Exotica june 2016

Editor-in-Chief CHANDAN MITRA EDITORIAL BOARD Vice-Chairman & Joint Managing Director Amit Goel Group President Aparna Sengupta 09958000128 Chief Executive Officer Abhishek Saxena EDITORIAL Editor-in-Charge Rinku Ghosh Assistant Editor Vaishali Dar Feature Writers Priyanka Joshi & Devi Singh Chief Designer Anand Singh Rawat Senior Designer Santosh Kumar Yadav Pre-press Manager Syed Nawab Raza Staff Photographer Pankaj Kumar SALES & MARKETING General Manager Kumar Gurudutta Jha Deputy General Manager Ravi Khatri Manager Bharat Singh Sajwan, Prabhakar Pathak GOVERNMENT & PSU General Manager Tapan Ghosh Assistant Manager Neeta Rai Media Coordinator Neelu Sharma MUMBAI OFFICE General Manager Devendra Adhikari 09867575933 KOLKATA OFFICE Vice President Suzanna Roy 09830197332 General Manager (Circulation) Rajeev Gautam Printed and published by Chandan Mitra for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd, printed at Lustra Print Process Pvt Ltd, Killa No. 51/21, Village: Rohad, District: Jhajjar, Bahadurgarh, Haryana and published at 2nd floor, Patriot House, 3, 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; 2nd Floor, Patriot House, 3, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110002 Phone: 23718296/40754136 Fax: 23755275 Email: exoticapioneer2016@gmail.com

FROM THE EDITOR

HOP, STEP AND JUMP road revolution, which began with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s announcement of the Golden Quadrilateral highway project in 2000, is nearing completion. As detailed in this issue of Exotica, it is a pleasure today to drive across the country from Delhi to Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai and back to Delhi by road over four and six-lane world class roads. The East-West, North-South highway, adjunct to the GQ, is also ready in most stretches.

Now that the Road Revolution is almost over, it is time for a Rail Revolution. India owes a debt of gratitude to its erstwhile British rulers for building the railway infrastructure, starting in 1853. Unfortunately, however, track renewal and modernisation of railways did not keep up with the demands of time. Barring the Konkan Railway along the West coast, no major railway segment was built afresh in independent India.

As a result of the neglect, India has fallen way behind its neighbours like China in modernisation. There are no high speed trains in this country and even the newly-launched Gatiman Express moves at a hardly impressive 160 kmph, compared to China’s 300 kmph superfast Beijing-Shanghai inter-city express.

The Modi government, however, has been promoting the bullet train idea for some years. The Railway authorities have started work on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, which is expected to roll out by 2028 over a freshly laid track. A recent report suggests that this track may be entirely elevated in order to bypass habitations and other obstacles such as level crossings. Besides cattle, humans too cross railway tracks most casually while many have built shanties within inches of the rail track, thereby living dangerously. While it will add to expenses, an elevated track, on the lines of the Mag-Lev train in Pudong, China, will ensure an unhindered, accident-free journey at speed of up to 400 kmph.

The Prime Minister has already spoken of the Diamond Quadrilateral entailing construction of a dedicated rail corridor to connect the four metros. Apart from reducing the journey time from Delhi to Mumbai to barely eight hours (from the present 20-plus) such dedicated corridors will enable swift transit of goods from the hinterland to the ports and vice versa. One of the key ingredients of a developed economy is connectivity by road, rail and air. Now that 100 more airports have been identified for upgradation, India can proudly say it is well on the way to emerging as a mature and developed economy. Supplemented with smart cities to be built along the Dedicated Freight Corridors, India’s jump from an emerging to a developed economy will be one short hop away.

INDIA’S

[CHANDAN MITRA] Editor-in-Chief

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I N S I D E June 2016 VOLUME 10 NO 8

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Little Black Book [p10] Manish Malhotra: A quick peek into his style file Roadie Diary [p18] Toast to the coast: Explore peninsular India Trek Trail [p38] A walk through history: Frozen Chadar Q&A [p50] Game-changers: Kalki Koechlin & Anu Menon Summer special [p60] It’s snowing in summer: Feel the chill Foreign Shores [p70] Summer of content: Staten Island

[p98] COVER PHOTO: SHOBORI GANGULI/ PAMBAN BRIDGE, TAMIL NADU

CONTRIBUTORS Kushan Mitra [p66] Hotwheels: A prettier new dress Magandeep Singh [p98] Blithe spirit: Of Eis and Ice Sri Sri Ravi Shankar [p100] Guruspeak: Soar High Bharat Thakur [p102] Fitness: Just let the gas out Sanjay Jumaani [p104] Numbergame: Count your fate

Seasons special [p74] Ageless Mango: The undying craze for the fruit Men’s Collection [p82] Daddy’s Day Out: Primp up your mean self this Father’s Day Fashion[p83] Style statement: Celeb spot First Hand [p84] Puppylicious: Places to pamper your pets

TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES 108 INCLUDING COVER

OUR

PARTNER

HOTELS

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

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I think we all love to smell good and my preference in fragrance is Santa Maria Novella.

FAVOURITE HAUNTS OF STYLISH PEOPLE

I love wearing Maison Margiela shoes. I prefer them because of their comfort and quality.

When it comes to watches, I think it has to be something from my own collection “Manish Arora for Swatch.”

MANISH ARORA is an Indian fashion designer known for his psychedelic colours and kitsch collections. He has served as the creative director of the womenswear collection of Paco Rabanne

My favourite cuisine has always been Thai. I love gorging on Thai green curry.

Although I enjoy all kinds of music, currently I’m listening to Grimes.

I had an amazing time at the Burning Man at Black Rock City in Nevada. I absolutely loved it.

EXOTICA [10] JUNE 2016

EVENT CALENDAR

JUNETUNE Sail through the scorching summer with these fun days 2ND JUNE [GO BAREFOOT DAY] Find a way to rebel against shoes, be it by running barefoot through the grass or kicking them off at work when your boss isn’t looking.

4TH JUNE [LEAVE THE OFFICE EARLIER DAY] This day was the invention of Laura Stack, a specialist in employee productivity, among other things.

4TH JUNE [OLD MAID’S DAY] It’s an occasion for spinsters around the world to get together, make merry and enjoy the carefree lifestyle which comes with singlehood.

6TH JUNE

8TH JUNE

[YO-YO DAY]

[UPSY DAISY DAY]

11TH JUNE [GIN DAY]

It is no coincidence that this corresponds with the birthday of famous entrepreneur Donald Duncan Sr who, in the 1930s, got into the yo-yo business.

This one encourages you to face the day positively with renewed energy and to get up gloriously, gratefully and gleefully each morning. Try waking up on the better side of the bed.

Founded by Neil Houston, aka YetAnotherGin in 2009, what started off as a day to bring his friends together to drink gin has grown into a global celebration.

13TH JUNE [SEWING MACHINE DAY]

16TH JUNE [DUMP THE PUMP DAY]

25TH JUNE [COLOUR TV DAY]

It encourages you to make use of a sewing machine — dig yours out of a cupboard or consider picking a used one from a charity store.

It’s all about finding alternatives to getting in the car and trying to avoid an over-reliance on petrol for the day.

In 1951, an event came to pass that changed the future of broadcast entertainment forever. For all couch potatoes.

EXOTICA [13] JUNE 2016

TRAVEL NEWS

THE WILDEST STATE Pradesh Tourism (MPT) recently won the ‘Best Indian Destination for Wildlife’ award by a leading travel magazine. The state has 25 wildlife sanctuaries, including nine national parks. Among them Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench are ideal habitats for tigers. Madhya Pradesh has launched a number of programmes for the conservation of flora and fauna because of which Kanha and Pench are regarded as the most beautiful national parks in Asia while Bandhavgarh and Pench are known world over for its tiger reserves.

MADHYA

FLYING NANNIES & BUTLERS its commitment to the Indian market, Etihad Airways has launched direct Airbus A380 flights from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi, followed by the launch of “The Residence”, the three-room suite on its A380. Mumbai is the fourth destination on the Abu Dhabi-based carrier’s global route network where the A380 has been deployed. The aircraft offers 9 apartments, 70 business studios, and 415 economy smart seats.

“The Residence” features a living room with TV, bedroom with double bed, separate en-suite shower room and a dedicated personal butler. For families travelling with children, the airline is offering services of a “flying nanny”.

REITERATING

EXOTICA [14] JUNE 2016

BIKE IN MUNICH can have your fill of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Munich, with its new bicycle hiring system. A network comprising 1,200 km of bike paths has turned Munich into one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in Europe. In the downtown area, meadows and woods as well as along the water, cyclists can take well-marked routes, bike paths or traffic-calmed streets to reach the most beautiful spots and sights. Pedalling away and moving along on your own steam, stopping whenever you feel like to sample the special atmosphere of a fascinating quarter, sipping a radler or a cup of latte macchiato on a sun deck — all of this is some exploration in a light-footed manner.

YOU

ONE FOR THE SENSES thought you could attain that enviable bikini figure in the clear mountains, sipping vegan smoothies and melting pounds through detoxifying massages? For the summer season, Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains is offering a detox cure individually tailored to the body. Kempinski St Moritz has put together a detox concept with focus on the elimination of waste, toxins and impurities in the body. The cure boosts metabolism, helps lose weight and cleanses the skin, strengthening the immune system. A tailored sports and spa programme is provided, consisting of sunrise yoga, tai chi, personal training and detox spa treatments, such as purging body wraps, scrubs and massages — a faster cleaning of internal organs. For even more relaxation and recreation, enjoy the fresh and clear mountain air, the mineral-rich spring water from the Mauritius source. The detox cure is available with a minimum stay of six nights in the period from June 17 to October 16.

WHO

TOUCHING NEW SHORES International has announced the opening of its fifth hotel in Pune. The new Pune Marriott Suites is located in the Koregaon Park area and offers 199 suites designed for long-stay guests, plus two restaurants, a lounge, fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool and wellness centre. It will be exciting as this all-suites hotel is one of the top in class luxury destinations in the city. The new hotel is located close to Pune airport and the city’s main business and IT hubs which is likely to appeal to business travellers.

MARRIOTT

EXOTICA [15] JUNE 2016

GLAMPING IN THE HILLS about starting and ending your day amidst the highest levels of luxury, all complete with delicious cuisines and personalised services? The Ultimate Travelling Camp (TUTC) is back with the widely popular Chamba Camp Thiksey and Chamba Camp Diskit in Ladakh, an unbelievable mix of luxury and adventure set against serene landscapes that prove luxury and nature can coexist beautifully. TUTC, India’s first truly mobile luxury camp introduces travellers to “glamping” or high-end camping with luxurious tents in carefully selected exceptional locations in the mountains, deserts, jungles and unexplored countryside. TUTC’s itineraries for each camp is designed in a way that suits the interests, choices and leisure of travellers.

HOW

THE MAKEOVER Aguada Central Jail, Goa’s erstwhile prison that stands in a scenic spot overlooking the Arabian Sea, is to be transformed into a museum. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) will be undertaking the project. This prison no longer houses inmates who have now been shifted to the new jail at Colvale.

Nonetheless Central Jail, Aguada, will not stand forgotten as it will soon join Dhagshai Jail in Himachal Pradesh and the Cellular Jail in Andaman as a jail museum. While Dhagshai and the Cellular Jail are dated back to the British era, the Central Jail, Aguada dates to the Portuguese rule. The Corporation has involved both the Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) and Goa’s freedom fighters in this project as the Aguada Jail Museum project intends on reviving and restoring history and heritage.

THE

NEW LOOK

Hotels Resorts and Palaces recently launched the revamped version of its website. The new www.tajhotels.com is insightful, engaging and experiential for travellers.

The thoughtful new design is reflective of the Taj brand — true to its heritage, yet highly dynamic and relevant to the evolving guests. The destination-led user experience not only foregrounds unique stories from Taj hotels and destinations but also integrates unbiased reviews from TripAdvisor and authentic

TAJ

traveller recommendations to inform and inspire the site visitors. Its evocative content aims to create visual journeys to enchanting destinations that will also convert travellers’ browsing into bookings. Some of the key features of the new website include — best rate guarantee, faster booking experience, accessible booking widget, responsive design, full optimisation for mobile devices, tablets and desktops for a seamless browsing experience, among others.

EXOTICA [16] JUNE 2016

FLAVOURS OF SPAIN Spanish culture and savour the charms of its bars and taverns while sampling tapas in many cities around the world. Take your pick from tastings, show cooking, activities in local markets and more. India will celebrate World Tapas Day for the first time on June 16 where you can enjoy the indigenous offering of Spain. This will be an occasion that will be celebrated every year on the third Thursday in June. Several restaurants in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Chennai will be offering special set tapas menus for the occasion. Tapas allows you to share a variety of dishes and try a wide range of different products.

EXPERIENCE

LIT FEST from all over the world will grace Mayfair Hotel in Bhubaneswar from June 18 to 19 for the third edition of Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) 2016. Around 100 celebrities from the world of literature, cinema, media and politics will assemble in the temple city of Odisha to deliberate on the theme of “Literature and Democracy”. KLF has emerged as the biggest literary platform in the eastern part of India attracting both experienced and young littérateurs for discussing commonalities in the diverse voices in literature and democracy. It promises an aesthetically and intellectually illuminating atmosphere which will be an eclectic mix of celebrity authors, thinkers, cine-world luminaries blended with inspirational debate which will nourish creativity and thinking.

LITERATI

EXOTICA [17] JUNE 2016

ROADIE DIARY

TOAST TO THE COAST A hotel that can be only accessed by boat. A marriage hall doubling up as a hotel.

Modern towns spilling over into highways. Colonial ones returning into a cul-de-sac.

Rivers emptying into the sea. Culinary adventures and misdventures. An unconventional and humbling lesson in technology. A disappearing chilli market.

Squeaky clean roads and conscientious citizens. Well, in some parts. Devotees of various Hindu gods easily outnumbered by devotees of Bachchus. And groceries selling filter coffee. CHANDAN MITRA chances upon the many contradictions and commonalities that make up a mosaic called India as he drives down from Delhi to the country’s southernmost tip in an epic coastal sojourn. SHOBORI GANGULI freeze-frames the journey. Presenting first of a two-part series

MAP NOT TO SCALE

Uttaranyat Samudrasya Himadreshchaiyva Dakshinam Varsh tad Bharat Naam Bharati yat ra santatih is a sloka from the Vishnu Purana, presumed to have been composed in the 13th century. The remarkable aspect about this sloka is that long before scientific mapping came into practice and centuries before satellite pictures were available to cartographers, Indian scholars had defined the contours of this vast subcontinent with such accuracy.

I recall reciting this sloka to friends in 1991 when I first drove to Ladakh, the northern extremity of the current boundaries of India. It so happened that the same year, I had occasion to reach Kanyakumari, the southern tip of the Great Indian Peninsula to report on a nationwide yatra launched by the then BJP president, Murli Manohar Joshi.

This ancient land, bound by snowy peaks to the

THIS START DELHI 00

north and deep oceans to the south, consisting of an incredible variety of people separated by ethnicity, language, culture, cuisine and religion, has fascinated me since childhood. Apart from worshipping its shape and form as Mother India, I had nursed a desire to circumambulate this magnificent country to familiarise myself with its myriad diversities that nevertheless come together to create an incredible spiritual unity. In his autobiography, The Discovery of India, Jawaharlal Nehru had referred to a “silken bond� that unites the people of this vast land. It is this bond, he argued, that made people from the deep south (modern Tamil Nadu), undertake a pilgrimage on foot all the way to Kashi (Varanasi). It is the same bond that makes people across the country look upon the River Ganga as the soul of India; that mantras recited during Hindu religious events refer to all the major rivers — Ganga, Yamuna, (the now extinct) Saraswati, Sindhu (Indus), Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and

NH2, also popularly known as Delhi-Kolkata Road, is a good 1,500-km drive, not do-able without a stopover

Cauvery. At pujas, it is customary to collect water from all the sacred rivers as part of the ritual.

These are the unspoken silken bonds that have bound this country together for millennia despite political upheavals.

Probably inspired by this legacy, a modern Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee (19962004), declared his intention to bind the country physically through a network of roads. He visualised three schemes — the Golden Quadrilateral connecting four metros on the four corners of India (Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai) the East-West, North-South Highway connecting Imphal to Porbandar and Srinagar to Kanyakumari. His third grand plan — Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana — was aimed at linking all villages with a population of 1,000 and above with metalled all-weather roads that gave access to the nearest highway. Soon after he announced his grandiose plan, I made up my mind to traverse the entire GQ. In 2005, I drove down the Delhi-Mumbai leg of the Quadrilateral. In 2010, I drove from Delhi to Gangtok and returned via Kolkata, traversing some of the East-West Highway under construction, and the second leg of the GQ. But that still left two other legs of the Quadrilateral incomplete.

NO HOTEL AT MIDNIGHT this grandiose plan of circumambulating India, at least peninsular India, I set off from Delhi on Sunday, February 7, with driver Mahesh in tow, as wife and colleague Shobori was scheduled to join only from Bhubaneswar. Delhi to Kolkata is a good 1,500-km drive, not do-able without a stopover.

Varanasi being pretty much midway, it makes sense to drop anchor in the holy city.

However, I had never imagined getting a hotel room in Varanasi would be as difficult as it turned out to be. After Taj Ganges regretted, it was suggested I try Jukasso Inn, which stands at the head of a ghat and thus overlooks the Ganga.

Although they did have accommodation to offer, the problem was that the hotel could be accessed only by boat as the lane behind it was too narrow for a car to navigate. Car-borne hotel guests are meant to leave their vehicles at a parking lot near Assi Ghat at one end of the city and jump onto a hotel boat to ferry them to their destination.

Although a novel idea, I thought it would be inappropriate to leave a car loaded with luggage for a long journey, so far away, besides the time that would be consumed to and from the hotel.

Next I tried Hotel de Paris, which I recall from my

WITH

VARANASI 794.5km

demise of Reliance fuel outlets, childhood was a plush colonial many of which had A-1 dhabas hotel in a midst of sprawling attached to them providing gardens, beyond the Cantonment. sumptuous meals and fast food.

The reception clerk virtually Hope they reopen soon! discouraged my secretary Finding good food remained pointing out the hotel’s negatives, an issue throughout the journey. such as no AC, no TV and early Although I did stop at a dhaba for closure of the kitchen. lunch, more for my driver’s Baffled by the nearbenefit than mine, the food was impossibility of locating just one unremarkable. The “Shudh room for one night in a city Outside my ancestral house in Hooghly, Vaishno” revolution of the 1990s teeming with hotels, my inquiries readying to leave for Bhubaneswar has, sadly, done great disservice revealed (a) this was peak foreign to roadside dhaba food. I don't mind that tourist season and (b) early February was cluttered nowadays dhaba food is fully vegetarian (although with weddings and baraatis had booked every the anda bhujia that smelt of fresh butter and spicy available room. Just when I was thinking of chillies is sorely missed) , but the quality of dal and changing my night halt to Allahabad, my son seasonal veggies has also declined. Further, dhaba Kushan spoke to a friend of his who owned owners tend to push inedible paneer preparations Diamond Hotel in Lanka, a populated mohalla down your gullet, which is most off-putting). On a (locality) of the city. He was happy to provide me couple of earlier journeys down NH2, I had dinner, bed and breakfast and I promptly grabbed stopped at an attractive, air-conditioned the offer. restaurant near Kanpur that surprisingly offered The journey to Varanasi was expectedly hassledelicious desi American Chopsuey. But this time I free. The only point that merits mention is that failed to locate it. Probably it has been demolished there are no well-appointed eating places on the to make way for a multi-storey apartment block. way. Even the Yamuna Expressway — a world class Worse, even chai shops are not easy to locate highway — has no decent places for food. on our fast and furious highways. The few that are Surprisingly, chains like McDonald’s, KFC and still in business have moved onto the service lane Dominos haven’t opened outlets yet. Having left as and where you have them running parallel to Delhi without a proper breakfast, I was forced to the highway. So you need to really look out for the make do with a soggy veg burger at one of the once ubiquitous tea shop. I finally found one just functional cafes next to a toll booth. I regretted the

before Varanasi on the beehad (undulating badlands that signal proximity to river basins) of the Ganga. Just as I was settling down with a second cup, an elderly gent softly warned us to leave quickly as my SUV was attracting too much attention and this region was still dacoity-prone.

Startled, I gulped down the tea and sped towards Varanasi, barely 50 km away.

We set off from Varanasi after a neat breakfast at 9 am, early enough to avoid the city's maddening traffic. The highway was truly splendid and soon we slipped into Jharkhand after crossing the Sone River Bridge, one of the world’s longest. It was easier to find tea shops on this stretch as the number of trucks and other goods carriers increased. But finding a decent place for lunch remained a problem. I was not keen to stop at a typical dhaba here as a meal necessarily involved fish and rice. Much as I love such a meal, it is avoidable while driving as rice has a tendency to make you feel sleepy. Finally around 3 pm, I spotted a nicely decorated restaurant with outdoor seating serving mostly snacks. That suited me fine although I had not bargained for the mandatory paneer in the form of “cheese pakora”, the only substantial snack on offer and like other suburban restaurants cheese here meant what Europeans call cottage cheese and we know as paneer.

PITSTOPS WITH LANGCHA southern part of Jharkhand, which we entered soon after our sparse lunch, is criss-crossed by a myriad seasonal rivers, originating in springs or lakes in the Chhota Nagpur plateau and eventually flowing into the Ganga. Rivers such as Ajay, Mayurakshi, Damodar and Barakar assume menacing proportions in the monsoon (Damodar was known as Bengal’s sorrow), but are little more than pools of stagnant water for the rest of the year, dotted with huge boulders. After the construction of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) network of small and big dams, flooding has reduced in magnitude but the quantum of water in the dams has also declined over the years. The banks of these streams are lined with fine sand which is nowadays mined heavily by building contractors. At any given point, one can find at least a dozen lorries parked on the banks, labourers busily loading sand onto them. The constant movement of heavy vehicles has damaged the surface of the highway in these parts. Also, NHAI is busy widening the stretch and constructing more flyovers to give smooth passage to and from Kolkata. Roadworks and the frequent diversions on account of construction activity delayed our progress. Besides, burgeoning towns like Asansol and Durgapur have spilled over onto NH2. City traffic on the

THE

Shaktigarh’s claim to fame is an elongated gulab jamun variant called langcha

On way to Bhubaneswar, A-One Dhaba near Digha where Mahesh misread the menu

highway has led to many traffic lights being installed at intersections while speed breakers have become another irritation on this stretch.

To make matters worse for us, rains came down that evening almost without warning, causing slush to accumulate on the road side; consequently the windshield of our car got repeatedly splattered with mud. We reached Burdwan (now spelt Barddhaman) past 8 at night, about two hours behind our estimate. The drive having been strenuous since we crossed into West Bengal, I needed some chai and snacks rather desperately but most shops were closed by this time.

Shaktigarh is a small sleepy town on the outskirts of Barddhaman whose claim to fame is copyrighted ownership of an elongated gulab jamun variant called langcha, which for some mysterious reason is available only here. There are about two dozen shops on both sides of the highway all bearing the langcha prefix, such as Langcha Mahal, Langcha Palace, or the less ostentatious Langcha Ghar. Adam Smith would have been impressed to see his definition of Perfect Competition at work here. All shops serve langcha, samosa and tea and these are priced the same across all outlets and taste exactly the same. Judging by the fact that they have co-existed for around 50 years, business has evidently thrived for all. the time we stopped at one, samosas were over. I had two powerfully sweet langchas, two cups of chai and proceeded on the last section of the day’s journey.

By then, the rain had stopped and we tried hard to make up for lost time. But the traffic was too heavy to allow rapid progress. More misfortune befell when I took the wrong exit to Chinsura due to a misleading road sign. I had to retrace 10 km and finally took the right connecting road, reaching home on the banks of the Hooghly River (as the Ganga is known here), past 11 pm. I had planned to stay over at my ancestral home an extra day, so fortunately there was no great hurry.

The next day was spent idling, watching boats sail past from the terrace of my home. I had contested the Hooghly seat for Parliament in 2014 without success but made many friends in the town where I lived for five years in my childhood and also received my elementary education.

The town of Hooghly apparently derives its name from the Dutch Ogolim, meaning godown. It was a river port

BY

EXOTICA [24] JUNE 2016

HOOGHLY 650.3 km

BHUBANESWAR 463.8 km

once upon a time. The Portuguese came here first and built a most impressive church at Bandel, adjoining Hooghly town to the north. South of the twin town of Hooghly-Chinsura is Chandernagore (now Chandan Nagar), which was under French occupation till the early 50s. The twin town of Hooghly-Chinsura (now Chuchura), and its adjacent habitations like Chandan Nagar, Bandel and Srirampur on the banks of the Ganga are a treasure trove of architectural history, Chandan Nagar in particular. Large European-style mansions overlooking the wide river were once the abode of indolent zamindars and other timeservers of the colonial Sarkar Bahadur. French Governor Dupleix’s Palace and other official buildings along the impressive Strand in Chandan Nagar should be a must-see for visitors. Similarly Chuchura’s clock tower, erected to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s reign, is among the best maintained clock towers of British times.

Banerjee Cabin and Tower View restaurant on the Clock Tower Circle still serve superb tea and mutton cutlets. Most patrons order “Ekta cha aar ekta half”, (a tea and a half) meaning a cup of tea and an extra, empty cup to share the beverage and thus cut expenses.

Having rested and refreshed, I resumed my journey on Wednesday, February 10. My destination was Bhubaneswar, capital of Odisha, approximately 550 km from Hooghly, bypassing Kolkata.

Fortunately, road planners built a connector from NH2 to NH5 (Kolkata to Chennai). So I effortlessly glided into the second leg of the journey.

FROM RIVER BANK TO SEASHORE unintended culinary misadventure over lunch at the well-appointed A-One dhaba near Digha (Bengal’s popular beach resort), threw driver Mahesh completely off balance for the rest of the day. Unable to figure out the menu card in English, he ordered Single Tadka Dal, missing out the egg that was suffixed to “Single.” A particularly stringent vegetarian, he was unaware that Bengalis despise having a purely vegetarian meal.

After a couple of helpings of the dal laced with scrambled egg, he rushed out of the restaurant in mortal dread of having committed sacrilege. He did not touch a morsel for the rest of the day and could not stop talking about the misunderstanding. I decided to drive without break from here on, since I realised Mahesh was thoroughly traumatised and might lack concentration.

Bengal merges uneventfully into Odisha. Their border districts of Midnapore (Medinipur) and Balasore (Baleswar) share language, culture and cuisine. Stopping a couple of times for chai and samosa, I finally reached the outskirts of Cuttack, the erstwhile capital of Odisha just after sundown.

This is the eastern strip of the state and rivers become huge as they approach the sea, particularly Mahanadi, northernmost among the set of gigantic rain-fed rivers that includes Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery. After crossing the humungous Mahanadi Bridge, we were on the outskirts of the present capital.

Bhubaneswar, famous for its magnificent Lingaraj Temple, was selected as the state’s new

AN

Mayfair Lagoon Bhubaneswar is a magnificent hotel that embodies the core values of Eastern hospitality

capital after Independence, around the same time that Chandigarh was developed in Punjab. Although well-planned and rightly chosen to be a Smart City recently, it is not as impressive as Chandigarh. But its roads are wide, tree-lined and its Government Sector is very well maintained. Although I had been there umpteen times, I failed to locate its best hotel, Mayfair Lagoon, at the first try, probably as it was quite dark by now, and had to ask bystanders a few times.

One of my interlocutors gave a piece of advice I won’t forget in a hurry. Having missed a crucial right turn very close to my destination, I asked him for directions whereupon he loudly remonstrated: “Google kar lijiye na!” All these years I have entertained healthy disrespect for new

technology for seeking directions on the road. I would jokingly tell friends that the best GPS in India is the man at a paan shop or chatting on a street corner.

Deeply humbled by the man’s comment, I vowed not to ridicule technology again and indeed it turned out to be most helpful as my journey progressed.

Lagoon, owned

MAYFAIR

by entrepreneur Dilip Ray in the heart of Bhubaneswar, is a magnificent and picturesque hotel built around an artificial water body.

Overflowing with foliage, it makes for a serene and restful stay after a busy day’s work, or drive in my case.

I decided to stay an extra day in Bhubaneswar to participate in the Saraswati Puja or Basant Panchami which happened to be on February 12. It was my good luck that Saraswati Puja is observed in the hotel itself. After offering prayers to the Goddess of Learning, something I religiously observe every year, I headed for the airport to receive Shobori. As planned, we proceeded straight from the airport to Gopalpur-on-Sea to spend a

Tea shacks at the Mayfair Palm Beach Resort, Gopalpur-on-Sea, serve freshly-made chicken pakodas, jhal-muri and tea in kullads. The Gopalpur beach has a unique character

couple of days at Dilip’s latest showpiece, Mayfair Palm Beach. I was astounded to see it postrenovation. I had stayed here with my parents way back in 1968, when it was an Oberoi property and a pucca, single-storeyed colonial hotel. The abandoned building, then a single-storey structure, was taken over recently by the Mayfair group but sadly got battered by recurrent hurricanes. However, Dilip painstakingly repaired it each time and no trace of the damage remains.

Rightly proud of the way he has rebuilt the hotel, Dilip says it is India’s only beach resort as no other major hotel gives direct access to the beach from the building. To create a village atmosphere

on the beach, he has built a tea shack which serves freshly-made pakodas, jhal-muri and tea in earthen cups or kullads around 5 every evening. Although the Bay of Bengal is rough at the best of times, the hotel employs trained life-guards or nuliyas who escort the adventurous into the water. Next morning I spent an hour battling the waves which is a thrilling experience if you are adequately protected. Here I must mention a waiter in particular, a gem when it comes to looking after guests. We met CD as he is known to all guests and colleagues alike, first in Gangtok in 2007.

Courteous to a fault, he insists on plying you with food every few hours, ignoring protestations.

Usually he decides on the menu, too, and there is always fresh fish and prawn in his repertoire.

CITY OF GOLD...AND CURRY Gopalpur-on-Sea to Visakhapatnam was a short hop, just over 200 km, but we chose to drop for a night because the next intended stop, Guntur, would have been too long a drive.

Visakhapatnam has graduated to a bustling, modern city, a far cry from the haphazard port town it used to be in the 60s when I first came here. Intrepid travellers like my former colleague Dwaipayan (Riju) Bose and his wife Pallavi were in touch on Facebook throughout our journey, giving us tips about eating places.

Their recommendation for Vizag was Kamat’s, a homely restaurant growing in size and popularity all the time. Even the receptionist at our hotel (The Gateway) said, “Good choice.

We go there whenever we have a party”, affixing another seal of approval on the eatery.

Kamat’s is located on the RK Beach and we couldn’t miss it, given the long line of cars

FROM VISAKHAPATNAM 441.5 km

(Above) The green drive to Visakhapatnam, (below) Kamat restaurant is preferred for curry, rice and paratha and the spick and span beach near the port

Another surprise on the highway: the lush tobacco plantation

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parked on both sides of the road as we approached the place. The restaurant has obviously grown rapidly in recent years, so they’ve covered the terrace and made an extra floor to accommodate diners. does not have an elaborate menu.

Choice revolves around curries of several types — chicken, mutton, fish and vegetable. Of course, there are starters too but the preferred meal is simple: Curry of your choice and rice and roti/paratha. We ordered a mutton and fish curry along with some rice. Obviously there is a family secret in the curry recipe because its taste was simply exquisite. Undoubtedly it was the best curry I have ever had and that’s saying a lot considering

KAMAT’S

I have tasted curry in every part of the country apart from, of course, my own home. being a busy port, in fact, the only deep water sea port on the East coast, and a major business centre, Visakhapatnam is a picturesque city; literally sandwiched between the rocks and the sea. A lot of construction is happening nowadays; large multi-storeys are coming up on the slopes of the Eastern Ghats to the west of the city. Commerce is prospering, judging by the number of malls and multiplexes on the main roads. You know you have reached South India by the number of jewellery shops that line the high street of every city here. Indians’ obsession with gold is on full display in Vizag.

DESPITE

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RED HOT CHILLIES were advised by the Taj Hotel staff to skip Guntur and drop anchor in Vijaywada next. Guntur, we were told, did not have hotels up to the mark and indeed internet search seemed to bear out the warning. Anyway, Guntur, which I insisted on visiting in order to purchase its world famous red chillies, was just 60 km from Vijaywada. An unfortunate accident in Rajamundhry, which fortunately did not cause much damage, delayed us considerably as several hours were spent at a police station filling in details.

As a result we reached Vijayawada past midnight.

Luckily, the room service of the Fortune Hotel conjured up some tasty biryani even at that hour. By the time we hit the bed, dog tired and not a little tense on account of the accident, it was 2 am.

The next morning we had only one agenda: Look for red chillies in Guntur. Upon reaching the crowded market town on the other bank of Godavari, we discovered that the chilli market existed no more, only scattered shops sold this prized variety. Shobori, who is inordinately fond of chillies, shopped to her stomach’s content before we headed back to the hotel for some afternoon siesta.

WE GUNTUR 375 KM

Our next stop was Nellore because once again I had decided to skirt Chennai city and reach Fisherman’s Cove in Mahabalipuram on Chennai’s outskirts, and that wasn’t a do-able proposition from Vijayawada in one day’s driving. Nellore, too, is a sprawling commercial hub, unfortunately not overflowing with decent hotels. Internet search led us to Vintage Inn and there was nothing vintage about this marriage hall doubling up as a functional

World famous for red chillies, the city of Guntur is just 60 km from Vijaywada

NELLORE 242 KM

Shobori, inordinately fond of chillies, shopping to her stomach’s content in Guntur; a cosy little cafe in Pondicherry and filter coffee

hotel catering essentially to wedding parties. In fact, the hotel did not even have its own restaurant, leave alone room service. The waiter, invariably called Babu in these parts, came up with a menu card from a nearby restaurant for our dinner. Before that we went for a stroll on Nellore’s crowded streets only to find every building decked up in gaudy lights as marriages were happening everywhere. Shobori shopped for some exquisite silk saris before

returning to our resting place (calling it a hotel would be a gross exaggeration).

We left earlier than usual, stopping for breakfast at a crowded restaurant near the bus terminus. Obviously a popular eating joint, it served deliciously soft idlis and piping hot dosas, just what we were hoping for. must be said that roads in Seemandhra were the best we encountered in the journey. Also the roadsides were remarkably clean. Whenever we stopped for filter coffee, which was really excellent, we found the shops squeaky clean and all paper cups painstakingly picked up and dumped in dustbins by customers — a sight unusual in most of India. Swachch Seemandhra is closer to reality than Swachch Bharat. After leaving Nellore, we entered Tamil Nadu in no time and opted for the Chennai bypass as pre-decided. Although we did not formally enter Chennai, the Ring Road gave us a good idea of the southern metropolis. The long elevated by-pass also allowed a bird’s eye-view of Chennai city, which I have visited many times, but Shobori hadn’t.

Although it was still February, it was getting hot and hotter from the time we entered southern Seemandhra. Chennai needless to say was blazing hot particularly in the afternoon. We were really looking forward to reaching Mahabalipuram on the seashore.

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A BRIDGE NOT TOO FAR sight that greeted us on reaching the Taj property exceeded expectations. As we had been given an upgrade by the affable manager, Souvik Bhattacharya, we were escorted to a cottage overlooking the Bay of Bengal, looking resplendent in the falling afternoon light. Rows of palm trees swaying in the sea breeze made the view even more spectacular. I had been to Fisherman’s Cove some 20 years ago for a marketing conference of the (now extinct) Sunday Observer, of which I was then Editor. It was then just a four-storey block of rooms overlooking the sea.

The exquisite oval cottages with a balcony running along came up some 15 years ago and were fully refurbished after the tragic tsunami of 2004. After a stroll on the beach, water droplets showering us all along, we felt truly relaxed and rejuvenated. We were glad to stay an extra day in the fabulous surroundings. Next day, we went for a reviving massage at their well-appointed spa. But bad luck befell me that evening as I came down with inexplicably high fever and could barely stay awake even for dinner.

Next morning I felt quite energetic but still decided to

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Chennai 175 KM

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Amazing view of rows of palm trees swaying in the sea breeze at Vivanta by Taj Fisherman’s Cove; seaside shacks.

(Below) Rameshwaram beach

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consult the hotel doctor who said I was okay to travel but advised not to strain too much. We had a sumptuous lunch at a roadside shack in the former French outpost of Pondicherry (Puducheri). Quite surprised to find a roadside shack advertising Italian food and run by Auroville inmates, we did not hesitate to abruptly stop to partake some fabulously home-cooked lasagna and chocolate ice-cream. initial intention was to drop anchor at another former French outpost of Karaikal, half-way between Chennai and Rameshwaram. (Puducheri and Karaikal on the Bay of Bengal coastline and Mahe on the Arabian Sea coast come under the Puducheri UT administration). But we were advised by hotel staff against that and instead proceed further south.

While driving through Karaikal, we realised why we were told not to stay there overnight. Rarely

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have I observed so many temples and liquor shops exist cheek-by-jowl. Perhaps as a result, Karaikal turned out to be a very noisy town milling with devotees of various Hindu gods but easily outnumbered by devotees of Bachchus, the Greek god of liquor. Friend Dilip Ray had recommended a resort called MGM, which we located around 10 pm at Velanganni or Velankanni, approximately 20 km south of the port town of Nagapattinam on NH55.

The sprawling MGM Velankanni turned out to be the preferred hotel for Christian pilgrims who throng the revered St Anne’s Church nearby. The first question I was asked at the reception was, “Which service would you like to attend — early morning or mid-day?” We booked ourselves into a double-storey cottage equipped with a living/dining room, kitchenette on the ground floor and two bedrooms on the upper floor.

Apparently, the resort is favoured by NRIs who

(Above) Halting on Pamban bridge; on the beach of the former French outpost of Pondicherry. (Below) The 8 km-long Pamban bridge links Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi to the mainland and looks expansive with the azure blue Bay of Bengal on three sides

stay here for several days and visit the many churches that dot the landscape. Because of my viral infection, we decided to skip a visit to the widely revered Church of St Anne. Incidentally, fishing is the main occupation of the local population as the land is saline and also dotted with salt pans. Most fishermen on the Tamil Nadu coast are Christians, which explains the presence of the large number of churches, old and new. along the highway, we noticed groceries here served tea and coffee too. Shopkeepers carry home-made filter coffee in large stainless steel containers and serve the beverage in paper cups. This is a big departure from grocery shops in the north, which are usually

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not located on the highway and also do not serve hot beverages.

We crossed the Pamban bridge that links Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi to the mainland of India. The journey across the 8 km-long road bridge, with a rail bridge running alongside, is magnificent with the azure blue Bay of Bengal on three sides and below. Hundreds of fishing boats crowd the marine product-rich shallow waters of the Palk Strait. We crossed the engineering marvel, stopping occasionally to take photographs.

Actually, the main reason for my determination to take the detour to Rameshwaram was to drive across the sea link, India’s most spectacular. Often you need a diversion to set you back on course. [ E N D O F P A R T I ]

TREK TRAIL

Most people know of Chadar as one of the most gruelling treks. But few people still brave the frozen Zanskar river, as it was done a thousand years ago. And they have their reasons to do so, says GAURAV SCHIMAR

was a night of revelry at Rigzin’s courtyard in Padum. The rum did its rounds as the bonfire crackled. With each swig of liquor, the spirits of the ten men huddling around the fire rose and so did the echoes of the chatter in the still night. The men were a motley group of Zanskari farmers, porters and guides, all set to travel to Leh, and I was the odd man out in this closely knit group.

It was January and the roads had been closed for months with no one entering or leaving the valley for weeks. While it is understandable that the Zanskaris had to accept and survive the harsh and cold winter months, I considered my becoming a part of this secluded world at such a time nothing but a tryst of fate.

As the night got colder, we reached out to music and dance to get the blood circulating. The festivity was brought to an abrupt stop by Rigzin’s wife, who had prepared a sumptuous meal for the whole lot of us. This was the last real meal that we would have on this mystic land. I wonder if that added to the charm of the company and the meal.

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Ice highway of the Zanskar River

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The next morning would see us set out for Leh — on the Chadar — a trek across the frozen river Zanskar known to the world as, perhaps, one of the most challenging trails. The long wait for my Zanskari friends and me was finally over. The river seemed sufficiently frozen. The time seemed right. the best of times, Zanskar is a remote and desolate land, located in the heart of the Himalayas, at an altitude of 23,000 ft above sea level. For six months of the year, when the roads are snowed over and the river is freezing slowly, Zanskar is completely cut off from the outside world. In due course, the river has a sheet of ice that is strong enough, for the most part, to support the weight of trekkers. This sheet of ice is called Chadar and the trek is popular with adventure junkies the world over. But for locals, the Chadar is a lifeline, their only route to the outside world for anything — be it for supplies, medical help or any contact at all, for two months of the year.

The following morning brought with it a frenzy of action around the house. The sledges were tried and double-checked. We took stock of supplies and measured the kerosene. Letters and gifts were handed over for families and friends in Leh. We neatly packed everything on to the sledges and headed out to Karsha Gompa, the biggest monastery in Zanskar and home to about a hundred Buddhist monks. At the monastery, we gathered around the head priest of the ancient gompa as he chanted to invoke the blessings of the Gods on the group. Rigzin’s wife’s eyes were shut tight in prayer, for her husband’s safe passage. He sat still with his hands clasped, eyes following the movements of the priest. I looked a little bewildered as the chanting at the gompa reached a crescendo. Finally, the head priest stopped praying and turned towards us. He made gestures in the air and then chanted a little more and ended the prayer ceremony. We thanked the priest and the entire procession walked out of the gompa.

AT (Above) A wooden bridge over the Zanskar River near Chilling (Below, left to right); A campsite on a beach on the sandy banks of the Chadar; a bonfire keeps the chill away for some; a young Zanskari lad helps in pushing the load

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We all huddled into the jeep that was to drop us at the starting point of the trek. Traditionally, the trek used to begin from Padum itself but with the road being built, the river does not now hold over the stretch near Padum. Though the road is built all the way till Hanumur, we decided to start the trek at Zangla, below the ancient castle perched atop a hill. All goods were offloaded from the jeep and we took stock once again. On the banks of the river, Dorjey took out some rice from his bag and prayed vigorously (a regime he followed non-stop while walking the entire length of the river), gradually joined in by every member of the team. The grand finale before we set foot on the river was a chorus of Bharat Mata Ki Jai! air temperature was -15 degree celsius at noon, the ice on the surface of the river remained frozen at -30 degree and the gushing water below it dipped to -20 degree. The terrain was treacherous and demanding. The slightest slip could be life-threatening.

Thirty seconds in the water were enough for

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hypothermia to set in. Rigzin, being the senior most in terms of his experience on the Chadar, was the designated leader and guide. He carefully took the first few tentative steps and started leading the way. We all followed, one by one. I was timid but full of enthusiasm. I was finally walking on the Chadar. A dream was turning into reality and I felt I was transcending worlds. river was far from easy to manoeuvre. And as I tried learning the tricks of how to walk on slippery ice, Rigzin taught me to “read” the ice and understand the signs presented by the elements. I was informed that one should be ready to read and adapt to the ever-changing nature of the Chadar. The ice was sometimes firm and stable and at other times slippery, thin and dangerously unpredictable.

Distracting my attention from the river, Rigzin continued, “Leh is a nerve centre connected by mobile phones, internet, roads and aircraft. For us Zanskaris, it is a world of seemingly endless possibilities.” I reflected

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(Left) A lone walker on the river; traversing through a difficult patch on the Chadar; (right) a Zanskari makes way on the Chadar with firewood for the hearth

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GETTINGTHERE Chadar starts from Chilling — a three-hour drive from Leh. It is well-connected by air in winter.

BEST TIME: The trek can be done during a window of two months from January to February.

WHERE TO STAY: Though modern-day trekkers prefer staying in tented accommodation, the ice caves are the traditional dwellings on the river for the locals and make for much more comfortable environs.

A trekker poses for the camera next to a waterfall frozen in time

upon the desolation of Zanskar, where the way of life is pretty much the way it has been for hundreds of years. The modern world manifests here only in some small ways. Electricity is available for an hour a day. There is no hospital and a medical assistant is the only healthcare at hand. Cellphone signals don’t reach here and to get a decent modern education, they have to trek to towns like Leh. ice beckoned me to her lap within the first two hours of our trek and I experienced my first fall, a phenomenon which is repeated every two hours thereafter on the first day! With every fall, I realised that it was the stunning imagery all around, which was the culprit. The unfolding scenery captivates you to an extent that you tend to forget you are walking on ice.

I got more adept navigating my way as the day progressed. So much so, that soon I was

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gliding along instead of walking, like the rest of the Zankaris.

We approached our first halt, Nerak, as the natural light faded. We decided to skip the ice caves and checked into a cozy homestay on the banks of the river. The next couple of hours saw a frenzy of cooking and all of us were snug in our sleeping bags within no time. The night would've passed without incident, had it not been for the bukhari tumbling down and its leaping flames almost eating up my sleeping bag with me inside.

Everybody burst out of the room as the pipes toppled, the first one being Dorjey, who had been walking around in the dark and was the suspect for the “catastrophe.”

Within an hour of setting out on our trek, the following day, we were rewarded with perhaps the most stunning scene of the journey. Just past a bend, came into view a gigantic waterfall, frozen in mid air — known as the icefall. I dropped

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everything and went on a shutter release frenzy. After spending almost an hour at the fall, Rigzin and I were the only ones left behind, as the rest of the group had moved on. Overhead, we spotted a helicopter, which I was informed belonged to the Indian Air Force and was used to ferry locals to Leh at times. A loud crashing sound had me hugging onto a nearby cliff for dear life. An amused Rigzin looked on as I, engulfed in fear, contemplated whether the noise was because the copter had crashed or an earthquake had started?

Amidst broad grins, I was assured that the noise was created by big chunks of ice falling into the river below. As we joined the rest of the group, it was heartwarming to be greeted with steaming hot squash, prepared by the advance party as the first course of our lunch. This was followed by rice and dal. What a pleasure it was to eat this hot food while sitting on the frozen river, enjoying the mid-day sun. some reason, Rigzin decided to walk way up ahead and I was left in the company of Dorjey, who led the way with a constant chant on his lips. He didn’t even stop chanting when he fell down, which he did every now and then. By then I had almost mastered my walk and had learnt to take in the scenery without falling. One of the

FOR

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The frozen Zanskar river near Karsha; Rigzin, a Zanskari guide crossing across a frozen waterfall en route the Chadar; a historic ice cave enroute which was home to a lama once and a shelter for those traversing the Chadar

ROADTONOWHERE road along the Zanskar River is being built for several years now and has been fully built from Padum to Hanumur and till Lamaguru from the Chilling side. If BRO completes the entire stretch of the road, which will be an engineering marvel, Chadar will simply be a trek in history books, as no one will trek on the frozen river in the presence of the road.

Also, one does not know if the river will freeze then, and if it does, to what extent.

Today in the stretches where the road has been built, the river has stopped freezing completely. Also, all the debris, thanks to road cutting, simply goes into the river. The debate on whether to build the road or not has been raging on for long but it seems that “advancement” will win the battle.

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crew members advised me to try walking like one does while skating, to gain speed and avoid falling. I had taken heed and was enjoying it till the pain started setting in my calves and knees. By the end of the day’s journey, muscle fatigue had set in. I was to find out only later that the skating walk was fine if one wore gumboots and not the thick army boots that I had on. But I did manage to trudge on with the rest of the trekkers till the next halt of the day — Paldar Sumdo. hiked into an ice cave, our home for the night. Rigzin, Dorjey and a couple of others headed out straight to the deep gorge around the river, in search of fire wood, which is extremely important to survive the freezing temperatures of the night. The rest of the trekkers started to unpack the ration and light up the stoves to make some tea. I sat down and nursed my aching muscles. The dough was ready by the time Rigzin and company come back with wood. A huge fire was lit and a frugal dinner was set up. Chappati was cooked directly on the logs and was passed around to every man

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present inside the cave. The Zanskaris believe that if the chapatti has developed holes, then the Chadar is likely to be perforated and that they have to move with extreme caution the next day. As the rum flowed, the chanting soon made way for singing and dancing to lighten the mood and to keep the blood circulating with temperatures dropping to -40. next day, at the break of dawn, we were back on the river. We digressed briefly to explore caves that were once used by travellers. But now they were deserted, because they were associated with ghosts and death. We came across soot on the walls and half burnt wood, as Rigzin talked of legends that make the blood run cold. It is said that there are ghosts lurking at every bend of the Chadar, waiting to claim every traveller’s life, at least once. We prayed to a very old juniper tree and took a twig each, which is considered a holy blessing.

After lunch, we came across a group of “adventure trekkers�, who donned branded adventure gear. Our gear looked primeval in

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(Above) the sacred juniper tree which is a must stop for all trekkers. (Below) Traversing a scantily frozen and precarious bend on the Chadar

Trekkers pose after completing the historical trek at Chilling

of us carried. These diversions took hours and slowed us down considerably. At Tilat Sumdo, we halted at another ice cave for the night. Dorjey, the experienced old man, regaled us with the history of the Chadar over a bonfire. It is believed that the first time anyone made this journey, a red fox led the travellers to Leh. The fox did make an appearance that night, albeit in dreamland. it was the morning of the last day of the journey. The roadhead at Lamaguru was just a couple of hours away and everybody was merry. I had a spring in my step. As we reached the road head, prayers were offered to the holy spirits.

Everyone was safe. Dorjey left his animated chanting to break into a jig. I guess he, too, was glad at the prospect of seeing his daughter in Leh after three long years. I sat a while on the Chadar to savour the fulfilment of a long cherished dream.

Rigzin called for me as everything was loaded on to the waiting jeep. I took the final steps on the Chadar and walked off to the dirt track above. I knew, this would not be my final goodbye. I would surely be back for more.

FINALLY, comparison. We had none of the technical gear, crampons and gators that these guys flaunted.

Most of us were not even wearing proper shoes. I, too, had gotten rid of the army boots and was now wearing feather light gum boots. Pleasantries and notes on the state of the river were exchanged.

Things were not all that great for most part of the day ahead. We had to leave the river in places as it had not frozen completely. It was quite a task to climb the precarious cliffs with the heavy load each

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Q&A

You have always made unconventional script choices.

What is it about the Waiting that got you hooked?

Normally when I like a script, I have 10 reservations but this one I just loved without any plot issues or anything. And I know how annoying an actor’s questions can be to writers who must be wondering, “Who are you to not like it?” Anu’s script was one of those which I not only liked but was moved by the way she had treated it. It was set against the backdrop of a hospital, where two people were attending on their critically ill spouses, hoping they would recover, expected to be dark and depressing, but was filled with laughter and humour. I laughed out loud while reading the script. The film is all about hope and the innate ability in humans to lighten the load even in our darkest moments. That’s what living is about.

When you chose this work, you looked at it as a complete humanist film. Weren’t you conscious of the fact that it would attract the tag of a woman oriented project? How do you get around cliches?

The film is as much about a man as it is about a woman’s character, Naseer and mine. It’s only later when we got on the floors that I found out that our line producer, producer, director and DOP were women. But that was just incidental.

I never analyse a script intellectually and see if it’s male or female-oriented. I go by my gut instinct about it. Waiting is about real people which really

Two women and their real lives. One an actor, who constantly breaks moulds and never lets popular expectation get the better of her. The other, a filmmaker, who believes in being humane than gender-driven.

KALKI KOECHLIN and ANU MENON open their hearts out to RINKU GHOSH about just being, handling biases and stereotypes and waltzing through whatever challenges come their way.

A life lesson waiting to happen

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PHOTOS: PANKAJ KUMAR

Tango & smash!

Last year when I affected me and made me think was on the theatre about what I would do if I went circuit for nine through a similar situation. For months, I was me it was actually very emotional. directing, writing Imagine, you’re somebody who’s and producing my just gotten married and fallen in own plays. I made love and then you lose that that decision as I person. You haven’t lost him wasn’t excited technically but he is in that about any scripts unknown space, almost worse coming my way. I’m than losing as you don’t know somebody who what’s going to happen. All of can’t sit around those questions were so strongly waiting for work. brought up in my head as I have If work isn’t not had anyone in coma in my coming my way, I’ll life. It just made me realise real create it human issues need to be spoken about. Even if the film had a romantic angle to the manwoman encounter, and if that was for a reason, I wouldn’t have had an issue. I did find the script refreshing for sure and I think we often use comedy or romance as a tool to just move the pace of the story and this film is not in a hurry; it’s not trying to entertain although it does entertain as it’s funny in a weird way. It’s just not throwing masala bits just for the sake of it.

So how are you balancing the creative satisfaction of theatre as you are writing scripts, performing them, doing multi-city tours and your film projects. Do they collide and how do you strike a balance?

I don’t sleep much (laughs). There are times where I do a lot more theatre and a lot less films like last year when I was on the theatre circuit for nine months. I was directing, writing and producing my own plays which took a lot of time and energy. I made that decision because I wasn’t getting any film work that time; I wasn’t excited about any scripts coming my way. I’m somebody who can’t sit around waiting for work. If work isn’t coming my way, I’ll create it. I just need to keep doing something. As an actor, if you don’t practise your craft somehow, you cannot hone it or develop a rounded perspective.

A musician is expected to practise his skills everyday but as actors we are not expected to do that. For me it’s really important to keep practising in some way or the other. That’s why I keep touching base with theatre. This year though is again a bit more film-oriented because I’m shooting Konkona

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BIKERGIRL Kalki is preparing for her new TV show on FoxLife. The channel has roped in Kalki and her father, Joel, to travel over 5,000 km in the North East on their motorcycles. The Koechlins’ journey begins this month and the show will be aired in August 2016.

“It’s a nice break for me where I get to join my dad and go on a bike adventure.

Both of us are huge bike fans. Although he’s a bit elitist when it comes to his preferences in bikes. He is a Royal Enfield fan and I love Harley Davidson. It will be good to explore the North East as I feel it’s one of the most beautiful yet untapped parts of the country.

Sen Sharma’s film and have a web series called Smoke produced by Eros. There are some other films which I haven’t signed yet. Apart from ongoing plays, I’m not doing any new performances. So I have managed a very organic balance.

In the space where you are today, there are a lot of expectations about the kind of films you do. Do you think as an artiste you are limited by this expectation?

I hope I keep shocking people. I might do an item number one day and shock everybody. Even Naseer asked me to do one. Nobody expects me to do one as I have that intellectual, spearheading image but I think it really depends on the kind of song and context of the item number. My issue with item numbers is not that they exist but that they exist within the context of a family film. We have problem discussing sex in a family film but if

we show a half-naked woman in the same film, then it’s absolutely OK to watch. I think we need to rate our films more carefully and in a graded manner which will be more effective.

As far as item numbers go in the right context, I think they are needed to celebrate sexiness.

Otherwise there will be a lot of moral policing.

Then they’ll start saying a woman in a bikini can’t talk about women’s rights. So we need to break these labels. Why can’t women be multi-faceted?

Why can’t you be a sexual being, a mother, a professional and a lot many things at the same time? This holds true for men as well. Why can’t a man cry or wear pink?

How difficult has it been to fight labels as a woman performer in the industry?

It’s not something I think about because after every film you tend to get stereotyped. After Dev.D I was offered many sex worker roles, after Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, I was offered many bitch roles, after Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani I got comic roles and after Margarita With a Straw, it’s about playing disabled characters. And my job is to constantly break my own stereotypes, take up many roles and portray, “This is who I am.” I’m not trying to be very radical.

I just think I’m talking about the basic way in which we portray women or men and that conversation needs to happen with men involved and not as men versus women.

Do you think the way industry looks at women actors or performers has undergone any change over time? Even today people say she’s a woman director which is very demeaning. She’s a filmmaker first and then a woman.

Do you think that male gaze has changed or is it still the same?

Exactly, happens to me a lot. The other day somebody asked me you have worked with three women directors and how was it working with them, which is absurd. And I replied the only difference working with a woman director is that I can discuss my periods with her. Jokes apart, there is no difference at all. There are just personality differences. A woman like Zoya Akhtar is very

precise and calculated, someone like Anu Menon is more emotional. The differences have nothing to do with gender.

The male gaze is still undergoing a change but unfortunately it’s coming out of a fear that a woman might speak up against its shortcomings, which is a negative thing. What is needed is mutual respect and I don’t think we have reached that level.

I’ve personally never had this issue though and have always been able to make my point. If I feel a certain bikini scene is very titillating and has nothing to do with the story, I won’t. I have no issues wearing a bikini, I love wearing one but it needs to be there for a reason. I’ve always been very straight forward with my male counterparts. And I think they have respected that. But as a whole, the objectification of women has been still huge. It is for this reason that I loved a film like Dum Laga Ke Haisha...it’s so refreshing to see a big woman speaking her mind. It’s really important that we introduce such concepts in our stories.

There’s a constant complaint that the film industry is not getting good scripts. Our script writers are not innovative enough. How true is that? Is it just a myth?

It’s bit of both. I think we don’t give the writers the kind of respect and money they deserve. But I do see a change in the trend where some writers are getting their due. We have good writers like Sharad Kataria and Husain Dalal, who have become popular and are being used repetitively. They are coming up with cleverness and making the dialogues more real and relatable. I think we still need to get away from the idea of subscribing to formula-driven movies (a film must have this many songs, love and action sequences) to protect it from commercial pitfalls. The fear of not being able to make a box-office hit is so huge that we end up going back to the same masala. How we receive films is also partly to blame. We keep putting down a film just because it didn’t make `100 crore. But if a certain movie recovers its money and is a normal hit, the perception of that film is average or niche. It’s important to celebrate our independent films, which have re-made their money but are not `100 crore films. This mentality needs to go away.

We need to break these labels. Why can’t women be multi-faceted? Why can’t you be a sexual being, a mother, a professional and a lot many things at the same time?

This holds true for men as well. Why can’t a man cry or wear pink

How are women actors dealing with media perception of them? Even you have battled the same issue, both in the personal and professional space. Is it tougher to deal with media pressure today?

In a way it’s healthy that all these outspoken women and media battle it out. Women are not perfect, we are not trying to look and sound perfect and it’s great to see a woman who’s unapologetic. She wants to show off her cleavage or make a comment on the way a man is treating her. Why are women mascots made to be these perfect superhumans who have to say the right things all the time and present themselves in a certain way? I personally speak openly about issues and not what the media talks about me because that’s only going to waste my energy. It can be tough sometimes, if you don’t know how to switch off the phone. That’s what I do now. If I’m really bothered about media attention on something in my life, I switch off my phone because that’s not important in the long run. What’s important is my work and what I’m trying to represent. That’s far more valuable. If you try to rectify or clarify something, then the media will be like, “Oh Kalki has a bad temper, she storms out.” So it’s not worth it to battle these issues. These guys need to churn out daily news and I don’t blame them either as they are pressured by their publishers.

I’ve always treated media with respect. For me it’s a two-way traffic. They are doing a lot for me and I’m doing a lot for them. I’ve learnt to deal with contentious issues with a sense of humour. I have learnt to have a nice banter-battle-debate session with them which works well for me. But I do think we have intelligent journalists. Tabloid journalism just sells more.

Is that the reason you’re exploring different media to spread your own message like social media for example? Your rap video on media insensitivity in headlines of crimes against women has been a huge hit.

Again, it doesn’t come as something very calculated. I had written the poem and performed it live in college before people knew Kalki, the actor. I wouldn’t have thought of doing this video had not Culture Machine egged me on. Fame gets you all this. Otherwise, I used to write poems and do a lot of readings before

I’ve always been very straight forward with my male counterparts. And I think they have respected that. But as a whole, the objectification of women has been still huge. That’s why I loved a film like Dum Laga Ke Haisha...it’s so refreshing to see a big woman speaking her mind

We do have good writers in the industry who are coming up with clever ideas. The fear of not being able to make a boxoffice hit is so huge that we end up going back to the same masala. The `100 crore mentality needs to go away

Dev.D but that time nobody was interested in highlighting me. Some of my monologues have been picked up by students, translated into Hindi and are being performed at places. They have taken their own shape and journey.

What about the status of theatre in the country. Where do you see it going?

It’s still very tough to do theatre in India. Now that I’ve produced my own play, I know complete success is to just recover your money. That’s like wow, a huge success. If you have managed to pay everybody and recover the cost that’s more than enough. For me, it was my first production and I didn’t want anybody’s interference, that’s why I decided to put in my own money. Probably our play is floating because I’m kind of a known figure now, so I’ve managed to sell out shows but it’s pretty tough to sustain theatre. I think one of the big issues is the lack of infrastructure. We don’t have enough venues to perform in. You can only do two shows and then you stop doing it for a month.

It’s a very different concept in the West where you do a show for six months in a row and that’s worth the investment. If you are buying a whole new set and you are doing only two shows, there’s no way you can make your money back. The culture of theatre needs to come back because we have always had it in our history. If you look at folk or regional theatre, it still thrives in small towns. We haven’t been able to celebrate theatre in the urban context mostly because we don’t have enough space to perform in.

Do you think the urban space hasn’t been looked at by the performing arts very well in terms of urban relationships, conflicts and stories? We don’t get to see modern-day struggle, be it plays or films?

We do have a tradition in our commercial cinema to have escapist themes. In the indie space, you have stories about urban underbellies but normal urban people are getting barely a toehold. Waiting is one of those films as has been Piku. And yes there was Life in a Metro. I think we need to have more such films. There are so many issues to talk about.

What motivated you to bring in such a script?

It comes from a personal experience. My dad was in a hospital for a very long time and I was very young.

The eight months of being plugged out of what you believe is normal changed my life fundamentally.

What struck me most was that in spite of the biggest tragedy hitting me, I always clung on to hope and humour. It wasn’t like we were sitting and crying all the time. Human instinct is to find relief. Even if you go in a refugee camp, you will find inmates playing cards and stuff. And that is the fundamental basis of this film, to find the courage of acceptance. The biggest realisation was that it didn’t kill me or my mother and we found our courage. Eventually we moved on. And the movie runs on the same emotions.

Your approach to this subject has been rather genderless and at a more humane level.

The film never talks about the two characters as a man and a woman. This is just how I write my characters. Most of the times I don’t even think that I’m reacting as a woman, I’m reacting as a person. So the first step towards femininity is to make yourself a person. Like in my last film (London, Paris, New York) the girl was pretty unapologetic and flawed. So is this character. The problem with female-driven cinema is it’s still contextualised in patriarchy. I want to have a Wake Up Sandhya instead of Sid, where a girl’s biggest problem is finding a career for herself. You have to rise up to that hierarchy. Why should women be in context to men? So for me Waiting has just two characters, one is young and the other is old. It’s a coming of age for both of them. They both can learn something from each other.

Are there any expectations of being a woman director and if yes how do you demolish them?

I just write what comes to me and I stay true to my content. A lot of cinema is being made on racial and identity crisis but having operated in multiple cultures, that has never been an issue. I was always interested in universal stories. Of course, when you enter a room, you can sense people are already judging you. I don’t acknowledge it and just get on with it. There is just no other way. It surprises me

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M E N O N

that 99 per cent of female empowerment films are made by men. How many female-driven mainstream cinema can you think of made by a woman director?

Indie cinema is fairly levelled for both men and women; there you don’t have to fight any labels. Indie might be more gratifying but then again it’s got its own challenges like distribution. I’m sure Naseer didn’t even know who I was when I sent him the script. Though my graduation film had his daughter and he liked it, he didn’t remember who I was. But then he sent me a mail saying he loved the script and would do the film. When somebody is reacting to content and nothing else, then you can create real good cinema. Mainstream is more of a boy’s club and outsider women are bottom of the barrel. And when these people see a female director, they get all sorts of fear in their heads as to what kind of feminist movie will she make. You can see that fear on their faces.

So technically these people are determining the narrative of what a woman wants. And I want to make positive stories about women, want to show happy women. We can’t project women as victims all the time as that is doing a disservice. I just want to make non-threatening movies where women can be who they are.

There’s a lot of talk about rural women. Very little gets talked about city women.

It’s because it’s driven by men again. It’s not written by women. Piku is amazing because it has been written by a woman. For me it’s the most feminist film but still directed by a man. He did a good job as it was genderless. Similarly, in Margarita, the protagonist is unapologetic about her feelings though she is not expected to because she is challenged. We need more narratives like these.

So how do you feel when you are labelled as leading an allwoman team?

I think we celebrated it. I don’t think you need to be defensive about anything. Any of these women didn’t come on board because they were women, it was just a coincidence. It just so happened that on set we were 80 per cent women who had qualified on their skill set.

SUMMER SPECIAL

It’s

snowing insummer Wishing for a blizzard in scorching heat?

Check out these frosty treats

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BIG CITY SNOW the toboggan down the slope and you might reach the bottom on your bellies. That’s how unpredictable, and not to mention fun, a slide down a snowy, slippery slope is. And try as you may, there is no way you can get back on your feet in the first try.

You think we are are talking about the Himalayas?

While Delhi/NCR swelters in blazing temperatures of 45 degrees, here you will try hard not to get your hands frozen and manage to barely save your dignity by not slipping, skidding and landing on your backs.

Ski India will leave you almost frozen. India’s first sci-fi themed Snow Planet in DLF Mall of

TAKE

India in Noida is a planet alright. And it has its own unique species of creatures, too. You can meet Dr Kit and DFly, the super intergalactic penguins ZTimo (Snow Planet’s version of an eskimo) and Orran, whose voice will guide you through the “planet” and all the snow filled adventures you can be a part of. This unique land of dreams has been conceptualised and brought to life by Chiliad Procons, the people behind Mumbai’s Snow World.

The entire look of the arcade is very international, with a huge space given to the storage of proper snow clothes — jackets, gloves and boots in all sizes. The snow doesn’t run deep enough to build a snowman but enough to engage in a snow fight.

You can take pictures with reindeer sledges, the big snowman or figurines of intergalactic species.

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HOTELS HOTEL — the world’s first hotel made of ice and snow was built in 1989. It takes up a new guise every winter, in the Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi which is 200 km north of the Arctic Circle. Torne River provides ICEHOTEL with ice in winter and in summer when the hotel melts, the water returns to its source. Natural ice requires a lot of work — before it is harvested in the very beginning of spring, months are devoted in maintaining the “ice field” and keeping it clear of snow so that the ice can have the best possible conditions for growth. But in Jukkasjärvi, people think that the natural Arctic ice is worth the effort.

Yngve Bergqvist, the founder of ICEHOTEL was inspired by the Japanese ice-sculpting tradition and with the help of two professional ice

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sculptors from Japan, invited artists to attend a workshop in Jukkasjärvi in 1989. Inspired by the workshop, the following winter saw the first ever ice structure — an igloo of 60 m² built using mold technique constructed on the frozen Torne River. It was intended to be used as an art gallery and was named ARTic Hall. The following winter, the gallery attracted considerable attention. It was used not only to display art but also for church services and film show cases.

Bergqvist and his associates also opened a bar inside the hall and even tried sleeping in sub-zero temperatures. One night, a party of guests asked if they could stay in ARTic Hall. They were equipped with reindeer skins and sleeping bags and woke up entralled. And that’s how ARTic Hall became a hotel.

FOOD wondered if you could cook up some snow? You don’t have to think of a snowstorm here. Think sorbet. Yes sorbets, delicious little yum treats that are so satisfying and look gorgeous too. Here’s a rare recipe.

Persimmon, kaffir lime, lemongrass and purple basil sorbet: Place persimmons in a Ziploc bag and freeze over night. Next morning take out of freezer and thaw. Remove leaves.

Liquefy in a blender, add the kaffir lime juice and run through a strainer. In a small sauce pan, add the strained persimmons and 1/2 cup sugar. Mix until the sugar dissolves on medium heat. Remove from heat and let cool. Add the lemongrass and

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purple basil leaves and let it refrigerate overnight.

Next morning discard the lemongrass and basil leaves and churn according to manufacturer’s directions for about 20 minutes and freeze for at least a few hours before serving.

HIDDEN RETREAT DIAVOLEZZA JACUZZI: High in the Swiss Alps above 3,000 metres, Diavolezza Mountain in the area of Pontresina, a municipality in the district of Maloja in the region of Graubünden in Switzerland, provides a perfect eye-candy for nature lovers and a jungle gym for climbers. Berghaus Diavolleza is like a lodge for skiiers where they have a panorama restaurant along with a sun terrace that overlooks a snowy landscape and a jacuzzi just at the base of the accent to the mountain peak. Legend has it that long ago, a beautiful, red-haired she-devil used to live on the Diavolezza and hunters once casually followed her only to disappear forever — and it’s from this little devil that the mountain supposedly made itself a name. Nothing is quite as invigorating as a sunny jacuzzi on the sun-terrace of the Berghaus Diavolleza lodge. A breathtaking mountain backdrop has now been brought even nearer, thanks to the new panoramic terrace.

SOCIAL RETREAT minus5°: This is a premium ice attraction in the United States with locations in Las Vegas, New York City and Orlando. Everything inside minus5° is made of ice — the walls, bar, seats and even glasses that you enjoy your cocktails in. Once you choose a package, you’re kitted out with gloves and a warm parka or faux fur coat, and transported into a winter wonderland of interactive ice architecture while sipping the coolest cocktails. An exciting LED light show and upbeat music play on while you take in the pristine surroundings. The temperature is controlled and designed to provide a refreshing experience as you explore the different ice sculptures.

ICE SCULPTURE legendary Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival, famous for its spectacular sculptures and giant replicas, is held in northern China. The annual event is made up of several themed zones including a sculpture art expo and a lantern fair.

The main attraction is the Harbin Ice and Snow World, which covers more than 7,50,000 sq metres.

Its magnificent structures require more than 330,000 cubic metres of ice and snow. Stunning as the works are in all their white glory, the best time to go is at night, when the sculptures are lit from

THE

the inside. The capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Harbin is a bitingly cold city with January daytime temperatures ranging from -13 to -23 degree. Due to Harbin’s close proximity to Russia, its northern neighbour’s influence permeates everything from architecture to food.

Since 1985, the Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival has grown to become one of the biggest snow festival destinations in the world, joining the ranks of the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan, Canada’s Quebec Winter Carnival and Norway’s Holmenkollen Ski Festival.

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ICE BEAUTY SECRETS out summer is a great time to freeze more than just tasty popsicles. Try these beauty rituals for that glow you have always dreamt of.

Cucumber and honey cube cleanser: For a glowing skin cleanser, try a frozen facial scrub.

Cucumbers are naturally cooling while they gently clean and moisturise the skin. Puree a cucumber add a squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of honey, pour into an ice tray and freeze. Before using let the cube sit for 30 seconds or so to soften slightly. Gently rub the cube over your face and neck, using the icy slush to exfoliate.

Green tea eye cubes: Green tea is known to be facial favourites. With plenty of antioxidants and a dose of caffeine, it’s a perfect eye soother. You’ve probably heard of using old tea bags on eyes but ice tea treatment is even more beneficial. Brew a cup of strong green tea and pour it in an ice cube tray. Apply a cube to dark circles and puffy eyes and the combination of caffeine and ice will reduce swelling and excess fluid around them.

TURNS

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HOTWHEELS

Airport has justifiably been voted the best airport in Europe in a row and is a regular in the top 10 airports in the world. It is also an airport that Audi AG calls its second home; walk into the massive open courtyard of the terminal with its fabulous in-house brewery Aerobrau and you see Audi signs everywhere. And last month, the huge forecourt of the airport was filled with several new Audi A3s and S3s ready for journalists from all over the world to get off their flights and take on the German Landstrasse and Autobahns.

Well, first things first, this is not quite a new car but a mid-life update to the existing Audi A3. So mechanically there are no changes other than a slightly uprated engine with 10 more horsepower boosting power output to 150 on the diesel variant that is going to come to India. But the real surprises were in some other engine options.

Take for example, Audi’s e-tron hybrid. The German carmaker has honed its hybrid skills on the racetracks of Le Mans where the R18 Diesel-Hybrid has won the 24-hour endurance race in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The refreshed Audi A3 features e-tron technology and is a “plug-in” hybrid which means that in addition to the battery being charged from the engine and through regenerative braking (energy

MUNICH

Kushan Mitra Auto & Tech expert

The Audi A3 gets a refresh to keep it ahead of the competition. The repackaged version is sure to rule the roost

R E I T T E R P A EXOTICA [66] JUNE 2016

from braking usually lost as heat is converted into electrical energy and charges the battery) the car can also be charged from a power outlet.

This gives the car a range of 50 km as an electric vehicle. While there is no doubt that the etron A3 is not a very dynamic car when it comes to enjoyment, the 1.4 litre TFSI, a turbocharged petrol

engine kicks in if you select a hybrid mode and with the battery filling in the gaps delivers reasonable performance. what it truly delivers is mindblowing fuel-economy. Even as a hybrid with the battery discharging, the car

BUT

NEW DRE SS EXOTICA [67] JUNE 2016

delivers close to 40 km per litre fuel economy as noticed on the car’s trip computer. In India, if Audi is to bring e-tron technology, something that Audi India boss Joe King told me that the company is seriously considering, such mileage combined with the A3’s lovely interiors and comfort levels could be a game-changer.

Then there was the Volkswagen Group’s new 1-litre TFSI petrol engine. This threecylinder unit on duty the A3 is a revelation because it makes the car fun to drive.

Sure, like the EcoBoost engine that does duty on the EcoSport, this is a whiny little number but in the Sportback shape, it is possibly one of the better three-cylinder units out there. With the seven-speed gearbox, it never feels like the car runabout of power unless you go on to a very high-speed road, and even then it does keep up with the Joneses.

It is very unlikely that this engine will come on an Audi in India unless the Supreme Court in its infinite wisdom bans diesel car sales altogether.

But there are good chances that this engine could do duty on upcoming cars from Skoda and Volkswagen. With a fuel economy of over 20 km a litre as noticed on the trip computer, this is a luxury car with a conscience.

Then there was the new S3, a sharp-looking car, clearly distinguished from the A3 thanks to slightly more aggressive styling features, including double twin-exhausts in the rear. This small sedan, coupled with grippy tyres and a tight suspension, makes the S3 a sheer delight to drive on German country roads and on the Autobahn this car is a pocket rocket. you see the sign on the Virtual Cockpit, Audi’s brilliant digital display which is also present in their India range (along with the TT and the Q7) and shows you the white circular road sign with three

WHEN

black diagonal lines across it, you know you can gun the car. The S3 would make a fine addition to Audi’s line-up along with the A3 e-tron and the 1.0 TFSI but is unlikely to make it. For one, where in India can you deploy such incredible power (that said, Audi has sold tens of their second-generation R8 supercar and RS6 and RS 7 performance cars in India) and the firm suspension might need some working on. OK, so the S3 might make it, the other two, well, not anytime soon. What will come to India though is the 2.0 TDI model. While this car is sold in Europe with two power settings — 184 and 150 horsepower, Audi India will in all likelihood just bring the lower power version to India. And that is still a fine car thanks to the 6-speed, S-tronic gearbox. engine also does duty on the latest iteration of the A3 cabriolet, which is currently sold in India with only a petrol engine. Offering a diesel variant of the A3 cabriolet (convertible) may not make sales grow in multiples but could definitely give a boost to convertible

THIS

sales in India, even though we could debate the virtues of a convertible in India. Audi will likely also bring in a petrol variant of the A3 and they have the 2.0 TFSI on the A3 as well.

What we are not sure with Audi India though is whether they will license Apple’s CarPlay technology on their vehicles in India. This system, which really makes using an iPhone a breeze, even connecting with Siri through the voice control button, is standard on Audi’s infotainment systems in Europe and the US. Audi has also licensed Android Auto to connect with most Android devices as well. But other than Maruti on their latest products and the Skoda Superb, no cars have enabled CarPlay as yet and that is indeed a pity.

The refreshed A3 does clearly look better than before and stands out from cars like the Mercedes CLA and even its stable-mate the Skoda Octavia.

The A3 is still a car that one feels should be driven rather than driven in and for an entry into the compact luxury segment as defined by the German carmakers, it does make quite a statement.

FOREIGN SHORES

WHILE SUMMER OF

CONTENT Explore the charms of Staten Island for that perfect summer vacation

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there might not be palm trees, New York City’s Staten Island offers many possibilities for fun in the sun with a side of history and culture. With its miles of shingle and sand and nature trails, free summer concerts on the beach and beautiful historic homes, the borough is New York City’s hidden secret waiting to be explored.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO summer fun starts with a ride from Lower Manhattan to St George on the free Staten Island Ferry. Visitors getting off the ferry can walk to the Richmond County Bank Ballpark, where the Staten Island Yankees will play their home opener on Saturday, June 18. All summer long, fans can enjoy a game of baseball along with post-game fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights.

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OUTDOOR FUN outdoor family fun, the Staten Island Greenbelt is the borough’s system of connected parkland and nature preserves throughout the middle of the island, complete with bike paths, hiking trails and Nature Centre.

Known as NYC’s “biggest little zoo,” the Staten Island Zoo features one of the country’s largest collections of venomous snakes and is also home to the city’s most famous groundhog, Staten Island Chuck. Visitors can enjoy the surf and sand at Midland Beach and South Beach on the East Shore, where they can also stroll along the Franklin Roosevelt Boardwalk with its picturesque views of the Atlantic Ocean and the VerrazanoNarrows Bridge.

FOR

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ART AND CULTURE Island’s rich history can be traced at its museums and historic sites. Visitors can discover the borough’s progress and contributions to the city’s art and culture at the Staten Island Museum.

It has two locations — one just outside the St George Ferry Terminal and a brand-new LEED-certified building at Snug Harbour Cultural Centre and Botanical Garden. Snug Harbour was once a sailor’s retirement village and today is the location of the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden, one of two authentic Chinese gardens in the country. Right up the street is one of the neighborhood’s beloved cultural spots, the St George Theatre, which has seen the likes of Al Jolson, Diana Ross and Jerry Seinfeld perform on its stage.

The former residence of one of America’s earliest ground breaking female photographers, the Alice Austen House Museum in Rosebank pays homage to Alice Austen with a permanent collection of her documentary work and other photographic exhibitions. Situated not too far away is Fort Wadsworth — one of the oldest

STATEN

military installations in the country — which guarded New York Harbour during the Revolutionary War. After exploring these cultural institutions on the North Shore, visitors can hop on the Staten Island Railway to Tottenville for a tour of The Conference House, site of the Revolutionary Peace Conference of 1776 held between John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and other significant figures in American history. In Richmond Town, visitors can take a walk back in time through restored homes and a museum that depict how Americans lived in the early 1700s.

WHERE TO EAT borough is well-known for some of the best cuisines, from Italian fare to Sri Lankan delicacies. After spending a day at Midland Beach and walking the Franklin Roosevelt Boardwalk, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views and an exquisite seafood menu at South Fin Grill.

What’s visiting Staten Island

THE

EXOTICA [72] JUNE 2016

without grabbing a slice of pizza? From Joe and Pat’s speciality slices in Castleton Corners to historic Denino’s Pizzeria and Tavern in Port Richmond, visitors can find a mouth-watering slice. Conveniently located near the St George Ferry Terminal, Enoteca Maria in St George takes homemade cooking to a new level, featuring old-school “nonnas” who create authentic dishes that will make visitors want to sail back for seconds. Not too far away, in Tompkinsville, home to one of the largest Sri Lankan communities in the country, New Asha offers blistered rotis, mutton curry, coconut broth soups and other tempting delicacies.

FUTURE WATERFRONT ATTRACTIONS taking the Staten Island Ferry toward St George will soon see something new rising along the waterfront. Opening in 2017, the 630-foot-tall New York Wheel will be the world’s largest observation wheel, providing picturesque views of the Manhattan skyline. Also opening in 2017, Empire Outlets will be New York City’s first and only shopping outlet malls, featuring brand-name stores such as Nike Factory Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, Nordstrom Rack plus a boutique hotel and a vast array of

VISITORS

dining options at the marketplace at Empire outlets. Destination St George will be a must-see on any future NYC itinerary.

WHERE TO STAY looking to enjoy more of Staten Island can extend their stay at one of several hotels in the borough, including the Hilton Garden Inn New York, Hampton Inn and Suites and the Holiday Inn Express — all offering shuttle service to and from the ferry in St George. These affordable hotels are conveniently located on the west shore, which is less than 15 minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport.

THOSE

HOW TO GET THERE Staten Island Ferry runs every half hour —and every 15 minutes during rush hour. Most attractions and restaurants can be reached by MTA New York City Transit Buses for $2.75 metro card fare by local bus or $6.50 for express buses from Manhattan. The Staten Island Railway, which is free to access except at the St George and Tompkinsville stations, is another option for getting around the borough.

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SWEET SQUEEZE

AGELESS

MANGO The “love fruit” with its aphrodisiacal nature has seduced us all. From nostalgic favourites to chic avatars, EXOTICA goes on a sampling spree

and succulent with just the right touch of tartness, mangoes were first cultivated in India several centuries ago. Mangifera indica or Amra in Sanskrit is possibly the most popular ancient fruit having originated in our land 5,000 years ago. The name “mango” is most likely derived from the word manna which the Portuguese adopted as manga when they came to Kerala in 1498 for trading in spices. Probably because of the difficulty in transporting seeds, the tree was not introduced in the Western hemisphere until about 1700.

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ROYAL CONNECTION over the years has fascinated millions, from the emperor to the common man. Emperor Akbar planted mango orchards in India — especially in Bengal, Gujarat, Malwa, Khandesh (part of Maharashtra) and the Deccan region. The best of the lot were the mangoes of Murshidabad. During his reign, there were around 200 varieties of mangoes grown alone in the orchards of Murshidabad.

Some of the popular mangoes were Ranipasand, Ananas, Bimli, Begumpasand and Kohitoor. Emperor Akbar used a few unusual methods to nurture and preserve mangoes. Abul Fazal, who was the political advisor of Akbar’s court, mentioned in Akbarnama that milk and treacle were spilt around a tree to make the fruit tastier.

Did you know that the Kohitoor variety of Murshidabad used to be grown in the orchards of the Bengal Nawabs until the early 70s?

The orchards of the Maharaja of Cossimbazar had over 50 Kohitoor plants. It is said that the varietal must be consumed the moment it ripens and can’t be stored. In the past, royal guards kept watch in the middle of the night to pluck the fruit as it ripened and save the season’s yield.

MANGO

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BOTAN EBI AND MANGO TARTAR WITH LIVE APPLE SMOKE

by Chef Arun Sundararaj [The Taj Mahal Hotel] INGREDIENTS Botan ebi 4 nos.

Crispy fried shallots ½ tspn Soy sauce Ÿ tspn Chopped chives 2 tspn METHOD Chop the botan ebi uniformly and mix it with chopped chives, soy sauce and crispy shallots. Set aside for later. Chop the fresh mango to the same size of the botan ebi, mix it with finely chopped scallions and set aside.

For the Tartar sauce o Soy sauce 1 tblspn o Mirin 1 tblspn o Spring water 5 tblspn o Katsuobushi (dry bonito flakes) o Kombu (seaweed) METHOD Put kombu in cold water and put it on heat. When the water boils, remove the kombu and add katsuobushi. Let it sit for 20 minutes.

Later strain and mix the soy sauce and mirin and re-heat. Do not let it boil. Cool it down and set aside.

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To assemble o Fresh nama seaweed o Baby red radish slices o Hanaho oYamamomo o Apple smoke wood METHOD o In a mould, layer the botan ebi mixture with mango and fresh seaweed alternately. Repeat the process. o Top it with slices of baby red radish, Yamamomo and Hanaho. Finally, light up the apple wood and smoke it in the designed crockery. Open in front of the guests and let them enjoy the smoke.

DID YOU KNOW o Mango is the national fruit of India, Pakistan and the Philippines. o Hieuen-Tsang, one of the early travellers to India (632-645), was the first person to bring mango to the notice of people outside India. o Akbar planted an orchard of 1,00,000 mango trees during the Mughal rule. o Mexico got introduced to mango in the 19th century after which it entered Florida in 1833.

KAENG PHED PHOL-LA-MAI

by Chef Veena Arora [The Imperial]

Imam Pasand — a lesser known mango cultivar grown in Andhra Pradesh — is another species sought after by connoisseurs for its unique taste. A second orchard of grafted mangoes was grown by emperor Jehangir in Lahore and the third at the “Jharna Qutub” village (now known as Shamsi Talab Mehrauli) commissioned by Shah Jehan, who considered mango as the vitality fruit. This list should also include the rataul, grafted by Kareemuddin in 1874, and the most expensive of all, kesar — first cultivated by Nawab of Junagarh in 1931. Old mango gardens, which are remnants of Mughal efforts, are still in evidence in Aurangabad, Bidar, Osmanabad.

TWIST OF TASTE INGREDIENTS o Rambutan 30 gms o Red curry paste 30 gms o Coconut milk 200 ml o Kaffir lime leaves 10 gms o Palm sugar 5 gms o Basil 15 gms o Oil 2 gms o Krob aubergines 15 gms o Pea aubergines 15 gms o Bamboo shoots 15 gms METHOD Wash both the aubergines and cut the Krobs. Pour oil in the pot, add curry paste. Stir on a slow fire for a while, then add coconut milk slowly.

Add sugar, fish sauce and then kaffir leaves to it.

Add prawns, bamboo shoots and both the aubergines. Simmer till the prawns are cooked.

Garnish with basil. Serve with steamed rice or Thai rice noodles.

and juicy, and with more than 20 different vitamins and minerals — what’s not to like about mangoes? Toss up a salad, prepare a delicious sauce for meats or slurp it as an exotic drink, the tropical fruit’s benefits are far beyond just good taste.

Knowing its never-ending appeal amidst all ages, Jaydeep Mukherjee, Executive Chef, Indigo Delicatessen, remembers climbing up a tree to pluck ripe fruit and devouring it while still up there. Sahil Sabhlok, Executive Chef, The Claridges harks back to his childhood days as most school vacations coincided with the mango season.

From mango lassi to smoothies, shakes, jams or the good old slices, the fruit is truly ageless and has been reinvented every season because of its immense popularity and adaptability. While the sweetness of

LUSCIOUS

ripe mango doesn’t cease to please us during summers, the tangy raw mango appeases us with a health quotient in salads, salsas, pickles and chutney or with a tall glass of aam panna.

Chef Veena Arora, The Imperial, Delhi, finds classic recipes with ripe mangoes enchanting. “The love for this ‘king of fruits’ has been evolving every year and now people relish it in the main course too. For instance, in my summer collection menu at The Spice Route, guests love indulging in raw and ripe mangoes blended in South East Asian flavours. Ripe mangoes go very well with chicken or meats and raw mango is a great combination with fish and seasonal vegetables as well,” says she.

Tarun Sikka, Managing Director, Nectar Hospitality, who brought Mövenpick to India, agrees the best mangoes in the world come from India. “In fact, we use real Alphonso pulp in our products.”

On the other hand, nutritionally rich with unique flavour, fragrance and taste — green mango is used in the preparation of pickles, marmalade and chutney in Asian countries.

Making it numero uno among new functional foods, it tastes delicious in salsa, sweet or spicy

sauces, fruit salads, smoothies, vinaigrettes or in cereals.

Chef Sabhlok says raw mango is one of the healthiest fruits you can find in summers. “No doubt raw mango is a rich source of vitamin A and E. Eating unripe mangoes with salt prevents excessive loss of water from the body and helps to quench thirst — a nature’s recipe to beat the heat.

Try them in marinades for meats as it is a very good tenderising agent,” he adds.

Chef Arora has utilised raw mango in her exquisite Yum See Kler salad, a part of the summer collection menu, featuring raw and ripe mango with raw papaya and carrot, perfect for that extra punch one requires to stay fresh and hydrated.

“I have lovingly named it ‘the 4 friends’, an apt name for a cooling summer diet,” she adds. Go for raw mango in salads, aam panna or

MANGO MINT BAVAROISE

by Chef Rahis Khan [The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa] INGREDIENTS o Mango 2 o Fresh Cream ¾ cup o Condensed Milk ½ cup o Mango essence ½ teaspoon o Mint and sliced mango cubes for garnish METHOD o Peel the mangoes and take out the pulp. o Grind it in the mixer for smoothness. o Take a bowl and add condensed milk, mango essence, fresh cream and mango pulp. o Now mix it well and keep it in the fridge for half hour to chill. o Now pour it in the serving glass or bowl and garnish it with mint leaves or sliced mango cubes.

even a mangai rasam. Chef Mukherjee likes the tanginess and sweet flesh of raw mangoes. “Salted slivers put out to dry on grass mats in the hot sun.

Roasted over a charcoal stove and then churned into chilled, sweet and sour sherbet. That’s the best raw deal,” he says.

MANGO AND AVOCADO CREAM CHEESE SUSHI ROLL

by Chef Vikram Khatri [Guppy by ai] INGREDIENTS o Cooked Sushi Rice 3 cups o Nori Sheets 2 o Cream cheese 2 tbs o Avocado 1 o Cucumber 2 o Takuwan 1 o Asparagus 4 o Alphonso mango 2 o Kimchi sauce 1 tbsp o Wasabi paste 1 tbs o Gari 4 tbs o Soy Sauce 4 tbs METHOD o Cut cucumber, takuwan into thin long strips.

Slice mango evenly for topping the roll. o Cut each nori sheet into two halves. Place one half on a chopping board, the shiny, smooth end of the nori sheet facing downward.

Dip your hand in water, shaking off the excess. o Take a quarter of the rice and place it on the middle of the nori sheet. Use your fingers to spread it out evenly till the edges. o Turn the nori sheet with the rice upside down.

Apply wasabi with fore finger. Start spreading the ingredients followed by a spoonful of cream cheese and roll. o Arrange the slices of mango evenly on top of the sushi roll.

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ART MART

DAYS OF THE GOD OF LOVE: This work is from a famous series illustrating the Sat Sai, or Seven Hundred Verses, which is perhaps the most famed and lyrical Indian celebration of love. It shows the joyful encounter between Radha and Krishna in the palace courtyard, with a small white flower, just visible against the landscape, tossed into the air as a symbol of their happiness. Legend states that a Rajasthani ruler was so enamoured with his youngest wife that he began to ignore matters of state. Gripped with panic, his older wife commissioned the poet to write verses, hiding each in the flower petals that were dispersed on the new wife’s bed each morning. When the ruler discovered these verses, far from being angry, he was so taken with them that he asked Bihari, the poet to write for 700 days.

THE DANGERS OF ELOPEMENT: In order to reach her lover Krishna, Radha flees her palace home under the cover of darkness. Here, she is shown with a concerned attendant, who warns her of the dangers that lie ahead. Subsequent paintings depict the lovelorn Radha on her journey — a lone woman crossing a dark forest, filled with snakes and monsters.

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A LIFE PUNCTUATED BY MUSIC: This painting depicts a raga. According to legend, this raga was last played by Tansen, the famous court musician of the Emperor Akbar, who set a palace alight with the mastery of his performance. Fearing a similar disaster, musicians have since refrained from playing the raga — a concern not shared by painters of the period, who were happy to represent deepak in pictorial form.

At the centre of the painting, a princess sits in the company of two attendants.

One draws her fingers to her lips — a gesture signifying that a significant piece of news has been shared.

YORE

FROM ISOLATION IN THE WILDERNESS TO JOY-FILLED REUNIONS, SPECIALIST ROMAIN PINGANNAUD REVEALS STORIES BEHIND A FEW PAINTINGS FROM CHRISTIE’S ARTS OF INDIA SALE

LOVE IN A COLD CLIMATE: In this beautiful scene a prince shrouds himself in blankets in a palace at the foothills of the Himalayas — at such a high altitude the cold can often be severe. His female companion, probably a favourite wife, attends to him. Raja and his wife are depicted separately — the Raja’s wife replacing the tobacco in a hookah he smokes. Floral textiles show clear European influences, right down to the small stretch of decorative fabric that emerges from beneath the Raja’s green shroud. In the background, Indian decorative columns rising from lotus bases encompass what might almost be a Victorian fireplace.

ENJOYING WINE UNDER A MOONLIT SKY: Krishna and Radha appear again in this painting from Rajasthan’s Kishangarh school — drinking together on a terrace, before a pavilion, as an attendant listens in. In his left hand, Krishna holds a small green bottle with which he serves Radha wine. From the mid-18th century Kishangarh artists began to paint figures with elegantly elongated features.

Here, both Krishna — depicted with his traditional blue skin and — Radha have dramatically lined eyes, beautifully long necks and tiny waists. Around their heads green halos denote the couple’s status as divine beings.

COMFORT IN THE WILDERNESS: This painting depicts an 8th-century sultan who has fled to the wilderness, abandoning a wealthy existence in Afghanistan to devote his life to meditation, isolation and asceticism. Similar themes were popular during the Mughal period, adapted from Persian literature — a renowned poem focusses on the doomed love story of Layla and Majnu, who flee to the desert after discovering that Layla has been promised to another. Here, a host of angels bring food to the former sultan, their dress reflecting the strong European influences in cities such as Lucknow, where this is thought to have been painted.

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MEN’S COLLECTION

Daddy’s dayout Fantasia navy melange shirt from Armani Jeans.

Price on request.

Jersey T-shirt by Dolce & Gabbana styled with an all-over carnation and bull print, a round ribbed plain neckline and a side label with logo.

Price: `22,190

Solid bow tie by Gucci.

Price on request.

Cyrille aviator sunglasses by Tom Ford.

Price: `33,950 A blazer cut from lightweight cotton by Burberry.

The partially lined design is neatly tailored and is finished with front patch pockets and a back vent.

Price on request.

For those dapper fathers who need a break from corporate dressing, EXOTICA lists some essentials to stock up on Men’s black leather belt with CC logo silver-tone closure and single belt loop by Chanel.

Price: `43,750

Elsa Peretti cabochon cufflinks by Tiffany & Co. Price on request.

The sleek modern shape of the Palk from Louis Vuitton. Inside, a foamed compartment for a 15-inch laptop makes it the perfect companion for business or travel. Price on request.

Yeezy’s red athletic basketball shoes.

Price on request.

Black trousers by Prada. Price on request.

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BRIGHT

FUTURE Manoj Goel, CAO, KIET Group of Institutions talks about how KIET is taking its educational endeavours to the next level How many students will KIET admit this year and what are the new courses coming up?

“Shaping young minds with skill oriented and value based education” is the objective of our college and analogous to every year. KIET is proud to mention that for this year too we are ready to fulfil this motive by enrolling 1500 students in the various courses including B.Tech (seven branches), M.Tech, MCA, MBA, B.Pharm. and M.Pharm.

What special facilities do you provide the students with?

The speciality or uniqueness of KIET lies in its policy of ‘innovation and incubation’. We strive to do the best for our students’ academic, cultural, curricular, extracurricular and holistic development by undertaking numerous skill development and training and placement initiatives. CRPC cell at KIET takes many small but concrete steps to fill in the gap for skilled manpower in the industry through its supporting cells, training centres and other training and placement activities.

India has emerged as a strong financial power and is presenting new challenges and opportunities for students and educators. What role is KIET playing in the same?

Institutions with higher and better levels of knowledge and skills respond more effectively and

Dr Manoj Goel, CAO, KIET Group of Institutions promptly to challenges and opportunities of globalisation. KIET has joined hands with various industries, corporate houses, national and international universities with an objective to exchange ideas and promote interaction in academic, research and educational zones.

What can be done to promote girl students?

A few steps for improving girls’ education, skills and job prospects can include — fulfilling the most tedious job of bringing gender equality in all fields, giving a strong foundation through childhood development activities, providing them job relevant skills, creating an environment to encourage creativity.

Engineering and medical courses are on an alltime high demand from students. Do you feel that vocational courses offer a complete education?

Technical and vocational education helps a lot in developing human resource of a country by creating skilled manpower, enhancing productivity of industries and eventually improving quality of life. Vocational education is a comprehensive combination of various activities that help in developing competencies required by specific occupations. It prepares individuals for professional world especially self-employment.

FIRST HAND

Delhi’s first dog café, Puppychino, gives pet lovers and owners an option to spend some quality time with their best friends in an adorable space. PRIYANKA JOSHI checks out its services

PUPPYLICIOUS IMAGINE gorging on yummy treats like Strawberry Risotto with Mint Curd, Spanish Omlette with Tortilla or Peanut Butter and Banana cupcake in a café for a lazy Sunday brunch. Yes we know how uplifting it is but before you float in the clouds of your reverie, here’s a little piece of cutesy info that would leave you agape. It’s a menu not for humans but for dogs. Yes, you read that right and not in some

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tony, tree-lined New York’s Upper East Side but in our very own Shahpur Jat in the heart of the capital.

The best part, you can have your pick of TexMex and Mediterranean with your pet without worrying about the pet menu which comes with precise health specs. So no more guilt pangs of leaving your furry friends behind and not spending quality time with them.

Which is why I decide to do a dog day afternoon with my pet Ballu at Delhi’s first dog cafe, Puppychino. We take the pet cab, run by many of Delhi’s private agencies, a Maruti Eeco with ample leg space, comfortable enough for larger breeds. Since I have to visit the café, I prefer the hourly package as it cuts down extra charges for waiting. are greeted by two of the cafe’s mascots, Bobo and Simba. Ballu immediately falls for Bobo, the pretty girl that she is, wagging his tail and chasing her with an affronted Simba scampering to claim rival attention. It is this honesty of the animal world and their need for sociable spaces that led the sister duo of Nayani and Mallika Tandon to set up this place. Says Nayani, “My father gifted me Bobo, the Labrador and Simba, the Husky. And I feel very sad when I leave them home alone. So I wanted a place where I could spend time with them.”

Divided into two parts, an open area for dogs and sitting area for their “parents”, the place has tables lined accordingly, creating a central space for dogs to play.

Having dated Bobo, Ballu decides food is a better attraction and nudges me for the same. So I order a pasta for myself and two pancakes for Ballu. The café boasts of two chefs, who have come up with an interesting menu for both owners and pets. This ranges from Italian, Israeli, Tex-Mex and American cuisines for humans and special menu of muffins and pancakes for pups. “We created a healthy yet sumptuous dog menu keeping the nutritional value intact. There’s no use of sugar or salt at all. We have also used gluten-free

WE

THE CAT CAFÉ STUDIO IN MUMBAI IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ALL CAT LOVERS. MUMBAI’S FIRST CAT CAFE, IT’S A FILM PRODUCTION STUDIO WHICH DOUBLES UP AS A SHELTER HOME AND AN ADOPTION HUB FOR CATS.

ingredients and cornmeal to make cupcakes to keep any allergies at bay,” says Nayani. Apart from this they have also incorporated brown rice, fresh vegetables and fruits in the pet menu. gets his fill, slurps, licks my face and gets busy with his new friends. For a moment, he doesn’t seem to know me and is happy frolicking among his peers.

The good part of the café is that it has a pet trainer looking after the dogs while you take a break. Ballu meanwhile has befriended Champ. “I’m so happy to see Champ delighted, he seems to be at ease. I like the concept so much, it’s really worth the wait,” says his parent.

About their business model and target group, the owners of the café said they are catering only to dog lovers who are willing to spend on a valueadded experience for their pets. There is also a section dedicated to pet merchandise like toys, leash, dog food bowls, bow ties among others. The good thing for pet parents is that now you don’t

BALLU

need to fret over where to celebrate your best buddy’s birthday. You can very conveniently bring them here and order a birthday cake and more. “For birthdays you have to book in advance. We do everything for you from the scratch, be it decorations, cakes, return gifts, combo meals and deals. You don’t have to worry at all,” shares Mallika.

As if on cue, a big family walks in with birthday boy Jojo (Beagle). Since we are here, Ballu, too is invited. For once, he doesn’t complain or whine about not being given a particularly creamy piece of cake. This one here is safe for a big bite of indulgence.

The owners also plan to introduce day boarding facility soon with the advance booking in place already. “We don’t want pets to wait in heat as we have less space,” says Nayani. Though dogs prance all around you at Puppylicious, it is no less kittenish and can be a haven for cat lovers too. The owners have ensured that there are no Tom and Jerry battles!

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MEAL IN A BOX

in Mumbai, check out Harley’s Corner.

Run by chef and dog lover Ishmeet Singh Chandiok, its USP is providing ready-to-eat moist dog food online. The 35-yearold Chandiok, a certified chef, has worked with JW Marriott, Hyatt and Kingfisher Airline. Once the airline was grounded, he combined his passion for food with his love for dogs, adopted a stray, named it after his pet bike and started a venture for those looking for home-cooked food for their pets.

Though he knows his next pet will be called Davidson, making pet food was never on Chandiok’s mind. “We always made good food for ourselves and Harley would wait for scraps from the table, disinterested in his dry food.

That’s when I innovated on dog-friendly food and tested it by cooking in larger quantities for street dogs. Once it found acceptance, I knew I had a winner.”

Running a pet cafe, he explains, is not an easy task because one has to manage space, animal

IF

TOP DOG-FRIENDLY CITIES TO VISIT o Seattle boasts more dogs than children living in its city limits. o In Geneva, pet owners are required to pass a test and get a certificate on picking up poop. o Portland, Oregon, has the most dog parks per capita than any other US city. o Dogs are allowed to frolic in public fountains and scamper freely amid ruins in Rome. o Santa Barbara, California, has no-leash beaches. o Berlin Central Station issues a half-price train ticket for your furry companion. o Paris bistros allow dogs to sit next to you.

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DOG DAY AFTERNOON is in full swing and temperatures are soaring nationwide. We know that as a responsible parent you want to do everything you can to keep your four-legged friends cool. So when you look at your Pomeranian or Golden Retriever wearing a thick, fluffy coat, you might feel tempted to take out your grooming tools and give him a serious hair cut. o Brush the hair on your dog up and away from the skin. o Clip off the hair following the lay of your dog’s coat.

Continue to brush up the coat and clipper off the hair until no more hair falls. o Trim your dog’s tail and feet. o Shave the hair off, make a schnauzer or possibly a teddy bear head.

Shevar Spa and Grooming Parlour: A professional spa and grooming parlour in Bangalore started by Varun and his wife, specialises in improving the lifestyle of dogs, cats, rabbits and others. They are also known to have established India’s first dog spa that includes services such as massages, facials, aromatherpay, grooming and treatments for oral hygiene.

Pet spa: Packages vary according to the size of the dog.

For smaller dogs, the spa charges around `600 while for bigger dogs it starts from `1,000. On an average, pet parents get these spa treatments done once or twice a month, as anything more often than this might result in more harm than good. It’s natural that you will pamper your pets to such royal treatments once in a while.

SUMMER

behaviour and most importantly the food. “That’s why I decided to open a food service online.” He has adopted latest technologies that allow his dog food to have a long shelf-life without preservatives and additives. Combine this with human-grade ingredients and recipes provided by Chandiok, and the ready-to-eat dog food is ready to serve.

The products include meals, enhancers, treats and therapeutic foods, made with vegetables, brown rice, special herbs and liver. Chandiok’s recipes are approved by Harley.

Mutt Hutt, a pet cafe in Mumbai, was started by two sisters, Trupti and Bhakti. “The priorities are very clear as our tagline reads, ‘Even humans are allowed,’” says Trupti. Not so much into food, this cafe is more into hosting events such as doggie dates, camping trips, training sessions, grooming sessions and fun games.

Cafe Canine offers a perfect weekend getaway

for your pets in Gurgaon, Haryana. This has been founded by Richa Maheshwari and Vikalp Srivastava, who wanted their dogs to have some open space to feel free, have fun and mingle with other dogs. Says Richa, “Since both of us work in the corporate sector, we found it difficult to give sufficient time to our pets or attend to their needs.

So we decided to open a meeting ground for dogs only over the weekends.” one is high on space and more like an amusement park. Picture a huge, green meadow with dogs running around, playing and whooping. They have fun activities for pets who can jump over hurdles and splash in a pool. They host regular socials too. So in case your pooch doesn’t have a gaggle of friends yet, you can slowly introduce him/her to more of his/her kind.

They offer great grooming services too.

THIS

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TIPSY TOES Indulge in some tipple therapy with these refreshing summer cocktails

BOTTOMSUP! LYNCHBURG LEMONADE INGREDIENTS o 1 part Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 o 1 part triple sec o 1 part sour mix o 4 parts lemon-lime soda INSTRUCTIONS: Combine and stir.

Garnish with a lemon slice and cherry.

HONEY LEMONADE INGREDIENTS o 1 part Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey o 3 parts lemonade INSTRUCTIONS: Combine ingredients in a tall glass over ice and garnish with a cherry.

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TENNESSEE BREEZE INGREDIENTS o 2 parts JD’s Tennessee Honey o 1 part cranberry juice o 1 part orange juice o 1 spritz of tonic water o 2 parts ice INSTRUCTIONS: In a blender, combine ice, juices and Tennessee Honey. Blend until desired consistency is achieved. Pour contents into chilled rocks glass, top off with chilled tonic water and enjoy.

AIR LINKS

DESTINATION NORTH-EAST AIRPORTS IN NORTH EAST REGION

INTER REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY-GUWAHATI

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ONE

of the most diverse regions in Asia, the North-East is a mosaic of states, each of which stands out with its distinct culture and tradition. Home to more than 166 tribes, speaking a wide range of languages, it resonates with diverse natural beauty. Its jungles are dense, rivers gush with the rains while thunderstorms rage across the hills, valleys and plains in an elemental sweep. At the same time, there is a monastic serenity of the hills. It is a strategic hub as it shares over 2,000 km of border with Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh and is connected to the rest of India by a narrow 20 km wide corridor.

UPGRADATION OF GUWAHATI AIRPORT Sensing its tourism potential, Guwahati airport is being developed as an inter-regional hub with connectivity to all major airports in the country.

The AAI has already carried out some upgradation work in the last five years: Extension of runway from 9,000 ft to 10,200 ft to facilitate operations of A-300 aircraft.

A new apron was constructed with 11 parking bays. With this, the number of parking bays has increased from 9 to 20.

The existing terminal has been expanded with two aerobridges for a two-level operation.

Three hangars have been constructed which will help in early morning departures and late evening arrivals.

In order to further improve the infrastructure at Guwahati airport, AAI has taken up more projects like the new ASR and MSSR building. Now the radar equipment from the existing building can be shifted to the new one while the old structure can make way for a parallel taxi track.

THE PUSH The air traffic in North-East Region (NER) accounts for just three per cent of the overall traffic in the country. Only Agartala, Guwahati and Imphal figure in the top 50 airports in terms of passenger movement. There is insufficient intraregional connectivity between state airports and most of the movements have to be via Guwahati.

Curently, there are only two international airports — Guwahati and Imphal.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT There are plans to construct parallel taxi tracks to reduce the runway occupancy time and accommodate more aircraft in the peak hour. Also Guwahati airport will soon have a new terminal to handle 3,100 passengers at a time. A new control tower for improved aircraft-handling capacity is also in the pipeline along with upgradation of

Guwahati airport

Proposed terminal building at Pakyong

design and a fire station. There is a proposal to construct an integrated cargo complex near the new control tower. ASIDC has been allotted land for constructing a perishable cargo complex which will be used for this purpose.

PROGRESSIVE INTRA REGIONAL HUBS For better connectivity between state capitals and other major airports in the region, hangars have been planned and the DPRs submitted to NEC. Recently, NEC approved the DPRs of hangars at Dibrugarh and Imphal airports.

Apart from Guwahati, upgradation is on at three other airports.

AGARTALA: Construction of a new control tower.

There is a proposal to construct a new apron too.

DIBRUGARH: Construction of a new terminal building. The extension of runway from 6,000 ft to

7,500 ft. At present only A-320 aircraft are operating. This will enhance operational efficiency of airlines and allow them to carry belly cargo also.

IMPHAL: Expansion of the existing terminal building to accommodate international operations and construction of a new fire station.

REVIVING NON-OPERATIONAL AIRPORTS Pasighat, Ziro (Arunachal Pradesh) and Rupsi (Assam) will be developed by Indian Airforce for joint use with AAI developing a civil enclave. IAF has already taken up development projects at Pasighat and Ziro. AAI has requested the state goverment to provide requisite land for developing civil enclaves.

It has provided the master plan and DPRs to NEC for sanctioning of funds. In order to connect the remote areas in the region, there is proposal to develop and operationalise the non-operational

Work in progress at Pakyong airport runway

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Aerial view of Shillong terminal

airports. Once these airports are completed then all the states in NE Region will have air connectivity.

AAI is actively working in this direction.

NIGHT TIME OPERATIONS Among the 11 operational airports in the region, only Agartala, Guwahati and Imphal have nightlanding facilities as well as operations. Night operations were permitted by DGCA for Dimapur.

However, there are no scheduled night operations except Agartala and Guwahati. Efforts are in place to provide night-landing facilities at Lengpui and Shillong airports. With regard to the civil enclaves at Jorhat, Silchar and Tezpur, IAF has already requested night-landing facilities and scheduled night operations. In the near future, all airports in the Northeastern region will have night operation facilities.

DONER DAY CELEBRATION The AAI and the Ministry of Development of North East Region (DONER) recently held an exhibition at Shillong, Meghalaya, organised by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP), Government of India. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was preceded by the 65th plenary session of the North East Council at another venue in Shillong where the Ministry of Civil Aviation was represented by the AAI. The AAI showcased the greenfield airport at Pakyong, Sikkim, the development of Tezu airport, Arunachal Pradesh and the proposed greenfield airport at Holongi near Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Its officials apprised visitors about infrastructure development and cargo activities.

Dibrugarh airport, Agartala airport

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BLITHESPIRIT Magandeep Singh Sommelier

Eiswein and Icewine, are more an imposition of natural conditions than humans making a choice. Highly concentrated in sugar and flavouring compounds with an almost syrupy consistency, sample grape juice on steroids

as one is always told, is natural. It is what nature makes and man only has one duty, to not bungle up nature’s fine job. But ever so often we find wines which are uninspiring, lacking any edge or character. And you find million such brands lining supermarket shelves, labels with the same mojo-less stuff inside. And then there are wines which only nature can make and no amount of human intervention can imitate or replicate the effect. Eisweins, and Icewines, are one, well two, such wines.

Eiswein, as the name suggests, is German in origin. Icewine, is made chiefly in Canada. Both wines are made on the same principle — grapes must attain a certain degree of freeze before wine can be made with them.

The cold climates of the northern reaches of Germany and the winemaking regions of Canada make them most conducive to such a wine style. Come to think of it, given the frequent sub-zero temperatures in the regions, the common dry table wine styles just wouldn’t work here.

As the grapes freeze while still healthy and on the vine, they are harvested gently, berry by berry, and brought into the winery where with very light pressings, a tiny amount of juice is extracted.

Water which is frozen at this point, pops out like a crystal. Thus

WINE,

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the juice extracted is richer and low on water content. To give you an idea, if a normal vine can give us almost a litre of juice, here the amount is barely one-fifth.

Making wine so thick and intense is not easy. Fermentation thus can take long, and even after months of fermentation, very little alcohol is produced. The resulting wine is superbly sweet but also extremely tart with an unmatched concentration of fruits and other exotic notes. The persistence on each sip is nearendless. They also show great ageing potential but are enjoyable even when young. what makes them so rare?

Well, the temperatures must be appropriately cold, around -8 degree, any lesser and it’s not cold enough to freeze the unwanted components in the berries. Too cold and the grapes won’t yield juice upon pressing. All in all, the fact that we even have Ice wines is a marvel of a feat in itself. And I haven’t even mentioned how climate change is adversely affecting the production of the style of wine.

Ice wines are never cheap and that is one reason why you don’t see them often enough. Just like an artistic masterpiece, you need to hunt and enjoy them in the right company. And in the right manner. Also, always serve them chilled. No, don’t add ice, once in the name is enough.

SO

GURUSPEAK Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Spiritual Guru

Success is ignorance of the power of self-awareness because you assume you can only do so much. Cross your boundaries and limitations to claim the ultimate success

is so much talk about success everywhere. Everyone wants to be successful. Have you ever thought what success is? It’s simply ignorance of your capabilities. When you put a limitation, you are limiting the power of your own self, your own consciousness. When you are successful, you are proud of it and if you fail, you feel guilty and upset. Both can drag you out of joy, out of the greater potential that you possess.

Failure is a part of the process. There is no control over the fruit of action. If the attention is only on the end result, then you can’t perform. If you fail, never mind, still do it. When faced with difficult times, invoke the valour in you and tackle the challenge with confidence. Through history, we have seen that the world has gone through harder times and come out stronger.

You forget a strength in you — power of your sankalpa (positive intention). Don’t panic and keep your mind centred. Whenever we panic and fear, our immunity level goes down.

Practices such as pranayama, meditation and sudarshan kriya will help.

Realise that you are not alone in difficult times, there is always an unseen hand working for you. If your faith is shaken very quickly and too often, then you are akin to the flying husk, lost and anchorless. On the other hand, if you have faith that everything will be all right, you will find stability and everything will settle down.

When you are faced with a problem, don’t generalise and eternalise it by thinking about it all the time. Become a part of the solution, not the problem. The best thing is to surrender to the Divine. If you are successful, so what? You can do much more. If you couldn’t do something, don’t berate yourself.

There are two ways of looking at life. One is thinking that, “I’ll be happy after achieving a certain objective.” The second is, “I’m happy come what may.” Events come and go, they perish like flowers. Establish the thought “I am blessed,” firmly in life. It can help you overcome any obstacle and grumblings and insecurities disappear. Make the decision today that “Whatever happens, I will remain grounded and peaceful, and have faith that God’s protection is here on me.” This much is enough to pull you up.

Keep your mind peaceful under all situations. Everything else will be taken care of. Having this equanimity both in success and in failure is what will lead you to real success.

THERE

FITNESS Bharat Thakur is a yoga guru and founder of Artistic Yoga

JUST LET THE GAS OUT WITHOUT We are all familiar with that burning sensation, reflux and pain and have suffered indigestion at some point of time. So don’t let it make your life unpleasant. Take a good look at your diet and lifestyle even as these moves help you ease up

food, water and oxygen, it’s impossible for human beings to survive. Our digestive system is a set of organs which transform whatever we eat into substances that the body can absorb for its energy, growth and repair. So what, when and how we eat and how efficiently our body digests food is fundamental to good health.

Long gaps between meals can lead to acid build-up in the stomach which leads to indigestion. Symptoms can range from feeling uncomfortable, bloated or nauseous, belching, bringing food or fluid back up from your stomach — reflux. The symptoms usually come on soon after eating or drinking but these can be intermittent.

Other factors can also induce indigestion which include eating too fast or too much, not chewing properly, heavy or over-spiced food, not drinking enough water, going to bed immediately after eating and so on. Some symptoms like heartburn or persisting symptoms can be a sign of more serious disorders and should be checked.

This is why yoga places so much emphasis and has so many practices that cleanse and strengthen the digestive and eliminative systems. Four fingers above the navel is the manipur chakra, symbolised by the fire element. According to yoga, this is from where jatragini (fire) is generated that regulates and maintains the body’s electrical circuit (nadis), body temperature, health and metabolic processes in the body. There are also specific practices like agnisar kriya — pumping the stomach; internal cleansing techniques like nauli, kunjal, shankhaprkshalan that cleanse, tone and maintain good abdominal and intestinal health.

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YOGA MUDRA o Sit in padmasana, eyes closed, taking both hands behind the back. Clasp one hand with the other wrist. o Close your eyes, relax your body and inhale. o Exhale as you bend forward to bring your forehead to the ground. o Inhale as you come up.

BENEFITS: o Massages and stimulates the abdominal organs. o Relieves digestive problems like indigestion and constipation.

KAPALBHATTI o Sit in padmasana (lotus position) or cross-legged with back straight and eyes closed and palms on knees. o Exhale forcefully through the nose, pulling stomach inward. o Relax stomach and inhale.

BENEFITS: o Improves cardio-respiratory endurance. o Activates the peristaltic movement.

VAJRASANA o Sit with back and legs straight and arms by your side. o Bend the right knee and place behind your buttock. Do the same with the left leg. o Sit on your heels with toes turned outward. o Sit comfortably, relax and focus on your breath.

BENEFITS: o The only yoga posture that can be done after eating. o Improves digestive process and relieves stomach ailments like hyperacidity and peptic ulcers.

PAVANMUKTASANA o Lie on your back, arms by side, legs together, inhale and raise your right leg. o Bend the right leg, interlock hands below knee and exhale as you bring your chin up to your right knee. o Breathe normally and hold for 30 seconds. o Breathe in, exhale as you drop the head and straighten leg.

Repeat with both legs.

BENEFITS: Massages the abdomen and digestive organs.

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NUMBERGAME Sanjay Jumaani Numerologist

COUNT YOUR FATE

NUMBER 1 (Ruled by Sun, people born on the 1st, 10th, 19th and 28th) The sun has been shining, all you have to do is go out. And experience the glow. Outdoor activities may help revitalise pent up energy. It’s a positive period to make the best of the environment. All the medicines in the world cannot match the power of nature’s wonderful cure, so bask in the glory.

NUMBER 4 (Ruled by Uranus, people born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd and 31st) An upbeat time ahead beckons you, so go all out firing with all cylinders. You could hit the mark with your unusual gestures and ideas, if you use a little more conventional and practical approach. Finance would come and go as usual, it’s one department you need to focus more intently on for sure.

NUMBER 7 (Ruled by Neptune, people born on the 7th, 16th and 25th) Life could be very hectic which is why you would not have time for depression to set in, so trudge on with this incentive. But do try to reserve a little time for spirituality and thanking Mother Nature for its wonders. And of course spare some time for loved ones as well. That would help you immensely.

NUMBER 2 (Ruled by Moon, people born on the 2nd, 11th, 20th and 29th) If you think someone close is unfair towards you, do not be too spiteful; it could impair longterm relations, which usually take a lot of effort to mend. If someone has let you down, it does not mean you must paint the entire city red. Those in creative fields can sit up to get noticed after a long time.

NUMBER 5 (Ruled by Mercury, people born on the 5th, 14th and 23rd) Feeling absorbed with work, you could lust for a little more diversion towards amusement and pleasure. Only if work was less demanding is what could be on your mind but hey, inactivity could at times be fatal.

So the best solution could mean finding pleasure in work and doing it the right way.

NUMBER 8 (Ruled by Saturn, people born on the 8th, 17th and 26th) You would want more breathing space for your self, feeling cramped by those thronging you. But just imagine how lonely life would have been without them. If you were marooned on some island, you would crave and yearn for these very people.

Time for some much needed introspection.

NUMBER 3 (Ruled by Jupiter, people born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st and 30th) Try not to depend too much on others. Being independent would give you the autonomy to decide your plan of action.

Agreed that being a “lone ranger” has its pitfalls but just think if you make it, you would share the spoils with yourself.

Chances of faring well in positions of authority are high.

NUMBER 6 (Ruled by Venus, people born on the 6th, 15th and 24th) Be wary of putting all eggs in one basket and try to be a little more careful with being showy about the materialistic things as you could be misunderstood as richer than you are. Enjoying beauty and luxury is fine, if you try to keep it to yourself. Things at work will get a little simpler organically, so don’t try too hard.

NUMBER 9 (Ruled by Mars, people born on the 9th, 18th and 27th) A surprise visitor could cheer you up which will stop sluggishness from setting in as you are not the lazy types anyway. Standing for what you think is right may have got you in a spot more than once.

However, the solution is to try to round up the edges and be in a safe zone than fighting it.

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AT L E I S U R E

C E L E B R A T E

A T

H O M E

Dussehra is a 10-day celebration to commemorate Ganga’s descent to earth, known as Gangavataran. Devotees gather and bathe in the river near Haridwar. On June 11.

GANGA

of the most mind-boggling music finds its way into the Arudra Music Festival and the experience is heightened by the presence of the majestic mountains of Manali around you.

The festival will expose you to different facets of the psy-community and is an expression of togetherness and communication. To be held from June 5 to 8.

SOME

Joao Feast of St John the Baptist is a popular festival of Goa. The celebrations include men jumping in overflowing wells to recover bottles of feni which is a local alcohol. This is complemented with music, dance and boat races. Begins June 24.

SAO

Champakkulam boat race is one of the most awaited events in the calendar of Kerala. It is held on the River Pampa on the day of ‘moolam’ in the Malayalam month of Midhunam. Starts June 26.

THE

Darshan Festival is held on Guru Purnima which is a full moon day. It takes place in Ladakh’s Leh district in Jammu and Kashmir for three days.

This event first took place in October 1997 and since then has continued every year.

SINDHU

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By RINKU GHOSH

WHERE’S THE VACATION?

C

ome summer vacations and parents are in a frenzy over skill development of their little ones. Each year comes with its own craze for higher development of the self, from expanding artistic frontiers through theatre, craft and painting, to life skills via camping and survival by cold cooking.

Looking at mummy friends around me, I have picked up this year’s trends which surprisingly have become indoor-bound. Robotics is the topmost obsession, the obvious advantages being preparing a next generation of super evolved techies. A season’s workshop is guaranteed to help kids develop basic programming concepts, structural design, pulleys and levers, gears and motors. Considering that a sevenyear-old and nine-year-old had a snappy alligator and a tumbling tin can with bulging eyes running haywire across my apartment at their beck and call — cruising smartly under the bed and cranking up Transformerlike in weird corners — I wondered why I had invested in a bot cleaner from a US manufacturer. Home-grown expertise was in full flow awaiting patents. And considering that a US study says that lawyers will become extinct over the next few years (artificial intelligence-empowered legal aid devices are expected to give 90 per cent accurate advice compared to 70 per cent human), can you blame parents for pursuing technology with a vengeance?

The teens have, meanwhile, taken to aeromodelling, a spider-like drone crashing into my lazy Sunday brunch hour in the verandah. The mother of a future aeronautical engineer has me know that aeromodelling ignites right-brain activity, helps in better learning, reasoning ability, improves hand-eye coordination, encourages outdoor activity and hold your breath, helps you cope with failure. Repairing a fallen plane in the mud, apparently, teaches you the art of rebuilding.

More wired mums in the neighbourhood have asked me graciously to hold public-speaking exercises for their offspring on a Sunday afternoon, sleep and PSPs be damned.

Yet others are mindful of the left brain activity and development as well. So while some of them are teaching kids to carve fruits and vegetables to feel the natural aspects of the world, others have introduced their geniuses to the 18th century artform of quilling or paper filigree. It involves strips of stiffened paper in various colours that are rolled tightly around a spindle or nib in a coil, loosened carefully, looped, curled, twisted, shaped and glued together to create decorative designs. The idea is to recreate a 3D version of a child’s surroundings, be it a flower, bumble bee or a ship, in miniature panels.

All parents whom I have interacted with this summer have said that they are much concerned about the socio-psychological development of their progeny so that they can take on the big bad world with military precision. But in the process, aren’t we turning out a generation of androids, who may in the end do the bidding of a matrix of artificial intelligence? What of vacations in the shade of mango groves, pranks and naughtiness with grandpa and grandma, unbridled rolling in the grass, discovering a hill station or a sea shore and just being? Why are we bottling in the full burst of innocence and solidifying it as a relic of forbidden experiences? Before childhood is replaced by young adulthood, it is time for a reality check. As parents we should let our kids soar with imagination, read stories and sleep in the afternoon. We had great men before, we will still have them greater.

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RNI NO. DELENG/2006/18084 POSTAL REGN. NO. DL (C)-01/1151/2016-2018 Posted at NDPSO on 10th, 11th & 12th of same month Published on 30th of Advance Month