A Valley Reborn: Dharana at Shillim Blends Wellness with Conservation

A Valley Reborn: Dharana at Shillim Blends Wellness with Conservation

By Nishang Narayan

Published on April 21, 2025

Before Dharana at Shillim became a sanctuary for holistic wellness, it was simply a valley in the Sahyadri ranges—rich in biodiversity but battling deforestation and degradation. Touched by its beauty and the environmental damage unfolding before their eyes, brothers William and Denzil de Souza set out on a mission to preserve this untouched corner of the Western Ghats.

What followed was a remarkable act of guardianship: the acquisition of 2,500 acres of land—not for development, but for protection. Over the next 15 years, the family committed themselves to restoring Shillim’s natural ecosystem. Through afforestation, water conservation, and careful land stewardship, the valley was allowed to heal. Today, it is home to over one million trees and a thriving native habitat.

In 2013, this journey evolved into something even more profound with the launch of Dharana at Shillim by Gavin de Souza, second son of the late William de Souza. Spread across 320 acres within the protected 2,500-acre valley, Dharana is more than just a retreat—it’s a living, breathing model of mindful luxury that blends wellness, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.

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Not a single tree was felled in its construction. Instead, Dharana’s architecture was shaped by the contours of the land, using earthen and bamboo materials. Rooted in Ayurveda and functional medicine, the retreat’s wellness approach honours both ancient traditions and modern science.

At the heart of Dharana are six key sustainability pillars:

  • Nature-Integrated Design: Built to exist in harmony with the landscape, every structure deepens the connection between guest and nature.

  • Earth-to-Table Nutrition: Food is sourced from on-site organic farms using regenerative agriculture.

  • Zero-Waste Living: From composting to plastic-free packaging, Dharana leads by example in waste reduction.

  • Forest Conservation: Thousands of native species have been planted to rebuild biodiversity, with a goal to reforest 10% of scrubland by 2030.

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  • Clean Energy: Solar panels meet 20% of Dharana’s energy needs, reducing diesel consumption by 90,000 litres annually.

  • Community Empowerment: Training local women in sustainable practices, Dharana aims to support over 5,000 families by 2030.

This Earth Day, Dharana at Shillim stands as a reminder that true luxury lies in living with purpose, in harmony with the earth. Here, every guest is invited not just to unwind—but to reconnect, rejuvenate, and play a part in a greater story of healing and hope.


Swiggy Partners with FITPASS to Promote 360-Degree Wellness Through EatRight Challenge

Swiggy Partners with FITPASS to Promote 360-Degree Wellness Through EatRight Challenge

By Hariharan U

Published on July 16, 2026

Swiggy Ltd. has announced a strategic partnership with FITPASS, India’s leading fitness and preventive health ecosystem, to encourage consumers to adopt healthier lifestyles through a combination of mindful eating and active wellness practices.

Through the collaboration, Swiggy users participating in the EatRight Streak Challenge can earn rewards for consistently choosing healthier meal options on the platform and stand a chance to win a FITPASS 360 subscription worth ₹2,999. The partnership aims to extend the concept of healthy living beyond food choices by connecting nutrition, fitness, and preventive healthcare into a more holistic wellness journey.

Building on the success of Swiggy’s EatRight initiative, the partnership rewards users who regularly opt for better-for-you meals while introducing them to FITPASS 360, an integrated wellness membership offering fitness, nutrition, coaching, and healthcare support.

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The collaboration comes at a time when consumer interest in health and wellness continues to grow across India. Increasingly, consumers are looking beyond individual food choices and seeking lifestyle solutions that combine balanced nutrition, physical activity, and personalised health support.

Swiggy has already witnessed growing demand for healthier food options through EatRight, with more than 5 million monthly EatRight transacting users choosing curated healthy meals on the platform. Consumer preferences indicate a shift towards lighter breakfasts and protein-focused meals throughout the day.

Popular morning choices include healthier alternatives such as millet idli, dosa, and low-calorie upma, while high-protein dishes account for a significant share of EatRight orders during lunch, snacks, and dinner. Meals such as chicken rice bowls, paneer tikka sandwiches, chicken and paneer tikka preparations, double egg dishes, and protein-rich rolls reflect the changing preferences of health-conscious consumers.

As part of the EatRight Streak Challenge, users can complete order milestones by selecting EatRight options on the Swiggy app and earn up to ₹300 in FREECASH rewards. The top 20 weekly performers will receive complimentary access to FITPASS 360 subscriptions.

FITPASS 360 provides members access to over 12,000 gyms and fitness studios across India, personalised fitness coaching through AI-powered platform ARIA, unlimited virtual workout classes including yoga, strength training and HIIT, preventive health check-ups covering 29 key health parameters, specialist consultations, and expert-led wellness guidance.

Speaking about the partnership, Deepak Maloo, Vice President – Food Strategy, Customer Experience & New Initiatives, Swiggy, said, “At Swiggy, we believe healthy living starts with everyday choices. Through EatRight, we've made healthy food more accessible. With the EatRight Streak Challenge, our focus is on helping users stay consistent with these choices. This partnership with FITPASS allows us to extend that journey beyond the plate by combining the power of the EatRight menu with access to fitness, coaching, nutrition and preventive wellness through FITPASS 360.”

Arushi Verma, Co-founder, FITPASS, added, “True wellness isn't one decision; it's the sum of daily choices people make around how they move and what they eat. With this partnership, we're bringing both together - FITPASS helps people move right and make healthier choices, while Swiggy provides those healthy food choices.”

FITPASS has also observed increasing consumer adoption of integrated wellness routines, with a majority of FITPASS 360 users accessing multiple services including gym memberships, nutrition support, AI-based coaching, virtual workouts, and consultations.

Customers can participate in the EatRight Streak Challenge by searching “EatRight” on the Swiggy app and ordering from the curated healthy food selection. The initiative strengthens Swiggy’s focus on making healthier choices more accessible, engaging, and rewarding for consumers across India.

Through this partnership, Swiggy and FITPASS aim to create a more connected wellness ecosystem where food, fitness, and preventive healthcare come together to help consumers build sustainable lifestyle habits


Osho Dham Marks International Yoga Day with Pranayoga Meditation and Dynamic Sessions

Osho Dham Marks International Yoga Day with Pranayoga Meditation and Dynamic Sessions

By Author

Published on June 23, 2026

Osho Dham marked International Yoga Day on June 21, 2026, with a day dedicated to meditation, breath awareness, and inner transformation. The celebration brought together participants seeking to experience yoga beyond physical practice, focusing instead on mindfulness and deeper states of consciousness.

The day began with Dynamic Meditation from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM, energising participants through Osho’s signature active meditation technique. The morning set the tone for a deeper experiential journey into awareness and inner balance.

The celebrations continued with a special Pranayoga Meditation session held in the Meditation Hall, facilitated by Swami Chaitanya Keerti. The session explored the concept of Pranayoga, rooted in Patanjali Yoga philosophy and Vigyan Bhairav Tantra, focusing on the science of breath awareness.

Participants were guided to observe the natural rhythm of their breath, gradually moving from mental activity toward stillness and heightened awareness. The practice emphasised breath as a bridge between body and consciousness, aligning with Osho’s teachings on inner transformation.

Speaking on the occasion, Swami Chaitanya Keerti highlighted that yoga is not limited to physical exercise but serves as a doorway to deeper transformation. He emphasised that meditation helps individuals move beyond surface-level living into a more conscious and inward-focused way of being.

He further shared Osho’s perspective that breath penetrates both body and soul, and that a deeper understanding of breathing can lead to profound self-realisation.

The event concluded with a live band performance, bringing participants together in a moment of shared celebration and reflection. The strong turnout reflected a growing interest in holistic wellness practices and reinforced the significance of meditation-centric approaches to yoga in contemporary life.


ELE|NA Marks Global Wellness Day 2026 in India with Curated Wellness Experiences

ELE|NA Marks Global Wellness Day 2026 in India with Curated Wellness Experiences

By Hariharan U

Published on June 15, 2026

ELE|NA celebrated Global Wellness Day 2026 in India with specially curated wellness experiences at Minerals by ELE|NA at Vantara Niwas, Jamnagar, and ELE|NA Ayur at Sadar Manzil, Bhopal. Designed around movement, mindfulness, nourishment, and human connection, the initiative aimed to encourage guests and team members to embrace wellness in a joyful and meaningful way.

Observed on June 13, 2026, the celebrations were inspired by this year’s Global Wellness Day theme, #JoyMagenta, which highlights joy as an essential element of overall wellbeing. Through a thoughtfully planned schedule of activities, ELE|NA reinforced its commitment to making wellness accessible, inclusive, and deeply personal.

Sharing her thoughts on the occasion, Heidi Grimwood, Senior Vice President, ELE|NA, said that wellness should be personal, purposeful, and inspiring. She noted that Global Wellness Day reflects the brand’s Wellness Your Way™ philosophy, encouraging individuals to reconnect with practices that nourish both body and mind. According to her, the #JoyMagenta theme celebrates joy through movement, mindfulness, gratitude, creativity, and meaningful human connections.

The day’s programme began with an energising Aqua Zumba session, allowing participants to engage in fun, movement-based fitness. This was followed by a guided meditation session designed to promote mental clarity and inner calm. Guests later participated in an outdoor fitness session that encouraged physical activity in a natural environment.

The celebrations concluded with a restorative sound healing meditation experience, offering participants an opportunity to relax and reconnect through therapeutic sound frequencies. Throughout the day, guests also had access to a healthy snack and refreshment corner serving nourishing food and beverages.

Global Wellness Day 2026 marks the movement’s 15th anniversary and places a strong emphasis on joy as a conscious wellbeing practice. The theme encourages people to embrace gratitude, creativity, connection, and movement as everyday tools for improving quality of life.

The initiative aligns closely with ELE|NA’s Wellness Your Way™ philosophy, which focuses on delivering personalised wellness journeys tailored to individual needs. By hosting these experiences in Jamnagar and Bhopal, the brand sought to create uplifting environments where guests and employees could experience wellness in a natural, enjoyable, and memorable manner.

Through its ongoing wellness programmes across India and the Maldives, ELE|NA continues to champion holistic wellbeing experiences that help individuals reconnect with themselves, their communities, and the world around them.

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