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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
How Sonal Holland shortened the distance between Bombay Central and Bordeaux
At thirty-three, Sonal Holland stood at the edge of a comfortable life—successful, stable, predictable. As Director of National Sales for a Fortune 500, NASDAQ-listed company in India, she was at the top of her game. But inside, she felt hollow. Stagnant. Frustrated by the lack of excitement or meaning in her work. Looking westward, she asked: what are they doing that we're not? That's when she saw it—wine. A vibrant culture and profession thriving in the West, virtually untapped in India. There were no wine professionals of global repute here yet, but change was coming. India was growing, evolving, and someone would need to lead the way. So she invested in herself, chasing an education that could equip her for the future—and how. She uncorked a new chapter, poured herself into a métier she barely understood but already loved, and stepped toward a horizon as strange and beckoning as a vineyard glimpsed through morning mist. Wine wasn't just a drink. It was a calling—a whisper in the oak barrels of her soul, a passion fermented in silence, finally ready to breathe. What makes her story even more astonishing is where it begins. Sonal was a middle-class Maharashtrian girl from Bombay Central, who walked the streets of Byculla to school, dreaming simple, safe dreams. The kind of girl expected to work hard, earn decently, stay in her lane. But she refused to stay boxed in. From that modest childhood in Mumbai's cramped heart, she now hobnobs with the tastemakers of the planet, swirling glasses in salons and vineyards most people only see in glossy magazines. That journey—ordinary girl to global authority—is why her story matters. Because it isn't just hers. It's a story all of us can live. This memoir reminds us that the distance between Bombay Central and Bordeaux, between Byculla and Burgundy, is not as far as it seems—if you're willing to walk it. Her odyssey became a surreal carousel of discovery and surrender, of being utterly present in each moment yet lost to something larger. In wine she found a teacher—patient, cruel, revealing. She learned to watch the blush of vineyards in spring, the green vines crisscrossing hills like veins on a living body. She learned to inhale the perfume of cellar, damp and ancient, a library of memory in each bottle. She learned to sip, to spit, to taste not just wine but the hands that grew it, the sun that kissed it, the storms that humbled it. Each glass became a biography, a region distilled into ruby or gold. And she marveled at how, in wine houses across the world, among strangers speaking in accents she'd never heard, she still felt at home—because wine needs no translation. Yet it wasn't easy. She mothered a young daughter while chasing her dream, spending birthdays, Diwalis, even her own milestones alone—often with nothing but a warm champagne in a plastic cup aboard some forgotten train. A blasphemy, perhaps, but also a testament to her grit. She chose the promise of a future over the comfort of immediate gratifications, making peace with the loneliness and absence because she knew what mastery demanded. Her daughter, too, understood in her own way—and they found small ways to make up for what was missed. On rides to remote vineyards, through dusty roads and winding passes, she thought of how life's journeys are just like these: bumpy, breathtaking, better for the unexpected turns. Each sip carried not just grapes but histories—rooted in region, personality, nationality—yet fleeting, ephemeral. Like gossamer. For wine, in its finest expression, belongs to no one tongue, no one tribe. It is a spirit without borders, a symphony without a conductor. At dusk in Napa, under stars in Rioja, on sun-dappled afternoons in Burgundy, she disappeared into the rhythm of the land, the people, the wines. Every bottle, every vineyard, every vintage revealed itself as singular as every human being. Just as no two wines are quite alike, no two people, no two callings ever quite overlap. She kept coming back, each time discovering wine could be bigger, bolder, more daring than before. She began to see herself in its evolution—from grape to glass, from shy student to Master of Wine. That title—awarded by the Institute of Masters of Wine in the UK—is the highest honor in the field, earned by fewer than 425 people worldwide. India has only one. Sonal. She carved her name into that list through sheer will and love for her craft. She is one in a billion. Not just because her daughter called her that, but because it is true. One quiet morning, her daughter walked up to her, with the simple, unselfconscious wisdom only children possess. Her father had suggested she congratulate her mother. And so he said it plainly: 'Mom, you're one in a billion.' The words struck Sonal like a cork popping loose. A phrase as intimate as it was immense. A toast, a benediction, a mirror held up to her struggle and triumph. And in that instant the title of her memoir was born. One in a Billion. Because the story isn't just hers. It's for the wine aficionado tracing the scent of oak through a labyrinth of glasses. For the wanderer who longs to take a surreal journey through life's intent and its wild, inexplicable reality. For anyone standing at the edge of their own crisis, staring down who they are, what they could become, what new chapter they still have the courage to write. Her memoir is for them. For all of us. Because Sonal's story is also a story of what it means to believe you are not one of many, but one in a billion. Every page is a lesson—not in the way of chalkboards and lectures, but a lesson you sip, swirl, let linger. She teaches the truth she learned in a vineyard under a foreign un: there is always a calling. A moment. A success story waiting, ripening. But you must notice it. Grasp it. Invest in it. Own it. And she writes it all in prose as layered as a fine Bordeaux, as voluptuous as a Barolo, as daring as a New World Cabernet. Her narrative is cinematic: you can feel the travel underfoot, smell the crushed violet in the air, hear the faint clink of glasses in the distance. Her words spill in a rhythm that seduces and startles, lush with alliteration that turns over the tongue like a well-aged Pinot Noir—silky, shimmering, soulful. She shows how wine and life are both allegories. Every human being is a bottle waiting to be opened, revealing notes you couldn't have guessed, complexities you never expected. We are all products of our terroir, of the climate and culture that shaped us—yet more than our soil, more than our weather. We are what we choose to become. Sonal Holland's journey proves you don't have to settle for being one among many. You can choose to be one in a billion. If she can do it—leaving the safety of the known for the risk of the remarkable—then maybe you can too. Life itself is a tasting flight: pours and pauses, each fleeting, each precious. Some bitter, some bold, some soft and sweet. But all worth savouring. Her memoir is not only about wine, though wine runs through every page like a deep red river. It is about the human spirit, fragile yet resilient, singular yet universal. rave enough to chase a horizon that scares you. Humble enough to spit out what doesn't serve you. Present enough to savor what does. And as you close her memoir, you feel it—a warmth in your chest, like the first sip of wine after a long day. Seeing her recently, sitting beside her daughter at a book signing in Bandra, was a reminder of everything she embodies: Master of Wine, master of her household, master of humanity. The daughter beamed, saying she loves her mum; the mum, adoring her daughter. And you realise: life, like wine, is not meant to be perfect. It is meant to be poured, shared, savored. And in that, Sonal Holland reminds us: there is always magic to be found. Always another bottle to open, another chapter to write. Always, if you dare to believe it, another chance to be one in a billion.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- The Hindu
Telangana breaks new ground by allocating houses to atrocity survivors
For years, Kumari Hema* never truly belonged anywhere. A 32-year-old mother of one, she moved from colony to colony in Hyderabad, chased by whispers, evicted by landlords, and judged by neighbours who recoiled the moment they learnt the truth: that she was a survivor of sexual assault. 'We used to skip meals just to pay ₹3,500 in rent for a place that barely felt like a home,' she recalled, her voice quivering with emotion. 'Even then, the owners would harass us,' she said. That burden, she says, has now been lifted. Hema is one of several survivors who have been allotted a 2BHK flat in newly-built community housing in the city's emerging residential hubs. This is part of an initiative by the Telangana government under its Indiramma Indlu housing scheme. The homes are being allotted to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) victims of serious crimes, including rape and murder cases, where convictions have been secured, with the aim of offering safety, dignity and a fresh start. 'Now, no one can ask me to leave. I have a house of my own. My name is on the patta certificate. For someone whose name was once on an FIR, this feels like a real identity,' she said, smiling through her eyes. For 27-year-old Sonal*, life too had come to a halt after she was sexually assaulted. A promising engineering student at the time, she dropped out of college and retreated from the world due to the trauma and pain the incident brought. Now, years later, she has cleared the Telangana Law Common Entrance Test and is preparing to start an LLB course through distance education in about a month. 'I stopped believing that a future was even possible,' the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) victim said. 'But things are changing. I've got a second chance in my studies, in my marriage, and now in my own new home.' Sonal, who works part-time as a teacher got married six months ago and is about to move into her new flat with her husband. She is already scouting for nearby schools to work at while continuing her education. Sudha Laxmi*, 35, a mother of two and a domestic worker, has lived in the same locality for nearly three decades. But familiarity did not spare her from stigma after she was assaulted, even after the perpetrator was convicted. 'Neighbours never let me forget it. I faced taunts for years,' she said. 'I'm relieved to leave it all behind.' The women are waiting for final plumbing and electrical work to be completed before they shift into the apartments, built as part of the first phase of the government's broader housing initiative for atrocity victims. Under this phase, 43 survivors in Cyberabad and 25 from Rachakonda have been allotted homes. The district's SC Development Wing, in collaboration with the police, compiles lists of eligible victims. These are cases from 2014 onwards that ended in conviction. The focus, officials say, is on verified cases to avoid legal complications and ensure security. 'These are people who were not just victims of crime, but also of societal neglect. The least we can do is give them a sense of belonging,' said a senior police officer associated with the project. 'The entire process is handled discreetly. In most cases, they are moved into neighbourhoods where others from their community already live.' The 2BHK homes themselves are simple but sufficient. Each flat is 560 square feet, with two bedrooms, a hall, a kitchen, and two bathrooms. The kitchen opens out onto a small balcony with a washing area. Many occupants have chosen to upgrade the flooring, add tiles or false ceilings, or personalise the space in a small but meaningful ways. *Names have been changed to protect the identities of the survivors.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Diet for healthy gut and mind: Dietitian shares top nutrients that support the gut-brain axis
Gut and brain functions have a bidirectional relationship, and they influence each other in powerful ways. This two-way connection, however, is largely supported by what is on your plate. For the uninformed who assume that the brain calls all the shots, the gut is also quietly running the show through this nuanced relationship of the gut-brain axis. Diet rich in leafy greens and veggies keep you healthy.(Shutterstock) What you eat goes beyond digestive functions and also affects mood and cognitive skills. Sonal Chandalia, consultant nutritionist, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, shared with HT Lifestyle about the different brain and gut-healthy foods that improve the gut-brain axis. ALSO READ: Hepatologist explains how gut influences memory, mood and mental wellbeing; unpacks why gut may be the 'second brain' Explaining a bit more on the framework of the gut-brain axis and the key component, she added, 'A key neurotransmitter, serotonin, produced primarily in the gut, controls the narrative of the brain-gut story. It is the chief controller of sleep quality, mood swings, and appetite. The levels of this hormone are partly determined by different foods. Inclusion of amino-acid, tryptophan and serotonin-rich foods helps alleviate moods. These are similar to the foods needed for gut health. ' Food groups and nutrients that are brain-healthy Berries contain antioxidant properties. (Shutterstock) Diversifying your plate is important so that the nutrients extend to all major functions and help support overall wellbeing. Often, in the gut-brain axis, gut-healthy foods take most of the spotlight, but let's also closely look at some food groups that support brain functions, and, since it's a bidirectional relationship, these will help the gut as well. Sonal highlighted the key food groups and elaborated, 'Food groups such as: Whole-grains and whole millets (wheat, corn, oats, jowar, bajra, ragi) Legumes (whole moong, rajma, moong dal, cowpea) Green leafy vegetables (spinach, fenugreek leaves, amaranth leaves, drumstick leaves, beetroot leaves, radish leaves) Other vegetables (tomato, broccoli, carrot) Fruits (berries, amla, orange, guava, apple, jamun, banana) Salad Cooking oils (extra-virgin olive oil, cooking olive oil, mustard oil, sesame oil, groundnut oil) Nuts (almonds and walnuts) Oilseeds (flaxseeds, sesame, pumpkin, watermelon) Fatty-fish, eggs Spices (turmeric) These help maintain the neural network in the brain.' Other than overarching food groups, there are other compounds which also benefit brain health. She added, 'Certain nutrients such as Vitamin D, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin K, zinc, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acid, choline, alpha-linolenic acid, beta-carotene, lycopene, anthocyanins, polyphenols, curcumin, mono-unsaturated fats/oils, etc, play a larger role in brain functionality. These nutrients mitigate inflammation due to their antioxidant nature. They assist by maintaining the structure of the brain network and gut lining, thus preventing degeneration of both brain and gut cells.' Food for gut health Curd is one of the most recommended gut-healthy foods. (Shutterstock) Curd (or yoghurt) is the MVP of gut-healthy foods, and it's a no-brainer because of all the good benefits for the microbiome. In fact, it's one of the most recognised sources of probiotics, but it's important to note that curd is not the only major player among gut-healthy foods. The dietitian commented about other gut-friendly foods and said, 'An array of pre- and probiotic foods are a source of the beneficial bacteria required in the gut lining to aid digestion. Fermented milk products such as yoghurt, buttermilk, soluble fibre such as pectin found in apples, pears, herbs and spices such as ginger, fennel, black pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, etc, increase the optimally required microbe milieu in the gut, which in turn improves digestion.' ALSO READ: Should you eat traditional Indian dahi or Greek yoghurt? Dietician shares which is better for vegetarians Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
‘Left with nothing…': In Vadodara village, a household struggles to understand how ‘entire family' was wiped off in seconds
On the dusty path leading to the home of the Padhiyar family in Mujpur village of Vadodara district, an unsettling quiet hangs in the air on Thursday afternoon. The silence is broken intermittently by the wails of women grieving the loss of six members, including two children, of the family — all of whom met a watery grave when a slab of the kilometre-long Mujpur-Gambhira bridge over River Mahisagar collapsed around 7.30am on Wednesday. The video of a distraught and helpless Sonal Padhiyar (45) crying for help to rescue her loved ones became a defining image of the tragedy that struck unsuspecting commuters. Sonal's husband Ramesh (45) and children Vedika (4) and Naitik (2) died in the accident. Also among the dead were Ramesh's brothers-in-law Vakhatsinh Jadav (47) and Hasmukh Parmar (50), and Parmar's son-in-law Pravin Jadav (25). Inside the house, grieving relatives surround Sonal who, with a bandaged arm, struggles to wipe away her tears before breaking down again. Discharged from the hospital on Thursday, she limps with the help of two relatives before sinking to the ground, crying out, 'How will I live this life with this pain? How will I survive this? My son is gone, my husband is gone… my daughter is gone.' From their home in Dariyapura in Mujpur, the family had set out in their Eeco car for a pilgrimage to Bagdana in Bhavnagar to mark Guru Purnima as well as to 'fulfill a vow' (Badha) for the birth of Naitik – born after four older sisters. They had only travelled about five kilometers before the vehicle fell into the river along with two trucks, a pick-up van, an autorickshaw, and a few other two-wheelers. Ramesh, a contractual employee of IPCA in Padra taluka, was at the wheel when a segment of the bridge gave way and the vehicle fell into the swelling Mahisagar River. Sonal was the only one in the car who survived. Ramesh's father Ravjibhai, 72, is still struggling to understand how his 'entire family was finished' in a matter of seconds. 'He (Ramesh) was my only son… his son (Naitik) was born after several years of prayers and longing…' Ravjibhai says his wife has been hospitalised due to shock. 'I am feeling such a pain that I cannot describe but I cannot even weep… My daughter-in-law is injured and numb,' he says before breaking off. Admitted to SSG hospital on Wednesday, Sonal was brought home on Thursday to complete the last rites of her husband and children. 'We are taking her back to the hospital as she is injured and also in great discomfort. She needs healing,' says Arjun Padhiyar, Ramesh's cousin. Arjun says the tragedy has 'taken away everything' from the family. 'Six of our family members, including two children and four male members, have died. Ramesh has left behind three daughters between the ages of three and six… How will Sonal look after them alone? Vakhatsinh and Hasmukhlal were married to Ramesh's sisters. Vakhatsinh has five daughters and a son while Hasmukhlal has two daughters and a son. One of his daughters was recently married to Pravinsinh, who has also been killed. They all worked as farm labourers.' Arjun says he is worried about Ramesh's father now. 'My uncle has suffered two heart attacks recently. We are worried for him…' he adds. On the compensation for the deceased, he says, 'The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh per victim. Compare that with the compensation that was announced for the victims of the air crash (Air India 171) last month… It means that the lives of poor people do not matter…' The family cannot help but express anger at the 'negligence' of the administration. Says Ravjibhai, 'Our district Panchayat members had been writing letters since 2021, when the bridge developed the first big cracks. His warnings were ignored… We all knew that the bridge needed repairs but we never imagined that tragedy would strike in such a way and that too, in our home… We are left with nothing; my family is finished.' Even as villagers and acquaintances of the family continue to pour in to express their grief, Ravjibhai says he does not want the government compensation. 'What will I do with it? My daughters have been widowed, my only son is gone. My granddaughter has been widowed… The two minor grandchildren are lost. If the government has to give me something, let them give me my family back. I do not want anything else… How long will we survive on the compensation money without our family…?'
News18
10-07-2025
- News18
A Baby Sold And A Baby Slaughtered: Chilling Details Tumble Out In Majnu Ka Tila Double Murder
On the day of the incident, Nikhil went to Durgesh's house, found Sonal there, and after a heated argument, attacked her with a surgical blade, slitting her throat Shocking new details have emerged in the Majnu Ka Tila double murder case that rattled Delhi earlier this week. Investigations have revealed a dark and disturbing backstory involving 22-year-old Sonal Arya and a six-month-old girl, both found brutally murdered on Tuesday afternoon. According to the police, the accused Nikhil, and Sonal had met in Haldwani in 2023 and entered into a relationship. After Sonal became pregnant, the couple allegedly sold their newborn daughter for Rs 2 lakh in Uttarakhand. They later began living together in Wazirabad. However, tensions arose when Nikhil discovered conversations and chats between Sonal and his friend Durgesh on her phone, leading him to suspect an affair. Later, Sonal became pregnant again. Nikhil asked her to keep the baby, get married, and live together. However, Sonal refused and chose to have an abortion. Nikhil suspected that she had gone through with it with the help of Durgesh, which led to frequent arguments between the two. Eventually, they started living separately. One the day of the incident, Nikhil went to Durgesh's house looking for Sonal and found her there. A heated argument broke out between Nikhil and Sonal, during which he attacked her with a surgical blade, slitting her throat. Durgesh's newborn daughter was also present at the time. Believing Durgesh was responsible for the abortion, Nikhil killed the infant in the same manner before fleeing the scene. Police received information about the double murder on Tuesday afternoon in Delhi's Majnu Ka Tila area. According to officials, the woman who reported the incident lived at the location with her husband and two daughters. Police added that Nikhil and Sonal had ongoing disputes, and he had separated from her prior to the incident. Local police, along with Special Staff Inspector Rohit Saraswat and his team, were dispatched to Uttarakhand in search of the accused. Acting on information gathered from the interrogation of Nikhil's father, brother, and friends, a team was sent to Haldwani. Technical surveillance of Nikhil's phone numbers revealed frequent contact with individuals in Uttarakhand. During the search, police questioned one of his acquaintances in Haldwani and learned that Nikhil was planning to flee to Nepal via the Banbasa border near Tanakpur. Acting swiftly, the team laid a trap and apprehended him before he could escape. view comments First Published: July 10, 2025, 14:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
