Royal China Bengaluru is celebrating its first anniversary, marking twelve months of growing popularity in the city's dining scene. Since its arrival, the restaurant has attracted a discerning clientele, including celebrities, prominent personalities and familiar faces from Bengaluru's social circles, establishing itself as a destination for Cantonese cuisine and social gatherings.

From leisurely lunches and intimate dinners to special celebrations and late-evening gatherings, Royal China has brought its distinctive dining experience to the city's culinary landscape. Its menu showcases Cantonese flavours and careful preparation, with signature dishes such as Royal China Prawn Dumplings (Har Gau), Crispy Aromatic Duck with Pancakes, Lobster in Black Pepper Sauce and Chocolate Dim Sum emerging as guest favourites.

“Royal China’s first year in Bengaluru has exceeded our expectations. To see our distinctive approach to Cantonese dining resonate so strongly with the city has been immensely rewarding. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain focused on evolving our culinary offering and creating experiences that keep our guests coming back,” says Faiz Rizwan, Executive Director of Prestige Group and Head of Royal China Bengaluru.

The restaurant's interiors further shape its dining experience, drawing inspiration from the mythical phoenix. Soaring walls, sculptural chandeliers and fluid ceiling forms combine with rich gold, amber and deep blue tones to create a dramatic setting with a regal character.

“Royal China was envisioned as a space where the food, ambience and art of entertaining come together seamlessly. Seeing guests embrace that experience, return for it and make the restaurant their own has been one of the highlights of our first year in Bengaluru,” says Fajr Qureishi, Co-Founder, Royal China.

As it enters its second year, Royal China Bengaluru looks to build on its growing presence through continued culinary exploration and new dining experiences. Its first anniversary marks a year of discovery and recognition, with the restaurant continuing to bring together Cantonese cuisine, distinctive interiors and the city's evolving dining culture.

Urban Square Mall brought the people of Udaipur together for a unique Independence Day celebration, creating a 300-foot-wide Tricolour through the hand impressions of more than 10,000 people from across the city.

The community-led artwork was conceptualised and sketched by Urban Sketchers, led by renowned architect Sunil Ladha. Thousands of individual hand impressions came together to form one large Tricolour, turning the celebration into a shared expression of patriotism and community spirit.

Measuring 300 feet in width and 15 feet in height, the artwork was divided into three 100-foot panels representing saffron, white and green. Each section was filled with the actual hand impressions of citizens, making the Tricolour a creation of the people of Udaipur.

The initiative saw participation from several community groups and organisations, including the Udaipur Pink Women Army led by Dr. Archana Shaktawat, BCI Tourism Group led by Shradhha Gattani and Mukesh Madhwani, Urban Sketchers, and schools including St. Matthew School, Prayas, Miranda and Royal Academy. Members of the Riverfront Nav Rattan community, RWAs such as Grace Crystal, customers and mall teams, along with social communities such as Let Us Hopp, also joined the initiative.

Adding to the meaning of the artwork, the mural featured visual references to iconic figures including Maharana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, along with other freedom fighters. The artwork connected Udaipur's Mewar legacy with India's wider freedom movement, highlighting themes of courage, unity and national pride.

Commenting on the initiative, Nandini Taneja, CEO, Bhumika Enterprises, said, “We are overwhelmed by the response and participation this initiative received from the people of Udaipur. What makes this Tricolour truly special is that it has been created by the hands of the community itself. More than 10,000 people came together, each leaving their own impression to create one powerful symbol of unity and patriotism. We thank every school, community, resident group, brand partner and individual who became a part of this celebration. At Urban Square Mall, we are proud to have provided a platform that brought the city together in such a meaningful and memorable way.”

The completed 300-foot Tricolour was displayed at Urban Square Mall, turning the destination into a vibrant Independence Day celebration and giving the people of Udaipur a shared symbol created by their own hands. The initiative captured a simple message: 10,000+ hands, one flag and one united spirit of India.

Marking India's 80th Independence Day, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, in collaboration with Vizag Runners, brought together Visakhapatnam's running and fitness community for a special 80 KM running challenge and Independence Day Run.

The initiative saw around 100 - 150 runners taking part, including members of Vizag Runners and team members of Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach.

The 80 KM challenge was created as a symbolic tribute to 80 years of India's independence, giving participants an opportunity to celebrate the occasion through fitness, movement and community spirit. The Independence Day Run further added to the celebrations, bringing runners from across the city together in an atmosphere of energy and national pride.

Lakshmi Sridhar, General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, said, “Independence Day is a celebration of unity and the spirit of togetherness. It was wonderful to see our Heartists (team members) and the running community come together to mark the occasion in such an active and meaningful way. The 80 KM challenge was not just about running, it was about coming together as a community and celebrating the freedom and spirit that unite us.”

The event also highlighted the connection between running and community building.

Balakrishna Rai, Founder & President, Vizag Runners, said, “Running has always brought people together through a shared sense of discipline, motivation and community. The 80 KM for 80 Years initiative was a meaningful way to celebrate Independence Day, and we were delighted to see such enthusiastic participation from runners across Visakhapatnam. Our collaboration with Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach made the celebration even more special.”

The initiative concluded with participants coming together to celebrate Independence Day through fellowship and a shared focus on an active lifestyle. The collaboration between Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach and Vizag Runners also showed how community-led activities can add a meaningful touch to national celebrations, bringing people together beyond traditional festivities.