Travel 3Sixty July 2018

JuLY 2018

ISSUE 16

India

AirAsia flies #HalfABillion!

Celebrate with me, but leave me behind! Read me online.

AirAsia Inflight Magazine

Dancing in the rain The Great Indian Monsoon

Set sail for a high seas adventure with lovable monsters

ONLY IN CINEMAS

6-Slide Waterpark

Fireworks at Sea

World-Class Entertainment

Dining

This summer, join Drac’s pack for a monstrous vacation on the Genting Dream!

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• Best Dressed Monster-themed Costume Party • Blobby Milkshake Drinking Contest • Mummy Look-alike Dress Up Competition • Monster Treasure Hunt • Monster Art Attack & Face Painting

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Departures: 25th May - 31th Aug, 2018 5-Night Surabaya - North Bali - or Redang - Koh Samui - Bangkok or Redang - Sihanoukville - Bangkok (Sun)

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holidays@traveltours.in

AHMEDABAD + BANGALORE + CHANDIGARH + CHENNAI + HYDERABAD + JALANDHAR + KOCHI KOLKATA + LUDHIANA + MUMBAI + NEW DELHI + PUNE + SURAT + VADODARA + VIJAYAWADA PART OF FCTG AUSTRALIA ● 25+ STORES IN INDIA ● 17+ CITIES ● OVER 1 MILLION CUSTOMERS The rates are based on low season for interior stateroom for 1PAX on twin sharing, excluding tax and gratuity. Above programs are subject to change without prior notice. Other terms and conditions will apply.

Issue 16

Navigator

July 2018

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Wanderlust – TravelHer

Wanderlust – Lenscape

Wanderlust – Monsoon Holidays

People of the River

Dancing in the Rain

Wanderlust – Shopping

To the Heart of the Ghats Travel blogger Aditi Carapurcar treks through lush forests, past gushing streams to Bhimashankar temple near Pune.

Glimpses of life in Majuli, Assam, the largest river island in the world, and its culture.

Chase the great Indian monsoon through seven cities and experience the best they have to offer.

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Wanderlust – Getaway

Wanderlust – Thekkady

Wanderlust – Heritage

A Kashmiri Summer Nestled in the mountainside near Srinagar, the tiny hamlet of Chatpal is a landscape painting come to life.

Spice Country

Handmade in India

Walk through a spice plantation in Thekkady, Kerala to discover new hues, new flavours and new facets of familiar Indian condiments.

Get a glimpse into four Indian villages that are preserving some of the country's most fascinating crafts.

A Bagful of Memories Explore the markets of Bundi in Rajasthan, and be dazzled by their display of art and craftsmanship.

travel360 won Gold in the 2017 Galaxy Awards (USA) for Best Design Bound Publications in the Travel and Tourism Category

For any feedback, please write to nodalofficer_in@airasia.com. Alternatively, you can also write to sugam.dgca@nic.in or visit www.airsewa.com.

Issue 16

Navigator

July 2018

Here’s the Buzz on AirAsia’s Social Media Thanks a lot Dimpal from AirAsia India at Biju Pattnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, for your awesome service and helpfulness! They should have more people like you as part of their staff across the world! Thank you for your swift approach. I had a lovely experience. nouman malik

I want to thank Mr Suvajit Das from AirAsia ground staff for helping me recently. I had left my baggage - containing all my qualification certificates - in front of the AirAsia sales counter in a hurry, and he really helped me retrieve it. Thank you AirAsia. I will choose to fly with you again and again. srinibas rath

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From the Flight Deck

Cover To Cover

City Canvas

8 In Service of Happiness

22 Interview

Author Ira Mukhoty

30 Ranchi, Jharkhand

"Guest

Happiness" is an

integral part of AirAsia

India's ground operations.

Discover the natural and historical richness of Jharkhand's capital city.

Special

12 Celebrating #HalfABillion

Guests Flown

AirAsia celebrates another milestone.

Calendar

18 Hot Dates Events across the globe in July.

on her new book, Daughters of the Sun: Empresses, Queens and Begums of the Mughal Empire.

Movies & Music

26 Latest Releases

Movie and music releases in the month of July.

Future Forward

28 Smarter Stunners Mid-range

smartphones with

high-end specs.

Vanity Fare

84 One for the Rain

How to be monsoon-ready

while keeping up

your style game!

85 Fridays in the Boardroom

How to give your workwear wardrobe a smart weekend vibe.

Cabin Comfort

86 Joy of Flying In-flight exercises for your health and well-being.

87 In Touch 88 Route Map 92 Destinations

I had a wonderful time flying with AirAsia from Kolkata to Kuala Lumpur via Bhubaneswar and back. it was a great experience to see the happy faces of the crew. A special thanks to Mr Dimpal from the Bhubaneswar airport. I have never felt so comfortable in any airline. Thank you AirAsia, for making my journey so memorable. swastika mukherjee

I truly appreciate the support I received from AirAsia ground staff Ayesha Begum, Wajid and Rizwan Khan in sorting out an issue with my visa. They contacted the Australian Consulate at a very late hour and had the issue resolved within 30 minutes! reepal joshi

India

Issue 16 July 2018

AirAsia India

Singapore

Regional Managing Editor R. Rajendra

51 Goldhill Plaza, #07-10/11, Singapore 308900, Tel: +65 31632622

Manager, Public Relations Divya Kumar Executive, Public Relations Sanya Kaushik

Maxposure Media Group India Pvt. Ltd CEO & Managing Director Prakash Johari Director Vikas Johari Editorial Director Jayita Bandyopadhyay Submissions airasia@maxposuremedia.com Advertising info@maxposuremedia.com Marketing marketing@maxposuremedia.com Website maxposuremedia.com India Maxposure Media Group India Pvt Ltd

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Europe France, Nicolas Devos IMM International, Tel: +331 40137905,

Maxposure India offices

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On the Cover

david@simpson-media.com

Russia/Switzerland, Gleb Korotkov Halfbudget, Tel: + 7 9852243800, +41 767102525,

As monsoon makes its way across India, a dancer enjoys the rain. Her feet are painted with the traditional alta (a red dye applied by women using cotton) and her ankles are adorned by ghunghroos (a musical anklet made using several small tinkerbells).

info@halfbudget.com

Turkey, Tan Bilge, Media Ltd., Tel: +90 212 2758433, tanbilge@medialtd.com.tr

Far East Hong Kong/Indonesia Peter Jeffery Asian Integrated Media Ltd. Tel +852 39106388 peterjeffery@asianimedia.com

Japan, Michiko Kawano Pacific Business Inc Tel: +813 36616138 kawano-pbi@gol.com

South Korea, Jung-Won Suh Sinsegi Media Inc. Tel: +82 27858222 sinsegi-2@sinsegimedia.info

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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

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CIN No U22229DL2006PTC152087 travel360 India magazine is printed and published by Prakash Johari on behalf of AirAsia India and published at Maxposure Media Group (India) Pvt. Ltd. (MMGIPL), #TheAddress, Plot No. 62, Okhla Phase III, New Delhi-110020, India. travel360 India is published monthly. All rights reserved. The writing, artwork and/or photography contained herein may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of MMGIPL. 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 AirAsia India. All efforts have been made while compiling the content of this magazine, but we assume no responsibility for the effects arising there from. For inquiries | MMGIPL tel: +91.11.43011111, www. maxposuremedia.com.

from the flight deck

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07 18

In Service of Happiness Dear Guests, At the outset, thank you for choosing to fly AirAsia, and for giving us the opportunity to serve you today. We are immensely proud and excited to have flown #HalfABillion guests, a feat achieved through the relentless hard work of Allstars across the globe, devoted to the vision of enabling everyone to fly. A vital contributing factor for this accomplishment is our dedication to “Guest Happiness”.

“Guest Happiness” is an integral part of our ground operations, with perhaps the largest and widest array of touchpoints across your journey at airports. At AirAsia, Allstars work tirelessly towards ensuring that your travels are pleasant and hassle-free. “Guest Happiness” is a goal that all of us deeply believe in, and AirAsia Allstars possess enthusiastic dedication to this cause.

So, how does one quantify “happiness”? At AirAsia, “Guest

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Happiness”, a vital process metric, is a measure of delightful guest experience aligned with desired service delivery, expressed through what we call a net promoter score (NPS) which is used to determine the loyalty of a brand’s customer relationships.

As such, delighting and ensuring a seamless travel experience for our guests is an ongoing mission, on ground.

The approach to “Guest Happiness” is two-pronged.

On one hand, it is our Allstars, striving to achieve this goal.

Given the social nature of this role, each and every Allstar has enhanced inter-personal skills, allowing them to interact with guests productively. On the other hand, it is the digitization of our processes, as well as our userfriendly website,

1. Salim Chaudhary, (seated, fourth from right) and Kesavan Sivanandam, Group Head, Guest Happiness, AirAsia (seated, centre) along with the Guest Happiness team from across India at a Regional meeting held in Srinagar.

2. Salim Chaudhary, Head, Ground Operations, Guest Services, AirAsia India.

www.airasia.com, and the AirAsia Mobile App that allow us to enhance guest experience. For instance, we offer smart check-in solutions with roving agents and self-service check-in kiosks, reducing waiting time at airport check-in counters.

In our exciting journey, we continue being truly inspired by our shareholders, the Tata Group and AirAsia Group!

Clocking #HalfABillion guests flown worldwide, with more than five lakh guests flown every month in India alone, we continue to work towards our mission of Now Everyone can Fly.

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Enjoy amazing deals exclusively on the AirAsia Mobile App! Download now:

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red fort

1. Mr Santisuk Klongchaiya, CEO, AirAsia Thailand.

2. A sculpture on Amritsar's recently unveiled Heritage Walkway.

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07 18

AirAsia India Flying Soon to Amritsar

1. The recently unveiled Heritage Walkway in Amritsar.

2. A sculpture on the Heritage Walkway.

3. The city is also renowned for its street food, such as Amritsari fried fish.

AirAsia India has announced the addition of a new destination to its network. The airline will connect Bengaluru to Amritsar and further solidify its presence in India.

With a large number of consumers travelling to Amritsar for pilgrimage and business engagements, this will provide AirAsia India with an opportunity to offer consumers faster and affordable travel options.

Guests can book their flights on www.airasia.com or the AirAsia Mobile App and avail low fares for flights connecting Bengaluru and Amritsar.

AirAsia India will operate the new routes as per the schedule below from July 26, 2018: AirAsia India currently flies to 20 destinations with its hubs in Bengaluru, New Delhi and Kolkata, covering Kochi, Goa, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Pune, Guwahati, Imphal, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Srinagar, Bagdogra, Ranchi, Indore, Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Surat and Chennai.

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Special

#HalfABillion Guests Flown – We Did It! 25 countries, more than 130 destinations and 330 routes, 19,500+ Allstars and #HalfABillion guests! With the support of our guests, the AirAsia Group has grown from two aircraft in 2001 to over 230 aircraft in 2018. We’re constantly growing and improving our services, thanks to the support of our partners across all airports we connect to. We celebrate this milestone by extending our gratitude to a few stakeholders from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, AirAsia India’s home ground.

07 18

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Our Catering partners, Taj SATS make our guests’ in-flight experience so much better with delectable fare from our specially curated Santan menu.

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1. The team of Taj SATS with Allstar Syed Afzal, Catering, In-flight Services, AirAsia India.

2. Sous Chef Krishnan V. (left) and Sous Chef Santosh Chand (right) with kids from Allstar families making pizza for ‘Kids Eat for Free’ day, a promotional event held in September 2017.

3. Chef Pankaj Jha, Executive Chef, TajSATS (fourth from left) with his team of sous chefs and chefs de partie.

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Marking Millions As we fly far and wide, carrying guests across our network, we continue to celebrate memorable milestones and reward our guests.

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Team members from the Security department of Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru work tirelessly towards ensuring compliance in airport operations.

ATM (Air Traffic Management) standing proud!

Representatives from Air Traffic Management, Bengaluru work round the clock to ensure safe and efficient operations at Kempegowda International Airport.

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4. Gautam Banerjee, Deputy General Manager, Security (centre, in blue), Santhosh Kumar S., Senior Manager, Security (fourth from right), and Shiju Ranjit Solomon, Assistant Manager, Aviation Security Compliance, Operations (third from right).

5. R.Raghavendra Rao, Joint General Manager (centre, left), Pradeep Kumar, Joint General Manager (centre, right), Rampradeep, Deputy General Manager (third from right) with their team.

100 million in 2010 AirAsia’s 100 millionth guest was 23-yearold housewife Irma Dewi who, at the time, was living in Jakarta, Indonesia, apart from her husband who was working in Tiruchirappalli, India. When AirAsia became the first Asean airline to fly to Tiruchirappalli, it provided Irma and her husband the opportunity to spend more time together. And, when Irma became our 100 millionth guest, AirAsia presented her with 100 free flights!

300 million in 2013 AirAsia's lucky 300 millionth guest was Jodie Lazuardie, a 30-year-old Art Director based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

He flew from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in August 2013 and upon arrival in Jakarta, was given the redcarpet treatment, which included a private pick-up from the plane, fast-track immigration clearance and priority baggage handling.

Jodie also received three million BIG Points from AirAsia BIG, the airline's loyalty programme.

07 18

500 million in 2018 This year, AirAsia welcomed its 500 millionth guest, Dr Panut Oprasertsawat from Thailand, who took AirAsia over the half a billion mark when he flew from Phuket to Bangkok in March. Dr Panut travels frequently between the two cities for business. He received three million AirAsia BIG Points, THB50,000 (approx. USD1,500) worth of vouchers from Vidi (a trip planner app) and free AirAsia flights for life!

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calendar

Hot Dates Check out what's hot and happening in July!

Puri, Odisha

Rath Yatra July 14 Thousands of devotees from across the world gather in Puri to be a part of Rath Yatra, the annual chariot festival. Idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra

are brought out from their sanctums inside the Jagannath temple and taken to the Gundicha temple aboard three grand chariots, accompanied by a vibrant procession. They return to the main temple after nine days. odishatourism.gov.in

Bengaluru, Karnataka

Bangalore Open Air

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New Delhi

Himalayan Odyssey 2018 July 5-22 If you're a lover of motorbikes, this 18-day biking expedition is definitely for you! This year, the Himalayan Odyssey will traverse approximately 2,200 km and take riders through some of North India's most challenging terrain.

The journey from the national capital to Leh and back will cover Chandigarh, Manali, Keylong, Hunder and Narkanda en route. royalenfield.com

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July 7 Get ready to embrace your inner metalhead as one of India's biggest open-air heavy metal music festivals takes over Bengaluru with its seventh edition. The event will be held at Aadya Farms Leisure Park, and this year's line-up will feature bands such as Overkill, Kryptos, Nervecell, Immolation and many more. bangaloreopenair.com

Munnar, Kerala

Neelakurinji Flower Blooming July-October Hundreds of tiny blue neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthianus) flowers will bloom across Munnar in a phenomenon that occurs once in 12 years.

Witness this spectacular visual feast between July and October this year, with approximately 40 varieties of the flower taking your breath away! keralatourism.org

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calendar

kuching, sarawak, Malaysia

Jakarta, Indonesia

We The Fest 07 18

Singapore

Singapore Food Festival

July 20-22 Graced by artistes such as Elle Goulding, Mark Ronson and Jessie Ware in the past, this festival of art, fashion, music and food is one of the most anticipated events of the year in Indonesia. The fifth edition of the event will feature performances

by Alt J, James Bay, SG Lewis and Vince Staples among others. wethefest.com

Rainforest World Music Festival

July 13-15 Renowned musicians from across the world will gather for this spectacular festival that

also features indigenous musicians from the island of Borneo. The event is organised every year at Sarawak Cultural Village and Damai Central. You can learn to play the sape, the boat lute of Borneo, and taste delectable local cuisine. rwmf.net

July 13-29 A food lover's dream come true, this festival brings together some of Singapore’s brightest culinary talents, local food culture and multi-sensory dining experiences. The 25th edition of this extravaganza will also showcase food-inspired art and fresh takes on local delicacies. visitsingapore.com Kyoto, Japan

Gion Matsuri July 1-31 One of Japan's most popular festivals, this annual summer fiesta transforms Kyoto into a cultural block party. Locals

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and visitors feast and make merry to their hearts' content in the three-day run-up to a parade where ornately decorated floats and shrines, called mikoshi, are carried along the streets. japan.travel / us.jnto.go.jp

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cover to cover

Princess Gulbadan's biography of her brother, Mughal emperor Humayun, titled Humāyūnnāma, was the first account of life at the Mughal court to be authored by a woman.

The Lesser Known Mughals In her new book, Daughters of the Sun: Empresses, Queens and Begums of the Mughal Empire, Ira Mukhoty rediscovers remarkable women who, unbeknownst to popular culture, changed the course of Mughal history.

Other works

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In Mukhoty's first book, Heroines, the author examines Indian historical and mythological figures such as Draupadi, Radha, Razia Sultan and Meerabai.

Tell us about your engagement with history and historical writing.

When I started out as a writer, I was interested in the depiction of historical figures in India, and the extent to which they had been mythologised in popular consciousness. My first book, Heroines (2017), dealt with certain female Indian role models, looked at through the lens of myth and history. I felt it would be interesting to rediscover the lost or misinterpreted histories of women and present them to a modern audience.

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When and how did the idea for your new book germinate?

When I was writing Heroines, one of the women I was studying was Jahanara Begum, daughter of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

Being from New Delhi, I was appalled at how little I knew about this extraordinary woman, who had contributed significantly to the building of Shahjahanabad.

I became curious to know how many other Mughal women had been powerful and influential like her, and where their power and ambition had come from. When I

realised during my research the extent to which these women are invisible in popular culture, I felt their stories would make for interesting and useful reading.

Tell us about the women among those mentioned in the book, whom you found to be more intriguing than the rest.

I was particularly fascinated by two women who are chronologically at the opposite ends of the 200 years I cover in the book.

Khanzada Begum, Babur’s elder sister, was one of the first Mughal women to come to India soon after her brother won the Battle of Panipat in 1526. As a woman who ‘fell’ to an enemy, Uzbek chieftain Shaybani Khan, she nonetheless managed to return to Babur’s court 10 years later and commanded enormous respect because of her courage. More than a century later, Jahanara Begum had a life completely different from Khanzada’s, filled with luxury and opulence. While she had to eventually confront a tragic reversal of fortune, she had a far less adventurous life than the former. However, she too influenced the course of Mughal history through the force of her character, and commanded the respect of the Mughal court.

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Parx Exclusive Stores: Almora: G-35, Raghunath City Mall Aurangabad: F-22, Prozone Mall Bangalore: F-46, Phoenix Market City I F-17, Mantri Mall, Malleswaram Bareilly: G-32, Phoenix United Mall Calicut: Shop No.416, Focus Mall I G 1003, Hilite Mall I Red Cross Road Beside Taghore Hall Kashipur: Shraddha Elite, Ratan Cinema Road Dehradun: Khasra No. 2-4, 9, Rajpur Road New Delhi: G-137, V3S East Centre Mall Jaipur: Shop No. 278, M.I. Road Lucknow: G-22, G-23, Singapore Mall, Virat Khand, Gomti Nagar I Vaishnavi Sales - Aliganj, Shop No. 2 & 3 Swaroop Arcade I Vaishnavi Sales - G-26, G-27,Shalimar Eldee Plaza, Bhootnath Kanpur: Shop No.10-B, Z Square Mall Nainital: Guru Gobind Singh Tower Haldwani: Guru Gobind Singh Tower, Nainital Road I Glamour Exclusive Rudrapur: Rajiv Exclusive, H-26 Gurudwara Road, Main Market Muzaffar Nagar: 72-B, Chauri Gali New Mandi, Muzaffar Nagar Raebareli: Near Degree College Chauraha Roorkee: Opp Shiv Complex, Civil Lines Roorkee Trivandrum: Mall Of Travancore, Shop No 33, Ground Floor

cover to cover Games Customers Play Ramesh Dorairaj; Penguin Random House

This book looks at the 'games' played by buyers and sellers, and suggests tools that buyers could use to tip the balance of power in their favour. This guide is quite useful for the modern-day consumer.

The Beauty of All My Days: A Memoir

The Delight of Being Ordinary Roland Merullo; Vintage

A fictional story of two holy men setting out on a secret vacation, the book follows their road trip through the Italian countryside.

The part-expedition, partspiritual upliftment tale is warm, funny and charming.

The Possible World Liese O’Halloran Schwarz; Hutchinson

An interesting story of the intertwined lives of a crime survivor, a doctor and a secretive individual, the novel looks at how they are brought together by past and present events, as well as the twists and turns of fate.

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Sting Like a Bee Leigh Montville; Anchor

The engaging biography of boxing legend Muhammad Ali looks at the phase where he went from being an athlete to an activist-icon. It talks about his refusal to join the military and the ensuing struggles.

It provides insight into the life of the athlete and his beliefs.

Am I There Yet? Marie Andrew; Clarkson Potter

From popular Instagram personality Mari Andrew comes a quirky narration of the complexities of millennials and tackling adulthood. From dealing with detours to how a hair-dryer affects self-esteem, this is a witty collection of essays.

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Ruskin Bond; Penguin Viking

A look at the life of one of India’s most-loved authors, this book opens a window to Bond’s relationships with his friends and his parents, his travels to England, the making of his first book ( The Room on the Roof ), and more. A candid memoir, it is also accompanied by some great photographs.

Home Fire: A Novel Kamila Shamsie; Bloomsbury Publishing

An account of identity and politics, this is the heartbreaking story of an immigrant family driven to pit love against loyalty, with tragic consequences. After years of looking after her younger siblings following her mother’s death, Isma moves to America to pursue her education.

She continues to worry about her sister Aneeka, who now lives in London, and her brother Parvaiz, who has disappeared in pursuit of his father's dark legacy. When Parvaiz finally resurfaces in another country, Isma must confront her worst fears.

Compelling and engaging, this contemporary retelling of Sophocles' Antigone is a powerful read.

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The green symbols trailing down in The Matrix aren’t actually algorithms. A production designer manipulated symbols from his wife’s sushi cookbooks to create the 'code'!

movies & music

Latest Releases We bring you your monthly dose of entertainment.

Music

Hindi

Soorma

Update your playlist with these latest soundtracks!

Diljit Dosanjh, Taapsee Pannu, Angad Bedi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda Plot Based on Indian hockey player Sandeep Singh, the film narrates key events from his life, including an accidental gunshot that left him wheelchair-bound for two years.

It portrays how he fought all odds and led his team to victory.

July 13 Cast

English

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Sweetener Release Date July 20 Artiste Ariana Grande Label Republic

Hindi

Dhadak July 20 Cast Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Aditya Kumar Plot Set in Rajasthan, Dhadak follows two youngsters as they deal with social issues such as honour killing. It is based on the National Award-winning 2016 Marathi movie, Sairat.

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Hindi

Mulk July 27 Cast Rishi Kapoor, Taapsee Pannu, Rajat Kapoor Plot Focussed on a joint family mired in controversy, Mulk narrates the story of its members' struggle to reclaim their honour.

A social thriller depicting the struggles of common citizens, it has been shot in Lucknow.

Bengali

Fidaa July 13 Cast Yash Dasgupta, Sanjana Banerjee, Anindya Banerjee Plot Helmed by Pathikrit Basu, the film is a remake of Telugu film Tholi Prema. It revolves around two people whose egos keep them from professing their love for each other.

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July 20 Cast

Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Lily James, Cher, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth Plot The movie starts 10 years after its prequel, Mamma Mia! Sophie is expecting a child, and is running her mother's villa in Kalokairi. Her approaching motherhood inspires her to dig deeper into her mother’s past - how she set up the hotel and raised Sophie on her own.

Love Monster Release Date July 13 Artiste Amy Shark Label Wonderlick Entertainment, Sony Music Australia

Palo Santo Release Date July 6 Artiste Years & Years Label Polydor

Lamp Lit Prose Release Date July 13 Artiste Dirty Projectors Label Domino

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Launched in 2008, the HTC Dream, which was released as the T-Mobile G1, was the first phone to run on Google's Android operating system.

future forward

Smarter Stunners

While the iPhones, Pixels and Galaxys of the world continue amping up their features – and their prices – an array of mid-range smartphones packed with high-end specs are taking over the Indian market!

OnePlus 6 One of the most anticipated releases of the year, the OnePlus 6 reportedly sold out within 10 minutes of its official launch in India, and made its makers richer by INR100 crore!

The OnePlus 6 is the first in the company's roster of flagships to feature an all-glass design, and is its most sophisticated handset to date. It is equipped with a 6.28inch Full Optic AMOLED Display and the latest Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 845 to deliver an outstanding viewing experience.

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Vivo X21 Vivo has managed to do with the X21 what Apple had done with the iPhone 5s, the first phone that came with a builtin fingerprint sensor. With a bezel-less 19:9 ratio screen and a fingerprint sensor built under the display, the X21 is the next big thing! It also comes with the latest Android 8.1, 6GB RAM, 128GB internal storage, a Qualcomm® Snapdragon 660 chipset and a 3200 mAH battery that lasts at least a day! Price: `35,990 (approx.)

Honor 10 The Honor 9 lite, 7X and 8 incorporated an extraordinary number of features into devices priced under INR15,000. This time, with the Honor 10, the brand seems to be aiming for millennials seeking devices that are easy on the eyes as well as on the pocket. The mirror finish and striking blue colour translate into instant brownie points and its 24MP+16MP dual-lens AI camera is supported by an AI chipset with built-in NPU - it recognises more than 500 possible scenarios in 22 categories, in real-time!

Price: `32,999 (approx.)

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Price: `35,990 (approx.)

Click tips Three must-dos to get great pictures with a dual-camera smartphone: Before using your dualcamera setup, make sure these settings are in place: the image quality should be set to high, the aspect ratio to 16:9 and the HDR mode switched on. This will give you significantly sharper pictures.

Always tap on the subject to get optimal lighting and focus.

Manually adjust the brightness.

Do not zoom unless absolutely necessary.

Not all dual-camera setups have a telephoto lens. The primary camera captures the subject and the secondary captures the background.

Nokia 7 Plus Once the most trusted mobile phone brand in the country, Nokia has managed to make quite an impression on Indians since its re-launch under HMD Global. The brand's strength remains durability and features, and the Nokia 7 Plus brings back the good old Carl Zeiss-Nokia partnership with an excellent dual camera setup. The best bits are Android 8.1 and smart security updates. Price: `25,990 (approx.)

Oppo F7 Diamond Black The F7 was Oppo’s first FHD+ Super Full Screen display model in India, featuring AI Beauty technology 2.0 and a fantastic 25MP front camera.

The Oppo F7 Diamond Black is a special edition upgrade on the same model, equipped to perform faster and better with 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM. Price: `26,990 (approx.)

Redmi Note 5 Pro This smartphone has a Qualcomm® Snapdragon 636 processor, 64GB storage, a 6-inch full-HD display, 12MP+5 MP dual camera and a whopping 4000 mAH battery!

It also brings to the table the Kryo CPU, so far seen only in the Snapdragon 800 series, enhancing processing speed.

Price: `14,999 (approx.)

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Ranchi, Jharkhand Situated on a 700 m-high plateau and home to numerous majestic waterfalls as well as one of India's first tiger reserves, Ranchi is the perfect summer getaway.

Insider's View Don't miss these attractions in Ranchi.

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Sitting pretty on the picturesque Chota Nagpur Plateau, Ranchi is the capital city of Jharkhand.

During the British rule, it was the summer capital of Bihar and today, acts as the gateway to the Betla National Park, one of India's first tiger reserves.

The park was originally established as a sanctuary and later upgraded to its present status.

What makes Ranchi a pleasant escape at this time of the year is its temperate climate, owing to its

location at an altitude of 700 m above sea level.

Numerous waterfalls such as Hundru, Sita and Jonha add another layer of rejuvenation to the refreshing experience of vacationing here. One of the major highlights of the town is Ranchi lake. This placid water body, excavated by Colonel Onsely, a British official, in 1842, has the picturesque Ranchi hills as its backdrop, and makes for an ideal picnic spot.

1. A view of a road in Ranchi. The city is renowned for its refreshing green vistas.

2. The Dassam falls near Ranchi.

If you love nature, take a 45-km detour from the city to Taimara village, where the Kanchi river, a tributary of Swarnarekha river, cascades down a 144-fthigh hill, forming the majestic Dassam falls. It is believed that this cascade was originally christened Da-Song during British rule. From here, travel to the Sun temple, designed in the shape of a huge chariot with 18 bedecked wheels and seven lifelike horses at the helm.

A couple of hours away lies the Deori Mandir, a unique temple dedicated to Goddess Durga. While the goddess is conventionally depicted with eight arms, the idol housed here has been given 16! The original temple, erected in stone, is said to date back to the 10th or 11th century AD.

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You can buy authentic dhokra metal-work artefacts, one of the state's most iconic traditional handicraft forms, from the Jharcraft Megastore in Ranchi.

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Budget & Blowout Guide Treat yourself, or save your money? Our guide can help you decide.

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Upper Bazar What Janpath is to New Delhi and Gariahat is to Kolkata, Upper Bazar is to Ranchi. From wholesale shops negotiating prices with distributors and customers alike, to shops selling stylish readymade garments, Upper Bazar is the perfect place to shop for anyone on a shoestring budget. The area around the market also happens to be one of the most sought-after affordable residential areas in the city.

Hotel Trident Inn Located in the heart of the city, Hotel Trident Inn is known for its warm hospitality and efficient staff. Comfortable rooms that do not pull at the purse strings, boast wooden flooring and come with all the basic amenities such as satellite television, an electronic safe and laundry services among others. hoteltridentinn.in

Eat

Sarafa Bazaar A market known for its jewellery by day, Sarafa Bazaar transforms into a street food extravaganza by night! Head to Joshiji Ka Dahiwada and watch Om Prakash Joshi, the son of the shop's founder, make a portion of delicious dahi vada (deep-fried lentil dough cutlets in yogurt) and serve it to you on a disposable platter. Other delights you must try include kachoris (fried savoury stuffed flatbread) and bhutte ka khees (a dish made with boiled corn, ghee and Indian spices).

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State Museum Jharkhand has long been known for its mineral wealth as well as rich cultural and artistic heritage, and a number of objects and artefacts bearing testimony to the same are exhibited at the State Museum in Ranchi. Learn about the indigenous tribes of the state and get a glimpse into their lives through the displays in the anthropological division.

Objects relating to crafts identified through excavations also take pride of place here. statemuseumranchi.in

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Ranchi Club Among the oldest of its kind in the city, the Ranchi Club is a premier social hub that brings together all things business and leisure. With an ambience harking back to the British Raj while retaining a quintessentially Indian essence, the club has a 125-year-old history. On offer here are a range of activities on par with the finest clubs in the country, and an exceptional fine dining restaurant serving Indian, Chinese and European delicacies. ranchiclub.org

Moti Mahal Deluxe Tandoori Trail For succulent tandoori kebabs and mouth-watering butter chicken, the creamiest of dal makhanis and the tastiest of naans, the Moti Mahal Deluxe Tandoori Trail is your one-stop shop! A franchise of the fairly well-known Moti Mahal, the restaurant that is said to have put tandoori and butter chicken on the mainstream restaurant map of India, this eatery serves up some of the most delectable dishes in the city. A trip to Ranchi would be incomplete without a Mughlai meal here. motimahal.in

PVR Nucleus Mall Hit three targets with one arrow at this mall - watch the latest Bollywood and Hollywood flicks at PVR cinemas, shop from some of the top fashion brand stores and indulge in a plateful of lip-smacking food. The mall houses several popular brands such as Levis, W for Woman, Louis Philippe, Shoppers Stop, Seven Store and NewU. An added attraction of the mall is its well-equipped gaming zone.

Le Lac Sarovar Portico Staying at the lavish Le Lac Sarovar Portico is akin to residing in the lap of luxury in Ranchi. The property has been strategically located close to most of the administrative and business hubs in the city, and is also equipped with a boardroom and business centre. You can savour the flavours of China, Mexico and Japan at the hotel's multi-cuisine restaurant. sarovarhotels.com

Getting There AirAsia India connects to Ranchi from several cities. airasia.com

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Lands of opportunity

Nearly half a dozen states in central and east India have become hubs of excellent growth, attracting investors from within and outside India due to the wealth of resources on offer and the constantly-improving quality of life in their cities

Central and eastern India, comprising about half a dozen states, are today witnessing remarkable growth as international and domestic investors see tremendous opportunities in these two vital regions.

While central India includes states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and even parts of Maharashtra (especially Vidarbha region), eastern India encompasses

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resource-rich (in terms of rivers, minerals and other natural wealth) states including Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.

The last few years have seen the governments of these states and the civic bodies of many of the major cities strive to improve the quality of living. Not surprisingly, they have emerged as national winners in several surveys.

For instance, the recent Swachh Survekshan 2018 awards, instituted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs that did a survey of sanitation and hygiene across 4,203 urban local bodies, saw Indore and Bhopal emerge as the cleanest cities. Jharkhand was adjudged the best performing state in the survey, followed by Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. Both Indore and Bhopal had also been declared as the two cleanest cities in the 2017 survey.

Hardeep Puri, the Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs, announced the winners of Swachh Survekshan 2018 in May, the exercise for which was undertaken between January and March and covered a record number of 400 million urban citizens.

"Congratulations #Indore & #Bhopal for a repeat performance at #1&2," tweeted the minister after declaring the winners.

According to Vivek Agarwal, principal secretary, urban administration and housing department, Madhya Pradesh, sustaining the top ranks for Indore and Bhopal was a challenge. “But we overcame it and the two have retained the top positions,” he said.

Many other cities from central and eastern India also figured in the exhaustive list of award winners. Nagpur, for instance, was declared as India’s best city in terms of ‘Innovation and Best Practices.’ Giridih in Jharkhand and Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh won the 'best city' awards (in the 100,000300,000 population category) in terms of ‘citizen feedback’ and ‘innovation and best practices’ respectively. Ranchi was also declared the best state capital in terms of citizen’s feedback.

Cities in central and eastern India are witnessing growth in several areas including infrastructure, education and medical tourism. In higher education, for instance, many universities and colleges are setting up bases in these states to ensure that the youth get the right education and training and can get jobs in the rapidly growing industrial, agricultural and services segments.

“We believe that the quality of higher education is a fundamental right of all Indians, and they must not be forced to travel to urban education centres to become skilled and employable,” remarks Santosh Kumar Choubey, founder, AISECT group of universities, which has carved a niche for itself in Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand and is based about 50 km from Bhopal.

According to him, higher education is the pillar upon which the future of a country rests. “Skilled youth are not only able to raise the living standards and prospects of their families, but are also able to serve the country in a better way,” he adds.

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advertorial Billions of rupees are also being invested in developing infrastructure including roads and highways, airports, inland container terminals, railway projects, power plants and other industries in central and eastern India. The Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor, which is being built across seven states in the northern, central and eastern parts of the country, will give a major boost for industrialisation. In Jharkhand, for instance, several new projects are coming up including a mega food park in Ranchi, and an IT and software technology parks, besides parks dedicated to automotive vendors, the aluminium industry, gems and jewellery and ceramics.

States in central and eastern India are expected to contribute significantly to rapid economic growth in the

Diverse fields of study Usha Martin University offers a wide range of courses from different streams

Faculty of commerce and management a. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) b. Master of Business Administration (MBA) c. BCom (Hons) d. MCom e. PhD & MPhil

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Faculty of engineering & applied sciences a. Diploma in Civil b. Diploma in Mechanical c. Diploma in Electrical d. Diploma in Mining e. Diploma in Computers Faculty of computing & information technology a. BCA b. BSc (Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning) c. MCA d. PhD & MPhil Faculty of arts & social sciences a. BA Economics (Hons) b. BA English (Hons) c. PhD & MPhil

country over the next few years. Unlike many urban hubs in northern, western or southern India, which have developed at a ferocious pace but have failed to keep up with the requirements, these states offer a lot of opportunities for potential investors. The coming years will see the gradual transformation and a significant development in these key states, helping boost India’s overall growth rate.

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Faculty of law a. LLB b. BBA LLB Faculty of education a. BEd (Special Education) b. MA (Education)

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Educated for the times

Usha Martin University provides a dynamic education framework to stay relevant to evolving requirements

Knowledge is a versatile resource that can improve efficiency and increase productivity of the system by producing competent graduates. A prerequisite for achieving this goal is that every higher education institution reviews, reengineers and repositions itself to continuously remain relevant to the evolving environment, and strives for quality and excellence in all fields.

Usha Martin University (UMU) is dedicated to cost-effective quality education for sustainable and inclusive development in Jharkhand. It has set very pragmatic benchmarks to take the region to dynamism and prosperity, empowerment and recognition, and enlightenment and liberation through the wealth of education.

Offering multifaceted learning The university offers a wide range of programmes in business administration, commerce, computers, engineering, social sciences, law and education at levels ranging from diploma to undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees.

Students can choose a programme as per their career goals and interests, and have access to excellent infrastructure and technology-blended education along with sufficient e-resources.

Avenues for research Research degree programmes at the MPhil and PhD levels are geared towards innovative projects in emerging knowledge areas that have regional and national

relevance. Programmes are currently offered in English, management, commerce, economics, physics, mathematics and information technology, to be further diversified in forthcoming sessions.

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Spearheading skill development The university has designed well-defined skills-based programmes that enable learners to acquire suitable competencies in their chosen domain. Customised shortduration training modules on identified skills are offered in consultation with the industry and other employer groups.

Topics include workplace communication, taxation, hospitality management and tourism, supply chain and logistics, cyber security, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data.

Supporting Innovation To build and sustain an ecosystem of supporting innovation and creativity in the region, UMU facilitates a clear action research-based approach in its undergraduate and postgraduate projects.

Learners are asked to take on live projects and the university has formulated a scheme to reward the most innovative project that finds an actual application in the industry or the community. Learners are assured of a rewarding and productive academic journey, leading to employable competencies and life skills.

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advertorial High-quality education SVVV offers quality academics to students for social betterment The first convocation of Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya (SVVV) was organised in its premises on June 9, 2018. Fifty-five students of PhD, MSc, MBA and MTech were awarded degrees, along with toppers of various programmes receiving gold medals. Purushottamdas Pasari, chancellor of SVVV, congratulated the students, emphasising the offering of quality education as a commitment to society. Dr Upinder Dhar, vice

chancellor, presented the details of the university achievements and activities organised by and for the students to facilitate the development of their planning, organising and leadership skills. He said that all possible efforts are made to ensure that quality education is offered by regular updation of syllabi and curricula by the subject experts from leading educational institutions across the country.

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For a brighter future Himalayan University is committed to bettering the future of students Himalayan University is a name that aims to enhance the strength of Indian higher education with high-quality offerings in almost all major academic disciplines. As a top-ranking university of India, Himalayan University is committed to creating a bright future for its students.

The university collaborates with varied industries in order to promote research in different sectors that will contribute to the growth of economy, also establishing itself among the leading universities of the world. At the same time, the university also aims to build cordial relations with toprated brands and corporate houses to promote internship and training programmes.Â

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The university's mission is to develop and enhance opportunities for students that they are able to utilise to their best with their internal capabilities and hidden skills.

Through the mode of quality liberal education for undergraduates and professional ethics for postgraduates, Himalayan University works to bring in complete intellectual, cultural, social and economic qualities of urban life in order to support students from different income groups of the society.

Himalayan University looks to work in collaboration and to set strong and cordial relations with varied industries in order to bride the gap between research and development. With the worthy support of skilled faculties,the university has set its aim to reach beyond the boundaries of the nation in order to achieve the status of becoming a quality provider of education, globally. Its major objective is to attain a high degree of excellence while imparting

higher education of international standards at the top rungs of the academic spectrum. Â The university offers its students the best training and internship programmes under the strongest facets of corporate sectors. Besides these, Himalayan University has already connected with top segments of the business market to offer its students world-class training, placement and internship programmes in verticals such as IT, finance, banking, automobiles, education, media, medicine and many more.

The training and placement cell team is always being sensitised about the importance of staying up to date with the latest and updated news about the corporate sector in order to provide the best opportunities to its students. The university feels proud and honoured to bring to its students the best of the finest and the most outstanding opportunities with respect to their careers and professionalism.

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Travelher

07 18

To the heart of the Ghats 40

Nestled in the Sahyadri mountain range, the Bhimashankar temple offers a scenic combination of natural splendour and rejuvenation.

Aditi Carapurcar treks to the site and experiences the Western Ghats in their full rain-soaked glory.

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A priest sits beside a Shivling at the Bhimashankar temple.

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n the Western Ghats, July is the season of lush greenery as far as the eye can see. A trek to Bhimashankar temple near Pune at this time of the year is a wonderfully counter-intuitive combination of thrill and serenity.

With rolling fields, gushing waterfalls and a dramatic sky for company, it is one of the best solo

trips you can take, with the right guide, of course. I wasn't much of a trekker before I decided to set out for this one, but several friends of mine had recommended it as an ideal excursion in July, what with monsoon having arrived in Maharashtra a month earlier.

A trek best enjoyed during the rainy season? The premise was

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intriguing enough to get me going.

This, and the prospect of hiking through thick forests towards a series of not two or three, but more than 10 waterfalls side by side! I had heard a lot about the route I was going to take to the temple; it was an easier trail, I had been told, through the heart of Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Sahyadri mountain range. The sanctuary, which has been recognised as one of the 12 biodiversity hotspots of the world, is frequented by lovers of nature and wildlife during these months for its rich variety of endemic flora and fauna. The rivers Ghod and Bhima flow through it, and if you're lucky, you might even spot a shekru, the giant flying squirrel that is also Maharashtra's state animal!

For my trek, I made my way from Pune by rail and then road to Khandas, a village that became my base camp. It had rained on the morning of the day I arrived, and I could feel the chill in the breeze. My fellow trekkers suggested that we halt at a local tea stall for a piping hot cuppa. Before I knew it, I was perched on a rock overlooking the meadows, sipping the best chai I have ever tasted. This is one of the reasons why I love travelling solo - as daunting as it might seem at first, it lets you introspect like never before and makes you more confident about the decisions you take even after the trip is over. It is all about wandering and exploring as much as you can, and as I would find out soon enough, this trek offers you plenty of opportunities to do so.

"With rolling fields, gushing waterfalls and a dramatic sky for company, the trek to Bhimashankar temple is one of the best solo trips you can take."

1. The elusive shekru, a flying squirrel that is also Maharashtra's state animal. 2. The trekking route to Bhimashankar temple is peppered with gushing streams and waterfalls.

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About the Author

Aditi Carapurcar is a wanderlust-driven young girl from Goa who has been travelling the world since she was a child.

You can read her blog at: goangirlzindagi.com

Once you start moving uphill from Khandas, there are two prominent trails that can take you to your destination; one goes via Ganesh Ghat and the other via Shidi Ghat. While both routes comprise moderate climbing and a fair amount of walking, the Shidi Ghat route is more challenging while the Ganesh Ghat route is easier, but longer. Most locals and trekkers use the latter, for obvious reasons - it offers you scenic views, is not too demanding physically and is fairly well-marked by hikers of yore. Not surprisingly, this was the route I chose. I can safely attest that the climb through the forest is the most enjoyable part of this route. It consumed the first hour of my journey into the mountains and brought quite a few streams along my path too! Soon, I had my first glimpse of Paddar Killa, a wellknown fort that towered above us.

It isn't the only edifice of its kind in the vicinity. In fact, you can take a few detours and visit any of the several forts nearby - Shivneri, Kothaligad, Padargad or Siddhagad.

As I approached the halfway mark, a flat plateau began to emerge.

The trail eases out from this point onwards and eventually merges with the Shidi Ghat route. Trekkers coming via the latter told me that they had crossed several steep rocks and climbed multiple ladders to get here, and I was more than glad I had chosen Ganesh Ghat instead!

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A few more hours of walking and climbing later, I finally arrived at the end of our trail. I beheld a splendid view of evergreen pastures, narrow gorges and a line of hills below me.

I took a deep breath. The air was as fresh as could be and I took off my shoes to feel the wet grass under my feet. The Western Ghats were laid out before me in all their glory, with the famous array of cascades lining the cliff I stood facing.

A little farther ahead lay the Bhimashankar temple. It is believed to have been built in the 12th century, and is among the most revered sites for the worship of Lord Shiva in India. While the structure has undergone a number of alterations and repair work over the centuries, carried out by Chimaji Antaji Bhide Naik in 1733 followed

by Dikhit Patwardhan in 1766 and eventually the iconic Peshwa minister Nana Phadnavis, its present form features the Indo-Aryan style of architecture with influences from Gujarat and Rajasthan. Scenes from the Ramayana, Krishna Leela, Shiv Leela and Dashavataras adorn the outer walls of the sanctum and the courtyard is inscribed with records of grants given through the years.

Some of my fellow trekkers decided to follow the trail further

"Once you start moving uphill from Khandas, there are two prominent trails that can take you to your destination; one goes via Ganesh Ghat and the other via Shidi Ghat."

1. A signboard announces that you have arrived at the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary along the trek route.

2. Refreshments like lemonade and buttermilk are available for sale outside the Bhimashakar temple. 3. Oil lamps are lit by devotees at the temple as markers of prayer. 4. Aditi Carapurcar during the trek.

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uphill to Gupt Bhimashankar. I decided to make the most of where I was, and stayed put. The trek had consumed almost an entire day, but I felt more exhilarated than exhausted as I took more deep breaths, trying to fill my lungs with as much of the fresh air as I could. I knew the city lay below, but I didn't want to think about it just then. I was in a place that combined my love for the worldly – how I was feeling and what I was seeing – with an introduction to something more spiritual than religious. There is an energy around the repository of faith that is Bhimashankar that I cannot quite describe. But it is an energy I took back home with me that day and it continues to hold a place in my heart, alongside memories of my unforgettable journey.

Getting There AirAsia India connects to Pune from several cities. airasia.com

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Wanderlust / Lenscape

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People of the River

Life in Majuli, Assam, the largest river island in the world located about eight-and-a-half hours by road from Guwahati, is a study in culture, cohesion, creativity and devotion.

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A Mishing Morning A group of women belonging to the Mishing tribe set out to catch some fish in the Brahmaputra river. Requiring no equipment whatsoever, they haul in their day’s catch using their bare hands!

Constituting the largest chunk of Majuli’s population, the Mishings are the most important tribal community on the island.

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Mishing Motherhood A Mishing woman carries her sleeping baby boy in a cloth baby sling. The Mishings are originally from Arunachal Pradesh.

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All in a Day’s Work An elderly woman with her circular fishing basket. While Mishing women often catch fish using only their hands, there are several tools and techniques that are also put to use in keeping with the changing seasons. Some of these include kewali jal (a circular basket), tongi jal (a temporary basket) and borjal (a big net).

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Behind the Mask Mask-making is among the most fascinating craft traditions still practised on the river island.

Traditionally used for religious performances at the sattras, masks depicting mythological characters such as Brahma, Hansa, Garuda, Hanuman and Jatayu are made using materials such as bamboo, cane, cloth and clay.

Dance of Devotion A monk at one of the monasteries (known as sattras) on the island, dresses up to perform sattriya, a traditional Assamese dance form that is also recognised as one of India’s classical dances.

The ‘dancing monks of Majuli’ bring together prayer, music and dance in a unique tradition of devotion.

Getting There AirAsia India connects to Guwahati from several cities. airasia.com

advertorial Managing wellness CT University offers management programmes in healthcare Healthcare management is an exciting and enriching field that is evolving at a fast pace. Most healthcare enterprises identify star employees competent in their lines of work, and promote them to upper management. To cater to this segment, CT University, Ludhiana, a leading industry-driven university with world-class infrastructure in association with Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana, India’s fastest-growing hospital network, is offering an executive management programme in healthcare (EMPHC) for clinical and non-clinical leaders. This tie-up allows CT University to continue its efforts to bring the latest in education to its students, in a caring environment.

This one-year programme prepares students for careers in healthcare by helping them develop a strategic mindset, the ability to manage finance, design efficient

processes, and a deep understanding of organisational behavior, change management and related concepts.

Its main objective is to prepare working professionals to undertake leadership roles in managing and administering hospitals, and enable learners to master a set of core general management skills in accounting, strategy, marketing,

World-class education Ramagya Group delivers education of global pedagogical standards Ramagya Group aims to give NCR residents an opportunity to be a part of global pedagogical standards through

its schools, institutes and academy.

The group comprises Ramagya School Noida; Ramagya School, Dadri; Ramagya School, Kaushambi; Ramagya World School, Greater Noida; Ramagya Roots (playschool);

human resources, and finance to help solve complex, real-world healthcare management problems.

The EMPHC is designed in particular to impart cutting-edge management education to trained healthcare professionals from healthcare delivery organisations. Doctors, entrepreneurs and CXOs can attend this programme.

Ramagya First Step (day care); Ramagya Sports Academy, Ramagya Institute and Knowledge Vista.

The Group has devised education as a way of life for students under its tutelage, as it believes in providing holistic education to a child who enters the Ramagya premises as a tentative, timid kid and progresses to become a confident, poised and assured learner on the way to becoming a world-ready citizen. The Group has world- class amenities that guarantee a safe, secure and nurturing environment to all students. With a team of globally trained and dedicated educators, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and age-appropriate curriculum and activities, it is committed to preparing students for stronger mind-body-soul coordination.

Ramagya School prepares children for the journey of life and Ramagya Institute works to turn their dreams into reality by supporting, guiding and mentoring them to crack competitive exams, sharpening their minds and empowering them for the future.

advertorial Nurturing potential KIET is an institute that believes in recognising and honing the capabilities of its students.

Through an array of courses and programmes, the faculty taps into the best in each student and helps talent bloom

Dr. (Col) A Garg, Director

At the heart of KIET’s ethos lies the principle that attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.

The institution believes in shaping young minds with skilloriented and value-based education. The accomplishment of the educational expertise at KIET is clearly reflected in the plethora of Education Excellence Awards bagged by the institute over the years. It has also been accredited by NAAC with Grade ‘A’ and offers NBA accredited courses (EN, ME, CSE, IT, ECE).

The institute has earned a vital position in the Overall Rank Band of 151-200 in Engineering and 76-100 in Pharmacy, as part of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) - India Ranking 2018 by MHRD, Government of India on the basis of excellence in teaching, learning, research and innovation.

KIET’s students are given the competence to become global knowledge workers and the institute’s close collaboration with reputed MNCs, firms and industries not only creates opportunities for jobs but also helps nurture entrepreneurs. Towards this end, there is an in-house entrepreneurship cell at the institute: TBI-KIET. Also, a “Technology Business Incubator” has been set up in association with the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, to promote innovation and entrepreneurship at KIET as well as in adjoining areas.

The institution has also created and facilitated Centres of Excellence for the development of applications for iOS and the building of networking expertise among students.

KIET stands by its belief that attitude, along with devotion towards the nation, can bring about prosperity.

Wanderlust / Monsoon Holidays

Dancing in the rain

Chase the rainclouds through seven Indian cities as the great Indian monsoon imbues them with a special kind of magic.

Words Nandini D Tripathy

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The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata in all its rain-washed glory, beneath a cloudy sky.

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here's something about monsoon – rainclouds hanging heavy above you, seeming to bring the sky impossibly closer; lightning rumbling deeply till the drops descend, a light pitter-patter on the windowpanes at first, and then a wild, euphoric downpour. For a few precious moments, all worries are washed away with the dust and grime outside and you feel like you can begin anything, and everything, anew. With the Southwest monsoon having begun its ascent across India, follow the rainclouds through these seven cities and experience the season like never before.

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Chennai If you're looking to begin your monsoon sojourn with a place that's less soaking than most, Tamil Nadu's capital is a fairly perfect fit.

The best variety of jasmine blooms in the region at this time of the year, and so the air is incomparably fragrant and refreshing. The grey cityscape dotted with splashes of green notwithstanding, the best way to experience the Southwest monsoon in Chennai is to step outside the city's confines and explore what lies beyond. A car or taxi will get you to a host of places

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1. One of the temples in Mahabalipuram stands against an overcast sky.

2. The Charminar in Hyderabad.

3. A temple at Vaitheeswaran Koil, a small town near Chennai. 4. Fried snacks are a monsoon must-have in Hyderabad.

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Eat: While we wouldn't ordinarily recommend street food in monsoon, Amudha’s bhajji stall in Mylapore is a notable exception. With steaming hot, deep-fried bhajji (vegetable fritters) bursting with flavour, no rainy day can get you down if you're in the line leading to Amudha's modest setup near Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar temple. If you prefer sit-down seating, however, hop over to Rayar's Mess in the same area and sample their super soft idlis (rice cakes).

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that are at their best during this season, including Mahabalipuram, Sriharikota, Thiruvannamalai and many more.

See: A darkening grey sky, mighty waves cascading into a sandy shore, silhouettes of 32 ancient monuments stark and still against a backdrop continuously in motion...

Also known as Mamallipuram, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram is home to a cluster of exquisite temples that look their absolute best under the rainclouds!

Do: While a yoga retreat is a welcome addition to any part of the year, a yoga retreat in Auroville can be particularly enjoyable during the rainy season. A township that has long been associated with the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, it offers plenty of yoga retreats and meditation camps to choose from.

Hyderabad The Charminar might be one of the most crowded spots in Hyderabad throughout the year but it has a special charm during monsoon.

Rumbling clouds and playful showers make people disperse from the otherwise buzzing marketplace, and let the iconic monument breathe. This is the best time to walk around and soak in the city's spirit, interacting with locals huddled inside tea stalls and shops, sharing laughter and stories with them, and even making some new friends!

See: The stunning Hussain Sagar lake transforms into a sailing hub with the rising of the water level during monsoon. Sails of all sizes, shapes and colours dot its expanse as the Monsoon Regatta celebrates the season with a thrilling competition, and gives you an adrenaline rush just watching the sailors in action!

If you're in more of an explore-andexperience mood, head to Ramoji Film City, the world's largest film city complex, which looks almost like a hill station with its tree-lined roads and lush green grounds.

Do: Hop on to a bicycle and paddle along the posh locality of Banjara Hills, among the greenest parts of the city. Sloping roads, with trees swaying on either side, lead to Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park nearby, a haven of green spread across 142.5 hectares. You'll need to leave your cycle outside, however, since no vehicles are allowed inside.

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The cloud catchers' trail

Amritsar

Jaipur Kolkata Indore Pune

Chennai Map not to scale

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Hyderabad

Chennai

"The Charminar might be one of the most crowded spots in Hyderabad throughout the year but it has a special charm during monsoon.

Rumbling clouds and playful showers make people disperse from the otherwise buzzing marketplace, and let the iconic monument breathe."

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Eat: There's nothing like Irani chai to warm you up on a rainy day, and the city offers you its own version of the beverage, with a distinctive Hyderabadi flavour. A number of local hangouts in the old part of the city have Irani chai on their menu, best complemented by Osmania biscuits and hot, crispy mirchi bhaji (green chilli fritters).

Pune Rain, called paus in Marathi, has mystical connotations for the people of Maharashtra. Monsoon is welcomed every year as the benevolence of the rain gods here, the songs of the koel punctuating the rumbling of the dark clouds. June marks the arrival of the rainy season and the air grows still and heavy. The first showers are usually frenzied, with rainwater flowing through the fields, as farmers rejoice with tears in their eyes. The familiar fragrance

of wet earth rises all around you and the parched hills turn a distinctively lush green. Pune, like Chennai, is a great base to plan quick trips outside city limits that allow you to enjoy the season in all its glory.

See: About three-and-a-half hours from Pune by road, if you drive via NH60 and 61, Malshej Ghat is one of the most stunning spots you can visit in India during the rains.

Perched at 700 m above sea level in the midst of a rugged, thicklyforested landscape, it is home to the Shivneri Fort (the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj), a set of Buddhist caves dating back to the third century, and more.

Do: On the banks of the Kundalika river, Kolad is well-known for its river rafting experiences. It is also, however, a place you can visit for its peace and quiet. During monsoon, it can make for a truly secluded getaway, far from the city crowd.

The rafting route is, of course, exhilarating, extending over roughly 14 km, where the rapids and the rain come together to create an unforgettable ride.

Eat: Think monsoon in Pune, and what comes immediately to mind is chaat (savoury snack), in every possible variety the city can dish out in its signature style. From tangy bhel (puffed rice with onions and potatoes) and fresh dahi vada (deepfried lentil dough cutlets in yogurt) at Kalyan Bhel in Bibvewadi to spicy misal pav (spicy chickpea curry garnished with a fried condiment and served with pav bread) at Bedekar Tea Stall in Sadashiv Peth, you'll find a range of chaat-expert eateries to choose from. Another must-have is the Irani style bunmaska (butter) and piping hot chai at Vohuman Cafe. Ah, heaven!

Kolkata As bright yellow taxis jostle with large black umbrellas along the streets of Kolkata, take a walk to the iconic Victoria Memorial. Under the shower of raindrops, the pristine white structure looks as stunning as a maiden draped in white muslin.

The green cover fencing around it acquires a deeper, rain-washed vibrancy and you could spend an entire morning just standing before it in awe!

See: No monsoon trip to Kolkata can be complete without a visit to

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the Hooghly river on a rainy day.

We wouldn't recommend a boat ride across the river if it is raining too heavily, but we would certainly recommend a walk along the banks.

Spend an afternoon at Prinsep Ghat, watching the water gush past as the city's skyline shimmers in the mist.

Do: The Maidan is the greenest part of the cityscape, and is also among the most silent during the season. The rain amplifies its green splendour and the best way to spend a few leisurely hours is to walk around, your feet sinking into the moist grass, as you watch a group of young boys play a muddy game of football. You can also ride on one of the historic trams around the area or hop on to a horse-drawn carriage for a truly old-world feel!

Eat: When in the capital of West Bengal, do as the Bengalis do - grab any of the delectable local snacks you can lay your hands on. From alu chop (a deep-fried potato delight), tele bhaja (all kinds of vegetable fritters), fish cutlet and fuluri (mini fritters), the options will leave you spoilt for choice.

Indore Monsoon arrives in Indore with a splash in July, bringing the temperature down by a few degrees and rendering the climate extremely pleasant for a quick visit. Kanch Mandir, Patal Pani waterfall and Lalbagh palace beckon as the rains give them a refreshing makeover, and the many parks in the city offer bright green havens for leisurely walks.

See: Pipliyapala park, also known as the Indore Regional Park, is nature at its absolute best. Boasting a spectacular lake flanked by 42 acres of lush green, the park also has a canal running through its entire expanse. Misty bridges that let you cross over the canal at different points make for picturesque pauses where you can whip out your camera and click some great shots for Instagram.

The park also comprises a musical fountain, a biodiversity garden, an amphitheatre and a fast food zone.

Do: Take a trip beyond Indore's border and head to Sailani island, about 80 km away. Sprawled across five acres along the backwaters of the Indira Sagar dam, it is the perfect getaway during this season for some peace and quiet. There are also a host of water activities you

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1. Farmers enjoy the cloudy weather while working in a paddy field near Pune.

2. A mobile snack stall parked next to a pond in Kolkata as clouds gather in the background.

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could try out while you're here, like speed boating, paddle boating and cruising among others.

Eat: Make a beeline for Sarafa Bazaar in the evening and sample some bhajiya before anything else. The perfect monsoon snack, these deep-fried vegetable fritters are exactly what you need. Follow them up with some poha (flattened rice) jalebi (a coiled Indian dessert) and warm malpuas (flour pancakes soaked in sugar syrup).

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Jaipur As you stand atop Nahargarh fort, the highest of the Pink City's three forts, Rajasthan lays itself out before you in all its monsoon glory.

The trees are bright green, washed clean by the showers, Man Sagar lake has filled to tipping point in the distance, Bapu Bazaar is a brighter, deeper red than usual, and the air is filled with a new kind of freshness.

The rainy season in Jaipur is a combination of visual and sensory delight - what you see around you is as splendid as how you feel, caressed by the cool monsoon breeze.

See: Perched in the middle of Man Sagar lake, Jal Mahal is always a breathtaking sight. But it is only during the rainy season that it truly lives up to the meaning of its name – 'water palace'. As the lake's water level rises, it looks like a floating fortress suspended in time!

Do: The City Palace transforms into a particularly fascinating excursion during monsoon, not least because it is relatively free of tourists at this time. With hours of exploration potential, you can spend an entire rainy afternoon here, with more than enough space to breathe and really enjoy the miniature paintings, calligraphy and traditional fabrics on display. Once you've had your fill of history, head up to the observatory and watch the clouds gather and disperse in gradual, rhythmic cycles.

Eat: Head to any of the city's most famous eateries, such as Lakshmi Mishthan Bhandar (LMB) and Bombay Mishthan Bhandar (BMB), to savour unmissable monsoon snacks, like mirchi ke tipore (green chillies cooked with Rajasthani spices), dal pakode (lentil fritters) and kadhi kachori (deep-fried flatbread filled with a yogurt-based delicacy).

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"About three-and-a-half hours from Pune by road, Malshej Ghat is one of the most stunning spots you can visit in India during the rains.

Perched at 700 m above sea level in the midst of a rugged, thickly-forested landscape, it is home to the Shivneri Fort (the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) and a set of Buddhist caves dating back to the third century."

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Amritsar After a fairly scorching summer, monsoon is the season of relief in Amritsar. While the actual rainfall varies from mild to heavy, the weather is pleasant overall and the clouds do a great job of keeping the sun at bay. For this reason, the most popular outdoor attractions are best visited at this time. Jallianwala Bagh, for instance, which has now been beautifully landscaped, is a must-visit during the rainy season. Umbrella in hand, walk along the neatly mown grass to the Martyrs’ Memorial at the park's farthest end, and pay your respects to the eternal flame.

See: A short drive from the city will take you to the Harike Wetland and Wildlife Sanctuary in Tarn Taran. Situated at the confluence of the Satlej and Beas rivers, it is essentially 4,100 hectares of nature at its most breathtaking, and also offers you an opportunity to spot the rare Indus river dolphin!

Do: The Golden Temple is at its most peaceful during monsoon,

1. The Rajwada Palace in Indore.

2. The Golden Temple in Amritsar.

3. Two women enjoy being drenched by the rain in Jaipur.

as the crowd begins to thin in the rain and lets you really experience the space around you. Among the most sacred of Sikh shrines in the country, it is also home to the Amrit Sarovar. As you sit on its banks, the soothing melody of the shabad kirtan (hymns) combines with the sound of raindrops splashing in the water, enveloping you in an incomparable sense of peace.

Eat: It is not for nothing that Amritsar is often termed a foodie's paradise. From street eateries to fine dining, the city offers a host of delicacies including tandoori kulchas (a kind of flatbread), fried fish and gur ka halwa (a jaggerybased dessert).

Getting There AirAsia India connects to all seven destinations from several cities. airasia.com

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Wanderlust / Shopping

A Bagful of Memories The markets of Bundi in Rajasthan offer you unique handicrafts and unforgettable experiences.

Words Lakshmi Sharath

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A view of Bundi from the Bundi Garh palace.

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y introduction to Bundi, Rajasthan’s lesser-known "blue city" in the Hadoti region, about three-and-a-half hours by road from Jaipur, starts in a tiny tea shop. There is something beyond its warmth that has drawn me here. A riot of colours is splashed on the walls where travellers from across the world have left behind imprints of their visit: sketches, caricatures, paintings and doodles jostle for space in the shack. As I sit there, I feel like I am looking through a kaleidoscope.

Krishna, the owner of the “best chai shop in Bundi”, is smiling as he patiently brews our cups of tea.

A couple of backpackers saunter in and conversation starts to brew. “Tea is always an ice-breaker,” Krishna says with a toothy grin. The aroma of spices is in the air as cardamom, black pepper and other herbs are mixed with powdered dry fruits for the concoction, along with a secret ingredient the man refuses to reveal.

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Trivia The Bundi and Kota schools of miniature painting began with similar styles, but eventually developed distinct characteristics.

While foliage and clouds often serve as backgrounds for either form, the Bundi school is renowned for its use of blue, turquoise and azure and the Kota school is known for its depiction of forest expeditions.

1. Cheerful and friendly locals run several tea shops in Bundi. 2. Colourful patchwork textiles that can be used as wall-hangings are available for a few hundred rupees.

3. Bundi laddoos (round sweet treats made using chickpea powder and sugar syrup) can be savoured at many sweet shops in the market. 4. Yug Prasad, the owner of an art shop in Bundi, creates contemporary masterpieces using the traditional Bundi style of miniature painting.

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"From intricately carved stone statuettes and wooden toys to colourful murals on silk or paper, there's something to satiate each of your senses in Bundi's main market."

We listen with enthusiasm as he tells us stories of the many travellers who have begun their journey in Bundi from this very tea shop.

Besides this inimitable chai, Bundi's markets are an experience you cannot afford to miss. Unlike Jaipur's Bapu Bazaar or Udaipur's Bada Bazaar, the colours here are muted but there is also an inexplicable vibrance all around me. Looking past the bandhani (tie-dye) scarves fluttering in the breeze in the main market, I am tempted by the vast range of Kota sarees and shawls. The glittering silver jewellery lures me from one side while lacquer bangles call out to me from the other, and there are fascinating artefacts and handicrafts everywhere I look!

While the market is a relatively small one, it offers you a range of

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objects you won't find anywhere else. From intricately carved stone statuettes and wooden toys to colourful murals on silk or paper as well as delicious laddoos (round sweet treats made using chickpea powder and sugar syrup), there's something to satiate each of your senses here. If you're a jewellery buff, make your way to Geet Art and Jewellery, a small shop that sells beautiful handmade trinkets. Their most well-known creations are their mango perfume pendants, which can be filled with cotton buds dipped in a scented oil of your choice and remain aromatic through the day! A short walk away lies Romeo's Corner, a lovely compendium of embroidered bags, stoles and leather pouches among other knick-knacks. The best part of shopping here, or at any of the other shops in the market? You can bargain to your heart's content.

As I walk along the shops, I begin to realise that the true heart

of this market lies in miniature paintings. I come across some artists who tell me the story and technique behind Bundi’s tradition of miniature art. Tracing its roots to the 16th century, when the Hadoti kings broke away from Mewar and befriended the Mughals, the story goes like this - Mughal emperor Akbar sent three artists from Chunar in Uttar Pradesh as 'gifts' to the Hadoti court, who turned the walls into their new canvas. Armed with fine paintbrushes, they etched minute details into the walls while ensuring that every scene evoked a particular emotion. Drawn towards dramatic night skies, the artists also worked with a play of light and shade, lush greenery, birds and landscapes among other elements.

Today, only a handful of artists still practise the Bundi style of painting, and their shops are more than just studios - they are living museums of this exquisite art. I meet one

1. One of the many beautiful murals depicting Lord Krishna in Chitrashala at the Bundi Garh Palace. 2.

A craftsman making and selling vibrant lacquer bangles.

exemplary artist among them in the market. Yug Prasad, the mind and talent behind a shop named Yug Art, tells me that the need of the hour is variety and innovation. And so, he gives the tradition a quirky spin for modern travellers and transforms the images of actual people into travel comics, Bundi miniature style!

Combining the art form with his exceptional skills, he creates new masterpieces to suit each customer.

He can even create a comic series encapsulating their entire trip. The prices of paintings at his shop range from a few hundred rupees to several thousands, depending on the scale and degree of customisation.

My interest piqued, I now wish to see Bundi's older masterpieces too.

I am told that there is only one way to do this, which is to trek all the way up to the 17th-century Bundi Garh palace, approximately halfway to the Taragarh fort. So, I trek to the famed palace. While the walls have

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weathered several centuries of wear, their colours can still be seen. Author Rudyard Kipling once described this palace as “the work of goblins rather than of men�, and its very location explains why - it seems almost like it has grown out of the hillside! Inside, the Badal Mahal, Chhatra Mahal and Phool Mahal are veritable treasure troves of the masterpieces I seek. I feel like I am living a fantasy. My guide leads me to a little trapdoor that takes us to a staircase and I suddenly find myself facing a giant mural. "This is Chitrashala," he tells me.

Every inch of its walls is covered in art, and I am lost in a world of mythology as my eyes feast on familiar figures like Lord Krishna in shades of blue and green. I am particularly enthralled by the depiction of a love story in the midst of it all, featuring a balcony, almost like the Indian version of Romeo and Juliet!

Once I am back outdoors, I take in the breathtaking view of Bundi. The huddled homes look like miniature doll houses from here. In the few moments I spend here, I begin to see that Bundi is quite like a miniature painting too – compact, vibrant, rich, detailed and evocative.

Getting There AirAsia India connects to Jaipur from several cities. airasia.com

Wanderlust / Getaway

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A Kashmiri Summer Tucked away into the untouched mountainside near Srinagar, the tiny hamlet of Chatpal is an undiscovered dream.

Words & photographs Sandeepa-Chetan

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A small stream flows by the village of Chatpal in Jammu and Kashmir

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cold mountain breeze. A warm wooden cottage. A stream gushing playfully by. Lambs bleating in the distance. A three-hour drive from Srinagar, Chatpal is a spectacular landscape painting come to life. The best part? It's a tiny hamlet that the average Jammu and Kashmir sightseeing itinerary hasn't discovered yet. So, when my husband and I heard of it after spending a week in the state capital, we knew we had found our hideaway for the weekend. The tourism official who introduced us to it had only asked us one question: "this place is really 'away from it all' - will you be able to handle it?" And we were instantly sold. We wanted a taste of the real Jammu and Kashmir, and this sounded like exactly that. He told us we would have a fully-furnished bungalow, maintained by the state tourism board, and a caretaker at our disposal. Beyond the bungalow would be untouched, untrammelled paradise. The catch? We would have no electricity!

We drove out of Srinagar early in the morning, to avoid traffic on the Srinagar-Anantnag stretch. Our drive took us along narrow roads, through one village after another, until we finally arrived at our destination. As we gazed out at the vast expanse of white and green in front of us, one thing was clear as day – this really was paradise.

Chatpal is part of the Anantnag district in Jammu and Kashmir, and its way of greeting you is to take you on a walk through the clouds – literally. It was a rainy day, and this was our first real encounter with a true-blue Kashmiri summer. As it turned out, summer in this beautiful village is really, really cold! Our caretaker came to the rescue with a kangri, a traditional earthen pot filled with glowing coal and encased in a handmade wicker basket that works as a portable heater. He told us that during winter, villagers carry kangris under layers of clothing for much-needed warmth.

If you're planning to visit Chatpal, we recommend you enquire about the availability of kangris and coal before leaving Srinagar. Stock supplies if you must en route; the markets of Anantnag will give you plenty of shops to choose from.

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"No parading tourists, no haggling hawkers, no phone calls, no messages, no Internet and no intrusion into our peace of mind. What more could we have asked for?"

Tired from the drive, we decided to take a nap. However, sounds of loud cheering woke us up soon. I looked out of the bedroom window and saw a group of local boys playing cricket, with heavy rain pouring down on their heads. When they saw us looking, they invited us to join in. The city-bred folk that we are, we refused point blank.

There was no way we would step out to freeze in the rain. “Par abhi toh garmi ka mausam hai!” (But it's summertime now!) they teased us, and we realised that cold, like so many other things, is apparently a relative concept.

A little later in the afternoon, once the rain had stopped, we decided to take a stroll. Everywhere we

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looked, we found spots that would be perfect for an open-air barbecue.

Entirely make-believe in our case, of course. But if you would enjoy something on those lines, remember to bring your own barbecue and everything else you need to set it up.

“You should come here in spring,” our caretaker kept saying to us, “You’ll see so many flowers, and the fragrance will intoxicate you!” More fodder for our imagination. Sigh!

As the day drew to a close, the evening 'rush' began. A harrowed shepherd, heading home with his flock, was waiting for one mischievous sheep who had wandered into the hillside. Women walking home from the forest with piles of firewood balanced on their heads were singing songs. “How many rounds do you make in a day?” we asked one of the women, who laughed and replied, “As many as we need to. We don’t keep count!”

And then there were the children.

Cheeks as red as the apples Jammu and Kashmir is famous for, and eyes

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1. In the forests around Chatpal, you can spot several trees that locals claim are hundreds of years old. 2. A villager blows into a kangri to keep the coal burning. During winter, locals often carry this traditional heater under several layers of clothing to stay warm. 3. A woman sits in front of her house, built using wood and mud, with a sloping asbestos roof designed to withstand the snowfall in winter.

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Travel Tips If you don't want to drive to Chatpal, public transport is readily available. Hop into a shared cab from Srinagar to take you all the way, or take the train from Srinagar to Anantnag, and then a shared cab to Chattergul. From there, you'll need to hire a private cab to Chatpal.

To book the bungalow maintained by the Department of Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir, you can contact the tourism officer in charge.

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1. A woman with hennaed hands smiles with her two children in the village.

2. A local family gets ready for a cup of salty chai. An unusual concoction, the piping hot beverage is a local favourite.

as expressive as the most animated of speakers. They jumped off high rocks, posed for photographs and even reminded us to get the snaps with us the next time we came!

Welcomed back to the bungalow with a candle-lit dinner, followed by a foot-tall pile of blankets and a kangri resting at our feet, this had been, without a shade of doubt, one of the best days of our lives. No parading tourists, no haggling hawkers, no phone calls, no messages, no Internet and no intrusion into our peace of mind.

What more could we have asked for?

The next morning, we answered our own question with a trekking excursion. The weather was bright and crisp, with no sign of rainclouds, and a young man from the neighbouring village volunteered to be our guide. Chatpal is surrounded by mountains on all sides, and there are several trails that connect it to nearly all of the Kashmir valley. The longest of these is the trek to the Kishtwar district in Jammu.

We went for a much shorter trail, one that took us to the village adjacent to our own. A quick walk took us to a little bridge and our

destination lay on the other side. Our guide told us that this tiny village has only about 500 inhabitants!

Walnut trees, wooden houses, apple orchards – it was like we were living in a dream. Beyond this hamlet lay a forest at whose edge, we were told, nomadic settlements abound during summer. We came across one along our walk, and a lady offered us two cups of salty chai. It startled us at first, because the very idea of salt in tea was appalling, but it tasted absolutely delicious. We were so happy with it that we hardly cared for lunch.

Can you miss a place before you leave it behind? With barely an hour left in this haven before we had to head back to Srinagar, we were already feeling nostalgic! Now, having resumed our regular lives, every time we make a list of weekend getaways we must plan for the summer, we place Chatpal at the very top.

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Getting There AirAsia India connects to Srinagar from several cities. airasia.com

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Wanderlust / Thekkady

Spice

Country

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Take a walk through a spice plantation in Thekkady, Kerala and discover new hues, new flavours and new facets of familiar condiments.

Words Nidhi Thakur

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reen pepper, red coffee, white rubber – there were distinct colours everywhere I looked. A bright red signboard on a yellow gate announced that I was entering the Periyar Spice & Ayurvedic Garden in Thekkady, Kerala after having travelled around four-and-a-half hours by road from Kochi via NH183.

Around me was a sea of green, dotted

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by the hues of fresh spices hanging from shrubs, vines and trees. A very strong aroma was tantalising me. I closed my eyes, and inhaled deeply; the air smelt like my grandmother's spice box. I recognised clove, cinnamon and then something that tingled my nostrils, making me sneeze. Pepper! While fresh pepper doesn't have a strong aroma, dried pods that fall off the vines, do.

Pepper vines are climbers. They are planted in Thekkady around tall trees that allow them to grow upwards with a good grip.

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Crushed under our feet as our shoes sank a little into the mud, they were reminding me of a cough remedy my mother would make for me, which would taste revolting but do wonders for my throat. “This is the king of spices,” our guide said to us, and broke the process down plucked and sun-dried, these green pods transform into black pepper; unplucked, they mature into red pepper which, in turn, can be sundried to produce white pepper. I had been expecting this trip to surprise me, but what was happening was so much better; I was seeing things with which I was already familiar, in an entirely new light. That is the most

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memorable gift Thekkady will give you, should you choose to embark on a trail through its spice plantations like I did.

I was still contemplating the tiny pepper pods our guide had handed me when he began to usher us towards our next stop. We approached a tall, dark-leaved tree, its branches softly swaying in the breeze. We were introduced to it first by its botanical name, Myristica fragrans, but it was only when our guide said “jaiphal” that I finally understood what I was looking at.

This was a nutmeg tree! The guide was quick to correct me. This tree wasn't just a nutmeg tree, it was also

"I closed my eyes, and inhaled deeply; the air smelt like my grandmother's spice box. I recognised clove, cinnamon and then something that tingled my nostrils, making me sneeze. Pepper!"

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a mace tree – two distinct spices derived from a single fleshy fruit.

While nutmeg is the dried kernel, the crimson aril wrapped around the seed is mace. As I realised very soon, peeling off each layer of the fruit is a particularly fascinating activity; green gives way to red, and red to black, and each hue is accompanied by a different texture!

We headed next to the cardamom orchard. Our guide proclaimed that if pepper is the king of spices, cardamom is the queen. A shorter plant than most we had seen on our trail so far, its green and black cardamom numbers among the most expensive spices in the world. I had always wondered why this was so, and the guide obliged me with an answer - not only does a cardamom plant take three years to grow, but it also comes with a maximum life expectancy of only seven years and needs special protection from the sun and rain to truly flourish. This is why each plant is grown in the

1. Workers at the plantation readily show you samples of its bounty, such as green cardamom. 2. The process of scraping cinnamon off the bark of its tree requires care and concentration. 3. The women at the plantation go about their day, collecting coffee and spices with smiles on their faces.

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shade of a different, bigger one, and the leaves look and function like umbrellas protecting the flowers from the sun. Cardamom picking and processing are also fairly tedious and painstaking affairs. Women at the plantation patiently pluck one flower at a time, and all the flowers are then dried using electric heat.

The spice finally obtained is not only used for cooking and seasoning but is also valued for its medicinal benefits, helping alleviate lung congestion and digestive disorders.

Walking on, we arrived a few minutes later at a beautiful cluster of bright red flower buds waiting to bloom. It took me a few moments to notice what was wrapped inside – cloves! They were very small in size, yet intensely fragrant. These buds would have to be picked before they could mature into flowers and, once

"We arrived a few minutes later at a beautiful cluster of bright red flower buds waiting to bloom.

It took me a few moments to notice what was wrapped inside – cloves! They were very small in size, yet intensely fragrant."

1. Unripe pepper pods are a bright green in colour. 2. Cloves must be plucked before they mature into flowers in order to be properly processed. 3. The fruit of the Myristica fragrans tree. While nutmeg is the dried kernel, the crimson aril wrapped around the seed is mace. 4. A cardamom plant also boasts beautiful flowers. 5. The spices, once harvested, dried and powdered, are blended by hand in factories across the state.

processed, would go straight to the spice market, ready to be consumed as a distinctive condiment in many an Indian delicacy.

My tryst with spices in Thekkady finally came to a close with the sight of cinnamon being scraped off the bark of its tree and turmeric being procured from the roots of its plant. I had spent close to four hours walking across a single plantation, but my mind was buzzing with so much information that I could barely feel any physical exhaustion.

Making a beeline for the spice shop within the plantation, I stuffed my sling bag with a little bit of each spice I had seen growing there and headed home, armed with flavours, insight and memories for life.

Getting There AirAsia India connects to Kochi from several cities. airasia.com

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Wanderlust / Heritage

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An artisan carrying a brass idol of a deity at a workshop. The brass artefacts created in Pembarthi are also sold in Kochi and other nearby towns in Kerala.

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Handmade in India From engraved brassware and silk paintings to handwoven silk and indigenous earthenware, get a glimpse of some of India's most fascinating crafts in these four artisans' villages.

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Words Lekshmi Priya

W

hile young artisans in Raghurajpur, Odisha go about perfecting their wood-carving skills and families of potters continue to craft black masterpieces in Longpi, Manipur, Assamese women operate their silk looms by hand in Sualkuchi, Assam and the brass-engravers of Pembarthi, Telangana pass on their skills to the next generation. These are four among many artisans' villages strewn across India, that are carefully preserving fascinating art and craft traditions even as they open up their homes and minds to the modern world.

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Sualkuchi, Assam When the clicking and clacking of traditional handoperated looms emanates from every house in a village, you can be certain that you've arrived at a haven of art and craftsmanship. Engaged in silk weaving for hundreds of years, Sualkuchi in Assam, about an hour by road from Guwahati, is home to muga and pat, two varieties of Assamese silk. It is particularly renowned for its exquisite mekhla

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chadors, the traditional garbs worn by Assamese women. The weavers have also diversified to match the changing times, creating contemporary patterns alongside traditional ones, and you will also find shawls and dress materials here.

The weaving traditions of Sualkuchi are said to have originated around the 11th century, when king Dharma Pal of the Pala dynasty brought 26 weaving families from

"Historical accounts say that Pembarthi's brassware tradition dates back to nearly 800 years ago. Today, the village is home to around 100 families, of which 10-20 are engaged in the craft."

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Trivia

Image: odishasaree.blogspot.com

Several more such villages thrive across India, sustaining and promoting indigenous art and craft forms. Ajrakhpur in Gujarat is the place to be to witness the block printing technique of ajrakh; Aranmula in Kerala is renowned for its metal-alloy mirrors; and Ektaal in Chhattisgarh is famous for the wax-casting technique of dhokra.

1. Nearly every house in Sualkuchi, Assam has a shed wherein traditional hand-operated looms are used by weavers to create exquisite fabrics.

2. Muga is one of Assam's several indigenous varieties of silk. 3. An artisan creates an elaborate natureinspired pattern on a brass pot in Pembarthi.

07 18 mekhla chadors vary from four- to five-figure sums. Out of respect for the artisans, avoid bargaining here.

Pembarthi, Telangana Known to few, the exquisite sheet metal artefacts and brass engravings created in Pembarthi, about two hours by road from Hyderabad, are

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Tantikuchi in West Bengal to the village. Today, nearly every house in the village has an adjacent karkhana (shed) containing bamboo looms.

Walk into any of them, and you'll find weavers (mostly women) at work, creating intricate patterns and motifs with impeccable precision.

The rates of dress materials and

among the finest metal artworks in India. Giving life to stunning relics, curios, perfume containers and even chandeliers using beaten and meticulously engraved sheets of brass, the artisans in this quaint village in Telangana's Warangal district have continued to evolve with time and trends, surviving political setbacks and re-orienting themselves to changing demand patterns. While the larger, more intricate pieces can be heavy on the pocket, you can pick up smaller artefacts for a few hundred rupees.

Historical accounts say that the brassware tradition here dates back to nearly 800 years ago. Today, the village is home to around 100 families, of which around 10-20 are engaged in the craft, and members of the young generation among them still believe in its value as a timeless art form. Take a trip here, and catch the metal masters in action!

Raghurajpur, Odisha From patta chitra, an art form indigenous to Odisha where mythological scenes are painted on pieces of cloth, and

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wood carving to mask making, Raghurajpur is brimming with traditional Odiya craft forms, as well as forms of folk performance art such as gotipua. The village, located around an hour's drive away from Bhubaneswar, is home to around 300 artisans who reside in modest, vibrantly painted homes.

It is a living, breathing cauldron of inimitable skills. With a series of temples dedicated to local deities lining the lanes between homes, devotion and art come together in each craft practised here, with figures drawn from centuries' old mythological narratives.

What makes this village a particularly appealing hotspot is the fact that every hut here is like a live gallery. Every morning, the

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families set up their studios on their verandahs, turning white canvases (usually old dhotis and sarees) into beautiful works of art. Using naturally prepared colours, they paint human and animal figures that tell intriguing stories of times long past. While regular residencies are organised for professional artists, tourists can also try their hands at quick workshops.

Image: culstreet.com

Longpi, Manipur A sleepy hamlet comprising 400 houses in the Ukhrul district of Manipur, Longpi is home to Longpi pottery, a traditional craft you might find surprisingly familiar when you first see it. Essentially a kind of black earthenware, you may have spotted it at local markets across India. None of this compares, however, to the sight of these

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"From patta chitra and wood carving to mask making, Raghurajpur is brimming with traditional Odiya craft forms, as well as forms of folk performance art such as gotipua. It is home to around 300 artisans."

1. Small wooden figurines of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are signature artworks of Raghurajpur. 2. The outer walls of most homes in Raghurajpur are decorated with vibrant traditional paintings. 3. The black pottery of Longpi is created using a mixture of clay and serpentine stone.

artefacts in their native land. Deep black in colour and crafted by hand or using moulds instead of a regular potter's wheel, they use material obtained by mixing serpentine stone and clay. This mixture is known for its durability as well as medicinal value.

Locally known as Longpi hampai, the craft is being carried on by about 200 artisans. While the journey to the village, which is located about an hour's drive away from Imphal, is itself a visual spectacle, with views of the Shirui Hills and Phungrei, the best way to experience it once you're there

is to watch an artisan labouring at the craft, creating black masterpieces the likes of which you won't find anywhere else in the world. If you'd like to buy one, you an average Longpi teapot will cost you around INR 1,200.

Getting There AirAsia India connects to Guwahati, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar and Imphal from several cities. airasia.com

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vanity fare

One for the Rain Be monsoon-ready without compromising on your style game!

Boot Up Who can resist splashing in a puddle? Let this pair of sunny rain boots for kids from Crocs brighten up the grey skies! shopcrocs.in

monsoon chic

How to stay in style this season

Shades and Shapes Avoid whites, anklekissing hemlines and anything that flows freely, including long skirts.

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Red and Rain-ready Trust Zara to give a regular water-resistant windcheater a fashionable spin! Get your hands on this deliciously red piece and stay dry and chic. zara.com/in

India in your Hand!

Pick your favourite from the new line of umbrellas by India Circus. With Indian cities as their muse, these beauties capture the many moods, colours and facets of the urban Indian landscape. They use motifs such as havelis (palaces), bicycles and rickshaws to capture quintessential emblems of life in the country.

Flower Power Getting caught in a sudden downpour can be fun if you have all your valuables stored away in a waterproof handbag. Let this transparent box clutch with floral accents do the job. shop.mango.com/in

Sole Mates Avoid leather footwear as it tends to crack after coming in contact with water. Choose jelly shoes, rubber boots or floaters.

Replace loose sandals with strapped ones.

Hair and Makeup As humidity rises, open hair tends to go frizzy. A neat bun, ponytail or tight braid will keep it under control. Avoid heavy makeup and opt for a light to medium cover BB cream and smudgeproof eyeliner. Go light on the foundation and if possible, avoid it.

indiacircus.com

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Fridays in the Boardroom Give your workwear wardrobe a smart weekend vibe with these must-haves.

Smart, not Sloppy Casual dressing doesn't mean looking shabby at work!

Shoe Shine Smart casual shoes are the safest Friday footwear option. This pair of black loafers will look dapper at the office. albertotorresi.com

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Smart and Casual It's Friday at work but that doesn't mean sudden meetings won't happen. So, keep a deconstructed blazer handy. Opt for one without shoulder pads and in a light fabric blend, like this linen one from Canali. Choose lighter shades to look fresh and cool. canali.com

Formal Affair Always have a good sport blazer handy to instantly make your look formal.

A stylish polo shirt and a rugby jersey make great additions to your Friday work wardrobe.

Shirt Pick While choosing your shirt, think bright colours in stripes, checks or gingham versions. woodland-worldwide.com

When it comes to accessories, we say less is more. Carry a slightly edgy cross-body bag for a preweekend feel. This brown bag with weaving details on the flap and a canvas sling could complete your look. damilano.com

Casual is not careless.

So a good shave, or a neat trim, is a must.

Belted Deal This tan casual leather belt by Tommy Hilfiger is a classic. Pair it with your linen trousers or any other non-denims. global.tommy.com

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cabin comfort

Joy of Flying Whether on a short- or long-haul journey, flying can be a pleasant experience if you are well-prepared.

Here are some simple steps to ensure you have a safe, smooth and comfortable journey.

Onboard Care

Inflight Exercises

Troy Bantleman, personal trainer to celebrity athletes and AirAsia big boss Tony Fernandes shows you how to perform easy exercises for a comfortable flight.

Aircraft cabins are generally very dry and dehydration can occur easily. To overcome this:

Drink lots of water but ensure the intake is slow and regular. Drinking too much water suddenly will cause the body to expel the water quickly too, forcing you to visit the toilet frequently.

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Tricep Stretch

Lower Back Stretch

Side Neck Stretch

Extend one hand down the centre of your back, while grasping your elbow with the other. Exhale slowly while pulling gently downward on your elbow, with your fingers aligned with your spine.

While seated, lift a knee up toward your chest and hold the position for 30 seconds. Gently lower the knee and perform three 30sec sets, alternating between both knees.

Gently tilt your head till you feel the stretch in your neck.

Hold the position for 30 seconds and release slowly.

Change sides and repeat until you have done three 30sec sets on both sides.

Prevent DVT Deep Vein Thrombosis can occur when a blood clot forms in the large veins of the legs or arms, blocking blood circulation. Inactivity during long flights may lead to the occurrence of DVT. If you are flying long distance, ensure you perform inflight exercises such as those listed above as a precaution against developing DVT. When possible and permissible, stretch your legs and walk along the aisle. Be aware of symptoms such as pain or swelling in the legs, which can happen even after you disembark. Seek medical attention if these occur.

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Beat the Lag

Lubricate your eyes with eye drops, as eyes are aggravated by dry atmosphere. Also, ditch the contact lenses and opt for spectacles during the flight.

Hydrate your skin by applying moisturiser or spraying a body spritzer on exposed body parts.

Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol, or keep intake to a minimum.

Ear Comfort

To counter the effects of jetlag, get as much sleep as possible when flying west to east. When flying in the reverse direction, try to stay awake as much as you can. AirAsia’s chic Snug-as-a-bug hoodie keeps you cosy with its neck pillow attached to a soft hooded collar, and is easily deflated for storage upon landing. Enjoy savings when you pre-book this item at bigdutyfree.com

Changes in air pressure or altitude cause our ears to ‘pop’ and sometimes ache during take-offs and landings. For a comfortable flying experience, suck on sweets or, mimic the act of chewing and swallowing if you do not have any sweets with you. This will relieve the discomfort and help stabilise the pressure in the ear canals. Pacifiers will work just as well for toddlers. If you have a cold, use a nasal decongestant to clear your nasal passage and alleviate the ache.

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Krabi Int. Airport, Room No. 133, Moo 5, Petchakasem Rd., Nuaklong Sub Dist., Nuaklong Dist., 81130

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Suvarnabhumi Int. Airport, 6th Flr., Room No.TW6-037, No. 999, Moo 1, Bangplee, Samutprakarn 10540

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Don Mueang Int. Airport, Room No. 3307, 3rd Flr., Terminal 1.

222 Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd., Airport Sub Dist., Don Mueang Dist., 10210 Tesco Lotus - 2nd Flr., 3109 Ladpro Road, Bangkapi, 10240

Rasada Sub Dist., Muang Dist., 83000

PATTAYA Tesco Lotus South Pattaya, 2 Flr. 408/2 Moo 12, South Pattaya, Sukhumvit Rd., Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150

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Route maps

NEW DELHI Kathmandu

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Dhaka KOLKATA

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Hyderabad

Chennai

BENGALURU Tiruchirappalli Kochi Colombo Malé

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Maps do not reflect the opinion of the publisher with regards to the legal or geographical status of any country/territory depicted. Maps as at June 30, 2018.

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Guilin

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Guangzhou Guangzhou Shantou Shantou Nanning Kaohsiung Kaohsiung Shenzhen Shenzhen Macao Hong Macao Kong Hong Kong Hanoi

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HIANG MAICHIANG MAI Vientiane Yangon

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Da Nang

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Clark Clark MANILA MANILA BANGKOK BANGKOKSiem Reap Siem Reap PATTAYA PATTAYA Nha Trang Nha Trang Phnom Penh Phnom Penh Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City CEBU CEBU SihanoukvilleSihanoukville KRABI KRABI PHUKET PHUKET HAT YAI HAT YAI LANGKAWI LANGKAWI Kota Bharu Kota Bharu KOTA KINABALU KOTA KINABALU Kuala Terengganu Banda Aceh Banda Aceh Kuala Terengganu Bandar Seri Begawan Bandar Seri Begawan PENANG PENANG Miri Miri MEDAN MEDANKUALA LUMPUR Bintulu KUALA LUMPUR Bintulu JOHOR BAHRU JOHOR BAHRU Singapore Pekanbaru Pekanbaru Padang

Honolulu

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PACIFICPACIFIC OCEANOCEAN 07 18

KUCHING KUCHING Singapore Pontianak Pontianak

Padang Palembang Palembang Makassar Makassar JAKARTA JAKARTA Semarang Semarang Bandung Bandung SURABAYA SURABAYA Yogyakarta Yogyakarta Solo SoloLombok Lombok BALI BALI

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Goa BENGALURU

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Chiang Rai

Nan Udon Thani Loei Nakhon Phanom Phitsanulok Sakhon Nakhon Khon Kaen Roi Et Ubon Ratchathani Buriram BANGKOK PATTAYA

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Kochi

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JOHOR BAHRU

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MANILA

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Destinations India

India

India

India

India

Bagdogra

Bengaluru

Bhubaneswar

Chandigarh

Chennai

Airport Bagdogra Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 3556 Languages Bengali, English, Hindi, Nepali and Bhutanese Distance to City 12km Points of Interest Surya Sen Park, Coronation Bridge, Science City Transport

Airport Kempegowda International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 80 Languages Kannada, English, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi Distance to City 35km Points of Interest Lal Bagh, UB City, Bangalore Palace, Cubbon Park Transport

Airport Biju Patnaik International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 674 Languages Oriya, Bengali, English and Hindi Distance to City 3km Points of Interest Lingaraj Temple, Rajarani Temple, Mukteswar Mandir, Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves Transport

Airport Chandigarh International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 172 Languages Punjabi, English, Hindi Distance to City 10km Points of Interest Rock Garden, Government Museum and Art Gallery, International Dolls Museum Transport

Airport Chennai International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 44 Languages Tamil, Telugu, English, Malayalam Distance to City 20km Points of Interest Marina Beach, Kapaleeswarar Temple, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Covelong Transport

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India

India

India

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Goa

Guwahati

Hyderabad

Imphal

Indore

Airport Goa International Airport/Dabolim Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 832 Languages Konkani, English, Hindi, Portuguese, Marathi Distance to City 42km Points of Interest Fort Aguada, Chapora Fort, Mangeshi Temple, Dudhsagar Falls, Museum of Goa Transport

Airport Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 361 Languages Assamese, Bengali, English, Hindi Distance to City 22km Points of Interest Nehru Park, Umananda Temple, Kamakhya Temple, Basistha Temple Transport

Airport Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 40 Languages Telugu, English, Hindi Distance to City 28km Points of Interest Charminar, Chowmahalla Palace, Salar Jung Museum, Laad Bazaar Transport

Airport Imphal International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 385 Languages Manipuri, English, Hindi Distance to City 8km Points of Interest Manipur State Museum, Matai Garden, Shri Govindjee Temple, Manipur Zoological Garden Transport

Airport Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code 0731 Languages Hindi, English, Bundeli, Malawi and Chhattisgarhi Distance to City 7km Points of Interest Rajwada, Lal Baag Palace, Indore Museum, Annapurna Temple Transport

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Airport Jaipur International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 141 Languages Rajasthani, Marwari, Dhundhari, Hindi, English Distance to City 13km Points of Interest Hawa Mahal, Jaipur Zoo, Jaigarh Fort Transport

Airport Cochin International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 484 Languages Malayalam, English, Hindi, Tamil Distance to City 45km Points of Interest Fort Kochi, Thrikkakara Temple, Indian Naval Maritime Museum, Cochin Cultural Centre Transport

Airport Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 33 Languages Bengali, English, Hindi Distance to City 15km Points of Interest Victoria Memorial, Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Science City, Kalighat Temple Transport

Airport Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code 0712 Languages Marathi, Hindi, English Distance to City 8.9km Points of Interest Bohra Masjid, Ramtek Temple, Maharajbagh Zoo, Japanese Rose Garden Transport

Airport Indira Gandhi International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code:+91 11 Languages Hindi, English, Punjabi, Haryanvi Distance to City 15km Points of Interest Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, India Gate Transport

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India

India

India

India

Pune

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Srinagar

Surat

Visakhapatnam

Airport Pune International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 20 Languages Marathi, English, Hindi Distance to City 10km Points of Interest Aga Khan Palace, Osho Ashram, National War Museum Transport

Airport Birsa Munda Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 651 Languages Munda, English, Hindi, Bhojpuri Distance to City 5km Points of Interest Sun Temple, Tagore Hill, Birsa Biological Park Transport

Airport Srinagar International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 194 Languages Kashmiri, Hindi, Urdu, English Distance to City 12km Points of Interest Dal Lake, Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Nishat Bagh Transport

Airport Surat Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 261 Languages Gujarati, English, Hindi Distance to City 13km Points of Interest Dumas Beach, Dutch Garden, Sardar Patel Museum, Science Centre Transport

Airport Visakhapatnam International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 891 Languages Telugu, English, Hindi Distance to City 7km Points of Interest Submarine Museum, Rishikonda Beach, Ramakrishna Mission Beach Transport

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