Shubh Yatra February 2019

The inflight magazine of Air India

February 2019 | Vol 7 | Issue 2

A Maxposure Media Group Publication

Free Copy -- for inflight reading only

R.N.I No. DELBIL/2013/49281

The inflight magazine of Air India

Feathered spots

Top 5 birding destinations in India

Taste of Amritsar

On a street food trail

February 2019

The Puducherry canvas cOlOurs OF The seAsIde pArAdIse

Impose Cover SY feb'19.indd 1

30/01/19 12:31 PM

Impose Cover SY feb'19.indd 2

29/01/19 6:31 PM

DELHI Delve into its history; immerse yourself in its contemporary buzz, explore its cultural hotspots; taste its eclectic cuisine and rejuvenate in its natural heritage.

Discover Delhi with DTTDC

Dilli Haat (INA, Pitampura, Janakpuri) Garden of Five Senses Hop on Hop Off Bus Service Deluxe Coaches & Cars on Hire Package Tours Flight Bookings Boating Facilities Conferences, Exhibitions, Event Spaces & Auditorium

Delhi Tourism & Transportation Development Corporation Ltd. (DTTDC) (A Govt. of Delhi Undertaking)

www.delhitourism.gov.in www.facebook.com/delhitourism/

delhitourism_official

tourism_delhi

Cmd's note fiz; ;kf=;ks]

Dear Flyer,

uo o"kZ ds lkFk 'kq: gqbZ vk'kk vkSj mRlkg dh ygj dh >yd gekjs ize[q k dk;ksZa tSls le;c) fu"iknu] lhV vkWD;wil as h rFkk cSxt s fMyhojh esa gq, mYys[kuh; lq/kkj esa ns[kh tk ldrh gSA vkidh vko';drkvksa dk /;ku j[krs gq, vkidks lq[kn mM+kuxr vuqHko iznku djus ds fy, geus lHkh iz;kl lqfuf'pr fd, gSAa

The air of optimism, ushered in by the new year, reflects in the significant improvement in our key functioning parameters, like our on-time performance, seat occupancy and baggage delivery.

We have been going all out to ensure that we look after all your needs, ensuring a pleasurable flying experience for you.

{ks=h; laidZ dks c<+kok nsus ds mn~n's ; ls fV;j 2@3 'kgjksa ds fy, egÙoiw.kZ gokbZ laidZ iznku djus ds fy, Hkh ge vius ia[k ilkj jgs gSAa gky gh esa geus paMhx<+ dks ifo= 'kgj ukanM s + ls tksMk+ gSA daHq k esy s s dh ;k=k ds fy, ;kf=;ksa dh c<+rh ekax dks ns[krs gq, geus fnYyh] vgenkckn rFkk dksydkrk ls iz;kxjkt ds fy, Hkh mM+kusa vkjaHk dh gSAa gekjh de fdjk, okyh jkf= mM+kusa Hkh dkQ+h yksdfiz; gks jgh gSa rFkk bu gokbZ laidksaZ dks c<+kus dh Hkh gekjh ;kstuk gSA varjjk"Vªh; usVodZ ds fy,] ge bjkd esa ut+Q+ ds fy, lh/kh mM+ku vkjaHk djus okys gSAa

iznhi flag [kjksyk

v/;{k ,oa izca/k funs'kd

Pradeep Singh Kharola Chairman and Managing Director

The new uniform for our cabin crew showcased at the Global Aviation Summit 2019 by our colleagues earned spontaneous accolades

^^lHkh ds fy, mM+ku^^ Fkhe ij ukxj foekuu ea=ky; }kjk fQDdh ds lkFk eqca bZ esa vk;ksftr nks fnolh; oSf'od foekuu f'k[kj lEesyu 2019 esa eq>s ,vj bafM;k dk izfrfuf/kRo djus dk xkSjo izkIr gqvkA f'k[kj lEesyu esa gekjs lgdfeZ;ksa us gekjs dsfcu dfeZ;ksa dh ubZ ;wuhQ+kWeZ dks Hkh izLrqr fd;k ftls cgqr ljkguk feyhA vc vki ;w,l] ;wjksi rFkk vkWLVªfs y;k ds fy, gekjh ukWu LVkWi mM+kuksa esa fct+ul s Js.kh dh fVdV dh okLrfod ykxr ls cgqr gh de ykxr ij fct+ul s Js.kh esa ;k=k dj ldrs gS]a ftlds fy, vkidks bdksukWeh Js.kh dh lhV cqd djrs le; FkksMk+ lk vkSj Hkqxrku dj fct+ul s Js.kh ds fy, fcfMax djuh gksxhA ;fn lhV miyC/k gksx a h rks psd&bu ds ckn cksfMZx a xsV ij vkidks fct+ul s Js.kh dkMZ fn;k tk,xkA ;fn lhV miyC/k ugha gksx a h rks fcM dh xbZ jkf'k vkidks ykSVk nh tk,xhA vixzM s ds fy, ;g fcfMax lqfo/kk ?kjsyw lsDVjksa ds fy, Hkh miyC/k gSA vkidk lg;ksx gesa viuh lHkh lsokvksa dks csgrj cukus rFkk vkxs c<+rs jgus ds fy, fujarj izfs jr djrk gSA vius lEekuuh; ;kf=;ksa dks vkSj vf/kd osY;w ,MsM lsok,a vkWQj+ djus ds fy, ge lHkh fodYiksa ij dke dj jgs gSAa gekjs fofHkUu gkWyhMs iSdt s ks]a bZ lqij lsoj ;kstukvks]a ,;jiksVZ vixzM s vkWQl + ]Z vf/kdre cSXkst vykmal rFkk izpkyu ds izR;sd {ks= esa vkidh vis{kkuqlkj lsokvksa us gh gesa vkidh fo'oluh; ,;jykbu cuk;k gSA

We have also been spreading our wings to provide vital air links to Tier II and III cities to promote regional connectivity. Recently, we connected Chandigarh with the holy town of Nanded. We have also launched flights to Prayagraj from Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kolkata to meet heavy passenger demand for the Kumbh Mela. Our very affordable late night flights are also becoming popular and we are planning to enhance these connections.

On the international front, we are set to launch direct operations to Najaf in Iraq.

It was my proud privilege to represent Air India at the proceedings of the two-day Global Aviation Summit 2019, organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation with FICCI in Mumbai, with the theme “Flying for all - especially the next 6 Billion”. The new uniform for cabin crew showcased at the summit event by our colleagues earned spontaneous accolades.

You can now fly Business Class on our non-stop flights to the US, Europe and Australia at a fraction of the actual ticket cost by bidding for Business Class while booking your Economy Class seats with a little extra payment. If seats are available after check-in, you will be given a Business Class card at the boarding gate. If seats are not available, the bid amount will be returned. This bidding for upgrade is also available in domestic sectors.

Ñi;k lks'ky ehfM;k IysVQ+kWeZ ds ek/;e ls gels tqMs+ jgsa rFkk viuk Q+hMcSd nsrs jgsa tks gesa vkidh vko';drkvksa dks le>us rFkk csgrj lsok,a iznku djus esa lgk;rk nsrk gSA

Your support continues to inspire us to further improve our services. We are exploring all options to offer more value-added service to our esteemed passengers. Our range of holiday packages, eSupersaver schemes, airport upgrade offer, maximum baggage allowance and customised service at every area of our operation have earned us your trust. Please do stay connected with us through our social media platforms and provide us with your feedback to help us assess your requirements and perform even better.

'kqHk ;k=kA

Bon Voyage...Shubh Yatra!

februARY 2019 I shubh Yatra I 5

Contributors/editor's letter pg 42

TRISHA LARA D'SOUZA She is a Mangalurubased writer who enjoys penning down her journeys as much she loves embarking on them.

In her spare time she likes to bake and spend time at the beach.

pg 52

Mallika BAJAJ

Bajaj wears many hats. She is a sportswoman, a television host and a journalist. More importantly, she loves to travel, explore new destinations, revel in new experiences and make new friends.

pg 74

pg 86

PRIYA ADIVAREKAR

Mumbai-based Adivarekar is a wellknown entertainment and lifestyle journalist.

She is also a voiceover artiste and a trained dancer. She loves to travel and document her adventures.

shashiprabha tiwari Tiwari has been writing an articles for over a decade. She has also been associated with Akashvani and Doordarshan, and has received several awards for writing.

pg 94

Deepti angrish Angrish started her career as a journalist in 2007. At present, she is a freelance journalist and writes on various topics, including lifestyle and travel, for magazines across the country.

r`"kk ykjk fMlwt+k

efYydk ctkt

fiz;k vkfnokjsdj

'kf'kizHkk frokjh

nhfIr vaxjh'k

og eaxywj fuoklh ys[kd gSa ftUgsa ;k=k djuk o viuh ;k=kvksa ls lacaf/kr vuqHkoksa dks fy[kuk ilan gSA vius [kkyh le; esa mUgsa [kkuk cukuk o leqnz rV ij ?kweuk&fQjuk cgqr Hkkrk gSA

ctkt dbZ dk;ksZa esa n{k gSaA og f[kykM+h gSa] Vhoh dk;ZØe izLrqrdrkZ o ,d i=dkj gSaA fo'ks"k ckr ;g gS fd mUgsa Hkze.k djuk ilan gSA mUgsa u, LFky ns[kuk Hkkrk gSA og u, vuqHko izkIr djrh gSa o u, fe= cukrh gSaA

eqacbZ fuoklh vkfnokjsdj euksjatu o thou 'kSyh ls lacaf/kr izfl) i=dkj gSaA og vkokt+ nsus okyh dykdkj o urZdh Hkh gSaA mUgsa Hkze.k djuk cgqr ilan gS rFkk vius vn~Hkqr vuqHkoksa dks dyec) djuk Hkkrk gSA

frokjh ,d n'kd ls dyk&i;ZVu ij vkys[k fy[k jgh gSAa mUgksua s vkdk'kok.kh ,oa nwjn'kZu ds fy, Hkh dk;ZØe is'k fd, gSAa l`tukRed ys[ku ds fy, mUgsa lEekfur fd;k tk pqdk gSA

vaxjh'k us 2007 ls viuk dWfj;j i=dkfjrk ds {ks= esa vkjaHk fd;k FkkA orZeku esa og Lora= i=dkj gSa vkSj ns'k Hkj dh if=dkvksa esa fofHkUu fo"k;ksa ij vkys[k fy[krh gSa ftuesa thou'kSyh o i;ZVu lfEefyr gSaA

tf;rk ca/kksik/;k; laikndh; funs'kd

Jayita Bandyopadhyay Editorial Director (jayita@maxposuremedia.com)

Eat. Pray. Love. If Puducherry, the quaint seaside city in Tamil Nadu, had to be summed up in three words, it would be the preceding ones! The former French colony retains its colonial legacy in its architecture and cuisine; is home to freedom fighter and philosopher Sri Aurobindo's ashram; and welcomes every visitor with warmth. In the February issue of Shubh Yatra, we rediscover this tropical paradise.

idokuA izkFkZukA izes A rfeyukMq ds 'kkar 'kgj iqMp q js h dk o.kZu djuk gks rks ;s 'kCn mi;qDr gksx a !s buls bl uxjh dh Li"V rLohj mtkxj gksrh gSA iwoZ Ýkalhlh dkWyksuh ds okLrqf'kYi o O;atuksa esa mifuos'kokn dh >yd ns[kus dks feyrh gS( ;gka Lora=rk lsukuh o nk'kZfud Jh vjfcanks dk vkJe gSA ;gka lHkh vkxard q ksa dk xeZtks'kh ls Lokxr gksrk gSA 'kqHk ;k=k ds Qjojh laLdj.k esa geus bldk mYys[k fd;k gSA

Our next stop is Amritsar, where we go on a gastronomic trail, sampling the delicious street food of this holy city. From a creamy lassi, to a fluffy kulcha, and from jalebi to gulab jamun, come along as we taste the traditional flavours the city serves.

gekjk vxyk xarO; ve`rlj gSA ge bl ikou uxjh ds LVªhV QwM dk Lokn p[k+ jgs gSAa bl 'kgj esa feyus okyh eykbZnkj yLlh ls ysdj dqypk o tysch ls ysdj xqykc tkequ rd ds ikjaifjd Lokn dh tkudkjh ns jgs gSAa

From finding flavours to finding feathered friends… we travel around the country to five of the most popular bird sanctuaries. This is the time of the year when migratory birds fly in from colder climes, offering nature lovers and ornithologists fantastic opportunities to marvel at the plumed visitors. This month, let's discover a little more of incredible India!

ge [kkus dk Lokn ysus ls ysdj ifjanksa dk gky c;ka dj jgs gS-a --geus ns'k ds ikap izfl) i{kh vHk;kj.;ksa dk Hkze.k fd;kA gekjs ns'k esa lky ds bl le; izoklh if{k;ksa dk vkxeu BaMs ns'kksa ls gksrk gSA izdf` r esa #fp j[kus okyksa ds fy, ;s xarO; fdlh tUur ls de ugha gSAa vr%] vkb;s bl ekg vrqY; Hkkjr ds ckjs esa dqN vkSj jkspd tkudkfj;ka izkIr djs!a

Follow us on

6 I Shubh Yatra I FEBRUARY 2019

www.shubh-yatra.in

shubh-yatra.in

www.facebook.com/ShubhYatraIN/ Tweet @airindiain

Bon Voyage

Editor: Aruna Gopalakrishnan Printer & Publisher: Rema Raja Editorial Team: Sameek Bhattacharya, Avinash Kumar Das, Puja Kaushik, Madhu Tuteja SHUBH YATRA (BON VOYAGE) MONTHLY BI-LINGUAL (HINDI & ENGLISH) INFLIGHT MAGAZINE OF AIR INDIA LTD PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY REMA RAJA ON BEHALF OF AIR INDIA LTD, AND PRINTED AT THOMSON PRESS, FARIDABAD, INDIA AND PUBLISHED AT AIR INDIA LTD, 113 GURUDWARA RAKABGANJ ROAD, NEW DELHI, EDITOR Aruna Gopalakrishnan

CEO and Managing Director Prakash Johari Director Vikas Johari Editorial Director Jayita Bandyopadhyay

MaXposure Media Group India | Maxposure Media Group India Pvt. Ltd. #TheAddress, Plot No. 62, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase III, New Delhi-110020, India Tel: + 91 11 4301 1111, Fax: +91 11 4301 1199 E-mail: info@maxposuremedia.com

USA | Maxposure Media Group LLC, 22 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 108, Mineola, New York 11501 Mob: +1 646 3672 916 E-mail: info@maxposuremedia.com

Bahrain | Maxposure Marketing Services WLL Suite No. 652, 6th Floor, The Lounge Serviced Offices, Building 247, Road No.1704, Diplomatic Area, P.O. Box 11409, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Mob: +973 3306 7099, Tel: +973 1751 8793 E-mail: info@maxposuremedia.com Singapore | Maxposure Global Pte. Ltd. 51 Goldhill Plaza, #07-10/11, Singapore 308900, Tel: +65 3163 2622, E-mail: info@maxposuremedia.com Thailand | Maxposure Media (Thailand) Co. Ltd No. 4/1 Soi Latphrao 52 (Nivet 2), Wang Thongland Sub-District, Wang Thongland District, Bangkok E-mail: info@maxposuremedia.com Malaysia | MMGM SDN. BHD. A-15-03 Tropicana Avenue, No.12, Persiaran Tropicana Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, PJU3, 47410 Petaling Jaya Selangor Malaysia Phone: +60 378860995 e-mail: info@maxposuremedia.com

UAE | Maxposure Arabia FZ LLC Dubai Media City, Building No. 8, Premises no. 523, Fifth Floor, Dubai, UAE , Tel: + 971 4431 0793 Mob: + 971 569766911 E-mail: info@maxposuremedia.com Bangladesh | Subcontinental Media Pvt. Ltd. Profficio 2nd Floor, 4 Mohakhali Commercial Area, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh, Tel: + 880 18 6226 0427 Email: shohedul@subcontinentalmedia.com

MaXposure India offices

Ahmedabad | 4, Megabyte Business Centre, Navrang Building, Opp. Samsung Showroom, Swastik, Char Rasta, C.G.Road, Ahmedabad-380009, Tel: +91 79 4019 3627 Bengaluru | 409, A Wing, 4th Floor, Mittal Towers, MG Road, Bengaluru-560001, Tel: +91 80 4092 1037-38 Fax: +91 80 4151 0657 Chennai | #10, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam High Rd, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600034, Tel: +91-44-42015684 Indore | 7/1, 409, 4th Floor, Ratan Mani Complex, Opp. Inter Star Showroom, New Palasia, Indore-452001 Tel: +91 73 1424 8881 Jaipur | Shop No.B-18, Hotel Arco Palace, Opp. Metro Station, Sindhi Camp, Station Road Jaipur-302001,Tel: +91 14 1404 7655 Kolkata | DPS Corporate Club, 1st Floor, 9A Sebak Baidya Street, Kolkata-700029, Tel: +91 33 4068 0111 Mumbai | Omkar - The Summit Business Bay 7th floor, Unit No.716, Chakala, Andheri Kurla Road, Behind Gurunanak Petrol Pump Andheri (East), Mumbai - 400093, Tel: +91 22 61991111

INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION NORTH AMERICA

Canada | Wayne Saint John | The New Base, Tel: +1 416 363 1388 E-mail: wayne.stjohn@thenewbase.com

Europe

France | Nicolas Devos | IMM International Tel: + 33 1 4013 7905 E-mail: n.devos@imm-international.com London | David Simpson I Simpson Media Ltd Tel: +44 79 0088 5456 E-mail: david@simpson-media.com Russia/Switzerland | Gleb Korotkov, Halfbudget, Tel: + 7 9852243800, +41 767102525, E-mail: info@halfbudget.com Turkey | Tan Bilge | Media Ltd Tel: + 90 21 2275 8433 E-mail: tanbilge@medialtd.com.tr

Far East

Hong Kong/Indonesia | Peter Jeffery Asian Integrated Media Ltd, Tel: + 852 3910 6388 E-mail: peterjeffery@asianimedia.com Japan | Michiko Kawano | Pacific Business Inc, Tel: + 81 3 3661 6138 E-mail: kawano-pbi@gol.com South Korea | Jung-Won Suh | Sinsegi Media Inc. Tel: + 82 2785 8222 E-mail: sinsegi-2@sinsegimedia.info

Australia

Sydney | Charlton D’Silva | Publisher’s Internationalé, Tel: +61 2 9252 3476 Email: charlton.dsilva@pubintl.com.au

THIS IS A FREE COPY FOR IN-FLIGHT READING ONLY. MMGIPL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SELECTION OF ARTICLES, PHOTOGRAPHS UNDER PRB ACT. @ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE WriTING, ARTWORK AND / OR PHOTOGRAPHY CONTAINED HEREIN MAY NOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF MMGIPL. AIR INDIA / MMGIPL DOES NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE OF UNSOLICITED PRODUCTS, MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, ARTWORK, TRANSPARENCIES OR OTHER MATERIALS. THE VIEWS EXPREsSED IN THE MAGAZINE ARE NOT NeCESSARILY THOSE OF THE PUBLISHER OR AIR INDIA LTD OR MMGIPL. ALL EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE WHILE COMPILING THE CONTENT OF THIS MAGAZINE, BUT WE ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EFFECTS ARISING THEREFROM. AIR INDIA LTD / MMGIPL DOES NOT ASSUME ANY LIABILITY FOR SERVICES OR PRODUCTS ADVERTISED HEREIN. All articles marked as ‘in focus’ in the magazine are advertorials.

Magazine App Now available

You can now join, like, share or become our fan on www.facebook.com/ShubhYatraIN/

To become a fan and get daily updates, simply scan this QR code from your smart phone and click on the URL to visit us on facebook

Information info@maxposuremedia.com Advertising info@maxposuremedia.com Marketing marketing@maxposuremedia.com

8 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

Careers hr@maxposuremedia.com E-mail shubhyatra@maxposuremedia.com CIN No U22229DL2006PTC152087

shubh-yatra.in

Contents I febrUARY 2019

NAVIGATOR 42

sure shorts

footprints

30-40 Snapshots of festivals, food and culture, entertainment and events

62 let’s go birding Spot a variety of birds at these five sanctuaries across India

special feature

68 Trotting in Taipei Discovering the city in one day

42 A day in India’s French riviera Explore the sights, sounds and cuisine of Puducherry

Pop pourri

open house

74 The cheat CodE Emraan Hashmi on his production house and upcoming projects

52 Flavours of Amritsar A 'food-walk' through the streets of the holy city

78 Call of the KUMBH Experience the largest religious assembly in the world

58 Realm of the Readymade The art of reimagining what has already been found

96 Tarot Trotting

What the cards hold for you in February

10 I Shubh Yatra I febrUARY 2019

58

shubh-yatra.in

Contents

68

78

vk;ke 82

laLd`fr dk lksiku

lwjtdqaM f'kYi esys ,oa rkt egksRlo dh euHkkou >yd

infpยบu 86

52

90

jksekapdkjh ;k=k

lqanjcu ds vn~Hkqr ifjn`'; ns[kdj gj dksbZ vfHkHkwr jg tkrk gS

bfrgkl esa vafdr

f'kolkxj fLFkr Hkouksa dk okLrqf'kYi ns[kdj xkSjoe;h vrhr dk Kku gksxk

ljl 82

94

fQV] rks fgV

lsgrean jgus ds u, izpyu okWVj odZvkmV ds ckjs esa jkspd tkudkjh

air india Behind The Scenes Fleet

74

On the Cover A building in Puducherry's French quarter, which is popular for its quaint houses in bright yellow and white, with vibrant bougainvillea bushes adding to the colonial charm. Most of the buildings here were once residences of French officers and have now been turned into cafes, hotels or artistic shops.

North American Travel Journalists Association Awards for shubh Yatra magazine

YEAR: 2017 CATEGORY: Cover silver YEAR: 2017 CATEGORY: Lifestyle finalist

12 I Shubh Yatra I febrUARY 2019

Shubh Yatra wins 'Honors' at New York-based Galaxy Awards

CATEGORY: Photography (Various)

14 22

Association of Business Communicators of India - (ABCI) Awards for shubh Yatra magazine YEAR: 2011 CATEGORY: Features (Language) BRONZE YEAR: 2012 CATEGORY: External Magazine SILVER YEAR: 2012 CATEGORY: Magazine Design SILVER YEAR: 2012 CATEGORY: Bilingual Publication Silver YEAR: 2012 CATEGORY: Photo Feature BRONZE YEAR: 2013 CATEGORY: Bilingual Publication GOLD YEAR: 2014 CATEGORY: Bilingual Publication GOLD YEAR: 2014 CATEGORY: Photo Feature silver YEAR: 2014 CATEGORY: Photography Silver YEAR: 2015 CATEGORY: Photo Feature bronze YEAR: 2016 CATEGORY: Photo Feature silver CATEGORY: Photography gold

shubh-yatra.in

FOR THE FIRST TIME, THERE’S A ROOF THAT COMPLEMENTS YOUR HOME. JSW Everglow is a revolutionary roofing technology with colour on the inside for the first time. That's what makes it a perfect match for your home and your sensibilities.

YEAR

Toll-free No: 1800-225-225 www.jsweverglow.in jsweverglow@jsw.in

HIGH QUALITY

FIRST

LICENSEE OF

®

Steel

air india behind the scenes

Ready for

take off Vsd vkWQ+ ds fy, rS;kj

Offers and discounts to make flying happier ;k=k dks vkSj vf/kd lq[kn cukus ds fy, vkWQ+lZ ,oa NwV

twitter chatter @FSI_MEA Participants of the 1st Disarmament & International Security Affairs Fellowship Programme, greeted on board by Sidhant Agrawal, Capt of the flight, on their return from a study tour to Bengaluru. @IndiainDiplomacy @MEAIndia @Indiaindiplomats@UN @IndiainUNNewYork @airindiain FSI, MEA

Travelled yesterday in AI626 from Lucknow to Mumbai. Positive change is visible. Professional crew, good food, more leg space, cleanliness. Great experience. I wonder why @airindiain should not be no.1. It deserves to be.

Shailendra Dixit

Connecting India, For You

dusfDVax bafM;k] vkids fy,

Air India offers you a well-connected network, with a multitude of flights across India and overseas. With our connecting India programme becoming a huge success, we have now linked Nanded with Chandigarh. We have started special flights to Prayagraj from Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. Alliance Air had also connected Ranchi with Raipur, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. Air India is starting red-eye flight from Hyderabad to Durgapur from February 16, 2019.

,vj bafM;k vkidks Hkkjr rFkk fons’k esa vusd mM+kuksa ds lkFk ,d csgrjhu usVodZ vkWQj+ djrh gSA gekjs dusfDVax bafM;k dk;ZØe ds c<+rs dnekas ds rgr] vc geus ukanM s + dks paMhx<+ ls tksMk+ gSA geus fnYyh] vgenkckn ,oa dksydkrk ls iz;kxjkt ds fy, fo’ks"k mM+kusa vkjaHk dh gSAa ,ykbal ,;j us jkaph dks jk;iqj] Hkqous’oj rFkk dksydkrk ls tksMu+ s ds fy, Hkh nSfud mM+ku vkjaHk dh gSA ,vj bafM;k 16 Qjojh] 2019 ls gSnjkckn ls nqxkZijq ds fy, jsM&vkbZ ¶+ykbV vkjaHk djus tk jgh gSA

On the international front, Air India has started direct flights on Mumbai-New York, Bengaluru-Bangkok and Bengaluru-London sectors. On popular demand we have increased the frequency of flights from Delhi to Colombo and Tel Aviv sectors.

varjjk"Vªh; usVodZ es]a ,vj bafM;k us eqca bZ&U;w;kWd]Z csx a yw:&cSd a kWd rFkk csx a yw:&yanu lsDVj ij lh/kh mM+kusa vkjaHk dh gSAa ;kf=;ksa dh Hkkjh ekax dks ns[krs gq,] geus fnYyh ls dksyEcks rFkk rsy voho lsDVjksa ds fy, mM+kuksa dh la[;k esa o`f) dh gSA

14 I Shubh Yatra I FEBRUARY 2019

@airindiain Highly impressed with the quality, politeness, calmness, extreme helpful of service at Jaipur Airport today.

Even Wow is too short to describe. From The top authorities to the junior most staff, Highest standardz. It drives from top is proved..Kudos..

Keep rocking.

Manish Bagaria

@airindiain PNR JY29G dated 19 Jan 2019 Del chd, you have such a great service with absolute ontime performance and a great staff, I hope things improve for airlines on profitability and it gives more routes, congratulations guys.

Amitabh Sharma

shubh-yatra.in

air india behind the scenes

Upgrade to First or Business Class at the airport on domestic and international flights for a nominal charge. For details visit airindia.in

‘red eye flights’ Air India has introduced the late-night ‘Red Eye Flights’ on popular sectors like Delhi-Goa-Delhi, Delhi-Coimbatore-Delhi and Bengaluru-AhmedabadBengaluru with a daily operation. These late-night flights, popularly called ‘Red Eye Flights’, are being offered at fares considerably lower than normal and help travellers beat peak hour city traffic as well as save on hotel charges. For details visit our website www.airindia.in

^jsM vkbZ ¶+ykbV~l* ,vj bafM;k us fnYYkh&xksok&fnYyh] fnYyh&dks;Ecrq:&fnYyh rFkk csaxyw:&vgenkckn&csaxyw: tSls yksdfiz; lsDVjksa ij ,d nSfud izpkyu ds lkFk nsj&jkf= dh ^jsM vkbZ ¶+ykbV~l* izkjaHk dh gSaA ;s nsj jkf= mM+kusa ftUgsa ^jsM vkbZ* ds uke ls tkuk tkrk gS] lkekU; fdjk;ksa dh vis{kk cgqr de fdjk;ksa ij ;k=k vkWQ+j djrh gSa rFkk ;kf=;ksa dks O;Lrre le; ds flVh VªSfQ+d ls cpus ds lkFk&lkFk gksVy fdjk, esa cpr djus esa Hkh enn djrh gSaA vf/kd tkudkjh ds fy, osclkbV www.airindia.in ij ykWx vkWu djsaA

Fly for Sure Offer Air India has introduced ‘Fly for Sure Offer’ for passengers who are concerned that their travel plans may change.

At the time of purchase of ticket, by making an advance payment of `2,000 per sector, you can avail one-time flight change facility on the same sector and day of travel.

Applicable for domestic flights only.

¶+ykbZ Q+kjW ’;ksj vkWQj+ ,vj bafM;k vius mu lHkh ;kf=;ksa ds fy, ftUgsa ;g fÝ+d gS fd mudh ;k=k ;kstuk esa ifjorZu gks ldrk gS *¶+ykbZ Q+kWj ’;ksj vkWQ+j* is’k djrh gSA fVdV [k+jhnrs le; 2]000 #i, izfr lsDVj dk vfxze Hkqxrku dj vki mlh fnu rFkk mlh ;k=k lsDVj ij ,d ckj mM+ku esa ifjorZu dh lqfo/kk ys ldrs gSaA ;g dsoy ?kjsyw lsDVjksa ij izpkyu djus okyh mM+kuksa ds fy, ykxw gSA

16 I Shubh Yatra I FEBRUARY 2019

More baggage allowance, than the rest

We offer you an unbelievable free baggage allowance of 25 kg on domestic sectors, in Economy Class on all fare levels. We also understand the baggage needs of the little ones and have allowed a free baggage allowance of 10 kg for infants. Those of you travelling on Alliance Air flights and connecting to Air India domestic flights and vice versa, holding a single ticket, will also be eligible for 25 kg. For journey applicable only on Alliance Air flights (aircraft types ATR 72 and 42) free baggage allowance is 15 kg.

cSxst vykmal esa o`f) ?kjsyw lsDVjksa ij bdksukWeh Js.kh esa lHkh fdjk;k Lrjksa ij ge vkidks 25 fd-xzk- Ý+h cSxst vykmal dh vfo’oluh; NwV nsrs gSaA ge vkids uUgsa&eqUuksa dh cSxst vko’;drkvksa dks Hkh le>rs gSa vkSj f’k’kqvksa ds fy, 10 fd-xzk- rd dk fu%’kqYd cSxst vykmal ns jgs gaSA vki esa ls tks ;k=h ,d gh fVdV ls ,yk;al ,;j dh mM+kuksa ij ;k=k djrs gq, ,vj bafM;k dh mM+kuksa ls ;k blds foijhr dusDV gks jgs gSa] os Hkh 25 fd-xzkcSxst ds Ý+h vykmal dk ykHk ys ldrs gSaA dsoy ,yk;al ,;j dh mM+kuksa ¼,;jØk¶+V Book your ticket online, Vkbi & ,Vhvkj 72 at airindia.in, for more convenience, better ,oa 42½ ij ;k=k

djus okyksa dks 15 fd-xzk- rd ds fu%’kqYd cSxst vykmal dh NwV nh tk,xhA

discounts and extra mileage points

shubh-yatra.in

The Bijouterie Collection

Greater Kailash I, M - Block Market, New Delhi-110048 | T: +91 11 45257700/ 41734567 ITC Maurya, Shopping Arcade, Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi-110021 | T: +91 11 41359552 DLF Emporio, 305, 2nd Floor, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070 | T: +91 11 41755565

hazoorilaljewellers.com

air india behind the scenes

Preferred Seat Selection

Get the best-in-class travel benefits like miles and lounges with the Air India-SBI credit card. Choose the Signature or the Platinum card, with attractive rewards. For details, log onto airindia.in

The scheme allows you to select a desired seat on the aircraft, like front row, emergency exit, window and aisle seat. You can purchase a preferred seat from any of Air India’s offices in the city or at the airport, from our call centre and Air India’s mobile application. The facility of Advance seat selection will be available till 240 minutes (D-4 hours) before departure, and within D-4 hours, selection of all seats will be free of charge. To know more, visit our website www.airindia.in and https:// flightservices.airindia.in

ilanhnk lhV dk p;u

bl Ldhe ds rgr vki foeku esa viuh ilanhnk lhV tSls ÝaV jks] bejtsalh ,fXtV] foaMks ;k vkby lhV dk p;u dj ldrs gSaA vki viuh ilanhnk lhV ,vj bafM;k ds fdlh Hkh dk;kZy;] ,;jiksVZ] gekjs dkWy lsaVj ;k ,vj bafM;k ds eksckby ,Iyhds’ku ls [kjhn ldrs gSaA vkidks izLFkku djus ls 240 feuV ¼Mh&4 ?kaVs½ igys ,Mokal lhV pquus dh lqfo/kk miyC/k gksxh rFkk Mh&4 ?kaVksa ds Hkhrj lHkh izdkj dh lhVksa dk p;u fu%’kqYd gksxkA vf/kd tkudkjh ds fy, gekjh osclkbV www.airindia.in o https://flightservices.airindia.in ns[ksaA

Special row for women passengers In a historic first, Air India is now reserving an entire row in Economy Class at no extra cost for women passengers travelling alone on its domestic flights. Women travelling with infants can also occupy these seats but without bassinets. The scheme is currently not applicable on Alliance Air and Air India’s code share flights. Know more on www.airindia.in

efgyk ;kf=;ksa ds fy, fo’ks"k iafDr bfrgkl esa igyh ckj] ,vj bafM;k viuh ?kjsyw mM+kuksa esa bdksukWeh Js.kh esa vdsys ;k=k dj jgha efgyk ;kf=;ksa ds fy, fcuk fdlh vfrfjDr ykxr ds ,d iwjh iafDr ¼Row½ vkjf{kr dj jgh gSA f’k’kq ds lkFk ;k=k dj jgha efgyk,a Hkh ikyus ds fcuk bu lhVksa dks ys ldrh gSaA orZeku esa ;g ;kstuk ,yk;al ,;j vkSj ,vj bafM;k dh dksM ’ks;j mM+kuksa ds fy, ekU; ugha gSA vf/kd tkudkjh ds fy, www.airindia.in ns[ksaA

Concessionary Fares Concessionary Fares on the domestic sector have been made more attractive to senior citizens, armed forces, paramilitary forces and students.

Concessionary Fares are available for sale from Air India’s City Ticketing Office (CTO), Airport Ticketing Office (ATO), website www.airindia.in and Call Centre. To know more, visit our website www.airindia.in

fj;k;rh fdjk, ?kjsyw lsDVjksa ij] ofj"B ukxfjdksa] l’kL= cyksa] v/kZlSfud cyksa rFkk fo|kfFkZ;ksa ds fy, fj;k;rh fdjk;ksa dks vkSj vf/kd vkd"kZd cuk;k x;k gSA fj;k;rh fdjk, ,vj bafM;k flVh fVdfVax vkWfQ+l ¼lhVhvks½] ,;jiksVZ fVdfVax vkWfQ+l ¼,Vhvks½] osclkbV www.airindia.in rFkk dkWy lsaVj ij foØ; ds fy, miyC/k gSaA vf/kd tkudkjh ds fy, gekjh osclkbV www.airindia.in ns[ksaA

18 I Shubh Yatra I FEBRUARY 2019

prepaid baggage

allowance

Now, pre-purchase additional baggage allowance through Air India’s call centre or at any of Air India’s booking offices till six hours of departure of flight and save 20 per cent vis-a-vis airport rates.

izhisM cSxt s vykmal vc vki viuk vfrfjDr cSxst vykmal ,vj bafM;k ds dkWy lsaVj vFkok fdlh Hkh ,vj bafM;k cqfdax dk;kZy; ds ek/;e ls izLFkku ls 6 ?kaVs igys rd izh&ijpst+ djsa vkSj ,;jiksVZ njksa dh rqyuk esa 20 izfr’kr dh cpr ik,aA

FLY YOUR COMPANION

free

First and Business Class travellers can also now avail of Companion Free Scheme for travel to/from any non-metro domestic sectors.

dEiSfu;u Ý+h Ldhe QLVZ ,oa fct+usl Dykl ds ;k=h dEiSfu;u Ý+h Ldhe dk Hkh ykHk ik ldrs gSaA os fdlh Hkh ukWu esVªks ?kjsyw lsDVjksa rd@ls ;k=k ds nkSjku ,d dEiSfu;u lkFk ys tk ldrs gSaA

shubh-yatra.in

The Bijouterie Collection

Greater Kailash I, M - Block Market, New Delhi-110048 | T: +91 11 45257700/ 41734567 ITC Maurya, Shopping Arcade, Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi-110021 | T: +91 11 41359552 DLF Emporio, 305, 2nd Floor, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070 | T: +91 11 41755565

hazoorilaljewellers.com

air india behind the scenes

Follow us on

@airindiain AI-SBI credit card, loaded with benefits

Airsewa mobile app and portal The AirSewa web portal and a mobile app was launched by the Government for the convenience of air passengers, which provides an integrated common platform where passengers can lodge their grievances against all major stakeholders in the aviation sector including airlines. For details log on to the website www.airsewa.gov.in

osc iksVZy o eksckby ,si ^,;j lsok* gokbZ ;kf=;ksa dh lqfo/kk ds fy, ljdkj }kjk ^,;j lsok* osc iksVZy vkSj ,d eksckby ,si yk¡p fd;k x;k gSA ;g ,d ,dhd`r lk>k IysVQkWeZ iznku djrk gS ftl ij ,;jykbuksa lfgr foekuu {ks= esa lHkh cM+s Hkkxhnkjksa ds fo#) ;k=h viuh f’kdk;rsa ntZ djk ldrs gSaA mM+ku esa foyac] cSxst [kksus vkSj /ku okilh esa cgqr nsj gksus ds lkFk&lkFk ,;jiksVksZa ij yach ykbuksa lfgr gokbZ lsokvksa ls lacaf/kr lHkh f’kdk;rsa www.airsewa.gov.in ij ntZ djk,aA

call centres

Flying Returns As a flying returns member, you can enjoy a host of offers like Family Pool and also redeem points online on star partner flights. Family Pooling is now live on flying returns. For details please log on to www.flyingreturns.co.in

¶+ykbax fjVUlZ ¶+ykbax fjVUlZ lnL; ds :i esa vki vusd vkWQ+lZ tSls ^QSfeyh iwy* rFkk LVkj ,yk;al lnL; ,;jykbuksa dh mM+kuksa ij IokbaV~l vkWuykbu fjMhe djus dk ykHk mBk ldrs gSaA ^QSfeyh iwfyax* vc ¶+ykbax fjVUlZ ds ek/;e ls laHko gSA vf/kd tkudkjh ds fy, d`i;k www.flyingreturns.co.in ij ykWx vkWu djsaA

Do you have special needs for travel?

Give us details on the request form available on www.airindia.in

Looking for a credit card with travel benefits? Look no further than the Air India-SBI credit card. Get the best-inclass travel benefits like miles and lounges. Available in two variants, the Air India-SBI Signature Card and Air IndiaSBI Platinum Card, with an attractive rewards structure.

Get details under Special Offers on www.airindia.in

ykHk ls Hkjiwj ,vj bafM;k&,lchvkbZ ØsfMV dkMZ D;k vki ;k=k ykHk ls Hkjiwj ØsfMV dkMZ dh ryk’k esa gSa\ rks ,vj bafM;k&,lchvkbZ ØsfMV dkMZ vkidh bl ryk’k dks iwjk djrk gSA bl dkMZ ls vki ekbYl rFkk ykmat tSls loksZŸke ykHk izkIr dj ldrs gSaA vkd"kZd fjokWMZ ds lkFk ;g dkMZ&,vj bafM;k ,lchvkbZ flXuspj dkMZ rFkk ,vj bafM;k ,lchvkbZ IysfVue dkMZ nks :iksa esa miyC/k gSA iwjh tkudkjh ds fy, osclkbV www.airindia.in ij Lis’ky vkWQ+j ns[ksaA

dkWy lsUVlZ

feedback

Passengers can access Air India’s contact numbers in and outside India are:

;k=h Hkkjr ds Hkhrj rFkk fons'kksa esa ,vj bafM;k ds fuEu uEcjksa ij lEidZ dj ldrs gS%a

India: 1860 233 1407 Australia:1800247463* Canada: 1800 625 6424* France: 0033-1-76545741 (9am to 9pm) (Local) Germany: 49 69 12009821 (9am to 9pm) (Local) Singapore: 62259411 (Local) UK: 44 207 760 3290 (Local) US: 1800 223 7776* Callers from all foreign locations can also call on: +91 44 66921455 (international call rates applicable) +91 22 25818515 (international call rates applicable) *Toll-free numbers Please give your contact number at the time of ticketing to help

Hkkjr% 1860 233 1407 vkWLVªfs y;k% 1800247463* dukMk% 1800 625 6424* Ýkal% 0033&1&76545741 ¼izkr% 9cts ls jkf= 9cts rd½ ¼LFkkuh;½ teZuh% 49 69 12009821 ¼izkr% 9cts ls jkf= 9cts rd½ ¼LFkkuh;½ flaxkiqj% 62259411 ¼LFkkuh;½ ;wd%s 44 207 760 3290 ¼LFkkuh;½ ;w,l% 1800 223 7776* lHkh fons'kh LVs'kuksa ls dkWy djus okys fuEu uEcjksa ij Hkh dkWy dj ldrs gS%a $91 44 66921455 ¼varjjk"Vªh; dkWy njsa ykxw gksxa h½ $91 22 25818515 ¼varjjk"Vªh; dkWy njsa ykxw gksxa h½ *Vksy Ý+h uEcj Ñi;k fVdfVax ds le; viuk dkWUVsDV uEcj nsa rkfd nsjh@ck/kk gksus ij vki ls laidZ fd;k tk ldsA

us reach you, in case of a delay/disruption.

20 I Shubh Yatra I FEBRUARY 2019

www.airindia.in

çfrfØ;k Passenger feedback is very valuable to us. Do write in with your suggestions/ observations through www.airindia.in/ feedback-form.htm

;kf=;ksa dk QhMcSd gekjs fy, cgqr egÙoiw.kZ gSA Ñi;k www.airindia.in/ feedback-form.htm

ij vki gesa vius lq>ko@fVIif.k;ka HkstAas

shubh-yatra.in

air india behind the scenes

Air India boasts the biggest modern state-of-the-art fleet, comprising Boeing (747-400, 777-200LR, 777-300ER and 787 Dreamliner) and

Airbus (319, 320, 320Neo and 321). Its subsidiaries, Air India Express and Alliance Air, have in their fleet the B737-800s and ATRs respectively.

Air india FLEET B747-400 (4 aircraft)

B777-300ER (13 aircraft) Typical Seating F/J/Y 12/26/385

Typical Seating F/J/Y 4/35/303

A320 (10)

B777-200LR (3)

Seating Configuration VariantsF/J/Y -/12/138 -/-/180 -/-/168 -/12/150

Typical Seating F/J/Y 8/35/195

A320NEO (22)

B-787 Dreamliner (27)

Seating Configuration Variants F/J/Y -/12/150

Typical Seating F/J/Y -/18/238

A319 (22) Seating Configuration Variants F/J/Y -/8/114 -/-/144

A321 (20) Typical Seating F/J/Y -/12/170

alliance air ATR-72-600 (16 aircraft)

ATR-42-320 (2) Typical Seating F/J/Y -/-/48

Typical Seating F/J/Y -/-/70

Air india express B737-800 (25) Typical Seating F/J/Y -/-/186-189

22 I Shubh Yatra I FEBRUARY 2019

shubh-yatra.in

air india

know-how

infocus

New Zealand As An Educational Hub

are benefitting from the country’s world-class research facilities and teaching approach. In November 2018, the University of Auckland and India’s IIT Kharagpur signed an MoU as part of Government of India’s SPARC initiative, to advance academic exchange and research collaboration.

The quality of education, research and state-of-the-art infrastructure make New Zealand a world-class educational hub A prosperous and gloriously uncrowded nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, New Zealand has a rich and fascinating history. The unique mix of Maori and European cultures makes this nation one of the most favoured destinations among tourists and students. Going back in history, Maori were the first to arrive in New Zealand. However, New Zealand later became a part of British empire.

On February 6, 1840, the British government signed the Treaty of Waitangi with a number of Maori chiefs at a settlement in Bay of Islands called Waitangi, which is celebrated as Waitangi Day.

New Zealand as an Educational Hub The number of Indian students in New Zealand has significantly increased over the last few years and India is the second-largest source of students to New Zealand (after China). Over 30,000 Indians study in New Zealand.

The quality of education, research and state-of-the-art infrastructure make New Zealand one of the most favoured education hubs in the world.

The Economist Intelligence Unit has recently ranked New Zealand as the Best in the World at Educating for the Future. More and more Indian students

Enjoy the challenge

at New Zealand’s leading university*

Choose the University of Auckland. As New Zealand’s leading university, we will give you the edge you need to be successful in the next step of your global career.

India-New Zealand Cooperation India and New Zealand share a very cordial bilateral relationship. The establishment of bilateral relations dates back to 1952. Since then, both the nations have had a fruitful cooperation in economic development, education and tourism sectors. A sizeable population of Indian and Indian origin people, numbering approximately 2,00,000, have made New Zealand their permanent home.

New Zealand identified India as a priority country in its “Opening Doors to India” policy notified in October 2011, which was reiterated in 2015.

Best in the country: We are ranked 85th among the world’s top universities and have 18 subjects in the top 50 in the QS World University Rankings.* Scholarship opportunities: Over $10 million in scholarships were given to international students in the past year.

World leading in post-study work rights: Most courses are eligible for three-year post study open work visa.

*2019 QS World Rankings

www.international.auckland.ac.nz

air india family

At the age of 21, Gandhiji first wrote nine articles for The Vegetarian, an English weekly, on vegetarianism and Indian food habits. His earliest writings show his capacity for expressing an idea in simple words.

‘India’s aviation sector has been completely transformed’ Today, India has the world’s fastest growing aviation sector. Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu highlights the initiatives taken by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, in the last four-and-a-half years to have achieved this growth

(Left to right) Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha, Minister of Civil Aviation and Commerce & Industry Suresh Prabhu, and secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, RN Choubey at the Global Aviation Summit, 2019 What are the new policy initiatives taken by the Civil Aviation Ministry recently?

Under the visionary leadership and able guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the civil aviation sector in India has seen unprecedented growth in the last four-and-a-half years. During these years, we have thoroughly transformed the aviation sector and today, India has emerged as the world’s fastest growing aviation market. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, has made several policy initiatives to propel and sustain growth in the sector. Among them, the most prominent are: Unveiling of first ever National Civil Aviation Policy in June, 2016, launch of the regional connectivity scheme – UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) in

26 I Shubh Yatra I FEBRUary 2019

October, 2016, launch of NABH (Next Generation Airports in Bharat) NIRMAN to prepare for one billion passenger trips announced in Budget 2018, rationalisation of MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) policy with lower custom duty, simplification of goods clearance, zero rate VAT, and release of Vision 2040 document to prepare the civil aviation industry in India for sustaining the robust growth. Some other initiatives include release of National Air Cargo Policy outline 2019, National Green Aviation Policy, Drone Ecosystem Policy roadmap, a document on creating India as a next generation aviation hub, Project “Rupee Raftar” to showcase India as a powerhouse in aircraft financing and leasing, and several

passenger-centric initiatives such as AirSewa 2.0 and Digi Yatra. The ministry is also working on passenger charters and providing in-flight Wi-Fi facility.

What is your growth projection of the Indian aviation sector? And what are the steps you would take to further push the potentials?

The total number of passengers carried by domestic airlines in 2018 was 1,390 lakh against 1,172 lakh in 2017, thereby, registering a growth of almost 19 per cent. We see a forecast of double digit growth in the coming years.

With a view to promote the growth of Indian aviation sector in a significant manner, the government has released the National Civil Aviation Policy

shubh-yatra.in

The UDAN scheme has been implemented and in 17 months of its launch, 4.5 lakh passengers flew under the scheme Minister of Civil Aviation and Commerce & Industry Suresh Prabhu addresses the audience at the event (NCAP) 2016. The aim of the government is to provide an ecosystem for the harmonised growth of various aviation subsectors.

How does the UDAN scheme of the government help in passenger growth?

What’s its progress till date?

The scheme allows the common man in far flung and non-connected airports in India, the option of flight connectivity being provided from their airports.

The UDAN scheme has already been implemented and two rounds of bidding of routes have already been completed. Evaluation of the third round of bids is in process and results will be announced soon. In 17 months of its launch, 4.5 lakh passengers flew under the scheme. After the first round of auctions and/or under the bidding process, five airlines have secured license to operate 189 routes and 46 tourist routes have also been awarded.

“Flying for all” is a very aspirational goal and a new aviation ecosystem will be required to maintain and sustain it.

What are the plans for the same?

Over the last five years, the government has been focussing on ensuring the building blocks are in place for this ecosystem, which serves the sector for a

long time. The ministry has been focussing on aligning regulations and policy to the industry’s requirements/‘NABH NIRMAN’ for a massive airport infra development/enhancing productivity of current infra assets and integrating airports with overall transportation modes and regional plans/privatisation of airport assets to unlock consumer value/building educational and training infra-structure/digitisation across the aviation value chain to reduce costs and increase efficiencies/ensuring costs are structurally lower by increasing efforts to bring ATF in GST and making airport charges critically softer and more important, making airport capex more accountable, strengthening consumer redressal system with AirSewa, etc. Also, making PSUs more focussed on profitability and Air India’s turnaround plan is a part of these efforts.

We want to ensure building blocks are robust and designed to deliver. This is what has been done whilst simultaneously delivering double digit growth for the last 50 months.

How will consumer interest be protected as aviation becomes more and more led by the private sector?

The Government of India’s policy goals are only to ensure public interests are

protected. Privatisation is not only to increase efficiency/enhance service/ bring game-changing connectivity but also to reduce costs and increase consumer value very significantly. We have and will further develop a strong oversight mechanism to ensure consumer interests are protected. We are focussing on ensuring we tighten delivery outcomes and bring consumer interests central to our objectives whilst balancing investor interest. The Ministry is also working on bringing out passenger charter in this regard.

The government had attempted the strategic sale of Air India last May. Unfortunately that could not go forward.

Could you take us through steps to make Air India a more robust airline?

The Air India Specific Alternative Mechanism (AISAM), the group of ministers constituted to decide in the matter, took a decision that in view of volatile crude prices and adverse fluctuations in exchange rates, the present environment was not conducive to stimulate interest amongst investors for the strategic disinvestment of Air India in the near future. The issue would be revisited once global economic indicators, including oil prices and forex conditions stabilise.

february 2019 I shubh Yatra I 27

air india family

Fresh Look

Air India showcased new cabin crew uniforms at the Global Aviation Summit 2019, held in Mumbai

1 2

1. and 2. Air India crew members presented their new uniform at a show organised during the Global Aviation Summit 2019, in Mumbai 3. Pradeep Singh Kharola, Air India CMD, with the participating crew members post the show

3

28 I Shubh Yatra I FEBRUary 2019

shubh-yatra.in

infocus

Technion International Nurturing the Future Technion is one of the world’s leading incubators for future entrepreneurs

Albert Einstein receives Honorary Doctorate, Technion 1953

T

The original palm tree planted by Albert Einstein

echnion, consistently ranked among the world’s top universities, is a major source of innovation and brainpower that drives the Israeli economy. Technion graduates represent 70% of the high-tech workforce and have established Israel’s industrial infrastructure, reinforced its technological defense capabilities, and pioneered its technology-based

Students currently at the Technion International programs.

enterprise that has earned the country’s reputation as the world’s “Startup Nation” (with the highest concentration of high-tech companies anywhere outside the Silicon Valley).

Situated on a modern campus, Technion is home to a prominent faculty, among them three recent Nobel laureates, and a long list of notable alumni including engineers,

scientists, physicians, professors and entrepreneurs. The institute has also been acknowledged as one of the world’s leading entrepreneurial ecosystems and incubators for future successful entrepreneurs.

Dr. Albert Einstein, upon his return to Germany after his visit to the historical Technion campus in 1923, founded the first Technion Society.

In the 21st century, we see a growing number of Technion Societies.

Technion International offers students from countries around the world an opportunity to join Technion academic programmes in science and technology taught entirely in English.

Among the hundreds of international students that visit our campus every year, many Indian students have sought to join one of our international programmes detailed in our website www.int.technion.ac.il

Israel Campus BSc in Civil Engineering BSc in Mechanical Engineering Summer School of Engineering & Science

China Campus

Study at one of the top Universities for Engineering & Technology

BSc in Chemical engineering BSc in Materials science and engineering BSc in Biotechnology engineering

Apply now www.int.technion.ac.il

sure shorts

EXPLORE

Go out, travel, discover ... From hotspots, festivals and culture to cuisines, automobiles and technology

Images are for representational purposes only

february 17-19

Jaisalmer Desert Festival, Rajasthan

Every winter, the sand dunes of Jaisalmer come alive with festivities as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;golden cityâ&#x20AC;? hosts the annual Jaisalmer Desert Festival. A parade to the Jaisalmer Fort marks the beginning of the colourful festival. The fest is marked by quirky events like camel races, camel polo, who-has-the-best-moustache contest, turbantying competition and gymnastics. A large make-shift market selling local handicrafts is one of the major draws!

30 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

shubh-yatra.in

sure shorts

february 2-10

Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai

Touted as one of the biggest multicultural events in the country, the annual Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is held in the Kala Ghoda neighbourhood of Mumbai. It features literary discussions, theatre, musical shows, dance recitals and standup comedy acts. Some of the eminent guests in attendance this year include flautist Hari Prasad Chaurasia, danseuse Saswati Sen and actor-singer Suchitra Krishnamoorthy.

Till february 11

Sapporo Snow Festival, Sapporo, Japan

What started with a few local students building snow figures at Odori Park in Sapporo in 1950, has today snowballed into an event of international repute, featuring larger-than-life ice sculptures.

The main sites of the festival, which also organises an international snow sculpture contest, are Odori Park, Susukino and Tsudome.

Musical performances are also held during this time.

A still from the movie A Star is Born, which has received both Oscar and BAFTA nominations

Various dates in february

February 18-27

Taj Mahotsav, Agra, UP

One of the most eagerly-awaited festivals in the country, the Taj Mahotsav is celebrated each year at the eastern gate of Taj Mahal.

It features various cultural and fun-filled activities like fairs, folk dance performances and various workshops and exhibitions.

There are also joyrides for children. It attracts international photographers and tourists in large numbers.

32 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

Award shows across the world

Catch some of the best directors, music composers, actors, screenplay writers and the works of world cinema at the Academy Awards and BAFTA. While the 91st edition of the Academy (Oscar) Awards will be held on February 25 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the US, the latter will be hosted at the Royal Albert Hall in London, the UK, on February 10.

shubh-yatra.in

sure shorts

wellness

International Yog Festival, Rishikesh

The annual International Yog Festival, to be held from March 1 to 7 at the Hotel Ganga Resort in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, will see participation from yoga practitioners and enthusiasts from the world over. The event, organised by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board in association with Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam

(GMVN), has been divided into three themes: ‘Traditional Yoga’ (day 1 and 2), ‘Contemporary Yoga’ (day 3 and 4) and ‘Shakti – the power of creation’ (day 5 to 7). The last three days will be a celebration of feminine spirit, wherein prominent female spiritual figures and yoga practitioners will share their knowledge and conduct yoga sessions.

sure shorts

books

buzz words

They say there’s no joy like reading a good book. We bring you the month’s top four

The 108 Upanishads

By Roshen Dalal Penguin Random House Publishers `399 This book is a thoroughly researched document on the 108 Upanishads, philosophical treatises that form a part of the Vedas, the revered Hindu texts. Dalal, a historian and scholar, explains the values that form the core of each Upanishad in simple words.

Thinking Aloud: Reflections on India

The Forest of Enchantments

By Prasoon Joshi Rupa Publications `410

By Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni HarperCollins Publishers `599

The Bollywood lyricist offers readers a glimpse into his thoughts and ideas he has stumbled upon while working on various films, forums, literature festival discussions, and so forth. The early ones reflect a simpler context, while the later ones are more complex.

‘There is a world of words to be discovered’ Says author Rituparna Sarkar, whose book features words from world languages

Penguin Random House Publishers `399

You are an animator and a designer. What was your inspiration for the book?

I was reading the book Hygge written by Meik Wiking when I came across two words - tokka (a Finnish word meaning a large herd of reindeer) and tsundoko (a Japanese word describing the act of acquiring new books and reading material that we don’t always end up reading). These words, which had no direct translations in English, really

36 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

A retelling of the Hindu epic Ramayana from the eyes of Sita, this is a powerful commentary on love, relationship and duty, and also narrates the stories of other female characters of the epic such as Kaikeyi, Surpanakha and Mandodari.

sparked my interest. There is a world of interesting words just waiting to be discovered.

Tell us about your research.

I started building my database early on by searching a word on the Internet and deep-diving into its story. I would then cross reference pronunciations and meaning across various websites. Sometimes, while looking up one word, I stumbled upon another from a different language. It was amazing!

Halfway through the book, people started giving me word suggestions as well. This enabled me to build my ‘vocabulary’ of the unknown.

I feel in the domestic sector, Air India is definitely one of the best airlines to fly in because it has the most leg room to begin with. Also the staff is always so warm and hospitable and make you feel at home right away!

- Author Rituparna Sarkar

Tell us about the illustrations.

The illustrations were all drawn in sketchbooks and painted using water colours. I’ve also tried to visualise each word in a humorous way by adding real life experiences.

Which are your favourite words?

It’s a tough choice but I am fond of xiaohuangdi (a Chinese word indicating the Little Emperor syndrome); tsundoku; meraki (a Greek word meaning to do something with your heart); bhaat ghoom (a Bengali word for the afternoon siesta taken after a meal of rice); kaali-peeli (an Indian term for the black and yellow taxis of Mumbai).

shubh-yatra.in

sure shorts

food

Arth,

Mumbai

A snazzy 2.4-m-high mirror handcrafted from 361 backlit prisms that’s reportedly been sourced from Paris Hilton! An exquisite Rex Diamond installation from England’s historic Art Deco theatre Rex Cinema and a dramatic spiral staircase. All these and more lavish imprints mark the interiors of Arth, Gauri Khan’s first restaurant design venture.

Dine in style From a high-glam restaurant to a culinary bar and a deck that serves your meal 160 ft up in air, here are three unique dining addresses from across the country

38 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

The 5,000-sq-ft fine-dining space at Bandra, Mumbai, will leave you spellbound with its high-glamour quotient. Khan has achieved the perfect mix of class and elegance with raw wooden walls and a colour palette of beige, blue and gold hints.

But if you thought Khan’s Bollywood pull (for the uninitiated, she is superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s wife) is Arth’s only attraction, you would be wrong. Its food’s fantastic. Serving modern Indian cuisine, the menu includes regional favourites with a unique twist, cooked in copper utensils on traditional ovens. Do try the Kashmiri morels stuffed with smoked mushroom mince on nachini and walnut soil and Pearl Potatoes (badami dum aloo with dahi ki khamiri roti) in vegetarian fare, and mutton charcoal-smoked in bamboo that has a beautiful texture, from the nonvegetarian choice.

shubh-yatra.in

sure shorts

Serai, New Delhi

A cosy culinary bar that serves eclectic cocktails from across the world with creatively-curated nibbles and also predicts the tippler’s fortune. And all this packaged in a beautifully decorated space that’s inspired by travel! Nestled inside the popular Olive restaurant, with the Qutab Minar in the backdrop, is Serai, the latest and one of the most exciting of New Delhi’s watering holes.

The cocktail menu includes many unique pairings: like the tangy tamarind margarita with kaffir lime leaves; tequila with corn puree and coriander leaves; vodka with passion fruit and the Indian gondhoraj lemon; and a whiskey that comes flavoured with turmeric! Each pictureperfect drink is paired with a bite-sized pintxo (small snacks popular in Spain).

And there is a separate selection of cocktails with house-infused tequila in quirky flavours. Choose from the equally global food menu. And while you are sipping and chatting, don’t forget to check your fortunes with the “deck of revelations” kept at each table.

Fly Dining, Bengaluru Here’s a restaurant that lets you enjoy your meal suspended in air at the height of 160 ft, equivalent to a 16-storeyed building! The idea is to let diners enjoy their food along with stunning views of Bengaluru’s green cover and the Nagavara Lake. Brought to India by a global food and experience service chain, the restaurant is actually a 22-seater table placed on a glass deck that is lifted by a crane and suspended mid-air. The deck, which is open from all four sides, rotates so that everyone can enjoy the view. The diners are accompanied by a couple of staff members, including a chef, bartender and a photographer, who makes sure each happy face is captured! While the views of the lake, the greens and Bengaluru’s skyline sprawled far below are breathtaking, the set menu is moderate. But then with such a unique experience on offer, who would care about eating!

40 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

shubh-yatra.in

special feature city Trail

AIR AIR INDIA INDIA ROUTE ROUTE

The nearest airport is in Chennai. Air India connects Chennai to all metro cities and Tier II and Tier III cities

A day in Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

French Riviera 42 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

shubh-yatra.in

1

Discover the seaside town Puducherry, as you walk down its French boulevards, sample its delicious fusion cuisine and steal a moment of peace at the unassuming yet inherently beautiful Sri Aurobindo Ashram, says Trisha D’Souza

A diamond on the eastern coast of India, Puducherry, in Tamil Nadu, is arguably one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Throughout the year, this quaint town, located by the Bay of Bengal, is abuzz with tourists, both local and international.

Offering a mix of old-world charm, a legacy of its history as a French colony, and newage bohemia, inspired by contemporary artists and thinkers who have made this Union Territory their home, Puducherry has something to offer every visitor.

Puducherry, erstwhile Pondicherry, and fondly known as Pondy, sits on the very top of South India’s best weekend getaways list.

While its beaches are an obvious attraction, there’s a lot to be said about the rest of Puducherry. Before you start your grand Pondy tour, however, stop at one of the many bike-renting service centres on Mission Street, and pick up the mode of exploration for the next few days. Exhilaration is guaranteed!

French-style architecture in Puducherry

Helmet on, ride first to Hotel Surguru for an ethnic and delicious South Indian breakfast. Located at Heritage Town, this

February 2019 I shubh Yatra I 43

special feature city trail

2

1. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Puducherry 2. Handmade clay dolls on sale at a shop in the town 3. Lakshmi, the resident elephant, blessing devotees at Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar temple 1

3

Puducherry’s French quarter is easily recognisable by its bright yellow and white buildings, and wide roads French Connection Puducherry, the biggest Union Territory in India, was also a French colony. And French is still spoken and understood by most residents.

The Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, Lycée Français, Alliance Française and various other schools are strictly French-medium, with Indian languages being taught as a second language. Given the rather ubiquitous presence of all things French here, Puducherry is also known as “la Côte d’Azur de l’Est”, translating to the “French Riviera of the East”.

44 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

establishment is a favourite among locals and tourists alike, with its modestlypriced and wide-ranging menu. It fills up fast, especially on the weekends, but lightening-quick service and sufficient seating ensure one is never left waiting for too long. Don’t forget to order their soft idlis (steamed fluffy rice cakes), familystyle dosa (savoury pancake) roasted in ghee (clarified butter) and vada (fried lentil dumpling) served with piping hot sambar (lentil stew).

The next stop on the itinerary is the French quarter, easily recognisable by its bright yellow-and-white buildings, and wide roads. Back in the day, this area was occupied predominantly by the French, and therefore, is also known as White Town. Today, most of the homes have been converted into heritage homestays and hotels, souvenir shops and restaurants.

This neighbourhood is best explored on foot, so park your bike at the promenade and walk down the European-style streets, past antique arches lined with pretty bougainvillea bushes, and just enjoy the unobtrusive quiet. The long walk and humidity are sure to leave you famished.

While there are several options here, all

serving true-blue French cuisine, Le Club is highly recommended. On Dumas Street, Le Club is a moderately-priced eatery located within an old French villa. Seating is under the much-needed shade of a thatched roof, allowing guests a respite from the heat. Try their coq au vin (chicken casserole with wine sauce) and noix de coco (coconut crepes) accompanied with a yummy strawberry colada.

Another classic choice is Le Dupleix, a luxury heritage property that takes pride of place for its well-appointed rooms and excellent dining options. Sit in the shade of a mango tree at the Courtyard Restaurant here, and let the professionals treat you to the culinary delights of France.

While Puducherry is most commonly associated with Indian freedom fighter, philosopher and spiritual guru Sri Aurobindo, his teachings and his ashram (spiritual retreat), there are also a number of churches and temples scattered across the city, tending to the diverse religious communities that call it home. As the afternoon wears on, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the next stop.

Constructed by French missionaries

shubh-yatra.in

special feature city trail

Don’t miss these

Jawahar Toy Museum Located on Goubert Avenue near the old light house, this museum is home to around 140 dolls from across India, dressed in colourful costumes representing the states from which they have been brought.

The samadhi (final resting place) of Sri Aurobindo and Mother inside the Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry

during the 1700s on South Boulevard near the railway station, this lovely church is a stellar example of Gothic architecture. Its stained glass windows tell stories from Jesus Christ’s life.

Gingee Fort Around 65 km away stands the enormous Gingee Fort boasting three different hilltop citadels and a massive boundary wall. The Britishers had given the heavily fortified structure the moniker “Troy of the East”. Enjoy an hour-long trek up to the fort.

Auroville A universal township located a 20-minute ride away from Puducherry city, Auroville was founded by Mother Mirra in 1968. The campus houses a town hall, garden restaurants, schools and farmlands. And at its core lies Matrimandir, a beautiful golden-domed meditation hall, surrounded by green lawns. Watch a video on what Matrimandir stands for and understand its purpose at the visitors’ centre.

46 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

Ride back to White Town and visit the Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple to meet Lakshmi, the resident elephant who, upon receiving offerings of grass or fruit, will gently place her trunk on your head as a blessing. This Ganesha temple is said to be more than 500 years old.

Local legend says that under the rule of the French, the idol of the God was thrown into the sea several times in order to remove the temple but every time, the idol reappeared in its previous position in mint condition!

The temple is located close to Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Founded in 1926, it was where Sri Aurobindo lived, and so did Mother Mirra. As twilight approaches and the weather turns, wind down at the ashram, the most famous landmark of Puducherry. Run and maintained voluntarily by devotees, the ashram is a sanctuary of amity and harmony, with colourful flowers and plants dotting the simplistic yet astoundingly beautiful campus. At the centre lies the samadhi, a white marble shrine where Sri Aurobindo

and Mother Mirra were laid to rest. The utter silence and fragrance of incense that permeate the ashram make you feel as though time has frozen. Visitors are allowed to sit and meditate for as long as they like, or even browse through the literature on Sri Aurobindo that is available here. However, cell phones are strictly not allowed and talking is discouraged.

Conclude your day at one of the many restro-bars of Puducherry. Villa Shanti, Rendezvous, The Storyteller’s Bar, Hopper’s Bar and Kitchen offer excellent French, Indian, Italian and Continental cuisine, or a quirky mix thereof. Make room for dessert at Gelateria Montecatini Terme (GMT) on Goubert Avenue, an ice cream parlour known for its rich ice creams and sundaes. Indulge in Lover’s Chocolate (chocolate ice cream with almonds and cherries), Chilli Chocolate, Irish Cream, and an assortment of other flavours. Grab a cup or cone of your preferred flavour and take a leisurely stroll down the promenade, and let the fun yet incredibly transcendent spirit of Pondy embrace you.

The author is an avid traveller and the views expressed in this article are her own

shubh-yatra.in

special feature city trail

One of Puducherry’s most attractive churches, Notre Dame des Anges, was completed in 1855. Facing the sea, the church is identifiable by its pink dome flanked by two towers One of the most relaxed ways of exploring Puducherry is on a bicycle. Organised cycle tours generally cover various areas like the Muslim Quarter, Goubert Market and the flower market

Puducherry was once the largest French colony in India. Walk around the French quarter and discover the legacy

A leisurely stroll along the Goubert Ave (Beach road) is best savoured either at dawn or at dusk along with most of the townfolk Auroville Beach is the most popular in the area. Located about 12 km from the main town, its shallow waters make it an ideal site for swimming

Buy handmade paper and paper products from the Sri Aurobindo Handmade Paper factory. This sprawling green unit was set up in 1959. Opt for a tour to see how paper is made

The 1.5-km-long promenade running along the sea is popular with local residents and tourists alike. Stroll here at dawn or dusk. Do stop by at Le Cafe for refreshments

48 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

Standing along the seafront on Goubert Avenue is the Gandhi memorial with an impressive statue of Mahatma Gandhi in a striding posture

Located on the Goubert Avenue, the French War Memorial is a popular tourist site.

It’s dedicated to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War I

Puducherry hosts several annual events, the most popular being the yoga festival (January). On February 2, enjoy the Heritage Car Rally shubh-yatra.in

Vectors are for representational purposes only

The Paradise Beach is a pristine private stretch of sand. Swimming is permitted close to the shore only, as currents can be strong further in.

Try some delicious street food too here

École Française d’Extrême-Orient Library is housed in a striking heritage building and has over 11,000 Indology books

infocus

National Entrepreneurship Awards 2018

A step towards creating a nation of young entrepreneurs The National Entrepreneurship Awards is a massive push by the government to promote a culture of entrepreneurship among youth

Winners of National Entrepreneurship Awards 2018

I

t is a globally acknowledged fact that India has “walked the talk” in relation to its unparalleled focus on improving Ease of Doing Business (EODB) and Global Innovation Index (GII) thereby transforming itself with a non-conventional job- creating aspiration amongst youngsters, as opposed to the conventional job seeking orientation.

Congruent with this fact and with an aim to promote the culture of entrepreneurship among India’s youth and inspire them to set-up their own enterprise and create employment opportunities for other youths, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India,

50 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

instituted the National Entrepreneurship Awards (NEA) in 2016.

In the 3rd edition of the National Entrepreneurship Awards (NEA 2018), the Ministry honoured 30 outstanding young entrepreneurs below the age of 40 years and 3 entrepreneurship shepherds (mentors, incubation centres and promoter rural producer groups) in an Award Ceremony held on January 4 in New Delhi. The awards were conferred in the presence of Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce and Industry & Civil Aviation; Anantkumar Hegde, Minister of State for Ministry of Skill Develop-

ment and Entrepreneurship; and Dr KP Krishnan, Secretary, MSDE. This ceremony was attended by a gamut of stakeholders in the entrepreneurship ecosystem such as entrepreneurs, incubators, mentors, government, industry, academia, credit agencies, and students from across the country.

The Ministry ensured that the winners were selected through a meticulous and transparent evaluation process. The Ministry received around 6,000 nominations from across the country including remote and difficult areas such as Srinagar in J&K, North East States,

shubh-yatra.in

The Young Entrepreneurs Neha Bhatt | Nera Herbal Organic Products Co. 34-year-old Neha is producing organically handcrafted herbal, therapeutic & personal care products in Andaman & Nicobar Islands under the brand name “Cosmic Island” since 2017, thus helping Industry to come up using local bio-resources, while involving the local community in the production process helping the local economy grow.

Chief Guest, Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce and Industry & Civil Aviation addressing the audience

Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The winners of the National Award belong to varied socio-economic backgrounds. Further, there has been a fine balance of male and female awardees. 43% of the total awards have been conferred to women, signifying the massive potential of women as drivers of change. Awards were also presented in special categories such as SC/ST, Difficult Areas and Persons with Disability (PwD).

This has been a landmark year for National Entrepreneurship Awards. The Ministry has increased the scope of the awards to make the scheme more inclusive by recognising entrepreneurs from varied socio-economic backgrounds, geographies and sectors to create a culture of entrepreneurship by inspiring a job seeker to be job creator and a micro-entrepreneur to be a small/ medium scale entrepreneur.

The winners were presented with a trophy, certificate and cash prize of up to ` 5 lakh to the enterprises and individuals and ` 10 lakh to the organisations.

This event was also widely publicised through television, print and social media. Winners of NEA 2018 also received wide coverage in relevant magazines, news papers and television channels. This has helped the Ministry project the winners as youth icons to encourage aspiring youngsters to emulate and improve upon.

Aprajita Bhadouria | Beerbal Wisary 22-year-old Aprajita started her enterprise at Beerbal Wisary, in 2015 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh to provide a structured approach for planning of events as zero waste events by applying the 4R principle (Refuse, Reduce, Re-use and Recycle).

Dr Vanramhlimpuii | Zonu Meat Processing Pvt. Ltd. Zonu Meat Processing Private Ltd, started in 2016, is the first and only meat processing plant in Mizoram setup by 32-yearold Dr Vanramhlimpuii. Zonu employs an enthusiastic group of people, all from the local economically weak Scheduled Tribes community.

Ashok Chouhan | Mahesh Handicrafts 40-year-old Ashok Chouhan, an artisan, started Mahesh Handicrafts in 2009 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Uplifting the socio-economic lives of artisans has helped improve the quality of artefacts; the focus on quality and innovation has helped Mahesh Handicrafts to establish themselves in the exports market.

Jaydeep Mandal | Aakar Innovations Pvt. Ltd. 33-year-old Jaydeep Mandal established a social enterprise Aakar in 2011, in Belapur, Maharashtra with the aim to manufacture indigenous machines which enables women to produce affordable, high-quality 100% compostable sanitary napkins, targeted towards rural and semi-urban women, branded “Anandipad”. Aakar uses a franchisee model, has 40 women-supervised women-employed mini-factories run profitably by Self-Help Groups, Individual Entrepreneurs, Organizations supported by Corporate CSRs or State Governments providing livelihood for 500 women in 14 States.

Nupura Kirloskar | BleeTech Innovations Pvt. Ltd. BleeTech started by 26-year-old Nupura Kirloskar and Janhavi Joshi, to make solutions for inclusion of the 60 million Hear-Impaired in our country.

Founded in Pune, Maharashtra in 2015, BleeTech produced the first ever smartwatch, BleeWatch, that conveys alerts through vibrations. Their BleeTV service has 8,000 subscribers who are able to access sponsored content on entertainment, news, sports, etc in Indian sign language.

february 2019 I shubh Yatra I 51

open house food

Flavours of

Amritsar

Mallika Bajaj sets out on a sumptuous trail of the holy city’s street food

A man at a street-side shop selling various types of pickles in Amritsar.

The city is also popular for vadiyan (dried spicy lentil dumplings) and sweet aam papad (layered sheets of candied mango)

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna belongs to Amritsar.

Following are a few recomendations from his book Amritsar: Flavours of the Golden City (Roli Books) Papadwala Baazar for anardana papad Matthi from Durga Sweets at Hall Bazaar Malai masala murgh should be sampled at Chawla’s on Lawrence Road

52 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

The heart of the city of Amritsar beats with the spiritual ethereality of the Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh shrines. Most come here seeking peace in the serene shrine and the sparkling waters of the surrounding sarovar (lake). The indomitable spirit of the city of Amritsar shines at Jallianwala Bagh’s bullet-ridden walls. One has but to step into the city to see the sparks of passion that inspired hundreds to lay down their lives for their country. But there is another reason why many come here - for the wonderfully varied street food that the city lanes offer. It is a place, which inspires food pilgrimages as much as religious and historical sojourns.

The aromatic and scrumptious memories of Amritsari food are made with fresh and locally-sourced ingredients along with the choicest of spices turned into delicacies.

Local residents are very proud of their culinary heritage, which spells magic for gastronomic travellers! I start my food journey with the

famous Amritsari lassi from Gian Di Lassi. It is a rich concoction, filling enough to be a meal in itself. As soon as you enter this tiny treasure trove, in the old neighbourhood of the city, you get a glimpse of Amritsar’s rich street food experience. There is barely any sitting space but that does not deter loyal customers from lining up for the legendary drink. The menu packs a punch despite having only four flavour options. A friendly suggestion comes: “try the pede wali lassi” and I agree. It’s creamy, loaded with dry fruits, flavoured with rose water and saffron, and in one word, heavenly. On an ordinary day, I would have given up my lunch after such a heavy starter but not today. The glutton in me has been awakened and a small walk is my way of getting ready for the next pit-stop, BrijWasi Chat Bhandar for some aloo tikki and dahi bhalla (deep-fried savouries). For most North Indians, aloo tikki and dahi bhalla are staple street food delicacies but every region has its own version and the Amritsari avatar

shubh-yatra.in

open house food

1. A street food vendor preparing a savoury dish in Amritsar 2. Amritsari stuffed kulchas being cooked in a tandoor oven 1

3

taste some more Try poori (fried Indian flatbread) with launji (a tomato-flavoured potato curry) for breakfast. For lunch, you can try a simple meal at any of the dhabas (highway-side eateries), and for dinner, taste tandoori chicken (chicken roasted in a traditional oven) at Beera Chicken House and the famous Amritsari fish (freshwater fish dipped in batter and deep fried) at Makhan Fish.

54 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

should not be missed! The bhallas, made with a paste of split black grams, soaked overnight and churned in the morning, are deep-fried in ghee (clarified butter). The fried balls are then soaked in water, after which they literally melt in your mouth. These are served with yoghurt, garnished with red chilli powder, cumin powder and heaps of fresh coriander and mint leaves. I order a plate of aloo tikki (mashed potato cutlets deep-fried and served with garnishes) packed for the way, while I join the queue for the famous Ram Karan Cool Point. Refresh your palate here with colourful chuskis (flavoured snow cones). The most popular flavour is kaala khatta, a sour and sweet combination.

After all this food, I feel full and decide to take a digestive break. I start exploring the pedestrian-friendly city. You can visit the colourful markets, or take a tour of Jallianwala Bagh or better yet, enjoy a soulful time at Golden Temple, listing to the hymns.

The glory of the Sikh shrine will leave you feeling calm and ready to embark on the next phase of the food spree. You can also visit Durgiana Mandir and rejuvenate not just your spirit but also your appetite. If it is lunch time in Amritsar, pause a moment and see the flow of happy pilgrims. Most of them will

2

3. Jalebis are a must-try in the city

flow either towards Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) for the famous langar (a community meal that’s on 24X7) or Bharawan da Dhaba.

At the latter, get ready for the pièce de résistance of Amritsari food! Bharawan da Dhaba is famous for its kulchas, an Indian sour bread. The Amritsari variety is stuffed with fillings like potato, onion or cottage cheese. The kulcha is fluffy and crispy and exceptionally delicate. It is accompanied by chole, a wonderfully-balanced spicy curry made of chickpeas and a variety of pickles.

The restaurant is big, but not enough for the number of people queuing up to eat at this culinary heaven.

For a sweet finish to the perfect Amritsari feast, head over to Gurudass Ram Jalebi Wala. It is a little hole-in-the-wall shop but don’t be fooled by its quaintness. The aroma of fresh jalebi and gulab jamun (sweetmeats) wafts through the winding street and pulls you in even before you can quite locate the shop. The jalebis, thin, crisp and crackling, are perfect in any weather. The friendly chef serves jovial conversation along with every plate of the decadent perfection.

The author is an avid traveller and the views expressed in this article are her own

shubh-yatra.in

27th and 28th Feb 2019

entertainment

video

production services

technical services

media sales

AeroLabÂŽ

Aeroplay Entertainment is a boutique Inflight Content Service Provider delivering 360-degree services to various airline partners globally. We create, source, licence and curate content tailored to passenger demographics.

why aeroplay? `

lasting relationships

complete solution

global sales network

quality control

cost savings

SEE YOU IN Set up a meeting: team@aeroplaymedia.com

AIRCRAFT INTERIORS EXPO

HAMBURG BOOTH NO #2D51

USA

I

Singapore

I

Thailand

A Maxposure Media Group Enterprise

I

AVIATION FESTIVAL ASIA

&

Malaysia

I

SINGAPORE BOOTH NO #FO6

Bangladesh

I

India

I

UAE

I

aeroplaymedia.com | info@aeroplaymedia.com

Bahrain

TO SUCCESS THROUGH DEVELOPMENT In conversation with the Chairman of the Coconut Development Board The Coconut Development Board has undertaken numerous projects- all of which paved pathways of hope and relief for coconut farmers. They have no doubt that these projects destined to the comprehensive development of coconut scenario are strong in the hands of Chairman Raju Narayana Swamy, IAS.

?

The Board has formulated major policies in aid of coconut farmers. What is the first step that you plan to take to implement these policies?

Coconut cultivators in our country face numerous problems. The first and major of them are their battles with the middlemen, who, most of the time, take farmers for a ride and don’t pay them their rightful share of profits.

Our first step is to completely avoid the intermediaries and help the cultivators earn their fair share of profits.

We have also worked out several other policies for the overall development of the coconut industry.

In order to effectively roll-out the policies, we have formulated a three tier structure—the Coconut Producer Society (CPS) the Coconut Producers Federation

Dr. Raju Narayana Swamy IAS,

Chairman, Coconut Development Board (CPF), and the Coconut Producers Company (CPC).

The groups of farmer collectives are called the Farmer Producer Organizations or the FPOs in general. The societies have been formed through a collective of 40-100 coconut growers. The federation comprising 20-25 CPS is registered with the Board. Through these farmer collectives,the Board ensures direct link with the growers. CPC, which is a collective of 8-10 CPF and registered under Indian Companies Act, will spread its activities across the nation. This would lead to increasing the productivity, offering suggestions for reducing expenses, making coconut procurement effective, introducing product diversification for value addition, directing growers to use the byproducts as a means to increasing income and making effective marketing system for all coconut products. This system would provide sustainable and reasonable income to the farmers. By ensuring the presence of farmers in every occasions of harvesting, procurement, product diversification and marketing, exploitation by the middle men can be prevented. Awareness regarding the agricultural products and the technological innovations

need to be created amongst farmers. The farmers will get a decent price for coconut and its products through the marketing facilities of the Board. The Board will help to detect diseases at an early stage with the help of experts. Taking ball copra as an example, it is a product that enjoys a good price in the international market. But the practice is to throw away broken copra. This causes great losses to the farmers. The Board has charted out ways and means for utilising broken copra. Likewise, wherever farmers are facing various problems, the Board can provide advisory services and technical support to the farmers.New projects will replace obsolete projects and necessary projects will get revived.

?

How do scientific innovations and new technology help improve the industry?

The Board had introduced various technologies for diversification of products. Now it also aims artificial intelligence in coconut scenario. Infestation of diseases is the main problem affecting coconut farming. Chances of Infestation can be identified using unmanned aerial vehicles or 'Drone'. This will be useful to avoid loss of yield. When a plant is affected, the very first symptom is the depletion of chlorophyll that gives green colour to leaves. It can be identified using near infrared lighting systems. So it is possible to drive away insects and resist diseases at least 10 days before it starts spreading. Another problem in this sector is that the pesticides and fertilizers are

not being used properly. Usage of pesticides and fertilizers in a proper way can reduce expenses. The Board aims to give this kind of technical inputs to the farmers free of cost. Since there is shortage in coconut tree climbers, the Board intends to make usage of climbing robots for harvesting.

Doesn’t the income from coconuts also invariably ?depend on its value-added products?

Definitely, twenty five value added products can be made from coconut. Virgin coconut oil, which is used for curing Alzheimer’s and many other diseases, is not being produced in large scale in Kerala and other coconut producing states. We really have the capability to compete with the countries like Philippines and Sri Lanka, etc. A product called Neera is another example, which can be diversified into Neera honey, Neera sugar, Neera jaggery, etc. Desiccated coconut, coconut milk powder, packed tender coconut, snowball tender coconut, jaggery, sugar, coir, coconut pith, coconut leaf, coconut shell etc can be used for making different products. Marketing is also equally important like value addition. Many of the coconut farmers are not aware of this. There are many temples where coconut is needed. In Patna, coconut is bought for Chatt Pooja. People usually purchase coconut for higher prices for temple use. Coconut Development Board is planning to distribute coconut through CPC and sell this to the temple at moderate prices. This will lead to increase the income for farmers. The Board plans to create infrastructure facility for selling coconut products at Airport and Railway station. This would provide income to the farmers and also create job opportunities. The Board also intends to open local offices in all states of the country. 

xÉÉÊ®úªÉ±É Ê´ÉEòÉºÉ ¤ÉÉäbÇ÷ Advertorial

open house art

Realm of the

Readymade

In its latest exhibition, a Delhi-based gallery has brought forth a collection of artworks by some of the most avant-garde artists of our times, who have dealt with French artist Marcel Duchamp’s century-old concept of ‘readymades’ in myriad ways, says Poonam Goel 58 I Shubh Yatra I February 2019

shubh-yatra.in

1

2

Who does not know about Marcel Duchamp’s revolutionary idea of turning a common urinal on its side and marking it as an object of art? Even a century later, the concept of the French-American artist’s “readymade”, inherent in this act of subversion, continues to inspire artists across the world. In its latest exhibition titled ‘Opaque Emblems’, Delhi-based gallery Nature Morte has curated works of some of the most contemporary artists of our times, who rediscover this concept.

1. An art installation by Atul Dodiya 2. Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto’s work titled Conceptual Form 0028

Take for instance, Subodh Gupta, whose steel utensil installations have been the centre of attention globally, ever since he developed this unique language in the late 1990s. Most of the objects he chooses to work with highlight the sociopolitical changes taking place in India since the past 20 years, yet he never shies away from exploiting the bravura of the materials he works with. For this show, his work oscillates between sculpture and painting. It incorporates a bunch of mangoes, which are, in fact, cast in bronze and then painted in oils, effectively being both a painting and a sculpture.

This installation, which also includes a sewing machine, “blurs the distinction between realism and abstraction. It is also to signify that everything commonly available can be recreated into a piece

of art,” says gallery spokesperson Arushi Vats. An oil on canvas by Gupta titled Brass thali always has mystery achieves the same result – is it the commonly-used utensil or a multi-layered painting?

Says gallery director Peter Nagy: “Duchamp created the concept of the ‘readymade’ in 1917, and 2017 was its 100th birthday, so I have been thinking about the longevity of this concept and how it continues to be pertinent to art practices today. Many artists use found objects and images in their works these days, but I chose to bring these six artists together because they have made this a central part of their practice and have continued to use and reuse very similar things in their works, often quoting their older works in their newer ones. So there is a sustained, long-term engagement with the readymade, and not just a single work or two, in all of these artists’ practices.”

Well-known as a painter, Atul Dodiya has collected a range of found objects and combined them with his own photographs shot in museums around the world, as well as facsimile art works by famous artists (such as On Kawara and Lucio Fontana). He then positions these in intriguing patterns within a glass cabinet, questioning the role of an artist, the

February 2019 I shubh Yatra I 59

open house art 1. An art installation by Subodh Gupta 2. An artwork

by Dayanita Singh 3. An oil painting by Gupta titled Brass thali always has mystery

Peter Nagy: “I am intrigued by this doubling-over of the artist’s older works, bringing in others to create new versions of them, the artist relinquishing control of the final objects which appear in the exhibition.”

1

exist only as digital vinyl prints, but the size can be determined by the curator who is choosing them for a show or the collector who is purchasing them.

Says Nagy: “I am intrigued by this doubling-over of the artist’s older works, bringing in others to create new versions of them, the artist relinquishing control of the final objects which appear in the exhibition. The works act as ghosts of Lawler’s former images, ‘traces’ which extend the life of the image in a sort-of zombie form.” Then, there are three photographs on view by Isamu Noguchi whose work reflects the aesthetic bridging of two cultures, being born to an American mother and Japanese father. These photographs shot in Manipur and Indonesia document common objects of use in villages like earthen pots, baskets et al.

2

3

curator and the collector, through this ‘cabinet of curiosities’. On the back of each cabinet hangs a large watercolour by Dodiya of a poem by Arun Kolatkar, from his ‘Kala Ghoda’ series. The artist chose these specifically because they are about the part of Mumbai known for its art galleries and artists’ hangouts, extending the ‘Readymade’ to include literary works.

Some other notable works in the show are Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimotos’ images of industrial tools used to illustrate movement of machinery and Louise Lawler’s Tracings series.

Lawler has chosen about a dozen of her most wellknown photographic works and hired a children’s book illustrator to trace them, turning them into line drawings in someone else’s hand. The works

60 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

Indian artist Dayanita Singh, too, uses photography to create two separate bodies of work. Time Measures are photographs of bundles of official papers bound in faded red cloth. This is the traditional Indian method of keeping records, and the work is an offshoot of a larger project that Singh has been involved with for years: documenting ‘File Rooms’ in government offices throughout India.

The photograph becomes a readymade document, three-dimensions are rendered as two, and the found object functions as an image. Also on view are some black-and-white photographs mounted on to aluminum and given a thin coating of an ash grey coloured paint. This process changes the original image covering it like a sheath of skin.

Indeed, while the ubiquitous certainly informs the work of all these artists, it has certainly not stifled their art in any way.

The author is a senior art critic and the views expressed in the article are her own

shubh-yatra.in

footprints inbound

AIR INDIA ROUTE

Air India connects to Kochi from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Agatti, Bengaluru, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh and Thiruvananthapuram; Bhubaneswar from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bengaluru; Ahmedabad from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kuwait, London, Muscat, Newark; Agra to Jaipur and Khajuraho; and Delhi from major cities in India and abroad

Travel Tips How to reach Satpada, Barkul and Rambha are the three entry points to Chilika, all near Bhubaneswar, the closest airport/railhead

62 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

When to visit The peak season to visit Chilika is between the months of November and February

Must-see The flagship species of the Chilika lagoon, the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), is often spotted off the Satpada Island

shubh-yatra.in

Winter is the best time of the year for nature lovers to spot some of the rarest and most exotic varieties of birds in India. Neha Kirpal lists five of the country’s top bird sanctuaries India is a paradise for birdwatchers, especially during winter and spring, when migratory birds arrive, attracted by the warmer temperatures of India’s subtropical climate. These feathered friends can be spotted in large numbers in bird sanctuaries across the country. In order to spot the maximum number of birds, reach the sanctuaries early in the morning and, or around dusk.

Chilika Lake Sanctuary, Odisha

let’s go

birding

Nestled in the heart of coastal Odisha, Chilika Lake is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and one of the most important wetlands in the world. It extends from the Puri district in the north to the Ganjam district in the south, separated from the Bay of Bengal by a long narrow strip of marshy islands and sand-flats. The Chilika Lake Sanctuary is a paradise for bird lovers.

The lake and its reed islands teem with an astonishing variety of nesting birds such as white-bellied sea eagles, ospreys, golden plovers, sand pipers, flamingos, pelicans, shovellers and gulls. The lake is also home to several types of migratory birds that fly in from Iran, Central Asia and Siberia.

For a unique experience, head to Mangalajodi, on the northern tip of the lake. Here, you can hire boats to get amazingly close to the birds!

february 2019 I shubh Yatra I 63

footprints inbound

Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan

Recognised as one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most important bird breeding and feeding grounds, the Keoladeo National Park, earlier known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, was a hunting reserve for erstwhile kings and the British during the 1850s. It is said, Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy of India from 1936 to 1943, shot thousands of ducks with his hunting party in a single day! Home to over 370 species of birds and animals such as the basking python, painted stork, deer, nilgai and more, the 30-sq-km national park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. It is home to a large congregation of resident and migratory birds. For those who fancy a leisurely ride through the park, rickshaws are available on rent, whose drivers double up as guides. You can also hire bicycles or walk.

Another option is to enjoy a boat ride, which lets you watch the birds from very close.

Travel Tips When to visit The best season to visit Keoladeo is October to March, when most of the migratory birds can be spotted

How to reach The closest airport is Agra (56 km). Bharatpur is a comfortable drive away from Delhi (184 km)

Must-see The park is a breeding ground for the rare Siberian crane, which can be easily spotted here

Located in Gurugram, Haryana, the compact Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary has approximately 250 species of birds that can be easily seen wading, swimming or flying. Every year, around 100 migratory bird species arrive here from distant regions like Siberia, Europe and Afghanistan in search of breeding grounds and to spend the winter.

Some of the resident birds in the sanctuary include the common hoopoe, paddyfield pipit, purple sunbird, little cormorant and painted stork. To facilitate birding, there are machans (watch towers) located at different points in the park. However, the water level of the lake fluctuates a lot, so sometimes, the birds may be quite far off from the shore. Hire binoculars to get a closer look. The tourist complex within the park has all modern facilities, including a quaint restaurant.

64 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Haryana

Travel Tips

How to reach The Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is located 40 km from Delhi and 15 km from Gurugram

When to visit The winter months between October and February are the best time to visit the park

Must-see Look out for exotic breeds of migratory birds such as the Asian koel, black-crowned night heron and Eurasian golden oriole and comb duck that can be seen here

shubh-yatra.in

footprints inbound

How to reach Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is located around 64 km from Ahmedabad, the nearest airport and railhead

When to visit From November to February, when the water is plentiful and fish, insects and aquatic plants abound in the lake

Must-see Catch glimpses of sheval plants (food of the birds and fish) on the lake bed, visible through the clear water

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat

Travel Tips

Spread over an area of 120.82 sq km, Nalsarovar is the largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat, and one of the largest in India. Declared a bird sanctuary in 1969, more than 200 types of birds annually descend on the Nalsarovar lake and the wetlands around it to escape the harsh winter in the countries they travel from. A serene marshland with shallow waters that is dotted with 36 small islands, Nalsarovar attracts a large variety of birds such as plovers, sandpipers and little stints. One can also spot rosy pelicans, lesser and greater flamingos, crakes, brahminy ducks, purple moorhen, herons, white storks, grebes and various species of bitterns in the lake. It is said that the lake, located between the plains of central Gujarat and eastern Saurashtra, was once part of the sea, a link that existed between the Little Rann in the north and the Gulf of Khambat in the south. To add to the natural experience, stay at the Gujarat tourismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s luxury tents, around 1.5 km from the lake.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kerala

Travel Tips

How to reach The nearest airport is Kochi, about 94 km away and the nearest railway station is Kottayam, 13 km away

Among the most popular bird-watching spots in the country, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, spread over 14 hectare, is located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake in Kottayam.

Situated along the backwaters of Kerala, it is home to numerous rare avian species. You can spot migratory birds like the marsh harrier, garganey teal, osprey and steppe eagle between October and February. May to July is

66 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

the breeding season for local species such as the Indian cormorant, herons, egrets and darters. The serene sanctuary can be explored on foot or on bicycle. The best experience, however, is to glide through it on a canoe, which can be hired from local fishermen at the entrance of the sanctuary.

The author is an avid traveller and the views expressed in the article are her own

When to visit The best times to birdwatch are between June and August and between November to February

Must-see Houseboats and motorboats are available on hire for bird watching cruises on the lake

shubh-yatra.in

footprints outbound

AIR INDIA ROUTE

Air India flies to Singapore and Bangkok daily from Delhi and Mumbai; from Singapore and Bangkok we provide code share flights to Taipei

Trotting in From going on a jog at the Yangmingshan National Park and soaking in a thermal spring in Beitou to witnessing a tea ceremony, Nolan Lewis spends a day exploring Taiwanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital 68 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

shubh-yatra.in

Map not to scale

sconced by forested glades, hot springs, flower markets and volcanic peaks that still emit smoke-screens of sulfuric fumes; the Yangmingshan National Park attracts picnickers, horticulturists and birdwatchers throughout the year. I jog through its ancient paved brick roads, as fellow joggers from the neighbourhood nod at me and smile. Taipei is a friendly city and I look forward to my explorations. As I jog, I stop for a while to wonder at the precise moves of an elderly group of people practicing tai chi. If you want, you can join the classes held here. After my run, I stop to catch my breath and gaze in awe at the landscape of the park. With rolling greens and flower beds framed by olive mountains, it resembles a film set straight out of the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Beautiful cherry blossoms (sakura) in bloom in Taipei

It’s an old city with a young heart. That’s the charm of the capital of Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), Taipei. Around 300 years old, Taipei is a perfect cocktail of local, Chinese, Japanese, American and South Asian influences. Taoist temples of Chinese origin coexist with Japanese mansions and buzzing karaoke clubs flourish along with twinkling markets. Another popular culture in the city is dining out. From snacks at night markets and Chinese dishes at a local food joint to fine-dining restaurants -- Taiwanese love their food, including the characteristic fermented tofu and the local Taiwan Beer! >> The best way to see the world is in your running shoes. So I start my one-day-trip in Taiwan’s capital with a jog. Early mornings in winter can get slightly chilly in Taipei, so don’t forget to layer yourself with some warm atheleisure gear and carry a water flask. En-

Taipei gurgles with hot springs, a result of many dormant volcanoes in the area. Many hotels in Taiwan have their own private hot springs, where you can spend hours lazying. The city has a flourishing bathhouse culture and a great way to ease your aching muscles after your workout at Yangmingshan National Park would be to try a hot soak before breakfast. After my run, I stop by at Beitou Hot Springs recreational area. I strongly recommend spending some time at one of the many thermal pools wedged into the mountains here. If you want, you can plan a day trip to Beitou as well.

I am famished after the relaxing bath and attack my breakfast at a street side cafe. Soy milk is a staple in a Taiwanese breakfast. So if you stumble on any street food eatery whose name ends with ‘soy milk’, for example Lai Lai Soybean Milk Shop, Fuhang Soy Milk, Yong He Soy Milk King, know you’re at the right place to have your day’s first meal! A typical breakfast here includes egg tarts, bao (a type of bread), Jiangsu lion head meatballs (a dish from eastern China, consisting of large pork meatballs) and char kuey (a popular stir-fried noodle dish), with cold noodles on the side. On the way back to my hotel, I stop at the much-reverred Longshan Buddhist temple in the Wan Hua district. The fragrance of sweet incense fills the air at the temple, which dates back to 1738

february 2019 I shubh Yatra I 69

footprints outbound

Travel tips

STUNNING Tower Taipei 101 houses swanky shopping malls, observation decks and a food court. The lift shoots up at 1,010 m per minute, taking 40 seconds to reach the 89th floor

museum tour The National Palace Museum houses one of the world’s largest and finest collections of Chinese paintings, calligraphy, bronzes and jade

Walk the street The old Dihua Street was a hub of shops selling traditional Chinese goods. Later, Japanese merchants also arrived here. Today, this quaint neighbourhood is dotted with cafés, restaurants and antique shops

1

1. The bamboo lake in Yangmingshan National Park

>> I catch a quick hotpot lunch, which is very popular with Taipei residents. Several eateries serve hotpot meals, where you get your own pot, filled with a flavoured broth of your choice, in which you can boil meat and vegetables. Ben Shabu Shabu is one of the best places in the city to try this healthy meal. After this, I amble across the artisanal town of Yingge, the Chinese centre of ceramics that is world-famous for the craftsmanship of its heirloom Oriental tea-sets; the kind you’d like to have around the house when friends drop in for a cup of matcha green tea! Tea ceremonies are an integral part of Taipei’s social fabric. Book a table at any of Taipei’s designer teahouses, like the Wisteria Teahouse or Zen Zoo Teahouse, and let yourself be guided by a tea master. Dressed in a cheongsam (traditional dress), the tea master will take you through an elaborate tea ceremony, pam-

70 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

2. The Taipei Public Library in Beitou 3. A stall selling seafood in Shilin night market

3

2

shubh-yatra.in

footprints outbound

2

pering you with dried winter preserves, served on the side.

go around 1

The Buddhist population in Taipei feasts on vegetarian meals with ingredients like tofu and spicy seitan (wheat meat) with vegetables. In fact, this cuisine abhors onion and garlic, as the pungent odours are believed to attract evil spirits, making it ideal for vegetarian Indian travellers.

Elaborate tea ceremonies, with tea masters, are an integral part of Taipei’s social fabric

All of Taipei’s happening nightclubs are housed in the ATT 4 Fun entertainment complex in Xinyi. On level 10 is Frank that offers you a stellar view of the Taipei 101. The vibe at Halo on level 8 is more house and R&B. ‘Elektro’ on level 6 plays EDM, as the name suggests.

1. Aerial view of Jiufen Old Street in Taipei, which boasts several tea houses 2. The vibrant Shilin night market 3. Taipei 101

72 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

3

>> The best time to visit Taipei is in spring, when the sakura (cherry blossom) blooms, enveloping the city in shades of dreamy pink. It’s also the time for Gong Xi Fa Cai or the Chinese New Year (to be celebrated on February 5 this year). Another great time to visit this city is during the Lantern Festival, which is held in the last week of September at Pingxi in New Taipei. Inscribe your wishes in Chinese calligraphy with black ink on giant lanterns and see them float up against the dark night sky. To watch the horizon dotted by thousands of levitating lamps is surreal!

I dine at Shi Yang, a Zen mountain abode that doesn’t cater to pre-fixed menus but organically prepares what is foraged. It is a finedining restaurant where the food is had with chopsticks, and authentic Chinese ingredients like preserved lotus are used, and reservations are usually confirmed months in advance. >> My evening tour starts at one of the world’s tallest buildings, Taipei 101, glistening like a glass needle. At 508 m, it was the world’s tallest green building till 2011. My next stops are Taipei’s many myriad midnight markets, where socialising truly happens. The list is long: Shilin, Ningxia, Huaxi, Raohe and Linjiang night markets. At these markets, you can shop for electronic goods, knick-knacks and even traditional craft items. If you don’t have a weak stomach, try the famous stinky tofu – a pungent yet delicious bean curd.

The author is an avid traveller and the views expressed in this article are his own

shubh-yatra.in

pop pourri celeb speak

The cheat

COD E

In a freewheeling chat with Priya Adivarekar, Emraan Hashmi talks about his debut production venture, Why Cheat India, and why discipline at shoot, respect for workers and experiments with film genres top his agenda as a producer 74 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

Emraan Hashmi is flying high! He kick-started 2019 with his debut venture as a producer, Why Cheat India (released on January 18), a film about the corruption in the Indian education system. He has begun work on his first Netflix original production, Bard of Blood, a series on global terrorism produced by Shah Rukh Khan’s production house.

He is also working on Father’s Day, a biopic of Indian detective Suryakant Bhande Patil. Needless to say, we are going to see a lot of the actor this year. Here are the excerpts from an exclusive, candid conversation with the actor-turned-producer about his films and future ventures.

This year seems to be shaping up really well for you...

Things are coming together in 2019.

Tigers, a film by Bosnian director Danis Tanovic, which took about 12 years to see the light of day, was finally premiered on a streaming platform on November 21, 2018, and it has received much critical acclaim.

Why Cheat India has also been well received. It’s an important film.

When Soumik (Soumik Sen, the film’s director) came to me a year ago with the idea, I knew right away that it is one of a kind. We haven’t seen a film that focusses on the education system through this perspective. It’s really difficult to make an interesting

shubh-yatra.in

Hashmi in a still from the movie Why Cheat India

“In Why Cheat India, I play Rakesh Singh, a conman who runs an entrance examination racket in Lucknow. But there are principles he will stand for.

It’s an interesting anti-hero character.”

film, which also manages to address a serious issue. I am proud we have been able to make such a movie.

take advantage of this to create a criminal nexus around the industry. That is what the film is about.

Tell us a little bit about Rakesh Singh aka Rocky. This character is unlike anything you have portrayed on screen till now.

In Why Cheat India, I play Rakesh Singh, a conman who runs an entrance examination racket in Lucknow. He has more shades of grey than any other character I have played before. He is a very ‘wolf in sheep clothing’ kind of person. Someone who is okay with praying in the morning and immediately after, cheating people. His ethics are flexible and he is unapologetic. Even so, there are principles he believes in and will stand for, so there is much in him that the audience has appreciated as well. That’s how the image of the anti-hero is changing in Bollywood.

As a parent, what are your thoughts on the competitiveness in the Indian education sector?

The idea of competitiveness is extremely flawed. My son is studying in an IB (International Baccalaureate) school and I like that they don’t promote unnecessary competitiveness. I feel that giving ranks and cramming data is stressful for children.

My son’s school gives importance to hobbies and there is very little homework.

Education cannot be just about mugging up and examinations. We need to encourage creative and analytical thinking.

What has been your biggest take away from this film?

Before I started this venture, I wasn’t quite aware about how fractured our education system is. One hears about all the scams but none of them really hit home. Students are forced into a fake sense of discipline where they learn things by rote. They don’t enjoy the process of learning and they can’t voice their opinions. Only when you are out of the system and can get a bird’s-eye view of the situation do you realise how bad it is. Education is an important part of the infrastructure of our country and we need to wake up to its reality. Sadly, we aren’t doing much to improve the situation. You can’t quantify education and many people

Why Cheat India is your first foray into production with Emraan Hashmi Films.

Was this something you always wanted to explore?

I have been planning this for three years.

The reason I wanted to become a producer is because actors are involved in a film only passively. You are part of the promotions, dubbing and sometimes discussions with the director, but you are not there from the beginning. For this film, I have been a part of the ideation, the script, the shoot and post-production.

Having said that, I would not like to produce all my films! Sometimes, producers collaborate and offer you a film and you don’t have much choice. But I like the freedom of creating and developing ideas and ultimately putting it perfectly together for the audience.

february 2019 I shubh Yatra I 75

pop pourri celeb speak

“At Emraan Hashmi Films we will focus on discipline during shoots.

Small measures like ensuring timely payments can make a lot of difference.”

1

2

of work, probably more than the actors, so their names should be up there with the director’s. However, somehow, they are a neglected lot in Bollywood.

You’ve got Bard of Blood coming up on Netflix, which has generated a lot of curiosity. Tell us more about that.

A 45-second video cut from Bard of Blood’s shooting schedule in Leh was screened at the Netflix conference in Singapore and the streaming platform is very excited about the material we have shot so far. Netflix even asked us if we have shot some portions on the moon! We are excited about the look and overall tone of the series, which is a spy thriller, based on a book by Bilal Siddiqi of the same name. We are trying to hit a sweet spot so that it appeals to the Indian audience as well as the 190 other countries that we are pitching it to. We have the masala elements for the Indian audience (smiles), but also some thrills for the international audience.

1. and 2. Stills from Why Cheat India, a movie where Emraan Hashmi dons the hat of both actor and producer

What will be the focus areas of your production house, Emraan Hashmi Films?

We will focus more on discipline during shoots. We need to respect everyone in the industry much more than we do now. Small measures like ensuring payments are made on time to even the labourer on a film set can make a lot of difference. As a producer, I would definitely like to address such issues.

Also, writers have somehow not received the same importance and acknowledgement in the industry, which they deserve. I want to change that. Writers put in the most amount

76 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

You’ve got your hands full with a lot of interesting projects in 2019. Tell us something about the others in the lineup.

There is Father’s Day, a film with Kunal Deshmukh and another project in the pipeline, which will be announced shortly.

I’ll be starting work on these projects very soon. There is also Body, a horror-thriller inspired by the Spanish movie El Cuerpo, which is complete and will release sometime this year. Then, there is Bard of Blood on Netflix. I feel grateful to have more than my hands full.

shubh-yatra.in

pop pourri photo feature

78 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

shubh-yatra.in

Call of the

KUMBH

The city of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh is celebrating the auspicious Kumbh Mela (held every six years), which sees devotees, sadhus (holy men), tourists and photographers from across the globe coming together in one of the largest congregations in the world, at the sacred Triveni Sangam, a confluence of three holy rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati

February 2019 I shubh Yatra I 79

pop pourri photo feature

The Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj takes place for approximately 55 days (this year, it is on till March 4) and the over thousands of hectares of land around the sangam (confluence of rivers) area is dedicated to the sacred event. It draws a large number of sadhus (holy men) from various parts of the country

80 I Shubh Yatra I february 2019

shubh-yatra.in

A saffron-clad devotee poses for the camera. The mela sees a large number of tourists also. And apart from Triveni Sangam, tourist attractions in Prayagraj include temples like Hanuman Mandir and Mankameshwar, and the historic Ashoka Pillar

Amongst the various rituals observed at the Kumbh Mela, the most significant is the bathing ritual, in which millions of devotees take a dip at the Triveni Sangam. Legend says that bathing in these waters absolves the sins of a person

February 2019 I shubh Yatra I 81

vk;ke

vk;kstu Hkkjr dh izk.k ’kfDr gS & xkaoA fQ+j xkao pkgs d’ehj ds gksa ;k rfeyukMq dsA Hkys gh Hkkjr ds N% yk[k ls vf/kd gj xkao ds jhfr&fjokt+] laLd`fr] gFkdj?kk] rkSj&rjhds] Hkk"kk] [ksrh] jgu&lgu] [kku&iku esa fofHkUUkrk gS] ysfdu xkao ’kCn lqurs gh gjs&Hkjs [ksr] NksVh ixMafM;ka] iks[kj] ykBh ysdj Hkkxrs pjokgs] dPPks&iDds edku] iqvky ls cus >ksaiM+s] ÅcM+&[kkcM+ jkLrs] i’kq] cM+s&cM+s vkaxu] pkSiky esa xi’ki djrs cqT+kqxZ] [ksr esa VsªDVj pykrs fdlku] tSls n`’; vka[kksa ds lkeus vk tkrs gSaA ;fn vki CkM+s ’kgjksa esa xqt+j&clj djrs gSa ;k xkao ls nwj gks pqds gSa vFkok xkao dsoy :igys insZ ij gh ns[kk&lquk gS rks vki lwjtdqaM gLrf’kYi esys esa vo’; i/kkfj,A ;gka ij xkao dk ifjos’k ns[kus dks feysxk vkSj vkidks lqdwu ds iyksa dk vglkl gksxkA

fujarj tkjh

lwjtdqaM gLrf’kYi esyk xzkeh.k ekgkSy vkSj xzkeh.k laL—fr dk ifjp; nsrk gSA ;g esyk fnYyh ds fudVorhZ lhek ls yxs gfj;k.kk jkT; ds Q+jhnkckn ’kgj ds lwjtdqaM {ks= esa çfro"kZ yxrk gSA o"kZ 1987 ls ;gka ;g esyk vk;ksftr gksrk vk jgk gSA Hkkjr ds gLrf’kYi] gFkdj?kk lkaL—frd fojklr dh le`f) ,oa fofo/krk dks ,d eap ij çnf’kZr djus ds mís’; ls gh bldk vk;kstu vkjaHk fd;k x;k FkkA bl esys dk eq[; vkd"kZ.k gS & ns’kO;kih dykvksa dk lekxeA ;kuh Hkkjr ds lHkh jkT;ksa ls gLrf’kYi o gFkdj?kk mRiknksa] yksd dyk] yksd O;atu] yksd laxhr o yksd u`R; dks ,d LFkku ij ykukA bl f’kYi esys esa vki gFkdj?kk vkSj gLrf’kYi mRiknksa dh [kjhn&Q+jks[r Hkh dj ldrs gSaA

,sfrgkfld egÙo

lwjtdqaM dk uke 10oha lnh esa rksej oa’k ds jktk lwjt iky }kjk cuok, x, ,d çkphu jaxHkwfe lw;ZdqaM ls iM+k FkkA ;g ,d vuwBk Lekjd gS D;ksafd bldk fuekZ.k lw;Z nsork dh vkjk/kuk djus ds fy, fd;k x;k FkkA ;g ;wukuh jaxHkwfe ls esy [kkrk gSA ;g esyk ,d ’kkunkj Lekjd dh i`"BHkwfe esa vk;ksftr Hkkjr dh lkaL—frd /kjksgj dh HkO;rk vkSj fofo/krk dk thrk&tkxrk mnkgj.k gSA

dykvksa dk lekxe

laLd`fr dk lksiku dqekjh psruk gesa lwjtdqaM esys vkSj rkt egksRlo ds ckjs esa crk jgh gSa tks ns’k&fons’k dh dyk ,oa laLd`fr dks tkuus ds l’kDr ek/;e cu x, gSaA 82 I ’kqHk ;k=k I Qjojh 2019

;g esyk Hkkjr ds ,sfrgkfld esyksa esa ls ,d gSA ns[kk tk, rks ;g esyk gesa gekjh ikjaifjd xfrfof/k;ksa ls tksM+s j[kus esa dke;kc gSA ;gka if’pe caxky vkSj vle ds ckal vkSj csar dh oLrq,a] iwoksZÙkj jkT;ksa ds oL=] NÙkhlx<+ vkSj vka/kz çns’k ls yksgs o vU; /kkrq dh oLrq,a] mM+hlk ,oa rfeyukMq ds vuks[ks gLrf’kYi] e/; çns’k] xqtjkr] iatkc o d’ehj ds vkd"kZd ifj/kku vkSj f’kYi] flfDde dh Fkadk fp=dyk] eqjknkckn ds ihry ds crZu vkSj ’kks ihl] nf{k.k Hkkjr ds jkst+oqM vkSj panu dh ydM+h ds gLrf’kYi vkfn çnf’kZr fd, tkrs gSaA esys esa yxs LV‚y gj {ks= dh dyk ls ifjfpr djkrs gSaA lkdZ ns’kksa ,oa FkkbZySaM] rt+kfdLrku vkSj

shubh-yatra.in

xkao ds jhfr&fjokt+] laLd`fr] gFkdj?kk] rkSj&rjhds] Hkk”kk] jgu&lgu] [kku&iku esa fofHkUUkrk ns[kuh gks rks lwjtdqaM esys esa pys vk,a

Q+jhnkckn esa vk;ksftr gksus okys lwjtdqM a gLrf’kYi esys esa Hkkjrh; dyk ,oa fofHkUu ltkoVh oLrqvksa dh lqna j >yd ns[kus dks feyrh gS

felz ds dykf’kYih Hkh ;gka vkrs gaSA bl o"kZ esys esa is: vkSj cksfyfo;k ds vykok yxHkx 20 ns’kksa ds Hkkx ysus dh laHkkouk gSA buesa phu] tkiku] Jhyadk] usiky] vQ+xkfuLrku] dkaxks] felz] FkkbZySaM] ekynho] :l] fdfxZLrku] fo;ruke] yscuku] rqdZesfuLrku] eysf’k;k vkSj ckaXykns’k ’kkfey gSaA

[k+kl gksxk esyk

1 ls 15 Qjojh rd pyus okys bl esys esa jkst+kuk ’kke 6 cts ds ckn esyk ifjlj ds pkSiky vkSj ukV~;’kkyk uked [kqys eap esa ns’k&fons’k ds ukephu dykdj xk;u] oknu] u`R;] gkL; dfork,a vkSj ukVd dh izLrqfr nsaxsA esys esa Ldwy o dkWyst ds Nk=ksa ds fy, dbZ izfr;ksfxrk,a vk;ksftr dh tk,axhA vkWQ+ykbu fVdV ysus ds fy, esys ds izos’k }kj ds vykok 30 ls vf/kd esVªks LVs’kuksa ij fVdVsa miyC/k gksaxhA blds vykok bl esys dh fVdV vkWUkykbu Hkh [k+jhnh tk ldrh gSaA gj mez ds n’kZdksa ds fy, ;gka euksjatu

dh fo’ks"k O;oLFkk dh xbZ gSA ianzg fnu rd pyus okyk ;g esyk izfrfnu lqcg 10-30 cts ls jkr 8-30 cts rd tkjh jgsxkA bl ckj QwM dksVZ gosyh dks xzkeh.k ifjos’k esa ltk;k x;k gSA ;gka r; dher dh vnk;xh ds ckn xkao ds fo’kq) [kkus dk vkuan jktlh BkB&ckB esa fy;k tk ldrk gSA esyk ifjlj dks xzkeh.k ifjos’k esa vyad`r fd;k x;k gSA vugksuh ls cpko gsrq lqj{kk ds iq[+rk bart+ke esyk ifjlj esa fd, x, gSa] tSls lhlhVhoh dSejk vkSj pIIks&pIIks ij lqj{kk xkMZA ikfdZax ,fj;k esa izos’k o fudkl ds fy, vyx xsV cuk;k x;k gS] rkfd xkfM+;ksa ds dkj.k vO;oLFkk u gksA bl ckj esyk ifjlj esa cqT+kqxksaZ vkSj fnO;kaxtuksa ds fy, xksYQ+ dkVZ o cSVjh fjD’kk dh fo’ks"k O;oLFkk dh xbZ gSA esys esa fnO;kaxtuksa] HkwriwoZ lSfudksa] dk;Zjr lSfudksa vkSj ofj"B ukxfjdksa dks fVdV esa 50 çfr’kr dh NwV nh tk,xhA Lora=rk lsukfu;ksa ds fy, ços’k fu%’kqYd gSA blds vykok esyk ?kweus okyksa ds fy, lhf<+;ksa dh txg okWd ÝsaMyh jSEi rS;kj fd, x, gSaA ;gka lk/kkj.k ’kkSpky; ds vykok i;kZoj.k vuqdwy bZ&VkW;ysV cuk, x, gSaA esyk ifjlj esa IykfLVd o ikWyhFkhu cSXl izfrcaf/kr gSaA ;gka mfpr nkeksa ij Le`fr fpºu] tSls Nrjh] fÝt eSxusV] dksLVj] IysV] usdVkbZ] ex vkSj dh&fjax [k+jhnus dh fo’ks"k O;oLFkk gSA bl ckj csgrjhu f’kYidkjksa dks dyk e.kh] dyk Jh vkSj dyk fuf/k mikf/k;ksa ls iqjLd`r fd;k tk,xkA

Fkhe LVsV gS egkjk”Vª

izR;sd o"kZ lwjtdqaM varjjk"Vªh; f’kYi esys esa fdlh ,d Hkkjrh; jkT; dks Fkhe LVsV dk lEeku feyrk gSA bldk eq[; dkj.k gS gj jkT; ds [kku&iku] dyk vkSj f’kYi dks izpkfjr o izlkfjr djukA ;k ;wa dgsa fd esyk] Fkhe jkT; dks viuk gLrf’kYi] gFkdj?kk] dyk vkSj [kku&iku nslh&fons’kh yksxksa ds LkEEkq[k iznf’kZr djus dk volj iznku djrk gSA 33osa lwjtdqaM

Qjojh 2019 I ’kqHk ;k=k I 83

vk;ke

vk;kstu rkt egksRlo

Hkkjr dykvksa dk ns’k dgykrk gSA ,slh dkSu lh txg gS tgka ij ges’kk ls gh dkjhxjh dk uk;kc uewuk jgs rkt egy ds vykok Hkh cgqr dqN jpukRedrk ns[kus dks feyrh gS\ og nl fnuksa rd pyus okyk rkt egksRlo gh gSA vkxjk esa yxus okys bl esys esa lqanj ,oa jaxhu dyk] f’kYi] u`R;] laxhr dk et+k ,oa yt+ht+ O;atuksa dk Lokn p[k ldrs gSaA bl lky ;g esyk 18 ls 27 Q+jojh rd yxsxk rFkk bldk Fkhe ^ijaijk* gSA rkt egy ds iwohZ fn’kk esa fLFkr }kj ds fudV cuk, x, f’kYixzke esa gh mÙkj izns’k i;ZVu foHkkx }kjk esyk vk;ksftr fd;k tkrk gSA bl esys dk vkjaHk eqx+ydkyhu HkO;rk ls izHkkfor ,d fo’kky tqywl ls gksrk gSA bl tqywl esa lfEefyr lts&/kts gkFkh o ÅaV] <ksy ctkus okys] yksd dykdkj ,oa n{k dkjhxj lHkh eqx+y njckj dh ;kn rkt+k dj nsrs gSaA

dyk ,oa f’kYi vkxjk esa vk;ksftr gksus okyk rkt egksRlo dykRed dykvksa dks ifjyf{kr djus dk izHkko’kkyh eap cu x;k gS] ftlds vla[; iz’kald ns’k&fons’k esa fo|eku gSa

varjjk"Vªh; f’kYi esyk&2019 ds fy, Fkhe LVsV egkjk"Vª gSA 2013 esa dukZVd] 2014 esa xksok] 2015 esa NÙkhlx<+] 2016 esa rsyaxkuk] 2017 esa >kj[kaM vkSj 2018 esa mÙkj izns’k dks esys esa Fkhe LVsV cuk;k x;k FkkA

ljdkj dk lg;ksx

Hkkjr esa dksbZ Hkh lekjksg laxhre; izLrqfr ds fcuk lEiw.kZ ugha ekuk tkrkA rkt egksRlo esa dykdkj fny Nw ysus okyh izLrqfr nsrs gSaA ;gka fofHkUu {ks=ksa fo’ks”kdj cztHkwfe ds yksd ,oa ’kkL=h; u`R; vkt Hkh Bhd mlh rjg ls is’k fd, tkrs gSa] tSls lfn;ksa iwoZ fd, tkrs FksA ;s u`R; vkidks bruk lEeksfgr dj nsaxs fd vki budh y; ij >weuk pkgsaxsA blds vykok fo’ofo[+;kr dykdkjksa }kjk fo’kq) ’kkL=h;] yksdlaxhr vkfn ds fnypLi uewus is’k fd, tkrs gSaA

84 I ’kqHk ;k=k I Qjojh 2019

;g esyk lwjtdqaM esyk izkf/kdj.k] gfj;k.kk ljdkj] gfj;k.kk i;ZVu vkSj diM+k] i;ZVu] laLd`fr ,oa fons’kh ekeyksa ds ea=ky; feydj vk;ksftr djrs gSaA bl esys us varjjk"Vªh; i;ZVd dSysaMj esa izeq[k LFkku gkfly dj fy;k gSA fiNys dqN o"kksZa ls ;gka ,d yk[k ls vf/kd nslh&fons’kh i;ZVd vkrs gSaA gfj;k.kk fLFkr lwjtdqaM] nf{k.k fnYyh ls dsoy vkB fdyksehVj dh nwjh ij gSA ;fn vki gokbZ ;k=k dj vkuk pkgrs gSa] rks lwjtdqaM ds fy, fudVre gokbZ vM~Mk fnYyh gSA blds ckn esyk ifjlj ds fy, bafnjk xka/kh varjjk"Vªh; gokbZ vM~Ms ls 35 feuV vkSj ikye ,;jiksVZ ls 25 fdyksehVj dh lM+d ;k=k r; djuh gksxhA ljdkjh o xSj&ljdkjh clksa ls Hkh ;gka vk ldrs gSaA blds fy, vkbZ,lchVh] Q+jhnkckn] f’kokth LVsfM;e] xqM+xkao cl fMiks ls Hkh cl ys ldrs gSaA blds vykok] futh dkj vkSj izkbosV dSc ls Hkh esyk ifjlj esa igqapk tk ldrk gSA blds vfrfjDr VwfjLV lqfo/kkvksa dh tkudkjh fnYyh fLFkr 36] tuiFk gfj;k.kk VwfjLV C;wjks esa Hkh miyC/k gSA fnYYkh esVªks ls Hkh ;gka igqapk tk ldrk gSA xarO; ds fy, ut+nhdh esVªks LVs’ku cnjiqj gSA ;fn vki jsy ;k=k ls lwjtdqaM vk jgs gSa rks crk nsa fd fnYyh fudVre jsyos taD’ku gSA Q+jhnkckn vkSj xqM+xkao nksuksa LFkku jsyos ykbu ds ek/;e ls fnYyh ls tqM+s gq, gSaA Hkkjr dh dyk vkSj laLd`fr dks eap iznku djus okyk jaxkjax lwjtdqaM esyk okLro esa [+kkl gS vkSj ns[kus okyksa ds eu esa viuh Nki NksM+ tkrk gSA

rkt egksRlo esa lkaLd`frd le`f) dk vuqHko izkIr djus ds fy, nqfu;kHkj ls yksx lky ds bl le; vkxjk dh vksj f[kaps pys vkrs gSaA bl esys esa ns’k ds fofHkUUk LFkkuksa ls vk, 400 dkjhxj viuk gquj izLrqr djrs gSaA ;gka rfeyukMq ds dk"B@iRFkj dh uDdk’kh okys fofo/k lkeku rFkk iwoksZÙkj ds ckal@dsu ls cuh pht+sa ns[kus dks feyrh gSaA blds vykok] ;gka ij vkidks d’ehj ,oa nf{k.k Hkkjr esa isij eS’k ls cuh pht+sa] vkxjk ds laxejej ,oa t+jnkst+h ls cuh oLrq,a] lgkjuiqj dh izfl) ydM+h dh uDdk’kh] eqjknkckn esa cuha ihry dh pht+sa bR;kfn ns[kus dks feysaxhA ogha Hknksgh esa gkFk ls cus dkyhu] [kqtkZ esa cus crZu] y[kuÅ esa cus fpdu ds ifj/kku] cukjl dk t+jh ,oa js’ke dk dke] d’ehj o xqtjkr esa cuh ’kkWysa o dkyhu] Q+#Z[k+kckn dh gSaM fizafVax] if’pe caxky dh flykbZ dh xbZa dkaFkk iks’kkdsa Hkh ns[kus dks feysaxhA [+kjhnkjh ds ’kkSdhuksa ds fy, ;g esyk tUur lkfcr gksxkA vki ;gka ij gkFk ls cus dkx+t+ dh Mk;fj;ka] jkWd ,aM iyZ Tosyjh] ikjaifjd yksd iks’kkdsa] fp=dyk] gkFk ls cus ’kks ihl] ySEi vkSj Hkh cgqr lk dykRed lkeku [+kjhn ldrs gSaA ;gka ij vki Dykfld o daVsEizsjh Q+uhZpj Hkh [+kjhn ldrs gSa] tks vkids ?kj dh lkt&lTtk cnyus esa dkjxj gksaxsA

Lokfn"V O;atu

yksd u`rdksa dh izLrqfr ns[krs&ns[krs cs’kd vki dks Hkw[k yx gh tk,xhA rkt egksRlo esa euilan pht+sa ns[kdj vkidk eu yypk tk,xkA ogka ij vkidks ns’kHkj ds fofHkUu bykdksa ds O;atu p[+kus dks feysaxsA ;gka ij vkidks vkxjk ds gh ugha vfirq leLr mÙkj izns’k ds idoku [kkus dks feysaxsA ;gka ij ekSt&eLrh ds lk/ku Hkh miyC/k gksaxsA esys esa leLr ifjokj ds fy, dqN u dqN vo’; feysxkA cPpksa ds fy, rks ;gka cgqr dqN gSA os jksyj dksLVj] eSjh&xks&jkmaM] Q+Sjhl ohd tSls >wyksa vkSj VkW; Vªsu dh lokjh dk vkuan ys ldrs gSaA vkidks ekSdk feys rks vki lifjokj bls ns[kus vo’; tk,aA

ysf[kdk dyk&laLd`fr fo"k;ksa ij fy[krh gSa

shubh-yatra.in

infpºu Hkze.k

jksekapdkjh ;k=k lqanjcu ls tqM+s fdLls lqudj ogka tkus dh bPNk jksd ugha ik,A fuLlansg] ogka dh lqanjrk ns[kdj vfHkHkwr gks x,A

eksVjcksV ds ek/;e ls vki lqna jcu fLFkr izkd`frd ds uk;kc ut+kjksa dk Hkjiwj vkuan mBk ldrs gSa

86 I ’kqHk ;k=k I Qjojh 2019

shubh-yatra.in

,vj bafM;k dk ekxZ fnYyh ls dksydkrk ds fy, ch787 foeku la[;k ,vkbZ&0401 ls lIrkg esa izfrfnu mM+ku izpkfyr dh tkrh gSA dksydkrk ls lqanjcu dh nwjh djhc 109 fdyksehVj gSA

laqnjcu tkus okyh eksVj cksV esa lokj gksus okyh HkhM+ ds NaVrs&NaVrs ge ekVyk unh dk vk/kk jkLrk r; dj pqds FksA ge ml Lo;a laiksf"kr bZdks&flLVe dk Hkhrjh Hkkx ns[kus tk jgs Fks tks oYMZ gsfjVst lkbV gSA ;g /kjrh ij lcls cM+k MsYVk gSA lcls cM+k taxy gSA 3]500 oxZ fdyksehVj {ks= esa QSys eSuxzwo o`{kksa ls f?kjs 104 }hiksa ls feydj cuk ;g lcls cM+k ck?k laj{k.k LFky gSA cknyksa ls f?kjk vkdk’k] unh dk dydy djrk ikuh] yksxksa ds izQqfYyr psgjs] mudk mRlkg] rkt+h gok] rys gq, >haxs vkSj eksVj cksV ds Msd ij yksxksa dh HkhM+ ns[kdj fdlh mRlo dk vkHkkl gks jgk FkkA

lqgkuk lQ+j

cksV ls nks ?kaVs dk lQ+j r; djus ds ckn ge ,d csgn pkSM+h vkSj [kqyh txg ij tk igqaps FksA fdukjk fudV vkrs gh NksVh gksrh ygjksa ij cksV ds batu dh vkokt+ de gksus yxh vkSj og /khes&/khes vkxs dh vksj c<+ jgh FkhA ge ml txg dks ’kh?kzrk ls ikj dj jgs Fks] tgka ij ufn;ka vkdj feyrh gSaA mRlkfgr i;ZVdksa dh HkhM+ esa dsoy ,d gh ,slk O;fDr Fkk tks csgn ’kkar FkkA og Fkk 45 o"khZ; cksV pkyd ftldk uke rkjd eaMy FkkA nks ?kaVs dh ;k=k ds i’pkr~ mlus nksigj ds Hkkstu esa ØSc djh [kkbZA mlds ckn og yksxksa ls ckrphr djus yxkA mlus crk;k fd og rhu eghus cksV pykrk gSA blds vfrfjDr og ’kgn ,df=r djus] ydM+h dkVus vkSj dHkh&dHkkj Q+lysa mxkus dk Hkh dke djrk gSA cksuchch ¼ou nsoh½ dk vk’khokZn ysus ds fy, og mudh iwtk Hkh djrk gSA ge iafDr esa yxs eSuxzwo ds isM+ksa okys ’kkar bykds esa ladjh [kkM+h ls gksdj xqt+jsA bl nkSjku rkjd us gesa cksuchch ds izdksi ls tqM+ha vusd dFkk,a lqukbZaA og rc rd dgkfu;ka lqukrk jgk tc rd fd ge ufn;ksa ds ,d NksVs ls laxe rd ugha igqap x,A ogka igqapdj mlus cksV dk batu can dj yksgs dk yaxj Mky fn;kA rc mlus dgk] ^^ge jkr ;gha ij fcrk,axsA**

Qjojh 2019 I ’kqHk ;k=k I 87

infpºu

Hkze.k

bl gjs&Hkjs bykds dks ;wusLdks us fo’o fojklr /kjksgj ?kksf"kr fd;k gSA lqanjcu ds }hi xaxk ,oa czãiq= unh ds laxe ds dkj.k curs jgrs gSa caxky dh [kkM+h esa 250 QqV Åaph Tokj&HkkVk ygjsa mBrh gSaA ;s vius jkLrs esa vkus okys xkaoksa dks rckg djus dh {kerk j[krh gSaA ,sls esa 20 QqV Åaps rVca/k mu ygjksa dks ugha jksd ikrsA vkSj rks vkSj] ;gka ij jgus okyksa ij ck?kksa dk Hkh [k+rjk cuk jgrk gSA

ck?kksa dh ’kj.kLFkyh

vuks[kk vuqHko

vkidks vxj izd`fr ds uk;kc ut+kjksa dks vius dSejs esa dSn djus dk ’kkSd gS rks lqanjcu dh lSj ij vo’; tk,aA ;gka dk gj ,d n`’; vius vki esa ,d dgkuh c;ka djrk izrhr gksrk gSA ;gka ij vkidks cM+h la[;k esa ikni Iyod ns[kus dks feysaxsA pkanuh jkr esa ;s pkan dh jks’kuh dks izfrfcafcr djrs gSa] ftlls vkd"kZd n`’;koyh mHkjdj vkrh gSA lqanjcu dk uke ;gka fLFkr eSuxzwo ds ,d isM+ lqanjh ds uke ij iM+kA ;gka ix&ix ij vkidks izd`fr dh vn~Hkqr NVk ns[kus dks feysxhA lqanjcu ds dqy 104 }hiksa esa ls 54 ij yksx jgrs gSa vU; taxyksa ls f?kjs gq, gSaA

88 I ’kqHk ;k=k I Qjojh 2019

eSuxzwo isM+ksa ds ?kus taxy] lw;kZLr gksus ij eNyh idM+dj ?kj ykSVrs eNqvkjs] NksVh ukoksa ij tyrh ykyVsu ml ’kke dks lqugjh ;knxkj cuk jgs FksA Msd ij geus ml ’kke dks vkSj glhu cukus dk eu cuk;kA blfy, geus cksV dh Nr ij Bgjus ds ctk; [kqys esa Bgjus dk fu.kZ; fy;kA iwjh ;k=k ds nkSjku ?kksjkekjk }hi dk fuoklh ’ks[k iznhi gekjk jlksb;k FkkA >haxk&djh vkSj eVu d’kk cukus ds lkFk&lkFk og dgkfu;ka lqukus esa Hkh n{k FkkA mlus gesa crk;k fd ifjfLFkfr;ksa ds vuqdwy Lo;a dks <ky ysuk gh lqanjcu fuokfl;ksa dh fo’ks"krk gSA bl {ks= esa ifjfLFkfr;ka dkQ+h fodV Fkha vkSj yksxksa dk thou cksuchch dh iwtk o bu taxyksa esa thou&;kiu ds fy, gquj lh[kus esa O;Lr jgrk FkkA bl MsYVk dh t+ehu o ikuh nksuksa gh yksxksa dks csgn vkdf"kZr djrs gSaA ikuh ;gka dhpM+ ds :i esa ,df=r gksdj dHkh u;k }hi cu tkrk gS rks dHkh iqjkus }hi dks ubZ ’kDy iznku dj nsrk gSA Mwcus okys bu }hiksa ij izfrfnu nks ckj ukS QqV Åaph ygjsa mBrh gSaA ;gka jgus okys gj izk.kh dks bu ygjksa ls rkyesy fcBkuk iM+rk gSA nqfu;k esa vU; fdlh Hkh bykds dh vis{kk bl {ks= esa leqnzh pØokr dh vk’kadk vf/kd cuh jgrh gSA

shubh-yatra.in

lqanjcu rdjhcu rhu lkS ck?kksa dh ’kj.kLFkyh gSA ;s lHkh ck?k ujHk{kh gSaA bldk dkj.k rks Li"V ugha gS fd ,slk D;ksa gS fdarq ck?k yksxksa ij ckj&ckj geyk djrs jgrs gSaA dHkh&dHkh rks os fnu ds mtkys esa Hkh geyk dj nsrs gSaA ;s taxy LFkkuh; yksxksa ds thou&;kiu ds lzksr gSaA ’kgn vkSj tykus ds fy, ydM+h ,df=r djus yksxksa dks taxy tkuk iM+rk gSA ;gka >haxk idM+us ds fy, efgykvksa vkSj cPpksa dks xgjs ikuh esa dej vFkok xnZu rd mrjuk iM+rk gSA bl nkSjku os vklkuh ls ck?k ;k exjePN nksuksa dk fuokyk cu tkrs gSaA ,d lkFk tkus ij Hkh yksx muds geys ls ugha cp ikrsA ,slh dbZ dgkfu;ka lquus dks feyha fd dSls ck?k us muds lkFkh dks ekj MkykA mUgsa dsoy ’ko ds ikuh esa Nikd ls fxjus dh vkokt+ lqukbZ iM+hA dHkh&dHkh mUgsa unh fdukjs vius f’kdkj dks [khapdj ys tkrs ck?k dh >yd Hkh fn[kkbZ nhA ;s ujHk{kh fnungkM+s [kqYye[kqYyk uko esa yksxksa ij geyk dj nsrs gSaA

lqugjh ;knsa

bu dgkfu;ksa ds chp geus cksV ij gh lqjf{kr :i ls jkr fcrkbZA rM+ds gh [kq’kh Hkjs mtkys ds lkFk lw;Z dh igyh fdj.k QwVhA vxys gh iy vkdk’k :ih fp=iV ij fofo/k jax ns[kus dks feysA ck?k }kjk ekjs x, vkSj ykirk yksxksa dh dgkfu;ka fdlh nwljs lalkj dh ckrsa yxus yxhaA ;k=k ls ykSVrs le; unh vkSj mlds vkl&ikl geus oU; izk.kh Hkh ns[ksA ;k=k ds var esa tc fnu <yus yxk Fkk rc rkjd us unh ds rV ij viuk fct+usl dkMZ Fkekrs gq, eq>ls dgk] ^^d`i;k vius fe=ksa dks Hkh lqanjcu vkus dks dgsa] tc rd fd eSa ;gka ij gwaA** mldh vkokt+ esa xaHkhjrk Fkh fdarq mldh vka[ksa eq>s dqN vkSj gh dgkuh c;ka dj jgh FkhaA eSaus igyh ckj mldh vka[kksa ds uhps L;kg /kCcs ns[ks vkSj mldh vkokt+ esa vrhr dh yyd lquhA ;g Hkys gh taxy Fkk ysfdu og mldk ?kj Hkh gSA

&izLrqfr% ’kf’kizHkk frokjh

on the

infpºu Hkze.k

,vj bafM;k dk ekxZ fnYyh ls dksydkrk rFkk ogka ls tksjgkV ds fy, ,vj bafM;k dh mM+ku izpkfyr dh tkrh gSA tksjgkV ls f’kolkxj dh nwjh djhc 60 fdyksehVj gSA

13oha lnh esa rkbZ leqnk; ds yksx vle esa vkdj cl x, Fks vkSj mUgksua s ;gka ij vkd"kZd bekjrksa dk fuekZ.k djok;k Fkk

90 I ’kqHk ;k=k I Qjojh 2019

shubh-yatra.in

bfrgkl esa vafdr f’kolkxj vle dh ,sfrgkfld] uSlfxZd vkSj /kkfeZd uxjh gSA ’;ke lqanj tks’kh gesa vgkse lezkVksa ds bl izeq[k dsanz dh lEiw.kZ tkudkjh miyC/k djk jgs gSaA

iwohZ vle ds tksjgkV ls f’kolkxj dh nwjh yxHkx 60 fdyksehVj gSA lM+d ekxZ ds nksuksa vksj /kku ds gjs&Hkjs [ksr] pk; ds cxhps vkSj l?ku o`{kkoyhA FkksM+h&FkksM+h nwjh ij lM+d ls fudydj gfj;kyh esa yqIr gksus okys dPps&iDds] Vs<+s&es<+s ekxZ vkSj ixMafM;ka] NksVs&NksVs ?kj vkSj muds ckgj m|ku ;k fQ+j ikuh ls Hkjh ryS;k ftlesa cPps eNyh idM+ jgs FksA izkd`frd n`’; ns[krs gq, ge dc f’kolkxj igqap x,] irk gh ugha pykA vle ds Åijh bykds esa fLFkr f’kolkxj ;wa rks ft+yk eq[;ky; ds :i esa rhozrk ls fodflr gksrk ’kgj gS fdarq bldk ,sfrgkfld] dykRed vkSj lkaLd`frd iqV orZeku esa Hkh ltho gSA vle dh jkt/kkuh xqokgkVh ls f’kolkxj 363 fdyksehVj nwj gSA

,sfrgkfld i`”BHkwfe

vle esa vgkse jktkvksa dk 12oha ls 18oha lnh rd ’kklu jgk vkSj muds ’kkludky esa f’kolkxj dk vge LFkku FkkA ;gka fLFkr ,sfrgkfld tyk’k;&f’kolkxj] xkSjhlkxj vkSj t;lkxj rFkk dbZ egŸoiw.kZ Lekjdksa dk fuekZ.k Hkh vgkse jktkvksa ds ’kkludky esa gqvk FkkA f’kolkxj igys jaxiqj ds uke ls tkuk tkrk FkkA vgkse oa’k dh jkuh enfEcdk us lu 1734 bZloh esa f’kolkxj uked d`f=e tyk’k; dk fuekZ.k djk;k FkkA vkt ;g bl ’kgj dh igpku cu x;k gSA blh tyk’k; ds uke ij bl ’kgj dk uke f’kolkxj iM+kA ;g tyk’k; 129 ,dM+ Hkw&Hkkx esa O;kIr gSA blds rV ij Hkxoku f’ko] fo".kq rFkk nsoh dk eafnj gSA f’ko eafnj esa o`gn~ vkdkj dh f’ko izfrek gSA bl eafnj dh ÅapkbZ 180 QqV gS vkSj bldk lkr QqV Åapk lksus dk f’k[kj gSA ;gka ckjg ekg i;ZVdksa dk rkark yxk jgrk gSA f’kolkxj tyk’k; esa i;ZVd ukSdk fogkj Hkh dj ldrs gSaA f’kolkxj ds ikl gh djsax?kj vkSj rykry ?kj uked izkphu oSHko’kkyh cgqeaft+yk egy fLFkr gSaA budk fuekZ.k vgkse ’kkld jkts’oj flag us lu 1751 ls 69 ds nkSjku djk;k FkkA bl egy esa lekukarj iafDr esa cus vk;rkdkj d{kksa ,oa mudh esgjkcksa dh cukoV ledkyhu eqx+y okLrqdyk ls izHkkfor gSaA ;g lHkh d{k ,d NksVs izos’k }kj ds ek/;e ls ijLij tqM+s gq, gSaA izFke ry ij dqN >jks[ksnkj d{k vle ’kSyh esa cus gSaA blds vfrfjDr if’pe fn’kk esa ,d v"V Hkqtkdkj eafnj Hkh gSA

egŸoiw.kZ vo’ks”k

bl egy ds iwohZ rFkk if’peh Hkkx esa iqjkrkfÙod mR[kuu ls izkIr vo’ks"kksa ds vk/kkj ij dgk tk ldrk gS fd vkx yxus ds dkj.k ;g Hkou iw.kZ :i ls u"V gks x;k FkkA ;g laHkor% #nz flag ds ’kkludky esa lu 1696 ls 1714 ds e/; cuk;k x;k FkkA blds vfrfjDr dqN Hkouko’ks"k rFkk pwus] ckyw o bZaV dh fxfV~V;ksa ls cus nks iFk Øe’k% mŸkj o if’pe fn’kk esa izdk’k esa vk, gSaA djsax?kj ds ikl gh nks eaft+yk vaMkdkj Hkou gS] tks jax ?kj ds uke ls tkuk tkrk gSA ;gka dHkh vgkse ’kkld gkfFk;ksa dh yM+kbZ dk

Qjojh 2019 I ’kqHk ;k=k I 91

infpºu

Hkze.k

f’kolkxj fLFkr fuekZ.kdk;ksaZ dks ns[kdj vgkse jktkvksa dh okLrqf’kYi lacfa /kr Kku dh >yd ns[kus dks feyrh gS

t; lkxj >hy f’kolkxj ls ek= ikap fdyksehVj nwj fLFkr gSA ekuo&fufeZr bl >hy dk ,sfrgkfld egÙo Hkh gSA bldk fuekZ.k vgkse jktk LoxZnso #nzflag us viuh ekrk dh ;kn esa lu 1697 esa djok;k FkkA 318 ,dM+ esa QSyh ;g >hy] Hkkjr esa ekuo&fufeZr lcls cM+h >hyksa esa ,d gS rFkk vle esa vgkse jktkvksa }kjk cuokbZ xbZ fo’kky >hy gSA ;g i;ZVdksa ds vkd"kZ.k dk eq[; dsanz gSA lfnZ;ksa esa ;gka izoklh i{kh vkrs gSaA blesa rSjrs gq, if{k;ksa dks ns[kuk jksekaPkdkjh gksrk gSA f’kolkxj ls vkWVks fjD’kk ,oa dSc }kjk t; lkxj vklkuh ls igqapk tk ldrk gSA

92 I ’kqHk ;k=k I Qjojh 2019

f’kolkxj rkbZ laxzgky; i;ZVdksa ds vkd"kZ.k dk eq[; dsanz gSA blesa vgkse ’kkldksa ls lacaf/kr nqyZHk oLrq,a tSls ryokjsa] iks’kkdsa ,oa ikaMqfyfi;ka ns[kus dks feysaxh vkuan mBkrs FkssA bldk fuekZ.k jktk ijHkŸkk flag us lu 1746 esa djok;k FkkA orZeku esa jax ?kj ifjlj esa ,d lqanj ikdZ gS tgka la/;k ds le; yksx ?kweus vkSj vodk’k ij fidfud eukus dk vkuan ysrs gaSA blds eq[; }kj ds ckgj ,d laxhre; Q+Ookjk vkSj dqN dykd`fr;ka Hkh vkd"kZ.k dk dsanz gaSA f’kolkxj ls iwoZ dh vksj djhc 14 fdyksehVj dh nwjh ij fLFkr xMxkao dHkh vgkse jktkvksa dh eq[; jkt/kkuh FkhA bldk fuekZ.k vgkse jktk ’kqdysaxeax us lu 1540 bZloh esa djok;k FkkA lu 1747 esa jktk ijHkŸkk flag us ;gka bZaVksa dh 5 fdyksehVj yach nhokj cuokbZA rRi’pkr~ jktk jkts’oj flag us lu 1752 bZloh esa blh txg ij lkr eaft+yk Hkou dk iqufuZekZ.k djk;k FkkA

izkd`frd NVk

;gka ls 30 fdyksehVj nwj izkd`frd lqanjrk ls ifjiw.kZ pjkbZnso uked LFky gSaA ;gka cuh vgkse jktkvksa dh lekf/k dh rqyuk yksx feLkz ds fijkfeMksa ls djrs gSaA ;gka fLFkr ’kox`gksa esa vgkse oa’k ds lnL;ksa dks nQ+uk;k x;k FkkA pjkbZnso ds [kqys eSnku vkSj izkd`frd n`’;koyh csgn vkd"kZd gSaA izkphu nsoky;ksa vkSj >hy ds dkj.k viuh vyx igpku j[kus okys f’kolkxj ft+ys esa fo’kkyre tyk’k; t; lkxj dk fuekZ.k jktk #nzflag us djk;k FkkA blds rV ij ,d eafnj Hkh cuok;k x;k FkkA t; lkxj >hy ds fdukjs esa izoklh

shubh-yatra.in

if{k;ksa dk Hkh clsjk gSA bl tyk’k; esa i;ZVdksa ds vkd"kZ.k ds fy, Q+Ookjs yxk, x, gSa rFkk ;gka ty&ØhM+k dh Hkh lqfo/kk gSA ,sls gh ,d vkSj izfl) tyk’k; xkSjh lkxj dk fuekZ.k jkuh Qwys’ojh nsoh us lu 1723 esa jktk f’koflag ds ’kkludky esa djok;k FkkA yxHkx 150 ,dM+ esa fufeZr ;g rkykc eka nqxkZ ds eafnj dks lefiZr dj fn;k x;k FkkA blds fdukjs fo".kq] f’ko vkSj nsoh nqxkZ dk eafnj gSA ;gka ls vkB fdyksehVj nwj fLFkr #nz lkxj rkykc vkSj eafnj dk fuekZ.k jktk y{ehflag us lu 1773 bZloh esa vius firk #nzflag dh Le`fr esa djok;k FkkA rkykc ds fdukjs f’ko eafnj o vFkkbZ lkxj fLFkr gS] ftldh [kqnkbZ jktk t;/ot flag ds ’kkludky esa gqbZ FkhA f’kolkxj ls 12 fdyksehVj nwj xkSjh lkxj vkSj t; lkxj ds chp ukeMkx unh ij cka/k cuk gqvk gSA bldk fuekZ.k Hkh jktk #nzflag us lu 1703 esa djok;k FkkA f’kolkxj ls 22 fdyksehVj nwj vtku ihj njxkg ’kjhQ+ fLFkr gSA vtku ihj us ft+dhj dk vleh Hkk"kk esa vuqokn fd;k FkkA mlZ ds nkSjku muds gt+kjksa vuq;k;h njxkg ij ,df=r gksrs gaSA vkidks Hkh volj feys rks ;gka ?kweus vo’; tk,aA

ys[kd dk i;ZVu iksVZy Hkh gS

ljl

lsgr

fQV] rks fgV

nhfIr vaxjh’k fQVusl ds u, VªsaM ds ckjs esa crk jgh gSaA blds ek/;e ls gj dksbZ LoLFk jg ldrk gSA

^^’kks/k ds vuqlkj okWVj odZvkmV lsgr ds fy, ykHknk;d gSA blds fy, rSjkdh dh tkudkjh vko’;d ugha gSA ikuh esa [kM+s gksdj lHkh dks dljr djuh pkfg,A /;ku jgs fd xnZu ls uhps dk ’kjhj ikuh esa gksA ¶yksj ,jksfcDl dh rqyuk esa vkB xquk vf/kd dSyjh cuZ gksrh gSA ikuh eas dljr djus ls vki ilhus ls rjcrj ugha vfirq rjksrkt+k eglwl djsaxsA** & fdju lkguh fQVusl lkWY;w’ku dh laLFkkfidk

94 I ’kqHk ;k=k I Qjojh 2019

vki ftfeax] T+kqEck] tkWfxax] fiykVht+] ,jksfcDLk] fczLd okWfdax] ;ksx ;k ikoj ;ksx djrs gSa] ysfdu fQVusl ds bu lHkh rjhdksa ls mdrk x, gSa] rks ets+nkj okWVj odZvkmV viuk,aA ;kuh vc iwy dks fte&iwy cuk,aA ekuk fd fQVusl ds lHkh rkSj&rjhdksa ls ckWMh Vksfuax t+:j gksrh gS] ijarq dSyjht+ cfuZax vkSj chekfj;ksa ds mipkj esa fujk’kk feyrh gSA ,sls esa okWVj odZvkmV vf/kd dkjxj gSA dkj.k ;g gS fd okWVj odZvkmV djds vki dbZ rjg dh chekfj;ksa ls eqfDr ik ldrs gSaA lkFk gh ’kjhj ds lHkh vaxksa dh cf<+;k dljr gks tkrh gSA urhtru f[kapko iM+us ls ekalisf’k;ka Hkh et+cwr gksrh gSaA

D;k gS okWVj odZvkmV ikuh esa dljr djuk gh okWVj odZvkmV ;k ,Dok odZvkmV ;k ,jks odZvkmV gSA ikuh cgrk ugha] cfYd #dk gksuk pkfg,A vU;Fkk vkids cg tkus vFkok vU; vkink dk vans’kk jgrk gSA ,sls esa rkykc ;k rj.krky esa okWVj ,Dljlkbt+ djuk mfpr gksrk gSA buesa ikuh dk Lrj 3 QqV ls vf/kd ugha gksuk pkfg,A vU;Fkk vki viuh lqfo/kk ds vuqlkj ikuh dk Lrj r; dj ldrs gSa ;kuh fd ikuh ?kqVus rd] dej rd ;k lhus rd gks ldrk gSA

ikuh esa lc Nwearj dksf’k’k djsa fd ikuh dk rkieku bruk gks ftls vkidk ’kjhj lgu dj ldsA dljr djrs le; eksVkik ck/kd curk gS] rks okWVj odZvkmV viuk,aA fo’ks"kKksa ds vuqlkj

shubh-yatra.in

ikuh esa dljr djrs le; ’kjhj dk ot+u dsoy nl çfr’kr jg tkrk gSA ;gh ugha okWVj odZvkmV djds tksM+kas ds nnZ] xfB;k jksx] eksVkis vkSj e/kqesg ls jkgr feyrh gSA [kqyh txg esa dljr djus ls gkFk ;k iSj xyr fn’kk esa tkus ls pksV yxus dh vk’kadk jgrh gSA blds vykok ’kjhj ds Hkkjhiu ls dljr izHkkoh rjhds ls ugha gks ikrhA ogha ikuh esa dljr djus ls gekjh ekalisf’k;ksa dks et+cwrh feyrh gSA ikuh esa O;k;ke djus ls ru o eu nksuksa dks ruko ls jkgr feyrh gSA gekjk ’kjhj tc ikuh esa gksrk gS rks gekjk ot+u de eglwl gksrk gSA blfy, ’kjhj ij O;k;ke dk çHkko Hkh gYdk gksrk gSA ;g ekalisf’k;ksa esa f[kapko ;k ’kkjhfjd ruko mRiUu gh ugha gksus nsrk] cfYd ikuh esa dljr djus ds ckn vki rjksrkt+k vkSj izlUurk eglwl djrs gSaA bruk gh ugha] okWVj odZvkmV djds vki viuk vfrfjDr ’kkjhfjd ot+u ?kVk ldrs gSaA ;g dguk vfr’;ksfDr u gksxk fd okWVj odZvkmV lHkh vk;q ds yksxksa ds fy, ykHkdkjh gksrk gSA

vko’;d gS ns[kjs[k ;fn vki igyh ckj okWVj odZvkmV dj jgs gSa] rks fdlh izf’k{kd dh fuxjkuh esa gh djsaA ,d ?kaVs ls vf/kd ikuh esa u jgsaA vU;Fkk Ropk ij lucuZ gks ldrs gSaA blls cpus ds fy, okWVj odZvkmV djus ds 20 feuV igys ’kjhj ij luLØhu yxk,aA blds vykok fdlh Hkh rjg dk okWVj odZvkmV djus ds ckn 10&15 feuV vkjke djsa] rkfd ’kjhj dk rkieku lkekU; gks tk,A

fofHkUu vk;q oxZ ds yksx rj.krky esa fofo/k izdkj dh dljr djds Lo;a dks LoLFk j[kus esa lQy gks ldrs gSa

ykHk feysaxs vusd

dSyjh cuZj% vki lsgrean rjhds ls ot+u de djuk pkgrs gSa] rks okWVj odZvkmV t+:j viuk,aA igyk dkj.k ;g gS fd ikuh esa ,Dljlkbt+ djus ls ekalisf’k;ksa esa ruko ugha iM+rk gSA nwljk] vxj vki fnu esa ,d ?kaVk okWVj odZvkmV djrs gSa rks vki 300 ls 600 dSyjh cuZ dj ldrs gSaA ;kuh okWVj odZvkmV djus ls ’kjhj dh pchZ ?kVkus ds lkFk&lkFk lqjf{kr rjhds ls ’kjhj dks ’ksi esa yk;k tk ldrk gSA

tksM+ksa dks Q+k;nk% ¶+ysfDlfcfyVh ;kuh yphykiuA okWVj odZvkmV ls tqM+h gqbZ gS ¶+ysfDlfcfyVhA ikuh esa dljr djus ls ’kjhj esa fdlh Hkh izdkj dh van:uh pksV ugha yxrhA lkFk gh tksM+ vf/kd yphys curs gSaA ifj.kke Lo:i tksM+ksa dh lfØ;rk esa c<+ksrjh gksrh gSA Rkuko esa deh% ;fn vki cgqr ruko esa gSa] rks okWVj odZvkmV djsaA blls vki rjksrkt+k eglwl djsaxsA urhtru ruko ls jkgr feysxhA crk nsa fd ikuh esa ekStwn jgus ij fnekx esa ,aMksfQZ+u uked gkeksZu fjyht+ gksrs gSa] ftlls ruko de gksrk gSA

ekalisf’k;ksa esa yphykiu% okWVj odZvkmV ls tgka ot+u de gksrk gS] ruko ls jkgr feyrh gS] ekalisf’k;ksa esa yphykiu c<+rk gS] dbZ jksxksa dk funku gksrk gS] ogha bls djus ls elYl LVªk¡x gksrh gSaA lkFk gh muesa yphykiu Hkh c<+rk gSA

jDrpki ij fu;a=.k% ikuh esa O;k;ke djus ls ’kjhj esa jDr dk çokg csgrj gksrk gSA blls vkidks jDrpki lacaf/kr leL;k,a ugha gksrhaA lkFk gh blls vkidh gkVZ chV Hkh csgrj jgrh gSA

fofHkUu okWVj odZvkmV

,DokfVd cwVdSEi% ikuh esa vki ,DokfVd cwVdSEi odZvkmV djus tk jgs gSa] rks crk nsa fd blds rgr ’kjhj ds gj vax dh dljr dj ldrs gSaA mYys[kuh; gS fd de ls de 4 QqV xgjs iwy esa vki ,d ?kaVs rd gkbZ baVsafLkVh odZvkmV dj ldrs gSaA blesa ’kkfey gSa iq’k ,aM iqy] gkbZ&uh fLizaV] tEi&vi vkSj MEcYl ls dh tkus okyh lHkh dljr] tSls& ckbZlsi dyZ] ckbZlsi gSej] ’kksYMj izsl] lkbM ysVªy] ÝaV jst] JXl] lkbM csaM] cSdoMZ jfuaxA bu lHkh dljr ls 1]200 dSyksjh rd cuZ gks tkrh gS] ;fn izR;sd dljr 20 nksgjko esa 4 ckj dh tk,A ,Dok ;ksx% ikuh esa ;ksx djus ls pksV yxus dk [k+rjk Hkh ugha gksrkA dkj.k ;g gS fd ikuh dh dkseyrk ’kjhj dks lqj{kk iznku djrh gSA ,Dok ;ksx djus ds fy, iwy esa 3 QqV ls vf/kd ikuh ugha gksuk pkfg,A lkFk gh iwy esa ikuh dk rkieku 20&25 fMxzh lsfYl;l rd gksuk pkfg,A ,Dok ;ksx ds varxZr lHkh ;ksx vklu] LVªsfpax] Mhi czhfnax vkSj izk.kk;ke dj ldrs gSaA

,Dok T+kqEck% vkidks ukpuk ilan gS] rks ikuh esa ukpuk vo’; #fpdj yxsxkA tgka ikuh esa Mkal ,d jksekapd vuqHko gS] ogha blls vki fQVusl Hkh ik ldrs gSaA Mkal esa vki ,Dok ,jksfcDl] T+kqEck] ySfVu T+kqEck vkSj ckWyhoqM Mkal dj ldrs gSaA ikuh esa ek= 45 feuV Mkal djus ls ;g dljr vkids ’kjhj esa jDr izokg dks larqfyr djrs gq, fny dks et+cwrh iznku djrs gq, gj vax dks LVªsp o VksaM djrh gSA ;gh ugha] ,Dok T+kqEck dks csLV dkfMZ;ksosLdqyj ,Dljlkbt+ Hkh dgk x;k gSA

ysf[kdk thou&’kSyh ls lacaf/kr vkys[k fy[krh gSa

Qjojh 2019 I ’kqHk ;k=k I 95

pop pourri predictions

Cancer, Jun 21-Jul 22

HkkoukRed :i ls ubZ ’kq#vkr ds lk{kh gksaxsA ,slk lekpkj feysxk] ftlls vkidk mRlkg c<+sxk o vkids thou dks vFkZ feysxkA ;g lekpkj vkids dk;Z vFkok O;fDrxr thou ls lacaf/kr gks ldrk gSA ;g ekg vkids fy, cgqr dqN latks, gSA

Taurus, Apr 20-May 20 You will be eager to start something new, which might lead to many interesting developments.

You may have new ideas and these, if acted upon, can deliver great results. This month will be all about ideating, creating and inventing!

vki dqN u;k djus ds bPNqd gksaxs] ftlls vkids thou esa dqN jkspd cnyko laHko gksxkA vkidks u, fopkj vk,axs] ftu ij dk;Z djus ls lq[kn ifj.kke izkIr gks ldrs gSaA ;g ekg fopkjkRed] l`tukRed ,oa vkfo"dkjkRed igyqvksa ls ifjiw.kZ jgsxk!

Gemini, May 21-Jun 20 You will undertake overseas travel this month.

It could be for either leisure or work. You will be surrounded by happy occasions and prosperity this month. Make the most of it. Do not hesitate to embrace change.

bl ekg vki fons’k ;k=k ij tk,axsA ;g ;k=k ?kweus&fQ+jus ;k dkedkt ds flyflys esa djsaxsA bl ekg vki vusd lq[kn lekjksgksa esa ’kkfey gksaxs rFkk le`f)iw.kZ jgsaxsA budk Hkjiwj vkuan ysaA ifjorZu dks vaxhdkj djus esa f>>d eglwl u djsaA

96 I Shubh Yatra I februARY 2019

tarot trotting

You shall witness a new emotional beginning and receive a news that will uplift your spirits and give meaning to your life. This could be related to either work or personal life. There is a lot to look forward to in this month.

ckrsa VSjks dh

Aries, Mar 21-Apr 19

February is a critical month for you. There is a confusion which is dampening your spirits. Listen to your intuition and don’t take hasty decisions.

If you are unable to find a solution to a problem, introspect. You’ll find the answer.

Qjojh ekg vkids fy, vge gSA la’k; dh fLFkfr vkidks grksRlkfgr djsxhA vki viuh varjkRek dh vkokt+ lqusaA tYnckt+h esa dksbZ fu.kZ; u ysaA vki vxj leL;k dk gy ikus esa vlQy jgs gSa rks vkRe&fujh{k.k djsaA vkidks gy vo’; feysxkA

What the cards hold for you in February. By Karmel Nair

Qjojh vkids fy, dSlk jgsxkA crk jgh gSa dkjesy uk;jA

Leo, Jul 23-Aug 22 You may have to walk away from an arrangement to pursue your passion. The decision may leave you feeling overwhelmed but trust the Universe to have better things in store for you. Something that you have worked hard for will come true.

viuh vfHkyk"kk iwjh djus ds fy, vkidks fdlh O;oLFkk dk ifjR;kx djuk iM+ ldrk gSA vki vius fu.kZ; ls ncko eglwl dj ldrs gSa] fdarq Åij okys ij fo’okl j[ksa] lc csgrj gksxkA vkidh dM+h esgur dk vkidks lq[kn ifj.kke izkIr gksxkA

Virgo, Aug 23-Sep 22 Keep up the hard work and don’t give up. Stay focussed and hopeful. Your efforts will be acknowledged and applauded very soon. You are inching towards success and all that you need to do right now is to keep at it.

vki dM+k ifjJe djsa] grksRlkfgr u gksaA vius y{; ij /;ku dsafnzr djsa o fo’okl cuk, j[ksaA vkids dk;ksZa dks igpku feysxh rFkk tYnh gh mldh ljkguk gksxhA vki lQyrk dh vksj vxzlj gSa rFkk mlh fn’kk esa fujarj dM+h esgur djrs jgsaA

shubh-yatra.in

SMART STORAGE

Effective Solutions

Compactors Lockers Filing Cabinets Shelving Systems Multi-tier Racking FIFO / LIFO Racking

AS/RS & Mini-Load Systems Drive-in / Drive-through Racking Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Heavy Duty Mobile Racking Pallet Racking Logistics Support Software Solution

Reach Trucks Pallet Trucks Stackers Pallet Shuttle Forklifts Order Pickers

pop pourri predictions

Capricorn, Dec 22-Jan 19

Libra, Sep 23-Oct 22 All of your difficulties will come to an end. If you were facing problems in health, wealth, work or personal life - all of that will settle. You have the willpower to change your destiny this month.

Believe in yourself!

You are going to receive a good news regarding better wealth prospects, which will uplift your spirits. Your health in general will also look good and upbeat. February is a good month for you.

Make the best of it.

vkidh lHkh ijs’kkfu;ksa dk gy gksxkA lsgr] /ku] dk;kZy; vFkok O;fDrxr thou esa vkidks vxj fdlh izdkj dh leL;k gS rks mudk lek/kku gks tk,xkA viuk HkkX; cnyus dh bPNk’kfDr vki esa fo|eku gSA Lo;a ij fo’okl j[ksa!

bl ekg vkidks /ku ykHk ls lacaf/kr lq[kn lekpkj dh izkfIr gksxhA blls vkids mRlkg esa c<+ksrjh gksxhA vkidh lsgr bl nkSjku lgh jgsxh vkSj vki LoLFk jgsaxsA Qjojh vkids fy, csgrj lkfcr gksxkA bl volj dk Hkjiwj lnqi;ksx djsaA

Scorpio, Oct 23-Nov 21 Work is going to be quite demanding throughout the month. If you feel overwhelmed and stressed, delegate work and share the responsibilities.

Take up only as much work as you can handle.

Do not overexert yourself.

bl ekg vkids dk;Z dh ekax fujarj cuh jgsxhA vki vxj O;kdqy vFkok rukoxzLr eglwl dj jgs gSa rks vius dk;Z dks nwljksa ds lkFk lk>k djsaA mruk gh dke djsa ftruk ljyrk ls dj ldrs gSaA Lo;a ij dke dk vR;kf/kd cks> u MkysaA

Sagittarius, Nov 22-Dec 21 You will undertake air travel this month and make progress especially in matters related to work and personal development. You may also meet someone charming who may sweep you off your feet.

bl ekg vki foeku ;k=k djsaxsA dk;Z vFkok O;fDrxr thou esa mUufr laHko gksxhA vkidh eqykdkr laHkor% fdlh ,sls O;fDr ls gks ldrh gS] ftlls vki csgn izHkkfor gksaxsA mldk vkd"kZ.k vkids fny esa ?kj dj tk,xkA

98 I Shubh Yatra I februARY 2019

Aquarius, Jan 20-Feb 18

Some famous personalities born in February include singer Jagjit Singh, scientist Thomas Alva Edison, singer Bhimsen Joshi and kathak maestro Birju Maharaj.

You may experience emotional upheavals, where you may feel defeated. But that’s no reason to lose hope. Remember, there is light at the end of a dark tunnel! Look for the better things in life and try not to be too trusting of people.

HkkoukRed Lrj ij vkidks mrkj&p<+ko eglwl gksxkA vkidks fujk’kk dk Hkh vkHkkl gksxkA fdarq ,slk dksbZ dkj.k ugha gS fd vki mEehn NksM+ nsaA ;kn j[ksa gj jkr ds ckn losjk gksrk gS! thou esa csgrj pht+ksa dh ryk’k j[ksa] yksxksa ij vf/kd Hkjkslk u djsaA

Pisces, Feb 19-Mar 20 Work is going to get challenging and overwhelming this month. If you feel like quitting, don’t. Hang in there and give it your all. The Universe has bigger plans for you so, do not give up now.

bl ekg dke pqukSrh&Hkjk gksxk rFkk vki ncko eglwl djsaxsA vki vxj iyk;u dh lksp jgs gSa rks ,slk u djsaA vki viuk dke iwjh rUe;rk ls djrs jgsaA Åij okys us vkids ckjs esa vPNk gh lksp j[kk gS] blfy, vc mEehn u NksM+saA

shubh-yatra.in

School Affiliation No. 1730551

NO ADMISSION FEE FOR GIRL CHILD

ADMISSIONS OPEN

2019-20 / CLASSES IV - IX & XI

Birla International School Kishangarh

Science

Birla Education Trust, Pilani Institution

Commerce

Humanities

Salient Features Ÿ English medium Co-educational fully

Residential School Ÿ Teacher-Pupil ratio 1:12 Ÿ State-of-the-art Infrastructure Valuing traditions Ÿ Amenities for the future Ÿ Learning on tablets Ÿ Wi-Fi campus

Ÿ Fully equipped expansive and inspiring Library Ÿ Idyllic and Seamless living conditions in a lush

green campus Ÿ Separate and dispersed air-conditioned Boarding

Houses for Boys and Girls Ÿ Wellness Centre (mini hospital with resident

Doctor and Ambulance)

Ÿ Air-conditioned Digital Classrooms

An Ambience for Education Ÿ Multi-purpose hall and Seminar rooms Ÿ Les Ateliers (studios) - Classical and

Contemporary Dance and Music

Ÿ Psychology, Humanities, Physics,

Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Robotics

Ÿ Arts and Crafts workplaces

Ÿ Language Lab

Ÿ Research workrooms for IT,

Ÿ Audio-Visual theatre

Integrated Sports Facilities for Ÿ Cricket

Ÿ Gymnastics

Ÿ Basketball and Volleyball

Ÿ Yoga

Ÿ Badminton and Tennis

Ÿ Swimming

Ÿ Table Tennis

Ÿ Athletics

Ÿ Rifle/Pistol Shooting

Ÿ Skating

Ÿ Horse Riding

and many more...

For Online Registration

www.bisk.edu.in BirlaInternationalSchool

BirlaIntSchool

92510 28301 | 92510 28311

Milestone 82, Jaipur-Ajmer Highway, Kishangarh, Ajmer -305801 Email: admission@bisk.edu.in

Impose Cover SY feb'19.indd 2

29/01/19 6:31 PM

The inflight magazine of Air India

February 2019 | Vol 7 | Issue 2

A Maxposure Media Group Publication

Free Copy -- for inflight reading only

R.N.I No. DELBIL/2013/49281

The inflight magazine of Air India

Feathered spots

Top 5 birding destinations in India

Taste of Amritsar

On a street food trail

February 2019

The Puducherry canvas cOlOurs OF The seAsIde pArAdIse

Impose Cover SY feb'19.indd 1

30/01/19 12:31 PM