​Tucked inside a quiet lane in Mumbai’s Worli, the Kathiwada City House has for at least three generations served as a point where heritage, art, culture, and ideas quietly converge. The low-slung Art Deco structure, with its curved balconies, pastel façade and leafy garden, was originally named West More in the 1940s by the man who built it, the celebrated art collector and former city sheriff Jehangir Nicholson. Since then, the bungalow, possibly one of the few surviving privately owned Art Deco residences of its kind in Mumbai, has undergone several transformations.. Under the stewardship of its present owner, Digvijay Singh Kathiwada, the house has now entered a new chapter. The Kathiwada City House has been opened to the wider public for art and cultural initiatives, paired with a curated dine-in experience. “The idea is for people to dine with the arts,” says Digvijay, whose family traces its lineage to the former princely state of Kathiwada in present-day Madhya Pradesh.. Jehangir Nicholson’s legacy. The house’s association with the arts dates back to its founding. Nicholson, who conceived the bungalow, was one of Bombay’s most influential private art collectors. “A true patron of the arts”, as Digvijay describes him in an interview with indianexpress.com.. Under the stewardship of its present owner, Digvijay Singh Kathiwada, the house has now entered a new chapter.. Nicholson’s belief that art should be accessible to the public ultimately led him to donate his entire collection of over 800 artworks through his estate. Today, this collection forms the basis of the Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation and is housed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in Mumbai.. When it came to his own home, however, Nicholson was far more protective. He built the bungalow at a time when Bombay saw a wave of elegant low-rise Art Deco residences commissioned by wealthy patrons of art and business.. His house carries many classic elements of the style, including rounded balconies, geometric railings, and clean horizontal lines. These features echo the design language that reshaped much of Mumbai’s seafront architecture in the 1930s and 40s.. Towards the end of his life, Nicholson lived alone in the four-storey bungalow. Digvijay recounts that “Jangu, as his friends lovingly called him, was known for not selling anything till his dying breath”.. A turning point. Story continues below this ad. Nicholson’s connection with the Kathiwada family began through Digvijay’s mother, Sangita Devi Kathiwada, whom he knew through the Willingdon Club. Recognising her interest in the arts, Nicholson eventually agreed to allow her to use part of the house for cultural programming.. An internal understanding was reached. Nicholson would continue to live on the upper floors, while the ground floor would be made available to Sangita Devi for her artistic and cultural initiatives.. “My mother was very excited about this,” recollects  

 ​Taapsee Pannu once candidly spoke about the cultural shock that her husband, Mathias Boe, a former badminton player of Danish origin, experienced when they got married. “Uske liye har roz ek naya hota hai. Haldi jo thi unke liye badi cheez…yeh kya ho raha hai…his family was shocked…yeh muh ganda kyu kar rahe hai…what is this…they were in such a shock that they were not coming forward…even till today, they are confused as to why it happened…how can somebody dance without alcohol…so this was also a big shock for the entire Danish family,” the Naam Shabana actor told Shubhankar Mishra on his podcast.. When two people from different cultural backgrounds marry, they are not just uniting as individuals; they are merging histories, value systems, body language, food habits, celebration styles and deeply embedded belief systems. “The wedding becomes the first visible collision point of these worlds. Psychologically, culture operates like invisible software. We grow up assuming our way is ‘normal.’ When we witness something entirely different, the brain goes into assessment mode. Is this safe? Is this necessary? Why is everyone doing this? Am I expected to participate? That confusion is not disrespect. It is unfamiliarity,” said Delnna Rrajesh, psychotherapist and life coach.. In cross-cultural marriages, this is where emotional intelligence becomes crucial. “Instead of interpreting confusion as rejection, partners must translate context. This ritual means blessing. Touching feet means respect. Haldi symbolises purification and good fortune. Dancing together means collective celebration. When rituals are explained emotionally rather than mechanically, understanding deepens,” added Delnna.. Keep these in mind (Photo: Freepik). The healthiest cross-cultural relationships are built on three pillars. One is an explanation without superiority. “Traditions should be shared with warmth, not insistence. Further, participation without compulsion. Inviting someone into culture feels very different from forcing them. And then there is humour. Laughing at the confusion softens tension. When families can later rewatch wedding videos and smile at the bewilderment, it means the cultural gap did not threaten the bond,” Delnna said.. What appears as shock at first often becomes a cherished memory later. “The beauty of cross-cultural unions lies in expansion. One family learns about haldi and touching feet. The other learns about new customs, new foods, and new rhythms of celebration. The relationship becomes a bridge. And bridges are not built without momentary imbalance.”. Also Read | Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan admit to writing letters to each other on every birthday: ‘And now, I have a box full’. The real success of such marriages is not whether both sides instantly understand each other. It is whether they remain open long enough to learn. “Because culture is not something you defend aggressively. It is something you  

 ​You have seen him on the small and big screens, working alongside actors like Vidya Balan, Shefali Shah, and Ayushmann Khurrana, but Gopal Datt often returns to the theatre to experiment with and explore new roles and ideas. Ask him why, and the Shubh Mangal Saavdhan actor says, “Theatre is completely an actor’s medium, and it gives you a lot.” This is perhaps why the artist is back with Aadyam Theatre’s supernatural thriller, Ankahi, in which he essays the role of Sandeepan Chauhan, about whom he refuses to divulge any details.. But during the interview, the poet and lyricist spoke about his journey, what his almost three-decade-long career has taught him, his love for the stage, his frequent bouts of writer’s block, and more. Read the edited excerpts below:. Q. You have been in the industry for nearly 30 years. How would you describe your journey?. Gopal Datt: It’s fun, that’s the answer! There are many ups and downs, but that’s part of every creative person’s life. I think it’s a fun journey. I met many interesting people, and I still get to work with them. I’m enjoying it!. Q. Despite being a part of Bollywood and the OTT worlds, you remain deeply connected and committed to theatre. What about the medium excites you, and how does Ankahi fulfil that creative need?. Gopal Datt: Theatre is completely an actor’s medium, and it gives you a lot. I mean, I always say theatre is like a lab where you can experiment with lots of ideas. That’s why I think every actor who has done theatre would love to do something new and exciting in every play. Ankahi, by Aadyam Theatre, is again an experimental experience, as it’s a supernatural thriller. And I think it’s happening for the first time in India, this genre and at this scale. So, it’s quite an exciting project for me.. Q. Tell us about your experience playing Sandeepan Chauhan in Ankahi. What drew you to this play?. Gopal Datt: It’s a unique play, and it’s totally different from the other kinds of plays I have done. It involves many technical details and new technologies to work with. Sandeepan Chauhan is a very interesting character. This is all I can say about it right now! Cannot say much at this point… You will have to come and watch Chauhan on stage!. View this post on Instagram. Q. You are well-known for your comic timing, but Ankahi with Aadyam Theatre is a different ballgame. Did this genre test you as an actor in any way?. Gopal Datt: I think as an actor, you always want to take challenges. You also want to test your boundaries. This play gives me the opportunity to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone, and I am trying. I hope people will like it.. Q. How challenging is it to portray fear, anxiety, and elements of horror live on stage in Ankahi?. Gopal Datt: It’s a well-written play. It’s easy for an actor when the text is well-written. And fear is actually an easier emotion to show; it’s not that complex.. Even in the Natya Shastra, there  

 ​Both HbA1c and fasting blood glucose are important tests, but they serve different purposes in understanding blood sugar levels. So, which is most important? As we came across this query on Quora: ‘What’s more important for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes: HbA1c or Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG)?’, we decided to seek an expert’s insight.. Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) measures the level of glucose in the blood after an overnight fast, usually 8 to 10 hours. It shows the body’s blood sugar status at that specific moment. Due to this, Dr Pranav Ghody, consultant endocrinologist and diabetologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, said that FBG is often one of the first screening tests used to identify potential diabetes or prediabetes. “It is simple, quick, and effective for detecting issues with fasting glucose regulation. However, it can vary from day to day due to factors such as stress, illness, sleep, diet from the previous day, or even certain medications,” said Dr Ghody.. HbA1c provides a broader and more stable perspective, said Dr Ghody.. “This test measures the percentage of glucose attached to haemoglobin in red blood cells and reflects average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months. For this reason, HbA1c is commonly used to assess long-term glucose control in individuals already diagnosed with diabetes. It helps doctors see whether blood sugar levels have been consistently high, even if a single fasting test appears normal,” said Dr Ghody.. So, instead of viewing one as more important, it helps to see them as complementary tools that together provide a clearer picture of metabolic health, said the expert.. “There are instances where one test may give more useful information than the other. For example, HbA1c is often more reliable for long-term monitoring and treatment adjustments. FBG is helpful for routine screening, early detection, and evaluating how well the body manages glucose overnight,” said Dr Ghody.. Here’s what an expert says (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock). However, both tests have their limitations. “HbA1c can sometimes be influenced by conditions that affect red blood cells, such as anaemia or certain blood disorders. Similarly, fasting glucose alone may overlook individuals whose sugar levels rise significantly after meals,” said Dr Ghody.. Story continues below this ad. In practice, doctors often look at both values together, along with post-meal glucose levels and clinical symptoms. When combined, these tests help provide a more complete understanding of a person’s blood sugar patterns and guide appropriate treatment decisions.. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.  

 ​The traditional trajectory of motherhood is increasingly being viewed as a choice rather than an inevitability. As a growing number of public figures openly discuss their decision to remain child-free, a significant demographic shift is emerging among younger generations. This movement prioritises a lifestyle beyond the conventional bounds of caregiving, favouring professional development, higher education, and personal autonomy as intentional life paths. Recently, Qarib Qarib Singlle actor Parvathy joined this conversation, offering a candid perspective on her decision to forgo both motherhood and elective procedures like egg freezing.. “I didn’t want to put my body through it. I also truly believe that everybody has their own thing, each to their own, there’s no judgment. There was a time in my life when I thought the one true thing to do in life was to become a mother. Now I’m like, bro, thank God you got over it’. Now I don’t even have an iota of that feeling. But I have a better sense of nurturing now. From my dog,” she told The Male Feminist.. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.. Dr Gandhali Deorukhkar, consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, said women today are making life choices differently. “Building careers takes time, relationships do not follow fixed paths, and many want to feel financially or emotionally secure before having children. Egg freezing gives women a way to lessen biological pressures while focusing on other priorities,” said Dr Deorukhkar.. View this post on Instagram. What to note when freezing eggs. According to Dr Deorukhkar, the first step is to understand your ovarian reserve through blood tests and ultrasound. “After that, it’s important to reflect on your reasons. Egg freezing is not an insurance policy or a guarantee for pregnancy. It’s a supportive option that offers more possibilities for the future, but keep your expectations realistic,” said Dr Deorukhkar.. The procedure typically takes about 10 to 12 days. It includes hormone injections, monitoring visits, and a short day-care procedure for egg retrieval. “Most women can continue working during this time. Some may experience temporary bloating or mood changes, but serious complications are rare when done under expert care,” said Dr Deorukhkar.. Costs vary based on the number of cycles needed and the medications used. “On average, one cycle can range from Rs 1.2 to Rs 2.5 lakh, not including annual storage fees. Some women may require more than one cycle to collect enough eggs, said Dr Deorukhkar.. ALSO READ | Patralekhaa, who had frozen her eggs three years ago, says natural pregnancy was easier: ‘Test kit showed me a negative result’; gynaecologist weighs in. Is freezing eggs a guarantee of motherhood?. Many people think that freezing eggs guaran