Nisha’s Mumbai: Nisha JamVwal Gives A Glimpse Of Her Sunset Cruises, Thoughtful Gatherings, And Enlightening Conversations
Twilight toast
When on a flight or a boat—I find a kind of suspension of time, space, and worldly concerns for me. Being at sea—or on a flight or in a hot air balloon remain my favorite escapes. So when on a recent trip in the Middle East my close friends Sonali Mehta and Aseem Gupta suggested a sunset champagne cruise along the coastline with hors d'oeuvres and dinner, I was ecstatic with the combination of beloved friends and a vast sea escape.
It proved even more breathtaking than I had envisioned—with Dubai's curtain wall skyscrapers glistening in pink twilight rays as a backdrop to swish yachts glistening white in the sparkling aquamarine waters. A festive feast on the glamorous upper deck complemented by champagne made it even more memorable—it's always around sixish that one reaches that peak hunger moment of the day! Aseem Gupta is an adroit seaman and steered and rode their yacht with great passion. We went way into the seas and this has to be one of my special travel memories for this year.
Night to remember
But for me, Dubai is never complete without visiting my extraordinarily flamboyant friend Mahesh Tourani, who remains one of the most warm and generous host in that country. A celebratory dinner at his mansion is extraordinary particularly because of the diverse personalities he manages to congregate. The eclectic blend of artists, dancers, tech innovators, actors, international business magnates and numerous other vibrant souls from different corners of the world dance, feast, debate and blend as if we knew each other forever to create a magical memorable evening.
This visit revealed his further enhancements to his garden home. At the center of his sprawling villa lies a lush garden where he has crafted interwoven water canals adorned with cascading waterfalls, above which arc wooden Japanese bridges, pergolas draped with vines alongside trellises and gazebos provide sanctuaries from the elements when needed.
The vast lake flanking his Villa makes for a stunning visual as we walk the lawns with cocktails and mocktails in our hands enjoying stimulating conversations about China, Japan and (no prizes for guessing) the anarchist Trump. The music and cuisine form essential elements of the entertainment—but for me, the conversation and warmth ultimately elevate the experience! Mahesh's care and concern always touch the heart!
Turning pages
Back in Bombay just for a day before departing for the Far East, I attended my book club evening with my cherished 'Page Turners'—now even more delightful with precisely the right assembly of avid readers. Over an array of hors d'oeuvres, we enjoy our monthly passionate discussion about books and authors.
In a world where literature might become increasingly scarce and social media the focal point of countless lives, I find our club uniquely enriching and stimulating. Convened by my special friend Priya Mulchandani, it offers a soothing way to unwind from demanding work schedules. As an English honors graduate who excelled academically and was surrounded by voracious readers all though my childhood, I yearn for such intellectual company in a society often captivated by luxury accessories and jewelry!
Voices that matter
Dr. Megha Phansalkar's two-day Tissar Collab 2025 symposium featuring panels on Women Empowerment & Creative Skilling proved particularly compelling because of the luminaries it attracted to the discussions. I was captivated by the brilliant minds present during the conference and the perspectives they shared about advancing India with greater female participation in the workforce.
What struck me most profoundly was the emphasis on practical skill development tailored specifically for women from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds—something our nation desperately needs to bridge the widening gender gap in employment.
The symposium highlighted how traditional crafts combined with contemporary digital literacy could create sustainable entrepreneurial pathways for women in both rural and urban settings. Speaker after speaker emphasized that women's economic empowerment isn't just about employment quotas but about fundamentally restructuring workspaces to accommodate women's multifaceted roles in society. The statistics presented were sobering—despite India's economic growth, female workforce participation remains disappointingly low at just 28%, significantly below the global average.
It was particularly meaningful to meet Deepa Tracy from the Mantra Foundation who joined me for the one-on-one fireside chat to exchange insights about policy transformations that would draw more women into professional roles. Our conversation delved into how microfinancing initiatives specifically designed for women entrepreneurs could revolutionize not just individual lives but entire communities. We discussed the critical need for mentorship networks where established women professionals guide emerging talent—something I've passionately advocated throughout my career.
What resonated most with the audience was our discussion on the invisible barriers—the subtle cultural expectations and familial obligations that silently sabotage women's professional trajectories. As I shared during our chat, "Economic independence isn't just about earning capacity; it's about decision-making authority both within and outside the home." The enthusiastic response to this perspective confirmed what I've long believed—that women's empowerment must be holistic, addressing both external opportunities and internal mindset transformations simultaneously.
Write to Nisha JamVwal at nishjamwal@gmail.com
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