`50/JULY - AUGUST 2018 - VOL. 07 | ISSUE 09 VIZAG
Eve
Focus
SWATHI SETS SAIL & CONQUERS SEA
AJEYA KALLAM’S CLARION CALL Ex-bureaucrat takes up cudgels
She is all guts and gumption as she circumnavigates across the globe
against deteriorating polity
Life
Trade
GOLDEN KIN GLOW ON
TRICOLOUR TRIUMPHS
Jains make mark in the market and Mahendra ups the ante
Review
10 NEW SPOTS TO DISCOVER It is raining facilities in the city and it is for you to get showered
Multi-pronged firm into health, real estate and education too
Sreenivas on
rek
LIFESTYLE PERSONALITIES CINEMA FEATURE LUXURY EVENTS REVIEWS FOOD PARTIES
ad
The flow of
luxury
The exclusive and unique brand now in the city
2017 Latest Collection
2018 Latest Collection
MIG-1B 63, Sector-9, Opp. Public School, M.V.P. Colony, Visakhapatnam. Ph: 0891 2504780, M: +91 92466 11078 mvpraise@gmail.com
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NOTE
t is a pity that Vizag slid down in Swachh Survekshan rankings and stood as the 7th cleanest city among the 4203 cities surveyed this year. The GVMC attributes the poor rating to the lack of scientific processing of waste as the segregation at source is limited to only 60% households. It now pins hopes on the 15MW waste-to-energy plant, which will be operational by the year end and vows to work hard to
I
PUBLISHER’S
Retirement is a new beginning for Ajeya Kallam, the renowned bureaucrat. He now wants to wake up people from their slumber and make them open their eyes to some
We, seldom, can rope in ‘shooting’ stars for a chat. But very hospitable Sreenivas Bellamkonda gave us his time, views and opinions in an interview held in his own vanity. Son of a producer, it is only natural that he took to films with great facility. Fortunately, he has the calibre too. Discover the cover boy in Haute .
Chandra Mouli Tippala, Publisher
Enjoy the drops from heaven and rhythm of rain as you leaf through our colourful edition.
Chandan Kumar Jha and Raju talk of their organisation Tricolour. The enterprise, which has made forays into more than one field, takes good care of its employees. The three-day event it held in the city, offering recreation to its staff, speaks for it. Isn’t it a good way to build Trade?
Hira Panna Jewellers is a household name here. We step into the Jain household to know how they earned the honour. Mahendra Jain’s Life story makes an interesting read,
The young lady has done the city proud by circumnavigating the globe taking part in an all-woman sailing expedition. While the state spreads a vibrant red carpet for Lt.Commander P. Swathi, we welcome her in our Eve segment.
unpleasant ground realities. We re-introduce him in Focus.
NOTHING TO DO WITH MODI, NOR CAN HE IMPLEMENT IT.
re-gain the lost position in 2019. No need to despair. There is good news too. With the government giving administrative sanction for its share of funds, the modernisation works at the fishing harbor have gained speed. VPT bagged several green awards for its eco-friendly drives. Underground cabling works taken up by APEPDCL is progressing well enough to be completed by July 2019 and will be covering 40% of the city. The best news is the GVMC is developing three lung spaces, besides planning 40 gyms in some prime spots. Sure the city is turning over a new leaf.
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THE SOCIETY SHOULD EMBRACE CLEANLINESS. BUT IT HAS
Front Office P Moulika
Accounts & Admin R Chaitanya Kumar
Sr. Executives-Marketing P Arjun M.V. Raju
Asst. Manager Advertising K Niranjan Jagadeeswara Reddy
Dy. Manager Circulation Faheem Siddiqui
Dy. General Manager Corporate Affairs Selvaraj Dominic
General Manager Corporate Affairs Rajesh Babu Guntu
Printed, Published and Owned by Chandra Mouli Tippala. Printed at Kalajyothi Process Pvt. Ltd., 1-1-60/5, RTC X Roads Hyderabad - 500 020. Published at Red Publications D. No. 14-36-9, Vikas Nagar, Pedagantyada, Gajuwaka, Dist. Visakhapatnam, AP. Editor: Tippala Divya Reddy.
Design Strategy
Publication Consultant K Raghuram Raju
Image Processing P Venkatesh
Visualizer K Shankar
Sr. Photographers Dhana Vijay Dinakar Pamu
Feature Writer Chandrika Mantri P Swarnalata
Editor-in-Chief V Sarada
Executive Director T.V. Vijaya Kumari
Publisher Chandra Mouli Tippala
Crew
The
Red Trade Red Eve She was just 13 years old when she started her training in sailing. Look where she is now. Lt.Commander P. Swathi is part of an all-woman crew to circumnavigate the world in 254 days. We must take an inspiring leaf out of her book.
Tricolour men Chandan Kumar Jha and Raju tell us how the firm ventured into real estate, education and health sectors. It keeps its ock happy as it believes in the maxim that all work and no play is not good.
48 Red Life
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Their story is written with golden letters as they have been dealing with yellow metal & decorating jewel-lovers. Mahendra Jain and son Rajendra recently refurbished their facility to serve the millennial better.
Red Focus
52
‘Retired but not tired’ is how one can describe the veteran bureaucrat Ajeya Kallam who is into active public life even after attaining superannuation. With welfare of the people at heart, he points out the ills plaguing our polity and suggests quite a few solutions in his book Kallam’s Wake up Call. red | july 2018 | 12
SYNERGIES LAUNCHES SECOND CHROME PLATING UNIT Synergies Castings Limited launched its state-of-the-art second chrome plating unit that handles a specialised process involving tremendous expertise and craftsmanship. The $8 million-facility will double the company’s chrome plating capacity and offer special finish to its OEM customers. Shobana K.S.Rao, VSEZ Development Commissioner, inaugurated it and congratulated the team of Synergies for their remarkable achievement of setting up the unit in a record time. Shekhar Movva, President, Synergies said, “As we are in VSEZ, we have access to multiple technology and equipment suppliers. This plant is the culmination of assimilating the latest technology and equipment from China, Taiwan, etc.”
COWE SETS FOOT IN VIZAG The Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs has opened its Vizag chapter and A.Subhashini, President of the AP chapter, inaugurated it. Chief guest R.Veerabhadra Rao, Senior Branch Manager, National Small-Scale Industries Corporation, promised all help. “We will host International Lifestyle Expo 2018 in August,” said Y.Geeta Srikanth, President. Bharati, Sreelakshmi, Rajeswari, Hima Atti & Praveena are the core members of the chapter while Mallika of Vaibhav Jewellers and V. Sarada, Editor-in-Chief, red magazine are advisors.
ANDHRA FOOD FESTIVAL A HIT Novotel Hotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach organised a 10-day long Andhra Food Festival to revive and promote the ageold and authentic delicacies. Chef Madina Valli executed the entire event held at The Square. Nearly 70 foodies per day relished the lavish spread. From Chintha Chiguru Mamsam, Andhra Chepa Kura, Konaseema Kobbari Kodi , Rajulu Kodi Pulav to Chekkara Pongal, the event had it all. Chef Madina said, “The event is an opportunity to taste the varieties of the Andhra cuisine. We made use of exotic avours without compromising on quality, taste and hygiene.”
TRICOLOUR ANNUAL MEET Tricolour Properties Pvt Ltd held its 3rd annual meet. Project Director D.V.S.S.N.Raju hosted the 3-day event to encourage the local marketing teams and make them understand the company’s policies, culture and future projects in South India. CMD, Chandan Kumar Jha, ED, Ranjan Kumar Jha, the directors and employees from Vizag, Hyderabad, Patna, Darbhanga and Bengaluru branches took part in the event. MLA N.V.S.S.Prabhakar and MD, CMR Group, Mavuri Venkata Ramana were the chief guests. Renowned comedians Raju Srivastav and Siva Reddy had the audience in splits.
GJ HOSPITALS AND TRAUMA CENTRE OPENS GJ Hospitals and Trauma Centre, advanced medical and surgical center, was inaugurated at Arilova Health City. MD Dr.Siva G Prasad said, “We have tied-up with international super specialty health care providers and specialised center for chronic pain management and diagnostics and a multi specialty center which has an 1.5 tesla MRI unit, CT unit, Ultrasound, Echo, TMT, Digital X-ray & a 24x7 computerised automated medical lab. We also offer specialised care for skin disorders in children.”
NELA TICKET’S SUCCESS MEET The success meet of the film Nela Ticket was held with great pomp and show at RK Beach Road. Veerumama’s V-Team Event Management organised it. The who’s who of the city attended the event. Director Kalyan Krishna Kurasala, actor Satya Sai Srinivas and actress Malvika Sharma graced the event. Spectacular dance performances and rib-tickling skit by the Jabardasth team enthralled all. Later, Veeru Mama gave away attractive gifts to the team of Nela Ticket.
DUAL CELEBRATIONS FOR SWATHI PROMOTERS Swathi Promoters celebrated its 12th anniversary on 1st July with great pomp and show across their branches in Ballaya Sastri Layout, Seethamdhara, MVP Colony, Rajahmundry, Kakinada and Hyderabad. MD, Ramesh Reddy said, “We have 50 ventures to our credit till date which is a great accomplishment.” The day also happened to be the 54th birthday of Chairman M.Krishna Reddy and he was felicitated with huge garlands, beautiful bouquets & innumerable gifts by eminent personalities from all walks of life.
red | july 2018 | 18
FACILITY FOR FITNESS-FREAKS Traxx Fitness Center India Pvt.Ltd. opened at Madhurawada. Nearly 200 attended the event. Subhadra, (mother of owner Saripalli Chandra Mouli), Sandhya Kiran (mother of owner Ghanta Krishna Sumanth) and Sreelakshmi (mother of owner Pasupuleti Kanti Kiran) lighted the traditional lamp and inaugurated it. Business developer Sekhar Chandra graced the event. The owners said, “Traxx is a premium gym that offers state-of-the-art equipment. Our tag-line ‘Commit to be fit’ is our motto.”
FOR THE REVELLERS Somaa Restobar has opened its doors at VIP Road. Actress Pranitha Subhash, Producer Ramki, Music Director R.P.Patnaik, HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju inaugurated it. Nearly 340 people attended the event held with great pomp and show. Owner Lokanadh’s wife Rajya Lakshmi, son Tejesh Nath and daughter Mounica Vasavi graced the event. The guests had a gala time relishing the delicacies and sipping cocktails. Lokanadh said, “Pay a visit; you are bound to be awestruck by the luxurious interiors, top-notch service, lip-smacking cuisines and yummylicious beverages.”
red | july 2018 | 20
AARNA ON HARBOUR PARK ROAD
Aarna shifted base to Balaji R Square, Harbour Park Road on the occasion of its 9th anniversary. Suneela, wife of former Union Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Madhu Tuganit, Founder of Icha Foundation inaugurated the store and lit the traditional lamp. The crème de la crème of the city attended the event and were seen admiring the exquisite collection. Owners Padmaja Chelikani and Vyjayanthi Chelikani said, “We aim to reach out to more fashion-lovers and provide them exclusive designer wear at affordable rates.”
red | july 2018 | 22
VOLVO XC40 LAUNCHED SRK Volvo Cars unveiled Volvo XC40 premium compact SUV at Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach. The XC40 boasts of attractive features like pilot assist, adaptive cruise control, hands-free operated powered tailgate etc. Dealer Principal, Pramod Krishna and Business Head Sai Ram Krishna were prominently present. Nearly 250 guests from different walks of life attended the event and relished the scrumptious spread. Singer Benny Dayal had everyone grooving to his mesmerising rendition.
TIME TO ZUMBA Zins Deepa, Faiz and Madhu held Zumba Master Class with Zes Sucheta Pal at VUDA Children’s Arena. The who’s who of the city attended the event and had a gala time grooving to the beats of Sucheta. The organisers said, “Zumba is the best way to cool off and burn calories at the same time. The best part is that anybody can do it – whether they are 18 or 80.” Red FM 93.5, red magazine, Fastrack, BBG, Rankini Creations, Ralla Bella International School, Swathi Promoters & Studio M were the official sponsors.
GRAND LAUNCH OF MANTRIS Mantris Hotel has opened its doors at Balaji Nagar, VIP Road. Managing Partner L.Dinakar Kranthi and the team members inaugurated it. CMD, Sangam Theatre and Manasa Estates & Hospitalities, Mahendra Reddy and his wife Nandhini lit the traditional lamp. The who’s who of the city attended and relished a lavish spread of South Indian delicacies. CMD, Sairam Group of Hotels, Satyanarayana and architect of Gottipati Associates, Venu Gottipati were prominently present. Dinakar Kranthi said, “State-of-the-art infrastructure, top-notch services, welltrained & hospitable staff, spacious rooms and mouth-watering cuisines are what we provide.”
red | july 2018 | 26
DIAMOND JUBILEE TEAM INSTALLED Lions Club Visakhapatnam launched the new teamDiamond Jubilee for the year 2018-19 at Lions Community Centre, Ramnagar. Former district governor Lion Badam Balakrishna installed it. President Lion K.V.Rao, Secretary Lion M.Kishore Gupta and Treasurer Lion M.M.Mahesh are the team members. CEO, Symbiosis Technologies, O.Naresh Kumar, was the chief guest. He said that he was impressed by the club’s service activities and support it lends to the needy. He even announced his support to 60 activities of the club. The club donated 230 note books and four ceiling fans to Kommadi Government School.
red | july 2018 | 28
JCI’S ASIMI MIDCON JCI Vizag Port City hosted the Annual Mid Year Conference of Zone 4 Region A which has 16 LOMS under its fold. The event was conducted under the leadership of Zone Vice President Rajitha Poosarla and Conference Chairperson B.Saranya and held at Fairfield Marriott Hotel. Nearly 300 members attended the conference. K.V.Ratnam was the chief guest and Zone President Rahul Vedantham, the guest of honour. Supreme Court lawyer and member of JCI International Committee Ravi Shankar was the key note speaker.
AD
FATHER’S DAY CELEBRATIONS Veerumama’s V-Team Event Management held an event Daring and Dashing Dad. Nearly 2500 people attended it. The fathers had a gala time walking on the ramp with their children. Chief guest, HRD Minister, Ganta handed the Mr.Married title to DSP Nagesh. Actors Dharam Tej & Anupama, Director Karunakaran & Producer K.S.Rama Rao graced the event. MD, CMR Group, Ramana felicitated fathers above 75 years.
CABRITOZ ARABIC LAUNCHED Foodies are sure to rejoice as Cabritoz Arabic Restaurant was launched opposite Varun Inox Beach by the chief guest, MLA Velagapudi. The parents of the owners Dinakar Katneni (Gopala Krishna and Lakshmi Tulasi) & Pavan Korlipara (Bhagavan and Lakshmi) lighted the lamp. Katneni Jagan Mohan Rao, Jasti Nagineedu, Mallibabu and Kalva Vijay Bhaskar graced the event. The owners said, "We serve food in a unique Arabian style (in groups)."
red | july 2018 | 30
? t e e F e Hav ance! D n e h T
D
ancing is a stress buster. Not only does it feel good to the soul, it offers major health benefits- improves cardiovascular health, increases stamina, strengthens bones and staves off illness. What other stress-relief routine do you know that can surpass this groovy, foot-tapping and exhilarating experience? So, if you want to learn some killer dance moves and shake your tail feather without any inhibitions, we recommend you to join Star Dance Academy, located at Pithapuram Colony, Maddilapalem. Headed by ace choreographer Santosh Kumar, who was trained by Starmaker Satyanand, this institute has been churning out the best dancers since the past 10 years. They even train students to walk with élan on the ramp.
Santosh says, “We teach four dance forms – western and filmy, western and folk, hip-hop and salsa. The age group is between 2.5 and 60. We conduct morning sessions (5:00am-7:00am) for women and evening sessions for children (4:00pm-6:30pm), women (6:00pm-8:30pm) and men (8:30pm9:30pm). We have a good number of students registered with us.” “We don’t believe in teaching the hook steps; we curate unique steps,” he stresses. Santosh conducts exams every six months. Satyanand, along with any renowned director and one of the top 30 choreographers, judges the students. Each of them has to display his/her talent before the judges and they are given certificates after which they move on to the next level.
Accomplishments? “I am proud that two of my students, Sai Kaushik and Varsha will contest in an international dance and fashion show in Singapore and Philippines, respectively. Quite a few of my students have won many state level competitions.” That’s not it. Santosh has even taught a few actors like Naveen Chandra, Ravi Teja Ganta, etc. Besides, he has directed the flash mobs of GITAM University and Raghu College of Engineering. He now aims to offer his services for any occasion- be it weddings, sangeet or mehendi. So folks, don’t keep your feet from joining you in the fun!
Timings: 6:00am to 9:00pm | Contact: 8712225959, 8790767068 red | july 2018 | 34
Shne From Head To Toe
F
or a Vizagite, skin-related problems like pimples, acne scars, tanning, pigmentation and uneven skin tone are a given, thanks to the scorching heat, increasing pollution levels and basically the lack of ‘me-time’. So folks, quit worrying about your skin and visit Skinshine Skin and Hair Clinic. Using USFDAapproved equipment and following right protocols, this clinic promises the best treatments. Chief Dermatologist Dr.M.Jyothsna, MBBS, M.D (Dermatology), arrives at the decision after a thorough analysis and ensures your skin looks fresh and radiant. She earlier served as a cosmetic dermatologist at Kaya and an assistant professor at NRI Medical College.
our Primelase HR laser machine, imported from Spain, offers the features of both ND:YAG and Diode. Not only is this procedure safe, fast, painless and effective for both fine and thick hair, but is also ideal for all Indian skin types. Besides, we adhere to stringent hygiene protocols.” Hair removal guarantee? She adds, “Body hair, yes! Facial hair, well, if it is genetic, we guarantee the reduction after six sessions. But if it is hormonal, we will first deep dive to find out the root cause and then treat it accordingly.” USP? “Even though the equipment are high-end and one-of-itskind, we provide competitive rates. Our motto is to make cosmetology accessible to everyone. Moreover, I recommend all to opt for our non-surgical Skinshine Skin Rejuvenation treatment which consists of four steps: Oxy Abrasion, Cavitation Peel, Skin Tightening Radio Frequency and Needle Free Meso Therapy. You can be assured of revitalised skin texture and a healthy glow.”
Located at VIP Towers, this 1,500 sq.ft. clinic boasts of state-of-the-art rooms, exclusively dedicated to each procedure like laser, skin rejuvenation, skin lightening and general skin treatments, besides one-to-one consultation room, counseling room and a pharmacy. Yes, you don’t need to run around since all this is available under one roof. Jyothsna says, “Laser for unwanted hair, chemical peels, antioxidant peels, anti-aging peels, micro derma abrasion, oxy abrasion, micro-needling with stem cell therapy for hair restoration, derma massager, platelets rich plasma therapy, micro needling for rejuvenation of skin, meso therapy, non-needle meso therapy, botox, fillers, radio frequency for skin tightening and electro cautery are the procedures we offer. We must add that red | july 2018 | 36
Timings: 10:00am to 07:00pm Contact: 9949971818
FOR THOSE
DROOL-WORTHY
I
s your social media flooded with friends posting pictures of their well-toned physique or workout routines? Are you now aspiring for washboard abs and leanathletic arms? But this is not likely if you slouch in front of the office laptop with oily takeout food for company! You need to hit the gym for that. Which one you ask? Simple- sign up at ABS Fitness Gym located at Seethammadhara. Sprawled over 5,000 sq.ft., this gym is well-equipped to handle all fitness needs with its top-notch equipment, qualified trainers and cardio, strength-training, cross-fit and pilates areas.
ABS Moreover, there is a separate closed studio for zumba and floor workouts, steam room, lockers & washrooms.
facility once in a week and the Vivo Fitness full body analyser to monitor their progress once in a month.
Owner Abbas Ali says, “We help our members to discover their inner strength, increase stamina, improve overall health and achieve exciting physical well-being. We first start with the warm-up, then proceed to the main workout and lastly it is cool down which is all about stretching the body. Our team of 14 trainers (including six women), who are experienced boxers, bodybuilders, athletes, weight-lifters, etc., provide individual attention and personalised workouts too.”
USP? “We are the first in the city to provide pilates. Health-buffs should definitely opt for this total-body workout which can ease back pain, improve bone density and boost heart rate. Moreover, we must add that our membership fees are quite budget-friendly. We have special offers for students, homemakers and senior citizens.”
Renowned dance choreographers conduct zumba and hip-hop classes from 4:30pm-7:30pm every day. Customers can avail the steam
Response? “Unbelievable! As many as 300 customers are registered in just a month. Speaks for our quality services, doesn’t it?” So, you need not go for those vicarious pleasures looking at your well-toned bodies. You can have it yourself.
Timings: 6:00am to 10:00pm (Monday to Saturday), 6:00am to 12:00am (Sunday) Contact: 9505494477, 9505484477 red | july 2018 | 37
Attractive
LLURING RANGE,
Fare
hunt for that perfect sari; you are bound to find it here. They even stock an array of palazzos, tops, shrugs, jeans, skirts, frocks, leggings, track pants, handbags, lingerie, nightwear and accessories like bindis, necklaces, clips, thread work bangles, etc.
That is just not it. Their dream-like sari range-from pattu, crepe, cotton, ikkat, raw silk, chanderi to georgette, they have the best from the lot. Added advantage: You don’t need to red | july 2018 | 38
Contact: 0891-2796666
Enter the store and you will witness a parade of stunning ethnic wear. From fun kurtis and dress materials to designer anarkalis and party gowns, these well-tailored outfits that are available in a whole range of colours and designs cannot be missed out on. Unconventional outfits such as crop-top lehengas are a must-have. Besides, you must check out their impressive raw silk half-sari collection with mirror/thread work.
USP? MD Sai Vandana says, “A product customised and specialised is what people prefer. Everyone wants to stand out in the crowd. And that is exactly what we provide. Our team of well-experienced tailors ensures that perfect cut, fit and style. Have a fabric and don’t know what to do? Well, our in-house designer will guide you through.”
Timings: 10:00am to 09:00pm
Y
ou go through a beautiful maze, wandering from one section to another, picking attires off the rack while taking in the elegance and artistry of the space. No, this is no dream. The newly renovated Maguva, near Gurudwara Junction, presents an eclectic collection that is chic as well as easy on the pocket. Just about every item here is spectacular, each with some ‘wow’ factor or the other, be it in the fabric combinations, colours, embroidery, prints or weaves. Besides, they have got your outfit sorted for all occasions, be it a small family get-together, office party or a sangeet ceremony.
Want to get your wardrobe stitched from scratch? Get your hands on rolls of gorgeous yardage. Think net in striking reds, yellows and greens, American crepe in floral prints and intricate Kalamkari weaves, you will find them here. Let their tailor wave the magic wand over the fabric and create just about anything- from blouses to skirts and kurtis.
m a e r C s f f e u c I Health B for
W
hat better way to relish ice-cream, swaying on an ice-cream sandwich swing, feeling the grass underneath your feet and watching the traffic go by? Yes, you can experience all this at Thancos Naturals Icecream. Located besides Sarvani Sweets, this 2,600 sq.ft.store boasts of luxurious interiors, ample parking space and 40 covers, besides a clear view of the busy CBM Compound road sans its noise. Walk in and witness metal spatulas working hard on a steel slab frozen to -22 degree Celsius. While one crew member churns out drool-worthy and breath-taking concoctions called stone ice-creams, the other offers you a few samples of their finger-licking, delectable and heavenly ice-creams. Yes, you can sample them all before deciding on your pick. At Thancos, you can treat yourself to as many as 60 varieties of ice-creams (including 28 natural fruitbased ice-creams), 10 varieties of stone ice-creams and 9 varieties of shakes and rolls. Franchisee owner Praveen Kumar says, “Preservatives or artificial colours are a big no-no. Instead we opt for fresh fruits like watermelon, pomegranate, litchee, kala jamun, jack fruit, watermelon, etc, besides tender coconut and gulkand. That is why our ice-creams are low on sugar and lure even health buffs and food purists.” Vouching for the quality and authenticity, he adds, “It is even mentioned on our ice-cream family packs that it needs to be consumed within 20 days. Need we say more?”
trying the Mogili Mango and Banana Booster Thancos Thunder Shakes. Okay, enough of chit-chat! Wonder how their ice-creams taste? Of course, we did try their signature green chilli ice cream and it was as creamy, luscious and delicious as promised, with the flavour of spice tingling all the way down to the belly.
Roll Ice cream
“We will be introducing new combinations every week. For example, this week we have Venella Pizza Waffles, Choco Bubble Thunder Waffle, etc. Next week, we will introduce Cotoon Candy Thunder Roll (I see the inner child doing a leap). We will serve milkshakes in bulb-shaped bottles, which you can takeaway too,” says Praveen.
Thunder Shake
Thancos is definitely not for ice cream lovers whose palates stop at chocolate and vanilla. If you are willing to try unique creations like Coffee Core, Berry Thunder or Kit Kat Swimmer, this is the place for you. You just cannot leave this place without Timings: 11:00am to 12:00am | Contact: 9640400009 red | july 2018 | 40
T
he map of India depicting the purchase points of My Bommana Brothers welcomes you as you enter the sprawling bungalow that has one part meticulously restored and turned into this quirky boutique, keeping the aesthetics intact. Strategically located besides restaurant Gluttons Garage, Pandurangapuram, this 1,200 sq.ft. boutique looks striking with clean white interiors that provide an ideal backdrop for a wide range of eye-catching & colourful attires. Home to a wide range of trendy women wear for all events - be it weddings, house parties or mehendi- this outlet will have you browsing through its rows of brilliantly hued attires for hours (Ask for guidance and you get it). Owner Yuvaraj Kumar Bommana says, “We stock an exquisite and exhaustive collection of saris (cotton, synthetic, kanjeevaram, banarasi, uppada pattu, kota doria, linen, chiffon, georgette, etc.), unstitched ghaghras, Indo westerns, kurtis, western wear (sourced from Thailand, UK and China), dress materials, dupattas (chanderi, pure silk and khadi cotton), designer blouses and leggings. All this at a budgetfriendly range! My mother Mrs.Sunitha handpicks the kurtis
All Things BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL
& saris, to check against repetition.” The price of saris starts from Rs.600, ghaghras from Rs.3,000 to Rs.50,000 and kurtis from Rs.600 to Rs.2,000. The cost of leggings is Rs.400. You can also find an impressive selection of branded handbags, specially imported from the US, Thailand and UK. Moreover, they stock a stunning collection of pure silver jewellery sourced from MVS Jewel Park- from necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pendants, rings, watches to gift articles (photo frames, idols, etc.). The range of pure silver necklaces with pure gold coating is bound to take your breath away. They provide guarantee on all
the pieces. Customisation is an additional advantage. USP? “That would be our impeccable range of Kanjeevaram saris. We provide unique designs to the weavers who then imprint them on the saris, making them exclusive. Besides, our diverse selection of kurtis are the most sought after and must-haves in your wardrobe.” Future plans? “We will soon come up with tailoring services. Customers can interact with our experienced tailors and specify their preferred cut and style.”
Timings: 11:00am to 09:00pm (open 365 days) | Contact: 7989402985 red | july 2018 | 41
‘Meat’
We
Your Needs
T
he typical meat and fish market is synonymous with jostling crowds, fish displayed on ice slabs or slices of meat hung on hooks swarmed with flies, blood sloshing on the footwear & customers haggling loudly over the prices. If you want to avoid this hustle-bustle and get access to top-quality meat and seafood without worrying about the hygiene standards, head to Meatro. Sprawled over 1,600 sq.ft., this first of its kind meat retail outlet in the state is located near Alluri Seetharama Raju statue, Seethammadhara. Managing Partner B.Teja says, “We researched for a year on the best vendors to provide fresh, local, organic and sustainable products- right from chicken, country chicken, mutton (lamb and goat), eggs to fish (river and
sea). We even keep live fish at our store. Take a look & pick your choice.” They have a team of six skilled professionals for cleaning, cutting and chopping. To wean folks away from the local butcher, they even offer a choice of customized cuts. One can buy lamb and chicken in curry-cut, biryani-cut or piece-wise like ribs, wings, thighs, legs, etc. They are ready to reach the product at your home if you are anywhere within the radius of 5km.
“We give utmost importance to hygiene and don’t compromise on the quality. It is mandatory for our staff to wear disposable gloves, caps and aprons at all times. We adhere to stringent quality checks; even when we procure from the vendors,” he adds. Response? “Well, it has been just two months since the launch but we have had nearly 40 walk-ins per day. Best part is that customers have been raving about the taste of our mutton. Our prices too are on par with the market rates.” Future Plans, “We will soon launch stores in Gajuwaka, Rajahmundry and Vijayawada.”
Well, we must add the interiors of the store are quite eye-catchy with the walls dotted with paintings of butcher knives (with names and correct size and shape) and meat cuts. And yes, no stench whatsoever.
Timings: 7:00am to 8:00pm (Monday to Friday), 5:00am to 8:00pm (Sunday), Saturdays closed Contact: 7382963333, 7997784444
red | july 2018 | 42
Design, Decorate, Click or Makeover
D
o you have a flair for fashion & style? Are you looking for innovative ways to design homes? In love with and want to learn the latest beauty trends? Have a penchant for photography? If so, then you must enroll in an institute that opens new avenue in these professions. International School of Design (INSD) is the right place. Located at Dwarkanagar, this institute offers the following courses: 1.
Fashion Design and Technology: Diploma (1 year), Advanced Diploma (2 years), B.Sc (3 years) & B.Design (4 years)
2.
Interior Design and Technology: Diploma (1 year), Advanced Diploma (2 years), B.Sc (3 years) and B.Design (4 years)
3.
4.
Photography and Technology: Diploma (1 year) & Certification (6 months) Hair & Beauty: Diploma (1 year) & Certification (six months)
There are 50+ branches of INSD across the country. While all the diploma degrees and certifications are given from the head office in Delhi, the B.Sc/ B.Design degrees are from Himalayan Garhwal University. Director Hemasundar Tenka says, “We aim to provide our students with an in-depth and insightful perspective of how they can hone their craft and sharpen their skills, so that they can go on to play a dynamic and influential role in the industry. We want to create a benchmark in visual arts education, powered by the expertise of our faculty.” Walk-in and you are bound to be floored by the stunning and luxurious interiors. While the wall on the entrance is dotted with a 3D abstract painting bearing the maxim ‘INSD- Design Your Life, Achieve Your Goals’, the other sections are peppered with impeccable paintings and mind-blowing candid pictures. All these have been crafted by the students of the
institute. Moreover, there are four classrooms, one for each course, equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure. USP? “You will be surprised to know that within a span of just nine months, our students conducted a successful fashion show at VUDA Children’s Park. It was the talk of the town with the who’s who of the city raving about the exquisite collection.” Upcoming events? “INSD organizes Asia Fashion Week and interior exhibition at Delhi every year. This is a great platform for our students to showcase their talent worldwide and get exposed to the latest trends.”
Timings: 9:30am to 6:30pm | Contact: 9533795795, 0891-6662888 red | july 2018 | 44
be the envy of the
party
the flooring, exotic mirrors, subtle lighting and ever-welcoming smiling faces of the team add to the charm of this haven.
N
othing like a relaxing day at the salon to de-stress! From rejuvenating facial treatments, getting rid of cracked heels to bringing the lackluster locks to life- you can avail all that. Only thing is you just have to step into a salon. You must be mulling over where to head to since the city is already flooded with salons at every nook and corner. Well, we did some digging and suggest you visit Trends Hair & Beauty Salon. Located at MVP Double Road, this 1500 sq.ft. unisex salon offers good services without burning a hole in your pocket. With an aim to make you look and feel fab, their team of 15 professional and experienced stylists focuses on offering the best; using only internationally reputed products - Moroccanoil, L’oreal, De Fabulous, etc. We must admit the flawless interiors and grandeur of the salon gives customers a royal feel. The rich look of
Proprietor A.Mahesh says, “From waxing (honey, chocolate and rica), facial (saffron, chocolate, papaya, O3 seaweed, etc.), pedicure, manicure, bleach, body polishing, clean up, hair spa, colouring, cut, wash and straightening, massage (head, neck, foot and back), ear and nose piercing, de-tan to threading-we have it all. We offer make-up services for both bride and groom and only use M.A.C. products. You can avail our various bridal packages according to your budget and requirement.” You will be surprised to know that this salon even applies natural fruits for facials and pedicures (obviously
suiting your skin type). Mahesh adds that using a fruit definitely refreshes and revitalises the skin without any side-effects. For instance, papaya acts wonderfully for tanned skin as it loosen the top layer of dead cells. Men, no need to feel left out! There is an added advantage for you, they provide complementary hot or cold towels after every service. Speaking for the encouraging response the salon has garnered, Mahesh says, “There has never been a dull day since the launch as we have been seeing at least 15 walk-ins per day.” So, ladies and gentlemen, book your appointment today. You can even visit their main branch on the beach road.
Timings: 8:00am to 9:00 pm, open 365 days Contact: 0891-2798880, 9866399166
red | july 2018 | 45
GIVE WINGS TO
YOUR
AMBITION
D
o you want to slip the surly bonds of Earth and spend days with your head in the clouds? Well, here is Aviation Institute of Advanced Technology (AIAT) that offers the best overseas training. Located at Waltair Uplands, this six-floored institute is the subsidiary of Global Aviation Consultancy, Singapore’s premier aviation consultancy & training company. They are the first in the country to tie-up with JEPPESEN for holding technical courses and operating airport management, flight operations and planning services. They even hold approvals from
technology thereby assisting in the growth of the industry. Students will be evaluated using real-time data inputs to create highly skilled and professional aviation experts.” He adds, “After three months of the intensive preparatory course, our pilot trainees will go to New Zealand for a 13 month-training. Engineering cohort will undergo a 12 month-training in Australia. This is a great opportunity for the students to gain world-class exposure. Our qualified faculty members from across the globe are experts in the fields of aviation, engineering and management.”
Aviation Australia (AA) to conduct aircraft maintenance engineering and various jet engine courses leading to a diploma in aircraft maintenance engineering. AIAT has tied-up with Eagle Flight Training in New Zealand to provide CPL/MEIR in a unique training environment. Providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, it has 16 well-equipped rooms, a 180 degree flight mockup, e-resource center and premium grooming room. A simulator will be added soon. Vice-President M.G.S.Ajay says, “We will offer top-notch technical expertise from EASA & FAA accredited partners using the latest aviation
COURSES •
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
•
Basic Cabin Crew Training
•
Essential and Fundamentals Aviation ASK
•
Flight Operations & Dispatcher Training (ICAO Aviation English Testing and Training, International Flight Planning for Dispatchers, FAA / NAA Dispatcher Certification, Airspace Systems Workshop, Aircraft Performance, etc.)
•
Jet Multi Crew Coordination (A320 and B738)
•
Specialised Aviation Training (Safety Management System Training, Human Factor Recurrent Training, Fuel Tank Safety, etc.)
•
Pilot Flight Training (Private Pilot License Training, Commercial Pilot License, Instrument Flight Rating, Flight Instructor, Airline Preparatory Training Programme, etc.)
•
BBA/MBA in aviation
•
Short-Term Courses (Dangerous Goods, Safety Management System, Receipt and Dispatch, etc.) Choose your path to a bright future- join AIAT! Timings: 9:00am to 6:00pm | Contact: 8106763537
red | july 2018 | 46
VIZAG
eve
S
he alights from the car in her Naval livery. But one could clearly see that she, in reality, is draped in invisible strength and dignity. The city, quite naturally, has gone into raptures over its worthy daughter Lt. Commander Patarlapalli Swathi who circumnavigated the world as a member of the first ever all-woman crew from Asia, sailing in INSV Tarini. Though she is on cloud nine, enjoying the hero’s welcome, she is absolutely down to earth and unpretentious. She narrates her story which began in humble local surroundings and recalls how she reached the top, taking life rung by rung
HER SE(A)E By V.Sarada EXCERPTS Setting the sail My father Mr.Adhinarayana is a cook in the Navy canteen and my mother Mrs.Rani, who worked as a domestic help, was a sailing coach. It was at her behest that I learnt to sail. I was barely 13 years old when I nailed it at the very first shot and realised that it was my true calling. I was trained at Indian Naval Watermanship Training Center and graduated from an Optimist to Enterprise Class to HobbyCatto, J24boat and the Mhadei.
red | july 2018 | 48
The voyage In the risk-ridden expedition, Navika Sagar Parikrama, we touched the coasts of Australia, New Zealand, South America and South Africa. In 254 days, we covered 21,600 nautical miles. Lt.Commander Vertika Joshi commanded the six-member crew. I was the navigator and in charge of communications. She and sea People, often, say that one cannot be philosophical and religious about sea. But I just cannot help being both. How
do we explain surviving mid-sea perils. For example, we crossed notoriously rough Tasman Sea in 25 days without any problem. Here I must recall my interaction with Chris who crossed the South Pacific all alone, surviving a Hudhud-like storm. He had locked himself inside the boat for 3 days as the waves threw the boat hither, thither, and yon. Whenever we went through troubled waters, I asked myself, “When he could do it all alone, why not seven of us?” Yes, we built such a bond with the boat that we considered it as one of us. We even interacted with it.
Waves, winds & woes
on dry provisions, energy drinks
Future plans
At times, sea was so still that
and bars. Water, water, water
Navy is planning a solo woman circumnavigation of the
you could see your reection in
everywhere, not a drop to drink,
world. I am not sure of applying for it, but I am certainly
it and at others, it would throw
was the situation. We were
in for an ensuing 15-day race from Mumbai to Muscat.
up humongous waves. It was
using sea water to all chores.
Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi is interested in an
like an up slope-down slope
We used to tie our clothes to a
expedition in which sailors will be drawn from all Asian
game. We braved a massive
rope and drag them on the
countries & touch Asian coasts. I would love to be on it.
storm for 24 hours in the Pacific
waves to wash. We had a RO
and a moderate hail storm with
plant which cleansed the sea
Welfare activities
winds velocity ranging from 90
water of salinity. This mineral-
I want to give some motivational lectures to the students
km to140 km per hour. We had
rich water was so heavy that
and kindle a spark of adventure in them.
to steer clear of moving
two sips would fill the stomach.
icebergs. The dividing line
So we were using it for cooking.
between the sea & sky vanishes
Logistic officer Payal kept us
during dark nights, making it
well nourished and hydrated.
look like a black hole. The white
None of us fell sick during the
foam was the only medium to
sail. We had our share of
gauge the intensity of waves.
entertainment as we carried
Our biggest challenge was
music and movies and were
crossing the Cape Horn.
pleasantly rewarded with some precious glimpses of aqua life.
Award and ceremony We witnessed 14th Dec twice,
A FEW ASIDES My mother Mrs.Rani is a Tamilian from Tiruchnapalli. My father is an Andhraite from Vizianagaram. My mother inherited the job of a maid from her mother and she resolved not to pass it on to her daughters. My parents went through a lot of hardships to see my two sisters married well and me as an officer. Even now some of my classmates are working as domestic help at Naval Park. I dread the prospect of one of them showing up at my place as a maid.
Delay and disappointment
once when we crossed the
We were on the last leg (2,000
Eastern Coast and again when
miles away from home) of the
we crossed the International
voyage. The rod of the auto
Dateline (Prime Meridian). We
pilot gears broke. Reluctant to
were awarded a golden shell
press a panic button which
back for this accomplishment.
would send the entire Navy into
I crossed the Equator 9 times.
a tizzy, that too on a Sunday, we
Each time we cross it, we have
struggled for hours and fixed it
to bake a cake and offer it to the
temporarily. However, we had to
sea as a token of gratitude.
halt in Mauritius to wait for a spare part to be imported from
No cradle of comfort
Goa. There is a set pattern of
The boat was bereft of fan, AC, refrigerator and heater. We were facing temperatures ranging from minus zero to 47 degrees Celsius. If we wore 8 layers to bear cold, we stripped to the
THE SAILOR HAS TO WEAR MANY HATS AND BE A HOUSEKEEPER, MECHANIC, ELECTRICIAN AND PLUMBER.
skin to survive the heat. We suffered sun burns & cold bites. Life on boat The sailor has to wear many hats and be a housekeeper, mechanic, electrician and plumber. Basically, we survived
atmosphere around the Earth. So voyage should start and end at a particular time. We wanted to reach home before monsoon hits the western coast, but could not do so. Shoot by Dhana Vijay
red | july 2018 | 49
When my mother came to Goa, her first comment on
Childhood
Navy as Air Traffic Controller
entering my quarters was, “I served as a maid in a similar
I started my schooling at a
at Dega. I was just about to
quarters for 16 long years and now I am the owner of one.”
Balawadi and could go only
go for my training and my
My father inculcated high values and sense of commitment
to government-run Telugu
mother was diagnosed with
in us. He remains the same even now. When I arrived in
medium schools. I could not
cancer. On compassionate
Vizag last week, he came to meet me only after ensuring that
utter a word in English. But
grounds, I got posted here
the food was ready at the canteen.
I was determined to learn it.
and looked after her.
I used to read every English daily available and did not
Marital bliss
give up till I mastered it.
I had the fortune of meeting
I obtained my B.Sc. degree in
Lt.Commander Santosh
Computer Sciences and
Jaiswal at a Navy shooting
earned a free seat in MSc.
championships which we
However, I could not go for it
both contested. He came
as I passed the Service
seeking my hand. During our
Selection Board exams. I was
courtship, I visited him in
the youngest (20years) to join
Kerala where he was serving and sprang a surprise at him saying, “Let us get married tomorrow. It is my parents’ 30th wedding anniversary. What better muhurat do we need?” We tied the knot in an unplanned event at Kochi.
MY RESPONSIBILITY, AS THE NAVIGATOR, INCLUDED DECIDING THE ROUTE, ENSURING WE REACHED OUR DESTINATIONS ON TIME.
OFF THE CUFF Three words that describe you Funny, dedicated and loving Inspiration My mother Best advice you got From my father- “You have five fingers denoting five opportunities. Even if you close one, you miss out one.” To relax Sleep and music. Compliment I was commanding an NCC platoon &
red | july 2018 | 50
Commodore M.S.Raghunathan said, “I see a fire in your eyes. You have a very bright future.”
Best job ATC, a high-precision task as you are responsible for thousands of lives.
A trait you want to change My being judgmental.
Thrilled over National Geographic Channel will showcase our expedition.
Awards I received several including Nari Shakti Award (equivalent to Padma Shri). Tip to aspirant In Navy you may not earn as much as a corporate officer does but it gives you a great lifestyle.
HER THOUGHTS •
No gender bias ever gets in the way if you are honest in your efforts.
•
Glory doesn’t come for a song.
•
We may be aware of our abilities, but we should always be ready to learn.
K
allam’s Wake up Call brings
VIZAG
to mind that famous
Shakespeare’s quotation -
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”. The author, former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Mr.Ajeya Kallam, has all the ability By V.Sarada
and authority to comment on or lament the Indian polity as he has seen it all. He has served people with unflinching commitment in his official capacity and now continues to do so as a responsible citizen. “I am here to introduce my booklet Wake up Call to Vizagites, if we can call the 70-page compilation a booklet,” he quips. The magnificent man, who handled prestigious assignments of the Government of India and state government with great élan, says he is relaxing after retirement. If the task of penning down public concerns and taking them aggressively into people, visiting 7 districts in two months is his idea of relaxation, one can imagine what he does when he is not relaxing. That is the mood & motive of Mr.Kallam who is going through the second innings of public life. Bureaucrats often rip the system
EXCERPTS
apart once they step out of it, but Mr.Kallam not only exposes the lacunae in his well-substantiated arguments, but also suggests therapeutic steps. The document assumes a great significance as it comes from a soft-spoken iron man who stood his ground and gave his distracters a good run for their money. “The ills I chronicled are relevant to the entire country, but I limit myself to the two Telugu states,” says he, as the prelude to his talk that solely focuses on his present mission.
red | july 2018 | 52
Power begins at home What we are experiencing is monarchical democracy. Democracy works on people’s dispensation where as monarchy on divine allowance. Today’s political parties are pivoted on families. Take any state from Punjab to Telangana - it is generally 150 to 200 families that take control of the party and wield money and ticket-giving power. They, obviously, favour their kith and kin, and loyalists. The sarapanchs are loyal to the MLA, who is in turn loyal to the family. This is the chain. In order to keep the system running, they promote every possible ‘ism’ including casteism. These
highly protective guards don’t let any other family enter the scene. Money gets rotated in the same circles. No one can compete with them except some rich businessmen or ultra wealthy cinema actors. Destructive factors There are three things that can ruin civilization1)
Crash of family system
2)
Collapse of education system
3)
Projecting wrong role models and references
We emulate wrong people calling them heroes. Who is a hero? He is a person who has significantly sacrificed for or contributed to society. But certainly not those people who don war paint with no exemplary personal lives and lifestyles to their credit. People like Mahatma, Mother Teresa and Abdul Kalam are the heroes who led by example. Bridled institutions Democracy doesn’t mean freedom to individuals alone. Institutions have to be autonomous and professional, irrespective of who rules the roost. Look at the US. Even under Trump’s rule, the economy did not suffer because the institutions have continued to function the way they are expected to. When the daughter of President Bush was caught for traffic violation, she was penalised as the institution is allowed to function dispassionately and mete out equal treatment to all. Take the case of our own state. The Speaker doesn’t take action against the defectors for years. Doesn’t it mean that the institution of Speaker has collapsed?
graft. We have to insulate institutions against political interference. Transfers and postings should be dealt by autonomous bodies adhering to strict regulations that cannot be tampered with. Political executive should be kept far away from allocation of natural resources and pricing. The civil services should be self governing institutions with inbuilt accountability. They should be custodians of public interest, not the political and executive interests. The most important of all is, we must build village republics as envisaged by the Mahatma. Secretariats should be set up in villages, taking governance close to the grassroots. Hence, I opposed the idea of sinking huge amounts of money to build a colossal capital. It serves the purpose of elected representatives - not the people. California, the sixth largest economy runs a humble secretariat in Sacramento. We should take a leaf out of its book.
I SHALL THINK OF ENTERING POLITICS WHEN MONEY-LESS
Acceptance of corruption It is so pervasive that it touches every aspect of our life and unfortunately, it has been accepted as a way of life. Corruption thrives because we have consciously demolished institutions with a purpose. Here I recall an incident. I was travelling with Mr.Padmanabham, MP and politburo member of then newly-formed TDP. I asked him why they were demolishing glorious institutions like karnam-munsif without getting an effective substitute in place and why Panchayat Samitis that triggered green revolution were demolished. He responded, “Ajay, young bureaucrats like you are idealistic. If the systems are efficient and deliver, what do we do? People come to us only if the systems fail to perform.” Preventive steps Decentralisation and delegation of power, providing autonomy and functional freedom to the institutions are the measures that could curtail
ELECTIONS COME INTO VOGUE.
Public accountability system We have an internal accountability system. If a person working under me errs, I can inquire and give a clean chit. He is not accountable to the public. Even Scandinavian countries have public accountability module in which the local heads appoint a team of retired professionals from outside the system to assess work. Unfortunately, it is not happening here. Poll spending Today people are spending crores of rupees during the elections. The talk is that a minimum Rs.25 cr is spent to become an MLA. How do people get that kind of wealth, except from public institutions and without milking the system? How is the income of the politicians growing? Pre-1980s, 70% of the politicians sold their assets to spend in the elections. But now their
assets are growing & so is expenditure. Agriculture We have successfully managed to give 70-80% of consumer’s price to the producers when it comes to perishable commodities like milk and eggs, but not the others that last long. We have not focused on building proper agricultural infrastructure. Our farmers, who are not organised, don’t come up with specific demands. It is easy to appease them by throwing a few crumbs at them. These people, who are unduly preoccupied with issues like caste and creed, should be united. Education Education is highly commercialised and universities are in pits. We have universities, each restricting itself to one stream. In the US, there are 5000 universities that house all the genres. Research is possible only when you have a functional grouping. Our V-Cs are chosen by political leaders giving scope for nepotism and favouritism. Industrial policies We have concentrated on subsidies where deals are possible. When the government was contributing equity, there were no subsidy systems or negotiations. Today it is all incentives and subsidies that breed corruption.
red | july 2018 | 53
Judiciary We have been following the outdated laws that were borrowed from Britain. What is it to be noted here is in the UK a case gets closed in 90 days whereas our cases are dragged for years. We should take a re-look at procedures and amend the Evidence Act. We should go for community courts for speedy justice. Demonetisation & GST GST is an inevitable & progressive tax measure. The only complaint is that it was implemented in a hurry. Since the IT system was not in readiness, there was a lot of confusion. Demonetisation could have been done in a simple way. It would have been enough if we didn’t allow the currency of high denomination that reached the Reserve Bank get back into circulation. This ruckus was avoidable. It only indicates that people just want political credit. His experience Right from the beginning, I knew and understood that my role was advisory. I put the pros and cons on paper and presented it to the government to take a call. I always stood by my decisions taken within the purview of my jurisdiction. People still remember how I demolished 800 houses on Tirumala hills to implement the master plan in the face of stiff resistance from powerful quarters. Even on the recent agreement with Singapore over the capital, I did tell them that it was totally one-sided and was detrimental to the public interest. That they overruled me is a different story. Best CM I worked under many CMs, right from NTR. Each term proved to be worse than the previous one. One feeling constant over the years was that the previous rule was better than the present one. I found that
the late Mr.Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy was the best & honest of all. In the entire history of the Congress party, he was the only one leader who returned funds to the high command after the elections, giving account for each and every rupee spent. He, understandably, died in penury without having money even to clear his medical bills. Politics & parties No, I am not cut out for politics as today’s politics runs on money. I shall think of it when money-less elections come into vogue. There are good and bad people in every political party.
AGENDA FOR CHANGE IN A NUTSHELL 1. Campaign for restoration for democracy by rejecting family rule. 2. Resist unscrupulous glamour and cinema industry foray into politics to exploit the ignorant and emotional youth. 3. Declare war against corruption. 4. External and social audit by professionals on the work done with public money is the need of the hour. 5. Pomp and show should be curtailed. Privileges of CM, Ministers and officers should be reviewed and codified. 6. Go for village republics. Operationalising village secretariats and providing them functional autonomy help. 7. Reviving agriculture with a clear focus on extension, marketing and value addition. 8. Bringing back the pride of place to education and health institutions, 9. Autonomous self-governing institutions like civil services board judicial accountability commission, police governance board should be established
I ALWAYS STOOD BY MY DECISIONS TAKEN WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF MY JURISDICTION.
10. Skilling the masses using the defunct engineering colleges. We need jobs and self-employment skills, not degrees. 11. Revive public equity participation for the promotion of industries.
Certainly, I prefer someone like Kejriwal who could mobilise people without spending money. Future plans It is time we educated people and created awareness. It is also time for a revolt which is not physical, but there has to be a change in the ideology and attitude of people. We are creating a society Manakosam Manam to give a structure to this propaganda.
12. Campaign for justice delivery systems to make it more relevant in today’s world. Prune superuous laws/statues and amend laws for time-bound delivery. 13. Insurance-linked pension for the elderly must to reduce fraud and to cover all without discrimination.
L fe
S U T O N I A R ADI O GLT & R URE T PAS FU
By V. Sarada
“
Why use recorder? Why not pen?” questions Mr.Mahendra Sanghavi Jain, looking askance at the tiny voice recorder placed in front of him. If this makes you jump to the conclusion that he must be an old timer who shuns modern trends and techniques, you are quite off the mark. He is absolutely forward looking in thoughts and ultramodern in concepts. This is clearly reflected in his chic outlet Hira Panna Jewellers and the up-to-the-minute trinkets it displays. His reference to the recorder turns out to be just a benign opening remark to break the ice. If ever Santoor produces soap for men, it can make Mahendra and his son Rajendra endorse it. The young and dynamic duo talks of their timehonoured trade and how they modernise and modify it following the market dynamics. While Mahendra adds an extra sheen to his already glowing venture, Rajendra, who stepped in recently, is figuring out how to keep it that way. Respecting the hierarchy, Rajendra leaves the stage to his father...
red | july 2018 | 56
EXCERPTS Vizag calling Enamoured by its serene beauty, my father Mr.Sanghavi Ghewar Chand Jain migrated to the city from Nellore in 1975, and within three years, he established Jain Jewellers in One Town area. We are three brothers and two sisters and I towed my father’s line and established our credentials. Though I used to help my father with his business right from the age of 18, I took the final plunge only after obtaining a B.Com degree. It was a pleasant coincidence that I got married and set up Dwarakanagar
outlet-Hira Panna Jewellers in 1992. With justified pride, I can say that I introduced a lot of new trends like Kundan, Jadau, ruby and emerald to the city’s connoisseurs. Smooth sail As my father had gifted me a strong foundation, I didn’t have to face any major hurdles. To be precise, my father laid the road and I developed it first into a four-lane and later, a sixlane express highway. We recently celebrated the silver jubilee of the outlet, giving it a complete make over. I am also into real estate business and bullion market.
USP Our focus is on finishing and polishing, besides fool-proof quality check. We get our ornaments polished by highly professional skilled artisans. We have been trend-setters in this field. We were the first jewellers to introduce KDM/ 916 (22 carat) jewellery in the city in 2000. Prior to that, people used to go to Dubai to get it. We have been in the business for such a long time that we could identify and engage with best suppliers. By attending international jewellery shows, we stay abreast of the trends in vogue. We have stringent quality checks in place. Winds of change Vizagites used to go to Hyderabad and Chennai to buy jewellery. They had a fixed mindset. Six bangles and four-strand necklace and a stone necklace – that was all they wanted to have in their jewellery box. But now they want a set in each genre like- one in Jadau, one in antique, so on and so forth. Kundan and Polki, which used to be the domain of the afuent, have reached every household now. People go even for platinum jewellery. More importantly, today’s customer is highly educated and aware of what she/he wants and picks up. Indispensable gold smith The traditional gold smith cannot be wished away. He may take the support of latest tools to speed up the making process and achieve better results, but his naturally inherited skill is vital for jewellery making. Machines can create generic trinkets
but for exclusive detailing, we have to turn to artisans. A combination of 70% hand craft and 30% machine work is ideal and that is how it works. One can attend and learn jewellery designing in a classroom but can’t cultivate workmanship, which runs in genes and families. Competition Show me one field without competition? We have to be a few steps ahead of our peer to win the race. At Hira Panna, we go that extra mile to keep our customer happy and comfortable. We also replenish our supplies and discard the dead stock, even
OFF THE CUFF Scams They are not peculiar to our trade alone. To check scams, the banks should be more vigilant. Gold value Land prices may vary as per the situation and location. But gold carries the same value irrespective of time and place. Online Hard to find range and trust in online transactions. How do you explain packed gold showrooms? We must take into account window shoppers too. Akshaya Tritiya This craze too is waning. Tip to diamond buyers Buy from the known jeweller and scrutinize the certificate thoroughly before taking your pick. Marketing strategies Updating our stock and maintaining ambience
OUR FOCUS IS ON FINISHING AND POLISHING, BESIDES FOOLPROOF QUALITY CHECK.
Technology help Thanks to CCTVs cameras, pilferage is arrested.
if it incurs some loss. Demonetisation and GST The demonetisation pushed our business back at least by two years as it scared away the buyers. We are gradually recouping from it. Of course, GST did not have any effect on our transactions as it is just old wine in new bottle i.e. GST is a new name for VAT. Family business It is the best mode to be in. While working for a common goal strengthens the ties among the kin, domestic bonhomie spills into work arena too. Only disadvantage I see is that sometimes there is a delay in getting your turn. One must keep patience.
red | july 2018 | 57
CSR I extend help through Rotary Club and Jain and various other communities. We chip in whenever a need arises.
before taking the plunge.
Employees 50% of our employees have been with us right from the inception.
... sad Inefficiency
FAVOURITES
What makes you happy? Entry of a customer.
Colour: Blue Car: Merc Holiday: Europe
Success Mantra Honesty
...angry Badly dressed and unkempt employee; lack of discipline and punctuality.
Energy My family is my source of energy
Unfulfilled dream None
Hobbies Gym
Hira Panna in three words Creative, honest and success
Food: South Indian food Hangout: Beach Film: Baahubali. My wife prefers Telugu movies Actor: Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor and Mahesh Babu Actress: Deepika Padukone
Tip to new comers Time is not conducive to enter any business now. I strongly advise the newcomers to assess their capabilities
Song: Dhee Vara....
Shoot by Dhana Vijay
TODAY’S CUSTOMER IS HIGHLY EDUCATED AND AWARE OF WHAT SHE/HE WANTS AND PICKS UP.
F A M I LY C O R N E R
HE IS A PERFECT HUBBY AND AN IDEAL FATHER- MAMATA For Mrs.Mamata, who was born and brought up in Andhra Pradesh, getting married into a local trade family and adjusting was not a big deal. Stating that it was a very smooth and unobtrusive transition, she says, “My husband is a considerate and compassionate man and a great father to my sons. Despite his extremely busy schedule, he gives us time, making me feel after all, it is not the quantity but the quality of time that matters.”
red | july 2018 | 58
HE IS MY FRIEND, PHILOSOPHER AND GUIDE, SAYS HARSHITH Harshith, who is pursuing his BBM from Amity University Mumbai, says that his father is his pillar of strength and inspiration. He is eager to join his father and brother, who are advising him to go for an MBA degree. “I feel it is better to gain some practical knowledge before I take up studies,” he says.
HE USHERS IN A NEW
H
ERA
eading the family-run Hira Panna Jewellers was a predetermined destiny for Rajendra. Yet, he went through prestigious educational institutions. He talks of his short, yet a successful journey... While I was pursuing BBA in GITAM, I got selected for a summer course in London School of Economics. That experience changed my view of education. I wrote a paper for Cambridge and obtained a scholarship and M.Sc. degree in International Marketing from Dubai Heriot Watt University. I nursed a dream to study Automobile Engineering but could not fulfil it. But my passion made me read every possible book in this stream. Irresistible lure I am deeply involved in the trade
right from childhood. I extensively travelled with my father and also interacted with other businessmen from various places. Contribution Vizagites often look at Hyderabad and Chennai for their jewellery needs. I am trying to bridge the gap and make our outlet a onestop store for people seeking customization. There is no such design that we cannot make.
Rapport with father We are on the same page. Only difference is in our tackling the problem. I go to the root of the issue and address it, whereas my father tackles it directly. He looks at ‘what happened’ and I find out ‘why it happened.’ Online Vs Brick and Mortar I studied e-commerce at LSE. But
Rajendra found it unsuitable for our business. Initially, we had a provision where the customer could see designs on a tablet before ordering. But the common reaction was- “I wish I could see it physically.” Online doesn’t work for diamonds. The digital deals are not viable, especially if the customer returns the product as it involves insurance cost & GST billing.
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VIZAG
T ICOLOUR
SOARS HIGH By Reeth Choraria
T
ricolour has come into the real estate business with a promise to provide cost-effective and qualitative services to the common man. They are known for their accurate market surveys and providing the right information. The company is taking giant strides not only in the real estate world, but also in other fields like education, health and entertainment. Mr.Chandan Kumar Jha, CMD, Tricolour Properties Pvt.Ltd., Tricolour Group, says that the firm provides a good platform to young men and women in various sectors to showcase their skills and prove themselves. In conversation with the man on the mission...
You are into real estate, education health and entertainment (films). What is your role and responsibility? My responsibility begins from the word ‘go’ and ends only after reaching the project to a logical conclusion. We promote open plots, besides dealing with housing. We are on a health mission and will consider ourselves successful, only when our goal of a healthier India is achieved. We want to reach education to the last child in the society, enabling him/her to pursue a good career. While on animation and films, we want to use all our skills to provide the best entertainment. red | july 2018 | 62
Why the name Tricolour? Basically, our logo contains three primary colours- red, blue and green. We can attain any colour by mixing these colours. So as denoted in the logo, we want to leave our mark in as many sectors as possible. Please tell us about the birth and progress of this brand? We oated the company on 10th Feb 2010 with a project titled Los Cabos and we progressed launching a new project every year. We entered animation sector in 2015. This was soon followed by setting up schools and a hospital. Later, films too came
into the fold of ‘Tricolour’. How do you manage companies of varied profiles at various places? We have posted the right personnel for the right job who can handle the tasks quite efficiently. Hence, we have a very well-oiled mechanism in place. Which is the toughest and easiest venture to manage? To be frank, conceptualising a project is tougher than executing it. Thank God, the entire team, including me, is dedicated and passionate. We are constantly innovating, besides improvising on the existing projects.
What are the challenges peculiar to each of these fields? In real estate, the biggest challenge we face is finding and selecting a good location & making it available to the customer at an affordable cost. For the education sector, it is very important that we educate the child in such a way that he/she is ready to face the competitive world and survive. We strive to provide affordable yet good health care for all classes of people. What are the sops you offer to your employees? We don’t believe that livelihood is just about providing employees with enough to fulfil their basic needs. In addition to offering them the best pay, we give them other recreational benefits. This ensures a good bond between the company and the employees. So far, we have provided employment to more than 1,500 people and our aim is to make it cross 5,000 by 2020. Demonetisation & GST affect you? We respect all the decisions taken by our government. Most of our deals are done directly through banking, so demonetisation and GST did not
make a difference in our functioning. Moreover, our skilled staff can efficiently tackle these issues. What are your CSR activities? We, at Tricolour, are committed to serve our nation. We have an NGO team in place which handles various social welfare programmes to help the needy and poor. I am thankful to all the members and volunteers for their relentless efforts. I specially recall the yeoman service they rendered during the recent oods in Bihar. Tricolour donated Rs.50 lakhs. How does the City of Destiny respond to your ventures? Vizag too, like all other cities, responded to our projects with great zeal and enthusiasm. Our team is accomplished and can turn any city into a coveted destination. Advantages and disadvantages of running multiple ventures? Advantages and disadvantages go hand in hand. What makes any company stand out is how it turns its disadvantages into advantages. We achieve it by planning ahead and executing the projects to perfection.
One success story... There are many success stories to our credit. The most successful one is reaching out to over 27,000 happy customers with our value-added services. Future plans A residential villas project is in progress in Hyderabad.
REACH IN VIZAG The firm operates from four cities- Vizag, Hyderabad, Darbanga and Patna. Mr.D.V.S.S.N Raju, Project Director, Vishakapatnam, takes care of company’s realty ventures across the state. He oversees all the land related deals, right from purchase to development and sale. “Generally, in this business, firms buy land at a lower cost and sell them for a higher rate with the intention of making quick bucks. But we do not do that. We only go for a bare minimum margin on the deals because we limit our overheads. We do not splurge on advertisements and marketing. Moreover, we develop the land ourselves instead of giving it to a third party. That is how we are able to provide plots in Denkada at good rates,” he says.
Shoot by Dhana Vijay
red | july 2018 | 63
big f ddg
V
izag’s leading event manager, Rahul Krishna Ganapati of Razzmatazz tied the knot with Architect and Urbanist Abhignya Grandhi. The four-day event comprised a colorful mehendi function, a digital and glittering sangeet, a well attended and glamorous reception and culminated in a traditional wedding at Waltair Club. The festivities, applauded as well-planned and executed to perfection, were attended by guests and clients from all over the world. The who’s who of the city were present to bless the couple including MP, Dr.K.Haribabu, Chairman of Vizag Port Trust, Mr.M.T.Krishna Babu, Chairman, Kankatala Group, Mr.Mallik, CMD, Vaibhav Jewellers, Mrs.Mallika Manoj Grandhi, Former Ranji player, Mr.M.K.Murugesh, Dr.Sanjit Lamba of the Eisai Group, Global CEO of the WNS Group, Mr.Keshav Murugesh and Chairman, Ultra Dimension, Mr.Trinadh Rao. A number of senior officers of the Indian Navy also graced the occasion. The event was designed by Team Razzmatazz and ably supported by Novotel and Sweet India Group. Dr.Meenakshi and Mr.Anantram, groom’s parents, and Capt. GVR Murty and his wife, Mrs.Kiranmayi, bride’s parents, received the guests and played the perfect hosts. Indeed it was an event to be remembered!
red | july 2018 | 66
red | july 2018 | 67
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AQUARIUS Jan 20 – Feb 18
Chocolate, 13
Employed should analyse before switching jobs. Your colleagues will be on your side, even the ones you haven’t had the most promising relationships with in recent times. The management may be stubborn, but remember patience work wonders! If in business, distribute your resources competently. Act thoughtfully, there is no need for unnecessary pauses. Singles, time to activate your natural charisma. But don’t try to cross the line. Untimely actions, disregarding your loved ones’ opinions, having an approach which is too subjective – avoid these notable mistakes. Lucky for you:
GEMINI May 21-Jun 20
PISCES Feb 19 – Mar 20
Black, 24
Don’t consider a job change at this point. Your earnestness may finally be recognised. Bonding with associates, however, may take a hit. Sort out issues at work and learn to adjust. Avoid using harsh words and try to adopt a diplomatic approach. For those in business, profits are likely to be lower than expected. Involvement in partnerships should be avoided as the results could be hazardous. A surprise trip from spouse is on the cards. Singles planning to propose should wait for a while. Lucky for you:
Purple, 10
Employed can rejoice as you will get a salary hike or will be given an extremely important project. This is the time to prove your mettle. Those in business should think down to the finest detail. This is not the time to relax or you could lose the thing which you have been moving towards for so long. Singles, it is likely that you may meet someone with whom you will have a long term relation. Married should take out spouse for a romantic dinner date and spend quality time. Lucky for you:
ARIES Mar 21- Apr 19
Red, 15
If you are self employed, this is a good time to sign foreign contracts and enter into new alliances. Try to adopt unique business strategies. If employed, avoid crossing swords with the boss or colleagues. Don’t get into a situation where emotions get the best of you. If married, you will not face any major situations or conflicts. Remember to plan a surprise trip for spouse. Singles should strengthen their friendships. It is better not to force developments. Just go with the flow and have patience.
Lucky for you:
CANCER Jun 21 – Jul 22
TAURUS
Apr 20-May 20
Yellow, 25
Businesspersons should focus on current projects to improve the profitability of the firm. Employed should focus on impressing the top management. A promotion may be in the offing. Don’t indulge in anything excessive at corporate events. You may ruin your image. Singles, you will finally find that solid, dependable relationship. But present yourself in the right way. Married should go out with family more often as this will strengthen relationships and check potential conflicts.
Lucky for you:
Green, 20
The employed should work twice as hard to get that much-awaited promotion. But have patience- the management will receive your initiatives with open arms. Those in business are advised to be caution & discreet while signing foreign deals. Under no circumstances, should singles refuse if they are dragged along to a party. This will be a good time to strengthen your ties with the people you are close to. Married should try to balance their personal and professional relationships. Lucky for you:
VIRGO Sep 23 – Oct 22
LIBRA
Oct 23 – Nov 21
SCORPIO
Pink, 23
Aug 23 – Sep 22
Lucky for you:
Purple, 18
Businesspersons should avoid situations which involve their transferring part of their responsibilities onto someone else. Employed are advised to just do their job honestly and faithfully. Don’t let colleagues lead you, directly or subtly. In no event should you incite conflicts; otherwise you will regret it. Treat your near and dear with affection and warmth. Don’t rush to make a decision regarding people you hardly know. Singles can rejoice as wedding bells are on the cards.
Lucky for you:
LEO
Blue, 27
Jul 23 – Aug 22
Dec 22 – Jan 19
CAPRICORN
Lucky for you:
You can expect a decent progress, perhaps not as impressive as you had planned. Work hard and if necessary, overwork to impress the boss. Assess the situation from a long-term perspective as even the slightest negligence could result in failure. If you work for yourself, think again about business expansion. You should change your strategy or you may face failure. If you have a crush on someone, then this is the right time to propose. Married should go that extra mile to plan a fun holiday trip or a romantic date.
Orange, 19
Those in businesses should be proactive and stick to deadlines as this will lead to profits. Those who are employed are advised to take on as many projects as possible. It doesn’t matter if most of them fall halfway through the month. Act wisely but don’t forget that experience is more important than intuition. Singles should control their desires and emotions; otherwise the result won’t be to their liking. If married, it is very important to be honest with spouse. Make special efforts in strengthening the relationship.
Lucky for you:
Those in business are advised to think about expansion. This could involve the purchase of additional storage facilities or opening new branches. Employed should not jump to conclusions. Be attentive to boss. It is better to act in whatever way the management determines. An important aspect to keep in mind is that if you make a decision, stick to it. For the married, this is a good time for self-reflection and to resolve conflicts. Singles, you will have every chance of success. In case you don’t, choose a different approach.
Peach, 29
You can expect a commendable progress at work, although the dynamics of the development taking place may somehow not meet your expectations. Don’t relax even when everything is going well and assess what is going on carefully. If in business, don’t take unnecessary risks. Pay attention to your savings. Married, it is important not to isolate yourself from those who have been in step with you for a long time. Some of you will be able to find your true love while others will decide to take an important step- marriage.
Lucky for you:
Nov 22 – Dec 21
SAGITTARIUS
Brown, 18
Employed should work with utmost dedication and determination. This will yield positive results. New acquaintances are likely. A new job is on the cards. Co-workers may bother you, but don’t lose your calm. Businessperson, do not get bogged down by details. In the transaction, you may neglect your plans for the future. There is a chance of conflict with spouse, which can be prevented if you are not too self-absorbed. Try to look at things from a different perspective. March ahead with a positive outlook. Lucky for you:
FORTE Describe your acting style. I enjoy the moment. It has to come from within. How do you select a script? The one that gives me scope to perform. I try not to repeat the genres. Does your dad have a say? Yes certainly! He is my friend, philosopher and guide. I am more close to him than I am to my mother. Strength My family and friends. Weakness I am gullible. Why only one film a year? Since I am a toddler in the industry, I don’t want to go on a signing spree. My funda is simple and clear- take up meaningful films and try new genres. Whatever be the fate of the film, I want people to recognise my efforts. The most difficult role? For Jaya..., I put on 16kg. It was no mean task. Imagine, eating 35 eggs daily. I had to hold my breath and deliver the dialogues since I played
an intense character. I recall having headaches every evening. Thankfully, my efforts bore fruit. UP AND CLOSE Labeled ‘Lucky hero’, ‘costly star’, your take There is nothing like that. That has to be credited to my working with top directors and actors. The budget of my films is almost equal to or more than that of a star hero. Director selects the best cast for his film, doesn’t he? Even I too face a lot of pressure. I take these comments in my stride and move on. How do you keep yourself fit? I just eat healthy food and don’t diet, neither do
I WAS THE DISTRICT LEAGUE CHAMPION IN SHOT PUT & CAPTAIN OF THE CRICKET TEAM
I believe in starving. I workout five days a week. The real Sreenivas is… Cool, happy, energetic, high on life and enthusiastic. Craziest fan story? A fan from Kurnool had painted his autorickshaw with my pics. It was heart-warming. Ten years from now? Doing more films, becoming a better actor and making people around me happy.
RAPID FIRE
Shop from the most: Dubai
Tend to overbuy: Shoes
Misconception people have That everything comes easy for me
On a cheat day, you relish Hyderabadi mutton biryani and dark chocolate
Favourite pizza topping: Extra cheese
…airport look: Cargo jeans and t-shirt
…word: Enjoy
…emoji: hugging face
Last person to Whatsapp you: Director Teja
Coffee or tea: Coffee
Mountains or beach: A combo of both
Addicted to: Films
If you had a yacht, you would name it The Bellamkondas
Biggest turn off for you: Attitude
Style mantra: Don what you are comfortable in
Midnight drive or bedroom: Midnight drive
Couch potato or painting the town red: Latter
Advice to upcoming actor Follow your passion. You can only succeed in the field if you enjoy what you are doing.
Message to your fans Just be the way you are. Love you all.
LATEST BUZZ Your take on the rave reviews
on the sets. We used to restaurant-hop in New York,
I was on cloud 9. It is one of my I am just three-film old, yet he
On working with Sriwass…
exploring varied cuisines.
best scripts till date. I genuinely believed that I could carry his
of Saakshyam's teaser…
enjoyed working for it and gave film on my shoulder. It was a
comes on board only if he likes
Hein was in itself a feat, since he
Roping in action director Peter
jet skiing, ATVs & desert biking.
learn yboarding, sandboarding,
another untitled film
Kaajal Agarwal and
one untitled film with
pipeline- Saakshyam,
I have three films in the
Upcoming projects
performance.
I reciprocated with my
me the best script while
fruitful give and take. He gave
my 100% too. Did you prepare for the role? Since I play an adventurous video game director who is
the script. Moreover, we had shot with director Teja
brought up in the US, I had to
in exotic locations of USA, Dubai, and Kaajal again.
Why acting? I was born in 1993 and my father Mr.Suresh turned producer in 1996. So I grew up on films.
Formative years… I was born in Guntur and brought up in Hyderabad. Though I was thoroughly pampered, I did well in both academics and sports. Since dancing was my forte, I was good at choreography.
REWIND
Varanasi, Bellary and Pollachi. The best part was that we were allowed to shoot at Sheikh Zayed Road, where shooting is banned. Any injuries… Since I did my own stints, I had bruises all over and was applying ice every day. I fell ‘n’ number of times, that too from 20ft height, while learning how to balance on the yboard. And man! It hurts. On working with Pooja… Great! Since both of us are budding actors, we bonded well
I AM AN OUT AND OUT DIRECTOR’S ACTOR. HOWEVER, WE HAVE THOROUGH HEALTHY DISCUSSIONS OVER MODALITIES.
I also know films can either make or break lives. Our lifestyle changed completely with the release of the blockbuster Aadi.
What was your parents' response? My father always wanted me to be in films. My mother Mrs.Padmavathi endorsed his opinion.
Did you attend any acting school? I studied at Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute at Los Angeles and Barry John Acting Studio at Mumbai. I underwent training at Aruna Bikshu’s acting school here.
How did you bag your first film? Director V.V.Vinayak, whom I call ‘Uncle’, out of the blue, said that I had the right looks and should opt for films. I was overwhelmed, but had the good sense to ask back, “Uncle, will you launch me?” It was an instant ‘yes’ from him and thus began the journey.
First day of shoot The set was ooded with renowned directors, who were my father’s good friends, who came to wish me. It was a do-or-die situation as I wanted to endorse my father’s judgment and prove my mettle too. However, the shot itself was not unnerving as it was only a dance bit with gorgeous Samantha.
The director who influences you? Undoubtedly, V.V.Vinayak. It was kind of a quid pro quo between my father and him because my father gave him his first film and he gave me mine. I must acknowledge Boyapati Srinu who urged me to march ahead when my second film bombed. Yet he gave me Jaya Janaki Nayaka.
`50/JULY - AUGUST 2018 - VOL. 07 | ISSUE 09 HYDERABAD
Life
Eve
YASHWANTH BUILDS MAHAVIR EMPIRE
DYNAMICDUOAND NURTURINGSKILLS
His passion for cars helped him create a niche for himself and his company
Sisters in arms Sindhu & Spandana set up unique and fun play zone
Focus SELF-MADE DOC NANDAKISHORE
Trade
His passion to serve the needy led him to start LivLife Foundation
AMAR EXPORTS IS MAKING WAVES Amarnath, Anil & Nikitha Linga curate exquisite and exclusive masterpieces
GenX ABHIRAM WIPES OUT FOOD MYTH His Sante Spa Cuisine provides rejuvenating & healthy morsels
Sreenivas Steps
ut
In
Sty le LIFESTYLE PERSONALITIES CINEMA FEATURE LUXURY EVENTS REVIEWS FOOD PARTIES
NOTE
hen did you last walk on a footpath without stumbling on a hawker or without folding hands at the temple that sprouted in the middle of it or throwing a coin at a lolling beggar? The pavements have become the convenient grounds for all these activities, in addition to being extensions of commercial units, pushing pedestrians onto the
W
PUBLISHER’S
Amarnath, Anil and Nikitha Linga are making rapid strides in the jewellery
Yashwanth Jhabakh’s father wanted him to go for civil service, but his passion for cars led him elsewhere. Living Life on his terms and meeting many challenges, he established Mahavir Group- a company that needs no special introduction.
The phrase ‘Like father, like son’- fits perfect for producer Bellamkonda Suresh and his actor son Sreenivas. They share the same passion for cinema, though they approached it in different ways. We caught the actor, who is going great guns, on the silver sands of Bheemili beach. Turn to Haute to know his act.
Chandra Mouli Tippala, Publisher
Here I sign off wishing you a very happy reading.
Dr.Nandakishore of LivLife Hospitals talks of his Focused efforts to give compassionate care to every patient who comes to his doorstep.
Abhiram Agarwal fell in love, at the very first sight, with the concept of Sante Spa Cuisine and he just had to bring it to the city. There is no way stopping the trek of the GenX, once it chooses its path.
While their father P.Venkateswarlu is a director of South India Shopping Mall, Sindhu and Spandana went on to establish Kids Mania, a play zone to give that whiff of fresh air to the gadget-struck children. We describe their Eventful foray into a new arena.
market with their ever-popular Amar Exports. We locked their glitter and glow in our Trade showcase.
THE BUS OR RIDE A TRAIN, AT SOME POINT, YOU ARE A PEDESTRIAN.
perilous road. The GHMC deserves a pat for the bold step it has taken to get pedestrians back on to the pavement. In a 3-day special drive to restore the people’s right to walk, it has demolished 4,669 footpath encroachments. The delighted Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister, K.T.Rama Rao says that this move will be followed by the construction of footpaths. Well done!
“
WHEREVER YOU LIVE, AND WHETHER YOU DRIVE A CAR, TAKE
Front Office P Moulika
Accounts & Admin R Chaitanya Kumar
Sr. Executives-Marketing P Arjun M.V. Raju
Asst. Manager Advertising K Niranjan Jagadeeswara Reddy
Dy. Manager Circulation Faheem Siddiqui
Dy. General Manager Corporate Affairs Selvaraj Dominic
General Manager Corporate Affairs Rajesh Babu Guntu
Printed, Published and Owned by Chandra Mouli Tippala. Printed at Kalajyothi Process Pvt. Ltd., 1-1-60/5, RTC X Roads Hyderabad - 500 020. Published at Red Publications D. No. 14-36-9, Vikas Nagar, Pedagantyada, Gajuwaka, Dist. Visakhapatnam, AP. Editor: Tippala Divya Reddy.
Design Strategy
Publication Consultant K Raghuram Raju
Image Processing P Venkatesh
Visualizer K Shankar
Sr. Photographers Dhana Vijay Dinakar Pamu
Feature Writer Chandrika Mantri P Swarnalata
Editor-in-Chief V Sarada
Executive Director T.V. Vijaya Kumari
Publisher Chandra Mouli Tippala
Crew
The
Red Life Red Eve To confront the problems faced by today's parents, Sindhu & Spandana set up Kids Mania to provide a tech-free play zone for the children. Their venture is now the talk of the town for its spick and span, fun and frolic environs.
His belief in the maxim – No pain, no gain, is what took his venture Mahavir Group to great heights. His uninching commitment, ability to take risks and undying willpower is an inspiration. Yes, Yashwanth Jhabakh is the reason for the success of this magnificent group.
32 Red Trade In the world of high-end jewellers, Amar Exports is making waves with its stunning pieces. It is run by the 2nd, 3rd & 4th gen. Amarnath, Anil & Nikitha Linga feel that the reason behind their success has been their top-notch quality, trust and patience.
40
26 Red Focus With an aim to serve the needy, ability to cure illness & bring the latest techniques home, Dr.D.Nandakishore built LivLife Hospitals. His belief in 100 percent attention to each and every patient is worth emulating & inspiring.
44
HAMLYN GRAND STEPS IN Hamlyn Grande, Kolkata’s iconic luxury footwear brand made its beginnings in 1977 as Trend Shoes. The first Indian brand to create exquisite, made to measure, handcrafted footwear. Spearheaded by Akshat Kapur and Shivani Atal Kapur, it has its agship store at Metro Plaza. This prestigious brand is now open at Astral Heights, Road No.1 Banjara Hills. Known for its ability to blend comfort with style, besides working closely with fashion designers and celebrity stylists, the brand is definitely for those who love footwear fashion.
SHOPPING MADE EASY Big C has been one of the oldest firm to bring in mobiles and their accessories store concept to the city. Despite new brands coming up, Big C has always been the preferred choice. Keeping pace with the demand, the brand recently launched six stores simultaneously across the city taking the total count to 200. The achievement became memorable and iconic as the dashing and handsome Akhil Akkineni graced the occasion. The stores are in SR Nagar, Beeramguda, Miyapur, Masab Tank, BN Reddy Nagar, ECIL 'X' Roads.
Shilpa
Neelima
Swati & Sirisha
GOLDEN STORIES Sri Krishna Jewellers Pvt Ltd, Banjara Hills, with its unique feature of in-house designing and manufacturing units launched its two never seen before jewellery collections. Shiv Charan Chidiyawala, Chairman, Sri Krishna Jewellers, inaugurated the one-day exhibition by lighting the traditional lamp. Swati Kilaru, Executive Director, Palm Exotica Resort and Spa (Wild Waters Theme Park) and Sirisha Mulpuru, socialites, besides popular personalities from the business, fashion and design industries graced the event. This collection is inspired by the trinkets used by film stars, models and celebrities. Sravanthi red | july 2018 | 08
Arpita
ADDING BEAUTY TO FASHION Voylla - India’s largest fashion jewellery brand launched its first agship store in the heart of city- Punjagutta L&T Mall. It retails through both ofine and online media. In the current fiscal year, it has opened more than 250 stores all over India. It will also be showcasing its latest collection Charminar. The store was inaugurated by Indian Australian model and Telugu actress Ashima Narwal. With the latest launch – Charminar, Dark Lily, Phulkari, Rann Utsav, Ombre, Taj Mahal and Kantha, Voylla aims at making every customer look as dazzling as their favourite celebrities.
Sanjjana
Bisket Srikanth
Swathi & Amitham
Srishti & Sangeetha
SRIKANTH SCREENS VEERE DI WEDDING Srikanth Soma (Bisket) organised his 150th movie screening of Veere Di Wedding, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Swara Bhaskar, Shikha Talsani and Sumeet Vyas, at PVR Banjara Hills. As many as 485 people attended the screening and had a gala time relishing popcorn and sipping beverages. Bobby, Pradeep and Divya Reddy, Srishti, Sangeetha, Swathi and Amitham, Swathi, Swetha Reddy, Trushna Tibrawala, besides others, were prominently present.
Koyal Chandak
Anup Chandak
Rina Hindocha
SPECIAL YOGA EVENT
Pradeep & Divya Reddy red | july 2018 | 10
Bobby
Swetha Reddy
Mercure Hyderabad KCP held a special yoga session in association with AP Maheshwari Yuva Sangathan. It was attended by members of the Sangathan, guests and employees of the hotel. Rina Hindocha, yoga instructor, curated the session. Actor Sanjana Galrani took part. The session was interactive as Rina explained the Hatha Yoga, pranayam and meditation techniques. She stressed the need to maintain a healthy mind and soul and how Yoga revitalises and reinforces one’s mind, senses and body. The guests were served a healthy breakfast of avoured yogurts, Bircher Museli, sprouts, ragi cereals, milk and fresh fruit juices.
Anki
Sudha
Lavanya Tripathi & Akhil Akkineni
UNIQUE CONCEPT Divya
Sadhvi
Reshma
Nicy
Sathwika
Srija & Srinithya
Joining the mushrooming wellness centers is Virtu Fitness, a unique center that has brought in virtual reality into wellness. They design and deliver freestyle workouts that use body-weight and natural movements to attain healthy results. It helps one disconnect from reality and get immersed in a virtual universe. This unique concept was launched by Tollywood actors and health buffs, Akhil Akkineni and Lavanya Tripathi. The who's who of the city were mesmerized by the new health concept. Smitha
Gururaj, Jaleel & Nandu
Kashim Ali Khan
CELEBRATING HAT-TRICK
Aparna Bidarkar
The design fraternity came together to applaud the success of the third MID Showcase Insider X. The Institute of Indian Interior Designers - Hyderabad Regional Chapter celebrated the hat-trick with a glitzy nite. Among the guests were HID President Pratap Jadhav and the national executive team, eminent architect Sanjay Mohe and HID chapter chairpersons. Secretary to Government of Telangana for Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture department, B.Venkatesham was the chief guest. The gala was sponsored by Super Surfaces, Arc Kitchens, Odaville and Havells.
Maya & Ramesh Patel
Suleman & Zeenat Hirani Sandeer Raj & Amita Raj red | july 2018 | 12
Saivenkat & Dinesh Patel
Varsha & Bala
Sakina & Sadik
Mansi Jwala Gutta & Anjani Shah
Anushka & Ananya
Tejasvi
Ritu Shah
Babita Jhabhak
Prateeksha
Neeta jain & Uma Baldwa
NEW SANSKRUTI TEAM IN Shivangi
Shravani
Eram
NIFT’S 24TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY The 24th convocation ceremony of NIFT was held on NIFT Campus. As many as 199 students, 168 undergraduates of 2014-18 batch & 31 post-graduates of 2016-18 batch, graduated. Sarada Muraleedharan, Director General, NIFT was the chief guest. Vandana Kohli & Gaurang Shah, Members, Board of Governors, NIFT, were the guests of honour. Prof. V. Sivalingam, Director, co-ordinators of the centre, faculty, staff, students and parents attended the ceremony.
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Vaishnavi, Astha & Amulya
Snigdha
Sanskruti, a well-known name in Hyderabad’s social circles, has been in the news regularly for promoting diverse cultural nuances of our society. It runs Sanskruti Shikhar, a school for differently abled children. The 32nd installation ceremony of the Sanskruti Ladies Organization was held at Taj Vivanta. Badminton player Jwala Gutta was the chief guest & contributing editor of Architectural Digest Conde Nast, Namita Shrivastava was the guest of honour. Jwala and Namit were seen in a conversation over sports and health of women. A Kathak dance recital by one of the members was the highlight. Sapna & Veena Marda
Riddhi
Anuja
Amrit Singh
Sushila Bakodia
Vandana Bajaj
New Commitee Sarita, Rajshree, Anita, Purandeshwari, Nidhi, Manya & Rama
Preeti
DEEPSHIKHA MAHILA CLUB’S 54TH INSTALLATION Deepshikha Mahila Club held its 54th installation ceremony with great pomp and show at a five-star hotel. Anita Goel was elected as the new President of the club. Daggubati Purandeswari graced the occasion. With the theme being Go Green, all the members were given tiny shrubs as return gifts. The guests were seen enjoying the high-tea that was served in style.
Kashish
Sonal Doshi
MONSOON THEMED BASH Kakatiya Ladies Club held a fun and frolic monsoon themed event at ITC Kakatiya. The who’s who of the city attended the event. The ladies carried a few props like umbrellas, rain coats, etc. Antakshari and dance performances based on the monsoon theme enthralled all. The ladies had a gala time clicking selfies with one another, relishing a lavish spread & sipping beverages. Sushila, Rummy, Amrit, Joshna, Shivani, besides others, graced the event.
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Rekha Sethi
Pratiba Agarwal
Usha Bhagia & Anjani Shah
Mangala Bhatt
Archana Jaju & Rekha
Preeti & Kanchan
Shivani
Madhu Jain
Uday & Rupal Pilani Venkat Rao & Preeti
Jagapathi Babu Lavanya
Swati Sangi
Poorna Teja Valluru & Vidya
SHREEDEVI’S B’DAY BASH Shreedevi Chowdary was in for a surprise as she walked into ITC Kohinoor. Her family and friends threw a birthday party. She, in fact, wanted to keep her birthday celebrations on a low key, however her friends seemed to have foiled her plans. She looked stunning in a white Oscar De La Renta designer sequined frock and paired it with footwear from Gucci. The guests enjoyed a scrumptious spread.
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Anjali
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SRISHTI SAYS IT WITH FLOWERS
Vandana
Kosha Indu
Reva Chowdary
The otherwise peaceful Srishti Art Gallery was buzzing with women from different walks of life. They were there to explore & experience the art of Hosun Moribana an exclusive workshop conducted by master trainer Rekha Reddy. The enthusiastic guests were amazed at the unique ower arrangements. This was Ohara School Ikebana- Hyderabad, chapter's first programme after the summer break. The workshop was followed by a high tea held in potluck style. Suma Reddy
Sharada
Nirmala Dr Shazia
Mayuri
Alisha
Zankhna Dr Deepthi
Seema red | july 2018 | 18
Dr Rajalakshmi
SAY YES TO HEALTH LivLife Hospitals held Say Yes To Health, a holistic health event for women. This unique concept was launched on World Health Day and went on for six weeks. Participants were provided free nutritional guidance and fitness training. Dr.D.Nandakishore, MD, LivLife Hospitals and Dr.Deepti Thakkar, General and Bariatric Surgeon, led the team. Dr.Rajyalakshmi, Chief Nutritionist, provided dietary guidance. Dr.Syed Shazia Fatima, Cosmetic Dermatologist, provided skin and hair care tips. Trainers Naveen, Manasa and team gave fitness training.
Sheetal
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INDIAN
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look is adorned with unique prints
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than two decades, has managed to
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red | july 2018 | 20
Contact: 040-66636667
For An Unforgettable
Dining Experience
A
romatic flavours and a vibrancy of coloured spices are inextricably linked with the Indian subcontinent. But the city has much more to offer than its traditional cuisine. This culturally diverse metropolis boasts a wealth of unforgettable fine dining experiences to savour. One of them is Snort, another bar and fine dining restaurant, that offers lip-smacking cuisines from across the globe. Located at Hitech City, Snort offers a breath of fresh air amidst an array of mediocre restaurants. With its open-air seating arrangement, it is a refreshing destination for all those who want to have a relaxing closure to their evenings.
makes it ‘oh-so perfect’. The team of Snort is hospitable and makes you feel at home. What about the food you ask? Well, delicious and scrumptious. The must-try options from their exhaustive menu are BBQ Chicken Drumsticks and Pot Roasted Lamb Chop. You won’t be disappointed with the quality, which is yum-yum in your tum-tum. The portions too justify the price. When it comes to drinks, you just cannot say
Adding to the ambiance is the live music space that just
no to Snort Signature, Devil Own, The Continental School and I Am Famous. If you are looking for something quirky and out-of-thebox kind of experience, pit stop at Snort. Timings: 12noon to 12pm Contact: 9992483999, 9992843999 red | july 2018 | 21
LUXURY REDEFINED
L
uxury finds a new definition as ITC, one of the prestigious hospitality brands opened ITC Kohenur amidst very high expectations and compliments even before the launch. Standing tall and elegant in the buzzing streets of Hitech City, ITC Kohenur exudes elegance and grandeur. The design and architecture of the hotel mirror the facets of the feted jewel. It brings to life the region’s culture, cuisine, art and heritage in a contemporary milieu. It has 271 rooms (including 27 serviced residences). Complementing its aura, the facility
red | july 2018 | 22
has a spacious spa that promises relaxation and rejuvenation like never before. Kaya Kalp- The Royal Spa is spread over three floors, 10,000 sq.ft. It has five treatment rooms and offers indigenous Ayurveda treatments in addition to its regular menu. Food lovers can satiate their taste buds with ITC's tradition of culinary excellence reflected in the six food and beverage showcases at the hotel. On the anvil are two new experiences, a Hyderabad inspired Dum Pukht Begum's and a classic and creative Chinese offering, Yi
Jing. Other brands include: 1.
Golconda Pavilion (with an extensive offering of the local favourites of the region)
2.
Ottimo (The 4th in the country following Chennai, Bengaluru and New Delhi)
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Peacock Bar
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For party goers, The Club Prive is a members-only club located on the
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HYDERABAD
L fe
M
ahavir Group has been a trusted name in the automobile industry. In fact, they are considered the pioneers and the oldest dealers of Mercedes, Skoda and many more. No one had ever thought that Yashwanth Jhabakh, son of the Commissioner of Income Tax, would decide to become an entrepreneur. He not only stuck to the path he chose but successfully travelled a great distance on it. In conversation with the visionary who dared to be different and laid the foundation of the prestigious Mahavir Group… In the present world where nuclear families are the most sought-after module of living, here is a wonderful man who lives in his Jubilee Hills residence that is vibrant with his two sons, daughters-in-law and a grandchild. Amidst all the hustle and bustle, he walks in, settles down and talks of his life’s journey, children and his ideology and philosophy.
The driving force behind
mega
GROUP
By Swarnalata Pothapragada
EXCERPTS The seed of entrepreneurship There was certainly a clash of opinions because my father wanted me to pursue IAS and I was pretty clear in my mind that civil service was not my cup of tea. I knew that I neither had the brains nor the interest to do it. I would never fit into the 9 to 5 schedule. I wanted to be
red | july 2018 | 26
the boss of my life. Hence, I decided to have my own business. When we moved to Hyderabad, I tried my hands in many businesses like setting up a die-casting factory, selling masalas, dish TV, typewriters, etc. None of them worked as my interest has always been cars. I was and still fond of rallying and racing. During those initial days of racing, I met two people who are still my best friends and
partners. When I was in that ‘what next state’, I met Vicky Chandokh, President of Federation of Motorsport Club of India. He has been my mentor who taught me to pick up vital business threads. The combination of my passion for cars and zeal to have a business empire laid the foundation of Mahavir Group.
Humble beginnings We started off as Tata Authorized workshop. Though small, it was one of its kind venture. When the Tatas came for the meeting to select their vendor, I, along with my friends, made a nice video of why they should choose us. I still recall we took a VHS cassette to play as we wanted to present ourselves in a unique way. When we were asked if we had money to start the venture, we replied, “We don't have the money, but we definitely have the desire, courage and vision to start it and make it a success.” That did it. That was how in 1988-89, we became the first authorised Tata Service Centre in the country. In 1996, Mercedes was launched and Seshagiri Rao and sons, dealers of Tata and Mercedes, collaborated with us and that was how our facility became the authorised service centre for Mercedes as well. In 1997, life changed when Tata & Mercedes split and all the dealers were asked to choose either of the brands. Seshagiri Rao and sons chose Tata as the volumes for Mercedes cars were less. We approached the Mercedes and became the dealers. Since then, there is no looking back. We are the first and the oldest dealers of Mercedes, Skoda, Isuzu, etc. Hurdles and achievements I believe in the maxim, "No pain, no gain." However, we have been lucky enough to have not faced many hurdles. We have been at the right place at the right time, taking the right decisions. We had nothing to lose so we were all committed to giving everything to the business. Risk and fear of failure are everywhere but unless
and until you take that leap of faith you cannot succeed. There are people who started the journey during our time, but are still far behind us. That could be because they didn't take the chances we took. Of course, there have been situations when we too went wrong. They were lessons that motivated us to perform better. I must admit that one should have a good team to ourish in business. We started with four and now we are more than 1000. All of them have stood by us and contributed their best. We have always believed in giving complete support to our manufacturers because we too grow along with them. 2nd generation enters Both my sons, after completing their education and working for a
and mind, whereas I follow my heart. I am happy that they have improved the culture of the organisation. Agreements and disagreements They have a large area of operations with independent decision-making authority. I come into picture during policy-making. Luckily, we never had disagreements though we have a lot of healthy discussions. The aim is never to prove a point but to find the best solution for the existing matter of concern. Both the boys are equally competent. One is very focused and the other has a very good strategic mind. They work in tandem. My nephew Jeet complements the team with his aggressive and competitive energy. Each has his own area of work, but the core values remains common. Marriage and family Nirmala and I are just four months apart in age. We were 19 years old when we got engaged. I didn't know what to tell my friends as I was engaged when they were dating. We did a courtship for two years as our parents would not marry us before we turned 21 and then we got married and started on this beautiful journey together.
ONE SHOULD HAVE A GOOD TEAM TO FLOURISH IN BUSINESS. WE STARTED WITH FOUR AND NOW WE ARE MORE THAN 1000. THEY STAND BY US.
couple of years, joined the family business. What I like about the next generation is that they are respectable and cultured. It can be attributed to their upbringing and the credit goes entirely to their mother. On the professional front, I give responsibility with authority. I let them make their decisions and let them know that we are here if they need any advice. We are alike when it comes to understanding people. We have different approaches in procedures. They are so well read, structured in their approach and they know how to make people accountable. I would say they are a perfect blend of heart
red | july 2018 | 27
Nirmala has been my support system. She has walked every step with me. She has been there, seen it all. She has given the best values to our children. She has never been demanding. We grew up together. We have had the finest journey till now and there is a lot more to go. We do everything together including shopping. I never buy my clothes, she does it for me. We have many coordinated outfits. All that we couldn't do during the initial years, we are doing now. Imagine we skydived at 52, even though Nirmala is asthmatic.
Future Opportunities are vast, the goals are set and we have the vigour to make them
Holiday destination:
I started I was very clear about points
My estate near Ooty
like turnover and client. But now things
Brand: Mercedes
have changed. There is brand building, collaborations, etc. So, the boys are
Actor: Amitabh Bachchan
soon going to associate with another
& Shah Rukh Khan
prestigious brand. So, the future is filled
Colour: Blue and Grey
with bigger and better things. Way to your heart: A giving attitude
THE NEXT GENERATION IS RESPECTABLE AND CULTURED. IT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THEIR UPBRINGING AND THE CREDIT GOES ENTIRELY TO THEIR MOTHER.
Thankfully, I have a good DNA but of course, I work out and eat right. I eat at home and regularly take my post-dinner exercise. I follow
cravings. But then once that is done we are back to the diet. Irrespective of
RAPID FIRE One word for: Nirmala: Stable
when I sleep, we are up by 7:00 am.
Vikas: Rational
I have my instructor coming in and she
Varun: Go getter
her yoga teacher coming in five days a week. From 7:30 am to 8.30 am, we
Ashwini: Binder
are together.
Sonali: Understanding and believes in togetherness Ashvika: Darling
red | july 2018 | 28
Movie: Bobby
clear about what they want and we are
Fitness mantra
have a cheat month. We indulge in all
Cuisine: Indian
real. Things are different now. When
Philosophy of life My personal philosophy is what Mahavir Group follows: Creating value through relationships. I have always put people above paisa. Money can be earned if you have the right people. I can forego anything for a relationship. I am very easy going and keep things simple. I enjoy life. So all my out of the work hours are spent with family. I have a large circle of friends and relatives. I love travelling and we have groups who travel together. Nirmala is with me even in my business travels and once I am off with my work, we go and watch a movie irrespective of the city we are in. We are that funloving and adventurous.
my diet religiously but yes we do
FAVOURITES
F A M I LY C O R N E R HE MAKES LIFE WORTH LIVING: NIRMALA I was born in Rajasthan but brought up in Chennai. After marriage, I shifted to this city. It was an arranged marriage. Our families knew each other for long. We had seen but never spoken to each other. Our journey has been picture perfect. I come from a joint family so coming into this family was not a concern. He has always been supportive & I reciprocate it. He made sure I am comfortable and happy. He is a complete family man. Till he steps out of the house for work, his complete attention and time are for family. Once he is in the office I don't bother him. He is a self made man who started from scratch. The journey has been steady. Our family stays united because we believe in giving space to every individual and trust me joint families are wonderful. With him, I feel it is a life worth living once more.
AN EXEMPLARY FATHER: VIKAS (ELDER SON) Born and brought up in Hyderabad, Vikas went to Cardiff University for graduation. He obtained an MBA degree at Warwick University, UK. After he returned home in 2007, he worked in Mumbai for two years before joining the family trade. However, his father wanted him to return and help him set up a few things in the business. “I came back thinking that it would be a short stint but eventually, I realised that I was being inducted into the system. However, I enjoyed it and stayed back. I have seen my father working and learnt a lot from him. He has always kept me around during all major decisions. I used to accompany him for all his seminars. The beauty is, I picked up nuances of business without knowing that I was doing so. Even now, whenever I am taking a crucial decision, I take his advice. I got this platform because of him. At the same time I know that it brings in a lot of responsibility. He is open-minded and appreciates when I come up with a better idea. We have a clear demarcation of work. We discuss but at the end we take our individual calls.”
IT IS A GREAT EXPERIENCE: ASHWINI (VIKAS'S WIFEENTREPRENEUR- PARTNER VAN LAVINO PATISSERIE) Coming into this family has been a very exciting learning experience. Vikas and I studied in the same school but hardly knew each other. We started dating only after we completed our post-graduation. We got married in 2011 and the journey has been wonderful with our daughter adding magic to our life.
HE IS VERY PROGRESSIVE IN HIS VIEWS: SONALI, (VARUN'S WIFE, FASHION DESIGNER) My father-in-law, gives us the same freedom as he gives to his sons. We are encouraged to pursue our passion and our respective careers. Varun and I were in school together. After our graduation, we both were working in Mumbai and that was when we started dating. We got married in 2017. Though it has been only one year since I entered this family, I feel at ease.
HE HAS AN AMAZING FANFARE: VARUN, YOUNGER SON Varun went to USA for his under graduation and then did a double major in Finance and Technology. “Before joining my father, I did take up a job in Mumbai to understand the dynamics of business. Contrary to the general opinion, joining father’s business is not an easy task because you don't know enough and you are the son of the boss. Everyone is not ready to teach you. You need to a play a key role and be proactive while you are still learning. My father and I are very similar in terms of behaviour, looks and attitude. But when it comes to working style, there are a lot of things I need to learn. He is calmer and stress-free compared to me. The one thing that amazes me about my father is the way he maintains his relationships, be it business or personal. He has an amazing fan following. People admire him for his energy & positivity.”
red | july 2018 | 29
HYDERABAD
eve
s r e t Sis
e v i l re ime playt
By Swarnalata Pothapragada
red | july 2018 | 32
“
The wonderful memories of our childhood are what made us start Kidz Mania,” say the dynamic sisters Sindhu and Spandana as they explain the objective behind the play area that allows kids to sweat it out and learn through play. Born to P.Venkateswarlu and P.V.Sujatha, Sindhu and Spandana are pampered and privileged. Their father is one of the directors of the prestigious South India Shopping Mall. So, it goes without saying that entrepreneurship runs in their blood. Brought up on high values, they turned into strong and independent women. The conversation with the duo reveals that Kidz Mania is all about providing today’s tech-dependent children a healthy and fun-filled childhood.
Formative years Sindhu: I was born & brought up in Hyderabad. I went to the UK to pursue post-graduation in Business Management at the University of Birmingham. I also earned a diploma in fashion designing from NIFT. I have grown up watching my entrepreneur-father working. Spandana: I obtained B.Com degree in taxation and diploma in Pastry Arts in California. We have been given complete freedom to take our decisions. Previous experience Sin: I run a fashion label La Bonita. Hence, I am familiar with the dynamics of business management. I have also had a brief stint in the purchase and marketing section of my father’s business before embarking on my own venture. Spa: I worked for my father for three and a half years as the Marketing Head for South India Shopping Mall. Later, I started baking at home. Genesis of Kidz Mania Sin: Today parents complain that their children spend most of their time on mobile phones or watch TV. In fact, parents are to be blamed for it. If you show the children the right place to play, they are sure to develop interest in all the activities like jumping, running, drawing, etc. Undoubtedly, children love to play with other children and want to show each other what they draw or make. Hence, our idea was to create a spick and span, and safe play area that would engage kids in clean physical activities in a pollution and noise-free arena. Spa: The idea of this play zone
was actually conceptualised by my sister several years ago. It got translated into Kidz Mania. As my sister said, we wanted to provide parents a safe and healthy area where they can leave their kids to play, explore, interact and learn. Initial hiccups Sin: Though we had our father to guide us, starting the place was not an easy task. It was a tough journey right from the word ‘go’ –from selection of the location, understanding the needs of the localities, hiring the right manpower to getting the interiors done. Importing the play tools was another big hurdle because of the curbs imposed by the government. Though we were delayed by many months, I determined not to let go of the project. Another major concern was the safety. I wanted to ensure that there is no chance whatsoever of a kid getting injured while playing. Every single possibility of injury had to be looked into. I made my children play in the area so that we could trace any kind of threats. That was an important and crucial step. Spa: It was a new learning experience for us. As the whole idea and venture was new to us, we had to dig deep into the subject and research before we actually started. Managing human resources is not as easy as it appears. We realised besides marketing acumen, we needed good communication skills and immense patience. It took us nine months to get the place ready. We overcame quite a few challenges and this is where we reached today.
USP Sin: Kidz Mania gives a whole new dimension to the play area concept in the city. We have a Kids Library Zone for the children to sit, read books and indulge in other activities, if they get tired. We want to make reading a playful experience for them. We also encourage parentchild interaction. We want parents to get involved and play board games, foosball, lego zone, etc, so that they can spend quality time with their children. Moreover, in this competitive world, it is also important to offer quality for price. We definitely stand above the rest in this aspect. We make a lot of efforts to ensure children get the best quality time while they are here. Ours is the only themebased kid’s play zone in the city. We have chosen an aquatic theme and the whole setup depicts it. In our future ventures, we will try other themes. Spa: Our cafeteria Eat And Meet is 100% vegetarian and serves top-notch hygienic food. At the eating lounge, we have also arranged books and games for the parents to engage themselves while children have a gala time inside. Thoughts on motherhood Sin: As I have 2 daughters- Kritika and Aadhya, I am aware of the time and energy spent on kids. That is when I felt Kidz Mania was the need of the hour. I bring my kids here. They enjoy playing here for hours and never get bored.
Personal Life Sin: Just as the maxim goes Behind every successful man, there is a woman, I would say that- Behind every successful woman, there is a man. My husband, Dr.Nagarjuna, is a pulmonologist. He is extremely encouraging and my pillar of strength. We always ensure we spend quality time with our daughters. We go on vacations with them every few months. Yes, we switch off our mobiles to disconnect from the e-world and rejuvenate ourselves. Moreover, my parents & brother Abhinay have always supported me in whatever I did. I never had any restrictions, just because I am a woman. What I am, today, can be greatly attributed to my father who is my role model. Spa: My husband Mr.Ravi is from Vizag & into real estate business. We got married in 2017. He has been supportive. I travel once in 15 days to Hyderabad. He understands my work and at times, he too ies down to Hyderabad to spend time with me. I can speak for my brother-inlaw too. Both the men never look down on our work, despite the fact they both excel in their respective professions. In fact, when we go wrong or feel lost at some point, they say, “Relax, you will learn it and even if you are not able to, then we have your back.” Future plans Sin: We want to bring back some of the native games like vamana gunta which we played in our childhood. We are getting new play equipment. Well, we have many surprises in the pipeline to make parents and their children happier. On the business front, we plan to expand and are also working on the franchise model.
Mantra for life Sin: Don't wait for someone to realise your dreams. Make it happen for yourself. Go, get it, if you want it. Face what comes in the way. Spa: Set your own standards and achieve them. Don’t let anyone define your ideas or dreams.
SPANDANA’S FAVOURITES Cuisine: Anything spicy Holiday spot: Beach Movie: Black & white films Actress: Deepika Padukone
SINDHU’S FAVOURITES Cuisine: Indian Holiday destination: Any hill station Movie: Maya bazaar Hero: My father
Their Thoughts
1.
Provide the right environ to children. They enjoy playing and interacting with kids of their age group.
2.
Business, driven by passion, always succeeds.
3.
Success has no gender bias, so work hard.
4.
Education helps in empowering women.
Shoot by Dinakar Pamu
HYDERABAD
H
e is stylish, yet simple and serene. An MBA graduate and actor Abhiram Agarwal set out to pursue his passion for good food. “People say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Doesn’t it apply to women too? However, the food we consume these days is high on calories and fat, and affects our heart. So, does that mean we should kill our cravings for our favourite food?” Responding to this popular concern, he star ted a restaurant called Sante Spa Cuisine. Fortunately, Abhiram found his soulmate in Sonakshi. They are two individuals with a common heart, mind and soul. A Pearl Academy postgraduate and NIFD graduate, Sonakshi supports her husband in managing the restaurant. The multifaceted Abhiram and his lovely wife Sonakshi speak about food, life and their companionship.
OF
ALENT
By Swarnalata Pothapragada
Formative years I am a Rajasthani. We migrated to Hyderabad long ago. Born and brought up here, I am a pakka Hyderabadi. I belong to a huge joint family where everyone is educated and well-established. I obtained an MBA degree from Symbiosis, Pune, pursued fashion designing and eventually turned to acting. Sheer passion for healthy food and interest to explore new
red | july 2018 | 36
frontiers made me start this unique restaurant Sante Spa Cuisine. The first taste I have always been a fitness freak, and believed in healthy eating. It has been my habit to search for healthy substitutes to our regular fare. I realised that the only place I could lay my hands on such meal was Subway. Once a friend, a Bollywood actor, took me to Sante
Spa Cuisine in Pune. The restaurant broke the myth that healthy food could not be tasty and I simply fell in love with the concept. That very moment I decided that I must get this facility to our city. There were two reasons for it. The foremost, of course, was that I would have a healthy dining destination and the second one was that I should make good food accessible to all. So, I went ahead with this franchise.
Initial hiccups
places the order and it takes 25 minutes to serve any
Competition
I wanted the place to be quite
dish except beverages. I have a big team to achieve
I am not a shrewd businessman.
accessible to the niche crowd as
this and have as many as 35 chefs work for us.
I don't keep a check on what
what we serve is high on the range. I found it tough to get a
Fast food vs. leisure food
place that matched our needs
I don't make remark on other restaurants. They serve
and skilled manpower. Luckily,
what they want to or can serve. Plush restaurants are
the parent company gave us
fine to visit once in a while. But I have 70% of my clients
three chefs who trained others.
dining with us every day. All I can say is that if someone wants good, healthy and tasty food, visit us. There are
The birth
people who come here and wait patiently till their food
We found the right spot which is
had to re-work on the interiors. I could manage to complete it within 35 days. We ran the place
improving myself. We believe in what we offer and it is for the consumers to choose. I always stick to the ideology with which I came into the field and refuse to compromise on our basic principles. There have been days when people have come and sat
well-connected to Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills and Film Nagar. We
others do, instead I focus on
for hours without ordering anything. PEOPLE COME HERE TO RELAX AND
We allow them to sit, read & work,
REJUVENATE. SO, WE TELL PEOPLE COME IN
without disturbing them. I strongly
NOT WITH EXPECTATIONS BUT WITH TIME.
believe that they will certainly order tomorrow, if not today.
on demo mode for two months and tested waters before we
is served. Need I say anything more? It is not a typical
Success story
opened it to the public.
restaurant. We created an ambience which gives the
The success of the concept should
feel of your own backyard where you can relax and
be credited to my wife. When we
have a homely meal. So, we tell people come in not
conceptualised Sante Spa Cuisine,
with expectations but with time. I am here to serve
my wife was pregnant. Yet, she
good food & at any cost it shall not be compromised.
participated in the planning. During
Motto Our motto is to satisfy all your cravings in a healthy way. All age groups have food constraints. But here be it pizza or desserts, they can go on guilt-free binge. Unique concept
one of her regular check-ups, her doctor said that the baby's growth was not good and that she might have to undergo medication or
The launch took place nearly nine
even surgery. The doctor changed
months ago. People often walk-in
her diet. That was when the tasting
mistaking it for a spa and ask for
sessions started at Sante Spa
the massage rooms. Of course,
Cuisine. She was eating everything
I say they are not too off the mark
and anything served here. After
as spa means a rejuvenating spot
nearly four weeks, when she went
and is there anything more
for her checkup, the doctor was
rejuvenating than a tasty and
amazed to see that the baby's
healthy meal? The idea of this
growth had improved perceptibly.
restaurant was to allow people to
The doctor was all praise for the
sit back, relax and rejuvenate.
nourishment she received. Now
Hence, I chose earthy and subtle
isn’t that a success?
colours for the interiors and included chakras that create a positive vibe. We serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, use different kitchens and
Future plans Let life surprise me. My only objective is to keep working, be nice and kind to people.
cutlery. There is nothing prebattered or pre-cut as we start cooking only after the customer red | july 2018 | 37
COMPATIBILITY METER SONAKSHI IS A PERFECT PARTNER: ABHIRAM I used to fall in love easily and have had relationships that didn't work for varied reasons. When it comes to Sonakshi, it was a great going right from the word go. My parents chose a perfect partner for me. The beauty of our relationship is we don’t have any expectations from each other. So, even the small things we do for each other make us happy. She is just like mesimple, uncomplicated and easygoing. She is my best friend and a perfect partner whether is at work or home. Our lovely daughter Nyra is our world. She is nine-month-old but you cannot believe the magic she has created in our lives. THESE ARE A FEW OF HER FAVOURITES Colour: Any dark shade Cuisine: Chinese Dessert: Tutty fruitty icecream
THESE ARE A FEW OF HIS FAVOURITES
Brand: Anything we can afford
Car: Mercedes
ABHIRAM IS PUREHEARTED: SONAKSHI I am a fashion designer and ran my own label in Jaipur - Silky Creation. We are married for six years now and it has been a beautiful and enriching experience. His simplicity and honesty oored me in the very first meeting itself. He is very emotional. He may look tough but extremely soft from within. We are best friends. Yes, our camaraderie is built over the years. We know each other like back of our hands. He gives me complete freedom. He has never confined me to the traditional-wife expectations. I actively contribute to all his ventures. Our future plan is to create a sustainable lifestyle where all of them are run on auto pilot mode.
Cuisine: Healthy food Holiday destination: Loves travelling, so anywhere and everywhere Dessert: Mud cake
Shot by Dinakar Pamu
EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE IF YOU BELIEVE
I love being occupied and feel sorry when people while away their time. If not working, I am either at the gym or swimming or travelling. I am a movie-buff and feel that movies have the power to stir your soul. I sleep for nearly five hours; rest of the time I am engaged in some work- be it watching motivational videos or reading books. I am afraid of sitting idle.
Holiday destination: Venice
IN YOURSELF. COMPETE WITH YOURSELF.
On a personal note I am a simple person and wish to lead a simple, hassle-free and uncomplicated life. Life is a short script written by God. So let us play it well. Wealth and fame are just a mode of life. I love and worship my parents.
HYDERABAD
grasp over the dynamic market scenarios and trends. After the family business got divided, Anil gave it a name Amar Exports. Now with my granddaughter Nikitha pitching in, it is all set to scale great heights. Now, my faith that business runs in the blood is reinforced.” The third generation- Anil Linga He is simple, soft-spoken and believes that actions speak louder than words. He was 20 years old when he joined the jewellery trade and since then he has strived to create a niche for Amar Exports. His father is his guiding force & Nikitha is the torch bearer. Anil shares the evolution of the business and the art of jewellery making. Formative years We used to operate from the cellar of our house. I accompanied my father to learn the ropes and gain knowledge about precious stones and what worked in the market. Being the only son, I took charge of the business. My initial focus was to learn what my father did and next was to figure out what I can do differently. That was when I decided to start manufacturing jewellery and supply B2B.
The second generation- Amarnath Linga “Ours is a huge joint family that deals with different ventures. My grandfather the late Mr.Venkataiyya laid the foundation to our jewellery business. My father the late Mr.Laxmaiah used to trade in precious stones which used to work on barter system. Later, I was entrusted with the responsibility of our grocery store. However, once my brothers were prepared to take it up, I moved out of it and joined my father in his jewellery business when I was 20 years old. There was not much competition and business was transacted mostly through word of mouth. Eventually, I took over the business and gained a good foothold in the B2B sector. My son Anil, on his volition, joined the business as it expanded rapidly. He has a good red | july 2018 | 40
TRENDING THROUGH
GENERATIONS By Swarnalata Pothapragada
Market- Then and now
industry has become highly
Daughter joins the league
Earlier, there was no mass
competitive. Equal importance
Though Nikitha joined the family business, she had a
production. Buyers used to
is given to the look of the store
different plan. She wanted to get into the retail business
procure gold and explain what
as much as jewellery design.
and create designs. She knew it was not going to be easy,
they wanted. We used to
This has resulted in a hike in
but was clear on what she wanted. I advised her, “Any
manufacture that piece and
the investment required to run
business, especially jewellery, requires patience. If you
provide it. Mostly, it was all
a business. With so many
cannot make it after a year, don’t get disappointed. You
about replicas or made-to-
players and the retail concept
need to stick to your ideas and thoughts. Soon, you will
specifications. There were not
becoming popular, there has
see the results. It is essential to be unique as the retail
much of capital investments.
been an increase in the volume
We were also sure that what
of stock maintained. This has
we made would be accepted
resulted in an increase in
because everything was pre-
remaking which in turn
ordered. Moreover, jewellery
increases the money the
was considered both an
business has to spend. When
accessory and investment. The
we make so many pieces and
buyers didn't have much
they don’t get sold due to the
exposure and therefore, had
changes in trends, we have to
limited choice or specifications.
melt them and re-create new
The makers were also less. But
designs. This causes wastage.
now buyers are looking for something new and unique.
Journey so far
Businessmen have to be on
This family business has been
their toes to meet their needs.
in the market for more than 100
Ready-made is in trend. The
years. I feel grateful that we
customer wants to see, try and
have managed to stay for so
have varied options. He/she
long. But, at the same time, we
expects much more than just looking at a piece of jewellery as sheer jewellery.
I JOINED MY FATHER IN HIS JEWELLERY BUSINESS WHEN I WAS 20 YEARS OLD.
Trade impact: Then and now
THERE WAS NOT MUCH COMPETITION
Earlier, business was not tough
AND BUSINESS WAS DONE THROUGH
and competitive. Jewellery was
WORD OF MOUTH - AMARNATH
a small closely-knit field. My father had just one employee and both of them slogged it out. Yes, they worked 200% of their capacity. Whereas I have employed nearly eight people and now my daughter may need at least 15 people. The marketing then was through word of mouth. Now there is a separate budget for publicity. Besides, with the advent of many players offering a
are aware that the reason for our sustainability has been our quality, patience and trust. We have collaborated with many national brands as their suppliers and have even exported our products to the US. Besides, we have hardly encountered a displeased client till date. That is an achievement. Isn’t it?
business is highly competitive and dynamic. The customer has a tendency to compare prices and design with other vendors.” Nikitha, the entrepreneur She has great communications skills and she is very polite while dealing with customers. My father and I have never been adept at dealing with the end-customer. We are learning this art from her.
plethora of options, the red | july 2018 | 41
The fourth generation- Nikitha Linga
everyone's delight, we did a lot of
I learnt the technicalities from my father.
She is young, vibrant and confident. It
business. That really gave me a boost.
Sometimes, designs that appear very
has been a self-learning experience for
I decided to stay back and pursue
impressive and nice on paper are
her as she decided to take the legacy
jewellery designing. The decision was
difficult to implement in terms of
further but in a different league by
taken exactly one week before I was to
wastage and more. My father guides
establishing her own label- Nikitha
leave for my post-graduation.
me in these aspects.
the family skills and how she aims to
Different path
USP
make a mark of her own.
I know my family was in B2B but
I design every single piece that we
I wanted to get into the retail sector
make. My grandfather and father have
Changed plans
because I enjoyed designing jewellery
spent decades to create their identity
Initially, I wanted to start some factory.
and interacting with the clients. I knew
while I was successful in building my
After pursuing Bachelor of Arts in
I had it in me. The biggest pitfall here is
brand within four years. I gave a lot of
Economics and English from Indiana
that you create a design, there is a
time to plan marketing strategies and
University Bloomington, US, I returned
every chance of its getting copied.
creating a brand. That paid off in
Linga. Nikitha tells us how she acquired
home, hoping to secure a job before
getting my brand out there.
idle, I thought I should join my father,
and lets me do what I want to do with
My target is to create a brand image
work for a year or so and then go to
my brand. But I go to my grandfather
and want people to feel great sporting
London. During that one-year span,
and father when I am in doubt. From
my brand. Soon, I shall have my stand
I got a lot of positive feedback for my
my grandfather, I learn about precious
alone store to cater to the niche clients.
jewellery designs. I conducted a
stones, their texture and how they can
week-long show at the store and to
be used in the best possible way while
Shoot by Dinakar Pamu
MANNER FROM MY GRANDFATHER WHILE I LEARNT
Future
THE TECHNICALITIES FROM MY FATHER- NIKITHA
My father gives me complete freedom
AND HOW THEY CAN BE USED IN THE BEST POSSIBLE
I could not land a job. Instead of sitting
I LEARNT ABOUT PRECIOUS STONES, THEIR TEXTURE
pursuing my Masters in London. But,
Guidance
WE ARE AWARE THAT THE REASON FOR OUR SUSTAINABILITY HAS BEEN OUR QUALITY, PATIENCE AND TRUST. – ANIL red | july 2018 | 42
HYDERABAD
THE DOC AND HIS
D CTRINE By Swarnalata Pothapragada
E
ngineering and MBBS have been
accepted as classic professions since
ages. However, there are very few people
who pursue them with passion. Here is Dr.D. Nandakishore, who like any aspiring youngster, chose MBBS, fascinated by the nobility, power and essence of this profession that impacts innumerable lives. It is again the same fascination that made him lay the foundation of LivLife Hospitals a name widely trusted and revered in the healthcare sector.
Formative years I come from a family of agriculturists. My grandparents from both sides were into farming and aquaculture. However, the generation before me set out into new arenas. My father worked for APSEB (Electricity board). I was born at my mother’s hometown which is near Vijayawada. Initial few years of my education were at Khammam and then I travelled to various places for higher education. The real foundation for my education was laid at Little Flower High School, Mudinepalli, which taught me the value of education and discipline. I studied MBBS at Mysore University and later, left for the US for specialised studies. I completed residency in red | july 2018 | 44
General Surgery at The Brooklyn Hospital Center under the guise of Cornell University. Why MBBS? Those days, we did not have many choices. So taking decision was much easier compared to now. I wanted to become an aeronautical engineer. But my father advised me to go into a profession in which I would be my boss. Right from the childhood, I had a special interest in taking care of people in need and the idea of being able to cure diseases was quite intriguing. One can achieve this only by pursuing MBBS. Yes, I am the same kid that doctors had to chase around
to administer an injection; and here I am, a practising surgeon! The foundation LivLife hospitals After several years of practice in the US, I returned to India, bringing with me the latest knowledge, skills and technology. After working for two years in the corporate sector, I realised that to deliver care matching the high international standards, we need a unique, specialized and custom-built center. That gave birth to the concept of LivLife Hospitals. I launched Livlife, Hyderabad in 2011 and followed it by LivLife Vijayawada in 2012 and few more subsidiary branches at Tirupati, Mumbai, Vizag and other places.
Competition and care Many in health industry believe in the volume of patients and cost reduction and aggressively quote price points as reasons for success. The philosophy at LivLife is completely different. We believe in 360-degree care to every patient. We strive to deliver compassionate care, individualised treatment plan, personalised care, using cutting-edge technology. Our highly committed staff makes us stand out apart. Healthcare at stake There is a tremendous migration of doctors to urban areas and many multi-specialty hospitals are competing for the same patient pool. This brings in an unhealthy competition, which in turn, gives rise to unethical practices. We cannot say all is lost as there are doctors who provide wonderful services. Health issues in focus The incidence of many noncommunicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases and cancers are on the rise. Most of them occur due to obesity. We should focus on controlling it. The USP Our topics of interest are weight loss, advanced laparoscopic surgeries, general surgeries, cosmetic procedures, nonsurgical weight loss, clinical nutrition, lab & diagnostics, psychology etc. However, our USP is bariatric surgeries and diabetic surgeries. We are the only 'International center of excellence' for these services in AP and Telangana. Diets and workouts There is a generation gap now at every 3-4 years. Along with this, the lifestyle is getting
worse. Gone are the exercise, and healthy eating concepts. Internet, chatting, social media, video games, junk food and alcohol are in trend. Processed and unhealthy food and drinks are making society obese and unproductive. Following diets without expert guidance can be harmful. Not having a structured workout regimen is harmful.. Internet the new edge doctor A lot of anecdotal information is being published online without proper clinical evidence. Beware of such misleading info; it may actually get you into trouble. Mantra for healthy living Moderation is my mantra for a healthy life. Enjoy all facets of life, but, in moderation. A personal note I have been married for 22 years have a son Avinash & daughter Miya. One person who makes our house a beautiful, happy home is my wife Ratna, who is the CEO of LivLife Hospitals. I play golf, read or watch a good show for my recreation. Hanging out with dear ones is a bonus.
HONOURS •
Additional fellowships in Gastrointestinal and Endocrine surgery
•
Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric surgery from the University of Texas, Dallas.
TIPS TO SUCCEED •
Life is a journey, enjoy it.
•
It is important to stop occasionally during this journey and smell roses.
•
Take time for yourself. Focus and take care good care of your health.
•
Aim for the moon and the stars. Don’t let anyone tell you what you cannot do.
•
Success doesn't happen overnight. So, keep plugging away till you reach your goal.
Gratification I encourage my patients to call me directly anytime, if they are in trouble. I end up missing a lot of important events in personal life. But the gratitude expressed by my patients makes up for that loss. I do try to spend a plenty of time with my kids. Sometimes, I end up spoiling them too. Advice to aspiring doctors Being a doctor is a wonderful privilege. The greatest honour a doctor can earn is the patient's trust. He/she gladly surrenders to your treatment. It is our solemn responsibility to do justice to that faith and trust they repose in us. Shoot by DinakarPamu
red | july 2018 | 45
Vijayawada. He takes up this
Hospitals in Visakhapatnam and
country, including Sandhya Eye
eyeballs every month across the
has been operating on over 200
past six years, Dr.Shashi Kapoor
solution to this problem. From the
Don’t fret, there is a permanent
compulsion, it becomes a burden.
days, but when it is done on
glasses may be a fashion these
most important ones. Wearing
beautiful organs and also the
Eyes are the most precious and
lasik
eye n
an
wellness
Dr.Kapoor says, “Spectacles are no more a fashion problem. We are not a fashion industry. But if in a city like Mumbai where getting into a train and losing spectacles
stigma in our society. Women
come to get rid of their spectacles
to dodge dowry while men come
for surgery to find a suitable
glasses in such environs.”
I could not have worked with
pressure and airplanes y. So,
place where there is a lot of wind
have not got this job. I work in a
it was not for this surgery, I would
who works with Emirates, says, “If
performed a surgery 12 years ago,
Abdul Mutalib, on whom Dr.Kapoor
LASIK surgery solves it,” he adds.
as their only hurdle is spectacles.
seeking employment, come to me
Often children of retired policemen,
women from urban and rural areas.
“We have operated both men and
This is what keeps him going.
their surgery & thank Dr.Kapoor.
wearing spectacles is still a
patients come to me because
in his career, he says, "20% of the
Narrating some fascinating stories
and satisfactory.
technique are far more superior
country, says the results with this
finest LASIK surgeons in the
Dr.Kapoor, known as one of the
technique in South India.
introduced customised LASIK
of the first hospitals to have
nearly13 years ago. This is one
technique in Andhra Pradesh
introduced customised LASIK
Sandhya Eye Hospitals has
surgeons in the country.
him one of the most experienced
Rs.2.5 cr in 1991. This also makes
country at a whopping cost of
over a billion, three machines are
For a country with a population
Orissa and Telangana.
Andhra Pradesh, others come from
While 80% of patients are from
Visakhapatnam and the rural belt.
Hospitals, treats patients from
Consultant at Sandhya Eye
Dr.Kapoor, a Senior Refractive
We need to get over this stigma.”
it does not mean that it is normal.
many people face the same issue,
a problem, he says, “Just because
with accepting the fact that there is
Stating that the solution begins
this surgery comes as a boon.
(unable to see things from far), so
Almost 50% of the world is myopic
a solution available at hand.”
too when you know that there is
problem and seek a solution. That
others, it is better to accept the
makes a person dependent on
refractive surgery. “About
is also the first surgeon to get a
bride.”200 girls got married after
doctors in the field of
marriages are at stake. Dr.Kapoor
Dr.Shashi Kapoor
solved,” he insists.
epidemic which needs to be
means that this is now an
become partially blind which
the next two years, many will
all the glasses in the city for
simultaneously. If we destroy
We need to focus on both,
doctors to perform surgeries.
do not have enough trained
LASIK surgery machines, we
if we increase the number of
wears glasses and so even
50 percent of the country
urgent need to train more
operation? Because jobs and
CLOSING THE FLAP
states. There is also an
on. Why is it such an important
THE LASER
number of machines in other
thousands whom he has operated
CREATING THE FLAP
not enough to increase the
witness joy in the eyes of the
LASIK surgery machine to the
too little to operate. It is just
thankless and arduous job to
na By
W ndrik Cha
a Ma
ntri
g n i inn
s
freewheeling chat with the handsome hunk…
expand his repertoire and live on his terms without giving a damn. In a
has respect for middle-of-the-road cinema. He still wants to push the envelope,
the day with a newbie’s enthusiasm. He has been part of masala potboilers, but
grounded actor. Sreenivas is nearly four years into the showbiz but still faces
inhibitions and surrender to his vision,” he says. Well, that is what we call a
a suitable performer was gratifying. I felt that I must also set aside all my
putty in the hands of the maker. “That director V.V.Vinayak found in me
debut film Alludu Seenu and he diverts it, stating that he is nothing but
raise Sreenivas Bellamkonda for his impressive performance in his
P
redhaute