I PAD September 2019 1

PRABHAS | SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA | TECH WEARABLES 

spice 

www.spiceroutemagazine.com 

Volume 13 | Issue 09 | September 2019 

THE INFLIGHT MAGAZINE 

HONG KONG 

KABUL 

MALE 

RIYADH 

DHAKA 

COLOMBO 

JEDDAH 

DUBAI 

BANGKOK 

NEW ROUTES 

AND DESTINATIONS 

COIMBATORE 

PATNA 

MUSCAT 

AURANGABAD 

DURGAPUR 

BHOPAL 

GWALIOR 

SURAT 

HISAR 

SHIRDI 

AJMER 

JHARSUGUDA 

AHMEDABAD 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 

KANPUR

FROM THE 

CMD’S DESK 

Ajay Singh 

Chairman & Managing Director 

Dear Readers, 

Welcome aboard SpiceJet! 

‘The sky is not the limit, it’s just a new destination’ 

best sums up Chandrayaan-2, India’s second lunar 

exploration mission which entered the moon’s 

orbit on August 20. Chandrayaan-2 carries a lunar 

probe as well as a billion dreams with it. Our tryst 

with the moon has been a decade-long affair – 11 

years and two successful missions. I congratulate 

everyone at ISRO on its moon mission. 

We, at SpiceJet, strongly believe in 

innovation and flying beyond uncharted skies. 

Connecting the unconnected through the pathbreaking 

UDAN and IACS schemes, bio-fuel 

powered flights, seaplane trials — we have done 

it all, but we are not done yet. SpiceJet is the only 

airline in the country that has dared to dream 

big, explore new avenues of growth and gain 

recognition in the world’s fastest growing aviation 

market. 

Our mission is to constantly strive to add 

value to our business and improve on-board 

experience. We are the only LCC to offer a 

plethora of services such as SpiceBiz businessclass 

seats, SpicEngage in-flight entertainment 

and SpiceClub loyalty program at unmatched 

prices. 

Coming to our financial performance in Q1, I 

am happy to announce that we are off to a great 

start in FY20. SpiceJet reported its highest-ever 

quarterly profit of INR 261.7 crore. We have 

added 36 aircraft to our fleet in just about four 

months, expanding at a pace unprecedented for a 

sector plagued by crisis. 

I am pleased to share two important 

developments that will go a long way in 

enhancing passenger convenience. From 

September 5, SpiceJet will consolidate its 

operations at Delhi airport by shifting entirely 

from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3. With this, our 

flight operations would be restricted to just 

two terminals – T 1 and T3 – of the Delhi 

airport. Beginning October 1, 2019, SpiceJet’s 

entire operations at Mumbai Airport would be 

consolidated at Terminal 2. A single terminal 

operation would provide our passengers a 

seamless and smooth travel experience as they 

transit between domestic and international flights 

at one of the country’s busiest airports. 

While it gives me immense pleasure to see 

SpiceJet cruising on the right trajectory of growth 

and success, I feel disheartened to share the loss 

of a very dear friend, philosopher and guide, Mr. 

Arun Jaitley. One of the greatest sons of India, 

Mr. Jaitley epitomized all that was good about 

our democracy. As India’s Finance Minister, he 

changed the face of the Indian economy with his 

unparalleled acumen and intellect. Introduction 

of GST, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC) 

and FDI liberalisation are a few of his numerous 

achievements. Knowing him was one of the 

greatest privileges of my life. 

Safety, on-time arrival and comfort of our 

passengers are our primary goals when we 

introduce new routes and destinations. Last 

month, we launched operations from Mumbai to 

Riyadh, our 10th international destination. It was 

a proud moment for us as SpiceJet is the only 

Indian budget airline to operate to Saudi Arabia. 

We also enhanced operations between Mumbai 

and Dubai by adding a second non-stop flight on 

this popular route. 

You will also be delighted to know that 

SpiceBiz is now available for business-class 

passengers on our popular international sectors 

such as Mumbai-Bangkok, Delhi-Bangkok, 

Mumbai-Hong Kong and Delhi-Hong Kong as well. 

So, let your dreams take flight and enjoy a 

‘Red. Hot. Spicy’ experience every time you fly 

with us. 

Tailwinds and Happy Landings! 

Jai Hind! 

2 ||||| AUGUST 2016

www.spiceroutemagazine.com 

Spice Route Sept 2019 Cover_Final.indd All Pages 

PRABHAS | SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA | TECH WEARABLES 

Volume 13 | Issue 09 | September 2019 

THE INFLIGHT MAGAZINE 

28/08/19 6:42 PM 

spice 

SEPTEMBER 2019 

www.spicejet.com 

KABUL 

HONG KONG 

MALE 

RIYADH 

DHAKA 

COLOMBO 

JEDDAH 

DUBAI 

BANGKOK 

NEW ROUTES 


COIMBATORE 

MUSCAT 

DURGAPUR 

PATNA 

AURANGABAD 

BHOPAL 

GWALIOR 

SHIRDI 

SURAT 


HISAR 

AJMER 

JHARSUGUDA 

AHMEDABAD 

KANPUR 

CONTENTS 

38 

NEW ROUTES AND 

DESTINATIONS 

SpiceJet’s exclusive routes connect you 

to some fascinating destinations, each 

unique in its own way. Read about what 

you can see and do at 24 locations and 

explore their culture, history, heritage, 

tourism and spiritual aspects. 

72 

LIFE AFTER 

BAAHUBALI 

Prabhas on 

becoming famous 

late in life, his 

new film and his 

marriage plans. 

82 

MANY-FACETED BENGALURU 

Bengaluru is a modern, cosmopolitan 

metropolis making rapid strides in all 

areas to emerge as the city of choice for 

many Indians. 

4 

SEPTEMBER 2019

98 

CONTENTS106 

BEST WEARABLES IN 

TOWN 

Innovative wireless headphones, 

inspiring fitbits and eyewear 

with a twist are among the latest 

and eye-catching wearables. 

102 

ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE 

The sixth edition of the 

Chaliyar River Paddle is aimed 

at spreading environmental 

awareness about clean waters. 

THE VERSATILE SPICE 

A spice that adds a distinct 

flavour to food, fennel has 

found myriad uses in a variety of 

cuisines and also packs a punch 

as far as its health benefits go. 

SPICEJET INSIDER 

Social media 14 

SpiceJetVacations.com 16 

Spice products 20 

News 153 

My town 155 

Stars of SpiceJet 156 

Mobile apps 158 

Onboard menu 160 

SpiceJet add-ons 162 

SpiceJet fleet 164 

Route map 166 

6 


PATENTED SOLUTION 

for 220V pump motor 

with 415V DC supply 

from PV cells 

Atomation for a anging wor 

Let’s harness the SUN & 

pump the lifeline 

Delta Solar Pump Controller 

Init MPP (Maimm Power Point raer) 

Water ott aries aoring to soar intensit 

itae for woring on gri s if sn is not aaiae 

omies I reirements 

Explore more at REI Expo 2019 

Date :18-20 e 2019 Hall No 1 Booth No. 1114 

Venue : Inia o Mart reater oia 

wwwetaeetronisiniaom 

atomationetawwom 

etaPoweringreenAtomation

CONTENTS 

112 

spice 

SEPTEMBER 2019 

EDITOR 

RAJU BIST 

rajubist@mwspiceroute.in 

ART DIRECTOR 

TANVI SHAH 

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR 

HEMALI LIMBACHIYA 

PRODUCTION MANAGER 

MANGESH SALVI 

SENIOR DIGITAL MANAGER 

JAYESH V. SALVI 

MARKETING 

DIRECTOR – MARKETING & SALES 

GEETU RAI 

+91 9920023908, geeturai@gmail.com 

AD SALES 

MUMBAI 

VINOD MOHITE 

+91 9323554207, vinod@mwspiceroute.in 

WELLNESS TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS 

Five short pieces of advice to make your air travel smooth. 

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 

GUJARAT 

SANJAY CHAWDA 

sanjaychawda@gmail.com 

For international advertising contact 

Vinod Mohite (vinod@mwspiceroute.in) 9323554207 

144 

5 MUST-DOS NEAR VIJAYAWADA 

The business capital of Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada also abounds 

with mythological and historical legacies. Here is a glimpse of the 

places of interest in (and around) Vijayawada. 

PRODUCED BY 

EDITORIAL & MARKETING OFFICE: 

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

Mathuradas Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, 

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

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

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

All rights reserved worldwide. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be 

returned unless accompanied by a postage pre-paid envelope 

8 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

@flyspicejet Had a pleasant and comfortable 

journey (SG 715). The crew members were 

very kind and polite. Thank you SpiceJet. 

@flyspicejet Very impressed 

with SpiceJet. Two flights in 

two days. Bengaluru-Delhi 

and Delhi-Bengaluru. Right 

on time both ways. Great 

service. Smiling staff. Kudos 

and keep it up. 

@kushant95 

@graterrao 

@flyspicejet On board Spice 

SG 191 from Delhi to Bengaluru. 

What an awesome service yet 

again. Thank you for making my 

journey and day so special. Keep 

up the great work. You guys 

rock! A million thanks to you all. 

@flyspicejet Flew to 

Goa by SG 488. The 

landing was the best I 

have ever experienced. 

You are really the best 

in the business. Why 

don’t you operate 

flights to Nagpur? 

It was a pleasure having you onboard, 

@VidyutJammwal. We hope you enjoyed experiencing 

SpiceBiz, SpiceJet's new business class service, as much 

as we did having you onboard. 

@BPawandeepSingh 

@anirus 

BUZZ ON 

SOCIAL MEDIA 

@flyspicejet Outstanding flight. Beautiful 

views of the mountains. Will get spicy with 

SpiceJet again. 

@gorralez 

@flyspicejet I travelled from Bombay to Delhi 

with SpiceJet. I had a very good experience. 

Excellent service by your cabin crew. 

@ShaBhm 

@flyspicejet 

Fantastic customer 

service by SpiceJet 

through Twitter for 

the last two weeks. 

@flyspicejet I flew SG 519 to 

Bengaluru with my wife and five 

week old son. I want to 

appreciate your cabin crew who 

made our lives easy onboard. 

They took care of us really well. 

You guys should be proud of 

having such staff. 

@BhuptaniRavi 

@flyspicejet Thank you SpiceJet for the 

considerate treatment on flight SG 8719 from Delhi 

to Bangalore. Was feeling unwell and was treated 

with just the right food to feel much better. 

@Debby_py 

@gaprithvi 

FIND YOUR FAVOURITE AIRLINE WITH @FLYSPICEJET ON TWITTER & FACEBOOK 

14 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

SPICEJETVACATIONS 

BOOK NOW AT: VACATIONS.SPICEJET.COM 

PLAN YOUR HOLIDAYS WITH SPICEJET’S UNIQUE INITIATIVE 

VACATIONS.SPICEJET.COM, A PLETHORA OF END-TO-END TRAVEL SOLUTIONS, MAKING 

YOUR TRAVELS NOT JUST CONVENIENT, BUT ALSO RED. HOT. SPICY 

BOOK 2 NIGHTS AT A HOTEL AND GET THE 

3 RD NIGHT FREE.* 

SPICEVACATIONS 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. 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. 

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. 

Another outstanding feature of the 

website is the Experience section. Now 

book adventure activities, city tours, 

outings at amusement parks, and much 

more, at a wide range of locations. In 

Mumbai, for example, you can enjoy a 

Street Food Tour, watch a Bollywood 

movie being shot at Film City, cool off at 

the EsselWorld & Water Kingdom or peer 

down on the Maximum City from atop a 

helicopter. 

As the website is powered by 

SpiceJet, you can enjoy great flight and 

hotel deals. So, travel the world with 

SpiceJet’s enviable travel packages and 

experience the perfect holiday. 

16 


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; and finally an 

add-on service that allows the flexibility of cancelling or 

changing ticket(s) to suit your travel plan. 

1 

SpiceBiz 

This all-new business class offering 

allows you to travel in complete 

luxury and comfort. Introduced 

on key domestic and international 

routes, the best in class service at unmatched 

prices offers ultra-comfortable seats, 

gourmet meals, lounge access, dedicated 

check-in, enhanced baggage allowance and 

priority services. The business class cabin 

comes with 43-inch seat pitch and 7-inch 

recline. SpiceBiz is now available on select 

domestic and international routes. 

(Starting price Rs. 7,039) 

2 

SpiceMax 

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 priority privileges, complimentary meal and alcoholic* or 

non-alcoholic beverage, cushions and welcome drink with towel (on all 

international flights), blanket* 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) 

20 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

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 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 and benefits too: the option of a gluten-free 

hot meal; dhokla preparation; "navratra meals" available for 

pre-booking on Boeing flights, on the travel dates falling 

in the Navratra period; a menu with Thai, Continental and 

Indian options; discounted rates compared to on-board 

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. 

4 

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 on-board 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. 

21 


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. 

SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

7 

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. 

6 

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. 

8 

Carry More On-Board 

Making air travel even more 

convenient, SpiceJet’s 

‘Carry More On-Board’ is a 

service for travellers with 

heavier cabin baggage. It is targeted at 

passengers who carry cabin baggage 

heavier than 7 kg, and do not want to 

check-in. Fliers can carry 

bags weighing up to 5 

kg extra, a maximum of 

12 kg on-board, while 

paying a nominal fee for 

each kg above 7 kg. 

Bags can be heavier, 

but not larger, 

and the standard 

free baggage 

allowances 

remain as 

before. Customers 

can opt for this 

product during 

airport check-in 

and at airport ticket 

counters. 

9 

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 checkin 

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. 

22 


OPENING SHOT 

LANDMARKS 

UNIQUE HONOUR FOR 

STATUE OF UNITY 

The 597 feet tall Statue of 

Unity, erected in 2018 in 

Gujarat’s Kevadiya town , 

200 km away from 

Ahmedabad, gained immediate 

prominence as the world’s tallest statue. 

Now more kudos are coming its way. 

The tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, 

the Iron Man of India, has been selected 

by prestigious TIME magazine in its 

listing of the World’s Greatest Places 

2019. The Statue of Unity is designed by 

Padma Bhushan-winning sculptor Ram 

V Sutar and built by 250 engineers and 

3,400 labourers. Among its many 

facilities is a viewing deck that offers a 

stunning view of the Sardar Sarovar 

Dam, and the Satpura and Vindhya 

mountain ranges. Now more facilities 

are on the way, including boating 

activities in the area as well as a 

zoological park. 

24 


OPENING SHOT 

INTERNATIONAL 

DUBAI AHOY! 

Tourism boards of many 

foreign countries may try 

their best to woo the 

Indian traveller but he/ 

she continues to have a soft spot for 

Dubai. Proof lies in the recentlyreleased 

stats released by Dubai 

Tourism. Between January and June 

this year, 997,000 visitors (out of a 

total of 8.36 million who visited the 

city-emirate) were from India. Many 

of the Indian visitors were entire 

families, travelling from Tier-1 and 

Tier-2 cities. They were drawn by 

Dubai’s numerous attractions, 

including malls, museums, 

architecture, heritage, beaches and 

parks. (SpiceJet is very well-connected 

to Dubai. For more details, read the 

story `SpiceJet spreads its wing 

overseas’ on page 60 of this issue) 

26 


MELANGE 

EVENTS 

HOT DATES 

DANCE // MUSIC // THEATRE // ART 

ART 

CONTEMPORARY IDIOMS 

Art Alive Gallery brings a new series 

that focuses at the young talent 

emerging out of the contemporary art 

scene in India. The first edition ‘What is 

Contemporary…’ looks at three artists 

— Divya Singh, Purvai Rai and Suman 

Chandra — who strive to present works 

that showcase the shifting landscape of 

contemporary art in India. These artists 

are exhibiting at a major platform for 

the first time. Their works define the 

cusp of the contemporary, with regard 

to aesthetic, conceptual and political 

concerns. This year, the focus is on 

artists who have been using media and 

material in non-traditional ways towards 

conceptual ends. 

When: August 22-September 15, 2019 

Where: Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi 

EVENT 

NEEV LITERATURE FESTIVAL 

It is that time of the year again 

when children, parents and teachers 

come together to experience the 

magical world of books and share a 

common love for the written word. 

The third edition will feature reading; 

conversation between children, 

adults and authors; workshops; book 

launches; a curated book exhibition of 

over 1000+ titles; exclusive workshops 

for parents; and the much-anticipated 

Neev Book Award. 

When: September 20-21, 2019 

Where: Neev Academy Campus, 

Bengaluru 

THEATRE 

DEVIKA RANI 

Personifying women empowerment in a 

patriarchal society in the 1930s, Devika 

Rani, the First Lady of Indian Cinema, 

was an embodiment of strength, 

courage and valour. Directing a tribute 

to her through a play, Lillette Dubey 

brings alive her story through theatre. 

The versatile Ira Dubey plays Devika 

Rani. The play is written by Kishwar 

Desai & directed by Lillette Dubey. 

The play Devika Rani focuses on the 

life and struggles of an independent, 

ambitious woman who was determined 

to make it big in the acting profession. 

Although a star performer, she had to 

face a multitude of problems in her 

personal and professional life owing to 

the patriarchy, male egos and societal 

pressures. 

When: August 31-October 2, 2019 

Where: Various locations pan-India 

28 


THEATRE 

A FEW GOOD MEN 

Aadyam a theatre initiative by Aditya 

Birla Group is coming up with its season 

five in the National Capital. This season 

of Aadyam in New Delhi kicks off with a 

play ‘A Few Good 

Men’ directed by 

Nadir Khan and 

written by Aaron 

Sorkin. The cast for 

the play includes 

Neil Bhoopalam, 

Rajit Kapur, Ira 

Dubey, Kenny 

Desai, Ashwin 

Mushran and 

Danish Hussain. 

Aaron Sorkin’s 

groundbreaking 

play and Oscar 

and Golden 

MELANGE 

EVENTS 

Globe-nominated film, tells the story 

of a group of military lawyers. With 

its landmark Season 5 of Aadyam, the 

Aditya Birla Group aims to initiate the 

uninitiated to the theatre community. 


Where: Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi 

MUSIC 

SOI AUTUMN 2019 SEASON 

The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI), 

India’s first and only fully professional 

orchestra is back to enthrall the audience 

with its Autumn 2019 Season. This is the 

SOI’s 13thyear of riveting performances in 

the country. Spanning over four concerts, 

this season will feature captivating 

performances of the works of legendary 

composers including Chausson, 

Mendelssohn, Wagner, and Tchaikovskyto, 

to name a few. In the 50th year of the 

National Centre for the Performing Arts 

(NCPA), the Symphony Orchestra of India 

(SOI) will feature renowned conductors 

and soloists, who have made their mark in 

Mumbai, in masterworks of the 17th and 

18th centuries. 


Where: NCPA, Mumbai 

ART 

DEBASHISH MUKHERJEE SOLO 

SHOW 

What makes us yearn for an era lost? 

What triggers memories, and how 

we comprehend moments as we had 

experienced them, even though we 

no longer exist in that place or time? 

Personal memories translated via 

objects and materials into nostalgia, 

interpreting a universal emotion that 

is experienced in a different way by 

individuals, and in varying degrees, 

as each memory is recalled. Debasish 

Mukherjee’s new body of work explores 

the ‘concept’ of home, spaces or 

place of origin through sensorial and 

emotional memory. This includes a 

series of mix media works, which 

are more like textile sculptures and 

installations. 

When: August 23-October 4, 2019 

Where: Akar Prakar Contemporary, 

New Delhi 

30 


MELANGE 

EVENTS 

SEPTEMBER LISTINGS 

1 

What 

Ladakh Festival 

Where Leh 

4What Viraj Naik Solo Show 

Where Goa Centre for the Arts 

What CARnival 

Where NESCO, Mumbai 

8What Big 

Indian Food 

Fest 

Where 

Whitefield, 

Bangalore 

11 

6 

What Onam 

Where Kerala 

12 

What Ganesh 

Chaturthi 

Where 

Maharashtra 

17 

What Master Strokes 

Where Saket, Delhi 

20 

13 

What Snake Boat Race 

Where Payippad, Kerala 

What 

International Lit 

Fest 

Where Pune 

28 

30 

What Toy Show 

India 

Where Goregaon, 

Mumbai 

29 

What Mysore Dasara 

Where Mysore, 

Karnataka 

What Lalit Arpan 

2019 

Where Stein 

Auditorium, 

New Delhi 

32 


MELANGE 

INFORMATION 

WHAT'S NEW 

• SPICEJET TO SHIFT ITS 

ENTIRE OPERATIONS AT 

MUMBAI TO TERMINAL 2 

FROM OCTOBER 1 

SpiceJet, the country’s favourite airline, 

will shift its entire Mumbai operations 

to the state-of-the-art Terminal 2 of 

the city’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 

International Airport with effect from 

October 1, 2019. The transition is being 

proactively planned and implemented 

by the airline with the active support 

of Mumbai International Airport 

Limited (MIAL) to enhance passenger 

convenience. 

The consolidation of operations 

(both passenger and cargo) will help 

SpiceJet efficiently service thousands 

of passengers travelling on the airline 

to and from the Chhatrapati Shivaji 

Maharaj International Airport across 

both its domestic and international 

networks by bringing all the operations 

under one terminal. It will lead to 

better synergies and cut down costs 

substantially for the airline. SpiceJet, 

at present, operates 150 daily flights 

connecting Mumbai. 

“Beginning October 1, 2019, 

SpiceJet’s entire operations (passenger 

and cargo) at Mumbai airport would 

be consolidated at Terminal 2. A single 

terminal operation would not just help 

SpiceJet substantially cut down its 

costs but provide our passengers a 

seamless and smooth travel experience 

as they transit between domestic 

and international flights at one of the 

DELHI TERMINAL CHANGE STATEMENT 

"I am pleased to share that from September 5, 2019, SpiceJet will 

consolidate its operations at Delhi airport by shifting entirely from 

erminal o erminal i i or flig operaion ol be 

restricted to just two terminals – T 1 and T3 – of the Delhi airport. 

This move will enhance convenience of passengers travelling with 

us and provide them greater comfort and ease in transiting between 

omeic an inernaional flig 

country’s busiest airports,” said Ajay 

Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, 

SpiceJet. 

“I would also like to take this 

opportunity to thank Dr GVK Reddy, 

Mr GV Sanjay Reddy, Mr R.K. Jain and 

the entire MIAL team for the steadfast 

support, cooperation and encouragement 

they have provided to SpiceJet.” 

In the past four months, SpiceJet 

has announced 78 new flights 

connecting Mumbai thereby enhancing 

its operations manifold from the city. 

It now flies to a host of new cities 

from the country’s financial capital to 

domestic destinations such as Madurai, 

Jammu (via Srinagar), Dehradun, 

Guwahati, Jaipur, Amritsar, Mangalore, 

Coimbatore, Belagavi, etc. as well 

as international hotspots such as 

Jeddah, Dhaka, Riyadh, Hong Kong and 

Bangkok. Between April and August, 

2019, SpiceJet has added 36 aircraft to 

its fleet. These include 29 Boeing 737 

NG aircraft, five Bombardier Q400s and 

two B737 freighters. 

AJAY SINGH, 

Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet 

PLAN A GOLF HOLIDAY 

IN THAILAND 

If you are travelling to Thailand, and 

are also a golf aficionado to boot, 

check out the unique Thai Golf Pass 

issued by the Tourism Authority of 

Thailand, New Delhi Office. It is the 

first-ever loyalty programme for any 

country and offers a seamless golf 

experience exclusive to Thailand 

with amazing rewards on the 

redemption of loyalty points and 

fully automatic and user-friendly 

online programme. For details visit 

www.thaigolfpass.com 

34 


MELANGE 

INFORMATION 

NO SINGLE-USE 

PLASTIC ITEMS IN GOA 

AFTER 2021 

Goa plans to ban the use of 

single-use plastic items within 

two years. The state government 

has announced that items like 

straws, bags, disposable glasses 

and cutlery will face the axe. It is 

hoped that this major decision 

will lead to a greener and 

cleaner Goa. A beginning has 

already been made. Goa Tourism 

Development Corporation 

(GTDC) has already banned 

single-use plastic items from its 

headquarters and all the hotels 

that it manages. 

ODISHA TOURISM 

WEBSITE REVAMPED 

Travel agent search, planning tools 

and travel advisories are among 

the many new features you will 

now find on the tourism website 

of Odisha (www.odishatourism. 

gov.in). There are also blogs as 

well as interesting photographs 

across various categories including 

local cuisine. There is also a pilot 

implementation of an e-commerce 

platform for handicrafts and 

handlooms from the state. The 

revamped website, thus, will be 

of interest to not only tourists but 

potential business partners too. 

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। 

36 


COVER STORY 

CITIES 

HONG KONG 

KABUL 

MALE 

RIYADH 

DHAKA 

COLOMBO 

JEDDAH 

DUBAI 

BANGKOK 

NEW ROUTES 


COIMBATORE 

PATNA 

MUSCAT 

NEW ROUTES 


AURANGABAD 

DURGAPUR 

BHOPAL 

GWALIOR 

SURAT 

HISAR 

SHIRDI 

AJMER 

JHARSUGUDA 

AHMEDABAD 


KANPUR 

SPICEJET’S EXCLUSIVE ROUTES CONNECT YOU TO SOME FASCINATING DESTINATIONS, EACH UNIQUE 

IN ITS OWN WAY. READ ON TO KNOW WHAT YOU CAN SEE AND DO AT THESE 24 LOCATIONS AND 

EXPLORE THEIR CULTURE, HISTORY, HERITAGE, TOURISM AND SPIRITUAL ASPECTS. 

BY BINDU GOPAL RAO AND BRINDA GILL 

38 


The Kailasa Temple in Aurangabad's Ellora Caves 

AURANGABAD 

Often thought of as a gateway to the Ajanta 

and Ellora caves, Aurangabad is an 

excellent destination by itsef courtesy a 

variety of sights that comprise varied 

experiences. Start your exploration at the 

Bibi ka Maqbara, the replica of the famed 

Taj Mahal. Built in 1679 by Prince Azam 

Shan, Aurangzeb’s son, in memory of his 

mother, Begum Rabia Durani, this 

mausoleum is a fine example of Islamic 

architecture and has a hexagon shape and 

four towering minarets. Also do stop at the 

Aurangabad Caves. A set of 12 caves has 

been carved from soft rock and it dates 

back to the period between the 6th and 8th 

century. The caves are home to not just 

intricate carvings of Buddha but also 

many Gods and Goddesses. If you are a 

history buff, the medieval Daulatabad 

Fort, located about 15 km away from the 

city, is believed to have the tallest spire in 

India. Aurangabad is also home to 

Grishneshwar Mandir, one of the 12 

Jyotirlinga sites in the country. Nature 

lovers will love the Jayakwadi Bird 

Sanctuary, a haven for migratory birds as 

well as the Salim Ali Sarovar Lake, a 

biodiversity hot spot. 

THIRUVANANTHA- 

PURAM 

The capital of Kerala is flanked by Tamil 

Nadu on its eastern side and the Arabian 

Sea on the western. Clean and green, 

Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most 

beautiful cities in the country. It is named 

after Anantha Padmanabha or Lord 

Vishnu. Those with a religious bent of 

mind throng the city for its numerous 

ancient temples. One of the most 

prominent among these is the Sree 

Padmanabha Swamy Temple. Believed to 

be the world’s richest temple, this temple 

is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian 

styles of architecture. With a history 

stretching back to the 8th century, it is one 

of the 108 sacred Vishnu temples in the 

country. Thiruvananthapuram is also 

renowned for its long shoreline with 

internationally renowned beaches, 

historic monuments, backwater stretches 

and a rich cultural heritage. Among the 

main tourist attractions are the 

Shankumugham Beach, Napier Museum 

and the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo. 

RIYADH 

Saudi Arabia’s capital city Riyadh is one of 

the most populated cities in the region and 

is named after the meadows (rawdah) in 

the region. Start your exploration at the 

Masmak Fortress located in the heart of 

old Riyadh that has a museum as well. At 

the King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre you 

will see the Murabba Palace, a royal 

fortress that dates back to the 20th 

century. This complex, also home to the 

National Museum, has some important 

exhibits like a Kiswah cloth that is said to 

have once covered the Qaaba in Mecca. To 

admire the city's modern architecture, 

head to the Kingdom Centre which is the 

second tallest building in Saudi Arabia and 

makes for a compelling sight when it is lit 

up at night. For some shopping head to the 

malls at the Al Faisaliyah Centre and the 

Kingdom Centre or stop at the Deira’s 

Souq Al-Thumairi that is a treasure trove 

of local crafts. 

JEDDAH 

Often referred to with the sobriquet 

`Bride of the Red Sea', Jeddah is the 

second largest city in Saudi Arabia and is 

often a gateway to Mecca and Medina, 

the holiest of all Islamic sites. The city 

that is a well-known port as it is located 

overlooking the Red Sea, has a history of 

maritime trade that is impossible to miss. 

With this kind of background the city 

has a rich cultural and spiritual history 

that combines trade, pilgrimage and 

architectural traditions. Often dubbed 

as the commercial capital of Saudi 

Arabia, this is a city that wears its 

heritage and modernity with equal 

pride. With a beautiful water front 

corniche, the city's high rises are a 

symbol of its new age development. To 

know the city's history better head to the 

Jeddah Regional Museum of 

Archaeology and Ethnography and the 

Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum. The latter 

chronicles a pre- Islamic history that 

dates back to 2500 years and showcases 

an impressive collection of items of the 

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COVER STORY 

CITIES 

The stunning Jeddah cityscape 

Ottoman Turks and the fishermen tribes 

who originally inhabited this region. 

The Al-Balad historic district is where 

you can still see 7th century traditional 

homes built with coral and is also home 

to the bustling Souq Al-Alawi, a must for 

some retail therapy of the local kind. For 

some fun, head to the Al Shallal Theme 

Park whose double-looped roller coaster 

and ice-skating rink are well known. 

CHENNAI 

The capital of Tamil Nadu located by the 

Bay of Bengal has long been synonymous 

with culture and education. With its 

history going back to ancient times, the 

city enjoys a long heritage of patronage of 

art and architecture by different local 

rulers as well as the presence of those who 

arrived by sea and land. Old temples, 

churches, a spectrum of colonial period 

buildings, and institutions — old and new 

— create the aura of a classic city steeped 

in learning and culture. 

The visitor to the city can discover 

different facets of the gem that is Chennai. 

From taking a stroll down the sprawling 

Marina Beach to marvelling at the 

colourful sculpture-filled tiers of soaring 

gopurams of temples and of sculptures of 

the temples; visiting the iconic Basilica of 

the National Shrine of St. Thomas that has 

the tomb of St. Thomas, an apostle of Jesus 

Christ; browsing art works at the 

Government Museum, the National Art 

Gallery and art galleries and browsing 

EXCLUSIVE ROUTES, AMAZING DESTINATIONS 

DEPARTURE 

ARRIVAL 

DEPARTURE 

ARRIVAL 

DEPARTURE 

ARRIVAL 

Adampur 

Delhi 

Mumbai 

Madurai 

Delhi 

Shirdi 

Ahmedabad 

Dehradun 

Mumbai 

Kandla 

Dharamshala 

Jaipur 

Ahmedabad 

Jabalpur 

Mumbai 

Jabalpur 

Dibrugarh 

Guwahati 

Ahmedabad 

Kishangarh 

Mumbai 

Kanpur 

Dubai 

Madurai 

Ahmedabad 

Patna 

Mumbai 

Porbandar 

Guwahati 

Silchar 

Ahmedabad 

Udaipur 

Mumbai 

Durgapur 

Guwahati 

Jaipur 

Amritsar 

Dehradun 

Mumbai 

Tirupati 

Gwalior 

Hyderabad 

Amritsar 

Jaipur 

Kolkata 

Gwalior 

Gwalior 

Jammu 

Bhopal 

Shirdi 

Kolkata 

Jharsuguda 

Hyderabad 

Belagavi 

Bhopal 

Surat 

Kolkata 

Pakyong 

Hyderabad 

Jharsuguda 

Bhopal 

Udaipur 

Dhaka 

Guwahati 

Hyderabad 

Kishangarh 

Bangalore 

Gwalior 

Dehradun 

Jammu 

Hyderabad 

Pondicherry 

Bangalore 

Puducherry 

Dehradun 

Jaipur 

Bagdogra 

Chennai 

Bangalore 

Shirdi 

Delhi 

Mangaluru 

Jaipur 

Jaiselmer 

Mumbai 

Gorakhpur 

Delhi 

Jharsuguda 

Jaiselmer 

Surat 

Mumbai 

Belagavi 

Delhi 

Kanpur 

Chennai 

Patna 

Mumbai 

Jammu 

Delhi 

Kishangarh 

Chennai 

Shirdi 

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COVER STORY 

CITIES 

Beautiful view of the colourful gopura at 

the Kapaleeshwarar temple in Chennai 

books at a store; relaxing at a garden; and 

attending a concert or dance performance 

of traditional music and dance, the city 

offers a tryst with traditional art and 

culture. And adding to the experience is 

local cuisine of which crisp dosas and 

fluffy idlis are most popular with a meal 

invariably ending with hot aromatic filter 

coffee. 

JAISALMER 

Jaisalmer, located in the heart of the Thar 

Desert in the western state of Rajasthan, 

soothes the senses with its play of tones of 

brown and gold. Stretches of sand around 

the city, the spread of brown flat roofed 

homes, and the majestic fort, built of 

sandstone that glows like gold in the sun, 

make it appear like a dream in the desert. 

Walking through the streets and taking in 

the beauty of the stone havelis whose 

bearing juxtapose the solidity of stone with 

its potential for intricate decorative carving 

offers a unique flavour of the compact city. 

Adding to its dream-like persona is the 

stately fort edged by 99 curved bastions 

rising above the compact city and holding 

with its strong walls a vibrant, living 

world with a beautiful palace, stone 

residences, souvenir shops, restaurants 

and hotels, and Jain temples graced with 

Participants at a camel 

festival in Jaisalmer 

the most exquisite and elaborate carving. 

Taking in the history of objects at the 

palace-museum, the beauty and 

symbolism of the carvings at the Jain 

temples, the crafts and textiles at the 

stores and enjoying a meal at a rooftop 

restaurant at sunset makes for a most 

memorable experience at the fort. 

SURAT 

Located on the banks of the Tapti River in 

Gujarat, Surat has always been a bustling 

city. It enjoyed flourishing trade in 

centuries past as an important port that 

brought in traders and goods, and the 

legacy of its maritime past is evident in 

heritage structures and spaces. 

Thriving in the present, from times 

past, is Surat’s standing as a centre for 

diamond cutting and polishing that has 

given it the title Diamond City of India. 

Surat is also a centre for the production of 

textiles. These traditional businesses, 

along with modern set-ups of IT and other 

companies, its development as a city and a 

slew of constructions have seen Surat 

emerge as one of the fastest-growing cities 

in the country. 

Travellers to Surat can experience the 

city’s fabric by visiting a spectrum of 

places from the Ambika Niketan Temple 

to the Castle; the Dutch, English and 

Armenian cemeteries; monuments dating 

to the Mughal times; Gopi Talav (lake); 

Sardar Patel Museum; the Science Centre; 

and the vibrant Chauta Bazaar. 

JAMMU 

Jammu, located in Jammu & Kashmir, 

now declared a Union Territory, is a large 

city spreading out on the banks of Tawi 

River and edged by the Himalayas to the 

north. The city instantly comes to mind as 

the spot where many devotees choose to 

break their journey on way to the revered 

Vaishno Devi mountain shrine north of 

the city. Jammu also has many old temples 

and shrines including Raghunath Temple, 

Peer Kho Cave Temple and the 

Ranbireshwar Temple and their presence 

has given it the title City of Temples. 

Jammu’s heritage of being an important 

city in times past is discovered at the 18th 

century Bahu Fort and the lovely terraced 

Baag-e-Bahu garden, and Bhimgarh Fort; 

The striking Amar 

Mahal in Jammu 

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CITIES 

the Mubarak Mandi Palace in the old city; 

the 19th century chateau-style Amar 

Mahal Palace that was designed by a 

French architect and is now a museum 

with artefacts of the region; the Hari 

Niwas Palace, now a heritage hotel; and 

the Dogra Art Museum built in the late 

19th century. 

MADURAI 

Madurai is an ancient pilgrim town 

located on the Vaigai River. Long 

renowned for its patronage and 

tradition of art, architecture and 

learning, it is regarded as the cultural 

capital of Tamil Nadu. The city radiates 

culture and sanctity from the presence 

of the deeply revered Meenakshi 

Amman Temple whose 14 colourful 

gopurams (temple gateways) rise high 

above the cityscape and mark its 

pervading presence. The gopurams, the 

sculpted pillared halls (especially the 

hall of a thousand pillars), shrines and 

main temple are graced with elaborate 

carvings. At a short distance from the 

Meenakshi Amman Temple is the grand 

17th century Thirumalai Nayak Palace 

that speaks of the wealth of King 

Thirumalai Nayak even though only 

part of the original complex stands 

today. The Gandhi Museum located in a 

heritage palace has exhibits related to 

Gandhiji and the freedom movement. 

Madurai also has many educational 

Detail of the Meenakshi 

Amman Temple 

institutions and industries. It is known 

as the jasmine capital of the country as 

the Madurai malli jasmine — with a 

heady, long lasting fragrance — is 

grown near the city. 

KOLKATA 

Kolkata — the capital of West Bengal and 

often referred to as the cultural capital of 

India — is a vast, pulsating city. It was the 

capital of British India from 1772 to 1911, 

and during that period was regarded as 

the second city of the British Empire after 

London. It formed the nucleus of the 19th 

and early 20th century Bengal 

Renaissance. Graced with majestic 

buildings, gardens and broad roads, it 

developed as a city of culture, business 

and administration and retains the grace 

of an imperial city in its buildings; in its 

heritage museums and academic 

institutions; its roots anchored in culture; 

and its cosmopolitan populace. 

In this city that straddles old-world 

charm, Bengali culture and contemporary 

artistic expression are numerous sacred 

and secular sights that bring one in touch 

with a genteel way of life. While vast 

bridges stretch across the Hoogly River, 

the ghats by them are wonderful places to 

enjoy a stroll and take in the sights. 

The city’s museums, especially Indian 

Museum founded in 1814; the grand white 

marble Victoria Memorial; Eden Gardens, 

an iconic cricket stadium; old churches 

and temples; the buzz of shops at 

Chowringhee and New Market; the vast 

maidans, lovely boutiques with crafts and 

textiles; numerous sweet shops and 

bakeries; book shops and fairs, art 

galleries; and the vast sparkling Kolkata 

Creativity Centre are the city's most 

popular spots for travellers. 

GUWAHATI 

Guwahati, the largest city in Assam and 

the north-east of India, spreads out on 

the south bank of the mighty 

Brahmaputra River. While the origins 

of the city are traced to ancient times 

and it was a seat of power of different 

rulers over time, its present fast-paced 

growth has made it a hub of education, 

industry, media, commerce and the tea 

industry. 

The religious heart of the city pulsates 

at its many revered temples that trace 

their beginnings to ancient times. The 

hilltop temple of Goddess Kamakhya 

that is one of the oldest Shakti Pithas in 

the country; the Umananda Temple, 

dedicated to Shiva, located on Peacock 

Island in the Brahmaputra; and the 

Navagraha Temple dedicated to the nine 

planets, are deeply revered. 

The city has several interesting 

museums and places of interest 

including a planetarium and parks. The 

Assam State Museum has an extensive 

collection of antiquities and artefacts 

that showcase the rich culture and 

heritage of Assam. Srimanta 

Sankaradev Kalakshetra has a cultural 

museum, library and is a centre for 

cultural performances. The Assam 

State Zoo cum Botanical Garden is a 

popular spot for seeing a variety of 

animals and a cruise down the 

Brahmaputra connects one with the 

soul of the city. Assam’s rich natural life 

is seen at reserves such as the Amchang 

and Pobitora wildlife sanctuaries near 

the city and the Dipor Bil (lake) a good 

spot for birding near the city. 

MANGALURU 

Mangaluru, named after the Hindu 

Goddess Mangaladevi whose temple 

stands in the city, is a port-town in 

Karnataka and is located on the Arabian 

Sea. It has been an active port through the 

centuries. Being of strategic importance, 

it was controlled and ruled by different 

powers and dynasties over the centuries. 

Monuments and places of worship of 

different faiths — the Gokarnanathe- 

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CITIES 

shwara and Mangaladevi temples, and St. 

Aloysius Church whose interiors bear 

sacred paintings by Italian Jesuit Antonio 

Moscheni — tell of the city’s multicultural 

heritage. 

Mangaluru's beaches are a popular spot 

for enjoying the sand and sea as is Pilikula 

Nisarga Dhama, an eco-education and 

tourism development project spread over 

a large area with a lake and lush greenery. 

By virtue of its seaside location, 

Mangaluru has a relaxed tropical 

ambience with palms and sloping red-tile 

structures adding to the charm. 

HYDERABAD 

Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, 

seamlessly embraces the past, present and 

future in its vast spread. Founded towards 

the end of the 16th century, the city 

steadily grew over the centuries. Royal 

patronage of architecture, arts and crafts 

of times past specially of the dynasty of 

the Nizams, industrialisation of the 

second half of the 20th century and the 

founding of technology companies at the 

turn of the century have seen it become a 

cosmopolitan and developed city. A sense 

of the city presents itself in the modern 

airport and the drive from it to its 

different neighbourhoods and the 

technology township Cyberabad. 

The city has much to offer from the 

spectacular Golconda Fort spread out 

across a hill to the charming Charminar in 

the heart of the bustling old city; the regal 

Chowmahalla Palace; the Salar Jung 

Museum, home to manifold galleries of 

The many layers and structures 

of Golconda Fort in Hyderabad 

prized artefacts; many religious places for 

people from different faiths; centres of 

cultural events and public gardens; the 

exquisitely restored palace-hotel Taj 

Falaknuma Palace; the Hussain Sagar lake 

with the imposing yet serene statue of the 

Buddha; shopping for pearls that the city 

has long been famous for; and the Ramoji 

Film City. 

TIRUPATI 

Tirupati, located in southern Andhra 

Pradesh, is regarded as the spiritual 

capital of the state. The town stands at the 

foothills of the Tirumala Hills that has 

seven peaks and on one of the summits 

stands the deeply revered Tirumala 

Venkateswara Temple dedicated to Lord 

Sri Venkateswara, an incarnation of 

Vishnu. Tirupati also has many historical 

temples and holy waterfalls, and the 

presence of all these holy sites makes it 

one of the holiest Hindu pilgrim sites. 

From the tall statue of Garuda, the 

vahana (vehicle) of Lord Vishnu, located 

at the Golden Gate entrance, to the 

pilgrimage and the darshan with the 

deity, devotees are embraced in the aura of 

a pilgrim town. The imprint of the feet of 

Lord Sri Venkateswara at Srivari Padalu 

making the spot where he first appeared is 

an important shrine. 

The presence of imposing mountains 

adds to the aura of divinity as devotees 

undertake the pilgrimage to the temple on 

foot taking the well-planned steps. 

Devotees typically pray at the Sri Varaha 

Swamy Temple before the darshan of Sri 

Venkateswara. 

After the pilgrimage and visit to 

temples, devotees may visit the Sri 

Venkateswara Museum that has exhibits 

about Tirumala and its heritage. 

DELHI 

The capital city continues to hold fort as a 

destination that has much to see and do. 

History buffs will love the city as there are 

Delhi's Qutub Minar is 

one of its iconic sights 

several monuments here that are sure to 

give you a feeling of the days gone by. Start 

at the India Gate designed by Edwin 

Lutyens and one of the most popular 

monuments whose foundation was laid in 

1920. Dedicated to all the Indian soldiers 

who died in World War I, the monument is 

set amidst landscaped gardens and is lit up 

at night. The 73 metre high Qutub Minar 

built in 1193 has five towers built with red 

stone and marble and is an iconic sight in 

the city. At the Humayun’s Tomb you will 

be able to admire Persian architecture and 

Red Fort is a fine example of Mughal-style 

architecture. 

The Canopy, Coronation Durbar Park, 

Rashtrapati Bhavan, Safdarjung’s Tomb, 

Isa Khan’s Tomb and Alai Darwaza are 

some of the other historical sights to see. 

Spiritual seekers can check out the Lotus 

temple, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hazrat 

Nizamuddin Dargah, Jama Masjid and 

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. Some of the 

other places that must be on your itinerary 

are Nehru Park, Lodi Garden, Chandni 

Chowk, Hauz Khas Village, National 

Gallery of Modern Art and Shankar’s 

International Dolls Museum. 

AHMEDABAD 

While it was always known to be an 

industrial and economic hub, the historic 

city of Ahmedabad was declared as India's 

first UNESCO World Heritage City in July 

2017. Located on the banks of the 

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Sabarmati River, the city's rich past is 

several centuries old. The Hutheesing 

Temple is a marble Jain temple dedicated 

to the 15th Jain Trithankara 

Dharmanatha. The Ahmed Shah Mosque 

built in the early 15th century and named 

after the founder of the city of 

Ahmedabad, Sultan Ahmed Shah, is one of 

the oldest and most beautiful mosques in 

the city. The city is known for its step 

wells and must see are the 500 year old 

Dada Hari Ni Vav and Adalaj Stepwell 

located in the village of Adalaj built in 1499 

by Queen Rudabai. Calico Museum of 

Textiles, Auto World Vintage Car 

Museum, Vechaar Utensils Museum, 

Sanskar Kendra City Museum and 

Shreyas Folk Museum are also some other 

interesting sights in the city. 

DEHRADUN 

While the capital of Uttarkand is often 

looked at as a gateway to Mussoorie, 

Rishikesh and Haridwar, it has many 

sights that make it a destination in itself. It 

is home to the renowned Forest Research 

Institute. Inside you will see a Pathology 

Museum, Timbra Museum, Non-Wood 

Forest Products Museum, Social Forestry 

Museum, Silviculture Museum and 

Entomology Museum. Also see the 

Mindrolling Monastery in Clement Town 

built in 1965 by Khochen Rinpoche, one of 

the six major monasteries of the Nyingma 

school of Buddhism. 

The city has a distinct Buddhist vibe that 

is unmissable. The Tibetan Buddhist 

temple with wall paintings that depict the 

life of Lord Buddha with a 130 feet tall 

statue of Buddha is another attraction here. 

At Robber’s Cave you can see a unique 

natural occurrence of a stream of water that 

appears, disappears underground and 

reappears a few yards away. Do pay 

obeisance at the Tapkeshwar Temple a cave 

temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. 

PATNA 

The capital city of Bihar, Patna has an 

ancient history dating back to 3000 years 

and was Patlipura in the Magadha 

kingdom. The Gol Ghar granary in stupa 

architecture style not just offers a 

panoramic view of the city but has a 

history that dates back to 1786. The view of 

the Ganges from here is a compellingly 

beautiful sight. A visit to the Agam Kuan 

the oldest and most important 

archaeological site in Patna that has 

several ancient and medieval sculptures 

and a Shitala Devi temple is also 

recommended. Do stop at Patna Museum 

— it has a collection of paintings, coins, art 

and textiles and is housed in a Mughal 

style Rajput architecture building. Five 

kilometres away is Kumrahar, where you 

can see the city's Pataliputra historical 

connection as it has the archaeological 

remains of the Mauryan Palace as well as 

excavations of old items. 

For a spiritual fix, head to Maa 

Patneshwari Devi Temple, the oldest and 

most revered temples that is one of the 51 

Siddha Shakti Pithas in India. The 

Mahavir Mandir dedicated to Lord 

Hanuman is another popular temple in 

Patna. At Gandhi Maidan you can see the 

world’s tallest statue of Mahatma Gandhi. 

Take a stroll in the Buddha Smriti Park 

that was inaugurated by His Holiness, the 

14th Dalai Lama and is home to a stupa, 

museum and meditation centre. 

UDAIPUR 

At the heart of the royal city of Udaipur 

with its pristine lakes and stunning 

palaces is the famed City Palace complex, 

part of which is home of the reigning royal 

family of Udaipur headed by the 76th 

custodian of the House of Mewar, Arvind 

Singh Mewar. Located on the banks of 

Lake Pichola, the City Palace has a 

museum that displays arms, sculptures, 

antiques, inscriptions, textiles and many 

items belonging to the royal family. When 

you are here,hop on to a boat on Lake 

Pichola and admire the stunning Lake 

Palace and Jag Mandir, another beautiful 

palace. A stop at the Jagdish Temple built 

in the mid 17th century has an intricate 

design that is another attraction here. 

Also stop at the nearby Jagat Shiromani 

temple that has some stunning pillars 

with mythological figures. For a stroll in 

the park, well quite literally, Saheliyon Ki 

Bari is the place to head to which is a 

garden designed for the women of the 

royal family. To know more of the rich art 

and cultural aspects of Udaipur, head to 

Shilpgram, an expansive open air rural 

arts and crafts complex where you can 

also buy local handicrafts, Rajasthani 

artefacts and jewellery. 

JAIPUR 

The capital of Rajasthan has a rich 

cultural, historical and regal background 

that blends into the modern city making it 

a tourist favourite. The City Palace 

Complex is a good place to start exploring 

the Pink City as it houses the Maharaja 

Sawai Man Singh II Museum that displays 

royal costumes, Pashmina shawls, 

Benaras silk saris, an art gallery and the 

royal family residence at the adjoining 

Chandra Mahal. Another mandatory stop 

must be at the most photographed and 

iconic monument — the Hawa Mahal built 

in 1799 by Sawai Pratap Singh. Said to be a 

place for the women of the royal family to 

see the outside world, this five storied 

façade has small latticed windows that 

ensure fresh air is always circulated inside 

which also gives its name. 

The Amber Palace dates back to the 7th 

Facade at 

sunset of 

Jaipur's Albert 

Hall Museum 

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COVER STORY 

CITIES 

century and hosts a sound and light show 

every evening which is a great way to 

understand the royal history of the city. 

Also head to the Nahargarh fort to see a 

beautiful sunrise as well as admire a huge 

stepwell here. 

BHOPAL 

With a history of Begums who have ruled 

and shaped the city, Bhopal has always 

had a strong connection with women 

leaders. The City of Lakes as it is popularly 

known has the Upper Lake built by former 

ruler Parmara Raja Bhoj after whom the 

airport is also named. A large statue of the 

king is on the lake here. The Lower Lake is 

where you can enjoy a spot of boating. The 

city is dotted with several monuments 

that date back many centuries. The Taj-ul- 

Masajid mosque built by Shahjahan 

Begum is a fine example of Muslim 

architecture and has pink hued façade 

that houses a hall, recessed archways, 

octagonal minarets and a spacious 

courtyard. Also make a stop at Moti 

Masjid built by Sikandar Jahan in 1860, 

and is a copy of Delhi’s Jama Masjid. If you 

are a foodie, do try some of the signature 

dishes here like the qorma (a meat based 

gravy), kebabs (cutlets from minced meat) 

and Gulati (rice pudding). Head to 

Mahavir Giri, a beautiful hillock that 

offers a bird’s eye view of the city. 

GWALIOR 

Gwalior has a history of royalty, music and 

culture that makes for an interesting visit. 

Known as the Fort City of India, start your 

tour of the city at the majestic Gwalior 

Fort. This fort is also known for the Queen 

of Jhansi, Rani Lakshmibai's heroics as 

part of the Rebellion of 1857. The Jai Vilas 

Palace is where you can learn more about 

the city's Scindia legacy. The cream-hued 

palace has Italian, Tuscan and Corinthian 

influences and houses the Scindia 

Museum which has a crystal staircase and 

a mini silver train used by the royal family 

for serving food. This is where you can see 

two of the largest chandeliers in the world 

that weigh a whopping three and a half 

tonnes as well as the largest hall carpet in 

Asia. The Gwalior Gharana is one of the 

oldest Khayal Gharanas and legends like 

Tansen and Baiju Bawara belonged to 

Gwalior. Apart from the music, the city 

has a spiritual side with Sahastra Bahu Ka 

Mandir dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord 

Vishnu, Teli Ka Mandir, Sun Temple, 

Gopachal Parvat and Surajkund, a large 

tank that locals believe has magical water. 

MUMBAI 

Call it Maximum City, The Financial 

Capital of the Country or the City which 

Never Sleeps, Mumbai wears all its 

sobriquets with an ease that is like no other. 

One of the most populous cities of India has 

an abundance of sights that are waiting to 

be explored. The city has a distinct British 

influence seen in the Fort area which has 

buildings inspired by Neo-classical and 

Indo-Saracenic styles of architecture. You 

can start at the famed Gateway of India, a 

waterfront landmark built in Indo- 

Saracenic style in yellow basalt stone. The 

26 metres high archway is connected with 

four turrets and is easily the most 

photographed monument of the city. 

Do visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji 

Terminus or Victoria Terminus building 

which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site 

whose edifice was built in 1887. The stone 

building with stain glass windows, arches, 

turrets and domes is a visually compelling 

sight. Around the Marine Drive you can 

see several buildings that have an art deco 

style. 

PUDUCHERRY 

The beach town of Puducherry with its 

distinct French charm is a favourite 

holiday destination. At the heart of the 

White Town or the French sector is the 

Aurobindo Ashram that was built in 1926. 

This is where you will experience all 

things calm and is the resting place of Sri 

Aurobindo and the Mother. The serene 

resting place is covered with bright 

flowers and you will see a steady stream of 

people paying their respect. Also visit the 

Manakula Vinayagar Temple close by 

which has been in existence since 1666. 

The colourful temple with a bright outer 

façade has an impressive 18 feet tall gold 

plated tower and is an ode to India’s most 

loved God, Ganesha. You can meet the 

temple elephant Lakshmi who is usually 

outside, and will bless you in return for 

some money. 

Puducherry is also home to an 

international community living model at 

Auroville, a place founded by Sri 

Aurobindo's spiritual collaborator, Mirra 

Alfassa or the Mother. The Matrimandir 

here is golden sphere shaped building that 

houses a meditation hall. All around 

Auroville you will see a bustling 

community. If you like handmade pottery 

this is the place to buy it from. Do take a 

walk along the Promenade beach that has 

the French War Memorial. Do sample the 

cuisine of Pondicherry that blends South 

Indian and French styles of cooking. 

Cityscape of the business 

district in central Mumbai 

50 


SPECIAL FEATURE 

SPICEBIZ 

THE ULTIMATE BUSINESS 

CLASS EXPERIENCE 

SPICEJET’S NEWLY-LAUNCHED 

BUSINESS CLASS HAS BEEN 

FAVOURABLY RECEIVED FOR ITS 

BEST-IN-CLASS FEATURES AND 

SERVICES AT THE RIGHT PRICING 

The social media is 

abuzz with feedback 

to the latest 

superlative 

experience for flying 

passengers. “It’s a world class 

product,” says one. “Luxury and 

comfort have been re-defined,” 

affirms another. A third went gaga 

over the culinary aspect: “A fancy, 

healthy meal. And I quite liked the 

cutlery too.” These passengers are 

talking about SpiceBiz, SpiceJet’s 

business class travel experience that 

was launched on May 11, 2019 and has 

already made waves in the short time 

that it has been around. 

There is lot in store for those 

wishing to avail of the new facility, 

including more spacious and 

personal seating; welcome drinks 

and sumptuous meals; flawless 

ground service; and priority checkin 

and boarding. In addition, 

SpiceBiz offers great comfort and 

best-in-class service at an 

unmatched value. 

At present SpiceBiz is being 

54 



SPICEBIZ 

“We are very excited to roll 

out our all new business 

class product. There is a huge 

demand for business class in 

India and we believe that our 

business class product, with 

its right pricing and the best 

in-class features and services, 

will be much appreciated by 

passengers. We at SpiceJet 

have always tried to innovate 

and provide our customers a 

memorable flying experience 

and our new business class 

offering is yet another step in 

that direction” 

AJAY SINGH, 

Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet 

introduced on key domestic routes. 

Says Ajay Singh, Chairman & 

Managing Director, SpiceJet, “We are 

very excited to roll out our all new 

business class product. There is a huge 

demand for business class in India and 

we believe that our business class 

product, with its right pricing and the 

best in-class features and services, will 

be much appreciated by passengers. 

We at SpiceJet have always tried to 

innovate and provide our customers a 

memorable flying experience and our 

new business class offering is yet 

another step in that direction.” 

Business class passengers now get 

to experience upfront the service 

efficiency SpiceJet has always been 

known for. The product is of very high 

quality and has been customized to 

meet the high level expectations of 

business class passengers. While 

rolling out all the attractive services, 

top level industry practices have been 

followed. 

The new business class seating 

has been incorporated in select 

aircraft. In the B 737-700s, eight 

seats are reserved for the Business 

Class (Of the remaining, 126 seats 

will be taken up by economy class 

passengers). There are more seats 

in the other two classes of aircraft. 

The B 737-800 has 12 Business 

Class Seats (156 for economy). 

Finally there are 28 Business Class 

seats in the B 737-900 (138 for 

economy). In all these aircraft, the 

first row of the economy cabin and 

both the over-wing exit rows are 

SpiceMAX seats. 

BEFORE BOARDING THE AIRCRAFT 

The pampering begins even before the 

flying passengers set foot on the 

aircraft — in a lounge reserved 

specially for them at the airport. Even 

as they wait for the flight, passengers 

can enjoy privacy in comfortable 

surroundings. Quality food and 

beverages are served. There are also 

many other facilities, all of which add 

up to a smooth journey. 

Business class passengers are able 

to carry more baggage than other 

passengers. For checked-in baggage it 

is 30 kg. Passengers will be able to 

board with up to 10 kg of handbag 

(excluding laptops). 

There are dedicated check-in 

counters at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, 

Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, 

Jammu, Guwahati, Varanasi, Jaipur, 

Coimbatore, Kochi and Patna airports. 

At all other airports, the counters are 

being shared with SpiceMax 

passengers. 

At the airport, the business class 

passengers are also given priority for 

check-in, boarding and baggage. While 

boarding, if an aerobridge is being 

deployed, they are allowed to board 

first. When boarding the coaches, 

priority is given to business class 

passengers at all times. 

Here is the announcement 

sequence for calling out passengers — 

Business Class followed by SpiceMax, 

Spice Club and Special Handling and 

finally Economy Passengers. Priority 

in the handling of baggage includes 

tags specifically designed for SpiceBiz. 

And the order that is followed during 

baggage arrival at the carousel: 

SpiceBiz, SpiceMAX and Bag-out- 

First. Well before the flight has taken 

off, the Business Class passenger is 

welcomed with a refreshing drink and 

refreshing towels. A comprehensive 

menu card is distributed giving details 

of the three-course culinary journey 

lined up on-board. 

Passengers will be able to enjoy a 

culinary experience like never before. 

SpiceJet’s three-course delicious meal 

is aimed at balancing health and 

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SPICEBIZ 

indulgence. Selections have been 

made keeping in mind a wide range of 

palate preferences. They will be 

served on fine bone china with linen 

laid on the tray table. The crew will 

attend to every little need of the 

passengers. 

The menu offers a mouth-watering 

array of Indian and international 

cuisine, including vegetarian and nonvegetarian 

dishes across breakfast, 

lunch/dinner, hot snacks and cold 

meals (on shorter flights). Patrons will 

also be offered a range of cold and hot 

beverage through the course of the 

meal. 

INSIDE THE BUSINESS CLASS ZONE 

The passenger is sure to be awed by 

the facilities inside the 2 x 2 dedicated 

business class cabin. After take-off, 

the tables are dressed up in fine 

tablecloth and the guest is offered 

pre-meal drinks – a selection of fruit 

juices, soft beverages and aerated 

drinks. The seat pitch (distance 

between the back of your seat and the 

back of the seat in front) is an 

impressive 43 inches. Each seat can 

also be reclined back to seven inches. 

To begin with, the new business 

class seating is available on select 

sectors including Delhi-Mumbai- 

Delhi and Mumbai-Jaipur-Mumbai. 

SpiceJet will shortly be offering 

SpiceBiz on select international routes 

too. As SpiceJet increases its capacity 

and inducts more B737s, the airline 

will very soon be the second biggest 

business class operator in India. Air 

travel for business class passengers 

will never be the same again. 

58 


SPECIAL REPORT 

INTERNATIONAL SECTORS 

SPICEJET SPREADS ITS 

WINGS OVERSEAS 

NEW FOREIGN DESTINATIONS, MORE FREQUENT FLIGHTS AND 

SMOOTHER CONNECTIVITY FROM INDIAN METROS AND NON-METROS 

HAVE ALL CONTRIBUTED TO A WIDER CHOICE FOR SPICEJET 

PASSENGERS FLYING ABROAD 

On August 15, 2019, when 

the country celebrates 

its 73rd Independence 

Day, SpiceJet will 

achieve one more 

milestone — it will add Riyadh as its tenth 

international destination. The capital of 

Saudi Arabia is the fourth SpiceJet station 

in the Middle East and will be serviced 

from Mumbai. 

Riyadh, the largest city of Saudi 

Arabia, is also the kingdom’s key business 

centre and financial hub. The city’s King 

Khalid International Airport is one of the 

largest airports in the world and serves 

over 26 million passengers every year. 

Riyadh becomes the second city in Saudi 

Arabia, after Jeddah, to have convenient 

SpiceJet connectivity. Jeddah is now 

serviced from Mumbai, Hyderabad and 

Kozhikode. Ajay Singh, Chairman and 

Managing Director, SpiceJet, said, "We 

are delighted to add Riyadh as our tenth 

international destination. SpiceJet is the 

only Indian budget airline to operate to 

Saudi Arabia and our new flights to 

Riyadh and Jeddah should greatly benefit 

the thousands of pilgrims travelling from 

India." 

It has always been an ongoing 

endeavour at SpiceJet to expand its 

network and connect passengers through 

new destinations and increased flights. It 

has achieved these twin objectives by 

constantly adding new planes. Last 

month, the airline added the 100th 

aircraft to its fleet. Expect this number to 

grow by leaps and bounds soon for the 

initial deliveries of the 205 Boeing 737 

aircraft and up to 50 Q400 Bombardier 

turboprop airliners ordered in 2017 have 

started and more are fast on their way. 

In addition to Riyadh and Jeddah in 

Saudi Arabia, SpiceJet is flying to other 

international destinations Hong Kong 

(China), Bangkok (Thailand), Dhaka 

(Bangladesh), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Male 

Riyadh is SpiceJet's tenth 

international destination 

(Maldives), Dubai (UAE), Kabul 

(Afghanistan) and Muscat (Oman). Apart 

from these, a MoU for codeshare 

partnership signed between SpiceJet and 

Emirates on April 22, 2019 will allow 

passengers to access networks of the two 

airlines. With the new MoU in place, 

SpiceJet passengers travelling from India 

will have more choice to travel seamlessly 

with minimum connection times, when 

flying to destinations in Emirates' Europe 

network such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, 

Manchester and Amsterdam. Subject to 

regulatory approvals, the codeshare 

agreement will also open up flights for 

Indian travellers to North and South 

American destinations such as New York, 

Washington, Toronto, and Sao Paulo as 

well as Middle Eastern destinations such 

as Jeddah, Kuwait and Amman, operated 

by Emirates. Similarly, the partnership 

will enable Emirates’ passengers to enjoy 

seamless connectivity on India flights, 

leveraging SpiceJet’s strong domestic 

presence. 

There has been hectic activity on 

SpiceJet’s international network. Take 

60 


SPECIAL REPORT 

INTERNATIONAL SECTORS 

the case of new foreign 

connections from just one 

SpiceJet station, India’s 

financial capital — the airline 

has scaled up its international 

connectivity from Mumbai, 

with new flights from the 

city. There are now direct 

non-stop flights from 

Mumbai to Hong Kong, 

Jeddah, Dubai, Dhaka, 

Riyadh and Bangkok. 

Operations on the 

Mumbai-Bangkok-Mumbai 

sector started from May 17, 

2019. Additionally, operations 

on the Mumbai-Jeddah- 

Mumbai route came into 

effect from July 5, 2019. Flights on the 

Mumbai-Dhaka-Mumbai sector were 

flagged off from July 31, 2019. With the 

introduction of these new flights, 

passengers from these foreign cities are 

able to easily travel to a host of other cities 

both on SpiceJet’s domestic as well as 

international network via multiple 

onward connections from Mumbai. 

Passengers travelling from non-metro 

SpiceJet stations like Mangalore, Gwalior, 

Belgaum, Dibrugarh, Vijayawada and 

Mr Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet and Mr Adnan Kazim, 

Divisional Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning, Revenue Optimisation & 

Aeropolitical Affairs, Emirates, at the signing of the MoU for codeshare agreement 

Guwahati, among others, will now be able 

to easily travel to a host of other cities on 

SpiceJet’s international network via 

multiple onward connections from key 

metros. Apart from adding new 

destinations, the overall frequency of 

flights has also been increased. In the 

process, the airline has been able to notch 

up some remarkable achievements. 

• SpiceJet is the only Indian carrier 

to connect Mumbai with Hong Kong via 

daily non-stop flights: SpiceJet has 

SpiceJet operates daily nonstop 

flights to Hong Kong 

deployed its 168-seater 

Boeing 737-800 aircraft on 

the Mumbai-Hong Kong 

sector. The flight is timed 

perfectly for business and 

leisure travellers alike 

with a late night departure 

from Mumbai (1.05 am) 

and a morning arrival 

(9.40 am) in Hong Kong 

thus maximising 

passenger comfort and 

providing more choice and 

flexibility. 

• SpiceJet is the first 

Indian LCC to connect 

Mumbai with Riyadh and 

Dhaka and Delhi with 

Dhaka and Jeddah: SpiceJet will service 

Mumbai-Riyadh-Mumbai, Mumbai- 

Dhaka-Mumbai, Delhi-Dhaka-Delhi and 

Delhi-Jeddah-Delhi with daily non-stop 

flights. With the new flights, passengers 

from Riyadh, Dhaka and Jeddah will be 

able to easily travel to a host of other 

cities both on SpiceJet’s domestic as well 

as international network via multiple 

onward connections from Mumbai and 

Delhi. 

• The Guwahati-Dhaka-Guwahati 

sector has been added under the 

International Air Connectivity Scheme 

(IACS): SpiceJet, created history when it 

recently launched its first flight under the 

IACS. This has made international air 

travel much more affordable and 

convenient for more and more Indians. 

The slew of new international flights 

announced recently by SpiceJet have been 

welcomed by passengers as well as the 

industry. Ajay Singh, Chairman and 

Managing Director, SpiceJet, summed it 

up best when he said: “SpiceJet is the only 

Indian budget carrier operating on a 

majority of the routes that we have 

announced, thus providing leisure and 

business travellers with more options to 

choose from.” 

62 

SEPTEMBER SEPTMBER 2019

SPECIAL FOCUS 

PILOT’S ACADEMY 

THE MAKING OF 

FUTURE CAPTAINS 

SPICEJET’S NEW CADET PILOT PROGRAMME WILL TRAIN 

NOT JUST CADET PILOTS BUT WILL ALSO GROOM THEM 

TO BECOMING CAPTAINS OF THE FUTURE. 

A 

perfect launch pad for those who aim for the 

sky, SpiceJet’s new Cadet Pilot Programme is 

designed for young aspirants eyeing the 

coveted seat 35,000 feet in the stratosphere. 

And who better to train you to be a pilot, than 

India’s favourite airline, SpiceJet! Introduced with an aim to 

cater to the growing global requirement for aviation talent, 

this world-class pilot training programme is strategically 

located close to Indira Gandhi International Airport in 

Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon, Haryana. 

The aviation industry in India is expanding exponentially 

with almost all major airlines in the midst of multiplying 

their fleet substantially in the next few years. SpiceJet, with a 

confirmed order of 155 Boeing and 50 Q400 aircraft is 

leading the acquisition race in the country. The airline is all 

set to change the face of air travel in India with elaborate 

plans in its pipeline under the regional connectivity scheme 

UDAN. However, there is a dearth of experienced pilots in 

the country, which has underlined the need to train fresh 

talent. 

Aimed at young men and women who are Class 12 

graduates and have nurtured the dream of a career as a pilot, 

the SpiceJet Cadet Pilot Programme is a course par 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR 

APPLYING TO THIS PROGRAMME 

• Age between 17 and 35 years. 

• Indian national or holding an OCI (Overseas 

Citizenship of India) card. 

• Achieved a minimum score of 60% (or Grade Point 

6) each in Physics, Mathematics and English in 

(10+2) exam. 

• Fluency in English (both written and verbal). 

• Good physical condition with appropriate weight 

and height (minimum height required is 158 cm). 

64 


excellence for potential candidates, who 

are required to be between 17 and 35 years 

of age. Candidates are also required to 

meet six other eligibility criteria (see box 

item). 

The new initiative could not have come 

at a better time, for aviation industry 

figures are eye-opening. According to 

IATA estimates, airline traffic will nearly 

double in the next 20 years. But various 

leading authorities point out that pilot 

shortage will be one of the main 

challenges facing the global airline 

industry. According to Aviation Voice, a 

global aviation news provider, there will 

be a shortage of 1,500 pilots in the U.S. 

alone by 2020. 

Selection for the new SpiceJet 

programme is a four-phase process that is 

completely transparent and is 

scientifically designed to determine the 

suitability of the candidate for the job of an 

airline pilot. This process will be spread 

over two weeks. A candidate can qualify 

for the next phase only if he/she clears the 

previous one. The first three phases will 

be mostly completed on the first day. 

The last phase (phase 4) will be 

completed within a week of the 

completion of the third phase. The first 

three phases/tests are completely 

computer-based and paper-free. The final 

phase/test is a personal interview. 

Candidates will not be allowed calculators 

or cellphones during the tests. The final 

result will be declared a week after the 

fourth phase. 

Different skills of the candidates will be 

tested during the various phases. Shortterm 

memory, mental arithmetic, spatial 

orientation and multi-tasking will be 

judged via multiple choice questions in the 

first phase lasting 80 minutes. The next 

module, for 10 minutes, involves checking 

of eye-hand-foot coordination as well as 

the aptitude to fly an aircraft — it requires 

the candidate to use a joystick and rudder 

pedal set connected to a computer. In the 

penultimate phase, a psychometric test 

lasting 60 minutes will test the candidate’s 

personality and psychological suitability 

for the job of an airline pilot. Finally, in a 10 

minute interview, the candidate’s verbal 

communication skills and personality for 

the job will be judged. 

Ten batches are proposed every year 

under the new programme. There will be 

15 students in one batch. Selected 

candidates will pick up the tab of personal 

medical insurance during their training. 

SpiceJet will make arrangements for the 

candidate’s stay during the Commercial 

Pilot License (CPL) phase. Full boarding 

accommodation will also be arranged by 

SpiceJet for the flight license conversion. 

Bed and breakfast stay will be arranged by 

SpiceJet during the Advanced Type 

Rating phase. 

Type Rating is a qualification to fly a 

specific type of aircraft, for example, B737 

or Q400. Any aircraft which has a 

maximum take-off weight of more than 

5,700 kg or is turbine-powered requires a 

Type Rating to operate. A Type Rating 

course consists of a technical ground 

school course (covering aircraft systems 

and performance) and a simulator course, 

where you learn to fly the aircraft in a full 

flight simulator which simulates normal 

and emergency situations. The Type 

Rating training will be conducted at a 

S. NO. SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT 

1 95% and above aggregate marks in 10+2 examination in 3 

subjects (Physics, Math & English) 

OR 

JEE Rank 1 to 1500 

2 90% and above aggregate marks in 10+2 examination in 3 

subjects (Physics, Math & English) 

OR 

JEE Rank 1500 to 3000 

50% of 1st Installment i.e. INR 20 Lac and 40% of 2nd 

Installment i.e. INR 10 Lac 

Total Scholarship offered = INR 30 Lac 

25% of 1st Installment i.e. INR 10 Lac and 20% of 2nd 

Installment i.e. INR 5 Lac 

Total Scholarship offered = INR 15 Lac 

Note : Total Amount of Scholarships offered is INR 4.50 Crore 

Maximum 10 nos. of Scholarships are offered in each category (1 & 2) 

66 


SPECIAL FOCUS 

PILOT’S ACADEMY 

QUICK FACTS ABOUT 

THE PROGRAMME 

• The selection process will be 

held at the Spice Star Academy 

office in Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon. 

• Candidates will have to 

make their own travel and stay 

arrangements to appear for the 

selection process. 

• There will be a registration fee 

of Rs. 5,000 and a screening/ 

assessment fee of Rs. 10,000. 

• Both the fees are non-refundable 

since they have been meticulously 

calculated, based on the resources 

required for the exams and 

selection process. 

Type Rating training centre approved by 

SpiceJet. 

The SpiceJet Cadet Pilot Programme 

will train the candidate in three phases 

until she/he can be employed as a First 

Officer with SpiceJet. But it does not end 

there. SpiceJet will train not just Cadet 

Pilots but will groom them to becoming 

Captains in the future. The course will 

mould young Cadets towards becoming 

First Officers and eventually Captains. 

SpiceJet has a road map in place for every 

Cadet from the day of joining to his/her 

release as a First Officer. 

Each of the three phases of training has 

been carefully thought out, with every 

segment contributing towards the making 

of an international class pilot. The first 

phase provides the necessary training to 

obtain a CPL with Single Engine (SE) and 

Instrument Rating (IR). (CPL training will 

be done at a training centre approved by 

SpiceJet). The next one provides the Type 

Rating training for qualifying on Q400 or 

B737 aircraft. The last phase provides 

on-the-job training for induction as a First 

Officer. 

Uniforms will be provided for the 

entire course of the training. If selected 

for the programme, the candidate will 

be offered a conditional Letter of Intent 

(LOI) by SpiceJet. Thereafter he/she 

will enter into an agreement with the 

airline as a Cadet Pilot and will be 

entitled to a monthly stipend as 

applicable. On obtaining a CPL issued by 

DGCA India, the Cadet Pilot will be paid 

an enhanced monthly stipend. Students 

will fly minimum 200 hours in an actual 

aircraft for CPL and for Type Rating. 

They will fly around 72 hours in a full 

flight simulator and about 20 hours in 

the actual aircraft. 

Cadets will fly Cessna 152, Cessna 172, 

Cirrus SR 20 or similar aircraft 

equipped with the latest avionics. 

DGCA-approved SpiceJet ground 

school and flight instructors manage the 

entire training process. State-of-the-art 

infrastructure is available for the 

training. The ground training will be 

provided at Spice Star Academy, 

Gurgaon, a DGCA-approved training 

academy with senior ground instructors 

and more than 10,000 sq ft of fully- 

COSTS INVOLVED IN 

THE PROGRAMME 

The total cost of the programme is 

Rs. 89.50 lakh including taxes. 

• First Instalment: Rs. 40 lakh, to 

be paid on joining the Cadet Pilot 

Programme. 

• Second Instalment: Rs. 25 lakh, 

to be paid on the successful 

completion of CPL phase (having 

been issued with a CPL by DGCA) 

and before commencing the Type 

Rating Phase. 

• Third Instalment: Rs. 24.50 

lakh to be paid on successful 

completion of Type Rating Phase 

and before commencing P2 SLF 

phase. 

equipped classroom facilities. SpiceJetaffiliated, 

DGCA-approved, India-based 

flying training schools, each with a fleet 

of at least 20 single-engine trainer 

aircraft, will handle different aspects of 

the flight training. 

Unlike other pilot training academies, 

this programme comes with a 100% job 

guarantee with SpiceJet on the very first 

day the student walks in. Like always, 

SpiceJet is once again streets ahead in 

innovative practices and programmes. Its 

latest initiative is sure to help fliers, and 

contribute significantly to the 

development of the aviation industry — in 

India as well as abroad. 

68 


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STAR BUZZ 

PRABHAS 

LIFE AFTER 

BAAHUBALI 

PRABHAS ON BECOMING FAMOUS LATE 

IN LIFE, HIS NEW FILM AND HIS MARRIAGE 

PLANS. BY AARTI KAPUR SINGH 

Telugu film aficionados 

are more than just 

familiar with the 

name Venkata 

Satyanarayana 

Prabhas Raju Uppalapati. But it 

was the record-smashing success 

of Baahubali that made him a 

household name the world over. 

Prabhas became a nationwide 

sensation after the pathbreaking 

success of 

the Baahubali saga — Baahubali: 

The Beginning and Baahubali 2: 

The Conclusion. The 

popularity of the films led to 

Prabhas transcending 

borders — national and 

international. The 

Guardian in its review 

of Baahubali: The 

Beginning described 

him as someone who 

"embodies several 

legends for the 

price of one", 

comparing the 

superhero to 

Moses, Hercules 

and Tarzan. 

Back home, 

72 


STAR BUZZ 

PRABHAS 

parallels have been drawn with the likes 

of Bheem, Shiva and Ram. But for 

Prabhas, Baahubali is simply, "the role 

that changed my life." 

Growing up, Prabhas didn't want to be 

an actor, despite having a film producer 

(Suryanarayana Raju) for a father and 

veteran Telugu actor Krishnam Raju for 

uncle. It was after his graduation that he 

turned to movies. Gearing up for the 

release of the multilingual Saaho 

(Telugu, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam), 

here is Prabhas talking about his journey 

in films and life outside cinema… 

You made your debut in 2002. Does it 

bother you that you found fame a good 

15-16 years later? 

Absolutely not! Food, not films, filled up 

my childhood dreams. I was the laziest 

person around. Suddenly one day I 

decided to become an actor. Thank God 

for that whimsical decision, else by now 

I'd have been a 140 kilo butter chickenbingeing 

hotelier! I did 16 films after 

Eeswar. I always dreamt big as an actor 

but not this big. Baahubali is something I 

owe completely to Rajamouli Sir! And I 

still haven’t come to terms with the fame 

or whatever you may call it. 

So what is Saaho all about? 

Fans will have a terrific experience to 

look forward to! Coming out 

of Baahubali was not easy, it was very 

difficult. Even this film took two years 

and I think my fans are going to kill me 

for that, but Sujeeth (writer and director) 

designed this film on the screenplay. It is 

a screenplay-based film, so there were a 

lot of twists and turns and he wrote it in 

an interesting way. Sujeeth and his team 

sat on the script for three years. 

After Baahubali it's an action thriller. I 

feel people like to see me in action 

movies, so after Baahubali, they may like 

it. 

A major budget has been spent on 

some extravagant action scenes. 

Although it will be a commercial outing, 

we are attempting something new and I 

would like to keep that as a surprise 

element. See I want to entertain my fans 

and viewers. I have a certain image and I 

am willing to experiment within the 

limits of my image. Sometimes one has to 

up the ante in terms of performance. I 

know Saaho is my chance to be able to do 

that. Also, as an individual, I look 

forward to the new things I can learn 

from every film, whether it is action or 

dancing or anything else. 

How do you think Saaho will compare to 

Baahubali? 

I think that is not a fair question. 

In a dramatic 

sequence from Saaho 

Baahubali made history but Saaho was 

made with the aim to entertain the 

audience and fans. The canvas of the two 

films, their genres, their time periods 

where they are situated, are different. 

However, I do find a major similarity in 

the two films. I was 32 when I started 

work on the Baahubali films. The next 

four-and-a-half years were spent 

working out to build six-pack abs, 

learning archery and doing yoga. More 

important than the physical preparation 

was the sustained conviction in the 

project and unwavering dedication. It 

wasn't easy to match up to Rajamouli's 

perfectionism and passion that clearly 

borders on madness. I did not want to 

disappoint him if I couldn't please him. I 

74 


STAR BUZZ 

PRABHAS 

thought this was the maximum I would 

push myself. 

But then Sujeeth came and Saaho 

happened. I was supposed to shoot an 

underwater scene in Saaho and therefore 

I learnt deep sea diving for the same. I 

also underwent stringent preparations 

like cardiovascular training and other 

exercises to pull off stunts in Saaho. So 

the kind of physical and mental effort 

involved is just the same. 

So is your look! You are even dancing in 

the film! 

Yes! I enjoy that you know! Ever since I 

did that blink-and-you-miss-it frame in 

Action Jackson. It was something I just 

did for Prabhu Deva sir! It gave me a 

chance to shake a leg for a bit and that 

was it! But I do hope I can do as much 

variety as an actor can be allowed. The 

craft is all about trying new things and 

not getting typecast. 

This is also the first time you are cast 

opposite a heroine from Hindi cinema. 

THE PRABHAS 

FACTFILE 

• Prabhas is the first South Indian 

star to have his own wax statue at 

Madame Tussauds, Bangkok. He has 

beaten the likes of Rajinikanth and 

Kamal Haasan and has got a statue 

based on his Baahubali character 

Amarendra Baahubali, wearing the 

battle armour. 

• He cannot resist chicken biryani 

and butter chicken. 

• Prabhas is a huge fan of Rajkumar 

Hirani and has watched the 

Munnabhai series more than 20 

times. 

• His cinematic idol is Robert De 

Niro. 

What was it like to work 

with Shraddha 

Kapoor? 

You know Shraddha is 

so much more mature 

than she looks. At the 

same time she is just so 

innocent and has no 

qualms asking for help. 

There are no airs at all! 

She is just so 

hardworking and 

unassuming. I really do 

respect her and am so 

fond of her! God bless 

her! And I would love to 

have more 

opportunities to work 

with her! 

With Saaho co-star 

Shraddha Kapoor 

There is also an 

observation on the 

amount of time you 

take on a film. 

I had not intended to 

spend two years 

on Saaho, but it was the 

action sequences that 

needed a lot of 

preparation. We 

rehearsed a lot and I 

needed to support the director and 

producers, who had invested a lot. So 

sometimes the timeline is not in your 

hands. But having said that, I agree with 

what you are saying and it is important to 

not disappoint fans. I should not be lazy! 

(laughs). In fact I have started working 

on another film that only took 20 days to 

shoot. I am working on it and I hope I am 

able to do at least two films in a year. 

You have bashed up baddies and also 

been a ladies' man. But what are the 

roles that you would like to explore? 

I think I have done and am doing a lot of 

action. I would love an interesting 

comedy role! 

Could there be more films in the 

Baahubali series? 

I think the film’s producers would be the 

right people to answer this question. 

Personally, I’d love to live the character 

of Baahubali again and again and again. 

It is a given! 

Finally, the question that everyone 

wants an answer to: when are you 

getting married? 

I think there are more pressing 

concerns, really! (laughs). But then I 

am answering it for you if you 

promise not to probe me further: I 

will marry when I feel like it. Maybe 

next year! 

76 


SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA 

MANY-FACETED 

BENGALURU 

BENGALURU IS A MODERN, COSMOPOLITAN METROPOLIS 

MAKING RAPID STRIDES IN ALL AREAS TO EMERGE AS THE 

CITY OF CHOICE FOR MANY INDIANS. 

82 


Bengaluru is also 

known as the 

Garden City of India 

The IT Hub of India, 

Bengaluru is a city that 

is an ideal gateway to 

Karnataka. This is also a 

city that has several 

sites old and new that make it a 

sought after destination by itself. With 

a history that blends a colonial past 

with royal heritage, the city has much 

to see and do. Apart from its two 

beautiful lung spaces Cubbon Park 

and Lalbagh, the city is home to the 

beautiful Bangalore Palace. Dating 

back to 1887, a visit to the palace is 

ticketed and its design is inspired by 

England’s Windsor castle and has a 

Tudor architectural style. The old 

Bangalore Fort is another landmark 

that dates back to 1537 and started as 

a mud fort and was built by Kempe 

Gowda I. The Tipu Sultan Summer 

Palace located close by is another 

wood marvel that has withstood the 

test of time. Bengaluru also has some 

important museums like the 

Government Museum, Venkatappa Art 

Gallery, National Gallery of Modern 

Art HAL Heritage Center and 

Aerospace Museum Visvesvaraya 

Industrial and Technological Museum 

and the newly opened Indian Music 

Experience among many others. The 

city is also known for its interesting 

food joints where you can sample 

everything from traditional to 

contemporary and is a haven for 

foodies. 

EDUCATION 

An education hub, Bengaluru 

has lots of schools and colleges 

especially for professional 

education. The Central College 

of Bangalore established in 

1858 is the oldest college in 

the city. Some of the important 

educational institutions include 

83 



MYSORE’S ETERNAL CHARM 

Located about 130 km from Bengaluru is the royal heritage city of Mysore. 

Start your city tour at the majestic Mysore Palace which is the official 

residence of the Wodeyars who ruled Mysore prior to Independence. The 

Indo-Sarcenic architecture that has Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic 

influences is where the 10-day Mysore Dussehra festivities take place. The 

Palace itself is a must see for its beautiful interiors, paintings and galleries 

that are a mute witness to a rich past. When you are here do stop by at 

the quaint Railway Museum that has a display of vintage locomotives and 

railway engines and was established by the Indian Railways in 1979. You can 

see some railway gems like the ES 506 4-6-2 locomotive, an Austin Railway 

Car, built from 1925 Austin model and an YP #2511 made by Telco and the 

Maharani's Saloon carriage used by the Queen of Mysore here. A stop at the 

Chamundi Hills is a must considering that she is the presiding deity of the 

city and revered by the royal family who worship her as their family deity 

as well. The drive up the hill is scenic and gives you some stunning aerial 

views of the city. Said to be the yoga capital of the South Mysore is home 

to several wellness places, ashrams and yoga learning centers too. Make 

time to see the the Government Sandalwood factory a heritage building 

adjacent to the Railway Workshop that is run by the Karnataka Soaps and 

Detergent Ltd. While production has ceased it is fascinating to see the entire 

sandalwood processing stages like cutting, chipping, disintegrating wood, 

distilling, filtering and re-filtering. And when in Mysore shopping for the 

famed Mysore Silk Sarees must be on your agenda. The sarees are sure to 

burn a hole in your pocket as they are woven in pure gold thread. However, 

you can also buy sarees woven in silver threads which though expensive are 

still worth the price. The silk weaving factory in Mysore owned by Karnataka 

Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) is where you can learn about the entire 

process of silk weaving and see the process from the silk cocoons to the 

weaving of pure silk fabric. There are several showrooms in the main market 

that sell silk sarees but the authentic sarees come with the KSIC branding. 

A stop at the Brindavan Gardens that houses the Krishnaraja Sagar dam 

engineered by Sir M. Vishveswaraya is a must too. 

the International Centre for 

Theoretical Sciences, Indian 

Institute of Management, Indian 

Statistical Institute, Institute 

of Finance and International 

Management, Institute of Wood 

Science and Technology, Indian 

Institute of Astrophysics, Indian 

Institute of Science, Jawaharlal 

Nehru Centre for Advanced 

Scientific Research, National 

Centre for Biological Sciences, 

National Institute of Mental 

Health and Neuro Sciences, 

National Law School of India 

University, International Institute 

of Information Technology, 

Bangalore, National Institute 

of Design, National Institute 

of Fashion Technology and 

University of Agricultural Sciences, 

Bangalore. In the last announced 

State Budget, the focus was kept 

on modernization of infrastructure 

in primary and secondary schools 

and higher education sector. Some 

measures announced included the 

construction of 1500 new class 

rooms, upgradation of 5000 class 

rooms, distribution of learning 

equipment to 1000 schools 

and appointment of one estate 

manager for the maintenance 

of school buildings. This apart 

a 10 days training to one lakh 

teachers under 'Guruchethana' 

programme was also announced. 

The Government is also focusing 

on higher education through 

the adoption of new learning 

methods through the Next 

Generation Learning Initiative 

in Bengaluru Central University. 

Bengaluru has some of the 

best educational institutions in 

India. But in Bengaluru, like in 

many other urban centres in the 

country, children across all income 

84 


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MORE IMPETUS 

ON HERBAL R&D: 

DR. MAJEED 

Sami Labs 

has 

emerged 

as one of 

the world’s leading 

health-science 

companies setting 

enviable benchmarks Dr Muhammed Majeed, 

Founder & Chairman, 

in just under three Sami-Sabinsa Group 

decades. As a leader 

of Companies 

of nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals and herbal 

extract products, Sami-Sabsina Group of 

companies have a vibrant R&D philosophy 

guiding their flightpath. 

Sami Labs has its presence in the US, 

Europe, Japan, Australia, China, UAE, South 

Africa and Malaysia. With 1200 employees 

spread across five manufacturing facilities, 

the company is a pioneer in affordable 

healthcare products. 

Spice Route caught up with Dr 

Muhammed Majeed, Founder & Chairman, 

Sami-Sabinsa Group. 

Herbs and ayurveda are the buzzwords 

today but Sami Labs was established way 

back in 1991. How did you foresee the future? 

When I first started my business in 1988, 

my objective was a generic drug business. 

Then I saw an opportunity because Indian 

herbs were not marketed in India nor did 

ayurveda exist in the US. That was an 

attractive option, because of the natural 

biodiversity in India. In fact, ayurveda was 

pioneered in the US by Sami Labs, after 

establishing it here in 1991. 

How vast is your product range and what 

are the different product areas that you are 

active in? 

We have 100-plus products from herbal 

extract ingredients and many products are 

in the pipeline. We are active in areas like 

anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, arthritis, 

cardiovascular, post-menopausal symptoms, 

liver protection and several other health 

disorders. 

What was the rationale behind setting up 

Sami Direct as a direct marketing entity? 

Many Indian herbs require an explanation 

and education to the public on their effective 

utilisation. Although ayurveda makes all 

these claims, it never brought out the salient 

features of the products. 

How big is Sami Direct today? How many 

members does it have? 

Sami Direct has a couple of lakhs of 

distributors and its competitive edge lies in 

fueling entrepreneurship through 

independent distributors. 

Tell us something about the activities of 

the Dr Majeed Foundation 

It is focused on educational support for 

BPL students. 

Your group is a key player in the food, 

nutrition, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics 

segments with over 200 patents and a 

presence in 15 countries. Where does the 

group go from here? 

We will continue to excel in our core areas 

and plan to put more impetus in R&D and 

manufacturing. We hope to become a major 

international player in the areas of 

nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, personal 

care and pharmaceuticals. 

groups are flocking to private 

schools. While the number of 

private schools is rapidly growing, 

government schools on the other 

hand are increasingly being shut 

down in the name of low student 

enrollment. The biggest problem 

with government schools is 

poorly trained or absent teachers. 

These schools also lack modern 

infrastructure and students are 

introduced to technology only 

in the sixth standard. We see 

concerned citizens and good 

Samaritans helping once in a 

while, but that is not enough. 

Given that the problem of poorly 

trained teachers is not something 

that can be solved any time 

Sunset at Vidhana 

Soudha, the state 

legislature building 

soon, the quality of education in 

these schools can improve if the 

involved authorities give students 

access to game-based digital 

learning tools that make use of 

the best curriculum frameworks 

from around the world. This will 

help students stay motivated 

and engaged while continuing 

to improve their skills across key 

areas," says Sumantra Roy, Co- 

Founder and CEO, Learning Yogi. 

REAL ESTATE 

Driven largely by the endusers 

the Bengaluru real estate 

market has remained resilient 

even during the worst phase 

of the property cycle in the 

country. Realistic property prices, 

genuine demand by end-users, 

the city's developers’ strategy 

to keep the new housing project 

launches under control, and 

consistent efforts to minimize 

86 


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'OUR CONSUMERS LOVE OUR UNIQUE DRINKS 

WITH A TWIST OF ZESTY/ TRADITIONAL FLAVOURS' 

INTERVIEW WITH MR. SATHYASHANKAR K, MANAGING DIRECTOR, 

MEGHA FRUIT PROCESSING PVT. LTD. 

Starting 

with 

bottled 

water, 

SG is now one of 

India’s most wellknown 

food and 

beverage companies. How did this major 

transformation come about? 

We began our journey manufacturing 

packaged drinking water in the year 2000, 

but soon realised that the market for this 

category was crowded and that we needed 

to move up the value chain pronto. In 

2002, we formulated an unparalleled 

recipe for jeera masala with the pursuit of 

giving it a fizzy twist. The Bindu Fizz 

Jeera Masala soon went on to become very 

popular in Karnataka. With the success of 

this beverage, we recognised the 

consumers’ preference f or drinks and 

inclination towards desi flavours. We 

have since launched numerous fizzy and 

fruit drinks of exceptional taste and 

quality. We also launched a range of 

snacks and namkeen products under the 

brand name Snakup. 

What is the USP of SG? 

The heart of our innovation has always 

been true Indian, ethnic flavours. Our 

consumers love our unique drinks with a 

twist of traditional spices and desi flavours. 

Especially, our beverage like the Fizz jeera 

Masala, Kokum-Jeera, Mint-Lemon or 

Cucumber Juice. The edge we have with our 

flavours leads to our surge in popularity. 

Apart from a strong sales force, what 

are the other key factors that have helped 

you in your growth story? 

We have always believed that quality of 

our drinks is what primarily drives the 

growth. Hence, maintaining quality and 

consumer satisfaction has always been our 

priority and the core of all decision making 

Are you planning to take your brands 

national? 

While our products are currently 

available across the South, we are rapidly 

and steadily expanding our market, 

across the country. Our long term 

objective is to take the much acclaimed 

desi flavoured beverages international 

and let the world relish on these quirky 

Indian flavours. 

What are the expansion plans of 

your group? 

Our immediate goal is to achieve the Rs. 

1,000 crore mark in sales, which would 

further enable us to raise adequate funds 

through Initial Public Offering (IPO) for 

expansion project across the country. 

The City Bus-stand (Majestic), 

Kempegowda Metro Station 

the demand-supply gap have 

worked in favour of the ‘Garden 

City.’ “Since the end-users here 

are mostly professionals working 

across service sectors led by the 

IT/ITeS, developers have been 

conscientiously aligning their 

offerings to this demand. For 

instance, to cater to the demands 

of a tech-savvy homebuyer, 

developers have launched ‘Smart 

Homes’ for their buyers with 

several features at the ‘click of 

a button.’ Additionally, builders 

here were among the first to 

offer online payment system 

for property. One of the major 

positives of this city is that it 

has always adapted well to the 

changing market dynamics, and 

therefore remains well-positioned 

for future growth as well,” says 

Anuj Puri, Chairman - ANAROCK 

Property Consultants. The top 

three emerging areas in the city 

based on the new supply and the 

inherent demand by prospective 

buyers include Kanakapura Road 

and Electronic City in south zone 

and Devanahalli in the north. As 

per ANAROCK data, Devanahalli 

is seeing a spurt in real estate 

activity since 2017 with major 

builders like Embassy, Salarpuria 

Sattva and Ozone launching 

88 



UNDERSTANDING THE NEW 

AGE 20:20 HOMEBUYER 

INTERVIEW WITH M MOHAN KRISHNAM RAJU, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SRK GROUP 

emerged a stately symbol of luxury. The 

location, Nandi Hills, simply makes it even 

more alluring. 

How is The Estates different from the 

other offerings in the segment? 

The Estates is unique in many ways. 

While the project comes with the 

assurance of high appreciation rates, a 

buyer gets a lot more than their piece of 

land. There’s a resort that awaits customers 

at The Estates. It means that they can 

spend quality time with their family during 

the weekends. Be it enjoying the exotic 

cuisines at the restaurant, taking a plunge 

How did you perceive the idea of The 

into the azure waters of the pool, playing a 

Estates at Nandi Hills? 

game or two or enjoying the pristine 

The concept of The Estates is derived from nature, The Estates is the place to be! 

two separate thoughts, which belong to 

We extend exceptional aftersales service 

two different eras. ‘Land is gold’ is an ageold 

maxim. When that is combined with to build their dream home or grow their 

and guarantee assistance for our customers 

the new age dictum, ‘service is king’, there orchard. In fact, a key characteristic of the 

project is our promise of aftersales service. 

Why should one invest in The Estates? 

North Bangalore has been steadily 

offering good returns on investments and 

has seen constant appreciation. This will 

further improve as the area is witnessing 

unprecedented development. With IT 

parks and SEZ coming up along with the 

advantage of great connectivity, North 

Bangalore is all set to become the cynosure 

of investors. 

Moreover, our expertise in delivering 

infra projects on time for the last four 

decades, the project’s location on the 

verdant hills, our outstanding aftersales 

service, etc., are reasons good enough for a 

customer to choose The Estates as a great 

investment opportunity. 

Going ahead, what are the company’s 

plans and goals? 

The Estates at Nandi Hills mark our 

journey to develop many more of The 

Estates across Bengaluru and other south 

Indian states. We go by our core values, 

which are Imagine, Execute, Deliver and 

Inspire. In addition to this, we have 

Shoppers Stop and Concentrix as our 

current commercial clients. We intend to 

do more commercial projects in the future. 

their residential projects. The 

area has garnered the interest 

of buyers due to its proximity 

to the airport and ample land 

availability, which has helped in 

ensuring good supply. Electronic 

City is largely seeing demand 

by IT/ITeS professionals and has 

relatively affordable property 

prices. Enhanced connectivity to 

major areas via metro is boosting 

the realty demand in Kanakapura 

Road. The advent of IT/ITeS parks 

in and around the area is also a 

major reason for high supply of 

units.As per ANAROCK research, 

the top three suburban areas in 

The first phase of the 

Bangalore Metro was 

flagged off in October 2011 

90 


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Bengaluru include Yelahanka, 

Sarjapur and Electronic City. 

Yelahanka is a self-sustained 

micro market which boasts of 

excellent connectivity to the 

international airport, has ample 

social infrastructure facilities 

and is easily accessible to the IT 

hub in Hebbal. Interestingly, the 

mid-income segment is the most 

dominant category in the city in 

terms of both demand and supply. 

HEALTH 

Bengaluru is fast emerging as 

one of the most health conscious 

cities in India. What’s more is that 

the city’s health sector is at par 

with global standards: be it in 

terms of availability of the best 

hospitals with eminent medical 

practitioners; state-of-the-art 

infrastructure; or technologically 

advanced equipment. “Some of 

this can also be attributed to a 

reverse brain drain which has 

brought a lot of highly qualified 

health professionals from abroad 

to set up base in the city. The city 

has over 100 marathons every 

year, making it the fitness capital 

of India. It is possible for people 

to avail health services anytime, 

anywhere in the city today – 

including home healthcare, 

diagnostics, and even healthy food 

from the comfort of their homes. 

With Bengaluru’s cosmopolitan set 

up and favorable climate, people 

from other countries have also 

started coming to seek treatment 

in the city,” says Meena Ganesh, 

MD & CEO, Portea Medical. 

Owning to its startup culture, the 

city has seen several new health 

care companies setting up shop 

in the bid to come up with new 

age cutting edge health solutions 

as well. This apart, the city has 

seen a spurt of new hospitals 

opening across the city in a bid 

to provide healthcare solutions 

to its denizens. Several of these 

are super specialty hospitals. 

Interestingly all the new healthcare 

ventures are relying on technology 

like artificial intelligence, robotics 

The High Court building with the 

Vidhan Soudha in the background 

92 



The City Flower Market is a 

major attraction for tourists 

and Internet of Things (IoT) to 

revolutionise healthcare for the 

city. Rekuram Varadharaj, Cofounder 

and COO, healthi adds, 

“as per a recent comprehensive 

report titled Healthi Insights 

India released by us, about 

98% women and 91% men in 

Bangalore are aware about the 

importance of being healthy and 

feel the need to make necessary 

lifestyle changes. With the city 

emerging as a health, fitness, 

and wellness hub in India, people 

have a plethora of choices to seek 

treatment: preventive and curative 

alike. All this can be attributed 

to state-of-the-art health 

infrastructure, mushrooming 

health-tech startups, technological 

innovations, and availability 

of some of the best medical 

professionals. Organizations are 

also giving priority to the health 

of their employees by giving them 

health and wellness benefits that 

their families can avail.” 

FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT 

The city is also home to thematic 

parks and entertainment zones 

to ensure that there is never a 

dull moment here. If you want an 

adrenalin rush head to Wonder 

La Amusement Park that has 

fun rides, water rides, musical 

fountains, laser shows, rain 

showers, virtual reality shows 

and more. The park is naturally 

a big hit with children and now 

has an in house resort where you 

can stay too. This apart there are 

several restaurants within the 

sprawling complex. Fun City in 

VR Bengaluru is an indoor family 

entertainment centre, a leisure 

concept by Landmark Group 

that encourages children to learn 

while they play, with a variety of 

activities focused on children's 

growth and development. There 

are also a series of gaming 

cafes in the city where you can 

have fun with simulated games 

virtual reality games as well. The 

city also has several Go Karting 

centers that allow you to check 

94 



`WE CHANNELIZE THE ENERGY 

OF OUR BRILLIANT STUDENTS’ 

AN INTERVIEW WITH DR SURESH REDDY, FOUNDER & CHAIRPERSON OF CANDOR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 

What would you say is the 

USP of Candor? 

Our USP is academic 

rigour combined with 

all-round development of students. Candor 

provides an environment that facilitates 

discovery of unique talents of each student. 

Can you give us a brief history of the 

school. 

Candor is a day-cum-boarding, co-ed 

school launched in August 2011. I founded 

the school with a vision to provide holistic 

and affordable international education for 

one and all. The curriculum includes the 

Primary Years Program, and Diploma 

Program of the International 

Baccalaureate, and Cambridge Program of 

the University of Cambridge, United 

Kingdom. The academic session begins in 

August and ends in June the following year. 

The first certified ‘Green School’ in India, 

Candor was recently recognized as Forbes 

Great Indian School 2018-19 and Best 

International Day / Residential School 

2018-19 by the Times Of India. Candor 

International School students go on to 

study in prestigious Indian and foreign 

universities. 

What are the main things an educational 

institution has to keep in mind for 

developing young minds? 

An educational institute has to take the 

effort to understand each student and 

customize offerings to suit their specific 

needs. Both IB & IGCSE curriculum 

beautifully enable Candor to devise an 

academic program that is flexible to 

develop the capability of our students. 

What is the secret behind Candor's 

outstanding IGCSE 

results? 

Time and again 

Candor’s well-trained and experienced 

faculty has been able to channelize the 

energy of our brilliant students producing 

excellent academic results. This year we 

achieved 100% results in IGCSE with 13 

distinctions, 12 merits, 40A*s, and 55 As. I 

congratulate both our students and faculty 

for delivering exceptional results and wish 

them all the best for the future. 

Are there any plans to expand to other 

locations? 

Yes, we do have plans to launch more 

institutions in cities such as Tirupati, 

Hyderabad, and Vishakapatnam. Our longterm 

plan is to launch our school in other 

cities and enable more students to benefit 

from our unique educational program. 

out your racing side. Likewise a 

thrill of speed albeit of a different 

nature can be experienced at the 

Bangalore Turf Club when you see 

a game of Horse Racing. And if 

the heat is getting to you cool off 

at Snow City a winter wonderland 

The luxurious UaB City 

mall in Ashok Nagar 

that has snow based activities that 

is a good place to chill out quite 

literally. Another must see place is 

the Innovative Film City that has a 

potpourri of attractions including 

the Aqua Kingdom, Cartoon 

City, Dino Park, Mini Golf, Mirror 

Maze, Petting Zoo 

and Haunted Mansion 

among many others. 

This is where you can 

indulge in adventure 

sports as well including 

Go Karting, bungee 

jumping, dirt biking, 

archery, net cricket 

and bull rides. if you 

love wines a must 

do activity is to take 

a detailed vineyard tour, while 

you taste some spectacular 

homegrown wine especially in 

the Nandi Hills area which sees a 

lot of grape cultivation. Likewise 

golf lovers can tee off at the Golf 

Club that also offers classes for 

newbies. If you are looking for 

a more invigorating adventure 

an early morning cycle ride at 

the ‘Dodda Alada Mara’ or the 

Big Banyan Tree will take you 

through some amazing natural 

vistas too. And if you can do 

experience Micro light flying a 20 

minute aerial ride that gives you 

a beautiful bird's eye view of the 

entire city that happens at the 

Jakkur Airfield. 

96 


ADVENTURE 

WATER SPORTS 

ALL FOR A 

GOOD CAUSE 

THE SIXTH EDITION OF THE CHALIYAR RIVER PADDLE IS AIMED AT SPREADING 

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS ABOUT CLEAN WATERS 

An attempt is being made to 

bring together people who 

love water and water 

sports to spread awareness 

about conserving our water bodies 

through different kinds of paddling 

activities acting as a springboard for 

the cause. Chaliyar River Paddle is 

the sixth edition of this annual event. 

The three-day paddling event being 

held from September 20 to September 

22, 2019, targets water sports 

enthusiasts, nature lovers, tourists, 

children and people from all walks of 

life. Promoting water sports like 

kayaking, SUPing (standup 

paddleboarding) and canoeing will 

help build the connection, turning 

more and more youngsters and 

tourists into evangelists of clean 

waters. 

The event starts at Nilambur, 

located on the foothills of Western 

Ghats with close proximity to the 

Nilgiris. The ending point is at 

Beypore in Kozhikode district, 

where the river meets with the 

Arabian Sea. The Chaliyar River 

Paddle has something for everyone — 

from beginners to non-swimmers to 

well-established water sports 

enthusiasts. Not just that, from ages 

10 to 70 years, it’s open for all. For 

those in the water for the first time, 

kayak lessons will be offered on the 

first day to prepare you for the 

adventure. Stand-up paddlers are 

also invited to join a stand-up 

paddling troop. 

The early birds get special 

98 


Deepika wondered 

what to wear for her 

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In industry this is known as “sourcing”. 

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ADVENTURE 

WATER SPORTS 

discounts on the package that 

includes one person tent, three meals 

each day and waters ports equipment. 

Hygiene is uncompromisable, so the 

organizers have arranged for ecotoilets, 

a combination of comfort and 

functionality. Apart from the exciting 

journey on the water, the campsite 

will be a perfect place to unwind and 

bond with fellow paddlers. Apart 

from camping, bonfires and team 

activities, participants get a peek into 

the culture through authentic Kerala 

delicacies and local tribal music. 

While people love exploring water 

bodies, what’s missing is sensitivity 

towards sustainable travel. From 

superficial love to building real 

connection, from worshipping them to 

respecting them so as to curb domestic 

and industrial pollution, bringing 

about this change in everyone's 

mindset is the motto. Water adventure 

sports like rafting take place in hill 

stations, only where water is fresh but 

as we come towards the plain-land, 

rivers are reduced to a drain as they are 

used more for commercial than 

recreational purposes. 

From a highly polluted, cancerinducing 

river, Chaliyar is now one of 

the most beautiful, serene rivers in 

Kerala. It has bounced back, by giving 

new life to the flora and fauna, all 

thanks to the Chaliyar Action 

Committee who fought for the cause 

of the river with the support of local 

villagers, to shut down a factory, the 

real culprit behind all the pollution. 

This movement should continue since 

it’s not just about helping rivers and 

backwaters in Kerala, but to make a 

difference to all water bodies across 

the country which are in dire need for 

conservation. 

The event is being organized by Jellyfish 

Water Sports. For more information visit 

www .jellyfishwatersports.com 

100 


TECH 

GIZMOS 

BEST WEARABLES IN TOWN 

INNOVATIVE WIRELESS HEADPHONES, INSPIRING FITBITS AND EYEWEAR 

WITH A TWIST ARE AMONG THE LATEST EYE-CATCHING WEARABLES. 

BY ASHWIN RAJAGOPALAN 

In July 2019, one of the most trending 

concept gadgets was Reon Pocket, an 

air-conditioner you can wear. It slaps 

on the back of the neck and can control 

personal temperatures — it can reduce 

it by up to 13 degrees or increase it by 

8 degrees. The device is controlled by a 

mobile app. The Reon Pocket that has 

been funded by Sony functions on the 

Peltier effect or thermoelectric effect 

that creates a temperature differential 

across two sides of a device, raising the 

temperature on one side and lowering 

it on the other.The Reon Pocket joins 

a growing list of wearables that are 

redefining our idea of wearable tech 

that has seen more misses than hits 

over the last few years. It’s no longer 

just fitness trackers but everything 

from cool Bluetooth earbuds to audio 

sunglasses. While you can’t get your 

hands on the Reon Pocket just yet, 

here’s a list of cool wearables that you 

can own right now: 

Bose Frames: Probably the most 

innovative piece of wearable tech that 

debuted in 2019. This is where fashion 

meets function. You can choose from 

two versions - the angular Alto and 

Rondo, with a rounded shape. The 

Frames’ biggest strength is its ability to 

stay connected with the external 

environment even as you’re enjoying 

your favourite tracks or podcasts. The 

audio speakers are embedded in the 

arms of the sunglasses; a charging dock 

is also concealed along the inside of the 

right arm. All controls from power on, to 

flipping tracks are controlled by a single 

multi-function key that’s barely 

noticeable. Bose offers quite a few AR 

(augmented reality) apps through its 

dedicated app that give you a glimpse of 

the future with audio AR. 

Garmin Forerunner 945: Garmin’s 

wearables have been a favourite among 

serious fitness enthusiasts. The 

Forerunner 945 is the brand’s latest 

flagship that monitors your performance 

to offer personalised insights. It brings a 

host of cool features like aerobic and 

anaerobic training effect, safety and 

tracking features-like incident detection 

and real time location to your emergency 

contacts.The device can track your VO2 

max to analyse the maximum amount of 

oxygen a person can utilise during 

intense exercise. It also tracks your 

exercise history and performance 

with new training load balance to let you 

know if the workout is being 

productive. The smartwatch holds the 

ability ‘Store up to 1000 songs’ on the 

watch for phone-free listening and even 

syncs one’s favourite music from select 

streaming services like Spotify or allows 

transferring music from a computer to 

your device. 

102 


TECH 

GIZMOS 

Fitbit Inspire HR: Just signed up 

at a gym? Fitbit’s entry-level tracker is a 

great option for first-time fitness tracker 

buyers. You will probably dig the 

featherlight form — you barely feel this 

on your wrist. The Inspire HR features an 

elegant curved design with a bright 

monochrome OLED display. It has all the 

things that Fitbit users swear by — from 

calorie counts to sleep tracking with the 

backing of Fitbit’s companion app 

(compatible on both iOS and Android 

devices). Its waterproof form means its 

ready for a swim — you also get swim 

lap tracking, while text and call alerts 

add to its appeal. 

OnePlus Bullets 

Wireless 2: Thesecond generation 

of OnePlus’ in-ear headphones make 

big improvements on a form factor that 

has won it a faithful cult of users. Sound 

quality gets a boost with two Knowles 

Balanced Armature Drivers and one 

10mm dynamic driver in each ear bud. 

Battery life is another major leap — 10 

minutes of charging (with OnePlus’ 

proprietary warp charge) gives you 10 

hours of 

listening time 

while a full charge delivers 14 hours of 

battery life. But it’s the intuitive design 

that wins our approval. Just clip the 

bullets together to turn them off and 

separate them when you’re ready to 

resume playback. 

Apple AirPods 2: Probably the 

most ubiquitous wearable of them all. 

The AirPods signalled the shift to 

headphones minus wires in a compact 

form factor that is almost weightless. 

The second generation AirPods 

debuted in 2019 and didn’t make 

radical changes to a design language 

that we’ve gradually come to love. 

From calls to podcasts to music, the 

AirPods can handle anything you 

throw at it. The AirPods 2 are driven by 

the new Apple-designed H1 chip, that 

promises faster connect times and 

more talk time. There are some cool 

new touches — you can now adjust the 

volume with a simple ‘Hey Siri’ 

command. 

Focals by North: Think of these as 

a display for your face. These $600 AR 

glasses are also available with 

prescription glasses on online buying 

platforms and offer a great ‘vision’ of the 

not so distant future. The key feature is a 

holographic display that only you can 

see and one that doesn’t block your line 

of sight. From navigation to text 

summaries you can view everything 

without reaching for your phone. And 

then there’s the audio AR (with in-built 

speakers) that lets you access Alexa for 

all your queries. 

104 


FOOD 

FENNEL 

EACH SPICEJET AIRCRAFT HAS BEEN NAMED AFTER 

A PARTICULAR SPICE. IN THIS ISSUE WE TALK ABOUT 

THE BENEFITS AND USAGE OF FENNEL 

THE VERSATILE 

SPICE 

A SPICE THAT ADDS A DISTINCT 

FLAVOUR TO FOOD, FENNEL 

HAS FOUND MYRIAD USES 

IN A VARIETY OF 

CUISINES AND ALSO 

PACKS A PUNCH AS 

FAR AS ITS HEALTH 

BENEFITS GO. BY 

BINDU GOPAL RAO 

Baked chicken with 

fennel and oranges 

USED BOTH AS A HERB and a spice, 

fennel is a common ingredient across 

several global cuisines. The fresh leaves 

and the bulb are used extensively in 

salads. The spice is used in many sauces 

and mixes. The rarest form of fennel is 

the not-so-popular fennel pollen. 

Delightfully fragrant and sweet, the 

pollen has a saffron-like status and is 

mostly collected and used in Italy. 

Normal fennel has two parts. The top 

portion (leaves) can be used as a garnish 

or even in salads by itself. The stalk part 

is crunchy and can be lightly tossed in 

dishes — this gives a good flavour 

Fennel is a fragrant flowering plant 

originally from the Mediterranean. It is 

popularly referred in Italy as the fish 

herb and has a strong camphor note. “It 

is used for seasoning soups, breads and 

sauces. In Asia and India however 

fennel is used mostly after roasting, and 

has a distinct sweet and spicy flavor,” 

says GV Ramesh, Executive Chef, 

Novotel Kochi Infopark. It is 

quintessential to many famous spice 

mixes like the Chinese Five Spice, 

106 


FOOD 

FENNEL 

KNOW YOUR FENNEL 

Fennel crusted 

salmon 

Garam Masala and 

the Bengali 

Panchphoran. 

Sugar-coated fennel 

is also served as a 

mouth freshener in 

many parts of the 

country. Coming 

under the category 

of a sweet-smelling 

spice, fennel is a 

versatile spice and 

can be used in many 

ways. 

“Fresh fennel 

can be used as 

accompaniments for 

many dishes. Grilled 

fennel bulb goes very 

well with grilled fish 

and can be used as a 

grilled vegetable 

also. It can be 

roasted and pureed 

and can be served as 

a side sauce or as a 

base for pasta,” says 

Chef Shiiv Parvesh, 

Head Chef, Hyatt 

Regency Amritsar. 

Fennel seed is used 

for tempering 

gravies and masalas. 

It can be slightly 

• When using fresh fennel it is very common for people to throw away the fronds. 

However if used fresh, the fronds have a light liquorice flavour and work well as 

a garnish to salads. It can also be dried and stored for adding as a seasoning for 

sauces and pastas. 

• When buying dried fennel always look for seeds that have at least a little green 

tinge, and are not completely brown. 

• The dried fennel seeds can retain flavor up to three years. However once ground 

it should be consumed within a year. 

• Be careful when roasting to avoid burning. Select greener rather than browner 

or paler ones when you buy. 

roasted and grounded and then used for 

flavouring curry. It also goes very well 

with dessert because of its sweetsmelling 

taste like in malpua. Chef 

Tarun Sibal, Director, One Fine Meal, 

Delhi, advises, “Less is more when 

fennel is used in cooking. It is a potent 

spice hence mild usage is desired. 

Different parts of fennel can be used in 

different preparations. They have a 

mild anise flavour but because they are 

so delicate and beautiful they are most 

often used for garnish.” 

While using fennel it is 

recommended that you lightly roast on 

low heat and powder. Use the powder in 

combination with other spices and heat 

to get your desired flavour. Fennel is a 

very aromatic spice often used in 

combination with other Indian spices. A 

large variety of dishes from almost all 

parts of the country use fennel to add a 

sweet aroma. Some of the preparations 

of fennel include Goan Xacuti, Thokku 

style south Indian dishes and north 

Indian pickles. 

Good liquors exist with a fennel 

being the star ingredient. Also try 

gently using fennel in western 

preparations such as lamb or chicken, 

using a roasting or braising approach. 

“Also do not hesitate to use the leaves 

for higher flavour, and bulbs as a gently 

aromatic vegetable,” says Chef Anthony, 

Head Chef of KA01 Rooftop Bar and 

Eats at ibis Bengaluru City Center. 

Fennel can be used as a tempering. For 

instance adding fennel curtails the 

bitterness of bitter gourd and fennel 

tempering is a must while making 

karele ki subzi. 

In powder form it enhances the 

flavours of curry like in the classical 

Kashmiri speciality dish mutton rogan 

josh — dry fennel powder is added in the 

end which gives the entire dish a unique 

flavour. It can be used as topping like 

saunf wala tandoori naan and the 

NOVOTEL KOCHI INFOPARK 

108 


FOOD 

FENNEL 

AVOCADO MOUSSE 

WITH FENNEL AND 

PLUM TOMATO 

Apple and fennel salad 

with walnuts and greens 

INGREDIENTS 

• Avocado 

• Cream cheese 

• Olive oil 

• Lemon juice 

• Black pepper 

• Salt 

• Fennel 

• Plum tomato 

• Asparagus 

• Arugula lettuce 

2 numbers 

100 gm 

50 ml 

5 ml 

2 gm 

2 gm 

30 gm 

50 gm 

30 gm 

20 gm 

METHOD: 

Clean, wash and peal the avocado 

and make a mousse with olive oil, 

lemon juice, seasoning and cream 

cheese. 

Peel and trim the asparagus and 

blanch them in boiling salted water. 

Thinly slice the fennel bulbs and 

keep it in ice cold water. 

Serve the salad as shown in the 

picture and garnish it with fennel 

leaves. 

(Recipe courtesy: Praveen Shetty, 

Executive Chef, Conrad Bengaluru) 

Prawn Thokku with fennel 

Hyderabad exotic bread bakarkhani. 

Many kinds of western breads are baked 

with the topping of fennel seeds. 

Fennel has a very strong flavor and 

is similar to anise. The herb fennel goes 

very well in salad and seafood or even in 

making soups. “Since fennel has strong 

flavor the overdose of fennel can make 

the dish bitter. So be extra careful when 

you add it,” says Praveen Shetty, 

Executive Chef, Conrad Bengaluru. 

A rich source of polyphenol 

antioxidants, fennel is a 

potent antiinflammatory 

agent 

which can lower risks of 

many chronic diseases 

including heart diseases, 

obesity and cancer. 

Apart from its culinary 

purposes, fennel is also a 

home remedy for 

digestive problems. 

Since fennel has very 

good herbal value which 

includes digestion and 

gastric issues it is used to make fennel 

scented tea. 

Apart from enhancing taste in food 

fennel plays a pivotal role in bringing up 

the medicinal value of food. It balances 

the heat of the spices and meat in the 

food. Fennel curtails the bad mouth 

smell after meal hence it is also used as a 

mouth freshener. Hot fennel water is 

very good for sleep and according to 

Ayurveda fennel cures toothache and 

asthma. 

IBIS BENGALURU CITY CENTRE (PRAWN THOKKU) 

110 


HEATH 

TIPS 

WELLNESS TIPS 

FOR FREQUENT FLIERS 

FIVE SHORT PIECES OF ADVICE TO MAKE YOUR AIR TRAVEL SMOOTH. BY DR. SIMAL SOIN 

Airplane travel, 

once a luxury, 

is now more 

commonplace. 

It is for this 

reason that frequent f liers must be 

made aware of possible health hazards 

associated with hundreds of hours of 

flying annually. These hazards, 

however, are easily preventable with an 

appropriate set of precautions. 

HYDRATION: Airplane environments 

are arid, necessitating constant 

hydration with water, coconut water 

and green tea on the flight. Avoid 

coffee, tea, alcohol and aerated 

beverages. With that in mind, drink a 

litre of water every 3-4 hours on long 

flights. 

SWELLING OF THE FEET: One of the 

most common problems that air travel 

is known to cause is the peripheral 

pooling of blood in the legs due to 

reduced circulation. This causes 

swelling. This is compounded by lack 

of mobility within an aircraft. 

Keep moving when possible and try 

your best to elevate your legs. Anyone 

with a history of blood clots on long 

flights must consult their doctor to 

gauge if they need aspirin and know 

when to have it. 

PREGNANCY AND AIR TRAVEL: 

Usually, it is 

hazard free to 

travel while 

pregnant (up 

to 36 weeks) in 

uncomplicated 

cases. But 

make sure 

to walk 

around, wear 

compression 

stockings, 

move your 

ankles, avoid 

heavy foods 

and utilise an 

acupressure 

wristband 

to prevent 

nausea. As mentioned above, do your 

best to stay hydrated. 

AVOIDING INFECTION: One will 

often encounter a co-passenger 

constantly sniffing and coughing 

(often an outcome of fluctuating 

temperature control within the 

aircraft). In such a scenario, aim to 

disinfect surfaces with wipes and 

wear a mask as a precaution. 

CHRONIC JET LAG: Chronic jet lag 

can severely upset the body clock and 

should be countered with melatonin. 

Setting one's clock to the new 

destination upon boarding the flight is 

an old trick in the book that can reap 

wonders. Armed with this new setting, 

now sleep during the night time of the 

destination. 

A FINAL CAVEAT ON SLEEP: The 

importance of posture cannot be 

emphasised enough. Maintaining the 

correct posture is a sure shot path to 

ensuring that sleep has the expected 

healing effect on the body. To aid 

with posture, the good old neck 

pillow is a lifelong friend to frequent 

flyers. 

All in all, f lying is truly a 

remarkable and exciting feat in 

harnessing the interconnectivity of 

our world today. But with greater 

power comes greater responsibility. 

As a responsible f lyer, it is invaluable 

to be aware of the do’s and don’ts to 

minimise jet lag and maximise 

comfort and good health. 

(The author is Founder, AAYNA Clinic) 

112 


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GANESHOTSAV 

TRUE SIGNIFICANCE OF 

LORD SHRI 

GANESHJI 

DURING THESE TIMES OF PAIN, CHAOS, FEAR AND HOPELESSNESS, WE 

NEED TO REGAIN POWER TO FACE CHALLENGES AND GAIN VICTORY OVER 

NEGATIVITY. WHO BETTER TO TEACH US THAN OUR MUCH-LOVED LORD 

GANESH, ALSO KNOWN AS THE LORD OF WISDOM. 

BY BK CHANDRIKA VANJANI, SHANTIVAN 

The rich Hindu pantheon of 

Gods and Goddesses is 

astounding; each persona 

harbours an ocean of 

divine qualities and powers. And the 

one worshipped before all is the most 

intriguing — Lord Shri Ganeshji. 

Soon, Ganeshotsav, the 10 days of 

celebration, especially in 

Maharashtra, will see one of the 

grandest pujas performed, where 

every family (irrespective of social 

status) prays before Lord Ganapathi 

— the Wise One. 

According to the scriptures, he 

was able to get this wisdom when his 

Father Shiva cut off his head and 

replaced it with the head of an 

elephant, which is known as the 

wisest creature on earth. To cut off 

the head means shedding the head of 

ego latent in it. When there is ego, 

there is great resistance. When ego is 

gone, the resistance disappears and 

then true wisdom descends and a 

person becomes capable to take up 

leadership in earnest. Therefore, 

Ganeshji has all the leadership 

capabilities in him. 

The elephant-headed deity 

Ganeshji symbolizes the beautiful 

qualities of a knowledgeful, spirituallyenlightened 

person. For example: 

The large elephant head 

symbolizes a broad and wise 

intellect, attained through accurate 

understanding. 

An elephant’s huge ears are most 

sensitive. His ears show that he is a 

good listener. We too need to know 

what to hear, imbibe, and what to be 

indifferent to. 

The elephant’s large stomach 

shows the power to accommodate 

which signifies the art of not 

spreading gossip, negativity, secrets, 

etc. — the ability to build bridges and 

not walls. 

116 


FESTIVALS 

GANESHOTSAV 

LEADERSHIP SKILLS OF A EFFECTIVE LEADER 

The elephant’s tiny but sharp eyes 

can see the smallest of good qualities 

within anybody — small things 

appear big in the elephant’s vision. 

His small eyes show the 

foresightedness and discriminating 

ability that he has. 

When he is seated, he has one leg 

on the ground and the other folded 

showing that the decisions he took 

were down to earth but at the same 

time uninfluenced and impartial. 

The elephant's trunk can do 

anything from uprooting trees to 

picking up a needle. Similarly a leader 

aspiring to attain perfection can 

develop the power to uproot deeprooted 

negative traits , attitudes and 

unwanted habits, that obstruct his 

and others' path to success. 

Ganapati is also shown displaying 

one tusk, which symbolizes the 

protection, or a shield from evil 

influences. 

The four arms of Lord Ganesh 

symbolize these gifts: 

Axe: Weapon of understanding to 

cut off attachments to cyclic pattern 

of negative habits and weaknesses, 

etc. 

Rope: Bind oneself in pure love for 

other fellow beings. 

Modak (Sweet): Just as modaks 

are made after grinding, mixing, 

frying, etc., a leader can only attain 

his or her goal by performing a series 

of efforts. 

Blessing Hand: A wise person 

always shares and spreads vibrations 

of peace, happiness and good wishes 

for others. 

118 


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FESTIVALS 

GANESHOTSAV 

It is for this reason 

that he is also known by 

various names like 

Gunnayak (meaning 

leader with all virtues 

and divine qualities), 

Ashta Vinayak (he is a 

leader with the wisdom 

of using the eight 

positive inner powers), 

Vighna-vinashak (he is a 

leader who through the 

right application of his 

inner abilities is able to 

overcome all obstacles 

and Siddhi Vinayak (he 

is a leader who is 

harbinger of success). 

Lord Ganesh’s birth, 

characteristics and powers are 

nothing short of an encyclopedia in 

spiritual maturity — a power needed 

by all. Each of his powers is unique. 

THE POWER TO WITHDR AW / 

TURN WITHIN… is the ability to 

disengage from the world around you. 

THE POWER TO PACK UP / LET 

GO… is the ability to stop wasteful 

thinking. With the ability to go 

within, one can learn how to pack up 

all wasteful thinking in a second, so 

that there is lightness and freedom 

from burdens and worries, though 

there may be many responsibilities. 

THE POWER TO TOLERATE… is 

the ability to not be affected by 

external and internal events and to 

respond to those events positively. 

THE POWER TO 

ACCOMMODATE… is the ability to 

expand and accept the presence, ideas 

and desires of others. Just as the 

ocean accepts all rivers, polluted or 

clean, that f low into it, a leader can 

accommodate all sorts of people. 

THE POWER OF 

DISCRIMINATION / TO DISCERN is 

the ability to discern the subtle, and 

separate what is true from what is false 

within a second. 

THE POWER OF JUDGEMENT / 

TO DECIDE is the ability to assess the 

quality of choices, decisions and 

actions in yourself and in others. 

THE POWER TO FACE… is the 

ability to confront and resolve 

external and internal obstacles, tests 

and challenges with great faith and 

courage. Meditation develops one’s 

ability to face loss, adversity and 

hardship with equanimity. 

THE POWER TO 

CO-OPERATE… is the ability to give 

your attention, time, experience and 

wisdom in the service of others. 

In today's changing times, 

challenges can be handled by a leader 

through spiritual wisdom or insight 

given by Ganesha. As a result, he 

becomes successful and a source of 

inspiration for all. 

AS WE INVOKE LORD 

GANESHJI’S NAME THIS YEAR, 

MAY WE EXPERIENCE AND 

IMBIBE THE VIRTUES & POWERS 

HE STANDS FOR AND WELCOME 

HOME TRUE SUCCESS! 

120 


IN FOCUS 

MONTAGE 

ZEBRONICS LAUNCHES 

FLAGSHIP WIRELESS 

EARPHONE ZEB-SYMPHONY 

EARPHONES ARE A PERSONAL 

CHOICE depending on how they look, 

feel and sound. When one picks a 

wireless earphone a person wants 

to be away from the untangling 

experience and enjoy their music 

hands-free. It’s another thing to give 

a bigger battery life to your music 

experience and Zeb-Symphony 

does just that. Zebronics India Pvt. 

Ltd, India’s leading brand of IT 

peripherals, sound system, mobile/ 

lifestyle accessories, and surveillance 

products, has launched its flagship 

earphone in its wireless accessories 

called Zeb-Symphony with voice 

assistance and 13 hours of music 

playback. 

Aiming at a rather comfortable 

design, the wireless earphone 

comes in a neckband providing 

ample support with a super flexible 

structure. The neckband material 

is lightweight, smooth in texture 

and is splash-proof. Zeb Symphony 

has a dual pairing feature and the 

neckband holds the controls for 

media, volume and voice assistance 

for Google and Siri devices. The 

wireless earphone also features 

a voice assistant for 

Google/Siri devices, so 

chase your curiosity, 

ask questions and get 

them answered on 

the go. To provide an 

even more user-friendly 

experience the earphone comes 

with magnetic ear tips leading to 

a tangle free experience and there 

is also a full battery indication for 

when the band is fully charged. 

Speaking on the launch of the 

event, Pradeep Doshi, Director, 

Zebronics, said, “It’s all about giving 

the users an experience they’ll look 

forward to whether it’s the small 

things like providing magnetic ear 

tips for a hassle-free experience to 

having a button for voice assistant, 

it’s making the experience more 

user-friendly for our customers so 

they truly enjoy their leisure time.” 

Zeb-Symphony is available at leading 

retail stores across India. 

IAS OFFICER’S LITERARY TRIUMPH 

SELFIE OF horizons for the reader, right from 

SUCCESS IS page one. To conquer anything, one 

a powerful must first study every facet of it. The 

read that 

author, who is a IAS Officer, studied 

fills the mind the illusive pattern of success and 

with positive, employed it in his own personal 

inspiring 

life with incredible results. Now he 

affirmations shares his in-depth, treasure trove 

that welcome success into anyone’s of knowledge on the subject in an 

life. It is the most comprehensive easy to read, inspiring book – Selfie of 

snapshot of what success is. Author Success. 

Burra Venkatesham (photo), in his 

The book is unique in many ways. 

maiden attempt, invites the reader to The author acknowledges his humble 

know success as a living, breathing rural beginnings and skillfully 

person. The company it keeps, the way narrates the journey towards success 

it acts, walks, speaks and thinks. It is and the efforts to maintain it. Unlike 

a breakthrough book that broadens many books on success , Selfie of 

Success warns of the pitfalls of 

attaining success. The use of the life 

and times of well-known personalities 

from all over the world – from 

Mahatma Gandhi to Escobar, Jack 

Ma to Ramoji Rao, Oprah Winfrey 

to Michael Jackson, etc, give the 

reader greater insights. The book is 

compartmentalized very well and the 

reader can either read it at one go or 

in segments based on the interest or 

curiosity that the title of the segment 

arouses. 

This book serves to educate, inspire, 

motivate and also forewarn the reader 

about success. The language is simple 

and easy to comprehend for people of 

all ages. It is a fast paced, well written 

book on self motivation that gives the 

reader enough to mull over to embark 

or continue in the journey of success. 

122 


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", INDIA’S HIGHEST 

ANNUAL CIVILIAN AWARD, BY THE 

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, IN 2017, 

FOR EXCEPTIONAL AND 

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 

Anger is not about anyone else. You 

are angry. Whether you are angry 

with a rock, or God, or Guru, or 

whatever, anger is simply anger. It 

has got nothing to do with anyone or 

anything other than yourself. Anger 

keeps happening over and over 

again only because you believe your 

anger has something to do with 

someone else. If you see that it is 

about you and you alone, it will not 

last. 

Being angry about something 

comes from a strong sense of likes 

and dislikes. It comes from a very 

deep identification with a certain 

way of thinking and feeling, which 

you believe is the best way to live, 

think and feel. When somebody is 

not in line with that, you get angry 

with them. 

As your likes and dislikes 

become stronger, as your 

identifications become stronger 

with something or the other, all that 

you are doing is excluding the 

existence. If I say, “I like this very 

much,” I am excluding the rest of 

the existence in a big way at that 

moment. The stronger the like or 

dislike becomes, the deeper the 

exclusion becomes. Anger 

overflows because you have not 

included somebody or something as 

a part of yourself. Anger is not the 

karma, exclusion is the karma. 

Anger is just a small indicator of 

where you are going. 

The very process of liberation 

is to include not to exclude. In 

exclusion you become trapped, 

you become separate. In 

inclusion, you become liberated. 

The day when everything, the 

whole existence, is included in 

you, you are liberated. 

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 

124 


AN INTIMATE AND DREAMY 

DESTINATION WEDDING 

WITH JUST 80 GUESTS! 

COLOURFUL MEHENDI DECOR, a perfectly 

colour coordinated haldi and an intimate 

wedding ceremony with just 80 guests. Yes! 

You got us correct! It's 2019 and fortunately 

the time when the notion of “Destination 

Wedding Planner” doesn’t constraint them 

only to focus on quality over quantity but also capturing 

each candid moment beautifully that is close to the groom 

and the bride’s heart. 

So destination weddings are the new big thing to happen 

in Indian society, with everyone choosing to combine a 

vacation and a wedding for themselves and the guests, 

and why the hell not? But it doesn't always have to break 

the bank! A good planner is someone who is resourceful, 

knowledgeable, diplomatic, a good problem solver, 

someone who can give advice on etiquette, and who is 

available at all times to calm a stressed-out bride. 

Team Ankur is all set to break the myths of destination 

wedding. An ideal wedding planner and designer caters 

to the essence of pure knot of marriages all over Asia with 

lucrative yet pocket-friendly budget. The team believes 

in walking with the modern world keeping in mind 

the tradition that has always been there in any Indian 

wedding. They have planned and designed so far more than 

300 plus destination weddings with more than 10 years of 

experience in different 

exotic locations. 

“It takes an entire 

life for a father and 

mother to plan about 

their children's wedding 

and a millisecond for 

the guests to complain 

about the venue and 

décor. Ah! And of 

course, about the bride 

and groom,” says Ankur 

Jain (photo, above), 

owner of Team Ankur, 

Jaipur. 

IN FOCUS 

MONTAGE 

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126 


IN FOCUS 

MONTAGE 

WEALTH CREATION OVER 

NEXT DECADE 

BY SHYAMALI BASU (THE AUTHOR IS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & HEAD - 

PRODUCTS & MARKETING, HDFC ASSET MANAGEMENT CO. LTD.) 

THE WORLD IS CHANGING FASTER 

than ever before as more people are 

connected than ever before in ways 

never imagined before owing to 

increasing influence of technology in 

our lives. In times like these, where 

even a year is a long time, predicting 

where the world would be a decade 

down the line would have made even 

the legendary French astrologer 

Nostradamus sweat. However, what 

one can be certain of is that the 

pursuit for wealth creation would 

continue as it has in the past. 

Last decade has been eventful, to 

say the least. 10 Years ago, in 2009, 

the world was reeling from the shock 

of Global Financial Crisis. This 

crisis inflicted widespread damage 

across the world and dented investor 

confidence in financial markets. If 

someone would have spoken about 

wealth creation in 2009, he would 

have been at the receiving end of 

rather disdainful looks. However, it’s 

worth noting how things have panned 

out since then. As of 31st July 2009, 

NIFTY 50 was ~ 4,600, it has grown 

2.4 times @ CAGR of 9% to ~11,000 

as of 31st July 2019. This growth has 

been in line with more than two-fold 

growth of India’s GDP from ~ USD 1.3 

Trillion in 2009 to~ USD 2.7 Trillion 

in 2018. Although, we witnessed 

various global and domestic events 

in the last decade like Satyam scam, 

European Sovereign Debt Crisis, 

Taper Tantrum, Demonetisation, GST 

Rollout, Trade war etc, investment in 

equities have yielded returns in line 

with growth of the economy. 

This correlation between capital 

appreciation from equities and 

economic growth in the long run 

makes it imperative to have exposure 

to equities for long term wealth 

creation, especially in an economy 

where growth in GDP is expected in 

the years to come. Modi Government’s 

maiden budget of second term 

presented roadmap to transform 

India’s economy in a bid to achieve 

GDP of USD 5 trillion by 2025, which 

requires a nominal growth rate of 9%. 

Although, USD 5 Trillion economy is 

just a number or a target at this stage, 

it does set a benchmark in terms of 

where India sees itself in another 6 

years’ time. 

As things stand, financial 

markets, domestic and global alike, 

are facing strong headwinds on 

account of slowing consumption and 

growth, trade wars, geo-political 

issues etc. During such times, retail 

investors panic and sell/redeem their 

investments resulting in sub-optimal 

returns. However, if we take cues from 

history, it’s during such times that 

investor’s mettle is tested. 

Over the long run, investments in 

companies with strong fundamentals 

withstand temporary fluctuations and 

create wealth for investors. Secondly, 

while equities are certainly more 

volatile than other asset classes over 

the short term, equity returns track/ 

mirror the economic growth of the 

country in the long term. Taking 

the SIP route in mutual funds is an 

effective way of curbing impulsive 

behaviour and tiding over volatile 

market conditions. Further, one would 

do well to diversify across different 

asset classes like Equity, Debt and 

Gold. 

Key trends to look forward to over 

the next decade are shift from fuel 

to electric vehicles (EVs), emergence 

of solar power as a key source of 

energy and change in dynamics of oil 

production & demand due to rising 

shale oil production and growth of 

EVs respectively. These trends could 

have far reaching impact across 

various spheres of Indian economy and 

create potential for wealth creation 

in the long run. Heraclitus, a Greek 

philosopher, has been quoted as saying 

“change is the only constant in life.” 

Likewise, in the world of investment, 

pursuit for wealth creation is the only 

constant, although themes and drivers 

of such wealth creation could change 

from time to time. 

DISCLAIMER 

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not of HDFC AMC, and should not be regarded as investment advice. 

Investors should obtain their own independent advice before taking a decision to invest in any securities. 

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

130 


Dr. Ashok Gupta 

Founder Vice Chancellor

DESTINATION 

CITIES 

THE OTHER SIDE OF 

KOLKATA 

ESCHEW THE REGULAR TOURISTY 

HAUNTS IN KOLKATA AND VISIT THE 

MULLICK GHAT FLOWER MARKET 

ON THE BANKS OF RIVER HOOGHLY 

FOR A DASH OF ADVENTURE AND 

EXPERIENCE IN COLOUR AND CHAOS. 

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY 

LOPAMUDRA TALUKDAR 

Each city has a few ‘must see’ 

places and Kolkata is no 

different. The top attractions 

in Kolkata would surely be 

the Victoria Memorial, Kalighat and 

Dakshineswar temples, Indian Museum, 

Science City and Eden Gardens. But no 

guide book would ever tell you to go visit 

the Mullick Ghat and the Jagannath 

Ghat, home to the Mullick Ghat Flower 

Market. 

If you are looking for an adventure 

and experience in colour and chaos, 

then this stretch of land on the banks 

of River Hooghly is a must-see for you. 

If you want to see the other side of 

Kolkata and do not particularly mind a 

crowd, keep aside a morning for a walk 

by the river and you will not be 

disappointed. A haven for street 

photographers, you can also capture 

some gorgeous shots while you are at 

it. 

Thousands take the gateway to 

Kolkata – Howrah Bridge – every day 

to earn a living. Right under the iconic 

structure, at the entry to the city, is the 

century-old Mullick Ghat Flower 

Market which comes alive at the crack 

of dawn. Built in the year 1855, it is not 

132 


DESTINATION 

CITIES 

only one of the largest flower markets 

in India but also in Asia! On special 

religious and festival days, the place is 

especially abuzz with energy. One can 

spot porters carrying huge baskets of 

flowers and garlands, buyers and 

sellers bargaining, and flowers being 

sold in huge quantities. 

By the time you arrive, the 

market will surely be teeming with 

vendors and buyers selling flowers in 

myriad hues, shapes and sizes. A sea of 

fiery orange marigold strung together 

forming huge chains, bunches of lotus, 

roses, sunflowers and all sorts of 

flowers along with their distinctive 

fragrances will greet you as you enter 

the market. Vendors from the suburbs 

take the earliest trains to Howrah and 

march to the market with their flower 

baskets heaped on top of their heads. 

Many also live in makeshift shelters 

134 


135 


DESTINATION 

CITIES 

inside the market and are usually busy 

in making flower arrangements and 

bouquets that are in great demand 

during festivals and religious 

occasions. Since the market also 

supplies flowers to the neighbouring 

states, packaging flowers in bales and 

transporting the same is another 

significant activity here. 

Marigold, Tuberose, Lotus, 

Hibiscus, Mogra, Shankhpushpi, Paan 

Leaf, Togor, Blue Pea and hundreds of 

other varieties can be spotted here. 

Skirts of garlands hung around the 

necks of the vendors is a very common 

sight. But a visit here is not only about 

flowers. Running almost parallel is 

the River Hooghly and you can easily 

cross over from the market to the 

ghats and be witness to thousands 

taking an early morning bath and 

performing their daily rituals. There 

are century old structures housing 

priests from the neighbouring state of 

Orissa who too get ready for a busy day 

ahead, applying tamarind and 

sandalwood pastes on their foreheads. 

This stretch by the river also 

provides the best location to shoot the 

iconic Howrah Bridge basking in early 

morning light, as also the Howrah 

Station, the oldest and largest railway 

station in India. If you’re lucky on your 

day, you may get to see local wrestlers 

practicing their art on a small sand pit 

near the river. The whole place is a 

bustling, chaotic, and lively affair. 

There is a riot of colours, and the 

sounds and fragrance of the flowers 

fill up the surrounding, and your 

senses, completely. This is the ‘Other 

Side of Kolkata’, which even people 

who have lived in the city all their life 

are not very familiar with. 

The Mullick Ghat Flower Market is 

very close to the Central Business 

District and can be reached easily. Just 

mention that you want to visit the 

136 


DESTINATION 

CITIES 

Flower Market on Strand 

Road near the Howrah 

Bridge and any taxi driver 

can take you there. Take a 

pedestrian overbridge 

across the Circular 

Railway track and you 

will be right in the middle 

of the market. The river 

will be a couple of metres 

to your left. Whichever 

path you take, you will 

surely be rewarded with 

an experience of a 

lifetime. Just remember 

that the underfoot is 

slippery and muddy. So go 

there wearing a pair of 

sturdy shoes. This is 

certainly not the place for 

flip-flops. 

137 


MELANGE 

TAROT 

YOUR FORECAST THIS MONTH 

BY SRRINIVAS IYER 

Aries 

You experience 

Taurus 

Travel is indicated 

Gemini 

You pursue new 

Cancer 

Money matters gain 

Leo 

Flow with the 

Virgo 

You understand 

tremendous surge 

and new 

ideas, which 

momentum with 

cosmic energies. 

others very well as 

of energy and 

connections are 

were completely 

some investments 

Marriage is on 

your sensitivity is 

mood swings. 

made. Social 

unheard of before. 

in beauty, which 

the cards for the 

at its peak. Matters 

Avoid unplanned 

network expands 

You express your 

resonates with your 

eligible ones. 

related to overseas 

and sudden moves. 

and friends 

ideas and take all 

self-expression. 

Expansion of home, 

business brings 

Siblings think out 

support you a lot. 

the efforts to fulfil 

Great period 

including buying 

in cheers for you. 

of the box and will 

Renovations and 

your dreams. Those 

financially and 

new property, 

Party life is hectic 

reach out to you 

expenses are likely. 

serving in armed 

this is a long-term 

is indicated. 

and entertaining. 

for clarity. This is an 

New avenues of 

forces and sports 

trend. Avoid stress, 

Professional growth 

Romance and 

excellent period for 

finances suddenly 

people, will do 

as this will impact 

is happening in 

creativity are at 

romance. 

open up. 

extremely well. 

your health. 

leaps and bounds. 

their peak. 

TURTLE LAUNCHES AW’19 COLLECTION 

YOUR SENSE OF STYLE. Our passion for design. At Turtle, 

all that we are, and everything we do, is inspired by you. Be 

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our fashion stores, it’s your freewheeling style that makes the 

difference. Our ideas are born from your imagination. And our 

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Like always, even this time, every piece of creation in 

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The unseen versatility that we bring along this season, is 

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138 


LEADING 

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MUMBAI HEAD OFFICE : 982002 7746, NAGPUR : 932262 6565, PUNE : 932212 6161, VADODARA : 932212 6262, 

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Email : sales@beingstrong.in Website : www.beingstrong.in beingstrongindia

MELANGE 

TAROT 

YOUR FORECAST THIS MONTH 

BY SRRINIVAS IYER 

Libra 

Friends are having 

Scorpio 

Some stressful 

Sagittarius 

The energy 

Capricorn 

Intuition about 

Aquarius 

Children’s health 

Pisces 

Family life needs 

great mood 

moments on the 

around spirituality 

family matters is 

and education 

more attention and 

swings and you 

home front are 

continues to 

strong and family 

continue to be 

a second thought 

are caught in this 

foreseen. Keep 

influence, leaving a 

appreciates you 

under shadow. Take 

before you act. 

energy movement. 

you plans under 

lasting imprint on 

too. Huge forces 

second opinion 

Spending money 

Family life is busy 

wraps and execute 

you. Travel to new 

are at play, which 

in all matters. 

to address some 

and expansion 

at the speed of 

places are foreseen. 

point towards your 

Partnership is 

health issues are 

is indicated. You 

lighting. Be wary of 

Lady luck continues 

mothers’ heart and 

very good and 

indicated. The 

spend a lot of time 

unsolicited advice 

to smile. Focus on 

emotions. Connect 

this brings you 

areas of health are 

interacting with 

from strangers. 

your father and 

with her feelings 

name, fame and 

highly energized 

the masses or with 

Your business plans 

express our love 

and spend some 

motivation to work 

and hence pay 

business heads. 

will bear fruit. 

for him. 

time at home. 

more hard. 

extra attention. 

The above is based on the sun sign and planetary transits thereof. It is general in nature. For specific readings, seek out expert advice based on 

your individual chart. (Astrologer Srrinivas Iyer is based in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. He can be contacted on srrinivas9@gmail.com) 

PAUL JOHN RESORTS & 

HOTELS PRESENTS ITS FOURTH 

LUXURY OFFERING 

DEDICATED TO CREATING UNIQUE 

LUXURY EXPERIENCES in the 

hospitality industry, Paul John Resorts & 

Hotels unveils its fourth luxury retreat, 

Coorg Wilderness Resort, nestled amidst 

the lush valleys and majestic hills of 

Coorg. With 98 luxurious stately rooms 

and 52 palatial suites, Coorg Wilderness 

Resort is spread across a 40 acre estate of sprawling wilderness. 

The four categories of accommodation are Grove View Rooms, 

Valley View Rooms, Grove View Suites and Valley View Suites. 

The décor is inspired by European chalets tucked away 

in the midst of thick woods with exquisite Victorian styled 

interiors. Each room possesses large bay windows with a private 

balcony that owns either a magnificent view of the valley or of 

the lush wilderness around. The ambience is warm and the air 

is so cool and cosy that the rooms are non-air-conditioned with 

traditional electric fireplaces and thoughtfully heated floors in 

the modern stylish bathrooms. 

Coorg Wilderness Resort features an infinity pool for 

leisure, a well-equipped gym, a multi-cuisine restaurant, a 

specialty restaurant, an open lounge bar and several halls for 

events, banquets, weddings and conferences for all occasions. 

Guests can also enjoy a wide array of adventure activities and 

trekking within the resort. 

Ideally located just 3 km from Madikeri, Coorg, the strategic 

location of the resort is ideal for visits to popular tourist spots of 

Kodagu such as the Dubare Elephant Camp, Mandalpatti, Abbey 

Falls, etc. 

140 


NOIDA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, 

Gr. Noida inaugurated its INTEL Intelligent Systems 

Lab on July 25, 2019 at its campus. NIET, Gr. Noida has 

become one of the few Institutes in India to establish 

INTEL Intelligent Systems Lab on Artificial Intelligence. 

The event was graced by the presence of honourable 

Chief Guest Ms. Akanksha Bilani, Country Lead-India, 

Singapore, ANZ Intel Software Tools; Mr. Puneet Kumra, 

Senior Director – Talent Acquisition; Mr. Raman Batra, 

Executive Vice President, NIET; and Dr. Vinod Kapse, 

Director - NIET. Deans, various Heads of the Department 

along with faculties and students of the college also 

witnessed this mega event. 

Ms. Bilani shared her key perspective notes highlighting 

the contribution of Artificial Intelligence for the upcoming 

workforce. She congratulated NIET for its efforts of 

boosting the advanced upcoming technologies on a 

continuous basis and up-skilling its students as per the 

latest industry standards. Mr. Puneet Kumra, Senior 

IN FOCUS 

MONTAGE 

NIET, GREATER NOIDA ESTABLISHES 

INTEL INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS LAB 

ANUPAM LAUNCHES WATER 

SAVING NOZZLE 

ANUPAM RETAIL LTD IS launching 

Anupam Water Saving Nozzle, 

a revolutionary nature-friendly 

product. Experience mist with 

their patent-pending atomization 

technology. Millions of water 

droplets, turned into wet mist, 

instantly drench your hands and 

amazingly save 95 per cent water. Anupam Retail Ltd (ARL) 

brings this green technology to every household, making 

you an environmental friendly citizen in the process. Mr. 

Rajender Garg, a visionary and the honorable MD of ARL 

shared his thought process: "There is a significant focus 

required in the area of water conservation, and by this 

gesture I believe we contribute our bit through Anupam 

Water Saving Nozzle. We are also supporting the efforts of 

our honorable PM's Save Water program". 

Director – Talent Acquisition, Capgemini, appreciated 

NIET for its initiative to establish INTEL Intelligent 

Systems Lab and acknowledged the well-aligned vision of 

NIET towards imparting quality education to students. 

Accredited by NAAC (A Grade, 3.23) and NBA (CSE, 

ECE, ME and B.Pharm for 2017-2020), Noida Institute 

of Engineering and Technology (NIET) is an acclaimed 

institute offering high quality education to all section 

of students. NIET has also tied-up with many MNCs 

across the globe and has well established labs namely; 

Mercedes-Benz ADAM Lab, Apple University Program 

Partner, Cisco Networking Academy, Automation 

Anywhere, UI Path Academic Alliance, PTC Centre of 

Excellence, Amazon Web Services, and Pearson Testing 

Centre, to name a few. Dedicated Centers of Competence 

have been established by the Institute for each one of 

these tie-ups to facilitate education and outreach the 

study of engineering within a broader technological and 

interdisciplinary context. 

MAYA MEDIA SPA’S LONG 

LASTING RESULTS 

MAYA MEDI SPA IS A UNIQUE 

MEDICAL SPA in Bangalore that 

merges the world of beauty with 

technology. After its successful 

establishment in Wyoming, USA, Maya 

Medi Spa has stepped onto Indian 

soil, offering lipstick to lasers – scientifically advanced skin 

treatments, procedures, and products that deliver age-defying 

results. It is a hybrid skin care bar that specializes in micro 

treatments and CoolSculpting along with a bouquet of sessions 

to address all woes of anti-aging, body sculpting and glowing 

skin. Maya Medi Spa is a unique concept launched in India for 

the first time to offer micro treatments, famously known as 

“signature cocktails” to address every individual’s need. The 

medi spa has been launched in India with the most advanced 

cosmetic and medical procedures that include all the services 

of a leading-edge medical spa. 

142 


DESTINATION 

CITIES 

5 MUST-DOS NEAR 

VIJAYAWADA 

THE BUSINESS CAPITAL OF ANDHRA PRADESH, VIJAYAWADA ALSO ABOUNDS WITH MYTHOLOGICAL AND 

HISTORICAL LEGACIES. HERE IS A GLIMPSE OF THE PLACES OF INTEREST IN (AND AROUND) VIJAYAWADA. 

BY MANJULIKA PRAMOD 

caves and intriguing sculptures inside. 

The area has many small caves but this 

four-storied one sits high on everyone’s 

list. While these monolithic caves leave us 

spell-bound with India’s rock cut 

architectural and craftsmanship feats, 

some of its giant carvings of saints and 

mythological animal fill you with awe. 

You may wonder, why were the pillared 

structures on the ground floor left 

unfinished? What was this structure 

supposed to be? The remarkable influence 

of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism 

makes the trip to the caves all the more 

PRAY AT THE KANAKA DURGA 

TEMPLE 

This temple is considered extremely 

sacred and powerful. Perched on the 

Indrakeeladri hill, Kanaka Durga is the 

most loved and revered deity of the city. It 

is believed that one of her devotees took 

the form of a hill and requested her to stay 

here as a Swayambhu (or self-manifested 

image) in Triteeya Kalpa. The legends say 

that it was here that the Goddess trampled 

Mahishasura and put an end to the 

growing menace of the demon. Soon after, 

Lord Shiva chose his abode on the 

adjacent hillock and came to be worshiped 

as Malleswara Swamy. The 

Shaktipeetham, 4-foot-high icon of the 

deity, with her eight arms, decked with 

ornaments and flowers, defines the 

epitome of beauty, grace and strength. 

The architecture of the temple is a perfect 

example of Dravidian style of 

architecture. With inscriptions dated 9th 

to 16th century, the legacies of the temple 

find a mention in our scriptures too. The 

nine-day festival of Navaratri and 

especially the last day, Vijaya Dasami, is 

celebrated with great enthusiasm and the 

temple witnesses a massive footfall during 

that time of the year. Whenever you are in 

the city, you must visit Kanaka Durga 

temple and offer your prayers. The 

evenings are best here. You may hike up 

the hill or take a lift to the main temple. 

There are paid and free queues, both. 

Though the paid queues help you with 

easy and closer access to the idol, many 

prefer the free one. 

EXPLORE THE HISTORIC 

UNDAVALLI CAVES 

Not far from the main city, a small hamlet 

called Undavalli tells its own tales. It 

garners attention for its feisty rock cut 

thrilling. Some say the structure was 

supposed to be a resting place of Buddhist 

monks (monastery), others believe it to be 

a shrine that could not be completed, and 

there are theories which say that it 

resembles an abode for the 

Thirthankaras. As you explore these 

time-honored caves from one level to 

another through make-shift stairs, you 

are left awestruck at the sight of the 

marvelous carvings of Lord Vishnu, Lord 

Ganesha, the trinity Gods and many 

indecipherable murals. The front façade is 

absolutely impressive and the top floor 

offers beautiful views of Krishna River 

144 


DESTINATION 

CITIES 

and countryside greens. Just 6 kilometers 

away from Vijayawada, this rock cut 

beauty of the 6th century is unmissable. 

MARVEL AT THE PRAKASAM 

BARRAGE 

It is one of Vijayawada’s pride and 

undoubtedly the favorite of the locals. 

With more than 120 pillars and 76 gates, 

this Venetian styled barrage connects the 

Krishna and Guntur districts while 

enjoying the magnificent views of the 

Krishna River, day and night. While it 

serves as a road, its main purpose is to 

provide water for irrigation purpose. This 

is definitely one of the most successful 

irrigation projects of South India and the 

agricultural richness of the region is 

attributed to the barrage. During the 

rainy season when the water bodies 

overflow, it releases the excess water in 

the sea and diverts the needful to the 

fields. Tourists as well as locals often visit 

the barrage to marvel at the spectacular 

views of the Bhavani Island and Krishna 

River. The barrage was named in the 

honor of Sri Tanguturi Prakasam, the first 

Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and 60 

years of this engineering feat were 

celebrated in 2017. On a breezy evening, it 

calls for a drive-in. The barrage has been 

the talk of the town ever since it has been 

illuminated by colourful lights by the 

APTDC during evening time. 

TAKE A TRIP TO THE KONDAPALLI 

FORT 

Kondapalli is a treat for history lovers. 

Built by the short-lived Reddy Dynasty, 

Kondapalli fort is old but impressive. Built 

as a recreational and business centre, it 

was eyed by several kingdoms. It changed 

many hands between Bahamanis, 

Gajapatis, Vijaynagaras and Qutb Shahis 

before the British made it a military 

training base. The Ghat road that leads to 

the fort is pretty scenic. A 2 kilometre trek 

takes you to the fort. Once inside, it is 

almost like turning the pages of history. 

You must look for the Tanisha Mahal, 

Gajashala, Darbar hall, Rani Mahal, Tope 

Khana, Dancing hall, Arched hall, Dargah 

Darwazah and Golconda Darwaza. The 

fort had been in ruins, thus conducive 

efforts are being made to revive the 

grandeur and glory of this South Indian 

heritage. After exploring the fort, don’t 

forget to meet the local artisans who make 

world-famous ‘Kondapalli Bommalu (or 

toys), which are rich in Indian motifs. 

PICK UP A COLOURFUL 

MANGALAGIRI COTTON SARI 

This makes for the most authentic travel 

souvenir for friends and family. The 

Indian handloom is renowned globally 

and if you have a chance to grab one from 

the humble abode of the weavers, just go 

for it. Mangalagiri sarees and suit 

materials are very popular in Andhra 

Pradesh. The simplicity of the design and 

the tough quality of cotton makes it 

popular among the saree lovers. The loom 

and the fabric have been named after the 

place, Mangalagiri and the engravings 

found there suggest that weaving has been 

a prime occupation for more than five 

centuries. The use of zari or gold colored 

patterns on the border and no woven 

designs on the body are the most 

distinctive features about these 

mangalagiri sarees. Some special designs 

may carry typical tribal embellishments 

on the edges (pallu). The distance 

between Mangalgiri and Vijayawada is 14 

kilometers. 

146 


Happy Ganesha 

New 

Launch 

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IN FOCUS 

MONTAGE 

A PLUSH ABODE IN THE TEMPLE TOWN 

GURUVAYUR IS LOCATED IN 

the Thrissur district of Kerala. 

The place is also referred to as 

'Bhooloka Vaikuntam' (earthly 

abode of Lord Vishnu). Here it is 

considered auspicious to witness Lord 

Guruvayurappa’s (Lord Krishna - 8th 

avatar of Vishnu) every day routine 

starting from ‘Nirmalyam’ (witnessing 

the idol) to the ‘Athazha Seeveli’ (daily 

rituals). A thousand lamps that light 

up the temple, the delicious prasadam 

made by the temple priests and the 

dance rituals at the Melpathoor 

auditorium are just right to immerse 

your mind and spirit at this ancient 

temple town of India. 

Located in the heart of the town, 

Sterling Guruvayur is just a kilometre 

from the 5000-year-old Guruvayur Sri 

Krishna temple and a short distance 

from the equally old Mammiyur 

Mahadeva Kshetram, welcoming the 

guests to an idyllic pilgrimage sojourn. 

One of the largest resorts in the 

area, Sterling Guruvayur features 

71 spacious rooms which include 64 

well-appointed classic rooms and 

seven premier rooms. It is the first 

branded national hotel/resort chain 

in Guruvayur where the signature 

Sterling hospitality ensures that you 

are wrapped around in warmth, 

comfort and convenience. Sterling 

Guruvayur offers 24 hour check-in 

/ check-out facility to cater to the 

flexible needs of pilgrims/travellers 

All rooms are equipped with a tea 

and coffee maker, mini-refrigerator, 

safety locker, large storage space 

and a bath area with premium bath 

amenities. Built in typical Keralastyle 

architecture, reminiscent of the 

temples there, the lobby is ornate with 

rich Burma teakwood, embellished 

with mythical art and extends a 

traditional passage with wooden 

pillars leading to Varishta - an all 

vegetarian pan-Indian restaurant. 

The wafting flavours of filter coffee, 

authentic delicacies from Kerala, 

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra 

Pradesh and North India and the 

chef’s special continental varieties 

are sure to treat your taste buds with 

gastronomical wonders. Celebrate 

auspicious beginnings like weddings, 

anna prasadam, naming/cradle 

ceremonies and other social events 

within close proximity to the deity’s 

shrine. Pilgrims embarking on the 

spiritual journey of Sabarimala can also 

take a pit-stop at Sterling Guruvayur 

during the season of Mandala Pooja 

as it is considered pious to attend this 

activity at Guruvayur temple and take 

the prasadam Panchagavya which is 

said to cleanse inner impurities. 

Sterling Guruvayur offers a 

pilgrimage circuit connecting major 

temples like Mammiyur Mahadev 

Temple, Sree Parthasarathy Temple, 

Sree Chamundeswari Temple, 

Vadakkunnathan Temple and 

Kodungaloor Bhagavathi Kshetram. 

Other attractions like Punathurkota 

Elephant Sanctuary, Mural Art 

Institute, Palayur Church and the 

Chetuva backwaters are also at close 

proximity to the resort. The famous 

Athirapally Falls is a two hour drive 

from the resort. 

Guruvayur being the epitome 

of divinity, it is considered a holy 

destination for Hindu weddings and 

they are planned throughout the year. 

If you’re visiting this town during the 

month of May, you can witness the 

world-famous Thrissur Pooram, a 

magnificent temple festival that blends 

the spiritual and cultural essence of 

Kerala. 

When you stay at Sterling Guruvayur, 

a resort that resonates perfectly with 

the town’s historic culture, you are 

not just choosing a convenient place 

to stay, but also soaking in the most 

authentic experiences that’ll whisk you 

away to 5000 years old legends and 

lores, and many discoveries waiting 

to be explored. Come, experience it 

all with Sterling Guruvayur, Sterling’s 

32nd resort in India and fifth resort in 

Kerala. 

148 


IN FOCUS 

MONTAGE 

CREATING 

EXPERIENCES 

SINCE 1820 

IN THE SERVICE OF the illustrious 

from the 1800s, Welcomhotel - The 

Savoy has been home to Pandit 

Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime 

Minister of India; His Holiness the 

Dalai Lama; Queen Mary, the then 

Princess of Wales; amongst many 

other notable figures. Set amidst 11 

acres of rolling greens, the hotel’s 

English gothic architectural style is 

complemented by burnished elegant 

interiors reminiscent of the era of 

afternoon teas, costume balls and 

glamorous gatherings. 

Wake up to the magical 

morning mist sweeping through 

the panoramic windows that 

frame incomparable views of the 

Himalayas. Each suite and room 

holds testimony to a signature 

style of nostalgia that takes you 

back in time. Pamper your palate 

at the stately Grand Dining Room, 

or relish the outdoors with a 

perfectly packed picnic hamper. 

Get serenaded by birdsongs at the 

alfresco dining area, or experience 

a state of tranquil bliss at the 

exclusive spa. 

Invigorate your inner author with 

colonial spirited evenings at the 

Writer’s Bar – a piece of live history 

and inspiration for luminaries 

like Rudyard Kipling. Transport 

yourself to the regalia of the bygone 

in the resplendent Royal Ballroom, 

the setting for numerous lavish balls 

and celebrations. Today, the Royal 

Ballroom caters to elegant functions 

ranging from weddings to corporate 

events. For the more intimate 

gatherings, play host at one of the 

function rooms that accommodates 

between 30 to 400 guests, or move 

the party outdoors under the starstudded 

canopy at the Beer Garden 

and Central Lawn. 

Immerse yourself into a world 

of tranquillity at the expansive 

wellness centre with panoramic 

Himalayan views to complete the 

experience. Welcomhotel The Savoy 

experience is truly enriching, awash 

with astounding details in every 

corner - each nook hosts a deeper 

meaning, an ode to its exquisite 

history. 

Welcomhotel The Savoy is located 

in the heart of Mussoorie at the 

Library End of Mall Road and 

Gandhi Chowk. It is 32 km away 

from the railway station and 55 km 

from Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. 

150 


NEWS 

SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

SpiceJet adds a non-stop 

flight on Mumbai-Dubai route 

Providing more choice and flexibility 

to passengers, SpiceJet has launched 

a new daily non-stop flight connecting 

India’s financial capital Mumbai with 

international hotspot Dubai. The new 

flight was effective from August 3, 2019. 

The new flight is the second frequency 

on the Mumbai-Dubai route. The new 

flight departs from Mumbai at 9:05 am 

and lands in Dubai at 11:10 am and the 

return flight departs from Dubai at 12:10 

pm and lands in Mumbai at 5:05 pm. The 

enhanced connectivity to Dubai will give 

passengers travelling between the two 

cities more convenience and flexibility. 

Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing 

Director, SpiceJet, said, “The new flight to 

Dubai will meet the steady demand from 

both leisure and business travellers to and 

from Mumbai. The additional daily flight 

will significantly increase our capacity on 

one of our most successful and popular 

routes, offering passengers even better 

and wider access to our international 

network and maximising their comfort 

and flexibility.” 

Dubai is one of the prime destinations 

for SpiceJet in the middle-eastern market. 

The airline serves non-stop flights to 

Dubai from 10 Indian cities — Delhi, 

Amritsar, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Pune, 

Kochi, Calicut, Madurai, Mangaluru and 

Mumbai. The new Mumbai-Dubai flight 

is the 11th flight to Dubai. The flights 

are operational daily and the airline is 

deploying its Boeing 737 NG aircraft on 

the international route. 

Starting April 1, 2019, SpiceJet has 

announced close to 128 new flights 

which includes 78 connecting Mumbai, 

20 connecting Delhi and 10 flights 

between Mumbai and Delhi, among 

others. SpiceJet, in the last few months, 

has introduced a host of new flights 

from Mumbai to Madurai, Jammu (via 

Srinagar), Dehradun, Guwahati, Jaipur, 

Amritsar, Mangaluru, Coimbatore, and 

Belagavi besides additional frequencies 

to Goa, Chennai, Delhi, Patna, Hyderabad 

and Kolkata. 

SpiceJet has also announced a slew 

of new international flights from Mumbai. 

The airline’s new Mumbai-Riyadh-Mumbai 

flight service has commenced operations 

from August 15, 2019 while the flight on 

the Mumbai-Dhaka-Mumbai and Mumbai- 

Hong Kong- Mumbai sectors have been 

effective from July 31, 2019 and Mumbai- 

Jeddah-Mumbai from July 5, 2019. 

Additionally the airline has commenced 

operations on the Mumbai-Bangkok- 

Mumbai sector from May 17, 2019. Besides, 

SpiceJet will soon connect Mumbai with 

international destinations like Colombo 

and Kathmandu. 

SpiceJet now connects 

Delhi with Mangaluru 

SpiceJet has launched a new daily 

flight connecting Mangaluru, the 

port hub of Karnataka, with Delhi. 

The airline has been operating the 

new flights effective August 4, 

2019. SpiceJet is the first and only 

airline to offer daily non-stop air 

connectivity between Mangaluru 

and Delhi. The new flights also 

reiterate the airline’s commitment 

to augmenting connectivity 

between metro and non-metro 

cities. The flight from Mangaluru 

(SG 8642) departs at 6.15 am 

and arrives in Delhi at 8.55 am. 

SG 8643 departs from Delhi at 

153 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

8.30 pm and lands 

in Mangaluru at 

11.15 pm. The airline 

is deploying its 

Boeing 737-800 

aircraft on the new 

route. 

The enhanced 

connectivity to 

Mangaluru will give 

passengers travelling between 

the two cities more convenience 

and flexibility. With the 

introduction of the new flights, 

passengers from Mangaluru will 

be able to easily travel to a host 

of other cities both on SpiceJet’s 

domestic as well as international 

network via multiple onward 

connections from Delhi. 

SpiceJet operates 148 

special flights for Hajj 

pilgrims 

SpiceJet is operating 148 special 

flights for the grand annual 

Islamic Hajj pilgrimage. The 

airline is all set to carry close 

to 11,000 Hajj pilgrims from 

Srinagar to Medina and Jeddah 

and back on special flights for 

the great religious gathering in 

Mecca this year. 

Ajay Singh, Chairman and 

Managing Director, SpiceJet 

said, “SpiceJet is honoured 

to play a small part in helping 

Indian pilgrims travel to Mecca 

for the Hajj pilgrimage this year. 

We offer our best wishes to all 

the pilgrims as they embark on 

this once-in-a-lifetime journey 

and we will make every effort 

to provide a hassle-free and 

delightful travel experience for 

all our pilgrim passengers.” 

The airline has deployed its 

Boeing 737-800 aircraft to ferry 

pilgrims from Srinagar, Jammu 

and Kashmir to Jeddah and 

Medina. The flights are being 

operated between July 4, 2019, 

and July 29, 2019. The return 

journey for the Hajj pilgrims is 

scheduled from August 16, 2019 

to September 11, 2019. 

154 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

MY TOWN 

Our ongoing series in which we look at various Indian cities 

through the eyes of SpiceJet staffers. This month, Kavita Patel, 

Senior Cabin Crew, holds forth on Bhopal 

From top: an overview of the city; the famed 

Bhimbetka Rock Shelters; and Bhopal is often 

called a the City of Lakes 

Connection to the city: I was born and 

brought up here. I cherish my childhood 

memories in Bhopal. As I grew, my 

fondness for the city was raised to 

another bar. 

Best thing about Bhopal: The city has 

developed very well over the years. Yet, 

it retains the charm of a small town. It 

is renowned as a city of lakes. There are 

ample venues to relax with family and 

friends. Bhopal also stands out for its 

all-round greenery, wonderful shopping 

areas and mouth-watering cuisine. 

Night scene in the city: There are many 

pubs, bars and high-end restaurants. 

Among the popular night spots are Ten 

Downing Street, Black Mamba and High 

Spirits Pub and Grill. 

Favourite eating place: You cannot 

call yourself a Bhopali if you are not 

a food lover. My favourite eating 

place is Chatori Gali, a must-go-to for 

non-veg and street food lovers. It has 

various types of eateries, ranging from 

live roadside counters to fine dine 

establishments. 

Local attractions: Sair Sapata is a 

lively entertainment complex located 

on the banks of the Upper Lake in 

Bhopal. The lake itself is a major draw, 

with the pretty Kamla Park in the 

vicinity. Van Vihar National Park is a 

combination of a wildlife sanctuary 

and a zoo and is ideal for spotting 

panthers, bears, lions and tigers. The 

striking Gohar Mahal is a beautiful 

blend of Hindu and Mughal styles of 

architecture. 

Recommended places nearby: There 

are various tourist spots located outside 

the city which draw people from far and 

near. The Sanchi Stupa attracts visitors 

from all over the globe. Bhimbetka 

Rock Shelters show evidence of the 

earliest traces of human life in the 

Indian subcontinent. And Khajurao 

is renowned for its ancient temple 

complex. 

Which are the other places where 

you have stayed in India? How does 

Bhopal compare to them? I have 

been to many Indian cities as part of 

my job. But Bhopal scores over all 

of them. Be it culture, food, nightlife 

or just a day trip, Bhopal is sure to 

impress one and all. 

155 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

ST RS OF SPICEJET 

Meet SpiceJet achievers from our various departments, who 

have stood out for their outstanding work 

DIMPLE BANSAL 

GURGAON 

Internal appreciation: 

Dimple is sincere, dedicated 

and diligent, committed to her roles and 

responsibilities with passion. She has an 

eagerness to enquire, explore and seek 

solutions to critical phases of compliance 

parameters with the sole objective to 

resolve issues. 

Experience with SpiceJet: I started 

my career here in 2017 as an Assistant 

Manager - Finance and was later promoted 

to Deputy Manager. I have learnt a lot 

here during this period and I would like 

to thank all my colleagues and seniors for 

supporting me. The work environment is 

very good and I am glad to be a part of 

this amazing SpiceJet family. I will strive to 

work hard every day. 

MANASI DESHPANDE 

GURGAON 


Manasi is a diligent worker, 

quick to grasp new things and has the zeal 

to learn. The best part is her attitude and 

dedication towards work. Her calmness 

has helped her sail through tough times. 

A multi-tasker, she completes all the tasks 

alloted to her very efficiently. She is a great 

asset to the organisation. 

Experience with SpiceJet: It has almost 

been a year with SpiceJet now. I have 

learnt a lot and would like to deliver more 

in the future. I am enjoying every day 

here while working under the guidance of 

some amazing leaders. Their support and 

guidance makes this a great place to work 

in. My colleagues are also very helpful. I am 

grateful to the management for giving me 

this wonderful opportunity. 

FINANCE 

HR 

SURAJ ADHIKARI 

GURGAON 

Internal appreciation: I 

would like to appreciate 

the hard work and diligent efforts put in 

by Suraj. He has proven to be a resilient 

resource to the Finance team in a short 

stint of time. He has efficiently handled all 

the assignments allocated to him. Keep up 

the good work. 

Experience with SpiceJet: It has been a 

wonderful experience at SpiceJet. I feel 

proud to be associated with a brand like 

SpiceJet and shall certainly do my best to 

produce excellent results in the times to 

come. I would like to thank SpiceJet for 

providing me wonderful opportunities. My 

team has supported me all along and their 

encouragement and guidance has helped 

me immensely in my work. 

DINESH KUMAR 

GURGAON 

Internal appreciation: We 

would like to appreciate 

Dinesh for his dedication and sincerity 

towards his work. He is an energetic 

and pro-active team member, is always 

dedicated to his job and meets the 

deadlines. He is associated with us for the 

last seven years. We wish him all the best 

for his future endeavours. 

Experience with SpiceJet: It has been a 

great experience working with the SpiceJet 

HR team. My endeavour is to always work 

hard and with dedication. I have learnt 

a lot from everyone. Working with my 

seniors always gives me great pleasure 

and also offers opportunities to learn new 

things. I am very proud to be a part of this 

wonderful and encouraging team and the 

SpiceJet family. 

156 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

NIMISHA SHARMA 

GURGAON 


Nimisha has been a great 

addition to the team, enriching the tasks 

alloted to her with positive orientation. She 

has a great, immaculate eye for details. 

She has made a sincere effort in the 

digitization of various channels and has 

worked towards making all the processes 

customer-centric. 

Experience with SpiceJet: I have been 

working with SpiceJet’s Finance team 

for more than four years now. I’ve got 

opportunities to work on diverse projects 

here. I am constantly learning with the 

support of my team and have managed to 

get a deep understanding of the work flow. 

This helps me to perform better with every 

passing each day. 

AAKASH ANAND 

GURGAON 


Aakash is a very talented 

professional who is exceptionally good at 

building strong working relationships and 

dealing with all levels of management. 

He is a sharp and ingenious professional. 

Highly diligent in his work and a very 

customer-centric professional, Aakash has 

always been a consistent idea generator. 

He has that great quality of focusing on 

solutions to all problems. 

Experience with SpiceJet: My journey 

with SpiceJet has been very good. Being 

my first organization, I owe it to SpiceJet 

for providing me the right exposure 

in the industry. Every day provides an 

opportunity to learn new and interesting 

things. It is a place where teamwork and 

skills are encouraged and highly valued. 

FINANCE 

VIJAY KUMAR BAHL 

GURGAON 

Internal appreciation: Vijay 

is a very simple person with 

great attitude towards work. Extremely 

focused, he is polite in nature and very well 

disciplined in office. His contribution to this 

organization has been immense. He has 

shown great passion for his work and 

the airline. 

Experience with SpiceJet: I would like to 

thank my colleagues and seniors who have 

always supported me. I have been working 

with SpiceJet for the last two years. This 

is my first job. I have learnt a lot here and 

the atmosphere is very people-friendly. 

The company follows an open-door 

policy which creates a positive feeling at 

workplace. I would like to deliver more with 

my contribution. 

HR 

ASHOK SAMANTA 

GURGAON 


Ashok is an extremely 

focused, dedicated, calm and composed 

professional. His ability to work patienly 

in high stress situations is commendable. 

An enthusiastic team player, he is always 

ready to help others. He is a treasure of a 

resource and we are very proud to have 

him in SpiceJet. 

Experience with SpiceJet: I have worked 

for more than eight years in SpiceJet 

and have had the most rewarding career 

experience. I am thankful to each of my 

team members, who accepted me as one 

of them, corrected me, loved me as one 

of their family members and took care 

of me. The work culture here helps build 

confidence. I hope to achieve greater and 

newer heights while working here. 

AJAY MAHESHWARI 

GURGAON 


Ajay has been a consistent 

performer from the day he joined our 

organisation. He is a very sincere, hardworking 

and a target-oriented person. 

His attitude is always positive and he is 

definitely an asset to SpiceJet. 

Experience with SpiceJet: It’s been almost 

two years with SpiceJet and every day here 

has been an opportunity for me to learn 

and grow. I consider myself lucky to start 

my career at such a great company where 

my ideas and contributions are valued and 

nurtured, where the place is so happening 

and seniors and colleagues are supportive. 

I've benefited a lot from training sessions 

that are conducted here regularly, which 

has helped me sharpen my skills. 

ARJUN SINGH 

GURGAON 


Words are really not 

enough to mention the contributions of 

Arjun to SpiceJet. He is the go-to man 

for every employee here. His honesty and 

sincerity towards work are benchmarks 

for all people. Arjun is a gem and we are 

thankful to him for the dedication, loyalty 

and love he has shown to all SpiceJetters 

irrespective of designation or hierarchy. 

Experience with SpiceJet: I am honoured 

to work with a great organisation like 

SpiceJet which values its employees and I 

especially enjoy working with my team. I 

take pride in my work and strive to do 

the best I can. I have learned a lot at my 

workplace. I am happy to be a part of 

SpiceJet's growth from day one. I feel like 

being a part of a big family. 

157 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

FLIGHT BOOKINGS 

AT YOUR FINGERTIPS 

SpiceJet’s mobile app has been revamped with a jazzy interface 

and many more exciting features 

It has a brand new interface, is much more faster and scores 

very highly on user-friendliness. SpiceJet’s popular mobile 

app now allows customers great convenience in making 

and managing bookings, checking the status of flights and 

knowing about exclusive, travel-related offers. The interface 

is simple; even the origin of the 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 prebook 

excess baggage at discounted rates through this app. 

The payment gateway of the app offers a variety of 

options. Customers can pay via credit card, debit card, 

net banking or wallets. You can download the official 

SpiceJet app from Google Playstore 

and App Store. 

158 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

STEP: 1 

Choose the required field. Fill in 

the details and click on Search. 

STEP: 2 

Flight options according to the date 

of travel are displayed. On selection 

of the relevant flight, different fare 

classes are displayed. 

STEP: 3 

Once the required flight option 

has been selected, fill in your 

contact details. 

STEP: 4 

Fliers can choose numerous add-on 

options that will make the journey 

hassle-free. 

STEP: 5 

Customers can pay via credit card, 

debit card, net banking or wallets. 

STEP: 6 

Upon a successful check-in, the 

customer receives the boarding pass 

for an un-interrupted experience. 

159 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

THE MID-AIR MENU 

SpiceJet has revamped its menu with new 

delicacies. Here's a quick glimpse of the 

exciting range of mouth-watering options 

BREAKFAST 

EGG BHURJI 

with chicken 

nuggets and 

mix vegetable 

parantha. 

SNACKS 

CHICKEN 

KHURCHAN 

with aloo 

parantha and 

vegetable 

kebab. 

SANDWICHES 

ROAST 

CHICKEN, 

sundried 

tomato 

and basil 

sandwich in 

marble bread. 

VEGETABLE 

JUNGLEE 

sandwich in 

white bread. 

LUNCH 

RASEELE 

CHOLE with 

mix vegetable 

parantha and 

vegetable tikki. 

KADAI 

PANEER 

KHURCHAN 

with masala 

kulcha. 

DINNER 

CHEF’S CHOICE 

TAWA FISH 

MASALA on bed 

of steamed rice 

with tadka masoor 

dal. 

CHICKEN 

METHI 

MALAI with 

jeera rice and 

dal makhani. 

KADAI 

CHICKEN 

with jeera 

rice and dal 

Amritsari. 

VEGETABLE 

PASTA in 

Neapolitan 

sauce. 

PANEER 

METHI MALAI 

with jeera rice 

and dal makhani. 

KADAI 

PANEER 

with 

vegetable 

pulao and dal 

Amritsari. 

More Chef’s Choice options available 

while pre-booking online 

PRE-BOOK YOUR MEAL AND 

GET UP TO 20% OFF 

160 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

ADD- 

SEAT SELECTION DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL 

SpiceMax Seats** Starting at M 799/- * Starting at M 1199 /-* 

Preferred Seats - on Boeing 

Ahead of exit row window /aisle M 350/- 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) M 750/- M 1400/- 

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

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

*PRICE WILL VARY ON DIFFERENT ROUTES 

**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) 

EXCEPT FOR CAKE, ALL THESE ADD-ONS ARE NOT APPLICABLE FOR SPICEBIZ 

NA STANDS FOR ‘NOT AVAILABLE’ 

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

CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE 

162 


SPICEJET 

INSIDER 

Boeing 737 

Interior arrangement of Boeing 737 - 700W 

(149 Passengers) 

Interior arrangement of Boeing 737 - 700 

8 + 126 = 134 (Passengers) 

Rows: 

Entry / Exit 

1 -26 

Emergency Exit 

Entry / Exit 

Rows: 

 

 

Entry / Exit 

Emergency Exit 

Entry / Exit 

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

(189 Passengers) 

Interior arrangement of Boeing 737 - 800 

12 + 156 = 168 (Passengers) 

Rows: 

1 -32 

Rows: 

 

 

 

Rows: 

Rows: 

 

 

Rows: 

1 -20 

BOEING 737-700* 

BOEING 737-800 


BOEING 737 MAX 8 

BOMBARDIER Q400 

7 

52 

5 

13 

32 

Passengers 

149/8+126 

189/12+156 

212/28+138 

189 

78/90 

6200 km 

5,600 km 

5000 km 

6,500 km 

2000 km 

0.79 M 

(840 km/h) 

0.79 M 

(840 km/h) 

0.79 M 

(840 km/h) 

0.79 M 

(840 km/h) 

Speed unit M denotes Mach Number; 1 Mach is equal to the speed of sound. 

*Additionally SpiceJet has 3 B737-700 F, exclusive Freighter aircraft 

666 km/h 

 


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 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.

There are no straight 

lines in nature. 

- Antoni Gaudi 

Intelligent and 

minimal, the Marics 

integrates a full 

reclining mechanism 

into its structure, 

creating a versatile 

chair with clean lines 

and an ultra-light 

appearance. 

Transteel Seating Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 

Bangalore: +91 80 25568868 | Chennai: +91 44 28832595 | 

Hyderabad: +91 40 40020231 | Delhi: +91 9711528858 Toll free: 1800 425 3595 

Email: contact@transteel.com Web: www.transteel.com

Riyadh 

Jeddah 

Kabul 

Srinagar 

Leh 

Jammu 

Dharamshala 

Adampur 

Amritsar 

Dehradun 

Delhi 

Dibrugarh 

Jaisalmer 

Jaipur 

Bagdogra 

Dubai 

Kanpur 

Kishangarh 

Gorakhpur 

Guwahati 

Muscat Kandla 

Porbandar 

Varanasi Patna 

Gwalior 

Silchar 

Udaipur 

Dhaka 

Bhopal 

Ahmedabad 

Jabalpur 

Durgapur 

Kolkata 

Surat 

ARABIAN SEA 

Goa 

Jharsuguda 

Aurangabad 

Shirdi 

Mumbai 

BAY OF BENGAL 

Pune 

Hyderabad 

Belgaum 

Visakhapatnam 

Vijayawada 

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 

International 

AMD-CCU-AMD starting from 1 st Oct., 2019, 

DEL-TRV-DEL and DEL-IXU-DEL 

starting from 8 th Oct., 2019 

India connects with SpiceJet. 

Flight schedules are subject to regulatory approvals and 

change. Map not to scale, graphic representation only. 

Content as on 25th August, 2019 

Routemap 

Bangkok 

Hong Kong

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

I PAD September 2019 1

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