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 29 27 22 19 12 54 50 38 36 The personal life of 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 Seven recipes from thesevensisterstates Feast from theNortheast These tipswillsaveyoutimeandmoney! New-Gen Way to Shop P The Fashion Ethic Shikha P Her Cupof Tea opular moving story of love, movingstoryof fear, loss andgrief Ahmedabad designer Jigna Shah uri andherboutique Teacupsfull Aditya Kripalani CONTENTS | 3 4 | CONTRIBUTORS contributors

Ritu Goyal Harish was a freelance journalist for 17 years and is currently reinventing herself as a travelpreneur with her Pune-based travel company Ease India Travel. 08

Shillpi A Singh is a freelance journalist who loves to write about cinema, theatre, fashion, lifestyle, wellness, food, travel, books, anything that tickles her grey matter. 16

Smriti Sawhney Joshi is one of the first certified telemental health providers in India. She’s a clinical psychologist with 15+ years of experience in mental health. 34

Anupam Dabral is a Delhi-based writer on a mission to capture different aspects of fashion and to understand the creative energies that transform a label into a brand. 40

Editor: Aekta Kapoor All rights reserved throughout the world. Delhi 110057. Phone: +91 9818166621. 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 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.

AUGUST 2017 EDITOR’S NOTE | 5

a fine balance

s a work-from-home mom, I can barely recall moments when I have ‘nothing to do’. At any given time, my mind whizzes with thoughts of work, meetings, house- Ahold needs, family demands, husband’s travel sched- ule, my community commitments, and the general need to ‘be there’ for everyone and everything. So it does not surprise me that most of the wom- en I interact with in the course of compiling my magazine share similar narratives – of balancing family and career, and of making difficult deci- sions. Revathy Ashok, for instance, who was India’s first woman CFO of a NASDAQ-listed firm and a mother of two, had to give up her job at the peak when her dad’s health began deteriorating rapidly (p.29). Our cover girl this month Jennifer Winget learnt to balance her personal and professional life. 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). But perhaps there is a reason we are given these challenges. Gayatri Jayaraman wrote a book after her travails as a part of India’s poor-rich educated middle class led to deep insight into urban soci- ety (p.32). Advertising honcho Shikha Puri started her own boutique tea company after the demands of motherhood forced her to quit her hectic job (p.36). I started eShe. Perhaps, as they say, the obstacle is the path.

[email protected]

AUGUST 2017 6 | NEWS AROUND THE WORLD A spotlight on women in the news and news of interest to women Compiled by Argha Kashyap

SHe-BOX In a proactive move by the Women and Children Development Ministry, women working in the central government can now file complaints against sexual harassment at their workplace through the new SHe-box (Sexual Harassment electronic) online portal. According to Union minister Maneka Gandhi, public-sector employees will soon be able to avail of the facility as well. The WCD says this is an effort towards “effective implementation” of the Sexual Harassment of Women Act 2013. The idea is to find a solution in such cases before they escalate to legal action. Soon, a national survey will also be conducted to understand the nature and magnitude of harassment at the workplace.

All Eyes on Taapsee Pannu This is definitely Taapsee Pannu’s year. After the success of her film Pink, co-starring Amitabh Bachchan, she was named Woman of the Year at IIFA 2017 last month. The 2016 film, which highlighted the problems faced by independent single women, was directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury. Taapsee did full justice to the role despite the controversial social issue. Taapsee got her first breakthrough after signing up for Channel V’s Get Gorgeous Pageant, after which acting offers began pouring in. She was recently seen at a store launch in Gurgaon. 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 Adop , we believe any step towards inclusivity is welcome, and we hope eShe, webelieve any steptowards inclusivity iswelcome,andwehope 2017 tion b 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 adventure | 9 ning, would lash the city (Kochi), rential rain a little after midnight. night and day. This was the kind of I was about nine. The car broke rain that uprooted trees and caused down in the middle of the highway power outages for days! and its electrical circuitry gave way. My fondest memory of that time It was raining so heavily my father is going up to the terrace with pa- couldn’t get out of the car. Later, per boats my mother would help us we were rescued by a lorry driv- make, and sailing them in a puddle, er who recognised the registration sitting on our haunches, protect- number of the car (my father con- ed by an umbrella. I also harbour a ducted business with the owners) deep love for road trips – a legacy and towed us to Kollam, the nearest from my father, who’d pack us all town. in his Fiat Padmini and drive across As a kid, I didn’t know (and nei- Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. ther did my parents) that all these Most of these trips were impromp- experiences were having an im- tu – my siblings pact on me and and I would re- “It was raining so that as an adult, I turn from school would seek sim- and find our bags heavily we couldn’t ilar experiences. packed and the car So two years ago, ready, to go away get out of the car. when I decided to for the weekend. We were rescued by drive from Pune We had numer- to Kasaragod in ous adventures a lorry driver later” Kerala, no one was on our trips– our surprised. car would break down or we’d lose To me, there was no better way to our way. This was in the late 1970s combine my love for the road and and early ‘80s, a time before paper the rains than on a trip chasing the maps were popular and no one had monsoon! I longed for the heav- imagined Google Maps. All my fa- ens-coming-down kind of down- ther had for directions were vague pours, and had also heard a great recollections of routes from friends deal about the highway from Goa and instructions from drivers he to Kerala and that it traversed along spoke to. the Konkan coastline. Once on the road, we ate at shan- I set off from Pune one rainy ties and never had any confirmed evening in a borrowed Mahindra reservations at hotels, because we XUV 500. The route I followed never knew where we’d stay. The was Pune-Belgaum-Goa-Gokar- most vivid memory of one such na-Udupi-Kasaragod-Mangalu- drive is when we got stuck in tor- ru-Yellapur-Belgaum-Pune: 1700

AUGUST 2017 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- 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 gia. I intendtochasethemonsoon ofthetrip,For mostpart I And, togoagain. I’mraring  AUGUST 2017

Photo: Mike Kotsch on Unsplash SCREENSHOT | 11 Art in Silence Mona Singh, 40, Delhi

was born deaf at a time when there was very little support Iavailable to the deaf in India. I joined a school for the deaf run by an ENT specialist where the emphasis was on vocal- ising, not sign language. At 13, I learnt painting from artist Vasundhara Tewari. Then my father, an officer in RBI, was transferred to Mumbai. I studied art at B.D. Somani Institute of Art and Fashion Technology, and won several awards, including Student of the Year. I also got a diploma in com- puter art and multimedia. We returned to Delhi after dad retired. I held several art exhibitions, group and solo, and make a little money by selling paintings. I am now honing my skills under artist Rajesh K Sharma. My mother and her sister passed away three years ago, and it hasn’t been a good time for me and my dad. Delhi is not a friendly city. I cannot go out without my dad, and no one visits us. There aren’t too many jobs for the differently abled either. I look forward to my painting classes where I can meet other people. It lifts my loneliness a bit. And I like to stay fit. I exercise at home and at the gym, and go for swimming daily. I did 110 laps yesterday at the pool. I miss my mom’s food. She was a fantastic cook.

AUGUST 2017 12 | FACING CHALLENGES

the NIGHT MY HOUSE caught

AFI devastating fire thatR gutted the entireE house taught me invaluable lessons in life and loss By Versha Malhotra

ife has not been easy. I lost She and I lived on the ground floor my husband when I was just of our three-storey house in Vasant 21, and then my father who Vihar. My mother’s nurse Shakun- was my pillar of strength, and tala woke me up and alerted me. I Lthen my younger sister nine years rushed to my mom’s room to see ago, who left her body after many the curtains ablaze, but my septua- years of physical suffering.I have genarian mom was still on her bed, been my family’s sole breadwinner hardly four feet away. She was un- almost all of my adult life, running able to move – at that time, her left a successful business in Delhi. But arm was in a plaster as she had bro- when I look back now – at the age ken a bone in a fall. of 58 – I feel there was a purpose With great difficultly I half- for everything. dragged her to the living room and After my sister’s death, I had just went back to my mother’s room to my mother left, and she too was a see if the fire could be controlled. heart patient. Doctors had advanced But the moment I opened the door, her life by a few years after a heart heavy smoke and heat engulfed the attack by planting a pacemaker. But little lobby, nearly choking me. I she had asthma and her condition ran to the living room with just one was always tenuous. We had to take thought in my head: we had to get extra care. out of the building. One night in May a few years ago, Shakuntala showed amazing pres- just after the clock struck 12, the ence of mind and strength. After curtain in my mom’s room caught giving me the keys to the verandah fire from sparks from theA C wire. in the front of the house, she ran

AUGUST 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

unharmed, minutes before the rial things are replaceable; I could glass panes started blasting. It was only feel complete gratitude that as though an unseen shield had we were all alive, totally unharmed formed for our protection and was and protected. saving us. I ran in bare feet to our I was also blessed to quickly find a neighbours’ homes, asking for an new home on rent within the same inhaler for my mother who was neighbourhood. My mom and I breathless with asthma, and within shifted there, and we furnished the minutes I found one being placed rented flat starting from the very ba- in my hand. sics. In the meantime, we gave our We stood gaz- home to a builder ing at the burning for reconstruction. house. My sis- My mother was ter-in-law stood always a very so- crying, but I re- cial, gregarious member being person, always calm and told her, surrounded by “Look, we are friends and rel- safe. It’s a miracle.” atives, always a The fire brigade giver of love. But reached us only after we shifted after 90 minutes. to the new rent- By then the whole ed apartment, she ground floor was gradually became gutted, we could weaker. Exactly not see any doors six months after or window panes; the fire, she passed Versha and her mother Ramesh Khanna all the furniture away peacefully and fittings had arranging a game turned to ashes. After the fire bri- on the table, which I played with gades left around 4 am, we all went her every night. She just rested her to my uncle’s place for the night. head on the cushion and passed Everything was gone. My mother away in my arms even as I tried to was 74, and her whole life’s collec- revive her. tion of personal goods and house- Now I live alone. hold items was destroyed. We did But life is full. I am part of a Bud- not even have one item of cloth- dhist community that keeps me ing left for the next morning. I told purposeful and on my toes. I have mom to never look back. All mate- my business to handle, and I am

AUGUST 2017 FACING CHALLENGES | 15 trying to raise awareness about fire to move their cars. This wasted pre- safety among my family and friends. cious time in an emergency situa- These are some lessons you can tion. Speak to your neighbours and learn from my experience: ensure that they park their cars in 1. Always keep a fire extinguisher such a way that leaves enough room at home and in the car, and teach for an emergency vehicle to pass everyone at home how to use it. through. 2. Don’t neglect old, fraying wires. 6. Get fire insurance on your home 3. Don’t keep electrical gadgets and keep the documents elsewhere. near flammable objects like curtains. I did have home insurance, but the Also, make sure documents were any fabric-cov- lost in the fire, ered furniture is and the insurance kept at a distance company did not from electrical accept my claim. wall sockets. 7. We also lost 4. Find the num- valuable property ber of the nearest papers, jewellery, fire station and locker keys, iden- keep it handy tity cards, passports 5. The reason the and innumerable fire engine took other documents over 90 minutes that took me over to reach our home two years to sort was because of out. Always keep a bad civic planning backup elsewhere. and avoidable ob- Make sure your Versha believes that loss teaches you to grow 8. stacles. Like most building has a sep- residential lo- arate fire escape. calities, ours too keeps most gates My family on the first floor could closed at night. The fire engine escape only because our stairs were could not locate the one that was outside the main house. open. Make sure the local fire sta- 9. Most of all, develop an attitude tion knows which gate to enter the of gratitude and a healthy detach- locality at night. Secondly, the cars ment for material possessions in life. on the road were parked so badly We can’t take these things with us that the fire engine could not pass when we die. Invest instead in love through, and had to go and ring the and faith. Those are all that matter bells of the homes to get residents in the end. 

AUGUST 2017 16 | JOURNEY 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

Born in Shimla, Vimla Kaul (centre) did her post-graduation from Miranda House in Delhi University and worked as a teacher in Dhanbad before setting up her school Guldasta for underprivileged children

hen Vimla Kaul and her woman in the village praised their husband Hari Mohan efforts but remarked that “instead of Kaul moved to Sari- giving food to children, they should ta Vihar in Delhi after teach them how to earn their live- Wtheir superannuation in 1993, they lihood.” It was a thought-provok- were keen to do something for the ing comment that made the cou- villagers next door. As a part of a ple ponder over ways and means Rotary Club drive, they once went to make a difference in the lives of to Madanpur Khadar village with village children. some biscuits for village kids. A An engineering graduate from

AUGUST 2017 JOURNEY | 17

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 they decided to start a school. The Vihar where around 150 students 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. ed to do something for society in Their neighbours forced the school general and children in particular. out of the colony; undaunted, they “We named it Guldasta because tried to start the school in the local we wanted it to be a bouquet of community centre but were denied underprivileged children’s hopes, permission. They moved Guldasta dreams and aspirations of a brighter to a park inside the housing com- future and better life ahead,” Vimla plex but were asked to vacate the says. They started Guldasta under a area. The couple finally moved the banyan tree at the village chaupal in school to the municipal park and Madanpur Khadar in 1995. ran it from there until an NGO,

AUGUST 2017 18 | JOURNEY

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 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 was a former student of the Kauls someone, unserved and unreached,” and now teaches here. says Vimla, who has authored five Guldasta also runs tailoring class- books and received numerous es, a basic computer course, a beau- awards including CNN IBN Real tician’s course, a henna application Heroes Award 2010 and the Jijabai course and dance classes. The main Women Achievers’ Award 2014. beneficiaries of these vocational The number of girl students is courses are women and girls from more than that of boys, and so the the village who get an opportuni- NGO also sponsors academical- ty to learn new skills and improve ly gifted girls by mentoring them their earnings. For instance, Vimla and funding their education. Vimla’s started training local girls in hen- plans include expanding Guldasta na application in 2010. Since then, across the city and even country. At every year, the girls trained by the 83, she still attends to the school’s NGO organise a camp in the Se- day-to-day activities and takes class- nior Citizens’ Park in Sarita Vihar es. May her tribe increase. 

AUGUST 2017 SENSIBLY SELFISH | 19

What guide books won’t tell you about Zanzibar A visit to an old land like Zanzibar is a feast for the senses and a wondrous opening of the mind. But like other developing countries, there are changes taking place at all levels of society By Kay Newton

have lived in Zanzibar, East Af- tonomous island in Tanzania, has a rica, for over two years, and I growing tourist trade and with it learn something new each day. come issues that are tolerated yet I am often asked for Zanzibari simmer below the surface. When- Iinformation from my peeps; every- ever you go to a new country you one sees my photos on social me- notice cultural differences. Ungu- dia and wants to come on holiday! ja, the main island, is a fascinating But the guide books won’t tell you place and there are many juxtaposi- everything. Zanzibar, a semi-au- tions. Here are some of them.

AUGUST 2017 20 | SENSIBLY SELFISH

Poverty & Wealth or not to give? That is the question. As a tourist staying at a hotel or There are also many charities look- beach lodge, you will see luxu- ing for donations. ry paradise. There are many hotels My recommendation: Pass on some dotted along the coast, from five- piece of knowledge, rather than money. star resorts to backpackers’ hostels. Most of these hotels employ some Beach Boy sex local staff, yet the majority of their Here in Zanzibar, there is a grow- profits do not go back into the local ing trade in beach boy sex, where economy. older foreign women buy the The majority of the island’s pop- services of younger men. It is a so- ulation of 1 million live below the cially taboo subject, just as homo- poverty line, surviving on less than sexuality is. $5 per day, living in basic housing, Beach boys or touts are known in without running water or elec- the local Swahili language as Papasi tricity. Step a few hundred metres (ticks). They are frowned upon but behind the hotel complex and you tolerated by the locals. Many come will see this. (Expect to be accosted from the mainland; some have issues by the local kids begging you for with drug or alcohol abuse. dollars too!) As on the beach, you may find How you deal with this is a diffi- the Papasi at Stone Town ferry port cult and personal dilemma. To give awaiting the arrival of the Mzu-

AUGUST 2017 SENSIBLY SELFISH | 21 nguus (white people). Some have ever service you decide to go for, numerous past girlfriends who send make sure you do not pay in ad- them money regularly. (I am sure vance! Touts are insistent and many these girlfriends don’t know about tourists feel they spoil their holiday, each other!) often being rude to these people Not all white single women of a who at the end of the day are only certain age arriving in Zanzibar are attempting to make a living. looking for sex, and not all beach My recommendation: Smile and say boys want sex, yet that is becoming no politely if you’re not interested. the reputation of the island. With Hepatitis B and HIV prevalent, it Dress code is worth doing your own due dil- Ninety-eight percent of the local igence before arriving on holiday population is Muslim. There is an and getting more than you bar- expected ‘Muslim’ dress code for gained for. foreign visitors in Zanzibar, which many female tourists refuse to take note of. It is not law, yet if you don’t want attention, it is best to follow. Thank goodness it doesn’t include having to wear a burkini on the beach! 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 22 | COVER story THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING JENNIFER 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 COVER story | 23 “I never had to struggle for roles. everything worked out when the timing was right.” Jennifer Winget

AUGUST 2017 24 | COVER story

Jennifer plays a love-obsessed Maya in the popular series Beyhadh on Sony Entertainment Television

later the hugely popular TV ro- hike from Sony last month and cat- mance Dill Mill Gayye. In between apulted Jennifer into the category she appeared in about 20 other se- of the highest paid TV serial actors. rials and reality TV shows, and won She’s also recently been announced a critics’ award by the Indian Televi- the brand ambassador for interna- 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 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 there’s a huge balanced between Basu in a much change in recent career and curriculum, publicised wed- years, and there’s ding. But Jenni- a lot of pres- and my parents fer dealt with the sure to fit into made sure that I was media onslaught the stereotype of grounded in reality.” with poise. “My ‘star kid’. Even father always said,

AUGUST 2017 26 | COVER story

‘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 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 “Everyone faces betrayal, men and others. It makes me want to do 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 cept it as part of the deal, and face end of the day. Her favourite book 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, are good. Bat- though she ad- tles make you mits that, being stronger.” a true Gemini, The chal- she often reads lenges of living two or more in the limelight books at a time. almost 24x7 In an industry have not taken where appear- a toll on Jenni- ances rule, Jen- fer. “This is all I nifer has found know to do,” she it to her advan- shrugs. “There tage to lay her are pros and truth bare, how- cons in every Jennifer posted this picture of her bald look for ever difficult profession and I Beyhadh on social media; it went viral instantly that may have am blessed to do been. There is something I love. I don’t mind hard something refreshing about her work – it’s fun for me. No other earthy personality and peppy spirit. profession has so many perks – you Instead of settling for less, she took get to play so many characters and up challenging roles and has been experience so many fictional lives,” fearless in taking risks. And instead she says, referring to her nuanced of letting divorce embitter her, she lead role in Beyhadh, for which she’s retained her zest for life and a sense had to don an unconventional ap- of gratitude for her blessings. pearance of late. She first shared her Jennifer’s huge popularity stands new bald look on social media in testament to the importance of be- mid-July, and it went viral as fans ing ‘genuine’. Easy lies the head that and media speculated whether it is unafraid to go bald. 

AUGUST 2017 LIFE PARTNERS | 27 THE WIND BENEATH HIS WINGS Being the woman behind a creative hotshot is a role that takes faith, sacrifice and oodles of love. But it’s a rewarding one too By Sweta Chhabria

finally got married in 2008. Life with a man like Aditya Kri- palani has been eventful to put it mildly. Though I was always a fan of Bollywood – well, it is hard to be immune if you live in Mumbai – Aditya helped me to appreciate dif- ferent forms of art and to really look beyond the glamour of cinema. We visited museums and attended mu- sic concerts. He opened my mind. Soon after we got married, Aditya wrote a book called Back Seat and decided to self-publish it. I remem- ber standing at Bandstand and Car- ter Road, approaching people out- side restaurants, requesting them to buy the book. We sold almost one thousand copies that way! It was ditya and I met in college later picked up by a publisher, and when we were just 17. We we had no trouble finding a distrib- were moving in opposite utor for his second book. directions when it came Around 2011, we moved to Sin- Ato our careers: I wanted to pursue gapore, where I got a job as an in- the corporate world. He was high- vestment banker, but Aditya contin- ly creative. And yet we were drawn ued on his wacky creative journey. together. I did my MBA and joined He became a singer and music the banking sector, and we dat- composer, and made several videos. ed for eight memorable years. We He also worked as script consultant,

AUGUST 2017 28 | LIFE PARTNERS

Sweta helped promote Aditya’s books and even set up a crowdfunding programme in Singapore to turn his third book Tikli and Laxmi Bomb into a film

screenplay writer or assistant direc- spected is that Aditya viewed these tor in six movies. Two years ago, he women through the lens of empa- wrote an album of songs that he de- thy not sexuality. I decided to help cided to release to the general pub- him turn it into a film. I launched lic instead of the usual route. He a crowd-funding campaign in Sin- would sit in local Mumbai trains at gapore, sent out emails requesting a certain hour every day, and sing people to donate funds, and hosted his songs, strumming his guitar. an event. I also helped him co-pro- I visited Mumbai and travelled duce the film, handling all aspects of along with him on the train to see film budgeting and finances, while what exactly he was up to. And I continuing with my full-time job, was blown away by the reception I travelling back and forth for two received. The older men referred to years from Singapore. It’s due for me as ‘bahu’, others gifted me choc- release by the end of this year. olates. They talked to me very fond- I feel happy that I have been a ly, and seemed to enjoy every song true partner for Aditya in all his en- of his. It was quite mind-blowing. deavours – my fixed salary and cor- Then he wrote his third book porate thinking have given him the Tikli and Laxmi Bomb. It’s about wings to follow his dreams, and my two sex-workers who decide to hands-on work has helped him ex- take their business into their own ecute his projects. We have balanced hands, and do away with predato- each other out, emotionally and ry pimps. Together they spark off a professionally, and have enriched mini revolution to set up a system each other’s lives in the process. for women, run by women. I was That’s the thing about marriage: if moved by the book. What I re- one of us wins, both of us win. 

AUGUST 2017 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 has been something of a achievers in business in South India. habit for Revathy Ashok. At From infrastructure and real estate, 34, she became the CFO of electronics and manufacturing, to Ra multinational leader in electron- software and private equity, she has ics, got elevated to the board soon seen it all. She’s on the board of var- after, then moved on to a leading ious listed Indian and multinational IT services company as the Group companies, and has invested in 15 CFO, and then as CFO of a NAS- startups. Her experience in global DAQ-listed IT major, becoming finance, strategy and joint ventures the first Indian woman to reach that helped her successfully negotiate position. She was voted one of the funding rounds of millions of dol- 10 most powerful women in the In- lars, besides investing hundreds of dian IT industry and was nominat- millions through the private-equity fund she was associated with. Revathy Ashok And it all began in a small mofus- sil town called Sindri. Born in an educated middle-class South Indian family, Revathy was brought up with two younger sib- lings in this little industrial town- ship, now in Jharkhand, where her father worked in the public sector. “It was a humble childhood, but we got the best education even then,” says Revathy. Sindri saw a burst of activity after it became a hub for India’s early industrial investment. Though Revathy and her peers were cocooned in a convent school,

AUGUST 2017 30 | CAREER

the world outside was harsh. Ma- and my parents and in-laws played a fia murders and kidnappings were big role in being there for my chil- all par for the course outside their dren,” she says. sheltered townships. She believes that the government Revathy left home at the age of has had a long tradition of hiring 16 for Bangalore, graduating in sci- women based on merit. The coun- ence from Mount Carmel College, try has seen several top notch lady and an MBA from IIM Bangalore officers in the administrative ser- with a gold medal. “It was a big vices, foreign services and banking, change from a small town to a big all belonging to the pre-diversity city. My father sent me a princely era. The trend caught on with the sum of Rs 150 per month for all my private sector much later. “I was the expenses. The experience taught only lady executive at my first job at me to be a fighter,” she reminisces. Sony’s JV in India, and at my next She married her classmate from job at Dodsal,” she says. As part of IIM and, at 23, was the mother of her work, she travelled and partic- a baby girl. But that didn’t come in ipated in the Durgapur and Ro- the way of her career plans. “It truly urkela steel-plant modernization takes a village to bring up a child projects and Narmada Valley proj- o: P ixabay t P ho

AUGUST 2017 CAREER | 31

ect in the late 1980s. Then she got thereafter. “Quitting my job at that an opportunity to go to Iraq for a point was probably the hardest but project in Tikrit, the birthplace of the best decision I ever made in my Saddam Hussein. She didn’t think 37-year career,” says Revathy. twice before signing up “Yes, it was After her dual loss, Revathy im- a male-dominated industry. We had mersed herself at work and for the to stay in caravans in the desert, and, next four years, she ran a private eq- yes, I had a young daughter back uity fund and since then has been home. But I was always perceived as an angel investor investing in early an equal,” avers Revathy. stage technology startups. She also Now things are different, she runs B.PAC, a political incubator concedes. “24x7 connectivity has that trains aspiring councilors and blurred the lines between fami- leaders in governance, women’s ly time and work; it has made job roles more complex. My family has “it was a male- been a pillar of strength for me,” she says, “but even so, sometimes, dominated industry. We there are tough decisions to make.” had to stay in caravans 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 six months later and her mother should be a piece of cake. too passed away just a few months By AK

AUGUST 2017 32 | EXCERPT THE POOR RICH URBAN INDIA A new book Who Me, Poor? by veteran journalist Gayatri Jayaraman is a fascinating exploration of the socio-economic compulsions that keep urban educated populations mired in poverty even after landing plum jobs in big cities. In this excerpt, Jayaraman shares her personal experience

n the summer of 2000, I joined a fashion magazine as the chief of the Hyderabad bureau. When a decomposing marriage brought Ime back to Mumbai, I transferred to the Mumbai office and was now working at a Hyderabad remuner- ation in a much more expensive city. My salary before taxes was Rs 10,000. The editor, then a monopolist in the trade, would induct me into her three quarters of my monthly sal- entourage while she did the rounds ary. In the days of Shopper’s Stop of major fashion designers’ stores. At mix-and-match kurtas being the Ritu Kumar’s at the Oberoi shop- only upgrade you hit after Fashion ping centre, she would point to a Street, this was quite the monetary small shelf in the corner and breez- leap in terms of apparel. ily suggest I pick out one from the The conversation would quickly discount section. Even with a 40 go from “it’s lovely, but it’s not for per cent discount, the Ritu Kumar me” to “I can’t quite afford it” and pant suit—a fashionable orange and landslide into “I’ll pay for it, you green outfit with a matching silk pay me when you have the money” scarf was ill-suited to a 26-year-old behind forced plastic smiles. When mother with financial and marriage your boss in your first or second pressures and commuting by lo- job piles the pressure on like that, cal train from Thane. An ensemble whether you have the money or that cost Rs 4,000 was more than not and whether your husband is

AUGUST 2017 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 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 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- shop accelerating my need for bet- imum amount due mounted, and I ter pay. My next job gave me a 150 scrimped on the oil and wheat, so 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 had already been healthy disrespect done. Several items for insidious ways I would never need “My limited gold in which peo- again, from clothes ple in positions and jewellery to stash was long of power induct expensive lunch- sold, but thank you consciously or es, taken to fit in thoughtlessly into to a field where God there were their own financial earning a salary agendas and spend- seemed incidental two Ritu Kumars in ing patterns. It also to most thriving the suitcase I was taught me that in it, were already what you assume on my credit card living out of” to be just a matter and had dent- of stretching your ed any potential savings. By this income to meet your ends—most time, I had moved out on my own, young people who find themselves which also meant taking a personal severely in debt will tell you they loan to put down a deposit, which started out assuming it was ‘a phase’ meant an Equated Monthly Install- that would end once their income ment (EMI) equal to rent, childcare, rose as it inevitably would—doesn’t a new office inA ndheri, which quite even itself out as salaries rise. meant commute costs, sometimes The more income rises, the higher exacerbated by the need to rush the expenses to earn it become. A back home through Saki Naka traf- financial backlog, much like a few fic before the crèche closed, besides grams of chocolate that miracu- utility bills and groceries. lously become kilograms of love The rolled over credit card bills handles, stretches itself out.  were denting me. I had no furniture Excerpted with permission from but two mattresses on the ground, a Bloomsbury

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 P 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 atna toDelhi. Ihavetwokids. My 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 seekingdivorce – financial There’s also alot to be 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

Her Cup of Tea India is ready to make and drink its own best-quality teas, thought Shikha Puri, who set out to do just that hikha Puri is a bit obsessed The question is what drove Shi- with tea. “Mist is good. Alti- kha to give up her high-flying cor- tude is important,” she says, porate job at J Walter Thompson – seated at the DLF Club in where she handled the advertising SGurgaon where we are the only two portfolios for clients such as Air- guests this summer afternoon. Over tel, Microsoft and the World Bank tea (but naturally), she explains how – and jump into entrepreneurship the first flush of the plants yields the two years ago. She had three major longest leaves, and though India has impetuses. The first was the wealth a treasure trove of tea plantations, of knowledge about tea production the best leaves are exported because in her husband’s family. Her father- they can sell at a very high premi- in-law NK Puri is considered one um in the First World. “But why of India’s leading tea experts and shouldn’t Indians enjoy the best of had worked on the largest planta- their own teas?” she asks. tions all his life before retiring a few Why, indeed. years earlier. Shikha’s husband was

AUGUST 2017 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 the best Indian teas pouch inside an to Indian homes air-tight tin), why at last. And so, in she sources from 2015, Teacupsfull the Halmari gar- was born. den in Assam (they “You’ll be sur- have the best CTC prised how many food or beverage – crush, tear and curl – tea in the businesses don’t have the required world), and adds spices from Kerala certification in India,” says Shikha. to make a blend (it’s plain delicious). Her company is registered with the We head to her tea store in Gur- Tea Board of India, and is licensed gaon. “Here, smell this,” she says, of- to export. She tied up with FedEx fering me a glass jar of jasmine tea. I for logistics after learning of their am impressed with its aroma so she special schemes for startups such as calls for boiled water and offers me hers. Her firm developed a range of a cup. It’s pretty good. And then I teas – green, white, black, oolong look up to see Shikha’s face as she – and a variety of flavours – tulsi, sniffs it like a connoisseur holding a masala, cinnamon. They designed glass of wine. She sips, satisfied.I t’s attractive packaging and began of- the face of a job well done.  fering corporate gifting and festive By AK

AUGUST 2017 38 | entrepreneur THE FASHION ETHIC Being a fashion entrepreneur comes with a lifetime of learning, and no matter what your personal situation is, the work must go on By Jigna Shah

y chartered accountant My mom wasn’t happy about it. father was very particu- But after that there was no stop- lar about academic ex- ping me. I started my own label cellence. He pushed me Revé Fashions, participated in trade Minto doing my Master’s in com- shows, held exhibitions, and was in- merce and taking up a position vited to panels at Lakme Fashion teaching economics in Ahmedabad. Week. I set up a store on the ground But after he passed away, I didn’t see floor ofT he Pride Hotel in a tony any reason to continue in a profes- part of Ahmedabad, and was the sion I wasn’t fit for. My heart was in first place Bollywood stars shopped fashion design, so I left my steady from when they came to town for job without telling anyone, and movie launches. I am patronised joined NIFT to study textile design. by all the industrialists’ wives here.

AUGUST 2017 entrepreneur | 39

I was covered widely by the media and several online voting polls have Over the years, this is what I’ve declared me the most popular fash- learnt about life and business: ion designer in Gujarat. The hotel brought me foreign customers and Daydream with abandon: Nurture airlines staff, so I branched out into those dreams and allow yourself to 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 bai, so I moved here. He taught store to buy clothes for their wives me to think big and to go global. back home. These men are easy to We started promoting ‘ahimsa’ silk dupe because they have no idea of (non-violent silk) and are opening Indian sizes or prices. But my entire a store in Ahmedabad for VIP cus- team sticks to professional values, tomers. I am also working on an or- and these customers send us more ganic wellness range. clients later because they trust us. I’m in my mid-40s now and we Short-term gain based on a lie is a married too late to have kids. In- long-term loss. stead, we are focused on helping All work is your own work: No work less privileged sections of society by is too small for a businessperson. It teaching skills, generating employ- is a habit, not a job for me.  ment, and helping them grow.

AUGUST 2017 40 | FASHION 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’ with her beautiful saris and love for philosophy. Her great-grandpar- Indian crafts, can be credited for in- ents were freedom fighters, and her troducing Karishma Shahani Khan great-grandfather had only donned to different textiles as a child. handspun khadi throughout his life. “Fashion was never a part of the Karishma’s grandmother, who was plan” says Karishma, adding, “I am a poet and an author, fed her some not a fashion designer per se; I am rich familial history through her an artist who creates clothes.” Today writings. her understanding of fashion as an Today, the 30-year-old moth- art form manifests in her creations. er of one takes pride in her roots Unapologetic use of bright colours, and returns to them again and again dupattas with pom-poms, and en- in her moodboards. “While a stu- sembles that tell a tale of India’s dent of design at London College rich craft heritage have become of Fashion, I realised how much I her signature. This year, Karishma missed India and its eclectic design

AUGUST 2017 FASHION | 41

elements,” she says. As an intern “Our aim is to create responsible in London, she would fly to India fashion,” informs the Pune-based to work with a craft-based organ- designer. Her sub-brand ‘Heart to isation in Kutch. There, she met a Haat’ is an extension of the cause. number of weavers and dyers, and With 100 percent upcycling be- noticed the self-sufficiency and sus- ing at the core, she makes sure that tainable nature of their business. She nothing goes waste in the produc- also observed details such as tarpau- tion process. lin-covered slums and street-dwell- Her beautiful cotton separates, ers wearing layers of clothes, which comfortable multiple paneled trou- prompted her to create pieces that sers and slouchy shirts might repre- not only represented India but sent a modern facet of her thinking, made a social statement too. Keep- but in reality, she is a true daughter ing reversibility, multiple layering of the soil, who believes in giving and sustainable fashion in focus, she back to nature and her tradition, launched her label Ka-Sha in 2011. and retaining its glory. 

AUGUST 2017 42 | FASHION

Karishma Shahani Khan’s knack for colour, commitment to sustainability and love for everything Indian is rooted in her childhood.

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 | PERSONAL goes tothecraftsmen. entire remuneration middlemen, sothatthe NGOseliminating of directly from anumber collections isbought The fabric for K 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

Waste is reinvented as patchwork jackets, material for embroidery and even footwear.

AUGUST 2017 FASHION | 47

In all her collections, be it ‘Yatra’, ‘Khoj’ or ‘Chauraha’, Karishma has positioned India as a focal point.

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

AUGUST 2017 48 | FASHION NEWS YOUR AUGUST STYLE UPDATE Anupam Dabral compiles the latest from the world of fashion

Deepika for Tanishq Tanishq has launched a range called ‘Jewels of Royalty’ with the international face of Bolly- wood, Deepika Padukone as its brand ambassador. The campaign was styled by celebrity stylist Shaleena Naithani. The exclusive collection offers a range of dan- glers, necklaces and rings set in diamonds and open polki.

Anita Dongre takes Grassroot to New York Arguably India’s most successful de- signer, Anita Dongre has become the first Indian designer to open her flagship store in New York City. Anita’s youngest label Grassroot finds inspiration in its glocal ap- proach and now has a new address in the heart of New York’s Soho district. The store was designed by architect Shonan Trehan. Rutu Neeva’s new collection Designers Rutu Shah and Neeva Sheth of the label Rutu Neeva recently launched their Fall 2017 collection. The line is replete with androgynous silhouettes and sharp detailed lines. From dresses to 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.

Springfield now in India Spanish high-street brand Springfield is now in India. The first store was unveiled byT ablez India, a part of LuLu Group In- ternational, at Phoenix Market- City in Bangalore last month, and will soon be available in six other cities. Springfield belongs to Grupo Cortefiel, and offers 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 knit tops for women. You’ll love their use of colour.

Neeta Lulla launches N BRIDE Adding a new dimension to her bridal wear, vet- eran Mumbai-based designer Neeta Lulla recently launched N Bride, an affordable line of bridal pieces meant for the millennials. Sticking to her signature intricate embroideries, a rich colour palette with hints of fusion silhouettes, you’ll find pieces priced between Rs 30,000 to Rs 1 lakh at stores such as Aza, Ensemble and Angasutra to name a few.

AUGUST 2017 50 | SHOPPING The New-Gen Way to Shop Fashion Changes in urban lifestyle call for changes in shopping patterns. Adopt these tips and get with it. By Zarine Bajaj

Zarine Bajaj is the founder of Findow fashion app

AUGUST 2017 SHOPPING | 51

worked in the media industry PRE-SHOP 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 Iming. But my interest in style and note of what interests you, and read 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 Gupta, heading his PR and market- items to be well-made, appropriate- ing. Surrounded by designers and ly sized, and so on. But be flexible 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- stick to your budget, and stops you ning on the hanger but just doesn’t from buying things you don’t really look right on your frame and some- need – even if they scream ‘sale’. times it’s the other way around. It’s

AUGUST 2017 52 | SHOPPING

Above: The new women’secret store that has been launched at Phonix MarketCity Mall, Bangalore also important to try on a variety of shop BACKWARDS silhouettes (midi skirts, high-waist- Always choose your wedding outfit ed trousers, boxy tees, crop tops, first, then move to the other func- shift dresses) to know which styles tions. Say you find a brilliant outfit work best for you. This will help for the sangeet in fuchsia pink. But later when you shop online too. then you find a perfect wedding outfit in the same colour, and you USE FINDOW TO SAVE TIME can’t buy it! Once the outfits are My app Findow helps you discover sorted, go for the accessories, shoes, fashion nearby and across the coun- jewellery, makeup, and so on. try. You can not only locate and identify styles, stores and designers DON’T BRING AN ENTOURAGE but also create your personal style Opinions are usually all over the diaries, review labels, and search for place, and can overwhelm you. Just trend-setting products by leading pick one or two key persons to go designers and stylists. You can also with you. By keeping your support browse categories such as “popular” system small, you will get the most or “bridal” and like, share or com- honest opinions because these peo- ment on your favourite snaps. ple know you best. 

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

was born in Bombay and we moved to Delhi when I was Ireally young. Though I studied to become a bean count- er, since childhood I had secretly nurtured a dream of be- coming a writer. Over the years I’ve observed that however much you try and scupper your dreams, they have a way of wriggling their way into reality. I did become an editor; I travelled the world and explored my creativity as a food stylist, a photographer, and then, a stationery designer. My first brush with sustainability came when I created my own line of India-inspired stationery, Chamku, created from recycled paper – wacky, eco-friendly, and very Indian. At the same time, as the editor of a luxury magazine, I ex- plored how premium brands were consciously embracing sustainability. How we live is deeply entwined with our and our children’s future. I finally took a plunge to startbeejliving.com , a curated platform for slow living in India. With workshops, content and a lot of information planned, I hope to make an impact, however small, by helping people lead fuller lives. Life is short. We owe it to ourselves to make it rich and meaningful.

AUGUST 2017 54 | FOOD FEAST FROM the NORTHEAST Savour India’s rich gastronomical heritage with these seven simple, rooted-in-tradition recipes from the seven northeastern states of India By Purabi Shridhar and Sanghita Singh

pen an atlas and trace out the shape of North East In- dia – it’s like a graceful bird caught in a dance step. Sure, some North Easterners will tell you that the bird is in their stomach and was very tasty too, thank you! Look Oagain, and there are the seven sisters, each with a distinct identity, terrain, communities, languages and dialects, and an amazing and unusual food history and heritage. Look again and there is a com- mon link – that of simple humanity. Look again, this time into the kitchens. They speak an easy-to-understand language – rejoice in the bounty that na- ture has given you in the land, air and water, and celebrate. For those far away from their kitchens, sometimes the urge to get just a whiff of familiar aromas, a taste of distinct flavours, can lead to a gnawing ache within. For how can the senses forget the tart-sweetness of the small taut orange from a family garden, or the description-defying rich taste of Doh Khleh of Meghalaya, the intoxicating whiff of axonhe from a home in Kohima, the melt-in-the mouth deliciousness of Sungat Diya Misa Maas or the peppiness of Khangkhrai Arw Bilahi Megong from a home in Assam, the unpretentiousness of a Bai from Aizawl, the appetizing Iromba from Imphal, the simple but rocking Godok from Tripura and the redolent Paa Chauu from Arunachal Pradesh – simple, rooted-in-tradition dishes that uplift the body and mind. Our book THE SEVEN SISTERS: Kitchen Tales From The North East (Westland) is a from-the-heart effort to put together recipes straight from the kitchens of family and friends in the North East and of North Easterners living elsewhere. Come, walk with us on our culinary journey.

AUGUST 2017 Photos: Miz 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 oram: Bai 2017

PERSONAL GROWTH food | 55 56 | PERSONAL GROWTH

Nagaland: Kalhang Pork

Ingredients (4-5 servings): to cook on low heat. Keep adding the 1 kg pork rest of the chilli powder gradually and 5 tsp red chilli powder let the pork cook. Toss the meat gently 1 cup water by holding the sides of the wok and 3 dried red chillies (preferably Naga shaking it. This is essential to prevent Raja Mirchi) the pork pieces from sticking to the Salt to taste wok bottom. 5. Do not stir. Sprinkle in the salt. Instructions: 6. When the meat is nearly tender, 1. Wash the pork and cut into medium- roast the red chillies on a dry tava or sized pieces. griddle and crush them to make a 2. Put a large wok on low heat and coarse powder. Sprinkle the crushed add the pork pieces. powder over the pork pieces and 3. Add 2 tsp of chilli powder and let let the meat cook for a few minutes the meat cook till its juices dry up. longer, till tender. 4. Add 1 cup of water and continue 7. Serve hot with steamed rice. 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

ASSAM: Sariyah Diya Masor Tenga Fish Curry with Mustard (2-3 servings) non-stick frying pan and fry the fish for Ingredients: about 2-3 minutes on each side, taking care not to break the pieces. Remove 500 gm freshwater fish (rohu or rawas), from the pan and set aside. cut into medium-sized pieces 3. Put a kadhai on moderate heat and 1 tsp turmeric powder add 1 tbsp of mustard oil. When the 2 tbsp mustard oil for frying the fish + oil is smoking hot, add the mustard 1 tbsp for the curry seeds. ½ tsp mustard seeds 4. When the seeds start spluttering, 6 ripe tomatoes, finely chopped stir in the finely chopped tomatoes 1 medium-sized potato, boiled, and mashed potato. mashed 5. Add the remaining turmeric powder 1 tbsp mustard seeds, ground to a and salt, stirring continuously. Fry the paste mixture for about 10 minutes or till it 1 tbsp sugar begins to dry up. Juice of 1 lemon 6. Pour in 2 cups of water, stir once 2 green chillies, slit at the tip and bring to a boil. Gently add the 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, chopped fried fish pieces. Mix the mustard Salt to taste paste with the sugar and add it to the curry. Instructions: 7. Sprinkle in the lemon juice, stir 1. Wash the fish and pat dry. Marinate and let it boil for about 30 seconds. it with a pinch of salt and a pinch of Remove from heat and mix in the turmeric powder for about 10 minutes. green chillies and coriander leaves. 2. Heat 2 tbsp of mustard oil in a Serve hot with steamed rice. AUGUST 2017 Food | 59

MANIPUR: Nga Taoba Thongba

Fried Fish Curry (4-5 servings) 2. Heat some mustard oil in a frying Ingredients: pan and lightly fry the fish pieces on both sides. Drain and set aside. 1 kg fish (rohu) 3. Pour 4 tbsp of mustard oil into Mustard oil – for frying another pan and heat till it smokes. A pinch of asafoetida powder 4. Add the asafoetida powder, bay 2 bay leaves leaves and fenugreek seeds. Add the A pinch of fenugreek seeds chives, onions, garam masala powder 100 gm maroi nakuppi (Chinese or (optional), ginger, garlic and turmeric garlic chives), chopped powder and fry on moderate heat, till 2 onions, finely sliced fragrant. 1 tsp garam masala powder 5. Mix in the tomatoes and cook for a ½ tsp ginger, coarsely crushed few seconds. ½ tsp garlic, coarsely crushed 6. Stir in the pepper-cumin powder ½ tsp turmeric powder and cook till fragrant. 2 tomatoes, diced in cubes 7. Add the green peas, potatoes and 1 tsp black peppercorn and cumin salt. Simmer on low-moderate heat, till seeds, ground the tomatoes are slightly tender and 1 cup shelled green peas the potatoes are nearly cooked. 2 potatoes, cut into small cubes Pour in three cups of water and Salt to taste 8. 25 gm fresh coriander leaves, finely bring to a boil. Gently immerse the fish chopped (optional, for garnishing) pieces into the curry and cook for 6-7 minutes. Instructions: 9. Garnish with coriander leaves 1. Clean the fish, wash and cut it into just before serving. Serve hot with medium-sized pieces. steamed rice. 60 | food 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) Arunachal

pradesh:HO T 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 mushroo The chicken should have a fiery red The chickenshould haveafiery red Next, addthebeans,mushrooms AUGUST 2017

Photos: MEGHALAYA: Brengna

Chicken Steamed in Bamboo (4-5 servings) 2. Add the onions, ginger and Ingredients: green chillies to the chicken. Mix in the salt. 1 kg chicken (or 4 small chicks) 3. Pour the mustard oil all over the 2 large onions, finely minced mix and knead thoroughly with 2” piece ginger, finely shredded your hand. 5-6 green chillies (preferably aaba 4. Stuff the chicken mix into the chillies from Meghalaya), minced bamboo tube and seal the opening 1 tbsp mustard oil with the dough. Put the bamboo 1 fresh bamboo tube, about 10” tube on a gentle wood or coal fire long, 3” in diameter and roast for about 30 minutes. Wholewheat dough, for sealing Note: If bamboo tubes are not Salt to taste available, make small dumplings Instructions: of the chicken mince and steam 1. Clean the chicken and remove them for about 10-12 minutes in the bones. Cut the flesh into very a steamer, preferably a bamboo small pieces and smash with a fork steamer for an enhanced flavour. to make a coarse mince. Serve hot.  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. BEA By ArghaKashyap intherain. to shineeven your skin’s glow. Here’s how Don’t letthemonsoondampen 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 AUTHOR OF THE MONTH | 63

Anuja Chandramouli

The author of Yama’s Lieutenant and the Stone Witch talks about mythology, women and writing dark fiction eShe: How did the idea for this new onist, Agni Prakash. He somehow book come about? manages to combine the qualities Anuja Chandramouli: Being a hor- of a sweetheart and badass both. ror movie aficionado, a topper in So what draws you to Indian abnormal psychology and one of mythology? those people with a morbid fasci- There is always a sense of discov- nation for all things dark and dis- ery, fresh insights, the feeling that turbing, I wanted to write a book you are catching up with friends that was intense, more than a little you have grown up with and always messed up and wildly entertaining. the possibility of meeting someone After chewing on it for a bit, Yama’s new. It is one hell of a romance. Lieutenant took shape. Even while Mythology and me forever! writing it, I toyed with the idea of developing it into a series, because it was hard to let go of the characters who had become such a big part of my life. My editor thought it was a good idea too and Yama’s Lieu- tenant and the Stone Witch happened. Hopefully, George RR Martin will be inspired by my example and quit his dillydallying when it comes to delivering The Winds of Winter. Which is your favourite character in the new book? That’s a tough one because after a point you grow attached to the lot of them, including the antagonists who have mass murder and de- struction on an apocalyptic scale in mind for the rest of the world. But I guess my favourite is the protag-

AUGUST 2017 64 | AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

What was the portrayal of women like in the old texts? And how would it compare with women’s social standing in India today? There is no dearth of strong wom- en characters in the old texts. Contrary to what misguided folks seem to think nowadays, the la- dies were not shrinking violets who cowered behind yards of fab- ric, allowing their fathers, broth- ers, husbands or sons to run their lives while they popped out babies and tended to home and hearth. Then, as it is now, there were cer- 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 sort of thing get in the way of pur- suing their ambitions. characters in the old Women were always active play- texts, contrary to what ers, unafraid of wielding power and taking up challenging roles that misguided folks think played a crucial part in shaping the present world we have inherited. nowadays” We would do well in this day and age to take a leaf out of their scrolls, What are your other passions in life, 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- What’s the role of humour in Indian ily. Hubby is my muse and my two mythology? little girls are amazing! I learn so Humour is a big part of mythology much from them about living life and it is needed to make the harsh with grace, generosity of spirit and truths contained within the stories heavy helpings of toilet humour. a lot more palatable. Yoga, reading, coffee, classical In my opinion at least, it is not dance and yummy desserts are my love but laughter which truly makes other passions, though not neces- the world go round. sarily in that order. 

AUGUST 2017 BOOKS | 65

On the Bookshelf This is what the editor loved reading this month

On Tyranny Timothy Snyder (Penguin Random House UK, Rs 499) This book is a warning: if we believe what our politicians want us to believe, we’re going to go pretty much the way the world went in the 20th century, when humankind saw its worst wars ever. With anecdotes and lessons from history and philosophy, Amer- ican academic Snyder shows how today’s world leaders – from Donald Trump in the US to ‘authoritarian’ regimes in India – are pulling a fast one on the common people, who will end up trading liberty for fictional ‘greatness’ if they aren’t careful. Brr.

Maidless in Mumbai Payal Kapadia (Bloomsbury, Rs 299) Written by a former journalist, this is the diary of a Mumbai mom who wants only one thing: a perfect maid. But, of course, that is the stuff of fairy tales. Kapadia’s novel comes in a context when a housing complex in Noida saw an ‘uprising’ by a com- munity of domestic helpers for alleged abuse, and a rise in crime by hired help. For sure, India is on the cusp of social change, and this class of people will soon cease to exist, at least on the old terms. The book’s protagonist may yet have more agony in store.

A Horse Walks Into a Bar David Grossman (Penguin Random House, Rs 499) Grossman’s latest novel – ably translated by Jessica Cohen – is about a standup comedian, but don’t expect to roll about in laughter. The book immerses you in modern Israeli society, drags you through a child’s experience of loss in a land where even children are groomed to fight, and leaves you emotionally bereft at the vacuum in urban lives. To ease your pain, there are a few good Jew jokes thrown in. This is masterful story-telling by a writer with deep insight into human psychology.

AUGUST 2017 66 | SCREENSHOT

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. Hardoi was a book desert; the few officers who were fond 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. 

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