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STRUCTURALLY SPEAKING A comparison between interior design and architecture courses

EDU CATE + ENTERTAIN

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www.youthincmag.com

TRANSFORM YOUR INNER ARTIST INTO A PERFORMER The best performing arts institutes to bring out the best artist in you

THE GLOBETROTTER'S GUIDE FOR THE YOUNG AND RESTLESS Quench your wanderlust this summer

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THE GLOBETROTTER'S GUIDE FOR THE YOUNG AND RESTLESS

16 STRUCTURALLY SPEAKING

The decision to choose between interior designing and architecture made easy

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Transform Your Inner Artist into a Performer Page

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from the artsy to the adrenaline junkie, party animal to flying solo: all you need to know for your next big trip

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YOUTH ISSUES XX=XY? An insight into the youth’s attitude towards gender equality and women’s security

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A guide to the finest institutes in the world for performing arts

AWARENESS ADDICTED TANGLED IN THE DIGITAL WEB Are you a phone and Internet addict?

YIFA 2015 HIGHLIGHTS An exclusive coverage of Youth Incorporated Festival Awards 2015

WORKPLACE HACKS BREAKING THE COMMUNICATION CODE A guide to establishing effective communication channels at the workplace

38

PRODIGY MULTI-FACETED BEAUTY A candid conversation with actor Sandhya Shetty, a woman of many talents FOREIGN SHORES INTERN-ATIONAL! Internship opportunities abroad that provide you the much coveted international exposure

Youth Incorporated APRIL 2015

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Follow us:

Facebook.com/spykarlifestyles Twitter.com/spykarlifestyle

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Entertain 58 60

HEALTH STRESS BUSTERS How to handle stress and anxiety and keep up productivity

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FASHION PAINT THE TOWN MARSALA! Time to spice up your wardrobe with Marsala and give it a new twist this summer

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BEAUTY SUMMER SKIN FAUX PAS Tips to protect your skin while you have some fun in the sun

STAPLE DIET

POINT OF VIEW AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER? Celebrity columnist Nisha JamVwal discusses ways to handle infidelity

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EDITOR’S NOTE EDITORIAL CONNECT AROUND THE WORLD EVENT DIARY COUNSELLOR Q&A THE G SPOT IMHO HANGOUT GRAFFITI

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Online exclusives

GOING GREEN! We explore the importance of saving our environment along with Harish Parekh, founder of a Mumbai-based NGO aimed at involving the youth in keeping the Earth clean and green

THE ONE TIME THAT DEMOCRACY WON

There’s reason to celebrate as the Supreme Court declares section 66A of the IT act, used against people posting criticism of politicians, as unconstitutional for violating freedom of speech, says Ayub Dawood

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Volume 4 Issue 10 APRIL 2015

Editor's

note

Editor-in-Chief NITISH SHAH nitish@youthincmag.com

It's the most exciting time of the year once again; free from studies, timetables and exams, month-long vacations to do as you please and be in control of your life. This is the only part I miss from my school and college days, to get up late, watch TV and movies all day, go on bike rides with friends, catch up on a favourite book and much more. Of course, the cherry on the cake was the annual summer holiday that the family would take.

Some of us were lucky enough to have our dadi-nani or relatives living in another city, to get a chance to visit them. The rest had to ensure holiday bookings were done in time to make the most of the 2-3 weeks.

Today, the entire way we travel has changed, and with so many travel apps and tour operators, getting anywhere is easy. It’s not uncommon to check out hotel and restaurant ratings online, plan adventure sport activities in advance and prepare for the perfect holiday. Thanks to the one currency and one visa policy, Europe is the best travel option for us, apart from the visa-free, cheaper SAARC countries. Whether you find your muse in museums or you love exploring or relaxing on the beach, Have Passion, Will Travel has lots of travel tips and holidays options as per your taste.

But if you want to make the most of your holidays and decorate your resume while you’re travelling abroad, try your hand at the various internship opportunities we’ve listed out for you in Intern-ational! A month in an international setting will do wonders for you and your resume.

I am glad to announce that we hosted Youth Inc Festival Awards - YIFA 2015 last month, which was an overwhelming success with more than 100 entries from across the country. The esteemed jury had a tough time selecting the winners as all the entries were outstanding. Students flew in from different cities to collect their awards and receive the due recognition. We hope that YIFA has set the stage for grander, sassier college festivals in the years to come.

Here’s to a month of fun and relaxation!

Nitish Shah

Chief Operating Officer CAROLINE SAMSON coo@youthincmag.com

Editorial

NEETI VIJAYKUMAR NANCY B VARGHESE

Art & Design

MOULVI ABBAS HASAN

Ad Sales

NANDINI BARJATIYA ALEIFIYA B NIKUNJ RAMAIYA sales@youthincmag.com

Marketing

PRATHAMESH DESHPANDE PERSIS SHROFF PALLAVI BORKAR marketing@youthincmag.com MANIL S DODANI digital@youthincmag.com

Circulation

SHANTARAM AMBERKAR NISHANT SHINDE

Administration GEETA NAIK

Editorial Interns

ADITI DHEKLE JANVI MANCHANDA AYUB DAWOOD

Marketing Interns SOMESH LUND Printed and published by Nitish Shah on behalf of Splash Publication Pvt Ltd

For advertising, subscriptions and circulation mail@youthincmag.com +91-22-2351-6622 / 6609 Published at: 9 Forjett Hill, British Express Bldg, 2nd floor, Mumbai 400036.

Editor: Nitish Shah

Admin office: F9&10, Commerce Centre, 6th Floor, 78 Tardeo Road, Mumbai 400034.

Printed at: Repro India Ltd Plot No 50/2, TTC MIDC Industrial Area, Mahape, Navi Mumbai 400 710, District Thane All content in print and online is owned by Splash Publication Pvt Ltd under international copyright laws. No part of the content can be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the publishers. Publishers will not be held responsible for the content of the magazine including accuracy and effects. All disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of competant courts in Mumbai only.

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editorial c o n n e c t

Write to us at mail@youthincmag.com

SOCIALLY YOURS

YouthIncMag

@YouthIncMag

Jury meet for Youth Incorporated Festival Awards (YIFA) 2015 held at Aqaba, Mumbai

 DOWNLOAD THE OCUTAG SNAP

BLOGGER OF THE MONTH Alisha Mishra

http://greymurmurs.com/

Alisha’s blog is the one that will pop into your head when you sing Julie Andrew’s ‘Favourite Things’ from The Sound of Music.

Her photographs are a visual delight and she is definitely the jack of all trades. A Mumbai girl, Alisha is a BMM graduate who takes keen interest in photography, fashion, writing and loves to spend time in the kitchen as well! She also posts organic recipes for desserts which are easy to make and you don’t feel guilty about later because they’re just that healthy. Alisha has our vote for the happiest summer blog of the month!

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PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH

@GAREEBGUY

With more than 24.4K followers, Gareeb Guy’s tongue-in-cheek Hindi tweets depict what the life of a poor man with a Twitter handle looks like.

I never cross the line.

Poverty line.

Aaj iss flyover ke neeche so jata hoon. Who said beggars can't be choosers?

Kal Meri facebook wall bhi gir gayi.

Sindoor nahi hai, isiliye biwi ki maang mein eent pees ke bhar di.

Pata nahi baccho ki muskuraane ki aadat kab jaayegi. Bheek maangte time genuine ni lagte.

APP ON YOUR SMARTPHONE

WITH LOOK FOR PAGES THE OCUTAG SNAP LOGO

 SNAP THE PAGE USING THE OCUTAG APP

ENJOY

A VARIETY OF DIGITAL CONTENT: VIDEOS, RELATED ARTICLES AND MUCH MORE

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yi

educate

Being online or on your phone too much can get you into trouble Page 24

K E E I PI N S D E 

Pg20

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XX=XY?

MULTI-FACETED BEAUTY

HOW THE INDIAN YOUTH SEES THE ISSUE OF GENDER EQUALITY TODAY

SANDHYA SHETTY: KARATE CHAMPION, MODEL, AND NOW AN ACTOR

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Pg38 INTERN-ATIONAL! IT’S TIME TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIPS ABROAD WITH WHO, AIESEC AND IAESTE

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EDU NEWS

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK IS OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS IN SPECIALIZED COURSES FOR INDIAN STUDENTS  University of Limerick is offering scholarships in specialized courses reducing upto 50% tuition fees for Indian students. Students will be considered for the scholarships directly upon applying.  The University of Limerick located on the western coast of Ireland offers bachelors and post graduate courses along with a favorable environment for students.  Courses for MSc in Nursing and B.Tech in Airline maintenance and operations are offered which have a time period of 1 year and 4 years respectively.  Msc in Nursing provides training in skills to make graduates confident and analytically aware while the B.Tech in Airline Maintenance and Operations is aimed at fulfilling the knowledge requirements for the EASA Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance License (AML) in Category C.

SKILLDOM OFFERS TRAINING MATERIAL THROUGH FLIPKART AND SNAPDEAL  Learning solutions provider Skilldom is offering interactive solutions on a variety of subjects to prepare the youth of India for the corporate world.  With around half a million corporate employees upgrading with their solutions, skilldom has decided to extend solutions to student communities and through digital platforms like Flipkart and Snapdeal.  Their idea is to make learning enjoyable and give candidates confidence to face corporate interviews and polish additional skills.  For further information go to www.skilldom.co.in .

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“LITTLE FREE LIBRARY” OPENS ITS FIRST EVER MINI LIBRARY IN JUHU, MUMBAI BY KIARA ROY

BLUE MOUNTAINS INTERNATIONAL HOTEL MANAGEMENT SCHOOL AUSTRALIA OFFERING DEGREE COURSES  The Blue Mountains international hotel management school, Australia is offering degree level course in restaurant and catering management.  The institute offers placement and career opportunities with two placement pathways  Apart from the degree level courses the institute also offers course in event management and double degree courses after bachelors.  The requirements for sending entries are a minimum age of 18 years with an international equivalent of the Australian 12th certificate and the intakes for the courses are in January, April, July and October.  Additional information can be accessed on http://www.bluemountains.edu.au/ hospitality-courses/restaurant-and-cateringmanagement-degree/

Marcello Casal - commons.wikipedia.org

 Little Free Library, a nonprofit initiative which started with a mini library modeled like a miniature school house in Hudson, Wisconsin in 2009, has opened its first ever mini library in Juhu Versova, Mumbai.  It was started by Todd Bol and in 5 years has gone on to set up 25000 mini libraries in the US and 70 other countries including Netherlands, Canada, Haiti and Ghana. Today it has become a global literacy movement.  This mini library is the first in Mumbai and ninth in India alongside six in Chennai and one in Bangalore and Jaipur each.  The initiative of Kiara Roy, a twelve year old with an aim to inspire others. She loves to read and chanced upon an article about the "Little Free Library" in the Oprah (Winfrey) magazine. www.littlefreelibrary.org Face Book : Little Free Library Mumbai Twitter : @lflmumbai Email : littlefreelibrary@gmail.com

APRIL 2015 Youth Incorporated 13

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EVE N

IARY D T

A mammoth crowd of more than 60,000 people were present at the fest

(L-R) Adrenaline pumping bike stunt shows; annual rock band competition Rock o Phonix was a dream come true for all rock music lovers

Lucky Ali gave a performance of a life-time

ALCHERINGA- IIT GUWAHATI

INFOXPRESSION 2015 Words of wisdom by Prof C S Rai, the dean of USICT

Cultural program at the inauguration

(L-R) Lt Munish Sibbal honour to country & honour of USICT; the #InfoX team, the building blocks

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SPREE BITS PILANI GOA SURGE'15, K.J.SOMAIYA, IEIT Abhijeet Sawant steals the show

Street play keeps the audience captivated Bold and exciting fashion show

APRIL 2015 Youth Incorporated 15

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Structurally Speaking FOCUS FEATURE

For years together, Interior Design and Architecture have been considered two sides of the same coin and to speak of one meant to eventually discuss the other. Gita Ramanan brings you the lowdown on the professions to help you make the clearer choice

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Architecture, to most people is the art and science of designing buildings.

We have an understanding that an architect takes an empty space and gives it a form by nature of the building he creates in the space.

By doing so, he creates spaces that are ordered as per the function that motivated the creation of the building in the first place. As part of the architectural degree, all students are required to undergo 4-8 months of practical training at an architect’s office. I had the opportunity to practice with several different architects - large firms, smaller firms, even a contracting firm. I had the opportunity to learn and implement with growing confidence, details with respect to both fields. I researched both with passion - the projects, the details and the professional practice.

Architects primarily design the whole structure of a building (its exterior and interior structure) which includes electrical and plumbing requirements in each plan with a focus on the exterior design elements, and its interior architecture and ceiling finishes. Interior designers on the other hand design the look/style of a project’s interiors which will include details of furniture, interior materials, finishes, hardware, furnishings, textiles, window treatments, paint colour, wallpaper and accents, a lighting plan, flooring and lighting (fixtures and placement). Architects who have a flair for detailing of interior spaces often gain experience in both fields and can competently deliver both kind of projects, but Interior Designers are not qualified to undertake building design and certification.

THE ARCHITECT AND THE DESIGNER

An architect needs an understanding of a building’s basic structures and must also comprehend how that structure needs to go hand-in-hand

Haider Hasan

SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

“Space, space: architects always talk about space!

But creating a space is not automatically doing architecture. With the same space, you can make a masterpiece or cause a disaster.”

- Jean Nouvel, French architect

with its environment. Knowledge of both, city and state building codes, is necessary to get critical documents, such as permits, completed. He is also responsible for the integrity and reliability of the buildings. An interior designer typically attends design schooling for several years and receives certification from the industry. He is capable of taking any place and turning it into something endearing and homely. In the main, interior designers work with fabrics, furnishings floorings paint, wall coverings, art and object d’arts.

Professionals in both disciplines have cross-over skills, namely spaceplanning, and are creative and artistic individuals. In most countries, there are professional degree courses in APRIL 2015 Youth Incorporated 17

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FOCUS FEATURE

Architecture & Interior Design. The differences start after you graduate.

Abroad, both Architects & Interior Designers (again, not to be confused with interior “decorators”) register themselves with professional bodies and are responsible for ensuring the projects they work on, are as per the local and national codes and regulations. In India though, only Architects register with the Council of Architecture and accept responsibility to design as per the codes and regulations of the state and country.

Every project has to be submitted for approval of the local body, and carries the signature and seal of the Architectwho is culpable in case the building structure fails. Architects undergo five years of rigorous study and decades of practice and training because what they create has the power to change lives.

Interior Designers though have no such registration yet, and as India lacks comprehensive codes defining the nature of interior spaces - this education is sparingly imparted.

Architecture students are familiar with the entire code, yet design students seldom are taught these details.

Every great architect is - necessarily - a great poet. He must be a great original interpreter of his time, his day, his age.

- Frank Lloyd Wright, American architect and interior designer

take up the full five year architecture degree to practice professionally.

Nowadays, there is a proliferation of Interior Design courses, but not as per the code. Diploma courses of a year do not satisfactorily equip a student for the rigours of a practicing designer indeed they are primarily decorators.

Decorators are concerned with the arrangement of the interior space and cannot competently conduct interiorspace planning and programming.

Designers though can do both, except change/affect the structural design of the building.

THE EDUCATIONAL POINT OF VIEW

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE

I will add though, that experience is the cure for the ills that plague the education system that is not suitably current to the rigours of practice.

Decades of experience, individual talent and dedication can and does see architects practice interior design and designers practice architecture, with the former example in the majority.

The switchover in the second case is difficult as there is no formal training imparted to designers in the concepts of space and form. Also, to practice as an architect, a designer needs to

Architects are not interior designers by qualification and neither are Interior Architects qualified architects.

However both generally understand each other’s work, and can sort of do it by virtue of gaining experience in the fields. Now, when it comes to the profession, it is definitely true that an interior designer can’t legally practice architecture. But as an architect, you can practice interior design professionally. And although it depends upon the individual (passion, skill), I would highly recommend

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Haider Hasan

pursuing some level of education in interior design, may it be a Minor in college, a Bachelor’s degree, or simply doing relevant and continued research. It’s a separate field for a reason. The same goes for interior designers wanting to be architects, except there are more legal issues involved.

In my firm, we hire full-qualified architects, architectural draughtsmen and interior designers. Each has their own core area of specialization.

As we undertake several Interior design projects, we hire specialists who can design and detail these spaces competently. These specialists can be either Architects or Interior designers. A fresher architect has very little grounding in interior design, but, as I mentioned before, can gain experience and eventually work well if they overlay their natural interest with dedication, a willingness to learn and a lot of hard work. My interior designers though tend to specialise in a certain typology of projects and then continue doing more projects in that vein. I have not personally seen an interior designer learn and then practice architecture. yi

WORLD’S BEST INTERIOR DESIGN COLLEGES 1.

Florence Design Academy, Italy

2.

The Interior Design School, London

3.

Raffles Design International, Mumbai

4.

ISDI Parsons, Mumbai

5.

Pearl Academy, New Delhi

WORLD’S BEST ARCHITECTURE COURSES 1.

Southern California Institute of Architecture,

SCI-Arc (Los Angeles, California, USA)

2.

Architectural Association, AA (London, England)

3.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology,

MIT (Massachusetts, USA)

4.

School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi

5.

Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai

APRIL 2015 Youth Incorporated 19

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YOUTH ISSUES

XX=XY? While it’s clear from recent news that we haven’t achieved gender equality, are we on the path towards even thinking of it as a viable reality?

Manil S Dodani explores the trend

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I

t was a Friday night. On television, a scantily clad woman danced to a peppy track while the eyes of the villain gazed upon her. The ad break that followed this scene was the one where a mother tells her crying son, “Stop crying, ladke rote nahin, are you a girl?” (boys don’t cry), followed by a husband brutally beating up his wife, cut to Madhuri Dixit emotionally saying, “Ladke rulaate bhi nahin hai.” (boys don’t make girls cry either).

That 30-second visual forced me to ponder, are men really the superior ones? Why do we expect the fairer sex to look after the household and bring up the children as a matter of duty? Something to think about, soon, before it rattles you too hard.

Gender equality is an issue of burning relevance in the 21st century.

The United Nations considers gender equality a human right. It suggests that empowering women is also empowering the future; that uplifting women is an accelerator of growth and development. The 3rd Millennium Development Goal of the United Nations is to promote gender equality and empower women, agreed to by at least 187 countries across the planet.

About 187 countries and two decades later, we’re still just talking about it.

Development roadblocks

Multiple reports state that development in a country can be accelerated to a large extent if women are made equal stakeholders in it.

It is important to note that in the 21st century, if a higher level of development (both economic and

social) is expected, women have to be employed in the secondary and tertiary sectors.

The rural population of India is still engaged in the agricultural industry; most of these being women. However, more and more women are now being involved in nationwide decisionmaking initiatives, and if this trend continues to follow the upward curve, gender equality (at least in the Parliament) will be achievable soon. As of 2013, 62 women held parliamentary positions, out of the total available 545 seats.

Corporate Glass Ceilings

Defined as an unacknowledged barrier to advancement in a profession, especially affecting women and members of minorities, it is a widely recognized and acknowledged phenomenon in the corporate world.

From the ancient times when women were worshipped as goddesses to the times when they were made to jump

Women today are still battling for equal rights at the workplace, at home, at public spaces, in schools, in the government, on the Internet... when and where is the end to it?

into the fire once their husbands died, when they were beaten and tortured if their parents could not match the demands of the groom’s family, it’s almost as if we’ve made a quantum leap across time.

Corporate glass ceilings prevent the women from reaching top positions in an organization. Although the world has produced many talented CXO-level women leaders, it is yet difficult to break through this already cracking glass ceiling. When Indra Nooyi donned the CEO cap at PepsiCo it was the first sign of a stereotype breaking and dissolving into the dust; since then the likes of Suchi Mukherjee of LimeRoad and Sabina Chopra of travel operator Yatra have shown that potential exists and women who used to be middle level management barons are now set to rise to the occasion.

The way forward

No single piece of literature can actually uphold the fact that improving the level of gender parity can lead to a significant reduction in violence and crime. This can also be equated to a larger perspective where one school of thought actually claims that legalizing prostitution can lead to a reduction in rape cases.

Intervention in the form of training programs and mental exercises at a school level would help young girls challenge existing rigid stereotypes of masculinity. Media involvement plays a critical part here, as long as this medium can regulate and yet broadcast information to increase awareness about violence and crime, a sharp fall in these social evils will be felt. yi

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YOUTH ISSUES On the occassion of Women’s Day last month, Youth Incorporated conducted a survey on gender equality to figure out where we stand in the path towards equal rights for all, among the young population residing in major parts of the country.

Ayub Dawood interprets the results

Youth Incorporated Gender Equality Survey

Gender Equality Survey

Gender Equality Survey

Q3 Do you think there has to be a time limit to how late a woman can be out at night?

Q9 Is it acceptable to you if, in a relationship, the woman earns more than a man?

Answered: 196

Skipped: 29

Answered: 196

Skipped: 29

Yes Yes

No

No

Can't say

Can't say

0%

Answer Choices Yes No Can't say Total

10%

20%

30%

40%

Safety measures

50%

60%

Responses 21.43%

As much as we wanted more positive 70.41% news, the fact remained that, in 8.16% spite of the thinking of the youth seemingly improving, there still is a lack of awareness on the part of people regarding the measures and resources available for support and prevention as far as crimes against women are concerned.

Lifestyle choices

But there is a pleasant shift in the mentality of the young population, evident from their rather progressive and mature ideas regarding social behavior of women, which includes staying out late at night and more liberty in their way of dressing, with a lot of misconceptions and stereotypes seemingly done away with.

3 / 11

Public space facilities

There is a revived sense of optimism and faith in the society on the part of the youth when it comes to efforts and intention for promoting gender equality and women’s security. There still is dissatisfaction as long as facilities and privileges for women in

70%

80%

0%

90% 100%

10%

20%

Answer Choices Yes

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90% 100%

Responses

42

No public services such as transportation 138 Can't say a need for more are concerned, 16 reservedTotalseats for women in196trains and buses along with increased security seem to be a crucial requirement in day to day life.

School environment

While it is agreed upon that school and colleges are actively creating an environment where gender equality can flourish, there is also a slight majority that feels that in work places women are not paid as much as men even though the number of women in the professional and skilled work force has increased. This is attributed to the prevailing male centric attitude of the conservative society and stereotypes attached with the female identity rubbing off in the work place to a certain extent.

Finances

30%

Surprisingly there is a feeling among a high majority that it is all right for the woman in a relationship to earn more; this defies the previous obsession with ego issues mostly attributed to men

82.14%

161

and shows a good improvement in this generation.6.63% 11.22%

22 13 196

Intervention programs

While gender extermination is an issue that has long been a point of concern in our society, the youth believes that both promotion of gender equality and protection of the girl child deserve equal attention in order to take a more holistic approach towards gender equality.

Government policies

But at the end of the day the response is very negative when it comes to the sufficiency of the financial incentives and schemes for women put forth by the government concerned. The feeling 9 / 11 is simply a product of the failure on the part of the government in effectively implementing the plans that have been announced in the previous few years.

So as much as the youth is positive and happy about the society and sees the mentality of the society as the game changer in the way of gender equality, there is still a lot of discontent towards the efforts and ability of the government to assist in this process. yi

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AWARENESS-ADDICTED

Technology and gadgets are meant to make life easy, but what happens when we become too dependent on them? Ayub Dawood digs deep into an addiction which seems to be silently creeping into our everyday lives

I

n the last decade or so, with the emergence of the internet and various gadgets that allow easy access to people, the world has ushered into a new digital age. Technology has allowed people to get things done more easily and go about many day to day activities quickly and more productively. Information about almost anything is easily available on the internet. Mobile phones and various social networking platforms not only allow people to keep in touch more often, but also provide people a wider platform to get in touch with new people from different locations and walks of life. Productivity increases as work can be done quickly by carrying work home to continue later.

All this sounds very much in sync with a positive rhetoric associated with the description of a digitally charged environment which we live in, surrounded by technology at almost every step in our day to day life and activities. A

lot of people see digital addiction as some kind of paranoia against the rise of the digital space and the domination of technology in our lives. But, it is an addiction like any other; it has more to do with psychology than physical aspects.

An overwhelming majority of people in the world are at the risk of falling prey to digital addiction because none of us are exempted from usage of latest technology, gadgets, internet and other applications in our everyday lives, be it at work or at home, for professional purposes or personal. A person might not even know until they’ve become completely addicted to it.

Psychologists, social scientists and even users themselves admit to digital addiction as being a psychological disease that is a real threat. In December 2013 researchers from university of Maryland concluded that majority students were digital

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addicts and their symptoms in many cases were like those of ones who were separated from hard drugs. One just won’t admit that they have a problem, and this state of denial is also a part of the overall behavioural changes.

People start getting drawn more into digital media and gadgets, leaving no time or space for actual interaction with family and friends, hence making a person unable to communicate and, later, depressed.

Along with psychological changes an addict also undergoes physical changes due to increased lack of physical activity, when it affects school attendance, relationships, their ability to hold on to employment, patterns of sleep, hygiene, and nutrition.

When asked to stay away from gadgets and internet there is an aggressive and irritable response seen mostly among teenagers and even children. Socialising stops as people are engrossed in digital activities and hence it has adverse effects on social life as well as real life relationships.

It alters the perception of a person towards everything that exists in the real world and natural beauty becomes

www.pixabay.com

irrelevant. At a high stage of addiction the addict starts living in a virtual reality.

Internet Addiction

Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) which is also known as compulsive internet usage has come to be regarded as a threatening psychological disorder, though this notion is still disputed. The term surfaced as a disorder in a 1995 satirical hoax by Ivan Goldberg who took pathological gambling as a reference to describe IAD. The initial signs of internet addiction can be preoccupation with internet and excessive use of internet just to get mental satisfaction. This can go on to being online longer than planned and feeling depressed and irritated when trying to stay away. This addiction even threatens a breakdown of professional and personal life with cybersex addiction and cyber-relationship addiction making a person lose interest in real life relationships and generate unreal expectations in sexual life. A person can become so addicted to social networking and meeting people online

that relationship with family and friends in real life seems irrelevant.

Smart phone Addiction

When people are asked whether they are addicted to their smart phones, the immediate response is denial. People do not even wish to acknowledge their increasing dependence on smart phones. People are surfing the internet, checking out applications, texting or going through the social media almost all the time whether at work or at home. Online activity can be an extension of internet addiction, because with a smart phone a person can surf the internet more frequently.

Texting and gaming seem to be the most addictive activities which deprive people of any interaction with family and friends hence cutting them off from their personal life.

How to get out of it

There are many ways by which digital addiction can be cured. Having roots in psychology, it can be controlled by psychological means. Start with these: • Cut down internet use step by step.

Plan a routine and schedule to limit internet usage.

• Recognize and rectify problems like depression and stress that draw you towards increased internet usage.

• Talk to family and friends and make a strong support base among them.

Focus more on outdoor activities and face to face interaction with people in everyday life.

• Turning off notifications and keeping the phone on flight mode for most of the time can be a good way to start off. Uninstalling unnecessary apps as well as chat and social media apps too is a good way.

• Hiding your phone and resolving to check only limited times is a step to be taken later on which can be followed up with using applications which monitor and restrict your internet usage by issuing a warning every time usage seems to exceed a certain limit.

• Speak to an addiction counsellor to help you with your problems. yi APRIL 2015 Youth Incorporated 25

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YIFA 2015

India’s premier college festival awards

Presented by

Associate Sponsor

T

oday, hundreds of college festivals are held in India and thousands of students participate in these festivals.

So, we thought it was about time that these college festivals are recognised and appreciated for the ideas, talent and organizational skills that go behind them. Festivals always recognize the best designers, actors, dancers, singers and writers. But, rarely is a college festival rewarded. It’s the one time where fun meets learning. Apart from being an entertaining experience, college festivals inculcate management, leadership, marketing and creative skills. They also act as a meeting ground for students to blend creatively from various cities, degrees and institutes.

Youth Incorporated, India’s leading award-winning edutainment magazine, has undertaken this initiative and organized the first edition of YIFA (Youth Incorporated Festival Awards), to bridge the gap and felicitate the hard work and dedication that transpires behind the scenes at these college festivals. The event was presented by Istituto Marangoni with associate partner Gatsby, along with media

partner Exchange 4 Media; outdoor media partner Global Advertisers; venue partner Aqaba, music channel partner 9XM; multiplex partner INOX, digital partner Hungama.com; radio partner Fever 104 FM; photography partner Rhythmic Focus and video production partner ScreamBiscuit Productions.

The registration was open for a period of one month where more than 100 entries poured in. Every media partner sent out their communication for the participation in the awards. Finally, the jury meet took place on 26th February during which all the jury members were shown presentations of entries under each category. The esteemed panel of judges included award-winning music director Sulaiman Merchant; award winning Luxury Brand Consultant Nisha JamVwal; renowned lawyer and women rights activist Mrunalini Deshmukh; model, actress and masterchef Amrita Raichand; internationally acclaimed ballroom choreographer Sandip Soparrkar, Head of Istituto Marangoni Raul D'Souza and Youth Inc’s editor-in-chief, Nitish Shah. The jury deliberated for a few hours as it was extremely challenging to

pick out the winners. There were many interesting discussions that took place during the meet and each of our judges could identify with the categories as they had visited various college festivals before as judges for their events. Finally, after all the votes were in, the 22 finalists were selected with a winner and runner up in each category. There were a few college festivals that stood out and won multiple awards such as Malhar, Umang and Xpressions. The festival of the year award went to Malhar, St. Xaviers College as they got the maximum points and awards.

The YIFA 2015 award ceremony took place on Wednesday, 4 March, at Aqaba.

Gracing the occasion were winners from the top colleges, media heads, and important clients. Also present with our esteemed jury members, were guests of honour such as Dr. Indu Shahani (Dean - HR College), Dr. Kamal Guptas (Chairman - Lala College), Rouble Nagi (Artist & Sculptor), Raunaq Roy (Head - Hungama), Nawal Ahuja (Co-founder Exchange4Media) and many more. We give you an exclusive glimpse into, what can only be described as, history in the making.

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Amrita Raichand, Mrunalini Deshmukh, Sulaiman Merchant, Nisha Jamvwal and Sandip Soparrkar, our panel of esteemed judges

(L-R) Raul Dsouza, Indian sub-continent and Gulf Area Manager, Istituto Marangoni; comperes Reenie and Junaid; dance group Beat Twisters; (below L-R) students at the show; stand-up comedian Aritro Banerjee

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YIFA 2015

THE SOCIAL METER goes to MALHAR (St. Xaviers College, Mumbai)

THE SOCIAL METER runners up were UMANG (NM College, Mumbai)

INNOVENTS goes to AZEOTROPY (IIT, Mumbai)

INNOVENTS runners up were KARAVAAN (IISER, Pune)

PAUSE FOR A CAUSE goes to XPRESSIONS (XIM, Bhubaneshwar)

PAUSE FOR A CAUSE runners up were MALHAR (St. Xaviers College, Mumbai)

THEMING BEAUTY goes to UMANG (NM College, Mumbai)

THEMING BEAUTY runners up were XPRESSIONS (XIM, Bhubaneshwar)

THE HANGOVER runners up were FESTEMBER (NIT, Trichy)

LASTING IMPRESSIONS runners up were XPRESSIONS (XIM, Bhubaneshwar)

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LASTING IMPRESSIONS runners up were CRANIUM (CMS, Bengaluru)

STARSTRUCK goes to PARAGNA (NMIMS, Mumbai)

STARSTRUCK runners up were WAVES (BITS Pilani, Goa)

WEB SLAM goes to FESTEMBER (NIT, Trichy)

WEB SLAM runners up were MANZAR (ICT, Mumbai)

CREW CODE goes to MALHAR (St. Xaviers College, Mumbai)

CREW CODE runners up were TALAASH (Jai Hind, Mumbai)

BORN IDENTITY goes to MALHAR (St. Xaviers College, Mumbai)

BORN IDENTITY runners up were UMANG (NM College, Mumbai)

GAME ON goes to RUNBHOOMI (ISBM, Pune) APRIL 2015 Youth Incorporated 29

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YIFA 2015

FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR goes to MALHAR (St. Xavier's College, Mumbai)

GAME ON runners up were SPORTSSAGA (ICT, Mumbai)

Aamir Juwale,YIFA logo designer

Rhea Makhija and Puneet Motiani from GATSBY India

(Above) Youth Incorporated team; (below) YIFA volunteers with Editor-in-chief Nitish Shah

MALHAR St. Xavier's College with 5 Awards 30 Youth Incorporated APRIL 2015

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PENS ARE WEAPONS OF MASS CREATION COME, BE A PART OF THIS ARMY

Youth Incorporated invites aspiring writers to be a part of the Junior Editorial Board (JEB), editorial team, in a unique internship programme Send in writing sample of 300-400 words to mail@youthincmag.com before 1st May, 2015 For more details call us at 022-23516622

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e h t g n i k a e Br WORKPLACE HACKS

Communication

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e d o C

Rahul Rodriguez, Flickr.com

Mastering the art of communication is not an easy task, and yet it is one th at opens countless window s of opportunities, especially in your career. Nancy Varg hese brings you the basic poin ters to keep in mind for effe ctive communication at the workplace

3/26/2015 9:04:35 PM

“T

he single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place”, said George Bernard Shaw. Nearly every organisation in today’s day and age will know exactly what that problem feels like.

It’s extremely easy to play the blame game in a company that doesn’t have its communicational lines set firmly in place at its very inception. If you don’t know who you are answerable to and who you are responsible for, the result is that of total chaos and unprofessionalism. Some firms prefer to maintain an open-door policy, encouraging employees to walk in with their grievances and have them addressed as and when they choose to discuss the same. Many others are very keen on having communication channels that flow vertically, which means, as an employee, you may have to climb all the rungs steadily till you make it to the concerned person to whom you wish to speak to.

Which is why, identifying the type of organisations you are working for, is among the first things to do when you are hired as an employee.

START WITH THE BASICS

When organisations proceed to share their contact information with people, it is common knowledge that the CEO or the founder of the abovementioned organisations will not be the ones to provide their direct contact number or address. You are to go through the formally designed hierarchy of the management and this will definitely involve being patient enough to state your name and purpose at every level of screening that you may have to go through. As frustrating and time consuming it may seem, these are standard rules of protocol that you must go through, irrespective of how important your cause may be.

This is also to ensure that people at the highest level of authority are not badgered by seemingly trivial issues that can be solved by professionals at lower levels of the same organisation.

ADDRESS THE ‘WH’ QUESTIONS

You may have successfully placed your call to a certain individual at an organisation and may have been asked to perhaps follow up on the conversation at a later date. Every workplace attends innumerable phone calls in the span of a day and it would be very presumptuous of you to call and expect to continue your conversation at the same point where you left off.

Conversation recall is of utmost importance to make sure the recipient of your message knows exactly what you are talking about. So make sure you state the answers to the five questions: Who, What, When, Where and Why. Ensure that the person on the other end of the call recognizes you and remembers your previous conversation before proceeding with the updates of the same.

CALL UP, THEN SHOW UP

No matter how polite or generous someone may sound over the phone when they speak to you, know that it’s because they have a rapport to maintain between their organisation and yours, and being rude or nonresponsive isn’t going to help achieve that. This does not mean that you can take advantage of their apparent niceness and assume they are going to be welcoming when you show up at the organisation unannounced. In most cases, you first send an email to the address mentioned, followed by a phone call, an appointment and then showing up at the decided time and venue. Sometimes, the person you want to meet may not be available or may not necessarily want to meet you according to your convenience because they could have prior appointments themselves. An uninvited guest is not always appreciated and neither are unscheduled visits. Allow the host organisation to prepare and arrange for your arrival so that they can give you their undivided attention. This ensures stability and smooth-flowing communication between the two of you. yi

EM A IL ETIQUET TE

DO Use appropriate salutations at the beginning (Dear sir/ ma’am/ name of recipient) Divide your email into separate structured paragraphs instead of a large chunk of text Check for spelling and grammatical errors. Use a spell check, if necessary State the subject of your email in one line, keeping it brief and concise Use formal language, keeping in mind there may be other recipients to the email

T DON’ Use short forms or slang (hey/ yo/sup/y/u) Mention or inquire about personal lives of individuals in a professional email Type in upper case throughout the email unless it qualifies as an emergency Begin emails without a subject or an introduction stating the specifics of the content End an email without mentioning your name, designation and the company you represent APRIL 2015 Youth Incorporated 33

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PRODIGY

Master of selfdefence, a princess on the ramp and a diva on the silver screen, Sandhya Shetty is a woman of many talents.

She talks to Nancy Varghese about her mantra for the perfectly balanced life that she leads and the challenges she faced during the shooting of her upcoming film

Beauty Multi-faceted

Did you develop an interest in modelling/acting since you were a child or did it happen much later?

I was very curious as a child and would love to try multiple things.

I was extremely creative and had great interest in sports and cultural activities. I would always experiment with fashion; wear trendy clothes, shoes, and bags that I’d see on TV or on someone stylish. I wasn’t afraid to explore and experiment. Sometimes, I would goof up as well, but still dared to do it anyway. My interest in modelling and acting started at an early age but

I never realized it until I did college fashion shows and of course, the big step to participate in the Miss India pageant. Life, as I knew it, changed and choosing modelling and acting as a career, slowly opened doors for me.

You’ve won many accolades in your career as a model as well as added several feathers to your cap by winning national karate championships. How do you work at keeping the balance?

Life is all about a beautiful act of balance, especially when one is juggling

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so many facets. For me, my work as a model, actress and compere is more like worship and I just can't have enough.

Karate for me is a passion that makes me feel beautiful and strong as a woman.

I’m really focused and time management is crucial in multitasking. Early to bed, early to rise, a healthy diet followed with healthy habits helps me keep the balance.

Apart from these, I always say smiling and being positive makes most things easy to deal with.

What genre of films are you attracted to in Bollywood and what do you look for in a script?

As an actor I am open to all kinds of films and any kind of roles. But realistic films are closer to my heart. The real to reel journey is really exciting as a genre.

Of course, the very essence of Bollywood is entertainment, and I’d want to do that as well. Peppy dances and dramatic stories have their place and method in the industry. If, as an actor, I get to try all of it, I would consider myself very fortunate.

What was the experience like shooting for Woh Ek Mulaqat over 12000 feet above the sea level and at freezing temperatures?

Shooting for Woh Ek Mulaqat was a meeting with the self. It was about testing my strengths and pushing my limits. Trekking every single day for 6 to 7 hours and bearing the cold temperature; all this with the most minimal facilities one can imagine. I was trembling but I was determined to be the part that I was playing. It felt like I became her, living and breathing the part more than portraying her. I had a severe eye infection during the shoot as well as a fracture before the shoot which I was still recovering from but my will power and my passion for what I do never let that be a deterrent. Overcoming these challenges was rewarding when I saw how good things were shaping up to be.

What do you like the most about Woh Ek Mulaqat as a film? What kind of role do you play in the movie?

Woh Ek Mulaqat is a miracle according

to me. I don't think any unit has gone through so much hardship while shooting such as this one. The best part was that every single person smiled and supported each other, enjoying the journey of this wonderful film. It was made with hearts coming together and energies of lovely people who love cinema. I play a village girl who is smart yet vulnerable, intelligent but emotional, independent but docile.

Every girl will relate to this character because it’s very simple and wonderfully essayed.

Who are the directors and actors you wish to work with in the film industry?

Film making is a magical process. I wish to work with directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Prakash Jha, Anurag Kashyap and many new directors who have such amazing creative vision.

Films like Queen, NH 10, Badlapur, Milkha Singh, Gangs of Wasseypur are incredibly inspiring and real. I would love to work with Amitabh Bachchan once in my lifetime for sure. He is the yugpurush, as once somebody rightly said. I also want to act with brilliant actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Irrfan Khan, Kay Kay Menon, Darshan Kumar, Rajkummar Rao. How do you keep so fit?

I love working out. For me, my body and mind has to be as beautiful as it can get. I practice karate regularly and also do weight training in gym thrice a week.

Sometimes, I focus on outdoor training, hand training and endurance training.

I also believe in eating healthy. I sleep and rise early, and I make sure that I give myself enough time to see my progress both physically and mentally. To bring in excitement in training regime, I sometimes go cycling, swimming or dancing. Variation breaks the pattern, makes it exciting and never lets it get monotonous.

What advice would you give to aspiring models and actresses out there?

Always be open to learning. Respect your work and keep experimenting.

Being polite and punctual keeps you

grounded. Your work should be your passion and being a professional takes you a long way. Make friends, share your knowledge and don’t be too judgmental. Work hard and welcome it with a smile on your face. yi

RAPID FIRE

Must-have essentials in your bag Perfume, tissues, lip colour, mouth freshener, wallet, cell phone, a fruit, water, pen and my visiting card First thing you do when you wake up Pray to lord Ganesha with a smile on my face Love is?

Love is life, it's beautiful, and one should celebrate it every single day If I wasn’t an actress/ model I’d be?

I love who I am and I never think about what I could’ve been Favourite cuisine Indian and Thai

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STUDY ABROAD

TRANSFORM YOUR INNER ARTIST INTO A PERFORMER

RADA Theatre, Philafrenzy, Wikimedia Commons

Art is the language of the soul and a naturally gifted talent, but this talent is nothing if not nurtured and used to shine in front of the world.

Ayub Dawood looks into the academic world to compile a list of premier institutions to help you excel in your field of interest

The Julliard School, Ramey Logan, WPPilot, Wikimedia Commons

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Art as a term covers a vast variety of techniques related to different forms of expression. While it is considered a gift and a talent that is inborn, any kind of art tends to fade away if not showcased properly. The artist within a person is like a lump of wet clay which needs to be shaped to channel all the energy in the right direction.

To shape one’s talent and channel all the expression one needs to be skilled and trained accordingly.

Performing arts is something that is usually portrayed on stage live and requires a high amount of precision.

Precision and expertise on one’s work comes from a lot of training and practice which is possible only under guidance from those who have mastery in not only performing but also training potential talent to achieve excellence. Studying at an international institute works wonders for a person’s growth as an artist, and apart from polishing the skills of a performer, the reputation attached to these institutions is also beneficial. Top academies also have their own network to promote artists and get them placed in prestigious organisations. A lot of times the faculty members are already well established in their respective fields and even fellow students are among the best, creating an atmosphere where growth and improvement is natural and achievement of perfection is facilitated. It is crucial to get enrolled at the best academy because if you want to be the best you need to learn from the best. And here’s a round-up of the best arts institutes around the world:

JUILLIARD SCHOOL, NEW YORK

Founded in 1905 as the School of Musical Art and renamed as Juilliard in 1924, it is one of the premier institutes offering the best in-class training courses for dance, drama and music alike. The school is known for its tendency to push students and motivate them in every way to achieve excellence and make optimum use of

their resources. The way of teaching is very interactive and the faculty have a keen eye for talent which they can recognise and work on. Personalities like cellist Yo-Yo Ma and actor Kevin Spacey adorn the list of notable alumni. Applications are open from November to January.

LE CONSERVATOIRE DE PARIS, FRANCE

This institution comes under the tutelage of the French ministry of art and culture, and offers the most cutting edge courses with a highly dedicated faculty. They offer specialised tuitions and a great vibe that helps students to excel and perfect their abilities as musicians. The training fully integrates the European

Precision and expertise on one’s work comes from a lot of training and practice which is possible only under guidance from those who have mastery in not only performing but also training potential talent Bologna Bachelor-Master-PhD scheme to provide them with a complete training. The departments in the organisation include everything from musicology and vocal disciplines to conducting classical instruments. Its alumni includes legends like Edward McDowell, Leopold Stokowski and Pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. In order to obtain an admission the students need to go through an entrance test and an audition.

AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE, NEW YORK

Headquartered in New York City,

this one is renowned for its courses in classical dancing. The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School offers preprofessional course and is a highlight of this institution which is known for polishing and producing the best talent in the industry. Having been found in 1940, it has completed 75 years of recognising and training the finest dancers in the world of performing arts. The key is to garner and nurture dancers by giving them all the space and comfort to grow and bring out their best. Students at ABT receive maximum exposure and get to mingle with the best in the business. The Alumni includes some of the best dancers in the world like David Alvarez, who was a former lead in Billy Eliot’s The Musical, and Twyla Tharp. The admissions process includes class auditions, scheduled on 6 June 2015.

ROYAL ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS, LONDON

The Royal Academy of Dramatic arts (RADA) is one of the most prestigious institutions in the world of drama, offering training in acting, direction, designing and technical stage crafts.

The plays produced at the academy are known for their professional standards with many notable former students still performing there. Their training has a personal approach, and the graduates aren’t simply sent into the industry to venture out on their own; every graduate is given two experienced mentors. The alumni include a lot of big names Peter O’Toole, Anthony Hopkins and Tom Wilkinson along with a long list of established artists. The admission process requires fluency in English along with a display of creative, intellectual and practical ability to undertake a degree level course. A ‘B.A honours in acting’ is the highlight of this institution. There is an intake of 28 students for which applications start in autumn and this is followed by a four stage audition process. yi APRIL 2015 Youth Incorporated 37

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FOREIGN SHORES

Intern-ational!

Besides doing wonders for your CV, an internship abroad can be an extremely enriching experience. Palak Kapadia explores how you can bag one for yourself this summer

A

n international internship offers an unmatched travel experience, allowing you to lead the dual life of a local employee during the week and be a tourist on the weekends.

Interning abroad sets you apart from among stacks of other resumes thanks to your ability to overcome the challenges of living and working in a different culture. So, if you are someone who loves to travel and want to combine it with the opportunity to gain some invaluable professional experience, a number of organizations offer internships abroad for students and recent graduates of all academic backgrounds.

When it comes to international internships, the first name to come to mind is AIESEC. “AIESEC is a global organization with internship opportunities in 124 countries. Working for community development, AIESEC develops your leadership skills, independence and increases your network too” says Archie Vora, a 19-year-old media student and an AIESEC-er.

Am I eligible?

Age: Under 30 years Education: Student or recent graduate What is the duration?

Volunteering: 6-8 weeks Professional Internship: 3-18 months Which countries can I go to?

AIESEC has a near global presence and offers

opportunities in 124 countries. That basically means it has every country you can think of, off the top of your head and then some!

What options do I have?

If you are looking for a corporate internship, you can choose from IT, Technical, Engineering and Language education. On the other hand, if you are looking at volunteering, you have Education, Literacy, Eradicating poverty, Sustainable living, Delivering sanitation, Human rights to take your pick from.

What type of an opportunity is it?

The internships are paid while the volunteering opportunities aren’t as they are more to do with community service.

Where can I get more information?

Extensive information on the programme is available on the AIESEC website www.aiesec.org.

Alternatively, you can check out the website for India at http://www.aiesec.in/

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WHO, United States Mission Geneva, Flickr.com

World Health Organisation (WHO)

The World Health Organisation offers a wide range of opportunities for students to gain insight into the technical and administrative programmes of WHO. Am I eligible?

Age: at least 20 years at the time of application Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent or enrolled in an advanced degree programme (second university degree or higher) or a first degree in a public health, medical or social field related to the technical work of WHO or a degree in a management-related or administrative field Other requirements: Fluency in the working language of the office of assignment (English or French for WHO Headquarters) What is the duration?

The duration of WHO internships is typically six to 12 weeks. In exceptional cases, internships may be extended up to a maximum of 24 weeks.

Which countries can I go to?

Primarily the internship is for the WHO headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland. However, they do have limited internship openings in regional offices in Africa, Americas, Europe, South-east Asia, etc.

What options do I have?

In a WHO internship, you have the option of Public Health, where you can choose from multiple options such as Women and Child Health, Health Systems and Innovation, HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, etc or Administration, including Finance, HR, IT, Communications, etc.

What type of an opportunity is it?

It is a volunteering opportunity and hence is not paid. The cost of travel and accommodation is also the responsibility of the intern.

Where can I get more information?

You can log on to their website http://www.who.int/ employment/internship/en/ for more information and application.

The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical experience (IAESTE)

IAESTE is an organization that offers paid internship opportunities to the students of science, engineering and applied arts in over 80 countries. These course-related traineeships are integral in helping students a get a competitive edge in the global market Am I eligible?

Age: 19-30 years Education: IAESTE is open to degree level students in the second year of study or above.

Other requirements: Fluency in English, foreign language skills appreciated.

What is the duration?

Majority of the internships take place for 8-12 weeks in the summer but longer term placements are available throughout the year.

Which countries can I go to?

IAESTE offers internships in 80 countries including USA, Australia, UK, Spain, Germany, France, Canada and many more What options do I have?

Several options under the broad categories of science, engineering & technology and applied arts What type of an opportunity is it?

IAESTE offers paid internship opportunities.

Where can I get more information?

Detailed information is available on their website http:// www.iaeste.org/

Choosing the right internship is a very important decision which can be very rewarding both personally and in terms of future prospects. So take the right call and we wish you all the luck! yi APRIL 2015 Youth Incorporated 39

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COUNSELLOR Q&A

JAYANTI GHOSE

PRODUCT DESIGN I am interested in taking up a bachelor’s degree in product design in the UK. Please tell me about the admission requirements for IB or A level students.

Sarath You should have studied Maths or Physics or Technological Studies Higher (B) or A Level (B) or IB (HL5) Art & Design, Product Design or Graphic Communication recommended at Higher, AS Level or IB (HL). Interviews, auditions and portfolios could be part of the admission process. Your portfolio should demonstrate design development, whether for a college project or in personal work, that is, designs and design ideas that have originated through personal experience and visual research and progressed through logical stages to a finished design solution. The design work included should show creative thinking and initiative.

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ANSWER ANSWER

ANSWER ANSWER

A graduate/ post graduate programme in Language and Literature, Communication and Media, Creative Writing or Journalism could be pathways to becoming a writer. Since various professionals such as doctors, lawyers, bureaucrats, etc. have succeeded as writers, a formal qualification isn’t really the most important requirement. Literary skills, imagination, a clear, entertaining/ engaging style, the ability to work to tight deadlines, while also maintaining attention to detail, excellent research skills, self-discipline, time management skills and the ability to work alone for long periods of time matter more. Good typing, IT and editing skills, determination, perseverance and enthusiasm are relevant too. Start with prospecting for publishers once you have a body of work to market to get a foothold as a writer while pursuing an alternate livelihood.

MEDICINE What is Geriatrics? Please indicate some colleges offering MD Geriatrics Mandira B

Geriatrics is the branch of medicine dealing with the health and care of old people. A physician with special knowledge of the aging process and special skills in the diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive, and rehabilitative aspects of illness in the elderly is a Geriatric Medicine specialist.

Amrita School of Medicine, Kochi under Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Christian Medical College, Vellore and Madras Medical College, Chennai under the Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai are among the colleges offering MD Geriatrics.

HEALTH/ CLINICAL INFORMATICS What is Health / Clinical informatics? Is it taught in the US? What careers could it lead to?

Narendra Health Informatics provides students with a broad knowledge of the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape as well as a deep technical foundation in computer science and programming. Graduates may work as clinical data scientists, entrepreneurs or executives in large hospitals or medical centers, research institutions, startups, government health agencies, and global health organizations.

Clinical informatics helps in analyzing, designing, implementing, and evaluating information and communication systems to improve patient care, enhance access to care, advance individual and population health outcomes, and strengthen the clinician-patient relationship. Professionals in clinical informatics work in health care, research, government, and other institutions, where they use data and information to improve individual health, health care delivery, public health, and biomedical research.

Universities in the US do offer such programmes.

ANSWER ANSWER

WRITING My hobby is writing short stories. Which course/s would be useful if I wish to become a writer fulltime?

Ramona Mehra

ANSWER ANSWER

STUDY ABROAD

STUDY IN INDIA

Jayanti Ghose is a career and education consultant. She holds an honours degree in economics and a degree in education. Her research in career counselling and guidance spans more than 25 years. She pioneered the concept of career counselling and career writing in the print media. She is actively involved in personal and group counselling.

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AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER?

PAINT THE TOWN MARSALA!

REALITY CHECK

THE COMPLEXITIES OF UNFAITHFUL RELATIONSHIPS AND LOYALTY

INCORPORATE THE COLOUR OF THE YEAR INTO YOUR WARDROBE THIS SEASON

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT AUGMENTED REALITY IS ALL ABOUT

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I

THE GLOBETROTTER'S GUIDE FOR THE YOUNG & RESTLESS

t’s that time of the year again, when you have just finished with your exams and hectic school/college schedules. Many of you are going to step up in your lives, moving a level up in your educational journey, probably moving to another country or city for work or college. But before you take that next step, you may want to take a break. For many of you, this one vacation could headline the start of your lives as independent youngsters, stepping into the world all by yourselves, seeing new places, seeking new friends, tasting new food, figuring out who you really are. Even if it’s not the first time you’re going on a vacation alone (without parents or family but with friends or by yourselves), it’s still a milestone in your lives.

As wonderful as it sounds, taking the first step to quench your wanderlust, not everything turns up cakes and roses.

There are a large number of significant hurdles one must overcome before taking the plunge off the cliff and floating towards your dream destination. The most

important questions that you inevitably end up asking yourself are: where do I go?

What do I do? How many days do I choose to travel for? How much do I spend? How safe will I be? How do I communicate in languages spoken by the locals? All these require a massive amount of planning, without which your trip can turn into an absolute disaster, discouraging you to ever take another step to fulfilling your dreams of travel.

Here we bring you a list of six destinations to choose from, depending on what kind of a trip appeals to you the most: a camping expedition, an artsy insight, a party trip, an action-packed adventure, flying solo, or a nature trail. As experienced travellers, we have six individuals giving us an insight into what they’ve been through in those places, and what you shouldn’t miss out on, along with a few practical tips and secrets. So, get out your maps and lace up your travelling shoes because, as Dr. Seuss so beautifully put it: “You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way!”

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A

msterdam has a whole host of art museums which are extremely beautiful. The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum, the Amsterdam museum and the Maurishuis (in Den Haag) are a must see. There are plenty of other things to do in and around

Amsterdam such as Anne Frank House, the canal rides and such.

There isn’t much that can be missed, Amsterdam isn’t very large and there is plenty to do there! Prague is similar, although the architecture there is what you need to keep an eye out for. Since it was one of the only cities in Eastern

Sphooti Pandit

Joseph Stuefer, Flickr.com

Dennis Jarvis, Flickr.com

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Europe that wasn’t destroyed during WWII and the Cold War, it retains a lot of old beauty.

I stumbled into this tiny little Irish pub in Den Haag on St. Patrick’s day.

It’s a really nice bar with friendly, Irish bartenders and a cozy, comfortable décor.

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the amount of time I was going to spend there (around 18 days) and the conversion rate for the Euro and the Czech Koruna. Overall I think it was a good budget. Travelling doesn’t need to be expensive and as a student I don’t have a lot of spare money. The trick is to plan in advance and travel off-peak tourist season!

DOS AND DON’TS

Sphooti Pandit

The locals in the Netherlands are incredibly hospitable. Majority speak English, which made communication very easy. Sometimes the Dutch tend to come off a little cold because of their efficient, to-the-point way of talking, but they are very warm and friendly people. In Prague, people tend to be warmer and often will talk a lot, although English isn’t as well spoken here so it is helpful to know a few Czech phrases or know someone who does.

I ended up staying with one of my father’s former students in Den Haag. She was fun to be around! She works in Den Haag so I had a lot of freedom in terms of what I wanted to do. She was also very helpful, showing me around and giving me directions and ways to places where I wanted to go. In Prague, I stayed at a hostel. It wasn’t particularly special, but it was clean and comfortable.

My most memorable moment there was definitely in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. They were having a special Rembrant exhibit there and I got to see The Night Watch by him at its actual size. The painting is really large; I remember just sitting in there and soaking it in for a good 15 minutes.

It’s one of those moments where you feel moved by the art you see in front of you.

I would definitely love to come back to Amsterdam and visit the Art museums again. I’d had a chance to do that with my parents before this trip, but I was eight years at the time and didn’t really understand much of it. Even though I’m now doing my Masters in Psychology, my college is primarily an art college and I feel that with a growing appreciation and understanding of Art, I see new layers on each of these paintings and sculptures every time I see them.

SPHOORTI PANDIT

A graduate student of Psychology at SUNY, New Paltz, her travel philosophy is to 'always immerse yourself in the culture where you go.

Go to all the places! See all the things!' Her first solo trip was when she started her undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland at College Park in the States.

Her next travel destination is Italy.

THE INDIAN ALTERNATIVE

Sphooti Pandit

BUDGET FOR THE TRIP My budget for the trip overall was about $1100 (Rs 67000) including air fare. The spending budget for the trip was decided keeping in mind

Unfortunately, Amsterdam, though lovely, can also be dangerous.

Powdered heroin is sometimes sold in the streets under the guise of other products so you have to be careful.

Because marijuana is legal here, a lot of students who come here go overboard. It can still be dangerous if you don’t know your tolerance.

Neither Prague nor Amsterdam are really conservative when it comes to dressing. Feel free to wear whatever you want! Just make sure that you are comfortable. The most important thing to have with you is a bottle of water! Tap water is often not given in most places in Europe and bottled water can be pretty expensive to keep buying. Other than that, carry the usual travel essentials – wallet, cash in local currency, a camera, and passport. I personally also like to carry a journal and a pen to jot down my thoughts and feelings.

I used the public transport in both Amsterdam and Prague. The train, tram and bus systems in these places are extremely well organized and efficient. Alternately, if you’re up for it you can always walk to places!

Undoubtedly Delhi takes the spot as the art capital of India. With a rich culture that dates all the way back to the Mughal era, several art galleries such as National Gallery of Modern Art and Lalit Kala Akademi are known for their prolific exhibitions featuring paintings and sculptures of some of the visionary artists in the history of the country.

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South AfricaWhere The

M

abula is a beautiful destination for wild life safari, with species of animals ranging from giraffes and lions to different kinds of birds. There are no cages or tamed animals. Their early morning safari is amazing, because you get to see the animals at the lake and the carnivores chasing their meal. Definitely a place to go before you die.

Cango Caves & Cape of Good Hope should be on your list of places to go to. Cango Caves absorb the summer heat and the temperature is colder than the normal temperature.

Cape of Good Hope, is what divides the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Some other places that you can

visit are Table Mountain (Boulders Visitor Centre), Ostrich Sanctuary, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Port Elizabeth.

The locals were very friendly and respectful. They have just one motto, “Respect must be both given and earned”. If they ask ‘How are you?’, it’s considered extremely rude to not reply.

Saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ is also of utmost importance.

I stayed in Mabula Game Lodge in Mabula, Hotel Park Inn at Cape Town, and Hotel Pretoria at Pretoria.

These were a part of the tour that I had selected and my experiences in them were amazing because the hospitality was heart-warming.

Harsh Mehta

Frontier Official, Flickr.com

Wild Ones Dwell

The most memorable moment that I had there was the bungee jump which I did from the world’s highest bungee bridge. The reason to back to South Africa would undoubtedly be for its adventure and wildlife.

BUDGET FOR THE TRIP The trip cost Rs 1,35,000 for 13 days (the trip cost doesn’t include the adventure) and the adventure cost around a lakh per person. Personally my spending for this trip was around 3,00,000 which accounted for my travel, stay, food, adventure, party, and shopping. It was an ideal budget for the place, but if you want to have a more lavish trip in South Africa your

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Nicolas Raymond, Flickr.com

Harsh Mehta

DOS AND DON’TS Get back to your accommodation before 7:30 pm, because everything shuts by then and the place may be a little unsafe at nightfall. Even if you plan to leave at night for a party, do go by the public transport or the private car. You can definitely mingle with

www.pixabay.com

Bloukrans Bridge, NJR ZA, Wikimedia Commons

budget should be around Rs 2,50,000 for 15 days, including everything mentioned above.

While planning the budget, always see how lavish or how many adventurous things you want to go for. Search your stay, make your travel plan and book your tickets accordingly. Do a complete research of your destination before travelling.

HARSH MEHTA A 21-year-old event manager and entrepreneur, his travel mantra is: 'discover yourself in the new place with new people. That’s how you will know yourself better'. He hasn’t travelled alone yet but would love to take a trip around the world. His next travel destination is Nepal and Dubai.

the locals, as Cape Town people are friendly and fun to be with.

The must-have things in your backpack are your phone, money, your passport copy, food, water, phone charger and a pepper spray or knife for safety.

THE INDIAN ALTERNATIVE To get the same experience of wildlife in India as in South Africa, Cabni Forest would be the best place to go which is situated in Karnataka. The adrenaline and the thrill of adventure would be best experienced in Ladhak.

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RAS AL KHAIMAH

Nancy Varghese

Nancy Varghese

Arabian Night Campers

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BUDGET FOR THE TRIP Tickets to UAE can cost anywhere between Rs 15000 to Rs 18000 (including return fare).

Apart from that, the budget for camping trip mostly included buying tents, some charcoal, sleeping mattresses, tent lights and a few disposable dishes. The total cost for this trip was AED 200 (Rs 3400), including six person tents, sleeping mats and all the things required for camping.An ideal budget for students who are based in Dubai would be approximately AED 300 (Rs 5100) which should cater to group of around seven people including travelling in your own car, if you own one.

A Vahanvati, Flickr.com

R

as Al Khaimah (RAK) and Hatta Desert camping sites are main attractions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). You should travel to Hatta desert during Jan - Feb as the climate is much cooler than that of the unforgiving heat of summer. One should try to reach the campsite by 5 pm to escape the heat. These campsites are well equipped with washrooms which can be used by the campers.

Do not forget to carry firewood, fuel and matchsticks or lighters as it gets chilly at night. On the way back from RAK you’ll find the RAK firing range where you can try your hand on rifle and pistol shooting which costs around AED 50-100. The locals here are friendly but you very rarely come across them as it is primarily a desert.

We camped in our own tents at the campsites at RAK. Barbequing at the campsite was one of most memorable moments spent in the emirate. Sharing spooky stories over the bonfire when it’s chilly has its own charm.

I would definitely go back to the UAE for the facilities provided at the campsite and for the view of the mountains around. The campsite is a two hour drive away from Dubai city.

The drive itself is very beautiful and scenic and I would love to go back for it.

ABHIJEET MHATRE Founder of Letscampout.com, his travel mantra would be, 'Stay with locals and observe their culture and way of life. Enjoy local cuisine and click some great pictures.' He travelled solo for the first time about seven years ago. He says that he enjoys travelling solo and most people should because “you are on your own and can analyze your life. It is also exciting to meet new people during the journey.” He is planning to book his next trip to Europe (Spain, Belgium, Italy, Isle of Scilly and UK).

DOS AND DON’TS The most important tip is to avoid littering and respect the rules and laws of the land. You have to leave the campsite spotless and carry your

garbage with you back to city where you can dispose it off safely. Also, alcohol cannot be consumed in the open. It gets pretty cold at night so denims and jackets would be the ideal choice of dressing. Always go with a sleeping bag or a blanket to sleep, as temperatures in the desert drop at night. Sleeping bag, tents, hand sanitizer, matchstick/lighter, fire logs, some marinated food and charcoal are some of things that you must carry in your backpack. The best mode of transport to and from your campsite would be to hire a car.

THE INDIAN ALTERNATIVE Rann of Kutch in Gujarat or Jaisalmer in Rajasthan would give you a similar experience in India. If you are looking at camping somewhere close to the city, Letscampout offers a lot of fun and adventurous activities at its 12 campsites across Maharashtra.

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South East Asia

Prayitno, Flickr.com

Mike Behnken, Flickr.com

Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat

M

y friend and I decided to make an absolutely impromptu trip to South East Asia and booked our to and fro tickets from Dubai to Malaysia for a month.

Luckily for me the friend with whom I was going, had previously been to east Asia so we had the budgets in mind and also had adequate visas applied. You need to apply for visas for Malaysia, China, Singapore; Indonesia, Bangkok and Vietnam are on arrival.

Our first destination was Kuala Lumpur. The metro and the mono rail systems are well connected and you really don’t need to waste money on the cabs, as they are pretty expensive.

The Petronas Towers are a beautiful sight and so is the nightlife there.

There exists the same concept of the walking street in Bangkok, here in Penang, with clubs on either side of the lane.

And if you are in Kuala Lumpur, you have to go to Ghenting, which is at the Hill top and has five interconnected casinos. We were there for nearly five nights. We would reach everyday at 10 pm and time would fly by, both of us not realizing the night turning to dawn and before you know it, it would be 6 am.

Our next location was Jakarta (Indonesia). Here, everybody is a millionaire as the currency is pretty weak and the US dollar is the preferred currency there. You have a lot of malls here to go to and the shopping expenses are low. I had a misconception about Indonesia, as

I thought it was one of the poorer countries in the world but the people in Jakarta have good spending power.

People who can’t have the local food there will get in a pickle because they would have to rely on fast food giants like McDonalds, Pizza Hut and so on.

There is a location in Jakarta, known as the STADIUM, which is almost like the hub of nightlife and parties, as you have about 10 to 15 different clubs in the area all buzzing with people.

The next on our agenda was a bus trip to Bangkok. It is common knowledge that Bangkok is known for its clubs and shopping locations.

During the day, you can pay a visit to all the temples. The elephant is worshipped in their culture, and so, not-so-surprisingly, you will find a lot of temples having sculptures of

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Vibin JK, Flickr.com Thangaraj Kumaravel, Flickr.com

Tartarin, Flickr.com

Mike Behnken, Flickr.com

Ganesh. Bangkok is famous for its aforementioned walking street, which is pretty crowded with a lot of clubs on either side. It’s extremely vibrant and colorful in the night.

BUDGET FOR THE TRIP My budget was 2500 (Malaysian Ringgit) or 2000 US dollars (as in Indonesia and Vietnam the currency is pretty weak). This was excluding the airfare. You don’t have to book hotels in advance you can do that by just arriving to place as you get good deals on Expedia.com (that’s how we did it) and there are steal deals for Air Asia for travelling to other countries. Cash is mostly needed for the casinos.

DOS AND DON’TS You have a lot of street-side shopping

NIKUNJ RAMAIYA Being an Ad Sales Manager and an avid traveller, he believes in the travel mantra: 'Die with memories and not dreams.' This was his first solo trip, done in the year 2009 and plans to make Europe his next travel destination.

in Bangkok, but you need to be really careful as these sellers tend to show you fake stuff, pitch them as originals and try to sell them to you. In Kuala Lampur, you can find a prominent Indian crowd. A lot of Tamilians have settled there and hence, being an Indian, you can really connect with them. If you are anything like me and prefer desi food, and can’t have the local food there, you need not worry as you have an Indian locality with all varieties (North Indian and South Indian).

INDIAN ALTERNATIVE According to me, Goa is probably the closest Indian alternative that you can get when it comes to partying and having the time of your life.

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OMAN

Flying Solo, Flying Free

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early and on a whim decided to walk to the very top of the dune, in whose shade we were camped. And there was my iPod, sitting right at the very tippy top of the dune. Sure you might be thinking, "cool story bro" but it’s the little things that you simply don't expect.

BUDGET FOR THE TRIP Budgeting is certainly an important piece of work that needs to get done before you head out of your house. For this particular trip I took advise from friends who had made similar trips to the Arab Gulf. I am not going to lie, the Lonely Planet travel guide was really helpful and pretty up to date. I got a copy before travelling out and it helped to plan the trip and plan the

DAVID A student from Bengaluru who is currently living and studying in Hyderabad, his travel mantra is: 'A universe exists outside your door, outside your city, and over the ocean. Go see it!' The first time he travelled by himself was a few weeks spent in France (Toulouse and Paris), aged 13. The next on his travel bucket list is the Himalayas and he has all his fingers crossed for it to happen.

budget. Gulf nations are certainly not the cheapest places to visit especially because low cost accommodation can be a little tricky to figure out.

My advice for students trying to go to Gulf nations is, get in touch with people who live there before you go, they'll be able to put you in touch with societies, outdoors clubs, other travellers etc.

DOS AND DON’TS As far as dress is concerned, be prepared for hot weather as you are going to the desert, ladies are free to dress however they want. However I do think that being sensitive to the conservative attitudes and dressing modestly can help immensely with building a positive rapport with local people. There are ways in which you can dress comfortably for the heat as well as be conservative. Don't be afraid to buy local clothing, dishdasha (for men) or niqab/hijab for women, and walk around (especially if you don't speak Arabic). If you can afford it, the best mode of transport is to rent a car for the number of days you plan to be there. This just provides so much mobility and freedom; remember petrol is cheaper than water in Oman!

Must have things in your backpack is a water bottle to keep hydrated.

All images by David

O

man is like the jewel of a nation that sits on the south-eastern corner of the Arab Peninsula.

It has various historical sites: Muscat's old city; you'll find the Sultans Palace, Mutrah Souq, small but highly informative museums, shops selling spices, frankincense, as well as antiques in small shaded alleys tucked away in unexpected corners. Muscat being the capital is a great place to observe modern Oman.

The stunning Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a beautiful place to enjoy spectacular architecture and the peace that comes with entering a house of God. Muscat is a cool city to visit, not at all like the bustle and glitz of places like Dubai.

Sur is a sleepy town that used to be a major ship building port, there is of course the turtle reserve where one can make trips out to the beach with a guide to see female turtles haul themselves ashore and dig deep holes in the sand to lay their eggs, and if you're lucky you'll also be able to see tiny hatchlings bursting out of the sand like so many cute zombies and instinctively make a dash for the Arabian Sea. If you're lucky you may see an old dhow (Omani ship) being repaired in a dry dock.

So here’s the thing about Oman: I have never come across a people who are more welcoming, hospitable, and genuine than Omanis. They are the best most warm-hearted hosts who enjoy every opportunity to spoil their guests. So many times I would simply be sitting in a cafe, or by Shatti beach in Muscat, or simply doing some shopping at a grocery store when an Omani, seeing that I'm a foreigner would strike up a conversation and invite me to their home for a meal.

These were some of the best times, having the privilege to enter someone’s home and break bread with them.

The craziest memory that sticks to my mind was when I was camping in the desert, and I lost my iPod touch in the night, and the next day was my last day at the campsite, so I woke up

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AUSTRALIA

Being One With Mother Nature

Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble, Flickr.com

Here you will find heavenly beaches and huge sand dunes. The locals of Kangaroo Island are very friendly and approachable consisting mostly of farmers. We stayed in a private house in Penneshaw, a small pretty country town on Kangaroo Island, with the mainland of South Australia a mere 16 kilometres away. The beach at Penneshaw is known as Hog Bay, and is an excellent sandy swimming beach, making it a destination popular with families. Above the beach, there is a grassy picnic reserve complete with barbecues and you will find plenty of holiday homes in the area. The experience is very pleasant. My most

memorable moment was playtime with the Australian seals in the wild, which is a once-in-a lifetime experience. There is so much more to see in Kangaroo Island, and it is so pristine and beautiful that one visit does not do justice to the place.

BUDGET FOR THE TRIP My budget for the trip was $1000 (Rs 62600). Well, the budget was planned with some research on where to stay and how to commute through some websites and sealink travels website.

The ideal budget for the trip would be around $1500 (Rs 94000) for one person which includes five days stay

Manan Bhanushali

O

ne of the main attractions is definitely Stokes Bay, a coastal community situated adjacent to Lathami Conservation Park in the middle of the north coast of Kangaroo Island. Flinders Chase National Park is a protected area and a sanctuary for endangered species, located at the west end of Kangaroo Island. Seal Bay, Kelly Caves, and Dudley wines are several other must-see places in Australia. There is a secret section in the Stokes Bay beach, where you have to go through the rocks in between the mountain to reach the other side of the beach.

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xdavead, Flickr.com

Navin75, Flickr.com

Simone Close, Flickr.com

DOS AND DON’TS Do go for a dive at one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia Vivonne bay, which is known for its long, sandy beach and the jetty which is used by cray fishermen for off-loading their catch. And definitely try the quad bike trail.

Try and avoid travelling after dark as there are wild animals on the road. While driving, do watch for kangaroos and wallabies on both sides of the road as there are many and they could jump in your way.

Dress in your best casual dress if you can, as Kangaroo Island is a dream

MANAN BHANUSHALI A Sales Manager at TSA, he loves places where the nature and beauty are untouched and there is a general sense of adventure.

His first trip was five years ago when he first moved out of india to travel to Australia.

His next trip will be to New Zealand.

Shou-Hui Wang, Flickr.com

Domenico Salvagnin, Flickr.com

Manan Bhanushali

Marco Fedele, Flickr.com Gavin Anderson, Flickr.com

transport, food and attraction fees.

getaway. You must carry a flashlight; a Telstra Mobile as that is the only mobile network that works on the Island; plenty of water and a spare tyre. Best mode of transport would be a 4x4 vehicle.

THE INDIAN ALTERNATIVE For people who cannot afford the travel expense, try Andaman Islands for a similar experience. Long fabled among travellers for its legendary beaches and world-class diving, in the middle of nowhere, the Andaman Islands are still the ideal place to get away from it all.

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Off-beat Destinations for the Quirky

CEMETERIES Every city and every town in India has cemeteries; some of them are hidden gems, stuck in time, maintained so well and untouched by tourists.

There’s a certain sacred kind of tranquillity in being among tombs and graves.

Check out: South Park Street Cemetery in Kolkata, West Bengal; Dutch Cemetery in Kochi, Kerala

LIBRARY HOPPING Book worms, this is your dream.

There’s nothing more satisfying than discovering majestic libraries that are older than your great- grandparents, to lose yourself among old books and towering isles.

Check out: David Sassoon Library in Mumbai, Maharashtra; Raza Library in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh; State Central Library in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

POTTERY FARMS Get your hands dirty at making pots and terracotta jewellery at quiet little

studios surrounded by lush greenery.

Most of them also have short courses on pottery and jewellery making.

Check out: Andretta Pottery and Craft Society in Andretta, Himachal Pradesh; Kavaani in Bengaluru, Karnataka; Golden Bridge Pottery Centre in Auroville, Pondicherry

TREE HOUSES Bring out the inner Mowgli in you and climb up the wooden ladder to cosy up in a house overlooking a forest.

It’s perfect for a quintessential lazy romantic weekend.

Check out: Tree House Cottages in Manali, Himachal Pradesh; Tranquil Resort in Wayanad, Kerala; The Machan in Lonavala, Maharashtra

HAUNTED PLACES From haunted palaces to abandoned houses, ancient superstitions and terrifying folklores, India has no dearth of scary nooks and corners. Do you dare?

Check out: Bhangarh Fort in Alwar, Rajasthan; Lambi Dehar Mines in

Shaun Dunphy, Flickr.com

chennaifocus.wordpress.com

Shahnawaz Sid, Flickr.com

Tired of visiting the same old tourist hot-spots, the crowded commercial centres and seeing done-to-death rituals that have lost their authenticity? You needn’t give up and think that there’s nothing more to see where you live.

India, being so vast in geography, rich in culture, large in population and having multitudes of languages, you can never run out of quirky, weird and unusual things to do and see. If you find peace in scary places that no one dares go to, if you love being the peculiar odd one out in your group and want to go packing off to strange and unfamiliar places, here’s a small list to give you some ideas: Mussoorie, Uttarakhand; Dow Hill Kurseong, Darjeeling, West Bengal

MYTHOLOGICAL SPOTS For those with a penchant for mythological wonders, there are scores of sacred spots in the country that have been earmarked as places touched by gods or proof of those old mythological yarns being true.

Check out: Floating stones of Raam Setu Bridge in Pamban Island, Tamil Nadu; Levitating stone in Shivapur, Maharashtra

QUIRKY EATERIES Experience a food trail that’s like none other. From restaurants in moving buses to eating in the dark, there are quite a lot of places you can go to satiate your hunger for food and eccentricity right here in India.

Check out: Dialogue In The Dark, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh; Veli Lake Floating Restaurant, Trivandrum, Kerala; Hijack Cafe, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

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Google Translate

We bring you a list of the top six travel apps that we recommend to make your journey smooth and worry free

Platform: iOS, Android It’s always fun to travel to new destinations and explore different cultures. For this, it is extremely important to communicate with the people in their language and Google translate is the inevitable choice which can be trusted to help you to steer clear of communication gaps that can land you into confusing situations.

Handy Travel Companions

Airbnb

Trip It

Platform: iOS, Android If you are a restless soul and wish to make all your arrangements on the go, this app offers you the single platform from where you can take care of airline bookings, hotel enquiries, rental car bookings and even restaurant bookings. TripIt is the complete app that can help you plan your entire trip from one place.

Lyft

XE Currency

Platform: iOS, Android Managing your finances is an important aspect while visiting any country and for that it is important to keep a track of the currency rates of the destination you are visiting. XE supports almost any currency used in the world, can track 10 currencies at once, as well as save tracked currencies to make them available for offline use.

Platform: iOS, Android This app offers you a taxi with a local driver who is likely to give you all the information about anything happening in your vicinity.

Moreover, you can have a more detailed look at the place you are visiting and can help yourself to popular spots in the city. All the drivers are background checked and the app makes it convenient to book and track your taxi. This app is very useful for travellers and backpackers alike.

Platform: iOS, Android Whenever you decide to travel to a new place it is very important to find a place to live that makes you feel at home and at the same time you can have someone to help you with local destinations and events. This app provides a platform where you can rent a place for yourself from a host in the region you are travelling to and it also lets you act as a host whenever someone is looking to visit your town.

Google Maps

Platform: iOS, Android Finding your way in a foreign land can be a very tedious task, especially when reaching destinations on time is crucial. Google maps is your ultimate travel app as it not only provides directions with maps from almost every corner of the world available, but it also tells you about everything from the nearest restaurant to the nearest chemist. yi APRIL 2015 Youth Incorporated 57

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HEALTH

Stress Busters

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Nimi Jayachandran reveals the harsh realities of dealing with stress and breaks down the methods to deal with it and avoid burnouts

T

he world we live in today has evolved into such a fast-paced and demanding one. From a really young age, we are exposed to high levels of competition; such a demanding lifestyle has shown an increase in the levels of stress experienced by an average person.

It has been scientifically proven that more and more people are pushing themselves to work themselves to the point of mental exhaustion. After a point this fatigue becomes too much to handle and they find themselves unable to perform any more tasks.

This exposure to chronic stress has been termed ‘burnout’. Burnout has been recognized by psychologists as an effect of chronic occupational stress, long term exhaustion and diminished interest in work.

“There has been an increase in the number of people looking for professional help for the problem of stress in the past few years. Overlydemanding jobs has caused people to take on increased workload upon themselves with less job satisfaction.

This is leading to them burning out quickly,” says Dr Bamathy, Medical Officer at Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai. Burnout is becoming more commonplace in the modern workplace. Hostile work environments, whether psychological or physical, are taking their toll on employees very evidently.

Another group of individuals equally affected by burnout are college students. According to a study done by Professor Richard West at the University of South Maine, US, around 70% of college students experience stress and burnout during their course time. The combined effect of workload, pressure and expectations have resulted in more students pushing themselves to the limit and ultimately finding themselves burned out from the heavy load.

reported problem. Prolonged inadequate sleep can lead to decreased memory power and fatigue.

Concentration will be difficult when sleep is not enough. Furthermore people will be more frustrated and irritable. It has been proven that people exposed to increased stress for a long time period are more prone to stress-related heart attacks. Stressinduced palpitations are common.

Headaches and lingering colds are also common problems encountered by those experiencing long-term stress.

Signs That You Might Be Facing Burnout

How to Beat the Heat of Stress

As obvious as it may seem, people have grown so accustomed to dealing with an increased level of stress, that they do not recognize when they may be too stressed and heading down a road to burnout. Here are some classic signs of a burnout: • Exhaustion People report feeling both mentally and physically exhausted. Often times there is a lack of motivation to do simple tasks, whether in the work environment or otherwise.

• Social Isolation Many times, the increased workload drives people to stay in a niche and finish as much of the work as possible.

The consequence of this means they lock themselves up and spend less time with the people in their lives and more with their work.

• Lack of Self Care Basic hygiene and cleanliness often times take a back seat as a result of the burnout. They may sleep excessively more, or may hardly sleep. This lack of sleep in turn will result in the inability to concentrate and on many mood changes. They will be more irritable and restless. More often than not, they will easily get frustrated with the tasks they do and end up being harder on themselves as a result of the dissatisfaction.

• Physical Health Problems Chronic stress takes a severe toll on normal health. Lack of sleep or disturbed sleep is a commonly

The first step is to cut off the source of stress. Take a break and turn yourself away from the source altogether. Next is to start treating yourself right and practicing healthy habits. Exercise, eat well, sleep well and treat yourself to something. Go on a vacation you’ve been meaning to go on, have a spa day for yourself, go out with your friends or family. Start building up your energy again. “The most important thing to do is to relax,” says Dr Bamathy, “and people find different ways to do so. Some find it comforting to take time off to do what they want, while others choose different methods.

Many people take up sports of one form or another. It helps to push out all the negativity built up. Yoga helps others relax through breathing techniques and mental well-being. The options are endless! Yet others find it helpful to turn to a medical health professional for help, and I strongly encourage people to do so if they are finding it difficult to deal with stress.”

Burnout and stress are commonly experienced problems. The most important thing is to learn to recognize it early on and reverse it. It can cause health problems long term and should be dealt with immediately before it does any damage. There are plenty of ways to tackle stress, and one should never give up on themselves when dealing with burnout. It is strongly recommended to get medical help when needed. yi APRIL 2015 Youth Incorporated 59

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POINT OF VIEW

An Affair to

Remember?

Nisha JamVwal examines ways to deal with infidelity and takes a look at the complexities involved in dishonest and unfaithful relationships

I

s a human being meant to be monogamous or is polygamy the natural way that man was to take? Was he intended to be with one person in a relationship 'until death do us apart'? Is infidelity an aberration or should the spouse just look the other way and move forward

pretending like they don't know?

Should a partner look at occasional dalliances as a breakdown of the relationship, or as a one off diversion that should not be given much regard?

Is it normal to be in other ‘friendships’ in a marriage that spans a lifetime?

When life itself isn’t unchanging,

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“Infidel is a term of reproach, which Christians and Mohammedans, in their modesty, agree to apply to those who differ from them” - Thomas Henry Huxley

how can we expect something comprising ever-evolving human beings to be constant? Romantic relationships are not always as predictable and straightforward as is ideal. Intimate relationships that start with flowers and chocolates, metaphorically speaking, are bound to become complicated and complex, often involving paradox and inconsistency. While in love and marriage we might expect a spouse to be completely honest, human beings value their sense of freedom and privacy. As time goes by, competing goals bring that contradiction that makes telling the truth more difficult.

"Wise married women don't trouble themselves about infidelity in their husbands." - Samuel Johnson

Jaya Bachchan was one who taught all women that she has had the last laugh.

Quietude paid rich dividends with her 'stoic silence' that kept home and hearth intact - despite and in spite.

I've often wondered at the outcome, had she thrown tantrums and made an issue. Would it have given Big B a gate-pass to walk out with his sexy south siren, free from any need of an explanation?

While I believe the reaction depends purely on what a woman or man wants from a marriage, when your partner cheats in a relationship it should not erode your self esteem.

These are all of the initial emotions that go with the discovery of the betrayal, but emotions change over time. The partner must remember that the decision to cheat questions the integrity and honesty of the spouse who made the impasse. After that is internalized and established, the decisions made thereafter will be more objective and will define the long term fabric of the relationship.

“When love becomes laboured we welcome an act of infidelity towards ourselves to free us from fidelity” François de la Rochefoucauld

Was the relationship wonderful and worth salvaging with the exception of one lapse? A one off case may be overlooked, despite the intense emotional pain, if you value your partner. An affair doesn't have to mean the end, as it can be rebuilt with healing, objective, and non-judgmental support, which can put things into perspective and help you analyze what you feel.

Avoid a post mortem or going into intimate details that would only hurt you more. Postpone heated arguments until space and time allow constructive conversation as to why it happened.

Or was it fractured and the last nail in the coffin? Is the partner perpetually unfaithful and are you just chugging along in a morass?

Push yourself to objectively analyze the relationship almost like a third person, and let me stress that there is no shame in seeking counselling to attain clarity. And please do avoid therapists who see infidelity as a marital death sentence - it isn't.

The way forward is by working it together, where both partners must accept responsibility towards building a new foundation. Both of them must be willing to work at rebuilding the connection, where the partner who felt betrayed should ask of themselves what it was that they did to drive the person away.

Furthermore, what steps could be taken to work the relationship better. After all, no person is a pet animal to be leashed and one has to want to be with someone, not forced to do the same.

Watch this space for the confessions of a famous celebrity speaking on how infidelity broke her passionate and cherished marriage.

Email- nishajamvwal@gmail.com Twitter- @nishjamvwal Blog- nishajamvwal.blogspot.in APRIL 2015 Youth Incorporated 61

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Pantone, the global authority on colour, declared Marsala to be the colour of 2015. Earthy yet sexy, subtle yet captivating, the rich red-brown that resembles wine became the colour of the season.

Pallavi Borkar shares a few tips on how you can weave the colour into your outfit

ADD A DASH OF MARSALA TO A NEUTRAL OUTFIT

Formal wear can easily become boring. A white shirt-brown trouser combo can stand out when paired with a Marsala jacket. You can also spice things up by ditching black trousers, opting Marsala ones instead!

ACCESSORISE IT MARSALA

Complete your look with a matching Marsala handbag and shoes. A Marsala belt or headband will complement almost any summer dress. Colours like ash grey, silver pink, golden ochre go excellently with Marsala.

GLAM IT UP WITH GOLD

Add a chunky bracelet or statement necklace in gold to jazz up your Marsala outfit.

GET A MARSALA MANI-PEDI

If you’re unsure about spending money on a piece of clothing, go the mani-pedi way.

With different finishes, Marsala can be very versatile. While a matte finish might work best for the formal look, it can come across as sexy chic with the glitter/shimmer finish. Go for a spin-off on the classic French manicure: Marsala tips instead of white!

FOR MAKEUP LOVERS

Keep your makeup to a bare minimum, spruce up the nude look with Marsala lips.

The colour suits most skin tones and can look classy yet sensual.

GIVE YOUR PHONE A MAKEOVER

If you’re not much of an experimenter when it comes to fashion, play it safe by getting your phone a Marsala case.

All products available on Jabong.com

Paint the town Marsala!

FASHION

3/26/2015 9:29:03 PM

BEAUTY

Summer Skin Faux Pas There are a number of things you do out of habit that could actually be harming your skin. Pallavi Borkar brings to you a list of skin care blunders you should avoid this summer

Scrubbing and/or exfoliating

Taking multiple showers

Yes it’s hot and yes you are sweating but having too many showers can lead to a dry epidermis making you look like a prune. Stick to one or two showers at most and moisturise right after. Also, hydrate internally by drinking lots of water.

Taking hot showers

While hot showers may help soothe nerves and knots, it is a strict no-no in the summer. Hot water strips the skin of its natural moisture content leaving it feeling itchy. Luke warm water or water of room temperature is a much better way to go.

The purpose of scrubbing and exfoliating is to remove dead skin cells and acne. But your skin is extra sensitive due to the summer heat and overdoing either of these can lead to excessive pigmentation making your skin feel raw and look blotchy.

Moisturising rituals

Don’t go overboard trying to keep your skin soft and supple. While heavy creams are good for the winters, they can block your skin in the summer prohibiting it from absorbing moisture and trapping dirt and dead skin cells.

A mild night cream or something with vitamin C should do the trick!

Using too many products

Refrain from using a bunch of different skincare/makeup products.

The more layers you apply, the more

trapped your pores become. Stick to two to three quality products and use them consistently so that your skin can get used to them.

Sunbathing

Bad idea! The Indian sun is harsh and sunbathing in the summer is as good as inviting sunburns and cancer from UV exposure. Avoid tanning beds as well. If you must, go for tanning creams or tanning mists.

Sleeping with your makeup on

Failing to remove your makeup at the end of your day is never recommended but is especially damaging in the summer. For skin to stay healthy, it needs to successfully regenerate during the night. If you sleep with your makeup on, the chemicals and agents restrict this from happening.

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G-SPOT the

Gadgets Gizmos Geeks

By Manil S Dodani

REALITY CHECK

Tom_Augmented_Reality, Flickr.com

Does Tony Stark’s heads up display coupled with Jarvis titillate you? Do you want to interact with holograms like those in Tom Cruise starrer, Minority Report? Do the cutting edge, special effects-based computers in Avatar make you wish you had one of your own? All of the above will soon be possible, thanks to Augmented Reality

DEMENTED REALITY….WHAT?

Augmented Reality or AR is (according to WeboPedia) a type of virtual reality that aims to duplicate the world's environment in a computer. So basically, a computer creates a fake reality before your eyes and superimposes it on the real world (a la Google Glass). This augmented reality can be used to display useful information like GPS, temperature,

date and time, and in certain advanced devices web browsers, videos and even music information.

This reality is something you can interact with, much like in the real world. Augmented reality is brilliant technology, and its applications are many. Including, but not limited to entertainment, armed forces training, medical industries, and robotics. Oh and also NASA.

BATTLEFIELDS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME

Augmented Reality is now available to everyone, readily. Multiple apps on the App and Play Stores are available, for you to experience a new reality.

But let’s get one thing clear first - AR can enhance your already existing reality and provide relevant contextual information. However (except in real time applications), it simply can’t create a new reality. Imagine crossing

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sndrv, Flickr.com

a crowded street, replete with speeding vehicles and pedestrians, and recalling the age old adage: look to your left, then right then left again and cross.

It still applies, but AR gave it a little upgrade; it can calculate how long you have to cross the street, how far away the next vehicle is and if there’s a shorter way to get to your destination.

However, the most popular application of this technology is making things fun. The video game industry has been one of the premier industries to release some hands-on demos. Remember good old Pac Man? Human Pac Man puts you in the game (quite literally) where you and another player wearing AR goggles run around in the real world and the goggles simulate you and other users to be Pac Man characters! Gone are the days when summer vacations used to be about trading cards and Monopoly, you can now hold up your smart phone to a baseball trading card and watch your favorite player come alive in 3D and take a strike or run to third base, thanks to Total Immersion, an overseas video game company. That’s not all. AR video gaming has moved medical treatment from the hospital to at-home. A researcher in Sweden has this fancy looking contraption in his house where he is studying (and treating) a patient with an amputated limb. Using a computer generated image of the missing arm, he tricks the brain into thinking that the arm is restored. The patient then uses this AR arm to steer a car in a video game setting thereby reducing pain and improving sensation in the missing arm!

Last year the US military revealed an AR system designed for soldiers on the battlefield. Taking cues from the popular Google Glass, soldiers will have a ‘smart helmet’ that can stream relevant information such as past explosions, navigational waypoints, video feeds for incoming aircrafts and maps. This improves overall information availability thereby making the mission easier to accomplish without spending time on

radio contact to retrieve information from command centers. The helmet adjusts to the soldiers’ field of view and adjusts information accordingly.

A team of soldiers could be given a helmet and thereby co-ordination and speed could be improved greatly. This is Halo, for real.

operates on a stock OS and does everything your smartphone can do except making calls. Information is displayed as is relevant and this product has opened a world of myriad opportunities, from medical treatment to safer highways and cars.

GO GO GADGET

3

Devices in the AR world are primarily head mounted since they rely on the principle of creating virtual reality before your eyes. This section gives you a lowdown on the niche to the popular, from the affordable to price -on-request devices.

1

Oculus Rift (Rs 21000 approx): The big daddy, the diva probably the best known device in the AR universe that sports two images (one for every eye) of 640x400 resolution to combine and form single image, much like a pair of binoculars. This headset creates a 3D image which rotates as per the movement of your head.

Game studios like Valve (CounterStrike fame) and Unity are already involved in coming out with consumer products.

2

Google Glass – Explorer Edition (Rs 90,000 approx): Google Glass

Sony HMZ- T1 Personal 3D viewer (Rs 65,000 approx): One of the only devices to reach the consumer market shelves that allows you to connect HDMI sources from Blu-Ray to your home set top box! Imagine watching the World Cup on a screen that looks like it was a movie theatre!

Featuring OLED screens with no latency, this one rocked me to my core.

4

Vuzix M100 (price to be announced): Much like the Google Glass this device is super affordable say sources. With a smartphone equivalent processor this device sports a HD camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, a compass, and both microUSB and microSD slots. No glass here though, an eyepiece is what you get here so it literally adds to what you see right out of your eye! Available soon. yi APRIL 2015 Youth Incorporated 65

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APPS

TOP 5 AUGMENTED REALITY APPS

Get these cool new apps that channelise the inner geek in you and take your reality to a whole new level

of the

MONTH

ACROSSAIR AUGMENTED REALITY BROWSER Platforms : iOS It is a 3D navigation app that allows people to find their way precisely while being informed about their surroundings. Hold the phone vertically and look at buildings and streets in the surrounding through the phone camera; bubbles appear on the screen, providing information about the building, then simply hold it horizontally to get a map and pin landmarks.

GOOGLE GOGGLES Platforms: Android Google Goggle is a new app by play store which helps people access an ocean of information just with the use of a mobile camera on their smart phones. You can read about landmarks, logos, books, places by simply scanning them through the camera.

IONROAD AUGMENTED DRIVING

LAYAR Platforms : Android, iOS, Blackberry Another augmented reality app which depends solely on use of the camera. Focus your camera on any street or building and it will provide thousands of layers of related information. Tweets from the area will also be displayed.

AR INVADERS Platforms: iOS, Android

Platforms : iOS, Android This app minimises risks while driving and increases safety just with the use of the phone camera, GPS and sensors. It prevents the driver from going off road by navigating and decreases chances of a collision by issuing a warning when a vehicle gets too close.

An augmented reality game that lets you transform your surroundings into a battleground against aliens. You can move your camera around 360 degrees and point it anywhere to find and eliminate space invaders. In a way, your smart phone becomes a portal to look into another reality.

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2/21/2014 25-09-20148:49:03 20:43:50 PM

BEST OF

M o v i e s

/

T V

5 CLASSIC INDIAN TV SHOWS THAT NEED TO MAKE A COMEBACK

HUM PAANCH

First aired in 1995, the sitcom was about a middle class man, his second wife and five daughters. Warm and funny, it fast became one of the most cherished comedies on Indian television. It would be fun to see their antics in a more modern setting!

DEKH BHAI DEKH

First aired in 1993, this comedy was based on the Diwans, a joint family living in suburban Mumbai. Their relationships made the characters relatable to everyone from children to senior citizens.

Light and humorous, the show would be a breath of fresh air amidst the rural and mythological dramas that seem to dominate Indian television today.

/

M u s i c

/

B o o k s

SARABHAI VS SARABHAI

First aired in 2004, this sitcom was about a typical south Mumbai based upper middle class family. The satirical take on the inherent differences between the rich and the not so rich made for a fun watch. The characters portrayed by television greats like Satish Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah and the entire cast are memorable and lovable despite their faults. The show died a premature death and we bet all the fans would love to see it return.

TU TU MAIN MAIN

First aired in 1994, this hugely successful comedy based on the relationship of a woman and her daughter-in-law was loved by the young and old alike. Although it ran for nearly 11 years, the fans would eagerly welcome some new episodes.

NUKKAD

Co-directed by two greats of Indian cinema Kundan Shah and Saeed Akhtar Mirza, this legendary show gave a completely new dimension to Indian television with its focus on the lower income labour class. The theme of the show was easy to relate and instantly clicked with a mass audience which identified with the characters portrayed by some of the most talented actors to have appeared on the small screen.

5 CLASSIC INDIAN TV SHOWS THAT NEED TO MAKE A COMEBACK

iMHO

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6 SONG PARODIES WHICH ARE ALMOST BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL TIK TOK PARODY BY THE KEY OF AWESOME

Ke$ha’s Tik Tok topped the pop charts and was a crowd favourite.

The Key of Awesome have done a hilarious parody with lyrics that anyone who has been hungover will relate to.

Our favourite line: I wake up in the morning looking greener than Shrek (where’s the donkey), sleeping in a tub can really mess up your neck.

The parody's so good, it could replace the original in a snap.

BOUND 3 BY JAMES FRANCO AND SETH ROGEN

James Franco and Seth Rogen were so impressed with Kanye West’s Bound 2 that they made their own version (shot for shot!) called Bound 3. While the original features Kanye West and wife Kim Kardashian, the parody has Franco playing West and Rogen playing Kardashian. This ridiculous parody will leave you in splits!

WHAT MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL PARODY BY THE KEY OF AWESOME Tween girls all over the world fell in love with One Direction’s What Makes You Beautiful. The Key of Awesome brings us a witty parody that voices the thoughts of the rest of us who found the adolescent boy-band ludicrous.

THE STAR WARS THAT I USED TO KNOW

This is an excellent parody of Gotye’s famous Somebody That I Used to Know by teddiefilms, doing a spin-off on Star Wars and how George Lucas messed up the franchise.

A must watch for all Star Wars fans!

WEIRD AL’S EBAY PARODY

Weird Al Yankovic outdoes himself with his Ebay parody which is a spin-off on I Want It That Way by the Backstreet Boys.

Anyone who bought something unusual on Ebay will find this especially relatable with the quirky I bought on Ebay chorus.

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THE ICONIC TOONS THAT REDEFINED FUNNY

Laughter is said to be the best solution for almost every problem in life, this season we celebrate those few animated characters that not only made us laugh our hearts out, but have also been etched down in our memories DONKEY FROM THE MOVIE SHREK

This character immortalised by none other than one of Hollywood’s favourite funny men Eddie Murphy is known for being a talkative and overtly excited one but at the same time is the glimmer of hope in every situation with its positive approach towards every problem. The character is a memorable one as we all can relate between it and the one loyal and hilarious friend we all have to light up our lives.

COUNT DRACULA FROM HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA

Now, only the most talented and outrageous people can pull off remodelling and transforming the ever feared character of the dreaded vampire Count Dracula into a funny hotel host who at times gets caught in awkward situations which make audiences go berserk. Not only that, our very own classic vampire also has a very human touch to him, he is also an overprotective father to an adorable daughter and ends up creating embarrassing yet funny moments.

The job of taking a terrifying character and making an adorable and comic one out of it was very well accomplished by the effortless Adam Sandler.

GENIE FROM DISNEY’S ALADDIN

A character portrayed in a very grave manner in the original story found a complete transformation in Disney’s version of this Arabian Nights classic.

To add to the delight of fans, the iconic late Robin Williams took this character and made it a hilarious, positive and loyal friend that everyone adored and wished for. Robin Williams truly created magic with this lively character which many of us remember him by.

DORY FROM THE MOVIE FINDING NEMO

Dory is regal blue tang with a short term memory loss, a disorder that leads to chaotic and hilarious situations in the movie. Brought to life by the charming comic Ellen DeGeneres, Dory also provides a lot of optimism to the story and is adorable with her loyal and helpful persona.

PO FROM KUNG FU PANDA

A character essayed by another top comic in Hollywood Jack Black was naturally filled with his energetic charm and perfect comic timing. Po the awkward and clumsy Panda who overcomes all odds and emerges as an unlikely hero is the underdog which inspired us all while making us laugh without inhibitions. With his love for food and no shame in being the way he was Po taught us all to love ourselves.

MINIONS FROM DESPICABLE ME

These dwarfish, adorable and at times silly little characters which spoke gibberish made fans laugh and adore them all through the movie. The movie itself was a fun filled ride with many highly comical characters but minions were the indispensible ones that not only made us laugh like children with their seemingly stupid antics but also amazed us with their smartness and spontaneity.

Minions have become cult characters which stayed with us even after the movie.

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New age love story

W

ritten partially in SMS language, My Fiancée, Me & #if***edup by actor Aarya Babbar, who has appeared in several Punjabi and Bollywood films, is a snippet into the life of Rushab Shah, a 26 year old Gujju boy. The story revolves around his relationship with Mahek Chopra, his long-term, possessive and insecure girlfriend.

When Rushab finally decides to propose to Mahek, chaos ensues. He runs into Dolly, a hyper and impulsive but heartbroken girl, who captivates him. In a series of mishaps that follow, he ends up getting arrested when he is running on the road, handcuffed, in his underwear. His conscience doesn't let him get away with lying and hiding things from the girl he's getting married to; but his father and his best friend Mukul are dead set on not letting him speak the truth. How will he manage to tell the truth about his slip-ups to the love of his life and save his relationship? It's a highly relatable and hilarious story about the mistakes we all do and sticky situations we run into when in love.

QUICK CHAT WITH AARYA BABBAR Who or what inspired you to write a book?

Obviously, first of all, my own experiences inspired me to write this

book. I was engaged once and I was madly in love with the girl, but it did not work out, and three months before the marriage we parted ways.

And just because I’m from the film industry the media really hammered her life and her family life. Today that girl is happily married and I feel so blessed. But that’s a fuck up, that’s the mother of all fuck ups that I did and I think that mother of all fuck ups gave me an inspiration to write a book like this.

But it is not an autobiography. So, I wouldn’t say that the entire book is fiction, but yes it’s a work of fiction.

The thought of the book is that we all fall in love, we all try to love truly but we all mess up someday, right?

The book is for the young generation, written as a screenplay-novel, and the story is very simple.

Besides acting and television, and after working on a graphic novel (Pushpak Viman) and now coming out with a proper book, what else do you plan to do?

I think, sometimes you write a book and sometimes a book just gets written by you. What happened with me with this book is that when I was writing it, I could actually hear the characters while I was writing. I could hear how his father speaks. I didn’t really plan it or think about. And everyone around me went, “Are you serious?

You’re writing a book? You’re an actor.

What will people think? Why would you write a book?” They expect me to write something related to the film industry. For me, writing is a passion, although it’s not my professional base.

I’ve just written it because I wanted to write! I’m still doing Bollywood films.

My next release is Bangistan, along with Ritesh Deshmukh and Jacqualine Fernandes.

Read the rest of the interview on www. youthincmag.com for more insight into his mind and life yi APRIL 2015 Youth Incorporated 71

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hangout  

PLACES AND EVENTS FOR THE MONTH

OAKROOM, MUMBAI CUISINE: European, Continental, Indian BITES AND BOOZE: Juhu now has a new chic fine dining restaurant that serves the best in continental seafood, Indian tandoor and a satiating breakfast, run by certified chef Rajas Handa Start your three course meal with Mustard Tempered Prawns with Wasabi Mayo and Broccoli dipped in Malai Cream.

For a main course that’ll leave you in seventh heaven, have their signature Roast Chicken in Beer Gravy, Prawns in Raw Mango Sauce and Goan Fish Curry. Don’t forget to call for the Apple Pie with Butterscotch ice cream for a fabulous end.

FAB OR DRAB: Set in the posh Oakwood Premier hotel, it's perfect for a classy date or a ritzy business luncheon. With a highly personalised dining service, adequately spaced seating and soft music, it’s for those who have a penchant for quiet, luxurious dining. They also have live acts such as stand up comedy, jazz, and open mic nights.

29/1, Oakwood Premier, JR Mhatre Road, Iris Park, Juhu, Mumbai -Neeti Vijaykumar

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SILVER BEACH CAFE (FORT), MUMBAI

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CUISINE: Cafe, European BITES AND BOOZE: The Bacon Wrapped Prawns on the menu is a definite winner as an appetizer, with the combination of the two doing justice to an avid foodie’s palate. The Parmesan and Garlic crusted Chicken Bites comes a close second. For the main course, go for the Roasted Chicken Cajun Style with Spicy Potato Mash, while the fish lovers can enjoy the delightful explosion of flavours in Pesto Sweet Chili Grilled Rawas on Chorizo Risotto and Lemon Herb Butter. Chocolate Addiction can give every chocoholic their happy ending to a perfect meal, but we recommend the Hazelnut Mousse, which encompasses the beautiful creamy texture of the mousse with the nutty crunch that takes you by surprise.

FAB OR DRAB: Warm and welcoming vibes coupled with the most charming decor, Silver Beach Cafe gives a delicate Parisian touch to the otherwise frenzied pulse of Mumbai. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a long day, with good food and a playlist comprising of some romantic hits of the 80s and the early 90s.

16, Murzban Road, Near Sterling Cinema, Fort, Mumbai -Nancy Varghese

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ZOUK, MUMBAI

CUISINE: Mexican, Italian, Spanish, Chinese BITES AND BOOZE: Some of the quirky preparations at Zouk include their signature Smokey Cocktails, Molecular Mixology, and Tiki Mixes with shots served in skull-shaped glasses.

An absolute favourite among the combos, is the Bucket of Fries (Garlic Parmesan, Cajun and Rosemary) with exotic dips. The Veg Fiesta Nachos is a Mexican delight, with all the colours popping out on the plate and the flavours gelling perfectly well with each component of the dish. The NonVeg Platter (an assortment of chicken and fish delicacies), Chicken and Mozarella, Mushroom Spinach Ricotta Rissotto, and the Vodka Tomato Cream Penne pasta take the cake in the main course meals. Speaking of cake, Zouk’s Latin American 3 Milk Cake is a sinful, not-to-be-missed dessert fit for all the sweet-tooth lovers out there.

FAB OR DRAB: For a gastro lounge, Zouk is a mix of snazzy and classy, where you can have a fun night out with your friends as well as an office party to chill with your colleagues. With its energetic vibe and the black and gold themed interiors, one can easily see it becoming the new hangout spot for the youth.

Hotel Imperial Palace, 45, Telly Park Road, Andheri East, Mumbai -Nancy Varghese

EVENTS THIS MONTH THE KASAULI RHYTHM AND BLUES FESTIVAL Kick off this summer with some of the best in Indian Music including Swarathma, Rabbi Shergill and Suneeta Rao accompanied by the serene hills of Kasauli for a soothing experience.

3 – 5 April Venue: Baikunth resorts, Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh

GOAFEST

Witness the best in advertising being celebrated; learn from the experts or just party with the best in the business. If nothing else, it’s one more reason for heading to Goa. 9 – 11 April Venue: Grand Hayat, Bambolim, Goa

`2000o for tw

JODHPUR FLAMENCO AND GYPSY FESTIVAL Treat your senses to the mix of two distinct magical art forms. Soak in the imperial feel of the surroundings at the Mehrangarh fort of Jodhpur as you are immersed in melody.

3 – 5 April Venue: Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan

ISDI MUMBAI DESIGN FESTIVAL 2015

Celebrating Indian design in all its forms, this festival is open to artists, designers of all fields, film makers, photographers, design-thinkers, business professionals, and students.

25 April Venue: Indian School of Design & Innovation, Mumbai, Maharashtra

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GRAFFITI

Trends Of The Month German Professor refuses Internship to Indian Student

India’s daughter (BBC Documentary)

If a documentary based on an inhumane crime is considered just as criminally offensive as the crime itself, BBC’s documentary film ‘India's Daughter’, stands guilty as charged. It caused an uproar when the Indian government feverishly tried to take down all sources of the video because “excerpts of the interview as published are highly offensive and have already created a situation of tension and fear among women in society”. To censor or not to censor-the most important question of the decade.

An Indian student was reportedly denied internship at one of Germany’s oldest universities by a professor because of the ‘rape problem in India’. Within emails the professor wrote, “I don't accept any Indian male students for internships. We hear a lot about the rape problem in India which I cannot support. I have many female students in my group.” Generalised discrimination at its best, we think.

Cussing, Cattle and other cardinal sins The government is trying to be

the over-protective parent to the ‘misled’ Indians of the country, by banning several things including possession, slaughter or consumption of beef; usage of ‘obscene’ language in movies; and of course the movie 50 Shades of Grey. We should all probably enjoy the Internet before it makes its way to the list too,shouldn’t we?

The Dress

If Kim Kardashian’s posterior didn’t manage to break the internet enough, the infamous dress sure did. This blue and black (white and gold?) outfit was posted on Tumblr by Caitlin McNeill, successfully causing people to lose their minds deciding the actual colour of the dress, which looks different to different people. Soon, not only did several of these dresses sell like hot cakes but people actually got tattoos done of the same.

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RNI Number: MAHENG/2011/38909 Postal Regd. No: MCW/293/2015 - 2017 Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel Sorting Office GPO, Mumbai 400001 on 4th & 5th of every month Date of Publication: 1st of every month

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