Assimilation in Mahableshwar
The assimilation committee organised an assimilation fellowship with a difference – the first ever Rotary Club of Bombay Assimilation Fellowship out of town. The event took over 60 rotarians – old and new to Maharshtra’s prized hill station and a favourite amongst most Mumbaikars – Mahableshwar – strawberry land, from 23rd- 25th February.
Leading the merry group of Rotarians / spouses / partners / kids was our own President Ramesh Narayan and first Lady Devi. The Rotarians included the new and the old – Rahil & Vasudha Shah, Priyanka Jatia, Kasimali Merchant & Samaira, Manjeet Kriplani, Ami Tanna, PP Ashish Vaid & Gopi, PP Sonya Mehta & Bomi, Immediate PP Dr Mukesh Batra & Ambika, President Elect Vijay & Gauri Jatia, Sidhant Jatia and family, President nominee Preeti and Gautam Mehta, Honorary secretary Manish Reshamwala, Zinia Lawyer, Hoshang & Benaifer Nazir, Ritu Prakash and Noshir, Shenaz and Firoze Vakil, Arvind & Rachna Agarwal, Alok & Mayuri Sekhsaria, Ashok & Vatsala Jatia, Madhusudhan & Vandana Daga, Dipan & Radhika Mehta, Jimmy & Navaz Pochkhanawala, Ashok & Urvashi Minawala, Madhup & Minal Vaghani, Shernaz & Firoze Vakil, Anil & Neelam Goyel, S K Mitra & Susmita, Rekha Tanna & fly, Rajeev Narvekar, Pratap Patode & Falguni, Madhup & Minal Vaghani, S V Prasad & Jaya and Avaan and Jimmy Vakharia. Also present were Jimmy’s sister and brother-in-law Dinoo & Zareer Pavri from Canada and visiting Rotarians Mehli Cama and Avi Dastoor.
The first event of the weekend was a sun-downer and dinner hosted by assimilation Committee Chairman – Jimmy & Avaan Vakharia with their son Rustom. The Vakharias played the perfect hosts at their heritage home, Barchester.
With the beautiful sunset in the background and overlooking the picturesque valley and garden, guests enjoyed cocktails and canapés. They danced and sang together with Willy Rimsu from Mizoram. Falguni and Pratap, Jimmy Pochkhanawala, Vandana Daga and Rekha’s grand-daughter made the evening by singing for the crowd. It was a wonderful start to a weekend of festivities! Avaan’s hospitality in Mumbai is legendry but she did all of that and more in Mahableshwar! The evening ended with President Ramesh cutting a beautiful strawberry cake to bring in his birthday! Thanks Jimmy, Avaan & Rustom.
Some of the enthusiastic Rotarians and partners met early next morning after breakfast, when our own Jimmy & Navaz Pochkhanwala led them on a beautiful forest trail and hike along Tiger Path. Beautiful views at the various points along the way proved to be the ideal way to begin the day. The chance spotting of herds of bison on three occasions, was the highlight of the walk. Thanks to our Mahabaleshwar guides – Jimmy & Navaz!
The group met in the afternoon at Zinia’s beautiful home, Villa Zinia for one of the most sumptuous high teas! Zinia’s high teas are the perfect ones and even the Queen wouldn’t match up to that! Consider yourself lucky if you are in Mahableshwar with Zinia around and get invited to her High Tea.
She had gone all out, as usual. A toast was raised to President Ramesh on his birthday!
Thanks Zinia.
The last event of the weekend was a cocktail and dinner party at Ashish & Gopi Vaids’ home, The Oaks. Their home is an ode to Gopi’s sense of design and Ashish’s fine taste. The beautiful sprawling lawns, live music and the amazing Gujju spread provedto be the perfect finale to this lovely weekend! The ambience was exhilarating and the weather just perfect for this get-together. Dinner was followed with a lively music session on the patio which was enjoyed by one and all. Thank you Ashish & Gopi!
