The July issue of Spice route In-flight magazine

SHAHID KAPOOR | KASHMIR UNVEILED | OLYMPIC HOPEFULS | THE OTHER AGRA
spice
Volume 10 | Issue 07 | July 2016
THE INFLIGHT MAGAZINE
th
Birthday Bash

FROM THE
CMD’S DESK
Dear Readers,
An escape from the searing heat. A season
when nature comes to life in all its glory.
Monsoon! By the time you read this, I
hope that you have all experienced the joy
of this, the most joyous of all seasons.
Allow me now to walk you through
the moments of joy and accomplishments
experienced by our SpiceJet family last
month. We celebrated our 11th Anniversary
by adopting 11 villages in the parched
Latur district of Maharashtra and providing
them water every day. This project has
been a phenomenal success. We have had
both financial and volunteer help pour
in from across the country and overseas.
We are grateful to all the organisers
who gave us this opportunity to help.
Our involvement in this project brought
home the terrible scarcity of water in our
country and I invite all my colleagues
and customers to embrace the idea of
responsible consumption of water. The time for
corrective action is now.
At SpiceJet we strive for consistency, be
it in our on-time performance, highest load
factor or our socio-cultural initiatives. Just like
the last year, when we pioneered the concept
of Upa Yoga being practised mid-air at 35,000
feet, this year too we delighted our customers
by turning our flight cabins into their yoga
venues with our trained crew instructing
them on asanas. The difference is that this
International Yoga Day onwards (21st June), we
now offer yoga on board our select long haul
flights on a routine and an ongoing basis.
The month of May once again saw
SpiceJet with the highest passenger load
factor for the 13th consecutive month. This
time we created another record. Our load
factor was a whopping 93.5% which is an alltime
industry record.
Adding to our list of achievements,
we were humbled to receive the “Swift
Turnaround in an Airline Company” award
at the ASSOCHAM 9th International
Conference Civil Aviation and Tourism
Awards 2016. The prestigious award was
presented by Hon’ble Minister of Civil
Aviation, Mr Ashok Gajapathi Raju.
SpiceJet continues to endeavour
to make your travel more convenient
by using state-of-the-art technology. In
Mumbai, we have introduced a selfcheck-in
kiosk that customers can use to
print their boarding cards, baggage tags
and self-drop bags. In Hyderabad and
Bangalore, we will automatically deliver
your boarding cards to your SpiceJet app
on your mobile phones as you walk into
the airports. Alternatively, we have placed
check-in posters that can be touched
with your phones to receive boarding
cards instantly.
I recommend that you also try SpiceJet’s
refreshed SpiceMax service. Each SpiceMax
seat has greatly increased leg room. The
seats are leather. You get a great free meal,
priority check-in and bag delivery. All this for
about `1000!
I do hope you enjoy this monsoon season
with your family.
My best wishes,
Jai Hind!
Ajay Singh
Chairman & Managing Director
2 ||||| JUNE 2016

Cover - 4.indd 1
SHAHID KAPOOR | KASHMIR UNVEILED | OLYMPIC HOPEFULS | THE OTHER AGRA
Volume 10 | Issue 07 | July 2016
THE INFLIGHT MAGAZINE
30/06/16 4:03 PM
spice
th
Birthday Bash
11th birthday
bash
CONTENTS
52
11TH BIRTHDAY BASH
The SpiceJet turnaround, unparalleled in the Indian
aviation sector, resounded through the airline’s recent
anniversary celebrations
10 PRETTIEST PLACES IN
KASHMIR
The northern state of Jammu
& Kashmir is world-renowned
for its raw natural beauty. We
give you our pick of places
you definitely must visit while
in Kashmir
60
68
THE CARIBBEAN
CHALLENGE
India returns to the West Indies
after five years with a new
cricket captain at the helm. How
will Virat Kohli and his men fare?
76
TÊTE-À-TÊTE WITH
SHAHID KAPOOR
The Udta Punjab star on getting
under the skin of his Tommy
Singh character in the film and
how marriage has changed him
6 ||||| JULY 2016

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CONTENTS
NEW LOOK LEHENGAS
Traditional lehengas with
contemporary twists are the
trend du jour this season. We
present a masterclass in sporting
the go-to reigning styles
82 96
90
THE OTHER AGRA
Millions visit the Taj Mahal every
year, but miss out on the rest of
the city. There’s more to Agra
than the mausoleum
INNOVATION IN THE
KITCHEN
The centuries’ old Mediterranean
herb sage is increasingly being
used to lend an interesting twist
to Indian tastes
SPICEJET INSIDER
Social media 18
SpiceVacations.com20
Spice products22
My town123
Mobile apps124
Music126
SpiceClub130
News 132
Stars of SpiceJet134
SpiceJet fleet136
SpiceJet add-ons142
12 ||||| JULY 2016

CONTENTS
106
RIO
HOPEFULS
With the world’s
eyes set on
next month’s
Summer
Olympics in
Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, we
look at Indian
participants
who have the
best chances
of coming back
with medals
112
spice
JULY 2016
EDITOR
RAJU BIST
rajubist@mwspiceroute.in
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
EKTA MOHTA
ekta@mwspiceroute.in
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
KAPIL C BATUS
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR
HEMALI LIMBACHIYA
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
TANVI SHAH
JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
VIDHI DOSHI
PRODUCTION MANAGER
MANGESH SALVI
DIGITAL ARTIST
JAYESH V. SALVI
AD SALES
MUMBAI
VINOD MOHITE
+91 9323554207, vinod@mwspiceroute.in
RAHUL MUKHERJEE
+91 9029457667, rahul@mwspiceroute.in
NEW DELHI
TANVEER AHMAD
+91 9555098401, tanveer@mwspiceroute.in
TAMIL NADU & PONDICHERRY
CECIL S KOTEY
+91 9884232475, cecil@mwspiceroute.in
BENGALURU
ANURADHA KUBER
+91 9902329703, anuradha@mwspiceroute.in
WEST BENGAL & NORTH-EAST
MOHD. ASAD
+91-9718834941, media.asad@gmail.com
HYDERABAD
BICHALI ANAND
+91 9391042285, bichalianand@gmail.com
​CHANDIGARH
A ANU
+91-7508049977, aryapuneet7@gmail.com
KERALA
T SIVASANKARAN
+91 9947683001, sivakeral15@gmail.com
GUJARAT
SANJAY CHAWDA
+91 98240 43072, sanjaychawda@gmail.com
SMILES ALL THE WAY
Instituted with the four-pronged purpose of healthcare for families,
education for children, livelihood for youth and empowerment
for women, the Smile Foundation reaches out to a staggering
400,000 underprivileged children, youth and women in 26 states
PRODUCED BY
EDITORIAL & MARKETING OFFICE:
MW.Com (India) Pvt. Ltd., 401, 4th Floor, Todi Building,
Mathuradas Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg,
Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013., Tel: 022 67487777
DELHI: 24/1, First Floor, Hauz Khas Village,
New Delhi - 110016 Tel/Fax: 011- 26516071/72
All rights reserved worldwide. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be
returned unless accompanied by a postage pre-paid envelope
16 ||||| JULY 2016

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
BUZZ ON
TWITTER
From Dxb-hyd thru spicejet, on
time departure and arrival. Good
hospitality indeed.
@MirAreef
Kudos to @flyspicejet. Reached before
time #SG611. #GOAtoMUMBAI.
@TheNehalSarda
Adding spice to the early
morning #EarlyMorningFly
#SpiceJet #FlyToBengaluru
@Gaya30
Flew Spicejet after a gap. Superb
experience. Great crew, good food,
fab service. Great comfort.
@NirbhayasIndia
A great first flight experience with @
flyspicejet from HYD-C’TORE. Be
Red. Be Spicy. Ohh yes, the views
were amazing.
Excellent flight today Delhi to Kolkata.
Experienced SpiceMax for the first
time. What a wonderful experience.
I’m an SM fan forever.
@Gud_de_naal
@sudipmaitra
Thank u spicejet for had a very
comfortable journey. And for giving
cheap tickets, and it was very punctual.
@KaberiDey13
Super smooth with @flyspicejet!
Arrived 4 mins early; I loved your
service guys! Brilliant flying with
you! Thanks again :)
Delighted to share @flyspicejet
and @AnybodyCanHelp have
adopted 11 drought villages of
Maharashtra for water distribution
@ImAbhishekIyer
@sonal_31559
Delicious biriyani served in Spice Jet,
Bagdogra to Kolkata.
@souvikchatter14
A view while flying high
#spicejet @flyspicejet
@benistonj
@flyspicejet steps forward to the aid of
drought-hit Maharashtra. Adopts 11
Latur villages commemorating 11 yrs of
flying @livemint #avgeek
@talktosanjai
“I feel better in flying with spicejet.”
Rajesh Kumar
Best turnaround story in India...
congrats for the 11th anniversary !!
Anand Gupte
SHUTTERSTOCK
18 ||||| JULY 2016

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
SPICEVACATIONS.COM
TRAVEL WITH EASE AND FLEXIBILITY
PLAN YOUR HOLIDAYS WITH SPICEJET’S UNIQUE INITIATIVE
SPICEVACATIONS.COM, A PLETHORA OF END-TO-END TRAVEL SOLUTIONS, MAKING YOUR
TRAVELS NOT JUST CONVENIENT, BUT ALSO RED. HOT. SPICY
Customers need
to simply decide
on the theme of
their vacation
SPICEVACATIONS.COM is a one-stop
shop for customised travel packages,
offering services beyond the ordinary.
Take your pick from a vast network
of domestic and international holiday
destinations, and book your flights with
the right bundle of services to ensure an
effortless journey. Carefully hand-picked
hotels, quick car rentals, and travel
packages created in association with
local holiday experts – you have much
to benefit from SpiceVacations.com.
With SpiceVacations.com,
customers can make changes in
their itinerary online, at every step of
the trip. For instance, if a customer
wants to opt for a bigger car even if
the package entails a smaller one, he
can do so, and with ease. Customers
need to simply decide on the theme
of their vacation, such as pilgrimage,
honeymoon, heritage, wildlife, beach or
hills, and the platform throws up a wide
variety of deals in terms of location,
hotel arrangements, local sightseeing
tours and car rentals, among others.
A separate online domain, this
product adds to the customer’s
convenience and also acts as an
information buddy. In the second phase
of operations, travel experts will share
their experiences, comments, blogs, etc.,
that can help customers plan their next
trip. Reviews from fellow travellers will
also help customers plan their vacations
in the right manner.
With this unique initiative by
SpiceJet, customers have the flexibility
of booking a package at a minimal
amount and can pay the rest later
through various EMI options that are
made available to them along with other
regular options on offer.
As the website is powered by
SpiceJet, every customer can enjoy
great flight and hotel deals. All these
culminate in smart, convenient and
detailed travel packages. In keeping
with the times, the new product will also
be connected with SpiceJet’s mobile
app but this will be done at a later
stage.
So, travel the world with SpiceJet’s
enviable travel packages and experience
the perfect holiday.
SHUTTERSTOCK
20 ||||| JULY 2016

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SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
INNOVATIONS FOR
COMFORT
& CONVENIENCE
AT SPICEJET, we believe that customer experience can always be improved upon. In
keeping with this philosophy, we are constantly looking for ways to make travel not
just a hassle-free experience, but also one that passengers will remember.
Our latest slew of innovations reflects this: a product that rewards travellers who travel
only with hand baggage; another that makes life easier for those who carry heavy
baggage, but not heavy enough to be checked-in; yet another that offers a bigger
choice of meals on board; products to please those who are always on the lookout for
extra legroom, and those who are particular about where they sit on a flight; a prepaid
card that allows passengers to make cashless transactions; an add-on service that
allows the flexibility of cancelling or changing ticket(s) to suit your travel plan; and
finally a product that aims at greater customer ease in case of flight disruptions. No
surprise then that we are the country’s favourite budget airline.
22 ||||| JULY 2016

1SpiceMax
SpiceJet’s SpiceMax provides more comfort and convenience. With extra
legroom and greater personal space, passengers can travel with ease.
Apart from significantly extra legroom on board, fliers can also enjoy other
added ancillary products such as priority check-in, complimentary meal
and beverage, priority baggage handling and priority boarding (aerobridge
gates) at dedicated SpiceMax counters at the airport for a modest add-on fee
per sector. The ease with which fliers can opt for this product enhances the
experience. When booking a connecting flight with a stop-over, passengers can
purchase SpiceMax seats separately for the two flights.
2
SpiceClub
This prepaid card allows
passengers to make cashless
transactions. With the
SpiceClub card they can
purchase meals, merchandise and addon
services. Every recharge entitles the
card holder to get additional credits,
which convert to currency on the card.
By paying just ` 599, a passenger can
enjoy a host of exclusive benefits worth
up to ` 5,999. The introductory benefits
are two free vouchers worth ` 599 that
can be used for domestic flight bookings;
a free air ticket on the member's
birthday; free priority check-in; preferred
communication for any SpiceJet Promo
Sale; and more.
3
Hot Meals
Passengers can opt for either
Indian or Continental cuisine.
The airline now has an allnew
menu in the form of
‘SpiceJet Bistro’ which offers hot meals,
sub sandwiches, meal bundles, and
special meals for diabetics and
those preferring Jain meals. The
airline also provides meal options
for Navratras. With the new
menu, all breakfast meals
are served with an eggless
croissant and a butter
chiplet, while meals served
during the rest of the day
are accompanied with an
eggless dessert, whole
wheat roll and butter
chiplet. From Masala Frittata to Paneer
Kathi Roll, Grilled Vegetable sandwiches
to Tex Vegetable sub sandwiches, a great
variety is on offer. Fliers can pre-book a
complete meal, i.e., choose their meals
and drinks on the website. A standalone
beverage can also be pre-booked. With
the expanded online menu selection,
customers who pre-book their meal
will enjoy discounted rates compared
to onboard prices. In another
initiative, passengers can wish
their loved ones on birthdays
and anniversaries mid-air by
pre-booking cakes on select
flights. A takeaway Kids’ Meal
bag, shaped like an airplane,
is available on pre-booking as
well as onboard.
4
My Flexi Plan
Planning a trip will
be easier than ever
with SpiceJet’s new
innovative add-on
service, My Flexi Plan. Passengers
can now enjoy the flexibility of
cancelling or changing the ticket(s)
to suit their travel plan. If they are
certain about travel but not about
the dates, then they can book a ticket
by opting for this service. Customers
can opt for this add-on at the time of
booking by paying a nominal fee of
` 1,125 for domestic travel ticket and
` 1,250 for international travel ticket.
The service will be applicable only
for one change or one cancellation
per ticket.
JULY 2016 ||||| 23

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
5
SpiceFlex
The next time you book a
flight on SpiceJet, opt for
SpiceFlex, a uniquely crafted
bundled fare that offers
passengers immense benefits such as
preferred seat choice at no additional
charge and change fee waiver. Enjoy
these benefits at a marginal premium
only. Considered an ideal option
for frequent travellers and business
executives, these fares are valid on all
direct, via and onward flights. Customers
can book SpiceFlex only on www.
spicejet.com, and via travel agents.
PRE-BOOK NOW!
Pre-book your meals to make your journey
with us a more comfortable experience. You
can enjoy exceptional discounted rates, with
meals starting at ` 140
to full-fledged meals
at ` 275. The onboard
hot meal prices have
been reduced from `
350 to ` 300. So, prebooking
your meal
makes purchasing food
and beverages onboard an entirely
cashless affair. You can pre-book your
meals at the time of booking your flight, or
add later through ‘Manage My Booking’ on
the website, www.spicejet.com. Pre-book
meals through the SpiceJet mobile app, and
you can even get 50 per cent off on meals.
6
Fly For Sure
Fly For Sure has been launched for greater
customer ease in case of flight disruptions. It allows
a passenger booked on SpiceJet a guarantee of
flying in the next 24 hours in case of a flight delay
beyond 90 minutes, missing a flight not exceeding 30 minutes
from airport check-in closure of the original flight or a flight
cancellation by the airline. With Fly For Sure the passenger
gets to fly, in spite of the above unforeseen circumstances. It is
available at ` 299 while booking for the flight and SpiceJet will
reimburse the passengers for an alternate flight ticket (not
exceeding double the price of the original ticket or the cost
of second ticket, whichever is lower) on the airline of their
choice in the same sector within 24 hours of the original
scheduled booking with SpiceJet.
7
Carry More On Board
Making air travel even more
convenient, SpiceJet’s ‘Carry More
On Board’ is a service for travellers
with heavier cabin baggage. It
is targeted at passengers who carry cabin
baggage heavier than 7 kg, and do not want
to check-in. Fliers can carry bags weighing up
to 5 kg extra, a maximum of 12 kg on board,
while paying a nominal fee for each kg above
7 kg. Bags can be heavier, but not larger, and
the standard free baggage allowances remain
as before. Customers can opt for this product
during airport check-in and at airport ticket
counters.
8
Hand Baggage Only
This is another unique product that offers a discount to those
passengers who carry only hand baggage. Available on
most direct domestic flights, this fare has a minimum 15-day
advance purchase period, and no free check-in baggage
allowance is permissible. Bookings for this can be made on www.spicejet.
com, at airport ticket offices, and through select online travel portals.
Passengers should keep in mind that hand baggage allowance does not
change. Those who book these fares, but decide to check in luggage later,
will have to pay more.
24 ||||| JULY 2016

OPENING SHOT ||||| WILDLIFE
PRIVATE NATURE
RESERVE
Clockwise from top: A variety of forests line
the different walking trails; the hilltop is
within walking distance; camera traps have
captured a wide variety of species; and the
monsoon period is the best time to visit
WHAT WOULD YOU DO if you inherited
a vast stretch of rich forest land near
Mussoorie? Well, if you were Vipul Jain,
you would convert 11 acres of it into
Uttarakhand’s first private nature
reserve. Now, every Saturday, for three
hours, nature lovers from all over the
country - as well as abroad - can set off
on guided walks on eight trails in the
company of expert local guides at the
Jabarkhet Nature Reserve (JNR). They
can spot a wide variety of wildlife
including mammals, birds and insects.
Over 100 species of birds can be found
here. The folks who run JNR say you
might only occasionally encounter wild
mammals on the trails. But you can be
sure they are all around you. In the past,
camera traps have captured leopard,
barking deer, langur, black bear, wild
boar and even sambar, among many
other species.
SpiceJet flies to Dehradun, 34 km away.
Log on to www.spicejet.com for details.
26 ||||| JULY 2016

OPENING SHOT ||||| ADVENTURE
Top: The convention focuses exclusively
on vehicles with 4WD capability;
Bottom: Registered visitors can
participate in competitions
4 X 4 FRENZY
IF ADVENTURE RUNS IN YOUR BLOOD,
then your destination of the month
should be Dona Paula, Goa – as a
participant or spectator at the India 4x4
Week 2016. Being held between July 22
and 24, “India’s largest convention for
the 4WD community” promises to be a
treat for 4x4 aficionados. Around 25
teams will be participating in the
prologue stages of Force Gurkha RFC
India 2016, India’s biggest and toughest
off-road motorsport event. Also, a
number of displays will be featured
from leading 4X4 vehicle manufacturers.
Uniquely modified and rare heritage
4WD vehicles will be added attractions.
There will be SUV, moderate and
extreme offroading test tracks as well
as knowledge, training and certification
sessions on off-road driving, vehicle
preparation, restoration and other
aspects. Finally, the convention
will host various contests and
competitions for registered visitors
and their 4WD vehicles.
SpiceJet flies to Goa. Log on to
www.spicejet.com for details
28 ||||| JULY 2016

OPENING SHOT ||||| LANDMARKS
Top: The tomb has been a UNESCO
World Heritage Site since 1993;
Bottom: The replaced finial
HUMAYUN’S TOMB GETS BACK
ITS CROWN
ONE OF NEW DELHI’S most enduring
landmark and iconic tourist attractions
is now back to its original glory after the
re-installation of its 18-feet tall finial
atop the majestic dome. The original was
damaged in a storm two years ago.
Located close to the famous Nizamuddin
Dargah, the five century old Mughal
monument and its surrounding 30 acres
of garden was commissioned by Akbar to
honour his father. It was the first big
structure to be built in red sandstone in
the country and the first garden-tomb.
And importantly, it served as the
architectural inspiration for several
other Mughal era monuments that
followed, including the Taj Mahal.
Re-created by the Aga Khan Trust of
Culture, with help of traditional
craftsmen and watch and jewellery
maker Titan Industries, the new finial is
a faithful replica of the original. It
consists of a Sal wood core onto which
have been mounted 11 copper vessels
with a brass piece at the top. While the
wooden base was sunk four feet into the
dome for stability, 300 kilos of pure
copper were used for making the vessels.
Three kilos of gold was used for the six
layer gilding of the structure, which has
been finished with glass beads. The old
finial will be displayed prominently in a
new museum coming up in the complex.
SpiceJet flies to Delhi. Log on to
www.spicejet.com for details
30 ||||| JULY 2016

OPENING SHOT ||||| MONUMENTS
ICONIC MARBLE INLAYS AT THE
TAJ MAHAL UNDER SIEGE
DROPPINGS OF MOSQUITO-like insects
that breed in the dirty waters of the
adjoining Yamuna are damaging the
iconic marble inlays in the Taj Mahal
according to the Archaeological Surve of
India. “A series of marble panels
depicting plant motifs on the walls or
reflective tiles used in this part of the
monument are becoming disfigured,”
Bhuvan Vikram of ASI was quoted
telling the London newspaper The
Guardian recently. The insects leave
green and black patches on the marble,
which then has to be scrubbed clean by
workers every day, which in turn
damages the marble. The proliferation of
these insects has been attributed to
pollution which has reduced the Yamuna
to a stagnant pool of dirty water behind
the Taj, killing most of its fish which
otherwise would have kept a check on
their breeding. ASI says it is working on a
permanent solution to the problem.
SpiceJet flies to Delhi 230 km away. Log
on to www.spicejet.com for details
Top: Iconic marble inlays of the Taj are in
danger. Bottom: Pollution has killed most of
the fish in the Yamuna leading to the
proliferation of the mosquito-like insects
32 ||||| JULY 2016

OPENING SHOT ||||| EXHIBITIONS
HIMACHAL VILLAGE THAT IS AN
ART GALLERY
From top: Gunehar village’s market square
was given a facelift by visiting artists; the
exhibition attracts artists from all over the
country; a fashion show by the village kids;
and an installation at the 2016 edition of
ShopArt ArtShop
AROUND TWO HOURS DRIVE from the
Dharamshala airport, off the highway
leading to Mandi, nestled in the Kangra
valley, is a small Himalayan village that
is trying to make its presence felt on the
Himachal tourism map, thanks to Frank
Schlichtmann, a German Indophile who
has lived here for nearly a decade now.
Gunehar was once a prosperous waystop
on the trans-Himalaya caravan
route, but has since fallen to bad times.
Schlichtmann has been trying to change
this situation with his 4tables project
which aims to create “ a space for
alternative and meaningful living”. As
part of this effort he has set up a gallery, a
café, an ecological boutique hotel and
has helped beautify the village and
restore its traditional buildings.
Schlichtmann’s biggest success by
far, and the one that has brought the
village into public limelight, has been
ShopArt ArtShop, a triennial conceptual
art exhibition that attracts artists from
all over. For a month, every three years,
the village is turned into an art gallery
with active participation of the
residents. According to the organisers
the idea is to give artists “the
opportunity to relate to and work on arts
in a wholesome manner outside the
confines of usual, urban-centric art
spaces.”
The artists spend three weeks
staying in the village and work in
abandoned houses and shops to create
art that uses local infrastructure while
being mindful of local sensibilities. The
gamut of their art work cuts across
various disciplinces including music,
installations, painting, drama, fashion
and films and the final work is presented
to locals and visitors during a villagewide
art festival. The first edition in
2013 of ShopArt ArtShop which featured
13 emerging artists drew more than
6,000 visitors. The month-long second
edition which finished last month
involved 11 contemporary artists, and
attracted more than 10,000 visitors.
The third edition will take place in
2019, but visitors have much to admire
in the village in the interim including
remnants of the previous art projects
as well as the chance of enjoying life
in a bucolic and remote Indian village.
The restored, but still rustic, mud and
stone house of an old time trader which
is now an ecological boutique hotel
will be an experience by itself. More
details at http://www.the4roomshotel.
com and http://www.shopartshop.com.
SpiceJet flies to Dharamshala, 65 km away.
Log on to www.spicejet.com for details
34 ||||| JULY 2016

OPENING SHOT ||||| PILGRIMAGE
INDIA’S TOUGHEST YATRA
GETS UNDER WAY
IN AMARNATH
The holy cave can be approached by the longer
Pahalgam-Amarnath route as well as the shorter
but tougher Baltal-Amarnath option
THERE ARE RELIGIOUS PROCESSIONS.
And then there is the Amarnath Yatra.
Flagged off on the second of this month,
the pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave in
the Lidder Valley of Jammu & Kashmir
will wind up on August 18. In all, 3.5 lakh
devotees undertook the yatra last year.
Yet, the journey is not for the fainthearted.
Devotees prepare for the yatra
by undertaking rigorous treks before
approaching a government hospital for a
fitness certificate. The popular
Pahalgam-Amarnath Cave route spans
45 km and is full of steep ascents (like the
ones at Pissutop and Mahagunas Pass),
involves crossing glaciers and wading
through freezing waters, walking on
slushy terrain and facing unpredictable
climate which changes abruptly from
sunny weather to rain and snow and
temperatures often falling below 5
degrees Celsius. The ultimate goal:
observing at close quarters the ice
shivling, the world’s most renowned
ice stalagmite.
SpiceJet flies to Srinagar, 87 km away
from Pahalgam. Log on to www.spicejet.com
for details
36 ||||| JULY 2016

OPENING SHOT ||||| HOSPITALITY
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN STAY IN A
HAVELI ON YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY
WudStay’s accommodation options
include (from top) staying in a
homestay, haveli and shikara
HOW DO YOU BREAK FREE from
the clutter of hotel room
aggregators? If you are Prafulla
Mathur, founder of WudStay, you
pitch your company’s USP of
offering standardised,
unconventional accommodation
options. These include stays in
shikaras in Kashmir, houseboats
in Kerala, havelis in Rajasthan,
and in more than 2,000 homestays
all over the country. WudStay,
which has received funding from
the likes of Simile Ventures and
Mangrove Capital Partners, fixes
standards for all the properties in
60 cities and also trains staff who
work there.
38 ||||| JULY 2016

OPENING SHOT ||||| PHOTOGRAPHY
WORLD’S LONGEST-RUNNING
STUDIO FADES OUT IN KOLKATA
BOURNE & SHEPHERD, the legendary
Kolkata photo studio, and one of the
oldest of its kind in the world, announced
last month that is shutting down after
more than 150 years of continuous
operation. It was established by British
photographer Samuel Bourne in 1863,
who was joined by Charles Shepherd
three years later. Between them, the two
shot landscapes, architectural
masterpieces, British Raj and Indian
nobility as well as celebrities.
Rabindranath Tagore and Satyajit Ray
`sat’ in the studio for portraits. One of the
best-known photographs shot by the
studio was a rare portrait of the mystic
Swami Ramakrishna. A devastating fire
in 1991 destroyed most of the studio’s and
it never receovered from the tragedy.
Ironically the news comes as a time
when the studio has been the subject of a
major photo exhibition called Figures in
Time: Bourne & Shepherd organised by
Tasveer , the leading Indian promoter of
photography as an art form. It has been
shown in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi,
Kolkata and Ahmedabad in the last few
months, and will travel to Baroda and
Jodhpur next year.
SpiceJet flies to Kolkata. Log on to
www.spicejet.com for details
Clockwise from top left:
Ahmedabad, Hathi Singh’s tomb,
looking through the gateway, c. 1880;
Rajasthan, His Highness, Maharaja
Bhanwar Pal Deo of Karauli, 1920;
Darjeeling, The loop on the Darjeeling
Himalayan Railway, c. 1880;
Afghanistan, Group of Affreedies
from the Khyber Pass, c. 1860;
Mumbai (formerly Bombay),
Esplanade Road, c. 1880;
All images courtesy
MAP / Tasveer
40 ||||| JULY 2016

MELANGE ||||| HAPPENINGS
HOT DATES
EVENTS // MUSIC // THEATRE // ART
adventure
NISHANI MOTTE WILDLIFE
CIRCUIT TREK
Nishani Motte is one those lesser known
weekend treks from Bengaluru, where
you can experience the mighty wildlife
and the tranquillity of Coorg. The most
beautiful part of the trek is the ridge
walk on the sides of the dense forests
and the impeccable view of Kerala on
one side of the peak.
When: July 8-10, 2016
Where: Bengaluru
music
GURUVE NAMAH
On the auspicious
occasion of Guru
Poornima, Guruwe
Namaha is planned.
Zakir Hussain
and Rakesh
Chaurasia will
perform together
as a tribute to
their gurus, Alla
Rakha Khan
and Hariprasad
Chaurasia
respectively.
When: July 21,
2016
Where: Mumbai
stand-up
COMEDY NIGHT WITH
APPURV GUPTA
Engineer turned
stand-up comic,
Appurv Gupta has a
unique voice in the
stand-up comedy
scene in India. At 25,
he already has 500
shows under his belt,
including his welltravelled
show,
Appur View.
When: July 3, 2016
Where: Delhi
ALAMY (COORG)
42 ||||| JULY 2016

MELANGE ||||| HAPPENINGS
music
NCPA BANDISH
The three-day
festival will showcase
some of the most
treasured works of
great composers.
Venkatesh Kumar will
present compositions
of Na’mat Khan
(Sadarang) and
Adarang and Ajoy
Chakrabarty will
present compositions
by Jnan Prakash
Ghosh. Hariharan will
present ghazals by
Mirza Ghalib and Mir
Taqi Mir and Parthiv
Gohil will present a
bouquet of ragabased
songs.
When: July 8-10,
2016
Where: NCPA
Mumbai
dance
TOMORROWLAND UNITE
Building bridges between Belgium and the rest of the
world with a live connection from the Tomorrowland
main stage, live DJ sets on the local stage and the unique,
magical Tomorrowland atmosphere, Unite is the mirror to
Tomorrowland. The live streams will feature sets by Dimitri
Vegas and Like Mike, Nicky Romero and Afrojack. The local
acts will be live sets by Anish Sood, Lost Stories, Candice
Redding and Kerano B2B Joshi.
When: July 23, 2016
Where: Hyderabad
theatre
THE SHAKESPEARE
THEATRE FESTIVAL
Witness four
amazing Shakespeare
adaptations – King
Lear, Macbeth,
Hamlet and
As You Like It, with an
amazing line-up
of actors, all directed
by Rajat Kapoor.
When: July
1-3, 2016
Where: Bengaluru
44 ||||| JULY 2016

MELANGE ||||| HAPPENINGS
JULY
L
ISTINGS
1What: 7th Jagran Film Festival
When: 11.00 am (up till 5th July)
Where: Sirifort Auditorium, Delhi
What: Hyderabad
Bengali Film Festival
When: Up till July 3
Where: Prasad Film
Laboratory, Hyderabad
2What: A
3
Heritage City
Tour at Night
When: 11.00
pm
Where:
Victoria
Memorial,
Kolkata
What: Khusrau Ke Rang (Sufi
Poetry and Music Concert)
When: 7.00 pm
Where: India Habitat Center,
Delhi
What: Anthology (Short Plays)
When: 7.30 pm
Where: Atta Galata, Bengaluru
5 6 7 9
What: Jessica Pratt in Recital
(Western Classical Music)
When: 7.00 pm
Where: NCPA Mumbai
What: Sultan (Hindi Film)
Where: Across India
What: Swara Malhar (Hindustani
Classical Concert with Malhaar Ragas)
When: 5.30 pm
Where: Ganesh Kala Kreeda Manch,
Pune
What: Lucerne Symphony
Orchestra (Western Classical
Music)
When: 7.00 pm (up till July 8)
Where: NCPA Mumbai
What: Shobana’s Krishna
(Dance-Drama)
When: 6.00 pm
Where: Devar Hall, Trichy
What: Declutter
Sale and Flea
Market
When: 10:00 am
Where: HAL
Convention
Center, Bengaluru
What: Madaari (Hindi Film)
Where: Across India
What: Kabali (Tamil Film)
Where: Across India
What: Club Desire (Hindi Play)
When: 8.00 pm
Where: Jagriti Theatre,
Bengaluru
10 15 16
What: S.N. Surendar
Payanangal
Mudivathillai
(Tribute Musical
Performance)
When: 6.30 pm
Where: Sir Pitty
Thyagaraya Hall,
Chennai
What: Antar Yatra (Odissi
Performance)
When: 7.00 pm
Where: GD Birla Sabhaghar,
Kolkata
What: Obsessive Comedic
Disorder (Stand-up
Comedy)
When: 8.00 pm
Where: Classic Rock Coffee
Co, Pune
23 24 30 31
What: The Genesis of Indian
Classical Music – Understanding
Dhrupad (Music Session)
When: 7.00 am
Where: Lodhi Garden Khan Market
Entrance Gate, Delhi
What: Basics
of Photography
(Workshop)
When: 9.30 am
Where: Best Western
Ashoka, Hyderabad
What: Dudhiware
Waterfall Rappelling
(Adventure Sport)
When: 6.00 am
Where: Dudhiware
Khind, Pune
SHUTTERSTOCK (KOLKATA)
46 ||||| JULY 2016

MELANGE ||||| INFORMATION
WHAT'S NEW
KERALA TO ORGANISE
CULINARY FEST AS PART OF
MUZIRIS PROMOTION
Among the events to be organised for the
promotion of Kerala’s Muziris Heritage
Project, launched by President Pranab
Mukherjee, will be a culinary festival
presenting delicacies from 31 countries. The
Muziris port, said to have been located in the
Paravur-Kodungalloor region, is the bedrock
of Spice Route – an initiative of Kerala
Tourism, involving 31 countries with whom
the port had trade relations. The festival will
be held in September at Bolghatty Palace.
Given the involvement of so many nations,
the Centre, too, is expected to play an
important diplomatic role.
INDIAN GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTES A
DEDICATED WELLNESS TOURISM BOARD
A National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board has been
constituted to provide institutional framework for promoting
medical, wellness, yoga and Ayurveda tourism. Three subcommittees
have been set up to look into issues relating to
visa, accreditation and allied services, and marketing.
MADHYA PRADESH GEARS UP FOR TOURISM
Madhya Pradesh is developing its tourism infrastructure, with
`13 billion worth of public and private investments expected this
year. State tourism officials state that the new funding will cover
a range of areas, including 300 roadside amenities such as cafes,
restrooms, parks and parking facilities. The state government
is focusing on wildlife, rural and religious tourism areas and
activities, as well as expanding its accommodation offerings.
SHUTTERSTOCK
48 ||||| JULY 2016

MELANGE ||||| INFORMATION
RAMAYANA AND KRISHNA
CIRCUITS PROPOSED
The government of India has
shortlisted 11 destinations (Ayodhya,
Nandigram, Shringhverpur, Chitrakoot,
Sitamarhi, Buxar, Darbhanga,
Jagdalpur, Bhadrachalam, Hampi and
Rameshwaram) to be developed under
the Ramayana circuit, and 12 destinations
(Dwarka, Nathdwara, Jaipur, Sikar,
Kurukshetra, Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul,
Barsana, Nandgaon, Govardhan, Puri)
across five states under the Krishna
circuit. Investment projects worth Rs 300
crore have already received in-principle
approval from the government.
ALMOST THREE-QUARTERS
OF INDIANS BOOK HOTELS ON
MOBILES
In a latest study, Hotels.com found that
almost three-quarters (73%) of Indians
use mobiles to book hotel rooms. The
study also found that more than half of
those admitted they book more trips
than before because of their mobiles.
Mobile devices also appear to offer
Indian travellers more freedom to
book; 36% said they had booked hotels
while on public transport, and an equal
percentage said they booked at airports
prior to departure.
ANDHRA PRADESH GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH 33 HOTELS
Andhra Pradesh government is planning to add 33 hotels, including major global
and domestic brands, in the state with a total investment of Rs 2,400 crore to
strengthen tourism development. To cater to an ever-rising group of tourists and to
make Andhra Pradesh the most preferred destination, the state is all set to launch a
host of water sports and adventure tourism facilities as well.
SHUTTERSTOCK
50 ||||| JULY 2016

INSIDER COVER STORY ||||| SPICEJET ||||| CELEBRATIONS
TH
BIRTHDAY BASH
THE SPICEJET TURNAROUND, UNPARALLELED IN THE
INDIAN AVIATION SECTOR, RESOUNDED THROUGH THE AIRLINE’S RECENT
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
THE INVITE PROMISED `glitz, glitter and
glamour’. But the more than 500 guests
at the Pearl Ballroom in Gurgaon’s Leela
Ambience late one evening last month,
carried back many more memories. They
were attending the 11th anniversary
celebrations of SpiceJet. Along with the
evening’s dazzling event, the invitees
were awed by the inspiring story of one
of the greatest turnarounds in Indian
corporate history.
Even Ajay Singh, Chairman &
Managing Director, SpiceJet, referred to
the turnaround in his opening words,
when talking about the airline’s 10th
anniversary: “It was an anniversary that
nearly didn’t happen,” he candidly
remarked. “We had no hopes
whatsoever. On December 16, 2014, we
nearly shut down. Lessors wanted their
planes back and creditors, their money.”
He then introduced to the audience
the man whose “incredible support
ensured that we did not become another
Kingfisher.” According to Ajay Singh,
Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Ashok
Gajapathi Raju, gave all possible support
to the ailing airline. In turn, the Minister
complimented SpiceJetters for “doing a
marvellous job in bringing back the
company on track.”
Extending his best wishes on the 11th
anniversary, he continued: “You all
deserve this success because you have
worked very hard. Our role was like that
of a grandfather extending his arms to
his grandchild. Today, I am happy to see
52 ||||| JULY 2016

THE SPICEJET TURNAROUND STORY
WAS BEAUTIFULLY CONVEYED
THROUGH A MEDLEY OF SIX
ORIGINAL SONG AND DANCE
COMPOSITIONS. SIX SPICEJET
CABIN CREW WERE PART OF ONE OF
THE CAPTIVATING SEQUENCES
Clockwise from above: The original song
and dance compositions were appreciated
by the audience; among the guests were
luminaries from the aviation world; a
section of the audience keenly watching
the stage performances; and the SpiceJet
turnaround story was told in six acts
that the toddler who held a finger is not
only walking but also running. We now
look forward to the day when he will
become a champion in the Olympics.”
Winning was also the sentiment
behind Parde ke Peechey: A Red, Hot and
Spicy Blockbuster, the Bollywoodinspired
theme of the evening’s
theatrical and musical show. The
SpiceJet turnaround story was
beautifully conveyed through a medley
of six original song and dance
compositions. The event was organised
by Humour Me, a premium content
generator in the field of branded
entertainment.
Six SpiceJet cabin crew were also part
of one of the sequences; all others were
professional actors. A witty directorwriter
duo introduced the various
segments, beginning with the first song
featuring a bevy of beauties sashaying in
orange tops and white skirts to the
backdrop of, very appropriately,
thunderclaps signifying SpiceJet’s
trying times in the past.
Viewers were taken through
important milestones in SpiceJet’s
dramatic lifespan. These included the
very first Delhi-Ahmedabad-Mumbai
flight. Mumbai was used as a metaphor
for success which in turn was connected
to the airline’s flight to glory. One of the
songs Aao bhari nayi udaan celebrated
SpiceJet becoming one of India’s leading
carriers (in terms of market share) in
July 2008.
Another song Mirchi ka tadka hoon
referred to the SpiceJet tagline Red.Hot.
Spicy and highlighted the return of
original promoter Ajay Singh to the helm
of the airline last year. Apart from
touching upon the airline’s miraculous
comeback, the final segment Lights,
JULY 2016 ||||| 53

COVER STORY ||||| CELEBRATIONS
Top: The Leela event was held for
corporates and partners.
Bottom: A SpiceJet calendar was also
launched on the occasion
Camera, SpiceJet also featured its many
innovations including SpiceClub, Yoga
On Board as well its CSR activities like
supplying water to the drought-affected
region of Latur in Maharashtra.
The audience was suitably impressed.
Apart from the Civil Aviation Minister,
other notables connected with the
Indian aviation world included Rajiv
Nayan Choubey, Aviation Secretary and
M Sathiyavathy, Director-General of
Civil Aviation. “Today, seeing all this
whistling and stomping of feet, it is very
difficult to believe that this is the same
SpiceJet team which was going through
dismal times in early 2015,” said
Secretary Choubey. “The turnaround
was achieved because the SpiceJet
foundation was strong. They had fire in
their belly.”
A calendar launch and awards for
travel partners rounded off the evening
for corporates and partners. As the
celebrations came to an end, the lights
dimmed and the invitees started moving
slowly towards the exit gates, the
opening words of the song playing in the
background stuck with them: Ain't no
mountain high enough. There could not
have been more appropriate words to
celebrate a remarkable story of success
in Indian aviation.
ENOUGH REASONS
FOR ALL THE
CELEBRATIONS
SpiceJetters can be forgiven for being in
such a celebratory mood. In the last one
year, their airline has become profitable
and has been growing from strength to
strength. Here is proof:
■ SpiceJet’s passenger occupancy now
averages over 90%.
■ It scores very high on two important
parameters – On Time Performance and
fleet reliability.
■ The airline posted its highest ever
profit (Rs 407 crore) for Financial Year
2015/16. This compared very favourably
with the loss of Rs 687 crore in the
previous year.
■ Numerous awards have been coming
SpiceJet’s way, including ‘Iconic
Turnaround’ in the Private Sector
Category by Iconic 2016 and the `Best
Domestic Airline for South India’ honour
from DDP TravTalk.
■ Its innovative products SpiceClub and
SpiceMax have been very well received.
■ There has been very good response to
increased frequency on international as
well as domestic routes.
54 ||||| JULY 2016

COVER STORY ||||| CELEBRATIONS
AND THEN IT
WAS TIME TO
PARTY...
THEIR MOOD BUOYED BY THE SPIRIT
OF OPTIMISM AT THE SPICEJET
HEADQUARTERS IN GURGAON AND
OFFICES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY,
SPICEJET EMPLOYEES LET THEIR HAIR
DOWN AND HAD A BLAST. HERE ARE A
FEW GLIMPSES OF A CELEBRATORY
DO BY SPICEJETTERS, FOR
SPICEJETTERS
56 ||||| JULY 2016

THE LEADING
EDUCATIONAL GROUP
OF INSTITUTIONS
Ranked amongst
the Top
colleges in India by
IBM-TGMC for
three consecutive years
10,000
students from
India and abroad
70
PG/UG/Diploma Courses
750
faculty members
7,000
30
placements so far
3
Mega Campuses in
Punjab
17
professional institutions
MAQSUDAN CAMPUS
Greater Kailash, G.T. Road,
Maqsudan, Jalandhar-144008
Ph. : +91-181-5009605-595
Cell : +91-98146-46225
NEW DELHI OFFICE
74, World Trade Center,
Barakhamba Lane,
New Delhi-110001
Cell : +91-97172 89688
Jalandhar (Pb.), India
• Accredited with “A” Grade by NAAC.
• Former Ms. Universe Sushmita Sen presented International Quality Award
for being the Best Hotel Management Institute in Punjab by Brands Impact at
Goa to CT Institute of Hotel Management.
• Ranked amongst top 14 promising Engg. Colleges of Excellence in CSR-GHRDC
Survey, 2013, 2014 & 2015
• Academic Linkages with Professional Societies viz. CSI, ISTE, IETE.
• Center of Excellence for Microsoft, IBM, Texas Instruments, Siemens, Oracle.
• Student Ambassadors of Firefox Mozila, Google, IBM.
• International Tie-up(s) with prestigious educational institutions in UK, France,
Finland, and Sri Lanka.
SHAHPUR CAMPUS
UE II-Pratappura Road,
Shahpur, Jalandhar-144020
Ph.: +91-181-5055127-28
Cell : +91-99145-04904
LUDHIANA OFFICE
SCO 25, Model Town Extension
Near Krishna Mandir, Ludhiana
Ph. : 0161-5060728
Cell : +91-99145-11016
Toll Free Number : 1800 1372 227

DESIGN ||||| INTERIORS
INDIA’S TILE DESIGN PIONEERS
ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS ARE ONCE AGAIN TURNING THEIR FOCUS ON THE
OLD-WORLD OFFERINGS OF THE ALMOST CENTURY-OLD BHARAT FLOORINGS
AND TILES BY LIANA M
structures such as the Bhau Daji Lad
Museum and BMC Headquarters in
Mumbai. Today, be it a Claridges Dhaba
in Delhi, SodaBottleOpenerWala in
Gurgaon, Loft 38 in Bengaluru, Colaba
Social in Mumbai, they all sport Bharat
Floorings tiles. So do the offices of
Phantom Films, and the Mumbai homes
of Kangana Ranaut and Alia Bhatt.
On its part, Bharat Floorings,
currently run by Firdaus Variava,
Pherozesha’s grandson, has started
reaching out to all its stakeholders,
including the shiny new ones. The
company holds curated walks to heritage
buildings with Instagrammers and has
launched a designer collection. They’ve
also successfully diversified to entertain
designer requests.
Top: Bharat Tiles creations at British
Brewing Company; Bottom: A custom
designed heritage for The Royal
Bombay Yacht Club; Right: Hexagon
tiles at a private residence in Mumbai
CONCEIVED AT THE PEAK of the
Swadeshi Movement in 1922, Pherozesha
Sidhwa and his nephew, Rustom Sidhwa,
started Bharat Floorings and Tiles, a
company that produced cement tiles.
The company’s heritage collection takes
any room back by a few decades, lending
a vintage charm. Designed in shades of
green, earth and ochre, the collection
originally graced the floors of some of
the most iconic buildings in Fort,
Mumbai.
With the art deco movement
permeating all forms of design, floral
patterns of the collection soon gave way
to tiles made of chips which became
omnipresent. However, that was only
until the 2000s when architects and
interior designers who nursed a soft
corner for all things antiquated, brought
back the collection in every café, pub and
restaurant.
The heritage collection initially
made a comeback as part of restoration
projects by Architect Vikas Dilawari, in
ON DISPLAY
Where you can find Bharat Tiles
creations
● THE TAJ MAHAL PALACE, Mumbai
● MADRAS UNIVERSITY
● Palace-residences of the MAHARAJAS
OF BIKANER, Kolhapur, Palanpur, Mysuru
and Porbandar
● SALARJUNG MUSEUM, Hyderabad
● KEM HOSPITAL, Mumbai
● BANGALORE CLUB
● Nearly all residential buildings lining
the OVAL MAIDAN in Mumbai
58 ||||| JULY 2016

EXPLORE ||||| STATES
Sonmarg is the base camp for the popular Amarnath Yatra
10 PRETTIEST PLACES IN KASHMIR
JAMMU & KASHMIR IS WORLD-RENOWNED FOR ITS RAW NATURAL BEAUTY AND STUNNING LANDSCAPES. HERE IS A
SAMPLING OF PLACES YOU DEFINITELY MUST VISIT WHILE IN KASHMIR. BY: NAMAN MUKESH CHAUDHARY
PHOTOGRAPHS BY: SAJAD RAFEEQ
SONMARG
Sonmarg or “Meadow of Gold” possibly
derives its name from the sun setting on
the snowy mountains, making the
blanket of snow appear golden. Open for
road transport in late April, a ride
through the Sindh Valley is
unforgettable. J&K Tourism organises
annual river rafting tournaments in the
river Sindh, with local and overseas
participation.
From Sonmarg, ponies can be hired
for the journey north to Thajiwas
Glacier, one of the most alluring places
in Kashmir during summer. Travellers
can head to numerous trekking
destinations which loop out to old
Himalayan lakes such as Gadsar,
Krishansar, Vishansar and Gangabal
teeming with Snow Trout and Brown
Trout. Surrounded by lofty peaks,
Sonmarg is the base for the Amarnath
yatra. But most of all, it is the place from
where the fantastic journey to Ladakh
commences through a major pass in the
Himalayas called Zojila.
60 ||||| JULY 2016

SRINAGAR
Sitting on the banks of river Jhelum, J&K’s summer
capital is where ancient and modern collide. It is easy to
see why the city has been credited with the title,
“Venice of the East” after a shikara ride on the famous
Dal Lake. Nestled in the valley surrounded by the Pir
Panjal mountain range, Srinagar offers panoramic
views till as far as the eyes can see.
Sought-after gardens such as Nishat, Naseem and
Shalimar, with their terraced lawns, endless fountain
pools, and flowerbeds tucked away under mighty
Chinar trees should be on the top of your itinerary while
in Srinagar. So should be the two hills – Hari Parbat,
crowned by a fort and the shrine of Makhdoom Sahib;
and Shankaracharya Hill. Yet another visual treat is
Chasma Shahi and the view of the city from Pari Mahal,
an ancient monument built on a mountain by Dara
Shikoh. Hidden in the alleys of the old city are the
famous Jama Masjid and other important shrines.
Clockwise from top: Srinagar offers panoramic views all around;
Yusmarg is ideal for a quick day trip
PULWAMA
Also called the “Rice Bowl of Kashmir”, Pulwama is a place of
religious and historical importance. Ruled by the Kashmir
Sultanate from 1346 to 1586 AD, Mughals in the 16th century, and
Afghans in the early 19th century, travellers come from all over to
see the historic Mughal Road. Important religious centres include
the Payer temple, Avantishwar temple, Shah Hamdan shrine, Syed
Hassan Mantaqui shrine, Jama Masjid Shopian, and Asar Sharief
Pinjoora.
Pulwama’s many tourist destinations include Aharbal Falls,
Shikargarh, Aripal Nag, Hurpora, Tarsar and Marsar lakes,
Kungwattan and Nagberan. The best time to be in Pulwama is
between April and October.
YUSMARG
Strange as it may seem, Yusmarg is Kashmiri for the
“Meadow of Jesus”. Legend has it that Jesus Christ
visited Kashmir and stayed at Yusmarg for some time.
Thirteen kilometres south of Charar-e-Sharief, this
meadow is located in Badgam district of J&K on the
banks of river Doodh Ganga, a tributary of the river
Jhelum.
Nestled by the Pir Panjal peaks, a sub-range of the
Himalayas, excursions to Sunset Peak and Tatakooti
Peak begin from here. Encircled by pine forests,
Yusmarg is nature’s paradise offering verdant pastures
and snow-capped mountains. With panoramic views of
Doodh Ganga, Nilnag Lake and Sang-e-Safed Valley, it
makes for a perfect day trip.
JULY 2016 ||||| 61

EXPLORE ||||| STATES
Top: Many popular trekking routes originate
from Pahalgam. Below: Jhelum river flows in
and out of the Wular Lake
PAHALGAM
Bordered by alpine peaks and
concealed by colossal conifers,
Pahalgam’s deep valleys serve as a
playground for the gushing Lidder and
Sheshnag rivers. There are numerous
picturesque spots and over 20
crystalline lakes in the surrounding
mountains, where guides and
horsemen are more than keen to take
you to your destinations.
Pahalgam comprises eight tiny
villages and also houses part of the only
saffron-growing areas in Asia. Tourists
can choose from a number of activities
such as golf, rafting and trekking. Some
popular treks include the ones to
Sonmarg, Chandanwari, Kolahoi
Glacier and Sheshnag Lake. Pahalgam
is the gateway to multiple travel
destinations, including the rolling
pastures of Baisaran and Hajan.
Sixteen kilometre away, Chandanwari,
is another base for the Amarnath yatra.
Woolen garments like Gabbas and
Namdas are available in local shops.
WULAR LAKE
Billed as the largest freshwater lake in
India, the Wular Lake covers nearly 200 sq km
though the actual surface area continues to vary
during the year. Located at a distance of around
50km from Srinagar and at an average altitude
of 1570m, this lake is up to 16km long, about
7.6km wide, and on an average, 5.8m deep. The
deepest part of the lake is called “Mota Khon” or
“Gulf of Corpses” as the bodies of people who
drowned in the lake are said to be buried here.
In the north and east, the lake is enveloped by
towering mountain ranges that are moderately
wooded. The river Jhelum rushes into the lake,
40km downstream from Srinagar, before
rushing out. Tranquil as it may seem, Wular
Lake is known for its howling winds that
sometimes sweep through. At one time, there
was an artificial island on the lake where
boatmen took shelter during inclement weather.
62 ||||| JULY 2016

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EXPLORE ||||| STATES
KUPWARA
With its mountains, rivers and gurgling streams,
Kupwara may seem straight out of some fairytale. Yet,
these are not the only features of this beautiful valley…
rather, valleys within a valley! What’s more, each valley is
more beautiful than the other, with the most prominent
being Lolab Valley. Much larger in size than Gulmarg,
Kupwara, with its emerald green meadows and
wildflowers, is a major draw for tourists. Among the more
famous meadows is Bangus while Tumna, Hachmerg,
Fulmarg and Hafrada are some of the picturesque villages
to the east of Kupwara.
Home to sacred places such as Jamia Masjid Kupwara
which can accommodate nearly 9,000 people at a time and
Jamia Masjid Tangdar, Kupwara is known for its religious
tourism. Other must-sees include the Badra Kali temple
close to Badrakali village of Handwara tehsil and Kheer
Bawani temple near a sacred spring in Tikker Kupwara.
Top: Kupwara is teeming with valleys and
meadows. Below: the 600-year-old
Charar-e-Sharief
CHARAR-E-SHARIEF
Located on the way to Yusmarg,
Charar-e-Sharief in the J&K valley
is one of the most sacrosanct Muslim
shrines and also, the most ancient.
Built around 600 years ago to pay
homage to the Sufi saint Noor-ud-
Din Noorani, the shrine was severely
damaged during the Indo-Pak war
only to be restored through
incessant efforts undertaken by local
authorities. A major portion of
Charar-e-Sharief was broken yet
again during a militant attack in 1995
but that too was repaired in due time.
Born in 1377, Noor-ud-Din
Noorani was instrumental in the
creation of Charar-e-Sharief. Also
known as Sahazanand or Nund
Reshi, Noorani propounded the
importance of Rishism in the J&K
valley hundreds of years ago. The
Sufi saint spent his entire life
advocating compassion,
vegetarianism and communal peace.
64 ||||| JULY 2016

EXPLORE ||||| STATES
Top: The religiously-inclined are attracted
to Doda which has many temples. Below:
Gulmarg is an adventure-lover’s deligt
DODA
The town gets its name from “Deeda”, a migrant
from Multan who was a utensil maker. The
allure of Doda lies in its tourist destinations
named Bhaderwah, Chinta Valley, Seoj Meadow
and Bhal Padri. Every year in the month of
August, Hindus undertake the Kailash yatra to
Bhaderwah. Located 6,500 feet above sea level,
the arresting Chinta Valley with its meadows
and coniferous forests is hemmed in by snowcapped
mountains. Seoj Meadow is another
beautiful place, popularly known as the
“diamond in the crown of Bhaderwah”.
For the spiritually-inclined, Doda,
especially Bhaderwah, has many popular
temples including Gupt Ganga, Sheetla Mata,
Alalbani, Nagni Mata, Subar Nag, Thubu Nag
and Vasuki Nag.
GULMARG
Gulmarg’s dreamlike rustic appeal and its
proximity to Srinagar make this hill station a
must-see on every traveller’s list. Winding its
way up through the hills, the road opens up in
the pine-fringed “Meadow of Flowers” that is
buried under a blanket of snow during winters
but bursts with wildflowers such as daisies,
forget-me-nots and buttercups in spring and
summer. The 1890s Anglican Church of St
Mary atop a hillock lies off the dead-end road
connecting the famous Gulmarg Golf Club
with the 1965 Hotel Highlands Park.
Gulmarg Gondola, among the highest in
the world, is a two-stage ropeway, ferrying
tourists to Mt. Apharwat’s summit. They can
even trek the bare ridge of Mt. Apharwat
through old pines. Not just breathtakingly
beautiful, Gulmarg is also famous for its
adventure and recreational sports, especially
during winters. It is Asia’s only heli-skiing
resort and home to the highest green golf
course in the world, located at an altitude of
2,650m. For those desirous of a hike to the
Himalayas, Gulmarg is an apt base.
66 ||||| JULY 2016

STAR BUZZ ||||| SHAHID KAPOOR
'IT WAS
SCARY TO
ATTEMPT
THE ROLE'
SHAHID KAPOOR ON THE MOST-
DISCUSSED CHARACTER OF HIS
CAREER – THE CRAZY, DRUG-ADDLED
ROCK STAR, TOMMY SINGH, IN
ABHISHEK CHAUBEY’S UDTA PUNJAB,
AND HOW BECOMING A HUSBAND AS
WELL AS AN EXPECTANT FATHER NOW
HAVE TAMED HIM
BY ANITA BRITTO
(BOLLYWOOD NEWS SERVICE)
Was it difficult for you to play a drug addict
and a rock star in Udta Punjab?
The most difficult part was to play a
substance addict because I have never
ever had alcohol or any kind of drugs. I
was never interested in these things. I
was that boring guy. So, it was very scary
to attempt the role when I had no way of
understanding what it was to be on a
high. It was challenging and I often
wondered whether I would make a fool
of myself or whether I would be able to
push my boundaries.
GETTY IMAGES
68 ||||| JULY 2016

STAR BUZZ ||||| SHAHID KAPOOR
behind it… except the black rose which
we added just because it looked nice.
What do the tattoos signify?
On Tommy Singh’s left rib is a 10-digit
number because if he is found wasted,
this is the number that has to be
contacted. On the right side of his chest is
a tattoo called King because Tommy
considers himself King. Then on the left
side of my body, we tattooed “Mamma da
boy” because Tommy loves his mother.
My favourite tattoo is that of the wings
which start from my back and reach my
arms… Tommy calls it “Born to fly”.
Haider proved Shahid’s
saleability in offbeat cinema
You have a unique look in the film with long
hair, tattoos, et al. How was that decided?
It took me three months to get the
physicality of the character. For three
months I ate sparingly and trained for
three hours a day. He is a star so he needs
to look good and have a
physique but he is also
an addict, so he needs
to look destroyed,
messed up, and
depleted.
When I first
heard about my
character, I just felt the
guy is crazy and I
wanted the audience to
feel a little shocked by
him for which, he needed
to have a very different
personality. So, I decided
on the long hair with the
streak. Then there were
14 tattoos that we
carefully selected. Each
one of them was planned;
every tattoo has a story
ALL IN THE
FAMILY
The acting genes
are active in Shahid
Kapoor. After all,
many members of
his family are closely
associated with stage
and cinema. His
father Pankaj Kapur, a
NSD (National School
of Drama) alumnus,
is an acclaimed
theatre, TV and
cinema personality.
His mother Neelima
Azeem was a popular
TV and film actor.
Shahid’s step mother
Supriya Pathak was
active in theatre
before making her
Bollywood debut
in 1981 with Shyam
Benegal’s Kalyug.
Would you like to have a tattoo in real life?
I want to get a real tattoo but I have never
been able to understand what I want. It’s
a long-term commitment... I just had one
(marriage); I don’t think I am ready for
another one (laughs).
So how did you prepare for the emotional
aspects of the role?
I had to understand the state of mind of a
cocaine addict. He feels the need to be
high all the time because that
is what gives him confidence.
Else, his confidence drops.
I found Tommy Singh
bizarrely original; very
entertaining but very deep
at the same time. The most
difficult part was to get into
the head of this character -
why does he behave like this,
why is he so eccentric and
mad?
Usually, I prefer to do less
loud characters; this is the
first time, I have played such a
character. I spent lot of time
with Abhishek (Chaubey,
director) to understand how
to portray such a character
with honesty. But it was a
difficult journey.
GETTYIMAGES
70 ||||| JULY 2016

STAR BUZZ ||||| SHAHID KAPOOR
Top: The actor at a promotion event for
Udta Punjab. Bottom: With Sonakshi
Sinha in R… Rajkumar
Sounds like an emotionally draining role.
Please comment.
I had to be very aggressive because the
character is always up; so, yes, it was very
tiring. After every shot, I would feel
drained out. I would go back and lie
down because I was eating little food and
having a lot of coffee. In fact, after 13
days of shooting, for no reason, I fell ill
and had fever for 13 days while I was
shooting because my body was too tired.
Was coffee like a drug for you?
I wish coffee worked like a drug. I have
never felt high with coffee; only felt
energy.
Let us talk about a film of yours which did
not do well. Has Shaandar taken away the
novelty and excitement of your pairing with
Alia Bhatt?
People actually really liked us in
Shaandar. What I heard a lot was: “The
only thing good about Shaandar was you
and Alia”.
In Rangoon, you play an army officer. How
aware are you of the 1940s and WW II?
In Vishal Bhardwaj’s film, there is
enough research. He just gives me a big
fat script and I just have to read it.
With Haider, Shandaar and Udta Punjab,
you have shown yourself willing to do
different cinema. Please comment.
I think good new stories need to be told.
If you don’t do that, you will never be able
to discover things about yourself and
never be original.
How has your wife Mira changed you as a
person?
I have become very domesticated. You
know when you see a dog running wild
and then you see him leashed and toilet
trained - the same thing has happened.
Are you all ready to be a father?
I feel a need to adjust to be a father. I
think it’s the parents who change. I am
very excited about it.
GETTY IMAGES
72 ||||| JULY 2016

SPORTS ||||| CRICKET
THE CARIBBEAN CHALLENGE
INDIA RETURNS TO THE WEST INDIES AFTER FIVE YEARS WITH A NEW CAPTAIN
AT THE HELM. HOW WILL VIRAT KOHLI AND HIS MEN FARE?
BY MKM FAIYAZ AHMED
TEAM INDIA
The Caribbean tour will be a test of Virat Kohli’s strength and character
The full squad for the West Indies tour
Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Lokesh Rahul,
Rohit Sharma, Murali Vijay, Wriddhiman Saha, Stuart Binny, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran
Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvaneswar Kumar
and Shardul Thakur
India will be touring West
Indies for the first time since
2011, and it will be
interesting to see how new
skipper Virat Kohli leads
team India in his first full
tour as skipper outside Asia. We have
seen Kohli in a couple of test series
already but the Caribbean tour will be a
test of his strength and character. The
17-man-squad includes seven batsmen,
seven bowlers, two all-rounders and a
wicket keeper.
It features a 24-year-old medium
fast bowler from Mumbai, Shardul
Thakur, who earned his stripes after
performing consistently for two seasons
in first-class cricket. Last season, he took
89 wickets at an average of 22.51 runs per
wicket. Mohammed Shami, who is
making a comeback to test cricket after a
knee surgery, played his last test match
18 months ago in 2015 in Sydney against
Australia where he took five wickets.
Shami hasn’t been all that impressive in
test cricket but if he is on the ball, he can
pose a lot of trouble for West Indies
batsmen.
Ishant Sharma is the only fast bowler
in the squad with prior experience of
having played on test wickets in the West
Indies. On his last tour, Ishant was
adjudged “Player of the Series” for his
scintillating performance. He was
instrumental in India winning the
three-match series having captured 22
wickets at an average of 16.86.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav
have only played an ODI tri-series in
West Indies which India won in 2013 and
their experience could come in handy.
Stuart Binny is a surprise inclusion in
the team as he doesn’t justify his place
like the rest of the players.
Wickets in West Indies have always
been slow and India has certainly picked
the right combination of spinners in
ALAMY
76 ||||| JULY 2016

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SPORTS ||||| CRICKET
Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra and
Ravindra Jadeja who can exploit the
conditions with their experience on
slower tracks. Fact however remains that
out of the three, only Mishra has played
the lone test at Sabina Park in 2011. While
Mishra has always been former skipper
M.S. Dhoni’s go-to man on slow wickets,
it will be interesting to see how Kohli
handles him.
There has never been a dearth of
talent in the Indian team when it comes
to batting. However, the form of Shikhar
Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara
overseas has been a cause for concern for
a while. The onus of the team, especially
the middle order, will be on Kohli and
Ajinkya Rahane as Wriddhiman Saha is
yet to make his presence felt with the bat.
Rohit Sharma, despite proper
technique, has failed to perform
consistently except his heroics in the test
debut where his 177 against West Indies
helped announce him to the world of
cricket. At number seven, Jadeja has
struggled and is yet to make any sort of
impact as an all-rounder. This series may
well decide his inclusion in the test team
in future series overseas. K.L. Rahul is
another great prospect who’s got the
batting chops but may not find it easy to
get into the final eleven unless Dhawan
fails miserably in the first couple of test
matches. If Dhawan gets going, there
will be no greater delight than watching
him play those majestic strokes.
Murli Vijay is another Indian
batsman who struggled to score in the
West Indies as he averaged 12 in the
three-match series he played in 2011.
Since then however, he has transformed
himself into a consistent, reliable player
for team India at home and abroad. His
technique has been impressive and
seems to get better with each innings.
Moreover, it will be interesting to see
who makes it to India’s playing 11 in the
first test. It won’t come as a surprise if
Kohli opts for five bowlers and plays
Saha at number six, followed by two
spinners and three fast bowlers. With
wickets in West Indies known to be low
and slow, Ishant, Yadav and Shami
should be first choice seamers.
West Indies is yet to announce their
squad for the series. With the kind of
form West Indies cricketers are in, it
won’t be surprising if India goes for the
kill and makes it a historic one unless the
weather plays spoilsport.
WHEN AND WHERE
The full tour itinerary
Clockwise from left: Indian fans are hoping
Shikhar Dhawan can display his majestic
strokes ; Ravichandran Ashwin will be an asset
on the slow West Indies track; Ishant Sharma’s
West Indies test experience will come in
handy; and Rohit Sharma had performed
brilliantly against West Indies in his test debut
MATCH DATE VENUE
TWO-DAY PRACTICE MATCH JULY 9 ST. KITTS
THREE-DAY PRACTICE MATCH JULY 14 ST. KITTS
1ST TEST MATCH JULY 21 ANTIGUA
2ND TEST MATCH JULY 29 KINGSTON
3RD TEST MATCH AUGUST 11 ST. LUCIA
4TH TEST MATCH AUGUST 18 PORT OF SPAIN
ALAMY
78 ||||| JULY 2016

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EXPLORE ||||| MONUMENTS
Men pray in the red sandstone mosque that lies to the west of the Taj Mahal
THE OTHER AGRA
MILLIONS VISIT THE TAJ MAHAL EVERY YEAR, BUT MISS OUT ON THE REST OF
THE CITY. BUT THERE’S MORE TO AGRA THAN THE MAUSOLEUM.
BY KIRAN MEHTA
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Taj Mahal, wrote all ten of
my foreign friends
scattered between
Ireland and Australia,
when I quizzed them
online about the first thing that came to
their mind when thinking of India. My
research (of sorts) brought up interesting
anecdotes: one of my buddies had seen
the Taj Mahal houseboat, built by
billionaire Bill Harlan in California, in
the 1970s, after he saw the real deal;
another mentioned an award-winning
American singer who rechristened
himself Taj Mahal, supposedly after a
dream about India. My heart swelled
with pride. Over three centuries since
the Taj was built, the monument
continues to fascinate, inspire, and
capture the imagination of the entire
world.
And yet, one look at the mausoleum
and you know it’s worth all the hype.
I arrive as the first rays of the sun add a
warm glow to the all-white structure,
making it look surreal. The facts only add
to the dreamlike aura: the Taj achieved,
what few construction machines can,
even today – perfect symmetry. Precious
gems, gold, the best craftsmen, delicate
inlay work and Rs 32 million went into
the Taj; no mean feat in the 17th century.
Little wonder then that Agra made it to
the world map. But while the Taj is
unarguably Agra’s main draw, it is but a
part of this historic city. Here’s a round-
ALAMY
82 ||||| JULY 2016

EXPLORE ||||| MONUMENTS
Top: Itmad-ud-Daulah
Bottom: Sheroes Hangout Taj is a cafe,
boutique and reading room run by five
women who have survived acid attacks
up of Agra’s other attractions which you
should not miss.
ITMAD-UD-DAULAH
“This tomb is often referred to as the
‘first draft of the Taj’ or ‘baby Taj’,"
informs my guide, Syed Adil Ali. Built in
marble, it comes decorated in the same,
intricate inlay work as the Taj. Ali says
that Itmad-ud-Daulah was the first
mausoleum in India to be built of marble
as opposed to red sandstone, which, until
then, was the norm in Mughal
architecture.
Equally fascinating is
the story behind the man
who rests here. Mirza
Ghiyas-ud-Din was a poor
Persian merchant living in
Afghanistan. He faced such
abject poverty that he
decided to abandon his baby
daughter, for he could not
afford to feed her. But her
wails tugged at his
heartstrings, and he couldn’t
go through with the act. It
was this baby girl, Mehr-un-
Nissa, who later brought him
SHEROES
HANGOUT TAJ
Sheroes Hangout
is a cafe near the
Taj Mahal, Agra,
which is run by five
women who have
all survived acid
attacks. They have
been appointed in
different positions
– from cook to
managing accounts.
The café also comes
with a boutique and
a reading section,
and has become
extremely popular
among tourists and
locals alike.
great luck. He found a caravan that took
him to the court of Emperor Akbar.
There, the little girl grew into a gorgeous
woman who caught the eye of Jehangir,
and was rechristened Noor Jehan. The
merchant himself became a wazir (chief
minister), and was given the title of
‘Itmad-ud-Daulah’ or pillar of the state.
Noor Jehan went on to become one of the
most influential women in Mughal
history. She was known to preside over
court when her husband was unwell, and
was even given charge of the imperial
seal. When Jehangir lost his empire to
General Mahabat Khan, he regained it,
thanks to a plan devised by his wife.
Despite such political strife as the
backdrop, Noor Jehan commissioned the
construction of her father’s tomb. Work
began with her father’s death in 1622 and
was completed in 1628. The woman who
dared to do things differently oversaw
the making of this pioneering piece of
Mughal architecture, and left no stone
unturned to honour her father. The
location itself is stunning, in the midst of
a garden, on the banks of the Yamuna
river. The main structure is flagged off
on all corners by towers. Inside, the
marble walls are encrusted with semiprecious
stones including jasper, lapis
lazuli and onyx. Light penetrates the
interiors through the
intricately carved marble
jalis. While the marvellous
structure was initially built
for her father, it is here that
Noor Jehan’s mother, Asmat
Begam’s cenotaph also lies,
along with those of many of
her other relatives.
AGRA FORT
Tourists flock to the Agra
Fort and immediately aim
for a glimpse of the Taj
Mahal from this red fort. But
steal your eyes away from
ALAMY
84 ||||| JULY 2016

EXPLORE ||||| MONUMENTS
the Taj, and you will still find lots to
admire about this majestic structure.
The lal qila is one of the finest
representations of Mughal architecture.
Construction on the massive fort began
under Akbar’s reign in 1565 and
additions continued right up to the
time of his grandson, Shah Jahan.
While Akbar envisioned it as a military
structure, his grandson transformed it
into a palace. Ali sums it up best
when he describes it as a “walled palatial
city”.
The fort’s impenetrable double walls
are at a height of 20 metre. Within the
fort lies a maze of buildings and spaces,
some of which are Diwan-e-Am, used by
Emperor Shah Jahan when interacting
with the junta; some Diwan-e-Khas,
where the privileged and powerful
gathered, and where Shah Jahan sat on
his famous peacock throne; Anguri
Bagh, a large courtyard; the Sheesh
Mahal, whose walls are engraved with
thousands of tiny mirrors; Musamman
Burj and Khas Mahal, the marble tower
and palace, respectively, where Shah
Jahan was imprisoned by his son
Aurangzeb until his death. One look
around, and it doesn’t seem like much of
a punishment, given the opulence.
FATEHPUR SIKRI
When Akbar feared he would not have an
heir, he visited Sheikh Salim Chishti, a
saint who lived in Fatehpur Sikri. With
his blessings, Akbar’s wish was fulfilled.
To show his gratitude, the emperor
refashioned Fatehpur Sikri into a
gorgeous city where Hindu and Muslim
architecture culminates. Fatehpur Sikri
is one of the finest examples of Mughal
architectural splendour at its height. It
was built between 1569 and 1585 and was
intended to be the joint capital with
Agra, but was soon deserted because the
water system could not support any
residents. It remained untouched for
over 400 years, and its palaces are a
remainder of the extravagance of the
Mughals. This preserved beauty lies
40-odd kilometres from Agra.
Top: The Jahangiri Mahal in Agra Fort
Bottom: Jama Masjid is a 17th-century
mosque in Fatehpur Sikri
SHUTTERSTOCK; ALAMY
86 ||||| JULY 2016

EXPLORE ||||| MONUMENTS
Top: Akbar's Mausoleum
Bottom: The interiors of Akbar's
Mausoleum
AKBAR’S MAUSOLEUM
Yet another fine piece of architecture,
this sandstone and marble tomb
commemorates one of the greatest
Mughal emperors of all time. The shape
of the tomb is pyramidal and consists of
five storeys. The cenotaph is at a level
below the ground level, while the false
cenotaph is at the top floor. The entire
tomb is constructed of red sandstone but
for the top storey, which is constructed
in marble. The mausoleum is at Sikandra,
10 kilometres northwest of Agra Fort.
AGRA BEAR RESCUE FACILITY
Established by Wildlife SOS, in 1999, the
Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF) lies
within the Sur Sarovar bird sanctuary. It
is the largest sloth bear rescue centre in
the world. Those among us who grew up
in the 1980s may remember the madaaris
(or the kalandars), who walked down
dusty highways with their captive bears
that danced to their drumbeats. Little
did we realise, or pay heed to, the plight
of those bears. But in 1997, two activists,
Geeta Seshamani and Kartick
Satyanarayan conducted a survey that
did just that. A wildlife biologist and the
managing administrator of the facility,
Baiju Raj, says, “According to the
Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the bears
were entitled to the same protection as
tigers, yet this law wasn’t being enforced
and hundreds of bears were being
tortured each year.” It was the survey
that first shed light on the inhuman
treatment of sloth bears.
Baiju explains that there are about 12
different tribes in India that earn a living
by exploiting different animals; the
kalandars were a community that relied
on sloth bears for their sustenance. It is a
mode of living that they kept alive for
over 400 years. Thousands of sloth bears
roam the forests of central and southern
India. Poachers prey on cubs that are
dumped in gunny bags and brought into
civilisation. Here, their canines are
pulled out, without anaesthesia; the
muzzle is pierced and when sore, a rope
is passed through it. With these
inhuman processes, the ferocious animal
is made submissive, and then taught to
move to the drumbeats.
As I walk around the centre, I spot
bears both playful and lazy. Baiju says,
“These bears cannot be rehabilitated in
the wild. When poached as cubs, their
immune systems don’t develop. Here
their strength is kept up with a special
diet.” It’s easy to see kalandars as
villains, but Baiju says, “It’s the only
profession they’ve known.” Wildlife SOS
realised that the path to change was by
working with them. “We make them sign
an agreement with the forest
department stating they will never again
use or abuse a wild animal. They are
given vocational training and start-up
funding towards a new vocation.” The
Wildlife SOS rescue has managed to
rescue 627 bears and even brought an
end to the practice in 2009.
SHUTTERSTOCK
88 ||||| JULY 2016

FASHION ||||| TRADITIONS
LEHENGA 2.0
TRADITIONAL LEHENGAS WITH
CONTEMPORARY TWISTS ARE THE
TREND DU JOUR THIS SEASON.
WE PRESENT A MASTERCLASS IN
SPORTING THE GO-TO REIGNING
STYLES. BY PRAACHI RANIWALA
Like the sari, the
lehenga-choli has
been an indispensable
part of Indian culture
since time
immemorial. From
begums of the Mughal dynasty to Rajput
princesses, this ensemble is the epitome
of tradition, heritage and elegance. But
the humble lehenga, as we once knew it,
has long left the building. Indian wear
has been experiencing a wave of
reinvention in the past few seasons.
A need was felt to reimagine
traditional silhouettes for the homegrown
millennial – one who embraces
her traditions but is also looking for
global appeal. Enter a range of new
styles, cuts and innovations that give
this old-school staple a contemporary
update. The lehenga’s new-age avatars
retain their patina of timeless elegance,
but infuse it with a youthful spirit.
Designers Monica Shah and
Karishma Swali of Indian couture
label Jade explain this new wave, “The
young are aware and proud of their
cultural heritage and have a deep
connect with traditional fabrics and
handicrafts. The lehenga 2.0 can also be
seen as a way to make tradition cool and
hip in the 21st century. "
GETTYIMAGES
90 ||||| JULY 2016

FASHION ||||| TRADITIONS
CAPE + LEHENGA
TRADITIONAL SUPER GIRL
Nothing has captured the imagination
of designers and stylistas like
the cape. Heavily popularised by
Anamika Khanna, it is now a ubiquitous
favourite. Youthful, flirty and
fuss-free, it is also a sworn favourite
of style icon Sonam Kapoor. The
reasons in its favour are many. For
starters, they are comfortable
(goodbye, dupattas). They also epitomise
maximum impact, minimum
effort. Shah and Swali give their
vote to high-waisted lehengas
paired with capes in lightweight
fabrics. “Make sure the cape is sized
perfectly to avoid unnecessary volume.
Experiment with an asymmetrical
cape for a touch of flamboyance,”
they add. Keep the accessories
minimal to let your cape revel in
the spotlight.
JACKET + LEHENGA
OLD-WORLD CHARM
The lehenga and jacket combination
embodies royal flair. No
wonder that designers, ranging
from Manish Malhotra to
Sabyasachi Mukherjee, have
readily championed it.
Whether you opt for a floorlength
jacket or a cropped one,
this is one style that is universally
flattering. Designer
Harpreet Narula suggests
complementing its Mughalesque
feel with chand balis and
a jhoomar. Opt for a fluid net
jacket over a floral printed
lehenga for a mehendi or team
a Victorian collared embroidered
jacket with a velvet
lehenga for high-octane
glamour.
GETTYIMAGES
92 ||||| JULY 2016

The New India Assurance Co.Ltd which is the largest general insurance company in the country
offers attractive schemes for those persons going abroad either for business or holidays.
OVERSEAS MEDICLAIM INSURANCE FOR BUSINESS
AND HOLIDAY
We give here below in a nutshell the salient features of
the policies.
The policy covers the following:
1. Medical expenses and repatriation
2. Personal Accident.
3. Loss of checked in baggage.
4. Delay of check in baggage
5. Loss of passport
6. Personal liability
The plan types available are as follows:
Countries covered
Sum insured
Worldwide cover US$ 100,000
Worldwide cover US$ 500,000
Countries excluding USA and Canada US$ 50,000
Countries excluding USA and Canada US$ 250,000
OVERSEAS MEDICLAIM INSURANCE FOR CORPORATE
FREQUENT TRAVELERS
features of the policies.
The policy covers the following:
1. Medical expenses and repatriation
2. Personal Accident.
3. Loss of checked in baggage.
4. Delay of check in baggage
5. Loss of passport
6. Personal liability
The plan types available are as follows
Countries covered Sum insured
Worldwide cover US$ 100,000
Worldwide cover US$ 500,000
There is also a plan Z for corporate clients where
premium is collected on per day basis. Policy is issued
on annual basis.
● Policies can be bought online from our website. ● Premium to be paid in INR. Premium differs with age.
● The above are the brief details. For full details please visit our website: www.newindia.co.in
* Conditions Apply
For more details on risk factors, terms and conditions, please read sales brochure carefully before concluding a sale. | Beware of Spurious Phone Calls and Fictitious/Fraudulent Offers. | IRDAI Clarifies to public that : IRDAI or its officials do not involve in
activities like sale of any kind of insurance or financial products nor invest premiums. IRDAI does not announce any bonus. Public receiving such phone calls are requested to lodge a police compaint along with details of phone call, number.
REGD & HEAD OFFICE: NEW INDIA ASSURANCE BLDG., 87, M.G. ROAD, FORT, MUMBAI, INDIA
IRDAI REGN. No. 190
CIN: U 99999 MH 1919 GOI 000 526
UNIQUE REFERENCE NO: NIA/16-17/PC/204

FASHION ||||| TRADITIONS
“The Indian woman
has become
extremely discerning
when shopping for
traditional wear.
A cookie-cutter look
doesn’t work for her
anymore”
CROP TOP + LEHENGA
FEMININE MEETS FLIRTY
After invading our western wardrobe,
it was only a matter of time
till crop tops crossed over to Indian
wear, too. This style, that does
away with the dupatta, is flirty and
fun. Baring your midriff by teaming
a cutout crop top with a highwaisted
lehenga is one way to go.
Loose crop tops that hit the navel
(Manish Malhotra’s pet silhouette)
are a winning pick. Designer Payal
Singhal is in favour of keeping the
look quirky with a statement
maang tikka and colourful bangles.
HIGH-LOW BLOUSE +
LEHENGA
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
An avant-garde lehenga may not be for
everyone, which is how free-spirited
styles, bordering on bohemian, come into
the picture. Very often, this is achieved by
giving the blouse an easy makeover, and
the high-low hemline tunic-style blouse
is one such silhouette. Singhal, who is
well-known for incorporating this style
into her collections, says, “This combination
is fun and edgy. It can be styled with
layered jewellery like a maharani necklace
and loose curls.”
SHIRT + LEHENGA
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Considered ahead of its time at one
point, the lehenga paired with a
classic, button-down shirt is fast
gaining momentum. Blame it on
comfort, the sheer versatility of
a white shirt or an attitude of
mixing-and-matching – this look
is definitely here to stay. Moreover,
it’s a look that allows the millennial
to stay in her comfort zone while
still indulging her traditional side.
And brides ought to embrace it,
too. How so? Pick pointers from
Monisha Jaising’s take on the
world bride in which Lisa Haydon
walked the ramp in an embroidered
leather lehenga, knotted
white shirt and kaliras (umbrellashaped
ornaments). “Wear the
combination with a multi-strand
rani haar, lots of bangles and a
statement ring,” adds Narula.
GETTYIMAGES
94 ||||| JULY 2016

SPICE TALK ||||| SAGE
EACH SPICEJET AIRCRAFT HAS BEEN NAMED AFTER
A PARTICULAR SPICE. IN THIS ISSUE WE TALK ABOUT
THE BENEFITS AND USAGE OF SAGE
INNOVATION
IN THE
KITCHEN
THE CENTURIES OLD MEDITERRANEAN
HERB SAGE IS INCREASINGLY BEING
USED TO LEND AN INTERESTING TWIST
TO INDIAN TASTES
BY MADHULIKA DASH
Sarson Jhinga with Coconut Sage Sauce
THE ROMANS probably did not need sage
advice because they had already
incorporated the spice in their cuisine,
apart from deeming it as part of their
official pharmacopoeia. Such were the
gastronomic-medicinal qualities of this
centuries’ old Mediterranean spice that
ancient Egyptians used it to stop
bleeding of wounds, for curing cough,
and even as a fertility drug. The French
were known to infuse sage in their tea
and drink the decoction as cure for
delirium associated with fevers and as a
stimulant for debility of the stomach and
nervous system.
The merits of sage tea travelled far
and wide and even the Chinese started
trading their own, much-sought after tea
for some of this healing potion.
Elsewhere, in Greece, an aqueous
solution of sage was used to treat ulcers.
Even as far out as in ancient India, the
medicinal journal, Charak, spoke of the
use of sage to treat rheumatism and
excessive menstrual bleeding as well as
drying up of a new mother’s milk once
nursing stopped.
Surprisingly, an essentially western
spice like sage gradually made
significant inroads into Indian cooking,
and is today used in innovative new ways
to satisfy the Indian palate. Take for
instance, Chef Saurabh Udinia, Head
Chef, Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra and
Farzi Café, who uses dried sage to give
the iconic Kakori Kebab an interesting
twist. “Sage not only masks the meaty
aftertaste but also gives a nice, earthy
flavour with a hint of freshness that
makes each bite tasteful,” he exults. The
master chef often trades sage for Kakori
masala when he wants to uplift his dish
by a few notches.
It is possibly because of this property
that back in the day, soldiers and farmers
used bunches of sage to wrap meat till it
was cooked, says Chef Ajay Anand,
Culinary Designer, Pullman Aerocity.
“This accidentally-discovered trick of
infusing meat has been instrumental in
making sage an essential spice when it
comes to not only cooking poultry and
seafood, but also curing meat,” he
informs. According to Chef Anand, sage,
much like rosemary, often negates the
need for too many spices in a dish or
beverage, and yet opens up a world of
possibilities unlike conventional spices.
The array of herb-infused butter, often
served at Pullman Aerocity’s fine dining
restaurant, Pluck, along with a basket of
Indian breads, is a case in point.
Chef Stephen Gomes of Chemistry
101 has created “sage and pomegranate
caviar raita”, which is his own take on
shahi raita, served as a palate cleanser
96 ||||| JULY 2016

SPICE TALK ||||| SAGE
Roast pork with mustard and sage
A DASH OF SAGE
Chef Sandeep Biswas,
Executive Chef at Atmantan
Wellness Centre, Pune, shares
a recipe combining pumpkin
and a touch of sage
during meals. His other dish is
christened “Chicken Jack and The Bean
Stalk”, a play on the fairy tale, made of
chicken soaked in a batter containing
sage, onions, chilli, cheese, xanthan and
cornflakes, and served with a bean tree
on a bed of sage soil.
According to Chef Vikas Seth, a
specialist in Mexican cuisine and author
of The Modern Indian Odyssey, “The
thing about working with western spices
is that they are extremely powerful
flavourants and thus, need to be tackled
VILAYATI SUBZ SEFAKUSS
Ingredients
Pumpkin, peeled
and cut into cubes 160gm
Broccoli, cut
into florets 160gm
Asparagus 80gm
Cherry tomato 20gm
Garlic, peeled and
chopped
5gm
Cumin seeds 3gm
Turmeric powder 3gm
Sage leaves, chopped 5gm
Himalayan Salt to taste
Vegetable stock 200ml
Ghee
1 teaspoon
Coriander leaves,
fresh and chopped
finely to garnish
Method
1. Heat the ghee in a
nonstick pan and add
the cumin seeds. When
they crackle, add the
chopped garlic and sauté
till translucent. Add the
pumpkin, turmeric powder
and a little salt. Sauté till
lightly browned and then,
reduce the heat and cook
covered on a slow flame.
2. Meanwhile, heat up the
vegetable stock separately
and blanch the broccoli and
asparagus. You can, also,
add green peas if you like.
3. Add these to the pumpkin
along with the sage and
cook till done.
4. Serve hot garnished with
fresh coriander leaves and
edible flowers.
(Photo Credit: Chef
Sandeep Biswas)
with care, especially sage, which is a
multi-dimensional herb and can be used
to lend a dish that extra ‘wow’ factor.”
Chef Seth usually crushes and adds sage
if it is dry, otherwise, a rubbed sprig of
sage works just as beautifully, he
exclaims, even as he preps some chicken
for a final round of masking before it can
make it to the dinner table. Currently
obsessed with herbs that are not part of
the desi masala mix, more so sage, Chef
Seth refers to an old world quote, “Why
should a man die who grows sage in his
garden!”.
He goes on to explain that this very
quote had led King Charlemagne to fill
his imperial gardens with the perennial
shrub. Plans are afoot to use sage in
chicken, rice, at least one curry, and
custard. “While sage’s ideal pairing has
always been with meat and butter
(because they too have strong flavour
composition), and potatoes and pasta on
the vegetarian side (because of their
neutral taste profile), the spice works
just as well with vegetables and curries,
chaats and sweets - especially custards,
ice-creams and even nankhatais and
pineapple and ripe-raw mango cream,”
he adds.
While on the topic of sage in curries,
Chef Anand says the herb makes for a
great addition to fiery Chettinad curries
or winter specialties of Pahadi and
Kashmiri cuisine. He stresses that he
often experiments with sage in crab
curries prepared in the dhungar
(smoking) style; those using alu bukhar
(plums) as infusion in ghee or clarified
butter; and the famous pineapple
pachadi.
For a majority of these chefs, it’s all
about using the spice in interesting new
ways. Like Chef Pawan Bisht, Head Chef,
Junglee Billee, who has deconstructed
the ubiquitous papdi chaat with
shredded fried sage. “The fresh sage
lends a distinctively fuzzy, crispy texture
98 ||||| JULY 2016

SPICE TALK ||||| SAGE
Clockwise from top: A fresh bundle of
organic sage; Chicken Jack & The Bean
Stalk With Sage; Potato Rosti With Sage;
and Fried eggs with bacon, tomato,
cucumber, sage and bread
which elevates the dish to a
new level,” he says.
Or Chef Dev of Embassy
Restaurant, who has created
his own version of ghee murg
roast. “For my version, the
chicken breast is stuffed with
sage and Tallegio cheese,
grilled with oven dried
tomato and China garlic. This
is served with sauce made of
sage and Madeira jus,” he
says.
Even Chef Udinia, not
content with his “sage twist”
to Kakori Kebab, has found an
interesting use of the herb in
the form of a salad. “You can
use fresh greens just as you
use mustard micro greens to
add that flavour, texture and
freshness to a salad which
uses either roasted potatoes
or any form of cured meat." Once mature,
the long leaves make for excellent
crispies like kale chips that pair
beautifully with khichdi or panta bhaat,”
he adds.
Ask Chef Sabysachi Gorai, Owner,
Lavash By Saby, and he goes on to reveal
a little-known fact about sage. “The spice
goes wonderfully with onions and garlic
and hence, can be paired with any dish
that uses either or both of these
ingredients, especially when the sage is
young and fresh. Dried sage is mostly
used for garnishing and marination, or
infusing butter and cheese,” he informs.
However, one of the innovative uses
of sage that Chef Gorai can’t stop raving
about is “infusing teas and cocktails”.
“The aroma, sweetness and the acidity
pair beautifully with high quality gin,
rum and vodka." Chef Gorai claims the
herb’s aroma lends itself to positive
thoughts. No wonder the French
referred to it as “herb toute bonne” or
“the herb that brings wellness”.
100 ||||| JULY 2016

IN FOCUS ||||| MONTAGE
NEW THIS MONTH
A LISTING OF PRODUCTS JUST LAUNCHED
•BEING HUMAN
The fabrics used in the brand’s latest
collection are pure linens, paired with
jersey and washed indigos, dominated
by earthy tones and greens. Denims
come in dark black, indigo, cool tones
and dusky green. The brand has
implemented details like distressed,
embellished, repaired and much
more. Being Human has also
introduced its first ever Selvedge
denim, wherein the edge of the denim
fabric is woven using old fashioned
denim weaving techniques and lockstitched
on the edge to keep the
threads from unravelling.
WRANGLER
The Sun Shield range of shirts, tees,
jeans and non-denims from Wrangler
is treated with a special finishing
technology that reduces heat build-up
and provides reliable protection from
UV rays. Dark coloured garments tend
to absorb heat in the sun. But
Wrangler’s Sun Shield apparel reduces
the absorption of heat, especially dark
colours. This results in reduced
surface temperature and better heat
management. The range is available in
a new line of colours like black, blue,
grey and olive.
GROOVE CONTROL
This street wear brand endeavours to
catapult art into the 21st century by
changing the medium through which it
is experienced. In other words, by taking
it to the street. Whether it’s to uplift your
spirit, melt your heart or raise awareness
for a socio political issue. The product is a
fine line between time consuming visits
to art galleries and exhibitions of
yesteryear and the rapidly growing clickthroughs
of today’s internet culture.
LA MARTINA
La Martina, an international Polo brand,
draws inspiration from the gaucho in the
history and literature of South America -
the cowboy of the Pampas. The fabrics
are made from natural fibres, which are
worked by hand and treated to create an
intentionally vintage, worn look. The
overall look with an overall shabby chic
flair is available in two versions for men
and women.
•ADORN HIS
The label is based in
Gurgaon and
specialises in
designer bandhgala
jackets and kurta
pyjamas. Its aim:
making
contemporary
Indian wear a part
of men’s daily
wardrobes.
Fabrics of the
highest quality are
sourced globally and
comfort is a key
factor in their
designs. Bright
colours and quirky
prints also feature in
the collection.
102 ||||| JULY 2016

IN FOCUS ||||| MONTAGE
DC SHOES
In association with Nick Smith – considered the godfather of the Indian
skateboarding scene – and XSAI (Extreme Sports Association of India), the brand
recently hosted DC Skate Jam, a two-day skateboarding workshop and competition in
Mumbai. The event attracted over 100 participants and more than 5000 onlookers.
VANS
The Classic Lites collection from Vans
returns with an expanded line-up. By
infusing several Vans silhouettes with
modern construction methods, iconic
footwear staples such as the Authentic,
Old Skool, Sk8-Hi and Slip-On transform
into Classic Lites models with improved
fit, increased comfort and overall weight
reduction. The extensive Classic Lites
offering showcases a range of solids and
prints reminiscent of 50 years of design
heritage.
MOCHI
Walk in style this rainy season with
Mochi’s new monsoon collection
encompassing colourful footwear, prints
and new designs. The new monsoon
collection brings you waterproof
footwear that are comfortable as well as
stylish and feature flip flops, sandals,
floaters, ballerinas and heels in a riot of
exciting colours. The Mochi collection is
capable of toughening it out throughout
the wet season with the added quality of
being vibrant.
ALBERTO TORRESI
The latest collection from
the brand is fitted with
shock cushioning and
sturdy gripping soles to
reduce strain on the legs,
back and feet. The
collection has been
conceptualised by master
designers and made by
craftsmen who ensure
customer delight through
product durability and
reliability. The product is
an epitome of bespoke
craftsmanship.
METRO
With the rainy season here,
Metro Shoes has introduced its
Monsoon Collection for men and
women with a wide range of
vibrant and colourful designs.
The range has been designed to
prevent you from slipping or
soiling your footwear and still be
absolutely trendy. This collection
includes a wide variety of slippers
and shoes that are practical yet
fun, comfortable and still very
fashionable.
104 ||||| JULY 2016

SPORTS ||||| OLYMPICS
Sania Mirza (left) and Rohan Bopanna share a great on-court chemistry
RIO HOPEFULS
WITH THE WORLD’S EYES SET ON NEXT MONTH’S SUMMER OLYMPICS IN RIO DE
JANEIRO, BRAZIL, WE LOOK AT INDIAN PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE THE BEST
CHANCES OF COMING BACK WITH MEDALS. BY AVISHEK MUKHERJEE
TENNIS
SANIA MIRZA AND
ROHAN BOPANNA
She is World number 1 in women’s
doubles; he World number 10 in men’s
doubles. The pairing of Sania Mirza and
Rohan Bopanna is the highest-ranked
mixed doubles combination from India
at Rio. The two haven’t partnered on
tour but the fact that they are buddies
since junior days adds to the X factor.
Besides, they were the ones to take India
to the Hopman Cup finals in the past
and their chemistry was there for all to
see during the International Premier
Tennis League where they played for
Indian Aces.
Importantly, Mirza is a deuce court
player while Bopanna is an ad-court one,
which is why their pairing allows them
to pick preferred sides. Both of them
have proved themselves to be worldclass
doubles’ exponents. Mirza’s rise in
women’s doubles has been phenomenal;
with Martina Hingis, she has won all
Grand Slams except the French Open. In
mixed doubles, only Wimbledon is out of
her grasp. Her searing groundstrokes,
especially on the forehand side, and
improved net play, complement nicely
the big game of Bopanna, whose bazooka
serve and power-packed game have
catapulted him to the top echelons of the
doubles game. The two have it in them to
end the drought of medals in tennis. The
only blip could be their lack of match
practice as a pair.
SHUTTERSTOCK
106 ||||| JULY 2016

After battling injuries, Narang has
focused on fitness and is raring to go at
Rio. He has had a few stints in Germany
and Switzerland last year and has been
training under former India rifle coach,
Stanislav Lapidus, now his personal
coach, at Moscow, where the Russian
Olympic contingent is also training.
Having won multiple medals at the Asian
Games, Commonwealth Games, World
Championships and World Cups apart
from the Olympics, Narang has been
called the “powerhouse of Indian
shooting” by NRAI president, Raninder
Singh. The challenge for this ace shooter,
Abhinav Bindra (left) and Gagan Narang
with the gold medals won at the 19th
Commonwealth Games in Delhi
NEW FACES
AT RIO
There will be several
new faces at the
Rio Olympics eager
to make a mark.
Some even have the
potential to surprise.
The Phogat sisters
– Vinesh (48kg) and
Babita (53kg) - have given some strong
performances in women’s wrestling and
will be keenly watched. Deepa Karmakar
created history by becoming the first
Indian woman gymnast to qualify for the
Olympics and given her talent at disposal,
the Guwahati girl could well be the
torchbearer for the sport in the country
In badminton, P.V. Sindhu has come up
the ranks with such speed that we almost
forget that it will be her first Olympics.
With back-to-back bronze medals at the
World Championships, Sindhu has beaten
the world’s best and seems to have the
knack of upsetting her opponents.
In shooting, young Kynan Chenai
in trap and Ayonika Paul and Apurvi
Chandela in women’s 10m air rifle are
exciting prospects. Not to forget Heena
Sidhu, who has performed admirably
on the world stage and became the first
Indian pistol shooter to be ranked number
one in 2014. She will be competing in two
events - 10m air rifle and 25m pistol.
The exceptionally talented Sandeep
Tomar in men’s 57kg freestyle wrestling has
it in him to serve the nation for long. Judo
will have a representative this time in Avtar
Singh in the men’s 90kg category.
SHOOTING
ABHINAV BINDRA
He became the poster boy of Indian
shooting ever since his historic gold
medal win at the Beijing Olympics.
Abhinav Bindra is the finest shooter
India has produced in the 10m air rifle
category and till today, remains the only
Indian to have bagged an individual gold
medal at the Olympics. Since the 2012
Olympics where Indian shooters brought
home only two medals, Bindra has been
sharpening his arsenal for the Rio
Games. The former World Champion last
year trained in Bundesliga, Germany, to
fine-tune preparation for his fifth
Olympics. He picked up gold at the
Asian Air Gun Championship in
September last year.
GAGAN NARANG
Bronze winner at the London Olympics,
Gagan Narang will be participating in
three events at Rio i.e. 10m air rifle, 50m
prone and 50m three positions. Only the
third Indian to bag an Olympic spot in
Rio after clinching bronze in 50m rifle
prone at the Rifle/Pistol World Cup at
Fort Benning, USA, Narang is among the
favourites to boost the Indian tally at the
upcoming games.
however, lies in balancing all three
events. A choice of two – 10m air rifle and
50m prone – might have improved his
chances at winning a medal.
JITU RAI
The 28-year-old Naib-Subedar in the 11
Gurkha Regiment cannot be overlooked
after his staggering win of seven
international medals in 2014. World
number one in the men’s 50m pistol
category, Jitu Rai is India’s best bet at
Rio. At the 2014 Commonwealth Games
in Glasgow, Rai scored a record-breaking
562 points in the qualification round of
the 50m pistol event, going on to grab
gold in the final with 194.1 points. In the
world championships in Granada last
year, he won silver and secured his
Olympic spot for 2016. He also won gold
at the 2014 Incheon Games.
It hasn’t been much of a lead-up to
the Games however for Rai. Last year
didn’t meet up to his standards and he
nursed an injury at the beginning of the
year. While he bounced back to win gold
in the World Cup at Bangkok in March,
the army man finished sixth in the World
Cup at Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Shooting
Centre in April. According to him
though, the experience will stand him in
good stead at the Olympics. Well, we sure
hope it does!
ALAMY
JULY 2016 ||||| 107

SPORTS ||||| OLYMPICS
to perform under pressure. Her coaches
though are hopeful of a much better
performance from the 22-year-old.
Top: Deepika Kumari’s coaches have great
hopes in the 22-year-old; Bottom: Saina
Nehwal has been peaking at the right
time before the Olympics
ARCHERY
DEEPIKA KUMARI
This young Indian archer’s Olympic
journey has been far from ideal but she
sure knows how to raise hopes before a
big event. Before the London Games, she
propelled herself to World number 1
before a brain freeze at the Olympics
scuttled her chances. In April, she once
again fanned hopes by scoring a world
record-equaling total in the women’s
re-curve event of Archery World Cup in
Shanghai. The two-time gold winner at
the Commonwealth Games shot 686 in
the 72-arrow ranking round to match the
feat of London Olympics gold medalist Ki
Bo Bae of Korea.
It is believed that this girl from
Jamshedpur has been shooting
extremely well in training camps and
competing with male archers. Her
coaches point out at her silver medal in
the World Cup final last year. In
November 2015, she won a bronze at
the Asian Championships with Jayanta
Talukdar in the Re-curve Mixed Team
event. However, Deepika’s inconsistency
has been her weakest point and till date,
questions are being raised on her ability
BADMINTON
SAINA NEHWAL
After bagging bronze at the London
Olympics, her career graph took a dip but
Saina Nehwal successfully bounced
back. A change of coach from Pullela
Gopichand to Vimal Kumar, just before
the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, brought
in fresh perspective and helped her fine
tune a few tactical aspects. Last year, the
26-year-old rode on her maiden India
Open Super Series title to become World
number 1. She also came close to winning
the prestigious All England and World
Championship titles but lost both times
to Spanish sensation, Carolina Marin, in
the finals.
Despite injuries, Saina has been
peaking at the right time ahead of the
Olympics. In June, the Australian Open
title, her 10th super series crown, came
against London Olympic silver medalist
Wang Yihan and skillful Ratchanok
Intanon. Rio will be extremely
competitive though, with the likes of
Olympic champion Li Xuerui, Marin,
Yihan and Intanon all eyeing victory.
Saina will have to deal with pressure in
tense situations, which has been her
weakness on the big stage.
KIDAMBI SRIKANTH
His has been a sensational rise in the
world of badminton. Within no time, this
Guntur lad, a Pullela Gopichand protégé,
has conquered the court with his fierce
game and calm demeanor. Kidambi
Srikanth shot into the limelight by
winning the Thailand Open in 2013 but it
was his triumph at the China Open in
2014 that carried him to unprecedented
heights. By beating, arguably the best all-
ALAMY/SHUTTERSTOCK
108 ||||| JULY 2016

SPORTS ||||| OLYMPICS
time shuttler, Lin Dan from China, in
front of thousands of screaming fans,
Srikanth had more than arrived.
As someone who started as a doubles’
player, the 23-year-old has strokes that
don’t come naturally to a singles’ player.
Having won the Swiss Open and India
Open last year, Srikanth was billed a
proud World number 3. Though he faced
a series of defeats recently, he has been
fighting his way back into the top ten
and did make it to the semi-finals in
Australia. This being his first Olympics
can put the youngster under pressure but
his ability to stay focused should stand
him in good stead.
WRESTLING
NARSINGH PANCHAM YADAV
The 74kg grappler knows that his
performance will come under immense
scrutiny if he fails to grab a medal.
However, given his string of medals at
top international events in the last
couple of years, Narsingh Pancham
Yadav can never be counted out. He is
headed to Rio after winning a court
battle against India’s most successful
Olympian, Sushil Kumar, whose plea for
trial was rejected by the Delhi High
Court. Sushil and Narsingh are
Rio will be the fourth Olympics for Yogeshwar Dutt
competitors in the 74kg category. Sushil,
who moved from 66kg to 74kg following
a shuffling of weight categories by FILA,
sustained injury and could not compete
since winning gold in the 2014
Commonwealth Games. Cashing in
on the opportunity, Narsingh won
bronze at the Asian Games and Asian
Championships, and a medal at the
Worlds.
The 26-year-old had also qualified
for the London Olympics but this time,
he has experience on his side. Yadav has
now added speed to his game and is
known for his counter-attacks.
YOGESHWAR DUTT
His aggression and skills on the mat
make him one of the most feared
wrestlers worldwide. It will be the
fourth Olympics of this Haryana
grappler who is eager to win a gold medal
for India in what could be his last outing
in the mega event. In London, he
displayed tremendous grit to win bronze.
Yogeshwar Dutt’s is a story of
unshakeable spirit. A career-threatening
back injury had all but dashed his hopes
but he successfully battled it to live his
dream. Known for his famous Fitele or
leg-twisting technique, Dutt has
flattened the best in business with his
lighting speed and tactical acumen.
The Indian hockey team which won the
gold medal in the 1936 Berlin Olympics
REASONS FOR INDIA’S ABYSMAL
RECORD AT THE OLYMPICS
Since the Beijing Olympics in 2008 when
India returned with three medals, the
sports scene in the country has been
looking up. Six medals at the London
Games is nothing short of spectacular for a
country starved of Olympic success. Before
Abhinav Bindra’s trailblazing gun heralded
a new beginning in Beijing, hockey was
the only sport to have fetched India gold
medals (eight in all).
There are several reasons for years
of pathetic performance at the world’s
biggest sporting spectacle. Absence
of a comprehensive sports policy; poor
infrastructure; and a corrupt, politicallyfraught,
inept sports administration have
all played their part in depriving the
country of Olympic glory. In the mess
surrounding Indian sport, athletes find
themselves on the lowest rung, often left
at the mercy of administrators.
Take the case of boxing which has
suffered because in the absence of a
national body, infighting among various
camps refuses to die down. Boxers have
been deprived of international competition
and exposure. At the London Olympics, an
unprecedented seven Indian boxers had
qualified but such has been the blow that
only one – Shiva Thapa – earned the 2016
Olympics berth.
Furthermore, the lack of quality
coaches and modern training methods has
made matters worse and the grassroots
have still not been taken care of. Of all
the reasons, the biggest is the lack of a
sporting culture in the country. It is only
now that with success in various sporting
disciplines, youngsters are being drawn
into sports like badminton, tennis, etc. On
the other hand, we have failed to nurture
traditional sports such as hockey and
wrestling and have fallen behind the world.
The good news is that in the recent
past, our Olympic heroes - Leander Paes,
Rajyavardhan Rathore, Abhinav Bindra,
Vijender Singh, Sushil Kumar, Gagan
Narang, Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, Vijay
Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt – have proved
to be trailblazers guiding the youth. These
men and women have unflinchingly fought
odds to achieve glory for the country.
ALAMY
110 ||||| JULY 2016

IN FOCUS ||||| MONTAGE
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JULY 2016 ||||| 111

CARING ||||| HEALTHCARE
SMILES ALL THE WAY
INSTITUTED WITH THE FOUR-PRONGED PURPOSE OF HEALTHCARE FOR
FAMILIES, EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN, LIVELIHOOD FOR YOUTH AND
EMPOWERMENT FOR WOMEN, THE SMILE FOUNDATION REACHES OUT TO A
STAGGERING 400,000 UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN, YOUTH AND WOMEN IN 26
STATES THROUGH 200 WELFARE PROJECTS. BY BINDU GOPAL RAO
William Arthur
Ward once said,
“A warm smile
is the universal
language of
kindness”. Our very own Mother Teresa
said, “We shall never know all the good
that a simple smile can do”. Perhaps it is
this philosophy that sowed the seeds of
Smile Foundation back in 2002, when a
group of young professionals decided to
give what society had given them, plus
more.
Smile Foundation started out by
focusing on four areas: education for
children, healthcare for families,
livelihood for the youth, and
empowerment for women. While
education for children was the mainstay,
it emerged that this could not be
achieved without ensuring overall
welfare of the family first. “Realising
this, Smile Foundation, beginning in the
corridors of education, adopted a
lifecycle approach with intensive
programmes focused on family health,
livelihood and women’s empowerment
that addressed the needs of children,
their families and the larger
community,” says Co-founder and
Executive Trustee, Santanu Mishra.
Smile Foundation’s journey was not
without challenges, especially initially,
when they were tasked with putting in
place a robust working model and
processes that would ensure sustained
benefits for children and their families,
along with good governance. “The
absence of a dependable financial
mechanism for the development sector
was scary. Taking a cue from the
‘venture capital’ business model, an
innovative model called ‘social venture
philanthropy’ was evolved to empower
genuine grassroots’ initiatives (small
NGOs) by inculcating accountability,
sustainability, communication and
leadership,” recalls Santanu of their
early years. Smile Foundation developed
an understanding of how the corporate
sector functioned. Over the years, a
bridge was established; linking the needs
of development initiatives with
corporate business needs. And it started
producing results.
PUTTING PEDAL TO METAL
Smile Foundation generates funds
through two modes - corporate
fundraising and individual fundraising.
“In terms of corporate support, there are
numerous kinds of partnerships like
CST, cause-related marketing, direct
child support and youth support, to
name a few. In terms of individual
contribution, one can associate with us
112 ||||| JULY 2016

Top: Virat Kohli and M S Dhoni with
Smile kids. Bottom: A Swabhiman
session in progress
by giving individual
donations, donating in
kind, jointly planning and
executing a campaign,
raising funds, and being a
volunteer,” informs
Santanu.
If numbers are any
indicator, every year, the
foundation reaches out
directly to over 400,000
underprivileged children,
youth and women across 26 states of
India through over 200
welfare projects in
education, healthcare,
livelihood and women’s
empowerment. Their
flagship initiative has
reached out to 19,000
children across 21 states
through 90 projects.
Employability training has
been imparted to 16,000
underprivileged youth,
while over 11,500 youth are
already working for over 140
brands in the country.
Twenty-two operational
projects have provided
doorstep healthcare
THE FOUR
PILLARS
Healthcare: Smile
on Wheels is a
national level mobile
hospital programme
Education: Mission
Education provides
basic education and
healthcare
Women Empowerment:
Swabhiman is a
programme focusing on
girl children and women
empowerment.
Livelihood: Smile Twin
e-Learning Programme
(STeP) evolved as
a logical linkage to
Mission Education.
services, benefitting 310,000 lives across
265 remote villages and urban slums in
India. Their women’s empowerment
programme, Swabhiman has
successfully made a difference to the
lives of over 150,000 people. Smile
Foundation recently made headlines for
the charity dinner they hosted in
partnership with the Virat Kohli
Foundation. The foundation’s
fundraising events are usually in the
nature of similar such charity galas or
in-house productions like “Ramp for
Champs” where celebrities walk for a
cause and “Cook for a Smile” where
corporate honchos cook for a cause. “In
case of partnering with external events,
we usually associate with reputed and
respected brands that have a positive
image in the minds of the audience. The
tie-up with the Virat Kohli Foundation
was for supporting the cause of
empowerment of underprivileged
children and youth of the country. As a
first step towards this endeavour, we
organised a one-of-its-kind charity
dinner in Mumbai,” says Santanu.
Kohli himself was the host and the
dinner brought together eminent
cricketers, industry stalwarts, corporate
honchos, Bollywood
personalities and achievers
from diverse fields. The
evening witnessed an
auction of high-end luxury
products, spectacular
performances, and a five
course Michelin-starred
dinner for 200
distinguished guests by
celebrity chef Vikas
Khanna. The event gave
the Smile Foundation a
wider platform to sensitise
people about the work they
do, day in and day out, apart
from boosting its
fundraising drive.
JULY 2016 ||||| 113

CARING ||||| HEALTHCARE
REAL PEOPLE, REAL STORIES
The foundation’s records are peppered
with inspirational stories involving real
people. Take for instance, Adil, who was
abandoned as an infant by his mother
only to be given shelter by eunuch Salma,
who raised him as her own child. All was
well except that Salma’s poor financial
condition meant she could not send Adil
to school. However, thanks to a
counselling session conducted by Smile
Foundation in the locality, Salma came to
know about the bridge course centre.
Adil went on to join the Mission
Education Centre and recently passed
his seventh standard with flying colours.
Another example is that of Razia
from Begumpur village in Gautam
Buddha Nagar district of Noida. She had
paid a visit to the foundation’s Smile on
Wheels (SOW) mobile hospital,
complaining of ear infection. A full
check-up later, doctors diagnosed that
she was suffering from Acute Otitis, a
disease where ears get severely
damaged. Razia was prescribed
medicines while her mother was advised
to take proper care of her. The SOW team
kept following up on Razia’s health till
she was completely cured.
Yet another instance is Phulwa, a
22-year-old first-time mother and
resident of Shri Ram J.J. Camp, who was
experiencing the trauma of having lost
her first child, made worse by her in-laws
putting pressure on her to conceive
again. Smile counsellors met Phulwa
through an intervention programme
conducted in the community and
counselled her husband and in-laws
about the condition of her health. The
couple was sensitised about various
family planning methods. Phulwa got
pregnant again and the Swabhiman
programme is keeping track of her as she
prepares to give birth to her second
child.
In future, Smile Foundation wants to
keep up and enhance its good work of
empowering underprivileged children,
youth and women through relevant
education, healthcare and market-savvy
livelihood programmes. As Santanu puts
it, “We want to keep developing and
deploying the best possible methodology
and technology for achieving ideal SROI
(social returns on investment) and
promote good governance more widely."
Smile on Wheels reaches the needy in
villages and urban slums
THE WIDE REACH OF SMILE
FOUNDATION
● LIVES TOUCHED: More than 400,000
underprivileged children, youth and women
● ACTIVE IN: 26 Indian states
● PROJECTS HANDLED: 200 welfare
projects in education, healthcare, livelihood
and women’s empowerment.
● EMPLOYABILITY TRAINING: Imparted to
16,000 underprivileged youth
● LIVES BENEFITTED THROUGH
HEALTHCARE SERVICES: 310,000 across 265
villages and urban slums
● WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME:
Swabhiman has successfully made a
difference to the lives of over 150,000
underprivileged adolescent girls and women
114 ||||| JULY 2016

BOOKS ||||| REVIEWS
READER'S CORNER
What the serious bookworm is checking out this month
THE THIRD WAVE
Steve Case
In The Third Wave Steve
Case predicts that we are
at the dawn of the next
technological revolution
unlike anything we’ve
seen before — the Third
Wave of the internet —
that will transform the
economy and the way we
live our lives. Case takes
us behind the scenes of
some of the most
consequential and
riveting business
decisions of our time. We
are entering, as Case
explains, a new paradigm
called the “Third Wave”
of the Internet. The first
wave saw AOL and other
companies lay the
foundation for consumers
to connect to the
Internet. The second
wave saw companies like
Google and Facebook
build on top of the
Internet to create search
and social networking
capabilities, while apps
like Snapchat and
Instagram leverage the
smartphone revolution.
Now, Case argues, we’re
entering the Third Wave:
a period in which
entrepreneurs will vastly
transform major sectors
like health and education.
CAUGHT
Harlan Coben
17 year-old Haley McWaid
is a good girl, the pride of
her suburban New Jersey
family, captain of the
lacrosse team, headed off
to college next year with
all the hopes and dreams
her doting parents can
pin on her. Which is why,
when her mother wakes
one morning to find that
Haley never came home
the night before, and
three months quickly
pass without word from
the girl, the community
assumes the worst.
Wendy Tynes is a
reporter on a mission, to
identify and bring down
predators via elaborate—
and nationally televised—
sting operations. Working
with local police on her
news programme Caught
in the Act, Wendy and her
team have publicly
shamed dozens of men
by the time she
encounters her latest
target. Dan Mercer is a
social worker known as a
friend to troubled teens,
but his story soon
becomes more
complicated than Wendy
could have imagined. The
novel challenges as much
as it thrills and is filled
with astonishing tension.
THE HOUSEHOLDER,
THE STAR
Aseem Chhabra
India’s first biography of
Shashi Kapoor sheds light
on one of the country’s
most enigmatic
personalities—an actor
who straddles the worlds
of commercial Hindi
cinema, theatre and
small-budget art movies;
who is, at once, an
earnest householder and
a committed star. In this
rare book, we are offered
glimpses of Shashi
Kapoor, the family man—
son of Prithviraj Kapoor,
husband of Jennifer
Kendal, and father to
Kunal, Karan and Sanjna.
We are led through
Shashi Kapoor’s film
career—his debut as a
bright-eyed child-actor in
Awara; his emergence, in
the hectic 1970s, as
India’s busiest
performer—with a slew of
hits including Deewaar
and Trishul; and his rise to
international prominence
with Merchant–Ivory’s The
Householder and a
‘trilogy’ of films on older
men. Equally, we are
provided with an astute
analysis of Shashi Kapoor,
the businessman — the
proprietor of a film
company, a producer and
a distributor.
SIMPLIFY
Richard Koch
For the past 40 years
Richard Koch has wanted
to uncover the simple,
elemental, elegant and
parsimonious principles
that are needed to create
great new businesses. To
qualify, a principle must
be so overwhelmingly
powerful that anyone can
reliably use it towards
extraordinary results. Is
there any principle that
can tell you how to do
that consistently and with
a high chance of success?
Working with venture
capitalist Greg Lockwood,
his co-author on
Superconnect, and
supported by research
from the elite firm of
OC&C Strategy
Consultants, Koch has the
answer. The principle
Koch and Lockwood have
discovered behind
extraordinarily successful
businesses is simplifying.
With case studies of
famous companies in all
different industries from
finance to fast food, the
authors show how
anyone can analyse their
business’s potential to
become a simplifier, and
which route they should
take to maximise impact.
THE ONE IN A
MILLION BOY
Monica Wood
A one-in-a-million story
for anyone who loves to
laugh, cry, and think
about how extraordinary
ordinary life can be. Not
to be missed by readers
who loved The Unlikely
Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
or Elizabeth is Missing.
Miss Ona Vitkus has -
aside from three months
in the summer of 1914 -
lived unobtrusively, her
secrets fiercely protected.
The boy, with his passion
for world records,
changes all that. He is
eleven. She is one
hundred and four years,
one hundred and thirty
three days old (they are
counting). And he makes
her feel like she might be
really special after all.
Better late than never.
Only it’s been two weeks
now since he last visited,
and she’s starting to think
he’s not so different from
all the rest. Then the
boy’s father comes, for
some reason determined
to finish his son’s good
deed. Ona must show this
new stranger that not
only are there odd jobs to
be done, but a life’s
ambition to complete.
JULY 2016 ||||| 115

VIEWPOINT ||||| YOGA
THROUGH THE MYSTIC EYE
AN INTERNATIONALLY-RENOWNED SPEAKER, SADHGURU IS A YOGI, MYSTIC AND VISIONARY. IN THIS SERIES, SADHGURU
CLEARS SEVERAL MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT YOGA, AND OFFERS REFRESHING PERSPECTIVES ON THIS ANCIENT SCIENCE
difference. When you want to walk
uncharted terrain, it is intelligent to
choose someone who has already walked
the terrain.
It is around this time of the year that
Guru Purnima is celebrated. It marks
one of the greatest moments in the life of
humanity, when 15,000 years ago, Adi
Guru, the first guru, began the
transmission of the yogic sciences to the
Saptarishis, his first seven disciples. He
offered the possibility that a human
being can evolve beyond all limitations
set by his physical nature, if willing to
strive.
Sadhguru with Shekhar Kapur
SHEKHAR KAPUR
(Producer, actor and awardwinning
director)
What is a guru and is a guru
necessary on the spiritual
path?
Sadhguru: “Gu” means
darkness; “Ru” means
dispeller – one who dispels
your darkness is a guru. What
you cannot see, he can make you see. He
is like a live roadmap. On an uncharted
path, if you go without a map, you may
take lifetimes to get there. If you go with
a map, you will cross easily; that is the
GAURI JAGADEESAN
(SpiceJet passenger from Bengaluru)
What can spirituality give youngsters?
Sadhguru: Youth means lots of energy.
But unbridled energy without stability
and direction is dangerous. Only those
who are stable can use whatever quality
and talent they have to the fullest extent.
So the most important thing for youth is,
they need to become meditative. If they
are a little more stable, this energy which
you call “youth” could be put to better
use for their own and everyone’s
wellbeing.
Before youth manages the country,
the world and business, it is extremely
important that they learn to manage
themselves. The whole process of yoga is
the science of inner management. You
create an inner possibility where being
blissful, joyful and peaceful is of your
own nature, not because of something
that happens around you.
SpiceJet welcomes its passengers to ask Sadhguru questions on yoga, health, wellbeing and other topics of
general interest. Select questions will be answered in forthcoming issues. Please email your question to
mediarelations@ishafoundation.org For more of Sadhguru’s wisdom, visit http://isha.sadhguru.org
116 ||||| JULY 2016

IN FOCUS ||||| MONTAGE
VALENTINO LAUNCHES NEW LOAFERS COLLECTION
A LEADING INDIAN LEATHER
FOOTWEAR BRAND, Valentino has just
launched its new range of “Loafers
Collection”. These loafers are comprised
of superior quality leather accented with
punches on the vamp for a fashionable
touch giving it a classy casual appeal.
The collection is available in
various
colours that
include black, tan, white, beige and olive.
Delivering comfort has always been the
most important aim of the brand, and
these loafers are uniquely designed.
They provide optimum support with
softness enriched insole warranting
brilliant fit and admirable comfort.
Customers can buy these loafers by
visiting the e-commerce website www.
valentino.in. These shoes are a great
match for chinos, jeans or any casual
trouser paired with a t-shirt or casual
shirts. The collection offers new style
statement to one's casual attire
by adding a blend of elegant
look and stylish makeover. The
outstanding collection offers great ease
and durability as the loafers come with
multi- density insoles with extra
cushioning. These loafers also ensure
optimum support at a point of maximum
weight, ensuring stability in movement.
Mr. Chander Daultani, Director,
Valentino, says, “The new Casual Loafers
Collection ensures great style statement
to one's casual attire and is highly
recommended for the young generation
and party lovers. These pairs are also the
perfect choice for those who don’t have
much knowledge of carrying style as
these loafers have unique finish, giving it
a very classy and decent look."
COMFORTABLE FLIP FLOPS
FROM KOSHER
THE NEW COLLECTION OF FLIP SLOPS from Kosher will
enthral buyers with its variety and originality. Catering to the
tastes of young and old alike, these beautiful flip flops have
extra comfort cushion with TPR sole. To give you style and
look the upper material is made up of leatherite. Slip into this
trendy pair for all day comfort and a relaxed look. You can also
team these slippers with casuals to look smart. This new
collection will help keep you cool in summers and can also be
worn to office for casual looks with your denims. The wide
range includes Slip On Slippers, Slipper Boots, Sandal Slippers,
Closed Slippers, Evening Slippers and Moccasin Slippers.
Says the brand’s owner Mr. Manish Agarwal,
“Our designers
have combined
the latest
styles and
premium
materials to create
this exclusive
collection.”
NEW CASUALZ RANGE FROM
ONN PREMIUM WEAR
WITH A RETAIL REACH OF 13,000 outlets
across 3,500 cities and towns in India, the ONN
brand from Lux Industries is emerging as
one of the fastest growing brands. In the
endeavor to further consolidate its market
position, ONN has extended its innerwear
brand by offering Casualz range of Track
Pants, Shorts, T-shirts and Three-
Quarter Pants. Casualz Track pants has
been appreciated for the fit and styling.
The T-shirts manufactured under the
Casualz range are made up of 100 per
cent premium combed cotton with super
absorbent fabrics which ensures freshness
all day long. Available in both round neck
and Polo (Collar) styles., the Casualz range
offers various options. The Three-Quarter
Pants, Track pants and Shorts under the
Casualz range are made from 100% premium
combed cotton.
118 ||||| JULY 2016

IN FOCUS ||||| MONTAGE
BOGA 'S 2-IN-1 WONDER
THE NEW SCOOTER bag from Boga is a stylish piece of
luggage that can transform into a scooter. It is designed
to help you make a last-minute dash to the boarding
gate. This bag combines a wheeled suitcase with a micro
scooter and can hold up to 12kg and carry a rider
weighing five times that weight. Boga is a fun, stylish
and audacious accessory brand born with the vision by
young entrepreneur Pankita Vora and her passion for
accessories. Through her edgy and eclectic style, the
endeavour is to add an element of style to your outfit,
using a myriad of colours in jewellery, fabrics
and quality in the bags and to top it up with a stylish
range of sunglasses. Boga is a fusion of contemporary
style and rich designs. Each product of Boga is made
keeping in ind the quintessential “Boga Girl” - who is
fun, stylish and audacious.
120 ||||| JULY 2016

IN FOCUS ||||| MONTAGE
BIG MONEY GOLF TOURNEY ENDS IN BENGALURU
THE 5TH EDITION OF THE LOUIS
PHILIPPE CUP, held at the Karnataka
Golf Association club I Bangalore last
month, kick started with a star-studded
gala dinner attended by
the city and golf
fraternity. The dinner
was witness to guests
like R. Madhavan, Ajit
Agarkar, Charu
Sharma, Papa CJ and
Mani Ratnam.who also
tried their hand to
swing a few shots
during the Pro-Amm
event. The light
hearted Pro-Amm
witnessed lot of fan following to see the
celebrities perform on the course. The
next four days were all about serious
golfing as city teams (DLF-Crest
Gurgaon, Jaypee Greater Noida, Dev
Chandigarh, NSports Hyderabad, Zion
Hills Bangalore, Take Chennai and
Laqshya Mumbai) contested the
tournament played in the Olympic
format of stroke play.
Approved by the Professional Golf
Tour of India (PGTI), the Louis Philippe
Cup has a prize money of Rs.1.2 crore.
After a rigorous four days of competition
between the teams, the fifth edition
cup was won by Take Chennai. And
the first runners up was Dev
Chandigarh. Debutant NSports
Hyderabad finished third.
IMPRESSIVE LINE-UP FROM DUKE
DUKE HAS ESTABLISHED an impressive collection of various
styles, colors and sizes in shirts, trousers and denims in its
latest collection which reflects the true Bali magic. Duke
‘Shirts, Trousers & Denims’ Collection’16 offers relaxed office
wear and weekend casual wear. Effortless, chic, suave dressing
creates a look of style and luxury. The collection includes a
complete array of fine-crafted washed cotton shirts and
formal trousers. Duke
Shirts & Trousers
revolve around several
interesting concepts and
promises to offer a global
fashion statement. They
can be worn either to
work or casually. Duke is
known for its
standardized fits,
superior quality, wide
range and ‘fashion-right’
styles in its segment,
making it the trusted
brand amongst
consumers, mainly
young men.
PREETI SINGHAL SPREADS JOY
WITH NEW LINE
DESIGNER PREETI
SINGHAL recently
launched her new
collection Elation at
the Hotel Crown
Plaza in Delhi.
Celebrities present at
the event included
Madhur Bhandarkar, Zarine Khan, Hrishita Bhatt, Mink Brar,
and Vinod Ahlawat. Preeti Singhal said the idea is to spread joy
and happiness all around. The colours in this collection radiate
lots of joy and happiness. No aggressive colors have been used
in Elation, she added. She also launched her line of menswear
on the occasion with trendy dhotis. The Preeti Singhal
Collection is available at:
Violet By Preeti Singhal,
421 Dhanwati House,
Shahpur Jat,
Near Jungi House gate,
Email: violetbypreeti@gmail.com
Contact: +91-9891153300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/violetbypreetisinghal
122 ||||| JULY 2016

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
MY TOWN
Our ongoing series where we look at Indian cities through the eyes
of SpiceJet staffers. This month Pavithra Hariharan, Cabin Crew
Incharge, on Coimbatore
Your connection to the city: I am
originally from Kerala. I was raised in
Ooty and Coimbatore.
Best thing about Coimbatore: You can
wake up to the sounds of birds chirping
and the rustle of leaves from trees all
around. The climate is comfortable
throughout the year. The quality of life is
as simple as the city.
Clockwise from top: The striking Perur
Patteeswara Swamy temple; Elephant Day
celebrations at the Indira Gandhi National
Park; and the Black Thunder water theme park
Favourite eating places: My all
time favourite is Idli Sambhar from
Annapoorna. My other food stop is Priya
Juice Corner where you get some great
grape juice as well as veg burger. I bet
you will love it. On the Go, located on
Race Course Road, has some amazing
food and a very pleasant ambience.
Best places to hang out: Every
week thousands of people converge
at the Isha Yoga Centre, a unique
meditation venue, to seek out inner
peace and well-being. The drive
to the Subramaniyaswami Temple,
Marudamalai, rewards you with spiritual
blessings as well as a panaromic view
of the city from the top. Set against
a backdrop of the Nilgiris, the Black
Thunder water theme park is always a
scene of non-stop fun and adventure.
Locals also love to get wet under the
Kovai Kutralam and Siruvani waterfalls.
Other places to recommend outside
but near to the city: There is Pollachi,
well-known for a wildlife sanctuary,
temple and dam and Yercaud, a hill
station.
NOW FLYING
SpiceJet offers direct flights to
Coimbatore from Bengaluru, Chennai and
Hyderabad and convenient connections
from other cities across the network. Log
on to www.spicejet.com for details
Coimbatore when compared to other
cities: Coimbatore is next to Chennai in
terms of education, job opportunities
and entertainment. Coimbatorians are
known for their hospitality and simplicity.
Many people in Chennai are originally
from other places. But people in
Coimbatore belong to Coimbatore itself.
That makes a lot of difference in attitude.
ALAMY
JULY 2016 ||||| 123

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
FLIGHT BOOKINGS
AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
SpiceJet’s popular mobile app offers never before convenience and speed for customers on-the-go
With SpiceJet’s new
mobile app, customers
will find it more
convenient than ever before to
make and manage bookings,
check flight status, and receive
exclusive offers on their mobile
devices. The interface is so simple
that even the origin of journey
helpfully gets auto-filled thanks to
inbuilt geo-tagging.
The app also allows
customers to book or add exciting
SpiceJet add-on products such
as choosing premium SpiceMAX
seats,
in-flight meals and Priority
Check-in. Customers can also
pre-book excess baggage at
discounted rates through this app.
The payment gateway of the
app offers a variety of options
like Quickpay, credit card, debit
card and Internet banking. The
Quickpay option ensures instant
booking with just a single click.
You can download the official
SpiceJet app from Google
Playstore and App Store.
STEP: 1
The main
menu screen
offers four
options. To
book a flight,
select Flight
Booking
124 ||||| JULY 2016

ENJOY EXCLUSIVE OFFERS
With Spicejet’s hot new mobile app, one can not only book flight tickets on the go, prebook
spice add-ons, check flight status and manage one’s bookings, but also get access to
exclusive discounts. Book through the mobile app and get up to 7% discount on flight
tickets and 50% discount on meals
STEP: 2
Choose the required field. Fill in the
details and click on the Search Flights
options
STEP: 3
Flights options according to date of
travel are displayed. The fare details
are at the bottom
STEP: 4
On selection of the button, the
detailed fare sumary is displayed
STEP: 5
Once the required flight option
has been selected, fill in your
contact details
STEP: 6
Fliers can choose numerous add-on
options that will make the journey
hassle-free
STEP: 7
Customers can pay via Credit or
Debit card. QuickPay option saves
transaction time
JULY 2016 ||||| 125

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
MUSIC ON BOARD
SpiceJet plays soft rock music on its Boeing flights for boarding and landing. Here’s this month’s playlist
WET WET WET
Love Is All Around Me
This song was a cover by
Wet Wet Wet (the
original was by the
Troggs) for the movie,
Four Weddings and a
Funeral. The band chose
it over Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I
Will Survive’ and Barry
Manilow’s ‘Can’t Smile
Without You’.
PHIL COLLINS
A Groovy Kind Of Love
The Mindbenders were
the first to record this
song, and Collins’ was
a cover. Unlike the
Mindbenders’ version,
which was an upbeat,
guitar-based pop song,
Collins’ was a slow ballad
with prominent piano and
strings.
CHRIS DE BURGH
Lady In Red
On the British TV series,
This Is Your Life, Chris de
Burgh said that the song
was inspired by the
memory of the first time
he saw his wife Diane,
and how men cannot
even remember what
their wives were wearing
when they first met.
ROXETTE
Listen To Your Heart
In 1998, Roxette received
an award from BMI for
this song being played
over 2 million times on
American radio.
BEE GEES
How Deep Is Your Love
It won the 1977 Grammy
for best pop performance
by a group. It was the
first of four new songs on
the Saturday Night Fever
soundtrack to top the US
Hot 100.
THE BEATLES
Love Me Do
John Lennon and Paul
McCartney wrote this in
1958, when John was 17
and Paul was 16. They
made time for writing the
song by skipping school.
They had written songs
before, but this was the
first one that they liked
enough to record,
making it the Beatles’
first single.
STEVIE WONDER
I Just Called To Say I
Love You
This song was featured in
the movie, The Woman In
Red, starring Kelly
LeBrock as the woman
and Gene Wilder as the
man mesmerised by her.
Wonder wrote the score
for the movie, and this
song won the Oscar for
best original song.
AIR SUPPLY
All Out Of Love
This one deals with the
unrequited love of a
singer, who feels lost
without the object of his
affection.
SHANIA TWAIN
You’re Still The One
This song was remixed
for its single release to
sound less country and
more pop in the hope of
giving Twain a
mainstream crossover hit.
The plan worked, and
Twain took home two
Grammy awards that
year.
QUEEN
Crazy Little Thing
Called Love
This was the first song for
which Freddie Mercury
played rhythm guitar. He
was keen to keep the
song minimal, despite his
limited guitar knowledge,
and producer Mack
claimed that he rushed
into the studio to record
it “Before Brian [May]
could get there”.
THE POLICE
Every Breath You Take
Sting wrote this song at
the same desk in Jamaica
where Ian Fleming wrote
his James Bond novels. It
was the biggest hit of
1983 in the US.
RIGHTEOUS
BROTHERS
Unchained Melody
Is there anyone who
hasn’t slow danced to this
song? The mellifluous
vocals and soulful lyrics
were also most famously
used in Ghost.
ROD STEWART
Have I Told You Lately
Rod Stewart performed
this on his MTV
Unplugged special in 1993
and released the acoustic
version as part of his
album Unplugged... And
Seated. This version was
a big hit, going to
number 5 in both the US
and the UK. Stewart got
so emotional, he cried at
the end of his MTV
performance.
RONAN KEATING
When You Say Nothing
At All
Richard Curtis wanted a
key song for his new film,
Notting Hill. He suggested
this to Ronan Keating,
who was at the time still
with Irish boy band,
Boyzone.
ELTON JOHN
Can You Feel The Love
Tonight
This was featured in the
Disney movie, The Lion
King, when the main
character, Simba the Lion,
falls in love with his
childhood friend, Nala.
This version was
performed by the film's
voice actors while the
Elton John version plays
over the end credits.
TRACY CHAPMAN
Baby Can I Hold You
It is the third single
released by the
contemporary folk artist.
BRUNO MARS
Count On Me
This country-tinged
friendship tune was
written by Bruno Mars for
his debut studio album,
Doo-Wops & Hooligans.
BRYAN ADAMS
(Everything I Do) I Do
It for You
This song is featured in
the Kevin Costner movie,
Robin Hood: Prince Of
Thieves, where it plays
over the credits. Initially,
this song didn’t get
Hollywood approval, as
the film company wanted
it to have instrumentation
in line with the films’ era
– lutes, mandolins and
other such. The film
company relented, but
buried the song midway
through the credits.
U2
With Or Without You
This was voted the best
single of 1987 in a Rolling
Stone magazine readers’
poll. It became the
anthem of the characters,
Ross and Rachel, on the
hugely popular sitcom,
Friends, after it was used
in an episode where Ross
dedicates it to Rachel on
the radio.
KENNY ROGERS
Lady
Lionel Richie wrote this
song, especially for
Rogers.
126 ||||| JULY 2016
*All information sourced from songfacts.com

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
air tickets for two passengers.
• SpiceClub members can also avail
of two vouchers (each worth `100) for
domestic flight bookings. The vouchers
will be valid for six months from their
date of issue and can be utilised against
the following add-ons: Bag Out First,
Excess Baggage, Fly For Sure, My
Flexi Plan, Preferred and Other Seats
Selection and Spice Max Seats.
• SpiceClub members will be given
priority for all kinds of
A CARD
WITH GREAT
BENEFITS
SPICEJET PASSENGERS STAND TO
GAIN WITH SPICECLUB, THE NEW
REWARDS/BENEFITS CARD
INTRODUCED FOR CASHLESS
TRANSACTIONS
FOR A NOMINAL MEMBERSHIP
FEE, SpiceJet passengers can
now enjoy several benefits with
the SpiceClub rewards/benefits
card. The card allows them to
make cashless transactions within
the SpiceJet ecosystem. Card-holders
can purchase meals, merchandise and
add-on services.
They also get additional credits with
every recharge which are converted to
currency on the card. All these benefits
are available by enrolling for a one-year
SpiceClub membership on the payment
of only `599. The card holder can then
enjoy many exclusive benefits worth up
to `5,999.
There are several advantages by
enrolling for the membership:
• Early bird members can enjoy free
priority check-ins.
• They can avail of two free vouchers
worth `599. Each of the vouchers can be
used for domestic flight bookings.
• SpiceClub members will be offered
free tickets on their birthdays.
• A Marriage Anniversary Special comes
with a 50 per cent discount on domestic
communication about any SpiceJet
promotion sale.
In future, SpiceClub will provide
cashback/incentive on prepaid top-ups.
In addition, loyalty points will be offered
to all SpiceClub members who book
their tickets or add-ons on SpiceJet.
com, through their mobile or via the
SpiceJet call centre. SpiceClub members
will also be able to earn and use their
loyalty points to buy tickets/add-ons on
SpiceJet.com
Going ahead, SpiceClub will launch
a referral program to attract more
members to the scheme. There will be
incentives for existing members who
refer their friends and family members.
Finally, SpiceClub members will get
cashback / incentives on spends done at
SpiceJet.com.
More details about the card are
available on www.spicejet.com and
www.spiceclub.com.
130 ||||| JULY 2016

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
NEWS
SpiceJet recreates
Yoga@35,000 feet
Having pioneered the concept of
onboard yoga, SpiceJet recreated the
enigma on International Day of Yoga on
June 21, 2016. The airline introduced
‘High on Yoga@35000 feet’ last year,
co-partnered with Isha Foundation. After
receiving an overwhelming response
from customers, SpiceJet offered
yoga onboard, without compromising
passenger safety and within regulatory
compliances.
SpiceJet’s crew, trained by Isha
Foundation instructors (isha.sadhguru.
org), performed upa-yoga practices
specifically designed for long-haul
flights. Travellers participated in
performing travel-friendly practices
while seated. Upa-yoga is a simple yet
powerful system of exercise designed by
Sadhguru that activates joints, muscles
and the energy system. In addition
to these benefits, the practices also
help overcome jetlag, fear of flying
and breathing difficulties. Around 40
SpiceJet crew members undertook a
ten-minute session onboard, across the
SpiceJet network.
SpiceJet wins ‘Best
Historic Turnaround’ award
Ajay Singh, Chairman and MD,
Spicejet, was presented the ‘Best
Historic Turnaround’ award by Civil
Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi
Raju at the 9th ASSOCHAM
International Conference and
Awards on Civil Aviation & Tourism
at the Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi.
At the event, Mr. Singh said, “India
will grow only if we are able to
constantly work to reduce the cost
of aviation in India. We have to
bring down the cost or fares and
stimulate this market with low fares.
The 20% growth we have seen
today is the consequence of the
reduction in fares from last year.”
132 ||||| JULY 2016

SpiceJet to offer taxi to airport option with ticket
SpiceJet will soon offer passengers the option of booking a taxi to reach the airport
at the time of ticket purchase. The carrier has joined hands with cab aggregator
mytaxiindia (MTI) for the same. The airline expects the move to attract more passengers
from tier-II and tier-III cities. The facility will be available at the time of booking the
ticket and, if required, the passenger can also book a cab for travel after reaching the
destination. MTI has over 4,000 taxis operating across 102 cities. SpiceJet operates
more than 300 daily flights to 41 destinations, including six international ones.
SpiceJet partners with
Chaayos for hot masala chai
onboard
Passengers can now take the time
to indulge, taste, smell, and pamper
themselves with hot Chaayos masala
tea every time they fly with SpiceJet.
Chaayos has launched a customised
instant Masala chai mix, exclusively
for SpiceJet travellers. Customers can
pre-book or buy their favourite cup of
chai onboard. SpiceJet spokesperson,
Ajay Jasra, said, “Chaayos is an expert
in customised tea. SpiceJet is a people’s
brand and our sustained efforts are
always towards nurturing the experience
that our customers have with us.”
SpiceJet continues to be
India’s top carrier with highest
PLF of 93.5% for May 2016
SpiceJet continues to lead the
Passenger Load Factor (PLF) charts
among all Indian carriers by clocking
over 90% PLF for 13 successive months.
The figure for May 2016 stood at
93.5%, an industry-best figure, as
per the statistics released by DGCA.
This is also the airline’s highest ever
PLF. The On-time Performance (OTP)
of the airline in the same month
stood at 79.2%. SpiceJet operated
306 daily flights and carried 10.96
lakh passengers during the month,
registering a market share of 12.6%.
Flight cancellations rate for the carrier
was just 0.31%.
SHUTTERSTOCK
JULY 2016 ||||| 133

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
ST RS OF SPICEJET
We share the achievements and experiences of this month’s
high-flyers in our Airport Services department
BALA MURUGAN
CHENNAI
Internal appreciation: There
are not enough words of
appreciation for Bala. He is a good team
player, enthusiastic and obedient. He has
excellent coordination with internal and
external customers and is a great asset to
the organisation.
Experience with SpiceJet: It’s been about
three-and-a-half years since I have been
working with this truly professional airline
that has taught me to deliver my best. I
would like to thank my colleagues and
seniors who have supported me in all my
endeavours. This place is full of challenges
and opportunities. I am delighted to be
part of a team where sheer hard work is
recognised. It’s been an enjoyable, spicy
journey and I don’t know where I would be
working had it not been for SpiceJet.
GLADYS FERNANDES
GOA
Internal appreciation:
Gladys has been with us
for the last two years and eight months.
During this time, she has been a good staff
member with lots of innovative ideas and
is always ready to learn. We are proud to
have a staff like Gladys. She has been a
wonderful employee who has always put in
great service.
Experience with SpiceJet: It feels good to
be part of SpiceJet; the airline is like my
second home. The team has always been
very supportive and our seniors motivate us
to face newer challenges. I always strive to
give off my best in any task that is assigned
to me by my seniors. I am glad and proud
to be a SpiceJetter.
SECURITY, AIRPORT SERVICES
A GANESH BABU
RAJAHMUNDRY
Internal appreciation: He
is positive, dedicated, selfmotivated
and a good team player. The best
thing about him is that he always tries to
provide the best service to passengers and
takes ownership of whatever task he has
on hand. All the efforts that he puts into his
work are well-coordinated and they save a
lot of time.
Experience with SpiceJet: I have been
working with this airline for five years now
and have enjoyed every moment of it.
We have a strong team which backs me
whenever there is any issue and true leaders
who guide me in my day-to-day work.
Working with SpiceJet has taught me to be
professional and given me the confidence to
stand out in a crowd. It’s a great experience
to work with this wonderful airline.
ANANYA GHOSH
MEHTA
KOLKATA
Internal appreciation:
Ananya has dedicated 11 years of service
to SpiceJet and has become a pillar of our
Kolkata security team in the process. She is
a fine leader to whom every staff looks up
to for inspiration. Ananya has evolved into a
role model who handles any situation with
aplomb.
Experience with SpiceJet: Having worked
with SpiceJet for 11 years now, I have faced
various situations, ups and downs, and
gained valuable experience from them.
SpiceJet is now like my family without
which I am incomplete. I am proud to
be a SpiceJetter. I can proudly say that
SpiceJet rocks!
134 ||||| JULY 2016

SECURITY, AIRPORT
SERVICES
ABHIJEET SINGH
JAMWAL
SRINAGAR
Internal appreciation:
Abhijeet is a sincere staff member and
has been associated with SpiceJet since
2008. Responsible for taking care of one
of the most sensitive airports in India,
he has always supported his teammates
and gone beyond the call of duty to meet
challenging situations.
Experience with SpiceJet: It’s been great to
be part of the SpiceJet family for over nine
years. The airline has changed my life and
taught me the meaning of professionalism
in a family atmosphere. I have achieved
whatever I desired in my dream job and
SpiceJet has taught me how to turn
negative into positive with a gung-ho
approach at all times. I am honoured to
be chosen as a star of the month.
SUPERVISOR, AIRPORT
SERVICES
SAURAV GHOSH
BAGDOGRA
Customer appreciation:
Saurav is very efficient and
extremely positive and helpful towards
customers. I remember I had to catch
flight SG-626 to Kolkata and there was a
long queue. I requested him for priority
check-in as I could not stand for very
long due to my leg problem. He promptly
did the needful and also provided
additional assistance in terms of my hand
baggage till security point.
Experience with SpiceJet: Although it’s
been over eight years since I joined the
SpiceJet family, it feels like I started just
yesterday. It’s been an enjoyable eight
year journey where every day has been
a new challenge and a new experience. I
have gained a lot of confidence and hope
to grow further and contribute more.
DUTY OFFICER, AIRPORT
SERVICES
RIPON MAHANTA
GUWAHATI
Internal appreciation:
Ripon is an asset to our
organisation. His attitude, behaviour
and zeal for work deserve mention. A
fast learner, Ripon has proved himself
capable of handling all kinds of situations
independently. He is proactive in his
outlook, has a positive attitude towards
work and life and has never compromised
on safety and security.
Experience with SpiceJet: It’s been a
great experience working with SpiceJet
since 2007. I have always got the best
support from my colleagues and the
management in times of crisis. The work
culture here is very positive and has
helped me to become more confident in
my outlook. I feel proud to be a part of
this organisation.
CUSTOMER SERVICE EXECUTIVE, AIRPORT SERVICES
ASHLEY ALEMAO
GOA
Internal appreciation: We
would like to appreciate
Ashley for his sincerity, punctuality and
100 per cent dedication to his work
which he has shown in the one year he
has been with SpiceJet. We are very
happy to have such a dedicated staff
member who is also a good team player.
We are proud of Ashley!
Experience with SpiceJet: I can’t really
express how thankful I am for being
part of SpiceJet! Every day has been a
learning experience that has brought
out the best in me. I would like to thank
all my colleagues who have always
helped me. I would also like to thank the
company for helping me grow.
SARWJEET SINGH
DEHRADUN
Internal appreciation:
Sarwjeet is hardworking,
dedicated and sincere. People like him
are an asset to the organisation. He is
a multi-tasker and is always keen to
learn new things. He excels in all kinds
of circumstances.
Experience with SpiceJet: It’s been nearly
four years since I joined SpiceJet. The
airline stresses on high standards in
terms of people, products and services
and I am glad to be part of such an
organisation. Every day is a new day
which brings new challenges. My main
focus is giving my best to passengers. I
thank SpiceJet from the bottom of my
heart for all it has given me.
PRATIK GOUR
VARANASI
Internal appreciation:
Pratik is hardworking and
dedicated to his job. He is also a good
team player. A diligent and methodical
person in his approach, he is always
enthusiastic to learn new things.
Experience with SpiceJet: I joined
SpiceJet on October 15, 2015, and would
like to thank the airline for giving me this
opportunity. I have had the opportunity
to learn something new every day along
with serving people. Working with
SpiceJet has made me more confident
and helped me to grow. My colleagues,
manager and the management are all
very friendly and approachable. I feel
privileged to work here.
JULY 2016 ||||| 135

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
Boeing 737 - 700/800/900ER Series
Interior arrangement of Boeing 737 - 700 (149 Passengers)
Interior arrangement of Boeing 737 - 800 (189 Passengers)
Row 1 -32
Entry / Exit
Row 1 -26
Emergency Exit
Entry / Exit
Entry / Exit
Emergency Exit
Entry / Exit
Row 1 -20
BOEING 737-700
BOEING 737-800
BOEING 737-900 ER
BOMBARDIER Q400
Passengers
(single class configuration)
149
189 212
78
Engines
(maximum thrust)
CFM56-7B22
(22,000 lbs)
20500 kg
61998 kg
6200 km
0.79 M (840 km/h)
8 years
2
5 years
17
7 years
4
Speed unit M denotes Mach Number. 1 Mach is equal to the speed of sound.
BOEING 737-700
112 ft 7 in (34.3m)
117 ft 5 in (35.7m)
110 ft 4 in (33.6m)
41 ft 2 in (12.5m)
11 ft 7 in (3.53m)
CFM56-7B24/26
(24,200lbs/26,300 lbs)
20500kg
70987/79015kg
5,600 km
0.79 M (840 km/h)
BOEING 737-800
CFM56-7B26
(26,300 lbs)
20500kg
75749 kg
5000 km
0.79 M (840 km/h)
BOEING 737-900 ER
PW 150 A
(5071 SHP)
5318 kg
29,257 / 28,998kg
2000 km
666 km/h
3.6 years
14
BOMBARDIER Q400
93 ft 3 in (28.42m)
107 ft 9 in (32.83m)
24 ft 4 in (8.34m)
8 ft 2 in (2.49m)

The queen of every
heart
Rakulpreet Singh
Group Of Shree Meena
313, 3rd floor, Kalbadevi Road, Near Swadeshi Market, Marine Lines (East), Mumbai-400002
Domestic enquiry: +9122- 22405351/ 22405353/ 22405757 | info@johrivaaj.com
International enquiry: +919773258650, fax: +9122404988 | sales@johrivaaj.com
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Routemap
domestic
international
Thiruvananthapuram
India connects with SpiceJet
Flight schedules are subject to regulatory approvals and change.
Map not to scale, graphic representation only.
Content as on 25th June, 2016.

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
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SEAT SELECTION DOMESTIC PRICING INTERNATIONAL
PRICING
SPICEFLEX
CUSTOMERS
SpiceMax* Seat (on Q400 Aircraft) M 500/- same as domestic M 400/-
SpiceMax Seat (on Boeing/Airbus Aircraft) M 1000/- same as domestic M 900/-
SpiceMax Seats
M 900/- same as domestic M 800/-
(Non Reclining on Boeing/Airbus Aircraft)
Preferred Seats – on Boeing/Airbus Aircraft M 300/- (ahead of exit row window or aisle) same as domestic Free
M 100/- (ahead of exit row middle seats) same as domestic Free
M 150/- (behind exit row window or aisle) same as domestic Free
M 99/- (behind exit row middle seats) same as domestic Free
Preferred Seats - on Q400 aircraft M 200/- (front half of cabin window or aisle) same as domestic Free
M 100/- (rear half of cabin window or aisle) same as domestic Free
SPICE CLUB (Rewards Card) M 599/- NA
PRE-BOOK EXCESS BAGGAGE
5 kgs M 1100/- M 2450/-
10 kgs M 2,200/- M 4900/-
15 kgs M 3,300/- NA
20 kgs M 4,400/- NA
30 kgs M 6000/- NA
PRIORITY CHECK-IN M 200/- M 300/-
BAG OUT FIRST
1 Bag M 100/- NA
2 Bags M 200/- NA
3 Bags M 300/- NA
CARRY MORE ONBOARD (FREE ALLOWANCE 7 KG; BUY UP TO 5 KG MORE)
Pre-book M 250/- per kg same as domestic
At Check-in M 300/- per kg same as domestic
At boarding gate M 300/- per kg same as domestic
MY FLEXI PLAN M 1125/- M 1250/-
HAND BAGGAGE ONLY FARE - CHARGE AT AIRPORT
Fare type change fee if checking-in bag at
airport after purchasing HBO fare
Up to 15 kgs - M 400/-
NA
SPICE CAKE M 750/- M 800/-
SPICE LOUNGE (Delhi/Bengaluru/Hyderabad/ M 600/- M 1200/-
Kochi/Varanasi/Guwahati/Jaipur)
FLY FOR SURE M 299/- NA
SPICE TALK (INTERNATIONAL SIM CARD) NA M 249/-
*SPICEMAX SEATS OFFER SIGNIFICANTLY MORE LEGROOM, PLUS COMPLIMENTARY MEAL, PRIORITY CHECK-IN, PRIORITY BOARDING (AT
AEROBRIDGE GATES), AND PRIORITY BAGGAGE HANDLING **NA STANDS FOR ‘NOT AVAILABLE’ *THE ABOVE MENTIONED PRICES AND
FEATURES ARE ACCURATE AS AT THE TIME OF MAGAZINE PRINTING, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
142 ||||| JULY 2016

Office Furniture
Designed
to respond
The
System
Featuring The Liberate Chair
Now open at PS Continental, 1st Floor, 101, 83/ 2/ 1, Above Porsche, Topsia Road South, Kolkata. Mob: +91 98307 74009
FEATHERLITE COLLECTIONS: #16/A, Millers Road, Vasanthnagar, Bangalore - 560 052. | Tel: 080 4020 9631 | Email: sales@featherlitefurniture.com
Ahmedabad | Ananthpur | Bhubaneshwar | Chandigarh | Chennai | Coimbatore | Davangere | Durgapur | Ernakulam | Goa | Guwahati | Hubli | Hyderabad | Imphal
Indore | Jaipur | Kochi | Kolhapur | Kolkata | Kurnool | Ludhiana | Lucknow | Mangalore | Madurai | Mumbai | Mysore | Nagpur | Nellore | New Delhi | Noida | Patna
Pune | Rajkot | Ranchi | Raipur | Salem | Secunderabad | Shimoga | Siliguri | Thiruvananthapuram Tinsukia | Tirupathi | Vadodra | Vijayawada | Vishakapatnam | Nepal
Dealers enquiry solicited: +91 93428 27325 | nitinsrivastava@featherlitefurniture.com
www.featherlitefurniture.com

R.N.I NO:DELENG/2015/63282