Exotica Magazine November 2020

Editor-in-Chief CHANDAN MITRA

FROM THE EDITOR

EDITORIAL BOARD Chief Executive Officer Shobori Ganguli Chief Operating Officer Abhishek Saxena 09818600128 EDITORIAL Editor-in-Charge Rinku Ghosh Consulting Editor Saimi Sattar Chief Designers Anand Singh Rawat & Satish Jakhmola Production Manager Syed Nawab Raza Staff Photographer Pankaj Kumar SALES & MARKETING Vice President Jetender Rawat 9810404096 General Managers Kumar Gurudutta Jha & Sweety Verma Senior Managers Madhukar Saxena & Divyesh Kothari Managers Bharat Singh Sajwan, Prabhakar Pathak & Barun Choudhary MUMBAI OFFICE General Manager Devendra Adhikari KOLKATA OFFICE Vice President Suzanna Roy HYDERABAD OFFICE V Sunil Kumar General Manager (Circulation) Rajeev Gautam Printed and published by Chandan Mitra for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd, printed at JK Offset Graphics (P) Ltd, B-278, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-1, New Delhi-110020 and published at No. 6, Behind Gulab Bhawan, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110002.

Editor: Chandan Mitra. Entire Contents Copyright (C) 2006 CMYK Printech Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation in any language in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Requests for permission should be directed to CMYK Printech Ltd. Opinions carried in Exotica are the writers’ and not necessarily endorsed by CMYK Printech Ltd. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited material or for material lost or damaged in transit. All correspondence should be addressed to CMYK Printech Ltd; F-31, Sector-6, NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh-201301 Phone: 0120-4879800 & 4879900 Email: exoticapioneer2016@gmail.com

Celebrate new journeys A

nniversaries always come with a spirit of cherishing the old and looking forward to something new. And as we celebrate our 14th, we have been through a year that has been tumultuous, unprecedented and, yet, put us on a learning curve that was steep and accelerated our understanding of what we needed to do to set things right again. It certainly heralds a time when we can treasure the old, in each aspect of our lives, while venturing “boldly where no (wo)man has gone before”. This year has admonished and told us that we cannot continue with the old way of being and need to respect harmonious co-existence. This is reflected in the write-ups that we have on offer for the anniversary issue this time around.

While there is continuity in the variety that Exotica has to offer, this is a roadmap of a life we can rebuild gloriously.

We decided to invite 14 (given that we have completed as many years and one more person for the coming year) people, leaders in their own right, to talk about what they believe are the path-breaking movements in their particular industry. Belonging to diverse trades, including tourism, fashion, hospitality, food, wellness and spirituality, they bring forth years of practice that are unmatched.

Leading the pack is Elliot L Ferguson II, president and CEO, Destination DC, who elaborates on the way Washington is opening up post-pandemic.

On the other hand, our home-grown travel experts — P Bala Kiran, Director, Kerala Tourism, Sonia Meena, Additional Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism and Razvee Hussain, ACS Secretary, Tourism, Government of Assam — talk about how each of their States is keeping the tourists safe while not compromising on the thrill of travel as they take the first step towards what is now the new normal. Mandip Singh Soin, Founding President, Responsible Tourism Society of India, places the ball firmly in the court of the traveller, when he points out that the responsibility of ensuring that the journey is sustainable for the planet rests firmly with him/her and not just the Government and the hospitality industry. Monaco and Gujarat showcase their rich history and culture which are timeless.

Then there is Anil Chadha, COO, ITC, discussing how the hospitality industry, one of the worst affected sectors, has used this opportunity to turn things around and engage and reconnect with guests in a fresh avatar — something that was unfathomable earlier. That certainly is reason enough to celebrate. Zorawar Kalra, Founder & Managing Director, Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd, similarly, delves into the best practices that

4 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

restaurateurs have incorporated to take into account the safety of patrons while looking at the larger picture of sustainability and well-being. Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, on the other hand, sifts through our traditional ingredients and lists 14 immunity boosters.

While we travel and eat, there is the niggling issue of making sure that we do it stylishly. This is taken care of by fashion designer Nida Mahmood who, in a piece that is as detailed as her outfits, elaborates on how this year we should ditch everything else and celebrate sustainability as a mantra for elegance. As a great outfit is incomplete without a chic pair of shoes, we have Alisha Malik, VP, e-commerce and marketing, Metro Shoes, on board, who gives us a lowdown on which footwear goes with what kind of ensemble and the absolute must-haves for your wardrobe.

If there is something that has helped us make through these tough times, it is arts and culture. The doyen of cultural outings in India, Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts, talks about the online and offline modes of engagement that are tied together by the threads of commonality which are invisible yet tensile. Uma Nair, curator and art critic, records 14 masters who will make it to any list of connoisseurs.

All of us need to keep safe and healthy in this time so Bharat Thakur, Yoga Guru and founder of Artistic Yoga, tells us why this ancient science holds relevance especially in these contemporary times. And Sri Sri Ravishankar, spiritual guru, explains why celebration is, and should always be an integral part of life. Kushan Mitra, our auto expert, talks about the brilliantly crafted Lexus LS 500h, which could be a luxurious indulgence, but wonders whether is it worth the price, even if you have the big bucks? While NAFED has shown that extending a helping hand in the hour of need can go a long way in alleviating sufferings.

That is the mix we have on offer. Just the way our bouquet for the month draws to a close, so does the year, which this time around has been a blink and miss. November, which was often looked forward to for its festivities and weddings, has taken on a form which is tentative and courageous in equal measure. So dear readers, go forth and chart out new paths bravely. This just might be the most fulfilling journey that you have undertaken till date. Here’s to beginning again. Ciao, till next time

6 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

Location: Principality of Monaco Courtesy: © MONTE-CARLO Société des Bains de Mer

ONTENTS

An anniversary is a reason to celebrate and do things a little differently.

Here are 14+one writers who are united by a common thought — the way forward can be charted by placing our planet at the heart of all decisions.

Read on to get the larger perspective

T

R

A

V

E

L

ELLIOT L FERGUSON II: Washington / 10 A seat of political domination, Washington, DC is taking the lead as a soft power by curating new experientials for the visitor

P BALA KIRAN: Kerala / 14 As Kerala opens its doors, in a phased manner and with adequate protection measures, there are new paths to tread

RAZVEE HUSSAIN: Assam / 16 One of the Seven Sister states, Assam, is focussing on catering to locals and staycation lovers

MANDIP SINGH SOIN: India / 20 The new-age traveller would have to incorporate responsible and sustainable practices and activities

SONIA MEENA: Madhya Pradesh / 24 With a variety of experiences, Madhya Pradesh offers a smorgasbord, which remains much sought-after

ANIL CHADHA / 34 The transformation of hotel brands to ensure a sustainable future is reason enough to believe that a more eco-friendly way of luxury is possible

ZORAWAR KALRA / 38 Restaurants are the last bastions for social engagement and will continue to thrive even in the new normal but with proper precautions and hygiene

SANJEEV KAPOOR / 41 Celebrating traditional food is a good way of rediscovering the gems from the past. We list14 ingredients that can improve your immunity

H O S P I T A L I T Y & F O O D

SANJOY K ROY / 44 The world might have transformed for good but what remains is our inherent need to find cultural connections

A R T & C U LT U R E

NIDA MAHMOOD / 54 Break away from the past and embrace sustainability as an integral part of your life

SRI SRI RAVISHANKAR / 50 Use every single opportunity every day to make sure that you revel in your blessings

HEALTH&SPIRITUALITY

UMA NAIR / 47 The artworks of these 14 Indian masters are on every list crafted by connoisseurs TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES 64 INCLUDING COVER

BHARAT THAKUR / 52 It might be ancient but the learning this vital science holds out is relevant for contemporary times. Celebrate its power to boost your immunity Follow us on:

@TheDailyPioneer

BEAUTY&STYLE

ALISHA MALIK / 57 Shoes for every mood KUSHAN MITRA / 60 The brilliance of Lexus LS 500h

facebook.com/dailypioneer

instagram.com/dailypioneer

OUR PARTNER HOTELS Send us your feedback at exoticapioneer2016@gmail.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/Exotica-394686670715776

TRAVEL

ELLIOTLfergusonII

President and CEO, Destination DC

A seat of political domination, Washington, DC is taking the lead as a soft power by curating new experientials for the visitor

CAPITAL DRIVE

A

bubble is not just about sanitised, clinical spaces. As Washington, DC continues to re-open cautiously, it shows you how a bouquet of outdoor experiences can be just as enriching for a holiday. Simply walk around the urban forests awash with the warm glow of autumn colours, walk into the newly reopened city museums, lounge around in hotels or other outdoor spaces that the city has to offer.

Mayor Muriel E. Bowser has made masks mandatory and capped gatherings at 50 people.

10 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

Entities throughout the city have implemented safety mechanisms, social distancing and enhanced sanitation efforts. We recently launched our “Stay Local DC� campaign to attract locals and potential visitors, who are within driving distance of the city with hotel deals and award-winning dining experiences as well as free museum visits and other attractions.

Among the re-opened sites, there are seven Smithsonian entities, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture

and the National Zoo, that have put new safety measures in place. The National Zoo is limiting the number of guests in the park to 5,000 people per day, with free-timed entry passes and compulsory face coverings for guests aged six and above. While some exhibits are closed to visitors for safety, the Zoo is a great place for families to savour the outdoors at one of our city’s most popular free attractions. Giant panda Mei Xiang recently welcomed a baby male panda. At 22 years, she is the oldest giant panda in the US and the second oldest documented in the world to give birth. After being closed for six months, the Washington Monument is now open with free-timed passes available online for visits the following day.

COVID-19 has inspired Washington, DC restaurants to find innovative ways to serve guests

such as the “streateries” throughout our neighbourhoods where restaurants have added outdoor seating. We’ve also seen a number of pop-up restaurants, serving everything from burgers and seafood to Michelin-starred cuisine.

More openings in the city are providing positive momentum and people are encouraged to safely rediscover Washington, DC as we work towards recovery. Here are some additional new memorials, museums and attractions: DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER MEMORIAL (OPENED SEPTEMBER 18): Honouring the 34th President of the US, the memorial, designed by architect Frank Gehry, spans a four-acre park on the National Mall and features a one-of-a-kind stainless-steel tapestry and heroic-sized bronze sculptures.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MEMORIAL LIBRARY (PHASED OPENING BEGAN SEPTEMBER 24): DC’s central library completed a $211 million renovation. The stunning downtown building includes a rooftop event space with private catering kitchen, large auditorium and conference centre, recording studio, power tool library and digital fabrication lab, as well as a ground-level café with a patio that will be open for grab and go options. The library also boasts a children’s area complete with a one-story slide.

PLANET WORD (OPENED OCTOBER 22): Housed in Washington, DC’s historic Franklin School, the revolutionary Planet Word is dedicated to the power, beauty and fun of language and how words shape the human experience. It is the world’s first voice-activated museum, featuring immersive galleries and exhibits to engage visitors of all ages. General admission will be free.

NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS MEMORIAL (OPENS NOVEMBER 11): Located on the grounds of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, the memorial that honours American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian veterans is scheduled to open on Veterans Day. This fall marks the opening of several hotels around the city, including the AC Hotel Washington DC Convention Centre, YOTEL Washington DC, Hotel Zena, citizenM and The Ven at Embassy Row. The continued development in the vibrant neighbourhoods and innovative hotel themes contribute to Washington, DC being recently recognised as the #2 best city in the US by Condé Nast Traveller 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards. A seat of political domination, it is taking the lead as a soft power by curating new experientials as well.

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 12

TRAVEL

safe KEEPING

Pbalakiran

Director, Kerala Tourism

S

kimming the calm waters of the Vembanad Lake with the rejuvenating sun streaming in through the straw roof of the houseboat, is a wishful escape from a world gone topsy-turvy. Or parasailing along the beach, where the surf and sand seem to curl around your bird’s eye view, beckoning you to touch down is assurance enough that all is good with Mother Nature. So God’s own country is ready to bless the traveller.

The Kerala government has started opening its tourist destinations in a phased manner from October 12. In the first phase, all the destinations which have controlled access, such as the houseboat sector, backwater tourism and adventure tourism circuits, have opened with strict “Break the Chain” (Social distancing-Mask-Sanitiser/Soap) norms. Further, all the hill stations and other tourism destinations, where the crowd is less, are re-opening in conformity with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

In the second phase, those destinations which have no controlled access, like beaches, are opening from November 1 with tourists required to observe strict SOPs. This has come as a great relief to the tourism sector as it was completely shut during the last seven months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The unprecedented crisis was affecting more than 15 lakh people whose livelihoods are dependent on the tourism sector.

A total of 114 tourism destinations in the first phase and 46 destinations in the second phase are being opened in Kerala. Destinations like the Kovalam, Shankhumukham and Varkala beaches, which have no controlled access, will be opened in the second phase. But in places of adventure tourism or in houseboats, which have opened in the first phase, people can enter only after prior booking. Hence, there is more controlled access for such places. For example, only 50 people can be in Veli tourist

14 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

God’ s OWN COUNTRY IN

As Kerala opens its doors, in a phased manner and with adequate protection measures, there are new paths to tread

village at any point of time but at beaches like Kollam or Thiruvananthapuram, such numbers can’t be imposed.

The safety of the incoming tourists is of paramount importance to the State, which has its own SOPs in addition to those laid out by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. We are also in the process of finalising guidelines for hotels, resorts and other allied facilities like Ayurveda centres, homestays, service villas and adventure tourism activities. Everywhere we will ensure complete observance of mandatory health and safety parameters like temperature-checking, use of masks, frequent sanitisation, social distancing of two metres between every individual, disinfecting at regular intervals and contact-less screening. Also, online booking and health declaration forms from the incoming tourists have been made mandatory. These measures are intended to instil confidence among tourists.

We are putting in place separate guidelines for domestic tourists because a lot of requests are being made by those who live outside Kerala.

Should they quarantine before they move to their chosen site or not? For locals travelling within the state, there are no quarantine norms. Domestic tourists on short trips (less than seven days) are also exempted from quarantine. However, those who are coming for a longer stay (more than seven days) have to provide a COVID-negative

certificate, which is taken within 48 hours of travel. If it is found negative, they need not quarantine. Prior to the travel, they can go for the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test or Rapid Antigen Test and get a COVIDnegative certificate.

Those visitors who don’t have the certificate can get tested within Kerala. If they are found negative, they can continue with their travel plans.

But if they are not, they have to be in quarantine for seven days after which they will be tested again and further health instructions will be followed. If they’re found symptomatic after the test, they should immediately contact DISHA Helpline 1056 and take necessary steps. These protocols will encourage tourists to visit Kerala while being assured of their safety.

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 15

TRAVEL

retreat

RAZVEEhussain ACS, Secretary Tourism, Government of Assam

A seeker’s

One of the Seven Sister states, Assam is focussing on catering to locals and staycation lovers

A

ssam is one of Nature’s favoured creations. The abundant rainfall during the monsoon has ensured lush forests and swollen rivers. The State is an ideal haven for all kinds of travellers — the nature lover, the adventure junkie, the birder and angling enthusiast.

Additionally there are several options for religious tourism like the Kamakhya Temple, Bashista temples and the Navagraha Temple. But what it attracts in large numbers are wildlifers at Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaziranga National Park, Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary,

16 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

Bura-Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary and more. Then there is Majuli, a river island with a folk culture manifested through masks, pottery, handloom, monasteries and hermitages called satras. One can go golfing in Digboi, parasailing in Guwahati and rock climbing at the Elephant Rock Hill.

However, all of these activities came to a grinding halt during the pandemic. But as we emerge gradually from the lockdown, the Tourism Department, Government of Assam, has introduced several initiatives to protect the industry which was adversely affected. o Earlier, the senior citizens were sent to different

Quiet flows the Brahmaputra. (Inset): Go golfing at Dibgoi

religious destinations across the country, including to the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple and Dargah Salim Chishti at Ajmer at the expense of the State. But given the current situation, local pilgrim tourism destinations are being promoted under the “Punyadham Scheme.” This has a “multiplier effect” as it re-invigorates the economy of the State. o Assam is also promoting FIT (Fully Independent Travellers) in place of GIT (Group Inclusive Tour), on the 10 tourist circuits within the State. This has been designed in a manner so as to include weekend gateways/staycations. o There are many areas which are tough to access.

In order to make the younger generation aware of the of rich heritage and culture, inter-district/ intra-regional educational excursions for schools and colleges are being promoted. o The ethnic food of Assam is light, wholesome and healthy. The State government, in collaboration with the Institute of Hotel Management. Guwahati, is listing and endorsing its health benefits. o With the pandemic having exposed how vulnerable the human race is, there is an emphasis on promoting slow, responsible and sustainable tourism which focusses on local populations,

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 17

longer length of stay and more fulfilling tourist experiences. Tourists can prioritise travel quality over quantity as opposed to mass over-tourism. o The smaller players in the tourism sector have been the worst-hit by the shutdown of the travel industry. So an exhaustive budget was prepared to provide financial support to the tourism stakeholders as per the recommendation of the advisory committee set up by the Government.

The first of this was the Sanjeevani Scheme by which the stakeholders can avail an interest subsidy working capital term loan where the Tourism Department will bear 100 per cent of the

18 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

loan interest, subject to a maximum of nine per cent interest rate for the first year against the loan availed by the stakeholders. The tenure of the loan will be maximum five years, including the moratorium period of maximum one year. The minimum loan amount is `1 lakh and the maximum is `20 lakh.

The Assam Bikash Yojana has formulated an innovative proposal for introducing the Parayatan Sarathi device, which is pre-loaded with all information about Assam Tourism, facilities to booking of air/rail/bus tickets, tour packages, hotel, sight-seeing and more along with online payment

gateway for tourism business. The Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd is the nodal agency. o SAATHI, an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism, aims to assist the hospitality industry in its preparedness to continue operations safely and mitigate risks arising out of the COVID pandemic.

The Ministry of Tourism has partnered with the Quality Council of India for this initiative which entails the following: Self-Certification: A self-certification will be generated at the end. A total of 138 unclassified units and one classified unit have registered under this initiative.

The riverine island of Majuli is a delightful mix of religion, culture and nature. (Inset): Take in the view of the tea estates and wilderness-lovers can head to Kaziranga National Park

Webinar: After undertaking self-certification, the key elements of SAATHI will be explained through webinars. A certificate of participation will be issued.

Site-Assessment (optional): After self-certification, units may go for a site/remote assessment, which will assess on-ground preparedness and advise opportunities for improvement. A certificate of assessment will be issued.

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 19

TRAVEL

MANDIPsinghsoin

Founder & Managing Director, Ibex Expeditions; Founding President, Responsible Tourism Society of India & Board member of the Adventure Travel Conservation

B

The new-age traveller would have to incorporate responsible and sustainable practices and activities in the itinerary to save the planet

CONNECT THE MISSING LINK

etween species loss at an alarming rate, shrinking forests and the attendant climate change bringing in natural disasters, can tourism heal the planet? The answer is a resounding “Yes.� The industry has incredible power to take action that can restrict animal poaching, reverse the shrinkage of forests and help communities out of their poverty.

20 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

Although there are many examples, in India and the world, where such actions have directly benefited conservation, the challenge is to scale them up and, possibly after the pandemic, this might happen as people have a greater and deeper understanding of the need to nurture our planet.

Although, traditionally, in India we have focused on government tourism policy being eco-

sensitive and the travel industry complying with sustainable actions, we tend to forget or shut our eye to the customer/consumer of travel. This was due to the usual belief that the “customer is king”.

The traveller’s huge positive or negative impact is illustrated by the Responsible Traveller Guidelines that were unveiled on World Tourism Day on September 27 by the Responsible Tourism Society of India (earlier known as the Ecotourism Society of India established by senior and committed industry professionals, government officials, environmentalists and a parliamentarian in 2008) and supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Responsible Tourism is about “making better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit,” said Harold Goodwin. It requires that operators, hoteliers, governments, local people and tourists take responsibility and act to make tourism more sustainable.

Travellers need to be caretakers of this planet and a lighter footprint is the way forward. To reduce the impact of global warming and combat

climate change, each one can change their lifestyle and way of travelling. These collective actions are a step forward towards a “green lifestyle.”

While planning your holiday, prefer a responsible travel company. The details of such companies can be found on the RTSOI website.

Check for certifications and their safety pledges.

Use “green” transportation that is fuel-efficient, safe, reliable and feasible. Prioritise cycling, hiking and walking where possible.

Similarly, choose hotels with responsible practices. Prefer one that has a positive impact on the community and destination. Ask them how they dispose off their greywater and if they compost. Inquire about bathroom fixtures and toiletries, in-room recycling bins and the origin of the restaurant food. Ideally, food ingredients should be purchased within 150 km of the hotel location. Accreditation by programmes such as STCI by the RTSOI, the LEED certification or others is desirable. Ideally, a “green” hotel should support the three pillars of sustainable tourism: environmental, social and economic.

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 21

In ecologically fragile and protected area destinations, look out for eco-lodges that support conservation efforts.

Be responsible even before you venture out.

Turn off light switches and unplug all electricals other than the fridge, freezer and any other appliances that need to stay on at home.

Unsubscribe newspapers and download your e-ticket instead of taking paper printouts.

If travel time and physical issues aren’t major concerns, select a mode of transport that offsets carbon footprint. One can use an Adventure Travel Trade Association or United Nations carbon calculator to do so.

On a road journey, try and share a vehicle.

Packing efficiently reduces carbon emissions from airplanes. A lighter aircraft burns lesser fuel.

At the destination, bring refillable toiletries instead of using the mini-amenities provided by

22 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

hotels as these are generally non-biodegradable.

Cut down on waste by using insulated stainlesssteel tumblers. To avoid single-use plastic, refill your flasks during your journey. When not in the room, switch off the lights. At hotels/guesthouses, towels and bed linen should not be put into the wash on a daily basis. Decline non-reusable straws, and cutlery made of one-time plastic.

While travelling by road, don’t litter. Carry your waste back where it can be segregated and disposed off responsibly.

Support local entrepreneur and try local dishes to appreciate the local culture and encourage the local economy. Purchase handicrafts, souvenirs directly from the local community or non-profit cooperatives and encourage people to retain their local culture. Carry a reusable bag for purchases.

Don’t buy products made from protected and endangered plants or animals.

Reduce environmental impact by being a guardian of natural resources. Respect wildlife and its natural habitat. In protected areas, access only the places open to visitors and avoid disturbing fragile environment and locations such as coral reefs and archaeological finds. Wear a sunscreen that doesn’t harm the marine ecosystem in water.

Use established tracks for nature walks while visiting a national park. Wear earthy colours, don’t

converse in a loud voice and try to enjoy the ecosystem rather than looking for specific species.

Prioritise animal welfare by being ethical and choosing tours and attractions that don’t cause suffering or abuse to animals. Don’t visit attractions that capture animals. Don’t touch, disturb, or feed any animal as this could harm it and impact its ability to survive in the wild.

Learn local customs, norms, and traditions. Be tolerant and respect diversity, treat local communities and their culture with respect. One should be mindful that gestures can have different meanings in different cultures. Support certified NGOs working on the education, health, conservation of local community.

“Over-tourism” hurts the destinations and doesn’t add to the local economy. Economic and social benefits from tourism are significant when less frequently-visited destinations attract visitors.

It helps in the sustainable growth of the region, supports the local economy, inculcates a sense of pride among the local community and thus incentivises them to stay on and not migrate.

During an adventure holiday, observe the principles of “pack in, pack out” for the management of waste in remote regions and protected areas.

While camping, maintain a minimum distance

of 100 ft from freshwater sources. To avoid pollution of the water source, opt for biodegradable washing agents. Carry back all non-biodegradable garbage for proper disposal.

Cover all the toilet holes with dry mud. Open fires should be discouraged to prevent forest degradation and reduce carbon emissions. Carry solar lanterns and heaters.

Get the next generation involved. If children see you being responsible towards the environment, they will travel responsibly, conserve the environment and respect local cultures.

We need to leave a planet worth living for.

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 23

TRAVEL

SONIAmeena Additional Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism

With a variety of experiences, Madhya Pradesh offers a smorgasbord, which remains much sought-after, especially in the new normal

M

adhya Pradesh — the Heart of Incredible India — is just what Mother Nature recommended. It is endowed with diverse offerings in the wildlife, heritage, pilgrimage and leisure segments of tourism. Approximately 32 per cent forest cover, beautiful land and waterscapes, three world heritage sites from different eras, two of the 12 Jyotirlingas, make it a truly mystical and magical destination.

The vision statement of Madhya Pradesh Tourism has been, “To promote such balanced and sustainable tourism, which enables socio-economic development, generates employment opportunities and establishes Madhya Pradesh as a destination that provides complete tourism experience.” To this end, promoting environmentally sustainable

HEART OF

24 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

tourism activities and encouraging community participation at the tourist destinations has been our endeavour, which has put us in good stead during the post-Covid era. The lodges and resorts, both the government and private ones, spread across various destinations, are boutique in nature and not just functional. In most instances, these merge with the surrounding ambience of green vistas, rich flora, fauna and overlook vast water bodies that make for an ideal vacation in today’s times.

Even during the lockdown, Madhya Pradesh Tourism has been continuously promoting tourist destinations in the State on domestic and international platforms by actively participating in virtual meetings, webinars and through social and digital media.

(Above to below): History buffs can visit Jahaz Mahal at Mandu; the Sanchi Stupa and the Khajuraho Temples

INDIA OPENS UP In order to re-instill a sense of trust and confidence and reassure the traveller, social distancing norms and SOPs regarding safety and hygiene issued by the Ministry of Tourism are being followed at restaurants, accommodation units, monuments and national parks in the State. Hotel staff have been trained to handle the guests with minimal contact and to provide all medical assistance in case of any health emergency.

There is great potential in domestic tourism; we are promoting the destinations as per seasonality. The focus is more on the destinations that fit into the frame of experiential activities and forests. The objective of “Aas-Paas Tourism� is to attract tourists from the big cities within the state and from adjoining cities in neighbouring states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh within a motorable distance of 200-300 km.

Domestic tourism will take a lead post-COVID and hence, special packages have been curated for tourists. These include

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 25

WHAT’S ON OFFER Few of the experiences that Madhya Pradesh offers to the tourists are: o Wildlife safaris o Food experience at Sarafa Bazaar, Indore o Camping experiences all over the State o Rafting on Betwa river at Orchha o Heritage and food tours in different cities o Canoeing at Satpura National Park o Bird watching, especially in Satpura National Park o Boat safari at Chambal Ghariyal Sanctuary o Barefoot walk on Banas River at Parsili o Water sports at Upper Lake, Bhopal, Bargi Dam and Hanuwantiya Island o Explore cycling in Satpura Ranges

weekend and intra-State breaks, special short road tour itineraries covering major travel circuits of Madhya Pradesh, which have been prepared and circulated among various travel agents, tour operators, corporate offices, and displayed on social media handles and website. The focus is on both the lesser known as well as the popular destinations within the State. o #MPMonsoonMagic, a social media campaign was launched with an objective to promote the monsoon destinations of the State, which was also amplified through radio jingles and on social media platforms. o #BufferMeSafar Campaign was launched to promote the buffer areas of tiger reserves to potential wildlife enthusiasts as the beauty of the jungle is at its peak during the monsoon and no wilderness lover would like to miss this opportunity. o #IntezaarAapka, a digital social media campaign, through a series of posts, covered various destinations of Madhya Pradesh, such as Bandhavgarh, Gwalior Khajuraho, Mandu, Pachmarhi and many more. o #IntezarKhatamHua is a traveller-centric campaign with two influencers on a road journey in a caravan. o We are also focussing on promotion of homestays and farmstays as a safe and culturally rich option for the guests to experience our rich rural culture, food and traditions.

26 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

(Clockwise from above): Badhai dance; Bundeli painting and Bagh printing enrich the artistic and cultural landscape of the State

Meeting a

national NAFED

challenge

The organisation has augmented its operations, during the pandemic and subsequent lockdown, to elevate the lot of farmers and create a modern agricultural set-up

T

he Father of the Nation placed farmers at the centre of the nation emphasising that agriculture was essential to our national progress. National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd., popularly known as NAFED was founded on October 2, 1958 to fulfill this vision of Mahatma Gandhi.

Starting from a small space in the initial years, the office shifted addresses before finding a permanent home in the nine-storey corporate office at Ashram Chowk, New Delhi. It has 19 branches and eight sub-offices besides warehouses, pre cooling/old storage units, tea grading and blending units, seed and bio fertiliser production units and more.

NAFED hit a trough and at one point it seemed as if the Ashram building too would have to be auctioned off to pay bank loans. However, under the dynamic leadership of Sanjeev Kumar Chadha, who joined as Managing Director on June 2016, the entire team of NAFED was inspired to come together as a cohesive whole and worked hard which enabled the organisation to pull through. Since then, it has been going from strength to strength. It became a profitable organisation and posted a turnover of `16,281 crore and a remarkable profit of `272.85 crore (gross) in 2019-2020. The major chunk of the business was that of PSS/PSF operations amounting to `14,375.98 crore. The outright business was to the tune of `1,905 crore. The Federation also undertook international trade valuing `12.97 crore.

Besides being one of the central nodal agencies of GOI for procurement of oilseeds, pulses, ball/milling copra and dehusked coconut at the MSP under PSS, it is also the pulse arm of the nation. While

NAFED e Kisan Mandi, , Gultekadi, Pune and a retail counter farmers get good prices for their produce, the consumers are safeguarded from the vagaries of price spikes. It also supplies pulses to States/UTs and institutions like Army and Central Para Military Forces. In addition, NAFED manages the buffer of onion.

FIFA TO PROMOTE FARMERS’ INTERESTS: NAFED has taken over the Federation of Indian FPOs and Aggregators (FIFA) to support farmers by providing them market linkages and post-harvest infrastructure.

FIFA, a 100 per cent subsidiary of NAFED in partnership with MAHAFPC inaugurated the first NAFED e-Kisan Mandi at Gultekadi, Pune in September. The venture is expected to benefit 1.50 lakh farmers of 300 FPOs in Maharashtra. Presently 30 FPOs in Pune district are part of the effort. This is the first e-Mandi launched after new Agricultural Ordinances by the Government. “Two more are coming up in Mumbai and FIFA aims to provide agri inputs to the farmers

Nashik,” says Chadha. The initiative would later encompass Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, Gujarat and Jharkhand.

The NAFED e-kisan mandies (NeKM) will be equipped with infrastructure like electronic auction, product display, retail counter, drying, cleaning, grading, packaging, warehousing and cold storage facilities. “NAFED would invest in setting up warehouses and cold storage at the ekisan hubs in addition to providing drying, sorting and grading facilities. This means that farmers no longer have to sell in distress. If a farmer’s produce has moisture in excess of what is stipulated or has a lot of foreign matter, earlier the buyer would have offered him a lower price.

Now, the mandies will have the facility to dry the produce or remove the foreign particles in a matter of minutes at no extra cost,” says Chadha. The mandies will bring farmers, agri-producers, traders and small buyers on a common platform for trading agricultural commodities. All of them would have to registered on the (NeKM) to conduct business. These mandies would complement the physical markets.

FIFA is also assisting its member organisations in setting up of farm-mechanisation centres. At present, 18 Custom Hiring Service Centres (CHSCs) are functional in Rajasthan and Karnataka. These are operated by its member FPOs. Small farmers can borrow agricultural implements from these CHSCs at affordable rates. FIFA is involved in wholesale trade of fruits and vegetables as well as pulses, cereals and spices.

JOINT VENTURE: NAFED has entered into a joint venture with Maha Farmers Producer Co. Ltd. (MahaFPC), the apex body of farmer producer companies in Maharashtra. Under this venture called MahaOnion, India's first state-of-the-art onion storage and marketing infrastructure was launched through the public-private-partnership (PPP) model for the benefit of the member farmers.

Of the 25 locations proposed in the first phase, six sites are operational and seven are in the final stage of construction. This PPP model will help the FPCs to meet

The Federation stepped up during the pandemic by making record procurement of Rabi crops and following the norms during distribution of pulses under PMGKAY their much-needed requirement for modern post-harvest infrastructure for onion storage and market linkages.

ENHANCING INCOMES: Doubling the income of farmers has been the aim of the government. A National Policy for Promotion of Farmer Producer Organisations has been framed as these FPOs have been identified to be an appropriate body to mobilise farmers to collectively leverage their production and marketing strength. NAFED has been supporting the Cooperative Societies (CS), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs).

SUPPLY OF VACCINATION: Another means of augmenting the farmers’ income is by rearing cattle.

NAFED is the implementing agency for the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) aimed at vaccination of livestock launched by the Prime Minster in October 2019. The project, valued at `12,652 crore against 100 per cent funding from the Central Government for a period of five years aims at vaccinating over 500 million livestock across the country against the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and 36 million female bovine calves against the Brucellosis disease. NAFED is implementing this project pan India and during the year 15.57 crore doses of vaccines 1.13 crore ear tags and 5,655 applicators were supplied to various states and UTs. APPLE PURCHASE IN KASHMIR: NAFED stepped in to purchase apples from the orchard owners in Kashmir under the Market Intervention Scheme last year. This year also NAFED has been entrusted the challenging task of apple procurement in the Valley under MIS. The procurement was inaugurated on October 28 by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in the presence of MD NAFED and others.

WORKING IN NATIONAL INTEREST DURING THE PANDEMIC: NAFED stepped in to meet the challenge posed by the pandemic. Under the PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY), NAFED was entrusted with the task of supplying 5.85 lakh MT pulses to 36 states/UTs by the GoI based on the preferences listed out by them in three months. “The first month was really slow. In the second

month the supplies picked up and we managed to complete 50 per cent of the target and completed it in the third month. We were working under adverse conditions,” says, Sanjeev Kumar Chadha, MD, NAFED. Till October 11, NAFED completed the supply of more than 10 lakh MT of pulses to the States/UTs as against the target of 15.60 lakh MT. By November, it is expected that 21.45 MT of raw pulses would be utilised under PMGKAY. NAFED stepped in to mitigate the suffering of migrant workers facing adverse conditions since they could not avail the benefits of the National Food Security Act as they did not have a ration card or state card. It was decided that 5 kg of grains per person and 1 kg of chana per family per month would be provided to them for two months. An amount of `3,500 crore was earmarked for this scheme which would benefit around eight crore migrants.

Allocation of around 33,693.54 MT whole chana was made from the Government buffer for this purpose against which NAFED supplied 33,744.95 MT. The entire cost of the operation was borne by the Central Government.

During the lockdown NAFED increased the procurement of Rabi crops to avert an agricultural crisis while ensuring sufficient food stock and supply. The MD pointed out, “The pandemic occurred at a time when the crop was standing and ready for harvest. If NAFED did not take the initiative to purchase stocks of farmers in these circumstances, it would not only have been devastating for the farmers but would also have posed threat to the food security situation in the country. The collection centres for procurement were doubled by the organisation. Social distancing was ensured by ensuring that the farmers arrived in a phased manner.”

Despite the serious challenge posed by the pandemic NAFED purchased 14.08 lakh MT of oilseeds and pulses valued at `7,811.95 crore at 1,992 centres across the country during Rabi season 2019-20. During Rabi season 2020-21 as on August 31, NAFED procured 29.62 lakh MT of oilseeds and pulses valued at `14,130 crore at 3,201 centres.

Exploring the State’s ancient architecture is a journey into the glorious past

WHERE STONES WHISPER STORIES

T

oday, Gujarat is known for being the third-largest economy in India, being one of the most industrially developed states of India and a manufacturing hub.

But the state is extremely rich when it comes to history and architectural marvels.

MODHERA SUN TEMPLE

T

he Modhera Sun Temple was made by King Bhima I of the Chalukya dynasty in the early 11th century on the bank of River Pushpavati. The site is located 98 km away from Ahmedabad at Modhera village in Mehsana district.

It is divided into three parts — Gudha Mandapa (the shrine hall), Sabha Mandapa (the assembly hall) and Kunda (the reservoir). The Sabha Mandap stands on 52 pillars, signifying the 52 weeks in a year. There are carvings of the sun on the

CHAMPANER-PAVAGADH

T

his has a concentration of unexcavated archaeological, historic and heritage properties. It includes prehistoric (chalcolithic) sites, a hill fortress and remains of the 16th-century capital of the state of Gujarat. Located in Panchmahal district, it is 42 km away from Vadodara. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has fortifications, palaces, religious buildings, residences, agricultural structures and water installations from the 8th to 14th centuries.

The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park with its ancient Hindu architecture, temples and special water retaining installations has religious, military and agricultural structures, dating back to the capital built by Mehmud Begda in the 16th century.

The structures have a perfect blend of Hindu-Muslim architecture, mainly in the Jami Masjid which served as a model for later mosque architecture in India. The Kalikamata Temple an important shrine on top of Pavagadh Hill, attracts a large number of pilgrims throughout the year.

R

walls to show its unity with air, water, earth and space.

The temple’s design is exceptional as during every equinox, the first ray of the rising sun would fall on a diamond placed on the head of the Sun God. Modhera is mentioned in the ancient scriptures like Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana where Modhera and its surrounding areas are called Dharmaranya or the forest of righteousness.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK

www.gujarattourism.com

RANI-KI-VAV

ani-ki-Vav, on the banks of the Saraswati River, was initially built as a memorial to a king in the 11th century AD. Stepwells are a subterranean water resource and storage systems on the Indian subcontinent, and have been constructed since the 3rd millennium BC. It was built at Patan during the pinnacle of the craftsmen's ability in stepwell construction in the Maru-Gurjara architectural style, reflecting mastery of this complex technique and beauty of detail and proportions. Designed as an inverted temple, highlighting the sanctity of water, it’s divided into seven levels of stairs with sculptural panels of high artistic quality; more than 500 principle sculptures and over a thousand minor ones combine religious, mythological and secular imagery. The fourth level is the deepest and leads into a rectangular tank 9.5 m by 9.4 m, at a depth of 23 m. The well is at the westernmost end of the property and consists of a shaft 10 m in diameter and 30 m deep. It has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

SIDI SAIYYED MOSQUE

I

t is situated in the heart of the 600-year-old walled city of Ahmedabad, which was declared India’s first heritage city by UNESCO. The design of the mosque is entirely in the arcuate system of construction, involving arches, domes, squinches and vaults. It is set up like a theatre without a fourth wall, celebrated for the intricately carved filigree work on its jalis (screen windows). The 20th-century Indologist and art historian Vincent Arthur Smith described these jalis as the “most artistic stone lattice-work to be found anywhere in the world.”

The ornamental latticework adorns the 10 nearly semicircular windows of the mosque, some with complex geometrical designs and others carved in the manner of intertwined trees and foliage.

IMPRESSIONNANT

MONACO SCENERY

S

The Principality offers backdrops that are straight out of paintings to create Instagram-worthy pictures

earching for a travel destination that will make your Instagram photos look like the work of an impressionist painter? Or one which answers all of these descriptions: A Riviera Gem. An international cultural centre for ballet, opera, music, theatre and exhibitions. A place where great minds meet for business at the Grimaldi Forum.

The centre of heart-stopping sports action at F1 Grand Prix and Tennis Masters and at the tables of the Casino de Monte-Carlo. A place to unwind at luxurious spas (Les Thermes Marin, ESPA, Les Cinq Mondes, Willow Stream). The heart of world-class hotels (including the Hotel de Paris, Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, Fairmont Monte Carlo, Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel, Le Meridien Beach Plaza, Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel, Port Palace Monaco and the Hotel Hermitage). Monaco is the place of choice.

Whether it is a solo trip or a couple's getaway in 2021, the Principality of Monaco lets you enjoy the most offbeat canvas of envious backgrounds on the French Riviera.

A trip to the Principality is incomplete without going through MonacoVille. Lose yourself in the narrow and colourful streets of what the locals also call “Le Rocher (The Rock)”, and don't forget to walk through the Saint-Martin and Sainte-Barbe gardens. Surrounded by the most beautiful Mediterranean trees, you will be blown away by the breath-taking views of the Big Blue.

Stop to take in the view at the port of Fontvieille, on the side of the cliff, a stone's throw from the Prince's Palace. After being captivated at the Rock, the Casino de Monte-Carlo almost appears to be a painting.

Discover the new square of this emblematic Monaco establishment, with the Hôtel de Paris on one side and the Café de Paris on the other. Admire the heterogeneous landscape of this district between the magnificent gardens of Little Africa and the shopping address of One Monte-Carlo.

While walking in between the finest luxury boutiques and the greatest designers, don't forget to look up at the green of the trees which blend perfectly with the unique architecture and the azure blue of the sky.

If you want to marvel and discover Monaco from a local perspective, the Fontvieille district is the right place. It was reclaimed from the sea more than 30 years ago and has a very special vibe which can be framed forever in your camera.

You can discover the marina of the port of Fontvieille where small boats and large yachts lie bobbing on the pristine waters. Continue walking to the dike to get a unique perspective of the Principality and on the Oceanographic Museum overlooking the Mediterranean.

Explore the central district of Monaco including La Condamine which stretches around Port Hercule. The starting grid of the Formula 1 circuit, the shopping streets around the Place d'Armes market at the foot of the Palace offer a variety of options for everyone.

Take a detour to the Place d'Armes market at a time when Monegasques stroll between the fruit and vegetable stalls and you can capture loads of colour and the warmest of smiles.

Climb the Tête de Chien promontory which has a perfect view on the Principality. In addition to having Monaco at your feet, you will see two more countries as the French and Italian coasts hug the Mediterranean Sea.

HOSPITALITY

ANILchadha COO, ITC Hotels

ADVANTAGE GREEN

The transformation of hotel brands to ensure a sustainable future is reason enough to believe that a more eco-friendly way of luxury is possible

L

enin rightly said that there are decades where nothing happens and there are weeks where decades happen. The COVID-19 is a black swan event which has affected each and every industry in the world but the effect it has had on the travel and hospitality sector, in a very short period of time, is totally unprecedented.

It has been an extremely challenging first half for hotels not just across the country but globally.

Low occupancy and limited number of diners at the restaurants (as per state guidelines) have hugely impacted the sector.

Hotel developments have also slowed down and most openings are likely to be deferred by at least

34 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

six months to a year. Room revenue, restaurant demand and MICE business have been affected.

We remain optimistic of the growth in Indian tourism and its role in serving national priorities but the question today is of the industry’s survival in the new normal. This is the worst crisis ever to hit the tourism and hospitality industry, way worse than the Great Depression, the World Wars and 9/11.

ITC Hotels is “reimagining” ways to do business in the new reality. Hotel spaces and experiences have to be redefined. Reimagining these will be a shot in the arm for innovation and creativity. It is an irony that some incredible business ideas will be implemented in the post-pandemic era.

‘CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE’ INTERTWINED WITH ‘SAFETY’ o The “new normal” will be led by certifications and promise of good health, hygiene and safety.

Guests will prioritise and evaluate the “well-being” of a hotel. Pricing is secondary. o Moments of Truth = Moments of Trust. The trust factor in offerings has to be tangible. o Visual representation of hygiene at all touch points is the key. o ITC Hotels was much ahead of the curve through its decade strong “Responsible Luxury” ethos. Several best practices that endeavour to create a better and secure world have been imbibed.

The “WeAssure” initiative promises near clinical levels of hygiene through the DNV-GL

Business Assurance certification. With safe distancing, contact light service and well-being at the top of the priority index, it enlists many “industry firsts” that redefine the safety and cleanliness protocol while offering guests unparalleled comfort with peace of mind.

It is not only important to eliminate the germ but also the anxiety. Cleanliness has become the new amenity.

Additionally, the new “normal” has paved the way for the digital. With homes becoming the epicentre of our lives, takeaway is the new highway. Certification will be very important as it will lessen moments of anxiety among guests and heighten moments of trust. The “WeAssure” hygiene protocol endeavours to offer safe experiences to guests as they are welcomed

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 35

HAPPY ASSOCIATES o Encourage the team to come up with ways to cut costs, increase revenues and maximise customer service. Reward them for their ideas and efforts. o Happy employees engage positively with guests. o Invest in employee training and encourage multi-skilling. back with the familiar warmth. Our logo, the Namaste, symbolises the new world order greeting so well. Safely distant yet connected and respectful. o ITC Hotels has tied up with International Travel House (ITH) for using its “SAFE Car Promise,” ensuring the well-being of its guests, associates and partners, beyond the hotel premises. o Domestic Revenge Holidays will see a surge, especially at distances that are at a motorable distance. This will help promote local destinations too.

36 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

TECHNOLOGY IS THE TRUMP CARD o Going forward, there will be a consumer demand shift towards hotels and businesses that adapt to new technology-driven standards. o Hence, investing in technology, which can further strengthen business, and offer a direct value addition to our hotel and guests in the long term is the key. o Automation doesn’t mean the removal of authentic service but instead a way to focus operational management of the property in a better way by providing choice of service to guests.

INNOVATING DINING EXPERIENCES: o Technology provides convenience for guests who want to be empowered. Keeping this in mind, the ITC Hotels F&B App was launched during lockdown to support our offerings and reach a larger audience. o Additionally, with the vast repertoire of cuisine brands under the ITC Hotels’ umbrella, it was important that we extend the offering to guests at home. So we have introduced unique gourmet experiences, like “Gourmet Couch” and “Flavours” in safe packaging (Takeaway and Delivery). These initiatives, along with “Gourmet in You,” the do-ityourself kits, have gained immense popularity. o With our strong presence across the country, customised deliveries for corporates/personal virtual dining events have been enabled.

STAYING LEAN o It is important to balance and control costs while working to increase revenues to remain profitable. As we are confronted with the “survival” phase, it is imperative to focus on how much money is flowing to the bottom line. o A short-term cash-optimisation approach by making swift adjustments to operational and investment strategies has been adopted. o Adoption of sustainable initiatives has led to cost savings. Close to 50 per cent of our produce is locally sourced, thereby further minimising the carbon footprint. o Guests are also increasingly aware of the environmental issues, expecting hotels to assume responsibility and conduct their business sustainably.

WE DID IT BEFORE

D

riven by a decade-strong “Responsible Luxury” ethos, ITC Hotels is the first and largest hotel chain in the world to have the maximum number of LEED Platinum properties. It is the first chain to be free of single-use plastic products. The packaging material used in our “Gourmet Couch” and “Flavours” is environment-friendly.

Sunya Aqua or zero mile water in glass bottles was initiated almost a decade ago. A bottling plant at the hotel ensures low carbon footprint and does away with plastic bottles.

All the hotels have had laboratories from 20 years where microbiologists would carry out random food tests and test the swabs of human hands.

The brand has also partnered with Magzter, the world’s largest digital reading destination, to offer unlimited free access to 5,000+ popular magazines and newspapers through the App. Going forward will be more about copeability than capability. We have to keep an eye on the telescope, from a company’s, industry’s and the country’s point of view. We need to look at new markets and trends and how we can create new products for new markets.

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 37

HOSPITALITY

ZORAWARkalra Founder & Managing Director, Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd

NO

RESERVATIONS

38 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

T

Restaurants are the last bastions for social engagement and will continue to thrive even in the new normal but with proper precautions and hygiene

he impact of COVID-19 has been most severe on the hospitality industry. Eating out is undergoing a substantial change postlockdown. Food safety and hygiene are playing a key role. Delivery and takeaway orders are becoming an intrinsic element of the restaurant business.

Safety and hygiene are the key factors and it is of utmost importance to ensure the same for patrons and the staff. Digitisation and technology are going to play a key role moving forward. Efficiency in operations and specifically food cost control are going to be important for organisations.

Cloud kitchens are going to gain prominence in the post-COVID era but there will also be a rationalisation.

Only those where the perception of food safety is positive will continue to survive. We intend to build cloud kitchens over the next year as they are cost effective and can be quickly scaled up. We are abiding by guidelines and FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) norms to deliver food that is completely safe. We call this “stress-free dining.” That is going to be the key differentiation factor.

We are also in the process of retrofitting our restaurants to enable them to deliver for multiple brands which operate from a hub in a bespoke manner.

Adding to this, all restaurants are implementing guidelines sent by the authorities. Food safety and hygiene have always been our priorities. To ensure that our guests enjoy a “stress-free dining experience,” we are ensuring that the best safety and hygiene standards are maintained. Our tables are thoroughly sanitised after every turn. UV lamps are used to check for any spots so that these can be addressed. Infrared scanners are used to check the temperature of all food items before service as well as that of the employees and patrons. Foot-operated sanitisation stations have been placed in the front of the restaurant as well as kitchens for guests and employees. Each table has a sanitiser placed for our guests. Separate receiving zones in each restaurant have sanitation spray machines to disinfect all contact surfaces. We are also setting up special floor-mounted acrylic sheets to create a transparent physical barrier between tables when required. This wouldn’t affect the restaurant

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 39

aesthetic while providing optimum safety. Also our bar, Younion, in Mumbai has been using special robots to serve drinks.

All guidelines related to physical distancing as suggested by authorities, including limiting number of people per table, as well as increased gap between tables continue to be followed.

Through a sophisticated reservation system, we are controlling the inflow of patrons and crowd.

This will ensure that people are given tables at different times to avoid crowding on the restaurant floor. A complete “contactless dining” format with digitised menus available on the guests’ phone post-scanning a bar code is the order of the day. The guests can choose options and order from their phones and if they need anything while dining, all they are required to do is use their phone again. The menu page has options for them to ask for water, cutlery or even message the manager to give feedback while eating. Bills are also settled through the guests’ phone. So it is a completely digitised, contactless, safe and hygienic experience. We will also have screens in the restaurant that will show food being prepared inside the kitchen so the guests can see and are assured that all safety and hygiene standards are being followed.

Abiding by the SOPs shared by the Government, we have limited number of staff both in the kitchen and front of the house to ensure that

40 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

social distancing is adhered to. There is a decline in dine-in sales but this, I feel, is temporary.

There is definitely a fear psychosis and people are conservative about going out. Currently, the footfall in malls and restaurants is low. However, Indians are a very hardy race. We like to dance to the beat of our own drums and buck trends. I expect that by December, there will be a good revival. Restaurants are the final bastions of hope for offline social engagement between humans. It will never change. Everything else can go offline but restaurants can’t. People will always want to meet family, enjoy a meal or have drinks with friends. So restaurants will never reduce in importance. This is just a temporary blip which will go away and things will eventually return to normal.

Backward IS THE WAY

FOOD

forward

SANJEEVkapoor Celebrity Chef & Brand Ambassador, Tata Sampann

Celebrating traditional food is a good way of rediscovering the gems from the past and reinvent the diet-health wheel. Here are 14 ingredients that can improve your immunity

T

he role of local Indian ingredients and their wholesome health benefits have featured as the topic of endless debates and discussion, especially during the current times. The traditional food wisdom and the science behind it have been a great resource for consumers to make the right choices, which improve nutrition and health. Indians need to look no further than the staples they have grown up with for wholesome and complete poshan. Indulging in local food and the good old thali can mean a return of the much-needed diversity and herbal heritage in our meals.

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 41

Here are 14 ingredients to celebrate the wonder that lies inherently embedded in our favourites: DALS: This everyman’s comfort food is rich in fibre, multiple nutrients and a very good source of protein for vegetarians. Go for unpolished dals that are packaged by a trusted brand to ensure that you get a high quality product and health in return.

RICE AND FLOUR: These are a good source of energy as they deliver some protein and the difficult to find B Vitamins. They also deliver dietary fibre that is an essential part of any eating plan. Rice is very easy to digest and delivers insoluble fibre that helps waste material move through the intestines.

BEANS: Beans and other legumes are a great source of protein, calcium, iron and folic acid.

Beans are “heart healthy” because they contain an abundance of soluble fibre, which can lower cholesterol levels. Eating beans regularly may lower the risk of coronary heart disease.

BESAN: Besan or chickpea flour is loaded with multiple nutrients and fibre. It is gluten-free so it can be easily consumed by people who are prone to gluten allergies. It also has a lower glycemic index, so it is good for diabetics.

TURMERIC: Spices deliver health besides being taste enhancers. The natural oils present in spices give them anti-inflammatory properties and also enhance our body’s metabolic performance. These contribute effectively to our health and immunity in multiple ways. And this is important especially now, not just because of the pandemic, but because its the season for colds and cough.

Curcumin — found in haldi — with its antiinflammatory properties is known to prevent flu, boost our heart’s health and even soothe a sore throat.

CARDAMOM: Cardamom boosts metabolism and the multiple components that go in making a pure garam masala contain vital minerals that promote digestion.

CINNAMON: It helps lower our blood sugar levels and has a powerful anti-diabetic effect.

42 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

GARLIC: Not just flavourful, garlic is also renowned for its many healing properties. It is a primary source of natural anti-bacterial agents. It contains a compound called allicin, which has potent medicinal properties. Consuming garlic on a daily basis (in food or raw) helps to lower cholesterol levels because of the anti-oxidant properties of allicin. The invigorating properties of garlic protect the skin from the effect of free radicals and slows down the depletion of collagen which leads to a loss of elasticity in ageing skin.

GINGER: It contains high levels of anti-oxidants, is a digestive stimulant and helps to treat colds.

CHILLIES: These contain a lot of vitamin C and have a range of health benefits, including fighting sinus congestion, aiding digestion and helping to relieve migraines and muscle, joint and nerve pain. It may also play a role in treating lung and prostate cancer and leukaemia.

PANEER: Rich in protein, it releases energy slowly in the body, which means it does not cause a spike in blood sugar levels, nor does it give an instant boost which drops soon. Apart from being rich in protein and calcium, paneer is a great source of conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid, which helps lose weight by increasing the fat burning process in the body. It protects against bone diseases like osteoporosis, joint pain and tooth problems like tooth decay and gum problems.

POTATOES: It is high in potassium, magnesium, iron, copper and manganese. It also contains vitamin C and most B vitamins.

It has a little bit of almost every nutrient that you need.

EGGS: These have Vitamins B2, B5, B12, and D. They are considered heart healthy too.

GREEN PEAS: These contain Vitamins A, B1, E, and Beta Carotene. Green peas are also a good vegetarian source of protein.

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 43

CULTURE

SANJOYkroy Managing Director, Teamwork Arts

THE VIEWING

GALLERY The world might have transformed for good but as we venture out once again, what remains is our inherent need to find cultural connections and celebrate them

T

he global pandemic has permanently changed the cultural and entertainment sector and indeed, along with the service and tourism sector, it has been among the worst affected.

Cancellations of conferences, State and Central government endeavours, international MICE gatherings, entertainment and social dos, weddings, religious and traditional celebrations and sporting events have had a crippling effect on the sector worldwide with an estimated loss of $2 trillion and counting.

44 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

Worldwide, there has been a lurch to board the virtual bandwagon and join the ever-increasing fight for bandwidth and eyeballs as an interim measure to remain relevant. Virtual reality, that mind-expanding bridge between the real and imaginary, is moving rapidly from a millennial domain to a wider must-have consumer-driven demand, even in the arts segment. While consumption of entertainment has increased 47 per cent in these past few months, much of this can be attributed to ongoing shows on OTT

INNOVATION IN SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS AND INCORPORATION OF THE ARTS TO PROVIDE ACCESS AND A SENSE OF PLACE, IDENTITY AND TRADITION ARE THE NEED OF THE HOUR platforms and free streaming of music, film and theatre.

The Coronavirus has certainly put a spotlight on virtual arts and entertainment, and even on the holy grail of mega events, weddings and religious celebrations, as well as political and ceremonial occasions. The trillion-dollar question to be asked is: How will this translate to dollars and cents and will it be able to sustain the arts? Can the old models of “stick a camera in your face and record your daily trials and tribulations”, which caused a worldwide social media interactive phenomenon, still be valid in the time of COVID-19 and beyond? How will the cultural sector survive, let alone benefit and who will

pay for the ancillary ecosystem? The NCPA’s survey showed that for every solo performer on stage, you needed an average of 33 people, from the janitor and security staff to sound and light engineers, designers, backstage crew, tailors, costume and make-up artists to security staff. Where will this entire ecosystem that supported an industry find a living? And what of the tabla-maker in Varanasi or the mridangam-skin-curer in Kerala or Karnataka?

How will digital technology assist them?

The world has finally woken up to the fact that COVID-19 is here to stay for the foreseeable future, changing the way we do business and more importantly, the way we socialise, travel, entertain, imbibe the arts or indulge our desires and needs.

Given the new reality, the opportunities to create a new virtual world order are enormous. What we need to be conscious of is the impact on the environment and livelihoods, and grapple with the moral conundrums of: o Artificial Intelligence vs jobs in the creative sector. o Wage-earners vs sustainable profits. o Empathy and equity vs inequity and hatred. o Environment vs scorched earth policies.

Every crisis allows you to step back, reassess, reboot. COVID-19 is the first event ever in world history whose impact has resulted in a shutdown across the globe and where regionalisation has become the new globalisation, resulting in restrictions on travel, trade, supply chains, ultimately impacting demand. Even as the global economy contracts the world over, artistes and artisans try and break down the ceiling, looking for new solutions and possibilities to survive and sustain their art. It is time to step back, reflect and perhaps look back to history and find a wholly different perspective and view our world in crises and find equal, sustainable opportunities for all.

There could be new platforms to view culture — Netflix Plus Plus — driven by arts communities with widespread support and hands-off policies by governments, something we experimented with when we curated and produced “I believe #ArtMatters”, bringing together over 450 artists from

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 45

music, theatre, dance, film, stand-up and more, viewed by over 1,00,000 people and raising approximately `4.8 million.

Innovation in social and cultural celebrations and incorporation of the arts to provide access and a sense of place, identity and tradition, are the need of today and tomorrow.

“Intimate and focussed” could well be the new mantra to replace “bigger and brighter.” Solo performances could bring talent and excellence back to the fore. AI and virtual reality could help traverse the world instead of the flatbed or the cramped seat.

Innovative, clear and culturally-nuanced communication are what will spear the arts ahead.

Hosting a virtual performance requires the same care and attention as a live event. One needs to effectively promote the event, engage attendees, create surprises and learnings and build a space for interaction and make sure the event is seen to be successful in both.

Success, in itself, will need to be redefined. Is it how much money you make? How many eyeballs you attract? Or is the sticking factor the ability to bring about behavioural change which impacts the product that is being marketed, be it a political aspiration, or a social need, the roll-out of a vaccine or the sale of a Louis Vuitton bag?

46 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

The regional mantra is here to stay. Produce local, consume local. Even before the advent of COVID-19, you could see the world turning inward.

Nation states were shutting down their borders to immigration and global products. From heavy duties, punishing taxes to stem the global flow of goods and services, be it the Harley Davidson impasse in India, trade imbalances between USA and China to the banning of Chinese-owned apps in India, we were beginning to see an emerging reality spurred on by the mantras of “Make America Great Again” or “Make in India.” Condominiums and RWAs were becoming the new centres of power and the new borders between “Us and Them!”

Why not then use this to advantage, discover local talent, create local platforms for the arts and entertainment, like it has been done in Brazil, and support an ever-expanding ecosystem through education and knowledge?

The sad reality is that without policy intervention and strong State support, as we have seen in the UK and Europe, the arts, artistes and artisans will find it difficult to survive the twin onslaught of the pandemic and its consequent economic downturn.

What is rarely understood is that the arts are a necessity and not a luxury. Without the arts, you will have neither innovation nor creativity.

ART

1

2

UMAnair

Curator and Art Critic

A CONSTELLATION OF PAINTERS The art works of these 14 Indian masters are on every list crafted by connoisseurs in the country and abroad

3

4

D

uring 74 years of the country’s Independence, Indian contemporary art has found its own place in the world of Asian art practices with the Progressives making their mark and setting new standards. This year the abstract master VS Gaitonde1 set a new record with his Untitled work selling at `32 crore at the Pundoles Glenberra Museum Sale.

If we begin with the modernism of Amrita Shergil2, we are looking at a lasting engagement in terms of composition and technique as well as the quintessential Indian sensibility. Indian art now belongs to a carefully curated section of a celebration of art practices.

Shergil’s Self Portrait is one of her finest creations across many subjects and locales.

Francis Newton Souza’s3 Family is yet another masterpiece that echoes the beauty of simplicity and the importance of the family

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 47

5

6 8

7 9

despite humble circumstances. The strokes and compositions of Souza, founder of the Progressives, set him apart as an alchemist of stories and figures.

Sayed Haider Raza4 continues to top the auction charts with his expressionist abstract works. Candamerie, a sublime landscape, from 1969 is one such painting.

Unforgettable Tyeb Mehta’s5 masterpiece, Mahishasura, is a bold incantation of black, red and grey. Its subtle strokes typify the contemplative mythic aesthetic in modernist grammar.

Redappa Naidu6 an artist from the Madras School, revels in his work, The Deity, which is an abstract rendering of the goddess in strokes of dulcet harmony.

MF Husain’s7 Battle of Ganga and Jamuna is one of those historic creations that spans the past and the present while creating conversations that are woven around subjects, elements, gods and goddesses.

48 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

10

Ram Kumar’s8 Benares is a standalone stellar work that holds out an inchoate inspiration in the manner in which it suggests the tightly-knit houses and bylanes of Benares and the night shadows that tell tales of death and life side by side.

Revering and observing India’s indigenous arts is intaglio master Jyoti Bhatt’s9 Devi, an assimilation of elements and symbols that speaks of the binding spiritual essence.

Compare that to the tantra master, Ghulam Rasool Santosh,10 whose work celebrates the Purusha Prakriti principle and tells us of the power of meditation in the very realms of existence.

Speaking of the realms of existence, Sohan Qadri11 seer, poet and master abstractionist’s dyed paper works exemplify the non-objective aesthetic. Transcendence and tranquility both play with each other in his paeans to paper and pulse. Qadri represented “the pre-eminent aesthetic mystic of modernism.” He would bathe paper in acid-free water. Once it was

swollen with liquid, he would rhythmically scour the surface with various gouging and cutting tools, and then apply inks and dyes. Using a thick intaglio paper, and carving it in stages, he achieved a sculptural effect. Imbued with vibrant hues, the serrated surface possesses a strong sense of energy and rhythm.

Ganesh Pyne’s12 Animal speaks of the cerebral aesthetic of the Bengal School. His 1972 painting is epic in every way. Manipulating light and shadow with dexterity, Pyne’s paintings seem to emerge from these unexplored, interstitial spaces, simultaneously evoking balance and uncertainty, beauty and violence. Recognising these dichotomies, the artist noted, “True darkness gives one a feeling of insecurity bordering on fear but it also has its own charms, mystery, profundity, a fairyland atmosphere.”

Polymath and print genius Zarina Hashmi,13 who passed away recently, did a series of woodcuts on the subject of home. Folding House is one of her finest in a career that spanned teaching and print making. Christopher Knight, art critic for the Los

11

Angeles Times, describes this portfolio as the artist’s “best-known work”, demonstrating “how evocative and simple a gesture can be. The shapes are lines, crosses, circles and bars, revealing her long-standing interest in the radical, early-20th century art of Kazimir Malevich. Installed in a grid, the sequence is something like reading about a journey through a house — not just across a threshold, into a room or looking out of a window, but feeling a rush of warm air and glimpsing a shaft of passing light [...] In this quietly compelling suite of prints, the sheet of paper is simultaneously foreign and home. That’s a poetic and pertinent place to be.” (C Knight, Review: Zarina Hashmi imprints herself in paper, Los Angeles Times, 21 November 2012) Mrinalini Mukherjee,14 who had a retrospective at Met Museum in New York, created a series of woven hemp works that took the Big Apple by storm. Her woven coloured hemp sublimates the floral and folded erotic elements of a flower. Her works are resonant of fertility and poetic nuances that seem to wrap around your senses.

12

14

13

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 49

GURUSPEAK

SRIsriravishankar Spiritual Guru

E

verything in this Creation is a sign of celebration. Every day should be a celebration as when there’s a celebration, there’s no violence. For example, everyone celebrates the New Year. It’s meant to honour time. It means respecting the mind which, in turn, implies honouring yourself.

A poor man celebrates once a year. A rich man celebrates each day but the richest man celebrates every moment. How rich are you? Do you celebrate once a year? Once a month? Every day?

There are two types of celebration. One is of thanksgiving, an expression of gratitude towards the Divine. The second comes from dropping the past and moving forward, knowing that life is eternal. Any excuse to celebrate is good.

When you know you are ever pure; joy will never stop in your life. The moment you feel that

Use every single opportunity every day to make sure that you revel in your blessings and be grateful you are pure and so is your heart, you don’t wish anything bad for anybody on this or any other planet, then, you are love.

Celebration isn’t about decorating with flowers and balloons; it has to happen from within. What are the qualifications and conditions needed for celebration? It’s a catch; if you celebrate, you’re happy; if you’re happy, you celebrate. Silence is the scent of purity and makes life a celebration.

Human life is a combination of body and spirit or vibration. Pleasure or joy is an intense vibration.

Carnal instincts also make you feel intense vibrations and give momentary joy. But it’s short-lived and makes you unhappy later on.

Pleasure from Satsang (company of the truth) is of a higher nature. Mantra and singing create vibrations in the spirit. When you sing the ecstasy stays for a long time. Subtle pleasure is long

Celebrating

life

50 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF CELEBRATION. ONE IS OF THANKSGIVING, AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE TOWARDS THE DIVINE. THE SECOND COMES FROM DROPPING THE PAST AND MOVING FORWARD, KNOWING THAT LIFE IS ETERNAL. ANY EXCUSE TO CELEBRATE IS GOOD

lasting, energising, refreshing and freeing.

Pleasure from the gross is short-lived, tiring and binding.

When you know you are vibration, then craving, greed, lust and anger disappear and you become true celebration. It is complete when sanctity is attached to it. The body, mind and the spirit rejoice.

If celebration uplifts and unites everyone, frees them of the traumatic past and holds out hope for the future, then there is no guilt. It is sacred. Turn your celebration into a sacred offering for society rather than a self-centered, pleasure-seeking pursuit. This has a tinge of sanctity and prayer and gains depth and dignity. It isn’t just entertainment for the mind or excitement for the body but nourishment for the soul as well. Instead of beginning with intoxicants, begin afresh with an act of kindness, a moment of reflection.

To celebrate life, you don’t have to spend a lot of money. It comes from enthusiasm and joy.

Difficulties in life give you depth and joy gives you a sense of expansion. The wise see the past as destiny, the future as free will and are happy in the present. The unwise regret the past, think the future is pre-destined and are miserable in present.

Welcome the future with a genuine smile which comes when you know that you are loved. If you don’t know the Divine loves you, you won’t celebrate life. You’ll live in insecurity. With insecurity comes greed, selfishness, anger, lust, sadness and misery.

Some think being silent is spirituality. Others believe celebration is spirituality. It’s a harmonious blend of outer silence and inner celebration; and also inner silence and outer celebration.

People who are celebrating can’t appreciate silence often and those who enjoy silence don’t celebrate. Silent people are very morose and melancholic but celebrating in silence is real celebration. It’s authentic because it’s coming from the depth. Celebrate silence and the noise; life and death. This is the Eleventh Commandment.

Celebrate while you are alone and when you are with people. Some know to celebrate when they are in a crowd, others rejoice alone. I tell you to do both.

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 51

FITNESS It might be ancient but the learning this vital science holds out is relevant for contemporary times.

Celebrate its power to boost your immunity BHARATthakur Yoga guru and founder of Artistic Yoga

W

e have lived amid a global pandemic for eight months now and it looks as if it will be around for some time to come. For those in lockdown or self-isolation, life has been bogged down by anxiety and depression about jobs, money and what the future will hold. At a time like this, we need to stay fit and look after our health.

Everything in our bodies and minds is interconnected. Being unfit or having physical problems like blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, inflammatory conditions like arthritis, asthma and anxiety lower levels of vital

52 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

hormones, weaken our overall immune system.

Our priority, then, is to strengthen our immune system by building stronger and fitter bodies, good respiratory and cardio health and learning to relax and calm our nerves.

Whether you are in lockdown, self-isolation, recovering from COVID-19 or living a normal life, yoga can help. During its practice, we perform asanas (postures), pranayama ( breathing techniques) to expand the life force, bandhas (neuromuscular locks) for hormonal balance, kriyas (cleansing techniques), mudras or gestures to achieve different states of mind and yoga nidra for complete relaxation.

Combining these in a session can work magic with the human body and mind.

There are thousands of asanas that can help you stretch, tone, energise the body and help you regain flexibility. These improve circulation and help all internal systems and organs work better and re-balance hormones in your body.

Yoga is the only science in the world that places great importance on your endocrine or glandular system. Each asana presses on particular glands and holding the posture regularises hormone production.

An example of how all this happens is the Anuvittasana, a

standing and forward-backward bending posture.

This stretches the spine gently and tones the digestive system. The backward bend applies pressure on the adrenal glands to regulate the production of adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol hormones. These, in the right quantity, help to keep our immune system alert without over-reacting. This backward movement also stretches your entire respiratory tract, which allows lungs to release the maximum carbon dioxide so that when you come up, you use your lungs to full capacity, inhale deeper breaths and take in more oxygen. The higher level of oxygen boosts serotonin, the immunity-balancing hormone produced in the brain and intestines. This key hormone stabilises our moods, feelings of well-being and keeps away depression. It also maintains body homeostasis (sleep, hunger, digestion, heart-rate) and plays a vital role in keeping our in-built immune system strong and balanced. Each exercise has beneficial effects.

Use the powerful science of yoga to stay fit and healthy through the pandemic times. So take charge of your health and enroll for an offline or online yoga class today. You won’t regret it.

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 53

VOGUE

NIDAmahmood Fashion designer

This festive season coincides with an unusual time. So break away from the past and embrace sustainability as an integral part of your life

I

ndia is at the forefront of mitigating climate change and has been one of the world leaders in advocating sustainability. The first India Sustainability Report is a timely reflection of India’s commitment towards environment protection and a pioneering work that underlines where Indian fashion, retail and artisanal enterprises stand in the sustainability movement of the world. It reveals consumer mindset and manufacturer responsibility through scientifically gathered data. It signals the way forward for future-proofing fashion and retail business towards environmental correctness.

Some work is being done towards the “environmental correctness” by the Government owing to the SOS signals the planet has been sending out to us for a long time.

We have been fighting the beast of climate change for quite some time. The glaring imbalance and the ecological vulnerability of the planet have been a major fallout and reflection of this change. Mindless fashion pollution of the

FAST FORWARD TO SLOW FASHION

54 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

environment is pushing designers and companies like myself to pay more attention to words like “meaning” and “value.”

It has become imperative to find design solutions that save rather than deplete, discover more sustainable methods of producing fashion, create better value in the supply chain and find real goals towards fixing what has been marred.

As a result, the industry is putting in effective efforts towards working with sustainable materials and fibres which reduce waste. Use of pre and post-consumer waste and recycling of leftovers are a great place to start. Water management and factory compliance must be a part of the accepted norms.

According to a research paper by Voice of Fashion, 46 per cent of the Indian population is not even aware of the word “sustainability” as a term associated with fashion. But the good news is that a majority of them are curious and show a willingness to know more about it and are also keen to align with environmentally-conscious brands.

At this juncture of save-the-world-from-toxins standpoint, it is of utmost importance that we move faster in replacing the toxic garment manufacturing methods by more eco-conscious ones and educate the general masses about the essence of sustainability.

But for this to happen and to be effective in reality, the most important step will be to make sustainability more accessible to people at large.

It needs to cease to just be the privilege of a select few.

In order to make sustainability more evident and real time, there have to be more initiatives by the government. This can be done, for example, by making raw materials more affordable or providing subsidies to the weavers towards sustainable practices, so that the end product is more affordable and within the reach of a much larger audience.

Educating people about a movement but not making sure that the end product is in their reach is an absolute waste of effort. It is a matter of pressing

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 55

need that the process starts at the top where efforts are made to ensure that more and more people adapt to the new way of thinking.

Many of us have been working on sustainability for some time now. One such initiative is my eco-conscious brand called Madam Marigold, which focusses on “circular fashion.” With its heart seated deep in culture and Indian tradition, it draws inspiration from the country’s design heritage and its people.

The brand believes in frequent innovation and seeks out ways to make a positive impact, fuelling a shift to sustainable fashion and social missions, effortlessly fusing tradition with modern influences, while empowering the local community with skilled and consistent work.

Invested in exploring new layers of social and

56 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

commercial engagement, Madam Marigold crafts contemporary design focussed through an “eco-luxury lens.”

As is the need of the hour, we are a brand that believes in a holistic approach to “kindly crafted” products by integrating sustainability into our supply chain as our focus revolves around a plethora of sustainable practices, ranging from upcycled textiles to handloom, ancient Indian printing and textile techniques and vegetable dying to name a few.

As a brand, we understand that our ideas must resonate with “environmental correctness” with focus on artisanal responsibility of safeguarding our heritage while employing the best methods of promoting not only eco-conscious clothing but an eco-conscious way of living.

VOGUE Shoes can make or break an outfit. Here are 14 pairs, eight for women and six for men, that should form an essential part of your wardrobe ALISHAmalik

VP, e-commerce and marketing, Metro Shoes

STEP OUT IN

style A

ny outfit is incomplete without the right pair of shoes. Undoubtedly, there is an array of options to choose from and it could be challenging to stick to one. It is important to sport the right pair to complement every ensemble. And in pandemic times, it can be your signature to draw eyeballs. Besides, footwear these days comes in sanitisable variants. Here is a selection that will see you fashionably through every occasion.

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 57

FOR THE LADIES BALLERINA FLATS: These are comfortable, fashionable and casual — all at the same time. There are options for every occasion. So the basic plain ones are best-suited to office while the sparkling ones can add bling to your festive outfits and more.

These can be paired with dresses, jumpsuits, gowns and even jeans.

WEDGES: If your feet hurt while balancing on pin-pointed heels, wedges are an excellent alternative. This 90s fashion is making a much-deserved comeback.

SNEAKERS: These are no longer meant just for the gym or going for a run. Sneakers are definitely one of the coolest footwear as these are easygoing, sporty and edgy. Your wardrobe is incomplete without a pair.

PUMPS: Also called court shoes, these are simple, elegant and extremely easy to slip on. A timeless set of black or nude pumps is perfect for a nine-to-five job and can be effortlessly combined with a pair of jeans or a cocktail dress.

BOOTS: Making a statement with boots always comes easy. Be it ankle length or longer ones, both can make you look sassy without making much of an effort. Slip on one with your favourite skater dress or jeans or a short skirt for a super-stylish look as these are extremely versatile and sturdy.

STILETTOS: These elegant shoes mean ‘needle heels’ in French. They can add oodles of elegance to an outfit in the split of a second. Stilettos are perfectly paired with evening gowns, slim fit jeans and even desi kurtas.

58 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

FLIP-FLOPS: Nothing screams of beaches and pool parties as much as flip-flops. These are the ultimate summer footwear and ideal to flaunt a pedicure.

JUTTIS: Gone are the days when juttis were worn only with a Patiala salwar kurta.

They have got a facelift and can be paired with both Indian and Western wear. Juttis are comfortable and easy to slip into.

FOR THE GENTLEMEN

LOAFERS: This functional footwear is versatile, stylish, comfortable, available in different colours and can be worn with both formal and casual clothes.

KOLHAPURIS: A favourite, it makes a customary appearance during all Indian festivals. This classic home-grown footwear style has transformed according to the changing demands of fashion while remaining firmly ensconced as an essential in every wardrobe. It is available in different colours and accessorised with small elements that do not compromise on the look.

OXFORDS: This is right at the top of the formal footwear heap. With its sophisticated design, it is a must-have. What makes it unique and different from other men’s formal wear is that it has a closed lacing system.

NUBUCK: This is more a material rather than a style but the sanded and buffed Nubuck, with a velvet-like surface, has successfully created a niche for itself. This range of shoes is perfect for parties, formal gatherings and weddings.

BROGUES: Often confused with Derby shoes and Oxfords, these are different. These have decorative elements and features like unique perforations and details which set them apart.

It is a perfect pair to make an outfit look classy and elegant.

MOCCASIN: These are semi-formal shoes and are the best to bridge the gap between your casual or formal look.

So, irrespective of your mood, outfit and the occasion that you are headed out for, put your best foot forward.

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 59

HOTWHEELS

KUSHANmitra Auto & tech expert

The Lexus LS 500h is a brilliantly crafted car. But even in its segment, it is far too pricey

W

orld over, the concept of luxury is not a uniform one. Every nation has a very different idea — one that is crafted in that nation’s own history.

That is other than the United States, which doesn’t have that history.

Having said that, there are some similar threads, but when it comes to culture, history and thus, luxury, Japan is a slight outlier. For me, as amazing as London and New York are as cities, no other large metropolis on earth is quite like Tokyo. And this allows me to dovetail to the Lexus LS500h.

Lexus, for those of you don’t know, is a luxury marque established by the Toyota Motor Company in 1989 to compete with the likes of Mercedes-Benz. These are not Toyotas in a fancy dress as some earlier models were called. New Lexus vehicles are cars that are independently engineered, designed and have an aesthetic that is completely unique.

While on the LS500h, the ‘h’ standing for hybrid means that it does share hybrid technology from its parent as well as other elements of the engine and transmission. Everything else about the interiors is unique. The quality of craftsmanship is utterly brilliant and the way you could always check that is by running your fingers through the stitching. Believe me, I have driven a couple of luxury brands where the stitching is worse than on some mass-produced cars but this one? Wow! The fabric works on the doors with perfect geometric patterns. You will not see that on a Rolls-Royce, let alone the kiriko glass ornamentation. Heck, the geometric pattern on the grille came thanks to some complicated design work and not drawing lines with a ruler. You feel as if you

Exquisitely

expensive 60 EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020

are sitting inside a vehicle designed with mathematical equations, and I mean that in a very good way. With the headlights, for example, you think of the design as the perfect slashing of a katana by a samurai master.

Now to the driving. I have never really enjoyed driving cars in this category because honestly, nobody who acquires such a vehicle would ever drive it themselves. This is a car that one is driven around in, just like its competition the MercedesBenz S-Class, BMW 7-series, Audi A8 and Jaguar XJ. Getting into the “luxury seat”, diagonally behind the driver, you get to push back the front passenger seat and use an ottoman as well as get all the other nice features such as a massager, screen et al. From a driving point of view, the 354 horsepower engine can drive the car very fast but when you are sitting in the driver’s seat, you wish you had white cotton gloves because you do feel like a chauffeur. The hybrid system ensures that you get amazing fuel economy as well, despite having a big, fat V6 motor under the hood.

If you have to arrive in style, this is a great car.

The problem is that it is 20 lakh more expensive than its sole competitor in the market, the BMW 745Le, BMW’s hybrid 7-series. Yes, the Teutonic sense of luxury and aesthetics are very different.

Weirdly enough, in terms of modern technology, the BMW is slightly better off, the LS500h feels slightly dated. Even a chauffeur would like Apple CarPlay I guess. The combined power output of the BMW is superior and unlike the LS500h, it is a plug-in hybrid.

This is a car you buy because you admire the Japanese aesthetic, because you have walked the streets of Akihabara, because you have experienced both — the practicality and the sensibility of a bento box. There may not be a practical reason to buy this car over the competition but at `1.82 crore, anybody considering this car does not necessarily have practicality on their mind and the aesthetic sense and practical sense are independent of each other. This is a vehicle you buy if you love anything and everything Japanese.

EXOTICA [14TH ANNIVERSARY] NOVEMBER 2020 61