Havells low res

watts up!

V ol 1 • I s s u e 2 • S e p t - N ov 2013

Journey

Kaleidoscopic backwaters

Alter Ego

Cooking is my favourite pastime: Anurag Basu A MaXposure Media Group Publication

Go-getters

Sartajs of the world

Dear reader, We are gratified by the overwhelming response you gave to the inaugural issue of Watts Up! and hope this relationship will only grow stronger in the times to come.

It is that time of the year again when an air of festivity and celebrations are pervading all across the globe. It is the time to congregate and rejoice with family and friends, the time to spread warmth and joy with those you love and those who love you. Hence, I would like to extend my good wishes to you and your family and hope the time ahead will open up new horizons of success for all of us.

Keeping in tune with the festive atmosphere, Havells has launched a new range of innovative home appliances to add fun, excitement and enjoyment. To keep you updated on the latest at Havells, I take this opportunity to inform you that we are putting a new water heater plant at Neemrana, Rajasthan. I would also like to share with you that despite tough global economic environment, we have reported good numbers during the quarter ended September 2013 with revenue up by 22% and PAT up by 45%. This wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and support of everyone at Havells.

Congratulations and keep it up.

In this issue of Watts Up! you would get to know the top three dealers of Havells who were awarded with ‘Havells Sartaj Trophy’ and their inspiring success stories. Through this issue, we’ll take you to the serene beaches and emerald backwaters of Kerala and then move to the heart of Europe, France. Read Filmmaker Anurag Basu and badminton star Saina Nehwal talk about the highs and lows in their respective careers while Cuisine section briefs you on cosmetic and medicinal properties of turmeric. All this and more in the second issue of Watts Up! We look forward to your continued support and eagerly await your feedback and suggestions on wattsup@havells.com

Qimat Rai Gupta Chairman and Managing Director

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Contents Sept-Nov 2013

04 14 04

Journey National

11

Alter Ego

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plans, competition in FMEG sector and his father's inspirational wisdom

Achiever 28 Get to know shuttler Saina Nehwal,

The ups and downs in the life of filmmaker Anurag Basu

the girl who inspires many and who is a huge SRK fan

Journey International

France tops the charts when it comes to offering a unique travel experience

Wellness

Flashback 30 Top 300 dealers made the most of a week-long European cruise

A balanced diet is all about having essential nutrients and water to stay fit and fine

Disclaimer The report and information contained herein is of confidential nature and meant only for the selected recipient and should not be altered in any way, transmitted to, copied or distributed, in any manner and form, to any other person or to the media or reproduced in any form, without prior written approval of Havells. The material in this document/ report is based on facts, figures and information that are obtained from publicly available media or other sources believed to be reliable and hence considered true, correct, reliable and accurate but Havells does not guarantee or represent (expressly or impliedly) that the same are true, correct, reliable and accurate, not misleading or as to its genuineness, fitness for the purpose intended and it should

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JMD Interview 24 Anil Rai Gupta on Havells' expansion

Kerala, the land of spices, beauty and kaleidoscopic backwaters

  

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Cuisine

Turmeric is not just a spice but also a handy medicine and recipe for flawless skin

not be relied upon as such. The opinion expressed (including estimates, facts, figures and forecasts) is given as of the date of this document is subject to change without providing any prior notice of intimation. Havells shall have the rights to make any kind of changes and alterations to this report/ information as may be required from time to time. However, Havells is under no compulsion to maintain or keep the data/information updated.

This report/document does not mean an offer or solicitation for dealing (purchase or sale) of any financial instrument or as an official confirmation of any transaction. Havells or any of its affiliates/ group companies shall not be answerable or responsible in any way for any kind of loss or damage that may

arise to any person due to any kind of error in the information contained in this document or otherwise. This document is provided for assistance only and should not be construed as the sole document to be relied upon for taking any kind of investment decision. The recipient is himself/ herself fully responsible for the risks of any use made of this information. Each recipient of this document should make his/ her own research, analysis and investigation as he/ she deems fit and reliable to come at an independent and should further take opinion of own consultants, advisors to determine the advantages and risks.

The applicable Statutory Rules and Regulations may not allow

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Go-getters 37 Havells' top three dealers share their journeys so far

Watts Up! Team Anil Sharma, Amit Sharma, Aakriti Chaudhary

Cause 40 Havells contributes to society through its Mid-Day Meal scheme

DIY 44 Make awe-inspiring light fixtures with wooden basket and rope

Feng Shui 46 Simple tips to make your house the home you always desired

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Shelf Watch

What's new at Havells

the distribution of this document in certain jurisdictions, and persons who are in possession of this document, should inform themselves about and follow, any such restrictions. This report is not meant, directed or intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in any locality, state, country or other jurisdiction, where such distribution, publication, availability or use would not be in conformation to the law, regulation or which would require Havells and affiliates/ group companies to obtain any registration or licensing requirements within such jurisdiction.

Neither Havells nor any of its affiliates, group companies, directors, employees, agents or representatives shall be held

Havells Havells India Ltd, QRG Towers, 2D, Sector 126 Expressway, Noida 201304 India Tel: +91.120.4771000 www.havells.com

responsible, liable for any kind of consequential damages whether direct, indirect, special or consequential including but not limited to lost revenue, lost profits, notional losses that may arise from or in connection with the use of the information. The recipient is cautioned and should be alert that any forwardlooking statements are not predictions and may be subject to change without providing any notice. Past performance should not be considered as a reference to future performance. The views expressed in this report reflect the personal views of the author of the report and do not reflect the views of Havells or any of its associate and group companies about the subject company or companies.

Published by: MaXposure Media Group India Pvt. Ltd. Publisher & COO: Vikas Johari CEO & Managing Director: Prakash Johari CFO: Kuldip Singh Executive Editor: Saurabh Tankha Rights: Watts Up! magazine is printed and published quarterly by Vikas Johari on behalf of MaXposure Media Group India Pvt. Ltd. (MMGIPL) for Havells India Ltd. and published at MMGIPL, Unit No. F2B, Second Floor, MIRA Corporate Suites, Plot No. 1&2, Ishwar Nagar, Mathura Road, New Delhi - 110 065, India.

All rights reserved. All writings, artwork and/or photography contained herein may not be used or reproduced without the written permission of MMGIPL and Havells. No responsibility can be taken for the loss of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. The views and opinions expressed or implied in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of MMGIPL or Havells. All efforts have been made while compiling the content of this magazine, but we assume no responsibility for the effects arising there from.

MMGIPL does not assume any liability for services or products advertised herein.

Contacts: Head Office: Unit No. F2B, Second Floor, MIRA Corporate Suites, Plot No. 1&2, Ishwar Nagar, Mathura Road, New Delhi - 110 065.

Tel: +91.11.43011111, Fax: +91.11.43011199 www.maxposure.in

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Journey

Traversing through the lush green backwaters

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Kaleidoscopic

backwaters Branded as God’s Own Country, Kerala is a land of beauty, culture and celebrations

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edged between the Western Ghats on the East and the Arabian Sea on the West, the narrow strip of land known as Kerala is a destination of a lifetime. An equable climate and exotic cuisine, a long shoreline with serene beaches, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife, cascading waterfalls, sprawling plantations and paddy fields, ayurvedic health holidays and enchanting art forms, magical festivals, historical and cultural monuments. Each of these charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other. Welcome to Kerala.

Let us take off from Kochi, the city known as the Gateway to Kerala. Ideally, a traveller should explore Fort Kochi on foot. It is an enchanting city that has had an eclectic influence of Arabs, British, Dutch, Chinese and Portuguese who have all left their mark on the city. The architecture and historical sites in Fort Kochi attract most of the visitors. Then you can get to St Francis Church, claimed to be the oldest one built by Europeans in India.

Kerala in its native language, Malayalam means “Land of coconuts”

Your next stop could be Fort Immanuel that once belonged to the Portuguese and is a symbol of the strategic alliance which

existed between the Maharaja of Cochin (now Kochi) and the Monarch of Portugal after whom the fort is named. Else you could get to the Vasco da Gama Square, a narrow promenade.

You can relish delicious seafood as well as tender coconuts here.

While you savour these, feed your eyes on Chinese fishing nets lining the shore, being raised and lowered.

Kasargod, the northernmost district of Kerala, plays host to one of the largest and best preserved forts at Bekal. A beautiful walkway has been laid to explore the beauty of the fine coastline and enjoy its panoramic

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view. Some important features are the water tanks with its flight of steps, the tunnel opening, the magazine for keeping ammunition and the broad steps leading to the Observation Tower.

A bio-diverse region spread across 2,132 sq km on the lofty Western Ghats, Wayanad is one of the few districts in Kerala that has been able to retain its pristine nature. Hidden away in the hills of this land are some of the oldest tribes, still untouched by civilisation. Strikingly scenic, it is known for its sub-tropical savannahs, picturesque hill stations, sprawling spice plantations, luxuriant forests and rich cultural traditions. Popular attractions include trekking to Chembra Peak and Meenmutty Falls, exploring old Jain temples, climbing to Edakkal Caves and wildlife-spotting at Muthanga and Tholpetty wildlife sanctuaries.

Another highlight of Wayanad is its delightful homestays. A holistic confluence of wilderness, history and culture, Wayanad is located on the southern tip of

the magnificent Deccan plateau.

It is one of the attractions that contributed to Kerala’s popularity as a travel destination among domestic and foreign travellers.

Situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, and perched about 1,600 m above sea level, the hill station of Munnar once used to be the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in south India. This hill station is marked by vast expanses of tea plantations, colonial bungalows, rivulets, waterfalls and cool weather. It is an ideal destination for trekking and mountain biking.

One of the main attractions near Munnar is Eravikulam National Park. Located about 15 km from Munnar, this park is famous for its endangered inhabitant, the Nilgiri Tahr, and is home to several species of rare butterflies, animals and birds.

The Kundale Tea Plantations, which surrounds a picturesque lake, offers the best opportunity to see tea leaves being picked

Clockwise from above: The famous snake boat race, St Angelo's Fort, elephants in Munnar, women celebrate outside a traditional Kerala house

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MUST SEE Alappuzha Alappuzha (Alleppey) Beach Alappuzha (Alleppey) Beach is one of the most popular tourist spots in Kerala. The pier which extends into the sea is around 140 years old.

It is a perfect spot to picnic with family. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attraction of the Alappuzha beach. There is also an old lighthouse nearby that is of immense interest for the visitors.

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Havells offices in the state and the cascading Gavi Waterfalls

and processed and to enjoy a cup of fresh tea straight from the gardens.

Havells' regional office in Kerala is located in Kochi with a total staff strength of 165.

The FMEG giant has seven Galaxy showrooms and a strong marketing network of 350 dealers and 3,000 retailers in Kerala.

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The area is blessed with the natural beauty of winding lanes, misty hills and forests full of exotic plants and wildlife. The highest peak located inside the park is Anamudi Peak. A trek to the peak is allowed with permission from the forest and wildlife authorities at Eravikulam.

The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake and is part of the Kuttanad region.

The bird sanctuary, spread across 14 acres, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist’s paradise.

Egrets, darters, herons, teals, waterfowls, cuckoos, wild ducks and migratory birds like the Siberian storks visit

here in flocks. The serene lake comes alive during Onam with a spectacular water regatta, the snake boat races. It is indeed amazing to watch oarsmen, at least, a hundred in one boat, slice their way through the waters to the fast rhythm of their own full throated singing.

If you are tired of exploring God’s Own Country on foot, try out something different and less tiring.

How about a backwater cruise in the comfort of a houseboat? One of the most tranquil and relaxing things you can do in the state is to enjoy a trip on a houseboat along the palm-fringed Kerala canals, known as the backwaters.

Freshly-cooked food and chilled beverage on board make the experience even more enjoyable.

You can even spend the night out on the middle of a lake. You can

hire one from Alappuzha and go all the way up to Kochi.

You could make a delightful getaway surrounded by the Anjengo backwaters to Ponnumthuruthu Island. This uninhabited isle is accessible by boat from the makeshift jetty at the nearby Nedunganda Village.

A 100-year-old Shiva-Parvathi Temple, rebuilt a decade ago, is situated 20 km from Varkala.

A calm and quiet hamlet, Varkala lies on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram district.

It has several places of tourist interest like a beautiful beach, a 2,000-year-old Vishnu Temple and the Ashramam-Sivagiri Mutt. The Papanasam Beach is renowned for its natural spring that claims to have medicinal and curative properties. A dip in the holy waters here is

Getting there By air The state has three major international airports: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Kochi International Airport and Calicut International Airport.

The Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi airports are among eight in India to offer the tourist visa on arrival. The facility is currently available to citizens of 11 countries: Japan, Singapore, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Indonesia.

By road Kerala is connected by road to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu through NH17 and NH47 respectively. You can hire tourist taxis and autos else travel by state road transport buses.

By rail Trains connect different places within and outside Kerala as there are around 200 railway stations present in Kerala.

For long distances, there are a number of superfast and express trains that connect Kerala to Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata.

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TEMPLE FESTIVALS Panachikadu Festival Panachikadu-Kottayam district September-October Navarathri Festival East Fort-Thiruvananthapuram district September-October Mullackal Utsavam Mullackal-Alappuzha district September-October A view of the Kochi Carnival

Urakam Urakam-Kottayam district September-October Thiruvullakavu Cherpu-Thrissur district September-October Thripoonithura Poornathrayesha Thripoonithura-Ernakulam district October Mannarasala Ayilyam Mannarasala-Alappuzha district October-November Temple Alpashy Utsavam East Fort-Thiruvananthapuram district October-November Kalpathi Ratholsavam Kalpathi - Palakkkad district November Payyannoor Subramaniya Swami Temple Payyannoor-Kannur district November

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believed to purge the body of all impurities and sins.

Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the decade of 30s.

A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea-bathing. The leisure options here are plenty and diverse. Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising are some of them.

The sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. Periyar National Park is one of the finest

wildlife reserves in India. The park stays open all year round. Safaris here are carried out by boats, with the lake being particularly captivating at sunset.

The state is famous for the most ancient martial art, Kalarippaayattu that develops swiftness and concentration and leads to rightness of action.

Another ancient form famous globally is Kerala Koodiyattom, a theatre form with a legacy of more than 2,000 years old and that has been recognised by UNESCO. Spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks. A must visit if you are looking for a serene and quiet holiday.

alter ego

Cooking is my favourite pastime Filmmaker Anurag Basu chats with Upasana Kaura on the ups and downs in his filmi career and life after fighting cancer

Sept- Nov 2013 | 11  

alter ego

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ne person who perfectly justifies the idiom, Slow and steady wins the race, perfectly is filmmaker Anurag Basu. Born in a middle-class Bengali Kayastha family, Basu was in his mid-20s when he started his career in the television industry as an assistant director in one of the longest running soap operas of the 90s, Tara. Incidentally, he has also directed the recent Shock Laga advertisements for Havells.

Thereon, he directed a number of television serials and tried different genres ranging from daily soaps to thrillers. His most successful work during the period was Koshish... Ek Aashaa in 2000, one of the top shows on small screen. He also made pilot episodes of shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kasauti Zindagi Ki that went onto become major hits.

After gaining experience in the television industry, Basu made a slow but steady transition towards the silver screen in 2003 with Kucch To Hai starring Tusshar Kapoor and Esha Deol.

Thereafter, he joined filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt’s Vishesh Films but failed with his first two efforts.

It was with his third venture, Murder, that Basu hit jackpot.

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His deftness and maturity as a filmmaker was then witnessed in his next two movies, Gangster and Life... In A Metro.

However, his next directorial venture, Kites, starring Hrithik Roshan couldn’t send the cash registers ringing at the box office in India though it performed well overseas. In fact, it was the first movie ever to be in the top 10 at the US box office. Lady Luck smiled on Basu once again in 2012 when he directed Barfi! starring Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. The movie went onto become one of the biggest hits of the year and was praised by cine-goers and critics alike. We indulged in a chat with the filmmaker: Tell us about your early life: Your parents and your siblings...

I’m a small-town boy who spent most of his growing up years in Bhilai. Though both my parents were actively involved in theatre and my father owned a theatre company, Abhiyan, I hardly watched movies. All in the name of films I knew was this star, Anil Kapoor and his hit movies like Mashaal, Ram Lakhan and Tezaab. Academically, I was a fairly good student.

How did films happen to you?

During our schooldays, boys were expected to appear for engineering or medical entrance exams and eventually take it up as a profession. However, I had an inclination towards performing arts but my father warned me against following his footsteps. He told me theatre could only work as a pastime and not a career. It confused me no ends as my heart lay with theatre but then I had my father’s example before me.

Despite having dedicated his entire life to theatre, he had not achieved much, at least, on the financial front. So on his advice, I appeared for the engineering entrance exam.

And then...

I passed it and got admission in Jabalpur Engineering College.

But as my heart beat for theatre, I spoke with my parents and told them that engineering was not my cup of tea and theatre was what I wanted to pursue as a career. Understanding and liberal as they were, I was allowed to drop mid-way.

But as education was equally important, I enrolled in the BSc (Physics) course at the Royal College with the intention to pursue a cinematography course at FTII, Pune simultaneously which I finally did. During this period, whenever I went to buy my study books, I ended up purchasing a couple on theatre.

Soon, I was acting as well as directing plays. That’s how it all started.

To make a movie on Kishore Kumar, one of the greatest all-rounders of Indian cinema, is a big honour To gain experience, I started working as a set assistant, makeup man, assistant cameraman... You name it and I was doing it. This went on for seven months and then producer Raman Kumar, who was planning television serial Tara, gave me the job of directing an episode. Rest, as they say, is history.

You have dabbled with all aspects of filmmaking and television. Which one is closer to your heart?

Direction as it gives me an opportunity to experience the joy of watching the way people react to an entertaining story. It’s like a puppet show where the strings are in your hands and you get them to do what you want.

What made you choose Kishore Kumar as the subject to make a biopic?

It came on its own to me.

Actually, UTV guys and Kishore Kumar’s family were discussing about the subject and I happened to be there. Minutes later, I was informed that I was directing it.

This is a big honour. It will be an honour to make a movie on one of the greatest all-rounders of Hindi cinema ever.

What was your reaction when you were informed that you

were suffering from acute leukemia? Post-treatment, how has life changed?

Before I went for my first medical checkup, I knew there was something wrong. When the doctors disclosed the predicament I was facing, I prayed to God to let me live a little longer. My wife was pregnant at that time and I wanted to see my child coming into this world.

Apart from strong family support, I thank all the doctors for getting me back to where I belong.

However, post-leukemia, priorities in my life have changed now.

Earlier, spending time at home was fourth on the list but today it is my topmost priority.

What do you do between shots...

I think about the next shot. ...and when you are free?

I pen short stories. In fact, Barfi was a short story I had written sometime back. My book of short stories will soon release.

Who among today’s actors are your favourite?

All but I like Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra more.

Amid the busy schedule you run through every day, how do

you relax?

I enjoy cooking. It is my favourite pastime and a big stress-buster.

Whenever I’m home, we organise a barbecue on the terrace.

Your favourite dish?

Be it the sambhar-dosa or rajma-chawal, I relish all Indian delicacies. But I don’t patronise a particular dish or a restaurant that I visit with friends and family.

At the end of the day, daalchawal-maach is what makes me happy and satisfied.

Your favourite destination…

I prefer taking both my daughters to various locations in India as I feel they can explore foreign destinations once they grow up.

Today, it is important for them to know about their Motherland.

Personally, I love Kerala, especially during monsoon.

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The of

Europe With so much to offer, it is not a surprise that France attracts the most numbers of visitors

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ne of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, France is the country to beat when it comes to offering something unique to its visitors.

France boasts of the most varied natural environment in Europe that varies from the lush agricultural countryside, rolling prairies and Alpine peaks to northern spruce forests, steppe-like plateaus and not to forget, a varied coastline.

A trip to France should be based on themes like art and culture, wine and cuisine, romance and well-being and cruises among others.

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Paris, the capital city, is the most visited one in the world. It has some of the world’s largest and renowned museums including the Louvre, the most visited art museum globally. Then there is Musee d’Orsay, devoted mostly to impressionism, and Beaubourg, dedicated to contemporary art.

Paris hosts some of the world’s most recognisable landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the most-visited paid monument in the world; the Arc de Triomphe; the cathedral of Notre-Dame and the Sacre-Cœur. Near Paris is the Palace of Versailles, the former palace of the French kings that has now been transformed into a museum.

Le Louvre Museum

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Clockwise from above: Eiffel Tower, archaeological remains at Cemenelum and an aerial view of Nice city

With more than 10 million tourists visiting France every year, the French Riviera, in southeastern France, is the second leading tourist destination in the country.

It boasts of a 115 km coastline and beaches, 18 golf courses, 14 ski resorts and over 3,000 restaurants. Also known as Cote d'Azur, it hosts 50 per cent of the world's super-yacht fleet, with 90 per cent of all superyachts visiting the region’s coast, at least, once in their lifetime each year.

Located on the French Riviera, Nice is a sprawling seaside resort that offers something for one and all. Beautiful beaches, gorgeous Mediterranean weather, vibrant shopping and colourful attractions all make Nice as one of the most

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visited cities in France. Traces of the city’s historic origins are found on the Hill of Cimiez, the site of an excavated Roman city. It contains archaeological treasures such as an old Roman road, an arena and thermal baths. This area is home to the Museum of Asian Art, Musee Chagall and Musee Matisse.

One of the best places to hang out in Nice is along Promenade des Anglais. This waterfront walkway is packed with outdoor cafes, bakeries, souvenir shops and restaurants serving a variety of cuisines from Spain and Italy to local Nicoise dishes like fish soup, chickpea flat bread and “salade Nicoise,” a tuna salad with tomatoes, green peppers, baked eggs and anchovies.

Vieux Nice offers a maze of cobblestone streets, art galleries and colourful flower markets

A stroll through the historic district of Vieux Nice offers a maze of cobblestone streets, old architecture, art galleries, a distinguished opera house and colourful flower markets. At night, Old Nice wears a vibrant look with lively bars and nightclubs.

A large part of Provence is designed as the 2013 European Capital of Culture. Famous natural sites like the Gorges du Verdon, the regional natural park of Camargue, the national park of calanques and the typical landscape of Luberon can be found in the region too. Provence also hosts historical sites like the Pont du Gard, the Arles' Roman Monuments or the Palais des Papes in Avignon.

Bordeaux, on the other hand,

can be classified as the town of art and history. The city is home to 362 monuments – only Paris has more – with some buildings dating back to the Roman era.

Bordeaux has been inscribed on Unesco World Heritage List as “an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble”.

Bordeaux is also home to one of Europe’s biggest 18th century architectural urban areas, making it one of the most sought-after destinations for tourists and cinema production crews. It stands out as one of the first French cities, after Nancy, to have entered an era of urbanism and big scale metropolitan projects.

Bordeaux is also the wine region and it is here that you get to find out why Bordeaux wines are always listed as one of the

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*

Sylvania has been the market leader in France for decades.

Be it education, museums or offices, it has been at the top when it comes to lighting in this European country, especially through Claude, one of the leading and historical French manufacturers of lighting industry that was acquired by Sylvania in 1980.

Since its acquisition

by Havells, Sylvania has been recognised as one of the best lighting suppliers in the market. Sylvania is present at three locations in France: A central office in Gennevilliers in the Paris suburb where customer service and finance-marketing teams are based; a logistic platformbased in Le PlessisBelleville and a manufacturing plant in Saint Etienne.

With a sales and specification team of 45, Havells has a strong share within the wholesaler channel and the FMEG giant is investing in areas showing good perspectives for its three brands: Sylvania, Lumiance and Concord.

To experience culture and best lighting practice, visit the Château de Versailles which has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for 30 years. It is one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th century French art. Or the Mucem in Marseille, the second largest city in France by population.

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Chaumont Castle, a view of Marseille and the famous Galerie d'Apollon

best in the world. If that wasn’t enough reason for jumping on a plane and getting here, this region of France is known as a top culinary destination. Another amazing fact is that there are more than 5,000 wine chateaus around Bordeaux.Your decision on where to go for the best French wine and where to stay and eat can be an overwhelming experience.

Up until the 19th century, Cannes was a quiet fishing village but today, it is a glamorous seaside city made world-famous by the annual Cannes Film Festival.

This luxurious resort city is located in the French Riviera of Southeast France, favoured for its mild Mediterranean climate and gorgeous beaches. Every May when Cannes hosts the international film festival, hordes of fans flock to see the rich and famous in person as the

celebrities walk the red carpet up the steps of the Palais des Festivals where thousands of films are screened. Leading up to the Palais des Festivals is La Croisette, the beautiful waterfront promenade that is lined with palm trees, upscale hotels, restaurants and designer shops.

Another popular tourist destination is the Loire Valley, a region in the heart of France, famous for its spectacular scenery, splendid chateaux, picturesque vineyards and historic villages. Loire Valley stretches 175 miles along the Loire River, twisting and turning through some of France’s most beautiful villages such as Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci lived the last few years of his life. Other historic villages in the region include Tours, Chinon, Anglers, Saumur and Orleans. The town of Blois is

Fact file Languages spoken The official language of France is French. Several regional languages are also spoken - German dialects (2.12 per cent), Occitan (1.33 per cent) or Breton (0.61 per cent).

Climate Generally cool winter and mild summer but mild winter and hot summer along the Mediterranean belt.

Currency Franc/ Euro Time Zone France is in the Central European Time Zone, one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1). Like most European states, summer (daylightsaving) time is observed in France where the time is shifted forward by one hour; two hours ahead of GMT+2. Postsummer, the time in France is shifted back by an hour to Central European Time (CET) or GMT+1.

Country code: +33

significant for its chateau where French kings and aristocrats once met.

The valley’s biggest attraction is its large number of chateaux scattered throughout the rolling green hills. Ranging from grand country manors to defense fortresses and luxurious palaces, these chateaux were built by French nobility. Some of the most famous chateaux include Chambord, Amboise, Rivau, Chinon and Chenonceau.

The Loire Valley is nicknamed the “Garden of France” because of its abundance of flower gardens, fruit orchards and vineyards. The valley is home to many wineries that offer wine tasting tours.

One of Europe’s oldest cities and France’s second largest city, Marseille is a major Mediterranean seaport located off the southeast

coast of France. Boasting an idyllic climate, Roman ruins, medieval architecture and distinguished cultural venues, Marseille is a working city with several universities and industries.

At the core of Marseille is its old port, Vieux Port. Dominated by two historic forts, this bustling harbour is lined with waterfront cafes, shops and bars. One of Marseille’s best natural attractions, the Calanques, is a series of small inlets with astonishing blue water and majestic limestone cliffs. Marseille is a thriving regional centre of art and culture with numerous museums, art galleries and historic buildings like La Vielle Charite and the Basilique Notre-Dame-de-laGarde. The city also hosts a large concentration of opera houses and theatres such as Theatre Toursky.

Sept- Nov 2013 | 19

wellness

20 |

Balanced and

healthy

diet

Consume appropriate amount of essential nutrients and water to stay fit

T

o maintain healthy nutrition implies that you need to consume adequate amount of quality food that supplies all essential nutrients needed by your body for overall development. Food provides energy and building materials for countless substances that are essential for growth and survival.

A balanced diet means getting the right type and amount of food and drinks to supply

nutrition and energy to maintain body cells, tissues and organs and to support normal growth and development. A healthy diet is one that helps maintain or improve general health as also for lowering chronic health risks like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and even cancer.

A balanced diet involves consuming appropriate amounts of all essential nutrients and consuming an adequate amount of water. Nutrients can be

Sept- Nov 2013 | 21  

wellness

A balanced diet needs to have the right quantity of fats, proteins and carbohydrates

22 |

  

obtained from different food items and hence, there are numerous diets that may be considered healthy.

A balanced diet needs to have the right quantity of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It should have optimum calories to support energy requirements and optimum micronutrients to meet the needs for human nutrition without inducing toxicity or excessive weight gain from consuming excessive calories. And it requires people to eat a variety of food from each group.

Grains consist of food with wheat, oats, barley and other grains. National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, recommends adults to have, at least, five-six servings of whole grains per day. Whole grains include whole wheat, oats and brown rice. The fibre in whole

grains helps to keep people full and prevent overeating.

for example, provide excellent calcium for healthy bones.

Fruits and vegetables add fibre, vitamins and minerals to a balanced diet. People with high intake of fruits and vegetables have decreased deficiency of vitamins, minerals and risk of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and cancer.

Monounsaturated and poly unsaturated fat are good for heart. Olive, canola, fish and flaxseed oils should be included in diet too. Avoid saturated fats and trans fats found in junk food, ice cream, butter and candy that can harm your health.

Milk and milk products provide calcium for growth, repair tissue and bone cells. Add two-three servings of milk products in your diet on a daily basis.

Healthy eating tips • Eat smaller meals throughout the day.

• Take time to chew your food.

• Avoid excess eating during night time.

• Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.

• Avoid processed and prepackaged canned food.

• Cut down on saturated fats and sugar.

• Avoid intake of table salt.

• Drink two-three litres water every day.

• Walk and exercise daily.

Meat and poultry foods provide protein, iron, zinc and vitamins which help get good quality of protein. High quality proteins include poultry, fish and eggs.

Almonds help increase good cholesterol and reduce the chances of your getting overweight. Sesame seeds,

Sept- Nov 2013 | 21

Conversation

Our priority is to strengthen

our global operations Anil Rai Gupta talks to Team Watts Up! on Havells’ expansion plans, new additions to the present product portfolio and the transformations in FMEG sector

Has the Havells journey been satisfactory?

From humble beginnings in the 1970s to becoming one of the India’s leading and most diversified companies in the electrical business, the journey does give a sense of satisfaction but there is a lot more to achieve. Havells has pleasantly surprised everyone through its phenomenal growth and brand-building but the task at hand is to offer consumers with better and innovative products thus enhancing their lives and lifestyles. Today, Havells is spread across 17 business verticals thereby offering widest range of electrical products for consumers and occupies significant marketshare in each vertical. While on one side we’ve grown organically from strength-to-strength and product-to-product, regular breakthroughs have come through major acquisitions like Sylvania, Standard and Crabtree.

Plans for rural and urban markets in India?

India is a large country and while we have presence in almost all big cities of the country with over one lakh population and cover almost 80 per cent of the market. Last year our focus was to enhance our presence in Tier-II and III towns. This year we have taken the mandate to further our presence to all towns with 50,000-100,000 population and rural India. With rural India in mind, we entered the business of conventional switches and have received overwhelming response to the product.

Havells' global and expansion plans?

Our priority right now is to strengthen our global operations that are operating under brand Sylvania. We already have a wide global presence in Europe, North America and Latin America. We have been able to turnaround the company and now the aim is to grow and establish our leadership.

Today, over 210 Havells Galaxies across the country are helping customers, both domestic and commercial, to choose from a wide variety of products

Plans for additions to the present product portfolio and in which segment?

The past couple of years have seen product additions across most of our product verticals and in the future as well, we’ll continue with this streak. In the last quarter, we launched products like high-end fans, Donato Coffee Maker, Premio Mixer Grinder and Profile Airfryer. Similarly, we entered the new business segment of conventional switches and

recently entered the business of mono block pumps.

We’ve realised that the market has been very receptive to all our new products introductions and the strategy going-ahead, will be to grow in technologies and categories related to our existing lines of business. The electrical business, as a whole, is vast and there is immense scope of growth in a country like India where development is happening at a higher growth rate than more mature markets.

According to you, what are the strengths of the organisation that has enabled it to reach so far?

Havells is based on three strong pillars of distribution, manufacturing and the brand.

These coupled with the commitment of best quality and innovativeness has been prime enablers of our growth so far. At the same time, the meaning of ‘quality’ for us keeps evolving.

Quality of the core-product benefits, quality in services, towards the environment, in our dealings with our people, quality in organisational culture – it encompasses all aspects.

Brief us about the company's CSR initiatives...

While we engage with different need-based initiatives every year like organising relief camps, blood donation camps or providing monetary help where needed, our mid-day meal programme in Alwar, Rajasthan, is our flagship CSR activity. This is something we have taken

up with utmost seriousness, exactly like starting a project. We believe that instead of spreading too thin across many activities where you may achieve little, it is better to give complete attention to one where you can make a difference. The decision to start mid-day meals was based on the belief that children are the future of the country. If you give them proper nourishment and care, you are in real terms investing in the growth of the country.

We started the mid-day meal activity back in 2005 and provide afternoon meals to more than 35,000 school students in Alwar district every day. Absolute care about hygiene, quality and nutrition is taken in preparing the food. We have dust-free, sealed chambers for cooking and it is a proper assembly-line of operations that is equivalent to a small food-processing unit. Undoubtedly, this would be one of the best mid-day meal kitchens in India. We have invested in the entire chain from procurement to cooking to distribution through dedicated staff, kitchens and distribution vans. This has helped us keep a control over the quality and the freshness of food served.

Lessons learnt from your illustrious father...

There is a lot of wisdom in every decision and action taken by him and it will be difficult to sum it all up in one place. Virtues of hardwork, passion, teamwork... are a given for someone who has built an enterprise entirely Sept- Nov 2013 | 25

Conversation

Competition is healthy for a company to grow and it teaches you to stay a step ahead from scratch. Courage because one needs to constantly take measured risks if one wants to grow. Throughout the Havells growth story one will find many instances of taking actions that were contrary to accepted ideas, or ideas that had yielded results in the past. He acquired brand Havells back in 1971 when owning brands and related properties, especially in the electrical market in India, was unheard of. Then again, we were the first ones to take the risk of advertising and converting a low interest, low involvement category into a consumer product category.

Set up India's First New Generation CMH Lamp Plant at Neemrana in 2010 Launched India's first HPF CFL in 2009 Launched India's first BEE 5* Rated Fan in 2009 First Indian CFL manufacturer to have adopted RoHS, European norms on Restriction of Hazardous Substances in CFLs in 2008 First company to get an ISI certification for complete range of CFLs in 2006 Awarded the KEMA certification by The Dutch Council for Accreditation, making QRG the only group to attain this certification in 2005

26 |

Similarly, vision. He has always been able to see opportunities where others don’t. When we acquired Sylvania, it was a lot larger than our business in revenues and it was a lossmaking venture. While others were looking at a bleeding brand, my father saw it as an opportunity to go global. After the Sylvania acquisition, the challenge was to turn its fortunes around. Those days when we spent many days and nights contemplating our plans and how to execute them, he worked relentlessly and constantly reminded us to give everything we can into making this venture

work and finally the turnaround story is widely talked of.

Lastly, people management has probably been his biggest strength since the beginning.

There’s a difference between talking motivation and taking steps that naturally motivate everyone around you. Your organisation is nothing but people working towards one common goal. It is for us to ensure that everyone’s lives get more enriched in the pursuit of that goal.

What, according to you, are the key traits of a leader?

Leadership is about giving space to people to work, empathise with them and listen to their issues and suggestions. A leader must be visionary, motivational, inspirational and knowledgeable.

A leader must be able to build a stronger and effective team and enable them to perform. Finally, you cannot do everything on your own. Display of integrity and learning ability are few more qualities of a leader.

As a market leader in the FMEG sector, does competition bother you?

No. I believe competition is healthy for a company to grow and it teaches you to stay a step

ahead. It forces you to think creatively and innovate all the time. Everyone has a space to grow, one needs to respect that.

How strong does the R&D team need to be in order to be successful?

R&D is a competitive advantage for any organisation. It is an investment into the future of the company. It is important both for incremental innovations at a regular pace to incorporate consumer feedback into products and for technological breakthroughs that make you a market leader. The R&D team itself has to have a blend of the more experienced veterans, who bring priceless knowledge and expertise, and the young, effervescent lot, who are a lot braver to try new concepts.

Knowledge-sharing is the biggest asset of an R&D team.

At Havells, we’ve achieved the integration of our R&D capacities globally. Today, we’re one of those companies where there’s a lot to learn from your counterparts nationally and internationally and this has helped us in our product innovations greatly. For instance, Havells has focussed tremendously on energyefficiency. We were the ones

who introduced the 5-star-rated, energy-efficient fans in India.

We’ve achieved efficiency in all our product categories which can be made energy-efficient – roughly about 70 per cent of our products. Now, when most in the industry are talking energyefficiency, we’re already thinking ‘super-efficiency’ – technologies that will make the existing products consume even lesser power. To sum it, the importance of R&D is paramount – it is what keeps you ahead of the game.

The group company, QRG Healthcare runs a 140-bed hospital in Faridabad and will soon launch another 400 bed hospital in Faridabad

Over the years, what transformations have you witnessed in FMEG sector?

Growing consumer awareness and interest in electrical products is probably the biggest transformation we’ve seen in the past years. We’re also contributors to creating that awareness to a large extent but the wave of technological advancement that has hit India in the past decade has definitely created a population of consumers who take keen interest in everything they purchase for their house. Our products were earlier targetted at builders, architects, contractors or electricians but now the end-users themselves insist on certain brands based on quality, safety, performance, and longevity of the product. Take domestic cables and wires for instance, the consumers have started demanding for Havells wires from the dealers.

Another big shift is the rise in aspiration and spending from

Fact file Today, Havells is spread across 17 business verticals thereby offering widest range of electrical products for consumers and occupies significant market-share in each vertical.

The R&D team itself has to have a blend of the more experienced veterans, who bring priceless knowledge and expertise, and the young, effervescent lot, who are a lot braver to try new concepts.

Recently launched our superpremium product – the AirFryer in domestic appliances and were surprised that the very first order came not from the metropolitan markets but from a Tier II city.

Havells is based on three strong pillars of distribution, manufacturing and the brand.

The FMEG started its mid-day meal activity back in 2005 and provides meals to more than 35,000 school students in Alwar district every day.

Havells has presence in almost all big cities of the country with over one lakh population and cover almost 80 per cent of the market.

B-towns. There is surprising upsurge in demand for branded FMEG products from Tier II and III cities. Only electricianrecommended or locally-made fans or switches or lights will not do. We recently launched our super-premium product, the Air Fryer in domestic appliances and were surprised that the first order came not from a metropolitan market but a Tier II city. We have also witnessed growing concern for quality and efficiency at the national level.

Traditionally, products like cables,

circuit-protection devices and the likes have been considered electrical commodities but now people have started realising the risks associated with electrical products and, hence, the importance of differentiating factors that add more safety and reliability to the products.

Your outlook for the sector?

The domestic electrical segment is growing at a healthy pace of around 20 per cent per annum. The industrial product segment faced a slowdown in growth because of lulls in the infrastructure and real estate sectors but now the demand has started picking up. The announced reforms in the power sector and the growth in housing will positively affect our toplines in the coming quarters.

Havells has diversified deeply into domestic, commercial and industrial categories and this has reduced the risk from a slowdown in any particular segment.

What has future in store for Havells?

The future is bright. We will continue to introduce more products, especially in the consumer segment. There will be emphasis on expanding our distribution network and we will continue to reach out to smaller towns and villages. We will also start manufacturing water -heaters as our plant will be ready by early 2014. Globally, we’ll add to our export verticals.

So, in a nutshell, there’s a lot planned for the coming years

Sept- Nov 2013 | 27

ACHIEVER

I never miss an

SRK movie Badminton sensation and world no. 4 Saina Nehwal on her favourite Bollywood star, the importance of mental toughness in the sport and experience of Indian Badminton League of which Havells was on-air associate sponsors on starsports

Your winning mantra…

Following a strict gym schedule, working hard on the courts with my coach and sparring partners and eating healthy food.

Your definition of success…

To perform consistently and reach the top.

Your solution to overcome setbacks…

It is a part of a sportsperson’s life so one needs to face it gracefully.

Importance of mental toughness in sport…

One needs to be honestly and completely devoted to the game.

Ranking goal to achieve by year-end...

I want to keep playing the game to the best of my abilities.

Difference Pullela Gopichand made to your game…

Loads as he is a master of the game and I follow all his instructions.

Your toughest competitor...

My toughest opponent is any player who falls in my draw.

28 |

Other sports you follow…

I update myself occasionally on wrestling, women boxing, tennis and hockey.

Young Indian sportspersons who will make it big internationally...

PV Sindhu and Sai Praneet B (badminton) and Deepika Kumari (archery).

Shortlist reasons why our sportspersons fail on world stage...

Lack of infrastructure, coaching facilities and sponsors.

Your daily schedule...

Around seven hours a day, six days a week except Sundays are spent on the court. The schedule is finalised by national coach Gopi (Pullela Gopichand) sir. It is divided into three sessions combining a number of outdoor exercises, court practice and amusement games.

For more podium finishes in international competitions, we should…

Work harder, be more disciplined, increase focus and have a cool mind.

Sport that has best prospects in future…

Recently-concluded Indian Badminton League (IBL) is proof of the fact that badminton is finally getting its due, especially among corporate community, as are soccer and tennis.

Suggestions to bring more viewers to the stadia to watch badminton...

Let sports administrators and planners decide the same.

Your favourite food...

All north Indian dishes.

When not playing, you indulge in...

Watching movies and catching up on my sleep.

Bollywood actor you admire the most…

Shah Rukh Khan as he is the best entertainer we have. I never miss any of his movies.

Your never-say-die attitude comes from…

My will to keep winning.

A habit you can never leave…

Playing the game (badminton)

know me Both my parents were badminton champions in Haryana.

I'm the first Indian girl to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Olympics and first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton championship.

I'm coached by the legendary Pullela Gopichand and Inonesian Atik Jauhari.

I have equalled three consecutive titles achievement with legendary Prakash Padukone who won Swedish, Danish and All England championship, all in 1980.

I had missed my intermediate exams twice. Once while I was participating in Melbourne Olympics and then when I was in Philippines.

People in Hisar call me "Steffi Saina". The first name here comes from legendary tennis player Steffi Graf.

I have been twice smashed for a 21-0, 21-0 loss.

Sept- Nov 2013 | 29  

FLASHBACK

Creating bonds,

sharing memories

F

rom the piazzas, monuments, churches and museums in Naples to Piazza Venezia, Roman Forum, Arch of Constantine and famed Colosseum in Rome and Medicean Chapels and Basilica di S Lorenzo in Florence to Piazza dei Miracoli, Square of Miracles and the Leaning Tower in Pisa.

Places you would love visiting with your family. All this and more came true for the top-performing 300 dealers and distributors of Havells, the $1.3 billion Fast Moving Electrical Goods conglomerate and manufacturer of power distribution equipment, 30 |

  

who were taken on a week-long European cruise.

Most distribution-led companies pay a lot of attention to its dealers and distributors and to that extent, Havells has been no different. But what surprises one at Havells is the relation and bonding its dealers and distributors exude. Such relations till now could have been found only among members of a family. This clearly explains the reason why a large number of dealers and distributors were accompanied by their spouses on this trip. It also clearly tells the reason for the success

Norwegian Epic Cruise was chosen as the venue for the conference

of the company in such a short duration.

Once Havells' CMD, Qimat Rai Gupta, was asked why Havells is so successful and his response was that softer side of the company contributes largely to the numbers of Havells but is not seen or visible to the outside world. Only internal people, including the large family of dealers and distributors, feel it. Today, one can understand the meaning and depth behind his words. The passion and dedication with which dealers and distributors work for Havells and the transparency,

accessibility and support that Havells provides is not prevalent in the industry. Once again, we could say it’s a history in making.

Norwegian Epic Cruise, one of three largest cruises in the world, was chosen as the venue for the conference and the award ceremony. The trip took off on May 19 from Barcelona, Spain, and moved towards the exciting Naples before halting in the historic city of Rome. Thereafter, guests visited the smallest country in the world, The Vatican City, before heading towards Florence. The mesmerising trip then took

people to The Leaning Tower of Pisa and the intriguing journey continued with a visit to unique and charming Marseille that has a picturesque old harbour and Fort St Nicolas and Fort St Jean guarding the entrance to the harbour. Finally, the guests moved to the spectacular city of Palama Majorca that houses the superb 17th century Majorcan manor. Driving through the scenic pine forests and groves of almond and olive trees, Palama Majorca offers some of the most magnificent views where guests clicked innumerable photographs before they reached their final destination, Barcelona.

Sept- Nov 2013 | 31  

Cuisine

The

spice of life Turmeric or haldi is not just the must-have spice for Indian cuisines. HALDI has medicinal properties and is used for cosmetic purposes as it is considered good for the skin. it is also considered an auspicious element

32 |

  

T

urmeric was probably cultivated first as a dye and then became valued as a condiment before being used for cosmetic purposes. The spice is often used in cooking as a substitute for the costlier saffron. In 13th century, Marco Polo wrote of this spice, marvelling at a vegetable which exhibited qualities so similar to saffron.

Familiar to the contemporary world as a prime component of curry powder, the orangeyellow rhizome’s striking

colour lent it a special aura in ancient India. It has always been considered an auspicious ingerdient in the sub-continent, both among the Aryan (mostly northern) and the Dravidian cultures (mostly southern).

Its value may extend far in history to the beliefs of ancient indigenous people. Turmeric’s common name in the north, haldi, is derived from Sanskrit haridra. Down South, it is called manjal, a word that is frequently used in ancient Tamil literature.

Let’s look at the various uses of haldi.

Sept- Nov 2013 | 33

Cuisine

Cuisine Turmeric plant leaf has been a part of Indian kitchens for centuries not only to prepare special sweet dishes like patoleo by layering rice flour and coconut-jaggery mixture on the leaf and then closing and steaming it in a special copper steamer.

“We don’t use turmeric in some non-vegetarian dishes like in

gobhi mussalam Serves Four Ingredients 2 small cauliflowers, 1 lemon, salt as per taste,1 onion, 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste, 2 tbsp tomato puree, 1/2 tsp red chilli powder, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp dry mango powder, 1/4 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp coriander powder, few coriander leaves Method Dip cauliflowers in water and salt in a cooker pan for 5-6 minutes. Take them out and marinade it with lime juice and keep it aside for 15-20 minutes.

Add oil, grated onions and gingergarlic paste in the pan and cook it for 5 minutes. Add tomato puree, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, dry mango powder and salt.

Cook till dry. Then fill this masala in marinated cauliflower with the help of a fork. Wrap an aluminium foil around it, put a lid on it and switch on the 'cooking mode'. When cauliflower is done, the switch automatically comes to keep warm position.

Tip: Garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve with naan or rice.

34 |

chicken curry but it is amply used in most vegetarian delicacies,” shares master chef Pankaj Bhatt of Khidmat chain of restaurants.

And not India alone, the spice has been extensively used elsewhere though majorly for creating sauces. Besides, there are a host of soups and pickles made purely using turmeric.

In recipes outside South Asia, turmeric is sometimes used as an

Nutritional Value of Turmeric Value per 100 gm Moisture: 13.1 g Proteins: 6.3 g Fat: 5.1 g Minerals: 3.5 g Fibres: 2.6 g Carbohydrates: 69.4 g Energy: 349 K Cal Calcium: 150 mg Phosphorus: 282 mg Iron: 67.8 mg It also contains calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine and niacin.

Two teaspoons of turmeric contains Iron 1.88 mg Vitamin B 0.08 mg Potassium 114.48 mg Manganese 0.36 g Dietary fibre 0.96 g

agent to impart a rich, custardlike yellow colour. It is used in canned beverages, ice creams, yogurts, yellow cakes, orange juices, biscuits, popcorn colour, sweets, cake icings, cereals, sauces, gelatins, etc. In fact, it is a significant ingredient in most commercial curry powders.

Religion According to Hindu religion, haldi represents life, purity and prosperity. This explains its excessive use in religious ceremonies. One of the most important ceremonies of Indian weddings is the haldi ceremony where a paste made of turmeric

is applied to the bride and the groom’s body as part of their marriage preparations.

Cosmetics Apart from food, turmeric is a grandmother’s recipe for getting a flawless skin. “Mix it with besan and dahi and rub it on your cheeks to get that extra glow. This is a sure shot formula for getting a clean and glowing complexion. Regular use makes your skin a shade lighter,” says 73-year-old Krishna Sharma who was passed on this secret by her father-in-law who was a village vaid (physician). “No amount of cream or scrub you get at

Sept- Nov 2013 | 35

Cuisine

Turmeric has been a known anti-oxidant, antiinflammatory and anti-carcinogenic agent cosmetic shops can do what a simple homemade turmeric paste can do,” she adds.

[ Havells Premio ] Handsfree operation for all jars, LED indicator for power, Easy grip handles of jars, Easy locking/Hands free usage, HYTRAL Suction feet for better grip, Flow breakers in jars for better performance, Handles provide on main unit for Convenient lifting

36 |

For centuries, turmeric has been used as a beauty product.

A mixture of turmeric with milk and powdered rice is an excellent anti-ageing agent.

For acne scars, dab a mixture of turmeric and plain water and leave it on the marks for 15 minutes. A paste of sandalwood powder, turmeric powder and orange juice is used to control oil secretion.

Similarly, a mixture of turmeric and besan in water lightens stretch marks while a mixture of turmeric and aloe vera gel removes burn marks effectively.

Even cracked heels need a touch of turmeric. Apply a mixture of coconut or castor oil and turmeric powder on cracked heels and see them fast disappearing. Another

traditional use of turmeric is as a dyeing agent for clothes.

Medicines Turmeric has been a known anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic agent with curcumin being an active ingredient in it with a wide range of therapeutic effects.

In Ayurveda, turmeric is known as a strengthening and warming agent. It is used in making medicines to treat indigestion, normalise menstruation, for relief of arthritis and swelling. “Haldi is a blood purifier and promotes proper metabolism. It is also used for local application on sprains, burns, cuts, bruises, insect bites and itches,” says homeopath Daleep Saxena.

“When you have sore throat or cough, mix half-a-spoon to a cup of tea and see the wonders it does,” informs Sharma, a big advocate for the use of turmeric.

Go-getters

Sartajs of the world

Up Close and personal with the top three dealers of Havells who have been awarded as Havells Sartaj in a recently-concluded Dealers trip to Spain dealers in India today, selling most of the FMEG’s consumer product line. “We entered the electrical business in 1975 in the same shop that my brother bought in Tilak Nagar in 1970. We converted the fair price and flour mill shop into an electrical store as West Delhi was witnessing a boom in real estate and the demand for electrical equipment was increasing with each passing day. I joined my brother’s business as a 17-year-old in 1981 as he was unable to get a stable job despite all possible efforts in over 150 different companies. I followed my elders’ footsteps and never compromised at any stage, maintaining the same transparency and ethics as were introduced by them. And from an initial investment of `40,000 made by my brother back in the 1970s, we slowly and steadily treaded on our successful journey, reaching a turnover of `32 crore in 1992. Our relationship with Havells took off in 1995, selling MCBs,” says Aggarwal.

KULDEEP AGGARWAL TARZAN ELECTRICALS, DELHI “As kids, I remember our father telling me and my siblings that we need to keep changing with time to taste success. He also told us that there are no shortcuts in life and one needed to work hard to earn and move ahead. We implemented the same and are reaping rich dividends till date,” shares Kuldeep Aggarwal, managing director of Tarzan Electricals located in the National Capital’s West Delhi area.

With a turnover of `135 crore, Aggarwal’s company is one of the topmost Havells’

Fact Sheet With a turnover of `135 crore, Aggarwal’s company is one of the topmost Havells’ dealers in India today, selling most of the FMEG’s consumer product line.

The entrpreneur plans to sell a select range of electrical appliances through a shopping website with free home delivery in Delhi-NCR.

Over time, this association got stronger and the management at Havells requested Tarzan Electricals to enter the distribution channel to which they did, achieving a turnover of `3 crore. “There has been no looking back ever since. In fact, a major turnaround touched our lives during the T20 World Cup held in India of which Havells were the title sponsors.

The company introduced MCB and wire ads, the first-of-its-kind concept, in the Indian ad industry that catapulted Havells to a completely different level,” says Aggarwal who plans to sell a select range of electrical appliances through a shopping website with free home delivery in Delhi-NCR. Sept- Nov2013 | 37

Go-getters

Fact Sheet AB Pal Electricals (P) Ltd happens to be among the three top dealers of Havells in the country today.

Over the last four decades that Pal has been in the electrical equipment business, he has witnessed a sea change in the attitude of manufacturers as well as buyers.

Professionalism is the order of the day.

Consumers are well informed about the latest products available and are ready to spend as they don’t want to compromise on quality and safety.

THAKER PAL SINGH AB PAL ELECTRICALS PVT LTD, DELHI Perhaps he had never heard these words before but somewhere he did firmly believe in the ones uttered by Thomas Alva Edison: “There is no substitute for hard work”. Little wonder then that Thaker Pal Singh was all of 16 when he, along with his mother, three brothers and three sisters migrated to Delhi from Punjab. This was in the winter of 1973. Finally, Pal family shifted base to the National Capital in the summer next year at the behest of his maternal aunt and her husband.

“My mausaji told me that the sooner I joined their electrical business and started taking care of the same independently, the better it would be for my future. This was just after my father’s demise in 1972. So there I was at Bhagirath Place in Delhi’s busiest marketplace, Chandni Chowk trying to understand the nuances of the business,” shares Pal whose association with the Havells brand goes back to 1976. “Today, I happen to be one of the FMEG’s best dealer when it comes to the cables and wire segment, doing a business of `190 crore per annum. The reason why we could keep this relationship going was due to the fact that Havells kept upgrading its product profile, its technology and its quality that matched international standards. Also, they kept their pricing competitive,” says Pal whose sons, 38 |

Gurjeet and Jasmeet, are now actively involved in his business, looking after the day-to-day affairs with him.

AB Pal Electricals happens to be among the three top dealers of Havells in the country today.

Over the last four decades that Pal has been in the electrical equipment business, he has witnessed a sea change in the attitude of manufacturers as well as buyers. “Professionalism is the order of the day.

Consumers are well informed about the latest products available and are ready to spend as they don’t want to compromise on quality and safety of their near and dear ones. And that is a big positive for the industry needs to always keep on its toes and regularly upgrade the product portfolio,” shares Pal who has an uncanny resemblance to Rishi Kapoor in famous Bollywood hit Patiala House.

“Around two years back when I was in London on a business trip, a group of 10-12 girls came rushing towards me and requested they be allowed to click a photograph. I asked why and prompt came the reply that they knew I was Rishi Kapoor, the famous Hindi film actor and was donning the look to conceal identity. Despite my telling them that I wasn’t the man they thought me to be, they still shot a lot of photos,” discloses Pal.

DILIP AND SANJAY BHUTORIA SANJAY ELECTRICALS, KOLKATA The phrase goes: Two heads are better than one. The same was proved right by the Bhutoria brothers – Dilip and Sanjay – who worked diligently in tandem to take their father’s refrigeration and airconditioning business to another level. The duo worked day in and day out to first enter the electrical business and then went on to become the topmost dealers for Havells in Kolkata region for which they were awarded the title of Sartaj by the FMEG giant.

“We started our electrical business in the early 90s by manufacturing and marketing capacitors.

Thereafter, we kept adding products like MCBs and switchgears to our portfolio and slowly spread our network to around 2,000 dealers,” shares the younger of the two brothers, Sanjay.

The reason for their success, he cites, is their innovative planning.

“As we had a strong dealer base, we targetted villages and towns as prospective markets for no one from a big city had thought of doing so.

This gave us the first mover advantage as we went about educating prospective customers

about new products available in urban markets.

Today, we have a retailer base of around 8,000 that gives us an edge above one and all,” adds Sanjay.

Fact Sheet We started our electrical business in the early 90s by manufacturing and marketing capacitors.

Thereafter, we kept adding products like MCBs and switchgears to our portfolio and slowly spread our network to around 2,000 dealers.

As we had a strong dealer base, we targetted villages and towns as prospective markets for no one from a big city had thought of doing so

It was in 2000 that the Bhutoria brothers joined hands with Havells and Sanjay claims their company, Sanjay Electricals, is now synonymous with Havells and vice versa in the electrical market in the eastern region, especially Kolkata.

“The organisation has supported us through thick and thin over the last 13 years. Except motors and cables as also a few electrical appliances, we are market leaders in all segments for Havells and extremely happy and satisfied with our association with them. In fact, ever since we joined hands, we have witnessed anywhere between 100 to 200 per cent growth. We are now a part of the Havells family,” puts in Sanjay.

He goes on to add that the market, over the years, has changed a lot. “As the customers are becoming more demanding and looking for best services and products for they are ready to pay, we need to be on our toes to provide them the best in terms of design, innovation and technology,” he says.

Sept- Nov2013 | 39

cause

Building a

healthier, happier society havells mid-day meal programme not only assists the government in its objectives, it also effectively contributes to a relevant societal cause

cause

W

ith the aim of enhancing enrollment, retention and attendance as also simultaneously improving nutritional levels among children, the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education scheme, commonly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, was launched on August 15, 1995 on a nationwide scale in India.

However, it was in 1925 that the Mid Day Meal Programme was first introduced for disadvantaged children in Madras Municipal Corporation.

[ Mid-Day Meal Programme, Alwar ] Primary schools: 216 Middle schools: 159 Primary schools: 100 g grain per day + `3.38 per kid per day Middle schools: 150 g grain per day+`5 per kid per day Monday: Pulao with vegetables and a seasonal fruit Tuesday: Chappati with seasonal vegetable Wednesday: Chappati with aloo-chhole Thursday: Chawal with rajma Friday: Mixed dal with chappati with a sweet Saturday: Chappati and seasonal vegetable 42 |

By mid-80s, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Pondicherry (now Puducherry) had universalised a Mid Day Meal Programme with their own resources for children studying at the primary stage. The beginning of the 90s witnessed a number of Indian states implementing it. Today, MDM programme in India happens to be the world’s largest school feeding programme that reaches out to over 12 crore children in over 12.65 schools/ EGS centres across the country.

Over time, a number of organisations, institutions and corporates became a part of this programme to effectively contribute to a relevant societal cause and assist the government in meeting its objectives. As a positive step in this direction and to honour its responsibility to “give back” to society, FMEG giant Havells designed its MDM scheme eight years back and introduced it in Alwar district of Rajasthan. Ever since it has been observed by the MDM staff and the school

teachers that the absentee rate has gone down. Giving details on the programme, Major (Retd) Rajender Singh, caretaker of MDM Scheme, says, “The Havells MDM programme provides meals to 35,000 school children in 350 schools at present. Havells started feeding a thousand students in remote villages of Alwar district. When the government of Rajasthan got to know of our efforts, they requested us to get involved in the MDM Scheme. We were told that the state government will provide us the grains and financial aid while we needed to add up whatever we had to from our end. So an MoU was signed between Rajasthan government and Havells for feeding 10,000 kids every day then. Recently, the Havells MDM programme underwent capacity expansion and the new infrastructure is ready to feed 50,000 school children every day. Today, food grain for MDM scheme is provided by the Government through Food Corporation of India with grain comprising of wheat and rice while an additional amount of `3.38 per kid per day is given for primary students and `5 for middle class students to prepare meals. We, at Havells, put in additional amount of `2.12 per kid per day for the former and `2.50 for the latter to provide quality meals.”

Through the initiative, another outcome is the employment of people associated with the programme. Specifically for the MDM programme, Havells employs about 130 people on payroll as cooks, helpers and drivers. “The process of

providing afternoon meals involves a daily discipline at schools where students, teachers and food-distributors all become a part. This helps teach many good habits to children like washing hands with soap before and after every meal, and maintaining hygiene.

It has been observed that this learning from schools is carried back at home too, where children become a medium of spreading awareness about good and hygienic habits,” shares Major Singh.

Fact file Infrastructurally, Havells has set up state-of-the-art centralised kitchens with modern cooking facilities and dedicated staff for preparation and distribution of food under the most hygienic conditions.

Havells employs about 130 people as cooks, helpers and drivers.

MoUs with the Government of Rajasthan are in the process of renewal to expand the MDM serving capacity.

MDM programme reaches out to 50,000 children every day.

The newly completed project will enable Havells to expand its coverage to additional 125 schools in Alwar district.

Infrastructurally, Havells has set up state-of-the-art centralised kitchens with modern cooking facilities and dedicated staff for preparation and distribution of food under the most hygienic conditions. Special pickup and delivery vans are owned by the company to quickly distribute freshly-cooked food to schools at lunch time. A centralised kitchen owned by Havells runs every day from the morning till noon to prepare lunch for the children. Absolute efficiency and hygiene in maintained in kitchen operations. Operational efficiency is achieved in the operations through the use of conveyors to prepare food like chappatis at a large scale.

Havells recently upgraded its kitchens and the entire mid-day meal infrastructure to expand its coverage. This involved a capital expenditure of `4.85 crore from 2011 to 2013 for construction of a new building for kitchen, acquiring kitchen equipment, hiring and training of new staff, and purchase of additional vehicles to distribute food in new areas.

Sept- Nov 2013 | 43

do it yourself

A LIGHT

FIXTURE FROM

RE-PURPOSED

BASKET

Illuminate your home with classic coastal style by using a wooden basket and rope to create a nautical-inspired light fixture

1 Material needed Woven wood or seagrass basket, pendant kit, ceiling canopy, electrical tape, multipurpose wire strippers, glue gun, glue sticks, spool of rope, butt splices, light bulb, 24”x24” sheet of acrylic, jigsaw, fine-grit sandpaper, finish screws, drill, 1-1/2” paddle bit and a galvanised metal conduit.

44 |

2

3

4

5 6

7

1 A dd hole to the bottom of the basket Using drill and paddle bit, add a 1-1/2” hole to the bottom of the basket. TIP: If you decide on a plug-in application rather than a hardwire application, this will allow proper width for a plug to fit through the hole, then plug into an outlet.

2 C ut pendant kit wire Spaced about two inches from the pendant kit socket, cut through the white wire coating with multipurpose wire strippers.

8

3 Strip ends of wire Using multipurpose wire strippers, cut away wire coating to expose wires.

4 Insert wire into conduit Slide exposed wire through galvanised metal conduit and ceiling canopy.

5 Slide cut socket and wire through basket Insert cut socket and wire up into basket.

9

6 Reconnect wires Using butt splices and multipurpose wire strippers, attach the socket portion and the long coated wire portion of the pendant kit together.

7 Wrap wires with electrical tape Use electrical tape to hold the two portions of the wire kit firmly together.

8 Bind end of rope Unfurl rope from spool, then use hot glue gun to bind the end.

9 Wrap conduit with rope Cover galvanised metal conduit and canopy with rope using hot-glue gun and glue sticks. TIP: Due to the predrilled screw holes in ceiling canopy, it’s best to wrap the canopy with rope after it’s been installed to the ceiling.

10

10 Add light bulb Screw light bulb into socket. TIP: For a diffused look, consider adding a ready-made diffuser to opening of the basket using finish screws and a drill. A DIY version can be made from a 24”x 24” sheet of acrylic cut with a jigsaw, then lightly sanded with fine-grit sandpaper.

Sept- Nov 2013 | 45

feng shui

Happy

home W

Use simple Feng Shui tips for your home

e are all familiar with Feng Shui, the Chinese philosophical system of harmonising human existence with the surrounding environment.

The term feng literally translates as wind water in English. Feng Shui practice was created so that humans could work with alleged omnipresent invisible forces that bind the universe, earth and man together known 46 |

as Qi/ Chi/ Energy. Historically, Feng Shui was widely used to orient buildings — often spiritually significant structures such as tombs but also dwellings and other structures — in an auspicious manner.

Depending on the particular style of Feng Shui being used, an auspicious site could be determined by reference to local features such as bodies of water, stars, or a compass. Follow these simple Feng Shui tips for a better tomorrow.

The first thing you notice when you enter your residence is one of the strongest filters that your subconscious mind will receive. It is, therefore, important that what you usually first see is beautiful and enlightening. Put a nice painting, fountain or something visually elevating at that place so that you make that first eye contact a powerful and beautiful impression for yourself and enter your home with positive energy.

Never keep broken or damaged instruments and items like watches, telephones, mixer, ball pens, cassettes etc. in the house, for they carry negative energy.

If you want to buy a new flat or house and don't wish to consult a Vaastu or Feng Shui consultant, take a new born baby there. If it cries, it means that the house does not carry positive energy. If it smiles, it means that the house has good, positive vibes to it.

Check if any tile or area of flooring is broken. If you find that a part of the floor is broken, get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible, because the negative energy it spreads may affect your relationship with family members. You may also put a carpet to cover the damaged area.

In order to improve the overall energy levels of your house, ring the Tibetan bell. It will make the positive energy more powerful.

Put a model of three-legged toad in a way that it faces the main door. This ancient and mystical Feng Shui symbol, which signifies wealth and prosperity, will help you improve your savings, earnings, and thereby, your financial status as well.

Never sit with your back facing the main door of your home.

Unwanted guests should be given such seats.

Ensure the sound of your doorbell is pleasing. If it sounds irritating, it is likely that the family members will be short-tempered.

A doorbell with dull and low sound may make the family members less energetic.

Ensure there is no tree facing the main door or window of your home, as it could result into poor health of family members.

Alternatively, place a convex mirror on the outer wall facing that tree.

Have a name plate and number on the door of your house so that opportunities can trace you without any problems.

A bead curtain will slow down the movement of Qi. Use it for the front door of your home.

Don't set up a large fountain in your home, as it may cause an imbalance in the energy levels.

Use a small fountain or a water feature instead.

If you keep fish in your home, make sure that the fish tank is cleaned regularly and the water is clean and clear all the times to ensure good energy in the house.

Ensure the furniture in your home does not have sharp edges and corners. Use furniture that has more of a rounded edge instead.

A statue of a fish signifies gold and jewels. It also averts misfortune. You may put this in the bedroom.

Doors and gates in your home should ideally open inwards and be of the double leaf kind to welcome auspicious Qi.

Do not sleep on a double bed with two different mattresses.

This creates symbolic separation that could become real.

The main door should preferably be flat or higher in the centre than at the sides as this indicates attaining ambitious goals.

Do not hang a wind chime over your bed as it may have attracted and absorbed negative energy during the day.

News

Shelf Watch read on to know more about the Latest range of innovative Havells' products

Air fryer • Aluminium non-stick coated food basket with separator • Oil-free cooking, safe and healthy • 1,230 watts • 2 litre food basket • 4 litre pan capacity • Cool touch handle and • basket release button • 60-minute timer with auto shut-off for precise cooking • Adjustable thermostat control for different cuisines • Turboplate for faster cooking

Premio • LED indicator for power • 750 watts powerful motor • Handsfree operation for all jars • 3-speed control knob with pulse function • Superior 304 grade stainless steel blades • Built-in overload protector for motor safety • Flow breakers in jars for better performance • Break-resistant polycarbonate lids for all jars • Handles provided on main unit for convenient lifting • Three hygienic stainless steel jars - 1.5 litre blending jar - 1 litre dry/ wet grinding jar - 1 litre chutney jar

DONATO COFFEE MAKER • 600 watts • Water level indicator • Keep warm function • Elegant glass design • Concealed heating element • Dual usage for tea and coffee • Removable filter for easy cleaning • Filter basket for brewing tea/coffee • Temperature controller made by strix • Cordless coffee & tea maker with detachable base 48 |

bello digital • Vitreous enamel-coated tank with single weld line design • Heavy duty anode rod protects tank from corrosion • Energy saving high density Puf insulation • Incoloy heating element • Water tubes with whirl-flow technology • Ensures high level of protection to electrical parts from water splashing • Adjustable knowb for temperature settings

Pop Crust • 800 watts • Cord winder • Two slice cool touch • Auto bread centring • Bigger 32 mm bread slot • High-lift knob for small bread pieces • Illuminated defrost and cancel buttons • Seven heat setting with electronic variable browning

"IF YOUR MIND CAN CONCEIVE IT, AND YOUR HEART CAN BELIEVE IT, YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT." Qimat Rai Gupta

Chairman & Managing Director Havells India Ltd.