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Time of India
13 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
This 86-year-old vada pav outlet has the heart of every Mumbaikar. Here's why?
Shambhu, a 68-year-old taxi driver,, winds up his day with a humble vada pav and cutting chai from an 86-year—old outlet near CST station every every dayaround 55 years. Shambhu recalls the days when Aram was a small outlet with a long queue of students, office workers, and and daily wageworkers who waited for hours to just grab a bite of that authentic Batata Vada with a piping hot cup of cutting chai. After so many years, the queue outside this outlet has been growing by leaps and bounds, and so is its popularity! For many Mumbaikars, watching Aram turn into a brand has been a nostalgic journey. Here's the story of a vada pav outlet, which has the heart and soul of every Mumbaikar. Shaping of the brand Located opposite Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Aram has been the lifeline of people struggling to satiate their hunger before boarding a local or reaching home. For most Mumbaikars, enjoying batata vada/vada pav from Aram is pure nostalgia. The history of Aram dates back to the year 1939, when Shrirang Tambe, locally known as Bhau, started a street shop selling some of the classic Maharashtrian foods. In conversation with a leading daily, the third-generation owner of Aram, Kaustubh Tambe, shared that 'My grandfather spotted a shut shop in the Capitol Cinema building. He approached the owners expressing interest in starting an Uphar Gruha and started what was then called the Aram Milk Cooperative.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The must-play game of 2025 Elvenar - Play on Browser Learn More Undo Interestingly, what was started as an outlet selling primarily milk-based items such as tea, basundi, gulab jamun and a few savory snacks like batata vada has grown into a popular name for enjoying the best of Maharashtrian snacks, sweets and beverages. Close to the roots Mubaikar's love their classic foods, and Aram reflects the same love for authentic Maharashtrian cuisine. Even after eighty-six years, the menu of this outlet revolves around Maharashtrian cuisine and a menu expansion, which includes homestyle dishes like Kothimbir Vadi, a fritter made with green chilies, spices, gram flour and fresh coriander leaves; Thalipeeth, another healthy dish, which is basically a multigrain paratha made with bajra and rice flour; and Zunka Bhakri, a dry and spicy gram-flour sabzi paired with a rustic jowar bhakri, among many other delicacies that reflect the regional taste and preferences. Food and family Kaustubh Tambe told the digital daily about how his mother trained the kitchen staff to recreate these authentic dishes every day. He further added that' My mother, Shree Tambe, personally taught the kitchen staff these dishes, always insisting on quality ingredients and consistency. We are also well known for our Upvas (fasting) menu, which includes Sabudana Khichdi, Upvas Misal made from peanuts, and Upvas Pattice made from potatoes and peanuts. A few years ago, we even introduced an Upvas Thali, which included rajgira puri, batata sabzi, misal, pattice, and rajgira roll, to name a few. Growth in the pipeline In 1995, a separate vada pav counter was located just outside the main eatery. In fact, it cost Rs 5. Now it's Rs 25; what keeps the queue growing? 'According to Kaustabug, our vadas are bigger than most. So are our pavs, specially made for us. We use Samrat besan, single-fry the vadas, and cook in refined sunflower oil. The recipe is simple, but the quality and consistency are what built us this reputation. It is also the goodwill and management practices of my grandfather, father (Madhav Tambe) and uncle (Madhukar Tambe) that built this place. Most of our staff have been with us for 30-40 years. They feel a sense of apnapan. They know the batata vada must have a thin coating, and if someone new joins, another will step in and guide him.' What's next? With a seating capacity of 48 people, the Aram outlet began with a separate vada pav counter, located just outside the main eatery, which was introduced in 1995. According to Tambe, Aram underwent a minor refurbishment last year under the guidance of Kaustubh's wife, Bijal Tambe, ahead of its 85th anniversary. The space was made brighter, ventilation improved, and induction cooking added to the kitchen. But the real shift is yet to come. In a nutshell In a nutshell, it can be concluded that 'We are setting up a central kitchen to maintain consistency and plan to open another outlet later this year. It will be somewhere between CST and Dadar.' When asked if that's just the beginning, he smiled and finally shared, 'We'll have 25 outlets across Mumbai in the next three years.' Can't eat your food without snapping a picture first? Join our Food Photography Contest and stand a chance to win exciting prizes! Click HERE for details. Join our WhatsApp Food Community to discover delicious recipes, enjoy fascinating food stories, and stay updated with the latest food news! Click here
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Around Town: Why Mumbaikars queue up daily at this 86-year-old iconic vada pav outlet near CST
Around six every evening, a long queue begins to form opposite Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. These people aren't waiting for a bus or a shared taxi, nor are they buying train tickets. About 25-30 individuals — from college-goers and first-jobbers to seasoned professionals — line up outside Aram, eager for hot batata vadas tucked into slightly larger-than-usual ladi pavs. It is their way of keeping hunger at bay until they reach home. 'Our VIP guests — customers who come here daily — tell me that one vada pav and a cup of tea keeps them going till dinner,' shared Kaustubh Tambe, 55, the third generation manning the business. Established in 1939 by Shrirang Tambe, known to many as Bhau, Aram is now a city landmark. 'My grandfather spotted a shut shop in the Capitol Cinema building. He approached the owners expressing interest in starting an uphar gruha (eatery), and started what was then called Aram Milk Cooperative,' Kaustubh recalled. The initial menu focused on milk-based items such as tea, coffee, basundi, gulab jamun, kheer, and among the early savoury offerings was the batata vada. Eighty-six years later, Aram can seat 48 people at a time and is still rooted in Maharashtrian cuisine. Over time, the menu expanded to include dishes like Kothimbir Vadi, a savoury snack made from gram flour and fresh coriander leaves; Thalipeeth, a healthy, multi-grain flatbread made using dozens of ingredients including jowar, bajra and rice flour; and Zunka Bhakri, a dry and spicy gram-flour sabzi paired with a rustic jowar bhakri among many others. My mother, Shree Tambe, personally taught the kitchen staff these dishes, always insisting on quality ingredients and consistency,' Kaustubh added. 'We are also well known for our Upvas (fasting) menu, which includes Sabudana Khichdi, Upvas Misal made from peanuts, and Upvas Pattice made from potato and peanuts. A few years ago, we even introduced an Upvas Thali featuring rajgira puri, batata sabzi, misal, pattice, rajgira roll, banana, and piyush. The separate vada pav counter, located just outside the main eatery, was introduced in 1995. 'Back then, it cost Rs 5. Now it's Rs 25,' he noted. What keeps the queue growing? 'Our vadas are bigger than most. So are our pavs, specially made for us. We use Samrat besan, single-fry the vadas (not double), and cook in refined sunflower oil. The recipe is simple, but the quality and consistency is what built us this reputation.' 'It is also the goodwill and management practices of my grandfather, father (Madhav Tambe) and uncle (Madhukar Tambe) that built this place. Most of our staff have been with us for 30-40 years. They feel a sense of apnapan. They know the batata vada must have a thin coating, and if someone new joins, another will step in and guide him.' Inside, it's a no-frills operation — people eat and leave, making space for the next customer. The staff run like clockwork, especially at the evening vada pav counter, where five people are assigned daily. Rajendra Zavre, who has been with Aram for over three decades, proudly shares that Madhav Sir, now in his 90s, still comes personally to hand over the staff's bonuses during Diwali. Aram underwent a minor refurbishment last year under the guidance of Kaustubh's wife Bijal Tambe, ahead of its 85th anniversary. The space was made brighter, ventilation improved, and induction cooking added to the kitchen. But the real shift is yet to come. With patrons from across the city, including celebrities, politicians, real estate moguls, and film personalities, franchise requests have poured in. But Kaustubh is clear: 'We can't hand it to someone else. If we don't own and run it, the quality might drop, and that's non-negotiable.' The fourth generation may step in next. While Kaustubh's older daughter is studying law, his son and younger daughter have expressed interest. 'They'll do their MBA first, work a few years, and then they will join Aram,' he shared. Meanwhile, Kaustubh has started laying the groundwork. 'We are setting up a central kitchen to maintain consistency and plan to open another outlet later this year. It will be somewhere between CST and Dadar.' When asked if that's just the beginning, he smiled and finally shared: 'We'll have 25 outlets across Mumbai in the next three years.'
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
AAMA Honors Children's Music Fund Founder and President Dr. Raffi Tachdjian with Inaugural Medicine & Humanities Award
The Armenian American Media Association's award honors legacy of Dr. Aram V. Chobanian; recognizes Dr. Tachdjian's work at the intersection of health and arts 'I am deeply honored to receive this award in Dr. Chobanian's name. As someone who has long believed in the intersection of science and the humanities, I'm profoundly moved by his legacy.'— Raffi Tachdjian, MD, MPH, founder and president, Children's Music Fund LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, May 15, 2025 / / -- Children's Music Fund is proud to announce that its founder and president, Raffi Tachdjian, MD, MPH, has been named the first-ever recipient of the Armenian American Medical Association ( AAMA ) Aram V. Chobanian Medicine and Humanities Award. This prestigious new award honors a healthcare professional who exemplifies the legacy of Dr. Aram V. Chobanian, President Emeritus of Boston University, past dean of the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, and a former President of AAMA, whose career has championed the intersection of medicine, arts and humanity. Dr. Tachdjian's lifelong commitment to compassionate care and healing through Music Therapy embodies the spirit of this award. 'I am deeply honored to receive this award in Dr. Chobanian's name,' said Dr. Tachdjian. 'As someone who has long believed in the intersection of science and the humanities, I'm profoundly moved by his legacy. His vision continues to shape how we integrate the arts, music and humanities into medical education, community building and healing.' Under Dr. Tachdjian's leadership, Children's Music Fund, the nation's leading pediatrics-focused Music Therapy charity and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has provided over 10,000 fully funded Music Therapy sessions to children facing serious chronic conditions and life altering health challenges. The nonprofit was founded on the goal of healing through music, one child at a time. In addition to his work with Children's Music Fund, Dr. Tachdjian is Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics in the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is also double board certified in Adult and Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. 'We are happy to be able to come together to celebrate Dr. Tachdjian,' said Armineh Mirzabegian, MD, AAMA Medicine and Humanities Committee. 'His career and work with Children's Music Fund are powerful examples of how the arts can be used to ease suffering and bring joy to children facing health conditions and their families. It perfectly reflects Dr. Chobanian's vision for a more compassionate approach to healing. In a previous interview, Dr. Chobanian spoke about how a physician's knowledge and engagement with the arts can deepen the physician-patient relationship. Tonight, we witness firsthand the profound impact of the arts on health and well-being.' AAMA's award presentation takes place on Thursday, May 15 at 6 p.m. ET at The Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts. This award supports AAMA's mission of promoting excellence in healthcare and supporting the professional development of its members. The association plans to continue this program series in Dr. Chobanian's honor for years to come. To register for the free AAMA event, RSVP at To learn more about Children's Music Fund and support its mission, visit Discover more about Dr. Tachdjian's story and how Children's Music Fund was founded at About Children's Music Fund Children's Music Fund provides Music Therapy to children with chronic conditions or life-altering illnesses, such as different forms of cancer, blood disorders, lung/heart/kidney disease, autism, rare diseases, and immune deficiencies to help improve their quality of life. Engaging children in Music Therapy helps reduce pain, fear and anxiety, and provides a much-needed coping mechanism to improve their mental well-being while undergoing medical treatment, during hospitalization and throughout their lives. The organization connects eligible children and young adults to board-certified Music Therapists who provide a personalized treatment plan at home and in hospitals, gifts musical instruments in support of those receiving Music Therapy services, as well as conducts and sponsors research on Music Therapy to further innovate the field and work to integrate music with medicine. Children's Music Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and member of the American Music Therapy Association. We believe that Music Makes Us Better. Learn more at Racepoint Global Children's Music Fund +1 617-624-3213 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bears saved from 'years of unimaginable suffering'
Three bears have been rescued from the backyard of a residential home in Yerevan, Armenia, with the help of a Sussex-based charity. The Syrian brown bears - Aram, Nairi and their daughter, Lola - were limited to "filthy cages" and denied "basic care", the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) found during an investigation. International Animal Rescue (IAR), based in Uckfield, told BBC South East that their joint rescue with FPWC on 20 March took over 12 hours. The rescuers from IAR said the "stench" and "filth" was "horrific" and followed "years of unimaginable cruelty". "The sheer cruelty of locking these animals up in tiny cages and feeding them cola, it was absolutely horrific," said Alan Knight, president of IAR. Rescuers say the male bear (Aram) was held captive for 12 years and repeatedly bred with a female bear (Nairi) taken from the wild. Their daughter, Lola, was discovered with them, while previous cubs had been taken and sold, according to IAR. Mr Knight said: "These were some of the worst conditions I have ever seen." IAR described the rescue as their "most difficult one to date". The rescue team say they were initially refused entry to the property by the bears' owner, despite having a legal order. After a drawn out standoff, rescuers say they finally gained access at night-fall and worked to sedate and transport the bears "under heavy rain and darkness" using torches. IAR told BBC South East that the three bears are now under supervised quarantine and receiving urgent veterinary care at FPWC's wildlife rescue centre in Urtsadzor, Armenia. An appeal has been launched by IAR to fund their ongoing care and to help complete a new sanctuary where the bears can live. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Boki the bear emerges healthy after brain surgery The volunteers rescuing wildlife with Brian May French hunter given suspended sentence for killing protected bear International Animal Rescue Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets
Shafaq News
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Shafaq News
Erbil launches the 17th International Book Fair
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, the 17th edition of the Erbil International Book Fair opened its doors, bringing together a mix of local and international publishers, authors, and book enthusiasts. This year's fair features participation from 22 countries, with more than 300 publishing houses showcasing over one million titles. The collection spans literature, history, politics, philosophy, religion, science, and technology, offering visitors a rich and varied cultural experience. Held at the Erbil International Fairground, the event will run for ten days. Among the crowd, Aram, a visitor, described the fair as 'one of the most important cultural events in the region,' viewing it as a vital space for promoting publishing and creating direct connections between writers and readers. He added that it also strengthens Erbil's image as 'a flourishing cultural center.' In addition to the vast selection of books, the fair offers a full schedule of events including panel discussions, cultural seminars, and workshops. Well-known authors, academics, and public intellectuals are taking part in book signings and public talks, while special sessions for children and young adults aim to nurture a new generation of readers. Mohammed, representing a participating publishing house, noted that this edition is the largest to date, both in terms of scale and diversity. 'It's an important opportunity to encourage reading and to strengthen cultural ties between Kurdistan and the rest of the world,' he added.
