Latest news with #Maharashtrian
Time of India
28 minutes 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
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Madness is Real: Housefull 5 Cast Goes All Out!
When Bollywood madness meets Maharashtrian magic! The entire Housefull 5 gang – Akshay Kumar, Nana Patekar, Jacqueline Fernandez, Fardeen Khan & more – brought the house down in Pune as they broke into an epic fugdi dance at Seasons Mall! Catch the star-studded chaos, the laughter, and the desi beats in full swing as the cast promotes their wildest comedy yet. From desi beats to non-stop laughs, the promotion turned into a full-blown Housefull celebration!
NDTV
a day ago
- General
- NDTV
5 Useful Tips That Will Help You Make Misal Pav Like A True Maharashtrian
If there is one dish that screams spicy, street-style Maharashtrian comfort food, it is misal pav. Think spicy, tangy, crunchy, and comforting - all fighting for space on a single plate. You might have slurped it down at a Pune stall, a highway dhaba near Nashik, or a friend's place in Mumbai, but one thing is clear - a good misal pav leaves you wiping sweat and grinning. Making it at home, though, is a different challenge altogether. If your version tastes nothing like the one on the streets, then do not stress. These five tried and tested tips will help you make a misal pav that does justice to the original. Also Read: Poha, Misal Pav And More: 7 Classic Maharashtrian Breakfast Recipes You Must Try Here Are 5 Easy Tips To Make Authentic Maharashtrian Misal Pav: 1. Use Matki Beans The soul of misal lies in the 'usal' and that begins with the right beans. Moth or matki beans are the traditional go-to — they give the dish its signature bite and flavour. Chana and rajma just do not cut it if you are chasing authenticity. Make sure the beans are well-sprouted to get that nutty taste and quicker cooking time. Even if you are in a rush, hunt down pre-sprouted matki from the local market instead of settling for substitutes. 2. Do Not Skimp On The Tarri You know that deep red oil floating on top of a good misal? That is the 'tarri' — and it holds the power. Made with oil, red chilli powder, goda masala (or kala masala), and some serious spice, it gives misal its character. Use oil boldly; this is where the flavour lives. If your misal tastes flat, the tarri is likely the culprit. Just make sure it is not all heat and no depth. 3. Add Goda Or Kala Masala Garam masala has a minor role here. The real hero is goda or kala masala — the earthy, slightly sweet, and beautifully aromatic spice mix from Maharashtra. You can make it at home or buy a trusted brand, but skipping it is not an option. This masala gives the usal its backbone, and the whole dish leans on it. 4. Layer Like A Pro Every misal fan knows this is not just a curry - it is a layered experience. Once your usal and tarri are sorted, get into assembly mode. Start with the sprouted curry, ladle the tarri on top, pile on crunchy farsan or sev, then add chopped onions, coriander, and a big squeeze of lemon. Toast your pav slightly for that golden edge. The mix of soft, spicy, crisp, and fresh is what turns a good misal pav into a crowd-pleaser. 5. Let It Sit For A Minute Yes, misal is best eaten hot, but give it a short breather before you plate it. That little pause lets the flavours settle — the farsan drinks up the tarri, the onions mellow slightly, and the spices come together like they mean business. Just do not wait too long, or you will end up with a soggy mess. Serve it with extra farsan on the side and a cold glass of buttermilk to save yourself from the chilli punch. Also Read: 8 Maharashtrian Desserts That Are Too Yummy To Miss (Easy Recipes Inside) Want a misal pav recipe that works? Click here. Advertisement About Nikita Nikhil Meet Nikita, a passionate soul with an insatiable love for two things in life: Bollywood and food! When she's not indulging in binge-watching sessions, Nikita can be found behind the lens capturing moments or expressing her creativity through painting. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Misal Pav Misal Pav Recipe Misal Pav Tips Show full article Comments
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Atul Bhole, Senior Fund Manager, Kotak Mahindra AMC
Let's start with your personal story I hail from a small town of Bhusawal, which is one of the biggest & busiest railway junctions and also has the second biggest railway yard in Asia. My father also used to work for railways and mother is a housewife. Being the youngest of four siblings, I grew up in a sort of relaxed & supported environment. Though I did well in studies with scholarships, rank in Board etc. there were never any specific expectations or pressure on me like today's time. After 10th std, in 1995, I shifted to Mumbai to pursue commerce education with a goal to become Chartered Accountant. It was quite a different decision in those days, particularly in a typical Maharashtrian family. Almost all students used to opt for science with engineering or medical degrees in mind. Honestly the decision was not by choice, I obviously didn't know much about career options at that age & place. It was due to elimination of the other option: science to avoid biology. Arts was not in consideration set those days & viewed only for those who can't study science or even commerce. My parents didn't object & fully supported my decision. My uncle who was a principal at a commerce college in Mumbai then guided & mentored me over the years. Best MF to invest Looking for the best mutual funds to invest? Here are our recommendations. View Details » Over the next 10 years, I did CA & MBA from JBIMS in Mumbai. During those years, I stayed at various places as a paying guest, shared bachelor apartments, University hostel etc. Morning college & CA articleship during the day were the most hectic period but taught me a lot about practicalities in life. Moving around Mumbai to income tax/ sales tax offices & for audits by local trains, BEST buses & autos etc prepared the mind to be observant of things around & is benefitting a lot in the investing career. The attempt to opt for MBA was also by elimination once again. I realised I'm not the one who is right to be a practicing CA and corporate finance or banking jobs with a CA profile seemed repetitive. In search of alternatives, I landed in JBIMS to pursue an MBA & finally found my passion in equity research . One of our visiting faculty, who himself is a renowned but reclusive investor influenced to a great extent in finding this passion. Live Events How did you land up in this job? I started as an equity analyst at SBI Treasury in the corporate office during 2005. The profile was not sharply defined & I worked on any idea / IPO during those days on my own. The Indian market was experiencing the 'mother of all bull markets' during 2004-2008 and the freedom to look across markets for new ideas widened my horizon. Later I worked for a KPO tracking foreign securities but left within 2 months as I was not enjoying the work. With a pay cut of 40%, I joined Tata MF to come back to Indian markets. Fortunately I was mentored by two excellent gentlemen & investors in Tata MF over the next 10 years to be a fund manager. Amongst various funds, Tata Balanced Fund did particularly well & caught investors' attention. I continued managing funds from the aggressive hybrid category in my next job at DSP MF and doing it in Kotak MF as well. I was doing reasonably well in my previous job at DSP MF & was fairly content. However when Mr. Harsha Upadhyaya, CIO at Kotak MF approached me with the opportunity to manage Kotak Emerging Equity Fund, a midcap fund with AUM of around Rs. 40,000 cr then, it came across as a big challenge & opportunity to prove myself one more time. My predecessor Mr. Pankaj Tibrewal had done a fantastic job in delivering consistent performance over years & scaling the AUM to be the second largest in the category. The team & processes at Kotak MF are great to work with. Getting picked by Mr Nilesh Shah & Harsha for the role seemed a good recognition in considering the change. Which funds are you currently managing? As mentioned above, currently I'm managing Kotak Emerging Equity Fund – a midcap fund with around Rs. 50,000 cr AUM & Kotak Aggressive Hybrid Fund with AUM close to Rs. 7,000 cr. What is your investment philosophy and how will you describe your investment strategy? In general, for a large part of my portfolio, my stock selection tilts towards growing companies managed by competent management. Due to external conditions, sometimes companies may not be able to deliver required growth, however, if the opportunity size is large & the management keeps working on strengthening the business, I prefer to stay invested rather than jumping the ships. Quality factor also assumes a lot of importance to avoid accidents or bad experiences. In a measured way, I do take some tactical calls based on macro trends, turnarounds, management changes, sharply beaten down valuations etc. I do have to admit here that, post Covid, we have to be a bit more agile in capturing opportunities & booking profits as well. With an increased number of participants, stock price moves have become fierce factoring any change swiftly. Also, at the fundamental level, business cycles are getting shorter & competitive forces have gone up significantly in almost all sectors. What motivates you while managing other people's money? Mutual funds are proving to be a worthy vehicle for achieving long-term financial goals & creating wealth in every market cycle. In India, we particularly miss or overlook the concept of 'risk adjusted returns' while trying to maximise returns. Mutual Funds arguably do a good job versus individual or other vehicles of investing. They are suitable for a person starting investments with as low as Rs. 500 to an UHNI or a family office. While investors & advisors invest their hard-earned money to get returns, somewhere the factor of trust comes in the mind. Ours' is a fiduciary duty & over the years the regulator & industry has done a good work in improving the trust factor. When lacs of investors across India invest crores of rupees trusting & believing in us, it provides more than enough motivation to do the work diligently & with all good intentions.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Atul Bhole, Senior Fund Manager, Kotak Mahindra AMC
Let's start with your personal story Live Events How did you land up in this job? Which funds are you currently managing? What is your investment philosophy and how will you describe your investment strategy? What motivates you while managing other people's money? I hail from a small town of Bhusawal, which is one of the biggest & busiest railway junctions and also has the second biggest railway yard in Asia. My father also used to work for railways and mother is a housewife. Being the youngest of four siblings, I grew up in a sort of relaxed & supported I did well in studies with scholarships, rank in Board etc. there were never any specific expectations or pressure on me like today's time. After 10th std, in 1995, I shifted to Mumbai to pursue commerce education with a goal to become Chartered Accountant. It was quite a different decision in those days, particularly in a typical Maharashtrian all students used to opt for science with engineering or medical degrees in mind. Honestly the decision was not by choice, I obviously didn't know much about career options at that age & place. It was due to elimination of the other option: science to avoid biology. Arts was not in consideration set those days & viewed only for those who can't study science or even commerce. My parents didn't object & fully supported my decision. My uncle who was a principal at a commerce college in Mumbai then guided & mentored me over the the next 10 years, I did CA & MBA from JBIMS in Mumbai. During those years, I stayed at various places as a paying guest, shared bachelor apartments, University hostel etc. Morning college & CA articleship during the day were the most hectic period but taught me a lot about practicalities in life. Moving around Mumbai to income tax/ sales tax offices & for audits by local trains, BEST buses & autos etc prepared the mind to be observant of things around & is benefitting a lot in the investing career. The attempt to opt for MBA was also by elimination once again.I realised I'm not the one who is right to be a practicing CA and corporate finance or banking jobs with a CA profile seemed repetitive. In search of alternatives, I landed in JBIMS to pursue an MBA & finally found my passion in equity research . One of our visiting faculty, who himself is a renowned but reclusive investor influenced to a great extent in finding this passion.I started as an equity analyst at SBI Treasury in the corporate office during 2005. The profile was not sharply defined & I worked on any idea / IPO during those days on my own. The Indian market was experiencing the 'mother of all bull markets' during 2004-2008 and the freedom to look across markets for new ideas widened my I worked for a KPO tracking foreign securities but left within 2 months as I was not enjoying the work. With a pay cut of 40%, I joined Tata MF to come back to Indian markets. Fortunately I was mentored by two excellent gentlemen & investors in Tata MF over the next 10 years to be a fund manager. Amongst various funds, Tata Balanced Fund did particularly well & caught investors' attention. I continued managing funds from the aggressive hybrid category in my next job at DSP MF and doing it in Kotak MF as well.I was doing reasonably well in my previous job at DSP MF & was fairly content. However when Mr. Harsha Upadhyaya, CIO at Kotak MF approached me with the opportunity to manage Kotak Emerging Equity Fund, a midcap fund with AUM of around Rs. 40,000 cr then, it came across as a big challenge & opportunity to prove myself one more predecessor Mr. Pankaj Tibrewal had done a fantastic job in delivering consistent performance over years & scaling the AUM to be the second largest in the category. The team & processes at Kotak MF are great to work with. Getting picked by Mr Nilesh Shah & Harsha for the role seemed a good recognition in considering the mentioned above, currently I'm managing Kotak Emerging Equity Fund – a midcap fund with around Rs. 50,000 cr AUM & Kotak Aggressive Hybrid Fund with AUM close to Rs. 7,000 general, for a large part of my portfolio, my stock selection tilts towards growing companies managed by competent management. Due to external conditions, sometimes companies may not be able to deliver required growth, however, if the opportunity size is large & the management keeps working on strengthening the business, I prefer to stay invested rather than jumping the ships. Quality factor also assumes a lot of importance to avoid accidents or bad experiences. In a measured way, I do take some tactical calls based on macro trends, turnarounds, management changes, sharply beaten down valuations etc. I do have to admit here that, post Covid, we have to be a bit more agile in capturing opportunities & booking profits as well. With an increased number of participants, stock price moves have become fierce factoring any change swiftly. Also, at the fundamental level, business cycles are getting shorter & competitive forces have gone up significantly in almost all sectors. Mutual funds are proving to be a worthy vehicle for achieving long-term financial goals & creating wealth in every market cycle. In India, we particularly miss or overlook the concept of 'risk adjusted returns' while trying to maximise returns. Mutual Funds arguably do a good job versus individual or other vehicles of are suitable for a person starting investments with as low as Rs. 500 to an UHNI or a family office. While investors & advisors invest their hard-earned money to get returns, somewhere the factor of trust comes in the mind. Ours' is a fiduciary duty & over the years the regulator & industry has done a good work in improving the trust factor. When lacs of investors across India invest crores of rupees trusting & believing in us, it provides more than enough motivation to do the work diligently & with all good intentions.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
