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Aug-Sept 2018 VOL. Vol. 15 16 JAN-FEB 2018

Publisher Editor / Publisher Director Director Director Executive Director Editor Deputy Editor

Senior Editor Senior Associate Editor AssociateEditors Editor Associate

Atul Shah Khyati Shah Deepti Dedhia Nandini Sanan Shankar Abid Mohammed Rohit Kaustubh Athavale Vijay Rohit,

Columnists Columnists Ali Peter John, Megha Chitaliya, Nandita Derashri Technical Advisor Satya Parkash Contributors Ashesh Pandia, Kamlesh Shankar, Gita Chauhan, Amita Shah, Sneha, Palak Contributors AsheshHeeral Pandia, Gita Chauhan, Madhu Rye Thaker, Chef Ami Bhatt Shah, Trivedi, Madhu Rye Thaker, Arati Desai, Shraddha Konnur, Special Music Columnist Sujata Majumdar Sachin R Devmurari, Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji Special Music Columnist Creative Consultants

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event report

Editor’s Note Dear Readers, I would have said that the rain gods have been kind to us this year, except for the tragedy in Kerala, as it struggles to get back on its feet after floods that have been the worst in nearly a century. While we enjoy the monsoons, let us also do our bit to help those in need. In another sad turn of events, India also bid adieu to one of its greatest leaders, Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 16th August. Fortunately, I have interacted with him more than once, here in Gujarat and learnt a lot by observing how he conducted himself. Even though he was in the so called ‘dirty business’ of politics, he made no enemies. Pleasant with all he met, he taught me a most valuable lesson - as far as possible, one should not sour relations with anyone. After all, life is unpredictable and healthy relationships are what see you through in tough times. As his ashes are immersed in various rivers in the country, I feel a deep sense of loss for perhaps the last Indian politician who evinced respect from almost everyone. Senior journalist, Sudhir S. Raval has written for us a succinct and heartfelt piece, capturing the essence of Vajpayeeji. The issue is, of course, packed with many amazing stories that include exclusive interviews - With Rachel Goenka, who chose to follow her passion, instead of what she had trained for; With former world tennis champion, Stefan Edberg who was in India recently after more than thirty years and with several women entrepreneurs who have risen against all odds to achieve success. This is also the season of weddings. As many of you plan your big day, don’t miss our fashion feature on designer wedding attire. There is so much more within our pages, but I’ll leave that for you to discover. Atul Shah Editor and Publisher

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Contents

Aug-Sept 2018

cover story 16 all that sass

Feelings spoke to Rachel Goenka, founder and CEO of The Chocolate Spoon Company, about her inspiration, flair for business and the joys of motherhood

22 FEATURES 22

tribute Sudhir S. Raval writes on the indelible legacy left behind by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a true political icon in every sense ‘ All Is Not Lost’ Dealing with an advanced stage of metastatic cancer, Sonali Bendre makes it clear that positivity is what matters the most gainst All Odds A Starting on your own is easier said than done. FEELINGS spoke to few womentrepreneurs about their experiences LICENSE TO thrill Here’s our pick of the 10 best rides the double agent has driven over the years

IMMIGRANT DIARY 28

athbreaking Success P Dr. Pradeep V. Mahajan talks to FEELINGS about the latest happenings in stem cell therapy

tefan Edberg S Former World Tennis Champion in conversation with Abid Mohammed

OR THE LOVE OF FOOD F Chef Ajay Chopra has a quick chat with Abid Mohammed

COLUMNS

MAKING IT BIG AWAY FROM HOME FEELINGS met Digvijaysinh aka ‘Danny’ Gaekwad, who blazed a trail in the US with immense hard work, patience and determination, especially in Florida

8 | Feelings

INTERVIEWS

august-september 2018

BODY AND SOUL Dr. Namita Jain tells us how to deal with jet lag and with the lesser known DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis

ech talk T Ashesh Pandia familiarizes us with some tricks of WhatsApp

Technology 64

T HE RISE of the Robots FEELINGS takes you through the many possible scenarios that await humankind in the Age of Robots, that is apparently already upon us

travel 70

he Magic of Norway T With its natural, scenic green landscape, dramatic fjords, and the

12 70 50

bluest seas ever, Norway is one of the most picturesque and remarkable destinations in the world

54 76

REGULARS 12

S HOPPING Shopping trends this season

ashion F Celebrate your special day with these timeless, ethnic classics

R ECIPES Chef Ami Bhatt shares her favourite monsoon recipes

ORTUNE TELLER F Your horoscope for September 2018 by Bejan Daruwala

BOLD WORDS #thetweettalk

Feelings

august-september 2018

letters to the editor letters to the editor I picked up FEELINGS for the first time and I must say I loved it. All the stories were so interesting, especially the cover story and interview with Akshay Kumar. Sonam has done great community service by portraying women’s problems. I hope more women come forth about issues they face in their daily lives. It’s time that women’s issues are taken seriously. I am just glad that FEELINGS is giving women that platform. Keep up the good work! NIKKI SAJAN, Assam

have watchedI have his films soreading many times. So, when the been FEELINGS for some AB issue arrived a fight about timethere and was find literally your Immigrant Diarywho would read it first! Thank you Feelings, publishing stories veryso inspiring. I toofor wish to go have watched his films many times. So, when the a special edition on our Hero abroad and beforever... successful some day. AB issue arrived there was literally a fight about who roopa usFeelings, with your and a wouldpant, read Keep itnigeria first!inspiring Thank you forstories publishing maybe one dayforever... I too will be featured in special edition on our Hero IVE pant, CLUSOLI MrEXBachchan’s lifenigeria story ismagazine! so very inspiring. It just FEELINGS roopa CAR NE X BOUDREAU NO MORE ES goesORto show that whenSHAH, there isGujarat the right mix of NIKHIL PHANAG DA UDWA Mr Bachchan’s life story is so very inspiring. It just dedication, THE FIRE passion and a never-say-die spirit, one KEEPING BU ING RN goes toTshow that and whengreater there isheights. the rightMany mix ofof his can achieve greater Y IMMIGRAN Y COVER STOR DIARAT dedication, passion and a never-say-die spirit, oneon JAR GU G TIN PUT qualities including his obsession with arriving dot CENTRESTAGE PADMASN E can achieve greater and greater heights. Many of his IV E TH IN LU C the mark of a truly great personality. My salute EX M timeSPisOT LIGHT WITH SOANYA to him! IVANKA TRUMP including his obsession with arriving dot on qualities & AKSH time ispathak, the mark of a truly great personality. My salute Shalini uk

FEBRUARY 2018

VOL. 15

to him! Shalini pathak, uk

I come from a small town in Maharashtra and there are so many issues that women face on a daily basis. Even basic facilities such as toilets are not easily available. Sonam did a great job in PADMAN and so is FEELINGS by writing about it. I think you should have more stories on women’s issues and find solutions I amthem. a big fan of Bachchan ji and for I am a bigexclusively fan of Bachchan your last issue on himji and MANOURI PERRERIA, Nashik your last issue exclusively on him was the best ever! Congratulations was the best ever! Congratulations the Feelings team Itoloved the feature onfor Leputting Ball and wonder why there is thethis Feelings teamarticles together such wonderful nothingtolike in India. It for canputting be a good opportunity together such wonderful on him. I enjoyed reading eacharticles one of the new to showcase young, upcoming stars on him. I enjoyed reading eachone... one of them. generation. Maybe you could start of them. Maya Chandra, NISHIKA, MumbaiMuMbai Maya Chandra, MuMbai

What an idea to bring out atospecial I was pleasantly surprised see the feature on Kite What an idea to bring out a special issue Shri Amitabh Bachchan for 75th Flying.on From what I read it seems likehis aforhuge festival issue on Shri Amitabh Bachchan his 75th birthday. I loved about the journey ofyou this and I cannot wait to visit it nextabout year. Thank birthday. I reading loved reading the journey offorthis megastar, starting right from yearsyears and and bringing it to my notice. megastar, starting right his fromearly his early impressions. I have Iwatched everyevery movie of hisoftill MEHNAAZ, Delhi impressions. have watched movie his till date and willand definitely be preserving this Collector’s date will definitely be preserving this Collector’s Edition. I just read your article on the cute theatre couple and Edition. Vedant Mehta, nJ, uSa Vedant Mehta, nJ, story, uSa it’s almost like a was touched - such a lovely fairytale. Also enjoyed the Travel piece - it was like a knew MrDil Bachchan is a superlative Iwomen’s knew Ithat Mrthat Bachchan is a superlative actoractor and and version of Chahta Hai! even singer but didn’t know he wrote so well even singer but didn’t know he wrote so well too! too! It It SAPNA RAMCHANDANI, Indore was absolutely great to read three write-ups by was absolutely great to read three write-ups by him him infoodie the Feelings especially the one in the a Feelings specialspecial especially the one Being myself, Iedition, thinkedition, that your article on food he wrote on returning to his alma-mater, Sherwood he wrote onamazing returning- so to his alma-mater, Sherwood trends was many top chefs talking about School in Nainital. Really very interesting... School in Nainital. veryvery interesting... the latest trends inReally food was informative. I have ShaileSh Shah, ahMedabad ShaileSh Shah, been following yourahMedabad chef interviews and their recipes regularly and have even tried fewClub of them. Please We call ourselves the AB aFan because each We callmember ourselves the AB Fan Club because each try and carry more than two recipes next time. of our family, from the youngest to the member of KAPOOR, oursimply family, from youngest to the UPASANA Delhi oldest, loves histhe films - from Don to Pink, we oldest, simply loves his films - from Don to Pink, we

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2018

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write and what you think, DoDo write in in and telltell usus what you think, editorial@feelingsmultimedia.com at at editorial@feelingsmultimedia.com Do write in and tell us what you think, Letters include writer’s name, Letters should include thethe writer’s fullfull name, atshould editorial@feelingsmultimedia.com Letters should include the writer’s name, address and phone number. Letters may be address and phone number. Letters may full be edited address phone number. edited for clarity and Letters space may be forand clarity and space edited for clarity and space

shopping

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Perfection captured in a French Bangle with an elegant leaf design, by ORRA POR, Available at all Orra stores and www.orra.co.in

Opulent Sapphire Chandeliers from Diosa POR, Available in all leading luxury multibrand stores in India

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Joules by Radhika specializes in stylish earrings and semi-precious neck pieces, a fusion of modern and traditional that is sure to make heads turn... POR, Available at www.shopjbr.com and Vile Parle West, Mumbai

out now New launches

Fedon Ninja Backpack from Italy, comes in red, blue and orange colours, with a compartment for a 13 inches laptop, a padded back, shoulder straps for comfort and a body made from water-resistant fabric. The perfect travel accessory! Rs.12,500/www.williampenn.net

The Body Shop’s Japanese Matcha Tea pollution clearing mask Enriched with the famous Matcha green tea from Kakegawa, Japan, and Dandelion extract that helps remove pollutants and impurities, this makes for an easy DIY home facial Rs.1,895 for 75 ml

Quick Brown Fox’s Black Drawstring Backpack comes in premium leather, with multiple external pockets for you to stash your sunscreen, sunglasses, wallet or cap with ease. Ideal for regular work purposes as well as for a short trip, it comfortably carries a 15 inches laptop in a padded laptop compartment. Rs. 9500/www.williampenn.net Water Jewels Collection by VitrA With their stylish aesthetics and infinite product range, Water Jewels Wash basins has a lot to offer those who are on the lookout for a bathroom series that complements their sophisticated home interiors www.vitra-india.com/

‘O’ The Toilet Seat Sanitizer Women are more at risk of contracting urinary tract infections from public washrooms. With the ‘O’ Toilet Sanitizer the risk lessens significantly because the sanitizer kills 99.9% germs within seconds of being sprayed. Wonder why they didn’t think of it earlier? Available at all leading stores

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shopping

out now New launches

Too Yumm! Multigrain Chips They’re baked, not fried! These delicious and healthy offerings contain the power of 7 grains - Wheat, Rice, Corn, Gram, Oats, Soya and Ragi. Available in DahiPapdiChaat, Grilled Corn, Hot & Sour, Tangy Tomato, they’re a guilt-free snack to satiate those sudden hunger pangs Price: Rs.10 for 30g pack and Rs. 20 for 60g pack Available at all leading stores

Starbucks’ Teavana range A refreshing way to experience tea with a range of new flavours like Youthberry™ White Tea and Mint Blend Herbal Infusion. Teas are available in hot and iced versions Available at all Starbucks stores

Artisanal Mishti Doi This lactose-free offering contains zero preservatives and has notes of caramel to give it a subtle sweet flavour. With a calorie count of only 140, Epigamia Artisanal Mishti Doi makes for another guilt-free palate pleaser Price: Rs 30 for 85g cups Available across stores in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai.

Fresh spices from Kitchen Grocery Freshly powdered spices that considerably enrich the taste and aroma of food, while only using half the quantity compared to other equivalents. Their best selling Pav Bhaji Masala is a must try! Available in 50gms, 100gms and 200gms Pet bottles. Available at leading online stores

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Ray Cooking Spray One spray of Ray Cooking Spray does the same job that a pat of butter or 1-2 tablespoons of oil would do. Available in four variants- Rice Bran, Olive, Groundnut and Sunflower Price Rs 495 for 200ml can Available in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Delhi NCR, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and all leading E-Commerce Platforms.

All Heart Seeded Crackers A health-conscious, tasty, innovative and wholesome snack to munch on all day long. Ideal for working professionals and people on the go, these come in 75 gm packs with five flavors to choose from: Super Seeded, Berry Seeded, Chocolate Seeded, White Chocolate Seeded Crackers and Sea Salt with Dark Chocolate Crackers Available at www.allheart.co.in and all leading stores

World’s First Pink Guava Greek Yogurt The synthesis of the sweet taste of juicy pink “Peru”, the sweetest of all guavas, and the smooth, creamy texture of Greek yogurt is just what one needs to recharge this season. Enjoy real freshness with a spoonful of this delightful flavour, sure to uplift and enhance your day! Price: Rs 40 for 90g cups Available across stores in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai.

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cover story

Feelings spoke to Rachel Goenka, founder and CEO of The Chocolate Spoon Company, about her inspiration, flair for business and the joys of motherhood 16 | Feelings

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achel Goenka is the founder and CEO of The Chocolate Spoon Company which operates 5 restaurants, 10 patisseries and 2 central kitchens across Mumbai and Pune. Her brands include The Sassy Spoon, House of Mandarin, Baraza Bars & Bites, a soon to be launched quirky, Asian resto-bar in Pune, as well as Sassy Teaspoon, a chain of patisseries and bakeries. Rachel was awarded the Young Restaurateur of the Year Award by Restaurant India, this year. A graduate with a double degree in Journalism and English from The Pennsylvania State University, Rachel realised post her stint in journalism and advertising that her true passion lay in food and so, decided to turn her dream into a reality. She then attended The Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland, and trained under celebrity chef Rachel Allen, moving on to Le Cordon Bleu in London to specialize in patisserie. Drawing inspiration from her growing up years in Dubai and travels across Europe and America, Rachel began her flagship restaurant, The Sassy Spoon at Nariman Point, in 2012. Over the years, the restaurant has raked up numerous awards including the best Mediterranean Restaurant of the year by Eazydiner, Best Independent Restaurant – Critic’s Choice Award by Time Out and Top Voted European & Mediterranean by Zomato for 2 years in a row. 2017 for Rachel was a year full of new ventures, as it saw the launch of House of Mandarin, a premium casual Chinese diner in Bandra, The Sassy Spoon in the affluent Koregaon Park neighborhood of Pune, and Baraza Bars & Bites, a 6,000-sq. ft. beach bar inspired tavern also in Pune. Recently, Rachel launched Wicked China, an Asian resto-bar in Pune with a quirky twist to traditional favorites. Tell us a bit about your family, Rachel My dad owns The Indian Express group of newspapers, my mum designs the most exquisite saris and my sister is currently studying business in the UK. My husband, who is a former investment banker, looks after the non-media side of The Express Group and together we also run The Chocolate Spoon Co. I am very close to both my parents. My dad has always been the less strict of the two, so while

growing up I was always Daddy's little girl. Today, we not only have an amazing father and daughter bond, but we also share a great working relationship and a common love for cars. You have a double degree in English and Journalism and hail from a family renowned for its publishing house. How easy was it for you to break away? It would have been easier to stay on where I was, that is for sure. Striking out on my own was a tough call but one that I am proud of. I am a firm believer of meritocracy and was always very keen on establishing myself away from my last name and from my father’s publishing house. For me, standing on my own feet, starting a company from scratch and building it into an award-winning brand is a massive source of pride. What are your most distinct memories from your early childhood? I had a lot of pets while growing up. I used to rescue a lot of animals and it would drive my mum up the wall because I would bring all these animals home. I've had rare pigeons, different breeds of parrots, a variety of fish, tortoises, terrapins and lots and lots of dogs! I love animals, especially dogs, and all my best memories are associated with animals. What is it that you most look forward to when you wake up every morning? I used to look forward to checking my emails first thing in the morning, but now it’s waking up to my son's face. He has the biggest smile when he wakes up in the morning and I can't think of a better way to wake up. Where do you draw your strength from when you're low? I used to draw my strength from my husband. He is the best mirror I have and he is amazing when it comes to calling a spade a spade. His honesty and drive has always inspired me. However, after becoming a mom, I would have to say that Kabir has probably replaced his dad! I know people always say having a child changes you but I never knew how much till I had one myself. Kabir makes me want to be the best possible version of myself, every single day.

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cover story

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love animals, especially dogs, and all my best memories are associated with animals.â&#x20AC;?

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What is your one secret indulgence? Shopping! I genuinely think I have a shopping problem at times. How does it feel to be a mom? And how do you manage motherhood with work? It is the most amazing feeling on this planet! I don't know why I waited so long to have a baby. Work took a backseat for the first few months after Kabir was born. I've been very adamant about keeping him exclusively breast fed. This is something I plan on continuing for another 6 more months or so. I've started getting back into my routine and I do my best to balance work and Kabir, but he will always take precedence. The formative years of a child's development are extremely crucial and setting that foundation right is very important to me, so for now, he is my priority. What do you think are your weaknesses, ones that you may be consciously trying to improve upon? Being an Aries, I can be very impulsive and impatient at times. You trained under Irish celebrity chef Rachel Allen, how was the experience? Rachel is a lovely person and her humility is inspirational. She's one of the most down to earth people I have met. She's a fabulous teacher and she has an incredible sense of humour. Apart from food, what else are you passionate about? Travelling, reading, collecting bags and shoes. How did the name, The Sassy Spoon originate? I wanted a name that was a reflection of my personality hence, The Sassy Spoon! How do you innovate in the kitchen? Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the one dish that has inspired you to cook? I play around with flavours a lot, so I tend to taste different things together to see how they mesh. That's how I came up with my basil and chocolate fondant,

for example. I literally tasted basil and a piece of chocolate and decided the flavours work really well together. I love pink peppercorn and vanilla as a flavour combination as well. My all-time favourite though is lavender and dark chocolate. I don't think there has been a particular dish that ever inspired me to cook. I love cooking because I find it therapeutic and relaxing. In which direction is the food industry heading, according to you? The food industry is exploding right now. I think there's tremendous talent in India today and I love the fact that chefs are focusing on local ingredients and celebrating ingredients that are indigenous to India. What are your future plans? We have recently grown at quite a break-neck speed. Over the past 18 months, we have grown from 2 restaurants and 1 patisserie to 5 restaurants, 10 patisseries and 2 central kitchens. And we're not done yet. We're big believers in sustainable growth rather than growing for the sake of it. We are looking to double in size over the next 18 months and roll-out in more cities as well. We are also currently working on a new cloud kitchen concept that we expect to launch, post the monsoon in Mumbai. What tools of the trade should every cook possess in their kitchen, and what words of wisdom would you like to say to upcoming chefs? A kitchen aid is a must. I can't survive without mine. As far as advice goes I think it is important that each chef plays to his/her strengths. Each individual is different and I think when you celebrate and actually hone that difference, it can bring something wonderful to the table. What is Rachel Goenka likely to be remembered for? Apart from being Kabir's mom, her love for dogs, innovative desserts, bags and shoes - in that order! Describe Rachel Goenka in three words Sassy, passionate and creative. n

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cover story

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know people always say having a child changes you but I never knew how much, till I had one myself.â&#x20AC;?

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tribute

Gentleman. Poet. Politician. Sudhir S. Raval writes on the indelible legacy left behind by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a true political icon in every sense

inety three years ago, was born a man who went on to become one of the most influential leaders in modern Indian history. His recent demise unified the country in its grief and brought out many memories and old photographs, by those who had the chance of interacting with him. Ex-Prime Minister of India and great statesman Atal Bihari Vajpayee is no more with us now, but he could not have been more on our minds, as of today. Often described as the moderate face of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Vajpayee served as the country’s prime minister for 13 days in 1996, 13 months in 1998, and a little less than five years from 1999 onwards. He was India’s first non-Congress Prime Minister to last a full five-year term. For the last ten years though, Vajpayee had been out of the public eye due to old age and ill health. I have been fortunate enough to meet this legendary statesman more than once during my journalistic sojourns at New Delhi. They are golden memories now and were excellent opportunities then for me to understand the difference between a politician and a statesman. I did an exclusive interview with him for the leading Gujarati news magazine, ‘World Network’, for its issue dated 5th January, 1998. While reading it today, I am surprised that even though I was a junior journalist, I enjoyed such an intellectual and value based conversation with him, without any fear or hesitation. The credit for my feeling comfortable in his presence, goes to Atalji’s democratic and humanitarian approach, something that was felt by anyone he met.

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I remember his clarity of vision – he understood the necessity of value based politics and had his own moderate interpretation of Hindutva. Not always in agreement with the Sangh Parivar, he never accepted anything that was against his ideology. It was well known that because of this he had many differences even with his own party functionaries. Vajpayee was born in Gwalior on 25th December, 1924, and did his schooling from the Saraswati Shishu Mandir. He graduated with distinction in Hindi, English and Sanskrit from Gwalior’s Victoria College and completed his post-graduation with an MA in Political Science from DAV College, Kanpur. In August 1942, Vajpayee and his elder brother were arrested for participating in the Quit India Movement. This incident was to be his first encounter with politics. Influenced by the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and later by Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Vajpayee in 1951 joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. An orator par excellence, he was lauded as a statesman-politician who would go far beyond his party’s core political agenda, for the larger good. His journey in electoral politics began in 1957, when he contested the Lok Sabha elections from three seats and was elected from Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur constituency. Vajpayee took oath as a Member of Parliament and impressed Jawaharlal Nehru with his excellent oratory skills. Nehru actually predicted that Vajpayee would someday become India’s Prime Minister.

Vajpayee was made the national president of the Jana Sangh in 1968 after the death of Deendayal Upadhyaya. In the years that followed, he worked with Lal Krishna Advani, Nanaji Deshmukh and Balraj Madhok to make Jana Sangh’s presence prominent in Indian politics. His unique thoughts and uncommon ideas attracted not only his colleagues but the opposition too. In 1973, he famously arrived at the Parliament House in a bullock cart to protest against the increase in petrol and kerosene prices – a move that raised his popularity among his countrymen. Vajpayee spent months in prison when Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency in June 1975. With the Janata Party dethroning the Congress for the first time in 1977, he became the Minister of External Affairs in PM Morarji Desai’s government. As foreign minister, Vajpayee became the first person to deliver a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, in Hindi. Later, along with Lal Krishna Advani and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, he founded the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980, and was appointed its first President. By 1991, the BJP had emerged as the principal Opposition party, having won 120 seats in that year’s parliamentary elections. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan for his contribution to the country in 1992. That year, when Hindu mobs razed the Babri mosque, his was the lone voice among Hindu nationalists that didn’t sound happy. He called the incident the ‘worst miscalculation’. In 1994, he was awarded for being the best Parliamentarian. Vajpayee’s first stint as the Prime Minister in 1996 lasted only 13 days. In his reply to Parliament during the no-confidence motion, Vajpayee said, ‘Political parties will come and go, but India’s democracy must live on’. His second term as PM ran for 13 months, from March 1998 and continued after the general elections in 1999, until May, 2004. One of the hallmarks of Vajpayee’s reign was the Pokhran-II nuclear bomb tests, which were conducted clandestinely at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district in May 1998. Under Pokhran-II, five underground nuclear bomb explosions took place on May 1998, in what came to be known as the CIA’s biggest intelligence failure. Vajpayee’s strategically

Feelings CMD and Editor, Atul Shah, with the nation’s ‘tallest’ leader, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at one of the BJP National Council meetings, in Vadodara. Mr. Shah reminisced how he learnt one of life’s most important lessons from the great statesman (see Editor’s note).

important and courageous decision made India a nuclear weapons power even though it resulted in sanctions by the US and the European Union. In his own rare way, Vajpayee worked to establish international peace. He rode to Lahore by bus and tried to solve the Kashmir issue amicably from day one. During his tenure, the India-Pakistan relationship strengthened considerably. The Vajpayee-led National Democratic Alliance was in power at the Centre while the Kargil War was fought. India’s victory bolstered Vajpayee’s image further, and he was praised for supporting the armed forces and clearly articulating India’s stand on the world stage. After the war, he was elected PM for the third time. Vajpayee’s successful navigation of what was called an ‘unwieldy coalition’ was his biggest achievement. Many praise his optimistic foreign policy while others applaud India’s economy under his rule. His tenure cemented the rise of coalition politics in India and witnessed events which would redefine Indian secularism and diplomacy. In the post-Cold War world, Vajpayee boosted trade and bilateral relations with the US leading to the historic

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tribute

visit in 2000 of Bill Clinton, who became the first American President to visit India since Jimmy Carter in 1978. Besides promoting economic ties between India and China, his government also initiated a structured mechanism for high-level dialogue to resolve the border dispute between the two countries. Vajpayee’s ‘Look East’ policy helped in improving India’s ties with countries in South-East Asia and East Asia. Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s UNGA address on September 13, 2002, is celebrated for being the first one delivered in Hindi.

Sudhir Raval with Atalji

On the economic front, he ushered in an infrastructural revolution that focused on making good infrastructure available to public - the development of national highways in India was his pet project. He was also the PM who laid the foundation of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, which made education for children aged 6 to 14 years a fundamental right.

nature of politics. A gentleman in the true sense, he was popular amongst all the leaders of his time, across political boundaries. Never resorting to derogatory language against any of his peers, he stuck to his belief that political rivalry does not mean cursing and shaming the opposition. A ten-time parliamentarian from 1957 to 2009, he valued democracy more than anything else.

The New Telecom Policy under him, unleashed the telecom revolution in India by replacing fixed license fees for telecom firms with a revenue-sharing arrangement and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd was born. He also kept the economy in a great shape despite natural disasters, oil crises, 9/11 and the Kargil War. The GDP rate was above 8 per cent, inflation was below 4 per cent and foreign exchange reserves were overflowing.

Vajpayee’s nationalism was all about faith and belief, not imposition. In true Hindu spirit, he welcomed every religion, caste, and class into his periphery. A great poet and writer, his lines in Hindi are an added legacy and will always be read and remembered - ‘My poet’s heart gives me the strength to face political problems, particularly those which have a bearing on my conscience’.

In 1999, when an Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 from Kathmandu to New Delhi with 176 passengers and 15 crew members were hijacked by a Pakistan-based extremist group, the Vajpayee government surrendered to their demands of releasing three terrorists held in Indian jails. The then foreign minister Jaswant Singh escorted the terrorists to Kandahar personally. This was one unfortunate episode during Vajpayee’s tenure. When he failed to return to power after the 2004 general elections, though he was given to believe he would, it practically marked the end of his long and eventful political career. A year later, he left active politics. In 2015, Vajpayee was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. He will be remembered forever, mainly for certain uncommon personal traits that went against the very

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I remember an incident at India Habitat Center, Delhi, when Atalji launched the book ‘The Insider’ written by former PM, P.V. Narsimha Rao. Being a fan of the author, I sought to obtain a signature of Rao’s in my copy of his book, when both stalwarts were seated on the couch. Cold drinks were being served amongst the VVIPs. Due to an accidental push by me, glasses full of the liquid fell hard on the floor. Rao and Atalji were both dressed in pristine Dhoti- Kurtas, that were now spoilt by splashes of the cold drink. There was a stunned silence as the security guards began to control the situation, their anger palpable. Though it was not deliberate, I was responsible for the fiasco, and was looking at the two dignitaries with great embarrassment. Rao Saheb looked calmly at me and to my surprise, instead being angry, Atalji looked at me with that charming and cheerful smile of his, instantly diffusing the tense situation! He was above all, a great human being. n

feature

‘All Is Not Lost’ Many have been following Sonali Bendre’s posts as she deals with an advanced stage of cancer. Satya Parkash compiles her many social media outings where she emphasises the power of positivity

ith Sonali Bendre recently being diagnosed with cancer, yet another celebrity joined the unfortunate category of others in the public eye who also battled the dreaded disease - Irfan Khan (who is battling a rare case of brain tumor), Manisha Koirala, Lisa Ray and cricketer Yuvraj Singh, to name a few. Sonali announced it on Twitter with a heartbreaking message, “Sometimes, when you least expect it, life throws you a curveball. I have recently been diagnosed with high grade cancer that metastasized, which we frankly did not see coming. A niggling pain led to some texts, which led to this unexpected diagnosis.” Eminent cancer specialist, Dr. K.K. Aggarwal commented on this news while explaining the term ‘Metastatic’ as a serious disease when cancer cells break away from the primary spot where they are formed and spread to other parts through the lymph system or blood. The cancer cells form tumors in other parts of body, which are known as metastatic tumors. Often, metastasis occurs in stage IV of many forms of cancer. It means that the cancer was strong enough to spread to other parts of the body.

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A few days ago when Sonali stopped appearing as a judge on the reality show, ‘India’s Best Dramebaaz’, no one imagined that it was due to this illness. Known by her nickname ‘Sona’ among her fans, Sonali’s fresh face, beautiful eyes, and blushing laughter has conquered many a heart - of politicians, sportsmen and Bollywood actors; MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, to name just two. Not many know that in the past she actually stepped down from the ramp for not being able to walk ‘properly’ at her college’s fashion show. It would have been a wild guess at that time if someone said that she would go on to become a super successful model and then an actress in Bollywood. Her debut film, Aaag, in 1994 got her immediate attention as she was awarded the Filmfare Award for a New face and the Star Screen Award for the Most Promising Newcomer. Having done lead roles in many regional languages films - Telugu,Tamil, Marathi and Kannada, the 43-year old is the recipient of numerous other accolades. Her skills as a graceful dancer shine through in films

like Gaddar, Spoot, Bombay, Lajja and Major Saab. In 2003, she made a special appearance in Kal Ho Naa Ho. Bendre also starred in a play called Aap Ki Soniya, and has been part of several TV shows. Her cancer diagnosis reminds us of other celebrities with the disease. Following the journey of celebrities who have been diagnosed with cancer shouldn’t be about voyeurism or even about adulation for those particular celebrities, but more about using their popularity as a medium to spread awareness about the deadly disease, as well as dispelling the stigma around it. In our country, there are about 2.5 million people living with cancer and over seven lakh new cases get registered every year according to a recently held medical health survey. When celebrities talk of their experience, they probably bring in a ray of hope into the lives of others who are facing a similar, grim battle. With the help of social media it has become easier to do so too. Manisha Koirala, who managed to beat cancer and recently acted as Nargis Dutt in the film Sanju, said “Cancer is not a death sentence, there is hope.” Yuvraj Singh, who was suffering from cancer of the lungs, was forced to take a sabbatical from cricket. After undergoing treatment, he not only emerged stronger but went on to become the most sought after player in the IPL. “I kept myself motivated while going through my treatment by thinking that I’m going to come back and play for India - that one thought kept me going,” Sonali Bendre has also responded with positivity, choosing to be a real hero this time, by being strong instead of letting depression take over. On Twitter and Instagram, she has been displaying photos of her baldpate after chemotherapy, of her browsing in a bookshop, of an outing with friends and with her son, Ranveer. She revealed the dilemma she and her husband, Goldie Behl went through before telling their son about it and later how Ranveer reacted maturely, only to become a pillar of strength for her. “We’ve always been open and honest with him and this time it wasn’t going to be different. He took the news so maturely...and instantly became a source of strength and positivity for me. In some situations now, he even

reverses roles and takes on being the parent, reminding me of things I need to do,” she said. She further wrote, “I believe that it’s imperative to keep kids involved in a situation like this. They are a lot more resilient than we give them credit for. In our effort to protect them from the pain and realities of life, we might end up doing the opposite.” On how it actually helped to tell her son, Sonali says, “His madness and shenanigans help me #SwitchOnTheSunshine. And today, we derive strength from each other.” Believing in the importance of a support system during tough times, Sonali posted, “My family and close friends have rallied around me, providing the best support system that anyone can ask for. I am very blessed and thankful for each of them.” Neelam Soni, her co-actor in the film, ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, commented, “You are the strongest girl I know. My superwoman.” Karan Johar wrote, “Godspeed, love and strength to a true fighter and a solid soul!” Akshay Kumar, who was recently in America to promote the film GOLD, met Sonali Bendre at a hospital in New York. He said, “She is a fighter and I have full faith that she will win against this disease.” The brave Sonali Bendre gives us all hope by quoting her favourite author, Isabel Allende, a Chilean, whose works often have themes of magical realism in them ‘We don’t even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward. In times of tragedy, of war, of necessity, people do amazing things. The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome.’ Each day comes with its own challenges and victories and so for now, she has decided to, “Take one day at a time. The only thing I’m trying to be consistent about is maintaining a positive outlook…literally #SwitchOn The Sunshine -- it’s my way of dealing with this. Sharing my journey is also part of the process. I can only hope it reminds you that all is not lost and that someone, somewhere understands what you’re going through…” n

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immigrant Diary

MAKING IT BIG AWAY FROM HOME FEELINGS met Digvijaysinh aka ‘Danny’ Gaekwad, who blazed a trail in the US with immense hard work, patience and determination. Three decades on, he is a name to reckon with, not only in the Indian community but also among the Americans, especially in Florida

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any years ago during a discussion in the department of political science of M.S.University, Vadodara, students spoke about their various dreams for the future. One student stood out for his ambitious and apparently far-fetched reply when he said, “In my photo with a ‘celebrity figure’ you all will see me standing next to no one less than an American President”. His answer drew amused laughter, but he was more than serious about his statement. He went on to prove himself when he got a photo opportunity with American President Bill Clinton. The student brimming with confidence then was none other than the talented Digvijaysinh Gaekwad. Digvijaysinh Gaekwad was born in Vadodara in a highly disciplined and cultured family. His father served as a Judge and his grandfather was a Colonel in the army. Loyalty towards work and a duty- bound nature was already in his blood. With keen interest in politics, he got admission in political science at M. S. University, Vadodara. After graduating in 1980 he along with his friends and Jaspal Singh, the then police commissioner of Vadodara, soon started a political party named ‘Savdhaan’. Hard work by the dedicated team members and friends, ensured success in a short time when the party won the local corporation elections. But not long after, Digvijay lost interest in Indian politics owing to the corruption, scandals and traditional politics that made him unhappy. He decided to leave it behind and head westwards. Perhaps, destiny had other plans for him. In the year 1986-87 he landed in America. Here, his friend and now wife, Manisha, supported him in all his struggles. The beginning was quite tough, he says, “I started studying soon after arriving here. I also tried to understand the local culture of the country and its people. It was only work that gave you an identity here, a name meant nothing. Doctors and engineers were valued for their knowledge and skills. I, being a student from political science, did not get much importance. I struggled in New Jersey, New York, and even Orlando for more than eight months, but was unable to get any job.” He soon learnt the hard way that he had to do something of value to create his own identity. During this period,

he borrowed $ 5000 from friends and started a beverage store in Orlando. Just opening a store was not enough though, as he also had to let people know about his venture and what it offered. “I had read the story of Sam Walton of Walmart chain and got inspired by it. To sustain itself in the market, my store needed proper advertising, promotion and marketing and so we began distributing flyers. My wife, Manisha, was handling the counter and I looked after the management and promotion of the store. In a very short time, the store was established and became famous. A doctor liked my store so much that he offered $15,000 for it. As I was getting profit of $ 10,000, I sold it. With time I learnt more about the store business and soon established a second and then a third store.” There was no looking back as he went on to open a chain of 26 stores. “I realised that a lot of income could be generated by selling these stores - I sold one store for $ 40,000 and another at $ 60,000. I became an expert in stores but I also got tired of doing the same business. All the work including finance and accounts was a very tedious process. So I left the ‘stores’ business,” he adds.

It was only work that gave you an identity here, a name meant nothing. Doctors and engineers were valued for their knowledge and skills “Now, once more I had to search for a new direction! During this time I used to travel from Orlando to Ocala often. I liked Ocala a lot so we settled down there,” he says. “Here in Ocala, we first started a convenience store and sandwich shop. The saying that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach could not be truer. Along with common people, many political personalities also visited our store, providing me with an opportunity to know them better. Once, two candidates of the Sheriff Elections wanted to hang their signboards at the store, and since I also wanted to connect with them and learn about the system, I gave them the permission. Then

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immigrant Diary

With Ex President Bill Clinton

With American President Donald Trump

With Governor Of Florida Rick Scott

With Ex President Of America George Bush Karan And Kunal With Governor Of Florida Rick Scott

With Lokesh Muniji

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Today, it has been approximately three decades since he landed in USA. Gaekwad’s companies provide employment to thousands of people residing at Florida and other states in USA. In 2016, Governor of Florida, Rick Scott honoured his work with a “One Million Jobs’’ creator certificate. George Bush, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump have all sought his assistance during their election campaigns to help garner support of the Indian community.

With Ex President Of India Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam I started attending their meetings. With my inherent interest in politics, I quickly picked up information about political parties and candidates. In America one can donate funds officially for elections to the candidates so I started helping the candidates from anything between $1 and $500, for election funding. Due to this, I became friends with certain political figures. With more such meetings I came in contact with the Zonal Committee members and others who were working on large land sites. I continued to visit public meetings and gathered all the information I could before I dived in to the real-estate and property business”. After learning the laws and hurdles related to the real estate business, Digvijay tried his luck at hotelconstruction. Today, the DG Hospitality Hotel and Restaurant Management Company’s portfolio boasts of many golf courses, hotel and restaurant sites, and commercial retail sites in Florida that include ownership of the group of Intercontinental Hotels, Carlson Hotel Group and The Hilton Hotel. His other company, the Gaekwad Downtown Ocala Mixed Development, is busy with premium hotel and restaurant construction work in downtown Ocala, where the historical Ocala house was once situated. Other projects that are keeping him busy are ‘The Villages’, spread over 350 acres and consisting of 1,100 residential plots, 300 apartments and a 4 acre commercial site, and a fabulous commercial complex in place of the historical Church Street Station in Orlando downtown, a site which he is now a proud owner of!

Involvement with the Indian Community Despite his meteoric rise to fame, Digvijaysinh has not forgotten his roots and makes an extra effort to keep in touch with with the Indian community and all that matters to them. Representing the Indian business community in front of the Governor, he once managed to get a heavy tax (that would have been to their detriment), abolished. Keenly interested in religious occasions, he takes it upon himself to host and welcome Indian gurus visiting US. Closely connected with many religious organisations, he supports them wholeheartedly for the construction of temples - be they of Hindu, Vaishnav, Jain or any other community.

Danny Gaekwad also has the rare honour of being on the Board of Trustees of America’s second largest university, University of Central Florida (UCF) He visits India regularly and does his best to fulfil his obligations towards his motherland, donating generously to organizations that support various social causes. Gaekwad is poised to soon start a ‘Millionaires Tank’, based on the lines of the popular reality show, Shark Tank on CNBC. He says, “I plan to get my millionaire and billionaire friends together and bring this concept to India, to fund the ideas of aspiring, promising entrepreneurs.” Achievements and Recognition The US Government, aware of his achievements and potential have appointed him on the Board of Directors

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immigrant Diary

From Left- With His Son Kunal, Wife Manisha, Mr. Gaekwad himself, Mr. Atul Shah (Cmd Editor Feelings) as Chairman in the Enterprise Florida, Ink, Visit Florida, Florida – Chamber & Commerce, Marion County visitor & Convention Bureau - Chairman, Marion County Tourism Development - Council-Chairman and Marion County planning & zoning commissioner. As Director of Visit Florida, he constantly promotes Florida Tourism. Gaekwad is now also on the Board of Trustees of America’s second largest university, University of Central Florida (UCF), a rare honour indeed! He has also been honoured with the prestigious AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) Chairman’s Award. AAHOA is the biggest group of hotel owners in the world. Among the many prestigious awards to his name are the Lion of the Year, Leaders’ Leader Award – Marion County, Community Service Award from Federation of Indian Seniors of Association of North America, Pride of India Award 2017 and the Glorious India Chairman’s Award, 2017. Family Digvijaysinh and his wife Manisha are the proud parents of Karan and Kunal, who are both passionate about fitness and physical training. While elder son Karan is serving as an officer in the army, the younger one, Kunal, has just graduated. Digvijaysinh Gaekwad’s inspiration lies in late H.H. Sayajirao Gaekwad of Vadodara, and closer home he has utmost respect for his mother, Urmiladevi Gaekwad. “It is with her love and blessings that I am where I am today. My wife Manisha has also been a pillar of support,” he says. “Even today,

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The Millionaires Tank A dream project by Digvijaysinh Gaekwad for young and aspiring entrepreneurs Adding another feather to his cap, Mr. Gaekwad is now the new owner of the historic Church Street Exchange building, located in the heart of downtown Orlando. The grand architecture and the elegant surroundings in which the building stands, adds to its vintage value – a whopping $14.2 million – also the price at which Mr. Gaekwad and his partner purchased it. Church Street Exchange also happens to be a hub for many tech-based companies. Gaekwad plans to launch his dream project, called the ‘Millionaires Tank’, right here. With an idea to encourage new, talented entrepreneurs, Gaekwad along with his affluent friends plans to fund promising projects. Similar to the popular reality show, Shark Tank on CNBC, his Millionaires Tank will provide a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs, one where they can hope to turn their dreams into reality, if they are lucky enough to be selected. Plans of bringing the concept to India are also in the pipeline.

Manisha looks after all the finance matters,” Digvijay adds with a smile. Danny Gaekwad, who came to the US as a nobody has been more than successful in making a mark for himself. His motto in life, “There are one thousand reasons to say no. Find one reason to say yes”, has brought him a long way indeed. n

interview

Pathbreaking Success Dr. Pradeep V. Mahajan, who was recently honoured with the Paris Appreciation Awards 2017 for Excellence in stem cell therapy, talks to FEELINGS about the latest happenings in his field

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A DOCTOR? Just as it is in many Indian households, it was my father’s dream to see me become a doctor. Incidentally, even I was more interested in science and biology as compared to other subjects. From an early age, I had a keen desire to learn about cutting edge technologies and advances, especially those related to the human body. Naturally, I chose medicine and graduated from Marathwada University and went on to pursue post graduation in General Surgery. I further specialized in Urology from the University of Vienna in Austria. I also hold a fellowship in Industrial Health care. YOU ARE PRIMARILY A SURGEON. HOW DID THE SHIFT TO REGENERATIVE MEDICINE HAPPEN? This is a question that I am asked often. I am in the field of clinical medicine and surgery for more than 3 decades now but I have always been fascinated by new research. Having a curious mind is very important in my field and that led me to learn about newer therapeutic modalities. However, the decision to change from being a general surgeon and academician to a regenerative medicine researcher was a game changer, as it meant having to adapt to a new philosophy after having followed certain set of principles and methods for a long period of time. Finally, in 2009, I decided to make this transition to focus on in-depth research in the field of regenerative medicine. The reason for this shift was to find

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solutions to unresolved disease conditions. Conventional medicine is gradually losing potency in treating diseases and patients are often left at the mercy of nature to take its course. By learning about regenerative medicine and molecular techniques, I understood that, ‘We carry our repairing kits in our own body’, and this is the mantra that I now follow! WHAT EXACTLY IS CELL BASED THERAPY? HOW DOES IT WORK? Cell based therapy works on the principle that cells in our own body act as medicinal signaling agents. Cells may be described as ‘Living Drug’ molecules. They are adaptive agents, unlike conventional drugs, and are capable of complex functions involving bioactive factors. Cells are multipotent and can act as injury specific drug stores which aid in cell replacement, enhancement of organ function etc. by harnessing their innate regenerative potential. WHAT ARE THE DISEASES THAT CAN BE CURED THROUGH THIS? Cellular therapy and regenerative medicine focuses on eliminating the root cause of the problem by using cells (cytokines, chemokines etc.), growth factors from one’s own body. Orthopedic conditions such as avascular necrosis, osteoarthritis, autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, neurological conditions such as

stimulate them to fight diseases such as cancer. Immune effectors are capable of identifying and destroying cancerous cells that are inaccessible to conventional treatment modalities. Specificity and generation of long term immune surveillance against cancer cells is the chief goal of immunotherapy. Several types of immune system cells such as: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, Dendritic cells (DC) and Natural Killer cells (NK) are candidates being researched in cancer immunotherapy. cerebral palsy, stroke etc., as well as diabetes, liver, genitourinary disorders and dermatological conditions can achieve noticeable benefits from cellular therapy. This form of therapy can be further explored in management of organ failure, to overcome rejection following organ transplants, developmental defects and cancer immunotherapy. IS CELL BASED THERAPY SAFE? ANY SIDE EFFECTS? In Autologous cell based therapy, cells and growth factors from the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own body are harvested and transplanted. As no foreign agents are being introduced in the body, this therapy is safe and effective. The process is minimally invasive therefore the total duration of hospitalisation necessary is reduced and patients can resume routine activities within few days after treatment. The biggest advantage is that the root pathology of a disease is addressed through cell based therapy and therefore results achieved are definitive and are maintained over long periods of time. ANY SPECIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS? Research pertaining to introducing products with cell and scaffold based technology through tissue engineering are underway. Bioactive scaffolds that are capable of supporting activation and differentiation of host stem cells at the required site are being developed. In the future it will be possible to use human native sites as micro-niche/microenvironments for potentiation of the human body's site-specific response. Another breakthrough in the field of regenerative medicine is Immunotherapy that aims to utilize certain parts of a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immune system and

WHO ARE THE PATIENTS WHO GENERALLY RESORT TO STEM CELL THERAPY AT YOUR CENTRE? Patients who visit our center are usually those who have been suffering from diseases for a long period of time. Having tried various forms of treatment over the years, they tend to be skeptical about the outcomes of this new form of cell based therapy. However, being a minimally invasive modality, patients are more receptive and co-operative to therapy. The best part is when patients see results within a short period of time and outcomes are maintained over long periods. As much as this boosts confidence in them and enables them lead a healthier life, it gives me immense satisfaction to see that the efforts I have put in over the years through in depth research and continual learning have been fruitful. My aim is to ensure that every individual receives the highest quality treatment by utilizing the healing potential of their own body. WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO ASPIRING DOCTORS? The world is witnessing a steady rise in diseases. The medical profession needs young talented minds to get involved in research in order to aid in discovery of newer therapies, as conventional treatment modalities are gradually losing potency. Worldwide, rising investment in healthcare, research and development activities have opened up attractive career paths for individuals in these fields. Above all, medicine is a noble profession and the satisfaction and happiness achieved when patients get treated beats any material benefit obtained. n Dr Mahajan is Chairman and Managing Director of StemRx Bioscience Solutions Pvt Ltd.

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womentrepreneurs

Against All Odds Starting on your own is easier said than done. FEELINGS spoke to few womentrepreneurs about their experiences

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How difficult was it when you started out on your own? I get asked this a lot. I think it was exciting, nerve wracking, but a whole load of fun. In my first freelance gig, I ended up investing my own money to market the place and the project tanked. That hurt, as I was heavily invested in the people behind the project as much as the project itself. But the experience taught me a lot. I did everything on my own, from sitting at the cashier’s desk of my client’s restaurant to delivering flyers personally, because I wanted to learn consumer behaviour first hand. It was tough starting out, but as Mark Twain points out in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, “Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do. Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do.” Work, till date, is so much fun that it just never seems like an obligation!

Aakansha Gupta, Founder, The Other Circle Do tell us a bit about yourself I am a commerce graduate from Narsee Monjee College Mumbai, Masters in Commerce from Mumbai University and a post graduate in PR from Xavier Institute of Communication Mumbai. I’ve always wanted to do something where I could infuse humanity in every aspect of the business. I love dogs and am an avid reader. My first choice of profession was dancing (I am trained in seven dance forms) but a back and ankle injury made that unfeasible. I think, in a sense, that drives me to never give up. I do hope I will get back to dancing one day! How did The Other Circle come about? I freelanced for a long time before The Other Circle happened. I just felt that what I was doing at my previous jobs wasn’t enough, that I needed to do more, learn more, risk more. So, I quit my job and took a small backpacking trip with my mom (where I blew up all my savings!). After that I just plunged in, knee deep, to start The Other Circle, with less than 15000 rupees in my bank account...

“I just felt that what I was doing at my previous jobs wasn’t enough, that I needed to do more, learn more, risk more.” What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur? I think it’s the fact that you can learn from everyone. Everyone from my clients, associates in the media, PR comrades and colleagues shows me a new perspective. I also enjoy knowing that we are all in it together and are creating something that has a lasting effect. I enjoy the process of building a brand immensely. What is your area of expertise? I think my strengths are ideation, creativity and campaign design. In fact, our culture is to treat our client’s business as our own so that we deliver more than we promise, an attribute I am personally very proud of! What are your responsibilities as the business owner? My brother and I run the company. I head the Business Development, Client servicing and Strategy

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womentrepreneurs

faction while Anurag runs the business, HR, Finance and Administration. On a more spiritual level, I believe that business should grow along with the growth of the people who work for it. My biggest responsibility as an entrepreneur is to ensure that the team learns and grows personally and professionally. What services does The Other Circle offer? Public Relations, Marketing, Content Development and Research. What are the exciting opportunities in your industry? I think this is the most exciting time to be in the communications industry as there is so much talent and space to explore. Hospitality in India is booming and so are start-ups in the convenience space. Both are high in energy and open to ideas, unlike yesteryears where set ‘formulae’ were the only accepted norm. And challenges or threats? Players who offer quick fixes, succumbing to ‘fads’ and mostly, inadequate research How do you plan to address them? Keeping my head, nose and feet firmly planted to the ground and ensuring we learn (and not repeat) from our mistakes. What change would you like to be part of? I want to ensure children are given emotional and intellectual support while growing up so that they never doubt their abilities when they enter the big bad world. Which other companies and business models do you like or admire? Google and Shopify. If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Just take a leap of faith – if you fail and learn from it, the experience will be twice its weight in gold. Do as much as you can for people around you for your environment speaks a lot about you!

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Rinku Dudani, Founder, Strategic Marketing Do tell us a bit about yourself I was born and brought up in Mumbai and am a Bachelors in Mass Media. I was brought up in a joint, business family, so the idea of owning one’s own business is in my genes. When did you decide to do something of your own? I was 24 years old when I decided to begin my own start up. Until then I was always between two professions. I had joined Indigo airlines as an Air Hostess and paid my own college and tuition fee. How difficult was it when you started out? I jumped into the market with an investment of 10,000 rupees. It was like swimming in an ocean between sharks. Starting with small projects worth 15,000 rupees, today I manage brands like The

“I jumped into the market with an investment of 10,000 rupees. It was like swimming in an ocean between sharks.”

Times Of India, Fashion weeks across India and now have also ventured to the United States with New York Fashion Week under Magazine Charlotte and many more. What do you enjoy the most about being an entrepreneur? Freedom and your own space to create and execute. What are your responsibilities as the business owner? You have to take 100 percent responsibility of every situation and can't be an escapist. What services do you offer? Marketing and sales consultancy. I also want to start an online platform for charity - an NGO for underprivileged girls. I would like to boost their self- esteem and groom them so they have the confidence to pursue their dreams. What other companies and business models do you admire? I look up to business models such Amazon, Uber and Flipkart. What is your advice to someone just starting out on their own? Start-ups are not just about getting funding, but also about creating something unique for the audience and staying faithful to your work. Most importantly, never lose faith in yourself.

Rupali Gupta, Founder, Tarusa Do tell us a bit about yourself I am a design professional trained in accessory design from NIFT. I worked in the jewellery and craft sector as a design consultant for more than 15 years and have now started a line of my own. When did you decide to do something of your own? Somewhere down the line I acquired enough maturity to introspect and I realized that even though I had

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just knew that I love handcrafting and it was something I could start a line with, given the resources at my disposal.â&#x20AC;? been working for so long, the future still remained ambiguous at best. I had not made a mark in the manner that I wanted and my creative expression was controlled by people whose outlook did not match mine at all. So at 40 I decided to not be an employee any more. I quit without a plan. I just knew that I love handcrafting and it was something I could start a line with, given the resources at my disposal. I put in all my savings into my company which was not much, given the industry I designed for. But with Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grace the company seems to be in the right direction now. How difficult was it when starting out? Euphoric, actually. Then reality hit, but I decided to not let go. I allowed myself no other options. What do you enjoy the best about being an entrepreneur? The quest to better yourself everyday. Also, the multiple areas you have to look into and not just

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your own expertise, for example, accounts was my nemesis. But one day I decided to look it in the eyes and sort it out. The growth curve has been tremendously daunting and exhilarating at the same time. What is your area of expertise? Personally, I am an ideas person. Design and development are my strengths. What are your responsibilities as the business owner? Right now everything. I have not been able to partner with any like minded person. What products do you manufacture? We deal in hand crafted accessories. What are the exciting opportunities in your industry? The fact that it is a versatile, wide market with very few players. AnY challenges or threats? Retail is changing and online players have disrupted regular buying patterns. We are trying to ride along and see where it takes us. An easy entry barrier is the threat. How do you plan to address them? I believe in an optimum value product which is a smart mix of design, quality and affordability. We keep trying to improve the product and designs we offer. Any wider change that you hope to be part of? I want the world to feel the beauty of hand crafting. The world needs to slow down its industrial pace and really introspect on where we are headed. It is ironic for me to say this as we work in retail, but we need to be less consumerist as a society. Which other companies and business models do you admire? I admire Swarovski as a model. I admire Good Earth for its design sensibility and cohesiveness, Biba for its work ethic and Zara for the speed at which it turns its

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inventory around. What is your advice to someone just starting out? Listen to everyone but follow your own instinct. When ever I relied on other people for a final judgement call, I regretted it. And of course, be ready for the long haul. You get but one life, so go for it and never let reality interfere with your imagination.

Corrina La Rive, Founder, C&C Events Do tell us a bit about yourself Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m an outgoing person with equal love for travel, music, reading and even studying. 20+ years of varied experience across industries makes me a veteran of variety - a queen of all trades! When did you decide to do something of your own? My first taste of business was at the age of 12 assisting my father and that bug bite stayed. How difficult was it when starting out? I started small and alongside a full time day job which meant taking selective single projects a month at a time. For two years I focused on stabilising clients and

business till I could dedicate myself full time to the company and quit my day job. What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur? Freedom to choose your work because to me quality has always been more important than quantity.

“For two years I focused on stabilising clients and business till I could dedicate myself full time to the company and quit my day job.” What is your area of expertise? My main focus areas have always been customer centric and creative conceptualisation. What are your responsibilities as the business owner? Besides just obtaining business and deciding what projects will be beneficial for our repertoire - I have always been hands-on, whether it’s learning a new software or making sure I’m up to date with the latest trends in the market subject to areas of operation. But my most important responsibility is taking care of my people.

Making a difference to people’s lives. If I can improve the quality of even one life every now and then, I will feel that I have achieved my lot in life. What is your advice to someone just starting out? Achieving your dream is never easy but that doesn’t mean you give up. If the road is easy then you’re not necessarily doing something wrong, it simply means that someday it may get tough. And when it does get tough just remember that it can only get better! But always be alert about the choices you make as the consequences always stay with you. In today’s world what matters is how firmly you can stand for yourself or for someone you believe in. If you have such people in your circle, hold on, because they’re for keeps!

Ami Kothari, Founder, Dining Couture Do tell us a bit about yourself In the year 2015, I began sharing my table styling workshops. Prior to that, I worked with intellectually challenged children. Growing up as a quintessential

What services does C&C Events offer? In the last 9 years we’ve grown, adding a new division every now and then, starting with audio production, then video, artist representation to consultants, creative conceptualisation to execution, corporate events and private ones including weddings, concerts and on ground assistance to sporting leagues, production execution to sponsorships. What are the exciting opportunities in your industry? Currently the most exciting opportunity is not about the industry but rather the new direction the company itself is taking. What larger change would you like to be part of?

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Gujarati girl in Mumbai I spent countless hours at home observing my mother and grandmother getting creative in the kitchen, not only with cooking but also with presentation. Also, having travelled around the world since a very young age exposed me to different dining experiences. My passion for table styling combined with love for cooking and hosting parties led me to open my table styling company, Dining Couture. What do you enjoy the best about being an entrepreneur? I am an entrepreneur by accident. The best thing that has happened in this journey is I am doing something that I love the most! Secondly, I have had a chance to meet the most amazing people through my workshops and also travel around the country. What services do you offer? At Dining Couture we have plan lavish events and also intimate parties for clients. We also offer a very specialised service called Personal Tableware Styling for our clients’ homes and offices. We also do décor for events and have our own range of accessories that are very easy to use and versatile. What are the exciting opportunities? Working with new brands and new people while the industry continues to evolve, we need to match up with the trends and keep up the pace. What larger change would you like to see? I wish more people would appreciate and respect talent and creativity, not viewing art as an object but an extension of creator. Which other companies and business models do you admire? There is always something to learn from everyone.

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I look upon successful businessmen and their multitasking abilities. I also have great respect for young kids who are so eager to learn and create new things.

Priti Rathi Gupta, Founder, Ishka Films Do tell us about yourself I am the Managing Director and Promoter at Anand Rathi Share & Stock Brokers Ltd, and also the Founder and Producer at Ishka Films. While I have a background in finance, my passion for storytelling and filmmaking enabled me to start my own film production venture called Ishka Films in 2013, whose latest movie ‘Karwaan’ is set to release. When did you decide to do something of your own? Finance has always been part of my DNA; when I was 17, I interned with my uncle who is a stock broker and was then based in Mumbai. Post my higher education and marriage, it was in 2004 that I helped set up the commodities futures desk at AnandRathi. Founding Ishka Films largely came out of the realisation that life is short and unpredictable, and it was necessary to leave a legacy behind, big or small. How difficult was it when you started? To be able to establish the commodities desk at AnandRathi, I had to go to mandis where the physical trade of commodities would take place, and that space was a completely male dominated one. It was very intimidating, but I was determined to successfully set up the desk. When I started Ishka Films, I was battling false perceptions. One, from people who thought that films are no place for a woman. And second, resistance from the film world that constantly perceived me as someone who was just an investor in films (given my background in finance). When I worked on setting up a film fund for a friend, I realised that cinema was my calling. When I made my first film, I was completely hands on, through the entire project. I still face perceptions about me being here for ‘a mere whiff of

“Founding Ishka Films largely came out of the realisation that life is short and unpredictable, and it was necessary to leave a legacy behind, big or small. ”

Bollywood and filmmaking’, but I am deeply invested in creating quirky yet relevant content. In fact I soon plan to direct my own film. What do you enjoy best about being an entrepreneur? Entrepreneurship is a dynamic job that keeps you on your toes, but it’s a very exciting feeling. I enjoy the thrill of ideating and then putting a vision and strategy to it, of creating something that may add a little magic to the world. Entrepreneurship is about gauging challenges and taking calculated risks to further a cause and achieve goals. Being able to see your vision fructify is one of the most thrilling parts of being an entrepreneur. What are your responsibilities as a business owner? AnandRathi is a family-led but professionally run organization. I ensure that we have the right processes that make professionals equipped, enabled and authorised to run businesses. Secondly, as the promoter of the organization, I ensure the culture of the organisation is driven by the top leadership. What are the exciting opportunities? In both finance and filmmaking, I see a positive shift wherein more women are entering the field. There is an increased awareness of financial planning among women as they make far more independent decisions than before.

What are the challenges you face and how do you plan to address them? A good entrepreneur always looks at overcoming challenges. I see a lot of consolidation in the financial services industry and digital will become the new normal. Traditional methods will soon become redundant. What larger change would you like to See? As a woman, I feel very strongly about bringing positivity in the lives of women, and this is an endeavour I have undertaken in both finance and films. I am lucky and blessed to be in a position to be able to actuate this change and bring about gender diversity in whatever small way that I can. I think an equitable world will be good, especially for the generations to come. Which are the companies and business models you admire? For me, more than business models, what matters is the values and ethics that run a business. I admire companies that have, over the years, maintained ethical practices and emphasize on shared value. What is your advice for someone just starting out? You may have an idea, a vision, but it’s very important, to put everything down on paper – to plan, to anticipate and to be prepared. These two things – a solid idea and its roadmap such as a set of processes to back it up, help make the path of entrepreneurship a lot easier to navigate. A lot of people have a glorified understanding of an entrepreneur, but it’s important to remember that entrepreneurship is a mindset and an attitude, not a mere profession alone. n

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Tech talk body&soul

Dr Namita Jain Fitness Expert & MD, Kishco

FLY FAR, FLY EASY

With flying having become more frequent than ever before, jet lag too is a common phenomenon. Dr. Namita Jain tells us how to deal with it and with the lesser known DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis

et lag is a term used to describe the out of sorts feeling that often follows a long flight. The symptoms can include restlessness, drowsiness, fatigue, headaches and irritability. Consider the following tips to reduce the jet lag symptoms: •W alk around the aisle for a few minutes whenever possible, to reduce muscle cramps and improve circulation. • T ake off your shoes when you stretch your feet. •P ay attention to your posture and avoid slouching in your seat. •D rink plenty of water. •A void alcohol and caffeine on the flight. Both have diuretic properties and can cause dehydration. •U se eye-shades and ear plugs to help block inflight distractions. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Many of us have experienced the discomfort of being cramped up and feeling stiff on a flight. This can lead to a more serious condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), where a blood clot forms in a deep vein. To avoid this condition walk around for a few minutes whenever possible and stretch your

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body to reduce stiffness with a simple exercise routine. Try these quick stretches to reduce muscle soreness and make your journey more comfortable. Just remember to: • Hold each stretch for 10 to 30 seconds. • Do each stretch twice. • Breathe normally when you hold the stretch. Do not hold your breath. Seated Gluteus stretch Sit on a chair and cross the right leg over the left leg so that the right foot is resting on the left thigh. Place you right palm on the right knee and gently push it down. Switch legs. Seated Knee to Chest stretch Raise one leg up onto the chair, resting your heel on the edge of the chair. Slowly bring the knee closer to you chest. Repeat with the other leg. Neck stretch Turn your head to the right side to look over your shoulder, and then repeat on the left side. Shoulder Rolls Rotate your shoulders forwards a few times and then backwards too. Arm and Spine stretch Extend both hands straight above your head,

Preparation Time: 3 hours including the soaking time of Urad Dal Cooking Time: 45 to 50 minutes Makes: 25 pieces, medium sized

IngRedIenTS

Split black gram, skinless (Dhuli Urad Dal) 1 1/4th cups Milk - 02 tbsp to grind Urad dal + 1/4 th tbsp. to clarify sugar syrup bengal Gram flour (besan) - 1 tbsp Whole Wheat flour (atta), preferably Punjabi atta - ½ tbsp Semolina (Sooji) - 2 ½ tbsp Khoya (Mawa), grated- 3/4th Cup Clarified butter (Desi Ghee) – ½ Cup Sugar - 1 cup Green Cardamom Powder - 1/4th tsp

FoR The gARnISh

 In a heavy bottomed pan, heat ghee add bengal gram flour, semolina and whole wheat flour.  Over medium heat sauté till the flours turn in to light brown in colour. add grated khoya, keep stirring and sauté till light brown in colour and till it blends well with the flours. add the ground dal, sauté for almost 10 minutes. add more clarified butter if required. ensure that you keep stirring the mixture, in order to prevent it from burning.  Let it cook for another 15 to 20 minutes on a low flame, till the raw aroma disappears and it turns into light brown in colour.  add Cardamom powder. Remove from the flame and set aside.

Prepare sugar syrup of one string consistency.  Place the cooked pinni mixture on the flame add the sugar syrup and ensure that you stir it as it might form lumps. Once it thickens, remove from the flame. Take a stainless steel tray and pour this thick mixture into it. You may form balls or give different shapes to the pinni.  Garnish it with almonds, Pistachio nuts and Sunflower seeds.

almonds, halved and lightly sautéed in pure ghee - 2 tbsp TIPS Pistachio chopped coarsely - 1 tbsp clasp yournuts, hands with palms facing upwards and Feet rotation > for the sugarRotate syrup: your Ratiofeet of sugar waterclockwise may be varied from Sunflower seeds, toasted - 1/4th tbsp stretch your spinelightly and arms. a fewtotimes and then 2:1 i.e. two parts of sugar to one anti-clockwise. n part of water to 1:1 One part of MeThod sugar to one part of water or 3 ½ cups of sugar to 3 ½ cups of Toe raise  Wash the Urad dalfloor and and soakthen it forrest 2 ½ your feet water. Lift your toes off the Dr Namita Jain, Doctorate, KEISIE international > add a few drops of milk to clarify the sugar syrup, discard hours. on the floor. Repeat 10 times. university, Korea (Doctor of excellence in the the scum fromfield the of top. before adding sugar strain Drain and wash the dal again. Healthcare) is an the author of syrup, 12 books it through a muslin Thisspecialist clarification Grind Heel raiseinto a smooth paste with the help and acloth. wellness at process Bombay helps Hospital. pinni fromagetting discolored milk. Liftof your heels off the floor and then rest your feet preventing theShe is also consultant to the Food Safety on the floor. Repeat 10 times. Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) and a leading columnist.

jan - feb FeelingsFeelings August-september

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interview

“Everybody has that fire inside. It’s all about how one controls it.”

Former World Tennis Champion Stefan Edberg, in conversation with Abid Mohammed 50 | Feelings

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You are visiting India after many years… Yes, very true. The last time I was here was for the Davis Cup in Bangalore in 1985. How has tennis changed since then? Tennis is just like any other sport. It has progressed with time. New records are being set; athletes are getting stronger and better, so yes, tennis has changed, there’s no question about it. I finished in 1986 and since then even the equipment, the racquets, the strings have become better. The players can watch a lot of tennis now and know how to train and take care of themselves much more than in the past – all of which improves the game. In the olden days we had natural string that would spin the ball but not allow the player enough control. The new strings allow both - better spin and control and that’s why you can hit the ball so hard! But the rules haven’t changed much? Tennis is a very traditional sport and a beautiful game in that respect. In tennis there is a saying that ‘the one who wins the last point wins the game’. A lot of things can happen in between. In the 90’s there were talks about bringing in some changes as everybody was serving hard and points were short. Now there are talks about shortening the matches or doing something with the scoring system. Maybe one day the audience wants to see something different… until then it’s good to keep the tradition going if possible. You once wanted to be a hockey player? I played football, tennis and ice hockey while growing up. But tennis took over quite early at the age of 9. I loved playing tennis in school. Usually at age of 1415, one starts thinking about what one wants to do in life but I had no idea. I just kept playing and then one day realized that tennis is something I want to pursue professionally. But at that time sports was more a hobby than a profession? Yes, that’s true! Tennis was just something that was fun to do in the beginning. I was good at it and then

I won the Junior European Championship when I was 14, making me the No. 1 in Europe in my category. Tennis as a sport was catching up but it was still not seen as a profession then. Things changed quickly though and many new players were emerging from Sweden; Matt Willander was 17 and had just won the French Open. And that made me think that maybe I can also do a professional tour. I have been so lucky that my hobby turned into my professional career. But it’s different now. Kids today aspire to be top athletes and play for the big leagues. Tell us a bit about your childhood? I grew up in a place which had lots of kids. So we were out playing games all the time. We would come back from school and run out to play and do whatever we wanted to do. I think that was a good environment to grow up in - where you were out and moving the whole day and I think that was partly the reason for our generation’s success. What’s your take on the new generation that mostly prefers video games? (Laughs) Well I don’t think there is anything wrong in that but it has to be limited. Parents should make sure the kids are going out to play. I believe that even though traditional sports will continue to be of interest, e-sports will be more appealing to the new generation. The momentum is shifting and change is taking place here too. Did anyone in your family play tennis? Both my parents didn’t play any sports at all, which is quite unusual. What’s your advice for those who want to be future tennis stars? The important thing with tennis, like for all sports is that you should enjoy and have fun while playing. Having friends around you and playing with them will also help. You can join a tennis club that has a good programme, and learn the techniques from the coaches to hone your skills. 5 years to 11 years is the prime age to learn after which it is very hard to make adjustments. So it’s important that you get the right skill at the right age.

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interview

“While growing up Bjorn Borg was my idol and he was cool and calm on court. For me it came naturally but I think it’s something you have to train for. ”

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You also trained Roger Federer. How was the experience? It was a memorable two years to work with one of the best players on court and help him with certain aspects of tennis. I am happy to see him still enjoying his game and winning at it. It was special for me for I never thought I would be back on tour and that too as a coach. I think Roger is a special person in many ways and a great ambassador of the game. I felt our game was similar in certain ways and so I agreed to coach him. You are Mr Cool on court (Laughs) Yes! While growing up Bjorn Borg was my idol and he was cool and calm too. For me it came naturally but I think it’s also something you have to train for. Everybody has that fire inside so in a way it’s all about controlling that fire. John Mcenroe on the other hand was the total opposite (Laughs again) Yes, but that’s good for the game too. Tennis is a sport known for its good manners but at the same time you need someone who does something different. It’s good because it creates attention and people talk about it. So are you as calm off the court too?

Definitely! That’s just me. It takes quite a bit for me to get upset. Do tell us about your family I am married to Annette for 25 years now. I have two grown up kids. Emilie is turning 25 this year and Christopher will turn 21. Have you watched any Bollywood films? (Laughs) No, I haven’t actually. I know Bollywood is huge here but then I don’t even follow Hollywood that much. What about Indian food? Do you have any favourites? We have lots of Indian restaurants in London and we do eat Indian often. I tried Indian food here too. It’s a little on the spicy side but I enjoy it occasionally. Will we see more of you? That depends on where, how and when. I never thought I would be back on tour but here I am. For the last 20 years I have been playing with a lot of young kids and mentoring them. My involvement in tennis now is very different. I still love to play tennis on my own, I love to go watch tennis too, but I don’t want to be involved with the grinding schedules of coaching or an academy. I just want to keep in touch with tennis. n

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fashion

A blush pink lehenga and light azure blue dupatta make an elegant match. Soft and calm and inspired by the colours of a lake at twilight, the lehenga is embellished with handmade, floral kardana work - an ideal dress for the shy and beautiful bride. Price on request

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Bridal

Beauty Celebrate your special day with these timeless, ethnic classics

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fashion

This heavy zari sari is a classic with sequin-work and resham embroidery all over its jaal fabric. A signature style that combines brilliant colours with bead mosiacs, it is paired with a floral, raw silk blouse. Price: Rs. 42,000

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A royal navy blue saree generously embroidered with light blue flowers in resham, embellished with brocade motifs in gold and a dazzling border of mirror-work. Price: Rs. 60,000

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fashion

This royal blue lehenga adorned with antique, brocade floral motifs of kora and kardana work on raw silk, exudes elegance and makes for a perfect D-Day ensemble. The light, net dupatta with gold embellishments at the borders perfectly offsets the dark colours of the beautiful lehenga. Price:Rs. 1,15,000

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The innate elegance of velvet is embellished with intricate zardozi and kora-work in this unique and striking rich, purple lehenga. Offset with traditional elephant and temple designs in gold and multicolored brocade patterns, the motifs reflect Indian culture, making it a perfect outfit for the Indian bride. Price: Rs.1,50,000

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fashion

This ethnic, Indian Rajwadi saree is crafted with delicate and intricate embroidery work on georgette giving it a majestic charm. The tasteful, singular design has an inherent beauty and can be worn whenever you want to up the glamour quotient!. Price on request

Available at: Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Emporium, Mumbai. For more details log on to http://queenssarees.com/

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tech talk

Are you Whats(H)appy? With WhatsApp having become a necessity now, it’s important to know how to be in control of the App, rather than the other way round. Ashesh Pandia familiarizes us with some tricks of the App

he advent of social media has undoubtedly been a revolution in private and public interaction on the world platform. It set in motion a paradigm shift in global communication - in the wake of a drastic reduction in the use of the telephone as a means to keeping in touch. Social media transformed the lives and lifestyles of people the world over, and changed communication forever. What made it popular overnight was its emotional quotient in the face of the very facelessness it engendered. What words could not express was now conveyed using signs and symbols.

The ‘Like’ button, the ‘Emojis’, the ‘Tag’, the ‘Share’, the ‘Follow’, all these options made real-time transfer of data satisfying and addictive. It catered to our deepseated need to feel connected with like-minded people across geographies - friends and strangers alike. But like every human-invention, very soon, the flip side of social media began to raise its not-so-pretty head. What was supposed to make life happy, connected and fun, soon started getting misused. The anonymity it afforded people soon snowballed into an uncontrollable

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tech talk

nuisance as strangers, not all of them well-meaning, now had access to any one of us. It became increasingly difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff and innocent people started falling prey to tricks and scams perpetrated by social-media conmen. The most vulnerable to these pranksters are the celebrities. While social media is an invaluable tool in spreading the latter’s fame to the remotest corners of the world, it also leaves them vulnerable to identity theft, trolls, hackers and more! There are many cases of high-profile individuals from the entertainment, politics and fashion field who have been targeted by these rogues. The likes of WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter which were conceptualized as platforms to integrate communication and social interaction, slowly became the means to also harass, stalk, infringe on privacy or troll. Though not many know it, the power to fend off this menace lies with us, the users. Inbuilt into the various social media platforms are features and special tools that can help conceal your identity and your presence, help you limit your exposure, filter your contacts, block friends and delete unwanted comments. Let’s take a look at how you can make WhatsApp work to your advantage besides keeping in touch with your long-lost or long-distance friends, colleagues and family members. Says Sneha Dave, 38, “When I downloaded WhatsApp, it really changed my world. But soon I realised its pitfalls, the worst being people questioning and objecting, for me not replying to their posts even after seeing them. Soon I learnt to hide the ‘Blue Ticks’. I went to Settings > Account > Privacy > Read Receipts and unchecked the box. This solved my problem. But yes, with this I too cannot see whether others have read my post or not. That’s ok. After all, I don’t want everyone to reply.” Shalini Vora, 29, an avid WhatsApp user, also indulges in such evasive activity on WhatsApp. She says,

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“WhatsApp is packed with some very handy but little-known features and facets that help you restrict your presence or communication with people you wish to ignore but still want to know about their activities. I keep a control over my ‘last seen’ data. I prevent my contacts from seeing my ‘Last Seen’ online by going to Settings > Account > Privacy > Last Seen.” However, just like it is with disabling the Read receipts, hiding your ‘last seen’ prevents you from seeing others’ ‘last seen’ too. Shifa Merchant, 21, goes a step further. She has got a trick to see someone’s last seen while hiding hers. What she does is very simple. “I send out a text and then delete that person’s contact from list. After doing this I go to privacy settings and change the ‘Last Seen’ preference from ‘Everyone’ to ‘My Contacts’. This way the chat still remains there but the concerned person is not able to see my last seen detail.” Group Chats can be entertaining and irritating at the same time. The main problem with Group chats is that you have no control over the chatterboxes who take ‘pride’ in being the most active members of the group. Being a member of a Group that ‘talks’ a lot can be a nuisance, especially when you find 100 unread messages every morning when you log in. While it could be considered rude to ask people to shut up, you have the option to excuse yourself out of the conversation. Mute the Group Talk. Danish Shaikh, 23, who is pursuing a degree in Hotel Management tackles the problem thus: “My phone is an Android phone. Whenever the Group chat becomes too noisy, I hit the Menu button and select

Preparation Time: 10 minutes  Keep stirring occasionally, till the lotus seeds are cooked and Cooking Time: 25 to 30 minutes ‘Mute’. The iPhone users can find the same option inmilk is reduced. Serves: 4 section.” Best of all, you can Mute the  add sugar and cardamom powder. Group Info chat  add the slivered pistachio nuts and almonds. for eight hours, one week or even a year.  Remove from the flame. IngRedIenTS There is one more way to dodge Group Chats, yet  add screw pine flower water. Makhane (Lotus seeds/foxnuts) - 1 cup happening inMix well. remain informed about the conversations Milk litre.is called staying selectively notified. With there.- 1This FoR SeRvIng: Sugar - 2can ½ tbsp. to taste. this you avoid/ Group Chats you don’t want to be  Transfer to the serving dish. Pure gheemember - ¼ th tbsp. an active of, while also keep yourself updated Green cardamom powder ¼ tsp about certain Group Chats -that are of your interest. apply silver leaf if using and serve garnished with slivered Screw pine watergroup (Kewra) - 1 ml Go to significant chats. Tap on the name to seealmonds, pistachio nuts, saffron and edible dried rose petals. Milkmaid - 100 ml.go to ‘Custom Notifications’. Now Serve warm or chilled. group info. Then Pistachio nuts, blanched and slivered -10 gm. select from ‘Custom Message Alert’ for the Group CheFProfile TIPS: almonds, blanched and -10gm Chats of your choice. Butslivered be careful to remember the pictures or Display pictures, better known brown lotus seeds, as it will to hamper the beautiful alert tone that you have assigned to your favourite > Do not as DPs,the is definitely something show off. Besides FoR The gARnIShIng: appearance the identification kheer. Group Chat. beingof your mark, it also reflects your Silver Leaf (Chandi ka varq ) - Optional - 1 > Keep on stirring themoods milk, to prevent it from burning. personality, and your activities. The flip side sheet. 2 tbsp of is grated insteadsome of condensed Privacy intrusion is yet another menace that haunts> You may of add having a DP that itkhoya may attract naughty Pistachio blanched and slivered - 05 gm. milk. remarks and comments too. So does that mean you WhatsAppnuts, users. There are always peeping Toms who almonds, blanched in and slivered - 05gm. add having ½ tbspyour of blanched chironji (Charoli),if desired. are more interested others’ lives than their own. >IfYou may avoid DP on WhatsApp? No. There is Saffron 1 gm. you don’t want these people to read your messages a way to dodge unwanted people from seeing your Rose ½ tbsp when Petals, they popedible, up ondried your -screen through the previews, profile picture. Go to Privacy > Profile Photo and you can always take things under your control and choose from the options ‘Everyone’, ‘My Contacts’, MeThod: restrict the amount of information they display. IOS ‘Nobody’. Now the choice is yours.  In a heavy bottomed non-stick pan, add has a very straightforward way of doing this. Go to ghee.>To this add makhane sauté and overyou Settings Notifications > Showand Preview With these tricks already built in your device, it’s low flame to give it a light colour. canaforce previews to show thegolden contact’s name only. easy to be a smart user of WhatsApp and not just a Remove and keep aside. Android users don’t have such a privilege but they passive one. Use them to the best of your advantage  the same milk and to a boil. by canIncontrol the pan info add appearing in bring the notifications and enjoy what is social media’s crown jewel. Happy Whennotifications milk starts toinboil condensed opening theadd main settings. milk. WhatsApping! n When it thickens a little, add the lotus seeds Chef Mrs Reetu Uday Kugaji and cook on medium heat.

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tech talk

THE RISE

of the Robots Sit back and buckle up as we take you through the many possible scenarios that await humankind in the Age of Robots, that is apparently already upon us

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“Robots have been to the depths of the deepest oceans and they have been to Mars, but only now are they starting to come into our living rooms. Our living room is the final frontier for robots.” - Cynthia Breazeal

ust a decade ago nobody could have imagined that smartphones will dominate our lives, and how! Today a smartphone has become like an inseparable friend and companion, without whom we cannot possibly survive. Chargers and battery banks have become essential accessories that were unheard of and unseen a few years ago. So, it might not now sound to far-fetched to assume that in developed nations, at least, robots will be a common sight. Advances in Artificial Intelligence are going to force all of us to confront the inevitable situations likely to arise in the near future. Robots are going to be everywhere, not only in living rooms and workplaces, but in hospitals, schools, restaurants, elderly homes and even in our bedrooms! Whether we like it or not, the age of robots is very much upon us and we have to be fully prepared to understand it, master it and enjoy it. Since much of our daily lives, industries, hospitals, scientific pursuits, and astronomical odysseys will be dominated by artificially intelligent robots, the big question that arises then is - is it possible to design artificial intelligence so that mankind and robots can work in perfect harmony, making this planet a better place? Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area of computer science that emphasizes the creation of intelligent machines that work and react like humans. Some activities that computers with AI are designed for include Speech recognition, Learning, Planning and Problem solving. The real challenge of AI is to understand how natural intelligence works. Developing AI isn’t like building an artificial heart for scientists don’t have a simple, concrete model to work from. We do know that the brain contains billions and billions of neurons, and

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that we think and learn by establishing electrical connections between different neurons. What we don’t know however is exactly how all of these connections add up to higher reasoning, or even low-level operations. The complex circuitry seems incomprehensible. Some modern robots have the ability to learn in a limited capacity. Learning robots recognize if a certain action achieved a desired result, like moving a leg to navigate through an obstacle. The robot stores this information and attempts the successful action the next time it encounters the same situation. Again, modern computers can only do this in a very limited situations. They can’t absorb complex information like a human can. Some robots can learn by mimicking human actions. Other robots can interact socially. Kismet, a robot at

M.I.T’s Artificial Intelligence Lab, recognizes human body language and voice inflection and responds appropriately. Kismet’s creators are interested in how humans and babies interact, based only on tone of speech and visual cue. This low-level interaction could be the foundation of a human-like learning system. Self-made millionaire, Bryan Johnson, launched Kernel in August, 2017, something that will connect the brain to the computer. His company will make chips which can be inserted in the brains of humans with disease or deficiency, where the chips will help restore normal brain functions. While ‘human’ robots are used for talking, entertaining, working as a medical assistants and domestic help, ‘emotional’ or communication robots are being used to replace pets for emotional support. Robotic dogs and cats are a reality in many nations. Unlike humans, robots can carry heavy objects, work long hours and do routine work tirelessly. Robots can assist a senior citizen in walking across rugged terrain, or nurse a bedridden person without feeling mentally exhausted. With their ability to compile medical data and detect illness before it may actually manifest,

Robots for trash disposal Trash Disposal is already a global-scale problem. Oceans are spitting out tons of it as if to say they have had enough and yet we continue to heap millions of tons of garbage in rivers, oceans, mountains, space and urban land fills. Sorting out the trash is the first step to any sort of redemption but it is a dirty, dangerous job. Robots might just make that easier. Trash sorting robots are already being employed at recycling plants. Equipped with cameras and computer systems which can differentiate between specific objects, the robots arms glide over conveyor belts. Suction cups attached to their arms pick up items like glass and plastic and throw them into separate bins. Initial cost of investment in these robots takes about 5 years to recover. While trash sorting becomes more accurate, human injury can be avoided and better efficiency achieved. Recycling costs will also reduce eventually. As more and more waste gets recycled and reused, less will end up as garbage and hopefully lead to the earth breathing a sigh of relief.

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of our elderly, just yet, we are using robots to solve problems unique to us. In Ayyampatry in South India, a four wheeled device carries water from the village well to the houses. The robot carries 20 bottles at a time and communicates using a synthetic voice. After the water is decanted in the storage containers at home, the robot thanks the customer and requests her to wash her hands before the next meal.

robots are undoubtedly a big help for senior citizens. Where two humans may be needed to help a person to a wheelchair, a robotic device can transform from a bed to an electric wheelchair and take the person outside the room, at the click of a few buttons. As many elderly people are alone in their homes, Carebots can watch over them and alert their near and dear ones in case of any eventuality. The above scenarios are common in Japan which has a disproportionately ageing population and lack of healthcare workers. With more than 26 percent of the population at 65 years or older, it holds the record of the maximum number of senior and very senior citizens. With the younger generation moving to urban centres, many seniors live a lonely life in their ancestral homes. Which is when Carebots step in. Japan is now one of the leaders in the Carebot market and hundreds of care homes across Japan use Carebots to compensate for the lack of human health workers. While we may not require robots in India to take care

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Just like any significant scientific breakthrough, AI has its share of prophecies, with Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, being one of the most vocal on the issue. According to him, Tesla’s over reliance on automation was one of the reasons for the delay in the production of its popular model-3 sedan. Musk said that, “We had this crazy, complex, network of conveyor belts and it was not working, so we got rid of that whole thing and the solution was to take help of human workers.” That Musk believes that “AI will be the best or worst thing ever for humanity.” is old news now. While Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg is ‘optimistic’ about AI, Google’s head of AI, John Giannandrea says that he is ‘not worried about the AI apocalypse.’ Stephen Hawking has said that, “Unless mankind redesigns itself by changing its DNA through altering its genetic makeup, computer-generated robots will take over our world.” Firefighting Robots Humanoid robots may be used one day, to save you from a fire. Such a robot can locate the position of the fire, walk towards the blaze and then activate an extinguisher, simultaneously collecting images and sending them to an emergency team, which uses the data to analyze the situation and guide the robot from a safe distance. Imagine a situation where an industrial plant is damaged by an earthquake. With gas leaks and fires making the situation risky for humans, robots can be sent instead to the damaged rooms to perform vital tasks. The Mumbai fire brigade has started the process of acquiring first fire fighting robot in India. The robot worth 1.2 crore will allow firefighters to remotely guide it to the source of fire and douse it without putting any firemen in the danger zone. Fitted with a thermal camera, it will be capable of detecting fires during the day and at night.

Robots In Medicine Many third world countries face a shortage of nurses and healthcare professionals. China has only 2.3 for every 1000 people compared to 4.25 in Switzerland. Some hospitals in China have applied AI to all aspects of their operations, from CT scans to patient diagnosis. A patient can talk to an AI doctor with the help of WeChat, a popular messaging service in China. Robots in surgery is a most common application in hospitals across the world. A human surgeon takes the help of a robot for smaller incisions that must be made with more precision. Patients in remote areas can have access to high quality emergency consultations in cases of a

Gray Scott was more tongue-in-cheek when he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Next we are going to be caretakers for the robots.â&#x20AC;? So along with getting used to them as a common sight in the coming years, also prepare for a role-reversal in

stroke, cardiovascular or burn issues, with the help of telemedicine robots. Another unique use of robots is to disinfect hospitals. A disinfectant robot, uses a high intensity ultraviolet light to disinfect any space in a healthcare facility, quickly and efficiently, thus reducing the number of hospital acquired infections. In the future, miniature robots will be used to patch-up wounds in the stomach lining or safely remove foreign items such as swallowed toys with a technician controlling it from outside. Pilot projects are being launched to use microbots which travel through bodily fluids to deliver medication where it is needed.

the upcoming age of robots! Today robots may serve us, assist us and do our bidding, but tomorrow may be different. Till then, enjoy the ride spurred on by the continuous development of Artificial Intelligence. n

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Travelogue

The Magic of Norway

Photo: Truls Tiller

Norway with its natural, scenic green landscape, dramatic fjords, and the bluest seas ever, is one of the most picturesque and remarkable destinations in the world. FEELINGS spoke to Yogi Shergill, Vice Consul & Director (India), Norwegian Seafood Council, to find out more about this stunning country

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Mr. Yogi, please tell us a bit about yourself I am an Indian (Punjabi) by birth but have lived most of my life in Norway. With a Master’s degree in Business & Finance, I work for The Norwegian Seafood Council, promoting seafood from Norway in India and Sweden. This results in a lot of travel to the metropolitan cities in India and Stockholm in Sweden. I have three children who are studying at various levels in school and university. Apart from work I hunt big and small game, especially during the Fall season, play bridge on a regular basis and golf during the summer as the golf courses close in winter due to snow. What are the biggest assets that you believe Norway has? After the Second World War, Norway was one of the less wealthy nations in Europe. However, this changed when oil was discovered offshore in the 1960’s. For Norway it was like winning the grand lottery, which made Norway one of the richest nations in the world. The oil wealth has given us the opportunity to develop a healthy and sustainable economy based on diverse sectors like hydroelectric power, aluminum production, forestry, fish farming and a very high level of services such as banking, health and education. What draws people to Norway? With a population of only 5.5 million people, Norway is the second largest of the Scandinavian countries and most of it is covered in forests and beautiful mountains. We are also blessed with a very large

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coastline consisting of beautiful fjords that are pristine and free of pollution. The people are open and friendly, though it may take some time to get close to them, probably a result of the cold climate which makes them more insular, compared to us Indians who are generally more outgoing. What would be the best time to visit Norway? Norway is lucky to have all the four seasons of the year. There can be a lot of snow and cold temperatures in the winter, while summer is warm and balmy with a 25 degrees plus, in the south. Fall is beautiful with leaves changing colour to copper red and spring sees the trees and flowers blooming in myriad colours. So the best time to visit really depends on the kind of experience you wish to have. Many want to see the Northern Lights or the Aurora borealis, which is best seen from November to March and only in the northern parts of Norway. For a warmer experience, summer is the best time. What according to you should nobody miss when visiting Norway? I would start the journey in Oslo, the capital city, where the Vigeland Park is a must. Then would take the train to Flåm, where you truly experience the beauty of Norways’s mountains and fjords. From Flåm I would take the ferry and bus to Bergen. Bergen is a charming city with old buildings that housed the trading goods of the German Hanseatic traders,

“The people of Norway are not homogeneous. In my experience there is a difference from a person who lives in Oslo, versus the farmer living inland, compared to a fisherman along the coast.” with the Atlantic cod and mackerel being extremely important to Norway’s economy for hundreds of years. From Bergen one can take a cruise on the Hurtigruten northwards along the beautiful coast, passing through the stunning Geiranger Fjord. The Hurtigruten goes all the way up to Northern Norway; however one can get off at any stop along the way, if time is a constraint. In Tromsø, called the Paris of the North, one can take a day cruise to see whales and of course the Northern Lights in winter. Also try your luck at fishing in the sea. Tell us more about the people of Norway The people of Norway are not homogeneous - from my experience, a person who lives in Oslo is different versus the farmer living inland, compared to a fisherman along the coast. People living in the big cities and along the coast are naturally more open as they have been exposed to foreigners compared to those living inland, who have been geographically more isolated, especially in the past. There are also regional differences and this is reflected in the pride they take when talking about where they come from. This is specially seen when they wear their distinct dresses called ‘bunad’, which

are hand made, with beautiful embroidery distinct to each valley, village or town. It is usually worn for festivities. What is Norway’s speciality in terms of food? Norway is basically a seafaring nation; remember the Vikings who roamed the seas a thousand years ago, plundering Northern Europe, even reaching Greenland and Canada. This was possible because they had access to fish all year around, and they became experts in finding ways to preserve this for their travels, through curing and drying methods. Norway’s oldest export article was in fact the dried and salted cod, which the King of Norway had institutionalised with quality standards in the 15th century already. Today Norway is the second largest exporter of seafood after China; both for wild fish caught in the Northern Sea and farmed salmon along the coasts and in Fjords. When visiting Norway, one has to try the salmon, and of course cod, either baked or poached. Another must is our prawns that taste totally different from those we get in India. These are from very cold

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waters, and they have a distinct flavor of the sea, best served on a toast with mayonnaise. What local dish would you offer to a friend or a visitor? I am very fond of eating grilled food, so a filet of fresh salmon or trout baked with butter and garlic in aluminum foil, with rice and asparagus is a delicious option. Another is baked cod with ginger, garlic and paprika, with a mushroom ragout and rice, which all my friends and foreign visitors swear by. Norway has some dramatic scenery, some of which can be seen in many movies... Yes, Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s topography consists of mountains, fjords, glaciers and forests. The latest one, Mission Impossible 6, has been filmed at Preikestolen, basically a rock that is 600 meters over sea level with a fantastic view over the fjord, which can only be reached by hiking 3 hours each way, so one has to be in good shape. Other favorites are the magnificent Geiranger fjord and Trolltunga that looks like a tongue jutting out from the mountain, 1100

meters above sea level, overlooking the Ringedalsvatnet. Do you see Ecotourism in Norway having potential? During 2017, Norway had 9.9 million foreign guests, with each tourist staying on average around 7 days. For a small country like Norway this number raises concerns about the ecological impact tourism is having on many of the main sites. Locals are at times frustrated with these hordes, many that come by cruise ships, resulting in excessive noise and wear and tear to nature. There is therefore talk about limiting the number of tourists or even putting a tourist tax. In addition there is a strong focus to convert vehicles to run on electric power or have eco-friendly hybrid vehicles. Where do you see Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tourism sector by 2020? Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tourism sector employs 1.6 lakh people, so it is a huge industry, which is expected to continue growing. With so much to offer, it is a given that more tourists, especially from far off countries like India and China, will continue to visit Norway. n

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Aston Martin DB5

LICENSE TO THRILL Along with his beautiful women, James Bond is also known for his sophisticated high-end rides. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our pick of the 10 best rides the double agent has driven over the years

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here are a few things James Bond is synonymous with - the number 007, his license to kill, his beautiful women, and his sophisticated high-end rides. Car chases have been key to Bond’s on-screen exploits since Sean Connery brought the role to life on the big screen with Dr. No in 1962. Gear up for a trip down memory lane with our pick of the secret agent’s 10 best rides in Her Majesty’s service. Aston Martin DB5 — Featured in: Goldfinger, Thunderball, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale, Skyfall. The Aston Martin DB5 wasn’t the first Bond car. However, the novel Goldfinger features an Aston Martin DB Mark III with spy gadgets such as a hidden gun compartment. Production Designer Ken Adam fitted machine guns, an oil sprayer, tire shredders, rotating number plates, a tracking system and an ejector seat to the Aston Martin DB5. Reportedly, the publicity generated for Aston Martin by Goldfinger made the car so famous that it still sells because of the Bond franchise. The customised vehicle returned as Pierce Brosnan’s ride albeit without the gadgets and a slightly different number plate. It also played a cameo in Casino Royale when Daniel Craig’s Bond wins it in a poker game. The Aston Martin DB5 returned to the screen in Skyfall.

Lotus Esprit S1 — Featured in: The Spy Who Loved Me Not only does the Lotus Esprit S1 participate in one of the series’ best car chases, it even plunges off a pier and turns into a submarine for an underwater boat chase. Lotus provided seven models which were used to create the submarine. During the making of the film, the film’s unit realized the only other car that could keep up with the Esprit for car-to-car shots was another Esprit. And since

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the car had just started production, the only available car was owned by Lotus Chairman Colin Chapman. So, the film’s makers loaned out the car from Chapman. Aston Martin V8 Vantage Featured in: The Living Daylights With Timothy Dalton taking over as Bond, the film’s producers wanted to use elements that tied the film to those that came earlier. Bond’s winterized Aston featured outrigger skis, spikes that deployed from the tires, lasers mounted in the wheel hubs, a rocket afterburner and missiles hidden behind the driving lights. The snow-bound mountain chase scene in Czechoslovakia is still considered one of the best in the history of the Bond franchise. Pity then it had to feature Dalton, who many consider the worst Bond ever. BMW 750iL Featured in: Tomorrow Never Dies The 750iL was a classic V12-powered BMW flagship sedan with a design that many consider as the last goodlooking 7 Series. Because of its huge size, more gadgets could be fitted into the car. BMW provided 10 cars to the production, two of which were packed with 12 sunroof-mounted rockets, a wire cutter that popped up from the roundel, a hidden gun compartment behind the airbag, tire-shredding tetrahedrons that deployed from the rear bumper and re-inflating tires. Windows were smash-proof, door handles were electrified, there were gas canisters and Bond could retrieve the car using his mobile phone. Nifty! Mercury Cougar XR-7 Featured in: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service Little explanation should be needed as to why a classic 1969 Cougar XR-7 might be a memorable automobile. With skis mounted to its trunk, the Cougar slips and slides between six-foot snow banks as it evades Ernst Stavro Blofeld’s Benz-driving henchmen through the Swiss Alps. To shake them off, Bond urges that they crash a snow-bound stock car race, where the Cougar takes a mighty beating, but emerges victorious after some pretty memorable powerslides to boot. Lotus Esprit Turbo Featured in: For Your Eyes Only The deep red paint, the gold wheels and graphics, the

Bondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preferred car for many decades was the classic Aston Martin

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white-letter tires and the Olin Mark VI skis mounted to the back were the ride’s highlights. Other enhancements included a strengthened chassis, redesigned rear suspension, a Giugiaro-designed body kit and some pretty spectacular ruched leather in place of the S1’s plaid cloth. This Esprit also represented a step up from the Esprit S1 featured four years earlier in The Spy Who Loved Me. OK, so it couldn’t turn into a submarine, but its four-cylinder engine was at least turbocharged to produce 210 hp. Toyota 2000GT Roadster Featured in: You Only Live Twice Toyota hadn’t sold a single 2000GT Roadster yet. And like the Lotus Esprit S1 and BMW Z3, the 150hp 2000GT wasn’t yet in full production. Toyota only intended to sell its first-ever sports car as a coupe, which was a problem. Not only would it make in-car filming difficult, but 6-foot-2 Sean Connery couldn’t actually fit in it. A simpler Targa-style roof was tried, but Connery’s head popping up above the roof line looked ridiculous. A roadster was the only solution and Toyota’s Toyopet Service Centre converted two coupes in to roadsters in a mere two weeks. Technically, they weren’t convertibles since there were no side windows and that black tonneau cover didn’t actually

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conceal a folding roof. The car has communications gadgets and even a closed-circuit TV. Ford Mustang Mach 1 Featured in: Diamonds Are Forever Ford happily lent the Bond producers eight revisedfor-1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1s with the Sportsroof option. This was the last major restyling of the original Mustang and it included the car growing in almost every dimension. Thankfully, Case’s Mach 1 featured the 7.0-liter 375-hp Cobra Jet V8 that would disappear the following year. BMW Z8 Featured in: The World Is Not Enough Featuring retro-inspired styling by Henrik Fisker and a 400-hp V8, the classic BMW Z8 got its fair share of screen time in The World Is Not Enough. Though not as gadget-laden as the 750iL, the Z8 nevertheless featured little missiles that popped out of the side gills and a clever steering wheel to control them. Aston Martin DBS Featured in: Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace The DBS wasn’t exactly babied on location. Driven in part by Ben ‘The Stig’ Collins, this DBS participated in a wild chase around Italy’s Lake Garda and inside a quarry. Though it wasn’t included in the final cut of the movie, one of the many cars used in the chase accidentally plunged into the lake after stunt driver Fraser Dunn lost control, smashed through a rather flimsy protective railing and dropped down meters into the drink. He survived relatively unscathed, but the car had to be salvaged from 55 meters down. n

A Real Estate Consultant

interview

FOR THE LOVE OF

FOOD

Chef Ajay Chopra has a quick chat with Abid Mohammed

Were you fussy about food, as a child? I was very fussy about food, anything bland and tasteless was a no-no for me.

most like to possess? The skill of being diplomatic and being able to manipulate things and make everyone happy.

When did you decide to become a Chef? It was my 1st year in Hotel Management and Applied Nutrition, that got me interested in food production.

Where did you train to cook? The Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development gave me a foundation, and it has been a continuous learning process ever since.

What was your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reaction to your wanting to be a chef? Initially they were surprised and Mummy ne chappal mari thi (Mom hit me with her slippers!). What would you be if not a chef? I wanted to become an architect, before I got interested in cooking. Given a choice, which talent would you

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How would you describe your style of cooking? Progressive freestyle, a combination of modern techniques with tradition. Do you have a signature dish or a favourite dish you enjoy cooking? My guests appreciate many of my dishes created at different restaurants, such as dal makhni, galawat, and

kakori. I really enjoy cooking pancakes for my kids, almost every Sunday. What current trends in food excite you? Using local ingredients, going back to basics, and technology meeting nostalgia are the trends that I am following. Are there any ingredients that have fallen out of fashion for you? Paneer and bad quality Tofu are passé. Is there a food that you don’t like? Indian food with under-cooked masala which directly hits your gut and over-cooked, saucy pasta.

Who are the other chefs you admire? Sanjeev Kapoor, Jamie Oliver and Eric Ripert to name a few. What should people eat in the monsoons? Bhutta (corn) which is rich in fiber and great in taste, warm bowls of soup to nourish the soul and pakodas, of course. What’s your favourite street food? Aloo ki tikki. What are your favourite food cities? Old Delhi, Shanghai and Hong Kong would top the list. n

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young achiever

tech all the way Canada based Parth Patel is a firm believer in putting technology to good use

arth Patel is a serial entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of SyS Creations – IT Management and Consulting Solutions, a leading IT firm focused on technology-driven solution with a customer-centric, journey-first approach. Parth has recently founded another venture YoloCarts, which aspires to make hiring a pre-vetted service provider as easy as e-commerce. Parth desires to build a platform which can organize the world of services - and bring them to your fingertips. Parth also serves as Chief Technical Officer for Silver Fox Pharmacy (LTC) and Zep VR. Operating the IT infrastructure of many small and medium sized businesses keeps him on his toes and his passion for helping others keeps him motivated. His career ranges from serving small independents to national corporations and privately owned Canadian companies. Parth has also worked in the space of Virtual Reality and is a firm believer in leveraging technology - “a set of simple yet powerful processes can make anything happen.” Parth moved to Canada in 2011, at the age of 17, to follow his passion for business. He started working with Canadian entrepreneurs on a contract basis. Parth

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admires entrepreneurs, recognizes the need for innovation and welcomes change as an opportunity to do things differently. Every person and business, for that matter, operates differently. Parth takes out enough time to figure that uniqueness. With an amazing ability to transfer that knowledge to the next person or business, he focuses on getting the most value for what you have, thinking about every conceivable way in which to make your business better. At present, SyS Creations and YoloCarts together employ over 70 tech and business enthusiasts, who look forward to crafting inimitable solutions with plans of expansion in Canada and India. A family person, Parth enjoys practicing yoga and motivating others in the Halton Region. Most recently, Parth was awarded for “Technology Achievement of 2018” by the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce. He was awarded by Ahmed Hussen (Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Canada), Vikas Swarup (Indian High Commissioner to Canada) and Venki Raman (Vice President - CIBC). On 15th August, 2018, India’s Independence Day, Parth organised an Indian Flag Hoisting, for the first time in the city of Burlington. The tricolour was hoisted by the Mayor of Burlington, Rick Goldring alongwith Indian children.

recipes

Chef Ami Bhatt shares her favourite monsoon recipes

CORN KHICHADI Ingredients

1 Cup Grated Corn 1 pinch Asafoetida 3 Cups Milk Â˝ Tsp Turmeric Powder 2 Tbsp. Ghee/Oil 2 Tsp Sugar 2 Green Chilli 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice 1 Tsp Cumin Seeds Pomegranate for garnishing 5-7 Clove and Cardamom pieces Coriander leaves for garnishing Salt to Taste 1) In a deep frying pan, heat ghee/oil and sautĂŠ cumin seeds, clove and cardamom. 2) Add grated corn to this and cook for the next 5 minutes. 3) Now add milk and turmeric powder to this mixture and cook until ghee separates. 4) Add sugar, salt as per your taste and lemon juice and cook for 3-4 minutes. 5) Serve hot, garnished with coriander leaves and pomegranate.

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Coffee Table Book

hp„Qp¡ Ap¡“gpB“ d¡N¡qT“ www.feelingsmultimedia.com

recipes

SAVOURY PUMPKIN TARTS INGREDIENTS FOR TART BASE 1 Cup White Flour 1 Tbsp Salt 50 gm Butter Water as required PROCESS FOR MAKING TART BASE Knead the above ingredients into a dough by first rubbing the butter into the flour with your fingertips. When the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, add the salt and enough water to bring it all together. Leave aside for at least 10 minutes. Now press the mix on the inside of the tart moulds and bake in the oven at 180 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until light brown. INGREDIENTS FOR STUFFING 2-3 Tbsp. Oil ½ Cup finely diced Capsicum ½ Cup Finely diced Onion ¼ Tsp Turmeric Powder

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1 Tbsp. Ginger & green chilli Paste 1 Tsp Red Chilli Powder 1 Cup Finely diced Pumpkin 1-2 Tsp Water to soften 1 Tsp Coriander and 1 Tsp Cumin Powder 2 Tsp Sugar 1 Tsp Lemon Juice Pomegranate and Coriander Leaves for garnishing PROCESS FOR MAKING STUFFING In a deep frying pan, heat the oil and add the onion, followed by the ginger-chilli paste and the spices. Add the pumpkin and capsicum and cook until soft. Add the sugar, salt and water if required. Lastly add the lemon juice and mix well. Now stuff the already prepared tart bases with 2-3 tsp of this filling. Garnish each tart with pomegranate seeds and coriander leaves, before serving.

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fortune teller

Bejan Daruwalla is a well- known Astrologer and Author

predictions for september 2018

Know what the stars have in store for you from none other than Bejan Daruwalla, the most popular Indian astrologer who has also authored hundreds of books on the topic Aries (21st March to 20th April) Your exceptionally high energy levels will keep you in high spirits, be it professional commitments or personal. Businessmenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reputation improves, but some misunderstandings are likely at home. Be patient with your partnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s childish behaviour, says Ganesha. Students will be prone to distractions. Take proper remedial measures to avoid a relapse of any ailment. Taurus (21st April to 21st May): You will pursue multiple strategies to increase your financial stability, this month. Avoid business trips as they might not yield great results. Friction at home could cause stress. Mid-month could see you being disgruntled at work for not

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being appreciated - continue doing your best. Singles could begin a new relationship. Students see great academic success. Gemini (22nd May to 21st June): The month could begin slow and might test your patience. Huge monetary gains are indicated between 17th and 22nd, especially in business. Be prepared to work hard to net new clients. Students might take up a part-time job, while employees will get a number of chances to showcase their skills. Friends and relatives might be gossiping about you. Give time, the matter will resolve on its own. Cancer (22nd June to 22nd July): Blessings of Ganesha and your forefathers are spelling prosperity. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shy away from an opportunity to interact with

august-september 2018

influential industry people. A glitch, such as a soured relation with a dear one, is foreseen between 17th and 23rd. Be objective, and pursue your passion to release stress. Praying and charity could occupy you in the last week. Digestive problems could occur. Leo (23rd July to 22nd August): You may bump into an old friend or an ex-colleague, who could give you much-needed career-related advice. You may redecorate your home. A dream project with a government organisation is likely to materialise - meaning an increased workload but improved financial position. Seasonal changes might affect health. Charity, social functions and hobbies will keep you busy all month.

Virgo (23rd August to 22nd September): Your enormous appetite for professional success is likely to give you sleepless nights. It is a good time to exhibit your talent, be it in art, craft, music or dance, on a larger platform. With lucrative deals ready to be struck, businessmen will rejoice. Couples eager to be parents might get lucky. Thank the cosmos if your account balances swell and investments double! Libra (23rd September to 22nd October): Challenges at work to make you realize there is no shortcut to success. Businessmen will have trouble initially but as the month progresses, things look positive with back-to-back orders. While the urge to spend might be strong, keep a tight leash on finances. Prospering work, high spirits and good money give you a chance to bond and celebrate with your family. Employees, though, may be insecure right now. The only option is to perform well. Scorpio (23rd October to 22nd November): Rely on determination and rigorous work this month. Benefits, tangible or intangible, are waiting for you. You may come across umpteen work opportunities to make extra bucks.

However, read the rules to avoid misunderstandings. This may not be a very favourable time for employees but it too shall pass. Meanwhile, you suddenly become everyone’s favourite in the social circle, and you are loving it! Students are blessed with great grasping power. Diabetics, take care. Sagittarius (23rd November to 21st December): Personal equations are in sharp focus so, naturally, there is a possibility of clashes. Be calm and bring back the peaceful home environment. Avoid major financial decisions for now. The stars shall help you manage your daily expenses. You may even donate to the poor. Later in the month, past memories come to haunt you. Divert yourself by focusing more on your work and passion. There is a likelihood of closing a deal. Capricorn (22nd December to 20th January): This month is like a rollercoaster ride. Growing tension between the you and your partner may be the reason for distress. In order to deviate your mind, focus on other constructive matters. You get an opportunity to guide younger siblings about their career choices. Prepare for familial expenses that may crop up. While committed ones shall

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soon tie the knot, singles, finally, will find the ‘right one’. Beware of bone related ailments. Aquarius (21st January to 18th February): Work pressure and lack of motivation may upset you, month beginning. You may feel underpaid and overqualified and want to look for a better job. Stay put, advises Ganesha. Rude behaviour by your loved one can create a rift. Calm down and wait for the right time to patch-up. Students will have to put in more effort than usual. Seasonal changes may attack your immunity. Pisces (19th February to 20th March): Taking a personal loan for your dream project, or an undue risk to make quick money can cost you heavily. Don’t be hassled by the slow progress. Chances of massive wealth creation are quite high now. Household expenses may increase. Growing animosity with your partner may disturb you. You may discuss and ceasefire with delicacy. An unexpected disease, partly, a relapse of an old ailment might prompt you to see your doctor. n

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bold words

reaching out A cry for #HelpKerala

Raveena Tandon @TandonRaveena To my brothers on the front,in Kerala,and all those away from home. We appreciate,value all you do. Protect, Rescue, keep us safe from every calamity, manmade, war, disaster or natural. Godbless and May you live long and always come back home♥️#IndianArmy@ adgpi #rakshabandhan

Bhaichung Bhutia @bhaichung15 United Sikkim won the State League for the second time consecutively. We have decided to donate our winnings to Kerala Relief Fund to help the flood victims. I hope that all of you will also come forward to help them in any way you can.

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PMO India @PMOIndia India stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Kerala in this hour of grief. #MannKiBaat

HH Sheikh Mohammed @HHShkMohd We urge everyone to donate generously to this venture. The people of Kerala had always been successful in the success of the UAE. We have a special responsibility to support and assist the flood victims. Especially in this epic and blessing of Eid al-Adha.

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Amitabh Bachchan @SrBachchan T 2904 - The devastation caused by incessant rain in Kerala is frightening ! Hundreds and thousands of our sisters and brothers are in deep anguish ! We must do all we can to contribute as much as we can towards the needs of the people of Kerala .. I have .. you must too .. Dulquer Salmaan @dulQuer Urging and requesting the #nationalmedia to focus and draw attention to #keralafloods !! Each day is looking more grim for millions

Sachin Tendulkar @sachin_rt Respect and deep admiration for the @ IAF_MCC, @indiannavy, @adgpi and other rescue forces in Kerala. Your consistent and remarkable display of courage and compassion is an inspiration to us all. God bless! #KeralaFloods #KeralaFloodRescue

Hrithik Roshan @iHrithik The situation in Kerala is critical. Help is required. Please let’s come forward and do whatever we can. Our friends in Kerala need us right now. I have contributed a sum and I request you all to do whatever you can. God bless #KeralaFloodRelief

"It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting"