Nisha’s Mumbai: Nisha JamVwal's Week Was A Celebration Of Heritage, Wisdom, And Holistic Well-being
150-year milestone
In our hyper-digital age where transient relationships, fleeting social media moments and ephemeral online personas dominate our consciousness, the special intimacy of face-to-face coffee’s at heritage clubs is warm and enchanting. The historic Bombay Gymkhana Club recently commemorated its sesquicentennial milestone in the most magnificent fashion imaginable over a year long celebration. A grand brunch and subsequent afternoon tea was the finale.
A veteran waiter's reflection pierced through the celebratory atmosphere with unexpected poignancy: "I feel a deep melancholy watching the distinguished members I've served across decades now moving with the tentative steps of age, with walking sticks- their bodies betraying the passage of time. For me they will always remain captured in their glorious youth as I remember them." Such is the inexorable rhythm of existence — the eternal dance where "the old order giveth way to new." Yet paradoxically, Bombay Gymkhana Club itself defies this natural law, growing l more vibrant, glorious, and contemporary with each passing year, seamlessly adapting to modern sensibilities while preserving its timeless character and sophistication.
Sunday brunch became a delightful tapestry of conversations spanning generations — members both seasoned and the newer ones created more memories to be cherished. Over the decades, this institution has evolved into something far more complex and nuanced, acquiring deeper dimensions of character, sophistication, and an almost ineffable grace that only time can bestow. The high tea that followed a few days later was thronged with even more members recounting cherished memories that will remain etched in my memory for years to come.
The Wisdom We've Forgotten
My childhood regret is that I was intimately acquainted with the Book of Job and the Psalms resonated through my formative years and yet our own magnificent ‘Itihas’ of the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita remained relatively unexplored territory. This cultural disconnect has been something I’m trying to bridge all these years. And so when Deepak Bharwani wrote a Children's story book based upon the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita I was very proud of his endeavour. When he requested me to conduct a fireside chat about his beautifully illustrated and engaging tales: making the Bhagavad Gita accessible to young minds, I readily agreed.
Deepak Bharwani has written a children’s book that will contribute to the knowledge and value systems of children around the age of eight to ten , but in my opinion he has presented one of humanity's greatest philosophical treasures — Bhagavad Gita — into short stories that speak directly to children's minds. Through enchanting anecdotal narratives and relatable young protagonists, Bharwani has woven a kaleidoscopic universe where timeless values take center stage. In his magical realm, truth, integrity, generosity, and authentic goodness emerge as the ultimate heroes — a stark contrast to our contemporary world where we risk losing ourselves in the relentless pursuit of cutting-edge technology, luxury brands, exotic escapades, superficial success, and that most fleeting of all currencies: fame!
The urgency of this mission cannot be overstated. Our young minds —these remarkable little adults in the making — deserve to be fortified with the profound wisdom embedded in our ancient texts, equipping them to navigate an increasingly complex world with inner strength and clarity.
This conviction was reinforced during my recent visit to address around two hundred little children of grade two and three at an exclusive South Mumbai institution, about environmental consciousness. Though security protocols prevent me from sharing visual memories of that encounter, the children's wonderfully unguarded thoughts and razor-sharp receptivity reminded me of their extraordinary capacity for absorption. How transformative it would be if we could plant the seeds of Bhagavad Gita value systems, duty, wisdom and sacred ‘shlokas’ in these fertile young minds during these crucial formative years.
The New Wellness Renaissance
Wellness and holistic healing have transcended trend status to become the defining zeitgeist of our era. Mickey Mehta's name has become virtually synonymous with authentic wellness philosophy, so when he collaborates with the celebrated Shafquat Ali — culinary maestro founder of the food food award fame (and nearly 18 other authentic award properties) magic becomes inevitable.
Together with Karishma Mehta, this trio orchestrated India's premier authentic Spa Awards ceremony at a distinguished suburban venue entitled ‘ Hospitality Horizon Spa & Wellness Summit & Awards 2025’ at Sofitel Mumbai BKC. The evening radiated with purpose and celebration as I was invited to light the ceremonial lamp along with wellness dignitaries marking the beginning of something truly significant in India's wellness landscape. We then proceeded to present some of the key awards.
The evening's most touching moment arrived when global Spa Leader and wellness luminary Heidi Grimwood received the lifetime achievement award and Danijela Radonic Bhandari, whose groundbreaking work on "Awakening and Strengthening Our Inner-Net Connection" through Dana Veda has touched countless lives, received the recognition she so richly deserved.
Nikhil Kapoor of the renowned Atmantan wellness retreat claimed the coveted best spa honor, among a constellation of other luminaries who were celebrated for their contributions to India's evolving wellness narrative.
This ceremony represented more than mere recognition — it signified our collective acknowledgment that true luxury lies not in material assets as much as the journey toward holistic well-being and authentic self-discovery.
Write to Nisha JamVwal at nishjamwal@gmail.com
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