Roving Eye — Swadeshi shift

LORD Raj Bagri was in town last week and managed to squeeze in a few talks during his hectic trip here. Lord Bagri was made a life peer by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth earlier this year and has been chairman of the highly successful London Metal Exchange (LME) since 1993. He has lived in England since 1959 and is known for being both an eloquent speaker and a shrewd businessman. In Mumbai, he spoke on the LME before and after the Suminto / Hamanka affair. The most avid listener was the Japanese consul-general.

Festive fareThis Sunday, the Oberoi Hotel along with Marquis de Pompadour introduced a special Sunday champagne brunch. Held at the French restaurant, La Rotisserie from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm, the brunch is aimed strictly for the rich — at Rs 650 (plus taxes) per head. Unlimited champagne is available with an elaborate repertoire of fresh salad, fruit, juices, eggs and bread. A live jazz band will also be present. The coming week will also see a South African food and wine festival at The Outrigger. Organised by the South African Consulate and the South African Airways, chefs are being flown in specially as are wines, art and a music group Tananas.

Up-market spa

A new spa has come up at Hotel Resort at Aksa Beach. Called Bodyscape, the spa has been designed by Canyon Ranch, the biggest name in health and fitness centres. They call it the first spa with a garden hotel in India. The emphasis is on a complete structured programme under specialists, with over 150 different activities being offered during the three-day course. "Visitors will take away something permanent from the vacation good health," claims Gary Milner, the director of new project development at Canyon Ranch. Membership has been fixed at Rs 60,000 for the individual and Rs 90,000 for couples. Corporate membership for 20 is Rs 2.5 lakh and can be used over two years.

China boat

THE Leela Kempinski is holding the Dragon Boat Festival till the end of the week at their Chinese restaurant, The Great Wall. From dumplings and squid to shark fin and tofu, the array is stunning, if a trifle rich on the tummy.

And finally …