Singapore

Inside one of several meeting rooms in the offices of Tolaram Group, I’m drawn to a glass cabinet that displays an assortment of Indomie and Kellogg’s products.

Whenever Shakthi Mogan used to burn a dhoop cone, or “sambrani” in Tamil, during his daily prayers at home, disappointment would sink in.

Hospitality is the theme of the Indian Heritage Centre’s (IHC) Indian New Year open house this year, with the Banana Leaf Meal Etiquette Workshop the highlight of the festivities.

The weathermen may be saying it is 34 deg C, but it feels like being in a red-hot oven. What’s scarier: the mercury level is expected to rise even higher.