India 2022 by CorD Magazine

INTERVIEW

By Ljubica Gojgić

REBALANCE AND MULTIPOLARITY H.E. SANJIV KOHLI, AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO SERBIA

India remains committed to an international order marked by robust, rule-based multilateral institutions. It has campaigned for the reform of the UN Security Council to expand its permanent membership to include a seat for itself ~ Sanjiv Kohli

n a year when India is commemorating the 75th anniversary of its independence, this CorD Magazine interview sees Ambassador Sanjiv Kohli address current issues related to the war in Ukraine, reiterating his country’s stance that this is a time for right thinking and collaboration to deal with these challenges.

Your Excellency, this 15th August marks your country’s national holiday commemorating the 75th anniversary of Indian independence. What would you single out as having been the key junctures in that journey of liberation from colonialism to the creation of a country that’s influential and economically powerful?

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We must remember that the India that achieved its freedom at midnight between 14th and 15th August 1947 was the product of several thousand years of history and civilisation. After all, for India, democracy was not just a choice we made in 1947, but rather represented a way of life long before that. Few societies can compare with the pluralism that has been our historical characteristic. The fact that we have remained steadfast to our democratic values, despite major challenges in the last 75 years, remains the most defining characteristic of our journey as an independent country. To give your readers a sense of that, in 2019, when the

last general elections were held in India, 912 million people were eligible to vote – more than all other democracies combined. Two out of every three eligible voters actually made the effort to go to the polling stations, in contrast to the indifference seen in many other societies. Strong democratic institutions, a widely respected electoral body, rule of law, a vigorous media scene and a vibrant civil society have contributed to what India is today. India’s growth story over these 75 years has been truly impressive: from agricultural production to nuclear and space technology; from affordable healthcare to world-class educational institutions; from

MULTIPOLARITY

COOPERATION

KOSOVO

India sees itself as a stabilising power that finds benefit in multiple external engagements, hoping to build momentum for a multipolar world

There is a very significant amount of untapped potential in areas such as agricultural products and machinery, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, the ICT sector, chemicals, textiles etc.

There is no change in our principled stance on the Kosovo issue. India does not recognise the Unilateral Declaration of Independence of Kosovo

Ayurveda to biotechnology; from giant steel plants to becoming an IT power with the world’s third largest start-up ecosystem. India has become the fifth largest economy and ranks among the fastest growing major economies. We are also among the top FDI recipients. We are not just self-sufficient in agriculture, but have also become one of the major exporters of agricultural products. India is the pharmacy of the world and our contribution to fighting the pandemic through the supplying of more than 70 million doses of domestically produced Covid-19 vaccines to 93 countries - underlined our continuing commitment to meet the needs of the global community. As India rises and its capacities and capabilities grow, it will naturally contribute more to the world.

of BRICS membership. How do you see this development of events? It is quite clear that our world is moving towards greater rebalancing and multipolarity. At the same time, the world is currently experiencing turbulence which, along with the consequences of the pandemic, has made the global outlook even more uncertain and complex. No single country can manage itself and manage everyone else. It’s the time for right thinking and collaboration when it comes to dealing with these challenges.

We once again find ourselves living in times that are considered as leading to the formation of a new international order that will be characterised by multipolarity instead of being dominated by a single super power. Do you agree with that thesis; and where do you see India’s place in that new constellation of international relations? India remains committed to an international order marked by robust, rules-based multilateral institutions. India has consistently sought reforms in the global multilateral system to reflect the shifted realities of the contemporary world. It has campaigned for the reform of the UN Security Council to expand its permanent membership with a seat for itself. And it has also sought the reform of the IMF and other global bodies to make them more contemporaneous. We stand ready to work with everyone to find solutions to global challenges. We are ready to extend a hand of friendship to one and all.

been part of the solution and never part of the problem. India sees itself as a stabilising power that finds benefit in multiple external engagements, hoping to build momentum for a multipolar world. Talking specifically about the situation in Ukraine, India’s position on the Ukraine crisis is based on six principles. These include an immediate cessation of violence and an end to hostilities, a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy and the global order being anchored in international law, the UN Charter and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states. As for your specific query on whether it is possible to be on both sides, India has always been on the side of peace and, to quote our External Affairs Minister, we are “guided by our thinking, our views, our interests”.

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, many analysts have pointed to the interesting dynamic of relations beyond Europe – where, for example, Russia, Turkey and China are emerging with new ambitions, while Iran is considering the possibilities

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, which many suggest will change relations within Europe and around the world fundamentally, India has also approached the

Western narrative of mandatory choosing sides with reservations. Your country was also restrained in abstaining during the UN vote on the resolution condemning Russia for the war, while India simultaneously maintains good relations with the U.S. Is it possible to be on both sides in today’s world? A country’s external outlook is never shaped by one single event. India’s foreign policy has been shaped by our geography; strategic culture; India’s requirements and goals; global and regional challenges; and resources. At the same time, a country’s external outlook inevitably matches its internal values. Throughout our history, we have always

You arrived in Serbia late last year and stated from the outset that relations between our two countries are characterised by a high level of understanding and historical friendship. What have you set as the priorities of your term in Serbia? It has been a privilege and honour for me to be able to make my own contribution to this historic and important partnership between India and Serbia. I have tried to place a special focus on the economic and commercial part of our engagement. We are witnessing positive trends in that particular aspect of our relationship. This particular sector of our cooperation includes tourism, in addition to trade and investment. We continue to encourage the business community, chambers and trade bodies on both sides to engage more intensively with each other, while the governments will continue to play a facilitating role. Will India change its stance on the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo being unacceptable? There is no change in our principled stance on the Kosovo issue. India does not recognise the Unilateral Declaration of Independence of Kosovo.

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INTERVIEW Economic relations between India and Serbia were characterised by a trajectory of growth until the outbreak of the pandemic. How do things stand today and which areas of economic cooperation offer the greatest potential? As I mentioned above, there has been a positive growth in bilateral trade between our two countries. There is a very significant amount of

in 2019, when the last general elections were held in India, 912 million people were eligible to vote – more than all other democracies combined. Two out of every three eligible voters actually made the effort to go to the polling stations untapped potential in areas such as agricultural products and machinery, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, the ICT sector, chemicals, textiles etc. Our companies are keen to participate in projects related to infrastructure. Tourism is also a very promising area. It was suggested even during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic that Indian companies were interested in making significant investments in Serbia and launching the production of medicines that Indian companies are renowned for around the world. Does this interest still exist and, if so, has it developed into some more tangible agreements in the meantime? I have already noted some areas of interest and a number of Indian companies have visited Belgrade to explore further opportunities in the last few months. You spoke earlier this year with the Speaker of the Serbian National Assembly about the strengthening of parliamentary cooperation, and it was then that you also announced the possibility of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha visiting Belgrade. Will that visit be implemented soon?

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There has been a history of contacts between our parliaments and institutions, as well as between our individual parliamentarians. We are keen to sustain those contacts. On the fringes of last year’s summit commemorating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Non-Aligned Movement,

an agreement was signed between India and Serbia on cooperation in the fields of culture and art. Can some of the effects of this agreement be recognised already? Yes, there have been continuing follow-up contacts between implementing agencies. We hope to see tangible action in the coming months.

India's Cradle Of Military Leadership

SUCCESS

BY AIR MARSHAL TS RANDHAWA

ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS MILITARY TRAINING INSTITUTIONS IN THE WORLD, THE NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY (NDA) SHAPES BRAVEHEARTS WHO SERVE ALL THREE WINGS OF THE INDIAN ARMED FORCES - ARMY, NAVY AND AIR FORCE. HERE WE PROVIDE A DEEPER INSIGHT INTO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE ACADEMY, THE FACILITIES IT PROVIDES AND HOW IT INSTILLS DISCIPLINE, EMPATHY AND CAMARADERIE IN ITS CADETS, TURNING THEM INTO WORLD-CLASS MILITARY OFFICIALS

ne of the premier and highly-decorated military training institutes in India, the National Defence Academy (NDA) was founded on 6th October, 1949. It was among the ﬁrst training academies in the world that sought to train cadets for the Army, Navy and Air Force with specialised training for each service. The institute was also the result of an attempt to create a separate ideology

and Indianisation of the Indian Armed Forces after Independence. Hence, combined academic instructions and military training from the formative stage were considered essential. It was an important decision as at that time, neither the UK nor the US had similar training academies. Built at the base of the Sinhagad Fort in Pune that stands testimony to the courage and sacriﬁce of Tanaji (the general of Maratha ruler Shivaji’s

army) during a battle against the Mughals in 1670, the NDA embodies fearlessness and valour. Inaugurated on 15th January, 1955, it nurtures in cadets a spirit of service and sacriﬁce in the line of duty for the nation. INFRASTRUCTURE The main buildings of NDA include the administrative centre called Sudan Block and two academic blocks named after noted

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SUCCESS Indian cosmonaut and NDA alumnus Rakesh Sharma, AC (Ashok Chakra), and Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC (Param Vir Chakra, posthumous). An impressive Parade Ground named after Param Vir Chakra recipient (posthumous) Arun Khetarpal is where all cadets receive basic military drill training. The Passing Out Parade that marks the completion of a successful term is also held here. The parade’s unique showcase comprises over a thousand participating cadets who bid farewell to their senior colleagues. Other training infrastructures include two gymnasiums, three Olympic-size swimming pools, an astro turf hockey field, ranges for weapons training, synthetic tennis and basketball courts, an aerodrome, a bay for navy training and an army training complex. An important structure at NDA is the Hut Of Remembrance, a hallowed memorial ground where the academy honours its brave alumni. The names and squadrons of the alumni who have sacrificed their lives for the nation are wriUen in stone here. Learning to respect and pay homage to the martyrs is an essential part of training. The NDA campus is spread over 8,200 acres and houses a variety of flora and fauna. A number of trees were planted during the

Cadets during the Convocation Ceremony of the 134th course of NDA in 2018

The NDA is one of the ﬁnest military training academies in the world. Initially, training patterns of West Point (United States Military Academy) were followed to train NDA cadets but over the years, the patterns have changed dynamically to meet Indian challenges

A bird’s-eye view of the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla (close to Pune) in Maharashtra. The iconic reddish-pink dome of the academy’s Sudan Block (right) is in clear sight. When seen from the air, the Sudan block appears as a gigantic gun

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initial construction of the academy. To this, each newly-inducted cadet adds a plant and bears its responsibility during his three-year training period. TRAINING The NDA is one of the ﬁnest military training academies in the world. Initially, training patterns of West Point (United States Military Academy) were followed to train NDA cadets, but the patterns have changed dynamically over the years to meet Indian challenges. There is no better proof of good military training than its results in war, and the number of NDA alumni who have attained glory while leading from the front in every military campaign India has been a part of, speaks volumes of the training imparted at the academy. When cadets pass out of NDA, they not only possess the qualities of a responsible oﬃcer but also emerge as compassionate human beings as values like empathy, solidarity and kindness are imparted to them. The underlying philosophy of training at the NDA is jointness (inter-service cooperation) – living, studying and working together, understanding joint organisations, administration, capabilities and limitations of services, and tackling problems together. Cadets undergo outdoor training, engage in games and embark on adventure activities together as a group, thereby imbibing the squadron spirit. Joint training is an integral aspect of training at the academy. The objective, for a cadet, is

to imbibe and appreciate the functioning of the three services and the inter-service cooperation between them through military education and training programmes. Orientation towards this begins from the first term. The three-year course consists of combined service training for the first two years and in the last year, a part of the training consists of individual service training. Cadets, during their last semester, visit service establishments to see how they operate and get a first-hand knowledge of their future work ethos. NDA boasts a number of engaging clubs too – riding,

history and allied subjects relevant for the cadets. The NDA is connected on the National Knowledge Network (NKN) and e-learning facilities are available, which was put to good use during the Covid-19 period. FOREIGN CADETS Training at the NDA is a prestigious experience and a matter of pride, a reason why several countries across the world send their cadets to train at the academy. This training outreach extends to Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa and more. Over the years, cadets from 33 countries have trained at the NDA.

cadets assimilate areas of excellence like cross country and boxing, etc. NDA also has a regular exchange programme with foreign military academies. ENVIRONMENT To maintain the pristine environment of the academy, cadets commute on cycles that are provided on their arrival. The vehicle not only keeps the cadets fit but also furthers NDA’s ‘Carbon Neutral’ philosophy. While solar power is utilised for heating water, LED lights illuminate the academy. With tree plantations and voluntary cleaning of the nearby Khadakwasla Lake, the essence of serving the environment is imbibed by each cadet, which they put to use wherever they serve their duty as officers. The NDA is one of the few inter-service training institutions in the world that has stood the test of time and provided a continuous flow of aspirants into the three

The NDA is one of the few interservice training institutions in the world that has stood the test of time and provided a continuous ﬂow of aspirants into the three services polo, shooting, golf, painting, hiking, ﬂying, sailing, photography, cycling and more. It is compulsory for every cadet to be a part of at least one club. He can even change clubs every six months to diversify his skills. ACADEMICS Academic studies are carried out under the guidance of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. Syllabuses for BA, BSc (Chemistry and Computer Science) and BTech have been made in conjunction with JNU. BTech is mandatory for Naval and Air Force cadets as it helps them in understanding the technology they will have to work with during their service. Classrooms in the academy are equipped with the latest technologies and the labs are set up in conjunction with IIT Mumbai. Several topics taught at the NDA are drafted to include examples from a military point of view, which makes understanding of military

In fact, of the 284 cadets who graduated from the institute in 2019, 20 were from Bhutan, Tajikistan, the Maldives, Vietnam, Mauritius, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Presently, cadets from 16 countries are training at the NDA. Most foreign cadets who have trained at the NDA have gone to reach higher ranks in their services in their countries. Their induction enriches both them as well as Indian cadets. While foreign cadets learn about Indian culture and arts, Indian

services. The rapidly-changing technology levels and military concepts have necessitated an evergrowing need for inter-service cooperation and esprit de corps, which have been the bedrock of NDA training. The training imparted at the NDA has not only lived up to the vision of our founding fathers but continuously evolved to meet their stated aim of keeping the country safe and secure following the institute’s moUo of ‘Seva Paramo Dharma’ (Service Before Self).

AIR MARSHAL TS RANDHAWA Air Marshal TS Randhawa is an alumnus of the NDA. Commissioned into the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force in 1972, he was a founding member and the Leader of ‘Thunderbolts’ the IAF 9 aircraft Formation Aerobatics Team. A former Commandant of NDA, he was awarded the Param Vashisht Seva Medal and the Vayu Sena Medal for his distinguished service.

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CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

BY DR SANJEEV RASTOGI

The science Of Life APART FROM BOOSTING IMMUNITY AND REPLENISHING THE VITAL FLUIDS OF THE BODY, AYURVEDA ALSO PROMOTES AND ENSURES HOLISTIC WELLBEING. DR SANJEEV RASTOGI ELUCIDATES HOW THIS TRADITIONAL INDIAN PRACTISE HAS BECOME EXTREMELY RELEVANT IN TODAY’S TIME, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC

yurveda is considered India’s traditional system of medicine for many reasons. To begin with, it is a science of life with a holistic approach to health and medicine. Moreover, Ayurveda is known to be a complete medical system that comprises physical, psychological, philosophical, ethical and spiritual health. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always placed tremendous emphasis on the beneﬁts of Ayurveda and has provided great impetus to this traditional science of overall wellbeing. In fact, when the coronavirus pandemic struck the country, and the world at large, PM Modi advised citizens to consume hot water and kadha (an Ayurvedic drink that is made with herbs and/ or spices) frequently to boost immunity and maintain

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sound health. “To strengthen your immunity system, do adhere to the instructions issued by the AYUSH Mantralaya. Drink hot water and kadha frequently,” PM Modi said during his address to the nation on 14th April, 2020. DEFINING HEALTH We often hear the saying “health is wealth”, but we don’t always connect the two. Sound health ensures better productivity which eventually leads to an optimised individual and societal gains. Interestingly, in Ayurveda, health has been deﬁned as a positive state of mind, spirit and body. Ayurveda places greater emphasis on health than on disease. This also reﬂects in its fundamental objective, where maintaining the health is given the edge over treating the sick. Ayurveda

proposes a few simple health-keeping strategies, which are of proven value. Preventing an illness largely counts upon prevention of the factors that bring illness. This is essentially needed to be supplemented with measures to increase the inner strength. Ahara (diet), nidra (sleep) and brahamacharya (general code of healthy living) are the three core areas that together assure the best result for sustainable health. QUALITATIVE FOOD INTAKE Food itself has emerged as one greatest healthcare interventions, if used judicially. Ayurvedic classics are full of praise for quantitative, qualitative and methodological speciﬁcations of food as per the needs of an individual. The Ayurvedic science of food and

Mulethi or liquorice root is prescribed in the Ayurvedic treatments for skin ailments and such respiratory symptoms as bronchitis. Mulethi also aids in boosting immunity and digestion

ailment. This pandemic has given us a great learning in this regard. This would be hard to rewire the brain for some unconventional thinking about health keeping derived from Ayurveda, yoga and Naturopathy. Learning it early, however, will be immensely helpful to ensure overall health. PM Modi has always extolled the benefits of Ayurveda. In fact, when the Prime Minister took office in 2014, the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) was formed, giving the Indian ancient and traditional practices of well-being a major boost. And the properties of Ayurveda that have been tapped into since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the benefits reaped bear testament to the fact that although it is an ancient and traditional practice, Ayurveda,

nutrition is an edge over the conventional nutrition science by providing a dynamic scale for food intake as per the daily requirements. Rather than fixing the energy needs of an individual on the basis of calories, Ayurveda fixes the quantity as per the instant requirements and the digestive status. Similarly the qualitative food intake is assured by proposing the availability of ‘shada rasa’ or six tastes – sweet, sour, salty, pungent (spicy), biUer, astringent – in food. Kaal bhojan (taking food at a time when previously consumed food is digested) is another highly valuable contribution of Ayurveda to health promotion. This concept of Ayurveda has caught the aUention of nutritionists worldwide and is being adopted as Time Restricted Feeding (TRF) by modern nutrition science. RASAYANA, THE IDEA OF NUTRITION Rasayana, an Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy, essentially means nutrition at all levels from macro to micro- cellular level. It replenishes the vital fluids of the body, and boosts the “ojas” (vital force of life) and the immune system, thus keeping an individual away from diseases and ill effects of advanced age. Rasayana application was thoroughly explored during the current pandemic and many herbs having rasayana effect like amalaki (Indian gooseberry), aswagandha (Indian ginseng) and brahmi (water hyssop) were found to be useful in boosting physical immunity and also in mitigating the post Covid-19 complications in long Covid cases.

Plumeria is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat such ailments as skin diseases, wounds and ulcers

Unlike modern/Western medicine that oﬀers quick relief from ailments, Ayurveda takes time as it addresses the root cause of an

when incorporated into daily life, ensures overall well-being eﬀectively and eﬃciently.

DR SANJEEV RASTOGI Dr Sanjeev Rastogi, MD, Ph.D. is known for his research in the ﬁeld of Ayurveda. He has published over 100 research papers on the subject and is the chief editor of the Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine, a research journal enlisted by the UGC, India.

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TRAVEL

BY SHRABASTI ANINDITA MALLIK

Sights To Behold MONSOON PROVIDES NOT JUST RELIEF FROM THE SCORCHING HEAT, BUT ALSO BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO NATURE AND ALL HER ELEMENTS. AS INDIA WELCOMES THE FIRST SHOWERS OF THE YEAR, WE TAKE A TRIP TO SOME OF THE MOST STUNNING WATERFALLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

DUDHSAGAR FALLS, GOA One of India’s most mesmeric waterfalls is the astounding Dudhsagar Falls. Located in the Sanguem taluka of Goa, this stunning cascade of the Mandovi river plunges 1,017 ft (309.9 m) creating a magical sight. Dropping from such an incredible height, the water of the fall creates an illusion of white spray and foam almost like milk, which has earned it the name Dudhsagar (dudh or doodh in Hindi means milk).Falling in the jurisdiction of the Goa Forest Department, this waterfall is a part of the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. The roads to the falls are maintained by the forest department, who charge fees for entry and cameras. The fall can be reached either by foot or by rail. There is also an oﬀ-road track that is suitable only for oﬀ-road vehicles, but even then visitors have to trek about a kilometre to reach the base of the falls.

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round destination, it is best visited during the Narmada Mahotsava festival (around September-October). The area surrounding the fall is ideal for picnics and there are provisions for boating too. The waterfall can be accessed from both the eastern and western bank of the Narmada river.

DHUADHAR (DHUANDHAR) FALLS, MADHYA PRADESH The pride and joy of the state’s Jabalpur district, the Dhuadhar Falls is so called because the 98.4 ft (30 m) cascade creates a smoky appearance (dhuan in Hindi means smoke and dhar means ﬂow). Located in the district’s Bhedaghat town, this waterfall originates from River Narmada and its roar can be heard from a great distance. Although it is a year-

GIRA WATERFALLS, GUJARAT Situated in Gujarat’s Dang district, the Gira Waterfalls is seasonal, i.e, it comes to life

after the onset of the rains. One of the most picturesque sites of the district, this waterfall drops into the Ambica river from a height of 98.4 ft (30 m). The vicinity around the falls is ideal for picnics and there are several small shops that oﬀer delicious snacks. Located about three kilometres from the town of Waghai, it can be accessed by roads.

JOG FALLS, KARNATAKA A major aUraction of the Shimoga district of Karnataka, the Jog Falls plunges 830 feet (253 m) into a chasm, making it one of the highest waterfalls in India. Also known as Gerusoppe Falls, Gersoppa Falls and Jogada Gundi, this stunning waterfall originates from River Sharavathi and is surrounded by dense evergreen forests. Rainbows are a preUy common sight around the waterfall during monsoon.There are two viewing decks for visitors – one near the main entrance and parking area, and the other near the inspection bungalow. Thrill- seekers can also hike down 1,400 steps to the base of waterfalls and soak in the surrounding natural beauty. According to news reports in October 2020, the Jog Management Authority (JMA) is seUing up a zipline along the waterfalls, as a part of the Jog Falls Comprehensive Management Plan. The zipline is expected to be Karnataka’s longest and the country’s second-longest.

SOOCHIPARA WATERFALLS, KERALA Soochipara Waterfalls, which is also known as Sentinel Rock, is termed as a natural masterpiece of the state’s Wayanad district. This 650-ft-high (198.12 m) waterfall is surrounded by dense forests, enhancing the viewing

experience. The name of the waterfall in Malayalam means needle-like rocks, indicating the pointed-shaped rocks at the base of the fall. The cascading water has created a natural pool where visitors can take a dip or splash in its cool waters. To reach the summit of the falls, visitors have to drive across moderately diﬃcult terrains and walk a rocky pathway.

BHIM NALA (BHIMNALA) FALLS, SIKKIM Also known as Bhewma Falls, and colloquially as Amitabh Bachchan Fall (in reference to its height, which is about 900 ft or 275 m), it is one of the highest and most spectacular of its kind in Sikkim. This fall is located halfway on the road connecting Chungthang to Yumthang valley in north Sikkim and can be best viewed from a quaint wooden bridge in front of it.

CHITRAKOTE WATERFALL, CHHATTISGARH A cascade of River Indravati in the Bastar district of the state, the Chitrakote Waterfall is one of the most magical falls in India, literally. During rainy days, the water of the fall appears reddish while on moonlit summer nights it appears sparkling white. Spanning 300 m in width, it is touted as the broadest of its kind in India. It plunges 90 ft (27.3 m) and is also called the Niagara of India because of its shape, which is similar to a horseshoe just like the famous Niagara Falls of the US. The area around the falls is a popular picnic spot. Surrounded by dense forests, this waterfall aUracts nature lovers and photographers alike. Although this fall is at its roaring best during monsoon, it charms visitors all year round.

NOH SNGI THIANG (NOHSNGITHIANG) FALLS, MEGHALAYA Although the high-altitude town of Sohra (previously known as Cherrapunjee) is counted as one of the weUest places in India, it is also home to one of the most breathtaking cascades in the country – Noh Sngi Thiang. This waterfall, which drops from a height of over 983 ft (300 m), appears like a jewel draped over limestone cliffs in the evergreen forest of Khasi hills. It is segmented into seven parts, which is why it is also known as the Seven Sisters Falls. Often claimed as the third-highest of its kind in India, this waterfall is a haven for photographers who spend hours capturing the myriad hues the sunlight creates on the cascade. Sunset at the waterfall is often termed as a spectacular sight. It is, however, during the monsoon that the waterfall is most gorgeous with all its curtains filled out. The best vantage points of the waterfall are the nearby Mawsmai village and the Sohra Eco Park located close by. The park, along with views of the fall, also offers beautiful vistas of Sohra’s verdant canyons and lush slopes.

TALAKONA FALLS, ANDHRA PRADESH Dropping from a height of 270 ft (82.2 m), the Talakona Falls is the tallest of its kind in the state. It derives its name from the Telugu words ‘tala’ meaning head and ‘kona’ meaning hill. The waterfall originates from the Seshachalam Hills and is a much-frequented site for photography and family picnics. Set

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INTERVIEW

Hogenakkal Falls, Tamil Nadu-Karnataka

in a fairytale-like surrounding within the Sri Venkateswara National Park in ChiUoor, this waterfall can be reached via a well- maintained pathway that is lined with greenery. Locals believe that the water of this fall has healing properties. There is a checkpoint a few kilometres before the waterfall, where entry fees are collected.

HOGENAKKAL FALLS, TAMIL NADU-KARNATAKA A treat for the eyes, the Hogenakkal Falls is a breathtaking amalgamation of rocks, water, mist and natural beauty. It is located on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border and originates from the Kaveri (Cauvery) river. The name of this waterfall in Kannada means ‘smoky

rocks’ as the force with which the water hits the base creates a misty sight resembling smoke emanating from the rocks. Although this waterfall mesmerises visitors throughout the year, it is the most picturesque post monsoon. Adventurous rides on country made dinghies called parisal or coracle is a must-have experience here.

SHRABASTI ANINDITA MALLIK A graduate of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Shrabasti Anindita Mallik has worked with MyCityLinks, a Bhubaneshwar-based tabloid, and New Delhi-based The Pioneer newspaper. She actively writes on travel, Indian culture and traditions, music and any subject that intrigues her.

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