The Skal International India National Congress 2025 successfully concluded at the Sahara Star Hotel, Mumbai, on September 14, 2025, marking a milestone gathering with record participation. The three-day event brought together more than 200 delegates from India and abroad, all paying full congress fees, underlining the growing relevance of Skal’s mission in the country.

The congress was graced by distinguished personalities including Maneka Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor, Pooja Bedi, Subhash Ghai, and Zayed Khan, who lent prestige and inspiration to the occasion.

At the heart of the event, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the fiscal year 2024–2025 was held on Day 1, preceded by the national board meeting. President Sanjeev Mehra and Treasurer Monik Dharamshi presented transparent reports on finances and activities, earning appreciation from delegates. The roadmap for Vision 2025–2030 was also unveiled, outlining strategies to strengthen Skal’s footprint in India and enhance global engagement.

“This congress is not just about numbers; it is about values, vision, and vitality. We are proud to host Skålleagues from across India and abroad in Mumbai, to celebrate the true spirit of friendship, collaboration, and business networking that Skal stands for,” said Mukesh Batra, President, Skal International Mumbai South, the host club.

One of the key highlights was the launch of the Skal International Indian Excellence Awards 2025, designed to recognise outstanding contributions from clubs, individuals, and Friends of Skal.

Skal International Indian Excellence Awards 2025 – Winners

Best Performing Indian Skal Club of the Year 2025: Skal International Chennai

Best Active Indian Skal Club of the Year 2025: Skal International Goa

Fastest Growing Indian Skal Club of the Year 2025: Skal International Bangalore

Best Indian Skal Club Event of the Year 2025: Skal International Kolkata & Skal International Jammu & Kashmir (joint winners)

Best Indian Skal Club CSR of the Year 2025: Skal International Coimbatore

Recognition as a Reckoning Force: Skal International Kochi

Outstanding Young Skal Engagement: Raja Gopal Iyer, Skal International Trivandrum

Indian Skalleague of the Year 2025: Kamleshwaran P.S., Skal International Chennai

Recognition for Global Outreach, N.S.N. Mohan, Deputy Vice President & Director, Region 10, Skal International

“The Excellence Awards are not merely trophies; they are a tribute to dedication, creativity, and the unwavering spirit of Skålleagues who are driving this movement forward. Our board’s vision for 2025–2030 is rooted in collective growth: more clubs, stronger retention, deeper engagement, and a unified Indian presence on the world stage,” said Sanjeev Mehra, President, Skal International India.

The Skal International India National Congress 2025 concluded with renewed energy and commitment, setting the stage for Skal’s ambitious growth and deeper global collaborations in the years ahead.

This Navratri, GAIA, Global Vegetarian Restaurant in Bengaluru is inviting guests to celebrate the season with a playful twist through its Fun-Hari Table. The specially curated menu turns traditional fasting staples into globally inspired gourmet creations, offering a festive dining experience that is both indulgent and mindful.

At GAIA, Navratri is seen not just as a time of fasting, but as a celebration of flavour, togetherness, and conscious dining. Each dish has been thoughtfully designed to highlight seasonal produce, wholesome grains, and clean cooking techniques, giving guests a chance to feast without compromise.

The menu brings a refreshing take on festive classics. Highlights include Pumpkin & Coconut Soup topped with saffron and rajgira granola, Beetroot Carpaccio with kuttu crisps and avocado yoghurt, Lotus Stem Chips with smoky tomato chutney, and Sweet Potato Vada Chaat layered with mint chutney and curd espuma. Heartier dishes such as Flourless Potato Gnocchi in basil pesto and cashew cream, and Paneer Tomato Curry paired with Singara Roti, bridge festive nostalgia with modern flair.

Desserts at GAIA echo the spirit of mindful indulgence, from Apple & Date Crumble with water chestnut topping to Sabudana & Lotus Seed Kheer and a delicate Kesar Shrikhand finished with flaked almonds and mulberries.

Every plate is designed as a balance of nutrition, flavour, and visual delight, making GAIA’s Fun-Hari Table a unique way to celebrate Navratri.

Fact Sheet:

• Where: GAIA – Global Vegetarian Restaurant, Outer Ring Road, KR Layout, JP Nagar Phase 6, Bengaluru
  

• When: From 20th September onwards
  

Whether shared with family or enjoyed as a soulful solo meal, GAIA’s Navratri menu offers a celebration where festive tradition meets global flavour and indulgence meets intention.

Melbourne has welcomed a new neighbour to its buzzing CBD with the opening of Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ first dual-branded development in Australia, alongside the new Holiday Inn Melbourne Bourke Street Mall, the 179-room property blends heritage character with contemporary design to create a stay that’s uniquely Melbourne.

The hotel is built behind four carefully preserved heritage façades, Diamond House, the Public Benefit Bootery, Allan’s, and the York Building – weaving the stories of jewellers, bootmakers, and retailers into a vibrant new hospitality experience. Each Hotel Indigo property reflects its neighbourhood, and here, Melbourne’s layered history and laneway culture set the tone.

“The opening of Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins is a landmark moment for the revitalisation of Bourke Street Mall and surrounding laneways, and an opportunity for us to showcase exactly what the Hotel Indigo brand brings to Melbourne: a design-forward, neighbourhood-first experience,” shared General Manager, Scott Hamilton.

Developed by Steadfast Capital with interiors by global design firm Buchan and construction by Hickory, the property showcases a mix of intimate lobby spaces, interconnected areas, a courtyard, and dining destinations. Design nods to Melbourne’s past are everywhere – monkey motifs pay tribute to E.W. Cole’s famous Book Arcade, while a spiral staircase recalls Sidney Myer’s drapery store. Guests can also admire a three-storey Cabinet of Curiosities mural by Melbourne-based artist Lisa King, featuring symbolic nods to the city’s icons like the Australian Open and Queen Victoria Market.

 Guest rooms at Hotel Indigo combine style with thoughtful details. From coin-inspired room numbers engraved with E.W. Cole quotes to terrazzo side tables made from recycled Skyy Vodka bottles, every element ties back to Melbourne’s story. Rooms are equipped with modern comforts such as Wi-Fi, Chromecast-enabled TVs, and locally sourced minibar offerings from Little Lon Gin Distillery. Guests can choose from standard and premium rooms, as well as balcony suites that open to views of Little Collins Street.

 Beyond its rooms, Hotel Indigo offers amenities such as The Meeting Room for intimate gatherings, a fitness centre, and direct access to Melbourne Walk retail precinct, home to JD Sport’s largest Southern Hemisphere store and Pop Mart’s designer art toys. Its location puts guests within easy reach of the city’s arts, dining, and sporting attractions, with public transport at the doorstep and Melbourne Airport just 21 kilometres away.

With its opening, Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins not only adds a fresh chapter to IHG’s growing Australian presence but also brings a bold, design-led sanctuary that reflects Melbourne’s culture, history, and creativity. Guests booking the Opening Special can enjoy breakfast for two for just $1 extra on top of the best flexible rate.