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NDTV
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
How A 'Palace' In Karnal Is Courting Delhi With Art And A Train To Pakistan
Sometime in the early-90s, before the Partition of India, the Frontier Mail chugged in to the Peshawar railway station and an uproar followed. How was the Frontier Mail late? 15 minutes late? People at the platform were aghast. They couldn't believe that the train, whose timetable you could set your watch by, could be delayed. The driver was asked to explain the delay. No one quite knows what the driver's answer was, but today, as you step into a carriage of the 'Frontier Mail' somewhere in a palace two hours from Delhi, you can sit at ease. This train won't be late. Neither will the services here, in this train-themed restaurant at Noormahal Palace in Karnal, Haryana, a stone's throw from Delhi. A Train To Pakistan For A Dinner Date The restaurant borrows its name and is a tribute to that exotic legendary train that once ran between Bombay and Peshawar and ferried celebrities from this part of the undivided country to that. The menu at Frontier Mail is curated from all the stops that the train stopped at on its way from Bombay to Peshawar. As a local band played out Saadgi, dinner at Frontier Mail took us back to the era of ice-cube air-conditioning, steam engines, and food that made us smile a smile of satisfaction. The restaurant is the star of Noormahal Palace, a 'palace' hotel two hours from Delhi. The hotel is the brainchild of ex-Armyman Colonel Manbeer Choudhary and his wife Binny Choudhary. "Whichever corner you look at here, you will see a lady's touch. My wife brought a delicate and detailed touch to the interiors," Col Choudhary tells NDTV. 'Only A Sardar Or An Armyman Can Fight This Battle' It has been more than a decade that the couple has been running the hotel, fending off big conglomerates from awarding a 'badge' to them, and keeping their head steady in a landscape dotted with five-star hotels. "Only a Sardar or an armyman can fight this battle, I tell you!" laughs Col Choudhary. How does an armyman become a hotelier, we ask. The answer is as fascinating as his hotel. "I come from an army background. I have served with the indian army for 25 years in active service. I took premature retirement. I resigned from my job. I felt that there was a calling or something, and that I wanted to do much more. The army, for me at that point, had become a routine job of chase and run," says Col Choudhary. "I was in Jammu and Kashmir, in a separated family accommodation, for a very long time. I was lucky enough to see a lot of action at the Line of Actual Control for about 4.5 years, when I wrote a letter to the army headquarters, saying that enough was enough. No officer is posted in the Northeast or Jammu and Kashmir for more than 18 months, because that ends up turning the officers themselves into targets. Somehow, I was there for 4.5 years," he says, "So, I thought I needed to do something better than just the normal policing job; my area of operation was more into countering insurgency." "I came out of the army in 1997. I needed a cooling off period before beginning the second innings of my life," says Col Choudhary. Art, Architecture, Opulence The second innings came quick and came easy for Col Choudhary. His father had left him a plot of land in Karnal where he created his first hotel: Jewels. The second hotel had to be bigger, and had to be the realisation of a joint vision: so, while the Colonel brought discipline and a quarter-century of learnings from the Army, his wife brought the art, the eye, and the put-togetherness that turned Noormahal Palace into an address worth checking out. The 125-room (200 rooms soon) hotel in Karnal reflects the Choudharys' eclectic taste in art and architecture. A palace hotel might have made purveyors of modernism raise an eyebrow at the time when the couple built Noormahal, but they went against the tide to go big. Today, when you enter Noormahal, you are stunned by the art, the architecture, and the sensibly maximalist aura of the hotel. It is opulence but not eye-watering. It is a thousand artefacts but none out of place. "You can pick up extremely expensive items at an auction, but placing it right isn't everyone's cup of tea," as Col Choudhary's son and hotelier Roop Partap Choudhary sums it up. The hotel is designed by renowned architect Himmat Singh. It is built in the Mughal and Rajputana schools of architecture and you find the jharokha s, the chhatri s, the massive gates, and artwork everywhere. Inside the 'Khwabgah', the highest category of suites at Noormahal, you find a window from the time of the Mughals. The in-room bar area has a jangla from Amritsar during the time of Operation Blue Star. The Khwabgah boasts a royal sleeping chamber - which lends its name to the suite - with two sleeping rooms, a dining room where the chairs weigh more than any you might have come across, a separate bar, a private office and a private terrace that opens to views of all of Karnal. Speak of opulence! A Suite Loved By Jagjit Singh The suite that NDTV spent a weekend in came with its own story. It once hosted the legendary late ghazal singer Jagjit Singh. Inside, as you wonder if Jagjit Singh hummed " Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho" somewhere by the massive windows, you catch yourself smiling too. An autograph by the singer sits framed on the wall. Singh, known for his love for his drink, would have been at home at Noormahal. Trust the in-house Polo Bar on that. The colonial-style bar has a cocktail menu inspired by the sport and has shelves lined with everything from rare whiskies to wines. A selection of Cuban cigars too. Films, Weddings, Recreation Noormahal has quite a few food and beverage options to choose from: Khaas Mahal, its al fresco under-the-sky restaurant; Jal Mahal, the poolside restaurant; Brown Sugar, its international all-day diner; the award-winning Frontier Mail; and the Polo Bar. The hotel also has an in-house spa with a bouquet of wellness therapies to choose from (and a couple's jacuzzi to soak in if you're travelling with a date). A hit with weddings, the hotel has an array of packages to choose from. It has also found itself in a few movies and music videos, including on the day we found ourselves at the property. 'New-Age Travellers Want A White-Lotus Feel To Trips' And why not. For the film and wedding circuit that does not want to navigate the chaos of Delhi-Gurugram-Noida, nor venture as far as Shimla, Karnal offers a middle-of-the-road destination. "Noormahal's location means there's no real competition in a 150-kilometre radius," says Roop. "There is no palace hotel in this area. And after Covid, the market trends have completely changed. Your decision-makers are now in the age bracket of 25 to 40. They are more focused on wellness, they need more value for money, and they also want a certain aesthetic - a White Lotus feel to their trips," Roop tells NDTV. 'How Will You Fake Warmth?' "Above all," the Senior Choudhary adds, "you need a story. You need heritage. If you have to sell a hotel, you cannot just do boxes. I was the President of the FHRAI (the Federation of Hotels and Restaurant Associations of India). My time there taught me what five-star hotels need. The big players in the hospitality industry have only now begun focusing on the Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in India. That's where the expansion is happening. When I invested in this piece of land all those years ago, it was investment in the dark. Look at us now." It's the guest reviews, the people at Noormahal, and word of mouth that keep the hotel the way it is, say the Choudhary father-son duo. From Khwabgah to the Frontier Mail, it's the warmth that sets the palace apart. After a meticulously curated warm dinner at Frontier Mail, Roop leaves us chewing on some food for thought: "You can fake a chandelier. How will you fake warmth?" FACT SHEET Where: Noormahal Palace in Karnal, Haryana, is situated 120 kilometres from Delhi. A two-hour drive from the national capital takes you to the hotel. Rooms And Tariff: The hotel offers various categories of rooms - Club, Club Royal, Heritage Suite and Presidential Suite. Doubles from Rs 13,290 per night, subject to change. Noormahal Palace also curates several seasonal and occasion-based packages.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Untold benefits of drinking Chamomile milk before bed time
Are you someone who struggles with sudden anxiety, headaches, prolonged stress and sleeplessness, then adding this one simple brew to your bedtime routine may help heal these issues and also ensure a healthy metabolic health. Interestingly, in indian bedtime milk is consumed with only a few simple spices and herbs, but brewed milk with this dried flower can rewire your health game. Here's all you need to know why drinking milk with chamomile tea is good for health. Why Chamomile ? Chamomile has been used for centuries for its various medicinal and healing properties. These dried flowers of chamomile contain essential oils and other bioactive compounds chamazulene, alpha-bisabolol, and apigenin, which have therapeutic properties. While chamomile flowers are known for their calming properties and potential health benefits, combining them with milk may boost efficacy and improve overall health. Here's why you must add this blend to your bedtime routine. Enhanced sleep Sipping on Chamomile milk provides relaxation and improves sleep quality. When combined with milk, the calming effect may be further enhanced, this is due to the presence of amino acids like tryptophan in milk, which acts as a precursor to the sleep-inducing neurotransmitter like serotonin, which is potentially contributing to a more restful sleep. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Digestive support Chamomile has traditionally been used to aid digestion and soothe the stomach. Milk can provide a coating effect, potentially enhancing the soothing properties of chamomile for individuals with digestive discomfort. This combination may be particularly helpful for those dealing with indigestion or mild gastrointestinal issues. Respiratory benefits Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties and may help soothe the respiratory system. When consumed with warm milk, it can provide comfort to the throat and may be beneficial for individuals dealing with mild respiratory issues or irritation. Antioxidant boost Chamomile contains antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress in the body. Milk, particularly whole milk, also contains some antioxidants. Combining the two may result in a beverage with enhanced antioxidant properties, providing potential benefits for overall health and immune function. Helps in relaxation The calming and soothing properties of chamomile, combined with the potential mood-boosting effects of milk, could create a comforting beverage that helps alleviate stress and anxiety. How to make Chamomile milk Heat milk in a saucepan over low to medium heat. Add chamomile flowers to the milk and allow them to steep for 5-10 minutes. Be cautious not to let the milk boil. Strain the chamomile flowers from the milk. Sweeten the milk with honey and cinnamon.
Deccan Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Deccan Herald
Kotak Mahindra Bank's Q1 profits drop more than expected on higher provisions
The bank's standalone net profit fell 47.5% to 32.81 billion indian rupees ($379.42 million) for the quarter ended June 30, down from year-earlier 62.5 billion rupees ($722.75 million), which included a 27.3 billion rupee gain on a stake sale of its insurance subsidiary to Zurich Insurance last year.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Kotak Mahindra Bank's Q1 profits drop more than expected on higher provisions
MUMBAI: Kotak Mahindra Bank, India's third-largest private lender by market capitalisation, reported a drop in first-quarter profit on Saturday, as it set aside more funds for potential bad loans and saw a contraction in lending margins. The bank's standalone net profit fell 47.5% to 32.81 billion indian rupees ($379.42 million) for the quarter ended June 30, down from year-earlier 62.5 billion rupees ($722.75 million), which included a 27.3 billion rupee gain on a stake sale of its insurance subsidiary to Zurich Insurance last year. On average, analysts had expected a profit of 35.82 billion rupees, according to data compiled by LSEG. The lender's net interest margin, a key gauge of profitability, fell to 4.65%, from 5.02% a year earlier, reflecting the impact of the Reserve Bank of India's recent interest rate cuts. When rates are lowered, banks typically pass on the benefits to borrowers first and only later reduce deposit rates, which can temporarily squeeze margins. Meanwhile, Kotak Mahindra Bank's asset quality deteriorated, with the gross non-performing assets ratio at 1.48% at the end of June, versus 1.39% a year earlier. Indian lenders have kept a tight lid on unsecured lending after grappling with higher bad loans in that segment, a move that has helped support asset quality. The bank's provisions for bad loans more than doubled year-on-year to 12.08 billion rupees. Net interest income grew 6% to 72.59 billion rupees in the first quarter. While credit growth has slowed across the industry, Kotak Mahindra Bank's loan book expanded 13%, driven mainly by a 16% rise in loans to retail consumers.
India.com
4 days ago
- Climate
- India.com
IND vs ENG Day 4 Weather Report: Will Rain Gods Play A Barrier Saving India Today?
England and India continue their battle in the ongoing fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 at Manchester, with the home side currently in control. Day 4 of the match will take place on July 26, and all eyes will be on whether India can make a comeback. While the bowlers have failed to give fans even a glimmer of hope on Day 3, the indian netizens are hoping for a rain on Day 4 that could possibly turn this match to a potential draw. While English fans are hoping exactly opposite as their team is in commanding position and an almost 200 hundred run lead opens their gate for a victory. At the end of Day 3, England were firmly placed at 544 for 7, having built a strong lead. India will aim to dismiss the remaining batters quickly and try to restrict England to under 600 in their first innings. Ben Stokes and Liam Dawson will resume the innings, with Stokes nearing a century and likely to look for further impact in the game. As Day 4 approaches, many fans are curious about the weather conditions and whether rain might affect the proceedings. IND vs ENG, Manchester Day 4 Weather Report While a sunny day could make things even harder for the Indian bowlers, rain could bring some relief. Forecasts suggest a 30 percent chance of rain between 9 AM and 12 PM local time. Showers are likely around 1 PM, with the chance of rain increasing to 50 percent at that time. However, no significant rainfall is expected during the rest of the day. Cloudy conditions are likely, which may assist seam bowlers and pose challenges for India later in the match. Notably, England hold 186-run lead going into Day 4 on the backs of their top 4 who each scored a half century. Joe Root even went on to score 150 for his team continuing his midas touch as Manchester. In terms of individual performances, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja have each picked up two wickets, making them the leading wicket-takers for India so far. Jasprit Bumrah, Anshul Kamboj, and Mohammed Siraj have taken one wicket each. England, with three wickets in hand, currently lead by 186 runs and will be aiming to widen the gap when play resumes on Day 4.
