An afternoon of mahjong & mocha with Mumbai moms

Bombay Times brought together strategy, conversation and a refreshing digital detox with M by AU Small Finance Bank presents Bombay Times Life.Styled Club Mahjong & Mocha on Mother’s Day (May 10). The afternoon unfolded as an easy mix of mindful leisure and social connection, with guests bonding over steaming cups of mocha and the growing excitement around Mahjong. As colourful tiles moved across tables and laughter filled the room, first-timers and seasoned learners immersed themselves in the game’s rhythm. What began as curiosity soon turned into animated discussions, shared victories and unexpected friendships.

Among the participants was Vinny Jain Verdia, happiness coach, who attended the event with her younger sister on Mother’s Day and found the experience both mentally stimulating and emotionally fulfilling. “This was super engrossing. It exercised my brain, and I loved the experience. I was there with my younger sister, I’m almost like a mother figure to her. Mahjong mein bohot dimaag chalana pad raha tha. This kind of brain exercise is much needed,” she said.

For Arielle Noronha, PR consultant, the afternoon became as much about meeting new people as it was about learning the game. “I played Mahjong for the first time and really enjoyed learning it. We were all strangers at the table when we started, but soon there was a real connection. It’s such a lovely way to bond with people,” she shared.
Zarna Sheth, who already had some familiarity with Mahjong, enjoyed helping newcomers understand the game. “I was still learning myself, but it was very interesting to teach someone else. There were many beginners, and it was lovely watching them get excited while learning. On Mother’s Day, I felt like I found two daughters there,” she said.

Speaking about the association, Uttam Tibrewal, Deputy CEO, AU Small Finance Bank, said, “At AU SFB, we believe meaningful relationships are built through shared experiences and communities. Our association with Bombay Times’s Mahjong & Mocha event to celebrate Mother’s Day by bringing mothers and women together for an evening of connection and shared experiences. The initiative reflected the spirit of AU’s ‘M’ circle, our women-first offering focused towards women through thoughtfully curated banking, lifestyle, wellness, and privilege-led experiences beyond transactions.”

Roopamm Lakhanpal, luxury lifestyle influencer, reflected on finally experiencing a game she had long observed during her travels. “I had seen people play Mahjong in Hong Kong before, but never understood it. This time, I finally learnt a little about the game and found it fascinating. I also loved how colourful and nature-inspired the board looked,” she said.