IMC Ladies’ Wing Hosts IMPACT 2025, Honoring Women Who Inspire Change

IMC Ladies’ Wing Hosts IMPACT 2025, Honoring Women Who Inspire Change

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 8, 2025

The IMC Ladies’ Wing hosted a spectacular IMPACT 2025 at Trident Hotel, Nariman Point, celebrating women who inspire change and redefine empowerment. The event brought together trailblazing women from various fields, featuring engaging conversations, thought-provoking panel discussions, and a mesmerizing cultural performance.

An Evening of Inspiration

The legendary actor and social activist Shabana Azmi graced the event as Chief Guest, engaging in a captivating conversation with film journalist Bhawana Somaaya. She shared insights from her five-decade journey in films and reflected on the evolving role of women in society.

The evening also honored:

  • Kiran Rao – Acclaimed filmmaker, recognized for her impactful storytelling and portrayal of nuanced female characters
  • Tanvi Jindal Shete – Founder of the Museum of Solutions, for her pioneering work in education and innovation

A powerful panel discussion featuring Kiran Rao, Tanvi Jindal Shete, and Priya Tanna (President, TRS Creative Consulting) delved into their leadership journeys, challenges, and resilience in shaping the future.

A Celebration of Strength & Art

The event concluded with "A Million Sitas," a breathtaking Bharatanatyam performance by Dr. Anita Ratnam, reimagining Sita as a symbol of strength and empowerment.

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Empowering Words from Leaders

IMC Ladies’ Wing President Jyoti Doshi remarked, “As we move forward, we must strive for a world that is safer, fairer, and truly equal. A hundred years from now, when Women's Day is celebrated, future generations will look back at us with pride, joy, and gratitude.”

IMPACT Chairperson Surbhi Ghatlia added, “Today’s woman knows her strength. To create a lasting impact, we must embrace change, evolve, and adapt to new ideas and perspectives.”

IMPACT 2025 Leadership Team

The IMPACT 2025 committee was led by:

  • President: Jyoti Doshi
  • Vice President: Rajyalakshmi Rao
  • Chairperson: Surbhi Ghatlia
  • Co-Chairperson: Malini Agarwalla
  • Advisories: Bharti Gandhi & Minal Bajaj
  • Committee Members: Amisha Himatsingka, Nita Dhruva & Radhika Kaji

IMPACT 2025 was a resounding success, leaving attendees inspired, empowered, and motivated to drive meaningful change.


Gnome Opens in Bengaluru as a Secret Culinary Garden and Cocktail Bar

Gnome Opens in Bengaluru as a Secret Culinary Garden and Cocktail Bar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 3, 2026

Gnome – Culinary Garden & Cocktail Bar has opened its doors at Embassy Tech Square in Bengaluru, introducing a 15,000 sq ft hidden dining destination that feels like a secret garden tucked away from the bustle of the Outer Ring Road. Designed as a 300-seater, the space brings together lush outdoor zones, cosy indoor seating, and playful design details, offering a more intimate and immersive alternative to the city’s growing large-format dining venues.

Founded by Nikhil Wahi and Kapil Dua, the minds behind Biergarten, Natraj Chole Bhature, Dubki Beach Club, and Avo’s Kitchen in Goa, Gnome unfolds as a thoughtfully crafted blend of two contrasting worlds. The lower level features an abundant green garden with sunken seating, sculpted gnomes, a striking glass vivarium, and amphitheatre-style seating, while a handcrafted forest mural by ceramic artist Jayati Kaushik adds depth and character to the space.

Speaking about the vision behind the concept, co-founder Nikhil Wahi said, “With Gnome, we wanted to create a place that feels intimate and exclusive, where hospitality and guest experience come first.”

Cocktails take centre stage at Gnome, curated by Pankaj Balachandran of Countertop. The bar menu features bold, flavour-forward signatures such as Italian Problem, Dirty Laundry, and Technically Breakfast, along with the refreshing ‘Booze & Juice’ concept, where freshly pressed juices are paired with classic global spirits. Craft beers from Red Rhino and Toit are also available, catering to Bengaluru’s loyal beer audience.

The kitchen, led by Chief Mischief-Maker Chef Nithin Haridas, Corporate Chef at Biergarten, along with Head Chef Sumit Chamoli, presents a global menu that feels familiar yet playful. Spanning Indian and Tandoor, Asian, Continental, Pizzas, Burgers, and Bakery offerings, the food is designed for sharing and easy indulgence.

Bar nibbles such as Rock Corn Tempura, Polenta Fries with cheese olive tapenade, and Cream Cheese & Zaatar Cigar Rolls set the tone, while salads bring balance to the menu. Dim sums, small plates, and hearty mains including Naati Chicken Kebab, Salmon Tartare Flatbread, Martaban Gosht, and Pindi Chhole with Amritsari Kulcha complete the experience.

With its mix of warmth, creativity, and playful mischief, Gnome positions itself as a premium yet welcoming gathering space in the Marathahalli - Kadubeesanahalli belt, offering a relaxed spot to unwind between work and home, just look for the gnome with the tall hat.

Address: 13/1, Embassy Tech Square Main Rd, Hobli, Kadubeesanahalli, Varthur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560103.


Café Swasthya Opens Its Second Outlet in Kailash Colony, New Delhi

Café Swasthya Opens Its Second Outlet in Kailash Colony, New Delhi

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 2, 2026

Café Swasthya, a wellness-driven café inspired by Ayurvedic principles and conscious living, has opened its second outlet in South Delhi. Launched on January 20, 2026, at Kailash Colony, the new café marks the brand’s next phase of growth following a year of steady engagement, collaborations, and expansion.

Spanning approximately 1,400 sq. ft. with seating for 43 guests, the Kailash Colony outlet continues Café Swasthya’s signature design language rooted in Indian architectural heritage and sustainability. Designed as a natural extension of the brand’s first café, the space offers a calm, grounded, and thoughtfully curated environment that encourages mindful dining.

The interiors feature a handcrafted bamboo ceiling inspired by traditional bamboo thatched roofs, selected for its renewability, strength, and natural temperature-regulating qualities. Teakwood furniture adds warmth and durability, while jute-matted seating highlights the use of biodegradable, locally produced natural fibres. Rajasthani upholstery with Charbagh-inspired floral prints introduces colour and cultural depth to the seating areas.

A standout feature of the café is its signature mud wall, inspired by sand plaster techniques. Serving as both a visual focal point and a storytelling element, the wall displays Café Swasthya and Butterfly Ayurveda’s curated range of teas, cookies, and wellness products. Terracotta lighting, drawing from architectural traditions dating back to the Indus Valley Civilisation, casts a soft and calming glow across the space.

Alongside the new outlet, Café Swasthya has significantly evolved its food and beverage offerings over the past year. Responding to consistent customer feedback, the brand has refreshed its menu to reflect changing preferences while staying true to its wellness philosophy. The updated menu features refreshing coolers and shakes, traditional Indian classics such as the Thali, and a selection of Indian desserts.

Addressing customer demand, the café has also introduced multigrain pancakes, expanding its breakfast and all-day dining options. Special gluten-free dishes, including an amaranth salad, further reinforce the brand’s focus on inclusivity, nourishment, and mindful eating.

The second outlet follows a year of key milestones for Café Swasthya. In 2025, the brand participated in the Asia Tea & Coffee Expo, sharing the story behind Café Swasthya and Butterfly Ayurveda. It also served as the Chai and Food Partner for the Wellness & Chai event organised by WomenListed, where it curated a 13-item Ayurvedic menu aligned with traditional practices.

Café Swasthya was also invited to the Global Happiness Festival in Jaipur, where it engaged visitors through a food and tea stall and conversations around Ayurveda and holistic well-being. Further collaborations included serving as the health partner for a skating tournament at Vivekananda School and providing curated cookie packs for Lady Shri Ram College’s international academic conference.

On the operations front, the café has strengthened its capabilities by upgrading bulk cake, muffin, and cookie packaging, enabling safe long-distance delivery of freshly baked products across multiple parts of India within 24 hours.

Commenting on the expansion, Akshi Khandelwal, Founder of Café Swasthya and Butterfly Ayurveda, said, “Café Swasthya is more than just about good food. It is about lifestyle transformation. We intend to integrate Ayurvedic wisdom into your everyday life to help you eat better, and live better.”

With its second outlet now open, Café Swasthya continues to create spaces that blend mindful food, traditional wisdom, and sustainable design. The brand is also open to select franchise and collaboration opportunities with partners aligned with its values of wellness, integrity, and sustainability.

Address: HS-37, 1st Floor, Kailash Colony Market, New Delhi – 110048 (Landmark: Above Madonna Salon).


Coffee Island Expands Its House Fresh Menu Across Delhi NCR Cafés

Coffee Island Expands Its House Fresh Menu Across Delhi NCR Cafés

By Hariharan U

Published on February 2, 2026

Coffee Island has announced the expansion of its House Fresh Menu across select cafés in Delhi NCR, following a successful initial launch at its GK 2 outlet. From 30 January onwards, the refreshed all-day menu is now available at Coffee Island’s cafés in Delhi’s Netaji Subhash Place and Gurugram’s HQ27 and AIPL Joy Central, Sector 65.

Rooted in its Greek origins and loved globally, Coffee Island continues to strengthen its food-forward café experience with a focus on freshly prepared dishes, generous portions and familiar, comforting flavours. The House Fresh Menu has been designed to cater to multiple dining occasions, whether it’s a relaxed breakfast, a working lunch, or an unhurried evening spent over coffee.

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Available across Coffee Island outlets, the menu features a range of café classics spanning pastas, flatbreads, melts and desserts. Pasta offerings include well-loved Italian favourites such as Spaghetti Aglio Olio, Italian Arrabbiata Penne and Three-Cheese Mac. Flatbreads bring together flavour-packed combinations like Basil Pesto Veggie, Italian Margherita and Chicken Jalapeño Melt Flatbread.

The menu also includes indulgent melts and sandwiches served on brioche or flatbreads, with options such as Chilli Cheese Mushroom, Ham & Cheese Brioche and Chilli Cheese Brioche. Desserts round off the experience with choices like Basque-style cheesecake, Biscoff cream cheese and chocolate mousse jars, along with soft tea cakes in almond, choco-banana and cinnamon pistachio flavours.

Exclusive to Coffee Island’s Gurugram outlets at HQ27 and AIPL Joy Central, the House Fresh Menu also introduces an all-day breakfast selection. Guests can enjoy Islander eggs prepared scrambled, boiled, fried or as an omelette, along with Akuri toast and indulgent French toasts served with Nutella, berries or classic maple syrup, making these locations ideal for leisurely mornings and brunch-style dining.

Alongside the refreshed food offering, Coffee Island continues to showcase its coffee expertise with a wide selection of hot and cold beverages, signature blends and non-coffee options such as boba teas and milkshakes, ensuring a complete café experience for every guest.

With the rollout of the House Fresh Menu, Coffee Island reinforces its commitment to freshly prepared food and relaxed café dining, positioning its Delhi NCR cafés as go-to destinations for everyday meals and extended catch-ups.

Event Details:
What: House Fresh Menu at Coffee Island
When: From 30 January 2026 onwards

Where:
• Delhi – PP Towers, Netaji Subhash Place | Open 24 hours
• Gurugram – HQ27 | 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
• Gurugram – AIPL Joy Central, Sector 65 | 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM

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