Ampa Skywalk , Chennai opening on 28th September

Click on photo to view large








News & Photo Credit- The Hindu

Are you a leisure-driven mall rat? Ampa Skywalk, opening next week in Chennai, may be just the place for you.

It’s Chennai’s latest landmark. With an imposing structure and a façade filled with vibrant geometric patterns, Ampa Skywalk can’t escape your eye at the Poonamallee High Road-Nelson Manickam Road intersection.

Frenetically readied for launch on September 28, Skywalk, that’s taken four years to complete, promises plenty of excitement for leisure-driven mall hoppers. “With three floors of retail space, food court, games zone and a multiplex, it’s a complete outing for the family,” says Ampa Palaniappan, managing director, Ampa Housing Development Private Limited and promoter of the mall.

Built at a cost of Rs.120 crore, the 6.50 lakh sq. ft. Skywalk will feature an array of top-notch international and national brands on a three-level retail space of 3. 50 lakh sq. ft. While 22 shops will open on the launch day, fit-outs are happening for the rest that will open in a phased manner.

“The whole mall should be operational in three months,” reveals Palaniappan. “Since it’s been quite a while in the making, we decided to throw it open and carry on with the work. The mall targets three categories — luxury, lifestyle and need-based.”

Besides stand-alone stores featuring leading labels, Skywalk will also have a sprawling 36,000 sq. ft. Westside and a swanky 20,000 sq.ft Landmark. A hyper market — Trent’s Star Bazaar, too is part of the mallscape. From vegetables to household items, the 56,000 sq. ft. hyper market will be a one-stop destination for shoppers. Finishing touches are being given to the market that will open shortly.

As if the retail experience wasn’t enough to take your breath away, the mall will offer myriad food and beverage options. Besides the food court fare, world chains such as TGI Friday, McDonalds, KFC and Pizza Hut will open shop. And Mumbai’s famous thali-maker Rajdani too will enrich the eating out experience.

For those strolling in simply to kill time, a games zone spread across 10, 000 sq. ft. is coming up. It will feature bowling alleys too, beside arcade games. New Delhi’s famous PVR Cinemas comes to Chennai with a seven-screen multiplex. “It marks PVR’s entry into the city. To be open by October end, the 1,900 seat multiplex features five small and two big theatres with an interesting approach – the skywalk.”

Visit here for more details

Blossom Kochchar's tips for a glowing skin

Who does not like a glowing skin, free of dark spots, pimples or marks? Here are a few simple home remedies for that unblemished complexion.

To get rid of light patches, rub a mix of a little mustard oil and one drop of Bergamot essential oil vigorously on the patch.

Leave it on for a few hours before washing off with water. Do this twice a day.

To lighten dark patches, rub them with a mixture of lime, tomato and cucumber juices.

For dull complexion, mix a teaspoon of gram flour with a pinch of turmeric powder, a few drops of lime juice and half a teaspoon each of olive oil and milk. Leave on for half an hour, and wash off with water.

For pimples and other blemishes, wash and grind a few mint leaves to a smooth paste. Apply over the face every night before going to sleep.

To brighten the complexion, rub face with coconut water for 15 minutes.

For combating greasiness, mix one tablespoon of apple juice with quarter teaspoon of lime juice, and leave on for 20 minutes. The mixture is an excellent tonic.

Looking at shrinking enlarged pores? To one tablespoon of tomato juice, add a few drops of lime juice. Apply on face and remove after 15 minutes.

To prevent the skin around your heels from becoming hard and cracked, scrub heels with a stiff brush using generous amounts of soap. Follow it up with pumice stone rubbing. Wash with water, wipe dry and massage with castor oil mixed with one drop of lavender essential oil.

For tired eyes, take four tablespoons each of lime juice and iced rose water. Dip cotton pads in this water and then place gently over the eyelids for 10 minutes.

Credit - The Hindu

Niya's World OnaSadya 2009

Our Onam 2009

Finally, Thiruvonam, the main day of Onam has arrived for which we all were eagerly waiting for. As every year, this day marked with a sense of happiness and joy. Onam has over the years transformed from a harvest festival to that of an all round festival including marketing. But to every Keralalite, this brings back nostalgic memories of festivities and fun during childhood, especially the joint family days - when there were many young children to share the joy and fun.

Our kid also got up early morning today - all excited and fortunately, he got school leave today as well which added to his joy. He got ready immediately wearing new dress, did his pujas and made a small but beautiful “ Pookkalam”.

I too had planned to make this Onam a memorable one. So started making the Onam Sadya in my own humble way. With no help around, I got to slog it out myself. Hence did not go into elaborate one, but I wanted to give my family all the essential dishes of Onam Sadya, on conventional “ Vazhayila” - the banana leaf. The content faces of my husband and son after sadya indicated that my efforts (dishes) were well accepted.

Here are some photos for you.


Pappadam, Sambar , Avial, Parippu and Moru Kaachiyathu



OnaSadya dishes from left to right

Sarkarapurati, Upperi ( banana chips ), Semiya payasam, Paalada, Pappadam, Cabbage Thoran, Avial, Kaalan, Moru Kaachiyathu, Sambar, Parippu, Naranga Achar ( lime pickle ), Cheru pazham & Kuthari Choru