September 2017 Vol 1 Issue 3

Sagarika Ghose The award-winning journalist and author on why women need to show up and speak out

AR rahman’s find partition of hearts couture magic Indo-Canadian playback A Lahore-born Indian The most stunning singer Shashaa Tirupati’s recounts her migration looks from India Bollywood journey across the border in 1947 Couture Week 2017 contents

No Mountain High Enough 06 Saachi Soni has conquered daunting peaks

The Song of Life 12 Indo-Canadian singer Shashaa Tirupati

Partition of Hearts 16 Sheela Kapur’s memories of 1947

Her Time in the Sun ON THE COVER: Sagarika Ghose 18 Award-winning journalist Sagarika Ghose PHOTOGRAPHY: Dileep Purackal

Single Mother @ Work 22 Ayesha Dahra shares her experiences

Osama’s Wives 26 The four spouses of Osama bin Laden

Minding the Details 30 Facility management doyenne Ritu Grover

Travelling Light 54 How to be an eco-conscious traveller

A Decade of Couture 36 We present the top looks from The Monsoon Menu India Couture Week 2017. 57 Delectable recipes for rainy days

SEPTEMBER 2017 4 | EDITOR’S NOTE NEWS | 5 AROUND THE WORLD job not wanted A spotlight on women in the news and news of interest to women

ast month I got fed up and quit. Lady justice On a Whatsapp group with my husband and kids, I wrote: “I am tired of being blamed Recent court verdicts have been a mixed bag for the lack of ‘interesting meals’ or issues for women’s rights. In Kerala, a 24-year-old Lwith the house help. It is not a job I signed up for. woman had her marriage annulled when the It is a role I am forced to take on simply because Kerala High Court suspected a case of ‘love I am someone’s mother or wife. Managing the jihad’. The Supreme Court (SC) decided that kitchen is not something I enjoy or am good at, forced sex with a wife above 15 years cannot but I do it because no one else will. From today I be termed rape. And the SC also struck quit.” My message was met with a digital silence down ‘instant talaq’ as unconstitutional. We the size of a black hole. win some, we lose some. Of course, I was back to managing the groceries and coordinating everyone’s tiffins the next day. INDIA UNCOVERED As cover girl Sagarika Ghose (p.18) told me over her interview, “Women work all the time. It’s just An annual survey conducted by sexual wellness that most are not paid for it.” We take up so many website ThatsPersonal.com came up with interesting extra burdens over the course of motherhood and results after studying over 6 million visitors, and over Aekta Kapoor wifehood – or simply womanhood – that when 80,000 orders. Baroda, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram Founder Editor, eShe we’re older, we’re either completely exhausted or boasted more female buyers than male. People aged else driven to ‘antisocial’ behaviour like my friend 25-34 were the maximum repeat users, while those Madlén who left her job in Sweden at 58 and is in the age group 18-24 accounted for the highest currently in a homestay in Bhagsu, Himachal social-media engagement. Now you know why Pradesh, backpacking her way around Asia. #AfterSexSelfies are such a rage nowadays. (For the I’m already inching towards her option. I’ve complete report, visit the website.) booked a single ticket to Dubai this month. Dinner will have to wait. Enjoy your September, ladies. SANITARY ALTERNATIVES We’re looking for sustainable alternatives to pricey Editor: Aekta Kapoor All rights reserved throughout the world. To buy a copy, WhatsApp ‘Buy eShe’ to pads. Tampons, though convenient, are equally Design: Arushi Vohra Reproduction in any manner is prohibited. 9818166621 or log on to eShe.in or email expensive and not always advised. Menstrual cups Sales: Saurabh Manchanda Editor: Aekta Kapoor. Printed and [email protected]. To advertise in published by Aekta Kapoor on behalf of the print edition, call Saurabh Manchanda are reusable, but you need to try several brands Contributors: Shillpi A Singh, the owner Coral Content. Published at at +91 9810024424. Anupam Dabral, Alka Mahajan, C3/1 GF, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057. To subscribe to the free digital edition, visit before you find the right fit. And the issue with Kay Newton, Argha Kashyap Phone: +91 9818166621. eShe.in recyclable pads is hanging them out to dry. Ideas?

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 6 | ADVENTURE AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH Adventure-sports enthusiast and journalist Saachi Soni climbs mountains, not for the world to see her, but so that she can see the world By Shillpi A Singh

t minus-40 degrees Celsius, blue and deep. When I looked down, the weather was unbearably it was completely dark… as if there harsh at the summit of might be a tunnel like that in the North America’s highest movie Void,” recalls the 24-year-old. Apeak, Mt McKinley. Saachi Soni All that kept her from certain death was carrying 30 kg on her back, and was a length of rope. “Luckily, I just an equal amount on her sled. Her hung along the crevasse because of team of mountaineers had made a the weight in my sled.” In between, she has climbed the mountaineering. But being part of successful summit, and they were Saachi is no stranger to such Mt. Everest, Mt. McKinley and the cleanliness drive gave me an on the way back down. “Suddenly, I death-defying adventures. peaks in the Himalayas – Garhwal, opportunity to contribute to the plummeted inside a crevasse. It was Born in Jaipur, Rajasthan, she was Sikkim, Spiti, Himachal, among ongoing Swachch Bharat Mission in initiated into mountaineering by many others. my way, and that’s quite humbling,” Saachi Soni her father at the tender age of seven, In June this year, she was a part says Saachi, who was invited by and spent her childhood, trekking, of the medical expedition to Mt. Narendra Modi to appear on his climbing and summiting peaks all Satopanth, the second highest talk show ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ on over the world. An award-winning summit in the Gangotri Group, Women’s Day in 2014, before he student of mass communication located in the remote Garhwal was elected prime minister. at Delhi University’s Indraprastha Himalaya range. The expedition ach fresh peak ascended teaches College for Women, she happens was special because the team of 25 Esomething, but actual learning to be the youngest Indian to scale mountaineers led by Dr Anil Gurtoo occurs while you’re climbing up. Australia’s 10 highest (75km hike) of the Indian Mountaineering Quoting Steve Harvey, Saachi says, peaks in just 50 hours to get her Foundation (IMF) brought along “If you do not jump, your parachute name registered in the Limca Book 150 kg of garbage collected from will never open. You will be safe, but of Records. She is also the youngest Gangotri to the plains. “It is an you won’t soar. So you gotta jump.” Indian to scale the intimidating Mt. incredibly beautiful and remote In July last year, Saachi set out Elbrus (Europe’s highest peak). area with unlimited and untapped on a solo climb of Stok Kangri. “It

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 8 | ADVENTURE

It is sights like these that make mountaineering worthwhile for her. An avid photographer, Saachi has an impressive collection of pictures that she has clicked on her climbs. “A moment captured is a memory made for a lifetime,” she says. She has also met many interesting people on her way, such as Col Prem Chand, also known as the Snow Tiger of India, who was the first Indian to climb Mt. Kanchenjunga in Himachal Pradesh in August last year. “His love for mountaineering is inspiring, and meeting him was pure bliss, something that I will cherish forever,” she fondly recalls. is happy doing chores and helping soon-to-be aired show ‘Beyond She also can’t forget 50-year-old other mountaineers by cooking, Heights’ that will feature adventure Tej Bahadur whom she met during cleaning and running errands, and sports films that have been shot in her recent trip to Satopanth. “He mind you without any complaints. India by Indian filmmakers. was challenging but an enriching had been a part of many difficult He exudes contentment. His Saachi is also gearing up for the experience to say the least. The peaceful aura is infectious,” she says. circumambulation of Mt Kanchen- view from the top was a sight to when she is not aachi did her first-ever adventure junga in September and all set to behold. The peak offered a fantastic Smountaineering course under summit Aconcagua, South Ameri- view of the Karakoram ranges and summiting peaks or the mentorship of Brigadier MM ca’s highest peak, in December-Jan- many other peaks. The descent was brainstorming for Masur, former principal of Nehru uary. And when she is not summit- trickier and riskier than the ascent. Institute of Mountaineering. She ing peaks or brainstorming for her There was a kind of small hump her TV shows, saachi is also actively associated with the TV shows, she is busy delivering on the summit, a 35-40 degrees is busy delivering IMF in Delhi. motivational lectures at campuses slope. I got on the ridge, and we motivational lectures Today, she follows a rigorous and corporate houses. had to descend carefully and slowly fitness regime, takes care of her diet She yearns for the good tidings because one slip could either take at campuses and and trains regularly. “I run, swim, of mountains, looks for peace in us on a short cut ride to Leh or the corporate houses and meditate to stay fit because the company of nature, love in glacier,” quips Saachi, adding, “On mountaineering calls for a lot of the hospitality of strangers, finds my way back, I saw a mountain that endurance and strength,” she says. relief in a rigorous climb and takes had a naturally shaped Buddha’s treks in the Himalayas in his All this while doing her day job immense pride in hoisting the face on it. Not many people can heydays. He even lost two of his at Doordarshan, anchoring and tricolour atop the peaks she climbs. see it. I felt blessed and privileged fingers while climbing Mt Kamet. producing shows! These days, she Saachi is surmounting all odds, one enough to spot it.” But all that is behind him; today he is busy doing the legwork for her peak at a time. 

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 10 | busting stress busting stress | 11

The advantage of having a notebook and transferred all my everything on a piece of paper tatty pieces of paper to the pages and not in a notebook was that I and thrown the offending offerings could grab my list and take it with into the bin. My work desk was me always. The disadvantage – I transformed again, nice and clean, frequently lost it! I would spend my motivation on track and my precious time looking for it, causing mojo back in place. huge ‘stress’. I once lost the whole I can just pick up the notebook list in a supermarket and had a panic and take it with me, and I’m a lot attack because I couldn’t remember less likely to lose it. if it had anything personal on it! I I have even added a further stage never found it. It is probably still to the film-crew experience. Before stuck under a shelf somewhere. going to bed, I creep into the Having bits of paper became the bathroom and pretend to do a ‘live’ issue. I would often waste time re- mini video feed to my audience writing on bits of paper to add to telling them what I have managed to the mounting pile because I just achieve that day and what exciting ORGANISED AT HOME couldn’t find the first list. My desk things will happen tomorrow! Today’s flexible working schedules and ease of technology have given looked like a bomb site, covered It really keeps me organised and many of us the freedom to work from home. But how does one stay in scrawly paper with no meaning. on track. In fact, I would go one organized and focused while at it? Worse still, my concentration step further and say I am now so suffered. My husband despaired. organised I achieve much more in a By Kay Newton In fact, it wasn’t just my week than I have ever done before. concentration, the bits of paper I would love to hear about love to be organised. In order not the left. I would then allocate the were making me messy too: my your organisational triumphs and to feel stressed during the week, day to do a chore always making hair, my lack of dress sense and despairs. You can find me on www. I always spend Sunday evening sure that the worst jobs went at the taking care of myself. Kay-Newton.com.  with a notebook working out beginning of the day and so on. hen I remembered what one Iwhat I need to achieve in the I also only placed seven tasks to Tof my life coaches once said to following week and when I will do each day and no more as I know this me about how to keep on top of it. But it wasn’t always like this. is my limit of daily achievement. It everything when working from Organisation is one of my core was the only way I felt could cope home. It’s simple really: all you have values, a key skill that I pride myself with keeping on top of the daily to do is pretend you have a film on, yet I used to put my weekly ‘to routine, keeping fit and healthy and crew with you all day! It is your do’s’ on a sheet of paper and not in working from home, as well as all responsibility to tell them what’s to

a notebook. I proudly folded the A4 the other demands that may occur : P i x abay be ‘filmed’ and to be prepared ahead page in half and placed the days of unexpectedly. These are all good for that day’s filming. Kay Newton is a personal development coach of UK the week in squares on the right- organisational practices. It worked like magic. Within a origin now based in Zanzibar. She’s a motivational

hand side and jobs to be done on Yet I was doing something wrong. credit P hoto short space of time I had sourced author, speaker, confidante and Tai Chi instructor.

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 12 | PERFORMING ARTS performing arts | 13 THE SONG of

Indo-CanadianLI playbackFE singer Shashaa Tirupati, better known now as the Humma Girl, lives on two continents but takes her music everywhere she goes. hashaa Tirupati was a pre- to Canada. Shashaa and her siblings med student in Canada moved with their parents to Chan- when she heard AR Rah- digarh, Allahabad, Delhi and finally man’s songs Tere bin besuadi Vancouver, where her father began Sand Jaage hain der tak. “I just went his own yoga instruction academy crazy,” recalls the 29-year-old song- and her mother took up a job in stress. She dropped out of medical administration services. school and travelled to India: “All I But Shashaa’s roots in India stayed knew is that I wanted to work with very much intact. From the age of this man.” As destiny would have it, nine, she stayed with her grandpar- she would go on to sing close to ents whenever her parents weren’t 35 songs in three years with the in India. Along with them, she trav- musical genius, including a duet elled back and forth to meet her with him in Sridevi-starrer Mom. parents in Canada, studying in both That’s not counting scores of oth- countries. “It was quite a mess,” er numbers, including the hit sin- she laughs, trying to chart a time- gle The Humma Song, now a party line. Her father was adamant that anthem, and the melodious Kanha she train in Hindustani vocals from from Shubh Mangal Savdhan, which Allahabad, and she studied under releases this month. Kamala Bose and later under Giri- Born in Srinagar to Kashmi- ja Devi. “I know two thousand old ri parents, Shashaa had a nomadic songs because of my parents,” says childhood but music was a steady Shashaa, adding that her dad con- part of it. Around the time of her tinues to be her biggest critic, play- birth, Kashmir was embroiled in ing and pausing songs by the mae- strife – the separatist movement stros to illustrate to her the nuances was at its prime in the late 1980s, of breathing in at the right spots. and her family decided to migrate “He tells me bluntly if I messed up

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 14 | PERFORmING ARTS PERFORMING ARTS | 15

a song, or was out of tune, or took a have any major connections in the Hindi and Telugu films as a play- keep herself busy and occupied.” breath at the wrong time,” says Sha- Indian film industry, she found her- back singer and voiceover artist. Even today, the fan has kept in shaa, who is asthmatic though she self appearing on various reality TV She also sang in Bengali, Arabic, touch with Shashaa – she has now never let that come in the way of shows such as Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Idea Konkani and Malayalam, and ap- joined dance classes and listens to her singing. Rocks India, and IPL Rockstars. peared on MTV Unplugged. “At one Shashaa’s songs to stay sane. “Go- All through her childhood, the Then, one day in 2010, a nasty point, I used to speak 10 languag- ing through bad times enables you child prodigy won singing compe- remark left her bruised, inside out. es, though I lost touch with many titions in both India and Canada, “Someone on a reality TV show of them,” laughs the effervescent and appeared on radio shows. She said I sucked, that I have a bad young woman, who never found it learnt to play the guitar, keyboards voice,” she recalls. “I took it to heart, difficult to adapt to various Indian and harmonium, and also plays the and stopped singing for three years.” languages despite her Kashmiri an- cestry and Canadian upbringing. ack in Canada, her family cheers Bher on. “My two younger brothers are my biggest fans,” she says, narrating stories of how they share her song links with all their friends. She continues to live on two continents. “Vancouver is home, but I get sick of being there for too long. I need the pulse and energy of Mumbai. I can’t sit in one place all the time,” she says. It wasn’t always easy though – Shashaa initially struggled to pay her bills, living off her savings during the long months L-R: Shashaa’s brothers in Canada; Shashaa as a young girl; her parents have been her biggest support of wait between assignments. “I African kazoo. After completing her Shashaa took up other behind- once had just Rs 100 in my pocket 12th from India – which she had to the-scenes work in the music world, to last me several days. Yes, it could again repeat in Canada since she was such as composition. After much be that bad,” she admits. Shashaa says the kind of respect she’s earned as a underage – and armed with a senior cajoling by her friends, however, she She shares an incident when a fan singer is worth giving up a medical career for. diploma in music, she won pre-med decided to take part in Coke Studio mailed her a suicidal note. “I could scholarships worth $24000. Three 3 in 2013, in which AR Rahman relate to the sense of hopelessness to help others going through the semesters later, however, Rahman was slated to appear. she was going through. I told her I’d same,” says the singing sensation. happened. It changed her life. been through it as well. But if I had “I don’t regret any part of my life Shashaa moved to India to make a She was noticed by her idol on gone ahead with my suicidal inten- or my decisions. I am still healing career in music almost 10 years ago, the show, after which she resumed tions, I would never be where I am people – not through medicine but and in the meantime, did her MBA singing, and went on to make a now. I told her time changes things. with music.”  in marketing. Though she didn’t prolific career in Tamil, Kannada, She shouldn’t give up; she should By AK

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 16 | MEMORY LANE MEMORY LANE | 17

(father’s home).” I was given a wel- PARTITION come fit for a queen. Lahori hos- pitality is legendary. The son of my father’s old business acquaintance OF HEARTS insisted my husband and I stay with As India celebrates 70 years of Independence, a Lahore-born Indian him in his home: “You’ve come to recalls her memories of Partition and wonders at the senseless boundaries your brother’s home, how can you between those born of the same earth stay in a hotel?” he asked with tears in his eyes. By Sheela Kapur My husband and I were awe- struck at their kindness, and we became friends for life. He and his family later visited us in Delhi. We even went back to Lahore in 1998 for his son’s wedding. There, some- one insisted I sing a folksong. I be- Sheela Kapur came sentimental and sang an old traditional Punjabi wedding song India, and a decent amount of sav- for them. From then on, we were ings tucked away in our bags. treated like film stars – shopkeepers Sheela in the early 1970s with her husband Krishan, and at their home in Delhi At 20, I married a fellow migrant refused to accept money when we from Lahore. He was a jeweller’s bought goods, and we were show- here used to be a saying in one of the largest mass exoduses son, and worked with his father in ered with gifts on our return to Punjabi, “If you haven’t seen in world history. An equal amount their hard-earned new Chandni Delhi. I doubt any Indian would do Lahore, you haven’t seen moved in the other direction. A Chowk shop. Punjabis are known the same for a Pakistani guest. anything.” Before Pakistan million never made it. for their generous nature and love Then the borders closed, and our wasT created, my birthplace was After spending a few months liv- for good food, song and dance. governments declared us enemies called the ‘Paris of the East’. What ing with well-wishers in Mussoorie, But we are also tenacious and grit- of one another, once again. a mighty city it was. The fashion- we moved to Delhi in March 1948. ty. With God’s grace, our business I turned 80 this year. When I able women, the sophisticated dia- Our family of six had to make do flourished over the next half cen- look back, I can see how my par- lect, the decadent feasts, the lights of with a small room and a makeshift tury, and our properties grew as our ents’ decision to give up everything Anarkali Bazaar. Only the fortunate bathroom in the lanes of what is two sons and later grandsons took and move to the ‘other side’ in 1947 were destined to be born here. now called old Delhi. Friends and forward our legacy. was monumental for our family’s I was 10 years old when my fami- family would come and go, seek- In 1989, as part of a Rotary Club destiny, and I glad they did it. I am ly set off from Lahore to Mussoorie. ing respite in the midst of their trip, we visited Lahore again. I went proud of being an Indian. And yet, I The date was July 7, 1947. I was own difficult journeys. But we nev- to my childhood house after 42 cannot erase my birthplace and lan- one among 7.2 million Hindus and er grumbled; we knew we were years, and then decided to visit my guage from my life’s story. We may Sikhs who left behind their homes among the more fortunate refugees: father’s old store. I told the strang- be two nations now, but the heart in Pakistan to move to India, in we had a network of relatives across ers there, “I have come to my peka knows no borders. 

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 COVER STORY | 19

t the Mahakumbh Mela at Dressed in jeans, with dark- Prayag, Allahabad, in 2001, rimmed glasses on her face, Sagarika Sagarika Ghose came speaks without pausing as she across a Naga sadhu giving qualifies her religious leanings: “I’m Aa talk on happiness. Taking a break an atheist-humanist.” One of India’s from her reporting, the energetic best-known media personalities, journalist and author stopped her visit to the Kumbh became one to hear him speak. He asked his of the most definitive moments listeners to mull over the question, in her life and career, and was the “Anand kahaan se milta hai (Where basis for her second novel, Blind does one find bliss)?” and proceeded Faith (2006). The mother of two to list three ways humans usually found the ‘spiritual atheism’ of the seek it. Upanishads in perfect accord with The first, recalls Sagarika, is to her own personal philosophy. “Lose look for ‘temporary joy’ such as that yourself (in action) if you want to found in material pleasures. The find meaning. Self is best served by second is to seek security, such as forgetting about the self.” in a job, however soulless it may be, Philosophical musings are only a because routine is comforting. The part of what goes on in the mind third and most meaningful path to of this seasoned scribe. Born in bliss is to push yourself. “Just when West Bengal to an IAS officer you think you can’t go on, you and a homemaker mom – whom must push on that extra bit. That’s she says were quite contrary how your spiritual resources are personalities – Sagarika studied strengthened. And it’s an ongoing history at St Stephen’s College in process,” says the youthful 52-year- Delhi University, and then went to old sitting in the visitors’ room at Oxford on a Rhodes scholarship. her spacious south Delhi home. It’s “After doing my MPhil, I realized a balmy monsoon morning, the academics is not for me,” says kind when the rain takes a break to Sagarika, who joined the launch Her Time in allow housewives the joy of drying team for Outlook newsmagazine in laundry in the sun. A thatched 1995. “Vinod Mehta was the best awning above the huge windows boss ever,” she laughs recalling how that overlook a row of tall plants the renowned editor sent her on the sun gives a tropical-beach vibe to the far-off reporting assignments with Sagarika Ghose has seen the best and worst of India in her career room, where an excess of photo her three-month baby and nanny as a journalist and author. That doesn’t stop her showing up. frames and bright Indian sofa fabrics in tow. She then worked for several relay the interior-design diversions years at The Indian Express, before Text by Aekta Kapoor. Photography by Dileep Purackal of the lady of the house. launching CNN-IBN with her

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 20 | COVER STORY COVER STORY | 21

journalist husband. They both left startup, when even colleagues were of course. “Work gives a woman an nine years later in protest when the confused on how to deal with identity aside from family,” says the TV news channel was bought by disagreements between the two. award-winning journalist. “We all Reliance, and the business group “By the time we got into a groove at have innate talents and skills; we’ve insisted on vetting editorial content. work and learnt to be brutally open been put on earth for a reason. We t a book club meeting for with each other in our relationship, must use them.” ASagarika’s third and latest book, agarika is also unafraid of speaking a biography of Indira Gandhi, the Sher mind. “The only time when chairwoman of the Vasant Vihar I took a break from Twitter was book club introduces Sagarika to when I started getting rape threats the expectant crowd: “I must say, I and someone hinted that they knew really admire Rajdeep Sardesai. He’s what time my daughter’s school got so much better than that Arnab over,” she shudders, recalling a time Goswami.” Dressed in a lime-green eight years ago when she lodged a chanderi sari, Sagarika’s bright, police complaint and went off social wide-eyed smile is fixed on her media. “I don’t mind if someone face as the elderly hostess extols her argues with me or disagrees with famous husband’s virtues. Indeed, my opinions, but such vile personal Rajdeep’s name is often evoked in threats did shake me for a bit.” bios of Sagarika, a fact that she has Now, however, with her son in learnt to take in her stride. They medical college and her daughter met at Oxford and married after studying law, Sagarika has developed working in the same organization. a tougher hide: “I say what I want. She is equally accomplished, but it is As long as I am not defaming another matter that Sagarika’s name anyone, it doesn’t matter what trolls is not so frequently mentioned think of me.” when Rajdeep is introduced to At the end of the animated book- audiences. Opinionated, charged club meeting, a group of older and outspoken, Sagarika is also the ride came to an end.” They now developed deep admiration for the women leave the hall with satisfied temperamentally different fromwork in different organizations. late Congress matriarch, even if her smiles, chatting amongst themselves: Rajdeep, who is known for his In the months leading up to the actions weren’t always admirable: “She is so articulate, and such a balanced views and calm responses publication of Indira: India’s Most “She was an extraordinary woman.” balanced perspective.” “That was a on TV debates. Powerful Prime Minister, Sagarika, Sagarika has a bit in common good talk.” “Such a bright young “We actually signed a letter with who is now consulting editor at with Indira herself if you think woman.” Inside, Sagarika signs book each other about the personal- Times of India and a panelist for the about it – the ability to connect, the copies. Her face reveals none of the professional line while we were TV channel ET Now, would get up ease of communication, the restless hard knocks of experience or the working together at CNN-IBN,” at 5 am, and write for two hours energy, the sprightly built, the love cynicism of her profession, and her she says, narrating stories from the before beginning her work day. for interior decoration, yoga and child-like grin belies her age. It’s yet rocky early years of their media In the course of her research, she handloom saris. And the ambition, again her moment in the sun. 

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 22 | facing challenges facing challenges | 23

Gurgaon to north Delhi was excru- There was a good phase when ciating. When the owner found out I had a well-paying marketing SINGLE I was a single mother, he told my job for seven years. But last year, supervisor, “Don’t let her get too I had to leave the company when MOTHER comfortable.” They began picking they withheld my salary for sev- on me, until I had no option but eral months. After so many years @ WORK to leave. in the industry, I thought it was a Similar circumstances forced me good time to start something of my Being a single mother in India takes hard work not just to leave other jobs too. Sometimes, own. So I launched Ranakah.com, because of the logistics involved, but also because it was internal politicking; at oth- an ecommerce portal for pure silver of the constant social obstacles on the way er times my salary would be with- and mixed metal jewellery. The idea held for long periods. It almost be- is to preserve our beautiful Indian By Ayesha Dahra came a pattern: I was hired for my designs and help artisans sustain an leadership and management skills art and craft form that requires a y father was in the Indian Development Establishment in Agra Air Force, and as a child, to develop better parachutes. I lived I moved around with my in Agra right until my post-grad- parents until dad joined uation from St John’s College, and Mthe Aerial Delivery Research and then married a paratrooper in the Indian Army. We had two children in the early 1990s. Two decades ago, when my children were still very small, my husband and I separated. I took child custody, while he moved abroad to work in the UN. Left to my own devices, I moved to Gurgaon and tried setting up my but once others found out about great amount of perseverance and own clothing business, but it was my marital status, the witch-hunt detailing. an uphill task. Every few months, would begin. People would make It takes courage to make a diffi- my landlords would ask me to va- up stories about my supposedly im- cult choice – such as leaving a bad cate the premises once my business moral personal life. And male gossip marriage – but it takes even more picked up and I started getting a is the basest and most sickening. courage and strength to deal with lot of footfall, or if they found out I do have a secret pleasure though. its consequences. Our society can I was a divorcee. Frequent moving Eleven years ago, once I had enough be ruthless to women who don’t ate into my income, so I decided to money to invest in a personal hob- toe the patriarchal line. But I say, shut shop and get a job. by, I joined a school to learn clas- women should be just as ruthless in I managed to find a position at sical dance. My kids have been my their conviction and faith in them- an advertising agency, even though biggest support and have attended selves. Don’t let them get to you; Ayesha Dahra travelling in public transport from all my performances till date. your life is worth fighting for. 

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 24 | journey journey | 25

was born in Seoul, Korea, and through changes within their lives brought up in Virginia, USA, and needed support with uncover- STRUGGLE to where I continue to live. As a ing the best version of themselves. child, I loved to write and was After multiple failed attempts within my first year of business to Ivery musical. I played three instru- SUCCESS ments by the age of 13 – violin, gain clients as a life coach within What life hands to you is not as important as what you choose to give trombone and flute – and did ballet. my city locally, I decided to market I did my undergrad degree in so- my skills in other cities. This led to back to life. Even joblessness can lead to meaningful new journeys. cial work and then went on to do a six-city tour to empower wom- By Brittany Garth my Master’s in marriage and family en. This initiative granted me the therapy. I have a younger brother confidence and the motivation to who serves in the US Navy. market my business in other coun- Three years ago, I was tries. I learned quickly as working for a counsel- an entrepreneur that any ling agency for wom- success was dependent en and children when upon my personal view the company abruptly of myself as a woman stopped paying me and and business owner. I no my staff for five months. longer placed restraints My staff eventually all on what or where I quit and I too realized it thought I was capable of was time for me to go. doing business. The day I chose to be- Within three years, I come a life coach hap- was able to facilitate two pened to be one of the empowerment tours, worst days of my life. I was finan- work with hundreds of women cially and emotionally broken after across the globe, and to be featured my job loss. But the gift of reaching in various publications. Last year, at your lowest point is that you only the age of 30, I published my first have two options: to remain where book, Dear Pinq, to share my jour- you are, or to become something ney of struggle. I have since gone greater than what is presently in on to create a launch a mobile app front of you. I wrote out a business and launch a free membership net- plan, set goals with deadlines and work for life coaches globally. decided I would never look back. My greatest success came from Instead of focusing on becoming my biggest failure, which only “financially wealthy”, I focused proves that circumstances do not Read more about Brittany Garth on her on creating an empire that would determine our greatness; our re- website Dimensionedwellness.com help other women who were going sponse to them does. 

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 26 | excerpt excerpt | 27

he needed to have as many children as possible “for Islam.” OSAMA’S WIVES Determined to have a say in who Hailed as the ‘book of the year’, Cathy Scott-Clark and Adrian Levy’s new tome shared her house and husband, Na- The Exile: The Stunning Inside Story of Osama Bin Laden and Al jwa suggested that ironclad Khair- Qaeda in Flight reveals fascinating inside stories of the world’s most notorious iah could help with their sons’ edu- terrorist. This excerpt gives a glimpse into his family life and his four wives cation. Osama judged that she was doubly perfect as the Prophet had shyness of her cousin, who was the decreed that men should wed “un- 17th son of Saudi Arabia’s richest marriable” women to enable them man, although he had grown up as a to share the joy of motherhood. Al- single child after his father divorced though it took her many years to his mother when he was still small. conceive, Khairiah eventually bore Eventually finding herself in him one child, who inherited his Kandahar, Najwa had clung to parents’ fervour. the vestiges of her old life, filling Although Khairiah’s physical re- her shelves with foreign cosmet- lationship with her husband had Osama bin Laden had 23 children at the time of his ics, curling and colouring her long long since ceased, a clean shalwar death at the age of 54 (representational photo) black hair, and donning a jogging kameez still hung for him on the suit after dark to run around the in- back of her bedroom door and a Her oldest, born in 1977, had be- ner courtyard, singing to herself. bottle of his favorite aoud oil per- come ill and dehydrated after Osa- Wife number two, Khairiah, Osa- fume sat in the bathroom. A force ma banned his wife from using a ma’s favourite, had married him of nature who Najwa had come baby bottle. The next baby had suf- in 1985 when he was already well to rely on to care for her disabled fered serious developmental prob- along the path to jihad, a vision she sons and otherwise deal with their lems when his hydrocephaly went shared. Seven years older than Osa- husband, Khairiah had evolved into untreated on his father’s orders. The ma and a child psychologist by pro- the extended family’s emira (matri- wives of Osama’s brothers had tried fession, she had been introduced by arch)—and it was in her room in to intervene to no avail. Najwa, who had met her after seek- Kandahar that everyone had gath- Wife number three had arrived hen wife one, Na- ing out help for her disabled sons ered to resolve disputes and discuss two years after Khairiah, in 1987. jwa, married Osama at a medical clinic in Jeddah. Plain, impending changes, or to lobby for Another uber-religious Saudi in 1974, she had just dour, and humourless, Khairiah had an extra sack of rice, basic medicine, woman, Seham claimed to be di- turned 16 and he was presumed she would spend her life or schoolbooks. rectly descended from the Prophet Wstill forging a reputation as a de- as a spinster until Najwa suggest- / P i x abay sama’s attitude toward his fam- Mohammed and her brother was mon soccer player at his university ed she join the family. Osama had Oily’s medical needs was neg- one of Osama’s Saudi fighters in

and for driving fast cars recklessly. already taken a second wife who Am ber C lay : ligent. He advanced a spoonful Afghanistan. She held a Ph.D. from Her father and Osama’s mother, Al- Najwa did not get along with and of honey as a desert wonder cure Medina University and had worked lia, were brother and sister, and she whom he would later divorce. He for everything, but honey had not as a teacher before marriage, at

had been charmed by the doe-eyed now wanted another, telling Najwa credit P hoto worked for Najwa’s oldest two sons. which point she dedicated herself

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 28 | excerpt SCREENSHOT | 29

After 9/11, Osama moved his family to an underground complex in the Tora Bora mountains in Afghanistan Leading Lady Madhavi Advani, 46, Delhi

to Islam and Osama, in equal mea- made the lurching journey home. sures, setting herself the task of hav- But the arrival of wife number ing as many children for the jihad four, 18-year-old Amal, had upend- as she could. ed this unconventional but other- After four children, Seham had wise calm domestic scene. shut the bedroom door and gone sama bin Laden’s decision to was an intrepid young lass growing up in Jaipur, doing back to her role as a teacher, turn- Omarry a Yemeni teenager was Ithings out of reach of most girls. If I wasn’t swimming or ing her hut in Kandahar into a class- as much an attempt to deal with an debating, I was trekking up to Pindari Glacier and Rohtang room, complete with slates, chalk, existential question as it was about Pass, or flying gliders and power planes armed with a Stu- and a few secondhand matricu- his libido. Yemen, the land of Osa- dent Pilot License. My parents insisted on good education lation papers purchased at the ba- ma’s forefathers, a skeletal state and for all their four kids, regardless of gender, and I did my MA zaar. Osama sometimes interrupted, the poorest country in the Arab in political science from University of Rajasthan. conducting impromptu math and world, was an obvious choice as a I later moved to Delhi and married an investment bank- English tests, with his children lined potential sanctuary, should he ever er. We have two grown children now. I have been busy all up in order of size as his own father need to escape. Marrying into the these years – I ran a play school, organized fashion shows and had done with him. The only oth- right tribe would provide a ready- events, participated in car rallies, acted in plays, raised funds er time they spent together was on made constituency to absorb the for social causes, appeared on TV shows, wrote a book. I am infrequent day trips into the desert, move and provide protection. The an extrovert and I like surrounding myself with people. I am when he and his bodyguard would bad news was that the girl was only now a marketing consultant with international luxury lifestyle drive ahead in a pickup, and they 17, had dropped out of school, and brands in India. would trail in his dusty wake in a sported a mop of short, unveiled / P i x abay I believe leadership comes naturally to some but others rickety bus. For a few hours they black hair that made her look like can develop it by being more open to experiences. Some- times one’s own attitude or insecurities get in the way of : dheera j di x it

would sit together in the hot sand an ingénue and not a minor wife. Am ber C lay : to listen to his stories about great But Osama was in a hurry.  one’s growth. You needn’t be aggressive; just be open. You’ll battles against the Soviets, before Excerpted with permission from be surprised how often people will help you to succeed.  credit P hoto he took off in the Hilux and they Bloomsbury credit P hoto

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 30 | business BUSINESS | 31

her mother an award-winning hor- “Do you need me ticulturist, Ritu was used to shift- ing from small town to small town there?” she asked. in childhood – from Missamari in “Yes,” her assistant Assam to Pulgaon in Maharashtra – while making new friends and replied. Ritu turned keeping up with studies. She was back and drove 10 encouraged to try out every possible hours through the sport – trekking, polo, swimming, shooting, tennis, squash – and she night to Delhi. developed an adventurous streak. She completed class 12 from Sagar By then, she was married and in Madhya Pradesh, and coerced hadShreya a takes baby care daughter. of every little detailBut forher her work clients her parents into letting her move to needed her to be constantly on the Delhi to study interior design. road. One day, while she was away he day she graduated, Ritu set on a project for Dabur in Ghazia- MINDING THE DETAILS Tup her own firm, Cherry Hill, bad, her baby got burnt when her The founder of India’s largest facility management firm, Ritu Grover has offering residential and commercial caregiver at home spilled hot tea on learnt how to stay on top of the game – with brutal focus and dedication interiors. It was the year 1988, and her. “That’s when I knew I needed there weren’t too many women in to make some changes to my life,” t was Ritu Grover’s first wed- into other A’s. B’s aren’t fitting into the field but that never came in the says Ritu. She stopped taking on ding anniversary, and Queen B’s. It’s a mess,” she was told. They way of Cherry Hill signing con- more projects, and introspected. “I Elizabeth II was scheduled to had laid all the individual pieces of tract after contract. Besides institu- realized I was late for everything – arrive for her third visit to In- the modular furniture on the floor, tions in Delhi, she also worked on for paying my bills, for little chores. I Idia. On one hand, Ritu was hurry- and were confused what to do next. a monastery in Sikkim and a hotel didn’t have time to juggle so much.” ing up to finish an interiors project “Do you need me to be there per- in Dehradun, among many other That led to her eureka moment: at the British Council in Delhi – in sonally?” she asked. “Yes,” her assis- outstation projects. Ten years into “What if there are other people a first for any interiors firm in India, tant replied. Ritu and her husband her design foray, however, she was who need help, like I do? What if she had ordered modular furniture of one year looked at one anoth- forced to change tack. there was someone who could take that only needed assembly at the er, and then, without discussion, care of the little things for us?” The venue. On the other hand, she was turned around and drove back 10 idea germinated into a new ca- preparing for a quick getaway with hours through the night to Delhi. reer plan, and Ritu’s new facility her young husband to Dharamshala Two days later, the British Coun- management company The Global in Himachal Pradesh. cil in perfect shape, Ritu had tea Helpdesk (TGH) was born. After driving 10 hours, just as the with the Queen. The spirited young mother sent couple reached the scenic hill sta- For the Jalandhar-born ambitious off her assistants to collect visit- tion on a cool evening in October businesswoman, complete commit- ing cards from offices in commer- 1997, Ritu got a call from her team ment to her work is a habit. With cial complexes around the city. in Delhi: “A-points are not fitting her dad in the Indian Army and Deloitte is one of the 400 clients on TGH rolls “What is a concierge service?” she

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 32 | BUSINESS Beauty | 33 was asked by bemused admin staff. back for Ritu. “Why do we need another compa- oday, close to two decades lat- PEDICURE ny to deposit our bills or stand in Ter, TGH caters to over 400 cli- bank queues?” For weeks, she didn’t ents, including Deloitte, Microsoft, AT HOME get a single response, but she kept HSBC, KPMG, Airtel, PWC, Erics- emailing every corporate contact son and a long list of other multina- Because everyone needs one. she came across. tionals. Ritu has a full-time staff of By Argha Kashyap Then came her first call. “This 400 and another 1200 off-roll. Her is Commodore Chopra from Tata company offers a portfolio of over Consultancy Services,” said the 200 services, from passport applica- voice on the phone. The software tion and detective services to school exporter had a small office in Noi- admissions and hardware repair, and da and needed help to shift base to is considered India’s leader in fa- another location. “Let’s start with a cility management. Ritu has won several awards as an entrepreneur as well. In the past few years, TGH ith all the tension You May Now Begin has developed an e-concierge and building up in your feet Remove old nail paint. Clip and mailroom management system that from work or at home, clean your nails to the desired shape allows clients to select the services taking outsome time (not too deep) and smoothen the required from a customised online Wfor their relaxation is mandatory. edges with a nail filer. portal, and all orders are automated. Do your own pedicure at home Next, soak your feet. Add some “I realized technology is the way without losing time and money. shampoo and rock salt to the tub of forward, and we invested a lot in What You Need warm water upto your ankles. Salt Ritu with her daughter, who is now in college developing the right team and soft- A tub of warm water, a pumice softens and soothes inflammations. ware to streamline things,” says the stone, nail-polish remover and cot- Add the juice of an entire lemon two-month contract,” he said, and 48-year-old business baroness. ton pads (if you have using nail pol- to the water to clean the skin. soon, Ritu found herself running Digitizing processes allows Ritu, ish), cuticle cream, a clean towel, Soak for 15 minutes. Then dry around in her first assignment. The who has been a single mother for a moisturizer, bath salt, shampoo, a your feet, and scrub your toes, heels contract was extended, and extend- over a decade, the luxury to spend good foot scrub, nail clippers, cuti- and soles with your homemade ed. “TCS is still my client today,” a few mornings playing golf or a cle pushers, and nail file. scrub to exfoliate. Rinse and dry. smiles the down-to-earth Ritu at day driving in car rallies, or an af- In case you don’t have a cuticle Massage cuticle cream to the base her office in Nehru Place. ternoon chatting with journalists cream, heat a little olive oil in the of the toe nails. Push cuticles inside The second call was from McK- about her life without being dis- microwave. Add coconut oil and with your cuticle pusher to allow insey. “We’re a team of just 70 peo- turbed too much. Yet, she’s got her glycerine. Allow it to cool and store the cream to penetrate further. ple,” the person on the phone apol- finger on the pulse, an eye out on it in a bottle until it’s ready for use. Scrub your skin with a pumice ogized, adding hesitantly, “I don’t the monitor “for escalations”. To be For the scrub, mix oatmeal and stone to reduce roughness.

know if you take on small firms.” on top of your game you need to : P i x abay brown sugar together. Add lem- Moisturize your feet with a mix Ritu looked at the two men in her be ready for anything. Who knows on juice and honey to the mixture of olive and almond oil with glyc- own team and grinned. “Sure we when the Queen may drop in.  with a teaspoon olive oil, and it’s erine. Finally, apply nail paint or go

do.” After that, there was no looking By AK credit P hoto ready to use. au naturel. 

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 34 | workwear workwear | 35 mission empowerment Sisters Shweta and Prachi came up with an online label that not only addresses a gap in the market for urban working women, it also offers a hand to the rural underprivileged

he Sharma sisters have been in the past. And so, they decided to busy. After graduating from combine Prachi’s deep expertise in IIT Bombay, and then do- fashion and Shweta’s experience in ing her MBA from Wharton, ecommerce and business to cre- Pair a peplum blouse with white denims. Pick ShwetaT went on to work for over ate a homegrown premium brand small heels along with a shoulder bag and retro a decade in ecommerce, retail and for working women. They called it sunglasses for your walk in the city. management across US and India, Ombré Lane. before returning home to start her Though profit was top priority, own dream venture. In the mean- they also had a desire to give back time, her younger sister Prachi to society. “We wanted to involve graduated from NIFT Delhi and customers so that they can see the worked in apparel design, product impact that they create in someone’s development and category manage- life,” says Shweta, talking about their ment. Over endless cups of coffee, tieup with Goonj, a non-profit that and an unsuccessful shopping trip, collects and supplies clothes to the the duo discussed why it was so dif- underprivileged in rural areas. ficult to find versatile yet sophisti- Ombré Lane has a ‘buy-to-give’ cated workwear for women. model: it donates a garment to Born and brought up in Indore Goonj for every product sold. “We and now based in Bangalore, the wanted to do something about lack sisters set about researching work- of adequate clothing and basic hy- wear for women in India, and re- giene items to improve the lifestyles alized it was a neglected space. “It of the women living in the interi- is predicted to grow manifold over or pockets of rural India,” explains the next decade,” says Shweta, who Shweta. Here, the duo share a few Bring out the floral dresses for those Friday Focus on your neckline with this bow-tie crop has worked with ecommerce major styling tips for women in the cor- evenings, accessorising with a pair of boots or shirt. Pair it with light peach denims and a Flipkart and beauty e-store Nykaa porate workforce.  stilettos, according to the occasion. leather shoulder bag to complete the look.

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 36 | FASHION fashion | 37

ashion Design Council of nous lehengas and saris with flirty A DECADE OF India recently concluded blouses summed up his collection. its 10th Couture Week at a Woolmark Prize-winner Rahul week-long extravaganza in Mishra’s commitment to Indian INDIAN COuTURE FDelhi, and as expected, the biggest craft, his play with silhouettes and Here are all the highlights of India Couture Week 2017 couturiers of the country lined up ability to give Indian fashion an in- Text by Anupam Dabral. Photography by Pallav Paliwal to showcase their pieces. The good ternational tinge makes him a one- news was that you could spot some of-a-kind designer. His collection impeccable embroideries, a vibrant ‘Parizaad’ was a medley of playful colour palette and an overdose of hues, classic silhouettes, paired with glamour. The bad news was that, ex- lightweight lehengas with floral and cept for a few sparks of innovation, parakeet-inspired embroidery. it mostly felt like déjà vu. Beautiful, Fashion doyenne Anita Dongre but more of the same thing. may be just two seasons old at the Taking his pre- couture week but ferred royal route, her understand- designer Rohit Varun Bahl took in- ing of high fash- Bal showcased spiration from Czech ion stands out. ‘Khush Posh’, his Her collection latest couture line Art Nouveau artist ‘Tree of Love’ was featuring deca- inspired by Ra- dent pieces in- Alphonse Mucha for jasthan’s Khejri spired from India’s his couture show plant. Mushroo rich royal past. and hand-embroi- He also stuck to his favourite co- dered tea-length dresses shared the lour scheme: red and gold, with a stage with exquisite gottapatti le- few sensual versions of greys and hengas and polkii-jadau jewellery. whites. Manav Gangvani show- Anju Modi’s collection was in- cased his edgy side with a collec- spired by 16th century Rajasthan, tion called ‘India @ 70’ which was notably Kishangarh, having been certainly not for the faint of heart: introduced to the intricate embroi- Kanjeevaram lehengas paired with deries and vibrant colours of the re- corsets, belted blouses and intricate gion by Princess Vaishnavi Kumari embroideries on saris. of Kishangarh herself. Varun Bahl ‘Twinkling celestial bodies’ served took inspiration from Czech artist as inspiration for couturier Tarun Alphonse Mucha for his show. The Tahiliani, as he created pieces dipped magnificence of Mucha’s ‘art nou- Anita Dongre’s ‘Tree of Love’: Vibrant hues such as dark green, in Swarovski crystals. Floor-sweep- veau’ was reflected through intri- reds and blues on embroidered chintz lehengas and jackets ing net veils, extra-flared volumi- cate embroideries and stone work.

SEPTEMBER 2017 38 | PERSONAL GROWTH PERSONAL GROWTH | 39 Manav Gangwani’s ‘India @ 70’: From bandhanis of Rajasthan, Kathakali motifs from Kerala and brocades of Varanasi, a tale of India’s rich cultural heritage along with extravagant bridal pieces

Anju Modi’s ‘Sunehri Kothi’: Stunning lehengas, heavy dupattas, elbow-length velvet blouses and an interesting layering scheme Varun Bahl’s ‘Dream Rahul Mishra’s ‘Parizaad’: Nouveau’: A palette of pale Beautiful use of geometric pink, ivory, burnt orange on patterns on kalidars and lehengas, anarkali jackets, and saris, scalloped dupattas with saris resembling works of art high-slit kurtas and palazzos with chikankari Gaurav Gupta’s ‘Moondust’: Rohit Bal’s ‘Khush Posh’: Sexy gowns that are heavier Velvet lehengas, long in embellishments than his matador jackets and floor- usual oeuvre, with a playful sweeping jacquards. “A palette of apple greens, journey from the past to the copper and cream present with a gentle nudge of contemporary influences,” says Rohit. Tarun Tahiliani’s Manish Malhotra’s ‘Tarakanna’: Parsi gara, ‘Sensual Affair’: See- and zardozi embroideries through, off-shoulder coupled with fringing, corset tops and knit tassels and velvet voluminous layered detailing providing a lehengas, chiffon capes, touch of regality heavy velvet skirts and floor-length jacquards 46 | Accessories ACCESSORIES | 47 JEWELLERY FOR GODDESSES Versatile, trendy and timeless, the label Zariin by sisters Mamta and Vidhi Gupta has been high on the radar for most jewellery aficionados. Seven Delhi fashionistas show us how they wear their favourite pieces

ndia was never on the agenda. ety Museum in New York. Though born and brought up in But the call of India became ir- Delhi, sisters Mamta and Vidhi resistible. By 2014, four years after Gupta moved to the US for their US launch, the duo found that Ihigher studies. Vidhi studied finance they were getting plenty of media at Kelley School of Business in In- attention in India but didn’t have diana, while Mamta did her MBA a retail presence in the country. So from Rochester and set up home in they decided to invest about 30 per Chicago for nine years. The sisters cent of their stock towards the In- then started their own line of jewel- dian market, and tied up with about lery for retail in 2010. They called it 15 multi-brand outlets. “We were Zariin, meaning ‘golden’. “We liked among the first 10 designers to re- the resonance and the internation- tail from PerniasPopUpShop.com,” al flair of the Persian word,” says says Vidhi, who is 32. They also set Mamta, a 36-year-old single moth- up Zariin.com and are now available er to a young son. at over 250 outlets worldwide, in- Using uncut semi-precious stones cluding their latest ones in China. in their fashion jewellery, they The sisters frequently shuttle be- learnt to work with the nuances of tween the US and India, and have the stones, and quickly found plen- their hands full with jewellery pro- ty of takers for their unconvention- duction and the challenges of retail, al line, including one of the most PR and merchandising. “The Indi- prestigious clothing and accessories an market is definitely high on our retailers in the US, Anthropologie. priority list this year,” says Mamta. They were then picked up by oth- Their blog features women from Enterprising sisters Mamta (left) and ers, including Neiman Marcus, and all walks of life who model in their Vidhi Gupta started retailing their label were also displayed at the Asia Soci- jewellery. Here are some of them. in India after increased media attention

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 48 | Accessories Accessories | 49 Pallavi Mohan, the 36-year-old designer behind the acclaimed fashion label Not So Serious, loves mixing Western sensibilities with Indian ethos, with femininity at the essence. She finds Zariin jewellery ideal for destination weddings.

Ishita Singh, a 25-year-old visual artist and portrait photographer, has been shooting creative visuals for Zariin along with stylist Devika W. Here, she turned subject.

SEPTEMBER 2017 50 | accessories ACCESSORIES | 51 Art and wedding photographer Twins Zina and Zoya, age 26, are creative entrepreneurs Morvi Kumar, 33, has covered “journeying into the world of art, fashion, health, travel and weddings across India and culture” with their network Terrible Twos. They share “the internationally. Like Zariin sisterhood and love for design, dogs and food” with Zariin. jewellery, her pictures are best described as “modern and fresh blended with vintage aesthetics”.

SEPTEMBER 2017 52 | Accessories Accessories | 53 Taruna Seth is the 36-year-old founder of Pearl Luxe, an experiential Jhelum Biswas Bose, a 37-year- travel company, and co-founder of Oncourse Life, India’s first life old beauty entrepreneur and coaching firm for millennials. She is a dear friend of Mamta’s, and healer, worked as a beauty editor has a passion for “travel and ongoing education”. at a fashion magazine and as the marketing head of Sephora before launching her own beauty brand. “There’s no point in something being fabulous if it doesn’t make you feel fabulous,” she says.

Photographer: Ishita Singh Stylist: Devika Wahal

SEPTEMBER 2017 54 | TRAVEL TRAVEL | 55

Well, yes and no. Very few large Ask for regular filtered water at TRAVELLING properties undertake environ- restaurants and eateries to avoid ment-saving procedures; most of buying bottled water, which re- them are confined to recycling the quires exhaustive fresh water re- linen a guest uses (sheets and tow- sources to make. LIGHT els) and some may even ask you if Carry your toiletries from home It’s fun to travel, but tourists often leave a big carbon footprint on drinking water bottles could be re- in little bottles. This way you can holidays. Give yourself and the planet a breather next time. filled with potable, filtered water. avoid dispensing plastic sachets by But most hotels don’t wish to in- the dozen. By Ritu Goyal Harish convenience their guests and tend Similarly, bring back the empty to indulge in small wastages such as bottles and reduce the pressure of frequent restocking of toiletry bot- recycling on the host destination. tles that can cause a significant im- On treks, disposal of garbage is of- pact on the local environment. ten a problem and it is best to bring Also, most of the virgin places you back every single thing – candy-bar visit are not equipped to deal with wrappers, bottles, tissue paper, ciga- mass tourism It could be the man- rette stubs and so on. groves in Sundarbans, high-altitude Use a solar charger to recharge treks in the Himalayas or the ocean mobile phones. in Andamans; the moment visitors Take shorter showers even though start thronging to them, their deli- you’re on vacation. cate ecological balance is disturbed. Hire a bicycle in places it is safe One of the major differences be- to ride in or take public transport tween eco-tourism and eco-travel instead of a taxi. is that in the former, you rely on Carry a foldable tote that can be someone else to be responsible for put away in your backpack to avoid the ecology and environment, but taking plastic bags from stores.  as an eco-traveller you take up the responsibility yourself. Adopt these aking a vacation is no lon- tion of local systems such as gar- tips to be a low-impact traveller: ger difficult; there are deals bage, water management, disposal Carry a 500 ml sturdy, empty galore to make every buck- of plastic waste and so on. bottle along when you leave home. et-list dream come true. But Travelling responsibly is not only In most hotels, a kettle for tea or thereT is an underbelly to the travel the need of the hour; it is also very coffee is a given. Boil water before industry that no one talks about. simple – all you need to do is follow sleeping at night and by the time

Travellers are aware that when we some simple rules and few acts of : unsplash you’re up, it is cool enough to be travel, we help the local economy mindfulness. You may ask: don’t ho- filled into your bottle. Carry two A former journalist and consumer-court judge, Ritu flourish. But no one talks about tels or properties that are certified bottles if you’re accustomed to has reinvented herself as a travelpreneur. Her firm

how travellers add to the degrada- eco-friendly do the needful? credit P hoto drinking a lot of water. Ease India Travel specializes in unusual escapades.

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 56 | SCREENSHOT food | 57 Colours of India THE Bushra Hassan, 33, Melbourne MONSOON MENU The rain and food bring together all the senses. Indulge your taste buds with these delectable monsoon recipes. By Kaveri Jain itting in my balcony surrounded by luscious green trees, I sip my hot ginger lemon tea, my thoughts a pendulum between the enchanting raindrops and my endless love for food. I fall in love with both, Severyday these days. The delight they bring is unparalleled in distinct ways, yet there is a similar sense of fulfillment. was born in a town called Korajahanabad, close to Lucknow, I was eight years old when I fell under the spell of our IUP. I grew up in a household where almost everyone paints maharaj (senior cook) rolling out perfectly round, thin rotis. and so did I. Later, I studied in Nainital, and then got a formal He did it in such a way that it seemed as if the roti was arts degree from Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi. moving in a circular direction and not the rolling pin. My I worked in an international fashion magazine in Delhi for childhood favourite was the dark green pista barfi made at a while, and in 2010, I started making quirky hand-painted home; the aroma still haunts me. homeware called Indybindi inspired by ethnic Indian art. It Born and brought up in Delhi, I studied at Mater Dei was a great time in my life; I had the best of the corporate Convent and later graduated in English from Hindu College world as well as creative fulfillment. In 2013, I fell in love, got in Delhi University. I got married while in college, and married and moved to Sydney. still managed to do my post-grad in advertising. Then my That was a difficult phase for me: I couldn’t find a job, daughter was born in 2000, and three years later, my son. and couldn’t even understand the local accent. Luckily, we My home became my workplace, and motherhood became moved to Melbourne and I fell in love with the city. I began a full-time career, though I do paint and write on my blog selling Indybindi products at ‘makers markets’. Soon, I was from time to time. noticed by an art organization who invited me to conduct Cooking is, of course, my oldest love. I made my first full workshops. In the meantime, we had a baby. meal singlehandedly at the age of 15. My mother had been I now freelance as a graphic designer, teach Indian art- hospitalised and lunch had to be sent for her. I decided to work and also make my own products. Recently, my painting do it on my own. Everyone in the hospital was surprised. was selected for display on a Melbourne tram, and will run Today, my son shows the same spark – he will probably for six months. I feel proud to represent the art of my country. carry the torch forward! Life has ups and downs, but art has seen me through.  Bidding goodbye to the rainy season for the year, these are some of my monsoon favourites.

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 58 | food food | 59

KHAO SUEY

Ingredients: Instructions: 1 onion, thinly sliced 1. In a bowl add tofu, turmeric and 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped little salt. Stir to mix well so that all 1 cup mushrooms, sliced the tofu pieces are coated well. Keep OATS SOOJI PANIYARAM / PADDU ½ cup broccoli florets, parboiled aside for 10 minutes. Boil the noodles ½ cup green beans chopped, and keep aside. parboiled 2. In a large wok or a pan, heat oil. Ingredients: curd and mix well. Add water till it is 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced Add sliced onions, stirring continuously 1 cup instant oats (Quaker) the consistency of dosa batter. Add 1/2 cup tofu, diced into bite size till they turn golden. Keep aside. In the 1 cup sooji salt and cooking soda to the batter pieces remaining oil fry the garlic; keep aside. 1 cup curd (preferably sour) and leave it aside for 1 hour. ½ cup vegetable oil 3. To the remaining oil add ginger- 1 big onion, finely chopped 3. Add finely chopped onions, 2 tsp ginger garlic paste garlic paste and cook for 30 seconds. 3 tbsp chana dal coriander, curry leaves along with 1.5 tbsp Thai red curry paste Add tofu and cook till it turns slightly 3 tbsp chopped coriander green chilli paste, cumin seeds, soaked 300 ml coconut milk golden. Add bell pepper, beans, 2 tbsp chopped curry leaves chana dal and mix. Add water as 1/2 cup water broccoli and mushrooms; continue to 1 tbsp green chilli ground to a paste required. Then add fruit salt and mix 1/2 tsp turmeric cook for 2-3 minutes. 1 tsp fruit salt well. 1 tsp sugar 4. Add the Thai curry paste and ¼ tsp cooking soda 4. Heat the paniyaram pan, add a few Salt to taste turmeric, and stir till the paste is 1 tsp cumin seeds drops of oil in each impression. When 1 tbsp vegetable oil slightly cooked. Add coconut milk, Salt to taste it is piping hot, keep the flame on 8-10 peanuts roughly chopped water and sugar. Mix well to form a low and pour the batter using a table 40 gms noodles – of your choice lump-free sauce. Cover and cook on spoon until it covers 3/4th and pour (I used egg noodles) low for 10 minutes. Instructions: some more oil over it and cover it with Handful of roughly chopped cilantro 5. To serve: In a bowl add noodles. 1. Soak chana dal in water for 1-2 a lid. Lemon wedges for serving Pour the khao suey on the noodles. hours. Dry-roast oats and sooji 5. Let it roast on low-medium flame. 1 chopped green chilly (optional) Top up with burnt garlic, fried onions, separately until they change colour. Once the edges turn golden, turn 1 boiled egg (optional) green chili, and sliced egg. Finish with Cool them and grind to a coarse them to the other side and roast until a few drops of lemon juice, peanuts powder. golden brown on both sides. Serve hot and a few sprigs of cilantro. Serve hot! 2. Add ground oats and sooji to the with tomato, coconut or mint chutney. SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 MEXicAN CORN ON THE COB Ingredients: 4 tbsp mayonnaise 4 ears corns 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves chopped 2 tsp lime juice 2 tbsp finely grated parmesan cheese ½ tsp chili powder ¼ tsp ground red pepper ¼ tsp ground cumin Salt to taste

Instructions: 1. Heat the grill. Place corn on CORN POTATO TIKKI grill rack that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Grill the corn Ingredients: the cheese and oil aside. Grease for 10 minutes or until tender and slightly brown turning frequently. 1 cup corn kernels, boiled palms with a little oil and divide the 2. Combine mayo and juice in 2 large potato, boiled and mashed potato mix into 15 portions. Roll a bowl. Combine cheese and Few green chillies chopped each portion into a ball and flatten seasonings in another bowl. 1 tbsp minced garlic to fill in a tsp of grated cheese . 3. Remove from grill and brush 1 tsp grated ginger Then make a round thick patty. with mayo mixture, and sprinkle 1tbsp chopped mint leaves 2. Heat oil in a non stick pan with cheese mixture. Top up mint ½ cup bread crumbs and shallow fry the patties over leaves. Serve hot. 4 tbsp grated cheese medium flame. When one side Salt to taste turns golden brown flip onto the Oil for shallow frying other. The browning should take about 2-3 minutes (each side). 3. Plate up the ready tikkis and Instructions: serve with green chutney, lemon 1. Mix the all ingredients leaving and onion rings!

SEPTEMBER 2017 62 | food food | 63

VEGETARIAN RICE PAPER ROLLS

Ingredients: Heat half the oil in a small saucepan ½ cup unsalted roasted peanuts over medium heat. Cook the garlic 1 tablespoon peanut oil and chilli, stirring, until aromatic. Add 2 garlic clove, finely chopped the peanuts, water, coconut milk and 1 long fresh red chilli, halved, hoisin sauce. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring, until the deseeded, finely chopped sauce thickens. Set aside to cool. 250ml (1 cup) water 2. Heat the remaining oil in a medium 80ml (1/3 cup) coconut milk frying pan. Cook the paneer for a 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce few minutes. Stir in the soy sauce and 200gms paneer, 5 thick slices sugar. Set aside to cool. 1 carrot, peeled, cut into matchsticks 3. Place the noodles in a bowl and 1 thinly sliced (long thin) red bell cover with boiling water. Set aside pepper for 5 minutes to soften. Drain. Soak 50 gms bean sprouts a rice-paper sheet in water for 30 ZUCCHINI MINI PIZZA 1 cucumber, cut into matchsticks seconds or until soft. Place on a clean 1 tablespoon soy sauce work surface. Place 1 lettuce leaf in 1 teaspoon caster sugar Instructions: the centre of the rice-paper sheet. Top Ingredients: 25g rice vermicelli noodles with a thick slice of paneer, followed 1 tablespoon olive oil 1. Brush the zucchini slices with oil 5 round (22cm-diameter) rice-paper by carrots, bell pepper, cucumber and 2 medium zucchini, cut into ¼ inch on both sides, season with salt and sheets bean sprouts. slices pepper. Grill until just tender, about Lettuce leaves 4. Top it with some peanut sauce, the ½ cup pizza sauce 1-2 minutes per side. Handful of fresh mint leaves noodles and mint leaves. Fold in the 1 cup shredded mozzarella or 2. Pre heat the oven at 200 degrees 2 tablespoons unsalted roasted ends and roll up firmly to enclose the bocconcini Celsius. Place the zucchini slices on peanuts, extra, coarsely chopped filling. Repeat with the remaining rice- Oregano or Italian seasoning to taste a greased baking sheet, top them paper sheets to make five rice-paper Salt and pepper to taste with sauce, cheese and bake until the rolls. Instructions: cheese has melted. 5. Transfer to a serving platter and 3. Sprinkle with oregano or Italian 1. Process the peanuts in a food sprinkle with the chopped peanut. seasoning to taste. Serve hot! processor until a coarse paste forms. Serve with the peanut sauce. 

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 64 | PERSONAL GROWTH TAROT | 65

LEO fit you in the future. Build a strong Your responsibilities will increase foundation and keep your eye on making it difficult for you to take the prize while also keeping your risks. Let go of old patterns that no affairs in order. Tarot Insight: Admit longer work for you. Be receptive your true feelings to yourself. to a new opportunity; it will take CAPRICORN you to a new direction. Tarot Insight: Competition will be fierce. A mis- Free yourself from others’ expectations. understanding may lead to a de- VIRGO crease in your self-esteem. Guard Your positive attitude will attract against actions based on frustration, others. Flirty fun, play and romance anger, hate and prejudice. Tarot In- are all indicated. Share your highest sight: Leave an unhealthy situation and qualities and achievements. Support enjoy the new doors that open. efforts of a loved one to grow. There AQUARIUS WHAT THE will be wonderful news at the work An enthusiastic, open-minded per- front. Tarot Insight: Recognize your son may enter your life. It’s a good CARDS SAY traditional values for future security. time to develop your own venture. This is what September will be like, says tarot reader Alka Mahajan LIBRA Take risks in your relationships. You and your partner will reach a Don’t overanalyse. Spend time with ARIES GEMINI position of power and respect. Be new people who stimulate you. Ta r - Your love life will improve dramat- Your intentions might be misun- social, and make dating, mating and ot Insight: An upcoming trip proves to ically if you work on becoming derstood. Messages of love, romance relating a priority. Interact with ev- be life-changing in positive ways. independent and self-reliant. Get and appreciation will be blocked. eryone, no matter what their status. PISCES outdoors and enjoy activities with a Emails or phone calls could get lost. Be natural and committed. Tarot In- Retreat from the demands of an ac- loved one. Take special care of your But stop self-pity and make new sight: Your trump card is your ability to tive social life will benefit you. Take health, and treat it as your greatest plans for a better life in your unique understand and be understood. a break from powerful relationship wealth. It is an excellent time to way. Tarot Insight: Be objective about SCORPIO issues and conflicts. Get back to harvest the fruits of your labour. yourself and your goals. Watch for co-dependent or en- your centre by looking inwards. Ta r - Tarot Insight: Embrace change to redis- CANCER abling behaviour in yourself or a ot Insight: Flowers and flower essences cover yourself. You or your partner may feel either loved one. Don’t allow others to increase your personal healing power.  TAURUS vulnerable or smothered by each take advantage of you. Avoid people You are soon either going to meet other or by established rules. Wealth who are unreliable, wishy-washy, Alka Mahajan is or be called upon to be a person and status can become burdensome or those who have been unfaithful. an educationist, with maturity without complaints. obstacles if you don’t have true love’s Tarot Insight: Stand up for your beliefs, professional tarot Loyalty will be shown to you and spirit of kindness and compromise and only say yes if you really want to. card reader and a certified counsellor your loyalty will be rewarded. Your to guide you. An inheritance may SAGITTARIUS and psychotherapist. dynamic personality will open the be delayed or disappointing. Tarot Hold on to what you have. Take care Write to her at door to many possibilities. Tarot In- Insight: Knowing what you want is the of your home and family. What you alkamahajan1@ gmail.com. sight: Follow the dictates of your heart. first step towards getting it. : Mike E nerio on U nsplash P hoto save and conserve now will bene-

SEPTEMBER 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 66 | screenshot Every woman has a Seeing Clearly story. What’s yours? Jasdeep Kaur, 40, Delhi

veryone in my Sikh family was well-educated so I too went E in for Master’s in Computer Application from Pune after graduating in mathematics from Delhi. In college, I began showing signs of a genetic disorder called Retinitis Pigmen- tosa, which led to loss of vision by the time I was working in a software firm in Noida. A bad fall later, I quit corporate life. I soon got a freelance job as a technical writer for a Swiss firm that creates standards for accessible book publishing. It gave me confidence and the right tools I needed to navigate my world. I also married a wonderful south Indian man, who Brought was a former colleague. Our daughter Sonakshi is now nine. to you by I’ve always had a creative side: I write poems and sing. So, along with my guru, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, I set up the Kirana Gharana Music Academy a few years ago. I manage my workplace and home with ease, using voiceover apps in phones and screenreaders on laptops, though commuting across the city can be a problem. Visual impairment has enabled me. It showed me a side of myself I would have never explored had I been sighted. To read, buy or download, visit.eShe.in I’ve done more after losing my vision. There is gain in loss.  To advertise, contact [email protected] SUBSCRIBE TO THE E-MAGAZINE - IT’S FREE! Follow @esheworld SEPTEMBER 2017