Ishaara, renowned for its soulful Indian cuisine, has brought back its celebrated Undivided Punjab menu to Mumbai. After winning hearts in Pune, Bangalore, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad, this special pop-up makes its final stop at Ishaara in Palladium Mall, starting 16th July 2025.

Curated by Chef Sherry Mehta, the menu was born out of a heartfelt conversation with Bellona Hospitality’s Managing Director, Prashant Issar. As they reminisced about their Punjabi roots, they realised how many treasured dishes had quietly disappeared over time. This sparked a mission to revive forgotten recipes and celebrate the rich, cross-cultural culinary traditions of pre-partition Punjab.

The Undivided Punjab menu brings to life dishes from the kitchens of Lahore, Amritsar, and Rawalpindi—before the tandoor became commonplace—showcasing curries, pulaos, kebabs, and breads influenced by Greek, Persian, Moorish, and British cuisines. Each dish is a glimpse into a Punjab that once knew no borders, telling stories of unity and shared heritage.

“Undivided Punjab began as a deeply personal idea, a nostalgic conversation about lost recipes and fading culinary memories. To see it resonate with people across cities has been incredibly moving. This final showcase in Mumbai is an ode to recipes long lost in time across borders,” said Prashant Issar.

Chef Sherry Mehta added, “This journey has been deeply personal. With every dish, I’ve tried to honour the forgotten kitchens and stories of a land that once thrived in unity. Undivided Punjab is more than a menu; it’s a memory, a legacy, and a tribute to generations before us. Bringing it to Mumbai one last time feels like coming home.”

The dishes, slow-cooked in clay pots, seasoned with hand-ground spices, and crafted using local ingredients, promise a rich, nostalgic experience. Hosted at Ishaara—an award-winning restaurant recognised by Times Food & Nightlife Awards and NDTV—this pop-up offers a final opportunity to savour these long-lost flavours.

About Bellona Hospitality:

A subsidiary of The Phoenix Mills Ltd., Bellona Hospitality operates 39 restaurants across Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Mumbai, the company manages nine distinctive brands, including Ishaara, Dobaraa, and Caffé Allora, delivering exceptional dining through innovation, sustainability, and curated ambiance.

India and Kuwait have signed a landmark agreement to liberalise their bilateral air services, raising weekly seat entitlements to 18,000 for carriers on each side—a significant jump that comes 18 years after the last increase. The agreement, aimed at addressing rising demand from Indian workers in the Gulf and reducing ticket prices, was formalised yesterday in New Delhi. It was signed by India’s Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha and Sheikh Hamoud Al-Mubarak, President of Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

This move follows sustained calls to enhance flight capacity, as airlines from both countries had already maxed out the previous quota of 12,000 seats per week. With a large share of Indian workers in Kuwait and many hailing from Kerala, limited capacity often resulted in skyrocketing fares, particularly during peak travel periods.

The issue was also discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait in December, underscoring its importance. Under the new agreement, Indian airlines will receive priority for landing and parking slots at Kuwaiti airports, ensuring better operational flexibility.

Currently, carriers like Air India Express, IndiGo, Akasa Air, Kuwait Airways, and Jazeera Airways operate nearly 40 flights daily between India and Kuwait. Kuwait Airways and IndiGo are the largest operators, with 54 and 36 weekly flights respectively.

The pact signals a calibrated shift in India’s traditionally guarded stance on granting additional flying rights, especially to Middle Eastern carriers. While the government remains committed to an "India-first" policy that safeguards local airlines and seeks to develop airports into regional hubs akin to Dubai or Changi, officials noted they would consider expanding access on a case-by-case basis if it benefits passengers and supports domestic carriers.

In fact, in just the past year, India has signed similar air treaties with Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan. As per India’s National Civil Aviation Policy of 2016, additional rights aren’t typically granted until Indian carriers utilise at least 80% of existing capacity.

A government official said, “We will follow an India-first policy on any negotiation about air service agreements. We will be open to any suggestions wherever customers will benefit and our airlines will get a good deal.”

The Ministry of External Affairs also informed a parliamentary committee that ongoing dialogues with various Gulf nations aim to enhance connectivity, ultimately bringing down the cost of tickets for millions of Indians travelling to the region.

This latest agreement with Kuwait stands as a crucial step toward balancing growing passenger needs, affordable travel, and the protection of Indian aviation interests.

Thailand has officially delayed the rollout of its planned entry fee for international tourists to mid-2026, citing weaker-than-expected arrivals and broader economic challenges. Initially slated for 2025, the fee—known locally as the "kha yeap pan din" or “stepping onto Thai soil” charge—was aimed at bolstering travel insurance coverage for visitors and financing tourism infrastructure improvements.

Approved by Thailand’s Cabinet back in February 2023, the plan would have seen air travelers paying 300 baht (approximately €7.50), while those entering by land or sea would have been charged 150 baht (about €3.75). However, Thailand’s Assistant Tourism Minister Chakrapol Tangsutthitham recently confirmed that implementation has been pushed back in light of current market conditions. “We are delaying implementation until tourism demand rebounds,” he said, according to Euro News.

As of early July 2025, Thailand has welcomed nearly 17 million tourists—about 5% lower than the same period last year. This slowdown has heightened concerns in a country where tourism contributes roughly 20% of GDP. Economists point to a mix of factors, including a sluggish economic recovery in key markets like China, a stronger Thai baht, and the rising cost of global air travel. Additionally, looming U.S. tariffs on Thai exports could add further strain to the region’s economic outlook, indirectly affecting outbound tourism from impacted countries.

When eventually introduced, the entry fee is expected to directly fund improvements such as traveler insurance schemes and critical infrastructure upgrades, enhancing both safety and the overall visitor experience.

Despite the deferment, Thailand continues to focus on attracting travelers by strengthening its core offerings and simplifying arrival procedures. Earlier this year, authorities rolled out a digital entry platform to replace traditional paper-based forms, aimed at improving data collection and speeding up border formalities.

While the fee may be on hold, Thailand’s commitment to evolving its tourism landscape remains firm—setting the stage for a stronger, more resilient sector once global travel fully regains momentum.