By Papri Das

When Seeksherpa co-founder Dhruv Raj Gupta began his career with Google, he had no idea that wanderlust would take his professional life to a completely different arena. Both keen travellers, Dhruv and his partner Sukhmani noticed how eagerly they interacted with the locals on their college trips. ?It gave us an insight in their lives and allowed us to understand a new city better than any travelogue or guide,? says Gupta. 

 Moreover, the touch of familiarity that comes from knowing a local is something that a concierge at a five star can?t provide. ?When we visit a restaurant and the chef would come to speak with us or when the locals guided us on what to order, it was a whole new experience altogether,? he adds.

It was on trek to Triund when the duo finally woke up to the idea of launching a start-up travel site that is based off the same concept. ?We lost our way during the trip, until a dog guided us to the hilltop. This incident motivated us to create a platform where locals would get an opportunity to offer their skills and knowledge and travellers a chance to utilise these skills to have a better time,? Gupta informs. An avid traveller, so far Gupta has travelled extensively across northern India, Egypt, California, Nevada, Florida and New York. Speaking about this most memorable trip out of these, Gupta says, ?I spent three months in California. I mostly travelled by bus and train along the west coast. There, I met a variety of people, some of whom were complete strangers, some of whom I bonded with over conversations on cultures and traditions, which has inspired me greatly in customising Seeksherpa.?

 The one year old company Seeksherpa has already garnered positive reviews, and has expanded itself to different digital platforms as well. While that's good news for Gupta as an entrepreneur, the traveller inside him has taken a toll, unfortunately.?I don't think I've taken a long trip since I started SeekSherpa so whatever I've done before has been an effort to get to the SeekSherpa way of travelling,? he says. 

However, he's not complaining as he relives the travel experiences of all those who share their stories in Seeksherpa. ?We really like when travellers come out of their cocoon and talk about how the micro tour showed them places they would have never seen or about how they have been living in their city for 30 years, passed by the same things every day, until SeekSherpa came in and brought alive everyday moments,? quips the young entrepreneur.  

And that's not the only way Gupta satiates his wanderlust. ?These days, I have become a traveller in my own city. I have learnt and understood so much about Delhi alone that the traveller in me wonders whether travel is really about transporting oneself or about exploring one's surroundings,? he adds in parting.

About town:

Live music lovers are in for a refreshing treat this weekend with the four piece band Laxmi Bomb. Like their name, the band packs quite a punch with their colorful electro-pop genre of music and dynamic stage presence.

The band comprises of  Keegan Pereira on vocals, Levin Mendes as the songwriter, Ruell Barretto on bass, and Joaquim Fernandes on keys This live show is a part of promotion of their latest EP, titled Mah Bharat. So catch them live at High Street Phoenix Mall in Lower Pare 7 pm onwards.

Movies:

Avengers:  Age of Ultron

Marvel  fanatics should keep their weekend for an epic experience  as the follow up to one of the biggest superhero movies, Avengers Age of Ultron is about to hit the theaters this Friday. Be part of the team -- Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, / Hulk, Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow, and  Hawkeye --  as they save the world from the bad guys.

Television:

Star Sports 4

Fanclubs on both sides will be up in arms as Arsenal plays Chelsea this Sunday, and when there is a showdown between the number one and number two teams in the league, one can only imagine the anticipation it brings. So tune in to Star Sports 4 at 8:30 pm.

By Papri Das

With meetings galore and deadlines hovering over almost all corporate executives, the fast paced digital world makes it a lot easier for them to manage their schedule and at the same time keep up with what?s happening around the world.

Executives are constantly on the lookout for new and innovative technologies to keep their lives updated and efficient. With an increased dependency on mobile gadgets, applications that rev up their devices become essential. However, the dilemma lies in choosing the right one from an array of apps that are at our disposal for the same function. As Colors CEO Raj Nayak points out, ?Keeping a tight list of apps for varied purposes is better than having a long list with overlapping functions.?

Nayak shares with Indiantelevision.com?s Exec Lifestyle, the top mobile apps that are absolutely a must for him.

Twitter and Facebook:

As a media executive, it is essential to stay in tune with the world, and at the same time keep track of what is trending nationally. So naturally the first app that comes to Nayak?s mind is Twitter. It is fast, informative and to the point? something that a person with a thousand agendas a day can appreciate.

Moreover its use varies from person to person. While a college student will sign in for entertainment, for a media executive it?s a powerful tool to reach out to the consumers. Similarly, Facebook, according to Nayak, has evolved from being a contact log of sorts to a window to the world.

Instagram:

?A picture can say a thousand words? and that stands true for Instagram, which is second on the list of apps that Nayak can't do without. While it has its appeal as a professional tool, for Nayak it?s more a personal referendum that helps him keep up with the little nothings in the lives of his friends and family.

Periscope:

This powerful and fairly new app takes citizen journalism to the next level. It basically allows you to see the world from a different perspective and being a media personality, its appeal was not lost on Nayak. Essentially, Periscope is a live streaming app that is available on both Android and iOS platform. While it benefits by allowing us to share visual experience at an alarming speed, it also leaves us vulnerable to many breach of privacy crimes. That being said, Nayak would definitely recommend this app to young media enthusiasts.

Whatsapp:

Nayak agrees that the Whatsapp app has replaced his ?old school? texting habits and it?s easier to chat, send files and multimedia attachments on the same platform. He especially appreciates the group broadcast feature that allows him to pass on important messages in a jiffy to multiple contacts.

Buzz Feed:

It truly goes by the principle of ?something for everyone? and perfect for those who have less time at hand to go through detailed reports. As per Nayak, what makes it even more efficient is the internal sorting program, which mostly blinks relevant information to you, so that you don't have to weed through the Internet junk.

Apart from these primary apps, Nayak also shares that he subscribes to various news and media house apps. Watch this space for more lists from executives who share the Top five essentials from various categories.

By Papri Das

The past week saw Mumbaikars break into a series of multi-cultural festivities - be it the Bengalis bringing in their Naba Barsha (New Year) with Pohela Boishakh, the Assamese honouring their spring harvest with Bohaag Bihu, the colourful Punjabis rejoicing over Baisakhi, which also marks the founding day of the Sikh Khalsa, the Malayalis from Kerala ringing in their New Year ?Vishu? with auspicious sights, or the people hailing from Tamil Nadu decorating their homes with Vilakku Kolam (rangoli) to welcome their New Year or Varsha Pirappu.

Each one of these festivals have their own customs, rituals and cultural activities, which give them their own unique flavour. And none of them are complete without trying a lavish spread of their own regional cuisine. But how does one have the gustatory experience of home, when they are staying miles away in Mumbai? To save you from this predicament, and allow you to try the mouth watering delicacies of these regions, Indiantelevision.com Exec Lifestyle has compiled a list of popular restaurants in Mumbai that are known for serving authentic regional cuisine.

Taste of Tamil Nadu:

Cafe Madras: If you are up for a wholesome Tamil breakfast complete with a sumptuous variety of idli, dosa, sambar, coconut chutney and vada, Cafe Madras is where you must head to. This pocket friendly kiosk at King's Circle, Matunga East, has a wide range of options to choose from. Although not associated with their New Year preparations, we definitely recommend their filter coffee and raagi dosa as must haves from the menu.

Cost: Rs 250 for two.

Dakshin Culture Curry: As their tag goes ?when culture met curry?, dining experience at Dakshin Culture Curry Lokhandwala Road, Andheri West comes with a promise of authentic flavours of South India, including Kerala and Tamil Nadu, served with a dash of their vibrant pop culture. Their Chettinad recipes are praise worthy, and so are their quirky menu cards, which have cut outs of popular actors from Kollywood and Mollywood films.

Cost for two: Rs 1500

Taste of Punjab:

The Great Punjab: This has been an all time favourite of those Mumbaikars who have a taste for Punjabi recipes beyond Makkai Ki Roti, Sarso Ka saag, and tandoori chicken, cause authentic Punjabi food is so much more diverse. Not just regulars from the city, but this restaurant at Linking Road, Bandra West, enjoys patrons from all parts of India, who never fail to drop by when visiting the city. With gorgeous interior and soothing lighting, it completes your fine dining experience with a valet service at the door.

Cost for two: Rs 1000 (non alcoholic)

Kailash Parbat: If you are looking for something less taxing on your wallet, then you must try Kailash Parbat at New Link Road, Lokhandwala, Andheri West. With a more casual and laid back approach, it is an ideal place to hit with both family and with friends. Although they serve dishes from all parts of India, they are mostly known for their expertise in cooking authentic Punjabi recipes. We also recommend you to tickle your taste buds with the chaats on their menu.

Cost for two: Rs 600

Taste of Bengal:

Bhojohori Manna: For all the Bengalis living in Mumbai, Bhajahari Manna, is a solace of sorts answering their cravings for home food. It has built its reputation not just with stunning interior designing and visuals, but also by staying consistent with their quality of food and word of mouth publicity. Be it their mouth watering recipes with fish (Bhetki Batter Fry and Shorshe Ilish) on Non-veg or the wide range typical bengali vegetarian preparation like Mochar Ghonto and Alu Posto, their tasteful preparations with transport you to the streets of Kolkata.

Cost for two: Rs 600

Bijoli Grill: If you are looking for a more colourful place with a youthful approach, try Bijoli Grill. Starting from Pona Shorshe (A fish recipe) to Chingri Machher Malai Curry (Prawns cooked in coconut milk), their carefully curated menu will leave you spoilt for choices. It goes without saying that finishing your meal without your choice of desserts from their bengali sweet menu will leave your experience incomplete. To top it off, their interior is artistically colorful and makes for a great fine dining experience.

Cost for two: Rs1200

Taste of Kerala:

Lalit Refreshment: A favourite amongst many Malayaalis living in the city, this restaurant Near City Bank, Fort, is built in a canteen style, which, combined with friendly management and waiters, puts you immediately at ease, especially if its your first time at the place. Known for their typical Kerala style of service, the food you order here is preceded by Karingali Vellam (Ayurvedic herbs with warm water), which is good for digestion. On the menu you have a variety of fish recipes to choose from, which are generally cooked spicy. If you are a fan of Kerala snacks, you might want to take home some of their homemade snack varieties like banana chips, kappa and daal wada.

Cost for two: RS 400

South of Vindhyas - The Orchid: This pan-South Indian restaurant is known for its minimalistic approach in their interior designing brilliantly contrasted with an extensive list of choices on their food menu. If you hail from Kerala and miss the authentic flavours of their curries and masalas, South of Vindhyas will surely satiate your cravings.

Cost: The buffets ranges from Rs 1000 to Rs 1500

Taste of Assam:

Bhogdoi: Perhaps the only restaurant in the heart of Mumbai city, which has exclusive menu for Assamese cuisine, Bhogdoi is a familiar name amongst those who have a liking for the distinct taste of Assamese preparations. If you don?t have something specific in mind and would like a to taste a bit of all, we suggest you to go with their authentic Assamese thalis, which comes in both veg and non-veg (including a variety of choices of fishes and Assamese chicken curry). Cost for two: Rs 400

Now that you know where to go to get your fix of regional cuisine, we hope you make great memories eating out with your friends and family!

Exec Lifestyle?s Weekend Watch recommends and previews television shows, films and live events that you simply cannot miss! Check out our recommendations for this weekend (17 - 19 April, 2015)

Movies:

Margarita With A Straw, the film which has already become the talk-of-the-town for having moved many stars to tears (including Aamir Khan), hits the big screen this weekend. This Kalki Koechlin starrer narrates a story of a rebellious girl suffering from cerebral palsy who embarks on a fascinating journey of music, love and self discovery. If you don?t mind a tear jerker, take a break from the usual formula movies and catch this off-beat film by director Shonali Bose, which has won several accolades at the Toronto Film Festival. Don?t forget to carry a box of tissue papers before you walk in.

About Town:

No matter what we say, a good old fairytale can never get too old. Even after many adaptation, the story remains relatable, equally enjoyable and leaves you with a fluffy and warm feeling in the end. Rashmi Sharma expects the same with her adaptation of Rapunzel. A Fairytale Of Rapunzel is an English musical that every fairytale lover must check out this Saturday at Palladium Mall, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel at 2 pm.

By Papri Das 

Corporate lifestyle and meetings go hand in hand. Where there?s a bunch of suited executives, there are bound to be conference rooms. Because it is behind these closed doors where execs brain-storm multi-million dollar strategies for brands and companies. In a day and age when time is money, efficiency is of utmost important and from there arises the question - How does one organise an efficient meeting? This crucial question was posed recently by J W Marriott chief sales and marketing officer Peggy Fang Roe.  Roe went on to introduce a new concept by the hotel called ?Meetings Imagined? - a website and app that assists event planners and organisers in putting up that perfect meeting.

Taking a leaf out of Roe?s discussion, Indiantelevision.com?s Exec Lifestyle decided to ask a few media executives and event planners on the challenges that they face in organising an efficient meeting and how they overcome those challenges. Here?s a list of common but crucial issues faced by executives in calling a meeting and their remedies:

1) Know what you are walking into:

Most executives unanimously agreed that nine out of 10 of their worst meeting experiences were because they were agenda-less. Well known venture capitalist, investor and entrepreneur Mahesh Murthy shares, ?It is very essential to call for an objective oriented meeting, and see to it that the objectives are fulfilled by the end of it.? Now, how does one go about doing that? ?A little planning and exchanging information prior to the meeting is all it takes,? he puts simply. Staying prepared with the content of the meeting will definitely help you wrap your head around the meeting.

2) Technology should be seamless and invisible:

Dealing with technological shortcomings in a meeting is a big ?No? specially when there is some actual ideation happening in it. Just imagine yourself ready to give that perfect presentation and the projector lamp starts acting up. Technological glitches in a meeting shift the room's attention from the agenda at hand taking away from the creative process. It almost leaves you at the mercy of the tech guys, who miraculously come and fix things in a jiffy. To avoid this, one needs to check if all the gadgets in the room are up and running, because more often than not it?sthe minor setup issues that cause the most trouble.

3) Keep a stopwatch:

How often have you found yourself in a meeting where a speaker drones on and on. Five minutes into it and they have already lost your attention. You can?t help yourself from frequently checking the time and asking yourself, ?When will this be over?? Unfortunately, it?s a common practice to let a speaker finish all they need to (or don?t need to) say specially if they are your bosses. However, our execs beg to differ. ?It?s perfectly alright to time the speakers in a meeting, as people tend to make more relevant points when they have limited time,? quips Twitter India head of communications Rohan Vyavaharkar.

4) Bridge that gap:

Another common problem faced by executives in a meeting is to get people involved. When it comes to ideation, more often than not, we find only one person delivering while others hesitate and shy away from sharing their ideas. Several CEOs pointed out that doing away with the podium and hand held microphone is the first step to reaching out to the other attendees in a meeting. This will encourage them to contribute more. SeekSherpa CEO Dhruv Raj Gupta adds that having a feedback session after every meeting, where one shares what they have personally gathered from the experience, is a healthy way to invite opinions.

5) Tickle those grey cells:

?Have meetings without chairs,? says Murthy. ?It takes people off their comfort zone and in turn brings their attention to the matter at hand. It also makes you more alert and attentive.? Games2win CEO and co-founder Alok Kejrival derails himself from the tried and tested measures and suggests something out of the box. ?I see potential in gamifying meetings and even allow jesters and entertainers to come and break the monotony. Honestly, there are endless possibilities in this arena.? Others believe that a little change from the same old board room setting, or simply changing the furniture of the place can be a great way to inspire people in a meeting. So, board meetings on bean bags are more than welcome!