July 2014

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THERE IS A STAR IN ALL OF US EDUCATE + ENTERTAIN

JULY 2014 || ` 75

MASTER THE ART OF FILMMAKING at international institutes

3 rd

Anniversary Issue

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THERE IS A STAR IN ALL OF US

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IS AN IB EDUCATION MEANINGFUL? We find out

www.youthincmag.com

WORDWORTHY FESTIVALS for the literature zealot

THERE IS A STAR IN ALL OF US

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THE IBDP QUESTION

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GLOBALLY FILMY

The International Baccalaureate – its pros, cons and everything in between

FESTIVAL HOPPING FOR THE LITERATURE JUNKIE

Study varied aspects of filmmaking at international film schools

Love books? Here are some festivals you ought to be at

ON THE COVER

ON THE COVER

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INDIA’S RISING STARS Meet the Indian prodigies doing outstanding work in education, social work, sports, journalism, agriculture and more

Educate

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OUT OF THE BOX CAREER

30 THE KEEPERS OF HERITAGE

38 DRIVE AWAY THE

Study the world’s rich heritage with a career in museology

OFFICE BLUES Keep yourself fresh at work

CAREER WATCH

SPECIAL FEATURE

Learn how a career in investment banking helps people make money

YOU STUDY Students, say bye to broke days

HOW-TO GUIDE

YOUTH ISSUES

32 A CAREER IN MAKING MONEY

42 EARN MONEY WHILE

34 CALLING IT QUITS

Learn the art of resigning from your job

44 THE ROAD LESS TAKEN… Find out why unconventional careers are still unpopular

AWARENESS

COUNTDOWN

36 HOPEFUL PROMISE OF

EDUCATION The misdemeanours of the Right to Education Act 6

WORKPLACE HACKS

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46 10 OF THE BEST

ON-SCREEN TEACHERS Teachers we love from the big screen

Youth Incorporated JULY 2014

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Entertain RELATIONSHIP

HEALTH

FASHION

Here’s what you should consider before introducing your lover to your parents

RAINPROOF DIET A list of food items to steer clear of this monsoon

THE UMBRELLA Don’t shy away from formal dressing this monsoon

TRAVEL

POINT OF VIEW

75 GO BEYOND THE PONYTAIL

We guide you through 6 brilliant restaurants across 6 Indian cities

CHIVALRY? Nisha JamVwal talks about the importance of chivalry

66 MEETING THE PARENTS

68 STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

70 YOUR GUIDE TO A

74 KEEP IT STYLISH UNDER

Hairstyles apart from the obvious you must try this season

72 WHATEVER HAPPENED TO

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WWW.YOUTHINCMAG.COM O N L I N E E XC L U S I V E S WORDSMITH OF THE MONTH: DEVIKA SONI Devika Soni explores the emotional bond between a girl and her pillow DESIGN CENTRAL Roberto Riccio introduces Istituto Marangoni and the design school’s philosophy YI TEAM RECOMMENDS The YI team’s recommendations for lousy monsoon days 8

STAPLE DIET EDITOR’S NOTE…10

EDITORIAL CONNECT…18

AROUND THE WORLD…20 EVENT DIARY...22

COUNSELLOR Q&A...

WORD ZONE…60

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THE G SPOT…76 IMHO…80

HANGOUT…84 GRAFFITI…86

Youth Incorporated JULY 2014

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Follow us:

Facebook.com/spykarlifestyles Twitter.com/spykarlifestyle www.spykar.com

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Editor's

note

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

- Confucius I do sometimes wonder why in a class of 50-odd students that share the same teachers and books, some are at the top of the class and some far below. Even at home, my sisters and I had the same upbringing as well as identical values and traditions instilled, and yet all three of us have turned out to be extremely distinct individuals. I realise that in most instances equal opportunities are given to people, but only a select few make a huge difference in their lives with those opportunities. On the other hand, some with no opportunity or with adversities conquer it all and become something big.

In this universe there is no secret formula to success. It can’t be just our DNA that makes us a star; it must be hard work, perseverance, single-minded focus and unlimited passion.

To understand this better and inspire you we have chosen personalities from different sectors who are rewriting the rules of their fields, rising to the top and making a mark for themselves. We bring you our 3rd anniversary issue by celebrating the star in each one of us!

Three years have gone by but to me the years feel like the blink of an eye. It’s a good time to look back and reflect at the journey so far. This last year has been one heck of a ride. Personally, I believe our proudest moment was when we were awarded our first trophy by the Associated Business Communicators of India. We hope to achieve many more such recognitions in the coming year.

I want to personally thank every dedicated reader, advertiser and partner for sticking with us as your support has kept us going. Three cheers to the Youth Inc team for their dedication, effort and love that have made the past year fabulous!

Triumphant three! Here we go…

Nitish Shah

Volume 4 Issue 1 July 2014

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

Editorial Team

APARNA SUNDARESAN TRISHANN HENRIQUES

Editorial Intern NIRVA VIRA

Art & Design

MOULVI ABBAS HASAN GAURAV DODIYA

Ad Sales

HEENA SOPARIWALA sales.mg@youthincmag.com NANDINI BARJATIYA sales.hd@youthincmag.com

Marketing

DHWANI CHHEDA marketing@youthincmag.com PRATHAMESH DESHPANDE marketing.hd@youthincmag.com

Marketing Intern

MANIL DODANI

Circulation

SHANTARAM AMBERKAR NISHANT SHINDE

Administration GEETA NAIK

For advertising, subscriptions and circulation mail@youthincmag.com +91-22-2351-6622 / 6609 Printed and published by Nitish Shah on behalf of Splash Publication Pvt Ltd 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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istitutomarangoni.com

ph. Aldo Fallai

m a r a n gon isc h ool

we say bravo All over the world talent speaks italian.

That is why every year more than 2.500 students come from all over the world to Istituto Marangoni in Milano, Paris, London or Shanghai to study fashion and design. Together with us, their dreams of today become their brilliant careers of tomorrow.

For further information: Raul D’Souza info.india@istitutomarangoni.com t. 022 26042211 | m.+91 9870427957

Marco Grigoli, Yu Lee, Sofia Castegren, Istituto Marangoni students.

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Catching eyeballs We’re continuing to catch mainstream attention with our ranking issues. Our efforts to identify and rank the best institutes for undergraduate and MBA studies are being noticed by more national and international media outlets. Rankings are our mainstay and we hope they continue to help students make informed decisions about their higher education.

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Say hello to t “I love working with our young team as there are numerous ideas and concepts that come up all the time with everyone eager to share their views. The amount of exposure and learning that I gain on a daily basis cannot be compared to any school in the world.

There are mad days and bad days but all in all it’s my baby.”

“I love working at Youth Inc because I work here…

LOL joking! To be honest, I love the work environment and freedom we get at Youth Inc – it’s amazing! My colleagues are awesome.”

Favourite issue: Young India Votes, April 2014 14 Youth Incorporated JULY 2014

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“My professional journey has been a fantastic learning experience, wherein I get to interact with every vertical and multitask and learn new things on the job. All of this wouldn’t have been possible without my fantastic Editor-in-Chief, who is supportive, young at heart, creative, friendly and approachable at all times.

Three cheers to our 3rd anniversary and many more to come!”

Favourite issue: I Am Not Who You Think I Am, July 2013

“There are very few magazines that allow as much creative freedom as Youth Inc does, and for a writer that is the most rewarding experience. Youth Inc seldom feels like a place of work; my colleagues are young and exceptionally talented, my work is creatively fulfilling and my office is an absolute funhouse.”

Favourite issue: A Complete Guide to Studying Abroad, October 2013

“From writing in the education sector, interacting with fun and talented teammates to my first attempt at making 4-minute microwave Maggi, every day at Youth Inc is a learning experience.

Striving every month to put out a magazine for youngsters is in itself motivating. I love the magazine because of the diverse content we put out month after month and of course, its super-creative designs.”

Favourite issue: The Allure of the Arts, June 2014

“I quite like working here because the staff is great and I have a good boss. The magazine too always looks wonderful.”

Favourite issue: Global B-School Rankings 2013, November 2013

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o the YI team “This is the first time I have come across a company that is so young, dynamic and still so inspiring.

Every individual here comes with his/her own set of nuances and skills that makes this organisation a great place to work.

The work culture “The best part about working at is informal but Youth Inc is the people who are full highly invigorating, of enthusiasm and have so much allowing everyone energy. I love the fact that this to grow in their field. magazine wants to try and reach Most importantly, out to the youth. Make them aware the staff is of what is going around them and extremely helpful that there so many opportunities and fun, making available around the globe. The content in the magazine is fresh and everyday full of new experiences and riveting.” learnings.”

Favourite issue: A Complete Guide to Studying Favourite issue: Young India Abroad, October 2013 Votes, April 2014

“I like the concept of this magazine.

Its content, be it entertainment or education, is very engaging. I am really proud to be the part of this magazine now. I strongly believe it will contribute to the overall development of youth. All the best to us all!”

Favourite issue: Young India Votes, April 2014 “My colleagues are great. The magazine is of very good quality.

My boss is really helpful, and my work hours are flexible and accommodating.”

Favourite issue: 100 World’s Best Colleges 2014, March 2014

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“Youth Incorporated is really close to my heart as it is my first place of work.

Working here is quite a learning experience as it helps me stay connected with the youth and polish my skills. I couldn’t have asked for a better launch pad! YI in three words is educative, captivating and motivational.”

Favourite issue: Kings of DotCom, August 2013

“I have the best colleagues, no doubt. I have fun working here because the magazine is of good quality and people actually like it.”

Favourite issue: Global B-School Rankings 2013, November 2013 “The magazine is really colourful, totally apt for the youth and is of very high standard. The staff is one of the best. My work is very creative here.

I’ve learnt a lot at Youth Inc.” Favourite issue: The Thrills of Engineering, September 2013

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We ran the third edition of our popular JEB programme this year with a small but efficient team of young, eager writers handpicked from numerous applications. They share their experiences of writing and working for Youth Inc

It was my very first internship and I was the youngest member of the JEB ’14 with absolutely no experience of working with a magazine and Youth Incorporated gave me a chance to showcase my talents and skills. I’ve had the amazing time working here, brain storming over vivid ideas, meeting new people and working with them whilst gathering precious work experience as an editor. Thank you for providing me with great memories, skills and familiarity with the world of journalism. It’s an experience I’ll always cherish.

– Arsh Gupta

Working for JEB gave me an insight into how a magazine actually reaches the masses. The amount of planning one needs to put in, months in advance for the issues! I learnt how to give different angles to the same story. How to filter stories from a bigger pool of thoughts. Most importantly I learnt the correct way in which a story is written for a magazine and its readers.

JEB has given me the opportunity to let people across the country read my work; it gave me an opportunity to write for so many people. Thanks JEB. Thanks Youth Inc. – Devika Soni

JEB 2014 has been a very unique experience. For an aspiring journalism student, it was of great help and honour to be a part of something so prestigious. Not everyone gets to attend editorial meetings when you are still a student or just a fresher. But we were given an opportunity to be a part of editorial discussions and be in charge of what we wished to see in the magazine. It feels really good when an editor takes your advice and suggestions. We were free to design our articles in the best way we wanted, which gave us a lot of creative freedom.

– Nidhi Choksi

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To a person who is fascinated by editorial teams, magazines and writing and working in teams, JEB is the place to be. This internship is an opportunity to explore writing as a viable career option as well as to know what it takes to write for a magazine –good food, happy people, homely office, ever-smiling bosses, getting new ideas, unending brain-storming sessions, fighting for your article, sticking to a word limit where even more seems less and the contentment of having done it all well on seeing your name in print. JEB most certainly enriched my perspective and assured me that working hard is not all that bad after all, it can be such great fun!

– Raushan Kamdar

The greatest thing about working with JEB is the freedom that you’re endowed with as you put forward your thoughts and ideas. From picking themes to actually establishing the designs, you’re given a wonderful opportunity to quite literally be the spirit of the magazine. With a team replete with accomplished mentors and adept teammates, working with JEB ’14 was a particularly rewarding affair.

– Deepanshu Verma

At Youth Inc, I was lucky to be part of the amazing JEB where I picked up the editorial as well as technical details of magazine making, right from brainstorming for ideas to proofreading the articles. In this world of journalism, JEB gave me a perfect taste of how the print media works and I feel this was the most valuable first internship I could get which provided me with so much knowledge.

I couldn’t have found a better way to work as well as enjoy my summer holidays.

– Nikhil Punjabi Being just 16, never did I expect something so intellectually stimulating to happen to me at this age. Until now, writing had just been something I did in my dairy, it was just a hobby. I have always wanted to explore my talent as a writer and Youth Incorporated magazine gave me the perfect opportunity to do so.

All those hours spent brainstorming for ideas and penning it down were exhilarating. The best feeling is seeing the issue in print and knowing that you’ve done your bit in making it what it is. JEB has been a massive learning experience and unforgettable to say the least!

– Saasha Jethwani

From as long as I can remember, reading and writing were always a source of endless fascination for me. I would devour books and attempt to write during all my free time. Being part of Junior Editorial Board was an intensely rewarding experience. It allowed free expression of thought and tremendous insight into the working of a magazine. The editorial meetings, the discussion of a variety of creative story ideas and the general atmosphere of the magazine office were all new experiences for me. All this exposure will undoubtedly help me in the future.

– Varsha Menon

In spite of being a mass media student, I never really considered having a career in writing or journalism. I always thought it to be a waste of time, sitting and penning down stuff that people might not even read closely. However, this experience at JEB has been more than what I really thought it would be. A magazine that we royally sift through is actually not just pictures; it’s a lot of hard work, which I actually enjoyed quite a lot. And now that the issue is out, I can proudly say, “I’m the effing (jr) editor.”

– Shazia Shaikh JULY 2014 Youth Incorporated 17

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editorial c o n n e c t

Write to us at mail@youthincmag.com

SOCIALLY YOURS

YouthIncMag

@YouthIncMag

YOUTH INC @ THE TIMES EDUCATION BOUTIQUE 2014

“Youth Incorporated makes for a good read, be it informative or just a teatime article. It keeps students and the younger generation aware of things happening around.”

-Varun Panicker

“I am really impressed by the magazine Youth Incorporated.”

-Alice Dhanuka

“The magazine promotes youth.

It is fashionable and funny with interesting cover stories. It educates and entertains.”

-Khusshbu Awatramani

 DOWNLOAD THE OCUTAG SNAP

BLOGGER OF THE MONTH Prason Christopher Robin http://www.chronicwriter.com/

PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH

 @DIOGENEB

A humorist by passion and now by profession, Prason Christopher Robin has been blogging for over a decade. He writes about current events in his own inimitable style, peppering his posts with numerous sarcastic jabs. He recommends you read his blog “if you are bored at work and if you are sad and if you are looking forward to laugh out loud.”

18 letters.indd 10

This former cruciverbalist (crossword setter) for Mint and The Hindu ups the collective IQ of Twitter with witty and intellectual jokes on current events. Nobody slips through his radar, not even the Prime Minister.

Ronaldo scored where it mattered. Irina Shayk.

Surely Germany has figured out that there’s Put Goal somewhere in Portugal Dhritarashtra’s problem, every Father’s Day: “Your mailbox is full” NaMo, after attending FIFA WC final – “Brazil ke mitron, yeh itihaas ka sabse sundar hockey match tha” Indians’ idea of self-goal is probably “where do I see myself in 5 years?”

APP ON YOUR SMARTPHONE

 LOOK FOR PAGES WITH THE OCUTAG SNAP

 SNAP THE PAGE USING THE OCUTAG APP

ENJOY

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

25-06-2014 18:34:27

educate RSEIDEL3, FLICKR

yi

Find out what it takes to be in charge of a museum as a museuologist...

Page 30

K E E PI N S I D E яГо

Pg26 Pg32 Pg34 Pg44 THE IBDP QUESTION

A CAREER IN MAKING MONEY

CALLING IT QUITS

THE ROAD LESS TAKEN...

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

READ UP ON WHY INVESTMENT BANKING IS A LUCRATIVE CAREER FOR FRESH GRADUATES

DID YOU KNOW THERE IS AN ART TO QUITTING A JOB? LEARN HOW TO EXIT IN STYLE

AN UNCOVENTIONAL CAREER HAS STILL NOT BECOME ENTIRELY ACCEPTABLE IN INDIA

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EDU NEWS

IIM-AHMEDABAD LAUNCHES 11 NEW MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES  The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad has launched 11 new Management Development Programmes set to begin this academic year.  With the launch of these new programmes, there are now a total of 77 MDPs offered at IIM-A.  The new programmes include: 1. Doing Business Abroad 2. Business Dispute Resolution: International and Domestic Arbitration 3. Family Business: Organisation, Strategies, Internationalism and Succession 4. Employee Engagement: A 3D Approach 5. Strategic Transformational Training Methodology 6. Industrial Relations: Changes, Challenges and Responses 7. Business Turnaround and Organisational Transformation 8. Managing People for Excellence in Healthcare 9. Designing Systems for Developing Internal Talent 10. Leadership Pipeline 11. Psychological Assessment and Psycho-metrics

A 1-YEAR MBA PROGRAMME IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETING LAUNCHED BY MDIS

USST IS OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

 The University of Shanghai for Science and Technology is inviting applications for international students to take advantage of their scholarship programmes.  The university is offering three different scholarships – a full scholarship, a partial scholarship and a scholarship for outstanding students.  Eligibility norms: 1. Applicants pursuing a doctorate should hold a master’s degree or equivalent and should not be over the age of 40.

2. Applicants for a master’s degree should not be over the age of 35 and should hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

3. Bachelor’s degree applicants should not be over 25 years of age and should have a high school diploma or equivalent educational qualification.  Students may apply through the university’s official website.  Last date for submitting applications is 30 September 2014.

 Management Development Institute Singapore has launched a 1-year comprehensive programme in international marketing, in collaboration with Bangor University, UK.  The curriculum includes fieldwork and classroom activities, and the institute provides placements once the course is over.  The course is spread over eight modules and also includes various extension programmes for capacity building.  The English language requirement for application is IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of at least 5.5 each in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.  For outstanding students, both academically and socially, MDIS may consider providing scholarships.

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r Pride Golden Ride ,fo umbai N.M. College M

The workforce with principal Professor Sunil Mantri celebrate the success of the event

Actor and comedian Kiku Sharda with the chairpersons inaugurates the event (L to R) Jinal, Deven, Kiku Sharda, Binita

Bollywood actor Sharman Joshi flags off the online registrations for the the event (L to R) Shivani, Jinal, Binita, Sharman Joshi, Deven

International Journal CT Group of InstitutioConference ’14 ns, Jalandhar

The organising committee of the conference

The conference convener welcomes keynote speaker Dr Juhani Nieminen from Lahti University of Applied Sciences, Finland 22 Youth Incorporated FEBRUARY 2014

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Dr David from the USA conducting a workshop

Dr Nieminen delivers his keynote address at the conference

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Shruti Pathak

Luke Kenny

In a successful collaboration, 9X Media and 13 of the country’s most talented musicians came together to create a unique music video. The video was created in celebration of World Music Day held across the globe on 20 June 2014. Music Dil Mein, composed by Rochak Kohli has already become a favourite among many for its catchy rhythm and beats.

Hosted by Villa 69, present at the event were some of music’s biggest and most talented names. Luke Kenny, Sid Mahadevan, Shalmali Kholgade, Anushka Manchanda, Benny Dayal, Harshdeep Kaur, Amit Trivedi, Pappon, Rochak Kohli, Neeti Mohan, Hamsika Iyer, Shruti Pathak and Shweta Pandit were all in attendance.

The event commenced with a performance of the song by Luke Kenny and Rochak Kohli followed by its acapella version by the 13 singers.

After the performances, the music video was showcased exclusively for those who graced the occasion.

To set your callertune and to download the Music Dil Mein video, Harshdeep Kaur SMS SMMDM to 56060.

9X Media celebra s World Music Date y

(L to R) Hamsika Iyer, Sid Mahadevan, Shweta Pandit, Rochak Kohli, Benny Dayal, Harshdeep Kaur and Shruti Pathak celebrate World Music Day FEBRUARY 2014 Youth Incorporated

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AFS-USA INTERCULTURAL PROGRAMS, FLICKR

FOCUS FEATURE

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is gaining much traction as an alternative to the conventional plus-2.

Arsh Gupta explores the programme, its benefits and its limitations

THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE QUESTION

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E

IBDP vs the rest  The IBDP requires students to study six subjects of their choice across all disciplines. This kind of flexibility accommodates student interests and abilities.  “IB does not prescribe any books,” says Isha Mathur, an IB graduate from Mumbai. All students study each subject through an international perspective and are required to do detailed independent research, as well as plenty of field work.  Unlike other boards in India, the IBDP focuses on a more creative and practical approach towards learning and rejects the traditional rote system.

“IB students have a very high level of thought, sometimes they even surpass me,” says a mathematics professor who teaches IB, ICSE, CBSE and other state board students in Mumbai.  On the downside, IB students are allowed to use calculators in their exams and in school, while Indian universities do not permit calculators or any electronic device in their entrance exams. “It is very difficult for IB students to give competitive exams and the entrance exams to the top universities in India,” says the maths professor.  Also, IB schools are expensive compared to other Indian board schools.

Bonus features in the coursework

The IBDP

Also known as the IBDP course, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme primarily aimed at students aged 16–19. Equivalent to classes 11 and 12 in India, it is an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education at college and university level.

Three components of the IBDP study are unique to the programme.  The extended essay asks students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of their subjects, for instance the World Studies extended essay option would allow a student to focus on a topic of global significance which they must examine through the purview of at least two DP subjects.  ‘Whatever we know, how do we know?’ Theory of knowledge (TOK), a course on critical thinking, requires students to inquire into the nature of

knowing. “This is the most interesting concept of the IB. It’s as complicated as it sounds! The IB tests the most basic of concepts in TOK,” says Mathur. She gives an example – “If there is a chair, why is it there?”  Creativity, action, service (CAS) involves students in a range of activities alongside their studies. They take up tasks in the arts and foster creative thinking, they are required to take part in physical activity, and they are expected to contribute to society through community service.

Getting into the programme

Schools that offer the IBDP usually conduct entrance tests for prospective students. However, those who have studied the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education, administered by the University of Cambridge) system in class 10 may be offered a place directly without a test.

The study experience

 “IB prepares you for college. I have become more original after doing the diploma programme; it forces you to think on your own,” says Mathur.

Apart from taking care of their core six subjects, students must also ensure proper attendance and juggle the three extra components (extended essay, TOK and CAS). “The IB is not difficult, it is a bit different and even sometimes quite rigorous” she adds.  “IB offers a lot of breadth and depth,” says an IBDP co-ordinator at a leading Mumbai IB school. “IB students adapt to foreign universities and their way of teaching very easily,” says the mathematics professor.

Next steps: in India

All universities in India consider the IB Diploma equivalent to a class 12 qualification from an Indian board.

However, the academic calendar of the IB system makes life difficult during admission time.

Most professional institutes in JULY 2014 Youth Incorporated 27

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FOCUS FEATURE

TOP IBDP SCHOOLS IN INDIA  Indus International School, Bangalore  Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai  Woodstock School, Mussoorie  Pathways World School, Aravali India conduct entrance exams from April to June and confirm places by July-August. The IB, unfortunately, has its final examinations when the entrance exams of universities and colleges are held, which means DP students are compelled to study for their school as well as competitive exams. Certain institutes, like Symbiosis University in Pune for its liberal arts courses, do accept IB graduates without an entrance test but these are only a handful.

Further, DP students can apply for an equivalence certificate only after their exam results are declared, which is when colleges confirm their new students. Equivalence certificates must be issued by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Some Indian colleges close their applications before the IB results are declared.

IB does provide predicted scores to the students, but not all colleges in India accept these scores. Mumbai University is one of the few that does.

Next steps: going abroad

The IB Diploma is accepted in 75 countries at over 2000 universities, and the IB has a search directory in its website, although they advise students to check directly with each university for the recognition policy. The IB also maintains a list of universities offering scholarships to IBDP graduates under conditions specified by each institution. However, the IB body itself does not provide any special scholarships for students who are going to foreign universities.

In some scholarship programmes, IB students are given preference but having an IB Diploma does not entitle anyone to any special scholarships.

Neither are IB students exempt from taking the SAT. “If a student wants to study abroad, the best option is to go for the IBDP. However, if he or she wants to continue in India, the Indian boards are the most viable option” says the maths professor. yi

 Mahindra United World College, Pune  Mercedes-Benz International School, Pune  Oberoi International School, Mumbai  Scottish High International School, Gurgaon  Ecole Mondiale World School, Mumbai  The International School, Bangalore

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OUT OF THE BOX CAREER

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A career in m a The lucrative world of investment banking is a thrilling ride for those who like making money, finds Arsh Gupta “The stock market is filled with individuals who know the price of everything, but the value of nothing.”

- Phillip Fisher

T

his is testament to the fact that investing without an education and research will ultimately lead to regrettable investment decisions. It is the job of investment bankers to do this research and analyse it, as well as network and advice.

THE INVESTMENT BANKER

An investment banker works in a financial institution or a bank and is responsible for bridging those who have money with those who need money. In this role, he/she invests in markets, analyses and interprets numerical data, assesses and predicts financial risks and returns, provides investment advice, prepares legal documents, and liaises with accountants, lawyers and financial experts.

“Investment bankers are much more powerful in the US, than in India.” says Anubhav Singh, an investment banker form Yes Bank. Investment bankers are generally very well-paid individuals, but these positions require specific skills – number-crunching ability, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the capacity to work very long, gruelling, and often, odd hours. “On my second day of work at another banking firm, I had to come to office at 2 am in the morning,” says Singh.

REQUISITE EDUCATION

Being an investment banker requires having a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). At a lower level, one may study either arts, science or commerce, but must focus more intently on maths, economics and business.

GETTING A JOB

Internships are a good way to get into the bustling corporate sector and they also add up in your resume, making it fancier. The JP Morgan Investment Banking Internship and Citi Bank internships are popular among aspiring investment bankers.

“Big banks have now started coming forward to top colleges.” says Singh.

THE SUNNY SIDE OF INVESTMENT BANKING

 It is a highly rewarding job, both monetarily and otherwise

 It is a fast-paced career with

exciting new developments regularly

 Opens doors to entrepreneurship

THE FLIP SIDE

 Challenging and stressful because of the intensive work load

 Tough competition  Long and odd hours

CAREER FACTS: INVESTMENT BANKING

JOB PROFILE: Investment bankers help people, companies and governments make money, and provide advice on various financial matters like fund and debt management, mergers, acquisitions and privatisation.

INCOME: The average starting pay for an associate is `6-7 lakhs per annum. Experience strongly influences salary for this job.

SKILLS SET: Investment banks want employees with a combination of strong analytical and interpersonal skills. Some jobs lean more towards one skill set than another (e.g. brokers need to be mainly sales people). A typical job of an equities analyst requires both analytic and interpersonal skills.

STUDY:  Kaizen School of Business Management, Mumbai  Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai  Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India University (ICFAI) , Tripura  Symbiosis School of Banking Management, Pune  Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi 32 Youth Incorporated JULY 2014

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m aking money SCOPE IN INDIA

Investment banking is one of the more popular career options among the youth of India, since it is a money-spinning job that provides opportunities to grow. “Investment banking and its financial services are pretty established now,” says Singh. Banks are always in need of skilled investment bankers who can contribute towards the growth of the organisation. With globalisation, the scope of investment banking has widened and new job opportunities have opened up. As an emerging economy, India is an exciting place to be for investment bankers. yi

CAREER WATCH

Top investment banks • BNP Paribas • Citi Group • Deustche Bank • JP Morgan • ING Group

HOW TO BE AN INVESTMENT BANKER

 As a student, choose a degree that focuses on banking or a closely allied subject like finance, economics, business or accounting.  Presentations are a big deal in investment banking. Make sure you sharpen your presentation skills in college.  Intern during your vacations.

The ideal place would be a big investment bank, but you could also try at smaller firms (the ‘boutique’ investment banks). If you can’t get an internship in either of these places, you could work at a regular bank.  Network, network, network. Join LinkedIn groups for investment banking. Talk to friends and alumni from college who have become investment bankers. Stay in touch with colleagues from past internships. Always keep your ear to the ground.

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HOW TO GUIDE

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here are various reasons why people choose to quit their jobs – a burnout, emergencies, family commitments and sometimes even prospects of new jobs.

Whatever the reason, quitting is a big decision that should be taken after much thought. If you’ve finally decided you want to quit, the bigger question is, how do you do it?

IT You know you’ve had it with your current job, however, resigning is often as difficult as getting a new job. Nidhi Choksi gives tips on calling it quits without a hassle

RESIGN GRACEFULLY

Keep your frustration in check. You might hate your job and your boss, but you need to keep in mind that you must quit graciously.

You might have had many problems during your tenure, but you cannot rant about it in front of the boss just because you think you won't see him/her any more. Do not create unnecessary feuds as they may backfire when your future employer does a background check.

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GIVE A NOTICE

Priot to taking up a new job you received a letter, a phone call or an email confirming your joining date.

Likewise, it is important that you give a notice before you plan to leave. It is essential to mention the date you wish to quit. Generally, a two-week notice is given, but in cases of contracts you might have signed, you would need to abide by the codes of resignation. This basically offers your employers time to mull over your move and begin work on technicalities.

MENTION YOUR REASONS

Informing your desire to leave is generally done in person. It is essential that you tell your boss in person about your resignation first as it shows courtesy and reflects well on formal work mannerisms. Stick to the facts and talk positively when you do.

RESIGNATION LETTER

Back up your talk with your boss with a formal resignation letter. You never know when you might need that old employer to give you a reference, so it makes sense to take the time to write a polished and professional resignation letter. It gives a statement in words that you would like to quit, which is important for records and documentation.

RECOMMENDATION LETTER

Employers generally prefer recommended employees, so if you are going to spoil your relations with your boss, chances are that you might not get a recommendation letter from him/her. Before you leave, ask for a letter of recommendation. As time passes and people move on, it’s easy to lose track of previous employers. With a letter in hand, you’ll have written proof of your credentials to give to prospective employers.

BE THANKFUL

Thank the company and the boss for giving you an opportunity to grow

and explore. It is important for you to tell them that they have helped you learn. Give them some credit for they have trained you to do your work.

They might have taught you new skills, so specify that and even thank your colleagues if possible.

DON’T FORGET THE DETAILS

Find out about the employee benefits and salary you are entitled to receive upon leaving. Make inquires about collecting reimbursements. Ask about employee provident funds and also collect your personal documents that the office might have kept for the record.

RETURN COMPANY PROPERTY

Now that you have served your term it is time to return any company property that you might possess – keys, documents, laptops, phones, etc.

It is not right to have the company chase you to get them back, and you don’t want to be held responsible if they are not returned on time.

Make sure you don’t take any official company documents on purpose or by error; it could be a breach of privacy.

QUITTING THE EPIC WAY

• JetBlue’s flight attendant Steven Slater quit his job after he was abused by a passenger over the loudspeaker. He grabbed some beers and glided down the plane’s emergency slide. What a way to make an exit!

• Chris Holmes told bosses at Stansted Airport’s Border Force that he was leaving to start his own business with his resignation letter as the icing on a cake.

• Joey DeFrancesco left his job after working three years in the room service department at the Providence Rhode Island Hotel with a marching band.

STAYING LONGER

While your employer might compel you to advance your notice period, you are not obliged to abide. In any case if your employer insists, consider it. Otherwise, it is best to politely decline, mentioning a reason. In many cases, employers offer a counter offer when someone valuable decides to quit. Consider it only if it is much more generous than your new offer.

The sad fact remains that most people regret that they ever took a counter offer and wound up at square one a year later, with a resignation letter in hand.

HELP WITH THE TRANSITION

If you are unable to serve your notice period, be of help by training your replacement, be available for exit questioning or even work after hours if the need arises. It is also wise to be available on phone or email if you cannot be physically present.

TAKE YOUR BELONGINGS

Your belongings at work may either hold sentimental significance, or may be used against you – whatever the reason, you never want to leave a personal reminder of your presence with anyone in the company once you have left. In the same vein, do not leave your workstation cluttered. It is not only unfair and disrespectful, but also leaves a sour taste in the mouth of management. The point is to depart on a high note. You want everyone to miss you and regret that you quit, not curse you because you left behid a biohazard of a work space.

ZIP IT UP

Last but not least, it is crucial to keep your mouth shut about your former employer once you quit. The world is small and gossip travels fast, so don’t spread confidential or negative information about your old place of employment. Loose lips do sink ships in the business world, so be professional. Let others talk while you relax, observe and just do your job. yi JULY 2014 Youth Incorporated 35

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AWARENESS

Hopeful promise of

education

SISTAK, FLICKR

Despite the Right to Education becoming a fundamental right in 2010, survey after survey paints a grim picture of education in India. Raushan Kamdar attempts to analyse the key issues

A

fter being complacent for too long, in 2010 the UPA Government took its first concrete step in ensuring its little citizens a life of dignity. It brought us closer to the ideal of a democratic and egalitarian society by bestowing upon us the Right to Education (RTE).

Education is a national priority. It is a matter directly concerning the youth and its future. It is thus time for the youth to proactively engage and initiate, to join hands with the

advancing efforts of NGOs, academic institutions, government and activists, and free education from the coagulum of flaccid governance and lax implementation.

KNOW YOUR RIGHT

RTE guarantees free and compulsory education to all children between 6 and 14 years of age. It also specifies certain norms that every educational institute must adhere to, such as no acceptance of donation or capitation fee, no interview of the parent or

child for admission, the correct student-teacher ratio, 25% caste-based reservation in private schools, and a number of other provisions regarding improvement of infrastructure, faculty and more.

GROUND REALITY

On paper this law will revolutionise education in India, however, reality is far from that. According to the official report released on the first anniversary of the RTE by Kapil Sibal, 8.1 million children aged 6 to 14 years

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NGOs TO GET INVOLVED WITH

 Teach for India  Each One Teach One  CRY  Pratham

missing in nearly 60% of the schools.

Says Ambarish Rai, a Delhi based spokesperson of the RTE forum, “Basic necessities are not available in a large number of government primary schools. This is the sad state of affairs and the dream of universal elementary education still remains a distant reality for millions of children.”

QUALITY OF EDUCATION

remain out of school, and there is a shortage of 5 lakh teachers countrywide. Only 5 states have notified rules to implement the RTE. According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), although some of the infrastructural parameters have improved, it’s far from where it should be. For instance, 27% of all schools visited had no drinking water facility in 2012 and only 56.5% of schools had useable toilets, while the mid-daymeal was served in 87% of the schools.

The desired student-teacher ratio was

Civil rights activist and political analyst Anand Teltumbde finds fault with the education system, especially in rural education, which, he says, is cut off from quality education.

“Villages in the early decades of Independence contributed brilliant people to this nation. Most statesman and high-ranking people had come from villages only because of quality education,” he claims.

While the RTE talks about guaranteeing free and compulsory education to every child in India, it doesn’t mention the kind of education they must be given. For instance, there are evident differences in the education offered in private schools and that in government schools.

The latter is the largest provider of elementary education in India, but is still marked by mismanagement, inefficiency, poor infrastructure, low funds, abysmal salaries for teachers, etc. Children attending private schools are seen at an advantage, while the weaker sections of society have no option but to attend poorly managed government schools.

The act is thus criticised for being discriminatory by catering only to the urban and rural elites and thereby widening the gap between haves and have-nots. The survey by ASER also revealed that most children in primary schools today are at least three grades behind from where they should have been now.

How much our education transforms into gainful employment for these children when they enter the competitive world is a question we are yet to find an answer to. Indeed, companies like Tata and Infosys

are hiring people who they do not consider to be up to par, and spend 6-9 months, sometimes longer, to educate them properly for their jobs.

YOUTH’S RESPONSIBILITY

Despite efforts, millions of children today are deprived of an education, of inspiration, of dreams, of aspirations and ambitions. While we decide for ourselves the best universities, scholarship applications, statement of purpose, etc, why not take out some time to help educating those within our ambit at least? This one small deed can empower someone for life and give them the wings to fly a great distance.

We, the ones reading and writing this are among the fortunate few who have managed to get a decent education against all odds. The best way to repay this gratitude is to help someone else get one too. Sign up at an NGO, call up your maid-servant’s kid, or walk up to a street-child – do your bit and spread smiles. yi

“There are 540 million Indians under the age of 25. India’s favourable demographic profile can add significantly to its economic-growth potential for the next three decades, provided that its young people are educated and trained properly. India spends only 1.2% of its GDP on higher education, compared to 3.1% in the US and 2.4% in South Korea. The figure should be higher. So, too, is India’s 3.3% share of global output of academic research far too low for a country with 17% of the world’s brains.”

- Shashi Tharoor, former Minister of State for Human Resource Development JULY 2014 Youth Incorporated 37

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Drivetheaway WORKPLACE HACKS

officeblues Bored of watching your computer screen? Tired from your overload of work? Go ahead and take a break to recharge your brain cells, advises Nikhil Punjabi

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oredom occurs to everyone.

We get tired and bored from doing repetitive tasks. At some point we need to refresh ourselves to get our work done quicker. As a college student, just before starting preparations for the semester exams, the sight of our huge books get us nervous and scared – when will we finish studying this entire thing?

We attack the books with zeal, but

after a few hours we eventually get bored and take a break. With time and experience, we realise that small breaks at regular intervals indeed help us finish up.

Office work isn’t all that different.

That immense workload and pressures of targets make us feel irritated and tired which hinder our efficiency. Even in the office taking small breaks would boost our creativity and morale, and

recharge our brain cells to work at their best. Whenever you feel tired or too bored to work, go ahead and take a break.

HAVE A CONVERSATION

Having a conversation with someone doesn’t really mean to sit and gossip or engage in idle chatter. Have a mentally stimulating conversation with a colleague or a friend over a

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perform better. Did I mention caffeine is addictive? Moderate your intake.

Pro tip: Supercharge your rejuvenation with a caffeine nap. A cup of coffee with a 10-minute snooze charges your brain to a higher extent.

WALK AWAY, LITERALLY

CATCH A FEW ZZZs

I am by no means telling you that it’s acceptable to slack off at work. What I am saying is that it might be more acceptable to try and take a power nap of 20 minutes or less during a particularly sluggish afternoon. It would help relieve both stress and boredom. Power naps are also known to change your perspective about an issue and even sharpen your thoughts.

GO ON A TEA/COFFEE RUN WOLFGANG LONIEN, FLICKR

SHIFT TO A MORE ENJOYABLE TAB (i.e.

GAMES)

If you have your work email tab open constantly, there is nothing wrong in replacing it once in a while with a more interesting and fun tab for just a bit. Several websites provide you access to small flash games which are entertaining as well as encouraging of productivity. For starters, try your hand at the games at Miniclip.com.

By the way, did you know that you can play Snake while browsing YouTube?

Just hit the down arrow key while a video is buffering and the spinning dots will transform into your favourite

GET SOCIAL

There is nothing wrong with browsing YouTube/BuzzFeed/Pinterest/ Flickr at work. On the contrary, 10 to 15 minutes of watching people fall over each other or listening to your favourite album’s parody is a fantastic rejuvenation procedure. If you’re flipping through some poorly timed pictures and laughing at them, you’re not thinking about your work load, so when you return to it, you will see it in a new light. Try it!

GET FUNNY

Playing pranks on your colleagues will help you to keep your sanity while slaving away. Click pictures of your colleagues randomly and share it with everyone, or post small notes with a funny message on their worktable.

Or maybe send a funny email to your colleagues saying, “If anyone needs me, I’ll be in the bathroom.” As long as nobody is offended or has you up on harassment charges it should be just fine and fun for all, especially you.

Like anything else, it’s important that these activities should be applied in moderation. One can’t ignore a phone call of a client or the boss during break time, or go without doing work for hours at a stretch. ‘Work smarter, not harder’ has become quite a clichéd phrase now, but it is pivotal to stick to it. Make a clear distinction between your me-time and your work time.

Ensure that you get the opportunity to switch off and relax. yi

G0SUB, FLICKR

Tea and coffee are the most preferred beverages at the workplace as refreshments. Both help you keep your brain alert, owing to their caffeine content (note: coffee contains more caffeine than tea and is an addictive stimulant). Caffeine has been known to ease pain in the neck, shoulder, forearms and wrists.

Some studies have also shown that employees who take coffee breaks in a group are more productive and

M-LOUIS, FLICKR

phone call about common interests like sports, fashion or anything else.

Do keep in mind to talk to a person who is free and doesn’t have anything important lined up at the moment.

Time spent in conversation can help awake your brain and motivate you to start working.

Talking a walk improves blood circulation which ensures more oxygen to the brain which translates into smarter brain cells. A walk can also clear your head and alter your mood. By the end you will feel more awake and ready to work. Either walk within the office premises or go outdoors.

digital reptile. How high a score can you attain before the video buffers?

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FOREIGN SHORES

Filmy G

Sound design

The sound designer plans and provides sound effects to films. Sound designers and composers study the script and work on developing the kind of music that will fit it.

Some directors know exactly what kind of music should be placed in their film while others rely on the sound designer for their assistance with developing the music and effects to be used in specific contexts. Would you be pleased if you wasted your hard earned pocket money on a film with poor sound or music? A sound director, therefore, must be able to place accurate sound effects in the required places, in order to increase the effect the film will make on the audience.

Study it at: Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, USA; Vancouver Film School, Canada VANCOUVER FILM SCHOOL, FLICKR

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VANCOUVER FILM SCHOOL, FLICKR

one are the days when engineering and medicine were the only two viable career paths.

Today, among the extensive career options the youth have, filmmaking is becoming a favourite. Interest in the fields of editing, animation, screenplay writing, direction and acting have been gaining rapid momentum.

After all, who wouldn’t want a career in an industry that hardly faces recession?

Cinematography

The role of a cinematographer is one of the most crucial in the making of a film. The manner in which a film turns out on-screen is heavily dependent on the cinematographer.

Handling the camera, capturing the right shots from the right angles, and thus, coming up with the desired product for the viewers are done by cinematographers.

Cinematography holds a key position in today’s film industry. It is the art of smart cinematography that sometimes manages to make up for directorial glitches, thus improving the quality of a film.

Study it at: International Film School Sydney, Australia; Hong Kong Baptist University, China

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Direction AICLASSELAND, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Responsible for bringing to life a script, it is a film director who artistically and technically manoeuvres a blueprint – a script – into a full-fledged film.

While it may seem like a walk in the park after a certain film has been watched, it is a serious, nerve-wracking process that takes time, patience, skill and sheer talent. The director shapes the film by understanding the script, visualising it, and being able to get the actors into the skin of the characters they’re portraying. As a director, an individual needs to dig deep into the screenplay to feel the script as though its events are unfolding in front of your very eyes. A director also thinks about the script cinematically.

Since direction cannot be mastered overnight, choosing the right institute is important.

Study it at: Beijing Film Academy, China; New York Film Academy, USA

Scriptwriting

As the name suggests, screenwriting or scriptwriting is the craft of writing scripts for films, television and radio shows, video games, etc. Revolving around the telling of stories, a screenplay is the first step in the movie making process.

Therefore, a screenwriter has a major role to play as far as direction of the film goes.

Screenwriting is closely linked with the concept of ‘show, don’t tell.’ As opposed to merely telling a story, it is the screenwriter’s job to portray versatility of characters, depiction of emotions and fit each person into the mould of the film. The role of each actor, the events encircling their lives, etc, all need to be envisioned appropriately in order to come up with a captivating script.

Study it at: Bournemouth University, United Kingdom; University of California Los Angeles, USA

VANCOUVER FILM SCHOOL, FLICKR

Editing

VANCOUVER FILM SCHOOL, FLICKR

A major part of the post-production process, editing involves working on recorded footage. Editing fine-tunes every shot and scene in a film to render a greater amount of finesse. It also combines or deletes selected scenes to come up with the final finished product. Poor cinematography coupled with poor performances by the actors can lead to a disastrous outcome for a film that might otherwise have been able garner critical accolades. But a skilled and a creative editor can assemble the film so that the audience will never see these imperfections. Thus, the hefty sum invested in the production along with taking the film through the post-production process, till it hits the screens, entirely rests in the editor’s hands. That is something a good editor must manage to pull off efficiently.

Study it at: The Polish National Film, Television and Theatre School, Poland; CityVarsity School of Media and Creative Arts, Johannesburg, South Africa JULY 2014 Youth Incorporated 41

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SPECIAL FEATURE

LE WHI

AMERICAN ADVISORS GROUP, FLICKR

ey? n o m cket urite o p o y g easl ur fav feelin m o r t you elish y ithou s waysyou f o e r w ired gh to heese entifi while t u id ich yo nou a c Are t not e th extr Menonively r Is i za wi arsha relat piz lty? V u stay gui elp yo to h dy stu

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B

ABY SITTING

If you have a few afternoons free and the patience of a saint, baby sitting is a viable option to earn some extra cash. Contact parents in and around your neighbourhood, especially new parents, and offer to babysit their kids. After a few successful babysitting sessions, ask them to spread the word to their friends so that more people will know. You can even ask your peers for contacts to expand your clientele.

could be to sell pictures that you take. Sites like Shutterstock pay for the number of photos submitted.

You can also use eBay to sell old stuff online. Things like first edition comics, autographed products or any other quirky or seemingly valuable items that you own can be sold for a good amount of money. Vintage items sometimes turn out to be very valuable, that is, only if you’re willing to part with them.

Along with watching your favourite videos, YouTube can also be used to make money. YouTube has a partnership programme that allows people who post videos on their site to earn money. Videos that have reached a certain number of views can be monetised. The content must be original. Lyric videos and other such similar ones are not paid.

OTHER ONLINE OPPORTUNITIES Other ways of earning money online

LET CREATIVITY FLOW Use the pent-up creativity within you and try to make and sell custom products. Starting shop with new or unique items might lead to quite a bit of money. Products like custom key chains, photo frames, handmade bags, candles and even food and bakery items sell fast. Start small by selling to your friends or local stores and spread the word around your college/ school. With websites like Etsy.com you can even start an online store.

Or you could go a step higher. Invent something new. Granted that not everyone will be able to do this and it might take ages to even come up with a good idea much less start selling.

Still, might be worth a shot.

SAKÉ PUPPETS, FLICKR

PETER ROWLEY, FLICKR

Use sites such as Blogger, Weebly or Wordpress to blog and write about things that interest you. Travel, fashion, food, current affairs and photography blogs are received well.

The more popular you get, the more money you can earn. Activating Google Adsense for your blog will help feature relevant ads on your blog page and pay you according to how many people click on the ads that were broadcast on your blog site.

TUTORING

YOUTUBE

Look out for part-time jobs in your college campus itself. If you are a college student, there might be openings for posts such as library assistants, part-time receptionists, briefers for junior year students and a variety of other jobs depending on the college. Keep your eyes peeled for such opportunities or contact the college authorities to check their availability.

BLOGGING

CHRISTAIN SCHNETTELKER, FLICKR

Tutoring children or even fellow peers, if you are extremely confident with your abilities and knowledge, can prove to be a steady source of income.

The bonus point is that by teaching other people, your own knowledge and communication skills will improve considerably. Get ready to sympathise with your teachers, because teaching is not an easy job.

THINK COLLEGE CAMPUS

KEEP SEARCHING Always keep your eyes and ears open.

There might be competitions in colleges that provide monetary prizes or paid internships. Make sure the companies that are offering these internships are reliable and known.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR ONLINE JOB HUNTS  Look out for scams. Some internet sites promise jobs and will take a lot of personal information from you. Do not give out information easily and always double check and triple check such sites’ legitimacy.  Even while searching for jobs around the locality, keep your safety in mind.

Work for reliable and known people.

Inform your family about the jobs you are considering. That might sound obsessive, but you can never be too careful. Some sites only pay American citizens or citizens of other countries, even while they accept submissions and work from all over the world.

Therefore, look at their FAQs and terms and conditions so that you don’t waste any time. yi JULY 2014 Youth Incorporated 43

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COCKTAILMASTERS, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

YOUTH ISSUES

road less taken… the

In this day and age pursuing an unconventional career should not be a taboo, but the systems in place around us are not yet as accommodating as we’d like them to be. Devika Soni wonders why

I

magine a box labelled ‘Safe’. Peek inside and you will see doctors, engineers, lawyers and other conventional careers. Outside the box would be those quirky jobs like hairstyling, tattooing, DJing, pet grooming, massaging, bartending, etc. These are evolving careers, still trying to find a place in a workforce that is saturated with doctors, teachers and lawyers. In the future these unconventional jobs will settle in just fine, but for now, when they are still struggling to make a niche, it is important for the pursuer to know the dark side of these out-of-the-box careers.

HOWEVER, ON THE OTHER SIDE…

The road less taken remains an unchartered territory due to a number of reasons.

Formal training and education: Fields like medicine and banking have well-known institutes spread all over the country and abroad, but not enough institutes teach something offbeat, say, tattooing.

When we students look at the options available to us in college, we find them to be rather limiting. For those of us who harbour dreams of being a photographer, what do we study?

Should we study at all? Does our education matter? Our education

SCOOTIE, FLICKR

PEOPLE WHO MADE IT • ADHUNA AKHTAR, HAIRSTYLIST • SAMEER PATANGE, TATTOO ARTIST THE OFT TREADED PATH • AQEEL ALI, DJ A doctor, lawyer and engineer • IRENE JAMES, PET have been a part of society since GROOMER man started to settle down. The • DEVENDER SEGHAL, demand from these careers has been unwavering all along. We know a great BARTENDER deal about these existing options,

these well established fields. From the coursework, to the qualifications, the institutes to the remuneration, everything is out there for us to see.

These little things make these careers a safe option.

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system is still in the nascent stage of providing adequate courses and training for such fields of study.

Employment: We have options of working in banks, firms, hospitals, schools, all served on a silver platter. An upcoming career has limited options for employment, for instance, there are only a handful of well-known names in hairstyling.

New brands do emerge every now and then but they are owned by people who are self-employed. We not only have to employ ourselves but constantly look out for competition too. Such is the case with tattooing as well. “It takes you a long time to establish yourself. If you do good work, then you get word-of-mouth publicity and gradually become famous. Until then, you have to publicise your works through social networking sites,” says Abhishaik Madhur of Indelible Tattoos in New Delhi.

Remuneration: One of the biggest benefits of these upcoming careers is the pay they offer. But how constant is this pay? “The pay is quite seasonal,” says Natasha Nasta of Juice hair salon, Mumbai. Sometimes it might bring a lot of money but other times one might have to face financial drought.

Parental support: “Initially my family was sceptical and thought [hairstyling] was a waste of time,” says Nasta. These statements are heard in most households when someone announces their wish to pursue an unusual career. Under the pretext of wanting the best for their children the parents tend to not offer their support for jobs that fall outside the box, which then makes it very difficult for us to follow our dreams.

Society: If jobs were toys, our society would be that kid who put the usual ones inside and discarded the ones that remain outside. Whether one

likes it or not society has a strong opinion on everything. It’s a usual scene at gatherings – people ask whether you want to be a doctor or an engineer; they don’t even think about you being a chef or a scriptwriter in their wildest fantasy. The minute you say you would like to become a painter or actor they make your journey all the more difficult. They might not even appreciate an individual after he/she is successful in their field simply because it does not fit in their box. Society cannot decide what one chooses to become, but it is instrumental in allowing someone to achieve their goal.

Even though these quirky jobs have a lot of cons attached to them, they are somebody’s dream and aspirations.

Sure, these conventional careers make life comfortable and secure, but if we don’t chase our dreams to become a DJ or a photographer, what will we live for? yi

Evolving careers are still trying to find a place in a workforce that is saturated with doctors, teachers and lawyers. In the future these unconventional jobs will settle in just fine

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COUNTDOWN

of the Best OnScreen Teachers

Teachers undoubtedly account for some of the fondest school and college memories. Love them or hate them, they are an irreplaceable part of our growing years. As an ode to teachers, Deepanshu Verma and Nidhi Choksi compile a list of the 10 most awesome professors straight from the big screen

9

Simi Garewal in Mera Naam Joker The character of Madame Mary played by Simi Garewal is an old but golden example; she is still prized by audiences. Caring, loving, warm and extremely-attractive, 20-year-old Mary made little Raju’s heart melt.

10

Shah Rukh Khan in Mohabbatein Post Mohabbatein, Shah Rukh set a bench mark for the role of teachers.

As a student he was suspended from Gurukul for falling in love with the principal’s daughter. A few years later, he returned as a teacher to Gurukul, with a violin in hand taking the role of a music teacher. He taught his students to live life to the fullest while supporting them to stand up against unjust rules in the institute.

8

Boman Irani in 3 Idiots Dr. Viru Sahasrabuddhe or ‘Virus’ as people like to call him, played by Boman Irani, is certainly one of the most memorable characters in Hindi cinema in recent times. A bizarrely unrefined dialogue delivery mixed with crude audacity, Professor Virus, through the course of the film, matures into a pleased and satisfied man whom the audience couldn’t despise anymore.

Sushmita Sen in Main Hoon Na Sexy chemistry teacher Chandni Chopra from Main Hoon Na, wearing billowy chiffon sarees and figure-hugging blouses gave boys butterflies in their tummies and the hope that they too would have a similar teacher. After the movie’s release, every school and college student wished they’d be blessed with that one hot teacher. After all, who wouldn’t want a teacher that turned heads with her beauty and her brains?

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4

6

Michael Gambon in the Harry Potter Series Dumbledore is as close to being a phenomenon in Hogwarts as anyone will ever get. Probably the most celebrated headmaster in a hundred thousandmile radius of wherever you are right now, he is adored and loved by Harry Potter lovers across the globe. On the 15th anniversary of Harry Potter’s first book release, J. K. Rowling stated she missed Dumbledore the most out of all other characters in the wizardly saga.

Jack Black in School of Rock

5

Amitabh Bachchan in Black Playing the role of Debraj Sahai, a teacher to deaf and blind student Michelle McNally (played by Rani Mukherjee), Bachchan took viewers through a touching journey of a girl trying to overcome her disability. As a teacher, he understood her devastating isolation and helped her overcome failures and obstacles while also encouraging her to enjoy failure by embracing everything that came her way gracefully.

2

Jackie Chan in The Karate Kid

3

Naseeruddin Shah in Iqbal Obsessed with cricket, but blind and deaf, Shreyas Talpade is helped by a former cricketer (Naseeruddin Shah) to fulfill his dream of playing for the national Indian team. Though initially hesitant with the decision to teach him, after much contemplation he teaches him the techniques of the game to successfully produce an unmatched bowler.

Maintenance man Mr Han, played by Jackie Chan, who is secretly a master of Kung Fu, helps little Dre fight his class bully and Kung Fu prodigy, Cheng. Han teaches Dre that Kung Fu is not merely about throwing punches and jabs, but about staying mature and calm as well. As the movie proceeds, the audience learns that beneath his tough exterior, Mr Han is a supportive teacher who believes in practicing Kung Fu the hard and traditional way.

Dewey Finn is undoubtedly in the game for being one of coolest celluloid teachers ever. We can’t seem to get him out of our heads and hearts. A wannabe rock singer, Finn disguises himself as a substitute teacher after being thrown out of his band. Once employed in a school, he tries to convert an otherwise boring music class of fourth graders into a rock band, and might we add, a successful one. Isn’t that cute?

1

Aamir Khan in Taare Zameen Par Imprinted on the memories of audiences worldwide, Aamir Khan’s extraordinary performance as little Ishaan’s mentor was admired universally.

The film followed the journey of a teacher trying to bring the best in his dyslexic pupil. The film won Aamir the best director award in just about every Indian award ceremony and went on to be India’s official entry for the 2009 Academy Awards under the Best Foreign Film category.

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Rashi Choudhary

Arzaan Irani

Avnish Pandya

Sumit Shah Aru n K ri sh n a m u rt h y

Chirag Tekchandaney

A peo lar Sahej Sethi are grea Sanvar Oberoi The Jahan James tha

Armaan Gandhi

INDIA’S RISING STARS

INDIA’S

COVER STORY

Gaurav Jain Yash Kotak

Anubhav Anusha

Dhirendra Pratap

Delzaad Deolaliwala 48 Youth Incorporated JULY 2014

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Karan Mehrotra

Amit Naik

Manav Mehta

26-06-2014 18:52:55

INDIA’S RISING STARS

A country is only as great as its people are, and isinonly India, the A country as great as world’s its people, and in whose India whosepeople largest democracy, populace is largely the youth, are largely the youth, the mantle of the mantle of greatness rests on shoulders.

The JEB 2014 greatnessyoung rests on young shoulders. team found shoulders that shoulders are The JEB 2014 team found strong, sturdy and inspiring; the nation is in good hands that are strong, sturdy and inspiring.

The nation is in good hands

RISING STARS

“Youth is wasted on the young,” Oscar Wilde is famously quoted as saying. We disagree. And we’re here to tell you why.

We might be wild. We might be reckless. But do not assume for a moment that we are irresponsible. We take ourselves seriously.

We take our country seriously. We are driven by passion. We are tempered by empathy.

These were the kind of people we set out to look for when trying to identify the unsung heroes of India. We are told repeatedly by the media to look up to celebrities and stars as our youth icons, but we are never asked who are the kind of people we are actually inspired by. In these pages we tell you that we are not swayed by good looks or stardom. For us, truly actions speak louder than words – actions that have life-changing consequences for us and those around us.

Finding rising stars among us wasn’t as tedious a task as we thought it would be. The young in our country are keeping busy.

From business to education to sports, they are doing it all. They aren’t afraid of a challenge; on the contrary, they look forward to breaking roadblocks. They might be local, some even small-scale in their efforts, but they are contributing to the country in their own way when so many of us are more preoccupied with relatively trivial things like our smartphone, selfies and social media statuses.

These youth icons have made quantum leaps.

These are the rising stars of India.

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COVER STORY

MY TAKE

Localbanya is attempting to eliminate the hassle of shopping from shopping all together. This rising star has taken over Mumbai and will very soon take over the nation and give people a new method of buying groceries.

Localbanya has set an example in the entrepreneurial world for all those dreamers who wish to make change in their own way.

(L to R) Karan Mehrotra, CEO and Co-founder; Rashi Choudhary, COO and Co-founder; Amit Naik, CTO and Co-founder

Your friendly neighbourhood

Grocer

In a mere two years Localbanya.com has gone from being yet another face in the e-commerce crowd to a face you want in said crowd. Devika Soni checks them out WHO IS LOCALBANYA?

could get people the products they needed when they needed and if we did it well there would be no reason for people not to use it a lot,” says CoFounder and COO Rashi Choudhary.

Necessity is truly the mother of invention. Founders Karan Mahrotra, Amit Naik and Choudhary needed a service that could save their time and yet deliver what they wanted. That need gave birth to Localbanya.

THE INSPIRATION

“The first uphill task was to put together an effective, smart and

This banya (grocer) has it all, be it fruits, vegetables, dairy products or personal care. Only, he has no physical store; the address is www.localbanya. com. Localbanya is Mumbai’s first online supermarket. If you run out of, say, milk and bread, and are too lazy to go out, go online, place an order in your virtual cart, figure out where and when you want the delivery and wait for the food to come to you.

“We wanted to build a service that

HURDLES ON THE WAY

functional website,” says Choudhary.

To accommodate an audience that orders online, a streamlined chain of supply and management of inventory was needed. As with any business, finding funds was a difficulty as well.

“Businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to get this stage of funding which will propel them into a growth phase and allow for expansion. A robust business plan and aggressive growth prospects helped Localbanya attract a good set of investors,” says Choudhary.

“Logistics for an e-tailing business also seemed to be a daunting task,” she adds.

(L to R): Fo Sanvar Ob Delzaad D

VISION FOR CHANGE

There is expansive growth in e-business with the rise of hundreds of online stores. We have so many options for shopping online that we do not need to step out of our house at all. No wonder Localbanya is finding favour with people. Choudhary and her colleagues are trying to build a world class company known for service and innovation and for changing the face of online shopping. “We would like Localbanya to be known as the company that got it right and constantly improved on its offering.

A natural by-product of this would be job creation which is always great for any economy,” she says. With eyes on expansion, she adds, “We will be in multiple metros, servicing lakhs of customers. We hope to make Localbanya the company that entrepreneurs across the country look up to.”

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MY TAKE

I think the Xyra team has a very unique plan – to make technology convenient and easy to use. This unique plan is what makes them so special and different from other tech companies in the market. Along with the XS powercharger, they also aim to launch more such user-friendly products. It’s definitely a company to look out for.

WHAT DOES XYRA DO?

Launched by Arzan Irani, Armaan Gandhi and Sahej Sethi, Xyra is a tech startup that delivers new and existing technologies for the sole purpose of (L to R): Founders customer Avnish Pandya, Sumit Shah, convenience and ease of use.

Sanvar Oberoi, Jahan Peston Jamas, Yash P. Kotak, Its first product, the XS powercard is Delzaad Deolaliwala and Chirag Tekchandaney a portable smartphone charger that also doubles up as a data storage device and a USB cable that conveniently fits into a wallet. With the launch of this product, Xyra made over $35,000 through pre-orders in just 50 days.

THE INSPIRATION

Of the inspiration behind the XS powercard Aramaan Gandhi says, “Smartphone battery life has been a major problem for users all around the globe. The idea to create this device came when one of our phones died while on a conference call.”

Self-professed technophiles, the Xyra team always wanted to work together to solve a certain problem. Gandhi says their aim was to create a device that integrated seamlessly into the daily life of a user. After designing this portable charger, data storage device, and a USB cable, they came to realise that they could do more. “Your phone and wallet are two things you never leave without. Now, if you don’t forget your wallet, you won’t forget your XS powercard,” says Gandhi.

HURDLES ON THE WAY

The Xyra team faced communication and decision-making problems in the initial stages of production. Since

(L to R) Sahej Sethi, Arzaan Irani and Armaan Gandhi

A technological

Rendition To put an end to people’s digital woes, Xyra’s XS powercard takes mobile technology to a whole new level. One of its founders, Armaan Gandhi, talks to Deepanshu Verma about his company’s new tech invention

three of them have never been in the same continent for more than three weeks, launching the product was quite a task. Their lack of experience in starting a business was also one of the hurdles; after all, it does take time to stand on your own feet in the risky realm of startups. What kept them going was faith in their idea and product.

TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE

Gandhi believes that technology is evolving rapidly around the world and not just in India. He says that

India produces some of the finest engineers that service the world, but ironically, it lags behind in adopting the technologies. Although slow, technology is catching up here.

THE FUTURE OF XYRA

“Technology will forever evolve to become faster, easier and wireless. Our idea bank includes ideas that include the above and are the future. If given the opportunity and if things work in our favour, we will definitely strive to bring them to life,” says Gandhi ethusiastically of the future of his business venture.

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COVER STORY

WHO IS GAURAV JAIN?

Gaurav Jain is the journalist behind Tehelka magazine’s glorious investigative piece on the Aarushi Talwar murder. The House We Blew Down, published in 2011, won Jain a Mumbai Press Club Award for Excellence in Journalism.

TURNING TO JOURNALISM

Jain is an alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied engineering and English literature. He then worked in business research and consulting in Washington, D.C for a few years. However, having always aspired to be a writer, Jain returned to India and eventually joined Tehelka, soon becoming its Literary Editor.

FINDING HIS FEET

As a beginner with no experience or formal training in journalism, Jain threw himself into deep sea. Ask him what he loves about his work and he cheerfully replies that working with some of the best writers in India is truly motivational for him, and his ceaseless need to inspire and be inspired keeps him on his toes.

INTO NEW TERRITORY

A new age

Journalist Raushan Kamdar finds out from awardwinning journalist Gaurav Jain what it takes to be a writer in an era of information overload

Jain and his friends captain two media ventures, Grist Media and TheLadiesFinger.com. Last summer he and his partner Nisha Susan launched a new section of Yahoo! News called Yahoo Originals through Grist Media.

Originals publishes both analyses and on-ground reporting. They edit, curate and commission articles from India and the world. TheLadiesFinger is a new women’s webzine that promises fun commentaries and essays while retaining thoughtfulness.

of the British model of information and broadcasting where you build an identity of your media outlet by clearly stating your viewpoint. It wins the trust of the audience because you treat them as adults with a mind of their own, capable of discerning that what they consume from a media house or a journalist might be loaded with bias. In this competitive era, clear expression of ideologies is what it takes to build free and fair judgment.

VISION FOR CHANGE

“One must possess the desire to read,” says Jain. In his opinion, it is important to read well in order to write well. Read anything well written – from good magazines to great blogs to the great classics. If you dislike reading, he says, you’ll probably never write well either.

Jain says that there is not enough scrutiny on media practices. Despite the vibrancy of Indian media, editors and journalists keep a code of silence and don’t usually criticise or examine each others’ practices and news reports. He is in favour

WORD OF ADVICE

MY TAKE

Gaurav Jain’s contribution to journalism is not just factual reportage of events as they unfold; he delves deeper to bring to the fore aspects and specifics that often remain unquestioned and thus unheard. He keeps the humane element of reportage afloat and therefore strikes a harmonious cord with readers. In keeping his texts literally affluent and emotionally upscale without compromising one bit on the impeccability of the details, Jain has indeed refined traditional journalism for the better.

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that swimming in the sea is far from easy since one needs to swim against the current, and when the weather is rough, it is tougher. “The water is very deep and there is always the chance of being carried away by the current.”

HURDLES ON THE WAY

Swimmer Extraordinaire 14-year-old Manav Mehta is a long-distance swimmer who has tamed the most torrid of waters in India. Arsh Gupta profiles this water baby

MY TAKE Still in his early teens,

Manav Mehta has made his place in the world of swimming. He is swimming unimaginable distances in deep sea waters and breaking national records.

Excelling in freestyle and backstroke, he is one of the best swimmers in India. He is a worthy candidate for the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games and is already heading out for international open sea swimming events.

WHO IS MANAV MEHTA?

Manav, while not a student at Podar International School in Navi Mumbai, is a long-distance swimmer. He is coached by Kishore Patil and Santosh Patil, a record breaker in the US for long-distance swimming. Manav holds a national record and several state records.

TAKING TO THE WATERS

Manav began swimming at the age of five. He has since swum through rivers and seas. “I was really scared in my first event at sea,” he recalls. “I had to do it against the waves and the waters were very rough that day. I was literally shaking with fear.” He recently swam a whopping 36 km from Alibaug to the Gateway of India in six hours in the choppy waters of the Arabian Sea, breaking the national record. He says

Manav spends hours swimming, running and skipping to build his stamina. He was asked to leave his first swimming association when he opted for long-distance, as the association only trained swimmers for shorter distances. He had to alter his diet, control his intake of fatty foods and eat protein and carbohydrate-rich foods. He also had to (and still does) juggle between swimming and studies.

At times, he says, he needs to sacrifice studies for practice.

SOME ACHIEVEMENTS

 Finished an 81-km swim in the Bhagirathi River, Kolkata; was also the youngest contestant to participate  Swam 13 km from Uran to the Gateway of India in the Arabian Sea; broke a national record at just 8 years  Swam 24 km from Karanja Jetty to Khanderi Island, becoming the first Indian to do so

VISION FOR CHANGE

Manav wants to create an organisation for young swimmers. “Organising events abroad and in India is very expensive. The government is not that helpful to promote rising stars of swimming and give them opportunities to perform at international events. Even excellent swimmers are not able to go abroad or to other cities because of economical and visa problems.” He would like to financially support such swimmers.

FUTURE PLANS

Manav aspires to represent India in the Commonwealth and Asian Games. He is, however, confused about his choice of career – either a doctor or a professional swimmer. “I wish to go into medical, but I can’t give up swimming.”

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COVER STORY

WHAT DOES MILAAN DO?

Milaan, from the words milan, meaning union, and elaan, meaning declaration, was founded by Dhirendra Pratap Singh. Milaan engages local communities, governments and the youth to join hands and build sustainable education models in areas and communities where India’s education infrastructure is lacking. In the last six years Milaan has worked with 10,000 children and young adults through various programmes and campaigns.

Swarachna Learning and Resource Centre, its flagship programme in Uttar Pradesh currently provides education from kindergarten to class 12 to more than 500 students from economically and socially backward communities. Along with this, Milaan provides education, life skills and

vocational training to girls dropped out from school in rural Uttar Pradesh.

BIRTH OF MILAAN

Dhirendra’s aim is to educate children in the remote parts of the country enabling local youth to be catalysts for change. When he started out in 2007, he had to pick between choosing a lucrative career and following his dream of change. Even though he didn't know much about the education industry, he knew he wanted to see change. Thus was born Milaan.

THE INSPIRATION

Dhirendra worked and lived in the rural village of Pitthorgrah for six months in 2007. He worked with a government school where he learned about the limitations of government

The noble

Educator

Saasha Jethwani talks to Dhirendra Pratap Singh about teaching underprivileged kids through his educational endeavour Milaan

education infrastructure. Instead of criticising it, he chose to understand their shortcomings and engage local youth to fill the gaps.

HURDLES ON THE WAY

The development sector is habituated to a certain way of functioning.

Milaan being a youth-led initiative had difficulty in developing credibility in the sector. They faced significant financial constrains and human resource issues too while starting out.

VISION FOR CHANGE

“I’d like young people in India to take charge of the present and the future,” says Dhirendra. Milaan propagates this thought while creating spaces to engage and enable the youth to be changemakers within their own communities.

FUTURE OF THE EDUCATION SECTOR

According to Dhirendra, the education sector needs to look into tangible partnerships between the government, local communities, NGOs and corporates to provide quality education across the length and the breadth of the country. Also, the youth need to look into the sector as a potential employer, creating space for them to grow as individuals while also contributing to the growth of India.

MY TAKE

Dhirendra is an intelligent man who chose to follow his heart and work for change.

His journey had struggles but they didn’t overshadow his dreams. People like him are role models not only because they do inspiring work, but also because they bring about a transformation.

Undoubtedly, education will accelerate the development of our country and people like Dhirendra Pratap Singh will be the driving force behind it.

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WHO IS AVANI SINGH?

At the tender age of 16, Avani Singh had the noble thought of making travel safe for women in New Delhi.

With the help of solar powered vehicles, Avani set up Umeed, an organisation that facilitates transport for women, by women.

‘Umeed ki rickshaw,’ the organisation’s first initiative gave women from Delhi’s slums these unique battery operated rickshaws as a way to help them earn a living and become independent. First, Umeed selected five women, trained them to operate these rickshaws and then handed them driver’s licences. One of the first women to get hold of their licence was a 33-year-old single mother of three; she went on to become Delhi’s first woman rickshaw driver.

HER INSPIRATION

Avani would pass the slums close to her home every day on her way to school. The pitiful plight of the people from these slums frustrated her, which is why she enrolled as a volunteer for CEQUIN, an NGO that works towards the betterment of uncared for sections of the population. As she got involved with the women, she realised that many of them wanted to get out of the dire situations they were in.

Soon after, she came across an article that introduced electric eco-friendly

MY TAKE

Avani, through her work has set an example for youth today. We, the youth are the future of our nation. If we don’t make an attempt to change things around us, then who will? Age, sex, class – none of it matters. You only have to be dedicated towards achieving a set goal. She was a 16-year-old school girl when she began Umeed, but still managed to make an impact on the lives of women. She is indeed an inspiration!

rickshaws in India. It occurred to her that the women she worked with could be trained to drive these vehicles and become economically self-sufficient.

HURDLES ON THE WAY

Starting her non-profit was not as easy as it seemed. Many different problems needed to be addressed. One such problem was the finance needed to procure these rickshaws. Each hurdle was crossed slowly and gradually, and the constant support of her parents and her team at Ummeed helped make her endeavour a success.

VISION FOR CHANGE

“Ummeed is only a small step in helping backward women. There are millions of such women, men and children that need help,” Avani says.

However, she plans to expand the

programme and help them overcome bigger hurdles. “We need millions of Ummeeds in our country. And so, I encourage everyone to contribute in whatever little way that they can, because each one of us can make a difference,” she adds.

FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY

Along with teaching women to operate rickhaws, Avani’s aim is to also help enable women become bus drivers some day. She believes in working harder towards it while also working towards expanding the programme she initiated. She wants to help these economically and socially backward women earn a living with dignity and respect, which is possible only if youth today step forward and undertake such initiatives throughout the country.

The teen

Changemaker On learning about an easy-to-pedal solarpowered rickshaw, 18-year- old Avani Singh stepped forward to change the lives of disadvantaged women by teaching them how to drive them. Shazia Sheikh tours the life of this young social worker

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COVER STORY

WHAT IS NUTRAGENE?

NutraGene was formed out of the need to make genetic testing in India more accessible for disease prevention.

With the help of NutraGene a person can diagnose diseases even before symptoms begin to show.

NutraGene helps determine an individual’s susceptibility to diseases based on genetic and DNA testing.

Additionally, NutraGene studies a patient’s responsiveness to drugs and analyses which foods, diets and weight loss regimens work for which people.

ANUBHAV ANUSHA, THE FOUNDER

With BSc and MSc degrees from Georgetown University, Anubhav Anusha started his career a healthcare investment banker after which he moved on to conduct cancer research at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. Anubhav describes his qualifications as being the best decisions he has taken, thus making him quite an inspiration.

THE INSPIRATION

“My father was diagnosed with heart disease at a young age. So the question of whether or not I will develop it was always on my mind,” says Anusha. When he found that genetic screening solutions for heart disease, diabetes and obesity were absent in our country, he came up with the concept of disease prevention based on

DNA. Having previously worked with genetic screening companies in the USA, it was not very difficult to form a business model.

THE CHALLENGES

With a unique business venture and a low rate of awareness, Anubhav was plagued with the initial challenge of introducing his one-of -a-kind company to his audience. However, he believes that people in India have an open mind to new concepts but not everyone is willing to risk being the first to be tested on. “After approaching leading companies of preventive health and wellness in India and successfully convincing them, others followed,” he says proudly.

VISION FOR CHANGE

Anusha believes that the future of NutraGene is to extend genetic

screening to the masses. He adds, “Everyone within the next five years will have his or her genetic information. Genetic screening is for all and not to be a luxury for a select few.”

FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY

Everyone is faced with pressures from society to fit into traditional moulds.

This innovator states that there are some people who choose the corporate path that is well-laid, whereas there are those who choose to risk what they have and ride rough waters on their own, motivated by a dream.

Proudly stating that he is the latter kind, he reveals that his key to success is to manage risk and obviously have the right idea and motivation. “All I need in life is my family on my side, patience, persistence, and no task is unattainable,” Anusha signs off.

The medical

Innovator

MY TAKE

With the evident amount of hard work and dedication to his goal, Anubhav Anusha proves that nothing is impossible.

What really makes him an inspiration is the fact that he embodies a ‘never say die’ attitude taking on challenged head-on.

All this just adds on to the brew of his admirable success.

25-year-old Anubhav Anusha, the brainchild behind NutraGene talks to Varsha Menon about his journey from being a science student to the owner of one of India’s first ever gene testing centres

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WHAT IS BOHECO?

The Bombay Hemp Company is the first company in India to work with local industries and farmers to manufacture innovative agroproducts from industrial hemp. It was founded by a group of seven young entrepreneurs, or ‘agri-entrepreneurs’ as they like to call themselves: Avnish Pandya, Jahan Jamas, Sumit Shah, Delzaad Deolaliwala, Sanvar Oberoi, Chirag Tekchandaney and Yash Kotak.

WHAT DOES BOHECO DO?

BOHECO is involved all the way in the hemp business, from research to promotion. A man’s basic needs are food, clothing and shelter, and BOHECO is working to have hemp products figure among them.

BOHECO produces hemp seeds which are high in nutrition, composed

of 50% pure protein power, and hemp oil which is rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Both are under FDA testing. Shirts and t-shits which are 100% organic and made of hemp fibre are another offering. The company is also researching Bio-Crete, a plant-based building component – a mixture of hemp, hibiscus cannabis and a lime-based binder.

THE INSPIRATION

It all started in college, they say.

The founders were part of a solar electrification project called Project Chirag for rural areas. They threw around some ideas on scaling up the initiative and aiding rural India in more sectors. On a vacation to Australia to visit his family, Jamas discovered the tremendous scope of hemp. He brought back his idea of using industrial hemp in manufacturing.

The cannabis

Revolution The Bombay Hemp Company, or BOHECO, is transforming the way hemp is being grown and used, finds Nikhil Punjabi

HURDLES ON THE WAY

BOHECO faced two major hurdles setting up – the first was the lack of knowledge about hemp in Indian communities. Hemp fibres and products are used in Himalayan regions but have never ventured beyond. The second was that facing a pioneer in the hemp manufacturing business, the legal system wasn’t entirely accommodating, given the laws against the cannabis plant (hemp is from the cannabis family – cannabis sativa; marijuana is cannabis indica). The founders needed to teach themselves the law and clear the legal roadblocks. The government, on the other hand, was always supportive of their initiative.

VISION FOR CHANGE

BOHECO’s mission is to educate the population with the benefits of hemp and other natural fibres, developing the cultivation process of crops along the way by elevating the standards of the farmers. It aims for ‘no compromise’, neither for the farmers nor for the consumers – farmers receive their minimum support price while consumers get products with the best quality at the best price. Through this it looks to create an entirely new industry, a new eco-system. With the help of modern science, BOHECO is attempting to develope the right seed and create a seed bank from varieties of hemp crop.

MY TAKE

(L to R) Founders Avnish Pandya, Sumit Shah, Sanvar Oberoi, Jahan Peston Jamas, Yash P. Kotak, Delzaad Deolaliwala and Chirag Tekchandaney

India is in desperate need of companies that use natural resources to manufacture consumer products.

Environment conservation is a serious issue and concrete steps must be taken in this regard. BOHECO’s initiative to educate, cultivate and elevate will serve as inspiration to other companies to promote natural fibres and provide support to farmers.

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COVER STORY

WHO IS ARUN KRISHNAMURTHY?

Arun grew up in suburban Chennai amidst greenery and wildlife. But over time, expansions in the city took a toll on everything around him. Growing up he witnessed green meadows in his area turned into dusty fields and garbage dumps.

His initial step toward nature conversation came when a lake next to his house rich in biodiversity became heavily polluted and lead to a mosquito menace. The instance affected him so much that he sought help from a few of his friends and cleaned it. That was the beginning of his journey.

THE FIRST STEP

Letting the cause be the

HERO Man of action Arun Krishnamurthy talks to Nidhi Choksi about his work as a conservationist and about his foundation, the Environment Foundation of India

Krishnamurthy founded Environmental Foundation of India (EFI) after realising that vested interests and egos played major roles in the manner that NGOs worked. Out of the need to form an organisation that had volunteers work towards betterment without room for ulterior motives, he created EFI.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL FOUNDATION OF INDIA

EFI is a wildlife conservation and habitat restoration group working across several Indian cities. With a core team of 47 members from ages 10 to 22, conservation projects like the cleaning of lakes, introduction of animal centres and attempts to boost and restore biodiversity are taken up in full swing. The organisation also has plans to restore native Indian herbs and bring back the declining sparrow population.

HURDLES ON THE WAY

“Cleaning the lake has never been the problem; the issue has been making people understand the importance of protecting a lake,” says Krishnamurthy. With the help of documentary films and street theatre, EFI has tried to create public awareness about the environment.

Like most NGOs, EFI also faces revenue issues. Most of their money comes from the workshops they organise. However, Krishnamurthy proudly states that the challenges have groomed him to be a better conservationist and a person. Of his every day motivation he says, “Brave, young people doing something for the country is what keeps me going irrespective of the hardships.”

VISION FOR CHANGE

Krishnamurthy wishes that people become more aware and responsible about the world around them. He believes that people must live with the thought that the planet is shared with so many other life forms and that it is not just about them.

HOPEFUL FUTURE OF EFI

With a focus on structured diversification, EFI plans to restore and see the return of biodiversity in 29 lakes across Chennai, Coimbatore, Tanjore, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Shillong before the end of 2016. They also wish to create awareness while also effectively conserving India’s wildlife and their habitats. More importantly, EFI wants to continue to be that organisation where voluntary efforts will deliver results for all life forms. yi

MY TAKE

If what Arun and his team have already done isn’t enough, there is so much more he wishes to do for the country. Most importantly, he believes in the cause of his work rather than brag about what he has done so far.

Apart from the concern he shows towards society and his drive for a better India, he is humble. He believes everyone is answerable to Mother Nature, even him, and hence he does his work with utmost sincerity. He is truly a star.

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JAYANTI GHOSE

COMPUTER SCIENCE ABROAD Q: I am planning to take up BSc Computer Science and then study abroad. Is that a good idea?

Praneeti Planning for higher studies abroad is a good idea. However, it would be advisable to enter a foreign university only after completing an MSc here. Hence, start researching college/university and course options while pursuing the MSc. You will need to get a clear picture of what you wish to study and a clear picture of the employment options in India and abroad after completing your master’s degree or PhD outside the country. It is also important for you to get an estimate of the tuition fees and living costs in the different countries and universities you would be considering.

Astronomers seek an understanding of how the universe works; from the planets in our own Solar System, to the evolution of stars and nebulae, to whole systems of galaxies. In the normal course you specialise in astronomy either at the master or doctoral (PhD) level. If you want to do instrumentation/ experimental astronomy in future, you may go in for an engineering degree after class 12, but if you want to do theoretical astronomy or observations, you may go through the science stream – either with a BSc followed by an MSc or with an integrated MSc or with a dual degree BS-MS after class 12 in the physical sciences.

ANSWER ANSWER

ANSWER ANSWER

Qualifying the CSIR-UGC NET or the State Eligibility Test for Lectureship could lead to a lecturer’s job. MPhil/PhD would be the route to a research or teaching career. Alternatively, one could apply for jobs as patent examiner or take the Patent Agent exam to work in the field of patents with a scientific organisation or a law firm. The newly introduced 1-year full time postgraduate diploma in Patinformatics (patent informatics) by CSIRUnit for Research & Development of Information Products (CSIR) at Pune is designed to train the candidates in the art of patent searching, reading and analysis. Doing LLB, MBA, or library science or journalism could widen career and job opportunities.

Examples are indicative of possibilities.

BEING AN ASTRONOMER Q: What is the work of an astronomer? At what stage does one specialise in astronomy and how?

Arnav

UNDERGRDAUTION IN THE UK Q: I am thinking of applying for undergraduate studies in the UK. What are the application deadlines?

Mohit Deadlines vary with the choice of courses. 15 October is for applications for all professional courses – medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and veterinary science courses, and for all courses at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. 15 January is the advised application deadline for all courses except those listed above. Art and design courses close on 24 March; this deadline is for some art and design courses, except those listed with a 15 January deadline. If students apply after 30 June, they will be entered into a process known as Clearing (see www.ucas.com/clearing).

Through Clearing students need to contact universities and colleges directly to see if they have spaces in courses. The courses will be listed on www.ucas.com from mid-August until late September.

ANSWER ANSWER

OPTIONS AFTER MSC Q: What options are available after an MSc in environment science if campus placement is not to the student’s liking?

Manoharan

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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WISE UP

1

2

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3

1

O N Z 1

1

2

- By Niloufer Gandhi

1

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O W

Choose the option that is closest in meaning to the main word and complete the sentence.

1. Factotum (fak-toh-tuh-m)

Words too good to be true

The newly elected mayor hired a ____ to discharge a variety of jobs. (a) tax planner (b) personal assistant (c) financial analyst

2. Gongoozle (gon-goo-zuh-l)

The tourists couldn’t help but ____ in wonder at the brightly illuminated Eiffel Tower. (a) peep (b) analyse (c) stare

3. Boondoggle (boon-dog-uh-l)

When the construction of the skyscraper was stalled, many critics labelled the project a costly and ______ that was best abandoned. (a) unnecessary activity (b) significant undertaking (c) accidental discovery

The English language has many strange words that you won’t believe aren’t made up. In fact, some would probably make you think, “Is that really a word?”

4. Squabash (skwo-bash)

Many environmentalists _____ the impact human activity has had on marine environment. (a) praise (b) criticise (c) encourage

5. Pandiculate (pan-dik-yuh-ley-t)

After a good night’s rest, most of us _____ before getting out of bed. (a) dream (b) complain (c) stretch

Answers:

1. B, 2. C, 3. A, 4. B, 5. C

Word Pyramid

The clues will help you find the answers to complete the word pyramid. Each answer must contain the previous answer. You may arrange the words with a new letter.

Hint: Start from the top 1. Pronoun used to refer to yourself

I

2. Information Technology (abbreviation) 3. Attach or bind with a string or cord 4. Restrict the intake of food 5. Pronged (eg. three ____ fork) 6. To plan or have in mind 7. Dense tissue of the tooth under the enamel 8. Worked as an apprentice to gain practical experience 10. Aroused or stimulated 11. Unintentional, unplanned, unwitting

Answers:

IT, TIE, DIET, TINED, INTEND, DENTINE, INTERNED, ENTRAINED, INNERVATED, INADVERTENT

9. Boarded a train

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yi

entertain If food is your religion then what better country than India to go on a food pilgrimage? Follow our stairway to heaven...

Page 68

K E E PI N S I D E 

Pg62 Pg66 Pg70

Pg74

FESTIVAL HOPPING FOR THE LITERARY JUNKIE

MEETING THE PARENTS

YOUR GUIDE TO A RAINPROOF DIET

KEEP IT STYLISH UNDER THE UMBRELLA

LOVE LITERATURE AND TRAVEL? COMBINE BOTH AS YOU CHECK OUT LIT FESTIVALS IN INDIA

READ UP ON THE DOS AND DON’TS OF MEETING THE PARENTS OF YOUR PARTNER

EAT CAREFULLY THIS MONSOON TO KEEP ILLNESSES AT BAY – WE TELL YOU HOW TO TWEAK YOUR DIET

WALK INTO WORK LIKE YOU’VE COME OFF THE RUNWAY, EVEN IN THE RAINS

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ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE

Find it difficult to take your nose out of a book? Does the mere thought of travelling give you an adrenalin rush? Raushan Kamdar combines for you the quiet island of reading and the cacophony of travel, recommending 6 must-visit literary festivals

R

eading has always been an intimate and private affair. On the other hand, travel is seen as a means to get out of the intimate and private arena to explore the frontiers beyond.

Recent times have seen an intermingling of the two in the form of literary festivals. Their emergence is a unique show of intellectual discourse, vibrancy of thought and literary dialogues in the heart of some of India’s oldest cities. The intimate has now come to be embedded within a wider culture of public spectacles and

performances. Literature festivals capture the changing landscape of literature in India, as the largely impersonal relationship between the reader and writer has now become an informal face-to-face interaction.

Following are six of India’s major literary festivals that will enthrall the literary enthusiast in you and urge you to step out for a jaunt and explore historic cities.

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ENJOSMITH, FLICKR

Jaipur Literature Festival, Jaipur

COURTESY SHARELL COOK, ABOUT.COM

Recognised as one of the largest literary festivals in Asia, this fest in India’s Pink City combines heritage, royalty and literature. Organised by William Dalrymple and Namita Gokhale, JLF sees the fusion of acclaimed writers and artists across various genres and origins. Speakers are the soul of any lit fest and JLF has a rich list of local and international authors and celebrity glitterati who have been a part of this venture. They include writers like J.M.Coetzee, Orhan Pamuk, Salman Rushdie, Amartya Sen, Jhumpa Lahiri, Amish Tripathi, Mahasweta Devi, Jerry Pinto, and noted celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Oprah Winfrey, the late Dev Anand, Anoushka Shankar and more. This fest spread over five days is a beautiful confluence of readings, debates and discussions.

Where: Diggi Palace When: January every year Tickets/Entry: Free Stay options: Aapnni Hotel (station road), Acacia Inn hotel (MI Road), Amrapali Hotel and Resorts (airport zone). PGs and hostels are available subject to availability.

Local attractions: Jaipur Heritage Walk, City Palace, Central Museum, Nahargarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort

SIMRANJITSINGH1986, FLICKR

Spring Fever, New Delhi

KPRATEEK88, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Penguin India, one of the leading publishing houses in the country, is the mastermind behind this 10-day long literature festival. This fest has an open air library, book reading sessions and unplugged conversations with regional and English writers. Its spacious layout and its quiet corner facility, away from the bustle of the crowd to indulge in some reading, are nothing short of a browser’s paradise.

Vikram Seth, Gurcharan Das, Ramchandra Guha, Shashi Tharoor, Devdutt Pattanaik, Sudha Murty and Mira Nair are just some of the people who have been panellists here.

The festival also organises movie quizzes, talent hunts and musical evenings for its audience.

Where: India Habitat Centre When: March every year Tickets/Entry: Free Stay options: The Corporate Regency (Lajpat Nagar), Anmol Hotel (Pahargunj), Hotel Flora (Daryagunj), Hotel Royal Blue (Airport area). Hostels and PGs are subject to availability.

Local attractions: Dilli Haat, National Museum, Lodi Gardens, Jama Masjid, India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Bahai Temple

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Lekhana Literary Weekend, Bangalore The Lekhana Festival is not a conventional literature festival in terms of commerciality. It is spread over the weekend, and in a single event they bring together writers in as many languages over readings, discussions and small performances. It is a more intimate festival compared to others and it taps into the city’s literary talent. It brings lesser known names who have made indelible contributions to the literary landscape to the fore. The panel discussions cover everything from the role of translation in bridging cultural gaps to new Kannada writing, among other topics.

The panels have seen writers like Lakshmi Holmstorm, Rahul Soni, Giriraj Kiradoo, Girish Karnad and Vanamala.

Where: NGMA When: TBA Tickets/Entry: Free Stay options: 31 South Park Boutique Hotel (Jayanagar), AAA Luxury Stay (electronic city), Abids Vinkas (KR Puram) Local attractions: Lal Bagh, Bannerghatta National Park, Bangalore Palace, Ulsoor, HAL Aerospace Museum, Thottikallu (waterfalls), Devanhalli Fort, Bellandur Lake, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace

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ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE

COURTESY LEKHANA BANGALORE FACEBOOK PAGE

TIP FOR FESTIVAL HOPPERS

RANGAN DATTA WIKI, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PLANEMAD, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

While you plan your year ahead, make sure to attend at least one festival and enjoy the literary and artistic atmosphere. And yes, do not forget to carry your favourite book to get it autographed, and if you are lucky enough, you might get to take a picture with your favourite author too!

Apeejay Literary Festival, Kolkata The city of books celebrates literature, music, art and film with some of the finest creative minds of the nation during the Apeejay Literary Festival. The best part of this festival is that its events unfold at heritage sights across the city such as on the Hooghly River, at Victoria Memorial, Town Hall, St. John’s Church, Tollygunge club, the city’s loved Oxford Book Store, etc. The audience is not only exposed to marvellous speakers but also locations that infuse a sense of warmth and homeliness. Its panel of speakers involve Rana Dasgupta, Urvashi Butalia, Sandip Roy, Mark Tully, Farrukh Dhondy, Bedabrata Pain and several more. This six-day event has an engaging line-up of events every year.

I L

Where: Heritage sites across Kolkata When: TBA Tickets/Entry: Free Stay options: Continental Guest House (Park Street), Garden Homes (Science City), Hotel Avisha (airport zone) Local attractions: Since the festival involves the beautiful places of the city, one must not forget to indulge in some jhaal mudi, roshogullas, mishti doi, chhena paayesh, maacher jol and rolls that are characteristic to the city.

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The Hindu Lit Fest for Life, Chennai

Hyderabad Literary Festival, Hyderabad

The Hindu Lit Fest is a three-day literary extravaganza that entails discussions on literature, politics, society, environment, history, sports, music, theatre and films.

Its distinguished panel in the past saw Arundhati Subramnaiam, Arvind Adiga, Gulzar, Naomi Wolf, Barkha Dutt, Pablo Bartholomew, Sharmila Tagore, Rahul Bose and more.

This festival represents the rich and cosmopolitan ethos of twin cities Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The distinguishing trait of this festival is its strong focus on writing in Indian Languages and having multi-lingual events. Its speaker lineup in the past has involved Amrit Gangar, Anand Gandhi, Githa Hariharan, Lalita Iyer, Mahesh Dattani, Nasreen Munni Kabir, Sumantara Bose, Yasmeen Premji among many others.

Where: TBA When: TBA Tickets/Entry: Free Stay options: Ammu Palace (Mount Road), The Home (Madipakkam), Hotel Ashiqa Palace (NSC Bose Road) Local attractions: Marina Beach, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Government Museum Chennai, Covelong, Puzhal Aeri

COURTESY HYDLITFEST.ORG

COURTESY SHADOWDANCINGWITHMIND.BLOGSPOT.IN

INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTS OF REPUTE

Where: Numerous venues across Hyderabad When: TBA Entry/Tickets: Free Stay options: Anu Guest House (Madhapur), Anupama Guest House (Jubilee hills), Apple Homes Guest House (Kondapur) Local attractions: Golkonda Fort, Salar Jung Museum, Hussain Sagar Lake, Chowmahalla palace, Lumbini Park, Birla Mandir, Nehru Zoological Park, Birla Science Museum, NTR Park, Charminar

 Hay Festival, of Literature and the Arts, Wales, UK: The Town of Books, Hay-on-Wye, plays host to the UK’s best known literary festival by roping in famous writers, conducting workshops and book signings, as well as opening the grounds up for the most awesome book shops.  Hollywood Book Festival, Los Angeles, USA: The film capital of the world gives its due to books too. Among other events, it includes a competition to find literature that should be given more credence by the film and television industries.  Vancouver International Writers Festival, Granville Island, Canada: For over 25 years, Canada has been treated to high-profile writers thanks to this

festival. Bi-monthly readings are held in association with the Vancouver Public Library, featuring both Canadian and international authors.  PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature, New York, USA: Writers from all over the world meet and discuss bravery in arts, politics and personal life.  International Literature Festival Berlin, Germany: World literature is explored over the course of 180 events.

Apart from panel discussions, visitors are also treated to film adaptations and children’s literature, as well as written works from South Korea to Russia to Albania to South Africa.

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HUFFINGTONPOST.COM

RELATIONSHIP

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SUNSIGNS.ORG

Want to introduce your beau to your parents but feeling jittery about it? Shazia Shaikh helps ease the butterflies in your tummy before D-Day arrives

S

o, you’ve finally decided to take your relationship to the next level by introducing your partner to your inner circle – your family. We’re sure the move so far has been nothing short of nerve-wracking. You’re anxious as to how both the parties will react to each other – if they will be cordial or if they’d even want to see each other

ever again. Calm down. Take a breath and follow these simple rules to avoid a relationship shipwreck before you even make it to the shore.

IS THE TIME RIGHT?

This is the most important detail to consider. Ask yourself if your partner deserves to be part of your life, or if you honestly have your heart with

him/her. At the end of the day, it is you who has to bear with the consequences of your actions and not your parents.

Ask yourself, “Do I really want to see this person’s face every morning when I wake up, even if it’s not the prettiest?”

Consider the pros and cons of this long-term commitment. Analyse all the aspects of your relationship. If the answer is yes, then it’s definitely a GO!

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PREPARE BOTH THE PARTIES

Tell your parents well in advance that you would like them to meet someone you’ve been seeing for a while. Make sure you tell them how you feel about your relationship. Feel free to answer any questions regarding his/ her career, family background, etc. Be honest with them. At the same time be careful not to represent your boy or girlfriend in a bad light.

You should also help your better half get over their nervousness. Tell them a little about your parents, their personalities, their likes and dislikes and how they’d react to this meeting.

Telling them about their interests would make it easier for him/her to engage them in a good conversation.

THE PLACE

Decide a place that would be convenient and comfortable for your partner as well as your folks.

It’s important to make sure that the location is non-intrusive and comfortable for a meeting like this.

If your partner has agreed to dining at your residence, then fix up that.

Whereas, if you both think a louder place with more people is needed to disguise awkward silences, choose a restaurant. A dinner or lunch at a classy local restaurant should make everyone happy and might also relax your partner.

THE WARDROBE

This is undoubtedly the most essential thing to consider. Your dressing style reflects your personality. What your partner wears can make all the difference about how your parents might end up feeling about them.

Whatever they decide to wear, make sure it is not over-done. Ladies, avoid too much make-up and excess skinshow. Guys, shorts, baggy jeans and slippers are a no-no.

BRING A PRESENT

Rule of thumb when visiting your partner’s parents – make sure to pick

a special gift. It will imply that you care about your relationship and more importantly, that you are trying to make an impression. It can be something as simple as a bouquet of flowers or a classic music album, a box of chocolates or even some kind of dessert. Whether the place of meeting is a restaurant or your partner’s residence, you must bring a gift.

THE AWAITED MOMENT

So after all the preparations, it’s finally time to face your parents. Come to think of it, it’s not that difficult a task.

INAPPROPRIATE UTTERANCES

“Your daughter is safe with me. I’m Batman.”

“Your son is a really good kisser!”

“I can see where your daughter gets her curves from.”

“As much as I’m attracted to your son, I think you are way more handsome.”

It’s just like introducing your partner to your roomies, except that they are 20 years older and a lot more judging.

Since the gift has already been picked, your partner can present it. Take the step in initiating the conversation.

If sports or politics are common interests, you can bring them up. It will ease the tension of the moment and encourage conversation. Make sure to prepare your partner for the serious questions that your parents might throw at him/her. If you sense awkwardness, don’t switch to defence mode immediately. Stay calm and let them do the talking.

THE CONCLUSION

You told your parents you were serious about your better half; now it’s their turn to make sure they feel the same

way. If the meeting does fail to go as planned, make sure you have plan B tucked under your sleeve, as with all other plans in life. Let your parents know that the meeting is going to end soon; make a polite excuse and leave with your partner.

On the other hand, if all of this goes well, the signs won’t be hard to read. If your mom invites your sweetheart for casual family occasions or get-togethers, then they're definitely a keeper in their eyes. So good luck, follow the rules, and take it easy.

Everything will be just fine. yi

FUNNIEST MEET THE PARENT STORIES “I met his mom and said ‘Oh this must be your grandmother.’”

– ElectraDeath via Reddit “When I was 13, I was invited over to my then-boyfriend’s house for dinner. I was nervous and trying to be on my best behavior, but about halfway through the meal, I became more comfortable. Feeling frisky, I found my boyfriend’s foot. His dad looked up at me, roared with laughter, and let me know his son’s feet were not where I thought they were. I had been playing footsie with his father.”

– Danielle via thedatereport.com “The first time I met my guy’s parents, his dad greeted us at the door without a shirt on...and his chest was so hairy it looked like bad ’70s shag carpeting – seriously. I stuck my hand out to shake his and nearly died when he pulled me in for a fuzzy hug.”

– Molly via Cosmopolitan.com “His dad walked in, looked at me, and said to my boyfriend, ‘You were wrong! She is pretty!’ My boyfriend was embarrassed, but I got a good laugh about it.”

– Kelly via thedatereport.com

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TRAVEL

to Land of some of the most exotic food preparations, it is not uncommon to find a food stall, a restaurant or a coffee shop at every other turn in India. A visit to each and every one these places would require the budget of a king and the appetite of a giant. Food lover Deepanshu Verma picks six of the best Indian eateries transcending price, state and location that offer a direct stairway to food heaven

Pirates of Grill, Gurgaon

If you ever embark on an expedition to discover tongueliberating tastes of North Indian cordon bleu, Pirates of Grill must be one of your pit stops. It is one of those places where the taste gets you excited, compelling you to explore more with the service of each dish. While the restaurant caters to non-vegetarian taste buds, they also serve vegan delicacies. Among the array of dishes they have to offer, some of their most popular ones are grilled prawns, Brazilian Churasco chicken, Punjabi aneer and Tawa Boti Soya Mushroom.

Must-try dishes: Moong Dal Halwa, Garlic Green Prawns

Peter Cat, Kolkata

Crimson Chakra, Chennai

Even before you get inside Crimson Chakra, you can’t help but be drawn to the inviting ambience of this seemingly old bungalow-turned-restaurant. With staff ever-ready to cater to your taste buds, Crimson Chakra is one of the most popular restaurants in the auto hub of India, Chennai.

Serving a mix of continental and North Indian food, some of its best dishes are the Thakali Poondu Soup, Mushroom Soup and Crab Meat Cakes. Chicken Lasagna and Mutton Isabella in the main course should not be looked over.

Must-try dishes: Poached Chicken Breast Clemenceau, Vendakkai Meen Soup

If Peter Cat was a political party, the Chelo Kabab would be its Prime Ministerial candidate. Unquestionably the most famous food item on Park Street, Chelo Kabab – which principally includes soft and spicy luscious kebabs that are accompanied by a buttered bed of rice and are served with poached eggs – have single-handedly transformed Peter Cat into a landmark in Kolkata. With gloomy lighting and a laid back vibe, Peter Cat is the ideal place for those solely interested in devouring its beautifully prepared food items.

Must-try dishes: Vegetarian Mixed Grill Sizzler, Fish Makhmail Keba, Fried Chicken Liver

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Global Fusion, Mumbai

Spread across 7,500 square feet and playing host to around 320 diners at a time, this list would be incomplete without a mention of this restaurant. Global Fusion is one of the most popular restaurants in the western suburbs of the city.

Serving elaborate vegetarian and non-vegetarian buffet seven days a week, the food is exotically scrumptious and doesn’t disappoint. Its Spicy Pepper Chicken, Fried Pepper Mushrooms, Honey Chilly Potatoes and its Fried Pomfret are real treats for non-vegetarians. The restaurant has a mini lagoon that offers Japanese, Thai, Chinese and North Indian cuisine, focusing more on the non-vegetarian preparations.

Incredibly popular for its Sushi, the restaurant boasts of a separate kiosk serving well over two dozen varieties of it. If the appetisers and the main course aren’t enough, the dessert counter is sure to leave you stuffed to capacity. From exclusive Baskin & Robbins ice creams to cheesecakes, pastries and a number of Indian desserts, they have it all. No wonder this place draws in customers by the hundreds.

Must-try dish: Crab soup, Cheese Prawns, Shanghai Paneer

Church Street Social, Bangalore In addition to the delicious food Church Street Social offers, the restaurant also boasts of a casual, laidback ambience and grungy, undone interiors with graffitied backdrops. The menu is presented on toilet paper rolls and in tin cans with a ‘caution’ label stamped on it. A great place for beverage lovers and drinkers in general, one of its most popular drinks is the Cosmo Explosion. It is a blissful jumble of vodka, cranberry juice, candy floss and Malta orange. As for the food, you can’t afford to miss the Elvis Presley French Toast. A twist on the old-school French Toast, this one includes peanut butter, soaked sugar sprinkled bread slices that are served with bananas.

Must-try dishes: Anda Shammi Kebab, Sesame Honey Chilli Fries and Chicken Bao

Khan Chacha, Delhi

With their oldest restaurant located in the heart of New Delhi, Khan Chacha is known for its scrumptious North Indian cuisine. In business for the past 41 years, the eatery has popularly preserved its authentic taste in each one of its food items whether they are succulent chicken or mutton preparations, scrumptious rice treats or even delicious kulfis.

Its mouth-watering delicacies like the Chicken Tikka Roomali Roll and the Mutton Seekh Kebab Roll draw foodies not only from Delhi, but also from the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Some of its other well-known dishes include Mutton Kakori Kebab, Mutton Tikka Roll and Fish Tikka. Obviously, the restaurant is not very popular with vegetarians, however, its vegetarian Paneer Tikka and vegetarian Hariyali Roomali Roti are delicious. Apart from its rolls and tikkas, the lassi served here is also a crowd favourite.

Must-try dish: Chicken Biryani, Mutton Seekh Roll JULY 2014 Youth Incorporated 69

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LAFFY4K, FLICKR

HEALTH

A O T E D I U G T R E I U D YO PROOF N I A R The rains are finally here!

Cool monsoon showers give us relief from the intense summer heat but bring with them health risks as well. Saasha Jethwani breaks down food hygiene precautions and diet modifications for the rainy months ahead

A

s much as we love the monsoon, it does come with its share of health woes.

Carefree eating habits and indulgences in unhealthy food are the reason behind the rise in sicknesses during this season. Here are few precautions for a safe and healthy monsoon.

AVOID LEAFY VEGETABLES Although green leafy vegetables are nutritious and hence important for

our body, it is advisable to avoid them during the monsoons. At this time green leafy vegetables serve as a hotbed and breeding ground for germs, insects and rodents as they are constantantly exposed to water and therefore waterborne microbes. Eating them may upset your stomach and may even cause diarrhea and food poisoning. If they are unavoidable, rinse and clean the vegetables thoroughly with salt water before cooking and/or eating.

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SAY NO TO SEAFOOD Since fish breed during the monsoon, they should be strictly avoided. If you do give in to temptation, make sure the fish is fresh and cooked well or else you might end up with severe stomach aches. Try your best to stay away from sushi as it is completely raw and has a higher chance of giving you an illness.

CUT DOWN ON OILY FOOD Reduce oily food consumption as oil hampers the digestive capacity of our body. Monsoon causes water retention and bloating and oil, since it doesn’t mix with water, can lead to an upset stomach. Avoid heavy oils such as sesame and mustard; instead go for dry oils like corn and olive oil.

DON’T HEAT FOOD ITEMS OFTEN Growth of bacteria is rapid during the monsoon and repeated heating of food items further accelerates it. Prepare food as per requirement and consume immediately. Food should be fresh, as stale food leads to an increased population of pathogenic bacteria.

CLEAN WATER IS EVERYTHING Contaminated water is the primary vehicle for the rapid spread of water borne diseases during the monsoon.

Avoid store-bought water. Boil your drinking water (even the water from water filters) to kill the harmful microorganisms and other impurities that might have found their way in. Keeping water intake high and your body hydrated is of utmost importance.

ABHINAV619, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

STAN, FLICKR

DITCH OUTSIDE FOOD Nothing boosts immunity like eating homemade food. Enrich your diet with whole fruits, antioxidant rich foods, and foods containing vitamin A, C, E, Zinc, as well as B6, B12 and folic acid. Make sure everything you eat – at home, of course – is light and fresh.

OUR FAVOURITE MONSOON DISH

Delicious Buttered Corn Ingredients: Corn, butter, oregano, pepper, chilli powder/chilli flakes, olive oil Preparation: Boil corn with salt to taste.

Empty the corn in a bowl and begin adding 1 spoon of olive oil, ½ tbsp of butter.

Then add pepper and chilli powder to taste, along with a generous sprinkle of oregano.

Mix well and serve hot.

ENSURE A BALANCED DIET Eat in small portions and at regular intervals. The monsoon slows down your digestion, so large portions and heavy food can lead to indigestion. Make it a point to eat fruits like cherries, bananas, apples, pomegranates, plums, litchis and pears, and vegetables like carrots, radish and fenugreek as part of your regular diet as they help speed up digestion. Green tea is also a healthy option for quicker digestion.

EXERCISE! Exercise regularly at home as the weather limits your physical activity and might hamper your otherwise healthy workout routine. If you are an early morning person, try yoga, pilates or zumba indoors. It will help maintain your body, your digestive tract and your overall health. yi IRUMGE, FLICKR

MINIMISE INTAKE OF FRUIT JUICES Juices from outside stalls are a strict no-no because they are probably made with unfiltered water. Even if a juice is homemade, it should be consumed immediately. Fruit juices, golas, kulfi, yogurt, buttermilk, sugar cane juice, srikhand, etc should be kept at arms length.

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POINT OF VIEW

Nisha JamVwal argues why it is necessary for men to go back to being gentlemen 72 Youth Incorporated JULY 2014

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W

hen you are ready to hit your career and life in the fast track scene, it is important to remember your Ps and Qs and be gentleman-like. Today’s hurry to be fashionable, successful, smart and snazzy has relegated etiquette and good manners to the age of the dinosaur. So many people grow up learning how to be financially astute, street smart, ambitious, wear ‘the best’ and appear equipped with all it takes to ‘make it’ that I see the beginning of the end of the basics of good manners!

Women write to me complaining about the frequent lack of chivalry they observe. What is left unattended in a fast internet world, with everyone in a hurry to make it and break it (records that is), is this complete lack of attention to the subtle nuances of chivalry.

Chivalry may be on life support, but it is not dead yet. Be one of the few to keep this flame burning, by following ‘gentle rules’ when in the presence of a lady.

Until not very long ago a man walking with you always opened the door. This is perhaps the most basic rule of male etiquette, easiest to follow. Whether she is about to enter a car, restaurant, club, or any place with a door, a man should always hold it open. If there are many doors, then hold them open one after the other. It may not be a norm but is a gracious gesture. A man helps a lady put on a coat – a simple but charming and powerful action.

Recently I was quite taken aback when I was going to dinner with a colleague. He ran ahead of me and I had to actually look for him. Where

had he gone? Had I lost him? I was appalled! To run miles ahead while she’s frantically trying to keep pace might sound funny, but it is not. It’s a put-off. Are we at a stage where we have to actually point out something so basic? If you are escorting a lady try not to run ahead; a woman’s steps are tinier (even if she’s taller).

I had grown up believing a gentleman offers a lady his arm when escorting a special someone to and from social dos. This is a little more intimate, but serves well when walking on uneven ground, especially if she’s wearing stilettos. And of course if she is sitting next to you, it is important

pinnacle of charm) display such appeal on screen.

Something that never ceases to irk me is the new trend of most people, men and women, when they midconversation drift into the Blackberry world. You who are speaking are bewildered to discover that you have lost your audience to an inanimate messenger or email. Am I outdated to believe that to look around or at your mobile or the lady at the table next to you is wrong and that your attention should always be focused on the person you are talking to, especially if it’s the lady next to you? Is it redundant to look at a person when listening as well as having a conversation?

This is one that most guys already do, but helps complete the gentleman nevertheless – when at social events, ask your lady if you can get her something to drink (or eat, depending on the event). Show her that you care about her comfort and needs.

Gentlemen, if I may call you that, wake up and smell the coffee! Decorum for everyday life is not the ‘Godrej Almirah’; it is most that you help her be seated by pulling relevant in our times, something her chair out for her and gently pushing that can never go out of style. It it back in place, with your lady seated elevates oneself above the rabble and of course. If a lady arrives at the table noise. Such a rarity – good manners after you – this is not only for your and savoir-faire – will in fact never girl – and there are no available seats, go unnoticed and will always win you should stand up and offer yours to appreciation! her. The old world charm had dictated Of course, women must be genteel that a man always stand when a lady and have finesse, and we’ll discuss that enters or exits the room. I really don’t next time! Watch this space! yi Read more of Nisha’s point of know if our men today are able to rise view at www.nishajamvwal. to this standard but it is so romantic blogspot.in, tweet to her @ to see movies of yesteryear when Cary Grant or closer to home Sunil Dutt and nishjamvwal and write to her at nishjamwal@gmail.com Dilip Kumar (who until today is the

Chivalry may be on life support, but it is not dead yet. Be one of the few to keep this flame burning, by following ‘gentle rules’ when in the presence of a lady

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G-SPOT the

Gadgets Gizmos Geeks

The Best Portable Chargers under `2,000 SONY CP-V3/ WC ULA `1,590 FEATURES 2800 mAh battery 1.5 Amp power output 1000 charging cycles 38.8 x 99 x 19 mm sleek body PROS  Lithium polymer batteries  Fast charge CONS  No multiple charging points  No charge level indicator

EVEREADY UM 22 POWER BANK `1,250 FEATURES 2200 mAh lithium ion battery 1-inch think and 3-inch long body Supports micro USB, mini USB and Apple pin 1 Amp power output Automatic sleep mode when charger is not in use PROS  Its overcharge and short-circuit protection feature  Multiple charging tips  Light-weight and compact body CONS  Relatively long self-charging time  Discharges quickly when not in use

NOKIA DC-16 `1,499 FEATURES 2200 mAh battery Micro USB port 500 charge cycles PROS  LED indicator denotes percentage of battery charged  Trendy colours and design  Light-weight  Fast phone charging CONS  Low self-charging capacity  Short USB cord

FINAL VERDICT: While all these portable chargers come with their own advantages and

disadvantages, the Sony CP-V3 model beats the other two when it comes to the chief attributes like capacity, charging time and value for money. Price-sensitive customers may want to go for Eveready Um 22 Power Bank, but if shelling out merely `200 more gets you the best product in its class, it’s certainly worth it.

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PS FREE AP

of the

MONTH

Apps for the wanderlust

Convert your phone into a travel companion that does more than just calling and texting

KAYAK Platforms: Android, iOS Description: Kayak is a travel search

engine for finding hotels and restaurants, and booking flights as well as car rentals in select regions. It compares hundreds of travel sites with one search and lets you choose where to book (most travel apps do not). When travelling abroad, it doubles up as a currency calculator.

WAZE

XE CONVERTER

Platforms: Android, iOS Description: GPS navigation meets social

Platforms: Android, iOS Description: This freebie is slick, easy

to use, and – best of all, since it uses live currency rates – completely accurate. It converts 180+ currencies and is the world’s most downloaded foreign exchange app.

Don’t hop on a plane without this!

WORLD LENS TRANSLATOR Platforms: Android, iOS

Description: This app is your personal language interpreter.

It seamlessly translates sign boards, hoardings, and just about anything written in a language that is foreign to you. Just point your phone’s camera towards it and voila! it’s in English. The app works without an internet connection.

networking with surprisingly effective results. Tap in your destination (there’s also speech recognition) and usersubmitted traffic reports make sure you’re offered the quickest route for the current road conditions.

ONAVO EXTEND Platforms: Android,

iOS

Description: As a data manager, Onavo Extend drastically reduces the amount of internet data required to perform everyday tasks, such as retrieving emails and posting to Facebook, which is much-needed when your phone is on roaming.

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Recently I’ve been getting a lot of messages about updating my Windows 8 to 8.1. Should I do it? Will it make any difference?

Yes! If your PC is running Windows 8 or is capable of doing so, there are quite a lot of reasons to update it.

Updating always introduces many useful tools and simultaneously fixes several bugs and security issues.

BETTER MANAGEMENT

With its many new features, 8.1 is expected to occupy more disk space, but it is actually less of a storage hog than Windows 8. One of its spiffy new features is the ability to view all the apps installed in your system and sort them according to your preference.

RETURN OF THE START BUTTON

Hallelujah! The Start button is back! It was sorely missed in Windows 8, but is now reintroduced in its usual bottom left corner.

BETTER MULTITASKING

In Windows 8, SNAP allows you to have multiple apps open simultaneously. In 8.1 it allows you to resize the app windows to virtually any size. Also, if you have multiple monitors, you can have more than two apps open at the same time.

SUPERCHARGED SEARCH

Just start typing what you’re looking for in the Start screen and Windows will search all your folders, including the internet owing to its integration with Bing. Web integration is absent in Windows 8.

BETTER START SCREEN

You can now resize the tiles in your Start screen as per your preference.

You can also customise your start screen background to have the same wallpaper as your desktop which isn’t possible in Windows 8.

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B O O K M ATC H M A K E R B O O K M ATC H M A K E R

BEST OF

M o v i e s

/

T V

/

M u s i c

/

B o o k s

CONTROVERSY CREATORS THE ACCIDENTAL PRIME MINISTER

By Sanjaya Baru Sanjaya Baru writes an account of his time as a staff member of the PMO during the Manmohan Singh era. Baru reveals what it was like for Singh to work in a government that had two centres of power. Needless to say it raised several eyebrows for its insider information.

I AM MALALA THE SATANIC VERSES

by Salman Rushdie Like most of Rushdie’s books, Satanic Verses too draws inferences from Islam. The author very skilfully mixes magical realism and modern day events to narrate story and portray its characters.

AMERICAN PSYCHO

by Bret Easton Ellis Patrick Bateman has it all – youth, good looks, a well-paying job and plenty of friends. But in his private life, he is a serial killer. The narrative goes from harmless to horrifying with graphic scenes of violence and sexual content.

by Malala Yousafzai cowritten with Christina Lamb.

The book chronicles the journey of Malala as a 15-year-old who struggles living in a country dominated by terrorist camps. It is not only the journey of one girl, but her entire family. Touching upon the right to education for women in Pakistan, the book is a moving tale of a young girl’s tragic experience.

THE DA VINCI CODE

by Dan Brown Using several symbolic references and Leonardo da Vinci’s most popular work of art to narrate the story, the book’s selling point was that it promised to unravel the secrets of the Catholic faith while disclosing details that had remained hidden for thousands of years.

B O O K M ATC H M A K E R B O O K M ATC H M A K E R

iMHO

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PINK AND MIKA SINGH

Pink, known for her no-holdsbarred lyrics and feisty charm, if put on stage with Mika Singh, the poster boy for the present-day Punjabi-BollywoodBhangraphenomenon in India, would lawfully do wonders for her fans world over.

DRAKE AND ALISHA CHINAI

The queen of Indian pop in the late ’90s, Alisha’s sensual and soothing voice is still accomplished enough to rock music charts. On the other hand, Drake, the Canadian singer and rapper is already burning the graphs worldwide.

Alisha featuring Drake in a song would be an exciting musical alliance.

ELLIE GOULDING AND MOHIT CHAUHAN

Ellie’s elegantly tenuousvoicestirred together with Mohit Chauhan’ssomewhat husky-yet-stunningly melodic vocals would make for a collaboration mighty enough to give people a run for their, well, vocal chords maybe?

MONSOON ALBUM RELEASES WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT

MUSIC COLLABORATIONS WE WISH TO SEE

GHOST STORIES

Artist: Coldplay Best track: Magic

43:13

Artist: Kasabian Best track: Doomsday

EK VILLAIN

Artist: Ankit Tiwari Song: Galliyan

WHISPERS

Artist: Passenger Best track: Hearts on Fire

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ROMANCING THE RAIN BOLLYWOOD STYLE KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI

The perfect weather, the perfect place and the most perfect man asking you for a dance. Well, isn’t that ‘the’ dream?

HUM TUM

A sudden rain shower was perfectly timed for Karan and Rhea to realise their undying love for each other.

AASHIQI 2

Rahul and Aarohi sharing an intimate moment under a jacket in the rain with Tum Hi Ho in the background definitely brought a smile to our faces.

MR INDIA

Hands down one of the most seductive Bollywood songs ever. The sizzling Sridevi in a hot blue sari and a heavy downpour left every man begging for more.

JAB WE MET

A dream sequence, rains, a happy couple and a beautiful song – Tum Se Hi. This scene is sure to make you fall in love all over again.

WAKE UP SID

Everything about this song is sheer perfection – Sid holding Aisha in his arms, the heavy rain, and a sea-facing promenade.

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T V S H O W S T H AT D I E D A P R E M AT U R E D E AT H UGLY BETTY (2006-2010)

Unapologetically funny in its comedic caper, the series told us that it was okay to be yourself no matter who you are.

We need more of this show and more of Betty and Daniel as they adjust to their new lives (hopefully together). Good news – some cast members are pushing for a movie!

FRIENDS (1994-2004)

Who wouldn’t like to see the Friends cast on TV again?

Not the re-runs, but brand new episodes. While the show’s writers have repeatedly denied the possibility of a reunion, we’re still suckers for dreams. We’d love a new take on an old classic, or at least a movie that shows our favourite characters are dealing with parenthood, marriage and settling down in the suburbs.

LIZZIE MCGUIRE (2001-2004)

DILL MILL GAYE (2007-2010)

Please, Lord, give us back the old Hilary Duff.

We want Lizzie to be back for another season with the love of her life, Gordon. We’d like to see her wacky best friend Miranda and her quirky family as part of the show. More importantly, we’d like to see Lizzie become a famous singer.

Granted that Dil Mil Gaye was not a Grey’s Anatomy-type of medical drama, but there was something inherently likeable about it. Maybe the characters need a fresh new start and possibly a baby? Aww! How cute would that little munchkin be?

MAHI WAY (2010)

This heartwarming comedy about a plump girl going through weight, love life, over-bearing family and unforgiving magazine job issues needs a second season. It could feature Mahi and her former best friend, or present love interest Shiv and her new life as a... magazine editor?

SARABHAI VS SARABHAI (2004-2006)

A snooty mother-in-law, her humorously critical husband, their bechara elder son, his middle-class wife and his younger brother make up South Bombay’s dysfunctional Sarabhai family. We wish to see the younger son all grown up with a snooty wife of his own. Additions to the show along the lines of its first few seasons are also pleasantly welcome.

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_AFTER DARK

hangout  

PLACES AND EVENTS FOR THE MONTH

BIG PITCHER, BANGALORE Looking to have a fun night out but can’t zero in on a good bar? Maybe you should give Big Pitcher a try.

VIBE: Lavishly spread across six floors, and crowded on most days, the place has an infectious vibe.

MUSIC: The music’s mainly commercial with a mix of lounge songs and Bollywood hits. Often a live band also entertains guests.

BITES AND BOOZE: Their brewery starts this month and promises to belt out some really stimulating drinks. Bottled beer is available for now and their Pitcher Cocktails are a big hit. The food isn’t unique, but is still delicious. Some dishes that you shouldn't miss are the Potato Phataka, Lamberjack Burger and the Fillet Burger.

FAB OR DRAB: Every floor has a different vibe and element attached to it. While the food and the drinks are spot on, their service could do with some disciplining.

BEST NIGHTS: Fridays and Saturdays 4121, LR Arcade, HAL 2nd Stage, Ward 88, Old Airport Road, Bangalore -Nirva Vira

000

`1 n per perso

BURMA BURMA, MUMBAI

50

`7 n per perso

Serving much more than just Khow Suey, the city's first Burmese restraurant houses a tea room, take-away Khow Suey counter and a merchandise shop compirsing goodies straight from Burma.

CUISINE: Burmese, Asian FOOD: In a restaurant that has restricted itself to just vegetarian Burmese cuisine, Burma Burma surprises with an extensive menu. The Samusa Thoke or Samosa Salad is a delight and so is the Mandalay Laphet Thoke. Ditch Panthay China Town Noodles, but don’t miss Mohinagar, Burma’s national dish. Other must-try dishes include the Myet Kyaw and the Tofu and Spinach Paukse teamed with Pya Jo Hin. For dessert try the Birds Jelly Nest or the Durian ice-cream which spoils you.

OVERALL: From the décor to the place’s eclectic and delcious cusine, it is hardly a surprise why this place has already become a favourite for many.

Kothari House, Allana Centre Lane, MG Road, Behind Mumbai University, Fort, Mumbai - Jayesh Prashad

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MEXITALY, HYDERABAD We love Mexican. We love Italian. Mexitaly has both cuisines to offer. How could we not be here?

CUISINE: Mexican, Italian FOOD AND DRINK: You’re going to be confused if not spoilt for choice owing to an extensive menu. Start with refreshing cranberry juice. Then move on to appetisers like the Chicken Toastadas and the Mexican style Buffalo Chicken Wrap. Chicken Garlic Sizzler in pepper garlic sauce makes a good main course item. The Chimichanga, which is known to be a Mexican staple, disappoints while the Spinach Ravioli is delicious. For desserts, the Rum Pots are wickedly inviting, the Toffee Banana Brownie is out of this world and the Lemon Cold Cheese Cake puts a sweet end to a near perfect meal.

OVERALL: With a live band playing on weekends, Mexican inspired interiors and food that is fragrant of flavour, this restaurant is certainly worth your money. That said, the staff’s behavior and approach could do with improvement!

Levels, Beside Trendset Vantage, Road Behind Cinemax, Road 14, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - Ayesha Rao

EVENTS THIS MONTH THE MATINEE PROJECT



`850

n per perso

ZIP ZIP POW POW!

Mithibai College, Mumbai will host its very first film festival. Serving as an unconventional platform for aspiring cinematographers, the festival promises to enthrall and entertain audiences. Tickets are free of cost but will be sold only via bookmyshow.com



India’s first one-minute play festival is here! Performed by women, the festival promises over 40 one-minute snippets that are sure to make you roll over your sides laughing. Entry to the event is only for those above 18 years of age.

Bangalore – 3 July and 6 July

Mumbai – 7 July

BAR-O-SCOPE BARTENDING WORKSHOP



Learn how to prepare and mix cocktails at this workshop organised by Urban Restro and Veda. The session will include a three-course meal along with exciting drinking competitions. The event is however open for only for those above 21 years of age.

Mumbai – 19 July JULY 2014 Youth Incorporated 85

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TRENDS OF THE MONTH _GRAFFITI

E HAIL THA NON HUM NS

e. I tich “Dont jug mngleesh.” is E ot dryiving, n for the above the caption the Facebook picture at Humans of page ‛Non fter the Bombay’. A ography hot success of p umans of H s ct je pro nd Humans New York a someone of Bombay, s time non a thought it wceived their re s n a m u h due too.

twoa s i e s u b A y street wanew PSA by ot

A ive g d Initiat ManKin wagging when tongues ded a candid it uploa eople rushing p video of id of an abused a e h ring an to t but igno woman man. Violence is, abused says their PSA violence, a majority of s which ommentator c internetgreeing with. a e ar

THE TU ABOUT INRDTIAHN FLYERS

NEWEST INTERNET CELEB He

came, he saw, he nque red.

But CBSE topper co Sa rt ha k Agarwal has become th e butt of jokes anyway.

Comedy grou All In dia Bak chod hits bup ll’s ey e an uprorious portraya with typical Indian passen l of international and domgers in flights. Do pay atte estic nt air hostess’ linesio. n to the

RY ART HISTTSO MEE LS MEAN GIR

A tumblr blog that inserts quotes from cult hit film ‛Mean Girls’ in classic paintings is our discovery of the month! ‛Art History’s Burn Book’ is pure comedy gold. Funnily enough, more than Regina George’s quotes, lines about her make for more ROFLworthy posts. Go waste some time at meangirlsarthistory.tumblr.com

ram g L LO

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ad.indd 92

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RNI Number: MAHENG/2011/38909 Postal Regd. No: MCW/293/2012 -14 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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