Exotica Magazine October 2020

FROM THE EDITOR

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

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

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

CELEBRATIONS SANS CONGREGATIONS

OF

the 12, October is a delicious sort of month. And one which is musical to the ear. Before you think I am writing this under the influence of anything stronger than caffeine, let me assure you there are poetic reasons in what I postulate. Can you say it of any other month that you can practically smell it in the air as it arrives laden with the heady scent of shiuli, the delicate flowers that mark the beginning of the puja season? Or does the scenery begin to turn as picturesque as it does in the 10th month? It signals an end, as leaves start to turn brown, and also a beginning as there is a promise of life and nature starting anew.

And then there is the unmistakable crunch underneath your feet as you go for your morning walk or run. Yes, it does sound and smell beautiful all the way.

But while the sight, smell and sounds carry over from the past, this year Puja and Dussehra promise to be unprecedented. Pandal-hopping, digging into that slice of gastronomic heaven called kosha maangsho with fluffy luchis, tapping your feet to music played by an extremely talented bunch of youngsters irrespective of whether you can understand Bangla or not, taking in the sartorial styles of the well-dressed maashimas and the boudis alike were a rite of passage at Puja. Just as much as clapping your hands in glee when the three demons were brought down by Maryada Purushottam Ram at a Ramlila or experiencing an exhilarating ride at one of the several melas that dot the city. But the celebrations this time around will have to take a cue from the way that the year has panned out.

Restricted, small and confined to the family. However, while the congregations might not be the order of the day, the celebrations shall continue for the human spirit remains indomitable. Especially in the face of adversity.

The weddings, too, have gone minimal — in clothes, jewellery and in make-up. The second and concluding part of the story on this all important event maps the trend this month. With Unlockdown being the order of the day we, who have been fortunate enough to have the option of working from home, are gradually venturing out and travelling. It is against this backdrop that the option of chartered flights has taken off. It is almost akin to having your own personal vehicle to take a flight of fantasy. Then there is Ekta Kapoor, our interviewee for the month, who has charted a fresh course in all the media she has dabbled in. Her hold over television was firm from the start. When she forayed into films, it was not the usual beaten path. And with ALTBalaji, unlike the other competing OTT platforms, it is not the slick production that appeals to Tier 1 and 2 city denizens that she is looking at but rather heartland stories that are raw and honest which capture the audience in the rural and semi-urban. And the focus is rooted in her sharp business acumen for the catchment area is far larger and spread out wider.

The pandemic, when people are locked up at home, was just the right time to tap into this captive market.

The bouquet that we present has been crafted with much joy and lot of effort. We sincerely hope that it brings you as much pleasure as we got in putting it together.

Till next time. Au Revoir.

EXOTICA [4] OCTOBER 2020

KANJIMULL & SONS JEWELLERS: (Left): Few things speak of elegance and heritage like an emerald. This cocktail ring has a beautiful one, which is elevated and set inside a rim of diamonds. (Below): A sparkling ruby outlined by baguette, marquise and round diamonds

Ring

in

NITAARA: Make a bold statement with Bana charm which is placed between two crescent-shaped 18kt gold plated chunks

festivities

When the festival and wedding seasons overlap at a time when masks are mandatory, chunky earrings can safely be bid adieu. It is time to channel your inner goddess with these stunners that light up your fingers while being the focus of all attention

EURUMME UNSHAPE: The collection challenges the notion of abiding by socially constructed norms of perfection. Pieces have varying textures, distressed finish and uneven surfaces which are created using metals dipped in gold and silver

TANISHQ: (Above): The blue stone in the centre, surrounded by diamonds makes for a statement piece. (Left): A unique design with a citrine stone in centre surrounded by diamonds

TRIBE AMRAPALI: The sunflower (right) and the ghungroo ring (below) are sure to turn many heads

AND NOOR: (Above): A ring in the shape of a bee can make for a funky accessory. (Left): A melange of pearls and stones, this ring is a conversation starter

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Little black book [p07] Indeep Bakshi: A quick peek into his style file Travel bug [p10] Chartered for take-off Q&A [p14] The empress of entertainment: Ekta Kapoor New normal And the show goes on... [p20] Here come the bride... and the groom [p24] Tradition unplugged [p32] Good health on a platter Tech talk [p38] Let’s zoom in

I N S I D E OCTOBER 2020 VOLUME 14 NO 12

[p20]

[p24]

[p14] LOCATION: BAY BRIDGE AT NIGHT COURTESY: SAN FRANCISCO TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

CONTRIBUTORS Sri Sri Ravi Shankar [p40] GURUSPEAK: Wisdom in imperfection Kushan Mitra [p43] HOT WHEELS: A class apart Bharat Thakur [p46] FITNESS: Eye in focus Sanjay Jumaani [p49] NUMBER GAME: Count your fate TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES 52 INCLUDING COVER

Follow us on:

@TheDailyPioneer

facebook.com/dailypioneer

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instagram.com/dailypioneer

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

FAVOURITE HAUNTS OF STYLISH PEOPLE

My favourite fashion brand is Balenciaga which is youth-oriented. I really love its shoes and jackets.

I love to wear leather bands, hand bands, chains not because I am into this profession. I wore them earlier too.

In Bollywood, my favourite film is Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

The idea of being with friends and living life to the fullest appeals to me.

My favourite cuisine is Chinese. I love anything and everything, especially momos.

Singer INDEEP BAKSHI became popular with songs like Saturday Saturday and Kala Chashma. His latest single Saiyan released recently

Bvlgari Aqva is my favourite.

It is light and refreshing.

In fact, I like all aqua fragrances, including Versace.

I love to visit tropical beach destinations. I find them soothing. I love Bali and Miami. In India, I love Goa.

EXOTICA [7] OCTOBER 2020

TRAVEL NEWS

FOR

HEAD TO SIKKIM AND UTTARAKHAND

all those raring to go out on a holiday, the scenic states of Sikkim and Uttarakhand are ready for visitors. The former is ready to allow interstate travel from October 1 without any registration.

The state will soon issue SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure) for hotels and the tourism sector. The hotels, homestays, and other tourism-related services too can start operation from 10 October. Also, the Inner Line Permits for international travelers with visas will be granted from the same date.

Uttarakhand has some new guidelines issued by the state government for inter-state travel in place. According to the guidelines, every person entering the state will have to go through thermal screening. The guidelines further say that tourists and travellers will have to follow social distancing everywhere. In case a person is found symptomatic, an antigen test will be conducted by district administration. If the result is positive, then appropriate SOPs shall be followed.

People are required to wear masks on public premises and follow social distancing. Registration on the Smart City web portal is mandatory for outsiders to enter the state. Also, all the visitors have to download the government’s Aarogya Setu App.

EXOTICA [8] OCTOBER 2020

IF

you want to venture out once travel opens up, here is an update on the kind of power that the Indian passport commands.

There are 16 countries which provide visa-free entry to Indians, 43 countries have visa-on-arrival facility and 36 offer e-visa facility.

There are 16 countries which provide visa-free entry to Indians which include Barbados, Bhutan, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Hong Kong SAR, the Maldives, Mauritius,

PASSPORT POWER

Montserrat, Nepal, Niue Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Senegal, Serbia and Trinidad and Tobago.

Iran, Indonesia and Myanmar were among the 43 countries which provide visa-on-arrival facility to Indian ordinary passport holders.

Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Malaysia are among the 36 countries which provide evisa facility to Indian ordinary passport holders.

EXPERIENCE SAN FRANCISCO SAFELY

SAN

Francisco is officially in Phase 2 of its COVID-19 recovery plan and has started the gradual process of reopening individual businesses and attractions.

Here is a list of what is currently open...

ALCATRAZ: Alcatraz, San Francisco’s most famous attraction is ready to welcome visitors again-with some changes to keep you safe.

BEACHES: San Francisco’s beaches offer breathtaking views as well as plenty of hiking, surfing, relaxing and more.

PARKS: With more than 220 parks and open spaces, the possibilities for experiencing the great outdoors in San Francisco are endless.

HIKING: If you’re ready to go beyond regular walking tours and hikes, there are several options. The new Crosstown Trail offers the chance to bike, hike and run along a 17-mile route.

RESTAURANTS: Northern California has robust agriculture and provides top-quality ingredients to the chefs of our city year-round. Even under the current situation, people can dine on some of the best food in the world, as the city’s restaurants retool their culinary excellence for take-out service.

TRANSPORTATION: As San Francisco and the rest of the Bay Area slowly reopen, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are welcoming visitors back and ensuring their safety and health.

SAN FRANCISCO ZOO: San Francisco Zoo & Gardens is an urban oasis, filled with beautiful and amazing animals from every corner of the world.

PIER 39: San Francisco’s top attraction is officially reopened and is excited to welcome visitors. The bay breeze, magnificent views, shopping, fresh seafood, wine and cocktails can be enjoyed while sitting at the new outdoor dining areas.

JAPANESE TEA GARDEN AT GOLDEN GATE PARK: If you’re looking to get outdoors or find some tranquil space, San Francisco’s Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park is the perfect place to go.

GREGANGELO MUSEUM: Prepare to laugh, cry, and be transformed as you step into this ever-evolving art space that is more an immersive experience than a museum. Created more than 40 years ago by lifelong San Francisco resident Gregangelo Herrera, this is a place to touch, question and reflect using all your senses.

TRAVEL BUG

TILL

early March, checking into an airport for the next flight was as blandly normal or as exhilaratingly exciting as it got. But then the pandemic brought with it a new age of a “travellers’ disease,” a new fear of a connected world, a new enemy hiding in the airport terminal and took the fun out of flying. Now being airborne is about taking on the appearance of a masked warrior, face-shielded and sanitised with a haze of sprays. If still vulnerable, there’s the hazmat suit.

With the pandemic showing no signs of abating, there are two broad consensuses that people have come to — life can’t be brought to a grinding halt and keeping safe is one’s private battle. That’s how the concept of travel bubbles evolved with flights between relatively pandemic-free zones or travelling with people you know are virus-free. That’s how charter flights have gained currency, giving the much-needed breather to the aviation industry and far-flung families wanting to come together again.

Says Kanika Tekriwal, CEO & founder, JetSetGo Aviation, who started her venture in 2014, “Just

before the lockdown was announced, the demand for our services surged nine-fold but we were only able to fulfil 50-60 per cent of the requests due to various regulations which kept changing overnight within countries. The number of requests increased to approximately 100 per cent post the lockdown, with 70 per cent coming from new customers.”

Tekriwal has her pulse on the market as currently her company operates India’s largest private jet and helicopter fleet with over 20 per cent of the total market as the single largest shareholder.

Her current crop of clients are not high-flyers but

EXOTICA [10] OCTOBER 2020

Travelling exclusively with friends and family as opposed to taking a commercial flight is a trend that is changing the post-pandemic world, says SAIMI SATTAR

keen to spare money to get home to their families or simply fly out together. “We saw requests coming from parents whose children were stuck in colleges or schools in different countries or domestically and from families who were stuck away from their homeland,” says Tekriwal. Earlier corporate houses, HNIs, international tourists, Bollywood production houses, PSUs, sportspeople and even the likes of the Ferragamo family to CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and billionaires were more likely to avail of her company’s services.

Commercial carriers Indigo and Spicejet, too, have joined the fray of operating exclusive flights for corporates and families. “Indigo operated international and domestic charters and repatriation flights to transfer stranded Indian citizens and other nationals,” says Sanjay Kumar, chief strategy and revenue officer, Indigo.

That number is now over a 1,000 since March Headquartered in Hong Kong, CapaJet has seen a two-fold increase in demand from pre-COVID times, with strong conversion rates in the Indian-originated requests. Requests have come in from people who aren’t necessarily wealthy or travelled in business or first class during normal times.

Komal Seth, India representative, CapaJet, points out, “There are more people flying for business rather than leisure.” Indigo, too, has seen requests from a wide variety of customers.

Depending upon the number of people taking a flight, different planes are put into service as every aircraft has different seating options. JetSetGo has King Air B200, which can seat six, Hawker 750, an eight-seater, Falcon 2000, a nine-seater and Cessne Citation 560 XLS, a seven-seater. Indigo is pressing its commercial

EXOTICA [11] OCTOBER 2020

flight planes into service. So the A-320 aircraft can seat 180-186 passengers and an A321 can seat 222 while an ATR can seat 78. CapaJet operates the Bombardier Global 6000 and Global 5000 with seating capacity of up to 13 passengers.

So what kind of a dent does this new-age demand mean for the flier’s pocket? JetsetGo’s costs vary depending upon the size of the aircraft and the duration of the trip. These start at `80,000 per hour for a six-seater turbo prop and go all the way to `5 to 6 lakh per hour for a 16-seater jet. The airport and other landing charges are extra. CapaJet, without giving out the exact amount, said it varied depending on the clients, sectors chosen and the number of passengers on board and for Indigo, the route and distance were the determining factors.

Besides deep pockets, there are certain other requirements for booking a charter. Kumar says the procedure is fairly simple. “The passengers just need to fill a form detailing their destination, arrival point, travel time, names, address and other details. Domestic charters need to be booked at least two days in advance but can be operated even at shorter notice as well based on the route and availability of resources. A minimum of five to seven days are required, depending upon approvals, for international charters,” he elaborates.

Tekriwal assures us that domestically the guests

do not need any permission. Of course, a valid passport and visa are required to fly internationally.

“In case the guest is taking a helicopter, then s/he would need permission from the local government.

Also, in case of medevac, guests need a valid medical certificate from their doctor,” she says.

Seth lists out the additional requirements during the pandemic. “It is mandatory to have international travel and medical insurance. A valid COVID-free certificate based on a test taken not more than 96 hours before boarding the flight is compulsory,” she says.

The companies that operate the flights need a non-scheduled operator’s (NSOP) permit that acts as a licence to fly both domestic and international sectors. Additionally, for international travel, overflying permit is also required. It is mandatory to adhere to the international guidelines while flying to international sectors. Kumar points out, “There are different rules and regulations for operating charter flights to different destinations. So we need to follow those as specified by other countries. We need to get approvals in advance.”

JetSetGo’s most popular domestic sectors are Kolkata-Ahmedabad, Mumbai-Hyderabad, Mumbai-Kolkata, Delhi-Pune, Kolkata-Ahmedabad, Vijaywada-Delhi, Mumbai-Shamshabad, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Goa. Internationally, requests for Dubai, Singapore, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand are popular. While for Indigo, the most popular domestic sectors are Goa and Jodhpur, Male and Dubai are big draws on the international circuit. Capajet flies mostly to Dubai, London and Singapore.

Coming to the most important question, the reason because of which chartered flights have seen a sudden and drastic rise — what makes them safer than commercial flights? Kumar explains, “The chances of transmission of the virus are very less onboard a flight due to specific air filtration and movement, disinfection of surfaces and personal

protective equipment provided to each passenger.”

Seth says that the cabin crew undergo special training, especially on passenger safety, adhering to the highest safety guidelines. “We ensure complete precautions during all the processes of check-in, boarding, luggage handling and landing. We do ensure the aircraft are deep-cleaned before boarding and crew are tested before each flight for COVID-19,” she adds. Delhi now has an exclusive private jet terminal, which allows the process to be fully secure, private and in a controlled environment.

Tekriwal clinches the argument by pointing out that a study in the US confirmed that commercial flyers have over 200 touch points at the airport while private jets have as less as 30. “Right from the time guests arrive at the airport, they are accompanied by our operations team, who constantly assist them and ensure that they are exposed to minimum touch points. While in the aircraft, our crew take all the necessary safety precautions like regular sanitising, wearing PPE suits and masks. All aircraft crockery is being washed in professional dishwashers with QUAT-based dishwashing solution and being sterilised through steam at a temperature exceeding 83°,” says Tekriwal.

So what is stopping you? Take that flight of fancy — alone or with friends and family — if you have pockets that are deep enough. Better, start saving for a flight that’s worth it.

EXOTICA [13] OCTOBER 2020

EKTA

Kapoor has taken to each platform of entertainment with as much familiarity as if she was born to it. But rather than adapting to the business, it was she who reset its tone and tenor and bred our hunger for it. She hit the jackpot in 1995, the very first year that she ventured into TV, as Hum Paanch went on to become a super-hit. But it was

with the ‘K’ serials which followed that Kapoor soon defined a genre. Of regular everyday women triumphing odds and taboos and lending hope and aspiration to middle class housewives, creating a new segment of content consumers. Then just as we began to think that Kapoor would be confined to the small screen, she jumped on to producing films, where she did the exact opposite, pushing limits

EXOTICA [14] OCTOBER 2020

Q&A

MILESTONES

The

empress of entertainment EKTA KAPOOR doesn’t choose her media of communication, she remoulds them on her terms, be it TV, films or web series. In the process she creates out-of-the-box content and becomes a conversation starter.

She tells SAIMI SATTAR how she straddles a world of multi-media with ease with unusual themes and on-point realism. Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007), Mission Istanbul (2008), Love Sex aur Dhokha (2010), Once Upon a Time in Mumbai (2010), The Dirty Picture (2011) found great success as well as critical acclaim. And in her third makeover, she has created ripples in the OTT platform with content that is focussed on the rural and semi-urban market, unlike her competitors who are vying for the attention of Tier 1 and 2 cities, encouraging conversations and bridging the gap between Bharat and India.

EXOTICA [15] OCTOBER 2020

o Born on June 7, 1975 o Ventured into TV with Padosan, Captain House, Mano Ya Na Mano and Hum Paanch in 1995 o Ventured into Bollywood movie production in 2001 o Launched ALTBalaji, an Indian subscription based video on demand platform, a wholly owned subsidiary of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, on April 16, 2017

While your competitors are focussed on Tier 1 and 2 cities, you have been creating content for the rural and semi-urban markets. Was that a deliberate strategy to create a new consumer base?

We are currently focussing on ensuring that we dominate the Hindi-speaking markets and then we will move ahead. As a subscription-led streaming platform, it makes even more sense to concentrate our efforts in one direction and win over the mainstream populace as 70 per cent of the content in India is consumed in Hindi. Taking this thought forward, we are continuing to give impetus towards the massification of content for the Bharat audience by expanding our footprint across core markets.

ALTBalaji has effectively captured the market in rural areas. What has been the strategy to move forward?

In just three years, ALTBalaji has grown by leaps and bounds and has successfully created benchmarks in understanding the viewer’s love for the Hindi originals that we offer.

The strategy is to understand the pulse of our varied audience and offer them content that they prefer to consume. ALTBalaji features 64 Indian original web series across various genres and is hence enjoyed by all age groups.

I believe in innovating and exploring new ideas to keep up with the growing demand.

Recently we announced shows like Bicchoo ka Khel, Mumbhai, Dr Donn, Dark 7 White, Bang Baang – The Sound of Crimes and many more exciting originals are in the pipeline.

During the pandemic, there has been a shift from the big screen in favour of OTT platforms.

Do you see this trend continuing post-pandemic as people are hooked to individual screens? Can OTT platforms replace the experience of a movie theatre?

Even before the pandemic struck, there was a big section of the audience which was interested in watching OTT content even while preferring a film in a theatre. Both the entertainment business modules can co-exist

IN JUST THREE YEARS, ALTBALAJI HAS GROWN BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS AND HAS SUCCESSFULLY CREATED BENCHMARKS IN UNDERSTANDING THE VIEWER’S LOVE FOR THE HINDI ORIGINALS THAT WE OFFER

and flourish together, because their scales and appeal are different.

As the audience had no other entertainment option other than OTT during the lockdown, a newer set of viewers also got hooked on to it. The lockdown has changed our way of living considerably. Cinema halls, exhibitors and distributors are already gearing up for post- lockdown operations by putting a safe and reassuring system in place.

Would you say that the actors are finally finding recognition on these platforms as opposed to stars in theatres?

I don’t think we should look at it that way. A good performance always gets noticed, be it in a web series or a film. Irrespective of the medium, an actor always aims to do justice to his/her role, with the belief that the audience will like and appreciate it.

You have dabbled in all three media. How do you segregate content and find the right fit and mix for each?

There are multiple projects with different priorities going on simultaneously. I prefer distributing my time equally for TV, films and OTT. Sometimes one platform requires some extra hours of work, depending on the priority.

During this pandemic, OTT platforms were

EXOTICA [16] OCTOBER 2020

PERSONAL FRONT

o Daughter of actors Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor. o Her younger brother Tusshar Kapoor is also a Bollywood actor. o Her son, Ravie Kapoor, was born on January 27, 2019 via surrogacy.

EXOTICA [17] OCTOBER 2020

very proactive. Now that we have started shooting for our TV shows, it certainly requires attention, considering the safety protocols to be followed. The effort is to make sure everything works out smoothly, as the safety of our cast and crew is our topmost priority.

Many of the series are running into a second or third season. What do you think works better — a move ahead in the existing storyline or a jump to a completely different setting/universe?

I think it all depends on the response from the audience. As creative people, we need to gauge what aspects of the show they loved watching — is it the strong characters or the narrative?

Accordingly, we decide to take the story ahead. For instance, in Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain, the audience loved watching the dynamics of relationships between the three lead protagonists of the show portrayed by Ronit Roy, Mona Singh and Gurdeep Kohli and hence we felt that it makes more sense to take the narrative ahead to three seasons, keeping the characters intact. But now we are working on season 4 of the show with a fresh storyline and new characters, because the first three seasons had come to their logical end.

When did you first think about entering the digital space since the line-up of ALTBalaji seems to have been well thought out?

ALT was an idea that came into being when Balaji Telefilms, which is known for family entertainment, decided to come up with fresh content targeted at various segments and the untapped masses of India.

EXOTICA [18] OCTOBER 2020

ALT WAS AN IDEA THAT CAME INTO BEING WHEN BALAJI TELEFILMS, WHICH IS KNOWN FOR FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT, DECIDED TO COME UP WITH FRESH CONTENT TARGETED AT VARIOUS SEGMENTS AND MASSIFICATION. ALTBALAJI WAS CREATED WITH THE VISION TO CREATE ORIGINAL SHOWS FOR INDIA AND INDIANS ABROAD, FOR CONSUMPTION ON THEIR DEVICES AT LOCATION/TIME/SHOW OF THEIR CHOICE ALTBalaji was created with the vision to create original shows for India and Indians abroad, for consumption on their devices at location/time/show of their choice. We at Balaji believe in creating shows which appeal across segments through engaging and immersive narratives that are unique or untold.

Our mindset towards reading the market early on, predicting content consumption trends and patterns and taking due action at the earliest have helped us carve a niche in the digital space.

What research have you put in to compile the bouquet of web series?

As an OTT platform, massification is our core mantra. The idea is to create content that is versatile, relatable and has a universal appeal. For instance, shows like Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain, Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat, It Happened in Calcutta, Baarish and Dil Hi To Hai are mostly consumed by women between 25 and 45 years across India. However, thrillers like Apharan, Ragini MMS, Code M are consumed by men in the 22- 45 age bracket. In addition to the above, shows such as Mentalhood, The Test Case, MOM: Mission Over Mars, Bose: Dead/Alive, The Verdict - State vs Nanavati are being consumed extensively by urban Indians across age groups.

How would you define entertainment viewership today?

The percentage of people interested in consuming digital entertainment is certainly on the rise. But that doesn’t take away the core audience of TV and films. Global players are now realising the need to build Bharat-centric and inclusive offerings.

The future is likely to usher in variations in content formats, ways of distribution and aggregated business models to maximise revenues.

EXOTICA [19] OCTOBER 2020

DID YOU KNOW?

o She started interning with ad and feature filmmaker Kailash Surendranath at 15. o She loves dogs and has adopted several stray ones. o She swears by numerology and that explains the surfeit of some alphabets in her films and series.

NEW NORMAL More than any other festival, Dussehra and Durga Puja are community spectacles, synonymous with congregations and crowds. But in days of social distancing, there are novel ways to celebrate and keep tradition alive, says SAIMI SATTAR

The idol-maker gives shape to eco-friendly pratimas that will dissolve in water and actors at rehearsals for the Ramlila

PUSHPANJALI

in front of the goddess at the pandal. Check. A hop across to the phuchka stall where one round is certainly not enough. Check. Then there is the Kolkata biryani with a potato buried within the fragrant rice, which gives off an inviting whiff that exercises a pull stronger than gravity. Check. And a sweet melt-in-the-mouth kaancha golla to end the gastronomic journey. Check. Of course, all the while you tap your feet to the mellifluous strains coming from the makeshift stage as youngsters of the colony, who on other days can be found assiduously making their way to college (or rather its canteens), start-ups and their first jobs, put up a stellar band performance. Check. But the boxes cannot be ticked this time. However, we can certainly draw new ones instead. And fill them with our kind of colour.

Durga Puja and Dussehra are not just religious festivals but rather the social and cultural heartbeats of communities that are looked forward to throughout the year. These celebrations are a blessed excuse for human bonding, where we meet

friends, court the opposite sex, catch up with relatives, check out the latest in ethnic fashion, plan vacations, sample a new cuisine everyday and more. But during the time of a pandemic, it is the social aspect which has to be sacrificed at the feet of the gods as puja samitis and Ram Lila committees endeavour to keep people safe in times of social distancing while continuing tradition as a sign of our collective resilience.

Robin Bose, popularly called Robinda by all and sundry, is the general secretary, Kashmere Gate Durga Puja Samiti, New Delhi, which has been celebrating the festival for the past 111 years on the lawns of the 121-year-old Bengali Sr Sec School, Alipur Road. He says the committee is awaiting government guidelines but he believes that these would be similar to the ones laid out for Ganesh Chaturthi where a pandal, people and idols weren’t allowed. “We will have a symbolic sacred kalash but no idol, not even a small one. The latter is the main attraction as people feel connected with it. As a result, many of them might not come,” he says.

Anyway, there are limits to mass gatherings, which would discourage many from stepping out. Since this is the oldest puja in the city, most Bengalis

EXOTICA [21] OCTOBER 2020

(and non-Bengalis) find something amiss if they do not offer prayers here. Bose admits, the regret palpable in his voice, “The vibrant atmosphere will be missing this time around.”

Mrinal Biswas is the general secretary, Milani Cultural & Welfare Association, Mayur Vihar, as well as the Purbanchal Bangiyo Samiti, a forum of 42 committees which celebrate Durga Puja in East Delhi formed about two years ago. Says he, “The seven Kalibaris in East Delhi will celebrate puja in their mandap (temple). At the Milani Clubhouse, we will be registering members and hand out digital tokens for visiting the place where the idol is kept.

The entry will be restricted to 10 people at one time, which would be rotated after every half an hour so that everyone gets a chance to offer prayers while maintaining social distancing.

Children below 12 and elderly people above 65 will not be allowed inside.” However, the five-feet idol would be placed inside the clubhouse in a manner that it is visible to all those who are passing by.

Another change that organisers have incorporated is to have strictly eco-friendly idols that can dissolve in water and are painted in nontoxic colours. For the immersion, a metal tank of 8x4x5 feet is being arranged which would be

mounted on a truck and carried around to different puja committees in Mayur Vihar for visarjan to prevent overcrowding at one place.

Dakshinayan society in Sector 4, Dwarka, organises one of the most popular Durga Pujas in this western neighbourhood of Delhi. Col SK Basu, its general secretary, says that permissions to celebrate the festival have been tough to come by this year. “We will celebrate it according to government protocol,” he adds. This naturally means a control over footfalls. “The celebrations will be restricted to 350 residents of the society and no outsider will be allowed. We will celebrate it like a joint family. So it will be purely by, for and of the society,” he says adding that they would have a very small idol and the priest, who conducts the prayers, would be tested for COVID three days prior.

The pushpanjali (flower offering) by each family during the puja is another aspect that will have to undergo transformation during days of social distancing. Biswas says, “We will arrange online pushpanjali where members will sit at home, log in on a website and see the puja online. A team of two each will handle the telecast from shashti (sixth day) to navami (ninth day).”

Both, Ramlila and Durga Puja, are socio-cultural and the Kashmere Gate Durga Puja will only have the sacred kalash

EXOTICA [22] OCTOBER 2020

The Dakshinayan society are planning to put up giant TV screens so that people can watch the rituals and mantras being chanted while the sanitised floral offerings will be collected by one person.

Another facet that will change is the bhog or the community lunch. Every year, volunteers of the Kashmere Gate puja distribute the khichdi bhog to 7,000-10,000 people. “This year we will be offering it only to the goddess and prepare a little extra for members. But we won’t deny any visitor some if s/he wants it though everything depends on the government guidelines,” says Bose. The Milani Cultural & Welfare Association will only have bhog for the goddess which would not be distributed.

Dakshinayan has improvised in keeping with the times. “We have got permission from local authorities to get it pre-packed, sanitised and sent to everyone’s home so that there is no contamination,” says Basu.

A major attraction of the pujas is the ensemble of cultural programmes that is put together by the local as well as commercial groups. Biswas says that Milani Cultural & Welfare Association is planning to do a Chandi path and the members will join from their houses to sing songs accompanied by harmonium and tabla on Facebook Live on Agomani, the day the goddess is welcomed.

The cultural showcase, an eagerly awaited event where local and professional talent would feed off each other in a creative efflorescence of sorts, has been virtually hived off. Dakshinayan society earlier flew in artistes from Kolkata while its home-grown talent, too, put up a performance.

Organisers at Kashmere Gate might encourage children to perform in a restricted family set-up if the pandemic wanes a bit.

The Ramlila, which is performed during Dussehra, is entirely dependent on community performances and is resonant with what we want to hear so badly this year — the victory of good over evil. Luv Kush Ramlila, one of the oldest committees in Delhi which stages a performance at Red Fort, had taken the online route some years ago. Its president Ashok Aggarwal says, “We had tied up

(Above): The bhog will be restricted this time.

(Below): Artistes practise during the pandemic

with several channels to reach out to our audience across the world and this will continue. At the grounds, social distancing would be maintained and seats will be placed six feet apart.”

As for food and beverages, Aggarwal says the tie-ups are yet to take place. “The stalls might have packed food depending on protocols. The COVID situation is improving and things might be better by the time Dussehra is celebrated. We need to do both, save ourselves and celebrate life itself,” he concludes. Festivities never end, we just end up changing them to suit our times.

EXOTICA [23] OCTOBER 2020

Not just guest lists, even clothes, jewellery and more have been trimmed down in a pandemic wedding.

Concluding the two-part series, SAIMI SATTAR looks at how less is sometimes more

EXOTICA [24] OCTOBER 2020

NEW NORMAL

CLOTHES

so embellished that they are unlikely to be worn again post the event, jewellery that weighs as much as the recently-on-a-crash diet bride, make-up that takes hours to apply and photographs so intimate that the couple’s every courtship move is documented for several days before the actual nuptials... a wedding is our indulgence and opulence. But then every high tide has a way of ebbing and turning around in a manner that was unfathomable earlier. And this time around, it is nature which has forced our hand.

A LITTLE LESS OF FINERY

WITH

gatherings limited to 100 intimate family members due to restrictions, while they are live-streamed to others, people aren’t in a mood to invest in new outfits. Even the immediate family is resorting to already worn ceremonial finery and hence this wedding season is welcoming a much simpler and traditional look.

Designer Ridhi Mehra says that while COVID

has certainly caused a paradigm shift in functionality but as far as wedding couture is concerned, the trend hasn’t changed much. But she goes on to point out, “Ceremonially, yes, intimate weddings are on everybody’s list. Style-wise, every wedding team has an individualistic fashion signature to go with. However, an overall inclination for pastel colours, intricate handwork,

EXOTICA [25] OCTOBER 2020

sheer flows and couture with a dreamy subtle vibe has been quite in vogue and promises to stay for some time.”

Moreover, while people choose bespoke designs for special occasions, in stressed times one could add a vintage element to the clothes, says Rachel J Amirtharaj, celebrity fashion designer and founder of La Fantaisie. “The tradition of adding an heirloom to the wedding ensemble makes one treasure it for generations to come. And brides are finding it an absolute privilege to wear their heirloom clothes and sarees worn by their mothers as they give a sense of special joy and warmth while adding to the emotional quotient,” she says. In fact, actor Kareena Kapoor started the trend way before as she had her mother-in-law’s gharara restored for her wedding in 2012.

While the focus is usually on the bride, there has been a change in the way the grooms dress up as

well. Kunal Anil Tanna, who has founded his eponymous label, says, “Grooms want simpler and more subtle ensemble options in more humble tones to keep the look warm and cosy. While they prefer fresh outfits, as it is still a very important day of their lives, they are opting for simpler styles like kurtas with a drape or bandi jackets as opposed to a classic sherwani or achkan.”

With COVID showing no signs of abating, there has been a drastic change in the way we live, celebrate, socialise and accessorise. So the facemask is about to make a global fashion debut as a statement piece in itself. “In India, there is no platform bigger than the great Indian wedding to explore possibilities. Some designers have even begun creating masks from deadstock fabric to match their already existing designs. Some shops have been selling masks and blouses that match,” points out Amirtharaj.

EXOTICA [26] OCTOBER 2020

BLING IS KING

WITH

a toning down of the outfits, naturally the jewellery, too, has to blend in. So, one can safely bid adieu to days when brides practically turned golden or dripped precious stones. Shreyans Gandhi, Director, Gazdar Jewellers, confirms that the wedding jewellery trends are minimalistic this year. “Brides are interested in wearing classic, elegant and timeless jewels with an emphasis on simple designs. They are looking for valuable, timeless, one-of-a-kind pieces which can be worn often and for any occasion while lasting a lifetime. There is also a preference towards minimal and lightweight concepts in jewellery,” he says.

The idea of wearable pieces has also fuelled one more trend — that of transformable and detachable jewellery. “The latter is a heavy piece that can be separated easily and worn as smaller pieces, maximising the investment. Brides are interested in jewellery that can be worn in multiple ways. A three-line necklace which can be detached and worn as a single line is the go-to-option for many brides.

Ring-convertible pendants, necklaces that can be worn on both sides are in vogue and enable brides to wear them for multiple festivities in the future,” he says.

The free run of precious gemstones, diamonds and uncut diamonds continues especially since gold prices are soaring. Precious gemstone jewellery and uncut polki diamonds are most favoured for their timeless appeal and ability to be paired with every kind of dress and event.

Unlike clothes, jewellery refurbishing is not recommended as it erodes the value of the piece. “Vintage pieces from erstwhile eras have an aura of their own. Their workmanship and craftsmanship techniques are extremely unique and their ancestry and provenance are additional factors in their rarity. Vintage jewellery also has sentimental value, as it is passed down through generations,” says Gandhi. However, brides do style them in a way that matches with their aesthetics. So, a necklace can be worn as a maang tika or a statement ring worn as a pendant.

EXOTICA [27] OCTOBER 2020

OF BLUSHES AND LINERS

WHILE

you can maintain distance from the guests, just how do you do that with your make-up artist is a dilemma that many a bride currently faces. Add to it the fact that the palette of colours — base, eye shadow, lip colours, liners and more that they work with — is common to clients. Celebrity make-up artist Samaira Sandhu says that the unprecedented circumstances, where big fat Indian weddings are not possible and precautionary measures have to be observed, demand that the make-up industry should evolve in new ways.

As a part of the precautions observed, she says, “The make-up artists now have to wear masks and

sanitise their hands regularly during application.

Moreover brushes, foundations have to be sanitised before use and held while wearing latex gloves.”

While washing hands before and after make-up is a norm that most beauticians follow, some have alarms on their phones which go off after every 30 minutes that remind them to sanitise.

“Make-up artists make minimal contact with cosmetics and their clients so that they don’t even blow at the brushes or lashes. Foundations are now mixed in a palette rather than on their palm,” says Samaira. Also, cosmetic products and make-up brushes are no longer reused. They are trashed safely.

EXOTICA [28] OCTOBER 2020

WHEN

FRAME IT RIGHT

you are dressed to your nines, that does need some proof for your children and grandchildren (as well as those who couldn’t make it). And on your big day, a selfie on the phone is certainly not enough.

But when social distancing is the need of the hour, the photographers are certainly faced with a conundrum — how to capture the best shot while adhering to guidelines? For some, a change in focus is what settles the matter. Lakshya Chawla, Shutterdown Photography, says, “We have switched the lenses where we have to shoot from a distance.”

But of course, additional precautions, too, are

needed. Anshumaan Singh & Mohit Wadhwa, co-founders of Chocolate Box Photography, say, “We wear face masks, face shields and gloves during the shoot. All our bags and equipment are sanitised before and after the shot.”

Sagar Thackar, www.35mmcandids.com, tries not to leave his home at least three-four days before the event. “A little quarantine before the event helps us make sure that we are going in clean. Thankfully, we haven’t had any close calls yet. If the event needs travel, we prefer to reach the venue about four days before for safety reasons like the way they do in IPL bio-bubbles.”

EXOTICA [29] OCTOBER 2020

Singh and Wadhwa have an assistant and team co-ordinator, who ensure people don’t surround them or come too close. “They request guests very politely to maintain the distance for everyone’s safety,” they say.

Thackar admits that during a wedding everyone wants pictures and a lot of group shots for posterity. “We advise a couple or the wedding planner to set up a photo booth where we are at a distance from the guests or we request them to wear transparent masks so that we can capture their emotions while staying safe.”

Most photographers feel that with smaller and intimate weddings being the order of the day,

social distancing becomes easier to implement among guests. Small weddings feel very much more personal. Also, less guests means more time with loved ones. “The move to non-traditional venues such as the backyards and farm houses means lesser people. In fact, there is a lot more warmth and free-flowing emotion for us to capture,” says Thackar.

Chawla can see a positive in the reduced guest list. He says, “The emotions that flow in an intimate wedding are so raw. Our work becomes more fun since all the people are now important and we don’t have to search for subjects or need props.” As they say, nothing is more lasting than a lived memory.

EXOTICA [31] OCTOBER 2020

O N H T A L P A E L A H T D

TER

GOO

TRADITION UNPLUGGED

Chefs have dug into age-old wisdom to serve an array of dishes that boosts immunity without compromising on taste, finds out SAIMI SATTAR

EXOTICA [32] OCTOBER 2020

EATING

healthy at a restaurant. The statement conjures up images of salads and soups or dishes that are low on carbs and sugars, in particular, and calories, in general, as well as sadly, on taste. Executive Chef Manish Sharma, The Oberoi, Gurgaon, says, “Before COVID, the healthy dining menu in our restaurant meant that appetisers were under 150 calories and a main course under 300 calories. So you could have a full meal within 500 calories.”

However, in the past few months the meaning of healthy has undergone a 360° turnaround. The focus has shifted to a more holistic approach where a gradual building up of immunity is the pivot around which the newer dishes revolve. And most chefs went back in time to dig out lessons from the past.

“A turmeric latte from an American coffee house is popular while our own traditional haldi doodh had become too commonplace. The moment we fell ill, got hurt, felt a little pain this was the drink we were given. It is the best antiseptic without side effects,” says Chef Sharad Diwan, regional director, food production, The Park and Flurys. He further adds that over the last few decades, our cuisine lost its original glory while evolving into something more palatable and presentable while not being as healthy as it used to be.

Chef Bharti Choudhary, The LaLit, revised the menu two months back and added healthy fresh ingredients sourced from the hotel’s kitchen garden.

“There is fresh arugula, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves and fresh sweet basil — all of which are high on antioxidants. We have added a smoked chicken and orange salad. In the bakery, the newest addition is a kacchi haldi and holy basil bread along with muffins made with whole wheat, jaggery, apricot and almonds,” she says and adds that the emphasis is on healthy, fresh, seasonal vegetables which are organically grown.

The light yogurt dressing with brown garlic, fresh mint and chives added to salads has found many takers among the hotel’s clientele. Moreover, keeping the sustainable aspect in mind, these are delivered in biodegradable containers when people order them.

Smoked salmon; an array of Indian dishes including Mutton biryani with raita and phirni; Herb crusted lamp chop with pearl barley and Garlic butter prawn

by Chef Bharti Choudhary

Sichuan braised chicken; Thai curry; Ruby risotto; Shepherd’s pie and Khao suey from ITC

The ITC group of hotels had been incorporating age-old wisdom in its menus for some time and has several initiatives under its gourmet programmes. Corporate Chef Manisha Bhasin, ITC, says, “We have been running our monsoon menu which boosts the immunity during this season as people tend to fall sick more often.” So you can dig into Kachchi haldi ki biryani, Mulathi (licorice) ki kheer, Murgh zardaloo qorma made with apricots, Nimbola paneer which has an enhanced vitamin C content or even Adrak ka halwa.

In fact, as most chefs point out, one of the biggest lacunae in menus earlier was ignoring the seasonality of ingredients. The concept of vegetables being available and being used in season had been completely lost in an effort to have everything available at all times. Chef Sharad highlights the point when he says that his young daughter doesn’t understand that there is a season for fruits like apples, papayas or watermelons since these are available all the year round. He has laid out a platter that takes into account the seasonality; so the Carrot and ginger soup with zero oil uses the young orange carrot that is in

season now. Similarly in May, when spinach is aplenty, he did a Palak ka haleem. “Haleem is usually a non vegetarian dish but I do 12 vegetarian versions. Besides spinach, other ingredients included soaked sprouted wheat and dal. Everything was cooked together so that the goodness of the ingredients is retained,” says Chef Sharad.

He also has on offer Fish chapli kebabs, which are served with avocado chutney. “The batch of avocado which I got from North-East might not look as perfect as the imported one but it is brilliant, so it had to be given a perfect treatment.

Rather than guacamole, this is what we came up with. We now have a diktat that 90-95 per cent of our menu would use local ingredients,” he says, while pointing out that it was the traditional recipes that were hidden or had disappeared, which are getting a better response as compared to his newer creations.

The ITC Hotels, in its ‘Good For You’ programme, introduced healthy seeds, which were traditionally used in myriad ways.

Indian seeds and grains like flaxseeds, amaranth, tulsi seeds, chia seeds have made it to rolls,

Asparagus & caramelised onion ravioli; Mulathi kheer and Yasai yaki udon bowl are healthy food options offered

by Chef Manisha Bhasin

breads or as a topping in breakfast. For the lactoseintolerant, there are alternate milk and nut butters under the ‘Zesty Morning’ programme. Chef Manisha says that while now Indians increasingly focus on two grains — rice and wheat — the hotel’s ‘Millet Programme’ showcases these heritage grains in all meals.

Chef Manish, too, gives a nod to millets’ immunity building properties and says that Indians were healthy because of the variety they ate. “I stir fry millets to infuse the flavour of the wok and pair them with steamed sea bass from Kochi, which is marinated in Thai spices to create a balance,” he says.

Another ingredient that Chef Manisha swears by is coconut milk which is good for immunity as well as overall well-being. In the ‘Gourmet in You’ (GIY) programme (where food is sent in an almost prepared stage and can be assembled at home) she has two new additions — a Thai curry and Khao suey — with coconut milk. “There is also beetroot which is rich in lycopene and antioxidants and it is an important ingredient in the Ruby risotto, another dish in the GIY,” she says. The Swasthya menu in many ITC Hotels guides clients on the food to be eaten based on body type, season and availability of fresh local ingredients.

Chef Manish, who was awarded at the Top Chef Awards 2015 in the 'Best International Café Cuisine in a 5 Star Category, has made some variations to his existing menu for home delivery to add a further dash of goodness to the dishes. In the Lemon coriander broth, a clear soup, he added goji berries to make it even healthier. “People drink the goji berry broth throughout the day to build immunity in China,” he says. For non-vegetarians he created an unusual soup full of the goodness of tomatoes along with nutrition of eggs, edamame and tofu called Tomato and egg broth.

In the main course, he decided to have meal bowls which would have protein, minerals and vitamins necessary for the day along with a minimum of carbohydrates. So Soba noodles, which are healthier than whole wheat ones, are served with pan fried tofu and greens with a hint of cashewnuts for texture. Another main course, Himalayan black rice, is low in glycemic index and much healthier than any other rice. Cooked using the absorption method to retain goodness, it is paired with spicy vegetables. “For texture we throw in some water chestnuts to make it crunchy and load it with moong bean sprouts to make it healthier and boost immunity,” says

Grilled salmon; Homemade ginger ale and Wholewheat spaghetti with broccoli put together

by Chef Manish Sharma offer both taste and health

EXOTICA [35] OCTOBER 2020

(Clockwise from top left): While putting together Coconut and turmeric ice cream; Palak ka haleem with kurkuri roti and Carrot and ginger soup, Chef Sharad Diwan kept the seasonality of ingredients and their benefits in mind

Chef Manish. Another interesting innovation that he has come up with is serving salmon, which is full of amino fatty acids and proteins, with cauliflower rice. “Here cauliflower florets are grated to resemble rice and tossed with edamame, garlic, ginger and a little bit of basil to give it a pan Asian touch,” he says.

The idea was to not use common starches like wheat, semolina or potatoes while making it a high protein diet. Chef Manish also incorporated healthy cooking methods like pan cooking, grilling and steaming, which are healthier. “We used Oriental sauces and methods as cooking happens faster and vegetables retain their nutrition,” he says.

Chef Sharad and his team of chefs, who have 300+ years of culinary experience among them, ensured that taste and presentation were given

primacy on the table that they maintain. “We work backwards.

While others might think about the nutritional values first, we think about how we will make a particular ingredient look and taste good,” he says and points to a Turmeric and coconut ice cream that he has on the menu. “Ice cream cannot be healthy but if I say that this combination has amazing properties then you would eat it with pleasure,” he says and adds that immunity-boosting food, healthy dishes and ingredients that have a story heighten the pleasure quotient for the diner.

But if you thought the innovations are restricted to dishes, you would be surprised to know that there is a lot happening in the accompaniments arena as well. Chef Sharad has introduced murabbas, which are served with as much relish as the chutneys and papads in other restaurants. “These are very high on vitamins and immunity boosters. These can be gifting options instead of the usual mithais and chocolates. If you say a Punjabi chef from Delhi has made these using a recipe by his grandmother, it would naturally have many takers,” says Chef Sharad.

If that was not enough, Chef Manish has some healthy beverages to accompany the food. “One of the popular ones is Blueberry brew which is fresh berry compote with Arabica coffee, mint and organic honey, so it is healthy, nutritious and not loaded with sugar,” he says with a flourish.

With the plethora of options available, eating out no longer has to be synonymous with eating unhealthy. Feast on!

EXOTICA [36] OCTOBER 2020

WHEN

YOUNG HERO

A BETTER

PATH

In keeping with his name, 17-year-old PARTH SARTHI is guiding children in difficult circumstances to take options that transform their lives.

By Team EXOTICA

most children of his age are obsessing over that pimple on their nose or even a lack of response on an Instagram story, Parth Sarthi, a Class XII student, had much bigger plans. He got together children from a juvenile home in Noida under the aegis of his NGO Rasta and put up Tarang, a virtual musical show on Teacher’s Day. The children sang patriotic songs. One of them, while singing Sare Jahan Se Accha felt proud as an Indian. Another child sang Aye Malik Tere Bande Hum, which reminded the audience of Do Aankhen Barah Haath, a cult film of 1957 by V Shantaram.

The film was inspired by the story of an ‘open prison’ experiment, something which found a resonance with the children of juvenile home.

The chief guest, CDO, Anil Kumar Singh, said that he could see the faces of these children glow earnestly. “Just like Arjun’s parthsarthi, Krishna, showed him the correct path in Mahabharata, Raasta has shown the path for the better future of these children who had landed at juvenile homes on due to unfortunate circumstances.”

Parth has had an inclination towards making a difference from a young age. “I realised that people usually focus on academic growth but there should be an emphasis on holistic development,” he says. So, he got involved with the children of Apna Ghar who had the urge to excel at other things besides academics. “Music is my forte and I have performed at several places. I got children who were interested in music on board and trained them,” he says. In 2018, he founded Raasta at the age of 15.

He became involved with the juvenile centre when he heard that some children had developed COVID there and others had tried to run away. “It was at that time that I thought that we should do a virtual workshop here. It was held for two three weeks during which the children were singing very well. Teacher’s Day was coming up so we scheduled a performance. Getting them on board was initially a problem but music does have a way of bringing down barriers and many children got involved.”

If you thought that it is a lot to have accomplished at such a young age, there is more. Parth is the recipient of Pradhan Mantri Bal Rashtriya Puraskar for Social Work. He was responsible for reuniting 21 children who had run away from their homes. “I was volunteering at New Delhi Railway Station and realised that many of them did not remember anything about themselves. Some of them could not even recall their real names and it was impossible to trace them with their nicknames,” he says. He figured out that the Aadhar card could be put to good use as it uses biometrics. “If you have an Aadhar card and try to enroll again, the system rejects it. The existing Aadhar card was used to reunite them with their family,” he says.

While no one from his family is into social work, they have been supportive. “I initially started volunteering during summer vacations and gradually became involved more deeply with different initiatives,” says the Sanskriti school student.

He is also the co-founder of Assist, another NGO which works on inclusive basketball for physically challenged students. He has organised an exhibition match and had planned a North India league of Inclusive basketball in April which had to be postponed indefinitely due to the pandemic.

T E C H TA L K

LET’S ZOOM IN

With work from home having become the new normal, video calls are here to stay. Ace your virtual meeting game with these tips

IT’S ALL ABOUT LOCATION: Check the lighting in the room where you usually attend your Zoom meetings. Ensure that your seating arrangement is such that the light from a window falls on your face. Whenever possible, try to switch your set-up in a manner that you are in natural light which helps you look really sharp on camera.

PRO TIP: Placing the laptop next to the window helps you look out which, in turn, is a mood booster.

BE THE LIGHT: If you do not have access to natural light, place a lamp behind your computer. This will illuminate your face without overwhelming any

other members of the video call. Imagine the set-up to be the face of a clock and position two lamps at 10:00 and 2:00.

PRO TIP: It is a great idea to invest in a small-sized ring lamp to add that extra zing to your meetings.

LOOK AHEAD: Place your laptop or phone camera at eye level.

Instead, stack books or other sturdy items beneath your webcam or tablet until your camera is at the right angle.

PRO TIP: A camera which is placed too low gives the appearance of a double chin.

A CLEAN SET-UP: Seat yourself in front of a plain background. Find a space in your room that doesn’t have a lot of distractions, like piles of paper or other junk.

Instead, try to frame yourself in front of a plain wall with minimal art or a bookcase.

PRO TIP: Simple backgrounds make you look more professional on camera.

EXOTICA [38] OCTOBER 2020

looks especially sweaty or moist.

PRO TIP: For a really smooth look, apply the powder with a large powder brush.

CHANGE THE BACKGROUND: If the option of a clean background is not possible, just change it.

Visit the “settings” section and tap or click on “Virtual Background”. Pick out one of the generic stock photos offered by Zoom, or upload your own picture to use as a background.

PRO TIP: Choose a picture that enhances your video without being a distraction. A background picture of a garden or park is better than a crowded beach.

DON’T ZOOM IN: Sit at least at an arm’s length behind the camera. Most cameras have a wide-angle lens, which isn’t flattering when you’re sitting close. Ensure that your entire face is captured onscreen. Keep yourself centered in front of the camera without being too close.

PRO TIP: Have your eyes in the top third of your screen, with a small bit of open space above your head. Your armpits should be at the bottom of the screen.

DRESS UP: Get dressed as though you’re attending an in-person meeting. Avoid the temptation to stay in your pajamas and T-shirts all day — as comfortable as they may be, they won’t look very professional for your video call.

PRO TIP: You don’t have to get completely dressed up!

What matters most is that you’re dressed professionally from the waist-up, where people will see you.

GO SOLID: Wear shirts with bright, solid colours like blue, red, green, teal or something else. Avoid clothes that are really dark or have a lot of funky patterns or floral designs.

PRO TIP: Prints can be distracting during a call.

POWDER UP: Blot away any oil so you don’t look sweaty or shiny. Powder your face to prevent any obvious sweat. Find a setting powder that matches your skin tone and pat it all over your cheeks, chin, forehead, nose, or any area that

MOISTURISE: Even out your complexion with a tinted moisturiser. Rub a pea-sized amount over your cheeks, forehead, nose, or any place where your skin looks uneven.

PRO TIP: Check that the product is completely blended in before your video call starts

GLOSS IT UP: If your lips feel dry and chapped, apply a coat of lip balm before you join your video call.

PRO TIP: If you’d like to look extra classy, swipe on some lipstick or lip gloss as well.

VIRTUAL HELP: Select the “touch up my appearance” setting on Zoom for an easy option.

Tap or click on the settings menu on your Zoom programme. Select the “video” settings, and then pick the “touch up my appearance” button. This feature smoothens out any obvious blemishes or marks, and helps add an extra layer of polish to your appearance.

PRO TIP: Preview your appearance before you go live.

Toggle your settings so the interface shows you a small preview video before sending you into a call. If you’re unhappy with your outfit, you can take a minute or two to make the necessary adjustments before you join.

EXOTICA [39] OCTOBER 2020

GURUSPEAK

THE Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Spiritual Guru

You are liberated when the mind is free from all impressions and strategies

feverishness for perfection often makes you miserable. If you are vigilantly pursuing perfection of things and situations, you are bound to be anxious and angry.

It’s not possible for all things to be perfect all the time. Even the best, the greatest of actions performed with the noblest of intentions can have imperfections. The tendency of the mind to hold on to the imperfection makes our feelings and minds negative. Wisdom lies in getting out of these cycles by staying untouched and strong from within.

This world functions through opposite values. We wouldn’t value pleasure if there was no pain. There will always be some reason to be upset. It could be the behaviour of a family member or a friend. Or it could be the neighbour or even the dogs on the street who keep barking through the night.

If you are habituated to being frustrated, then you would be miserable. No matter how good a place is, you will be unhappy if you are caught up in negativity. You can get out of it with your own effort.

The world appears imperfect on the surface but underneath, all is perfect.

Perfection hides; imperfection shows off. The wise will not dwell on the surface but will probe into the depths. In a state of ignorance, imperfection is natural and perfection is an effort. In a state of wisdom, imperfection is an effort; perfection is unavoidable.

WISDOM IN IMPERFECTION

THE FEVERISHNESS FOR PERFECTION OFTEN MAKES YOU MISERABLE. IF YOU ARE VIGILANTLY PURSUING PERFECTION OF THINGS AND SITUATIONS, YOU ARE BOUND TO BE ANXIOUS AND ANGRY You need to change your perception rather than trying to change the people or situations you come across. People have the right to be imperfect.

You have no business correcting them. If you live in society, then it is only natural that sometimes you will get praised and sometimes you will be blamed. At the workplace, you cannot expect your boss to behave in a way that is convenient for you.

Suppose your boss has taunted you, then you form a perception about him/her and start behaving in a reactive mode. This tendency to perceive imperfection in others creates imperfection in your own actions and inner space.

Acceptance means creating room for imperfection just like we keep space for garbage in our homes. The only way ahead is to act right and accept people and situations as they are. The moment you accept a situation or a person, the mind becomes calm, you think clearly and act rather than react.

This secret formula of acceptance shouldn’t be mistaken for advocating passivity. It’s all about taking proactive action with a calm state of mind, about the ability to think through and act instead of acting out of frustration. The finest balance is possible when the right action is taken with a calm mind.

So don’t get frustrated with people or with yourself. Be enthusiastic and act when and where it is needed.

Your body is like a hard shell. And your mind and inner-self are like water which has a cooling property. But when the inner-self is burning with jealousy, anger, frustration, the water boils and its cooling nature disappears.

How does one cool water? Just imagine a pot with burning sticks underneath. To cool the water you have to remove these sticks. All emotions are linked to people, objects and events. Getting fixed to these hinders freedom and liberation. You are

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hankering for some greater joy that is not there and neither will be. Money makes you believe that you have more freedom and this idea binds you.

This makes you feel stiff as if there is no freedom.

The moment you become soft and non-resisting inside, the stiffness reduces, the feeling of being bound goes and everything else including wealth, comfort and prosperity follow.

So, remove all this firewood and the water will become cooler. When all these other negative stresses or burning sticks are removed, water will revert to its natural qualities — humbleness and humility — the way it is in its original state. Don’t think there is negativity, sorrow, anger or jealousy in you. In the Bhagvad Gita Lord Krishna says that the good qualities are already in you. Just like in an atom, the core is positive and the negativity is peripheral. Know that negativity is not in the core.

Stiffness and humility are contradictory. There was a king, who heard that his old friend, a monk with whom he had studied in the gurukula, was coming to town. He went to receive him in all humility. He saw his old friend looking shabby in torn clothes and shoes but he welcomed him without being judgmental. But this person was rude and rough. The king thought, “Your clothes are torn but your ego is not. What is the use?” The king, who was thinking of renouncing everything so that he could become more humble, dedicated and loving, saw his friend who was careless about others and decided that it was not worth going into the forest.

It is essential to realise that the defenses around us are false. When we feel weak and terrible, we want to speak to someone and seek sympathy and support. When we are stressed we feel restricted and crushed. In happiness our consciousness expands. When you are on a spiritual path you feel that you are not bound and there is inner softness. Mind means moods, thoughts, opinions, ideas or all the things that we collect. And, ‘no mind’ is meditation. Yoga, meditation and spirituality give comfort to your soul and transform all the negative tendencies in the mind. When the room is very hot, you switch on the air conditioner to comfort the body. Meditation is the mind’s AC or ‘absolute comfort’.

When you meditate, you go off the influence of the mind and go into the self. The mantra of knowledge is — in this world there is no other. The mantra of love is — there is no one who doesn’t belong to me. When the mind is free from all impressions and concepts, you are liberated.

When you know that everything is changing — relationships, people, body, feelings — the mind, which clings on to misery, comes back to you. The return from mine to me, gives you contentment and freedom from misery. Fulfillment, centeredness, a subtle solid strength come from within. Then if fame or money come, they don’t touch you. Whether they come or don’t come, it doesn’t matter to you.

HOW DOES ONE COOL WATER? JUST IMAGINE A POT WITH BURNING STICKS UNDERNEATH. TO COOL THE WATER YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THESE STICKS. ALL EMOTIONS ARE LINKED TO PEOPLE, OBJECTS AND EVENTS. GETTING FIXED TO THESE HINDERS FREEDOM AND LIBERATION

HOTWHEELS

IN

that the plastic on the bezel of the a chat with Kia Motor’s screen is a bit shiny, but overall in chief designer Karim Habib terms of how nice the Sonet feels at the Auto Expo, he spoke inside, it really blows the competition about the Kia Sonet whose concept away. Possibly the Hyundai Venue, the had just been unveiled at the show.

Sonet’s mechanical brother from While the Sonet retained the brand's another mother, can face up to it signature and smart ‘Tiger Nose’ grille Kushan Mitra because the engine and gearboxes are design, Habib indicated that it had Auto & the same. But I prefer the Sonet’s cabin. been inspired by a baby elephant for tech expert Over here, there is a case to be made the Sonet’s design. After spending a that the vehicle that is launched later day with the new car from the Korean The Kia Sonet has superior interiors, I feel the Creta is carmaker, let me assure you of two better than the Seltos for example. But things. One, it is an elephant because blows the as far as subcompact SUV-design cars it is going to trample the competition. competition out go, the Sonet leads the pack.

Two, it certainly doesn’t handle like an of the water.

No, Some say that I can prattle on about elephant on the roads. really it does! plastics, the metal feel, the quality of Why? Because it is saying a lot the infotainment system and the seats when you compare a car, whose more than I do about the extreme highest spec variants would cost speeds and handling characteristics of cars. But the around `12 lakh to a luxury car that costs four times Sonet will for 99 per cent of owners be a daily as much. But in terms of trim and cabin refinement, commuter. While you might want your daily particularly on the GT-line cars, the commuter to be able to go very fast Sonet is unbelievably good. You and stick to a corner like really have to start nitpicking industrial glue, most to find a flaw in its cabin. importantly, you want it to You could argue be comfortable. that it is a bit After spending busy and

four hours driving around Delhi and Gurugram, the Sonet’s cabin is one that I really would not mind being stuck in. Given its sub-four metre length, it isn’t the most spacious car but has more space than most competitors.

Another aspect of this car where it literally beats the competition is in its choice of kit, starting with a huge high-quality 26-centimetre widescreen. With Apple Play enabled, you can use the split screen mode to get other bits of information. On Android Auto, there is an option to use the entire screen. You do not get such screens in cars that cost 50 lakh and you do not get a branded sound system as well unless you are paying `60-70 lakh. The GTX+ specification of the Sonet doesn’t just have wireless charger, ventilated seats and a panoramic sunroof but also a BOSE sound system. Then there is an air purifier that Kia claims has a virus shield. You sit inside and you really get amazed at just the level of

kit you get on the Sonet. Maybe the top-spec cars will cost a lot, but even if they touch `15 lakh, it is impossible to argue that they are not good value.

But how is it to drive? Quite nice actually! I drove the 1-litre 120PS turbocharged petrol with the intelligent manual transmission and well, my thoughts on the IMT aside, I’m still not quite used to the concept of a clutchless manual. The engine did its job well and once you do figure out the IMT, you realise that the ability to control the torque makes a difference to an AMT gearbox car. This turbo petrol engine puts the Sonet (and venue) at the top of the performance charts for sub 4-metre cars, and it comes with the IMT as well as a seven-speed Dual-Clutch automatic. The Sonet also comes with a naturally aspirated 83PS 1.2 petrol engine available with a five-speed manual transmission as well as a 1.5 CRDi diesel in two power levels, 100PS for the six-speed manual and 115PS for the six-speed

automatic. I also got to drive the diesel automatic, but let us get to that later.

The 120PS turbo engine is plenty fast and once you get the hang of it, that is how to ride the turbocharger. It can be extremely fun to drive since it is a small and relatively light car. Also, yes, it does feel slightly floaty around the corners at speed.

Genuinely, I can’t wait for the turbo engines in something like a Hyundai i20, but it is fun on the Sonet. Coming back to the IMT, once you start getting the hang of the car, you can have some fun if you know nice empty stretches of tarmac, but it will still take me some time to really get to grips with the fact that while my left hand is working my left foot isn’t. The diesel automatic with the 115PS engine also feels nice to drive, and the larger engine block in the front does give the front slightly more bite. While you can have fun and go fast, the Sonet is not a racer but it is a great, comfortable ride.

Toyota made some noises about not expanding in the Indian market earlier this week. While the Innova and Fortuner have done very well in the Indian market thanks to their bulletproof reliability and superb resale value, the world’s largest carmaker has failed to crack the meat of the market.

The Etios Liva was a cop-out and while the Etios sedan was a good reliable car and became very popular with taxi drivers, it got caught out by the four-metre rule. To blame high taxes when your product strategy failed is not exactly fair because you see the Hyundai-Kia group. Both carmakers, neither of them ‘well-known’ in India when they came, have cracked the market. Toyota executives in India can buy a Kia Sonet and see for themselves where they went wrong in India. The 6,500 plus orders it got on the first day, well those guys bet on a winner before they knew just how good it would be.

FITNESS

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

ancient yogis taught us that it is not just our external body that we must clean but our internal self too. They understood that the body and mind are interconnected and devised six shatkarmas or cleansing practices to clean our internal organs and brain. One of these is the incredibly powerful technique of Tratak. The word means ‘gaze’ in Sanskrit and is described in ancient texts as ‘staring with complete focus and unwavering gaze at a minute object till tears start flowing’.

What does this do? The eyes are one of the most important organs of our body. The muscles holding the eyes are always moving and straining to adjust the eye lens to constantly changing stimuli. When we focus on one point, the eyeballs stop moving and these muscles get a break.

The lacrimal gland continuously produces small quantities of tears that the eyelids spread across the eyes every time we blink. This keeps the eyes moist, preventing them from drying, which is a must for clear vision. These tears also perform the function of draining toxins and dirt from the eyes. By staring at a fixed point, without blinking, tears completely clear accumulated toxins in the eyes.

This gives a clearer and sharper vision.

Additionally, when we open our eyes there is a flurry of activity in our brain. Our eyes continually

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Eye in

focus The practice of Tratak cleanses the internal organs and brain while helping us to meditate better

send images to the brain which registers the information, understands it in relation to space and time, then compares it with all our memories to make sense of what we see. Our subconscious mind also registers information that we don’t focus on. By fixing our gaze on one point we cut down on all the activity that vision creates. This gives our brain cells a chance to rest so less toxins are produced and it gets a chance to recuperate.

Resting the eyes and brain and slowing down the brain’s constant activity, lessens stress and anxiety-driven thoughts.

As a result, we are calmer, less fatigued, more rested and able to sleep better. A good night’s sleep refreshes and restores our bodies and minds and leaves us more energised and positive.

We have bahiranga or external yoga and antaranga or internal yoga. Tratak begins as an external practice when focussing on a candle flame or black dot. With intense and regular practice, it becomes an internal experience in which our busy minds and cluttered thoughts become still. When the mind is calm, you are ready for meditation.

Tratak activates Ajna Chakra, our third eye in between the eyebrows. Our brain, instead of dissipating its energies, focusses on one point. This empowers the chitta or the higher intellect. You will be able to concentrate more and direct your mental energies better. Tratak also leads you into your internal world and gives you the one-pointedness needed in meditation and advanced yoga.

SAHAJ PRANAYAMA

o Touch the tips of the thumb and index finger to form a circle or fold index fingers so they touch the base of the thumb o Straighten the other three fingers, keep them relaxed and slightly apart o Eyes closed, breath in slowly and deeply through both nostrils o Exhale through the mouth o Do five-10 rounds BENEFITS: o The closed circuit formed by thumb and index finger, redirects energy back into the body and brain o Opens up the chest area o Calms the mind

AGNI TRATAK

[A] ON A CANDLE FLAME o Light a candle and place it at eye-level at arm’s length in front of you o Close your eyes, inhale and relax as you breathe out o Open your eyes and gaze steadily at the middle part of the flame, just above the wick o Try not to blink o When eyes get tired or water, slowly close them o Watch the after-image of the flame with eyes closed o The after-image will move but slowly hold it still, till it disappears o Open your eyes and repeat o Inhale, relax as you exhale and open your eyes o Build up to five, then 10 minutes [B] BINDU TRATAK o Take a white sheet of paper and make a clearly visible black dot in the centre o Place at arm’s length, at eye level, right in front of you o Close your eyes, inhale and relax as you breathe out o Open your eyes and gaze steadily at the dot in the centre o Try not to blink o When the eyes get tired or water, slowly close them o Watch the after image of the dot with eyes closed o The after image will move but slowly hold it still, till it disappears o Open your eyes and repeat two-three times, one-two minutes each time o Inhale, relax as you exhale and open your eyes o Build up to four, then 10 minutes BENEFITS OF TRATAK: o Cleanses the eyes and improves many eye conditions o Improves concentration, ability to focus, will power o Calms the body and mind o Relieves anxiety, stress, depression and insomnia o Stills the mind and prepares you for meditation

PALMING

o Slowly open your eyes, rub your palms together until they are warm o Close eyes, cup the hands and place palms over the eyes without touching the eyelids o Breathe deeply, feel the warmth spreading to the eyes and the muscles relax in the darkness o When the hands get cold, repeat o Do three times BENEFITS: o Relaxes the eye muscles, eyes and forehead area o Improves eye problems

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NUMBERGAME Sanjay Jumaani Numerologist

COUNT YOUR FATE

NUMBER 1 (Those born on the 1st, 10th, 19th and 28th of any month) Your curiosity to learn and adapt to situations will probably make you successful everywhere.

However, be careful when implementing new ideas within a specified system or the situation might go out of hand. If you are able to use your tact and maturity then you might achieve the desired results.

NUMBER 4 (Those born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd and 31st of any month) Your mind is probably pre-occupied with matters of the heart and you are unable to concentrate on work. However, you probably don’t need to bother as people understand and support you. Family problems might get resolved with mutual understanding and ties will be strengthened.

NUMBER 7 (Those born on the 7th, 16th and 25th of any month) Family members might bring happiness. You might complete an overdue task and exceed the expectations of people who doubted your capabilities. Try and understand how things function to successfully change the dynamics of an old game.

Investments might get you the desired results and profit.

NUMBER 2 (Those born on the 2nd, 11th, 20th and 29th of any month) Your cool temperament and positive thinking have probably equipped you to handle emergencies. This might attract the attention of people. You might also feel a sense of inner achievement not necessarily related to materialistic gains. Try and be more considerate towards supportive people.

NUMBER 5 (Those born on the 5th, 14th and 23rd of any month) The times ahead might be a little tricky to take decisions related to financial matters. Try and be a little extra careful when planning or drawing conclusions. Avoid signing any important papers without careful scrutiny. If you take one step at a time and be patient then things might not be difficult to achieve.

NUMBER 8 (Those born on the 8th, 17th and 26th of any month) You might get diverted in two different directions by equally strong attractions. However, try not to hurry in making a decision and take the advice of friends. It might do you good if you listen to your instincts and then adopt a path.

Personal life might get better and help you to achieve peace of mind in your professional life as well.

NUMBER 3 (Those born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st and 30th of any month) You might need to be patient to accommodate the whims and fancies of people. Try and communicate to avoid any friction in relationships.

Professionally, you might complete pending tasks and delays in the project might get sorted. Don’t get perplexed due to minor issues and hurdles.

NUMBER 6 (Those born on the 6th, 15th and 24th of any month) Communication is the key to appropriate management and smooth functioning. However, you might feel irritated by excessive communication delaying routine tasks. Try to be tolerant and make people understand the value of time. A pleasant time with friends or family is probably in store.

NUMBER 9 (Those born on the 9th, 18th and 27th of any month) If things aren’t spelled out clearly there might be misunderstandings. Try and listen to what others are saying carefully. Be ready to ask for help if things aren’t within your purview. Matters might get simpler towards the latter part of the month restoring your mental peace and belief in yourself.

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LOCKDOWN DIARIES Anushka Sharma announced her baby with Virat Kohli on Instagram by saying, “And then, we were three! Arriving Jan 2021.”

Hardik Pandya told the world, “Natasa and I have had a great journey together and it is just about to get better. Together we are excited to welcome a new life into our lives very soon. We’re thrilled for this new phase of our life and seek your blessings and wishes.”

ACORONIALBOOM The pandemic and lockdown have seen several celebrities take to Instagram to announce pregnancies and babies

In a long announcement which doubled up as a message from UNICEF, Katy Perry said, “Welcome to the world, Daisy Dove Bloom! We are honoured to introduce Goodwill Ambassadors @KatyPerry and @OrlandoBloom’s new bundle of joy. We are floating with love and wonder from the safe and healthy arrival of our daughter.”

All that Emma Roberts said was “Me...and my two favorite guys” which announced her child with her partner Garrett Hedlund.

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Zayn Malik and partner Gigi Hadid told everyone, “Our baby girl is here, healthy and beautiful. To try (to) put into words how I am feeling right now would be an impossible task. The love I feel for this tiny human is beyond my understanding.

Grateful to know her, proud to call her mine, and thankful for the life we will have together x.”