Somehow as the year draws to a close, I begin to tick off all the things that I have achieved or should have achieved.
It has been quite a whirlwind this year with two more grandchildren joining our fold. This increase was also reflected in our middles and bottom lines which seemed to be the only bottom lines that showed positive results this year. Sadly, this was not the bottom line we were actively working towards increasing.
There were other things too apart from new babies that kept me on the treadmill for the major part of the year – chief among them being re-launching my blog. One of the greatest joys is continuing education and I am absolutely delighted that the computer has enabled me to learn new things right from my home with just the click of the button. I’ve learnt something about graphic designing thanks to Canva, and some more about blogging thanks to all those bloggers out there in the universe with whom I’ve been interacting. But before this turns into my next week’s post for the Gratitude Circle, let me share with you the last few skies of this year. The skies I’ve managed to capture since my return home.
Blue and White over the Gym Clouds over Azad Maidan Cottons fluffs over the Gym sunset over Mumbai Mumbai’s sun hiding behind the clouds
Pink and golden sunset over Hanging Gardens
CST at night
Now aren’t those some glorious skies from Mumbai?
For more skies around the world please visit Skywatch.
It may be a question of semantics but is Ravi Subramanian’s latest book “The Bestseller She Wrote” a thriller or a romance novel? That is the question that strikes you throughout this book that is written in his inimitable style – snappy and quick that makes reading his books such a pleasure.
Ravi Subramanian has the uncanny knack of grabbing your attention even when he writes something as banal as an adulterous relationship. Don’t get me wrong , he is my favourite author who just happens to be Indian, and I do look forward to reading his books. As his heroine Shreya who is heart broken on receiving a rejection from her first publisher says “who really has th right to dismiss an author’s work” ? So please get this straight- I’m not trashing this work – simply reviewing it.
Like most fans of authors I was looking forward to this new book from Ravi Subramanian which this time deals with Aditya Kapoor, India’s best selling author, IIM alumnus , married to a batch mate and working in a multi national bank. Hmmm …. shades of Chetan Bhagat? Or shades of Ravi Subramanian?
But then as Ravi mentions in his dedication, this book is for “all (his) readers who find themselves in his book. Especially those who glimpsed their reflections in its pages”
Ravi Subramanian, an alumnus of IIM Bengaluru, has spent two decades working his way up the ladder of power in the amazinglyexciting and adrenaline-pumping world of global banks in India. For Ravi, The Bestseller She Wrote, marks the beginning of a new chapter in his writing. A significant departure from his usual fare, this is Ravi’s first book on romantic intrigue.
So even though this is different from his usual genre of corporate intrigue, it is still based on his area of core competence – IIM and Multinational banking .
Aditya Kapoor, hot shot banker and super successful Indian author accompanies his friend Sanjay to the campus recruitment at IIM Bengaluru simply because he was intrigued and piqued by the irreverent response he got from Shreya , a member of the audience at his previous encounter with the graduating class where his opening address was pooh poohed by her. But it is more than just Shreya’s cheekiness that appeals to Aditya, predictably, she arouses his interest and his hormones as well.
It doesn’t come as a surprise then that Shreya is recruited not only in the same bank but is also assigned to Aditya’s team. Soon Shreya makes it abundantly clear that she wants to become a successful author and has chosen Aditya to help her become one. But what develops later is typically Ravi – twists and turns in what would have been a predictable plot that leave you wondering what is coming next. Does Shreya become a published author? Do Shreya and Aditya go beyond the first kiss? What happens to Maya, Ravi’s wife?
The book deals with corporate intrigue, love, romance and betrayal and I don’t want to be the spoiler so I’ll leave you to find out for yourself.
I had just returned from Singapore and was going through my emails, thrilled to be in front of my trusty desk top after a month long absence, when a letter popped out from my in-box, informing me of a blogging event on 5th December at the ITC Grand Central. It was an exercise in building brands and busting myths , specifically relating to instant noodles that had taken a beating after the Maggi brouhaha.
The ‘ITC Foods You Ask We Answer’, was aimed to introduce us to what all goes behind building successful food brands as well as provide an open platform to answer questions related to packed foods.
I was intrigued because like all mothers, I have always looked at instant food with a modicum of suspicion. After all can slaving over a stove for hours on end , stirring the pot of nourishing food with generous amounts of TLC ever be substituted by a snip of a scissors and a 2 minute boil? Common sense strongly supports the old fashioned way of cooking but VL Rajesh, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Ltd. Foods Division, and Kavita Chaturvedi, Head of Marketing & Executive Committee Member at ITC Limited, Foods Division (Mother of the Yippee brand as she likes to call herself) busted certain myths associated with instant noodles.
The Journey
Mr. Rajesh took us through the ITC Foods Division brand which is the youngest division in ITC more famously known for its luxury hotels and cigarettes and I for one was surprised when I heard that it had so many products that I was unwittingly using in my life. For instance, the soap that I often buy is Vivel, the atta that I always buy is Ashirwad, the fragrance wafting from my Pooja room is Mangaldeep and the goodies that I long to eat are the creamy biscuits from ITC.
But what surprised me most was the amazing facts that he rolled out before us, chief of them being that ITC is a responsible manufacturer which is “creating enduring value for India”
Unlike several food companies, ITC entered the field of packaged food with their own home grown brands manufactured with local ingredients and developed for the Indian consumer and in Mr Rajesh’s words, despite being a young business, it has emerged as the “fastest growing food business in the country.” and last month, YIPPEE sold its 100 millionth pack!!!
The Meet
Starting promptly at 11, we bloggers were treated to some of ITC’s legendary hospitality of tea and sandwiches, before getting down to business. After the introduction by Mr. Rajesh, Kavita explained how YIPPEE which was a noodle brand in 2010 has now become a case study itself in brand building!
Starting out with a quick quiz to sharpen our minds (which yours truly won by the way), Kavita unravelled a fascinating BackStory that held us spell bound.
Did you know for instance that YIPPEE is
The only Noodle block in the market that is round?
And that this is the only noodle block that is round because all the pots that noodle blocks are cooked in are round and very often to accommodate the block, the block is cut into pieces
The only Noodle block that doesn’t become gooey and lumpy when cooked?
And this is because these noodles are made from the best wheat wheat
The only Noodle with taste maker that is actually tasty and wholesome?
And this is because the tastemaker is made with spices and vegetables making it more healthy and nutritious.
The Great YiPPEE Cook Off
When there’s food involved there’s got to be a cook off so it didn’t come as a surprise when the bloggers were asked to divvy up and make four teams and cook something yummy and unique out of YiPPEE noodles. What came as a surprise was the the male bloggers despite being foodies absolutely refused to apron up. So it was left to the women to don the chefs’ caps.
Cooking up a storm with YiPPEE
I always thought a noodle was just a noodle was just a noodle but these ladies cooked up some amazing concoctions.
Taking just a few moments to decide which ingredients to use, the ladies quickly went to the four stations at the back and began noodling away.
Surprisingly there was only one non-vegetarian dish which was a variation of the noodles and meat balls – spiced up with some Magic Masala.
The YiPPEE Bombay sandwich which was made up of crispy noodle “buns” was pretty innovative as was the Upside Down Noodle Pie. (Sorry ladies, I didn’t get down the actual names of the dishes you had made and am inventing my own to describe what you had made)
But what really blew me was the out of the box use of YiPPEE – making it a chaat filling. It was simply mind blowing to see the traditional puris taking on a completely different twist!
I wasn’t in the least shocked that they were the winners – Ashirwad Achievers ( starring the amazing Geetha Sridhar) with their Fusion chaat .
By this time we were all quite hungry and quickly went to the Coffee Shop at ITC’s Hotel where the event was being hosted and sat down to some yummy grub – Once again, Sunfeast’s YiPPEE, and other delectables were used in the food ( YiPPEE Khow Suey) showing us how instant noodles can effectively be used in regular kitchens.
All in all it was an afternoon well spent
informative
enjoyable
fun
Mr. Rajesh and Kavita took all our questions and answered them to our satisfaction. What particularly reassured my was Mr. Rajesh’s admission that his own family eats YiPPEE and Sunfeast and all those goodies and if he can trust his own near and dear with that, he can assure every consumer that packaged foods aren’t bad. Of course, he did add, that like everything else in life, things have to be used in balance.
Incidentally, YIPPEE and ITC are going all out to clear the air regarding the myths associated with the Evils of Noodle Eating. They have launched a website dedicated to answering questions of ordinary consumers
I came home with a hamper of goodies which my grandson attacked with glee. He devoured the biscuits and kept away the Bingo.
As for the YiPPEE noodles ?
Well, I still have to try them , so look out for my verdict in my next post.
