Got into Bombay yesterday, and rushed to visit Lalbaug ka Raja with my family in tow. This is a Ganpati pandal I visit every year for the last 5 years out of sheer faith. My wishes and sometimes maybe more have been manifested here… really believe that Idol has some powers. So much so that I have said that I will bring a miniature version of him home next year Hope he fulfills that wish and gives me the strength to take it forward. After that took the flight to Chennai, now am at the Oneness University, in Varadaiahpalem, on the outskirts… here I seek Solace in my Gurus AMMA and BHAGVAN, and follow their advice blindly, and it’s made a huge difference in my life, work and relationships. This time I am here for a course, because it’s been a hectic 6 months with a whole lot of work, old and new which had taken up a lot of time and my energy is sapped! This place just rejuvenates me. This Silence is so rare to find in our fast paced lives, just comforts; no luxuries that make you value everything that you have once you get back to your life. It’s also a Cleansing process which I feel we all need from time to time, the beauty is that the process is a spiritual journey without preaching any Religion! I would prescribe this place for anyone who needs a break and a different and positive way to living life.

Anyway enough preaching… Just sharing with you my experience, taken out some ME time. I have been so busy with people, things and attaining my goals that I had forgotten about me. This place has helped me get in touch with myself! You must be intrigued how, well right now am doing a MAUNA, i.e. where I am not allowed to talk to anyone, so practicing that, it’s difficult but enjoying it Not allowed to take any calls, only checking my emails. Just written this blog to tell you that will write again after 4 days. Till then will miss ya. Take care and as a parting shot… VALUE YOURSELF AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

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HERE we go again; my marriage plans are doing the rounds yet again for the nth time. I am sick and tired of people calling me to clarify after they’ve put it as breaking news on some channels and wasted reams of paper on concocted news articles! Grrrr…2 things have irked me - one, the press trying to do the thinking for me, and second, details of the reasons given to procure my dad’s passport, don’t even think it’s legal to give out personal info. my Poor dad is already having a tough time every time he has to travel abroad and has to apply for his passport, and as always…its harrowing enough for him to go back and forth every time for his passport and now to deal with these terrible stories from the past just bring back such bad memories. To top it all to be hounded by journalists when he went to visit the temple made it worse. My dad’s 67 and aging, please let the poor man live in peace and dignity, it’s annoying. I request the press to report responsibly and not make any baseless assumptions.

And most importantly I’d like to state, like I’ve said before I will make an official announcement on this site like I always do, the day my parents decide on my marriage date and I promise the press will have at least a month to celebrate the announcement! So to set the record straight, NO I AM NOT GETTIN MARRIED THIS YEAR, yes I am looking at next year, but date not decided. Phew! Anyway there’s so much on my plate, and am not talking about Food! Ha ha… have to say I can’t wait to get married but everything has a right time and place leaving from London tomorrow, will be back in India for a week… so long you people, until next time, and keep writing in…

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Hey guys landed in London after a 7 hour flight from New York. Here on work embarking on another business venture that I am announcing at a press conference today. and when I do something new the first place you’ll get to hear of it is here It gives me great pleasure to announce that Raj and me have invested with the V8 Gourmet Group, we’ve dabbled in a whole lot of different things, CRICKET, Medispas and now the F&B market. Got to acknowledge the fact that Indian food is much enjoyed (chicken tikka masala becoming the nation’s favorite) and has a huge market in Britain. Me being a self confessed Foodie also being synonymous with a healthy lifestyle and to top it all being a SHETTY, a surname associated with the Food sector (pioneers in Udipi restaurants) in india, this was only a sign for us to think it right to invest and procure a 33% stake in V8 that encompasses Vama, The Bombay Bicycle Club and Tiffinbites We also do airline catering and the newest plan is to introduce Readymade Indian meals that will be under 10 % fat!

Very excited about this venture and with the expertise of Co-owner and celebrity chef Andy Varma hope to cater to all those people who enjoy delicious, healthy, authentic Indian food that will be convenient to cook! Hoping to launch this line of readymade meals after Christmas in Britain. it’s great to know that our restaurants are frequently visited and appreciated by A list clientele like, Brad Pitt, Woody Allen, Mick Jagger, His Highness King Abdullah of Jordan, Bryan Adams, Rowan Atkinson and Uma Thurman and even our very own Amitabh Bachchan and Saif Ali Khan. Will be branching out to Dubai and Jordan by end of this year, and many more in years to come. Would also like to clarify all those reports and rumors about it being in honor of Jade Goody is completely and utterly baseless! So you’ve heard this from ME, and that’s what counts. Sorry about not blogging as often but hope you understand how manic it’s been to multitask amidst all these various projects. Please do keep writing in, it means a lot. All of this is only possible with all your love good wishes and support.

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In New York, this place used to be my favorite holiday (shopping) destination every June for 3 weeks, and now it’s been 2 and a half years since I came here! Had some really fun times, landing here made me nostalgic Anyway yesterday went into getting over my Jetlag and figuring out what to wear, considering I was in for a shock when I realized upon opening my bag, I had left my kurta back in Bombay, so half my day went into planning and coordinating how the outfit could reach me in time, trying to figure out who I could catch to get the outfit in from Bombay, I HAD to wear an Indian outfit since it was an Indian occasion! We managed to get it in the nick of time with a stewardess who flew in with it, an hour before the event, phew!

Attended a press conference in the midst of this pandemonium… Anyway my day started early, because today is the India Day Parade. I must say I had underestimated it, thought there would be a few thousand people, but this was the mother of all Parades, nearly 70000 people were out on the streets to show solidarity to their motherland. WOW! Was overwhelmed by the response. Quite wonderful to see and felt like I was still in India Appreciated the fact that Mayor Bloomberg and the FIA who keep the Indian culture alive made it possible for this event to happen… Madison Avenue was cordoned off, that’s no mean feat!! Felt proud to represent the South East Asian community in America. It was heartwarming to see that even though Indians have migrated abroad, they still are very Indian at heart. Still wanting to stay in touch with their roots. It was nearly 35 degrees and one of the hottest days but the warmth of the people kept me going. On that note Jai Hind to all you patriotic Indians from this proud Indian. Tired now, will write soon, crashing out now. Take care zzzz

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Hello all you lovely people, while I am all set to leave for the airport, my mind is heavy with concern pertaining to the alarming rise in swine flu patients in our country. While precautionary measures were being doled out on TV, 3 days ago I scurried to buy myself a mask wanting to use it at the airport! Imagine my dismay at learning masks were out of stock at the medical stores (but are being sold at three times the cost by some unscrupulous stores!) it’s insane that people could think of capitalizing in such grave situations. I finally procured mine from my dentists where I had an appointment yesterday. So as hideous as I might look I will be donning mine at the airport! Hoping to reach NY, devoid of any virus!

Looking forward to reaching New York, where I am invited to be the Grand Marshal for the Independence Day Parade, which will happen on the 16th August. Indeed a proud moment considering the 1st Grand Marshall was Raj Kapoor. It’s endearing to know that every year NRIs congregate in huge numbers to celebrate the fact that they are proud Indians. Hope I add to their joy. Sweet! Anyway after that I stop over at London to make another announcement, you will hear of it soon been a hectic week, shifting my office. Phew! It’s a never-ending job, my Medispa is up and running and am so excited about my next venture. Can’t wait to tell u guys! Return in two weeks, and hope and pray this Serious Swine flu situation tides away… please take care, Prevention is better than cure. On that note will say goodbye, take care of your health and for those ill, get well soon. will write soon!

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Got back from Orissa last night, was shooting for a new TV show. Woke up and switched on the TV and to my horror saw the Headlines which read that an FIR was filed in my name in Orissa for shooting INSIDE the Sakshigopal temple! It was Preposterous! The fact of the matter is that we didn’t even shoot in the temple, and the channel obviously took permission to shoot at the footsteps without which we couldn’t have proceeded. So don’t know what the fuss is about and I still don’t know why the FIR is in my name ‘cause I was there hired as an actor to perform for the channel. The production wasn’t mine; neither did I seek permissions and above all WE DIDNT SHOOT INSIDE THE TEMPLE! Have no idea why these stories have been concocted and quite obvious that this is the easiest way for some people to seek publicity! This is ridiculous, they have to stop constantly making scapegoats of celebrities, it’s such a waste of precious time and energy, and there is a huge backlog of more important judiciary matters that’s pending and need to be addressed.

Such FIR’s shouldn’t be entertained… Being born into a spiritual family I know how to conduct myself, I’ve spent a good part of my life visiting temples all over, so there was report that said I walked into the temple with slippers on! Please stop this uncalled for tamasha and misusing the perks of Democracy. Anyway am glad I have this blog to clarify and express my stand. Getting back to more important things to handle Stay in touch all you lovely people. I enjoy writing and reading your comments. Thanks so much

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