July 2012
A MaXposure Media Group Publication
magazine
this time for
africa
explore the multihued land www.sarovarhotels.com
Company Overview
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Fleet of the Futu
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Monthly June 2011 Vol 32 Issue 6
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32 MIND
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sarovar speak This season we invite you to undertake an exciting, luxurious and memorable journey with us. This season we invite you to undertake an exciting, luxurious and memorable journey with us. This season we invite you to undertake an exciting, luxurious and memorable journey with us. This season we invite you to undertake an exciting, luxurious and memorable journey with us. This season we invite you to undertake an exciting, luxurious and memorable journey with us. This season we invite you to undertake an exciting, luxurious and memorable journey with us. This season we invite you to undertake an exciting, luxurious and memorable journey with us. This season we invite you to undertake an exciting, luxurious and memorable journey with us.
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TH S SSUE 6
conversation with the waters Exlploring the many shades of greens & blues at Kerala
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larger than life Nissan’s latest offering the Teana invites you to indulge in a pleasurable drive
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smell the coffee When and how did the coffee become the new tea? We taste and explore
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musical saga
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sunshine smiles Colours ,cultures and conversations; why should you visit the African land
In the world of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan
lATITUdE & loNgITUdE
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in 2014, Nairobi
In 2014, Sarovar would be another must-stop destination in Nairobi
Opening - 2014 Sarovar Hotels has announced the signing of a 100 room hotel for management in Nairobi. This is the company’s second hotel here and third in East Africa. The hotel is expected to be operational by 2014 and will offer all modern facilities of an international quality 3 star hotel. Sarovar Hotels has announced the signing of a 100 room hotel for
management in Nairobi. This is the company’s second hotel here and third in East Africa. The hotel is expected to be operational by 2014 and will offer all modern facilities of an international quality 3 star hotel. Sarovar Hotels has announced the signing of a 100 room hotel for management in Nairobi. This is the company’s second hotel here and third in East Africa.
1 1 Bubble bath Calling all the children to have a fruity bath with oriflame’s new Hippo soap. This brightly coloured hippo shaped soaps are perfect for the sensitive skin of children. Price: ` 79 onwards available: get in touch with your nearest oriflame representative.
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Bright canvas shoes Your naughty masters aged between 2-12 years can get hold of these funky shoes by diamond Footcare in Tom and Jerry imprints. The collection is suitable for all occasions and will give a strong grip and support to their growing bones. Price: ` 199 onwards available: leading stores across India 3 Time machine For the season, Police is out with its latest collection of timepieces. The Jade timepiece is embellished with coloured stones and tastefully selected wristbands. The watch is available in purple, black, white and black. Price: ` 12,050 onwards available: leading watch stores across India
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wandering in the waters Words Purva Grover images rajesh Gupta
A step closer to the quiet of nature & mind; when in the Kerala backwaters, live life the slow, romantic and beautiful way
That, I’d love to be directionless was an emotion I was unfamiliar with. At times they say just as in life on holidays too you should explore a destination in a way that you can’t find your way back home. Around me were waters of a different kind telling me to do just that. Turquoise and calm, the backwaters of Kumarakom don’t talk to you; they engage you in conversations with the self. It was 1100 hours and I was on a houseboat; having left behind my home for three days, The Zuri Kumarakom Kerala Resort & Spa, with a promise to return real soon. I was to break the promise; I smiled to myself, as Charles, an artiste on our boat, crooned Country Roads. We didn’t want to be taken home instead we were discovering new homes. The sun that engulfed the blue skies exuded warmth. The coconut trees that walked alongside didn’t intimidate us with their height. The breeze that knotted up the hair smoothened our thought process. Home was the last thing on our mind.
We were tempted to utter the clichéd phrase, this really is god’s own country, and realised that in this country no matter how slowly time moved one wished it were slower. The day turned into noon rather quickly. guitar notes from Elton, John denver and Abba transferred us to the times when music used to define our lives. When Charles took a break, Sree, our Man Friday from Zuri, filled us with interesting facts, “Kerala backwaters are a chain of lakes, which are parallel to the Arabian Sea. Freshwaters from the rivers meet the seawater from the Arabian Sea but here on the Vembanad lake, a barrage has been built
An unforgettable experience
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Capture the moments: Bedecked elephant, spice garland and tikka ceremony, etc
so that keeps the fresh water intact.” He asked us to notice the thatched roof covers over the wooden hulls in our houseboat, Kettuvallam, “The houseboats were used to ship rice and spices.” It was time for our first stopover, the R block, a manmade island. “It’s the spot where six rivers meet,” said Sree. We took a short walk through the plantation, after which we sat down by the lakeside to absorb in the dexterity with which the fishermen spread the net. later glasses of Toddy arrived. Toddy’s an alcoholic beverage made out of the sap of coconut trees, in short, what Fenny is to goa, Toddy is to Kerala. “It tastes like sour curd,” I was not impressed. When it was time to head back it was almost given that we would ignore the directions of the compass and just follow the heart. “We are officially in love with the blues,” we told Sree when we returned to the resort. But then, this was not our first date with the blues. our romance began within hours of
landing at the airport in Cochin from New delhi. We took a yacht from the Puthangady Zuri Jetty to the resort. A 20-minute ride amidst the blues with white wine for company, need we ask more? But more awaited us, a head and shoulder massage on the way by the therapists from Zuri’s Maya Spa. during my stay I of course did meet Cathy, my therapist, more than once. You can’t be in a spa resort and not let the aromatic oils cast a spell on you. But then, it’s not just the aroma of the oils that spoil you here; you discover many more aromas. To begin with we were welcomed at the resort with a spice garland (made of flowers, cardamom and turmeric). What made the welcome lovelier in addition to the bedecked elephant, vermilion tikka and performance by the local artistes was the drizzle. And then each time we sat down to eat our aromatic experience just got richer. on the houseboat, we gorged on fish curry and red prawns with appams. on a sunny
Delhi
getting there Kumarakom, Kerala is just 16 km from the nearest city, Kottayam. You can fly to Mumbai or Chennai. There are daily flights to Kerala where, as entry points, you have a choice of three international airports – Kochi (Cochin), Kozhikode (Calicut) and Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). We took the New Delhi to Cochin route; and decided to reach the resort through the backwaters.
Cochin
Kerala backwaters are a chain of lakes, which are parallel to the Arabian Sea; it was on these backwaters that the houseboats served as means to transport rice and spices
day, we enjoyed Sadya, the typical onam feast, at the resort’s 24-hour restaurant, lime Tree. on the banana leaf in front of me was banana chips, sharkara puratty, papaya thoran, pineapple kalam, beetroot pachadi, paal kootu curry, avail, sambar, erisseri, et al. Forget civilization and indulge in this concoction of aromas and flavours using your hands. And it would be a sin to choose cheesecakes over payasam here. Not surprisingly, next morning we went spices and pickles shopping to Kottayam, 15 km from outer Cochin. This was when we realised that this land had a voice too. The busy roads and markets is however not where you’d want to spend time. Just pick your share of chicken, beef and fish pickles and vanilla, pepper and cardamom, and head back to the quiet of the resort. Besides the Vembanad lake with cottages on the shores of the manmade lagoon, the resort of course is unusually quiet, so much so that you’d want to whisper most
of the times but you can break rules too like we did on one night at the amphitheatre when Kathakali dancers took us on a journey of expressions. What followed was a valour act, a Kalarippayattu performance. The swiftness with which the swords moved gave us goose bumps. I guess it was the energy of the performers that rubbed on us. We sat on the shore till late, talking. The day ended with rather large helpings of Karimean fish. It was our most noisy and satiating night. ok pardon me there was one more time when we disturbed the silence. This was when we went canoe racing on the manmade lagoon inside the resort. Just like in all competitions, we shrieked as we challenged ourselves to row our way to victory. But then finding our way to the quiets again was easy – we found it under the sun shower (in the privacy of our cottage), yoga sessions at the Body Temple, etc. Being lost had never been so beautiful. www.sarovarhotels.com
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MACHINE
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a new dawn Words harmaan raj madon
Experience the weight of the silky engine and feel the beat in every move, Nissan Teana lets you waltz your way to a smooth drive
Early mornings are my favourite part of the day, and the Nissan Teana is quite a joy to experience them. There’s something to driving, and driving a lot, which is ambiguous and contradictory. The only reason you’d choose to be an automotive journalist is because you love cars. Period. However, it can also lead to an inevitable monotony of routine. But once in a while, a car comes along, which takes you beyond the monotony. There have been a few over the past many years, but in this column I’ll talk about a car I particularly like – the Nissan Teana.
‘Teana’, which is a derivative of a native American word meaning ‘early morning’ or ‘dawn’, is a nice name for a car. Refreshing and different. When I first laid eyes on the Teana, it didn’t quite take my breath away, to be honest. However, not being one to judge a book by its cover, I waited to see what it felt like from where it mattered most – behind the wheel. And so it was, at the crack of dawn the following morning, I pulled out of the parking lot and onto my regular test route, a near-300 kilometre long loop, which mixes city driving with a fast expressway blast and some hilly terrain. With some light music on the radio to
our columnist Harmaan R A J Madon, as a toddler was regularly found napping under his grandfather’s Morris Minor. His wife thinks he loves his motorcycle more than her. And that is probably true. Professionally, he is HeadContent, for autojunction.in.
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keep me company, I set out from Mumbai. It’s amazing psychology to note that a light coloured interior could actually brighten your mood, leading to fewer incidents of road rage too! The plush leather seats provide near-armchair comfort, a feature other car makers would do well to emulate. In a relaxing, cosseting environment, you’ll be amazed at how clearly you can think too, and if you’re driving alone with your thoughts for company, then that indeed is good company. But if there was one aspect to the Teana, which really drew my attention, it has to be the powertrain. The combination of smooth V6 engine and continuously variably transmission mean you barely feel the machinations at work under the bonnet. I’ve driven cars with x-tronic CVT gearboxes before (and since), and I have to say I’ve been a sceptic, but the big Nissan more than changed that perception for me. In fact, come to think of it, the Teana changed my perception of what Nissan is about as a car maker. I’d always associated Nissan with big, brawny pick-up trucks and SUVs (probably because I had a pull-back Nissan Patrol toy as a kid). If anything, the Teana proved that Nissan is, in fact, a very versatile car-maker, one that churns out everything from the afore-
mentioned trucks and SUVs, to small cars, luxury sedans and sportscars too. I ruminated on this as I approached the few fast bends one encounters on the Mumbai-Pune expressway. While not exactly hummingbird-quick, the Teana steers in a manner which is both precise and feel-some. I wouldn’t liken it to ballet, but thankfully it isn’t a break-dancer either; more like an easy waltz. It was at this point, that the omnipresent contradiction came to the fore again: just how does this car feel from the back seat? Thankfully, a rendezvous with some colleagues later in the day allowed me the opportunity to experience just that. After a 15hour day spent driving and photographing the Teana, I spent the last two hours comfortably ensconced in the plush rear seats. And once again, it got me thinking. The Teana is a car, which wasn’t made for the Indian market. Its brief was quite simple: compete with the largest-selling family saloons in the most crowded car market of them all – the United States. And you’ll be surprised what a competitive car it is. But as a luxury sedan it has no faults. With the combination of its silkysmooth V6 engine and CVT transmission, plus those sumptuous seats, it truly fits the brief.
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smell the coffee Words Meghna sharma
If you’re addicted to your morning cuppa like many Indians today, then you’d want to read about the much-loved but not-sopublicised Indian coffees
As India sheds its tea image one wonders if coffee can ever be the new tea We often talk about how the best wines in the world are found in France, the smoothest scotch in Scotland and how Russia is the place if you love vodka. As for India it is known more for its splendid tea gardens than coffee. We decided to change this notion. Sunalini N Menon (pic on facing page), Asia’s first lady of coffee, takes us through an aromatic Indian coffee experience. Sunalini grew up to the aroma of coffee pervading her Chennai home. “I think I have always loved coffee,” says India’s first woman coffee taster. She started her career as a cupper, as tasters are called, for the Coffee Board back in 1972 before setting up Coffee lab, a company that evaluates and certifies coffee. Coming back to coffee, Indian coffees were under-represented in the coffee market, but all that is changing now. You might be drinking a delicious cuppa in a Parisian café or perhaps in a Coffee Bar in New York City; chances are that the coffee has actually travelled all the way from the verdant slopes of Chikmagalur, Karnataka. It deserves special mention that Indian coffee is not only finding its feet in the global market but earning accolades for its flavour and texture as well.
In fact, some Indian blends are considered to be gourmet coffees worldwide. From the celebrated ‘Indian Monsooned Malabar’, ‘Pearl Mountain’ (an Estate Brand from Karnataka), ‘Robusta Kaapi Royale’, to the more recent ‘Buttercup Beanz Cream’, a blend whose origins can be traced to Coorg, the list merely threatens to swell with time. “It has all been happening over the past 12-15 years or so,” states Sunalini. The world might be as unaware as us Indians that India has the world’s best shade-grown ’mild’ coffees. According to the Coffee Board of India, an autonomous body functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, government of India, Indian coffee is the most extraordinary of beverages, offering intriguing subtlety and stimulating intensity. And India is the only country that grows all of its coffee under shade. And as everything Indian has a history behind it, Indian coffee too has a unique historic flavour! It all began with a long, arduous journey around four hundred years ago when the legendary saint Bababudan brought seven magical beans from distant Yemen and planted them in the Chandragiri
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specialty coffees of india Monsooned Malabar AA: Monsooned coffee or coffee beans ’swollen’ with moisture from the air is prepared at the curing works situated on the West Coast of Southern India. Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold: These wonderful and exotic coffees are prepared from washed Arabicas grown in the regions of Chikmagalur, Coorg, Niligiris, Bababudangiris and Shevaroys. The beans are very large, uniform bluish-green in colour, with a clean polished appearance. In the cup, the coffee exhibits full aroma, medium to good body, good acidity and fine flavour, with a hint of spice. This is a rare, premium coffee and truly represents the best quality coffee from India. Robusta Kaapi Royale: This coffee is prepared from Robusta Parchment AB from the regions of Coorg, Wayanad, Chikmagalur and Travancore. The beans are bold, round with pointed ends, and grey to bluish-grey in colour. The cup ensures full body, soft, smooth and mellow flavour.
hills of Karnataka. The sensations of aroma, flavour, body and acidity that you enjoy with each coffee experience is rooted in these mystical beginnings. It is often said that the Indian coffee grower pours his life into the crop. Is it any wonder then that India has consistently produced and exported a remarkable variety of high-quality coffees for over one hundred and fifty years! “India cultivates all of its coffee under a well-defined two-tier mixed shade canopy, comprising evergreen leguminous trees. Nearly 50 different types of shade trees can be found in coffee plantations. India’s coffee growing regions have diverse climatic conditions, which are well suited for cultivation of different varieties of coffee. Some regions with high elevations are ideally suited for growing Arabicas of mild quality while those with warm humid conditions are best suited for Robustas,” adds Sunalini. The traditional coffee growing regions in India are the southern states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu while the nontraditional ones are Andhra Pradesh and orissa along with the North Eastern region
comprising the ’Seven Sister’ states of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. After two decades with the Coffee Board, Sunalini came into her own in 1996. She is the Chief Executive of Coffee lab Pvt ltd., an organisation based in Bengaluru, which evaluates the unusual and vibrant quality overtones of Indian coffee and provides the seal of quality to the producer, exporter, trader and consumer. The lab is one of a kind in the country and perhaps in the rest of the world as well. “India has certainly come a long way since the opening up of the market in 1994. It is now being acknowledged as a producer of specialty coffees worldwide,” Sunalini emphasises. guess one can now assume that the country full of tea lovers is finally on it’s way to shedding its erstwhile ‘tea’ image. Sunalini feels that “coffee is a way of life... not just life, but a life which is aromatic, meaningful, rewarding, and passionate. Every day I wake up and look at coffee, to find something beautiful. It certainly is all about expecting the unexpected.”
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terrific technology Words Meghna sharma harma
Futuristic technological concepts and new-age gadgets have completely changed the way we live. We look at such life-changing innovations
Changing the way we watch TV
3-D TV
‘larger than life’ takes on a whole new meaning when you watch Sachin Tendulkar hit a six and the ball that seems to pop out of the television. TV manufacturers have now brought this experience to our living room with 3-d displays for television. Yes, after Hd TV, 3-d TV is the latest buzzword. In the wake of a new Blu-ray standard for high-definition 3-d TV manufacturers are releasing hometheatres set-ups that can display 3-d movies in full glory. Using a combo of 3-d-capable players, TVs and yes, the glasses, the systems are able to deliver separate, full-screen pictures to each eye. The technique they use creates a picture as vivid as in a movie theatre without requiring a major overhaul of TV technology.
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Changing the way we eat
Digital Eateries
A long long time ago, in a land far away, the mankind once relied upon a spoken menu. Fast-forward to the 21st century, and the digital menu is the latest breaking technological fascination. Why digital menus, did you ask? Well because paper menus are about three thousand years old, they impact our carbon footprints, they are boring, static and just had to be tossed away. And the future has already arrived as digital menus are quickly becoming the new staple. Restaurants in India are busy adopting digital menus and training their staff to operate hi-tech gadgets. Touch-screen tablets are now in use as full menus at upscale restaurants like at The leela properties around the country and niche eateries like Kylin Premier, Set’z and Fu at New delhi et al. The next evolution of the digital menu will include applications to all sectors of the food service and hospitality industries. Patrons can now hold onto handheld tablets and place orders directly from the high definition screens, which feature detailed descriptions, prices, high resolution pictures and even a feedback submit feature. on the customer’s side, they can request to be served by merely pressing a button. They can even pay at the table and simply leave. So just pick, click, and whoa, it’s on your platter.
A gamut of recent innovations in the field of technology has given a complete makeover to our lifestyle
Changing the way we spend
Mobile Wallet
Picture a world without paper money or credit cards. You’ve got your smartphone in your pocket, and that’s it. Want to pay for something? Well then instead of taking out your wallet, look for the google Wallet in your phone. google Wallet is a technology that works by communicating with the checkout terminal when you go to pay for goods or services. All you need to do is tap your phone to the register, then your phone sends wireless data to the store, and if your phone is unlocked (with a secret pin only you know), your products are paid for. other than that, the transactions works just like any other electronic payment. There’s no cash involved, but you might have to sign something at some retailers (just like you do now). once the transaction is done, you’ll see it being deducted from your bank account. All of this has been possible thanks to a technology called Near Field Communication (NFC) and google Wallet. And google Wallet is soon going to be hooking up with giant companies to expand their credit card list. once this happens, the number google Wallet users will increase dramatically with each passing day.
Changing the world of computing
Laptop/Desktop Hybrid
A concept computer designed by Korean designer Won-Seok lee, B-membrane is no-doubt one of the most surprising and appealing PC innovations till date. It features a UFo-shaped system that displays screen like a projector, which also takes away the need for bulky monitors right out of the equation. This laptop/desktop hybrid is also equipped with a video projector tilted and a Cd/dVd player. other highlights of this Kubrick-inspired mother ship computer include a membrane keyboard that appears ‘only’ when needed, integrated optical drive; and when it is not being used as a computer, the projector can beam ambient light effects on any surface you desire.
Changing the way we look at the world
Virtual Goggles
Virtual reality goggles are goggles which are designed to be used in a virtual reality experience, in which scenes are displayed in the goggles, allowing the user to feel like he or she is actually inside the scene, experiencing it first-hand. Many virtual reality goggles are not actually goggles at all, but rather head mounted displays which wrap around the face. The goggles are also usually worn with a headset for the purpose of isolating sounds from the surrounding environment and providing a source of audio input. There are a number of different applications for virtual reality goggles. Many people think of such devices in the context of virtual reality games, in which players don goggles and headsets so that they can feel like they are experiencing the game first hand. In addition to being used in games, such goggles are also used more educationally, with people taking virtual tours of museums or sites of interest around the world. Such goggles allow people to explore situations and environments which would otherwise be highly unsafe, making them valuable for instruction like pilot training, in which it is not possible to put pilots in dangerous situations to see how they respond.
Changing the way we take a shower
Bluetooth-enabled Shower Speaker
Are you one of those who love singing in the shower, never mind that your family and the neighbours get goosebumps with your vocal range! Then there is one gadget that you should get your hands on right away. Called the iShower (and don’t let the ‘i’ fool you), it is a Bluetoothenabled Shower Speaker compatible with iPods and Android devices within a 200-feet radius. This device is capable of remembering up to five Bluetooth pairings and the add-on will allow you to interact with the usual options like play, pause, rewind and forward, while also displaying the time (just in case you like to camp out in there). This water resistant speaker can be mounted in your shower, you can also opt to bring it outdoors – to the beach or pool for up to 15 hours. So soak in the music with this gadget and it will definitely improve those shower jams. www.sarovarhotels.com
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musical saga Words ambica gulati Photos promod
In the world of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan
In the life of a classical musician there are no shortcuts. It is a slow and steady journey. Soft, sauve and subtle, the musical world of the Khans is a headspinner. For the soft father and Padma Vibhushan recipient Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and young, vibrant sons Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan sarod is a divine instrument and a passion, which they nurture and enhance every day. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan: In the life of a classical musician there are no shortcuts. It is a slow and steady journey. Classical music demands surrender to the guru, the art and the divine. My wealth is music and it was my desire, like any father, to pass my wealth to my sons—Amaan and Ayaan. Amaan: I take pride in my music and started realising its depth and seriousness
when I was around 12-13 years old. Ayaan: Just as water takes the shape of the vessel it is put in, we were taught the sarod from childhood and now it is life. It is what we are and everything has been given by god. Is your relationship more of a guru-shishya or father-son? Ustad Amjad Ali Khan: With my father, the legendary Ustad Haafiz Ali Khan, it was a relationship of a guru. I just followed him the way he wanted me to. But with my sons, it is friendship. Youngsters today balance tradition and westernisation. My sons do a lot—fusion music, walking on the ramp, TV programme. But have always maintained the classical base. Amaan: We have a smooth flow. As
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all about sarod Ustad Amjad Ali Khan: Sarod is my atma (soul). I play the way my sarod wants me to play, I say what it wants me to say. Mein to sarod ka ghulam hoon (I am my sarod’s slave). The music that comes is like a message coming from cosmic powers. I can never repeat the same concert, it never happens.
children, we would throw tantrums but my father would handle it patiently. Ayaan: It has been always situational. We are his shishyas and sons. The transition has never been difficult, during performances it is always a guru-shishya and in our personal lives, it is father and sons. How is it between brothers—colleagues, fellow musicians? Ayaan: We are more of companions. And share a subtle bond. Amaan: With us, communication has never been difficult. Since childhood we have been learning music together. Ayaan has a better ear for sound and we don’t need to express our thoughts, we share a silent, deep bond. Ayaan has been my inspiration. What about concerts—do you like playing
solo, duets or trio? Ustad Amjad Ali Khan: We follow a pattern in our concerts. We begin with their duet, my solo and end with a performance by three of us. Amaan: I would like to say that we ‘accompany’ our father, because you accompany a teacher. We perform solo in some concerts, as duo for corporates and of course as trio its another scene. But we sure are branded together. And yet we have our indivualistic approach. Ayaan: As trio it’s a completely different league. But we do have active solo careers also. When three of us are together, we collectively decorate. What does it feel to be young, famous and sons of a famous father?
Amaan: At the end of the day, it’s only work which will make you live on. Ayaan: You are as good as your last concert. We are all answerable to ourselves and only good work will keep this fame. And everything is as god wills. It’s his grace that we thank ourselves for. What did it feel like growing up with a musical career? Did you want to do something different? Amaan: I understood my responsibilities around the age of 12-13. And we realised it was different from being a part of the corporate circle or being a doctor, engineer. I am also into sports, play cricket, basketball and work out daily. People don’t realise but being fit is equally important to play any instrument.
Ayaan: I guess I always knew that this was what I wanted to do and music it was. Have you ever been approached for teaching? Amaan: Many times, but teaching someone is a serious decision. Ayaan: I think after 35, we will be better prepared to think about this. How do people react when they see young classical musicians on stage? Amaan: We have always got a good response. Classical music needs stability and people who have kind of calmed down enjoy it more. Ayaan: We have performed in many places, and got a good response. When we play in colleges, the younger lot connects better.
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BUSINESS TRAVEllER
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what’s in my suitcase Words Meghna sharma
Fourth generation member of the illustrious Singhania family that owns JK Tyre and JK lakshmi Cement, Shrivats Singhania has been particularly involved in various activities of JK Paper ltd. As a participant in high level strategic discussions, he travels frequently on business. Here’re the five things he cannot do without while on the move.
iPad2
This little machine has all the music I love: Bollywood music, Sufi, Hip Hop and lounge. While on a business trip, it’s important to stay calm and music works great for this. I use the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store for downloads. I also stay connected with my family by using one of its dynamic application called Face Time . Besides, I check weather updates on my iPad and it really helped me once while I was visiting my factory in Vizag which was flooded. on the move, it also helps in knowing what’s going around the world by downloading various newspapers. Also my tablet helps me in making my entire day precise by using its alert reminder calendar.
Photo frame
Watches & perfumes
I carry at least two watches. A black dialed Rolex Sports and a Breitling. I carry two because the former I use for official functions and meetings, the later for occasions like parties or night outs. My watches are sober yet elegant and not dripping with diamonds. I also carry two eau de colognes: one by Issey Miyake and another by Prada. I feel you should smell nice when you are meeting people.
I carry a special photo frame that is foldable and can be easily carried in my suitcase. It has photos of my dad (late Shripati Singhania), our family patron saint dwarkadish, and other family members. The moment I settle down in my hotel room, I open it and keep it on a side table. This provides me strength always!
Nikon SLR camera
Belts
I carry four of them: Boss, Prada, Feragamo, louis Vuitton. These come in black, brown and beige and with different buckles. Belts make a statement. These are priced between 250 to 400 US dollars.
I’m very fond of photography. I take random photos of anything that is beautiful: Birds, nature and yes, my wife Atashi. The photos I’ve taken in langkawi and Sri lanka are some of my personal favourites. But the one I like best is a night shot I had taken once of our company’s paper unit.
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paws unwind Words Meghna sharma
Families are making a routine of taking their canines to hotel and retreat pet salons for pedicures, dandruff treatments and stylish haircuts.
Spas, vets on call, bars or speciality cusines, you name it and they have it. Khursheed dinshaw sniffs, sniffs her way into the world of pet travel
danny is busy being bathed with a special imported oatmeal shampoo, he then has to be taken to purchase his favourite treat from the resort’s pet store. The pug is only too happy to be treated as family. Changing lifestyles specially the rise in nuclear families and double income households are the major reasons for this trend of treating pets as companions and members of the family rather than just as animals who have been kept for security. And money is no longer a criteria when it comes to looking after your pet’s diet, health, grooming and comfort needs while on vacation. More and more families are making a routine of taking their canines to hotel and retreat pet salons for pedicures, dandruff treatments, stylish haircuts and dressing them up in party wear along with necessary accessories. “We have fancy dress parties where cocky cocker spaniels, lazy labs and perky pugs, all shake an eager paw as they walk the ramp, perform a trick or two, and offer proof of their obedience,” says Tanya Kane of Pawsh, a dog retreat in Pune designed in such a way it’s almost like a mini holiday for the dogs where they get to play, socialise and
live the good life. The Pawsh Resort which is also a pet hostel includes a swimming pool, spacious play areas (where the dogs play in cycles depending on their social temperaments), chicken, rice and veg meals (with liver and lemon grass flavouring thrown in for variety) while grooming at their pet salon and a hydrotherapy session if the owner desires. The inflow and outflow of people is on appointment only so as not to disturb the dogs and their pawgress report gives information about the dog’s diet, activity level, social mindset and how to cope after they are taken back home from their vacation. Pet retreats for cats provide comfort items like toys, woollen clothes to keep them warm, bedding and a cat tree. For scratching their nails, branches are provided and they have balls for playing and jumping. No wall is high enough for cats to climb over and such resorts keep them in an enclosed space. Unlike dogs, cats don’t need outdoor exercise. They get enough of it roaming around the resort. They are fed cat feed, fish, chicken and milk and for answering natures call plastic tubs filled with saw dust and mud are placed. The cats
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30 are provided with a mattress where they comfortably sleep for eight hours at a stretch. It is the kittens that are active, the older cats mostly like to sleep. Pet care products in hotels all over the world have taken on a new meaning as they cover everything from basic food to luxury indulgence. There are appetite stimulants, digestive tonics, herbal skin gels, vitamin enriched food, liver tonics, probiotic formulation and diapers both for male and female pets. Pet care accessories include gem studded collars and dog leashes, bedding and nesting material, funny tail chasers and toys. There are designer dog clothes and shoes. dogwear for winter includes coats, sweaters and jackets and rain coats for the monsoons in bright colours available at pet shops located in the lobbies of pet-friendly hotels. And if you want your pet to stand out from the rest of their breed on their vacation then bandanas, scarves, festive collars, hair bows, hats, necklaces and tiaras are just the accessories that you are looking for. “I had my dog’s birthday party at a dog friendly resort where I invited his dog friends over, we played games of agility, fetching, treasure hunt and four corners with their owners. The menu was chicken chips, mutton casseroles, apple and banana ragamuffins and a dog friendly cake which had no sugar but contained fruit and peanut butter. The return gifts included dog treats and a toy. It was organised by Paws Pack, a pet management company,” says Sachin Shinde. In the summer season ice candies for pets with fruit are popular while spa sessions include different massages with aroma oils like lavender which have a calming effect on pets. This is followed by a bath and blow dry session and a drink. At pet salons of hotels where pets are encouraged to stay, grooming services include bathing, nail trimming and ear and teeth cleaning, dog massage with oil and brushes. Hair colour for dogs or different coat baths are also popular. “depending on a white, black or copper coat one can get the coat bath. There are itchy and odour control coat baths also while hydrotherapy pet sessions be it for fitness or therapy are also done,” explains Neha Panchamiya Jangle of Paws Pack.
Pet friendly hotels the world over are only too happy to indulge your four legged companion with pet bars conveniently located in the lobby and custom-sized dog beds with furry pillows in their suites.
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plane truths Know the norms before your fly your pet for a vacation. Pet Air Travel In Domestic flights of Jet Airways, Indian Airlines and Jet Lite your pet can travel in the cargo hold. Pets below 10 weeks of age are not allowed to travel by flight. The charge for your pet traveling on the aircraft depends on the weight of your pet and differs from airline to airline. General airline rules for your pet • A certificate by a veterinarian is required to certify that your pet is physically fit to fly. • Your pet has to be placed on an IATA specified cage during the flight. The maximum size of the cage can be 53” x 48” x 34” for Jet Airways. Some of the others airlines are not specific about the cage size. The Duty Manager at the Airport has to be informed 24 to 48 hours before the flight about your pet traveling on the flight. The pet has to be checked in 3 hours prior to the flight time. For further queries on your pet travel contact the cargo department of the airlines. • Offer water to your pet as close to two hours before the flight as possible. • Remain in the boarding area to confirm that your pet has been loaded.When you board the aircraft, inform the flight attendant that your pet is on board and require that they confirm to you that your pet has been loaded. • Claim your pet as soon as possible after you reach your destination. • If your flight is not a nonstop, leave the aircraft and check on your pet during the layover. If the layover is long or the temperature a factor, confirm that the pet is unloaded for the layover and not allowed to remain in the cargo hold or out in the sunlight. • If the layover is long enough, claim your pet, take it for a walk, and offer him/her water before you reboard. • Never change planes without claiming and rechecking your pet, even if the airline gives you this option.
Pet vacation planners who are attached to pet friendly hotels make it their life’s calling to make your trip receive that woof of approval.
The most popular dog breeds in India are medium sized, smooth coated breeds like labradors, golden retrievers and cocker spaniels because they provide security and are not snappy. With pet owners going in for adoption, a number of cross breeds are also commonly seen in pet hotels. Among small breeds llhasa- apsoo is more popular. Pet-friendly hotels the world over are only too happy to indulge your four legged companion with pet bars conveniently located in the lobby and custom-sized dog beds with furry pillows in their suites. dog walking services are provided and don’t be surprised if the hotel staff reaches into their pocket to whisk out a treat or snack for your pooch as a way of saying thank you for staying with them. The room of many pet-friendly hotels is stocked with dog biscuits, bowls for both food and water and toys. A dog tag with which will make your pooch go woof with delight is also provided as a keepsake. So there you are. “My Shakira (labrador) and I really enjoyed our vacation in France because we were able to lie comfortably on the pet-friendly hotel bed and watch our favourite movie 101 dalmations together just like we do at home,” says Shweta Rana. on other days, she read to her from the various fairytale books that were provided in the room. What made
the trip even more memorable, Rana says, was that the hotel staff had prepared a list of pet-friendly places to visit beforehand for them. They also provided clean up bags for Shakira before going for walks. “My pet has a habit of late night munching so the restaurant manager took the initiative and packed the leftover dinner in a special doggie bag without my asking. When we were checking out, we were presented with a picture of me and Shakira and I have kept it fondly as a memory of our trip. It made me extremely happy to see how well my pet was kept,” recounts Rana. Vets and animal behaviourists are available on call at all pet-friendly hotels while WiFi ensures that you stay connected to other likeminded pet lovers via various pet websites and social networking sites. Pet magazines to keep you informed about the latest happenings in the world of bow-wow and meow are also provided in the hotel rooms. And for those who are willing to splurge, custom made pet vacation planners who are attached to pet-friendly hotels make it their life’s calling to make your trip receive that woof of approval. It all goes to show that living a dog’s life and vacationing as one may not be such a bad thing after all. And hey, haven’t we all heard of the phrase, every dog has his day? www.sarovarhotels.com
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CUISINE
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a little sugar and some spice Words prachi grover
Star anise cheesecake, cardamom jelly, hot pepper chocolate sticks & more – can spices tempt the sweet tooth? We are not just home to some of the most aromatic, mouthwatering and gorgeous spices of the world but also are firm believers of romancing these treats. So when we were offered a chilly chocolate cake recently we weren’t quite surprised. And interestingly, when the chef saw us take a rather big bite of it he remarked, “We’re just taking our love for spices to a different level.” little did we know that this was no simple affair! Yes, the spices once known to add aroma and flavour to savory dishes are the dessert specials of today. Can we tempt you to explore the spicy world of cookies, cakes, rolls and pies? “Indian chefs have been experimenting with spices for a long time. It’s said that it was during the Mughal era that a royal cook added cardamom to the sweet rice dish, Zarda; the
innovation was very well received and made popular by the nobles,” says Ayub Selem, Pastry Chef, The grand, New delhi, “It was some 500 years ago that the spices were used for the first time to prepare desserts.” We’ve surely come far today and are using cloves, allspice, nutmeg, star anise, pepper, et al to prepare sweet treats. “It is true that it is only recently that we have opened the doors for spices to be used in desserts, cookies, breakfast rolls, etc,” says lawrence, Pastry Chef, Sahara Star, Mumbai. So what’s brought about this change? The chef fraternity feels it’s primarily because of the fact that today both cooks and foodies are open to experimentation. The classic dishes are now lent a twist and are appreciated too. And this is because of increased awareness, which has come in
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spices on the dessert menu is the lovely sweet news. here’s what all you could bite into: Allspice: Allspice is so named because it offers a taste similar to cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Ideal for cakes and cookies. Also used in plum, peach and apple creations. Anise: The small seeds of anise add licorice flavouring to cookies, cakes and breads. Time for a anise biscotti or anise mousse? Cardamom: The options are too many like apple and pumpkin pies, rice pudding, rich carrot pudding, etc. Cinnamon: The spicy bark of the cassia tree offers a sweet & hot flavoured taste to cakes, cookies, custards and fruit pies. Cloves: With a pungent and sweet flavour, clove is a spice often used in apple butter tarts. Mace: Add to fruit desserts – especially those made with peaches, plums and apples. Nutmeg: Offers a sweet and nutty taste to cookies, cakes, pies, custard, and pastries.
Indian spices have found a place on the sweet platter and how
because of frequent international travel and interaction with the chefs there. As for those who have a sweet tooth the saccharine news is that we can now indulge in aromas and flavours of a different kind. “I usually use cinnamon, clove, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, mace, black pepper, white pepper, five spice powder, star anise, etc for preparing desserts, especially chocolate pralines, cakes and cookies,” says Santosh, Pastry Chef, JW Marriott, Chandigarh. “Spices add a whole new dimension to the desserts. We use it to add fresh aroma to a dish or create a new flavour,” says Ayub. He plays with cinnamon and cloves to add elegance to the dishes in terms of flavour, taste and presentation. Anise is another popular spice known for the licorice-like flavour it brings to sweet baked eats. Cayenne chocolate truffles and hot peppers dipped in chocolate is another favourite treat. “I often use ‘thandai’, which is made using crushed
black pepper to prepare a cheese cake dessert in our coffee shop,” says lawrence. Another of his cheesecake innovation is prepared using star anise and cardamom jelly. However, experimenting with spices is not an easy task. one needs to go slow. “Add a little at a time, taste alongside, keep adding till you reach the perfect note,” says gurleen Kaur, a foodie and excellent cook, “Sometimes the most unusual combinations make for the best dishes.” Adds Santosh, “Spices also give options to people who do not have a sweet tooth.” Interestingly, today herbs too have found their place in the sweet world. Imagine this, an ice cream infused with tarragon or strawberry shortcake served covered in basil syrup. Mint, lavender, lemon balm, geranium and rosemary add a nice flavour to sugar cookies, jellies and other sweet treats. Well, all we can say is that it is time to revise our definition of desserts. Yes, a little sugar and some spice is the new sweet.
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C O N V E R S AT I O N S W I T H N AT U R E words purva grover images jon fontho
sunshine smiles
Witness the hues of the Masai tribe, romance Swahili & gujrathi with the locals, fall in love with the turquoise waters, explore the wildlife in safaris & master your dance moves with the artistes. It is hard not to want to go back to Mombasa, Kenya.
From wilderness to the wild, explore the many shades of this land
I f you are an Indian, then chances of you being tagged as a foreigner in any part of the world are limited. It was a couple of years back when I was taking my first flight to a foreign land that a distant cousin had said this to me. Since then, the thought has travelled with me to beaches, desserts and mountains, only making the belief stronger. Today, I take it as a given that I’d meet Indians wherever I go. And then wherever I don’t meet any, Amitabh Bachchan comes to my rescue. “I’m from India,” I told the cheerful Benson Kabugi Wamwea, our host on the flight from Nairobi airport to Ukunda airstrip. “Amitabh Bachchan and Ramayana,” he smiled; a smile that warmed my heart and quickly found a place for itself in my holiday memories. I felt at home, instantly, the gods and the legend were with me! What I did not know was that I’d also be eating Pav Bhaji in the ‘little India’, which I discovered in the hearts of the locals and old streets of Mombasa. It was noon when I reached diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa, Mombasa. If India was colourful, then I was to fall in love with the rainbow here. What could be more welcoming than the chants and colours of the Masai tribal men and women? I thought of a friend back home, a believer in the power of accessories. The orange-red-yellow-greenblue hues in their headgear, neckpiece, earrings, anklets, et al teamed up with the humble red outfit would have won her heart. It won mine. They sprinkled water on us as we walked in, a ritual to cleanse us off our impurities; we now had the official license to
break free on the African soil. “don’t keep the balcony doors open,” a staff member warned us as we headed to our rooms. The monkeys on the property don’t like to be chased away, don’t annoy them by crossing their path. Surprisingly, soon you’ll discover that it’s not just the monkeys, who have a mind of their own, your feet do too! Irrespective of their dancing abilities (or the lack of it), they’d move. let them be, it’s a holiday after all. The same evening when I indulged in a dawa, a traditional African cocktail, my two left feet put up a lovely show for me. A cheerful bunch of men and women grooved to Afro beats; soon ‘Waka Waka’ gave way to ‘om Shanti om’, followed by ‘deedar de’. It would have been unfair to put the blame on my feet. Interestingly, as soon as the locals would observe that you’re waking up to the idea of indulging in some Afro fun, they’d tempt you www.sarovarhotels.com
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Can you count the many shades of blues?
with more options. grab them. You may feel foolish then, but feel glad in retrospect. I was happy to have memorised the ‘Jumbo Bwana’ song and felt proud when I crooned it with the rest of the group, on our traditional dhow from the South Coast to Wasini Island. We were heading for lunch and if I were a painter, I would have shared with you how the waters spoke to me by way of strokes and you would have believed me. Nevertheless, let me see if I can create an image without an easel. Well, we romanticised the shades of blue waters, got closer to the marine life as we snorkeled and played with the breeze as it directed us to Coral Spirits, a restaurant carved out of corals and run by the locals. our chairs were lined up to face the blues of the Indian ocean, it was easy to fall in love there, be it with the gorgeous smiles of the men, who served us crab cakes or the harsh sun, even though it
got intolerable with each passing moment. Anyone could get away with anything here. Your bond with the sun and your faith in the sun block will just keep getting stronger with each date. We were getting bolder. A day later we were under the direct sun at the National Shimba Reserve in south Mombasa. I wanted my prayers to be answered, one glance of a leopard and I’d die a happy woman, I told our ranger, Sau Mou. She smiled back; the foolish touristy statement wasn’t new to her. The gods heard me, a little ; a pair of giraffes stepped out for a snack and played hide-n-seek with the trees. The excited shrieks in the van subsided to mere whispers on the arrival of the adorable twosome. don’t shy away from acting foolish, I repeat, smile at them, they’ll be at their hospitable best, you are in their home. White elephants, Sable antelopes and buffaloes too appeared for brief
on another date with the sun, we were at the diani beach, in the resort, riding camels and jet-skiing. The gorgeous camel I rode was called george.
moments. on another date with the sun, we were at the diani beach, in the resort, riding camels and jet-skiing. The gorgeous camel I rode was called george. While the ride on the white sand was calm, the one on the ski was dramatic! In addition to experiencing the breeze in my tresses and the salt on my skin, I felt the speed in every heartbeat. The waves will hit you hard, literally, not only waking up your senses to the beauty of the turquoise waters around but also to the fact that some things truly need to be experienced sans all fears. It was only 45 minutes later that my instructor convinced me to step down. It was getting darker and then others too deserved a chance, he smiled. days give way to nights swiftly in Mombasa, but then the nights can stretch as long as you wish them to, especially when you are at the beach indulging in nothingness.
The sound of Bollywood classics from the resort reached us as we sat at the diani beach on one late evening. Their perfect notes and more than perfect diction left us in awe. “We grew up listening to Bollywood,” they told us, adding, “We’ve always had Indian Cds and dVds in our collection”. And if this isn’t enough for you, wait till they impress you with their affection for Indian spices. If you are a gujrathi, then you would love the ‘tadka’ in the gujrathi dal that the chefs prepare for you. one Indian love just leads to another here. When a local saw us gorging on the delicacy, he suggested we take a walk in the streets of old Mombasa and fall in love with ‘their’ India. “Indulge in the true gujju-Afro experience,” he said. We agreed to do so. once on the streets, we haggled in gujrathi to get the best price for the mementos. I was definitely home. Now, who said Africa was a foreign land? www.sarovarhotels.com
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EPICURE
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< resist < tempt < dream < spoilt
doorway to luxury Our Hotels agra, howard sarovar Portico
Gangtok, the royal Plaza
jodhpur, Park Plaza
New Delhi, the ashtan sarovar Portico
ahmedabad, Park Plaza
Ghaziabad, Mahagun sarovar Portico
Kakinada, Paradigm sarovar Portico
New Delhi, the Muse sarovar Portico
ahmedabad, sarovar Portico
Goa, lazylagoon Portico suites
Kochi, Gokulam Park
New Delhi, sarovar Portico Naraina
Baddi, legend sarovar Portico
Goa, Phoenix Park Inn resort
Kolkata, Peerless Inn
Noida, Park Plaza
Badrinath, Camp Ghangharia
Gurgaon, optus sarovar Premiere lonavala, sahil sarovar Portico
Pondicherry, le Dupleix
Badrinath, sarovar Portico
Gurgaon, Park Inn
lucknow, la Place sarovar Portico
Pondicherry, the Promenade
Bengaluru, Park Plaza
Gurgaon, Park Plaza
ludhiana, City heart sarovar Portico
Port Blair, Peerless sarovar Portico
Bengaluru, radha hometel
haridwar, ambrosia sarovar Portico
ludhiana, Park Plaza
Pune, Noorya hometel
Bengaluru, savannah sarovar
hosur, rennaaissancce sarovar Portico
Manali, sarovar Portico
rajkot, sarovar Portico
international Hotels Dar es salaam, New africa hotel
Nairobi, ole sereni
CAUSERATI
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Japanese artist Yuken teruYa
turns fast food trash into delicate paper trees.
in the notice-forest series, teruYa reclaims the grease-stained
paper bag into itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original form - a tree.
MaXposureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Role MAGAZINE SPECIFICATIONS PAGE COUNT
80 + 4 (Covers)
PAPER QUALITY (Text)
90 GSM Matt
PAPER QUALITY (Cover)
210 GSM Matt Lamination
PAPER SIZE
210mm x 273mm
PRINT RUN
10,000
FREQUENCY
Quarterly
BINDING
Perfect Binding
PRINTING & PACKAGING PRICE
(facing page)
I. COMPILING EDITORIAL CONTENT: MMGIPL will be responsible for conceptualising, sourcing, aggregating, and editing the content for the magazine. The details of the special promotions, services, launches etc., offered to the guests to be provided by Sarovar. This will be intelligently incorporated in the magazine. II. DESIGN, LAYOUTS, PRE-PRODUCTION PROCESSING: MMGIPL will be responsible for the entire conceptualisation, design, layouts, and preproduction of the magazine to the highest quality of design. MMGIPL will at any time comply with Sarovar brand standards and agreed colour palette for the Magazine. Design layouts to be shared with Sarovar before going to print. III. PRINTING: MMGIPL will be responsible to print 10,000 copies. This includes arranging for a high quality of paper, as well as printing, as per the specifications given in the above segment. IV. DISTRIBUTION: MMGIPL will provide one point of delivery to Sarovar in Delhi or to its courier company in Delhi.
46 | saroVar hotels | july 2012
Prepared by MaXposure Media Group