Scene and Heard

Marcellus Baptista

What's happening in Mumbai’s hotels? A peek into the party circuit and events in the city...

Teen sheen

Yukta Mookhey and Scooty Teen Diva finalists at The Orchid

Striking a pose and even taking to the ramp was former Miss World Yukta Mookhey who was there at The Orchid to share in the joy of the twelve finalists of the Scooty Teen Diva India contest. The finalists took to the ramp after being short-listed from 29 contestants from the regional rounds around the country. After a reality series on MTV, the winner would represent the country in the final of Miss Teen International 2009 in Chicago in July. S Srinivas, GM, Marketing, TVS Motor Company, Sameer Sainani, Outgoing COO and National Director, Fashion and Lifestyle Division, Alternate Brand Solutions (India) and Rajeev Banerjee, Now Head, Fashion and Lifestyle Division, Alternate Brand Solutions (India) were present. The talk veered towards today's teenager, one who is beautiful, exuberates femininity, is confident, passionate and independent, believes in her dreams, is rebellious yet grounded, outspoken yet kind, witty, thinks out of the box, but yet well-rooted in family values.

Wonder wheels

Shonal Rawat, Thomas Kuehl and Rashmi Nigam at the Skoda Laura launch at Grand Hyatt

Instead of the usual sales spiel it was a very novel idea to stage a musical and theatrical launch for the new Škoda Laura at Grand Hyatt. Shahriyar Atai, Dean Gregory, Ella Castellino Atai, Kyla D'Souza and Amogh Pant presented a pulsating show, packed with the sound of music and a dose of good humour - all aimed at showcasing the new Laura's perfect 10/10 experience. Thomas Kuehl, Board Member, Sales & Marketing, Škoda Auto India and other personnel were there to welcome the many guests and celebrate the launch. You also discovered that this car would be available in arctic breeze, candy white, diamond silver, black magic and cappuccino beige shades. Czech Consul General Eva Drdrkova made her presence felt along with a sprinkling of other women like Rashmi Nigam, Ausshima Sawhney and Shonal Rawat.

Health trip

Romil Ratra at Kebab Korner

Romil Ratra, GM, InterContinental Marine Drive, looked happy as he was surrounded by a whole lot of ladies. It was a special ladies-only lunch that he hosted along with fashion designer Gayatri Khanna to showcase the new healthy menu of Kebab Korner. Saying cheers with wines from Sula and cocktails like Sweet Paan Martini and Imli Aur Peru Margarita were Akanksha Nanda, Amrita D, Rosa Catalano and Naaz Javeri.

Parizad Kolah Marshall, Nayantara Thacker focused their attention on the selection of salads like Great Indian Caesar-crisp iceberg and the green guava and smoked cottage cheese with a low-fat spiced yoghurt dressing. Dolly Thakore, Roopa Vohra and Shibani Agarwal relished the tasty sigdi grilled classics like Seekh Kebab accompanied by newer additions like Jheengha Afghani, Murgh Gilafi Sheekh and Tandoori Broccoli Lajawab.

Spanish splash

Spain Tourism Board India party at the Taj

Soaking in the reign in Spain were the many guests at the Taj who had all arrived to enjoy a cocktail-dinner reception at the Taj, hosted by Joan Mesquida, Secretary of Tourism of Spain, to commemorate the opening of the National Tourism Office of Spain in Mumbai. Outgoing Tourism Counsellor, Embassy of Spain in India, Enrique Ruiz de Lera was there to welcome Miguel Nieto who would head the new office here. They were joined by Spain's Consul General Cesar Alba and wife Nalene. It was a happy evening with guests tinkling cocktail glasses as they strolled around the banquet room and soaked in the sketches of Spain by Mario Miranda who visited Madrid, Barcelona and Seville among other cities in Spain along with his wife Habiba. Enjoying the Spanish experience were key personnel from the travel trade, including Nalini Gupta of Thomas Cook, Heena Munshaw of Beacon Holidays and Karl Dantas of Bombay Travels.