Happy Flying! // Air Costa Inflight Magazine // July 2014

Page 1

VOL 1 • NO.2 • JULY

2014

Resplendence of Bangalore

STAR TALKS Alia Bhatt Prithviraj

PoRTUGAL

The Next Big Wine Destination

New ANd NoTAbLe

Luxury Essentials



CONTENTS

10

Bangalore The garden city!

16/ Must-Haves | New and notable luxury essentials.

20/ The Champions | The top four popular FIFA teams.

28/ The Smart Home | Technology comes home.

62

Sonakshi Sinha Talks about her dreams, fears and embarrassing moments!

4

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

38

54

Vintage Décor Alia Bhatt Home trends for the season. “I am obsessed with looking great”.


Printer & Publisher Ravikant Sabnavis Editor Shweta Kulkarni Editorial Team Blitz Multimedia Team Art Director Rosetta Vaz

CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

Art Studio Blitz Multimedia Art Studio Sr. Manager - Production Abbas J Kapadia Head - Marketing & Ad Sales Pradipto Nandy

Mobile: +91 9987797269 pradipto@blitzmultimedia.co

Mumbai, Goa, Pune: Dnyanesh Kanchan

Mobile: +91 9820393586, dkanchan@blitzmultimedia.co

Katty Gia

Mobile: +91 9870532295, katty@blitzmultimedia.co

Hanzila Mirza

Mobile: +91 9920188604, hanzila@blitzmultimedia.co

Ahmedabad: Sheju

Mobile: 09879561716, s&sadvertising223@gmail.com

Delhi: Dhruv Kotru

Mobile: +91 9818199477, dhruv@blitzmultimedia.co

Dear valued guest,

Bangalore, Kerala, Puducherry: Sanjay Jariwal

At the outset, I thank you for the positive response that we received for the inaugural issue of our In-flight magazine—Happy Flying. Your response has enthused us to bring out more such interesting issues for your reading pleasure.

Mobile: +91 9900239492, jariwals@gmail.com

Kolkata: H. K. Jaiswal

With our country geared up for accelerated developments after the elections, I strongly believe a larger role for individuals and private institutions has been created. We plan to take part in this noble dream of enhancing the economic activity by providing better connectivity between the metros and upcoming cities in India.

Mobile: +91 9836210096, jaiswal@blitzmultimedia.co

48

Hyderabad, Secunderabad & Chennai: Anand Bichali

Portugal Europe’s next big wine destination.

Mobile: +91 7799651219, +91 9885634618 bichalianand@gmail.com, media9@ymail.com

I am pleased to announce Madurai, as our newest destination. We now connect the Temple City to Chennai and Hyderabad with daily flights. I am also happy to introduce daily day-return flights from Vijayawada to Chennai via Hyderabad with convenient timings and I am confident this will prove popular with our guests.

Sumati Rekhi

Mobile: +91 9840018564, media9@ymail.com

Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry & Guntur: N. Rajashekar Mobile: +91 9246336642, nrshekar9@gmail.com

34/ From Grape To Glass | A guide to perfect your wine experience.

44/ Fitness | Gym gyan for beginners. 46/ Fabulously Flawless | Secret to a blemish free skin.

58/ Prithviraj | Money Can’t Buy You Happiness…

64/ Bangalore | Through the eye of a cartoonist.

66/ Madurai | The legends and the temples.

75/ Fashion Alert | Trending styles! 6

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

The monsoon has arrived and for guests seeking a holiday break this season, Air Costa offers you a wonderful opportunity to explore the vivacious beaches of Visakhapatnam (Vizag). We have daily direct flights from Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai to Visakhapatnam.

Chandigarh: Puneet Arya

Mobile: +91 9316969911/ +91 9878869911, aryapuneet@yahoo.com

Mangalore: Sanjay Mudbidri

Mobile: +91 9880483130, sanjay.mudbidri@gmail.com The Contents of Air Costa - Happy Flying shall not be published or reproduced in any form without the written permission of the Editor. The Copyright in the contents of this magazine including photographs printed and published vests exclusively with Blitz Multimedia Private Limited. Printed And Published By: Mr. Ravikant Sabnavis on behalf of Blitz Multimedia Private Limited and printed at Nectar Prints Pvt Ltd, A/127 Ghatkopar Ind Estate, Off LBS Marg, Ghatkopar (W), Mumbai - 400086 and published at Blitz Multimedia Private Limited, A-3, Sangam Bhavan, Ground Floor, Arthur Bunder Road, Behind Fariyas Hotel, Colaba, Mumbai-400 005. Editor: Shweta Kulkarni Head Office: A-3, Sangam Bhavan, Ground Floor, Arthur Bunder Road, Behind Fariyas Hotel, Colaba, Mumbai-400 005, Maharashtra. Board No: +91 22-22830668-70, Editorial Tel: +91 22-22830671, E-mail: cbedit@blitzmultimedia.co, Advertising Tel: +91 22-22834995, Telefax: +91 22-22834994 E-mail: advertising@blitzmultimedia.co

Air Costa offers you a wonderful opportunity to explore the vivacious beaches of Visakhapatnam (Vizag). We have daily direct flights from Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai to Visakhapatnam.

The current issue of Happy Flying features the cosmopolitan city of Bangalore. Right from its scenic gardens to the tremendous array of culinary options, the in-depth feature covers the multifaceted metropolis in its full glory. This July issue has lots to offer the traveller in you as we also cover the legends and temples of our newest destination—Madurai. Luxury essentials, interior trends, and technology for smart homes are few other engaging reads that broadly sum the July issue of Happy Flying. At Air Costa, we constantly strive to build relationships with our valued guests and look forward to your continued patronage. To help us in our pursuit to serve you better, you may write to me at chairman@aircosta.in On behalf of my team, I thank you for flying with us today. I hope you have a wonderful flight with our class defining service.

Happy Flying With best wishes, L. Ramesh Chairman, Air Costa



Cover Story

Discovering

The Garden City The bustling IT-hub of the country has a lot more to offer than its fantastic weather. Mithila Mehta takes you through the colourful and energetic cosmopolitan – Bangalore.

W

hen I first moved to Bangalore a few years ago, all I had heard of the city pretty much came down to two things: First, the weather— the fantastic weather, to be precise. Second, tasteless jokes about the city’s 11pm deadline (which has recently been extended). However, spending time in the city has helped me discover that there is more to Bangalore than the weather and the deadline. This lovely city still has clung onto the charm of a small town and the wonderful melt of cultures has made Bangalore a multifaceted metropolis. There are fantastic options to go out and have a good time—whether it is the many microbreweries that dot the city, the tremendous array of culinary options, the opportunity to fly a microlight plane or spend a calm few hours in the beautiful Cubbon Park.

Getting In And Around Transport is not really an

10

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

issue in the city. The airport bus service is great for travel to and from the airport. Taxi services are also available. For routine travel, you could simply wave down an autorickshaw off the streets or book a radio taxi if you are travelling at an odd hour.

Weather

They weren’t lying…the weather in Bangalore is fabulous all through the year. In the monsoons, it can get pretty windy—so a windcheater is a must. Winters get chilly, so carrying a light coat or sweater is recommended.

Best Eat Outs

Whether it is fine dining options, exotic cuisines, or local legends – Bangalore offers a plethora of dining options. Indiranagar, Church Street (Off Brigade Road) and Koramangala are popular areas for the best dining options. Here’s a list of some iconic eating options that you shouldn’t miss while in Bangalore…

Lal Bagh glass house HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

11


best known restaurant chains. A must-try is the legendary masala dosa, made in the typical Kannada-style. Wash it down with some special filter coffee. The fixed thaali meal is also very popular.

UB City mall

Bangalore Palace

Chai At Koshy’s, MG Road: Nestled just off MG Road, Koshy’s is an iconic Bangalore eatery. Step in, and you are transported into a different era. Koshy’s is popular with the arty types and journalists—at any time, you will definitely spot a heated intellectual debate brewing over endless cups of tea. Sunday breakfasts are extra special at Koshy’s, with people queuing up outside the outlet even before it opens to ensure they get some of Koshy’s signature appam and stew (available only on Sundays).

Breakfast At Egg Factory: A favourite among the locals for excellent food at reasonable prices, Egg Factory is a must-go if you’d like to try egg preparations like never before. Death By Chocolate At Corner House: You ain’t eaten nothing if you haven’t dug into the Death by Chocolate dessert at Corner House. We doubt you have ever eaten anything as sinfully delicious! Masala Dosa At MTR: Established in 1924, MTR is one of Bangalore’s oldest and

Andhra Meal At Hotel Nandini: Another delightful experience is the Andhra meal thaali at Hotel Nandini. You are served on a banana leaf—look on incredulously as every inch of your banana leaf is served with food. Dig into a hearty meal, high on spice and flavour. The hospitable serving staff will coax and cajole you to eat until you are absolutely stuffed. Hot Idlis At Brahmins, Basavanagudi: There are all of five items on the menu at Brahmins – idli, vada, khara bhaat, kesari bhaat and coffee—but that hasn’t stopped Brahmins from becoming one of Bangalore’s most popular local joints. The food is just fantastic, especially the piping hot idlis! Food Street At V V Puram: Perhaps the yummiest street

in Bangalore. V V Puram’s food street serves pretty much everything—from aloo paratha to zafrani pulao. Do not miss the obattu (sweet roti), masala sodas (Cola laced with spices), the congress bun from VB Bakery, and the fluffy idlis. Specialist Cuisines: Fancy some authentic Coorgi dishes or some delicious Afghani cuisine? Bangalore has a host of restaurants specializing in exotic and interesting cuisines. Wild Spice (Brigade Road) is a good bet for Coorgi specialties, Ayda (Church Street) serves fantastic Persian food and Samarkand (Infantry Road) is the place for Afghan cuisine. Phobidden Fruit (Indiranagar) serves Vietnamese cuisine and is frequented by the city’s hip crowd.

city’s nightlife is buzzing like never before. Bangalore’s Microbreweries: We love Bangalore’s wonderful microbreweries because of the crafted beer, yes. But more so because we love the vibe and vibrancy of these microbreweries. Toit (Indiranagar) is perhaps Bangalore’s most popular microbrewery. Despite the sprawling interiors the pub is pretty much always packed to the rafters. Biere Club (Lavelle

Road), Arbour Brewing Company (McGrath Road) and Windmills Craftworks (Whitefield) are other popular microbreweries. The Classic Pubs: Draught beer in chunky beer glasses as Led Zeppelin plays in the background—Bangalore’s favourite old school pubs are a perfect mix of beer and classic rock. Pecos (off Brigade Road), Stones (Indiranagar), Purple Haze (Residency Road), Jimi’s

Microbrewery in Bangalore

Mini train at Cubbon Park

Pubs & Night life

If you love going out and having a good time, Bangalore has plenty to offer. With the nighttime deadline recently being extended to 1am, the

12

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

13


is a fun activity for the entire family. If nothing else, just drive through Cubbon Park for a few moments of tranquillity. Do look out for the vivid red stone buildings of the Attara Kacheri (High Court) and State Archeological Museum (the oldest in India). Flower Spotting At Lal Bagh: For those who love flora, the Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens are a must-go. Originally commissioned by Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, the gardens carry a unique heritage of their own. Lal Bagh is home to the largest collection of tropical plants in India. The annual flower show, held in the glass house, is a major tourist draw.

Interiors of Bangalore palace

Lal Bagh flower show

(Indiranagar) are all old favourites. Sing Along At Karaoke Nights: This is a city that loves to sing while it drinks! Karaoke nights are immensely popular in Bangalore—truly, singing karaoke should be on every resident’s bucket list! Love Shack (Domlur), Opus (Palace Road) and Legends of

Rock (Koramangala) are top spots for crooners. For those who enjoy live indie music, Humming Tree, Indiranagar and CounterCulture, Whitefield are the best in the city.

city’s fabulous rooftop bars for a truly heady experience! 13th Floor (MG Road) is an old favourite while Skye Bar (UB City) is frequented by the city’s hip crowd.

Watering Holes With A View: A night out with a sweeping view of the city spread out below—head to one of the

Soak In History At Bangalore Palace: The historic Bangalore Palace (located on Palace Road) is owned by the royal family of Mysore. It is a must visit for those who love their history. The palace offers an interesting glimpse into the princely states of India. Do look out for the beautiful wooden carvings and neoclassical antique furniture. Art lovers will be delighted to see works by Raja Ravi Verma adorn the walls.

See-Do-Explore

Shopping In The City: If you love to shop, Bangalore has plenty of shopping spots to suit every taste and pocket. Brigade Road, one of the city’s oldest shopping districts, offers both street- side and branded shopping. The road is always buzzing with activity through out the day, so it is a good place to stroll about too, doing window-shopping, and watching people. For highend luxury purchases, head to the UB City Mall (Vittal

Mallya Road), where pretty much every luxury brand has a store. Commercial Street is excellent for bargain purchases; do remember to negotiate with all your might. Wander Around City Market: Wander around city market and discover the ‘real’ Bangalore! Watch the city come alive in all its colour and chaos. Visit early in the morning to see flowers and vegetables arrive for the day. Look out for the towering Jama Masjid, the streetside stalls selling delicious treats and the line of dentists who have set up business directly on the street. The city market is a riot of colours and buzzing with energy—do not miss it! Only In Bangalore: For those who are looking for something interesting to do, the regular tourist spots may not suffice. Bangalore is home to a vibrant music scene. Some of the best known bands have performed in the city—right from Metallica to Mark Knopfler. Attend one of the city’s concerts—head bang with other metal heads to make it a night to remember! If

you love books, do not miss visiting Blossoms Book House, Church Street. This quaint three-storied shop is home to thousands of second hand books—spend a leisurely afternoon discovering the written word. For those who love their wings, the HAL Aerospace Museum is an interesting visit. You can also fly a twin-seater microlight aircraft at the Jakkur Aerodrome for a truly once in a lifetime experience.

Nearby Getaways

If you are looking to get away from the hustle and the bustle of city life, Bangalore is a getaway to some lovely vacation spots. Drive down to the beautiful Nandi Hills (60kms away) for a spectacular sunrise. Mysore and Srirangapatman are located about 140kms from Bangalore and is an interesting stop for those who love history. A visit to one of the nearby waterfalls (Hogenakkal Falls, Shivasamudram Falls and many others) is sure to completely rejuvenate you. Historic Hampi, beautiful Coorg, the beaches of Gokarna are all accessible through Banaglore.

Attara Kacheri (High Court)

Stroll Around Cubbon Park: Located in the centre of the city, this sprawling 300 acre park is Bangalore’s heart. An early morning jog around its serene pathways is sure to leave you refreshed, a happy picnic amid its green gardens

14

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

15


LIFESTYLE

New And Notable Luxury Essentials Mithila Mehta notes down some luxury must-haves this season for those who like that bit of extraordinary splendour in their lives.

I

n the world of luxury, this season has seen a number of interesting new launches, both in India and internationally. Whether it is fashion, accessories, travel gear, or jewellery, there is plenty of lovely stuff on offer for those who love the beautiful things in life!

Silver Home Décor Range From The Big Door

Give your home a gleaming touch of luxury courtesy the exquisite silver range from The Big Door. The designs of the range have been inspired from the Mughal era exhibiting fine workmanship, tradition and exclusiveness. Crafted from pure silver and teak wood, the designs are truly splendid. Do look out for the magnificent four-poster queen’s bed in red velvet and silver.

Paresh Lamba’s Signatures Collection For Men

Calling all you dapper men! Designer Paresh Lamba’s new collection for the season spells class and elegance. Whether you want to suit up, go the ethnic route or dress down for a casual Friday, the collection offers you a multitude of options. The collection has been designed as a celebration of Lamba’s fifteen years in the world of fashion. We are loving the bold silhouettes, exquisite fabrics and sharp cuts.

Corneliani Travel Gear Jetsetters, Rejoice!

Corneliani’s travel gear range lets you travel in style like never before. Impeccably designed and carefully crafted from calfskin, each of the pieces is a work of art. The range includes the elegant Corneliani travel bag, hold-all, travel clutch and travel organisers. Design meets functionality, we love it.

The Linear Luxe By Mirari

Beauty meets flair in the new Linear Luxe collection by Mirari. The collection is all about mesmerising linear danglers – a sparkling token to the monsoons. The linear danglers at Mirari are designed on 18 karat of white gold with the significant choice of intense colour diamonds, red rubies and sapphires as it glitters to perfection!

Pathos Princess By Carl F. Bucherer

If you love elegance adorning your wrist, the ‘Pathos Princess’ by Lucerne-based watch brand Carl F. Bucherer is just for you. The gleaming timepiece is wreathed in a lattice of 18-karat rose gold. The watch’s bracelet has individual links made of polished rose gold elements and stainless steel. Truly, the Pathos lives up to its majestic name.

16

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

17


‘Ice-FIFA’ Collection By Ice Watches

Support your favourite country this football World Cup season with the new ‘Ice Fifa‘collection by Ice Watches. The watches are designed with the flags of Italy, France, United Kingdom, United States of America and Spain and are available for men and women both. Here’s to wearing your loyalty on your sleeve like never before.

Silver Supper By Alchemy De Luxe

Dine like royalty with Alchemy De Luxe’s imperial dinner range on chiselled silver art. This exclusive dinner range, carved on goldplated metal, chiselled and sterling silver is extraordinary in look and style. A definite must-have for those who want their dining to be a cut above.

Ritte Khanna for DVAR

Beat the gloomy monsoon blues with this ultra bling look by Ritte Khanna for Dvar. Sparkle and shine through the season in style – the clutch bags are carefully designed and encrusted with sparklers. The fun designs and zany shapes are just one more reason to buy them now!

Exquisite Tie-pins By Varuna D. Jani

For all those who wonder what to gift a man who matters – Varuna Jani’s exquisite collection of tie-pins are the answer. With studded diamonds and white gold plating, this tie-pins are intricately crafted with utmost skill. Here’s to luxury that is truly timeless.

18

JULY 2014 / HAPPY AIRCOSTA FLYING!

Little Miss wanderlust herself, Mithila Mehta loves to travel and write. You can follow her on Twitter@mith_m


sports

The Champions! Sport enthusiast Karan Mehta predicts the top four teams to watch out for during the FIFA World Cup 2014.

T

he excitement level around the biggest sporting extravaganza – FIFA World Cup, is at the peak. However, the road to FIFA World Cup 2014 was a gruelling one. Two hundred

and three teams participated from six FIFA confederations and after 820 matches, 2303 goals, just 31 teams made it to the main event. Brazil are given automatic qualification being the hosts.

While the best teams are vying for the coveted world cup, we try to look into the future and pick four teams, who will perhaps make it to the top during this FIFA World Cup.

BRAZIL World Cup record: Played 97, Won 67, Drawn 15, Lost 15. World Cups won: 5 (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002) The Samba boys have not had greatest of times in the World Cups of late. They were knocked out of the competition in the quarterfinals in 2006 and 2010. However, this time around, they look determined. Though they have not gone through the rigours of the qualifying process, they have warmed up to the occasion by winning the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and that too in grand style by thumping the mighty Spain 3-0 in the final. Brazil have a rich history, they are the only team to have participated in every edition of the tournament. They have won it a record five times — in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. They hold the record for most number of goals and most number of wins in the competition. Their last triumph came in 2002

20

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

and this time around, the hopes will be high. Anything less than a title will be a disappointment for the home fans. They have their coach back — Luis Felipe Scolari — who led them to the title in 2002. He replaced Mano Menezes in 2012 and started with a bang by winning the Confederations Cup. The 65-year-old normally employs a 4-2-3-1 formation and plays well-disciplined and no-nonsense brand of football. Brazil are a sight to behold when they produce sublime attacking football. Strengths: Brazil have a well-balanced side. They have some dangerous attacking players in Neymar Fred and Hulk, resolute defenders in Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Dani Alves and highly skilled midfielders in Paulinho, Gustavo, Oscar. The support of the home crowd will be a huge factor. Weakness: Brazil lacks a world-class striker. Fred and Jo have done decent jobs but they do not possess the

same kind of killer instinct as all-time Brazil greats such as Pele and Ronaldo. Player to watch: The poster boy of World Cup 2014 — Neymar — will carry the hopes of the entire nation.

Neymar

HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

21


In every edition, Argentina start off as one of the favourites but often fail to deliver. They have been perennial underachievers.

Lionel Messi

Labelled as the ‘new Pele’, the 22-year-old plays electrifying football and possesses incredible dribbling abilities at lightening speeds. Such is his talent that Spanish club Barcelona bought him for a world record 95 million Euros (approximate) from his boyhood club Santos last year, making him the most expensive player in history. Trivia: Brazil have won the World Cup most number of times - 5.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar, Jefferson, Victor Defenders: Marcelo, Daniel Alves, David Luiz, Dante, Henrique, Maicon, Maxwell, Thiago Silva Midfielders: Paulinho, Ramires, William, Oscar, Hernanes, Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho Forwards: Bernard, Neymar, Fred, Jo, Hulk

ARGENTINA World Cup record: Played 70, Won 37, Drawn 13, Lost 20 World Cups won: 2 (1978, 1986) In every edition, Argentina start off as one of the favourites but often fail to deliver. They have been perennial underachievers. The last time they won the World Cup was back in 1986 thanks to a genius named Diego Maradona. It was their second title after 1978. Twice, they

22

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

have ended as runners-up in the competition — 1930 and 1990. They have not made it to the semi-finals of the competition since 1990. They would be looking to shrug off the earlier disappointments and aiming for a fresh start. A good run in the Qualifiers saw them top the South American competition. They won nine out of their 16 games and lost just two. After a wobbly start, which saw them lose to Venezuela and a draw against a weak Bolivia, they went on a rampage, winning six of their next seven matches. Their coach Alejandro Sabella cuts a low profile figure but comes out as someone who makes brave decisions. He generally employs a 4-3-3 formation but it can change according to the situation. Strengths: An attacking line-up with the names of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain can send shivers down the spines of the opposition. The guile, creativity, pace and precision of these attackers can kill the opposition within minutes.


Weakness: Lackluster defense could turn out to be Argentina’s Achilles heel. They lack excellent names in the defensive line-up and their back line problems are highlighted from the fact that they conceded 15 goals in the Qualifiers — second most in their group. Player to watch: There is unadulterated joy in watching Lionel Messi wield his magic on field. The four-time footballer of the year and arguably one of the best footballers of current generation has a point to prove this year. He has often been criticized for not replicating his club success for his country. He has had wealth of club titles but the only thing missing from his trophy cabinet is the World Cup trophy. The arrival of coach Sabella has had a positive impact on the Barcelona star, he scored 10 goals from 14 matches in the qualifiers. His fans would be hoping that the 28-year trophy drought would end in ‘Messi-merising’ fashion.

Trivia: Diego Maradona scored the infamous ‘Hand of God Goal’ against England in the 1986 World Cup and three minutes later, he went on to score the ‘Goal of the Century’ dribbling past five defenders and scoring a scintillating solo goal.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Mariano Andujar, Agustin Orion Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta, Federico Fernandez, Ezequiel Garay, Marcos Rojo, Hugo Campagnaro, Martin Demichelis, Jose Basanta. Midfielders: Javier Mascherano, Fernando Gago, Lucas Biglia, Ricardo Alvarez, Augusto Fernandez, Angel Di Maria, Maxi Rodriguez, Enzo Perez. Forwards: Lionel Messi,

Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Rodrigo Palacio, Ezequiel Lavezzi

GERMANY World Cup record: Played 62, Won 36, Drawn 14, Lost 12 World Cups won (As Germany and West Germany): 3 (1954, 1974, 1990). In every edition, the Germans are considered giants but they have recently lacked the final push. They have reached the finals a record seven times and won the title thrice (1954, 1974, 1990). They have finished in top four, 12 times which is a remarkable feat, but it is the trophy that eludes them since 1990. Joachim Low, their coach,

The Germans are considered giants but they have recently lacked the final push. They have reached the finals a record seven times and won the title thrice (1954, 1974, 1990).

Burning, tingling, diabetic foot pain can make life difficult. If you or your patients suffer from symptoms like these, treatment with Anodyne® Therapy, has clinically proven to help. The word “Anodyne” means pain relief and Anodyne® Therapy products are newly available in India, and are directly imported from USA. These systems emit infrared light at a wavelength of 890 nm, resulting in increased circulation and pain relief. This treatment is drug-free and can easily be delivered during a 30 minute office visit. Fifteen (15) studies have been published in peer reviewed journals demonstrating the effectiveness of Anodyne® Therapy Systems specifically for symptoms of neuropathy, restless leg syndromme and for non healing wounds. Anodyne® Therapy treats the cause of neuropathy and other conditions resulting in true relief. Also, this treatment reverses the dangerous loss of sensation that diabetic patients often experience for which there is no known drug treatment. Prospective patients and interested Health Care Professionals should contact the Anodyne Therapy Eqpt Pvt Limited at 91-80-23494345, or visit anodynetherapy.in for more information about Anodyne® Therapy products in India.

24

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

Distributors in India

Equipments Pvt. Ltd. #1383, 8th Main, 12th ‘C’ Cross, West of Chord Road II Stage, Mahalakshmipuram, Bangalore - 560 086. INDIA For Hospitals & Doctor Call : 91-80-23192394 For others Call : 91-80-23494345 Fax : 91-80-23594630, 23492315 sales@anodynetherapy.in www.anodynetherapy.in, www.anodynetherapy.com Toll Free for USA : 1.800.521.6664


Mesut Ozil

26

has been a part of the German set-up since 2004. He injected aggression into the side and developed a strong team converting raw talents into world-class finished products. However, the pressure will be on him to deliver the silverware this time around. 4-2-3-1 strategy is favoured by the boss. They have a perfect mix of youth and experience, and are considered an epitome of world-class attacking in football.

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

Strengths: They possess a creative and fluid midfield, which works relentlessly to score as well as set up the strikers. Mesut Ozil, Mario Gotze, Bastian Schweinsteiger are some of the best in the business. Weakness: It’s not physical but psychological — 2002 final loss against Brazil, 2006 semi-final loss to Italy and another semi-final exit against Spain in 2010 — they just can’t perform in big games and at crucial junctures. German fans would be hoping that the jinx is broken this time around. Player to watch: Mesut Ozil the senior playmaker has a sharp vision. He can rip through the defenses and provide wonderful through

balls and accurate passes. He played crucial roles in 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. His accuracy and precision is what separates him from the other midfielders. His finishing abilities are decent too. He ended up as the top-scorer for Germany in the qualifiers with eight goals. Trivia: Miroslav Klose, their star striker, needs just two goals to surpass Brazil’s Ronaldo(16 goals) to become the all-time top goal scorer in World Cups.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Roman Weidenfeller, Ron-Robert Zieler Defenders: Jerome Boateng, Erik Durm, Kevin Grosskreutz, Benedikt Hoewedes, Mats

The Netherlands have never won the World Cup but still are considered a dangerous team. They came very close to winning the elusive trophy in the previous edition but lost out 1-0 to Spain in the final in extra time adding to the heartbreaks of 1974 and 1978 final losses.

Hummels, Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Shkodran Mustafi. Midfielders: Julian Draxler, Matthias Ginter, Mario Gotze, Christoph Kramer, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Andre Schurrle, Bastian Schweinsteiger. Forwards: Miroslav Klose, Thomas Muller, Lukas Podolski

THE NETHERLANDS World Cup record: Played 43, Won 22, Drawn 10, Lost 11 World Cups won: None The Netherlands have never won the World Cup but still are considered a dangerous team. They came very close to winning the elusive trophy in the previous edition but lost out 1-0 to Spain in the final in extra time adding to the heartbreaks of 1974 and 1978 final losses. After a horrible outing at Euro 2012, Louis van Gal was appointed as the coach and his second stint with the Dutch side has got off to a flier. They went through the entire 2013 year unbeaten and grabbed the World Cup spot topping the table in their qualifier group with 9 wins from 10 matches and drawing one and in the process netting 34 goals.

Van Gal will take over reins of Manchester United after the World Cup and he boasts of an impressive CV having won numerous league titles with different clubs. Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder will be the three key men who will shoulder the responsibility of driving them to the pinnacle. Strengths: The Dutch have a quality forward line with the likes of Van Persie and Robben who can win the games on their own on any given day. Robben’s searing runs can tear apart any opposition. Van Persie is a goal-scoring machine with an incredibly strong left foot. Weakness: Defense is their biggest weak link. They do not have a first-rate defender

and the inexperience in the backline could prove to be critical. This will put extra burden on the attacking players. Player to watch: Robin Van Persie, one of the deadliest strikers in the modern era, the Manchester United striker possesses one of the strongest left foots in the game. His powerful strikes are laced with accuracy and precision. He scored 11 goals in the nine qualifier games. Trivia: Johan Neeskens of Netherlands holds the record for scoring the fastest goal ever in a World Cup final. He scored in 90 seconds against West Germany in the 1974 edition.

Robin Van Persie

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen, Tim Krul, Michel Vorm Defenders: Daley Blind, Daryl Janmaat, Terence Kongolo, Bruno Martins Indi, Joel Veltman, Paul Verhaegh, Ron Vlaar, Stefan de Vrij. Midfielders: Jordy Clasie, Leroy Fer, Jonathan De Guzman, Nigel de Jong, Wesley Sneijder, Georginio Wijnaldum. Forwards: Memphis Depay, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Dirk Kuijt, Jeremain Lens, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben.

HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

27


GADGETS

The Smart Home

Karan Shah tells you how to turn your beautiful abode into a technologically charged smart home.

M

y imagination runs wild when I think about a seamlessly connected smart home. Windows that tell me the temperature outside, a robot that does the laundry and pre-heats the oven for dinner, a mirror that shows me the news I want to read while I’m brushing, paintings that change their appearance based on the mood I want to create, the list goes on and on… Let’s start by saying this though – if you have such dreams, your ultimate smart home is still a bit in the future. However, that does not mean that dream has not begun. There are gadgets that can control many of your current home systems. For instance, why should you still, in most cases, have to get up to turn off the lights, but can control the TV with a remote? Did you ever wish to check with a remote, if your oven was turned off when you left home? How about automatically unlocking your doors when you are nearby and at the same time keep it safe from prying eyes? Today’s technology is making this more and more possible so read on to find out how you can make your home, work for you.

28

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

29


Philips Hue Lighting Personal, wireless lighting! Personal: choose your own colour, hue, intensity - wireless: control (turn off, change colour, mood etc) it with your Smartphone. That pretty much sums up

what Philips Hue is all about. The beauty of this bulb is that it connects to existing sockets and does not need any additional hardware besides the bridge (and a Wi-Fi router) that comes along with the

starter pack. Philips has also introduced ‘Friends of Hue’ LightStrips (wireless light strips) and Bloom (wireless lamps), which are some interesting complementary ways to light up your home.

Belkin WeMo Switch The Belkin WeMo switch simply connects between your home appliances (fans, ovens, irons, TV, and so on) and your power outlet. This small adaptor connects to your home network, which you can then control from your phone, even via 3G. What WeMo allows you to do is set schedules — switch on the fans in the evening, remote toggle — make sure that the iron has been turned off when you’ve left for office, control accessories — enter a room to turn on the lights, and so on. Belkin has introduced some interesting accessories under the WeMo brand that gives users a multitude of possibilities.

30

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!


August Smart Lock Introduced in early 2014, this smart lock aims to eliminate the need to have keys and use your Smartphone to control who has access to your home, for how much time and get notifications on when they come and leave. For example, if you have a house help coming in during work hours, you can make sure that the right person is accessing the apartment. If you are late from work, your guests can enter without needing your keys, and if you can smartly keep the burglars out too as you get notified when somebody without permission tries to access your home. Secure yet seamless, August works even if your home is out of electricity. And of course, if nothing else, you can still open the door the old-fashioned way.

worth noting that there still is not a set standard for home automation, even though the ZigBee wireless standard seems to be winning the war as of now. One thing is for sure though, after over flooding the Smartphone market, tech companies are gearing up for some intense competition in the smart-home market which ultimately is a win-win situation for consumers.

Revolv There are numerous home automation devices in the market, all using a variety of protocols. This is where Revolv comes in - one package with multiple radios (Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Insteon and soon Zigbee) inside. This makes sure that all your smart home devices need just one hub to communicate with

32

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

each other. With some cool additions like geo-fencing, time based, device-to-device and on-demand commands, Revolv is your one device to control it all. While most of these devices are not so easy to resource in India, possibilities do exist to acquire and integrate them into existing systems. It is

Karan Shah is a technology writer and entrepreneur. He currently works as a Quality Assurance Engineer in Oslo, Norway. You can follow him on Twitter at @krnshh.


WINES

Good wine is not merely the sublime coming together of alcohol and fruit. It also entails encountering natural and man-made evils, bent on destroying the wine itself. Bhisham Mansukhani suggests that knowing how to protect the wine and respect it with good glassware can ensure that the precious liquid retains its original allure.

Perfect The Wine Experience W

ine, unlike other alcoholic beverages is often intimidating, and to enjoy its immaculate true body, there are many central and peripheral absolutes. From the condition of the wine when bought, how it has been stored (from the time it’s bottled till its cork closure is yanked out), whether the piece of wood is firm or crumbly or messy, and whether the glass it is poured into is rightly designed and has no thin sheet of residual detergent. And don’t even get us started about the different serving temperatures of whites, reds and that spurious hybrid bottled as rosé – each of the above play a crucial part in defining your wine drinking experience to either exotic or just ordinary. Read on, to ensure that you have a perfect wine drinking experience.

34

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

Purchasing truths Where do you buy good wine from? The so-called ‘wine shops’ are a no-go. Wine’s potential to improve with age is a double-edged sword and nowhere is the negative impact more likely to fall than in this, the biggest chink in the wine supply chain. Wine, unlike spirits, is low in alcohol (11 to 15 per cent). Alcohol is the most reliable of preservatives, and 95 per cent of the reason most spirits sell. Wine, on the other hand, is slim on alcohol and more so, it is alive – maturing with the passage of time. A constant storage temperature is non-negotiable. Wild swings in these temperatures gradually alter the character of the wine, which, especially in the case of fine wines, is like a pin prick to the heart, with fatal results. Wine is

also vulnerable to sunlight and low humidity and therefore does not belong in shops that take pride in flaunting it as comely mannequins. As the hot UV rays beat upon the transparent or tinted bottles, the ferment inside tragically begins to lose all that makes it endearing enough to pay for – fruit and acidity. Harsh tannin and alcohol await an unfortunate, ill-informed victim. Furthermore, these establishments stock their wines all stood up, not stopping to wonder about the wisdom of laying down the wine. Most wine is still closed with cork (wood), which can partially crumble in dry, hot conditions, letting oxygen in and effectively killing off the wine. Laid down, however, the bottle’s contents, in constant contact with the HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

35


There are special wine coolers. These aesthetically unremarkable, rectangular units can control temperature and humidity and, depending on one’s budget, come with storage capacity well exceeding a 100 bottles, with separate sections for red, white and sparkling wines. cork, keep it moist and tightly secured. Wines closed with a screw cap, however, aren’t vulnerable on this count. The good news is that the authorities have finally recognised wines and beers as being separate from spirits and hence eligible to be sold in supermarkets and more urbane, dedicated establishments. Consequently, most of India’s major cities are dotted with wine boutiques, ranging from no-frill walk-in stores that industriously rack wine bottles according to country or variety to the more opulent affairs like basement cellars with lacquered wooden shelves and glassed-in wine

36

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

libraries facing a long couch to sink into for a vertical Chilean wine tasting on a Friday evening. While there’s no telling if their stock is exposed to temperature swings when the air-conditioning is probably shut during closed hours, they are less likely to disappoint their customers with spoilt wine. Once acquired, and still with no guarantee on how the wine will taste, you have become the singular custodian of the wine’s fate. Welcome to the arduous journey that may or may not end with good wine. There’s still some way to go. Your house isn’t likely to be perpetually cool, if at all dark. Even direct fluorescent light can harm wines. And we’re not blessed with European room temperatures of between 10 and 16 degrees. Even refrigeration won’t do because too cold a temperature is counter-productive in that it stalls the gradual ageing process, making the very idea of storing wine futile. It also tends to crystallise some of the wine that settles as unsavoury sediment at the bottom. Worse, it doesn’t solve the temperature fluctuation problem, since the fridge is bound to be opened several times a day and its compressor vibrates, again, harming the wine. Hence, there are special wine coolers. These aesthetically unremarkable, rectangular

wine’s temperature from the hand that holds it. The glass itself turns in toward the rim, so that when the wine is poured, the aromas collect atop the surface, while its rounded floor allows the wine to breathe, letting out its full expression. Red wines, given their complexity, ideally need more pronounced bowls since, well, they’ve got more breathing to do, while white wines do fine in narrower moulds with tighter rims that accentuate their crispy, fruity character and refreshing acidity. Wine glasses should always be filled one-third up, leaving that vital space between the surface and rim where a whole bouquet of flavours is surely forming. These make their way to the tongue, tasting sweet on the tip, sour on the side, and bitter on the way down.

Sniff, Swirl, Sip

Wine glasses play a large role in defining the experience. The best and briefest way to communicate the significance of wine glasses is to consider its design, and the importance of the aromas and flavours of the wine that you’ve had to work so hard to protect all this while. units can control temperature and humidity and, depending on one’s budget, come with storage capacity well exceeding a 100 bottles, with separate sections for red, white and sparkling wines.

the Glass experience

Wine glasses play a large role in defining the experience. They can’t hide the faults of a bad wine. But the wrong

glass can certainly mask its greatness, which is nothing short of tragic. The best and briefest way to communicate the significance of wine glasses is to consider its design, and the importance of the aromas and flavours of the wine that you’ve had to work so hard to protect all this while. A wine glass has a long stem, which protects the

All that hard work deserves appreciation. Now that the wine is sitting placid in the glass it belongs to, it is time to nose it, disturb and awaken it and coax out its fine aromas and lingering, delightful flavours. The three key elements here are sight, smell and taste. Tip the wine against a white paper sheet – this will betray its age, oak influence if any and if the wine has gone bad. Then, the smell. Just stuff your nose as far in as you can and take in the medley of aromas. Then set the glass down and give it a good swirl and nose, quickly. The wine is now in its element. If the glass is good, then the wine will fall on the right spot on the palate, its flavours fully revealed, tapering into supple tannins (for red) and a dry or tad sweetish finish (for white). Good or not, the wine has met its finest end. Time to drink up. HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

37


INTERIORS Glamorous Gold

Chandeliers, textures, and vintage with a dash of gold are just a few of the interior decorating trends that will define the year ahead. Mithila Mehta lists the latest home trends of the season.

Home Trends

W

ith the rise of the glamorous, dramatic metallic hues, the return of vintage, timeless designs and the continued focus on sustainable, green living—the season ahead promises to be a fabulous one for your homes. Do-ityourself is also fast evolving as a trend that homemakers simply cannot get enough of. Bring home these trends to

38

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

ensure that your house is in vogue, timelessly so.

Timeless Design

There has been a perceptible shift away from ultra-modern, sleek designs and a return of vintage. Chandeliers, can instantly add drama and elegance to a living room. Vintage wallpaper can be an interesting option. Framing old photographs,

Those who love a little bit of bling and shimmer will be delighted to know that metallic hues are in vogue like never before. A touch of gold brings to your home some classic luxury and sophistication, while a dull bronze adds an antique aura. A darker gun-metal hue creates an edgy, dramatic ambience. “We have been seeing the metallic hues trend for some time now, but this season promises to take it to the next level. Mixing metals is a trend we are increasingly seeing—complementary, yet with each making a statement,” says interior decorator Megha Golatkar. If you are looking to bring some subtle yet sophisticated metallic shades into your home décor, there are some rather easy yet effective ways to go about it. “Bring a lot of gold into your detailing. For example, opt for textured golden fabrics… whether as cushion covers, curtains, draperies, or give your door

A touch of gold brings to your home some classic luxury and sophistication, while a dull bronze adds an antique aura. A darker gun-metal hue creates an edgy, dramatic ambience.

especially in black-and-white or vintage advertisements can work magic. “Think timeless, rather than contemporary designs. Old school is in the limelight again. Dramatic vintage pieces that make a statement — whether it is an antique mirror to adorn your walls or a fabulous vintage chandelier—will occupy homes this year”, advises interior decorator Apeksha Malhotra. HAPPY AIRCOSTA FLYING! /JUNE /JULY 2014

39


handles, curtain rods, hinges and brackets a golden finish. A single, dramatic display element, such as luxurious golden display plate also works well. The trick is to not go overboard, as too much metal could make the décor look cluttered and cheap,” suggests Malhotra. In keeping with the luxurious tones that home decors will adorn, fabrics are all set to go ultra-glamorous too. In place of conventional fabrics, we will have lavish materials such as silk and velvet, adding sophistication and elegance.

Eclectic Elegance

A perfectly matching décor is old news. This season, eclectic is elegant! Team a vintage sofa with starling pink cushions, a simple wooden dining table with lace trimmings and your heirloom crockery. “There is a certain joy in teaming things that are not supposed to be placed together. The result is unexpected and exciting. Put together

40

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

elements of contrasting yet complementing styles and watch the magic unfold. Play with colours, textures and patterns,” suggests Golatkar. This trend is about not sticking to the script and instead, doing it a little differently.

Think Texture

Textures are in like never before. Think tactility, as interesting textures take precedence. The rough texture of exposed brick walls, softened by sheer curtains; or uneven wooden flooring set off by a soft rug…textures can be dramatic and interesting. Heavy metallic textures are another option. Look out for floral and chintz patterns as well, mix and match them with other graphic patterns

for an interesting, eclectic look. Floral are excellent for a vintage feel.

Indoors Meet Outdoors

Why should the outdoors remain only outside your home? A popular trend is the merging of the outdoors and living spaces. Patios and rooms that open into the outdoors typify this trend. “The trend is all about embracing the outdoors; letting your living space reflect and interact with nature. Hence, we will see terraces, sky roofs, balconies and the likes being incorporated into designs. Let the natural light and gentle winds pour into the home. Rough and natural tiling, natural and unpolished wood,


lighting, hence minimising energy usage. Homemakers are doing their part by adopting energy efficient gadgets like automatic dimmers, CFL bulbs or displaying artwork made of recycled elements. The gesture need not be exceptionally grand—simply opting for biodegradable pillows is enough. Furniture made of sustainable yet aesthetic materials like bamboo, cork and recycled metal parts are catching on. “Bamboo furniture is

The overriding mood of the season is carefree, individualistic, and eclectic. The focus is on creating a home decor that reflects the identity of those who live in it—a home that is lovingly pieced together and tells a story, and not mass-produced in a furniture store or a magazine. indoor plants, bench-like seating arrangements further exemplify this trend,” explains architect Rustom Mehta. Even homes that do not have the luxury of a large terrace area can welcome nature indoors. Do not underestimate the power of carefully gardened potted plants, a centrepiece arrangement with acorns, and some earthen bric-à-brac.

Personal & Personalised

The overriding mood of the season is carefree, individualistic, and eclectic. The focus is on creating a home decor that reflects the identity of those who live in it—a home that is lovingly pieced together and tells a story, and not mass-produced in

42

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

a furniture store or a magazine. Personalised furniture is making waves, as homemakers are opting for a decor that describes their identity. The living space is an active reflection of their lives, an extension of their personality and they will have it no other way. Do-it-yourself projects have also caught the fancy of homemakers, as they put in their creativity and thought to add colourful and interesting elements to their homes, which they have made themselves.

creating waves on the home design scene for its ecofriendly constitution. Cane and wicker are also good alternatives. It is low on maintenance, low fuss, and creates a comfortable, warm ambience,” shares Mehta.

Gaga Over Green

Being environmentally friendly is no longer just a trend—it is pretty much becoming a way of life. Homes are being designed to leverage natural cooling and

Little Miss wanderlust herself, Mithila Mehta loves to travel and write. You can follow her on Twitter@mith_m


FITNESS

GYMWise Kick starting a gym routine is not only a trend today, but also a necessity to maintain a healthy lifestyle in the chaos of city life. However, before you embark on your fitness journey, there are a few dos and don’ts that you must make a note of, Shweta Kulkarni pens them down for you.

S

tart Slowly Remember the simple age-old adage-slow and steady wins the race. It stands true for your workout sessions as well. Give your body enough time to acclimatize to the strain of physical activity, build up the intensity and duration of your workouts gradually. Start with basic warm up and stretching exercises before you start working with gym equipment and weights. Remember the basic thumb rule, not everything has to be done at once.

Ask & Be Informed Do not hesitate to voice your doubts. If you do not know how to go about doing something, ask a gym employee rather than doing it incorrectly. Improper exercising techniques can cause severe injuries. Furthermore, it is always helpful to have some prior knowledge about various exercise techniques like cardio exercise, weight training, strength conditioning etc. With Google coming to our rescue, practically every day of our lives, there is no harm to surf the net and get some information before you begin. But again don’t implement your internet knowledge without consulting your instructor. It is best to acquire firsthand knowledge from your gym instructor before you begin. Ailment Check If you have any chronic medical conditions like diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure, arthritis or any other medical history, it is advisable to consult your physician before you begin an exercise programme. Exercising may often be suggested, as part of treatment for such ailments; however, one may have certain limitations or need particular specifications to follow.

Rest & Sleep Ensure that you have had enough rest before you start with your next session. Experts recommend a proper eight hours sleep, for your body to recover from the rigorous exercises of previous day. Differentiate The Pain Sore muscles will give you company for the first few days of your workout regime. It is inevitable, as you are pushing your body to do something that it is not accustomed to. There is also a possibility that you might experience problems during high intensity aerobic exercises, if so, it is best to slow down immediately. However, if there is any sudden or unusual pain stop immediately and consult your doctor. Eat Right Working out is not going to show any positive results, if it is not supplemented with a proper diet. Eat healthy protein rich food. Usually your gym instructor will advice you on what to eat and what to avoid.

Bottom Line Beginning a gym routine can be daunting but do not get intimidated by the gym. It is supposed to be a place where you can actually release tension and break a sweat. Find a gym that works for you; close to home, affordable, fits

your needs etc. Once you start going to the gym more often and working out on a regular basis, you will slowly feel more and more comfortable. Just do your homework first, and then begin your journey towards a fit and healthy life.

Know Thy Equipment Familiarize yourself with all the gym equipment and their functions. If you have never worked on any of the fitness machines before, it is best to ask your gym instructor to help acquaint you with its functions. It is very easy to hurt yourself with the equipment if you do not know the right way to use them.

44

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

45


Beauty

B

alance Your Hormones Acne breakouts are triggered by high levels of the hormone testosterone. This hormone controls the production of sebum (the oily substance released by sebaceous glands in the skin). The excess oil mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria, blocking the pores and giving rise to acne. You can control how much oil your skin produces by consuming foods rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and zinc-rich pumpkin seeds. Include hormone friendly foods such as chickpeas, lentils, and beans. Eating these foods regularly can help balance your hormones, reduce inflammation, and promote clear skin.

Fabulously

Flawless

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

overgrowth. If you have been on antibiotics, a lot of your good bacteria will have been destroyed as a result. Without good bacteria, you will have more inflammation, lowered immunity, poor absorption of nutrients and poor elimination. Taking a comprehensive digestive system test and a good quality probiotic is a must.

Love Your Gut Acne often results from a toxic gut, which has bad bacteria and yeast

So acne is your predicament, and you crave for silky smooth skin just like our favourite magazine models and stars? Nutritionist and life coach Akcelina Cvijetic shares some natural solutions, which will help you prevent blemishes and reveal a radiant complexion.

46

The best way to a clear and smooth skin is from the inside out. So, eat foods rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Your top skin foods include berries, almonds, pumpkin seeds, avocados, carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, salmon, trout, and sardines.

Eliminate To Radiate If you are not eliminating well via your colon, your body will have to escort the toxins out via your skin, resulting in an eruption of breakouts, irritation, and inflammation. Keep your bowel movements regular by eating more fibre-rich foods, such as pears, apples, soaked prunes and linseeds. Support The Liver One of the key factors in preventing and controlling acne is looking after the liver, to help better elimination of toxins and excess hormones.

This is especially important for women who break out with acne as a result of their monthly cycle or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Eat more green leafy vegetables, beetroot, and artichokes to help cleanse the liver. Clean Up Your Diet Certain foods can aggravate acne. Sugar, saturated fat, dairy, and gluten products are the biggest offenders. These foods are inflammatory, clogging and can increase oil gland’s activity. Dairy produce and meat products, unless organic, contain hormones and antibiotic residues. Caffeinated drinks increase your cortisol levels, which boost the sebum production and set the stage for more acne. Sugary drinks such as colas, soda-like drinks and milkshakes are high in sugar and additives, and thus best avoided. Removing these culprits from your diet, for at least two months, can make a big improvement and eliminate acne.

and sardines. Remember to drink at least eight glasses of water daily, to help flush out the toxins and keep your skin hydrated. Sleep Right Most people who suffer from acne tend to sleep on their stomach and thus on their face. This can aggravate acne problems. So, learn to sleep on your back instead. Good quality sleep is important for healthy skin, as most of your skin repair takes place at night. Manage Stress Stress can exacerbate the acne problem. Practice deep breathing, yoga and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) to reduce your stress levels. Use Natural Skincare Many skincare products contain chemicals that can strip your skin of its natural oils. As a result, your skin has to overproduce oil to compensate, worsening the acne problem. Use natural skincare products designed for acne prone skin. Go For Best Remedies Use tea tree oil face wash or neem soap to calm and soothe the acne. You can also consume multi-vitamin and mineral supplement specially designed for healthy skin after consulting with your doctor.

Eat Yourself Beautiful The best way to a clear and smooth skin is from the inside out. So, eat foods rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Your top skin foods include berries, almonds, pumpkin seeds, avocados, carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, salmon, trout, HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

47


wine & TRAVeL

Some Wine & Some Sunshine Portugal with its unadulterated beauty and wine heritage is emerging as Europe’s next great wine destination, writes Priyanka Kulkarni. Beside the pristine golden beaches, bucolic scenery, picturesque mountains, and year round sunshine, Portugal also allures one with its vinous charm. If you are amongst the ones who claim to be ardent wine fanatics, Portugal has to be on the list of your dream destination. With its old-world charisma Douro Valley

48

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

juxtaposed its youthful creativity and enthusiasm, Portugal offers a taste of history with modern-day wisdom. As a wine country, this undersized nation with potential to make excellent quality wines has been overshadowed for years by its famed wine-producing

neighbours. However, Portugal today with its unadulterated beauty and wine heritage is emerging as Europe’s next great wine destination. Irrespective of the small geographical unit, Portugal is one country, which will marvel you with its excellent wine styles as you go across the country and witness its hidden treasures. This typical Old World country, for the longest time was only famous for its fortified wines (Port and Madeira) and tart, light Vinho Verde. However, today it is gaining popularity for its new wave of rich, ripe, table wines – particularly reds from the Douro Valley. Nestled in the north of Portugal, the magnificence of Douro Valley is spellbinding. The sprawling green vineyards conquering the soaring mountains and the golden Douro River elegantly snaking through them create a dramatically hued mosaic landscape, which is certain to live in your memory forever. Designated a UNESCO

Designated a UNESCO world heritage site, Portugal’s Douro Valley, extending from the country’s eastern border to the coastal city of Porto is home to 113 km of vineyards. The most dominant feature of the landscape is the terraced vineyards that blanket the terra firma. world heritage site, Portugal’s Douro Valley, extending from the country’s eastern border to the coastal city of Porto is home to 113 km of vineyards. The most dominant feature of the landscape is the terraced vineyards that blanket the terra firma. These stonewall structures date back to the 19th century and were manually crafted by embanking a slab of schist piled on to the top of another, to create a landscape of terraces that appear like stairs on the steep mountain slope and on which one or two rows of grape vines are planted. Who could have thought of growing grapes

in rock and then nurturing and looking after them in the agonizing summer heat? This incredible work is rightly termed as ‘Heroic Viticulture’ in the sphere of viticulture. One can only marvel at the amalgamation of human efforts and nature working in harmony to create this picturesque montage. For several years, this region has been home to Port wines only. However, lately the market fortunes in Port wines have declined, as masses have switched their glasses to other wine styles. To combat this situation Douro is now also producing stunning red and white table HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

49


Alentejo

wines, which will astonish you completely with the potential these terraced vineyards hold. Apart from the majestic Douro Valley, Portugal has almost 14 different wine regions, and do not be surprised when you taste a unique wine from each of these regions that will tantalize your taste buds. From the attractive beaches in the south to the breathtaking mountains in the north, Portugal is a country of contrasting landscapes. And when looking at its wine regions, it is better to split the country into two – the

50

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

northern regions of Douro, Dão, Bairrada, Vinho Verde and the central and southern regions of the Alentejo, Ribatejo and Estremadura. In round about three and half hour’s drive from Douro to Alentejo you can witness the terra changing drastically, akin to seeing a play, where after every scene the backdrop is changed. The serene and beautiful Dão and Bairrada regions are known for their flavourful red table wines, which vary between extreme fruitiness and tannic hardness depending on the producer.

Bairrada is also known for its sparkling wine; the cool Bairrada climate gives the right amount of acidity required to make a good sparkling wine. Wine produced in the Vinho Verde is described as ‘Verde’ or green. The green here refers to young or fresh. White Verde made from Alvarinho or Loureiro grapes is famous from this region. A light fresh, semi aromatic wine with a green tang, White Verde is great in a hot climate or with fish. Further south, is the striking Island of Madeira where one can find the famous Madeira wine. Madeira is produced in a variety of styles ranging from dry wines, which can be consumed on their own as an aperitif, to sweet wines usually consumed with dessert. The unique flavours of this wine are bestowed to it by a process known as ‘Estufagem’, wherein the wine is subjected to artificial or natural heating to duplicate the effect of the ancient times of the long sea voyages in the heat which modified the wine character. Another budding wine

Terraced vineyards at Douro Valley

destination in this seafaring kingdom is – Alentejo, a region of landscape, historical legacy, and wines with distinctive flavours. The rolling plains of Alentejo are tucked between Algarve, Lisbon, and the central area of Portugal and are known for producing red wines in two characteristic styles. On one hand, there is the traditional Alentejo style. This is typified by José Maria da Fonseca’s José de Sousa, part of which is fermented in clay pots and the wines display leathery, herby, sweet-spice complexity. Another traditional style producer is Cartuxa (from Evora), best known for the brilliant but unusual cult wine Pera Manca. On the other hand, there is the modern, fruitforward, almost new-world style that has been a huge commercial success and has propelled this region forward so fast. Apart from its different wine regions, what make Portugal

stand out, as a wine country is the faith and the loyalty of the wine makers to its indigenous grape varieties. Unlike other wine-producing countries, who extensively went out to plant the famous Cabernet and Chardonnay, Portugal refused to follow the trend and continued to love and nurture its inherent unique varieties. Portugal has a large variety of native breed of red and white grapes (about 500) such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Roriz, Baga, Arinto, Alvarinho, Viosinho, Rabigato, etc, producing a very wide variety of different wines with distinctive personality. Like the famed fortified wine—Moscatel de Setúbal. Setúbal is sweet and fortified, made primarily from the Muscat of Alexandria grape produced in the wine region Península de Setúbal in south of Lisbon, on the opposite side of the river. The unique production technique of this fortified wine involves

From the attractive beaches in the south to the breathtaking mountains in the north, Portugal is a country of contrasting landscapes. And when looking at its wine regions, it is better to split the country into two – the northern regions of Douro, Dão, Bairrada, Vinho Verde and the central and southern regions of the Alentejo, Ribatejo and Estremadura.

HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

51


Bariatric surgery is the best solution for long term weight loss ...!!! Losing weight is not as simple as it sounds

If you are overweight … Excess weight will deteriorate your health condition!

Terraced vineyards at Douro Valley

stopping the fermentation with Aguardente and then keeping the wine with the skins for a maceration period of six months or more. This result in complex fragrant wine, with candied orange flavours, floral and raisiny when young, and developing nutty, toffee aromas with maturity. Other than its rich and unique list of fortified wines, Portugal also produces stunning table wines. With every bottle un-corked the wines of Portugal will compel your palate with its exclusive flavours and quality to taste more and more Portuguese wines. Portugal is home to wine for every occasion. If you want to enjoy a fresh

A travelling oenophile, Priyanka Kulkarni is an assistant winemaker and Master’s student of Viticulture and Enology. You can follow her @petite_pri

52

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

aromatic white wine with crisp acidity in summer, you have the Vinho Verde from north. To tantalize your palate with strong complex reds to pair with red meats you can happily open a bottle from Alentejo, and just for the right special occasion you have the most famous and expensive Vintage Port to share with family and friends. Clearly, Portugal is sending

definite messages in bottles to the world out there with its stunning wines and equally mesmerizing terrain. The country is certainly not an underdog in the wine world, rather is emerging as the most sought-after destination on the European enotourism circuit and every wine lover must visit this land of wines and soak in its majestic beauty.

THinGS To Do

Vila nova de Gaia Vila Nova de Gaia, or simply Gaia is located in the Porto District and is well-known for its ‘lodges’ where the world famous Port wine is stored and aged. The lodges have become a major tourist attraction. Port wine cellar tours and port wine tasting is famous in this region. One must visit Port wine cellars - Taylors, Calem, and Croft. Douro River Cruise Douro Cruises are one of the main tourist attractions of the region. Every day several boats travel the Douro River from Oporto to Régua, Pinhão or Barca d’Alva. Feel the warm sun on your skin as you cruise past terraced hills, quaint villages and acres of ripe vineyards. Quintas It is possible to arrange a visit to different wineries located in Douro valley and taste their wines with delicious Portuguese cuisine. One must visit Quinta da Romaneira, Quinta da Foz, and Quinta do Noval. Vini Portugal Vini Portugal, an association, which aims to promote wines of Portugal, is your one stop for all Portuguese wines. They have their branches in different cities, where you can go and taste different wines without spending too much money. You can taste different wines ranging from 50 cents to 1.5 euro per glass, depending on the wine. Visit http://www.viniportugal.pt for more info.

Obesity has been found to be the root cause of various lifestyle disorders like type-2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, arthritis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, stroke, heart disease, few cancers etc. Bariatric surgery is the best solution for long term weight loss ...!!!

If You have tried several methods to cut down excess Kilos but unsuccessful …

Visit

to

LivLife Hospitals

Conquer Obesity

Livlife Hospitals is the first and only dedicated center for Bariatric Medicine & Surgery in Andhra Pradesh& Telangana Take the first step towards a new ‘YOU’ Only Center recognized as ‘International Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery’ by Surgical review Corporation (SRC,USA), Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI), and member of International Excellence Federation (IEF) , Taiwan. Ranked #1 in Andhra & Telangana and 3rd in India

Stop running away from healthy diet | Consult your doctor to achieve your long term weight loss goal

Plot # 729, Jubilee Hills, Road # 36, Hyderabad-500033 Andhra Pradesh, India. Contact – 04030888888, 8886077773 www.livlifehospitals.com , Email: life@livlifehospitals.com


star talks

A

“I am obsessed with looking great” Alia Bhatt

Karan Johar launched this pretty face in STUDENT OF THE YEAR, she went on to prove her mettle as an actor in HIGHWAY and 2 STATES! And today Alia Bhatt is clearly the girl everyone has their eyes trained on, writes Shubarna Mukerji Shu.

54

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

lia Bhatt’s last two films—HIGHWAY and 2 States, have garnered praises from the industry and the applause from the audience has been resounding. And yet somehow I cannot forget the voice of Karan Johar telling me, about Alia—the only actress Johar has ever launched—“I think she has been practicing the perfect expression in front of the mirror for the longest time, so I really didn’t have to guide her at all. It was only when we had to shoot the emotional scene that we hit the roadblock. Alia came to me and said she just couldn’t do it. She never has had to cry!” It was maybe not too chivalrous of Karan to have shared her secrets, but after seeing her performance in her last two releases, it is apparent, that the girl has shed her inhibitions where acting is concerned. “STUDENT OF THE YEAR was a different kind of film altogether. Yes, it is true that I couldn’t cry for that emotional scene in the film and I needed to be guided because I just didn’t know where to tap that from, given I have never had any training in acting. But with HIGHWAY it was different, it gave me a different scope for acting. If you ask me what the experience has been like, I can only say one word: EXHAUSTING! Not only was the travel and the shooting schedule physically draining (the locations they shot at were some of the most treacherous roads of India), the whole experience of playing my character (Veera Tripathi) was emotionally draining!” she rambled on, clearly putting her debut film, and the candy-floss character behind her, in lieu of some grit! Then there was 2 STATES, where she yet again won praises

for her performance and unlike HIGHWAY, 2 STATES proved victorious at the box office too. “Now the trend has come —which I feel is very sad in a way—that if it is not a Rs.100 crore film then it is not a good film. The perception now is that a film has to make a certain amount of money at the box office - which I agree with but I feel that the stakes are too high. In the sense, when people put a certain amount of money on you, they have to get that value back in terms of the audience going into the theatres. I feel that more and more people have warmed up to us. And yet I feel, people probably

went to see 2 STATES because of Arjun (Kapoor) and I just happen to be in the film”, she says giving all credit to the success of the film to her co-star, Arjun Kapoor. If the buzz is to be believed, they are something of an item… “There now, that’s a clear misconception! We are good friends. He is a really fun person, makes the environment on the sets really light and comfortable.” She set the record straight, being very grown up about the whole question. That’s what happens mostly when you enter the industry at a young age… With the limelight flashing in your eye, you are HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

55


asked to get so busy working towards being the good and perfect girl, that you simply miss out on the whole growing up routine! Doesn’t she fear that, with so much on her platter? “I have always said this—I knew I wanted to be an actress when I was a little girl. I knew I would have liked to be one. And I was not wrong. I am loving it here. I am loving my job and all the characters I have to play… ” she trailed off. But mistakes are bound to happen…. Like her father, Mahesh Bhatt once told me, “The best thing you can do for yourself is to embrace you mistakes; they are the best things to have happened to you provided you

56

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

recognise it as a mistake.” Does she have that profound outlook towards faux pas, given the dichotomy of being the young bubbly girl they want her to be… and yet being Ms. Right? “I don’t have to be anything,” Alia shot off, “I don’t have to be the young bubbly girl, I really don’t HAVE to be anything. If I play a character, I need to be that character but otherwise I just have to be myself. I am what I am, and I owe it to myself to not change myself to fit in. Yes, I know being a public figure is a big deal and people are not going to be too kind towards any slip, but then I was always up for it. It is

part and parcel, as they say! I love it all. I enjoy the fact that people love you when they see you onscreen. The fact that some of the love gets transferred onto you… isn’t that awesome? Yes, as I said, being perfect all the time is a catch, so you have to be good! As for the mistakes and the embracing…I don’t know, I have not made any mistakes. Maybe it is too soon to say! I agree with him (her father) when he says that but I think that also depends on the mistake and the kind of person you are. I have frankly never really been in that situation!” And yet, the little girl has been quick to judge… She went on record on national television to say that Parineeti Chopra needed to watch what she was wearing… In a world where everyone is watching you like a hawk, we can be certain there are days when Alia, herself, wouldn’t want to be under the microscope! “It is a fact that I enjoy dressing up but yes, there are days when I don’t feel like it. So I just pull on a sweatshirt and a pair of tights or something. I am not a person who will constantly work herself up to look good. It is not normal. Yes, it comes with the job mostly—we are expected to look our best. But like I said, it is not normal and I am not trying either. I am just being comfortable. If someone else feels like pointing fingers at me, it doesn’t matter. A lot of media starts to pass comments on who wore what and how they got it wrong and all—they don’t matter.” Having said that, she also confessed, that each time the media comes charging waiting to point fingers and criticise, she burns up with the need to ask one simple question: “I just want to know what they are

wearing at that very moment. Once I know that, I will be at peace! Someday…” Ah! Isn’t it awesome to be young and curious! It is true that it is neither normal nor possible to be perfect all the time but yet this unwritten diktat is for all to follow: Dress well, be thin and blah… “I know it might be lame but I am obsessed with working out to acquire that perfect body. I am obsessed with looking great. I got sucked into it. I know I should be above all this but I am not! I want to have that perfect body which I am nowhere close to but I am trying. I know it is not supposed to be like that but I really want to!” And when you hear her talk, you just want to let her be as she is and do as she pleases… but competition isn’t something anyone can turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to… It’s there, palpable and threatening! “Threatening is a wrong word. Yes, there is competition, but isn’t that good? Everyone today is so passionate, so dedicated to the craft. You cannot even single out anyone, saying this one person is a threat. They are all really good and that makes you look good too. Your talent and hard work is pushed because others are being really hard working and extremely talented. Yes, of course, I want to out-do them all…. But if I keep stopping to look around, checking my competition… it will only slow me down.” I sniff a burning ambition and a whole lot of big dreams… She should say more than just give that vague hint… “There are too many dreams, too many aims but I am also just figuring out the hows and whens. I try not to hang all my hopes on one thing, because when I get

“I know being a public figure is a big deal and people are not going to be too kind towards any slip, but then I was always up for it. It is part and parcel, as they say! I love it all. I enjoy the fact that people love you when they see you onscreen. The fact that some of the love gets transferred onto you… isn’t that awesome?” there I am just bored!” Seeing the look on my face, she didn’t wait to be asked, she simply confirmed, “Yes, I am bored easy!” That one trait alone might be enough to keep her boyfriends on their toes! “Boyfriends? Plural?!?” she is not rising to the bait, but the

question remains: does she ensure that her guy is on his toes around her? “I ensure the one I get keeps me on my toes!” On that note, we closed the conversation with Alia, the refreshing new breeze that exorcises years of boring politically correct girls of tinselville! HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

57


star talks

C

oming from a family of actors like the late Sukumaran, mother Mallika, brother Indrajith, and sister-in-law Poornima, acting is definitely running in his veins. One glance at his performances in the past few releases like CELLULOID, MUMBAI POLICE, MEMORIES, and 7TH DAY confirms his acting inheritance. However, apart from his celluloid triumphs, there are many other things too, that define the southern star Prithviraj. Excerpts from the interview… With your film career, seeing an upward graph ever since you started, what is it that you desire in life now? I am happy with what I have. Yes as an actor, I am very selfish and greedy and want everyone to make films with me. However, if tomorrow I realize that after finishing a film, I do not have another film to do…I shall be fine with it. I am not somebody who is going to be disturbed by the fact that ‘X’ has done five films and I have done two. I am basically content with life. What is your priority in life? Contentment. Because no amount of money or success matters, if you are not happy. And for me, money doesn’t really matter. The lifestyle that I want to lead, I would like to believe that I have enough money to afford that. So I do not know what I shall do with more money coming my way …I’ll just put it in bank right or buy property. Now what shall that property do to my life? I may perhaps go and boast that I have 500 acres of coffee estate in Munnar and Kerala. I do not, but if I do what does that do to me?

58

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

Money Can’t Buy You Happiness…

Prithviraj

A self-confessed travel buff, renowned Malayalam film actor Prithviraj Sukumaran tells Shweta Kulkarni that exploring new places gives him immense happiness.


“As an actor, I am very selfish and greedy and want everyone to make films with me. However, I am not somebody who is going to be disturbed by the fact that ‘X’ has done five films and I have done two. I am basically content with life.” In a world, where everyone thrives to earn the buck, you seem to be one of those few who are not running behind money. If you believe that, you will never go out of work then you do not have to run after money. And I do not have a very fancy lifestyle. There are very few things I like―cars and stuff that I have. So money does not matter to me much. So, what are the things that make you happy? Spending time with family and travel. I love to explore new places. Every year I take one month off, and travel with my wife, usually to some place where we have not been. Also if I suddenly get any time off, I again travel. Some time ago, I had this sudden break for four days so I went scuba diving to Maldives. I enjoy driving and love to ride too. I have biked to Tibet, to the Himalayas... so basically travelling makes me a happy person. What are your other interests? I enjoy singing too; it is one of my passions. And I love to cook. I can make some really nice delicacies.

60

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

What is your sin? My anger! Anger is probably the only emotion I am yet to master…but I really hope I manage to do it someday. What is your belief? I believe in good. I believe in doing good. I think if you can go to sleep peacefully every night with the knowledge that you have not harmed anyone, then you are doing the right thing in life.

What is your fashion quotient? Whatever you wear should be comfortable on you. Else you end up looking like an idiot. There is no point in getting all the branded stuff. The biggest parameter in daily fashion is comfort.

Welcome to a

Great Lifestyle

Raintree Park Dwaraka Krishna is a township which sits within 120 acres and is strategically located between Vijayawada and Guntur, the two business hubs of Andhra Pradesh. It reflects an appealing blend of passive and active spaces, such as green landscapes, walkways and a wide range of amenities. The township is comprised of spacious apartments and luxurious villas, all built to offer better living standards in the most tranquil of havens.

www.lepl.in

What will be your proudest accomplishment? The collective 12 years of my career.

Committed to our adage, we at LEPL are all set to create the next! LEPL firmly believes in change, hence we work ceaselessly to bring in a change that works for the people and society at large which invariably leads to prosperity. Change that inspires innovations and opens new gates for development.

SHOPPING MALLS | RESIDENTIALS | TOWNSHIPS | POWER | HEALTH CARE | INFRASTRUCTURE | HOSPITALITY | AVIATION Registered Office: Lingamaneni Corporate House, #59-14-10, Ramachandra Nagar, Vijayawada - 520 008, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA +91-866-6660 068/69, +91-866-6660 067, info@lepl.in Corporate Office: Plot No. 21, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500 033, +91-40-23304333 Andhra Pradesh, INDIA


star talks

“I have had many embarrassing situations in my life.” SONAKSHI SINHA Sonakshi Sinha reveals little known facts about her life, in a candid chat with Shweta Kulkarni.

Success I do not let my success get to my head. My only fear in life is not having my head on my shoulder. That will destroy me. I think success has ruined more people than failures. Stardom I love it. However, at the same time I miss doing simple things that I used to do with friends earlier, which I cannot now. I miss going to the malls, I miss hanging out at the food court, I miss going for movies at really rowdy places like Gaiety and Chandan…I miss all of that. Dream I‘m living it. I am living my dream. Good Girl I have been a good girl all my life. I was a teacher’s pet and never had any complaints from school. Obviously, my parents were very happy.

62

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

Even today, I am a good girl, I do not drink, I do not smoke…I am very punctual and dedicated towards my work. Basically I am a very boring girl. Bathroom Singer I often burst into songs in front of strangers. I am actually a bathroom singer and sometimes I forget that I am not in the bathroom anymore and I start singing! Like the other day, I burst into a jingle from an ad in front of a lot of people who were wondering what I was up to! Road Dancer Like my singing habit, I even have the habit of dancing anywhere. I make my own music as well. I both sing and dance on the road J Party Animal I am not a party person. I hardly go to parties anyway. In fact, if I am not invited to a party, I am very happy.

Liar I usually lie about some silly, small things like saying, ‘Oh I am just reaching’... when I am pretty far away. My mum keeps asking me if I’ve removed my make-up at night and I lie, saying, ‘Haan, I did’ and then I sleep with my make-up on. So I do lie about such harmless small things. Embarrassing Moments I have had many embarrassing situations in

my life, like falling on the ramp during a fashion show. But now those things become something you look back on and laugh over. Roadside Indulgence I used to have roadside chai when I was in college. Ideal Man I think I have very high standards. My father set very high standards for me. While growing up, he was my

ultimate hero. I want my guy to be tall, I want him to have great sense of humour and of course he should be very handsome and should not have a moustache. Public Transport I travel by public transport all the time! I take rickshaws often if my car is not available. I have also travelled by local trains when I was in college. HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

63


I l lu s t r at I o n s

Rishabh Mehta draws everything by hand; he is the Founder of Cartoonwala.com - your One Stop Illustration Shop

64

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

65


travel

The Legends & The Temples of Madurai The ancient city of Madurai, tells many tales through its marvellously structured temples, writes Shweta Kulkarni.

D Koodal Azhagar Temple (Right)

66

esigned in accordance with the principles laid out by Shilpa Shastras (rules of architecture) related to urban planning, the city of Madurai is built around its heart — the Meenakshi Amman Temple and is a great blend of glorious past, rich culture, and the buzzing modernity of today. On the exterior, Madurai is

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

like any other bustling Indian city laced with concrete buildings and the chaos of traffic jams. However, move towards the centre and you are transported to a timeless era as the city comes to life with a majestic arrangement of concentric ring roads surrounding the labyrinthine, 17-acre compound of the Meenakshi Temple.

Legend says that Madurai was originally a forest known as Kadambavanam, where a swayambhu (self created Lingam) was found under a Kadamba tree and the then King Kulasekara Pandya, built a temple around the Lingam and planned a city around it. On the day the city was to be named, Lord Shiva is said to have appeared and drops of

nectar from his hair fell on the town. So, the place was named Madurai — mathuram meaning “sweetness” in Tamil. Needless to say, the city and its people continue to give out the sweetness through their hospitality. Located on the banks of the River Vaigai in Tamil Nadu state, this 2500 plus years old city has been active in HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

67


commerce and trade since early civilization, which is why it is called the ‘Athens of the East’. The city has many names and is also known as ‘The city that never sleeps’, because regardless of the time, Madurai is always full of energy.

Places To Visit Sree Meenakshi Amman Temple Dedicated to Lord Shiva and named after goddess Parvati, Meenakshi Amman Temple is literally the heart of Madurai, around which the city has evolved. The original temple was built by the Pandyas 2,500 years ago and ever since the temple grew with the contribution of each dynasty and victorious monarchs, into an enormous complex extending over an area of 65,000 sq m. According to legend, the beautiful Meenakshi (a version of Parvati) was born with three breasts and this prophecy: her superfluous breast would melt away when she met her husband. The event came to pass when she met Shiva and took her place as his consort. The candy hued structure is fascinating and allures visitors with its many ancient paintings and sculptures. The aesthetic temple architecture of this region is as famous as Taj Mahal and is ideal to soak in the atmosphere of Hinduism and the rich cultural heritage that India boasts of. A striking feature of the temple is the astonishing structure know as “Ayiramkaal Mandapam” or the Hall of Thousand Pillars and each pillar features high, ornate, bold sculptures that look life like. Viewed from any angle these pillars appear to be in a straight line, an architectural masterpiece indeed.

68

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

On the exterior, Madurai is like any other bustling Indian city laced with concrete buildings and the chaos of traffic jams. However, move towards the centre and you are transported to a timeless era as the city comes to life with a majestic arrangement of concentric ring roads surrounding the labyrinthine, 17-acre compound of the Meenakshi Temple.

Sree Meenakshi Amman Temple

HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

69


Meenakshi Temple, Samanar Hills is a popular tourist destination. Beautiful Jain carvings adorn the cave walls and is believed to be used by Samanar. The hill top offers a splendid view of Madurai. Samanar Hills is also home to an ancient natural fountain called Pechchi Pallam and is a great place to spend some quiet time in solitude.

Gandhi Museum

Gandhi Museum Gandhi Museum was constructed in memory of Gandhiji after his assassination, in the old palace of Rani Mangammal. The museum houses an

Located on the banks of the River Vaigai, this 2500 plus years old city has been active in commerce and trade since early civilization, which is why it is called the ‘Athens of the East’.

Koodal Azhagar Temple There is a reason why Madurai is classically known as the ‘Temple City’. The city is home to some of the most beautiful temples of South India. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Koodal Azhagar temple is considered one of the most ancient temples in South India. Situated two km away from the city the temple is full of artistic works. The architecture, the sculptures

daily direct flight to/from

NAMMA MADURAI From

To

Dep.

Arr.

Chennai Madurai 16:45 18:05 Madurai Chennai 18:25 19:25

For ADBOOKINGS OPEN

Flight starts from 3rd July 2014

and the paintings are beyond description. There is an unjal mandapam (swinging mandapam), full of ancient artistic wooden works. Thirupparankundram Murugan Temple Yet another architectural wonder of this ‘Temple City’, the Thirupparankundram Murugan temple is one of the six places chosen by Lord Murugan as his abode. According to legend, this was where Lord Murugan married Devasena. It is also considered as the place where sun and moon abide. This cave temple is dedicated to the element of earth among the five elements and various Tamil classical texts mention this hill as ‘Southern Himalaya’. It might interest you to learn that the hill not only houses Murugan temple but also an Islamic shrine, which is dedicated to Sekunder. Samanar Hills Situated 10 km away from

70

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

impressively moving detailed account of India’s freedom struggle from 1757 to 1947. Included in the exhibition is the bloodstained dhoti (long loincloth) that Gandhi was wearing when he was assassinated in Delhi in 1948; interestingly Madurai was the place, where Gandhi first took up wearing the dhoti as a sign of native pride. The small Madurai Government Museum is next door, and the Gandhian Literary Society Bookshop behind. Also can be seen are a gallery of relics, khadi and village industries section and South Indian Handicrafts section.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace Built in 1636 by king Thirumalai Nayak, the palace is a majestic structure which will leave you mesmerized with its unique DravidianIslamic architectural style. The imposing edifice is famous for the “stuccowork” on its domes and impressive arches. The Sorgavilasam (Celestial Pavilion), measuring 75m x 52m, constructed entirely of brick and mortar without the support of a single rafter or girder, is a marvel of Indo-Saracenic architectural style. Among other striking features of the palace are the massive white pillars, several of which line the corridor that runs along the courtyard. The majestic palace is said to be only quarter of its original size today as King Thirumalai Nayak’s grandson demolished much of the fine structure and removed most of the jewels and woodcarvings in order to build his own palace in Tiruchirapalli. Getting There Most long-distance buses arrive and depart from the central bus station, six km northeast of the old city. It appears chaotic but is actually a well-organised 24-hour operation. Local buses shuttle into the city every few minutes. One can even take auto-rickshaw to reach the temple city from the bus stand. One can travel by train too, Madurai Junction is on the main Chennai-Kanyakumari line. There are at least nine daily trains to Chennai. There are several flights flying to Madurai, Air Costa too has a daily flight to Madurai from Chennai now. Once in Madurai, most of the temple city can be explored on foot.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace

HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

71


Kids

CORNER

Brain Teasers!

See if you can flex your brain cells to answer these funny riddles.

1. What has a face and two hands but no arms or legs?

7. Which letter of the alphabet has the most water?

2. What five-letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?

8. What starts with a ‘p’, ends with an ‘e’ and has thousands of letters?

3. What word begins and ends with an ‘e’ but only has one letter? 4. What has a neck but no head? 5. What gets wetter as it dries? 6. Why did the boy bury his flashlight?

Answers

9. What has to be broken before you can use it? 10. Why can’t a man living in New York be buried in Chicago? 11. What begins with ‘t’, ends with ‘t’ and has ‘t’ in it? 12. Which month has 28 days?

1. A clock

5. A towel

9. An egg

2. Short

6. Because the batteries died

10. Because he’s still living!

3. Envelope

7. The C

11. A teapot

4. A bottle

8. The Post Office!

12. All of them of course!

GoodRead A Bond With Nature by Ruskin Bond A Bond With Nature is an exotic collection of short stories and poems by Ruskin Bond. This book delightfully conserves Bond’s memories with nature. The book reveals Bond’s adventurous childhood and takes us on nature’s trails through his simple words. One experiences the beauty of nature with each page, reading about the wonderful valleys, hills, trees and all creatures big and small, which played an important part in his growing up years. Stories like - ‘No Room For A Leopard’, ‘An Island Of Trees’, ‘A Bond With The Mountains’…are sure to keep you mesmerized. Poems like ‘Tigers Forever’, ‘Living With Mountains’ and ‘Growing With Love’ warm the heart. The simplicity of the book coupled with its engaging narratives, is sure to appeal to both, the young reader and the adult. A must read for all Bond fans and nature lovers! By Abhishree

72

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

Don’t miss your special moments,

fly back home with our convenient day return flights from a a a

Ahmedabad Bengaluru Chennai

To know more, visit

a a a

Coimbatore Hyderabad Vijayawada


Quick Reads Greek Myths and Legends Thousands of years ago, a civilization flourished in Greece whose accomplishments remain with us even today. They first came up with the idea of democracy, designed tools that helped make life better and even figured out how to sail ships by looking at the stars. The ancient Greeks told stories to help explain how different parts of the world worked. Today we call them “myths.” They are a lot like fairy tales, such as Cinderella or Little Red Riding Hood—or even like stories you read today about Batman or Spider-Man. Greek myths were intended to provide a colourful explanation for things that went on in the world. For example, they explained thunderstorms as the god Zeus hurling lightning from his home in the heavens. Or whenever winter came, they said it was Demeter, the goddess of nature, who was sad because her daughter had gone away from her. Greek mythology is laced with many such stories; here are few ancient Greek myths, which make for an interesting read.

• The earliest ancient Greeks, bronze age farmers, worshipped the mother earth goddess, Gaea.

• Myths say that Gaea

emerged out of an emptiness called Chaos.

• Gaea gave birth to the god

of the mountains Ourea, the god of the sea Pontus, and the god of the sky Uranus.

• The next rulers were the children of Gaea and Uranus—12 immortals called the Titans.

• The children of the Titans,

Oceanus and Tethys, lived as spirits called nymphs in all the springs, rivers and seas of the world.

• The Titans, Coronus and

Rhea, had children who overthrew them. They became the next immortal rulers—The Greek gods and goddesses.

74

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

• Three Greek gods divided

the universe between themselves—Zeus ruled the Earth, Poseidon ruled the seas and Hades ruled the kingdom of dead.

• Some myths say that the most intelligent Titan, Prometheus, created the first man out of clay and water.

• The Greeks built impressive temples to honour gods and goddesses. At 12 m in height, the magnificent statue of the Greek god Zeus at Olympia was constructed out of ivory and gold.

• In early Greek artworks, the Sphinx is a monster with a man’s head, a lion’s body and wings. Later artworks show the Sphinx with a woman’s head and chest.

• Other myths say that the

chief god, Zeus created five

races of human beings. The Gold Race lived in harmony with the gods and died peacefully. The Silver Race was quarrelsome and disrespectful, so Zeus wiped it out. The Bronze race loved weapons and war, so they brought death upon themselves. The Race of Heroes was so noble that Zeus took them to live on islands of the blessed.

• Human beings of today

make up the Race of Iron. Myths predict that as no respect is shown for the earth, Zeus will eventually destroy it and the human race.

vummidi.com


FASHION crystals. Ultramarine and aquamarine blues, turquoise green, sunset pinks and dusk oranges enchant and entice. Amid all the Mediterranean hues are some whites of course, accentuated by metallics. Accessories can share this trend.

TRENDING...

FLORALS, SHEER & REDS Designer Anu P D discusses fashion trends for the traveller in you.

We are all travellers here, and not just on this flight but in general too, going about our gypsy-lives—working in one city, meeting relatives in another and holidaying in yet another. For most of us in India, who are flitting between high summer in some regions and the onset of monsoon in others—styles and colours of the international and local Summer and Resort Collections hold good. Red Or Dead We Indians love red, so there is the wearable trend of red, black and white—used together or separately, with loads of texturing in laces and pin-tucks and ruffles to take it to a vintage space and avoid a flat look. Metallic-neutrals like

76

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

gold-beige and copper also provide the perfect foil for little bursts of florals—which is another happy, on going and never-say-die trend. Florals Everywhere Flowers are an oxymoron— outwardly so helpless and delicate, while they hold so much strength and promise of life within, just like women! Floral energy is a multitude of colours, textures, forms and fragrances, sending out waves of positivity. We crave flowers with winter long gone and need to be in that garden state of mind!

Fabrics For Our Climate Sheers in cotton and chiffons, georgettes, Chantilly lace or nets are perfect—light and with the ability to carry ombre and tie-dye techniques very well. Go pick some bandhej and block-printed delights from Jaipur and Ahmedabad, and flowy silks with borders that tell many a story from Bangalore and Hyderabad. Why settle for plain fabrics given our rich ‘textiles and crafts’ history? As wisps of peek-a-boo lace, caress the bodies, at strategic placements, they reveal a hint of skin and add luxe to lustre. Mixing the lace trend with 3D fabric-embellishments adds a new level of glamour. Drapes, pleats, and easy silhouettes are the way to go to counter the heat and subsequent humidity. Layering too can be used. The silhouettes can be flowy and wrap, and reveal the body in turns. Each layer could be a separate and versatile garment.

Travel In Style The coming together of creative minds with connections to ignore time zones, courtesy the internet, has ensured one thing—that a designer can now be sure of a quick pace of design feedback at zero cost. Also, with collaboration having gone beyond local to global, it’s not just high-fashion trends that are inspiring local zones, but indi-trends doing a vice-versa. These factors have led to a risk-taking attitude amongst designers in all creative areas, more so fashion. So why not you! Coordinating and experimenting with different styles and garments before you pack for your travel would be a good idea. Travel is the biggest world-trend and should rightly be the biggest sartorial

Let’s Head To That Resort Alternately, a new cool is touched upon with a smattering of coloured

HAPPY FLYING! /JULY 2014

3 77


Fleet Information

layered dress in bandhani for the beach and sexy jumpsuits, which reveal nothing, can take you through the rigours of travel, and so much more that the stylist in you can surely dream of!

Embraer E 170

Subtle Sporty Light-weight sports jackets for the cooler climes of hilly resorts. And why not pair some sneakers with that crinkled lehenga-skirt that you bought last season. And a classic-white tee!

Embraer E 190

EMBRAER 170 INTERIOR LAYOUT

Accessorise Jute bags, satchels and back-packs and bags in the metallic cutwork look or simple oversize clutches (You’ve got to carry that lappie!) are designed for utility and glamour. As perfect travel and party companions, they echo the hedonistic mood of the summer and monsoon thereafter. We look forward to your style ideas and questions. You could write to anu.pd@a4a.co.in for the same. Happy to be with you on this journey!

EMBRAER 190 INTERIOR LAYOUT

PRODUCT & SERVICE OFFERING influencer. So we have now, couture saris worn with crop tops and light jackets for a destination wedding. Layering of a sheer long dress over another short one can work best for the club. Chikankari kurtas can be teamed with a pair of metallic shorts for your holiday, another

78

JULY 2014 / HAPPY FLYING!

• • •

No middle row seating Wider aisle Larger windows

EMBRAER 170 • Seating

Anu PD is a fashion designer, celebrated for her innate design talent. You can visit her website http://www.a4adezine.com/ to see her latest creations.

• •

7C 60Y

Increased leg room Greater stowage capacity

EMBRAER 190 • Seating

112Y 36.24 m 28.72 m

Length

Wingspan

29.90 m 26.00 m

Wingspan

Maximum Range

2,000 nm

Maximum Range

Maximum Weight

38,600 kg

Maximum Weight

2, 200 nm 47,790 kg

Engines

CF34-8E

Engines

CF34 -10E

Speed

Mach 0.78

Speed

Mach 0.78

Length


Flight Schedule (Valid till 25 Oct 2014)

Flight No.

From

To

Frequency

Transit*/ Transfer**

Dep.

Arr.

Flight No.

From

To

Frequency

Transit*/ Transfer**

Dep.

Arr.

Jaipur

Ahmedabad LB648

Ahmedabad

Bengaluru

Daily

Non Stop

08:20

10:55

LB697

Jaipur

Bengaluru

Daily

Non Stop

16:25

18:45

LB648

Ahmedabad

Chennai

Daily

Bengaluru*

08:20

12:25

LB650

Jaipur

Chennai

Daily

Hyderabad*

13:00

17:00

LB633

Ahmedabad

Chennai

Daily

Non Stop

21:10

23:35

LB650

Jaipur

Hyderabad

Daily

Non Stop

13:00

15:00

LB697/LB655

Jaipur

Vijayawada

Daily

Bengaluru**

16:25

20:55

Jaipur

Visakhapatnam

Daily

Bengaluru*

16:25

20:35

Bengaluru LB647

Bengaluru

Ahmedabad

Daily

Non Stop

18:50

20:50

LB697

LB648

Bengaluru

Chennai

Daily

Non Stop

11:20

12:25

Madurai

LB666

Bengaluru

Coimbatore

Daily

Non Stop

08:45

09:35

LB643

Madurai

Chennai

Mo, We, Th, Fr, Su

Non Stop

18:25

19:25

LB681

Bengaluru

Coimbatore

Daily

Non Stop

17:25

18:15

LB643

Madurai

Chennai

Tu, Sa

Non Stop

18:30

19:25

LB646

Bengaluru

Hyderabad

Daily

Non Stop

11:30

12:35

Vijayawada

LB696

Bengaluru

Jaipur

Daily

Non Stop

10:20

12:40

LB666

Vijayawada

Bengaluru

Daily

Non Stop

07:15

08:25

LB655

Bengaluru

Vijayawada

Daily

Non Stop

19:45

20:55

LB667

Vijayawada

Chennai

Daily

Hyderabad*

07:45

10:20

LB697

Bengaluru

Visakhapatnam

Daily

Non Stop

19:10

20:35

LB666

Vijayawada

Coimbatore

Daily

Bengaluru*

07:15

09:35

LB667

Vijayawada

Hyderabad

Daily

Non Stop

07:45

08:40

Vijayawada

Jaipur

Daily

Bengaluru**

07:15

12:40

Chennai LB632

Chennai

Ahmedabad

Daily

Non Stop

05:25

07:50

LB666 / LB696

LB647

Chennai

Ahmedabad

Daily

Bengaluru*

17:25

20:50

Visakhapatnam

LB647

Chennai

Bengaluru

Daily

Non Stop

17:25

18:25

LB696

Visakhapatnam

Bengaluru

Daily

Non Stop

08:30

10:00

LB651

Chennai

Hyderabad

Daily

Non Stop

05:30

06:45

LB652

Visakhapatnam

Chennai

Daily

Hyderabad*

20:55

23:25

LB649

Chennai

Hyderabad

Daily

Non Stop

12:45

13:45

LB652

Visakhapatnam

Hyderabad

Daily

Non Stop

20:55

22:00

LB631

Chennai

Hyderabad

Daily

Non Stop

14:25

15:35

LB696

Visakhapatnam

Jaipur

Daily

Bengaluru*

08:30

12:40

LB656

Chennai

Hyderabad

Daily

Non Stop

19:45

20:45

LB649

Chennai

Jaipur

Daily

Hyderabad*

12:45

16:05

LB642

Chennai

Madurai

Mo, We, Th, Fr, Su

Non Stop

16:45

18:05

LB642

Chennai

Madurai

Tu, Sa

Non Stop

17:15

18:10

LB656

Chennai

Vijayawada

Daily

Hyderabad*

19:45

21:55

LB651

Chennai

Visakhapatnam

Daily

Hyderabad*

05:30

08:10

AHMEDABAD Air Costa, Domestic Terminal – 1, Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport, Sardarnagar, Ahmedabad – 382475 Phone

Coimbatore LB646

Coimbatore

Bengaluru

Daily

Non Stop

09:55

11:00

LB655

Coimbatore

Bengaluru

Daily

Non Stop

18:35

19:25

LB646

Coimbatore

Hyderabad

Daily

Bengaluru*

09:55

12:35

LB655

Coimbatore

Vijayawada

Daily

Bengaluru*

18:35

20:55

LB681

Hyderabad

Bengaluru

Daily

Non Stop

15:55

17:05

LB667

Hyderabad

Chennai

Daily

Non Stop

09:00

10:20

LB671

Hyderabad

Chennai

Daily

Non Stop

12:55

13:55

LB650

Hyderabad

Chennai

Daily

Non Stop

15:25

17:00

LB652

Hyderabad

Chennai

Daily

Non Stop

22:20

23:25

LB681

Hyderabad

Coimbatore

Daily

Bengaluru*

15:55

18:15

LB649

Hyderabad

Jaipur

Daily

Non Stop

14:05

16:05

Hyderabad

LB656

Hyderabad

Vijayawada

Daily

Non Stop

21:05

21:55

LB651

Hyderabad

Visakhapatnam

Daily

Non Stop

07:05

08:10

* Transit: Same Aircraft

Our Airport Offices

** Transfer: Change of Aircraft

E-mail

: +91 – 8511109922 +91 – 79 – 22850087 : amd.airport@aircosta.in

BENGALURU Air Costa Ticketing Office, Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru – 560300 Phone E-mail

: +91 – 80 – 66784230 : blr.airport@aircosta.in

CHENNAI Air Costa, Counter #8, New Domestic Terminal, Meenambakkam, Chennai – 600027 Phone E-mail

: +91 – 9940387684, +91 – 44 – 22562225 : maa.airport@aircosta.in

COIMBATORE Air Costa, Coimbatore International Airport, Civil Aerodrome (PO), Coimbatore – 641014

HYDERABAD Air Costa, Ticketing Counter #08 – B, Level – F, Passenger Terminal Building, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Ltd., Shamshabad – 500409

JAIPUR Air Costa, Terminal – 2, Jaipur International Airport, Near Jawahar Circle, Jaipur – 302029

Phone

Phone

Phone

E-mail

: +91 – 9940284069, +91 – 422 – 2574425 : cjb.airport@aircosta.in

MADURAI Air Costa, Ticketing counter no - 4, NITB - Madurai airport, Perungudi, Madurai - 625022 Phone E-mail

: +91 – 452 – 2690095, +91 – 9940284105 : ixm.airport@aircosta.in

* Transit: Same Aircraft

E–mail

: +91 – 8978081308, +91 – 40 – 66605066 : hyd.airport@aircosta.in

E-mail

: +91 – 7726000109, +91 – 141 – 2725207 : jai.airport@aircosta.in

VIJAYAWADA Air Costa, Gannavaram Airport, Vijayawada – 520004

VISAKHAPATNAM Air Costa, Civil Enclave, Visakhapatnam Airport, Visakhapatnam – 530009

Phone

Phone E-mail

E–mail

: +91 – 8676 – 252297, +91 – 8978180213 : vga.airport@aircosta.in

: +91 – 8978033666 : vtz.airport@aircosta.in

** Transfer: Change of Aircraft


Route Map

Connecting to with

destinations, flights daily.

Jaipur

Ahmedabad

Visakhapatnam Hyderabad Vijayawada

Bengaluru

Chennai

Coimbatore Madurai *

Note: * New Route

India

Map not to scale, graphic representation only



Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.