August 2017 Vol 1 Issue 2

The importance of being Jennifer Winget

monsoon chasing the lady boss northeast feast Why would a woman Meet Revathy Ashok, the Seven traditional recipes drive across India first Indian woman CFO from India’s seven during the rains? of a NASDAQ-listed firm northeastern sister states

For private circulation only contents Photos: 40 AUGUST Return toRoots upcycled Indianfashion Karishma ShahaniKhanon 2017 54 50 38 36 29 27 22 19 12 Seven recipes from thesevensisterstates Feast from theNortheast These tipswillsaveyoutimeandmoney! New-Gen Way to Shop P The Fashion Ethic Shikha P Her Cupof Tea acorporate honcho The personallifeof Lady Boss: Revathy Ashok Sweta Chhabriaand Wind Beneath His Wings Our covergirlon TV, fameandbetrayal Being JenniferWinget There’s alotmore goingonthanyouthink ZanzibarSecrets About A My HouseCaught Fire opular moving story of love, movingstoryof fear, loss andgrief Ahmedabad designer Jigna Shah uri andherboutique Teacupsfull Aditya Kripalani CONTENTS | 3 4 | CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR’S NOTE | 5

contributors a fine balance

Ritu Goyal Harish was a freelance journalist for 17 years and s a work-from-home mom, I can barely is currently reinventing herself as a recall moments when I have ‘nothing to travelpreneur with her Pune-based do’. At any given time, my mind whizzes travel company Ease India Travel. with thoughts of work, meetings, house- 08 Ahold needs, family demands, husband’s travel sched- ule, my community commitments, and the general Shillpi A Singh is a freelance need to ‘be there’ for everyone and everything. journalist who loves to write about So it does not surprise me that most of the wom- cinema, theatre, fashion, lifestyle, en I interact with in the course of compiling my wellness, food, travel, books, anything magazine share similar narratives – of balancing that tickles her grey matter. family and career, and of making difficult deci- 16 sions. Revathy Ashok, for instance, who was India’s first woman CFO of a NASDAQ-listed firm and a Smriti Sawhney Joshi is mother of two, had to give up her job at the peak one of the first certified telemental when her dad’s health began deteriorating rapidly health providers in India. She’s a (p.29). Our cover girl this month Jennifer Winget clinical psychologist with 15+ years learnt to balance her personal and professional life. of experience in mental health. 34 Despite the media onslaught after her divorce, she Aekta Kapoor continued to rise in her career to become one of Founder Editor, eShe India’s best paid TV actors (p.22). Anupam Dabral is a Delhi-based But perhaps there is a reason we are given these writer on a mission to capture challenges. Gayatri Jayaraman wrote a book after different aspects of fashion and to her travails as a part of India’s poor-rich educated understand the creative energies that middle class led to deep insight into urban soci- transform a label into a brand. ety (p.32). Advertising honcho Shikha Puri started 40 her own boutique tea company after the demands of motherhood forced her to quit her hectic job Editor: Aekta Kapoor All rights reserved throughout the world. Delhi 110057. Phone: +91 9818166621. (p.36). I started eShe. Reproduction in any manner is prohibited. To subscribe to the digital edition, visit Design: Arushi Vohra Founder editor: Aekta Kapoor. Printed eShe.in and sign up with your email, or Perhaps, as they say, the obstacle is the path. Sales: Saurabh Manchanda and published by Aekta Kapoor on behalf email [email protected]. Contributors: Purabi Shridhar, of the owner Coral Content. Printed at To advertise in the print edition or on Sanghita Singh, Versha Modest Graphics (P) Ltd, C-53 DDA Shed, the website, call Saurabh Manchanda at Okhla Industrial Area Phase 1, New Delhi. 9810024424. Malhotra, Argha Kashyap Published at C3/1 GF, Vasant Vihar, New Visit eShe.in for more. [email protected]

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 6 | the nature andmagnitudeofharassmentattheworkplace. legal action.Soon,anationalsurveywillalsobeconductedtounderstand 2013. Theideaistofindasolutioninsuchcasesbefore theyescalateto cannowfilecomplaintsagainst women workinginthecentralgovernment In aproactive movebytheWomen andChildren DevelopmentMinistry, AROUND THEWORLD NEWS seen atastore launchinGurgaon. acting offers began pouringin.Shewasrecently Channel V’s GetGorgeous Pageant,afterwhich got herfirstbreakthrough aftersigningupfor despite thecontroversial socialissue.Taapsee Chowdhury. Taapsee didfulljusticetothe role single women,wasdirected byAniruddhaRoy highlighted theproblems facedbyindependent at IIFA 2017last month.The2016film,which Bachchan, shewasnamedWoman oftheYear success ofherfilmPink,co-starringAmitabh This isdefinitely Taapsee Pannu’s year. Afterthe All SHe-BOX ptih nwmni h esadnw finterest towomen of andnews A spotlightonwomeninthenews Eyeson T aapsee P Compiled byArghaKashyap annu the Sexual Harassment of Women Act the SexualHarassmentofWomen Act towards “effective implementation”of well. TheWCDsaysthisisaneffort soon beabletoavailofthefacilityas Gandhi, public-sectoremployeeswill According toUnionminister Maneka Harassment electronic) online portal. through thenewSHe-box(Sexual sexual harassmentattheirworkplace

this page Phot0s: pixabay will begivenpreference intheadoptionprocess. the ageof40,withfinancialwherewithal tobringupanadoptedchild, 2016. Inaddition,theministryhasdecidedthatsingleIndianwomenover though thetotalnumberofkidswentdownfrom 2903in2015to2671 with CARAofwhich75adoptedin2015,grew to93in2016,even there were 412singlewomenregistered wanting toadopt.Itwasobservedthat online registration mandatory forparents India. The2015adoptionguidelinesmade been comingforward toadopt children in have foundthatmore single womenhave Women andChildren Developmentministry Resource Authority(CARA) under the estimates from theCentral Adoption While we’re onthesubject of singlewomen, the nextsteps are thosethatconsiderthe needsofthedifferently abled. At whetheror not womenneedaleaveduringtheirperiod. and theInternet surrounding thebiologicalcycle.”Debatessoontook over socialmedia but understandingtheirneeds. Itisanattempttoremove thetaboo initiated asimilarpolicy, saying, “Thisisnotempoweringwomen far. Followingtheirfootsteps, Kerala-basedmediahouseMathrubhumi companies across thecountry, whichhasgotover30,000signatures so Development PrakashJavadekartoappealforasimilar leavepolicyin AUGUST Rise in Adoption b , we believe any step towards inclusivity is welcome, and we hope eShe, webelieve any steptowards inclusivity iswelcome,andwehope 2017 y Single Women and Minister of Human Resource and MinisterofHumanResource Development ManekaGandhi the MinisterofWomen andChild put upaChange.org petitionto 75 womenemployees.Theyalso of PeriodLeavePolicy”forallits Media announceda“FirstDay media companyCulture Machine First, theMumbai-baseddigital PERIOD LEAVE NEWS | 7 8 | I school bagwith new schoolbooks socks, possibly anew even carrying ing anew uniform, new shoes and day ofschool–when I’d bewear- adventure you towards unknown journeys, or chasing torrential clouds orchasing torrential across journeys, India you unknown towards Childhood experiences can leave a deep impactonyou, adeep sometimesurging canleave Childhood experiences Kerala. Invariably, onthefirst I was achildgrowing upin when the monsoonthatstarted ’ve hadalonglove with affair the Why IChased

By RituGoyalHarish MonSOON companied by thunderandlight- new academic season. ofa coinciding withthebeginning Kerala coastonJune 1every year, tomorrow. would rainlike there was tobeno neatly wrappedinbrown paper–it For sixmonths, heavy rains, ac- The monsoonhitsthe AUGUST 2017

Photo: pixabay drive is when we got stuck in tor- of one such most vivid memory never knew where we’d stay. reservations at hotels, becausewe ties andnever hadany confirmed spoke to. fromand instructions he drivers recollections ofroutes from friends ther hadfordirections were vague Google Maps.imagined maps were popularandnoonehad and early ‘80s, a time before paper our way. car would break down orwe’d lose our on ourtrips– ous adventures for theweekend. ready, to go away packed andthecar and find our bags from school turn and Iwould re- tu –my siblings wereMost ofthesetrips impromp- Kerala, in hisFiatPadmini anddrive across from my father, who’d packusall deep love –alegacy forroad trips ed by anumbrella. Ialsoharboura sitting onourhaunches, protect- make, andsailingtheminapuddle, per boatsmy motherwould helpus withpa- is goinguptotheterrace power outagesfordays! rain thatuprooted trees andcaused night andday. ning, would lashthe city (Kochi), AUGUST Once ontheroad, we ate atshan- W ofthattime My fondestmemory e had numer- T 2017 amil NaduandKarnataka. This was inthelate1970s This was thekindof We were rescued by heavily wecouldn’t a lorrydriverlater” “It wasraining so get out of thecar.get outof All my- fa The experiences wereexperiences having anim- ther didmy parents) thatallthese town. and towed ustoKollam, thenearest ducted business withtheowners) number ofthecar(my con- father er whorecognised theregistration we were- driv rescued by alorry couldn’t getoutof the car. Later, It was rainingsoheavily my father gave circuitry and itselectrical way. down in the middle of the highway I was aboutnine. rential rain a little after midnight. Y ru- na-Udupi-Kasaragod-Mangalu- was Pune-B elgaum-Goa-Gokar- XUV 500. evening inaborrowed Mahindra the Konkan coastline. to Kerala andthatittraversed along deal aboutthehighway from Goa pours, andhadalsoheard agreat ens-coming-down kindofdown - monsoon! Ilongedfortheheav- chasingthe the rainsthanonatrip combine my love forthe road and T As akid, Ididn’t know (andnei- I setofffrom Pune one rainy o me, there was nobetterway to ellapur-Belgaum-Pune: 1700 The route Ifollowed surprised. Kerala, noonewas to Kasaragodin drive from Pune when Idecidedto So two years ago, ilar experiences. would seeksim- that asanadult, I pact onmeand The carbroke adventure | 9 10 | a curry (called kurma) atashanty (calledkurma) a curry chai, devouring Kerala parottas with for –stoppingattapris the funparts siderably. ButIchoosetoremember of roads thatslowed medown con- There were somevery badpatches lenges, as there are on any road trip. most non-stop. and thentoKasaragod, itrainedal- the car. From Kundapur toUdupi I couldn’t hearthemusic playing in buckets! rain, rain, glorious lasheddown in Kundapur, itbegandrizzling. Soon, the timeItouchedatown called 600 kilometresthe first but by kilometres inall, over fourdays. adventure I willadmitthatthere were chal- There wasn’t adrop ofrainfor The rainwas soheavy that ers all thoseyearsers ago. travelled withmum, dadandbroth - is tonothave aplan, justtheway I the same. Otherthan that, the plan in Karnataka, theroute willremain to explore thejunglesofDandeli forthedetourIwant totakering in mid-Augustthisyear andbar- gia. andintensenostal- with memories ty ofthelandscape, but Ireturned side oftheroad toadmire thebeau- couldn’t take photosorstopby the the rainwould hitandhow! the nightandnever knowing when into towns lookingforaplace where were truckers eating, driving I intendtochasethemonsoon ofthetrip,For mostpart I And, togoagain. I’mraring  AUGUST 2017

Photo: Mike Kotsch on Unsplash AUGUST I to stay fit. I exercise at home and at the gym, and go for swimming daily. go Idid110lapsyesterday atthepool. and gym, the at and home at exercise I fit. stay to can meetotherpeople. It liftsmylonelinessabit.AndIlike abled either. Ilookforward tomypaintingclasseswhere I one visitsus.There aren’t toomany jobsforthedifferently not afriendlycity. Icannot gooutwithoutmydad,andno and ithasn’t beenagoodtimeformeandmydad.Delhiis my skillsunderartistRajeshKSharma. make alittlemoneybyselling paintings. Iamnowhoning retired. I held several art exhibitions, group and solo, and puter artandmultimedia.We returnedtoDelhiafterdad including StudentoftheYear. Ialsogotadiplomain com- of Art and Fashion Technology, and won several awards, transferred toMumbai.IstudiedartatB.D.SomaniInstitute was RBI, in officer an father, my Tewari.Then Vasundhara painting fromising, not sign language. At 13, I learnt artist run byanENTspecialistwhere theemphasiswasonvocal- available tothedeafinIndia.Ijoinedaschoolfor deafatatimewhentherewas born wasverylittlesupport 2017 I missmymom’s food.Shewas afantasticcook. My motherandhersisterpassedawaythree yearsago, Art inSilence Art Mona Singh, 40, Delhi SCREENSHOT | 11 12 | L fire from sparks from the inmycurtain mom’s room caught 12,just aftertheclockstruck the extra care. was always tenuous. she hadasthmaandher condition attack by plantingapacemaker. But her lifeby afew years afteraheart patient.heart hadadvanced Doctors my mother left, and she too was a for everything. of 58–Ifeelthere was apurpose when Ilookbacknow –attheage a successfulbusiness inDelhi. B ut almost all ofmy adult life, running been my family’s solebreadwinner years of physical suffering. ago, wholeftherbodyaftermany then my younger sisternineyears FACING CHALLENGES One night in May afew years ago, After my sister’s death, Ihadjust the NIGHT MY was my pillarofstrength, and 21, andthenmy who father my husbandwhenIwas just ife hasnotbeeneasy. Ilost A devastating fireA devastating thatguttedtheentire housetaughtme FIRE W invaluable lessons in life andloss e hadtotake A By Versha Malhotra C wire. I have HOUSE in thefront ofthehouse, sheran methekeysgiving tothe verandah ence ofmindandstrength. out ofthebuilding. thought inmy head: we hadtoget ran to the living room with just one little lobby, nearlychokingme. I heavy smoke andheatengulfedthe But themomentIopeneddoor, see ifthefire couldbecontrolled. went backto my mother’s room to dragged hertotheliving room and ken aboneinfall. was inaplasterasshe hadbroarm - able to move – at that time, her left hardly fourfeetaway. Shewas un- momwas stillonherbed,genarian ablaze,the curtains but my septua- to myrushed mom’s room to see tala woke me. me upandalerted I Vihar. Mymother’s Shakun- nurse of ourthree-storey housein Vasant She andIlived ontheground floor Shakuntala showed amazingpres- W ith great difficultlyIhalf- ith great ca ught AUGUST After 2017

Photo: pixabay few seconds. Icalledoneof thenight have ofthose ofmemory justaflash My mombeganscreaming infear. wood piecesmissedmeby inches. compressor burst. Metal, glassand window glass shattered as the wards my mom, andsuddenly, the out ofthedoors. Itookastepto- hot. could not–themetalwas burning but the lock on the verandah grill to theverandah. toopen Itried mother outfrom theliving room floor.on thefirst my brother andhiswifewholived up holdingmy dog AUGUST What followed isinexplicable. I In themeantime, Ibrought my he flames The flames were now reaching 2017 T ommy towake A C I side, cautioningthemthatshehad handed hertothetwo guards out- ber thinking, “Mom issolight.” I the four-foothighwall. Iremem- toputheracrossthe aireffortlessly mother’s abdomen and lifted her in wall,ary around putmy my arms guards standingoutside the bound- with little yourself, nothingisimpossible. are totally focused and believe in incident made me realise that if you explain how itallhappenedbut the fortlessly, Ijumpedthewall aswell. a broken arm. ed –managed toescapetotally ll others inthebuilding –along All others My momweighs 92kg. Icannot T ommy- who hadfaint And then, just asef- facing challenges

| 13 14 | FACING CHALLENGES FACING CHALLENGES | 15

unharmed, minutes before the rial things are replaceable; I could trying to raise awareness about fire to move their cars. This wasted pre- glass panes started blasting. It was only feel complete gratitude that safety among my family and friends. cious time in an emergency situa- as though an unseen shield had we were all alive, totally unharmed These are some lessons you can tion. Speak to your neighbours and formed for our protection and was and protected. learn from my experience: ensure that they park their cars in saving us. I ran in bare feet to our I was also blessed to quickly find a 1. Always keep a fire extinguisher such a way that leaves enough room neighbours’ homes, asking for an new home on rent within the same at home and in the car, and teach for an emergency vehicle to pass inhaler for my mother who was neighbourhood. My mom and I everyone at home how to use it. through. breathless with asthma, and within shifted there, and we furnished the 2. Don’t neglect old, fraying wires. 6. Get fire insurance on your home minutes I found one being placed rented flat starting from the very ba- 3. Don’t keep electrical gadgets and keep the documents elsewhere. in my hand. sics. In the meantime, we gave our near flammable objects like curtains. I did have home insurance, but the We stood gaz- home to a builder Also, make sure documents were ing at the burning for reconstruction. any fabric-cov- lost in the fire, house. My sis- My mother was ered furniture is and the insurance ter-in-law stood always a very so- kept at a distance company did not crying, but I re- cial, gregarious from electrical accept my claim. member being person, always wall sockets. 7. We also lost calm and told her, surrounded by 4. Find the num- valuable property “Look, we are friends and rel- ber of the nearest papers, jewellery, safe. It’s a miracle.” atives, always a fire station and locker keys, iden- The fire brigade giver of love. But keep it handy tity cards, passports reached us only after we shifted 5. The reason the and innumerable after 90 minutes. to the new rent- fire engine took other documents By then the whole ed apartment, she over 90 minutes that took me over ground floor was gradually became to reach our home two years to sort gutted, we could weaker. Exactly was because of out. Always keep a not see any doors six months after bad civic planning backup elsewhere. or window panes; the fire, she passed and avoidable ob- Make sure your Versha and her mother Ramesh Khanna Versha believes that loss teaches you to grow 8. all the furniture away peacefully stacles. Like most building has a sep- and fittings had arranging a game residential lo- arate fire escape. turned to ashes. After the fire bri- on the table, which I played with calities, ours too keeps most gates My family on the first floor could gades left around 4 am, we all went her every night. She just rested her closed at night. The fire engine escape only because our stairs were to my uncle’s place for the night. head on the cushion and passed could not locate the one that was outside the main house. Everything was gone. My mother away in my arms even as I tried to open. Make sure the local fire sta- 9. Most of all, develop an attitude was 74, and her whole life’s collec- revive her. tion knows which gate to enter the of gratitude and a healthy detach- tion of personal goods and house- Now I live alone. locality at night. Secondly, the cars ment for material possessions in life. hold items was destroyed. We did But life is full. I am part of a Bud- on the road were parked so badly We can’t take these things with us not even have one item of cloth- dhist community that keeps me that the fire engine could not pass when we die. Invest instead in love ing left for the next morning. I told purposeful and on my toes. I have through, and had to go and ring the and faith. Those are all that matter mom to never look back. All mate- my business to handle, and I am bells of the homes to get residents in the end. 

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 16 | JOURNEY JOURNEY | 17 THE VILLAGE SCHOOLMISTRESS Vimla Kaul set up Guldasta so that she didn’t have to feed the underprivileged – she could teach them to feed themselves instead By Shillpi A Singh

L-R: Vimla as a young girl and now

BITS Pilani, Hari had retired as The first batch of the school had chief engineer in the Central only five students and a teacher. Ground Water Board. After think- The couple soon shifted Guldasta ing over the villager’s comment, to their housing colony in Sarita Born in Shimla, Vimla Kaul (centre) did her post-graduation from Miranda House in Delhi University and they decided to start a school. The Vihar where around 150 students worked as a teacher in Dhanbad before setting up her school Guldasta for underprivileged children idea gave a new lease of life to the enrolled. But the initial years were childless couple, who always want- fraught with trouble for the Kauls. hen Vimla Kaul and her woman in the village praised their ed to do something for society in Their neighbours forced the school husband Hari Mohan efforts but remarked that “instead of general and children in particular. out of the colony; undaunted, they Kaul moved to Sari- giving food to children, they should “We named it Guldasta because tried to start the school in the local ta Vihar in Delhi after teach them how to earn their live- we wanted it to be a bouquet of community centre but were denied Wtheir superannuation in 1993, they lihood.” It was a thought-provok- underprivileged children’s hopes, permission. They moved Guldasta were keen to do something for the ing comment that made the cou- dreams and aspirations of a brighter to a park inside the housing com- villagers next door. As a part of a ple ponder over ways and means future and better life ahead,” Vimla plex but were asked to vacate the Rotary Club drive, they once went to make a difference in the lives of says. They started Guldasta under a area. The couple finally moved the to Madanpur Khadar village with village children. banyan tree at the village chaupal in school to the municipal park and some biscuits for village kids. A An engineering graduate from Madanpur Khadar in 1995. ran it from there until an NGO,

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 18 | JOURNEY SENSIBLY SELFISH | 19

Mahamana Malaviya Mission, ad- opted it in October 2011. The fi- nancial aid helped Vimla rent a three-room building for the school. After Hari’s death in 2009, Vimla has been running the project sin- gle-handedly. Today, the school that held class- es in a municipal park for 16 years has grades from kindergarten to A postage stamp presented to Vimla by a former four. The classes at the school- student on July 7 this year, her 83rd birthday cum-learning centre are conducted in two shifts in the morning, dai- two days before the festival of Kar- ly. “The class for children of other wa Chauth. Women throng their schools, who come here for guid- stalls in hordes, waiting patiently ance, is held from 9 am to 11 am. for their turn to get their hands and The computer class is conducted at feet adorned with exquisite henna the same time. The next shift is for designs. “The girls keep all their children who are not enrolled in earnings and donate a part of it to any other school. Children in these the NGO. So while henna adds a classes follow the same syllabus ac- dash of colour to the festivities, the What guide books cording to their classes as other for- money collected at the two-day mal schools,” says Naaz Syeda, who camp fills shades of joy in the life of won’t tell you about Zanzibar was a former student of the Kauls someone, unserved and unreached,” and now teaches here. says Vimla, who has authored five A visit to an old land like Zanzibar is a feast for the senses and a Guldasta also runs tailoring class- books and received numerous wondrous opening of the mind. But like other developing countries, there es, a basic computer course, a beau- awards including CNN IBN Real are changes taking place at all levels of society tician’s course, a henna application Heroes Award 2010 and the Jijabai course and dance classes. The main Women Achievers’ Award 2014. By Kay Newton beneficiaries of these vocational The number of girl students is courses are women and girls from more than that of boys, and so the have lived in Zanzibar, East Af- tonomous island in Tanzania, has a the village who get an opportuni- NGO also sponsors academical- rica, for over two years, and I growing tourist trade and with it ty to learn new skills and improve ly gifted girls by mentoring them learn something new each day. come issues that are tolerated yet their earnings. For instance, Vimla and funding their education. Vimla’s I am often asked for Zanzibari simmer below the surface. When- started training local girls in hen- plans include expanding Guldasta Iinformation from my peeps; every- ever you go to a new country you na application in 2010. Since then, across the city and even country. At one sees my photos on social me- notice cultural differences. Ungu- every year, the girls trained by the 83, she still attends to the school’s dia and wants to come on holiday! ja, the main island, is a fascinating NGO organise a camp in the Se- day-to-day activities and takes class- But the guide books won’t tell you place and there are many juxtaposi- nior Citizens’ Park in Sarita Vihar es. May her tribe increase.  everything. Zanzibar, a semi-au- tions. Here are some of them.

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 20 | SENSIBLY SELFISH SENSIBLY SELFISH | 21

Poverty & Wealth or not to give? That is the question. nguus (white people). Some have ever service you decide to go for, As a tourist staying at a hotel or There are also many charities look- numerous past girlfriends who send make sure you do not pay in ad- beach lodge, you will see luxu- ing for donations. them money regularly. (I am sure vance! Touts are insistent and many ry paradise. There are many hotels My recommendation: Pass on some these girlfriends don’t know about tourists feel they spoil their holiday, dotted along the coast, from five- piece of knowledge, rather than money. each other!) often being rude to these people star resorts to backpackers’ hostels. Not all white single women of a who at the end of the day are only Most of these hotels employ some Beach Boy sex certain age arriving in Zanzibar are attempting to make a living. local staff, yet the majority of their Here in Zanzibar, there is a grow- looking for sex, and not all beach My recommendation: Smile and say profits do not go back into the local ing trade in beach boy sex, where boys want sex, yet that is becoming no politely if you’re not interested. economy. older foreign women buy the the reputation of the island. With The majority of the island’s pop- services of younger men. It is a so- Hepatitis B and HIV prevalent, it Dress code ulation of 1 million live below the cially taboo subject, just as homo- is worth doing your own due dil- Ninety-eight percent of the local poverty line, surviving on less than sexuality is. igence before arriving on holiday population is Muslim. There is an $5 per day, living in basic housing, Beach boys or touts are known in and getting more than you bar- expected ‘Muslim’ dress code for without running water or elec- the local Swahili language as Papasi gained for. foreign visitors in Zanzibar, which tricity. Step a few hundred metres (ticks). They are frowned upon but many female tourists refuse to take behind the hotel complex and you tolerated by the locals. Many come note of. It is not law, yet if you will see this. (Expect to be accosted from the mainland; some have issues don’t want attention, it is best to by the local kids begging you for with drug or alcohol abuse. follow. Thank goodness it doesn’t dollars too!) As on the beach, you may find include having to wear a burkini How you deal with this is a diffi- the Papasi at Stone Town ferry port on the beach! cult and personal dilemma. To give awaiting the arrival of the Mzu- Bikinis are fine by the hotel pool or beach. Everywhere else, women are expected to cover their shoul- ders, backs, arms, and above the knee. In 35ºC it may feel uncom- fortable to wear so much clothing, yet pack light cotton long trousers and carry a light shawl. Above: Zanzibar markets are full of colourful My recommendation: Buy a gorgeous clothing; previous page: Kay teaching local kikoy or a traditional Swahili dress children Tai-Chi on the beach when you first arrive. Where ever you go in the world, Most beach boys do offer some there is always something you can type of service in exchange for pay- learn and something you can share. ment. Whether it is to show you If you’re visiting Zanzibar, drop in around their local village, entice and say hello!  you to buy trinkets and gifts, go on For more, follow Kay on www. a boat trip or snorkel-dive. What- Kay-Newton.com

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 22 | COVER story COVER story | 23 “I never had to struggle for roles. everything THE IMPORTANCE OF worked out when the timing was right.” BEING JENNIFER Jennifer Winget Her unconventional life and career choices mark Jennifer Winget as a woman to watch out for. The television icon talks about childhood, stardom and dealing with betrayal By Aekta Kapoor

he has the friendly, instantly comes as naturally to her as the cup intimate manner of some- of coffee she craves – and demands one who is used to being – the moment she gets up every a household name, who morning. It feels like home. Sknows she is like extended family An entire generation grew up for the common girl or boy on the watching her face every evening street. As someone who has been – first as a round-faced teen in the on television and the big screen kids’ series Shaka Laka Boom Boom, since she was an adolescent, Jennifer then in India’s third longest running Winget is at ease with fame. It TV show Kasautii Zindagii Kay, and

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 24 | COVER story COVER story | 25

thing “just worked out when the adults can’t handle such pressure, let timing was right”. alone children. The parents play a Her parents played an import- very important role here,” says the ant role in Jennifer’s childhood and 32-year-old, who has a huge social early career. In light of the recent media following among the youth, controversy triggered by filmmak- with 3.3 million followers on Insta- er Shoojit Sircar, who called for a gram alone. ban on reality TV shows featuring Extroverted and down-to-earth, children, Jennifer admits she has to Jennifer is candid about her person- agree. “My childhood was balanced al journey. Briefly married to fellow between career and curriculum, small-screen star Karan Singh Gro- and my parents made sure that I was ver from 2012-14, their relationship grounded in reality. I was fortunate was raked up again in early 2016 not to miss a ‘reg- when Karan mar- ular’ childhood. “My childhood was ried Bollywood Having said that, actor Bipasha Jennifer plays a love-obsessed Maya in the popular series Beyhadh on Sony Entertainment Television there’s a huge balanced between Basu in a much change in recent career and curriculum, publicised wed- later the hugely popular TV ro- hike from Sony last month and cat- years, and there’s ding. But Jenni- mance Dill Mill Gayye. In between apulted Jennifer into the category a lot of pres- and my parents fer dealt with the she appeared in about 20 other se- of the highest paid TV serial actors. sure to fit into made sure that I was media onslaught rials and reality TV shows, and won She’s also recently been announced the stereotype of grounded in reality.” with poise. “My a critics’ award by the Indian Televi- the brand ambassador for interna- ‘star kid’. Even father always said, sion Academy for her role in Saras- tional cosmetics brand Paese. watichandra. But Hindi-speaking In- Born and raised in Mumbai, Jen- dia has known her even before that; nifer and her brother, who is older she made her debut as a child star in by five years, learnt to be indepen- the Bollywood hit Raja Ko Rani Se dent early on. “We were a regular Pyar Ho Gaya, and has appeared in middle-class family,” says Jennifer. four other Hindi films since. Their mother worked in film pro- “I grew up on TV,” says Jenni- duction, and it was through her that fer. She’s just had her lunch break Jennifer got her first offer to work while on set shooting for her psy- as a child artiste. “I used to accom- cho-thriller Beyhadh. Launched late pany her to work during my sum- last year on Sony Entertainment mer holidays, and someone asked Television, the daily TV drama has a mum if I could be one of the child huge fan following with web views stars on a film.T hat’s how it began,” crossing millions every day. Her in- she recalls, adding she didn’t really tense role, in fact, won her a pay have to struggle for roles. Every-

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 26 | COVER story LIFE PARTNERS | 27

‘Believe in the word grace. What- was for real. Later, she showed off ever you do, do it with grace’,” says her new short (real-life) haircut by THE WIND BENEATH Jennifer, whose responses to intru- b:blunt, the popular hair studio run sive personal questions have been by Adhuna Akhtar. controlled, honest and, yes, graceful. “It inspires me to see passion in HIS WINGS “Everyone faces betrayal, men and others. It makes me want to do Being the woman behind a creative hotshot is a role that takes faith, women. The only way to deal with better too,” says Jennifer, who loves it is to not take life so seriously. Ac- unwinding with a light book at the sacrifice and oodles of love. But it’s a rewarding one too cept it as part of the deal, and face end of the day. Her favourite book By Sweta Chhabria it head on,” she says, adding that ad- is Illusions: The Adventures of a Re- versity is a great teacher. “Failures luctant Messiah, by Richard Bach, finally got married in 2008. are good. Bat- though she ad- Life with a man like Aditya Kri- tles make you mits that, being palani has been eventful to put it stronger.” a true Gemini, mildly. Though I was always a fan The chal- she often reads of Bollywood – well, it is hard to lenges of living two or more be immune if you live in Mumbai – in the limelight books at a time. Aditya helped me to appreciate dif- almost 24x7 In an industry ferent forms of art and to really look have not taken where appear- beyond the glamour of cinema. We a toll on Jenni- ances rule, Jen- visited museums and attended mu- fer. “This is all I nifer has found sic concerts. He opened my mind. know to do,” she it to her advan- Soon after we got married, Aditya shrugs. “There tage to lay her wrote a book called Back Seat and are pros and truth bare, how- decided to self-publish it. I remem- cons in every Jennifer posted this picture of her bald look for ever difficult ber standing at Bandstand and Car- profession and I Beyhadh on social media; it went viral instantly that may have ter Road, approaching people out- am blessed to do been. There is side restaurants, requesting them to something I love. I don’t mind hard something refreshing about her buy the book. We sold almost one work – it’s fun for me. No other earthy personality and peppy spirit. thousand copies that way! It was profession has so many perks – you Instead of settling for less, she took ditya and I met in college later picked up by a publisher, and get to play so many characters and up challenging roles and has been when we were just 17. We we had no trouble finding a distrib- experience so many fictional lives,” fearless in taking risks. And instead were moving in opposite utor for his second book. she says, referring to her nuanced of letting divorce embitter her, she directions when it came Around 2011, we moved to Sin- lead role in Beyhadh, for which she’s retained her zest for life and a sense Ato our careers: I wanted to pursue gapore, where I got a job as an in- had to don an unconventional ap- of gratitude for her blessings. the corporate world. He was high- vestment banker, but Aditya contin- pearance of late. She first shared her Jennifer’s huge popularity stands ly creative. And yet we were drawn ued on his wacky creative journey. new bald look on social media in testament to the importance of be- together. I did my MBA and joined He became a singer and music mid-July, and it went viral as fans ing ‘genuine’. Easy lies the head that the banking sector, and we dat- composer, and made several videos. and media speculated whether it is unafraid to go bald.  ed for eight memorable years. We He also worked as script consultant,

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 28 | LIFE PARTNERS CAREER | 29 lady boss From being an IIM gold medallist to the CFO of a NASDAQ-listed company and now an investor and mentor to startups, Revathy Ashok has achieved milestones beyond the reach of most women

ising in the corporate world ed by CII as one of the top women Sweta helped promote Aditya’s books and even set up a crowdfunding programme in Singapore to turn his has been something of a achievers in business in South India. third book Tikli and Laxmi Bomb into a film habit for Revathy Ashok. At From infrastructure and real estate, 34, she became the CFO of electronics and manufacturing, to screenplay writer or assistant direc- spected is that Aditya viewed these Ra multinational leader in electron- software and private equity, she has tor in six movies. Two years ago, he women through the lens of empa- ics, got elevated to the board soon seen it all. She’s on the board of var- wrote an album of songs that he de- thy not sexuality. I decided to help after, then moved on to a leading ious listed Indian and multinational cided to release to the general pub- him turn it into a film. I launched IT services company as the Group companies, and has invested in 15 lic instead of the usual route. He a crowd-funding campaign in Sin- CFO, and then as CFO of a NAS- startups. Her experience in global would sit in local Mumbai trains at gapore, sent out emails requesting DAQ-listed IT major, becoming finance, strategy and joint ventures a certain hour every day, and sing people to donate funds, and hosted the first Indian woman to reach that helped her successfully negotiate his songs, strumming his guitar. an event. I also helped him co-pro- position. She was voted one of the funding rounds of millions of dol- I visited Mumbai and travelled duce the film, handling all aspects of 10 most powerful women in the In- lars, besides investing hundreds of along with him on the train to see film budgeting and finances, while dian IT industry and was nominat- millions through the private-equity what exactly he was up to. And I continuing with my full-time job, fund she was associated with. was blown away by the reception I travelling back and forth for two Revathy Ashok And it all began in a small mofus- received. The older men referred to years from Singapore. It’s due for sil town called Sindri. me as ‘bahu’, others gifted me choc- release by the end of this year. Born in an educated middle-class olates. They talked to me very fond- I feel happy that I have been a South Indian family, Revathy was ly, and seemed to enjoy every song true partner for Aditya in all his en- brought up with two younger sib- of his. It was quite mind-blowing. deavours – my fixed salary and cor- lings in this little industrial town- Then he wrote his third book porate thinking have given him the ship, now in Jharkhand, where her Tikli and Laxmi Bomb. It’s about wings to follow his dreams, and my father worked in the public sector. two sex-workers who decide to hands-on work has helped him ex- “It was a humble childhood, but we take their business into their own ecute his projects. We have balanced got the best education even then,” hands, and do away with predato- each other out, emotionally and says Revathy. Sindri saw a burst of ry pimps. Together they spark off a professionally, and have enriched activity after it became a hub for mini revolution to set up a system each other’s lives in the process. India’s early industrial investment. for women, run by women. I was That’s the thing about marriage: if Though Revathy and her peers moved by the book. What I re- one of us wins, both of us win.  were cocooned in a convent school,

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 30 | CAREER CAREER | 31

the world outside was harsh. Ma- and my parents and in-laws played a ect in the late 1980s. Then she got thereafter. “Quitting my job at that fia murders and kidnappings were big role in being there for my chil- an opportunity to go to Iraq for a point was probably the hardest but all par for the course outside their dren,” she says. project in Tikrit, the birthplace of the best decision I ever made in my sheltered townships. She believes that the government Saddam Hussein. She didn’t think 37-year career,” says Revathy. Revathy left home at the age of has had a long tradition of hiring twice before signing up “Yes, it was After her dual loss, Revathy im- 16 for Bangalore, graduating in sci- women based on merit. The coun- a male-dominated industry. We had mersed herself at work and for the ence from Mount Carmel College, try has seen several top notch lady to stay in caravans in the desert, and, next four years, she ran a private eq- and an MBA from IIM Bangalore officers in the administrative ser- yes, I had a young daughter back uity fund and since then has been with a gold medal. “It was a big vices, foreign services and banking, home. But I was always perceived as an angel investor investing in early change from a small town to a big all belonging to the pre-diversity an equal,” avers Revathy. stage technology startups. She also city. My father sent me a princely era. The trend caught on with the Now things are different, she runs B.PAC, a political incubator sum of Rs 150 per month for all my private sector much later. “I was the concedes. “24x7 connectivity has that trains aspiring councilors and expenses. The experience taught only lady executive at my first job at blurred the lines between fami- leaders in governance, women’s me to be a fighter,” she reminisces. Sony’s JV in India, and at my next ly time and work; it has made job She married her classmate from job at Dodsal,” she says. As part of roles more complex. My family has “it was a male- IIM and, at 23, was the mother of her work, she travelled and partic- been a pillar of strength for me,” a baby girl. But that didn’t come in ipated in the Durgapur and Ro- she says, “but even so, sometimes, dominated industry. We the way of her career plans. “It truly urkela steel-plant modernization there are tough decisions to make.” had to stay in caravans takes a village to bring up a child projects and Narmada Valley proj- When she got an offer as CFO of Syntel Inc., a NASDAQ-listed firm in the desert, and I had headquartered in Detroit with a a young daughter back large offshore centre in Mumbai, it home. But I was always was a disruptive decision. With her daughter then in Wharton, and her perceived as an equal” husband and son in Bangalore, she shuttled between Mumbai and De- safety and environmental issues. troit and became a weekend mom. From corporate boards to startups But an even tougher decision and non-profits, she juggles all of awaited when her father took ill, these with ease alongside her latest and Revathy decided to move back role: that of grandmom. Her daugh- to Bangalore to be with him. “I ter, now a VP at a global investment felt I could not traipse around the bank, delivered twins and Revathy world watching his health decline and her husband share grandparent- day by day,” she explains. Though ing duties. For a woman who led her father didn’t want her to give corporations of thousands of peo- up her job, he nevertheless wait- ple, and yet thought nothing before ed to see every weekend. He died giving it up for family, her new role o: P ixabay

t six months later and her mother should be a piece of cake.

P ho too passed away just a few months By AK

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 32 | EXCERPT EXCERPT | 33

yelling bloody murder or not about small radio, and a few kitchen uten- the finances, you go home, pull the sils that included a knife with which THE POOR RICH Rs 4,000 out and fork it over. to flip dosas. My limited gold stash It happened twice by the time was long sold, but thank God, there URBAN INDIA I began to search for another job, were two Ritu Kumars in the suit- with other factors than needing to case I was living out of. As the min- A new book Who Me, Poor? by veteran journalist Gayatri Jayaraman shop accelerating my need for bet- imum amount due mounted, and I is a fascinating exploration of the socio-economic compulsions that keep ter pay. My next job gave me a 150 scrimped on the oil and wheat, so urban educated populations mired in poverty even after landing plum jobs per cent hike in salary, bumping it did the farce of hope. up to Rs 25,000. But the damage The episode left me with a in big cities. In this excerpt, Jayaraman shares her personal experience had already been healthy disrespect done. Several items for insidious ways n the summer of 2000, I joined a I would never need “My limited gold in which peo- fashion magazine as the chief of again, from clothes ple in positions the Hyderabad bureau. When a and jewellery to stash was long of power induct decomposing marriage brought expensive lunch- sold, but thank you consciously or Ime back to Mumbai, I transferred es, taken to fit in thoughtlessly into to the Mumbai office and was now to a field where God there were their own financial working at a Hyderabad remuner- earning a salary two Ritu Kumars in agendas and spend- ation in a much more expensive seemed incidental ing patterns. It also city. My salary before taxes was Rs to most thriving the suitcase I was taught me that 10,000. in it, were already what you assume The editor, then a monopolist in on my credit card living out of” to be just a matter the trade, would induct me into her three quarters of my monthly sal- and had dent- of stretching your entourage while she did the rounds ary. In the days of Shopper’s Stop ed any potential savings. By this income to meet your ends—most of major fashion designers’ stores. At mix-and-match kurtas being the time, I had moved out on my own, young people who find themselves Ritu Kumar’s at the Oberoi shop- only upgrade you hit after Fashion which also meant taking a personal severely in debt will tell you they ping centre, she would point to a Street, this was quite the monetary loan to put down a deposit, which started out assuming it was ‘a phase’ small shelf in the corner and breez- leap in terms of apparel. meant an Equated Monthly Install- that would end once their income ily suggest I pick out one from the The conversation would quickly ment (EMI) equal to rent, childcare, rose as it inevitably would—doesn’t discount section. Even with a 40 go from “it’s lovely, but it’s not for a new office inA ndheri, which quite even itself out as salaries rise. per cent discount, the Ritu Kumar me” to “I can’t quite afford it” and meant commute costs, sometimes The more income rises, the higher pant suit—a fashionable orange and landslide into “I’ll pay for it, you exacerbated by the need to rush the expenses to earn it become. A green outfit with a matching silk pay me when you have the money” back home through Saki Naka traf- financial backlog, much like a few scarf was ill-suited to a 26-year-old behind forced plastic smiles. When fic before the crèche closed, besides grams of chocolate that miracu- mother with financial and marriage your boss in your first or second utility bills and groceries. lously become kilograms of love pressures and commuting by lo- job piles the pressure on like that, The rolled over credit card bills handles, stretches itself out.  cal train from Thane. An ensemble whether you have the money or were denting me. I had no furniture Excerpted with permission from that cost Rs 4,000 was more than not and whether your husband is but two mattresses on the ground, a Bloomsbury

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 34 | I when Igoout. Am Irightorwrong? are hugescenesathome everyday men around usgetusedtoit. There the that so confidence, with too that more girlsshouldwear suchclothes, covered.to keep myself ButIfeelthat ily tellsmenottogetintotrouble and tops andjeans, orindresses. Myfam- Istepoutinsleeveless stare alotif back home, it is difficult to do so. Men Western clothes there. Now that I am wearing and gotintothehabitof SOUL I livedforthree years inMumbai, am a25-year-old girlfrom Indore. SISTA Have somethingonyourHave mind?Askclinical psychologist LOAD OFF GET THE Smriti Sawhney JoshiSmriti Sawhney whattodoaboutit work well foryou andyour family. out asasafety measure, itwould in touchwiththemwhile you are ly thatyou would andstay bealert clothes and can assure your- fami inyourand comfortable choiceof dressing style?Ifyou feelconfident you aboutyour feeluncomfortable get stared atalot; doesthatmake about yourself. to give you asenseofconfidence and Dressing shouldbeforcomfort but tobeprotective towards you. of your you are not to hurt family en andchildren inour country. withregards tosafetyofwomfairs - home. It’s indeedasadstateofaf- ofher lurks outsidetheboundaries clothes becauseofthedangerthat isquestionedonherchoiceof try independent woman inourcoun- for you. thatayoung Ifeelsorry “protective instincts” ofyour family you are goingthrough aswell asthe to thekindof “suffocated feeling” er oftwo young girls, Icanrelate to us. Dear reader, thanks for reaching out In mostprobability, theintentions Being a woman and a moth- Y ou do mention you AUGUST 2017

Photos cre: dit: Sayan Nath on Unsplash

Photos cre: dit: Alejandra Quiroz on Unsplash I es of myheart.es of What canIdo? am beingpropelled only bythewish- want to live an empty life any more. I becoming socialoutcasts. ButIdon’t am caughtinatrap. Divorce means to hear it and changed the subject. I furious, butinstead hepretended not for adivorce. Ithoughthewouldbe told myhusbandaboutitandasked a muchyoungerman. Lastmonth, I the early years andIfellinlovewith ents were indifferent towards mein businessman husbandandhispar Patna to Delhi. Ihavetwokids. My those around us. what you wear; it’s themindsetof or ahijab, theproblem isnotwith Whether they wear women gettrainedforself-defence. wisely. say whiletravelling alone, anddress you may attractundueattention, Be more aware oftheplaceswhere AUGUST ago whenIwas19, andmovedfrom had anarranged marriage11years Also, Ialways recommend 2017 W estern clothes estern - lor’s your assistancetosort life. counsel- ing aprofessional marriage tion foryou toreflect on. Ileave thatques- on themarriage? other chanceifhewishes towork there any himan- scopeofgiving waysare lookingatparting now. Is ship, what’s missingandthatyou how you feelaboutyour relation- he’s not distracted and speak about of theiraffectionforpartner. that thisisanadequateexpression taken care of. Often, people feel clothing, travel, et cetera, may be if theemotionalorcompanionship filled underallcircumstances, even sidered alifelongbondtobeful- your pain. lationship or seeking divorce. re- oranextramarital less marriage takes couragetospeakaboutalove- yourstrength concerns; insharing it Dear reader, Iappreciate your since more needslike tangible food, amiss orwrong withthemarriage may noteven realise something’s thattheother partner scenarios a separation. It’s often seen in such husband tobelieve thatyou wishfor years, itwould bedifficultfor your a divorcee, especiallyifit’s awoman. you have; the stigma associated with post-divorce;security children, if when seeking divorce –financial There’s also a lot tobe considered needs are unmetforeitherpartner. If thisdoesn’t help, considerseek- Sit withyour husbandwhen Since you’ve 11 beenmarried marriage isoftencon- A marriage SOUL I feel SISTA  | 35 36 | BUSINESS BUSINESS | 37 born in a tea garden, and had also hampers. They set up an online worked as a tea taster before joining store teacupsfull.com and began re- a large real-estate firm.T he family tailing from other online and offline often travelled to their own estate outlets. They also began offering tea in Darjeeling – the tea hub of India accessories such as special pots and – and doing business there would mugs that faciliate brewing. not alter their travel plans too much. Soon, the 35-year-old became The other thing that pushed Shi- quite the tea expert herself. “You kha was her little boy Parth, who can add milk in Assam tea, but not was becoming a handful. Giving in Darjeeling tea. Pour boiling wa- up a 9-to-9 job and working at ter on the leaves in a pot. Let it her own pace was a tempting idea. brew, then strain it,” she goes on, To top it all, the demand for green expounding on the variations of tea was growing at English Breakfast 30% every year. Shikha Puri Tea (it’s a blend It seemed as if of long-leaf teas the heavens were from Assam), the aligned for a brave best way to pack new boutique tea tea leaves (in a that would bring zip-locked foil Her Cup of Tea the best Indian teas pouch inside an India is ready to make and drink its own best-quality teas, thought to Indian homes air-tight tin), why Shikha Puri, who set out to do just that at last. And so, in she sources from 2015, Teacupsfull the Halmari gar- hikha Puri is a bit obsessed The question is what drove Shi- was born. den in Assam (they with tea. “Mist is good. Alti- kha to give up her high-flying cor- “You’ll be sur- have the best CTC tude is important,” she says, porate job at J Walter Thompson – prised how many food or beverage – crush, tear and curl – tea in the seated at the DLF Club in where she handled the advertising businesses don’t have the required world), and adds spices from Kerala SGurgaon where we are the only two portfolios for clients such as Air- certification in India,” says Shikha. to make a blend (it’s plain delicious). guests this summer afternoon. Over tel, Microsoft and the World Bank Her company is registered with the We head to her tea store in Gur- tea (but naturally), she explains how – and jump into entrepreneurship Tea Board of India, and is licensed gaon. “Here, smell this,” she says, of- the first flush of the plants yields the two years ago. She had three major to export. She tied up with FedEx fering me a glass jar of jasmine tea. I longest leaves, and though India has impetuses. The first was the wealth for logistics after learning of their am impressed with its aroma so she a treasure trove of tea plantations, of knowledge about tea production special schemes for startups such as calls for boiled water and offers me the best leaves are exported because in her husband’s family. Her father- hers. Her firm developed a range of a cup. It’s pretty good. And then I they can sell at a very high premi- in-law NK Puri is considered one teas – green, white, black, oolong look up to see Shikha’s face as she um in the First World. “But why of India’s leading tea experts and – and a variety of flavours – tulsi, sniffs it like a connoisseur holding a shouldn’t Indians enjoy the best of had worked on the largest planta- masala, cinnamon. They designed glass of wine. She sips, satisfied. It’s their own teas?” she asks. tions all his life before retiring a few attractive packaging and began of- the face of a job well done.  Why, indeed. years earlier. Shikha’s husband was fering corporate gifting and festive By AK

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 38 | entrepreneur entrepreneur | 39

I was covered widely by the media and several online voting polls have Over the years, this is what I’ve THE FASHION ETHIC declared me the most popular fash- learnt about life and business: Being a fashion entrepreneur comes with a lifetime of learning, and no ion designer in Gujarat. The hotel matter what your personal situation is, the work must go on brought me foreign customers and Daydream with abandon: Nurture airlines staff, so I branched out into those dreams and allow yourself to By Jigna Shah Indo-Western clothing with super- break your own barriers. lative international standards. Be patient: You have to persevere I married my life partner in my and be at it for many years before late 30s and days later, my mom the results start to show. I am not passed away. I broke the news to from a wealthy background. It took people about my wedding and my me 20 years to reach this point when tycoons wear my products. Reassess and restart: Sometimes “We stick to our you have to cut your losses and start professional values, and again. At one point, I began facing customers send us more factory losses. I had to completely restructure my way of doing things clients later because and move my factory to Sri Lanka. they trust us. Short-term Then things picked up again. Don’t gain based on a lie is a hesitate to change direction. Be solution-oriented: If you keep long-term loss” focusing only on the problems, you’ll never start or do anything. loss in the same phone call. My hus- Be scrupulous: This goes without band is an industrialist from Mum- saying. Many male tourists visit my y chartered accountant My mom wasn’t happy about it. bai, so I moved here. He taught store to buy clothes for their wives father was very particu- But after that there was no stop- me to think big and to go global. back home. These men are easy to lar about academic ex- ping me. I started my own label We started promoting ‘ahimsa’ silk dupe because they have no idea of cellence. He pushed me Revé Fashions, participated in trade (non-violent silk) and are opening Indian sizes or prices. But my entire Minto doing my Master’s in com- shows, held exhibitions, and was in- a store in Ahmedabad for VIP cus- team sticks to professional values, merce and taking up a position vited to panels at Lakme Fashion tomers. I am also working on an or- and these customers send us more teaching economics in Ahmedabad. Week. I set up a store on the ground ganic wellness range. clients later because they trust us. But after he passed away, I didn’t see floor ofT he Pride Hotel in a tony I’m in my mid-40s now and we Short-term gain based on a lie is a any reason to continue in a profes- part of Ahmedabad, and was the married too late to have kids. In- long-term loss. sion I wasn’t fit for. My heart was in first place Bollywood stars shopped stead, we are focused on helping All work is your own work: No work fashion design, so I left my steady from when they came to town for less privileged sections of society by is too small for a businessperson. It job without telling anyone, and movie launches. I am patronised teaching skills, generating employ- is a habit, not a job for me.  joined NIFT to study textile design. by all the industrialists’ wives here. ment, and helping them grow.

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 40 | FASHION FASHION | 41 RETURN TO ROOTS Inspired by her family of freedom fighters, academicians and craft lovers, Karishma Shahani Khan reinterprets India through her label Ka-Sha By Anupam Dabral hen Karishma was a lit- was a part of an award-winning, tle girl, her father gifted five-member team to represent In- her a scrapbook, which dia at London Fashion Week. Each soon became a bearing designer had to create pieces befit- Wground of all her fantasies. Seeing ting the theme ‘Indian Pastoralists’. their daughter intrigued by the And Karishma looked back at India beauty of her surroundings, Karish- for her inspiration. She reinterpret- ma’s parents recognised her passion ed the crafts of Rabari tribe of the for fashion early on, and fuelled it Kutch region and gave them a con- by introducing her to a variety of temporary appeal. influences. Primary among them Karishma, who has won several was her art-historian and educa- national and international accolades, tionist aunt, Madhavi Kapoor who, is not new to the ‘Made in India’ elements,” she says. As an intern “Our aim is to create responsible with her beautiful saris and love for philosophy. Her great-grandpar- in London, she would fly to India fashion,” informs the Pune-based Indian crafts, can be credited for in- ents were freedom fighters, and her to work with a craft-based organ- designer. Her sub-brand ‘Heart to troducing Karishma Shahani Khan great-grandfather had only donned isation in Kutch. There, she met a Haat’ is an extension of the cause. to different textiles as a child. handspun khadi throughout his life. number of weavers and dyers, and With 100 percent upcycling be- “Fashion was never a part of the Karishma’s grandmother, who was noticed the self-sufficiency and sus- ing at the core, she makes sure that plan” says Karishma, adding, “I am a poet and an author, fed her some tainable nature of their business. She nothing goes waste in the produc- not a fashion designer per se; I am rich familial history through her also observed details such as tarpau- tion process. an artist who creates clothes.” Today writings. lin-covered slums and street-dwell- Her beautiful cotton separates, her understanding of fashion as an Today, the 30-year-old moth- ers wearing layers of clothes, which comfortable multiple paneled trou- art form manifests in her creations. er of one takes pride in her roots prompted her to create pieces that sers and slouchy shirts might repre- Unapologetic use of bright colours, and returns to them again and again not only represented India but sent a modern facet of her thinking, dupattas with pom-poms, and en- in her moodboards. “While a stu- made a social statement too. Keep- but in reality, she is a true daughter sembles that tell a tale of India’s dent of design at London College ing reversibility, multiple layering of the soil, who believes in giving rich craft heritage have become of Fashion, I realised how much I and sustainable fashion in focus, she back to nature and her tradition, her signature. This year, Karishma missed India and its eclectic design launched her label Ka-Sha in 2011. and retaining its glory. 

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 42 | everything Indianisrooted inherchildhood. commitment tosustainabilityandlovefor K FASHION arishma ShahaniKhan’s knackforcolour, AUGUST 2017

Photos: AUGUST 2017 PERSONAL freedom fighters hada brought upinafamily profound influence on K her thoughtprocess. of academiciansand of arishma’s workand Being bornand GROWTH | 43 44 | goes tothecraftsmen. entire remuneration middlemen, sothatthe NGOseliminating of directly from anumber collections isbought The fabric for K PERSONAL GROWTH a-Sha AUGUST 2017

Photos:

Photos: AUGUST 2017 waste policy:everything PERSONAL commitment tozero- is usedandreused. K a-Sha, thelabel, operates with a GROWTH | 45 46 | PERSONAL GROWTH FASHION | 47

Waste is reinvented In all her collections, be it ‘Yatra’, ‘Khoj’ or ‘Chauraha’, as patchwork jackets, Karishma has positioned India as a focal point. material for embroidery and even footwear.

Photographer: Manasi Sawant Hair and makeup: Kritika Gill Stylist: Nidhi Jacob

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 48 | FASHION NEWS

Rutu Neeva’s new collection YOUR AUGUST Designers Rutu Shah and Neeva Sheth of the label Rutu Neeva recently launched their Fall 2017 collection. The line is STYLE UPDATE replete with androgynous silhouettes Anupam Dabral compiles the latest from the and sharp detailed lines. From dresses to world of fashion free-flowing gowns, the collection show- cases a number of details such as intri- cate gatherings, a multitude of pleats, flared-bottom pants, and subtle overlays.

Deepika for Tanishq Springfield now in India Tanishq has launched a range Spanish high-street brand called ‘Jewels of Royalty’ with Springfield is now in India. The the international face of Bolly- first store was unveiled byT ablez wood, Deepika Padukone as its India, a part of LuLu Group In- brand ambassador. The campaign ternational, at Phoenix Market- was styled by celebrity stylist City in Bangalore last month, Shaleena Naithani. The exclusive and will soon be available in six collection offers a range of dan- other cities. Springfield belongs glers, necklaces and rings set in to Grupo Cortefiel, and offers diamonds and open polki. international fashion for both men and women between the age of 25 – 35, who are looking for urban casual and trendy wear. Check out their linen shirts for men and sequinned Anita Dongre takes Grassroot to New York knit tops for women. You’ll love their use of colour. Arguably India’s most successful de- signer, Anita Dongre has become Neeta Lulla launches N BRIDE the first Indian designer to open Adding a new dimension to her bridal wear, vet- her flagship store in New York City. eran Mumbai-based designer Neeta Lulla recently Anita’s youngest label Grassroot launched N Bride, an affordable line of bridal pieces finds inspiration in its glocal ap- meant for the millennials. Sticking to her signature proach and now has a new address intricate embroideries, a rich colour palette with hints in the heart of New York’s Soho of fusion silhouettes, you’ll find pieces priced between district. The store was designed by Rs 30,000 to Rs 1 lakh at stores such as Aza, Ensemble architect Shonan Trehan. and Angasutra to name a few.

AUGUST 2017 50 | SHOPPING SHOPPING | 51

worked in the media industry PRE-SHOP The New-Gen Way to for more than a decade, mostly Prior to your shopping trip, visit with NDTV on entertainment, the store’s website and get an idea lifestyle and fashion program- of their styles and prices. Make a Shop Fashion Iming. But my interest in style and note of what interests you, and read Changes in urban lifestyle call design finally landed me at the stu- reviews to get a sense of whether dio of India’s ace designer Gaurav other customers have found those for changes in shopping patterns. Gupta, heading his PR and market- items to be well-made, appropriate- Adopt these tips and get with it. ing. Surrounded by designers and ly sized, and so on. But be flexible By Zarine Bajaj seeing the fashion market at work, too. Sometimes, items don’t look as I felt something was not quite right. good as we’d imagined or we make I set out to find must-have piec- unexpected discoveries. es in Delhi but was at a loss where to start. However, when I was ready BE COMFORTABLE for lunch, my iPhone enabled me Don’t wear clothes that are hard to to seamlessly discover places to eat get on and off.A pair of jeans may on Zomato. Why not the same for be effortless, but banded pants or fashion, I thought. shorts that don’t need buttoning up That’s when I decided to create a are more practical. You might want fashion discovery website and mo- to consider a nice-fitting dress that’s bile app that uses geolocation ser- comfortable and easy to slip on. vices to help a shopper find, by sim- ple clicks, what designers, boutiques CONSIDER TIMING and brands are around and who sells If you shop during peak times or merchandise of her interest. weekends, you may be exhaust- Over the last few years of being a ed even by the time you’ve found fashion-app developer and a fashion a parking spot. To avoid unsettling addict, this is how I’ve streamlined crowds, shop first thing in the my shopping, and you can too. morning or right before a shop closes, and you’ll enjoy shorter MAKE A LIST lines and easier parking. Take mini- Don’t wait until you’re at the store breaks for water, snacks, or simply a to figure out what you need. Do the quiet moment away from the fray. research, take stock of your closet. Prioritize your wish list in case you TRY IT ON run out of time. A list helps you It's true! Sometimes a piece is stun- Zarine Bajaj is stick to your budget, and stops you ning on the hanger but just doesn’t the founder of Findow from buying things you don’t really look right on your frame and some- fashion app need – even if they scream ‘sale’. times it’s the other way around. It’s

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 52 | SHOPPING SCREENSHOT | 53 The Seed of an Idea Neeti Mehra, Delhi

Above: The new store that has been launched at Phonix MarketCity Mall, Bangalore women’secret was born in Bombay and we moved to Delhi when I was also important to try on a variety of shop BACKWARDS Ireally young. Though I studied to become a bean count- er, since childhood I had secretly nurtured a dream of be- silhouettes (midi skirts, high-waist- Always choose your wedding outfit coming a writer. Over the years I’ve observed that however ed trousers, boxy tees, crop tops, first, then move to the other func- much you try and scupper your dreams, they have a way shift dresses) to know which styles tions. Say you find a brilliant outfit of wriggling their way into reality. I did become an editor; work best for you. This will help for the sangeet in fuchsia pink. But I travelled the world and explored my creativity as a food later when you shop online too. then you find a perfect wedding stylist, a photographer, and then, a stationery designer. outfit in the same colour, and you My first brush with sustainability came when I created USE FINDOW TO SAVE TIME can’t buy it! Once the outfits are my own line of India-inspired stationery, Chamku, created My app Findow helps you discover sorted, go for the accessories, shoes, from recycled paper – wacky, eco-friendly, and very Indian. fashion nearby and across the coun- jewellery, makeup, and so on. At the same time, as the editor of a luxury magazine, I ex- try. You can not only locate and plored how premium brands were consciously embracing identify styles, stores and designers DON’T BRING AN ENTOURAGE sustainability. How we live is deeply entwined with our and but also create your personal style Opinions are usually all over the our children’s future. I finally took a plunge to startbeejliving.com , a curated diaries, review labels, and search for place, and can overwhelm you. Just platform for slow living in India. With workshops, content trend-setting products by leading pick one or two key persons to go and a lot of information planned, I hope to make an impact, designers and stylists. You can also with you. By keeping your support however small, by helping people lead fuller lives. browse categories such as “popular” system small, you will get the most Life is short. We owe it to ourselves to make it rich and or “bridal” and like, share or com- honest opinions because these peo- meaningful. ment on your favourite snaps. ple know you best. 

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 54 | FOOD otdi-rdto eie rmtesvnnrhatr ttso India statesof rooted-in-tradition recipes northeastern from theseven Savour India’sSavour simple, rich withtheseseven gastronomical heritage NORTH O FEAS with us on our culinary journey.with usonour culinary East and of North inthe recipes straight from andfriends thekitchensoffamily East(W North rooted-in-tradition dishes thatupliftthebodyandmind. and theredolent Paa Chauufrom Iromba from Imphal, the simple but rocking Godokfrom Assam, the unpretentiousness of a the peppinessofKhangkhrai melt-in-the mouthdeliciousnessofSungatDiya Misaaasor the intoxicating whiffofaxonhefrom ahomein Kohima, the tasteofDohKhlehMeghalaya, rich the description-defying tart-sweetness ofthesmalltautorangefrom garden, afamily or lead to a gnawing ache within. For how can the senses forget the familiar aromas,just awhiffof flavours, atasteofdistinct can awaythose far from theirkitchens, sometimes theurgetoget ture hasgiven you intheland, airandwater, andcelebrate. For language–rejoiceeasy-to-understand inthebountythatna- mon link–thatofsimplehumanity. andheritage.unusual foodhistory Lookagainandthere isacom- terrain, communities, languagesanddialects, andanamazing again, andthere are theseven sisters, eachwithadistinctidentity, Our bookTHESEVENSISTERS: Kitchen Tales From The Look again, thistimeintothekitchens. their stomachandwas very tastytoo, thankyou! Look willtellyou thatthebird Easterners isin some North dia – it’s like bird caught in a dance step. a graceful Sure, EastIn- pen anatlasandtraceouttheshapeofNorth By PurabiShridharandSanghitaSingh estland) is a from-the-heart effort toput togetherestland) isafrom-the-heart effort T FROM the orth Easterners living elsewhere. Easterners North Come, walk Arw BilahiMegongfrom ahomein Bai from runachal Pradesh –simple,Arunachal EAS Aizawl, the appetizing They speakan T AUGUST T ripura ripura 2017

Photos: Mizoram: Bai I Mizo Vegetable Stew (2-3servings) Serve hot. vegetables and riceare tender. has absorbedthewaterand the stirring frequently, tilltherice and cookforabout15minutes, 6. Reducetheheattoasimmer bring toaboil. again. Raisetheheattohighand 5. Throw inthericeandstironce and stiragain 4. Addthegreen chilliandbeans stir. the cauliflowerandpotato 3. Oncethefrothing subsides,add bicarbonate andsalt. soya beanpasteorsodium the heatandaddfermented a panonmoderateheat.Reduce 2. Bring1litre ofwatertoaboilin medium-sized pieces roughly andbreak theflorets into two pieceseach,teartheleaves 1. Instructions: Salt totaste A fistfulofrice sliced 50 gmFrench beans,trimmed, (deseeded ifdesired) 1 large green chilli,sliced 1 large potato,cubed or sodiumbicarbonate 1 tspfermentedsoyabeanpaste few florets) a 1 cauliflower(stalks,leavesand AUGUST ngredients: Cut the cauliflower stalks into Cut thecauliflowerstalksinto 2017

PERSONAL GROWTH food | | 55 56 | Nagaland: Kalhang Pork Add 1 cup of water and continue 4. Add1cupof waterandcontinue the meatcook tillitsjuicesdryup. 3. Add2tspof chilli powderandlet add theporkpieces. 2. Putalarge wokonlowheatand sized pieces. 1. Instructions: Salt totaste Raja Mirchi) 3 driedred chillies(preferably Naga 1 cupwater 5 tspred chillipowder 1 kgpork (4-5servings): Ingredients PERSONAL Wash the pork and cut into medium- GROWTH 7. longer, tilltender. let themeatcook forafewminutes powder overtheporkpieces and coarse powder. Sprinklethecrushed griddle andcrushthemtomake a roast thered chilliesona drytavaor 6. 5. wok bottom. the porkpiecesfrom stickingtothe shaking it.Thisisessentialtoprevent by holdingthesidesofwokand let theporkcook.Toss themeatgently rest ofthechillipowdergraduallyand to cookonlowheat.Keepaddingthe Serve hotwith steamedrice. When themeatisnearlytender, Do notstir. Sprinkleinthesalt. AUGUST 2017

Photos: AUGUST TripurA: GODOK I Tripuri Mixed Vegetables (2-3servings) thoroughly. Putthemintoapan 1. Instructions: Salt totaste 2 smallpiecesberma(driedfish) A pinchofturmericpowder 6-8 mushrooms (optional) dried) 100 gmbambooshoot(fresh or 100 gmsheetbeans 100 gmFrench beans 2 medium-sizedpotatoes overnight (optional) ¼ cupblack-eyedbeans,soaked ngredients: Drain the beans and rinse Drain thebeansandrinse 2017

5. consistency. all thewhile,tillithasathick reserved broth gradually, stirring mash themcoarsely. Nowaddthe 4. vegetables andsetaside. 3. from heat. vegetables are tenderandremove dried fishandsalt.Cook,tillthe boil. Addtheturmericpowder, them tothepanandbringa 2. Chopallthevegetables,add tender. boil onhightomoderateheat,till with enoughwatertocoverand Serve hotwithsteamedrice. Put thevegetablesinabowland Strain thebroth from the PERSONAL GROWTH | 57 58 | food Food | 59

MANIPUR: Nga Taoba Thongba

ASSAM: Sariyah Diya Masor Tenga Fried Fish Curry (4-5 servings) 2. Heat some mustard oil in a frying Fish Curry with Mustard (2-3 servings) non-stick frying pan and fry the fish for Ingredients: pan and lightly fry the fish pieces on both sides. Drain and set aside. Ingredients: about 2-3 minutes on each side, taking 1 kg fish (rohu) care not to break the pieces. Remove 3. Pour 4 tbsp of mustard oil into 500 gm freshwater fish (rohu or rawas), Mustard oil – for frying another pan and heat till it smokes. from the pan and set aside. A pinch of asafoetida powder cut into medium-sized pieces 4. Add the asafoetida powder, bay 3. Put a kadhai on moderate heat and 2 bay leaves 1 tsp turmeric powder leaves and fenugreek seeds. Add the add 1 tbsp of mustard oil. When the A pinch of fenugreek seeds 2 tbsp mustard oil for frying the fish + chives, onions, garam masala powder oil is smoking hot, add the mustard 100 gm maroi nakuppi (Chinese or 1 tbsp for the curry (optional), ginger, garlic and turmeric seeds. garlic chives), chopped ½ tsp mustard seeds powder and fry on moderate heat, till 4. When the seeds start spluttering, 2 onions, finely sliced 6 ripe tomatoes, finely chopped fragrant. stir in the finely chopped tomatoes 1 tsp garam masala powder 5. Mix in the tomatoes and cook for a 1 medium-sized potato, boiled, and mashed potato. ½ tsp ginger, coarsely crushed few seconds. mashed 5. Add the remaining turmeric powder ½ tsp garlic, coarsely crushed 6. Stir in the pepper-cumin powder 1 tbsp mustard seeds, ground to a and salt, stirring continuously. Fry the ½ tsp turmeric powder and cook till fragrant. paste mixture for about 10 minutes or till it 2 tomatoes, diced in cubes 7. Add the green peas, potatoes and 1 tbsp sugar begins to dry up. 1 tsp black peppercorn and cumin salt. Simmer on low-moderate heat, till Juice of 1 lemon 6. Pour in 2 cups of water, stir once seeds, ground the tomatoes are slightly tender and 2 green chillies, slit at the tip and bring to a boil. Gently add the 1 cup shelled green peas the potatoes are nearly cooked. 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, chopped fried fish pieces. Mix the mustard 2 potatoes, cut into small cubes Pour in three cups of water and Salt to taste paste with the sugar and add it to the Salt to taste 8. curry. bring to a boil. Gently immerse the fish Instructions: 25 gm fresh coriander leaves, finely 7. Sprinkle in the lemon juice, stir chopped (optional, for garnishing) pieces into the curry and cook for 6-7 1. Wash the fish and pat dry. Marinate and let it boil for about 30 seconds. minutes. it with a pinch of salt and a pinch of Remove from heat and mix in the Instructions: 9. Garnish with coriander leaves turmeric powder for about 10 minutes. green chillies and coriander leaves. 1. Clean the fish, wash and cut it into just before serving. Serve hot with 2. Heat 2 tbsp of mustard oil in a Serve hot with steamed rice. medium-sized pieces. steamed rice. AUGUST 2017 60 | in a small pan on high heat, till they in asmallpan on highheat,tillthey 1. Boilthered chillies in1cupofwater Instructions: Salt totaste separated (optional) 2 bunchesbokchoy, washed,leaves 200 gmmushrooms, sliced (optional), cutinto2”pieces 250 gmgreen beans,trimmed ½ tspajinomoto(optional) 5 clovesgarlic,finelychopped 1 tspred chillipowder pepper, crushed ½ tspNorthEasternorSzechuan 3 tbspbambooshoot(fresh ordried) 1 kgchicken,cutintosmallpieces 5-6 driedred chillies Ingredients: Steamed withBambooShoot(4servings) food Arunachal

pradesh:HOT chicken colour. Servehot. 6. that themixture isnotcompletelydry. adding alittlewaterintermittently so vegetables are tender, butcrisp.Keep and bokchoycook,till the 5. that extradashofflavour. 4. Stir in the salt and add ajinomoto for till alltheingredients are wellmixed. red chillipasteandcookonlowheat, chilli powder, garlicandthe reserved 3. Addthebambooshoot,pepper, tender. Boil thechickenonhighheat,till pour injustenoughwatertocover. 2. Putthechickeninanotherpanand pestle. Setaside. crush theboiledchilliesinamortarand are soft.Draintheexcesswaterand and mushroom The chicken should have a fiery red The chickenshould haveafiery red Next, addthebeans,mushrooms AUGUST 2017

Photos: MEGHALA I Chicken Steamed inBamboo(4-5servings) to makeacoarsemince. small piecesandsmashwithafork the bones.Cutfleshintovery 1. Instructions: Salt totaste Wholewheat dough,forsealing long, 3”indiameter 1 fresh bambootube,about10” 1 tbspmustard oil chillies from Meghalaya),minced 5-6 green chillies(preferably aaba 2” pieceginger, finelyshredded 2 large onions,finelyminced 1 kgchicken(or4smallchicks) ngredients: Clean the chicken and remove Clean thechickenandremove Y A: Brengna

Serve hot. steamer foranenhancedflavour. a steamer, preferably abamboo them forabout10-12minutesin of thechickenminceandsteam available, makesmalldumplings Note: Ifbambootubesare not and roast forabout30minutes. tube onagentlewoodorcoalfire with thedough.Putbamboo bamboo tubeandsealtheopening 4. your hand. mix andkneadthoroughly with 3. the salt. green chilliestothechicken.Mixin 2. Addtheonions,gingerand Stuff the chicken mix into the Stuff thechickenmixinto Pour themustard oilalloverthe 62 | H SHINE fresh andcool. rose water atregular intervals tostay spray your withrefrigerated face and reduce breakouts. caused byrelieve pimples irritation rose water will hydrate your skin, sticky skin. Cleaningyour with face And especiallyifyou have oily, REPLACE W water.warm withluke20 minutes- andrinse pack.moisturising Keep itfor15- an anti-tanning, deep-cleansingand Mix equalamountsofallthree for HONEY fresh andglowing. By ArghaKashyap intherain. to shineeven your skin’s glow. Here’s how Don’t letthemonsoondampen BEA RAIN AND UTY , LEMON facial care tostay regimes facial Follow thesetime-tested pollution =skinnightmare. umidity +heaturban ATER WITH AND YOGURT ROSE W Y ou canalso P ATER ACK for Indianskin. because it’s cloudy. SPF15isideal clouds, so don’t skip sunscreen just yes, they DOpenetratethrough damage, pigmentation, freckles and UV rays are responsible forskin USE SNSCREEN wash.soap insteadofface or charcoal such as apricot scrubs moisture. help inretaining theskin’s natural Gentle andchemical-free soaps GO FOR instead. ers Use rose water orhomemadeton- ing more oilasacounter-reaction. your skin, secret- whichthenstarts this. Y USE our oilyskinwillthankyou for ALCOHOL lcohol strips themoisture offAlcohol strips AYURVEDIC SOAPS Y ou canalsousenatural -FREE TONERS  AUGUST 2017

Photo: Pixabay I guessmy favourite isthe protag- mind forthe rest of theworld. But onanapocalypticscalein struction who have massmurder andde - of them, includingthe antagonists point you grow attached to the lot That’s atoughonebecauseafter the newbook? Which isyourfavouritecharacter in ofWinter. delivering TheWinds his dillydallyingwhenitcomesto be inspired by my exampleandquit Hopefully, will GeorgeRRMartin tenant andtheStone happened.Witch a goodideatooandYama’s Lieu- my life. Myeditor thought it was of who hadbecomesuchabigpart was hard toletgoofthecharacters developing itintoaseries, becauseit it,writing Lieutenant tookshape. Even while After chewing onitforabit, Yama’s messed upandwildlyentertaining. that was intense, more than alittle turbing, abook Iwanted towrite nation for all things dark and dis- - those people with a morbid fasci psychology andoneof abnormal ror movie aficionado, atopperin Anuja Chandramouli: Beingahor - book comeabout? eShe: Howdidtheidea forthisnew AUGUST h uhro Yama’s Lieutenant and the Stone Witch author of The 2017 talks aboutmythology, women andwritingdark fiction I toyed with the idea of Anuj a Chandrmouli Mythology andmeforever! new. Itisonehellofaromance. the possibilityofmeetingsomeone you have grown upwithandalways you are catchingupwithfriends ery, fresh insights, thefeelingthat There isalways asenseofdiscov- mythology? So whatdraws youtoIndian of asweetheart andbadassboth. manages tocombinethequalities onist, Agni Prakash. Hesomehow A UTHOR OF THE MONTH | 63 64 | AUTHOR OF THE MONTH BOOKS | 65

What was the portrayal of women like in the old texts? And how would On the Bookshelf it compare with women’s social This is what the editor loved reading this month standing in India today? There is no dearth of strong wom- en characters in the old texts. On Tyranny Contrary to what misguided folks Timothy Snyder (Penguin Random House UK, Rs 499) seem to think nowadays, the la- This book is a warning: if we believe what our politicians want us dies were not shrinking violets to believe, we’re going to go pretty much the way the world went who cowered behind yards of fab- in the 20th century, when humankind saw its worst wars ever. ric, allowing their fathers, broth- With anecdotes and lessons from history and philosophy, Amer- ers, husbands or sons to run their ican academic Snyder shows how today’s world leaders – from lives while they popped out babies Donald Trump in the US to ‘authoritarian’ regimes in India – are and tended to home and hearth. pulling a fast one on the common people, who will end up trading Then, as it is now, there were cer- liberty for fictional ‘greatness’ if they aren’t careful. Brr. tain restrictions that bound wom- “There is no dearth en (and, to be fair, men as well) but resourceful women seldom let that of strong women Maidless in Mumbai sort of thing get in the way of pur- Payal Kapadia (Bloomsbury, Rs 299) suing their ambitions. characters in the old Written by a former journalist, this is the diary of a Mumbai Women were always active play- texts, contrary to what mom who wants only one thing: a perfect maid. But, of course, ers, unafraid of wielding power and that is the stuff of fairy tales. Kapadia’s novel comes in a context taking up challenging roles that misguided folks think when a housing complex in Noida saw an ‘uprising’ by a com- played a crucial part in shaping the munity of domestic helpers for alleged abuse, and a rise in crime present world we have inherited. nowadays” by hired help. For sure, India is on the cusp of social change, and We would do well in this day and this class of people will soon cease to exist, at least on the old age to take a leaf out of their scrolls, What are your other passions in life, terms. The book’s protagonist may yet have more agony in store. quit it with the endless whining and besides writing? complaining, so that we can all just The most important thing in my get on with it, life aside from writing is my fam- A Horse Walks Into a Bar What’s the role of humour in Indian ily. Hubby is my muse and my two David Grossman (Penguin Random House, Rs 499) mythology? little girls are amazing! I learn so Grossman’s latest novel – ably translated by Jessica Cohen – is Humour is a big part of mythology much from them about living life about a standup comedian, but don’t expect to roll about in and it is needed to make the harsh with grace, generosity of spirit and laughter. The book immerses you in modern Israeli society, drags truths contained within the stories heavy helpings of toilet humour. you through a child’s experience of loss in a land where even a lot more palatable. Yoga, reading, coffee, classical children are groomed to fight, and leaves you emotionally bereft In my opinion at least, it is not dance and yummy desserts are my at the vacuum in urban lives. To ease your pain, there are a few love but laughter which truly makes other passions, though not neces- good Jew jokes thrown in. This is masterful story-telling by a the world go round. sarily in that order.  writer with deep insight into human psychology.

AUGUST 2017 AUGUST 2017 66 | SCREENSHOT want more? VISIT The Travelling Bookworm Sunita Pandey, 52, Lucknow

spent most of my youth in Lucknow in a family of voracious Ireaders. Doing well in exams meant five second-hand books or one new one. Dad was deeply disappointed when I refused the offer of Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex as a 13th birthday present. At 18, I loved it. The one constant in my life as wife to a forest officer and mom to two children, as we moved from place to place, was books. In Ramnagar, it was crumbling tomes in forest rest-houses. In Moradabad, it was AH Wheelers at the rail- way station. In Agra, I remember Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy the most; spending Rs 500 on it was a big decision. Brought Hardoi was a book desert; the few officers who were fond to you by of reading kept a hawk’s eye on who was buying what from outstation trips and then borrowed shamelessly. Dehradun, in contrast, was an oasis. We went book shop- ping at the end of every exam. The happiest memory of a three-month stay in Bangor in Wales is of the free library. Eight books at a time. Pure bliss. I am back in Lucknow. From the first bookIn Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri, I’ve been hooked to Kindle. Reading Banaras by Diana L. Eck, a gift, in paperback is almost odd.  Read the digital magazine on www.eShe.in Follow @esheworld AUGUST 2017 ROHINI DEZINES @rohinidezines