Exotica June 2022

EXOTICA [1] JUNE 2022

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Navin Upadhyay CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Abhishek Saxena 09818600128 EDITORIAL Sub-editor Supriya Ramesh Chief Designer Anand Singh Rawat Production Manager Syed Nawab Raza Staff Photographer Pankaj Kumar SALES & MARKETING Vice President Jetender Rawat 9810404096 General Managers Kumar Gurudutta Jha & Sweety Verma Senior Managers Madhukar Saxena & Divyesh Kothari Managers Bharat Singh Sajwan Prabhakar Pathak & Barun Choudhary MUMBAI OFFICE General Manager Devendra Adhikari HYDERABAD OFFICE V Sunil Kumar General Manager (Circulation) Rajeev Gautam Printed and published by Navin Upadhyay for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd, printed at JK Offset Graphics (P) Ltd, B-278, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-1, New Delhi-110020 and published at No. 6, Behind Gulab Bhawan, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110002.

Executive Editor: Navin Upadhyay.

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ROMANCING LIFE

THE

monsoon is here. The romance of the rain is in the air, and so is the heady smell earth oozes when the first of the raindrops kiss it with a fierce longing. The ripe mangoes and succulent watermelons that nature offers to the rain god are plentiful. Despite the cacophony of political discourse and deafening noises of TV debates, the monsoon could lull you into a misplaced belief that all is well. That is the magic of monsoon, so beautifully captured by us in this edition as we travel down south to God’s own country—Kerala. The pitter-patter of rain on tiled roofed houses, the swelling of the backwaters, the thunders of the cloud, the clapping of lightning, and the roar of the sea, Kerala presents all these marvels in abundance when the monsoon arrives. Kumar Chellappan paints the monsoon landscape of Kerala in his own inimical style. Of course, he also brings out the other side of the monsoon, the misery it pours on the people from the sky.

Moving upward the coast, we reach Mumbai where every day a thousand dreams bloom, and every night they die. Research scholar Susan Mishra has brilliantly traced the link between the metropolis’ suburban railway and the religion and culture of the past. Susan has focused on Mumbai’s lifeline, its ‘local’ trains that works round-the clock, transporting lakhs of people to their destinations.

Susan journeyed back into the past on the suburban railway tracks, recalling how on the momentous day of April 16, 1853, the first-ever Mumbai suburban passenger train chugged out of Bori Bunder ( now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) and covered a distance of 34 km from to Thane. The train was flagged off with a 21-gun salute. This line was later known as the Central line. G Clarke, the chief engineer of the Government of Bombay, had in 1843 conceived of a railway scheme and on April 19, 1845, it was approved by a meeting of citizens of Mumbai held at the Town Hall. On April 12, 1867, the first suburban service was inaugurated, with one train each way, from Virar to Back Bay. This was to be later known as the Western suburban line.

After so much legwork, the Exotica takes you to The Chambers of the Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi, for a relaxing evening. Corporate Trainer and Food Blogger Vaishalee Jolly showcases the changes the Chambers has gone through over the years. The original Chambers at the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, was conceived by Mr. J. R. D. Tata as a business club way back in 1975. The Chambers was an exclusive venue where prominent industrialists, business professionals, and dignitaries would host meetings or working luncheons in the luxurious chambers with well-trained staff to attend.

There is so much else to entertain you: gourmet recipes, travel destinations, and more.

EXOTICA [3] JUNE 2022

[p6]

INSIDE

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JUNE 2022 VOLUME 16 NO 8

Connoisseur corner[p34] Go on a binge Sweet somethings [p38] Relishing the food value Tracking history [p42] ‘Mumbai Local’ Stations: Journeying through time Connoisseur corner [p48] Go on a binge Beat street [p50] Striking positivity through uplifting music

COVER: CHINESE FISHING NET AT KOCHI’S BACKWATERS: KERALA

Joyful drop [p6] Divine spell: Kerala Travel junkie [p14] Climb every mountain Surging hormones [p20] Home of rhythm and sway: Jamaica Travel bug [p28] Summer fun in Washington, DC Breaking ground [p30] Off the beaten track: Switzerland

CONTRIBUTORS Sri Sri Ravi Shankar [p56] GURUSPEAK: Leading from behind Bharat Thakur [p58] FITNESS: Good posturing for

[p38]

laptoppers

TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES 64 INCLUDING COVER

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LBB FA V O U R I T E H A U N T S O F S T Y L I S H P E O P L E

LITTLE BLACK BOOK

A good cap elevates an overall look. I like wearing different styles of caps.

Desirtoxic from M Micallef for its woody spicy fragrance.

Hara saag with a dollop of makkhan and bajre ki roti.

Black tee teamed up with my comfy denims with a hoodie jacket (if weather permits).

Appearing primarily in Hindi films, DARSHAN KUMAR made his acting debut with Mary Kom and followed it up with Baaghi 2, PM Narendra Modi, The Kashmir Files, among others

Leh and Ladakh for their breathtaking landscapes and clear blue skies.

EXOTICA [5] JUNE 2022

Series of Konstantin Stanislavski books makes for an engrossing read.

JOYFUL DROP

DIVINE SPELL

With its innumerable gifts to mankind, monsoon, a season of joy, love and prosperity, has its own drawbacks. To present the entire picture, KUMAR CHELLAPPAN weaves a rainy tale

EXOTICA [6] JUNE 2022

L IT

is monsoon time in Kerala and Karnataka.

If one wants to experience the spectacles of these two States in their full splendour, there is no season like monsoon. Rivers, mountains, valleys and the greenery inspire poets to compose some of the best lyrical works. The monsoon may be the only all-encompassing weather phenomenon that has played a significant role in producing the best literary works which remain the benchmark of classical literature. And, Kerala is the gateway through which monsoon enters the sub-continent every year.

Meghadutam and Ritusamhara by Kalidasa, the all-time great peet, are descriptions of the Indian monsoon encompassing the area from Madagascar to the South China Sea. This weather phenomenon had resemblance to some of the best fine arts forms like Bharatanatyam or Mohiniyattam. “To be precise, it is nature’s greatest classical dance performance. There is a pattern in its behaviour, a kind of inherent elegance. No wonder, poets and musicians romanticised monsoon and thus was born the likes of Meghadutam and Ritusamhara as well as some of the great ‘raagas’ of music,” explain Mankombu Gopalakrishnan, reputed movie-maker and lyricist. Gopalakrishnan has to his credits some of the best poems he wrote inspired and enthused by monsoon.

“Creativity and aesthetic sense come out in the open as words and sentences after experiencing the intensity of monsoon. The passion for love and the urge to become one with the partner shoots up as monsoon heats up the nerves and

veins, making the heart pump faster than normal,” said Gopalakrishnan, whose description of a kiss remains unparalleled in modern literature. “A kiss is like an offering of nectar made by the devotee to the Lord. It has purity and it is pristine when exchanged between true lovers,” he had written as a poem.

Dr S Abhilash, reputed atmospheric scientist of Cochin University of Science and Technology, who has dedicated his life to the study of this weather pattern, agrees with Gopalakrishnan’s views about monsoon. “But I am afraid that the romanticism associated with monsoon has almost gone. Unlike the old days, monsoon rainfalls have become a disaster and it is because of the change in the perception of the people towards nature,” says Abhilash.

The importance of monsoon may be understood from what Prof RR Kelkar, former director

EXOTICA [7] JUNE 2022

general, Indian Meteorological Department, has written about it. Describing Kalidasa as a pioneer in studying the character of this weather phenomenon, Prof Kelkar wrote: “What Kalidasa wrote about the monsoon 1600 years ago, can be said to be scientifically sound by today’s standards.

In some respects, Kalidasa remains ahead of the scientists of the 21st century and they can learn from him and draw inspiration for doing further research on monsoon. Kalidasa’s Meghadutam is not only a poem of great beauty but an accurate scientific statement about the monsoon clouds and winds.”

The Arabic word ‘mawsim’ which means season got transformed into monsoon over the centuries and remains as an enigma even today because of its fast-changing moods and emotions.

It is true that monsoon (especially the southwest monsoon used to hit the Kerala coast either in the last week of May or early June and continue its

‘dance of fury/fun’ till August end. The southwest monsoon’s stay in Kerala and Karnataka is in sync with the period Vaisakha to Sravana. A brief spell of rainfall during the Vishu festival (April 15) marks the commencement of farming operations, with farmers taking to their land with sowing. Assam has Bihu and Punjab celebrates Baisakhi, all related in one way the other with agricultural activities.

The short spell of rains in Kerala occurring with Vishu gives way to the scorching heat of Summer which lasts up to the end of May. The southwest monsoon’s arrival is announced by thunder and lightning, a prelude to the heavy rainfall that strikes the Kerala landscape. In spite of the fury with which monsoon rainfalls strike the State, there were no complaints against her pattern.

People used to enjoy the heavy spell of rains that cooled the State in all respects. “There was a beauty associated with monsoon as it marked the season of hope. There was a saying in the 19th century

EXOTICA [8] JUNE 2022

that one can set the calendar based on the arrival of monsoon in tune with the saying that we can set the wrist-watches with the time announcement made

by All India Radio,” says John Peruvanthanam, noted environmentalist who can explain each year’s monsoon with the first rainfall of the season.

Abhilash points out that monsoon mechanism is decided to a great extent by the behaviour of the three seas that surround the Indian peninsula. “The Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea set the agenda for each year’s monsoon. Though we can blame the global warming and related rise in the level of ocean for the erratic behaviour of Monsoon, there are many factors which are yet to get the due recognition,” pointed out Abhilash, who follows monsoon pattern by trekking and mountaineering for observing and diagnosing the shortcomings faced by the environment.

Massive deforestation, environmental degradation and unplanned development of rural and urban areas are the favourite whipping objects of policy planners for the haphazard monsoon pattern. A flaw has set in the natural water regulation mechanism. Due to heavy urbanisation, natural flow of the floodwaters

EXOTICA [10] JUNE 2022

gets disrupted. Rivers criss-crossing cities like Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram get encroached upon under the pretext of infrastructure development. This has led to a situation where the earth surface has lost its water-holding capacity. The result is that even a small rainfall would lead to waterlogged towns and flooded roads.

“Monsoon trough is a permanent feature ranging from the Bay of Bengal to Pakistan.

Contrary to our beliefs, the intensity of rainfall has increased. Whatever rainfall we used to get in the past during June 1 to July 31, we are getting in just 10 days and this upset the rhythm of the monsoon and rainfall,” explained Abhilash.

Naturalists like John and veteran farmer Viswanathan of Kottayam are of the view that farm lands are getting converted to residential and commercial lands with blatant impunity.

“Farming is no more a profitable venture and farmers are leaving agricultural operations once and for ever. The farm-lands

have become business establishments and this was the reason for the deluges tormenting the State regularly since 2018,” says Viswanathan.

The reduction in farm-lands has caused the shrinking of natural space for storing rain water.

“A rainfall of 24 cm per day was normal in Kerala.

But now we get 15 to 20 cm rainfall in every three hours and this has upset the rhythm of monsoon,” says Abhilash.

He points out that the “cloud structure” along the Konkan coast has become much taller than what it used to be in the past. “Well, there is a water bomb ticking up above our heads.

It can burst any time and that is the reason behind the cloudbursts which we come across regularly,” he says.

More than 100 persons have lost their lives due to the cloudburst and landslide that occurred in Idukki in August 2020. “This is yet another proof of the erratic behaviour of monsoon caused by the greed of the people. The Western Ghats, which could be considered as

EXOTICA [11] JUNE 2022

the heart and lungs of Kerala, are host to hundreds of unauthorised quarries and mines where heavy earthmovers dig 24X7 for granite and metals. The quarries give returns with 1,000 times more than the investment,” says John Peruvanthanam.

Madhav Gadgil, noted environmental scientis, who was appointed by the Union Government to study the kind of damage suffered by Western Ghats because of deforestation, quarrying and felling of trees, had strongly demanded to call off all unauthorised quarrying and mining in the region to save the fragile ecology from getting destructed. Monsoon was well-behaved and punctual like an army cadet as long as the environment was left untouched by man’s greed.

But not anymore. The trespass by greedy human, into the eternal rainforests have sucked the entire blood out of the greenery. “Forests are our lungs

while rivers and streams are the arteries and veins.

What happen when the lungs get damaged and the arteries get blocked, would be replicated in our environment. The rivers should allow meandering of water without any obstruction and the forests should stand as natural soldiers to prevent soil erosion,” says Abhilash.

Kerala’s total land mass measures 38,863 sq km, out of which 21,856 sq km belongs to Western Ghats. The hinterland and coastal region has waterbodies measuring up to 1279.3 sq km while 300 sq km comes under the Coastal Regulation Zone. This means the total land area available for habitation, agricultural operations and development activities is hardly 11,900 sq km, which is a mere 30.6 per cent of the total available land mass. (This is the data furnished in the Kerala Legislative Assembly). While 8.74 lakh hectares land

EXOTICA [12] JUNE 2022

was used for paddy cultivation in 1973-74, the figure for 2011-12 stood at 2.08 lakh hectares.

The Madhav Gadgil Committee report wants the Government of Kerala to put on hold all unauthorised quarrying and mining activities in the Western Ghats as well as in deep forests lest the State ends up as a desert. “Monsoon, dating back to millions of years, is here to stay.

But we should rework/reboot the approach to monsoon according to the changed patterns,” said Abhilash. He is not asking for the moon.

This young professor wants the public to amend its ways to counter the negative impacts caused by environmental degradation and ecological disturbances.

Western Ghats seek also protection from human greed. The political class and religious leaders are highly critical of the Gadgil Committee

recommendations, which they describe as antifarmer. Any more delay in implementing the recommendations by the Gadgil Committee will have consequences worse than what was witnessed in nature’s fury in 2018. Monsoon rains are rejuvenating and that’s why those who are health conscious make a beeline for the rejuvenation therapy treatment in Ayurveda Hospital during the peak of the month of Karkkadaka (June-July). “It is a refreshing experience and I feel I have become 10 years younger by each rejuvenation therapy session,” says S Sasidharan, south India’s leading timber trader. Monsoon will be there in all its freshness and energy. But the question is whether we have the infrastructure to welcome and get the blessings of this millions of years old phenomenon that encompasses love, passion, health, prosperity and rejuvenation?

EXOTICA [13] JUNE 2022

TRAVEL JUNKIE When you say hills, one immediately thinks of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand or Kashmir. And if you say beaches, peninsular India comes to mind.

But then who said that there are no hill stations to be explored south of the Vindhyas?

With rolling mists, gentle inclines and lush greenery minus the crowds, these are the places which the weary soul craves for

CLIMB EVERY

MOUNTAIN

THE

MUNNAR [KERALA]

idyllic Munnar is known for its tea estates, exotic lush greenery and craggy peaks. Located in the Western Ghats, it serves as the commercial centre for some of the world’s largest tea estates. In addition, it has many protected areas which are home to endemic and highly endangered species like the Nilgiri Thar and the Neelakurinji.

What adds to the attraction of the place is that it is situated on the banks of three rivers — Madupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru. There are several natural viewpoints besides the tea plantations. The Eravikulam National Park, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and tea plantations are its major attractions. The city is divided into Old Munnar, where there is the tourist information office, and Munnar, where the bus station and most guesthouses are located.

EXOTICA [14] JUNE 2022

WAYANAD [KERALA]

ENCHANTING

waterfalls and historical caves add to the charm of Wayanad, which is famous for its spice plantations and wildlife. Among the prettiest areas of Kerala, it has a multitude of options for visitors. Part of a forest reserve, Wayanad is located on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The entire region is completely green with hilly ranges and wildlife including Tholpetty in the north, Muthanga in the east, bordering Tamil Nadu, Kalpetta in the south, Mananthvadi in the north-west and Sultan Bathery (Sultan Battery) in the east. Explore the area by walking through the sprawling spice plantations or take that trek into the pre-historic caves. But if all you want to do is sit back and see the changing hues of the sky, there are ample resorts which offer stunning views.

THE

IDUKKI [KERALA]

place brings together the remains of Chera dynasty, Vembolinad Kingdom and European plantations. This rugged hill resort is best known for its wildlife sanctuaries, quaint bungalows, tea factories, rubber plantations and forests.

One of the greenest hill stations in the country, as over 97 per cent of Idukki is covered by trees and mountains. Three rivers — Periyar, Thodupuzhayar and Thalayar — flow through a narrow gorge which gives the place its name. The Idukki Arch Dam is the

biggest of its kind in Asia and the Anamudi, which is the highest peak in India, south of the Himalayas.

Idukki is situated at the top of the Western Ghats surrounded by mountains. The arch dam built across the Kuravan Kurathi mountain is an added attraction. Attached to this dam of 650 feet length and 550 feet height, are two other dams at Kulmavu and Cherunthony. This beautiful high range district of Kerala is geographically known for its rugged hills and dense forests. It is also famed for its spice production, tea plantations and rubber cultivation.

EXOTICA [15] JUNE 2022

IT

PONMUDI [KERALA]

is located 60 km away from Thiruvananthapuram and is part of the Western Ghats. It is one of the few hill stations that are close to the sea and the mist-covered mountains add to the mystic charm of the place. For those who are wildlife enthusiasts, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is located along the catchment area of the Peppara Dam on the Karamana River. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna and offers a natural habitat to around 43 species of mammals, 233 species of birds, 46 species of reptiles, 13 species of amphibians and 27 species of fish.

Golden Valley, along the banks of Kallar river, is a picturesque location idyllic for its lush green spread, crystal-clear water and golden sand. Ponmudi serves as a trekker’s paradise offering several beautiful trails at Varayattumotta, Chinnappulle and Braemoor. Other trekking routes include a trek to Bonafalls, Vazahuvanthole waterfalls and Kalarkad waterfalls.

VAGAMON [KERALA]

LAID

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back, green and serene are some of the descriptions that best fit Vagamon. An offbeat hill station, the Vagamon pine forest in the region is a must-visit for forest lovers. It has often been the spot for film shoots. The forest was created during the British regime. It overlooks the entire Vagamon valley. The Marmala Waterfall, located along the Erattupetta route, is a must-visit.

Thangalpara, a place of pilgrimage, is also among the best spots of Vagamon as it offers breathtaking views of the entire valley. The place is essentially a huge rock at the edge of a precipice and it has religious significance as it was once the resting place of Hasrath Sheikh Fariduddin Baba, a revered sufi saint.

Vagamon Lake is another crowdpuller and a spot for rowing, boating and other water activities. It is a perfect place to watch a sunrise or sunset.

The place is also developing as one of India’s topmost adventure tourism spots with activities such as trekking, rock climbing and paragliding. One can cycle through the mountains to get a pleasant feel. The Kerala Tourism Department and the Adventure Sports and Sustainable Tourism Academy (AASTA) celebrates an International Paragliding festival in Vagamon each year.

KODAIKANAL

ONE

[TAMIL NADU]

of the most famous honeymoon destinations in India, it is nestled amidst the rolling slopes of the Palani Hills. It stands at an altitude of 7,200 feet above sea level and has a cool, pleasant climate all year round. Kodaikanal means the gift of the forests. Famously known as the ‘Princess of Hill stations’, it offers the perfect mix of culture and nature for tourists with its perfectly manicured slopes, scenic waterfalls, rolling hills and clear lakes, all of which come together to create the perfect setting for an ideal mountain getaway. An ideal place to take a break from the rigours of daily city life, this hill station lets you sit back and connect with nature as you head out on biking or trekking trails or take a stroll through the huge forests surrounding the town.

BELLIKKAL [TAMIL NADU]

IF

you are looking for relaxation without having to worry about a ‘to-do’ list for your vacations, this is the right place. Bellikkal is a small village in the south of Sigur plateau. This elusive hill station is as beautiful as those in the Himalayas and has managed to retain its old world charm.

KOTAGIRI [TAMIL NADU]

KOTAGIRI

is a small and old hill station, nestled in the lap of Nilgiri hills. It was first noticed by the British as their summer home away from the heat of plains. In fact, what we see today of the town is nothing but a reflection of the glorious past of the British Raj and Kota tribe that inhabited this place. Blessed with pleasant weather throughout the year, Kotagiri is packed with lush green environs and clean and fresh air. It once served as a site of coffee plantation but today tea plantations cover an area of 30,000 acres here.

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IF

CHIKMAGALUR [KARNATAKA]

you love the aroma of freshly-brewed coffee in the mornings, Chikmagalur is the place for you. It has a perpetual fragrance of the beverage lingering in the air. Famously known as the ‘Coffee Land of Karnataka’, it is situated in the foothills of the Mullayangiri range in Karnataka and stands at an altitude of 3,400 feet. Famous for its tall mountains and tranquil, lush green forests, it is a quaint getaway from the busy life of the city.

The place is the largest producer of coffee in the country. So if you’re a coffee enthusiast as well as a nature-lover, taking a walk through a few coffee plantations in the city is a must-do. Many of the coffee estates allow visitors to take guided tours through the plantations and also provide stays. It has several trekking trails, such as the Mullayangiri, Kemmanagundi and the Baba Budangiri trek.

NANDI HILLS [KARNATAKA]

ALSO

referred to as Ananda Giri, which means the Hill of Happiness, Nandi is in the shape of a sleeping bull (Nandi) and hence the name. Located 60 km from Bengaluru, it has a palace which was started by Haider Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan. It was used by the latter as his summer resort and was named Tashk-e-Jannat, meaning the envy of heaven.

Tipu’s Drop is a cliff face at a height of 600 metres on the hills which provides a stunning view of the city. As per history, it is also said that prisoners were forced down this cliff to their death. It is a great place for cycling and paragliding.

ARAKU VALLEY [ANDHRA PRADESH]

THE

best kept secret of the residents of Visakhapatnam, this hill station is their much-preferred weekend getaway destination as it is just120 km away. Blessed with natural beauty, this destination is a serene respite from the hustle-bustle of city life. Catch the morning train from Visakhapatnam, making its way through 58 tunnels and over 84 bridges, to reach Araku in five hours.

Located in the Eastern Ghats, Araku Valley is also home to a number of tribes, caves and the Museum of Tribal Arts. It is also famous for its exquisite coffee. Kartiki waterfall is located within the bounds of the valley and makes up for a picturesque encounter. Visitors can also try their hand at a few adventure sports here, like trekking and swimming.

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SAVANDURGA [KARNATAKA]

SITUATED

60 km to the west of Bengaluru, it is considered to be one of the largest single rock formations in Asia. It comprises two hills, Billigudda (white hill) and Karigudda (black hill) and has a temple situated at the foothill. The Akravati river can be seen from the top. It makes for an easy and picturesque trek and also has a perennial lotus pond in it. It is frequented by travellers for trekking, camping and rock climbing.

ANANTHAGIRI [TELANGANA]

LOCATED

90 km from Hyderabad, this scenic hill station offers plenty of options like trekking, rock climbing and camping. There is something for everyone here.

The Borra caves in the region were formed when river waters flowed through a limestone area and the calcium carbonate turned into calcium bicarbonate, which was easily washed out by the running water. The most striking feature of the caves is its variety of speleothems ranging in sizes and shapes.

Dolphin’s Nose is a massive rock nearly 357 metres high extending out of the sea. A lighthouse is built on this rock whose beam of light is visible around 65 km away from the sea. A bath in Bhavanasi Lake is said to be quite auspicious. Another attraction here is the Musi river, a tributary of river Krishna.

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SURGING HORMONES

HOME OF RHYTHM AND SWAY EXOTICA [20] JUNE 2022

Before diving into the pool of non-stop fun, one should know that there’s no place quite like the land of wood and water. It is the place to visit when you want to reset, recharge and relax. The astounding beauty and diversity of this landscape, paired with welcoming smiles and colourful language, keep visitors enthralled with Jamaica

EXOTICA [21] JUNE 2022

BE

honest. When you think about a vacation to Jamaica, you’re thinking about sitting on a beach listening to Bob Marley and eating something jerked. To be fair, that sounds amazing. But do you have any idea how many awesome adventures are available in Jamaica?

From river rafting, climbing the waterfalls, ziplining through a canopy of trees, hiking through the mountains or scuba diving in the Caribbean Sea, there is no shortage of life-changing activities in Jamaica.

Vacations in Jamaica offer the chance to go beyond the sandy beaches and striking scenery for exhilarating adventures you will always remember. The destination has a lot to offer to travellers who seek to achieve better health and wellness on holidays. The Jamaican land naturally lets you maintain your wellbeing during or as a result of their trip, which is why it is a perfect destination for can’t-sit-still-on-a-beach active explorers.

Imagine the adventure of a lifetime. You feel hot blood pumping through the veins while your heartbeat rivals the island drums. As you anticipate the unknown, finally, you have reached a euphoric moment mixed with excitement, fear, pride, and relief.

Adventure is calling, and Jamaica has the answer. Where will it take you?

We have put together a list of the top adrenaline pumping excursions in Jamaica to help lovers of nature and outdoor adventure plans their visit!

Mountain Adventures let you look no further for a challenging hike and a memorable experience!

Get your hiking boots on and head for Blue Mountain Peak.

If you would like to venture beyond the treetops, lace up your sneakers and head for Blue Mountain Peak. Refresh by inflating your lungs with fresh air as you embark on this mountain journey.

The peak of Blue Mountain is the highest in Jamaica and the view is arguably one of the best you will ever witness.

Experience a bit more of a heart-pumping adrenaline rush on Treetop Adventures, whiz through trees on zip lines overlooking commanding views, such as YS Falls’, the majestic Martha Brae River, Dunn’s River Falls and historic plantation houses. Of course, you can also climb any of the many waterfalls.

If you are seeking a full day of daring activities, adventure parks in Jamaica are ideal choices for the whole family. With abundance of turquoise waters, lush green lands, and deep caverns in all resort areas, conquering bumpy terrains with ATVs, soaring through the air on zip lines, and maneuvering rushing waters are common adventure park activities. Popular picks like Jamwest Speedway and Adventure Park, Yaaman Adventure Park and Chukka Cove Adventure Park and Falls, all offer these options in addition to others that make each venue a unique experience. Kool Runnings’ kid-friendly attraction is Jamaica’s largest water park; offering go-kart racing and paintball activities.

What screams adventure like exploring the unknown of deep, dark caves? To experience the tales of Cave Adventures, explore the hidden secrets of Green Grotto Caves in Runaway Bay or explore the nearby caves of Roaring River in the heart of a western town or trek the rugged Cockpit Country where the Windsor Caves are located. Witness rock formations, faint clicks of bats fluttering high above and sparkling walls making shadowy cavern ventures, more enthralling.

At Dolphin Cove, interacting with stingrays makes this a place where you come for the day but remember for a lifetime. Get up close and personal with amazing animals, swim with dolphins, enjoying the thrill and love of marine mammals in their natural environment.

Remember to take along your towel, sunscreen and be prepared to have fun! Included are glass-bottom boat rides, kayaking, and snorkelling with stingrays, watching Shark Shows and access to the beach.

Exploring Jamaica’s rich ecosystem, swimming across sparkling river streams or simply enjoying the spectacular views, each adventure here, is a lifetime chance to ‘switch off’ from your everyday thought pattern, practice mindfulness, restore balance and above all, your way to your ultimate destination, so you return home fitter, healthier and with a sense of wellbeing.

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WHY VISIT JAMAICA?

THERE’S

no place quite like the land of wood and water. The astounding beauty and diversity of this landscape paired with the welcoming smiles and colourful language of Jamaicans keep visitors enthralled with Jamaica.

This is the place to visit when you want to reset, recharge and relax. This is the place to visit when you’re in search of adventure and romance. And this is definitely the place for non-stop fun.

From sunrise to way beyond sunset, there’s something exhilarating to do, see and experience in Jamaica. Our favourite activities will help you to plan the ultimate stay.

There are some things you can only experience in Jamaica and we’ve highlighted our top picks.

Meet the people of Jamaica, they are the charm of this island and will make your holiday incredible. Take a walking tour or head out into the communities to know more about their culture.

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Dance like a Jamaican… Music is the heartbeat of the island and can often be heard off in the distance in every corner of Jamaica. Connect with Jamaicans at their core by seizing an opportunity to dance, whether at a street party, local nightclub or on the beach.

Sample the very best of Jamaican cuisine by strolling through the markets and trying new things.

Or try the spiced rums… Jamaica is home to several award-winning rums, perhaps most famous of them all is our Appleton Estate Rum. Be sure to tour the beautiful grounds where this rum is produced. You’ll learn its history and have the opportunity to sample the entire line!

If you’re a music fan, you must attend a reggae concert or festival in the birthplace of this popular genre of music. The energy is like no other.

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YOUR

THE BEST FOOD

appetite will be delighted with the array of Jamaican food you absolutely have to try. From the fresh seafood prepared right on the beach to the succulent fall-off-the-bone oxtail served up everywhere from cozy corner cookshops to gourmet brasseries, your tastebuds will dance with glee from each Jamaican bite.

It’s a common sight to see fresh tropical fruit and island delicacies like peppered shrimp and candies made from peanuts and coconuts being sold right on the streets. Stop and take a bite of something special that you won’t soon forget.

The beat of reggae. The searing smell of jerk over the fire. The swizzle of rum in your glass. No place on earth provides the range of attractions and the cultural diversity that can be found here.

No place on earth feels like it. No place on earth shines like it.

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TRAVEL BUG The District is filled with plenty of outdoor adventures that won’t cost you a cent.

Explore the best free outdoor activities, from national parks in and around the city to modern art on the National Mall. From hiking, running and biking routes such as the Capital Crescent Trail to awesome places like Rock Creek Park, there are many things to do outdoors in the capital of the United States

SUMMER FUN IN WASHINGTON, DC

EXPLORE ROCK CREEK PARK: DC’s ultimate outdoor mecca is Rock Creek Park, a 4.4-squaremile expanse that includes numerous trails for hiking, biking and exploring. There’s more in the park including a nature centre, picnic areas, riding stables, tennis courts and Peirce Mill, a historical site.

WALK OR RUN ALONG THE C&O CANAL TOWPATH IN GEORGETOWN: Grab your hiking boots and join the bikers trekking their way down the C&O Canal Towpath, which traces the Potomac River from Georgetown 184.5 miles north to Cumberland. Keep your cameras shutterbug-ready to capture the visuals along the way.

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MAKE YOUR WAY DOWN THE ANACOSTIA RIVERWALK TRAIL: The southeast pocket of DC has undergone significant development in the recent years, including a continuous new 20-mile Anacostia Riverwalk Trail that runs along both sides of the Anacostia River through the Capitol Riverfront and Anacostia neighbourhoods. Run, bike or stroll down the 10-12 foot wide trail that winds next to the revitalised waterway.

CHECK OUT WALKINGTOWN DC: Cultural Tourism DC showcases the incredible walkability of the nation’s capital during this week-long public tour programme that is held annually in September. Walkingtown DC includes more than 50 guided walking tours throughout the District, introducing attendees to the art, culture and history of the city. Tours come in many variations, from after-work ‘happy hour’ soirees to long weekend tours.

Historians, licensed tour guides, community leaders and business owners, among others, host these excursions that will take you to both well-known and hidden gems across DC. REVEL IN THE BEAUTY OF THE US NATIONAL ARBORETUM: The Arboretum aims to increase the aesthetic, environmental and economic importance of landscape and ornamental plants. The gorgeous, 446acre property makes for an inspiring and visually captivating visit at any time of the year.

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BREAKING GROUND

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK EXOTICA [30] JUNE 2022

The village of Bluche offers a smooth blend of Swiss culture and sustainability, says NIVI SHRIVASTAVA

WHILE

one may associate Switzerland with majestic snow-covered Alps, crystal-clear lakes and endless green pastures, there are plenty of things in this country that make it an ideal tourist location. If you look beyond Bollywood’s favourite honeymoon destinations in Switzerland, you’ll be surprised to discover some awesome small offbeat locations that will leave you thirsting for more. As a traveller, if you are interested in experiencing local life and exploring the societal aspects of a developed nation such as Switzerland, you must add a visit to Bluche to your itinerary.

The village is a perfect setup to showcase sustainability and mutual support system among local farmers and students, who collaborate and work hand-in-hand to maintain a superb economic model at the grassroots. The symbiotic professional relationship between the students of a famous hospitality management institution, Les Roches Global Hospitality Education, and the villagers of Bluche is an excellent way to promote eco-tourism in the area and, at the same time, contribute to the economy of the region.

The village is nestled in the Swiss-French part of the

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canton of Valais. It is located at a height of 1,200 metres above sea level, next to the Les Roches’ flagship campus.

As part of their curriculum, the students and staff of the college run a popular bar and fine-dine restaurant called Roots on the campus, which is open to tourists. The food and drinks prepared in this operational eatery and the college canteen are prepared using the raw material purchased from the nearby village, thus reducing the carbon footprint and promoting farm-to-fork philosophy.

Integrated as an important part of college education, the students at Les Roches’ learn to buy fresh Swiss cheese, green vegetables, fresh fruits, meat products, wines from Rhone valley and local ingredients that are produced by farmers from the nearby valley. The best thing about this business ecosystem is the first-hand experience that international students learn while dealing with dairy farmers, local producers and winemakers of this region.

The menu of the fine dining restaurant Roots is prepared by the students and instructors using products that come from farms within 100 km. It is open to tourists as well as local foodies, and one has to make an advance online reservation to get a table here. Diners can enjoy local Swiss delicacies for lunch and dinner and sample some authentic cheese-and-bread platters, ceviche salad, smoked salmon, tuna, chorizo and grated cheddar, Swiss lamb, dried beef and Gazpacho along with rare and expensive Swiss wines that are produced locally.

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THE

AROUND BLUCHE

village of Bluche can be easily explored in a day, and one can check out the French chalet-style buildings and little outlets in the upper and lower parts of the valley. The noticeable chateau-like architecture and typical wooden rooftops with floral decorations in the balconies can be seen across the countryside. The beautiful Alps in the background and slanted vineyards add a dreamy touch to the overall picturesque location of this quaint destination.

While visiting Bluche, take some time out to visit the city of Montreux and check out the gorgeous Lake Geneva shoreline. The town has a very strong musical connection with old and new artistes. In July and August, Montreux hosts the annual Jazz festival which attracts music lovers and famous performers across the globe. The town also has a unique connection with bands like Led Zeppelin and Queen, and still relives the musical history through jazz bars and buzzing cafes located by the scenic Lake Geneva. According to the locals, when Freddie Mercury visited Montreux

in 1978 to record the album Jazz with his band Queen, he fell in love with the city and remarked: “If you want peace of soul, come to Montreux.”

To commemorate his time in Montreux, a bronze statue of Freddie Mercury facing the waterfront was installed in 1996 at the main square of the town (place du marché), which is now a landmark for tourists.

Apart from Montreux, the other popular tourist destinations near Bluche are the resort towns of Crans-Montana. The famous twin towns get busy in winter as tourists flock here to explore snow sports, local food and luxury shopping centres. If you are travelling to the village from a different country, the nearest airports from Bluche can be located in Geneva or Bern, which are connected by trains and taxis. The nearest town, Sierre, connects the main village and campus with public transport like buses, taxis and funicular rides.

So pack your bags and add this beautiful Swiss village to your European itinerary. And don't forget to indulge in guilt-free luxury as you explore the joys of a sustainable lifestyle up in the hills.

GETTINGTHERE The Alpine village of Bluche is located in the Swiss canton of Valais close to the Rhone valley, where one can spot lush vineyards flourishing beside the river Rhone. It is connected with all modes of public transport from Sierre, Montreux and Crans-Montana.

The closest city to Bluche is a small town called Sierre, which is easily accessible by bus, taxi and funicular rides.

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CONNOISSEUR CORNER

These perfect light blends with exotic nibbles will keep you hooked

GO ON A

binge EXOTICA [34] JUNE 2022

IRONHILL CARAMELISED FIGS WITH WALNUT CANDY SALAD PREPARATION TIME: 15 mins INGREDIENTS: Cherry tomato 6; Rocket & iceberg lettuce 60 gm; Sugar 1 gm; Balsamic dressing 20 ml; Caramelised figs 6; Walnut candy 25 gm; Parmesan cheese 10 gm METHOD: n Into the non-stick pan, put sugar to caramelise fresh figs; each cut into four pieces n To prepare walnut candy, heat the frying pan on medium flame; add butter, sugar and walnuts. Stir constantly for three minutes or until walnuts are roasted and well coated with sugar mixture n In a large bowl, mix rocket & iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, caramelised figs, parmesan cheese and walnut candy and toss it well

IRONHILL ABSOLUTE PASSION INGREDIENTS: Vodka 50 ml; Passion fruit syrup 7.5 ml; Vanilla syrup 5 ml; Fresh orange juice 30 ml; Lime juice 12.5 ml; Sprite 60 ml to top up; Orange slice 1 piece; Lemon leaf 2 leaves GLASSWARE: Goblet wine glass with ice cubes METHOD: Shaken, Fine strained and built up GARNISH: Orange slice and two lemon leaves

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IRONHILL MALAI BROCCOLI PREPARATION TIME: 15 mins INGREDIENTS: Oil 15 ml; Broccoli 160 gm; Salt 5 gm; Sugar 1 gm; Green chilli 4 gm; Ginger 1 gm; White pepper powder 4 gm; Cardamom powder 1 gm; Maize powder 2 gm; Butter 2 gm; Hung curd 2 gm; Cashew paste 15 gm; Fresh cream 4 gm; Cheese 3 gm METHOD: n Blanch broccoli florets in boiling water before plunging them into iced water to retain the green colour n For the marinade, whisk well the mix of hung curd; cashew paste; fresh cream; white pepper powder; powdered sugar; grated cheese; chopped ginger; cardamom powder; salad oil and salt n Apply the marinade to the blanched broccoli and place them on skewers atop tandoor until golden brown; serve with mint chutney

IRONHILL NASHEELI CHAI INGREDIENTS: White rum 45 ml; Lemon juice 10 ml Apple juice 20 ml; Masala tea decoction 20 ml; Cinnamon syrup 10 ml; Sugar syrup 5 ml; Fresh apple dice 4 pieces GLASSWARE: Old fashioned METHOD: Muddled, shaken and fine strained GARNISH: Orange peel and four apples dices

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IRONHILL WILD WATERMELON INGREDIENTS: Tequila/Vodka/White rum 100 ml; Lemon juice 20 ml; Fresh watermelon juice 120 ml; Sugar syrup 20 ml; Jalapeno 3 pieces; Basil Leaf 12 pieces GLASSWARE: Hollowed watermelon shell METHOD: Shaken and strained GARNISH: Three watermelon balls and two jalapeno pieces in a cocktail pick and four basil sprigs

IRONHILL HOT GARLIC MUSHROOM BAO

PREPARATION TIME: 15 mins INGREDIENTS: Oil 10 ml; Vinegar 2 ml; Bao 4; Mushroom 100 gm; Salt 4 gm; Sugar 2 gm; Garlic 5 gm; Spring onion 4 gm; Onion 20 gm; Bell pepper 5 gm; White pepper powder 2 gm; Aromatic powder 2 gm; Chilli paste 5 gm; Tomato ketchup 3 gm; Sriracha sauce 5 gm; Pickle 10 gm; Corn flour 2 gm; Maida 2 gm; Iceberg lettuce 4 gm; Coriander for garnish METHOD: n Cut mushroom in equal pieces n Mix corn flour, refined wheat flour, salt and pepper to prepare batter for baos n Into the frying pan, pour oil and chopped garlic, onion, green chilli, bell pepper and spring onion with mushrooms. Add chilli paste, sriracha sauce, soy sauce, aromatic powder, pepper and salt to prepare the filling n Stuff baos with the filling adding iceberg lettuce and coriander

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SWEET SOMETHINGS

RELISHING THE FOOD VALUE FOR

It is high time that you start thinking outside the box and get buzzing like a bee. Honey, a natural sweetening agent, plays a role in numerous Indian dishes, and not just in your morning cup of tea a long time in human history, honey was considered to be man’s first sweetener, until industrial sugar production began to replace it after 1800. Honey is highly nutritious when used in its purest form and it has been an integral part of the Indian kitchen since the Vedic times, where you find the first mention of honey. Honey as a food ingredient deserves serious consideration, with its combination of interesting physical properties, fine flavour and connotation of oldfashioned goodness. If used in moderation, it can be an amazing substitute for sugar which, in turn, can also benefit people with diabetes.

Today, a large variety of packaging and semi-processed and pure honey products are marketed. Well, here is something you need to be careful about. A few brands selling honey may qualify as added sugar and provide excess calories with no nutritional benefits. It is a well established fact that having a diet high in added sugars can result in increased body weight tagging along risks of high blood pressure and diabetes.

The aroma profile is one of the most typical features of a honey-based food product or, for that matter, any food product both for its organoleptic quality and authenticity. The aroma profile can also help determine honey’s

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origin. For honey’s utilisation in the food industry, its flavour is often marked as an important quality and also plays a major role when it comes to consumer’s choice. Howbeit, aroma compounds are present in honey at very low concentrations as complex mixtures of volatile components of different functionality and relatively low molecular weight.

LET’S SKIP TO THE GOOD PART!

FROM

spreads to syrups to caramels and candies to set your mood right, some honey beer and liqueurs, humans have been largely consuming honey for ages on small scale well as at an industrial level like in bakery, confectionery, breakfast cereals, dairy, dressings and sauces,

frozen foods, snack bars (candy bars), spread, ice creams, industrial nonalcoholic beverage, marmalades and jams, and many preserved products. Keeping aside desserts, honey goes hand in hand with fatty meats as well, helping to neutralise the typical taste of fat in the meat. It is honey’s mild and delicate flavour that holds its own when added to regular recipes. However, it has to be measured and added carefully to dishes so that it doesn’t destabilise the authenticity of a dish.

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NOT JUST IN YOUR GO-TO RESTAURANTS BUT RIGHT IN YOUR KITCHEN, THERE ARE SOME FANTASTIC USES OF HONEY. IT IS A COMPACT PACKAGE OF NUTRIENTS, VITAMINS AND BENEFICIAL SUGARS That’s not all. Nowadays, honey is a staple in most of the restaurants from the Thai menus to the salad counter to the dessert tray. It is used as a great flavouring agent in order to bring out the best of certain meats and helps in reducing the pungent taste of chillies. It is also used as a marinade for certain exotic meat-based dishes (even tandoori dishes) and is used to fry the popular crispy honey-glazed chilli chicken and tofu or darshan (honey noodles) besides bakery goods like raisin cashew and honey biscotti and honey chilli tarts. For many, honey is a healthy alternative to sugar in most dishes, except beverages where it can subvert tastes as it has a very strong flavour of its own.

The baking industry, undoubtedly, is the

largest user of honey. According to some studies, judicious use of honey has definite advantages in flavour, keeping quality, texture, and eating quality in many types of baked goods, including breads, yeast-raised sweet goods, cakes, fruitcakes, cookies, and pies of several types.

For the production of caramels, however, honey can’t be used in large quantities as it attracts and holds water molecules, resulting in major disadvantages. It reduces the preservation time and softens the caramels at the surface, causing them to stick together.

There are some fantastic uses of honey not just in your go-to restaurants but right in your kitchen.

It is a compact package of nutrients, vitamins and beneficial sugars and a great ingredient for your morning detox drinks to rid your body of the accumulated toxins naturally. A few great mixes can be made when you put one or more antioxidants together like honey with lemon ginger tea, or honey with haldi. It can also be mixed with other healthy foods like almonds, soya, soups, pancakes and ice creams to increase its health quotient. Several breakfast cereal products use honey (liquid, dried, or pulverised form) in their formulas for better flavour and increased consumer appeal. The dryness or hardness of the cereal can be adjusted with the honey content and the degree of drying. It can be mixed with cereal flakes and dried fruits or applied as a component in the sweetening and flavouring film, which covers the flakes.

HOW MUCH HONEY SHOULD YOU HAVE?

ONE

must also understand that it is toxic to cook honey. To bring the best out of it, you need to keep it natural. Winnie the Pooh says, “The only reason for being a bee is to make honey. And the only reason for making honey is so I can eat it.” Do not blindly follow it and restrict it to 2-3 tea spoons a day as it is a warming agent. Moreover, to keep it light and still relish the taste, stick to salad dressings or add it to your cereal, ginger tea or smoothies.

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TRACKING HISTORY

‘MUMBAI LOCAL’ STATIONS

JOURNEYING THROUGH TIME The lifeline of Mumbai is undoubtedly its ‘local’ trains, which hold a special significance in the history of Indian Railways.

On the momentous day of April 16, 1853, the first passenger train chugged out of Bori Bunder (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) and covered a 34-km distance to Thane.

The train was flagged off with loud applause and a 21-gun salute, writes SUSAN MISHRA

THE

lifeline of Mumbai, a continually evolving and expanding cosmopolitan city, is undoubtedly its ‘local’ trains working round the clock, transporting lakhs of people to their destinations. The Mumbai ‘local’ or suburban trains hold special significance in the history of Indian Railways. On the momentous day of April 16, 1853, the first passenger train chugged out and covered a distance of 34-km from Bori Bunder (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) to Thane. The train was flagged off with a huge round of applause and a 21-gun salute, and this line was to be later commonly known as the Central Line.

In 1867, the first suburban service was inaugurated, with one train each way, from Virar to Back Bay with halts at Neela or (Nalasopara), Bassein (Vasai), Panjo (between two creeks of Vasai), Berewla (Borivali), Pahadee (Goregoan), Andaru (Andheri), Santa Cruz, Bandora (Bandra), Mahim, Dadure (Dadar), Grant Road and Bombay Back Bay. This was to be later known as the Western Line, and its Churchgate station opened in 1870. This station is named after the once-existent Old Gate, one gate among others, of Fort George of Mumbai, which led to the St Thomas

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WHAT CLEARLY STRIKES ONE’S ATTENTION WHILE TRAVELLING ON THE WESTERN ‘LOCAL’ ARE THE NAMES OF SOME OF THE STATIONS — JOGESHWARI, MAHALAKSHMI, RAM MANDIR AND PRABHADEVI. ONE WONDERS WHAT ARE THE LEGACY, MYTH AND HISTORICITY OF THESE TEMPLES WHICH RENDERED THEIR NAMES TO THE RAILWAY STATIONS Cathedral. The gate was pulled down along with the fort in the 1860s. The Western Railways General Manager’s office, also known as Bombarci (an acronym for Bombay, Baroda Central India), is a heritage structure set amidst a landscaped area at Altamount Road, Cumballa Hill, and was constructed in 1925 as a bungalow for Railway Agents.

What catches one’s attention while travelling on the Western ‘local’ are the names of some of the stations — Jogeshwari, Mahalakshmi, Ram Mandir and Prabhadevi. One wonders what are the legacy, myth and historicity of these temples which rendered their names to the railway stations. The probing unfolds interesting myths and folklore, Mahalakshmi and Prabhadevi are the remains of temples destroyed (Ram Mandir, Mahim) and an ancient cave temple (Jogeshwari). Along this

journey of discovery, one learns of other places such as Walkeshwar and Parel that are steeped in history.

From the Charni Road station at a distance of five km or so is the Walkeshwar temple complex.

Located amidst the highrises of Malabar Hill, this pilgrimage site has great antiquity. The temple complex at Walkeshwar with the Banganga has an interesting past. Legends trace the creation of the Banganga tank and the temple of Walkeshwar to Lord Ram. The name Walkeshwar is a compounded word of Valuka (sand) and Ishwar (God), and signifies the God of the Sand. According to legend, Lord Rama, on his way to Lanka, halted at the very spot where the Walkeshwar temple stands. He made a lingam of the sand of the seashore and performed the pranpratishta and consecrated it. A temple dedicated to Walkeshwar

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was built by the Silaharas of the north Konkan sometime in the 10th-12th century CE, but it was eventually destroyed. Several richly carved stones and other fragments, dating apparently from the 10th century CE, are reminders of the old temple.

The modern temple of Walkeshwar was built in or about 1715 by Rama Kamat, and large fairs were held at Walkeshwar on the full-moon day of Kartika and on Mahashivaratri.

In front of the temple is a fine masonry tank, called the Banganga or sacred stream of the arrow. It is a rectangular tank with steps on all sides leading down to the water.

The story behind the creation of the sacred water tank is that Lord Ram in order to quench his thirst shot an arrow (Ban) into the ground that penetrated the earth and led to the formation of this freshwater tributary of Ganga.

The journey to unravel Mumbai’s rich past continues on the Western Line and after two stations the train halts at Mahalakshmi. This goddess temple at Bhulabhai Desai Road sits atop a hillock with a commanding view of the Arabian Sea. The myth or story regarding this temple is closely associated with the very first attempt at land reclamation in Mumbai. In 1782, attempts to build a causeway between the island of then Bombay and Worli Island went in vain and much resources were wasted. At this juncture, goddess Lakshmi is believed to have appeared in a vision to Ramji Shivji Prabhu, the contractor, and promised removal of all obstacles provided he retrieves her image from the sea and places it in a temple.

Accordingly, Ramji Shivji fished out

her image, placed it in a temple, and subsequently achieved success and completed the causeway. The current temple structure is attributed to Dhakji Dadaji (1760–1846), a Hindu merchant, who constructed it in 1831.

The next halt is Parel, which even though does not connote any religious significance, yet this island was once crucial in the ancient times. A walk to the top of the Golanji hill, just 500 metres from the King Edward Memorial Hospital, is a small nondescript temple with sculptures of immense significance. Housed in a simple structure, is a 5th /6th century CE unfinished 10 feet image of Shiva, locally known as Baradevi. The image surfaced in 1931 when a road was being constructed. Many sculptures are still located in situ at the temple site on Golanji hill, which dates back to between the 10th and 12th/ 13th century CE. There is no doubt that at Parel there once stood a temple that survived for over 600 years.

Parel also occupied a very important position during the colonial era of Mumbai. At a short distance from the Golanji hill is the Haffkine Institute for Training, Research and Testing. This building has a multi-faceted and interesting past covering two centuries. The building was originally a Portuguese Franciscan friary. It was taken over in 1719 and converted into the official summer home of the Governor of Bombay. In 1771, it became the Government House and the Prince of Wales took up residence here during his visit to Mumbai in 1875. The Residence was abandoned after the term of office of Sir James Fergusson due to the death of his wife during

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the plague of 1883. Thereafter, the Governor’s House/Raj Bhavan shifted to its current location in the Malabar hills. On August 10, 1899, the existing mansion was formally handed over to Dr Haffkine and was then known as Plague Research Laboratory. In 1906, the institute was renamed Bombay Bacteriology Laboratory. Nineteen years later, in 1925, the institute got its current name— Haffkine Institute, in the honour of Dr Waldemar Haffkine who had developed vaccines against cholera and bubonic plague.

Parel was also a hub of industrial activity in 19th and 20th centuries with the setting up of the Central Railway Locomotive Workshop by the Great Indian Peninsular Railway in 1879, and numerous textile mills at Lower Parel.

These old textile mills are now posh localities, and house offices, multi-storeyed buildings and recreational spots.

Continuing the journey, the next halt is at Prabhadevi station which was earlier known as Elphinstone Road station. The Prabhadevi temple is located at a short distance from the station and this simple temple structure speaks of the history

of Mahim and the Pathare Prabhu community.

While the temple dates to the 18th century CE, the image installed is believed to belong to the 12th century CE. According to local folklore, the original temple was destroyed and, to save the image from desecration, the Prabhu community left it in a stepwell. The deity appeared in the dream of a Prabhu devotee who then retrieved the idol and placed it in a temple in 1715 CE. As a throwback to the past, tucked in corners of temples and in the precinct of the Mahim Police Station, are sculptures and architectural elements of a medieval temple.

The Bimbakhyan, an old Marathi poem that translates to ‘Tale of Bimba’, tells us that Raja Bimbdeva had migrated from Anahilavara or Devagiri to Mahim in the 13th century along with the Pathare Prabhus. Raja Bimba found the largely uninhabited island beautiful and was so besotted with the place that he settled there. Mahim was located along the trade route and its sheltered bay and rich hinterland made it an important location.

It is believed that the Nakhodas (shipmasters), who claim descent from Arabia, came to India in the 8th -9th century CE and settled here.

THE BIMBAKHYAN, AN OLD MARATHI POEM THAT TRANSLATES TO ‘TALE OF BIMBA’, TELLS US THAT RAJA BIMBDEVA HAD MIGRATED FROM ANAHILAVARA OR DEVAGIRI TO MAHIM IN THE 13TH CENTURY ALONG WITH THE PATHARE PRABHUS. RAJA BIMBA FOUND THE LARGELY UNINHABITED ISLAND BEAUTIFUL AND WAS SO BESOTTED WITH THE PLACE THAT HE SETTLED THERE

Proceeding further four stations, and just after the Andheri station, the train halts at Jogeshwari.

The temple at Jogeshwari, originally a Shiva temple, is a large rock-cut cave temple structure dating to 5th -6th century CE. Jogeshwari is considered amongst the earliest major Hindu cave temples in India and is the largest in terms of length, measuring 250 feet. The portion above the lintel of the eastern entrance has exquisite carvings of Kalyanasundara—the marriage scene of Shiva and Parvati; Shiva and Parvati are playing dice and Shiva as Lakulisha is surrounded by his disciples. The site continues well into the 11th-12th century CE as is amply proven by inscriptional data and metal objects housed in the CSMVS and Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum: a lamp chain with an oil container of bronze, bells and silver bangles of 8th/ 9th century CE. An inscription dating back to 1137 CE mentions the temple site and attests to the continuity of worship at Jogeshwari for well over 600 years.

The next station, on the Western suburban railway line, is Goregaon followed by the Ram Mandir station. The current temple structure is relatively new, but clues to its medieval past lie in half-broken pillars, old structural remains in the temple compound and an animal head on the outer wall of the temple. The stones of the temple well originally belonged to a ruined temple.

The train proceeds from here towards the Vasai creek. After crossing the vast mesmerizing creek, which once harboured sailing vessels, the train reaches Nalasopara. Henry Cousens, an archaeologist writing in the late 19th century, “My visit to the place Sopara,” tried to ascertain whatever ‘Hindu remains’ were to be found there.

That ancient Hindu temples did exist in this part of the country is without any doubt. Numerous sculptural remains recovered from the lake near Chakreshwar Mahadeva temple and other locations are placed within and outside the temple. These include images depicting an array of Hindu deities—Brahma, Varaha, Gajalakshmi, Shiva, Parvati, Nandi, Surya, Mahisaurmardini (Durga), Harihara and Ganesha. The life-size unfinished

three-faced image of Brahma of the 10th-12th century CE is the most exquisite and mesmerizing among them all. Another beautiful image is that of Vishnu which is currently placed in a shed along the Bolinj-Sopara road.

The train moves ahead towards its last station, Dhanau Road, and then makes the return journey to Churchgate.

The Western suburban line is not merely a railway track commuting people, but a bridge between the past and the present. The station names enrich our understanding of Mumbai’s past and are a constant reminder of the rich cultural landscape, well-entrenched artistic and architectural tradition and unique heritage of the city.

—­The writer is a research scholar and recipient of the Devangana Desai senior Fellowship CSMVS Mumbai.

She is also the author of two books

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ELEGANT RETREAT

A RENDEZVOUS AT THE CHAMBERS The exclusive business club, conceived by JRD Tata in 1975, has been reinventing itself to keep pace with the changing times, says VAISHALEE JOLLY

WE

live in a VUCA world as all of us have experienced ‘Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity’ in the last two years. There have been many learnings for all of us, which have led to a shift in attitude. As people change their outlook, smart businesses have to keep up with the changing times. One of the industries severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic has been the hospitality industry. Hotels and restaurants were forced to remain closed for months while continuing to pay overhead costs. Some had no choice but to shut operations for good. Yet others like the Taj chain of hotels stood strong with their employees and continued to think ahead of the curve.

I have great respect for the Taj brand, which has the legacy of over a century. The group has a portfolio of more than 235 hotels under its umbrella of Indian Hotels Company Limited. The grand vision of the Tatas along with their empathy

towards their patrons and employees alike have made Taj an unparalleled brand that India is proud of. Taj was rated as the world’s strongest hotel brand by Brand Finance in 2021.

But how does a brand stay relevant for over a century? The key would be, if I may put it in simple terms — changing with the times, yet keeping its legacy, ethos and heritage intact. Simple to state but a humongous task to accomplish year after year for 100 years. One such example that I witnessed was the change brought about at The Chambers of the Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi.

The original Chambers at the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, was conceived by JRD Tata as a business club way back in 1975. The Chambers was an exclusive venue where prominent industrialists, business professionals and dignitaries would host meetings or working luncheons in the luxurious chambers with well-trained staff.

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I recently visited The Chambers at Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi, and was delighted to see some of the changes.

The interiors are classy with a more modern twist and an international vibe. IHCL has indeed re-imagined and reinvented the concept of The Chambers into a business and social club. Now the elite can conduct important business as well as enjoy time with their families and friends.

Various events and special events are organized throughout the year, including launches of new luxury products and interactive sessions with world renowned chefs like Nigella Lawson. Adding zing are various rendezvous events designed for families to cook along with famous chefs. Evenings of glamour and style with movie stars, designers and sporting heroes are hugely popular.

Other new features include Albero, a 60-seater restaurant; seven meeting rooms, of which one is designed by the renowned Italian luxury brand, Stefano Ricci; The Chambers Lounge, a sophisticated bar; and a cigar lounge. Albero and The Chambers Lounge offer Indian and international cuisine, rich in flavours and exquisite in presentation. The service as always is warm, discreet yet highly personalized.

The cherry on the cake is the breathtaking view from The Chambers — from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate — the heart of Delhi in all its grandeur. Not only the public areas, but the kitchen too has a mesmerizing view of the Lotus Temple and Humayun’s tomb. IHCL’s leadership team came up with the idea of inviting guests to the kitchen where they can interact with the chefs and get their meal customized to their liking.

The beautiful kitchen with its gorgeous view is so popular that some guests request for a table to be laid along with the windows for a kitchen party. The food at The Chambers is delectable with international ingredients like gourmet cheese and caviar flown in from various parts of the world

served right alongside locally sourced produce and spices. Special recipes are woven around these ingredients to give the members a wholesome experience. The Taj is well known for its hospitality and catering to personalized needs, so if a guest wants a simple homestyle khichdi or a millet-based gluten-free meal, that too can be prepared in minutes and served in style. Royal silverware and monogrammed tableware add a touch of class and grace.

When you are a member of The Chambers, you are sure to be pampered not just in Delhi, but across eight marquee Taj hotels and seven cities, including Dubai and London, and that is a huge advantage. It is no wonder that many high-society families have been members at The Chambers generation after generation.

The Chambers continues to be an important place for serious meetings and networking, and now is also a much sought after exclusive social club where affluent families can entertain and enjoy time away from the crowds.

The pandemic awakened everyone to the reality that we have one life and change is the only constant, the best mantra to handle change and unpredictability is work hard, play hard and, while doing so, make it as luxurious as you can. ­— The author is a corporate trainer and food blogger

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B E AT S T R E E T Vocalist SRIHARI JAGANNATHAN, who heads the Chennai Street Band, speaks to SUPRIYA RAMESH about his music, how the band came about and its latest song.

CSB today consists of six artistes skilled in alternative pop

WHO

knew a food donation ride would open the doors to the world of music for Srihari Jagannathan, a Chennaibased musician? In 2012, on his way to carry out a good deed, Jagannathan was singing along to one of the toe-tapping tracks in car. It was then that his composer friend, Karthik, who heard him singing, said: “Hey, you sing well. Let’s do something.”

Over the next three years, Jagannathan with his friends graduated to performing at corporate shows. By 2015, he was working on his first song with several others when someone on Facebook reached out to him, asking him to play at a charity gig at Ethiraj College.

Till then, it had been just a bunch of people creating music together. But when this happened, Jagannathan realised they needed a name for their band. “We were boys from the city of Chennai, and so we named it the Chennai Street Band, or CSB. It was very impulsive. We needed a name in a day or something,” he says.

It was at this gig that he met Gowtham Healer, now a drummer at CSB. “We jammed well, and I realised I would love to create a band for myself,” he says, adding that he then began looking for likeminded people. Jagannathan met a few more people along the way.

The band took some time to come together, but they never stopped creating music.

CSB today consists of six artistes skilled in alternative pop, including Jagannathan, the vocalist. It also has Renin Raphael and Akshay Yesodharan on the guitar, Adithya Gopi on the bass, and Sebastian Satish and Healer on the keyboard and drums, respectively.

“This is the settled group now,” says Jagannathan.

Over the phone, Jagannathan — a regional pre-sales head at Freshworks, handling operations for the India and Europe markets — sounded somewhat nostalgic. “I call myself a consultant by day, songwriter and producer by night,” says the 30-year-old, who took an hour off from work to talk about his music.

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STRIKING POSITIVITY THROUGH UPLIFTING MUSIC

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Paagal Dil is CSB’s fourth single from the album Uplift. How did you come up with its concept?

This was a song that we jammed in 2017. It all started with watching a series of advertisements

by Cadbury (Kiss me, close your eyes. Miss me..), which really struck a chord with me. We wanted to capture the feeling of falling in love in high school. Every 90s kid knew what it meant to exchange chocolates, share a walkman, roller skate on the roads, drink Gold Spot with their high-school sweetheart and, most importantly, write love letters. This song encapsulates all of that adrenaline rush that one feels when in love and how out of control your heart goes every time you see your crush.

Why name the album Uplift?

Our first album, Payanangal, is a story album. It was created in such a way that it compels you to listen to the first song and then move to the next as each song is a continuation of the previous one in terms of the story and emotion. There are a total of seven songs in this album. However, the

album Uplift is exactly the opposite. It’s a cluster of random songs that is meant to lift your mood, as the name suggests. Since we started working on this one during the pandemic, it felt appropriate.

We felt that this kind of music was much needed.

CSB’s songs are meaningful and often relatable to young listeners. Is that what CSB aims at before creating music?

We believe and invest in stories and that is our biggest aim. We are not looking to cater to just one set of listeners. We want everyone to connect with our stories during their lowest as well as happiest moments. Howbeit, we are glad that young listeners find us relatable, especially as we are growing older by the day. It is a reassurance that we will take.

Paramapadham has garnered a whopping 52,000 plus views and 12,000 plus streams on YouTube and Spotify, respectively. Please tell us about its journey.

Everything about Paramapadham was fun. It was even more special because all of it happened

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TO BE HONEST, SPOTIFY HAS CHANGED THE MUSIC STREAMING LANDSCAPE IN INDIA. IT HAS PUT A LOT OF INDIE ARTISTS ON THE RADAR. OUR COLLABORATION, HOWEVER, STRANGELY HAPPENED THROUGH A FACEBOOK POST

remotely; the recordings and our collaboration with 305 Horns (a Los Angeles-based horn section).

With the pandemic at its peak, even our video team Celluloid Films had to shoot it in mere seven hours.

A lot of credit to the way Paramapadham sounds has to be given to our mixing and mastering engineer Vivek Thomas as we had a lot of elements going on.

To see the same excitement amongst the audience in terms of the song reception was heartwarming.

We loved the response. It also gives us freedom to try something different with each song. That’s exactly what we are trying to do with Uplift.

When and how did your collaboration with Spotify happen? How have things for CSB changed since then?

To be honest, Spotify has changed the music streaming landscape in India. It has put a lot of indie artists on the radar. Our collaboration, however, strangely happened through a Facebook post. I was having trouble with doing something on Spotify and my friend tagged Paddy — artist head of label and partnerships, Spotify — to help me with it. Later when I shared our debut album Payanangal with them, he seemed to like it. Ever since, we have featured in a few playlists and also made it to a playlist’s cover once. Spotify has a team of great editors who understand music. We can make it to their playlists only if we are worth it. Moreover, we hope to achieve a larger base on Spotify with every release.

How would you consider CSB’s evolution as the music industry has changed since the time you started?

When we started, YouTube was the thing.

Streaming barely existed and so did the market for indie music. Things have definitely changed for the better but we still have a long long way to go.

Monetisation for indie musicians is still a challenge.

I also think that there are a lot more artists who make non-film music today. So, the supply is huge but only a few stand out. It is a competitive space and one must do really well to outshine.

CSB released its first full-length album Payanangal in 2019. What is the album all about? Is the band planning to add more to it?

Payanangal is all about self-love and it is an album about a journey to finding yourself. It will always

PAYANANGAL IS ALL ABOUT SELF-LOVE AND IT IS AN ALBUM ABOUT A JOURNEY TO FINDING YOURSELF. IT WILL ALWAYS BE SPECIAL TO US. WE DON’T WANT TO LOOK BACK AT WHAT WE HAVE DONE. THERE ARE NO PLANS TO ADD TO IT. WE WANT TO DO NEW THINGS WITH EVERY ALBUM

be special to us. We don’t want to look back at what we have done. There are no plans to add to it. We want to do new things with every album. But it’s heartwarming to see the amount of love the album has received.

You put together a home studio and released music during the lockdown. How did that happen?

The COVID-19 pandemic is the only reason. My bandmates were stuck in different parts of the country. It gave me a chance to set up a little studio for myself and try out something really personal. It was refreshing to create something different and it’s definitely something I want to go back to every now and then.

In 2020, CSB also did a digital concert via the Gaana app. How did that happen and how was the experience?

It was so much fun. There was no live music happening as we were in lockdown. The fact that Gaana created a platform

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WE HAVE COLLABORATED WITH THE LIKES OF JONITA GANDHI, ACHYUTH (FROM WHEN CHAI MET TOAST BAND), 305 HORNS (BRASS PLAYERS FOR PHARRELL WILLIAMS PLAYED ON RECORDS WITH CAMILA CABELLO, KANYE WEST, ETC), SHARANYA SRINIVAS, PRAGATHI GURUPRASAD, MAHABIR SINGH, PRATAP PRB AND ELFE CHOIR where people can experience music live was amazing. We had over 1,500 people watching our music. That’s a concert!

Does the band often collaborate with local artists in and around the town? Why is it important?

We look to collaborate a lot both locally and internationally. We have collaborated with the likes of Jonita Gandhi, Achyuth (from When Chai Met Toast band), 305 Horns (brass players for Pharrell Williams played on records with Camila Cabello, Kanye West, etc), Sharanya Srinivas, Pragathi Guruprasad, Mahabir Singh, Pratap Prb and Elfe Choir. We would love to collaborate with artists all around the globe as it helps us learn a lot. It’s something that we will keep doing.

What do you think about Chennai’s music ecosystem?

Regional indie music is limited and the focus is more on film music but Chennai hosts many talented musicians who play for artists all around India. The venues are limited and the openness to the music being played is also something that needs to improve. Nevertheless, Chennai

has produced the likes of bands such as Skrat, Kurangan, The F-16’s, Mali, Oorka and more. Talent is enormous, avenues very little.

How much importance is given to regional music?

The streaming reach becomes limited, so do performing venues. It is a sad truth.

What is the indie scene in Chennai like?

There are many venues in Chennai which refrain from playing in Tamil. I don’t know how we are okay with that. All the venues want English or Hindi music. Only one or two venues allow regional music to be played live. I am referring to the originals here, not film music. If you are not allowed to play Tamil indie in Chennai, why would venues in Delhi, Pune or Mumbai allow it?

Next in line?

We have been working non-stop throughout the pandemic. We are taking a short break to recharge mentally. After that, we will resume with songs to finish the album Uplift. We have a few interesting collaborations which we will reveal when the time is right.

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GU R USP E A K

IN Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Spiritual guru

a home, do you know who the real leader is? Is it the father or the baby?

You will be surprised to know that it is the baby that leads the home. It is around the baby that the entire family circles, isn’t that so? That’s why I consider myself a baby, a child. A real leader needs to have two qualities, one of the head, and the other, of the heart ­— Sensibility and sensitivity. Often, we see people who are very sensible are not sensitive because they are so focused on reason.

And then there are those who are so sensitive that at the drop of a hat, tears come into their eyes, but they are not sensible enough. Neither of the two can become a good leader because you need to have a balance of both, sensibility and sensitivity; of heart and mind, because we are all made up of these two very important aspects of our life. The intellect has its unique place, and so do our emotions.

Leadingfrom behind

Emotions, intellect, sensitivity and sensibility, when combined together as one unit, maketh a leader

In the past century, the emphasis has been only on the intellect. Tears in a man’s eyes were considered strange. How can a man cry?! And, a woman taking a mike, standing up and speaking, or fighting for her rights was considered to be weird. And that is how society was women could not lead! The world over, women were not given the intellectual power to speak because they were brushed aside as the fair and sensitive race. Today, the scenario has changed.

Today, we need sensibility and sensitivity. We need that softness of a female in every leader, and the strength and perseverance of a male in every woman. Then one can lead any organization.

Whenever we have to discuss anything regarding “leadership” or anything very dear to our hearts, we need to be in a very informal atmosphere. So, why don’t we just take half a

minute to greet the person behind us, in front of us, to our sides, saying, ‘I belong to you?’

Most of what we communicate is through vibes, and words play a very small part of it. Your vibrations send messages, even before words come out of your mouth. A leader who relies on his words should know for sure that his words will not be relied upon. It has to come from deep within.

That is what is called sincerity, when there is a connection between your vibes, your feelings and your words.

You may tell me, ‘Gurudev, it is so difficult to match these three. How is it possible?! If everybody could match these three, everybody would be a saint. It is not practical!’ I agree with you, you will not be able to match it 100%, but at least you can match 25%. If you do that much people can feel it, sense it. People are intelligent; they can make out when you really welcome someone and when you are doing it as a formality.

Each one of you is a leader, don’t look for a leader. What is important is to lead from behind.

A real leader is not one who emphasizes, ‘I am the leader, you must follow me’ the instead he says, ‘Go forward’, and he pushes others in front.

You were not relying on their words and they were not relying on your words. Just for a minute close your eyes, and just imagine that no one trusts you. Everybody is telling you, ‘I do not trust you.’

You may open your eyes. Now, how do you feel?

You know, this is what we generate when we have this attitude, ‘I don’t trust anybody.’ We create such a vibration, that anybody who comes around us, they feel that, we feel that way and then there is mistrust in society, and that is how society starts going down and conflicts arise.

Do you know, most conflicts can be solved at the very beginning itself if the pact of trust is attended to? See, when you feel nobody trusts you, you feel so bad, and you feel such bad vibrations all around you, and that creates an atmosphere that is not good for you or for anybody else. I don’t mean that you have to be naive but, at the same time, I want you to look into this aspect of trust.

A society which has no faith in human values cannot flourish, or progress, or be creative on any count. Now you may ask, ‘What about selfdoubt. I trust others but I don’t trust myself.’ This is another form of the same disease. Lack of trust in yourself leads to lack of trust in others. Lack of trust in others leads to lack of trust in the values of society, which leads back to lack of trust in oneself.

This needs to be corrected. And anything that corrects this should be welcomed. Trust between communities, between members of the same family is important. I would say that it is stress that is responsible for distrust.

Don’t think everyone is a fraud. There are good people on the planet and that counts for the majority of them. The world is bad today, not because of a few bad people, but it is the silence of the good people that has created unfavourable situations. Now it is in our hands to change this.

A real leader is the one who says, ‘I am there with you, so you run’; just like the coach who assists his participant in a running race, or a coach who teaches you swimming. Someone argues, how can I jump into the water when I don’t know how to swim? But unless you get into it, you don’t know how to swim. You can’t swim in the air. So that guidance has to come from an example of one’s own life.

A leader has to walk the talk. Be sensible, sensitive and compassionate. We need three things in life, passion, dispassion and compassion.

EACH ONE OF YOU IS A LEADER, DON’T LOOK FOR A LEADER. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS TO LEAD FROM BEHIND. A REAL LEADER IS NOT ONE WHO EMPHASIZES, ‘I AM THE LEADER, YOU MUST FOLLOW ME’ INSTEAD HE SAYS, ‘GO FORWARD’, AND HE PUSHES OTHERS IN FRONT

F ITNE SS

GOOD POSTURING FOR LAPTOPPERS Bharat Thakur is a yoga guru and founder of Artistic Yoga

SO

Laptops and computers are now an established and vital part of our lives. We have to use them but we must ensure we are looking after ourselves to counteract the health risks they pose

many people use laptops. These were originally intended to be used for short periods when people were away from their work desks or travelling. Now, they’ve become an integral part of work, home and student life. For many, it’s the only computer they use.

This can cause many problems. Most laptops are designed so that the screen and keyboard are together. So if you place it with the screen at the right height for your eyes, your arms and shoulders get strained. If you position the laptop so that the keyboard is comfortable for your shoulders and arms, the screen is too low and you will have to hunch down to look at it. So the neck, shoulders, arms, spine and joints are immediately at risk and can result in stiffness, sore muscles, aches, tension and headaches.

There is something hypnotic and addictive about screens that keeps us at them longer than we intend to. This affects our eyes, eyesight and causes mental and physical tension and fatigue without us even realizing it! Long hours on a laptop can also lead to slouching and incorrect posture which affects both our blood circulation and compresses our lungs. Poor or incorrect breathing affects the level of prana and oxygen in the body and how well our organs and systems function.

Unchecked, all these can develop into more serious conditions, for example, cervical spondylosis, tendonitis, spinal and lower back problems.

It is important then to do something about it and, for this, yoga is ideal. When the body is stiff and sore, it is important to start with gentle stretches. Yoga offers a gentle regime that stretches, bends and twists the body. Each movement is done in sync with the breath and this both releases physical stiffness and relaxes both body and mind. There are many asanas and

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exercises that will help loosen up your joints and get your circulation going again. There are numerous stretches that will undo the negative effects of sitting hunched or with incorrect posture.

The four asanas given here are relatively simple stretching exercises but have huge impact.

Tadasana slowly stretches the body upwards and straightens and re-aligns the spine. Vipreet Ardh Naukasana gently not only stretches stiff, sore or frozen shoulders but also stretches and strengthens the lower and upper back.

Dwikonasana stretches the neck and shoulders and expands the chest and lungs.

Vayu Nishkalam stretches and tones the spine and entire body.

If you are very stiff, be gentle with yourself and do only as much as you can comfortably.When you practice asanas regularly, the body gradually opens up. It comes back into its’ natural alignment. All its’ systems resume their natural balance.

Laptops and computers are now an established and vital part of our lives. We have to use them but we must ensure we are looking after ourselves to counteract the health risks they pose. I advise you to invest in your health. Join a yoga class – physical or online. If not Yoga, do something else but make it a part of your life. Make sure that these initial problems don’t develop into more serious conditions that will affect the quality of your health and life in the years to come.

TADASANA

n Stand with your feet slightly apart, arms by your side. n Breathing in, raise your arms above your head, interlock the fingers, turn them out and stretch upwards and rise up on your toes, balancing your weight equally on both feet. n Hold for 10-15 seconds, breathing normally. n Breathe in, exhale as you come down to start position. n Repeat 3 – 5 times BENEFITS: n Stretches the spine n Stretches the nerves of the carpal, relaxing them.

VIPRIT ARDHA NAUKASANA n Lie flat on your stomach with arms stretched out. n Inhale as you slowly raise your right leg & left arm at the same time. Shoulders are in line with the ear.

n Hold 10-30 seconds or as comfortable, breathing normally. n Inhale, exhale as you slowly lower both. n Repeat with left leg & right arm. n Do 2-3 rounds, relax.

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BENEFITS: n If done slowly, helps stiff or frozen shoulders. n Stretches & strengthens both upper & lower back.

DWIKONASANA (SEATED) n Sit back on your heels, back straight. n Interlock your hands behind you. n Inhale as you look up and raise your arms upward. n Breathe normally as you hold for 10-30 seconds. n Repeat 3 times.

BENEFITS n Stretches the neck, shoulders & muscles between the shoulder blades. n Expands the chest and lungs. n Helps cervical spondylitis. n Improves the spines posture.

VAYU NISHKASANA

n Squat with feet two feet apart. n Grasp insteps, placing fingers under the sides with thumbs above. n Elbows are slightly bent, upper arm presses against inside of knees. Keep eyes open. n Slowly inhale as you move the head back.

n Slowly exhale, as you gently straighten knees, raise buttocks, bring head towards knees. n Inhale as you resume squat position & begin round 2. n Do 3- 5 rounds.

BENEFITS: n Stretches & tones the entire spine, and spinal nerves n Stretches the nerves and muscles of the thighs, Knees, shoulders, arms and neck. n Relieves flatulence in the body.

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I N S TA D I A R I E S TAMANNAAH BHATIA in her bodyhugging gown with a plunging neckline and elaborate trail elegantly strikes a pose at “Cannes 2022.”

DEEPIKA PADUKONE wears an embellished sari inspired by the Bengal tiger and completely agrees to what Sabyasachi Mukherjee says: “The sari is a story I will never stop telling. No matter where we are in the world, it has its place.”

POOJA HEGDE makes her Cannes debut in a dramatic feather gown and makes sure she is “Soaking it all in... #cannes2022”

CANNES DO! At the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival, these celebs choose to go the exquisite and opulent way to rock the red carpet NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUI feels honoured as he takes the classic tuxedo route and says, “From representing Indian films to representing India. What an honour!”

AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN flaunts her pink monochrome look and seems cheery.

URVASHI RAUTELA in her white tulle gown adorned by the statement sleeve thanks the universe as she says, “Dream Debut.”

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