Spice September issue ipad pdf

ARJUN RAMPAL | SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA | MASTER PAINTER SHIRWADKAR
spice
Volume 11 | Issue 09 | September 2017
THE INFLIGHT MAGAZINE
Festive
Season
C E L E B R A T I N G
NAVRATRI, DURGA PUJA, DUSSEHRA
AND DIWALI IN STYLE

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INDIA’S
No.1
Best
On-Time Performance
in the year 2016-17
Highest Occupancy Rate
for 28 consecutive months

FROM THE
CMD’S DESK
Dear Readers,
The festive season is around the corner
and celebrations are just waiting to kick
off. However, they have started early
at SpiceJet. With a profit of ` 175 crore
for the three months ended June 30,
2017 as against ` 149 crore in the same
quarter last year, SpiceJet has enjoyed
10 successive profitable quarters! The
profits grew by 18 per cent during this
period and the airline also recorded a
staggering 94 per cent average load
factor in the quarter.
Further, SpiceJet managed the
enviable achievement of the highest
occupancy rate for the 28th consecutive
time. This globally unparalleled feat
meant that we flew over 15 lakh
passengers in July 2017, an addition of
29 per cent over the last year. As we
continue to add more aircraft to our
current fleet of 55 aircraft, SpiceJet
will soon operate 400 daily flights,
extending a host of new options to
flyers. Kudos to the perseverance and
hard work of a team of nearly 8,000
employees who have taken India’s
favourite airline to newer heights. I take
this opportunity to acknowledge and
express my gratitude to each one of
you — our customers — for giving us the
opportunity to make this comeback a
truly memorable one.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative on
the occasion of Raksha Bandhan,
SpiceJet flew 50 sisters (and families)
of Army personnel to meet their
brothers recovering at the 92 Base
Hospital, Srinagar. A similar event was
also organised for the Army personnel
posted in Delhi. This exciting two-day
event ‘Sapnon Ki Udaan’ was a joint
initiative of NDTV and SpiceJet.
The sisters and families came from
small towns of Darjeeling, Goa, Tezpur
(Assam), Mohali, Visakhapatnam,
Mumbai, Ganjam (Odisha) and Panpur
(Madhya Pradesh). It was a heartwarming
sight to see the sisters fondly
relive the golden memories of their
childhood with their brothers. I hope
this small yet meaningful act generates
awareness amongst the people about
the outstanding contribution made by
our Army men to the nation.
On August 16, 2017, SpiceJet
launched the Puducherry station to
a great reception. Puducherry is now
connected to Hyderabad through a
direct flight and through a connecting
flight to Vijayawada. Over the next
few months, SpiceJet will launch the
Kanpur, Adampur and Jaisalmer stations
under the regional connectivity scheme.
Further, our new flights from Mumbai to
Porbandar and Kandla have continued
to do well since the launch. Through
Mumbai, these twin port cities are now
connected to the rest of the world.
On a different note, our latest
ancillary offering, SpiceStyle, has been
witnessing great customer response at
both the signature store in Gurugram
and the website (www.spiceStyle.com).
The range of exciting products is also
available on-board now and we will
continue to expand it. I urge all of you
to check out the unique products during
your flight today.
The month starts with Eid al-Adha
or Bakr-eid (September1-2) and Onam
(August 25-September 6). On this
happy note, I would like to wish you
and your families happy festivities.
Thank you for choosing SpiceJet today,
and always.
Jai Hind!
Ajay Singh
Chairman & Managing Director
2 ||||| AUGUST 2016

Lalaji Memorial
Omega International School
Lalaji Memorial Omega International School Chennai set in a serene,
green 22 acre campus and located away from the Central Business
District, provides a unique environment for both day-scholars and
boarders. Established in 2005, the institution is now one of the most
sought after and caters to around 5000 students from different
countries.
We are the only school in Chennai to offer a range of national and
international curricula, all under one expansive campus facility.
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Cambridge International Examinations (Cambridge)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP)
National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)
Our Value Based Spiritual Education and Life Skills Activities programs
are, together, the foundation on which the children’s education is built.
Our co-curricular programs are based on the core values that have
been drawn by UNESCO. With a highly dedicated fraternity of
facilitators, modern and futuristic amenities in our classrooms & labs,
our students shine bright in various national and international arenas.
No. 79, Omega School Road, Kolapakkam, Chennai - 600 128, Tamil Nadu, India. Ph : +91 44 6624 1117
facebook.com/omegaintlschool
info@omegaschools.org
www.omegaschools.org

Academic Strengths
One of the first schools in the state of Tamilnadu (out of 457 in India
from 13,000 applicants) to set up an incubation centre - the Atal
Tinkering Lab, under NITI Aayog’s Innovation Mission, for science &
electronics complete with a 3D printer.
The only High School to be recognised as an UN Academic Impact
Member School, towards our continued efforts to meet the objectives
as drawn by the United Nations. LMOIS is an ASPIRE High School
(Action by Students to Promote Innovation and Reform through
Education).
India’s only school to be recognized six times by the UN, to engage
and conduct Student Leadership Conferences on Development;
where students present their resolutions for globally significant
problems, at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Asia’s only school to be recognized by the Davis Dyslexia Association
Inc., of Burlingame, California USA, to have two trained Davis
Facilitators (out of a total of only six in India) and 115 Primary Class
Teachers trained in Davis Learning Strategies, to correct dyslexic and
ADHD children under normal classroom conditions.
Conferred with the “International School Award” for the year
2016-19 by the British Council.
Student managed specialised clubs including Robotics & Astronomy
with state-of-the-art instruments & equipments.
One of the largest facilities for Performing, Fine & Visual Art.
Student initiatives under
Sustainable Development Goals
A Paper Recycling Plant to process all waste paper generated by the
school, into creatively styled office stationary & souvenirs.
The only school to receive a gazetted Government Order, to protect
and develop an adjacent waste water canal into a sustainable
ecosystem.
Students are involved in activities of Vermicomposting, organic
composting and use of Biodigestor within the premises, apart from
managing an apiary to support pollination, as a part of UN
Environment Sustainable Development Goals.
We are an official site for recording weather data. The Meteorological
Department has conferred the school with an Automatic Rain Gauge
to record official weather data.
Active involvement in social empowerment programs such as the
International Award for Young People.
Students champion
- an annual event to promote
Performing Arts in the city, through artist workshops and concerts.
Admissions for National & International students are currently open,
for limited seats in Cambridge, IB Diploma streams and Boarding facilities.

SEPT17830SPJ_SPICE ROUTE MAG COVER FNL.indd All Pages
ARJUN RAMPAL | SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA | MASTER PAINTER SHIRWADKAR
Volume 11 | Issue 09 | September 2017
THE INFLIGHT MAGAZINE
05/09/17 2:38 PM
spice
SEPTEMBER 2017
www.spicejet.com
Festive
Season
C E L E B R A T I N G
NAVRATRI, DURGA PUJA, DUSSEHRA
AND DIWALI IN STYLE
ON THE COVER: (from left) Vipin Sethi,
Suchi Kitroo, Adeswari Roy, Geet Raj,
Chanchal Sharma. Photographer: Shuvo
Das. Art Director: Amit Naik. Stylist:
Maitrayee Das. Junior Stylist: Neelangana
Vasudeva.Hair & Makeup: Pream Thakur.
Production: Sameer Singhal. Costumes:
Meghaamahendru, Line by Shamim Khan
CONTENTS
50
FESTIVE
SEASON
We celebrate
four upcoming
important
festivals in the
cities generally
associated with
their festivities in
fascinating first
person reports.
62
THE BALANCING ACT
It is visually unappealing and for many, a spice-herb good only for
preparing fish. But for communities in south India, gambooge or
kodampulli spices up many different kinds of dishes.
68
ROLE OF A LIFETIME
Arjun Rampal on playing former
gangster Arun Gawli in Daddy
and handling fame.
8
SEPTEMBER 2017

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CONTENTS
CLASH OF THE TITANS
The upcoming five match
ODI series between India and
Australia will definitely be
another entertaining series for
cricket lovers.
76 96
A MASTER’S JOURNEY
Artist Yashwant Shirwadkar’s
latest and much-appreciated
one man show in Washington
was yet another milestone in a
brilliant 33-year-long career.
80
MEMORIES FOR A
LIFETIME
A state that has mountains,
beaches, valleys, islands and
more, there is something new
to discover in different parts of
beautiful Karnataka.
SPICEJET INSIDER
Social media 22
SpiceVacations.com24
Spice products26
My town160
Onboard menu 161
Mobile apps162
News164
Stars of SpiceJet168
SpiceJet fleet170
Route map172
SpiceJet add-ons174
18
SEPTEMBER 2017

CONTENTS
HOLIDAYS UNDER A
CANVAS
118
Stunning outdoor locations, a deep
connect with nature, and a sensory
experience which engages the mind,
body and the adventurous soul...
what's not to like about glamping?
A FLIGHT TO REMEMBER
On August 4, 2017, Yogesh Rathi and his family flew on SpiceJet’s flight SG 877 from
Surat to Kolkata. So overwhelmed was he with the onboard experience that he decided
to present the enclosed card to the operating cabin crew members (Hanish Motiramani,
Jenniffer Patel, Farzeen Pathan and Uma Sharma).
An important principle of success in all walks of life and in all occupations is a
willingness to go the extra mile; which means rendering of more and better service than
that for which one has been paid, and giving it with a positive mental attitude and
compassion. That is exactly what the cabin crew on SG 877 showed when they went out
of their way to extend their hospitality to Baby Ruhaan Rathi and her parents Yogesh
and Komal Rathi. The crew left the family with memories that they will cherish forever.
It was Baby Ruhaan Rathi’s first flight. The cabin crew ensured they were made very
comfortable with great hospitality, warm smiles and an exemplary service. The parents
were so impressed that they took the time to draw a card to thank the crew for their
hospitality. The enthusiasm of our inflight crew to do more for our passengers has very
well contributed to our truly being `Red. Hot. Spicy.’
spice
PRODUCED BY
SEPTEMBER 2017
EDITOR
RAJU BIST
rajubist@mwspiceroute.in
ART DIRECTOR
AMIT NAIK
DEPUTY ART DIRECTORS
HEMALI LIMBACHIYA
TANVI SHAH
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
VIDHI DOSHI
PRODUCTION MANAGER
MANGESH SALVI
SENIOR DIGITAL MANAGER
JAYESH V. SALVI
AD SALES
MUMBAI
VINOD MOHITE
+91 9323554207, vinod@mwspiceroute.in
RAHUL MUKHERJEE
rahul@mwspiceroute.in
NEW DELHI & HYDERABAD
TANVEER AHMAD
+91 9555098401, tanveer@mwspiceroute.in
MUDIT SRIVASTAVA
mudit@mwspiceroute.in
TAMIL NADU & PONDICHERRY
CECIL S KOTEY
cecil@mwspiceroute.in
P. GOPINATH
gopinath@mwspiceroute.in
BENGALURU
ANURADHA KUBER
anuradha.kuber@mwspiceroute.in
TULSI BAVISHI
080-4121 2043/4121 9043
KOLKATA
PRABAL DEB
SENIOR MANAGER
spicerouteeast.advt@gmail.com
ASHIT NARAIN
kolkata@mwspiceroute.in
KERALA
SANJEEV NAIR
nair.sanjeev1@gmail.com
MODE MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS PVT LTD.
sanjeev@modemedia.in
GUJARAT
SANJAY CHAWDA
sanjaychawda@gmail.com
For international advertising contact
Vinod Mohite (vinod@mwspiceroute.in) 9323554207
EDITORIAL & MARKETING OFFICE:
MW.Com (India) Pvt. Ltd., 401, 4th Floor, Todi Building,
Mathuradas Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg,
Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013., Tel: 022 67487777
DELHI: 24/1, First Floor, Hauz Khas Village,
New Delhi - 110016 Tel/Fax: 011- 26516071/72
All rights reserved worldwide. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be
returned unless accompanied by a postage pre-paid envelope
20
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPICEJET
INSIDER
@flyspicejet Enjoyed going through your
in-flight magazine while on SG 198. In
fact, one of the articles was on a place I
am about to visit – Naukuchiatal.
@sidkothari
@flyspicejet Happy to say
that when our flight SG
929 reached Chennai, the
landing was superb. Hats
off to the pilot!
@flyspicejet Had Angara Paneer Tikka
Sandwich on-board. Very tasty! #RedHotSpicy
@irfaanu
@flyspicejet Thanks to
the captain of SG 422
Hyderabad-Mumbai flight
for bringing a smile on
my face with his poetic
in-flight announcements.
@SrinathNagella
@dineshkumarr18
@flyspicejet Great experience on
Pune-Bengaluru and Bengaluru-
Pune flights. Landed before time.
Crew was courteous and helpful.
Keep it up.
BUZZ ON
SOCIAL MEDIA
@get2abhijit
@flyspicejet Soaring high! Wellempowered
staff providing exemplary
service to passengers.
@sujitmohan88
@flyspicejet Great hospitality and
grandeur of SpiceJet amidst rain
clouds. A memorable Surat to Delhi
monsoon trip. #Flying_High
@murtuzasm
@flyspicejet Love the way you
guys end your in-flight
announcements with a ‘Jai Hind’.
Super! #ThoseLittleThings
@flyspicejet Thank you SpiceJet. My
mother reached safely. Your crew was very
helpful on the flight.
@followaanchal
@flyspicejet Thanks for the beautiful journey from
Kolkata to Chennai. I must appreciate your captain and
cabin crew. #spreadlove
@sumitSharma633
@pathakrahul5
FIND YOUR FAVOURITE AIRLINE ON @FLYSPICEJET ON TWITTER & FACEBOOK
22
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPICEJET
INSIDER
SPICEVACATIONS.COM
GREAT DEALS ON HOTELS AND PACKAGES
PLAN YOUR HOLIDAYS WITH SPICEJET’S UNIQUE INITIATIVE
SPICEVACATIONS.COM, A PLETHORA OF END-TO-END TRAVEL SOLUTIONS, MAKING
YOUR TRAVELS NOT JUST CONVENIENT, BUT ALSO RED. HOT. SPICY
Now book your
hotel as soon as
you land
SPICEVACATIONS.COM is a one-stop
shop for hotel bookings and customised
travel packages, offering services
beyond the ordinary. Take your pick
from a vast network of domestic and
international holiday destinations, and
book your flights with the right bundle
of services to ensure an effortless
journey. Carefully hand-picked hotels,
quick car rentals, and travel packages
created in association with local holiday
experts – you have much to benefit
from SpiceVacations.com. On the
website, you can choose between
cheap, budget and luxury vacations;
search for the best hotels across India;
and have a great experience while saving
money. In addition, backpackers can add
some comfort to their travels without
lightening their pockets. For those who
haven’t booked their hotels, you can
book your hotel as soon as you land.
With SpiceVacations.com, you can
make changes in your itinerary online, at
every step of the trip. For instance, if you
want to opt for a bigger car even if the
package entails a smaller one, you can do
so with ease. You need to simply decide
on the theme of your vacation, such
as pilgrimage, honeymoon, heritage,
wildlife, beach or hills, and the platform
throws up a wide variety of deals in
terms of location, hotel arrangements,
local sightseeing tours and car rentals,
among others.
With this unique initiative by
SpiceJet, you have the flexibility of
booking a package at a minimal amount
and can pay the rest later through
various EMI options that are made
available along with other regular
options on offer.
As the website is powered by
SpiceJet, you can enjoy great flight
and hotel deals. All these culminate in
smart, convenient and detailed travel
packages. In keeping with the times, the
new product will also be connected with
SpiceJet’s mobile app but this will be
done at a later stage.
So, travel the world with SpiceJet’s
enviable travel packages and experience
the perfect holiday.
SHUTTERSTOCK
24
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPICEJET
INSIDER
INNOVATIONS FOR
COMFORT
& CONVENIENCE
AT SPICEJET, we believe that customer experience can always be improved upon. In
keeping with this philosophy, we are constantly looking for ways to make travel not
just a hassle-free experience, but also one that passengers will remember.
Our slew of innovations reflects this: a product that rewards travellers who travel only
with hand baggage; another that makes life easier for those who carry heavy baggage,
but not heavy enough to be checked-in; yet another that offers a bigger choice of
meals on board; a product that provides seat and meal of your choice; products to
please those who are always on the lookout for extra legroom; a prepaid card that
allows passengers to make cashless transactions; 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.
26
SEPTEMBER 2017

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.
SPICEJET
INSIDER
2
Priority Check-In
This service provides the
passenger a hassle free
and comfortable check-in
experience at the airport
with SpiceJet’s dedicated priority
check-in counter. The passenger
can buy Priority Check-In while or
after making the booking. It can be
bought latest up to two hours before
the scheduled departure. The service
is available only on www.spicejet.
com or via SpiceJet’s Reservations.
The pre-paid service can be bought
for per passenger, per sector of the
journey, on the payment of the nonrefundable
fees. A Priority Check-In
for flights within and/or originating
from India costs `200. For flights
originating from out of India, the fare
is `300. The fees are refundable if the
booking is cancelled by the passenger
or the flight is cancelled by the airline.
There is no additional fee applicable
for infant passengers. Passengers who
have bought Priority Check-In will
have to check-in for their flight at the
airport check-in counter.
3
Hot Meals
Passengers have a wide
variety of meals to opt
for on SpiceJet flights
when they pre-book
a meal. Those flying Boeings are
spoilt for choice. There are four
options for breakfast. All-day
meals (which include snacks,
lunch and dinner) are spread
across eight menus. Seven
Chef’s Choice menus and
two kinds of Platters
are available 24x7.
Passengers taking
Q400 flights can
choose from eight
different types of
sandwiches. There is a great
variety on offer – from Vermicelli
Croquette, Saute Broccoli and
Chicken Stroganoff to Angara
Paneer Tikka Sub Roll. Prebooking
a meal offers other
choices and benefits, too:
the option of a glutenfree
meal; a menu with
Thai, Continental and Indian
options as well as Indian
Platters; discounted rates
compared to onboard
prices; passengers can
wish their loved ones on
birthdays and anniversaries
mid-air with a cake on select
flights; and a takeaway Kids’
Meal bag, shaped like an
airplane.
PRE-BOOK NOW!
Pre-book your meals to make
your journey with us a more
comfortable experience. You can
enjoy exceptional discounted
rates. It makes purchasing food
and beverages onboard an
entirely cashless affair. You can
pre-book at the time of booking
your flight, or add it later through
‘Manage My Booking’ on the
website, www.spicejet.com.
27
SEPTEMBER 2017

4
Seat + Meal Combo
This provides seat and
meal of the passengers's
choice at discounted rates.
The product can be purchased
for `399 on the Domestic and `499 on the
International Sector. It is on a per passenger,
per sector basis and can be availed of by
guest and SpiceClub member. A passenger
can purchase the product by clicking on the
Add-On’s Page/Seat Map Page on www.
spicejet.com at the initial booking stage or
by clicking on Manage My Bookings tab after
the booking has been made or minimum six
hours prior to the scheduled departure.
7
My Flexi Plan
Planning a trip will be
easier than ever with
SpiceJet’s new innovative
add-on service, My Flexi
Plan. Passengers can now enjoy
the flexibility of cancelling or
changing the ticket(s) to suit their
travel plan. If they are certain about
travel but not about the dates, then
they can book a ticket by opting
for this service. Customers can
opt for this add-on at the time of
booking by paying a fee of `1,125
for domestic travel ticket and `1,250
for international travel ticket. The
service will be applicable only for
one change or one cancellation per
ticket.
SPICEJET
INSIDER
5
Fly For Sure
Fly For Sure has been launched for greater
customer ease in case of flight disruptions.
It allows a passenger booked on SpiceJet a
guarantee of flying in the next 24 hours in
case of a flight delay beyond 90 minutes, missing a flight
not exceeding 30 minutes from airport check-in closure of the
original flight or a flight cancellation by the airline. With Fly For
Sure the passenger gets to fly, in spite of the above unforeseen
circumstances. It is available while booking for the flight and
SpiceJet will reimburse the passengers for an alternate flight
ticket (not exceeding double the price of the original ticket or
the cost of second ticket, whichever is lower) on the airline of
their choice in the same sector within 24 hours of the original
scheduled booking with SpiceJet.
6
Carry More On Board
Making air travel even more
convenient, SpiceJet’s ‘Carry More On
Board’ is a service for travellers with
heavier cabin baggage. It is targeted at
passengers who carry cabin baggage heavier than
7 kg, and do not want to check-in. Fliers can carry
bags weighing up to 5 kg extra, a maximum of 12
kg on board, while paying a nominal fee for each
kg above 7 kg. Bags can be heavier, but not larger,
and the standard free baggage allowances remain
as before. Customers can opt for this product during
airport check-in and at airport ticket counters.
8
Hand Baggage Only
This is another unique product that offers a discount to those
passengers who carry only hand baggage. Available on most direct
domestic flights, this fare has a minimum 15-day advance purchase
period, and no free check-in baggage allowance is permissible.
Bookings for this can be made on www.spicejet.com, at airport ticket offices, and
through select online travel portals. Passengers should keep in mind that hand
baggage allowance does not change. Those who book these fares, but decide to
check in luggage later, will have to pay more.
28
SEPTEMBER 2017

OPENING SHOT
HERITAGE
MUSEUM-
HOPPING IN GOA
SURE, IT IS THE MONSOON SEASON. Sure, it
is that time of the year when Goa is all green
and cool and the beaches and bars are full of
people out to have a great time. But there’s
another side of Goa worth checking out: its
plethora of museums, each unique in its own
way. There are museums devoted to
archaeology, science, Goan anthropology,
Christian art, naval aviation, astronomy and
Indo-Portuguese architecture, among others.
Here are four we liked: Ancestral Goa Museum
(an entire mock village devoted to trades of the
past); Goa Chakra (a museum of wheels); the
Braganza Heritage Home, housing more
artefacts than a small-sized museum; and Goa
Chitra Museum, an ethnographic museum,
showcasing traditional Goan farming
implements and other antiques.
From top: Ancestral
Goa Museum;
Braganza Heritage
Home; Goa Chakra
RAJU BIST
30
SEPTEMBER 2017

OPENING SHOT
RESOURCES
THE JOY
OF SOLAR
ENERGY
FORGET EXPORTS OR FDI INFLOWS.
The biggest game changer on India’s
economic and industrial landscape is
the growing use of solar energy. From
corporate houses in Pune and housing
societies in Thane to farmhouses in
Madikeri and even a humble tea stall in
Leh, everyone is plugged into the
benefits of solar power. True, solar
energy producers are facing issues on
the pricing front, but these can be
looked upon as teething trouble for a
sunrise sector. Solar power is here to
stay. According to one reliable report,
renewable energy could generate 49 per
cent of electricity in India by 2040. This
will come about when more efficient
batteries – to store electricity when the
sun does not shine – will provide
flexibility of use and boost the reach of
renewable energy.
Clockwise from top:
A solar panel being
installed in a village;
solar panels at the
Cochin International
Airport; solar cell
panels on the ground
in Leh; solar panels
being used in
Thiruvananthapuram
SHUTTERSTOCK
32
SEPTEMBER 2017

OPENING SHOT
HISTORY
MEMORIES
OF PARTITION
LAST MONTH, 70 YEARS after India
and Pakistan were partitioned, the
Partition Museum was inaugurated in
Amritsar to explore the stories and
memorabilia of those who lived through
the historic event. The museum is
located in one section of Amritsar’s
Town Hall and is part of the new
Heritage Street in the city. The one-ofa-kind
Partition Museum has been set
up by The Arts and Cultural Heritage
Trust (TAACHT), a not-for-profit NGO,
working only with donations and
through the support of volunteers and
well-wishers. People have also
contributed objects and documents to
the Museum dating back to 1947.
34
SEPTEMBER 2017

OPENING SHOT
SHOPPING
THE CHARM AND COLOUR OF LAAD BAZAAR
AS A FIRST TIME TOURIST TO HYDERABAD, chances are that you will first head to
the much-discussed Charminar. But next door to the monument-mosque is another
attraction that you should not miss – a shopping zone which is one of its kind in the
world. The Laad Bazaar (formerly called Lord Zone and now aka Choodi Bazaar),
houses 350 shops selling all kinds of bangles in thousands of patterns. Going back to
the times of the Qutb Shahis and Nizams, the speciality here is lacquer bangles
studded with semi-precious stones. It takes more than three hours to finish each
such bangle. While the bazaar is understandably frequented by local women, for
whom the bangle has always been an important style accessory, there are also
visitors here from the US, Europe and Middle East. Chances are that you may also
bump into a Bollywood heroine on a visit to the city.
36
SEPTEMBER 2017

MELANGE
EVENTS
HOT DATES
DANCE // MUSIC // THEATRE // ART
ART
ALTAF MOHAMEDI RESTROSPECTIVE
An exhibition of the works of artist Altaf Mohamedi
(1942-2005) that are surprisingly strong and
evocative of his belief in the politics of power
and corruption and the marginalisation of the
proletariat. Throughout his career, he had refused
to consider his visual practice from a perspective
based on aesthetic alone, instead preferring the
more deeply thought and felt arising from a level
of intellectualisation rare in Indian art at the time.
Altaf’s world was intended to mirror an alternate
reality of a decaying, dystopian culture. To a great
extent, he was successful.
When: August 19-November 1, 2017
Where: DAG, Mumbai
MUSIC
RAGHU DIXIT & TROUPE
ADVENTURE
WATERFALL RAPPELLING AT MADHE GHAT
Walk for about 30 minutes to reach the waterfall and then rapel down
150 feet through gushing waters – this activity is very popular with
trekkers from Mumbai and Pune, more so in this monsoon season.
When: September 9, 2017
Where: Pune
A brand new collaboration at the 55th edition of the
Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava between the Raghu Dixit
Projects and some of the finest female singers Raghu has
worked with.
When: September 3, 2017
Where: Basavanagudi, Karnataka
SHUTTERSTOCK (MADHE GHAT) ALAMY (RAGHU DIXIT)
38
SEPTEMBER 2017

MELANGE
EVENTS
CRAFTS
THE JAIPUR
DESIGN SHOW
The second
edition of The
Jaipur Design
Show is being
held this month
at the prestigious
Diggi Palace,
Jaipur. The
theme for this
year is ‘Artisans
Reinvented’ and
is inspired by the
incredible art and
craft forms all
over India.
When:
September 22-
24, 2017
Where: Jaipur
COMEDY
ATUL KHATRI LIVE
CINEMA
BAADSHAHO
Said to be inspired by real-life events during the Emergency,
the film stars Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Ileana D’Cruz
and Vidyut Jammwal.
When: September 1, 2017
Where: All over
Atul Khatri, he of the
delightful takes on
all things Bollywood,
performs at the
Sir Mutha
Venkata
Subba Rao
Concert Hall
in Chennai.
When:
September
2, 2017
Where:
Chennai
40
SEPTEMBER 2017

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PERIOD OFFER
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“I love how we had the option to relax and enjoy
the nature or really get adventurous. It was all
upto us. The Resort is like a little oasis amidst the
busy Mumbai.”
-Priya & Umesh Kamat
Renowned TV, Theatre, Film Actors
Marathi Faternity

MELANGE
EVENTS
SEPTEMBER LISTINGS
1
What: A
beautiful trek
near Mumbai
When: 7.00
am
Where:
Irshalgad
4
What: Traditional
English tea party
When: 10.30 am
Where: Kolkata
6
What: Comedy
with Aravind SA
When: 8.30 pm
Where: Mumbai
8
9 14
What: Daddy (Hindi film)
Where: Across India
What: TedX Pune 2017
When: 11 am
Where: Pune
What: Lodi Garden walk
When: 3.30 pm
Where: Delhi
16 19
What: Horse riding
classes
When: 4.30 pm
Where: Hyderabad
What: Countryside
cycle ride
When: 8 am
Where: Asangaon
22
What:
Bhoomi
(Hindi film)
Where:
Across India
24 26 29
What: Kayaking in
Gandikota
When: 11 am
Where: Karnata
What: Advanced
theatre workshop
When: 5 pm
Where: Hyderabad
What: The Boarding Das
Tour by Vir Das
Where: Fine Arts Society,
Mumbai
44
SEPTEMBER 2017

MELANGE
INFORMATION
WHAT'S NEW
MP ROLLS OUT JAL MAHOTSAV 2017
•
Madhya1 Pradesh, which has of late upped
its tourism profile, now wants to be taken
seriously as an adventure tourism destination
too. Madhya Pradesh Tourism has overhauled
the unexplored and untouched Hanuwantiya
Island and turned it into a small city in itself.
A tent city, where people can rejuvenate and
relax while at the same time be adventurous.
The activities are divided into air (parasailing,
hot air balloon, etc), land (zip lining, ATV bike
ride, paintball, wall climbing, etc) and water
(jet ski, water zombing, water parasailing,
banana boat ride, etc) categories. The next
edition of Jal Mahotsav has been planned
between October 17, 2017 and January 2, 2018.
FOOD TOURS ARE ON THE UPSWING PAN-INDIA
Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Agra, and many other Indian cities – all
of them are part of one the fastest growing tourism trends in
the country. There is something for everyone here. The location
of participating in the tour varies – it could be a new or unique
restaurant, interesting winery, a gastropub, street vendor
or even a food cart. According to the World Food Travel
Association's 2016 Food Travel Monitor, around 60 per cent of
travellers are food travellers. In India, the length of the tours
may vary – from a four hour Old Delhi Food Tour to a seven
night, eight day long Mumbai-Jaipur-Agra Culinary tour.
NEW LINE-UP AT DUBAI PARKS & RESORTS
Visitors to Dubai Parks & Resorts, the Middle East's largest
integrated leisure and theme park destination, are in for a
treat. New shows have been lined up at one of the six zones,
Motiongate, which provides best-in-branded entertainment
from three giant Hollywood studios – DreamWorks Animation,
Columbia Pictures and Lionsgate. The newly launched
Lionsgate features the world’s first rides and attractions
inspired by the international blockbuster movie series The
Hunger Games.
SHUTTERSTOCK
46
SEPTEMBER 2017

MELANGE
INFORMATION
ALL ROADS IN
RAJASTHAN LEAD TO
JODHPUR RIFF 2017 •
Early next month, Jodhpur,
Rajasthan’s second largest city,
will be the cynosure of all eyes
when the Jodhpur RIFF 2017
will be held there between
October 5 and 9. HH Gaj Singh
of Marwar-Jodhpur is the Chief
Patron of Jodhpur RIFF and
celebrity rocker Sir Mick Jagger
is its International Patron. Timed
to coincide with Sharad Purnima,
the brightest full moon of the
year in north India, Jodhpur RIFF
features a series of spectacular
concerts and events.
ODISHA TO DEVELOP
COASTAL TOURISM•
ICSI PUSH FOR MEDICAL TOURISM IN THE NORTH
EAST •
Not to be left behind by other states, Odisha is pumping Rs
76 crore with the objective of developing tourism along its
coastline. Infrastructure facilities in tourist spots will be beefed
up. The Centre will also chip in through its Swadesh Darshan
Scheme. According to those in the know, about Rs 15 crore has
already been released by the Centre. Now expect the beach
destinations of Gopalpur, Satapada, Barkul and Tampara to
wear new looks and attract more and more visitors.
The International Chamber for Service Industry (ICSI), a platform
bringing together different segments of the service industry, has
identified the North East region of the country as having great
potential for medical tourism. Towards this end, it has organized
an international conference and expo called `Medical Tourism in
North East India Through Empowerment of Health Care Sector’ in
Manipur on November 24, 2017. India is the fifth biggest destination
for medical value travel and the North East scores on many factors.
Medical treatments here are about 60 per cent cheaper when
compared to Gulf and European nations. In addition, the cost of
travel accomodation and food is more affordable. The North East
also has the twin advantages of a cool climate and widespread use
of English as a language of communication.
SHUTTERSTOCK
48
SEPTEMBER 2017

COVER STORY
FESTIVALS
FESTIVE SEASON
COMING UP SOON ARE FOUR VERY IMPORTANT FESTIVALS. WE CELEBRATE THEM
IN THE CITIES GENERALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR FESTIVITIES IN THESE
FASCINATING FIRST PERSON REPORTS
50
SEPTEMBER 2017

WHEN AHMEDABAD
COMES ALIVE
WITH THE MYRIAD
HUES OF NAVRATRI
BY PRANJALI BHONDE
Devoted to Goddess Durga, the
festival of Navratri symbolises the
triumph of good over evil. Each of the
nine days is dedicated to a specific form
of goddess Durga and begins with the
performance of aarti. Devotees believe
all their prayers will be answered
especially during this auspicious
festival.
On the first three days of the
festival, devotees pay reverence in
different ways. On the first day, Durga
is worshipped in the form of Shakti.
This day also witnesses the growing of
seeds and farmers closely watching
them sprout. Goddess Parvati is
worshipped on the second day to signify
triumph of good over evil. The third day
of Navratri is for Goddess Kali, who
represents a mature woman.
The fourth and fifth days are
dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi when
she is worshipped for wealth,
prosperity and peace. The sixth day is
dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the
Goddess of learning. I saw many
households collect books and place
them in front of Goddess Saraswati, and
pray for good education and success. On
the eight and the ninth day, kanya
puja is performed when nine young girls
representing nine forms of Goddess
Durga are worshipped.
Many of my friends in Ahmedabad
sast during Navratri as it is believed that
the body’s immunity is at an all time low
during this time. The main highlight of
this festival is the folk dance of Gujarat
called garba. A dance form that
originated in Gujarat, it is mainly
performed during the nine day festival
of Navratri in Ahmedabad. Garba comes
from the Sanskrit word garbh (womb).
Many traditional garbas are performed
around a lamp or a picture or statue of
the Goddess Shakti.
Modern garba is heavily influenced
by Dandiya Raas, a dance traditionally
There is an air of
festivity, pomp and
gaiety during Navratri
when the city of
Ahmedabad comes
alive in a myriad hues. I am not from the
city and am visiting friends duing the
festival. So I am all the more delighted
to see the streets drenched in colour,
and shops full of colourful costumes
and ornaments. People are busy
shopping for the nine nights of Navratri.
51
SEPTEMBER 2017

COVER STORY
FESTIVALS
ODE TO GODDESS
DURGA IN KOLKATA
BY BINDU GOPAL RAO
performed by men. This is a highenergy
dance that is seen at most
venues in Ahmedabad. Many lawns
and clubs in the city host Dandiya
Raas which sees people from all
walks of life dance away through the
night. It was amazing to see both
men and women dance away, decked
in colourful costumes. Women
wear ghaghra cholis — a three-piece
dress decorated with beads, shells,
mirrors, stars, and embroidery work
and paired with a choli. The choli is
teamed with a ghagra — a f lared,
skirt-like bottom and dupatta, which
is usually worn in a traditional
Gujarati manner. The men were
wearing a short round kurta,
pyjamas above the knees and pagadis
made of bandhini dupatta. The
women adorned themselves with
jhumkas (earrings), necklaces, bindi,
kamarbandh, payal and mojiris. It
was a colourful sight to behold.
(Navratri will be celebrated
between September 21 and 29, 2017)
SpiceJet flies to Ahmedabad.
Log on to www.spicejet.com
for flight details
Come September, and the
whole of India is swept
up in a surge of festive
fervour. Leading the
festivities is the nine
day long Navratri celebrations –
dedicated to Mother Durga, an
embodiment of strength and the divine
cosmic form. Legend has it that Durga
emerged from the collective energies of
Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma to kill demon
Mahishasura. As such she is a form of
Shakti or power and the nine days are a
celebration of nine forms of Durga and
the final day celebrates her emerging
victorious over the demon. While the
entire country celebrates Navratri with
much gaiety, the celebrations in West
Bengal are certainly unlike any other
and Kolkata in particular morphs into a
party zone over the last four days of
Durga Puja . Well this is easily the
largest outdoor art festival that sees
music, dance and art congregate on a
single platform. I have been to city at
various times of the year but the city
dons a completely new avatar during
Durga Puja. The main attraction is
centred around the pandals (temporary
structures) that house large idols of
Durga.
In fact in nearby Kumartuli, the
area of the potters who sculpt and paint
the idols of the Goddess, work begins
several months in advance.Interestingly
the most popular idol is unique. It was
amazing to see the depiction of the
Goddess stabbing Mahishaura’s torso
ALAMY
52
SEPTEMBER 2017

COVER STORY
FESTIVALS
IF IT’S DUSSEHRA, IT
MUST BE MYSORE
BY ANITA RAO-KASHI
and riding a lion. To her left were
Saraswati and Karthika and on her
right were Lakshmi, Ganesha and his
two wives depicted as two banana
trunks. There was an image of Shiva
above Durga. I was told that this
complete frame takes roughly about
four months to complete. It is said that
the Goddess with her four children
visits her maternal home at this time
which is the other reason for the
celebrations.
My Bengali friends enlightened me
about an important tradition called the
Chokkhudaan or the painting of the
eyes of Goddess Durga. This ritual is
done in complete darkness and in the
presence of only one sculptor.
These grand idols make it to the
pandals that are decorated in various
contemporary themes. In fact, I
accompanied my friends on their
pandal hopping rounds during these
four days — it was the best way to soak
in the sights and sounds of the Durga
Puja festivities.
SpiceJet flies to Kolkata.
Log on to www.spicejet.com
for flight details
The mid afternoon sun
was blazing down on
the main thoroughfares
of Mysore. The air was
mostly still, but thick
with heat. Nothing was moving, not
even traffic. An occasional hint of a
breeze brought with it whiffs of fried
groundnuts, roasted corn cobs, jasmine
and a few other unidentified aromas. It
also brought with it the combined buzz
of thousands of people gathered under
shady trees all along the route to
witness Jambu Savari, the eclectic
parade which marks the end of the
10-day Mysore Dasara festivities on
Vijayadashami.
The expectant buzz reached a
crescendo as the afternoon progressed
and then quietened down all of a sudden
as the parade started with a booming
21-gun salute inside the Mysore Palace
grounds. The anticipation was replaced
by excitement as a column of charming
vintage cars rolled along, driven by
their proud owners and families. Once it
kicked off, it was a sea of colour and a
breathless procession of soldiers in
ceremonial clothes, mounted police on
their steeds and marching bands.
But once the service corps was done,
it was followed in quick succession by a
riot of colour. There were traditional
dancers and entertainers, performing
on the go, which included drummers,
giant puppets operated from inside,
NCC cadets, scouts and guides, folk
dancers and musicians, floats, and a
variety of performers who entertained
people throughout the route. For nearly
an hour, various components of the
parade kept arriving and it was a
smorgasbord of colour, sound,
movement and entertainment.
And then, almost bringing up the
rear, was the piece de resistance: a set of
elephants bedecked in finery and the
foremost symbol of Mysore Dasara. The
lead elephant was a veteran since it
carried a 750 kg golden ambaari
54
SEPTEMBER 2017

(howdah) in which was the icon of
Goddess Chamundeshwari, the patron
deity of Mysore and its royalty. Behind
the lead elephant were many more
pachyderms, their foreheads, tusks and
backs covered in ornate decorations and
embroidered silk robes.
As the last elephant trudged along,
it was followed by bands of excited
people, generally dancing and have a
merry time. The procession wound its
way across town – a 4 km journey –
towards Banni Mantap. The evening
progressed with feats and shows of
daredevilry and culminated with a
torchlight parade, a stunning display of
light and shadow. And then all was
silent.
It seemed as if Mysore had finally
settled down. The silence and serenity
seemed strange after a whirlwind 10
COVER STORY
FESTIVALS
days. Dasara (Dussehra or
Vijayadashami elsewhere in
the country) has a special
place in Karnataka,
especially Mysore where it
has been celebrated as a
festival of the state for over
five centuries. It goes back
to the Vijayangara empire
and has been replete with
royal splendour, pomp and
gaiety. Traditionally,
Mysore decked itself up for
the event with festoons and
lights everywhere and
became a magical fairy tale
place.
At the centre of it all is
the Mysore Palace where
royal traditions, including a
daily evening durbar
presided over by the royal
scion, is the highlight. The
palace itself was something
straight out of a fantasy tale,
lit by lakhs of little bulbs. It
was also the backdrop of a
series of music and dance
performances. But elsewhere in the city
were theatre festivals, folk arts,
wrestling competitions, adventure
sports, flower shows, food festivals and
all kinds of entertainment.
But as the last lights were
extinguished and the streets gradually
cleared of people, it seemed like the city
was heaving a deep sigh, perhaps of
satisfaction from hosting yet another
successful Dasara. It was the
momentary calm before preparations
began for next year’s extravaganza. It
was a timeless cycle.
(Dussehra will be celebrated on
September 30, 2017)
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150 km away. Log on to www.
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HOW THE
PINK CITY
SPARKLES
AT DIWALI
BY RHUCHA KULKARNI
The festival of lights,
Diwali or Deepawali,
brings cheer and
warmth to Indian
households as it
symbolizes the victory of light
(goodness) over darkness (evil). But as I
was to discover, nowhere is the
“Festival of Lights” celebration as
opulent as in the Pink City of India,
Jaipur. Maybe because Jaipur is largely
a trader’s city, and the auspicious
occasion is used to honour the icon of
prosperity and wealth, Goddess
Lakshmi. I noticed all the Rajasthani
royal lavishness coming to life during
the Diwali days, with the city going
berserk over sweets, lighting and
festive cheer.
Since times immemorial, Jaipur has
followed a tradition of observing a fiveday
Diwali celebration. It starts with
Dhanteras on day one, Roop Chaudas on
day two, Lakshmi Puja on day three,
Govardhan Puja on day four and Bhai
Duj on day five. I could see the aura of
celebrations in every corner of the city
during these days, be it the majestic
Amer fort, or the busy streets of Johari
Bazaar. Marigold garland vendors lined
up on the pavements to sell their vibrant
56
SEPTEMBER 2017

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COVER STORY
FESTIVALS
wares that were decked up in
households in the traditional style for
the festive days. The delicious aroma of
sweets such as Mawa Kachori’, Til
Laddoo and Piste ki Launj made one
want to indulge in the rich culinary life.
The quintessential markets of Nehru
Bazar and Bapu Bazar bustled with
vivid buntings and flashy lightings, a
must-have for home décor.
No Rajasthani celebration is
complete without a religious and
spiritual immersion, and the Diwali
Maha-Arati is sure to take you on a
spiritual ride. Sri Ramchandra Mandir
in Chandpole Bazaar is one of the
historically important temples built by
the wife of ruler Sawai Ram Singh II.
Dedicated to Lord Ram, it is a great
place to witness the Diwali Maha Aarti.
The fact that it is one of the few temples
depicting “Ram Darbaar” or the “Court
of Lord Ram” on its wall paintings,
makes it special.
But Diwali here is not just for the
ardent worshippers, it holds something
for everyone. In fact, the festive
atmosphere takes on a grander aura
with the Deepotsav festival being
organized by the Rajasthan Tourism
Department Corporation over the past
few years.
The ‘Jalmahal ki Paal’ comes alive
with traditional Rajasthani decoration
as Diwali props, hangings, lights and
rangolis woo one and all. A number of
Rajasthani performances elevates the
festive mood as dancers and singers
rejoice to the tunes of the Kalbeliya
dance, chakri dance, chari dance and
other traditional dances. Jaipuri songs
add a touch of melody. Amazing
fireworks displays are the typical
culmination of this extravaganza,
making the young and old alike truly
invoke the festive mood.
I have seen Diwali in many Indian
cities. But what makes the festival in
Jaipur stand out is the large-scale
lightings and decorations. Many
localities organize a contest and the
best lit and best decorated residential
area is even presented an award.
Jaipuris put their heart and soul into
decking up their homes and
establishments, and this has built a
tradition of “decor-watching”. Nights
are a fun outing, as families flock to the
best-lit monuments to enjoy the
majestic illuminations. The Jal Mahal
appears resplendent, with its shimmers
reflecting off the waters of the Man
Sagar Lake.
The Hawa Mahal glows with the
light of a thousand candles, a surreal
sight indeed. We took a drive up to the
lit-up Nahargarh fort - it offered
fabulous panoramic views of the city,
glittering like gold. Other must-visit
landmarks to soak in the lively
splendour are New Gate, Bari Chopar,
Chaura Rasta, City Palace, World Trade
Park, Akshardham temple and Govind
Dev Ji temple.
Shopping is an integral part of
Diwali in Jaipur, which is known for its
bustling markets full of life. Johari
Bazaar is amongst the most popular
jewellery markets, and people let loose
their shopaholic side on the occasion of
Dhan Teras, an auspicious day for
investing in gold. With the wedding
season just around the corner, Diwali is
a great time to indulge in one’s shopping
cravings.
(Diwali will be celebrated between
October 16 and 21, 2017)
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on to www.spicejet.com for
flight details
58
SEPTEMBER 2017

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COVER STORY
PHOTO SESSION
BEHIND
THE SCENES
A QUICK PEEK AT THE
MAKING OF OUR COVER
WHEN SPICEJET STAFFERS
DECKED UP FOR AN
EXCITING FESTIVE SPECIAL
PHOTO SHOOT
Its make up time
Various moments
from the shoot
Action
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Quick fix
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Discussing the shot
That's a wrap
60
SEPTEMBER 2017

FOOD
GAMBOOGE
EACH SPICEJET AIRCRAFT HAS BEEN NAMED AFTER
A PARTICULAR SPICE. IN THIS ISSUE WE TALK ABOUT
THE BENEFITS AND USAGE OF GAMBOOGE
Fish Curry with mixed spices including gambooge
THE BALANCING ACT
IT IS VISUALLY UNAPPEALING AND IT’S WHAT KOKUM is to Konkani cuisine,
FOR MANY, A SPICE-HERB GOOD ONLY aamchur to north India and tamarind to
FOR PREPARING FISH. BUT FOR
the rest; and yet, the role of gambooge or
COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH INDIA,
kodampulli, which is perhaps one of the
GAMBOOGE OR KODAMPULLI SPICES oldest known spices of the culinary world,
UP MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF
both as a herb and a spice, is much
DISHES. BY MADHULIKA DASH
complicated than its peers. Part of its
exception comes from its own properties
– rich in hydroxycitric acid and garcinia,
it can treat a slew of conditions that range
from obesity to oedema.
Much like its medicinal peers, triphila
or even kokum (with which it is often
confused because of the similar taste
profile), gambooge cannot be consumed
in its fruit avatar, which looks like a
beautiful pumpkin but is far sour than any
human palate can tolerate and needs to be
manipulated by first sun drying and then
smoking. This, says Chef Sabyasachi
Gorai (Fabrica By Saby), gives the spice
not only its unique taste character and
complication, but also that bitterness
with an extra hint of tanginess, which
makes it an amazing choice to balance out
dishes. Concurs Chef Sandeep
Sreedharan, who uses gambooge in a
variety of ways but is rather fond of the
cocktail he prepares as a palate cleanser
for his special sit-down menus.
“The beauty of this rather not-sopretty
ingredient,” he says “is its
complicated flavour profile. You have to
really work more with this spice to
understand how beautifully it can lend
itself to the dish — be it fish or otherwise
— along with the back of the palate
smokiness.” An excellent example of how
differently it can influence a dish taste,
while balancing all its flavours is the
Pandi Curry and the famous Kerala Red
Fish Curry, even sambar and rasam.
No surprise then that kodumpulli is
one of the essentials in any Kerala home,
especially, says Deccan cuisine specialist
Chef Arun Kumar TR (Zeaside), “in
Syrian Christian cooking, where it is used
to make all kinds of fish and pork dishes,
and even sweet coconut milk-based
beverages too. The Hindu community of
Kerala also is fond of this smoky spice,
and pairs it with tomatoes or tamarind to
maximize the taste.” Tamarind in fact,
add experts, was once a substitute for this
62
SEPTEMBER 2017

FOOD
GAMBOOGE
A tomato-based curry with gambooge
MEEN CURRY
Recipe and image courtesy Curry
Tales/Sandeep Shreedharan
INGREDIENTS
Surmai/Rawas
400 gm
Coconut oil
4 tbsp
Onion, chopped
2 tbsp
Ginger, chopped
2 tsp
Garlic, chopped
2 tsp
Green chillies, slit in half 4 nos
spice, which is considered a
close cousin of kokum and can
be as versatile.
In fact, according to old
trade ledgers and Ayurvedic
cooking practices, kodampulli
was used across meals and
sweet beverages served in the
port stations to traders
arriving and departing to their
country. It was then, say historians,
“considered to be the magical pill that
could cure everything and work the
body’s immunity system to take on the
vagaries of the sea.”
Of course, its popularity back then
was not always for its healing properties,
but also the smokiness that made every
dish breathtaking. Folklore has it that
dishes and beverages made of kodampulli
Tomatoes
2 nos
Red chilli powder 1 tsp
Turmeric powder 1 tsp
Kodumpulli
4 nos
Curry leaf
1 sprig
Salt
To taste
FOR THE PASTE:
Coconut, grated
1 cup
Whole cumin
1 tsp
METHOD
• Saute onion, ginger, garlic and
curry leaves. Once the ingredients
start sweating, add red chilli
powder, turmeric powder, the
coconut paste and tomatoes.
• Cook for a minute or two, and
then add two cups of water and add
salt.
• Once the ingredients are well
incorporated, add the kodumpuli.
and let it simmer for five minutes.
• Add the fish pieces and slow
cook for another five minutes.
• Before turning off the heat,
drizzle the coconut oil and a few
curry leaves. Allow it to sit for 10
minutes before serving it with rice.
were so appealing to the visiting traders
that many merchants staying back
decided to take it up as one of the main
ingredients in their cooking, the Syrian
Christian community being chief among
them.
Kodumpulli’s versatility, adds Chef
Gorai, “especially when it was paired
with tamarind, kokum, coconut milk or
even fragrant herbs and later chillies too,
was one of the main reasons that it was so
widely used across coastal plains. And
good kodampulli, like any other herb, was
considered a prize possession.” After all,
it could treat any form of intestinal
infections and even help lose weight. The
recent rediscovery and realization of its
properties has also made it a darling of the
medicine world, where it is now widely
used. Even today, the making of a good
kodampulli, adds Chef Kumar, “depends
on how well you have smoked the berry
fragments. Done well, one can actually
bite into a sliver of the spice-herb without
cringing and can taste the bitterness and
the smokiness quite well.” Interestingly,
smoking herbs was a technique used in
Ayurveda and Rasayana (the art of
cooking) developed on the lines of
creating dishes that work to heal and
rejuvenate the body.
However, kodampulli was an
exception since its addition, when and
how, made a lot of difference. If you leave
it longer for instance, says Chef Kumar,
“or in a larger quantity than required,
there is a good chance that the food can
turn bitter, even unpalatable. And what’s
interesting is that the dish is not really
repairable, unlike tamarind, which is a
malleable flavourant.”
This could explain why most dishes
that are cooked with gambooge follow
a strict guideline and it is advised, says
Chef Kumar, “to start by using the juice
instead of the cured fruit directly to get a
good understanding of how the flavours
work.”
SHUTTERSTOCK
64
SEPTEMBER 2017

a r e r a b b i t . i n
R A R E R A B B I T
M E N ’ S U R B A N F A S H I O N
DLF DELHI I UB CITY, VR, FORUM - BENGALURU I EXPRESS AVENUE - CHENNAI
LULU - COCHIN I TRILIUM - AMRITSAR I DB MALL - BHOPAL I VR - SURAT I PAVILION - PUNE I SEA WOODS - MUMBAI
INORBIT - HYDERABAD & BARODA

STAR BUZZ
ARJUN RAMPAL
GOOD
AND BAD
THINGS
HAPPEN'
ARJUN RAMPAL ON PLAYING
FORMER GANGSTER ARUN GAWLI
AND HANDLING FAME
BY NIVEDITA JAYARAM PAWAR
There was only one
question my friends asked
when they heard I had met
Arjun Rampal. It was not
about his work in Rajneeti or Rock On. It
was this: Does he still make heads turn?
Yes. Arjun Rampal is impossibly
handsome. When he walks into a room,
women start walking into the furniture.
Up close he’s endlessly fascinating with
a reservoir of easy, pre-spun charm.
With his washboard abs, chiselled
features, intense gaze and deep
baritone, Rampal is easily one of the
most handsome men in Bollywood. But
the 44-year-old national awardwinning
actor was more than happy to
shed some of his good looks to slip into
the role of former underworld don Arun
Gawli in his upcoming release Daddy.
In a conversation that spanned a little
over an hour Rampal speaks on the
challenges of playing a gangster and
coping with the highs and lows in
his own life.
68
SEPTEMBER 2017

STAR BUZZ
ARJUN RAMPAL
think he is a bit elusive, just like me
(laughs). So I met people close to him in
his areas of Dagdi Chawl, Chinchpokli
and Agripada in central Mumbai. I also
met his family, rival gang members and
the cops to get their points of view.
Arjun Rampal in and as Daddy
You are only getting to look better with age.
What can I say? If you feel like that,
thank you very much. I don’t analyze
these things. But yes I am in a good
headspace right now. I am doing the
kind of work I always wanted to. I am far
more calmer than I ever was. Also, more
secure in many ways about myself.
You have an uncanny
resemblance to Arun
Gawli in the biopic
Daddy. How did this
cool, urban guy turn into
a gangster?
We had this incredible
team of make-up
artists from Italy who
worked on me for five
hours each day. Ashim
Ahluwalia (the
director) was very
clear that you shouldn’t
see Arjun at all in the
film. It has to be Arun. I
had to look very skinny
and so I didn’t go to the
gym for almost two
years. But I ran a lot. I
also researched him
thoroughly there is not
much written about
him in the media. I
SOME MORE
ARJUN RAMPAL
Style to me: It’s originality and
the uniqueness that defines
you.
I am most comfortable in:
Jeans or shorts with a tee shirt.
I don’t like very tight clothes.
Designer dreams: I am not
into brands. I pick up random
stuff from places I travel to.
But I really like the fabrics that
James Perse uses. I also like
Armani and Theory.
Accessories: I like hats. My
grandfather liked hats and
that’s where I got it from. I also
have a thing for shades and
have a huge collection.
Fashion advice: Be yourself
and have fun.
My music: When I am driving
it’s usually Jack Johnson,
Coldplay and Deep House.
My weakness: I can be very
impatient at times. Also angry
when people don’t do their
job well.
And did you meet the man himself ?
Yes I did meet him a few times when he
was out on parole. Initially he came
across as very reserved and slightly
sceptical about the whole thing. “Mere
pe picture kyu banani hain?” he asked.
For him, to accept that someone would
be playing him in a film took some
convincing. He pondered over it and
even got disinterested at one point.
It took us about two and a half years
to convince him that the story should
be told.
So what’s Arun Gawli like in person?
What I really liked about him is the fact
that he has a lot of
tehjeeb – very well
mannered and
dignified. He is also
very soft-spoken. So I
realized that it would
be very wrong to
indulge in typical
dialoguebaazi even
though I am portraying
a gangster. Gawli
exudes immense power
that he has risen with
and also fallen from.
He has seen life like
nobody else has.
He’s not flamboyant,
doesn’t go to dance
bars and blow up
money on bar girls and
mistresses. He’s spent
half his life in jail but
is a god-fearing, family
man. He is always
praying and there are

STAR BUZZ
ARJUN RAMPAL
photographs of gods
everywhere in his house.
People call him Daddy, not
bhai or a don. That was for
me both intriguing and
interesting. One day Gawli
was on the sets watching the
shoot. And a relative of his
who came visiting him
mistook me for Gawli and
actually touched my feet.
That for me was the biggest
compliment.
You have seen dizzying heights
and terrifying depths in your
career as an actor? What’s the
biggest lesson that life has
taught you?
The biggest lesson I learnt is
to detach myself from a
project once it’s over. I love
the process when I am
preparing for the role, the
experience of filming and
then walking out of the film feeling a
great sense of satisfaction that I did my
best. In my heart I know that we have
not made a bad film. Will it be loved by
the people? I have no clue about it. My
job is over once the film hits the
theatres. And when a film does do well, I
don’t go crazy.
Another major lesson is not to take
things to your heart. Good and bad
things happen. You need to be stable.
And last but not the least I remind
myself to be grateful for whatever
I have.
You have played diverse roles from a cop to
a politician and even a rock star. How do
you zero in on a role?
One of my main criteria for selecting a
role is to ask myself – if I wasn’t in this
movie would I buy a ticket to watch this
film myself? The second is the team I
will be working with and the graph of
the character. I usually stay away from
one dimensional characters. Moreover I
get bored very easily.
Let’s talk about Arjun the father. Are you a
protective father who keeps a close watch
on his daughters?
I am like any other parent – very
protective about my daughters. But I
don’t believe in creating rules like you
have to be home at this time or not doing
certain things. That I feel is negative. It
pushes them further away from you.
Makes them rebellious and insecure
about themselves. Everybody should
experience everything in life. As a
parent I’d rather be their best friend
than a watchman.
What’s your take on the whole nepotism
debate that has been raging in the film
industry?
I come from an army background – both
my grandparents were in the army. My
father didn’t go to the army but my
family did hope that I joined the forces.
As a kid I was fascinated by the thought
of joining the army. It’s the same with
people from the film industry. A doctor’s
son will have a clinic to practice in when
he finishes his degree as opposed to
working in a hospital. But without hard
work nothing can happen. You have to
work hard and earn that position. Yes,
there are advantages in every field.
Tomorrow, if my daughters want to get
into the industry I will make sure they
study it and understand the fact that it’s
not all glamorous. There is a lot of hard
work, learning, sacrifice and even
spirituality. I would push them and
guide them.
What’s next?
I want to take it easy and go on a long
holiday after Daddy releases. Post that I
will work on my new script. I quite enjoy
writing these days.
74
SEPTEMBER 2017

ARTS
PROFILE
Banaras
A MASTER’S
JOURNEY
ARTIST YASHWANT SHIRWADKAR’S
LATEST AND MUCH-APPRECIATED ONE
MAN SHOW IN WASHINGTON WAS YET
ANOTHER MILESTONE IN A BRILLIANT
33-YEAR-LONG CAREER. BY RAJU BIST
Mumbai
The artist with one of his paintings
kept for drying in his Mumbai studio
When the US India Business
Council invited Yashwant
Shirwadkar to exhibit during
its 42nd Anniversary Leadership Summit
in Washington, it was a fitting tribute to
the Mumbai-based artist’s extraordinary
career spanning 33 years. The summit was
attended by over 200 business leaders from
the United States and India, including Mr.
Ajay Singh, Chairman & Managing
Director, SpiceJet. Shirwadkar displayed
20 of his paintings beginning June 27, 2017,
to a receptive audience bowled over by his
oil-on-canvas landscapes.
All the paintings were created not with
paint brushes but the artist’s favourite
palette knife, imbibing a brilliant 3-D effect
to his creations. Shirwadkar had been
advised very early in his career by
Dnyaneshwar Nadkarni (1928-2010),
noted Marathi short-story writer, theatre
and art critic to focus on his landscapes and
stick to using the palette knife technique.
“He had said that I handle the palette knife
very well,” reminisces the artist, sitting
relaxed in his living room, surrounded by
glass cases housing the more than 900
Ganapati statues he has collected over the
last 50 years.
But it was a career which nearly did not
take off. Hailing from Rajapur in
Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district,
Shirwadkar’s father migrated to Mumbai
when the boy was three. At school the
young lad’s drawing and painting projects
were the cynosure of all eyes. But it was a
different story at home when he expressed
a desire to dabble in art later on in life.
“I was often beaten,” remembers the
67-year-old. “The elders would taunt me,
`Do you want to lead a life of penury by
becoming a painter?’ ” But young
Shirwadkar stuck to his guns. “I told them
I wanted to paint all my life, even if it meant
remaining hungry.” Exasperated, his
family finally relented and enrolled him for
a G. D. Art (Drawing & Painting) course in
RAJU BIST (SHIRWADKAR)
76
SEPTEMBER 2017

ARTS
PROFILE
A COLOURFUL PALETTE
Yashwant Shirwadkar has many
achievements to his credit.
• He has held 97 one man shows to
date.
• He has participated in 228 group
shows in India and abroad.
• In Jaipur, Shirwadkar has held
two artist camps, sponsored by an
art gallery and a charitable trust
respectively.
• Many of his works find a place in
private collections in India as well as
abroad.
• The veteran artist has participated
in charitable exhibitions organized by
Concern India Foundation in Mumbai,
Bengaluru, Pune and Gurgaon.
• His works have been auctioned by
Sotheby’s and Christie’s.
• Shirwadkar was one of the
participants at Saptarang, the
cultural programme organized by the
Maharashtra government in Mumbai.
Rajasthan
Mumbai’s well-known Sir JJ School of Art.
Perhaps as a result of his childhood
experiences, Shirwadkar raised no
objections when his sons decided to follow
in his footsteps later on in life. Today, both
are accomplished artists, who, after
studying art at Baroda’s prestigious
Maharaja Sayajirao University, studied
further in Australia before settling down
there. Both have veered away from their
father’s chosen specialization of
landscapes and portraits. After focusing on
kings and local people of Rajasthan,
Yogesh Shirwadkar is currently working
on a Krishna series. Yadnyesh Shirwadkar,
after working on the concept of “Base”, has
moved on to “Music”.
Like many artists before him,
Shirwadkar too had his fair share of
struggle before he made a name for
himself. In his case, the struggle period
lasted for about a decade. But once he got
going, there was no stopping him.
Renowned all over for his landscape series
on Benares, Rajasthan, Kashmir and
Kerala, the veteran artist has also done
Kulu Manali, Goa and various seascapes to
much acclaim.
To date, he has held numerous one man
and group shows in India and abroad (see
box item). More than 60 per cent of his
shows have been sponsored, meaning the
exhibiting gallery has picked up all the
tabs. His works figure in the private
collections of individuals as well as
corporates. They have also been part of
artist camps, major art exhibitions,
Sotheby’s and Christie’s auctions, as well
as charity auctions.
Shirwadkar’s staying power can only
be described as phenomenal. In an age
when most artists burn out after holding 15
to 20 one man shows, he has had 97 of
them. What could be the secret of his
longevity? Shirwadkar sums it up in one
word: “Riyaaz.” “Even after all these years
my approach towards my art is like that of a
beginner,” says the soft-spoken artist. “I
practice for at least six hours every day. I
make rough sketches, look up references,
work on rough colour sketches and am
constantly thinking about how I can add
a touch of excellence to my latest project
on hand.”
When working on a landscape, he first
makes rough pencil or water colour
sketches. In Banaras, for example, which
he claims to know like the back of his hand,
Shirwadkar hires a boat for days at a
stretch. He then observes the ghats from
various angles, in various light conditions.
Back at his studio in Mulund (East) in
suburban Mumbai, where he has been
staying for the last 27 years, he says he
stares at a blank canvas for the first three or
four days, all the while conceptualizing the
painting in his mind. Then he starts
working with oil colours and his palette
knife. The process lasts for the next two
weeks.
He has already planned out his next
five shows. But he is most excited about his
100th one man show, just three shows
away. “In 1978 as well as 1981, I was a
participant at The Monsoon Show held at
the Jehangir Art Gallery,” he says with a
twinkle in his eyes. Shirwadkar says he
wants to complete his century too at the
beautiful gallery in south Mumbai. It will
be a crowning glory to a career full of
extraordinary talent and achievements.
78
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPORTS
CRICKET
David Warner will be a major headache for Indian bowlers
CLASH OF
THE TITANS
THE UPCOMING FIVE MATCH ODI
When Australia toured
India for an ODI series
in 2013, we witnessed
an exhilarating
contest between both the sides which
was eventually won by India 3-2. It was a
high scoring series and a bowler’s
chase. Australia succumbed to the
pressure and lost half their side for 132.
James Faulkner’s nerve-wrecking 116 off
73 balls went in vain as Australia kept
losing wickets from the other end. India
won the match by 57 runs and clinched
the series 3-2.
nightmare. Australia won the opening
This will be the eighth bilateral
SERIES BETWEEN INDIA AND
game but India came back strongly as
series between both the sides in India
AUSTRALIA WILL DEFINITELY BE
they chased down a record 362 for the
with Australia prevailing in four of them
ANOTHER SPORTING
loss of just one wicket in 43 overs. Virat
and India winning three. With almost 18
ENTERTAINER
Kohli scored the fastest One Day
months to go for the next World Cup in
BY MKM FAIYAZ AHMED
International hundred by an Indian in
England, Indian selectors will be having
SCHEDULE
just 52 balls. The series was leveled at
2-all and it all came down to the finals.
a close look at the performances of the
individuals. The selectors have already
SEPTEMBER 17 1ST ODI CHENNAI
SEPTEMBER 21 2ND ODI BENGALURU
SEPTEMBER 24 3RD ODI VIDARBHA
SEPTEMBER 28 4TH ODI INDORE
OCTOBER 2 5TH ODI KOLKATA
OCTOBER 7 1st T20I HYDERABAD
OCTOBER 10 2nd T20I RANCHI
OCTOBER 13 3rd T20I INDORE
Rohit Sharma smashed his first
double hundred as he galvanized with an
incredible 209 off just 158 balls which
included a record 16 sixes in an innings.
He was adjudicated player of the match
and series for scoring 491 runs in six
games which is most by a player in a
bi-lateral series. Earlier, Rohit’s heroic
helped India post a mammoth 384 to
sent a strong message by leaving out
Yuvraj Singh for the ODI series against
Sri Lanka. In the recent interview, the
chief selector MSK Prasad said that MS
Dhoni isn’t an automatic choice anymore
and if he fails to deliver, the selectors will
be looking for an alternative. The strong
message has certainly raised a few
eyebrows. It will be interesting to see
SHUTTERSTOCK
80
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPORTS
CRICKET
who the Indian
teams smashed huge totals. However,
selectors will pick
with a few changes in rules earlier this
for an ODI series
year, the bowlers will certainly get some
against Australia.
respite on flat batting decks.
India’s
After sorting the pay dispute with
opening batsmen
the players, Cricket Australia has
have been doing a
announced a 14 man squad for five ODIs
remarkable job
and a 13 man squad for three T20Is
and if Shikhar
which will be played between
Dhawan and
September 17 and October 13. Steve
Rohit Sharma
Smith will be leading a balanced
remain fit, then
Australian side and will be hoping to
without a speck of
outperform the strong Indian one.
doubt they will be
Once again, it will be Steve Smith
the first choice
and David Warner who will pose a
openers ahead of
threat to the Indian bowling unit. Both
KL Rahul and
the batsmen love batting on Indian
Ajinkya Rahane.
wickets. The likes of Aaron Finch,
The duo has so far
Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell makes
scored 2902 runs
Australia a strong batting line up. James
in 62 games at an
Faulkner who was dropped earlier this
average of 47.57
year for a poor dip in form has been
which is excellent
recalled.
and is one of the
He will be itching to do his bit to
most successful
cement his place in the side once again.
opening pairs in
Australia has rested their spearhead fast
Rohit Sharma will hope to repeat the winning
performance of his 2013 Australian tour
the current era.
India’s skipper
Virat Kohli loves scoring against
bowler Mitchell Starc ahead of the
Ashes tour as he is yet to recover
completely from an ankle injury. The
THE PLAYERS
Australia and has five ODI hundreds in
23 matches at an average of 55.67. In the
number one ranked ODI bowler Josh
Hazelwood will not be an easy pick for
AUSTRALIA’S ODI SQUAD: Steven
Smith (C), David Warner, Ashton Agar,
Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile,
Patrick Cummins, James Faulkner,
Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis
Head, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis,
Matthew Wade (WK), Adam Zampa
AUSTRALIA’S T20I SQUAD: Steve
Smith (C) , David Warner (VC) , Jason
Behrendorff , Dan Christian, Nathan
Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, Aaron
Finch, Travis Head, Moises Henriques,
Glenn Maxwell, Tim Paine, Kane
Richardson, Adam Zampa
INDIA’S ODI SQUAD (EXPECTED):
Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni,
Shikar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Kedar
Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvaneshwar
Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav,
Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rishab
Pant, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and
Ravichandran Ashwin
ongoing series against Sri Lanka, Virat
Kohli went past Sanath Jayasuriya’s tally
of 28 One Day International hundreds in
only his 190th game and is now behind
Ricky Ponting (30) and Sachin Tendulkar
(49).
With Kedar Jadhav and Hardik
Pandya doing their job well, India’s
number six and number seven woes
seems to be all sorted for now and the
skipper will be hoping for them to score
runs on a consistent basis. If Pandya
keeps bowling well then the team will
just grow from strength to strength. In
the previous ODI series between both
the sides, none of the bowlers from
either side were spared as both the
the batsmen on any wicket. He along
with Pat Cummins and Coulter-Nile will
be shouldering the Australian bowling
attack. Young leg spinner Adam Zampa
will also play a crucial role if the wicket
assists the spinners.
The Australian selectors have
picked a strong team to take on one of
the strongest limited overs sides with a
right mix of spin and pace. Indian
selectors will be looking to rope in a
few new players in the team without
making too many changes. The five
match ODI series will commence from
September 17 in Chennai and will
definitely be another entertaining
series for cricket lovers.
SHUTTERSTOCK
84
SEPTEMBER 2017

CAFÉ WISER MISER’S
INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS
BE WISER IN LIFE AND DINE
AT CAFÉ WISER MISER. Café
Wiser Miser, a recently launched
café by Sharuk Narang and Parul
IN FOCUS
MONTAGE
Shodhan in the heart of Delhi, that
is, Connaught Place, promises to
create a benchmark in the hospitality
industry. The café very
proudly showcases unique
and innovative concepts
through its dynamic
interiors and exciting
prices.
The unconventional
interiors of the place are
extraordinarily designed
with recycled showpieces
giving it an outstanding
look. The extensive multi
cuisine menu of the café
presents diverse varieties of dishes
at extremely profitable prices. One
of their most appealing offers is of as
many as 21 appetizers in one palate
at very cost-effective prices. The café
has also introduced the “Baap of all
Pizzas”, an 18 inch long deliciously
scrumptious dish for patrons to
relish.
Parul Shodhan, one of the owners
of the café says, “Café Wiser Miser
provides a very comfortable space
for people to enjoy a good time at
extremely pocket-friendly prices.
As the name suggests, we promote
people to take wise decisions by
choosing to dine with us as we serve
food and drinks at very reasonable
prices without any compromise on
the quality and taste”. The interiors,
food, drinks, quality, hospitality and
most importantly, the affordability of
Café Wiser Miser is something that
will excitingly attract food zealots.
111
SEPTEMBER 2017

VIEWPOINT
YOGA
A SUSTAINABLE
SOLUTION FOR
THE KAVERI
DISPUTE
BY SADHGURU, ISHA FOUNDATION
WATER IS A RESOURCE that has to be
managed. We have not really paid
attention to this in the last few decades.
There are subsidies that are supposed to
promote water conservation, but we have
not really looked at how we can practice
agriculture in a way that conserves water.
In Tamil Nadu for instance, we are still
largely f lood irrigating, which is the
cruelest way of using water. It is not good
either for the land or for the crop itself.
This practice was used in the past, but
there are more efficient ways to practice
agriculture today. If you put so much
water in one place, the soil gets leached
and all the bio-activity in the soil is
reduced. The plant may look green, but it
suffers because of this in many ways. If we
change this, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
can manage their water situation.
Apart from this, we need to pay more
attention to the Kaveri itself. The Kaveri is
maybe 40 per cent of what it was 50 years
ago. It does not touch the ocean two to
three months in a year. It is not just the
Kaveri but almost all our rivers that are
going through this. This is a disaster
unfolding in this country.
I have rafted down the Kaveri from
Bhagamandala to the Krishna Raja Sagara
dam and the Brindavan Gardens in
Karnataka. That is over 160 kilometres. It
took me around 13 days on four truck
tubes and 12 bamboos. I know this terrain
very well. One thing that really stands out
is that, in this entire 160 kilometres, it is
only in the first 30 to 35 kilometres that
there is any forest vegetation. After that
there is just agriculture. How will a river
flow with this? We don’t have ice-fed
RANKED AMONGST THE 50 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN INDIA, SADHGURU IS A YOGI, MYSTIC, VISIONARY AND BESTSELLING
AUTHOR. SADHGURU HAS BEEN CONFERRED THE PADMA VIBHUSHAN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA IN 2017
86
SEPTEMBER 2017

Jininimi Design Studio Pvt. Ltd.
Available at all leading store

VIEWPOINT
YOGA
The Kaveri river is maybe 40 per cent of
what it was 50 years ago
THE VERY WORD "INDIA"
COMES FROM THE RIVER
INDUS. WE ARE A RIVER
CIVILIZATION. WE HAVE
GROWN ON THE RIVER BANKS.
TODAY, ALL OUR RIVERS
ARE IN DANGER. INSTEAD
OF FIGHTING AGAINST EACH
OTHER, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT
HOW TO REVIVE THESE RIVERS
rivers in southern India. These are forestfed
rivers. Unless there is forest, there will
be no river after some time. Our idea of a
catchment area is that 35-kilometre
valley. No, catchment should be all along
the way.
People think because of water there
are trees. No, because of trees there is
water. All along the river, for at least one
kilometre on either side, wherever the
land belongs to the government, we must
do afforestation immediately. Wherever it
belongs to a local farmer, the government
must move from agriculture to
horticulture. If you have to move a farmer
from agriculture to horticulture, you have
to subsidize the first five years for him till
horticulture crops begin to yield. And
once it comes to yield, you must
incentivize private sector to set up allied
industry to absorb these hundreds of
kilometres of horticultural products.
If you show the farmer the economics
of this move, that by planting trees and
having horticultural crops he will earn
more than he can by plowing the land, he
will naturally take to it. If you ensure this
on either side for a minimum of a
kilometre – if we can do more than a
kilometre it will be great – in 15 years’
time, the Kaveri will have at least 10 to 20
per cent more water flowing.
Towards making this happen, we are
preparing a policy recommendation to
offer to the government. And we are
organizing the Rally for Rivers campaign
where, from September 3 to October 2, I
will personally drive from Kanyakumari
to the Himalayas, to create awareness in
the country that our rivers are dying. I am
covering 16 states with major events along
the way. Several Chief Ministers and
Governors have confirmed their
participation. At Delhi, we will present
the policy recommendation to the
government.
The very word “India” comes from the
river Indus. We are a river civilization. We
have grown on the river banks. Today, all
our rivers are in danger. Instead of
fighting against each other, we have to
look at how to revive these rivers.
Otherwise, in a few years we won’t be
drinking from bottles, we will be bathing
from bottles. Half the nation is already in a
position where they don’t start their day
with a bath because there is no water. In a
few years, we will be in a place where we
can only bathe once in 10 days. The legacy
we are leaving our children is such that no
matter what you have, you will not be able
to live well – unless nature does some
serious surgical correction. The choice we
have is to consciously correct this or let
nature do it. If nature does it, it will do it in
a very cruel way.
For thousands of years, these rivers
have embraced and nourished us. A time
has come when we have to embrace and
nourish our rivers.
Vote to save our rivers. Give a missed call to
80009 80009. Visit RallyForRivers.org for
Sadhguru’s city-stop schedule and how you
can participate and get involved in this
nationwide campaign.
SpiceJet welcomes its passengers to ask Sadhguru questions on yoga, health, wellbeing, and other topics of
general interest. Select questions will be answered in forthcoming issues. Please email your question to
mediarelations@ishafoundation.org. For more of Sadhguru’s wisdom, visit isha.sadhguru.org
SHUTTERSTOCK
88
SEPTEMBER 2017

TRAVEL
WEEKENDS
The resort is an oasis of natural beauty and peace
SERENITY
BY THE BAY
SMARTLY DESIGNED COTTAGES IN
THE MIDST OF 472 MANGO TREES
AT V RESORTS MAHUA BAGH
MURUD IS JUST WHAT YOU NEED
FOR THAT BREAK AWAY FROM
THE CONCRETE JUNGLE
Outdoor dining near the rooms
There are no security guards
manning the entrance to
the 24 acre resort. Even the
main gate is a rickety old
one, with creepers
overgrowing it. Guests are welcomed not
by hostesses in flowing Kanjivaram sarees
but sturdy, rustic-looking lads from
Madhya Pradesh. The reception area itself
is simple – a wooden table with a laptop
storing details of guest stays. Not exactly
the kind of ambience you would expect
from a property that bills itself as a
“traveller’s utopia.”
But then, V Resorts Mahua Bagh
Murud (Mahua Bagh to locals) is not your
typical weekend getaway. Hidden away
amidst the unspoilt backwaters of a creek,
155 km from Mumbai, it is an oasis of
natural beauty and serenity. Visitors are
mesmerized by its farm feel combined with
understated luxury and personal service.
All of these fuse seamlessly to make their
stay a magical experience. Mahua Bagh,
situated short of the historic town of
Murud, in the peaceful village of
Nandgaon, is one of the most beautiful
settings along the Alibaug coast with its
profuse plantation of coconut and betel nut
trees.
It is one of the three hospitality
properties owned by a former bureaucrat
(the other two being Mahua Vann, Pench,
Madhya Pradesh and Mahua Tola, Tadoba,
Maharashtra). Mahua Bagh is managed by
V Resorts, headed by Aditi Balbir, a former
finance professional who has put in stints
at firms like McKinsey and Baring Equity.
V Resorts is an alternate accommodation
provider in the leisure travel space. It
manages and operates more than 70
resorts, hotels, camps, houseboats, homestays,
farm houses and any other form of
stay in leisure locations. Being completely
asset light, it does not own any of the properties
but takes on their facilities on revenue
share contracts. It provides all the hospitality
services to ensure standardization
of experiences for the customer – from
trained manpower, linen, toiletries, design
92
SEPTEMBER 2017

and beautification, to vendor management,
training facility, technology stack
and sales network.
But why V? “A ‘V’ can stand for many
things,” says a company spokesman. “It
could mean vacation, valley, village,
vintage, variety, voyage and, most
importantly, view. The premise is simple
— every room, in the properties we
manage, should have an incredible view.
So the main icon signifies a great view
promised at each of our resorts.”
So at V Resorts Sattal (Uttarakhand),
it is the crystal clear sparkling green
waters of the Sattal lake; at Bandhavgarh
(Madhya Pradesh), it is an astonishing
pooled view of the wild woods; at
Ramgarh (Uttarakhand), a 180 degree
view of the snow-capped Himalayan
range; and at Utsav Camp Sariska
(Rajasthan), it could be ancient ruins,
forest, lake or birds.
At Mahua Bagh, you get a verdant
view of sprawling organic Alphonso
mango orchards overlooking a gorgeous,
sand-washed, palm-fringed beach. The
Bagh is a farm with an exotic coastal
ambience to it and apart from the mango
orchard, there is an abundance of cashew
nut, chickoo, banana, palm, guava, and
custard apple trees.
The architecture of the resort is
smart and its rooms have been stylishly
designed (see box). Its eight spacious
cottages and two studios cottages face
directly onto the Nandgaon bay. The
cottages come with
select antique furniture
and individually styled
bathrooms that include
sunken bathtubs or
open-to-sky showers.
Each cottage is
equipped with a yoga kit
and you are spoilt for
choice on places to
practice the ancient art.
You can relax on the
hammocks in the
Barbeque near a
mango orchard
sprawling lawns with
TRAVEL
WEEKENDS
its spectacular view of forested hills in
the background. Or you can trek through
the farm, aiming for a hill that provides a
breathtaking sea view. As we walked
through the sprawling estate, we came
across abandoned gigantic warehouses;
small, rectangular, cemented water
reservoirs; larva tanks; a generator
house; pump house; and filter house.
“Kimi Katkar ka tha,” informs our resort
guide, invoking the name of the former
Bollywood actor who had run a shrimp
hatchery on the premises along with her
photographer husband Shantanu
Sheorey till the business folded up.
You can also walk along the beach or
wade through the sea water and cross the
creek when in low tide. Alternatively, you
can watch the boats, the sea and the birds
along the coast from the resort’s outpost,
made on stilts well into the sea. The
resort can also organize a ride on a
fisherman’s boat, for a truly local
experience.
If you have more time on your hands,
take off to check the palace of the former
Nawab of Janjira and the impregnable
Janjira Fort. Ahead is a view of another
historic monument, the Kasa Fort built by
Shivaji.
Another memorable experience
would be a visit to the nearby Phansad
Wildlife Sanctuary which extends over
an area of 53 sq km. The sanctuary is
home to the panther, sambar deer, wild
boar, barking deer and hyena. The main
attraction here, however,
is the beautiful Giant
Indian Squirrel, but
given its shy disposition,
catching a glimpse is not
an easy prospect.
Tranquility, an
expanse of green and
nature at its most
raw – what else can one
wish for when escaping
for a lazy weekend away
from the concrete
jungle?
A FASHION DESIGNER’S
CREATIVE DIVERSIFICATION
V Resorts has tied up with noted
fashion designer Anupama Dayal
to design few of their resorts. What
makes the association interesting
is the fact that Dayal is widely
known for her resort wear. For the
V Resorts Mahua Bagh Murud, she
drew inspiration from the different
elements of nature all around,
including the mango orchards, the
many coconut trees, seashells on the
seaside nearby, turtles and coconut
trees. Here are some of her deft
touches in the various rooms at the
Murud property
• Pomfret Room: A giant pomfret
fish looms large near the main door,
inspired by all the fish species around
the region, in the waters and the
chatty fish markets as well as in the
local pomfret ‘thalis’. The designer’s
fondness for the pomfret’s adorable
diamond shape is clearly
evident here.
• Coconut Room: Stripes is all about
instant energy for Dayal. So she
painted the Coconut Room with mint
stripes .
• Mango Room: The mango
is inescapable in this resort —
suspended all over like little green
lanterns straight from a dark cloudy
sky. In all, 472 sturdy mango trees
crowd the resort. So naturally, mango
artwork dominates all over.
• Turtle Room: A turtle is painted in
one of the rooms. The endangered
Olive Ridley turtle has nesting sites in
the region.
94
SEPTEMBER 2017

94.3 RADIO ONE. CELEBRATING 10 YEARS
OF BEING THE MOST LIKED RADIO STATION BRAND !
We, at 94.3 Radio One, run the most
differentiated & upscale FM radio stations
in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune,
Kolkata, Chennai & Ahmedabad. In the
highest advertiser revenue markets of Delhi,
Mumbai & Bangalore we are the MOST
LIKED RADIO STATIONS ON FACEBOOK.
This means we have the largest and most
engaged listener fan base in these markets
as compared to any other radio station in
these cities! We thank our listeners,
advertisers and well wishers for supporting
us through this 10 year journey. As we
celebrate this 10th year with you all,
please look out for more excitement in the
coming months on our radio stations and in
the digital space. Thank you for upgrading
to 94.3 Radio One and giving us the '10
on 10’ feeling!
FACEBOOK LIKES
DELHI PAGE MUMBAI PAGE BANGALORE PAGE
Radio One
3,37,058
Fever 104
2,00,069
Big FM
31,857
Radio Nasha
17,281
Radio Mirchi
15,799
Hit FM 95
10,649
Radio One
3,31,306
Fever 104
1,53,949 Radio Nasha
17,190
Big FM
3,038
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3,38,743
Radio Mirchi
26,2390
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1,64,079
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1,01,262
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WE ARE ALSO THE MOST LIKED STATION ON FACEBOOK IN PUNE, MOST LIKED BOLLYWOOD
STATION IN CHENNAI AND THE MOST LIKED HINDI RETRO STATION IN KOLKATA. (data as on 26 Aug 2017)

SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA
MEMORIES FOR A
LIFETIME
A STATE THAT HAS MOUNTAINS, BEACHES, VALLEYS,
ISLANDS AND MORE, THERE IS SOMETHING NEW
TO DISCOVER IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF BEAUTIFUL
KARNATAKA. BY BINDU GOPAL RAO
One State Many
Worlds”, the tagline
of Karnataka’s tourism
department, cannot
be more apt. The
state has something for every kind
of tourist. The best part of touring
the state is that you will stumble
upon several gems that are relatively
undiscovered which makes it an
attractive tourist destination.
The state has declared 2017
as the Year of the Wild and the
Tourism Department has identified
nine eco-trekking routes along
96
SEPTEMBER 2017

Ancient ruins on Hemakuta
Hill at sunset in Hampi
An infrared version of Lalbagh
the scenic Western Ghats for both
tourists and trekkers. According to
Deepika Kapoor, Project Director,
The Golden Chariot & Hospitality
and Consultant, Karnataka State
Tourism Development Corporation
(KSTDC), “While we do not have
a defined policy, we do something
almost every day to attract tourists
to the state. In fact, we would like
to let people know that there is so
much more to explore beyond the
surface. So we are promoting Dasara
as a festival across the state and not
necessarily restricted to Mysore. We
A PIONEER IN HOME STAYS
What happens when the easy
comfort of your home fuses with the
indulgence of a hotel? Home stays
combine the best of both and bring
you the ultimate experience during
your holiday. Those who like to indulge
in a travel experience that is off the
beaten path will tell you that time
spend at a home stay is the best way
of knowing about the local culture and
traditions of any place. Choose from
a generous selection of home stays
across Karnataka. Go online to www.
karnatakatourism.org/Homestay and
choose from hundreds of them located
in 14 districts of the state.
are also focusing our attention on eco
friendly holidays and medical tourism
as well and we recently also had a
conference around this too. Likewise,
we want to promote our other forests
as well that goes beyond Kabini and
Bandipur as the abundance of wildlife
here is something that people must
know about.”
We take you through four wellknown
tourist getaways in Karnataka
– Bengaluru, Mysore, Mangalore and
Belgaum, before guiding you to some
other fascinating and yet relatively
unexplored places.
The capital city, Bengaluru is a
cosmopolitan metropolis that blends
tradition and new age technological
advances seamlessly to make it one
of the most preferred cities to live in
India. Arguably the city with the best
weather in the country, Bengaluru
also has several interesting sights.
Living up to its tag of ‘Garden City’,
are the two large lung spaces –
Cubbon Park and Lalbagh – that are
home to various botanical species
of plants. Lalbagh also hosts a
much awaited flower show twice
a year – during Republic Day and
Independence Day.
The simple summer palace of Tipu
Sultan, used by him as a summer
retreat, is a two storey teak wood
structure with exquisitely carved
wooden pillars, arches and balconies
in Indo-Islamic architecture. The fort
nearby is said to have been built by
the founder Kempe Gowda (after
whom the international airport is
named) and has five sculpted arches
and a Ganesha temple in its precincts.
A major landmark the city is the
Dodda Ganesha temple that has an
18 feet high and 16 feet wide idol of
Ganesha. Adjacent is the Basavana
Gudi (or the Nandi Temple), that has
97
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA
Mysore Palace
MYSORE IS OFTEN CALLED
THE CULTURAL CAPITAL OF
KARNATAKA
a massive bull and this is
where the annual ground
fair called Kadlekai Parishe
is held in the last week of
November. The adjoining
Bugle Rock garden has
several rocks dating back
to many centuries. The
State legislature building
Vidhan Soudha and High
Court Attara Kacheri are
buildings that are must be seen for
their amazing Indo Neo-Dravidian,
Indo-Saracenic and Dravidian styles
of architecture. Shopping, eating out
and having a good time is second
nature here and this is a city that will
never disappoint the traveller.
The cultural capital of the state is
Mysore being home to the stunning
palaces courtesy the Wodeyar royals
who once ruled the state from here.
Located just 130 km from the capital
Mysore Palace ceiling with decorative art
Bengaluru, the ride is a breeze
courtesy the beautiful four lane road
that connects the two cities. Taking
centre stage is the Mysore Palace or
the Amba Vilas Palace that sees more
footfalls than many other monuments
in India. This palace has a Public
Durbar Hall with imported French
lamp representing Egyptian figurines
and a Private Durbar Hall that was
used by the king for private audience.
Carved rosewood doors inlaid with
SHUTTERSTOCK
DAZZLING
COLLECTIONS
FROM AABUSHAN
JEWELLERS
Vishal P Bohra, Director,
Aabushan Jewellers
KNOWN FOR
ITS EXQUISITE
designer
jewellery,
Aabushan
Jewellers' fine
detailed jewellery
is studded with
rare, hand-picked precious stones
which make these jewellery stand out
from the rest. They are best known
for their Rajwada collection, Polki
collection, Traditional Antiques, Jack
and Rose collection and the Mozcerro
Italio collection, leaving their
customers with multiple choices
to pick from the exclusive designs.
Known for their antique jewellery,
they also display a strikingly elegant
collection in bridal wear, lightweight
jewellery, diamond, platinum and
silver. Each piece comes with the
same craftsmanship and style that
you would expect from any of the
world’s best designer jewellery.
The wide range of their exquisite
jewellery collections leaves their
customers with a better choice. The
designs are a graceful dance between
the traditional and contemporary.
This makes Aabushan’s jewellery all
the more desirable. Their wide range
of dazzling bridal collection in gold
and diamonds are literally a dream
come true for every bride-to-be.
Aabushan is very well known for
its creation in gold. Over the decades,
it has been celebrating the finest
designs in pure gold to suit every
occasion in the journey called life.
From birth to marriage and beyond,
every day is turned extra special
with Aabushan’s pure gold. And
every auspicious moment is made
divine by adding a tinge of purity
with pure gold from Aabushan. The
firm’s range in gold includes bridal
collection, engagement collection,
teens wear, antique collection,
lightweight collection, daily wear
collection, party wear collection,
office wear collection, etc.
With over 70 years of expertise
in the jewellery business, Aabushan
Jewellers has evolved from being
a family jeweller in Karnataka to
setting up its own stores across
the state. Rising from humble
beginnings, it is now one of the most
recognized brands within the country
as well as internationally. The firm’s
dexterous team strives hard to
come up with unique and innovative
designs and patterns. These can
be customized according to the
specifications of the clients.
98
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA
ivory, opulent gilded columns, stained
glass ceilings, ornamental steel grills
and chandeliers with delicate floral
motifs, the royal throne and the
wooden elephant howdah decorated
with 84 kg of gold reflect the
grandeur of days of the past.
While in Mysore a visit to the 12th
century Chamundeshwari temple
atop the Chamundi hill houses the
presiding deity of the Wodeyar kings
is a must. The Sri Chamarajendra
Zoological Gardens, St. Philomena’s
Cathedral, Jaganmohan Palace
and Brindavan Gardens are other
important places here. This apart
check out the Regional Museum of
Natural History, Rail Museum, Indira
Gandhi Central Museum and the
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan while you
are here. However if you are here
during the annual Dasara festival,
you can witness the grand 10 days
that culminate in a grand procession
called Jumboo Savari, a parade
with decorated elephants, colourful
tableaux, dance groups, music bands
and other floats that originate from
the palace grounds to Banni Mantap
(a locality in Mysore).
Shrichamundeshwari Temple in Mysore
Set amidst the sparkling waters
of the Arabian Sea and the Western
Ghats, the coastal town of Mangalore
is the main port city of the state.
Surrounded by verdant hills, ancient
temples and Jain basadis, this is the
chief maritime city of Karnataka.
SHUTTERSTOCK
MEMORABLE
OUTINGS AT
WONDERLA
WONDERLA HOLIDAYS LIMITED
is India’s largest
and most popular
amusement park
operator in India. The
Arun K Chittilappilly,
Managing Director
company currently
owns and operates
three amusement parks
in Kochi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad
and a resort at Bengaluru. Wonderla
is unique in that it designs and creates
its own attractions, and has an R &
D facility to design and manufacture
rides for its amusement parks.
Many of its rides have been custom
made and imported from reputed
international suppliers, making them
Recoil roller coaster
unique in India. Wonderla parks
have been visited by over three crore
people since 2000 making them the
most visited amusement parks in
India. It is ranked as India’s No.1
amusement park and Asia’s 6th best
amusement park as per Trip Advisor
ranking for the fifth consecutive year.
Wonderla also has the best safety
record for its parks, that are ISO
14001 and OHSAS 18001 certified.
Wonderla stands for an energising
and memorable outing for guests of
all ages and help them #GetCloser.
For more information, visit
www.wonderla.com
Wonderla Kochi occupying
35 acres of land offers variety of
entertainment to people of all age
groups, with 57 state-of-the-art rides
and other allied facilities.
Wonderla Bangalore, spanning
over 82 acres, offers a spectacular
range of entertainment with 61 land,
water, hi-tech and kids rides.
Wonderla Resort located besides
the amusement park in Bangalore
comprises of 84 luxury rooms, with
amenities including a well-maintained
multi-cuisine restaurant, a rest-o-bar,
recreational facilities like a heated
swimming pool, kid’s activity centre
and a full-fledged gym.
Wonderla Hyderbad, located
on ORR Exit no#13 and just 10
minutes away from the Hyderabad
Airport, is spread over 50 acres
and has 43 spectacular ranges of
attractions.
100
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA
Kadri Manjunatha Temple in Mangalore
MANGALORE IS NAMED
AFTER A GODDESS CALLED
MANGALADEVI
Mangalore fish curry
While you are here start your trip
at the ancient Mangaladevi temple
dedicated to the Goddess after
whom the city has been named. The
oldest Shiva temple in Mangalore
perched on the Kadri hills is the
Kadri Manjunatha temple that has an
elaborate entrance arch and multiple
carved pillars and a spire covered
in brass. Also pay obeisance at the
St. Aloysius Chapel whose walls are
covered with the paintings of artist
Antony Moshaini of Italy and dates
back to 1899. The Thannirbavi Beach,
part of the Mangalore Port Trust, is
one of best beaches of the city and a
great place to watch the sunset.
The Panambur beach with
stunning views of the light house
and sailing ships, the Surathkal
beach and the nearby temple of Lord
Sadashiva and the Ullal beach close
to the ruined fort of Abbakka Devi
are some other beaches that you
must see while you are here. One
of the best things about Mangalore
however lies in its delectable cuisine
from Mangalore Buns to Goli Bajji
to Mangalorean Fish Curry that you
must sample. Also try the Gadbad, an
ice cream sundae that is a speciality
of the region and is a mix of different
ALAMY
The Windflower resort at Vythiri
VARIED
EXPERIENCES AT
WINDFLOWER
THE WINDFLOWER RESORTS & SPA
boasts of tastefully designed resorts
in varied settings. Each resort comes
with its unique partnership with
nature and its surroundings. It also
features the signature Emerge Spa.
The resorts are located at Mysore,
Bengaluru, Coorg, Bandipur, Vythiri
and Pondicherry. Whether one
is looking for a corporate offsite,
a romantic getaway, a weekend
break, a family holiday, a wellness
Ayurvedic experience, a reunion or
just spaces where one can refresh,
Windflower has something for
everyone.
Take the case of Windflower
Mysore, where you can rewind to a
land where the body and soul are still
honoured, where inspired art and
architecture echo vibrations of a time
that stands still and proud. Mysore is
home to kings and warriors, giraffes
from the savannah, and Ashtanga
yoga gurus. Named after the demon
Mahishasura, Mysore was the seat of
Wodeyar and Vijayanagara dynasties,
and where Tipu Sultan died for his
land, sabre in hand, in his resistance
against the British empire. India’s
second greenest city has resurged
as one of the world’s capitals of
alternative living, healing and being.
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6 STUNNING DESTINATIONS
ONE SIGNATURE BRAND OF
HOSPITALITY. THE ONLY THING
MISSING IS YOU
For Reservations, call: Bangalore: 080-40842222, 99014 46666,
email: reservations@thewinddower.com, www.thewinddower.com

SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA
Agastya Lake from South
Fort in Badami
CALLING ALL SHUTTERBUGS
The Department of Tourism, Government
of Karnataka, in association with Youth
Photographic Society, organizes a
monthly photography contest to promote
tourism in the state. The Picture of the
Month is displayed on large hoardings
of the Department, which are put up at
prominent places, along with the name
of the photographer. Award-winning
pictures are also used in the promotion
material of the Department with due
credits to the photographer. Since July
2017, Karnataka Tourism has doubled
the Picture of the Month Awards to
encourage women photographers to
compete and win awards. Each winner of
the Picture of the Month Award will go
home with ` 10,000 in cash.
flavours with nuts, fruits, jelly and
cream that will leave you asking for
more.
Officially called Belgavi, Belgaum
is a city that is akin to the second
capital of the state and is home to
the administrative building Suvarna
Vidhana Soudha. The Belgaum Fort
at the centre of the town dates back
to 1519 and has been rebuilt over time
and is one of the oldest in the state.
The entrance has shrines of Goddess
Durga and Lord Ganapati and this
area also has two old mosques -
Jamia Masjid and Safa Masjid. The
structures inside are a blend of
Deccan and Indo - Sarcenic styles
of architecture. The Neminatha idol
made from black stone is located
inside the Kamala Basti here is a must
visit.
ALAMY
A FUN-FILLED STAY
AT ROYAL ORCHID
BRINDAVAN MYSORE
EXPERIENCE THE AMAZING
ROYAL ORCHID BRINDAVAN
GARDEN IN MYSORE set next
to a UNESCO Heritage site.
The facility offers a plethora
of activities planned to keep
you engaged and cheerful
during your stay at this
serene destination. Followed
by an exquisite lunch at the
coffee shop on arrival, the
hotel offers complimentary
usage of in-house facilities
and games such as billiards,
access to swimming pool,
video games, miniature golf,
garden chess, choice of
movies from the library and
a session on arts and craft
tools for kids.
Moreover it’s one of the
very few hotel in Mysore
which is also pet friendly. In
the evening, one can take a
most beautiful walk alongside
the KRS dam and enjoy
seeing the illumination of the
famous Brindavan Gardens
with a musical fountain set
under a star-lit sky during
dinner. The weekend siesta
can be followed by relaxing
the body, mind and soul at the
Kumuda Spa. The hotel also
offers excursions to the Bird
Sanctuary and Tipu’s Fort and
opportunities to participate in
many fun
filled activities.
Book in advance: Dusshera
celebrations in Mysore will
commence at 9 a.m. on
Sept 21, 2017.
Reservations: 08214013131/
9148999013
Email: marketing1@
royalorchidhotels.com /
dmm@royalorchidhotels.com
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SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA
Also check out the
Mukhamantapa, a lotus carved on the
ceiling. A visit to the building where
Swami Vivekananda stayed for 12
days in 1892 is today the Ramakrishna
Mission in Belgaum. The Kapileshwara
Temple is referred to as Dakshina
Kashi and it is widely believed
that visiting the 12 Jyotirlingas is
incomplete without paying a visit
here. The one place that you must
not miss seeing however is the Kittur
Fort and Palace located about 50
km away and is associated with the
heroic Rani Chennammawho ruled
and protected this place. This is the
place from which the queen carried
out an armed rebellion against the
British rulers and today you can
visit the ruins of this place. The local
handloom and cottage industry is
well known and the silk weavers
located in Vadgaon and Angol are
known for the designing exquisite
saris.
Beyond the big four just
described above, there are some
other hidden gems as well. If you
want to get a good understanding
of the state of Karnataka, you can
start from the North. Bidar for
Ramakrishna Mission Ashram
mandir at Belgaum
instance has several monuments and
mausoleums that attract historians,
offbeat travellers and those who
love architecture. This place offers
a pleasant stroll down a land of
medieval memories that glimmer like
the silver etchings of bidriware, a
craft unique to this city.
ALAMY
UNCOMPROMISING
QUALITY FROM
ABHARAN
JEWELLERS
THE ABHARAN STORY began in 1935
when the late Burde Sadananda
Kamath opened the first jewellery
shop in Udupi. Abharan became
hugely popular with its mission to
provide only pure,
exquisite and high
quality jewellery to
customers. Today,
Abharan has grown
into a retail chain
with showrooms in
Udupi, Shivamogga,
Mangaluru, Karkala,
Kundapur, Hebri and
Byndoor. Abharan
now also has separate
silver showrooms in
Udupi and Mangaluru
offering a wide variety
of beautiful jewellery
and artifacts.
Abharan delights
its customers with
the widest range of jewellery
products. In fact, Abharan has
exquisite collections in traditional,
contemporary and designer jewellery,
catering to the various tastes of
customers. It also has an exclusive
diamond and platinum counter which
boasts of an array of contemporary
designs that’s in keeping with the
latest trends. Its designer platinum
jewellery collection comprises the
best brands in India.
The company is an ISO 9001: 2008
certified jeweller selling ‘Hallmark’
jewellery. In fact, Abharan was the
first to introduce the Karatometer
in the country. Abharan has an
online purchase window enabling
customers to choose and purchase
jewellery through the internet.
With uncompromising quality and
customer satisfaction measures
Abharan has won customers the
world over.
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majestic
MYSORE
Restoring the magic into these Royal residences,
We take pleasure in inviting you to stay at
Our collection of exquisite hotels
And rekindle the Royal era from the past this Dussehra.
JLB Road, Mysore KRS, Mysore Bannimantap, Mysore
For Room Bookings Call: +91 9902000143 / 9148999011
www.royalorchidhotels.com

SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA
The world
famous Gol
Gumbaz that
adorns the
skyline of Bijapur
is a splendid
architecture
visible from any
part of the city.
Built in Indo-
Sarcenic style, the
symmetry and
grandeur make
it possible for
the monument
to be seen in
its entirety. Bijapur has other fine
examples of architectural prowess.
Likewise in Bagalkot there is a Jain
basadi of Parshwanatha, a Virakta
matha and several mosques of which
Panka Masjid is a sterling structure in
stone.
Hampi ruins on the banks of the Tungabhadra Hampi which is in
close proximity.
Located on the
banks of the
Tungabhadra,
the Hampi ruins
cover about nine
square miles; but
the fortifications
and the outposts
of the city include
a larger area.
The Virupaksha
Temple, Vittala
Raya temple and
Hampi Bazaar
The twin cities of Hubli and are amongst the several important
Dharwad also in the northern part monuments here. An Archaeological
of thestate are home to rich musical museum maintained by the Central
heritage and also some ancient Government at Kamalapura near
temples that are stunning examples Hampi is a good place to understand
of Hoysala architecture. And how the art patronised by the royalty here.
can you not visit the UNESCO site If architecture is your calling, you
ALAMY
‘THE MANGALORE PROPERTY MARKET HAS BEEN RESILIENT’
Mr. Srinath Hebbar, Managing
Director, Land Trades
Developers & Builders
Karnataka is
one of India’s
leading states as
far as tourism is
concerned. How
did it achieve this
eminent position?
Karnataka has
a rich tapestry of culture, heritage
and natural splendour. Arabian
Sea, Western Ghats and historical
marvels like Mysore and Hampi
attract tourists. Friendly people,
good transport and accommodation
have also helped. The government
has introduced home stay concept
to promote tourism. In Mangalore,
beach tourism is becoming big.
To what factors would you attribute
the tremendous success of Land
Trades in just 25 years?
Good firsthand experience of the
trade and sincerity to the customer
have been our greatest strengths.
Well-conceived projects with good
location, design and construction,
clean paperwork and devotion to
quality and timely completion have
given us a big edge.
How do you gauge the Mangalore
property market today? Which
segments promise the most growth
potential?
Property market here has been
stable and sustainable for the
last two decades. The trade has
proved to be resilient even in
very challenging situations. Our
geography allows development to
be focused in a very small region.
Low cost housing and mid segment
apartments always enjoy steady
demand. Premium segment is
promising.
What are your views on Mangalore
as a tourist destination?
Pilgrims and business travellers are
our main visitors. We have all four
modes of transport and tremendous
potential, but there’s been no
conscious effort to attract tourists.
Now there is a drive to promote
beaches with surfing and adventure
activities.
Which are the places in Mangalore
that you would recommend to a
first time tourist to the city?
Our rivers and beaches are lovely,
the temples exude divinity. St.
Aloysius Chapel has magnificent
paintings. Moodabidri is a must-visit
town with historical and religious
landmarks. Hasta Shilpa Heritage
Village at Manipal and the temple
town of Dharmasthala are worth
visiting.
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Make your life
a magical experience.

SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA
The Lad Khan Temple in Aihole
A KEEN FOCUS ON MICE
Unlike many other governments which
woo the leisure traveller, Karnataka also
has the interests of the corporate traveller
in mind. Fully aware that Meetings,
Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions
(MICE) are vital for any organization
to inspire higher performance, the
Karnataka State Tourism Development
Corporation (KSTDC) has devised special
packages for corporate travellers. There
is a diversity of destinations spanning
different budgets and interests.
must stop at the Aihole which was
once the commercial capital of the
Chalukyas. There are several massive
stone tombs on the expanses of
the spread over two acres of land.
About 30 temples here are within
the fort and the abundance of red
sand stone is seen here. The Hindu
and Jain rock-cut temples of Aihole
are an architectural delight. Close
by along the river Malaprabha, is an
isolated cluster of rust-tinged, golden
sandstone temples of Pattadakalal
that have an array of ancient temples
that are a perfect ode to the artistic
legacy of the Chalukyas.
The 10 major temples display
interesting architectural features
and are also an important site for
the study of the development of
temple architecture in South India.
Go further ahead and you will reach
the rocky ridges of Badami. Located
Cave Temples of Badami
strategically at the mouth of a ravine
between two red sandstone cliffs and
overlooking the aquamarine toned
waters of the Agastya Lake, Badami
was the mythological land where
saint Agastya killed the demons
Vatapi and Ilvala.
Badami has four cave temples
ALAMY
STAY LEISURELY AT
FAIRFIELD BY MARRIOTT
BELAGAVI
CHECK INTO THE FAIRFIELD BY MARRIOTT
BELAGAVI (Belgaum) for that much required
“We Time”. Located amidst breath-taking
landscapes, there is no better way to soak
up the sun than on the hotel’s outdoor pool
deck, as you are mesmerized by lush green
hills - an ideal setting for a perfect getaway. A
unique temperature controlled pool, sprawling
lawns and a dedicated kid’s area make for the
perfect leisure spot, waiting to transform your
stay into memorable moments to cherish.
Located just adjacent to the Pune-
Bengaluru National Highway, the Fairfield
by Marriott Belagavi is tastefully designed to
offer patrons functionality, safety, consistency,
comfort and value. Visitors can walk up to the
neighbors next door for that Irish Jive at The
Irish House or magical Indian flavours at The
Copper Chimney. Or sip that Hot Cuppa; or
dive into a plethora of dining options at KAVA
– All Day Dining to satiate the palate; and stir
that Martini as you engage in conversation
with near ones at the Al Fresco as the sun
sets over the horizon.
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SEPTEMBER 2017

m-and-m.in
THE ORIGINAL ABHARAN
Udupi: 0820 4297777, Silver: 0820 4297710 | Shivamogga: 08182 270458 | Mangaluru: 0824 2216111
Karkala: 08258 234444 | Kundapur: 08254 234444 | Hebri: 08253 250444 | Byndoor: 08254 252222, Karnataka, India.
Join us on
From the house of Abharan: Showrooms in Udupi, Kundapur & Karkala facebook.com/abharanudupi www.abharan.com

SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA
carved out of rocks dedicated
to Shiva, Vishnu and also Jain
Gods. The Banashankari Amma
Temple is a Hindu shrine located
at Cholachagudd near Badami and
is also a popular stop. The Central
Archaeological Department has
maintained a museum here and has
preserved many valuable relics.
As you travel to the centre of the
state, you arrive at Davangere, that
is home to some ancient temples
like the Aanekonda Nandi, Eshwara
Temple, Bethuru Kalleshwar Temple
and the Neerthadi Ranganath
Temple, among others. While you
are here, you must sample the
famed Davangere Benne Dosa, a
culinary delight as well as the Nargis
Mandakki which is a spiced puffed
rice that is best enjoyed with chilli
fritters!
Close by is Chitradurga known for
its fort that has 18 ancient temples
inside including the Hidimbeshwara
temple. The fort has several gateways
and entrances, granaries, oil pits,
four secret entrances, a palace, a
mosque and water tanks. Stop at the
Chandravalli Caves located close by
Detailed carvings on statues at the
Chennakeshava temple
when you are here. Further away is
the town of Hassan which has several
fine examples of Hoysala architecture
and sculpture. India’s second largest
earth dam is here — at Gorur formed
across the Hemavathi reservoir and
was built in 1979.
ALAMY
KLE SOCIETY’S
CENTURY OF
COMMITMENT TO
TRANSFORMING
LIVES
Dr Prabhakar Kore,
Chairman, KLE
SEVEN
TEACHERS
SUPPORTED by
three patrons
founded the
Karnatak Lingayat
Education Society
and established
an Anglo-Vernacular School at
Belgaum on November 13, 1916.
Expanding to different domains of
education, healthcare and research,
and traversing wider geographies,
KLE today has 250+ institutions,
1,25,000+ students, 4,000+ beds for
healthcare services and 16,000+
employees. The visionary efforts of
its present Chairman, Dr Prabhakar
Kore, MP, and his team at the Board
of Management have heralded the
emergence of a “Global KLE”. The
KLE focus continues to be welfare of
the poor and needy with over 60 per
cent of its institutions based in rural
and semi-urban areas.
KLE provides education at preprimary,
school, pre-university,
graduate, post graduate and
post-doctoral levels and includes
Technical, Health Sciences, Basic
Sciences, Commerce, Humanities,
Management, Law and professional
education. The establishment of
KLE Health Sciences University
in 2006 and KLE Technological
University in 2015 have paved the
way for nurturing and empowering
skilled professionals. KLE Health
Sciences University is part of the
National Institutes of Health (USA),
Global Network for Women’s
and Children’s Health Research
and the Reproductive Health
Research network of the WHO and
has collaborations with several
national and international agencies
including the Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation and UK Medical
Research Council. Its research
initiatives aimed at improving
the health status of mothers
and children have made a global
impact. The KLE Technological
University is committed to promoting
entrepreneurship and is partnering
the “Make in India” initiative of
the Government of India. KLES Dr
Prabhakar Kore Hospital & Medical
Research Centre, Belagavi, with
2,400 beds, has emerged as a lifeline
for the region. With a combined
capacity of 4,000+ beds including
1,700 charitable beds, KLE is the
largest private player in the region.
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SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA
The twin temples
of Nageshwara and
Channakeshava in
Mosale have intricately
designed architecture
and scriptures and
are widely believed to
be prototypes of the
famed temples of Belur
and Halebid that are
also located here. The
Shettyhalli church built
on the banks of the
River Hemavathi in the
18th century submerged
in water during the
monsoons is another place that you
must see.
And if you are looking for cool
vistas, green coffee shrubs, pepper
plantations and nature at its best
head to the Scotland of India, Coorg.
While you are here visit Virajpet
largest Tibetan settlements
in India. Bylakuppe is
the Tibetan Refugee
resettlement in the west of
Mysore district. The Golden
Temple in Bylakuppe,
Karnataka, is a home for
thousands of Tibetans who
are living in exile and is
also a centre for Tibetan
Buddhism in south India.
The district headquarters
at Madikeri has the Raja
The Golden Temple also known as Seat from where you can
Padmasambhava Buddhist Buddha Vihara
see stunning views of the
entire valley awash in hues
known for its Ayyappa temple and of green. The famed Abbey Falls are
Shiva temple atop the Malethirike hill. a sight to behold in the monsoons
The 220 years old St. Anne’s church as the water is in full stream as is
built in Gothic architecture has two Talacauvery the birth place of the
massive bells and its blue spire is much revered Cauvery River.
hard to miss.
As you head further South, you
Bylakuppe is home to one of the reach the district of Chamrajnagar
ALAMY
GOGTE INSTITUTE’S MANY ACHIEVEMENTS
KARNATAK LAW SOCIETY’S GOGTE
INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, the
flagship Institute of Karnatak Law
Society, Belagavi, was incepted
in 1979 and it is included under
the section 2(f) and 12(b) of UGC
act 1956, permanent affiliate and
an Autonomous Institution under
Visvesvaraya Technological University,
Belagavi. Spread across a sprawling
mango meadow of over 23 Acres, GIT
houses eight undergraduate and nine
post-graduate
disciplines
including
MBA and MCA
programs. GIT
has the honour
of sheltering
over 4,500
students and
more than 250 highly qualified and
motivated work force. The institute
also carries the distinction of getting
NBA Accreditation by AICTE for the
third time in succession, in 2015.
In the recent visit of NBA, five of
its programmes viz. Civil Engg.,
Mechanical Engg., Electrical &
Electronics Engg., Electronics &
Communication Engg. and Computer
Science & Engg. were conferred with
the accreditation status.
The institute has been growing
steadily on the R & D front with the
funding support from the agencies
like AICTE, DST, UGC, VTU etc. A
few patents, thousands of research
papers and many product innovations
are to the credit of the institute. A
strong industry connect with top
companies such as Tata, Mercedes
Benz, KPIT, Amazon, Microsoft, to
name a few, makes the institute a
wonderful platform for experimental
learning. A fine library with more
than 30,000 e-books and lakhs of
volumes, as well as more than 1000
journals / e-journals subscription
acts as knowledge support system.
Sports, tech fest – AVALANCHE,
cultural fest – AURA and many more
help in building a holistic profile for
the students.
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SPOTLIGHT KARNATAKA
The Sivanasamudram falls on the Kaveri river
that is home to the Himavad
Gopalaswamy Betta is a scenic spot
that has religious significance and
is also part of a reserve forest. The
temple is on the slopes of a hillock
with grassland all around. The hill
is mostly shrouded in thick fog and
the morning mist is famed here. You
will also find the Male Mahadeshwara
Hills is a celebrated pilgrimage
centre which attracts thousands of
devotees from all over South India in
South Chamaraja Nagar District.
In the South is also
Shivanasamudra in Mandya district,
an enchanting island created by
the branching out of the Cauvery
into two streams and has two
beautiful temples - Someshwara and
Ranganatha. The Shivanasamudra
Falls is the second biggest waterfall
in India and the lush green valley
forms a perfect setting for the
Cauvery River, as it hurtles down
from a height of 75 m into a deep,
rocky gorge to form two picturesque
Nanjangud Temple in Mysore
falls, Barachukki and Gaganachukki.
Close to Mysore is Nanjangud home
to the Nanjundeshwara or temple
that goes back several centuries and
also has an idol installed by Tipu
Sultan.Further down are the forests
of Bandipur, Nagarhole and Kabini
that have the highest density of
tigers in the country.
THE SHIVANASAMUDRA
FALLS IN SOUTH KARNATAKA
HAS THE DISTINCTION OF
BEING THE SECOND BIGGEST
WATERFALL IN INDIA
ALAMY
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TRAVEL
HOSPITALITY
HOLIDAYS UNDER
A CANVAS
STUNNING OUTDOOR LOCATIONS, A
DEEP CONNECT WITH NATURE, A LIFE
AWAY FROM THE ONSLAUGHT OF
24/7 TECHNOLOGY AND A SENSORY
EXPERIENCE WHICH ENGAGES THE
MIND, BODY AND THE ADVENTUROUS
SOUL... WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE ABOUT
GLAMPING? BY NEETA LAL
Glamping - a portmanteau
coined from `glamorous’
and `camping’ - is the latest
buzzword in vacationing.
The concept fuses luxury with nature in
the most seamless way possible. The ecofriendly
activity puts people in touch
with nature without destroying it or
building on it. An immersive experience
that allows one to not just go to the
destination, but also become part of it.
Glamping experiences can be unique
and enchanting in all terrains – deserts,
valleys, mountains, even on treetops.
Accommodation options too can run a
gamut from farmhouses, cabins, eco
lodges, huts, tents and villas to tree
houses. The holiday is perfect for those
seeking al fresco experiences without
getting their feet wet at a traditional
campsite.
Glamping also allows you to dive into
a welter of activities (some quite literally)
including hiking, biking, rafting,
swimming, animal interactions, scenic
walks and wine tasting. With several
upmarket hotels joining the glamping
bandwagon, the traditional holiday
under the canvas has also got a five-star
twist.
To tempt your travel binge, here are a
few interesting glamping destinations
across India.
THE ULTIMATE TRAVELLING
CAMP (TUTC), KOHIMA,
NAGALAND
How about living in billowy luxury tents
on the outskirts of Nagaland’s capital city
Kohima with the craggy Japfu Range as
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TRAVEL
HOSPITALITY
the backdrop? This is the campsite of
TUTC, the pioneers of tented luxury in
India. Though the company also operates
popular glamping sites in Ladakh
(Thiksey and Nubra Valley), its Kohima
offering has won rave reviews.
The capacious tents come outfitted
with en-suite bathrooms, a private sit-out
deck, four-poster beds, leather chairs and
even a tiny study. There is also a living
room with books and free Wifi. You can
enjoy gourmet meals and the services of a
private butler who will wake you up with
bed tea and cookies.
Nagaland - known as the Switzerland
of the East - is tucked away between Tibet
and Myanmar. The Kohima camp
coincides with The Hornbill Festival
(November 29 to December 12), the
largest celebration of the indigenous
tribes of Nagaland when all of them come
together to showcase the richness and
diversity of their distinctive cultures.
Guests can embark on a tribal exploration
experience in the lap of luxury. Each day
brings forth the tribes’ vibrant
performances, crafts, sports like archery
and wrestling, food fairs, games and
religious ceremonies.
TUTC guests can also partake of
local Naga cuisine, quaff the local rice
beer called zutho and shop for beautiful
bamboo baskets, beaded and bone
jewellery and handwoven
tribal shawls.
The intrepid can
participate in fun
events like chilli eating
contests or climb a
greased bamboo pole.
As the day winds down,
you can return to the
warmth of your
sybaritic camp.
Excursions can also be organized to the
Kohima War Cemetery, the Khonoma
village and the local Naga markets. If you
are seeking a bigger adrenaline rush, try
trekking up to the Japfu peak. Standing
tall at 3,048 metres, Japfu is Nagaland’s
second highest peak with breathtaking
views across swathes of the Dzukou
Valley.
BANJAAR TOLA LODGE,
KANHA NATIONAL PARK,
MADHYA PRADESH
Sprawling over a 90-acre private
concession and overlooking the core zone
of Kanha National Park, Banjaar Tola
lodge hotel, a part of Taj Safaris, boasts
two elegant camps of nine suites each, as
Above and top: Each tented suite at the
Banjaar Tola Lodge is built in a chic,
glamorous camping style
well as a lavish tented guest area. Built in
a chic, glamorous camping style, each
tented suite features glass doors leading
out onto a floating verandah overlooking
a tranquil river. All tents have baths/
showers and a small library and
interpretive space. Apart from a
swimming pool, the lodges have dining
decks with dramatic views of a
waterbody. Naturalists fill you in on the
region’s rich biodiversity, its exotic flora
and fauna, especially barasinghas which
are unique to Kanha. Experience the
thrill of spotting tigers, great gaurs and
the star birds of Kanha.
Adventurous souls can opt for
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TRAVEL
HOSPITALITY
Above and top: The well-appointed tents at Aman-i-Kas are
seriously luxe
elephant-back safaris.
Open 4x4 jungle safaris
are organised twice a
day. Visit the nearby
Pachdhaar village and
experience local
pottery-making. Bush
dinners can be
organized in the sal
forest upon request.
Pool deck dining,
in-room or private deck
dinners are the other
options .
AMAN-I-KHAS, RANTHAMBORE
NATIONAL PARK, RAJASTHAN
Perched on the edge of prime tigerspotting
territory in the Ranthambore
National Park, Rajasthan, Aman-i-Khas
showcases the opulent history of the
Maharajas’ hunting parties with 10 luxe
tents, butler service and the exciting
chance to spot a Bengal tiger in its natural
habitat.
With soaring six-metre-high
canopies, elegant interiors, sunken
marble bathtubs and custom-made teak
furniture, the tents are seriously luxe.
Creamy cotton curtains divide the
spacious rooms and a private entrance
area where tea is served every morning.
All guests have their own ‘batman’ or
private butler to take care of their every
need. At the heart of the camp, the
fireplace can also be the setting for
informal meals or simply a place to bask
in the serenity of nature and a starspangled
sky.
Open-top jeep safaris transport one
to the heart of Ranthambore National
Park, home to over 50 tigers, crocodilefilled
lakes, leopards, jungle cats, sloth
bears, wild boar, sambar and more.
Immerse yourself in local culture, history
and legend by visiting local sights. Climb
to the top of the 1000-year-old
Ranthambore Fort, one of the oldest and
most majestic fortifications in India. The
fort still houses the remains of barracks
used by defending garrisons, and there’s
even a small armoury complete with
swords, rifles and gunpowder.
The mighty Banas River flows near
the campsite. Fringed by water grass and
lilies, it is an excellent feeding ground for
wading birds and waterfowl and is a bird
lover’s paradise. Strolling along the banks
of the river with a naturalist or enjoying a
riverside camel ride is highly
recommended. Get a picnic lunch packed
for yourself. Brush up on your flora and
fauna with a guided walk through the low
124
SEPTEMBER 2017

TRAVEL
HOSPITALITY
Top and left: Dera Amer is run by a local Rajput faily who
have converted their 160-acre land into a wilderness camp
hills, or bring out your binoculars on a
trip to Surwal Lake where indigenous
and migratory birds fill the skies. The
lake side along Aman-i-Khas comes alive
during evenings with chefs rustling up
local authentic delicacies cooked on
wood fire from the kitchens of farmers,
shepherds, hunters and royals
DERA AMER, KUKAS,
RAJASTHAN
Tucked away near the Pink City of Jaipur
in Rajasthan, lies a unique glamping
experience at Dera Amer, Kukas.
Involving `luxury camping with elephants’,
it is indeed one of the world’s
most amazing glamping sites in the finest
traditions of the
bush. Situated
behind the hills of
the famous Amer
Fort, it offers outdoor
recreational
and adventure activities. The elegant tent
suites are located at the foothills of the
Aravali Range surrounded by the wilderness
of a reserved forest with just a few
hamlets housing the local villagers, their
fields bordering a pretty lake.
Dera Amer is an organisation run by a
local Rajput family who have converted
their 160-acre land into a wilderness
camp, surrounded by the Nahargarh
National Park. The forests are home to
the leopard, caracal, jungle cat, jackal, fox
and birds like the Siberian Ruby Throat,
Paradise Flycatchers and Marshal’s Iora.
The family’s love for nature, wildlife and
animals, has led them to resist real estate
developments in the region and instead
protect the wilderness and their adopted
animals. The Rajput family once brought
some elephants out for a picnic to a particularly
picturesque spot on the family
estate. The grand experiment never
ended; today the quietly elegant ‘Dera
Amer’ has become synonymous with the
great pachyderm.
From Living with the Elephants –
True Glamping, Elephant Rides to
Elephant Trails to Elephant Safaris,
Elephant Bathing to Drinking-
Champagne-On-Elephant Back and
Jeep Safari to Horse Safari and Camel
Safari, the camp provides the most spectacular
setting for vacationers to get to
know; and indeed, to learn, from the gentle
beast. Spend quality time with one of
the adopted elephants, feed them, scrub
them and camp with them in the bush
jungles of Amer.
128
SEPTEMBER 2017

TRAVEL
DESTINATION
Early morning view from Kalsubai
MONSOON
TREKS
AROUND
PUNE
COME MONSOONS AND THE LAKES
AROUND PUNE FILL UP, THE CITY
LOOKS CLEAN AND FRESH AND THE
HILLS ARE DRENCHED IN GREEN. THE
CITY THAT WAS ONCE KNOWN AS A
RETIRED MAN’S PARADISE, SEES MANY
ENTHUSIASTIC TREKKERS SCALING
THE SEVERAL FORTS THAT SIT
PERCHED ON HILL TOPS ALL AROUND.
BY PRANJALI BHONDE
Maharshtra has a rich
history of rulers and
invaders that saw a lot
of forts being build for
fortification during the era of Shivaji
and the Mughals. And thanks to the
presence of Western Ghats, Pune is the
focal point for many a trek that are
located at over an hour's drive from the
city. So brave the rain and undertake
these mesmerizing treks that give you a
chance to witness nature at her most
beautiful.
KALSUBAI PEAK
Drive time from Pune: 4 hr 43 min (175 km)
Drive up to: Bari village
Kalsubai is the highest peak in
Maharashtra (1646 m) and is popularly
called the Everest of Maharashtra. The
trek starts at Bari village, 15 km from
Bhandardhara and winds its way up
through lush green valleys and
waterfalls. The trek is a mix of easy-toascend
slopes as well as treacherous
rocky areas overlooking the valley. The
trek winds through paddy fields and a
wildlife sanctuary that spreads from
Kalsubai to Harishchandragad. The
final part of the trek is a moderately
steep climb made easy by iron ladders
built along the slope. The other route via
Indore is provided with stone steps
along with iron chains. The highest
point, Kalsubai peak (5400 m) is
reached after a walk through clouds and
rocky terrain. Your reward
— gorgeous views of the adjoining
forts and a chance to walk in the clouds.
This truncated peak holds the
Kalsubai temple that has a traditional
prayer service every Tuesday and
Thursday. Navratri is marked with a fair
SpiceJet flies to Pune.
Log on to www.spicejet.com
for details
130
SEPTEMBER 2017

TRAVEL
DESTINATION
Kalavantin Durg
Lohgad Fort
tough and is recommended only for
history — Satavahanas, Chalukyas,
experienced trekkers.
Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahamanis,
The Kalavantin trek follows a steep
Nizamshahis, Mughals and Marathas.
upward climb through rock cut steps
Although there are two ways to the
that wind their way up to the fort. The
Fort, the best is via Bhaja caves that
trail passes through lush green thickets
include 22 rock cut caves that date back
organized each year at the summit with
and narrow valleys only to end in a
to the 2nd century BC.
many stalls being set up near the
panoramic view at a height of 2,300ft.
The trek up is relatively easy with
summit to provide pooja materials to
The ‘Durg’ was initially used as a
wild flowers and lush green dotting
the devotees.
watch tower. The view from the Durg is
your path. It’s a climb of 450 odd steps to
KALAVANTIN DURG
mesmerizing, an undeterred view of the
adjoining landscape and spectacular
the fort (1033 m), that is shrouded in
clouds and mist during the monsoons.
Drive time from Pune: 5 hr (276 km)
views of the Sayadris. The trek also
Enjoy an amphitheatre view of the
Drive up to: Thakurwadi
presents an opportunity of sampling the
Indrayani- Pavna basin and the
Located 276 km from Mumbai, brace up
local village food at Prabalgad wadi
Sahyadris. There are four doors to the
for this amazing one day trek to
and capturing snippets of village life
Fort — the Ganesh Darwaja, the
Kalavantin Durg situated between
and farm.
Narayan Darwaza, Hanuman Darwaza
Matheran and Panvel. This trek starts
from the base village at Thakurwadi
and presents a brilliant introduction to
the flora and fauna of the Sahyadris,
taking you through some amazingly
stark mountain scenery. The Kalavantin
Durg trek is divided into two phases —
first an uphill terrain till Prabalmachi
from where the trek forks into two —
Kalavantin Durg and Prabalgad. The
fort is adjacent to Prabalgad Fort
between Matheran and Panvel and can
be reached by deviating through
Shedung from the Mumbai-Pune
Express Highway. The trek is fairly
LOHAGAD FORT
Drive time from Pune: 1 hr 40 min (63 km)
Drive up to: Lohagad village near Lonavala
Located 63 km from Pune close to
Lonavala, Lohagad stands for “Iron
Fort” in Marathi. It is a choice location
for trekkers this season for its fairly
easy climb. Shivaji Maharaj captured
Lohagad in the 17th century, but he was
forced to surrender it to the Mughals by
the Treaty of Purandar. He recaptured
the fort soon after and used it for
keeping his treasures. The fort has
witnessed several dynasties during its
and the Maha Darwaja. The Maha
Darwaja is an architectural wonder
with fortified strong walls. Trekkers
can choose to hike up to the
neighbouring Visapur fort which is
connected by a small range.
SINHAGAD
Drive time from Pune: 1 hr 18 min (38 km)
Drive up to: Sinhagad village or Atekar
Vasti though there is a motorable road
that takes you to the top of the fort.
If you are looking for a trek where you
can pack in adventure and fun, this
one’s just for you. Located at an hour’s
ONKAR OAK (LOHAGAD FORT); NIKHIL BADGUJAR (KALAVANTIN DURG)
132
SEPTEMBER 2017

TRAVEL
DESTINATION
Harishchandragad
drive from Pune, Sinhagad is a favourite
the famous cliff edge that was scaled by
up. The trek is daunting if you are a novice
trekking destination for most
Tanaji Malusare with his monitor
and is a steep climb upwards from the
Punekars. Many trekkers can be seen
lizard. And while you take in the
base village at Khireshwar. You can
making their way to the top on any given
beauteous views of the Khadakwasla
choose to visit the Nageshwar temple
Sunday, taking in the expansive views
Dam, relax and feast on the crisp ‘kanda
near Khireshwar that has beautiful
of the hills shrouded in green. The fort
bhajis’ and ‘zunka bhakars’ , that
carvings and houses a 1.5 m long
was earlier known as ‘Kondana’ but
have almost become synonymous
sculpture of Lord Vishnu in the sleeping
after the battle between the Mughals
with the fort.
posture.
and the Marathas in 1671, it came to be
called Sinhagad .
HARISHCHANDRAGAD
The trek meanders through ponds,
caves and peaks and presents an
There are two ways to trek up to the
Drive time from Pune: 4 hr 36 min (172 km)
introduction to some notable places of
fort — either from Atekar Vasti or you
Drive up to: Khireshwar
interest like the Saptatirtha Pushkarni,
can drive right upto the forts parking
Harishchandragad Fort located in the
Kedareshwar Cave and Konkan Kada. As
lot. The climb to the top is fairly easy
Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra
you trek upwards, the route winds
and takes two hours approximately. But
dates back to the 6th century Kalachuri
through Kedareshwar Cave which
as you make your way to the fort, you
dynasty while the caves around the fort
houses the Shiva Linga that is completely
will be met with two ‘darwazas’- the
were carved in 11th century. The fort is
surrounded by water and is picturesque.
Kalyan Darwaza and ‘Pune drawaza’.
steeped in history and there are
The Konkan ‘Kada’ (resembling snake’s
Do not miss out on the ‘Kade-lot’ -
references to it in various Puranas. In the
hood), inclined at almost 80 degrees,
the cliff where prisoners were thrown
off, ‘Hawa point’ - where the wind will
literally blow you off your feet and also
monsoons, the surrounding hills
are drenched in green, the withering
landscape is revitalised and the lakes fill
looks down upon Konkan region. If you
are lucky, you may spot a circular rainbow
from the cliff during the monsoons.
ONKAR OAK
136
SEPTEMBER 2017

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PHOTOGRAPHY
ARTS
THE BUZZ AT A FISHING HARBOUR
THE STRETCH OF ARABIAN SEA ALONG THE SOUTH KARNATAKA COAST NEAR MANGALORE IS PARTICULARLY RICH IN
MARINE LIFE, MAKING FISHING A BOOMING INDUSTRY HERE NOW THAT THE MONSOON IS RECEDING
TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY: LOPAMUDRA TALUKDAR
SpiceJet flies to Mangalore.
Log on to www.spicejet.com
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Like any self-respecting
Bengali, fish is very close
to my heart (or shall I say
stomach). However,
there’s much that goes on
from the time a fish is caught till it
appears in your friendly neighbourhood
market; as I discovered during my visits
to the Malabar Coast, more specifically
the south Karnataka coast around
Mangalore.
This stretch of the Arabian Sea is
particularly rich in marine life with
waters teeming with a wide variety of
fish including Boothai (sardine),
Bangude (mackerel), Kane (ladyfish),
Kappe Bondas (cuttlefish), Anjal (seer
fish), Manji (pomfret), Bolenjir (silver
fish), Mugudu (catfish), Thede (big
catfish), Paiya (silver biddy), Koddai
(croaker fish), Mala (mullet), Kurchi
(pony fish), Madimal (pink perch), Nang
(sole fish), prawn and crab.
The south Karnataka coast is dotted
with small to big fishing harbours,
usually located in river estuaries, which
double as fish auction centres where
every morning, traders from Karnataka
and as far as Tamil Nadu, Andhra
Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa converge
to buy huge lots of fish in open auctions.
The fish is then packed in ice crates and
transported to distant places. A large
part of the catch is also processed to
manufacture fish oil, sardine oil and
flame-dried fishmeal.
140
SEPTEMBER 2017

SHARPEX HELPS
BUILD A
CLEANER NATION
IN FOCUS
MONTAGE
AT SHARPEX, it has always
been a constant endeavour to
build a cleaner and greener
nation. A noteworthy step
towards it is the company’s
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Green Waste Shredder.
With this product, you can
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with Sharpex Green Waste
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is great for companies,
townships and housing
societies to take an ecofriendly
approach to green
litter. With this easy-tohandle
innovative tool,
every Indian citizen can
contribute to the on-going
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
campaign. Let’s join hands
for a greener India.
141
SEPTEMBER 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY
ARTS
Clockwise from above: As the
monsoon sets in, it is time to knit
new nets for the next season;
when there is fish, can the cat be
far away?; onto the ice crate; and
the catch being unloaded from
the haul just in
The harbours are interesting places,
buzzing with activity from dawn till
dusk, starting with early morning when
fishing trawlers dock, bringing in their
prize catch. You can spot fuel pumps
feeding hungry trawlers going out to sea,
ice-making machines installed along
sidewalks, plants manufacturing sweet
water, transport depots, fish sorting
centres, colourful crates piled high, and
most of all, the cacophony of people from
all parts of the country conversing in
different languages at the same time.
There are retail stalls as well, where
locals can buy fresh fish in small
quantities.
However, all this happens only
during the fishing season. Otherwise,
from the beginning of June till the
middle of August, no mechanised fishing
vessel ventures out into the sea. Reason
being with the onset of monsoon, the sea
is rough and risky and also, the period
coincides with the breeding season. So,
during these two-and-a-half months, the
harbours go quiet except for a different
set of people who are busy making the
proverbial hay while the season lasts.
These are the same people who repair
boats and make nets. A number of boat
building facilities take up repairs and
painting of fishing boats to keep them in
shape for the next nine months or so.
However, fishing does not completely
come to a standstill as smaller boats fish
in the waters near the coast and the
backwaters of the estuaries.
What struck me the most was the
hospitality of the locals, who, though
cautious initially, eventually warmed up
to my photography project and went
about their jobs with ease while letting
me do mine. I discovered that the fishing
community in this coastal belt speaks
Tulu as against Kannada spoken
elsewhere in the state. But language was
never a barrier, what with smiles
speaking a thousand words…
142
SEPTEMBER 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY
ARTS
Fresh from the boats, ready
for the market
Sorting stalls, according to type and size
Local buyers like the one here
get first preference
144
SEPTEMBER 2017

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PHOTOGRAPHY
ARTS
Fish traders do their maths
after the auction
From the trawler to the
crates
148
SEPTEMBER 2017

IN FOCUS
MONTAGE
ST. ANGELOS TIES
UP WITH NETWORK 18
Mr. Agnelorajesh Athaide and Mr. Nagu Chidambaram
NETWORK 18 AND ST.
ANGELOS VNCT Ventures
have initiated a mission, Global
Indian Realty Summit, to spread
the awareness and information
of the new developments in
the real estate scenario in
India post demonitisation,
RERA (Real Estate Regulatory
Authority) and GST. These
panel discussions are being
conducted with a view to help
people take correct decisions
for all their real estate buying
needs. The directors of St.
Angelos VNCT Ventures, Mr.
Agnelorajesh Athaide and
Mr. Nagu Chidambaram, are
spearheading the initiative
of the panel discussions. The
association of Network 18 and
St. Angelos VNCT Ventures
have so far conducted these
sessions in Dubai, Chennai,
Mumbai and Hyderabad.
Stalwarts from the real
estate sector have come in
as panelists and the whole
content is available on www.
news18.com and www.
inspiringconversations.in.
St. Angelos VNCT Ventures
is one of the first villa
developers in India to get RERA
registered and one of the first
Indian developer to get RERA
registered for the White Villas
Indian projects in Dubai as
per Dubai RERA rules. With
developments across Mumbai,
Alibaug, Chennai, Hyderabad,
Coimbatore, Madurai and
Dubai , St. Angelos VNCT
Ventures is setting standards in
the affordable luxury segment,
the focus being on quality, style,
design, materials used, size and
price of the villas or apartments.
149
SEPTEMBER 2017

NEW ETHNIC
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MONTAGE
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Among the 90 participating
countries, Aava Natural Mineral
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mineral drinking water to be
awarded the honour of two Gold
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global award received by Aava
which has previously been crowned
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like the 2007 Bottled Water World
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With such a rich and long list
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150
SEPTEMBER 2017

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IN FOCUS
MONTAGE
COMPUTERIZED TAX
RETURNS WITH COMPUTAX
M/S PROFESSIONAL
SOFTEC PVT LTD. (PSPL), a
leading software company,
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PSPL is engaged in the
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awarded time and again
for the highest DSC sales in
India. The group endeavors
customer satisfaction and
seeks long term association
with its customers. It has
trained technical and
support staff. The trust
of customers has helped
the group to build a large
customer base of more than
40,000 all cross India.
152
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPICEJET
INSIDER
MY TOWN
Our ongoing series in which we look at various Indian cities
through the eyes of SpiceJet staffers. This month, Khushboo
Gautam, Cabin Crew, holds forth on Jaipur
Clockwise from above: The Sisodia Rani
Garden; a view of Jaipur from Nahargarh Fort;
and the Chand Baori stepwell
SpiceJet flies to Jaipur.
Log on to www.spicejet.com
for details
Connection to the city: I
have stayed in many Indian
cities but my best memories
are associated with the
Pink City - my family hails
from here and I have spend
considerable time in Jaipur.
Best thing about Jaipur:
The city is very rich in culture
and heritage. It is one of the
few cities of India which is a
feast to the eyes with its wellpreserved
glimpses of history. Jaipur
was among the first planned cities in the
country. The world’s largest free literary
festival takes place here. Jawahar Circle
is claimed to be the biggest circular
park in India. Great metro connectivity,
amazing food, shopping and tourist
attractions are other wonderful things
about my city.
Favourite eating place: My personal
favourite eating place is Bar Palladio
Jaipur located within the beautiful
Narain Niwas Palace Hotel. Out here, I
love the dish for which Jaipur is famous
— Daal Baati Churma.
Best places to hang out: There is an
open air restaurant called Padao in
Nahargarh. When the weather is perfect,
you can get an amazing view of Jaipur
city from here, especially during the
night time.
Local attractions: The best tourist
attractions in Jaipur that I can reel off
right away are Hawa Mahal, City Palace,
Nahargarh Fort, Sisodia Rani Garden,
Jal Mahal, Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort and
Nahargarh Sanctuary. Each is unique in
its own way and has made a mark on the
world tourism map.
Recommended places nearby: Among
the interesting places nearby is the
Neemrana Fort-Palace, a 15th century
wonder on the Delhi-Jaipur highway.
India’s largest inland salt lake, the
Sambhar Salt Lake, is located only 96
km from Jaipur. At a similar distance is
Abhaneri village, famous for its Chand
Baori stepwell and Harshat Mata temple.
The people of Jaipur: There’s still a lot
of bonding between neighbours — you
can catch up with them over evening
tea. Children help out during weddings,
festivals and family functions. Overall,
people here are helpful and down-toearth.
Jaipur when compared to other cities:
I come from a defence background,
and hence have visited and stayed in a
lot of places like Hyderabad, Kolkata,
Chandigarh, Pune and Kota. But Jaipur is
the gem of India.
SHUTTERSTOCK
160
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPICEJET
INSIDER
THE MID-AIR MENU
SpiceJet's 'pre-booking only' menu offers Thai, Continental
and Indian Platters
SPICEJET'S EXTENSIVE INFLIGHT MENU will leave flyers delighted with their onboard
experience. The 'Hot Meals' section will bring a warm smile to your face. From filling
breakfast options to lip-smacking snacks, from sumptuous lunch and dinner options to
vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies, SpiceJet offers a multitude of meal choices on
pre-booking. In addition, special meal categories such as Jain meal, Navratra meal, meal
for diabetics, gluten-free meal and cakes are also on offer, along with Thai, Continental
and Indian platters. Hot favourites like Pringles have been retained in the nonperishables
section to entice kids. All in all, SpiceJet's menu is a red, hot, and spicy treat
for your taste buds.
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 24x7
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
EXCLUSIVE OFFER
ON PRE-BOOKING
PRE-BOOK A MEAL
THROUGH WWW.
SPICEJET.COM AND GET A
FLAT 20% OFF ON YOUR
NEXT FOOD DELIVERY
o
161
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPICEJET
INSIDER
FLIGHT BOOKINGS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
SpiceJet’s popular mobile app offers never before convenience and speed for customers on-the-go
With SpiceJet’s new mobile
app, customers will find it
more convenient than ever
before to make and manage bookings,
check flight status, and receive
exclusive offers on their mobile devices.
The interface is so simple that even the
origin of journey helpfully gets autofilled
thanks to inbuilt geo-tagging.
The app also allows customers to
book or add exciting SpiceJet add-on
products such as choosing premium
SpiceMAX seats, in-flight meals and
Priority Check-in. Customers can also
pre-book excess baggage at discounted
rates through this app.
The payment gateway of the app
offers a variety of options like Quickpay,
credit card, debit card and Internet
banking. The Quickpay option ensures
instant booking with just a single click.
You can download the official
SpiceJet app from Google Playstore
and App Store.
Spice First Check-in
SpiceJet has raised the
bar of customer comfort
and convenience with the
effective integration of
technology into its services.
In a first of its kind initiative
by any airline in the country,
the carrier has launched
Spice First Check-In. This
enables customers to get
their boarding pass on their
smartphones at the click of
a button. The service will
be initially introduced at
Hyderabad as a pilot project.
The airline which has
set a new benchmark in
the country by launching a
slew of customer-friendly
and innovative products
and services has effectively
incorporated Near Field
Communication (NFC)
and Beacon technologies
with its mobile application.
This enables customers
who have booked tickets
through the SpiceJet mobile
app to receive boarding
passes directly on their
smartphones. Customers
will thus be relieved from
standing in long queues
thus further enhancing their
travel experience.
STEP: 1
The main
menu screen
offers four
options. To
book a flight,
select Flight
Booking
162
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPICEJET
INSIDER
ENJOY EXCLUSIVE OFFERS
With Spicejet’s hot new mobile app, one can not only book flight tickets on the go, prebook
spice add-ons, check flight status and manage one’s bookings, but also get access
to exclusive discounts. Book through the mobile app and get up to 20% discount on
flight tickets and 20% 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
163
SEPTEMBER 2017
STEP: 7
Customers can pay via Credit or
Debit card. QuickPay option saves
transaction time

NEWS
SpiceJet registers 10th
consecutive profitable
quarter
SpiceJet has reported a profit of
` 175 crore for the three months
ended June 30, 2017 as against
` 149 crore in the same quarter last
year, making it the 10th successive
profitable quarter for the airline. The
profits grew by 18 per cent during
this period.
Operating revenues were
` 1869 crore for the said quarter as
against Rs 1521 crore for the same
quarter last year. On an EBITDA basis,
SpiceJet reported a profit of ` 248
crore as against ` 215 crore in the
same quarter last year.
In terms of operational
parameters, SpiceJet performed
well in the quarter with the airline
clocking industry leading numbers
of over 93 per cent passenger load
factor during all three months. The
company witnessed a 9 per cent
increase in its passenger yields while
its average load factor was 94.07 per
cent. SpiceJet has recorded more
than 90 load factor for 27 successive
months, a feat unparalleled globally.
“We had an eventful quarter as
we took off under the UDAN scheme
and launched operations on two
routes,” said Mr. Ajay Singh, CMD,
SpiceJet. "Ten successive profitable
quarters, a record aircraft order
and exploring new growth avenues
through the UDAN programme —
SpiceJet remains firmly on track for
its long term growth strategy.”
SPICEJET
INSIDER
SpiceJet unites army jawans with their sisters on
Raksha Bandhan
SpiceJet celebrated Raksha Bandhan — the festival that symbolises the eternal love and
devotion of a brother and his sister — in a unique way this year. The airline flew around
50 sisters and families of army jawans to meet their brothers posted on the western
border and the national capital, in what was an exciting two-day event. SpiceJet
scheduled these celebrations for India’s real heroes and their sisters in Delhi and
Srinagar on August 6 and 7, respectively.
On August 5, eight sisters were flown in from various cities across India to be
reunited on the special occasion with their brothers at the base station in Delhi. The
sisters and families came from small towns in Darjeeling, Goa, Tezpur in Assam, Mohali,
Visakhapatnam, Ganjam in Odisha and Panpur in Madhya Pradesh, besides one from
Mumbai.
The jawans and their sisters celebrated Raksha Bandhan with members of the
SpiceJet team at Shankar Vihar in Delhi on August 6. It was a heartwarming sight to see
the sisters fondly relive the golden memories of their childhood with their brothers. The
airline also provided refreshments and goodies to both the soldiers and their families.
On the morning of August 7, the other 40 siblings and their families along with a
SpiceJet team travelled to Srinagar to celebrate the special occasion. SpiceJet made it
possible for the families, travelling from across India, to reach Delhi and then travel to
Srinagar to celebrate the enduring relationship; the airline also arranged the stay for
the families both in Delhi and Srinagar. The contingent of 60 people drove from the
Srinagar airport to the Srinagar Base Hospital, where injured army officers and jawans
are treated.
On this festive occasion, Mr. Ajay Singh, CMD, SpiceJet, said, “Siblings share a
beautiful bond that transcends time and distance. There can be no better gift for a
brother and sister
than the company
of each other on
the auspicious
occasion of
Raksha Bandhan
more so in the
case of our
army jawans
who rarely get
an opportunity
to meet their
sisters on this
day. As a mark of
respect for their
commitment,
SpiceJet is proud
to be a part of
this endearing
moment between
the jawans and
their sisters.”
164
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPICEJET
INSIDER
SpiceJet celebrates Raksha Bandhan and
Friendship Day in style
Just like in the rest of the country, SpiceJet also celebrated
Raksha Bandhan and Friendship Day with aplomb and full on
gusto. In the spirit of these two beautiful occasions, SpiceJet
went all out to show their customers just how special they are.
SpiceStyle, the most exciting venture in retail to hit the Indian
market, created standard and premium price range hampers
that were the perfect gift for these two occasions. These were
available in the store in Galleria Market, Gurugram and online
(www.spicestyle.com). For Raksha Bandhan, the SpiceStyle
team created exclusive hampers, keeping in mind the beautiful
bond between brother and sister. The same care and thought
went into making the friendship packs and gift sets for
Friendship Day.
Union Minister for Civil Aviation Shri
Ashok Gajapathy Raju (left)and Shri
Ajay Singh, CMD, SpiceJet, at the
aircraft induction ceremony in Nagpur
SpiceJet’s first Boeing 737 goes for checks at
Air India’s Nagpur MRO facility
Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), a subsidiary
of Air India, inducted the first SpiceJet aircraft VT-SZM at its
state-of-the-art MRO complex in Nagpur on August 13, 2017, to
perform a C1 check. This was the first major maintenance work
to be carried out for any external party at the MRO centre. The
first aircraft was ceremoniously inducted by the Chief Minister
of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis, in the august presence
of Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways & Shipping
Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Ashok
Gajapathy Raju, Secretary Civil Aviation Shri R.N. Chowbey,
former CMD of Air India Shri Ashwani Lohani and SpiceJet
Chairman Shri Ajay Singh, amongst other dignitaries.
The work was carried out jointly by AIESL and SpiceJet
engineers. Simultaneously, AIESL also trained 10 SpiceJet
engineers for this purpose. The state of the art facility consists
of two wide-body hangars an apron covering 70,000 sq m, a
support building and other miscellaneous buildings. The MRO
facility is designed for undertaking maintenance of any type
and size of aircraft including A 380.
“SpiceJet, a firm believer in the Make and Service-in-India
philosophy, is one of the very few airlines in the country which
has always serviced its planes within the country. We hope to
work closely with Air India to use this state-of-the-art MRO
facility in national interest,” said Mr Ajay Singh, CMD, SpiceJet.
165
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPICEJET
INSIDER
SpiceJet provides Prega News a platform
to increase their brand visibility
SpiceJet has announced an association with Prega
News, the pregnancy detection kit from Mankind
Pharmaceuticals. As part of this initiative, a SpiceJet
aircraft Boeing 737-800 Series will be wrapped with
Prega News branding. The SpiceJet 737-800 will fly
across India and even abroad, taking Prega News closer
to the larger audiences, thus ensuring highest visibility for
the brand.
Mr. Debojo Maharshi, Chief Marketing Officer,
SpiceJet, said, “This is the third time we have associated
with a brand to provide them with a platform for better
visibility. Being a partner in this integration, SpiceJet is
using its aircrafts for wrapping. The wrap will cover both
sides of the aircraft. This association will further help
Prega News to reach its target audience at one go thus
giving impetus for better brand visibility”.
Under this association SpiceJet and Prega News have
launched a series of other initiatives to make air travel for
a select few expecting mothers more comfortable and
enjoyable. They will be offered special facilities for speedy
check-in through SpiceMax counters, early boarding
announcements, upgrades to SpiceMax economy seats,
which have more leg room and comfortable seats as
part of the privileges to ease their travel fatigue. The
selected expecting mother passengers will also be given
free tickets and will be pampered with gift hampers by
Mankind Pharmaceuticals.
Mr. Debojo
Maharshi, Chief
Marketing
Officer, SpiceJet
(right) with Mr.
Rajeev Juneja,
CEO, Mankind
Pharmaceuticals
SpiceJet puts
Puducherry back
on India’s
aviation map
The Hyderabad-
Puducherry flight has
become the third daily
flight to be launched
by SpiceJet under the
UDAN (Ude Desh ka
Aam Naagrik) scheme.
The traditional flag-off
and lamp-lighting ceremonies were held at the Puducherry Airport.
The flag-off ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Chief Minister,
Government of Puducherry, Shri V. Narayanasamy; Shri V. Vaithilingam,
Hon’ble Speaker, Legislative Assembly; Shri V.P. Sivakolundhu, Hon’ble
Deputy Speaker, Legislative Assembly; Shri Malladi Krishna Rao,
Hon’ble Minister for Health & Tourism, Government of Puducherry; Shri
N Gokulakrishnan, Rajya Sabha MP; Shri Manoj Parida, I.A.S., Chief
Secretary to Government of Puducherry; Shri V V G Raju, Regional
Director South AAI, along with elected legislators, senior AAI &
SpiceJet officials. With this new flight, Puducherry will be connected
with Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Tirupati, Ahmedabad,
Jaipur, Chandigarh, Vijaywada and Varanasi with convenient onward
connections on the SpiceJet network. Flight SG 1005 was given a
ceremonial flag off at 11:40 am which departed from Puducherry on
its maiden flight to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad.
The first few passengers were welcomed and mementoes were gifted
to them. In line with the aviation tradition to mark key milestones, the
flight was greeted with a grand water cannon salute upon its arrival at
the Puducherry Airport.
166
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPICEJET
INSIDER
ST RS OF SPICEJET
Meet SpiceJet achievers from various departments who have stood out
for their outstanding work
RIYA SARKAR
KOLKATA
Internal appreciation: Riya
Sarkar has been a major
player in our APS team. She comes across
as extremely soft-spoken. But she is a
very hard-working person. She has the
necessary zeal to work towards her goal
and reach it. She is always supportive
towards her collegues and is an asset to the
organization.
Experience with SpiceJet: I have been
working at SpiceJet for the last eight
months. This is my first job and I feel lucky
and blessed here. My workplace is so
comfortable and amazing that I never felt
the nervousness that many newbies feel. My
seniors and colleagues have been helpful
and kind to me at all times. Everyone is
co-operative and friendly. I am lucky to have
got an opportunity to work here.
PHOOL KUMARI
PORT BLAIR
Internal appreciation:
Phool Kumari has done
a wonderful job during her long tenure
with our organisation. She is a very
good team player and is focused on her
goal: giving the best customer service
with the Ground Service mantra “Smile,
greetings and eye contact”.
Experience with SpiceJet: It’s been
eight wonderful years with SpiceJet.
It feels very good when passengers
appreciate and say that they would
love to travel with us again. My goal is
that every passenger departing from
Port Blair should experience a wow
feeling. I would like to thank our senior
management team for their magnificent
support every step of the way. I
consider it an honour working here.
AIRPORT SERVICES
SAYAN KUMAR
DEY
GUWAHATI
Internal appreciation:
Sayan Kumar Dey's attitude, behaviour
and zeal for work are always positive,
no matter what the situation is. He
is a very fast learner and in a very
short span of time has proved himself
in handling all kinds of situations
independently.
Experience with SpiceJet: My journey
with the SpiceJet family began on
September 10, 2016. It has been a great
experience with SpiceJet. We get the
best support from the management
and our colleagues to handle all kinds
of situations. Every day brings new
challenges and it is great meeting
them. I feel proud to be a part of this
organization.
ABHIJIT
CHAKRABORTY
Agartala
Internal appreciation: Abhijit
is good and dedicated towards his work.
He is a wonderful team player, and gets
along well with his his colleagues. Very
motivated toward his job and targeted
goal, he always respects his seniors.
Experience with SpiceJet: It’s been almost
four years with SpiceJet. Every passing day
gives me lessons to always stay positive in
my life. I am at a learning stage and with
SpiceJet it’s like one’s dream come true.
Every moment I spend here boosts my
morale to do more and give my best to my
job. I am happy being a part of SpiceJet
where I always try to give my 100 per
cent in whatever work is allocated to me. I
would like to thank SpiceJet for giving me
this wonderful opportunity.
168
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPICEJET
INSIDER
AIRPORT SERVICES
BRIAN SANTIAGO
MUMBAI
Internal appreciation: An
extremely conscientious
and upright employee, he is always
ready to do more than the call of duty
whenever requested to contribute. He
has a very well directed approach to
performing well.
Experience with SpiceJet: My journey
with SpiceJet began in January 2014
and the company surely did help me set
up my carrer in the aviation industry. I
am thankful to SpiceJet for giving me
multiple opportunities and work exposure
to enchance my skills and gain expertise
in my domain. The company offers an
employee-friendly environment which
helps you to be more productive. I would
like to thank the Spicejet family for all
their support throughout these years.
MOINUDDIN SHAIKH
MUSHTAQ
MUMBAI
Internal appreciation:
His contribution to the organisation is
exemplary; he has shown remarkable
passion for his work and the airline by
performing all his duties enthusiastically.
He is a great team player and goes the
extra mile for his organisation. He is always
well aware of his responsibilities and excels
in all kinds of situations.
Experience with SpiceJet: I feel greatly
obliged to work with SpiceJet. It is my
first experience with an airline and I will
never forget what I learned here with the
wonderful support of my seniors. The
working environment is good thanks to
my colleagues. I couldn't have asked for
a better job than the one I have at this
amazing airline.
ABHISHEK GURJAL
PUNE
Customer appreciation:
I would like to place on
record my appreciation for Abhishek
Gurjal who was extremely professional
and supportive when a flight was delayed
recently due to some technical difficulties.
The passengers were creating a scene
but he and other members of your team
handled the situation very well. I feel
SpiceJet has a great team that you should
be proud of.
Experience with SpiceJet: It has been a
great joy and learning experience to work
with SpiceJet for the last four years. This
is the place where you can learn from
people, make them happy, help them in
different needs, make friends and even
learn to solve problems on the spot. It’s
not an organisation but a large family.
AKSHAY JAISWAL
DEHRADUN
Internal appreciation:
Akshay Jaiswal is a good
and hard worker, dedicated towards his
job and his responsibility. Also, he is a
good team player who is always up for
a challenge. In addition, he is supportive
towards his colleagues.
Experience with SpiceJet: I joined
SpiceJet in August 2016. I would like
to thank SpiceJet for giving me this
opportunity to become a part of their
team. It is while working here that I
got the opportunity to know more
about myself and the best way to
serve people. My colleagues, manager
and management are very friendly
and approachable. There is always
something to learn from someone here
if you are up for challenges.
ADHUNIK KUMAR
DEHRADUN
Customer appreciation:
We flew via Dehradun
recently and Adhunik Kumar did a great
job checking us in. He was very courteous
towards all the passengers. We also
noticed that he is very efficient at his work
and is a thorough professional.
Experience with SpiceJet: SpiceJet is a
name that spells confidence. It has been a
wonderful opportunity to work with such
a leading brand. It has enriched me with
great confidence. My experience here gets
better with every passing day. With the
help and support of my team members,
learning and working have become very
smooth. The working environment out here
is very friendly. The management is very
organised and plans things well in advance.
That helps a lot.
HARSHADA CHAVAN
GOA
Internal appreciation: We
would like to appreciate
Harshada Chavan for her sincere efforts
and hard work at Goa airport. Even during
this short tenure with SpiceJet she has
proven herself on many occasions. She
took the initiative of going on deputation
to Ahmedabad and again proved herself
with her hard work and dedication.
Experience with SpiceJet: It’s been eight
months with SpiceJet and from the time
I have joined here I have felt like I belong
to this place. It’s a great feeling when my
senior and my shift in-charge appreciate
my work and guide me to do well all the
time. After home we spend the maximum
time here – SpiceJet is like a second
home. I would like to thank everyone for
giving me the best moments of my life.
169
SEPTEMBER 2017

SPICEJET
INSIDER
Boeing 737 - 700/800/900ER Series
Interior arrangement of Boeing 737 - 700 (149 Passengers)
Interior arrangement of Boeing 737 - 800 (189 Passengers)
Row 1 -32
Entry / Exit
Row 1 -26
Emergency Exit
Entry / Exit
Entry / Exit
Emergency Exit
Entry / Exit
Row 1 -20
Passengers
(single class configuration)
*
BOEING 737-700
2
149
BOEING 737-800
BOEING 737-900 ER
BOMBARDIER Q400
28
4
20
189 212
78
6200 km
5,600 km
5000 km
2000 km
0.79 M (840 km/h)
0.79 M (840 km/h)
0.79 M (840 km/h)
666 km/h
Speed unit M denotes Mach Number; 1 Mach is equal to the speed of sound.
*These numbers exclude wet lease aircraft.
BOEING 737-700
BOEING 737-800
BOEING 737-900 ER
BOMBARDIER Q400
112 ft 7 in (34.3m)
93 ft 3 in (28.42m)
117 ft 5 in (35.7m)
110 ft 4 in (33.6m)
41 ft 2 in (12.5m)
11 ft 7 in (3.53m)
107 ft 9 in (32.83m)
24 ft 4 in (8.34m)
8 ft 2 in (2.49m)
The above mentioned descriptions are accurate at the time of magazine printing.

25 th August, 2017

SPICEJET
INSIDER
ADD-
Know more about SpiceJet’s
innovative products and services
SEAT SELECTION DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL SPICEFLEX
(DOMESTIC)
SPICEFLEX
(INTENATIONAL)
SpiceMax Seats M 600/1000/-* M 1200 /- M 600/1000/- * M 1200/-
Preferred Seats - on Boeing /Airbus
Ahead of exit row window /aisle M 300/- M 450/- Free Free
Ahead of exit row middle M 150/- M 300/- Free Free
Behind exit row window /aisle M 200/- M 350/- Free Free
Behind exit row middle M 99/- M 99/- Free Free
Preferred seats Q400 Free Free
Front half of cabin window /aisle M 200/- M 350/- Free Free
Rear half of cabin window / aisle M 100/- M 250/- Free Free
Seat + Meal Combo
Combo Price M 399/- M 499/-
PRE-BOOK EXCESS BAGGAGE
5 kgs M 500/- M 2450/-
10 kgs M 2,000/- M 4,900/-
15 kgs M 3,500/- NA
20 kgs M 4,667/- NA
30 kgs M 8,000/- NA
PRIORITY CHECK-IN M 200/- M 300/-
BAG OUT FIRST
1 Bag M 100/- NA
2 Bags M 200/- NA
3 Bags M 300/- NA
CARRY MORE ONBOARD (FREE ALLOWANCE 7 KG; BUY UP TO 5 KG MORE)
Pre-book M 250/- per kg M 450/- per kg
At Check-in M 350/- per kg As per current excess
baggage rate
At boarding gate M 350/- per kg As per current excess
baggage rate
MY FLEXI PLAN M 1125/- M 1250/-
HAND BAGGAGE ONLY FARE - CHARGE AT AIRPORT
Fare type change fee if checking-in bag at airport
after purchasing HBO fare
Up to 15 kgs -
M 400/-
NA
SPICE CAKE M 750/- M 800/-
SPICE LOUNGE (Delhi/Bengaluru/Hyderabad/Kochi/ M 750/- M 1400/-
Varanasi/Guwahati/Jaipur)
FLY FOR SURE M 299/- Only ex-India M 499/-
VALUEPACK
a) Pay M 499/- and get a SpiceJet voucher worth M 1999/-
b) Pay M 999/- and get a SpiceJet voucher worth M 3999/-
*SPICEMAX SEATS OFFER SIGNIFICANTLY MORE LEGROOM, PLUS COMPLIMENTARY MEAL, PRIORITY CHECK-IN, PRIORITY BOARDING
(AT AEROBRIDGE GATES), AND PRIORITY BAGGAGE HANDLING. *BASIS AIRCRAFT TYPE/SECTOR **NA STANDS FOR ‘NOT AVAILABLE’
*THE ABOVE MENTIONED PRICES AND FEATURES ARE ACCURATE AS AT THE TIME OF MAGAZINE PRINTING, AND ARE SUBJECT TO
CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
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R.N.I NO:DELENG/2015/63282