People, Food, Laughter & the Power of YES

A Whirlwind Bangalore Sojourn (27–29 November): 

Bangalore in late November has its own personality. 

The air is crisp, carrying whiffs of filter coffee and unexpected traffic jams. Into this energetic chaos, Ruby and I landed on the 27th—ready for three days of conversations, connections, and culinary adventures.

Day 1: Evenings of Intellect, Warmth &  Conversations

Our first evening set the tone. Over dinner, we met some of the brightest minds the city proudly hides behind its cool demeanour—doctors with gentle confidence, company secretaries with razor-sharp clarity, and wellness experts who made you question your life choices after every bite of dessert.

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The restaurant buzzed with the low hum of conversations, cutlery softly clinking like background music. Ideas flowed across the table with the ease of old friendships. Humour, of course, made its guest appearance every now and then—sometimes subtle, sometimes loud, and sometimes unintentional. By the end of the evening, stomachs and hearts were equally full.

Day 2: Friends, Full Toit & Food That Demands a Second Visit

The next evening took us to Full Toit, a name that itself promises everything from beer to banter. It delivered on both. 

Full Toit was its usual lively self—warm lights, the aroma of wood-fired food, waiters weaving through crowded aisles like seasoned dancers, and the occasional burst of laughter from the next table. Our own table was no less. Conversations ranged from the Railways to world affairs to food philosophy. Ruby added her spark, as she always does; Michael added quiet wisdom; and the rest of us happily picked our sides between seriousness and silliness.

By the time dessert arrived, it was clear—we were no longer a dinner group but a circle of familiar friends.

Day 3 Morning: The Rameshwaram Café Adventure

We began our final day with a mission: conquer the legendary crowd at Rameshwaram Cafe.

The moment we arrived, we were greeted by a sea of hungry humans. The aroma of dosas sizzling on giant tawas, fresh chutney being poured into steel cups, and the unmistakable fragrance of filter coffee—all of it mingled with the sound of calling tokens and impatient munching.

Enter Mr Raju—our guardian angel in this gastronomic battlefield. With a warm smile and the air of someone who has mastered crowd management as an art form, he ensured we were comfortable. Somehow, amidst all that chaos, we felt cared for.

The food? Crisp dosas that cracked like thin ice, soft idlis like edible clouds, and vadas that made you forget every diet resolution. Breakfast wasn’t just a meal—it was an emotion.

IRAS Day: A Celebration of Service, Legacy, Spirit & the Power of YES

Post-breakfast, we drove to the IRAS Day celebrations at South Western Railways. The event was beautifully curated—elegant décor, dignitaries from across the railway fraternity, and an atmosphere of respect for the legacy of IRAS officers.

Ruby had been invited to speak and as always, she walked up to the stage with a quiet grace that precedes her fire.

Her talk on “The Power of YES” was the showstopper.

She spoke of how saying YES had shaped her journey—from a young civil servant to a cancer warrior, from a survivor to the founder of Sanjeevani Life Beyond Cancer. With humour, vulnerability, and a pinch of self-mocking honesty, she shared how YES had opened doors she never knew existed:

YES to work others avoided

YES to challenges that seemed impossible

YES to life even when it tested her courage

YES to creating a movement of love and care for cancer patients

Her words resonated deeply. Officers nodded, smiled, and even laughed in unexpected moments—her stories had the rare quality of being both profound and disarmingly funny.

By the time she concluded, the hall was filled with the unmistakable silence that only a deeply touched audience creates. Afterwards, many came forward to share how her message inspired them—some emotionally, some thoughtfully, and some with the wide-eyed enthusiasm of rediscovering something simple yet powerful.

Homeward Thoughts

As our trip wound down, we realised this wasn’t just a quick visit to Bangalore. It was a tapestry woven with heartfelt conversations, new friendships, nostalgic laughter, inspiring moments, and food that nourished more than the stomach.

Each day gave us something different—intellect, camaraderie, joy, warmth, reflection.

And through it all, the spirit of YES followed us like an invisible companion.

Because in the end, life expands for those who say YES—to people, to possibilities, and to experiences that make ordinary days unforgettable.

Sands, Skylines & Soulful Stories: Our Travel Diary Across the UAE & Morocco

Some journeys stay with you long after the bags are unpacked.

Our recent adventure—sailing through the futuristic brilliance of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and then wandering through the mystical soul of Morocco—was one such unforgettable ride.

It was a trip where work blended gracefully with wanderlust, where every city gifted us new stories and where Ruby and I found ourselves laughing, learning, connecting and soaking in life one magical moment at a time.

Dubai & Abu Dhabi: Where the Future Touches the Sky

Our adventure began in the ever-shining #UAE—#Dubai with its dazzle, #Abu Dhabi with its serene grandeur.

Between our engagements and soulful conversations at the Inner Peace • Outer Health events, we caught glimpses of what makes the UAE so special : the melting pot of cultures, the warmth behind the glitter, and the genuine curiosity people showed in Sanjeevani’s integrative care model.

Every interaction carried a common sentiment:

“Sanjeevani should come to the UAE—people here need this.”

With that reassurance warming our hearts, we boarded the flight to Morocco.

Morocco: A Living Painting Unfolding Before Our Eyes

#Morocco doesn’t simply exist—it performs.

Vivid, warm, layered, and welcoming, it opened its arms to us from the very first moment.

#Marrakesh: Colour, Chaos & Unexpected Friendships

Marrakesh greeted us like an explosion of colour—lantern-lit souks, sensory whirlwinds of spices, and streets that feel like they’re humming with life.

Even as we balanced our work commitments, we surrendered to the city’s rhythm.

One of the most memorable days was our visit to the #Ourika Valley.

Imagine this : a gentle stream flowing over cool stones, a wooden table set right beside the water, our feet dipped in the river as fresh tagine arrived, steam curling into the mountain air.

It was picturesque, soothing, and wonderfully real.

We laughed, we relaxed and we even made new friends—connections that felt effortless in the purity of that setting.

#Agafay Desert: Gold, Silence & Pure Adrenaline

The Agafay Desert, just outside Marrakesh, took us by surprise.

Far from the typical sandy dunes, its rocky golden landscape felt raw, vast, and beautifully untouched.

Our time there was a blend of thrill and serenity:

- Quad biking across the rugged expanse

- A gentle, swaying camel ride into the sunset

- And finally, a desert dinner under a sky splashed with stars

Traditional music, warm lanterns, and the crisp desert air made it a night stitched together with wonder.

#Rabat: Tranquility, Purpose & A Global Conversation on Cancer Care

Then came Rabat, a city that feels like a long exhale.

Clean boulevards kissed by ocean breeze, quiet neighbourhoods and a calm dignity define it.

But what made Rabat truly special for us was something far deeper.

We were invited to an International Oncology Conference, where oncologists, researchers, policymakers and supportive care experts from across continents came together.

The conversations were powerful, compassionate and forward-looking.

What moved us most was the shared understanding that cancer care must go beyond treatment. The global medical community echoed what Sanjeevani lives every day:

That emotional healing, rehabilitation, and integrative support are not luxury—

they are essential to a patient’s survival and wellbeing.

To hear this affirmed by global experts was inspiring and validating.

We made A short visit to the Clinique d'Oncologie 16 Novembre in Rabat, an inspiring model of comprehensive supportive cancer care. The clinic beautifully integrates medical excellence with emotional, nutritional, and rehabilitative support, reflecting a truly patient-centric approach. It stood out as an epitome of compassionate, holistic oncology care in every sense.

Rabat became the perfect meeting point—serene in its surroundings, profound in its purpose.

Between sessions, we soaked in the city’s gentle charm, sipping mint tea, enjoying sea breeze and allowing gratitude to settle in our hearts.

A Special Evening at India House

Another heartwarming highlight of our journey was the gracious hospitality extended to us at India House in Morocco. We were deeply touched that His Excellency, the Ambassador of India to Morocco, Shri Sanjay Rana and his gracious wife, Barbara, took time out of their busy schedules to host us with such warmth and affection.

The evening felt like a slice of home away from home — filled with comforting conversations and yummy, homemade Indian savouries lovingly prepared and served by Barbara herself. Their kindness and effortless generosity added a beautiful personal touch to our travels, leaving us with memories we will cherish for a long time.

#Tangier: Where Seas Meet & Cultures Blend

Bright, breezy, and perched at the meeting point of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, Tangier felt like a poet’s city.

Here, the air itself seems to carry stories—from Spanish cafés and Moroccan medinas to waterfront strolls where Europe feels just an arm’s distance away.

We enjoyed the city’s cosmopolitan charm, its easy vibe, and the beautiful sense of movement that Tangier naturally exudes.

#Fez: Immersing Into Timeless Culture (No Work, Only Wonder)

From Tangier we took the train into the rich tapestry of Fez—ancient, intricate, deeply cultural.

This was the one city where we did no work at all.

And perhaps that’s what made it such a soulful pause.

We wandered through the world’s oldest medina, losing ourselves in alleys packed with history.

Craftsmen chiselled, hammered, wove, dyed—carrying centuries of tradition in their hands.

The food was a revelation, the architecture mesmerizing, and the energy pure and unfiltered.

Fez wasn’t a visit—it was an immersion.

#Casablanca: An Elegant Farewell

Our final stop was Casablanca, modern and stylish yet effortlessly grounded.

The breathtaking Hassan II Mosque left us in awe. Set dramatically against the Atlantic, its towering minaret, intricate mosaics, and serene interior made it one of the most spectacular structures we’ve ever seen.

And then came Rick’s Café—soft jazz, warm lights, the charm of a bygone era recreated with love. It was the perfect place to sit back, smile, and let the journey sink in. A perfect setting for the last meal before we boarded our flight for back home. 

We returned home with:

- Memories soaked in colour, warmth, and laughter

- New friendships and heartfelt conversations

- Deeper conviction in the power of integrative cancer care

- Cultural moments that left lasting impressions

- And a renewed sense of purpose

Travel reminds us of the world’s beauty—but also of the goodness in people.

This journey gave us both in abundance.

Grateful Thanks

A heartfelt thank-you to Eduscan Institute, and especially Dr. Alka Kalra and Shri Naveen Kalra and thier team for so thoughtfully organising the Inner Peace • Outer Health events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Their warmth, meticulous planning and wholehearted support made the sessions truly meaningful and deeply impactful for all present. 

Our sincere gratitude to Dr. Mounir Bachouchi and Dr. Fatma Bin Abid for organising the wonderful CO Days Conference in Rabat and for inviting Sanjeevani Life Beyond Cancer to be a part of it. Their vision, warmth, and impeccable eye to detail made the experience truly enriching and memorable.