Latest news with #TajMahalHotel
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Happy father's day 2025: Top 10 father's day celebration events and best venues in Delhi
Happy father's day 2025: Father's Day 2025 is almost here, and Delhi is ready to celebrate in style. The city offers a variety of events to honour our dads—the first heroes in our lives. Enjoy indulgent brunches at iconic spots like Machan, Taj Mahal New Delhi. Treat your dad to gourmet buffets at THE Park. Soak in the magic of soulful evenings like Bismil Ki Mehfil. Whether you're planning a cozy rooftop dinner or a grand celebration in a top banquet hall, Delhi has it all. This guide features the top 10 Father's Day events and best venues to make the day truly unforgettable. Best places to celebrate happy father's 2025 in Delhi Here we've compiled an exciting list of best places to celebrate Happy father's day 2025 in Delhi listed below: 1. Machan, The Lodhi Date: June 16, 2025 Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Location: The Lodhi, Lodhi Road, Delhi Highlights: Special Father's Day brunch featuring gourmet dishes, live acoustic music, and a relaxing garden ambiance perfect for family bonding. 2. Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi Date: June 16, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Location: Taj Mahal Hotel, Mansingh Road, Delhi Highlights: Exclusive Father's Day buffet with international cuisine, complimentary mocktails for dads, and a photo booth to capture memories. 3. THE Park, Connaught Place Date: June 16, 2025 Time: 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM Location: THE Park, Connaught Place, Delhi Highlights: Father's Day special gourmet buffet, live DJ, and fun games for kids and dads to enjoy together. 4. Bismil Ki Mehfil, Hauz Khas Village Date: June 16, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM Location: Hauz Khas Village, Delhi Highlights: Soulful musical evening with live performances of classic and contemporary songs, perfect for a relaxed celebration. 5. Garden of Five Senses Date: June 16, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Location: Said-ul-Ajaib, Mehrauli, Delhi Highlights: Outdoor picnic and family activities, nature walks, and art installations for a refreshing Father's Day experience. 6. Olive Bar & Kitchen, Mehrauli Date: June 16, 2025 Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Location: Mehrauli, Delhi Highlights: Mediterranean lunch with a special Father's Day menu, wine tasting sessions, and a cozy garden setting. 7. Indian Habitat Centre Date: June 16, 2025 Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Location: Lodhi Road, Delhi Highlights: Cultural events including storytelling, art workshops, and interactive sessions celebrating fatherhood. 8. Saket District Centre Date: June 16, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Location: Saket, Delhi Highlights: Shopping festivals with Father's Day discounts, food stalls, and live entertainment for the whole family. 9. Kingdom of Dreams Date: June 16, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM Location: Gurugram (near Delhi) Highlights: Theatrical shows and dinner packages tailored for Father's Day celebrations. 10. DLF Promenade, Vasant Kunj Date: June 16, 2025 Time: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Location: Vasant Kunj, Delhi Highlights: Special Father's Day sales, live music, and family-friendly dining options. Father's Day 2025 in Delhi is set to be a joyful and heartwarming celebration. From peaceful outdoor picnics to lively musical evenings, the city offers something for every kind of dad. Enjoy a gourmet brunch or take part in a fun cultural event. Delhi's top venues and events help you create lasting memories. It's a perfect chance to show your love and appreciation. Make this Father's Day a special one your dad will always remember. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shekhar Kapur shares rare moment of A.R. Rahman and Andrew Lloyd Webber creating music together
Picture Credit: X Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur took to social media to share a rare and cherished memory of A.R. Rahman and Andrew Lloyd Webber creating magical music together on the same piano - a moment that blended two worlds of musical genius. Taking to Instagram, Shekhar Kapur shared a rare, unseen throwback photo featuring himself with Rahman and Webber during the world announcement of Bombay Dreams-the first-ever Bollywood musical to make it to London's West End and later Broadway in New York. Reflecting on the journey, Kapur called his life "one huge adventure," urging everyone to embrace uncertainty and spontaneity. In a thought-provoking caption, he wrote, "Life has been one huge adventure. But how does adventure happen unless you actively open yourself to the adventure of life? And to open yourself to adventure, you have to fight the greatest human failing of all. The addiction to certainty. The addiction to control." Shekhar Kapur went on to reveal how "Bombay Dreams" was born from a casual lunchtime conversation with Andrew Lloyd Webber. That chance remark soon evolved into a groundbreaking musical collaboration. The photo he shared was taken at a party held at Mumbai's iconic Taj Mahal Hotel, where Rahman and Webber sat together at the same piano, creating music on the spot-an unforgettable moment in East-meets-West creative synergy. "Bombay Dreams was born of one chance lunchtime remark by me to Andrew Lloyd Webber .. out of which this picture was taken at the world announcement of the project .. at a party in Mumbai's iconic Taj Mahal Hotel .. and where A R Rahman and Andrew Lloyd Webber played together on the same piano .. creating amazing music on the go ..One chance remark .. led to the first 'Bollywood' musical ever on the West End in London and in Broadway in New York . .One chance remark! #andrewlloydwebber #arrahmaan #BombayDreams #westend #London #musical," added the director. 'Bombay Dreams' is a vibrant stage musical inspired by Bollywood, featuring music by A.R. Rahman and lyrics by Don Black. The script was penned by Meera Syal and Thomas Meehan, with Andrew Lloyd Webber backing the original production. It premiered in London in 2002, enjoying a successful two-year run before making its way to Broadway in 2004. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
News18
26-05-2025
- Business
- News18
University Of Liverpool Becomes 2nd UGC-Approved UK University To Open Campus In India
Last Updated: University of Liverpool India Campus: The upcoming campus in Bengaluru will aim to offer world-class education aligned with both Indian and global standards. In a significant development for transnational education, the University of Liverpool today became the second UK university, after the University of Southampton, to officially receive a Letter of Intent (LoI) to establish a campus in India. The handover ceremony, held at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, was presided over by Hon'ble Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan. Dr. Vineet Joshi, Interim Chair of the UGC and Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, was also present at the event. This milestone marks a major step toward strengthening academic collaboration, fostering research partnerships, and enhancing global educational exchange between India and the UK. The upcoming campus in Bengaluru will aim to offer world-class education aligned with both Indian and global standards. The University of Liverpool was originally established as University College, Liverpool in 1881. It officially began operations in 1882 with just 45 students, 6 chair positions, and 2 lectureships. The first college building, located on Ashton Street, remains central to the campus today. In 1884, the college joined the federal Victoria University, alongside institutions in Manchester and Leeds. Over the subsequent years, numerous buildings were constructed to accommodate large laboratories, funded by donations from local philanthropists. By the 1890s, eight additional chair positions were established, along with numerous lectureships and scholarships.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Delhi's celebrated Loya opens in Mumbai, with a Maharashtrian twist
Loya brings back the joy of eating together. The large portions, the act of making food at your table-side, the revolving serving tables — the restaurant brings the spirit of North India to Mumbai, with a Maharashtrian twist. Launched in Delhi in November 2022, Loya opened its second branch in Bengaluru almost a year later, and chose destination Mumbai this year. Opened at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai recently, it is a tribute to simple, homemade food which respects the age-old traditions of the Himalayas and Northern India. Spices and condiments here are sourced specially from their roots. 'In New Delhi, LOYA presents bold, robust dishes that resonate with the city's colder climate and rich culinary heritage. Bengaluru's menu takes a balanced approach — ingredient-forward, with an emphasis on provenance and modern technique. In contrast, Mumbai's coastal character is reflected in a lighter, more subtle menu designed to appeal to the city's sophisticated and eclectic palate in drinks and food menu,' says Rajesh Wadhwa, brand chef of Loya restaurants. The bar, which features a selection of 500 exclusive bottles of limited-edition whiskies and wines, is the centre of attraction with its formidable basalt structure, and water flowing around it, conveying an aura of the mountains. 'Here, you feel like you are sitting in the Himalayas and enjoying your drink,' says Ansh Bhatia, restaurant manager. As we settle on the high chairs, Arshaan Hafiz, the bartender, works his magic, shaking up a Masala Whisky, which includes bourbon and orange bitters. He infuses this mixture with the smoke of 11 different spices including star anise, cardamom, clove, fennel seeds. 'Our cocktail philosophy is rooted in the significance of the number five in Indian culture — an element that ties into the five rivers, five senses, five elements of life, and Loya's five key principles: harmony, experimentation, authenticity, reverence, and spirit. These principles represent the heart of the North, and our drinks menu is crafted around this concept,' says Ansh. For non-drinkers there are zero-proof cocktails. We try the refreshing tamarind fennel soda laced with cranberry, orange essence and lemon, then topped with a dehydrated orange slice. We also try the Saffron Delight and Sunrise to Sunset. Saffron Delight is a delectable mix of orange juice, mango juice, lime, saffron and soda, in a tall glass with chimney ice. It is finished with a half-moon orange slice. Sunrise to Sunset is the mixture of pomegranate juice, mango puree, basil syrup, lemon and soda, served in a brandy balloon glass, with bubble ice. 'Our menu reflects the spirit of communal dining, where each course invites guests to experience India's diverse culinary heritage,' says Chef Apurva Malpande, adding, 'From the smoky depths of the tandoor to the delicate flavours of hand-pounded spices, our approach celebrates the artistry of slow cooking, age-old techniques, and local ingredients, all reimagined for the modern palate.' The idea, she says, is to spotlight hidden treasures of Indian cuisine — authentic, preserved recipes that have stood the test of time, yet remain fresh and exciting today. Try the daal chaat, which consists of chickpea and gehu (wheat) paratha crisps served with chilli oil and garlic nibs, finished at the table. It is the show-stealer for us. The Maash ki Tikki, patties made with soaked black urad dal and chana dal with a stuffing of dates, quoted in breadcrumbs before being deep fried, was a bit underwhelming. The flavours did not seem to stand out as well. Chulai ki Seekh, a mixture of amaranth leaves and potato flakes cooked in tandoor on skewers, was an interesting way to eat the oft-boring amaranth, a leafy vegetable. For main course, we order the Gola Paratha, layered bread made with whole wheat flour and clarified butter; Tikkad ki Missi roti, bread made of bajra, whole wheat, gram flour and spices; and Malera roti, bread made with cultured dough finished with cashew nuts, sesame and fennel seeds. We like their Chakki paneer, made in a tangy and spicy yogurt sauce. The Kafuli Saag, consisting of local seasonal greens cooked in iron pot and kathal baingan bharta made with smoked and spiced eggplant with jackfruit, are decent. What is noteworthy is the umami smoky flavour that the dungar (a traditional North Indian technique of smoking food) lends to the bharta. For the non-vegetarians, signature dishes here including Gosht Ki Lazeez Pasliyan, Raan-e-Jirga, and Bhanjeer Murg Masaledar pork ribs. Loya's Kangda Kodia Gosht (mutton curry) is made with whole roasted Kashmiri walnuts: the shells are powdered and used to darken the curry. Our lunch ends with creamy kulfi pops, a selection of rose petals, saffron-cardamom, royal paan leaf, and malai kulfi. We also try the indulgent Badana Pearls, a combination of rabri and saffron foam. But my favourite dessert is the rich, comforting Doodh Jalebi — warm and crispy jalebis accompanied by milk in three different flavours. The meal ends with us pounding our own mukhwas (mouth freshener) in a mortar and pestle, so we can create individual blends. Mine has khajoor supari (dates and betel nut), fresh paan, zesty ginger chips, and a touch of misri (rock sugar).
Economic Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
IHCL has Rs 3,000 cr cash instead of debt; to launch new brands, travel packages in next few months: Puneet Chhatwal
Puneet Chhatwal, MD & CEO, IHCL, says demand will exceed supply for the next few years. India's GDP growth remains strong, despite potential adjustments. A growing number of people are moving into higher income brackets. They are seeking new experiences in food, hospitality, and luxury goods. New destinations and events like Maha Kumbh are boosting the economy. It is the beginning of the journey of the tourism, hospitality sector. Instead of Rs 3,000 crore debts, we have Rs 3,000 crore cash. The company has the means today unlike earlier. The company plans to introduce new brands, potentially in wellness and all-inclusive segments, offering comprehensive travel packages. Q3 and Q4 were tough for corporate India. We had a slowdown that was visible across the categories from pizza sales to car sales. Puneet Chhatwal: No, as you have followed us for so many years now, it would be fair to say that we worked on the foundation. The foundation is your brandscape. So, first we tackled the brandscape and re-imagined brands which were known and also new brands. At the same time, we never lost sight of our backbone which is the Taj and we kept strengthening it quarter after quarter, year after year, taking it to very different heights. So, the operating leverage kept coming from the Taj saved for those 18 to 20 months of COVID where the sector got demolished, the new businesses started growing at like 30-40% topline compounded annual growth at a very rapid speed and in our quest to address the needs and wants of a heterogenous market in India, we doubled our footprint to 130 locations and still kept also doing selective international growth like three hotels in Dubai, more which we signed in Bahrain and about to open in six-eight months in Frankfurt and continuous efforts on asset management. We always tend to say capital heavy. But capital heavy also provides the opportunity to sweat your assets and the iconic assets that we had are really very well positioned and have been very well renovated. Take the example of Taj Mahal Hotel, Delhi. Despite an 80% increase in rent, it makes more money than it made before the rent levels were lowered and also a Rs 250-crore investment that went into the asset, so that is a very good example of asset management. All in all, it is several levers coming together, built on a strong foundation of a comprehensive brand management strategy and a very aggressive growth strategy in which we have increased our portfolio by 2.5x and today getting very close to 50,000 rooms or almost 400 hotels and the guidance of 700 by 2030 and spread across various brands. I think that all coming together is definitely helping. If one thing does not work in a quarter, the other ones contribute to the ultimate goal of the company. The first part of your investor presentation starts with a simple explanation that demand is going to be higher than supply. You have been maintaining this for a couple of years now. Would you like to maintain this for the next couple of years also? Puneet Chhatwal: Absolutely. For the next couple of years, demand is going to outpace supply. Definitely, it is not going to lag behind supply. So, there are three-four reasons for it. The GDP growth numbers may be adjusted downwards, but still it is around 6%. Now, whether it is 6.4% or 5.9%, it is still a good growth scenario given what is happening in the world. Number two, the number of people who are moving from middle class to high middle class and high middle class to rich is increasing at a rapid pace in India. That is how India is becoming the fifth largest economy. People are having higher per capita income and the new or what you call the 'nouveau riche' people want to experience more whether it is your food and beverage or it is your hotel stays or it is your luxury goods, everything they also want to have, they have always aspired to have that. So, I think that also will benefit the sector. Finally, with all the new destinations opening, there is something new happening which people have noticed and had never noticed before: that the numbers of Maha Kumbh will be the way they were and what a Maha Kumbh could do to the economy of a state like UP. I do not think UP ever witnessed that in its history, it is not the first time that Maha Kumbh happened or what Coldplay did for three or four nights in Mumbai and another three nights in Ahmedabad because nobody would come extra to Mumbai for one night. So, what you lost in G20, you made up with Maha Kumbh? Puneet Chhatwal: We did not lose, we gained in G20. No, the base effect of the last G20 was not there. In FY24, you had the advantage of G20. In FY25, we thought that no G20, what happens now? Puneet Chhatwal: I did not think so. A lot of analysts thought that way, a lot of people in the media too. I think India is changing. It is the beginning of the journey of the tourism, hospitality sector in terms of its contribution to the GDP, in terms of its contribution to job growth both direct-indirect jobs going forward. We will see very different numbers when India is at 100 at 2047. So, India at 75 to India at 100 is really the time and the chance for this sector to thrive. There will be headwinds, every time something will come every 16-18 months, but eventually it has a very bright future. You Might Also Like: IHCL unveils new ACCELERATE 2030 strategy In April, 2025, you had issues because of the election, a bit of a slowdown because of the heat wave. Is the current month better than last year or last time? Puneet Chhatwal: Absolutely, a brilliant observation. So, the base was not as high. We tend to do very well as a sector in Q3, Q4 as Diwali, Christmas, New Year, wedding dates all come in. Really the important part where you tend to lag behind is Q1 and Q2. But in the last five years, we have seen India becoming a 365-day destination; something is always happening in some parts of the country. Having said that, we have the April numbers, we have given that guidance yesterday in the conference call. We did 17% higher topline versus April of last year and the number looks similar for May going forward, maybe not 17, maybe it will be 14 or 15, this is a very healthy growth because if we can convert 50% of that as a healthy good flow through, then that gives a very solid EBITDA hike and also on the margin front, helps you to keep and maintain the margins at a high level. Five years ago, Covid had hit us. The stock had plummeted almost to Rs 80 and from Rs 80 it is now almost at Rs 800, a 10x jump. Profits have gone up from sub-20% to 35% and 30%, 32% is becoming the new normal. What was your annual EBITDA is now becoming the quarterly EBITDA. It has been phenomenal. But that has also come because of change, resilience, and what is happening at an industry level. What are the other changes we should expect from Indian Hotels? To reach your Vision 2030 where would you pivot? Puneet Chhatwal: Wow that is a lot of questions in one question. Number one is to keep doing what we have been doing well and which is working. As I mentioned before, our asset management initiatives are not for growth, our focus on new businesses is for getting scale in them. But one thing which has changed dramatically from pre-Covid to today is from a gross debt of more than Rs 3,000 crore, we are net debt zero company today. Instead of Rs 3,000 crore debts, we have Rs 3,000 crore cash. So, we are very well positioned to participate in any kind of consolidation in the sector or to invest in key assets which are brand enhancing, which are the torchbearers of any of the brands. This is a new situation. This is really the new normal for us and a lot of our own assets that are opening have already been paid for from the accruals that we have created internally in the last three years. This year we will be opening two hotels in Ekta Nagar where the Statue of Unity is, one Vivanta and one Ginger which is company owned. Over the last few years, we opened Ginger Mumbai airport, all paid from internal accruals. These are our assets with the exception of a small debt in London, we are debt-free and that also hopefully we will pay off. It is a very small, 20% loan to value. So, this is an interesting time because consolidation is not going to happen now. This time we have the ability to participate and with our focus clearly on India in the last five years and going forward in the next five years positions us very well.I am quite confident like in the last few years, we have added Claridges Collection; relaunching and reimagining Gateway. Similarly, we would be introducing a few more brands in segments that we are not yet present in. It could be a wellness driven business, but it could also be an all-inclusive business which is so successful in southern Europe, in Northern Africa. With the connect that we have with airlines to have for a family of four, you buy one package for the family which includes your air ticket, which includes your transfer from the airport to the hotel, which includes everything that you want to eat or drink over the five or six or seven days' holiday that you have. So, we are very excited and working on it as we speak. You can expect some news on that in the next 100 or 120 days. Today we have the means. Earlier, whatever we did, we did not have those kinds of means like we have today. Globally we see the airlines and hotels coming together. So, now with Air India and the whole Taj and Air India the Tata brands could come together? Puneet Chhatwal: Not come together, even before Air India returned to the Tata Group, we were a very strong partner with Air India, but now it is even stronger. We can do much more and end up in similar working groups and CSR initiatives or Tata business excellence groups. The interactions between formal and informal are very positive and are at all-time high, which is not possible when you belong to two different groups.
