Malavika’s Mumbaistan: Mama’s boy?

Gaggan Anand, the Kolkata born chef who went on to become one of the world’s most celebrated of his profession after he was rated No 1 in Asia, and No 5 in the world this year, was spotted in his hometown over the weekend.

Gaggan Anand, the Kolkata born chef who went on to become one of the world’s most celebrated of his profession after he was rated No 1 in Asia, and No 5 in the world this year, was spotted in his hometown over the weekend. We are informed the chef was on a quick trip to meet his mother, before flying off to San Francisco. Anand has often said his mother taught him how to cook, and is his biggest inspiration. “She made me stand by her side from (the) age of six, and we cooked together. Her food still reflects in our menu today and the memories I share with her food is incredible,” he posted. And, where did the chef eat while in his hometown? “Only street food from small stalls like the chilla at Vardaan Shopping complex, dosa at Jyoti Vihar and churmur chaat at Lake Kaalibaadi,” we are informed. Interestingly, Gaggan attributes one of the reasons for the imminent closure of his eponymous restaurant in Bangkok in 2020 to being able to spend more time with his mother in Kolkata. “I pray that after this year, from 2019 onwards, I can have quality time with my family and my mom, and I will be ready to sacrifice every opportunity I have in the coming years, as the guilt of not being with them is now taking a toll on my personal life,” he signed his post off. And, with the other famous Indian chef, Vikas Khanna, also a self-confessed Mama’s boy, we are left wondering, what it is about the profession and Mums!

Gaggan Anand with his mother during a family holiday in Odisha.

True Lies

Our sources from civil aviation swear that the recent cancellation of flights between the Capital and a popular holiday resort destination in India is not the result of the tightening of the airline’s financial belt (even though that’s overdue), but rather due to more personal reasons. The owner of the receding airline apparently woke up in cold sweat from a nightmare not too long ago which foretold a disaster on the route, and took the decision overnight, out of concern for the safety of his passengers. What’s more, the NRI gentleman has not been spotted in the country for a while. “He suffers from a fear of flying,” said a source. “And avoids it as far as possible...”

The Circus Comes to Town

A Cirque du Soleil performance in Kolkata earlier.

As excitement mounts for the curtains lifting on the renowned Cirque du Soleil’s debut in Mumbai this November, its ticket sales give one much to ruminate about. Billed as the biggest theatrical production in the world, the Canadian troupe of acrobats and dancers is bringing its 43rd original production ‘Bazaar’ to the city which promises a blend of circus acts, street entertainment and its famous razzmatazz that is supposed to give a shot in the arm for the ‘Visit Maharashtra’ tourism initiative it has tied up with. “What is interesting is that the tickets, costing upwards of thousands of rupees, have been selling briskly,” says a source. “In fact, it is the costlier tickets that are in great demand.” Interestingly, the troupe was last seen in India a few years ago, on the occasion of a wedding in the Sanjiv Goenka family in Kolkata, where they are said to have especially performed a Bollywood-themed show. “Most likely, they will incorporate some of those elements for their performance in Mumbai as a tribute,” says the source.

Nice.

Oh Kerala!

Amitabh Kant (second from right) posted this ‘throwback’ photo with Kerala fishermen.

We came across this ‘throwback’ picture of a young Amitabh Kant, who not many know is an IAS officer from the Kerala cadre (1980), and was once posted as the managing director of the Kerala Fisheries Corporation. Of course, the ambitious and visionary bureaucrat, known as the man behind the Make in India, Startup India, Incredible India and God’s Own Country initiatives, is now in Delhi as CEO of NITI Aayog but his heart cannot but bleed for his flood-hit state. “Having worked in the traditional fisheries sector of Kerala for years, I feel proud of the selfless service, courage, determination and the risk taking ability of fisherman. Using their own boats, they risked their own lives to save countless lives in the Kerala floods,” he shared, along with this photo from the past. Incidentally, few know about the St Stephen’s College and JNU alumnus, who hails from a distinguished academic clan from Benares’ Mumbai connect. His sister, Mona Roy, is married to ace IPS officer and erstwhile Mumbai Police Commissioner AN Roy. And, Amitabh Kant’s brother is Ravi Kant, the former vice chairman and managing director of Tata Motors, and widely credited for the successful turnaround of the once struggling luxury unit, Jaguar Land Rover.