Thikana in the Foothills

10/04/2026

20/03/2025

Thank you all my dear friends! So many lovely warm wishes - for my birthday! I celebrated my birthday, doing what I like best, travelling and telling stories about India! 🙏🏼

05/11/2024

And it’s a wrap! Travelling through Jaipur - Jodhpur- Udaipur - Mumbai- Kathmandu with such lovely people. We had a blast. Another awesome tour and unforgettable memories. Tammy ThomasPeter ShuJim Dean thank you all for being such troopers!

17/10/2024

This Tuesday, 15th October, turned out to be quite an exciting and colorful day at the Madhuban Hotel.

Meenakshi Agarwal of Jhalak Era, organised The Women Achievers Award 2024, honouring women for their contribution in environmental activities, business, culture and literature in Dehradun, along with entrepreneurs and activists.

I was privileged to get the Women of Substance, at the Achievers Award ceremony on the 15th October, held in The Madhuban Hotel, with Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat ex CM of Uttrakhand as the Chief Guest.

It was really nice to be commended for my work in the villages in and around Bishtgaon. We started in 2000 and established the Agency for Non Konventional Rural Urban Initiatives in 2097. Today they are over a 100 village women associated in Ankuri’s rural livelihood programme. The women are trained in different skills, to enhance self-employment opportunities and creating an artisan hub. The skills include knitting, embroidery, quilting, crocheting, etc. Rural Education, health care, organic farming and animal husbandry are some of the other areas that we are working in.

My work also includes managing the Tree of Life Resort, Dehradun Foothills, a Taj property and A Dog’s Story, a boutique pet friendly resort.

Some dear friends felicitated included the indomitable Bijoya Sawian, kPriti Saxena fabulous writing skills. We are waiting with bated breath for her soon to be released new book! Geetanjali Singh was commended for her work in literature. Smriti Batta, got an award for her excellent work in health and nutrition. Priti Saxena was felicitated for her brilliant poetry and Marina Marsinova for work in fitness.

28/09/2024

Friends who laugh together, stay together!

03/09/2023

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”

03/09/2023

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”–looking forward to welcoming guests at Navya Niwas, Thikana at Bharatwala!

03/09/2023

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” Looking forward to welcoming our guests at Navya Niwas at Thikana!

17/07/2023

02/07/2023

Your own perfect little room with space to relax, think, read and write. We have 4 well appointed rooms for your staying pleasure. DM for details.

02/07/2023

Welcome to Navya Niwas! Your home away from home. Come stay with us and enjoy a peaceful holiday, with home cooked meals, village walks and natural surroundings.

08/02/2023

Another day well spent with SEWA Sanghini and SEWA Thrift and Credit Society. One of the things they do is teaching the women to manage their finances and with legal counsel.