Metoo Uprising Conclave East 2018 How the East Was Won Special Report the Elusive Mayawati Upfront the Missing Missile Offsets

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COVER STORY THE #METOO UPRISING CONCLAVE EAST 2018 HOW THE EAST WAS WON SPECIAL REPORT THE ELUSIVE MAYAWATI UPFRONT THE MISSING MISSILE OFFSETS

#MeTooUprising SUBSCRIBE NOW www.indiatoday.in/digitalmagazines FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

here are times when you can feel the rage and persistently texting an unwelcome romantic or sexual over- anguish in the air, at least from a certain section ture is tarred with the same brush as someone who violently of society. It is the voice of the educated Indian assaults his employee. There is hardly any debate on what the T womanagainstthedeeplyentrenchedmale- consequences should be in various cases. Some question the dominated culture at the workplace. Her moment to speak validity or element of exaggeration in all the finger-pointing. outagainsttherepressionofmanydecadeshasarrived.Like There should be no misrepresentation by either side and manyspontaneousuprisings,itstartedratherinnocuously it is important for a company to protect the dignity and in- this September with actor Tanushree Dutta accusing her col- terests of the complainant and the respondent. Fortunately, league Nana Patekar of sexual harassment on a movie set 10 the law has now laid down a procedure on how these cases yearsago.Itlingeredinconclusivelyinthepublicspacefora aretobedealt with. fortnight till it emboldened other aggrieved women to come At the same time, public discourse around the world out with a torrent of accusations against their tormentors. In and in India has started to treat sexual harassment, abuse a matter of days, it has swept away stand-up comics, famous and assault as a serious violation. Sexual interactions at directors, a powerful editor-turned-minister, senior jour- the workplace include a wide range of behaviours such nalists, an eminent author, a popular singer, a film lyricist as flirting, bantering, sexual jokes, touching, consum- fromtheSouthandawell-known ing pornography, dating, afairs, ad-man.Thisisonlythebeginning. live-in relationships and mar- It is building up to a tsunami. It is riage. Where does consent end and our Harvey Weinstein moment, coercion begin? How pervasive is where the perversions of one man consensual sexual activity in the brokeadamofrepressedoutrage workplace? How do workers and in America against sexual abuse organisations distinguish between to usher in what has come to be wanted and unwanted sexual be- known as the #MeToo movement. haviour? Will this stop employers This phenomenon is now unfolding from hiring women? around us in India. In recent months, we have seen Thereasonforthevociferous many positive blows being struck public outburst of women is that for gender equality. From multiple they never saw the police or the Supreme Court verdicts striking judiciary as a recourse for redress. down triple talaq, upholding the The process shamed the victim marriage of Hindu women by con- more than the perpetrator. Fur- sent, their right to inherit property thermore,manyoftheseinstances to the right of women of all ages happened at a time when work- to enter the Sabarimala shrine. As places were not as sensitive to the Our May 30, 2005, cover more women enter the workforce safety of women, and social media and break glass ceilings in various was nonexistent. A conservative professions, it should bring about society was a further deterrent a change that will reduce sexual to going public, forcing the rage consuming the victim to harassment at the workplace. remain suppressed. Besides, the power structure in most Our cover story, #MeToo, The Uprising, put together by workplaces is dominated by men, and the victims are Executive Editor Damayanti Datta, Senior Editor Shweta mostly young and vulnerable women. The men are in posi- Punj and Associate Editor Chinki Sinha, examines the is- tion of authority and presumably there because they are sues that have emerged in the wake of this uprising. talented and valuable to the organisation. A complaint by a The present movement might result in some collateral subordinate in the absence of due process is most likely to damage, yet it needs to be welcomed, warts and all. Ulti- be dismissed. Like one predator said to one of his prey: “It’s mately, it will bring about welcome changes in the work- not easy to lose the head.” Hence, the silence of the lambs. place, result in greater sensitivity towards women, ensure Now, with greater consciousness and sensitivity to- dignity and security in their place of work. Also, the onus is wards gender equality and with the help of social media, on the employer to create a safe working space for every- the repressed rage of the victims has found an outlet body. Most importantly, men have to adapt their behaviour through naming and shaming their perpetrators. It’s a to the new environment. If they don’t, as the #MeToo move- catharsis for the victim and perhaps the society too as we ment says, your #Time’sUp. confront the evil that resides in many of our countrymen. This being the spring of the movement, there is relief and rejoicing in many quarters, but there is much that is less than ideal in #MeToo: for instance, its standards of proof. The movement just goes by the court of public opinion. A man (Aroon Purie)

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 1 UPFRONT LEISURE THE MISSING MISSILE THE CHAIRMAN & THE www.indiatoday.in OFFSETS PG 3 MAHATMA PG 54

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IMPACT TEAM Senior General Manager: Jitender Lad (West) General Manager: Mayur Rastogi (North), Upendra Singh (Bangalore), Kaushiky Gangulie (East) GROUP CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER: Vivek Malhotra Assistant General Manager: Garima Prashar (Marketing) COVER STORY SALES AND OPERATIONS: D.V.S. Rama Rao, Chief General Manager Skeletons come tumbling out of closets— Deepak Bhatt, General Manager (National Sales) in newsrooms and comedy collectives, Vipin Bagga, Deputy General Manager (Operations) THE #METOO ﬁlm studios and ad agencies—as the Rajeev Gandhi, Regional Sales Manager (North) 18 UPRISING #MeToo storm hits India

EAST CONCLAVE SPECIAL REPORT

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ARMS TREATY Russian President Vladimir Putin with PM Narendra Modi in Delhi PANKAJ NANGIA/MAIL TODAY NANGIA/MAIL PANKAJ

S-400 THE MISSING MISSILE OFFSETS

By Sandeep Unnithan

n October 5, India and Rus- willingness to continue its ties with that it had got an exception clause for sia signed a $5.4 billion dollar Russia in the face of US sanctions. The its Russian arms buys. “The waiver is O(Rs 40,000 crore) deal for the Russian missile maker, Almaz-Antey, narrow, intended to wean countries off purchase of S-400 air defence miss i- is one of the entities on the US ban list, Russian equipment and allows only for les from Russia, the largest such deal the Countering America’s Adversar- things such as spare parts for previously between the two countries. The deal, ies Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), purchased equipment,” he said. inked during President Vladimir Putin’s which came into effect this January. It remains to be seen how and when visit for the 19th annual India-Russia The day after the deal was inked, a US the US makes good its implicit threat summit with Prime Minister Narendra state department spokesperson specifi- of sanctions against India. South Block Modi, affirmed what both sides call cally ref erred to India’s S-400 buy to has worked out a financial arrangement a special strategic partnership. The indicate the US had imposed sanctions bypassing the western banking system five missile systems, to be delivered in on China for purchasing similar mis- where India will pay for its arms pur- the next two years, is the single larg- siles from Russia. The waiver authority chases in rupees deposited in a branch est defence deal since India started in CAATSA, the official said, was not of Russia’s Sberbank in Delhi, rather importing arms from the former Soviet country-specific and had strict criteria, than in US dollars. Air Chief Marshal Union in 1964. The deal affirms India’s evidently belying New Delhi’s hopes B.S. Dhanoa recently called the Rafale UPFRONT

and the S-400s a ‘booster dose’ for the IAF whose fighter CLIMATE CHANGE squadron numbers are rapidly shrinking. The opposition Congress party on October 8 was quick to question the missing offsets in the S-400 deal. APOCALYPSE “Has the offset policy been cancelled?” party leader Manish Tewari asked on Twitter: ‘Will there be no more NOW? offsets? If so, what happens to the great Make in India?’ In the S-400 deal, the offsets would have been at least Rs 12,000 crore. An MoD spokesperson said there he world is heading temperature is predicted to wasnooffsetrequirementinthe Inter Governmental over a cliff at a furious be reached any time between Agreement (IGA) between India and Russia for the T pace, confirmed a 2030 and 2052. In the UN missiles, which would make this move unusual but not much-anticipated, com- panel’s report, the conse- exceptional. The MoD’s offset policy in the Defence prehensive United Nations quences of global warming Procurement Procedure (DPP)—which governs all report on climate change. reaching two degrees celsius arms purchases—mandates that the original equipment Released on October 9, and above pre-industrial tem- manufacturer (OEM) purchase products equal to at least put together by a panel of peratures are catastrophic. 30percentofthevalueofadefence contract from within international scientists, The action required is dras- India. Offsets apply to all contracts over Rs 2,000 crore the report argued that the tic, warns the report, given and aim to leverage arms buys to develop indigenous world needed to make “rapid that the world is on course to industry. The DPP, however, allows the government to and far-reaching” changes exceed pre-industrial tem- waive the offsets in exceptional cases. Paragraph 2.3 of to limit global warming. A peratures by around three the Defence Offsets Guidelines says the ‘Defence Acqui- difference of half a degree degrees celsius by 2100. sition Council may consider partial or full waiver of the could mean more wildfires, Environment minister offset clause’ and Para drought, poverty, and the Harsh Vardhan insists In- 2.5 says offset provisions death of 99 per cent of coral dia is on course to fulfil its Waiving ofset will not apply to ‘ fast reefs, including the Great obligations outlined in the deals seems track purchases’. Barrier Reef, an ecosystem Paris Agreement, signed in to be the The trouble is, this some 25 million years old. 2016. But other countries, rule when it exception seems to be The report gives the planet most notably the US and comes to the rule when it comes barely a dozen years to limit Brazil, have expressed scep- big-ticket to big-ticket Russian the damage predicted for ticism. In fact, US president Russian deals. The last two deals decades into the future, if Donald Trump has vowed arms deals involving offsets were global warming continues at to pull his country out of for the $660 million its current rate. the agreement. Even if all purchase of 80 Mi-17 1V India is particularly vul- countries adhere to the medium lift helicopters in 2006 and the $865 million nerable to annual heat waves targets they set themselves upgradation of its fleet of 52 MiG-29 aircraft. of the sort that led to the in Paris, temperatures will There is no talk of offsets in the additional defence deaths of some 2,500 people eventually rise two degrees deals with Russia in the pipeline. These include deals in 2015. If global warm- celsius above pre-industrial worth over $5 billion for the joint production of Kamov ing is allowed to continue times, making the dooms- Ka-226T light utility helicopters, four Krivak-class frig- unchecked, large swathes day scenarios outlined in ates and 48 Mi-17 V5 medium lift helicopters. of northern India, home the latest UN report almost Western manufacturers get no such exemptions. to hundreds of millions an inevitability. India is Defence offsets worth $14 billion (Rs 1 lakh crore) will be of people, could become discharged by 2028. Nearly a third of this figure, uninhabitable by the end Rs 30,000 crore, could come from offsets for the 36 Das- of the century. Scientists India is sault Rafale fighter jets India is buying from France. are broadly in agreement committed to The Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Defence, one that temperatures should power from of Dassault’s offset partners, was in talks with Almaz- not be allowed to exceed renewable Antey when both countries began negotiating the S-400 1.5 degrees celsius above enery, but purchase in 2015. No formal MoU was signed with the what temperatures were in the process Russian concern. A Reliance Defence official said they the pre-industrial period needs to be only had an “understanding” with Almaz-Antey, which up to roughly the mid-19th accelerated lapsed and was never pursued after the Russian govern- century. At current rates ment indicated they did not want offsets in the deal. ■ of global warming, that

4 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 12 91 Years to 2030 when Authors and review we will cross the editors from 40 1.5 degree celsius countries put rise in temperatures 600 MILLION together the UN since the pre- report on climate industrial period Indians live in parts change, citing some that climate change of the country that 6,000 scientiﬁc scientists argue will become “severe references should be the limit hotspots” if global for global warming warming is left unchecked till 2050. It will cost India $1.1 % trillion and 2.8% of 1,041 % its GDP, says the 45 World Bank Rise in India’s carbon emissions from 1971 Reduction in carbon to 2015. India now emissions necessary accounts for 6% of from 2010 levels if global global emissions, warming is to be kept behind only China below 1.5 degrees celsius (28%) and the US in 2030 and reach net (15%). India’s per 0 emissions by 2050 capita emissions are % 1.8 metric tonnes 13 CO well below world 2, committed to generating political will to meet such a average, 4.2 metric electricity through renew- stringent deadline appears Of the world’s land tonnes area could be lost to able sources rather than to be lacking. existing ecosystems, coal, for instance, but the The UN report will be including entire process will now have to be discussed at a climate change species of animals, % accelerated. And the world conference in Katowice, Po- plants and insects, 55 if global warming will need to follow suit, until land, in December. Will our increases by 2 Of India’s electricity to be generated carbon neutrality, or zero leaders acknowledge the scale degrees celsius. Even from renewable sources by 2030, emissions, is reached by of the danger scientists insist if countries meet their said power minister R.K. Singh in June; India’s promise in Paris was 2050 if the impact of climate we face? The stakes are only Paris Agreement goals, global temperatures 40%. Currently, renewables account change is to be mitigated. getting higher. ■ will deﬁnitely go up for about 20% of India’s At the moment, the global —Shougat Dasgupta by 2100 energy needs

Transport minister NITIN GADKARI, speaking on a Marathi TV show, made a somewhat honest PULLQUOTE admission—that political parties exaggerate and dissemble in order to win votes. Laughing on a “We were very conﬁdent that we sofa, alongside actor Nana Patekar—at the centre of a still roiling storm over sexual harassment— would never come to power, so we Gadkari perhaps was not expecting his words were advised to make tall promises to be taken literally. But he ended up providing Since we weren’t going to come to ammunition to critics of PM Narendra Modi’s government. Congress president Rahul Gandhi power, we wouldn’t be responsible. was quick to tweet about the video, calling it But then the people voted us into an admission of the government’s penchant for power and now the public jumlas. In August, Gadkari had embarrassed the government by claiming reservations would not reminds us of those promises. make a diference because there were no jobs. We just laugh and move on” Soon, though, the Union minister was putting out denials. “False,” he said, saying the reference was actually to the 2014 Maharashtra assembly polls and not the general elections.

RAJWANT RAWAT Illustration by TANMOY CHAKRABORTY UPFRONT

BOOKS SILENT KILLERS By Ajai Sahni

onen Bergman takes his title tive? And are they justifiable? Berg- from the Talmudic injunc- man asserts that Israel’s campaign of tion, ‘If someone comes to assassination constitutes ‘a long string kill you, rise up and kill him of impressive tactical successes, but also R first’. Israel’s roots are inex- disastrous strategic failures’. He argues, tricably intertwined with the rejection further, that Israel paid a ‘high moral of the passivism that afflicted European price… for the use of such power’. Jews—contemptuously, Muselmän- The arguments in support of this ner—that sent them, unresisting, to the thesis occur episodically and are perhaps slaughterhouses of the Holocaust. They the book’s weakest element, harvesting are equally enmeshed with the intel- each failure or excess to assert that tar- ligence apparatus and the campaign of geted killings don’t work, or are counter- targeted killings that entrenched itself productive. And yet, Bergman concedes in the pre-state era and, subsequently, in ‘the assassination weapon, based on the state’s strategy of survival. intelligence that is “nothing less than Targeted killings were not merely a exquisite” is what made Israel’s war on tactical and strategic option, but also a terror the most effective ever waged by moral choice. Open warfare was to be RISE AND KILL FIRST: a ‘Western’ country. On numerous occa- waged only ‘when the sword is on our The Secret History of sions, it was targeted killing that saved throat’. Neutralising a few ‘major figures’ Israel’s Targeted Israel from very grave crises’. Elsewhere, Assassinations often prevented greater conflagra- by RONEN BERGMAN he asserts “it is very hard to predict how tions and the loss of ‘untold numbers Published by John Murray history will proceed after someone is of soldiers and civilians on both sides’. `899; 755 pages shot in the head”. But then, it is equally However, such a strategy can lose direc- hard to predict the course of history if tion, as we find through a history of certain people aren’t shot in the head! extraordinary professionalism as well These are poor arguments, led by faith, as of incompetence and loss of control. In an age when the rather than evidence. The consequences of the latter are leading countries Bergman uses the expression ‘ter- disastrous, particularly in phases where of the world have rorism’ rather loosely, as indeed do many indiscriminate violence brought odium Israelis, applying it to operations even and isolation on Israel. adopted Israel’s when targets were state entities and sol- Bergman’s narrative is master- tactics of targeted diers, or armed and violent Arab forma- ful, and astonishing in its detail on a assassination, tions. He fails to build unrelenting Arab subject that is shrouded in secrecy and drone warfare and Palestinian hatred, excesses and buried under Israel’s rigid censorship and extraordinary atrocities into the logic of his critique laws. Bergman, however, discovered of targeted killings, preferring to treat that ‘everyone wants to speak about rendition, this is these as nothing more than background what they’ve done’. In an age when the mandatory reading information, with no clear impact on leading countries have adopted Israel- for anyone even strategic or moral issues. Nevertheless, initiated tactics of targeted assassina- remotely interested in there is a treasure-house of material in tion, drone warfare and extraordinary Rise and Kill First that will allow read- rendition, this is mandatory reading counterterrorism ers to judge these issues on their own. for anyone even remotely interested in And, for a book just short of 800 pages, counterterrorism. But the purpose of it makes for surprisingly easy reading. ■ Bergman’s fascinating work is not mere documentation; it is to address the twin The author is the executive director questions: are targeted killings effec- of the Institute for Conflict Management

16 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 CHATTER The week in social media INDEX @ShougatDasgupta Cyber Insecurity The Churchill Question Earlier this week, Google was forced to shut down its social networking American astronaut site Google Plus after acknowledging a security breach had revealed the Scott Kelly stepped private data of hundreds of thousands of users. The breach was identified unwittingly into a social in March but Google decided to keep it secret, claiming it had no evidence media hornets’ nest that any third party had accessed the data. With the decision to shut when he chose to down Google Plus, perhaps its parent company was acknowledging a new quote former British regulatory focus in Europe and some states in the US on the responsibility prime minister Winston Churchill to send a message of of companies to keep data secure. Last month, Facebook discovered that unity to his compatriots in a time of arguably unprec- hackers were able to access the accounts of tens of millions of users. Both edented political acrimony. “One of the greatest leaders companies are being investigated by Irish data protection regulators. of modern times, Sir Winston Churchill,” tweeted Kelly, In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which the personal “said, ‘in victory, magnanimity’. I guess those days are information of Facebook users was accessed without permission, the ways over.” No doubt intended as innocuous pabulum, Kelly’s in which private data can be accessed and harnessed has been of critical tweet generated plenty of acrimony and division itself, concern. In India, much of the debate around Aadhaar was focused on all of it catalysed by his apparent endorsement of privacy. Last month, Huffington Post reported that a ‘patch’ could be Churchill’s ‘greatness’. The scolds and harrumphers, purchased to disable its security and generate false Aadhaar numbers. who seem perpetually to be lurking on Twitter, quickly descended on poor Kelly, pointing out that Churchill supported British imperialism on the grounds of racial superiority, that he was in large part responsible for the 1943 Bengal famine and the deaths of millions. Alarmed, 438 Kelly backpedalled, tweeting that he would “educate” 500,000 Applications made by himself further, only to incur the wrath of those who still Google Plus venerate Churchill, who accuse the latter’s critics of users whose other companies could taking his words and actions out of context, and insist private data gain access to Google that he must be remembered above all else as the man was accessible Plus users’ data who led the eort to defeat the Nazis. In typical social to third parties without authorisation, media fashion, Churchill had been shorn of complexity, because of including user presented as either a hero or a villain without the faint- security failures name, gender, age, est consideration that he might have been both. That occupation, and email said, at least for Kelly, the outcry perhaps did succeed address in complicating Churchill, in reminding him that history as written by the victors (a remark often (mis)attributed $750 to Churchill) must be disputed. ■ MILLION Amount for which 87 customers can sue Facebook users whose companies for every personal information was Mom, Stop! breach of private used by Cambridge Analytica to tailor political ads. Sometimes you just have data, under a new Last month, 50 million to laugh. Luckily, for Pieter law in California to Hanson’s mother, her son come into force Facebook accounts were has both grace and a sense from 2020 vulnerable to hacking of humour. Hanson became an unwitting poster boy for the foolish ‘HimToo’ 72 hashtag—popular with 2 Hours within which American conservatives Days, over which companies must inform seeking to express support Facebook CEO Mark regulators of potential data for Brett Kavanaugh, the Supreme Court justice whose Zuckerberg testiﬁed breaches, according to a nomination was cleared this week despite accusations in US congressional new European law. The of sexual assault—after his mother posted a picture of hearings about the Google Plus data breach him in his Navy sailor’s uniform and claimed he wouldn’t data breach and other happened before the new “go on solo dates due to the current climate of false privacy issues law was in efect sexual accusations by radical feminists with an axe to grind”. Not so, said Hanson. His mother quickly deleted her account. And Hanson opened his, speaking for ` himself and charming social media. ■ 2,500 The price of a ‘security patch’ that can reportedly skirt Aadhaar security controls to generate fake Aadhaar numbers UPFRONT

18 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 EXPOSURE

EXODUS After the arrest of a labourer from Bihar in connection with the rape of a 14-month-old baby girl in the Sabarkantha district of Gujarat on September 28, allegedly coordinated attacks on migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have resulted in thousands of such workers leaving the state in fear for their safety. Here, as late as October 9, people line up for a train to Agra.

AJIT SOLANKI/AP UPFRONT

Goan Badly ven as Goa chief E minister Manohar Parrikar’s health worries continue, the BJP has to deal with ambitions within the party. Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Michael Lobo has said that the state government has failed on many fronts—from economy and tourism to job creation. The buzz is that Lobo, a GLASSHOUSE trusted Parrikar aide, wants

Illustration by SIDDHANT JUMDE by Illustration a cabinet berth and sees room to rise as the party’s COLONIAL CHARM leading Catholic leader, as peculation that the BJP’s new party headquarters haven’t proved lucky has the veteran Francis D’Souza now concretised. The party will steer the campaign for the 2019 general is hospitalised. Lobo also S elections from its old 11, Ashoka Road national party headquarters and not has the support of his friend the new oce at 6A, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg. The new party HQ was Vijai Sardesai, the leader inaugurated in February this year prior to the Karnataka polls, where the party of Goa Forward Party, the BJP’s coalition partner. couldn’t form the government. Party president Amit Shah recently asked for a new war room to be built at the Ashoka Road oce; he will operate from there. Astrology and vastu are believed to have played a major role in this rethink. The party has scrapped plans to return this Lutyens’ bungalow to the PAWAR CRISIS urban development department. CP leader Sharad Pawar’s Ntroubles show no sign of ending. His remarks supporting PM Modi on the Rafale deal TURF Holier than Cow? saw one of the party’s founders, WARS ne of the items on the agenda Tariq Anwar, quitting to join of a hurriedly convened cabinet the Congress. The latest worry he recent buzz O meeting in Bhopal last week to beat the is closer home. His nephew Ajit over Divya T imposition of the model code of conduct, Pawar’s son, Parth, wants to Spandana stepping was allotment of land to a government contest the L down as Congress golf course. The Congress accused the social media head polls. This co government of being anti-cow: the was being attributed mean compet to Rahul Gandhi’s ire over her comments golf green was for the senior on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Others to be made on Pawar’s daug said it was her tussle with Nikhil Alva, land given to a Lok Sabha M who manages Rahul Gandhi’s Twitter cow research Supriya Sule, account. The real reason, party sources facility. Shivraj and disrupt h say, had to do with Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Singh Chouhan’s unoicial divi Ramesh’s frequent visits to 15, Gurudwara ministers opposed of power— Rakabganj Road. The social media team it too. Eventually, Supriya in operates from this address. Apparently, the golf course Delhi and Jairam’s interference saw Divya Spandana only got an in Ajit in threatening to quit. Until the next round then. principle approval. Mumbai. PANKAJ TIWARI

Sandeep Unnithan with Anilesh Mahajan, Kaushik Deka, Rahul Noronha and Kiran D. Tare

10 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 KUMAR CHANDRADEEP

J&K: A SHAM BENGAL: Q+A WITH ELECTION MUKUL ROY PG 15 PG 14

A NEW ALLIANCE CHHATTISGARH: IN MAHARASHTRA ANIMAL INSTINCT PG 16 STATES PG 17

MATTER OF FAITH Ayyappa devotees protest BINU NARAYANAN BINU against the SC judgment in Pandalam, Kerala

KERALA Sabarimala Storm Comes Home The Pinarayi government faces strident protests from Hindu outits over the Supreme Court verdict By Jeemon Jacob

erala’s Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left and the custodians of the shrine have September 30 verdict. He even con- Front government, which hailed launched protests and demanded a re- vened a meeting of senior state secretar- the Supreme Court’s verdict view of the verdict before the pilgrimage ies and police officials to discuss how Kallowing women entry into the season begins on November 17. the court’s order would be executed. Sabarimala temple, finds itself in a “The Kerala government will But on the streets, the protests grew. bind. Publicly decrying the judgment, execute the [court’s] order and facilitate Pandalam, home to the Pandalam roy- several rightwing Hindu groups, which the entry of women of all ages to the als who revere Ayyappa, the resident de- purportedly have the backing of the temple from the forthcoming pilgrim- ity of Sabarimala, rang out with strident Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), age season,” Vijayan declared after the chants of ‘Swami sharanam! Ayyappa

12 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 GANDHINAGAR

sharanam!’ Curiously, several women joined the pro- GUJARAT tests, blocking roads on October 2. Similar demonstrations were witnessed in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappu- zha, Kottayam, Kochi and Palakkad. A ‘Save Sabarimala’ A RAPE AND campaign launched by devotees vowed to block women of ‘inappropriate age’ from entering the shrine. A MASS EXODUS When the Sabarimala case first came up for hearing in 2011, the then Congress-led United Democratic Front The state is in the grip of xenophobic hysteria government had endorsed the views of the Pandalam royals and Sabarimala chief priest’s family that women as opposition parties seek political advantage of ‘menstrual age’ be barred from the temple. This was By Uday Mahurkar based on the traditional belief that Ayyappa is celibate. At that time, both the RSS and the BJP were in favour of removing the restrictions against women in temples. he Congress-Bharati- from Raj Thackeray’s Now, as the row simmers again, comments by ya Janata Party spat Maharashtra Navnir- CPI(M) legislators have further embarrassed Vijayan. A. Tfor political space man Sena in Mumbai, the Padmakumar, who is also president of the Travancore has become decidedly ugly Gujarat Kshatriya Thakor Devaswom Board, said women from his family would not in Gujarat. The ruling Sena, headed by the Con- visit Sabarimala and respect the traditions of the temple. BJP squarely accuses gress legislator, launched He was evidently trying to appease his Nair community, Congress MLA Alpesh protests in northern Guja- which makes up 19 per cent of Kerala’s population. Thakore of fuelling hatred rat, resulting in an exodus G. Sukumaran Nair, general secretary of the Nair against migrant workers of migrant workers from Service Society (NSS), from Uttar Pradesh and Mehsana, Sabarkantha, has joined the Pan- Bihar following the rape Aravalli and Ahmedabad. dalam royal family THE CM’ BID of a 14-year-old girl in Migrant workers are and the chief priest’s Himmatnagar in Sabar- mostly employed on farms family in filing a review TO NEGOTIATE kantha district. And even and in private firms in petition in the Su- WITH GROUPS as an estimated 45,000 these areas. At Vadnagar preme Court. Fringe migrants fled Gujarat, the in Mehsana district, a Hindu outfits have OPPOSED TO Congress, rising to Tha- mob of some 200 Thakor also hardened their THE VERDICT kore’s defence, accused Sena activists stormed position against the Prime Minister Narendra a factory and thrashed verdict. Antarrash- HAS FAILED Modi of “seeking votes migrant workers. triya Hindu Parishad in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat BJP spokes- founder Pravin Togadia Bihar and victimising the person Bharat Pandya joined forces with the Save Sabarimala campaign and people of both states [in alleges the Thakor Sena’s announced a protest march from Pandalam to Thiruva- Gujarat]”. protests have the Con- nanthapuram on October 14. Earlier, taking a cue gress’s backing, as part of The BJP, too, has jumped in. “The government is playing with fire. We will not allow it to enact hidden agendas,” said state BJP chief P.S. Sreedharan Pillai. Shilpa Nair, a member of the BJP’s NRI cell based out of Dubai, is spearheading protests across the south- ern states. “I’m ready to wait to follow the traditions of the temple. I feel it’s time Ayyappa devotees unite and protest against the verdict,” Nair told INDIA TODAY. Vijayan’s attempts to negotiate with the royal family of Pandalam and the chief priest’s family have come a cropper, with both refusing to meet him on October 8. The CPI(M)’s attempts to reach out to the NSS, too, have yielded no results so far. “The state government

has to enforce the Supreme Court’s verdict and ensure DAVE NANDAN the entry of all women into the temple,” says Kochi- PACK-UP TIME based lawyer and media critic A. Jayashankar. “But Migrant workers in Ahmedabad take a train back home faith has no logic, only emotions.”

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 13 STATES

its strategy for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He draws parallels with how the party wooed and cultivated Patidar leader Hardik Patel to estrange a significant section of Patels from the BJP fold. “This is clearly the handiwork of the increasingly divisive Congress. But it will only strengthen us (BJP) as we will be seen as standing for a unified India,” Pandya said. Besides its outrage over the rape, the Tha- kor Sena is also demanding the ouster of all ‘north Indians’ from jobs in Gujarat. And even as the protests continue, the state police have registered 56 FIRs and arrested more than 400 people for attacking Hindi-speaking residents in north Gujarat. But reports of Thakor Sena workers invading localities of Hindi- speaking residents, shouting “Go back!” and indulging in vandalism, continue to come in. SRINAGAR Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has assured J&K his counterparts in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar that all possible steps were being taken to stem the attacks and stop the exodus. One of the Both Yogi Aditya- A Sham Election Thakor Sena’s nath and Nitish An abysmal voter turnout and backdoor entry Kumar called Ru- demands is charges make a mockery of civic elections in the state the ouster pani on October 8 to communicate By Asit Jolly and Moazum Mohammad of all ‘north their concern. Indians’ Congress from jobs in president Rahul uzamil Jan, a both major Valley parties, Gujarat Gandhi’s con- candidate for the the NC and People’s Demo- demnation of the ongoing civic polls cratic Party (PDP), opted out violence in the M from Srinagar’s of the fray. state has drawn a sharp reaction from the chief Dalgate ward, was among Former minister Naeem minister. “It is shameful that Rahul Gandhi 15 aspirants in the Kashmir Akhtar calls it a “fraud elect- first incites violence in Gujarat and then Valley who withdrew from the ion in which non-resident condemns it. If he is serious, he needs to take contest on October 5, the day candidates are being foisted action against his party leaders and workers, militants gunned down two on the people”, adding that “it who are trying to divide the society by inciting National Conference (NC) will lead to further erosion of violence,” Rupani said. workers in the heart of the J&K the credibility of the Indian Meanwhile, the Kshatriya Thakor Sena, capital. The ‘message’ carried state amid Kashmiris”. The too, has been at the receiving end of civil through to polling day (for the senior PDP politician was society groups. It has forced Thakore to issue a first of four phases) on October alluding to the windfall gains statement asking supporters to stop targeting 8, when a mere 8.2 per cent of made by the BJP. Without a Hindi-speaking migrants. “They, too, are our the 84,000-strong electorate single assembly or parliamen- brothers,” he said in the statement. ventured out to vote. tary victory and virtually no Earlier, Thakore dissociated himself from Besides the looming mili- political foothold in the Valley, the violence in Vadnagar, but remained firm tant threat—Hizbul Mujahi- he says the saffron party is on his ‘Gujarat for Gujaratis’ demand. “I do deen commander Riyaz Nai- using the municipal polls to not endorse what happened in Vadnagar. koo has threatened to “blind make a backdoor entry. Non-Gujaratis are also Indians. I only demand candidates with sulphuric With the maximum can- that locals be given more jobs as per the state acid”—the miserable turnout didates in its first foray into government’s 80 per cent norm,” he said. was also due to the fact that civic elections in the Valley,

14 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 Q+A THE VIGIL Securitymen at a polling station in Budgam, Oct. 8 ‘West Bengal is a police state’

MUKUL ROY left the Trinamool Congress (TMC) tions’ in such wards after the to join the BJP in November last year and, within panchayat polls, sometime six months, delivered an impressive performance in January. NC general for the party in the West Bengal panchayat polls. secr etary Ali Mohammad Yet his name doesn’t quite figure in the higher Sagar calls it “a mockery of echelons of the state BJP. When it comes to hierar- democracy”. chy, it is state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh and national Altaf Thakur, the BJP secretaryRahulSinhawhocalltheshots.Inan spokesperson in the Valley, interview with ROMITA DATTA,Royopensup ABID BHAT attributes his party’s “suc- on his equation within the BJP and the party’s cess” to the hard work put strategy against the TMC. Excerpts: the BJP is already poised to in by the cadre. Contesting capture a majority in seven the allegations that BJP can- Q. Youdon’tlooktoocomfortableintheBJP, municipal bodies. Thanks didates got elected only be- wedgedbetweenanunfriendlystatepresidentand to the militant threat and cause of the boycott, Thakur national secretary. the NC-PDP boycott, as claimed the two parties have IamanationalexecutivememberoftheBJPand many as 70 BJP nominees “fielded proxy candidates at my position entails a lot of responsibilities. I am will be elected unopposed. several places”. comfortableintheparty.TheBJPpresident(Amit And here’s the kicker: the Thecivicpollsinthe Shah) listens to my suggestions regarding Bengal. majority of these are in the Valleyare arather curi- districts of Anantnag, Shop- ous exercise where no one, Q. Will you get a Lok Sabha ticket from West Ben- ian, Kulgam and Pulwama— including the voters, knows gal? Your supporters had widely expected a Rajya south Kashmir’s hotbed of thenamesofthecandidates. Sabha berth for you. militancy where BJP men Shrouded in secrecy owing Idon’twishtocontestanyelection.Iwouldrather have never dared to set foot. tothemilitantthreat,there’s focus on all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state and No election will be held been no canvassing for votes help my party win as many seats as possible. But, in 244 of the 598 municipal and polling stations are ultimately the party should decide. About the Ra- wards in the Valley where fortified to keep prying eyes, jya Sabha seat, it’s better not to be nominated from there are single nominations. including journalists, at bay. astatewherethepartyhasnostrengthofitsown. Another 167 wards which EC officials confirm that had no nominations are set returning officers were asked PRIME MOVER to be left unrepresented. The to maintain confidentiality. Mukul Roy state election commission Srinagar was the only plans to conduct ‘byelec- place which looked like an election was happening, with some 300 candidates in the fray for 74 wards. But even here, polling for three wards—in the first phase 70 on October 8—drew a mere No. of BJP 6.2 per cent of the voters. candidates elected Akhtar says, “PM Naren- unopposed in the dra Modi has reverted to Valley after the theCongress’spracticeof NC-PDP boycott forcing non-representative

elections in the Valley.” HALDERSUBIR

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 15 STATES

Q. You had claimed that several promised to expose the TMC. that Abhishek is controlling her in many TMC leaders wanted to follow you We are waiting for the right moment— ways. He dictates police postings and into the BJP. before [Lok Sabha] elections. The transfers and has a say in political and They are still in touch with me, but TMC will find itself in deep trouble. The administrative decisions. He is running scared of false cases and police harass- Biswa Bangla logo case is pending. The a parallel party, YUVA (All India Trin- ment. West Bengal is a police state. high court has asked the state govern- amool Youth), within the TMC. There is There is state-sponsored terrorism. ment to file an affidavit. The govern- infighting in the districts between the People have no freedom to express their ment thinks that by forming a corpo- TMC veterans and the new entrants. opinion. Phones are being tapped. ration and taking control of the logo, everything has been brushed under the Q. Why is Mamata tolerating all this? Q. To many, Amit Shah’s target of 22 carpet. But our case deals with the time Maybe she has compulsions. And her Lok Sabha seats for the BJP in 2019 is a Mamata Banerjee’s nephew (Abhishek nephew has amassed money. laughable proposition? Banerjee) staked claim to the logo. 2019 is going to be the beginning of the Q. What’s the BJP’s gameplan? TMC’s fall. Amit Shah is talking of 22 Q. One of your stated reasons for leav- We will not give Mamata the scope to seats, but I think we will do even bet- ing the TMC was dynastic politics. But play martyr and get sympathy votes. ter. Once the TMC starts losing ground, Mamata says she has created future Bengal wants paribartan (change). But more of its leaders will abandon ship. leaders for the party at all levels. this isn’t the change people wanted. The TMC is a two-person party, and Amit Shah has sensed the public mood. Q. While joining the BJP, you had things have now come to such a pass So it’s Target Bengal for our party.

MAHARASHTRA ith 2019 in mind, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul-Muslim- Ween (AIMIM) has forged an Come Together electoral alliance with the Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM), which has Can the new Dalit-Muslim alliance significant influence amid the scheduled dent the BJP’s prospects? castes in Maharashtra. At a joint rally to announce the tie-up in Aurangabad By Kiran D. Tare on October 2, AIMIM chief Asaduddin MUMBAI Owaisi declared that Bhim Rao Ambed- kar was a taller leader than Mahatma Gandhi. The Dalit icon, he pointed out, gave India her biggest democratic tool— the Constitution. The new alliance is eyeing the state’s 13 per cent SC and 12 per cent Muslim voters, who could jointly influence poll outcomes in Aurangabad, Akola, Maleg- aon and Mumbai South-Central, four of the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. BBM president Prakash Ambed- kar says the alliance will alter traditional voting patterns. “We have come together to teach the BJP a lesson,” he says. It has, however, upset the Congress’s plan to put up a common front against the BJP. Unwilling to accept the hard- KISHOR NIKAM line AIMIM as a partner, state Congr- COMMON CAUSE ess chief Ashok Chavan was hopeful of AIMIM boss Owaisi and BBM’s Ambedkar at the Aurangabad rally roping in the BBM. But Ambedkar is

16 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 STATES

WILD CARD firm on the alliance with AIMIM and has ENTRY said he would only consider the Congress’s The cloned wild buffalo proposal if it gave the BBM 12 seats. Notably, in Naya Raipur Ambedkar has rejected a tie-up with Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party calling him an opportunist. BHUPESH KESHARWANI Analysts say the BBM-AIMIM alliance won’t work outside Akola, from where CHHATTISGARH Ambedkar plans to contest. Elsewhere in Maharashtra, they say the AIMIM has squandered its advantage after winning Animal Instinct the assembly polls in Central Aurangabad and Byculla and the major inroads it had Successful cloning raises the state’s hopes made in the Nanded municipal corporation of saving the endangered wild bufalo in 2014. Six months back, the party drew a blank in the same Nanded corporation. More By Rahul Noronha recently, Owaisi’s insistence on an apology from MLA Waris Pathan for chanting Gan- t’s a homecoming of sorts. The a male from Assam is to bring pati slogans dur ing the Ganesh festival has world’s first clone of the criti- genetic variation in the progeny. perturbed voters. Ically endangered Asiatic wild “We took the support of science. buffalo (Bubalus arnee) has been The challenge now is to ensure the brought to Chhattisgarh, where it clone yields calves,” he said. THE AIMIM HAS BLOWN will be part of a species recovery Chhattisgarh is the only ITS GAINS FROM 2014: SIX programme. Cloned from a wild landscape in central India that buffalo in the Udanti-Sitanadi Ti- has wild buffalo. Direly close to MONTHS AGO, IT DREW A ger Reserve, Deepasha was born extinction in 2006, three of the BLANK IN THE NANDED at the National Dairy Research In- then five surviving animals in stitute (NDRI) in Karnal (Haryana) Udanti-Sitanadi—two females and CORPORATION, WHERE IT in 2015. She has now been given a male—were bred in captivity. a new home at the conservation- Three calves born at the breeding HAD MADE INROADS breeding centre in Naya Raipur’s centre have since been released Jungle Safari. into the forest. Designated Chhattisgarh’s State wildlife officials say This is clearly not going to be a cake- state animal, the wild buffalo has there are small populations of wild walk. Union MoS for social justice Ramdas all but disappeared from the state’s buffaloes in Bijapur’s Indravati Na- Athavale, who has considerable clout among forests. The last count of the tional Park and the Pamed Wildlife SC communities, predicts that the BBM- species undertaken at the Udanti Sanctuary too. But large parts of AIMIM alliance will be a blessing for the Wildlife Sanctuary showed that a these reserves are not accessible, BJP as it will divide the votes. In addition, mere 12 remained in the wild. owing to the presence of Maoists. the Maharashtra Muslim Sangh (MMS), an Wildlife authorities in the state Officials, however, concede that umbrella outfit of some 50 NGOs with 20 are excited about the prospects the total wild buffalo count in the million members, views the AIMIM as “out- of crossing the female clone with state is not more than 50. siders”. Its chief, Fakir Muhammad Thakur, the few remaining male buffaloes As part of the species recov- says “we need local leaders”. at Udanti-Sitanadi as well as in As- ery programme, wildlife authorities Back in the BJP camp, they see the BBM- sam, the only other Indian habitat have vaccinated 3,500 domestic AIMIM as an opportunity to cons olidate the with a surviving wild buffalo cattle in the area where the wild party’s OBC support base. The ruling party population. “To begin with, we are buffalo is found. This is to prevent is already planning a concerted campaign planning to move a male buffalo, in the spread of diseases from do- focusing on the state government’s schemes captivity at Sitanadi, to the breed- mestic buffaloes. To ensure there for the OBC community. Even the Shiv Sena ing centre in Raipur,” said chief is no inter-breeding, the state senses that things are going the BJP’s way. wildlife warden R.K. Singh. forest department has bought “The BJP itself has engineered this alliance Rajendra Mishra, regional dozens of domestic buffaloes from to dent the opposition votes,” says the Shiv head of the Wildlife Trust of India villagers in the vicinity of the forest Sena’s Sanjay Raut. (WTI), says the plan to also source frequented by the wild buffalo. COVER STORY #MeToo HITS HOME

AS WOMEN BREAK THEIR SILENCE TO NAME AND SHAME SEXUAL PREDATORS, THE NATION GOES THROUGH A COLLECTIVE CATHARSIS. #TIMESUP FOR By Damayanti Datta WORKPLACE WOLVES with Shweta Punj and Chinki Sinha

11: 50 pm: “I am sorry to bring this up—but I was thinking of the harassment you had to face…” 11.54 pm: “Nobody dares to mention M.J. Akbar. Wonder why. He has single-handedly destroyed so many lives and careers” 11.57 pm: “He used to take young journalists with him to cover prime assignments and then call them over at night. Those who did not obey were ruined” 11.59 pm: “Hell. Should we just anonymously call him out?”

October 7, Sunday, nearly midnight. And two women journalists are texting each other. Just three days ago, “writer. comic. poet. fighter” Mahima Kukreja had announced on Twitter: “I want everyone to know @Wootsaw is a piece It’s of shit. He sent me a dick pic, was creepy, then cried saying I’ll ruin his career if I tell others.” Angry messages and posts started going to and fro across the internet. Women tore into @Wootsaw—better known as comedian Utsav Chakraborty—dis-

AFP 18 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 TANUSHREE DUTTA, Actor ACCUSATION “A lewd dance step was introduced on the insistence of #NanaPatekar (on the film sets of NANA PATEKAR, Actor Horn OK Pleassss in 2008) so that DEFENCE he could touch me inappropri- “What was the truth 10 years ately. They made me go through ago remains the same today hell and, till today, no one has and will continue to be tomor- condemned their actions” row as well... My lawyer has advised me not to speak on the matter. Hence, I am silent” COVER STORY# MeToo

closed untold stories of their own encounters, tossed around ideas, collating lists of “alleged predators”. It was clearly a rare moment in time. Women were out to fulfil their tryst with destiny. The celebrity journalist-cum-neophyte minister M.J. Akbar, who once famously said, “You can chop off limbs but can’t get rid of the head,” was “called out” on Twitter exactly at 12 am by the two journalists, with a screenshot of their exchange and a salute to Article 19 of the Constitution of India: “#TimesUp Mr MJ Akbar.” Within minutes, the post drew up to 300-plus Likes and Retweets. Before an hour was up, anonymous women were revealing untold stories of alleged ag- gressive sexual overtures by the man. It was freedom PRIYA at midnight: the freedom to do what the laws against RAMANI, Journalist sexual harassment had failed to do till date. The rally- ing cry of this sudden and spontaneous uprising was a ACCUSATION hashtag: #MeToo. The lesson? No power is absolute or “You know how uncontrolled and there is always safety in numbers. to pinch, pat, rub, grab and SEX AND POWER assault. Speak- ing up against Women are emerging out of the woodwork with tri- you still car- umphant cries of “#Me too”, and prominent men who ries a heavy believed themselves to be above the law are toppling price that many like power lines in a storm. The world has not seen such young women assertion of anger in women, the connective power of cannot afford social media, the democratic force of the internet, nor to pay” the potential of a single six-character hashtag ever. A year on since two exposés by The New York Times and The New Yorker first detailed allegations of sexual misconduct against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, #MeToo has become not just the story of of the accused is becoming increasingly illustrious: from one powerful man who exploited women just because big-time film producer Vikas Bahl to ace actors Nana he could. It is the toxic story of sex and power. It is what Patekar, Alok Nath, Rajat Kapoor, Vairamuthu, Rohit happens every day to women everywhere in the world. It Roy, Mukesh Kumar to M.J. Akbar. Carefully worded is a conversation about men’s behaviour towards women apologies are rolling out across the media. Those who and power imbalances, especially in the world of work. remain silent, waiting to be forgotten, have their faces One year to the day since the NYT report blew open the plastered across television screens. #MeToo movement, it is the global conversation of the mo- PREDATOR ON ment: on October 5, the Nobel THE PROWL Peace Prize committee recog- CAREFULLLY WORDED In the workplace, predatory men nised Congolese surgeon Denis usually target subordinates, Mukwege and Yazidi campaign- APOLOGIES FROM THE because they are unlikely to er Nadia Murad for their efforts ACCUSED ARE ROLLING inform. “The victims often think to end sexual violence. that they will not be believed, One year to the month, OUT. THOSE WHO the institution will support the #MeToo has arrived in the land STAY SILENT, HOPING predators, especially if they are of the Kamasutra. And the well-known people, or that they effects of public naming and TO BE FORGOTTEN, will lose their jobs or career shaming can be seen every day, HAVE THEIR FACES opportunities,” says clinical as heads roll in the wake of the psychologist Dr Manju Mehta, #MeToo meltdown. The line-up PLASTERED ON TV former professor at AIIMS.

20 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 “Sexual harassment, assault or rape have little to do with sex,” says Mehta. “They may have sex on their mind a great deal, but only as a tool to control and conquer a body. The real thrill is in the conquest, not in relationships.” Bahl, it has been alleged, would “pretend to be drunk”, his preferred modus operandi to sexually abuse and assault women. Suparna Sharma, resident editor of , Delhi, wrote in her tweet that “he (Akbar) was always preying on someone and generally crossing boundaries with others”. In the 1990s, when she reported to Akbar, he had once plucked her bra strap. Sharma was in her early 20s, but remembers scream- ing at him. That’s one of the many “transgressions” that were routine: “No one was spared and at that time there were no committees one could go to.” Most of the women who have called him out now allege that there was a pattern to the way he pursued women: arranging to meet them in a hotel room, holding out prestigious assignments, sending them out of town, insisting on a shared car ride. Almost all his accusers say they were young, many lived alone in a different city. Writer and journalist Priya Ramani has come on record saying Akbar had called her to his hotel room

M.J. AKBAR, Ex-editor, MoS for external affairs DEFENCE Three days into the allegations, Akbar was yet to respond. Sources say the ministry was of the view GHAZALA WAHAB, Journalist that the incidents (of sexual harass- ACCUSATION ment) happened “He ran his hands from my breast “when Akbar to my hips. I tried pushing his was not in the hands away, but they were plas- government” tered on my waist, his thumbs rubbing the sides of my breasts” T NARAYAN

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 21 COVER STORY# MeToo

MANY SEXUAL PREDATORS THINK THEY ARE “IRRESISTIBLE” AND WHOEVER THEY FIND DESIRABLE IS AUTOMATICALLY ATTRACTED TO THEM. EVEN A SMILE WOULD INDICATE THEY CAN PROCEED

in 1997, when she was a “rookie”, just 23 and he 43, at the time of the Incident. Many sexual predators think that they are “irresistible” to women and that whoever they find desirable is automatically attracted to them. Even a friendly smile would indicate that they can proceed. “I am not a harasser. Never was, never will be,” author Chetan Bhagat has claimed against #MeToo allegations directed at him by a journalist, who shared screenshots of a conversation in which the author says he wanted to

woo her, ignoring her protests that he SUJIT JAISWAL/GETTY IMAGES was married. The allegations—that Patekar “had put his hands all over” model-actor Tanushree KANGANA RANAUT, Dutta during the filming of the Actor movie, Horn ‘OK’ Pleassss, in 2008, or that Kapoor would ACCUSATION impose himself repeatedly on “He’d bury his face in my neck, hold me really young women—do not surprise tight and breathe in the psychologists. Nor do people who smell of my hair...”—the expose themselves, like Utsav or actress while supporting

Bahl: “They seek an admiring gaze MILIND SHELTE MILIND harass ment allegations and the exhibitionism itself excites by two other women them,” says Mehta. Targeting women may have nothing to do with sexual needs. Many sexual predators are often married men, yet they find it exciting to use VIKAS BAHL, Filmmaker force in making their conquest, explains Mehta. Alok DEFENCE Nath has been accused of rape by his wife’s friend. In “You are neither a witness her allegation against adman Suhel Seth, journalist nor the alleged victim, but Mandakini Gehlot has written: “Suhel reached out—I instead an opportunist figured for a quick hug—and planted a big sloppy kiss seeking to derive benefit on my mouth, I felt his tongue inside my mouth. I was based on unsubstantiated information”—from Bahl’s so stunned and I said something like ‘Suhel, you can’t legal notice to his partners do that’.” It’s all about power and control, says Mehta, in Phantom Films the predator’s self-image is that he can dominate others easily.

22 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 THE #METOO ERA reports Facebook. Today, the #MeToo website calls it a #MeToo turned into a tsunami on social media after a movement that encourages “millions to speak out about call to action by actor Alyssa Milano, one of Weinstein’s sexual violence and harassment”. harshest critics, on October 15, 2017. “If all the women Milano’s online call may not have become a move- who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote ment if Donald Trump had not won the US election, ‘Me too’ as a status, we might give people a sense of the writes Rebecca Traister, author of Big Girls Don’t Cry: magnitude of the problem.” Within 24 hours, 4.7 mil- The Election That Changed Everything for American lion women—and some men—around the world started Women. Trump’s repeated vulgar comments about taking part, speaking out and disclosing the harass- women, that a man can do anything to a woman if he ment and abuse they have endured in their own lives, is famous enough, has kept alive the fury and hashtag with over 12 million posts, comments, and reactions, campaigns. A fresh wave of #MeToo unrest has swept across the US last week over the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court despite allega- VINTA NANDA, Writer, filmmaker tions of sexual assault against him. ACCUSATION Such examples make anger a driving force in the “I can remember more liquor being internet age. It is possible to have conversations about poured into my mouth... being vio- what it means to be a woman, share experiences of lated endlessly. When I woke up the sexual violence, build solidarity, bring next morning, I was in pain. I hadn’t STRDEL/GETTY IMAGES the world closer and keep attention on just been raped, I was taken to my events that slip off the news agenda. own house and brutalised” The internet also blurs boundaries, as work percolates into private spaces while personal time turns into work. “As we spend the largest chunk of our time at work, sexual harassment at the workplace is bound to become a big issue,” says sociologist Anagha Sarpotdar, an expert in sexual harassment from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. #MeToo is a metaphor for such workplace experiences, where more often than not, powerful men do not get punished for sexual ALOK NATH, misconduct, even when a Actor complaint is lodged with the DEFENCE HR department. “Neither I am denying this nor NEW CONVERSATION would I agree In some ways, many of the with it. It (rape) must have men being called out were not happened, but behaving any differently than someone else they always have. Much of would have done their behaviour with women it. Well, I do not was the same as what any want to talk much number of men in positions of about it” Nath’s power before them would have lawyer later called done. But they were doing it in the allegations a a moment where the conver- “planned sation has changed. From conspiracy” privacy to adultery, triple talaq to Sabarimala, the Supreme MILIND SHELTE

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 23 WATCH YOUR MOVES Workplace sexual harassment is behaviour that is 1. Unwelcome SEXUAL 2. Sexual in nature 3. A subjective HARASSMENT experience WHAT CONSTITUTES INAPPROPRIATE 4. Impact not intention SEXUAL CONDUCT AT THE WORKPLACE is what matters 5. Often occurs within a matrix of power

NON-VERBAL VERBAL by promises or threats, 1. Displaying sexist or explicit or implicit. 1. Sexually suggestive other ofensive pictures, remarks, jokes, 5. Persistently asking posters, MMS, SMS, innuendos, ofensive someone out despite WhatsApp or e-mails comments being turned down 2. Intimidation, threats 7. Stalking and blackmail around 8 . Abuse of authority sexual favours or power to threaten a 3. Unwelcome social person’s job or undermine invitations, with sexual her performance against PHYSICAL overtones commonly sexual favours understood as ﬂirting 9. 1. Touching or pinching Controlling a person’s 4. Unwelcome sexual reputation by rumour- 2. Caressing, kissing advances which may or mongering about her or fondling someone may not be accompanied private life against their will (could be considered assault) 3. Invasion of personal Source: Handbook of Sexual Harassment of space (getting too close for Women at the Workplace Act, 2013; no reason, brushing against Own It—Leadership Lessons From Women or cornering someone) Who Do by Aparna Jain, HarperCollins India

do so is a non-cognisable of service to withholding HOW THE ANTI-SEXUAL ofence under the law of pay and can also award HARASSMENT LAW EVOLVED ● The presiding ocer compensation to women should be a senior level ● After the brutal gang ● Sexual harassment in the women at the workplace woman employee. The rape and death of a young workplace is amongst the ● The Sexual Harassment panel should have no less physiotherapist in Delhi in most unreported crimes of Women at Workplace than two members from December 2012, Parliament against women. There (Prevention, Prohibition amongst employees who amended the criminal were no clear laws on the and Redressal) Act, 2013, is are committed to the cause law relating to sexual subject before 2013 and unique as for the ﬁrst time of women and one external ofences. The Criminal Laws many women desisted from it recognises workplace NGO member. At least half of (Amendment) Act, 2013, reporting harassment sexual harassment as an the ICC members should be broadened the deﬁnition ● The gang-rape of social infringement of women’s women of rape and increased worker Bhanwari Devi in fundamental rights as under ● The ICC is to provide a punishment for several sex Rajasthan in 1992 led to the Indian Constitution report on whether or not ofences ● a petition in the Supreme ● The statute places an sexual harassment has been To invoke penal provisions, Court in 1997 by a group of obligation on both public and proved within 10 days of the charges must be proved women’s organisations called private sector employers to completion of evidence. It beyond reasonable doubt and ‘Visakha’. The court issued set up an Internal Complaints can act against the accused, must have all the ingredients guidelines in 1997 to protect Committee (ICC). Failure to ranging from termination of the ofence

24 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 Illustrations by TANMOY CHAKRABORTY COVER STORY# MeToo

Court of India has been proactive in protecting and promoting women’s rights. “When a man can enter, a woman can also go. What applies to a man applies to a woman too,” a five-judge constitution bench asserted during the Sabarimala verdict this year. With their passionate court talk, they have captured the public imagination as relentless crusaders in a war against ‘evil’. Comprising 49 per cent of the electorate, Indian women are being felicitated, celebrated and awarded like never before by political parties of all stripes. If pre-election budgets are supposed to deliver a message, Budget 2018-19 focused on women. On July 20, when the Modi government faced a no-confidence motion in Parliament, the defence began by highlighting its track record on empowering women: Beti Bachao to Ujjwala Yojana to Stand Up India or Swachh Bharat. From Mann Ki Baat to Independence Day speeches, the PM talks about the achievements of women—in Parliament, sports, the judiciary—and lists out the new laws and schemes instituted in the past four years. Announcing the Permanent Commission for Women, he said, “This is my gift to the women of the country.” He has praised women Navy officers, warned rapists of the strictest punishment, assured Muslim THE INDIA TODAY women of protection from triple talaq. President Ram Nath SEX SURVEY 2018 Kovind awarded ‘Nari Shakti AT THE WORKPLACE Puraskar’ on Women’s Day; NITI Aayog honoured Women Trans- SUGGESTS THAT SEX forming India. BETWEEN BOSSES At the same time, public discourse around the world and AND SUBORDINATES in India has really started to IS VERY COMMON. grapple with sexual harassment, abuse and assault in the public BUT HOW OFTEN IS sphere as a serious violation. IT COERCED RATHER Sexual interactions at the workplace include a wide range of THAN CONSENSUAL? behaviours that include flirting, bantering, sexual jokes, touching, consuming pornography, dating, affairs, live-in relationships and marriage. Where does consent end and coercion begin? How pervasive is consensual sexual activity in the workplace? How do workers and organisations distinguish between wanted and unwanted sexual behaviour? The INDIA TODAY- MDRA 2018 sex survey at the workplace shows sex between bosses and subordinates as a norm: of the 33 per cent men who have had sex with colleagues, 57 per cent engaged with subordinates. Of the 22 per cent women who have had sex with colleagues, 61 per cent got involved with the boss. How much of it is consensual or coerced? Although the Supreme Court formulated the Vishakha Guidelines against sexual harassment of women at the workplace (Vishakha vs State of Rajasthan) in 1997, sexual abuse and aberra- tions at the workplace have returned to the spotlight time and again. Infamous cases of famous men—K.P.S. Gill, Phaneesh Murthy, David COVER STORY# MeToo

CHINMAYI SRIPAADA, Singer ACCUSATION “My workplace is mostly clean, save for some bad apples. I call Vairamuthu (Sir) out alone and I dare... VAIRAMUTHU, Vairamuthu is a sexual predator. Film lyricist I will take this to DEFENCE my grave” “It has become fashionable to cast aspersions on those who are popular. In recent times, I have been shamed repeatedly. This is one of them. I dismiss anything other than truth. Truth will win”

BANDEEP SINGH

Davidar, Tarun Tejpal or R.K. Pachauri—have rocked moment for 19 years,” wrote producer Vinta Nanda in the nation. The courts have had to come forward: in a long post on social media on October 8. Nanda has 2013, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace shared an account of rape by the lead actor of the ’90s (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act was TV show Tara many years ago on a night when she was instituted; in 2017, the Delhi High Court ruled that at a party and her drinks had been mixed. She says she mere physical contact without sexual overtones would was raped by the man whose wife was her best friend. not amount to sexual harassment at the workplace; this He was Alok Nath. But it took her 19 years to come out year, the Supreme Court has rejected a PIL to make rape with the horror of what happened to her. and sexual harassment cases gender-neutral. Disputes “I think we are witnessing a huge transition,” says over the right to work with dignity at the workplace have Santosh Desai, author of Mother Pious Lady, Mak- become the new battlefield. “I do notice that more and ing Sense of Everyday India, “an attempt to correct more young women are becoming less and less tolerant the power equation, the everyday imbalance that has of any kind of sexual harassment,” says senior advocate triggered it.” There is a history of unexpressed and un- Rebecca John. “It is not something women should bear acknowledged feeling. It has been in the making for a silently, as women of our generation did.” long, long time.” Social organisation makes up for who we are as people, and gender equations have for long THE SILENCE BREAKERS determined the value systems that govern our societal It is almost a cathartic experience for women who structures. “It is a profound shift in the narrative and have kept silent about the abuse. “I have waited for this its impact will be felt sharply,” he believes.

26 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 The outpouring of anger is not only built around big things but small things too, points out Professor Madhavi Menon from Ashoka University. “This is not only about rapes or sexual assaults. It is about the daily insults and daily demeaning,” she says. While in the United States, women who broke their silence spanned races, ages and income groups, in India, the movement has been somewhat restricted to the educated, English-speaking, social media-savvy women. It is yet to move to smaller cities and SANDHYA across sectors—start-ups, small and medium MENON, businesses which are the largest employment Journalist generators. “This is the mood of the times,” ACCUSATION says Desai. “The reason being that there is an “So I gave him underlying shift in the power equation. We do a a hug to say good lot of work in small towns, where we are seeing night. He took that women are getting far more assertive. For my face in his the first time, men are being evaluated.” hands that moment, held it right there THE BACKLASH and kissed my To many, the movement “can’t last”. The power- mouth; tongue ful will never give up without a fight and it is and all” only a matter of time before the backlash hits. NILOTPAL BARUAH NILOTPAL

GAUTAM ADHIKARI, Ex-editor, The Times of India DEFENCE “I have no recollection of this. I remember Ms Menon as a col- leaguewhoItreatedfairly.Iret- ired from the media a long time ago.I’msorryifIappearedtohave been impolite at any time”

KAUSHIK ROY COVER STORY / #MeToo

SHIVAM SAXENA/GETTY IMAGES

SONA MAHAPATRA, Singer ACCUSATION “A hand on my thigh and lines like, you are so beautiful, feel so good that a ‘musician got you’ (Ram Sampath, her husband) not an actor”

KAILASH KHER, Singer An op-ed in the DEFENCE American magazine “Allthose who know me know The Atlantic points to how much I respect humanity, the allegations against especiallywomen...butincase comedian Aziz Ansari anyone has taken something as revealing women to be differently about anything, “angry, temporarily power- VIKRAM SHARMA then my sincerest apologies” ful—and very, very dangerous”. To be sure, there is much that is women who have shared their stories want legal redress less than ideal in #MeToo: for instance, its standards or are coming forward with complaints in the courts or of proof. The movement just goes by the court of public in police stations. “I know a lot of women and me opinion. Also a violent assault is being treated with the included who didn’t have the foresight to save screen- same tar brush as a boss who persistently cajoles an shots as proof,” she says. “And I don’t know if the employee for sex. There is hardly any debate on what #MeToo movement is just about sexual harassment at the consequences should be in various cases. Some the workplace. #MeToo covers in its ambit misogyny, question the validity or element of exaggeration behind sexism and any harassment where there is an element the finger-pointing. of threat. And this threat is subjective. Not everyone is The truth is that prejudices against women still sim- immersed in terminologies and you can’t expect those mer just below the surface. Victims whose experiences nuances from survivors.” are “insufficiently” abusive are being trolled, or blamed Now lawyer Seema Sapra has filed a PIL in the for what they experienced. “Men are being pushed into Supreme Court against former attorney general Soli a situation they are not familiar with,” says Desai. “This Sorabjee, alleging that the 88-year-old veteran lawyer is scary for them. They are forcefully trying to put the has sexually harassed a number of women. Sorabjee genie back into the bottle.” There is a lot of flash in the denied these allegations. According to Supreme Court pan in this movement, explains Menon. “With the very lawyer Karuna Nandy, the burden of preventing senior title #MeToo, I think we are losing sight of collectiv- people from incurring civil and criminal liabilities ity. We often mistake the movement of chronology as a should be on organisations and this is the way equality movement of progress,” she says. can be ensured. “Zero tolerance for such behaviour The movement, according to Supreme Court lawyer can clean up all possibilities,” she says. “Power is not Mihira Sood, can’t be in the legal framework yet. Not all given, but taken and the onus for ensuring due

28 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 process should be on the patriarchy.” As more and more women come out on social media with accounts of sexual harassment and abuse at the workplace or otherwise with men who use power dynamics, the question is what happens to the #metooIndia movement that was initiated last year by 24-year-old Raya SUHEL SETH, Sarkar, who came out with a list of men in Author and socialite Indian academia, accusing them of using their position of power to abuse women who worked DEFENCE with them? Lawyers like Rujuta Shinde, who Didn’t respond is among a bunch of women lawyers who have to this specific promised pro bono legal advice should any allegation but women want to take matters to court, says it be- did so to another anonymous comes an issue “when a public resistance move- one, saying he ment is met with stringent defamation laws, “wasn’t in Mum- where the accused is innocent until proven bai, but abroad” guilty”. The burden of proof in civil matters at the time the is a problem in cases of sexual harassment or alleged incident assault and WhatsApp and Facebook messages took place have to undergo a veracity test and might not be permissible in the court of law. Delhi-based lawyer Satyajit Sarna, who works on defamation cases, says that in a lot of cases, lawyers will advise an accused person

SANDEEP SAHDEV

NATASHJA RATHORE, Filmmaker ACCUSATION “You then threw yourself at me although I was clearly uncomfortable. You shoved your tongue down my throat even when I resisted—I whacked your head and said “behave yourself”. You put your hand into my kurta... and grabbed my breast...” GUEST COLUMN Prepare for the

NISHA SUSAN Apocalypse

hen the polar ice caps melt, we will be exposed as 10, in Bihar were beaten with sticks and to long-dormant killer viruses and bacteria, iron rods by adults for resisting the sexual Ireadlastyear.Iwasthinkingofthathorror harassmentofboys.Eventhisweekwhen movie scenario this week as a fresh wave of theCatholicchurchinKeralaistryingto #MeToo shook the media and entertainment render homeless a group of nuns who have establishment, just as #LoSHA had shaken supported a fellow nun, who says the former theacademicworldlastyear.Storiesfrom bishop of Jalandhar diocese raped her. So in decades ago, stories from last week. Stories this rape-friendly, rape-aware world that we in the oice, on the field, at parties and inside live in, these responses of shock and disbelief oices were all breaking out from under the sound very much like, ‘What’s that? Your boss tundraofTheShowMustGoOn. attackedyouwithastrainofbubonicplague IfyouhavebeenonTwitteratallthis from below the Tundra? You must be lying/ W week, you would have found a million points exaggerating/ mistaken/ wanting to be on of interest. I want to point to just two. television.’ Really? One.Ifit’sasignofintelligencetobelieve Andhereisthesecondthingthatinter- in two contradictory things at the same time, ests me. It even makes me smile. In this vast then we are a highly intelligent culture. I and unsavoury bufet of allegations, you tripped and fell on the footpath this week. can find everything from well-documented I looked up and a man had reached out his instances of sexual assault to sexual ad- hand to help me up. I smiled to indicate that vances on WhatsApp from men in positions I was okay but before I could open my mouth, of power. Now some people don’t like their another man was pushing the first one away chutney to touch their sambhar. When an with a giant frown, ‘protecting’ me from a possible assault on my sensibilities. This second man is a human avatar of my entire upbringing—where women are continuously taught that there be danger from men, and mysteriously, safety from men in other men. (Or as they say in Malayalam, kaduva-ey pidikyan kiduva. A tigger to catch a tiger. Or something. #AskAMalayali.) But why do I say we are a highly intelligent culture? All week, as woman after woman put forth extremely credible allegations of assault and harassment, they were met often with wonderment and doubts. This disbelief would have seemed more natural in a society where nobody is thinking of rape as an everyday occurrence. Where even this week, a group of schoolgirls, some as young

Illustration by SIDDHANT JUMDE erotica writer complained with screen- COVER STORY# MeToo shots of a conversation with a big-name writer, lots of people jumped on her to say this wasn’t harassment. What they were missing is that her rage (evident even in the texts) came from realising who wants to file a defamation suit to just apologise instead. that she thought she was having a warm “Any of the accused would be best advised to let it pass, issue a conversation with a peer, but the male statement, do anything but take it to court. Day after tomorrow, writer was trying at every turn to push it will be forgotten. But if you file a suit, it will live for years and her into sexting. She was obviously not you will create a martyr,” he says. a prude, but she was clearly furious that But the movement has already been successful. Prashant he thought her literary interests meant Jha, political editor of the Hindustan Times, had to step down that she would automatically want after lawyer-reporter Avantika Mehta said he sent her lewd to service his sexual fantasies. Other messages. Video streaming service Hotstar announced that women talked about boyfriends and for- it was cancelling the production of the third season of ‘On Air mer boyfriends who have behaved badly with AIB’ after allega- during and after relationships. These tions of sexual harass- women, like the erotica writer, have of- ment against two of ten got the ‘Don’t make #MeToo impure. its founding members, Real women ﬁle FIRs. Don’t bring your PREJUDICES SIMMER Tanmay Bhat and personal issues here’ treatment. BELOW THE SURFACE. Gursimran Khamba, I want to hug all these people and who have stepped say: prepare for the apocalypse, broth- WOMEN WHOSE down. Rajat Kapoor’s ers and sisters. Women (of a particular EXPERIENCES ARE films will not be part class-caste background) have got an of the Mumbai Film opportunity to air the connections “INSUFFICIENTLY” Festival. That’s how between various male behaviour—men ABUSIVE ARE BEING women are feeling vin- who rape, men who belittle their col- dicated, says Kalpana leagues, men who make the work of TROLLED OR BLAMED Sharma, a writer for women invisible, men who treat their FOR WHAT THEY Network of Women lovers and wives like property, men who in India. “The anger write books to have access to women. WENT THROUGH of younger women is Now the ice caps have broken and there valid,” she says. At the is no going back to a place where Only time she started out Real Women Report Rape, and Only as a journalist, the Rape. These other complaints about feminist movement wasn’t strong and there was no framework patriarchy are not leaving the building. for legal action in case of sexual harassment at the workplace. They can and will demand a receipt. Her network has initiated a survey on sexual harassment at the As the Trump administration’s workplace, offering to build a support system for women in case Environment Protection Agency recently they want to follow up on their complaints. said, a little radiation is good for you. ■ ROAD AHEAD Nisha Susan is Arguments and counters are flying thick and fast. Camps are founder-editor of the website being formed and the air is thick with tension. India is liv- The Ladies Finger ing through an upheaval. The #MeToo moment has engulfed some of the most powerful men in politics, entertainment, and media. It has also forced a national reckoning with the reality of our workplace cultures. It is painful to hear the stories, the dredging up of terrible long-suppressed memories, but the next generation of women has arrived. And they are asking for more than their mothers ever did. They have frightening boldness and they will not be happy until they get their recognition as equal people. #MeToo will end only when women’s humanity is recognised and restored. As Sharma says, “#MeToo is a leaky dam that is now spilling over and it will continue. Let them call us fallen women. We will turn the tables on them.” Till such time, fingers crossed.

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 31 HIGH COMMAND Sonia and Rahul with Mayawati in Bengaluru in May JAISON G JAISON

SPECIAL REPORT MAYAWATI THE ELUSIVE MAYA IT’S ADVANTAGE BJP AS A STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL LEADS THE BSP CHIEF TO SNUB THE CONGRESS IN THREE POLL-BOUND HINDI HEARTLAND STATES

By Ajit Kumar Jha f the photo-op in Karnataka in negotiations prior to the Lok Sabha polls. May or the Akhilesh Yadav- Acknowledging the equation, Congress leader Randeep Mayawati tie-up two months Surjewala says: “Mayawati has expressed mutual respect and earlier was anything to go by, reposed her confidence in Soniaji and Rahulji. If the three a mahagathbandhan or grand top leaders—Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and BSP presi- alliance of opposition parties dent Mayawati—are on the same page, no fourth person can I was almost a given for three as- disturb the equation between the Congress and the BSP.” sembly polls in November and The Congress’s dreams of help from the BSP, a key ally the general election in 2019. in the grand alliance, to end 15 years of BJP rule in Madhya But then the mercurial May- Pradesh and Chhattisgarh collided directly with the BSP’s awati put a spanner in the works, aligning first with Ajit desire to piggyback on the Congress in the three states. Jogi’s Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC) and then rul- Congress leaders say they would have given the BSP a maxi- ing out an alliance with the Congress in Madhya Pradesh mum of 15 seats when the party wanted as many as 50 in and Rajasthan. “In the interest of the BSP movement,” the 230-member MP assembly. MP Congress Committee the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president declared, “it president Kamal Nath, however, came to former CM Digvi- has been decided that the party will not ally with the jaya Singh’s defence, saying, “Someone had to be blamed Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan at any cost. for the alliance not working out, and Mayawati blamed In Karnataka, we tied up with a regional party (Janata Digvijaya Singh. The fact is the BSP wanted 50 seats and Dal-Secular). In Chhattisgarh, we tied up with Ajit Jogi’s given the ground position, the BSP cannot possibly win in Janta Congress Chhattisgarh. In Madhya Pradesh and many of these seats. This would have directly benefitted the Rajasthan, we may go with reg- BJP,” says Nath. However, being ional parties there, but certainly the optimist and pragmatist that not with [the] Congress.” he is, Kamal Nath still hopes some Mayawati’s blistering attack IN THE INTEREST OF THE arrangement can be worked out on All India Congress Committee BSP MOVEMENT, WE HAVE before the polls commence. general secretary Digvijaya Singh, A desperate and combative who she accused of being a “BJP DECIDED WE WILL NOT Mayawati has her own compulsions agent” and held squarely respon- ALLY WITH THE CONGRESS in driving a hard bargain with the sible for the botched alliance Congress. The BSP’s vote share had talks between her party and the IN MP AND RAJASTHAN AT dipped dramatically in each of the Congress in poll-bound Madhya ANY COST... WE WILL NOT three Hindi heartland states in the Pradesh, has stunned observers. TOLERATE THE INSULT OF 2013 assembly polls after peaking The Congress, however, is clinging in 2008. In MP, her party’s vote on to the hope that these are mere OUR PEOPLE share declined from 8.8 per cent bargaining tactics by the BSP for MAYAWATI (or 7 seats) in 2008 to 6.3 per cent a greater number of seats in any (4 seats) in 2013. In Chhattisgarh, pre-poll alliance with the Congress the party’s vote share declined from in the three poll-bound states. 6.1 per cent (2 seats) in 2008 to 4.3 One indication of this came on October 9 when, per cent (1 seat) in 2013. In Rajasthan, its vote share and celebrating BSP founder Kanshi Ram’s birth anniversary, seats halved from 7.6 per cent (6 seats) in 2008 to 3.4 per she said, “We won’t go begging to any party for seats. We cent (3 seats) in 2013. won’t tolerate the insult of our people. That’s why we have The slide in BSP vote share and seats has been even put forth only one condition, of being given a respectable more dramatic in Uttar Pradesh, its greatest stronghold. number of seats to enter into an electoral alliance.” The party, with 30 per cent of the popular vote in 2007, had On their part, most Congress observers firmly believe romped to power with 206 out of the 403 seats. Mayawati this is typical Mayawati-style hard bargaining. After all, became chief minister for a full five-year term. By 2012, the they point out while gunning for the Congress local lead- BSP’s popular vote had slid down to 26 per cent, bringing ership last week, Mayawati significantly spared Congress down its seat share to 80, and ceding the chief ministerial president Rahul Gandhi and United Progressive Alliance space to Samajwadi Party scion Akhilesh Yadav. Things chairperson Sonia Gandhi, even going to the extent of turned even more disastrous in 2017, when the BSP’s popu- saying, “I feel Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi’s inten- lar vote slid to 22.2, earning the party a measly 19 seats and tions for a Congress-BSP alliance are honest. But some paving the way for Yogi Adityanath to become the head of Congress leaders are sabotaging it.” This strategy of spar- the BJP government in the state. The decline of the party is ing the Congress high command but attacking state-level reflected even in the Lok Sabha results. In both 2004 and leaders is with an eye to keeping her options open for any 2009, the BSP won 19 and 20 seats respectively out of the

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 33 SPECIAL REPORT MAYAWATI

80seatsinUP.Butby2014,theBSPendedupwithnil LOOKING BACK AT 2013 seats despite a 19.6 per cent vote share. GOING BY THE LAST ASSEMBLY POLL, CONGRESS Itisthisdramaticslideinvoteandseatsharethathas NEEDS THE BSP MORE THAN THE OTHER WAY ROUND made Mayawati desperate. It is a now or never situation for her in both the assembly elections this year and the general election next year. She sees the battle in the MADHYA PRADESH Hindi heartland states as a chance to increase her vote Total seats in the assembly: 230 and seat share. The rising Dalit consciousness in the face ofatrocitiesagainsttheminBJP-ruledstates,dilutionof 6% the provisions of the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes 37% 165 (PreventionofAtrocities)Actandtheissueofquotain 45% 58 4 jobs and promotions have come to her aid. 14% 3 InAprilthisyear,MPbecametheepicentreof VOTE SHARE SEATS massive Dalit protests after six people were killed in mob violence in Gwalior, Bhind and Morena districts What it means: The BJP gains and the Congress and many more injured during a Bharat bandh.The loses in a three-cornered contest. However, if the rail blockade and other incidents of violence spread all Congress and BSP were to ally, their combined around the Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, UP and 42.8% vote share, 2.1 percentage points below BJP’s Bihar. Mayawati, with her committed Dalit voters, wants 44.9%, could pose a threat to the safron party, to capitalise on this rising sentiment of the community. especially as it faces anti-incumbency Besides these, there were at least another dozen seats inwhichtheBSPvotewassubstantialenoughtoalterthe outcomeofthepollsshoulditallywiththeCongress.Even CHHATTISGARH MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan admitted that Total seats in the assembly: 90 a Congress-BSP alliance could pose a serious threat for the BJPinBundelkhand,particularlyintheGwalior-Cham- bal and Vindhya regions, in at least 15 seats. 4 HowstrongistheBSPinMP?Thepartyreliesmainly 40% 5 49 on a core committed vote bank comprising Scheduled 41% 39 1 Castes.ThreeofthefourseatsitwoninMPin2013are 9% 1 reserved for SCs. Of these, two are located in the Gwalior- VOTE SHARE SEATS Chambalregionthathasacomparativelyhighpopulation of SCs and the remaining in the Vindhya region, the origi- What it means: The BJP gains and Congress faces nalstrongholdoftheBSPinMP.Thepartynotchesup an uphill task in a three-cornered contest; BSP+Janta victories in its strongholds where the contest is three-cor- Congress Chhattisgarh end up pivotal players. The nered or where the Congress has become very weak and combined Congress (including Jogi) plus BSP vote does not have substantial votes to win. The BSP usually (44.6%) was 3.56 percentage points higher than BJP’s wins when it gets the SC vote en masse along with some 41%. Jogi formed the JCC only in 2016. OBC votes. The party would win in the Vindhya region in the 1990s when OBCs like the locally dominant Kurmis All assembly poll results are for 2013 Vote share ﬁgures are rounded began supporting it. In recent years, however, the Kurmis have largely abandoned the BSP and been appropriated by the mainstream Congress and BJP. In the one general seat that the party won in 2013, Dimani, it had ﬁelded an upper caste candidate. A THE BSP WANTED 50 Brahmin by caste, Balvir Singh Dhadotiya secured the SEATS IN MP AND THE combined SC and Brahmin votes to post a victory. GROUND POSITION IS BothinMPandinChhattisgarh,thecruxofthe BSP-Congress alliance rests on the transferability of THAT THEY CANNOT votes. The Congress cannot yield seats beyond a point to POSSIBLY WIN THESE the BSP since it feels that the upper caste vote will go to SEATS. THIS WOULD JUS the BJP instead in such seats. The BSP feels its vote will BENEFIT THE BJP transfer to the Congress but not vice versa. In such a sce- KAMAL NATH MPCC president nario, the BSP feels it is at a disadvantage in an alliance with the Congress.

34 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 RAJASTHAN Total seats in the assembly: 200 poll disaster in 2017. Having now joined the Congress, Siddiqui is trying to expand the Muslim base of the Congress, especially in western UP. In MP, the Congress 3% 33% is trying to project Devashish Jarariya as the Dalit face 163 3 of the party. A BSP leader in MP, he was sacked osten- 45% 21 18% sibly because he had launched the BSP youth website to 13 attract SC/ST youth, when the party did not have even an VOTE SHARE SEATS oicial Twitter or Facebook account. After Jarariya was expelled, Mayawati also made it clear that the party had What it means: The combined 36.5% Congress-BSP vote is neither a youth wing nor a website. lower than BJP’s 45.2%. There is anti-incumbency against the Raje government but it gets partly weakened in a three-cornered he BSP’s decline in the 2014 Lok Sabha contest. However, at 18.2%, the vote share for Others and and 2017 UP assembly election has led to Independents is very large. Others here include the JD(U), which is a political vacuum in large parts of the part of the NDA and the Samajwadi Party and CPI(M), among others T state. Meanwhile, new Dalit leaders like Chandrashekhar Azad are gaining traction. After his release from jail in September, Chandrashekhar made an overture to Mayawati, saying, BSP’S 2014 SETBACK “She is my buaji (aunt) and I am her bhatija (nephew). DESPITE A 20% VOTE SHARE, THE BSP WAS WIPED Our blood is the same as we both come from the same OUT IN UP IN THE 2014 LOK SABHA POLL community.” Actually, Chandrashekhar’s aim is to unite the BJP’s anti-Dalit vote bank in western UP. On the UTTAR PRADESH other hand, Mayawati, who belongs to the same Jatav Total seats: 80 subcaste as Chandrashekhar, is unhappy with the Bhim 8% Army for dividing the BSP’s carefully nurtured Jatav vote bank. Ajit Kumar, a professor in Banaras Hindu 20% 73 2 University, says, “Mayawati doesn’t want to create any 43% 22% other Dalit leadership, especially from the Jatav commu- % nity in western UP, since it will damage her hold over 7 5 Dalit vote banks and in turn reduce her bargaining VOTE SHARE SEATS power. But any division in the Dalit vote bank will certainly help the BJP, which is appeasing Dalits with an What it means: According to pre-poll surveys, a grand eye to the Lok Sabha polls.” alliance of BSP, SP and Congress in 2019 is likely to get 56 Mayawati is also upset with the Congress for ap- Lok Sabha seats out of 80. A combined BSP-SP alliance is proaching the Bhim Army. The Congress’s state vice predicted to get 42 seats; BJP 36 and Congress just 2 president and senior leader from Saharanpur, Imran Masood, had been continuously in touch with Chan- BJP INC Gondwana Ganatantra Party drashekhar. It was Masood who had helped him get BSP SP Others & Independents legal support while he was in jail. Acknowledging the of and may not add up to 100 per cent Source: Election Commission debt, Chandrashekhar said, “Imran has supported us in diicult days. We will give our blood for him. Imran Graphics by TANMOY CHAKRABORTY and his community have always tried to give security to Dalits.” Chandrashekhar and Masood are now working In fact, at the ground level, the Congress and BSP towards a Dalit-Muslim alliance in western UP keeping have often competed for the same vote. However, the 2019 in mind. Lucknow University professor Manish prospect of a BSP rise at the expense of the Congress is Hindvi says: “With 27 Lok Sabha seats in western UP, remote. The BSP did appropriate the Congress’s Dalit vote any sort of Congress-Bhim Army alliance will afect the bank when it allied with the Congress in UP in 1996. But BSP’s chances in the region.” Says a BSP leader from between 2008 and 2013, the BSP vote base began shifting western UP, “The Bhim Army is trying to damage the back towards the Congress and other parties, given the BSP mission by creating a dilemma among Dalit vot- party’s dilution of the Bahujan ideology. ers, and the Congress is supporting it indirectly. It is Mayawati’s current beef with state-level Congress doing everything that can be called anti-grand alliance leaders is also because the party gives shelter to BSP’s activity.” However, Kamal Waliya, a senior leader of the expelled leaders. Once its tallest Muslim face in UP, Na- Bhim Army, struck a conciliatory note: “We will try our simuddin Siddiqui was expelled by Mayawati after the UP best to unite all Dalit votes against the BJP. We all re-

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 35 SPECIAL REPORT MAYAWATI

ALIGNING WITH MAYA Ajit Jogi (left) allies with BSP in Chhattisgarh; Akhilesh too ditches the Congress VINAY SHARMA VINAY MANEESH AGNIHOTRI IAMSAYINGEVEN TODAY, THE CONGRESS spect Mayawati and can unite with her in order to defeat SHOULD CONTEST the BJP in 2019.” ELECTIONS BY TAKING Congress leaders are also wary of the ongoing upper caste and OBC backlash against the SC/ST Act and reser- ALONG ALL POLITICAL vations in promotions and jobs. An alliance with the BSP, it PARTIES THAT HAVE feels, could hurt its chances as non-Dalit voters might shy away from the Congress and go with the BJP. SIMILAR THOUGHTS Initially, Akhilesh exhorted the Congress to have a AND IDEOLOGY large heart and accommodate the BSP. “The Congress AKHILESH YADAV should contest elections by taking along all political parties Samajwadi Party president who have similar thoughts and ideology,” he said on Octo- ber 3. However, with Congress leaders ignoring his plea, Akhilesh decided to abandon the Congress alliance. On October 6, the SP chief announced in Lucknow: “We will ﬁght elections in MP and Chhattisgarh and speak to the ing the upper-caste vote, the BSP’s expansion not only BSP and the Gondwana Ganatantra Party for an alliance slowed down post-2012 but actually began declining. Now, in the two states. The Congress has made us wait for long. both parties are vying for the same vote banks, struggling We can’t wait any more.” to regain their lost credibility and the vote base that has The assembly elections in November are critical for abandoned them. The Congress worries about the price of both the BSP and the Congress. The BSP’s ascendancy in BSP support for defeating its main enemy, the BJP. But un- UP as well as in MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh had been less you ally with the lesser enemy, you never win the battle a body blow to the Congress. However, with an ambitious in the long run. ■ Mayawati taking the Bahujan vote for granted and court- —with Rahul Noronha and Ashish Misra

36 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 EYE SPY... A UID biometric enrolment centre in Pune BHASKAR PAUL

F YOU ARE PART OF THE WORKFORCE THAT PAYS BIG STORY | AADHAAR income tax, you must have an Aadhaar number. If you are not financially sound/ socially backward and need to access government welfare schemes, A UNIQUE I you must show the 12-digit unique identity number. Even if you don’t belong to either of these categories, you will need a PAN (Permanent DILEMMA Account Number) for financial transactions aggre- gating over Rs 2.5 lakh a year. And your PAN must AADHAAR IS LEGALLY VALID BUT THERE be linked to your Aadhaar number. ARE NOW LIMITS ON ITS INDISCRIMINATE In other words, if you live a life of relative privi- USE. THE SUPREME COURT VERDICT HAS lege, and even if you don’t and depend on govern- ALSO VALIDATED CONCERNS OVER DATA ment welfare schemes, you need Aadhaar. This is PROTECTION AND PRIVACY a practical reading of the September 26 Supreme Court verdict on the constitutional validity of the By Kaushik Deka Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. While upholding its validity, the five-judge constitutional BIG STORY | AADHAAR THE HISTORY OF A NUMBER

RAJWANT RAWAT The Ministry of Communications The National and Information Identiﬁcation Technology Authority of India approves a Bill, 2010 (NIAI Unique ID (UID) Bill) is introduced scheme in Parliament

Mar. 2006 2009 Dec. 2010 Dec. 2011

Unique Identiﬁcation Standing committee on ﬁnance Authority of India rejects NIAI Bill in initial (UIDAI) set up form; recommends privacy legislation and data protection law before continu- HOW THE SUPREME ance of scheme COURT MODIFIED THE AADHAAR ACT

Struck down Section 57 of the Act, which allowed corporateentitiesorevenindividuals to demand an bench of the Supreme Court struck down Section 57 Aadhaar card in exchange for goods or services of the Act, which allowed corporate entities or even individuals to demand Aadhaar for their goods or Read down—in common parlance, specified the scope of—Section 33(1) which allows disclosure of services. The apex court also struck down a circular information, including identity and authentication issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India records, if ordered by a court not inferior to that of (TRAI) in March 2017 mandating the linking of a District Judge. Reading down this sub-section, the mobile numbers to Aadhaar. The Unique Identifica- SC said individuals should be given the opportunity tion Authority of India (UIDAI), the agency respon- of a hearing sible for implementing the Aadhaar scheme, has now asked telcos to submit plans by October 15 to close Struck down Section 33(2) of the Act which allowed down their Aadhaar-based authentication systems in identity and authentication data to be disclosed line with the Supreme Court order. in the interest of national security on direction of an ocer not below the rank of joint secretary to UT PLANS ARE ALREADY the Government of India. The top court ruled that a AFOOT TO RESTORE the provi- judicial ocer (preferably a sitting high court judge) should be associated with it and that the govern- B sion to mandatorily link Aad- ment should bring in legislation to this efect haar to mobile phones and bank accounts—Union finance minister Struck down Section 47 which allowed only UIDAI Arun Jaitley has advocated a legislature route for and no private individual to file complaints related to this. A PIL has also been filed in the Madras High data breach. Any individual will now be allowed to Court seeking the linking of Aadhaar to electoral file a complaint if he/ she feels their data has been rolls and voter cards. The Election Commission too compromised has said that it has no objection to such a move. Struck down provision that allowed archiving of Of course, one can still enjoy many privileges/ authentication records for five years. Such records rights without an Aadhaar card, such as voting. You canbekeptforonlysixmonthsnow can also ignore demands for the number from private entities such as banks (including nationalised ones), Banned storage of metadata of the transactions of phone companies and schools and colleges. But by individuals. This means UIDAI cannot collect data making the Aadhaar-PAN linking and the require- sets and mine it for more data or analysis ment of Aadhaar while applying for a PAN manda- Struck down data-sharing by UIDAI with corpo- tory, the verdict has ensured that your bank details rates, telephone companies, banks etc reach the UIDAI. In India, a PAN is now compulsory SC revokes orders by Ex-Karnataka agencies demanding high court judge Aadhaar for welfare schemes; SC restricts K. Puttaswamy asks UIDAI to refrain from the use of SC says Right challenges transfer of biometric info to any Aadhaar to to Privacy is a Aadhaar is dec- Aadhaar in other agency without the five welfare fundamental lared constitu- Supreme Court individual’s consent in writing schemes right tionally valid

Nov. 2012 Sep. 2013 Mar. 2014 Mar. 2014 2015 2017Aug. 24, 2017 2018 Sep. 26, 2018

SC says no person should Aadhaar (Targeted Aadhaar made In January, ﬁve-judge sufer for not having an Delivery of Financial mandatory for three bench begins hearing Aadhaar card & Other Subsidies, dozen schemes and for Aadhaar case; in May, SC Beneﬁts & Services) Bill IT returns reserves its decision passed by Parliament

to open a bank account. While allowing the government plugging leakages or in the identification of legitimate to continue linking Aadhaar with government welfare beneficiaries. Instead, it has created an ecosystem of ex- schemes, the court went by the argument that it was serv- clusion. Khera, in fact, argues that the primary purpose ing a much larger public interest. Reading out the verdict, of Aadhaar was never to improve financial inclusion or Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri said the bench was satisfied welfare administration as projected. “Welfare was just that Aadhaar was a suitable means to achieve a legitimate the sugarcoating to facilitate an essentially commercial goal—prevention of leakage and pilferage. The court project. These commercial activities required a digital ID upheld Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, which states that it infrastructure such as Aadhaar, which was built using is mandatory for any government scheme that draws out public money,” she wrote in a column. To substantiate her of the consolidated fund of India. This means that if you claim, she says that several “volunteers” who helped build want to avail of benefits such as PDS rations, LPG subsidy the Aadhaar infrastructure are now using the platform to or entitlements under MNREGA, you have to furnish build their businesses. your Aadhaar number or an Aadhaar enrolment ID. The Supreme Court took note of one of her articles in The proponents of Aadhaar often argue that it has which she had mentioned a survey of 900 households in reduced leakages in the delivery of public services. Hailing Jharkhand, which proved that the mandatory Aadhaar the SC verdict, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said: “Over identification excluded the most vulnerable, such as old Rs 90,000 crore is saved every year by plugging leakages widows who could not go to the shop to authenticate in over 500 welfare schemes through the use of Aadhaar themselves, and led to great hardship for others. Although for authentication.” Lawyer-author Rahul Matthan, who the bench headed by then chief justice Dipak Misra held represented the interests of private sector companies in the that Aadhaar was meant to facilitate delivery of welfare Aadhaar case, argues that Aadhaar’s digital infrastructure benefits to the marginalised sections, it also sent a warning has cost benefits. “The cost of KYC (know your customer) to the government: “In the context of the serious grievance approval for giving a loan was Rs 1,000. But because of of financial exclusion, the court directs that no individual Aadhaar-based eKYC, the cost is down to Rs 5,” he says. should be excluded from the receipt of welfare entitlements, However, a study conducted by the same NITI Aayog such as foodgrains, for want of an Aadhaar number.” in Puducherry, Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli But the bigger worry for the petitioners, who had chal- between January 2016 and March 2017 found that leak- lenged the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Act, is ages in Direct Benefit Transfer through Aadhaar-seeded the Aadhaar architecture, which enables a comprehensive bank accounts has not been lower than the earlier esti- surveillance by the government. The petitioners argued mates of leakages under the public distribution system. that the Aadhaar Act violated the fundamental right to According to development economist Reetika Khera, privacy, which the Supreme Court had upheld in 2017. a strong advocate of data privacy, Aadhaar has no role in The architecture of the Aadhaar project consists of a

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 39 BIG STORY | AADHAAR

Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR), AADHAAR only the government to complain in whichstoresandmaintainsauthentication case of theft of Aadhaar data, was also transactiondata.Basedonthisarchitec- NUMBER revoked. Now individuals too can file a ture,itispossibleforgovernmentauthori- MUST BE complaint. The Supreme Court also asked ties to track down the location of the person LINKED the Centre to bring a robust law for data seeking authentication, argued one of the protection as soon as possible. petitions. Economist Jean Drèze says the TO YOUR… The government is currently examin- court verdict does little to curtail the pow- ing the draft personal data protection ers Aadhaar gives the government to link PAN (Permanent bill 2018, submitted in July by the Justice multiple databases and build an infrastruc- Account Number), B.N. Srikrishna-headed expert panel. tureofsurveillance.SenioradvocateShyam and IT returns; One of the strongest criticisms against Divan argued in the Supreme Court that the the draft bill has been that it proposes Aadhaar project was an electronic leash to also mandatory for stringent measures against data privacy keep people under control. “Centralised and welfare schemes violations by private players but goes soft inter-linked databases also enable tracking, such as NREGA, on possible breaches by government. Ac- profiling, leading to self-censorship, which LPG subsidy cording to Smriti Parsheera, consultant, endangersourfreedom,”saysKhera. National Institute of Public Finance & registration Policy, the proposed bill needs strength- ening when it comes to data access by NDEED, IF AADHAAR intelligence and law enforcement agen- DOES FINALLY GET cies. “There is a disconnect between what I LINKED with bank the report is saying and how much of it is accounts, mobile numbers reflected in the bill. For instance, in the and voter IDs, the discussions on access to data by enforce- government will be able to put citizens WHO CAN’T ment and intelligence agencies, the report under a 360-degree surveillance, a fear DEMAND THE emphatically states that current systems often expressed by critics of Aadhaar. AADHAAR are insuicient and we need reforms Matthan agrees with this, saying that NUMBER? like prior judicial review for authorising the possibility of connecting various data- surveillance activities. This thinking, bases could threaten the privacy of citizens. Entities such as however, has not been translated into the “The Aadhaar data itself is not dangerous. draft law,” she says. What is dangerous is Aadhaar connected to banks, including Justice Srikrishna recognises the all government databases such as MN- nationalised ones, dangers of state surveillance and has REGA, LPG distribution etc. Currently, telecom firms, recommended that the government pass a they are under separate ministries and it’s law on judicial supervision of executive ac- not easy to connect them. But if there is an schools, colleges tion for surveillance. “The idea behind the initiative to connect these, it must adhere and bodies such proposal to add parliamentary approval to the Right to Privacy, as defined by the as the UGC, NEET, for such surveillance with an expiry term Supreme Court last year,” he says. of six months is to include the three legs of The court took note of these concerns CBSE democracy,” says Matthan. but opined that data collection by Aadhaar He then points to the biggest flaw in was minimal and served a much larger the proposed privacy law—there is no public interest. It, however, provided partial relief to the penalty on the government for violating privacy provi- complainants by striking down the provision that allowed sions. Perhaps such impunity is what has encouraged the the archiving of authentication records—wherever a government to violate Supreme Court orders related to person used Aadhaar to prove his identity—for five years. Aadhaar as well. For instance, despite an SC directive in Such records can now be kept only for six months. The 2015 restricting mandatory submission of Aadhaar to court also banned storage of metadata of transactions by five welfare schemes, the Narendra Modi government has individuals. This means the UIDAI cannot collect data linked it to at least three dozen welfare programmes. And sets and mine it for more data or analysis. The SC also now the court has had to warn the government not to ex- struck down Section 33(2) of the Aadhaar Act, which al- clude those who don’t have Aadhaar from welfare schemes lowed sharing of data with security agencies on grounds since there is still no architecture and guidelines in place of national security. Section 47 of the Act, which allowed to provide for them. ■

40 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 AN APPEAL

A Call for Kerala CARE TODAY AN INDIA TODAY GROUP INITIATIVE

Executive directors of ActionAid Association (left) and Care Today Fund (right) distribute relief material in Alappuzha and Idukki districts respectively

esponding to the severe Kerala ﬂoods, the Care Fund team has already visited the ﬂood-afected areas Today Fund initiated relief eforts in the worst- to understand the scope and possibilities and appeals R afected districts in partnership with ActionAid to all citizens to support the eforts to rebuild the lives Association. So far, relief material, consisting of sleep- of the afected communities. ing mattresses, clothes, hygiene kits, cleaning kits and You can donate through cheque or demand draft as dry ration, has been provided to 470 families in Idukki per details provided in this appeal. Those who would and Alappuzha districts. like to donate through bank transfer can e-mail careto- The daunting task of rebuilding damaged houses, [email protected] for details, providing their name and social infrastructure and livelihood will begin soon, and address. You can also reach us at these numbers: this requires your generous support. The Care Today +91- 8588892502 and +91-7011985493.

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE CARE TODAY FUND INDIA TODAY MEDIAPLEX, FC-8, SECTOR-16A, FILM CITY, NOIDA-201301 (UP) For further details, please write to [email protected] GIR LIONS

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE THE DEATH OF 23 ENDANGERED ASIATIC LIONS WITHIN 10 DAYS AT GIR SANCTUARY RAISES ALARM AND REKINDLES THE DEBATE OVER THEIR LONG-DELAYED RELOCATION TO NEIGHBOURING MADHYA PRADESH

By Uday Mahurkar

SHAILESH RAVAL

hings are settling down at Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, the last abode of the endangered Asiatic lion, where some 23 of the big cats were found dead between September 12 and 21. Half the deaths were attributed to the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), which is transmitted through domestic cattle and animals, and Babesia Protozoa (BP), spread by ticks in domestic animals. Both cause fever, weakness, loss of appe- tite and eventual death. In 1994, 1,000 lions at Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park—a third of the lion population there—were wiped out by CDV. The virus had apparently spread through dogs. The crisis at Gir, however, hasn’t taken a Serengeti-like turn because of prompt T measures by a team of 550 forest personnel, led by senior officials, VIRUS ATTACK An infected lion at Gir’s rescue centre in Jamwala village

the vaccine arrived. “The exercise undertaken must be one of the biggest ever against the eruption of viral dis- and veterinary doctors. The team examined blood samples eases,” says Gujarat additional chief secretary (forest and of about 64 lions across prides since September 27 and environment) Rajiv Kumar Gupta. “It was almost like a conducted an ocular assessment of almost all the 500-plus full-fledged census carried out in a matter of days.” surviving lions in and around the 1,458 sq. km sanctuary. A team from the Union environment and forests These include the approximately 260 lions that migrated ministry and at least four others from various veterinary out of the sanctuary years ago as their numbers grew. and medical institutes came visiting and observed the 33 Around 33 of the 64 lions sampled are still under lions. The big cats had been evacuated without admin- observation at the sanctuary’s rescue centre in Jamwala istering tranquilisers; baits and ring cages were used village. The remaining 31 big cats were released into the instead. “We are waiting for blood reports of 31 lions from forests with microchips in their tails for identification. the National Institute of Virology (Pune) and the Indian Some 300 doses of a special anti-CDV vaccine swiftly Veterinary Research Institute (Bareilly),” says A.K. Sax- imported from the US were administered to the 33 lions. ena, principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife). “But But, officials claim, the crisis had subsided by the time there is no reason for panic as the big cats appear to be

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 43 GIR LIONS

totally safe. Even the blood samples of the 33 lions under government has been resisting their relocation to the observation have reported negative against any virus— Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Palpur-Kuno, they too are safe.” in Madhya Pradesh—as ordered by the Supreme Court The crisis at Gir, however, has come as a blessing way back in 2013, taking cover behind the plea that lions in disguise since it’s helping the state wildlife depart- would be at risk in Kuno as the sanctuary isn’t adhering ment firm up a protocol on preventive measures to be to guidelines laid down by the International Union for undertaken against such outbreaks. The department has Conservation of Nature (IUCN). decided that any symptoms of disease among the lions Top wildlife experts, however, feel that relocating a would trigger immediate blood tests to check for three few prides to Kuno sanctuary is critical for the long-term potential hazards—CDV, BP and bacterial infection. As protection of the Asiatic lion. The sanctuary area of 345 Mohan Ram, deputy forest officer, Gir sanctuary, puts it, sq. km is well stocked with prey species and could sustain “Many lessons have been learnt.” over 50 lions—perhaps more if the buffer area is taken Some safeguards were already in place: Gir sanctuary, into consideration. though, has long practised annual preventive vaccination Lions live in prides and cannot co-exist with tigers. of cattle in the 100-odd peripheral villages against foot and Kuno sanctuary fulfils that requirement as there are mouth disease. Now, additional rounds of vaccination are hardly any tigers left in the area. Renowned wildlife being undertaken for all cattle and dogs in these villages. expert M.K. Ranjitsinhji says the number of lion deaths in and around Gir has been quite high in the past two years, THE RELOCATION DEBATE making the need for relocation all the more pressing. The current crisis has revived the debate over the reloca- “The Gujarat government shouldn’t delay shifting lions to tion of the exploding lion population at Gir. The Gujarat Kuno sanctuary as it is a fitting terrain for the big cat, and

THE LAST BASTION Distribution of the Asiatic lion—found only in Gujarat—in the Gir sanctuary and 184 other areas of the state Gir lions have died since 2016

Savarkundla, Liliya and adjoining areas Pania of Amreli Sanctuary 11 80 AHMEDABAD Bhavnagar Girnar District Sanctuary 33 37 Mitiyala Gir National Park Sanctuary and Sanctuary & adjoining areas 8 304 South-eastern South-western Coast Coast (Rajula- (Sutrapada-Kodinar- Jafrabad- Una- Veraval) Nageshree) 32 18

* Based on the 14th Asiatic Lion Population Estimate-2015 Graphic by TANMOY CHAKRABORTY UNCLAIMED KINGDOM THE PALPUR-KUNO SANCTUARY IN MADHYA PRADESH HAS BEEN WAITING FOR LIONS FROM GUJARAT SINCE 2001. BOTH STATE GOVERNMENTS SEEM COMPLICIT IN ITS FAILURE

hat happens when 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that a the Gujarat assembly—in the past two misplaced parochial few lions be shifted to Palpur-Kuno years due to electrocution, drowning pride comes in the and the exercise be completed in six and train hits. way of saving an months. The Union ministry for environ- So why haven’t the lions been shift- almost extinct spe- ment and forests (MoEF) was asked ed? Gujarat’s stand is clear, but MP’s cies? The plan to set to oversee the task and set up an ex- pursuance of the project at the politi- upW a second home for Asiatic lions was pert committee for the purpose. Now, cal level has been half-hearted at best. first mooted during a conference in five-and-a-half years later, all that the CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan is on record Vadodara in 1993. A quarter of a cen- MoEF has to show is an expert commit- questioning why his state is so keen to tury later, nothing has happened on the tee with members from the WII, NGOs get lions when it is already blessed with ground. Soon after the 1993 confer- and wildlife wings of Gujarat and MP. tigers. At state wildlife board meetings, ence, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), More litigation followed after the the CM’s extreme disinterest is evident. Dehradun, conducted comprehensive 2013 verdict. The Gujarat government The CM’s pusillanimous attitude seems to do with his boss Prime Min- ister Narendra Modi’s stand on the issue: that he would fight tooth and nail to not share lions with MP. More than five years after the SC order, the MP government has not gone to the court citing contempt. It was left to a private citizen to do so. In 2014, MP-based wildlife activist Ajay Dubey filed a contempt petition that was finally disposed of in March 2018 after the MoEF told the court the process of implementing the court’s order was in progress. “I will move a contempt petition again,” says Dubey. “The Centre needs to stop thinking like the government of Gujarat and think as the government of India. The lion is a national heritage, narrow pa- SAMEER GARG rochialism is the biggest threat it faces.” The biggest impediment now is the GATEWAY TO NOWHERE studies at Darrah and Sitamata sanc- MoEF, which in many instances has e entrance to the tuaries in Rajasthan and Palpur-Kuno Palpur-Kuno sanctuary supported the delaying tactics of Guja- sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, before rat. “Gujarat wants a number of studies zeroing in on the latter. In 1997, the MP done before translocation, and some of government began moving out villages filed review and curative petitions, both these studies will take 20 years to do. within Palpur-Kuno. By 2001, 1,546 of which were dismissed by the court. These are nothing but delaying tactics,” families from the 24 villages inhabited WII experts have suggested moving says Dr Y.V. Jhala of the WII. by the Sahariya scheduled tribe com- 8-10 lions in the first batch to Palpur- Wildlife authorities in MP sound munity had been moved out, creating an Kuno and augmenting it with four lions helpless. “Lion translocation is a cen- inviolate area of 1,250 sq. km in the form every four years based on a review of tral project. We have upgraded Kuno of the Kuno Wildlife Division in anticipa- the first translocation. Gujarat’s objec- from a sanctuary to a national park. It tion of the arrival of the lions. tion to the transfer of lions on grounds is up to the MoEF to get the lions from However, Gujarat refused to share that Kuno is unsafe sounds all the more Gujarat,” says chief wildlife warden, MP, the lions, obfuscating the issue with baseless in light of the fact that 184 li- Shahbaz Ahmed. numerous objections. Finally, in April ons have died in the state—as stated in —Rahul Noronha

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 45 GIR LIONS

now has enough prey species,” says Ranjitsinhji. “Some that included three smaller sanctuaries and an expanse of the lions that have strayed outside Gir can be shifted of non-jungle area along the coastal belt. Since the last to the new destination. It will be good for the future of census, the lion population is estimated to have increased this rare species. The latest episode (of lion deaths) at Gir to nearly 575. sanctuary has exposed the dangers.” To bolster the arguments against translocation, some state officials point to evidence that there is no man- WHY GUJARAT SAYS NO animal conflict imperilling the lions in Gujarat. Lions in Despite the latest controversy, Gujarat chief minister Vijay the semi-jungle areas survive on blue bull, an animal that Rupani has declared that his state is well-equipped to farmers regard as a pest. Loss of cattle to lions—estimat- handle its lions. According to state wildlife officials, the ed at almost 3,000 every year in the Greater Gir area— 260-odd lions that migrated from Gir to the bordering fetches a compensation of Rs 30,000 per buffalo/ cow. areas of Bhavnagar, Amreli and Gir-Somnath have moved The lion population started moving out of Gir to forested areas on the Gir periphery. These include sanctuary around 1995. First, the big cats shifted to Sa- lion-friendly terrains like the Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary varkundla in Amreli district where more than 80 of them in Bhavnagar and Pania Wildlife Sanctuary in Amreli. now reside. By 2005, lions strayed further to Mahuva “There’s no major man-animal conflict, so where’s the and Palitana areas of Bhavnagar district. After 2010, they have often been sighted in Virpur in Rajkot district. While the state government had years ago considered a new home for lions in the 183 sq. km Barda sanctuary close to Gir, the conditions there remain far from ideal. Things may now change. State forests and environment minister Ganpatbhai Vasava says: “We are taking up the Barda sanctuary plan on war footing. This will meet the need for the translocation of lions.”

FUTURE TENSE CONSTRUCTION THREAT Among the 33 lions A growing menace in Gir is under observation SHAILESH RAVAL the uncontrolled real estate are these cubs development on the periphery need to shift the lions?” asks a of the sanctuary to promote tourism. This has arguably Gujarat government official. helped discourage wood smuggling. But the accelerated “Madhya Pradesh is looking construction, after then chief minister Narendra Modi at the issue from just a tourism point of view. Experts turned Gir into a major tourist destination and commis- who recommend shifting of lions to Kuno sanctuary are sioned actor Amitabh Bachchan as Gujarat Tourism’s unable to appreciate the fact that Kuno is not fulfilling brand ambassador, is threatening Gir’s ecology. IUCN guidelines and that Gujarat is capable of taking For example, a major hotel on Gir’s outskirts had care of its entire lion population.” permission to build just six rooms, but has built 60. The Some officials in Gujarat are of the view that the lions state government, in its eagerness to promote tourism, that succumbed to CDV and BP had strayed out to the has not ensured adherence to the forest and wildlife sparse jungles or non-forest areas and preyed on infected department’s eco-sensitive zone policy. While Gir and its cattle and domestic animals. They prefer the creation of a periphery have 32-odd licensed hotels, the unlicensed suitable habitat with prey base in the areas the lions have ones run into dozens. Worse still, over half a dozen new moved to rather than a translocation to Kuno. hotels are coming up every year. There is a census of lions in Gir every five years. The As Ranjitsinh Parmar, a travel operator in Gir, last census at Gir (2015) put the lion population at 523, puts it, “The Gujarat government must immediately of which 304 resided within the sanctuary and national appoint a committee to regulate construction within park while the remaining number were permanently and around Gir on small revenue plots or else things will established outside Gir, spread over another 1,500 sq. km worsen rapidly.” ■

46 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018

GOOOAL! Manipur CM N. Biren Singh dribbles the ball before scoring onstage UP AND AWAY Tripura CM Biplab Kumar

s thenationenters into poll mode for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the east HOW THE A of Indiaislikelyto emerge as a “labora- tory of India’s many competing ideas and trends, a microcosm of both constructive and destructive spirits”. This central theme, as articulated by EAST India Today Group Chairman and Editor- in-Chief Aroon Purie, manifested itself in the debates and discussions spanning 22 riveting sessions at the India Today Con- clave East in Kolkata on October 5 and 6. WAS WON The chief ministers of Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh, FIREWORKS OF THE MIND AND A top politicians, industrialists, sports KINDLING OF THE SPIRIT LIT UP THE stars, ﬁlmmakers, actors and musicians attended the conclave, talking about their INDIA TODAY CONCLAVE 2018 EAST idea of India and their role in the making of it. The conclave had a most inspiring By Romita Datta beginning, with three lady sports icons— Asian heptathlon gold medal winner Swapna Barman, former India women’s cricket team captain Jhulan Goswami and Indian hockey team captain Rani Ram- “NDA Union ministers have visited the state 130 times. PM Modi himself” visited us twice PEMA KHANDU Arunachal Pradesh CM

Deb takes on a 50 push-up challenge Photographs by BANDEEP SINGH, VIKRAM SHARMA, YASIR IQBAL AND SUBIR HALDER

pal—recounting incredible stories of “The Centre is focused leging that Mamata was “the greatest endurance, grit and “golden moments” on ensuring that invention of the RSS” and that she in their journey to the top. “I have projects get done on had sought its help to oust the Left, remained the same, only people have the Left MP said that Prime Minister now started seeing me diferently,” time. Union minister Narendra Modi and Mamata were said Barman. Nitin Gadkari spent 10 engaged in “a mock WWF ﬁght”. hours clearing snags So is the Left now irrelevant in NETAS BEYOND POLITICS in our projects” the state? Former CPI(M) MP Malini The conclave platform transformed Bhattacharya certainly seemed to CONRAD SANGMA into a veritable battleground for 2019 thinkthatnotallislost.Accusingthe Meghalaya CM with rhetorical duels even as Adele’s BJP and the Trinamool Congress of song Skyfall played in the back- engaging in “overt competition and ground. The session, ‘Bengal Tiger covert collusion” in the session ‘Com- and 2019: Will it Roar?’, had BJP petitive Communalism—Streets on Rajya Sabha MP Roopa Ganguly say- Fire or Rigged Riots?’, she said, “Just ing how rising communalism in the because we are not in power doesn’t state wasn’t her party’s fault but was mean the party has become irrelevant. due to the failing law and order situa- Ours is a ﬁght for the politics of right tion in Mamata Banerjee’s reign. The and not politics of fear and favourit- Left, represen ted by Lok Sabha MP ism.” Assistant professor at the Indian Mohammed Salim, didn’t let her party Statistical Institute, Garga Chatterjee of easily, saying “the politicisation of said the only variable in the Bengal po- religion happened only after Modi and litical equation was the BJP and hence Mamata came to power”. it must be blamed for the communal “Religion in a place of worship is violence in the state. “It’s because okay, but why are you taking it to the there’s a new kid on the block, the BJP, streets?” Salim asked Ganguly. Al- they are the cause,” Chatterjee said.

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 49 Women are abused in STRUMMING AWAY Anupam Roy many ways, verbal, an arm around the waist... being polite, you don’t reply” MOON MOON SEN

“I have always tried to shake up the middle class... now I’m trying to shake it up more” DIBAKAR BANERJEE Filmmaker

BLUNT CUT Pooja Bhatt

BJP state vice-president The sessions, ‘Left or Right— Jay Prakash Majumdar Which way will Bengal sway?’ and attacked the Trinamool for ‘The Safron Tide and The Great its doublespeak, “Mamata Eastern Hope—What Lies Ahead’ Banerjee blames the BJP- took the battle narrative forward. ruled UP and Maharashtra Fresh entrant into the TMC, journal- government if there’s com- ist Chandan Mitra admitted that “the munal violence, but when it BJP is the alternative for those who happens in Bengal, they blame don’t want to go with the Trinamool”, it on outside inﬂuences, speciﬁ- he was not ready to accept that Ba- cally the BJP bringing in outsiders. nerjee’s popularity had been dented The government and chief minister and that the BJP would get over half should reply.” of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in Bengal,

<< RHYTHM DIVINE Usha Uthup “When something like the Tanushree incident happens, you need a thick skin to deal with what will follow” PREITY ZINTA Actor

outstanding place to do business and invest in”. Backing up the claim, Sanjiv Goenka, chairman of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, said he had in the past five years invested Rs 21,000 crore in the state. Later, at the session ‘GST and After’, state finance minister Amit Mitra accused the Modi government of being immature. “There seems to be a lack of trust within the central government, they are taking big decisions without doing their “If harassment has homework,” he said. At a time when happened, it’s sad... states have sufered a revenue loss of Rs 55,400 crore in the past eight it’s important that months because of a “dysfunctional we listen before GST regime”, bringing petroleum we judge” products under it “will be another big ABHISHEK BACHCHAN mess”, Mitra warned. Actor “In 2009, Mamata supported GST to safeguard the MSMEs, for they brought in the most jobs and were having to face 20 diferent taxes and as claimed by Mukul Roy, once the Babul Supriyo, who spoke for ‘The an inspector raj. But now, MSMEs, ex- TMC second-in-command and now Great Eastern Hope: What Lies ports, they have all collapsed with a fall the BJP’s poll strategist in the state. Ahead?’ said the BJP was also fighting in working capital,” Mitra explained. a battle against “Mamata Banerjee’s Asked if Mamata would be a consen- TIES THAT BIND ideology of simple living and violent sus choice for prime minister, Mitra, On the mahagathbandhan issue, ambi- thinking”. Quoting a line from Ram ever the trusted lieutenant, said “she guity reigned, though Congress leader Gopal Varma’s 2005 political thriller is not interested in the chair” and that Randeep Singh Surjewala agreed that Sarkar, he said that “if you want to she fights for causes. “If India is going regional considerations have to be defeat a sarkar, you must first destroy down today and the Indian economy is made in making alliances. He attacked its ideology”, adding that the time had collapsing, she will take it up as a cause the BJP for “manufacturing majority in come to expose the skewed ideology of to save it,” he said. backrooms” to which Himanta Biswa the ruling TMC in Bengal. Sarma retorted: “When the Congress Meanwhile, even as the BJP, Left THE CITIZENSHIP DEBATE forms alliances, it’s pure gold, and and Congress tried pulling down Ma- “We will not allow infiltrators to when BJP does it, it’s manufactured.” mata Banerjee’s ‘Best Bengal’ (a phrase remain on our soil. Infiltrators will The Congress, TMC and Left speak- coined by Mukesh Ambani) exhorta- have to go... this is the general rule for ers all stressed on how “2019 will see tions by pointing to the “anarchic law every country,” thundered BJP general a fight of ideology”, and chorused the and order situation” which is “100 per secretary Ram Madhav in the ‘Citizen need of coming together on an ideologi- cent extortionist” (or so alleged Gan- Kaun? Insider-Outsider’ session. He cal platform as a prescription to ‘Stem- guly), the business fraternity—Inves- reminded the audience how way back ming the Safron Tide’. tors Inc—said it was still ready to ‘Bet in 2005, it was the West Bengal chief Union MoS for heavy industries, Big for Bengal’, saying the state was “an minister had raised the issue but now

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 51 “The Centre is taking big decisions without doing the homework” AMIT MITRA West Bengal finance minister

“I have remained the

same, only people THROW ’EM OUT Ram Madhav have started seeing me differently” SWAPNA BARMAN “the Great Mamata has become the mpion of inﬁltrators”. Meanwhile, as ndly neighbour “Bangladesh will its arms and accept our nationals illegally in India... but India will to successfully prove their identity”, owhar Rizvi, advisor to Bangla- prime minister Sheikh Hasina. In the past 10 years, India has never up illegal immigration with Ban- esh but a time may come when the countries will talk. We are mature tries and have friendly relations,” ded. “What Myanmar is doing with ohingya is genocide. Bangladesh ocumented every Rohingya taking ge with us. When it’s time and the tion improves, Myanmar will have nour this and take them back.”

“We will accept our nationals living here llegally... but India has prove their identity”

GOWHAR RIZVI ecial advisor to Bangladesh PM

LEADING LADIES (From left) Rani Rampal, Swapna Barman and Jhulan Goswami “Bengal always had religious processions. The polarisation started under Mamata’s rule” ROOPA GANGULY BJP MP

PINPOINT Himanta B. Sarma

“We are also fighting Mamata’s ideoloy of simple living and violent thinking” BABUL SUPRIYO ALL PRAISE Sanjiv Goenka Union MoS, heavy industries

NO PUSHING BACK ing that projects are implemented on WETOO MOMENTS The chief ministers of Tripura, Megha- time. Union minister Nitin Gadkari The #MeToo moments of actresses laya, Manipur and Arunachal—all spent 10 hours to remove bottlenecks Pooja Bhatt and Sreelekha Mitra soon either from the BJP or in alliance with on projects. The Centre has sanctioned became “we too”, with the audience ap- it—praised Prime Minister Modi for Rs 18,000 crore for my state,” Sangma plauding the bravehearts. “When you bridging the psychological distance said. N. Biren Singh, the chief minister speak uncomfortable truths in a world and bringing the Northeastern region of Manipur, said he switched to the of lies, people tend to turn a deaf ear. closer to the Centre. BJP from the Congress because AICC I believe that truth does not require Meghalaya chief minister Conrad president Rahul Gandhi refused to pay PR,” said Bhatt. Sharing her own Sangma, who heads a six-party coali- attention to the reasons responsible for experiences, Bhatt opined that “Bol- tion where the BJP is a minor partner, the disintegration of the party. “I met lywood shows allegiances at weddings felt the need of a “pan-Northeast party” him two or three times. He listened, but and funerals, but not when you are representing the eight states to expr ess did not act,” Singh rued. “The various going through fire. I am surprised that and voice the aspirations of the region. Congress governments at the Centre people are silencing Tanushree. But for However, he did admit that there’s a have not done enough for the Northeast. every bully, someone needs to stand craze for Modi among the youth of the Imagine, even after 70 years of indepen- up”. Preity Zinta, in her session ‘Kabhi Northeast because they are convinced dence, Manipur did not have a direct alvida na kehna’, said: “If you cannot about his development vision. flight to Delhi,” Singh added. support Tanushree, then shut up.” “The Centre is focused on ensur- But things are changing fast. Abhishek Bachchan felt that “if this “After 2014, Union ministers have has happened, it is very sad... but it’s im- visited the state 130 times. PM Modi portant that we listen before we judge”. himself has visited twice since 2014,” Talking about his two-year hiatus from said Arunachal chief minister Pema the industry, Bachchan rubbished talks Khandu, adding that the main focus of nepotism and shared how father Am- was infrastructure development and itabh Bachchan will always leave him connectivity. Indeed, as INDIA TODAY a fan boy. That said, remakes of Big B chairman Aroon Purie pointed out, the films are a strict “no-no”. As Bachchan Centre’s eforts had helped bridge the Jr put it, he wouldn’t be able “to bring “margins with the mainstream” gap. anything new to the table”.

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 53 GANDHI, SECRETS & EXTRA SPICY TRUTH PG 57 PG 58

CONTENT Q&A: IS KING RIDDHI SEN PG 61 LEI PG 66

EXHIBITION The Chairman & the Mahatma

andhiandMaoarenotnamesoften spoken together. So dissimilar do these giants of Asia seem, as men and leaders, that even thinking of them as contem- G poraries demands an imaginative leap. Luckily, Walter Bosshard met them both, and his pictures live to tell the tale. Peter Pfrunder, co- curator of ‘Envisioning Asia’, the ﬁrst-ever Indian showing of Bosshard’s photojournalism, cheek- WALTER ilysuggestsinhisbrochureessaythat“Bosshard BOSSHARD’S himself could be seen as the link between Gandhi photographs of and Mao”. Certainly, the 51 photographs and Gandhi and Mao at the Kiran Nadar Museum one silent ﬁlm on show at Delhi’s Kiran Nadar of Art ofer Museum of Art (KNMA) make clear that both provocative a men “welcomed this foreign photojournalist with contrast between the leaders of diferent open arms”, at shaping moments of their careers. mass movements BosshardmetGandhiin1930atDandi,afterthe Salt March. In a piece of historical serendipity, he

1 ALL IMAGES COURTESY © FOTOSTIFTUNG SCHWEIZ / ARCHIV FÜR ZEITGESCHICHTE AND KIRAN NADAR MUSEUM OF ART

also met Mao after a march: in 1938, 1 April 7, 1930: Arrival of 3 when he journeyed six days from volunteers at the river theprovisionalcapitalofHankouto Yan’an, the closely-guarded ‘Red Capi- 2 1930: Congress tal’ where Mao had withdrawn after headquarters, Mumbai the Long March. Unlike his legendary subjects, 3 1938: Soldiers of the Eighth Route Army Bosshard never marched the length and breadth of a country to mobilise 4 1938: Mao in front of his people. But if we set aside for a mo- the Red Academy ment his position as a white man in an imperialist world, Bosshard’s own travels are quite impressive. A Swiss salty mud. The presence of women is Sinha said in an email interview. primary school teacher from 1908 to striking. In one great image, Bosshard “There is a heartwarming naturalness 1912, he studied art history in Zurich captures rural women marchers mid- and spontaneity in these pictures. By and Florence and did military service stride, one end of their white saris the time Margaret Bourke-White or in Italy during World War I. Boss- wound over their heads, the other end Kanu Gandhi were to shoot Gandhi at hard’s life after 1919 would be the envy hoisted up to reveal their calves. Here the charkha or in public meetings, he of any experience-hunting millennial: is the female Indian form cast for once was much older, much more studied he worked on a plantation in Sumatra, as a labouring body in political action, before the camera.” In the KNMA as a gem dealer in East Asia, and as a unselfconscious and thus, unfetishis- brochure essay, Sinha argues that merchant in India and Thailand. In able. There are also women leaders: a these images also highlight Gandhi’s 1927-28, he was a photographer on a stoic Mithuben Petit at an anti-alcohol “most pronounced areas of reflection German expedition to Central Asia. protest in Navsari; Sarojini Naidu, and engagement”: his astute grasp of By 1930, he had so established himself the poet and Congress leader, who the media, his obsession with diet and that the Munich Illustrated Press sent had urged Bosshard to visit Gandhi at the body, spinning the khadi as inte- him to India on a ‘study trip’. Between Dandi, saying “he will have time”. gral to his idea of swarajya (self-rule). February and October, Bosshard It appears Gandhi did. In Boss- Whether it was the photographer or travelled over 20,000 km, gathering hard’s images, the 60-year-old fight- the Mahatma who determined its enough material for his 1931 book, ing the world’s most powerful empire elements, Bosshard’s pictures estab- Indien Kämpft (India Fights)!. appears utterly relaxed: grinning at a lished a Gandhi iconography that still The highlight of Bosshard’s India satirical The Times of India editorial, holds sway. trip, though, was reaching Dandi in spinning, eating onion The Yan’an images time to shoot the coming of Gandhi. soup, cackling with are a stark contrast to the With 78 volunteers, Gandhi had uninhibited laughter, Bosshard’s Indian ones. Whether walked for 24 days along the coast, shaving. “At this stage pictures it’s a young, serious Mao crowds joining him to protest the of his career in 1930, he established Zedong standing scru- British monopoly on salt. The power is the only world leader a Gandhi pulously straight before of these pictures is still undeniable: who treated the camera the camera, the cold hundreds wading into the water to like a confidant of his in- iconography mountainous expanses pick up salt; a child walking jauntily ner circle, to be trusted, that still holds through which the Eighth of with a cloth bundle of dripping, silently,” co-curator sway Route Army marches, or

56 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 LEISURE

NOW STREAMING Gandhi, Extra Spicy

n early entry in the flurry of articles, exhibitions and films marking the 150th anniversary of Mohandas Karam- chand Gandhi’s birth, Khaar is an ambitious docudrama on the Salt March and Dandi satyagrah, which launched A the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930. Now streaming on the Zee5 platform, it combines historical videos and images, interviews with experts and dramatic recre- ations of the historical events. The complexity of such a turbulent and eventful period of history is not easy to represent, and Khaar both succeeds and fails at the task. The interviews and the historical footage are well arranged and cogent. The producers have made a valiant attempt at creating the settings of the movement 4 and reproducing the feel of the time. The sets and the lighting of the re-enactment are very contemporary, making a stark contrast with the historical footage. While this visual flavour suits the interviews, it doesn’t suit the recreation. Also problematic is actor simply the short hair, trousers and jackets Annu Kapoor’s overtly dramatised narration. Kapoor is a fine nar- both men and women wear, Bosshard’s rator, especially on his popular radio shows. But this intrinsically 1938 visuals reveal how China and India’s dramatic material calls for a restraint that is sadly missing, likely paths diverged. “China broke from an due to the direction he received. At times, it feels like a scandalous older civilisation in a way India did not,” night-time crime show. says Shilpa Sharma, a PhD scholar in In keeping with that jarring tone, the caricatured depiction of Delhi University’s department of Chinese the English oicers makes them appear like comic supervillains who Studies. “Also, Gandhi was responding are taught a lesson. (Imagine Lord Irwin as Batman’s nemesis, the to a bureaucratic state, where there was Joker). A docudrama needs to maintain a grip on the complexities law and order. China’s many bloody wars of historical events. Here, it is sacrificed in favour of the lowest com- meant ahimsa (non-violence) could not mon denominator. Caution is also lacking have emerged there. Mao standing strong KHAAR in aspects like costume. The marchers physically in pictures was part of a show Docudrama in Hindi, come across as angry young men with of strength needed to win,” sh dd 27 minutes Zee5 d b d outing slogans. Despite diferences, “thes as done reason- leaders who led their illiterate in his portrayal of cieties out of feudal and colon and, for the most sion,” says Hemant Adlakha, e script does adhere Chinese Studies at the Jawah basic facts. Khaar University. “There is com- well to show the parable poverty, a shared national impact of idealism, the instruction march, and how it of followers,” says Sinha. the tide of the free- “[Both had] a vision for ruggle, for instance. change for their countries.” with blaming the Nearly 90 years later, tional Congress for both India and China have , without qualifica- diverged greatly from these uance. The powers men’s visions. will approve. —Trisha Gu —Sopan Joshi LEISURE

THEATRE SECRETS & TRUTH

n Jab Khuli Kitaab, was a wife, a daughter-in- happened so long ago? Was As the story unfolds, it Aadyam Theatre’s third law, a mother, but did anyone Gopal being insensitive asking reveals many cracks in the production this year, realise how alone I was?” for divorce from a wife who is Nautiyal family, which loves the action begins when Anusuya asks her husband. battling death? Can Anusuya and fights in equal measure. I68-year-old Anusuya So, though you sympathise and Gopal’s relationship get a Shukla’s skill as a writer lies (Irawati Harshe Mayadev) with the devoted Gopal, your fresh lease of life on the basis in delineating them without wakes up from a coma. heart goes out to Anusuya of a better understanding? being judgemental. He uses Almost immediately, she re- as well. Shukla, a national award- wit and satire to highlight veals her brief afair with her Despite its light tone, the winning actor, has written dark truths as well as the husband’s assistant 48 years play raises many questions. and directed the play. He absurdity of many a situa- ago. Her husband , 72-year- Should a marital relationship reveals that it was a Rumi tion. And the obvious love old Gopal Nautiyal (Saurabh be an open book, or are some saying that set him thinking between Anusuya and Gopal Shukla), is predictably shat- secrets best kept hidden? as a writer. The saying ‘Light is heart-warming. The peppy tered. He’s also livid—and Was Anusuya being selfish enters through a crack’ is, chorus, which pops up to files for divorce. But by revealing an perhaps, what sums up the sing and dance and ofer a re- despite being hurt and incident that essence of the play. dundant commentary on the furious, he refuses to JAB KHULI story, however, undercuts will be allow his lawyer to KITAAB the strong performances and cast any aspersion staged at Delhi’s incisive script. ■ Kamani Auditorium on his wife’s char- on October 20-21 —Alpana Chowdhury acter, which results and at Mumbai’s St. in the play’s funniest Andrew’s Auditorium on October 27-28 as well as most touching moments. Anusuya, whom May- adev plays to perfection, is unapologetic about her week-long relationship with the assistant, who wooed her with poetry. After all, it was shairi that briefly relieved the monotony of her humdrum life as an ecient housewife. “I

Courtesy AADYAM TUMBBAD, A BLEND OF FANTASY, FOLK AND HORROR, RELEASED ON OCTOBER 12

CINEMA THE CURSE OF MONEY

he devil is in the visuals in Tumbbad, a dark as an adult to find a rumoured treasure. fairy tale with stylistic flourishes of which Shah plays the fearless and focused gold- Oscar-winning Mexican filmmaker Guill- digger Vinayak Rao, who would rather put ermo del Toro would be proud. The moral of his life in jeopardy than hold a job. the film—starring and produced by Sohum With only a handful of jump sc T Shah—is that money can’t buy happiness, and horrible creatures, Tumbbad is and greed is sure to end in tragedy. conventional horror film than the a Directed by Rahi Anil Barve and co-di- about a rapacious man, the perils o rected by Adesh Prasad, it’s inspired by the and how not just money but morali works of Marathi writer Narayan Dharap, also passed down. and begins with the legend of the goddess Cinematographer Pankaj Kuma Devi and her son Hastar—who is infamous uses the lush environs and cloudy for greed. But in the remote village of skies to infuse a sense of dread Tumbbad lies the only temple where people throughout. Child actors Dhundiraj dare to worship him. Prabhakar Jogalekar and Moham- Divided into three chapters, the story med Samad make an impression unfolds over three generations. The first in the limited screen time they get. chapter begins in 1918. An impoverished However, the storytelling young woman is mistress to a frail old falters as the focus turns to Vi- man with a dilapidated family estate, and nayak’s vices and auent lifestyle caretaker to his cursed mother and mother in sequences that drag on too to his two sons. Bitterness over his illegiti- long. Nevertheless, the visual and macy festers in the elder one and emerges aural landscape make Tumbbad as greed. A tragedy takes them away from compelling viewing. Tumbbad. In chapter two, the son returns —Suhani Singh

Sohum Shah INTERVIEW LEISURE Side Prole BUSAN FESTIVAL Director Hardik Mehta’s first feature, Kaamyaab, is a tribute to Also Bollywood’s perennial also-rans premiering... WIDOW OF SILENCE Three years after he stormed onto the about the old days when he used to take Set in Kashmir, Praveen Morchhale’s filmmaking scene with Amdavad Ma a bus to Ranjit Studios in Dadar. He also film depicts the struggle of a Muslim Famous, a delightful short about a young told me how director Raj Khosla and woman to register her husband as kite enthusiast, National Award-winning Manoj Kumar gave him the screen-name dead after he disappeared seven filmmaker Hardik Mehta is premiering ‘Birbal’. His actual name is Satyendra years ago. Morchhale works with his first feature, Kaamyaab, at the Khosla. He was part of Sholay too, as the non-professional actors and uses long Busan International Film prisoner whose moustache is left half- takes to give the film Festival this week. Mehta spoke about shaved by actor Keshto Mukherjee. greater verisimilitude. his feature debut. Q. Did you speak to any other actor? Q. You’ve said that films about films are Viju Khote gave me some of the best an- a studio’s worst nightmare. Why make ecdotes. He is such a warm person, self your first feature on the life of a veteran critical, witty and very knowledgeable. side actor? Actor Manmauji’s home is like a museum The idea of Kaamyaab came first, and filled with beautiful photographs and then it dawned on me that there is a memories of yesteryears. Avtar Gill gave certain aversion towards making films me several stories. While casting for our about films. But when I sent the script film, we had elderly actors, who, when to producer Manish Mundra, he didn’t they came to the set, told us: “Bade dinon need any convincing. He read it in a day baad kisi ne yaad kiya hai (After a long YOURS TRULY and called to ask the cast I had in mind time, someone has remembered us).” Written and directed by Sanjoy and the budget required. His banner, Nag, this film stars Soni Razdan Drishyam Films, took the script, Eros Q. How did you cast Sanjay Mishra? as a single and lonely middle-aged joined in and they just put everything I wanted the audience to feel as if they woman who is irresistibly drawn to together. It happened so fast that I had are watching an actual character actor’s the voice of the announcer at the to pinch myself that indeed there is a film journey, but at the same time they should railway station she uses for her being made on the love of my life—the not miss a ‘hero’ in the film. Sanjay has daily commute. Now only if she can ‘side actor’ of Hindi films! been a part of a number of good and find the man it belongs to. not-so-good films, he brought so much Q. What kind of research went into the humour, pathos and energy to the film. making of this film? He also added elements that elevated the I met Birbal ji who has been acting since film, so much so it almost turned semi- BHONSLE ■ Do Badan (1967). He spoke at length autobiographical. Manoj Bajpayee returns to Busan — Suhani Singh for a third consecutive year, and his first as a producer. In filmmaker Devashish Makhija’s new political drama, the actor plays a terminally ill and lonely Maharashtrian policeman who comes to the rescue of a North Indian girl and her little brother.

AN ODE TO CHARACTER ACTORS, KAAMYAAB WILL BE SCREENED AT THE BUSAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (OCT. 4-13) The adaptation covers one of St Aubyn’s five of EDWARD semi- Melrose novels. Years pass ST AUBYN’S autobiographical between them, and each could novels takes easily stand alone, featuring the streaming TV into new sort of “epiphany” that charac- emotional territory terises literary fiction. In the first, Cumberbatch turns Melrose’s addiction problem (a laughable understatement) into a sort of black slapstick—discomfit- ing as much because it’s so funny as because it’s so bleak. Then episode two abandons laughs altogether—almost unbearable, it’s like watching Buster Keaton turning pratfalls, then dying of cancer—to delve into how Patrick became such a basket case: his mon- strous father raped him for years. WEB SERIES As the series continues, the mons- trosity never goes away. Indeed, Melrose continually struggles with whether he BEYOND REDEMPTION will become a monster himself. But his continual undercutting of his sufering dward St Aubyn’s harrowing the English ruling class have legions of with his acerbic wit serves less as a safety semi-autobiographical nov- fans, drug addiction and sexual abuse is valve releasing the emotional pressure els—adapted into a web series not the stuf that sells soap, even in the than as a lure that draws the viewer into E starring Benedict Cumberbatch era of shows about meth-dealing high it. Cumberbatch is by turns self-pitying, that’s now showing on Hotstar—weren’t school teachers (with cancer!). loathsome, vicious and hilarious. And an obvious fit for the small screen. Yes, even now, Patrick Melrose is each trait conspires to make the viewer Though the “vicious”, “poisonous”, incendiary, taking streaming TV into feel his pain all the more. ■ “caustic” quintet of books skewering new emotional territory. Each episode —Jason Overdorf

FILM FESTIVAL Content is King

n 2011, Mikhil Musale led a team that made the our scope last year to a festival that talks about the process of short film Another Brick in the Wall.Itwonthemthe creation,” says founder Ritam Bhatnagar. I award for Best Cinematography at the inaugural Slated for October 13-14 at NSC, Worli in Mumbai, IFP’s eighth edition of the India Film Project (IFP). Cut to seven season will feature discussions with content creators—YouTuber yearslater,andMusale,thecreativedirectorofCineManProd- Bhuvan Bam on the future of comedy, author Ashwin Sanghi on uctions, is now a recognised name. Last year, he won a National how to tell Indian stories and screenplay writer Juhi Chaturvedi on Award, and is now working on his Bollywood directorial debut. breaking through a male-dominated industry. There will also be Musale was already making films then, but the contest proved workshops on how to cut a trailer, read legal contracts and shoot propitious. “Winning the Filmmaking Challenge gave me that ex- on a phone, as well as networking opportunities for actors, writ- tra encouragement and motivation to make more films,” he says. ers, composers, directors and graphic designers. It’s exactly what IFP started out to do. Launched in 2011, its The biggest draw, though, remains the 50-hour filmmaking aim was to provide amateur filmmakers a stage on challenge. Former jury member, filmmaker Vikramaditya Mot- which to practise their craft and showcase it to the wane has been associated with IFP from its inception. “Such world. Over the years, it has evolved into a festival filmmaking contests are helpful because the real world never dedicated to building a community of content cre- allows you ideal conditions. So to be able to make films within ators. “We have a 360-degree approach to cinema. a deadline and under pressure is great training,” he says. ■ Since films are a form of creation, we expanded —Joanna Lobo

OCTOBER 22, 2018 INDIA TODAY 61 LEISURE

FOOD HERITAGE PALATE

ncient buildings with a For the celebrated chef, the the only message he wants to tinge of Mughal event is an important recognition spread with the festival. He also A architecture still stand of India’s back-alley masters. wants to make it known around tall along the winding “The whole emphasis in hotel the world that Indian cooking lanes that lead to management schools is on learn- rests on two pillars—wellness and Kesar Dhaba in Amritsar, which ing western/ international food sustainability. shifted here from Pakistan after and hence the lack of opportunity “[Local cuisines] are easily India’s independence. Youngsters in to master regional/ local food,” digested, compatible with the designer clothes and rickshaw-driv- says Gill. “It is sad to see that body and environment. Not to ers stand shoulder to shoulder waiting most institutions have made little forget, nutritious and healthy. We for the grub to be dished out of or no efort to preserve our age- need more structured culinary massive brass pots. old methods. Why don’t we take teaching with textbooks on our With its sweetshops, kulcha hawk- pride in our cuisine?” cuisine philosophy, science, art, ers and dhabas, Amritsar’s culinary To ensure that happens, Gill is ingredi ents and their characteris- heritage is legendary. But this week- keen to see Indian cuisine in tics, terminology and diversity,” end, it hosts legends from across the the list of UNESCO’s Intangible he says. ■ globe at the ﬁrst annual World Heritage Cultural Heritage. But that’s not —Sukant Deepak Cuisine Summit & Food Festival (Octo- RAJWANT RAWAT ber 12-14). Organised by chef Manjit Gill, chairman of the World Cultural Culinary Heritage Committee of the World Asso- ciation of Chefs Societies, the location “IT’S SAD THAT of the event at the historic Gobindgarh MOST Fort makes its mission clear. INSTITUTIONS Hosted by the Indian Federa- tion of Culinary Associations (IFCA), HAVE MADE the event will celebrate traditional LITTLE OR NO cuisine with live demonstrations, EFFORT TO food tastings, presentations, panel PRESERVE discussions, master classes and OUR AGE-OLD Q&A sessions with renowned chefs [CULINARY] from around the world. “The festival METHODS” is an unprecedented opportunity to Manjit Gill witness live demonstrations by renowned chefs from all over the world, and also to savour these delicacies through the many tasting counters,” says Gill, whose cooking philosophy is rooted in ﬁrst mastering the traditions of one’s homeland. Amritsar was the natural choice for the locale, he believes. “The fact that it is a heritage city and is known across the country for its diverse street food [means] no other city could have been a better choice for this event,” says Gill.

62 INDIA TODAY OCTOBER 22, 2018 SUBIR HALDER

Home to the Hip

ITI MISRA, nlike many household cooks, Iti AKA ITI AUNTY, Misra didn’t learn her recipes IS TAKING HER KOLKATA HOME U from her grandmother. “My COOKING TO THE grandmother was a zamindarni and HIP MONKEY BAR GASTROPUB FOR did not go into the kitchen,” says the DURGA PUJA 77-year-old home chef who is bringing authentic Bengali cuisine to some of as Mughlai and, of course, a little the country’s hippest ‘modern Indian’ bit of British influence as well,” restaurants. she says. After winning fans with the dinners A traditionalist, she’s not she hosts from her home in conjunction throwing quinoa into anything, with Traveling Spoon (the AirBnB of and she insists that Bengali dishes culinary experiences), the former British have to be served in “the right Airways sales executive, known as ‘Iti order”. That means starting with Aunty’, imparted her knowledge to well- something bitter like eggplant known chef Thomas Zacharias and his with neem leaves or methi, then team during a pop-up at The Bombay moving to mildly flavoured dishes Canteen in May. And this month, she’s like a dal and some delicate-fla- consulting with chef Dheeraj Verma of red vegetable like lau (bot- Monkey Bar to create a special ‘Next ourd). The spicy stuf comes Stop Kolkata’ menu for Durga Puja—an t as “one has to build up the homage to the city’s street food. ce bit by bit”. Then something “I feel Kolkata is one of the most r acts as a palate cleanser be- cosmopolitan cities in the country. e the dessert, like a paayesh. ■ Unlike other cities, the street food here Next Stop Kolkata will be is not local food but food from various held at Monkey Bar, Mumbai, migrant ethnic groups and states. Bengaluru, New Dellhi and Kol- So you see food from Uttar Pradesh, kata from October 4 to 21. China and Tibet, South India as well —Malini Banerjee

SANJAY RAMCHANDRAN LEISURE

tops the lis seas year and the big prize m India now boasts a fairl structure of organised team GAMES Shounak Sengupta (alia Gambit) of AFK Gaming expl players participate in tourn the amateur, semi professio professional levels. “Amate TO PAY aford to invest much less t ers in terms or preparation, ugust this year was a moment of internationa sport. ut India’s bronze will have real-life commitme validation for gamers and eSports medal at the Asian G mes is just the Sengupta says. “Semi-pro t athletes. Tirth Mehta from Bhuj, latest sign that so-called eSports are might have some minimal ba A behind them to cover for co Gujarat, took the bronze medal in here to stay. the eSports demonstration tourna- ESports athletes like Akhil Gupta travelling and staying during tournament at the Asian Games 2018. Tirth of AFK Gaming say serious competi- ments. More often than not, these goes by the gamer name ‘gcttirth’. tion began to take of around 2014-15. teams get together and practise at He began competitive gaming with Tournament gaming on a small non- internet cafes. Professional teams Dota, moved to StarCraft for lack of a professional scale has been popular will have a dedicated boot camp good internet connection and a string since the days of FIFA, Counter Strike, where they practise before major team and, eventually, to Hearthstone Street Fighter and StarCraft. But big tournaments.” At these boot camps, which is more strategy and less button league gaming with commensurate professional eSports gamers get mashing. He has since been an active prize money began in 2016, with the spending money and room and eSports gamer, playing through nights entrance of the eSports League and board while they practise together in international tournaments while tournaments hosted by Flipkart and as a team for the final tournament. simultaneously working on his skills as the Indian Gaming League. Just as football team has defenders, a gameplay programmer and pursuing Serious money is now at stake. goalkeepers, midfielders and so on, a a degree in science and information The largest Indian tournament, the ESL Dota team has “carries”, “supports”, technology. Premiership, pays a total of Rs 1 crore “nukers” and other specialists. A It may be inconceivable to some in prizes. So there’s an argument to be Nuker, for instance, can use high that an activity blamed for turning a made that fiddling with that controller damage spells to kill enemies super generation of kids into nearsighted dia- isn’t a waste of time, says Sahil Viradia fast while Junglers can sustain high betics with muscular thumbs is now an alias MiCrO, an eSports athlete from damage from an onslaught. In CS:GO Team Jukes on You. “That was the time (Counterstrike Global Ofensive), when all the couch gamers realised specialists include Fraggers, that they could make a career out of AWPers, Lurkers and Riflers. The this,” says Viradia, who competes in names might not suggest it, but it is Dota (once known as Defence of serious work. “Often teams train and the Ancients) tournaments. play for 12 hours a day before big “ESL India Premiership tournaments,” Sengupta says. Games like Dota 2 and CS:GO are very popular in India and ofer some of the biggest money. Other familiar names that are popular in tournament gaming are FIFA, Hearthstone and Call of Duty. On the international circuit, League of Legends and StarCraft ofer prizes upwards of seven figures, in US dollars. India’s Entity Gaming and Signify sponsor Dota teams compete inter- nationally. And smaller teams playing primarily on national or regional level. So how do these athletes feel TIRTH MEHTA about the prospect of eSports won a bronze earning a spot at the Olympic medal at Games, following its inclusion the eSports as a demonstration sport at demonstration the Asian Games? If chess can tournament at the Asian Games qualify, why not Dota? 2018 —Farah Yameen CLASH ROYALE INDIA’S TOP ESPORTS Two teams attempt to destroy the ‘towers’ of the other, with each playable unit represented as a card. The game remains extremely popular although the tournaments ofer very little prize money.

DOTA 2 HEARTHSTONE FIFA Dota 2 is a free to play game and The tournament that got India the Asian Based on the Football World Cup, FIFA is a therefore found many takers. Two Games bronze this year, Hearthstone is long-term favourite with professional and teams of five members each, with also a free to play collectible card game. couch-bound gamers even though it costs specified player roles, attempt Unlike Dota and CS:GO, only two oppo- a bomb on the PlayStation. Tournaments to destroy a structure called the nents fight to destroy the other by playing ofer lower prizes than Dota 2 or CS:Go ‘Ancient’ in the enemy’s camp. through a deck of 30 cards. competitions.

CS:GO Two teams compete to kill each other (in avatar form). The free to play online version got many hooked. CS:GO soon became one of the most popular tournaments in India and most boot camps have either a CS:GO or a Dota 2 team or both.

TIMELINE / SERIOUS FUN: ESPORTS 2012 Counter Dota 2 become the with Nodwin Gaming #HumGamerHain Strike: Global most popular tourna- Ofensive is ment games in India 2018 India hosts 2018 India’s released it ﬁrst televised Tirth Mehta wins 2016 Esports Esports Tournament a bronze at 2013 Dota 2 is League (ESL) comes U Cypher with MTV. Hearthstone at the released. CSGO and to India in partnership Twitter goes viral with Asiad Q A FLYING HIGH National Award-winning actor Riddhi Sen, 20, on acting, Kajol and helicopter parenting

Q. What was it like working with Kajol in Helicopter Eela? Initially, it was a little unnerving. We heard the ﬁnal draft of the script together and she cracked us up with her amazing sense of humour. As the shooting schedule progressed, our bond grew, we became friends, like the mother and son in the ﬁlm.

Q. Are your parents (actors Kaushik and Reshmi Sen) helicopter parents? Not at all. My parents are my best friends, especially my mom. In fact, it is the other way around. I am the one always calling her; I am very protective of her. Even with my father, there are no taboo topics. There is nothing they would hide from me.

Q. You’ve performed on stage and in ﬁlms. Which one do you prefer? They are both challenging in their own way. I had read an interview of Naseeruddin Shah where he had said that we have it all wrong with our ideas of over- and under-acting; there is just good and bad acting. I totally believe that.

Q. What’s your dream role in a ﬁlm? And who are your dream directors? Robert De Niro’s Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver. My favourite Hindi ﬁlm director is Shoojit Sircar, and in world cinema, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu.

—Malini Banerjee

SUBIR HALDER

66 Volume XLIII Number 43; For the week October 16-22, 2018, published on every Friday Total number of pages 76 (including cover pages)

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OCTOBER 2018

Kanupriya on Redeﬁning Student Politics

Theatre actor OCTOBER 2018 Jyoti Dogra on solo performances A MONTHLY MAGAZINEu . NCR Chenna

Celebrating the The Festive Festive WHAT’SP ONl THE MENUt THISt SEASONr . “Supplement to India Today issue. “Supplement to India Today dated Oc ober 22 201 Spirit THE BEST *Not for sale. To be circulated free with India*Not for sale. To Today n Mumba De h & BUYS THIS SEASON Hyderabad and Chandigrah Kolkata, Kolkata, Bangalore, RNI NO. DELENG / 2005 15332 RNI NO.

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RNI No. DELENG / 2005 19858 be circulated free with India Not for sale. To and Chandigarh in Punjab Today Nehmat NDA AY PICE 1 FRF R ARY2017 THE GOOD LIFE

Celebrating the Festive

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie Group Editorial Director Raj Chengappa THERE’S A PERCEPTIBLE MOOD SHIFT Group Creative Editor Nilanjan Das HELMED by the weather as the once merciless sun Group Photo Editor Bandeep Singh mellows to a lemony twang as October gets ready to rock Deputy Editor Prachi Bhuchar and roll. There’s something sweet about this time of the Senior Editor Chumki Bharadwaj year as you know that celebratory rush, the smell of winter, Editorial Consultant Jahnavi Chakravarty is in the air. Sr. Art Director Sanjay Piplani In this issue Spice celebrates all things pleasant; the Art Director Angshuman De thrum of music, the clink of crystal, the joy of new, often Associate Art Director Anuranjan Bhatia expensive buys, and of course the anticipation of delicious Assistant. Art Director Rajesh Angira food and ine spirits. Our cover story attempts to capture Photo Researchers Prabhakar Tiwari and Shubhrojit Brahma Production Harish Aggarwal (Chief of Production), the nostalgia associated with festivals; from Diwali all Naveen Gupta, Vijay Sharma the way to Holi. Chef Vineet Bhatia tells us why food has always evoked festival nostalgia and now, living far from Publishing Director Manoj Sharma home meant he went that extra mile to make festival Associate Publisher (Impact) Anil Fernandes time special. Similarly, designer Raghavendra Rathore, who is all about tradition shares his idea of a perfect Holi Senior General Manager (Impact) celebration, while Sotheby’s MD Gaurav Bhatia recounts Jitendra Lad (West) why Durga puja holds special meaning in his life. Artist General Managers Sudarshan Shetty remembers the celebrations that Upendra Singh (Bangalore) deined his childhood and how they have evolved. Kaushiky Gangulie (East) This is also the season of excess; for more reasons than one. The desire to splurge, be generous as you Group Chief Marketing Ocer gift is also strong. Our experts tell you how to celebrate Vivek Malhotra the season right and what to buy if you are looking to acquire a new set of wheels or that expensive single malt. What’s trending in the gift circuit? We all know Indian sweets have been trumped by chocolates and the like but this season seems to be all about healthy options as our columnist tells us. From jewellery pieces that are waiting to be picked up to the right wheels, we bring you a roundup of all that’s available this season and the ideal gift hamper recommendations as well. Big launches, fancy eats, the best of gifting, you’ll ind it Volume14Number10;October,2018 all in Spice this season. Loosen those purse strings as you Copyright Living Media India Ltd. All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in any manner is prohibited. lip the pages. PrintedandpublishedbyManojSharmaonbehalfof Living Media India Limited. Printed at Thomson Press India Limited, 18-35Milestone,DelhiMathuraRoad,Faridabad-121007,(Haryana) andA-9,IndustrialComplex,MaraimalaiNagar,DistrictKancheep- uram-603209, (Tamil Nadu.). Published at K-9, Connaught Circus, New Delhi-110001. Editorial/Corporate Oice: Living Media India Ltd., India Today Group Mediaplex, FC-8, Sector-16A, Film City, Noida - 201301. (Aroon Purie) Editor: Raj Chengappa India Today does not take responsibility for returning unsolicited publication material. e-mail your letters to: [email protected]

INDIA TODAY SPICE 1 OCTOBER 2018 CONTENTS OCTOBER 2018

CONTRIBUTORS

RAGHAVENDRA RATHORE DESIGNER Rathore is recognised for placing the quintessentially Indian bandhgala on the global fashion map.

VINEET BHATIA MICHELIN STAR CHEF Bhatia’s modern progressive attitude to Indian food changed the cuisine’s global perception.

GAURI TANDON AND RADHIKA TANDON CO-FOUNDERS, ISHARYA Jewellery with a difference, Isharya is a favourite with Red Carpet A-listers like Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez and Selena Gomez.

SUDARSHAN SHETTY ARTIST Shetty is a contemporary artist who paints, sculpts and dabbles in video, sound and performance installations.

SANDEEP ARORA CO-FOUNDER, CASK SPIRIT MARKETING

THE GOOD LIFE A whisky enthusiast himself, Sandeep Arora believes in creating experiential interactions with the drink.

Celebrating the Festive

. “Supplement to India Today issue dated October 22, 2018”. . “Supplement to India Today Spirit THE BEST *Not for sale. To be circulated free with India Today in Mumbai, Delhi & NCR, Chennai, in Mumbai, Delhi & NCR, be circulated free with India Today *Not for sale. To BUYS THIS SEASON Hyderabad and Chandigrah Kolkata, Kolkata, Bangalore, RNI NO. DELENG / 2005 15332 RNI NO. ON THE COVER MODELS TANYA (LEFT) & MERI (KARMA MODELS AGENCY) COVER IMAGE BANDEEP SINGH | MAKEUP & HAIR NEHA CHAUDHARY STYLIST GUL GARG | BIKINIS SHIVAN & NARRESH | (ON TANYA) CUFF AND EARRINGS- H&M | (ON MERI) EARRINGS FOREVER 21 | CUFF TOPSHOP OCTOBER 2018

UNLEASH THE BEASTS Top picks in luxury wheels

LEADER DLF Emporio completes SWE ATS a decade of There is such a thing as a decadence healthy festive dessert

INDIA TODAY SPICE 3 OCTOBER 2018 OCTOBER 2018

JOY OF GIFTING Top hampers that should be on your wishlist

LETTE M THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

HET

STAYING TRUE Victorinox stays true to its core values LASTLOOK

INDIA TODAY SPICE 4 OCTOBER 2018 HOTSHEET LAUNCH

Festive Drapes

Few countries have a handloom heritage as rich as India’s, with textile traditions as varied as they are many in number. Celebrating this history is Shades of India’s festive collection which is inspired by the textile culture of the island of Bali. The collection boasts of luxurious fabrics of silk and velvet in intense hues like mahogany, cinnamon and fuschia finished with hints of lustre through zari work and gold foiling radiate a sense of opulence. The collection includes versatile separates of classic sarees, contemporary kurtas and playful shararas in ethereal silhouettes that are comfortable yet perfectly suit the festive occasion. Adding to the antiquity of the collection are exquisite accessories of frame bags and neck pieces in colours and textures borrowed from nature. The collection draws its inspiration from the Indonesian word bebali — meaning ceremonial attire of the gods. Bebali is celebration in itself. Every thread sings of festivity and every stitch treasures the timeless lores of our rich crafts and heritage.

Available at Brand boutiques in Delhi and Gurgaon

COMPILED BY JAHNAVI CHAKRAVARTY

INDIA TODAY SPICE 5 OCTOBER 2018 HOTSHEET GIFTS FOR HIM

Cuff Parade These Tateossian geode cufflinks feature natural stones sliced to showcase the internal crystals in a rose gold setting. Its the ideal gift for the discerning gentleman. Price On request Availability www.mrporter.com Par Excellence If it is a deepky personal you’re looking for, the Le Paradis from the house of Hayari is the perfect pick. This intriguing scent is an amalagmation of precious woods, Keyed In leather, spices and flowers. This fierce keyring by Givenchy is Price On request the gift to give to the man who’s Availability www.excedoluxuria.com always clued in to what’s #trending. This accessory marries tough-luxe detailing and rock-n-roll elegance Price On request Ready to Go Availability www.farfetch.com Gift the Tumi extented trip packing case to the adventure lover in your life. The reinforced framecase design Knot it Right comes in an eye-catching colour, As the weather cools, add this Hack- ensuring one never misses their lug- ett scarf to the list of gifts to give. gage on the belt ever again! Featuring red and blue stripes, this Price On request classic combo will pair well with al- Availability Brand boutiques most all fall colours. Price On request Availability Brand boutiques

Blue Crush This classic denin shirt should be a wardrobe staple for any man. We pick this one from Scotch and Soda for its soft fabric, clean cut and sheer wearability Price On request Availability www.tatacliq.com

INDIA TODAY SPICE 6 OCTOBER 2018 HOTSHEET GIFTS FOR HOME

Signature Scent A fresh home fragrance is truly a great gift. Splurge on Jovoy’s scented candle in Book Worms Datcha, Gardez-Moi, Mint Ideal for the book lover in your Lemonade to liven up a loved life, the Pensive pleasure book- one’s home ends by the Whiteteak Company Price On request are sure to liven up any book Availability Brand boutiques shelf. Price `12,950 Availability www.whiteteak.com

Gold Dust Sacred Sanctum These intricate white and gold Lotus Sanctum by Scarlet Splendor, Elvy vases are the perfect fes- a versatile cabinet inspired by the tive gift to jazz up your home beauty of the lotus, will be a resplen- this season. Use them as dent addition to any living room accents in the living room or Price On request bedroom. Availability Brand boutique in Price On request Kolkata Availability Brand boutiques

Gilt-y Pleasur Add elegance to your dining with this tray table from Be Designs. This accent piece also be used as a bar acce Price On request Availability Brand boutiqu Delhi

INDIA TODAY SPICE 7 OCTOBER 2018 FETISH

Free Falling Ulysse Nardin’s new Executive Tourbillon deies expectations as well as gravity

When craft and technology commune, the result is usually delightful. Ulysse Nardin’s Executive Tourbillon “Free Wheel” defies expectations as well as gravity with its spectacular new innovation that literally turns watchmaking on its head. Crafted in a grand white or rose gold, with a brand-new movement and a startlingly innovative box-domed sapphire, the modern-sized 44mm dial in dark stone is carved from a slab of slate for the 18-carat rose gold version, and built on a sleek black honeycomb grid for the 18-carat white gold version. The most surprising features are the dial’s tourbillon bridges and the 7-day power reserve indicator at four o’clock that are shaped like boomerangs and look like they are actually floating in air as do the other ‘skeletonised’ components, the hour and minute indicators and the gorgeous gear trains. What’s more, the strap is “carbon leather“ in matte alligator, which is exceptionally soft to the touch. Price On Request Available brand outlets

INDIA TODAY SPICE 8 OCTOBER 2018

COVER STORY FESTIVALI DIWALI BANDEEP SINGH BANDEEP

VINEET BHATIA Michelin star chef Photograph by Photograph FEEDING TRADITION India's first Michelin star chef, Vineet Bhatia shares his love for the festival of lights and how his latest outpost Ziya, in Mumbai, celebrates the spirit of the season

Favourite festival memory made wicks and ghee—and with the kids back Festivals have always been a great time for family from college, we sit together for a little pooja and bonding whether it was Diwali or Ganesh Chatur- then food; just family time. Wherever we are. we thi. But nothing exempliies the festive spirit more always make a mithai, Rashima makes the halwa than Diwali for me, with sweet memories of child- and I, the bari, apart from others that we simply hood laden with mithai—bari, pedas and jalebis— buy from the market. Since we are always gifting and of course crackers and lights. We used to have stuf to each other through the year, our gifting is a small pooja at home with an arti just with the not limited to the festive season. four of us and then crackers galore, followed by a great meal and late night sessions of teen patti. Specials on the Ziya menu Now that we are older and settled far away from Festive jalebi—a cardamom cheesecake ball with a home, in the UK, we are much more conscious of heart of rose rasmalai, enveloped in rose jalebi. So the futility and negatives associated with burning basically, it looks white on the outside but is baby crackers, which is merely a show of money. One pink on the inside, and is cradled on a bed of pink has to be more sensitive to old people and pets in coloured rings of hot jalebi. As always, the look the house and the nuisance to the environment. and feel may be inspired and contemporary but Even today, we celebrate Diwali in the heart of at the heart are authentic Indian lavours. We are London, quite the same way we did back home also putting out savoury gujiyas with goat cheese in India, albeit in a much quieter way; we dot the and smoked cashew nuts this season. house with little terracotta diyas—with home- As told to Chumki Bharadwaj

DESSERT ROSE The new rose jalebi at Ziya, Mumbai, is a celebration of the festive season Photographs by SANJAY RAMCHANDRAN SANJAY by Photographs

INDIA TODAY SPICE 11 OCTOBER 2018 COVER STORY FESTIVAL I HOLI

Colour may dominate the skyline on Holi, but tradition rides on an ethnic aesthetic too

RAGHAVENDRA RATHORE Designer

BURST OF COLOURS in the air and the playful essence of Holi en- Aguling Jodhpur still continues to be my fondest memory from childhood. The festive season is tinged with celebration, en- thusiasm, fervour and devotion. I remember elders in the family greeting each other with colour as being one of my favourite memories growing up. Holi was a time when we enjoyed that extra helping of food spread over long lunches and endless laughter. To me the festival is a constant reminder of tradition especially, the burning of Holika that signiies the triumph of good over evil. Opulence, ritual and celebration aside, while the levels of excitement and energy are at its peak, it also gives everyone a reason to start afresh, and think anew about everything.

Clothes dress tradition Since the season is associated with buying new clothes, having a festive collection was very important for me. The extravagance and illustriousness of the season relects through the attire as it embodies signiicant colour play, richness in textile and surface ornamentation details which are seen on all silhouettes. The season also celebrates

INDIA TODAY SPICE 12 OCTOBER 2018 THE LUXURY OF INHERITANCE Detailed kurtas and structured bandhgalas with bejewelled accessories like buttons and brooches define the festive look traditional and lowy shapes that emulate brooches, scarves and stoles further lends an ethnic aesthetic and vibrancy, and hence an elaborate yet elegant appeal to every en- our festive collection dovetails just that. Not semble. After all, what’s festivities without the just garments, a customised gold coin is a necessary accoutrements. ceremonial buy at this time as it embodies an emotional attachment and value as an auspi- Return to Roots cious item. I come from a land where men have never My inspiration draws from my hometown shied away from celebrating their regal Jodhpur, and forms the back bone of who I lineage through the lens of craft with each am. Heritage dressing through hand-woven momentous occasion. And I hope to detailing, makes it perfect for the modern reignite this passion for traditions and man. Combining structured silhouettes translate it to a man’s wardrobe worldwide with bejewelled accessories like buttons, this festival season.

INDIA TODAY SPICE 13 OCTOBER 2018 COVER STORY FESTIVAL I DURGA PUJA

Bhatia with Tyeb Mehta’s Durga Mahisasura The mystical world that opens up during Durga puja is deeply attractive and exciting

GAURAV BHATIA MD, Sotheby’s India

he splendour of Indian festivals is like November this year was the Durga Mahisasura none other. Durga Puja has always ap- Mardini—a seminal work by modernist master Tpealed to me. The pomp, the splendour, Tyeb Mehta which is a symbol of the victory of the drama and the grandeur of it all is un- good over evil. Finding the painting was a surreal matched. There is something about the power of moment, almost like Goddess Durga had come Goddess Durga, the shakti, that draws me. to bless our irst auction. That painting will always be special to me as is the festival. Puja Fervour Come Puja season and visiting a pandal or two The Art of Gifts is a ritual. There is so much energy and revelry During this festival season, my wife and I always and I love seeing the idols of Durga in her saaj of like to gift something unique—a print, folk art, crimson saris, bejewelled in gold with white shola. Indian textiles or a great book. I still like the Women in gossamer dhaka saris with beautiful old tradition of gifting tokris of fresh fruit and karan phools and men in crisp dhoti kurtas all in- nuts and mogras. toxicated by the rhythmic sound of the dhak, the In the last three years our desire to pick tradi- smell of dhoop and the dhunochi, all transport tional silver thalis got sidetracked as we went you into a mystical world. You also get to enjoy and bought ourselves works of art instead. This the creativity and talent of the indigenous artists year though, we are determined to buy those who create the protimas. thalis. (That said, I already have my eye on Sooni Serendipitously, the irst lot I found for our Taraporvala’s photograph The Mystic Piano Tuner, Sotheby’s inaugural sale in Mumbai slated for Bombay 1985.’ It is so Bombay).

INDIA TODAY SPICE 15 OCTOBER 2018 COVER STORY FESTIVAL I NOSTALGIA Photograph by Milind Shelte Milind by Photograph

The artist recalls a time when celebrations were more meaningful

SUDARSHAN SHETTY Artist

I remember our forays into the heap of junk paper, paint and lowers. I even remember at the back of the building that we once lived using the sofa springs and a toy motor to help in. We collected anything that we could lay make a movable mouse that normally sat next our hands on for the various decorations ap- to the idol of Ganesha. The precious little propriate for diferent occasions. There were funds available to us were used to buy electric mostly pieces of broken furniture, wires, bent bulbs, wires and other necessary things. nails, cotton from the mattresses or spokes from discarded umbrellas to make small Simpler Times, Simpler Celebrations structures or lanterns covered with coloured This was perhaps the only time when there

INDIA TODAY SPICE 16 OCTOBER 2018 EAT, PRAY, LOVE Food played a key role in Shetty’s memories of childhood celebrations

P h o to g ra p h : S h u t was a general acceptance and ap- te rS to preciation for our activities outside ck of the school curriculum. During my adolescence, there was a lot of stress on academics that presumably would provide us with a secure job and a better future, but besides that, there Occasionally, there would be Hindi was also an inadvertent learning of a ilm songs played on loud speak- mix of cultures and languages. The ers that people actually listened and brand of Hindi we spoke, sometimes hummed to the tunes of. This was a laughably so, was mix of varied inlu- time when television set was a distant ences of Marathi, Dakhani, Gujarati future – and not every household had and so on. record players or the radio sets.

Community Bonding Intimacy Missing Today We lived in a tenement in a lower The excitement of celebration was middle class cosmopolitan neigh- somewhat intimate and contained bourhood in Mumbai. All festivals within each community or clusters came as reasons to celebrate. The of tenements, as oppose to some of homemade sweets during Diwali or the garish and an alienating grandeur the biryani and sevaiya during Eid; that we see today. I sometimes travel it was party time, every time. The during the festivals to homes of some neighbours came together leaving friends and relatives within the city. I their strict cultural or other personal often ind myself looking for the traces diferences back at their 10 by 20 feet of that precious intimacy of these fes- homes, perhaps to ind a release from tivals that perhaps mostly lives within their tough daily lives. each of us from that generation.

INDIA TODAY SPICE 17 OCTOBER 2018 GIFTING All that Glitters The season’s favourites from the sparkle brigade

C Krishniah Chetty Availability Brand’s flagship store, Bengaluru

Availability orra.com l Availability Brand outlets in Delhi

d l

A ailability Brand outlets

COMPILED BY CHUMKI BHARADWAJ

COVER STORY TREND I JEWELLERY Rock the Party The bling trend report that will help you accessorise right this season

GAURI & RADHIKA TANDON CO-FOUNDERS, ISHARYA

T ISHARYA, WE have worked with American, European, Middle Eastern and the Indian markets over the past 15 years, and we’ve learnt a simple rule when it comes to jewellery trends: What works in one market may not in another, so one has to understand the pace and pulse of sensibilities around the world and identify what will resonate where. While European and American markets prefer natural stones and rich, deep colours but subtle silhouettes, India and the Middle East are culturally bolder when it comes to jewellery. This festive season, this aesthetic takes centre stage globally—bold colours, intriguing shapes and fascinating materials are lending a playful touch to women’s wardrobes. While one holds their

INDIA TODAY SPICE 20 OCTOBER 2018 WHIMSICAL AEST Fierce looks, in silhouette earrings cuf

mother’s heirlooms close to their heart, are also investing in ierce and fun looks w innovative silhouettes, statement earrings, ornate cufs and layered necklaces.

Reinvented Classics The traditional ‘chand bali’ and 'jhumki' silhouettes are a classic in festive wear and we have reinvented these with our signature gold-plated you hand-cut polki mirrors this season. Apart from it with a do g r ring these traditional silhouettes, one can look at as well as midi ri kable rings sets. oversized hoops and dramatic earmuf style This season, whether you’re a minimalist or earrings that cover half the lobes or clip straight maximalist, there’s a statement piece made across, or sword style earrings that pierce the just for you. lobe. Our favourite innovation is the needle and thread style earrings that weave through the ear Mixed Metal Bangles Are Popular with feminine tassels and fringes. For cocktail evenings and dinners, a statement cuf or an oversized ring still makes Harnesses Are Trending a popular conversation starter. Women are Maatha patti’s aren’t just for brides anymore replacing pendant necklaces with the arm and can transform a simple outit into a stun- stack, where they play with mixed metals, ning ensemble. The young bridesmaid is diferent cufs, bangles and charm bracelets experimenting with body harnesses, shoulder to showcase their personal style. For harnesses and armbands to create a wow factor. example, our gold-plated resin bangles have Hand harnesses have been a festive favourite been created in diferent colours for one to for some time now but clearly more is more. If mix and match with their outits.

INDIA TODAY SPICE 21 OCTOBER 2018 COVER STORY TREND I DESSERTS

SABINA GUPTA Founder, Not Just Desserts HAT’S A FESTIVAL without delicious desserts? With a distinct shift towards eating healthy and sticking to diferent diets, desserts this season are all about making people feel good The about what they are eating rather than guilty. So, the baker’s kitchen is experimenting with unconventional ingredients such as unreined lours, raw sugars, more spices, nuts and grains that we didn’t ever imagine would go into cakes Sweet and cookies. Sugar, which is seen as the chief enemy by those watching calories, is making way for naturally sweet ingredients like panela and rice bran syrup which are going into desserts. Spot Look at international dessert trends and you will see that vegetables and fruits like avocado, sweet Nut flours, sugar substitutes and potato, tapioca, coconut, bananas and apples are edible flowers. Dig into desserts that taking centre stage when it comes to desserts. Traditional ingredients like nuts and grains are scream healthy this season. now being adapted into lours which can be used as substitutes for the traditional all-purpose lour, thus making desserts gluten free and accessible

INDIA TODAY SPICE 22 OCTOBER 2018 LOOKS GOOD, TASTES BETTER Avocado, sweet potato, tapioca, coconut, bananas and apples are taking centre stage when it comes to desserts

to a wider number of people who otherwise would Festivals and celebrations are incomplete without skip these sweet treats. sweets but now, the focus has shifted from the tra- The general assumption is that a healthy dessert ditional to a more wholesome and alluring dessert. is usually inedible and boring but for the past two People want obeat lavours and combinations. So decades, we have been customising everything to our we see that our lavender, sesame and chilly coriander preferences and restrictions. The trends keep chang- cookies, the ever colourful rose and pistachio granola, ing—we’ve made gluten and dairy-free desserts and and a fun chia seed pudding are what people are opt- what is trending now is vegan, paleo and keto diet ing for. Berry tarts, besides being a treat for the eyes, choices. So, the desserts also relect that. come packed with antioxidants and are also popular Ingredients like panela (rapedura), jaggery, rice bran this season. Although healthy is trending, you can- syrup, honey, stevia, coconut sugars and dried fruits like not entirely disregard luscious chifon sponges, rich igs, dates, raisins and sultanas have replaced the more chocolates and cream illings. commonly used reined sugars. When it comes to lours, Diwali is a time of celebrations and it is said you eat tapioca, coconut, sorghum, rice, buckwheat, banana and with your eyes. That deinitely holds true this season— maize seem to be the best choices Desserts this season it’s all about fresh berries, silk and edible lowers, those also come with seeds like lax, sesame, chia, sunlower gold and silver foil accents and elaborate chocolate gar- and pumpkin for that extra dose of good health. nishes, albeit all healthy.

INDIA TODAY SPICE 23 OCTOBER 2018 COVER STORY TOP FIVE I AUTO HOT

WHE LS YOGENDRA PRATAP EDITOR, AUTO TODAY IN THE MOOD FOR A NEW SET OF WHEELS? HERE’S MY PICK OF THE BEST CARS TO BRING HOME THIS FESTIVAL SEASON .

INDIA TODAY SPICE 24 OCTOBER 2018 much more comfortable T IS THE YEAR OF THE SUV without losing and more than likely will continue that go-kart feel. to I be the year of the SUV for a few more That leaves me years if worldwide trends are anything with the last two picks to go by. for the festive season and No one would begrudge the govern- they are the new third gen- ment for imposing higher taxes on SUVs eration Porsche Cayenne and the if all of them were like the Lamborghini Range Rover Velar. Both are meant Urus, the irst in my list of the cars to get for enthusiasts, for people who long RAGING BULL home this holiday season. It is a super to get behind the wheel but for totally There is no SUV out sports luxury vehicle if one can call it that diferent reasons. The Cayenne is an there that is quite as and will set you back by over `3 crore, the out and out sports vehicle though it attention grabbing as the Lamborghini Urus igure that marks its price tag. It is like a provides a lot of utility as well as the go (above); the feature- racing car on stilts, or a pulled up version of anywhere promise. And if you choose packed Volvo XC40 one of the super cars that Lamborghini is the Turbo version, not only will it set (below) famous for. Powered by a 4-litre twin-turbo you back by just under `2 crore, but it V8, it produces max power of 650bhp will keep you pinned in your seat as well and peak torque of 850Nm. It sprints to with 550bhp of max power and 770Nm 100kmph in under 3.6 seconds and has a of peak torque. And if speed is your top speed of over 300kmph. poison that it can keep your company If for some reason the raging bull does till 286kmph with the irst 100kmph not take your fancy then probably Thor’s coming up in under 4 seconds. But if Hammer will as it adorns the smallest of that speed rush is not your cup of tea the Volvo SUVs, the XC40. This car has then my inal pick for a car to take home the capability of spoiling you rotten with this festive season is the Range Rover features and interiors that come from not Velar, another new car that is relaxed one but probably many segments higher. and beautiful, both on the inside as well The car can pretty much drive by itself if as the outside. allowed to do so by law, but that does not And whichever you may pick, just re- mean that it is not loaded with driver as- member to get everyone belted in before sistance systems. It ofers everything that you start driving and pick the back seat if a car costing twice as much would in a you have had a drink or two. package that is compact and easy to drive in the city. And it will set you back by less than `50 lakh for the lower end variants. If even that seems to be above your budget then I have a very diferent kind of a SUV – a quirky one at that and one that you could easily fall in love with. The Mini Countryman is a sporty 2-litre turbocharged engine that produces just under 200bhp under its hood and it is still great fun to drive though over the last two model changes, it has become

INDIA TODAY SPICE 25 OCTOBER 2018 BIG STORY TREND I DRINK

BRIN o

The drink to latch onto this season is SANDEEP ARORA Co-founder, Cask Spirit versatile, exciting and trending hot Marketing

OTHING CAN SUM IT UP BETTER than this as we step into the season of celebrations. This is a time when we look forward to entertaining and being entertained. And what is entertainment if not matched by some trendy drink being shaken and stirred by a motley crew? While most people can neatly be categorised into wine, beer or whisky drinkers, this season we are noticing a shift in what is being consumed and how. Here’s what’s trending in the spirit circuit this season. Gin is making waves and splashes this season and has undergone a renaissance of sorts. As a category, gin didn’t have much potential in India as there were not many takers for this spirit which was largely viewed as a lady’s summer, day drink. While markets like the United Kingdom have always favoured gin given its mild juniper lavour and versatility, many distillers are localising it further through

INDIA TODAY SPICE 26 OCTOBER 2018 DRINK UP CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Pink gin is all the rage; cheese pairs well with gin; gin cocktails with aromatics; parma ham tapas the use of ingredients from their region. For exam- fresh ingredients that really showcase its notes. ple, in Japan, peppers, yuzu, green tea and cherry Say no to sugar loaded syrups, and aerated and artii- blossoms are being infused in new batches of gin cial additives and instead, use some fresh and healthy to give it currency. substitutes like citruses, herbs and whole spices and Coloured and savoury gins are also trending as more aromatics. Basil, cucumber, and other aromatics, in- and more distillers realise that people are looking cluding ginger work brilliantly in a glass of gin as well. for variety. From Gordon’s Pink which launched late Gin pairs amazingly well with tapas. Some of the last year to a similar brush with pink for Beefeater paired favourites are parma ham with melon, smoked in 2018, pink and orange gins seem to be inding salmon and bacon, lavash and guacamole, barbecued favour with consumers. We have also seen gin in pineapple, and peppers tossed prawns. You can also lavours as varied as basil, sour cherry and olive and pair gin with soft cheeses and cured meats which rosemary, and the introduction of herbs and bo- work well as inger food in a party. tanicals like seaweed and rhubarb which are exotic Since gin has emerged as a frontrunner this party enough to be exciting. Today, the sky is the limit season, we suggest you stock up your home bar with when it comes to experimenting with this much- some ine gin. It’s easy enough to do so with a lot of loved spirit. Gins like Monkey 47 are versatile and new labels, variants and options of gin currently avail- were made to create some dreamy cocktails using able at duty free shops and retail. Happy drinking.

INDIA TODAY SPICE 27 OCTOBER 2018 GIFT ING HAMPERS The art of Curation From food to fashion and beauty to beverage, here are a wide assortment of luxury hampers to buy this season

COMPILED BY CHUMKI BHARADWAJ

Provenance F food is your fad and luxury your mandate, this your best bet. With Maxim’s De Paris chocolates, beverages like sparkling juices, Dolfin choco- ates, gourmet chocolate bars from Belgium, as well as limited edition chocolates from Whit- taker’s in New Zealand, it’s a windfall. What’s more there are spreads, preserves and honey from Provenance and coffee packs of Indian specialty coffee specially sourced. Chocolate dragees from Greece, TWG Tea packs, tea infusers and loads more, this is where imagination and bounty come to roost. Price `1 lakh Where Palladium Mall, Mumbai

INDIA TODAY SPICE 28 OCTOBER 2018 Luxe Box You can’t really go wrong with flowers or Rosé champagne, so simply relax William Penn and breathe in the celebration and en- IF you want to do it write, joy the mood. the Ganesha Set feather Price `7,500 orange fountain pen, Availability info@luxebox in exclusive to India, is the answer. The Rubinato Ga- nesha Quill pen, complete with a Ganesha figurine pen stand and a quill set is a treasure for nostalgia buffs. Price `,925 Availability [email protected]

Da Milano olour co-ordinated luxury in leath- is a tough one to beat, especially r a fashionista you need to oblige. From handbags to wallets to a lip- ick and card case, vanity box, and jewellery pouch, it’s all there. Price `33,190 Availability www.damilano.com Forest Essentials Gifting beauty may not be possible but good skin care goes a long way. The Soundarya range, infused with pure 24-carat gold, that includes the radiance day cream, advanced age facial serum, silkening shower wash, luxury butter soap, beauty body oil and an ultra rich body lotion may just be the stuff of Cleopatra’s wet dreams. Price `11,750 Availability stores across India www.forestessentialsindia.com

INDIA TODAY SPICE 29 OCTOBER 2018 TIMEPIECE INTERVIEW

Essentially Swiss Victorinox’s chief product oicer Toni Haberthür on how an iconic brand stays relevant in the smart age

By DEEPA GOPINATH & JAHNAVI CHAKRAVARTY

INDIA TODAY SPICE 30 OCTOBER 2018 From Swiss knives to watch- nected to the brand. Consequently, es and perfumes, please they are more critical, and brands comment on the brand’s have to deliver more. wide portfolio. We realised that there are a Would you ever consider number of similarities between manufacturing outside of knives and watches. It’s about Switzerland? quality and iconic design. They We wouldn’t say no. But what we are both small products, yet would like to control is the quality very valuable to the owner. The and the process. construction process of a knife is not so diferent from that of Are you planning to experiment a watch; it has to have the same with materials for watches? dedication and inesse. Most We’ve started of with limetree importantly, both tell the story and paracord. We want to be not of our brand. just iconic but creative. We also want to be both innovative and How would you describe the functional—someone who tells the brand in three words ? story diferently, since we are not a Iconic, quality-assured and The Maverick common watch brand. Swiss. Black Edition has a timeless appeal Which is your favourite watch? You have an academic back- Design-wise, I love the classical ground of history, econom- I.N.O.X. From the business point of ics and politics. How did you view I love the Maverick because it make the move to watchmak- caters to a very large audience being? cause of its timeless appeal. It is quite unusual, but I got into showcase. The US and Germany consumer goods right after univer- are a close second. Mexico is also Would you consider going the sity, with Swarovski. Since then I’ve an interesting market for us. smart watch route? only worked with luxury houses. I think the entire industry needs What are the changes you have to take a good hard look at this Which is your largest and most observed in the consumer in segment. We need to ind out as protable market globally? the last few years? to what makes sense and what Switzerland. Mostly because of The consumer has become a lot does not. I don’t see our brand as small distances and the high den- more demanding when it comes a pure smart watch company, sity of business per square foot. to authenticity and sustainability. I that’s not what we are good at. Of course we can go all out there think the time when a brand could We are good at creating products and show our best selves; we are just be lashy is over. They are that have a long life expectancy. very credible here because it is our more educated and want to know Technology, on the other hand, home country. Switzerland is our more about the brand, and be con- has a very short life span.

INDIA TODAY SPICE 31 OCTOBER 2018 BRAND INTERVIEW

The Changing Face of

f first luxury retails malls, the game of luxury is all set to change

By PRACHI BHUCHAR

he north of the country is always viewed as the place for all things luxury. With a culture of splurging on the best in the market, it has over the years, acquired a reputation for lap- ping up whatever international brands throw its way. DLF Emporio in Delhi was one of the irst addresses for luxury retail in the country when it launched in 2008, and as the brand celebrates its 10th anniversary, we speak to Dinaz Madhukar, EVP, Luxury Retail and Hospitality, DLF on the evolution of the Indian luxury market and where it stands today.

The First Leg “I joined DLF Emporio in 2010 at a time when the world economy was in a slump and things were tough. Luckily for us, all the partnerships had been tied up and brands had signed on. In the time since, it has only become easier and 2011-2014 were especially good years since we had irst mover advantage and while there was uncertainty vis a vis the world market, people were interested in luxury

Photograph by YASIR IQBAL by YASIR Photograph retail. We had to clear several misconceptions as people

INDIA TODAY SPICE 32 OCTOBER 2018 thought the Indian stores were showcasing what was last season while that was not the case. Also, there was a perception that it was more expensive to buy international brands in India but the truth is, India is cheaper than Dubai and Sin- gapore so this is the best market to buy. More recently, there was the demonetisation dip but things have gone back to being stable after the initial hiccups so Indian luxury consumers are back on a buying spree.”

DLF recently launched The Chanakya. How is it diferent from DLF Emporio? “We need more organised retail in the luxury space as a brand that enters the country cannot sustain itself through just one store. We try not to repeat our brands, so when we were launching The Chanakya we did not want to cannibal- ise DLF Emporio. Also for us, Emporio was a created luxury destination but The Chanakya is a natural luxury destination given its proximity to embassies, hotels, and the diplomatic zones. While Emporio is about timeless luxury we wanted edginess in The Chanakya so you could distinguish between the two. Emporio is a wedding destination while that is more luxury lifestyle and focuses on everyday consumption through international brands like Ted Baker, Hermes, and homegrown brands like Niocobar that are quality assured and luxurious but accessible.”

How has the Indian luxury consumer changed? “As the market matures things change. When Indians irst started consuming luxury it was all about branded logos and the logo that screams the loudest. Now brands and consumers are much more discreet and you can see brands themselves making that change from being in your face. We have not gone away from the logo as the irst migrants to luxury still need logos to make a statement but the aesthetic is deinitely more pared down. The Indian luxury market keeps evolving as a new wave of consumers keep coming in every now and then.”

Do you see great potential in Tier 2 cities? “We have a lot of people coming in every weekend from Punjab and other parts of the north. In fact, we had a private charter from Ludhiana that brought people in for a private showing. Even over the weekend, we have a baggage on hold section at DLF Emporio since we have a lot of people who come in with strolleys, shop and ly back the same day. However, most of these Tier 2 markets cannot sustain a complete luxury mall. Most brands need to do numbers and if you don’t achieve that it doesn’t add up as the investment WOWING INDIA Many of the international brands at is huge. While we do trunk shows in other cities it is not yet DLF Emporio made their Indian debut at this mall economically viable to go there full time.”

INDIA TODAY SPICE 33 OCTOBER 2018 LAST LOOK

A Flying Start

Harking back to history for inspiration or afirmation is the way forward for most brands, especially those who boast a rich provenance. Luxury watch marque Blancpain, is no exception and has reinterpreted its flying tourbillon—the first of its kind to equip a wristwatch at the time of its launch in 1989—for Baselworld 2018. For its reimagined version, the Manufacture is pairing it with new complications—jump hours and retrograde minutes—in the Villeret Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante Minute Rétrograde model. In addition to the tourbillon that appears to be floating on air, the new model oers an entirely decorated movement and a grand feu enamel dial handcrafted in the Blancpain workshops. With each movement having been produced in-house, the construction oers an unsurpassed view of the tourbillon’s key components, unobstructed by the upper bridge featured in conventional tourbillon designs. Adding diamond-polished gold rings around the hours window as well as the tourbillon porthole lends further sophistication. The new model is housed in a double stepped 42mm red gold case and teamed with an alligator strap or metal bracelet. A limited-edition 50-piece version in platinum is also available. Price on request; Available Brand outlets

INDIA TODAY SPICE 34 OCTOBER 2018

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Nehmat Sood, founder, The Chocolate Factory by

RNI No. DELENG / 2005 19858 be circulated free with India Not for sale. To and Chandigarh in Punjab Today Nehmat NDA AY PICE 1 FRF R ARY2017 OCTOBER 2018

Kanupriya on Redeﬁning Student Politics

Theatre actor Jyoti Dogra on solo performances A MONTHLY MAGAZINE

WHAT’S ON THE MENU THIS SEASON

Nehmat Sood, founder, The Chocolate Factory by

RNI No. DELENG / 2005 19858 be circulated free with India Not for sale. To and Chandigarh in Punjab Today Nehmat

inside

➜ 2 Cover Story Health on a Platter Healthy and baked gifting options seem to have taken people across age- groups by a storm this festive season.

Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie Group Editorial Director

Raj Chengappa Group Creative Editor ➜ Nilanjan Das Buzz Group Photo Editor Bandeep Singh 18 Deputy Editor Into the City Prachi Bhuchar Senior Associate Editor A new restaurant, salon and hot new Sukant Deepak launches to look forward to in the region Consulting Editors Mohini Mehrotra Rewati Rau Photo Department Cover photograph by SANDEEP SAHDEV Vikram Sharma Photo Researchers Prabhakar Tiwari, Shubhrojit Brahma, Saloni Vaid Design OUR PICK Anuranjan Bhatia Production Harish Aggarwal (Chief of of the month Production), Naveen Gupta, Vijay Sharma, Prashant Verma Layout Execution Ramesh Kumar Gusain Festive Extravaganza Pradeep Singh Bhandari It's that time of the year again when all roads lead to Chandigarh. Vanity Fair, the city's Publishing Director biggest two-day fair is back in its new and Manoj Sharma improved avatar and promises to bring some Associate Publisher (Impact) Anil Fernandes beautiful ensembles along with exciting pre-festive shopping. All this, with some lip Impact Team smacking food. Senior General Manager: Jitendra Lad (West) On October20to21 General Managers: AtWhispering Willows, Zirakpur, Upendra Singh (Bangalore); Kaushiky Gangulie (East)

Volume 14 Number 10; October 2018 Copyright Living Media India Ltd. All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in any manner is prohibited. Published & Printed by Manoj Sharma on behalf of Living Media India Limited. Printed at Thomson Press India Limited, 18 - 35, Milestone, Delhi - Mathura Road, Faridabad - 121 007, (Haryana). Published at K - 9, Connaught Circus, New Delhi - 110 001. Editor: Raj Chengappa ● India Today does not take responsibility for returning unsolicited publication material.

OCTOBER 2018 ✦ INDIA TODAY PUNJABI 1 COVER STORY Health on a Platter As the region becomes increasingly experimental with its palate, healthy and baked gifting options seem to have taken people across age groups by storm this festival season

■ By Sukant Deepak and Amrita Dhaliwal Photographs by Sandeep Sahdev SPELLING IT TASTY DEVINA SONI 31 D-LICIOUS, CHANDIGARH

What's in a name Even the tools had to be Butter icing that melts in imported, but now every- your mouth and cupcakes thing is locally available," that look too good to be says Soni. Her clients are eaten, Devina Soni's cre- loyalists and she knows it. ations are clearly delicious. Wedding cakes decorated And that explains the with the inest toppings spin on her brand name are her real calling. D-liciouS, born in 2012. This MBA from Panjab Attention to Detail Her University (2010), Chandi- customised cakes look too garh, made chocolates one good to be true. And she summer and knew imme- hopes to own a little pa- diately that her place was tisserie of her own in the behind the chef’s table and near future. not in an oice. Gift Away She experi- Demand and Supply With ments with her gift ham- several daily cake orders, pers. "People are asking along with other orders for eggless, gluten free and for goodies like cupcakes wheat cakes. For the diet and brownies, she has no conscious, she does straw- time to spare. “Initially it berry dipped chocolates was diicult to get healthy and oat cookies. ingredients and these had to be brought in from dif- Contact ferent parts of the country. [email protected]

OCTOBER 2018 ✦ INDIA TODAY PUNJABI 3 COVER STORY

HEALTHY GIFTING ANUKRITI JHAMB 26 WORTH EAT, CHANDIGARH

Know Her Going by solutions company her educational quali- 'Worth Eat'. ications, the woman “Many people are is quite a gypsy—a coming up and ask- BCA (2013) and LLB ing for healthy and (2016) from Panjab innovative foodstuf University, Chandi- to gift this festive sea- garh, and then a culi- son. It's a misconcep- nary course from Le tion that only healthy Cordon Bleu (2017) baked items make for in London. “But isn’t good gifting options. life all about inding I regularly get clients, that perfect lavour, especially during the no matter how many festive season who tasting sessions you come in to buy soups have to go through?” and broths to take says Jhambh, founder to friends’ houses, of Worth Eat and not to mention ish Chandigarh’s irst cooked in minimal oil food blogger. and hand-cut sweet potato fries served Health all theWay with a blue cheese Boasting of spe- dip. For everyone, cialisation in French healt is suddenly cuisine, Jhamb is all number one on the for improvisation and priority list" she says. providing healthy solutions while keep- Push Health Jhamb ing local lavours believes that using intact (“If one can fresh healthy ingre- master the technique dients like Broccoli, of French cooking, chickpeas, green- all other cuisines are beans and butternut a piece of cake”), it squash in diferent is healthy food and food items can do the gifting options that trick. is taking all the time for this chef, who Future Perfect “I am Anukriti Jhamb, also holds cooking ready to study mo- founder, Worth Eat classes, curates spe- lecular gastronomy in cial meals and runs a Vancouver,” she says restaurant consultan- Contact cy as part of her food [email protected]

4 INDIA TODAY PUNJABI ✦ OCTOBER 2018 Gayatri Sood at her outlet Monica's Puddings &Pies ALL PLEASURE, NO GUILT GAYATRI SOOD 25 MONICA’S PUDDING & PIES, CHANDIGARH

Know Her This graduate from Le Cor- brown sugar. You can also ind 100 per don Bleu, Paris (2015), grew up looking cent whole wheat breads and walnut and at the cakes her mother, Monica Sood, suji cakes with apple and palm sugar. baked for her brand Monica’s that she “We also do gluten free cakes including set-up 24 years ago in Chandigarh. “See- roasted almond, chocolate caramel and ing her engrossed in baking, it was natu- special sugar free cakes for diabetics,” ral for me to be drawn towards it, and I says Gayatri. started baking at the age of eight,” she recalls. Gayatri set up Monica's Puddings Future is all Health Stressing that & Pies in 2015. healthy goodies are what will guide food businesses in the future, Gayatri reveals Icing on the Cake Armed with a range that she plans to launch a wider range of of healthy options for gifting this fes- health products soon. tive season, Sood is making ive types of cookies with whole wheat, seeds, and Contact [email protected]

OCTOBER 2018 ✦ INDIA TODAY PUNJABI 5 COVER STORY

DOUGH RISING HIMANSHU SACHDEVA 35 RANJANA SINGH 32 Himanshu Sachdeva and BEYOND CAKES, PATIALA Ranjana Singh, founders Beyond Cakes

How it Began It was while as- undertook an advanced wed- "The range will be expanded sisting his wife bake a cake that ding cake certiication course from there soon,” says Sa- Sachdeva realised his true call- from Polka Dots Cakes Acad- chdeva. ing lay outside the oice. That's emy, Mumbai in 2015. Be- how Beyond Cakes was born in yond Cakes is now focusing on Gift Away Going by the trend, 2013 in the city famous for its healthy baking. He says, “Lately, Beyond Cakes is ofering a Patiala Peg. “My wife Ranjana our sugar free desserts and range of healthy hampers for Singh loved baking and would breads without improvers have this season. “Clients can ex- gift a cake wherever we went. been doing well as people have pect goodies including cakes, She had done her basic baking become very aware." macaroons, trues, sugar free course from the US a few years cakes, healthy breads, cakes ago,” he says. Looking Ahead Apart from with wheat lour and natural preservative free fresh breads, sugar extraction from fruits and Present Perfect A BA in Beyond Cakes is selling focac- gluten free goodies,” he says. History, Political Science and cia, rye bread, and handmade English in 2004 from Modi sour dough crisps, a full-bodied Contact College, Patiala, Sachdeva whole-wheat bread and pav. [email protected]

16 INDIA TODAY PUNJABI ✦ OCTOBER 2018 BAKE ON, GIRL JUHI GOYAL 24 THE_BAKING_GIRLL, MANDI GOBINDGARH

Baby Steps The newest kid on the block, Juhi hopes to open her own café, but for now she is happy oper- ating from home. This 24-year-old started her baking studio—The_Bak- ing Girll—in January 2018.

Juhi Goyal, founder, Her Mother’s Daughter It all started The Baking Girll and when her mother wanted her to learn options and starting baking classes is her creations baking. “I did a basic baking course next on her agenda. from my hometown Mandi and sonn after my business took of,” she says. Gift Away Juhi has prepared ham- An MCA degree holder (2017) from pers for birthdays, weddings, and the Regional Institute of Management engagement ceremonies. Healthy Technology, Mandi Gobindgarh, she muins, loaf cakes, cakesicles and soon realised her true calling and so, cakepops are most popular. For the The Baking_Girll which now sells health conscious, she entertains re- hand crafted fondant cakes to healthy quests for fruit cakes with nuts. baked stuf, was born. Contact Dreaming on Ofering more healthy [email protected]

OCTOBER 2018 ✦ INDIA TODAY PUNJABI 7 COVER STORY

PASSION DRIVE KAVERI UTREJA 33 JUST LIKE THAT, ZIRAKPUR

Kaveri Utreja, founder Just Like That

Just like That Kaveri Utreja of Pastry Arts, Gurgaon, and Gifting Health This chef’s left her comfortable job at regularly keeps herself updat- USP is healthy gift ham- Bank of Maharashtra to start ed with short term courses. pers. Insisting that healthy her own venture in 2015 ingredients that she uses in Zirakpur. Specialising in Passion Forward Seeing in her products drive con- healthy chocolates, tea cakes her mother bake and cook sumers’ choice, she will and cookies made using since childhood, Utreja was be offering special Keto oatmeal, dry fruits and whole naturally drawn to baking. gift hampers this Diwali. breads, Just Like That (JLT) “My family has always been “Personalisation has also now delivers across the coun- supportive, however, en- become big. Customers try with commercial kitchens couragement by patrons is now want to add their own both in Mumbai and Zirak- what made me think big,” signature to your cooking pur. This MCom graduate she says. JLT now boasts and baking.” from Panjab University, Chan- of clients ranging from film digarh (2007), learnt her personalities to corporate Contact baking skills at the Academy biggies. justlikethat.com

1 INDIA TODAY PUNJABI ✦ OCTOBER 2018 Nehmat Sood, founder The Chocolate Factory by Nehmat SWEET OBSESSION NEHMAT SOOD 27 THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY BY NEHMAT, JALANDHAR

For the love of food Sood by Nehmat was launched the The Vision While she wants to makes it clear that innovative same year. open a cafe eventually, her im- and healthy food is what she mediate plan is to have a studio loves. A summer chocolate Where there is a Will Just the space of her own and start tak- making hobby course made her will to bake and experiment has ing baking classes too. Prefer- realise that there could be more helped Sood take on the number ring to do cakes with healthier to it. A BCom graduate from of orders she gets. She recently ingredients including whole Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Ja- had to create a seventier wedding wheat, olive oil and brown landhar (2012), she undertook cake, which seemed like a for- sugar, she says, “People are quite formal training in 2013 from the midable task. “But if I don’t push particular about what stuf they Culinary and Cake Decorating myself how will I learn?” she says. buy. With organic vegetables School in New Delhi, following Sourcing ingredients was initially and fruits already a rage, this was it up with a course in 2015 from a hiccup, but not anymore as bound to happen.” Polka Dots Cakes Academy, mostly everything is available in Mumbai. The Chocolate Factory the city today. Contact [email protected]

OCTOBER 2018 ✦ INDIA TODAY PUNJABI 9 COVER STORY

Saryu Bansal, founder, House of Whisk

HEALTH ON THE HOUSE SARYU BANSAL 34 HOUSE OF WHISK, CHANDIGARH

About Her This Master’s constituents as far as possible, in the past few years, healthy Degree holder in Mass Com- Bansal, who operates from food has become the focus for munication from Panjab Uni- home, says that she stays away most clients, this baker says versity, Chandigarh (2007), from premixes, synthetic la- that this festival season, people took a break from her job after vours or chemicals in her bak- across age-groups are increas- her child was born and eventu- ing. “Everything is made from ingly avoiding pre-made and ally wanted to do something a scratch and I like to use sea- packed foods loaded with pre- interesting. “I was introducted sonal fruits, and a lot of berries servatives, chemicals, colours to baking in 2010 and fell in and dry fruits in my cookies, and acidity regulators. Bansal, love with it. There has been no cakes, cupcakes, Indian des- who wants to open a cafe looking back ever since,” she serts and puddings. We do eventually has a range of gift says. vegan, dairy-free baking and options that are fresh, healthy, have jaggery and honey op- natural, chemical-free. Fresh and Pure Stressing that tions too,” she adds. she uses the highest quality Contact ingredients, and picks organic Gift of Health Admitting that [email protected]

10 INDIA TODAY PUNJABI ✦ OCTOBER 2018 Bhawna Singh, founder, Naturally Yours

COOKING LIGHT BHAWNA SINGH, 44 NATURALLY YOURS, CHANDIGARH

Know More “Every time Give me Taste Believing ladoos with besan atta and I enter the kitchen, there that unless healthy cook- assorted seeds in gur, her is an urge to replace an ing translates into a treat cooking has takers from unhealthy ingredient with for the palate, it will never diverse age groups. something that does won- become popular, this lady, ders for the system. It may who only makes vegetarian Traditionally Festive Re- not work each time, but fare ensures that whenever futing the observation that when it does, the satis- something new comes traditional Indian sweets faction is unexplainable,” out of her kitchen, it goes have been overtaken by says Singh, known across through several rounds bakery products during the the region for providing of tasting sessions among festive season, Singh says, some of the healthiest and family members and close “My healthy ladoos which tastiest dishes for parties, friends before hitting the use jaggery instead of sugar get-togethers as well as market. From making sell like hot cakes.” providing gifting options south Indian dishes like Contact for the past 18 years. idli sambar without oil, to 99151 00036

OCTOBER 2018 ✦ INDIA TODAY PUNJABI 11 Feature

Finding GURMEHAR Not averse to joining politics, author and activist Gurmehar Kaur says it is sad that young women holding important positions in major political parties are tentative about contesting in the future.

✿ By Sukant Deepak

Tell us a bit about your How has life changed What do you say about second book after your ﬁrst book? the perception that It is called the Young and the Life has been very diferent. I people of your generation Restless and focuses on nine feel I am more settled now and aren't politically young activists/politicians have more clarity as to where I conscious? involved in the Indian electoral want to head in life and the kind In the last ive years we process. By 2019, this country of work I want to do. The pur- have seen several student will have the youngest popula- pose remains the same—creat- leaders entering mainstream tion in the world. I thought it ing a better society—but the politics. The conversation that would be interesting for readers path has become much clearer. used to happen only in the to get a glimpse of young leaders I felt rather lost and unsure workplace or spaces that were in the country and their when we last met, which was traditionally meant for the ambitions for the nation they my irst interview ever, and I older generation is now taking want to lead. Penguin Random remember being nervous. Now place on WhatsApp, social House will be publishing my I know how to handle tough media, cofee houses, and book in April next year. questions. Clarity and stability poetry slams. The youth are are what I wanted and I can feel deinitely more aware now than Did you face problems myself getting there. it ever was. while researching it? Yes, I was looking for politi- Your comments on the cians hoping to ind an equal crackdown on liberals number of men and women and their arrests to write about. However, it was With so much It shows a deep-seeded heartbreaking to see that not insecurity in the constitutionally happening, I enough young women are work- mandated right of free speech. ing towards taking part in elec- sometimes feel It is ironic that the people toral politics. Given the limited like I'm not enjoying who supposedly protect and opportunities available out there, my student life champion free speech are even young women holding enough. Some extra actually very insecure about the important positions in major concept. Thus, by curtailing hours for Netﬂix political parties were unsure liberals, they just reiterate that whether they would contest elec- would be fun they stand for free speech in tions in future. name only and not in action.

12 INDIA TODAY PUNJABI ✦ OCTOBER 2018 Any plans to join politics? It is not something that I haven't thought of, but ever since I started writing this book, I have realised that this is not an easy path to tread. It is hard—mentally, emotionally and economically. I do want to study further and maybe then I will see where life takes me.

My ﬁrst book helped me get all my emotions out and share my story. The readers constantly send so much love that I feel like I'm not alone in this.

What do you like to do besides writing? I go to college, inish assignments and sometimes go out with friends for movies. But with so much happening, I sometimes feel like I'm not enjoying my student life enough. Some extra hours for Netlix would be fun.

How did you handle the post-Tweet controversy phase The process of writing my irst book helped me get all my emotions out and share my story with people. The readers con- Author and activist stantly send so much love that Gurmehar Kaur I feel like I'm not alone in this. And that is very comforting. Photograph by SANDEEP SAHDEV

OCTOBER 2018 ✦ INDIA TODAY PUNJABI 13 I am ﬁercely against the misogynist attitude of the university authorities, wherein students are treated on the basis of their gender. How can hostel timings be dierent in this time and age? Nights must be reclaimed by the women of Panjab University.

Kanupriya, President, Panjab University Students Union

Photograph by SANDEEP SAHDEV Feature

RedeiningStudent Politics

From discussing Marx and student politics to obsessing over Coke Studio and old photographs, Panjab University’s ﬁrst ever woman President Kanupriya has charted her course of action.

✿ By Sukant Deepak

he conversation starts with headlines everyday gets a new subject worked towards introducing revo- music. She says she just can- and welcomes it as a ray of hope.” lutionary political solutions to every T not get over ilm Rockstar’s problem from the smallest ones to instrumental track The Dichotomy of Kanupriya, who uses only her irst important ones like anti-fee hike and Fame. The irony is not lost. name, remembers that it was in gender equality struggles on the cam- 2015 that she became politically pus,” she says. While almost every second person inclined —when more than 400 stops to congratulate her for emerg- women joined a rally by SFS to protest But yes, she does miss speaking fre- ing as the irst woman president of the against eve teasing and sexual quently to her parents. “I think they Panjab University Students Council, harassment on campus. “I saw a also get to know through newspapers Chandigarh, Kanupriya, a MSc group of students working on ground and channels that I am doing ine. Zoology (II year) student, says, “Yes, it issues, keeping their individual Ever since my name was announced, I is a bit overwhelming, but I get energy interests aside. My interest kept grow- have not had time to even go and buy spikes from just being around people." ing as I regularly participated another SIM card.” The 22-year-old defeated ive male in diferent seminars, discussions rivals ielded by parties including the and protests,” she says. For someone who looks up to free- Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad dom ighter Bhagat Singh for the val- (ABVP), the Panjab University Admitting that she did have her ues he stood for, Kanupriya does not Students Union (PUSU), the Students share of doubts about male students really shy away from making her polit- Organisation of India (SOI), the ‘accepting’ a woman as their presi- ical stand very clear. She sees herself Punjab Students Union (Lalkaar) dent, the student leader adds, “I must as an active part of resistance politics/ and the National Students Union say that times are surely changing. people’s politics, in the years ahead, of India (NSUI). As much as women are empowering Kanupriya adds, “ Surely I will pursue themselves, men are more conscious politics after my studies. However, I Representing the left-leaning than ever. Both men and women have have no intentions of participating in Students for Students (SFS), the been coming to me with their prob- electoral politics.” young lady, whose father is a busi- lems and suggestions.” nessman, and mother a nurse, hails Ask her about her stress busters and she from Tarn Taran, a small town in For her, the top priority right now is is quick to reply. “I share a safe space with Punjab. “It feels really good when the changing the discourse of student my close friends and their hugs solve place which features in drug abuse politics. “Frankly, we have always pretty much everything for me.”

OCTOBER 2018 ✦ INDIA TODAY PUNJABI 15 Feature THEATRE

ust like life, the mean- Dogra, who has played impor- J ing of her play is hidden. tant parts in critically acclaimed Yes,there is a text. But ilms like Satya (1998), Such a there are also diverse subtexts, Long Journey (1998), Hyderabad making the whole experience Blues 2 (2004), One Night with enchanting and challenging. the King (2006), Gulaal (2009) The translucent aspects of and Lamhaa (2010), is now A Jyoti Dogra’s popular solo play being seen more on stage than Notes on Chai are very personal. the screen. Insisting that the Each member of the audience shift has been intentional, the BREW is bound to carry a waft of his actor elaborates, “In theatre, own version. “That is where I am able to produce, act and the beauty lies – contrasts, con- engage in all aspects of the cre- of tradictions and how they both ative journey which is just not complete us in every sense,” possible in cinema. ONE’S says the writer-actor who was in Agreeing that solo perfor- Chandigarh recently with her mances can be draining, the production. actor, who has been doing this OWN The irst question posed to play across the country and her will of course pertain to chai abroad, elaborates, “I have been —is it a metaphor for something into one-person productions Theatre artist Jyoti larger? But the actor makes it for over 10 years now. It takes a Dogra talks about clear that it is just a binding fac- very long time to make a work the charm of solo tor that facilitates a movement all by yourself, and that prob- between issues that the play ably is one of the reasons that performance and what deals with —everyday conversa- not many people are doing it,” ails Punjab's theatre tions with the self, omnipresent she says. scene. insecurities in everybody’s lives. ✿ This production, like her By Sukant Deepak previous one, The Doorway, follows Polish director Jerzy Photographs by Marian Grotowski’s style of Sandeep Sahdev physical theatre which stresses on physical movement. She says, “Well, we all know that most theatre focuses on the vision of the playwright or the director. However, this style allows me to create a performance from inside myself, something that is always challenging and helps one relate to the audience better.”

16 INDIA TODAY PUNJABI ✦ OCTOBER 2018 I have always believed in the intelligence of the people witnessing a performance. The problem is that most of the experimental theatre this country witnesses is an import, therefore it becomes tough for the audience to relate to the metaphors and sensibilities of what they witness on stage

The actor, who has held quite a few workshops in Punjab says that unlike youth from places like UP and Bihar, the ones here are just not ready to take charge and lack initiative. “They have to realise that it is paramount to ignite and follow your own ire rather than just be a good student and listen. There is no other way but to ind your own Theatre artist Jyoti voice, conceive fresh ideas and Dogra during one of give them shape.” her performances

OCTOBER 2018 ✦ INDIA TODAY PUNJABI 17 city buzz 4 things to look forward to SANDEEP SAHDEV Photographs by Palate Pleasers Playground, Chandigarh ■ By Amrita Dhaliwal

[ REVIEW ]

One of the most talked about Putin, Donald Trump and Kin ingly, guntur chilli has been dining places in Chandigarh, Jong-Un that add a touch of used extensively in both veg- Playground is the go-to stop for playfulness to the casual set-up. etarian and non-vegetarian foodies in the city looking for The bar menu here ofers a snacks, which adds a dash of fun eats amidst a quirky set-up. variety fresh juices, mocktails, sass to the dishes. And quirky it is from the word creative cocktails and an While we loved the yogurt go, for one has an option to extensive selection of liquor and fruit/granola parfait, the choose from the two entrances for those who take their alcohol lamb, apple and arugula pizza of Playground—one a narrow seriously. and the gnocchi porcini sauce, MUST-TRY bottle-lined front entrance and The food menu is simple we suggest you also makes Morocaan lamb another a cool cassette-lined but ofers a number of exiciting some room for the Moroccan burger, pumpkin back alley. options for all kinds of lamb burger, pumpkin and and coconut soup, The interiors are vibrant palates. From pre-plated meals, coconut soup, avocado, pear avocado, pear and parmesan salad and and attractive, with lots of a lavish snack menu, delicious and Parmesan salad and the the bacon wrapped indoor greens brightening up Thai, and Italian dishes, they bacon wrapped prawns—all prawns the space. One wall is lined with have thought of it all when delicious and worth going back oversized posters of Vladimir planning their menu. Interest- to Playground for.

18 INDIA TODAY PUNJABI ✦ OCTOBER 2018 The highlight of this place however is that the vegetarian selection is as extensive as the non-vegetarian section, something we ind missing at most eatries today. Also, the presentation here MEAL FOR TWO is the key and will leave you quite im- `1,500 pressed. The credit for this we are told goes to the co-partner of this venture, AT SCO 48, MADHYA MARG, SECTOR Ayush Singla, 32, who put his experi- 26, CHANDIGARH ence in the food and beverage industry TEL 9988339944 to good use at the Playground. TIMINGS 11 am to 11 pm Served in copper vessels, with each dish looking more tempting than the one served before, we recommend you skip breakfast before heading here to enjoy to the fullest. city buzz SANDEEP SAHDEV Photographs by ACloseShaveinChandigarh ■ By Amrita Dhaliwal [ LAUNCH ]

Known for its elite alised and rejuvenated manicure and clientèle since the reign when they are ready pedicure, head of H.M. King George to leave. We don’t just massage, facials. III, London's famed ofer a service, we ofer The signature luxury salon chain, an experience. service is the royal Trueitt & Hill has now Grooming is a daily shave which concludes come to Chandigarh. necessity and we pro- with a relaxing facial The oldest barber vide the most luxurious massage and the shop in the world, atmosphere and highly application of a Trueitt & Hill boasts of skilled barbers and selection of ten famous people such as staf to turn that into a aftershave balms. Oscar Wilde, Charles sublime experience,” They also have an Dickens, Lord Byron, says Krishna Gupta of exclusive VIP Room Frank Sinatra, Winston Lloyds Luxuries Ltd. called Dukes. “Den Churchill and Alfred The millennials of for that special Hitchcock as few of its Chandigarh can enjoy engagement, business renowned clients. With a traditional hot towel meeting, or simply just their plush Chandi- wet shave, haircut, to relax and unwind. garh outit, the brand facial, manicure and Trueitt & Hill also is hoping to continue pedicure. Distinct ofers grooming prod- its legacy of providing services ofered by ucts which include TIME 8.30 am to 9 pm the most royal men- Trueitt and Hill are the pre-shave oil, shaving AT SCO 185-186-187, Corner 3 Bay grooming services in royal shave and haircut, cream, colognes and Building, Madhya Marg, Sector 9, the city. classic shave and aftershaves, bath and Chandigarh “We want our haircut, various hair body products, sham- TEL 9988014130 customers to feel revit- treatments, royal poo and more.

20 INDIA TODAY PUNJABI ✦ OCTOBER 2018 city buzz

MAKE A COOL TECH STOP [ LAUNCH ] ■ By Amrita Dhaliwal SANDEEP SAHDEV Photographs by

Located in Zirakpur on the full-ledged gym, swimming pools Ambala Chandigarh Expressway, and more. "Hotel 6 is a brand of also known as the National High- the US based G6 Hospitality LLC. way-22, Hotel 6 is the answer to all G6 Hospitality LLC owns three your travel stay woes. Spacious and iconic American brands—Motel 6, packed with modern amenities, Studio 6 and Hotel 6. Their port- the hotel boasts of being 'super folio comprises of around 1,600 technology savvy'. With hotels across USA, Canada and colourful and contemporary Mexico," says Rob Palleschi, CEO, interiors, meeting hubs and luxury G6 Hospitality LLC, USA. suites, including accessible rooms Tying in with the overall theme for the diferently-abled—Hotel of technology is their all-day 6 is set to wow both business and multicuisine restaurant called Dot. leisure travellers in the region. Yum. One can choose from an This conident country cousin array of mouthwatering dishes— of Motel 6, which opened to from authentic Indian and conti- public in 1962 in Santa Barbara, nental to Lebanese and Mexican. California, USA, it is spread across “We have tweaked all the recipes six loors and has 175 rooms as per local taste. For example AT Ambala-Chandigarh National equipped with the latest technol- Chinese cuisine has been given a Highway, Zirakpur, Punjab ogy. Guests will be able to use Punjabi tadka because authentic CONTACT 0176- 2660555 I-Pads for check-in and check-out Chinese is rather bland and does DETAILS hotel6chandigarh.com and order food in the restaurants suit the Indian palate,” says Jitesh | hotel6.com as well. The hotel also boasts of a Patta, General Manager, Hotel 6.

22 INDIA TODAY PUNJABI ✦ OCTOBER 2018 [ HOT BUYS ]

THE HIT LIST 1 COOL THINGS TO BUY THIS SEASON

✿ By Mohini Mehrotra

5 4

1 Noor-e-Kashmir collection by CaratLane, Rs 10,500 onwards, caratlane.com 2 Hero 7 Black camera by GoPro, Rs 36,000, amazon.in 3 Top Shop double breasted jacket, Rs 10,290, elitify.com 4 Arata Shampoo 100% natural hair wash, Rs 575, arata.in 5 I-Glide Eye Pencil Amethyst Spark, Rs 550, nykaa.com [ HOT BUYS ]

6 The Body Shop Finest Facial Mask Duo, Rs 4,240, thebodyshop.in 7 Visionnaire DTZ Yellow Gold by Fabergé, Price on request, faberge.com 8 Taupe Micro Double Shade Block Heel Ankle Length Boots by Truffle Collection, Rs 2,799, trufflecollection.co.in 9 Mind Energizing Aroma-Therapy by Omorfee, Rs 899, omorfee.com 10 Da Milano gifting collection, Rs 43,190, damilano.com 11 Hope Against Hope Home Decor by The Whiteteak Company, whiteteak.com 24 INDIA TODAY PUNJABI ✦ OCTOBER 2018