Spice January 2019 ipad pdf

SHAH RUKH KHAN | ADVENTURE TRENDS | BHOPAL 

spice 

www.spiceroutemagazine.com 

Volume 13 | Issue 01 | January 2019 

THE INFLIGHT MAGAZINE

FROM THE 

CMD’S DESK 

Ajay Singh 

Chairman & Managing Director 

Dear Readers, 

Welcome aboard SpiceJet! 

At the dawn of the New Year, I convey 

my warm greetings and good wishes to 

you and your families for a happy and 

prosperous 2019! 

After an eventful 2018 filled with 

remarkable achievements, we look forward 

to another exciting year of challenges and 

opportunities, and all-round growth for our 

airline as well as our employees. 

In 2018, we inducted 10 of Boeing’s 

newest and most-advanced 737 MAX 

8 aircraft in addition to five of the new 

90-seater Q400’s and two freighters, 

flew to eight new destinations, opened 

nine routes under UDAN or the regional 

connectivity scheme, flew more than 19 

million passengers, became the first Indian 

carrier to launch a dedicated air cargo 

service and pioneered several unique 

initiatives like operating India’s first-ever 

BioJet fuel-powered flight. 

In December 2018, we announced the 

addition of Bhopal as our 50th domestic 

destination with the introduction of five new 

flights to the city. We also announced the 

launch of five direct flights to the temple town 

of Shirdi. Last month, we introduced eight 

direct flights to and from the city of Hyderabad 

and six direct flights connecting Chennai 

with key pilgrim centres like Varanasi and 

Shirdi besides tourist spots like Port Blair and 

Bagdogra. Further, we announced special daily 

flights to be operated during the Maha Kumbh 

Mela between Prayagraj (Allahabad) and New 

Delhi along with a host of other new non-stop 

flights and frequencies connecting Hyderabad 

to Ahmedabad, Bagdogra and Goa. 

We continued to prioritise reliability 

and punctuality, the two primary features of 

our operational excellence. Throughout the 

year, we flew on time, had one of the lowest 

cancellation rates and registered a passenger 

load factor (occupancy) of over 90%. In fact, 

for 44 consecutive months we have flown 

with the highest loads in the country. 

As I said at the outset, 2018 was a 

satisfactory year for SpiceJet. 

Between October and December 2018, 

we have added 16 brand new planes to our 

fleet which is close to a 30% expansion of our 

fleet. In 2019, we intend to carry on with the 

aggressive expansion of our network — both 

domestic and international — and setting 

new benchmarks in regional connectivity. We 

will continue to introduce new routes under 

UDAN and providing air connectivity to the 

remotest parts of the country. 

SpiceJet has always been admired for 

its innovative and out-of-the-box approach, 

and year 2019 will be no different as we 

pursue greater initiatives. We will also strive 

for sustainable development — where we 

connect people and communities, trade and 

tourism, and also work towards creating 

sustainable jobs and growth opportunities 

for our employees and flyers. 

As you can see, we have no intention of 

resting on our laurels in 2019. We have much 

to achieve and miles to fly. 

On behalf of my colleagues, I once again 

wish you all a joyous New Year. May this year 

bring love and warmth in your lives, and 

give you reasons to celebrate all through 

the year. 

Tailwinds and Happy Landings! 

Jai Hind! 

2 ||||| AUGUST 2016

www.spiceroutemagazine.com 

Spice Route January 2019 Cover 196 x260 mm.indd 1 

Volume 13 | Issue 01 | January 2019 

SHAH RUKH KHAN | ADVENTURE TRENDS | BHOPAL 

THE INFLIGHT MAGAZINE 

28/12/18 12:12 PM 

spice 

CONTENTS 

FLY WITH SPICEJET TO 

RED, HOT DESTINATIONS 

IN 2019 

Which are the most attractive places to visit in the 

new year? We tell you where to fly off to – and why. 

46 

FROM ZERO TO 

INFINITY 

Shah Rukh Khan on 

his latest release, 

handling success 

and failure and his 

kids following in his 

footsteps. 

PACKING A PUNCH 

Trust green chilli, one 

of the most vibrant 

spices around, to 

single-handedly 

change the taste 

profile of a dish from 

drab to fab. 

70 

60 

6 

JANUARY 2019

This New Year Gift 

Someone Special 

For healthy legs 

Tone your legs and care for your feet 

S-Tone Airbags 

Massage your ankles, soles 

and calves separately to 

relieve the muscle aches 

caused by wearing high heels, 

while toning your calves. 

S-Care Rollers 

The rollers situated on the 

toes, ankles and arches of 

the feet stimulate vital reflex 

points for better health and 

well-being. 

Available in Delhi/NCR, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune and also at HomeStop ShopperStop 

Head Office / Corporate Showroom: OSIM India - A Division of Paramount Surgimed Ltd., 1, L.S.C., Okhla Indl Area, Phase-II, New Delhi - 110020; 

Enquiry for Corporate & Institutional requirement Call 9319714555, Service - 9599045036, service@osimindia.com, www.osimindia.com 

EASY 

Head Office / Corporate Showroom: OSIM India Easy - A Division EMI of available Paramount Surgimed on this Ltd., product 1, L.S.C., Okhla EMIs Indl Area, Phase-II, New Delhi - 110020; 

Enquiry - 09560770120, 09560591059, Service - 9968011727, sales@osimindia.com, www.OSIM.com 

Our e-Commerce Partners

76 

CONTENTS88 

HEALTHCARE TRENDS TO 

LOOK OUT FOR IN 2019 

New Year is the time for all things 

new, so why not understand 

what healthcare has in store for 

you? Here are some healthcare 

trends to watch out for. 

THE UNCONVENTIONAL 

BOOK CLUB 

The Reading Social, a series of 

breakfast meet-ups in Mumbai, is 

promoting the habit of reading. 

80 

5 MUST-DOS IN BHOPAL 

The city of lakes Bhopal is 

bursting at the seams with 

cultural sights, scenic national 

parks, bustling markets, friendly 

locals and a thriving food scene. 

SPICEJET INSIDER 

SpiceVacations.com 18 

Social Media 20 

Spice products 22 

News 146 

My town 151 

Stars of SpiceJet 152 

Mobile apps 154 

Onboard menu 157 

SpiceJet add-ons 158 

SpiceJet fleet 159 

Route map 162 

12 


CONTENTS 

98 

GIRL ON THE ROAD 

A new and fascinating book details in first person the seven year 

long solo travels of a young girl all over India and across more than 

50 countries 

116 

spice 

JANUARY 2019 

EDITOR 

RAJU BIST 

rajubist@mwspiceroute.in 

DEPUTY ART DIRECTORS 

HEMALI LIMBACHIYA 

TANVI SHAH 

ANSHUL BHANSALI 

PRODUCTION MANAGER 

MANGESH SALVI 

SENIOR DIGITAL MANAGER 

JAYESH V. SALVI 

AD SALES 

MUMBAI 

VINOD MOHITE 

+91 9323554207, vinod@mwspiceroute.in 

NEW DELHI 

TANVEER AHMAD 

+91 9555098401, tanveer@mwspiceroute.in 

MOHAMMED ASAD 

asad@mwspiceroute.in 

CHENNAI, PONDICHERRY 

SHOBA REBECCA 

shoba.rebecca@gmail.com 

BENGALURU 

ANURADHA KUBER 

anuradha.kuber@mwspiceroute.in 

KOLKATA 

PULAK GHOSH 

spicerouteeast.advt@gmail.com 

KERALA 

SANJEEV NAIR 

MODE MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS PVT LTD. 

sanjeev@modemedia.in 

GUJARAT 

SANJAY CHAWDA 

sanjaychawda@gmail.com 

For international advertising contact 

Vinod Mohite (vinod@mwspiceroute.in) 9323554207 

PRODUCED BY 

FASHION FORECAST FOR THE NEW YEAR 

Here are 11 trends that the fashion conscious will look out for 

in 2009. 

EDITORIAL & MARKETING OFFICE: 

MW.Com (India) Pvt. Ltd., 401, 4th Floor, Todi Building, 

Mathuradas Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, 

Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013., Tel: 022 67487777 

DELHI: 24/1, First Floor, Hauz Khas Village, 

New Delhi - 110016 Tel/Fax: 011- 26516071/72 

All rights reserved worldwide. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be 

returned unless accompanied by a postage pre-paid envelope 

16 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

SPICEVACATIONS.COM 

GREAT DEALS ON HOTELS AND PACKAGES 

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 

Now book your 

hotel as soon as 

you land 

SPICEVACATIONS.COM is a one-stop 

shop for hotel bookings and 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. On the 

website, you can choose between 

cheap, budget and luxury vacations; 

search for the best hotels across India; 

and have a great experience while saving 

money. In addition, backpackers can add 

some comfort to their travels without 

lightening their pockets. For those who 

haven’t booked their hotels, you can 

book your hotel as soon as you land. 

With SpiceVacations.com, you can 

make changes in your itinerary online, at 

every step of the trip. For instance, if you 

want to opt for a bigger car even if the 

package entails a smaller one, you can do 

so with ease. You need to simply decide 

on the theme of your 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. 

With this unique initiative by 

SpiceJet, you 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 along with other regular 

options on offer. 

As the website is powered by 

SpiceJet, you 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 

18 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

@flyspicejet I recently flew SpiceJet from 

Chennai to Hyderabad and was pleasantly 

surprised by the service and courtesy of your 

staff, from check-in to landing. 

@flyspicejet Kudos to the 

pilot of flight SG 376 from 

Mumbai to Kolkata via 

Patna. It was my best 

ever landing experience 

at Patna airport. 

@sandinmyfist 

@Prashant10bhp 

@flyspicejet Sunrise above the sky, from more than 

10,000 feet. Thank you SpiceJet for giving such an 

opportunity for a long-awaited snap. 

@iparotoshm 

@flyspicejet Thank you so 

much guys... Earlier I was a 

fan of yours for your on time 

arrival and departure. Now 

your direct flights to Kanpur 

from Mumbai has made it 

even better for me. 

@GoswamiAishwary 

@flyspicejet Had a 

great experience 

on the 737 Max 8 

aircraft. Spacious 

leg room and 

attractive interiors. 

@piykumar 

BUZZ ON 

SOCIAL MEDIA 

@flyspicejet Just like always... Had an 

amazing flight with SpiceJet from Silchar to 

Delhi via Guwahati sector. Good experience 

both on ground and air. Thank you SpiceJet. 

@dipalay 

@flyspicejet I am really impressed with the 

quality and quantity of the meals that you 

serve on board. 

@kamalrnair 

@flyspicejet My flight SG 922 

from Bengaluru to 

Ahmedabad landed much 

ahead of schedule. Incredible. 

I also enjoyed a yummy 

breakfast on the way. Keep 

flying high SpiceJet! 

@flyspicejet Thanks for an awesome 

experience: on-time take-off and landing, 

delicious meal and a smooth flight. 

@ashishpuri11 

@flyspicejet Aerial beauty of the sand dunes, Jaisalmer. 

Thank you SpiceJet. 

@VBharathwaj89 

@helloanand 

FIND YOUR FAVOURITE AIRLINE ON @FLYSPICEJET ON TWITTER & FACEBOOK 

20 


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 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; a product that provides seat and meal of your choice; products to 

please those who are always on the lookout for extra legroom; a prepaid card that 

allows passengers to make cashless transactions; and finally an add-on service that 

allows the flexibility of cancelling or changing ticket(s) to suit your travel plan. 

22 


1SpiceMax 

Now enjoy revamped SpiceMax privileges which 

add more comfort and convenience. Apart 

from significantly extra legroom on board, fliers 

can also enjoy other added ancillary products 

like welcome drink* with towel, priority privileges, 

complimentary meal and alcoholic 

or non-alcoholic beverage*, cushion 

with head rest*, blanket*, in-flight 

entertainment (Wi-fi on board) and 

priority boarding (at aerobridge gates) 

for a modest add-on fee. The ease with 

which fliers can opt for this product enhances 

the experience. When booking a connecting 

flight with a stop-over, they can purchase SpiceMax 

seats separately for the two flights. 

(*These services including alcohol will only be available on select 

international sectors) 

3 

Hot Meals 

Passengers have a wide 

variety of meals to opt for on 

SpiceJet flights. Those flying 

Boeings are spoilt for choice. 

There are two choices each of breakfast, 

lunch, dinner, snacks and sandwiches. 

Eight Chef’s Choice menus are available 

24x7 (Boeing and pre-booking only), 

including Grilled Chicken Breast with 

Mushroom Sauce, Yellow Rice, Sautéed 

Carrot & Beans Baton in non-vegetarian 

and Vegetable Pasta in Neapolitan sauce 

in vegetarian. Passengers taking Q400 

flights can choose from two different 

types of sandwiches. Hot beverages (tea 

and coffee) and ready-to-eat products 

(like dal chawal, veg biryani, upma and 

cup noodles) are also served. In addition, 

dhokla is available as a gluten-free 

option for pre-booking on Q400 flights. 

Pre-booking a meal offers other choices 

SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

and benefits, too: the option of a glutenfree 

hot meal; dhokla preparation; a 

menu with Thai, Continental and Indian 

options; discounted rates compared 

to onboard prices; passengers can 

wish their loved ones on birthdays and 

anniversaries mid-air with a cake on 

select flights; and a takeaway Kids’ Meal 

bag, shaped like an airplane. In addition 

to hot meal, passengers also have an 

option of enjoying a Jain Cold sandwich 

when they pre-book. 

2 

Seat + Meal Combo 

This provides seat and meal 

of the passengers's choice 

at discounted rates. The 

product can be purchased 

for `399 on the Domestic and `499 on 

the International Sector. It is on a per 

passenger, per sector basis and can be 

availed of by guest and SpiceClub member. 

A passenger can purchase the product by 

clicking on the Add-On’s Page/Seat Map 

Page on www.spicejet.com at the initial 

booking stage or by clicking on Manage 

My Bookings tab after the booking has 

been made or minimum six hours prior to 

the scheduled departure. 

PRE-BOOK NOW! 

Pre-book your meals to make your 

journey with us a more comfortable 

experience. You can enjoy exceptional 

discounted rates. 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. 

4 

You 1st 

Helping you make your travels 

smoother is this special 

offering from SpiceJet. For 

just `399, you can now get a 

combination of priority check-in as well 

as preferred bag-out by availing of this 

unique product. For passengers catching 

ex-India flights, it is available at `499. 

Passengers availing of this service will 

have to check-in for their flight at the 

airport check-in counter, as Priority-Check- 

In. The booking, made via the SpiceJet 

website (www.spicejet.com), can be 

availed latest up to two hours before the 

scheduled departure. 

23 


5 

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 done 

through reservation team by paying a fee 

of `1,500 for domestic travel ticket and 

`1,750 for international travel ticket. The 

service will be applicable only for one 

change or one cancellation per ticket. 

7Carry 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 

SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

6 

Priority Check-In 

This service provides the passenger a hassle free and comfortable 

check-in experience at the airport with SpiceJet’s dedicated priority 

check-in counter. The passenger can buy Priority Check-In after 

making the booking. It can be bought latest up to two hours before 

the scheduled departure. The service is available only in Manage My Bookings. The 

pre-paid service can be bought for per passenger, per sector of the journey, on the 

payment of the non-refundable fees. A Priority Check-In for flights within and/or 

originating from India costs `300. For flights originating from out of India, the fare 

is `400. The fees are refundable if the booking is cancelled by the passenger or 

the flight is cancelled by the airline. There is no additional fee applicable for infant 

passengers. Passengers who have bought Priority Check-In will have to check-in for 

their flight at the airport check-in counter. 

8 

Hand Baggage Only 

This is another unique product that offers a discount to those 

passengers who carry only hand baggage. Available on most 

direct domestic flights, this fare has a minimum 15-day advance 

purchase period, and no free check-in baggage allowance is 

permissible. Bookings for this can be made on www.spicejet.com, at airport 

ticket offices, and through select online travel portals. Passengers should 

keep in mind that hand baggage allowance does not change. Those who 

book these fares, but decide to check in luggage later, will have to pay more. 

24 


OPENING SHOT 

ISLANDS 

NEW IDENTITY FOR 

THREE POPULAR 

ISLANDS 

IF YOU ARE SPENDING THE NEW YEAR IN THE ANDAMANS, this 

holiday will be memorable in more ways than one. For three of the 

most popular islands there will soon be renamed, their British 

names abandoned for good. Ross Island is being renamed as Netaji 

Subhash Chandra Bose Island. The two other islands will get new 

names suggested by the Indian nationalist. While Havelock Island 

will be called Swaraj Deep in the near future, Neil Island will be 

rechristened as Shahid Dweep. 

Ross Island 

Neil Island 

Havelock Island 

SpiceJet flies to Port Blair. 

Log on to www.spicejet.com 

for details 

26 


OPENING SHOT 

FESTIVITIES 

EYES ON 

THE SKY 

ALL ROADS IN AHMEDABAD will lead to the 

International Kite Festival this month. Being 

held between the 6th and 14th at various 

locations all over the city since 1989, the 

annual event will attract kiting enthusiasts 

from all over the country and even the USA, 

Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan. Look out for 

kites of all shapes and sizes during the 

activity, preparations for which begin in 

November every year. In fact, Patang Bazaar, 

the special kite market in Old Ahmedabad, is 

open 24 hours a day a week preceding the 

festival, allowing kite lovers to stock up. 

30 


9

OPENING SHOT 

TOURISM 

NEW 

LOOK 

TEHRI 

AFTER LAUNCHING WATER SPORTS ON 

THE TEHRI LAKE – formed after the 

creation of the Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand – 

the state’s tourism department will now 

allow the operation of seaplanes on the lake. 

The move will hopefully attract more 

tourists to the state, famous for its hill 

stations and religious centres. According to 

press reports, a MoU is expected to be 

signed soon between the Centre, 

Uttarakhand state government and the 

Airports Authority of India (AAI). 

32 


Lalaji Memorial 

Omega International School 

CBSE | CAMBRIDGE | IBDP | NIOS 

Set in a serene and green 22 acre campus, our school provides a unique 

environment that attracts both national and international students. 

Established in 2005, the school is now one of the most sought after in 

Chennai, and caters to around 5000 day scholars & boarders. 

Our co-curricular programs, Value Based Spiritual 

Education and Life Skills Activities equip our children with 

essential values and life skills, and are the corner stone of 

our education program. Students are also provided with the 

tools to shine in extra-curricular activities like Sports, 

Performing Arts & Fine Arts. 

The school has one of the largest faculties in Arts – 

Performing & Fine Arts, of any school in the city. 

Students learn Music, Dance, Theatre, Craft, Painting, 

Sculpting, Pottery, Textile & Fashion from experienced 

members of faculty and manage exclusive clubs and 

other initiatives that explore their learning of these 

subjects. 

Student members of the Art & Craft Club manage the 

Omega Paper Plant, where they learn to recycle waste 

paper and cloth into attractive office stationery and 

souvenirs. 

Affiliation with organizations like Rhapsody, 

CreaShakthi and Lalit Kala Academy, among 

others, give our children opportunities to regularly 

interact and learn from experts in the field. 

Students participate in and win accolades in 

regional, District and National level events & 

competitions in the performing arts. 

Students organize “Kalanjali” – annual festival of 

Performing Arts, and manage every aspect of the 

student workshop and concert by eminent artists 

in the city centre. 

CHENNAI, INDIA 

www.omegaschools.org 

omegaintlschool

OPENING SHOT 

DESTINATIONS 

SpiceJet flies to 

Bengaluru, 145 km 

away. Log on to 

www.spicejet.com 

for details 

THE OTHER 

MYSORE 

Chamundeshwari Temple 

THE GRAND MYSORE DASARA 

CELEBRATIONS were over four 

months ago but many attendees have 

still to get over its stunning venue — the 

imposing, 106-year-old Mysore Palace. 

But there’s more to the neat city in 

Karnataka than the former abode of 

the Wodeyar dynasty. Mysore is also 

home to some other attractive touristy 

attractions. Prominent among them is 

the Brindavan Gardens, the backdrop 

to many a Bollywood blockbuster from 

the seventies and eighties. Dedicated to 

Goddess Durga, the Chamundeshwari 

Temple is located at a height of 1,000 

feet on the Chamundi Hills. The beach 

at Talakadu, 45 km from Mysore, is a 

popular hang-out for swimming and 

coracle rides. And the Mysore zoo is 

the abode of 10 elephants, the 

maximum number in any Indian zoo. It 

also has anacondas, zebras, lions, 

tigers, white rhinoceroses and giraffes. 

Talakadu beach 

Brindavan Gardens 

34 


MELANGE 

EVENTS 

HOT DATES 

DANCE // MUSIC // THEATRE // ART 

SPORT 

MUZIRIS PADDLE 2019 

Muziris Paddle, the two-day kayaking 

expedition organized by Jellyfish 

Watersports in partnership with Muziris 

Heritage Project (Kerala Tourism) is 

likely to attract over 200 paddlers in 

the event which will be flagged off from 

the Kotturpuram Jetty in Kodungalloor 

Ò CULINARY ARTS 

YOUNG CHEF OLYMPIAD 

The fifth edition of the International Young 

Chef Olympiad (YCO), the world’s biggest 

culinary extravaganza for student chefs, 

will be held in India, with participation 

from 55 countries. Students from some of 

the world’s best culinary and hospitality 

institutions will fight for the coveted YCO 

2019 winner’s trophy, a cash prize of USD 

10,000 and an acknowledgement of their 

skills from celebrated industry stalwarts. 

The event will be held in four cities — 

Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru and Kolkata. 

When: January 28-February 2, 2019 

Where: Various cities 

district and end at Bolgatty Island in 

Kochi. The paddling event promotes the 

usage of our rivers for recreational usage 

and creates a connection to the river with 

youngsters and tourists. The kayakers 

will cover AN overall distance of 40 km 

traversing through rivers, backwaters and 

important Muziris destinations en route. 

When: January 5 & 6, 2019 

Where: Kodungalloor, Kerala 

ART 

THE TRICK IS LIVING 

Nature Morte presents Bharti Kher’s 

biggest solo exhibition to date in India 

called The Trick is Living. The show 

uses the expansive, many-chambered, 

twinned and double-floored architecture 

of Bikaner House not only to lay out 

in physical space the bewildering 

variety of work that Kher has made, 

and continues to make, as an artist, 

but also to bring into complex relation 

the many dimensions, materials, forms, 

themes and visual languages that unfold 

simultaneously and begin to connect 

with one another as one looks at these 

bodies of work. 

When: January 19-March 31, 2019 

Where: Bikaner House, New Delhi 

36 


MELANGE 

EVENTS 

Ô FESTS 

ZEE JAIPUR LITERATURE FESTIVAL 

With Pulitzer Prize-winning authors to 

remarkable Sahitya Akademi winners, 

poets and acclaimed novelists, the ZEE 

Jaipur Literature Festival returns with 

its 12th edition in 2019. The literary 

extravaganza will celebrate the coming 

together of literary enthusiasts, giving 

them unparalleled access to the stars 

of the writing world. At the Festival, 

attendees can interact with authors, 

immerse themselves in soulful music 

and cultural programmes and relish 

gastronomic delights across five days. 

When: January 24-28, 2019 

Where: Jaipur, Rajasthan 

Ó PHOTOGRAPHY 

THE QUIET PORTRAIT 

Art Alive Gallery begins the year 

with ‘The Quiet Portrait’ showcasing 

photographs by leading photographer 

Rohit Chawla. His subjects define the 

cultural zeitgeist and their photographs 

tell a story as eloquent as their works. 

They come from the world of politics, 

literature, films, art, music and every 

realm of imagination. There are 150 of 

them, ranging from Robert De Niro to 

Salman Rushdie, Nawazuddin Suddiqui 

and Sachin Tendulkar. 

When: January 4-12, 2019 

Where: Pandara Road, New Delhi 

Ò MUSIC 

URJA 

Urja means energy and music is widely 

believed to be one of the sources of energy. 

When it comes to instrumental music one of 

the prominent names that comes to the mind 

is Ustad Zakir Hussain, all set to perform one 

upcoming evening. Rakesh Chaurasia is also 

performing along with the ustad. Both are 

talented and legendary artists in their respective 

fields and are performing together for the first 

time at this venue. 

When: January 27, 2019 

Where: Kashinath Ghanekar Natyagruha, Thane 

38 


MELANGE 

EVENTS 

JANUARY LISTINGS 

1 

What 

Kasol 

Fest 

Where 

Kasol, HP 

3What Swaranjali 

2019 

Where Nehru 

Centre, Mumbai 

5 

What 

Freddie Mercury 

tribute 

Where 

NCPA, Mumbai 

6 

11 

12 

What 

Goa Sunsplash Fest 

Where 

Pernem, Goa 

What 

Chitra Sante 

Art Fest 

Where 

Bengaluru 

What Comedy 

Night 

Where Vivanta 

New Delhi 

18 

What 

Drum Day 

Where 

Bandra, Mumbai 

19 

19 

What AKLF 

Where Kolkata 

What 

Night cycling 

Where 

Kasba Peth, 

Pune 

20 

25 

What 

Comedy Show 

Where 

Black Lotus, 

Chandigarh 

What 

Pet Fed 

Where 

MMRDA, Mumbai 

26 

What 

Theatre Workshop 

Where 

FTS Studio, Delhi 

SHUTTERSTOCK 

40 


MELANGE 

INFORMATION 

WHAT'S NEW 

THE BRIDGE ON THE 

RIVER BRAHMAPUTRA 

At 4,940 m, it is India’s longest 

rail cum road bridge and its 

inauguration was the mostdiscussed 

topic as we entered the 

new year. Flagged off by Prime 

Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 

December 25, 2018, the Bogibeel 

Bridge has been constructed 

over the Brahmaputra river. It 

starts from Dibrugarh, extends 

to Itanagar (Naharlagun) and 

will significantly improve lives in 

the Northeast. Its railway track 

will reduce travel distance by a 

whopping 705 km. In addition, 

the new bridge will enhance 

national security of the country’s 

eastern region by facilitating swift 

movement of defence forces. 

THE WORLD BOOK FAIR IS HERE 

One of the oldest book fairs in the 

country is back in the first week of 

the new year. The World Book Fair is 

being held between January 5 and 13 at 

Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. This year’s 

theme: readers with special needs. Also 

lined up are varied activities like panel 

discussions,book readings, meet-ups, 

dramas, musical presentations and 

story-telling. 

BIG HONOUR FOR THAI 

TRADITIONAL DANCE • 

Trust the Thais to do everything in 

style. Thailand’s Ministry of Culture’s 

Department of Cultural Promotion has 

declared a year of activities in 2019 to 

celebrate Khon, Thailand’s masked dance 

drama, which was inscribed in November 

2018 on UNESCO’s Representative 

List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 

of Humanity. Khon is an important 

traditional style of dance and art dating 

from the Ayutthaya period. This form of 

dramatic art has its own unique identity 

incorporating different fields of the arts, 

literature, rituals and crafts. 

42 


MELANGE 

INFORMATION 

GET SET FOR AN 

INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL • 

January marks the beginning of the 

Dubai World Cup Carnival, a threemonth 

horseracing competition worth 

over US$10 million in prize money 

across 10 race meetings. The Dubai 

World Cup Carnival leads up to the 

Dubai World Cup worth USD$35 

million, one of the wealthiest racing 

days in the world. Part of the city’s 

highly competitive horseracing season, 

the 24th edition will comprise of over 

23 races. 

TAJ VISIT NOW MORE 

EXPENSIVE • 

Going into the new year, a visit 

to the Taj Mahal is now a tad 

more expensive. You will have 

to shell out extra if you plan 

to see the main mausoleum of 

the 17th-century monument. 

Domestic visitors will have to 

pay Rs 250 and foreign visitors 

Rs 1,300 to admire the main 

mausoleum of the UNESCO 

World Heritage site. SAARC 

country visitors will now have 

to pay Rs 740 instead of the 

earlier Rs 540. 

AVIATION MINISTRY UPGRADES ITS PORTAL 

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has upgraded its Air Sewa 

portal which is accessible through interactive web portal and 

mobile app. 

The new version includes following features: 

• Secure sign up and log-in with social media 

• Chatbot for travellers support 

• Improved grievance management including social media 

grievance 

• Real time flight status and detailed flight schedule 

Air Sewa is available at www.AirSewa. gov.In 

नागर वमानन मालय ने अपन वमान सवा पोटल को अपड कया ह 

जो इटरिटव वब पोटल और मोबाइल ऐप क जरए सगम ह। 

(क) सोशल मीडया क साथ सरत साइन अप और लॉग-इन 

(ख) याय की सहायता क लए चट बास 

(ग) सोशल माडया शकायत सहत परकत बधन 

(घ) रीयल टाइम उड़ान टटस और वतत उड़ान अनसची 

सवा सबधी कसी और जानकारी क लए आप www.airsewa.gov.in 

पर लॉग-इन कर सकत ह। 

44 


COVER STORY 

DESTINATIONS 

FLY WITH SPICEJET TO 

RED, HOT DESTINATIONS 


WHICH 

ARE THE MOST ATTRACTIVE PLACES TO VISIT IN THE 

NEW YEAR? WE TELL YOU WHERE TO FLY OFF TO — AND WHY. 

BY BINDU GOPAL RAO AND ASHOK GUPTA 

46 


SpiceJet flies to all these 

destinations. Log on to 

www.spicejet.com for details 

Indian fliers have always 

marveled at how SpiceJet has 

always been on the ball, in its 

impeccable quality of service as 

well as in constantly upgrading a 

vast, well-connected network. Even as the 

airline is inducting Bhopal as its 50th 

domestic destination (see the News 

section elsewhere in this magazine for 

details), it continues to provide more and 

convenient flights to and from the 

airports it services. The end result is that 

the air passenger — business as well as 

leisure — has a wide variety of options as 

far as destinations are concerned. We 

spell out some of the best destinations that 

SpiceJet flies to — and also detail the 

reasons why it makes sense to visit at least 

some of them in the new year. Read on and 

join us in exploring some of the most 

interesting places in this large and diverse 

nation of ours. 

City Palace on Lake 

Pichola in Udaipur 

UDAIPUR 

Founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh 

II, Udaipur is also known as the City of 

Lakes thanks to its numerous water 

bodies hemmed in by the lush green hills 

of the Aravallis. These include the likes of 

the beautiful Lake Pichola and Jaisamand 

Lake. Among the architectural wonders of 

the city are City Palace and Monsoon 

Palace. If you are in the city at the end of 

the year, do enjoy the 10-day-long 

Shilpgram Festival devoted to arts and 

crafts. There are many other attractions 

and places to visit and explore while in 

Udaipur. To begin with, there is the 

stunning Fateh Sagar Lake. This artificial 

lake is connected to Lake Pichola by a 

canal. Located just outside the city is the 

19th century Monsoon Palace. It offers an 

awe-inspiring sight of the Udaipur 

skyline. The Ahar Museum has an 

impressive collection of earthern pottery. 

Also within the premises of the museum is 

a 10th century attractive metal figure of 

the Buddha. 

47 


COVER STORY 

DESTINATIONS 

The white-domed Shanti 

Stupa in Changspa, Leh 

LEH 

The natural beauty of the hilly terrains of 

Leh is almost on everyone’s travel bucket 

list and this is with good reason. A motley 

mix of monasteries, royal palaces, 

mountain peaks, wildlife safaris, and 

adventure spots amidst stunning natural 

vistas makes Leh an absolute must-visit 

city. Start at one of the landmarks the 

Khar that houses the Leh Palace, Tsemo 

Castle, Namgyal Gompa and a museum 

that exhibits ornaments, thangkas and 

paintings that are centuries old. Also 

check the Shanti Stupa atop a hill in 

Changspa region located at a jawdropping 

altitude of 14000 feet that offers 

breathtaking and panoramic views of the 

beautiful city. 

If you want to know what it is like to be 

patriotic do visit the Hall of Fame to salute 

the spirit of heroes of the Kargil War and 

also see how the soldiers in Siachen live 

here as they continue to work tirelessly to 

protect the border. For some retail therapy 

head to the Leh Main Bazaar the best 

place to pick some of the finest woolen 

wear and indulge in local food. Located 

close to Leh Palace behind the Jama 

Masjid in the Leh Main Baazar is Datun 

Sahib a Meswak tree believed to be the 

first ever tree planted by Guru Nanak. 

PORT BLAIR 

Capital of the union territory of Andaman 

& Nicobar Islands and located on the east 

coast of the South Andaman Island, Port 

Blair is the gateway to a string of pristine 

islands. It is an island town offering waterbased 

activities like snorkeling, sea 

cruises and scuba diving. The Aberdeen 

Bazaar forms the centre of the town and 

most of the popular restaurants and hotels 

are located in close proximity to this area. 

The airport is only four kilometres away. 

There’s a lot you can do in and around Port 

Blair. These include checking out 

historical sites like the Cellular Jail and 

Ross Island and museums like Samudrika 

(Naval Marine Museum), Anthropological 

Museum, Zoological Survey of India 

Museum and Fisheries Museum. 

The historic and expansive Cellular 

Jail was used by the British to exile 

The Red Fort, or Lal Qila, 

in Old Delhi 

DELHI 

The capital city of India has so many 

places to see that it makes for a destination 

like no other. Having just celebrated its 

107th birthday recently, Delhi is a 

potpourri of history, culture, arts and 

tradition peppered by a liberal dose of its 

cuisine that makes it a city to see. It is a 

must-visit destination for culture and art 

aficinados. On top of your list is to get a 

history lesson by visiting the renowned 

Beach at dusk 

near Port Blair 

political prisoners including Vinayak 

Damodar Savarkar and Batukeshwar 

Dutt. The original building had seven 

wings and was constructed from bricks 

brought from Burma. Named after 

surveyor Sir Daniel Ross, Ross Island was 

inhabited from 1788 onwards but is now 

entirely abandoned. But it still attracts 

curious tourists who love treading on the 

brick walkways all over the island. 

monuments including the Qutub Minar, 

Jantar Mantar, Humayun's Tomb, Jama 

Mosque, Lodhi Garden, Safdarjung Tomb 

and Red Fort. Delhi has several colonial 

buildings as well and the India Gate and 

President House are places on your to-do 

list. Do stop by at the Sunder Nursery, a 

heritage park complex next to the 

Humayun's Tomb that has a history that 

dates back to the 16th century and is 

bursting with colourful flowers. 

48 


COVER STORY 

DESTINATIONS 

JAMMU 

Arguably the most pristinely beautiful 

part of India, Jammu is a city like no other. 

Often eclipsed by its other half Kashmir, 

Jammu has a charm that is quite like no 

other. Start your exploration at the Amar 

Mahal Palace Museum that was the palace 

residence of Maharani Tara Devi and 

from where you can get a bird’s eye view of 

the picturesque Shivalik ranges and river 

Tawi. This place has several art galleries 

that promote both Indian art and artists. 

Also check the Bahu Fort the oldest fort of 

the city that was originally constructed 

over 3000 years ago by Raja Bahulochan. 

Within the fort there is a temple dedicated 

to the Goddess Kali and an extensive 

terraced garden called Bagh-e-Bahu has 

The Bagh-e-Bahu 

Garden in Jammu 

been developed around the fort. This is a 

large aquarium with 24 aquarium caves, a 

public gallery, museum, laboratory and a 

multimedia conference hall. Mubarak 

Mandi Palace dates back to 1824 and has a 

Rajasthani, Mughal mixed architecture 

with baroque elements. While in Jammu, 

do not miss the beautiful Sheesh Mahal. 

Dharamsala city with the Dhauladhar 

range in the background 

The stunning Palolem 

beach in Goa 

DHARAMSHALA 

Himachal Pradesh’s panoramic hill station 

known for its thick deodar forests is also 

home to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. 

Naturally this is a unique destination for 

thrill seekers as well as those who want to 

go on a spiritual sojourn. With views that 

seem straight out of a painting, 

Dharamshala has an interesting mix of 

nature, monasteries, temples, forts, 

waterfalls and museums that is sure to 

make your visit feel special. Start by 

admiring the stunning sculpture of Lord 

Buddha at Tsuglagkhang Complex that 

was built in 1959 when His Holiness the 

Dalai Lama visited India for the first time. 

Apart from his abode you can also catch 

Tibetan dance and music performances 

here. For some more Buddhism gyan head 

to the Namgyal Monastery, the private 

residence of His Holiness that also houses 

a Tibetan museum, bookstore, library and 

a monastery café. To soak in the 

abundance of nature stop at the Kareri Dal 

Lake whose picturesque surroundings 

surrounded by green deodar trees and 

snow-capped mountains are sure to leave 

you feeling rather mesmerized. 

GOA 

Your visits to Goa can be broadly 

classified under two categories: places to 

explore and things to do. From the first 

lot, you have a wide choice like beaches, 

lakes, springs, spice plantations, temples, 

churches, mosques and museums. In the 

latter category, you can take off on a 

wildlife or birding trip, shop till you drop, 

ride on an electric bike while exploring 

Goa's heritage and local culture, go up in 

a hot air balloon or undertake a Ayurveda 

de-tox programme. Among the places to 

explore, there are some globally famous 

getaways, including its 50 plus beaches. 

50 


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COVER STORY 

DESTINATIONS 

MANGALORE 

The coastal city of Mangalore will take 

you on a unique journey of discovery 

thanks to its varied mix of sights. Start at 

Sulthan Battery a black stone watchtower 

built by Tipu Sultan in 1784 that is now 

largely in ruins. Being on the banks of the 

sea this is where you can see large fishing 

boats that are docked and also catch a 

magnificent sunset if you time your visit 

well. Also check the Light House Hill 

Garden that has a light house and 

surrounding landscape that were built by 

Hyder Ali, Tipu’s father. 

The well-panned space has a small 

water body as well as a library. However 

Mangalore is best known for its beaches 

and paying a visit to the Ullal beach, 

Panambur beach, Taneerbhavi beach, 

Kaupu beach and Someshwara beach are a 

must and each beach is different from the 

other. The Kadri Hill Park here is the 

highest and largest park in Mangalore and 

is maintained by the Department of 

Horticulture of the Government of 

Karnataka. The Pilikula Nisargadhama 

which is another park is also situated near 

the Kadri Hill Park and this is more like a 

destination by itself and needs a few hours 

to explore. 

One of the most revered sites in this 

Karnataka town is at the Kudroli Sri 

Gokarnatheswara Kshetra which is 

dedicated to Gokarnath, a form of 

Lord Shiva. 

The Panambur lighthouse 

in Mangalore 

SRINAGAR 

Located in the heart of the Kashmir valley 

at an altitude of 1,730 m, Srinagar spans 

both sides of the Jhelum river. A changing 

play of seasons and the salubrious climate 

ensure that the city is attractive to visitors 

Floating Market on the 

Dal Lake, Srinagar 

GUWAHATI 

One of the best cities to start your 

exploration of the North East, Guwahati 

has several unique sites that will leave you 

asking for more. Among one of the most 

popular sites the Kamakhya Temple — 

said to be one of the 51 Shakti Peethas — is 

a must for the devout. Likewise the 

Umananda Temple dedicated to Lord 

Shiva dates back to 1694 AD and has some 

interesting sculptures and carvings. A 

must see is the Assam State Museum that 

showcases the local history and culture 

through its numerous galleries that have 

sculptures, tribal artwork and fabric used 

several hundred years ago. For some rest 

and relaxation hop on to the Alfresco 

Grand for a two-hour dinner cruise on 

Brahmaputra River that includes a lovely 

local meal, folk dance and music that will 

ensure that your entertainment is spot on. 

If you are travelling with family pay a visit 

to the Nehru Park that is surrounded with 

lush greenery and has several activities for 

children. This is where you can see local 

artists as well who perform at the open-air 

all round the year. In the past, the beauty 

of Srinagar has attracted many outsiders, 

including the Chinese, the Mughals and 

the British. Present day tourists are drawn 

to its quaint lifestyle, unique houseboats, 

blossoming gardens, water sports 

activities and shops with lovely handcrafted 

souvenirs. The city has something 

for everyone including holy places, lakes, 

gardens and palaces. Among Srinagar’s 

not-to-be-missed popular attractions, and 

almost synomynous with the city is the 

Dal Lake. Spread over 26 sq km, it is a 

favourite with tourists keen to rise on or 

stay in its colourful houseboats. After the 

houseboats, it are the many colourful 

Mughal Gardens in Srinagar that Kashmir 

is most famous for. Built in 1402, the Jamia 

Masjid is the biggest mosque in the 

Kashmir Valley. 

A fisherman in a boat in 

the bank of Brahmaputra 

river in Guwahati 

theatre during the season. The Guwahati 

Planetarium is where you and your family 

can enjoy an interactive learning 

experience that is as fun as it is educative. 

The Assam State Zoo cum Botanical 

Garden extends 432 acres and is home the 

one horned Indian rhinoceros. 

52 


COVER STORY 

DESTINATIONS 

PONDICHERRY 

The union territory of Pondicherry offers 

a unique experience with its mix of 

modern heritage and spiritual culture. 

With a predominantly historical 

background, Pondicherry takes one 

centuries back in time. Away from the 

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 

Terminus in south Mumbai 

The Matri Mandir at 

Auroville, Pondicherry 

MUMBAI 

With numerous sobriquets like the city 

that never sleeps, the city where dreams 

are made of or the financial capital of 

India, Mumbai has it all. Arguably a city 

that is as vibrant as it is historical Mumbai 

has several aces up its very able sleeve. 

Start exploring the city at the Gateway of 

India a historic monument that signifies 

the place from where the last British 

troops left the country for good. The 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus an 

hustle and bustle of big cities, it is a quiet 

little town with a striking French 

connection. You will marvel at its treelined 

boulevards, quaint colonial heritage 

buildings, spiritual sceneries, endless 

stretches of beaches and backwaters and a 

wide choice of restaurants. 

Among the touristy attractions here 

are colonial buildings, some going back to 

the 18th century; and the sprawling 

premises of the famous Sri Aurobindo 

Ashram; and Auroville, the international 

City of Unity. Pondicherry has a wide 

choice of hotels to choose from: beach 

resorts for tourists and families, heritage 

hotels for those who want to experience 

something out of the ordinary, high class 

commercial hotels for the corporate 

visitors and the neat ashram guest houses 

for the spiritual seekers. 

iconic landmark is also the most famous 

railway station in the country and a 

striking example of Victorian Gothic and 

Indian architecture is an absolute must 

see to understand the pulse if the city. For 

more architecture lessons stop by at the 

iconic Taj Mahal Palace hotel that was 

built in 1903 on the banks of the Arabian 

Sea. For some quiet time, head to the 

shrine of Haji Ali Dargah that dates back 

to 1431 built in the memory of Sayyed Peer 

Jaji Ali Shah Bukhari. 

A stunning view of Jaipur city 

JAIPUR 

India’s first planned city is famous all over 

the world for its coloured gems. It was 

established in 1727 by Jai Singh II, the Raja 

of Amber. He shifted his capital from 

Amber to the new city because of the 

rapidly-growing population and an 

increasing water scarcity. Rajasthan’s 

capital city is a unique blend of heritage 

and a modern metropolis, forming one of 

the three corners of the golden Delhi- 

Agra-Jaipur triangle. Since 1876, most of 

the buildings here have been painted in 

pink, symbolic of hospitality. Do take time 

out to visit the Amber Palace, 11 km away 

from Jaipur and a beautiful melange of 

Hindu and Mughal architectural styles. It 

was built in 1592 as a strong, safe haven 

against attacking enemies. Made from red 

stone and white marble, it stands out for 

its carvings, precious stones and mirrors. 

Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO World 

Heritage Site, is the largest of five 

astronomical observatories built by 

Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder 

of Jaipur. It houses 16 geometric devices, 

designed to measure time and track 

celestial bodies. Another favourite with 

tourists is Albert Hall Museum (Central 

Museum), designed in Indo-Sarcenic 

architectural style. 

54 


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TAKE GATED COMMUNITY LIVING TO 

A HIGHER PLANE 

The Myans Luxury Villas along 

the scenic ECR are set in nine 

acres of land out of a total 27 acres 

of Mayajaal. These villas are built 

for dreamers - people who love to 

dream of having all the luxuries in 

the world within walking distance. 

The luxuries of walking across 

to movies, food courts, games, 

shopping, clubbing, spa, swimming, 

beach, tennis courts, cricket nets, 

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project. 

This is a gated community 

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The interiors will be very plush 

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decks for balconies, among some of 

the features. 

The concept is of resort living 

along the ECR. Imagine if you own 

your own resort along the ECR 

which is fast becoming the Malibu 

Of India. There are plans to have 

a valet service and housekeeping 

service provided in-house for the 

villa owners. 

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company’s property Mayajaal along 

the ECR has over the last 15 years 

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the various projects designed 

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Gated Communities, Multiplexes, 

High-Rise Towers, Villas, 

Hospitals, Institutions, etc. The 

company has offices across South 

India primarily in Hyderabad and 

Chennai. 

ABOUT MOHAN & ASSOCIATES: 

The company is engaged in 

construction activities for over 

40 years and is headed by experts 

in the field and offers turnkey 

construction solutions for projects 

across various segments. 

58 


STAR BUZZ 

SHAH RUKH KHAN 

FROM ZERO 

TO INFINITY 

SHAH RUKH KHAN ON HIS LATEST 

RELEASE, HANDLING SUCCESS 

AND FAILURE AND HIS KIDS 

FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS. 

BY AARTI KAPUR SINGH 

Over the last almost 

three decades, Shah 

Rukh Khan has 

expanded his kingdom 

way beyond the 

boundaries of Bollywood, to include 

almost the entire world. With fans in 

South East Asia, the Middle East, 

Europe and even Argentina (he spoke 

about a gift he received on his birthday 

in the mail from a fan in Buenos Aires), 

King Khan is as the dialogue in one of 

his films says, 'The King of The World'. 

A week before the release of his 

most-awaited film Zero, SRK was most 

nervous about the response from his 

children, because as he says, "They are 

brutal and ruthless!" Here are excerpts 

from a conversation that was as 

charming as it was heartfelt. 

You've begun the year with a bang. How 

important is Zero to you? 

Zero is a film that is close to my heart. 

Simply because it encompasses the 

philosophy I subscribe to. Zero can be 

nothing or a complete whole — it only 

depends on what is your perspective. 

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STAR BUZZ 


instead of worrying about it. That is the 

secret to actually living. 

It is also a film that is crucial for your 

career graph. Considering Fan and 

Raees did not do well. Is that also a 

pressure on you? 

See, I can't change if my films don't 

work, and if I can't change something, 

why should I think about it? If people 

feel that Zero is very important for me, 

it's their feeling. God forbid, if this film 

doesn't work, what will happen? Maybe, 

I won't get work for six months or 10 

months. But if I believe that my craft 

and art are good, I will continue to get 

work. Then I will probably make a 

comeback which I have been doing for 

the last 15 years, or maybe, the 

comeback won't happen. The trade 

world has a point of view about a film's 

business, and they are right from their 

viewpoint. Main dekhta hoon ki is film 

ki story kya hai, aur is mein nayapan kya 

hain. That's more important to me. 

There is a presence in all of us — 

something that is created by society and 

its pressures. In that mad rat race, 

sometimes you forget the main purpose 

of why you were born — to live. I think 

the meaning of life is to be able to 

celebrate your existence. My character 

in Zero does exactly that. He is not 

bothered about what people want him 

to be or do — that is what I think is true. 

Celebrate what you think you lack 

At this stage of dizzying glamour and 

fame, do you look at success and failure 

differently? 

Personally, if you ask me, I am not one 

for losing. I like to win and I am a 

winner by nature, ambition and belief. 

So, I will never run the race to come 

second. Usain Bolt thoda hi bolta hoga 

ki aaj second aaunga, maza aayega. You 

run a race to win. I do the absolute same 

thing as an actor even today. Yes, the 

vanity van has gotten better with ACs 

and all, but abhi bhi wahi mathamaari 

hain (laughs). But what I do on sets, 

even for a few seconds, is very exciting. 

The result of all those things has made 

me Shah Rukh but I never work for that 

image and don’t even know that person. 

I can be a superhero, a verticallychallenged 

person, a 26-year-old fan, a 

gangster, and Devdas too. That is what I 

enjoy most. The trade world has a point 

62 


STAR BUZZ 


of view about a film’s business, and they 

are right from their viewpoint. Main 

dekhta hoon ki is film ki story kya hain? 

Or is mein nayapan kya hain? That’s 

more important to me. 

You also said your children are your 

strongest critics… 

Oh yes, they are brutal! They don't 

mince their words. Even if I try to 

pamper them with gifts and things 

(laughs) Woh rishwat lekar bhi saath 

nahi dete! 

Yes we have heard stories about how you 

are a doting father… now both Aryan and 

Suhana are being eagerly anticipated to 

follow in your footsteps. What do you feel 

about that? 

I don’t know yaar if that will happen. 

Aryan is studying to be a filmmaker and 

a writer, while Suhana wants to be an 

actor. When I am with Aryan 

sometimes, we just lay down in our 

shorts without our shirts and we crack 

some dirty jokes. We talk a little about 

filmmaking because he’s learning that. 

But he would like to recede from that 

because he wants to learn it on his own. 

We watch films and while watching 

them, we talk about certain aspects of 

filmmaking. We talk about getting into 

trouble, picking up fights, how to beat 

up the other guy or answer back when a 

guy messes with you. He talks about his 

ambitions, and where he would like to 

be one day. But he’s very clear that way. 

He just wants to be bigger than me and 

that’s cool. 

Suhana mothers me. But it was also 

a matter of immense pride for me to see 

her on the cover of a magazine. And also 

see her as Juliet on stage in a school 

play. I see that zeal in her. She’s 

extremely good on stage, I’ve seen her 

performances. She’s admittedly a 

cinema fan and wants to be in the 

industry. 

What next for you? How is 2019 looking? 

From Zero we hear it will be almost to 

infinity and the realm of space with 

Rakesh Sharma's biopic? 

We are all set to begin work on the 

Rakesh Sharma film. That is also 

something I have been looking forward 

to do. But it is still early. I also want to 

start thinking about the sequel to 

Ra.One. Even if it did not do well, there 

is a story there that I am hoping my 

younger fans liked and will like. 

Speaking of sequels, I do know Farhan is 

writing another Don film. I will have to 

ask him to speed that up. But other than 

that, I have all the time in the world to 

talk to you more often. I know last year 

was busy and I couldn't speak with you 

as much as we both would have liked. So 

please call me every month and I will be 

happy to update you with whatever I am 

doing. 

GETTY 

64 


VIEWPOINT 

YOGA 

THROUGH THE 

MYSTIC EYE 

RANKED AMONGST THE FIFTY MOST 

INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN INDIA, 

SADHGURU IS A YOGI, MYSTIC, 

VISIONARY AND BESTSELLING 

AUTHOR. SADHGURU HAS BEEN 

CONFERRED THE “PADMA 

VIBHUSHAN” BY THE GOVERNMENT 

OF INDIA IN 2017 

The moment you reject death, you also 

reject life. Death is not something that 

is going to happen to you in future. 

When birth happened, half of death 

happened. It is only the other half 

which is yet to happen. One day it is 

going to be complete. The process of 

life and death are not different. They 

are deeply intertwined. This process 

of life and death is happening to you 

every moment. Your very breath — 

inhalation is life, exhalation is death. If 

you do not take the next inhalation, 

that means you are dead. When you 

were born, the first thing that you did 

in life was to take in a gasp of air. The 

last thing you are going to do in life is 

exhalation. 

Life is constantly uncertain. Death 

is a hundred percent certainty. There 

is no doubt about that. About life you 

can have a million doubts. “Will I 

become rich or not? Will I become 

educated or not? Will I become 

enlightened or not?” With death, there 

is no question. So why sit on 

uncertainty instead of certainty? 

Spiritual process begins only when 

you start becoming aware of your 

death. You do not become spiritual 

because you think of God. You seek 

God because you want to be happy, or 

you want to run your business well or 

you want to go to heaven because you 

made a hell out of yourself! 

It is only when you become aware 

of death that you turn spiritual. If you 

knew that you are like a flower that 

blooms in the morning and dies in the 

evening, you would not miss a single 

flower on the way. 

If you look at death it will put every 

thing in its proper perspective. Your 

fantasies will collapse, reality will 

rule. If your fantasies rule your mind, 

you do stupid things. Only if reality 

rules your mind you behave sensibly in 

the world. 

SpiceJet welcomes its passengers to ask Sadhguru questions on yoga, health, wellbeing, and other topics of 

general interest. Select questions will be answered in forthcoming issues. Please email your question to 

mediarelations@ishafoundation.org. For more of Sadhguru’s wisdom, visit isha.sadhguru.org 

68 


FOOD 

CHILLI 

EACH SPICEJET AIRCRAFT HAS BEEN NAMED AFTER 

A PARTICULAR SPICE. IN THIS ISSUE WE TALK ABOUT 

THE BENEFITS AND USAGE OF CHILLI 

Masala soya 

kebab with 

green chilli sauce 

TRUST GREEN CHILLI, ONE OF THE 

MOST VIBRANT SPICES AROUND, TO 

SINGLE-HANDEDLY CHANGE THE 

TASTE PROFILE OF A DISH FROM DRAB 

TO FAB. BY BINDU GOPAL RAO 

PACKING A PUNCH 

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO ADD A ZING 

TO ANY DISH, there is no better spice 

than green chilli. It is the heart and soul of 

many a quintessential Indian meal — a 

small sliver can add depth of flavour and 

intensity to even the simplest of recipes. 

Adding it in the right proportion is all that 

you need to arouse the delectable aroma 

SHUTTERSTOCK 

70 


FOOD 

CHILLI 

of a recipe and completely transform your 

dish. It also happens to be one of the major 

spices that is readily available all around 

the year. 

The secret is to ‘use them as you need 

them’. Chopping the chillies tends to give 

your dish a higher pungency level 

whereas slitting it tends to reduce the 

pungency of a dish. “In gravies, we puree 

the green chillies, even taking the seeds 

out sometimes to use them as a garnish 

against a contrasting background. To be 

honest, even thinking about cooking an 

Indian meal without adding a dash of 

green chillies to it would be termed as 

pure sacrilege. We often use chopped 

green chillies while cooking as compared 

to the sliced or grounded form; but we 

always ensure that we add few green 

chillies to the dish to bring out that 

delicate balance of flavours. You will also 

find acclaimed chefs making good use of 

this humble ingredient in its grounded 

form to enhance the taste and aroma of 

the recipe,” says Chef Surender Mohan, 

Executive Chef, The Leela Mumbai. 

One good thing about green chilli is 

that it is mostly used raw and can be eaten 

directly or added to the food in paste, 

chopped or sliced form; most of the 

Indian curries are garnished with sliced 

chilies. “Green chili tastes even better 

when roasted dry — that gives it a nice 

flavour. Chillies are known for their heat, 

which is caused by capsaicin, a potent 

chemical. The amount of capsaicin in a 

chilli determines its fieriness. Generally, 

the smaller the chilli, the hotter it is. 

Smaller chilies have a larger amount of 

seeds and vein than larger chillies as up to 

80 per cent of the capsaicin in a chilli is 

contained in its vein and seeds. You can 

always choose the type of chilli according 

to your choice and the level of spice 

required, removing seeds out of chilli also 

helps to cut down fieriness,” says Vineet 

Manocha, Head Chef, Lite Bite Foods. 

Green chillies vary from region to 

region. To pick the right one for the right 

dish and to gauge its hotness level before 

adding it to a dish according to an 

individual’s palate is an extremely tricky 

process. Green chillies can cause your 

hands to burn when you are working with 

them. So it is best to make sure you wear 

gloves when preparing food with them 

and wash your hands thoroughly after 

you use them. Chef Manish Uniyal, Head 

Chef, Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore 

avers, “I use green chillies not just to 

bring in the heat to my food but also for its 

peppery note. The best way to do so is by 

removing all the seeds, veins and pith 

after splitting it lengthwise and soaking it 

in milk. Infusing split chillies in neutral 

oils and specialty vinegars is another way 

of using them.” 

For recipes which use a lot of chillies, 

acid from citrus fruits can 

counterbalance the spiciness. Dairy 

products like cream and milk are good to 

tone down the spice factor in a recipe. 

Coconut milk can also lend a great 

creaminess and cooling effect to your 

From top: Dhaniya Mirch da 

Kukkad; and Kosha Mangsho 

NOVOTEL KOLKATA (KOSHA MANGSHO); 

LITE BITE FOODS (KUKKAD) 

72 


FOOD 

CHILLI 

ACHARI MIRCHI 

Veg pulao with rice, 

tomatoes and 

green chilli 

INGREDIENTS 

• Fresh long green chillies 250 gm 

• Lemon juice 

½ cup 

• Salt 

3 tsp 

• Vinegar 

2 tbsp 

• Kasundi (Mustard sauce) 4 tbsp 

• Mustard oil 

250 ml 

• Turmeric powder 

1 tsp 

• Panch Phoron 

2 tsp 

FOR THE PANCH PHORON 

• Mustard seeds 

2 tbsp 

• Fennel seeds 

2 tbsp 

• Fenugreek seeds 

1 tsp 

• Coriander powder 1 tbsp 

• Asafoetida (Hing) 

1 tsp 

• Black pepper corns 7-8 

METHOD 

• Wash the fresh green chillies 

properly, wipe them with a clean 

dry cloth and remove the stalks of 

the chillies. 

• Roast the whole “masala” and 

grind it to a coarse texture. 

• Mix salt, lemon juice, vinegar, 

kasundi turmeric and the ground 

spice mix with the green chili. 

• Pour the marinated chili into a 

clean air tight tempered glass jar or 

ceramic martaban and keep it for 

a day. 

• The next day heat mustard oil in a 

pan and add the panch phoron. 

• When the panch phoron starts 

crackling pour the hot oil in the 

chili jar. 

• Keep the jar under sunlight for 

2-3 days and it is then ready to eat. 

(Recipe courtesy: Neelabh Sahay, 

Executive Chef, Novotel Kolkata 

Hotel and Residences) 

curries. Neelabh Sahay, Executive Chef, 

Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences 

says, “You can add some green chilli slits 

at the end of cooking which will impart a 

freshness and a bit of a pungent aroma to 

the dish. When using very hot chilli, you 

will need to turn up the volume on the salt 

and sour flavours too for a rounded and 

well-balanced taste." 

There are numerous varieties of 

green chillies available in the markets, 

from the light green ones which are less 

spicy to the dark green ones which 

possess a high level of hotness. Green 

chillies are grown in large variety of 

cultivars all across the world — from 

Korean Shishitos to Spanish Padron, 

they have found a firm place in numerous 

culinary traditions. India is one of the 

top producers of green chillies in the 

world and prides itself with exotic 

named varieties like Jwala, Agni Rekha 

and Ojaswi. 

“Consuming extremely hot chilli can 

not only burn the mouth from inside but 

can also cause acidity as well as 

heartburn. Ensuring that you wash your 

hands after touching chilli food items or 

plain chilies is a must. After you have 

handled chilies, do not touch your nose, 

eyes or mouth,” adds Novotel’s Sahay. As 

surprising as it may sound, green chillies 

are known to improve the immune 

system. They are also considered to be 

extremely good for your eyes due to their 

high Vitamin A content. Used right, 

chillies can certainly impart a flavour like 

no other spice. 

SHUTTERSTOCK 

74 


TRENDS 

LEISURE 

THE UNCONVENTIONAL 

BOOK CLUB 

THE READING SOCIAL, A SERIES OF 

BREAKFAST MEET-UPS IN MUMBAI, IS 

PROMOTING THE HABIT OF READING. 

BY PALLAVI MEHRA 

In the busy metropolis of Mumbai, 

where people are leading hectic 

lives, it’s virtually impossible to 

read a book uninterrupted. Enter 

The Reading Social, a social club that 

offers a series of breakfast gatherings at a 

restaurant or a café for people to get 

together to read. At a Reading Social 

event, you bring your own book, read 

uninterrupted for two hours, get 

disconnected and meet other book lovers 

over some delicious breakfast. 

The Reading Social is a space for 

people to take time out of their demanding 

schedules to read books the old-fashioned 

way. Bibliophiles Rashmi Baruah (27, 

fundraiser at Teach For India) and 

Sandeep Malhotra (30, founder of a 

mental healthcare startup) started The 

Reading Social in August 2016. They 

launched this 'anti-social initiative' with a 

mission to enable book lovers to read 

without distractions, and for individuals 

to meet new people who love books. 

“My friends and I were always on the 

lookout for peaceful corners in the city 

that would allow us to read without 

disruptions. We would even travel out of 

the city. The Reading Social is a social 

movement aimed at giving readers the 

opportunity to enjoy downtime with a 

book. The platform encourages silent 

reading and allows book lovers to interact 

with other bibliophiles,” says Rashmi, of 

how the club came about. Co-founder 

Sandeep adds, “We initiated the activity 

because we wanted to form better reading 

habits!” 

The idea behind The Reading Social is 

to build a community around people who 

enjoy reading and share the founders’ love 

for books. This Mumbai-based, 

unconventional book club has had a series 

of meet-ups at restaurants and cafés for 

people to get together to read. The 

Reading Social has previously been held at 

eateries such as Su Casa, Social, Raasta, 

Summer House Café and Mockingbird 

Café, amongst others. The movement’s 

mission is to make the otherwise, solitary 

activity of reading, a social experience. 

So, what happens at a Reading Social 

event? The rules are simple: bring your 

own book, disconnect from the world and 

read silently for two hours. “If you are 

attending a meet-up for the first time, you 

would walk into a silent room filled with 

people sitting and reading. You would be 

handed over a card that tells you The 

Reading Social House rules. It's only after 

two hours of reading, that you will get an 

opportunity to meet and talk to other 

participants. At first, the silence can be 

awkward, but then you realize that the 

whole point of this community is to take 

time out to read!” says Rashmi. 

After two hours of reading, attendees 

mingle over some delectable breakfast. 

Conversations flow around the subject of 

books, with participants often discussing 

their favourite authors and publications. 

They also share tips, such as ways to not 

get distracted while reading and their list 

of “reading-friendly” cafés and 

76 


TRENDS 

LEISURE 

restaurants in the city. A ticket to a 

Reading Social event costs Rs. 500, which 

also includes breakfast. Funds from these 

events are utilized by The Reading Social 

team to finance #BooksWithoutOwners 

(http://thereadingsocial.org/ 

bookswithoutowners/), another of their 

initiatives. Through 

#BooksWithoutOwners, The Reading 

Social team purchases and places popular 

books in public places, for people to read 

for free and share with others. 

Response to The Reading Social 

events has been phenomenal. After the 

success of the first gathering, which was 

attended by 19 people, 150 people showed 

interest and about 90 people attended the 

next meet-up. “We started off with few 

friends attending our first meet-up, and 

ended up with about 100 strangers 

attending each meet up, thereafter. Most 

members of our community believe that 

marking off a day and time on their 

calendar to read, helps them get into the 

habit of reading. Moreover, sitting in a 

room filled with people reading silently, 

motivates them to read for two hours at a 

stretch. And finally, meeting new and old 

friends at the end is a bonus not worth 

missing!” says Sandeep, of how people 

have reacted to The Reading Social meetups 

held till now. 

The Reading Social has not only 

helped bibliophiles to read more, but it has 

also given an opportunity to people who 

don’t typically read, to give it a shot. Smriti 

Sant, a Reading Social attendee, said about 

one of their events, “Sometimes you need a 

bunch of people coming together for a 

cause you all believe in, in this case, 

reading, and get things done. I really 

enjoyed it and got to finish more reading 

than I did this past week!” Siddhart 

Sthalekar, another attendee said, “It’s 

useful to set aside a block of time for 

reading as well as set aside a space where 

you’re held accountable for not getting 

distracted.” 

While Sandeep and Rashmi have no 

plans to take this unique social club 

beyond Mumbai, they are ready to support 

anyone who wants to host their own 

Reading Social event in another city. “We 

are hoping that people host their own 

Reading Social meet-ups in different parts 

of the world. We would, of course, be 

happy to help anyone who is interested in 

getting started!” Sandeep told us. The 

Reading Social is perfect for you, if you’re 

looking to lose yourself in a great book, 

and also meet new people who love books 

and share your interest of reading. 

78 


SPOTLIGHT HEALTHCARE 

TRENDS 

TO LOOK 

OUT FOR 


NEW YEAR IS THE TIME FOR ALL THINGS 

NEW, SO WHY NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT 

HEALTHCARE HAS IN STORE FOR YOU? HERE 

ARE SOME HEALTHCARE TRENDS TO WATCH 

OUT FOR, WITH THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY IN 

BENGALURU RIGHT UPFRONT IN EMBRACING 

THEM. BY BINDU GOPAL RAO 

80 


It’s the time of the year to crystal 

gaze and look at some of the new 

trends that will rule the healthcare 

industry in 2019. And we have experts 

in the field to guide us. 

PREVENTIVE 

HEALTHCARE 

A significant change will be ready 

adoption of a proactive approach 

towards health. Though the seeds 

were planted in 2018 itself 2019 looks 

to be the year when masses will 

openly embrace proactive screening 

and preventive healthcare. “The 

‘sickness industry’ will surely though 

slowly shift to ‘wellness industry’. 

Because of accessible, affordable and 

convenient healthcare services, the 

market will grow. Eight to 10 per cent 

people will favour preventive over 

curative,” says Deepak Sahni, CEO 

& Co-Founder, Healthians. Blockchain 

based assessment, chatbots 

and digital assistants driven on 

Artificial Intelligence, 3D printing and 

Machine Intelligence will drive better 

compliance through alerts, reminders 

and insights — in the process ensuring 

that the high costs of late stage 

disease management are lowered. 

HEALTHY 

WORKPLACES 

Corporates now realise that healthy 

employees are and will be their 

biggest assets. There is already 

an increased awareness within 

corporates about this. 2019 will 

see corporates implement larger 

initiatives promoting good health 

and in making the workplace 

healthier. “The current healthcare 

trends are focused towards curing 

work stress and getting rejuvenated 

from daily hustle bustle of corporate 

life. A slight shift towards preventive 

healthcare can also be seen these 

days. People have become more 

aware about their health nowadays 

and have started taking respective 

steps towards ensuring a healthier 

lifestyle,” says Dr. Rukamani Nair, 

Naturopath and Founder, BNCHY 

Wellness Medispa. The demand for 

wellness breaks, online wellness 

coaching and holistic living is on 

the rise to help employees from 

the effects of long working hours, 

stress, anxiety and other negative 

emotions. 

BALANCED 

NUTRITION 

Even as doctors, specialists, and 

nutritionists advise a low-fat diet, 

there is a clear shift towards the 

good and essential healthy fats. 

This is because the hormones 

that regulate the functions in our 

body and the brain require healthy 

fats, more than the protein and 

carbohydrates. “Fats have several 

different functions in the body and 

offer various benefits. It is important 

to add good fats to your diet for it 

to function to its optimum capacity. 

Fats have amazing healing capacity: 

they improve gut health; improve 

metabolism; liberate fat from the fat 

cells; improve insulin sensitivity; and 

even turn off the brain’s addiction 

centres. Consumption of saturated 

fats may help in the prevention of 

heart diseases. This is because they 

reduce the levels of lipoprotein A, 

which has a very strong correlation 

to heart disease. It is also important 

to note that there are no drugs to 

reduce the level of lipoprotein A,” 

says nutritionist Saanchi Nayak. 

Again remember one size does 

not fit all. Bio-individuality means 

different bodies require different 

recommendations, treatments 

and diets. 

81 



FOCUS ON CHILDREN 

HEALTH 

Parents today are anxious about 

their kids' health. “Special gyms and 

exclusive academies that cater to 

this challenge will bloom. They will 

aim to boost physical activity levels 

for youngsters,” says Sahni. “Positive 

Nutrition is key to being healthy 

on a sustainable level. A positive 

relationship with food is the answer 

for the years to come. Focusing on 

a holistic picture and perception 

will bond the conscious and the 

subconscious to help make healthier 

choices,” avers Payal Kothari, 

Integrative & Functional Nutritionist. 

MIND MATTERS 

Mental wellness needs to be 

integrated along with physical 

wellness and the feel good factor 

is going to be given more priority 

than size zero. “The importance of 

hormones, meditation, and nature 

workshops will trend heavily in 

2019. Emotional baggage will be 

worked upon, tolerances towards 

lack of inhumanity will be lower and 

voices will be raised, clean eating 

will be encouraged and will change 

at the cellular and DNA level of 

the individual,” says Kothari. Vijay 

Kumar Karai, CEO, AyurUniverse 

adds, “Yoga has always been a 

practice of mental development and 

an effective stress reduction tool. It 

helps improve mental health issues, 

including anxiety, depression and 

post-traumatic stress disorder, among 

others.” 

TECH TALK 

In 2019, the healthcare sector is going 

to witness the adoption of more 

technology. The year is expected 

BENGALURU 

SHOWS THE WAY 

According to one estimate, the Indian 

healthcare market is likely to grow at 23% 

CAGR to reach $280 bn by 2020. A key 

incubator for healthcare startups, Bengaluru 

is taking huge strides in the development of 

technologies that are poised to change the 

face of healthcare in the country. Take for 

instance Niramai that is using Artificial Intelligence 

to fight breast cancer by helping 

detect cancer in its early stages. Practo, 

another Bengaluru-based organization 

is a one-stop healthcare platform that 

has expanded to cover many cities and 

countries and is today a single source of 

appointments, consultations, health records, 

insurance and ordering medicines online. 

Likewise Portea ensures that patients have 

access to doctors, nurses, physiotherapists 

and technicians at home through home 

visits. Making primary pediatric healthcare 

service to school children affordable and 

holistic is what AddressHealth, another 

Bengaluru startup does. With a culture that 

promotes healthcare, Bengaluru is certainly 

at the forefront when it comes to pathbreaking 

medical innovations. 

AN INTERNATIONAL EXPERT AT NU HOSPITALS 

The following services are provided: 

1. Evaluation and treatment of 

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and 

Ejaculation issues. 

6. Microscopic surgeries : 

Varicocelectomy, micro-TESE and 

surgical repair of obstruction in vas 

(semen carrying channel). 

Dr. Pramod Krishnappa, 

Andrologist & Prosthetic Urologist, 

NU Hospitals – Bengaluru, has 

brought in his international 

expertise after having trained in 

centres of excellence in Madrid, 

Belgrade and Chicago. 

2. Centre of excellence for Penile 

Implant Surgery. 

3. Penis cosmetic procedures such 

as buried penis correction, pubic 

fat reduction, straightening of 

penis, scrotoplasty, frenuloplasty, 

circumcision. 

4. Low testosterone hormone levels 

(Hypogonadism) and testosterone 

replacement therapy. 

5. Semen abnormalities: Retrieval 

of sperms using penile vibrators or 

surgically. 

7. Sperm cryopreservation: If 

decreasing sperm quality over a 

period of time or if planning to 

postpone having a child 

8. Onco-fertility: Fertility 

counselling and cryopreservation 

of sperms prior to radiotherapy 

or chemotherapy in patients with 

cancer who haven’t completed 

family 

NU Hospitals is known to cater to all 

patients with utmost compassion, 

maintains strict confidentiality and 

provides ethical treatment. 

82 



to become a turning point in the 

digital health market. Due to our 

busy lifestyle and digitally-led life 

we can expect a huge growth in 

the Telehealth sector. E-clinic and 

Telemedicine are poised to see an 

exponential growth. Ayush Mishra, 

Co-Founder, Tattvan, an E-Clinic 

says, “With the advent of digital 

technology, new realms are now 

opened in the healthcare sector. 

Technology has made it comfortable 

for patients to get the treatment at 

home. They don’t necessarily have 

to go to the hospital or visit a doctor 

to get the treatment. In the case of 

emergencies, it enables the patient 

to get quick access to treatment as 

it also resolves the issues of time and 

distance." 

ON-DEMAND HOME 

AND CONVENIENT 

HEALTHCARE 

2019 will see a shift from traditional 

modes of using healthcare services 

to on-demand convenient healthcare 

services. Right from medicine 

delivery to home diagnostics to 

post-operative care the demand for 

convenient, at-home services will 

grow. Hari Thalapalli, Chief Executive 

Officer, CallHealth adds, “Traditional 

stand-alone systems are being 

replaced with single-point service 

integration. All healthcare services 

such as doctor consultation, nursing, 

physiotherapy, etc. can be accessed 

from different service providers. 

Data from Healthcare Devices and 

Service Providers will converge into 

the unified eHR in real-time, helping 

specialists establish a cause-effect 

relationship with greater accuracy.” 

FROM ORTHOPAEDIC AUTHORITY TO 

MULTISPECIALTY EXPERTISE 

Founded in 2006 by 

Dr Sharan Shivraj Patil 

(in photo), a renowned 

orthopedic surgeon, with a vision 

of bringing world class healthcare 

to the masses, Sparsh Hospitals 

has created a niche in the field of 

healthcare within the country and 

on a global platform. Sparsh from 

being a core joint replacement 

centre to a multi-specialty hospital 

for over a decade has transformed 

healthcare delivery touching many 

lives. Synonymously known for 

breakthrough orthopedic care we 

have established ourselves into a 

spectrum of multi-specialties in 

the field of medicine. Expertise, 

excellence, commitment, dedication 

and passion have made us 

pioneers in the field of Orthopaedic 

Care, Organ Transplantation, 

Gastroenterology & HPB Surgeries, 

Plastic Reconstructive Surgeries, 

Neurosurgery and Oncology. 

Our transplant surgeons have 

extensive experience in liver, 

pancreas, kidney and heart 

transplantation procedures. The 

plastic and the reconstructive 

surgeries performed by our 

plastic surgeons are topnotch 

with exceptional results. 

Advanced oncology care in breast, 

hematology, medical and surgical 

cancer specialties at Sparsh has 

given many a second chance in life. 

At Sparsh we constantly attempt 

to bridge the gap between 

medical excellence and social 

significance. This thought has 

inspired us to conduct Guru 

Namana and Sparsh Vachana 

every year, where surgeries are 

conducted for teachers and 

students coming from humble 

backgrounds free of cost. Our 

constant endeavour is to give 

our patients outstanding expert 

comprehensive care. We are 

committed to best practices and 

have all specialties under one roof. 

Infrastructure and technologies 

used at Sparsh are second to none 

and we have advanced treatment 

options to offer to our patients. 

Sparsh lives by the ethos of Faith, 

Hope and Love. 

84 



INTERVIEW WITH MR. V S REDDY, FOUNDER AND 

MANAGING DIRECTOR, BRITISH BIOLOGICALS 

British Biologicals has grown at 

a rapid pace in just two and half 

decades. What is the reason for its 

fast rise? 

We are the pioneers in nutrition 

segment in the market and spread 

the importance of nutrition in the 

management of various ailments 

like Diabetes, General Nutrition, 

Pregnancy and Lactation, Hepatitis 

etc. In fact, we are the first to 

bring nutritional solution for the 

management of Diabetes! 

You are known for a wide range 

of nutritional supplements. Which 

among these is most in demand and 

why? 

Since all our supplements are 

based on medical nutrition and 

prescribed by doctors across the 

country, we cannot differentiate 

the brand. However, India is called 

the capital of Diabetes and in 

this segment we are pioneers and 

leaders in Diabetic nutrition. 

How does the company go 

about benefiting its target audience 

about the benefits of nutritional 

supplement? 

“Transforming science into 

nutritional solutions for the 

better health of mankind” is our 

philosophy. 

You lay a lot of stress on 

customer satisfaction. How do you 

achieve this goal? 

Through transparency. We 

always lay a lot of importance on 

the quality of the product and it 

should meet the targeted ailments 

of the patients. And, in the end, the 

end-users are happy. 

Tell us something more about 

your Ketogenic diet supplement 

programme and how you have 

linked it to your CSR activity. 

There was a time, where 

doctors used to import Ketogenic 

product from France, for Epilepsy 

condition of the children at a 

huge cost of Rs.4000-5000, for 

a bottle of 200 gm. We at British 

Biologicals, with the strong 

R&D and nutritional scientists, 

we were able to give the same 

product, for Rs.900 in India. 

Hence under CSR activity, we 

are helping lot of patients with 

our cost-effective product called 

‘KetoKid’. This is a nutritionallycomplete, 

Ketogenic formula 

for the dietary management of 

intractable epilepsy. It is designed 

for individuals over the age of one 

year and above. 

You have embarked upon a 

project to build an ultra-modern 

plant to manufacture higher 

quality products. When will this 

plant be ready? Where will it be 

located? 

Yes, with my passion and 

dedication towards wellness of 

the society, I always wanted to 

create innovative solutions that 

have never been done by any other 

company. For the first time in India 

with our existing three facilities 

in Bengaluru, we are embarking 

upon building an ultra-modern 3 

lakh sq ft plant, which is one of 

the biggest in South East Asia. 

The uniqueness of this plant is, 

we are the first to use robotics for 

all our production operations in 

the plant. Hence, we manufacture 

products from organic baby foods 

to geriatric nutrition both for 

exports and domestic usage. All 

the above things are possible 

because of the incredible initiatives 

of our innovative team, advanced 

technology and human ingenuity. 

This is what our company 

stands for, in its DNA! We aim to 

surpass and get ahead of all other 

competitors in this segment. 

Where will see the company 

five years from now? 

We are aiming to bring in lot 

of many new products which are 

under research to cover a variety of 

ailments of human being. Thereby, 

we want to propagate prevention 

through nutrition. Hence I believe 

in 'Think Nutrition'. With this, 

we wanted to touch 1000 crores 

revenue from the present 350 

crores. Our aim is, “Whenever 

people think of Nutrition, they 

must think of British Biologicals”. 

86 



In the 40 years since the birth of 

Louise Brown (first IVF baby), more 

than 8 million children have been 

born via In Vitro fertilization (IVF). 

IVF involves the fertilization of the 

egg outside the body and then transfer 

of the embryos into the uterus. 

Who needs IVF? 

IVF is indicated in patients with 

endometriosis, low or absent sperm 

count, fallopian tube block, ovulatory 

defects, unexplained infertility and 

for preimplantation genetic diagnosis 

(PGD) of a pre-existing genetic 

disease. IVF is also used for third 

party reproduction whenever there is 

a need for donor eggs. 

Risks associated with IVF 

• OHSS: Ovarian Hyperstimulation 

Syndrome which is completely 

preventable by titrating the drugs and 

using appropriate trigger agent. 

• Higher Order Multiple Pregnancy: 

This can be easily prevented by 

limiting the number of embryos 

transferred. 

What influences the success of IVF? 

1. Age: Age of the women is the most 

important determinant influencing 

the number and the quality of the 

eggs. Age of the man also has an effect 

after 45 years. 

IVF MADE 

EASY 

BY DR. ASHWINI S, 

SENIOR CONSULTANT 

AND HOD, REPRODUCTIVE 

MEDICINE, NU FERTILITY@ 

NU HOSPITALS, BENGALURU 

2. Sperm quality: Though 

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm 

Injection) can overcome severe 

male infertility, the quality of the 

embryo is influenced by the sperm 

quality. 

3. Blastocyst transfer: Though 

embryos can be transferred any 

day after fertilization. Growing 

them to blastocyst (fifth day 

embryo) helps in selecting the 

best embryo and thus increases 

the chance. 

4. PGS: Preimplantation genetic 

screening is a test to biopsy the 

embryo and screen them for 

chromosomal abnormality. Upto 

40 per cent of blastocysts are 

chromosomally abnormal and 

hence fail to implant. PGS selected 

embryos have better implantation 

rates. 

IVF CENTRE 

Factors to be taken into 

consideration while choosing an 

IVF centre are: 

• The training and experience of 

the clinician and embryologist 

• Presence of an inhouse 

embryologist 

• The live birth rate per IVF cycles 

started and the multiple pregnancy 

rate. 

Services offered at NU Fertility: 

• Infertility evaluation 

• IUI/AID 

• IVF/ICSI 

• Frozen embryo transfer(FET) 

• Egg and embryo donation 

• Egg/ sperm/ embryo freezing 

• Fertility Preservation for Cancer 

Patients 

• Laparoscopic and Hysteroscopic 

Surgeries 

• Microscopic Varicocelectomy 

• Penile Vibrator for Semen 

collection 

• Surgical Sperm retrieval (PESA, 

TESA,Microtese) 

(Dr. Ashwini S is one of the leading 

fertility consultants and IVF 

specialists in Bengaluru. She has over 

11 years of experience and has to her 

credit over 2000 IVF procedures so far. 

Her core competence is in treating 

couples with recurrent IVF failure 

and PCOD) 

IVF Fact File 

1961: Palmer from France 

described the first oocyte 

retrieval by laparoscopy. 

1973: The first IVF pregnancy 

which resulted in a early 

miscarriage was reported by 

Professors Carl Wood and John 

Leeton in Melbourne, Australia. 

1976: Steptoe and Edwards 

reported an ectopic pregnancy 

following IVF. 

1978: The first ever IVF birth 

(Louise Brown), occurred in 

Oldham, England, on July 25, 

1978. The credit goes to Patrick 

Steptoe and Robert Edwards. 

1980: The first IVF birth in 

Australia to the joint Victorian 

Monash-Melbourne team. 

87 


TRAVEL 

DESTINATION 

5 

MUST-DOS IN BHOPAL 

THE CITY OF LAKES BHOPAL IS BURSTING AT THE SEAMS WITH CULTURAL SIGHTS, SCENIC NATIONAL PARKS, 

BUSTLING MARKETS, FRIENDLY LOCALS AND A THRIVING FOOD SCENE. BY NIVEDITA JAYARAM PAWAR 

ADMIRE THE BEAUTY OF THE 

LAKES 

This is undoubtedly my favourite 

pastime in Bhopal. The city has not one 

but two stunningly gorgeous lakes fed by 

the river Kolas, and divided from each 

other by an over bridge. The Upper 

Lake’s (also known as Bada Talaab) 

walkway is a great stretch to people 

watch while gawking at the lake views. 

In the centre of the lake is a dargah of a 

local Muslim saint known as Shah Ali 

Shah. After capturing the spectacular 

sunset in your camera set out to do some 

sailing or paddle boating. Don’t leave 

without trying the chana jor garam (a 

popular Indian snack made from 

flattened, fried chickpeas seasoned with 

spices) spiked with lemon and fiery chaat 

masala. 

PAY HOMAGE TO ART AT 

THE SANCHI STUPA 

This glorious Buddhist monument is literally history 

set in stone. It was originally commissioned by 

emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE and 

earned the World Heritage tag by UNESCO in 1989. 

In all there are 50 structures, big and small including 

three main stupas, several smaller stupas, remains of 

a huge water tank, numerous small temples, etc. 

Stupa no. 1, or the Great Stupa is the principal 

monument here. It is believed that the Sanchi Stupa 

houses the relics of the Buddha. The pillared 

gateways or toranas have Jataka stories, which 

narrate previous births of Buddha and several of his 

life events. Look out for Queen Maya’s dream with the 

descending elephant. It takes a good 2-3 hours to 

explore the monument and its surroundings. 

88 


TRAVEL 

DESTINATION 

DIVE INTO TRIBAL HERITAGE AT THE 

TRIBAL MUSEUM 

This is one of the biggest attractions in Bhopal and 

a must-visit even if you are not a history buff. The 

museum celebrates ways of life practiced by the 

seven major tribes in the state — the Gond, Bhil, 

Korku, Baiga, Sahariya, Kol and Bhariya — through 

their crafts. The dramatically lit artifacts include 

replica tribal houses, ritual sites and stunning 

artisan pieces including trees carved into elaborate 

wedding pillars. My favourite gallery is the games 

gallery, which takes you back to your childhood 

games. There is also an amphitheatre inside the 

museum, which hosts plays from time to time. 

After a tour of the museum empty your wallet at 

Chinhari, the handicraft store. 

EAT YOUR HEART OUT AT CHATORI GALI 

From simple comfort food and hearty street fare to spreads that hark 

back to the city's royal past, there is something for every kind of foodie 

in Bhopal. But if you have just a couple of hours to eat and drink your 

way through Bhopal, then there is just one place you need to head to — 

Chatori Gali (chatori translates literally to someone who loves eating). 

Chatori Gali is to Bhopal what Chowk Bazaar is to Lucknow and 

Chandni Chowk is to New Delhi. Begin with the sugary Suleimani 

chai. It may look like a regular tea but wait till you take the first sip. The 

salt in the tea hits you like a bolt from the blue. For the best Suleimani 

chai head to Jamal Bhai's tea shop, where it is served out of a large 

samovar. If you get there early you will be able to taste the city’s 

favourite breakfast of poha jalebi (a dish made of fattened rice fakes 

tempered with mustard seeds, turmeric and onions, served with a 

coiled dessert soaked in sugar syrup). The combination of spicy poha 

topped with sev and piping hot, crunchy jalebis are a match made in 

heaven. Don’t leave without trying the softest and moistest kebabs at 

Jhilli Miyan’s stall. The paya here hits 9.9 on the umami Richter scale. 

VISIT THE JEHAN NUMA PALACE FOR A DOSE OF HISTORY 

This 19th century property perched on Shamla Hill used to be a royal 

residence. Grandsons of the owners of the palace decided to convert it 

into a hotel where guests could get a taste of royal Bhopali hospitality 

and cuisine. The charming marbled corridors hold antique 

chandeliers, sepia-tinted photographs of erstwhile nawabs, rare 

paintings and artifacts from a bygone era. There is a stable on the 

premises and pedigreed horses trot around at all times . After a tour of 

the property relax on the cute wrought iron benches in the beautifully 

manicured garden studded with a mosaic fountain and dine under a 

100 year old mango tree. The dishes are from the royal kitchens and the 

service princely. 

PHOTO CREDIT: MADHYA PRADESH TOURISM BOARD 

90 


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An “Officer”, not a 

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DESTINATIONS 

UTTARAKHAND 

DISCOVERING 

DHANACHULI 

THIS WINTER, ESCHEW OVERCROWDED HIMALAYAN DESTINATIONS 

LIKE SHIMLA, SRINAGAR AND DARJEELING FOR THE LITTLE HAMLET OF 

DHANACHULI IN UTTARAKHAND. BY AARTI KAPUR SINGH 

Chinese Fishing Nets 

A 

few kilometres ahead of 

Mukteshwar, Dhanachuli is a 

quiet hamlet that is the 

microcosm of life in the 

Kumaon region and offers a viable option 

for any traveller wishing to enjoy the 

meditative silence of the Himalayas. 

Secluded, pristine, pure and just so 

charming, it is just about a couple of hours 

from Nainital. 

And the best place to enjoy the vibe of 

Dhanachuli is at a place called Te Aroha, a 

charming colonial-style summer house 

converted into a boutique getaway from 

the cacophony of Delhi. Everything about 

the resort is just so lovingly curated, that it 

is easy to fall in love with the idea of 

watching life float by — like the mist-laden 

clouds that vie with the sun for their place 

in the sky every morning. 

Wake up in the morning to birdsong 

and panoramic views of the Nanda Devi 

Range. Use this time to go for an extended 

trek around the village among the 

mountain trails surrounded by lush 

greens and engulfed by the fragrance of 

apple orchards. The smiling villagers will 

invite you to their warm homes for a 

traditional breakfast of madua rotis. 

At Dhanachuli, you feel you can 

manipulate time. Whether you want to 

make it stand still, or you want to be 

transported into the bygone era. So you 

can visit the 150-year old post office at 

Mukteshwar. Or visit the ancient Shiva 

Temple just a stone's throw away. Chauli 

Ki Jali is another attraction located 

behind the cliff of Mukteshwar temple. 

This place lies at around 200 metres walk 

down from the Mukteshwar temple. 

The walk lies in between cedar and 

green oak trees which is a great view. 

There is a natural lattice around the rock 

here that is believed to be the location for 

the mythological battle between Durga 

and a demon. There are also some 

adventurous activities available like valley 

crossing, zip line, rock climbing. The 

sunsets here are particularly spectacular. 

If you love Kumaoni knits and 

handicrafts, do visit the Kilmora – the 

handicraft shop in Mukteshwar. Located 

in outskirts area in Sita Village, it is known 

for wide and vivid collections of hand 

woven shawls, hand knitted apparels, 

skincare and cosmetic products, agri 

produce, and other souvenirs. Shopping at 

Kilmora is one of the most fun things to do 

in Mukteshwar. 

At Dhanachuli, take a step back and 

pause time to reach out to the blue skies 

and reach within your soul to experience 

was true slow living is all about.This is a 

place you go to without any agenda, soak 

in the atmosphere and just allow all the 

stress to melt away. 

94 


ADVENTURE 

TRAVELS 

GIRL ON 

THE ROAD 

A NEW AND FASCINATING BOOK DETAILS IN FIRST 

PERSON THE SEVEN YEAR LONG SOLO TRAVELS 

OF A YOUNG GIRL ALL OVER INDIA AND ACROSS 

MORE THAN 50 COUNTRIES 

The author on the coolest 

swing ever, in Ecuador 

In 2011, Shivya Nath, originally 

from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, set 

off to explore the world. She was 

only 23 then. At that stage in her 

life, she was being slowly recognized for 

her travel blog The Shooting Star, a name 

she would go on to use for her debut book. 

The Shooting Star, published recently 

by Penguin, recounts Nath’s journey all 

over the world for seven years — five of 

them without a home or permanent 

address. The 200 page book is a travel 

memoir that charts her battles, triumphs 

and adventures from small-town India 

and a comfortable corporate job to the 

world. Nath had sold most of her 

possessions and taken off on her nomadic 

journey. The book is candid in its 

approach and written in a simple yet lively 

style. Apart from solo travel, it focuses on 

themes like sustainable tourism and 

unconventional careers, through a series 

of short travel stories. 

In this edited excerpt, Nath recalls 

her stay with a local family in a remote 

village deep in the countryside of 

northern Guatemala — and travels to 

some nearby places. The purpose of her 

visit? To learn Spanish at the Bio Itza 

School nearby. This new skill, she 

surmised, would help her move around 

better in the neighbouring countries. 

98 


ADVENTURE 

TRAVELS 

From top: The author with her 

Quichua host family in 

Tunibamba, Ecuador; and Don 

Guillermo sieving husk into the 

grass in the rainforests of Costa 

Rica, near the town of Bambu 

It was past midnight when I knocked 

on the door of a humble yellow house set 

on a hillock, as Lake Peten Itza 

shimmered magically below in the 

moonlight. A plump lady, who seemed to 

have awoken from a deep slumber, let me 

in and showed me to my room. A small 

room with bare white walls, occupied 

entirely by a bed, with a lone chair in the 

corner. Even though it was breezy 

outside, the windowless room felt damp 

within. There was no en-suite bathroom, 

and I didn’t want to tiptoe outside to look 

for it lest I wake up the rest of the family. I 

left my bags by the chair, ignored the 

holes in the bed sheet and lay down. After 

all, it had been a long, strangely eventful 

bus ride to get here — the remote village of 

San Jose deep in the countryside of 

northern Guatemala. 

I had set out from the small colonial 

town of Antigua over fifteen hours ago to 

catch my bus from Guatemala City. Close 

to midnight, almost four hours late, when 

the bus finally deposited us at the 

deserted Santa Elena bus station, I wasn’t 

sure if someone from Bio Itza School — 

the school I had chosen to learn Spanish 

at for a week — would be waiting there to 

pick me up and drive me to the house of 

my host family in San Jose. Luckily, my 

backpack gave me away — as the only 

outsider on the bus — and Aderito, the 

founder of the school, and his father, 

drove me home. 

I hazily remembered the afternoon I 

had zoomed into Google Maps, through 

large green and blue spaces, looking for 

the tiny dot that was San Jose, while 

researching Spanish language courses at 

the beginning of my Central America trip. 

As it often turns out, reading dreamily 

about a far-off corner of the globe online 

is so very different from lying on a hard 

bed in a damp room, cursing your choices 

as you fall asleep. 

I woke up from a deep, dreamless 

sleep to the whiff of something smoky, 

like meat being barbecued, seeping in 

under my door, supposedly closed to the 

world. Groggy-eyed and disoriented, I 

rose from my bed to investigate the 

source. I peeped out, and sure enough, a 

large pot on an open fire was spewing out 

odorous smoke. Given that I had stopped 

consuming meat several years ago, it 

didn’t take long for the pungent smell to 

hijack my senses and make me feel 

nauseous. 

My coveted sleep disturbed, I tiptoed 

out hesitantly in search of the bathroom 

and entered the room next door. Elise 

Tesucun, the lady who had let me in the 

previous night, was standing around the 

table with her husband, Alex, and three 

young sons, rolling fresh aromatic dough 

into perfectly round tortillas. Buenos 

dias, she said merrily and asked me 

something in Spanish I couldn’t 

comprehend. 

I had wanted to live with a Mayan 

family while I learnt Spanish at the school 

nearby, intrigued by their ancient culture 

and the end-of-the-world calendar that 

had alarmed people around the world. 

But I could hardly tell that Elise and Alex 

Tesucun were descendants of the native 

Mayan Itzas, one of the twenty-two 

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ADVENTURE 

TRAVELS 

Life as a digital nomad 

indigenous Mayan communities in 

Guatemala. They didn’t speak the native 

Itza language and wore their traditional 

dress only during fiestas. And to add to 

my disappointment, they didn’t worship 

the traditional Mayan gods that had 

fascinated me since I first heard about 

them in Antigua. Among them were 

Ixcacao, the goddess of chocolate and 

fertility, and Maximón, the quirky saint 

who could only be pleased with offerings 

like rum and cigars. 

I stepped, a little self-consciously, 

into the bathroom in the corner of the 

room where the Tesucuns were rolling 

tortillas, hoping that all the aromas would 

not mix together! When I was done with 

my morning chore, I realized that there 

was no water in the flush . . . and guiltily 

tiptoed back to my room. That afternoon, 

over a lunch of mashed red kidney beans, 

plantains and home-rolled tortillas, I 

tried to hold a conversation with Elise in 

the only Spanish words I knew mixed 

with sign language, but much of it was lost 

in translation. I felt a little out of place as I 

walked by myself around the steep, 

winding roads of the village with no 

familiar signs of tourism. On the shores of 

Lake Peten Itza, I finally took a deep 

breath, filling my lungs with fresh air and 

drinking in its virgin beauty. As I sat 

there, watching the geese fly home in the 

late evening, I couldn’t help but wonder 

why I had chosen to travel alone, halfway 

around the world, and landed up in 

obscure San Jose to learn Spanish. 

As the week progressed, I started to 

find my bearings. In the mornings, I 

would walk the short distance to the Bio 

Itza School. We had no textbooks and my 

twenty-year old teacher, Yenni, spoke not 

a word of English. For four hours every 

day, we discussed verbs and vocabulary 

and everything from the weather to the 

Mayan culture to our personal lives. For 

one lesson, we ditched the classroom — 

airy but with little natural light — to drink 

beer by the lake and chat about the 

complexities of relationships in our 

twenties. Friendships on the other side of 

the globe didn’t seem all that different. 

I spent much time with good-natured 

Elise; amid house chores, cooking, 

bringing up three boys and entertaining a 

multitude of guests who called at the 

house daily, it seemed to me that she never 

got a chance to shed her post pregnancy 

weight. But the anxiety ceased to show on 

her face when she flashed her heartwarming 

smile, and smile she did often. 

As my Spanish vocabulary grew, she let 

me in on her family secrets: her teenage 

engagement to Alex; the young deaths in 

the family when she was young as the 

hospital was too far to reach and too 

expensive even for basic treatments; the 

hushed-up divorces that had finally 

become more acceptable in society; and 

how she was one of ten siblings but chose 

to bear no more than three children of her 

own. Life on the other side of the globe, 

too, didn’t seem all that different. 

I began to notice a great sense of 

camaraderie in the Tesucun family. Alex 

often helped Elise in the kitchen, and on 

102 


ADVENTURE 

TRAVELS 

From top: The author went on a 

solo hike on the crater of Lake 

Cuicocha, Ecuador; and hiking 

with Genetu and Endak in the 

Simien Mountains, Ethiopia 

weekends, the three young boys assisted 

their mother with the house chores. We 

always had company at mealtimes. There 

were friends from the neighbourhood, 

relatives from near and far and people 

who showed up unannounced — no 

matter what, they were always fed 

heartily and conversed with animatedly. I 

often saw Elise having plain rice with 

leftovers and relentlessly scrubbing 

dishes in the kitchen. She would refuse 

my help every time, however much I 

insisted. I won’t forget how she stopped 

her work one time, looked up ruefully and 

stated: people think our culture is dead. 

But this is our culture—we treat everyone 

as our own. 

I learnt that the Guatemalan Civil 

War had taken a serious toll on the 

indigenous Mayan communities and, 

particularly, the culture of the Mayan 

Itzas. For centuries, they had chosen to 

live by Lake Peten Itza, in the dense 

wilderness of the Peten region, 

preserving the tropical rainforests and 

relying on it for food, herbs and 

medicines. But they, who were the only 

Mayan community in the region, had 

been forbidden from speaking their 

native Itza language or wearing their 

traditional dress; anyone who dared to 

disobey could be beheaded. At the time of 

my visit in 2014, only thirty-four in the 

entire village of 2800 people who lived 

there spoke Itza. 

When my brain felt saturated with all 

the Spanish spoken at home and in school, 

I hiked by myself around San Jose. I 

seemed to be the only English speaker in 

the village, so I used my solo wanderings 

to switch off from the constant 

translation in my mind and focus on other 

sounds. The sweet melody of birds in the 

wooded interiors, interrupted by the 

106 


ADVENTURE 

TRAVELS 

Hiking in the Caucasus 

Mountains of Georgia 

youthful cheering at the football game in 

the community sports field. The haunting 

silence of the village cemetery with 

graves overlooking the lake, only 

disturbed by the solemn striking of the 

church bells to tick off another hour. The 

infectious giggling of shy young girls and 

boys who wanted to take a selfie with this 

curious outsider in their village. The 

laughter of old Mayan women with 

beautifully wrinkled faces and flowery 

dresses as they chatted animatedly 

outside their colourful homes. 

After dinner, I often lay in the 

hammock on the small terrace of the 

Tesucun house, greeted by a refreshing 

breeze that cooled off the sticky humidity, 

and revised my Spanish lessons while 

scanning Lake Peten Itza below. 

Although geographically far from home 

and mentally far from the universe I was 

familiar with, I began to feel a sense of 

belonging. 

Maybe that is exactly why I had 

chosen to ditch all the Spanish-language 

schools in and around Antigua, where it 

was easy to find fellow travellers and 

familiar cafes and people who spoke my 

language. By travelling alone to a littleknown 

Mayan village where I’d be 

supporting its small Spanish school and 

homestay programme, I was attempting 

to challenge — and thereby expand — my 

comfort zone. And it finally felt like I was 

succeeding. In my mind, I thought I was 

no different from the geese that flew over 

Lake Peten Itza, flapping my wings, 

swooping down on parts of the world that 

beckoned me. Here now, gone tomorrow. 

On my last night in San Jose, I sat on a 

ledge, chatting with Elise who lay in the 

hammock on a rare break from the 

kitchen. My Spanish had improved 

significantly over the course of the week 

and I confessed to her how lost I had felt 

on my first day in her home. We watched a 

nearly full moon rise slowly in the vast 

night sky. Its reflection in the water, as it 

trembled in the breeze, was like white 

dust glowing in grey darkness. My 

thoughts trembled with the water, until 

Elise suddenly asked me: porque viajas 

solo? Why do you travel alone? 

Under that moonlit sky, my legs 

dangling over the ledge of a Mayan Itza 

home, in an obscure village in Guatemala, 

in a language that wasn’t my own, I could 

craft only a few words for an answer. No 

se, I said, la libertad . . . freedom. And I 

think she understood, for she flashed me 

her affectionate smile. 

(Edited excerpt from The Shooting 

Star by Shivya Nath. Published by 

Penguin) 

108 


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IMPROVE A 

RECORD 

INDIA LAST WON A ODI SERIES 

IN NEW ZEALAND IN 2009. WILL 

KOHLI’S MEN PUT UP A STRONG 

SHOW AND LIFT THE TROPHY THIS 

TIME? BY MKM FAIYAZ AHMED 

Jasprit Bumrah 

India last played New Zealand in a 

home series in 2016 and 2017 and 

won both the series banking on 

skipper Virat Kohli’s scintillating 

performances as he accumulated 621 runs in 

eight ODIs at an average of 103.5 and a strike 

rate of 100.97. In the previous series, he 

became the first Indian batsman to score 

1000 plus runs against the Kiwis in ODIs. 

He went past Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 882 

runs and now has 1146 runs in just 18 innings 

at an average of 76.40. Kohli as a skipper has 

a winning percentage of 75.89% in 57 

matches which is next to West Indies’ Clive 

Lloyd (77.71%) and Australia’s Ricky Ponting 

(76.14%) for captains with minimum 50 One 

Day Internationals. 

India’s record under Virat Kohli in ODIs 

has been terrific. Kohli lost his bilateral 

series as a captain against England in July 

2018 ever since he was handed over the 

captaincy post MS Dhoni’s resignation in 

2017. India won nine of the 11 bilateral series 

played between 2016 and 2018 and lost only 

two of them. It will be fascinating to see if 

Kohli will improve India’s poor record in 

New Zealand. 

New Zealand’s home record has been 

excellent as they have won nine of the 11 

112 


SPORTS 

CRICKET 

Kane Williamson 

bilateral series. Their batsmen have been in 

great form as the trio of Kane Williamson, 

Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill has been 

brilliant. Taylor has scored 639 runs at an 

average of 91.28 in just 10 innings in 2018. He 

along with Williamson, Guptill and Latham 

form a strong batting line up that can 

challenge India’s bowling attack. New 

Zealand has had a mixed year as they won 

against West Indies and Pakistan at home 

but lost to England 3-2. Their series against 

Pakistan was unfortunately drawn one-all 

due to unexpected rainfall in the series 

decider match in UAE. New Zealand would 

want to start the New Year with a win 

against India. 

New Zealand’s bowling has been a bit of 

worry as Tim Southee and Matt Henry have 

not done anything worth considering in 

ODIs in the recent past. The extra 

responsibility would be on the shoulders of 

Trent Boult and the 27-year-old pacer 

Lockie Ferguson. The youngster has been 

on touch expensive side but picked crucial 

wickets and has impressed one and all with 

his quick pace. New Zealand may well play 

leg spinner Ish Sodhi as their frontline 

spinner along with Ajaz Patel. Some of the 

exciting young players to watch out in this 

series would be Glen Phillips, Henry 

Nicholls, Ajaz Patel and Lockie Ferguson. 

Another important factor that makes New 

Zealand a stronger side is their fielding. 

India’s batting line-up like always is 

formidable with Rohit Sharma and Shikhar 

Dhawan among the runs and are in form of 

their life. In 2018, Sharma scored 1030 runs 

at an average of 73.57 and Dhawan 

accumulated 897 runs at an average of 49.83. 

But the man who stood out among the rest is 

the Indian skipper and number one ranked 

batsman Kohli. He scored 1202 runs in 14 

innings at an unbelievable average of 133.56. 

Kohli is someone who will be looking to 

score as many runs a possible. After a 

relentless lookout for a number 4 batsman 

for almost two years, the slot has been 

finally given to Ambati Rayudu who has 

scored important runs and averages at 56. 

He along with MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav and 

Hardik Pandya will form a dangerous 

middle order. 

India’s strength of late in One Day 

Internationals and T20 Internationals has 

been their bowling. The opponent teams 

have failed to unleash the spin duo of 

Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal who 

have been amongst wickets against all 

teams. The consistency of Jasprit Bumrah is 

awe-inspiring as his accuracy to bowl 

yorkers and subtle variation at will has given 

India a bowling unit that can challenge 

toughest of teams on any surface. No 

wonder Bumrah is number one ranked 

bowler in ICC and will relish bowling on fast 

and bouncy tracks. He will pair up with 

either Bhuvaneshwar Kumar or Khaleel 

Ahmed. The young left arm pacer has 

impressed one and all with his ability as well 

as stability in the six ODIs he has played so 

far. India may also make some of the 

changes in playing XI in T20 Internationals 

by including exciting players like Rishab 

Pant, Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, 

Manish Pandey and Shreyas Iyer. 

114 


FASHION 

FORECAST FOR 

THE NEW YEAR 

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE FASHION CONSCIOUS IN 2019? 

PLENTY. HERE ARE 11 TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR 

BY NIVEDITA JAYARAM PAWAR 

TRENDS 

STYLE 

Whether you are the type who likes to get all dolled up or 

keep it utilitarian, there's a trend for you this year. While 

real clothes continue to rule, fashion 2019 is also about fun, 

colour and glamour. This year is all about celebrating 

individuality and style with a multitude of trends. It’s time 

to kick your sartorial prep into gear as we speak to fashion 

designers and boutique owners for the top trends that are 

dying to be worn. Choose yours. 

1ALL DOLLED UP 

If your innermost desire has always been to be as extra as 

possible, now is your moment. 2019 is all about dresses with 

layers, frills and a fanciful disposition. “Over the top is in. 

Make your presence felt (literally) in dramatic, voluminous 

outfits. Tiered lehengas and sarees, 80s shoulder pads, 

ruffles all over, feathers, tassels, big bows and couture frills are the 

way to go,” says Devangi Parekh, Creative Director, Aza Fashions. 

The look certainly feels plucked from a fairy tale. If you want an 

easy start, then begin with dramatic sleeves. For example, a fitted 

party top or cocktail dress with balloon sleeves will make a 

statement. 

2 

THE POWER OF YELLOW 

Millennial pink and lavender had their moments. But for 

2019, the focus will be on egg-yolk yellow. The sunny 

pastel shade popped up all over the runways, batting 

away any rainy day blues you might have felt. The colour 

will work its way into the fanciful tiered dresses, tops and 

skirts and bring all the sunshine, even on a cloudy day, 

believe designers. 2019 is already looking bright. 

116 


TRENDS 

STYLE 

3RETURN OF RUCHING 

Remember the little ruched 

skirts you wore years ago? They 

hugged your curves but 

flattered your bod at the same 

time. “Ruching is a longtime 

designer darling with it showing up 

everywhere from skirts to sleeves. 

Carefully-positioned ruching has mighty 

figure-enhancing potential; it adds 

curves to slimmer frames and those with 

curvier silhouettes will appreciate its 

ability to stretch in the right places,” 

explains fashion designer Samant 

Chauhan. So don't be afraid to try them 

on. They will elongate your frame and 

help you achieve a very high-fashion 

style. 

4 5 

BRING 

ON THE 

BLING 

It's time to 

get high on 

shine. 

Think space-age 

silver and ultrareflective 

holographic 

materials. Of course, 

there are countless 

ways how to make 

glitter and shiny 

metallics look great 

on you, but you have 

to keep one thing in 

mind: do not go 

overboard. “An 

effortless way to 

incorporate this 

trend is to wear a top 

or dress with a 

metallic sheen, or 

alternatively a 

reflective silver jacket, sweatshirt, or overcoat,” says Parekh. But if 

you’re apprehensive to try this trend, wear it into your accessories — a 

shiny bag or silver sneakers is a great place to begin. 

FLOWER 

POWER FOR 

ALL 

Flowers of all 

kinds have 

proved to be a big 

hit with designers all over 

the world. From brash to 

delicate, there’s a bloom to 

suit every taste. “Florals 

spruce up your look with 

freshness and romance. 

The best part is that it’s not 

restricted to women’s 

wear. Men too can have fun 

with flowers. Fresh blooms 

in muted colours create a 

nostalgic vintage vibe,” say 

designers Udit Toshniwal 

and Ayesha Kalyaniwalla, 

Founders, U/A, a ready-towear 

brand. Men can 

choose to wear florals as in 

a casual shirt or as 

embroidery on a dinner 

jacket or bundi. For women the floral trend 

translates to big blooms as prints and embroidery 

details on dresses and gowns. 

118 


TRENDS 

STYLE 

6LAYER UPON LAYER 

Layering has always been an age-old tradition that 

never has, and won’t ever fail us in looking absolutely 

awesome. Layers are everywhere at the moment, but 

sometimes it’s hard to follow this trend without 

looking bulky. “Women can pair a jacket with a slip 

dress for an office brunch or a family get-together. The same 

jacket can be paired with a bustier/top and a lehenga for a 

wedding function. Pair it with matching comfortable sandals 

and you are good to go! Men can go in for lightweight jackets 

and overshirts worn over plain tees, polos or shirts,” explains 

the duo from U/A. 

7BOMBER 

JACKETS 

If there was 

a trending 

item in the 

menswear 

closet this year, it has 

been the Bomber 

jacket. This is one 

timeless piece of 

outerwear that every 

man should own. The 

classic jacket, which 

comes in a variety of 

styles and can suit 

many occasions, is 

both fashionable and versatile. So, whether you need 

something to keep you warm during winter or a statement 

style to complete casual outfits, the bomber is the answer. 

“Our sartorial superheroes are seen rocking it at airport and 

events, keeping it casual but extremely stylish at the same 

time. You can rock a bomber with embroidered patches, 

contrast detailing and edgy cuts. Pair it with simple coloured 

trousers, letting the jacket take centre stage,” says Chandan 

Gandhi, Founder, The Maroon Suit, a bespoke menswear 

luxury brand. 

8THRILL WITH FRILLS 

Most women ditch frilly party frocks well before their teenage 

years. However, if the world’s designers are right, flirty hems 

and new romantic ripples are perhaps how we should embrace 

our girly sides in 2019. Dresses, skirts and blouses with flutter 

sleeves, ruffled hemlines and flouncy necks are the season’s 

hot fashion trends and the catwalks of the world are cascading with this 

trend. “Ruffles are something I personally look forward to. They have 

the character to add structure to any garment and make it look dramatic 

and classy at the same time,” stresses fashion designer Anushree Reddy. 

The beauty of ruffles is that they can adorn pretty much every item you 

can think of, so if dresses aren’t your thing nod to the trend with sandals, 

a frilled bag or even a flourish on some swimwear. 

120 


9 

ROCK THE ANDROGYNOUS LOOK 

Androgynous fashion, though nothing new to the 

industry, continues to dominate fashion trends in 

2019. And why wouldn’t it? In conjunction with the 

fight for gender equality and LGBTQ rights, removing 

the traditional gender associations from clothes has 

been liberating for both men and women. Now, people are 

encouraged to wear clothes that allow them to genuinely live as 

themselves. “Combining masculine and feminine 

characteristics will allow people to dress more freely. Women 

have more options when given unisex clothing as they can dress 

it up or down and accessorise to their taste,” says fashion 

designer Krésha Bajaj. Just a reminder: Make sure to choose a 

silhouette that suits your body. Combining an oversized sweater 

with a pair of dainty heels and shorts would be an easy ‘go to’ 

along with oversized boots and a fitted top. 

TRENDS 

STYLE 

10 

GRAB A HEADSCARF 

If there was one standout accessory of the season, it 

is without a doubt the headscarf. All over the 

runways, models wore brightly coloured silk 

scarves in their hair, tied in different ways. It 

instantly turns an otherwise boring outfit into a 

more vibrant and chic one. “This retro styling adds elegance to 

any outfit, and since there are endless ways to tie a scarf, you'll 

never run out of ways to accessorize,” adds Bajaj. Tie the scarf 

around your head, like a head-band, leaving the back open. Or 

you could tie a scarf around your sleek or messy hair bun and get 

an instant summer chic style. Pair this look with some bold 

earrings, like golden hoops and a pair of sunglasses. Or simply tie 

a scarf around your low loose ponytail, and leave the ends out. 

It’s free and careless and looks amazing with anything. 

11 

BIGGER IS BETTER 

Dainty necklaces and classic hoops have been ruling 

the accessory scene for quite some time now. But 

according to fashion pundits it’s time to get ready for 

the return of maximalist jewelry. From statement 

necklaces making a comeback to dripping rhinestone 

details, reimagined chokers, larger-than-life earrings, and even 

the return of bangles, more is more seems to be the jewellery 

theme this year. 

122 


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TIPSY TOPSY

TRENDS 

ADVENTURE 

TRENDS IN 

ADVENTURE TRAVEL 

ADVENTURE TRAVEL AMONG INDIANS 

HAS PICKED UP LIKE NEVER BEFORE AND 

2019 BELONGS TO THOSE WITH TRAVEL 

ON THEIR MINDS. BY MILIND BHIDE 

Travelling has never been so 

much in trend as in the 

current decade. A surge in 

people globetrotting has been 

seen owing to exposure and awareness of 

newer destinations. Following the motto 

‘You live only once’, there are many people 

who are opting for vacations over 

investing in property or saving for their 

retirement. Believing in living every 

moment, these enthusiasts follow their 

heart and go wherever it takes them. 

Adventure travel has also picked up 

like never before and the reasons are 

varied. From youngsters to people in their 

prime of life, a large portion of the 

populace today has become health 

conscious. While they sweat off at the gym 

or at nearby parks, improved health calls 

for more entertaining activities that 

involve both a vacation as well as the apt 

use of their physical strengths. Adventure 

activities like trekking, mountaineering, 

biking, etc. allows people to explore their 

potential while also lets vacationers 

discover newer destinations. 

With technology, seeking information 

of any place on the planet, to planning a 

trip there, everything can be done through 

the internet. Research, bookings and 

scheduling have become so much easier 

and comfortable that people are easily able 

to plan their trips. Folks with limited 

budget, especially the internet savvy, plan 

their trips much in advance, and in detail, 

ensure a hassle-free and relaxed trip. 

Another important reason for a rise in 

adventure travel is social media, which 

has very effectively sowed the seeds in the 

minds of its users. With a steady flow of 

content from travel web portals and 

photographers, to friends sharing their 

travel pictures, everyone is constantly 

exposed and unconsciously urged to take 

a trip somewhere. This has also winged 

many dreams and desires, and also 

encourage netizens to create their `bucket 

list’ of places to travel to. 

126 


TRENDS 

ADVENTURE 

With little or no ‘Me time’, 

professionals need a break from their 

work-life schedules to undertake a 

journey that makes them redefine their 

purpose in life. These days everyone 

needs time to unwind, and re-focus on 

themselves. Mobile phones with constant 

use of internet, is another factor that 

raises stress, as a result of which the 

working community often feels the need 

to embark on a relaxing journey. The 

constant need to perform everywhere 

strains and drains out people thus making 

them yearn for much-needed holidays. 

With so much to do in life in such 

limited time, the clock’s always ticking. 

Consequently, there has been an increase 

in people travelling all by themselves. 

Planning special trips that cover 

individual interests is also much in 

demand. Travel companies are 

customizing their holiday packages to suit 

their clients’ requirements and make it 

comfortable for them. Special interest 

tours include certain sports or particular 

adventures that a person wishes to pursue. 

It is about creating a schedule that covers 

essential and most popular tourist 

destinations while also swathes some of 

the local action like shopping, relishing 

authentic cuisine to wine tasting, 

experiencing the culture of the particular 

region to sightseeing the hottest tourist 

places, special interest tours cover it all. 

With sufficient planning, explorers 

these days save funds, and chalk out trips 

that are longer in duration. Many people 

plan vacations that last for weeks so that 

they can dwell in a particular country and 

experience it with complete sanctity. It is 

like learning and understanding newer 

ways of life by gelling along with the local 

people, and living a life for some time, in 

their shoes. Longer holidays also allow 

people to work on projects that cover a 

particular theme, topic or subject area. 

Today, travellers desire a time that 

allows them to unplug, focus inward, and 

tap into the mental health benefits of 

adventure travel. Breaking free from the 

routine, they seek moments to readjust 

their life plans, work out their future as 

well as do something creative that they 

take pleasure in. Adventure travel, solo 

travel, longer travel as well as special 

interest travel allow tourists to explore 

art, and learn something new everywhere. 

They invoke the creative nerds in them 

and do meaningful things like writing, 

painting, photography to dancing and 

yoga, and thus enjoy their holiday doing 

what they love, and can’t find time for in 

their routine. 

The educated, working lot which 

plans even the tiniest of their penny, has 

now efficiently started budgeting and 

saving their allowances. They allocate 

expenses in a way that allows them to visit 

one or two new places each year, with 

their family, friends, or simply on their 

own. 

(The author is Founder and Managing 

Director of Countryside Adventure 

Holidays) 

128 


IN FOCUS 

MONTAGE 

REVA BOOSTS 

ELECTORAL LITERACY 

JAGRUTI, A STUDENT-LED CAMPAIGN BY Reva University 

under the aegis of Reva Electoral Literacy Association (RELA), 

is an awareness, an awakening that needs to be rekindled and 

reawakened amongst the masses, who are the voters and the 

most integral part of a democracy. 

This campaign was inaugurated on November 16, 2018. 

Sri Sanjiv Kumar, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, 

was the Chief Guest of the event. Sri Sreenivasachary, IAS 

(Retd.,), State Election Commission, was the Guest of Honour 

and Dr. P. Shyama Raju, Hon’ble Chancellor, Reva University, 

presided over the event. The inaugural of Jagruti, a movement 

to build voting awareness amongst the local populace, is 

the brainchild of the Chancellor. The inaugural event had 

students in an encore taking the oath along with the Chancellor, 

Vice Chancellor, Dr. S. Y. Kulkarni and the staff to uphold 

independent India’s democratic values. 

Thereon was a journey the students undertook, 

accompanied by the dedicated faculty and BBMP officials. A 11- 

day arduous process, it had student and faculty volunteers move 

door-to-door, interacting with residents of the constituency, 

armed with a Google form questionnaire that would help them 

prepare a detailed survey report on the voting pattern and 

mindset of the city. At the culmination of this project, which 

was also an experiential learning for students, a report was 

submitted to the State Election Commission for further action 

and study. Dr. Shubha. A, Director, School of Commerce and 

Management Studies and Dr. K. S. Narayanaswamy, Director, 

School of Management Studies, Reva University, were at the 

helm of this campaign directing the mission forward. The joint 

effort of students and faculty covered 1,02,420 homes of the 

constituency which is a remarkable feat.

HOSPITALITY 

HOTELS 

A ROYAL 

ENCOUNTER 

THE CHARMING SAIRAFORT SAROVAR HOTEL IS LOCATED 

AWAY FROM THE HUSTLE BUSTLE OF JAISALMER BUT 

PUTS YOU CLOSE TO THE TOP ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY. 

BY NIVEDITA JAYARAM PAWAR 

SpiceJet flies to Jaisalmer. 

Log on to www.spicejet.com 

for flight details 

Sarovar’s latest property Sairafort 

in Jaisalmer may not be a 

heritage structure but it does 

deliver a high level of regal 

romance and adventure when you stay 

here. The credit for that goes to the 

architecture. Built like a fort using 

sandstone, Sairafort Sarovar Portico sits 

pretty on the Jodhpur Highway, in the 

peaceful suburbs of Jaisalmer. 

The architecture featuring arches, 

columns, turrets, frescoes and jaali screens 

(latticed window patterns) lends the 

property a historical and mysterious vibe. 

The marble lobby with paintings, opera 

style curtains, metal artifacts, stain glass 

encrusted doors, dimpled leather furniture 

and ornate chandeliers set the tone for 

things to come. Typical Rajasthani sweet 

treats at the reception help to start the 

exploration on a sweeter note. 

The 53 aesthetically decorated rooms 

adorned with wooden flooring, antique 

mahogany furniture, wall art and velvet 

upholstery are reminiscent of royal 

quarters. The large jharokha style 

130 


HOSPITALITY 

HOTELS 

windows built in the room are perfect to 

lounge and watch the world outside. 

The six sumptuous suites are outfitted 

with king size beds, block printed fabrics 

and hand-picked artifacts. Other 

diversions at the property include a 

beautifully landscaped garden with 

fountains and a swimming pool. A kid’s 

room with indoor games for children and a 

spa is on the anvil. 

The uninterrupted, speedy Wi-Fi 

connection helps you stay connected with 

the rest of the world. The hotel is 

beautifully illuminated at night which adds 

to its splendour. Evenings bring the double 

height lobby to life with cultural 

performances and art shows. 

Warmth and welcome are two of the 

ingredients you would see in abundance at 

Sairafort. The service goes far beyond 

helping you with your bags and the 

turndown at the end of the day. The 

intangibles include friendly staffers who 

seem authentically warm, rather than 

merely polite. Take the multi cuisine 

restaurant Nosh here. 

Apart from the lip smacking, authentic 

Rajasthani dishes on the menu the chef is 

ever willing to rustle up your favourite 

pasta or put together a salad. But sticking to 

the staples here is highly rewarding. The 

subtly spiced Lal maas though dressed 

with oil is gloriously earthy. The dal bhati is 

very satisfyingly balanced between sweet, 

sour and fiery thanks to the infusion of 

homemade chutneys. 

The bar Suroor feels like the perfect 

place to chat, laugh and sink a few 

mocktails along with some the bar nibbles 

that leave the kitchen at lightning speed. 

They are homely and hearty and smartly 

served. The hotel is still awaiting a bar 

license. 

Although the hotel is situated away 

from the usual humdrum of the city, the 

concierge provides easy access to some of 

the best-known tourist spots around. 

These include numerous golden sand 

dunes, heritage havelis, temples and 

glistening lakes. One of the top spots on 

your list should be the Patwa-ki-Haveli 

built between 1800 and 1860 and adorned 

with intricate stonework. The haveli also 

houses a museum within the premises. 

Another attraction worth travelling to 

is the artificial lake built by Raja Rawal 

Jaisal. Entry to the lake is through Tilon- 

Ki-Pol, a beautifully carved yellow 

sandstone archway which provides an 

aesthetic touch to the place. Elegantly built 

temples, shrines, chattris and ghats 

surround this shimmering lake in 

Jaisalmer. 

132 


IN FOCUS 

MONTAGE 

ZEBRONICS LAUNCHES 

REVOLUTIONARY EARPHONES 

ZEBRONICS 

INDIA PVT. LTD, 

INDIA’S LEADING 

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earphone experience with Zeb-Peace. It looks premium with 

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are designed like the crescent which are splash proof and 

absolutely lightweight at 4 grams each. The earpods are 

designed with precision for a secure, comfortable and snug 

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taking a walk the earpods will not fall off. They’re designed 

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you. The pairing with this headset is real quick - it can be 

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Ask more questions and get instant replies with voice 

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which route to take or find the weather conditions in a 

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Don’t fret over the battery life because this model comes 

with a portable charging case when charged can offer 

additional battery life of about six hours. You can put the 

earpods back into their spot and have it charging on the go. 

The battery case is extremely light and can easily fit into a 

pocket. Speaking on the newest launch, Mr. Pradeep Doshi, 

Director – Zebronics says, “Everyone is joining the wireless 

revolution but with our Zeb-Peace we’re taking it up a notch 

with voice assistance for Android and iOS devices.” The 

wireless earphone comes in black color and is available with 

leading retail stores across India. 

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136 


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137 


WALK THE FINE LINE 

WITH CD KURTIS 

IN FOCUS 

MONTAGE 

EXPERIENCE YOUR VERY OWN 

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IGNORE ASSET ALLOCATION 

AT YOUR OWN PERIL 

BY ASHOK T KANAWALA (THE AUTOR 

IS VICE PRESIDENT - PRODUCTS & 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, HDFC ASSET 

MANAGEMENT CO. LTD.) 

ALL OF US LIVE 

IN CONCRETE 

JUNGLES that our 

cities have become 

over time. The term 

is coined after the 

single most important constituent 

used in construction i.e. Concrete, 

which is a mixture of sand, cement 

and water. So can you use only one of 

these or for that matter, mix these in 

any proportion and make concrete? 

- Obviously, you cannot. If there is 

too much or too little water or any 

other constituents, the chemical 

reaction is adversely affected with 

the outcome being weak concrete and 

a potentially dangerous foundation 

for the structure. In essence, this 

is what asset allocation is all about. 

Asset Allocation is the concrete by 

which investors can build a strong 

foundation for their investment 

portfolio by ensuring that portfolio not 

only comprises various asset classes 

but also in the right proportion. 

Most investors overlook the 

importance of asset allocation and 

end up fixating on selecting the best 

stocks, bonds etc. While the pursuit 

for better returns is understandable 

given human desire to get rich quickly, 

even astute investors cannot select 

the best ideas and predict asset class 

winners all the time. In a nutshell, if 

one was capable of selecting the best 

moneymaking ideas all the time, asset 

allocation would be as irrelevant as 

telegram is today. In reality though, 

no one is capable of doing that. 

Different asset classes take turns in 

leading the market. By diversifying 

your investments across asset classes, 

you reduce the downside of being 

whipsawed by turns in asset class 

cycles. Although, the flipside being 

that at any given point in time your 

portfolio would also be exposed to an 

asset class which is underperforming. 

While asset allocation is necessary 

for all investors, there is no ‘one size 

fits all’ allocation suitable for all. 

There are many factors that need to be 

considered in unison to determine the 

ideal asset allocation for an investor. 

These include age and time horizon, 

psychological risk tolerance, financial 

circumstances and source of income. 

Once your asset allocation is in 

place, it stills needs to be monitored 

and portfolio rebalanced from time to 

time as different asset classes do not 

move in sync. In absence of periodic 

readjustment, your portfolio could go 

haywire defeating the purpose of asset 

allocation itself. Seeking advice from 

a trusted financial advisor can go a 

long way in formulating the right asset 

allocation strategy for you. 

A 2000 study by Ibbotson and 

Kaplan showed that more than 90% 

of portfolio returns are attributable 

to asset allocation. Although, this 

observation dealt with institutional 

investors, it does emphasize the 

oft-ignored role of asset allocation 

in wealth creation. As investors, it is 

certainly prudent to follow the old 

cliché of not putting all your eggs in 

one basket. 

DISCLAIMER 

Investments must be tailored to investor’s individual situation and objectives and therefore, investors should consult their financial advisors to ascertain whether the products are suitable for 

them. As per prevailing tax laws, which are subject to change. In view of the individual nature of tax consequences, each investor is advised to consult his / her own professional tax advisor. 

MUTUAL FUND INVESTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO MARKET RISKS, READ ALL SCHEME-RELATED DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY 

138 


Terrific 

Tuesday 

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SPORTS 

POLO 

AT THE KING 

OF GAMES 

THE GALLOPING HORSE AS A 

METAPHOR FOR INCREASING 

INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCES IS ONE 

OF THE MAIN ETHOS BEHIND BRITISH 

POLO DAY. BY AARTI KAPUR SINGH 

Sir Winston Churchill had once 

remarked, "A polo handicap is a 

passport to the world." Historians 

are divided over the origins of the 

game, as some believe that it began in Persia. 

But the game, in its modern form was, a joint 

collaboration between Indian royals and the 

British when they were in India. It is from 

here that polo travelled to several parts of 

the world — from Australia to Argentina, 

and Canada to China. 

British Polo Day celebrates this history 

and heritage of polo in a network of events 

than span the world. It also is global polo 

network whose metier involves showcasing 

bespoke British craftsmanship and heritage 

on a platform across emerging markets in 

sport and business. Idyllic destinations that 

inspire a sense of adventure and also 

promote trade and commerce host polo 

events the world over. 

Since the first such event in Dubai in 

140 


SPORTS 

POLO 

2009, British Polo 

Days have been 

held in more than 

15 countries across 

five continents. 

Prince Harry (who 

captained the 

home team), Sir 

Richard Branson, 

Prince Rashid of 

Jordan, and many 

more patrons from 

government, 

business, military, 

fashion, art and 

popular culture 

have lent glamour 

to the British Polo 

Days. The entry is 

by invitation only 

and the only criteria that can get you one is 

that you have to be 'interesting and 

interested'. 

"Not only do we want to attract 

remarkable people, we want them to 

actively engage in and enjoy the events. The 

team spends months curating the guest list 

and table plans to try to group people 

around shared passion points," says Tom 

Hudson, Chairman & Co-Founder, British 

Polo Day. And at the recent event held in the 

royal environs of Jodhpur, I had the 

distinction of being a guest of the Maharaja 

of Jodhpur, Gaj Singh. 

Polo is a raucously muscular sport. 

Gleaming horses straining at their bits and 

riders crouching low in their clinging 

jodhpurs manage to raise a cloud of dust on 

even the most generously-watered grounds. 

That said, it’s a naturally riveting sport, 

alluring in a way that only a brazenly 

dangerous display of physical speed and 

strength can be. The matches themselves 

featured players such as former England 

captains Malcolm Borwick and Will 

Emerson and from India, Maharaja 

Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, Abhimanyu 

Pathak and others. 

But there’s so much more than just polo 

to the three days that a British Polo Day 

encompass. Polo is restricted to daytime. 

Evenings are reserved for cultural 

extravaganzas - such as the one held at the 

majestic and spectacular Mehrangarh Fort, 

that stands a hundred feet in splendor on a 

perpendicular cliff, four hundred feet above 

the skyline of Jodhpur. The fort was one of 

the filming locations for Disney's 1994 liveaction 

film The Jungle Book, as well as the 

2012 film The Dark Knight Rises. The 

evening is made colourful by the glamorous 

attendees as well as the myriad folk 

performers - kalbeliya dancers, fire eaters, 

langa singers, Bhavai dancers (women 

balancing eight to nine brass pitchers or 

earthen pots on their head as they dance and 

twirl), puppeteers, kachchi ghodi 

performers - who enthral you with the 

colours of Rajasthan. 

The venue for the gala on the final 

evening, a black tie event, was the luxurious 

Umaid Bhawan Palace - arguably one of the 

best hotels in the world. But the main charm 

is that it also is the residence of His 

Highness Gaj Singh Ji, Maharaja of 

Jodhpur. The evening's proceedings began 

with a rapturous 

show of fireworks 

and the spread - 

well, in a palace, so 

fit for kings and 

queens! And when 

the lights dimmed 

and the beat 

dropped, not one 

of the players was 

too tired to hit the 

dance floor. 

But glamour 

is not the only 

aspect of BPD. In 

all of their events, 

BPD brings to bear 

the full weight of 

its partners, 

network and 

creative talent towards philanthropic goals 

as well. This year, through an auction of 

goods as well as experiences (lots included a 

Royal Salute 30 year old Flask Edition, The 

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic Watch, 

tickets to the RIFF at Jodhpur and dinner 

for ten courtesy Justerini & Brooks), BPD 

was able to raise 38000 GBP for the benefit 

of the charity initiated by Maharaja Gaj 

Singh, the Indian Head Injury Foundation 

(which itself was the outcome of a father’s 

concern after his son Yuvraj Shivraj Singh 

suffered a serious head injury during a polo 

match). This foundation attempts a 

comprehensive system for the prevention, 

diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain 

injury, and to provide neuro-rehabilitation 

to the victims of such unfortunate incidents. 

Incidentally. Yuvraj Shivraj Singh was there 

to cheer on the players with his family as 

well. 

The formality is a veneer, in a sense. It 

was about cordiality, and union around polo 

and philanthropy. With a perspicacity for 

the tiniest detail, and with a gregariousness 

which is rarely switched off, the British Polo 

Day's annual gatherings are fast becoming 

the perfect way to end the year. 

142 


Get Ready Once Again for 

THE BIGGEST 

READY MADE GARMENT EXPO

GROOMING 

SKINCARE 

KEEP YOUR SKIN GLOWING 

THIS WINTER 

WINTER CAN PLAY HAVOC ON YOUR SKIN. A LEADING DERMATOLOGIST ADVISES 

ON PROTECTING THE SKIN DURING COLD WEATHER. BY DR BL JANGID, MD 

WINTER CAN PLAY HAVOC ON YOUR 

SKIN, stripping it off the moisture. The 

cold weather and low humidity levels rob 

the skin off its moisture. When 

aggravated, dry skin can lead to itching, 

rashes, cracking and in severe cases, even 

bleeding. If you think your skin is 

protected within the home because of air 

heaters etc, you couldn’t be more wrong. 

Indoor heat further robs the air of 

moisture, as do hot showers or baths and 

harsh soaps and cleansers. While 

moisturising is a solution, it is a temporary 

one. What you need to do is to keep the 

skin looking youthful and smooth. Here 

are five important tips to keep your skin 

healthy and comfortable in the winter. 

Wash in lukewarm water 

Hot showers and baths may feel 

comforting in the winter, but as far as 

possible, particularly when just washing 

your face or hands, choose lukewarm 

water to avoid stripping as many oils away 

from the skin. 

Avoid soaps 

While on the subject of washing, it is 

important to assert that instead of 

soaps, body washes are a better 

option to stay clean in winters. If 

they are glycerine-based, even 

better. These will not allow your skin 

to dry, will maintain the skin oil to keep 

your skin moisturised. Cleansers can be 

extremely drying to the skin. If you’re 

used to using options that contain glycolic 

or salicylic acid, rotate with a more 

hydrating version that contains 

moisturizing ingredients. 

Moisturize frequently 

In winters, skin needs moisture more 

often and also mostly right after you wash 

your skin. In fact, the best time to apply 

moisture to the skin when it is damp. 

Applying moisture to damp skin helps seal 

that dampness into the skin. Keep a bottle 

near the bathtub, shower stall, and at 

every sink and use liberally every time you 

wash. Also, one must choose moisturizer 

carefully. Some over-the-counter 

moisturizers have petroleum-based 

ingredients that can actually further dry 

your skin in the winter months. Choose a 

product that has natural, nourishing 

ingredients. 

Protect from the winter sun 

We all love to sunbathe and step out in the 

warm winter sun. But do remember that 

the winter sun can be just as damaging as 

summer sun. So if you choose to step out in 

the sun, do wear gloves and scarves to 

protect the skin. Also, don’t forget the 

sunscreen. Winter sun can be just as 

damaging as summer sun, so apply a safe 

option like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide 

to any exposed areas. Also, when it comes 

to skin, it is important to choose the 

clothes you wear carefully. 

Drink and hydrate 

Water consumption reduces considerably 

in winters and we tend to drink warmer 

fluids like tea or coffee. But do remember 

that the skin needs to be hydrated from 

within, more so in winters. A little warm 

water with lemon can be very refreshing 

and hydrating at the same time. Green tea 

is also a good idea because it contains 

antioxidants. This highlights the 

importance of proper nutrition to nourish 

your body from within. Eating foods high 

in water content can help hydrate your 

skin from the inside out. Try fresh winter 

fruits and vegetables such as apples, 

oranges, kiwi, and watery veggies like 

celery, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, 

and carrots. Make sure you’re getting 

enough vitamin C and zinc to support the 

healthy production of collagen and elastin. 

In addition, also have Omega3 fatty acids, 

cod liver oil etc. to keep the skin supple 

from within. 

(The author is one the top 

dermatologists of Delhi, with more 

than 10 years of experience. He 

practices at SkinQure in Saket) 

SHUTTERSTOCK 

144 


NEWS 

SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

SpiceJet announces six new 

daily flights from Chennai 

SpiceJet has announced the launch 

of six new direct flights connecting 

Chennai with key pilgrim centres like 

Varanasi and Shirdi besides tourist 

spots like Port Blair and Bagdogra. All 

the flights are scheduled to commence 

from January 10, 2019 except the 

one on the Chennai-Bagdogra route 

which will start operations from 

February 11, 2019. The daily direct 

flights will operate on the Chennai- 

Varanasi, Chennai-Shirdi and Chennai- 

Bagdogra routes. To cater to the 

surge in seasonal demand, the airline 

has also introduced an additional 

frequency on the Chennai-Port Blair 

(second frequency) route which will 

be operational from January 10 to 

February 10, 2019. 

Shilpa Bhatia, Chief Sales & 

Revenue Officer - SpiceJet, said, 

“We are happy to announce our 

new flights from Chennai to key 

religious and tourist destinations like 

Varanasi, Shirdi, Bagdogra and Port 

Blair. With these new flights we aim 

to enhance customer convenience 

and thereby give a boost to both 

leisure and business travel prospects 

from Chennai.” With the new flights, 

passengers from Varanasi, Shirdi, 

Bagdogra and Port Blair can now 

easily travel to a host of other cities 

both on SpiceJet’s domestic as well 

as international network via multiple 

onward connections from Chennai. 

SpiceJet introduces new 

flight connecting Delhi to 

Prayagraj 

SpiceJet has launched special daily 

flights to be operated during the 

Maha Kumbh Mela between Prayagraj 

(Allahabad) and the country’s capital. 

The airline has also announced a 

host of other new non-stop flights 

and frequencies connecting key 

city Hyderabad to 

Ahmedabad, Bagdogra 

and Goa. The flights 

on the Delhi-Prayagraj 

(Allahabad) sector 

are scheduled to 

operate from the 

January 6, 2019 to 

March 30, 2019 while 

all the other flights will 

start from January 10, 2019. SpiceJet 

has introduced eight new direct flight 

services on the routes of Delhi-Prayagraj 

(Allahabad), Hyderabad-Goa (additional 

frequency), Ahmedabad-Bagdogra and 

Ahmedabad-Hyderabad. The airline 

will operate daily flights between 

Delhi-Prayagraj and Hyderabad-Goa 

whereas on all other routes, flights will 

be operational on all days of the week 

except Sundays. The airline will deploy 

its Boeing 737-700 aircraft on the 

Delhi-Prayagraj-Delhi route while all the 

other sectors will be served by Boeing 

737-800 aircraft. 

148 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

SpiceJet announces eight 

new direct flights connecting 

Hyderabad to three cities 

SpiceJet has launched eight new 

direct flights to and from the city of 

Hyderabad. All the new flights are 

effective from January 1, 2019. With 

the additions, the airline will operate 

41 direct flights from the city starting 

January 1, 2019. The daily direct flights 

introduced by the airline will operate 

on the Hyderabad-Kolkata, Hyderabad- 

Pune and Hyderabad-Coimbatore 

routes. 

In a move which will tremendously 

benefit the business travellers, SpiceJet 

has added two new flights on the 

Hyderabad-Kolkata sectors thereby 

giving options for a same day return 

journey. 

To cater to the surge due to 

seasonal demand, SpiceJet has 

introduced six new direct flights on the 

Kochi-Bengaluru-Kochi and Bengaluru- 

Port Blair-Bengaluru routes including 

an additional frequency between 

Bengaluru-Bagdogra-Bengaluru. While 

the flights between Kochi-Bengaluru 

will operate daily, the flights between 

Bengaluru-Port Blair and Bengaluru- 

Bagdogra will fly on all days of the 

week except Tuesdays. 

SpiceJet announces six new 

domestic flights 

SpiceJet has announced the launch 

of six new flights on domestic routes 

starting December 20, 2018. The airline 

has introduced direct flights on the 

Ahmedabad- Srinagar (via Jammu), 

Srinagar-Ahmedabad and Ahmedabad- 

Guwahati routes. SpiceJet will also 

enhance its operations on the Chennai- 

Ahmedabad sector by adding its third 

direct flight on this route. 

The additional flights on the 

Chennai-Ahmedabad-Chennai route 

have been specifically designed for 

business travellers facilitating a same day 

return journey. All the new flights will 

be operational on all days of the week 

except Sundays. Deploying its Boeing 737 

– 800 aircraft on these routes, SpiceJet 

aims to further strengthen its network 

between different metro and non-metro 

cities. 

With the new flights, passengers 

from Srinagar, Jammu and Guwahati 

can now easily travel to a host of other 

cities both on SpiceJet’s domestic as 

well as international network via multiple 

onward connections from Ahmedabad 

and Chennai. 

Ò SpiceJet inducts Bhopal as 

its 50th domestic destination 

SpiceJet, the country’s favourite carrier, 

has announced the on-boarding of 

Bhopal as its 50th domestic destination 

with the introduction of five new direct 

flights from the capital city. The airline 

has also announced five new direct 

flights from the temple town of Shirdi. 

All the 18 new direct domestic flights are 

effective from January 6, 2019. SpiceJet 

has introduced 10 direct flight services 

on the routes of Bhopal-Jaipur, Bhopal- 

Ahmedabad, Bhopal-Hyderabad, 

and Bhopal-Shirdi thus connecting 

the capital city of Madhya Pradesh 

like never before. The airline has also 

introduced a slew of new direct flights 

and frequencies to connect the pilgrim 

city of Shirdi even better. SpiceJet 

has introduced 10 new direct flights 

on the routes of Shirdi-Bengaluru, 

Shirdi-Jaipur, Shirdi-Bhopal and Shirdi- 

Ahmedabad including an additional 

frequency on the Shirdi-Hyderabad 

route. SpiceJet was the first and only 

airline to start operations on the Shirdi- 

Delhi route and has also connected 

the city to Mumbai and Hyderabad. 

The new flights on the Bhopal-Jaipur, 

Hyderabad-Bhopal, and Shirdi-Jaipur 

routes have been specifically designed 

for business travelers, facilitating a same 

day return journey. SpiceJet will deploy 

its Bombardier Q400 aircraft on these 

routes. 

149 


HIMANSHI SHARMA - XII 

28 YEARS IN EDUCATION 

1 MILLION+ SQ MTRS OF CAMPUS 

(265 ACRES)

SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

MY TOWN 

Our ongoing series in which we look at various Indian cities 

through the eyes of SpiceJet staffers. This month, Rashika 

Khandelwal, Cabin Crew, holds forth on Jaipur 

Connection to the city: I am originally 

from Japiur, the Pink City. 

Best thing about Jaipur: People here 

are very friendly. The place is not very 

crowded, there is no pollution, you do 

not encounter long traffic jams and 

crime is quite low as compared to other 

metropolitan cities. Jaipur is the ultimate 

haven for shopping lovers. The city’s rich 

history and unique heritage is also wellknown 

to many people.. 

Clockwise from above: Jal Mahal; Jaipur seen 

from Nahargarh Fort; and Hawa Mahal 

SpiceJet flies to Jaipur. 

Log on to www.spicejet. 

com for details 

How Jaipur is different from other big 

Indian cities: The city is popular for 

its forts, palaces, rich heritage, culture 

and traditions. But apart from all these, 

a very distinguishing feature is the 

varied flavours of its street food. When 

in Jaipur, you will never be out of food 

options — the mouth-watering and 

unique flavours of Rajasthani food will 

simply entice you. 

Favourite eating places: I have many 

favourite eating places in Jaipur. 

Chokhi Dhani serves excellent Dal Bati 

Churma, the well-known Rajasthani 

dish. It is the perfect place to visit with 

family and friends. Other places that I 

would strongly recommend are Virasat 

Restaurant, Rawat Misthan Bhandar, Nibs 

Cafe and House of People. 

Local attractions: Jaipur is a magnet for 

visitors from all over the world drawn to 

its many attractions including palaces like 

Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Jal Mahal; 

temples like Birla Mandir and Govind Dev 

Ji Mandir; forts like Nahargarh, Amer, 

Jaigarh Fort; museums like Albert Hall 

Museum; gardens like Sisodiya Rani 

Bagh and Kanak Vrindavan; and lakes 

like Maota Lake and Man Sagar Lake. 

Every visit to each of these places is a 

new experience and you come back with 

a set of different feelings every time. 

Apart from these, there are many other 

temples, forts, historical monuments, 

shopping areas and eateries that delight 

visitors. 

Which are the other places where you 

have stayed in India? How does Jaipur 

compare to them? I have stayed in 

Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi and Hyderabad. 

All these cities are notorious for their 

traffic jams. But it is much easier to move 

around in Jaipur. 

SHUTTERSTOCK 

151 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

ST RS OF SPICEJET 

Meet SpiceJet achievers from our various departments, who have stood 

out for their outstanding work 

SHIVANI SHUKLA 

GURGAON 

Internal appreciation: 

Shivani is very responsible 

in all the work allocated to her. She has 

always been focused while carrying out 

her responsibilities. A keen learner, she is 

always keen to take on the different tasks 

assigned to her. 

Experience with SpiceJet: I have been 

very fortunate to have experienced and 

learned the different work aspects of my 

department. Another enriching experience 

has been the opportunity I have got 

to interact with people from different 

professional backgrounds, which in turn 

has enabled me to gain insight into the 

aviation industry. I would like to thank my 

treasury team for having faith in me and 

for all the knowledge I've gained. 

MINAKSHI GUPTA 

GURGAON 


Minakshi's contribution to 

the organisation is exemplary. She has 

shown remarkable passion for her work by 

performing all her duties enthusiastically. 

A hard-working person, she is observant, 

dedicated and passionate towards all the 

work that is alloted to her. 

Experience with SpiceJet: SpiceJet 

has given me a fantastic opportunity 

to enhance my career in a fast-paced, 

dynamic and rewarding environment. It has 

been a great and wonderful experience. 

I would like to deliver more with my 

performance. So far, the journey has 

been very pleasant, especially the kind of 

support I have got from my colleagues, 

seniors and managers. I thank my team 

which has helped me in my journey to a 

very great extent. 

FINANCE 

PRAMOD KUMAR 

SHARMA 

GURGAON 


Pramod is extremly hard-working and a 

committed team player. His extraordinary 

efforts at the workplace have been 

remarkable. The Payroll Team is delighted 

to have a talent like him. He has very good 

command over data maintenance and is 

highly dedicated towards meeting the 

timeline. He is a confident individual and is 

always ready to learn new things. 

Experience with SpiceJet: It has been 

a very good learning experience for me 

since joining SpiceJet. I have been able 

to learn much in a short span of time. My 

current profile gives me an opportunity to 

understand HR & Payroll process in great 

depth. 

UMAR ALI KHAN 

GURGAON 

Internal appreciation: Umar 

is a very good team player 

and during his tenure here has contributed 

a great deal towards the cause of the 

organization. He has a very good sense 

of humour and this helps in his dealings 

with all around. There is no doubt that his 

dedication and endeavours have always 

been up to the mark. He has within him 

many attributes which are fetching him 

handsome dividends. 

Experience with SpiceJet: It has been 

more than seven years since I joined 

this wonderful organization and have 

enjoyed every moment working with the 

SpiceJet Finance team. It is a great place 

to work and sharpen your talent. A team 

of immensely talented and committed 

professionals is always ready to provide a 

helping hand. 

152 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

AMIT KUMAR GUPTA 

GURGAON 


Amit is sincere, honest 

and a good team player. He maintains 

a good relationship with staff from 

other departments to ensure on time 

performanance every time. He is hard 

working and always puts in efforts 

to complete the task assigned by his 

manager. 

Experience with SpiceJet: I am about to 

complete four years in SpiceJet-Finance 

and it is been a truly wonderful experience 

working here. SpiceJet gave me a huge 

learning curve to enhance my potential in 

order to achieve professional growth, and 

on the top of it, gave me an opportunity 

to work with such a reputed brand like 

SpiceJet. 

HR 

FINANCE 

PALAK AGARWAL 

GURGAON 

Internal appreciation: Palak 

is a wonderful team player, 

forthcoming and always up for a challenge. 

She is dedicated towards her work and 

is supportive of her colleagues. She is 

always ready to learn new things and has a 

positive influence on the team. 

Experience with SpiceJet: Working with 

SpiceJet for over two years has been a 

great experience which has made me a 

better professional that I am today. It is 

my privilege to work with this airline. I 

would like to thank my team for giving the 

opportunity and motivating me to strive 

through every day and emerge victorious. 

It is great working here! I am now more 

confident, having honed my various skills 

while at work. 

RAHUL AHUJA 

GURGAON 

Internal appreciation: I 

would like to appreciate the 

efforts put in by Rahul in doing his job 

diligently. He has been a strong resource 

in the finance team keeping a discerning 

eye while reviewing various contracts at 

SpiceJet. This is an incredible valuable skill. 

Experience with SpiceJet: My journey 

as a part of the SpiceJet family has been 

amazing. My colleagues as well as the 

management have been a constant source 

of inspiration. I have enjoyed working 

here ever since I joined the organization. I 

take every day at work as a challenge and 

am delighted with the recognition and 

exposure that are provided here. I have 

grown immesnsely as a professional while 

working here. 

AIRPORT SERVICES 

VAISHALI SINGH 

GURGAON 


Vaishali has the zeal to learn 

every aspect of Human Resources. She has 

shown exceptional potential in coming up 

with pragmatic solutions while dealing with 

internal operations. One of her strongest 

points is her ability to have an eye for 

detail which has helped in cost reduction. 

Experience with SpiceJet: SpiceJet is 

my first company and the experience 

here has been extremely wonderful. My 

HR profile allows me to interact with our 

young crew and it helps me understand 

a lot of aspects of their job as well. In a 

short span I have been able to handle a 

lot of responsibilities which has enhanced 

my people management skills. I believe 

that a person should be able to adapt in 

a positive manner no matter what the 

situation is. 

MALLIKA 

MENDHIRATTA 

GURGAON 


Mallika is an extremely efficient and 

diligent team mate. She has an outstanding 

ability to face challenging work issues 

very confidently and wisely. She has been 

instrumental in reducing the number of 

employee complaints and issues through 

reaching out to employees timely and 

proactively . Mallika is an asset to the 

organization and we wish her great success 

in her career. 

Experience with SpiceJet: My experience 

of working with SpiceJet has been 

nothing short of an adventure. There is 

never a dull moment here and this is what 

makes my job extremely exciting. I have 

been fortunate to have been given the 

opportunity to be a part of challenging 

assignments which have helped me grow. 

SYEDA SOGHRA 

BEGUM 

HYDERABAD 


I would like to appreciate the sincere 

efforts taken by Syeda as our Customer 

Service Executive at Ground Services 

Hyderabad. She is an asset to the company 

by generating revenue and always helpful 

towards customers and their needs. She 

always has a pleasant smile on her face 

and this is a great motivation for people 

around her. 

Experience with SpiceJet: SpiceJet 

inspires me to work hard and succeed in 

various facets of my career. I would like 

to thank each and every individual who 

has directly or indirectly helped me in 

my journey with this awesome airline. 

I feel very proud to be a part of this 

organisation. I feel motivated to deliver to 

the best of my abilities. 

153 


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 and in-flight meals. 

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 

154 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

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 20% discount 

on flight tickets. 

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 

155 


STEP: 7 

Customers can pay via Credit or 

Debit card. QuickPay option saves 

transaction time

SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

THE MID-AIR MENU 

SpiceJet’s `pre-booking only’ 

menu offers Continental, Thai, Chinese, Italian 

and Indian options 

BREAKFAST 

MASALA OMELETTE 

WITH GRILLED CHICKEN 

SAUSAGES & HASH BROWN 

Beaten eggs fried to perfection 

and sprinkled with chosen spices 

accompanied by scrumptious 

addition of grilled sausages and a 

portion of hash brown. 

VEGETABLE UPMA WITH 

SAMBAR, MEDU VADA & 

STEAMED IDLI ALONG WITH 

COCONUT CHUTNEY 

Enjoy South Indian savoury upma 

mixed with a colourful selection 

of vegetables accompanied by 

golden fried medu vada and idli 

steamed to perfection and fresh 

coconut dip. 

SNACKS 

CHILLI CHICKEN 

WITH VEGETABLE 

FRIED RICE 

Scrumptipus chunks of 

boneless chicken fried 

with chili and spices with a 

hearty portion of fried rice. 

o 

o 

o 

CHILLI PANEER WITH 

VEGETABLE FRIED RICE 

Fresh lumps of 

cottage cheese 

marinated with 

chilli sauce, soya 

sauce and pepper 

powder paired 

with delicious 

fried rice. 

LUNCH 

o 

CHICKEN METHI MALAI 

WITH JEERA RICE & DAL 

MAKHANI 

Delicious chicken curried in 

yoghurt and cream with added 

flavours accompanied by jeera 

rice and a buttery mix of dal 

makhani. 

PANEER METHI MALAI 

WITH JEERA RICE & DAL 

MAKHANI 

Fresh cottage cheese curried in 

yoghurt and cream with added 

flavors accompanied by jeera rice 

and a buttery mix of dal makhani. 

157 


o 

o 

DINNER 

CHICKEN TIKKA EGG 

BIRYANI WITH MIRCH KA 

SALAN 

Long-grained rice flavored with 

exotic spices, layered with 

chicken and eggs along with 

curried chili pepper on the side. 

VEGETABLE 

BIRYANI WITH 

MIRCH KA SALAN 

Long-grained rice 

flavoured with exotic 

spices and vegetables 

accompanied by Mirch 

ka Salan on the side. 

SANDWICHES 

o 

CHICKEN 

JUNGLEE IN 

MARBLE BREAD 

Chicken mixed 

with green chutney 

and sandwiched 

between marble 

bread slices. 

CUCUMBER, 

TOMATO & CHEESE 

IN MULTIGRAIN 

BREAD 

Mixed vegetables and 

cheese stuffed between 

a healthy portion of 

multigrain bread slices. 

o 

o 

PRE-BOOK YOUR MEAL AND 

SAVE UP TO 10% 

o

SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

ADD- 

SEAT SELECTION DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL 

SpiceMax Seats M 600/1000/-* Starting at M 1199 /-** 

Preferred Seats - on Boeing 

Ahead of exit row window /aisle M 300/- M 450/- 

Ahead of exit row middle M 250/- M 400/- 

Behind exit row window /aisle M 200/- M 350/- 

Behind exit row middle M 99/- M 150/- 

Preferred seats Q400 

Front half of cabin window /aisle M 250/- M 400/- 

Rear half of cabin window / aisle M 150/- M 300/- 

Know more 

about 

SpiceJet’s 

innovative 

products 

and services 

Seat + Meal Combo 

Combo Price M 399/- M 499/- 

PRE-BOOK EXCESS BAGGAGE 

5 kgs Up to M 1975/- Up to M 2775/- 

10 kgs Up to M 3950/- Up to M 5250/- 

15 kgs Up to M 5925/- NA 

20 kgs Up to M 7900/- NA 

30 kgs Up to M 11850/- NA 

PRIORITY CHECK-IN M 300/- M 400/- 

Preferred Bag Out 

1 Bag M 100/- NA 

2 Bags M 200/- NA 

3 Bags M 300/- NA 

YOU 1 ST M 399/- M 499/- (Ex-India flights) 

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 400/- per kg As per current excess baggage rate 

At boarding gate M 400/- per kg As per current excess baggage rate 

MY FLEXI PLAN (EFFECTIVE FROM DECEMBER 21, 2017) M 1500/- M 1750/- 

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, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, M 750/- M 1400/- 

Guwahati, Varanasi, Jaipur) 

SPICE LOUNGE (Mumbai,Kolkata,Chennai) M 1000/- M 1400/- 

SPICE LOUNGE (Kochi) M 1050/- M 1750/- 

VALUEPACK 

a) Pay M 499/- and get a SpiceJet voucher worth M 1999/- 

b) Pay M 999/- and get a SpiceJet voucher worth M 3999/- 

*SPICEMAX SEATS OFFER SIGNIFICANTLY MORE LEGROOM, PLUS COMPLIMENTARY MEAL, PRIORITY CHECK-IN, PRIORITY BOARDING 

(AT AEROBRIDGE GATES), AND PRIORITY BAGGAGE HANDLING. *BASIS AIRCRAFT TYPE/SECTOR **NA STANDS FOR ‘NOT AVAILABLE’ 

**PRICE WILL VARY ON DIFFERENT ROUTES 

*THE ABOVE MENTIONED PRICES AND FEATURES ARE ACCURATE AS AT THE TIME OF MAGAZINE PRINTING, AND ARE SUBJECT TO 

CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE 

158 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

Boeing 737-800 

Boeing 737-900ER 

Boeing 737 MAX 8 

Interior arrangement of Boeing 737 - 700 

(149 Passengers) 

Interior arrangement of Boeing 737 - 800 & Boeing 737 MAX 8 

(189 Passengers) 

Entry / Exit 

Row 1 -26 

Emergency Exit 

Entry / Exit 

Row 1 -32 

Entry / Exit 

Emergency Exit 

Entry / Exit 

Row 1 -20 

BOEING 737-700 


BOEING 737-900 ER 

BOEING 737 MAX 8 

BOMBARDIER Q400 

* 

3 

28 

4 

6 

25 

Passengers 

(single class configuration) 

149 

189 

212 

189 

78/90 

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) 

6,500 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. 


112 ft 7 in (34.3m) 

117 ft 5 in (35.7m) 

110 ft 4 in (33.6m) 

41 ft 2 in (12.5m) 

11 ft 7 in (3.53m) 

BOEING 737-800 BOEING 737-900 ER BOEING 737 MAX 8 

112 ft 7 in (34.3 m) 

117 ft 10 in (35.92 m) 

129 ft 6 in (39.5 m) 

40 ft 10 in (12.45 m) 

11 ft 7 in (3.53 m) 

BOMBARDIER Q400 

93 ft 3 in (28.42m) 

107 ft 9 in (32.83m) 

24 ft 4 in (8.34m) 

8 ft 2 in (2.49m) 

The above mentioned descriptions are accurate at the time of magazine printing.

Kabul 

Srinagar 

Leh 

Jammu 

Dharamshala 

Adampur 

Amritsar 

Dehradun 

Dubai 

Jaisalmer 

Jodhpur 

Jaipur 

Kishangarh 

Delhi 

Kanpur 

Varanasi 

Gorakhpur 

Patna 

Bagdogra 

Pakyong 

Guwahati 

Silchar 

Dibrugarh 

Muscat Kandla 

Porbandar 

Udaipur 

Ahmedabad 

Surat 

Dhaka 

Bhopal 

Jabalpur 

Kolkata 

Shirdi 

Mumbai 

BAY OF BENGAL 

Pune 

Visakhapatnam 

ARABIAN SEA 

Hyderabad 

Vijayawada 

Goa 

Hubli 

Tirupati 

LAKSHADWEEP 

(INDIA) 

Mangalore 

Kozhikode 

Kochi 

Bengaluru 

Coimbatore 

Madurai 

Chennai 

Pondicherry 

Port Blair 

ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS 

(INDIA) 

Thiruvananthapuram 

Tuticorin 

Colombo 

Male 

INDIAN OCEAN 

Domestics India connects with SpiceJet. 

International 

New Routes 

Flight schedules are subject to regulatory approvals and 

change. Map not to scale, graphic representation only. 

Content as on 25th December, 2018 

Routemap 

Bangkok 

Hong Kong

fast Access to 

your subway 

card 

credit card Access 

in max 0.4 secs 

sim card slot 

Access your emergency 

contact in max 0.8 secs 

100% genuine leather 

Easy Access to 

your ID Card

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

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