The celebrated Taj magazine, printed by IHCL, owners of brands like Taj, Vivanta, Ginger and Ama has notched 50 years of publishing history. Once published quarterly, it took to online route during Covid, as a bi-annual, but is back with its commemorative issue, a coveted golden jubilee number.
At its release function at Taj Mahal, New Delhi, an eminent panel shared their association with the group. Presiding over the panel was IHCL MD and CEO, Puneet Chhatwal. On the panel were Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar, along with Priyadarshini Scindia. Another panelist, Binod Choudhary, one of the leading partners of Taj Hotels, could not arrive on time on account of flight disturbances. The discussion was most eloquently anchored by Vir Sanghvi, leading journalist and author.
Speaking on the occasion, Shabana recalled one specific occasion when staying at the Taj Mahal, she had been invited to a party hosted in one of the hotel’s lavish suites. At the party she expressed great appreciation for the design and décor of that suite; on returning to her room, she was surprised to see all her bags had been cleared and nowhere to be seen. On asking what has happened, she was told she had been shifted to another similar suite in the hotel. It appears the hotel GM had overheard her!
Javed Akhtar recalled very fondly how he had looked across at the Taj Mumbai many moons ago, on New Year’s Eve, and found it was charging Rs.70/- as entry fee. He decided to skip it that time, vowing to come back the following year. Which he did, as by then he had got a job that gave him Rs. 2000/- per month, which was significant for that period.
Calling it ‘funky’, Priyadarshini Scindia shared how her property in Gwalior, the Usha Kiran palace, run by the Taj Hotels, had become a most popular fun hotel, with all the ingredients of a typical Taj Luxury hotel.
The present magazine editor, Dr. Rakshanda Jalil said how over the years, the magazine has had different editors, but all have kept up the challenge of quality while promoting Indian heritage. She shared how the Taj magazine worked upon thematic issues; the December issue will be dedicated to the Weavers of India.
Like its every other issue, this too is a collectors’ edition, profusely illustrated on themes built around the Indian experience, interwoven with what you expect and cherish at various Taj properties, some old as gold, others new in the portfolio like the Taj Amer. The evening was a celebration to remember with eclectic cuisine and choicest drinks on the menu.
