July 2015

EDUCATE + ENTERTAIN

JULY 2015 || ` 75 www.youthincmag.com

94 Pages

GO

GREEN It's up to us to save the environment and make the planet a greener, better world

4th Anniversary Issue

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JULY 2015

Educate

20 INDIA AND ITS HUNT

How headhunters are finding your dream job for you

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38

Cover illustration by

RUHI GANDHI

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Act right or nothing will be left!

How to Choose your Dream University

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We bring you the guide to the simplest things that we, as citizens of the world, can do, that can help us save the environment and the world for generations to come

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OUT OF THE BOX CAREERS GIFT EXPERIENCES: WHAT'S IN A BOX? How to make a career in experiential gifting

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AWARENESS ON A HIGHWAY TO HAPPINESS An insight on how happy we really are and why being happy isn’t as difficult as you assume it to be

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WORKPLACE HACKS WEAVING THE NETWORKING WEB The dos and don’ts of making use of contacts to move up your career

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Determining the right destination for your education

YOUTH ISSUES BE YOU, STAY REAL Are you hanging on to your reality while everyone around you is rooting for being fake?

Youth Incorporated JULY 2015

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11235 CRICOS No: 00116K

A great university that opens doors...

The University of Melbourne, Australia’s top ranked university* The No. 1 university in Australia* At the University of Melbourne, our tradition of excellence and innovation places us at the forefront of teaching and research in Australia.

No. 13 in the world for graduate employability† University of Melbourne graduates are highly respected by employers worldwide.

FIND OUT MORE +61 3 9035 5511 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au facebook.com/melbuni

A truly international education We’ll help you become a global citizen, with opportunities for study and research collaboration with students from other top universities around the world. You’ll be part of an incredibly diverse student body, with students from over 120 different countries.

The heart of the world’s most liveable city.§ The University of Melbourne’s main campus is right in the heart of the city of Melbourne, a vibrant and multicultural metropolis that is considered one of the best places to live in the world.

futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au * Academic Ranking of World Universities 2014 and Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2014-2015 † QS World University Rankings 2014 § The Economist Intelligence Unit 2014 IndianYouthAdvert.indd 2

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Entertain 72 76 78 80 82

ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE TWIST IN THE TALE Happily ever after is the eventual conclusion to every fairy tale; at least that’s what we have been told

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RELATIONSHIPS RELATIONSHIPS TODAY Finding solace in hook-up culture as love and commitment take a backseat POINT OF VIEW PAINTING THE WORLD, ONE GREEN THUMB AT A TIME Protecting the environment should be our first priority, says Nisha JamVwal HEALTH DITCH THE GYM, NOT YOUR BODY Alternative (and fun) ways of keeping fit, apart from the gym BEAUTY NATURE'S BOUNTY Look into some of natural home remedies that will make you feel beautiful

STAPLE DIET

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FASHION GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK When nature meets fashion!

EDITOR’S NOTE…8 EDITORIAL CONNECT…10 EVENT DIARY...16 COUNSELLOR Q&A…69 WORDZONE...70 IMHO…84 HANGOUT…88 GRAFFITI…90

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Online exclusives MUSIC THAT NEVER DIES Mitali Joshi comes up with a list of bands you just cannot get enough of

HOW LONG BEFORE WE CAN BE RAINBOW PROUD?

Ashvita Singh explores the LGBT scenario in India, comparing it with the new legislation in the US

WWW.YOUTHINCMAG.COM 6

Youth Incorporated JULY 2015

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Volume 5 Issue 1 July 2015

Editor's

note

The Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need but not for every man's greed. - Mahatma Gandhi How many of us actually think of the future of our next generations? About our planet, eco-system, flora and fauna? Not many I’d say. We go on about with our personal lives, eating drinking and being merry, but not a second do we spare about the impact caused by our activities. It has never been highlighted or taught to us that we need to think about our actions. While attending the International Advertising Association's Olive Green Awards, I started wondering what, as a society and even a nation, are we all doing for our mother earth. Here you have the entire advertising world which has made an effort at creating awareness through various advertising campaigns. But on a personal level, how are we going to make that difference?

Sitting in our office with the JEB interns, we were going over the topics for our 4th Anniversary cover story and they all loved this idea of Go Green. The common consensus from these smart interns was that even if people talk about it, no one is doing much about it as we may not even know where to start. They were all eager to explore and find out more about this cause.

Some of us in life are totally clueless about the deep impact of deforestation leading to global warming. The animal and birds are being forced out of their habitats or being poached for our consumerist pleasures, which is endangering many species.

Plastic, in my opinion, is the worst enemy of humankind, as every kind of plastic has come with its share of problems. Right from being a carcinogen to being dumped in a landfill, its non biodegradable composition makes its way to cattle fodder and eventually into human bodies. If not stopped now, then we are just accelerating ourselves to near extinction.

Our JEB members bring you articles speaking about things we can do individually to make a difference; in-depth interviews with young and independent individuals taking up the initiative to build a sustainable earth and also talk about several companies who strongly believe in their corporate social responsibility towards the environment.

Let’s join hands and pledge to do our bit for the environment so that we can work towards a sustainable and brighter future for generations to come. We are doing our part by printing this issue on recycled eco-friendly paper.

Nitish Shah

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Editor-in-Chief NITISH SHAH nitish@youthincmag.com Chief Operating Officer CAROLINE SAMSON coo@youthincmag.com

Editorial

NEETI VIJAYKUMAR NANCY B VARGHESE

Art & Design

MOULVI ABBAS HASAN

Ad Sales

ALEIFIYA B NIKUNJ RAMAIYA CHARMI SHAH sales@youthincmag.com

Marketing

PALLAVI BORKAR SHEROY MISTRY marketing@youthincmag.com HARSH MEHTA MANIL S DODANI digital@youthincmag.com

Circulation

SHANTARAM AMBERKAR NISHANT SHINDE

Administration GEETA NAIK

Editorial Interns ASHVITA SINGH MITALI JOSHI

Marketing Intern SOMESH LUND

Design Intern NIKITA JAIN Printed and published by Nitish Shah on behalf of Splash Publication Pvt Ltd

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

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

Printed at: Spenta Multimedia Pvt Ltd Spenta Multimedia Pvt Ltd, Peninsula Spenta, Mathurdas Mill Compound, N M Joshi Marg, Lower Parel – West Mumbai – 400013

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 competent courts in Mumbai only.

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editorial c o n n e c t

Write to us at mail@youthincmag.com

SOCIALLY YOURS

YouthIncMag

@YouthIncMag

Watch out for...

The YI team meets with Irish Education Head of Ireland Barry O'Driscoll in Mumbai

BLOGGER OF THE MONTH Sabiha Ghiasi

www.sabihasanidea.blogspot.com A travelling enthusiast and a genuine commentator on issues that are important to her, Sabiha’s blog is a treat for anyone who’s willing to read amazingly structured write-ups. Her travel stories vividly present a glorious picture of her experiences, making her stories easier to relate to, and therefore, enjoy. Her words wield a sense of light heartedness and exhibit her talent in weaving her experience through words. Her other articles featuring fitness and career, showcase her flair for writing making her blog a must read.

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PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH

@A_SINGLE_BEAR

An accumulation of witty and hilarious cultural references and philosophical musings will keep you glued. It gives a fun perspective of what it’s like to be a bear in a forest…more like the animal version of ‘first world problems’.

If I could control bees with my mind.I would make them spend quality time with me, but then I would be upset about manipulating my friends.

They sell honey in plastic version of me. I think I’m having existential crisis.

Fish dreams must be interesting.

Things I would do if I were the last bear on Earth: Pretty much everthing I do now; maybe convince everyone I am some other kind of animal.

Ever wanted to be a chef, whipping out finger-licking, mouth-watering delicacies and mean cocktails?

Or maybe you're the kind who loves throwing parties and luncheons, perhaps with the best kind of food and drinks on the house. Some of us dream of a job where we're surrounded only by heavenly aromas, talking about all things food, 24x7.

For the August 2015 issue, we are packing you a delightful treat. We bring you exclusive interviews with chefs, bartenders, food technologists, restaurateurs, culinary educators and more, so that you know how to put those dreams into action.

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YEAR IN MILESTONES

Year in

Milestones The places we went, the faces we met: this anniversary issue we highlight our favourite moments with our favourite people

April 2015: The YI Editorial meet with Superwoman Lilly Singh for the June YouTube special issue

May 2015: Youth Incorporated editorin-chief Nitish Shah meets kabaddi champion Charu Sharma

April 2015: The YI team members meet Raghu Ram at the MTV Bloc Party 2015; (below) R3wire and Varski

May 2015: Our COO meets Subhash Ghai at the Edutainment Awards

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March 2015: Youth Incorporated Festival Awards (YIFA), the first of its kind, held to felicitate college festivals across India

Education loans: A complete manual Nisha JamVwal showered with accolades

EDUCATE + ENTERTAIN

APRIL 2014 || ` 75

www.youthincmag.com

A bibliophile’s guide to Indian literature

Bronze Award

YOUNG INDIA VOTES

We hereby honour

THE POLITICS OF CHOOSING A LEADER

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THE RACE FOR POWER Feb 2014.indd 2-3 34 cover story.indd 36

Carolin Anselmann Editor-in-Chief, Vodafone update Düsseldorf

Reinhard Sorger Creative Director, Publicis Erlangen

with the icma Bronze Award for exemplary design and concept in the category

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COVER STORY

3/25/2014 5:45:03 PM

WITH INDIA’S GENERAL ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FROM 7 APRIL TO 12 MAY, YOUTH INC DISCUSSES THE POLITICAL PARTIES, MANIFESTOS AND ISSUES WHICH WILL DECIDE THE RULING PARTY AND LIKELY FUTURE PRIME MINISTER OF THE COUNTRY

ost young Indians look at politics with a certain disdain.

What they fail to realise is that politics is part-and-parcel of everyday life. The people we elect to power today will decide the policies of tomorrow which will result in the changes in our quality of life, the amount we spend for our amenities, the likelihood of better infrastructure, the number of schools that will be opened and more. All this stems from policies made by the central government and budget allocations made in accordance.

Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens participate equally, directly or indirectly, through elected representatives in the proposal, development and creation of laws. The backbone of a democracy is thus voting citizens. Voting isn’t just a right; it is a responsibility.

Voting for the right party will bring the right candidate to power as the head of the nation. Universal suffrage should therefore not be treated as a luxury but be exercised by every citizen over 18 years.

The elections will be held from 7 April to 12 May in 9 phases across 543 constituencies. The Election Commission of India (ECI) will organise the elections and announce the result on 16 May. The process might be daunting to a first-time voter; we have thus explained the process, analysed the philosophies that drive parties, represented the needs of the youth and estimated the issues that will cause a young Indian to vote a particular party and their representative to power.

APRIL 2014 Youth Incorporated

Cover and Coverstory 364 publications participated in the fi h icma – International Creative Media Award.

The competition has been founded in 2010 and is organized by the International Editorial-Design and Research Forum, Germany. The competition aims to support the exchange of creative ideas at the international platform.

Awards of Excellence are given in twentytwo categories: employees newspapers and employee magazines, image brochures, annual reports, books, company logos, corporate design, magazines, customer magazines B2B, customer magazines B2C, trade magazines, cover and coverstory, typography, photography, photo-report, visual storytelling, visualization, alternative storytelling, infographics, illustration, online and tablet apps.

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Christian Baun Logodesign.dk, Denmark

Katharina Meisel, Head of Branding & Publishing, Metro Group, Germany

Blasius Thätter Creative Director, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants Munich

Michael Adams Editor in Chief and Art Director, Beobachter Natur, Zürich

Meike Quentin General Manager Das Amt, Kiel

Katharina Reitan, Journalist video. blogging. wording. training.

Vienna

Birgit Leifhelm Designer Editorial Design, Coop Presse, Basel

Eberhard Wolf Professor Visual Communication, AMD Munich

January 2015: Youth Incorporated wins Bronze at the 5th ICMA held in Germany

November 2014: Our editor-inchief with Arvind Kejriwal at Express Adda, Mumbai

October 2014: Sanjeev Kapoor poses with our Social Media special issue at Litomania 2014

November 2014: YI team meets Shashi Tharoor at Litt Fest, Mumbai JULY 2015 Youth Incorporated 13

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Jeb 2015 Mee

is a s ra Jak Life tudent o kli from sciences f colle Jai hin d not ge. Wh buri en a pil ed u e she c of boo nder k with an be fo s, u e a stuff rpho nd n ears ed in he es , zon r in a n ing conv d out o f She ersation love s disli s ho . r k e s belie ants ses, a v plan es Plut nd o is et. a

Nihal Jainat

t is a studen rsee a i a Jamnab N the is e H School. on who rs e p kind of ake the wishes to m rter a computer sm an m u h e than th h statistics brain. Wit is th and facts a will he s, ip fingert cisely, re p , u tell yo ould why you sh hone r iP throw you n he e h W . away g for isn’t studyin tests, ed standardiz ing , ad re s y jo he en ricket and watching c . ing programm

hi Gandld, i h u R ars o

ye is 19 rrently u and c mbai. u in M ng, i n Da c g, and art n i t i e of wr t som but s u j e s, ar assion her p it comes to s k when s and boo e i mov complete a she’s siast. enthu

Dhnash Bhatt a

is ardent ab old classic out s be it boo , ks or music.

S teaches S he peech and Dram a and is ver y passionat e writing a about s well as perfor m arts. She’s ing s on the jo till urney of discoverin g she want what s to be.

Bernadette Braganza

is currently pursuing SYBMM in St. Xaviers College.

Writing is one of her hobbies, which she hopes to develop into a career someday.

She is also a big time foodie, music enthusiast and an avid reader.

14 Youth Incorporated JULY 2015

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Sneha Agarwal

Najoo Javier ka

is a T Y B student MM f Mumba rom i.

Writing i favourit s her e thing to do. S h music lo e’s a v and a si er nger, and lov es monsoo the ns.

imagines with her eyes open and exists where reality ceases.

She is a fanatic whose days are driven by the love of films no matter the screen size. If not found with a camera, the only other tool used is sarcasm, and she believes coffee is best served with friends.

Antara Agarwal er, is a swimm

t, writer, poe r, cto a t, feminis m bathroo er, singer, read t. is and art en She’s an op u o y book, if can read e between th is d n a lines, es open to lin s e n and li of thought. s She believe g in g n a in ch d rl o this w together.

JULY 2015 Youth Incorporated 15

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E V E N T

D I A R Y

The Edutainment Show and Awards 2015

The 3rd edition of India’s largest educational exhibition, summit and awards, was held on 2 May 2015 at The Lalit, CP in New Delhi. About 1500 and more attended sessions, where students explored exciting career options in media, communication and design, and participated in workshops with media stalwarts. This year it was held in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.

Subhash Ghai won a special award for his contributions towards film education

NIFT Kolkata won the Best Regional Design School, East

The Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, won multiple awards

Pearl Academy, Chennai, won the third place for Best Regional Design School, South 16 Youth Incorporated JULY 2015

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yi

educate

Gift Experiences: What’s in a Box? How to make a career in curating experiential gifts Page 28

K E E I PI N S D E 

Pg20

Pg30

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INDIA AND ITS HUNT

ON A HIGHWAY OF HAPPINESS

WHY AND HOW TO LOOK FOR HEADHUNTERS

WHAT IS HAPPINESS TO TODAY’S YOUTH?

WEAVING THE NETWORKING WEB DOS AND DON’TS WHILE NETWORKING YOUR WAY UP THE CAREER LADDER

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EDU NEWS

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

VICTORIA INDIA DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIP

VEDANTA SCHOLARSHIP FOR ODISHA GRADUATES  Vedanta group launched a scholarship ‘Young Achievers Scholarship’ programme for students pursuing higher education. in Odisha State.  This has been done to decrease the financial burden on students from the economically weaker sections intending to pursue graduation in medical, engineering or science stream.  Students whose parents’ annual income is less than Rs 2.5 lakhs per annum can apply for it.  As many as 100 scholarships will be awarded each year.  Students can obtain details of the application procedure online at: http://vedantaaluminium.com/ VedantaScholarship2015

 VIDS aims to increase Victoria’s knowledge capital and to enhance relations between India and Victoria by supporting Indian Students to complete their doctoral studies.  23 scholarships have been awarded till date and up to seven more will be given the chance to complete their PhD at a Victorian Institute, Australia.  Each scholarship will be of AUD $ 90,000 plus a full tuition fee waiver by the host university.  This program will allow India and Victoria to share their best practises, knowledge and also drive new research.  More information available on www.aii.unimelb.edu.au/ news/victoria-india-doctoralscholarship

SVIT TO OFFER IEEE BLENDED LEARNING PROGRAM IN VLSI  World’s largest organisation advancing technology for humanity collaborates with Sai Vidya Institute of Technology to offer IEEE BLP in VLSI to all students studying electronics and communication engineering.  This will help students build a foundation of VLSI concepts and applied skills that will increase the availability of skilled engineers in electronic system design and manufacturing sector.  SVIT will install state of the art facilities on campus to meet the guidelines established by IEEE for the program.  For more details, visit https:// blended-learning.ieee.org

18 Youth Incorporated JULY 2015

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MSU INTRODUCES 4 NEW COURSES  The Faculty of Family and Community Sciences (FFCS) and the Faculty of Technology and Engineering (FTE) to introduce new courses in MS University, Vadodara.  FFCS will offer Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition and Interior Design.  FTE will offer Bachelor of Engineering in Computing and Textile Processing.  Admissions will take place through Admission Committee for Professional Course. Both the courses are being offered under the 'Center of Advanced Studies in Design and Reconfigurable Computing For details visit: http://www.msubaroda.ac.in ROSHAN JAIN, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PIXABAY.COM

CWIT SHORT RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL VISITS GRANTS IN UK

AMBUJ SAXENA, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

IIT KHARAGPUR OFFERS ‘MAKE IN INDIA’ COURSE

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign has given a start to a new field of study called ‘Industrial Relations and make in India: Emerging Trends’ focusing on industrial dispute acts.  The centre’s recent labour law proposal sparked the institute to introduce the course.  This course is open to students, academics and industrial players where each one will be awarded with a certificate.  The module is set to ‘explore the impact of labour laws on industrial relations, educate participants on how to restore industrial harmony through industrial democracy and discuss changing nature of trade unions.’

 Charles Wallace India Trust is awarding UK grants for short research and professional visits for up to three weeks.  Applicants must have completed their studies and have four or more years of research or experience in their specialization.  10-15 grants are offered annually of up to £1400 for academic research scholars and professionals working in the arts, heritage conservation and the humanities.  Application to be sent to CWIT in London directly by email at cwit@btinternet.com  For details, visit : http://www.britishcouncil. in/study-uk/scholarships/charles-wallacetrust/short-research JULY 2015 Youth Incorporated 19

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SPECIAL FEATURE

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR JOBS BUT CAN’T FIND THE RIGHT ONE? DO YOU THINK YOUR ASPIRATIONS ARE GETTING THE BETTER OF YOU? DO YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP AND LIVING THE MONOTONOUS LIFE WHERE YOU THINK YOU’RE TOO GOOD FOR YOUR JOB? DHNASHA BHATT BRINGS YOU A GUIDE TO GETTING IT RIGHT 20 Youth Incorporated JULY 2015

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India and its

Hunt 01-07-2015 14:47:38

HEADHUNTERS AND JOB PORTALS ARE DIFFERENT!

A job hunting portal is an online job board that helps applicants find jobs and employers locate jobs. Examples of job portals include LinkedIn, Monster.com and Naukri.com, help you connect to employers and find a job on your own. A headhunter is an individual or company that will provide employment recruitment services. Basically, a headhunter will personally put you up for the right job at the right place and get the employer the best candidate for the job.

GOTCREDIT, FLICKR.COM

WHY DO YOU NEED A HEADHUNTER?

What people think about before even approaching a headhunting firm is, do I need one? Many of us feel that approaching an HR firm will cost us more; what we don’t realize is that headhunting firms are our way to get us a job that achieves us maximum effort and pay relationship.

HOW DO YOU APPLY TO A HUMAN RESOURCE FIRM?

No, you do not just send in your resume to some random firm who doesn’t even know who you are. What you do is research which headhunting company works for your field and where they are situated. In a country like India your choice of company can be in Delhi but their human resource wing or the company that handles their recruitment may work from Mumbai, so you have to do your research first.

Once you have found the right firm you can contact them and ask them for their application process. Many firms have information on their website for the jobs they are recruiting. Use the

social platform, check your circles on LinkedIn and Facebook. There are always chances that the recruiter you’re targeting is around. If there is a personal contact, the chances of them ignoring your CV have marginally reduced.

GET YOURSELF OUT THERE

Get your name out there. Make yourself visible. Your name will then appear in the online schedule and will pop up in Internet searches. If you have good on-field experience then write letters or give interviews.

In our country, it’s easy to approach an image specialist and get yourself to be known. Getting a good image automatically boosts your chances of bagging a good job.

MAKE THE RIGHT RESUME

Five seconds! Yes, that is the time the employer is going to take to scan through your resume. You have to make sure you’ve got it right. But how do you know you’ve nailed it? Here are some points.

Show your results: The hiring manager wants to know what you will contribute to the firm. You have to put your results out there, that you have proper statistics given in your resume.

Even if you think your results aren’t good enough put it in there, you never know where the chords strike.

Keeping it short: Indians often feel the longer the better but you’re wrong, the resume should not surpass two pages. The company just wants to know what you’re currently doing and they don’t really care how much you scored in college. Don’t write an essay of your achievements write about your task management and working ability.

We love numbers: Statistics of your growth, task management and bottom line revenue automatically show you’re someone who is turning himself or herself more and more efficient and that you are ready to quantify your experience.

Confidence is key: A resume that

starts with, “I do not have much experience but I would love to work for your company and learn more” translates into, “I have no idea what I am doing.” When you are applying for a job make sure you show you're confident. You should keep your resume positive, and avoid words such as 'no' and 'not'. Show your past experience and how much you are willing to work for the firm by a firmly worded resume.

Give your personal details: Put your contact information in your CV, at the start and at the end, and make sure it's visible and direct. Don’t put in just your email; dish the phone number out, as in a country that is so quick and growing , you might get a direct call for an interview.

MISTAKES YOUR HEAD HUNTER MIGHT MAKE

You hired a professional to get you a perfect job but you landed up with a job just as your last; how did this happen? Yes, headhunters are humans too and it is possible that your headhunter will mix up your choices and you could land up in odd placements. How do you avoid that from happening?

Keep track: You cannot give your headhunter the money and resume and expect to get yourself a good job.

You have to stay in touch with him and keep track on how long before your interview and when will you get yourself a clear job.

Give in your opinion: It’s you who will be working behind the desk at a new firm, so you have to give in your opinion to your headhunter as to what all you want in the firm you’re looking for, why you aren’t satisfied with the current job and even what type of income you’re looking at. You do not want history repeating itself just with a new face.

Do your own research: In today’s time you cannot live like a little lazy lump, you have to do your own research and find out your own options and tell your headhunter about them and if he can get you to work within your likes.

JULY 2015 Youth Incorporated 21

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01-07-2015 14:48:01

From the head h SPECIAL FEATURE

IN CONVERSATION WITH VIJAY KARKARE, MD, CORNERSTONE INTERNATIONAL, WHO GIVES US A TAKE ON WHAT IT’S LIKE IN THE HEADHUNTING BUSINESS IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

22 Youth Incorporated JULY 2015

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01-07-2015 14:50:44

d hunter's desk Tell us a bit about yourself. When did you get into this industry?

After working for 12 years in Pharmaceutical industry covering Manufacturing, Projects and Corporate planning and three years in Management Consulting, I was considered for a profit centre head in a reputed recruitment services company in 1996 and then never looked back for career alternatives.

How many years experience do you have? How has the industry changed over the years?

I have spent close to 20 years in Executive Search Industry. My focus has gradually shifted to niche hiring for leadership positions, especially in last 11 years after launching operations of Cornerstone International Group in India.

For our readers who may want to get into this field, could you give us an insight into what a day of a recruiter in a recruiting firm is like?

We typically wear multiple hats during the day. It could be mapping the talent pool for a specific assignment, talking to potential candidates regarding opportunity, doing face to face meetings or calls for assessment/determine fit, doing deep dive in a particular industry to understand dynamics, conducting salary negotiations, reference checks, following up on joining, or interacting with clients for new business or existing mandates.

Are there any myths about recruiting agencies that you’d like to dispel?

We work on active mandates from clients and cannot help every active job seeker if we do not have matching

opportunities. Also we are not in HR domain though we deal primarily with HR and senior management. For us this is a business to serve our client’s needs and help build careers. Without good understanding of various industry domains through reading and experience we cannot identify the right fit.

What is the scope of the human resource recruiting industry in the coming decades, especially in India?

It is huge and very strategic for building talent pipeline for any organisation, especially as businesses become highly competitive and environment is constantly changing at a rapid pace.

opportunity and learn on the job there is no competition. Such people are bound to grow.

We hear many stories of how bogus recruiting firms get people to sign up, take their money, and then run away (or worse, take them abroad and then trap them in jobs that are nonexistent, especially those in low-rung jobs like labourers). What is your take on this? How does one trust recruiting agencies today?

There are always few black spots in any Industry. Anyone demanding money to get you a job should be avoided.

We get paid by clients and if we take money from candidates we will compromise quality. yi

How can one become a recruiting manager? What are the skills required to be one?

Many of us who joined in early stage of the industry happened by chance and not much planning. I am happy the younger generation is looking at this industry as a career option. Ideally if one has 3-5 years of industry experience in any domain he/she can look at this industry.

Curiosity, good reading habits, general awareness, good communication and interpersonal skills, ability to learn are essential skills. We also look at people who are hungry to achieve and come up in life with hard work. This is not a 9-5 job.

What is your take on the competition levels for bagging a job today?

If one has right aptitude, communication skills, hunger and willingness to start at any available JULY 2015 Youth Incorporated 23

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HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR DREAM UNIVERSITY

OXFORD UNIVERSITY, JAMES HETHERINGTON, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

FOREIGN SHORES

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U

niversity applications for the year 2015 are coming up fast, and the next few months are absolutely critical for writing out essays and filling up CVs. But how do you know which college you want to apply to and that will be the right fit for you? There are thousands of colleges with equal merit all over the globe, so choosing the appropriate one can get slightly confusing. Take out time to ask

yourself these questions and factors to consider:

What course are you looking to major in?

A lot of students these days are looking towards the liberal arts course, which essentially involves studying a combination of different subjects from various fields at the outset, and choosing a specialty in your later years in college. While multiple universities abroad provide extensive and thorough liberal arts courses, most universities specialize in certain areas of study. For example, Princeton University, while being an excellent liberal arts university, is especially renowned for its Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Relations, which is one of the best public and international policy teaching institutes in the world.

Therefore, if you have a broad idea of what you would like to study, keep an eye out for colleges that offer excellent and exciting programs in those fields.

One way of doing this is to go to the websites of prospective schools, and explore their programs. Universities almost always list the courses available under particular subjects, the professors that teach them, the alumni

of the school and speakers who address students through the year. Note down any aspects of courses that intrigue you, or that are distinct from others.

This will help you narrow down a list of colleges that you would like to attend for that particular subject.

Another way of going about this is through worldwide rankings of universities for particular subjects, which grade universities according to their proficiency in teaching a particular subject. You might be surprised at how some smaller universities excel in teaching certain courses, or at how some stigmas about universities might be broken.

The Johns Hopkins University, for example, is best known for its biomedical courses; however, the school also offers one of the best English courses in the United States. The key is to not be afraid of picking a university that isn’t very famous or well known to you. It’s the quality of education in your area of interest that matters.

Big City vs. Small Town More often than not, the location of your university is of prime importance. Are you a child of the concrete jungle? Were you born and

Carleton College, Minnesota

PIXABAY.COM

Going to study abroad opens up a whole new world of opportunities and choices. How do you decide which place, college and course is right for you? Antara Agarwal provides you with just the right questions to set you on track to determine the dream destination for your education

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FOREIGN SHORES raised amidst bustling vehicles and a dense population? Many a time, one tends to ignore the environment of a university when making the choice to attend it or not, which can lead to a lot of problems when one begins living there.

your routine to become monotonous if you are not used to this.

...or the peaceful country

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However, some people seek to live in rural towns. Such settings have a The skyscrapers... large focus on outdoor activities, such as hiking, canoeing and extensive City environments provide a lot of bicycling, which cannot be offered cultural diversity in terms of their in city campuses due to obvious population, hence the people you environmental limitations. If you meet and interact with and the kinds are a fan of getting outdoors, a small of entertainment available, such as town university could be the way to restaurants and types of theatre, go. Additionally, the natural setting Karan Gupta, Education Consultant arts, and other cultural activities, is beautiful and can be very quiet and to name a few. They are also a lot peaceful, and conducive for learning.

"Students should consider many more industrial, hence the options of Most universities in rural areas are factors while shortlisting their getting internships in different kinds within a few hours of big cities, so you universities including the variety of of jobs around your university are can always take a trip to the city for a courses offered, location, tuition fees, break over the weekend. far greater. Other facilities, such as career prospects, student-faculty sporting facilities of different kinds, large shopping malls and supermarkets ratio and diversity. Of these factors, What is your preferred for most students, the type of course class size? with scores of products, may also not offered is probably the most important be found outside of urban settings. factor. Students should choose Universities vary greatly in terms A lot of in-city raised people are at universities which have a perfect of their overall class size, which is comfort with such surroundings and blend of modules for their major and the size of your graduating batch, may even see a lot of these aspects as they should be allowed to change their and individual class sizes. Some requirements for living. Choosing major if they wish. Many students also offer large classes, with as many as a a rural setting may not always be a prefer to choose universities based in hundred or more people in a room, wise choice, as these often lack a lot big cities which have great networking whereas others can be as small as of the facilities, activities and diverse prospects. And of course, choose a seven students to a teacher. The job opportunities that you may find university which fits your budget or choice of university depends entirely in the city. Most universities in rural one that offers scholarships, grants on what you are comfortable with as settings are based in small towns and loans." a person. Smaller class sizes ensure where activities are limited in range, greater attention on each individual and life is very low key, so it’s easy for

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PIXABAY.COM

from the professor, and give you the opportunity to address the professor with many more of your individual queries. Professors learn the individual requirements of each of their students while learning and are hence able to help their students in specific areas of weakness.

Larger classes, however, provide opportunities for a greater breadth of class discussion and a larger cultural diversity amongst students, so that learning can be a lot more enriching and you may find people more like yourself to interact with amongst a larger crowd.

what you can about these colleges and what you require to qualify for their team. If academics isn’t your main priority, this can become a very important aspect for you to choose your college.

Do you like your days sunny side up?

Weather - do not underestimate the power of this natural force to make you want to be anywhere but in your school. Universities are located all Alisha Mashruwala, Director and CEO, over the globe; some in the warmer Oncourse Vantage and sunnier areas, and some that are almost perennially in the bitter cold.

What are the extra"There is no one size fits all when it Not being used to harsh weather comes down to choosing a dream curricular activities conditions or omnipresent gloomy university; it is ‘fit’ based. When offered by the weather can very easily affect your looking for a college that best suits state of mind in university. Choose university? you, it is important to consider factors a college that is situated in an area A large part of learning in your like academic courses and size. Think with comfortable temperatures that about what kinds of courses drive university life will happen outside you don’t mind going outdoors in you- what kind of courses you are your classroom, and the richness most of the time. Remember, college passionate about and then search of the experience will make all the is going to be your home for months for universities that offer them. Look on end, and you need to make sure difference. Some people have an at the colleges that allow you to extraordinary talent or pursue an your stay is as pleasant as possible. take these passions further through activity at a very high level. If you study abroad, research, or internship All things said and done, remember are someone who would like to opportunities. Another factor to maintain this activity in college, to prioritise and plan well in consider is size – are you the type choose one that has a very good club advance. There's only so much that of person who thrives in a larger or team for the same. Some colleges statistics and research can help environment or do you think being in a you prepare for two or more years are specialized in certain sports or small school is going to help you grow of something that you'll never arts and may even have Olympic and develop as an individual?" coaches on their teams. Find out experience within India. yi JULY 2015 Youth Incorporated 27

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OUT OF THE BOX CAREERS

GIFT EXPERIENCES: WHAT'S IN A BOX? Gifting an experience sounds strange, especially to a generation of people bred on things of value rather than the value of things. Swastika Jajoo explores how to make a career in creating experiential gifts

M

ost people choose timeless editions of watches, coffee mugs, handbags, or perfumes as gifts. The banality of clichéd gifts makes itself evident; soon, you realize that you are the not-so-proud possessor of vapid photo frames, cutlery sets and clocks.

The idea of gifting an experience is originally a European concept and is relatively novel to India. It's pretty simple, actually: you'd rather strike out items on your bucket list than your wish list. “Experiential gifting is still picking up in India, but research shows that experiences bring more happiness than possessions do,” says Rohit Saxena, founder of Exciting Lives, an online gifting portal in India.

“People want to be seen as different and unique, even while gifting, and there's no better way to do it than hand over an experience package.”

is valued at more than $30 billion annually. The spread of social media and the digital space is probably giving this industry a great boost in India today. Giveter, the popular web portal for gifting experiences, uses social media to shortlist the perfect gift. “It connects with your Facebook account in order to synchronize the background details to find the recipient’s Facebook likes and preferences,” says Gift Guru Palak Jain.

GIFTING PSYCHOLOGY

As a gift curator, your job is not only in assisting people to personalise their

experience packages, but also looking into every detail and negotiating the best deal. From spa therapies to exotic dinners, pottery classes to skydiving, an online catalogue of experiences makes it simple for customers to pick and choose as they wish. Saxena tells us, “We have seen that Wine Tasting Experience, where they get to see how wine is made and experience the art of wine tasting, is quite popular.”

Prominent categories in gifting experiences include Wellness, Beauty, Gourmet, Culture, Entertainment, Sports, and Adventure.

Palak gives us an idea of what it takes to be a gift curator, which includes having a knack for understanding the recipient. “One should understand the gifting psychology of people and should know what is trending and latest in the field of gifting,” she says, “They must have the knowledge about the product that they are recommending and should understand the personality and mood of the recipient. The recommendation process works best when we know the recipient’s preference.”

CRAFTING AN EXPERIENCE

Imagine an experiential gift that allows you to make Belgian chocolates under professional guidance, instead of a simple chocolate box. The added value which an experience brings is not time-bound; it lasts.

But if creating such an experience for a living – listing down ideas, finding the perfect combinations, negotiating prices and logistics – sound like your raison d’etre, then maybe a career in experiential gift curating is ideal for you.

Here's an astonishing titbit: according to the American Express Estimates, the gift market in India

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GIFTING IT

RIGHT WittyGift, established in 2010, is an experiential gifting company that packages experiences based on a predetermined category or theme, one of the first ones in India.

Manvinder S. Kohli from WittyGift gives us a peek into what the industry is like

Tell us how WittyGift started off in this industry.

Wittygift, a pioneer in experiential gifting concept in India, was set up in 2010 as a part of the changing face of corporate India. The concept stemmed out of the basic idea of how people are more interested in gathering experiences than hoarding objects. When we started WittyGift, my father told me, “You are like a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat that may not exist.” We had to figure out every single aspect and have built our entire business from the ground up based on user inputs.

What have been your major challenges?

The biggest challenge has been category development. It took a while before anyone even understood what we were doing. Getting vendors on board was always going to be a problem, but thankfully, today the consumer services industry is a lot more stable than it was a few years ago and we are happy to see our vendors expanding.

A big road block was also the

WittyGift founder Manvinder S. Kohli (far right)

perception of vouchers as a mode of gifting. People have had bad experiences, including availability and usability of vouchers and vendors are not always happy to accept vouchers.

We overcame this by creating a concierge service that would enforce contractual obligations and handle the dirty work, while keeping the customer front squeaky clean. Our customers love the fact that there is someone figuring things out for them and taking care of their reservations.

A big challenge on the sales side has also been to convince corporate buyers to change from the same old gifts that end up in a closet in some corner of all our houses. Our co-branded boxes, a global first, along with value-adds on the concierge side were a big hit and we continue to innovate to convince our corporate clients.

What skills do one need to become an experience gift curator?

Be someone who likes to do things, be observant, and have an eye for detail.

We curate experiences that are gifted to loved ones; it’s a heavy expectation and one has to be able to judge various factors of each experience.

Which gift experience is the best-selling?

Our target audience is mostly between 16 and 40. The most purchased gift option is the “indulgence for couples” which is a set of gift experiences that two people can enjoy together, such as salsa lessons, fine dining for two, couples therapies, adventure activities or even learn pottery or cooking together. It makes the perfect wedding gift for young couples. yi JULY 2015 Youth Incorporated 29

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Searching for the AWARENESS

H

Happy High?

In a world filled with death, disease and despair, appiness is not a ‘Happiness’ couldn’t be under more pressure if it tried. condition, it’s a Everyone is searching for life purposes and the meanings state of mind. of their existence. Why is it so hard for us to simply take It’s how we decide to live even in the in everything we have and perhaps learn to appreciate it? busiest days. No doubt it Why the perpetual is important to set goals in need for validation and life, but achieving them is not hence equating the only reason to be happy. It’s it to ultimate necessary we find happiness in happiness? everything we do because in these days of complete hustle bustle we find very less time to live. If we learn to enjoy everything we do we wouldn’t have to go out of our way to find happiness and will definitely make life much better.

We set out to work on a simple experiment: to meet people and question them about their notions and ideals of happiness and whether they’ve acquired the standard or are consciously working towards the same.

KEYA BHANUSHALI, SCHOOL STUDENT

Are you happy?

Yes, my school and my friends make me happy.

What will make you completely happy?

When I’ll be an artist someday.

Are you happy ?

Yes, I am happy. I’m enjoying my long vacation after three hectic years of college.

What will make you completely happy ?

My aim is to get into an Ivy League College. So yeah, that’ll be another level of happiness for me.

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PRACHI DEDHIA, COLLEGE GRADUATE

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CHERYL SUARES, CONTRACT MANAGER

Are you happy?

Yes I am happy, very happy! Not that everything is perfect in my life but I have realized and learnt that happy life means looking beyond my imperfect life.

What will make you completely happy?

Accepting and loving every bit of my present life positively brings inner joy in me and not so perfect bit of life only strengthens me to overcome my unhappiness.

Life may not be easy but loving my life in any form only reflects happiness. Learnt it the hard way, but finally did achieve it.

DJ WILLIS

Are you happy?

Currently, yes.

What makes you unbelievably happy?

I am at my happiest playing and making foot tapping music!

JIGISHA VAKIL, ART DIRECTOR

UPASANA SHAH, CONSULTANT

Are you happy?

Of course I am happy!

When would you say are you your happiest?

I am at my happiest when I get to sing my heart out, especially my favourite song on a karaoke set!

PARTH MANGLA, COLLEGE STUDENT

Are you happy?

Yes , I'm enjoying my college to the fullest by heading my college festivals. Like just what I wanted right now.

What will make you the happiest ever?

To pass with good grades in my final semester and be placed in some good company.

Are you happy?

I am extremely happy!

What is it that makes you so very happy?

It’s been two weeks since my daughter gave me the fortune of being reborn as a mother. Now I know what unconditional love is. What it is seeing someone who was a part of you from the past nine months, now in your arms staring in your eyes. And suddenly smaller problems don’t matter. I feel complete.

One can really take a page out of their lives and Are you happy? be thoroughly inspired Yes, I am happy for the small things, but not yet content. by how the littlest things What is it that makes you happy? are of the greatest value Being able to achieve my everyday goal is what keeps me happy. in our lives. Don’t ruin However small it is, if I am able to sit at night and think that i your today in the haste did something worthwhile or useful today; that feeling of being for tomorrow. Take responsible; learning that big things don’t happen overnight and a step back, realise that I am able to complete the smaller tasks to achieve what I the importance of the want without slacking off every day; doing something I’ve not done before as frequently as I can; being fit enough to climb that moment you are living and be thankful for it. one rock faster than or at least as easily as others; all this makes Pledge today to be happy me incredibly happy. I’ll be the happiest though, when I set out to travel the world and when I am at the peak of at least one field every day. It’s only the easiest way to having a of my interest. Also when I buy a house in the town side for my long and a splendid life. mother. That’s when I’d be the happiest.

SWAPNIL JUNJARE , PHOTOGRAPHER

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WORKPLACE HACKS

Don’t approach a person with the view of getting something No one likes a person who approaches them only for their benefit. Don’t go pursuing people just to get something out of them. Thinking about how you can use a contact to your advantage can distract you.

Build a rapport Out of college and in search of a new job? However with the job market buzzing with more than a hundred applicants for that one post, it leads to the sad fact that those with the right contacts have an added advantage for their applications to be reviewed. Bernadette Braganza gives you pointers on how to network with people

Ask good questions. When asked a question respond with relevant answers.

Keep eye contact but don’t stare a person down (you’ll probably end up creeping that person out). Pay attention during the conversation as getting distracted will show that you are not interested in the conversation taking place. Pay attention to your body language. Remember your actions must match your words.

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Use a positive tone

The right tone can make all the difference in the art of communication. A negative tone can lose the meaning of what you are speaking (even if it’s positive). Also choose your words carefully. For example, the difference between “I would like you to do this for me” and “It would be great if you could do this for me.” is the tone Both sentences have the same meaning. However, the second sentence would have more appeal as compared to the first since it is not only sounds less dominating, but also shows that you appreciate the listener.

Find a mutual connection

It's synonymous to having mutual interests. This can work as a great ice breaker. For example, if you are

Finding mutual interests important to ask questions about the other person. can work as a great ice Online Networking breaker. If you are an With the ever-increasing use of social media and the use of professional sites avid sports lover and like LinkedIn, everyone prefers to the person you want interact online. Remember the rules to approach is just as for networking online is the same as networking with someone face to face. enthusiastic, you can Keep your profile strictly professional. use this as a way to get into a conversation. Social Events and Once you’ve established Gatherings Go to different social events and that, don’t just fade gatherings. Connect with different away and wait to contact people. If you have a friend coming along with you, ask him/her to them only when you introduce you to people they know need help and whom you think you would like to meet.

an avid sports lover and the person you want to approach is just as enthusiastic, you can use this as a way to get into a conversation.

Always keep in touch

Once you’ve established a connection with someone, don’t just fade away and wait to contact them only when you need help. If you are unable to meet the person or if that person is too busy to meet you, a text message or email with something you think that person would be interested in is good enough. (Tip: Don’t spam or you will end up being blocked).

Don’t keep it only about yourself Avoid excess selfpromotion. Don’t keep steering the conversation to yourself. It can put an impression that you are vain. It is of course good to highlight your strengths and USP, just don’t overdo it. Also, in order to find out more about a person it is

Seminars, discussions and exhibitions These are great places where you can find an opportunity to interact with professionals of various fields.

Meeting over coffee

You could meet professionals over a cup of coffee. This is a great way to get talking and build a rapport with another person. Also, one thing to be remembered when meeting someone for coffee: always be punctual and respect the other person’s time. Busy executives may be on a tight schedule and keeping them late could give the impression that you have no respect for time.

Business cards

Keep a sizeable amount of business cards with you and give it to people you would like to keep contact with. Also when anyone gives you their card keep it in a card case or in a safe place. In case you find the need to write something down urgently, avoid writing on the back of the card. If you can’t find anything else and need to use it, ask the person whose business card it is. This is because some people take great care on how they design their cards and spend a lot of money on them. Writing something on the back of their card can look impolite. yi

PIXABAY.COM

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YOUTH ISSUES UES YOUTH ISS

PIXABAY.COM

dia social meery , s r a e y ev t few In the las n over our lives inernet has take manner. The int ople’s possible e taking away pe lities b na seems to dence and perso s. The self confi many other thing ration alongside with today’s gene selves problem y don’t love themem just e is that th let others love th stion is, e o enough t ey are. So the qu e virtual h h the way t lost yourself to t a look into u o s y take have i Gandhi tter h u R ? ld r wo the ma

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l Artificuiraes, e h t f o e The Roifisles, over edited phicilte these

Fake pr skin? W show of s on social e iv s s e c x e ke t more li is really stunts ge k yourself, “Is th erson p as profiles, umber of likes a elf n e ’s s me?” Th erruled a person become v s o gets has well, maybe it ha a n r a c (o r a m f estee d). How ventually e t la e r ly direct way? E at they ke it any person ta l find out that wh e same il th people w les is not nearly ens fi o pp r a see on p ality. So what h greed, e A r thing in over is dropped? to make c lt e when th it is more difficu ocial s s e sometim n face to face, so p a u io t t r a a s t r s o conve asy way t is nothing e n a is media there tion and t what people a s r e v n o c bu a very ith that, wrong w se is that there is ddicted a ali fail to re tween becoming he real e t b fine line rnet and living in gs as in te to the in ple like seeing th people o e e P r . a , n’t world hat don’t ed to “prove t e s o h t r is, and be bothe lling in ld u o h s e e fa anyon . Imagin arming, o t ” g in someth n absolutely ch sonality a er love with and humorous p meet , t ou confiden one day when y realise d u online an at a small cafe yo y had n he the perso is nothing like t what n o d s r r a e h ly the p ce ir face is e h t , d confiden e y ir e h t , portra d e le depict alking the profi ly shine when t , shy, g on seems to they sit fidgetin rly. It d e n p online, a to converse pro rayal. le et and unab like a complete b ay to l w e would fe rofiles are a great you p n e e il h h So w s best w , it work network ourself! y really are JULY 2015 Youth Incorporated 35

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YOUTH ISSUES We aren’t the only ones who seem to agree on this. Meghan Trainor’s “All about that bass” and Lily Singh’s (Superwoman) “Leh” are perfect songs that give contradictions of the two types of people, the people who know how to love themselves the way they are and the fake people that seem to pretty much fake everything around them.

Test the Reality

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Maybe it’s acceptable, sometimes

Sometimes, online profiles help people find their inner personality. It gives them a check with reality. It is not easy for everyone to know how they are, what they are, and how they want to be, that is a part of learning one’s own self. So many people realise the wit they have online, their opinions shine, they become fierce, and no doubt loved by all who read. The fact is, some people are just strong when it comes to writing and others when it comes to speaking. The only important part is that no matter how much you do on the internet you need to keep a reality check and make sure that the personality you are becoming online should line up with your real personality. On another note, with the dangers online such as stalkers, and scammers, people are hesitant in revealing their real selves, after all as humans we tend to be sceptical in believing the things we cannot see.

So when it comes to these aspects it is understandable. The only time it is a problem is when people lose themselves into online profiles, harm or mislead others around them for no reason, and ultimately hurt themselves for living in a void.

Musical artists are making a statement!

One can never underestimate themselves and expect others to have the highest regard! It is okay to be oversized, have curly hair, not like make up, not have mind blowing biceps or a huge chest, or a skinny waist. Frankly, it’s more than okay not to have a hundred likes on any picture you post or any comment you make. There are always people who respect others for standing on their own ground and taking pride in who they are or how they are. Not only is it gutsy, but it is attractive. Not many people are able to step outside their comfort zones and be themselves.

Take it as a challenge if you will, post a picture with no makeup, no push up bras, no flexing muscles and abs, see if the world still loves what you show them. Showing yourself bare, in the raw unaltered form takes guts, but more than that it requires self confidence. Sometimes things are easier said than done. People build up fake profiles to zone out of their real lives, lives that they most probably are dissatisfied with. What every person needs to remember is that they were given the life they have only because they are strong and smart enough to live it. What use is a fake profile where people love you for what you are not?

You need to love yourself for who you are, or make yourself the person you want to be because you can’t have both a fake personality and not want to incorporate it in your real life. If it works online it’ll work in reality too.

What works for some may not work for others, but everyone has a beautiful personality. The difference is people’s expectations, values, and perceptions, so there is no right and wrong.

Sometimes, it is just society and social pressures, which frankly seem to be given much more importance than deemed necessary. As snobbish as it may sound to some, everyone needs to be full of self worth, (but of course not to the extent that it becomes ego).

The truth is, when you know you are doing the right thing in your own eyes, it will hardly matter what others say. The day people learn to embrace who they are, they will respect others for embracing themselves too.

Love yourself and help others love themselves too.

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WHAT’S YOUR OPINION ON PERSONALITY PROFILES IN THE REAL WORLD AND THE VIRTUAL WORLD?

The fact that this topic was so debateable made it even more interesting! What is it that others thought? So, we decided it was time to get the opinions of general people who would hopefully have something to share. We asked them their opinion on this topic, possibly to share a personal experience, or just give advice to those who may need it! It was a standard question left open for each person’s personal choice and interpretation.

Here are the responses we got:

found love on apps like Instagram and Twitter that aren't even dating websites! Everybody thinks they're safe behind a screen protecting their virtual identity but for better or worse, that identity is what defines us.

Perhaps virtual is the new real.”

Abhishek Joshi (Sophomore Year (2nd Year), St. John’s University)

Rohan Shah (Sophomore Year (2nd Year), University of Toronto)

Toyoja Upadhyay, (3rd Year BA, Sophia College)

“The line between virtual reality and the actual world that we exist in grows dangerously thinner day by day. We can do practically anything on the internet right from grocery shopping to stalking our favourite celebrities.

While this seems convenient for the most part, I'm sure we've all felt cornered and threatened on the internet.

I was once harassed by an ex who made several fake Facebook accounts to keep tabs on me. It is astounding what the virtual world can achieve.

Alternatively, I have friends who have

“As a person who is a rather avid user on both ask.fm and Instagram, a fake profile, or the depiction of a personality that varies from the essence of its original host, is no stranger to me. Fake profiles are about as common on these websites as food poisoning is to that kid who just can’t stop eating pani puri in the Bombay monsoon.

Personally, I am of the opinion that a fake profile, although cumbersome to maintain, is not a problem as long as it does not hurt the user or other users in any way. Why should a tool as powerful as the internet NOT be used to fulfil simple, harmless desires?”

“I believe that when people are influenced by a character or a trait in some other person, they take it online, which is the best place to be someone else. What they don’t really realize is that the other person is no fool and can clearly make out whether they are being themselves or not. And before you know it, it’s already too late. I think fake usually comes as an unknown and unrealized effort to look cool. So the best thing to do is just be your own self and behave the same way online, as one would do in person.”

Vahishtai Ghosh (IBDP, Podar International School)

“Social media has become an integral part of our lives and has reduced our physical interaction with people.

I think that the access to the internet has given us all the ability to live a virtual life which can be quite different from our real life. People have started giving much more importance to how their pictures and comments make them look on social media and it is making them fake. They portray themselves to be a completely different person on social media than how they are in reality. Frankly, this could end terribly because we use Facebook, Instagram and dating apps such as Tinder regularly, and often interact with a lot of people we don’t know personally. Fake details of profiles leave the opposing users in a very vulnerable state as we would never know how the person really is until we meet them.” yi JULY 2015 Youth Incorporated 37

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132

species of plants and animals as Critically Endangered from India

9,205

tonnes per day (approximately 60% of total plastic waste) and 6,137 tonnes remain uncollected and littered

GO 78.29 million hectares (ha), about 23.81% only of the country's forest area

E

veryone remembers the time when Adam and Eve were banished out of the Garden of Eden for their sins and compelled to toil for their living by using the resources provided to them on earth. Guess who wholeheartedly took advantage of that predicament and is now eventually causing destruction of mass proportions on the very

same earth? Take a long, good look in the mirror, people. There have been articles, news reports, protests, summits, world leaders uniting under one roof, mobs rioting on the streets, and natural disasters amongst other things, that have screamed the words ‘Global Warming’, ‘Wildlife’, ‘Protection’ and ‘Conservation’ on our faces. Some of us have made an effort to heed, the rest of us have simply

managed to continue our existence in perpetual denial. Some of us have made a distinct mark in restoring a portion of our ecological balance back on track, and some of us have managed to wipe out an entire species from the face of the planet. In the face of nature, mankind has prevailed while humanity has perished.

While it may seem like we have already walked past the crossroads

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1,236,344,631

515 animal

population of India (as of July 2014)

sanctuaries

GREEN! 60.3% agricultural land

80%

of sewage in India is untreated and flows directly into the nation's rivers, polluting the main sources of drinking water, a study by an environment watchdog that may have led us to a path of redemption, not all hope is lost. We bring you the guide to the simplest things that we, as citizens of the world, can work towards and incorporate in our lives, that may just preserve our planet for generations to come. They say it is never too late and we firmly believe that you can always flip the switch. Literally. You’ve read about and dreamed of becoming the superheroes

7

th

most environmentally unsafe country

138

recycling units (as of 2014)

that you’ve always adored. Well, here’s your chance to don your green capes and lead the beacon of hope that makes Mother Earth the most resourceful and habitable planet in the universe. Until we find extra terrestrial life that may as well applaud us for our valiant efforts to keep from destroying ourselves purely out of greed. This anniversary issue, we pledge to do our own bit to save the environment

and give you several ways in which you can cut down on your carbon footprint and make a sincere effort to adopt everyday habits that will not only enable you to cut down on your finances, individually, but make way for a sustainable future. Take a page out of your superhero's life and ask yourself this important question: do you have what it takes to save this planet?

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COVER STORY

Get out, green is inn

Whether we choose to accept it or not, vacations have ended. College and work is on full swing. Tired of mindlessly sitting through lectures, dreaming about the summer? Bored of the all-too-familiar routine starting again? Need a short break? Meera Jakkli digs up the perfect weekend getaways that practice eco-friendly ways (while not compromising on comfort) Residence) which is a programme that provides work studios for artists from all over the world.

Kipling Camp, Kanha, Madhya Pradesh

This particular area was converted from a bare land into a forest by the owners. The camp is known to live peacefully and in harmony with the local tribal community. Wildlife sighting and birding: check. Exploring vibrant local villages: check. Adorable resident elephant, Tara: check!

Mud House at The Dune, Pondicherry

Kuflon Basics, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

Situated just above the Assi Ganga River, it is a rest-stop for a lot of Himalayan trekkers. Nestled amongst the mountains, this is the perfect destination for people looking for a quiet place away from the city noise.

Fishing, small treks to the nearby waterfall, homely food are just some of the attractions offered.

Karuna Farm, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

Electricity at Karuna is not sourced from the national grid but from solar and hydroelectric power. Organic farming for various fruits is carried out here. Surrounded by a lively forest, there are a variety of accommodation options to choose from depending on what kind of an experience you are looking for.

Hideout, Vikramgad, Maharashtra

Eco tents, mud houses, eco-cottages, brick houses or under the stars, this place is ideal for campers! It is located about two hours away from Mumbai.

Minimal electricity is used and is sourced from solar panels during the day-time. Organic waste produced is immediately either reused or turned into fertilizer. Try your hand at organic farming, visit the local market or just catch up on some reading!

The Dune, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu

Located on 35 acres of the beach, The Dune is outside the city area but still only a short drive away from Auroville and Pondicherry. The spa offers special ayurvedic treatments, yoga, as well as several other alternative therapies.

It is also the base for AIR (Artists in

The Corbett Foundation

This organization works towards a harmonious co-existence between humans and wildlife across various wildlife habitats across India. They have taken up multiple special initiatives for sustainable development like using energy-efficient stoves, seaweed farming and communitybased conservation. Although, they aren’t particularly into tourism, they do provide basic accommodation for volunteers and interns who take part in their conservation work.

The Fern Hotel

With a promise to be environmentally conscious and yet provide the best of luxurious comforts, The Fern Hotels and Resorts across India are your perfect stay options, wherever you go. Their initiatives include a Green Button in rooms, which reduces overall energy consumption while you're in the room; solar energy panels; rainwater harvesting; garbage segregation; community programs and more.

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Pledge to travel green!

As a tourist (and an ambassador of your own country), you share as much responsibility as local citizens to maintain the environment. Dhnasha Bhatt comes up with ideas to travel eco-responsibly

FDECOMITE, FLICKR.COM

We travel to be happy, we travel to feel free, we travel to enjoy ourselves, but what happens when there is no place left to travel? What happens when the world is just an empty ocean, containing crumbs of landscape, all gone because we ransacked it, recklessly? There are simple ways to ensure we reduce our carbon footprint as we explore the world.

Pack only the necessary things

Packing light will help you travel faster and cheaper, and reduces the load on airplanes (because the more the load, the more the fuel that’s used). Lesser bags equal smaller means of transport, too. To travel light, divide items into what you have to take along, what you might need, and what you can do without, and pack only the first category.

Dump those extra snacks; yes, we are Indians and home cooked food is important, but when you’re on a

holiday, open up your taste buds to local flavours.

Choose nonstop flights

They save you time and save fuel.

Tonnes of fuel are used during takeoff, more than the time they are actually flying. Nonstop flights marginally cost less than the regular connected flights.

Also, get e-tickets over printed ones.

Choose trains over planes

Unless you need to get to another part of the world, use trains or road transport as much as possible. Trains give you great views for short distance and national travel and also save you money.

Work out a little, outside

You’re not going to need to work out at the hotel gym if you cycle or walk around the sight-seeing points.

Walking also connects your mind to the

surroundings and helps you to grasp the positivity around. Boating is clinically said to be the most rejuvenating and environment friendly way to travel in areas with water bodies.

Say yes to hybrid cars

They’re eco-friendly, specially designed to emit less carbon dioxide, available at all tourist destinations. If not, ask for CNG cars, which are a lesser load on your wallet.

Get off your phone!

Your vacation updates can wait till you’re back in the city. Leave your phone back in the hotel room and connect to nature, using it only for urgent calls. This way you reduce radiation levels wherever you’re at and the use of electricity by charging it less.

Also remember, wherever you go, never litter. We may not take it seriously here, but abroad, it's actually against the law.

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COVER STORY

Veganism: to be or not to be?

There’s a way to look fit and also help the environment. Dhnasha Bhatt explores how it's green to go vegan

JENNIFER, FLICKR

JENNIFER, FLICKR

LABLASCOVEGMENU, FLICKR

SUDDHI_SUZETTE.NU, FLICKR

VEGBANKING.NET, FLICKR

Most of our parents would be against us quitting milk, because mothers firmly believe that a glass of milk a day is a must, be it when you’re six or 60. However, going vegan is the most compassionate, natural and healthy way of nourishment. Your body will love you for it.

Every day, we make choices that can be beneficial or detrimental to life and nature. The choice to adopt a vegan lifestyle is a tough one, especially when there are many myths about nutritional needs that are propagated by the food and beverage industry.

Your journey to optimal health will go through a tornado of thoughts and you might want to give up, but for these three compelling reasons, which have got people all over the world to follow this diet: • You’re saving your environment: The easiest way to nurse your environment would be by helping to reduce the carbon content, which is most effectively done by cutting down your consumption of meat.

• Health: We always want to be at the pink of our health. Multiple reports suggest that plant-based diets help in preventing cancer, diabetes, heart diseases and obesity.

• Compassion is key: Did you know that slaughterhouse workers have the highest rate of illness and injury in the manufacture industry worldwide?

Many of us prefer to remain in a state of denial rather than face the cruelty animals endure throughout their lives.

But maybe now it’s time to rethink and face the music.

Why go vegan?

I recently bumped into an old school friend, who looked different now; she seemed more toned, fresh, positive and happy. When I asked what her secret to looking so fresh and happy was, she explained how she was a choosy foodie back then. “Even though I was given the food of my dreams I felt empty at the end of the day, so empty that even a tub full of chicken fingers wouldn’t do it.” She said, “I went vegan last

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summer and I feel different. It was tough at first, but I feel complete and happy now.”

Most people I meet who have converted to veganism say that they’re main aim when they ditched meat and dairy was to grow thin. It’s all right if you choose to start off with the concept of you losing weight; at least you’re trying something to benefit you.

All vegans tell us that shifting to this plant-based diet has improved their lives. They feel more positive energy around them and they now have stamina to be athletic.

Vegans have often said that before they switched to such a diet, they were always tired, or fatigued. But within days of being vegan, a lot of their fatigue vanished, as they slept more soundly, and as the weeks progressed, they noticed they had more energy during the day.

VEGAN CELEBRITIES Jennifer Lopez Jay-Z Tobey Macguire Lea Michele Jared Leto Natalie Portman

DVSROSS, FLICKR

MADDISH, FLICKR

About 230 million tonnes of meat is used consumed by humans which makes it up to 500 million tonnes of animals being slaughtered and only 50% of them are found with meat that is consumable. All of these need large amounts of water and emit methane during the slaughter and package process. You get to save money and the environment together; you get to be a hero the easy way!

That should give us enough reason to try out this new fad, don’t you think?

GORDON CORRELL, FLICKR

Advantage of this diet

VEGAN BROWNIE

2 CUPS UNBLEACHED ALL PURPOSE FLOUR 2 CUPS WHITE SUGAR 3/4TH CUP UNSWEETENED COCOA POWDER 1 TEASPOON BAKING POWDER 1 TEASPOON SLAT 1 CUP WATER 1 CUP VEGETABLE OIL I TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT

TO

MAKE THE BROWNIE:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F(175 degrees C). In a large bowl stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.

Pour in the water, vegetable oil and vanilla, mix until blended.

Spread evenly in the baking tray. Bake for 25-30 minutes in the preheated oven until the top is no longer shiny. Let cool for 10 minutes and cut it into squares. There’s your vegan brownie!

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COVER STORY

16 Simple Ways to Go

Green

Everyone always complains about pollution and wastage, but the bigger problem is no one wants to step up and actually make a change. Like in all other things, start with the basics because that is the only way anyone gets to the bigger picture. The small things you start today will be the reason for the big things that change tomorrow, for you and all the generations to come. Ruhi Gandhi urges you to drop the indifference and find simple ways you can incorporate saving the environment into your daily lives

Make your own bug spray

Commercial bug sprays contain specific chemicals called organophosphates which are proven to be one of the causes of poisoning in humans. You could alternatively mix soap and water which would remove trails and have a similar effect as bug sprays to prevent a colony from following.

Drive slow

Speeding every once in a while is alright, but in the long term it can cost you some serious bucks! Did you know driving 10mph above 60 causes you to spend extra since it begins guzzling?

Keep your refrigerator occupied

While the refrigerator may look clean and hygienic when it is empty, here is a fact you probably didn’t know, it takes longer to cool empty space than if it had been full. So don’t feel guilty about stocking up, for goodness sake!

We live in a tropical state.

Time your shower

We all love showers. However, reducing a couple of minutes every day consciously can greatly contribute to reducing water wastage.

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ALL IMAGES FROM PIXABAY.COM

Plant around your house

Start from home. Even the smallest house plants give significant amounts of oxygen and it is close enough for you to take care of and nurture.

Inflate your tyres

Make it a habit to get your tyres checked. Besides that fact that you could get stranded somewhere with flat tyres, you could also save a lot of mileage by simply making sure your tyres are inflated.

Don’t heat plastic

border around plants to ward off ants and slugs. It may be repulsive for these creatures, but it will provide a lovely fragrance for you.

Buy rechargeable batteries

You charge your phone and so many other electronics! Why not buy rechargeable batteries to reduce the constant replacement of worn out ones which cause problems to the environment after disposal?

Have a yard sale

Heating food in plastic containers may be convenient but they cause certain chemicals to be released into the food which may contain hormone disrupting compounds. Hormones are always problematic, why instigate them even more?

It can never harm you to give away things you intend to throw out, especially if it may come in handy to someone else. Plus, you can make a couple quick bucks on things you don’t need, while saving the environment indirectly. This cannot possibly go wrong for anyone!

Burning to “just hot”

E-books and online news

Overheating your water heater causes corrosion and mineral build up to occur at a faster rate. 120 degrees is just about ideal. Not to mention, it is also pretty unhealthy for your skin, especially your scalp.

Use and reuse

You can use your coffee grounds as a

In all seriousness it may be traditional to read the actual paper, but maybe you can give online news a try and for readers who breeze through books like it’s the air you breathe. Try using e-books more often than not, save some paper, you are still reading the same words.

Think of buying books as a guilty

pleasure that is only acceptable once in a while.

Ditch the Disposables

Personalise your own coffee mug, carry it with you. Disposables may be convenient but the amount of harm they cause to the environment is mind boggling.

Avoid Non-stick Pans

use cast iron instead. Non-stick pans release chemicals which tend to break down and may get into your food.

These chemicals have been linked to heart diseases.

Pop traditionally

Get smart with popping your popcorn. Microwave popcorn releases an acid (PFOA) which studies have linked to cancer and infertility.

Take out your pan and pop the seeds traditionally.

Try some D.I.Y’s

Do it yourself videos for clothes, accessories, and make up are spreading on the youth scale like a rapid fire! Most importantly, by using your old items to make new ones you are contributing largely to the environment as production can be reduced.

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COVER STORY

Designing a greener planet By making subtle changes to product designs, they can be transformed into environment saving tools, as Nihal Jain explores

Square Pots

Square containers are great for small fruits, bare root roses and field-dug plants. These pots are moulded from fibre, meaning that they are made of recycled material, and are biodegradable. Their durable and breathable design lets air and moisture seep through to the soil and plant roots, while the various available sizes in the market are great for a number of applications. They also give a forestlike look to your garden.

CUT eco-friendly chair The CUT Chair is a sleek and stylish chair that you can enjoy at home as your elegant furniture and environment-conscious dĂŠcor in one.

The CUT chair is also an eco-friendly one, as it is made of cork material that is discarded from various factories and industries, eliminating the wood factor. It has an elegant cut and bright cork finishing that not only makes it

an environment saviour but also an ornament to your furniture.

Float: the green lamp

With the aim to help protect the environment from harm and help each household to have a creative lighting solution simultaneously, designer Benjamin Hubert had created the Float. Designed and released for 100% Design 2009, the Float is made from a collection of cork block recovered from a wine cork manufacturer.

You can install it in your ceiling in any room and surely get an elegant ambiance and feel relived at the same time, as you are sure enough that you have helped save the Earth.

Dry-Erase Board

Dry-Erase Boards save the use in paper or huge marker-boards. It’s made from real bamboo that comes from FSC certified forests (well-managed forests). With an attractive dry-erase

surface on the front and black fabric on the back, the board is an ideal part of a stylish home, office or kitchen that will help keep you organized and save the environment at the same time. The warm honey colour of the bamboo looks great wherever you need to write a quick note.

Reclaimed Wood Metal Side Table

An original, pared-down design is elevated to two tiers with contrasting textures and a weathered finish that adds warmth to the contemporary livelihood. The reclaimed wood carries the original saw marks for a beautiful, rough-hewn appearance, giving a natural and dazzling look to your living room. Smaller living spaces benefit from the storage shelf below, perfect for books and magazines alike.

The table is crafted of reclaimed wood which may result in hue-variations or other antique-like characteristics.

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Green to the Tea The recipient of the Young Green Art Director award at the fifth edition of The Olive Crown Awards, 26-year-old Aditi Chaddha, came up with a simple solution for tea bag manufacturers, which involved flipping alternate tea bags to save up on space and reduce the package size by more than 13%. “An extremely simple idea, nothing out of the box, but resulting in multiple consequences,” as she says. A Senior Art Director with design firm Umbrella Design in Mumbai, this idea also won her a scholarship by Unilever, wherein she gets to attend the Young Lions Academy at Cannes Lions Festival. We catch up with her to ask her about the importance of innovative design to save the environment

you to reduce the size of the box, thus saving paper, increasing storage space, allowing a greater number of boxes to be transported at the same time – thereby saving fuel, and reducing pollution. I had chosen Lipton Green Tea as my product to carry this experiment out. So I titled the idea as ‘Truly Green Tea Packaging’.

Tell us about the idea that won you the award.

We all can see that the shape of a tea bag is narrow from the top and wider at the bottom. When several of these tea bags are lined up in a box, their wider bases touch each other, but not the tops, leaving empty space on top. How can we use up this empty space that is currently getting wasted?

Simple. Flip every alternate tea bag by 180 degrees.

What inspired this idea?

Once, while dipping my green tea sachet in water, I happened to

observe the shape of the tea bag. The idea randomly struck me. I knew that's the same logic applied while packaging shoes. So I rushed to the store, purchased a box of tea bags and tried it out – it worked! The results were better than what I had expected. It was entered in the Young Green Art Director category where they were accepting unpublished entries as well.

How would the changes affect the overall ecofootprint?

The same number of tea bags will now occupy lesser space, allowing

Do you think there are any other such products that can be turned environment friendly?

So, in my idea I did not make any alteration to the product – just placed the same thing given to me in a different way and obtained the results. If all tea bag manufacturers adopt the idea, it will make a big difference to the environment.

Several companies are already striving to make changes in their products to have a positive impact on the environment - by changing some of the ingredients, or developing new packaging techniques. I'm sure there are several products out there that can be altered and made eco-friendly.

We just have to figure out how – the sooner the better!

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KEVEN LAW, FLICKR

Wild Things

How has our ecological footprint affected our silently suffering neighbours? Meera Jakkli takes a look at some examples of wildlife mutation and dangers that have occurred in the past few years because of pollution

When you think pollution, you think humans. Wildlife is always sidelined when it comes to the impact that the environment has on them. Although effects of pollution can be clearly seen in the habitats of animals and birds, the effect that it has on their genetics is largely ignored. It is when these internal changes start showing up physically over just a few generations, that it becomes a problem. And if it’s not mutation, then they’re almost facing extinction. Is there no way out?

The awareness that such an ugly and scary problem exists might help each of

us get out of our little bubble and think of ways to protect them. We dug up a little, barely scratching the surface, and found some disturbing facts.

The Mutant Genes

Two-headed Trout

A two-headed trout, born of wild fish, was found in the excessively polluted Idaho stream in the US. An excessive amount of selenium from a major corporation’s mining site is believed to be the cause of this strange mutation.

The corporation, however, continues

NOODLE SNACKS, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

COVER STORY

to argue that these abysmal levels of selenium are below tolerance-level.

Peppered Moths

Peppered Moths were found in two colours: light and dark, majority of which used to be light in colour.

During the Industrial Revolution, sulphur dioxide that was released in large quantities resulted in the killing of light-coloured lichens off the trees, leaving behind the dark bark.

The light-coloured moths could be clearly distinguished and were hence, predated on, eventually making the dark colour a dominant character.

Similarly, the dark-coloured moths increased in number due to better camouflage.

Extra-limbed Frogs

Observations have been made of these normally four-legged creatures growing extra legs or none at all! This has been traced to the crop pesticides that are used which reach the wildlife, directly or indirectly, and weaken their immune system. Due to this, they become susceptible to flatworm infections. These have been spotted in 43 states of the United States and Canada.

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TAISHAN MEIXIANG SHEALAH CRAIGHEAD, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PAKMAT, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Silvereye and the Great Tit

Birds are just as affected by the environment change and these two are just some of the many that have learnt to adapt to the urban lifestyle. Noise pollution is a constant in most cities and these birds have modified their song to a higher frequency to be heard over the deafening city hum-drum.

Table Corals

Corals are very sensitive to the temperature changes in the ocean and get bleached in higher temperatures.

They spew out the colourful algae that reside within them. Since the algae and the corals share a symbiotic relationship with each other, bleaching could signify death for both the organisms.

Almost Extinct

The Blue Whale

The largest creatures living on the planet are also the loudest animals on earth and communicate through lowfrequency sound, heard over hundreds of miles in the ocean. Since they form the top of the food chain in the ocean, their existence is very important when it comes to the marine ecosystem.

Due to holes in the ozone layer, the

ADAM RIFKIN, FLICKR

resulting radiation is said to affect the blue whale’s major preys. Toxins in the water are also a rising problem.

Polar Bear

This carnivorous bear that resides in the Arctic Circle has been the subject of a lot of campaigns in favour of it but its status is still categorized as endangered by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund). Climate change is the main reason for this; the melting of ice caps has left them without an appropriate habitat.

Giant Panda

The Giant Panda is the rarest among the other members of the bear family.

They facilitate growth of vegetation in their habitat as well as generate a good amount of economic benefits through Eco-Tourism. Poaching for fur is a major concern. It has also become the symbol of conservation due to its appearance in the symbol of the World Wildlife Fund since its foundation.

Tigers

Perhaps the most popular example of dwindling numbers in animals is the Tiger. With just above 3000 over the world, they are facing problems of illegal poaching for various parts which are sold worldwide for purposes

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: AN ISLAND OF HOPE? This beautiful cluster of 19 volcanic islands is found in the Pacific Ocean and forms a part of Ecuador. Located at the convergence of three ocean currents, volcanic activity and extreme isolation of the islands has all led to the formation of unique marine or wildlife species that aren’t found anywhere else in the world. It is one of the best examples of conservation in natural habitats. Charles Darwin visited this island and his observations and inferences inspired the inception of the Theory of Natural Selection. as trivial as social status and traditional medicines. Humans have taken over 93% of their previous range for our own purposes.

Giant Ibis

The Giant Ibis is the national bird of Cambodia and their population has dropped drastically; they are now only 200 in number, worldwide. Droughts, hunting for meat, deforestation have all contributed to its current status as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List.

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COVER STORY

Why is Being Eco-friendly

Expensive?

One major problem of ‘Going Green’ is that ecofriendly products tend to cost more than their conventional counterparts. With a limited budget, affording these products can be a bit difficult. But ever wondered why eco-friendly products are expensive?

Bernadette Braganza explores section and the pulp starts to spread and form a thin mat; the remaining water content is lessened and the paper is dried.

- A coating is applied on the paper which contains pigments, binding agents and other additives to improve its printing properties.

- The paper is put through a machine which gives it, its smooth and glossy properties and then wound into a reel or cut into a sheet.

Process of making Ecofriendly paper: PIXABAY.COM

Why the cost?

A major reason of the high price of eco-friendly products is due to the fact that eco-friendly products are made with a lot of sustainable resources as raw materials which are expensive. Also, the time taken for production is more and labour intensive. While on one hand, mass production is not possible in cases like agricultural produce, on the other hand due to reasons like less demand, it becomes economically unviable to produce a large number of products which leads to a large production cost, transport cost, among others, and which in turn results in making the consumer pay higher prices.

Like mentioned previously, there exists a lot of expensive resources as well as a

time consuming process in the making of an eco-friendly product. This can be shown through the distinction of paper making processes:

Process of making conventional paper: - Wood is cut from trees, the bark is removed out and the wood is cut into smaller pieces.

- The wood is made into pulp, washed, screened and bleached.

- This is made into a mixture of pulp and water and is then squirted on a moving wire mesh. (The wooden pulp is diluted with water 100 times its weight) - The water is removed on this wire

- Collection of raw materials (Cotton, banana fibres, grass, jute waste, etc).

- The fibre is extracted from the above materials and the materials are soaked.

- This is made into pulp which is then bio-bleached. (The fibre is bleached using a microbial treatment for 3-5 days) - The fibre is washed to remove unwanted materials and microbial stains and is converted to pulp.

- Binding materials like starch, polysaccharide resins, etc are added to the pulp to increase its strength.

- The pulp is put into a cylinder mould or manual vat to form the paper and a cloth is put over the wet paper to squeeze out the water - The paper is made to dry for about six hours under room temperature and it is pressed using an iron box to smoothen it out and it is then cut to the required size and shape.

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PIXABAY.COM

Is cost recovery possible?

Eco-friendly products may be expensive. However due to their durability and good quality they are able to recover some of that extra cost which we would have saved if we had brought their cheaper and more toxic counter-parts.

Normal/ Conventional Products

Price in Rs (Approx)

Incandescent Bulb

Pressure Cooker

15

Eco-friendly Products

CFL/ LED Bulb

800-2500

Solar Cooker

N/A

Organic Cotton Clothes

Cotton Clothes

The future of renewable energy

India is a tropical country with a climate that is hot throughout the year. It is estimated that about 5000 trillion kWh of solar energy radiation falls over India in a year.

However it is only able to harvest

Price in Rs (Approx)

Recovery of Cost Through

80-100

A 60 watt Incandescent bulb uses the same amount of wattage of electricity, while a 60 watt LED bulb uses 6-8 watts of electricity; reducing your electricity bill.

400010,000

Solar cookers use solar energy for cooking which reduces the price paid for cooking fuel (like gas) which a pressure cooker needs in order to cook food.

N/A

Conventional cotton clothes are less durable as they undergo processing which weakens the fabric; saves you the time and money buying those excess clothes.

3744 MW (as of March 2015) of this available solar energy radiation. Solar energy can be utilized by installing solar panels on roof tops in India.

This can help reduce India’s imports of energy resources and also solve the problem of millions of people in rural areas who do not have access to electricity. Mr. Hemant Thakker,

Partner, Econ Pollution Control Consultants says, “If you look at new buildings you’ll notice that all new buildings are supposed to have solar panels for hot water supply as well as for common linear lighting.”

Now that you know both sides of the coin, make a choice. Whose side are you on?

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Built to

Last Buildings contribute to about 40% of the world’s primary energy consumption and 20% of the global CO2 emission. In the 21st century, where construction is inevitable, incorporating environmentally friendly ways into building is slowly changing from just being responsible to being essential.

Meera Jakkli highlights recent innovations in the field

Green Building is the art and science of creating structures that are environment-friendly, resource efficient and ensure the well-being of its occupants. This encompasses all the aspects of the life-cycle of a building from siting, design, construction, operations, maintenance, and mrore. Simply put, a green building uses less water, less electricity, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces.

When it comes to innovations in Green Building, there has been a surge in ideas that have been put into practical use in the past decade, with rising awareness about the need for sustainable living and development taking precedence in developed countries.

Last year, in a report from the US Green Building Council, India held the third position in a list of countries that were up-and-coming in energy and environmental design, with Canada and China leading above India. With this serving as a boost in our effort to ensure Green Building in implemented in India, here’s a look at the components of eco-friendly buildings:

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Geothermal Insulation

There’s a great untapped resource right below our feet, in the form of geothermal insulation. It may rain and get cold or scorching hot depending on the season up here, but about six feet underground, the temperature is generally constant (heated) throughout the year. Scientists have figured out that tapping into this heat, through a system of buried pipes (an earth loop) and an indoor handling unit, can provide us with round-theclock energy.

Vertical Gardens

Vertical Gardens are walls or roofs partially or completely covered with vegetation that has a growing medium, which are an excellent option in cramped cities. Not only is it visually appealing, but also keeps the interior of the building cool. Recycled water can be used to water them, while kitchen waste can be used as compost.

LEDs and Organic LEDs

LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are extremely small in size, which give it great design freedom for appliances.

In addition to the fact that they last considerably longer than most of the regular light sources, they use no substance that is harmful to the environment. They come in

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various colours and its total cost can sometimes even be less than conventional lamps.

Waste-Heat Recovery

Waste-heat recovery is an excellent example of making the most out of waste. Heat expelled by cooling devices is harnessed by waste-heat recovery units (WHRUs) and then utilized for other purposes like the production of bio-fuel, generation of electricity, domestic water heating.

This is especially useful for the Indian climate where coolers and air-conditioners are an integral part of everyday life.

Rain-water Harvesting

This is probably one of the oldest techniques. Traditionally, rain-water harvesting was done by installing large tanks on the rooftops of houses or letting it percolate into the ground by a specially made pit. Not only is it used to recharge ground water but this water can be piped from the reservoirs to be used for gardening and domestic use.

Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

Photovoltaics are the conversion of solar radiation into electrical energy.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Essentially, BIPV incorporates photovoltaics as an integral part of the building’s envelope, rather than a component that is applied to it, such as roofing tiles or photovoltaic walls and windows.

Eco-friendly Construction Materials

Wood products are a great choice for green projects. Wood is sustainable as well as recyclable. Research has also shown it to increase productivity and performance. However, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) discourages use of virgin wood, although FSC certified wood is still useable. Fly-ash concrete, on the other hand, is one of the by-products of coal combustion. It improves workability, reduces water demand and increases strength.

Though there are currently over 69,000 LEED-certified buildings around the world, it is only just the beginning of this branch of engineering and it has a huge part to play in the near future.

The combination of modern construction and it’s effect on the environment tells a grim story. With declining fossil fuels and the constant threat of global climate change, we cannot afford for building green to be a choice anymore!

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Eco-friendly business practices This planet is not inherited but borrowed from the future, and it’s time to commit to becoming the future of the earth through our work. Sneha Agarwal talks about major corporations that take this cause seriously

Businesses have a massive amount of power and impact on the economy, and this power is linked to massive responsibilities. Piled under Corporate Social Responsibility, one of these is towards the environment.

Organisations today are actively taking part in environment sustainability programs by rooting small initiatives in the DNA of their business practises.

Procter & Gamble

For P&G, conservation of resources means reduction of the amount of energy and materials that go into the production and use of their products.

They established global sustainability vision four years ago which has a set of goals, among which a few were to reduce use of water in manufacturing facilities by 20% per unit production especially in the water stressed regions and providing people water-efficient products; using recycled resin in plastic packaging and ensuring that 90% of product packaging is recyclable; and aiming to replace petroleum-derived raw materials with renewable materials by 2020.

They collaborated with World Wildlife Fund’s Global and Trade Network to reach its goal of using virgin wood fibre in its tissue/ towel products, certified by Forest Stewardship Council. They promoted cold water washing through the detergents they manufacture, such as Ariel. It carries a 30˚ C icon to indicate that it provides the best 54 Youth Incorporated JULY 2015

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JROBERTIKO DENIS ADRIANA MACIAS, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

performance in cold washing, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Also, in innovative breakthroughs, Gillette packaging is made from bamboo and the Pantene bottles are made from sugarcanes.

Hindustan Unilever Limited

HUL’s initiative to reduce its environmental impact is categorised into broadly four missions, which are reducing greenhouse gases, water conservation through establishment of Hindustan Unilever Foundation, waste management, and packaging and sustainable sourcing.

The CO2 emissions per tonne of production reduced by 37% as compared to previous years. This success has been attributed to using of alternative forms of energy like biogenic fuels and solar photovoltaic energy. Necessary steps were taken in consultation with OEMs for upgrading biomass boilers and hot air generators at various sites across India. Modification of a boiler in the Orai factory enabled 100% on-site utilization of process residue in the boiler that reduced furnace oil consumption. Freezer cabinets that use hydrocarbon refrigerants have been rolled out to make them environment friendly. Apart from these HUL also made other small initiatives to promote a sustainable

development culture.

HUL collaborated with the Maharashtra Government, guaranteeing buy-back of tomato produce of farmers registered under the project. Execution of these practises ensures the nullification of negative impact on the environment.

Starbucks

Starbucks believes that the planet is the most important business partner.

Aiming to be the industry leader in green building for more than a decade with its Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design certification, it opened its 500th LEED certified store in 2014, more than any retailer in the world. It also has a goal of reduction in water consumption in company operated stores. They have also associated with municipalities in water stressed areas around the world to find additional ways to reduce water consumption.

Starbucks has also installed Energy Management Systems in approximately 4000 stores to regulate heating or cooling. They have also developed comprehensive recycling solutions by breaking down barriers to recycling across various stores in Canada and US. To help the progress of their waste reduction strategies Starbucks has been raising awareness about reusable cups, they offer discounts to customers who bring in personal tumblers and launched $1 reusable cups.

Disney

Disney’s commitment to nature was made by Walt Disney himself more than 60 years ago. They not only conserve nature by using resources wisely and reducing business impact but also connect kids and families to nature to help them develop conservation values through the establishment of Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF).

The DWCF, since 1995, has worked to protect the planet by studying threatened species and critical ecosystems, and development of education programs across the globe.

They provide grants for community service programs and have awarded $27 million to projects in 114 countries till date.

Disney connects children with nature and conservation through the immersive experiences at Disney’s parks, like Savanna tours on Kilimanjaro Safaris, one-on-one interaction with marine life, live stingrays viewing, and through films specially designed and screened by Disneynature.

The DWCF in association with Disney Friends For Change teamed up with the popular app ‘Where’s my Water?’ to protect freshwater around the world and made a contribution of $50,000 as a part of the campaign. In the game, players were encouraged to collect ducks to raise awareness on conservation of vital resources. Those who played the free versions of the game got freshwater facts and tips.

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Green Campuses

green vegetation. The vegetation not only serves as a natural insulator for the building, but also simultaneously creates a small wildlife habitat and also reduces the urban air temperatures. The photovoltaic cells generate electricity for the buildings.

Nature: The University has extensive garden spaces where it grown it’s own food including vegetables and edible flowers that contribute to the universities kitchens. In addition, the university has been planting rare and endangered species of trees on its campus in an effort to increase oncampus biodiversity and help preserve the environment.

Education: The University’s effort to increase environmental awareness is present within its curriculum as well, with over 40% of its programs integrating environmental conservation as a part of the course.

Environmentally conscious individuals are not the only ones who are putting in a hand to help preserve the planet.

Large educational institutions all over the globe are making breakthroughs in the areas of energy, water, and nature conservation. Antara Agarwal University of lists universities that have found Indonesia interesting and innovative ways of Nature: The University of Indonesia helping conserve the environment has the unique advantage of being

University of Connecticut

Energy: commissioning and relamping with energy efficient bulbs, fixtures and occupancy sensors have resulted in a 17% carbon footprint decrease in UConn buildings, and a saving of $2.2 million in energy costs. 40% of UConn’s energy is renewable, 1.8% of which is supplied by its own 400 kW fuel cell.

Transportation: UConn is slowly turning the composition of its transportation fleet around, with 16 hybrid vehicles and 11 plug-in electronic vehicles, as of 2014.

Water: Low flow fixtures; such as showerheads and toilets, an intensive leak detection system and controls on water supply equipment have reduced UConn’s water consumption by 26% since 2005. Some of these structures are very easy to adopt in our own homes too!

University of Nottingham

Energy: The University of Nottingham has plans for three wind turbines to be constructed, in order to reduce its carbon footprint. The innovative design of these turbines would ensure that the structures directly supply green electricity to the campus, and would meet one-third of the campus’ energy requirements.

This would reduce the campus’ carbon emissions by 7000 tons per year.

Transportation: Students on campus have been encouraged to use the University’s inter-campus “hopper” buses with modern lower-emission diesel engines.

University of Plymouth

Energy: The university has fascinatingly converted the open space on its roofs into an energy conservation centre. Their roofs are covered in photovoltaic cells and

surrounded by a lush tropical forest area, which provides the university with a distinct opportunity to help conserve its environment. The university has six lakes on campus, with total water coverage of 30 hectares. The University of Indonesia also manages the City Forest, which has an additional area of 100 hectares.

Manipal University

Waste: Manipal University takes waste disposal back to the basics by ensuring thorough waste segregation at the source before disposal, by the use of color-coded bins. Biodegradable waste is composted, while bio-medical waste and hazardous chemical and e-waste is collected and sent to appropriate waste handlers. This method of waste segregation is extremely simple and can easily be adopted in homes and offices, which would go a long way in making our waste disposal habits greener for our planet.

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Studying about the environment Most Universities are beginning to understand the importance of developing the world in sustainable manners. The generation of today will shape the world for the generation of tomorrow, and the greatest ideas will come from fresh, young minds. By providing aid, courses, and support these Universities are making a change to our country's future. Agreed, many students hardly know about such courses, and others don’t see it as career worthy, but it is up to each individual to raise the awareness and support those who wish to specialise and devote themselves to helping our environment.

Do your bit to save the environment by getting an academic background on it. Ruhi Gandhi lists the top most popular universities in India for the environmentally conscious students

Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

The school was established in 1974, and has since been constantly checked and updated to fit the changes of the world and students. It offers MSc, PhD, and MPhil programmes and focuses on atmospheric, biological, and earthly aspects while studying the linkages between Social and Ecological processes. Over 100 students have successfully completed their PhD degrees in various aspects of Environmental Sciences, a few of which include environmental monitoring and management, physical sciences, and even environmental biology.

Nalanda University

Established in 2010, Nalanda University offers MPhil and PhD in Ecology and Enviornmental Studies alongside a multitude of other subjects. They combine natural sciences, humanities, and social

sciences to achieve a holistic manner of education. Their main focus lies within Hydrology/Hydro Ecology, Disaster Management, Human Ecology, Agriculture, Energy Studies and Climate Change. For those of you inspiring to go big, Nalanda also has connections with School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (Yale University, US), and the Department of Agriculture and Biological Engineering (University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in US).

PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore

PSG College was established in 1947 as an aided institution of the Government of Tamil Nadu. They offer BSc and MSc Degrees in microbiology, botany and zoology.

Each course is provided with a well planned curriculum to bring the best out of students and the greatest to the world. They not only have undergraduate, but postgraduate courses as well.

LD College of engineering, Ahmedabad

After its establishment in 1948, LD College of Engineering has only seen substantial growth. It has a great advantage since it is surrounded by top organizations like PRL, ATIRA, ISRO, IIM and CEPT. It offers B.E. in Environmental engineering, along with amazing placements in big companie like Ford, Mahindra EPC, KiwiTech, GNFC, and so many more. Also, it is affiliated with Gujarat Technological University & administrated by states Department of Technical Education.

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Don’t just recycle,

upcycle!

that? You can turn it into a grocery bag! It’s easy and stylish. All you need are scissors and you’re good to go.

Take a scissor and cut the sleeves and neckline. Turn the t-shirt inside out and cut a fringe at the end, the fringe should be up to 4 inches. Tie the fringe into firm knots and turn your bag out. You have a ready to go tote!

My tea set broke, but it’s too pretty to throw.

All you have to do is attach the broken pieces together and let it dry. Once it’s firm again, set it on your garden walls or in a fancy tray and leave it at a risen area. Pour water into the teacup and let the birdies have their tea party.

Have an old ladder lying around the house?

All you need to do is paint it and stick it on the wall and it manages to be a firm shelf. If you want it another way, hang it off the ceiling and it’s a hanger.

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Recycling a product is not only an easy way to conserve the environment, but also helps your pocket. Recycling isn’t just a boring thing taught to us in school, no! It’s a creative activity that helps bring out the inner artist in us. Dhnasha Bhatt writes up a simple list of goods to redo into better products you could never imagine

What do you do with a jam jar?

Turning your used jam jars into beautiful jewellery holders. Take your glass jam jar and wash it with hot water. Once the covering is off, all you have to do is add a ribbon to the lid and you have a lovely box ready to put in your jewellery. You also have your

jewellery easily assorted if you have enough leftover jars.

I have an old t-shirt that doesn’t wear out.

We all have that one t-shirt that doesn’t tear. What do you do with

No need to allow your phone to hang if you have a short charger.

The issue of a short charger is solved.

Use old powder or shampoo bottles as charging unit, all you need is glue, some paint and a knife. Choose a fancy bottle, cut it into half. Once done, use some glue and stick it to the wall right under the plug point and you’re good to go.

Wrapping up the green way.

Don't throw away (or destroy) those beautiful wrapping papers after you unwrap your birthday gifts. The number of upcycle options are endless: you can line your drawers with them, wrap books, make pretty envelopes and bows, make new place mats, beautify a clipboard, or use them as decorative streamers.

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Which Endangered

Animal Are You? 1. My idea of a perfect Sunday is... a. To chill all day alone b. To party with my BFF's c. To map out the next week’s plans 2. When are you the most active? a. Morning b. All the time! c. Night 3. During an argument, how do you react? a. End up being violent b. Scream c. Keep calm for a while and wait for the right time to react 4. Your dream destination a. Oceans with frozen lands b. High range mountains c. Riverside surrounded by wildlife 5. You can’t live without eating a. Fish and only fish b. Everything fresh and natural c. Who needs salad, just give me chicken

If you’ve got...

Maximum A's

You are a Polar Bear. An excellent swimmer and a little aggressive, you prefer being solitary but enjoy a little fun time with your besties.

Fact: Inhabitant of Artic circle, Polar Bears are being considered as vulnerable species following a noted decline in their population. Climate change (global warming) and pollution is considered the biggest threat to their existence.

Maximum B's

You are a Mountain Gorilla. You are gentle, but you get angry if things don’t go your way. You’re a social monkey too, preferring to hang around with friends rather than holing up at home.

Fact: Mountain gorillas can be found in central Africa and Uganda. The population of Mountain Gorilla remains threatened due to poaching, habitat loss, and transfer of diseases. Due to the constant decline in the population of Mountain Gorillas, International Gorilla Conservation Program was undertaken in 1991 as joint effort of multiple international NGOs involved with wildlife conservation.

Maximum C's

You are a Bengal Tiger. You’re calm, patient and focused towards your work. You work alone, as it gives you all the time to figure out your plans.

Fact: Owing to Habitat loss and illicit trade in poached skins and body parts between India and its bordering countries (as their bones along with other body parts are used in Traditional Asian medicine to cure rheumatism and body pain), existence of Bengal Tigers is being constantly threatened. Initiatives like Project Tiger (1973) and Wildlife Protection Act (1972) aims at conservation of Bengal tigers.

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An ecofriendly party can be one of the fun ways to save the planet, as Najooka Xavier explores

Paint The Town Green

MACINATE, FLICKR

Conjoining the delight of partying and salvaging the environment, it’s time we start working towards a greener tomorrow to make this world a better place to live in. This way you can go green with your celebrations and also play an active role in saving the planet. It’s on us to decide whether to care for the planet and walk towards a better tomorrow, or worsen the situation and walk towards destruction.

Green-vites

Go earthy and quirky with your party invites by using a pebble or dry leaf engraved with your message. You could also use handmade paper or small rolled up pieces of cloth with the invite stitched on it. Don’t forget to inform your guests about your initiative to go green, and encourage them to travel by public transport if possible. Hiring a mini-bus is also efficient, fun, and useful for a ride back home.

Earthy Décor

Bored of the same old pop posters and fairy lighting in every house party?

Think of these earthy ideas to turn your next party ‘wild’: • Dried flowers make up for excellent décor and also leave a light scent behind.

• Use essential oils or floral scented sticks for fragrance.

• Reuse old wine bottles as centre pieces, fairy light holders and candle stands.

• Use candles or hanging paper lanterns to light up the room.

• Use decorous drapes for windows and doors and glass wind chimes.

• Cut down on the use of fan and AC as far as possible and enjoy the windy evenings with subtle breeze and light showers.

The Munchies

For the food, make sure you save cooking gas as far as possible. It’s not only healthy to eat fruits and vegetables, but it’s a great time and

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fuel saver. Serving raw food also gives people the liberty to eat only what they wish to eat.

• Toss up some fresh vegetables and make salad.

• Make variety of dips for your guests and serve it with dry snacks.

• Serve cut veggies and sauces separately and let people make their own tacos.

• Go old school by using plates and bowls made from dried leaves.

• Buy glass bottles that are reusable.

• Buy aluminium tins as it easy to decompose.

• Find brands that produce organic wines and beer.

• Ask your guests to label their plates and glasses to avoid mix ups.

After the Party

Give the left-over food to organizations who supply food to the less fortunate. Remember to store all the reusable material to use the next time, and dispose of waste efficiently.

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Compost

Turning Waste Into Wealth What do you do with all the waste lying around at home?

Throwing them in the trash can is obvious, but there’s more you can do with things like newspapers, plastic bottles, toothpicks and even vegetable waste. Bernadette Braganza gives you a few tips

Jewellery Set (Bracelets, Necklace and Earrings)

What you need: Magazine paper, scissors, toothpick, glue, string, pin, earring hooks • Cut the paper into triangles, such that the base of the triangle is the size of the bead you want.

• Starting from the base, roll the triangular paper around the toothpick, while applying glue.

• When you have the required number of beads, treadle them into a string. The string can be the size of your wrist, or in case of a necklace, long enough to slip it above your head.

• For earrings, make a hole on the top of the bead with a pin. Attach the earring hooks.

• Tie a small knot and cut off the excess string.

Paper Bag

What you need: Newspaper, glue, scissor, punch machine, hole guards, strings • Stick two sheets of newspaper, one over the other.

• Fold the top part of the paper by about 2 cm.

• Fold the paper in half and stick the ends together.

• Press the bottom part of the bag such that it forms the shape of a trapezium on both sides. Stick them together.

• Punch two holes on either side on the top part of the bag.

• Put the hole guards over these holes.

• Treadle the string through these holes to make the handles.

What you need: A bin, vegetable and fruit peels, egg shells, dry leaves, fresh leaves, shredded paper, a little soil • Collect all the waste in a bin and keep it for some time.

• Keep turning it regularly.

• Keep sprinkling water regularly.

• When it becomes dry, brown and crumbly then it is ready.

• Apply to the soil to grow healthy plants.

Vase with artificial flowers

What you need: Two plastic bottles, scissors, stones, decorations, glue, marker, paint, paper of any other colour, green/brown coloured paper, stick, tape For the vase: • Cut the bottle in half.

• Take the bottom half and cut slits of about 2 cm on its top part.

• Bend the plastic that is between the slits backwards so that it forms a sort of fan around the top part of the vase.

• Put a few stones in the vase to give it some weight.

• Decorate it as you please.

For the flower

• Draw the shape of petals with a marker on the top half of the bottle.

• Cut this out and bend the petals backwards.

• Paint the petals.

• Wrap a stick with green/brown paper to make the stem.

• Cut the coloured paper into strips and glue it to the top of the stick to form the flower’s pistil.

• Attach the stick to the mouth of the bottle so that the pistil is in the middle of the flower and stick it with tape.

• Add leaves to the stem of the flower.

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GREEN HEROES

Siddharth Nakai: Lights Camera Eco-Action Siddharth Nakai, who’s a self-made ‘carbon neutral citizen’, is the founder of Green Advertising Media Entertainment (GAME), one of India’s first carbon neutral communication agency. GAME offers practical guidance to film production houses can cut down on their carbon emissions and be eco-friendly. “By the sheer size of its operations, the motion picture industry is a significant contributor to air pollution and energy consumption,” he says. “My goal is simply to make the film industry more aware of its responsibility and at the same time provide them few alternatives to produce content with a green heart.” He visits movie and TV sets to audit their carbon footprint and gives solutions on how to make it eco-friendly. He also audited and made eco-friendly the Kyoorius conference in Goa, where 1500 international delegates were visiting. He talks to us about his eco-conservation initiatives our environment and how could we better it.

What inspired G.A.M.E?

Every industry has environmental responsibilities and film industry is no exception. I came across this fascinating research study undertaken

by UCLA titled ‘Sustainability of the motion picture industry’, where, amongst other things, I learnt to compare the carbon emissions from motion picture industry vis-à-vis other industries. It encouraged me to undertake a similar study in India, but on a smaller scale, by measuring carbon emissions per day of shoot using carbon calculators designed specifically for productions.

What has been your biggest challenge?

When did you get interested in environmental conservation?

While I was completing my graduation school, I had enrolled in for a film production class. Our professor back then had narrated

an incident, where he was shooting in a forest few years earlier, and the director instructed the assistant to subtly cut a branch that was in the way of a shot. I wondered how someone could be so insensitive, which made me want to study the environmental impact multiple productions collectively had on

Acceptance. Being a filmmaker myself and having seen the ground reality of how productions operate, it is very difficult to blame them as well. The atmosphere in a conventional set is governed by strict time constraints. To think about making the production green would be the last thing on their mind. Increasing the budget of a production to be green is further a considerable challenge.

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GREEN HEROES

Hari Chakyar: Project 35 Trees A writer, paper artist, tree-planter and a resident of Mumbai, Hari Chakyar started planting trees in 2009. “I realized that this is the only long-lasting and effective way of fighting global warming,” he says. “I feel the most important thing to do right now is to go offline and get to know nature. All this extra connectivity is disconnecting us from the environment.” He talks to us about Project 35 Trees, the mission to plant trees in all the states of the country

What is Project 35 Trees and how did the inspiration come about?

I have been planting trees for over five years now. I wanted to talk to a lot more people about the advantages of planting trees. That’s when I hit upon a way to reach more people – how about planting trees all over India?

That would mean travelling to all 35 states and union territories of India and planting trees. Hence it came to be called as Project 35 Trees. Anthony Karbhari, a friend from college joined me on the trip to document the entire journey.

How did you fund your journey?

Crowdfunding. A lot of friends, colleagues, relatives, Facebook friends and their friends helped by contributing in small amounts. The crowdfunding platform Wishberry also helped a lot.

Any memorable moments?

In Agra, when we couldn’t find a place to plant saplings, after being refused by an orphanage, a junior college and a church, the rickshaw driver who was plying us everywhere said, “Aapko kya chahiye? Yahi na ki aap pedh lagao aur koi usko sambhale? Aap ek kaam karo, mere yahaan lagao, main usko sambhaloonga!” So he drove us

Hari Chakyar (left)

to his place, deep inside Agra. It was a rural house with two cows and a buffalo! That was our craziest planting experience. His name is Mukesh, we often talk over the phone.

How did you manage to connect and communicate with all the people you met during your journey?

We got close to three months to plan out the entire trip. In this time we had to find hosts in all the states and UTs, schools and colleges. We spoke to friends, their friends and families to arrange all this. We also had to figure out travel plans for each of these places. All of this feels so dream-like

right now. Anthony and I would Voice Chat about this late into the night planning the itinerary.

What do you believe is India’s biggest challenge in the area of environmental conservation?

Environmental education in India hardly exists. Everyone learns about pollutants but no one receives any practical experience of what one must do to curb pollution. Students must be encouraged to take up environmental projects as part of their EVS lessons.

More practical methods must be employed for a better understanding of environmental problems around us and their solutions.

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GREEN HEROES

Kuldeep Dantewadia: Reap Benefit Reap Benefit takes the adage “catch them young” to a whole new positive level. Founded by Kuldeep Dantewadia and Gautam Prakash in Bengaluru, their objective is to get school students to understand environmental issues and jointly come up with realistic solutions that can be implemented by the students themselves. “By integrating youngsters into this process, we wish to shape the next generation of problem solvers and leaders,” says Kuldeep, as he tells us about his initiative

Tell us about Reap Benefit.

What does it aim to do?

Kuldeep Dantewadia, founder

Gautam (below), co-founder

School students try to understand environmental concerns

Our aim is to solve pressing environmental problems by developing the next generation leaders through behaviour change and hands-on innovations. We research on areas that are at an intersection of environment, education and civic problems to derive key insights from onground data. We also develop low-cost innovations to address environmental and civic problems, leading to tangible impact and influencing behavior, and build the next generation of problem solvers by involving students in implementing solutions for environmental and civic problems.

How do you get students to engage and be interested in saving the environment?

Through hands-on activities and a rewards based curriculum, we make the largely overwhelming concept of sustainability, challenging yet fun-filled for youngsters. We engage three key mediums of learning - the head (knowledge), hand (action) and heart (empathy) - with youngsters, and equip them with skills to solve the most pressing problems.

How do you fund your organization?

We are a hybrid organisation, 80% through revenues and 20% support and grants.

What have been your biggest achievements so far?

So far, 200 tons of waste were diverted from landfills, 15,00,000 litres of water and 63,000 kWh of energy were saved per annum, and five low-scale innovations have been implemented. We have miles to go but engaging the youth to problem solvers, we have a couple of awards, including the Edupreneur Award, TiE, as well as being featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 and an Ashoka Fellow.

What's India’s biggest challenge?

Human behaviour and their apathy of the eco system.

A message to India’s youth?

Be a part of the solution; intellectualize and rationalise. We encourage youngsters to consciously and gradually change their behaviour towards the environment, from being unconsciously wrong to being unconsciously right.

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GREEN HEROES

The Green Knights In celebration of our unique warriors for the environment, we bring to you three individuals from across the age spectrum who proved that they would push all their boundaries to bring about change for our environment

John Abraham

While most of us would know John Abraham as one of Bollywood’s most famous actors, few people are aware of his immense philanthropic move towards the environment.

John Abraham is credited for having created Maharashtra’s first elephant village. Elephants in India are being mistreated by being removed from their wild habitats and are used for commercial entertainment.

Additionally, the arms of urbanization have stretched so far as to begin snatching areas of wilderness that make p the homes of these majestic creatures. In an effort to return the homes of these elephants, John Abraham did extensive work with grassroots workers and local officials in Maharashtra to create Maharashtra’s first elephant village, which allows elephants to return to their own habitat, for which Abraham won the EcoWarrior award in 2008.

Chewang Norphel, the Ice Man of India

Chewang Norphel is an Indian civil engineer based in Ladakh, who was born in 1935. He started working in the rural development department of Jammu and Kashmir in 1960, and joined a non-governmental organization in the area for a watershed project in 1966. On one of his outings, he realized that a stream was frozen and moving in two different places along its path, due to the fact that in some places, the water was moving too fast to

Clockwise from above: John Abraham, Chewang Norphel, Param Jaggi

freeze. He economized on this phenomenon and decided to build several checks along various streams in order to slow the speed of water, thereby creating artificial glaciers.

He designed these glaciers in order to recharge the ground water better, and to melt earlier, thereby prolonging the farming season. His extensive and revolutionary work in the field of water conservation has earned him various accolades, and the famous title of the “Ice Man of India”.

Param Jaggi

Param Jaggi is the founder and CEO of EcoViate, a company founded by him that builds eco-friendly

technology. An American inventor of Indian origin, Jaggi was always interested in environmental and world problems as a child, and his parents encouraged him to pursue work in the field of science to promote his curiosity. He started working with green technology when he was 13, and at the age of 14, he created the invention he is most well known for: the Algae Mobile, which is a device that helps convert the carbon dioxide released from car exhausts into oxygen, effectively reversing the green house effect. Currently studying at Vanderbilt University, Jaggi is working on developing more devices along the same line.

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COVER STORY

Technology on Mission Earth We need mother nature more than we believe she needs us because this one planet encompasses seven billion dreams, so we need to consume it with care. Sneha Agarwal tells how this ignorance can be replaced with care through man’s actions

Samsung Ecobubble washing machine

Technology improves over time to add to the comfort of man by squeezing the resources from nature. With the invention of washing machines, doing laundry was made easier by drawing optimum energy but Samsung electronics has given us a machine that conserves energy. It is an eco-friendly washing machine that is exceptionally quick, quiet and economic to run. Economic washing machine saves money and energy, as its 15°C ecobubble wash reduces energy use by 70% compared to a normal 40°C wash, ecobubble technology cleans 40 times faster than normal wash.

Nest by Nest Learning Thermostat

Energy conservation made simpler with the "next generation thermostat" that goes green at home with the Internet of Things by automatically adjusting home heat while away. The thermostat takes over the surrounding, builds a personalized heating schedule as it adjusts to the perfect temperature, which the company says will let you save up to 20 percent on your monthly bill. The world's first learning thermostat learns a homeowner’s preferences, programs itself to save energy when occupants are away, while adjusting to changing schedules. After all, energy saved is energy available for tomorrow.

Hue lights by Philips

These LED bulbs use 80% less power than normal light bulbs and have the option to control not only their intensity, but their hue as well from the Smartphone. It allows control over hue and dimming for each individual bulb. They also work like regular bulbs and they still use less energy. The app has presets for the bulbs to create different light settings like a sunrise or specific hues for different moods.

The light can be recreated even by using an uploaded picture. Features like setting of timers and alarms that allows the lights to be in sync with an alarm or to suggest that it’s time to go to sleep are available. These are truly bulbs that will light up the nature if used effectively.

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Phone Charger

by Bracketron

A palm sized device on a mission to conserve the energy, Mushroom GreenZero is a charger claimed to be the most eco-friendly way to charge a phone. When chargers are left plugged in, they still pull power even when they aren't charging a device but this charger by Bracketon eliminates the unused power thereby preventing wastage of electricity and decreasing the size of the bills.

Solar-Powered Keyboard by Logitech

Living in one of the tropical countries one of our best resources is the solar power, making the best use of this resource Logitech gives us a keyboard which neither needs a plug nor batteries to work, even indoors. This piece of tech comes with the Logitech Solar App which can be downloaded on mobiles to keep track of the battery power. The design of the keyboard leaves one mesmerized and desks uncluttered.

Water Clock

A clock that powers itself using the electrochemical process used in Galvanic cells.

The machine does not require electricity or batteries, it runs on water. The science behind its working is that the ions in the water interact with the electrodes installed in the clock which generates electric current that fuels the clock to display time.

There are no chemicals used in the construction of the clock, no batteries wasted in the operation, and no electrical power emitting carbon dioxide. The working of this device has led to rediscovery of time.

USBCell Rechargeable Batteries Batteries are small powerhouse units that have managed to power almost every essential component in our lives, therefore imagine how huge is the number of batteries that is dumped each year. USBCell gives a solution to this by offering AA batteries that operate and look like normal AA alkaline batteries but with the end opening to reveal a USB plug for charging purpose so that they can be used over and over.

Solar Windows

The solar windows are ordinary looking windows with the ability to generate energy, which is the very definition of a superhero. Coated with a transparent dye it absorbs infrared light and lets visible light pass through along the surface to photo voltaic cells in the window frame. Inexpensive, these cover the electricity needs of the entire household.

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COVER STORY

Smart power strips

Electronics are power hungry devices than consume electricity when they are plugged into the switch board even when not being used. These switch boards suck in the electricity even when you don’t need it. When you turn off your computer, you can see the LED light on your monitor still on. There are many electronic appliances that work on standby mode which makes it convenient to use but drains out a lot of energy and hence increases your carbon output into the environment. Smart power strips handles this problem by switching off all the components with the appliance. Users are also given an advance feature to remotely connect to their home appliances through mobile devices using a smart phone app so that they can turn it on or off through it.

Phone cases have almost become a compulsion just as much as the need to protect the ecosystem. INature came up with this amazing iPhone cover that is manufactured in soft 100% biodegradable plastic so that phone covers being added to the list of wastes generated should be the least of our concerns. Produced in Italy, the product has an unlimited shelf life, but once discarded properly, it biodegrades in less than 6 months.

Paper karma app

We are always being bombarded by junk mail and don't have the time or inclination to deal with it, this app installed on electronic devices stops paper waste by just snapping a photo. Just by taking a picture of the catalogs, magazines, coupon books, fliers, credit card offers or white and yellow pages that are sent Paper Karma will unsubscribe user’s behalf.

If you can save the earth by installing an app then you should so it. yi

ALL IMAGES FROM AMAZON.COM

INature iPhone case

by Med Computer SRL

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COUNSELLOR Q&A

JAYANTI GHOSE

ANSWER ANSWER

CHOICES I have completed 12th grade with 95% aggregate in social sciences and English. My current plan is to focus on a career in business journalism. How should I proceed now?

Shambhit BA with social sciences including Economics or BBA/ BMS could be the foundation on which you could plan to pursue a professional post graduate degree/diploma in journalism. You could look for internships in media companies or in the communications departments of business organizations to get a better insight in business reporting and journalism during or after your graduation. Working for the college/department magazine would also be useful and relevant experience.

It may also be possible for you to enter journalism or business journalism after a master’s degree in Economics or English, or MBA.

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Start your research into universities abroad and the programmes/fellowships in your areas of interest across countries and institutions. Then create your own shortlist of programmes/universities/ countries leading most directly to the long-term goals you have in mind. Start applying during the second year and wait admission offers to decide on the best option. Also begin working on your Statement of Purpose, preparation and scheduling for GRE while ensuring consistently good performance in the MSc. Apply for summer internships/ research programmes in prominent research institutions during the MSc. Identify the professors who would be writing your letters of recommendation.

STUDY ABROAD

ANSWER ANSWER

Some good students face a significant drop in their performance in 12th grade, and even with intensive coaching don’t make it to decent engineering colleges. They either repeat both the 12th board exams once more and the engineering entrance tests, or to appear once more for the engineering entrance tests only. You could consider that. Alternatively, you may take up a three-year Diploma in Engineering on the basis of your 10th grade aggregates, and follow up with lateral entry into the second year of the degree. Some universities also offer the option of enrolling for a six year integrated diploma-degree in engineering based on 10th grade scores.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH I am pursuing MSc Life Sciences and planning for further studies abroad in immunology or related fields like cell biology or molecular biology. How should I proceed?

Naveen ANSWER ANSWER

ENGINEERING I just completed 12th grade with very average scores in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and low JEE Main scores. Can I get an engineering seat in a decent engineering college? I have no interest in studying anything else. I had scored above 75% in 10th grade and I have done well in Science and Maths through school so I am confident of handling engineering studies.

Aakash

EIFFEL SCHOLARSHIP I would like details of the Eiffel Scholarship such as its purpose and what it covers.

Ramona ANSWER ANSWER

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.

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme was established by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development to enable French higher education establishments to attract top foreign students to enroll in their master’s and PhD courses. It does not cover tuition fees, but offers a maintenance allowance, some monthly compensation depending on the course, and covers various expenses including a return trip, health insurance and cultural activities. Recipients may also be eligible for housing allowance. Expect the notification in the last quarter of the year.

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WISE UP

1

2

R

D 1

3

O N Z 1

1

2

- By Niloufer Gandhi

1

E

O W

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

1. environment (en-vahy-ruh n-muh nt)

The clear blue sky and the luscious green meadow of the countryside provide the perfect ___ to recover from the stress filled city life. (a) surrounding (b) scenery (c) setting

2. conservation (kon-ser-vey-shuh n)

_____ of natural resources is necessary to prevent damage caused by humans. (a) restriction (b) protection (c) measurement

VOTE EARTH! Let’s resolve to make environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions to protect the environment so that future generations can enjoy its natural resources.

Let’s GO GREEN!

3. toxins (tok-sins)

Corporations are now heavily fined for irresponsibly releasing _____ in the water supplies. (a) poisons (b) pathogens (c) electrolytes

4. recycle (ree-sahy-kuh l)

The activists staged a skit advocating the use of environmentally-friendly products and teaching how to _____ plastic articles. (a) reuse (b) dispose (c) alter

5. compost (kom-pohst)

The children collected the leaves they swept off the lawn and made a pile of_____. (a) twigs (b) fertilizer (c) garbage Answers:

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

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 N 1. Used to indicate ‘and’ eg. salt _ pepper

Answers:

NG

10. At risk of extinction

ENG

9. Rejected a religion, cause or group for another

GENE

8. Psychotic or mentally unsound

GENRE

7. A small explosive thrown by hand

GENDER

6. Category to indicate male or female

GRENADE

5. Class or category or type

DERANGED

4. The basic unit of heredity

RENEGADED

3. Short form for English

ENDANGERED

2. Abbreviation for nanogram

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yi

entertain Hook ups or commitments: what does today’s generation prefer?

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K E E PI N S I D E 

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TWIST IN THE TALE

PAINTING THE WORLD, ONE GREEN THUMB AT A TIME NISHA JAMWVAL STRESSES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ECO-FRIENDLY

GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK

WAS THAT FAIRY TALE REALLY A HAPPY ENDING?

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HOW YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD WITH YOUR FASHION

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TWIST

ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE

TALE IN THE

Once upon a time we lived to believe in fairy tales but then we grew up and suddenly those stories seemed farfetched, nevertheless they never stopped fascinating us and raised us on the hope of living a fairy tale ending.

Sneha Agarwal gives us a peek through the looking glass a facade after all Youth Incorporated IncorporatedJULY JULY2015 2015 72 YOUTH

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Fairy tales have been with us for a very long time, architectures have been created and destroyed but these tales continue to stand. The original versions of stories like Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and many more are violent and overtly sexual than the later versions. They were taken up made respectable and added again. The stories that are best known today were collected and set down by Brothers Grimm, Lewis Carroll, Joseph Jacobs, Charles Perrault and Hans Christian Andersen.

However in passing down these stories from teller to teller they have lost and acquired details.

The purpose movies serve to an adult are served to children through fairytales. People love to live within stories. It either takes them away from their real world or is a metaphorical depiction of their own life. It helps people accustom to other ways of perceiving things.

Why are fairy tales narrated to us in our childhood?

Enhancement of child’s imagination and cultural literacy Imagination is one of the most powerful tools of the human mind it can break or shape the ingenuity in the thought process. The stories only stay alive because of the imagination which further helps in establishing and understanding different cultures.

Helps establishing morals The underlying theme of any fairytale is a moral lesson. The backbone of the story is not only the enchantment of the mystical objects but the judgement procedure that goes along with it which teaches the difference between the right and wrong and values like love and loss. The lesson taught is easy to grasp because it’s simple but essential.

Develop critical thinking Through the consequences of characters’ decisions, the stories widen the scope of critical thinking. Not all characters can be good role models

and this is built through the choices they make. “Deeper Meaning resides in the fairy tales told to me in my childhood than in any truth that is taught in life” said Schiller.

Establish emotional resiliency Readers of such fables cannot help but find a fairy tale hero within themselves. The stories prepare one for the society and teach how to deal with conflict within self. As children we are unknown towards the working of the real world and the principles of living in a society and the understanding of the complex emotions of people is laid through what we hear.

Build coping mechanisms They teach us as children ways to deal and cope up with fear, by giving the knowledge of a scary situation in a very safe context where we are taught to face them through the character’s experience. It creates a happy world where everyone gets what they deserve, a way of restoring hope. A belief system that substantiates that good conquers the evil and the hope of redemption is built. But it mostly gives a reassurance that everything is going to be okay at the end.Fairy tales are the medium through which children escape into another world, a place where dragons and unicorns are allowed to co-exist. This helps in imagining other dimensions of life.

They are not only fun to hear and discuss but also bring a smile on every child’s face.

Psychology and Fairy Tales Fairy tales have been used by psychoanalysts to study the mind by either examining the characters from the stories or the psychology of the creators of these stories. Freud said that dreams and fairy tales stem from the same place and are the window to the unconscious mind. While Carl Jung proposed that the narratives’ characters are archetypes, the reason they seem one dimensional is that they represent different facets of our personality.our personality.

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ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE

The Grotesque Endings

Some of the tales are universal they exist in all languages though sometimes with a slight variation. This serves as a proof of common humanity and breaks cultural shackles. As we grew older we discovered many truths and the sugar-coats like the enigma of tooth fairies, the North Pole or bed monsters but not everybody found out our bedtime stories have very twisted endings. Most of us have been raised on Disney versions of the fairy tales and will find the original versions disturbing.

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty as known to us today was given by Charles Perrault but one of the earliest versions is an Italian tale known as Sun, Moon, and Talia by Giambattista Basile. In his narrative the princess gets a silver of flax stuck under her fingernail and is believed

to be dead, but her father cannot bare the idea of losing her so she is laid in one of his velvet thrones. A king finds her on a hunting trip and calls to her, but she remains asleep. The king then carries her to the bed and rapes her while she is unconscious and leaves.

Sometime later Talia gives birth to twins while in the sleep state and one of them accidently sucks the splinter out of her finger, which awakens her.

One day the king decides to visit her and they start to bond. The king’s wife learns about Talia and decides to cook and serve the twins to the king without his knowledge, but when the king finds out he decides to burn the queen. The story ends with the king and Talia living together happily.

Cinderella

The Brothers Grimm story tell us that the stepsisters try to fit into the glass slippers by cutting off toes or heels,

however the prince is informed by his doves that the true owner of the shoe was Cinderella and there was now blood on the shoe. Cinderella gets married to the prince but the stepsisters have their eyes pecked out by the birds.

Snow White

In the Grimm version of the tale the evil stepmother sends huntsmen to bring back Snow White’s liver and lungs which she means to feed upon. Snow White was not in deep sleep but had died when the prince finds her and he was carting her off when one of the carriers trips which jostles the coffin and dislodges the poisoned apple from her throat. Later Snow White and the prince marry and invite the stepmother to their wedding where she is forced to step into burning hot iron shoes and dance until she drops dead.

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ALL IMAGES FROM PIXABAY.COM

The Little Mermaid

Some parts of Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale align with Disney’s Little Mermaid. She sees the prince from afar in his ship, and rescues him from drowning and falls in love with him. She visit the sea witch who takes her tongue in exchange for legs but the price she has to pay for the legs is excruciating pain that comes with every step she takes. There are conditions for being human like the one portrayed in the film where she has to find true love’s kiss. But unlike the film instead of turning back to a mermaid, she would die and turn into sea foam if she failed to keep terms. While the prince remains a main motivator, the mermaid in the story is also motivated because humans have eternal souls, and mermaids don't. Hoping to win

the prince’s heart, she dances for him, even though it’s in agony. In spite her attempts he eventually marries someone else. The mermaid’s sisters sell their hair to bring her a dagger and urge her to kill the prince and let his blood drip onto her feet, which will then become fins again. She sneaks up on him, but can’t bring herself to do it.

So she dies, and dissolves into foam.

Rumpelstiltskin

A miller’s daughter is trapped and forced to spin straw into gold, on pain of death. Rumpelstiltskin spins it for her and asks for her first born child in return. On the day she is suppose to handover the child she is unable to do so. However he gives her a second chance saying he would let her off the bargain if she was able to guess his name correctly. The following night she sneaks and overhears him singing

his name by the fire and therefore she guesses it the next day. This makes him so furious that he drives his right foot deep into the ground and then grabs his left leg and rips himself in half.

These are not the only tales that have variants from the ones we grew up on. But funnily enough our views and preferences towards the Disney princesses and other characters playing in the stories changed when they seemed twisted enough. We have started to question the values, morals and justice done by these endings.

The irony lies in the fact that though someone gets a favourable outcome or others get what they deserve these versions of the stories will never be happily ending. Fairy tales hold true to what Frank Herbert said, “There is no real ending. It is just the place where you stop the story.” yi JULY 2015 Youth Incorporated 75

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RELATIONSHIPS SHIPS RELATION

d or n e r t a ’s t i Maybe e, but it is l y t s e f i l a maybe out into t i g n i r b o time t k-ups o o H ! t h g i the lime l and and it is are in dem liminate the e starting to e have in real l faith peop hi Gandhi love. Ru ons as to as explores re reaking free yb why we tr and commitfrom love without it d ment. An eel broken? f why do we

S P I H S N O I T A L E R

Y A D O T

What’s New in the Trend?

Remember back when dating use to be about going out on a small romantic outings and getting to know each other? Each generation has a different way of living and finding meaning in what they do.

That is a part of life. So, in what way has our generation changed? Today, what we see is how ‘hooking up’ has replaced ‘dating’ (so to speak), dating now suddenly seems like people are planning on getting married, and well marriage? It just has an apparent high risk of divorce. Yes, that maybe

slightly exaggerated to prove a point so let’s elaborate.

Too much commitment for dating At some point most of us have known someone who has discussed marriage with their respective other, cut themselves because of a stupid breakup, or discussed how beautiful their children would look. Now it is great to discuss things and show commitment in that way but not when you are probably around fourteen years old and only three months into the relationship.

Dating is exactly that, you don’t need to fall in love forcefully and commit for life. Today, there is no need to mix the commitment required for dating and the one required for a marriage.

Everyone is on a fast track

Everyone has heard someone say “Married life is a burden, there is no freedom”. But with the freedom they just look for other people to date and to get into relationships with. So are we afraid of commitment? Do we rush into

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game, spin once and hope you get lucky but if you don’t? There is always another spin, right? Relationships are not half as hard as they are made out to be, but yes, it is only hard when someone in it isn’t fully committed.

Harsh Chauhan told us how he felt about relationships too: “Sometimes relationships are really love, and other times it’s just lust. When things get tough and decisions are to be made based on sacrifices and conveniences, things start getting rough. Hook-ups seem ideal, no commitment and no emotional attachment.” It is partially about people being afraid to commit.

But in today’s generation, with so much pressure, everyone is striving to succeed, and live life on their own terms. So when relationships get messy, hook-ups are just the easiest alternative to both satisfy longing and the need for connection.

ANIRUDDHA SHARMA

Is hope dying?

it because if we don’t people will talk? Is that all it is? Lately, the kill is before the hunt. In other words, sex before dating and breaking up before trying to working it out. Our generation has lost the meaning of relationships in search for short term gratification.

“In today’s time while having someone by your side is appreciated, dating is just not worth the effort.

People change and leave. We get no closure but instead just a lot of hurt. Honestly we aren’t mature enough to even handle it”, said Yash Sampat.

Lack of commitment is the price of independence

There is nothing wrong with fast, but like in all things, sometimes “going fast” forces us to diminish quality. And frankly, the quality of relationships is what matters most.

When you really understand each other , you are more likely to be in happy relationships because you know what to expect, and what is expected of you or maybe what you want to create. Having said that, people also seem to forget that playing with emotions is no joke. Suddenly relationships have become like a

“Relationships are hardly treasured anymore. People don’t take marriages seriously either! My friend got married last year, had a kid, and then got divorced. If you can’t give your hundred percent in a relationship you shouldn’t be in one at all, and honestly with the changes in the world and the economy, no one finds time anymore to love since they are too busy with work," said Himanthi Amarasinghe.

So yes, hope is dying for true love and genuine commitment, but Muskaan Israni had something different to say when asked about her preference between hooking up and relationships, “Hooking up may seem easier, but I think relationships are more worth it. Yes, I have been in a relationships that seemed to be going nowhere, but now I am with someone who I’m glad to be able to share my life with. There should be signs all around the city saying 'Fall in Love, Please' because it is just beautiful.”

Maybe, the hope isn’t dying out. You may have all the success in the world, but if you have no one to share it with, have you really achieved? yi JULY 2015 Youth Incorporated 77

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POINT OF VIEW

I

remember the impact of the movie Erin Brokovich, and I believe part of the success of erstwhile film was that it was a movie about us, you and me. And the message that while just one company and its lack of concern for the environment can do damage to very large populations, we are the ones, individually and collectively, who need to be watchful and prevent this carelessness and ravages against nature and look out for our carbon footprint.

THE INDIAN WAY

On our special fourth anniversary and in sync with the Go Green campaign, Nisha JamVwal gives us the importance and consequences of environment protection and conservation

I find that the level of concern and interest in India is way below that in the West. I feel passionately about environmental issues – be it global warming, pollution, noise, denudation of forests, extinction of flora and fauna, waste of resources and energy, over-population or traffic emissions.

We need to control and soften our impact on the environment. Most environmental issues are reflective of the lack of concern for the next man's needs or those of the next generations.

Perhaps it comes from a lack of concern about what happens after we’ve ‘gone’?

Some people tend to dismiss these issues with the attitude that a single person is helpless and what difference can one person make. I am dismayed

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PIXABAY.COM

POINT OF VIEW

at the callousness of these egoistical individuals with so little spirit. There is so much each one of us can do, and Erin B is a good example- it is based on a true story. Environmental issues should be a burning concern and have to be urgently addressed if, as mankind, we are to make peace with our conscience.

In the times of the Vedic Aryans, consciousness of forests and trees as sources of well-being for man was understood at all levels. An entire branch of science revolving around these aspects developed in the Vedic times - called “Vrishayur” - vrish meaning tree and ayur meaning health. There were sacred groves appropriated to temples for preservation and propagation. Certain trees were sacred to certain deities and may not be cut. Many grew to be hundreds of years old. It is believed that the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment still lives in Sri Lanka, from a branch graft carried there in emperor Ashoka‘s time.

BLESSED BLOSSOMS

Certain flowers too are sacred to particular gods or “Devtas”thus ensuring their planting and propagation. Many flora and fauna were given a specific persona and treated with love and respect. There is

a charming story in a play of Kalidasa where the lady protagonist Shakuntala is bidding good-bye to her “sisters” the trees, as she leaves to be married, instructing her friends to care for them. In the same play elsewhere, we have an ascetic in a hermitage, restraining the reigning monarch, Dushyanta, from releasing an arrow upon a deer, saying, ”Your weapon was meant to protect the weak, not smite the innocent!”

Indian mythology abounds in tales largely structured around such harmonies - Krishna revelled in the forest “vanas”. Rama, during his exile in the “Ramayana”, displays a relationship of harmony and loving co-existence with nature. The "vana” nurtures him with fruits, berries, nuts and roots, and bark for clothing, the birds and animals are his devotees, friends and aides. The Mahabharata too, depicts a world of lush forests of fragrant beauty, abodes of sages and saints. The message projected is that of the environment being a meeting point between man and nature and man and his spiritual self.

An ancient work of literature called "Mangalashtaka” mentions a grove of ten trees and expresses the hope that this flowering grove full of fruit trees may herald the well being of the whole world!

THE UGLY TRUTH

In this land of ”Karma” where every cause is said to bear irredeemably upon the effect - every wasteful neglectful, unconcerned act that causes, however remotely some loss or damage or hurt somewhere, is as much a part of my karmic-record as another’s. Yet people gleefully fling plastic bags around roads causing death to innocent cows. We waste electricity, water and energy, choking the cities with a surfeit of cars, when less would do.

We must feel strongly about all this and remind ourselves and others of our beautiful heritage which teaches that all things that exist - plants, animals, humans, are made of the same “Prana” or vital breath. We must gratefully nurture the environment that bountifully nurtures us. And, however modest the scale, any effort at concern beyond one’s own self will make a difference. Just as a ripple follows a ripple, follows a ripple when one throws a stone in a still pond. Today I think of my brother, tomorrow of my neighbour, the day after of the world.

Tweet: Nisha @nishjamvwal Blog: nishajamvwal.blogspot.in Write in to Nisha at: nishajamvwal@gmail.com yi JULY 2015 Youth Incorporated 79

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DITCH THE GYM, NOT YOUR BODY

PIXABAY.COM

HEALTH

Increased self-awareness is the force driving an upsurge in beauty and health consciousness. And it is due to this that people today find it extremely compelling to maintain a fit body. However, committing oneself to an hour-long gym work out daily, is not motivating enough for everybody. Maithili Modi explores some alternative ways of keeping fit

FITNESS VIDEOS

Numerous fitness experts have started compiling their workout routines into video format to make it available for all. In this way, the Indian audiences get a chance to seek the benefits of varied fitness regimes. The west is known for its

constant thirst for change, and hence in this aspect too, they become the pioneers of change. However, if they introduce a new methodology today, it comes to India after a much longer wait. But, by means of these videos, this transit period vanishes. A very famous fitness video is Insanity. Out

in circulation by large numbers, it has become extremely popular among all age groups. The specialty of most of these videos, including Insanity, is that they require no extra gym equipment and is a completely independent form of workout.

Who thought watching a screen would ever help you lose weight, no?

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WEIGHTED HULA-HOOPS

Who remembers effortlessly spiraling between rounds hoops when we were practically weightless? Well, try it now, and take my word for it, hula hooping won’t be half as effortless. However, it does make a great workout.

Moreover, nowadays one can easily find a weighted hula-hoop; which is essentially the same old hoop, made heavy by filling it with water. With half an hour of this weighted hoop on your hips, you’re sure to be in for a great workout. What’s more? Once you get the knack of it, turn up some music and it becomes as enjoyable as ever.

DO CHORES

As incredulous as it sounds, you can turn your household chores into upbeat calorie burning activities with something as simple as vacuuming or scrubbing surfaces clean. Put on some music, turn up the volume and make mundane jobs into fun, workout routines for yourself.

ESSAY ANIMALS

For those of you caught up with children who inevitably end up spending copious amounts of time with them, here’s a good way to convert a couple of these hours into your training period. You probably haven’t performed exercises like the bear crawl or crab walk since you were a kid, but there’s no reason you shouldn’t do them again. As a grownup, you’ll see how much harder it is to move in those postures, and you’ll immediately recognize any tight muscles or weak areas. Training with kids, goofy as it may look, will strengthen your core and increase mobility, as well as get your heart rate up and challenge your endurance. (For the bear crawl, walk on all fours with your legs fairly straight so your hips are above head level. On the crab walk, sit on the floor, bridge your hips up, and walk forward and back on your hands and feet.)

LAUREN MANNING, FLICKR

DANCING

Have you ever seen a dancer’s physique? In fact, dancers are known to have the perfect balance of muscle, flexibility, stamina, agility and endurance. For something that seems solely cardio oriented, it is actually much more beneficial than any of us perceive it to be.

Furthermore, nowadays multifarious dance forms are made available to all. Be it Bollywood, jazz, zumba, salsa, contemporary, hip-hop; training for all forms, right from the beginners level are obtainable almost everywhere. Not just the apple, even one hour of dancing a day is extremely beneficial for our bodies. Who said you need to kill yourself at the gym in order to lose weight!

INVEST IN A TRAMPOLINE

While everyone remembers the joy of being a child and happily bouncing on one, very few people know the amount

of strength required and the calories burned to keep yourself upright and balance your body on a trampoline.

You develop stamina and core strength at the same time that you have oodles of fun. Could it get any better?

SKIPPING

Who says jump rope is only for little school girls at playtime? Several athletes, including boxers and cyclists, engage in intense skipping workouts that is guaranteed to get you up and sweating even with the slightest of efforts. You strengthen your arms and practice perfect mind-body coordination, eventually building and toning some of the strongest muscles of your body.

Keeping fit today does not necessarily involve weights and benchpresses. You don't even need a gym membership if you take up these fun, carb-fighting activities!

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7/2/2015 4:08:31 PM

Green is the new Black

FASHION

F

ashion is one of those factors in which Wearing nothing stays constant. People have short clothes their own styles, own creations, likes, is not the and dislikes. So constant innovation only way to and changes in fashion have always and will always be necessary, now make fashion probably more than ever. Each summer there is eco-friendly. a whole new wardrobe collection that It’s about is launched! Monotony even in fashion time we step is something as people we do not like; we also need to start considering up our game however, factors around us. Since we can’t control and come the world, the least we can do is be up with more mindful and make an individual something conscious effort. revolution- Materials You Can Look For ary to not Silk is actually natural since it is extracted only change from silk worms; unfortunately these silk fashion, but worms are then boiled and killed after the silk. So another alternative help change providing is vegan silk which is only gathered after the world. the worm has emerged from the case into Ruhi Gan- a moth.

Organic Cotton is also an excellent dhi brings alternative, especially in the summers! you ways They are most likely to help you stay cool, in which and build up less heat. However nothing you can let nowadays is fair-trade so you probably fashion Go want to make sure that natural dyes and fewer chemicals are used in making the Green clothes, preferably go for the natural

colours the cotton is grown in like cream, light brown and pale green!

Bamboos are increasingly coming up since they don’t require pesticides to grow.

Polyester is not exactly eco-friendly but lately companies have been finding ways to make polyester out of recycled plastic and fabric.

Other materials which are either proclaimed or authenticated as ecofriendly include Hemp, Lyocell, Soy Fabrics, Linen, Ingeo (which is derived from corn), and even Cashmere. Of course these materials are sold worldwide but it is important that we consciously look for those that avoid chemicals, and create the least environmental costs in the process of being made.

Accessorise with a fancy jute bag, jewellery made out of recycled things (such as magazine pages, old clothes, buttons), shoes made out of materials other than leather, paper hats and more.

All in all the idea is to stay in style but have a little conscience. Support companies that are trying to make a better world, and on a personal level, take DIY’s seriously! You can make the most beautiful clothes out of an old pair of jeans or an old shirt. Do your research and help save the world, in style!

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Nature’s Bounty

Feel all your expensive products are a waste of cash? They aren’t just a waste of money but also are degrading the environment. Dhnasha Bhatt brings you some natural home remedies to save your skin as well as the environment

E

very individual has a different type of skin, and buying a thousand different chemically manufactured products won’t just leave you with a deep cut in the pocket but also land you up with toxic skin diseases if the products are used in heavy content.

Your easy way out of this is to use the simple products you have at home, they’re natural and effective.

Glowing skin - Almond face mask

Ingredients: - Powdered Almonds 2 tablespoons - Curd 2 tablespoons - Milk 1 tablespoon - Oats 1 tablespoon (optional) Method: Mix the powdered almonds and curd till it’s a thick paste, add

ZENSPA1, FLICKR

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some milk to it later. You can add oats to the mix, if you want to make it a lighter paste once you’ve added oats, add a tablespoon of milk. After the paste is done apply it to your face and let it rest for 10 – 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

Sensitive skin- Banana and Honey mask

Ingredients: - 1 ripe banana - 1 tablespoon honey - Half a lemon Method: Mash the banana in a bowl with the help of a spoon. Once the mash is ready add one tablespoon honey and 4-5 drops of lemon, up to you as to how thick you want the paste to be and how strong, adding

too much lime can give an acidic reaction on the skin. Once you have your paste apply it on your face and let the skin soak it in. It should take approximately 5-7 minutes. Once dry wash it with cold water.

Dry skin- Avocado face mask

Ingredients: - 1 ripe avocado - 1 teaspoon honey - 1 teaspoon yogurt or milk Method: Peel the skin and remove the seed of the ripe avocado. Use a fork or a spoon and mash the avocado till it’s a pulp like mix. Add honey and milk or yogurt to the mix. After you have mixed it well, add the mix on your skin and let it settle for 5-7 minutes, rinse it off with cold water.

JULYALL 2015 Youth Incorporated 85 IMAGES FROM PIXABAY.COM

7/1/2015 5:28:38 PM

iMHO BEST OF

M o v i e s

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T V

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M u s i c

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B o o k s

As if movies and sequels on our favourite superheroes weren't enough, we now have them defeating evil on our television sets. Antara Agarwal picks out the most popular superhero TV shows that pack a punch THE FLASH

R

E S T

H

E

B

Sharp. Dark. Gripping. Arrow takes a turn away from the conventional superheroes by bringing to you a typical, billionaire protagonist who wages his war on crime in an atypically mysterious and lethal way. The well-scripted and cinematically produced show is even more compelling because of its anti-hero, who is dark, sinister, and as dangerous as his prey.

This is one show that is definitely worth the watch.

O

ARROW

Based on the popular comic book series, The Flash follows the tale of an ordinary CSI officer, Barry Allen, whose life is transformed when an accident gives him the incredible power of super-speed.

An endearing and thrilling mixture of romance, revenge, deceit and nail-biting action, this show is filled with twists and turns that will leave you hanging at the edge of your seat till the very end.

AGENT CARTER

U P

R E U

P

S

The eponymous protagonist works in the Strategic Scientific Reserve, post WW2, whilst simultaneously working undercover for Howard Stark, in an attempt to clear his name. The character Peggy Carter supports the show to a great extent, and the pathos, humour and good pace of the show makes for an entertaining watch for all.

E R O

Gotham is a television prequel to the Batman-era, based in Gotham city, where detective James Gordon and policeman Harvey Bullock take on law and order in their corrupt city, in an attempt to return it to its former glory. Interesting and wellsubstantiated characters combined with a strong storyline gives rise to the perfect blend of fantasy and realism, with a darker shade, that is definitely appealing.

S T S

H GOTHAM

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R

This extension of the Avengers franchise sees Agent Phil Coulson lead a group of diverse and talented S.H.I.E.L.D agents in battling various super villains, and ultimately, their nemesis organisation, the Hydra. Layered with typical Marvel comic humor and action scenes, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. brings to you a fun superhero television show by Joss Whedon, that is decently supported by multifaceted characters and an intriguing storyline.

DAREDEVIL

Daredevil was Marvel’s turn to go dark, featuring the protagonist, Matt Murdock, who was blinded as a child but gained extraordinary senses in return. With his heightened abilities, Murdock battles crime in his neighbourhood (aptly named Hell’s Kitchen), as a lawyer by day and a vigilante by night. This noir show is gruesome and gritty, and one of Marvel’s best creations so far.

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AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.

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C O N T E M P O R A R Y

Jake Bugg, a singer/songwriter from the UK was offered a much-coveted record deal by Mercury Records on-the-spot after his first appearance on the stage of Glastonbury music festival at just 17 years old! He has already released two albums and won numerous awards since then.

The deep voice and melancholy lyrics take us back to Bob Dylan's earlier work. The quality of his lyrics and his air of a seasoned performer is wonderful to witness!

YEAH YEAH YEAHS VS. THE PIXIES

The 'Yeah Yeah Yeahs' is an indie rock band formed in 2000 in New York City. Though not exactly like the Pixies, they seem like a modern take on their classic sound. In a time where crash noise is easily termed good music, they are definitely one band to be excited about.

SUM41 VS. 80S METAL

This band has managed to incorporate multiple influences (read: ripped off) in their music. It has progressively gone from punk to metal with each album. Their sound majorly showcases 80s metal with influences like Metallica, Nirvana and Green Day.

OASIS VS. THE STROKES

Oasis, best known for hits like 'Wonderwall' and 'Stop crying your heart out' have been one of the most influential bands of their time. The Strokes, are an American rock band formed in 1998, The sound is very reminiscent of the age of rock and roll.

C O N T E M P O R A R Y

M E E T

JAKE BUGG VS. BOB DYLAN

There are two very distinct sets of people: Ones that like modern music whereas the other which prefer the slightly older 20th century sound more. Though there are many new artists making amazing music, one thing that separates old music and more modern music is the lack of style.

You cannot deny that most of the old artists had it. Whether it was James Brown, Freddie Mercury, Elvis Presley or Nina Simone, they had the stage presence to make everything seem effortless! That is, sadly, missing from a lot of acts now. Bruno Mars is one artist that may be the bridge!

M E E T

C L A S S I C S

BRUNO MARS VS. ELVIS PRESLEY

C L A S S I C S

Music has remained our bedrock for cultural progressiveness and poetic ingenuity since the first composed note was struck. And yet, as history repeats itself, quite so often we find certain musicians repeating styles after some yesteryear artist. Or, they say that it's inspiration. Some of them are good, some bad, some we wish didn't exist. Meera Jakkli takes a look at some of these bands and artists

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R

O

What would our parents look like if they were to attend schools and colleges of today? Sort of like them, according to Nihal Jain

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NEVER BEEN KISSED

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This movie stereotypes the teenage high school life in an unparalleled way. Never Been Kissed is a romantic comedy with themes of self-respect and making good decisions. It also shows the plethora of teenage trends that are followed these days which would make a mature full-grown adult very uncomfortable: excessive drinking, profane language, flirting, dating, drug use and sexual references to almost everything.

C

S C E E

O O H C S

While the Hollywood industry runs the “backto-school” genre, we have our own Bollywood element to it, starring Shah Rukh Khan.

Main Hoon Na is a fun, yet unrealistic movie. With an extremely narcissistic title, this movie characterizes Bollywood dramacomedy the best. This movie keeps up with the change in trends in college and how youngsters look at the elderly (Shah Rukh Khan is often called “uncle”). The music and dance positively keep up with the expectations of the public and give a perfect glimpse of the Indian college life.

H

An entertaining comedy, The Internship is a yet another flick featuring grownup adults trying to get along with youngsters, and failing miserably.

It’s a harmless experience with a handful of laughs and a batch of likable young actors. This movie humorously highlights the differences between a long-gone traditional and a tech-savvy generation.

MAIN HOON NA

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THE INTERNSHIP

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A harmless movie with a surprising plot and commendable acting, this is another movie showing how “uncool” olden times used to be. It is a sweet comedy movie that has a decent “old in the future but out of place” vibe to it.

O R

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17 AGAIN

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A hilarious movie, 21 Jump Street is quite weird (a good weird). This movie shows how the macho values that once were looked up to as adolescents are now obsolete. In its outrageous way, 21 Jump Street has real laughs as the heroes in the movie fall out of place when they return to high school and receive the shocks of their lives when they find that they cannot jell into the new “teenage” trend. This movie is a funny way to make us question: “Are we always highschool students in our heads?”

H

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21 JUMP STREET

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PALACE OF ILLUSIONS BY CHITRA BANERJEE

Narrated from the view of Draupadi, the lady who over the years has been known in Hindu Society as the one who brings doom to the clan, the author has put aside all these notions and allegations against her and shows us that however hard the protagonist tries to be more than the heroes’ wife, she subtly reminds the reader that in society even the great men still found themselves to be superior to women.

One of the best women-centric books The Palace of Illusions is a phenomenal experience to read.

MYTH = MITHYA A HANDBOOK OF HINDU MYTHOLOGY

BY DEVDUTT PATTANAIK

In this book, the author has decoded our legends with his varied illustrations on the simple questions we have about our mythology. The book has us understanding the myths and opening our soul to them. The aim of the book is not to outgrow the myth, but to be enriched and empowered by its ancient, potent and still relevant language and understand, that even though Hindu culture has 330 million gods, they all are one.

With Asura, we learn about Ravana, the great Shiva believer who as per legend went against Lord Ram by kidnapping Sita which led to one of the most brutal wars within the legends. We get to know of his history as a pupil to becoming a great warrior and king. The book is not entirely based on the war times of Ramayana but is the tale of the Asuras and their suffering. Beautifully written from the eyes of Ravana, the book could get a bit slow in the middle but it’s a magical experience

SHIVA TRILOGY BY AMISH TRIPATHI

This series is one that is completely different from the real legend. The author talks about the gods as characters and builds a mythical land called Meluha and how a simpleton who had a prophecy, landed up being the one to battle evil.

The story is full of suspense, especially the second series, which brings out the twist in the tale and there is war and politics raging over each page

KRISHNA KEY BY ASHWIN SANGHI

This book sees the author’s writings heavily influenced by Dan Brown.

It has the introduction of mythical elements from thousands of years ago brought into the modern times. In the middle the book does get a bit slow and confusing but the mixture of modern times with age old myths has a fresh tinge to literature and one should give this book a shot.

R E T E L L I N G S

M Y T H O L O G I C A L

ASURA BY ANAND NEELAKANTAN

M Y T H O L O G I C A L

R E T E L L I N G S

As Indians, we've always been in awe of mythological stories. Whether we believe them to be true or not is immaterial; the sheer magnitude of these epics, the depth of each character, the insight into each one's subconscious intentions and deeds and misdeeds - these epics deserve to be read and reread. Dhnasha Bhatt takes a look at books by modern authors that retell these tales

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hangout  

PLACES AND EVENTS FOR THE MONTH

LEMON LEAF, MUMBAI

CUISINE: Chinese, Thai, Malaysian, Asian BITES AND BOOZE: With overwhelming options of mouth watering dishes to choose from, Lemon Leaf can be your go to place if you want to savour the taste of authentic Thai food. Besides the impressive line up of finger-licking cuisine available, The Thai Style Spicy Dumpling with exotic vegetables and Big Stir fry bowl are the must try dishes from the restaurant. This place is no grounds for despair for booze lovers either. The funky Asian themed bar serving Oriental concoctions drinks along with delectable bar munchies will pretty much leave your senses hankering for more.

FAB OR DRAB: Lemon leaf is a charming little place that can be your grand escape after your long hours and pressing deadlines. The ambience is soothing and the service is prompt. . Bright lighting with kooky swing seating further adds to the authenticity of place.

`1200 o for tw

Ground floor, Royal Sands Building, Raheja Classic Lane, Andheri Lokhandwala, Andheri West, Mumbai 401105 –Ashvita Singh

THE BOMBAY CANTEEN, MUMBAI

`1600o for tw

CUISINE: North Indian, South Indian, Café BITES AND BOOZE: A refreshing, versatile and seasonal menu that presents traditional dishes with a bumbaiyya twist, where your favourite Bombay street food meets gourmet styles.

Must haves: the Kejriwal toast, the Spicy Chettinad Chicken Taco. Some dishes give you the all out authentic Bombay experience by coming in the much loved steel dabbas. In the bar menu, Indian masalas and spices marry your standard alcohols to give you exciting and distinctly flavoured drinks that complement your food. The cocktail at the Bombay Canteen are must haves, such as the Dark Monsoon and the Tar-Booze.

FAB OR DRAB: Earthen bricks complement high glass walls through the restaurant that provide a casual yet classy look, with an open, friendly atmosphere. The Bombay Canteen’s extensive bar display, with scores of alcohol bottles lined up against the wall, is riveting and unique. Attentive and prompt service gives a better overall experience, especially since they cater to your individual preferences.

Ground Floor, Process House, Kamala Mills, Near Radio Mirchi O ffice, S .B. M arg, L ower P arel, M umbai 4 00013 – Review by Antara Agarwal, photographs by Dhnasha Bhatt

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BARAESTI, MUMBAI

CUISINE: Italian, Indian Food, Continental BITES AND BOOZE: While giving the option of various appealing cusines, Baraesti also brings a twist in our local favourite food, like Pav Bhaji Fondue where the bread is seasoned with amazing pav bhaji flavours and served with a spicy cheesy sauce. A must try dish here is the mouth watering Peri Peri Cottage Cheese where the cubes of paneer are tossed in yummy African peri peri sauce. The ones that crave sugary goodness in their lives should definitely go with Blood Shots than settling for their desserts, as it’ll give you the much needed dose of sweetness that your heart desires.

FAB OR DRAB: The ambience is, undoubtedly, the highlight of the place. If ethnic rooftop seating with dim and comfortable lights is your choice of venue, then this place is good to go. The music played here is quite popular but all over the place. However, at the end of the day, if you’re looking for good, friendly service with a decent ambience, definitely go ahead and book your table right away.

`2000o for tw

505, 5th Floor, Konark Shram, Behind Everest Building, Tardeo, Mumbai 400034 –Mitali Joshi

EVENTS THIS MONTH RAMZAN FOOD WALKS

Enjoy tasty food while exploring the streets of Old Delhi during Ramzan with this food walk.

Date: 4-12th July Venue: Across Old Delhi

BANDISH 2015 Bandish 2015 is a three day Indian music festival which will showcase eminent artists like Uday Bhawalkar, Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, Ajoy Chakrabarty, Shubha Mudgal and Shankar Mahadevan.

Date: 3-5th July Venue: NCPA, Mumbai

PHOTOGRAPHY INDIA CONCLAVE 2015 You may be a professional photographer or a beginner, Photography India Conclave will be conducting workshops for people with different levels of photography experience.

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GRAFFITI

Trends Of The Month Indian Heat Wave

This summer, India faced a heat wave which caused a death toll of more than 2500 people. The states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal and Odisha were most affected.

Land Acquisition Bill

The Land Acquisition Ordinance has once again been promulgated by the Union Cabinet for the third time. This has triggered many controversies after the Land Acquisition Bill failed to garner support in the Rajya Sabha. The issue of farmer’s consent and compensation has been at the centre of the debate which has kept the government and opposition divided.

The Maggie Dilemma

The Maggie noodles scandal rocked the nation after lead and MSG was found in the packets during lab tests.

This lead to most of the Indian states to bans it as well as many discussions on food safety. Looks like we found something else to ban because 'taste bhi, lead bhi'?

IIT- M Students Group Controversy

In May, the Ambedkar- Periyar Study Circle (APSC), an independent student body at IIT- Madras was derecognised by the Dean of students due to an anonymous complaint that the group was criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Government’s policies.

Following wide spread protests by students, the recognition of APSC was reinstated.

Salman Khan Hit and Run Verdict Putting an end to the 13 year old case, the Bombay High Court gave the verdict of the 2002 Salman Khan hit and run case sentencing him to 5 years imprisonment. He is now out on bail after moving the case to a higher court. The power of a celebrity indeed!

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