ACING THE CMAT
Tips to score your best in the exa m
WINGS OF SUCCESS
Meet Prodigy Entrepreneur Ayaan Chawla
EDUCATE + ENTERTAIN
MAY 2015 || ` 75
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buttons, boots & photoshoots behind the scenes of the fashion industry
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PARIS
LONDON
SHANGHAI
PH Aldo Fallai
istitutomarangoni.com
MILANO
FIGHT FOR YOUR TALENT
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Every year more than 3,000 students come from all over the world to Istituto Marangoni to study fashion and design.
istitutomarangoni.com
Istituto Marangoni is an established and recognised laboratory of aesthetic European-style culture with the finest Italian imprinting, which collaborates with the most interesting names in the fashion and design sectors and whose teachers are able to pass on their expertise to the excellence of tomorrow. They are professionals turned teachers, capable of contextualising learning in the classroom with the realities of the market. The courses include constant contact with the most interesting design companies and fashion houses, the kind that then choose Istituto Marangoni’s stars of tomorrow for their companies. The courses offered by Istituto Marangoni are closely tied to the five schools, which are dedicated exclusively to fashion and design and are located in the world’s luxury capitals: Milano (fashion & design), Paris, London and Shanghai. Five places where talented students can meet and interact with various universes, through an approach that includes both theory and practice and links to planning and management in fashion and design. There are many disciplines of different durations and levels that students can follow, according to the school chosen, to guide them towards their future professions. In the classrooms of the schools of Istituto Marangoni, four generations of professionals have tested their talents; almost 40,000 individuals worldwide from 92 countries who represent its historic patrimony. Istituto Marangoni was founded in Milano in 1935 by Giulio Marangoni. Throughout the past 80 years thousands of students have learned the essence of fashion and design with a strong Italian imprint. Istituto Marangoni’s alumni include globally renowned names such as Domenico Dolce (Dolce & Gabbana), Alessandra Facchinetti and Franco Moschino. ‘I am proud to say that Istituto Marangoni’s strength comes from its unique insight into the future of fashion and design, not forgetting the strong Italian heritage of its past,’ says Roberto Riccio, Istituto Marangoni Group Managing Director. ‘This vision and this heritage are shared not only by the staff but also by students, becoming a common theme that allows inspiring ideas and projects to be born and to become a reality’.
In January 2014, in an exciting new venture, Istituto Marangoni opened the School of Design in Milano in collaboration with architect Giulio Cappellini, one of the most renowned Italian design maestros, who acts as an ambassador and special consultant for courses and forthcoming projects. In 2013 the Fashion Training Centre was established in Shanghai, at Plaza 66: Asia’s first and currently only world-class fashion centre.Although the geographical dimension did change with the opening of these new schools in Europe and Asia, the Italian identity remains constant at Istituto Marangoni, which uses its Italian heritage to develop and deliver its programmes to a global marketplace, translating tradition from local artistic and environmental heritage into modern sartorial creativity. The ‘Italianness’ that is transmitted to students during their time at Istituto Marangoni consists of multiple facets: a very structured business vision and an entrepreneurial attitude; an ideology that establishes itself by differentiation; an understanding of the importance of the relationship between image and fashion; a focus on perfect execution, simplicity and attention to detail; craftmanship and the imaginative concept of luxury; a valuing of the use of textile as an innovative tool; the concept of ‘Italian technique’ to allow students to gain control of the creative impulse, what ‘flashes’ through their minds. Istituto Marangoni develops the creativity of its students beginning from the concept of ‘Made in Italy’ and the heritage of Italian craftsmanship, a starting-point permeated with aesthetic references to art history, fashion, and Italian design. To support cultural theory, workshops in analysis and critical evaluation, design and development in the studio have been added, a method of study that over time has confirmed the success of the ‘Marangoni method’ in its use of the best technological instruments to stimulate its students’ creative growth and prepare them to securely face the working world. To develop abilities and grow new talents: since 1935, this has been the mission of Istituto Marangoni, always with an eye towards furnishing those who choose Istituto Marangoni for their education with the most needed skills for creative self-expression. In 80 years, Istituto Marangoni has never stopped believing in the value of education and training, constantly updating its programmes and courses so they keep reflecting ever-evolving market demands and responding precisely to a finely-tuned sector, one that is ‘snubbed’ in public education, especially in Italy, in order to create an ideal bridge between the project as a creative expression and its management as an entrepreneurial expression. This is why, each year, over 3,000 individuals become part of Istituto Marangoni family, because they firmly believe in their future as the new generation of fashion and design professionals. And so does Istituto Marangoni.
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MAY 2015
20 ACING THE CMAT The tips and tricks to acing one of the most competitive exams in the country
30 Wings of Success
Page
BUTTONS, BOOTS AND PHOTO SHOOTS
32 Educate
A look into the careers that make up the fashion industry COVER CREDITS
MODEL: HIMARSHA VENKATSAMY MAKE UP: MONISHA AT A’KREATIONS HAIR: PEARLY KHAMBATTA AND SHIFFAULT AT A’KREATIONS
18 Page
26
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Prodigy entrepreneur Ayaan Chawla talks about his inspiration of starting a company at 17
24
FOCUS FEATURE EXPLORE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Schools that provide an education with an emphasis on experience in the industry
FOREIGN SHORES COMMUNICATION SANS BOUNDARIES Seeking out the best linguistic programs around the world that’s all about culture and beyond
26 28 50
ACCESSORIES: THE SOURCE, BANDRA PHOTOGRAPHY: SPINTHIRAS MEDIA WARDROBE: JADE
AWARENESS – ADDICTED SEXUAL HEALING Is watching porn hampering your everyday life? Get ready to change your habits WORKPLACE HACKS 28 WORKPLACE HACKS TIME OUT A guide to treading the tricky waters of productivity and procrastination at work
LOOK OUT FOR ARITRO AND BEAT TWISTERS
Youth Incorporated MAY 2015
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Entertain 54
ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE LITERATURE IN HINDI CINEMA: LOST IN TRANSLATION? Exploring the parallel journeys of storytelling in Literature and Cinema
58 60
STAPLE DIET
62
RELATIONSHIPS REBOUND WRECKAGE Discussing the delicate intricacies of a rebound relationship
Page
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HEALTH SUMMERTIME COOLNESS 10 things to help you keep it cool during the summer heat
POINT OF VIEW POINT OF VIEW Celebrity columnist Nisha Jamwal discusses the problems of love and neglect in families
EDITOR’S NOTE…10 EDITORIAL CONNECT…11 CONTRIBUTORS…12 AROUND THE WORLD…14 EVENT DIARY...16 COUNSELLOR Q&A…23 WORDZONE...52 THE G SPOT…66 IMHO…68 HANGOUT…72 GRAFFITI…74
Online exclusives
Page
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THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A MAD NATION: SRIRAM KARRI A review and an in-depth conversation with the author of a rivetingly witty novel
FASHION HI HEELS! How to pick the right heels that don’t hurt your feet
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BEAUTY CARE TODAY, HAIR TOMORROW A man’s guide to take care of your hair and have a good hair day, everyda
MUST WATCH MAY MOVIES
A movie buff curated list of some of the most awaited movies of summer 2015 and why you should go watch them. English, Hindi or Indie, take your pick
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A VARIETY OF DIGITAL CONTENT: VIDEOS, RELATED ARTICLES AND MUCH MORE
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Editor's
note
Don't be silly darling, everyone wants to be us - Miranda Priestly I am sure most of you must have watched the film 'The Devil Wears Prada'. A young college graduate joins as an intern at a top fashion magazine and then learns the cruel ways of this world. Being called fat and unstylish, she had seen it all but nonetheless rose above it like a phoenix. So, it isn’t a big bad world out there and thus for the cover story of our May Issue, Buttons, Boots and Photoshoots we bring you the different careers in the Fashion Industry. Being in the world of fashion is not just about designing branded outfits; there is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes. From styling, merchandising, online retailing, accessorising, production to blogging, there exists a plethora of options available today. Lets delve deep with the celebrated people from these fields and hear it straight out from them. For the cover this month, we shot with a beautiful model Himarsha and there was a lot to learn in this. It’s not just the glitz and glamour that one sees on the covers of glossies or on hoardings, but a whole lot of action that goes into the making. It starts with being worked on for hours by hair & make-up artists and trying multiple sets of garments for the right look, to spending hours to get the perfect shot. It’s indeed a lot of hard work and tremendous patience, and I have new found respect for models. Whoever said it’s cakewalk, must walk in their shoes! Last week I was invited to the ISDI Design Festival where students had put up their work on display. There were multiple speakers from the industry and it was a well put-together event. What interested me the most was the design lab that they have created, where a 3D printer and laser cutting machine have been set up for students to experiment and explore their innovations. It’s such a delight to see how far we’ve come in the fashion industry from humble beginnings of our neighbourhood tailors and seamstresses. Our story Acing the CMAT gives students a heads up on how to go about preparing for their exam and passing them with flying colours. Scoring a 99.99 percentile in the CMAT held in February, Shubhadeep Basak shares his tips to score the highest in the same. Good luck, candidates!
Nitish Shah
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Volume 4 Issue 11 May 2015
Editor-in-Chief NITISH SHAH nitish@youthincmag.com Chief Operating Officer CAROLINE SAMSON coo@youthincmag.com
Editorial
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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
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4/30/2015 2:33:22 PM
Contribut rs m nth AYUB DAWOOD is a journalist and writer who is captivated by wanderlust and isn’t afraid to touch new subject matter. Likes to express an opinion and dig deep into every issue concerning the world around him. With a knack for telling stories he is also an aspiring author.
ADITI DHEKLE is a 17-year-old student pursuing her first year of BMM and is obsessed with reading books. She wants to explore the world of media and says she found her stepping stone at Youth Incorporated. Believes in karma, loves to write and aspires to be a journalist.
JANVI MANCHANDA is a Mumbai-based BMM student, a closet nerd, and prides herself on being a cat person. She likes to travel and follow fashion trends. She is also into all kinds of adventure sports and can’t wait to fulfil her dream of becoming a journalist or an RJ.
RUCHA PAWAR is an arts student who loves reading and coffee. Her mission in life is to become a polyglot. She’s a Bon Jovi fan She believes writing is what she’s good at and wants to get better at it.
ADRIJA SEN is a 21-year-old traveller, storyteller, explorer, adventurer, dreamer, and weaver of the written word, with a penchant for food, friends, life and love.
CHRISTINE RODRICKS is passionate about writing, eating, singing and eating. An opportunist and non conformist, she aspires to be a travel writer someday and swears by cheesecake, jazz and black cats. Believes in living life like there’s no tomorrow. 12 Youth Incorporated MAY 2015
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educate How to balance time and efficiency at work Page 28
K E E I PI N S D E
Pg18
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EXPLORE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
COMMUNICATION SANS BOUNDARIES
SEXUAL HEALING
EXPERIENCE IS THE BETTER TEACHER
AN INSIGHT INTO SOCIETY AND CULTURE WITH THE BEST LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMES
ADDICTED TO PORNOGRAPHY? UNLOCK THOSE CHAINS THAT SUBJUGATE
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HARVARD BY YOKADO, FLICKR
EDU NEWS
HARVARD UNIVERSITY SET TO OPEN OFFICE IN MUMBAI To increase research and academic work with its associates, the esteemed Harvard University is going to open international offices in India, China and South Africa, according to Vice Provost for International Affairs Jorge I. Domínguez. HU awaits the permit of the Indian government to establish their office in Mumbai. The Indian office’s proposal is still in its developing stages and hopes to receive an approval this summer. These new offices will then join 16 other offices across the globe.
EDZILLA, EDUCATING RURAL INDIA
ONE SCHOOL GOA: TWO NEW COURSES
Edzilla is a low-cost and user friendly tablet powered by solar energy that makes learning fun by using different tools and activities that enable kids in rural India to have an extraordinary experience. Dr. Rajugopal Gubbi and Mrs. Prabha Mysore, the founders of EdZilla, putting in their efforts into this intuitive surface aim to develop technology based solutions to improve the quality of education in rural India. Textbook on tablet is one of the solutions that bring the school syllabus content onto these tablets. Edzilla operates by collaborating with existing NGOs and provides them with this technology.
The One School Goa is pleased to anounce that starting in September 2015, they will offer India’s first 3-year Degree Program in Photography & Multimedia. This intensive 3-year course covers both theory and hands on training. OSG is also offering a 1-year course- the Foundation in Visual Communication It is ideal for students who have decided to take a ‘gap year’ before pursuing their higher studies and want to build on their creative portfolio. Their mission is to strengthen students’ abilities in creative and critical thinking by combining rigorous studio art practice with innovative academics.
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T.I.S.S. LAUNCHES COURSE ON VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
NABAMTUKI.ORG
ARUNACHAL TO GET ITS 1ST ENGINEERING COLLEGE
Karandikar Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. (KLPL) ,an IECEx & NABL recognized Test Laboratory for Electrical products used in potentially hazardous areas partnered with TISS to launch short term courses on Personnel Competency in Hazardous Areas for Industrial Safety. This course helps deal with human errors that cause accidents in explosive atmospheres due to lack of adequate training of the employees working in these areas. The courses are a first of its kind with a focus on job specific skills rather than providing only a broad based education, where the skill can be learnt by engaging in on-the-job training along with classroom theoretical inputs. These courses will assist in making the Managers, Supervisors and Operators in such industries fully conversant and competent in ensuring Safety in the various operations in hazardous areas.
Arunachal welcomes the setting up its first government engineering college with the Union HRD Ministry approving the establishment of the college to help provide technical education. This has been a long awaited demand and has finally been fulfilled and would cater to the technical educational needs of the students of all categories. The new engineering college will not only facilitate the students to get engineering degrees with inadequate financial involvement but also reduce economic burdens of poor parents. The foundation stone for the college would be laid by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki at Toru on April 15 next.
The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has held the prestigious ”Green Talents – International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Development” since 2009 to promote the international exchange of innovative green ideas. The 2015 award includes an invitation to visit Germany in 2015 to participate in the fully funded two-week science forum. While touring Germany, the award-winners will have access to top science and research institutions that will offer unique insights into their work. Fully funded research stay of up to three months at an institution of the awardwinner´s choice in 2016. Exclusive access to the “Green Talents Alumni Network” of 130 high-achievers in sustainable development from over 40 countries.
TISS.EDU
GERMANY - GREEN TALENTS AWARD 2015
MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 15
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EVE N
IARY D T
Youth Incorporated Wall Art
(L-R) Talaash at Shivaji Park and the Talaash Wall before and after the painting
Scarlett Rose supporting the cause
JAI HIND COLLEGE TALA ASH
MTV BLOC PARTY Ayesha Adlakha at the #YouthInc photobooth!
Candid moments
(L-R) Come in if you are feeling ballsy R3wire and Varski connect with YouthInc
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Cheering reaches a new high!
(L-R) When two hearts meet; out on the streets to make a difference
NIIT TRICHY UN YOUNG CHANGEMAKERS CONCLAVE
Advait Deodhar (racing driver) talking about the struggles and merits of taking up alternative careers
Varun Dhawan in conversation with Ms. Trisha Shetty (Founder, SheSays) MP Varun Gandhi and Mr. Samyak Chakrabarty (President, UNYCC)
MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 17
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FOCUS FEATURE
Explore experi e Practise your skills, however raw, before being preached to. Neeti Vijaykumar lists out schools that emphasise on providing a brief experience of the industry before starting with academics
M
ost young students right out of school do not have an inkling of what it’s like to be a fashion designer or a suited-andbooted executive. The designations might sound fancy and the companies you’re aiming to get into might do great work; but what if you enrol into a course only to realise that your talents lie elsewhere or that it isn’t what you wanted to do after all? While college students have industrial visits organised by colleges, those who aren’t into college yet have barely any exposure to what’s out there in the world for them. The best thing for them is to enrol themselves into internships or introductory courses that will give them a well-rounded view of how an organisation in their area of interest works, and what their potential roles in the industry are. Not only does it give colour to a student’s resume, it also reveals to them why they’re learning what they learn in college, as they’ll have a better foresight to know how to use that information. As they say, experience is the better teacher. Here, we feature such schools that help students figure out, through a brief introductory course and internships, where their interest in arts or business lies.
For the artist in you: Prerna Experiential Art School Prerna Experiential School for Arts is a unique institute where the students are provided with an opportunity to find out for themselves where their interest lies in the art spectrum. Most students are aware of their desire and potential to make it in arts but wouldn’t know if they should apply their talent in fashion, architecture or any other career related to art. This is where Prerna Experiential School’s 12-week course comes in. An excellent introduction to the study of contemporary art, it sustains and develops students’ abilities and interests over a 12-week’s period and offers an outstanding opportunity for an intense engagement with Fine Art practices. What’s it about: It gives students basic knowledge of every process associated with art and craft, where
“The Prerna Experiential Art School is a starting point for students who plan to pursue a professional qualification in Art & Design. It distils the core of what you need to know as an artist into 12 chapters, offering you customised modules without enrolling in a full time degree course.” - Nishant Joshi, Founder of Prerna Experiential Art school their creative instincts are tapped to bring out the best in them. The students acquire knowledge that they need to go ahead with their higher studies in arts. The courses offered at Prerna Experiential School range from Foundation, where students get technical knowledge and develop a
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ri ential learning
As the old adage goes “Better experienced, than explained!”, we believe in making students more hands-on than just being conceptually right. The 9-month internship right before you are to join the corporate becomes the life-saving critical difference that FABS brings to the student community. Our typical student is a young mind being nurtured and eased into the future role within the same company that will take him or her as a young employee. - Ashfaq Ul Ahad, cofounder and board member of FABS
skill set, to Advanced and Holistic where one moves on to applying those skills and get an introduction to music or literature. Eligibility/Period: Entry is open to students of all levels and experience, and provides an opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for progression into further or higher education in Fine Art, Applied Art, Graphic communication/ Design School, further independent study and an individual art practice. The 12-week courses are divided into classes conducted three hours once a week. Once a student completes the module, they receive a personal evaluation of their portfolio by one of the instructors, giving them a thorough feedback, with tips as well as a guide towards the appropriate art/design field depending on their aptitude.
Earn before you learn: Fazlani Altius Business School Established in 2012, the Fazlani Altius Business School (FABS), based in Mumbai and Bhubhaneshwar, provides one of the most practical MBA programmes in the country. What’s it about: FABS offers two-year MBA programmes in Security Operations, Investment Banking, Sales and Services Management, Applied Human Resources and Service Operations Management. Along with the hands on experience that the internship provides, the faculty consists of highly experienced professionals from the corporate industry, image consultants and career counsellors that shape the students to become the leaders of tomorrow. The institute’s infrastructure is fully equipped with video satellite facility and multimedia classrooms. As an additional perk, each student is provided with a laptop that makes learning easier. Eligibility/Period: What sets this B-school apart from regular MBA colleges is that it offers a nine-month paid internship within the duration of the two-year course. This not only helps students learn practically but also helps them earn a stipend of Rs 90,000 while they study. This way, students do not enter the job market as freshers but rather as experienced, employable candidates. FABS believes the institute is “of the corporate”, “by the corporate” and “for the corporate”, that stands out in understanding what the clients need. Right from selecting the students to giving them customized curriculum, and then a handy 9 month paid internship, their corporate partners have built an exemplary corporate-academia partnership. MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 19
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Sailing through the
C-MAT A lowdown on what the CMAT is all about, important details and coaching classes, prepping you for the next test season
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T
he Common Management Admission Test, more popularly known as CMAT, is a national level entrance test conducted by the All India Council for Technical Education. Designed to assist premier institutes (approved by the council) to select students for admission into management courses, the first edition was conducted in 2012, as an addition to previously existing tests like CAT. CMAT offers an opportunity to both institutes as well as students to find best prospective students and career building opportunities respectively. More than one lakh students appear for CMAT every year, and then from among them those eligible for admissions in MBA courses are selected.
How is it helpful to you?
CMAT is an entrance test that is accepted as a benchmark for deciding admissions in some of the best institutes around India. Such a platform allows students to make optimum use of their capabilities and gain access to the institute which gives them an opportunity to launch their career successfully. CMAT acts as a gateway that simplifies the admission process where institutes and students are given a space from which both can get the best prospects for their respective purposes. A common entrance test helps the student as one does not have to apply to all institutes separately nor does one need to go through the whole entrance process again and again. A single test provides an opportunity for students to attempt for all reputed institutes also cutting down on the effort to pick out the best institutes to apply for. That way CMAT saves a lot of time and effort on the part of students.
When and how is it conducted?
The test is usually conducted at the beginning of the year around February and the results come out in a month’s time. The mode of examination is a
computer-based test (CBT), where the students have to see the multiple choice questions and select an answer from the choice listed. The test is conducted in a workstation at the venue of the examination and computers are assigned to students by the conducting authorities.
marks divided into four sections of 25 questions each. The exam needs to be completed in a time limit of 180 minutes. The sections are Quantitative Techniques-Data interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension and General Awareness.
Important details
• The CMAT exams were last conducted in February 2015 and the results were announced in March. The list of management schools approved by AICTE includes fifteen hundred reputed B-Schools. • The next CMAT exams, for admissions into colleges for academic year 2016-17, will be in September 2015.
• To be eligible for the test the applicants have to be graduates in any field from a recognized university and final year students are also eligible to apply. All applicants should have scored a minimum of 50%. • The merit list is given sent to respective state governments by the AICTE and then through central counselling process all students are allotted seats in AICTE registered institutes as per their merit. The application fee is Rs 1400 for the general category and Rs 700 for SC/ ST, with additional bank charges for both. • The registration can be done at the AICTE-CMAT website (http://www. aicte-cmat.in/). Two photographs and a signature of the candidate have to be uploaded during the registration process, and the mode of payment includes Net Banking, Credit/Debit card or cash payment through a chalan. • The exam is computer-based with multiple choice questions. There are 100 questions for a total of 400
Best places to train
PT Education is considered the best institution for CMAT preparations with seventeen management entrance toppers in nine years straight. IMS is also a leading institute which promises good results with more than 90 centres and 50000 students. IMS is ranked among the top five among academies for management entrance coaching. Elite institute and Endeavour which also have made a reputation in the field of training candidates to face entrance tests. In addition to these, there are online institutes which can help candidates prepare themselves more conveniently from the comfort of their home. MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 21
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Acing the
C-MAT course from a coaching institute is highly recommended. There are several monthly GK magazines that can come in handy, such as GKToday and Upkar’s General Knowledge. This is the section which can make or break your chances. So, please try to maximize your marks in it.
Shubhadeep Basak, who scored 99.99 percentile in this year’s CMAT held in February, holds an All India Rank of 6. He shares his success mantra and tips for CMAT aspirants or faculty members. They have innumerable years of experience and will always be there to help out students in need of guidance. I personally do not recommend Facebook or any other social networking site for preparation. But if it works for you, then it’s perfectly fine!
Get used to solving tests Get the right learning online materials
I
am an Electrical Engineering graduate from Government College of Engineering Amravati, Maharashtra, and a Gold Medallist of my batch. I worked hard for management entrance tests and scored well in quite a few of them. I attribute the success of my performance at the CMAT to my parents, friends, numerous mentors and the faculties. These are just some general guidelines for your preparation as I believe we should not follow anyone. Everyone has his/her own methods of preparation, but this is what I think could work.
General Awareness
To build up your awareness and general knowledge, please start reading newspapers and the latest series of the Manorama Yearbook. Apart from that, a customized GK
Please be used to online test-solving and sitting with utmost concentration for at least three hours at a stretch. Apart from preparing in terms of knowledge and academics, you should also learn to keep your concentration levels high for long stretches of time. It will be difficult at first. But if you practice, you will get used to it. Practice meditation and deep breathing every morning. This practice will also be helpful for many other entrance tests that are conducted online.
Mock tests all the way
Practice a large number of mock tests. It would be best to start practising answering section-wise tests first, and then solve tests covering the entire syllabus. By doing this, you will discover the tiny and often overlooked flaws in concepts, which may or may not be revealed during mocks. Also, it’s important that while you give mock tests, you should not try to guess. This way, you can understand your true raw score. Analyze each and every single mistake and don’t repeat them.
Get help from experts Always be in touch with experts
For QT (Quantitative Techniques) and DI (Data Interpretation), I followed Sarvesh K Verma and the materials of my coaching institute. For LR (Logical Reasoning), I used the materials of my coaching institute. For LC (Language Comprehension), ‘English Grammar and Composition’ by Rajendra Pal and Prem Lata Suri is a great book. For VA (Verbal Ability), please start with ‘Six Weeks to Words of Power’ by Wilfred Funk. During the course of your preparation, please don’t try to prepare from multiple books. Follow one book for each. Then, as you progressively go on giving mock tests, you will get to know additional concepts which were not covered earlier.
Manage your time well
During the exam, I had given 15 minutes at the most for the GA section. Please don’t waste your time solving GA. Try to give more importance to LC, LR and QTDI while solving the test.
And finally, breathe
Please believe in yourselves. One test can never decide our future. There is no point in stressing too much and pinning all your hopes on one test. Prepare well for CMAT, but have alternative plans as well. All the best!
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FOREIGN SHORES
Communication sans Boundaries Knowledge of a new language is a valuable skill to possess, but living in a new country and gaining insight on the society and culture along with it, is a truly rewarding experience. Ayub Dawood seeks out the best linguistic courses
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earning a new language can act both, as an additional skill as well as, an attribute that can help expand the scope for career opportunities overseas. Apart from having technical know-how regarding the language of a certain country, it is also very crucial to know the socio-cultural background of the people living in the same. The key to achieving this is to opt for a programme in the country from where the particular language
has originated. This not only provides a better and closer understanding of the language but it also gives an insight into the local culture and colloquialisms attached to it. This is made possible by the personal interaction with the people and participation in their cultural events along with day to day life. There is a diversity of cultures which changes from country to country and even regions within countries. Shifting to a foreign destination whether for
academic or professional reasons isn’t only confined to a change of language as it also involves a transition into a completely different socio-cultural background. Picking linguistic courses abroad is a mode of closely studying the culture of some of the most important and rapidly emerging countries of the world. We bring you the numerous courses that enable students to go out of the classroom and mingle with the cultural background of their surroundings.
China is emerging as a major player in the world economy. To have a successful career, it plays to your advantage if you possess a good command over the Chinese language and a culture which allows professionals to effectively interact with a lot of new people in professional as well as personal life. What better place to learn Chinese than the premier city in China itself. It not only allows one to master a language but have a complete experience and understanding of Chinese culture.
CRCC ASIA
Course: Chinese Language Program. Duration: Three months Classes: Twenty classes per week along with social and cultural events.
CLIC SEVILLA
CRCC Asia
CLIC Sevilla
Spain is one of the most spectacular countries in Europe and also a much preferred destination for tourists and professionals alike. Spanish is the second highest used language with it being spoken in many other countries. Not only is the language, even the culture of Spain a very colourful and vibrant one which varies from region to region. Learning Spanish is even better when you do it along with immersing yourself into the various aspects of local culture. Course: Cultural programme Duration: One year Eligibility: minimum age seventeen. Classes: twenty or thirty lessons per week and outdoor interactive tours with cultural events.
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Genki Japanese & culture school
Japan is another nation that has emerged on the global scene as an economic power and also as a cultural revelation. Japan is one destination that is preferred by many who are looking to give a thrust to their career. It also is a haven for travellers who like to explore new cultures, with its rich heritage and a lot to offer in matters of art and culture. Japan apart from history has also evolved very urban and modern cultural values while sticking to roots. Japanese culture can only be completely experienced by personal interaction and living in the Japan, and that can be done best when done at a school having branches in the biggest cities of Japan. Course: Japanese plus traditional culture / Japanese plus pop culture. Duration: Five weeks. Eligibility: Minimum age for applying is eighteen. Classes: Twenty to twenty five lessons per week.
MGU MOSCOW UNIVERSITY BY KEVIN WELLS
Moscow State University
Russia has for a long time been a culture which hasn’t been in the spotlight, and that is precisely why there is a lot to explore about Russian culture. Also studying in Russia opens up students to many opportunities and make a career for themselves, in a country which is both a stable and also opening its doors to people. The best way to know it all about the society and culture is to live there and experience the way of life as well as the behaviour and nature of people there. Doing a linguistics course in Russia provides a chance to achieve all this. Courses: Group, private and evening Russian programmes. Duration: Both short term and long term. Classes: Three classes a week.
Germany in the recent years has come up as a strong economic power and a leading nation in Europe and the world alike. Many opportunities for professionals and students alike are emerging from Germany’s booming industrial scenario, and this is precisely why it has evolved as a highly preferred destination. To live in Germany a knowledge of the language is essential but not without an insight on the cultural background of the country. The best way to acquire a complete knowledge on both subject matters is to study German in Germany itself, while going out and exploring the people and their social environment. Course: Intensive and premium courses along with cultural and leisure-time program. Duration: Three months. Classes: 45 minute classes along with outdoor cultural and leisure activities.
GOETHE INSTITUTE MUNICH BY MICHEAL TAN
Goethe Institute
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AWARENESS ADDICTED
ou scream, I scream, we all scream for the Porn Queen! Congratulations ‘youth of today’, you are the first generation to be born into the internet porn phenomenon. You are educated, entertained, stimulated, de-stressed and reassured via the internet. Your modus operando for communication IS the internet. You are the first generation to have your brain wired by technology. As a child you were introduced to toy mobile phones and screens. As technology developed so did your
In an age where Internet addiction is a legitimate concern for the youth, the consumption of porn online is greater than ever. An insight into the cause and effects of pornography addiction within the youth, by M. R. Pickard 26 Youth Incorporated MAY 2015
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brain and just like Miley Cyrus, as you got older, the Disney Channel just didn’t cut it anymore. When it comes to sex education, naturally you have turned to the internet and pornography. Why wouldn’t you? I have heard many mums and dads say, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of porn, sex is natural. And thank goodness for the internet, now I don’t have to have the ‘talk’ with my child. Well, on behalf of my generation, I apologise. But we are catching up on the seriousness of this issue. Dr. Gomathi Sitharthan is a Senior Lecturer in behavioural health and social sciences at the University of Sydney. She has written many papers on this issue. I asked her if there is more awareness now in 2015 as say in 2012. “Yes, there is more awareness and parents in particular are more interested in finding out how to / what is appropriate – when it comes to internet porn and excessive internet usage.” Not by religious, political or feminist reasoning, but from an academic/scientific viewpoint, your future is at stake! The ‘sex education’ you have been exposed to through internet porn is recognised as an extremely serious problem. The addiction, untreated, could destroy your future happiness.
Who can become addicted to Internet porn?
Do you love an adrenalin rush? Have low self-esteem? Lack selfcontrol? Basically, anyone can become addicted.
Warning signs
It is difficult to tell as Dr. Sitharthan explains “Not everyone presents themselves for watching excessive porn. The usual presentations are: moody, lacking interest / low motivation / sneaky behaviours, etc.” According to a 2013 Stockholm Qualitative study titled “How Social Workers Assess Sexual Addiction
Among Adolescents” by Mazanova and Nkauth pp 7,12, If you are masturbating more than seven times a week over a period of six or more months then you have an addiction. If you are more aroused using internet pornography then you are potentially addicted to internet porn.
Adolescence is crucial to the pornography industry
Your brain is rewired when you are an adolescent. In his review “Sex on the Brain – What Brain Plasticity Teaches About Internet Porn” Norman Doidge states that “The brain is far more like a muscle than we thought: it is a use-it-or-lose-it brain” Lately, numerous studies report that the rewiring of the brain is influenced by emotional rewards. “Neurons that fire together wire together” Doidge p33. The stronger wires form our ‘adult brain’.
So what if you are spending most of your adolescent time masturbating to internet pornography?
Gary Wilson’s book and website “YOUR BRAIN ON PORN: Internet Pornography and the Emerging Science of Addiction” explain, dopamine (pleasure chemical) is at its highest level just before orgasm and also when we experience, anxiety, terror, suspense etc. Internet porn knows that and has produced a sophisticated design that moves faster than our brain can think. We are in information, stimulation overload.
Effects of internet porn addiction
• Guilt and shame. Where repeating the act, justifies the guilt and reassures that it is normal. • As you get used to the pornographic images the dopamine levels in your brain drop. In order to regain that stimulation, your pornographic cravings become more and more perverse including self-harm, bestiality
and child pornography. • Desensitization. You think degradation, pain and domination during sex is normal. You don’t care about the situations some of the actors are in either in or behind the scenes. • Stunted social and emotional development. The more you crave porn the more other activities just don’t make the grade. You don’t experience the positive effect that a long lasting, loving relationship has on the brain. • Impotence. You can only “get off” on pornographic videos. • Girls involved in pornography are reinforcing the wiring that is keeping him mentally away from them and cementing a doomed relationship. • Disassociation. You lose the feeling of being “in the moment” and the ability to truly know yourself and love another.
Can you kick the addiction?
Just like any other addiction it can be treated and healed. Thanks to neuroplasticity we now know that the brain can be rewired at any stage. Treatment places for adolescents in Australia include ’Headspace’, ‘Ted Noffs Foundation’ and ‘Fr. Chris Riley’. I asked Dr. Sitharthan if there is anything else that she could recommend where adolescents can seek out help. “There are a few good websites that deal with adolescents with regards to their addictions – mental health issues. These are not treatment sites, but they provide useful and up-to-date information; hopefully which can be used to motivate and promote selfchange.” The general consensus from many psychologists is that treatment is a complex, not one size fits all, situation. However it seems that the best results come from programmes like the 12 step programme created for Alcoholics Anonymous. Also, ask schools, universities, your local government and your doctor to recommend a good adolescent psychologist and get some sexual healing. yi MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 27
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WORKPLACE HACKS WORKPLACE HACKS
TIME OUT
Create a distraction free environment
A disorganised, messy desk is only going to deplete your focus if you have to shuffle through reams of papers to find something every single time. Arrive at work a few minutes early and take time to organise files and papers on the desk. Being productive requires focus, which means steering clear from distractions at all times. So turn off the notifications on your phone, install plug-ins to block social media sites on
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Time management is of utmost importance at the workplace and knowing how to juggle your priorities can be hard if you don’t get organized the right way. Rucha Pawar gives you pointers on how to keep the perfect balance between time and efficiency web browsers and let people know that you’re busy.
Tackle your MITs first
Productivity experts suggest picking three of the most important tasks (MIT) for the day, that are likely to take much of your time and energy levels and finishing them first thing in the morning. This ensures that high priority work is completed first. Moreover, it boosts your confidence.
The daunting stuff is out of the way already, now everything else will seem within your reach for the rest of the day.
Time management is energy management
Think of your body as a machine. In order to keep it up and running, you have to maintain it and this is where energy management comes into the picture. Getting enough sleep, proper nutrition and exercise is not only beneficial to your overall health but also your energy levels that directly affect how efficient you are at work. Know your peak energy levels and
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Use a calendar at work or a digital calendar app on your phone and update it during the weekly review with appointments and due dates.
Make time for interruptions
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get done this week and plan how to do them.
Master how to write a to-do list schedule work accordingly around these time periods.
Front load your weeks
Doing this alone can save you from the last minute frenzy that takes place before deadlines. Schedule important meetings, appointments and working towards deadlines on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This way, you always stay on top of things at work and can make spontaneous plans outside of work before the weekend comes around.
Conduct weekly reviews
During the weekends, take some time to go through to-do lists, both personal and work. Cross off completed tasks and move the unfinished ones to the next week. Jot down all the tasks to
Ever wondered why things on your to do list never get done no matter how hard you try? It’s probably because you’re doing it all wrong. Effective to-do lists contain no more than five to six tasks per day. Each task begins with a verb, broken down into smaller subtasks if required. For example, instead of just writing down ‘start working on the annual report’, break this down into smaller steps, beginning with ‘draw up an outline for the report’.
Use tools to manage time
Figure out what works best for you and stick to it. Apps like Evernote, Wunderlist and Google Keep work best for managing to do lists online. Yet for most others, a simple journal works well to capture information on the go. If a blank journal seems overwhelming, invest in a pre structured planner such as a Filofax.
More often than not, things hardly go the way we plan. Urgent phone calls, meetings, mails that demand your attention immediately will eat up valuable time at work if you allow them to. While it is important to block off these distractions, setting aside a small chunk of time to take care of them everyday keeps you on top of things at all times.
Take breaks
Taking a short fifteen minute break every hour or so helps maintain concentration levels at a steady peak and prevents that sudden dip in your focus after lunch time. But productive people treat breaks like recharge time. No checking phone, social media sites or playing games. Get up from the desk and relax, grab some coffee or a snack and get back to work immediately.
Schedule time for relaxing
Effectively managing time is all about striking the right balance of work and play. Don’t pack schedules completely with work. Allow yourself to relax after work and during weekends and make time for it. Spend this time with family and friends, go to places and pursue a hobby. In time, this will help you stay both productive and happy. yi MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 29
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PRODIGY
Winner of the prestigious ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award’ two years in a row, Ayaan Chawla speaks to Nancy Varghese about his vision, inspiration and what goes into the making of a successful entrepreneurial venture.
1. What does it feel like to receive the title of ‘India’s Youngest CEO With A Heart Of Gold’? I feel proud & honoured to have received such a title. One of the highlights was also receiving the appreciation letter from the Prime Minister’s office in New Delhi. I always take care of my responsibilities as an entrepreneur and a philanthropist, working for the betterment of humanity and the world. I’ve always been open to advice and assistance in panel discussions, events and lectures at colleges & schools (both private & government).
2. As a 17-year-old, what was it that piqued your interest in entrepreneurial ventures? My primary reason for becoming an entrepreneur was: freedom of thinking & innovation. For me, technology is a blank canvas and I think the entrepreneur is an artist who has the ability to paint his thoughts & ideas on it to turn them into a reality. So, as an entrepreneur whose interest was piqued through technology, I started my successful ventures one after the other. It started with Asian Fox Developments (Group of Companies – IT, Web & Marketing) and was
followed by Global Web Mount (Web – Products & Services), Mind-In Advertising (Marketing - Products & Services), and Group For Buddies (Social Utility) 3. What does a regular day in the life of Ayaan Chawla look like? Presently in my life, a ‘regular day’ doesn’t exist because of my company’s 24/7 work system. And because of that, I have to travel at a moment’s notice for meetings, conferences, work, events, and social work among several others. I cannot restrict myself to a particular routine, but what I cannot
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miss is reading The Economic Times every day. Whenever I get time, I enjoy swimming or golf. I also read and research about technology and learn about the industry through books & by surfing online as much as possible. I am still studying & preparing for my 12th exams at NIOS - National Institute of Open Schooling. I was a student at DPS - Delhi Public School, but I had to leave my school to enhance my entrepreneurship skills and give my complete dedication to the industry. 4. Who do you look up to as a role model in your life? I’ve been always encouraged by all entrepreneurs, leaders &business magnates, as I believe they’re all unique with their individual inspirational qualities. But if I have to mention my role models, then I would name a few like my mom, Kunjam D. Chawla, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mukesh Ambani, Mahatma Gandhi, Barack Obama and many more. 5. Where do you derive ideas for your ventures and how elaborate is the process to see these ideas evolve into a functioning unit in the industry? My experience began with initial investment of INR 10,000 which was provided by my mother in 2010. I have managed all my capital after that on my own, till date, without any investor. For every entrepreneur it is a long, tough and challenging journey. But the interesting part of entrepreneurship is the compilation of thinking, creating, designing, developing & turning ideas into reality. Ideas take time to initiate but with complete belief, focused aim, ability to manage projects, and having knowledge of the industry, we became one of the best choices in the IT & Marketing Industry. 6. They say an entrepreneur can never rest on his laurels. What have you got planned next? Yes, it’s true! An entrepreneur can never rest on his laurels. And on that
note, I would like to say that at Asian Fox Developments, we are already dealing with customers worldwide. We are planning to extend our business units globally, in the near future. There are several ideas of cloud solutions, web platforms & acquisitions we are working on, to provide the best & core solutions in the industry, all under one roof. This will allow users & consumers to connect with new personas. These products are scheduled to be launched in May or June 2015 and they will be exclusive additions to our portfolio of more than 100 products & services, for global audiences. 7. What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs in the country? Always be focussed on your aims and ideas. Never consider leaving an entrepreneurship in middle of your idea/venture as it always takes time. Your ideas may be the same as several others, but never ape them. Be original with your own strategies because that marks your own identity and place in the industry. yi
RAPID FIRE
1. Favourite cuisine Lebanese & Italian
ation 2. Best vacation destin her Any where with my mot the an th & my sister. More e we destination, it’s the tim ters at spent together that m 3. Favourite authors as John Brooks & Thom Piketty no 4. What cheers you up t? en m ica matter the pred mily Spending time with fa ing be rk or doing social wo a philanthropist 5. What will be the first sentence in your autobiography? who Ayaan Chawla, a teened : says, believes & provself "Truly believe in your at’s and your dreams. Th the key to success." MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 31
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I
buttons, boots & photoshoots behind the scenes of the fashion industry
t’s quiet and sombre in the dressing room as she stands there waiting for the curtains to go up. The fumes of hairspray clinging on to her elaborately curled locks, her eyelids glittering gold and bronze shades of elegance, and her sleek silhouette wearing the fabric of every fashionista’s midnight summer dream. As the applause dies down, she patiently waits for the lights to illuminate her path to the shutterbugs. Chin up, shoulders
back, smouldering gaze, curtains lift. Her nine inch jewelled stilettos hit the ramp with fierce confidence and her bedazzling smile is taken in by every photographer within a ten feet radius. And somewhere in between the glitz, the glamour and the camera flash, you can hear a quiet collective sigh of pure relief from the fairy godparents of the industry, who
have spent months of absolute madness coupled with sleepless nights and innumerable cups of coffee, to make this happen. The dedicated artisans of the beautiful art that is fashion. We are going behind the scenes, past all the glamour and glitz, straight into the heart of the industry. It’s not all rolls of beautiful fabric with sequins and lace, or flawless and
graceful models on glossy covers of fashion magazines. What most don’t see beyond the ramp and the high couture brands is the massive amount of talent and hard work that goes on behind it. We talk to the experts who have made their name in the industry – from designers, stylists, and bloggers, to merchandisers and retailers – to get an insight into how aspiring fashion enthusiasts can get into the industry and what they can expect.
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Fashion design from rags to stitches
COVER STORY
Fashion, as an industry, attracts a clientele because of the desire, as a social being, to look impressionable with a distinct style. Designing is the life blood of fashion, as it provides the look that can make you or break you, and design is what separates everyday attire and an exciting new trend. Who are you wearing today?
When and where did you start out in the fashion industry? We have been consulting for internationally acclaimed labels now for over a decade. Having had this exposure and experience, we then decided to begin Jade. How does your brand make a mark and stay unique while compared to all
“QUALITY, CONSISTENCY AND STRONG BRANDING STRATEGY�
Launched in 2008 by designers Monica & Karishma, JADE is today synonymous with discreet luxury and timeless elegance
the other retailers in the country? Quality, consistency, strong branding strategy and sticking to our design DNA to carve our unique identity. Can you tell us how you established the label, produced and distributed it? We have been consulting for international fashion labels and therefore have had good experience and insights in the production and technical aspects.
Distribution was the least of our concern initially as we wanted to test waters with our label and establish our creative DNA. How do you plan to expand your brand further? We look at ourselves as a complete fashion brand and are currently focusing on introducing shoes and bag lines. We have an online store coming up soon which will help bridge the gap between our clients who are spread across the globe.
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“I BELIEVE IN A BIT OF MADNESS IN WHATEVER I DO”
When and where did you start out in the fashion industry? It all started from college. Later I joined Shantanu & Nikhil in the year 2010 and gradually moved over. How would you describe your brand? I'm not a ‘fashion guy’ myself. I help the fabric speak its language, adding nuances in details, smart cuts and relaxed silhouettes - as raw and natural as it gets. Was this something you had aspired to since childhood? Fashion was not something I always thought about. It was a gradual and long process. What kind of educational background and skills are required, besides an eye for aesthetics and design? I would not say that it’s a compulsion to go through a design education in terms of developing aesthetics, but one needs bit of technical know-how for which it’s kind of necessary. It also
“IT’S A GREAT TIME FOR YOUNG DESIGNERS”
Anushka Khanna, 28, Ujjwal Dubey, an owns an eponymous NIFT graduate, has label that features acquired a strong alluring, foxy textures platform through his on contemporary instant head-turner silhouettes. She believes label Antar-Agni, that that a mix of theory and resonates a distinctive practicality is essential sense of nostalgia and to make it big in this ease. He talks about his industry: passion for fashion and what makes a designer When and where did you start out in the fashion Was fashion designing click in the industry: helps bring change in you and your approach.
Who do you look up to in the industry? Nikhil from Shantanu & Nikhil has been a great inspiration. My other role models would be Aneeth Arora from Pero and Yohji Yamamoto. Could you give us an insight into how you established your label, produced and distributed it? I believe in a bit of madness towards whatever I do. I worked for 3.5 years and got through Lakme Fashion Week in 2014. Started from home and the first show did quite well for me, so I moved to a small dungeon. I showcased again in Aug'14, and by that time the style and signature of the label was well received by people. Later I started stocking in couple of stores in Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. What do you have to say to aspiring designers? Work hard and believe in yourselves.
industry? I graduated from the London College of Fashion and got to work immediately. Initially, I started out working on a resort wear label primarily for export; however, I soon realized that there was a gap in the market for cool, affordable, glamorous Indian wear and resort wear. When I designed a sari for my sister to wear at a wedding, through word of mouth I got my first few clients. After that I participated in exhibitions like Araish, Design One and Lakme Fashion Week. There's been no looking back since!
How would you describe your brand? I believe it’s classic, updated to fit contemporary wardrobes. I love the idea of having shirt dresses, silk track pants, column dresses in your wardrobe that you can pull out at any time. And there's always a glamour factor. For Indian wear, I love colour, delicate embellishments and playing with silhouettes.
something you had aspired to get into since childhood? I was always more creatively inclined and since my family has been in the garment and textile business for years, it seemed like a good fit! My father was hugely instrumental in my taking up fashion. Could you give us an insight into how you established your label, produced and distributed it? I was incredibly lucky to have my father's back-end and expertise to work from. It’s a difficult industry in terms of getting the right talent, studio locations and so on. I would suggest investing in a good team, good machinery and adequate space to work from before setting up. Hard work and dedication is also very important to make it big. What do you have to say to aspiring designers? Know why you are getting into the industry? Is there really a gap? Are you providing anything different? And really don’t be afraid to stick to your aesthetic. MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 35
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Fashion production getting things done
COVER STORY
If designing is what gives birth to a fashion product, production is what leads to the successful execution of the idea. From selecting raw materials to coordinating the entire process of creating a dress precisely from the design provided, is a rigorous task which requires a lot of attention, and one that only the experts of the trade can tackle
When and where did you start out in the fashion industry? I was inducted into the world of fashion at a very young age with my family business. My label retailed out of my stand alone store in Mumbai and at various multi-brand luxury outlets and high-end fashion boutiques across the country and abroad. What is your role as the creative director of Genesis? I look after all requirements
“PASSION WILL HELP YOU SUCCEED”
Deepika Gehani got involved with the fashion industry at a young age when she began studying textile designing alongside her B.Com, spending her teenage years researching age old weaving techniques. Her inspiration has been her mother, whom she also desires to emulate as a successful businesswoman, as she tells us: for brand positioning, marketing and merchandising for the labels under the Genesis umbrella. I am involved in the selection making process for all buy orders that we receive across our brand along with my respective merchandising teams. Attending the international fashion weeks to stay abreast on all international trends combined with my design aesthetics and understanding of the Indian sensibilities, I ensure that the products that we receive at our stores cater to our affluent customer’s tastes whilst offering them the best of the world.
How does one make their name in the industry? Before social media and the internet, your work spoke for itself. Today social media marketing and marketing plays a very important tool. Often designers sell for their name more than their work. What do you have to say to aspiring designers? Aspiring designers need to have a unique perspective on what they want to sell, stand out of the crowd. They need to be clear on if they want to send to retailer or directly to customers. It's important to have a strong business acumen, how to manage your money, orders, production, delivery and everything else to perfection.
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Why is a product manager important in the process of fashion production? The product manager is the key figure in the chain of fashion product development, linking the creative and productive functions, able to apply theoretical knowledge and aesthetic approaches to feasibility analysis related to production processes (continuing or new products) and costs (within the company or outsourced). What do his responsibilities include? The essential work of the product manager is to coordinate design themes, budgets and the time line of a collection.The manager also looks after the relationship between the merchandise suppliers and the production, outsourcing, quality control and pricing. The professional profile brings together the work of the design studio, pattern cutting and production to ensure that the collection attains the required style, price points and delivery dates.
"PRODUCT MANAGER IS VITAL TO FASHION PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT"
'Fashion production is the profession that makes the fashion dream a reality' believes Istituto Marangoni, the design institute that trains more than 3000 students in every stream of the fashion industry, coming from 92 different countries in the five campuses of Milan (fashion & design), Paris, London and Shanghai, the international capitals of fashion and luxury. Excerpts from the interview 32 cover story.indd 37
What are the different undergraduate and postgraduate courses available for fashion students? We offer undergraduate courses for every stream in the industry – Creative, Communication, Management: Fashion Design, Fashion Styling, Fashion Business, Fashion Accessories design & Fashion Communication and New Media. Postgraduate specialized courses for every career in
the fashion industry: – Fashion design (Womenswear); fashion design (menswear in collaboration with Ermenegildo Zegna), Knitwear design. – Fashion Styling & Portfolio, Fashion Photography & Film (Super Studio 13), Fashion Promotion, Communication & Media. – Fashion and Luxury Brand Management, Contemporary Fashion Buying, Fashion Product & Production Management; Fashion Retail Management, Fashion & Law (the first of its kind), Fashion Elite (a unique course for talented students to help them launch in the industry)
“You have to know the textile process inside out. I have gained hands-on experience I deal with the weavers, but to deepen my knowledge, I bought myself books to research, sometimes order fabric and have it custom knitted and dyed….” - Fabiola Marin, alumni at Istituto Marangoni
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the consumer connect
Fashion Retail
COVER STORY
Markets need the finished products to be made available for consumers completing the cycle of fashion as an industry. Online retailing has also emerged as a fast growing industry where consumers can gain access to all leading brands from around the world in a single web space and shop more conveniently from any location on the globe
"CREATIVE FLAIR AND PASSION FOR RETAIL"
While theoretical knowledge in a subject may differ vastly from what hands on experience in the industry may look like, experts from Whistling Woods Neeta Lulla School of Fashion give us a peek into what retail is all about:
What kind of educational qualifications are required to get into fashion retail management as a career? Can you list out the specifics? Graduate in any discipline, basic computer knowledge, good communication skills, and general and commercial awareness.
When, where and how do retailers start out in the fashion industry? They start of as assistant buyers, assistant merchandisers, visual merchandisers, fashion consultants, in junior executive fashion marketing, or even as fashion entrepreneurs.
What is their role in the fashion industry? Buying for brands or merchandising in terms of getting the right product at the right time and meeting annual brand targets. In Visual Merchandising, it’s being responsible for the entire store layout and ensuring the right product
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is displayed in areas that will boost sales. Could you give us an insight into how the retail process works, with respect to fashion? With the right business plan and target market in place, retail process begins with sourcing the right product to the last stage in the movement
of fashion goods and services to the consumer. It involves a direct interface with the customer and the coordination of business activities from end to end. How does one make their name in the industry? What kind of skills do you require, besides an eye for aesthetics and design? At entry level, a candidate
will be expected to have most of these skill sets: Post Graduate from a reputed institute; strong analytical skills; negotiating skills and the ability to network and influence people; team working and interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills; numeracy skills and proficiency using IT; good
organisation skills and the ability to multitask; the ability to cope with the pressure of having to make important decisions and meet tight deadlines; the ability to work in a fastpaced environment and achieve targets; drive and determination; leadership attributes; creative flair; confident presentation style and a passion for retail.
When and where did you start out in the fashion industry? I always had an interest in fashion and it was finally polished from my Masters Degree in Luxury Marketing in Regents College, London. ShopViolla was incorporated in November 2013. The company is based out of Jaipur.
and networking is the key to the business.
How does your brand make a mark and stay unique while compared to all the other online retailers in the country? ShopViolla is known for its unique and exquisite tribal silver jewellery which is from Jaipur and curated by me. The vintage signature silver statement pieces make ShopViolla different from most of the online stores in the country.
“SOCIAL MEDIA HAS TAKEN OVER THE FASHION HUB� Jaipur born, Shreya Juneja, with a degree in luxury marketing from Regents College in London, finally decided to give in to her passion in fashion with her online retail brand, ShopViolla, with chic clothing and bold exquisite tribal silver jewellery being her unique creation
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Could you give us an insight into how you established your online retail store? Advertising, networking and customer relations are three very important factors one should keep in mind to make a name in the industry. Market research
What kind of skills do you require, besides an eye for aesthetics and design? You need to be stylish and be suited to the various temperatures. Basically have the right material for the right climate. How do you plan to expand your brand further? We’ve already expanded our brand by participating in few exhibitions in Dubai this year and started international shipping. As for the portal, we plan to have more designers as well as brands on board by end of this year. What is one of the biggest myths people have about the fashion industry that you think is false and uninformed? The biggest myth that people have about the fashion industry, is that trends die. But the truth is that they get revamped all the time. To add to that, fashion is not about dressing out of your comfort zone. It's more about style and comfort. MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 39
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fashion with business expertise
Fashion merchandising
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A performance is incomplete without an audience; similarly a design is incomplete without a consumer who makes it a trend. Which is why fashion needs to be taken to the masses by making it available for consumers to see and buy it. This includes putting in a lot of thought and effort into creating a product which attracts consumers, and motivates them into buying it when it’s available at a retail store. Taking fashion from being just about designing, to being a lucrative industry is what merchandising is all about When a product is complete and is ready to be sent to a retail store for sale, it becomes necessary to package and display the product in a manner that attracts consumer attention and portrays the design attractively. A design may be well crafted, but a lot of precision and craftsmanship goes into marketing it. Visual merchandising accomplishes this task of enticing a consumer to buy a design by strongly and persistently appealing to their visual senses. Fashion isn’t all about just designing clothes; it has now
become a very large-scale industry with an unrestricted clientele. The focus in fashion as an industry is more towards creating designs which are meant to be accepted and liked by the target group among consumers. For this purpose it is important to know what kind of designs are to be made and which of them can be put in a retail store so that people are actually driven to come to the stores hence increasing chances of people buying the products from a featured range. Purchasing is the process of
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carefully selecting the products and designs which seem to be the best ones from the point of view and choice patterns of the consumers. Hence this task is seen as a very crucial step forward into boosting sales and accomplishing the mission of successfully merchandising the products and designs in the fashion industry. What kind of educational qualifications are required to get into fashion merchandising? Undergraduate and PG courses in merchandising help you to gain advanced understanding of fabric, fibres, weaves, cutting, sewing, and finishing, along with knowledge of international marketing and trade of all fashion and lifestyle products. Most of the institutes offering courses in fashion merchandising conduct an entrance test along with an interview to select candidates. When and where do merchandisers start out in the fashion industry? The students choosing merchandising as specialization will enter into positions such as Merchandisers, Buyers, Production Executives, Quality Executives, Marketing Executives, Fashion coordinators, Fashion shoppers, Vendor managers, et al. In fashion houses, buying agents, export houses, garment manufacturers, fashion product designers and manufacturers, fashion brands, retail brands.
“CONNECT FASHION PRODUCTS WITH ITS BUYERS�
The job of a merchandiser is to forever be on his or her toes, like in any other business that is ever changing, fast and dynamic, says Dr Priya Mary Mathew, Head-School of Creative Business at Pearl Academy. She gives us an insight into what fashion merchandising is all about:
What is the role of merchandisers in the fashion industry? Staying ahead of the fashion curve is a feat involving both art and commerce. Strategy and marketing know-how are an integral part of fashion merchandising, and is all about crafting a positive consumer experience. Fashion merchandising experts subtly inspire consumers to see the possibilities in their products.
Could you give us an insight into how this process works? The organised fashion industry is all about the management of the supply chain of various processes: designing, textiles, merchandising, garment production, fashion marketing and fashion retail. All the components carry their own importance. You have to ensure that
a trendy, quality product is available on time to the consumer after it has left the designer’s studio. A fashion merchandising job puts you at the intersection of fashion and business. Each organisation needs someone behind the scenes to make everything appear impressive and perfect, which experts accomplish as a matter of routine!
Trained fashion merchandisers work with domestic or foreign lifestyle/ fashion companies. Jobs are available in ready-to-wear production companies and large retail firms/ chain stores. Export houses sign on merchandisers to coordinate between foreign retail stores and production houses. A fashion merchandiser can also work with fashion designers to come up with new products, keeping in mind the latest trends.
What kind of skills do you require, besides an eye for aesthetics and design? Forecasting ability: A thorough knowledge of past fashion trends and an awareness of current industry developments will serve you well in a fashion merchandising career. Problem solving and analytical ability: A good sense of style will obviously help you. However, you must also determine how your products fit into a budget and see if they meet the functional needs of your consumers. Communication skills: Fashion merchandising jobs require strong communication skills. From negotiating with manufacturers to getting your marketing message out to customers, there is ample opportunity to exercise the power of communication in this field. MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 41
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Styling is an integral part of fashion, as it goes hand in hand with designing and completes the process of introducing fashion to the masses. While a designer is the person who comes up with the ideas, a stylist is the one who puts the look together, which includes the outfit and the accessories for the right theme or occasion. They create the pathway for an idea to evolve into a trend. Dressing is a part of the bigger picture, which is style, and that picture is painted by a stylist with precision and craftsmanship
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COVER STORY
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“CULTIVATE YOUR INDIVIDUAL STYLE”
“YOU NEED A KEEN EYE FOR PATTERNS AND COLOURS”
Brinda Shah is a Mumbai based stylist who has made a mark in the industry by not only being flawless with Western designs but helped her mom create a niche in the art of saree draping as well. Excerpts from the interview
When and where did you start off as a stylist? I was always in the advertising business and had no formal training in styling. When I started my work with Star TV and Channel V was a part of it, one of my friends spotted my passion for fashion, as I walked into work wearing something new every day, experimenting with my wardrobe. I was asked to style various models on the different shows and after a while, the models started buying the outfits I put together for them and visited the same stores that I did for the clothes. I decided to source my style and not just my choice of clothes. That’s how it all began.
What kind of educational qualifications does one need to become a stylist? To be honest, I think being observant goes a long way in becoming a stylist. You need to notice people around you, may it be at a fashion show or at the movies, to see what style goes with a body type and what doesn’t.
As a stylist, can you give us a little background on saree draping? My mother has been draping sarees for over 30 years and we both have mastered the art of draping sarees in 300 different ways. We understand how tech-savvy the youth is of today and we want the saree to make a comeback as a popular fashion trend among the youth. So, we have an app named ‘Learn Sari’ which teaches you the various styles you can drape the saree in. We also have a book titled ‘The Whole Nine Yards’ which gives you extensive knowledge on all the different ways you can drape your saree. We have styled celebrities like Sonam Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan among many others and we conduct workshops for people interested in the art as well. What advice would you give the aspiring stylists out there? Be observant. It’s not about possessing high educational qualifications; trust yourself to have an eye for aesthetics.
When and where did you start out as a stylist? After school, I enrolled in a three year program at Istituto Marangoni in London. Along with the fashion training I received at school, I also assisted many stylists and editors in London during this time. When did you know you wanted to be a stylist? Was it something you had aspired to since childhood, or did something inspire you to take it up? I love magazines. I was very inspired by the imagery in fashion magazines growing up. I knew very early on that I wanted to create beautiful photos. What does one need to study to be a stylist? I don't think it's necessary to study a particular subject. Taking courses in fashion design, art history and visual communication can be very helpful. For me, though, what is most important is to identify someone’s style you admire and assist them for a long period.
Nikhil Mansata is a veteran fashion stylist in an industry that is still finding its ground. He gives us inspiring thoughts in his conversation with us
How does one make their name in the industry as a stylist? What kind of skills do you require, besides an eye for aesthetics and design? Hard work and motivation are essential. I also think good people skills are important. Could you give us an insight into your journey through the industry? It is very important to assist as many stylists and intern at as many publications as you possibly can. You will learn more here than at any school. It is also important to cultivate your individual style and identify where that fits in the industry early on. Be a sponge. Soak in as much art, music, culture as you can. They will all inform your work. Who do you look up to in the industry as role models? Grace Coddington, Lucinda chambers, Edward Enninful, Suzy Menkes, Nicolas Ghesquiere, and Phoebe Philo to name a few. MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 43
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“TAKE THE ASSISTING PHASE SERIOUSLY AND GIVE IT YOUR ALL” Shweta Navandar has a self-confessed eye for fashion and a love for all things stylish. Navandar has successfully followed her childhood dream and turned her passion into a vibrant career, as she reveals
How did you start out as a stylist? I’ve always wanted to do something in fashion. The first job I got was as a marketing coordinator with Verve, where I actually saw what stylists produced. Styling thus occurred to me as an exciting way to enter into this industry, since I did not have any formal education in fashion. It has been more of an on-the-job experience for me.
How does one make their name in the industry? I think it’s important that you take up a lot of projects initially, be it big or small. This helps in building your portfolio and people then start recognising you by your work. Besides having the natural eye for fashion, it’s important to be efficient at multitasking and flexible and also to be able to put yourself in the learning chair with every project that you do. No matter how old or new you are in this field, there's always something new to learn. And you should open to that and not get fixated in your particular way. Could you give us an insight into your journey through the industry? I started by assisting various other stylists as I wasn't aware of the know-hows of this job at all. There are times when you don’t even have time to stop and eat because there's so much to source and a lot of work to be finished before the end of the day. So yeah, there have been many downs rather than ups. But at the end of the day, when you see your work getting blown up inside a magazine's pages or on hoardings; the feeling is awesome and it all seems worth it! I believe that the hands-on experience builds the foundation for you to start on your own. Who do you look up to in the industry as role models? Anaita Shroff Adajania and Rhea Kapoor. The add character to the work they produce and every detail is looked at.
“BE INQUISITIVE TO KNOW MORE AND APPLY NEW TECHNIQES TO WORK” had a ready market to work on.
For stylist Mitali Ambekar, styling was a hobby that developed into a career naturally. Excerpts from the interview
When and where did you start out as a stylist? At Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune, I took up a Fashion Communication course, which was an amalgamation of fashion studies, marketing strategies, brand building and selling. The course was also rich in various creative elements such as styling, photography, draping, trend forecasting, makeup, among other things. Styling was a skill set that was discovered during the four year span of my undergraduate course. Towards the end of second year, I started working with several photographers. Initially the experimental work outnumbered the commercial work, but it helped me build my contacts and display my styling work to existing clients. I also interned with a stylist based in Mumbai for a span of three months. This experience provided me an opportunity to observe, learn and grow. By the end of my grad school, I had worked with the who’s who in the city and thus
What skills does a stylist need? A stylist should be inquisitive to know more always and apply new techniques to work, must be creative, and patient to tackle all the workload, coordinate with the clients and the team. Could you give us an insight on your journey through the industry? As a stylist one is expected to work with different clients, models, makeup artists, photographers and agencies. The stylist needs to understand the job at hand and what the expected outcome is. Each and every project is different and requires ample amount of research, brainstorming, understanding and sourcing. There are no fixed timings. Shoots are planned overnight and the stylist is expected to be equipped for the next morning. Who do you look up to in the industry as role models? Grace Coddington is a stylist who most inspires me. Her creations are very dreamy and surreal. She adds a touch of a larger than life image to all of her works. What would be your advice to young and aspiring stylists who want to make it big in the industry? There is no trick to crack the dream job. Try all that you can, make your mistakes and learn from them.
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Fashion accessories creating blingalings
COVER STORY
As a fashion revolution has swept across India in the past few decades, a lot of trends have emerged with the times which have blurred many lines and broken stereotypes. Men’s fashion is one which has experienced a lot of growth and radical changes, particularly the rising demand of accessories for men
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“WE’RE BRINGING SEXY BACK”
“A little playful, a little smart…always stylish”, this defines The Bro Code. The founder, Sohel Lalvani, had always been aware of the importance of accessories in men’s fashion. The idea of reviving men’s fashion in India, in a time that it seems to have been left out, gave birth to this ultra-cool brand. He gives us a lowdown of creating and selling accessories in India:
What inspired you to set up The Bro Code? The Bro Code was launched as part of a larger retail company, Toniq Retail Brands Private Limited. This is the first men’s accessories brand to launch within the company, after starting three women-centric labels; toniQ, Fida and Pulse. We started The Bro Code after identifying a niche in the market. I found that simple products like cufflinks, bowties, and lapel pins were not readily available in the market. In India's fashion movement, men seem to have been left behind. What has the response been like and what is the further scope? Overwhelming! It has been great to see the reaction from consumers who really appreciate the product and the thought that has gone into creating each collection.
It's also been interesting to see that women have been buying a lot of the product for gifting. We plan to introduce a lot of new product lines now to make The Bro Code a one-stop shop for men’s lifestyle. How elaborate is the process from ideating designs to creating and shipping your products to your customers? We, as a team, dedicate a lot of resources to researching and analyzing trends for the next season to ensure we are up to date with international trends as well. We then focus on the Indian market and what would work in terms of styles and colours for the local consumer. Our in-house style team then modify or create new styles based on this research and work with our international
factories and suppliers on the fabric, material and final design. Once the product reaches us in India, we have everything photographed and merchandised for it to go up on our retail platforms and make it available to the customer as soon as possible. How do you ensure that your brand stays on the top and creates its own distinct mark in men’s accessories? We’ve had a lot of celebrities spotted in our pieces since we launched. Our product range is quite wide, so there is something for everyone and we'ree trying to keep on top of the international trends. You'll see new product launching on our website every 2-3 weeks. What advice would you give to aspiring online retail start ups? Just go for it! If you have an idea that you believe in 100% and absolutely love, then just dive in to the deep end. MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 45
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influencing trend setters
Fashion blogging
COVER STORY
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Blogging, today, has expanded to more than just a personal corner in cyberspace to release the frustrated writer in you. It inspires, informs and incorporates various themes to engage anyone who reads them. Fashion blogs set a platform for all the aspiring divas out there to step up their game and share their style tips with the world 30-04-2015 14:51:29
“BE TRUE TO YOURSELF AND YOUR OWN STYLE”
Roxanne D’souza is a young designer and ex-stylist who founded a widely followed fashion blog, head2heels. She decided to start her blog in 2010 and also collected her own data and shared her posts which got a lot of appreciations from followers all around the world
When did you start your fashion blog? I started in 2010 when it still wasn't big in the country. I got tired of bookmarking a hundred different websites, so I decided to compile my own data (for me, since I used to style and design) and made an account at Blogger to publish my own posts. Soon, I started getting visitors from all over the world who thanked me for
my "research" as it helped them in their own projects. By 2012, I added a more personal touch with my own style and it just kept growing.
What advice would you give to people who aspire to start a fashion blog of their own? Research! You need to have your research done and know what you want to do. Find your niche and know your audience. Anyone can hold a bag or say "look at my new dress", but you might need to go a little deeper to connect with your readers. It’s always good to set your own personal style before you try and influence others. What are the most important skills a fashion blogger must have? You need to understand fashion and be able to comprehend basic things. As a blogger, you don't only have to think about how to dress, but also offer ideas to your readers and understand that they may not be all skinny or tall. Apart from this, you have to be active on social media. You should be able to write something that makes a little bit of sense. Attractive photos are just not enough. How hard is it to establish yourself and stand out of
the crowd? It is extremely hard if you haven't discovered who you are yet. Once you have, standing out is a piece of cake. Standing out translates to being different from the rest, but that doesn't always equal to popularity. There are many such bloggers I've seen who don't have a massive following on social media, but have left an impact of their own and do things their own way. It's easy to copy and get inspired by runway and celebrity styles, but it takes effort to actually get inspired and incorporate the same into your own personal style. Do you think blogs have a wider reach than fashion magazines? Blogs and fashion magazines are two very different things and are equally important in their own ways. Blogs became popular when the regular woman could not relate to magazine editorials of skinny models, and added a little personal touch, because each blog is run by a distinctive individual with unique thoughts and ideas. Magazines are of course more popular because they have huge backing from publishing houses and a huge team of professionals; but blogs are a little more independent and an average blog's team (if any) may include a blogger and a photographer. You pay to buy a magazine issue, but you don't have to spend anything to check out a blog. Both of them have their own reach to different kind of people and are popular in their own way.
Encapsulating every aspect of a confident, stylish young icon, Malavika Mohanan is a Mumbai based actress who made her debut in the Malayalam film industry with the movie Pattam Pole. She may have made her mark on the silver screen only recently, but Malavika has always been a true fashionista and her blog is the perfect example of the same. Her Tumblr blog, The Scarlet Window, gives you a taste of the perfect patented blend of traditional and contemporary ensembles that she models herself. The Scarlet Window was hence, conceived out of an eager desire to revive native styles, and fuse it with the new-age trends to created wearable, contemporary Indian looks. Classy, elegant and tradition redefined. Take a look at her blog at: http://thescarletwindow. tumblr.com/
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Fashion courses top institutes in India
COVER STORY
We bring you a list of the best institutions in India that offer various courses in the fashion industry so that you can make a wise, informed choice about your career and pursue your passion with absolute clarity
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY (NIFT)
National Institute of Fashion Technology was set up in 1986 under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It has emerged as the premier Institute of
Design, Management and Technology, developing professionals for taking up leadership positions in fashion business in the emerging global scenario. NIFT has set academic standards and excelled in thought leadership by providing technically competent professionals. The Institute provides
a common platform for fashion education, research and training. NIFT offers four-year bachelor and two-year master programmes in the areas of Design, Management and Technology. For more information visit: http://www.nift. ac.in/
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NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DESIGN (NID)
National Institute of Design is internationally acclaimed as one of the finest educational and research institutions for Industrial, Communication, Textile and IT Integrated (Experiential) Design. It has been declared ‘Institution of National Importance’ by the Act of Parliament, by virtue of the National Institute of Design Act 2014. National Institute of Design offers professional education programmes at Bachelors and Masters level with five faculty streams and 20 diverse design domains Fore more information visit: http://www.nid.edu/
PEARL ACADEMY
Founded in 1993, Pearl Academy is India’s largest private institution in design, fashion and creative businesses, which has helped shape the business and creative landscape of these industries over the past 21 years. Driven by a commitment to create adaptable and highly sought-after graduates, it ensures student-outcomes are the center of every initiative. A high-caliber and experienced faculty, each equipped with Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) in Pedagogy from NTU, UK, helps deliver on this promise. Backed by the resources
and expertise of a global network of renowned institutions such as London College of Fashion, Nottingham Trent University (NTU), Domus Academy (Italy), and NABA (Milan) among many, Pearl Academy is able to ensure that in today’s accelerated world, Pearl students are able to achieve their personal goals by becoming gamechangers and achievers. It delivers over 30 uniquely designed under-graduate, post-graduate and professional programs through its 4 campuses in Delhi, NOIDA, Jaipur and Mumbai, and has close to a 100% placement record. Pearl is also a member of the Laureate International Universities network, which has a presence in 29 countries, serving more than 950,000 students. For more information visit: http://pearlacademy. com/
ISTITUTO MARANGONI
Giulio Marangoni founded the Istituto Artistico dell’abbigliamento Marangoni, or The Marangoni Artistic Clothing Institute in Milan; a school to train professionals and technicians who were highly specialized in the world of fashion. With a wide range of course possibilities: preparatory, three-year undergraduate and masters, Istituto Marangoni trains the professionals of tomorrow in key sectors, such as creation, communication, and managerial coordination.
For more information visit: http://www. istitutomarangoni.com
WHISTLING WOODS NEETA LULLA SCHOOL OF FASHION
Whistling Woods Neeta Lulla School of Fashion is unique as it’s the only school with film and fashion on the same platform. Both have always been very closely linked and this provides the right exposure at an early learning stage while students learn to style for movie characters for student film projects. They work in backstage assistance at various fashion shows, do visual merchandising for top of the line brands in India, style clothes for student’s film projects as per character requirement and much more. Students can choose from courses like: BA in Fashion Design ( Degree awarded by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences), Diploma in Fashion Design, MBA in Fashion and Retail Management ( Degree awarded by Bharathidasan University) The majority of faculty members at WWNL School of Fashion work simultaneously in the industry. Hence, students are constantly exposed to hands on learning, practical experience, industry feedback and are taught based on current industry requirements. For more information visit: http://whistlingwoods.net/ whistling/schools/school-offashion
RAFFLES DESIGN INTERNATIONAL
Raffles Design International is the largest private education group in AsiaPacific with more than 20,500 students enrolled in RafflesEducationCorp's tertiary programmes who benefit from a quality education that provides graduates with a wellrounded hands-on experience relevant to the industry. They offer Bachelor of Design degrees in Fashion Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, and Fashion Marketing. As part of their design training, the students perform internships at renowned companies and will also be able to develop a substantial work portfolio for themselves that will help them in building their careers. For more information visit: http://www.rafflesmumbai. com/
SYMBIOSIS INSTITUTE OF DESIGN (SID)
Symbiosis Institute of Design presently offers an Under-Graduate Programme in Design and is under the 'Faculty of Media, Communication and Design' of the Symbiosis International University (SIU). SIU awards Bachelor of Design (B. Des) degree to the successful students in any one of the following disciplines viz. Communication Design, Industrial Design, Fashion Communication and Fashion Design. For more information visit: http://sid.edu.in/ MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 49
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LOOK OUT FOR
YIFA 2015 showcased performances of some extremely talented youngsters of today, paving way for the creative entertainers of our generation. Nancy Varghese gets chatting with the star performers of the ceremony
BEAT TWISTERS
Rohit Bhatnagar (Choreographer) The formation of Beat Twisters came about... ...3 years ago, when I visited Jai Hind College to choreograph them for an intra-college event. I discovered a bunch of talented kids who came to audition and all they wanted to do was dance. That’s when the idea of forming a group came about and here we are today.
The only criteria to become a part of Beat Twisters... ...is the mantra "If you worship dance, Beat Twisters is for you." Leave the training to me. Beat Twisters has performed in several places... ...including college festivals like Malhar, Mood Indigo, Kshitij, to name a few. We have also performed for corporate shows, television shows like ‘Anmol Hai Tu’ for Star Plus,
ARITRO R. BANERJEE
The comedy bug bit me when... ...I was around fifteen and I saw a stand up act being done in school. I always had a passion for comedy and as the years went by, I thought why not leave with something to remember me by? So I came up with a short and amateur script to see how it is, and when I presented it, it seemed to work. My biggest inspiration.. ...is Jim Carrey. The most important thing he taught me was: don’t worry if it looks stupid; just do it. My script ideas... ...truly come from my own experiences. But the thing about
Channel V India Fest , promos for Sony, music videos and even a flash mob for Times of India. The students have their practice sessions in... ...our studios in Andheri and Charni Road, where we train these talented bunch of students. The genres that we focus on... ...are primarily Bollywood, Bollyhop and Hip Hop. I personally choreograph all the routines, but at the same time, we brainstorm for ideas. The crew gives their input every now and then so it helps us to grow as a group.
jokes is that, you don’t know when it happens. It just does in that moment, or just something that sounded stupid at one point in time but you just keep it because maybe one day it might make sense. Scope for stand up comedy Stand up comedy, at one point of time, was very rare and many people didn’t know what it was. It’s quite different now as comedians are being seeked out everywhere. Even the really established ones like AIB, East India Comedy, and Weirdass are taking an initiatives to take young stand up comedians under their wing, not to teach them but fine tune them. I think that’s brilliant. yi
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WISE UP
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- By Niloufer Gandhi
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Choose the option that is closest in meaning to the main word and complete the sentence.
1. flippant (flip-uh nt)
The prime minister shocked the audience with his ____ remarks about racism. (a) serious (b) frivolous (c) insightful
2. jape (jeyp)
The real estate agent was known to _____ whenever he was uncertain of the facts. (a) joke (b) stammer (c) digress
FUN-TASTIC! Humour, laughter and amusement - the three key ingredients that spice up the dish of life and create a positive environmentbenefit us physically, psychologically and socially.
3. cachinnating (kak-uh-neyt-ing)
At the party, the children could not stop _____ when the clown fell into pool. (a) laughing loudly (b) feeling sorry (c) staring intently
4. knee-slapper (nee-slap-er)
The stand-up comedian had the audience in splits with his final ______. (a) famous riddle (b) magic trick (c) hilarious joke
5. levity (lev-i-tee)
As they sit around the bonfire, the soldiers add ____ to their day by exchanging funny instances from their childhood. (a) sensibility (b) humour (c) chastity Answers:
1..B, 2. A, 3. A, 4. C, 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 A 1. The first letter of the English alphabet
2. Preposition used to indicate place or position
SAT
Answers:
AT
9. Frivolous, not serious
TEAS
8. Confronts, defies
CASTE
7. Devices that regulate the flow of water or any liquid
FACETS
6. Aspects or features of a particular subject or topic
FAUCETS
5. Segregating people as per hereditary occupation
OUTFACES
4. Green, Black, White, Oolong, Herbal are types of
FACETIOUS
3. Scholastic Aptitude Test is commonly known as
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entertain The story of how literature and cinema empower each other Page 54
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REBOUND WRECKAGE
SUMMERTIME COOLNESS
LEARNING ON THE FAST LANE
THE CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCES OF ‘REBOUND’ RELATIONSHIPS
10 TIPS TO KEEP COOL THIS SUMMER
M-LEARNING: LEARNING AT THE TAP OFF AN APP ON YOUR PHONE
4/30/2015 2:39:38 PM
FLCKR_KEVIN STANCHFIELD
ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE
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Literatures – Cinema Relationship
A story is said to be the soul of a film; precisely why cinema is widely seen as a visual art of storytelling. Literature in India has given some classic stories which film makers have adapted on celluloid with their own brilliance. Ayub Dawood sets out into the confluence of literature and cinema and observes how they have managed to empower each other, while undergoing constant change along the course of history
Literature is an aspect of popular culture which is widely regarded as having immense power to establish a grip on an individual’s mind, owing to its ability of triggering off curiosity and a firm expertise in the art of storytelling. It’s also one of the first modes of entertainment that was made available to the society, which later transformed into means of preserving history and cultural heritage of a civilisation. Literature grew in its influence on the masses, as it moved from fiction to nonfiction. More realistic fiction evolved to become a mirror for the society that portrayed reality more visually. Whether it was a more colourful, darker, a stinging portrayal of existing realities, or a way to neutralise the bitterness with art, literature has been the instrument of the best story tellers. As time went by, new ways of portraying stories in a visual and entertaining manner came forward. The characters once crafted beautifully with words on pages, were given a life of their own and appeared in human form on the stage. Theatre was the beginning of a revolution in entertainment in ancient times, which laid the foundation for the art-form of the future: film making. Literature and film making, both being the most sophisticated means of storytelling owing to their own attributes, are art forms which are designed to go hand in hand and empower each other. Ever since the emergence of cinema and the rise in its popularity, literature which has been a long standing and important part of popular culture, has been closely integrated into cinema. Cinema gets an upgrade in the quality of its stories from the literary sphere, while works of literature have often found widespread recognition and popularity owing to their beautiful portrayal in film adaptations.
The foundation
While world cinema has been mingling frequently with the best in
literature from time to time, Indian cinema took this course at the very beginning. Raja Harishchandra was a product of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, which documented the story of one of the most celebrated monarchs that ruled in India, adapted to celluloid by Dadasaheb Phalke with equal panache. While world cinema looked towards literary marvels by emerging authors later on, Dadasaheb Phalke went on to make movies based on epic mythological literature that gave an insight into Indian history and culture while being relevant to the audience at the same time. Taking this legacy forward, film makers that followed went on to adapt classics on the screen with Sarat Chandra’s timeless work “Devdas” going on to appear on screen not once but four times in the years to come. Some of the most legendary filmmakers for a large part of their career decided to seek out best works of literature and put in their creative vision to give a visual treat paired up with mastered storytelling. Satyajit Ray who made countless classics based on short stories by greats like Rabindranath Tagore and Munshi Premchand is credited with revolutionising Indian cinema. Films like “Pather Panchali” and “Shatranj Ke Khiladi went on to become some of the most memorable and celebrated films in the history of cinema. With his ability to handle the sensitivities of Indian stories, Ray managed to put Indian cinema on the global map powered by Indian literature.
Relating to social themes
With classic regional literature offering some of the most elegantly crafted, hard hitting stories at their disposal, new Indian filmmakers like Bimal Roy and Abrar Alvi, equipped with a passion for filmmaking, churned out marvels like “Do Bigha Zameen” and “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam” which stand testimony to the contribution of literature in ushering Indian cinema into its golden age. All along this era there MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 55
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WIKIMEDIA
ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE
cinema, by the time the 80’s came to an end literature was losing its footing in popular cinema and was restricted to negligible part of parallel cinema except for some like “nadiya ke paar” which managed to get attention of audiences at the beginning of that decade. There were films like the English August based on a novel by Upmanyu Chatterjee were being beautifully adapted on screen in the early ninetees to meet widespread critical acclaim but at the same time these failed to make a place among the masses which were completely swept away by the commercially driven masala brand of cinema. Films like “Last Train to Pakistan” and more based on works of Kushwant Singh and Amrita Pritam came to be recognised as good cinema but failed to outshine highly financed and marketed commercial films which were initial products of a film industry that was becoming more corporatized as the new millennium was setting in. were those like Sadat Hasan Manto whose literary works made him more popular than the films he wrote. More geniuses like Shyam Benegal and Vijay Anand kept this magical phenomenon going with “Guide” and “Junoon” penned by the likes of R.K.Narayan and Ruskin Bond, introducing popular Indian cinema to more complex storylines. The coming years saw the emergence of parallel cinema and while popular cinema seemed to move away from literature, literary inspiration found a place in parallel cinema. While “Garam Hawa”
which was based on Ismat Chughtai’s unpublished work told the heart wrenching story of a Muslim family in the immediate aftermath of the partition, “Tamas” based on a novel of the same name by Bisham Sahani told the story situations leading to partition and the violence that followed. While there were works of genius like “Umrao Jaan” by Muzaffar Ali based on a classic of the same name and “Dharti Putra” by Yash Chopra, which reiterated the place of quality literature in popular commercial
Regional literature making inroads and Shakespeare coming to India
While filmmakers largely focused on the best in English and Hindi literature from India to adapt on celluloid, there were those like Govind Nihalani and Rituparno Ghosh who were keeping regional literature alive with films like “Hazar Chaurasi ki Ma” and “Chokher Bali” which were adaptations of Bengali novels. New film makers came out with adaptations of nonfiction works such as “Black Friday” which was a novel by S.Hussain Zaidi brought on screen by
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Anurag Kashyap. During this time, the portrayal of classics from abroad being adapted into modern Indian setting emerged as a practice. Vishal Bhardwaj has made a mark with his adaptations of three prominent works of Shakespeare “Macbeth” (Maqbool), “Othello” (Omkara) and “Hamlet” (Haider) into his most memorable films, he states in conversation with the new Indian Express that he likes to base his films on literary classics because, that is his “first love”, his “most satisfying creative exercise.” As simple as the storytelling may seem, but transforming a book into a screenplay takes a lot of effort, Basharat Peer who brought Hamlet to Kashmir for Haider tells Hindustan Times, “there’s a difference between a literary and a cinematic image” according to him “A whole page of commentary in a book can be just a static shot in a film. For me, it was a learning curve.” Anurag Kashyap gave a completely innovative and fresh touch to Sarath Chandra’s classic Dev Das in his film Dev D and is coming up with Bombay Velvet loosely based on Mumbai Fables by historian Gyan Prakash who has also written the script of the film. In statement to Scroll Gyan Prakash says that literature and cinema “excel in dealing with the small-frame of personal experiences and daily events”. Sarat Chandra came back to the celluloid by two completely different adaptations of Dev Das as well as another adaptation of Parineeta. With increasing commercialisation of Indian cinema and more stress on making profits by corporates coming into production, pop literature replaced more prominent works when it came to film adaptations and writers like Chetan Bhagat found a footing in Bollywood with many of their books, being more convenient for going along with the masala cinema genre, getting adapted into films. But alongside this surge of commercial cinema stories like “the Blue Umbrella” by Ruskin Bond too found cinematic expression in Vishal Bhardwaj films.
Exchange of literature between India and Abroad
While English as well as Hindi language novels from India were the ones being adapted by most filmmakers, classics works from overseas were also inspiring a lot of film makers, with O. Henry’s short story becoming an inspiration for Vikramaditya Motwanee’s “Lootera” and Jane Austen’s “Emma” becoming “Aisha”. Upcoming movies like “Fitoor”, which is inspired by Charles Dickens’s Great expectations, promise to carry forward a tradition started in Indian cinema by “Tere Mere Sapne” adapted from “The Citadel” by AJ Kronin. Apart from these, there are many books by Indian authors that have gone on to be made into films by directors from abroad, which achieved critical and commercial success around the world. Q&A by Vikas Swaroop and Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake are two of the most recent examples of this trend which promises to go a long way with Hollywood producers buying rights for Amish Tripathi’s Shiva Trilogy which is already set to release as a Hindi film under the Dharma productions banner. yi
FILM CRITIC AMIT SOBHANI SHEDS A LITTLE INSIGHT INTO HOW CINEMA HAS SEEN A DRAMATIC CHANGE IN THE YEARS THAT HAVE GONE BY I believe in today's times filmmakers want to play it safe and market their film right from the start. With this people look forward and are aware of the buzz around the film also the screenplay would definitely be gripping because there is a lot of material readily available to the film makers. The quality of literature has definitely improved as film makers are on the lookout for interesting subjects to be recreated with the latest technology. In present times, where anything and everything is just a click away, there is so much still to be explored and recreated. The story and the script make up the soul of the film. These reach out to a larger audience, including those who are not avid readers. Being an absolute die-hard fan of Bollywood, I love movies of Mr.Vishal Bhardwaj . I think he is a very fine film maker who has adapted Shakespearean stories very well. I had once read Mr.Aamir Khan's interview where he stated that he wanted to make the Mahabharata in parts like the Lord of the Rings. That is one film I would like to wait for.
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REBOUND WRECKAGE
No matter how beautiful a relationship may be, if it happens to end, the pinch of heartbreak is inevitable. And it’s no surprise that many of us resort to use people as temporary tranquilizers to make it easy to deal with our pain. Nancy Varghese explores the cause and consequences of the ‘rebound’ relationship.
FLICKR_NICOLAS RAYMOND
RELATIONSHIPS
A person is on a rebound when he/ she gets into a relationship within a short span of ending the previous one they were in. While most often, the focus of the issue is on the moral aspect of a rebound, not many people pause to evaluate the reasons for the willingness to get involved in such a relationship in the first place. Not everyone has a spiteful side that awaits an opportunity of a break up to avenge a scorned ex-lover. Sometimes, it just feels like the best thing to do when the emotional distress becomes unbearable after a point of time.
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FLICKR_NICOLAS RAYMOND
FLICKR_JD HANCOCK
NEED FOR LOVE
When you have been in a committed relationship for long enough, it becomes close to impossible trying to imagine a life without your significant other. You are so accustomed to being around each other and nearly planning every other moment around the other person’s schedule, that a break up brings your life to a screeching halt and you don’t know what to do with yourself anymore. This gives rise to a need to be with anyone who will provide you a cocoon, no matter how shallow or unemotional, so that you can seem just as sheltered in your new relationship as you were in your previous one. The feeling of dread that accompanies the realization of being single is potent enough to push you into the rebound phase at the drop of a hat. This is why it is extremely important to know that you shouldn’t get involved with someone just so that they ‘complete’ you. If you are willing to be with someone just so that you don’t have to do things alone, you are only headed towards disaster if the
relationship happens to tear apart. Don’t seek solace in someone’s arms, but rather the comfort in your own company.
GHOST OF PAST RELATIONSHIP
The idea of finding ‘someone like you’ will forever be a subjective one, as no two individuals are alike. The time taken to move on from your ex is directly proportion to how attached you were to them when your relationship was functional. This is why, a rebound is also often just a substitute for the love you have lost. You may not have actual feelings for the person you are involved with currently and you are just filling the void that a break up has left within you. This is an extremely volatile situation as the other person may misconstrue your affection for them as genuine and invest just as much in you, not knowing that at one point you may just get over your ex, and in the process end things with your current partner as well.
SEEPING INSECURITY
Questions like ‘Am I undateable?’, ‘What’s the matter with me?’ and ‘It has to be all me, right?’ among several others are not uncommon when you’ve just been dumped by your significant other. A rebound relationship just gives you the much-needed boost of self-esteem that is generally sucking the life out of you when you’re fresh out of a relationship and you’re drowning your sorrows in alcohol. Or staying home alone with a tub of chocolate ice-cream and a tear-jerking movie. In conclusion, no matter what your reason for a rebound relationship may be, think them out and proceed with caution. You don’t want to end up hurting someone in the process or even sink in deeper into the quicksand of regret of a bad relationship. Stay strong and be positive. The awful times don’t last forever. There may be hurt and a whole lot of pain, but how can you love sunshine without a little rain? yi MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 59
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SUMMERTIME
S S E N L O O C As May approaches, the Ind becomes more ruthless, with ian summer only th the Gulf only adding to our wo e dust storm from es brings you top tips to keep co . Pallavi Borkar ol this season AVOID DARK COLOURS
We were taught in school that darker colours tend to absorb more heat. Remember this in the summer and wear only light coloured clothing. The trick will help you avoid many a sweaty situation.
WEAR LOOSE CLOTHES
While personal style and looking presentable are important things, they should not cost you your health. Body hugging clothes in the summer can cause a bunch of problems from body rashes and headaches to yeast infections and fainting. Wearing loose clothes, especially cotton, is a sure way to enjoy the summer instead of letting it bring you down.
SOAK YOUR FEET IN ICE/ COLD WATER
This neat trick helps you keep cool and could easily replace turning the air
conditioner on for a few hours. Fill a bucket with cold water or ice and soak your feet in it for 15 to 20 minutes right before you sleep. The coolness will transfer to your body, instantly bringing your body temperature down making you feel cooler. It is the same principle our moms apply when they put cold cloths on our foreheads when we have a fever. In this case it even saves electricity!
HYDRATE AND HAVE LOTS OF ICE CREAM!
The body undergoes rapid heat loss during the summer especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Carry a bottle of water wherever you go, drink lots of fresh juices and milkshakes rich in electrolytes to replenish your body of its minerals. Indulge yourself in icecream since it serves the dual purpose of putting more sugar in your system and cooling you down.
FLICKR_VICTORIA HENDERSON
HEALTH
REFRIGERATE YOUR BED SHEETS!
Ever get the urge to stick your head in the fridge in the summer? Well, work it the other way around. This offbeat idea works wonders. Fold your bed sheet and place it in your refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes before you intend to sleep. Placing it in a plastic bag might be preferable to avoid it from catching the smell of foods stored alongside it. In fact, you could even stick the top/shirt you are planning to wear in the fridge right before you head out on a hot summer day!
AVOID CAFFEINE AND ALCOHOL
One of the things that caffeine and alcohol have in common is that they facilitate dehydration. Add that to the already hot weather and you are sure to develop headaches.
CROSS VENTILATE
Staying in closed spaces in the hot summer air can make you feel claustrophobic. If you don’t want to turn the air conditioner on all day long, cross ventilate! Open the windows and place a fan across from them. The natural breeze and the fan will create a cooling cross breeze. If you’re feeling whacky you can place more fans across from each other and create a mini wind storm for you to enjoy.
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FLICKR_ GLASSEYESVIEW
FLICKR_SUSANNE NILSON
CREATE AWESOME COLD WATER SPRAYS
You might recall the giant fans sprinkling rose water from old-school Indian weddings. Resurrect the idea by filling a shallow dish or pan with cold water, rose water even, and placing it right in front of a fan. The wind will pick up miniscule droplets from the liquid creating a cooling mist. Soaking cloth ribbons in cold water and tying them the fan’s casing will also do the trick.
UNPLUG YOUR GADGETS
FLICKR_AUSTIN KIRK
Electronics, lights in particular, give off heat. You will notice a subtle lowering of the room’s temperature when you turn them off. Take advantage of the longer days, keep the lights turned off!
TAKE FREQUENT SHOWERS
One shower a day may not suffice in the summer. Take showers as frequently as needed. However don’t have too many and avoid very cold bath water as it will leave your skin feeling dry and flaky.
STAY INDOORS
Last but not least, know where to draw the line. If it is too hot outside and your calling isn’t super urgent, simply change your plans. Go out post sunset or just relax at home. yi MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 61
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POINT OF VIEW
LOVE P PAR ENTS ! TH Y
Reconnect with your family and reconsider what they’ve done for you to get you to where you are today, says Nisha JamVwal
arents today want children to grow up in an environment where their individuality blooms and is not stifled. The new wave of parents want to give their offspring the very best in education, in values, in facilities and in all that they may have missed out on in their more constricted times; from dance attendance, dropping their kids to school, to elocution class, from planning pyjama parties and birthdays, to beach outings. Sometimes, in their love, they may tend to over-compensate with meeting most of their desires within their abilities. There have been drastic changes over the generations in this primordial relationship, in the past two or three generations. So, cut to the present. The apples-of-their-eyes have grown up into fine-looking young people.
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Many have become young achievers, settled into good jobs and married. But here’s the oxymoron. Where one would expect the culmination of it all in a happy storybook mamma-papaoffspring story, nowadays one comes across bewildered parents, who feel side-lined and over-looked by those very offspring on whom they showered love, time, support, finances and attention in bringing them to where they are today. A mother tearfully confided to me recently, “It’s not as if I'm leaning on my son for any needs, financial, emotional or even social. What’s choking my heart is his total neglect! I'm an unnecessary claimant in his pre-occupations, a constant irritant when I want to speak or converse, or just share some of his time”. Fathers don't fare better either. Many times their experience, wisdom or well-
intended suggestions are derided by pompously opinionated sons or daughters. Regard, respect, and sensitivity for elders are becoming scant. The new, seemingly very logical theory floating about is that respect has to be earned, or that they must deserve the respect if they want it! There are surely good stories, where good sons and loving daughters redeem the picture, but there are horror stories that shroud it all. It’s best depicted in the film ‘Baghbaan’, where a hard-working father helps his sons to reach their various statuses until he retires, after which he and his mother are seen as a liability. It is increasingly not so far from reality! This seems to be an age of evanescent values. Families fight over money, inheritances and harbour resentments over the upkeep of elders.
Stories of sons abandoning parents after duping them of their money are common, and it is no wonder that oldage homes are proliferating. Let us just expand our hearts and experience the enveloping warmth of sharing, caring and love. How heart-warming it would be to see large families crossing a generation or two, bonding in laughter, bonhomie and plain old-fashioned family love and respect and concern for elders! Extend some thought and inclusion to the elders. You are as much rewarded as them as you see the heart-warming joy unfold. There are indeed some things money can't buy. yi
Email Nisha @ nishajamvwal@gmail.com Tweet her @nishjamvwal Nisha’s Blog http://nishajamvwal. blogspot.in/ MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 63
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Hi
FASHION
Heels!
FASHION
Everyone knows heels hurt, but it’that price to pay for lit s a er walking taller, an ally feeling glamorou d s. As necessary as heels might be to the wardrobe, th pain that they co e m with need not be e Follow the guide . Adrija Sen for a paby free and comfort in ab heeled experienc ly e!
W
hen buying heels, fit is everything. Make sure it is snug, but has room for the toes. Go for rounded toes for more comfort, or shoes where the point comes after the toe, if pointed heels are your pick. The structure of the shoe matters more than the height. Choose a shoe where the heel comes right under your heel bone. An incline that is less steep will also hurt less. Go up or down half sizes if required and if the shoe still does not feel right; walk away.
Wearing Your Heels
Buy accessories to supplement heels. Full insoles, toe inserts, anti-slip heel inserts are good options to make the heels easier to wear. Maintain your investments, replace soles and heel caps as soon as they start chipping. Ensure that while walking the motion comes from the hip, and not the knees. Stretch after wearing heels, and switch postures while in them. Be smart about when and where to wear heels; if it’s an all day fair, it might be better to skip the stilettos. After long hours in heels, ice your feet for about 15 minutes and use foot cream before heading to bed.
Which Heels
There are certain kinds of shoes that are easier to wear. Try gladiator heels, or ones with adjustable straps
to keep your feet in place. Wedges, high front platforms and stacked heels give better grip while walking. Cork and perforated soles are more comfortable than plastic. Wearing heels properly can take quite a bit of effort, but done right you can walk taller, and do it without any of the pain. If all of these still seem too much then take inspiration from celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Elizabeth Olsen, Emma Thompson and Tina Fey, and walk out proud and hassle free in flats.
Dos and Don’ts of Buying
Do - invest in shoes. There is no point in buying four trendy pairs that cannot be worn. Invest instead in one or two pairs that will last long, look good and feel comfortable. Wait for the sale season if you want a selection of heels to add to your closet. - ask for help from the sales associates. They have the knowledge and it’s their job to find you the best shoes. Don’t - buy heels online. The only way to make sure the shoe really fits is to try it on. - be hasty. Walk around in the shoes for at least ten minutes. Make sure they feel good on your feet and you can actually ‘walk’ in them instead of just uncomfortably shuffling around.
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BEAUTY sy, care is eah ir a h ’s n Me t so muc right? Noith a range of W anymore. s, colours, and hairstyle choose from, tion haircuts to and pollut just t a e h d n a t it, it’s no to comba inute routine. a two m n brings you Adrija Se s to take care helpful tipour hair. of y
, y a d o Care t Hair w o r r o m To
KNOW THY CUT
A good haircut is the foundation on which you will build your look. So spend a little time finding a good barber or stylist, make sure they understand where you’re coming from and don’t ignore their suggestions. A good time to go to the barber is either early in the day or before closing, and avoiding the rush. Make frequent trips to the barber to keep your cuts stylish and in trend.
LATHER. RINSE. REPEAT.
Short hair is easier to keep, so you can get away with a conditioning shampoo. For longer hair, pick out a shampoo and conditioner separately and deep condition your hair. Instead of shampooing every day, do it 3-4 times a week and wash with room temperature water. Be careful of combing your hair, especially when it is wet. Use a wide tooth comb to untangle and brush semi dry hair. Try out a few shampoos and conditioners to find one that suits your hair. If you have dandruff or hair that is thinning, use products made specifically for these conditions. If you don’t like using chemicals on your hair, go for a shampoo without sulphate and conditioners without silicate.
STYLE: SMART AND SENSIBLE
After washing, shake off the excess water and pat dry your hair instead of rubbing with a towel. Keep it cool, and try to stay away from heated tools. Don’t overdo the products. Wax, oil, mousse, gel are all used for different purposes, find out what the best fit is for your look and used a dime sized amount to style your hair. Gels are light, water based and good for a wet, sleek look while hairsprays lock in your hairstyle. Heavier products provide more hold, like pomades which add shine, waxes which provide strong hold for shorter haircuts, muds are perfect for ‘bedhead’ styles and creams work on fixing fly-aways. Distribute the product in your hair evenly. If you tend to have greasy hair, don’t fiddle with it and try to leave it untouched throughout the day.
INNER BEAUTY
Healthy hair is not mutually exclusive from your general health. So make sure you are de-stressing, massage your scalp regularly with oil. Exercise and eat a balanced diet that has proteins (meat, pulses, yams etc), vitamin B (meat, fish and dairy products) and Omega 3 fatty acids (walnuts, salmon, tofu, soybeans and shrimps). Follow these easy tips and in a few weeks watch your hair become runway worthy!
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G-SPOT the
Gadgets Gizmos Geeks By Manil S Dodani
LE ARN I N G O N T H E FA S T L AN E With the advent of technology, the process of learning has gone further than the four walls of a classroom and now exists at the tap of an app on our phones. Here we give you the details of new age learning at the touch of your fingertips
L
earning is defined as the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught. Conventional learning takes place in the classroom and the unconventional ones for example, Sachin Tendulkar, learnt on the field; no classes, no coaching. Conventional learning is slowly inching its way to subversion.
You can now learn a new skill everyday in about 10 minutes. No, I’m not kidding. 10 minutes can teach you basic Morse code, how to tie a necktie, how to play chess and even how to save a life. All of this in the palm of your hands, or rather, on your smart phone, to be precise. Put your hands together ladies
and gentlemen, M-learning is here. If the Nielsen India report (2013) is to be believed, there has been a 22% increase in ownership of smart phones in the 16-18 years age group. M-learning has relied heavily on this demographic to become a new age convention in the digital learning arena. With this giant leap in smart phone ownership amongst students,
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M-learning has become the go-to option for bite sized, on demand, and easy to absorb courses. Information overload via hand held devices have translated into shorter attention spans, hinting developers to build apps that can impart information while keeping things interesting.
THE ADVENT OF M-LEARNING
Just to be clear, IIN is NOT m-learning. E-learning on a mobile device is also (contrary to popular belief) NOT M-learning. There is a glaring difference between an E and M in the digital learning space. Mobile phone screens being smaller in size than computer screens limit the amount of information that can be displayed, thereby changing the way we are shown information and graphics. Recall Android’s latest design principle ‘Material Design’ that displays information in a layered, colourful style on new mobile phones. Ever Google searched “how to tie a tie” and been blasted in the face with pictures and information that explain how to do one of the most basic tasks in life? If yes, read on. If no, still read on. So the first search result is a video and skip down a few and you’d reach Wikihow’s search result which lists 4 ways to tie a tie. Other websites also list which fabric of tie, colour combinations, or ensemble you should choose. Now, follow the above method if you have a lot of time to spend on your neck but if you don’t – there’s an app for that. Again, not kidding, 'How to tie a tie' is available on the App and Play Stores. The app simply tells you exactly what you are looking for, nothing else. This is why M-learning has become popular in the first place. It’s simple, fast, and gets you what you want. E-learning on the other hand requires a desktop, a boring workplace/ holiday at home and copious amounts of time. An average E- learning session can last for 20+ minutes whereas a mobile
session is shorter, 3-5 minutes at the most, quick satiation for on-the-go knowledge hunger.
WHERE CAN I M-LEARN?
M-learning has carved two niches to be honest. Niches, whose applications choose to defy imagination even.
EDUCATION
IB schools in India (a whole pack of them) have now implemented iPad learning in classrooms. The curriculum is designed to work in sync with apps and online resources that can be conveniently accessed from an iPad. To illustrate, a popular IB school in Mumbai teaches French pronunciations, correct writing syntaxes and grammar with an app called Busuu, all of this encapsulated for 15 minutes in every 50 minute lecture. A popular technique called Mobile Assisted Language Learning is being harnessed here. M-learning in the 21st century is helping produce digitally native kids, who seem to know more about every gadget there is than the very people who gave birth to them.
CORPORATE WORK LIFE
M-learning is proving to be a savior at the workplace especially for jobs that require a high level of technical acuity. Take for example, Lockheed
Martin. The world’s largest weapon manufacturer has developed an app with a graphic based pre-flight checklist for a transport plane it sells. The crux of the app is: visuals. Visuals have been proven to be more powerful in creating an understanding of a particular subject. Even more understanding required before someone lets a $62 million aircraft take off.
ENTERPRISE TESTING AND RESEARCH
Apps are slowly becoming India’s tech future. With online giant Flipkart announcing to shut down its website by next year and move entirely to app selling, this unprecedented move has signalled others to get their move on too. M-learning steps in for enterprises to test new apps as well as conduct market research efficiently by first testing a random sample of population and then implementing crucial changes. The importance of testing apps that help you learn cannot be stressed enough. If users encounter bugs or difficulties in understanding, interpreting or otherwise assimilating information, the app will most likely fail to solve its purpose. In an age where the most common tech maxim is “There’s an app for that”, M- learning is like a breath of fresh air, at least you’d learn something new that’ll help you post Class 12th. yi MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 67
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BRING ON THE NIGHT (MTV)
When four friends decide to give a new dimension to Mumbai’s nightlife with an all night club, turning their lives into a party in itself, with situations that put their friendship to the test. Aired on MTV, this ten episode fun-filled series was overshadowed by the clutter of melodramatic soap operas on television.
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DANGER 5
Five secret agents out to kill Adolf Hitler surely sounds like a very promising storyline, and this one does live up to the expectations. Set in the 60s interpretation of World War II, this comic take at classical spy movies comes out as one of the best action comedies to hit the small screen. But it failed to get the recognition it deserves as it has only been aired in Australia.
T H A T News has always been seen as the least entertaining when it comes to television. But satire is something that turns the gravest things into something laughable. Hosted by the hilarious Cyrus Broacha and accompanied by the likes of Kunal Vijaykar, this comical take on weekly news stories did not manage to find a large-scale viewership that it deserved.
T H E S P O T L I G H T
EPISODES
Matt Leblanc AKA Joey from friends teams up with David Crane to deliver a show that does not disappoint. When a couple decides to make an American version of their sitcom, they come face to face with an actor that reworks the show as per his own ideas. The situations created by this, lead to tensions in the couple’s personal as well as professional lives, and trigger’s a laughter riot among the audiences, but, it has by far not been able to get enough recognition
T H A T
THE(OTHER) WEEK THAT WASN’T
First aired in 1994, this hugely successful comedy based on the relationship of a woman and her daughter-in-law was loved by the young and old alike. Although it ran for nearly 11 years, the fans would eagerly welcome some new episodes.
S H O W S
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BROOKLYN NINE-NINE
S P O T L I G H T
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S I S T E R S
In their debut album ‘Tiddim Road’, the band composes protest songs for social issues, and songs about life in Imphal, with a flux of alternative and folk rock. Their mellow-cultured music blended with a strong message is an interesting act all together. Popular songs: Lullaby, Radha Leela
LUCID RECESS
F R O M
TVR is an all-girl indie-rock, post punk band of four based in Delhi. Their lyrics sing out loud feminism, anarchy, lovehate for the big city life. ‘Whims’, their debut EP, is moody influenced by a groovy, psychedelic rock number ‘Escape Trick’. Popular Songs: The Vibe, Apocryphal, Ready Set Go
APPLES
Based in Aizawl, Mizoram, this rock n’ roll trio all-girl band with their retrorock and punk style definitely sets the groove. If you’re an Avril Lavigne fan, the lead vocalist Zodingliani will hook you on to her husky and sassy voice. Popular Songs: Rock with you, Warning, Khauchher
TETSEO SISTERS
ALOBO NAGA AND THE BAND
Pop rock singer Alobo Naga in tune with his band made a national mark with their debut music video ‘Painted Dreams’, a song about a man who dreams big. Their sing-a-long and catchy songs draped by Indian rock talk about social values. Popular songs: Free, Colour my world, The End
S I S T E R S
Coming from the Chakhesang tribe in Nagaland, this quartet brings the traditional folk music ‘Li’ alive, accompanied by tatis (a single stringed musical instrument). The sisters released their debut album ‘Li Chapter One: The Beginning’ in 2011 and their music resembles The Corrs. Popular Songs: O Rhosi, Apulio’s Lizo, Hiyo!Hiyo!
S E V E N
M U S I C
THE VINYL RECORDS
T H E
T H E
Lucid Recess took off as two siblings and a drummer from Guwahati in 2004 to make music from heavy metal, alternative rock to catchy slow ballads through their albums Carved (2007) and Engraved Invitation (2010).Their drummer’s jazz and punk influence pumps up the adrenaline. Popular songs: Away, Wireless Junkies, Purpose
F R O M
S E V E N
IMPHAL TALKIES
M U S I C
S O U L
S O U L
We’ve all swayed to the undeniably finest blues bands in the North-east and found bands like Soulmate that have won our hearts. Here are six such bands that will make you tap your feet.
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R E S U R R E C T I O N
When it comes to cult movies of Bollywood, the 2006 remake of this movie is not even a tad close to the original. For starters, Shahrukh Khan could hardly match up to the iconic Don, Amitabh Bachchan. That’s also the case with most of the characters in the remake. Besides, the original is etched in our minds in such a way that it failed to live up to our expectations in spite of the modern, polished version.
KARZ
SHOLAY (AAG)
‘Ram Gopal Verma ki Aag’ is the official remake of the Bollywood classic Sholay. With the change of character names, a bad script and a cast that barely does justice to the cult characters like Jai, Veeru or Basanti, this film is extremely hard to watch. Of course, Big B fans will enjoy watching him play the villain, Babban Singh. However this alone will not make up for the fact that this remake was nowhere near to a tribute to the original.
ZANJEER
Remaking a movie as classic as Zanjeer and filling in the shoes of the role of the ‘angry young man’ that Amitabh Bachchan played so well in the movie is a tall order. Unfortunately, the filmmakers as well as the lead actor in the remake, Ram Charan, failed miserably.
The 1980 original gained tremendous popularity because of its soundtrack and an exceptional cast. While the same cannot be said about the remake starring Himesh Reshammiya, one thing that the audience and critics agreed on, was that it was far from a remake and more like a parody of the original
CHASHME BADDOOR
There are marked differences between the much loved 1981 original and the remake directed by David Dhawan. For some reason, the remake is named “Chashme Baddoor” instead of “Chashme Buddoor”, which adds nothing to its credibility. Additionally, Dhawan’s minor plot changes and his signature over the top humour only made the audience regret watching this film.
R E S U R R E C T I O N
B L U N D E R O U S
DON
B L U N D E R O U S
Here are the remakes of some of the greatest movies that were better left untouched
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FIVE BOOKS WE THINK DESERVE A PLACE ON CELLULOID
SACRED GAMES BY VIKRAM CHANDRA
THE INHERITANCE OF LOSS BY KIRAN DESAI Potential Director: Vikramaditya Motwane
Cast: Ronit Roy as Sartaj Singh, Prashant Narayanan as Ganesh Gaitonde
Cast: Kunal Kapoor as Biju, Konkona Sen Sharma as Sai
THE WHITE TIGER BY ARVIND ADIGA
MOTH SMOKE BY MOHSIN HAMID
Potential Director: Bejoy Nambiar
Cast: Shreyas Talpade as Ravan, VJ Jose as Eddie
Potential Director:Rajkumar Gupta Cast: Nawazuddin Siddqui as Balram, Randeep Hooda as Ashok
A SUITABLE BOY BY VIKRAM SETH
Potential Director: Vishal Bhardwaj
Potential Director:Zoya Akhtar
Cast: Shiv Pundit as Daru, Eman Ali as Mumtaz,
Cast: Amrita Puri as Lata, Ratna Pathak Shah as Mrs Mehra
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Potential Director:Anurag Kashyap
RAVAN AND EDDIE SERIES BY KIRAN NAGARKAR
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_AFTER DARK
hangout
PLACES AND EVENTS FOR THE MONTH
BULLDOG’S BAR AND GRIL , DELHI
CUISINE: European, American BITES AND BOOZE: The menu at Bulldog’s mostly includes appetizers and sliders, many of which are inspired by characters from well-known TV series like Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad. Burgers, Pizzas and starters are sumptuous accompaniments for a drink or two with friends. The highlight is the Cartel’s Bulldog, which is a refreshing combination of tequila with lime cordial and a beer bottle placed upside down in crushed ice. The melting ice allows the beer to mix with tequila which packs a punch synonymous with that of a Mexican cartel. FAB OR DRAB: With wooden cubicles, green couches and vintage ship lights hanging above, Bulldog’s creates a classic English pub in the middle of suburban Mumbai. It is a great place for young professionals to unwind over a drink after work or just warm up before a night at the disco. T 6B, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Floor, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi -Ayub Dawood
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THE ROLLING PIN, MUMBAI
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CUISINE: Bakery, Desserts, Cafe BITES AND BOOZE: If there exists a parallel universe layered with all things sweet and satisfying, The Rolling Pin may just be the portal to it. With messages like ‘The Secret Ingredient is Always Cheese’, ‘Life Happens Chocolate Helps’ and ‘Bake The World a Better Place’ adoring the walls, this cafe definitely aims to please all the dessert and chocolate lovers who walk in through the door. Apart from the delectable cookies and pastries, this all-vegetarian cafe offers some appetizing dishes such as the Slider Platter, Potato Mania, and the house popular Sizzlers which was a clear crowd favourite. You are left spoilt for choice with the assortment of cupcakes and pastries whether you prefer the luscious fresh fruits delight or the sinful and creamy Ferrero Rocher chocolate pastries that set your palate craving for more. FAB OR DRAB: The Rolling Pin is a delightful little place that you can walk in anytime you feel like a mid-day snack or would happily choose to indulge in chocolate for your soul. The ambience is easy to get with, although the music in the place leans more towards an energetic dance lounge than the traditional sunshine-happy playlists of most quaint cafes. 12, Janta Industrial Estate, Senapat Bapat Road, Lower Parel, Mumbai -Nancy Varghese
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TONIC, MUMBAI
CUISINE: Mediterranean, lounge BITES AND BOOZE: Located below Auriga Restobar, the central feature of TONIC is its bar with an edgy look, indulging interiors and signature drinks with a twist. The TONIC signatures are Spiritual Healing, Jolly Good Fellow, and Pretty Woman, a tryst of white rum with strawberry crush, coconut syrup, vanilla ice cream and pineapple juice. All these drinks create a strong melee of flavours with their unique blend. The food menu too doesn’t fail to impress; while the Creole potatoes, sweet potato fritters with wasabi sauce and McKenna’s gold are pleasant accompaniments with drinks, the likes of Lamb Kibbeh, Chicken Crostini, pan fried chicken, baby lamb chilly and assorted seafood along with sliders make for a sumptuous meal that offers a finishing touch to the experience. FAB OR DRAB: TONIC opened its doors to patrons in South Mumbai this April, and has lived up to its ambition of being the perfect lounge for hanging out with friends or relaxing after a hectic day at work. The interiors have a unique quality of being soothing as well as snazzy, while the DJ spins deep house, nu disco and progressive house music. Famous Studio Lane, Off Dr. E Moses Road, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai -Ayub Dawood
EVENTS THIS MONTH VIR DAS: UNBELIEVABLISH TOUR 2015
Master comedian Vir Das presents a special comedy show where the audience decides what is true or false. But we guarantee that they will be extremely funny. 2 – 29 May Venues: Across various cities in India
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LILY SINGH’S: A TRIP TO UNICORN ISLANDS Owing to Lily ‘Superwoman’ Singh’s immense popularity, the entertainer is now making her way to India to make you laugh, think and most importantly make you feel good. 19 – 26 May Venues: Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru
LEBANESE FOOD FESTIVAL A celebration awaits you, amidst the enchanting tunes of friendly Modern Arabian and French Culture. Immerse yourself in season 2 of the Lebanese festival where you will witness a dazzling display of traditional Levantine food and picturesque ambiance. 15 - 31 May Venue: Souq Bistro & Grills, Ahmedabad MAY 2015 Youth Incorporated 73
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GRAFFITI
Trends Of The Month Uptown Funk dance trend!
Everybody loves to dance to “Uptown Funk”, even Michelle Obama, but no one does it better than this young boy grooving to this catchy number as echoed in the arena of a Binghamton Senators game with dance moves including pelvic thrusts that would embarrass most adults.
A lot of licking
UKTV made a brilliant promoexperiment, a life-size Benedict Cumberbatch sculpture of Belgium chocolate set up at a busy mall in London. This stunt was to see the people’s reaction to “chocobatch”; would they take a selfie, lick it or take a bite?
VOGUE Empowerment – Deepika/Male Response The Vogue Empower video was
ridiculed just as much as it was appreciated. Some said it reeked of female chauvinism. Some said it was a must watch. It even evoked responses from men all over the internet. Clearly, Homi Adjania and his team missed the whole point and so did the public. What would you make of this video? Well, your choice!
“Presstitute”
Another twitter fail broke out, when Gen VK Singh labelled the media, specifically to “Times Now” as “presstitutes”press+ prostitutes. Considering him to be the former army chief, is such language appropriate on a public platform or has he made himself the twitter troll?
AIB Net Neutrality Video
While the battle for net neutrality intensified, AIB came up with its own unique mode of communication to raise awareness about the issue among the young population. A nation where over twenty crore use the internet and few even bothered about saving it surely needed a wakeup call in a language they could relate to.
Game of Chairs: Parody
With the return of season 5, Sesame Street’s Grover (Bluejoy) enacted a “Game of Chairs” to see who will rule the land of Jestros. No bloodshed in this version, yet Joffrey’s tantrum over not winning still holds true. When the winner is announced Bluejoy warns Ned, “Do not lose your head over this Neddy Baby”.
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RNI Number: MAHENG/2011/38909 Postal Regd. No: MCW/293/2015 - 2017 Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel Sorting Office GPO, Mumbai 400001 on 4th & 5th of every month Date of Publication: 1st of every month
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