai. Being the youngest in her family she received a lot of love, affection and attention not only from her parents but also from her siblings, elder brother Ayub and elder sister Shameema.

Rafica did her schooling in a small school in Royapettah and has fond memories of her teachers, principal and even the ayamma who took care of her and is in touch with all of them as they hold a special place in her heart.

She decided to study law after completing her higher secondary education and joined the five year integrated course- Bachelor of Law in Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College in Chennai. She graduated and became the first woman lawyer in her family.

As a teenager, Rafica discovered that she had a flair for fashion and that it came naturally to her. Her taste in clothes is impeccable and she always makes it a point to dress up stylishly. The entrepreneur in her made her start her first business venture at the young age of 17. She brought together a group of tailors, purchased fabric, got them stitched by these tailors and sold the garments to her family members and friends.

Rafica is married to Mohamed Nishtar and post marriage, she shifted base to the US where she lived for almost 2 decades. Her creative streak took a back seat during this period though she used it in her daily routine. She is blessed with two sons- Faraaz and Farhaan whom she calls her best friends. They are based in New York and have launched their own startup companies.

After her sons grew up and moved to college, she returned to Chennai with her husband in 2017 and with time on their hands, they decided to channelize their talents and do something unique.

Her family owned a beach facing property on ECR and Rafica along with her family members decided to rent it out as a home-stay and offer home cooked food to their guests. This decision turned to be a good one and it has turned out to be a successful venture. What started off as a small event space with a beautiful outdoor garden, grew into a popular destination for weddings. It is named “The Blue House’’ which is also a wedding venue that can accommodate upto 800 guests. It is a 68,000 sq ft sprawling, landscaped, multilevel garden with 5 bedrooms and a private swimming pool. Their goal was to offer a luxurious atmosphere and at the same time to keep it affordable and customizable for the customers. 

Recently, a ‘’Glass House’’ air conditioned banquet hall with a seating capacity of 300 overlooking the sea was added.

Rafica says that the Blue House can be rented out not only for weddings but also for other functions like engagements, birthday parties, anniversaries, corporate parties, family get togethers, school or college reunions, mehendi functions and even for brand promotions. 

Her family also owns Le Chalet that is a single bedroom wooden cottage on the ECR that has epoxy furniture and provides a unique experience for the guests. It offers a perfect blend of rustic charm and modern comfort and is surrounded by lush greenery.

Their other luxurious beach properties namely Villa Armati and Beach Castle (new project) offer an amazing experience to both local and foreign customers. They offer a serene escape from mundane life with stunning sunrise views. There is an exquisite swimming pool designed to blend seamlessly with the horizon.

Meadow Lane, located on ECR is another perfect getaway destination that is nestled in nature. The cozy cottages here are perfect for couples and families who wish to spend a relaxing weekend by the sea.

Rafica has noticed that minimalist and modest weddings are becoming the new trend with the younger generation and she aspires to provide an amazing and unforgettable experience to young couples as they begin their life journey together. 

She enjoys meeting new people and interacting with customers and strives to make every wedding a unique and memorable occasion. She takes great pride in helping couples plan out their weddings. She guides them right from venue options to colour combinations and suggests creative ideas and budget friendly solutions.  She thoroughly enjoys her work and loves every minute of it.

She manages to take a one month break every year to visit her sons in the US and has an excellent team that manages well in her absence. She is grateful to them for their dedication as it takes a load off her shoulders.

She manages both family and business with aplomb and believes that women are multi-talented and can handle pressure even in the toughest situations.

Another hobby of hers is interior designing and she loves to recycle wooden materials and use it in her business for both indoor and outdoor décor.

Rafica unwinds by going for long walks with her husband and by watching movies with her mother. Her favourite movie is ‘’The Gods must be crazy’’ and favourite actor and actress are Will Smith and Deepika Padukone. 

When it comes to food, she loves Pani puri and Sushi. She is exceptionally fond of all shades of the pleasant colour lavender. 

She spends quality time with family and friends as according to her socializing helps her to unwind and also feel connected.

Rafica takes a few moments at the end of each day to reflect on her accomplishments and practices an attitude of gratitude. She plans out her next day and jots down her important tasks as it helps her to stay organized and reduces stress.

She deeply appreciates the help and support she receives from her family, friends and community. She calls her mother her guru as she is a calm and hardworking lady who never even raises her voice at anyone. 

With their heart and soul into this venture, Rafica and her husband hope to expand and create more exceptional spaces and also turn every event into a cherished memory. To know more, you can contact them at 63832 82186.

Juliana Sridhar is a lawyer and columnist

Honoring Shri Vijaykumar A. Reddy’s Legacy at the 3rd Edition of the Kindness Awards

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The third edition of the Kindness Awards was held on the birth anniversary of Shri Vijaykumar A. Reddy. Organized by Smt. A. Nina Reddy, Managing Director of Hotel Savera, the event celebrated his enduring love for animals and unwavering commitment to social welfare. Supported by the Change A Life Charitable Trust (CAL), the event recognized thirteen individuals from the field of animal welfare, each of whom received a cash award for their selfless dedication to the cause.

This year’s Kindness Award recipients are:

  • Aditya Venkatraman
  • Athmaram
  • Dinesh BaBa
  • Kalai Selvi
  • Karthick
  • Kyana Iyer
  • Manikandan
  • Murali Kannan
  • Prabhavathy Venugopal
  • Rajeev
  • Sai Vignesh
  • Senthil Kumar
  • Uma Akka

These remarkable individuals have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to improving the lives of animals. The Kindness Awards, instituted by Smt. Nina Reddy, continue Shri Vijaykumar A. Reddy’s legacy of compassion, inspiring the community to engage in acts of charity and kindness.

ENSURING BRIGHT SMILES
By Juliana Sridhar

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A team spearheaded by Dr Jaideep Mahendra from Meenakshi Ammal Dental College in association with Indian Society of Periodontology organized an oral hygiene awareness program for five different sections of society. The event involved a lot of meticulous planning and teamwork and constituted a series of impactful, community-focused events. that went on for a month  from 1st July 2024 to 1st of August.

Team Periodontics, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College inaugurating the oral hygiene awareness program

This program was designed to raise awareness about the importance of oral care with a theme “ORAL HYGIENE AWARENESS” encompassing multiple tailored activities to address the unique needs of different sections of society.

Approximately 8500 people were screened and educated on the importance of oral hygiene.

Promoting oral hygiene awareness among government school children:

Government school children often come from financially underprivileged backgrounds, where access to essential healthcare services, including dental care, is limited. This financial constraint can lead to neglect of oral health, resulting in issues that could have been prevented with regular dental check-ups. By providing free screening and dental care, these children received necessary preventive and therapeutic services.

From July 1st to the 19th, 2024, a team led by Dr Jaideep Mahendra in collaboration with the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, organized a free dental screening camp for government school children in Minjur, Thiruvallur District. This initiative covered 19 schools and approximately 3,500 students were screened. These camps were organized with meticulous planning and supervision by Dr. Prashanthi, Dr. Nikita Ravi, Dr. Lakshmi Priya, and Dr. Prashanth Thalur.

The camp aimed to educate young students about the importance of oral hygiene. Through interactive sessions and hands-on activities, students learned how to maintain good oral health practices and the consequences of neglecting them. The screening identified common oral health issues such as cavities, gum disease, and lesions, allowing for early detection and timely intervention.

Ensuring Bright Smiles: Free Dental Screening for Government School Children

One of the highlights of this camp was the interactive demonstrations of proper brushing and flossing techniques. Students were shown how to effectively clean their teeth and gums, and the sessions included fun and engaging activities.  Additionally, educational materials such as pamphlets and posters were distributed to reinforce the information provided during the camp.

The initiative also included a focus on the impact of processed food on oral health. Sessions were conducted to educate school children about the harmful effects of processed food on their teeth and gums and to encourage them to have a balanced diet and include green leafy vegetables and seasonal fruits. 

Free Dental Screening Camp at Government Higher Secondary School for visually impaired school children.

The inclusion of visually impaired school children in the Oral Hygiene Day celebrations through a free dental screening camp highlights a crucial aspect of equitable healthcare. These children often face challenges in maintaining oral health due to visual impairment. It raised awareness among caregivers and educators about the oral health challenges faced by visually impaired children.

 The motto of the team was to ensure that these children receive the same level of attention and care as their peers. The main coordinators of the event, Dr.Geetha Ari, Dr.Sathish Rajendran, Dr. Prashanthi and Dr.Lakshmi Priya educated the students about good oral care and they were screened for dental ailments.

The camp provided comprehensive dental screening for 100 students and 35 faculty members, all of whom were visually impaired.

“Empowering Smiles: Free Dental Screening for Visually Impaired Children”

The team used innovative techniques to make the sessions more accessible for visually impaired participants. Tactile models of teeth and gums were used to explain various dental conditions and demonstrate proper oral hygiene techniques. Additionally, audio descriptions and hands-on guidance were provided to ensure that the participants could effectively learn and apply this information.

Strategies and tips were shared to help them overcome these challenges and ensure that they maintain good oral health independently. The camp also provided customized oral hygiene kits with tools designed specifically for individuals with visual impairment. 

Free Dental Screening Camp and Awareness Program for the Transgender Community

A free dental screening camp for the transgender community was held on July 26th, 2024, in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society as part of the Oral Hygiene Day celebrations, providing health services to 60 transgenders. Dr. Nikita Ravi and Dr. Prashanth Thalur actively participated in the proceedings. This event was crucial in addressing the oral health needs for transgenders, who face challenges in accessing dental care. By offering free screening and educational resources, the camp not only promoted better oral health but also fostered a sense of inclusion with respect.

Empowering Through Health: Free Dental Screening Camp for the Transgender Community

Dr. Devadharshini, a postgraduate student, provided a comprehensive demonstration of proper brushing and flossing techniques using visual aids. Dr. Prashanth Thalur delivered an insightful lecture on the detrimental effects of smoking and tobacco on periodontal health, highlighted the risks and provided guidance on cessation strategies.

A skit focusing on oral health awareness was performed by the team. Interactive sessions allowed participants to ask questions and receive personalized advice from the dental professionals present.

Free Dental Screening Camp at the National Institute of Aging

The geriatric population constitutes a significant and growing segment of our society with unique oral health needs and challenges.  On July 29th, 2024, the Department of Periodontics organized a free dental screening camp at the National Institute of Aging, Guindy, within the Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital campus.

The screening camp was inaugurated by team leader, Dr. Jaideep Mahendra who interacted with the elderly and emphasized the importance of maintaining good oral health.. Dr..Ambalavanan N, Professor Emeritus, addressed the unique challenges faced by the geriatric community concerning periodontal health and provided practical advice and answered the queries of the patients. Dr Geetha Ari and Dr Anitha Logaranjani were instrumental in co ordinating the event.

Team Periodontics at the National Institute of Aging, Guindy

The participants were engaged with an informative session on daily oral hygiene practices, using audio-visual aids to enhance understanding. A musical skit demonstrated proper hand washing and brushing techniques thereby adding a creative and entertaining dimension to the camp.

The camp provided an opportunity to screen the elderly for issues like dry mouth, gum disease, and tooth decay. Personalized advice was given to each participant. Educational materials were distributed providing easy-to-follow guidelines and tips for maintaining oral hygiene.

Screening camp held for GCC workers

GCC workers play an essential role in maintaining the infrastructure and services that keeps our city clean. Their dedication and hard work often go unnoticed. Meenakshi Ammal dental College hosted a free dental screening camp specifically for these workers. This initiative was done not only to acknowledge their selfless efforts but also to make them aware about the importance of good oral health.

The camp was conducted for 120 corporation workers at the Ripon Building.  The event was successfully coordinated by team members Dr. Geetha Ari, Dr. Vijayalakshmi, Dr. Burnice Nalina Kumari and Dr. Prashanth Thalur.

Team of Doctors with the GCC Health officials

The event featured comprehensive awareness sessions and lectures on oral hygiene practices, Dr. Prashanth Thalur delivered an insightful lecture on the detrimental effects of smoking on periodontal health, highlighting the significant impact of smoking, including increased risks of gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer.

 Dr. Jaideep Mahendra interacts with the GCC workers

 The initiative aimed to address the challenges faced by corporation workers who often have demanding work schedules that can make it difficult for them to prioritize oral health. Strategies for maintaining good oral hygiene despite busy schedules were shared. The camp also provided practical tips on how to recognize early signs of dental issues and the importance of seeking timely dental care.

The dynamic team at Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital reached out to approximately 8500 people and has been doing its bit to improve oral health for the above mentioned sections of society.

Celebrate Friendship Day with Herbelin’s Elegant Timepieces

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Mark your friendship journeys this Friendship Day with a Herbelin watch, a timeless reminder of all the moments you have shared. The refined designs of Herbelin watches make them the perfect gift for celebrating friendships. 

Embrace Femininity with V Avenue: 

The V Avenue collection adorns women’s wrists with its stainless steel Milanese bracelet and genuine white mother-of-pearl dial, seamlessly blending style and sophistication. With a sleek case measuring 6.40mm in thickness, water resistance up to 30m, and a rectangular shape crafted from 316L steel, this timepiece weighs 54g. Its quartz movement caliber, Quartz 5 ½ by Ronda 751, ensures reliable timekeeping with hour functionality, embodying Swiss precision. 

Cap Camarat for the Gentleman: 

 

The Cap Camarat collection introduces a new square stainless steel case with rounded edges, showcasing a blend of originality and contemporary design. This watch exudes elegance with its integrated bracelet and sporty aesthetic, handcrafted in Charquemont. Featuring a gradient blue dial with horizontal stripes, this timepiece weighs 176g, has a case size of 39*39mm, a thickness of 7.8mm, and water resistance up to 100m. Its quartz movement calibre, Quartz 11 ½ by Ronda 715, includes a date function, embodying Swiss craftsmanship. 

Choose Herbelin watches this Friendship Day to celebrate unbreakable bonds. Whether it’s the graceful V Avenue for her or the sleek Cap Camarat for him, these watches epitomize enduring friendship and refined taste. 

For a virtual shopping experience, explore the enduring charm of Herbelin at Swiss Watch Company. https://swisswatchcompany.in/collections/herbelin.

LEGALLY ‘BOND’
By Juliana Sridhar

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Dr. A. Vijayalakshmi, a dedicated professor and one of the directors in the School of Excellence in Law in Perungudi, Chennai was born to (late) Arumainathan,  who worked for the Income Tax Department and Arockiamary Esther, a Nursing Superintendent at the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital. She was born and brought up in the fertile delta region of Thanjavur.

She did her schooling at St. Joseph’s Girls Higher Secondary School in Thanjavur and was motivated to take up law by her mother. During the course of her employment, her mother was impressed by a lady district judge who used to visit the hospital to record dying declarations of victims who suffered burn injuries particularly in dowry harassment cases. On seeing how dedicated and committed the judge was to punish perpetrators of crime and to get justice for innocent victims, she was inspired to make her daughter study law. Moreover, Vijayalakshmi hated Maths, so law was an ideal choice.

 In tune with her mother’s inspiration, after her higher secondary education, Vijayalakshmi joined the Government Law College in Trichy to do B.A.B.L. and later pursued her Master’s degree at the Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College in Chennai where she specialized in Crime and Tort. She followed it up with a PhD in the Elementary Aspects of International Crimes at the Dr. Ambedkar Law University Chennai.

Vijayalakshmi is married to Nelsonraj who is employed at a Malaysian company and they have a son Derrik William who studies in class 12 in DB, Egmore. 

She has one sibling- a younger brother who is married and blessed with a couple of children.

Initially, Vijayalakshmi was not interested in practising law but whilst pursuing her Master’s degree, the classes were from 4 to 6 pm, she had lot of free time on her hands. She decided to make best use of this time to gain practical experience and joined the office of Advocate Swamidoss Manoharan, a criminal side practitioner. The experience that she gained at this office helps her till date when she takes classes for students. She says ‘’A combination of theoretical and practical experience makes my students attend my classes with interest.’’

After completing her education and clearing the UGC- NET exam, she joined School of Excellence in Law as a guest faculty. Her services were later regularized as Assistant Professor of Criminal Law.  She then rose to the position of the Director for B.Com LL.B (Hons) degree programme.

Dr.Vijayalakshmi is also a nodal officer for NAAN MUDHALVAN Scheme. She earlier served as coordinator in the placement committee, as a coordinator for the cultural association, as faculty advisor for Indian Student Law Review, as a deputy warden for the girls’ hostel and as the chairperson for law admissions for two consecutive years.

She has published several research articles and papers and has been invited by several colleges and universities to deliver special lectures. She is also a guest lecturer in many colleges.

She has been an external examiner for TNPSC, TNUSRB, TRB, Madras University, Pondicherry University, Saveetha School of Law and SRM School of Law. 

She is credited with organizing many seminars, webinars and workshops on Criminal Law, POSH Act, Research Methodology, Art of Advocacy, Cyber Crimes etc.

Dr. Vijayalakshmi recently published her first book titled ‘’International Criminal Law: A Jurisprudential Perspective’’ where she focuses on the progressive development of International Criminal Law, International crimes like genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity etc. She covers the International Criminal Courts and its organs and is hopeful that it will serve as a useful guiding material to students who take up International Law, Criminal Law and Human Rights

Being a die-hard fan of Illayaraja, she unwinds after a long day at work by listening to his songs. She enjoys watching crime thrillers and feel good movies which are mostly in Malayalam. Her favourite actor is Superstar Rajinikanth.

A voracious reader, she catches up with articles related to International Human Rights. Her preferred authors include Prof Dr. Rafael Lemkin, Dr. Bassiouni and Dr. Alison Des Forges. When it comes to Tamil literature, she has completed the novel Ponniyin Selvan by Kalki.

Cricketer M S Dhoni is her favorite sportsperson for his sportsmanship and leadership qualities. Footballer Messi is another sportsperson she holds in high esteem due to his humane personality. 

When it comes to food, her tastebuds are tickled by spicy biriyani but she also likes bland food items like rasam and the humble curd rice. 

When asked about the difference in students of her time and the students of today, she quips that there are drastic changes and finds that some of them are in an imaginary world and that measures are being taken to pull them back into reality. 

She hopes that the media can help with enhancing the quality of education. In her opinion, two measures that can streamline and transform the younger generation are to instill book reading culture in students and to inculcate in them respect for fellow human beings.

Juliana Sridhar is a lawyer and columnist

 

NURTURE WITH NATURE
By Juliana Sridhar

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Meet Archana Stalin, a young engineer who switched from her lucrative career to pursue her dream of Organic Farming. She started MyHarvest Farms in 2018 along with her husband Stalin and it’s been a fruitful and impactful journey since then.

Archana was born in Theni and brought up in Chennai. Her father worked in a private firm while her mother took care of the home department. She has a younger sister whom she calls her best companion.

At St. Dominics Anglo Indian Girls Higher Secondary School where she schooled, she excelled both in studies and in extra-curricular activities. Blessed with leadership qualities, she was elected the school’s head girl and made her school proud by becoming the school topper in the Board exams

Though Archana aspired to become a doctor, she ended up studying engineering at the College of Engineering, Guindy and graduated in B.E. GeoInformatics. Her better half Stalin was her classmate and best friend in college and they tied the knot after completing their education.

In 2014, her trip across Indian villages where she got to meet many inspiring social entrepreneurs set her thinking about her purpose in life. She developed an interest in farming and made a humble beginning with a terrace garden, made compost and adopted a sustainable lifestyle. It was during this period that she learned about Organic Farming. Both Archana and Stalin met farmers across the state and were convinced that natural farming was the need of the hour. 

They quit their plum jobs in 2016 and leased a small piece of land to get a hands-on experience on the practical aspects of farming. They started myHarvest Farms in 2018. The farm is located in Sembedu, a village in Thiruvallur district about 40 kilometres from Chennai. They started out with 1 farm and 18 families and have grown over the years to impact over 340 farmers and more than 10,000 families in Chennai.

Their mission was to grow chemical-free food, make people eat healthy food products and improve the livelihood of farmers. Their team comprises of more than 50 members- mostly youngsters and more than half of them are women. They supply over 280 edible food products that are naturally grown, fresh, local and seasoned to customers. 

In her journey of 6 years, Archana came across some challenges that women entrepreneurs face. The first challenge is that the ideas of a woman entrepreneur are not taken seriously. Secondly, many women are not able to focus on their career without feeling guilty for their inability to spend enough time on the home front. Thirdly, travelling at odd hours and meeting strangers is another hardship that women face. Archana however is blessed with a supportive life partner and an equally supportive family (mother and in-laws) who encourage her in all her entrepreneurial endeavors.

She regularly gets to meet up with a group of friends who are also entrepreneurs and they spend time helping out and learning from each other. She feels that peer support makes a world of difference. They provide feedback, criticism, share connections and basically lift each other up.

Many people have asked her how it feels to be a woman doing farming. She says that even though 84 % of women in the rural areas are involved in agriculture or allied work, they are not given credit for it. They are paid lesser wages than men even though they put in the same number of hours of work. She hopes to change this scenario and remove the disparity that women face.

Archana recalls that during the first four years of starting this venture, she and Stalin became such workaholics and they worked without a break. Nowadays they make it a point to take a break every four months and go on a holiday with the family. She also relishes taking little breaks to enjoy some ME Time which is mostly  long solo rides on her bike while listening to songs.  

 She is the recipient of multiple awards including the MEITY NASSCOM Agri Entrepreneur of the year award in 2021, the Aval Vikatan Award, Raindrops Award, Homepreneur award etc.

More than the joy of winning awards, the fact that she is able to uplift rural livelihoods and make a difference in the lives of young farmers gives her a feeling of satisfaction.

She conducts awareness and motivational sessions at colleges and forums and is a recognized speaker at TEDx, INKtalks and Josh Talks. 

Over a span of 6 years, myHarvest Farms has made an impact on people from the city. They have an opportunity to reconnect with nature and support farmers to follow Climate Resilient Natural Farming. Many customers have realized the importance of consuming chemical free food and have become her extended family. She curates farm visits for customers to get a first- hand experience of farming. For Archana, this is just the beginning and her goal is to scale up the business without compromising on values and ethics.

You can check out their website https://www.myharvestfarms.com/ to know more.

Juliana Sridhar is a lawyer and columnist

THE DUCHESS ALL WOMEN CAR RALLY 2024!

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The event is open to all the women of Chennai. We have a Special Category for FAMILY this year! Lots of attractive prizes to be won!

Briefing: Friday, 5th July 4 p.m. @ Savera Hotel 

The Duchess Club aims to get more than 100 cars and will cover about 50 to 65 kms. We will be adding a little twist enroute with clues. The Rally is professionally organised by AA Motorsport Solutions and approval from Fmsci.

Title Sponsor: INDIANOIL has been supporting us almost from the beginning i.e. since 2002.

JJ Jewellery Mart, Ramco Cements, C.A.R.S India, Kauvery Hospital

FOR REGISTRATIONS CONTACT: 9841288631 /9710947355

Date:  Sunday,7th July  2024

Time:  8 a.m. flag off

Venue: Savera Hotel

THEME: MADRAS!!MADRAS!!

Registration Fee: Rs1500 (inclusive of lunch for four

Special category for the FAMILY!

The Green Goddesses
By Juliana Sridhar

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The group Green Goddesses is an environmental organization that was formed on June 19, 2019 by five like- minded women from diverse backgrounds. This group comprises – Nina Reddy, Preethi Thiagharajan, Jayshree Vivek, Manju Mudit and Anju Agarwal. It was Nina Reddy who brought them together. Their main objective is to clean and green the earth, one house at a time. They believe in creating awareness as a first step since changes cannot happen overnight but over a period of time.

 They try to foster sustainable living practices by use of solar energy, rainwater harvesting, waste management, promotion of eco-friendly products etc.

As each member is from a different field, they have different strengths. While Nina is the Managing Director of Savera Hotel, Preethi is a talented working woman, Jayshree is into fitness, Manju is a trained psychotherapist and psychologist and does events and Anju conducts workshops on how to grow vegetables, segregation of waste etc.

They have formed a Green Club that has 100 members and they meet up every month to engage in a number of green initiatives. Some of their activities include celebrating the harvest festival and other festivals on organic farms, conducting workshops with Indra Narayan known as the ‘’Millet Magic Queen’’ and the author of 1500 millet recipes, conducting wellness trips and hosting talks by environmentalists like Arun Krishnamurthy who restored more than 175 lakes in the country. They also have regular eco park walks and  try to learn from each other. They recently learned how to draw kolams from a kolam expert at a monthly meeting.

The Green Club has a travel wing called Beanstalk travels which helps organize their wellness trips.

Every year on June 19, they conduct a one-day shopping festival called Naturally Chennai. It features eco-friendly, organic, handcrafted and traditional products. A wide range of products ranging from organic cosmetics, fashion jewelry, food, skincare products, apparel, bags, handicrafts, accessories and garden products are put up on offer. Naturally Chennai also serves as a launch pad for homepreneurs as it bridges the gap between consumers and vendors. Most of the stalls are put up by women entrepreneurs.

They also give out Green Awards every year as a mark of recognition to silent eco warriors be it individuals or organizations who make significant contributions to the environment. In the past years, they have honoured achievers in the field of resource conservation, COVID -19 grassroots efforts, Green Club member initiatives and Kindness Awards for those who rescue and care for animals. This year, they gave out Green awards to 21 people for their significant contributions to the cause of sustainability.

By Juliana Sridhar is a lawyer and columnist

The Accomplished Academic Administrator
By Juliana Sridhar

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Dr. Fatima Vasanth, an experienced and accomplished academic administrator has many firsts to her credit. She was born in Vellore but brought up in Chennai. She schooled at Fatima Matriculation School in Kodambakkam.  She began her college education in Stella Maris College where she studied B.A. English Literature and went on to do M.A. in Social Work. Her thirst for knowledge made her join the Madras School of Social Work where she completed her M Phil and PhD.

She began her teaching career at the Bishop Heber College in Trichy and was the first woman to be appointed as a professor in this college. In 1984, she moved to her alma mater, Madras School of Social Work and joined as Assistant Professor. In 2005, she rose to the post of Principal and Secretary of the college. After serving the college for exactly three decades, she retired in 2014.

Dr Fatima then joined the Patrician College of Arts and Science in Adyar as Principal  in 2014 for a couple of years. In 2016, she was appointed as Deputy Principal of Loyola College in Nungambakkam and broke through the glass ceiling by becoming the first woman to be appointed to a top management position in this college. She used her rich expertise as an administrator till 2019 and returned back to Patrician College of Arts and Science as an Academic Director of the college and holds the post till date.

Blessed with excellent organizational skills, she was associated with a variety of tasks like Academic Administration, Resource Planning, Recruitment, Research Training and Development all through her career which spans more than four decades.

She held the prestigious post of Syndicate Member in 3 Universities-Madras University, Pondicherry University and Mother Theresa University at Kodaikanal.

She was a member of several Government statutory committees both at the Central and State level and was engaged in special academic assignments as visiting faculty to the US, the UK, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore and Kathmandu from 2010 to 2014.

Her passion for research led her to be involved in a number of research projects for leading corporate and government organizations. She was a guide for research students and is very proud of the fact that 32 students completed their PhD under her guidance.

Dr. Fatima has several publications to her credit and is the recipient of many prestigious awards. The two awards she cherishes the most are ‘’The Best Educationist Award’’ that she received in 2011 from the Government of Tamil Nadu and the ‘’Life Time Achiever Award’’ from the Indian Society of Professional Social Work and Pondicherry University in 2018.

After a hard day at work, Dr. Fatima unwinds by listening to music. She prefers light music, western music and catholic hymns. She enjoys listening to songs by Illayaraja, Cliff Richard, Jim Reeves and the Beatles.

 She is also a great fan of cricket and loves watching cricket matches on TV even if it extends to late nights. Her favourite cricketer is MS Dhoni due to his excellent leadership qualities, his poise and calm demeanour.

She catches up with the daily happenings in the world by reading the Times of India newspaper. Though she is not a movie person, she doesn’t mind watching a good family oriented movie.

Being musically inclined, she learned to play the piano and was interested in singing as well. She fondly remembers that she was part of the choir in Stella Maris College during her student days.

Reading is another hobby of hers and she usually gets to read books based on Psychology, Personality development etc. She has penned a number of articles and was the editor of journals in the Madras School of Social Work where she used to write on educational issues.

She opines that even though students of the current generation are smart, they have no proper guidance and are utterly confused. There is also disparity between different bodies – autonomous and non autonomous bodies. These are issues which need to be reformed.

Anne Sullivan, instructor and lifelong companion of Helen Keller also thought on similar lines. This is her quote- “Children require guidance and sympathy far more than instruction.’’

Juliana Sridhar is a lawyer and columnist

ZIBE FOR THE RIGHT VIBE!
By Sanjay Pinto

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Can 3 be equal to 7? With the right attitude, that altitude is within reach. Despite being classified as a 3-star hotel, Zibe Salem by GRT Hotels made me feel like a 7-star guest during my 3- night stay with the family for an event at the Steel City. As a discerning customer, I’ve never felt compelled to write a review in a column before. An exception for the warmth and hospitality of the staff captained by Manager R.Venkatesan and mentored by the ebullient CEO of the GRT Group of Hotels Vikram Cotah is in order.

A necessary caveat is that, nurtured by strict NDTV principles in my previous avatar, I never accept any freebies or discounts. Truth be told, I only asked if a delayed check-out was permissible and they willingly acceded but no request was made for a review. Effusive as it may come across, this piece is from the heart, not complimentary stuff.

With the blessing of a divine neighbour in the form of the Infant Jesus Cathedral, we drove in only to be welcomed by the affable hotel team leaders. What followed was a lesson in customization. From the room layout to dietary preferences, the staff went out of their way to pamper us. When I made a request for lunch to be delivered at the venue of our event, we were bowled over by the sight of a bag with all the ordered items, not in the usual boxes or silver foil, but neatly labelled in new Tupperware containers, quite like a special home cooked meal.

What strikes you as you enter the hotel are the colourful motifs on the walls inside the rooms and along the corridors that present a fresh aura. The cleanliness is too conspicuous to be missed. The elevator arrives quickly, unlike some places where they take forever to land on your floor.

Competing with the speed of the lift is the Room Service F&B team that brings your food within 15 to 20 minutes. It appears that there is no culture of tips here as the waiters do not wait for that crisp note to be stuffed into their palms. The formality of getting the food bills signed with every order was dispensed with. On verification, while checking out, all the bills were intact and accurate. The Menu lists calories and the quantity for every dish with even an enumeration of possible allergens. There were new items in the breakfast buffet spread every day, another welcome feature.

Will I stay here again? Of course. And when I do, I’d like to see the hotel having its own fleet of cars for its guests, a spa and a daily lunch and dinner buffet.

Meanwhile, the good vibe lingers on. 

(Sanjay Pinto is an Advocate practising at the Madras High Court, Legal Columnist, Arbitrator, Author of 4 Books & Former Resident Editor of NDTV 24×7) 

Indulge in Summer Fest @ The Piano Restaurant!

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Savera Hotel is delighted to invite you to an exquisite culinary experience at Summer Fest @ The Piano Restaurant, available until 31st May 2024. Join us Monday to Saturday for a delightful meal at an all-inclusive rate of Rs 2000/- per person. We are open for both Lunch (12:30 pm – 3:30 pm) and Dinner (7:30 pm – 11:00 pm). Take advantage of our special group offer: pay for three when you book for five.

To reserve your table, call +91 7550001168. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with an array of delectable dishes curated especially for this occasion. A delightful menu awaits you.

Summer Fest Menu

Welcome Drink:

  • Badam Milk

Soup:

  • Veg: Hot and Sour Veg Soup
  • Non-Veg: Pitalu Mirayalu Charu

Salads:

  • Veg:
    • Grilled Green Mix Veggies Vegan Salad
    • Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Pesto Crisp
    • Green Salad
  • Non-Veg:
    • Healthy Chicken with Steamed Peanut Cashew Dressing
    • Tossed Fried Fish with Bang Bang Dressing

Starters:

  • Veg:
    • Veg Spring Roll with Hot Garlic Sauce
    • Protein Soya Sukkha
    • Paneer Kandhari Tikka
  • Non-Veg:
    • Fried Fish with Tartar Sauce
    • Murgh Angara Kabab
    • Prawn Pepper Fry

Main Courses:

  • Non-Veg:
    • Dhaba Style Mutton Biryani
    • Kozhi Nilgiri Kurma
    • Cilantro Fish Gravy
    • Oeuf Florentine
  • Veg:
    • Broccoli and Zucchini Stir Fry
    • Schezwan Fried Rice
    • Bell Pepper Basil Noodles
    • Marakai Biryani
    • Veg Kofta Curry
    • Paneer Saag Wala
    • Dal Lassooni
    • Steamed Rice
    • Chikudu Kaya Veppudu
    • Penne Arrabbiata
    • Sambar
    • Rasam
  • Curd Rice, Papad, Fryums, Pickle

Desserts:

  • Strawberry Soufflé
  • Chocolate Gateau
  • Carrot Cake
  • Key Lime Cheesecake
  • Walnut Tart
  • Red Velvet Croquembouche
  • Badushah
  • Kaju Katli
  • Mango Kalakand
  • Aval Payasam

Ice Cream:

  • Four Flavors with Condiments

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary dining experience. We look forward to welcoming you to Summer Fest @ The Piano Restaurant!

Greater Chennai Corporation issues notice to owner of dogs that bit child

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The Greater Chennai Corporation has issued a notice to the owner of the two Rottweilers that bit a 5 year old girl in a park at Thousand Lights on Sunday. According to  Corporation Commissioner J.Radhakrishnan, the owner did not obtain a pet licence from the corporation and said that an enquiry will be held on whether the dogs were vaccinated or not at the earliest.

The pet owners only obtained a licence from the Kennel club of India. The rottweilers belong to the banned ferocious dogs as listed by the Central government recently.
After the recent mauling incident in the park, the GCC has implemented stricter regulations concerning pets, especially dogs in public spaces.
According to the revised rules, the pets have to be leashed and muzzled when inside public parks. A pet licence has been made obligatory and only one pet can be brought to the park at a time.

Kareena Kapoor appointed UNICEF India National Ambassador

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Popular Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor has been appointed UNICEF India National Ambassador. Kareena has been associated with UNICEF from 2014 and was involved in social causes like education of girls, gender equality, immunization etc.

Kareena deems it a privilege to be appointed as UNICEF’s India’s National Ambassador and said that it is a very special moment for her. Though it comes with a huge responsibility, she has accepted it with all her heart.
Kareena is the mother of two sons, Taimur and Jeh and feels that every child needs a voice. She feels that all children have to be motivated to dream big as they are the future of the nation.
According to her, they have to be engaged in sports, drama, arts, reading, painting etc. Their confidence has to be built so that they can come up with new ideas.

SC to hear Arvind Kejriwal’s request for bail to campaign

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is currently confined in Tihar jail in connection with a money laundering case related to the scrapped Delhi excise policy. He was arrested on March 21.

Kejriwal has filed a bail petition for him to campaign in the election to be held in Delhi on May 25. A bench comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta will take up the petition today.
In the previous hearing on May 3, the Supreme Court hinted at the possibility of granting interim bail to the Aam Aadmi Party leader in the light of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The Court also acknowledged the time-consuming nature of legal proceedings.
The bench raised queries on the Delhi CM’s official duties especially the signing of official documents due to his current legal predicament.

Owner of 2 Rottweiler dogs arrested for attack on 5 year old child in Chennai

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Chennai Police have registered a case of negligence and have arrested the owner of 2 Rottweiler dogs for attacking a five year old girl at a park in Chennai. This incident took place at a public park in the Thousand Lights area in Chennai.

The police have named two others who look after the dogs as accused in the case. The dogs were let loose in the park and they attacked the little girl. It has been reported that the owner did not intervene but the girl’s parents rushed to save their child and raised an alarm. The girl’s father is employed as a security guard at the park.
The little girl has been identified as Sudaksha and is taking treatment at a private hospital. According to police sources, the dogs have not been sterilised.
In March this year, the Centre had asked all States to ban the sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs including Rottweiler. Those who already had them as pets were asked to sterilise them immediately.
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