Spice September 2016 issue

PARINEETI CHOPRA | THE ONAM EXPERIENCE | JUNGLE LODGES 

spice 

Volume 10 | Issue 09 | September 2016 

THE INFLIGHT MAGAZINE 

GREAT 

MONSOON 

HOLIDAYS

FROM THE 

CMD’S DESK 

Dear Readers, 

I am delighted to say that in July, 

SpiceJet recorded the best on time 

performance of all major carriers 

in the country including IndiGo, Jet 

Airways, Air India and GoAir. We have 

also registered a load factor of 92%, 

making SpiceJet India’s favourite 

airline for the 15th month in a row. 

Our continuing network 

enhancements have a ‘Look East’ 

focus. Starting from October 4, 

we are adding new destinations, 

namely Silchar, Gorakhpur and 

Aizawl. The airline will operate 

its Q-400 aircraft on Kolkata- 

Silchar-Guwahati; Kolkata- 

Aizawl-Guwahati and Kolkata- 

Gorakhpur-Delhi routes. A new 

city pair, Kolkata-Visakhapatnam- 

Kolkata will be operational from 

November 1. Our aim is to deepen 

our engagement within India by 

enhancing regional connectivity, in line 

with the government’s new policy. The 

new schedule will also include additional 

frequencies on its existing routes of 

Kolkata-Bagdogra and Kolkata-Guwahati. 

We are also connecting Mangalore 

to Dubai with daily flights beginning 

October 30. 

On India’s 70th Independence Day, 

we offered our gratitude to the people 

who allow us the ‘freedom of safety’ by 

defending our borders. All passengers 

who flew on the Indian Armed Forces 

category fares were offered ‘meals’ and 

‘beverages’ at no cost. Many officers were 

also upgraded to SpiceMax (our premium 

seating). The flight interiors also sported 

the Indian tri-colour on the bulk heads 

of the B 737s and at the entrance of the 

Q-400s. The tricolour in the form of 

ethnic wear and badges added to 

our staff’s sartorial elegance. 

Assam was at the receiving 

end of the wrath of nature as it 

witnessed one of the worst floods 

in decades. SpiceJet contributed 

by ferrying thousands of packets 

of food aid for relief to various 

destinations such as Majuli Island 

and Jorhat, and also Bundelkhand 

in Madhya Pradesh. We also 

financially contributed to the food 

aid from amongst funds set aside 

for our CSR duties. Our efforts have 

been lauded by both NGOs and the 

government. 

We at SpiceJet take pride in 

celebrating India’s `Woman Power` 

as PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik and Dipa 

Karmakar brought laurels to the 

country at the Rio Olympics; and 

as per our tradition, we will felicitate and 

reward the distinguished ladies like we 

have done in the past for medal winners. 

Awards galore for Spicejet too, 

as we won the 4th Delhi Management 

Association-Thomas Assessments 

National Award for Excellence in Talent 

Management. SpiceJet was awarded for 

Best Employee Engagement. 

Jai Hind! 

Ajay Singh 

Chairman & Managing Director 

2 ||||| AUGUST 2016

SPICEJET ||||| CSR 

SpiceJet extends a helping 

hand for Assam flood relief 

In July this year, Assam 

received 60 per cent more 

rainfall than it received in July 

2015, flooding the state. This 

affected 1.8 million people, and 

flooded the Kaziranga National 

Park. 

•SpiceJet, in association with 

Anybody Can Help, a voluntary 

association, and Assam CM 

Sarbananda Sonowal’s office, 

helped with relief efforts 

•Nearly 800 kilos of rice 

and dal, donated by Anybody 

Can Help, were ferried and 

distributed by SpiceJet to 

Jorhat 

•1,500 packets of food 

supplies were donated by 

SpiceJet in Majuli Islands 

•103 cartons of milk, donated 

by Nestlé and organised by 

Anybody Can Help, were ferried 

and distributed by SpiceJet to 

Jorhat 

•42 cartons of medicines, 

donated by NGO The Sara – 

Jammu, were ferried and 

distributed by SpiceJet to 

Jorhat 

132 ||||| SEPTEMBER 2016

EXPERIENCE ||||| FESTIVALS 

GOA-A HERITAGE HAVEN 

HIDDEN AWAY AMIDST THE GLITZ AND GLAMOUR OF GOA IS ITS RICH AND EXQUISITE HERITAGE THAT CAN BE 

ENJOYED ALL OVER THE STATE. WE TAKE YOU ON A GUIDED TOUR OF SOME OF THE SURPRISES 

1 2 

Goa is a land of beautiful 

beaches, hinterlands, 

cuisine, culture, colour 

and costumes. 

Nonetheless, in the midst of all 

the glitter and glamour is its 

exquisite and rich heritage that one 

cannot miss admiring. Heritage in 

Goa can be seen through seven 

heavenly wonders and can only be 

experienced when in Goa. It can be 

found aplenty through its 

monuments, culture, cuisine, houses, 

hospitality, forts and traditions. 

MAGNIFICENT MONUMENTS 

While in Goa visit Old Goa, one of 

Goa’s biggest heritage hub just nine 

kilometres from the capital city, 

Panjim. This heritage complex 

houses the tomb and relics of St. 

Francis Xavier at the Basilica of Bom 

Jesus. It is a part of the UNESCO 

World Heritage Site. The St. 

Cajetan’s church which stands 

opposite the Se Cathedral is also 

part of the UNESCO World Heritage 

Site. The Se Cathedral, the largest 

and the grandest church in Old 

Goa and Asia is a big attraction for 

tourists. at Old Goa. The main 

attraction of this church is its giant 

bell, sky high ceilings, massive 

pillars and eight chapels therein. 

FAMOUS FORTIFICATIONS 

Standing tall and strong are some 

historical forts in Goa which 

resonate the freedom struggle that 

led to Goa’s liberation and the 

valiant and heroic sacrifices of 

Goan freedom fighters that 

contributed to it. 

Fort Tiracol is a must visit site on 

the northern tip of Goa at the 

mouth of the Tiracol River. The 17th 

century fort now houses a Boutique 

Heritage Hotel by the Goa Tourism 

Development Corporation. Reis 

Magos Fort is located on the 

northern banks of River Mandovi.It is 

a prime tourist spot and a major 

heritage site. In ruins for a long 

time, the fort is now restored and 

renovated and houses caricatures by 

Late Mario Miranda, renowned 

Goan cartoonist. 

HAUTE HOUSES 

Goa is a hot favourite for its 

Portuguese styled heritage houses 

in the North and South which 

overwhelms one’s senses through 

their vibrant colours and 

architectural designs of the old 

Latin quarters. 

PHOTOS COURTESY: GOA TOURISM 


Fontainhas in Panjim is a 

perfect location to take a look at 

heritage houses now thrown open 

for tourists as heritage hotels, 

heritage restaurants, art galleries 

etc. Margao, Chandor, Curtorim in 

South Goa and Saligao, Siolim, 

Pernem in North Goa are 

perfect for heritage trails through 

the quaint towns and villages 

bedecked by heritage homes. 

GTDC conducts walking trails in 

Fontainhas latin quarter & on 

Diwar Island. 

CHARMING CULTURE 

Goa’s cultural heritage will leave 

you simply spell bound. The rich 

cultural heritage of Goa is a stark 

contrast to the rest of India. 

Goa’s culture has a 

combination of originality and 

influences with a riot of colour, 

costumes and creativity. 

Festivals are the best time to 

witness Goa’s culture when artists 

and artisans converge on the 

streets to showcase local and 

traditional dances, folklore, 

handicrafts and a lot more. 

GOAN 

GOURMETS 

This aspect of Goa’s 

heritage will surely 

sound tempting! 

One can truly 

expeience Goa’s 

heritage through its 

food and flavours. 

Goa’s cuisine is 

influenced by its 

Hindu origins, 400 

years of Portuguese 

colonialism and 

3 

modern techniques. 

The use of coconut, rice, kokum 

are distinct features. Added 

spice to it makes the meal 

really nice. 

TANTALIZING TRADITIONS 

The warm and hospitable, easy 

going lifestyle along with 

adaptable customs and 

traditions are other aspects of 

Goan heritage one needs to 

witness and experience. People 

are free to follow their 

respective religions, and 

attached customs and traditions. 

1. MAE DE DEUS CHURCH, 

SALIGAO GOA 

2. NILAYA HERMITAGE, ARPORA GOA 

3. PALACIO DO DEAO, GOAN HOUSE AT 

QUEPEM GOA 

4. MAHADEVA TEMPLE, TAMBDI 

SURLA GOA 

For more information and 

bookings 

P: + 91 - 832 - 2438830 /31 

E: reservations@goa-tourism.com 

WEBSITE : www.goa-tourism.com 

www.facebook.com/ 

officialgoatourism 

@TourismGoa 

To download the APP 

4 

PHOTOS COURTESY: GOA TOURISM 

SEPTEMBER 2016 ||||| 9

PARINEETI CHOPRA | THE ONAM EXPERIENCE | JUNGLE LODGES 

Volume 10 | Issue 09 | September 2016 

THE INFLIGHT MAGAZINE 

spice 

GREAT 

MONSOON 

HOLIDAYS 

GREAT 

MONSOON 

DESTINATIONS 

CONTENTS 

54 

GREAT MONSOON DESTINATIONS 

With the rains having well and truly set in across most of India, 

here’s walking you through a clutch of places where you can enjoy 

the wet season in the peak of its glory 

JUNGLE LODGES 

Looking for a different kind 

of holiday? Head to these 

pioneering resorts down south 

located in forests in the middle 

of nowhere 

64 

70 

EMPOWERING LIVES 

MAYA, a Karnataka-based NGO 

working since 1991 in the area 

of social reform, has evolved 

three projects into successful 

independent entities impacting 

millions of lives 

BANGLADESHI CUISINE 

Originally the poor man’s meal, 

Bangladesh’s bhorta has been 

elevated to a form of fine 

art today, cutting across all 

economic strata 

78 


CONTENTS 

VERSATILE CELERY 

First recognised for its medicinal 

properties, celery is now 

increasingly being used in more 

than just soups, sauces, stews 

and salads 

86 106 

100 

THE COMEBACK GIRL 

For those who had thought 

she had disappeared, Parineeti 

Chopra is back, and how! 

ODE TO THE KING 

Come monsoon and Kerala 

turns into a phantasmagoria 

of colours, flavours, rituals 

and cultural performances 

for 10 days coinciding 

with its biggest and most 

important festival of Onam 

SPICEJET INSIDER 

Social media 20 

Spice products22 

SpiceVacations.com26 

My town140 

Against all odds 141 

Mobile apps142 

Music144 

News 146 

New on the menu149 

Stars of SpiceJet150 

SpiceJet fleet152 

SpiceJet add-ons158 


CONTENTS 

120 

PRIYANKA CHOPRA 

The actress takes time out to share with us her favourite 

vacation memories 

124 

SPA SECRETS 

Wonder how our Bollywood beauties manage to look so ravishing 

and radiant despite back-to-back shoots and frenetic lifestyles? 

Well, most of them have their own beauty and wellness regimes 

that they absolutely swear by. Be it exotic massages and body 

wraps or personalised therapies, here’s what some of our glam 

divas revealed about their go-to spas around the world 

spice 

SEPTEMBER 2016 

EDITOR 

RAJU BIST 

rajubist@mwspiceroute.in 

EXECUTIVE EDITOR 

EKTA MOHTA 

ekta@mwspiceroute.in 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

KAPIL C BATUS 

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR 

HEMALI LIMBACHIYA 

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

TANVI SHAH 

JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

VIDHI DOSHI 

PRODUCTION MANAGER 

MANGESH SALVI 

DIGITAL ARTIST 

JAYESH V. SALVI 

AD SALES 

MUMBAI 

VINOD MOHITE 

+91 9323554207, vinod@mwspiceroute.in 

RAHUL MUKHERJEE 

+91 9029457667, rahul@mwspiceroute.in 

NEW DELHI 

TANVEER AHMAD 

+91 9555098401, tanveer@mwspiceroute.in 

TAMIL NADU & PONDICHERRY 

CECIL S KOTEY 

+91 9884232475, cecil@mwspiceroute.in 

BENGALURU 

ANURADHA KUBER 

+91 9902329703, anuradha@mwspiceroute.in 

WEST BENGAL & NORTH-EAST 

MOHD. ASAD 

+91-9718834941, media.asad@gmail.com 

CHANDIGARH 

A ANU 

+91-7508049977, aryapuneet7@gmail.com 

KERALA 

T SIVASANKARAN 

+91 9947683001, sivakeral15@gmail.com 

GUJARAT 

SANJAY CHAWDA 

+91 98240 43072, sanjaychawda@gmail.com 

TELANGANA & AP 

ROCKWEL JOSEPH 

+91 9885804155, rocky@mwspiceroute.in 

PUNE 

ARUSHI SHRIVASTAVA 

+91 9538846897, arushi@mwspiceroute.in 

PRODUCED BY 

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 


SPICEJET ||||| INSIDER 

BUZZ ON 

TWITTER 

Have to say,really like the Weekend 

uniform of @flyspicejet! Lovely and very 

courteous cabin crew! 

@sandeeprrao1991 

@flyspicejet Appreciate the quick 

response in getting the matter resolved. 

Special mention to Mr. Siddharth 

Panigrahi. Thank you! 

@sillycrayon5 

It was an awesome experience flying 

with @flyspicejet #sg192 from 

Bangalore to delhi. It was a really 

great experience great #captain 

smooth landing and #sayba 

#Sushmita great air hostesses 

@ABanandavionics 

Rapid and prompt medical assistance 

to an old lady (on her own) 

complaining about severe breathing 

issue. Strength to family. @flyspicejet 

@flyspicejet jst want to share,u hav a 

wonderful staff,varsha,at the front desk 

@ #HyderabadAirport who was vry 

helpful to my wife today 

my wife couldnt share her appreciation 

for varsha’s help at that time; so am 

conveying the same on her behalf here 

Thank you @flyspicejet for such 

awesome leg space 

@harsha_actor 

@VivekJVarghese 

@prajaktkamat 

And now SpiceJet announces special 

offers for Indian Armed, Defence 

personnel. free meals and beverages 

and many more 

Great way to start the journey. 

Awesome playlist guys #SpiceJet 

@AskAnshul 

@TapasBasak 

Well done @ spicejet what an 

ontime performance Delhi- Pune- 

Delhi return flights..great keep it up.. 

@amytbhasin 

@flyspicejet Thanks for the extended 

help team..... 

@mirajgodha 

@flyspicejet flew BOM-BLR over 

the weekend, comfy flight... 

special mention: Capt.Danny 

Desai’s announcements were a lot 

of fun :) 

the personal touch was refreshing. 

not the usual delay-due-to-ATC. 

In fact, got spontaneous claps 

from passengers :) 

@nrucho 

On my Mumbai Kolata SpiceJet flight 

something nice happened. So, the 

company’s travel agency booked me 

under the veg meal category. Now 

those who know me, know how I feel 

about veg food. So I ordered a nonveg 

sandwich @200 and chomped it 

in a jiffy. So as we were about to land 

the steward comes up to me and says, 

“Sir, we sold your unused veg meal to 

another deserving flyer and so we 

would like to return your Rs 200. 

Simple things that an organisation 

does leave a smile on the face. It’s a 

good customer experience moment 

coz they could just add 200 to their 

kitty and no one would know or care. 

Good job spicejet. 

Robin Varghese Panicker 

SHUTTERSTOCK 


® 

THE GMAT ® EXAM IN INDIA 

ISB Mohali 

Apply to over 200 programs in 

India with your GMAT score 

FORE New Delhi 

IMI New Delhi 

BITS Pilani 

IMT Ghaziabad 

BIMTECH Greater Noida 

Amity Business School Noida IIM Lucknow 

Bennett University Noida 

IIM Rohtak 

IIM Udaipur 

IIM Shillong 

IIM Ahmedabad 

MICA Ahmedabad 

IIM Indore 

IIM Ranchi 

IIM Calcutta 

XLRI Jamshedpur 

SPJain Mumbai 

NMIMS Mumbai 

K.J. Somaiya Mumbai 

MISB Bocconi Mumbai 

IMT Nagpur 

ISB Hyderabad 

Woxsen School of Business 

ICFAI IBS Hyderabad 

IMT Hyderabad 

GIM Goa 

IIM Bangalore 

Alliance University 

IFIM Bangalore 

TAPMI Manipal Great Lakes 

Chennai 

MYRA Mysore 

VIT University Vellore 

PSGIM Coimbatore 

IIM Trichy 

GITAM Vishakapatnam 

XIM Bhubaneswar 

To view the complete list of programs that 

accept GMAT scores, visit www.mba.com/india 

Map not to scale 

facebook.com/OfficialGMAT 

pagalguy.com/u/OfficialGMAT 

shiksha.com/author/OfficialGMAT 

twitter.com/OfficialGMAT 

youtube.com/OfficialGMAT 

forum.testfunda.com/ 

members/theofficialgmat


INNOVATIONS FOR 

COMFORT 

& CONVENIENCE 

AT SPICEJET, we believe that customer experience can always be improved upon. In 

keeping with this philosophy, we are constantly looking for ways to make travel not 

just a hassle-free experience, but also one that passengers will remember. 

Our latest slew of innovations reflects this: a product that rewards travellers who travel 

only with hand baggage; another that makes life easier for those who carry heavy 

baggage, but not heavy enough to be checked-in; yet another that offers a bigger 

choice of meals on board; products to please those who are always on the lookout for 

extra legroom, and those who are particular about where they sit on a flight; a prepaid 

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

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

finally a product that aims at greater customer ease in case of flight disruptions. No 

surprise then that we are the country’s favourite budget airline. 


1SpiceMax 

SpiceJet’s SpiceMax provides more comfort and convenience. With extra 

legroom and greater personal space, passengers can travel with ease. 

Apart from significantly extra legroom on board, fliers can also enjoy other 

added ancillary products such as priority check-in, complimentary meal 

and beverage, priority baggage handling and priority boarding (aerobridge 

gates) at dedicated SpiceMax counters at the airport for a modest add-on fee 

per sector. The ease with which fliers can opt for this product enhances the 

experience. When booking a connecting flight with a stop-over, passengers can 

purchase SpiceMax seats separately for the two flights. 

2 

SpiceClub 

This prepaid card allows 

passengers to make cashless 

transactions. With the 

SpiceClub card they can 

purchase meals, merchandise and addon 

services. Every recharge entitles the 

card holder to get additional credits, 

which convert to currency on the card. 

By paying just `599, a passenger can 

enjoy a host of exclusive benefits worth 

up to `5,999. The introductory benefits 

are two free vouchers worth `599 that 

can be used for domestic flight bookings; 

a free air ticket on the member's 

birthday; free priority check-in; preferred 

communication for any SpiceJet Promo 

Sale; and more. 

3 

Hot Meals 

With a brand new menu 

flagged off on all SpiceJet 

flights, passengers now have 

a wider variety of meals to 

opt for. Those flying Boeings are spoilt 

for choice. There are four options for 

breakfast. All day meals (which includes 

snacks, lunch and dinner) is spread 

across eight menus. Seven Chef’s 

Choice menus and two kinds of 

Platters are available 

24 x 7. Passengers taking 

Q 400 flights can now 

choose from eight different 

types of sandwiches. These 

are available only through 

pre-booking. There is a 

great variety on offer – 

from Vermicilli Croquette, Saute Brocoli 

and Chicken Stroganoff to Angara Paneer 

Tikka Sub Roll. New additions include 

a gluten-free meal, which can only be 

pre-booked. Passengers also have the 

option of pre-booking a menu with Thai, 

Continental and Indian options as well 

as Indian Platters. With the expanded 

online menu selection, customers 

who pre-book their meal will enjoy 

discounted rates compared to 

onboard prices. Passengers can also 

continue to wish their loved ones 

on birthdays and anniversaries 

mid-air by pre-booking cakes 

on select flights. A takeaway 

Kids’ Meal bag, shaped like 

an airplane, is available on 

pre-booking. 

4 

My Flexi Plan 

Planning a trip will 

be easier than ever 

with SpiceJet’s new 

innovative add-on 

service, My Flexi Plan. Passengers 

can now enjoy the flexibility of 

cancelling or changing the ticket(s) 

to suit their travel plan. If they are 

certain about travel but not about 

the dates, then they can book a ticket 

by opting for this service. Customers 

can opt for this add-on at the time of 

booking by paying a nominal fee of 

`1,125 for domestic travel ticket and 

`1,250 for international travel ticket. 

The service will be applicable only 

for one change or one cancellation 

per ticket. 



5 

SpiceFlex 

The next time you book a 

flight on SpiceJet, opt for 

SpiceFlex, a uniquely crafted 

bundled fare that offers 

passengers immense benefits such as 

preferred seat choice at no additional 

charge and change fee waiver. Enjoy 

these benefits at a marginal premium 

only. Considered an ideal option 

for frequent travellers and business 

executives, these fares are valid on all 

direct, via and onward flights. Customers 

can book SpiceFlex only on www. 

spicejet.com, and via travel agents. 

PRE-BOOK NOW! 

Pre-book your meals to make your journey 

with us a more comfortable experience. 

You can enjoy exceptional discounted rates, 

with meals starting at 

`180 to full-fledged 

meals at `275. The 

onboard hot meal 

prices have been 

reduced from 

`350 to `300. So, 

pre-booking your meal 

makes purchasing food and 

beverages onboard an entirely cashless 

affair. You can pre-book your meals at 

the time of booking your flight, or add 

later through ‘Manage My Booking’ on the 

website, www.spicejet.com. Pre-book meals 

through the SpiceJet mobile app, and you 

can even get 50 per cent off on meals. 

6 

Fly For Sure 

Fly For Sure has been launched for greater 

customer ease in case of flight disruptions. It allows 

a passenger booked on SpiceJet a guarantee of 

flying in the next 24 hours in case of a flight delay 

beyond 90 minutes, missing a flight not exceeding 30 minutes 

from airport check-in closure of the original flight or a flight 

cancellation by the airline. With Fly For Sure the passenger 

gets to fly, in spite of the above unforeseen circumstances. It is 

available at `299 while booking for the flight and SpiceJet will 

reimburse the passengers for an alternate flight ticket (not 

exceeding double the price of the original ticket or the cost 

of second ticket, whichever is lower) on the airline of their 

choice in the same sector within 24 hours of the original 

scheduled booking with SpiceJet. 

7 

Carry More On Board 

Making air travel even more 

convenient, SpiceJet’s ‘Carry More 

On Board’ is a service for travellers 

with heavier cabin baggage. It 

is targeted at passengers who carry cabin 

baggage heavier than 7 kg, and do not want 

to check-in. Fliers can carry bags weighing up 

to 5 kg extra, a maximum of 12 kg on board, 

while paying a nominal fee for each kg above 

7 kg. Bags can be heavier, but not larger, and 

the standard free baggage allowances remain 

as before. Customers can opt for this product 

during airport check-in and at airport ticket 

counters. 

8 

Hand Baggage Only 

This is another unique product that offers a discount to those 

passengers who carry only hand baggage. Available on 

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

advance purchase period, and no free check-in baggage 

allowance is permissible. Bookings for this can be made on www.spicejet. 

com, at airport ticket offices, and through select online travel portals. 

Passengers should keep in mind that hand baggage allowance does not 

change. Those who book these fares, but decide to check in luggage later, 

will have to pay more. 



SPICEVACATIONS.COM 

TRAVEL WITH EASE AND FLEXIBILITY 

PLAN YOUR HOLIDAYS WITH SPICEJET’S UNIQUE INITIATIVE 

SPICEVACATIONS.COM, A PLETHORA OF END-TO-END TRAVEL SOLUTIONS, MAKING YOUR 

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

Customers need 

to simply decide 

on the theme of 

their vacation 

SPICEVACATIONS.COM is a one-stop 

shop for customised travel packages, 

offering services beyond the ordinary. 

Take your pick from a vast network 

of domestic and international holiday 

destinations, and book your flights with 

the right bundle of services to ensure an 

effortless journey. Carefully hand-picked 

hotels, quick car rentals, and travel 

packages created in association with 

local holiday experts – you have much 

to benefit from SpiceVacations.com. 

With SpiceVacations.com, 

customers can make changes in 

their itinerary online, at every step of 

the trip. For instance, if a customer 

wants to opt for a bigger car even if 

the package entails a smaller one, he 

can do so, and with ease. Customers 

need to simply decide on the theme 

of their vacation, such as pilgrimage, 

honeymoon, heritage, wildlife, beach or 

hills, and the platform throws up a wide 

variety of deals in terms of location, 

hotel arrangements, local sightseeing 

tours and car rentals, among others. 

A separate online domain, this 

product adds to the customer’s 

convenience and also acts as an 

information buddy. In the second phase 

of operations, travel experts will share 

their experiences, comments, blogs, etc., 

that can help customers plan their next 

trip. Reviews from fellow travellers will 

also help customers plan their vacations 

in the right manner. 

With this unique initiative by 

SpiceJet, customers have the flexibility 

of booking a package at a minimal 

amount and can pay the rest later 

through various EMI options that are 

made available to them along with other 

regular options on offer. 

As the website is powered by 

SpiceJet, every customer can enjoy 

great flight and hotel deals. All these 

culminate in smart, convenient and 

detailed travel packages. In keeping 

with the times, the new product will also 

be connected with SpiceJet’s mobile 

app but this will be done at a later 

stage. 

So, travel the world with SpiceJet’s 

enviable travel packages and experience 

the perfect holiday. 

SHUTTERSTOCK 


OPENING SHOT ||||| THE ARTS 

ODISHA’S MOST 

FAMOUS SON IS 

A SAND ARTIST 

FROM PURI 

OTHERS BUILD CASTLES in the sand for fun. Sudarsan Pattnaik, 39, has opted for 

sand art to showcase social concerns. In the process, he has become the RK 

Laxman of Sand Art and Odisha’s most famous face worldwide. The Puri-based 

Padamshree recipient and holder of 21 Limca Records is a social influencer with a 

star-like following in social media. The fan mails – “no less than 50 every day 

which I receive through Twitter, SMS and e-mail” – suggest topics for him to work 

on. In the last 21 years, he has created sand sculptures on terrorism, environmental 

issues, women empowerment, world peace and religious equality. More recently, 

his works on the Syrian child washed ashore and Irom Sharmila ending her 

16-year-old fast stood out for their creativity and impact. Pattnaik, who started the 

Golden Sand Art Institute at Puri beach in 1994, says, “Appreciation and 

involvement of people are the two things that an artist strives on, and for me it’s my 

living fuel.” 

- Madhulika Dash 


OPENING SHOT ||||| NATURAL WORLD 

NO MORE WAITING 

FOR THE BUTTERFLY 

MAN’S NEW BOOK 

HE IS A PHOTOGRAPHER, AUTHOR, 

naturalist and teacher. But Isaac 

Kehimkar is best known as India’s 

Butterfly Man. A living legend on the 

subject, his best-selling book The Book of 

Indian Butterflies was published in 2008 

and featured 635 species. On September 

30, the second book, Butterflies of India, 

will be released, covering 1,000 of the 

1,318 species found in India. Kehimkar 

had started his lifelong affair with the 

natural world by volunteering in 1979 at 

the Bombay Natural History Society 

(BNHS), where he is now the Deputy 

Director. The soft-spoken, self-effacing 

naturalist on how and when he got the 

Butterfly Man of India epithet: “Really I 

do not know when people started calling 

me with that title, but yes after the 

publication of my first book, I started 

getting fan mail and lots of queries from 

butterfly photographers and students 

wanting to study butterflies.” 

Clockwise from top left: Isaac Kehimkar on 

a field trip with butterfly enthusiasts; 

Crimson Rose; Orange Oakleaf; Chocolate 

Albatross; and Black Rajah 


OPENING SHOT ||||| HERITAGE 

KUDOS FOR TIMELY PROTECTION OF 

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE 

SpiceJet flies to Pune, 136 km away. Log 

on to www.spicejet.com for details 

THE KAAS PLATEAU, located 25 km from Satara in Maharashtra, is a beautiful 

biodiversity spot whose wide range of wild flowers had started attracting nature 

lovers over the last few years. But the trickle had changed into hordes in recent 

times. Last year, on some days, there were as many as 12,000 visitors. 

Unregulated tourism had seen many pitfalls leading to habitat destruction at the 

UNESCO World Heritage site. People were driving their vehicles right into the 

middle of the flowering area. Many of them were rampantly plucking flowers to 

carry back with them. The Satara Forest Division has now stepped in to protect 

the fragile ecosystem of the area. Tourists, each paying Rs 50, will now only be 

allowed in batches of 750 tourists in each of four daily slots. Every slot will extend 

to three hours. Bookings can be done on the Forest Division’s website. Here is one 

move of the bureaucracy which everyone is appreciating. 


OPENING SHOT ||||| DESTINATIONS 

SUMMIT SHOPPING 

IN THE GRAND 

CANYON OF OMAN 

THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE IN OMAN, head 

to Jebel Shams (Mountain of Sun), which, 

at 3,048 metres, is the highest point in the 

sultanate. In the upper stretch of the 

mountain is an area called the Grand 

Canyon of Oman. It offers stunning views 

of tiny villages, gorges, a large natural 

water pool and ravines. At the summit, you 

can catch your breath by indulging in a 

little bit of shopping at little stalls set up by 

children from the villages - they will 

sweetly sell you homemade handicrafts 

like slippers, key rings and rugs. 

SpiceJet flies to Muscat, 240 km away. Log 

on to www.spicejet.com for more details 


OPENING SHOT ||||| COSUMERISM 

INDIA’S 

LARGEST MALL 

NOW HAS 

COMPANY 

SpiceJet flies to Kochi. Log on to www. 

spicejet.com for details 

IF SHOPPING IS THE NEW 

RELIGION, massive malls are its 

cathedrals. And in India, the title 

for the largest among them all (in 

terms of gross leasable area) goes 

to Lulu Shopping Mall in the heart 

of Kochi, Kerala. Covering a 

staggering 17 lakh sq ft across five 

floors, it boasts of a nine screen 

multiplex, party halls, more than 

350 shops, game arcades and 18 

multi-cuisine kitchens that can 

cater to 4,500 shopaholics in one 

sitting. More is on the way. Buoyed 

by the success of the Kochi 

property, a sister mall is being 

planned over 19 acres in Akkulam. 

It will be the second largest mall in 

the country, will entail an 

investment of Rs 2000 crore and 

will also have a hotel and 

convention centre. 


GREAT VALUE 

FOR 

GREAT SEEKERS 

At Holiday Inn Express®, it’s 

easy to find what you need. 

We perfect everything you need for a smooth stay so you 

can focus on the things that really matter – your business, 

your holiday, your fun. We even make earning points 

effortless through the IHG® Rewards Club so it’s easier for 

you to enjoy member-exclusive rewards and offers, 

including up to 35% off room rates at the 5000 hotels in 

our network. 

GREAT LOCATION FREE WIFI FREE BREAKFAST COMFY BED POWER SHOWER GREAT VALUE 

From closing business deals to scoring shopping deals, enjoy 

more of what matters to you at Holiday Inn Express®. 

Ahmedabad / Chennai / Hyderabad / New Delhi 

ihg.com/getyourrate

OPENING SHOT ||||| OFFBEAT 

THE COLOURFUL 

HOUSES OF OLD MANALI 

JUST 3 KM AWAY FROM MANALI, the popular holiday destination in Himachal 

Pradesh, is Old Manali, famous for its orchards. In fact, it was here that the British 

first introduced apples, the growth of which later spread all across the region. Old 

Manali is also known for its charming bylanes, Manaligarh Fort, innovative cafes, 

cherries being sold in paper cups, a temple dedicated to Sage Manu and affordable 

guest houses. Lost in all these attractions sometimes is the unique colourful look of 

the abodes here. The multi-hue exteriors give a cheerful disposition to the place, 

matching the nature of the locals. 


OPENING SHOT ||||| STRUCTURES 

THE ARCHITECTURAL 

WONDER THAT IS 

THE GOPURAM 

THERE ARE TEMPLES. And then there are 

temples with gopurams. Gigantic towers at 

the entrances of temples in south India, the 

richly ornate gopurams are sights to behold. 

Some of them overshadow the temples inside 

and go back to the 12th century, beginning 

with the advent of the Pallava dynasty in 

what is now Tamil Nadu. Humans, divine 

beings, mythical animals – you will find all 

these and more carved on the gopurams. 

Each region has its own style of the 

structures but there is one commonality: 

they all follow a theme derived from Hindiu 

mythology. The theme is usually associated 

with the deity of the temple inside the 

complex. Here are four gopurams that we 

liked in the southern states. 

Clockwise from top: 

Attractive gopurams 

in Andhra Pradesh 

(Shri Venkateshvara 

temple); Tamil Nadu 

(Manargudi temple); 

Kerala (Vishnu 

temple in Kochi); 

and Karnataka 

(Virupaksha temple) 


MELANGE ||||| HAPPENINGS 

HOT DATES 

EVENTS // MUSIC // THEATRE // ART 

music 

BOOM 0.1 FEATURING 

BADSHAH AND 

AASTHA GILL 

Rapper Badshah will 

perform his super-hits 

such as ‘Kar Gayi Chull’, 

‘Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui 

Hai’ and others. 

When: September 

18, 2016 

Where: Guwahati 

poetry 

AN ODE TO THE BARD 

OF BENGAL 

Rabindranath Tagore’s poems 

are perhaps the best portrayal 

of Indian rural life and femininity. 

Among his fifty and odd 

volumes of poetry are Manasi, 

Sonar Tari, Gitanjali, Balaka, 

The Gardener and The Crescent 

Moon. In this event, Gulzar will 

present his Hindi translations of 

selected works of Tagore along 

with a commentary in English, 

while Jaya Bachchan will preface 

the Hindi translations with the 

original Bangla version. 

When: September 1, 2016 

Where: NCPA Mumbai 

comedy 

OBSESSIVE COMEDIC DISORDER 

Stand-up comic Sapan Verma talks about the 

education system, dealing with parents, house-hunting 

in India and several other irritating things that every 

’90s kid will relate to. 


Where: Gurgaon 



music 

RAHUL AND ROHIT MISHRA 

Since 2007, Rahul and Rohit Mishra have been under the tutelage of 

Girija Devi and have become professionally trained in khayal, thumri, 

tappa, dadra, chaiti, kajri, hori and bhajan. 



comedy 

COMEDY VISARJAN II 

Witness one of the biggest nights of comedy in Kolkata. 

Comedy Visarjan II features TV artistes Sunil Grover, Ali 

Asgar, Kiku Sharda and Chandan Prabhakar perform 

together, and YouTube sensations Kanan Gill, Abish 

Mathews, Kenny Sebastian, Kaneez Surka and Zakir Khan. 


Where: Kolkata 

dance 

VAMATARA – TO THE 

LIGHT 

This is the latest 

production of dancerchoreographer 

Malavika 

Sarukkai and includes 

both solo and group 

choreography. The concept 

of Vamatara is inspired by 

the enduring image of the 

lotus in Indian thought and 

philosophy, rising upwards 

from the sludge to the 

light as a symbol of eternal 

hope. 


Where: Bengaluru 



SEPTEMBER 

L 

ISTINGS 

1 

What: The Prestige (Mind 

Reading and Magic Show) 

When: From 4.00 pm 

Where: Lamakaan, 

Hyderabad 

2-4 

What: Sahaj 

Parav (Music 

Festival) 

When: From 

4.00 pm 

Where: Nazrul 

Mancha, 

Kolkata 

3 

What: Aadar Malik Live (Stand-up 

Comedy) 



4 

What: Classical Duet Festival 

(Dance Performances) 


Where: Uttam Mancha, 

Kolkata 

7What: India 

9 

Summit 2016 

(Full-day 

Symposium) 

When: From 8.00 

am to 5.00 pm 

Where: Taj Palace 

Hotel, New Delhi 

10 

What: Rukmini Vijayakumar 

(Bharatanatyam Performance) 


Where: Jagriti Theatre, Bengaluru 

What: Sharik Hasan (Jazz Concert) 


Where: Alliance Francaise, 

Bengaluru 

What: 

Orthodoxically 

Me by Praveen 

Kumar (Stand-up 

Comedy) 

When: From 7.30 

pm 

Where: Alliance 

Francaise, Chennai 

10 & 

11 

What: Bakra Eid 

Where: Across 

India 

13 

What: Roald Dahl 

Centenary Tribute 

When: From 

7.00 pm 

Where: NCPA 

Mumbai 

15 

What: Ganesh 

Visarjan 

Where: Across 

India 

16 

What: Pink 

(Hindi Film) 

Where: 

Across India 

17 

What: India Today What: 

Youth Summit 

When: From 10.00 am 

Where: Jawaharlal 

Nehru Stadium, Delhi 

21 

23 

28 

Ziro Rush 2016 

(Music Festival) 

When: From 10.00 am 

Where: Biiri Village, 

Arunachal Pradesh 

What: Born to Love – 

Life Story of Cupid by 

Sandip Soparrkar 



What: M.S. 

Dhoni: The 

Untold Story 

(Hindi Film) 

Where: Across 

India 


T: +91 96861 94777 

www.frontierindia.in 

LEAN BACK, RELAX AND BE 

COMFORTABLE, WHILE YOU WORK 

With Zoiros+, you are guaranteed relaxed employees and a productive workplace. 

Frontier Modular Designs 

presents a new line of 

flexible workstations and 

chairs, Zoiros+, with 

height adjustable angular 

legs that can be manually 

modified up to 50 mm. 

Get the Zoiros+ advantage! 

Unique angular elliptical leg feature for aesthetics 

Sit comfortably, everyday and all day with a 50 mm height modification facility 

Manual adjustment gives you complete control over your comfort 

Range includes workstations, chairs, cabin tables and conference tables 

E: sales@frontierindia.in 

BENGALURU | MYSORE | HYDERABAD | CHENNAI | MUMBAI

MELANGE ||||| INFORMATION 

WHAT'S NEW 

TAXIS IN DUBAI PROMOTE 

KERALA TOURISM • 

With the onset of the tourism season 

in the Middle East, Kerala Tourism has 

rolled out a promotional campaign in 

Dubai targeting Arab travellers and 

showcasing the state’s backwaters 

and waterfalls on taxis plying in the 

bustling metropolis. Two hundred 

Kerala-branded taxis ferry the 

message of ‘A Faraway Land Four 

Hours Away’– with eye-catching 

visuals. The Middle East outbound 

tourist market is the world’s fastestgrowing 

segment with a 9% rise 

in 2015. 

TWO STATES CREATE ‘SELFIE DANGER ZONES’ 

AT TOURIST SITES 

The Ministry of Tourism has issued a directive to state 

governments “to prevent any untoward incident” by setting 

up ‘selfie danger zones’ at tourism sites, and the governments 

of Karnataka and Maharashtra have already complied. Many of 

India’s selfie-related accidents have involved young people being 

reckless close to waterfalls, cliffs and trains, while attempting to 

take the perfect photo. 

PUNE EMERGES AS MOST BUDGET-FRIENDLY 

INDIAN DESTINATION 

TripAdvisor announced the sixth edition of its annual 

TripIndex Cities, which compares the cost of a three-night 

break inclusive of a four-star hotel, a visit to three attractions, 

lunch, dinner and taxi fares. Among 27 cities, Pune was 

adjudged the lowest cost destination at ` 26,595, while 

Mumbai the most at ` 38,444. 

SHUTTERSTOCK 


MELANGE ||||| INFORMATION 

RUSSIANS TOP LIST OF 

FOREIGN TOURISTS IN 

GOA • 

According to tourism ministry statistics, 

106,754 Russian tourists visited Goa from 

October 2015 to May 2016 this year. The 

United Kingdom ranked second with 

34,549 tourists, followed by Ukraine. In 

all, 1.58 lakh foreign tourists arrived in 

Goa on short-term visits. 

CHANDIGARH AIRPORT 

BECOMES LATEST 

HUB TO EMBRACE 

RENEWABLE ENERGY 

The 25-year project, which is 

being undertaken in partnership 

with ReNew Power, will see the 

development of five megawatt 

solar power installation at the 

airport. Once completed, the 

plant will be able to generate 

8.4 million units of power per 

year and offset more than 8,000 

tonnes of carbon emissions 

annually. The airport said that the 

power plant will reduce its energy 

costs by approximately 20%. 

DELHI AIRPORT ENABLES FASTER CHECK-IN 

Passengers at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) can now access 

faster check-in, due to the implementation of Rockwell Collins’s new Arinc vMuse 

mobile passenger processing solution. IGI is the first airport to implement Arinc 

vMuse, facilitating airlines and ground handling agents to utilise a tablet-based 

application to check-in passengers from anywhere in an airport. In addition to 

Arinc vMuse mobile, the airport has deployed Arinc vMuse, Arinc SelfServ Kiosks, 

Arinc VeriPax Passenger Reconciliation System and Arinc BagLink for baggage 

messaging to facilitate passenger processing and reduce congestion. 

SHUTTERSTOCK 


COVER STORY ||||| TRAVEL 


GREAT 

MONSOON 

DESTINATIONS 

WITH THE RAINS HAVING WELL AND 

TRULY SET IN ACROSS MOST OF 

INDIA, HERE’S WALKING YOU 

THROUGH A CLUTCH OF PLACES 

WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY THE WET 

SEASON IN THE PEAK OF ITS GLORY 

Most parts of 

India, dusty 

and hot for 

many of the 

months, 

come alive 

during the monsoons. Some are suddenly 

adorned with lush greenery, others are 

speckled with gushing waterfalls, still 

others wear colourful cloaks of wild 

flowers. Discerning travellers eschew 

the summer months when crowds are 

swarming all over the place and hotel 

rates are sky high. Instead, they opt for 

the cooler and greener monsoon months 

which also offers the bonus of more 

economical holiday packages. We run 

you through some wonderful 

destinations where you can enjoy the 

monsoon in its full glory. 

MUNNAR 

KOCHI 

Rolling hills and emerald green tea 

plantations make for a picture postcard 

setting, and with the onset of monsoon, 

the gathering clouds lend a surreal feel to 

the breathtaking scenery. Raindrenched 

Munnar (eastern Kerala) has a 

freshness about it that is lacking at other 

times of the year. The clouds hang low or 

gently sweep across, alternately masking 

everything in a translucent curtain and 

clearing up to reveal stunning vistas. 

The region is shrouded in mystery, 

thanks to the mist left behind. The best 

way to spend time is to soak in the 

atmosphere, take long walks along 

deserted roads or inside plantations, and 

become part of the romance that 

Munnar exudes. 

(Distance from airport: 130 km) 



ANDAMAN ISLANDS 

PORT BLAIR 

Miles from the country’s coast and in 

the middle of the Bay of Bengal lie the 

Andaman Islands: exotic, unspoiled, 

and offering a significant slice of history. 

Perhaps the only place in India with such 

marine diversity, the rains bring many 

of the water-based activities here to a 

grinding halt but the sea and coast 

continue to exert a magnetic pull. 

You can either stay put in Port Blair, 

or if the weather permits, head out to 

one of the islands, especially Havelock, 

which is less crowded and has beautiful 

beaches and coves where you can watch 

the waters - bright blue one minute, 

angry grey the next… A dip in the sea 

may seem scary but it is an altogether 

different experience lying on the beach 

and watching the waves lash against 

the rocks with a thunderous roar. This 

is not for everyone but comes highly 

recommended for those who love 

the monsoon. 


SHILLONG 

GUWAHATI 

The rain gods are particularly bountiful when it 

comes to the north-eastern state of Meghalaya, 

whose very name translates as megh (cloud) 

and alaya (home) i.e. home of the clouds. The 

state’s capital, Shillong, sees average to heavy 

rainfall during the monsoon months, with light 

drizzles often morphing into torrential rain. 

You can go boating on the massive Barapani 

Lake or Umiam River or head to Nehru Park 

nearby, where you can see a wide variety of flora 

and fauna. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, the 

rapids at the base of the Elephant Falls are just 

the place for you. A trek to Shillong Peak, 

located at an altitude of 1,965 metre, proves 

just why Shillong earned the epithet, “Scotland 

of the East”. The gushing waterfalls, lush 

green vegetation and orchids in a riot of colours 

are sure to blow you away. 




GOA 

GOA 

It’s a given that Goa is where you can 

enjoy sun, sand and surf throughout the 

year. However, from June through 

October, rains bring an added flourish to 

the natural bounty of this state. Soaked 

beaches, verdant environs, swollen 

waterfalls plus all the offseason 

financial benefits make it worth your 

while to visit Goa during the monsoon. 

You can visit the iconic Dudhsagar 

Falls which are in their full glory. Else, 

this is also the time when Goans 

celebrate a plethora of festivals. Sao 

Joao, the fertility feast of Saint John the 

Baptist, sees men jumping into 

overflowing wells to retrieve bottles of 

feni, the local alcohol. Also, the feast of 

Saint Peter and Saint Paul has people 

sailing up the river on rafts that double 

as stage for performances. Then there is 

the Bonderam fest, replete with 

colourful flags and parades. As in 

neighbouring Maharashtra, Goa too 

celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi. 

SHANTINIKETAN 

KOLKATA 

In 1862, Rabindranath Tagore's father 

Maharshi Debendranath had build a 

small house and called it 

Shantiniketan (Abode of 

peace). Thirty nine years 

later, Rabindranath started a 

school there that was modeled on 

the lines of the ancient gurukul 

system. It would later grow into a 

university called Visva Bharati. 

Shantiniketan is a year-round 

tourist destination but becomes all 

the more attractive during the 

monsoons with vistitors attracted to 

the campus’ wonderful sculptures, 

frescoes, murals, and cultural events 

including Varsha Mangal 

(photo on right). 




JOG FALLS 

MANGALORE 

The Sharavathi River splits 

downstream from the Linganamakki 

Dam and plunges 830 feet to form four 

distinct falls i.e. Raja, Rani, Roarer and 

Rocket that are together called Jog 

Falls. Situated in the Shimoga district 

of Karnataka, the spectacular falls are 

certainly the state’s pride. While they 

are visible almost throughout the year, 

it is during the monsoon that they are at 

their gushing best. 

You can sit on one of the benches 

and gaze at the waterfalls, which, 

framed by thick green jungle, make for 

a stunning sight. It’s even possible to 

catch a brilliant rainbow on a sunny 

day. When the falls plummet into the 

valley below, they form an 

impenetrable screen of milky white. 

When clouds cloak the falls from view, 

it’s magical to hear the roaring water. 

Within minutes, they clear out and 

reveal priceless views… 


KODAIKANAL 

MADURAI 

Known as the Princess of hill stations, 

Kodaikanal is Tamil for ‘gift of the forest’. Not 

only does the hill town retain an idyllic charm 

during the rains, the hills turn a deep green and 

the place is transformed into a kaleidoscope of 

colours. You can pick from a number of sights 

including Kodai Lake, Coaker’s Walk, Golf 

Course, Bryant Park, Pine Forest, Dolphin Nose 

and Pillar Rocks. You can go for treks or simply 

walk down to Kodai Lake while soaking in the 

beauty of pink cherry blossoms that lend a 

distinct character to Kodaikanal at this time of 

the year. Cycling around the lake is another fun 

activity and cycles of all sizes are up for hire. 

Children can enjoy horse rides here. Enjoy the 

omnipresent cascades of the season while 

eating at small cafes that serve simple yet 

delectable fare mostly fresh out of the oven. 




LADAKH 

SRINAGAR 

Ladakh lies in the rain-shadow region 

of the Himalayas and experiences 

very little rain, but it is precisely for 

this reason that you should travel to 

this arid yet stunning region during 

the monsoon. In fact, May-end to 

September is the best time to visit 

Ladakh when whatever little rain is 

experienced in short, heavy bursts 

and the skies remain a clear, pristine 

blue rest of the time. 

If adventure is what you seek, 

white-water rafting on the Indus and 

Zanskar rivers is just right for you. 

Opt for popular trails such as the 

Phey-Nimo route, Kharu-Spituk 

route and Upshi-Kharu route for 

spectacular mountain views. Ladakh 

also offers a large dose of culture, 

with its colourful festivals and 

gompas that display a unique blend of 

Indian, Tibetan and Chinese- 

Buddhist cultures. 


COORG 

MANGALORE 

Sometimes called the Scotland of India, 

Coorg is a visual treat during the monsoon. 

Located in the Western Ghats in Karnataka, 

it is well-known for its coffee plantations. 

Home to Tadiandamol, the third tallest peak 

in Karnataka, Coorg’s rugged terrain makes 

for an ideal getaway, especially during the 

rains. 

Behold the cascading Abbey Falls that 

are in full steam at this time of the year. 

Another must-see is Talacauvery, the 

birth-place of the revered Cauvery River. 

Seated at an elevation, Talacauvery is almost 

always enveloped by fog and makes for 

breathtaking views during the rainy season. 

Likewise, Madikeri’s Raja Seat offers 

stunning views of the valley drenched in 

colours of the monsoon. 


(BY ANITA RAO-KASHI, BINDU GOPAL RAO AND AARTI KAPUR SINGH) 


TRAVEL ||||| STAYS 

7 GREAT JUNGLE 

LODGES IN 

SOUTH INDIA 

LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT KIND OF 

HOLIDAY? HEAD TO THESE 

PIONEERING RESORTS DOWN SOUTH 

LOCATED IN FORESTS IN THE MIDDLE 

OF NOWHERE 

BY: AARTI KAPUR SINGH 

We may not be 

able to lord over 

the jungle like 

author Edgar 

Rice Burroughs’ 

fictional wild man, Tarzan, but we could 

certainly head to one for some muchneeded 

respite from the madness of our 

concrete jungle. 

There are numerous wildlife 

sanctuaries across the country. Usually, 

each one of them is known for being 

home to a particular species. The 

sanctuaries are also distinguished by the 

best months to visit them. However, you 

can stay only on their fringes. 

But unknown to many, there are 

some in the southern states that lend 

themselves beautifully to the idea of 

staying in a forest in the middle of 

nowhere and marvelling at the abundant 

flora and fauna, some of which is 

indigenous to the region. Spice Route 

takes you on a safari of seven best jungle 

lodges south of the Vindhyas. 

TUSKER TRAILS 

BANDIPUR, KARNATAKA 

Bandipur National Park was once the 

private game reserve of the Maharajas of 

Mysore; today, Tusker Trails lets you get 

up, close and personal with it. Pick from 

the six cottages with double bedrooms 

and attached bath that offer a rustic 

charm or the three with lavish interiors, 

a lounge and private balcony. You can 

treat yourself to picnics, outdoor sports, 

open-air meals and swimming. In case 

you are looking to get off the grid, this 

jungle resort promises you the chance to 

be one with nature. Sit by the water’s 

edge at Mangala Reservoir or enjoy the 

many walking trails. Else, enjoy some 

“me time” at their spa. 

Location: Bandipur National 

Park, Karnataka 

Best time to visit: March to October 

Website: http://www. 

bandipurnationalpark.in/wildflowertusker-trails.html 

Contact: +91-80-23618024 



RIVER TERN LODGE 

BHADRA TIGER RESERVE, KARNATAKA 

Nestled in the Western Ghats, River Tern Lodge derives 

its name from a nearby island to which hundreds of River 

Terns flock during the breeding season. Sitting on a 

hillock near Lakkavali in Chikmagalur district, the lodge 

is a stone’s throw away (4km) from the northern 

boundary of Bhadra Tiger Reserve. Enjoy the soft ripples 

of the River Bhadra or take off on a jeep safari in the 

evenings when you can sight leopards, wild boars, 

elephants, Gaurs (Indian Bison), deer, crocodiles and 

monitor lizards, among other wildlife. With the reserve 

being home to over 200 species of birds including grey 

jungle fowl, red spur fowl and Malabar Parakeet, bird 

lovers are surely in for a treat. 

Location: Near Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Karnataka 

Best time to visit: June to March 

Website: http://www.riverternlodge.com/ 

Contact Number: 9449599780 

TAJ GARDEN RETREAT, THEKKADY, KERALA 

Located near the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Periyar, 

which is one of Kerala’s most picturesque regions, the Taj Garden 

Retreat sits 2,700 feet above sea level and has spacious rooms with 

fine wooden décor, adorned with natural fabrics. This charming 

resort comprises 32 rustic villas with thatched roofs. Close to 

civilization and yet, totally removed from it, these villas fit right 

in with their surroundings. Revel in the wildlife at Periyar 

National Park, take a houseboat ride in the backwaters, or indulge 

in a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage; there is something for 

everyone here. 

Location: Near Periyar National Park, Kerala 

Best time to visit: September to March 

Website: http://www.thekkady.com/tajgarden/ 

THE SERAI, KABINI 

NAGARHOLE, KARNATAKA 

This is a premier luxury resort seated on the banks of 

the Kabini River in Karnataka. Kabini is known for its 

jungles, and the resort, which spans 70 acre land, of 

which, 60 acre runs wild, serves as an excellent gallery 

for viewing wildlife. Guests can soak in the tranquil 

environs and enjoy jeep safaris, boat rides and elephant 

rides at the elephant training camp. The adjoining 

forests boast more than 300 species of birds including 

the endemic Malabar Trogon, Malabar Pied Hornbill 

and Crested Hawk Eagle; herbivores such as Asiatic 

Elephant, Gaur and Sambar; and a thriving population 

of predators such as tigers (Nagarhole is said to have 

the highest density of tigers in India), leopards and 

wild dogs. 

Location: Near Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka. 

Best time to visit: September to May 

Website: www.theserai.in 



JUNGLE HUT, MASINAGUDI, KARNATAKA 

Jungle Hut lies near the Mudumalai Wildlife 

Sanctuary at the foothills of the Nilgiri mountain 

range in Karnataka. At 3,000 feet above sea level and 

wide-ranging climatic conditions, this holiday estate is 

surrounded by a wealth of plant and animal life that 

thrives amidst virgin jungles and sparkling streams. 

You can trek meandering forest paths, set out on jungle 

safaris, and sleep under starry skies. With no 

telephones, music or television to invade the quiet 

surroundings, the atmosphere is one of utter serenity. 

They have regular cottages with rooms furnished with 

local materials, in-house paintings and verandahs that 

skirt the forest. One of the highlights is a visit to the 

forest department elephant camp where around 29 

pachyderms are cared for and trained. 

Location: Near Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary 

Best time to visit: July to March 

Website: http://www.junglehut.in/ 

PAPINAKONDOLU RESORTS, 

ANDHRA PRADESH 

Abutting the Papikonda National Park in Andhra 

Pradesh is Papinakondolu Resorts situated amidst the 

green surroundings of Bhavanasi Lake. The park is 

inhabited by tigers, panthers, leopards, hyenas, jackals, 

sloth bears, horned antelope, sambar, spotted deer and 

crocodiles with the majestic Black Panther being the 

most sought after resident. Pick from cottages or 

standard rooms. For a mystic experience, head for the 

Borra Caves. The adventurous can opt for a trek to some 

amazing waterfalls in the neighbourhood. 

Location: Near Papikonda National Park, 

Andhra Pradesh. 

Best time to visit: October to May 

Website: http://www.papikondaluresorts.com/ 

RED HILL, TAMIL NADU 

This century-old heritage bungalow is set at an altitude of 7,000 

feet on the edge of the Silent Valley and the National Thar Reserve 

overlooking Emerald Lake in Ooty in Tamil Nadu. Red Hill is part 

of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and famous for its lush green 

forests. A bird watcher's paradise, more than 60 species can be 

spotted here. The bungalow offers nine spacious rooms with 

colonial-style architecture including a fireplace and attached 

bathroom. Each room comes with a view of the hills or the lake 

which is mesmerising. Go trekking, hiking, cycling, take a jeep 

safari through the jungles, explore the plantations in the region… 

there is adventure all around! 

Location: Near National Thar Reserve, Tamil Nadu. 

Best time to visit: September to May 

Website: http://redhillnatureresort.com/ 


BEST 

ON TIME 

PERFORMANCE. 

HIGHEST 

OCCUPANCY 

RATE. 

THANK YOU 

FOR MAKING 

SPICEJET 

THE No.1 

AIRLINE IN INDIA.* 

*As per DGCA statistics, SpiceJet has recorded the best on time performance 

and the highest occupancy rate amongst all major airlines - IndiGo, Jet Airways, 

Air India and GoAir in the month of July, 2016.

Burning, tingling, diabetic foot pain can make life 

difficult. If you or your patients suffer from symptoms 

like these, treatment with Anodyne® Therapy, has 

clinically proven to help. 

The word “Anodyne” means pain relief and Anodyne® 

Therapy products are newly available in India, and are 

directly imported from USA. 

These systems emit infrared light at a wavelength of 890 

nm, resulting in increased circulation and pain relief. This 

treatment is drug-free and can easily be delivered during 

a 30 minute office visit. 

Fifteen (15) studies have been published in peer 

reviewed journals demonstrating the effectiveness of 

Anodyne® Therapy Systems specifically for symptoms of 

neuropathy, restless leg syndromme and for non 

healing wounds. 

Anodyne® Therapy treats the cause of neuropathy and 

other conditions resulting in true relief. Also, this 

treatment reverses the dangerous loss of sensation that 

diabetic patients often experience for which there is no 

known drug treatment. 

Prospective patients and interested Health Care 

Professionals should contact the Anodyne Therapy Eqpt 

P v t L i m i t e d a t 9 1 - 8 0 - 6 5 9 6 3 1 3 2 , o r v i s i t 

anodynetherapy.in for more information about 

Anodyne® Therapy products in India. 

Distributors in India 

Equipments Pvt. Ltd. 

Call : 91-80-65963132 

Mobile : +91 8762532901 

E-mail : sales@anodynetherapy.co.in 

sales@anodynetherapy.in 

www.anodynetherapy.co.in 

www.anodynetherapy.com 

www.anodynetherapy.in 

Toll Free for USA : 1.800.521.6664

EATING ||||| BANGLADESHI CUISINE 

THE FULL 

CIRCLE 

ORIGINALLY THE POOR MAN’S MEAL, 

BANGLADESH’S BHORTA HAS BEEN 

ELEVATED TO A FORM OF FINE ART 

TODAY, CUTTING ACROSS ALL 

ECONOMIC STRATA. 

BY PRITHA SEN 

A bhorta platter 

Food is never static. It 

evolves and changes much 

as we do ourselves, linked 

inextricably to our lives, 

lifestyles and identities. 

Just 70 years ago, the subcontinent ate 

Indian food. Then it became Indian and 

Pakistani. Today, the repertoire has 

grown with Bangladeshi food creating 

its own unique space. Isn’t Bangladeshi 

food Bengali, you may well ask, with the 

two Bengals sharing a common history, 

culture and language as well? Yes, it is, 

but a fractured political history 

beginning in 1947 created a distance, 

spurring distinctive differences in food 

and its cultural significance. 

Bhortakahon (Bhorta Tales), a recent 

food event in Kolkata 

highlighting a single unique 

dish called the bhorta, 

sought to build a culinary 

bridge over the river 

Padma, activating dormant 

memories of how both once 

ate together, but have 

grown apart under the 

pressure of identities that 

proclaim a Hindu majority 

BANGLADESH 

HAS RETURNED 

TO ITS ROOTS 

WITH A 

REDISCOVERY OF 

ITS REGIONAL 

CUISINE 

in West Bengal and a Muslim one in the 

erstwhile East Bengal, which is now 

Bangladesh. 

As regional cuisine is prone to be, the 

two Bengals at one time, while sharing a 

common cuisine, took pride in the subtle 

differences that lay in cooking styles and 

the nuances balanced on availability of 

ingredients, produce and use of spices. 

Historically and geographically, 

undivided Bengal, more so eastern 

Bengal (now Bangladesh), lay claim to a 

lush and fertile land, crisscrossed by 

major rivers – a terrain that yielded as 

much green produce as it did more than 

500 varieties of fish in the innumerable 

water bodies and paddy fields dotting 

the countryside. This then gave rise to a 

culture of eating 

uncultivated foods that was 

available in abundance, 

aided by the wetlands 

mangrove ecosystem. 

The biologically rich 

terrain, especially of 

eastern Bengal, encouraged 

the generous use of coconut, 

all kinds of greens, edible 

leaves, flowers, stalks and 

PHOTOS COURTESY PRITHA SEN 



Above: Nabeez, a drink made with soaked resins 

or dates; Top: Long beans and tomato bhorta 

peels of all vegetables – a zero-waste 

culture – that formed a distinct part of 

the cuisine. More than a hundred 

different leafy greens are known be part 

of food and fodder, foraged from water 

bodies and forested areas and while 

weeding agricultural fields or from 

plants cultivated for other purposes such 

as tender leaves of jute. The culture of 

eating then was similar between Bengali 

Hindus and Muslims, marked only by the 

differences that religious taboos had 

thrust upon them. The Hindus used less 

onion and almost no garlic, and the 

Muslims used the same with abandon. 

ALL BUT FORGOTTEN 

An example of the use of uncultivated 

foods would be the shaplar bhela bhaja, 

which has been all but forgotten in 

urbanised West Bengal. The name 

literally means water-lily rafts, 

demonstrating rural Bengal’s ingenious 

use of aqua greens, rich in nutrients. The 

dish was made with the thick portion of 

the water lily stalks, roughly ground 

mustard seeds, sesame seeds, coconut, 

jaggery, salt, green chillies and rice flour. 

Culinary art also played a part in which 

the stalks were cut in equal lengths and 

the pieces arranged like the planks of a 

raft and then pierced with thin bamboo 

or cane sticks to stitch them together. 

Fritters were made from water hyacinth 

flowers, jute leaves, flowers of the sajna 

plant or the pumpkin. 

Gaarur dal, a lentil made with the 

addition of coconut, ash gourd, taro and 

water lily stems, was made in every 

Hindu East Bengali home on Gaaru 

Sankranti day in the months of Ashwin 

(Sep-Oct) just before Durga puja. The 

ritualistic aspect notwithstanding, what 

stands out is the collective nutrition. 

Again, innovative use of various 

vegetable seeds such as jackfruit or 

pointed gourd all but lay forgotten in the 

Bengali cuisine of India. Bangladesh, 

however, has returned to its roots with a 

rediscovery of its regional cuisine, aided 

by the fact that a slow urbanisation has 

helped it retain much of its traditional 

foods. 

THE CURIOUS STORY OF 

BHORTA 

Such then is also the story of the bhorta, 

albeit a curious one, that the Bengalis of 

Bangladesh have made uniquely their 

own. Once a simple concoction of 

mashed vegetables or small fish, the 

emergence of the bhorta is significant 

given what it symbolises today in postliberation 

Bangladesh, being the chosen 

dish along with pantabhat (fermented 

rice) for the nationwide Bengali New 

Year celebrations. This at once raises it to 

the status of a cultural symbol over the 

famed Bangladeshi pulaos and gourmet 

hilsa preparations. The dish had humble 

rural origins in steamed, boiled or 

roasted mashed greens, vegetables, 

peels, seeds or fish. While the Hindus 

called this preparation bata (mashed or 

ground), makha (mixed) or pora 

(roasted), the Muslims called all of it a 

bhorta, a culinary tradition that has been 

elevated to the form of a fine art, cutting 

across all economic strata. 

For example, the kalo jeera (onion 




seeds) bhorta exists in 

daily on popular demand. The selection 

the form of kalo jeera 

includes spinach, malabar spinach, 

bata in the homes of 

water spinach, stem amaranth leaf, jute 

Bengalis in West 

leaf, cabbage, wax gourd, ridge gourd, 

Bengal. However, it is 

pointed gourd, drumstick, water lily, 

still given only for its 

stem of aroid, potato, brinjal, hyacinth 

therapeutic value to 

bean, okra, snake gourd, bitter gourd, 

lactating mothers, as a 

bottle gourd, tomato, mustard seeds, 

cure for anaemia and 

onion, chilli, garlic, pumpkin, coriander 

preventative against 

leaf, taro, peanuts, dried fish, fresh fish 

infections as it was in 

and many more, each different from the 

the olden days. But 

next. Once associated with a lack of 

today Bangladesh has 

wealth, this austere mash has now 

taken this commonly 

turned into a tool to bridge the social and 

shared dish, tweaked it 

cultural gaps, providing a common 

to suit all palates and 

meeting ground for the haves and the 

put it on fine-dining 

have-nots. In fact, it is not the 

tables. Those in West 

economically deprived who have aspired 

Bengal, especially those 

to access the food of the rich; it is the 

who trace their roots to 

privileged who are returning to their 

the erstwhile East 

roots to embrace the food of their simple 

Bengal, have all but 

agrarian forefathers as the Bengali New 

forgotten the tradition 

Year celebrations demonstrate. 

of eating all peels as was 

Ethnographic studies point out that, like 

once seen in the kaanch 

language, ethnic identities are also 

kolar khosha bata (green 

expressed through food choices. So 

Above: Duck curry; Top: Kalo jeera bhorta 

banana peel) or the potoler khosha bata 

(pointed gourd peel) among others. 

when you think India, you think curry. 

For England the association is fish and 

With origins in thrift in order to feed 

chips; for the US it’s the burger; and 

large families, the dish used little oil, 

likewise for Bangladesh, it’s the bhorta, a 

spices or fuel. Mixed with the slightest 

unique concept that binds people 

onion, generous chillies and just a drop 

together. 

of mustard oil made a little go a long way 

Bhortakahon, the bhorta festival in 

with steaming rice. Sometimes poppy 

Kolkata with culinary expert Nayana 

seeds or mustard paste was added to it 

Sengupta Af roz from Dhaka, can be then 

by Hindu Bengalis while the Muslims 

likened to a memory project that sought 

added garlic. In the modern context, 

to showcase this extraordinary story 

culinary experts from Bangladesh say 

that had its genesis in undivided Bengal. 

that the bhorta has regained in 

The history of a shared culture between 

popularity because it can be prepared 

the two Bengals provided the perfect 

SOME RESTAURANTS IN 

BANGLADESH TODAY OFFER 

UP TO A HUNDRED KINDS 

OF BHORTAS DAILY ON 

POPULAR DEMAND 

quite deliciously with a minimum use of 

oil and spices with the boiling, steaming 

or roasting process adding value to the 

health-conscious eater. 

THE MANY VARIETIES 

Some restaurants in Bangladesh today 

offer up to a hundred kinds of bhortas 

platform to start a culinary dialogue that 

would go a long way in preserving a 

region’s cultural heritage. 

A FORMER JOURNALIST, PRITHA 

SEN IS A FOOD ANTHROPOLOGIST 

WHO SPECIALISES IN THE CUISINE 

OF BENGAL. 



VIEWPOINT ||||| SPIRITUALITY 

ENTROPY IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS 

KAMLESH D. PATEL EXPLAINS HOW ENTROPY PLAYS OUT IN OUR 

RELATIONSHIPS, LEADING TO DISINTEGRATION AND BREAKDOWN AMONG ALL 

CONCERNED, AND SHARES WITH US THE INPUTS NEEDED TO OVERCOME IT AND 

BRING STABILITY AND HARMONY 

Kamlesh D. Patel 

WHAT IS ENTROPY? Let’s 

try to understand it 

practically. You bring a 

book home from the 

library, and then your 

father gives you another 

book as a gift. Your 

girlfriend gives you 

magazines, and you have 

music CDs. They all pile up 

on a small table, so now 

there is enough clutter on your table. The 

rest of your room is also in a disorganised 

state: your clothes are here, your socks 

are there, and your towel is hanging 

somewhere. 

You get frustrated with the mess and 

clean up everything. Now the room looks 

cleaner than before, until you start 

bringing more books and things, and 

again, the system disintegrates and 

becomes disorganised. To keep things in 

order requires constant input of energy. 

So, entropy is the degree of disorder or 

randomness in any system. 

In human relationships too, we have 

interactions day after day and these 

relationships also become higgledypiggledy. 

We let things build up in our 

inner chambers. These inner chambers 

become more and more disorganised as 

we store more and more, just like the 

books and clothes in our room. We keep 

harbouring things, and one day, what we 

harbour explodes, unless we do 

something about it. We need input to 

stabilise any relationship, to iron out the 

wrinkles or differences, so that we don’t 

harbour and store things forever. 

But do we have to do this every time 

we make a mistake? Do we always have 

to offer the other person ice cream or 

candy to pacify them? This would mean 

constant investment to maintain a 

relationship. When constant input is 

required every time there is a fight or an 

argument with a friend or family 

member, you will require greater input 

each time. You may even have to buy 

them a Mercedes one day! 

In a family, if you have to tolerate 

each other, constant input is required. In 

situations where you have to give 

constant emotional input, it is a broken 

family even though you may be together. 

When the constant state of my being is 

love, the need for constant input 

disappears and the constant input is 

zero. When zero input is needed, it 

means that it is the most stable 

relationship, the most stable family, 

where I don’t have to explain myself. 

There is no need for, “I did this 

because…” or “I didn’t want to do this 

because…” Where there is love, there is 

no need for explanations. 

ABOUT KAMLESH D. PATEL 

From an early age, Kamlesh Patel was 

interested in spirituality and meditation, 

and eventually came to the feet of his 

Guru in 1976 while still a student. He is 

now the fourth spiritual guide in the sahaj 

marg system of Raja Yoga meditation. 

Kamlesh is married with two sons, 

and is a role model for students of 

spirituality who seek that perfect blend 

of eastern heart and western mind. He 

travels extensively and is at home with 

people from all backgrounds and walks of 

life, giving special attention to the youth 

of today. 

To know more about Heartfulness and Sahaj Marg, please visit www.heartfulness.org or send an email to contact@heartfulness.org 

Reprinted with permission from Heartfulness Magazine, Issue 3, December 2015, www.heartfulnessmagazine.com. 


CARING ||||| MAYA 

EMPOWERING LIVES 

KARNATAKA-BASED NGO, MAYA, WORKING SINCE 1991 IN THE AREA OF SOCIAL 

REFORM, HAS DEVELOPED THREE PROJECTS INTO SUCCESSFUL INDEPENDENT 

ENTITIES IMPACTING MILLIONS OF LIVES. BY BINDU GOPAL RAO 

American cultural 

anthropologist of the 

1950s and 1960s, 

Margaret Mead, once 

said, “Never doubt that 

a small group of thoughtful, committed 

citizens can change the world. Indeed, 

it is the only thing that ever has.” If you 

need proof, look no further than 

Movement for Alternatives and Youth 

Awareness (MAYA), a Karnataka-based 

non-governmental organisation (NGO) 

which has been tirelessly working 

towards social reform for the past 

quarter of a century. 

Established on January 19, 1991, 

under the Karnataka Societies 

Registration Act, 1960, MAYA started 


1 In The News.pdf 

2 In The News.pdf 

3 In The News.pdf


Top: A health navigator providing 

village with BP and diabetes services. 

Bottom: A school health and hygiene 

workshop in Chanapatna 

out by taking up systemic 

issues such as education 

and livelihood that needed 

urgent attention. Today, 

three of its programmes 

have been successfully 

developed into 

independent social 

enterprises that have 

substantial on-ground 

impact. Alex Rodrigues, 

CEO, MAYA, 

explains: “We began our 

journey by driving change in 

the systemic issues of 

education and livelihood. 

Of our programmes, three 

have become independent 

organisations. They are 

known as Prajayatna, MAYA 

Organic and LabourNet. All 

three of them have had a 

substantial impact on the 

ground.” 

MAYA’s mission, in 

his words, is: “Working 

to create an empowered 

and equitable society 

that systematically 

addresses livelihood, 

education and health.” 

MAYA: A CASE 

STUDY 

The story of Alok 

Pandey from 

Raebareli is an 

inspiring one. 

Pursuing graduation, 

this youngster lives 

with his family of 

four and his father 

was the only earning 

member of the family. 

Alok was keen to help 

his father to support 

his family. He saw a 

newspaper ad on the 

LabourNet training 

programme and was 

trained in domestic 

electrical wiring. He 

now works as a part 

time electrician and 

makes about Rs 3000 

per month. 

INITIATING CHANGE 

Soon after it was instituted, MAYA took 

up the cause of children. “We began by 

working closely with street children 

nearly two decades ago, where we 

campaigned against child labour and 

pioneered in the space of child rights’ 

advocacy, policy and training at the grass 

roots level. In our attempt to get children 

off the street, we realised that education 

was crucial and we evolved into 

community mobilisations and 

ownerships of local stakeholders of 

schools to reform the education system 

from inside. This is now known as 

‘Prajayatna’ or ‘Citizens’ Initiative for 

Educational Reform’,” informs Alex. 

The next issue that MAYA tackled 

was children dropping out of school 

owing to lack of employment 

opportunities after schooling. The 

movement introduced bridge schools 

and prevocational and vocational 

training centres for the youth to help 

them get into mainstream jobs. This has 

now evolved into “LabourNet”. 

A third initiative MAYA undertook 

was to support the local 

artisans of Channapatna in 

Karnataka by reviving the 

old, dying art of lac toy 

making. Today, the unit is 

known as “MAYA Organic” 

and caters to a large 

domestic and international 

market through its unique, 

organic, handmade toys 

and accessories. 

25 YEARS LATER 

Post incubation with 

MAYA, “Prajayatna” is 

today an independent 

programme. It works with 

marginalised children 

aged three to 14 years by 

making their schools and 



anganwadis deliver quality services so as 

to give them an equitable opportunity to 

improve their lives. The programme, in 

collaboration with concerned 

stakeholders such as parents, teachers, 

the bureaucracy, and elected 

representatives, works towards creating 

an ecosystem that enables these children 

to learn well and reach their potential. 

The programme is present in over 7,000 

schools and 1,000 anganwadis that reach 

out to 500,000 children in Karnataka, 

Uttar Pradesh and Telangana. 

Today, LabourNet is an independent, 

for-profit, social enterprise, aspiring to 

train over 500,000 individuals and 

approaches its core purpose of 

developing skills and enabling 

livelihoods as a social challenge where 

aspirations, opportunities and 

inadequacies need to be brought 

together through a well-synchronised 

ecosystem. A NSDC partner with 

presence in over 28 states of the country, 

LabourNet has trained over 100,000 

workers till date. 

Maya Organic today provides 

employment to more than 200 people. By 

purchasing Maya Organic products, 

marketed under the brand name, MO, 

you can support the livelihoods of lac 

artisans in Channapatna. Significantly, 

the project has ensured survival of 

traditional lac-based art in a rapidlychanging 

global economy. Over 85 per 

cent of these products are exported to 

the US, Japan and other countries. 

While primary funding came from 

institutional and corporate 

contributions, in recent years, MAYA 

has been getting a great response from 

individual donors and other forms of 

online contribution such as crowdfunding 

platforms. Urging more people 

to support the NGO, Rashmi Hegde, 

Social Development Head, MAYA, says, 

“Your support will go towards the 

MAYA Health programme, to ensure 

children stay in school, people don’t lose 

jobs, government-driven health centres 

become more accountable and overall 

health of the community improves.” 

Over the next three years, MAYA is 

looking to scale up and further develop 

its products and services and form social 

enterprises. In Phase III starting 2019, it 

is looking to consolidate social 

enterprises and work in unlimited 

geographies with several partners. 

HEALTH IS WEALTH 

Heath education being imparted at the 

doorsteps of registered clients 

MAYA is busy driving a fourth initiative named MAYA Health that 

focuses on promoting preventive healthcare among the urban 

and rural poor. Rashmi Hegde, Social Development Head, MAYA, 

informs: “Our past learning has taught us that health is a critical 

parameter in an individual’s life. This is to say we have realised that 

no matter how much we educate a child in school or send people 

back to work, all is lost when a person falls ill and gets into a debt 

trap.” MAYA Health’s vision is to inspire health in communities, 

where every individual and household starts taking ownership of 

health. The way MAYA Health works is by empowering local women 

as micro-entrepreneurs to form a network of caregivers delivering 

affordable, preventive health services door-to-door. Presently, the 

programme has over 30 micro-entrepreneurs known as “Health 

Navigators” who work closely with the government and other players in the healthcare 

ecosystem. The good news is that these “Health Navigators” have already been able to reach 

more than 38,000 community members of Chanapatna. There are also over 5,066 people 

who have started work in areas such as diabetes, hypertension, child nutrition, eye care 

management, and menstrual health and hygiene. “We envision that support communities 

move from a reactive mind-set to a proactive one towards health. We are creating a new 

channel of healthcare micro-entrepreneurs who are based in the local community and will help 

with awareness about and detection of diseases and timely intervention," adds Hegde. 


STAR BUZZ ||||| PARINEETI CHOPRA 

“MY 

PERSONAL 

LIFE IS 

IMPORTANT” 

FOR THOSE WHO THOUGHT SHE HAD 

DISAPPEARED, PARINEETI CHOPRA IS 

BACK, AND HOW! 

BY: ANITA BRITTO (BOLLYWOOD 

NEWS SERVICE) 

She may have taken a 

longish break from the 

silver screen, but now 

that Parineeti Chopra is 

back in a slim new avatar 

in the special number 

Jaaneman aah from the film Dishoom, 

she’s indeed sent temperatures soaring. 

Suddenly, her kitty is overflowing with 

two films on hand including Yash Raj’s 

Meri Pyaari Bindu and Homi Adajania’s 

Takadum, not to mention having recently 

lent her voice to the 12-year-old 

character, Sophie, in the Hindi version of 

Steven Spielberg’s The BFG. 

You have lost a lot of weight recently. What 

is your advice to young girls who want to 

get fit? 

I feel that people need to be fit, no matter 

what size they are. There are dancers in 

New York who are big, but flexible. 

However, I was big and unfit. I was 

unhealthy, not chubby. I have struggled 

GETTY IMAGES 



that emotional break. It may sound 

stupid saying ‘I am new and I need a 

break’. But I really wanted it. I wanted to 

settle down. I just wanted to sort out 

some things. I wanted to work on my 

body. I wanted to wear shorts and better 

clothes, and not worry about anything. 

Would you say the break has been good for 

you? 

Now, I have this dedication and 

concentration towards my work 

because of this break. The one year break 

was amazing. 

What was it like to work with Varun 

Dhawan for the first time in the song 

from Dishoom? 

Varun is so spontaneous... he likes 

improvisation. He is so energetic. This 

song was a one-take song and we got two 

days to practise for the song. We both 

were perfect for this song. 

Top: At the launch of the Jaaneman aah 

song from Dishoom. Bottom: The 

actor in Dawaat-e-Ishq 

with my weight. I took it upon myself to 

work towards fitness. There was also 

pressure from Bollywood to bring me on 

the right path. It took me a year-and-ahalf 

to reach here... I was in the gym and 

nowhere else. Now, I eat and 

sleep well. I am fit now. 

At the same time, you also 

didn’t sign any new film for 

long. Did you miss seeing 

yourself on the big screen in the 

past one-and-a-half year? 

Of course, I missed it. But see 

when I entered the film 

industry, I did four films 

back-to-back. I am not from a 

film background; I come 

from a different discipline. I 

come from a world of 

banking and academics but 

here, I had to be in front of 

the camera all the time and I 

was under pressure. I needed 

THE OTHER 

CHOPRA GIRL 

Whether she likes 

it or not, Parineeti 

Chopra will always 

be spoken of in 

the same breath as 

her more famous 

cousin Priyanka. 

But while Priyanka 

entered Bollywood 

after winning the 

Miss World 2000 

title, Parineeti’s 

career took a more 

circuitous route. 

She was 'spotted' in 

2011 while working 

in the marketing 

department of Yash 

Raj Films. The banner 

launched her in 

Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl. 

What excited you about dubbing for 

the Hindi version of Steven Spielberg’s 

The BFG? 

When they offered me the film, my first 

priority was to watch it. So they brought 

the film from Los Angeles, 

and I loved it. I have a very 

heavy and distinctive voice 

and to become the voice of a 

12-year-old girl was a big 

challenge. I am so glad that I 

did the film. Spielberg is one 

of the top directors in the 

world, and I always joke that 

this was my one chance of 

being a Spielberg heroine. 

Did you get the chance to 

interact 

with Spielberg? 

No, because this was the 

Hindi version we were 

working on with the 

team here. 



Akshay will decide. 

What is it like to work with Ayushmann? 

Ayushmann is one of my favourite 

co-stars. I love working with him. We 

both burst into song all the time and 

they have to tell us to shut up. We are on 

the same wave length because I sing too, 

and he understands my singing 

technically and vice versa. 

Did you get the chance to interact with 

Amitabh Bachchan on this film? 

No, dubbing doesn’t work like that - I 

was dubbing in my studio and he was 

dubbing in his. But I have the pleasure 

and honour of knowing him since the 

time he called me after Ishaqzaade. He 

is always very appreciative of my work 

and calls after every film. I have an 

amazing relationship with him; we 

always talk about doing a film together. 

What is the status on Meri Pyaari Bindu? 

The first schedule has been shot. The 

second was started recently. We are 

waiting for Ayushmann Khurrana to 

resume shooting. He is in the US for a 

tour and will be back soon. This film is 

a beautiful story about two characters - 

mine and Ayushmann’s - and has the 

sweetest script; it touched my heart. 

I had a gut feeling that I had to do 

this film. 

You have also bagged another film – Homi 

Adajania’s Takadum opposite Sushant 

Singh Rajput. 

I am excited about working with 

Sushant again. He is a great actor and 

keeps you on your toes. Also, I was dying 

to do a film with Homi Adajania. I will 

start shooting in October. 

Buzz is that you are also a big contender 

for Dabangg 3… 

This is what even I heard last night but 

there is no truth to it. I will announce 

my next film soon. 

Your cousin Priyanka is busy with her 

international projects. Has she had time to 

spend with you? 

Yes, of course! Recently, she was in 

India and I spent a lot of time with her. I 

saw her after such a long time but even 

otherwise, we talk on FaceTime. She 

knows all the work that I am doing but 

she gives one the freedom to do what 

one wants. 

Clockwise from above: At the Toronto premiere 

of Shudh Desi Romance; at a Mumbai 

dinner for visiting British royalty; and with 

Ranveer Singh in Ladies vs Ricky Bahl 

You will also be singing in the film since 

you are playing a crooner in it. 

My look is going to be new too. Yes, I 

will be hopefully singing a couple of 

songs. My co-star is a great singer. We 

sing a lot of songs off screen and 

constantly try to impress our director, 

Akshay Roy, but he ignores our constant 

auditioning. So, I hope I get to sing duets 

with Ayushmann and my own songs 

too. Manish Sharma (producer) and 

Do you feel due to your work commitments, 

love and relationships have been 

sidelined? 

No, I give a lot of importance to my 

personal life; it is as important as my 

professional life. 

But then how come you are single? 

I have just not met the right person. I 

need a simple, honest, uncomplicated 

person... and that’s very hard to find. 

ALAMY 


THE GUIDE ||||| RULES OF STYLE 

HOW TO MAKE A STYLE STATEMENT 

BIBHU MOHAPATRA, COUTURIER 

• I am the one with the Western mind 

and Indian heart. I trained in the West 

for the market, but my core is very 

Indian. 

• The colour black is non-fussy and 

elegant. Black cotton T-shirts are always 

my uniform while I work. Investing in 

things black is always a good idea. 

• Style is more than just how you dress. 

It is also about how you develop your 

personality. 

• Luxury is what has been preserved 

over a long time, what has been kept alive 

by people’s skills and passed down the 

generations. Only that repertoire of 

craft can be considered genuine luxury. 

Investing in real luxury, where there is a 

history attached, will pay off better in 

the long run. A watch, a pen, an 

accessory which comes with a heritage 

story, a back story. 

• Style is paying attention to detail - like 

keeping your facial hair well-trimmed 

and getting a manicure. 

• Know your body type. Develop a 

unique sense of style. Push the envelope. 

• Whilst travelling abroad, a man can’t 

go wrong by wearing a black sherwani at 

a black-tie affair. 

• I think Amitabh and Abhishek 

Bachchan have a great sense of style. 

• Indian men should give ethnic wear 

more of a chance. It would be nice to see 

men wear traditional Indian clothes 

more often, rather than just stock them 

for festive occasions. 

• Givenchy is perhaps the only designer 

I admire. 

• I always tailor my cotton shirts. If you 

have access to a tailor, try to get one 

tailored yourself. 

• Black Converse sneakers, slim-fit 

Marc Jacobs jeans, a T-shirt: I could live 

in them. The more classic you are, the 

simpler your style, the classier you look. 

EXCERPTED FROM AN ARTICLE THAT 

APPEARED IN MW 


IN FOCUS ||||| MONTAGE 

OSIM INTRODUCES 

UINFINITY 

MASSAGE CHAIR 

uInfinity, the latest lifestyle massage 

chair from OSIM offers a humanized 

massage pleasure from head to toe. It 

gives you mental relaxation; eases strain 

from neck and shoulder; provides 

soothing comfort for arms, hands and 

palms; relieves tension in thighs, hips 

and butt; and rejuvenates calves, ankles 

and feet. 

The OSIM uInfinity’s download 

technology offers the widest choice of 

the most humanized massage 

programmes ever. The uInfinity chair 

allows the user to download more of the 

latest lifestyle massage programmes 

with a simple Bluetooth connection to a 

smartphone and also transfers the latest 

download massage programmes from 

your Smartphone into the uInfinity 

massage chair. This OSIM uInfinity 

chair has a potent combination of three 

complimentary innovations. 

•Download Massage: Download the 

latest new massage programmes into the 

uInfinity app in your Smartphone. 

•Humanized Massage: The Humanized 

and natural massage feel, together with a 

comprehensive head to toe massage 

coverage for the ultimate massage 

experience. 

•Lifestyle massage: The most unique 

and customer oriented suite of massage 

programmes ever, designed to serve 

different lifestyles and needs of the user 

and family. 

The OSIM uInfinity is an intelligent 

design for modern living where you can 

listen your favourite songs with 

uInfinity built-in-stereo speakers while 

you lie back for a holistic mind and body 

experience. You can enjoy complete 

control of the uInfinity from a touch 

screen controller with a large and easyto-read 

and colour-rich LCD display. 



NEW THIS MONTH 

A LISTING OF PRODUCTS JUST LAUNCHED 

•BALMAIN 

Predictability is totally yesterday 

for today’s extraordinary women. 

Hence Balmain is introducing its 

latest collection of Euphelia 

timepieces which are chic yet 

with subtle playful touches 

that attract a lingering 

look. The dial consists of 

Roman and Arabic 

numerals. Bi-colour metal 

bracelets perfectly mirror 

dial and case detail. There are 

16 models in the Euphelia 

collection range each with its 

own distinct personality. The 

timepiece is water resistant to up 

to 50 metres. 

•CASIO 

Casio’s latest offering is its limited 

edition G-Shock GA-100 in 

collaboration with renowned 

international fashion designer 

Marcelo Burlon and his brand 

Country of Milan. The 

design of the new G-Shock 

GA-100 features an overall 

coral snake pattern. The base 

colour is bold monotone and on 

the buckle, back cover and metal 

band ring there is a black ion 

plated finish. The strap and case 

are made up of resin to offer 

extreme strength and flexibility. The timepiece features 

ultra-shock resistance, a full auto LED display, snooze 

function, a calendar and a battery that will last two years. 

•CALVIN KLEIN 

LIGHT 

Calvin Klein’s latest 

collection of 

watches for 

women is a subtle 

timepiece with 

lightness and 

delicacy. 

Marrying sinuous 

line with airy 

shapes, the watch 

displays a soft and 

refined silhouette 

devoid of excess for a 

look that is undeniably 

humble. The Calvin Klein Light range is 

offered with a sliver or black dial. A 

polished stainless steel and polished 

pink-gold bangle enhances the look of 

the watch. The subtle piece is also water 

resistant to up to 30 metres. 

TISSOT 

A style for connoisseurs, the distinct 

style of the Tissot Le Locle 

Regulateur means it is sure to appeal to 

watch lovers. It is available in a plethora 

of distinct models and is destined for 

those who are looking for more than just 

a watch but a piece of art and history. It is 

39.3mm in diameter and comes with a 

leather strap or stainless steel bracelet 

and has a bicolour PVD coating. It is 

water resistant to up to 30 metres. 

•SWATCH 

The Grüezi-All watches 

are totally on target to 

celebrate true Swissness in 

great style. The T’SCHUSS 

[SUOW137] is a portable 

winter wonderland with 

fresh snow and pretty 

pine trees tempting 

an exciting 

slalom down 

the slope. 



•BULGARI 

Bulgari unveils a new exclusive 

collection of High Perfumery, 

inspired by mystical lands along the 

Gem Roads. Desiria, a Latin 

derivative of the word desire 

conveys everlasting love and 

passion. The exuberant 

representation of romance and 

grace, purple jade pays homage to 

the four beauties of China. Delicate 

purple jade is known to trigger 

nostalgia, reminding people of the 

past. The floral-oriental eau de 

parfum depicts the scent of a Chinese 

garden, captured in a bottle. 

ADIDAS 

In SS’16 adidas introduced the first running shoe, 

Pure Boost X specifically made for women. The shoe 

has been specifically designed crafted and validated 

for women. A truly unique experience for the women 

who run in style. The development of Pure Boost X 

took around three years, with help and insights from 

female athletes every step of the way. Built 

specifically, Pure Boost X provides the best fit, feel 

and transition with energized cushioning. 

ASICS 

ASICS, known for its various 

innovations over the years, 

launches fuzeX TR, a versatile 

training shoe that leverages 

lightweight cushioning and crossfunctional 

design to offer greater 

workout efficiency. fuzeX TR is an 

all-in-one shoe that delivers 

support to athletes across a 

variety of fitness backgrounds and 

levels of expertise. From high 

intensity interval training (HIIT), 

lifting free weights to running on 

a treadmill, fuzeX TR is the go-to 

shoe for a wide range of training 

activities. 

DE MILANO 

The new Da Milano collection 

features capaciously useful classy 

duffel bags made with fine leather 

weaves to tuck in everything and 

move around easily. The wallets too 

come in an assortment of various 

prints, leathers, designs and 

colors. For those who love 

minimal style, a leather belt is an 

excellent accessory to add to your 

everyday wardrobe as it is the most 

versatile style accessory that blends 

well with every person’s style. 

Computer bags are highly functional, 

spacious and gives a sharp classic 

professional look. 

BULGARI 

Trust Bulgari to come up with 

something new every time. Its 

brand new fragrance, Bulgari 

Man Black Cologne, blends 

sensuality with oriental 

freshness. Shaped in 

contrasts, this “burning 

water” brings an alternative 

sensation of pleasure, a wind 

of vegetal airiness in the heat 

of summer. It redefines the 

boundaries of a masculine 

seduction, tinged with raw 

sophistication and hypnotic 

power. 


PC/204 (SEP)

SPICE TALK ||||| CELERY 

EACH SPICEJET AIRCRAFT HAS BEEN NAMED AFTER 

A PARTICULAR SPICE. IN THIS ISSUE WE TALK ABOUT 

THE BENEFITS AND USAGE OF CELERY 

THE 

VERSATILE 

SPICE 

CELERY, FIRST RECOGNISED FOR ITS 

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES, IS NOW 

INCREASINGLY BEING USED IN MORE 

THAN JUST SOUPS, SAUCES, STEWS 

AND SALADS. 

BY SHALINI MITRA 

Green Smoothie with celery, cucumber, spinach, apple and lemon 

CELERY AS WE KNOW IT derives from 

the French word celeri said to have come 

from the Greek selinon which finds 

mention even in Homer’s Iliad. This 

Mediterranean spice started out as 

medicine for colds, flu, water retention 

and more, before morphing into its 

modern avatar of a plant meant for 

consumption – leaves, stems, seeds, 

roots and all… 

It was the Romans who first used 

celery as seasoning before it came to be 

widely utilised in cooking in other parts 

of the world such as France, Italy and 

North America. Even today, the French 

swear by celery, used along with onions 

and carrots, in most of their dishes 

including sauces, soups and stews. In 

India, celery - variously known as 

ajamoda (Sanskrit, Marathi); shalari 

(Hindi); bodiajmoda (Gujarati); bandhuri 

(Bengali); kernauli (Punjabi); and ajmada 

(Tamil) – is clearly not the base for 

cooking but is increasingly finding 

favour for the distinctive flavour it 

imparts to dishes - both desi and foreign. 

For instance, Sruthiskitchen.com 

tells you how to make a mean chutney 

using celery that goes with Indian 

breads, steaming rice and even as a 

spread for all types of sandwiches. Given 

our fondness for spices, celery is also 

used in its seed form; either whole or 

ground. “Most spices yield a complex 

blend of flavours when used in 

combination but celery seeds are an 

exception. They taste just like celery,” 

opines Raju Tamang, Executive 

Corporate Oriental Master Chef at The 

Green Gourmet Restaurant, New Delhi. 

According to Mumbai-based Ria 

Mittal, a self-styled cook and 

entrepreneur whose spice powders are a 

hit with housewives, “With its heady 

aroma, celery powder is a natural flavour 

enhancer and is extensively used in 

seasoning meat, flavouring beverages 

and confectionary, spice rubs, and baked 

and barbecued dishes. However, ground 

celery seeds taste more bitter as 

compared to whole ones and hence, 

should be used sparingly.” Cookery 

expert Heena Desai who features on 

ETV Gujarati’s Rasoi Show echoes 

similar sentiments. “Celery deserves 

respect for providing maximum flavour 

to dishes but it should be used with 

caution. Even a pinch of celery can make 

or mar a dish. Not everybody relishes the 

flavour it imparts,” she warns. 

Incidentally, the Indian version of celery 

seed has a slight lemony aroma unlike its 

French counterpart which is sweet with 

citrusy notes. 

SHUTTERSTOCK 



Top: Homemade soup with beans, 

carrots and celery. Bottom: Melon 

salad with celery, chilli and cucumber 

Speaking of our love 

for pickles which have 

been made for centuries 

using salt, seasoning, 

vinegar and even oil, 

Mittal elaborates: “Most 

homemade pickles such 

as mango, lemon, gingergarlic 

and dill use a 

variety of seeds, including 

celery seeds, for that 

extra zing. Pickles 

contain probiotics that 

are beneficial for health. 

As they are made using 

different types of seeds, 

they also contain 

vitamins, sodium and 

potassium.” 

However, for Thai 

cuisine expert, Chef 

Meaw of Radisson Blu 

Plaza, New Delhi, cooking with celery is 

all about staying with the tried and 

tested. As he says, “Bright green, fresh 

celery gives a unique flavour to the four 

Ss – soups, salads, stews and sauces.” 

Whereas, others like celebrity chef 

Sanjeev Kapoor vouch for the versatility 

of celery. “Grilled dishes, salads or 

smoked meats can be sprinkled with 

CELEBRATING CELERY 

Prepare a prawn cocktail by mixing ketchup, spring onion, paprika, mayonnaise 

and lemon juice before stirring in cooked prawns. Pour lettuce leaves arranged in 

separate glass bowls over the mixture and finish with a dash of celery salt. 

Toss celery leaves, apples, walnuts, and vinaigrette or any other dressing of 

choice in a large bowl before seasoning with salt and pepper for that crunchy 

salad. 

Simply blend one cup of celery stalks with two to three cups of fresh water and 

lo and behold, your fat-cutting, fibre-rich celery juice is ready to sip. 

Tickle your taste buds with spicy sweet pickled celery which is just so easy 

to make. In a small saucepan, combine sugar, salt peppercorns, vinegar, water, 

and mustard seeds. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until sugar and salt 

dissolve completely. Pour it over celery stalks. 

Tomato celery soup is the perfect shot of warmth during winters. Sauté onion 

and celery in butter before adding sugar, lemon juice, parsley, salt and black 

pepper and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. 

SHUTTERSTOCK 



‘celery salt’ which not only enhances 

flavour but also imparts longevity to 

foods,” he says. 

Leaving aside chefs and gourmands, 

health aficionados too are gung ho about 

celery, which they believe is a good 

source of vitamin K, and small amounts 

of Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Celery juice 

helps maintain pH balance while celery 

seeds are a natural diuretic which help 

in elimination of uric acid, thereby 

curing bladder and kidney disorders. 

Celery is good for athletes because of the 

presence of sodium which helps fight 

dehydration. In fact, according to the US 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 

celery not only gives you the right 

amount of folate, potassium, fibre and 

molybdenum but is also naturally low in 

calories, carbohydrates and fats, thus 

helping lower bad cholesterol. 

Clockwise from top: Chicken 

breast, celery, spinach, cheese 

and apple salad; slow cooked 

chicken with onions, carrots 

and celery; stir fried fish with 

celery; and celery seed 

CELERY NOTES 

The shroud of King Tut’s tomb 

was adorned with garlands of 

wild celery, among others. 

Hippocrates called celery a 

nerve soother. 

As far back as 30 AD, Aulus 

Cornelius Celsus wrote about the use of celery seeds to relieve pain. 

In ancient Rome, celery was considered an aphrodisiac. Today, celery is known 

to contain androsterone, a pheromone released by the sweat glands of men that 

attracts women. 

Notorious Italian lover, Casanova, ate lots of celery to keep up his stamina. 

In 1856, a Scotsman named George Taylor first introduced celery to Kalamazoo, 

Michigan, which later came to be known as the Celery City. 

Celery contains ‘negative calories’ which means that one spends more calories 

digesting it than those consumed by eating it. 

A patron at the Pump Room in Chicago’s Ambassador East Hotel started the 

trend of stirring the cocktail, Bloody Mary, with a stalk of celery. 

SHUTTERSTOCK 


FESTIVALS ||||| ONAM 

Kerala’s scenic backwaters come alive with snake boat pageants and races during Onam. 

ODE TO THE KING 

COME MONSOON AND KERALA TURNS INTO A PHANTASMAGORIA OF COLOURS, 

FLAVOURS, RITUALS AND CULTURAL PERFORMANCES FOR 10 DAYS COINCIDING 

WITH ITS BIGGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT FESTIVAL OF ONAM. BY BRINDA GILL 

Ask any Keralite when 

one should visit the 

state, and the reply will 

invariably be “during 

Onam”. Kerala’s biggest 

and most important festival coincides 

with the harvest season, and is 

celebrated for 10 days throughout the 

state by all communities, with rituals, 

festive meals, new clothes, snake boat 

races, cultural programmes and what 

have you. As Onam falls in August or 

September during the monsoon, “God’s 

own country” turns into a kaleidoscope 

of blues and greens, making it a very 

pleasant time to visit the state. 

Legend has it that ages ago, King 

Mahabali, an illustrious and benevolent 



on his head and pushing him into the 

netherworld. So pleased was vamana 

with King Mahabali’s devotion that he 

revealed his true identity as Lord Vishnu 

and granted him a visit to earth once 

every year. It is this annual visit of King 

Mahabali that Kerala celebrates with 

great fanfare as Onam. 

Top: Women get together during Onam, 

dance, make flower decorations in front of 

their homes, and celebrate festivities 

together. Below: Puli Kali or Play of the Tigers 

is a performance by men made-up like 

leopards, tigers and lions. 

ruler, reigned over regions 

of present-day Kerala, 

bringing to it immense 

peace and prosperity. Such 

was the authority and 

adoration he enjoyed that 

even Lord Indra, God of 

the Heavens, started 

feeling insecure about his 

own power and popularity, 

and finally approached 

Lord Vishnu 

for help. Lord 

Vishnu decided to visit King 

Mahabali disguised as a 

Brahmin vamana (dwarf), 

and asked him for a boon 

which the generous king 

granted. 

Vamana asked for land 

which he could cover in just 

three steps and upon King 

Mahabali’s consent, swelled 

exponentially, thereafter 

covering earth with his first 

step and heaven with his 

second. Seeing that there 

was no place left for vamana 

to cover with his third step, 

the king bowed down, 

letting vamana place his foot 

ONAM 

OVERSEAS 

With Malayalis 

scattered in all 

corners of the globe, 

Onam becomes the 

perfect occasion for 

them to re-connect 

with their roots. 

Keralite associations 

in numerous 

places including 

the USA, South 

Africa, various 

Gulf countries and 

England plan grand 

celebrations on the 

day. Apart from the 

religious rituals, 

numerous cultural 

programmes are 

also organised for 

all members of the 

families. 

CULTURE CURRY 

When in Kerala, one can view traditional 

performing arts such as Kathakali, 

Mohiniattam, Thullal and Theyyam, and 

martial arts like Kalaripayattu 

throughout the year. But it is only during 

Onam that one gets to see specific arts 

and traditions. “The traditional 

wrestling style, onathallu, or bare-fist 

fighting, can be seen. Onathallu is 

famous in the Palakkad district, 

especially Pallassana in Chittur Taluk 

and Vadakkencherry,” says Madhu S. 

Kayarat, MD, Moon Days, a Kochi-based 

major player in the travel and tourism 

sector. Kayarat talks about onavillu, a 

bow-shaped musical instrument crafted 

exclusively for Onam and played as an 

accompaniment to Onam songs. “The 

onavillu can be seen at 

various places in Kerala. 

The best place for tourists 

to see it is at the 

Padmanabhaswamy 

Temple, 

Thiruvananthapuram, on 

Thiruvonam day, which 

falls on September 14 this 

year, where it is offered to 

the deity as part of Onam 

rituals. A cultural 

extravaganza called 

athachamayam which 

takes place at 

Thripunithura, Kochi, is 

also exclusive to Onam and 

takes place on September 4, 

which is atham in the 

Malayali calendar, an 



important date that marks ten days to the 

beginning of Onam,” informs Kayarat. 

Being that time of year when 

legendary King Mahabali visits his 

beloved people, no stone is left unturned 

to welcome him. Girls, women, put in 

hours of effort and ingenuity to create 

large, colourful compositions with fresh 

flower petals called pookalams in front 

of homes. 

The traditional pookalam starts 

small and is progressively added to over 

Onam, resulting in ten concentric circles 

symbolic of the ten-day festival. Often, a 

spectrum of pookalams, reflecting 

devotion and festivity, is created. A metal 

lamp may be lit at the centre of these 

decorations. Pookalam competitions are 

held throughout Kerala and thoroughly 

enjoyed by participants and onlookers 

alike. 

FESTIVE SHOPPING 

No festival is complete without 

shopping, especially that last minute 

dash to stores through crowded streets 

hemmed in by pop-up stalls and vendors 

hawking their wares. Interestingly, 

Onam has a name for it. The day before 

Onam is called uthrada pachil, derived 

from the words uthradom, which, 

according to the Malayali calendar, is the 

ninth and penultimate day of Onam, and 

pachil, which means to run around. 

Uthrada pachil describes the frenzy 

in local markets as shoppers rush to buy 

vegetables, groceries, Nenthrapazham 

or the Kerala banana, banana leaves for 

the sadya feast to be prepared the next 

day, and even festive outfits to be worn 

during Onam. This year, uthrada pachil 

falls on September 13. 

Onam begins by celebrating the 

ascent of King Mahabali from the 

netherworld to earth. The revered 

Thrikkakara Temple, Ernakulam, 

dedicated to Lord Vamana, is the heart of 

festivities, as it is said to be at this spot 

that vamana placed his 

foot on King Mahabali’s 

head, pushing him into 

the netherworld, 

commemorating the very 

event that led to the birth 

of this festival. 

Hoisting of the 

festival flag, rituals, 

decoration of the idol, 

performances, a 

ceremonial procession of 

caparisoned elephants, 

and serving of sadya 

mark the festivities that 

go on for 10 days, and end only with 

lowering of the festival flag on the last 

day. 

Sadya - a traditional Kerala-style 

vegetarian banquet, which can comprise 

up to two dozen dishes served in a single 

course – is served on banana leaves, and 

is the highlight of Onam celebrations. 

Dishes are served in a specific order 

and each dish is served at a specific place 

on the banana leaf, either directly or in 

small bowls. Among the specialities are 

dry and gravy preparations, sambhar, 

steamed rice, banana-jaggery chips, 

papads, pickles, salad, and of course 

Top: Athachamayam, a colourful cultural 

extravaganza, in Thripunithura, Kochi. 

Below: A swing is affixed to a tree branch and 

girls enjoy swinging from it during Onam. 



payasam for dessert. Servings are 

replenished through the meal, leaving 

one well satiated. Once the meal is over, 

banana leaves are folded; folding the leaf 

away from oneself indicates one has 

enjoyed the meal and is paying a 

compliment to the chef. 

SNAKE BOAT RACES 

Kerala’s idyllic backwaters take centrestage 

during the legendary snake boat 

pageants that are deeply rooted in 

ancient beliefs, and enact historical 

events while inculcating athleticism and 

team spirit. Billed as the largest team 

sport in the world, snake boat races, have 

spectacular boats manned by teams of 

helmsmen, oarsmen and singers. 

Snake boat races held during Onam 

exude a verve all their own, and include 

the Payippad Boat Race at Payippad, 

Alappuzha; the Kumarakom Boat Race 

at Kumarakom; and the ritual Aranmula 

Boat Race at Aranmula. For a 

comprehensive list of snake boat races, 

please visit https://www.keralatourism. 

org/festivalcalendar.php. 

Top: Women and girls 

enjoy celebrating 

Onam together 

Middle: The Onam 

festive lunch called 

sadya is a traditional 

Kerala vegetarian 

meal with up to two 

dozen dishes served 

as a single course on 

a banana leaf 

Below: Pookalams or 

colourful and 

decorative floral floor 

decorations, made in 

front of homes, 

create a festive 

welcoming ambience 

TIGERS AT PLAY 

During Onam, one may be forgiven for 

thinking that big cats have laid siege to 

the streets. On the last day of the festival, 

men with lifelike faces of tigers, lions 

and leopards painted on their ample 

bellies dance through the streets of 

Thrissur and onto Swaraj Ground, 

marking puli kali or ‘play of tigers’ 

festivities. Not only the generous 

abdomens of these men, but also their 

entire bodies are painted with animal 

patterns; a process that takes several 

hours. The look is completed with masks 

on the men’s faces and belts made of bells 

around their waists as they perform the 

“tiger dance” to the beat of drums. 

The men stride like tigers and enact 

scenes of tigers pouncing on their prey 

or being hunted. 



PREMIUM HOME 

DÉCOR PRODUCTS 

FROM MADDHOME.COM 

INDIA’S ONLY 

E-COMMERCE 

RETAIL COMPANY 

selling premium 

products to quality 

lovers, Maddhome is 

an abbreviation for 

Maison and Design 

Décor Home. It 

houses a vast 

collection of 

exclusive 

products related to home 

decor and furnishings. 

The company has got 

the patronage of 

multiple high end 

export houses that have been 

supplying goods to all the 

premium brands globally. 

This is a unique 

collaboration unheard of 

which enables Maddhome to 

have an edge over others 

in innovation and uniqueness. To 

give your home a new look, 

Maddhome is presenting a wide 

range of voguish lighting range. 

Replace your boring and old-school 

lights, and install elegant designer 

table lamps from its range. 

Maddhome brings you a wide range 

of modern table lamps in various 

designs, patterns and also the unique 

finishing such as Antique Brass, 

Antique Gold, Copper Plated, 

Wooden Base and much more. 

At Maddhome, you can choose 

your latest and trendiest 

design of classic table lamps 

for your living room and 

bedroom. Here you can select 

elegant, stylish, modern or 

contemporary choices of table 

lamps that enhance the look of 

your entire home décor. Visit 

www.maddhome.com to check out 

the exquisite range. 

FITNESS MYTH- 

BUSTERS YOU 

SHOULD KNOW 

BY MEENAKSHI S 

SENIOR FITNESS TRAINER, 

HEALTHIFYME 

THERE ARE SEVERAL misconceptions 

about weight loss and general fitness seen 

on the Internet, some of which are 

misleading and have harmful consequences. 

Here are some myth busters that will help 

you. 

MYTH: More sweat equals to more calories burnt 

Sweating is your body’s way of maintaining 

its normal temperature. How much you 

sweat does not correlate with the calories 

you expend. It is the duration and intensity 

of the workout that matters. 

MYTH: Exercising on an empty stomach 

burns fat 

On an empty stomach you are likely to 

exercise less intensely, decreasing the 

amount of calories you burn. Fruits such as 

banana and apple are recommended, about 

30 minutes prior to your workout. 

MYTH: Sitting long hours is fine as I 

exercise regularly 

Sitting is the new smoking thanks to 

desk jobs and sedentary lifestyle. Skip the 

elevator, take the stairs, have stretch 

breaks at work and walk instead of 

driving whenever possible. 

MYTH: I can eat whatever I want as long 

as I exercise 

The calories you burn during workout are 

a mere fraction of your daily consumption. 

So you won’t get very far if you cannot take 

responsibility for your dietary decisions. 

Don’t forget to track your fitness on the go 

with HealthyfyMe, available for free on 

Android & iOS 



A NEW ERA IN HIGH 

QUALITY SOUND 

FROM ZEBRONICS 

INDIA’S LEADING supplier 

of IT peripherals, audio/ 

video and surveillance 

products, Zebronics brings 

together the sound 

revolution in India with the 

launch of its latest 5.1 Shark 

Tower Speakers. They just 

don’t look impressive – they 

have the sound to match. 

Built to impress with sheer 

scale, power and musical 

muscle the Tower with its 

super efficient design 

ensures plenty of oomph, 

delivering a greater range 

for a high fidelity audio experience. 

Whether for the living room or bedroom, 

for music or movies, these speakers have 

the sound quality your system deserves 

and a design featuring sleek and slimline 

design, along with an LED display and 

colour changing light. It also features 

chunky rubber feet to ensure suitability 

on surface. The satellites are floor 

standing units with stands so placing 

them in the room is easy and there is no 

hassle of wall mounting. 

Commenting on bringing the sound 

revolution to India, with its latest Shark 

5.1 Speakers, Pradeep Doshi, Director, 

Zebronics, says, “A performer unlike any 

other, the Shark 5.1 speaker illustrates 

our approach to acoustic perfection, 

while making a visual statement that is 

every bit as elegant and passionate as the 

sound.” You can stream music to the 5.1 

Shark speakers through Bluetooth.It can 

create virtual 5.1 surround for any two 

channel input. The speaker can be easily 

connected to your PC, TV, MP3 player or 

DVD player. It also includes a USB port 

and an SD/MMC card slot along with the 

fully functional remote control for the 

ease of functions. The speaker also has 

dual mic input for karaoke sessions. 

LONGINES 

REISSUES A 

CHARMING MODEL 

THE LONGINES HERITAGE 

1969 draws its inspiration 

from a timepiece created in 

the late 1960s. This model’s 

reissue now enriches the 

Longines Heritage 

collection. With its 

cushion-shaped steel case 

and its brushed silvery 

dial, this unusual watch 

echoes the essence of the 

original model. Rosecoloured 

hands and indexes give it an 

additional touch of elegance. Located in 

Saint-Imier, where the winged hourglass 

brand had its start in 1832, the Longines 

Museum is filled with treasures 

synonymous with the brand’s rich knowhow. 

It is here that the brand draws 

inspiration from its historic collection, 

as a tribute to its long watchmaking 

tradition. So was born The Longines 

Heritage 1969, a piece with a vintage 

design echoing the lines of a watch 

created in the late 1960s. 

At the time, this model was available 

in steel, gold plating and 18 karat gold. 

For its reissue, a steel case has been 

selected and elegantly combined with a 

brushed silvery dial adorned with 12 

pink applique indexes. The hands, which 

are also pink, mark the hours, minutes 

and seconds while providing optimal 

readability. As it was on the original 

model, the date aperture is positioned at 

4:30. This understated and refined 

timepiece features a 36 x 36 mm case 

suitable for the wrists of both men and 

women. The Longines Heritage 1969 

owes its charm and originality to a 

superb cushion-shaped case enhanced 

by a box-form crystal. This piece is 

equipped with an L888.2 calibre 

movement offering 64 hours of power 

reserve. A black alligator-skin watch 

strap completes the whole look. 


VIEWPOINT ||||| YOGA 

THROUGH THE MYSTIC EYE 

SADHGURU IS A YOGI, MYSTIC AND VISIONARY. AN INTERNATIONALLY-RENOWNED SPEAKER, SADHGURU’S WIT AND 

PIERCING LOGIC PROVOKE AND WIDEN OUR PERCEPTION OF LIFE. IN THIS SERIES, SADHGURU ANSWERS QUESTIONS, AND 

OFFERS REFRESHING PERSPECTIVES ON DIVERSE TOPICS 

bring this quality, but we should keep in 

mind that they are not the only thing. 

For someone getting started with yoga, 

they can take up something called upayoga, 

which gives you physical and 

psychological benefits but doesn’t touch 

the spiritual dimension. It can be learnt in 

five minutes and can be practiced 

anywhere. Once people experience the 

benefits, they will naturally seek yoga in 

a more serious manner. 

Sadhguru with Juhi Chawla 

JUHI CHAWLA 

Actor 

If you’re a beginner, what is the best 

practice to follow the path of yoga in its 

true form? 

Sadhguru: Yoga is not just about morningevening 

practice. Every aspect of your life 

– the very way you walk, breathe, interact 

– should become a process of yoga. 

Yoga is not something that you do. Yoga is 

something that you become. If you 

cultivate your body, mind, emotions and 

energies to a certain level of maturity, a 

quality arises within you where being 

peaceful and joyful is not determined by 

anything outside of you, it is determined 

by you. Yogic practices definitely help 

UPA-YOGA: IGNITING 

YOURSELF FOR ACTION 

High on Yoga is a pioneering initiative 

by SpiceJet and Isha Foundation, which 

offers you a series of simple yet potent 

Isha Upa-Yoga practices on f lights. 

Below, Sadhguru explains what 

upa-yoga is. 

Sadhguru: In vernacular languages, 

“upayoga” refers to something useful, 

but actually it means sub or pre-yoga. 

Yoga itself is not an exercise. It is a 

technology through which a dimension 

beyond the physical becomes a living 

reality within you. So, it needs to be 

handled in a committed atmosphere. 

But upa-yoga does not demand that nor 

does it cause problems if done 

improperly because you can’t do it 

improperly – it’s very simple. 

Upa-yoga exercises muscles and 

lubricates joints, improves neuronal 

regeneration and memory, reduces sleep, 

activates the spine and brings a deep sense 

of peacefulness. The practices are available 

on apps and at http://isha.sadhguru.org 

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

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

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


TRAVEL ||||| CELEBRITIES 

THE GLOBETROTTING DESI 

PRIYANKA 

CHOPRA 

ACTOR 

THE ACTRESS TAKES 

TIME OUT TO SHARE 

WITH US HER 

FAVOURITE VACATION 

MEMORIES. 

BY AARTI KAPUR 

SINGH 

What is your idea of a 

perfect holiday? 

A vacation, whenever I 

can go for one, is for 

complete and allencompassing 

rejuvenation. It’s a 

vacation in every sense 

of the word, where I 

don’t want to talk or 

think about work at all. 

I did just that when I 

took my first holiday in 

three years for New 

Year’s Eve – we went as 

a family and had tonnes 

of fun. On a holiday, I 

really want to have 

some “me time”. I love 

travelling because of 

the sheer pleasure of 

exploring new places 

and thankfully, my job 

gives me ample chances 

to do that. But when 

one is working, there is 

hardly any time to just 

be on a holiday. 

Your work does take you 

to some lovely locations. 

How different is 

travelling for work from 

travelling on a vacation? 

It is very different when 

you travel for work. 

There is still a 

disciplined routine - 

The actor enjoyed the outdoor shoot of Dostana in Miami 

Priyanka is beginning to get a vibe of Montreal where she now stays 

call time, shoot and so 

on. But then, once in a 

while, I have been lucky 

enough to have work 

and vacation merge 

together. Shooting for 

Dostana, for instance, 

was like a vacation for 

me. It was more of a 

rejuvenating holiday 

than work. We were in 

Miami for two months 

and I was so fresh and 

rested when I came 

back. It was like a really 

relaxed outdoor and I 

had a great time 

because everybody got 

along well with each 

other. I didn’t feel like I 

was working. I think it 

was just the vibe in the 

entire crew. Everybody 

was so much fun and 

we did everything 

together. I think just 

being able to connect 

with everybody at a 

deeper level was really 

nice. When I came 

back, I felt I had just 

finished my summer 

vacations. 

Another place I 

also loved was Brazil - I 

shot there for a season 

of Khatron Ke Khiladi - 

and I liked the place 

because I had never 

been there and I was 

like this wide-eyed girl 

absorbing all the 

fantastic things I saw. 

Now that I am living in 

Montreal, I am 

beginning to get the 

vibe of the place. 

Whenever I do get the 

time, I am out and 

about - exploring the 

SHUTTERSTOCK (TOP), ALAMY (BOTTOM) 


food, venues and 

culture. 

Which is your favourite 

place in the world for a 

vacation? 

My home, because I’m 

hardly ever there you 

know (laughs). I feel 

like this school kid who 

wants to come back 

home during summer 

vacations and gorge on 

mangoes. But to answer 

your question seriously, 

I can never have 

enough of the US. I love 

going back there. It is 

very forthcoming and 

welcoming. I have lived 

in Newton (outside 

Boston), in Queens and 

in Cedar Rapids - but at 

that time, I was a 

12-year-old ninth 

grader who got a huge 

culture shock. 

Mauritius is 

somewhere I go every 

time I want a quick 

getaway and back in 

India, it is Jaipur - 

because of the colours 

of the city and its 

Phuket brings back an 

interesting vacation memory 

magnetic old world 

charm. I am a total 

beach bum so I am also 

fond of beach 

destinations – all of 

them. 

What do you do while on 

a holiday? 

I love taking in new 

sights and sounds - so I 

visit a lot of musical 

shows and do the 

touristy sight-seeing. I 

also go crazy eating 

local fare. If I have 

friends in the city, we 

paint the town in the 

colours of the rainbow. 

But it’s not like there is 

an agenda - I don’t force 

myself to get out of my 

pyjamas and glad-rags. 

Mostly, you will find 

me curled up by the 

pool or beach with a 

nice book. 

WHILE ON A 

HOLIDAY I 

REALLY WANT 

TO HAVE SOME 

"ME TIME" 

Priyanka took off on her own in a shikara at Dal Lake 

Which is your most 

favourite vacation 

memory? 

Oh yes, plenty of them. 

When I visited 

Kashmir in 2007, I went 

there after about 15 

years. So obviously, I 

was one excited girl 

reliving her school 

summer vacation 

memories. I started 

roaming about on my 

own to take in the 

natural beauty. At Dal 

Lake, I couldn’t resist a 

boat ride, so I rented a 

shikara and started 

rowing it myself. I was 

so engrossed by the 

serene lake and the 

pristine mountain 

views that I jumped 

after hearing loud 

voices cheering behind 

me. The next thing I 

saw was this swarm of 

boats all around me, 

cheering me. I realised 

that these fans had 

followed me in other 

boats to catch a close 

glimpse. But they were 

very sweet and helped 

me row back to shore. 

Another time I was in 

Phuket with my 

friends and we were 

making sandcastles on 

the beach and 

suddenly, this man 

started yelling “Mimi, 

Mimi”, which is my pet 

name. I had taken such 

pains to organise a day 

off at a place where I 

thought nobody would 

recognise me and then 

I face this. I ducked 

behind one of my 

friends and scurried 

back into our room. 

Later, another one of 

my friends informed 

me that Mimi is a very 

common name in 

Thailand and the man 

was simply calling out 

to his daughter. 

Is there any place that 

you wish to travel to? 

Oh, I really want to go 

to Japan for a vacation. 

And I thought I would 

be able to see Mexico 

now that I am so close - 

but it hasn’t happened 

yet. I will have to plan 

it out soon. 

SHUTTERSTOCK (TOP), ALAMY (BOTTOM) 



KAILASH MANSAROVAR – A 

LEGEND, A REVELATION, A 

MYSTERY 

BY DINESH GUPTA 

MOUNT KAILASH – the abode of Lord Shiva and 

Goddess Parvati , has captured the imagination of 

human beings since time immemorial. Kailash 

Mansarovar Yatra is one of the most arduous treks. It 

involves trekking up to an altitude of 19,500 feet under 

inhospitable conditions, including extreme cold and 

rugged terrain. I along with my wife and a group of 

likeminded friends, were seeking the divine darshan of 

Kailash Mansarovar for quite some time, which could 

be materialized only by the blessings of Lord Shiva. All 

Kailash Mansarovar yatris visit Pashupatinath temple 

to seek his blessings before commencing the yatra to 

Mt. Kailash. Next day, we flew to Lhasa, which was at a 

height of 11,000 feet. The train journey from Lhasa to 

Shigatse was an exhilarating one. 

Now, the ultimate journey to the abode of Lord 

Shiva began with religious fervor. Everyone got up at 3 

am the next morning to catch a flight to Ali, the last mile 

to Lake Mansarovar. As the plane touched base in Ali, a 

very humble town, each one of us felt so near to Lord 

Shiva. After two hours, somebody in the group caught a 

glimpse of Mt. Kailash. Our excitement turned into an 

euphoria. The trek around Mt. Kailash is of 52 km and 

has to be done on foot, pony or yak. Reaching Dirapuk 

after a 16 km trek from Darchen, we felt as if we had 

reached heaven. Finally it turned bright gold as the first 

rays of the sun made the peak glow. All bowed and 

prayed with folded hands. 

(The author is a pioneering visionary and media tycoon. He 

is the chairman of Sadhna News and Prabhatam Group) 


LEISURE ||||| CELEBRITIES 

SPA SECRETS 

MAINTAINING GOOD LOOKS SURE INVOLVES SOME HEAVY DUTY PAMPERING. WE 

ASKED A FEW BOLLLYWOOD CELEBS ABOUT THEIR FAVOURITE SPAS AND THEY 

WERE ONLY TOO HAPPY TO OBLIGE. 

BY: AARTI KAPUR SINGH 

Wonder how our 

Bollywood 

beauties 

manage to look 

so ravishing and 

radiant despite back-to-back shoots and 

frenetic lifestyles? Well, most of them 

have their own beauty and wellness 

regimes that they absolutely swear by, 

with relaxing and rejuvenating spa 

treatments. They take all the pampering 

very seriously and after all this time, are 

very clued in on the leading spas and the 

in-house speciality of each one of them. 

Be it exotic massages and body wraps or 

personalised therapies, here’s what 

some of our glam divas revealed about 

their go-to spas around the world. 


SHILPA SHETTY 

KUNDRA 

“I am a total spa addict and love 

pampering myself. While I love 

the soothing therapies of my 

own spa, I also like Harrods’ Urban Retreat 

in London and Zamani Zanzibar Kempinski 

Hotel’s Anantara Spa in Tanzania. Both 

these places have well-informed therapists 

who not only know what they are doing, but 

also take great pains to explain each and 

every procedure to you before and while 

they are treating you. No other place can 

beat the deep tissue massage at Anantara 

Spa – it is a good two hours of heavenly 

peace. It is run by the Thai Mandara Spa, 

and that means that they never ever rush 

into or out of therapies. So, one can actually 

relax without looking at the watch.” 

Zamani Zanzibar 

Kempinski Hotel’s 

Anantara Spa 

PRIYANKA 

CHOPRA 

“Oh, I could spend an 

entire lifetime in a 

spa! Those are the 

places where I actually let my hair 

down when I am travelling. I am 

totally a water and beach person, 

so most of my favourite spas are in 

places where there is sun, sand 

and surf. This is very good because 

I can get rid of all the tan after 

frolicking! I practically live in The 

Standard Spa when I am in Miami. 

The Willow Stream Spa 

Their huge hamam (bath) is a 

godsend, and so is their Vitamin 

Wrap treatment where they wrap 

your body in orange and coconut 

milk and then apply a face mask 

packed with tons of vitamins and 

aloe. As a last step, they moisturise 

and you leave the premises with 

your skin feeling like pure silk. 

The Willow Stream Spa at 

Fairmont Monte Carlo is another 

favourite because of their sea 

algae body wrap and a special 

acupressure facial.” 

ADITI RAO HYDARI 

“When it’s hot, there can be nothing 

more soothing than water. I love the 

idea of rejuvenating through water 

therapy at The Quan Spa, J.W. Marriott, in Mumbai. 

I am always ready for their Manihi Lagoon Island 

Bath, which uses the rhythm of water. The aroma 

adds to the sensory experience, making you feel as if 

you are lounging in a pool, far from the madding 

crowd. They also have their own body massage 

where they use a moisturising balm to massage your 

body. I was told it contains Brazil Nut Oil and 

Vitamin E Oil. I sleep like a baby whenever I come 

home from there.” 

The Quan Spa 


LEISURE ||||| CELEBRITIES 

Oberoi Rajvilas Spa 

KAREENA KAPOOR 

KHAN 

“I am addicted to 

manicures and pedicures 

and there’s a running joke 

among friends and family that I actually 

check into a hotel’s spa rather than their 

room first! It’s true for I always head to a 

hotel’s spa almost as soon as I check in. 

Despite having seen the most luxurious 

spas all over the world, my most 

favourite place to rejuvenate is the 

Oberoi Rajvilas Spa in Jaipur. It’s a piece 

of heaven on earth! This place is 

absolutely connected to the roots and 

down-to-earth and yet, so decadent. I 

have experienced most of their relaxing 

massages and even complex, 

specifically-targeted, herbal oil-andpaste 

therapies to feel pampered and 

refreshed. They have been gracious 

enough to customise treatments for me. I 

am particularly fond of their Maharani 

Ritual Spa – the massage alone lasts for 

about an hour and I doze off within the 

first ten minutes. I also love their lemonand-yoghurt 

body massage.” 

SRIDEVI 

“I have a spa fetish to the extent that I 

am always clued in on most new 

treatments that are being spoken 

about. So much so, on checking into any place I 

haven’t been to before, I first check out their spa to 

figure out how good the place must be. I am open to 

trying out varied therapies, and the moment I come 

to know about a new indulgence introduced by any 

spa, I am usually the first to try it out. My friends 

are forever asking me for recommendations – I am 

that up-to-speed with what is new and good in spa 

treatments. I love the deep and intense massage at 

Four Seasons’ Spa in Provence and Banyan Tree in 

Phuket. I have tried out honey scrub, massage and 

fruit facial at the Marriott in Pune, and I often go 

there to relax over the weekend.” 

Banyan Tree 


ART ||||| INSTALLATIONS 

Left Top: The Orion installation brings out the artist’s artisanal skills 

Bottom: Infinity is one of the four light installations created by the 

artist Above: Cube highlights the artist’s unique style 

ART FROM 

THE HEART 

RENOWNED INSTALLATION ARTIST VIBHOR SOGANI’S WORKS 

ARE A REVOLUTIONARY BLEND OF ARTISANAL SKILL,NEW 

TECHNOLOGY AND UNIQUE MATERIALS 

BY BINDU GOPAL RAO 

If you live in or have been to Delhi, chances are 

you would have noticed a huge stainless steel 

installation around the AIIMS flyover. 

Designed as part of the beautification of the 

national capital, this is installation artist 

Vibhor Sogani’s creation. A leading creative 

professional and product designer, he is an 

alumnus of the National Institute of Design (NID), 

Ahmedabad, and a well-established name in the art world. 

LAUNCH PAD 

Ask him how it all started and he replies: “My design 

journey started after my schooling in Jaipur. Despite being a 

good student, academics never excited me. After a session 


Top: Initially Studio Vibhor Sogani 

specialised in table top accessories 

Bottom: Slim is an interesting 

interplay of light and design 

with a career counsellor and an aptitude 

test, I was told my 3D visualisation is 

good and I would do well in a creative 

field.” 

In 1992, Sogani graduated from NID 

with a degree in Product Design 

(Industrial Design), after which he 

worked for a year with the furniture 

division of Godrej in Mumbai. He moved 

out and took up freelance projects, which 

somehow weren’t easy to come by. 

“Finally, in August 2002, I launched my 

collection of table top accessories under 

the label Studio Vibhor 

Sogani. Till 2005, I was 

involved in my accessories 

line but somewhere down 

the line, I realised this 

stream was far too 

commercial for my creative 

sensibilities,” says Sogani. 

In 2007, Sogani was invited 

to participate in an art show 

and soon, he ended up doing 

his first show titled, ‘God & I’ 

featuring wall art and 

installations in stainless 

steel and other materials. In 

his words, the exhibition 

was “liberating” as he did it 

for himself and without 

stressing over its 

THE ART FORM 

Installation art is 

the term used for 

site-specific, threedimensional 

works 

that aim to change a 

viewer's perception 

of a space. The art 

form spans the 

entire gamut of 

traditional as well 

as non-traditional 

media like painting, 

sculpture, found 

objects, drawing 

and text. The term 

has been used since 

the mid-1950s. In 

recent years viewer 

participation has 

emerged as a key 

component of 

installation art. 

functionality. 

Recalling his journey, he says: “The 

shift from design to art was an internal 

struggle for me but I had an advantage as 

I was technically equipped and that 

became the most interesting and 

intrinsic part of the process later. The 

same year, I also got an opportunity to do 

some work in the field of lighting and the 

response was encouraging at various 

levels. My lighting portfolio started 

growing and as a designer, I felt more 

satiated and involved. In terms of 

competition too, the segment was more 

specialised. There were lesser people in 

my category from the Indian 

subcontinent and that allowed me 

enough room to expand.” 

DESIGNER DREAMS 

Before Sogani’s tryst with art, he worked 

as a design consultant on several 

commercial projects with clients across 

sectors such as real estate, hotels, and 

government bodies. “I worked on some 

off-beat projects such as the country’s 

first few go-carting tracks, redesigning 

Mumbai’s suburban trains, and 

upgrading Kashmir’s copper craft. Also, 

trophies for events like the Samsung Cup 

(India-Pakistan Cricket 

Series in Pakistan, 2004); 

Pepsi Cup (India-Pakistan 

Cricket Series, 2005); PHL 

Trophy (Premier Hockey 

League) and Hutch-Delhi 

Half Marathon were 

designed and executed by my 

office,” he points out. 

Quizzed on the marriage of 

art and technology, the 

designer-cum-artist says: 

“Being an industrial 

designer from NID, the 

comfort with industrial 

processes and technology 

was always there. Exposure 

to Indian crafts and 

handicrafts came in the first 


ART ||||| INSTALLATIONS 

Top Right: Sogani’s studio is 

spread over 35,000 square feet 

Above: Vibhor Sogani, design 

consutant turned artist 

FACT FILE 

phase of my career while I was 

consulting. Art is an expression pretty 

much from within. To amalgamate and 

arrive at technology-driven installations 

was an easy choice. Once I got rolling, it 

wasn’t difficult.” 

CONTEMPORARY CHIC 

Sogani’s is an experimental style 

involving combining materials like steel, 

copper, bronze and stone to create art, 

sculptures and light installations. His 

work reflects his contemporary, urban 

sensibilities. Having started Studio 

Vibhor Sogani in 1994 in Delhi, he has 

several award-winning projects and 

PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE 

One of Sogani’s best and the country’s largest public art 

installations is named ‘Sprouts’. It is a 40 feet high stainless steel 

installation spread over six acres of greens surrounding the AIIMS 

flyover in the heart of Delhi. The idea behind Sprouts was: ‘When 

the seeds begin to sprout’ - to show how India is shaping up and 

transforming since independence. It was a joint governmentprivate 

project 

nstallations to his credit. The studio, 

spread over 35,000 square feet, 

comprises different zones where each 

zone has a distinct installation and is an 

experience in itself. Lush green exteriors 

showcase a variety of outdoor 

installations ranging from 

one to 20 feet. 

LABOUR OF LOVE 

Taking his portfolio ahead, Sogani has 

created four light installations - Orion, 

Cube, Cascade and Infinity. Each one of 

them showcases his artisanal skill. They 

also stand out for the use of new 

technology, and unique materials. He 

shares an interesting anecdote from 

2004 when the Indian cricket team 

travelled to Pakistan after 14 years for a 

full-blown one day and test series. 

“I was given the opportunity to 

design and create the trophies, 

mementos and other associated products 

for both the series and got to travel with 

the team. We were in the streets of 

Pakistan with the Indian flag and 

wearing the team colour. The euphoria 

attached to the experience was 

unparalleled. We managed to win both 

the series and brought the trophies 

home, making me a lucky charm of 

sorts,” he recalls. 

About the trophy, he says: “It got 

immense international acclaim and 

became a turning point in my career, 

especially in terms of my experience 

with metal." 



BAGGIT LAUNCHES THE 

SURREAL STREAK 

GET SURREALISTIC WITH 

BAGGIT, India’s most loved bag 

brand and give a refreshing touch 

to your wardrobe. The Surreal 

Streak collection brings 

out an alive and 

amusing twist to the 

pop trend through 

statement phrases, 

monster eyes, lip 

illustrations and tiedye 

techniques 

integrated in different 

bag styles. The collection 

is an amalgamation of 

conventional tessellation 

patterns, speech bubble vector shaped bags and infusion 

of the popular jhuti material. Updated with thick textures 

and unnatural colours, the collection comprises totes, 

backpacks, satchels, utility pouches and wallets in shades 

of pink, red, purple, green, blue, rose, mustard, black and 

maroon. The merger of style and unreal pop graphic 

elements makes this collection sassy for the youthful you 

to stay on trend and fashionable. Bring alive the surreal 

influences in the world of fashion with this fun range. 

Baggit is India’s leading fashion accessory brand, 

founded in 1990 by Nina Lekhi with its first launch in a 

standalone retail store before moving on to Large Retail 

Format stores and then finally launching its own 

Exclusive Brand Outlets in several cities across the 

country. A brand that incorporates eco-friendly values to 

luxury products, Baggit’s strong belief in ‘Beauty without 

cruelty’ won it the PETA Proggy Award. Aimed at the 

modern indian woman, Baggit offers a wide range of 

accessories such as bags, belts, caps, wallets and multiutility 

pouches along with several more wardrobe musthaves. 

Taking into consideration the need to be organized 

through the day, each bag by Baggit offers several pockets 

and slots, making it easier to access one’s vital needs. For 

more information, please visit Baggit exclusive stores and 

www.baggit.com or facebook.com/baggit 



STYLISH SCARVES FROM AHUJASONS 

PLANNING A NICE exotic holiday to the beaches or the hills? A 

holiday is a mix of excitement, fun, relaxation and cool fashion 

which will be cherished for ever. Every moment should be 

incredible, from the destination to your style. So, keeping your style 

statement in mind, Ahujasons has launched an exclusive ‘Resort 

Wear Collection’ of scarves which will add a dash of fashion 

quotient to your look, making your vacation all the more thrilling. 

The collection has been specially designed for the modern day 

fashionistas who seek perfection in whatever look they sport. 

Designed in an array of soothing fabrics like super fine linens and 

cotton, the Resort wear collection is available in breathtaking cool 

shades of the ocean, beach, sun and sand which is perfect for your 

holiday. The collection will spell magic to your wardrobe and will 

bring out the diva in you as you have a gala time during your 

vacation. Stunning designs of exclusive digital prints and 

experimental surface ornamentation are on offer. While travelling 

will distress you, the collection will add that extra zing, making 

your holiday a blissful experience. 

COME BACK 

TO LIFE WITH 

CD PARTY 

SHIRTS. 

WHEN IT COMES TO PARTYING, CD Party Shirts are the 

only rule that you don’t break. Rise from within and come 

face to face with a being who knows no boundaries as you 

put on a new life. Merge yet emerge at every do. Calm your 

beating heart as it feels what was once unimaginable. From 

eye-popping optical prints to chic embroidery to trendy 

patchworks with colours like Blueberry, Burgundy, 

Canyon, Citric, Army green, Butter, Camel, Black forest 

and Chickoo – there are hundreds of designs to get the 

party going. Shop online at www.cdshirts.com or walk in 

to The Charagh Din Store at 64, Wodehouse Road, Colaba, 

Mumbai 400 005 or call 91 22 6152 2300. Follow Charagh 

Din on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cdshirts 

NEW TACO BELL OPENS IN NEW DELHI 

THE WORLD’S LARGEST Mexican-style fast food chain 

announced the exciting opening of an all new Taco Bell at 

Epicuria Nehru Place, its ninth restaurant in the country. 

The new location redefines the fast food experience and 

transcends quick-service restaurants with an edgy new 

interior and a customizable menu made to order. While you 

are here, you’ll be able to hang out with your friends in the 

redesigned dining room featuring retro dining chairs with 

benches made from reclaimed mango wood, a sea freight 

container with private seating within and a DJ console 

above for hosting awesome aspiring local musicians. Says 

Ankush Tuli, Managing Director, Taco Bell India, says, 

“We are delighted to bring the all new Taco Bell to India, 

with its unique positioning of Mexican-inspired food 

experiences at unbelievable value." 


HEALTH ||||| PREVENTION 

well. Stand under the fan and/or put on 

the air-conditioner to ensure complete 

drying, after which, dust these areas 

with anti-fungal powder to keep 

infections at bay. Do not wear socks 

without drying your feet and fingers. 

6 SKINCARE 

TIPS FOR THE 

MONSOON 

IF YOU THINK SKIN PROBLEMS OCCUR 

ONLY DURING SUMMER, THINK AGAIN. 

BY: DR CHYTRA ANAND 

Viral infections and 

stomach bugs are not the 

only bane associated 

with monsoons. Our 

skin too faces a lot of 

distress. Here are a few things you can do 

to ensure minimal damage to your skin 

during the rainy season. 

KEEP YOUR SKIN CLEAN 

Dirt and dust stick to your skin due to 

humidity and oiliness, and cause 

bacteria to build up in the pores, which 

may lead to skin infections and 

breakouts. Hence, keep your face and 

skin squeaky clean at all times. 

Beginning with the face, use a mild, 

soap-free or PH-balanced cleanser twice 

daily to wash away dirt, grime, oil and 

bacterial build up in pores. Follow it up 

with a serum; either vitamin C-based for 

regular wear or salicylic acid-based for 

oily and acne-prone skin. Use a light and 

soothing water-based moisturiser. 

DRY YOURSELF WELL 

Constant sweating and humidity render 

skin damp, particularly at the folds. 

Fungal and bacterial infections are 

commonplace owing to damp weather. 

Areas such as armpits, groin region, skin 

in-between toes and fingers are 

particularly vulnerable. After a bath, dry 

these areas and also your hair and scalp 

DO NOT FOREGO SUNSCREEN 

Contrary to popular perception, the 

Sun’s UV radiation easily penetrates 

cloud cover and enters buildings through 

glass windows and doors. Therefore, 

wear sunscreen all the time, and reapply 

every few hours. 

APPLY MINIMAL MAKEUP 

This season is for minimalist makeup. 

Heavy skin applicants clog pores and 

cause skin irritation. If you must apply 

makeup, use water-proof cosmetics. 

Replace heavy foundation bases with 

lightweight powders. Ensure that the 

products you use do not clog skin pores. 

DEAL WITH EXCESSIVE SWEAT 

Keep yourself clean and dry. Bathe and 

clean off sweat every morning and 

evening using antibiotic soaps. This will 

also keep bad odour at bay. Keep areas 

like armpits, inner thighs, fingers and 

toes especially clean and dry to prevent 

bacterial and fungal infections. 

VISIT A SKIN SPECIALIST 

If you find yourself bogged down by 

repeated acne breakouts and excessive 

pigmentation, see a dermatologist. 

De-tanning treatments like peels and 

microdermabrasion will help remove 

summer tan; fillers like Juvederm will 

help replenish the skin’s lost glow and 

hydration; while medi facials and revlite 

photofacials will help maintain skin tone 

and texture during monsoons. 

(The author is Cosmetic Dermatologist, 

Kosmoderma Clinics, located in 

Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad) 

SHUTTERSTOCK 



SÖKTAS MAKES 

AN IMPACT IN 

INDIA 

FOR DECADES, SÖKTAS has designed and provided the 

finest shirt fabrics for the top fashion houses in the world. 

In recent years, India’s rapidly growing economy, and the 

vibrant fashion awareness has increased the demand for 

premium, luxury shirts with impeccable designs in line 

with global trends. Since 2009, Söktas has proudly brought 

its coveted, quality fabrics to India as well, by establishing 

operations in the country. Setting the standard for the most 

desired fabrics in men’s shirts with innovative research, 

development, production and presentation capabilities, 

and an extremely broad archive of over 300,000 fabrics, 

Söktas continues to serve its top-class customers and 

clients around the globe. The fabrics are designed by the 

foremost designers in design offices in Italy, Turkey, and 

India; intricately woven with high quality Egyptian Giza 

cotton; and expertly finished in the Söktas mills. 

ANODYNE 

THERAPY SYSTEM 

NOW AVAILABLE 

IN INDIA 

THE ANODYNE THERAPY system is a medical device used 

in the United States and Europe and is now available in 

India. This device is a breakthrough in the treatment of 

neuropathy - a condition of that often leads to non-healing 

ulcers and amputations. Jennifer Turtzo, International 

Director of Anodyne Therapy LLC, explains. “This device 

has been used with exceptional outcomes in the United 

States for 15 years and we are thrilled to have our products 

available for both healthcare professionals and consumers 

in India.” The Anodyne Therapy System emits infrared 

light at a specific wavelength of 890 nm. These treatment 

pads are placed on the affected area of the body for 30 

minute sessions. This wavelength of light stimulates the 

release of Nitric Oxide a naturally occurring chemical in 

the body. This release of nitric oxide in the 

microvasculature improves circulation and nerve 

function, effectively reducing pain and improving healing. 

The patient feels no pain with the treatment. 


BOOKS ||||| REVIEWS 

READER'S CORNER 

What the serious bookworm is checking out this month 

THE GIRL WHO ATE 

BOOKS 

Nilanjana Roy 

This is a unique collection 

of essays from one of the 

best-loved critics around. 

One of India’s most 

widely read journalists, 

Nilanjana Roy has been 

writing reviews, columns, 

essays and features for 

over two decades. The 

Girl Who Ate Books 

reinvents the best of 

these occasional pieces 

and weaves them 

together with a set of 

new personal essays. 

From early memories of 

living in a house made of 

books, to encounters with 

men and women who 

hoarded them, to the 

author’s first taste of the 

printed word - this is a 

memoir of reading, loving 

and living with books like 

no other. Written in her 

understated but 

unfailingly elegant style, 

this is an indispensable 

collection for those who 

live to read and read to 

live. Among other books, 

Roy is the author of The 

Wildings, which won the 

Shakti Bhatt First Book 

Award (2013). Her column 

on the reading life for the 

Business Standard has 

run for over 15 years. 

ODYSSEUS ABROAD 

Amit Chaudhuri 

In this highly acclaimed 

novel, Amit Chaudhuri 

tells us the story of one 

unremarkable July day in 

1980s’ London. Ananda, 

student of poetry, is 

lonely, and somewhat 

fraught, as he grapples 

with the big questions of 

literature. His uncle, 

Radhesh, a bachelor 

leading an early retired 

life in a Belsize Park 

bedsit, is a self-involved 

eccentric. On this day, 

they find uncertain 

companionship as they 

circle around their past 

and take stock of their 

place in the city. Ananda 

and Radhesh both 

provide a foil to each 

other and yet remain 

apart, as Chaudhuri 

shows why he is 

considered his 

generation’s best 

chronicler of acutely 

observed life. Chaudhuri, 

54, is a well-known 

author and academic. He 

was awarded the Sahitya 

Akademi Award, Indian 

government’s highest 

literary honour, in 2002 

for his novel A New 

World. He is currently 

Professor of 

Contemporary Literature 

at the University of East 

Anglia. 

BANDHAN 

Tamal Bandyopadhyay 

This is the story of 

Bandhan, the only bank 

that emerged in eastern 

India after Independence. 

Founded by the son of a 

sweet vendor, with a 

mere Rs 2 lakh, the sum 

total of his life savings. 

On 17 June, 2015, Chandra 

Shekhar Ghosh stepped 

out of the Reserve Bank 

of India building in 

Mumbai with the muchcoveted 

banking licence, 

beating some of the 

country’s top corporate 

houses. This moment 

compensated for all the 

frustrations that had 

come along the way. A 

year later, Bandhan Bank 

was launched with 6.7 

million small borrowers. 

So, how did Ghosh build 

India’s biggest MFI from 

scratch and then, along 

with his team, transform 

it into a universal bank? 

Bandhan: The Making of a 

Bank chronicles that 

journey. This is also 

Ghosh’s personal story - 

of a boy growing up in 

small-town Agartala 

struggling with poverty, 

but relentless in his 

ambition to make it big. 

Along the way, he battles 

competition as well as 

hostile moneylenders. 

HARRY PORTER AND 

THE CURSED CHILD 

J.K. Rowling 

Based on an original 

new story by J.K. 

Rowling, Jack Thorne 

and John Tiffany, a new 

play by Jack Thorne, 

Harry Potter and the 

Cursed Child is the 

eighth story in the Harry 

Potter series and the 

first official Harry Potter 

story to be presented 

on stage. The play 

received its world 

premiere in London’s 

West End on July 30, 

2016. It was always 

difficult being Harry 

Potter and it isn’t much 

easier now that 

he is an overworked 

employee of the Ministry 

of Magic, a husband 

and father of three 

school-age children. 

While Harry grapples 

with a past that refuses 

to stay where it belongs, 

his youngest son Albus 

must struggle with the 

weight of a family legacy 

he never wanted. As past 

and present fuse 

ominously, both father 

and son learn the 

uncomfortable truth: 

sometimes, darkness 

comes from unexpected 

places. 

A MIDSUMMER’S 

EQUATION 

Keigo Higashino 

Keigo Higashino’s 

excellent third whodunit 

featuring Manabu Yukawa 

takes the brilliant 

physicist to the dying 

Japanese resort town of 

Hari Cove, where Yukawa 

offers his expertise at 

hearings on an offshore 

drilling proposal that 

promises to boost the 

nation’s economy by 

providing access to rare 

metals. Locals who fear 

the effects of the 

resulting environmental 

damage, which also 

threatens the area’s 

fishing industry, are 

against the plan. As the 

corporation behind the 

mining operation holds 

meetings to win over 

opponents, Masatsugu 

Tsukahara, a fellow guest 

at the hotel where 

Yukawa is lodging, is 

found at the base of a 

seaside cliff, apparently 

dead from an accidental 

fall. An autopsy reveals 

that Tsukahara actually 

died from carbon 

monoxide poisoning, and 

the mystery deepens 

when Yukawa learns that 

the dead man was a 

former homicide 

detective. 


MELANGE ||||| TAROT 

YOUR FORECAST THIS MONTH 

BY: SRINIVAS IYER 

Aries 

There are some 

Taurus 

Avoid overseas 

Gemini 

Family matters 

Cancer 

Do not make 

Leo 

Change in 

Virgo 

An excellent year 

worries nagging you 

travel as it may not 

gain momentum till 

impromptu 

professional life is 

lies ahead of you 

which will disappear 

be as productive as 

September 12 after 

financial decisions 

indicated, and so 

but be careful about 

after September 

you wish it to be. 

which, there will be 

as they could lead 

also gain in wealth. 

your diet as you 

16. Be careful 

Eat simple food this 

status quo. Some 

to losses. Your 

Financial matters 

tend to gain weight. 

with finances till 

month as there may 

of you will move 

son may be the 

take precedence 

Beautification and 

September 19. Some 

be problems related 

into a bigger house. 

cause of some 

throughout the 

communication 

of your enemies 

to the stomach. 

Marriage is also 

mental agony for 

month. Things 

are on your mind. 

continue to act behind 

Some unwarranted 

indicated for those 

a short spell. Take 

improve on the 

Children will do well 

the scenes to make 

fears may bother 

eligible. Spirituality 

extra care of your 

home front for you 

in academics. Fortune 

life difficult for you. 

you this month. 

is on top of mind. 

children’s health. 

and your family. 

smiles on you. 

Libra 

This year, you expand 

Scorpio 

Extreme caution 

Sagittarius 

Sickness owing to 

Capricorn 

Focus is on past 

Aquarius 

Long and tiring 

Pisces 

It’s time to say 

connections in 

is advised while 

excess heat is seen. 

life karma. People 

journeys to new 

goodbye to sorrow 

foreign countries. 

travelling and 

Till September 

around you will 

places are seen but 

and anxiety. 

Gains are indicated 

driving; avoid risky 

19, avoid eating 

experience ill health 

they are essential 

Health improves, 

but expenses 

sports. Overall 

out and in public 

which is difficult to 

for growth. 

your enemies are 

also rise. Risk in 

risk reduces after 

places as this could 

diagnose; seeking 

Professional 

destroyed, you grow 

investment-related 

September 19. There 

affect the health 

a second opinion 

matters gain 

in leaps and bounds, 

matters reduces 

are some worries 

of your wife and 

is advised. Lady 

momentum and 

and family ties are 

after September 19. 

at the beginning 

children too. New 

Luck smiles on you 

changes are seen 

great. An auspicious 

Religious travel is 

of the month. You 

opportunities 

and helps you sail 

for the better. 

journey is indicated. 

indicated for you 

make new friends, 

are indicated 

through all kinds of 

Avoid impromptu 

Fame and recognition 

throughout the year. 

especially women. 

professionally. 

situations. 

investments. 

come your way. 

(Astrologer Srinivas Iyer is based in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. He can be contacted on +91 9867755116 and shrinivaasiyer@gmail.com) 



MY TOWN 

Our ongoing series where we look at various Indian cities through 

the eyes of SpiceJet staffers. This month, Amit Kumar Srivastava, 

Security Officer, holds forth on Varanasi 

Your connection to the city: I have 

Favorite eats in the city: Sweets are 

been born and brought up in Varanasi. I 

the real forte of this place. Delicious 

have completed my Masters in Tourism 

kachauri, jalebi, samosa and a range of 

Administration from the Mahatma 

streetfare which includes offerings from 

Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith. 

the local chhatwallah will win the heart 

of every visitor. 

Best thing about Varanasi: Varanasi is 

a city of God and we start our day with 

Recommended places near the 

blessings, accompanied by the sound 

city: There are many interesting 

of temple bells and Vedic mantras. It 

places nearby like Ramnagar Fort, 

is a crucible of religious, spiritual and 

Vindhyachal, Sonbhadra and Chunar 

academic thought and beliefs. 

Fort. But you just cannot miss out on 

visiting Sarnath. Just 11 km away from 

One must-see in Varanasi: The 

Varanasi, it is a highly revered Buddhist 

elaborate Ganga Aarti (prayer riutal) 

pilgrimage centre. It is believed that 

every evening, just after sunset, at 

after getting enlightenment at Bodh 

Dashashwamedh Ghat, should not be 

Gaya, Lord Buddha preached his first 

missed by anybody. Light from wicks 

sermon, sanctified as Maha Dharma 

soaked in ghee or camphor is offered 

Chakra Pravartan, at Sarnath. The 

and traditional Hindu devotional songs 

area is a treasure trove of numerous 

Clockwise from above: Sarnath, an attractive 

destination near Varanasi; one of the ghats 

touching the Ganges; and Ganga Aarti being 

performed at Dashashwamedh Ghat 

are sung during the ritual. As the aarti 

begins, young priests 

take their positions on 

archaeological finds. 

Varanasi when 

a platform and begin 

compared to other 

swinging the lamp to 

places: It is among the 

the tune of chants. 

oldest living cities in the 

world. The people here 

What else the city is 

are simple and helpful. 

NOW FLYING 

SpiceJet offers direct flights to Varanasi 

from Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad 

and convenient connections from other 

cities across the network. Log on to 

www.spicejet.com for details 

famous for: Varanasi is 

renowned for its ghats - 

riverfront steps leading to 

the banks of the Ganges. 

The city has 87 of them. 

Most of them are bathing 

and puja ceremony ghats. 

While modernisation has 

taken over many other 

Indian cities, Varanasi has 

maintained its traditional 

culture and celebrates all 

festivals in the same way 

as in the past. 

SHUTTERSTOCK 



AGAINST ALL ODDS 

Sujeet Kumar, who works in SpiceJet’s reservations department, 

cannot hear nor speak. But that has not stopped him from being 

efficient at his work 

LIKE MANY OTHER YOUNG MEN from 

the interiors, Sujeet Kumar came to New 

Delhi in search of a job. Unlike the others, 

however, the B.Com from Barh, Bihar, 

faced a double challenge – he is hearing 

and speech impaired. 

But when he landed up at the 

Gurgaon office of SpiceJet for a walk-in 

job interview, the young man walked 

out with a job. “He may be deprived 

of speech and hearing but he came 

across as a very sensible, mature and 

determined individual with an amazing 

willpower which made him fit for the 

job and the organisation,” says Sukanya 

Anbalagam, GM, HR, SpiceJet Ltd. 

Sujeet is now a Reservations 

Executive in the Team Support function. 

His is a non-voice job profile and he 

is a part of SpiceJet’s reversal team 

taking care of refunds on PNRs, mailing, 

etc. Pradeep Shah, GM, Reservations, 

SpiceJet Ltd and Sujeet’s department 

head remembers the interview, “The 

entire interaction was in gesture and 

sign language assisted by writing on 

a piece of paper. I did not feel the 

communication barrier even for a 

second.” 

He adds, “It’s been five months since 

Sujeet and me are in the same team. 

He is diligent and knows his job very 

well.” Others describe him as “calm and 

composed” and “very passionate about 

his work” and someone who takes full 

responsibility of the work assigned to 

him. He interacts with his colleagues 

through sign language and is touched 

by their friendly behaviour and helpful 

nature. 

But then, Sujeet too deserves 

kudos. He is very efficient at his work 

and is quick on the uptake. Initially the 

organisation had put him on refund 

queues which is an easier function to 

perform with less manual calculations, 

but gradually when his efficiency 

improved he has been given tougher 

activities which he is able to perform 

well. 

Sujeet’s selection and later, his 

grooming on the job and motivation for 

his efforts prove once again that SpiceJet 

is an organisation with a heart. “HR in 

SpiceJet encourages departments to 

employ individuals with special needs 

wherever and whenever it is possible,” 

says Anbalagam. “SpiceJet is an equal 

opportunity organisation and we 

encourage diversity as a culture." 

Working at SpiceJet, Sujeet says, 

allows him to learn newer things and 

to grow as a professional. He then 

beautifully describes his innermost 

thought: “There is a very healthy work 

culture at SpiceJet. I feel like a butterfly 

flying in a big garden. It gives me 

immense joy.” 



FLIGHT BOOKINGS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS 

SpiceJet’s popular mobile app offers never before convenience and speed for customers on-the-go 

With SpiceJet’s new mobile app, 

customers will find it more 

convenient than ever before to 

make and manage bookings, check flight 

status, and receive exclusive offers on their 

mobile devices. The interface is so simple 

that even the origin of journey helpfully 

gets auto-filled thanks to inbuilt geotagging. 

The app also allows customers to book 

or add exciting SpiceJet add-on products 

such as choosing premium SpiceMAX 

seats, in-flight meals and Priority Checkin. 

Customers can also pre-book excess 

baggage at discounted rates through this 

app. 

The payment gateway of the app offers 

a variety of options like Quickpay, credit 

card, debit card and Internet banking. The 

Quickpay option ensures instant booking 

with just a single click. 

You can download the official 

SpiceJet app from Google Playstore 

and App Store. 

SPICE FIRST CHECK-IN 

SpiceJet has raised the 

bar of customer comfort 

and convenience with the 

effective integration of 

technology into its services. 

In a first of its kind initiative 

by any airline in the country, 

the carrier has launched 

Spice First Check-In. This 

enables customers to get 

their boarding pass on their 

smartphones at the click of 

a button. 

The airline which has 

set a new benchmark in 

the country by launching a 

slew of customer-friendly 

and innovative products 

and services has effectively 

incorporated Near Field 

Communication (NFC) 

and Beacon technologies 

with its mobile application. 

This enables customers 

who have booked tickets 

through the SpiceJet mobile 

app to receive boarding 

passes directly on their 

smartphones. Customers 

will thus be relieved from 

standing in long queues 

thus further enhancing their 

travel experience. 

STEP: 1 

The main 

menu screen 

offers four 

options. To 

book a flight, 

select Flight 

Booking 

142 ||||| AUGUST SEPTEMBER 2016 2016

ENJOY EXCLUSIVE OFFERS 

With Spicejet’s hot new mobile app, one can not only book flight tickets on the go, prebook 

spice add-ons, check flight status and manage one’s bookings, but also get access to 

exclusive discounts. Book through the mobile app and get up to 7% discount on flight 

tickets and 50% discount on meals 

STEP: 2 

Choose the required field. Fill in the 

details and click on the Search Flights 

options 

STEP: 3 

Flights options according to date of 

travel are displayed. The fare details 

are at the bottom 

STEP: 4 

On selection of the button, the 

detailed fare sumary is displayed 

STEP: 5 

Once the required flight option 

has been selected, fill in your 

contact details 

STEP: 6 

Fliers can choose numerous add-on 

options that will make the journey 

hassle-free 

STEP: 7 

Customers can pay via Credit or 

Debit card. QuickPay option saves 

transaction time 



MUSIC ON BOARD 

SpiceJet plays soft rock music on its Boeing flights for boarding and landing. Here’s this month’s playlist 

WET WET WET 

Love Is All Around Me 

This song was a cover by 

Wet Wet Wet (the 

original was by the 

Troggs) for the movie, 

Four Weddings and a 

Funeral. The band chose 

it over Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I 

Will Survive’ and Barry 

Manilow’s ‘Can’t Smile 

Without You’. 

PHIL COLLINS 

A Groovy Kind Of Love 

The Mindbenders were 

the first to record this 

song, and Collins’ was 

a cover. Unlike the 

Mindbenders’ version, 

which was an upbeat, 

guitar-based pop song, 

Collins’ was a slow ballad 

with prominent piano and 

strings. 

CHRIS DE BURGH 

Lady In Red 

On the British TV series, 

This Is Your Life, Chris de 

Burgh said that the song 

was inspired by the 

memory of the first time 

he saw his wife Diane, 

and how men cannot 

even remember what 

their wives were wearing 

when they first met. 

ROXETTE 

Listen To Your Heart 

In 1998, Roxette received 

an award from BMI for 

this song being played 

over 2 million times on 

American radio. 

BEE GEES 

How Deep Is Your Love 

It won the 1977 Grammy 

for best pop performance 

by a group. It was the 

first of four new songs on 

the Saturday Night Fever 

soundtrack to top the US 

Hot 100. 

THE BEATLES 

Love Me Do 

John Lennon and Paul 

McCartney wrote this in 

1958, when John was 17 

and Paul was 16. They 

made time for writing the 

song by skipping school. 

They had written songs 

before, but this was the 

first one that they liked 

enough to record, 

making it the Beatles’ 

first single. 

STEVIE WONDER 

I Just Called To Say I 

Love You 

This song was featured in 

the movie, The Woman In 

Red, starring Kelly 

LeBrock as the woman 

and Gene Wilder as the 

man mesmerised by her. 

Wonder wrote the score 

for the movie, and this 

song won the Oscar for 

best original song. 

AIR SUPPLY 

All Out Of Love 

This one deals with the 

unrequited love of a 

singer, who feels lost 

without the object of his 

affection. 

SHANIA TWAIN 

You’re Still The One 

This song was remixed 

for its single release to 

sound less country and 

more pop in the hope of 

giving Twain a 

mainstream crossover hit. 

The plan worked, and 

Twain took home two 

Grammy awards that 

year. 

QUEEN 

Crazy Little Thing 

Called Love 

This was the first song for 

which Freddie Mercury 

played rhythm guitar. He 

was keen to keep the 

song minimal, despite his 

limited guitar knowledge, 

and producer Mack 

claimed that he rushed 

into the studio to record 

it “Before Brian [May] 

could get there”. 

THE POLICE 

Every Breath You Take 

Sting wrote this song at 

the same desk in Jamaica 

where Ian Fleming wrote 

his James Bond novels. It 

was the biggest hit of 

1983 in the US. 

RIGHTEOUS 

BROTHERS 

Unchained Melody 

Is there anyone who 

hasn’t slow danced to this 

song? The mellifluous 

vocals and soulful lyrics 

were also most famously 

used in Ghost. 

ROD STEWART 

Have I Told You Lately 

Rod Stewart performed 

this on his MTV 

Unplugged special in 1993 

and released the acoustic 

version as part of his 

album Unplugged... And 

Seated. This version was 

a big hit, going to 

number 5 in both the US 

and the UK. Stewart got 

so emotional, he cried at 

the end of his MTV 

performance. 

RONAN KEATING 

When You Say Nothing 

At All 

Richard Curtis wanted a 

key song for his new film, 

Notting Hill. He suggested 

this to Ronan Keating, 

who was at the time still 

with Irish boy band, 

Boyzone. 

ELTON JOHN 

Can You Feel The Love 

Tonight 

This was featured in the 

Disney movie, The Lion 

King, when the main 

character, Simba the Lion, 

falls in love with his 

childhood friend, Nala. 

This version was 

performed by the film's 

voice actors while the 

Elton John version plays 

over the end credits. 

TRACY CHAPMAN 

Baby Can I Hold You 

It is the third single 

released by the 

contemporary folk artist. 

BRUNO MARS 

Count On Me 

This country-tinged 

friendship tune was 

written by Bruno Mars for 

his debut studio album, 

Doo-Wops & Hooligans. 

BRYAN ADAMS 

(Everything I Do) I Do 

It for You 

This song is featured in 

the Kevin Costner movie, 

Robin Hood: Prince Of 

Thieves, where it plays 

over the credits. Initially, 

this song didn’t get 

Hollywood approval, as 

the film company wanted 

it to have instrumentation 

in line with the films’ era 

– lutes, mandolins and 

other such. The film 

company relented, but 

buried the song midway 

through the credits. 

U2 

With Or Without You 

This was voted the best 

single of 1987 in a Rolling 

Stone magazine readers’ 

poll. It became the 

anthem of the characters, 

Ross and Rachel, on the 

hugely popular sitcom, 

Friends, after it was used 

in an episode where Ross 

dedicates it to Rachel on 

the radio. 

KENNY ROGERS 

Lady 

Lionel Richie wrote this 

song, especially for 

Rogers. 

144 ||||| SEPTEMBER 2016 

*All information sourced from songfacts.com


How SpiceJet celebrated Independence Day 

As a gesture of gratitude all passengers flying with SpiceJet under the fare of Indian Armed Forces on 15th 

August were offered a meal and beverage at no added cost. The personnel were also entitled for a free 

upgrade to SpiceMax. Adding further to the Independence Day spirit, all SpiceJet flight seats, except SpiceMax, 

adorned tri-colour headrests. The airline also placed the tri-colour on the bulk heads of its Boeing 737 aircraft 

and at the entrance of its Q-400. Water cups with Independence Day artwork were used to serve beverages 

onboard. The cabin crew flaunted a special dress code with men in their weekend uniforms and a flag pinned on 

their left collar, while women will wore an orange kurti and jeans with a tri-colour band on one of their arms. The 

ground staff and inflight base officials were dressed in ethnic attire with flags pinned on. The pilots had the flag 

pinned on their ties. Celebrations were carried out across all airports. 

Chennai 

Pune 

Srinagar 

Jabalpur 


SpiceJet won award for Best Airline 

At the recent India Travel Awards West, held to confer 

regional recognition to stars and stalwarts of the travel 

industry, SpiceJet received the award for Best Airline – 

Domestic. The lady in the trophy was specially designed 

and created for this honour. 

SpiceJet distributed 200 pairs of slippers to 

children in need 

Following a Dainik Bhaskar front-page story that detailed 

how students from 3200 Udaipur schools walked barefoot 

every day, the SpiceJet team from Udaipur contributed 

individually and from the fund collected on Independence Day 

to distribute 200 slippers. The slippers were given to children 

from a government school in Iswaal village, 22 km from Udaipur. 

SpiceJet topped Industry 

On-Time Performance & 

PLF for July 2016 

Ashok Gajapathi Raju inaugurates the smart check-in facility in Hyderabad airport. 

Also seen, SGK Kishore, CEO, GHIAL, and Ajay Singh, CMD, Spicejet 

SpiceJet became first airline to launch check-in using Near Field 

Communication and Beacon Technologies 

SpiceJet launched smart check-in facility using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and NFC 

(Near Field Communication) technologies under the aegis of Ashok Gajapathi Raju, 

Honourable Union Minister for Civil Aviation, in GMR Hyderabad International Airport. 

NFC enables passengers to get their boarding pass on their smartphone. Customers need 

to open the SpiceJet app, touch the mobile device on the NFC check-in poster at the airport 

and get their pass. So the customer does not need to carry any printouts or key in the PNR 

number. The service will soon be available in all airports supporting e-boarding facility. 

SpiceJet set a new benchmark 

in Indian aviation by registering 

the best On-Time Performance 

(OTP) and highest Passenger 

Load Factor (PLF) among 

major carriers having sizeable 

operations in the four metros of 

Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad and 

Mumbai. OTP for the month of 

July 2016 stood at 79.2%; while 

the airline again topped the PLF 

chart registering 92% for the same 

period. SpiceJet has registered 

more than 90% PLF for 15 

consecutive months; the highest 

in each month in Indian skies. The 

airline also registered the lowest 

flight cancellation rate of 0.28% 

during the same period. 



SpiceJet won award for Best Employee 

Engagement 

At the 4th DMA-Thomas Associates National Award for 

Excellence in Talent Management, SpiceJet was awarded for 

Best Employee Engagement out of 104 corporates. The award 

was presented by Sundara Rajan, Founder & Director, Thomas 

Assessments; Rajan Pandhi, Director, DMA; and Yogesh Misra, 

Vice-President, Thomas Assessments. 

SpiceJet sponsored travel for educational 

tour of J&K girls 

SpiceJet facilitated the travel of 20 female students and two 

teachers from Mawar Valley, J&K, organised by the Indian 

Army for Operation Sadbhavna. The annual educational 

tour saw the kids visiting various important places in Delhi, 

Chandigarh, Dehradun and Amritsar. They boarded a SpiceJet 

Boeing from Amritsar to Srinagar. The tour was flagged off by 

Commander TMG Brigade from Naugam. 

SpiceJet adds new flights 

and connections with a special 

emphasis on Northeast India 

Starting October 4, SpiceJet will add 

new markets such as Silchar, Gorakhpur 

and Aizawl. The airline will operate 

new flights on sectors such as Kolkata- 

Silchar-Guwahati; Kolkata-Aizawl- 

Guwahati and Kolkata-Gorakhpur-Delhi. 

Kolkata-Visakhapatnam-Kolkata flights 

will be effective from November 1. 

The airline will offer tickets at an 

all-inclusive introductory fare of ` 2,127 

for the Kolkaka-Aizawl and ` 1,899 for 

the Aizawl-Guwahati sectors; ` 3,699 

for the Kolkata-Silchar and ` 4,188 for 

the Silchar-Guwahati sectors; and ` 3,210 

for the Kolkata-Gorakhpur and ` 3,335 

for the Gorakhpur-Delhi sectors. The 

new schedule will also include additional 

frequencies with a direct flight on its 

existing routes of Kolkata-Bagdogra and 

Kolkata-Guwahati. 

SpiceJet flagged off first Hajj 2016 flight from Gaya 

SpiceJet ushered in India’s Hajj season as it flagged off its first flight dedicated to 

the special operation from Gaya. The Airbus 320 carried 135 passengers onboard. 

The flag-off ceremony was accomplished by Dr. Abdul Ghafoor, Minister of Minority 

Affairs, Bihar; Kumar Ravi, District Magistrate, Gaya; Dilip Kumar, Airport Director, 

Gaya Airport; Sumant Rautela, Head of Ground Services, SpiceJet, and esteemed 

members of the Hajj Committee. SpiceJet will carry more than 8,000 pilgrims on 

special flights to Mecca from Gaya and Indore. 



NEW ON THE MENU 

SpiceJet introduces “pre-booking only” menu for Thai, 

Continental and Indian Platters 

SPICEJET HAS UNVEILED an all-new inflight menu and flyers can now look forward to 

a fresh and improved dining experience. The airline has added a number of new 

alternatives to its ‘buy on board’ options. The ‘Hot Meals’ section has been entirely 

revamped. In addition, special meal categories such as Gluten-free meal have been 

introduced. Also, a special pre-booking menu has been activated for availing Thai, 

Continental and Indian platters. Hot favourites like Pringles and Aam Papad (two 

flavours being Bomb Peda & Spicy Meetha) have been introduced in the non-perishables 

section to entice the kids and youth categories of customers. With biriyani and kathi 

rolls being hot favourites, the airline has retained them in the menu considering the 

feedback received from customers and the sales team. 

THAI CHICKEN CURRY 

You can now even prebook 

a menu with Thai and 

Continental options 

o 

NON-VEG 

TANDOORI PLATTER 

Hearty platters are for 

your asking 24 x 7 

o 

o 

STEAMED RICE 

WITH KADI 

PAKODA 

Enjoy traditional 

and mouth-watering 

home-like food up in 

the sky 

CHICKEN STROGANOFF 

WITH YELLOW RICE 

Check out this variation 

of a mid-19th century 

Russian dish 

THE JOY OF PRE-BOOKING 

There are many benefits of availing 

the pre-booking meals facility 

before taking a SpiceJet flight. 

The passenger can choose from a 

wider menu and can be sure that a 

meal of choice is served on-board. 

Pre-booking also ensures great 

discounts - flat 50% on prebooking 

through the SpiceJet app 

and 50% on pre-booking drinks. 

Meals can be pre-booked at the 

time of booking the flight or later, 

through ‘Manage My Booking’ on 

wwwspicejet.com. The alternative 

is to pre-book through the SpiceJet 

mobile app. 

o 



ST RS OF SPICEJET 

This month we celebrate a few leading lights from the inflight department, 

who are keeping the SpiceJet flag flying high 

SUCHI KITROO 

AHMEDABAD 

Customer appreciation: 

I am happy to say 

that Suchi was very courteous and 

professional in her conduct on a 

recent SpiceJet flight that I undertook. 

Although the flight arrived late from the 

earlier sector, she handled the situation 

well and made passengers comfortable 

in the best possible way. I look forward 

to flying with SpiceJet again. 

Experience with SpiceJet: With 

SpiceJet, every day is a new challenge. 

The airline has encouraged me to work 

in a better manner and inculcated 

greater discipline in me. This will go a 

long way in all aspects of my life. I am 

glad to be a part of the SpiceJet family. 

PRIYANKA 

MUKHERJEE 

KOLKATA 


Throughout the flight, I observed 

Priyanka’s assistance to passengers 

and her trying her best to help, 

especially in handling infants, mothers 

and aged people. With the return 

flight delayed by almost an hour, 

kids were crying and disturbing their 

mothers but Priyanka handled the 

situation very well. 

Experience with SpiceJet: It’s been 

wonderful working with SpiceJet and 

am thankful to the airline for giving 

me a platform to prove myself. I thank 

god, my family and my colleagues 

who have always encouraged and 

motivated me. I look forward to 

working with added zeal. 

CABIN CREW INCHARGE 

CABIN ATTENDANT 

SHIVANI GOEL 

DELHI 

Customer 

appreciation: 

Throughout my SpiceJet flight, 

Shivani had an amazing smile on 

her face. The flight was extremely 

pleasant because of her. The way she 

took care of kids and old passengers 

was remarkable. 

Experience with SpiceJet: It’s been 

six years working with SpiceJet. I 

am proud to say that being a cabin 

crew is one of the most wonderful 

jobs in the world. It is so amazing 

when I walk up to the departure gate 

with my crew. Life in the sky is full of 

responsibility but there's lots of fun 

at the same time. 

SAMEERA SYED 

BENGALURU 


Sameera is very courteous 

and knows how to deal with everyone in 

the right manner. Her level of confidence is 

commendable and so is her ability to sort 

out problems of passengers. Employees 

like her are an asset to any company. The 

hospitality extended by her made me 

fall in love with SpiceJet and its services. 

SpiceJet rocks! 

Experience with SpiceJet: I feel blessed to 

be part of the country’s most loved airline. 

Training with SpiceJet has transformed 

me from a semi-skilled person to a skilled 

cabin crew, which in turn has made me 

more confident as well as a good listener. 

I have put in a lot of hard work to achieve 

all this and when that hard work is 

appreciated, it’s like icing on the cake. 


CABIN ATTENDANT 

CABIN CREW 

JYOTI KUMAR 

PUNE 


Jyoti took really good 

care of me and my friends. We travel 

frequently to many countries and I 

have to say that though SpiceJet is 

a budget airline, the service is truly 

commendable. I would definitely give 

the airline a five star rating, if asked, 

and recommend it to all my family and 

friends. 

Experience with SpiceJet: I am proud 

to belong to the SpiceJet family. 

Being courteous and friendly is the 

secret to keeping external and internal 

customers happy. SpiceJet is both 

friendly and professional which is a 

great combination. 

KUNAL CHAUGHULE 

MUMBAI 


The SpiceJet crew was very 

polite and took good care of guests on 

a recent flight. I would like to specially 

put in a word of appreciation for Kunal 

who helped make my journey really 

comfortable. 

Experience with SpiceJet: I used to think 

the aviation industry is all about glamour 

but it was after joining SpiceJet that I 

realised it’s not just glamour but mainly 

safety of passengers. I give my 100 per 

cent on each flight and make sure that all 

passengers leave with a smile on their face. 

I am lucky to have such an amazing team 

at the BOM base which makes me feel 

blessed to be part of the SpiceJet family. 

AASTHA JAISWAL 

AHMEDABAD 


I would like to thank 

SpiceJet for the amazing hospitality and 

breakfast on a recent morning flight to 

Delhi. I also appreciate the ever-smiling 

face of your crew member Aastha. She 

took very good care of the passengers 

and made everybody, old and young, 

feel at home. 

Experience with SpiceJet: It's been a 

lovely journey for me with Spicejet. I 

have learned a lot but am aware that 

there is still a lot more to be done 

ahead. Each day is challenging and I love 

challenges. I have been commended by 

by seniors on jobs done well. It feels very 

good when you are appreciated. 

RAHUL TIKYANI 

HYDERABAD 

Customer appreciation: I 

would like to place on record 

my appreciation for SpiceJetter Rahul, 

with whom I have had the pleasure of 

flying quite often. I generally do four to 

five return flights every month and if I were 

to pick one person who has left a great 

impression on me over the past 20 flights, 

it would have to be Rahul. Kudos to him for 

his excellent attitude, service, and sense of 

professionalism! 

Experience with SpiceJet: My dream was 

to fly and I’ll forever be grateful to SpiceJet 

for helping fulfil my dream. It’s been 

four wonderful years with the airline and 

looking back, I can see how I have evolved 

both professionally and personally. For this, 

I remain indebted to SpiceJet. I have learnt 

so much, both from my seniors and juniors. 

CABIN CREW INCHARGE 

NARIPENDER SINGH 

AHMEDABAD 


I had a wonderful and 

completely home-like experience on my 

flight from Ahmedabad to Muscat, thanks 

to the hospitality of Naripender and his 

team. This was my first experience with 

SpiceJet and henceforth, I will always 

fly with the airline and recommend it to 

everyone around me. The entire credit for 

me feeling this way goes to Naripender 

who, I would like to say, is a wonderful and 

extremely poised gentleman. 

Experience with SpiceJet: SpiceJet has 

given me exposure and challenges and my 

journey with the airline has been full of 

opportunities to prove my calibre. It has 

been a wonderful experience right from 

the day I joined. I am proud to be part of 

Team SpiceJet. 

POOJA GUPTA 

BENGALURU 


I would like to place on 

record my appreciation for Pooja and 

her tireless cabin service throughout 

my Mumbai-Hyderabad flight. She has 

a very pleasing personality and is wellgroomed. 

Her attitude towards service 

was exemplary. I wish her all the best 

for a bright future. 

Experience with SpiceJet: I would like 

to thank SpiceJet for all the support 

and the trust placed in me. I thank the 

airline for making me a better person. 

It is a great honour for me to be part 

of the SpiceJet family. It has been a 

great learning experience. My team 

members and seniors have helped me 

in making my work very smooth. This 

has motivated me to give off my best. 



Boeing 737 - 700/800/900ER Series 

Interior arrangement of Boeing 737 - 700 (149 Passengers) 


Entry / Exit 

Row 1 -26 

Emergency Exit 

Entry / Exit 

Row 1 -32 

Entry / Exit 

Emergency Exit 

Entry / Exit 

Row 1 -20 


Row 1 -32 

Passengers 

(single class configuration) 

BOEING 737-700 

149 


BOEING 737-900 ER 

BOMBARDIER Q400 

177/189 212 

78 

Engines 

(maximum thrust) 

CFM56-7B22 

(22,000 lbs) 

20500 kg 

61998 kg 

6200 km 

0.79 M (840 km/h) 

8 years 

5 years 

7 years 

2 

22 

4 

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


112 ft 7 in (34.3m) 

117 ft 5 in (35.7m) 

110 ft 4 in (33.6m) 

41 ft 2 in (12.5m) 

11 ft 7 in (3.53m) 

CFM56-7B24/26 

(24,200lbs/26,300 lbs) 

20500kg 

70987/79015kg 

5,600 km 

0.79 M (840 km/h) 


CFM56-7B26 

(26,300 lbs) 

20500kg 

75749 kg 

5000 km 

0.79 M (840 km/h) 

BOEING 737-900 ER 

PW 150 A 

(5071 SHP) 

5318 kg 

29,257 / 28,998kg 

2000 km 

666 km/h 

3.6 years 

14 

BOMBARDIER Q400 

93 ft 3 in (28.42m) 

107 ft 9 in (32.83m) 

24 ft 4 in (8.34m) 

8 ft 2 in (2.49m) 

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

Routemap 

Domestic 

International 

Effective from 4th Oct /30th Oct / 

1st Nov, 2016 onwards 

Gorakhpur 

Belagavi 

Thiruvananthapuram 

India connects with SpiceJet 

Flight schedules are subject to regulatory approvals and change. 

Map not to scale, graphic representation only. 

Content as on 25th August, 2016. 

Silchar 

Aizawl


ADD- 

Know more about SpiceJet’s 

innovative products and services 

SEAT SELECTION DOMESTIC PRICING INTERNATIONAL 

PRICING 

SPICEFLEX 

CUSTOMERS 

SpiceMax* Seat (on Q400 Aircraft) M 500/- same as domestic M 400/- 

SpiceMax Seat (on Boeing/Airbus Aircraft) M 1000/- same as domestic M 900/- 

SpiceMax Seats 

M 900/- same as domestic M 800/- 

(Non Reclining on Boeing/Airbus Aircraft) 

Preferred Seats – on Boeing/Airbus Aircraft M 300/- (ahead of exit row window or aisle) same as domestic Free 

M 100/- (ahead of exit row middle seats) same as domestic Free 

M 150/- (behind exit row window or aisle) same as domestic Free 

M 99/- (behind exit row middle seats) same as domestic Free 

Preferred Seats - on Q400 aircraft M 200/- (front half of cabin window or aisle) same as domestic Free 

M 100/- (rear half of cabin window or aisle) same as domestic Free 

SPICE CLUB (Rewards Card) M 599/- NA 

PRE-BOOK EXCESS BAGGAGE 

5 kgs M 2450/- 

10 kgs M 1,600/- M 4900/- 

15 kgs M 2,700/- NA 

20 kgs M 3,800/- NA 

30 kgs M 6000/- NA 

PRIORITY CHECK-IN M 200/- M 300/- 

BAG OUT FIRST 

1 Bag M 100/- NA 

2 Bags M 200/- NA 

3 Bags M 300/- NA 

CARRY MORE ONBOARD (FREE ALLOWANCE 7 KG; BUY UP TO 5 KG MORE) 

Pre-book M 250/- per kg same as domestic 

At Check-in M 300/- per kg same as domestic 

At boarding gate M 300/- per kg same as domestic 

MY FLEXI PLAN M 1125/- M 1250/- 

HAND BAGGAGE ONLY FARE - CHARGE AT AIRPORT 

Fare type change fee if checking-in bag at 

airport after purchasing HBO fare 

Up to 15 kgs - M 400/- 

NA 

SPICE CAKE M 750/- M 800/- 

SPICE LOUNGE (Delhi/Bengaluru/Hyderabad/ M 600/- M 1200/- 

Kochi/Varanasi/Guwahati/Jaipur) 

FLY FOR SURE M 299/- NA 

SPICE TALK (INTERNATIONAL SIM CARD) NA M 249/- 

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

AEROBRIDGE GATES), AND PRIORITY BAGGAGE HANDLING **NA STANDS FOR ‘NOT AVAILABLE’ *THE ABOVE MENTIONED PRICES AND 

FEATURES ARE ACCURATE AS AT THE TIME OF MAGAZINE PRINTING, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE 


Office Furniture 

STANDING IS THE NEW SITTING 

Height adjustable desks are new generation worktables that offer flexibility to users who 

sit glued to their work for more than eight hours. Flexible work life helps you to stay active 

throughout the day, allowing you to stay fit and healthy during desk work. Changing your 

work position makes working more effective and productive. 

Now available online (Automatic and Manual) on store.featherlitefurniture.com 

Now open at PS Continental, 1st Floor, 101, 83/ 2/ 1, Above Porsche, Topsia Road South, Kolkata. Mob: +91 98307 74009 

FEATHERLITE COLLECTIONS: #16/A, Millers Road, Vasanthnagar, Bangalore - 560 052. | Tel: 080 4020 9631 | Email: sales@featherlitefurniture.com 

Ahmedabad | Ananthpur | Bhubaneshwar | Chandigarh | Chennai | Coimbatore | Davangere | Durgapur | Ernakulam | Goa | Guwahati | Hubli | Hyderabad | Imphal 

Indore | Jaipur | Kochi | Kolhapur | Kolkata | Kurnool | Ludhiana | Lucknow | Mangalore | Madurai | Mumbai | Mysore | Nagpur | Nellore | New Delhi | Noida | Patna 

Pune | Rajkot | Ranchi | Raipur | Salem | Secunderabad | Shimoga | Siliguri | Thiruvananthapuram Tinsukia | Tirupathi | Vadodra | Vijayawada | Vishakapatnam | Nepal 

Dealers enquiry solicited: +91 93428 27325 | nitinsrivastava@featherlitefurniture.com 

www.featherlitefurniture.com

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

Spice September 2016 issue

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?