Showcasing a restaurant in London done by a Mumbai-based firm Utkarsh Vastukaran, helmed by designer Tushar Joshi. In the UK, given the immense popularity of Indian restaurants, it seems like not just the Indian diaspora, but even the locals have a penchant for experimenting with our spicy culinary delights!

Growing up in Gujarat, and particularly in Baroda, has contributed greatly to my personal creative journey. Elders with connections in the fields of literature and arts of course helped trigger my creative quest; but I would still give more credit to the city we were in – the cultural epicenter of the state of Gujarat. My first visit to the Fine Arts faculty of M. S. University was a life-changer. I remember being enamored by the students painting in the studios. I loved the space and light in the art gallery and the artists’ work on display. The wall art and massive wooden sculptures strewn around the campus fascinated my young mind. I met many stalwart artists (Pingale, Dhumal, Khakhar) through my father and grandfather; but back then I was too young to grasp their stature in the world of art.

The quintessential Indian ideology of ‘atithi devo bhava’- which means ‘treat a guest like God’ is embodied in the soul of almost every Gujarati home. In this Gujarat-special issue, then, the top spot of Insite Story was automatically grabbed by some gorgeous Gujarati homes in Gujarat, designed by Gujarati-led design firms! Whilst we were spoilt for choice with the astounding array we scanned, we hand-picked these five for the cover story.

Over five decades, Prof. Charanjit Singh Shah has left an indelible mark on India’s landscape, from iconic airports to cultural hubs. Dubbed as the “King of Airports in India,” Prof. Shah's accolades, including the ‘Jewel of Punjab’ and ‘Architect of the Year Award,’ reflect his transformative influence. His global projects, endorsed by Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi, position India as an architectural powerhouse.

Rajasthan International Centre designed by Jaipurbased Pramod Jain & Associates was intended as a platform for dialogue between intellectuals, artisans, professionals, public servants, entrepreneurs and people from Rajasthan, India and abroad. Creating a network for sharing their knowledge and experience, it serves as a cultural hub for fostering cross-cultural understanding, intellectual exchange, and socio- economic development.