SR December-15 issue pdf

VIDYA BALAN | KOCHI-MUZIRIS BIENNALE | WEDDING SPECIAL
spice
Volume 10 | Issue 12 | December 2016
THE INFLIGHT MAGAZINE
GEARING
UP FOR
Christmas

FROM THE
CMD’S DESK
Dear Readers,
As the year draws to a close, we have much
to celebrate. We are delighted to announce
our seventh consecutive profitable quarter
with a net profit of ` 59 crore for Q2 FY 2017
– an increase of 103% over the previous year.
Operating revenue for the quarter stood at
` 1,400 crore, a growth of 35% and capacity
deployed registered a growth of 38%.
SpiceJet has now recorded the highest
Passenger Load Factor for 19 months in a row.
Since April this year, it has been in excess of
90% every single month. You continue to fly
SpiceJet in large numbers and we thank
you for this.
Your support has also helped us achieve
the best On-time Performance (OTP) among
all the Indian carriers for October 2016, a
feat we expect to repeat in November. Our
flight cancellation rate remains very low
and this combined with our leading on-time
performance makes SpiceJet India’s most
reliable airline.
SpiceJet received global recognition for its
performance this month. At the annual World
Travel Leaders Awards at WTM (World Travel
Mart), London, SpiceJet was awarded for its
incredible turnaround, and was the only airline
in the world to receive recognition this year.
SpiceJet’s revival is now a global case study
and we are proud of what we have achieved.
Demonetisation was the highlight of
the month, a laudable effort that despite
temporary inconvenience, will provide far
reaching gains in the future. I encourage you
to use the many digital booking mechanisms
available on our website. I especially
recommend you try SpiceCash, our soon-tobe-launched
e-wallet.
This month, SpiceJet continued to
promote sport in India. We were the title
sponsors for the first senior national boxing
championship for women held in Haridwar. This
championship will help identify boxers who will
win medals in the future and make India proud.
We also proudly sponsored the Delhi Dynamos
football team that is doing so well in the Indian
Soccer League, 2016.
I take this opportunity to wish you
fun-filled celebrations this month, the
festivals for this month being a blend of
both contemporary tastes and folklore.
Beginning with The Rann Utsav or the
Kutch Mahotsav, a celebration within the
white sandy deserts of Kutch, one will
witness the vibrancy of the Kutch region’s
culture and heritage whilst staying in
desert camps. This month, Goa will host
the three day Sunburn festival with scores
of entertainment, dance and music artistes
congregating there.
Avail our 12 daily flights to
Ahmedabad and 10 daily flights to Goa
from across all metros and more. Then
there is the Mount Abu festival with
traditional dancing, concerts, fairs, and
fireworks easily accessible from Udaipur –
a destination we connect daily from Delhi,
Mumbai and Jaipur. And finally, Christmas,
the eagerly awaited occasion for billions
will be celebrated at SpiceJet both onboard,
and on ground with our customary fun
and gaiety.
In the first 10 months of 2016, over 10.3
million domestic passengers have already been
carried with a further 1.35 million passengers
on international flights. By December, we
appear to be on course for carrying about
14 million passengers for the year. This is a
remarkable success possible only through your
unflagging faith in us and also your constant
patronage. Meanwhile, as a truly Indian airline,
we continue to work with you to create a
clean, digital and vibrant India. A better India.
Jai Hind!
Ajay Singh
Chairman & Managing Director
2 ||||| AUGUST 2016

Final Spice Route December16 Cover.indd 2
VIDYA BALAN | KOCHI-MUZIRIS BIENNALE | WEDDING SPECIAL
Volume 10 | Issue 12 | December 2016
THE INFLIGHT MAGAZINE
28/11/16 11:28 AM
spice
GEARING
Christmas
UP FOR
DECEMBER 2016 www.spicejet.com
Gearing up
for Christmas
CONTENTS
GEARING UP FOR CHRISTMAS
As the holiday lights go up and Christmas carols swell to
a crescendo, we take a look at how several places in India
celebrate the season of peace, love and joy
A TOUCH OF CINNAMON
A hint of spice can add lots
of flavour to your Christmas
goodies
70
ONWARD AND UPWARD
With a historic turnaround
behind it, SpiceJet spent
2016 earning recognition for
its achievements, launching
new routes, introducing new
privileges and redefining
customer engagement
76
52
ON THE COVER: From left: Dichamliu MK;
Ahmad Nabil; Delphine Wilson; Devesh
Arora. Photographed by Amit Sharma;
Styling by Seitu Aneja; Hair and make-up
by Sunil Gautam
8 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

CONTENTS
WEDDING BELLS
A quick guide to help you
organise the big day – from the
perfect venue to the perfect
honeymoon destination
88 114
92
THE HEADLINER
An actress par excellence, Vidya
Balan has built a formidable
reputation thanks to films such
as The Dirty Picture, No One
Killed Jessica, Paa, Ishqiya and
Kahaani
NOTHING GREEK
ABOUT IT
Counted among the world’s
oldest spices, fenugreek has
found use over the years
as a medicine, beauty aid,
preservative and culinary agent
SPICEJET INSIDER
Social media 22
Spice products24
SpiceVacations.com28
Music140
Onboard menu 141
Mobile apps142
My town144
News148
Stars of SpiceJet150
SpiceJet fleet152
Route map156
SpiceJet add-ons158
18 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

CONTENTS
120
IN SEARCH
OF LOST
TIME
The Kochi-
Muziris Biennale,
which begins
its third edition
this month,
has turned the
sleepy town of
Kochi into one
of the most
exciting art
destinations in
the country
132
spice
DECEMBER 2016
EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER
MINAL SURVE
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
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
KOLKATA
ASHIT NARAIN
+91 ​9830006010, kolkata@mwspiceroute.in
​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
TELANGANA & AP
ROCKWEL JOSEPH
+91 9885804155, rocky@mwspiceroute.in
PUNE
ARUSHI SHRIVASTAVA
+91 9538846897, arushi@mwspiceroute.in
PRODUCED BY
A TREK THROUGH FORESTS
While most people travel to Neral and proceed from there to
Matheran by toy train or horse, there is another, lesser-known route
to reach your destination
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
20 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
BUZZ ON
TWITTER
#selfie with the #wonderful
#spicejet #crew. Everyone feels
good to be treated nice :)
girish_pradhan_9
Just flew from Bangalore to Pune by
#Spicejet. Had an amazing experience.
Thank you @flyspicejet
@SohamGolecha
Flight on the way to kochi from
chennai #SpiceJet #night #light
#landscape
linslouis
thanks SG-612 captain, for
making us reach mumbai
before time. and also for
good sense of humour,
made journey pleasant
@Man_Ka_Mit
@flyspicejet Had a wonderful journey
with spicejet from Dubai to Hyd.
Amazing crew on board
@MirAreef
Dear @flyspicejet wonderful time
today on SG 154 the crew were
lovely. Happy to fly again.
@quickdraw_46
Wonderful time on SG 103. Brand new
aircraft. Before time smooth departure and
landing. Smiling crew and captain. keep it up.
@rk091179
Flying high with @flyspicejet good
crew, good service and most
importantly bang on time. Loved it
@pandeynimesh
@flyspicejet Just completed my first intl
flight with you guys & wanted to thank the
onboard crew for their outstanding service
Cheers #SG52
@bhatman03
Spicejet spicy meals are fun. Well
done, Spicejet...
Dinesh Nair
Happy diwali to AS and team. Hope
you keep the profits & shareholder
wealth growing in a responsible
manner
C Vijay Simhan
Congrats Spice jet for being
number one. I love this airline.
Sunita Tewari
22 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

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.
24 ||||| DECEMBER 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 add-on
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
`3,000. The introductory benefits are
two free vouchers worth `599 that can
be used for domestic flight bookings; a
Marriage Anniversary Special (50% off on
domestic air tickets for two passengers);
free priority check-in; preferred
communication for any SpiceJet Promo
Sale; and more.
3
Hot Meals
Passengers have a wide
variety of meals to opt
for on SpiceJet flights
when they pre-book
a meal. Those flying Boeings are
spoilt for choice. There are four
options for breakfast. All-day
meals (which include snacks,
lunch and dinner) are
spread across eight menus.
Seven Chef’s Choice
menus and two kinds of
Platters are available 24x7.
Passengers taking Q400
flights can choose
from eight different
types of sandwiches.
There is a great variety
on offer – from Vermicelli Croquette,
Saute Broccoli and Chicken Stroganoff
to Angara Paneer Tikka Sub Roll.
Pre-booking a meal offers other
choices and benefits, too: the
option of a gluten-free meal; a
menu with Thai, Continental and
Indian options as well as Indian
Platters; discounted rates
compared to onboard
prices; passengers
can wish their loved
ones on birthdays and
anniversaries midair
with a cake on
select flights; and a
takeaway Kids’ Meal
bag, shaped like an
airplane.
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 `180. It makes purchasing food and
beverages onboard an entirely cashless
affair. You can pre-book at the time
of booking your flight, or add it later
through ‘Manage My Booking’ on the
website, www.spicejet.com. If you prebook
on the SpiceJet mobile app, you
can even get 50 per cent off on meals.
DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 25

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
4
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.
7
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 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.
5
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 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.
6
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.
26 ||||| DECEMBER 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
28 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

Estd. : 1939 Estd. : 1979

OPENING SHOT ||||| SOCIAL MEDIA
Clockwise from above to below right:
Photographs by Instagrammer Jordan Taylor
Wright. Below left: By Jacob Riglin
INSTAGRAMMERS
IN INDIA
ITC HOTELS AND THE LUXURY
COLLECTION, in collaboration with
Beautiful Destinations, hosted India’s
largest Insta Meet – 20 social media
influencers were invited to travel
through the Golden Triangle. These
global tastemakers (some of them
included Jordan Taylor Wright, Murad
Osmann, Jack Morris and others) took
some breathtaking photographs of their
trip, a few of which can be seen here.
30 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

OPENING SHOT ||||| ENDURANCE
SAMANTHA GASH RAN
3,800 KM ACROSS INDIA
LAST MONTH, AUSTRALIAN ULTRA
MARATHONER Samantha Gash finished her
3,800-kilometre run from Jaisalmer in Rajasthan
to Mawsynram in Meghalaya, from the driest part
of India to the wettest. A former lawyer by
profession, the 31-year-old undertook the
challenge of the Run India project to raise funds to
support six World Vision Area projects in Jaipur,
Barmer, Kanpur, Delhi, Hardoi and Pauri that
focus on education. Gash averaged 60 km a day,
and once posted, “During the run I’ve made many
impromptu visits to schools that line the highways
and roads I run along. The kids I’ve met have
spoken different languages, lived vastly different
lives and been from different faiths. However,
each time I’ve been welcomed the same way –
warmly, with intrigue and big smiles.”
BRUCE VIAENE
32 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

OPENING SHOT ||||| ART
PAINT BY NUMBERS
Clockwise
from below: Poornima Sukumar's
artwork in Bengaluru; Senkoe's artwork in
Lodhi Art District; Harshvardhan Kadam's
artwork in Lodhi Art District; and in Bengaluru
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, St+Art India Foundation has taken the onus of
interpreting our cities by creating conversations around local stories. In Delhi, they
created the Lodhi Art District, the first public art district in India with more than 28
street artists working to re-invigorate the iconic Lodhi Colony area. Between
December 2015 and March 2016, several walls between Khanna Market and
Meherchand Market were turned into a spectacle – an open-air art gallery accessible
to everyone. More recently, they recreated this feat in Bengaluru (October) and
Hyderabad (November). In Bengaluru, they created narratives between Cubbon Park,
MG Road and Majestic metro stations and also their surrounding areas, and in
Hyderabad, several sites on the iconic Necklace Road came alive through murals,
installations, talks, screenings and workshops.
AKSHAT NAURIYAL
34 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

OPENING SHOT ||||| ADVENTURE
EMBARK ON THE CHADAR TREK
THE MOST THRILLING TREK IN INDIA has a pretty small window for embarking on it. In January and February, the Zanskar River
in Ladakh freezes over completely. In summer, you can do river rafting on the river, and in winter, it transforms into a sheet
(chadar) of ice and you can walk on it. The gruelling journey is rated as one of the best treks on the planet and is a must-do for
adventure lovers.
SHUTTERSTOCK
36 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

OPENING SHOT ||||| PHENOMENA
Clockwise from top: In Yosemite National Park; Photograph clicked by Sun TV anchor
Manimegalai; Actor Shah Rukh Khan takes a selfie with the moon; At the Marina Beach, Chennai
THE SUPERMOON SAID HELLO
ON NOVEMBER 14, the supermoon – or the brightest moon in almost 69 years – lit up
the world. The average distance between earth and moon is 384,500 km, but on
November 14, the full moon was 356,508 km from earth. This was the closest the
moon came to earth since 1948. There won’t be another such supermoon until 2034,
when the moon is predicted to be even closer. People showed their enthusiasm for the
event by posting pictures on social media, some of which can be seen here.
SHUTTERSTOCK (TOP)
38 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

MELANGE ||||| HAPPENINGS
HOT DATES
EVENTS // MUSIC // THEATRE // ART
Culture
HORNBILL FESTIVAL
The ‘window to Nagaland’,
the aim of Hornbill
festival is to revive and
protect the rich culture
of Nagaland and display
its extravaganza and
traditions.
When: December
1-10, 2016
Where: Kisama Heritage
Village, near Kohima
Music
MAGNETIC FIELDS
Attend three days of music,
art, food and magical
connections in a 17thcentury
palace in Shekawati
Rajasthan. Two stages will
showcase the country’s best
and most forward-thinking
music alongside some of the
world’s finest underground
stars such as Roman Flugel,
Matias Aguayo (in picture)
and Helena Hauff.
When: December
9-11, 2016
Where: Alsisar Mahal,
Rajasthan
Cinema
SHAKESPEARE LIVE!
Catch the screenings of some of the greatest film
adaptations of Shakespeare’s works such as Basil
Dearden’s All Night Long, Kenneth Branagh’s Much
Ado About Nothing (in picture) and Hamlet, Oliver
Parker’s Othello and Derem Jarman’s The Tempest.
When: December 19-23, 2016
Where: NCPA Mumbai
SHUTTERSTOCK (HORNBILL)
42 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

MELANGE ||||| HAPPENINGS
Festival
SUNBURN 2016
Sunburn is now one the top three music festivals in the
world. This year’s line-up includes superstars such as Armin
van Buuren (in picture), Axwell & Ingrosso, Dimitri Vegas
and Like Mike and Afrojack.
When: December 28-31, 2016
Where: Pune
Shopping
DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL
With world-class malls that elevate the shopping experience
to new heights, Dubai is one place where you can shop till you
drop.
When: December 26, 2016, to January 28, 2017
Where: Dubai
Art
PHAD
PAINTING
WORKSHOP
Revisit and learn
the fascinating
Indian
indigenous art
form of Phad
painting, which
combines
beautiful
narrative art and
folk themes.
When:
December 11,
2016
Where: Zorba
the Buddha,
Delhi
SHUTTERSTOCK (DUBAI)
44 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

MELANGE ||||| HAPPENINGS
DECEMBER
L
ISTINGS
2
What: Kahaani 2
(Hindi Movie)
Where: Across India
3-4
What: Riders Music Festival
When: 11.00 am
Where: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi
What: Urbana Music Festival
When: 3.30 pm
Where: Ozone Urbana, Bengaluru
What: Jhakri Dance & Music Group from
Mauritius
When: 7.00 pm onwards
Where: NCPA Mumbai
5
9
What: Befikre
(Hindi Movie)
Where: Across
India
What: Venkatesh Kumar (Hindustani
Classical Concert)
When: 7.00 pm
Where: MLR Convention Centre, Bengaluru
What: Land of Gold by Anoushka Shankar
(Hindustani Classical Concert)
When: 7.30 pm
Where: Dr. BR Ambedkar Bhavan, Bengaluru
10
11
What: Zakir Khan Live
(Stand-up Comedy)
When: 7.30 pm
Where: Museum Theatre, Chennai
16-
23
What:
Serendipity
Arts Festival
When:
11.00 am
onwards
Where: Goa
17
&
18
What: Pet Fed Delhi
2016 (Pet Festival)
When: 10.00 am
Where: NSIC Exhibition
Complex, Delhi
17 18
What: BOOM 0.1
Featuring Badshah
What: Kathak Masterclass (Music Concert)
by Aditi Mangaldas
When: 7.00 pm
When: 2.00 pm
Where: Sarusajai Sports
Where: NCPA Mumbai Complex, Guwahati
23
What: Dangal (Hindi Film)
Where: Across India
What: Vir Das in Kolkata
When: 8.00 pm
Where: GD Birla Sabhagar, Kolkata
25
What: Christmas
Where: Across India
31
What: Hill Top Goa
New Year’s Eve
When: 5.00 pm
Where: Vagator, Goa
SHUTTERSTOCK (CHRISTMAS; PETS)
46 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

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can be assured you have the protection you need throughout the day, however active you are!!
E X T R A
A B S O R P TI O N
RSustaining the life force
RGI MEDITECH PVT. LTD. J-31, Sector 63, NOIDA-201301 (INDIA) ; Tel : +91 11 42630000; Web : www.romsons.com

MELANGE ||||| INFORMATION
WHAT'S NEW
‘SANT NAGARI’ PLANNED IN
GUJARAT •
The Gujarat government is planning to
showcase a ‘Sant Nagari’ (city of saints), a
`575-crore project conceived by
PM Narendra Modi when he was at the
helm in the state, to foreign investors at the
Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit
from January 10-13, 2017. The project, which
is expected to come up on 539 acres at
Mahor village in north Gujarat, will bring
together the teachings of Gautam Buddha,
Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Guru Gobind
Singh, Sant Kabir and Khwaja Moinuddin
Chishti under one roof.
INCREDIBLE INDIA WAS THE OFFICIAL PARTNER
AT WORLD TRAVEL MARKET LONDON 2016
With 42 co-exhibitors and partners, Incredible India put on a
fantastic show at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2016, which took
place from November 7-9 in London. Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister
of State for Tourism & Culture, inaugurated the WTM along with
Simon Press, Executive Director, WTM London (in picture).
Dr. Sharma stated that the government has invested more than
$400 million in tourism infrastructure in the last 18 months.
KOCHI-MUZIRIS BIENNALE HOSTS
NOVEL COLLABORATIVE PROJECT ON
KERALA-GULF LINKS
The Trans-Indian Ocean Artists Exchange aims to build
on the historical forms of traffic between Kerala and West
Asia. As part of the four-phase project, Emirati artists
Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim (in picture) and Mohammed
Kazem are currently finishing a two-month residency at
Pepper House, Fort Kochi. This will culminate in a display
of their works at the Pepper House Residency Exhibition.
SHUTTERSTOCK (GUJARAT)
48 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

MELANGE ||||| INFORMATION
SAND ART
FESTIVAL
COMMENCES IN
KONARK •
Renowned sand artist
Sudarsan Pattnaik is the
brand ambassador of the
5th International Sand
Art Festival to be held in
Konark by the tourism
department of Odisha.
International Sand Art
Festival is a popular
annual event, which is
held from December 1 to
5. As the festival coincides
with the ‘Make in Odisha’
conclave, a large number
of visitors are expected.
INDIAN AIRPORTS TO GET
FULL-BODY SCANNERS
INDIA-JAPAN TOURISM MEET
FOR THE FIRST TIME
One full-body scanner will initially be
launched at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi
International Airport. Full-body scanners
had previously been resisted in India due
to concerns over privacy, but officials
have reassured the public, stressing
that the devices do not produce images
of exact body contours, but instead
only undertake a “targeted search” for
concealed prohibited items.
Japan Tourism is expanding its
presence in India with a new office
in Delhi scheduled to commence
operations this year. This was
announced at the first ever India-Japan
Tourism Meet organised by FICCI in Delhi from October 24-25. Dr. Jyotsna
Suri, Chairperson, FICCI Tourism Committee, said, “Japan is the 10th largest
source market for India with around 2.07 lakh Japanese arrivals in 2015.”
SHUTTERSTOCK (JAPAN; SCANNER)
50 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

Imagica!
Your cool
holiday
destination
this winter
vacation
Spend some exciting
time with your
family and take back
delightful memories
Advertorial
The holiday season of the year
is here already. From
decorating the Christmas tree
to gift-shopping for family
members, the world begins to
celebrate the winters. Work
starts taking a back seat, relatives start
visiting you while you start making lavish
plans to bring in the New Year. This holiday
season, head to India’s favourite family
holiday destination – Imagica, right next to
Mumbai where all the fun, frolic and fiesta
gets together.
At Imagica, the celebrations go a notch
higher with entertainment for kids and
adults. Revel in the pride of being an
Indian while you immerse in ‘I for India’
which showcases a stunning aerial view of
India From Leh to Kanyakumari and
Kutchh to Kerala covering many Indian
sights, landscapes and festivals on a 90
feet wide screen. At the same time
become a child again and fire water from
cannons in Splash Ahoy. The immersive
motion simulation technology used in our
Mr India attraction at the Theme Park will
leave you awestruck. For the not so faint
hearted we have a bunch of crazy
rollercoasters which will give you an
adrenaline rush. Enjoy the Water Park as
you Zip Zap Zoom through the crazy slides
or go Twisty Turvy in a thrilling high speed
ride. You can also squeeze in a quick visit
to India’s Largest Snow Park to enjoy
snowfall,a snow hike and even a dance
floor for magical snowy moments of this
Christmas period.
To add to the festive fervour, look out
for the mesmerizing Christmas décor as
Santa Claus brings his team of reindeers,
elves, snowman and lots of gifts around
the Christmas tree. With the very pleasant
evenings, make sure to witness the Grand
Imagica Parade with our cool Imagica
characters, floats, dancers, magicians, as
well as the spectacular laser show
after sundown. It’s definitely a sight
to behold!
So many activities can be a bit
exhaustive. The luxurious Novotel
Imagica hotel lets you unwind from
the exertion elegantly, with stylish
rooms, all day dining options, a
swimming pool, gymnasium and easy
access to the Parks. If you are planning a
getaway to one of the many nearby holiday
destinations from Imagica, our Multi-Park
ticket lets you enjoy all the parks at your
convenience, anytime over 3 days. To make
the most of your visit, you can also book 15
days in advance with the Early Bird offer
and save 10% on the tickets.
Loaded with gripping stories,
fascinating adventures, breath-taking
roller coasters, hair-raising heights,
dungeons and dinosaurs with boats to
wash it all down, there is plenty of
something for everyone. This is where you
won’t miss out on the beaches, the snowcapped
mountains or the beauty of nature
because Imagica lets you witness it all.
So stop searching for places to visit
near Mumbai and Pune, gather all your
family members and just drive through the
beautiful landscapes to come celebrate the
winter cheer in style at this amazing
holiday destination – Imagica, located just
2 hours away from the city, conveniently
off the Mumbai - Pune expressway.
To know more, visit www.adlabsimagica.com
or call 022 42130405

COVER STORY ||||| CELEBRATIONS
52 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

GEARING
UP FOR
CHRISTMAS
AS THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS COME ON
AND CHRISTMAS CAROLS RISE TO
A CRESCENDO, WE TAKE A LOOK
AT HOW SEVERAL PLACES IN INDIA
CELEBRATE THE SEASON OF
PEACE, LOVE AND JOY.
BY BEVERLY PEREIRA
Christmas is one of
the biggest festivals
of the year for the
Christian
community the
world over.
Observed as a religious celebration that
commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ
on December 25, the festival is symbolic
of mirth, goodwill, love, peace and
forgiveness. Come December, the cheer
of the season finds its way into the
hearts of people of all faiths. In India,
too, the Christmas holidays have a knack
of bringing people together. Fairy lights
illuminate entire neighbourhoods; cribs
that recreate the nativity scene pop up at
every street bend; and churches start
preparing for midnight Mass. Markets
take on a festive appearance as eager
DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 53

COVER STORY ||||| CELEBRATIONS
shoppers bustle about for last-minute
gifts, and decorations like Christmas
trees, shiny tinsel streamers, starshaped
lanterns and glittering baubles
of all shapes and sizes that will adorn
their homes.
By mid-December, most Christian
households will already be in the middle
of preparing for Christmas. In fact, in
accordance with the tradition of Advent,
Christian families begin preparing and
remembering the real meaning of the
season a whole four Sundays before
Christmas. Many households prepare
Christmas sweets such as marzipan,
milk cream, kulkuls, date rolls and plum
puddings that will be shared with
others. Decorating the Christmas tree
and lighting the star is another
important pre-Christmas activity that
brings families together. Many even
spend this time lending a hand and an
ear at old-age homes. After all,
Christmas is a season that not only
promotes a sense of togetherness but
also encourages the act of giving.
In most Indian cities, Christmas
markets, charity events, choral
recitations and plays form a large part of
the period leading up to December 25.
NOW FLYING
SpiceJet has daily, direct flights to
Mumbai from most major cities. Log on
to www.spicejet.com for more details
Christmas pie
Before schools in India shut for the
holidays, children look forward to the
annual Christmas party that sees them
participate in skits, indulge in snacks
and await the arrival of Santa Claus. Of
late, the office Christmas party is yet
another manner in which people
celebrate the season of giving. Offices
are decorated with streamers,
mistletoes, baubles and holly wreaths
days before the actual holiday. Secret
Santa, a popular holiday tradition in the
US and the UK, has now become a
mainstay in offices across India. After
drawing a colleague’s name from a box
of chits, each employee becomes a
‘secret’ Santa to another. As offices and
schools shut for a few days and the
weather takes a cool turn in most parts
of India, it’s the prospect of a white
winter that lures many Indians to take a
short holiday to the northern parts of
the country. With so much joy and
goodness in the air, it’s hard to ignore
the spirit of the season.
MERRY-MAKING IN MUMBAI
Streets across Mumbai come alive with
strings of fairy lights, stars and paper
decorations in the first two weeks of
December. Although celebrations are
concentrated in a number of pockets
across the city, from Borivali, Malad
and Bandra, right up to Khotachiwadi
in South Mumbai, you’ll experience
the festive mood everywhere you go.
For example, on Hill Road, in Bandra,
DELPHINE WILSON
SENIOR CABIN CREW, BENGALURU
The carol ‘Tis the season to be jolly’
comes to my mind when I think of
Christmas. We have always celebrated
Christmas at home and I have some
wonderful memories associated with
it. I have been with SpiceJet for three
years and I always enjoy how it is
celebrated here – with X’mas hats
being worn, brownies being
distributed, and in various other ways
to ensure our passengers are happy.
DICHAMLIU MK
CABIN CREW, BENGALURU
What I love most about Christmas is
the general good spirit pervading
everywhere. I love going to the
midnight Mass and dancing till the
next day. I have been here only six
months but I am aware that at
SpiceJet, we celebrate all major
festivals onboard and Christmas is no
exception. I look forward to
celebrating my first Christmas with our
passengers.
54 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

COVER STORY ||||| CELEBRATIONS
DEVESH ARORA
CABIN CREW, DELHI
There are many beautiful things I
associate with Christmas – happiness,
holidays and, of course, gifts. Every
December 25, I go to the church. It’s
fun being on a flight on the day. You
wear Santa caps and take photos with
kids. It feels so good to see them
happy and smiling. It is also wonderful
to see grown-ups enjoying. Suddenly
it’s no longer about taking them from
point A to B. It is much more than that.
AHMAD NABIL
CABIN CREW, DELHI
The best thing about Christmas is that
there is so much calmness around it. I
once went to a church on Christmas
and it was one of the most peaceful
experiences of my life. At SpiceJet, we
have many colleagues who celebrate
Christmas, and it is a joy joining them
in their celebrations. In the two years I
have been here, it has been a joyful
experience wearing Santa caps and
greeting passengers on our flights.
stores burst with Christmas decorations
and traditional Christmas sweets a few
weeks before Christmas. Damian, a
furniture store in the area, is a popular
stopover for visitors and locals alike,
who spend time taking in its elaborate
Christmas-themed window display.
Meticulously designed cribs can be
spotted at every corner when you walk
down the tiny cobblestoned lanes of
Ranwar, Chapel Road, Waroda Road and
Chuim, where crib contests showcase
the creative talents of each locality.
Further north, it’s worth making a trip
to St. Francis d’Assisi church in Borivali,
reputed for its larger-than-life depiction
of the nativity scene.
The Mumbai Christmas Fest,
organised since 2006 by the German
Consulate and Indo-German Chamber
of Commerce, Mumbai, is a popular way
for families to soak up the Christmas
cheer. This year, the event will be held
on December 3 and 4 at the Royal
Western India Turf Club in Mahalaxmi,
where a Santa’s corner, and activities
such as skating, bubble shows and kids’
workshops, will provide wholesome
entertainment for the young ones.
Authentic German cuisine including
sausages, cheese and a host of
traditional Christmas desserts along
with plenty of shopping opportunities
set the tone for the season.
Midnight Mass in Mumbai
The sweet sound of carols wafts
through homes, stores and restaurants
closer to Christmas day, and on
Christmas Eve, angelic choirs welcome
the faithful into churches like Mount
Mary’s Basilica, Holy Name Cathedral,
St. Michael’s Church, and Sacred Heart
Church for midnight Mass. Christmas
Day begins with the exchange of gifts
among family and close friends who
come together for a hearty Christmas
lunch of roast chicken, bakes, potato
chops and plum pudding. Christmas
reaches its peak in Mumbai at muchawaited
dinner-and-dance events like
the Christmas dance at the Bandra
Gymkhana.
GREETINGS FROM GOA
Goa is a popular destination, be it
summer, monsoon or winter. But the
state, undoubtedly, has the largest
inflow of tourists in December, when
the weather is cooler and a celebratory
air is all around. When in Goa, nothing
compares to experiencing the season of
Christmas just as the Goans do.
NOW FLYING
SpiceJet has daily, direct flights to
Goa from Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi,
Hyderabad and Mumbai. Log on to
www.spicejet.com for more details
56 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

COVER STORY ||||| CELEBRATIONS
and gifts are unwrapped and carols sung.
In Goa, too, the holiday ends with wellattended
community dances.
From top: Christmas being celebrated in
Kolkata; Traditional Christmas sweets
NOW FLYING
SpiceJet offers daily, direct flights to Kolkata
from major cities across the network. Log on
to www.spicejet.com for details
Restaurants like Arthur’s Theme
in Candolim and Antares in Vagator have
already announced lavish Christmas
menus. Events like dances, gatherings,
carol singing competitions and nativity
plays at Kala Academy in Panjim are
other major attractions. But it’s in some
of Goa’s tiniest villages that one might
find the true spirit of Christmas. It’s not
rare to be offered a handful of traditional
Goan sweets such as baath, pinarg, dodol,
bebinca, marzipan and coconut ice when
you walk through these off-the-map
villages, where the smallest chapels are
decorated with lights
and creatively designed
cribs. After attending
midnight Mass at local
churches, family and
friends return to their
homes to indulge in a cup
of eggnog or a glass of
spice-infused wine. Gala
lunches and dinners
bring people together
DURING THE
CHRISTMAS SEASON,
PARK STREET IS TO
KOLKATA WHAT TIMES
SQUARE IS TO NEW
YORK
CARNIVAL-ESQUE KOLKATA
In Kolkata, Christmas is also known as
‘burra din’ and is an exuberant affair at
the storied Park Street known for its
colonial charm. Every year, the hugely
anticipated Kolkata Christmas Festival
that runs from mid-December through
the first week of January draws tourists
and residents from every corner of the
city. In fact, during the Christmas
season, Park Street is to Kolkata what
Times Square is to New York. Christmas
trees, life-sized Santa Claus and reindeer
displays, lanterns, bells and blue fairy
lights lend a magical touch to this busy
road. Some of the city’s most fabled
restaurants like Flurys sell Christmas
mince pies and Yule logs by the dozen.
Food stalls selling both local delicacies
and Christmas sweets line Park Street,
as do stalls selling knick-knacks and
Santa hats.
Not far, Allen Park serves as one
of the main venues for the Kolkata
Christmas Festival with a schedule
packed with musical shows by wellknown
singers and performers, who
pander to the crowd’s demands for
both carols and popular hits. Like
every other year, the Kolkata Christmas
Festival will be organised by the West
Bengal Tourism Development
Corporation, Kolkata Police and The
Park Hotel and will begin
on December 16, while
the spectacular
Christmas parade is
scheduled to take place on
December 18. A visit to
the Bow Barracks is yet
another popular way to
get into the festive mood
on a chilly December
evening. The locality is
58 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

COVER STORY ||||| CELEBRATIONS
From above: A crib depicting the
birth-in-the manger scene; Christmas
being celebrated in Kerala; Baath is a
traditional Goan Christmas cake
NOW FLYING
SpiceJet has several flights to Guwahati,
Agartala, Aizawl, Silchar and Bagdogra
in the North-east, and to Kozhikode,
Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram in
Kerala. Log on to www.spicejet.com for
more details
decked up in tinsel and lights,
and the arrival of Santa Claus
in a rickshaw remains the
biggest attraction. On
Christmas Eve, it’s hard to
ignore the carol singers when
you walk past churches like
St. Paul’s Cathedral, which is
packed to the hilt for its
famous candle-lit midnight
Mass.
THE KERALA WAY
In Kerala, where Christians
account for nearly one-fourth of the
population, Christmas celebrations are
nothing short of grand. It’s mostly
traditional with churches and homes
tastefully decked up with cribs depicting
the birth-in-the manger scene and stars
twinkling on Christmas
trees. Carol groups of
churches and art clubs
get busy visiting houses
singing traditional
songs. Christians claim
that the message of Jesus
was preached to their
forefathers by Apostle
St. Thomas, who landed
at Kodungallur in
Thrissur in AD 52.
CHRISTMAS IS A
SEASON THAT NOT
ONLY PROMOTES
A SENSE OF
TOGETHERNESS BUT
ALSO ENCOURAGES
THE ACT OF GIVING
NOSHING IN THE NORTH-EAST
The North-eastern part of the country
is no exception to Christmas
celebrations. Shillong, which has a
significant Christian population,
celebrates it with pomp and glory. Most
churches have local bands playing
gospel music. The choirs in this part of
the country are arguably the best. When
it comes to food, don’t miss dohneiiong, a
pork dish made with black sesame
paste, usually eaten with rice or rice
pancakes. Manipur celebrates this
occasion in a tranquil manner with
prayers (held in churches across the
state), community feasting and
exchanging gifts. Mizoram celebrates it
over the course of three days. In
Nagaland, Mokokchung is particularly
noted for its extravagant Christmas and
New Year celebrations.
That could be attributed
to its unique tradition of
celebrating Christmas
and New Year in the
main town square at
midnight. Meanwhile in
Assam, Guwahati’s St.
Joseph’s Cathedral in
Panbazar attracts
visitors with its eyecatching
decorations.
60 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

EXPERIENCE ||||| WILDLIFE
CORBETT OF KUMAON
With 160 tigers, more than 586
species of resident and migratory
birds, 36 species of dragonflies,
33 species of reptiles and
seven species of amphibians,
the Corbett National Park is
the perfect place to turn into a
wildlife enthusiast
YOUR FIRST SUNSET AT CORBETT
National Park is an evening you’ll
remember forever. An ochre landscape
turns more golden with every stair that
the sun climbs down, and wild elephants
and deer become fellow spectators.
Named after the legendary British
hunter, who became a sort-of saviour to
locals being preyed upon by man-eaters,
Jim Corbett made the Kumaon region
world-famous with his journalistic diary,
Man-Eaters of Kumaon. Corbett, though,
was a conservationist and campaigned
hard for the area to become a protected
reserve. Today, there are 160 or so
tigers in the park. Despite their dense
population, spotting a tiger isn’t so
easy. Thanks to a combination of heavy
foliage and street-smart tigers, the
beasts are camouflaged well. Though,
you wouldn’t leave disappointed –
you can still spot sloth bears, langur
monkeys, rhesus macaques, peacocks,
otters, leopards and mugger crocodiles.
The park is divided into five zones, from
which you can take your pick.
1
DHIKALA: In the grassland of
Dhikala, you can spot tigers,
elephants, hog deer, chitals,
reptiles and many grassland birds.
2
JHIRNA: In Jhirna, wild bear
have a tendency to appear from
nowhere, right in front of your
tourist vehicle.
3
BIJRANI: The elephant safari
4
in Bijrani is popular for birdwatching.
DURGA DEVI: Surrounding the
Ramganga River, you can see
several species of fish here.
5
SONANADI: This is the only
zone in Jim Corbett where you
can walk on foot. It is also richly
housed with non-venomous snakes of
different kinds.
SHUTTERSTOCK
62 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

HOSPITALITY ||||| RESORTS
Clockwise from above: An outdoor dining area; The Jiva Spa overlooking the pool; The resort’s design blends in with the surroundings
UP CLOSE
WITH
NATURE
The Gateway Resort Corbett, in
the midst of lush green forests
and located on the banks of the
River Kosi near the well-known
Corbett National Park, is just
right for the traveller looking for
a tranquil getaway
THE GATEWAY RESORT near Corbett
National Park has made its mark as one
of the finest hospitality destinations in
north India. The resort stands out for its
unique location as well as wide range of
amenities and services.
The hotel stands in the middle
of lush green forests. The river Kosi
meanders nearby. Located very close
to Corbett National Park, guests can
experience first-hand nature in its full
glory at the reputed national
park. There are also many
local attractions including
a visit to the Jim Corbett
Museum (timings 7.00 am to
6.00 pm) and a jeep safari
inside the Corbett National
Park with its thick forests,
rivers, lakes, grasslands and
deep ravines.
Back at the hotel, like
at every Taj property, the
guest’s stay at The Gateway
Resort Corbett will end up
being a memorable one.
HOW TO REACH
THERE
The property is about
two hours away from
Pantnagar Airport. It
is also connected to
major cities via national
highways: New Delhi
(NH 24), Kolkata (NH 2)
and Jaipur (NH 11).
Contact information:
The Gateway Resort
Corbett, Zero Garjia,
Dhikuli, Ram Nagar, Jim
Corbett, Uttarakhand
244 715
The rooms come in four categories
– Superior Rooms, Resort Cottage,
Gateway Cottage and Corbett Suite –
and provide some great views of the
garden, pool or river. Two restaurants
and a bar, Treetop, Jim’s Grill and Tusker
Bar, offer different kinds of dining
experiences. There are also venues for
meetings, conferences, weddings and
social occasions.
For those who like to stick to their
fitness routines even
when away from home,
the resort’s fully equipped
fitness centres are just
what they need. The
equipments and amenities
here include treadmill,
weights, steam bath,
swimming pool and table
tennis. Finally, a wide array
of treatments and therapies
await guests at the Jiva
Spa, where every effort is
made to help them relax
and rejuvenate.
gateway.corbett@
tajhotels.com;
+91 5947 266600
DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 63

COVER STORY ||||| PHOTO SESSION
The staffers before the shoot
BEHIND
THE SCENE
A QUICK PEEK AT THE
MAKING OF OUR COVER
WHEN SPICEJET STAFFERS
DONNED PARTY CLOTHES
FOR OUR CHRISTMAS-
THEMED PHOTO SHOOT
In hair and make-up
Discussing the shot
Getting the props ready
66 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

COVER STORY ||||| PHOTO SESSION
The final shot that gets approved
Trying different angles
Getting into the party mood
That's a wrap
68 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

SELECT
PLAY
PERFORM!
!
Skipper can be
used as a
PERSONAL TAB
HINDI
SONG COLLECTION
Singing is easier and fun for everybody with the
Persang Karaoke! Plug in and sing your favorite
melody from the built in library of 2500+ songs.
Easy read On Screen Lyrics on a melody track add
up to an awesome singing experience.
Set the tune for celebration with the Persang
Karaoke...whatever your song!
Harmony
Pro
Harmony
Additional song Chip (SD Card) Volume 3 to 11
available only at :
1800 200 5830
persangkaraoke.com
website
+91 96629 20000
To Locate a store near you SMS space to 56161
Persang Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
Registered office : 13-A, Shrinagar Society, Akota,
Vadodara - 390 020, Gujarat, India.
+91 265 2330606, www.persangkaraoke.com

FOOD ||||| RECIPES
A TOUCH OF CINNAMON
A HINT OF SPICE CAN ADD LOTS OF FLAVOUR TO YOUR CHRISTMAS GOODIES.
BY AARTI KAPUR SINGH
JINGLE BELLS AND CHRISTMAS aren’t too far away and the festival of
merriment is incomplete without the aroma of baked goodies emanating from
the hearth. There is just something so heart-warming about pairing the
aroma and flavours of cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, fennel and similar spices
with moist cakes. Patisserie Royale Chef Neha Lakhani has a flair for the
dramatic. Drawing inspiration from her mother’s cooking, recipes collected
on her jaunts abroad, and a resolve to bring together global influences,
Lakhani’s desserts and bakes have a distinctive French influence. It helps that
she has trained at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa under Chef Christian Faure and
Chef Herve Chabert, and has also worked with Chef Heinrich Stubbe at
Stubbe Chocolates. She shares the recipe of three delightful bakes that are
sugar and spice and all that’s nice to warm up your winters.
Top: Star Anise Cookies.
Above: Chef Neha Lakhani
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF THE CHEF
70 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

FOOD ||||| RECIPES
ORANGE SPICED
CAKE WITH EARL
GREY TEA
This is a cake for lovers
of both citrus and tea.
Earl Grey tea, whose
characteristic flavour
is the essence of the
bergamot orange’s peel,
is presented as a cake
that evokes the warmth
of sunnier days.
PREPARATION TIME:
25 MINUTES
Cooking time: 45 minutes +
30 minutes cooling time
Serves: 8-10
INGREDIENTS
1/2 tin condensed milk
3 tbsp icing sugar
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup milk (to infuse tea)
Vanilla
1 cup flour
1/4 cup corn flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup orange juice
100 gm candied oranges
20 gm orange zest
6 gm mixed spices (cinnamon,
star anise, nutmeg, pepper,
cardamom)
20 gm Earl Grey tea leaves
(infused overnight in milk)
For the chocolate glazing
500 gm Couverture dark
chocolate
200 ml vegetable oil
200 gm roasted almond nibs
METHOD
Whisk the condensed milk and
icing sugar until light and fluffy.
Add oil to mix well. Try to avoid
hand blender for mixing oil,
else it could form clumps. Add
milk-infused with tea leaves. Add
in all dry ingredients but ensure
they are sifted. Fold in orange
juice, dusted candied oranges and
zest. Ensure candied oranges are
dusted well with flour else they
will sink to the bottom. Pour this
mixture in a grease-lined mould
and bake at 160 degrees for
45-50 minutes. Let the cake rest
and cool well before unmolding.
It’s important to let the cake be
properly cooled before unmolding
as it may break if hot. This cake
has a long shelf life and can be
stored in the refrigerator for about
a fortnight. Melt the chocolate
and add in the oil. Mix well and
add in the roasted nibs. Coat the
cake in the chocolate by simply
dipping it into the chocolate glaze
and keep aside till the chocolate
sets. Decorate with dehydrated
oranges and whole spices.
72 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

FOOD ||||| RECIPES
STAR ANISE
COOKIES
Inspired by warm
fireplaces in Stockholm,
these cookies make for
an ideal Christmas gift
as well.
PREPARATION TIME: 15
MINUTES
Baking time: 18-20 minutes
Serves 8-10
INGREDIENTS
400 gm flour
300 gm sugar
300 gm butter
175 gm hazelnut powder
1.5 gm baking soda
2 tsp coarsely ground star anise
(you can also use the same
amount of cinnamon powder for
a variation)
METHOD
Cream the butter and sugar well.
Add all dry ingredients. Mix using
paddle attachment until well
incorporated. Add the star anise
and mix well again. Roll and cut
into desired shape. Bake for 18
to 20 minutes at 180 degrees.
Remove from oven and cool on a
wire rack. Serve when cooled.
CARROT AND CARDAMOM
SHORTCAKE
A cake kept moist with carrots
and lightly spiced with cardamom
is inspired by Nordic desserts.
Carrot-laced desserts are a staple
in Stockholm, where sweet and
savoury work their magic in
tandem.
PREPARATION TIME: 25 MINUTES
Cooking time: 45 minutes + 30 minutes
cooling time
Serves 8-10
INGREDIENTS
For the cream cheese frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter
400 gm ounces cream cheese
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
For the cake
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
3 cups carrots, finely shredded
2 cups flour
1 cup self-rising flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cardamom powder
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp salt
Zest of one orange
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup yoghurt, plain
METHOD
For the frosting, cream the butter and
cream cheese. Add powdered sugar. Beat
well and add vanilla. For the cake, beat the
sugar and eggs in a bowl until faint yellow.
Fold in the vanilla. In another bowl, combine
flours, baking powder, salt, cardamom and
cinnamon. Add carrots and orange zest and
coat the flour mixture with them. Add flour
mixture, oil and yoghurt to egg mixture. Stir
gently until combined. Preheat oven to 160
degrees. Grease and sprinkle some flour on
to two 8-inch cake pans. Gently pour batter
– diving equally – into the pans. Bake for an
hour till it turns golden. Allow to cool on a
wire rack completely. Frost thickly.
74 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

SPICEJET ||||| MILESTONES
ONWARD AND UPWARD
With a historic turnaround behind,
SpiceJet spent 2016 earning
recognition for its several
achievements, launching new routes
on several important sectors and
introducing new privileges for its
customers. We take a look at some of the most important
memories – from the times we were celebrating joyous
occasions with our passengers to the times when we were
able to extend help to someone in need
76 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

SPICEJET POSTED THE
HIGHEST ANNUAL PROFIT IN
ITS HISTORY
SpiceJet reported a net profit of `73
crore for Q4 FY16, after taking a onetime
expense of `173 crore towards
estabilising and improving the reliability
of its fleet. Despite this one-time
expenditure, the net profit is an
improvement of 225% over the same
quarter last year.
SPICEJET TOPPED ON-TIME
PERFORMANCE AND
PASSENGER LOAD FACTOR
SpiceJet outpaced all its peers for critical
operational parameters of OTP (On-Time
Performance) and PLF (Passenger Load
Factor) this year. It registered a PLF of
91.9%, in October 2016, clocking over 90%
PLF for 18 months in a row. SpiceJet also
topped the OTP chart for the month at
86.1%.
SPICEJET LAUNCHED
SPICECLUB AND FLY FOR SURE
Continuing with its pioneering ways,
SpiceJet launched a rewards card that
pays back the member many times over.
The prepaid card, SpiceClub, allows
passengers to make cashless
transactions within the SpiceJet
ecosystem. They can purchase meals,
merchandise and add-on services. With
every recharge, they get additional
credits, which convert to currency on the
card. The passenger enrols for a one-year
SpiceClub membership by paying only
`599 upfront; the cardholder can then
enjoy a host of exclusive benefits worth
up to `3,000. SpiceJet also launched ‘Fly
For Sure’ for greater ease in case of flight
disruptions. It entitles a passenger a
guarantee of flying in the next 24 hours
in case of a flight delay beyond 90
minutes, missing a flight (no-show) not
exceeding 30 minutes from airport
check-in closure of the original flight or a
flight cancellation by the airline.
Passengers can purchase this add-on
product while booking the flight.
SPICEJET INTRODUCED
LOUNGE SERVICES
SpiceJet passengers can now enjoy the
services of lounges in the airports of
Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kochi
and at premium lounges such as Club
One Class Lounge, International
Airport, Jaipur; Zesto Lounge, SHA, Lal
Bahadur Shastri International Airport,
Varanasi; and Prive Lounge at Lokpriya
Gopinath Bordoloi International
Airport, Guwahati, at a nominal cost.
The service allows passengers to
unwind and relax in the comfort of
SpiceJet’s hospitality.
SPICEJET BECAME THE
FIRST AIRLINE TO LAUNCH
CHECK-IN USING NEAR FIELD
COMMUNICATION AND
BEACON TECHNOLOGIES
SpiceJet launched smart check-in
facility using BLE (Bluetooth Low
Energy) and NFC (Near Field
Communication) technologies under
the aegis of Ashok Gajapathi Raju,
Honourable Union Minister for Civil
Aviation, in GMR Hyderabad
International Airport. NFC enables
passengers to receive their boarding
pass on their smartphone when they
check-in through an NFC-enabled
smartphone with SpiceJet’s app.
Passengers can simply open the app
and touch the mobile device on the
NFC check-in poster at the airport
to retrieve their mobile boarding
pass.
SPICEJET INTRODUCED
SPECIAL HAJ FLIGHTS
SpiceJet carried more than 8,000
pilgrims on special flights for the Haj, in
Mecca from Gaya and Indore. The
airline deployed two Airbus 320 to ferry
pilgrims to Jeddah and Medina
between August 4 and September 3,
2016.
DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 77

SPICEJET ||||| MILESTONES
After earning
recognition and
respect for our
turnaround,
the awards
came thick and fast this year.
SpiceJet was recognised on
numerous occasions in
almost every arena – from
our new initiatives to
employee satisfaction to
having regained the trust of
the consumer and the
industry at large.
WORLD
TRAVEL
LEADERS
In November,
SpiceJet CMD
Mr. Ajay Singh
received the
‘World Travel
Leaders’ award
at the World
Travel Market
Awards in
London.
BEST HISTORIC
TURNAROUND
SpiceJet was presented the ‘Best
Historic Turnaround’ award by Civil
Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi
Raju at the 9th ASSOCHAM
International Conference & Awards on
Civil Aviation & Tourism in New Delhi.
RISING LIKE A PHOENIX
SpiceJet’s public relations (PR)
campaign ‘Rising like a Phoenix’ was
awarded at the Global SABRE Awards
held in Miami in October as among the
40 best PR campaigns in the world. The
winning campaigns were selected
from more than 5,000 entries. Spicejet
PR was also awarded the best
‘Individual: Consultancy Professional’
award at Fulcrum 2016 in the same
month, held in Aamby Valley City.
GAME CHANGER
SpiceJet CMD Mr. Ajay Singh received
the ‘DDP Game Changer’ award at the
North India Travel Awards. SpiceJet also
received the ‘Best Domestic Airline’
award.
BEST EMPLOYEE
ENGAGEMENT
At the 4th DMA-Thomas Associates
National Award for Excellence in Talent
Management, SpiceJet was awarded for
‘Best Employee Engagement’ out of 104
corporates.
BEST AIRLINE BRAND
SpiceJet was voted the ‘Best
Transportation’ brand as well as the
‘Best Airline’ brand in India for 2016 by
Brand Trust Report in April. In the same
month, SpiceJet also won the ‘Best
Domestic Airline for South India’ by
DDP TravTalk.
BEST CHECK-IN INITIATIVE
SpiceJet was awarded the ‘Best Check-in
Initiative’ by Future Travel Experience
global awards in Las Vegas for its
introduction of Bluetooth Low Energy
(BLE) beacons and Near Field
Communication (NFC) technology. The
smart check-in initiative was also
recognised by CIO 100 India symposium.
78 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

BEST ON-TIME
PERFORMANCE
IN INDIA.
As per DGCA statistics, SpiceJet
has recorded the best on-time
performance amongst all airlines
in the month of October, 2016.
The results were announced on 20th November, 2016.

SPICEJET ||||| MILESTONES
Over the last
11 years,
SpiceJet has
stood out for
its on-board
celebrations.
This year, too, every occasion,
big and small, was celebrated
with warmth and love with
our passengers and employees.
DIWALI
SpiceJet celebrated Diwali by
promoting the ‘Make in India’
campaign. On 10 flights out of Delhi,
passengers were welcomed with a
tilak and a pack of diyas. Additional
crew were dressed in ethnic wear to
greet the passengers. All airport staff
were also dressed in ethnic wear, and
ticketing and check-in counters at all
airports were decorated with
marigolds.
REPUBLIC DAY
Passengers not only appreciated the
SpiceJet decorations at the airport, but
also loved the idea of having the ground
staff in traditional attire and flag pins,
and the crew in tri-colour stoles. Playing
the National Anthem on all Boeing
flights was also very well received.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S
DAY
SpiceJet celebrated by taking 20 women
on a day trip aboard SpiceJet’s all-women
crew Delhi-Bengaluru-Delhi flight to
Art of Living’s Bengaluru centre.
HOLI
SpiceJet celebrated Holi in its own
signature style. Passengers were
welcomed with a chandan tilak and
their seats were decked with
colourful scarves. The airline also
distributed waterless Holi stickers to
commemorate the festival. SpiceJet
also surprised its passengers by
orchestrating a flash mob at Terminal
1 departure lounge, IGI Delhi Airport
and at Cyber Hub, a popular hangout
destination in Gurgaon.
VALENTINE’S DAY
SpiceJet celebrated the day of love
mid-air. Crew members welcomed
passengers with a rose and also
presented newlyweds with heartshaped
cakes, which were cut onboard.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
All passengers flying with SpiceJet
under the fare of Indian Armed Forces
were offered a meal and beverage at no
added cost. The airline also placed the
tri-colour on the bulk heads of its Boeing
737 aircraft.
82 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

SPICEJET ||||| MILESTONES
At SpiceJet we
believe that a
meaningful
existence
can only
come from
being a corporate with high
values. Several initiatives
we undertook this year
underlined our commitment
of helping out in every way
we could.
REACHING OUT TO THE
DROUGHT-HIT
In May, SpiceJet stepped in to
pledge help and relief to 11
villages in Latur. Along with the
organisation Anybody Can Help,
SpiceJet helped organise,
coordinate and execute the
supply of approximately 71,500
litres of water to 11 villages every
day across Ausa Taluka in Latur.
SPONSORED THE TRAVEL FOR
EDUCATIONAL TOUR OF J&K GIRLS
SpiceJet facilitated the travel of 20 female
students and two teachers from Mawar
Valley, J&K, organised by the Indian Army
for Operation Sadbhavna. The annual
educational tour saw them visiting Delhi,
Chandigarh, Dehradun and Amritsar. The
group boarded a SpiceJet Boeing from
Amritsar to Srinagar.
HONOURING WOMEN OF
SUBSTANCE
On International Women’s Day,
SpiceJet chose 20 women for a day trip
aboard SpiceJet’s Delhi-Bengaluru-
Delhi flight to Art of Living’s
Bengaluru centre. These women were
from villages and slums, and had been
victims of violence, imprisonment and
others. All of them were first-time air
travellers. Through yoga and
meditation, they were initiated into
the process of inner healing.
CELEBRATING THE JOY
OF GIVING
In January this year, the
corporate office of SpiceJet
collected warm clothes, toys,
towels, blankets, vessels,
artefacts, woollens, heaters and
coils from SpiceJet staff to give
to the less advantaged sections
of society.
HELPING DURING ASSAM
FLOOD RELIEF
In July this year, Assam received 60
per cent more rainfall than it received
in July 2015, flooding the state. This
affected 1.8 million people. Faced with
a crisis at this level, SpiceJet, in
association with Anybody Can Help
and Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal’s
office, helped with relief efforts.
Nearly 800 kilos of rice and dal,
donated by Anybody Can Help, were
ferried and distributed by SpiceJet to
Jorhat; 1,500 packets of food supplies
were donated by SpiceJet in Majuli
Islands; 103 cartons of milk, donated
by Nestlé, were ferried and distributed
by SpiceJet to Jorhat; and 42 cartons of
medicines, donated by NGO The Sara –
Jammu, were ferried and distributed
by SpiceJet to Jorhat.
84 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

STAR BUZZ ||||| VIDYA BALAN
THE HEADLINER
AN ACTRESS PAR EXCELLENCE, VIDYA BALAN HAS BUILT A FORMIDABLE
REPUTATION THANKS TO FILMS SUCH AS THE DIRTY PICTURE, NO ONE KILLED
JESSICA, PAA, ISHQIYA AND KAHAANI. IT CONTINUES TO HOLD HER IN GOOD
STEAD. THE ACTRESS IS NOW IMMERSED IN THE SEQUEL, KAHAANI 2, WHICH IS
AGAIN DIRECTED BY SUJOY GHOSH. SHE TALKS TO US ABOUT USING MINIMAL
MAKE-UP IN THE FILM, DOING ACTION SCENES, TAKING A BREAK AND FORGING
AHEAD ON HER OWN STEAM. BY BOLLYWOOD NEWS SERVICE
Kahaani or Kahaani 2 – which role has
been more challenging?
Honestly, at the point when I did
Kahaani, that was the most challenging
role for me. But I have grown in age and
experience and I think that at this point,
I understand my Kahaani 2 character,
Durga Rani Singh, better. I couldn’t have
done it four years ago; I am better
equipped to do it today.
Why have you chosen to have minimal
make-up in Kahaani 2?
Sujoy [Ghosh, the director] wanted my
look to be realistic and my make-up artist
Shreyas specialises in the no make-up
look. To protect the skin, we have applied
a little bit of make-up – we were shooting
in Kalimpong and Sujoy wanted a certain
dryness to the skin due to the cold
weather there. So we have given a slight
texture to the skin. That’s how Sujoy saw
Durga Rani Singh and that is the reason
for the no make-up look.
Was it a challenge for you to shoot the
action sequences in this film?
I love hitting, punching and kicking, and
I get very few opportunities to do that.
Do you choose films based on a good story
or your role or do you need both?
Sometimes the story and the role are
both nice but I feel I should not do the
film. What is good is relative because
what I like may not be what you like.
Would you say Sujoy Ghosh is a better
writer or director?
He writes beautifully but on the set, he is
a director. That’s the balance that creates
the magic onscreen.
You have become a major star without
co-starring with any male superstars. What
would you say is the reason for your not
teaming up with them?
ALAMY
68 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

The actress in the upcoming Kahaani 2;
with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Te3n, her
last release; and with Emraan Hashmi in
Hamari Adhuri Kahani
It’s possibly because I have not had the
opportunity. And I really like to stand on
my own feet. I don’t put my hand on
anyone else’s shoulder to stand tall – not
that anyone else is doing it; please don’t
misinterpret me. What I am saying is
that I am still standing on my own two
feet, and I feel very proud about that.
Some people call you the female Aamir
Khan. Comment.
Let my films do the kind of business that
Aamir Khan’s films do, then I will
believe that I am the female Aamir Khan
[laughs]. It is a huge compliment when
someone says that but, according to me,
it’s far from the truth. He has worked in
this industry for many years and he
knows a lot about film-making and
marketing. He is almost like a marketing
guru, I believe. I have not worked with
him till now but I think I have a long way
to go. Pehle main numbers toh dekhu uss
tarah ke [laughs].
Six years after Paa, you recently starred
alongside Amitabh Bachchan once again in
Te3n. What was the experience like?
We all learn from Amitabh sir. The
enthusiasm that he possesses when he
arrives on the sets even after so many
years of acting is an inspiration to all
of us.
You get along well with your co-stars. Do
you keep a relationship going after a film is
over?
Honestly, I don’t make an effort to keep
in touch with anyone post the film.
Initially, I used to feel I have to keep in
touch with everyone but it’s humanly
impossible because you are working
with 200 people at any given time. How
can you possibly be in touch with them?
Some friendships may have endured
between some people, but that’s not
happened to me. Every film brings a new
set of people in your life.
Do hits and flops affect you?
I feel hits and flops are part of a career, I
don’t think it’s possible to only have hits.
I don’t worry about the fate of my film
any more. Finally, you have to keep
working.
You took a long break sometime back.
I was out for eight-odd months but it
feels like a longer break because I did not
have any release in a year.
Did you experience withdrawal symptoms
because you were not shooting?
Ever since I became an actor, I had not
taken an eight-month break at a stretch.
So initially it was difficult but it really
helped me immensely. The renewed
energy is there for everyone to see.
How did you process film offers during that
time?
I was very honest in my approach. As a
matter of fact, Srijit Mukherji had come
to me before, too, with Begum Jaan but I
had refused him because I wasn’t taking
up work at that time.
How did you patch up with Sujoy Ghosh for
Kahaani 2 after saying no to his Durga
Rani Singh?
I didn’t say no to the film because I didn’t
like the script. I had to leave because I
was unwell. I was committed to doing it.
When Sujoy and I met again for Te3n,
everything was the same. We were
behaving like nothing happened
between us and ignored that we hadn’t
talked for more than a year.
Having been at the receiving end of so much
praise, does criticism still bother you?
It’s never the end of the world. When I
started, people used to have opinions
about me, and I didn’t feel great. My
biggest lesson is that there will never be a
day when everyone praises you. I have
learnt that through experience.
DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 89

IN FOCUS ||||| MONTAGE
FEATHERLITE SWITCHES ON THE
GREEN LIGHTS
FEATHERLITE, besides being a leading furniture
manufacturer in India, is also a responsible corporate citizen.
The company has achieved prestigious certifications e.g.,
Business and Institutional Furniture Manufactures
Association (BIFMA) Platinum, ISO-9001, ISO-14001 and
ISO-18001 based on various safety, health and environmental
initiatives. The company has also achieved zero discharge and
100% recycling of its solid waste materials. Featherlite is one
of the first manufacturing units in the state of Karnataka to
not only sign an MOU with the state government but also to
implement and generate 1 MW Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic
system (SRTPV) on an industrial building.
The state-of-the-art manufacturing unit at Hejjala, 20 km
from Bengaluru, has a rooftop area of 70,000 sq.ft. The
company has utilised every available roof space including
canteen, two-wheeler stands, car parking roof and canopies
besides the main manufacturing unit in order to maximise the
power generation. A total number of 3,000 solar panels each
generating 320W of power per day, have been imported from
Canadian Solar Inc. String invertors (16 Nos) manufactured
by Delta Power Solutions Pvt. Ltd., support the power
generation and transmission to power-receiving yard. The
system has been integrated with state power supply board and
surplus power generated is fed into the grid. The system will
produce 1.5 million units per annum of which 0.5 million units
will be fed into the grid lighting scores of households.
The plant was erected and commissioned by a team of
well-trained engineers from M/s.GreenSol Renewable Power
Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, and Featherlite in a record time of 30
days. This major initiative has reaffirmed the group’s
commitment to minimising environment degradation by
reducing its carbon footprint.
90 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

Where you tie the knot
With myriad options available across hotels, resorts and banquet halls, you are truly spoilt
for choice for your wedding venue. Here are our top picks. BY BINDU GOPAL RAO
JW MARRIOTT
MUSSOORIE WALNUT
GROVE RESORT
AND SPA
JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort &
Spa is a splendid location for an unforgettable
wedding celebration. The 4,200 sq ft of banquet
space embodies opulence. With a variety of
entertainment options, a majestic spread of
delectable cuisines and outdoor venues offering
a splendid view of the Garhwal range of the
Himalayas, this is an ideal place for a resplendent
ceremony. Expansive indoor ballrooms, pictureperfect
outdoor venues, artistically crafted
rooms and intricate décor options to add special
touches ensure fascinating wedding revelry. The
culinary team offers various menu options for
the wedding and preceding functions. For
cocktails and pre-wedding functions such as
haldi and mehendi, the team can recommend
numerous specialty and bespoke setups for
different meals at various locations. JW Terrace,
a walnut grove, offers breathtaking views of the
resort and is perfect for pheras.
IMAGES
COURT ESY
THE HOTELS

THE LEELA AMBIENCE CONVENTION HOTEL,
DELHI
The USP of this hotel is that it has India’s largest pillar-less banquet hall
in a luxury hotel (25,000 sq ft), located on the ground floor and capable
of hosting up to 6,000 guests as floating crowd and 2,500 guests in a
theatre-style setup. The beautiful outdoor venues add the much-needed
charm to every function. A private concierge that co-ordinates with both
sides of the family ensures each individual’s needs are looked after. The
two towers of the hotel, namely the Club Tower and the Hotel Tower, have
a pre-lobby and a main lobby that are available to provide assistance to
guests at all points in time. Apart from accommodation and decoration,
they have a dedicated team that creates a special and unique themebased
menu. The ballrooms offer the perfect background to play around
with different themes and colour schemes.
OXFORD GOLF RESORT, PUNE
A quintessential private club spread across 400 acres, Oxford Golf Resort offers
a range of hand-picked amenities to suit any event. Its unique location on the
Mumbai-Pune highway, coupled with a beautiful golf-course backdrop, makes it
a great wedding destination. Couples can also plan their pre-wedding shoots at
the property and select from six different venues for their big day. Catered venues
are available for weddings, sangeet parties and mehendi functions by the pool.
“Our spacious banquet halls and sophisticated boardrooms are ideal for indoor
events, and our outdoor venues offer breathtaking views that surround our plush
lawns and helipad,” says Rohan Seolekar, Director at Oxford Group, Pune.

JAGMANDIR ISLAND PALACE,
UDAIPUR
Weddings are about experiences and memories. And if it
is at one of the world’s most exclusive wedding
destinations – Jagmandir, a palace on an island in Lake
Pichola – it takes the experience several notches higher.
Jagmandir Island Palace is a historic 17th-century palace.
Refurbished into a heritage hotel, the palace has
contemporary and world-class amenities such as an allday
café, a stylish dining restaurant, bar and spa. In terms
of facilities, their specialty is the warm hospitality and
customisation in arrangements. Be it the flowers, the
lighting or folk arts, their team has dedicated heritage
venues that challenge your creativity in pampering
guests. According to Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, HRH
Group of Hotels, “The property itself is our USP. With our
hospitality, we create experiences that are nothing less
than magical. The destination is located in the middle of
the lake surrounded by beautiful mountains, which makes
it a naturally enticing destination to tie the knot.”
MLR CONVENTION CENTRES, BENGALURU
MLR Convention Centres are located in two prime areas in Bengaluru, namely JP
Nagar and Whitefield. The venues are designed to suit all your needs and
requirements. These have free-flowing spaces, open courtyards and spacious
banquet halls with great parking facilities. “We have a well-trained staff that
understands what needs to be done for a wedding,” says Ramesh Kumar, Senior
Operations Manager. “With 8-10 years of experience in the wedding industry, the
MLRs are sought-after wedding destinations. These are state-of-the-art venues
that are designed to meet international standards.” Catering services include
buffets, plated meals, cocktail fares, barbeques and banquets. They also have
bridal care services through a well-equipped and professional unisex salon.

Love through a lens
Your wedding photographs and videos are not worth skimping on. Here are some of India’s best
photographers who will leave you with stunning memories of your big day. BY BEVERLY PEREIRA
Wedding photography
has evolved a fair bit
in the last decade.
It’s a far cry from those stuffy,
pre-staged shots seen in your
parents’ wedding album.
Today, candid photography is
popular, as are pre-wedding
photo-shoots in exotic
locations, quirky save-thedate
shoots and post-wedding
photography.
COURTESY THE WEDDING SALAD

AKASH AGARWAL AND
ANKITA ASTHANA
Wedding Nama, founded by Akash Agarwal
and Ankita Asthana, specialises in luxurious
wedding photography and videography with
a tasteful, artistic approach. Known to work
with unique ideas and angles, the husbandwife
duo has a knack of letting personalities
shine through. From shooting underwater in
Ladakh to working with six dogs for a savethe-date
video for a bride who’s a dog
trainer by profession, Wedding Nama tells
visual stories that capture every emotion –
from happy moods to tearful goodbyes.
Visit weddingnama.in for more details.
SEPHI BERGERSON
Seasoned wedding photographer Sephi Bergerson believes
that it’s not the camera that creates the image but the person
holding it. The award-winning documentary and lifestyle
photographer has worked on a variety of weddings across
diverse communities in India – from Rajasthan to Kerala.
The Israeli-born Bergerson, who has lived in Goa since 2002,
has a unique style that’s best described as the intersection of
documentary photography and art. Interestingly, he recently
shot an entire wedding in Udaipur (in picture) using just his
iPhone 6s Plus. Visit sephi.com for more details.
102 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

AAYUSHI SACHDEVA
AND KANISHKA
SONTHALIA
The Wedding Salad, a collaborative
photo venture by Aayushi Sachdeva
and Kanishka Sonthalia, began as a
wedding present for a bride and groom.
Having travelled across India to shoot
the most priceless moments of the
weddings they cover, the duo has
become one of the most popular
choices among couples today. The
Wedding Salad specialises in candid
photography, but the team is equally
adept at executing stunning save-thedate,
engagement and pre-wedding
shoots. If a bride so desires, the shoot
can also extend to capturing those
precious moments, as she gets ready
for her big day. Visit theweddingsalad.
com for more details.
PARIKSHIT SURI
Vintage sepia tones, contrast images and
stylised collages might put wedding
photographer Parikshit Suri in a class of
his own. But, it is undoubtedly his ability
to capture candid shots that makes
couples want to book PK Suri Worldwide
Studios for their big day well in advance.
His keen eye for detail and the ease with
which he brings out the best in every
guest and family member at a wedding
work in tandem to make sure that no big
moment is lost. Many couples seek him
out for wedding photo-books that tell a
dramatic, almost cinematic, story.
Visit pksuri.com for more details.
104 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

Over the Moon on Your Honeymoon
The beginning of a new life is a memory to be cherished for a lifetime. Choosing where you spend your
honeymoon is something that must be done with care. Here are a few suggestions.
BY BINDU GOPAL RAO
TAJ FALAKNUMA PALACE,
HYDERABAD
The epitome of luxury is the Nizam Suite at Taj Falaknuma
Palace. The Nizam Suite, which was once the abode of the
world’s richest man, continues to revel in its former glory,
with immaculately done, ornate interiors. This
extravagant duplex suite leaves you speechless as you
step into the shoes of the Nizams. It comes with a private
swimming pool and offers guests decadent creations by
the masterchefs. The Nizam Suite also has a private
butler, a private elevator, 24-hour laundry, in-room
dining and on-call doctor and nurse. But, it is the Sufi
session each night coupled with the champagne palace
walk that makes this a magical experience.
106 ||||| DECEMBER 2016
IMAGES COURTESY OF HOTELS

CONRAD, PUNE
Conrad Pune has 310 uber luxurious guest rooms
and suites with the latest in-room technology;
spacious, warm gold marble bathrooms with a
bathtub and separate rain showers; three specialty
restaurants; a chic bar and a deli, making it an ideal
honeymoon destination. A dedicated lifestyle
floor with the city’s first outdoor temperaturecontrolled
pool, whirlpool, 24-hour fitness centre,
Conrad Spa and a salon makes it the perfect place
to rejuvenate. “We have a range of spa packages
especially the Conrad Signature Day Spa package,
a very indulgent and luxurious experience to gift a
couple on their honeymoon. The Conrad Day Spa,
includes specially curated luxury offerings such as
an Audi pick-up and drop-off service from
anywhere in Pune, a day’s stay in a Conrad Deluxe
Room, and an expansive buffet lunch at Coriander
Kitchen,” says Amit Midha, General Manager.
GRAND MERCURE, MYSURU
Grand Mercure Mysuru offers a bouquet of experiences for honeymooning
couples to discover and enjoy the magic of a new relationship. A
contemporary set-up with an array of cuisines and services wrapped in
French hospitality are some of the elements offered by them. The hotel also
offers delightful surprises such as special couple spa treatments and exotic
dining experiences. “We have a specially designed romantic getaway
package for couples who would like to indulge in a rejuvenating holiday.
Valid until December 31, 2016, this package comprises a night stay with
complimentary breakfast and dinner with a signature couple massage from
the Zazen spa at the hotel,” says Sachin Malhotra, General Manager. You
can enjoy the serenity of nature and an old-world charm and return with a
lifetime memory of a scintillating honeymoon experience.

PLANET HOLLYWOOD BEACH RESORT,
GOA
A honeymoon in Goa is the perfect way to raise the curtains on a new
beginning. Spread across 10 acres of land, Planet Hollywood Resort,
Goa, is an upscale property with a stunning collection of rooms, each
with its own, one-of-a-kind touch of Hollywood memorabilia and richly
appointed amenities. With two niche restaurants to satiate your taste
buds, you must spend time at the Pink Room Salon & Spa that offers an
extensive choice of body and beauty treatments. Charmaine Moraes,
Associate Director of Sales, says, “A basic package for stay is always on
offer, and it is also customised with a limousine pick-up, room décor
with towel art, fresh floral arrangement and rose petals, a bottle of
vintage champagne, personalised amenities and linen and hand-crafted
chocolate and fresh strawberries delivered to the room. The resort is
entirely Hollywood-themed and our in-house activities consultant can
offer various options such as aqua zorbing, paddle boating, water
sports, cycle treks with picnic baskets, barbecues at the beach and a
range of exciting alternatives to enhance your honeymoon experience.”
AAMOD AT SHOGHI, SHIMLA
With 20 cute cottages and lots of privacy around the
hillside, Aamod at Shoghi in Shimla is a great choice for
your honeymoon. Pristine greens and cosy spaces
across the resort offer lots of opportunities for couples
to spend time with each other. There is a plethora of
on-site activities for couples to enjoy and also test their
adventurous streak. Long and romantic nature walks
are also a great way to bond with each other. “You can
choose any spot at the resort, and we guarantee you a
star-studded feast,” says Gaurav Jain, MD. “Trust our
chefs to whip up anything you want. Our spa and
Jacuzzi is the epitome of the honeymoon trip thanks to
its location. Unwind, relax and gaze into the cloudy
peaks and valleys while you spend precious time with
your loved one. In fact, we customise the honeymoon
package for all our guests. We believe every experience
is special and it cannot be the same for all.”
112 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

SPICE TALK ||||| FENUGREEK
EACH SPICEJET AIRCRAFT HAS BEEN NAMED AFTER
A PARTICULAR SPICE. IN THIS ISSUE WE TALK ABOUT
THE BENEFITS AND USAGE OF FENUGREEK
Egyptians of yore used fenugreek paste
to embalm mummies while their famed
queen, Cleopatra, used the seeds
warmed in oil or milk to keep her locks
long and lustrous. One of the oldest
spices known to civilisation, the
Mesopotamians are said to have first
used fenugreek in pickle form – those
days, vegetables were simply soaked in
brine and vinegar.
Back home, one of the most common
uses of methi is where its bitter, hard-tobite
seeds are used in tempering.
Dharmesh Karmokar, owner of Hotel
Aureole, uses roasted methi seeds to
temper khichdi but is equally fond of
methi greens. “The beauty is the flavour
play that tempered seeds and fresh
greens add to the dish. While the seeds,
once roasted as part of paanch phoran
[all-seed spice-mix of East India], lend
sweetness to the dish, the greens,
though slightly bitter, cleanse the palate
for a second bite,” he says.
Speaking of seeds, culinary director
Aloo methi
Paul Kinny says, “Fenugreek seeds have
this amazing quality of combining with
NOTHING GREEK
ABOUT IT
COUNTED AMONG THE WORLD’S
IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE an Indian
kitchen without fenugreek (methi) and
harder still to imagine the
quintessential Indian pickle without
this spice. Fenugreek forms a staple in
South Asian cuisine, and to a certain
other spices when treated slightly to
work new flavours into a dish, which
does not taste bitter.” Indeed, kadhi or
yoghurt-based gravy is a case in point.
In fact, even the raan prepared by
Zaffran, owned by Chef Chetan Sethi,
extent, even Mediterranean and
uses slightly toasted fenugreek seeds to
OLDEST SPICES, FENUGREEK HAS
African cuisines. For long now, methi
give meat that distinct flavour.
FOUND USE OVER THE YEARS AS A
has been the bedrock of Indian cooking
“Fenugreek’s ability to create
MEDICINE, BEAUTY AID,
– used fresh or dried, as leaves, seeds or
interesting spice weddings makes it a
PRESERVATIVE AND CULINARY AGENT.
BY MADHULIKA DASH
in powdered form.
Charak Samhita, the ancient Indian
text on medicine, hails fenugreek as an
effective cure for heartburn, ulcer and
gastrointestinal inflammation. The
key ingredient in differentiating one
kebab from the other,” says Sethi.
Chef Sabyasachi Gorai, Lavaash by
Saby, is unapologetic about his bias
towards methi in paanch phoran. “It is
ALAMY; SHUTTERSTOCK
114 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

SPICE TALK ||||| FENUGREEK
Clockwise from above: Methi
paratha; methi paneer; methi seeds
METHI ON THE MENU
Some iconic Indian dishes prepared
using fenugreek include aloo methi, methi
pakora, methi muthiya, methi paratha,
methi ke laddoo and methi chicken.
the one spice in the mix that not only
protects the stomach from heavy
roasting of masala that intensifies most
of the spices, but also the contrasting
taste that makes it delicious,” he says.
Lavaash by Saby’s Bengali Kalia Maach,
Oriya Bamboo Mutton and Assamese
Tenga are excellent examples of
fenugreek’s “culinary congeniality”.
Taking it a step further, Gorai even uses
fenugreek to create interesting dolma
filling and give a slight twang to breads
he serves with his dishes.
According to
Head Chef Saurabh
Udinia, Masala
Library by Jiggs
Kalra, fenugreek –
roasted, powdered or
otherwise – makes for the perfect
korma. “It cuts through the creaminess
to create a flavour profile that is mild
yet has a hint of spice,” he explains.
Udinia calls fenugreek the “miracle
pinch” that breaks the monotony of
almost any dish. Methi micro-greens
have found their way into many of his
preparations. Commenting on Masala
Library’s dehydrated papad, he says,
“The micro-greens create a nice taste
layer to the dehydrated papad with a
sweet-bitter aftertaste. The whole
experience is fantastic.” Not
surprisingly, these greens form “edible
garnish” in menu items including kanji
and kachri.
Expert cooks such as Executive
Chef Gaurav Chakraborty, Novotel
Imagica Khopoli, have raised the status
of fenugreek to a “modernising spice”. It
is common for him to toss fenugreek in
olive oil along with garlic, chilli f lakes
and parmesan cheese to create that
“flavourful yet healthy” pasta. He
elaborates, “Leave aside the tempering
that lends Indian curries their complex
depth and taste, crushing fenugreek
seeds makes for a great, new-age
spaghetti pasta or a different taste
dimension to sauces used for meat and
dips like guacamole.”
No doubt its ability to marry the old
with the new, the conventional with the
innovative, is one of the main reasons
behind the culinary fascination with
fenugreek. As Gorai puts it, “It’s all
about how the spice reacts to different
treatment. While roasting and
powdering works beautifully for getting
that sweet aroma, tempering can add a
slight sourness to the dish.”
SHUTTERSTOCK
116 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

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+91 9871803333

ART ||||| BIENNALE
This year at Kochi, Mansi Bhatt showcases 'A Suite', which
uses her body as the site of art production
IN SEARCH OF LOST TIME
THE KOCHI-MUZIRIS BIENNALE, WHICH BEGINS ITS THIRD EDITION THIS MONTH,
HAS TURNED THE SLEEPY TOWN OF KOCHI INTO ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING
ART DESTINATIONS IN THE COUNTRY. BY AKSHAYA PILLAI
NOW FLYING
SpiceJet has daily, direct flights to Kochi
from Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi and
Mumbai. Log on to www.spicejet.com
for more details
The banyan tree in the premises of the abandoned cashew
factory in Mattancherry looks onto the backwaters.
Underneath its canopy, a couple of musicians rehearse for an
upcoming show. The first floor of the warehouse is ready for a
film screening, and the rest for art and literature. The latest
offering from the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) team, Uru is an art harbour
crafted by Riyas Komu, the co-founder of the bienniale. It was inaugurated on
November 12, 2016, in the hope of bridging the gap between the artist and the
local community, and is one of the many art-cafes that have sprung up in the last
five years, transforming Kochi into a cultural hub.
IMAGES COURTESY KOCHI BIENNALE FOUNDATION
120 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

Clockwise from above: Francesco Clemente
inside his installation, 'Pepper Tent', at
Aspinwall House in 2014; In 2012, artist
LN Tallur took advantage of the biennale’s
huge venues to create this inverted roof
installation with Mangalore tiles, some of
which had tiny figures in hatha yoga poses;
Visitors viewing Marie Velardi's 'Future
Perfect, 21st Century'
THE VENUES’ GLORIOUS PAST
David Hall, a whitewashed long
bungalow with blue windowpanes, was
erected in 1695 opposite the parade
ground in Fort Kochi. Built by the Dutch,
it was once home to the Dutch military.
Till half a decade ago, Fort Kochi was
known for such dilapidated colonial
structures, which cached history of this
port town’s lost glory. Aspinwall House,
another imposing structure built in 1867
by an English trader, was once a
storehouse for pepper, turmeric,
cardamom, timber and
all that this rich town
had on offer. And,
Pepper House, a gigantic
16,000 sqft warehouse
with two historic
dockside godowns, is
where these goods and
spices were loaded onto
ships. What remained of
these buildings were
crumbling walls, mossy
roofs and termiteinfested
doors and
windows that creaked
threateningly. India’s
first art biennale, named
after the lost port of
Muziris, helped restore
14 such rundown
KOCHI-MUZIRIS
BIENNALE 2016
DECEMBER 12, 2016 -
MARCH 29, 2017
This year, the biennale has
outdone itself by choosing
to bridge the divide in
artistic categories by
bringing in 97 artists from
across the fields of art and
culture. Curated by eminent
artist Sudarshan Shetty,
and titled ‘Forming in the
Pupil of an Eye’, the third
edition of the biennale
will also feature poets,
musicians, performance
artists and movies. The
main exhibition is spread
across 11 venues between
Fort Kochi, Mattancherry
and Ernakulam.
buildings and made them the venue for
art exhibits and installations.
Furthermore, what began as a partially
government-funded enterprise later
garnered the support of patrons,
businessmen and artists from across the
world. Five years after the first edition of
the biennale, art is not restricted to
galleries or museums. It has crawled out
of rooms and into open spaces, where it is
on display for one and all.
ART ON THE STREETS
Chinese fishing nets introduced by
Chinese-Canadian artist Zhang He,
against the dramatic skyline, is the
opening image of Fort Kochi. From here,
a mesh of parallel roads takes you to airy
cafes and timeworn stores that sell
jewellery and spices. As
you walk past, you find
faces on the wall. Here,
the walls talk and even
boulders take on the role
of canvasses. In black
and white and bursting
pop colours, a lot of the
graffiti took shape
during the first edition
of the biennale. The
graffiti has made art
accessible and is an
apparatus to reclaim the
charm of a forgotten
city. Early in 2014, a
series of anonymous
graffiti speckled Fort
Kochi walls overnight.
The ‘Guess Who’ series,
122 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

ART ||||| BIENNALE
mostly wry commentary on
socio-political issues, was
inspired from the biennale
– an art reaction that
proved that the biennale is
not just a platform but a
movement that inspires.
CREATIVITY AS A
COMMUNITY
The second biennale
recorded a whopping 5 lakh
visitors. With workshops,
residencies and exhibitions
round the year and with
Kochi as a recurring muse,
KMB has rebranded the
city. The locals have started renting out
their properties as creative studios and
old warehouses have been renovated
into art galleries. While residents such
as Isaac Alexandar have come up with
art residencies, the number of homestays
that are letting rooms for a long term is
also on the rise. There are several
galleries, bookshops and performance
spaces being added to the city’s
topography, including OED
Contemporary Art Gallery, Springr Café
& Studio, Café Papaya and the latest Uru
Cultural Harbour. And what is
interesting is how these spaces have
helped widen the bandwidth of art,
incorporating literature, music and
films.
MUZIRIS, THE STARTING POINT
Muziris, the ancient port, which was the
starting point of the biennale, is believed
to have been washed away in the
great flood of 1341. The story of
Muziris began in 3000 BC when
Babylonians, Assyrians and
Egyptians came to the Malabar
Coast in search of spices. After them
came the Arabs and the Phoenicians.
Archaeologists have unearthed
Amphora pottery shards, Roman
Top to bottom: The opening
ceremony of the biennale in
2014; Artist T Venkanna's
'Panch Mahabhuta' from
2012; Wangechi Mutu's
'Dutty Water' from 2014
124 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

ART ||||| BIENNALE
coins, Chinese crockery and many
such findings that establish the
diverse sea links of this town. It is
owing to such a wealthy past and the
growing cosmopolitanism of Kochi
that made founders Riyas Komu and
Bose Krishnamachari opt for it as the
venue. India’s largest heritage
conservation project and the first of its
kind, the Muziris Heritage Project
comprises 25 museums across
Thrissur and Ernakulam and is in
harmony with the biennale to
re-establish the historical and cultural
significance of Muziris. Together, they
aim to preserve the rich past and
attract the cultural crème crowd for
whom a vacation comprises art and a
brush with history. As Anne Carson
writes, “Towns are the illusion that
things hang together somehow.” When
it comes to Kochi today, it hangs in one
long thread called the Kochi-Muziris
Biennale.
Top: Goan artist Nikhil Chopra winds up his 52-hour performance in 2014.
Above: Bose Krishnamachari, Jitish Kallat and Riyas Komu
126 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

VIEWPOINT ||||| SPIRITUALITY
SCIENCE OF TRANSMISSION
KAMLESH D. PATEL INTRODUCES THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE OF
HEARTFULNESS I.E. TRANSMISSION. LIKE ANY TRANSFER OF ENERGY, THE
QUALITY AND POTENCY MATTER
ABOUT KAMLESH
D. PATEL
From an early age, Kamlesh
D. Patel was interested in
spirituality and meditation,
and eventually came to the feet of his guru
in 1976. He is now the fourth spiritual guide
in the Sahaj Marg system of Raja Yoga
meditation. He is a role model for students
of spirituality who seek the perfect blend
of Eastern heart and Western mind.
OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES,
meditation has acquired universal
recognition for its numerous positive
effects. Many methods of meditation are
available, and it is possible that all of them
may be good. The Heartfulness
meditation technique is also good, but
what makes it unique is the addition of
another element known as pranahuti, or
yogic transmission. Yogic transmission
makes meditation truly dynamic, and it is
a specialty of the Heartfulness method
offered by Sahaj Marg.
What is transmission? Transmission
has been defined as utilisation of divine
energy for the transformation of man.
Here, we are not speaking of physical
transformation, as our bodies are limited
by our genetic makeup. On the mental
level, there are fewer limitations. We can
all learn – some very easily and some with
greater difficulty. But it is only on the
spiritual level that there is infinite scope
for growth. Transmission is the
nourishment that allows such unlimited
growth.
If transmission is an energy that can
bring about infinite growth, it must also
be infinite. In the physical world, there is
no such thing as infinite energy. The sun
can blaze for billions of years, but
eventually, even it will burn itself out. But
yogis have never been bound by physical
laws. An adept meditator may be seated in
one country, while the aspirant is seated
in some distant place across oceans and
mountains. Yet, the moment the adept
one triggers the transmission, the
aspirant receives it, wherever he or she
may be. This is the common experience of
so many meditators. If we merely think of
transmission, it starts to flow instantly.
Even light cannot travel instantly. If a
distance can be traversed in zero time,
the velocity is infinite. Inserting infinity
into the equation means that the energy
that comes to us would also be infinite,
and its source would also have to be
infinite. This is transmission.
While the link between science and
spirituality continues to be a source of
debate and research, the best way to
understand transmission is to experience
it practically. Trying to grasp it
intellectually is like trying to understand
the taste of strawberry ice cream
intellectually. Is it possible to convey its
taste in words to someone who has never
tried it? You can explain all about sucrose,
dairy proteins and the temperature at
which milk freezes, but it would all be
useless. In the end, you would probably
say, “Just try it.”
Add transmission to your individual,
spiritual or religious practice, faith or no
faith, and you will experience a quantum
shift in your inner experience from day
one. You can use scientific
experimentation to test the effects of
transmission. First, meditate without
transmission, using only the prescribed
Heartfulness technique. Then, after a few
minutes, meditate using the same
technique, but with the assistance of an
adept who meditates along with you. This
expert can either be physically present
with you or at a remote location. You can
do this as many times as you like, as it will
be replicable. This will allow you to
compare the difference between
meditation with transmission and
without. For many people, the experience
of receiving transmission is so convincing
that no further proof or understanding is
necessary. I invite you to experiment and
experience it for yourself.
To know more about Heartfulness and Sahaj Marg, please visit www.heartfulness.org.
To experience meditation with a trainer, please send an email to contact@heartfulness.org or give a missed call to 78478 41111.
Reprinted with permission from Heartfulness Magazine, Issue 4, January 2016; www.heartfulnessmagazine.com.
SHUTTERSTOCK
DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 129

TRAVEL ||||| ADVENTURE
A TREK THROUGH FORESTS
WHILE MOST PEOPLE TRAVEL TO NERAL AND PROCEED FROM THERE TO
MATHERAN BY TOY TRAIN OR HORSE, THERE IS ANOTHER, LESSER-KNOWN
ROUTE TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION.
TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY SAFIQUE HAZARIKA
Ever since moving to
Mumbai, I had heard
a lot about it - one of
the very few oldest
hill stations in the
world, and just a local
train ride away from the city. Naturally,
Matheran, which means “forest on top”,
had piqued my curiosity no end. Vehicles
were not allowed within the hill station;
what an impressive way to preserve all
that flora and fauna, I thought.
Even as I planned to take a train to
Neral, 80 km from Mumbai, and proceed
from there to Matheran either by toy
train or horse - the only available means
of travel to the hill station - I stumbled
upon what looked like the schedule of a
trek to the place while browsing the
Internet. Imagine my excitement when I
enrolled for the hike that was to take us
to the hill top not via the usual route but
from the opposite side through jungles
and through a small village called
Dudhani. A villager was to lead our
adventure travel group through
uncharted territory all the way to 2,625
feet above sea level.
I waited with bated breath for the
Sunday morning. When I woke up, it was
pouring cats and dogs and for a while, I
thought I wouldn’t be able to realise my
dream. However, I decided to challenge
the rain gods and armed with raincoat,
backpack and a firm resolve, I finally
stepped out of the house. As if the
SAFIQUE HAZARIKA
132 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

universe were further conspiring to
derail my plans, at least five to six autorickshaws
passed me by before I could
get hold of one that agreed to ferry me to
the place we had decided to meet. I knew
that adventurous people tended to be
persistent and hence, were less likely to
be tardy but what awaited me was
something else! All 19 members had
arrived on the dot despite the downpour
and were waiting for me to show up. I
was late by five minutes. Late
nevertheless, I tendered my apologies. A
quick round of introductions and all 20
of us were inside the vehicle we had
rented, and on our way. We stopped for
some delicious poha and piping hot tea
before resuming our journey. About 30
minutes later, we got off at Dudhani
village, the starting point of our trek.
By then, the rain had pared down to
a drizzle but the path remained wet and
slippery and snaked through cliffs and
valleys and we had to negotiate with
great caution. Intermittently, the forest
cleared to provide stunning views of the
valley below and the group all but forgot
their tiredness to take in the beautiful
scenery. Some members of the group
yanked out their cameras and began
clicking pictures feverishly. We trudged
through hilly forest for nearly one-anda-half
hours before arriving at a big
waterfall. Luckily, I was among the first
ones to reach which gave me added time
to enjoy the waterfall. Thumb rule:
When trekking in a large group, staying
ahead is an advantage as you get to wait
longer till the others arrive; by contrast,
laggards hardly get any time to rest at a
spot and enjoy.
The road upwards from the
waterfall was rocky and treacherous
and in some places, we had to literally
crawl to move ahead. After scaling sharp
rocks and dense jungle, we arrived
somewhere near the top where it felt as
if the clouds were moving below us. I
was on top of the world, I thought!
Around half-an-hour later, we came to
the final leg of our expedition – a 50
metre climb on rocks – at the end of
which we were on a hillock where we
had lunch before proceeding to
Matheran market. One look around and
all you could see was red soil and thick
forest. Typically, the hill station offers
about 32 viewing points but if you’ve
climbed up the jungle route like we had,
you’ve anyways seen at least a 1,000
other viewing points. At the market, we
wasted no time in picking up water
bottles, energy drinks and snacks to last
us on our way down. At about 3.30 pm,
we started climbing down along the
same route.
The descent was scary as compared
to the ascent because every now and
then, the forest would clear and the
valley would appear right in front of us;
we knew that one wrong step and we
could be freefalling down those depths.
After some time, we came to the big
waterfall we had passed on our way up.
This time, almost the entire group
jumped into the water, frolicking way
longer than we should have. We reached
Dudhani by 6.45 pm and no one had any
energy left to talk. As we boarded the
vehicle that was to take us homeward,
we all but agreed that it had been an
unforgettable experience!
DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 133

VIEWPOINT ||||| YOGA
THROUGH THE MYSTIC EYE
SADHGURU IS A YOGI, MYSTIC AND VISIONARY. AN INTERNATIONALLY-RENOWNED SPEAKER, SADHGURU’S WIT AND
PIERCING LOGIC PROVOKE AND WIDEN OUR PERCEPTION OF LIFE. IN THIS SERIES, SADHGURU ANSWERS QUESTIONS, AND
OFFERS REFRESHING PERSPECTIVES ON DIVERSE TOPICS
activating these, you will create a
workforce but no geniuses. More than
the systems themselves, we have to
upgrade those who deliver the system.
The best people must become teachers.
What a child needs is inspiration, not just
information. If you want information, a
book or the internet is better than a
teacher. But without inspiration, no
human being rises beyond the
limitations in which he lives. It is very
important that we look at this because
educating a child is not just a teacher’s,
parent’s or school’s business – it is the
responsibility of the entire society.
Sadhguru with Ken Robinson
KEN ROBINSON
British author, speaker and
international advisor on education
What do you think makes a perfect school?
Sadhguru: There is no perfect school. As
we are looking for the evolution of a
human being through the education
system, the education system itself
should always be an evolving process.
Unfortunately, education today is
entirely intellect-based. Mistaking
intellect for intelligence is a serious
error. If your memory is removed, your
intellect is quite useless. But there are
other dimensions of intelligence that do
not need the support of memory. If
education systems do not focus on
AMAN
(SpiceJet passenger from Pune)
You said there was quality control in
spirituality but 1,000 years of foreign
subjugation destroyed that. Can you
elaborate?
Sadhguru: There was no external
authority, it was self-governed. It
could be self-governed because
spirituality was mainstream in
society, and not the fringe. There
were many people in profound states
of experience, so if somebody said
something wrong, everyone knew.
But when invasions happened, most
of them were killed because invaders
knew that unless they imposed their
religion, the land is not really taken. If
we want to bring quality control back,
truth should become the mainstream.
SpiceJet welcomes its passengers to ask Sadhguru questions on yoga, health, well-being 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 isha.sadhguru.org
134 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

IN FOCUS ||||| MONTAGE
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DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 135

IN FOCUS ||||| MONTAGE
KARNATAKA
BANK LIMITED
– DIGITAL
INITIATIVES
THE KARNATAKA BANK LIMITED, a private sector bank,
with headquarters in Mangaluru, was launched 92 years
ago, and today has a presence in 21 states and 2 union
territories with a network of 736 branches and 1,319
ATMs and 93 e-lobbies/mini e-lobbies.
The bank has taken several digital initiatives such as:
e-Lobby services to render essential banking services
round the clock.
Online Account Opening facility
Mobile Apps - ‘KBL-SMARTz’ – [UPI app], KBLmPassBook
& KBL ApnaApp [SMS Banking]
Mobile Banking services
MoneyClick Internet Banking facility
Missed Call Banking facility
Interactive Voice Response System
Various types of debit cards, gift cards and travel cards.
Payment gateway facility
KBL-Online Loan Junction
POS facility along with ‘KBL POS Manager’ mobile app
for merchants to manage their activities around POS,
which is the first of its kind in the banking industry
The bank has bagged excellence awards from reputed
organisations this year:
FIEO – Southern Region Export Excellence
Award: Best Financial Institution [Southern Region] for
the support extended to Export Business, for the year
2013-14 under Gold Category, instituted by Federation of
Indian Export Organisations.
Greentech Safety Award 2016: Gold Award, for
significant achievements made in the field of safety and
security, instituted by Greentech Foundation.
Certificate of Special Mention for use of
Technology for Financial Inclusion among small
banks: Instituted by IDRBT.
CFBP Jamnalal Bajaj Awards 2015: For Fair
Business Practices - Certificate of Merit under the
category ‘Service Enterprises – Large’.
Award of Excellence for Outstanding
Performance in MSME Funding: Instituted by
Federation of Industry Trade & Services [FITS].
The bank is in the process of introducing new
technology-based product such as co-branded credit
cards and also bringing out an upgraded version of
internet banking.
DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 137

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
SUPERMAN OF OUR SKIES
With his sharp sense of humour and original banter, Captain Danny Desai wins the hearts of SpiceJet
passengers every time he makes an announcement on his flights.
BY NEHA SHARMA (WITH INPUTS FROM SUDIPTA DAS)
Capt. Danny Desai
THE WORLD IS FULL OF COLOURFUL
AND HAPPY FACES, but not all of them
are featured in magazines – even though
they should. My colleague and I had
the good fortune of meeting one such
amazing personality, who, despite being
enormously versatile and enchanting, has
chosen to stay away from the limelight.
As we waited impatiently in a big
boardroom, an anticipated image started
taking shape in my head, and as I sifted
through my preparatory notes, time
seemed to stand still. The long awaited
moment came as our teetotaller subject
entered the room like "a whiff of fresh
air", as described aptly by one of his
passengers. There is an unmistakeable
element of charm in the way he carries
himself.
Captain Danny Desai was born on
June 10, 1959, the son of Subhash Desai,
producer of well-known films such as
Amar Akbar Anthony and Dharam Veer.
Considering his lineage, it was expected
that Capt. Desai would join the film
industry. As such, he became an assistant
director and then a director of special
cinematic effects and worked on several
award-winning and prestigious projects.
But, his heart lay elsewhere – flying. His
father strongly disagreed, but given Capt.
Desai’s eloquence and self-belief, he was
successful in convincing him to allow him
to pursue his passion. At the age of 21,
he started flying his beloved birds – his
“oversized cigars”, as he lovingly calls
them. He began his stint with Vayudoot
in 1985 and then flew with East-West
Airlines, Skyline NEPC, Sahara Airlines
and JetLite to finally land in SpiceJet in
February 2016.
Although Capt. Desai stayed away
from the glamour of cinema, his life
has been no less filmy. He fell in love at
first sight with the woman who would
become his wife, Mrs. Kashmira Danny
Desai. He shares his passion for flying
with his sons as well – Captain Aleck
Danny Desai and Mr. Jim Danny Desai.
At SpiceJet, he has set high standards
of perfection and sophistication, be it
with his communication or technical
knowledge. His unmatched articulation,
voice modulation and excellent English
can safely be attributed to his semi-Parsi
upbringing; his mother, Chanden Subhash
Desai, was a Parsi.
As per all the feedback we’ve
received, he hypnotises passengers
in the manner in which he delivers
minute-by-minute details of flight delays
and announcements. All the panic
and anguish with them dissolves with
his sweet manner of addressing. The
emotional quotient in his words creates
a magical web of feelings. Taking after
his mother, he is a true reflection of
sophistication and poise, be it the words
he chooses or his manners. It is hard
to miss that unique accent once you
have been subjected to it. The endless
appreciation notes from his happy
passengers say it all for him.
“INFORMATION IN A
LANGUAGE THAT SOUNDS
LIKE POETRY.”
“SAVOURY TANG OF
HUMOUR AND SPICY WIT.”
“PERFECT VOICE MODULATION
AND JUST THE PERFECT PAUSE
AT THE PERFECT TIME.”
“EXCELLENT ENGLISH
HUMOUR.”
“LET DESAI BE THE MIDDLE
NAME, AND THE SURNAME BE
GAB-FABULOUS.”
138 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

ONE OF HIS PASSENGERS
ALSO SAID THE FOLLOWING
IN PRAISE OF CAPT. DESAI:
“The pleasure reaches the sky when
it is a flight with Capt. Danny Desai.
What a man! Full of principles yet so
entertaining. I have had the opportunity
to fly with him about 7 to 8 times. All
the times that I have travelled with him,
he has never repeated a single sentence
(does he have a glossary kit?). It’s always
clever, witty, quick and funny – whether
it’s a simple greeting or giving some
flight information. Every time I travel
with him, I see an umpteen number
of messages for him coming from the
passengers. Once a group of 18 of us
were travelling from work, and none of
us was sitting together, and as usual,
there were these letters handed over
to the flight attendants for delivering
to Capt. Desai. Later on, I realised that
all my colleagues had written because
they were so mesmerised by his speech.
Another incident was when I was on my
way to Mumbai on the day of the floods.
The aircraft was already boarded when
we received the news of heavy flooding
in Mumbai. We all waited inside the
aircraft thinking that the flight would be
cancelled. But soon the aircraft started
moving towards the runway, and we all
started praying, and just then there was
an announcement from the cockpit. It
said, ‘This is your captain, Capt. Danny
Desai.’ That’s when I was relieved
and knew we would land safely. He
always makes sure that each and every
passenger is comfortable. In the arrival
hall, passengers met him as though he
was a hero (he indeed is). It’s difficult to
find someone so dedicated to his work
and so knowledgeable. Now before
each flight I pray, not for the safety of
the flight but, to fly with Captain Danny
Desai.”
THE APPRECIATION NOTES ARE
BUT A FEW DECLARATIONS OF LOVE
and confidence from his passengers and
fans. His immense sense of empathy
for all his fellow members is rare in
today’s fast-paced world. I would not
be wrong in stating that he is a rare,
endangered species that we need to
preserve in our hearts. The youth has so
much to learn from him; one passenger
even exclaimed that Capt. Desai is in
the wrong profession – he should be
a professor and help in shaping young
minds. At SpiceJet, he has added the
spice of customer delight. As mentioned
by one of his passengers, “Captain
Desai is the best thing that can happen
to you.” We are glad he is one of the
best that has happened to SpiceJet. We
are immensely honoured to have him
aboard.
NEHA SHARMA AND SUDIPTA DAS
ARE EMPLOYEES OF SPICEJET LTD.
Top: With his wife, Mrs. Kashmira Danny
Desai, and sons Jim (left) and Aleck (right).
Above: In his younger days
DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 139

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
MUSIC ON BOARD
SpiceJet plays soft rock music on all its 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.
140 ||||| DECEMBER 2016
*All information sourced from songfacts.com

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
NEW ON THE MENU
SpiceJet introduces “pre-booking only” menu for Thai,
Continental and Indian Platters
SPICEJET HAS UNVEILED an all-new inflight menu and flyers can now look forward to
a fresh and improved dining experience. The airline has added a number of new
alternatives to its ‘buy on board’ options. The ‘Hot Meals’ section has been entirely
revamped. In addition, special meal categories such as Gluten-free meal have been
introduced. Also, a special pre-booking menu has been activated for availing Thai,
Continental and Indian platters. Hot favourites like Pringles and Aam Papad (two
flavours being Bomb Peda & Spicy Meetha) have been introduced in the non-perishables
section to entice the kids and youth categories of customers. With biriyani and kathi
rolls being hot favourites, the airline has retained them in the menu considering the
feedback received from customers and the sales team.
THAI CHICKEN CURRY
You can now even prebook
a menu with Thai and
Continental options
o
NON-VEG
TANDOORI PLATTER
Hearty platters are for
your asking 24 x 7
o
o
STEAMED RICE
WITH KADI
PAKODA
Enjoy traditional
and mouth-watering
home-like food up in
the sky
CHICKEN STROGANOFF
WITH YELLOW RICE
Check out this variation
of a mid-19th century
Russian dish
THE JOY OF PRE-BOOKING
There are many benefits of availing
the pre-booking meals facility
before taking a SpiceJet flight.
The passenger can choose from a
wider menu and can be sure that a
meal of choice is served on-board.
Pre-booking also ensures great
discounts - flat 50% on prebooking
through the SpiceJet app
and 50% on pre-booking drinks.
Meals can be pre-booked at the
time of booking the flight or later,
through ‘Manage My Booking’ on
wwwspicejet.com. The alternative
is to pre-book through the SpiceJet
mobile app.
o
DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 141

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 autofilled
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.
Spice First Check-in
SpiceJet has raised the
bar of customer comfort
and convenience with the
effective integration of
technology into its services.
In a first of its kind initiative
by any airline in the country,
the carrier has launched
Spice First Check-In. This
enables customers to get
their boarding pass on their
smartphones at the click of
a button. The service will
be initially introduced at
Hyderabad as a pilot project.
The airline which has
set a new benchmark in
the country by launching a
slew of customer-friendly
and innovative products
and services has effectively
incorporated Near Field
Communication (NFC)
and Beacon technologies
with its mobile application.
This enables customers
who have booked tickets
through the SpiceJet mobile
app to receive boarding
passes directly on their
smartphones. Customers
will thus be relieved from
standing in long queues
thus further enhancing their
travel experience.
STEP: 1
The main
menu screen
offers four
options. To
book a flight,
select Flight
Booking
142 ||||| AUGUST DECEMBER 2016 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
DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 143

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
MY TOWN
Our ongoing series in which we look at various Indian cities
through the eyes of SpiceJet staffers. This month, Cabin Crew
Shirin Mendonca talks about her hometown – Goa
Connection to the city: I was born and
raised in Mapusa, which is in North Goa.
The best thing about Goa: The exotic
beaches – apart from popular ones such
as Baga and Calangute, the beaches of
Majorda, Morjim and Ashwem are known
for their blue waters and white sands.
I also think that Goans make this state
very inviting – they are broad-minded,
fun-loving and helpful.
Best places to hang out: Goa is very
popular for its nightlife. We have many
clubs such as Tito’s, Cafe Mambo, Cape
Town Cafe, AZ.U.R – The Marriott Goa,
Cafe Mojo, Down The Road, Shiva Valley,
Club Cabana, and so on. If you enjoy
Temple and Fort Aguada. Tourists should
karaoke, St. Anthony’s is a nice place. We
also visit a spice plantation and indulge
also have many flea markets, Saturday
in water sports to make the most of the
night markets, casinos and cruises.
experience.
Clockwise from above: Goa is known for its
buzzing nightlife; The Anjuna flea market is
one of the most popular shopping
destinations in North Goa; Parasailing on the
beach; Seafood delicacies include pomfret,
shark, tuna, and mackerel
Favourite eating places: I love seafood,
especially stuffed mackerel (known
locally as recheado bangdo) and crab. In
restaurants, Spice Goa is known for its
delicious and fresh seafood, and
Recommended places near the city:
Karwar and Sindhudurg have stunning
forts and beautiful beaches.
Goa when compared to other places:
St. Anthony’s has a lovely ambience.
My job has given me the opportunity to
NOW FLYING
SpiceJet has daily, direct flights
to Goa from Ahmedabad, Chennai,
Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Log on
to www.spicejet.com for more details
A few more places I would recommend
are Wok & Roll, Avozin, Himalaya,
Bomra’s, Mafia Cocktail Bar and Mirabai.
Local attractions: Every tourist must go
to Old Goa. Also do visit the Basilica of
Bom Jesus, Dudhsagar Falls, Mangeshi
visit many places such as Ahmedabad,
Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Calicut, Delhi,
Guwahati, Kolkata and Mumbai. Besides
these, I have also visited Pune, Port
Blair and so many others, but trust me,
I have not seen a place that I could ever
compare to Goa.
SHUTTERSTOCK
144 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
A PILLAR OF SUPPORT FOR THE HAJ
This year, SpiceJet flew 8,000 pilgrims to the Haj, a first-of-its-kind operation in the
history of the airline
SpiceJet team with officials from the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia
“IT ALWAYS SEEMS
IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL
IT’S DONE” – NELSON
MANDELA
2016 will mark the year when SpiceJet’s
ground services team took up one of
the most challenging operations – of
the holy pilgrimage of Haj. Normally,
three major airlines – Air India, Flynas
and Saudi Airlines – have flown Haj
pilgrims from India to the twin cities of
Jeddah and Medina. This year, SpiceJet
was the first private carrier to embark
on the Haj operations challenge. All
stakeholders of SpiceJet joined forces
to support this noble cause. SpiceJet
also received extensive support from
SpiceJet CMD Mr. Ajay Singh, the Haj
Committee of India and the Ministry of
Civil Aviation.
For the first time, SpiceJet decided
to directly participate in Haj operations.
This meant carrying over 8,000 pilgrims
in the Haj season between August and
October. The ground services staff put
in dozens of sleepless nights in ensuring
the safety and security of thousands of
pilgrims.
MEET THE TEAM
GP Gupta, Chief Administrative
Officer & Accountable Manager,
was in-charge of the overall operation.
Sumant Rautela, General Manager,
Ground Services, was responsible for
ground services.
Manoj Jain, General Manager ATF,
Insurance & Catering, ensured all
logistics were in place.
N Thiyagarajan ensured the security
of passengers.
Nelash Godara liasoned with
regulators for securing slots.
Pankaj Mathur ensured all contracts
were in place for seamless Haj
operations.
Shaikh Azharuddin led the team
in Saudi Arabia.
THE HAJ
OPERATIONS
TIMELINE
CMD Mr. Singh was
sent a request to carry
out this operation,
which he accepted
and subsequently, the
tender was closed in
February 2016. A series
of challenges began,
the first of which was
securing slots in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
(KSA). The time frame
to apply for slots is
limited due to the massive
confluence of pilgrims, followed by an
equal number of wide-bodied aircraft to
operate flights in a limited time frame.
On July 16, a meeting was called
by the Haj Committee of India in
Mumbai, at which Mr. GP Gupta, Chief
Administrative Officer & Accountable
Manager of SpiceJet, laid bare the
situation. With barely two weeks to
go before the first flight on August 4,
Spicejet was advised to scale up its
preparedness and ensure handling and
management of this operation on its
own without causing any inconvenience
to pilgrims. This timeline was subminimal
to complete all preparations,
ranging from engaging service partners,
securing permissions, slots approvals
and making schedules for the flight.
At that point, driven by the urge
to never give up, Mr. Singh and Mr.
Gupta decided to fight back and give it
another shot. With no schedule in place
and no permissions and approvals,
146 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

out of which 49 took off from Gaya
and 11 from Indore.
OUT-OF-THE-BOX
APPROACH
During the second phase of the
operation, on the way back, while
all the other airlines were struggling
to check-in their passengers at the
airport, SpiceJet staff opened checkin
facility in the city about 36 hours
before departure. The passengers
went through and through to the
aircraft without any difficulty.
SpiceJet’s senior management, too,
put their full weight behind ensuring
successful operations.
The core SpiceJet team behind the Haj operations
SpiceJet set sail on a tumultuous
journey, all in the name of god and
the holy cause of serving our fellow
citizens. With 14 days to go, on July 21,
it was finally decided that SpiceJet will
take up the challenge.
IN THE MEANTIME
The core team was working on the
backend to secure permissions to
operate in KSA, contracts with service
providers and approval of slots to land.
When things did not work, on July 30,
with five days to go for the operations,
Mr. Gupta finally reached Jeddah to
seek approvals in person despite his
personal challenges. Merely two days
were left for the first take-off, and
SpiceJet still did not have approvals
to land in Saudi Arabia. After much
persuasion, Mr. Gupta was finally able
to secure all the approvals. All the
paperwork was done then and there,
approvals were sent and the aircraft
finally moved from Vietnam to Fujairah
and from there to Delhi.
After days of back-breaking
preparations, SpiceJet team flagged
off its first flight from Gaya on August
4, carrying 135 passengers aboard
Airbus 320 on the scheduled time of
11.30 am. Pre-check-in facilities were
made available to the pilgrims (most
of the passengers were senior citizens,
so catering to their needs became
first priority). Inaugurated by Mr.
Abdul Ghafoor, Honourable Minister of
Minority Affairs, Bihar, the first flight
spread its wings to reach Mecca. Some
of the personalities present to honour
the occasion were Mr. Shri Kumar
Ravi, District Magistrate – Gaya; Mr.
Dilip Kumar, Airport Director – Gaya
Airport; Mr. Sumant Rautela, General
Manager, Ground Services, SpiceJet; Mr.
Ajay Jasra, Head of Corporate Affairs,
Spicejet, and other esteemed members
of the Haj Committee of India. A total
of 60 departures (return flights) took
place – 30 to Jeddah and 30 to Medina,
OPERATIONAL
CHALLENGES
Needless to say, team SpiceJet
delivered high on-time performance,
ensuring customer satisfaction.
To operate in a culturally sensitive
country and for a religiously
sentimental occasion is not an easy
task. However, the efficient and
motivated team members proved
otherwise. All the passengers were
given meals at the airport and onboard,
on departure and arrival. The elderly
were treated carefully as if they were
children, and the staff members
assisted the passengers like they would
assist their own family members. The
passengers’ feedback and officials’
appreciation say it all. Officials at
Saudi Arabian airports and members
of the Haj committee personally
congratulated Mr. Gupta and his team.
The SpiceJet team ensured that the
operation was executed with precision.
In the future as well, SpiceJet plans
to carry out more such operations.
SpiceJet is proud to say that the Haj
operations were a huge success, and
the hard work finally bore the sweet
fruit of victory.
DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 147

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
NEWS
SpiceJet doubled net
profit to `58.9 crore
SpiceJet reported a net profit
of `58.9 crore for Q2 FY 2017 as
against `29 crore for the same
quarter last year, an increase of
103%. Operating revenue for the
quarter stood at `1,400 crore, a
growth of 35%. This is the seventh
consecutive profitable quarter for
SpiceJet.
SpiceJet CMD Mr. Ajay Singh receives the award
SpiceJet received ‘World Travel Leaders’ award in London
SpiceJet received the ‘World Travel Leaders’ award at the WTM (World Travel
Market) Awards in London on November 7. The airline was recognised for its dramatic
turnaround and its use of innovation to rebuild customer loyalty. SpiceJet was the
only airline to be recognised this year. The airline was commended for its exemplary
performance, high passenger load factor and use of innovations such as yoga onboard,
flash mobs and smart boarding technology, among other customer-engaging
experiences. On the occasion, CMD Mr. Ajay Singh, said, “I am delighted that there is
global recognition for SpiceJet’s story. I am honoured to receive the award on behalf of
my 6,400 colleagues, my partners and my country.”
SpiceJet celebrated Children’s Day
On the occasion of Children’s Day, SpiceJet
distributed a Doraemon gift pouch to all the
children onboard and brought priceless smiles to
their faces.
148 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

SpiceJet leads with best
On-time Performance and
highest Passenger Load
Factor
SpiceJet achieved the best On-time
Performance (OTP) of 86.1% among
all Indian carriers for October 2016.
SpiceJet also registered the highest
Passenger Load Factor (PLF) of
91.9%; the best among industry
peers for 18 consecutive months.
With an OTP score of 89.7%, 72.9%
and 88.5% in Delhi, Mumbai and
Bengaluru respectively, SpiceJet
topped the OTP charts at the
country’s busiest airports.
SpiceJet unveiled its ‘Spicy Hot Jackpot’ on Diwali
The airline offered the chance of winning a Mercedes-Benz C-Class along with
other exciting prizes in its ‘Spicy Hot Jackpot’ offer. Valid for sale and travel
between October 25 and December 15 (both dates inclusive), the Diwali Dhamaka
promotion was made applicable on all bookings made across all channels along with
the pre-purchase of a Spice Add-On service (such as SpiceMax, Hot Meals, Priority
Check-In, Bag Out First, MyFlexiPlan, FlyForSure and Carry More On-board). The
airline will draw the names of 7 winners for 7 consecutive weeks with winners slated
to receive exciting prizes such as Royal Enfield 350cc bikes, premium smartphones,
40-inch Panasonic televisions, home theatres, premium watches, Kindle Paperwhite,
and SpiceVacations’ Couple Holiday Package for Goa each week.
SpiceJet launches Hyderabad-
Jabalpur-Hyderabad daily flight
SpiceJet has launched a daily, direct flight
on the Hyderabad-Jabalpur-Hyderabad
route from December 23. Hyderabad is
the third metro after Delhi and Mumbai
that SpiceJet will be serving a daily,
direct flight connecting Jabalpur. The
starting fare on Hyderabad to Jabalpur
route will be from `3,613 and from
Jabalpur to Hyderabad from `3,073. With
the introduction of this flight, Jabalpur
will now be connected with Chennai,
Bengaluru, Tirupati, Vijayawada and
Coimbatore through onward connections.
SHUTTERSTOCK
DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 149

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
ST RS OF SPICEJET
We share the achievements and experiences of this month’s high-flyers
from the ground services staff
HARI KRISHNA
SHARMA
BAGDOGRA
Internal appreciation:
Mr. Sharma is hard-working,
dedicated and a good team player. He
has been appreciated by many SpiceJet
passengers for the extra measures he takes
in retrieving lost and found articles.
Experience with SpiceJet: I still remember
the day I joined aviation – it was a whole
new world and a whole new family. I was
not sure whether I would be able to cope
with everyone but once I started working
at SpiceJet, things started becoming
easier for me with love, help and care I
received from the SpiceJet family. It makes
me so proud to say that I work with an
organisation in which we get the platform
to share our views and present new ideas.
NARENDER SINGH
DELHI
Internal appreciation:
Mr. Narender is a sincere
and hard-working security staff. He is
a master at multi-tasking and is good
with administrative work. It is always a
pleasure to have someone like him in our
organisation.
Experience with SpiceJet: I have
been with SpiceJet for more than two
years, and it has been a great learning
experience. It makes me proud to
belong to an organisation that values
its employees as much as SpiceJet. My
seniors have been very supportive of
my work, and it brings me great joy
to come to work in such a positive
environment.
AIRPORT SECURITY
SUMIT KOTWAL
JAMMU
Internal appreciation:
Sumit is appreciated not
only by passengers but also
his colleagues. He’s very hard-working
and does his job with full attention and
sincerity. He brings to the job an excellent
attitude, which reflects in his handling of
passengers.
Experience with SpiceJet: I have
completed 5 years in aviation, most of
which has been at SpiceJet. Looking
back, I can see how I have evolved both
professionally and personally. Every day
brings new lessons and opportunities,
which have helped in my growth. I am
thankful to SpiceJet for providing support
to my family and me. God bless our
SpiceJet family.
ADTIYA VIJAY
RAWAT
JABALPUR
Internal appreciation:
Aditya Vijay Rawat is very soft-spoken and
a good team player. He is very sincere and
honest. His qualities in team-building have
helped us boost team spirit, which is very
important for morale at work.
Experience with SpiceJet: I have finished
11 years in aviation, which include 4
years and 2 months at SpiceJet. I feel
proud when my sincere efforts are
recognised by the management. I enjoy
my work and give my 100% to finish tasks
within the prescribed time limit. I am
very thankful to all my senior colleagues
who have supported me wholeheartedly in
furthering my career prospects.
150 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

CUSTOMER SERVICE EXECUTIVES,
AIRPORT SERVICES
KUNAL KOUL
JAMMU
Internal appreciation:
Mr. Kunal Koul is very
proactive. Every job
assigned to him is done in a very
organised manner. Even passengers have
appreciated him for his customer service
and the way he deals with situations. He
is a good team player and loves to make
friends.
Experience with SpiceJet: My journey
with SpiceJet has been full of lessons. I
enjoy the work atmosphere very much.
Every deed here is very transparent.
All my colleagues are very supportive
and helpful – be it in a personal or
professional matter. I would like to thank
my seniors and colleagues for their
support and trust in my work.
PHOOL KUMARI
PORT BLAIR
Internal appreciation:
Ms. Kumari is a
perfectionist and performs
every task to the best of her abilities.
She maintains a calm demeanour in all
situations and is an excellent team player
with a good attitude towards customers.
She knows the job, and we are very
happy to have her in our team.
Experience with SpiceJet: I have been
working with SpiceJet for more than 7
years, and I have had a truly wonderful
experience. The company has always
supported me in exploring myself. Our
ideas are actually valued here. Thank
you, SpiceJet, for everything. It is an
honour representing the company at
Port Blair.
KHALID FAROOQ
WANI
SRINAGAR
Internal appreciation: Khalid
is very dedicated and sincere.
He has the ability to meet deadlines
and is committed towards smooth flight
operations. He is always punctual, wellgroomed
and smiling when performing his
duty. He always interacts with customers
with great sincerity, and is an asset to our
company.
Experience with SpiceJet: My company
has provided me everything I desired in my
professional life. Undoubtedly, our work
culture, with respect to professionalism,
discipline, punctuality, grooming standards
and customer service, is unbeatable. Every
day is a new learning experience under the
guidance of my seniors.
P. VIJAY KUMAR
HYDERABAD
Internal appreciation:
The diligence and
dedication of Mr. Vijay Kumar have
been noticed by our supervisors and
colleagues. We have all observed his
enthusiasm, and the extra hours he
puts in is extraordinary. His work is
particularly impressive. Our overall
quality figures of Mr. Vijay were up for
all allocations for the month.
Experience with SpiceJet: My time
with SpiceJet has been one of the
greatest learning lessons of my life.
SpiceJet is full of opportunities and
challenges. It is truly an honour to be a
part of this company, and I feel like I'm
a part of family.
SUNNY PAL
JABALPUR
Internal appreciation:
Mr. Sunny Pal is very
hard working, focused, systematic and
well-organised. He is a wonderful team
player and is knowledgeable about his
work. He creates a positive environment
in office. He also enjoys a good and
healthy rapport with other stakeholders
at the airport. His best quality is that
he takes time to know more about
SpiceJet.
Experience with SpiceJet: I have been
working with SpiceJet for 4 years, and
my experience has only improved with
time. I have always endeavoured to give
my best to the organisation, and I am
proud to be a part of SpiceJet.
FESAL SHAIKH
MUMBAI
Internal appreciation:
In just one year at SpiceJet,
Mr. Fesal Shaikh has picked up essential
skills and shown incredible attention to
detail. He displays a positive attitude
towards work and has shown signs of
an improved performance every day. His
several stellar qualities – punctuality,
ability to learn things quickly and
dedication towards work – make us proud
of him.
Experience with SpiceJet: At SpiceJet,
every day I get to learn something new
from my team members. The credit goes
to my senior colleagues who have always
appreciated and encouraged me to
enhance my skills and knowledge.
DECEMBER 2016 ||||| 151

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
Passengers
(single class configuration)
*
BOEING 737-700
2
149
BOEING 737-800
BOEING 737-900 ER
BOMBARDIER Q400
22
4
17
189 212
78
6200 km
0.79 M (840 km/h)
5,600 km
0.79 M (840 km/h)
5000 km
0.79 M (840 km/h)
Speed unit M denotes Mach Number; 1 Mach is equal to the speed of sound.
2000 km
666 km/h
* These numbers exclude wet lease aircraft.
BOEING 737-700
BOEING 737-800
BOEING 737-900 ER
BOMBARDIER Q400
112 ft 7 in (34.3m)
93 ft 3 in (28.42m)
117 ft 5 in (35.7m)
110 ft 4 in (33.6m)
41 ft 2 in (12.5m)
11 ft 7 in (3.53m)
107 ft 9 in (32.83m)
24 ft 4 in (8.34m)
8 ft 2 in (2.49m)
The above mentioned descriptions are accurate at the time of magazine printing.

Routemap
Domestic
International
Effective from 23rd Dec, 2016 onwards
Jodhpur
Gorakhpur
Belagavi
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 November, 2016.
Silchar
Aizawl

SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER
ADD-
Know more about SpiceJet’s
innovative products and services
SEAT SELECTION DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL SPICEFLEX
(DOMESTIC)
SPICEFLEX
(INTENATIONAL)
SpiceMax* seats (Q400) M 500/- M 650/- M 400/- M 550/-
SpiceMax seats (Boeing/Airbus) M 1000/- M 1150/- M 900/- M 1050/-
SpiceMax seats (Non-reclining on Boeing/
Airbus)
M 900/- M 1050/- M 800/- M 950/-
Preferred Seats - on Boeing /Airbus
Ahead of exit row window /aisle M 300/- M 450/- Free Free
Ahead of exit row middle M 100/- M 250/- Free Free
Behind exit row window /aisle M 150/- M 300/- Free Free
Behind exit row middle M 99/- M 99/- Free Free
Preferred seats Q400 Free Free
Front half of cabin window /aisle M 200/- M 350/- Free Free
Rear half of cabin window / aisle M 100/- M 250/- Free Free
SPICE CLUB (Rewards Card) M 599/- NA
PRE-BOOK EXCESS BAGGAGE
5 kgs M 500/- M 2450/-
10 kgs M 2,000/- M 4,900/-
15 kgs M 3,500/- NA
20 kgs M 4,667/- NA
30 kgs M 8,000/- 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 M 450/- per kg
At Check-in M 300/- per kg As per current excess
baggage rate
At boarding gate M 300/- per kg As per current excess
baggage rate
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/Kochi/ M 700/- M 1300/-
Varanasi/Guwahati/Jaipur)
FLY FOR SURE M 299/- Only ex-India M 499/-
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
158 ||||| DECEMBER 2016

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