SEEMA JANUARY 2021 ISSUE

JANUARY 2021

INSIDE

TEEN TRAILBLAZERS

PLUS

NEW YEAR, NEW RESOLUTIONS & MORE

The

Royal Touch

PRINCESSES TO SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS

Maison de Papillon’s Spring/Summer catalog consists of sustainably sourced textural variations from around the world.

Heavily inspired by the surrealism era’s lush landscapes.

With a continued focus to be driven by redefining the modern woman’s day-to-night wardrobe each garment is designed to be timeless without sacrificing ease nor versatility.

Elevated, sustainable luxury has now become a reality. Join us in reimagining the future of fashion.

www.maisondepapillon.com

Asha Bhosle: A Life Well Lived page 6

Indian American Teen Trailblazers page 30

Five Fitness Trends for 2021 page 66

CONTENTS

4 CONTRIBUTORS

TRAVEL

WELLNESS

5 BEYOND LIMITS

42 Stalking the Gray Ghost in Ladakh 46 Nashville: The Siren of

the American South 50 DDLJ: The Heart Stealer

64 Four Tips to Rejuvenate

Your Mental and Physical Health 66 Five Fitness Trends for 2021

FOOD

ARTS

53 Superfoods Punching

Above Their Weight 56 Five Comfort Foods for

68 Forecast with

Farzana Suri

PIONEERS 6

Asha Bhosle: A Life Well Lived

14 The Royal Touch:

Princesses of Mayurbhanj

FEATURES 20 SEEMA Summit 2020/2021 30 Indian American Teen Trailblazers 36 Desi and Me Fashion 38 Have Your Resolutions

and Keep Them Too

Winter

FASHION 60 Hair Care and Styling

Trends for 2021 62 SEEMA RECOMMENDS:

Skincare Trends for 2021

ON THE COVER Princesses to Social Entrepreneurs

14

MEET OUR

CONTRIBUTORS FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

SEEMA KUMAR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

RUPA MANEK CREATIVE DIRECTOR

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SAJID MOINUDDIN DESIGN

HB DESIGN EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

ROHINI KAPUR PHOTOGRAPHER

SHRAVYA KAG WRITERS

@seemanetwork

@seemanetworks

ADAM CARPENTER MELANIE FOURIE GUSTASP AND JERRO IRANI ANITA RAO KASHI BHARGAVI KULKARNI AKANKSHA SINGH BRIAN SODOMA FARZANA SURI JARED WADE JORDANA WEISS PRATIKA YASHASWI VEDANT GILL BRAND PARTNERSHIPS, DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGY

ANJALI MANIAM

BRAND, DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA @seemanetwork

ANIKA SHARMA VRUTI PATEL

SEEMA™ ISSUE 001 | JANUARY 2021 EMPOWERING SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN GLOBALLY SEEMA KUMAR, FOUNDER

COPYRIGHT © 2020 SEEMA, JAYARAM, LLC SEEMA.COM

PUBLISHED AT P.O. BOX 814, PENNINGTON, NJ 08534

ON THE COVER:

PRINCESSES OF MAYURBHANJ (PAGE14).

PHOTO: MAYURBHANJ FOUNDATION ARCHIVES

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EDIT | SEEMA

GOING

BEYOND LIMITS H

appy New Year!

Welcome to the first 2021 issue of SEEMA Magazine.

When I woke up the morning of January 1, 2021, I expected the world to feel different. A New Year always signals new beginnings and the ability to start fresh. It brings hope and optimism about positive change. As the clock struck midnight this year and the ball dropped in the eerily empty Times Square, the world did feel different. COVID-19 has fundamentally changed us as human beings, families, communities, and societies. Who could have imagined at the dawn of 2020 that a tiny virus would wreak such havoc and cause a giant reset for an entire population! I, for one, did not! In fact when we held the first SEEMA summit last year on international women’s day, a few days before the lockdown, I could not have predicted that a year later, our reality would only allow a virtual summit in 2021!

While the impact of COVID is sobering, the pandemic has made us pause and rethink what matters. It has taught us the value of time spent with friends and family. It made us grateful for a job that lets us work from home. It showed us the importance of the little things in life. It has reminded us to reflect on our own inner strength and what it means for us, and the power and the choice we have to bring about positive change. We got through 2020 on a wing and a prayer. And here we are, ready to greet 2021 with hope and a smile.

So, the pandemic notwithstanding, we embark on the 2021 SEEMA journey with optimism and a few resolutions, which includes our vision to reach and empower millions of South Asian women globally. As a first of a kind

SEEMA survey conducted last year showed - as many of us personally experienced at the SEEMA summit - that we are motivated by our deep-seated tradition of succeeding in all aspects of life. But despite our multitudinous triumphs, mainstream media has failed to bring our contributions to light. We won’t let that stop us from living life to the fullest. As women of South Asian origin, we will continue to draw on the strength of our culture, the power of our passion, and the resilience of our community to create a collective vision for the future. We are unstoppable.

Check out our special insert , which features a look back at last year’s summit and our plans for the 2021 virtual summit, at which we resolve to make a collective positive impact.

On a personal level, if I am to make one resolution it will be to ensure 2021 is a year of positive change. Starting January 1, on instagram/FaceBook, I will share steps we all can take to make a giant difference to ourselves, our families, our communities and our planet, every day for the next 365. Follow me at @seema1030, and @seemanetwork as we journey through 2021 and reboot our lives. Include the hashtags #lifereboot and #365ways to show how you are making a difference.

As with any new year, predictions abound about the future and what 2021 will bring in terms of politics, travel, dining, shopping, health, economies, and business models. But as the pandemic has taught us, the future is hard to predict.

The only thing we can rely on is ourselves and our power as individuals, families, communities, and societies.

Here's hoping that 2021 is full of good cheer, hope, victories and resilience, and that we still hold on to the lessons of 2020.

From the SEEMA family to yours: Happy New Year.

SEEMA KUMAR, FOUNDER JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 5

PIONEERS | SEEMA

A life well lived

Singer Asha Bhosle has dealt with tough times and tragedy in a life that saw her also become the musical icon who has recorded the most songs ever VEDANT GILL

6 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

A

s a child, Asha Bhosle used to sing the songs she learnt from her father Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar in the loudest voice possible. When her sister Lata Mangeshkar asked Asha why she was singing so loudly, she would reply cheekily that it was because she wanted it to reach Mangeshkar’s ears.

Bhosle, the ubiquitous voice of the vamp in playback singing, albeit one with a gajra and a silk sari, has lent her ageless voice a times to frenzied dancing sirens and vamps. She has sung in the voices of several children in “Nanhe Munhe Bache” (in the film “Boot Polish”), a feat yet to be equalled. She spun off new trends with songs like “Leke Pehla Pehla Pyaar” (“CID”) with Mohammed Rafi and Shamshad Begum, “O Mere Sona Re” (“Teesri Manzil”), “In Ankhon Ki Masti” (“Umrao Jaan”), “Mera Kuchh Saaman” (“Ijaazat”) and “Dum Maro Dum” (“Hare Rama Hare Krishna”).

Bhosle kept breaking the mold even early in her career, singing about 800 songs between 1948 and 1956, sometimes at the rate of three to five songs a day. Film composers gave her work because they concluded that only her voice had the variety and range to give their music its due.

As a result her songs have found their way into more than a thousand Indian films.

In a career spanning nearly eight decades, Bhosle has sung in more than 20 Indian and foreign languages, her repertoire including film music, pop, ghazals, bhajans, traditional Indian classical music, folk, qawwali and Rabindra sangeet.

After lending her voice to over 12,000 songs, the Guinness Book of Records has officially acknowledged her as the most recorded artist in the history of music. She has also won the BBC Lifetime

Asha Bhosle brings in her 87th birthday with grandchildren Zanai and Ranjai at their Lonavala home

After lending her voice to over 12,000 songs, the Guinness Book of Records has officially acknowledged her as the most recorded artist in the history of music. She has also won the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award.

Achievement Award.

Her music has earned her many national awards, including the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.

As we speak with her, she was still reliving the experience of having the fruit cake with dry fruits she relishes every year on her birthday. At the same time, she was dishing out recipes for her restaurant chefs to watch on video and follow.

Bhosle, at 87, retains the ebullience and effervescence of a 14-year-old.

Ask her about her evergreen voice, and she attributes it to riyaaz (practice). She often breaks out in song, or effortless laughter that resonates in the room. Her humor is something that violinist David Harrington of the Kronos Quartet recalls.

JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 7

PICTURE CREDIT: Siddhant Gill

PIONEERS | SEEMA

The then 83-year-old Bhosle, after delivering a particularly sexy turn of phrase during the recording, winked at him and said, “Not bad for a grandma, eh?”

Harrington described her in effusive terms: “She wore diamonds, was regal in her sari, and was wearing tennis shoes. I simply love her.” Their album, “You’ve Stolen My Heart: Songs from RD Burman’s Bollywood,” was nomi-

nated for a Grammy Award in 2005.

The pandemic has been an eyeopener for Bhosle, who seems to have used it to find a new facet to her personality.

“During the pandemic, I have actually turned hairstylist, makeup woman and designer, besides being a performer in my videos for YouTube, giving life to AshaKiAsha [a talent hunt she manages online]. The videos are strong in content with minimal

lighting. I have also composed several tunes, but haven’t penned the lyrics. I would like [lyricists] Javed Akhtar or Prasoon Joshi to do that.”

The chef is another avatar.

“I have cooked, celebrating my birthday with my family, including my grandchildren, thanks to everyone being at home because of the pandemic. I have cooked amazing dishes. These days have been, in fact, quite eventful,” she said.

Her quick, yet graceful shifts from subject, from singing to cooking up a family dinner, makes everything look effortless. But despite the many successes, it was never an easy road for Bhosle.

When 16, she married Ganpatrao Bhosle, 31, against her family’s wishes, alienating her sister. Bhosle became a single parent with two children when she was 27, losing a husband, a house and her savings in the process. Her husband remarried thereafter.

The auguries were bad for a woman abandoned by her husband in what was then a very conservative culture.

She still managed to rewrite history

Subhalakshmi Khan, Asha Bhosle and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan at the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan Awards 8 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

PICTURE CREDIT: https://www.instagram.com/asha.bhosle/

“Music is my life,” she said simply.

“When I step onto the stage and perform, everything else vanishes – even pain, illness or sadness. Music encompasses me.”

Asha Bhosle with her late husband Rahul Dev Burman. June 27 marks his birth anniversary and in his memory she talks about one of his iconic songs, Dum Maro Dum, on Asha Bhosle Official on YouTube

with her resilience and versatility.

Bhosle consciously relied on her unique signature style, despite being known as Lata’s younger sister. She maintained her privacy during that tumultuous time, not letting comparisons with her more famous sister get her down.

Gulzar probably defined Bhosle’s success best when he compared Mangeshkar and Bhosle to Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin. He said just as Neil Armstrong would always be known as the first man to set foot on the moon, Bhosle, who followed Lata would always be viewed as the younger sister and be compared accordingly.

So yes, life has not been kind to her. The untimely deaths of her muse-friend-spouse RD Burman,

with whom she put together many musical classics, and then her two children, Varsha and Hemant, were heart-wrenching. Bhosle also took care of Burman’s mother for 13 years after his death. But then, even after her first husband left her, she had still supported his mother until her death four years later.

As Varsha Bhosle herself had written, it was her mother’s zidd [stubborness] that kept her going even in the bleakest of times. But life, to the singer of “Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh” [“Don’t Look Back”] heads only in one direction: forward.

When she was 79, Bhosle made her debut as an actor, playing the protagonist in the film “Mai,” In it, she was a 65-year-old suffering from Alzheimer’s disease but is abandoned

by her children.

At 87, Bhosle is in fine fettle. She can still manoeuvre a three-octave scale for a young actress with ease She also has no complaints if life – or the greengrocer – gives her lemons. If she makes a success of the first, with the second she makes lemonade, lemon achar, and, well, goes on to open her own restaurant chain.

In fact, even in the darkest hour, in the months after her daughter took her own life, Bhosle sought some glimmer of light by touring the world, with her youngest son Anand in charge. She also collaborated with world musicians, including keyboardist Stephen Luscombe, songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke, percussionist Pandit Dinesh, and Boy George (in “Bow Down Mister”). Her immortal melodies with RD Burman became and still are explosive numbers of the DJ circuit. British band Corner Shop, in fact, composed “A Brimful of Asha” inspired by her and remixed by Fatboy Slim. Music has been her savior in many crises.

JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 9

Asha Bhosle and Zanai with all transgender Six-Pack Band

“Music is my life,” she said simply.

“When I step onto the stage and perform, everything else vanishes – even pain, illness or sadness. Music encompasses me.”

It also shaped her values.

“My father, Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar’s songs taught me to be honest and unpretentious, and that is reflected in my music. Kishoreda [legendary Indian singer Kishore Kumar] inspired me the most. Listening to his songs, watching him perform and the way he infused life in his songs – that was something only Kishoreda could do. There can be no other like him,” says Asha with a faraway look in her eyes.

Speak to her of the era of remixes and quick fixes, and a flash of anger crosses her eyes.

“The energy, effort and dedication during our time has made our music transcend generations,” Bhosle said.

“We used to focus on ‘good’ music. There was camaraderie. For a three-minute song, we used to stand for an entire day and used to enjoy the experience as well. There were no machines to do our job. Machines can fix a song sung in parts, but it cannot give it expression, change in tonality. When I sing a line, I sing from my heart. That is something a machine cannot do. Life can be 10 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

breathed into a song only by those who are alive, not by a lifeless machine,” she says, adding that there can be only one Kishoreda, and there can be only one Latadi.

“If I am ever asked to sing her song, I would probably attempt a chirpy number, but would never touch her classics,” Bhosle said, alluding to her respect for her sister. “They say fools go where the angels fear to tread.

Remixes are like that.”

She continued: “Technology has progressed, but the soul is lost. You cannot even identify the singer when you listen to songs today. My favourite music choices are Mehdi Hassan, Pandit Jasraj and Bhimsen Joshi, among others.”

The right words were what imbued the composition with meaning, Bhosle stressed.

“Lyrics are very important in a classical song,” she said. “You can play with alaaps [the melodic introduction to the raga], but in others, the lyrics have to move you. The standards set by lyricists and composers of earlier times are very high. That is why they are classics!”

Back in the present, Bhosle said she has a lot to look forward to.

“I have been blessed that my voice has transcended generations, and that grandparents, parents and grandchil-

dren all enjoy my music,” she said.

“The new generation is as inspiring.”

So, with AshaKiAsha, Bhosle has embarked on a challenging voyage to discover unique voices. The idea came after she set up a YouTube channel and then realized that it could also provide a platform for youngsters with talent.

“After listening to over 3,000 voices for my talent show, I have a very difficult task choosing the best,” she said.

“Young talents from across the globe have sent their recordings. Some of them are very poor and live in harsh conditions, but are truly God-gifted with divine voices. The children can choose any songs they like, and guess what, they choose a difficult classic number. It is not be an easy task to select one. But this is my chance to share my 70 years of experience with youngsters and to give back to music what I got. I am grateful to God every single day for that.”

Talk of her 18-year-old twin grandchildren Zanai and Ranjai, and Bhosle can hardly hide her pleasure.

“Both the kids are very talented,” she said with grandmotherly pride.

“Zanai sings, and in her, I see myself as a child.” It was also Zanai who inspired Asha to start the YouTube channel and then set up AshaKiAsha.

“My grandchildren have infused

PICTURE CREDIT: https://www.instagram.com/asha.bhosle/

new energy in me in these trying times,” Bhosle said. “Let me share a secret… I actually am growing up observing their net savvy communication skills. You see, a new world has opened up for me. New-age technology is helping me record my experiences of 87 years. May be some of them may entertain people, make them think or just have a good time and laugh. The present and future generations will have some record of the people I have worked with and shared experiences. YouTube is a wonderful medium to chat with all my friends out there in faraway places.”

Bhosle also looks forward to her live concerts, and to cooking and feeding people, both at home and her restaurants that have expansion plans. She also wants to help employ more women this year.

“I want to help hardworking rural women to stand on their own feet,” she said. “It has not been easy for the common man during [the pandemic]. And it has not been easy for the poor women ... I have seen during the pandemic. I want to do

Clockwise from left, sisters Lata, Meena Asha and Usha

something concrete for them.”

Another shift, this time back to cooking. Bhosle excitedly describes how she spent her lockdown coming up with exotic recipes.

“I am very fast at what I do, whether it is singing or cooking.

Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Adinath Mangeshkar at the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan Awards

So, when I create recipes, others run out of the kitchen, not able to match my speed,” she said with a grin. Post the pandemic, she is looking forward to working on her 24x7 café as well.

Looking back, Bhosle said she has no regrets.

“I am happy. I have lived and loved,” she said. “Never mind the pain. I have lived an honest life. I am happy that I stood on my own feet as a 10-year-old singing my first song. What more do I wish for?”

But had she not said once, “In my next life, I want a face like Madhuri Dixit, the height of Aishwarya Rai and the figure of Marilyn Monroe”?

Bhosle laughs.

“As if God is waiting for me to express my desires for an afterlife,” she said with a grin before sobering up: “Like I said, I am truly content today. I have a beautiful family that loves me, and amazing fans who make me feel at home the world over. I can still sing, perform, cook and stand on my own feet at 87. What more could anyone ask for!” d JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 11

PIONEERS | SEEMA

'Asha ‘tai’ created an impact by daring to be different'

Shamir Tandon, Asha Bhosle and cricketer Brett Lee

F

rom Ashatai, while we have learnt

for herself. Had she tried to emulate her

cord a song with no orchestra around her,

lessons galore in music, whats’ most

elder sister, she would have been sidelined.

no music director, no lyricist, no actress,

important is that I have learned life

But she created an impact by daring to

no producer no director.. Hats off to her.

lessons - and management lessons – from

be different. She sang in a style which

She reinvented herself and picked up the

tai. The world should learn all that tai has

was pioneering at that time. While Lataji

challenge of a blind recording. She was the

to teach.

continued to sing for the lead, Ashaji made

first to do it way back in 2002 – with me.

Subliminally, without being educated as

her mark singing for the second woman

She was one who never had a chip on

an MBA, she is an institution that students

and the Helen [who often played a siren]

her shoulder, Ashaji always feels it unfair

and working professionals around the

variety. Ashaji challenged the screen

that only [singers] blessed by Saraswati

globe should learn from.

heroines to emote her vocal craziness [as

maa should sing. She has happily sung with

exuded in the songs].

non-professional singers like cricketer

At a time, when Lataji was at her peak and no one dared to even come close to her,

I remember she was in San Francisco when

Ashaji, through “product differentiation,”

i recorded her for “Huzoor e ala.” No one had

made a mark for herself. She differenti-

used technology way back in 2002 when she

ated her singing style from that of Lataji,

happily agreed to record with me over Skype.

She dared to sing for vamps and, from an

That was unheard of in those days.

underdog, went on to create an identity 12 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

For a 75 year old lady (back then) to re-

Brett Lee; actors Sanjay Dutt, Urmila Matondkar; and others.

That [spirit] is what sets her apart and keeps her young.

– Music composer Shamir Tandon

PICTURE CREDIT: https://www.instagram.com/asha.bhosle/

Lata Mangeshkar remembers her hair was wet from her morning shower and her sister, Asha Bhosle, suggested braiding it while she prepared for a take in Mehboob Recording Studio, early 1960s. The image is extracted from the book ‘Lata Mangeshkar In Her Own Voice’ by Nasreen Munni Kabir. It is a series of fascinating conversations between Lata Mangeshkar and Nasreen Munni Kabir that takes us into the world of India’s most gifted singer and reveals the person behind the voice that has provided the soundtrack for the lives of millions

JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 13

Akshita and Mrinalika at their palace home, The Belgadia Palace, that is part living museum 14 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

PIONEERS | SEEMA

The Royal Touch Akshita and Mrinalika M Bhanj Deo are two Odisha princesses with moxie, style, and big plans for a sustainable palace TEXT: AKANKSHA SINGH PHOTOS: MAYURBHANJ

FOUNDATION ARCHIVES

I

n Odisha’s backcountry is an 18th-century Victorian-era styled palace, which, over its 200-plus years, has seen many famous personalities stepping in through its doors, including travel writer and conservationist Mark Shand; the last king of Nepal Gyandendra Shah; industrialist J.N. Tata; and Bengal renaissance reformer Keshab Chandra Sen. Today, it sits on a quiet hilltop. Part living museum, it has been restored to its former glory with overflowing antiques, and a part-sustainable chic boutique hotel: The Belgadia Palace.

Akshita and Mrinalika are the joint force behind Belgadia’s restoration. They are also the daughters of Praveen Chandra Bhanjdeo, the 47th ruler of the Bhanja dynasty of the princely state of Mayurbhanj and Rashmi Rajyalaxmi Bhanj Deo, from the royal family of Jaisalmer.

“Growing up, even my closest friends didn’t know I lived in a house like I did,” says Akshita, a fast talker with the sort of certainty that grows with groundedness (although she later attributes this to elocution lessons). “I always kept [Mayurbhanj] and my life as two separate worlds, JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 15

PIONEERS | SEEMA

Akshita, Mrinalika (sitting) - wearing their grandmother’s chiffon saris

which I didn’t see mixing.”

The sisters grew up in Kolkata, studying first at the elite La Martiniere for Girls and then the United World College of South East Asia in Singapore. Akshita, who was 14 at the time, and Mrinalika, then 16, credits this move as having changed everything for them.

“Suddenly we were in this cosmopolitan city and we had a lot of independence – and that was all thanks to [our] parents,” says Akshita. “They were rooted in tradition with very progressive [views].”

At two years, six months apart, the sisters are close (more than most sisters are). Middle siblings, the two 16 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

“I THINK INDIA’S

YOUNG ROYALS

HAVE TO SERVE AS SOCIAL

ENTREPRENEURS TODAY,” SAYS AKSHITA

describe each other with affection.

Mrinalika is, according to Akshita, “very disciplined,” while Mrinalika says Akshita, her younger sister as the “more logical, technical one while I’m all about the energy and the vibe.”

“One thing my sister and I have,” says Mrinalika, “is that whether we agree or disagree [on something] it’s communicated and [laid out] on the table.” It’s perhaps unsurprising, then, that their joint business ventures take off as well as they do.

Mrinalika, who initially decided to take on the task of renovating Belgadia, knew it was a good idea from the start.

“I knew too much [at 23], but I just had that focus,” says the director of Belgadia now. When people asked her why anyone would travel threeand-a-half hours from Kolkata to reach a sustainable boutique hotel, she says she just knew.

“I was like, ‘No, people like to travel, people are looking for places to go – unheard of places to go,” Mrinalika says. “And I’m going to bring Mayurbhanj on that map, the ‘unheard of’ map for people who want to travel.”

Six years later, the venture is certainly going strong.

At Belgadia, their sustainable practices range from the simple (glass bottles for water, refillable toiletry containers, low-flush toilets), to specifically local ones (edible landscaping across their 15-acre land to suit the flora and fauna, using grass-woven dustbins, bags, and doormats).

It’s the local ones that make all the difference, Akshita believes.

Leaving out the middlemen, the sisters have partnered directly with local artisans to ensure all profits go to their communities, and with institutions like Xavier’s College in Bhubaneshwar, to have certified internships for students to research sustainable practices at the palace with their professors. Belgadia also offers an artist’s residency where resident artists can collaborate directly with local artisans.

“I think India’s young royals have to serve as social entrepreneurs today,” says Akshita. “I mean, these are people who are strongholds [from] communities that predate the British.” Of course, she’s aware that the privileges the royal families of India have access to make all the difference, but with contacts that go back hundreds, even thousands of years, she says, “they can understand [what happens at the] grassroots level, you know, the pains and challenges. They have the network and the audience – a global platform, sometimes – to catalyze some kind of positive JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 17

PIONEERS | SEEMA

THE TWO SISTERS HAVE

SEVERAL PROJECTS

BEYOND HASA ATELIER AND BELGADIA IN THE WORKS. THEY SEE

THEMSELVES AS HARD WORKERS FIRST AND ROYALTY SECOND.

Akshita (L) with Mrinalika (R), who is a certified Hatha and Yin yoga instructor 18 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

change.” It was only in college that Akshita understood the impact of this change. That was thanks to a professor of hers at Bard, where she was studying political science: “He said, ‘There are so many resources [for you] and this wealth of knowledge of who you are and what your family has done. It’s a shame you have no interest in it, even out of sheer academic curiosity.’”

Akshita credits that moment as a turning point. It was the first time she had been made to actively seek her identity, which was trapped between the one she had inherited from her parents and the one she’d shared aloud at college, about being from a small village in Mayurbhanj.

For Mrinalika, however, marrying those two identities and reaching into the depths of their powers came naturally, especially when she expanded her love of yoga into another career. A certified Hatha and Yin yoga instructor, she realized the ease with which she ignored expectations of herself.

“It’s so easy to be directed and guided by external institutions rather than actually being the person that I am,” she says. “When I took on path of yoga, it really broadened my horizons, my exposure, also just [my] understanding the kind of life that

Leaving out the middlemen, the sisters have partnered directly with local artisans to ensure all profits go to their communities

I was living, and what I [wanted] to leave behind.”

The sisters’ idea for Hasa Atelier, a brand described as “conscious luxury handicrafts for the modern boheme lifestyle,” came out of Mrinalika’s love of locally-made art and her aesthetic.

“I wanted something I would buy,” says the 29-year-old, “I wanted to like break that [stereotype]. Everything

“I wanted to like break that [stereotype]. Everything handcrafted, doesn’t always have to look bland”

handcrafted, doesn’t always have to look bland. I love color, pops of color.” Hasa, meaning “to grow” in Santhali, refers to their range of products being made from the local sabai grass and date leaves, to be woven into handbags, dinner mats, and everything in between.

The two sisters have several projects beyond Hasa Atelier and Belgadia in the works. They see

THE SISTERS’ IDEA FOR HASA ATELIER, A BRAND DESCRIBED AS “CONSCIOUS LUXURY HANDICRAFTS FOR THE MODERN BOHEME LIFESTYLE,” CAME OUT OF MRINALIKA’S LOVE OF LOCALLYMADE ART AND HER AESTHETIC. themselves as hard workers first and royalty second. Akshita, a natural PR personality who is currently a communications strategist at Wadhwani AI, says it best: “I feel like we have to be identities we can label and box ourselves into. I think we’re born limitless. [We] do a number of things and just happen to be descendants of a royal family.”

JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 19

SEEMA Summit 2.0 March 2021

SEEMA Summit March 2021 SPECIAL FEATURE 20 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

FEATURE | SEEMA

Empowering South Asian Women Worldwide DECEMBER 2020 | SEEMA.COM | 23

SEEMA SUMMIT | SEEMA

SEEMA SUMMIT

CONNECTING SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN INFLUENCERS 22 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

SEEMA Summit 2.0 March 2021

Seema Kumar,

Founder, SEEMA Network Dear Friends of SEEMA, I can hardly believe that nine months have passed since we gathered together at the SEEMA Summit to celebrate International Women’s Day and mark SEEMA’s first year anniversary. I don’t know about you, but it was the last time I went to a social gathering and had so much fun and felt such passion and purpose. It was great spending the day connecting with a talented group of people: speakers, panelists, entrepreneurs, performers, discussants, and leaders!

Who knew that day that that we would soon be in lock-down mode, practicing social distancing and living and working from home into the new year! At this moment, it is the best tool we have to tackle the pandemic until a vaccine becomes available for the entire population. We have all learned to cope and pivot and adapt to the new normal. We won’t let the pandemic stop our collective vision to empower women all over the world. In that spirit, I invite you to save the date for March 6-7, 2021 as we gather virtually to celebrate International Women’s Day. Look for more information in the coming weeks. We will also be announcing Entrepreneur of the Year Award at that event and nominations for the award will open soon. Please let me know if you want to join the summit or be part of the organizing committee by emailing info@seema.com. Also do think of entrepreneurs you would like to nominate for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. We will share more information on the process.

Do visit seema.com and read our magazine and weekly to keep up to date with SEEMA summit news and information about the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Seema PICTURE CREDIT: Rashmi Gill

AND CHANGEMAKERS ACROSS THE WORLD. JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 23

SEEMA SUMMIT | SEEMA

SEEMA Summit Meditation: Sweta Vikram, best-selling author and coach, taught the participants at the summit to lose their stress with a simple technique of forming a triangle over their stomach and crooning out a loooong ‘Hah.’ Her talk on Auyrveda and self-care at a breakout session found many takers as also her advice: “Surround yourself with uplifting company.”

A musical opening: A surprise performance by singer-songwriter Avanti Nagral (a dual Harvard/ Berkeley student), and DJ Rekha (well-known desi musician on both sides of the Atlantic) pumped up the volume and set the tone for the event. Nagral’s impromptu song strung together with the audience pitching in - “We are women, we are strong, we are Indian, we belong” - got the adrenaline flowing.

24 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

Keynote address: Chef Palak Patel, Chef and Food Network Personality, discovered her path of cooking professionally after battling all odds with family and an all-male, all-white world. “Whatever brings us joy as children, we tend to find that later in life,” she said, describing a belief she held on to and vouches for now.

SEEMA Summit 2.0 March 2021

SEEMA Summit 2020 in pictures

A

first birthday calls for a unique celebration. And that was true when SEEMA turned a year old in style with its first Summit – on March 8 (International Women’s Day) at Columbus Circle in New York in partnership with Berlin Cameron. It was a day-long event that focussed on creating a collective vision for the South Asian community.

The SEEMA Summit showcased the achievements of South Asian women globally, with speakers from backgrounds as diverse as finance, food, fashion, culture, entrepreneurs, activists, science & technology, wellness and publishing.

Through panel conversations, breakout discussions and networking, the summit opened the SEEMA network to South Asian women change makers. To this day, many women who attended reminisce about the gathering held before the pandemic changed the world.

Despite the hurdles thrown up by the pandemic, 2020 was already a year of many firsts for SEEMA. It increased content on its app; redesigned seema.com; and expanded its magazine coverage, among other things pulling off an election special of 100 pages celebrating Kamala Harris, US vice president-elect, and other South Asian women running for office.

The SEEMA Network – with already a strong digital presence – aims to significantly increase the visibility and representation of South Asian women in the mainstream and be a catalyst for change online and off.

PANEL 1

BALANCING IT ALL IN THE CORPORATE WORLD

An engaging and insightful exchange at the panel discussion on balancing personal and professional lives with moderator Rachana Bhide, founder of the Corner in the Court Project; Shwetha Shetty, vice president of corporate strategy of SAP; Hetal Parikh, president of Rangam Consultants; and Roopa Unnikrishnan, vice president of strategy at Harman.

Unnikrishnan spoke about the #MeToo movement and the difficult choices women have to make while dealing with sexual harassment at the workplace.

JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 25

SEEMA SUMMIT | SEEMA

PANEL 2 BEYOND STEM. A DISCUSSION ON THE CORONAVIRUS AND MORE.

Aziz Ahmad, CEO of UTC Associates, and Seema Kumar, SEEMA founder, offered their perceptions on women in STEM careers

The rapt audience listening to Kumar and Ahmad.

Dr Amrit Ray, global president of R&D and medical at Pfizer, participated via a virtual platform to affirm a professional promise to sponsor women in the field.

She added that Pfizer planned to have 33 to 47 percent female leaders within five years. COVID-19 was discussed, with optimism expressed that science would find a solution – a conclusion that appears to have been borne out, given the vaccines developed.

PANEL 3

LEADERS CHANGING THE WORLD THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

From left: Snigdha Sur (Founder and CEO of The Juggernaut), Rachna Hukmani (Founder and CEO of Whiskey Stories LLC), Viveka Hulyalkar (Co-Founder and CEO of Beam), Anery Shah (Founder and CEO of Sightworthy), Deepti Sharma (Founder and CEO of FoodtoEat) and Ishveen Anand (Founder and CEO of OpenSponsorship) with moderator Ram Kapur, President of The Indus Entrepreneurs New Jersey Chapter 26 | SEEMA.COM | DECEMBER 2020

THE MODERN INDIAN WOMAN Wo m e n o f I n d i a n d i a s p o r a a r e m o t i v a t e d b y t h e i r d e e p s e a t e d t r a d i t i o n t o succeed in all aspects of life. But despite their multifaceted triumphs, the media has failed to bring the contributions of Indian women to light…

76

Nearly Half

%

agree that their cultural background is key in d e fi n i n g w h o t h e y a r e .

68

%

b e l i e v e t h e y w o u l d n’ t b e a b l e to achieve their goals if not for their Indian roots.

hope that their children will carry family customs forward.

A N D W H I L E S H E M AY B E O B S C U R E D

BY THE MAINSTREAM...

81

55-60

%

%

o f n o n - i n d i a n w o m e n a g r e e t h a t I n d i a n w o m e n ®a r e u n d e r r e p r e s e n t e d i n f a s h i o n a n d T V— a n d f e e l t h e y deserve more exposure and less stereotyping.

of Indian women want to see more content that gives them prominence in the media.

SHE WON’ T LET THAT STOP HER FROM LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST

83 81 84 71 %

enjoy dining out.

%

are shopaholics.

%

%

believe it’s important to keep learning.

prefer to buy from brands that support local causes.

LET’S LIFT UP ALL WOMEN WHO DESERVE TO BE SEEN AND HEARD

Findings are from an unprecedented survey commissioned by SEEMA (conducted by Kantar Research) of nearly 1000 women, including nearly 400 women of Indian diaspora in the United States in 2019.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 10:00A.M. - 02:00P.M. 3 COLUMBUS CIRCLE, 19 TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10019 HOST: SEEMA | PARTNER: BERLIN CAMERON VISIT SEEMA @ SEEMA.COM AND FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL INFO@SEEMA.COM JOIN US @ SEEMA.COM. CONTACT OR SUBSCRIBE AT INFO@SEEMA.COM

©

® 2020 SEEMA ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

SEEMA SUMMIT | SEEMA

The SEEMA Summit 2019 was held on March 8, on International Women’s Day, just before the lockdown. Jennifer DaSilva (centre below left), President of Berlin Cameron and partners of the event, welcomed all the participants. Seema Kumar (centre below right), founder of SEEMA Network, unveiled results of special SEEMA Survey (see infographic on page 25).

Through panel conversations, breakout discussions and networking, the summit opened the SEEMA network to South Asian women changemakers. The summit also supported female-founded businesses in its selection of catering, pop-up shops and partners.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS The five breakouts sessions had women spoilt for choice, the topics ranging from “Building a Community Through Collaboration” to “A Lesson on Building Resilience in the Next Generation” to “How Movement is Essential to Life” to “How to Care for Yourself Through Ayurveda” and “Representation in the Room and on the Screen.”

While there was plenty to inspire the gray cells, Sarina Jain had the participants on their toes, literally, with her special brand of Masala Bhangra fitness moves to DJ Rekha’s beat.

The event had a carnival like atmosphere, including pop-up shops offering everything from cupcakes to candles made by South Asian women entrepreneurs. Seema Gulati, a designer from Nuriyah, offered her one-of-a-kind handbags. “I’m thankful to get to know the community and to get invited. This is a fantastic space to network,” she said.

International photographer Rashmi Gill styled and did headshots of participants, while Blank Slate plied women with delicious rose lattes and caffeine beverages. Pomp and Whimsy’s dished out refreshing botanically distilled ginbased cocktails.

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SELECTED SPEAKERS FROM 2020

ANERY SHAH FOUNDER & CEO SIGHTWORTHY

RACHNA HUKMANI OWNER FOUNDER @ WHISKEY STORIES

DEEPTI SHARMA FOUNDER & CEO FOODTOEAT

SARINA JAIN CREATOR MASALA BHANGRA WORKOUT

DR MALVIKA IYER MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER & AWARD WINNING DISABILITY RIGHTS ACTIVIST

SWETA VIKRAM BEST SELLING AUTHOR ON INTERNATIONAL SPEAK

ISHVEEN ANAND FOUNDER & CEO OPENSPONSORSHIP

TRISHA SAKHUJA FOUNDER BROWN GIRL MAGAZINE

CHEF PALAK PATEL CHEF & FOOD NETWORK PERSONALITY

VIVEKA HULYALKAR CO-FOUNDER & CEO BEAM

Visit seema.com for more details

SEEMA SUMMIT

March 2021 JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 29

FEATURE | SEEMA

INDIAN AMERICAN TEEN

TRAILBLAZERS WHO ARE SHAPING THE WORLD From Gitanjali Rao, Time’s first ‘Kid of the Year’ to Anika Chebrolu, America’s Top Young Scientist, a look at teens who excel in STEM, innovation, activism and COUTERSY: Time magazine

entertainment BHARGAVI KULKARNI

30 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

Anika Chebrolu

S

he might not look like a typical scientist, but at age 15, Gitanjali Rao has several accomplishments under her belt, the latest being Time’s ‘Kid of the Year’ for 2020. The Colorado teen was chosen from more than 5,000 nominees for her ability to apply scientific ideas to real-world problems and her desire to motivate other kids to take up their own causes.

Joining Rao are a host of young Indian American teenagers who have worked against odds to innovate, create, connect and inspire. Some innovated, discovered and done research in science and technology; others shined bright in the field of entertainment; a few took to leadership and activism.

Among those who excelled in 2020, despite its challenges and limitations are ‘America’s Top Scientist’ Anika Chebrolu, 14, who discovered

“CHEBROLU, KUNAPAREDDY AND RAMAKRISHNAN ARE AMONG TEEN VOGUE’S ‘21 UNDER 21’ LIST, ALONG WITH BANGALORE, INDIA-BASED TIKTOK STAR MEGHA “BOOTLEG MEGZ” RETHIN.

a potential therapy for COVID-19; Ishana Kumar, 12, who worked on a project that could lead to better understanding of eye disease and cognitive processing; Sarvani Kunapareddy, 17, who is raising awareness about loopholes in the U.S. immigration system; and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, the star of Netflix’s “Never Have I Ever.”

Chebrolu, Kunapareddy and Ramakrishnan are among Teen Vogue’s ‘21 Under 21’ list, along with Bangalore, India-based TikTok star Megha “Bootleg Megz” Rethin.

Overachieving, accomplished and enterprising young Indian Americans is not a new phenomenon. For over a decade, Indian American kids have been ruling the national spelling bee circuit, repeatedly claiming the championship trophy. In fact, Scripps National Spelling Bee data shows that 27 of the last 35 winners were of Indian origin. Last year, JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 31

FEATURE | SEEMA

Gitanjali Rao... Her prototype, called Tethys, after the Titan goddess of fresh water, earned her the 3M Young Scientist Challenge in 2017 and a spot on the Forbes’ 30 under 30 list in 2019

Shruthika Padhy, 13, of New Jersey was among eight winners — seven of them Indian Americans — at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. This December, Rao made history by becoming “Time” magazine’s first ever ‘Kid of the Year’ “for her astonishing work using technology and her mission to create a global community of young innovators to solve problems the world over.”

Rao’s mantra is “Observe, brainstorm, research, build and communicate.” Along with creating her own devices – be it a mobile device to test for lead in drinking water, a tool to tackle cyberbullying, or an app to combat opioid addictions – Rao says she realizes the importance of inspiring others.

Not Your Typical Scientist

“I don’t look like your typical scien32 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

tist,” she told actress and activist Angelina Jolie in an interview for Time.

“Everything I see on TV is that it’s an older, usually white man as a scientist,” she said. And that is why her goal “has really shifted not only from creating my own devices to solve the world’s problems, but inspiring others to do the same as well. Because, from personal experience, it’s not easy when you don’t see anyone else like you. So I really want to put out that message: If I can do it, you can do it, and anyone can do it.”

But innovation is not new to Rao, a sophomore at STEM School Highlands Ranch, in Douglas County, Colorado. She started thinking of ways to use science and technology to create social change from the time she was 10. That was in 2015, around when Rao learned about lead-tainted water in Flint, Michigan.

After spending two months researching how the area’s drinking water became contaminated, Rao began designing a device that used carbon nanotube sensors to instantly detect lead in water.

Called Tethys, after the Titan goddess of fresh water, it attaches to a cellphone and informs the resident via an app if their drinking water contains traces of the harmful metal.

Young Scientist Challenge

The prototype earned her the 3M Young Scientist Challenge in 2017 and a spot on the Forbes’ 30 under 30 list in 2019. The budding entrepreneur is currently working with scientists and medical professionals at the Denver Water Facility to test Tethys’ potential and hopes the device will be ready for commercial use by 2022.

In 2019, the teen took on another social issue — opioid addiction. Her app, called Epione, is designed to catch drug addiction in young adults before it’s too late. The app won the “Health” Pillar Prize at the TCS Ignite Innovation Student Challenge in May 2019.

More recently, Rao developed a phone and Web tool named Kindly, which uses artificial intelligence technology to detect possible early signs of cyberbullying.

“I started to hard-code in some words that could be considered bullying, and then my engine took those words and identified words that are similar,” she told Time. “You type in a word or phrase, and it’s able to pick it up if it’s bullying, and it gives you the option to edit it or send it the way it is. Rao said the goal is not to punish.

“As a teenager, I know teenagers tend to lash out sometimes,” she said. “Instead, it gives you the chance to rethink what you’re saying so that you know what to do next time around.”

Rao’s accomplishments don’t end here. She is an author as well. At age 9, she published her first book, “Baby Brother Wonders.” The self-illustrated book, based on the story that won 2nd prize in the PBS national writing contest, described the world through her younger brother’s point of view. Her second and latest book, “A Young Innovator’s Guide to STEM,” details a prescriptive process and encourages everybody to be a problem solver.

Despite being way ahead of her age with the daunting task of making the world a better place, Rao insists she’s a typical teenager. She likes to bake, play the piano, and mentor youngsters in STEM. “Actually I spend more time doing 15-year-old things during quarantine,” she told Time.

“I bake an ungodly amount. It’s not

good, but it’s baking. And, like, it’s science too.” She has also mastered the art of playing the piano, and also enjoys classical dancing and singing, swimming and fencing.

Chebrolu of Frisco, Texas, won the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation’s premier science competition for grades 5-8, for her discovery that could provide a potential

IN 2019, RAO TOOK ON ANOTHER SOCIAL ISSUE — OPIOID ADDICTION. HER APP, EPIONE, IS DESIGNED TO CATCH DRUG ADDICTION IN YOUNG ADULTS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.

treatment for COVID-19. Chebrolu, a freshman of Independence High School, used computer simulation to find a drug molecule that can selectively bind to the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause for the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The last two days, I saw that there is a lot of media hype about my project since it involves the SARS-CoV-2 virus and it reflects our collective hopes to end this pandemic as I, like everyone else, wish that we go back to our normal lives soon,” America’s Top Scientist told CNN in October.

Chebrolu submitted her project when she was in the eighth grade – but it wasn’t always going to be focused on finding a solution to COVID-19. Initially, her goal was to use simulation to identify a lead compound that could bind to a protein of the influenza virus.

“After spending so much time researching pandemics, viruses and drug discovery, it was crazy to think that I was actually living through something like this,” she told CNN. She told Teen Vogue that science has always been a big part of her life.

She told the magazine that she wants girls who want to enter the STEM field to believe in themselves.

Rao was thinking of ways to use science and technology to create social change since she was 10 DECEMBER 2020 | SEEMA.COM | 33

FEATURE | SEEMA

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan...the lead actress of Netflix’s “Never Have I Ever.”

“NO MATTER WHERE YOU WANT TO CREATE CHANGE, YOU’VE GOT TO START WITH YOURSELF. DO YOUR RESEARCH AND DIVE DEEP. REALLY BE CONFIDENT IN YOURSELF, THE IDEA THAT YOU CAN MAKE CHANGE. - Maitreyi Ramakrishnan 34 | SEEMA.COM | NOVEMBER 2020

“While STEM may be male-dominated, I feel that a lot of us, as girls, limit ourselves by not challenging the status quo, by creating our own imaginary boundaries,” she said.

Although winning the prize and the title is an honor, Chebrolu told CNN that her work is far from over.

Her next goal: to work alongside scientists and researchers who are fighting to “control the morbidity and mortality” of the pandemic by developing her findings to fight off the virus.

When she’s not in a lab or working toward her goal of becoming a doctor or researcher, Chebrolu finds solace in dancing. She has been training in Bharatanatyam for the past eight years.

Ishana Kumar

Kumar of Chappaqua, New York, won the Broadcom MASTERS award in October, for a project that could lead to better understanding of eye disease and cognitive processing.

Kumar was one of five top winners

in the nationwide competition, taking home the $25,000 Samueli Foundation Prize.

The seventh grader’s project explores whether it is possible to change someone’s perceptions of imaginary colors. She was inspired by playing with Benham’s top, a spinning disk with black and white patterns that causes people to see different colors.

“I wanted to see if I could sort of change the way we perceive these colors through something called retinal fatigue,” Kumar told NPR’s Morning Edition. Talking about how COVID-19 restrictions on gathering in large numbers forced her to keep her testing sample small. She had her subjects first look at the spinning top, then look at bright colored lights, and finally look again at the top. She told NPR that she wants to apply her research to a larger number of subjects and upgrade to a lab where the light can be controlled.

And she has a longer-range goal as well: she wants to keep doing

research so she can one day help Alzheimer’s patients.

despair I felt not being able to control my future,” she said.

Sarvani Kunapareddy

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

Kunapareddy of St. Louis, Missouri, dreamed of going into the medical field after college, but her dreams were halted because of the green card backlog.

“Everything seemed to boil down to one thing: my visa status,” she told Teen Vogue.“Learning about this at a younger age than most helped prepare me for the worst before it arrived. The green card backlog affects hundreds of thousands of students like me, and I realized that I had to speak up.” Kunapareddy founded Hidden Dream, a platform to raise awareness, support, and create community for those in the U.S. immigration system. In addition to offering resources and tips, they built the Hidden Dream inaugural scholarship.

“The system that stopped me from applying to scholarships fueled me to save at least one dreamer from the

One of the most high-profile teens listed in Teen Vogue ’21 Under 21’ is Ramakrishnan, the lead actress of Netflix’s “Never Have I Ever.” She plays Devi Vishwakumar, a first-generation Indian American growing up in California’s San Fernando Valley.

Devi, a high school sophomore, is coping with her father’s death and struggling with her identity, while also trying to navigate the high school social scene. The series, co-created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, is loosely based on Kaling’s years growing up.

Ramakrishnan’s “compelling portrayal of Devi thrust her into the spotlight and into our hearts,” Teen Vogue says. The teenager who was born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, told the magazine that it is exciting to see how her family from around the world is engaging with the show.

“Even when they didn’t understand the language or even [the] context, to have their kids translate it for them and support me has been super amazing,” she says.Ramakrishnan, 18, has a few words of advice to anyone else who wants to make an impact like she has: “No matter where you want to create change, you’ve got to start with yourself. Do your research and dive deep. Really be confident in yourself, the idea that you can make change, and just be your own best friend. Support and be kind to yourself through whatever you are facing.”

Megha Rethin

Also listed in the coveted list is Bangalore-based Megha “Bootleg Megz” Rethin, who started posting more regularly on TikTok during quarantine “just out of sheer boredom.” Since joining the platform a little over a year ago, the 20-year-old has amassed more than 600,000 followers due to her charming, funny, and often relatable content.

Sarvani Kunapareddy with parents... She founded Hidden Dream, a platform to raise awareness, support, and create community for those in the U.S. immigration systemtion system.

DECEMBER 2020 | SEEMA.COM | 35

FEATURE | SEEMA

Color Me Beautiful Millie Barman’s ‘Desi Is Me’ provides “elegant, thoughtful clothing for the modern desi girl” SEEMA TEAM Simple and flowy, perfect for dancing the night away

G

rowing up Indian in America, young girls are often faced with the challenge of balancing their two cultures. This challenge becomes more prominent when asked to attend a family Diwali party or a cousin’s wedding, as we are tasked with looking Indian-enough without making a mockery of our culture.

From lighting traditional candles known as diyas to taking part in prayer ceremonies, festivals such as Diwali make us more connected to our ancestral roots. However, when we get the words to a prayer wrong or forget about the meaning of a specific word, these tendencies can be used to point at our belonging

36 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

to the culture. The sense of community that is felt a minute before is now gone and replaced by a wave of isolation. Being uncomfortable in Desi attire heightens these feelings.

Traditionally itchy and tight Indian clothes tend to heighten insecurities as it forces us to fit into a world we don’t belong to. There’s not a lot one can do to prove that they’re passionate about being South Asian. You can talk about loving Bollywood and it’s like “that’s what you think is a representation of India?” But there’s only so much you can do outside of South Asia, right? Clothing then becomes one of the few outlets that can show our passion for South Asian culture.

It may seem as though clothing

does not really have an impact when it comes to belonging but when wearing the right Indian lehenga, you don’t have to force your way in.

It comes naturally because you are creating your own version of being Indian. One that Desi Is Me recognizes and exemplifies. We should not have to choose between our South Asian and American halves because our identities involve the intertwining of both.

Millie Barman’s company Desi Is Me is the perfect brand providing “elegant silhouettes for the modern Desi girl,” giving young girls the ability to embrace their bicultural identities without compromising on comfort and style.

Barman reflects on this experience

firsthand which pushed her to start her company at 19 years old. She explained that “there’d be like a family Diwali party or a dandiya dance event and in finding suitable South Asian attire, I encountered multiple problems. One option is you can go to India but clothes were rarely available in time and were mainly catered towards brides being heavy and ornate pieces. Alternatively, when shopping in the US, choices were limited and expensive. I just wanted something for the young Indian girl growing up in the States.”

Thoughtful clothing choices allow those in South Asian communities to prove that we are not defined by perceptions but rather how we view our communities and how we choose to present ourselves more authentically.

Barman also adds that the way we choose to define our own culture

is often a mixture of the different communities we belong in. “The current market just wasn’t a proper representation of the kind of culture that we have here, which is a mix of our Indian culture and American culture. I’m assuming a lot of other girls have felt that too.

But I want to feel like the clothing that I wear to these events gives me some amount of confidence being South Asian and I feel like that previously wasn’t available.”

There should not be one type of Desi attire because there is no one type of South Asian girl. Being traditional, light-skinned, and conservative is not the only way we exist. Barman is looking to break that perception by proclaiming that confidence should be the only consideration in defining beauty.

The outcome of being an Indian girl in America is two worlds

Founder Millie Barman in her design studio

colliding in her personal style and her brand Desi Is Me, and having this shared experience with other young girls has allowed her to build a strong community in such a short amount of time since our launch. Despite launching shortly before the global pandemic, Barman has already met with an enormous amount of support from South Asian women, other entrepreneurs and communities about the importance of this brand.

From stitching adjustments to running financial accounts to designing all of her clothes herself, Barman’s creative and entrepreneurial prowess is self-evident. She exemplifies what it means to be an innovator while keeping her Indian roots. She ultimately hopes to create a brand that resonates with young Indian girls and makes them feel proud about their dual-identities.

Bestseller ‘Aakash’ modeled on Miss CA Teen USA 2017 Jaanu Patel JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 37

FEATURE | SEEMA

HAVE YOUR

RESOLUTIONS AND

KEEP THEM TOO People have been keeping resolutions for 4,000 years.

Here's your cheat code to help you really stick to Agenda 2021 PRATIKA YASHASWI

38 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

W

e don’t really know much about resolutions, but human beings sure love to set them year after year—and have been [doing so], for 4,000 years now.

In one of the very few studies conducted on resolution-making-and-keeping, less than half of resolution-makers kept their promises to themselves beyond six months and only about 19% kept them all the way through.

Encouragingly, though, research shows you are more likely to make a change in your life if you make a resolution on New Year’s day (or any other significant day, like the beginning of a semester) than otherwise. Is it the fresh start effect? Or some kind of cosmic push? Whatever the explanation, the real effort of sticking to your resolutions is in keeping the fire of that starry-eyed (possibly

drunken) optimism burning from Day 1 to 365—and beyond.

While it is customary to attribute this success to discipline, grit and willpower, we at SEEMA offer you a few research-based tips and tricks to keep your resolutions— tips that have nothing to do, all of which might be—quite understandably—eroded by the trauma of 2020.

Get really specific about your what and hows Get into the details. So you want to be “fitter” this New Year.

What’s your target physique, weight and measurements?

Do you want to run a marathon?

Or prepare for a mountaineering expedition? Your goals have to go into the specifics of the how so well that there is no room for doubt.

A resolution like “I will do 50 squats and 50 push-ups every

single day except for Sundays at 6 a.m. on my patio after a cup of coffee and before breakfast,” is a more actionable and easily accomplished one than the vaguely worded: “I want to have killer thighs by 2022.”

Before you go into the new year, ensure you have the materials you need. Have a reading list ready. Go shopping for your new healthy-eating diet plan. Set yourself up for a great beginning.

Forget willpower—design your environment to help you succeed Your environment is filled with cues and temptations that enable a particular behavior and these can have powerful, lasting effects.

In his book “Atomic Habits,” James Clear recounts the experience of Patty Olwell, a therapist who would often smoke while riding horses with a friend. “Even-

JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 39

FEATURE | SEEMA

40 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

tually, she quit smoking and avoided it for years.

She had also stopped riding,” he writes. When she hopped on a horse decades later, she found herself craving a cigarette “for the first time in forever.” The cues were still internalized; she just had not been exposed to them in a long time.

There’s a long-standing belief that self control, effortful restraint and willpower are the sole indicators of success for new habits or personal change — but recent research contradicts this.

The people who appear to have great self-control also typically need to use it the least — either due to privilege, great habits and routines, or just environmental factors.

Instead of fighting your temptations and hardwired bad habits, set your environment up so that you are not exposed to them. If you want to control your habit of excessive spending, remove your credit card details from your browser’s autofill — or even better, cancel them altogether. If you want to quit your habit of snacking on junk food, don’t buy any. If you want to journal every day, keep your notebook right under your pillow with a working pen so that you don’t have to think about looking for writing materials.

Become your resolution Almost every resolution there is to make can be boiled down to one thing: a change in identity. A smoker who wants to quit smoking wants to be a non-smoker. An overweight man who wants to lose weight wants to be a fit person. One of the ultimate forms of motivation is the preservation of identity.

“True behavior change is identity change,” writes Clear. “You might start a habit because of motivation, but the only reason you’ll stick with one is that it becomes part of your identity.”

If you begin to take pride in being an avid reader, the chances are higher that you’ll pick up your book or Kindle instead of your phone during your com-

mute. If you identify as a sober person, it’ll be easier to say no to drinks offered to you at the next party.

Go Slow Set laughably small, ridiculously achievable targets.

Start with one push up, or one page, or one carb-free meal. Build a repeatable routine around it: do this at the same time, same place every day until the act becomes part of your muscle memory.

It doesn’t matter if your exercise/practice/reading session is perfect or Instagram-worthy. It only matters that it happens regularly and without fail — this ensures you develop the habit of showing up, which is crucial and primary to ingraining a new behaviour or habit. Raise the criteria when you’re ready to take it up a notch.

When trying to etch a new habit for the long haul, you are better off setting lower criteria that goes up over time, rather than burning out (or drowning in self-loathing) because you could not keep up. You may not become John Mayer or Serena Williams, but you will be better than you were last year.

Get ready for speed bumps After the wringer that was 2020, making New Year’s resolutions for 2021 can feel a little bit like an extreme sport. What if there’s another pandemic? A war? Or worse? How can one be expected to start a keto diet while there’s a famine going on? If there is anything this year has taught us, it’s the importance of slowing down and being kinder with ourselves.

Set your resolutions anyway. They help you stay grounded and give you something to look forward to. Plus, science says it’s good for your well-being.

Begin prepared with the knowledge that you are going to slip up. You will have missed-workout days that then turn into missed-workout weeks.

It’s alright. Dust yourself off and begin again. You are in it for the long haul. What are mere days before a lifetime of turning over a new leaf?

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Stalking the

Gray Ghost in Ladakh

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS: GUSTASP & JEROO IRANI

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inter is the best time to spot the elusive snow leopard, the star attraction of icy Ladakh. We scanned the rugged and scarred mountain terrain. Fingers of snow and ice caressed the wrinkled land. “Where’s the snow leopard?” we asked Tchewang Norbu, our host and guide on tracking the snow leopard in Ladakh adventure.

It was winter, the best time to spot the big cat but all we could see was the vast monochromatic landscape of the arid high-altitude desert that is Ladakh in the northwest corner of India.

“Here,” he said and pointed to a couple of telescopes. We wedged one eye on the phallic scopes that sat snugly atop sturdy tripods positioned on a sky-high ridge.

She sat on top of the ridge, looking disdainfully down at us.

That was our first sighting of the elusive Gray Ghost, as the snow leopard is called in Ladakh, her spectacular mountain home.

She was so well camouflaged, her abundant fur patterned with rosettes and spots unique to each feline, that we would not have located her without the help of local spotters. They scout the vast mountainous terrain for tourists eager to see the snow leopard.

“She has come to feed on the remains of a blue sheep she killed last evening,” Norbu whispered. On cue, the mountain cat started to descend, weaving her supple gray body, tail swishing, between JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 43

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NOW, WITH THE ADVENT OF WINTER SNOW LEOPARD TOURISM, SLEEPY MOUNTAIN VILLAGES HAVE STARTED TO BUZZ WITH LOCAL ENTERPRISE 44 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

rocks and boulders. She stopped as she reached her kill; snarled at us as if to say: “Mine, and I am not sharing,” and proceeded to drag her meal behind a rock.

The snow leopard in Ladakh live show over, we strolled back to our off-road, high-clearance vehicle.

Below us, the Indus river flowed gently by, crystals of ice floating on its emerald-green waters. Gusts of wind chilled us to the bone. We had forgotten that the temperature at an altitude of 12,500 ft in these Himalayan mountains could dip to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. We momentarily longed to return to the luxurious centrally heated confines of the Grand Dragon Ladakh hotel in Leh (capital of the Union Territory of Ladakh), which we had left early that morning.

Instead, after our excursion, we headed for Ullay, a sleepy village of six households that would be our base for the next three days. The sun had set by the time we reached Ullay, bathed in the golden glow of a full moon. We stood spellbound outside the six-room Snow Leopard Lodge, admiring the magic of an enchanted night. A British fellow guest turned to us and sighed: “When we first came here, we were, in a sensem blind. They taught us how to see!”

Much as we would have liked to stretch the moment, freezing temperatures forced us indoors.

Over a simple yet wholesome meal, Norbu who owns Snow Leopard Lodge, shared the story of his life and his hate-turned-to-love relationship with the snow leopard. Yes, there was a time when locals viewed the cat as the slayer of livestock that had to be hunted and felled.

Back in the day, families would spend the bleak winter months huddled together, doing virtually nothing. All that changed when the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust, a Leh-based, non-profit,

non-government agency, started to educate the local population about the benefits that would accrue from protecting and showcasing the Gray Ghost to tourists and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world. Subsequently, the villagers have successfully been made stakeholders in the effort to save the endangered snow leopard and the agency has set up eco-tourism projects like home stays, given villagers the means to corral their livestock safely, and initiated a livestock insurance scheme which is run by the community itself.

Now, with the advent of winter snow leopard tourism, sleepy mountain villages have started to buzz with local enterprise. In turn, the population of the snow leopard, no longer reviled and hunted, has bounced back in recent times.

According to the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust, the Snow leopard’s range stretches across 12 countries in Central Asia, including China and Mongolia. The population of the cat is estimated to be between 5,000 and 7,220, of which around 200 to 600 prowl the Himalayan heights in India.

Early next morning we set off on a snow leopard trek, which had us bonding with the land the Gray Ghost shares with humans: we said hello to a domesticated shaggy yak that carted water from a melting glacier; stopped by a local brewery

where Chhang, the local beer, was being brewed in a wooden barrel; waved to cheery, rosy-cheeked kids framed in the windows of their mud-brick homes, draped with prayer flags…

Soon we were driving through a desolate yet eye-engorging landscape, past frozen waterfalls draped like curtains on vertical cliffs; icicles hanging like daggers on overhanging boulders… We stopped to admire a herd of blue sheep while an ibex with rapier-like horns stood vigil on the crest of a craggy ridge. The sight of a golden eagle circling overhead startled a flock of blackbirds, which scrambled in panicked flight, and seemed to spray the blue skies with black confetti.

We pulled up at a snow-dusted clearing where the staff of our lodge in a support vehicle had set up tables, chairs, crockery and cutlery for a surprise open-air lunch. Later, we set out on a short snow leopard trek and walked through a muffled snowbound valley where the gurgling of a mountain stream and the crunch of icy crystals under our snow boots were the only sounds.

Soon, it was time to head back to our lodge, where we huddled around a crackling fireplace and later snuggled under a mountain of quilts in our heated bedroom. While we slept, nature was at work, painting the windows of our room with a collage of icy crystals.

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The Siren of the American South

With the promise of the pandemic lifting soon, a travelogue from beautiful Nashville provides grist for the wanderer’s mill ANITA RAO KASHI

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t is evening in Nashville and there’s only one place to be – Broadway, in the heart of the city. Among all the places to visit in Nashville, this at the top of the chart. The sun has barely gone down but the street is buzzing. Bright and colourful blinking electric signboards beckon, vying for attention. The street is busy with traffic, dropping off patrons, while the pavements on either side are crowded with nattily dressed people, with a generous sprinkling of cowboy boots and hats.

From every open doorway, loud, catchy music spills onto the street. Inside, people are crammed around the bar and the stage area, loudly cheering the performers.

This is Broadway on a typical evening, the city’s ultimate entertainment street and incredibly seductive at that.

Filled with honky-tonks (the name given to bars with live country music in the southern US as well as the genre of music itself), Broadway is where all the action is in the evenings and is among Nashville’s top tourist attractions.

I go hopping from one honky-tonk to the other and stop

at such classics as the brilliant-purple Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, then The Second Fiddle and, later, Honky Tonk Central.

But there’s so much beautiful music, that I stop briefly at several more in between. Nashville wears the epithet of Music City rather comfortably, especially where country music is concerned. But it’s not just all Broadway. A plethora of bars and clubs across the city are popular with budding and talented singer-songwriters. Then there’s the sprawling Country Music Hall of Fame, one of the largest museums devoted to music, with an enviable collection of melodies and a research center as well.

There’s also the RCA Studio (where many greats, from Elvis Presley to Dolly Parton, have recorded) which gives a lowdown on the recording process. The cherry on top is Grand Ole Opry, a two-hour live radio show experience in an auditorium. It is here that country greats such as Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks and Keith Urban often perform, alongside new and budding talent.

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And yet, Nashville is not just about music. There are plenty of places to visit for the tone-deaf as well. In fact, it comfortably wears its several other epithets . It is called the Athens of the South for its range of educational facilities. Interestingly, there’s another connection to the Athens reference.

There is a life-size, jaw-dropping replica of the Parthenon in Centennial Park, standing amidst greenery and a beautiful lake. It is one of the biggest Nashville tourist attractions.

Nashville is also called the Hot Chicken Capital and the title seems about right, what with all the lip-smacking fried chicken, in several varieties and degrees of hotness. I tasted some at Martin’s Bar-B-Que and at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, and I can vouch that the title is apt. For a more elevated dining experience, Geist on Jefferson Street is the place, with stylish American fare and delicious cocktails.

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NASHVILLE IS ALSO CALLED THE HOT CHICKEN CAPITAL AND THE TITLE SEEMS ABOUT RIGHT, WHAT WITH ALL THE LIP-SMACKING FRIED CHICKEN, IN SEVERAL VARIETIES AND DEGREES OF HOTNESS.

Nashville is also a quintessential southern city, filled with parks, rolling lawns and wooded areas. At Belle Meade Plantation, a 19th-century revival style mansion sits amidst 5,400 acres of greenery and stables. A reminder of Nashville’s and the region’s history, the plantation also produces its own brand of fine spirits.

Speaking of spirits, Nashville’s reputation as the land of country music

is only countered by its penchant for brews of all hues. From Prohibition-era moonshine to craft brews, the city has them all, and are interesting places to visit.

Moonshine is still around as a nod to its history, but the city also has an astonishing number of distilleries producing a vast variety of liquors – from beers and ciders to bourbons and whiskies, including potent, absinthe-type spirits. From Nashville Craft Distillery to the historic Nelson’s Greenbrier Distillery, distillery-hopping is a worthwhile pursuit for fans of spirits.

After all this, it was only logical to end the trip with a visit to Frist Art Museum, housed in a marble building, all of which was formerly

Nashville’s main post office. The post office, now reduced to a branch of the main one, has been since relegated to the west end of the building. The museum is one of the top Nashville tourist attractions for those inclined towards the fine arts. Its changing shows provide an invaluable glimpse into the life and work of artists from everywhere.

Nashville leaves the visitor with a lasting impression. There’s music of course, always playing in the background, but it is also the city of colourful images and a smorgasbord of experiences. Perhaps a better epithet for Nashville is ‘siren.’ Much like the mythical creatures, the city manages to gently lure and then irrevocably ensnare the soul.

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DDLJ: The Heart Stealer

Bollywood’s ultimate love story celebrates its silver jubilee GUSTASP AND JEROO IRANI

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hen the perky song and dance sequences unfold, members of the audience jump up from their seats and gyrate in the aisles, clap and egg the star pair on as they cavort on the silver screen.

The Hindi film “Dilwale Dulaniya le Jayenge (DDLJ)” celebrated its silver

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jubilee in October this year and had been running for close to 25 years at the frayed-at-the-seams Maratha Mandir theater in Mumbai. It was curtains at Maratha Mandir for the cult film when the lockdown happened earlier in March.

The sheen of the Hindi rom com (the longest-running in the history

of Indian cinema) remains undimmed. The movie still commands a devoted following.

At Maratha Mandir, audiences would watch the saccharine love story play out against the pristine back drop of the Swiss Alps and mouth well-known dialogues along with the lead pair, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.

THE FAN FOLLOWING CUTS ACROSS GENDER, CLASS, CASTE AND CREED – ASPIRATIONAL MIDDLE-CLASS INDIANS FOR WHOM SWITZERLAND BECAME THEIR BUCKET LIST DESTINATION Many had probably watched the film as many as 15 times, related a die-hard fan.

The fan following cuts across gender, class, caste and creed – aspirational middle-class Indians for whom Switzerland became their bucket list destination, swooning teenagers, peppy college students, young lovers, and, lately, even stray passersby who pop in to hear their favourite songs and dialogues again and again.

Directed by then debutant director Aditya Chopra whose late father Yash Chopra was famed for his celluloid romantic fantasies set in exotic locales, the narrative is simple. A young boy and girl of Indian origin, Raj and Simran, born and brought up in London, fall in love during a vacation with friends in Europe.

But soon their romance collides with the reality of their parents’ disapproval, born out of their conservative Indian outlook and the fact that Simran has been promised in marriage to her father’s friend’s son.

The film smashed box office records and marked the coming of age of Bollywood. Today, Bollywood JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 51

TRAVEL | SEEMA is recognized as the most prolific film industry in the world, ratcheting up 800 to 1,000 films a year, yet DDLJ’s simple message of young love has endured.

“It changed the face of the industry and captured the hearts of everyone who saw it,” Avtar Panesar, a senior spokesperson of Yash Raj Films, said in a press release.

Indeed, a bronze statue of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol will be unveiled in the spring of 2021 in Leicester Square in London and will join the Scenes in the Square movie statue trail. It will shoulder nine other movie icons of the past 100 years, eight of which were installed in February this year. The line-up includes Harry Potter, Laurel and Hardy, Bugs Bunny, Gene Kelly, Mary Poppins, etc.

By a happy coincidence, Leicester Square is where the celluloid lovers Raj and Simran are first seen in the film. Other London locations that take centre stage in the film are Horseguards Avenue, Hyde Park, Tower Bridge and King’s Cross Station.

However, in the film it is Switzerland that exudes as much star power as Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol; the bewitching cameos of the country seem to stoke their love effortlessly. …the journey on a panoramic Swiss train is when sparks fly between Raj and Simran.

There are cameos of charming hideaways like Gstaad, including the station where the duo miss their train and the humped Saanen bridge where Raj confesses his love for Simran. (Indeed Gstaad Tourism has a Bollywood tour which swings past the iconic locations that figured in DDLJ.) The movie was shot all over Switzerland. There is the typical Swiss church where Raj and Simran pray together; Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe with all-embracing views of the Swiss Alps 52 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

Cable car at Mount Titlis

where Simran dances in the snow in a red dress and boots!

And the DDLJ-besotted can even pose with large cut-outs of Simran and Raj at Mt Titlis (9,908 ft) after they arrive on top of the mountain via Titlis Rotair, the world’s first rotating gondola.

And as the first bars of the song, “Tujhe dekha to yeh jana sanam” ripple like the soft lapping of a Swiss lake, can you deny that your heart beats a little faster, feet tap in rhythm and memories of your own love story plays out in your mind?

FOOD | SEEMA

‘SUPERFOODS’:

PUNCHING ABOVE THEIR WEIGHT While there is no definition for them, some foods have many inherent benefits ANITA RAO KASHI

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SEEMA RECOMMENDS | SEEMA

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he term ‘superfood’ has a certain appeal to it.

It implies something is packed with health, goodness and extra benefits. While there has been much discourse on the veracity of all of this, it is undeniable that the pandemic has brought the debate front and center, especially with widespread talk about superfoods for immunity.

The Harvard School of Public Health clearly says, “There’s no scientifically based or regulated definition for superfood,” but goes on to add that, “generally, a food is promoted to superfood status when it offers high levels of desirable nutrients, is linked to the prevention of a disease, or is believed to offer several simultaneous health benefits beyond its nutritional value.”

Echoing that view, Sheela Krishnaswamy, a Goa-based nutrition and wellness consultant,

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adds that it is better to focus on inherent benefits.

“I think all foods have different benefits and they work synergistically in the body to produce the desired health effects,” she said.

Nevertheless, she acknowledges

that it is a term used to promote a food or ingredient, pointing out that “some traditional Indian foods/ingredients that have become ‘superfoods’ in the West are turmeric, coconut oil, drumstick leaves, etc.”

GENERALLY, A FOOD IS PROMOTED TO SUPERFOOD STATUS WHEN IT OFFERS HIGH LEVELS OF DESIRABLE NUTRIENTS AND IS LINKED TO THE PREVENTION OF A DISEASE TURMERIC

Turmeric has been the topic of intense deliberations as scientists argue about its benefits. Almost certain to have originated in India, turmeric is no stranger to Indians or Indian cooking and is considered to be among the foremost superfoods for immunity. It has also been a crucial ingredient in Ayurveda and so its ancestry goes back several millennia.

It reportedly helps mitigate, even cure, several diseases and conditions, including cancer. There is also some evidence that it helps fight heart disease, improves liver function and is a brain food. Ginger, a close relative, is also described as a superfood.

GHEE

In India, history and mythology seamlessly intertwine with each other. As early as the 300 BC, the Charaka Samhita talks of ghee as the promoter of

health, memory, intelligence, vital fire and vital essence of the body. It is also inextricably linked to God and religions, and no worship is ever complete without it. Much maligned in recent decades, it has now come into its own, its health benefits being recognized fairly widely. For chef Abhijit Dwarakanath, ghee is a favorite cooking ingredients. “Ghee is a superfood as it houses essential vitamins and omega fatty acids,” he says. “I prefer ghee to oil because it has a high smoking point and also the longest shelf life when stored at room temperature. It is also lactose free and is a natural fat. Plus, it gives amazing aroma.”

AMLA

Perhaps the oldest-known fruit, at least in India, is amla (Indian gooseberry), with references going

back to the Puranas and the Vedas.

It has a peculiar amalgamation of tastes and can be sweet, sour, bitter, astringent and pungent at the same time. It packs a wallop as one of the best superfoods for immunity and is known as a digestive, liver tonic, blood purifier, rejuvenator and anti-diabetic. In her book “The Everyday Healthy Vegetarian,” author Nandita Iyer, who also blogs at saffrontrail.com, says, “Amla has an impressive ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity or the antioxidant content) score of 261,500.”

Clearly, Indian cooking is replete with the use of these ‘superfoods,’ something our ancestors possibly knew instinctively, and so included them in the daily diet regimen.

All that needs to be done is to probably take a leaf out of their eating habits.

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5 Comfort Foods for Winter Treats to bring us warmth during the cold winter daysÂ

A

ADAM CARPENTER

s colder temperatures approach, you may begin thinking about cozy evenings wrapped in a blanket with something warm in your hands – a delicious dish your family has passed down for generations or a mug of your favorite drink to keep you warm. There is an abundance of comfort foods to choose from so here are just five for you to try out this winter.

PHO

Pho is a delicious noodle soup that can be enjoyed anytime from breakfast to dinner. The broth is traditionally made by simmering beef bones with oxtail, garlic, and charred ginger for up to 24 hours. This creates a depth of flavor which is then combined with varying sizes of lean and fatty beef cuts, herbs, greens, and flat linguini style noodles. It is topped off with chili and hoisin sauces with a squeeze of lime.

PANDESAL

For a slightly sweet treat, pandesal is an airy bread with a crunchy golden-brown crust. As with most bread, pandesal is best right out of the oven, to be enjoyed with your morning coffee or at any time when topped with jam or butter. These delicious little rolls only take about 20 minutes to prep and about two hours of rising time.

CONGEE

Congee is not only a great comfort food it is also a great way to use up a variety of ingredients in your kitchen.

Congee can be made using practically any variety of rice, combined with whatever meat, vegetable, or seafood you have on hand. A few traditional additions are slices of ginger, soy sauce, boiled eggs, beans, peanuts, even fruit.

LAKSA

There are two main types of laska, both of which can fill that wintertime desire for a hot soup.

Curry laska is made with a stock of coconut cream or milk, broth or stock, bean sprouts, and lime juice blended with a paste of garlic, turmeric, shallots, lemon grass, galangal, and cashew. You can then add in shrimp, chicken, or tofu individually or combined.

Asam laska has a fish base that is combined with a paste of chili peppers, shrimp paste, galangal, tamarind, and turmeric. A shredded fish, such as sardine or mackerel, is then added to the soup. It is then served over rice noodles garnished with pineapple, onion slices, mint leaves, and cucumber.

TEH TARIK

Teh Tarik, also known as pulled tea, is a wonderfully decadent hot tea that is mixed with condensed milk to give you a creamy and slightly bittersweet JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 57

FOOD | SEEMA

drink to enjoy. The process of ‘pulling’ the tea is done by repeatedly pouring the hot liquid from one container to another until you achieve a frothy texture. It can be served cold over ice but is an excellent wintertime treat nice and hot, too.

COMFORT FOODS

According to The Oxford Dictionary, comfort foods are defined as, “Food that provides consolation or a feeling of well-being, typically any with a high sugar or other carbohydrate content and associated with childhood or home cooking.” This definition is true of the five dishes above.

Some will remind you of home and give you a little joy even while preparing them. Others are simply just a delicious treat to have on a cold evening. No matter the reason you decide to make them, enjoy every bite or sip to the full. Take a moment to relax and soak in the delicious soup, bread, or hot tea that you or perhaps a loving family member has made for you. Stay warm this winter by enjoying some of your favorite comfort foods.

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Freshly baked Filipino bread called Pan de sal or salted bread

PANDESAL Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Rise: 2 hours Servings: 20 rolls

6.

7.

INGREDIENTS: 6 cups bread flour

(plus more for dusting) l 1 cup, plus 1 tbsp granulated sugar l 1 ½ tsp kosher salt l 2 ½ cups whole milk l 2 (1/4-oz) packets active dry yeast l ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted) l 1 large egg l 1 cup plain dry breadcrumbs

8.

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. In a large bowl, combine flour, 1 cup sugar, and salt.

2. Warm milk to 115 degrees F. 3. Combine 1 cup of the milk with 1 tablespoon sugar and yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes until foaming.

4. Once foamy, whisk in the remaining milk, melted butter, and egg.

5. Combine the wet ingredients

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l

9.

10.

11.

13.

14.

into the dry ingredients.

On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until smooth. About 3 minutes.

Lightly grease a bowl and place kneaded dough inside covered with plastic wrap.

Let rest in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Once risen, divide the dough into 4 pieces and pat down each into a 4 by 9-inch rectangle, about ½-inch thick.

Roll the dough tightly from the long end and cut into 5 equal pieces. Repeat with all pieces of dough until you have a total of 20 pieces.

Dip the cut ends of the dough into the breadcrumbs.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the rolls, breadcrumb side up, on the sheets about 2-inches apart.

Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about an hour.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F and bake rolls for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.

BASIC CONGEE Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 1 hour 20 mins Servings: 5 INGREDIENTS: l 1 cup rice l 7-13 cups water, stock, or broth l 1 tbsp neutral oil l Salt to taste INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Clean rice then soak in water for at least 30 minutes. Drain water.

2. Boil 7 cups of water, stock, or broth, add salt, then add soaked rice.

3. Add any meat, hearty vegetables, ginger, garlic, dry spices, or dry beans you are using.

4. Let boil for a few minutes then reduce heat to simmer.

5. Continue simmering for at

6.

7.

least an hour, adding more liquid to reach your desired thickness, and stirring every 5 to 10 minutes.

Once it is thickened, add the oil.

When the rice has broken down and has a thick velvety

8.

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texture, add in any herbs, seafood, cooked vegetables, wines, or sauces you choose to use.

Simmer for 15 minutes then turn off the heat.

Serve topped with any fresh herbs, nuts, sesame seeds, or scallions.

TEH TARIK

Total Time: 5 mins Servings: 2 EQUIPMENT: 2 tea mugs Kettle Stainless steel jug INGREDIENTS: 1 cup boiling water (250 ml) 2 black tea bags 2 tbsp condensed milk INSTRUCTIONS: Steep tea bags in a mug of boiling water until it is dark, then cool for a few minutes.

Teh Tarik or pulled tea with ginger and rustic background

Add condensed milk and stir until the spoon is clean.

Pour the tea into the stainless steel jug. When proceeding to the next step, be careful as the liquid will be hot.

With as much height as possible, pour the tea from the jug back into the cup.

Repeat pouring back and forth between the jug and the cup until the tea has become frothy.

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SEEMA BEAUTY | SEEMA

HAIR CARE & STYLING: New trends and techniques for 2021 MELAINE FOURIE

H

Embrace the new year by transforming your image with a different hair style

ave you been searching for fresh, ingenious ways on how to style your crowning glory lately? Perhaps you’ve lapsed into ponytail mode this year, with hair salons closed due to lockdowns.

Or maybe you’re striving to find that wow factor for an instantly flattering look, like a low-maintenance get-up-and-go style. Yet, transforming your image can be liberating to say the least. There’s also no better time to unravel a new fabulous you than a brand spanking New Year. Reclaim your crowning glory with these styling trends and tips for 2021; guaranteed to unleash your inner queen!

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REFRESHING TRENDS

1

MOCHA HUES Mocha tones are high on the hair color trend list for 2021.

This tone comprises a brunette-colored base, blended with both lowlights and highlights for additional dimension. This neutral hue complements most skin undertones and tones.

2

THE SHAG IS BACK! This 1970s style is fast making its way onto the hair trend

scene, only this time; your hairdresser may style this with longer, more feminine bangs.

3

THE TIMELESS PIXIE LOOK Even though this look never ran out of style, you can expect these to be just as popular as before.

4

HYBRID TONE Blended shades with dual hues comprising purple and silver are the hottest craze for 2021! If you’re looking to go bold in 2021, this trend is for you!

5

BOBS GALORE 2021 is definitely set to be the year of the timeless bob! Be on the look-out for different variations of this look, like your side-parted asymmetrical bob, your blunt bob, and the textured bob. The asymmetrical variation can be seen as that getup-and-go style or that go-style style that needs little maintenance when you want to transition easily from a day to evening look.

You can opt for a blunt bob if you aspire towards a ruler-straight, sleek look. This style adds volume to your hair, so if your hair tends to be a bit thin, this would be ideal to try.

If you’re looking for that textured look and feel, and are trying to steer away from a traditional bob, try opting for the textured bob. All you need to do here to maximize this look is apply a tad of curl mouse to dampened hair and dazzle!

6

PASTELS INSPIRED

BY DIGITAL TRENDSETTERS If you’re familiar with the flurry of pastel toned hair styles on social media, then you won’t be surprised to find that these hues are not going anywhere in 2021. Prepare for a flurry of soft, multi-hues here. If you’re feeling daring and think you’d like to pull this off, be sure to consult your hair stylist first for advice on the most complementary shades for you!

7

ACCESSORIZE, ACCESSORIZE, ACCESSORIZE! Accessories have always been the ideal go to for those who love an instant transformation, without braving an irreversible snip! For

2021, why not incorporate hair jewelery with pearls, like beaded bobby pins, into your hair styling routine? You could also try rhinestone bobby pins for an elegant edge.

Geometric and circular hair clips are also in style for 2021, as well as hair rings if you’re looking to add some Bohemian flair.

If you love making up styles like buns but are looking to add some extra to it, why not decorate your bun with a corsage or pretty headband.

2021 HAIR CARE HACKS FOR VARYING HAIR TYPES If you have combination hair, like an oily scalp with dry ends, try selecting a shampoo that will clarify your hair without drying it out. Try Alba Botanica detox volcanic clay shampoo comprising clay and glycerine for this.

Don’t forget to use your favorite conditioner , which helps replenish any moisture lost during

shampooing and seals your hair shafts. If you have dry hair, trimming it first would be ideal, as you would be ridding your locks of split ends. You could also switch to a moisturizing shampoo or conditioner like the Nexxus range. Or use a serum with moisturizing argan oil.

If you’re trying to find ways to tame a fizzy mane, why not first choose a trendy hair cut to eradicate split ends, before resorting to anti-frizz products like TSD flower extract conditioner, complete with hydrolyzed keratin that helps seal cuticles for a smoother look.

Be sure to avoid products with low-alcohol content, as this tends to dehydrate your hair strands. You should also try choosing a shampoo comprising hydrating components like glycerine. These trends will surely make a lasting impression on your 2021 look!

JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 61

SEEMA BEAUTY | SEEMA

Skin Care Trends for 2021 JORDANA WEISS

I

n 2020, we have watched the world change before our eyes. Millions of people across the United States have been laid off, and control over many aspects of our lives has been wrenched away.

One welcome respite from the gloom and uncertainty of 2020 is selfcare. Many of us have taken time this year to research skin care and other

62 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

self-care habits that have given us all a welcome dose of joy and self-confidence. Despite the craziness of this year, there have been many innovations in the world of skin care that have made it more accessible, more environmentally friendly, and more effective than ever before.

As we move into 2021, these trends will evolve and will continue to have

a positive impact on both new and experienced skin care gurus.

Today, let us explore some of our predictions for the top skin care trends we’re likely to see in 2021.

AT-HOME TREATMENTS

With many personal care practitioners and clinics closed due to public health regulations, companies and

individuals alike are pivoting by introducing at-home treatments.

These new offerings are easily accessible versions of beauty and wellness treatments that were previously only available through an aesthetician, like waxing, eyebrow threading, and even chemical peels.

If you are new to this world, start by asking for advice from a trusted aesthetician that you have worked with before. They can direct you to the most effective at-home treatments for your skin or hair type.

TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES

In the last year, we have seen technology play a huge role in the skin care industry; in 2021, we believe these innovations and devices will only get more popular. One of our favorite technology-forward brands is Foreo.

Their personal facial cleansing brushes come in a variety of matte pastel colors and can be calibrated for your exact skin type.

Another way technology will affect skin care in 2021 is through advances like ModiFace Skin AI, a web and mobile app that can help dermatologists assess your skin from afar.

Soon, you may not have to leave your house for a comprehensive skin care consultation.

For lower-cost vegan skin care, check out brands like CocoKind (we love their chlorophyll mask), Bliss, and

Andalou Naturals.

For a step further, look out for brands like FARSÁLI, which is advertising itself as a halal beauty brand. This means that their products have no animal by-products or alcohol of any kind, and are completely cruelty-free.

RETINOL ALTERNATIVES

and Hemp Seed Oil is beloved for treating early signs of aging.

VEGAN

Consumers looking to keep their skin care as clean and cruelty-free as possible should be excited about the growing trend in vegan skin care that is set to emerge in 2021. As more people opt for plant-based diets, they are realizing that slathering animal by-products on their skin just will not cut it any more.

Retinol is prized for its ability to increase collagen production and cell turnover, and can be found in many anti-aging creams, serums, and masks. Despite its holy grail status as one of the best anti-aging ingredients, it can be harsh and irritating to the skin. Enter the next 2021 beauty trend: gentler retinol alternatives.

Bakuchiol is a top contender for a gentler retinol replacement.

This natural ingredient can be found in Beautycounter’s new Countertime line, as well as in Ole Henriksen’s Glow Cycle serum and

overnight cream.

CBD PRODUCTS

CBD products are not as taboo as they used to be, as skin care companies around the world are discovering the benefits of this hemp-derived plant extract, a non-psychoactive component of marijuana.

If you want to experiment with this calming ingredient, try Kiehl’s

Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal

Cleanser, or their face oil from the same line, which is quickly becoming a cult favorite.

Want to try out a CBD-infused product without spending more than $50? Josie Maran’s Skin Dope Argan JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 63

WELLNESS | SEEMA

4 Tips to Rejuvenate Your Mental and Physical Health in 2021 JARED WADE

I

n a few short weeks, 2020 will be safely in the past. This is definitely one year we will always remember — no matter how much we try to forget it — but fortunately there is a new January just over the horizon.

With a little luck, things will start to improve, and we can get back to focusing on our own personal goals.

For many, especially if recent challenges have disrupted your flow, this is a time to get back on track with 64 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

nutrition, fitness, mental health, and general well-being.

If that sounds like something you need ASAP, try these tips to rejuvenate your mental and physical health in 2021.

1

MOVE MORE

The last several months most people have led very sedentary lives. With nowhere to go and so much to fear outside, staying home has become the

new normal. But, at some point, too much time around the house can also be unhealthy.

In general, gyms will still remain closed, operating at limited capacity, and are still risky. That is a big disruption for anyone who likes staying fit in that environment, and cold weather make it even harder. Nevertheless, you have other options. Long walks can be great. Get an exercise bike or treadmill for your garage. Or just find some aerobics or yoga classes to fol-

low online. The important part is not what you do — just that you do it.

2

SET REALISTIC GOALS

By now, most of us understand the basic keys to health: Eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, manage stress. It isn’t necessarily complicated — but that doesn’t make it any easier. For some people, a complete overhaul of all their poor habits may actually be the best path forward. Dramatic change can work. But most people struggle with that approach.

Instead of feeling like you need to alter everything, try to think longer term. Make a couple of smaller — but more sustainable — changes. If you don’t work out much at all, do not set a goal of exercising for two hours six days a week. Or from pizza and wings to only eating greens and açaí berries.

Find a happy, healthy medium and settle in there. Improvement is more about being realistic than perfect.

3

TRY MEDITATION

While meditation has been practiced for millennia, it has become increasingly mainstream in the past few years. Everyone from fitness influencers and entrepreneurs to athletes and everyday moms are now raving about its positive effects. You may still be on the fence or outright dismissive of the idea. That is understandable. It is not for everyone.

But you owe it to yourself to at least give it a shot. Meditation can be frustrating and difficult at first. It’s definitely hard to find a groove and even harder to stick with it in the long term. Still, even if you only try it out for awhile it can be a powerful force in grounding you and helping you focus, among its many other benefits. Do a little research into the different methods and give one of them a shot in 2021.

4

BE KIND TO YOURSELF

After the year that we have all had in 2020, it’s OK to make some mistakes and veer off course now and again. All too often, people go searching out weight-loss transformations, fitness routines, and mental health makeovers with the idea that they will quickly fix all their ills. They think they need to be perfect all day, every day, and then everything will be solved by a certain date.

That is just not reality. Good habits should be developed as part of a lifelong journey toward health and wellness. One day, one week, or even one month is not going to make or break you. If you slip up on your nutritional goals or miss a few runs do not beat yourself up. Just recognize that none of this is easy. Nobody is perfect. You deserve some compassion — from yourself, most of all.

You cannot let yourself off the hook all the time and end up developing bad habits. But as long as you have committed to generally staying on the right path to progress for years to come, the small cheats and slip-ups don’t mean you are a failure. It just

means you are a human who is doing their best.

GOOD HABITS SHOULD BE

DEVELOPED AS PART OF

A LIFELONG

JOURNEY TOWARD HEALTH AND

WELLNESS. ONE

DAY, ONE WEEK, OR EVEN ONE

MONTH IS NOT

GOING TO MAKE OR BREAK YOU.

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HEALTH | SEEMA

5 Fitness Trends for 2021 2020 forced us to think differently about fitness. Now prep for what routines will be in vogue next year BRIAN SODOMA

F

or those who exercise regularly, 2020 forced you to alter your schedule, vary your routine, and get creative to maintain your fitness. With 2021 around the corner, many fitness enthusiasts and experts are bracing for another year of patience, given the pandemic.

That is not bad news for everyone.

Here are five trends we will likely take into 2021, and how they can help you stay on top of your fitness game.

VIRTUAL FITNESS WILL STILL BE A VALUABLE TOOL

The COVID-19 pandemic created a boom in virtual fitness classes. Going to that Pilates, Zumba or group HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) class with friends has turned into calorie-torching Zoom sessions 66 | SEEMA.COM | JANUARY 2021

for many of us.

As the pandemic plays out, fitness studios and gyms have re-opened with smaller groups, partly because many possible participants prudently decided to stay at home.

Even given the itch to return to the gym, virtual classes should still be a part of your workout plans. If you have access to a gym, that is great. But with the situation still in flux, while keeping virtual programs handy, you can still bounce between in-studio workouts and at-home or outdoor programs. That way, if the gym or studio closes again, you will not have to stop your fitness schedule entirely.

OUTDOOR FITNESS WILL KEEP GROWING

With lockdowns, yes, we’ve gone

indoors for virtual fitness, but many have also embraced doing more in their neighborhood, at the local park, or anywhere else where they can effectively social distance and enjoy a beautiful day. Creative aficionados of fitness have relied on outdoor boot camps, yoga and Pilates classes in the park (weather-permitting, of course), with the additional options of jogging or riding a bicycle.

This trend will not ease up in 2021. ClassPass, which offers thousands of online exercise programs, and has more than 2,000 studio locations around the U.S., saw a 400% increase in outdoor classes in 2020; its 2021 trends survey found four out of five participants said they were willing to try an outdoor class this year.

Getting out, whether by yourself or with others, can lift your spirits and

MIND-BODY CONNECTION WILL BE AS IMPORTANT AS EVER

rejuvenate anyone suffering a case of cabin fever. We say go for it!

TECHNOLOGY AND EXERCISE CONTINUE MINGLING

Apps and other technology beyond Zoom and other video-conferencing tools has had an impact on fitness in 2020. Expect that to continue in 2021. Embrace the ones that work for you.

For those who have really gotten cozy with their in-home gym, interactive programs like Peloton and The Mirror give you access to fitness experts and groups of people all around the globe wanting to compete with and encourage one another through a virtual in-home fitness class experience. These technologies have literally shaped online communities of exercise enthusiasts, building camaraderie and competition that keeps millions on schedule and excited about fitness.

Fitness trackers such as Fitbit, Garmin and even Apple Watches, are still at the heart of the wearable tech wave, which started around 2015. If tracking your steps, calories, heart rate and activity level motivates you, these tools are relatively inexpensive and a refreshing change for many second adopters who have not splurged

on one of these devices yet.

COVID FITNESS, A GROWING CONVERSATION

Today, there’s a new type of fitness participant joining the crowd: The COVID survivor. For anyone who has experienced the virus’s symptoms, it can be a very slow road to recovery. For some, it can take months to get back to their previous physical normal.

More and more trainers and health professionals are designing programs to ease people back into exercise.

Expect to see more of these types of courses in 2021, as the pandemic unwinds and we learn more about the virus. The good news is that if you’ve had COVID and are struggling to get back to your fitness schedule, there are resources to help.

If we’ve learned anything this year, it’s that the mental toll of the pandemic is certainly real. This has spurred an even greater drive for more bodymind connection exercise. “This desire is triggered not only by job-related stress, also by the strenuous homeschooling with children or financial and health fears in connection with the pandemic,” added Lars Becker, an expert for ISPO.com, an international network and trade fair for sporting goods and sportswear enterprises.

Mindfulness training and meditation, muscle relaxation exercises, biofeedback and yoga are helpful ways to nourish your physical and mental well-being. These exercises can now be incorporated with other more rigorous programs or be added as stand-alone techniques before or after workouts or at certain parts of the day to help you feel mentally, as well as physically, fit.

Whether you’ve been able to maintain your fitness level through 2020 or not isn’t really what matters right now. As we turn the calendar to 2021, it’s about leveraging what was learned in 2020 to maintain optimal health for years to come.

JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 67

HOROSCOPE | SEEMA

THE ROAD AHEAD FORECAST WITH FARZANA Farzana Suri is a Victory Coach who coaches people through life’s challenges to take the leap to victory, using the

It has been a year of great upheavel for every one. The year 2020 will go down in history for its trials and triumphs. Looking into what is in store for each of us as we enter 2021.

science of numerology.

Dec 22 - Jan 19

The time has come to transform your cares into opportunities and raise your glass of joy. Take that extended hand, for you are not alone. Remember, there is power and peace in delegation. Can anyone stop you from achieving your career goals? No way! Put the rubber to the road and get going. Invest in rebuilding lost connections, especially with yourself. The strain in your relationship requires addressing with what you loved doing the most – having conversations. The possibility of a move – house, job, project or travel at short notice is likely.

2021: Expect changes that drive you

towards your inner power. So, drop the baggage of last year and embrace new experiences to enjoy victory.

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Jan 20 – Feb 20

The time to set the wheels of success in motion is now. Get your head out of the clouds assess the facts, and do some real research to plan your next move. You are way smarter than your peers. You can gain victory over any obstacle with logic, creativity and determination. Rein in the need for speed to get things moving. A demanding partner may overwhelm you with the need for attention. A tactful and gentle approach is recommended. Stay on your toes, avoid negative gossip and go easy on the sarcasm.

2021: The decisions you make this year will lay the foundation for the future. Commit to your vision and strike a balance between creative pursuits and purposeful action .

Feb 21 – Mar 20

You want your money to work hard for you.

Your desire for financial security may find you clutching the purse strings like an Apple aficionado holding on to the latest iPhone 12 Pro. Relax your grip, else this material obsession may disconnect you from the ones you care about. At work, your need for perfection may waylay your goals. When was the last time you stopped to smell the roses? Pick up a hobby; try the hula hoop, dance to your favorite music tracks or learn origami. Your relationship could do with open communication or much-needed space.

It’s okay to spend time and money on what makes you happy.

2021: Not the time to nitpick and hold

on to a conservative worldview. Practice grace, generosity and gratitude. Be fearless and open to new business ideas or careers.

down your hair and have a little fun. Go on a play date, indulge in something silly. Show off your confidence as new opportunities, sashay towards you and, if you cut out the drama and self-obsession, you may experience unprecedented joy; in the beginning of a new romance, new opportunities, new home and even the birth of a child or a new idea. Your mojo lies in asking yourself, – 'Am I limiting myself?'

Mar 21 - Apr 19

The natural currents of life are just like the seasons. Each ‘season,’ with its ups and the downs, equips you to move through change, giving birth, to something new. Seize the opportunity of a new project. If you feel a tad bereft, nurture yourself. Add beauty to your space with aromatic candles, cook yourself a favorite meal, or enjoy some soulful music.

Learn to trust your instincts with respect to money. Positive changes are expected in your relationships, gain a new one, if you are solo and a deeper commitment if in one. You may want to watch your weight and refuse that extra helping at dinner.

2021: If last year, felt like your business

was dragging its feet this year, you’ll find the SEO finally working in your favour.

Apr 20 - May 20

Light emanates from your personality, so dust off the grit and grime of the past.

You may even be surprised by a positive resolution to a sticky situation at work. Let

2021: Use the positive energy of the year to get your life back on track. Allow yourself to start things. Count your blessings.

May 21 - Jun 20

If you have been grinding hard for the past year with no result in sight, it may be time to zoom out and assess your progress. Is re-routing more practical than aborting the mission? Square your shoulders, audit your emotion and act on what seems the best return on investment. This will stand you in good stead. In case you’re toying with a new idea, stay with it. The seeds you plant and nurture will flourish. Don’t you give up! The time and energy you invest in your relationships will pay off. So plan that dinner date or surprise vacation. If property matters are on your mind, an opportunity to own one is a possibility.

Jun 21 - Jul 22

If last year was about capping on your desires due to the enforced lockdown, the opening up has released you. It could be burning the midnight oil at work without clear boundaries set between work and home. The addiction to screen time, social media, food cravings and even dependence on toxic relationships can distract you from your goals. Over-indulgence, in any area of life may entrap and deprive you of living guilt-free. Muster the courage to make choices and claim your freedom and peace.

Adopt the attitude of being your own favorite person. This is no time to be a pushover! In the matters of finance, take calculated risks.

2021: You have the power to choose

what you want and where you want to be.

Rise, step forward, and reclaim your power at work and in your relationship. Make ‘you’ the most valuable asset of your life.

2021: Stay committed, to your goals.

Things are likely to come together. It’s possibly a good idea to delay major decisions unless you have all the facts in order.

Jul 23 - Aug 22

Now is the time to make vintage cool!

No need to defy the status quo to resolve JANUARY 2021 | SEEMA.COM | 69

HOROSCOPE | SEEMA any pressing issues. Look to the past for inspiration, and familiar practices to gain victory in business. While the world may wax eloquent about innovation in leadership, following the herd is for the greater good.

The past year has taught you the power of collective consciousness and the will to take each other along, hasn’t it? Do what is morally acceptable in matters of love and money. Seek the help of a mentor, or be a guiding light for someone in need. A change, is likely at work, or in your outlook towards a relationship.

2021: People around you are willing to help if you extend your hand for support. Leverage the 3 Ls – listen, learn and lead. You may find yourself leaning towards spirituality and conservatism.

lenges you encounter are likely to be shortlived. Summon your faith and strength to make the required change to achieve victory.

2021: Understand that some things in life are beyond your control. Whatever is holding you back is self-imposed. Acknowledge and get past it. You will shine.

Sept 23 - Oct 22

Take a break, celebrate big wins and small victories along the way with friends, and honor yourself for the amazing spirit that you are.

Kick aside any semblance of guilt. You have earned it. In relationships, stay with those who understand it is a privilege to receive you. If you’ve been biting your nails waiting for some good news, get them manicured. The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole. Expect exciting news on the career front. Team projects, home renovation, movements and opportunities are likely. An inspired focus on health will allow you to feel and be lighter.

2021: You have the ability to rally people on a mission to accomplish your goals. This is a socially active, celebratory and fulfilling year as long as you don’t overindulge.

Aug 23 - Sept 22

The universe is indicating that it’s time to step into a new level of yourself and a new timeline. However, for the caterpillar to blossom into a butterfly, it must go through this process of transformation. It may seem bewildering but, heck, you can do it! Be like sand and watch the tides, slowly yet surely, turn in your favor. Keep a check on the ego.

There’s no place for pride, on the path to victory. Relationships require fresh orientation. Forgive or apologize as the case maybe.

The peace you gain is worth it.

2021: Embrace flexibility to welcome new experiences. The only way to create new patterns is to take another route to learn, grow and thrive.

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Oct 23 - Nov 21

Everything you think is a problem is an opportunity waiting to bloom. Get out of your head and step into reality. Are you overthinking and allowing your imagination to run riot? Break free of those thoughts and pin your vision on solutions. Take a deep breath, step back and pop a chill pill. Whatever the situation at work or home, it’s temporary. The business, chal-

Nov 22 - Dec 21

You may need to pause, reflect and listen to your heart, to reassess your life goals, and pursue that which lifts your soul. When the student is ready, the teacher appears. You are as ready as ever to evolve and bloom into the person you want to be. You crave big changes and money is not enough to keep your pulse moving. It’s time to light your own path. In relationships, learn the virtues of stepping back and letting go the energies of the past to gain new understanding of each other. Conservative spending is the need of the hour. Dust off those bags. The travel bug will inspire you to go solo and expand your view of the world. Be patient and accepting of others. Great things are on the anvil. Do not question your ability to build an amazing future.

2021: Retreat from the noise of the world to do some soul-searching. Introspect on what drives you spiritually.

Disclaimer: This is a broad analysis. On a personal level, your experiences may differ based on numerological numbers influencing your personal chart.

For a personalised forecast, you may contact Farzana at surifarzana@gmail.com or visit her website www.farzanasuri.com

From Farm to Face We choose ethically sourced ingredients of uncompromising quality to make products for the woman who understands the power of her choice.

When you choose M.S Skincare, you are choosing to support a woman-owned enterprise with sustainable and ethical practices. With products acting as a catalyst for self-care rituals, we offer a multisensory experience that inspires you to nourish and cultivate radiance. Our unique formulas emerge from both Ayurvedic principles and Western Herbalism to bring the most powerful active botanicals to your skin.

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