India Today 18 March 2013

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Editor-in-Chief: Aroon Purie Group Chief Executive Officer: Ashish Bagga Group Synergy and Creative Officer: Kalli Purie Editor: Kaveree Bamzai Managing Editor: S. Prasannarajan Deputy Editors: Damayanti Datta, Dhiraj Nayyar, Kunal Pradhan, Sandeep Unnithan Senior Editors: Prachi Bhuchar, Karuna John, S. Sahaya Ranjit, Bhavna Vij-Aurora AHMEDABAD: Uday Mahurkar HYDERABAD: Amarnath K. Menon Associate Editors: Abdus Salam, G.S. Vivek THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: M.G. Radhakrishnan Assistant Editors: Monalisa S. Arthur, Sharla Bazliel BANGALORE: Sowmya Aji CHANDIGARH: Asit Jolly MUMBAI: Kiran Tare GUWAHATI: Kaushik Deka JAIPUR: Rohit Parihar PATNA: Amitabh Srivastava Special Correspondent: BHOPAL: Lemuel Lall Principal Correspondent: Nishat Bari, Jayant Sriram CHENNAI: Lakshmi Kumaraswami Senior Correspondent: Shravya Jain Correspondent: Sonali Acharjee Copy Desk: Ipsita Bhattacharya (Chief Copy Editor), Bodhisattwa Maity, Archana Pande (Copy Editors) Photo Department: Vivan Mehra (Group Photo Editor), Reuben Singh (Deputy Photo Editor), Subir Halder, Yasbant Negi, Vikram Sharma AHMEDABAD: Shailesh Raval MUMBAI: Mandar Deodhar, Bhaskar Paul Infographics and Illustrations: Saurabh Singh (Chief of Graphics) Art Department: Ajit Bajaj (Senior Art Director) Madhu Bhaskar (Art Director), Vandana Nayar, Jyoti K. Singh, Chetan Singh (Deputy Art Directors), Vipin Gupta, Vikas Verma (Assistant Art Directors) Production Department: Surinder Hastu (Chief of Production), Harish Aggarwal, Naveen Gupta Chief of Information Bureau: Rajesh Sharma Group Business Head : Manoj Sharma Associate Publisher: Anil Fernandes (Impact) IMPACT TEAM Senior General Managers: Kaustav Chatterjee (East), Jitendra Lad (West), Head (North): Subhashis Roy, General Manager: Shailender Nehru (Bangalore), Deputy General Manager: Velu Balasubramaniam (Chennai) Consumer Marketing Services: Poonam Sangha, Head - Consumer Services Sales and Operations: D.V.S. Rama Rao, Chief General Manager Vinod Das, Senior General Manager (National) Manish Shrivastava, Senior Manager (North) Joydeep Roy, Senior Manager (East) Rajesh Menon, General Manager (West) Deepak Bhatt, General Manager (South) Rakesh Sharma, General Manager (Operations)
Volume XXXVIII Number 11; For the week March 12-18, 2013, released every Friday
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he discovery of penicillin, the worlds first antibiotic, was one of the most influential events of the 20th century. Its commercialisation between 1943 and 1945, the final years of World War II, brought about a radical improvement in global life expectancy. It was the first time in human history that people no longer died because of an infected battle wound, or of a severe throat infection or of tuberculosis, all mortal afflictions until Scottish biologist Alexander Fleming and other collaborators gave the world a miracle cure against dangerous bacteria. The miracle came with a warning. In 1945, Fleming warned that indiscriminate use of penicillin could lead to the creation of mutant drug-resistant bacteria. There was evidence of that happening as early as 1946, but the continuous discovery of new antibiotics in the decades that followed made everyone complacent. Now, nearly 70 years later, there is growing evidence that several bacteria have become completely resistant to traditional antibiotics. We could potentially regress to a past when millions of people lost their lives to diseases we thought we had conquered, including tuberculosis, which is rampant in India. Nowhere have antibiotics been quite as widely abused as in India. Some of that has to do with the over-eagerness of doctors who sometimes prescribe antibiotics for, say, viral infections. The drugs have no impact on the illness but foster the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. It is also far too easy for people to buy antibiotics in India. Self-medicating patients buy a lot of such medicines without the necessary prescription from a doctor. Worryingly, they dont know the correct dosages. A majority of chemists put profit above good sense to facilitate this carelessness. The fact is that retail sales of antibiotics in India have grown at a rate of 6-7 per cent per annum between 2005 and 2010 whereas in the US, for the same OUR JUNE 1976 COVER period, sales have not grown, remaining stable. The latest data produced by the World Health Organization and Indias own medical community shows that an alarming 70 per cent of Indians are resistant to multiple, cutting-edge antibiotics. It is estimated that 30 per cent of patients admitted to Intensive Care Units in India die because of antibiotic resistance to infections they have picked up. Unfortunately, there have been hardly any new antibiotic drug discoveries in the past two decades. That means that there are new no superdrugs in the pipeline ready to fight the menace of resistant bacteria. India, and indeed the rest of the world, could be on the brink of a health crisis. Our cover story, written by Deputy Editor Damayanti Datta, presents the stark reality of this new threat. Action is needed on several fronts before its too late. Regulatory authorities must ensure that both doctors and chemists do not over-prescribe antibiotics, particularly the handful of cutting-edge ones that are the last line of attack against the toughest bacteria. The Government should also consider incentives for Indias very successful pharmaceutical industry to move away from simply copying drugs discovered in the West to actively investing in the search for new antibiotics. Western pharma companies have for some time shifted focus to lifestyle diseasesthe scourge of the Westbut Indian companies, given Indian realities, should still find a market in new antibiotics. Until now, the spectre of dangerous bacteria wiping out large parts of humanity is only in the realm of science fiction. We could do without seeing it in reality.
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MARCH 18, 2013 INDIA TODAY
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INSIDE
N AT I O N
UTTAR PRADESH
24
SUV S
Raja Bhaiya & Badlands of Kunda
Murder allegations against a powerful minister plunge Akhilesh Yadavs government into crisis as law and order spins out of control.
S P EC I A L R E P O R T
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C OV E R STO RY H E A LT H
Everybody Wants An SUV
SUVS registered double-digit growth
10
CINEMA
BUDDY FILMS
Y our Antibiotic Is Sick
in 2012. The rush for the mean machine continues though prices have gone up after the Budget.
CELEBRITY CRICKET
SPORT
India is losing war on infection as bacteria defy powerful medicines.
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Suniel Scores Over Sachin
Film stars have a field day as the Celebrity League notches up TRPS to rival IPL.
UPFRONT GLASS HOUSE CONTROVERSY GLOSSARY
44
The New Bond Film
Gritty, earthy, unlikely friendship is finally entering our creative consciousness.
Cover by: SAURABH SINGH Cover photo by: VIKRAM SHARMA
T H E B I G STO RY
SNOOPING
Page: 76-77
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INDIA TODAY MARCH 18, 2013
Secret World of Super Snoopers
Illegal surveillance is available at a price, as a nexus of corporates, politicians, private detectives and intelligence agencies becomes pervasive.
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MAR
A Smooth Ride
To read past articles on automobiles in full, log on to www.indiatoday.in/car-trends
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LUXURY VEHICLES Hot Wheels The booming sales of luxury cars in a year of recession has taken the worlds luxury auto market by storm. In 2009, over 9,000 Indians have driven home in spanking new Rolls, BMWs, Audis or Mercedes, compared to 7,500 in 2008. This may seem like a small speck in Indias 1.8 million automobile market; luxury cars by definition attract eyeballs because of their hefty prices, which start at Rs 27 lakh and go up to Rs 4 crore. At Rs 700 crore and growing, Indias luxury car market isnt small.
I N D I A TO DAY, J A N UA RY 1 8, 2 0 1 0
The three-day SAARC Festival of Literature begins in Agra. The new terminal at Kolkatas Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is thrown open to fliers.
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PREMIER CARS Firing On All Cylinders Skoda-Auto is entering the mass market segment for the first time, while Audi is consolidating its base with an expanding network and introduction of more India-assembled cars in addition to the A6.
I N D I A TO DAY, J A N UA RY 2 1 , 2 0 0 8
NEW LAUNCHES World Drives Into India The price differential between petrol and diesel is a sizeable Rs 25 per litre. Most of the new SUVS run on diesel, but there are also a number of smaller cars that are looking to make a mark in this segment.
I N D I A TO DAY, J A N UA RY 1 6, 2 0 1 2
FICCIs annual media conference, Frames, begins in Mumbai. Its a three-day event. The three-day international conference focusing on urban governance, Municipalika, begins at India Expo Centre in Greater Noida. AAHAR International Food & Hospitality Fair begins in New Delhis Pragati Maidan. The two-day annual INDIA TODAY Conclave in New Delhi begins. The four-day Gem and Jewellery India International Exhibition begins in Chennai.
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INDIAS BEST CITIES

MARCH 4, 2013
Rating of top 50 cities to live, work and play in
After 65 years of independence, we have only three new citiesGandhinagar, Chandigarh, and Bhubaneswar, all in your top 20 list. We need to build at least 300.
K R I S H A N K A L R A , via email
Future Lies in Cities

INDIA TODAYS initiative to
VIKRAM SHARMA/www.indiatodayimages.com
Numbers That Speak

As a resident of Chennai, I was pleasantly surprised to find my hometown being rated Number 1 in your survey of Indias best cities (New Economy Fuses With Old-World Ideals, March 4). At the same time, its also disturbing that if Chennai, with all its drawbacksslums, massive power outages, overcrowding, erratic water supply among other problems could be voted the best, the state of our cities are indeed pathetic.
SANDHYA SRIDHAR, Chennai
highlight the strong points of different cities and rank them on a scale of liveability might start a healthy competition among city planners to outdo one another in the race for supremacy (India Shifts to the City, March 4). This will ultimately result in better living conditions for the citizens who would stand to benefit from the exercise.
V.K.TANGRI, Dehradun
Check Unplanned Growth

Chandigarh is one of the best planned cities in India with a potential to become Indias Singapore (One Million People, Infinite Promise , March 4). However, its current one million population is just the double of half a million people it was initially planned for. Economic development must be supported by proper town planning and public policy to achieve balanced growth.As the author rightly pointed out, the administrators of Chandigarh should learn from the mistakes Bangalore committed so that the infrastructure is not compromised due to unplanned and unprecedented growth.
VIKRAM T., via email
Your magazine is right in pointing out that urbanisation is significant for building a nation. Indian politicians tend to ignore cities and their problems as their vote bank is dependant on the rural population. But with the countrys overall GDP heavily relying on the cities, it is imperative that their issues are addressed on priority basis. Indias growth is dependent on the development in its cities.
DEBDUTTA ROY, Bangalore
www.twitter. com/IndiaToday
Survey of Best Cities INDIA TODAY correctly lists Chennai as the best city in India. We just won a test match against Australia here. What else do you want man? @kamleshksingh Traffic jams, mall-crawling and
moneyed aggression have still not changed. @lathu Sheila Dikshit must be honoured for the distinction that Delhi is NOT even in top 10 of best cities as per INDIA TODAY survey @amishra77 Howrah, best in healthcare! Where did that come from? @ratanmaitra
Chennai has a long way to go before it can be adjudged the best city to live in in India. Firstly, it needs to welcome outsiders. Not knowing Tamil can be a huge drawback in Chennai and auto drivers fleece passengers if they find out that they cant speak the language. The police are often hostile and refuse to help outsiders.
V. SHIVAKUMAR, Hyderabad
MAIL
Disaster Deals
The latest scandal the Government finds itself embroiled in is the chopper scam, which has given the clean Defence Minister A.K. Antony a big blow (Teflon Antony and the Rise of the Italian Arms Industry, March 4). It is unfortunate that almost every other day, we see news of ministers and babus involved in scandals being flashed in the media. The laws must be stringent when it comes to dealing with corruption at the highest levels. When will our Government take concrete steps to eliminate corruption?
MAHESH KAPASI, Delhi
VIKRAM SHARMA/www.indiatodayimages.com
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Poor Defence Policy
This refers to the analytical article, Dependency Breeds Corruption (INDIA TODAY, March 4). It has been reported that India has the dubious distinction of becoming the worlds largest arms importer since 2006 and there is a lack of transparency and accountability in carrying out defence deals. It shows that there is no competitive bidding and that political corruption is making the countrys defence policy weak.
BEENA MATHUR, Pune
YEARS AGO IN INDIA T O D AY
F E B R U A RY 1 5 , 1 9 7 6
Publishing Industry Under Pressure

Paradoxically enough, India, which has produced some of the worlds most ancient writings, has never really produced a full-blooded publishing industry. Publishing came late to India, indeed in the postIndependence years, and when it came it lacked, and continues to lack till present day, the dynamism and and drama of publishing elsewhere. It has grown since 1947 in an erratic and straggling fashion, rather like the retarded child of the large,
Knocked Out
The decision of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to exclude wrestling from the Games in 2020 has come as a big shock for Indian players (Wrestling Dreams Turn To Dust , March 4).The reasons given by the IOC for its decision seem hardly convincing. Wrestling was one of the original sports in Olympics and was also a revered sport in ancient Greece. Dropping wrestling from Olympics is a wrong decision and will affect the morale of players.
ROHAN POOJAR, Bangalore
Bleak Forecast
The pre-Budget discussion of the Board of India Today Economists has revealed deep pessimism about the state of economy and the Finance Minister P. Chidambarams limited room for innovation and manoeuvre (Governance, Not Gimmicks, March 4). As experts have pointed out, with the fiscal deficit and the current account deficit dangerously high, reforms and progressive policies are the need of the hour.
JACOB SAHAYAM, via email
Over the past many years, news of bribery and scam with respect to defence deals have been surfacing at regular intervals. However, no effective preventive measure seems to have been adopted and public money continues to be squandered. Whats worse is that while the revelation of a scam causes huge uproar initiallyas seen in the current chopper scam or the controversy surrounding the procurement of Bofor gunsthe cases are never followed through till the end. Laws must be stricter and criminals should be punished.
RANJIT SINHA, Kolkata
The IOC has decided to drop wrestling from the 2020 Games possibly because it is looking to include those games that are relevant to sports lovers of all generations.While it comes as a blow to Indian wrestlers, it cant be denied that the appeal of wrestling lags behind when compared to sports like athletics or tennis.
SONAM SINGH, Chandigarh
SELLING THE WRITTEN WORD
Corrigendum
In the March cover story of Aspire (The Road To IIT), an incorrect map of India was carried. The error is regretted. E-MAILYOUR LETTERS TO: letters.editor@intoday.com OR LOG ON TO www.indiatoday.in
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malnourished family. True, the odds against which it had developed are overwhelming: Large-scale literacy, large diversity of language, literature and culture, and in recent years a soaring inflation in paper and production costs. On the other hand, the most potential market for books in Indiaof textbooks for studentshas risen phenomenally. The number of colleges, for instance, has grown from 933 in 1947 to 2,360 in 1960 alone, and the student population at the college level from 225,000 in 1947 to over a million in 1960.
by Sunil Sethi
UPFRONT TANVI MADAN
PREPARE FOR THE UNKNOWNS
magine the breaking news headline: Revolution in sion of Kuwait, the Gulf War and the collapse of the Soviet Riyadh. The scenario: The House of Saud, which has Union. India has also benefited from some black swans ruled Saudi Arabia for years, has been overthrown. for example, from two crucial ones that Nassim Nicholas Closer to home, think about what China going off the rails Taleb, who generated the black swan theory, laid out in his would look likeand portend for India. These are just two book The Black Swan: The development and spread of the of the Black Swans that foreign policy scholars at the computer and the Internet. India could face black swans again: A serious and Brookings Institution recently identified as deserving the attention of the US government, along with a series of Big sudden deterioration of the situation in Tibet. A climate Bets that the administration should make in President change-caused catastrophe in Bangladesh with thousands, Obamas second term. These black swans are low-proba- if not hundreds of thousands, of people trying to cross over bility, high-impact events that can have a dramatic impact into India. A major cyber attack with uncertain origins. A on the plans and policies of a country. The idea behind this disintegration in Pakistan with the loose nukes problem project was to identify potential events, suggest ways to becoming real. A collapse in the price of gold. A US-Iranian prevent them if possible and prepare for them if they occur. rapprochementa black swan that could throw up With American involvement in a number of countries in the challenges or opportunities for India. Black swans are not always negative and do not world, it might seem natural to undertake such exercises in the United States. It is essential, however, that such necessarily have a negative impact. As my Brookings thinking take place in Indiawhose global interests and colleague Govinda Avasarala notes, a major breakthrough in grid-level battery storage developed in India that involvement are growingas well. Just a glance at the black swans that Brookings scholars could make solar and other intermittent forms of energy envisioned indicates how each of them could affect Indias instantly economic could be one such positive black swan. interests. The collapse of the Saudi monarchy would bring This development would not only change Indias energy picinstability in a country that is Indias largest oil supplier and ture, it would change the debate on and the available solucritical to its economy. It is also the location of two of Islams tions to the climate change challenge. It would also put India holiest sites. The spillover into other countries in the region at the forefront of the next big technology revolution. It is important to think about such black swans, that is not just the source of most of the crude oil and natural gas that India imports but is home to a large number of consider ways of preventing them if they are negative ones Indians, will also have major ramifications. A Eurozone and facilitating them if they are positive, and lay out ways collapse would have a significant impact on the Indian of coping with them. Government agencies can do some of economy. A China-US confrontation or especially a direct this thinking. Indeed, recently, at a talk organised by RAW, military conflict between them over former president Abdul Kalam highSAURABH SINGH/www.indiatodayimages.com Koreathough seemingly distant from lighted the need for the countrys Indias area of operations and interest intelligence apparatus to be prepared would change the geopolitical context in for black swans. Policy planning staffs which India is operating. A confrontacan also undertake such exercises. tional Chinese leadership, driven by popGovernment agencies, however, are ular nationalism and desire for regime often burdened or overburdened with survival into war, could have serious conday-to-day priorities, with little time, sequences for India. Domestic revolution inclination or resources to undertake in China could also affect not just Indias such thinking. Therefore it is outside geopolitical interests but its economic governmentin think tanks, universiones as well; it could also lead to signifities and the corporate sectorthat such cant changes in the Tibet dynamic. thinking about black swans, as well as Finally, a dramatic rise in sea levels could forecasting, scenario planning and war devastate Indias coastal areas where gaming can and must take place. Such about a fifth of its population resides. exercises do not necessarily require One could dismiss these scenarios as A China-US confrontation or classified information. They do require far-fetched, but ignoring such possibilitime, resources, expertiseand, most especially a direct military ties entirely can be risky. India itself has importantly, imagination. conflict between them over felt the brunt of black swansfor Korea would change the instance, the Dalai Lamas escape to Tanvi Madan is director of the India Project geopolitical context in which India in 1959 or the black swan triple and a fellow at the Brookings Institution, whammy in 1990-91 with the Iraqi invaWashington DC India is operating.
06
GLASS HOUSE
by KAVEREE BAMZAI
SONIA SNUBS SORENS
OVERHEARD
hibu Soren, who so emphatically promised to cobble together a majority with Congress support while pulling down the Arjun Munda-led coalition government on January 7, has returned empty-handed from Delhi. Again. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha power duoShibu and Hemant Sorenfixed a March 4 deadline for Congress to extend support before they left for Delhi. They had to return to Ranchi on March 2, as UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi refused to meet them. The three-day wait proved futile. Madam is not interested.
YASHBANT NEGI/www.indiatodayimages.com
The Prime Minister must get a better send-off, said a telecom CEO to PMO officials. In the runup to the Budget, Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram met at 7 Race Course Road almost every day in the evening. No doubt, the send-off was weighing on the mind of one of them when the Budget was being drafted.
SAURABH SINGH/www.indiatodayimages.com
O F T H E W E E K
QUESTION
The Last Gandhi?

ahul Gandhis off the cuff interaction in Parliament on March 5 redefined conventional wisdom. He seemed to suggest that marriage is an instrument to prolong inheritance.If I get married and have children, I will be status quoist and will like my children to take my place. And we thought it was a happy union between two individuals in love. He called himself a parachute. Congressmen have thought he was an umbrella under which they could take cover. He suggested that everything good and bad originates from the Gandhis, from the Bangladesh war to Congress high command.And we thought it was the march of history, not of family. RAHUL

Lover, Father and Son
All right, so we can understand why Narendra Modi made so many references to the Gandhis and evoked the name of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. But what BJP workers cannot fathom is why he praised Pranab Mukherjee.The explanation being offered that the Presidents role in case of a split verdict will be critical seems far-fetched.
(FROM LEFT) GANESH KUMAR, P.C. GEORGE, BALAKRISHNA PILLAI
We Are Family, Even If We Fight

truggling on the fringes after voters rejected him in the 2012 Assembly polls, Peoples Party of Punjab chief Manpreet Badal has had to fall back on family to hit back at first cousin and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal. He is set to host the release of son Arjun Badals first book Subera.The 18-year-old, a student at the Choate Rosemary Hall school in Connecticut, systematically attacks the estranged chacha for everything from failing to curb water pollution, female foeticide and the drug menace.A vehement critic of political dynasties, Manpreet is evidently intent on starting one of his own.
ARJUN
fter Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, its the turn of Kerala state Minister for Forest, Sports and Cinema K.B. Ganesh Kumar to be in woman trouble. Chief Whip P.C. George has alleged that the minister was slapped by the husband of his lover. Ganesh Kumar has threatened a defamation suit, saying Georges animosity towards me is well known. The minister is already facing staunch opposition from his own father, Chairman of Kerala Congress (B) R. Balakrishna Pillai, for not vacating the ministerial berth allotted to him temporarily while the father went to jail on corruption charges. Charming family.
GLASS HOUSE
by R. Prasad
FREE FOR ALL
BUDGET
HUMOUR
Dont eat out. Dont smoke. Dont use smartphones. Its almost like FM stands for Father-Mother. With another petrol price hike, your Take Home Salarywont even take you home now. Now men who have no luck at cultural festivals in womens colleges will loiter around the womens bank. The finance minister says he can see three faces: Women, youth and poor. Did he mean Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra?
JAGAN
hen no one praises you, do it yourself. On February 27, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi claimed all Congress chief ministers had to lobby hard in Delhi. Except him. I never hankered after power and did not lobby for the chair like other chief ministers. So I can relinquish the chair any moment, even now, said Gogoi. Hemo Probha Saikia, wife of former Assam chief minister Hiteswar Saikia, is not amused. She has responded by saying her husband never lobbied for power either.
GOGOI
Gogoi Doesnt Lobby. He Only Boasts
Down But Not Out

fter months of speculation, Congress President Sonia Gandhi finally took the plunge in replacing Amarinder Singh as president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. The itchy-footed new incumT NARAYAN/www.indiatodayimages.com
PTI
INVITED
Actor Aamir Khan by British Prime Minister David Cameron to 10 Downing Street.The two met in Delhi at a function organised by Janki Devi Memorial College on February 19.
Tainted Mens Clean Women

Lalu Prasad made his wife Rabri Devi chief minister, he called it women empowerment. Nitish Kumar When seems to have borrowed the idea from Lalu. In two out of the three by-elections contested by JD(U) in Bihar since 2010, Nitish has fielded women related to tainted men. In February, he fielded Manju Devi from Kalyanpur because the party discovered that its first choice, her father-in-law Ram Vilas Ram, a former agriculture offiNITISH cer, was accused in a police case. In 2011, Nitish gave a ticket to greenhorn Kavita Singh because her husband Ajay Singh had criminal cases pending against him.
AMARINDER
bent, Partap Singh Bajwa, is the MP representing the border constituency of Gurdaspur. But Amarinder, the Maharaja of Patiala, is unruffled. He is off to yet another sojourn in the hills. There is already talk of a larger role for Amarinder ahead of 2014. Such is regal privilege.
with AMITABH SRIVASTAVA, KAUSHIK DEKA, AMARNATH K. MENON, J. BINDURAJ, KIRAN TARE AND ASIT JOLLY
SIGNATURE
L O C O M O T I F
S. PRASANNARAJAN
WORTH OFA SALESMAN P

olitics may be all about paradoxes, but this one is getting starker and stranger with every news cycle. His life in the headlines is certainly a measure of Narendra Modis worth as a politician of inexhaustible possibilities; it is also perfectly in tune with his popularity as well as his power of propulsion among the party base. Still, for Modi, a life caught between prime-time mythology and front page exclamations is a lonely existence. The loneliest in Indian politics perhaps. This existential crisis of the nations most popular politician tells a rare story inspiring as well as incendiary depending on the make of your telescope. A story of breaking out from the inferno of hate politics and rising to become the most influential politician at work today. Influential because it is his wordsand presencethat determine the course of politics today. And no one comes anywhere near in playing out that influence to maximum national impact. Take this: It was just another party event whose main agenda was the formalisation of Rajnath Singhs nomination as the new BJP president, but in the end it was nothing but the gospel of national salvation according to Narendra Modi. Everything elsethe backdrop of party totems in deceptive serenity, the snubs, the subtextswas made redundant by the resonance of his sales pitch. It was like another mark-my-words-Im-the-future moment in politics: Barack Obamas speech at the Democratic convention in 2004. The sales pitch of Modi at the Talkatora Stadium in Delhi on March 3 was a fine piece of modern politics. As he soared above the rest on the podium as the message as well as the messenger of the alternative, there was a perfect harmony between content, communication and context. Like any other smart manipulator of the television camera, he was not
addressing the audience in front of him; he was addressing the nation; he was presenting a manifesto of national redemption which could be summarised in just four letters: Modi. The theme of development sounds too familiar to inspire the disenchanted, and the Chief Minister of Gujarat is not the only apostle of vikas in the House of Saffron. But who is responsible for Indias under-development, and who is the most qualified redeemer? The first part of the question he answered without any ambiguity: The Nehru-Gandhi dynasty; he may not have answered the second part directly but the entire speech, in which Gujarats Cicero mimed Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was the hard sell of an idea called Modi, an idea that his party is not yet ready to market. This is a fate no other politician shares with Modi. BJP today has no idea more saleable than Modi. The Mandir excites only the fringe that is forever trapped in mythology; it is the last cry of the illusionists of Ramarajya. Modi has made modernity accessible even to the lowest rung of the saffron base. Still, Modi is a polarising figure within his own party. It is this isolation within his own thankless party that makes the story of Modi one of the most captivating Indian narratives in modern politics. When the next stone is thrown at himHe is so impatient that he is overselling himselflet us acknowledge the truth that he is a singular Indian triumph in the craftsmanship of modern politics. No one has caught up with him because, being an outsider within his own party, he had to start the campaignyes, the sales pitch much earlier. Loners and outsiders are not chosen; they make themselves inevitable by the sheer velocity of their ideas. Modi is one such leader, and he needs to utter only those three magical words to make the story happier: I am sorry. state Assembly from 1977 to 1987. ACQUITTED Varun Gandhi, in both hate speech cases registered against him in the run-up to the 2009 Lok Sabha polls.
IT IS THE ISOLATION WITHIN HIS OWN THANKLESS PARTY THAT MAKES THE STORY OF MODI ONE OF THE MOST CAPTIVATING INDIAN NARRATIVES IN MODERN POLITICS. LONERS AND OUTSIDERS ARE NOT CHOSEN; THEY MAKE THEMSELVES INEVITABLE.
S I G N P O STS
BOOKED Uttar Pradesh minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya for alleged conspiracy
in the killing of Kunda DSP Zia-ul-Haq. DIED Former West Bengal minister and Forward Bloc leader Kalimuddin Shams. Shams, 78, was deputy speaker of the
RAJA BHAIYA
CHARGED Social activist Irom Sharmila for suicide attempt. She has been on fast for 12 years demanding the repeal of the AFSPA.
IROM
COVER STORY
HEALTH
by physicians and patients globally.
50% antibiotics are overused and misused 70% ICU patients surveyed in India carry
ANTIBIOTIC
IS
27% 31% Lungs Urine
YOUR
bacteria immune to multiple antibiotics.
SICK
4% Others
Bacteria are defying the most powerful medicines of all time. Is India ready for a world without antibiotics?
LINE OF ATTACK
Where bacteria resistant to antibiotics are found
Blood stream
38%
India is home to more dangerous germ strains

28% 72% Less virulent
(Grampositive; turn blue or violet under the microscope)
(Gram-negative; turn deep pink or purple under the microscope)
Deadly germs
he patient is going into shock. His blood pressure is falling. Antibiotics dont seem to work. Dr Sumit Ray sprinted to the intensive care unit in response to the urgent call. He had dreaded this moment ever since the 22year-old car crash victim was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi: His blood culture, done on admission, had detected bacteria specimens resistant to a range of antibiotics. Over the last five days, his head injury had healed but a spiking fever had appeared, suggesting infection. Through the glass wall, Ray, vicechairman of critical care at the hospital, could see the ashen pallor that made the patients face blend with the sheet. Hes sliding into a septic crisis. Soon, the infection will turn unstoppable, he sighed. Who can tell what germ is hiding in ones body, awaiting its chance to create havoc? A nagging fever that spikes to 103. Painful rashes that turn into pus-filled pockets. Black, bloody or tarry stool that just wont clear up. Swollen glands that look angry and enlarged. You know your antibiotic is not working if within 24-48 hours your body gives tell-tale signals of germs outsmarting drugs. If you dont pay heed, they will invade your bloodstream, driving you into a lifethreatening crisis. Sounds like a science fiction nightmare but its more real than you might think. Armed with antibiotics, miracle drugs of the modern era, doctors today know practically no limits to the range of patients they can help. All that progress is suddenly being challenged by invisible legions of malevolent bacteria, one millionth of a millimetre in size. Hospitals are turning into hotbeds of infection. And the drug development pipeline for new antibiotics is running dry the world
RAJWANT RAWAT/www.indiatodayimages.com
By Damayanti Datta
30% infants die in India each year from 95% rise in pneumonia, blood and wound infections in
germs that do not respond to antibiotics.
last 10 years in India; cant be cured by last-resort drugs.

Source: WHO; CDDEP; Indian Jl of Medical Research 2012; Rising Incidence of Resistance Gram Negative Bacteria Causing Sepsis in the Community, 2010-2013, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi
A BACTERIAL CULTURE IN PROGRESS AT THE MICROBIOLOGY LAB IN SIR GANGA RAM HOSPITAL, NEW DELHI
COVER STORY
HEALTH
over. India is in a particularly tight spot. Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has faced fierce questioning during the current Budget Session of Parliament on the rising tide of antibiotic resistance (ABR) in the country. An urgent question hangs over the future: What if antibiotics do not work anymore? The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm on the serious, growing, and global threat since 2010. At the 2013 World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos in January, WHO Director General Margaret Chan warned that bacteria are becoming so resistant to common antibiotics that it could mean the end of modern medicine as we know it. With ABR snuffing out 100,000 lives in America, 80,000 in China and 25,000 in Europe a year on average, WEF considers it one of the chief threats to human health that the world is mostly unprepared to cope with.
6 SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD NOT IGNORE

Antibiotics start working within 24-48 hours. If they dont, consult your doctor. Check for these symptoms:
1 2 3 4 5 6
12
Fever for more than 3 days,despite antibiotics,or a high-grade spiking fever of 103 F(39.4 C) and above. Spiking fever,severe shaking, falling blood pressure and seizure could indicate bacterial infection in the bloodstream,or sepsis. Black,bloody or tarry stool,persistent diarrhoea,unexplained bowel movement. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit,groin or the back of the neck. Severe headache that makes it difficult to perform routine chores or to keep the eyes open. Shiny skin,raised rashes or blisters on the skin,often extremely painful to touch.
Alexander Fleming had cautioned even on the day he received the Nobel Prize for discovering penicillin in 1945 that antibiotics would lead to a bacterial backlash. In the history of life, bacteria are the smartest: They double in numbers every 20 minutes, with each bacterium creating 16 third-generation progeny in an hour. Every generation passes on to the next the genes essential for survival in a hostile atmosphere. Antibiotics are tiny molecules that enter into bacteria cells to destroy them, says Sarala Balachandran, chief scientist with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). To protect themselves, bacteria mutate their genetic make-up. They multiply rapidly, passing on resistant genes to new generations. Its the Darwinian principle of natural selection. If you dont finish a course of antibiotics, not all bacteria die and you are likely to get the resistant strains. Dimple Kumar, 20, of Patna nearly paid with her life for that one irresponsible habit: Not completing courses. It did not matter until she got blisters at her waist from tying salwars too tight, which caused an infection. For six months, doctors kept raising the antibiotic doses, but the infection continued to spread deep inside her tissues. She landed up in a hospital with pus-filled sores, swelling, high fever and falling blood pressure. After four surgeries in four weeks, a last resort antibiotic finally worked on her. I was lucky. I could have died, she says. It was a deadly bacterial gene with a tongue-twisting name, New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1), that brought ABR first to public attention in 2010. Chennai microbiologist Karthikeyan Kumarasamy caused a medical uproar when, along with British researchers, he first reported in Lancet Infectious Diseases that NDM-1 infections were found in patients returning from India after medical treatment. NDM-1 makes a bacteria resistant to all known antibioticeven carbapenem, known as the last resort. That unleashed a veritable war of words. The
Smart guys of evolution
MISUSE, OVERUSE AND ABUSE

1
Retail sales (standard units per million people)
Excessive consumption of carbapenems, last-resort antibiotics for infections, drives bacterial resistance to the drugs
0.5
2005
2006
2007
2006
HOW BACTERIA DEFY ANTIBIOTICS

Bacteria counterattack when antibiotics start killing them
1. PUMP OUT
Bacteria try to pump out antibiotics as soon as they enter the body.
2. NEUTRALISE
Bacteria modify the spots which antibiotics target and attack.
The hidden epidemic
3. MUTATE
Bacteria change their genetic make-up to avoid antibiotics.
4. DESTROY
Bacteria produce enzymes that break down antibiotic molecules.
Source: WHO; WEF; CDDEP, The Indian Journal of Medical Research, 2012; Indian Intensive Care Case Mix and Practice Patterns study, 2012
US India
6-7% is the
annual rate at which antibiotic use in India has gone up over the past five years.
47%
patients insist on antibiotics.
70%
53%
2007
2010
patients selfmedicate, 1 in 4 doesnt finish the course.
doctors prescribe antibiotics even for common cold.
50%
chemists sell antibiotics without prescription.
THE WAR ON INFECTIONS

Resistance is rising as Indians pop antibiotics like never before
Not all bacteria die. The ones that survive are the strongest.
WHEN ANTIBIOTICS ATTACK
1. Acluster of bacteria,
including a resistant variety.
TB germs failed to respond to all known antibiotics in India in 2012.
Ninefold rise in pneumonia from hospital ventilators in India in the last 10 years.
2. Antibiotic molecules enter.Most of the normal bacteria die.
Rising E.coli resistance. Tough to treat diarrhoea and urinary tract infection .
Five times higher rate of bacteria causing infections in blood and the urinary tract, catheter or surgical wounds in India compared to the world.
3. The resistant bacteria multiply and become more common.
Normal bacteria Resistant bacteria Dead bacteria
4. Eventually,the entire
infection evolves into a resistant strain.
13
COVER STORY
HEALTH
Kishore Patowari 41
G U W A H AT I
SUBIR HALDER/www.indiatodayimages.com
Chaiti Deb 20
K O L K ATA
Deb was coughing up blood. For 18 months,doctors kept raising her antibiotics dosage but she got weaker. Finally,bronchoscopies and blood culture showed that she is bacteria resistant to a range of antibiotics and was given the right medicine.
naming of the bug after Delhi was seen as an insult and the report was rubbished as an alarmist and motivated attack on Indias booming medical tourism industry. Its a growing menace, says Kumarasamy. The Government should initiate a national survey and then institute an antibiotic policy. But nobody is listening. The hidden epidemic is upon us, says health economist Ramanan Laxminarayan, director of the Washington-based Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP). He has been preparing economic models of ABR for the last 16 years. You must have noticed doctors now give longer courses and that antibiotics are becoming more expensive. That shows ABR is rising, he says. He entered the new field of resistance economics in 1996, fascinated by the stories he heard from his teachers. Say, how the excessive use of penicillin on Vietnamese sex workers by US military troops to prevent gonorrhea made it totally resistant. But it was not until 10 years later that he started meeting people with ABR from simple injuries. It has grown exponentially in the last 5-6 years. We are on a steep curve. A sign of the time: One million infants die in the first four weeks of life every year in India. Over 190,000 deaths occur due to bacteria in the
Anagging fever saw Patowari end up in ICU. Leptospira bacteria had damaged his liver,kidney, lungs and bloodstream.A mix of very powerful,broad spectrum antibiotics finally worked and he survived. He has vowed not to use antibiotics on his own.
blood. And 30 per cent of babies die of ABR, reports CDDEP. Neonates stay in the sterile and safe atmosphere of the mothers womb and are hence very vulnerable to infections when exposed to the general population, says Laxminarayan. The most common source is the insanitary care of the umbilical cord. With rising rates of drug-resistant bacteria in hospitals, they also pick up such germs. If such bacteria enter the blood, the chances of death are extremely high. Alarming snapshots are coming to the fore from across India: Neonates dying of ABR in the first four weeks of life; TB patients in metros not responding to any known antibiotics; rising ABR infections in hospitals; killer germs in tap water and drains in big cities; antibiotic contamination of rivers from pharma waste; use of antibiotics on livestock and crops that increases risk of resistance in humans; people without any
Killer germs multiply
14
COVER STORY
HEALTH
RAJWANT RAWAT/www.indiatodayimages.com
history of disease showing inexplicable resistance to antibiotics in surveys. Meera Syal, 60, had gone to her local hospital in west Delhi last year for a routine check-up after an asthma attack. She just had a mild wheezing, but the doctor insisted on hospital admission to check her airways. The next morning, however, the family found her on ventilator. She had pneumonia, they were told, and would be fine in a few days. Instead, over the next few days, her temperature spiked, leading to a seizure. She never recovered. She had picked up a deadly, drug-resistant form of pneumonia bacteria from the ventilator. Its a rising menace in Indian hospitals and the consequences are critical, says Dr Randeep Guleria, professor, department of medicine at AIIMS, Delhi. This is an emergency no less than global warming, and calls for immediate redress, says microbiologist Dr Chand Wattal of Ganga Ram Hospital. Wattal and his colleagues studied 77,618 patients since 2002. The results show an alarming rise in ABR: Bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae, which damages human lungs, stopped reacting to last-resort drugs carbapenemsfrom 2.4 per cent to 52 per cent in a decade. Our attitude to antibiotics is too casual, says Dr K.S. Reddy, director of Public Health Foundation of India in Delhi. They are cheap, easily available and can be picked up without prescription. Doctors grumble that patients stop coming to them if they dont prescribe antibiotics. A 2010 WHO survey reveals 53 per cent of Delhiites self-prescribe antibiotics; one in four skips the course once they feel better; and 18 per cent physicians prescribe antibiotics for common cold. The hard evidence came from Dr Anita Kotwani, pharmacologist with V.P. Chest Institute, Delhi University. Her 2011 study found that antibiotics form 39-43 per cent of drugs being sold in the city. Also, very powerful drugs, meant for hospital use, were being routinely dispensed, even for common infections. No wonder antibiotic consumption in India has gone up
K.K. Jain 65
DELHI
Too casual about it
between 6 and 7 per cent annually since 2005. The fallout is worrying: In December 2012, for instance, amoxicillina standard formula for common cold in Indialost its efficacy, according to journal Lancet. Wattal blames the lack of focus on ABR in medical curricula: Most doctors prescribe antibiotics in a knee-jerk reaction to any infection, which may not even be needed. Doctors have to take responsibility, feels Dr Raja Dhar, chest physician at Fortis Hospital in Kolkata. The reason most patients develop resistance is injudicious use of antibiotics, incorrect regimens, inappropriate addition-deletion of drugs, lack of compliance with medications, he says. And doctors play a crucial role in shaping patient mindsets.
The businessman was unconscious for 35 days, hooked to a ventilator and a dialysis machine.Bacteria infected his organs as most antibiotics failed to work. Finally,a very old antibiotic popular in the 1950s,was tried on him and he responded.
patent cliff, a term coined for the sheer number of major drugs coming off patent between 2010 and 2014. Patents protect the rights of original makers of a branded drug for 20 years to sell it exclusively. Once it expires, others can make and sell cheaper versions. Loss of revenues is the biggest challenge to R&D innovation. Are there measures we can take to make sure that the gains of modern medicine are not squandered? India needs an antibiotic policy and a national registry, inclusion of ABR in medical courses, monitoring of pharmacies so that antibiotics cannot be sold without prescription and ensuring infection-control protocols in hospitals. We are in a dangerous zone where life can end in any unexpected way: A nick from a shaving razor, a scrape from a fall, a rash from the swimming pool or a routine root canal. As Margaret Chan writes in the 2013 WEF report, Were at the dawn of a post-antibiotic age.
Bad bugs, no drugs
New antibiotics can help stave off the catastrophe. But since 1987, no major antibiotic has been discovered. The science of antibiotics is complex, says D.G. Shah, secretary-general of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance. One needs to find different ways of hitting the bacteria. Such research is expensive and time-consuming. Its not profitable for global big pharma as antibiotics are for short-term use, he says. Blockbuster drugs for chronic illnesses that people take every day for as long as they live are more profitable. At the root of the crisis is a
THE BIG STORY
SNOOPING
Illegal surveillance is available at a price as the nexus of corporates, politicians, private detectives and intelligence agencies becomes pervasive
SUPER SNOOPERS
SECRETWORLD OF
could sense someone was listening. It was exactly the kind of feeling you get when somebody is surreptitiously watching you, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh told INDIA TODAY on March 6, revealing startling details of what could emerge as one of the biggest illegal telephone tapping operations in the country. Convinced for more than four years that his telephone conversations were being recorded during the BJP government headed by Prem Kumar Dhumal, Singh secretly constituted a team of trusted police officers on the very day the Congress returned to power in the hill state on December 20, 2012. But even he wasnt prepared for the size of the scandal that emerged. Computer hard drives his men confiscated from the Himachal Pradesh Polices Criminal Investigation Department and Vigilance Bureau premises on December 24 and 26 last year contained recordings of nearly 200,000 phone conversations between 2009 and
2012. Singh says these pertain to 1,500 phones belonging to Congressmen, senior bureaucrats, journalists, businessmen and judicial officers. Even BJP leaders opposed to Dhumal were not spared, he says, reluctant to reveal specific names since this could jeopardise the investigation. It was like the kind of operation the Gestapo would have conducted during World War II. Politicians, cutting across party lines, are in a tizzy. In Delhi, a private detective was sent to jail in February 2013 for trying to access call details of Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who was caught in a sex tape controversy in 2012, now gets his office and house regularly checked for bugs and hidden cameras by counter-surveillance specialists. The discomfiture of bureaucrats is apparent as they halfjokingly enquire if the pen in your hand is fitted with a camera or if you are secretly recording the conversation. And if they are tech-savvy, they prefer to Skype instead of talking on the phonethough a meeting face-to-face is the best option. Corporate houses use the services of cyber experts
By Bhavna Vij-Aurora and Asit Jolly
wiretaps by Central agencies authorised by Home Secretary R.K. Singh between October and December 2012.
10,000 Number of
2,000 Phones
under surveillance in each state at any given time.
Rs 55,000 crore
Total money to be spent on domestic security by government in 2017, according to market research firm Frost & Sullivan.
100 per cent
The annual growth rate of private security industry in the country.
THE BIG STORY
SNOOPING
Look Whos Watching

DRI
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
The snooping business thrives in the absence of regulation
IB
Intelligence Bureau
RAW
Research & Analysis Wing
TARGETS
Politicians, terror suspects, criminals, smugglers, corporate honchos, agencies of enemy countries
Private Individuals
ED
Enforcement Directorate
CBDT
Central Board of Direct Taxes
GOVERNMENTPRIVATE AGENCY NEXUS
Co rpo rat es
CBI
Central Bureau of Investigation
NCB
Narcotics Control Bureau
GOVERNMENT WATCHDOGS
ans Politici
NIA
National Investigation Agency
I-T
Income Tax Department
CEIB
Central Economic Intelligence Bureau
TARGETS
Matrimonial checks, extramarital affairs, loyalty check of employees, probing business plans/strategy of rival corporates.
SANCTIONING AUTHORITY
Union home secretary for Central agencies, state home secretary for states
PRIVATE DETECTIVES
and private detective agencies on a regular basis to ensure the safety of their systems and protection against bugs.
Tap, tap, whos there?
The possibility of 1,000-odd off-air tapping machines, imported under Open General List (OGL) between 2008 and 2010, is adding to the paranoia. Most of them are now in unknown hands and deployed for listening in on conversations. Off-air tapping is as rampant as it is impossible to curtail. Not requiring government approval or the intervention of the service provider, a small machine the size of a Thinkpad, costing Rs 5-7 crore, can be placed just any18
where and pick up conversations from mobile phones, both GSM and CDMA. It can be used for monitoring by homing in on the targets voice, location or phone number, if it is known. National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), an agency not authorised to monitor phones, was found using these machines in the Capital in 2010. While it was supposed to deploy its 10 machines near the borders to monitor international cellphone traffic, it was found using them in the heart of the Capital in the area around Parliament, North and South Block, and Chanakyapuris diplomatic area. An NTRO whistle-blower blew the lid on
the misuse. It was after the NTRO scandal that the Government removed the off-air interception machine from OGL and placed it in the restricted items list. The home ministry asked all private individuals and corporate houses to surrender these machines in June 2010. Only 24 importers came forward to give up the machines. When the Government tried to investigate, it discovered that many of the addresses and companies did not exist. It is suspected that some corporate houses and private detective agencies are still using these machines. And they cannot be detected since they do not emanate any signals and are designed only
Private Individuals
Co rpo rat es
criminals and terrorists. Sources in the home ministry claim there are around 10,000 phones under surveillance at presentwhich include 700 international numbersand 1,300 email IDs. These belong to bureaucrats, military officials, businessmen, NGOs and journalists in addition to suspected criminals, terrorists and their sympathisers, drug dealers, hawala operators and income tax evaders. In the Niira Radia case, which led to the unearthing of the 2G scam in 2010, the Income Tax authorities were actually tapping the publicists phones for suspected tax evasion by her companies. The Union home secretary can authorise phone taps only for Central agencies. Various state governments also order phone taps and they seem to be working in a more arbitrary manner, with political spying being the order of the day.
It is not just the government agencies that are listening in. There are thousands of unregulated private detective agencies functioning in the country, particularly the metros, feeding the gluttonous hunger for information. There is a huge demand for private information to make or break marriages, to spy on business rivals and blackmail political opponents. There are around 1,000 private agencies across India that are members of Association of Private Detectives and Investigators (APDI), which itself is unregistered. In addition, there are at least 5,000 other private agencies that are working outside the APDI ambit. Clients with money are even approaching detective agencies based in
ANIL DAYAL
Settling scores in the states
HAND IN GLOVE
Government agencies often do snooping at the insistence of their political masters, mostly on rival politicians, corporates and individuals.As its impossible to pass an official order, agencies outsource the task to private detectives.
VIRBHADRA SINGH, Himachal Pradesh CM
to receive and record. It is not just private companies that can misuse the machines. The Indian Army has 35 such machines, and former Army chief General V.K. Singh was accused of using two of them to snoop on Defence Minister A.K. Antony and senior bureaucrats. Obviously, he could not go through the proper channel and seek approval of the Union home secretary to tap. There are only 10 government agencies that are authorised to tap phones after approval. In the absence of any credible intelligence and a lax attitude towards investigation, phone taps have become the biggest source of information to nab
In another case of political phone tapping that erupted in Assam on March 4, the Assam government was reportedly tapping phones of Education and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and five other MLAs known to be close to him. Its no secret that Sarma, who was once Chief Minister Tarun Gogois right hand man, is now out of his good books and seen as a challenger to his position. It is alleged that the records of their conversation reach the Chief Ministers table every evening. Gogoi has denied the tapping while Sarma dismissed the news telecast by a local television channel but the five MLAs have filed a written complaint to the Assembly speaker demanding authentication of the report. Sources in the Punjab government claim that state police officers are tapping phones all the time. It is not difficult for state governments to tap as they bully private telecom operators, who are only too happy to cooperate without necessary documentation, says a senior politician. Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh told INDIA TODAY that Punjab police have acquired sophisticated listening devices in the recent past and routinely tap rival politicians.
The BJP governments phone taps were the kind of operation the Gestapo would have conducted during World War II.
19
THE BIG STORY
SNOOPING Everythings up for sale. For the right price. The I-T Department had legally tapped publicist Niira Radias phones that exposed the 2G scam and the role of then telecom minister A. Raja in 2010.
Dubai and London. It ensures a higher level of privacy for them. Indian corporates and politicians are hiring detectives abroad to carry out what they call saturation. The agencies provide all possible information about the target including their bank account details, call records and health history for $1 million (about Rs 54 million), reveals a private detective who has links with such agencies abroad. There is no estimate of the size of the snooping industry in India since it is unregulated. The total spend on domestic security that includes the home ministry, security, enforcement and investigations in India is projected to touch $10 billion (Rs 540 billion) by 2017, according to market research firm Frost & Sullivan. However, according to the chief executive of a security services company that is part of a large Indian conglomerate, the overall private security industry is growing 100 per cent every year. In an intricate network, the Government and private investigative agencies are feeding on each other. Doctor-turned-private detective Anurag Singh, accused in the Jaitley call data records (CDR) case, was the go-to man for the Research and Analysis Wing, Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Police for cyber probes and cases that required hacking and breaking into sophisticated firewalls and computer systems. Also the key accused in the Amar Singh 2005 wiretap case, his business did not suffer. Even after his arrest and release on bail in 2006, agencies continued to use him. If anything, his business boomed. Among his clients were big business houses, politicians and an arms dealer. While all detective agencies openly admit to shadowing, video recording, sting operations, bugging and even corporate verifications, they deny phone tapping. However, in a city like Delhi or Mumbai, it is not difficult to find an agency that advertises telephone tapping services in the classified sections. They are completely on the defensive on this. The promoter of an agency in
The Snoop Shop

VOICE CALL INTERCEPTS
A special digital port through which service providers allow police to tap phones is often misused by company employees in collusion with private detectives.
Rs 2-3 LAKH PER NUMBER
CALL DATA RECORDS
Investigators say more than 90 per cent cases are solved by analysing CDRS.
Rs 1,500-Rs 2,500 PER NUMBER
A Delhi Police constable and three detectives tried to access senior BJP leader Arun Jaitleys CDR in February 2013. Sitar player Anoushka Shankar was blackmailed by a hacker who obtained private photos on her email in 2009. The hacker was arrested. Battery-powered bugs, put in place using chewing-gum like adhesive, were allegedly planted in the North Block offices of then finance minister Pranab Mukherjee in 2011. In March 2012, the Army under General V.K. Singh allegedly used two of its 35 offthe-air interceptors. IB unable to trace the two machines.
EMAIL HACKING
Blurring the boundaries
Most Web-based email accounts can be broken into by sending phishing emails that extract password information.
OVER Rs 1 LAKH PER ACCOUNT
BUGGING
Most bugs work on batteries that last from two to 10 hours. SIM card-operated bugs that can last up to a month are also available.
Rs 50,000 FOR EACH BUG
OFF-AIR/GSM INTERCEPTION
Laptop with special software and antennae passively intercepts cellphone conversations in 2-22 km range.
UP TO Rs 7 CR FOR EQUIPMENT
THE BIG STORY
SNOOPING
Goregaon, Mumbai, that has been operating for 12 years with a staff of 15 people, says that telephone tapping is not possible for a private agency. However, his companys name and telephone number come up in a simple Google search on phone tapping services in the city. Naman Jain of Sleuths India, with branches in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, admits that most detective agencies work in a grey area in the absence of privacy laws in the country. However, he insists that they cannot facilitate phone tapping. We can shadow people, take their pictures and shoot videos of them in public spaces, work as undercover agents, provide due diligence in joint venture cases, conduct sting operations and provide bugs, he says. and outgoing, will automatically also go on the parallel phone. According to Captain Ravee, a former Army officer who runs detective agency Fireball and an institute called Orion School of Security and Intelligence Management, such software is generally used by doubting spouses, and by parents to keep tabs on their children. Spying software can be purchased off the Internet and also in places like Delhis Nehru Place. Spybubble, one such software, can be bought over the Internet for $50 (about Rs 2,700) and downloaded on the cellphone via OTA. With the help of the software, one can track calls made on the mobile, turn the mobiles microphone into a bug, track emails and SMSes, and even locate a person using GPS. A Supreme Court advocate talks about a case he got where a husband trapped his wife using such software. Vinod Malhotra, 42, and his wife Suneeta (names changed), 38, from Delhi were happily married for 15 years till he suspected her of infidelity in 2012. When Suneeta asked for a Samsung Galaxy S3 phone on their 15th marriage anniversary, he was more than happy to buy the high-end phone the very next day. But before giftPTI
NO ENTRY
Things you can do to keep it confidential Get regular debugging and sweeping done by experts. Use Cloud (online storage) to save data on cellphones and computers. Change your email and phone passwords frequently. Equip your mobile phone with a good anti-virus software. Use VoIP services such as Skype or BlackBerry messenger service. Check the lP address of your last login. You will know if your email password has been accessed. Never reply to strangers on email and never open suspicious attachments.
Buy your own spyware
VIRUS
A small SIM card-operated bug costs about Rs 50,000. Jain says that his company arranges to attach such bugs on individuals to keep tabs on their spouses and on companies to guard against treachery. He also helps in installing a Rs 40,000 software in mobile phones that enables listening-in facilities in a parallel phone. All calls and SMSes, incoming
OPPOSITION LEADERS ARUN JAITLEY (LEFT) AND SUSHMA SWARAJ AT PARLIAMENT
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THE BIG STORY
SNOOPING
Know Your Rights

ARE THERE ANY GUIDELINES ON PHONE TAPPING?
Following a PIL filed by Peoples Union for Civil Liberties in 1997, the Supreme Court mandated that:

While private detectives have a free run, the privacy Bill is stuck in red tape: There is no law to regulate private detective agencies in India. The CAN PRIVATE DETECTIVES Private Detective Agencies TAP OUR PHONES? (Regulation) Bill was tabled No private individual or organisation in Parliament in 2007 but it was in India is authorised to tap phones or returned to the Union home ministry hack into your digital records. by the Parliamentary Standing Committee with queries. IS THERE ANY LEGAL REDRESS FOR A Right to Privacy Bill drafted UNAUTHORISED PHONE TAPPING? in 2011 sought to make privacy a You can fundamental right. It hasnt File a complaint with the National been passed as yet.
Orders for tapping must come from the home secretary or, in his absence, a joint secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs; in the states, the state home secretary is the issuing authority. The reasons must be compelling. It can be only when the required information cannot be collected by other means. The order must be approved within a week by a committee headed by the cabinet secretary.
Human Rights Commission. Lodge an FIR at a police station. Move court against the violator under Section 26 (B) of the Indian Telegraphic Act. The maximum punishment the offence can draw is three years in jail.
DOUBLE WHAMMY
ing it to her, he took the phone to Nehru Place and got the spy software installed in it. The result? Every phone conversation Suneeta had and every SMS she sent and received was transmitted in real time to a phone with Vinod. The next month, Vinod filed for divorce based on Suneetas explicit sexual conversations with his best friend.
And now, counter-espionage
Easy availability of software on the Net in no way infringes on the business of private detective agencies. Political parties, which cannot use state agencies for snooping, come to them during the run-up to the elections. Even government institutions have been seeking their help. The agencies may not be recognised by the Government but Captain Ravee claims to have helped State Bank of India recover bad debts to the tune of Rs 57,000 crore. In these paranoid times, private detective agencies are not only making a killing by snooping, they are also pro22
viding counter-surveillance services. We are increasingly finding targets using software to encrypt their conversations. While we can intercept the conversation, it comes across as garbled because we cannot decrypt it, discloses a CBI official. One of the biggest private detective companies in the Capital, which has helped several white-collar criminals secure their handsets, claims that software like Cellcrypt is easily available and encrypts the conversations and messages of the user. The only catch is that the individual at the other end should have the same software installed in the phone. It is not such a major handicap since the top officers of a company or the core group in an operation can all install it in their phones. It is foolproof, the detective says. Installing it in one handset costs about Rs 50,000. Companies routinely use digital snooping to keep tabs on their employees. A leading travel portal based
in Delhis Connaught Place fired one of its senior executives after detecting that he was sharing trade secrets with a rival portal. When he approached the court against his dismissal, a shock awaited him. The company had installed a software which copied every Web page he accessed and every word he typed on his laptop. The conversation on his Gmail account was digitally reproduced in the main server and the company had no trouble in proving that he was actually mailing confidential information to the chief of a rival portal. The snooping business thrives in the absence of laws. As former CBI chief Joginder Singh, who is also on the APDI advisory board, says: India has practically no law to handle snooping. The situation can be best described by what a New York policeman once said: The tip of my baton has more power than the Constitution of the US. Its the same with the threat of surveillance.
with Kaushik Deka and M.G. Arun
RAJABHAIYA &THE BADLANDS OFKUNDA

Murder allegations against a powerful minister plunge Akhilesh Yadavs government into crisis as law and order spins out of control
By Kunal Pradhan
NATION
UTTAR PRADESH
KUNDA
UTTAR PRADESH
ts 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday. Lucknows famous Hazratganj market is gently slumbering to a halt: The sari shops have long pulled down their shutters, the roadside ice-cream stalls are running out of chocobars, and the odd middle-aged gent is racing towards his favourite paan shop for a desperate late-night kick. Five kilometres away, in a fortified four-acre bungalow in the cantonment area, Raghuraj Pratap Singh, 44, sees off his last batch of sympathetic visitors, sends his sten gun-toting bodyguard home, takes a sleeping pill, and goes to bed. If youve not heard of Raghuraj, alias Raja Bhaiya, you would never have heard of Kunda. If youve not heard of Kunda, you would never understand what makes this sleepy little town in Uttar Pradeshs Pratapgarh district, a layaway between Lucknow and Allahabad where no traveller ever stops, the setting for the latest incident of violence that has shaken the 12month-old Akhilesh Yadav government. Asked to resign as food and civil supplies minister by Akhilesh, who had propped him last year amidst criticism, Raja Bhaiya has been talking about his innocence to anyone who will lend an ear. If I didnt like the officer, I would
24
have easily got him transferred instead of getting him murdered, he said on TV, to newspapers, and to members of the Samajwadi Party (SP), which he had aligned with after being elected as an independent MLA. In all fairness, the charge against himof criminal conspiracy in the killing of Zia-ul Haq, the circle officer of his hometown of Kundadoesnt seem to fly, at least at first glance. His detractors from other political parties have not been able to prove a direct link, and informal talk even in the Uttar Pradesh secretariat annexes revered Pancham Tal (fifth floor, where the chief minister sits) is that Raja Bhaiya will eventually get a clean chit. But guilty or not, the incident is symptomatic of the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, and of the kill-or-be-killed culture brewing in places such as Kunda, where leaders with rich criminal pasts rule the roost. On March 2, Nanhe Yadav, a local SP leader and newly elected gram pradhan of Ballipur village in Pratapgarh, was sitting at a tea shop when he was gunned down allegedly by a rival group. Enraged, Nanhes supporters congregated as a torch-bearing mob
SUPPORTERS GENUFLECT TO SAMAJWADI PARTYS RAGHURAJ PRATAP SINGH ALIAS RAJA BHAIYA
AP
that began destroying public property, started pelting stones, and attacked a local police station. As the situation turned from bad to worse, Deputy Superintendent of Police Zia-ul-Haq, 32, rushed to the spot with a small group of officers. The altercation that ensued led to cross fire in which Nanhe Yadavs brother Suresh also lost his life. As the crowd got agitated, eyewitnesses say that some of the police officers fled the scene, leaving Zia-ul-Haq behind. The crowd first beat him with sticks and rods, and then shot him in the back as he tried to escape. The first FIR filed that evening had no mention of Raja Bhaiya. But Zia-ul-Haqs wife, Parveen Azad, 24, alleged in a written complaint on March 3 that her husband had been under huge pressure ever since he had taken up the post 10 months ago, and that he had been the victim of a criminal conspiracy hatched by Raja Bhaiya. A second FIR, reportedly after a go-ahead from Akhilesh, named Raja Bhaiya, his driver Guddu Singh, his associates Rohit Singh and Hari Om Srivastava, as well as district panchayat chairman Gulshan Yadav. Though he has been charged, Raja Bhaiya has not been arrested because the matter has been referred to CBI and Akhilesh has said it is up to them. There are eight previous charges against Raja Bhaiya, including serious ones such as murder, abduction and land grabbing. Many criminal cases against him were withdrawn by the SP government between 2003 and 2007. The facts of the latest case have made it a highly divisive issue in the state, with four principal theories doing the rounds: One, Raja Bhaiya is guilty; two, he has no direct connection with this case but the mob that killed Zia-ulHaq believed they enjoyed his tacit approval; three, his inclusion in the FIR was planned by SP because news had spread that he was cozying up to new
NATION
UTTAR PRADESH
BJP President Rajnath Singh; four, the slain officers wife is being tutored by a senior Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader who is a distant relative of the Haq family.
BORN RICH, LIVING WILD

The alleged involvement and resignation of Raja Bhaiya has once again put the spotlight on a chequered political career, a fascinating lifestyle, and a town where locals proudly proclaim, Raja Bhaiya ke ishare ke bina ek patta bhi nahi hilta (Not even a leaf can flutter without Raja Bhaiyas permission). Raja Bhaiya was born in 1969 in the Bhadri family of local Thakur rulers. His grandfather, Bajrang Singh, was a former governor of Himachal Pradesh, and his public schooleducated father, Uday Pratap Singh, briefly dabbled in politics. Despite a fairly westernised background, Raja Bhaiya was sent to a local Hindi school, and then to a small secondary school in Allahabad. He graduated in law from Lucknow University and, in 1993, won his first MLA election. By then, he had established his hold over Kunda through the Raja Bhaiya Youth Brigade, whose large hoardings at the city limits of Kunda warmly welcomed all visitors to an otherwise unremarkable place. Raja Bhaiyas supporters liked to describe him as a modern-day Robin Hood born in the aristocracy, treated as an outlaw with the sobriquet Kunda ka goonda given by former chief minister Kalyan Singh, and prone to giving freely to the needy. At public meetings, he would be accompanied by a triggerhappy band of merry supporters who announced his arrival by firing a few rounds indiscriminately in the air. It was around this time that he started holding a janta durbar in his palace in Benti that soon transformed into an unofficial court of law. Villagers would flock into the palace courtyard, their heads bowed low, as Raja Bhaiya passed judgment. Over the years, his reputation evolved into that of a 19th century feudal lord, and highly exaggerated Bollywood-inspired stories started spreading about a 100-hectare lake where his enemies were thrown
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GAGAN JAIN
SLAIN DSP ZIA-UL-HAQS WIFE PARVEEN AZAD
CRIME AND NO PUNISHMENT

Raja Bhaiya has nine cases, including murder, against him. 1993 First elected as an independent MLA from Kunda, Uttar Pradesh. Said to rear crocodiles, he allegedly fed them human flesh.

1997 Made Cabinet minister by BJP chief minister Kalyan Singh who had called him Kunda ka goonda. 2003 Booked under POTA in January for possession of arms. During a raid of his Benti home, police found the skull and bones of Santosh Mishra, a local who had allegedly refused to give way to Raja Bhaiyas cavalcade once. Released in August and all charges withdrawn by the Samajwadi Party. December 2010 Arrested for assaulting BSP candidates during local body elections. Released in April 2011. 2012 Appointed prisons, and food and civil supplies minister by Akhilesh Yadav. Under him, jailed criminals started running extortion rackets. 2013 Prisons portfolio taken away from him in February. Resigned as food and civil supplies minister in March after he was accused in the murder of Deputy SP Zia-ul-Haq.
to be eaten alive by crocodiles. Raja Bhaiya thrived under successive governmentshis one-time detractor Kalyan Singh was the first to make him a minister, and he enjoyed similar patronage from Rajnath Singh, Ram Prakash Gupta, and Mulayam Singh Yadav. It was only when Mayawati came to power, first in 2002 and then in 2007, that Raja Bhaiya was cut down to size, leading to a point when he was either languishing in prison or in exile in Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.
ILLEGALGUNS,POLITICALPATRONAGE
In many ways, the Raja Bhaiya story is a summary of all that is wrong with Uttar Pradesh hinterland, where feudalism and the barrel of a gun rule, no matter which party is in power. The states Additional DGP (Law & Order) Arun Kumar concedes there are too many illicit weapons floating around, and check on gun licences has not been implemented in many areas. Another problem is patronage given to criminals by political leaders. There have been at least half-a-dozen cases of communal violence over the last year despite the SPs secular credentials, and heinous crimesfrom rape to burning people alivehave been reported in the last few weeks alone. The biggest problem is that while the number of crimes may be the same as before, number of arrests goes down drastically during SP rule. There is a sense that people can get away, says a police officer in Lucknow requesting anonymity. Add to that the Thakur and Yadav communities habit of flouting their clout by display of weapons and, on occasion, its like you are in the Wild West.
with Ashish Misra
NATION
WESTBENGAL
By Subir Bhaumik
olitics in football-crazy West Bengal enters the knockout stage this summer with the states panchayat elections due in late April. The fight for control of rural Bengal is billed as the quarter-final, next years Lok Sabha polls are the semi-final and the 2016 state Assembly polls the final. But this is the first time since coming to power that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) will have to go it alone after splitting with the Congress in September 2012 over FDI in multi-brand retail and fuel price hikes. It is a two-front battle, says TMC leader Madan Mitra, referring to the prospect of a triangular contest with the Left and the Congress. Results of the three Assembly bypolls announced on February 28 indicate the split has affected both the former allies, to the advantage of the erstwhile ruling Left. In Nalhati, both the TMC and Congress candidates secured 47,000plus votes each, but the Lefts Deepak Chattopadhyay won by securing 55,341 votes. The Englishbazar seat was retained by TMCs Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury but with nearly 20,000 less votes this time. The Congress managed to retain the Rejinagar seat but with almost 11,000 votes less. Banerjee now faces a Left boosted by the landslide victory in its last citadel in Tripura, its organisation in Bengal demoralised but not destroyed by the 2011 Assembly poll debacle. She also faces the Congress which has retained its influence especially in the Muslimdominated northern districts like Maldah, Murshidabad and Uttar Dinajpur. The Congress is not a spent force in Bengal, warns Union Minister of State for Railways Adhir Choudhury. The break-up with the Congress comes at a time when Banerjee and her party colleagues have courted controversies that dented the TMCs liberator image and raised questions about its ability to govern and take Bengal out of the woods. You all deserve caning, she shouted at her security detail at the Kolkata Book Fair on February 7. On February 11, she was at it again, now
With General Elections looming large, the panchayat polls in April will prove if the Chief Ministers parting of ways with Congress was a mavericks masterstroke
CHIEF MINISTER MAMATA BANERJEE
EKLACHOLO TEST IN RURALBENGAL
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WESTBENGAL
brazen display of muscle power early this year at Bhangor, south of Kolkata. Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim mindlessly defended ganglord Muhammed Iqbal after he was caught on live television encouraging rowdies who then shot a policeman dead during clashes on February 10, Kolkata Police Commissioner Ranjit Panchnandas removal four days later for ordering the arrest of Iqbal, Joint Commissioner of Kolkata Police (crime) Damayanti Sens transfer on April 4, 2012, when she proceeded to file a case of rape of an Anglo-Indian woman at Park Street against the wishes of senior TMC leadersthe list is long and embarrassing. Her intolerance is her biggest drawback, she cant even take well-meaning criticism, says Congress MP and Union MoS Urban Development Deepa Dasmunsi of the Chief Minister. Banerjee is also in a fix over her land policy. At Singur, where she had opposed the transfer of land of unwilling farmers to the Tatas, a court battle has locked up all the 1,000 acres that the Left government had acquired. Adding to the confusion, senior TMC leader Saugata Ray has said it will be difficult to find land for big industrial projects even as Banerjee and Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee assure companies otherwise. The crowds that former chief minister and CPI(M) leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee attracted in late February at Khejuri near Nandigramthe site of the bloody police firings during his rulehave raised chances of a better showing by the Left in the panchayat polls. Despite her obvious problems with the Bengal Congress, the TMC government in West Bengal needs the Congress-led Central Governments support to manage her precarious state finances, handle the resumed agitation for a separate Gorkha state in the Darjeeling hills and to contain the Maoists in south-western Bengals Jangalmahal. Her Ekla cholo or go-italone approach may not go down well with the states politically alert voters. I voted against the Left unable to bear its hypocrisy of not joining national government but supporting them from outside, says Souvik Chatterji, 47, a business executive. Mamata broke that jinx but now seems to be falling in the same trap. The Chief Minister may be exploring ways to restore a working relationship with the Congress, if not an immediate return to the UPA fold. By allowing her trusted lieutenant Mukul Roy to be in President Pranab Mukherjees team to Dhaka, she may have sent a signal not only of softening her opposition to the Teesta water-sharing deal with Bangladesh, but, perhaps, warming up to the Congress.
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threatening to slap jostling camerapersons. Last year was worse: On April 13, Jadavpur University Professor Ambikesh Mahapatra was beaten up by TMC supporters and arrested for circulating cartoons of Banerjee on the Internet; on August 12, a farmer, Siladitya Choudhury, was arrested and called a Maoist after he lobbed a few uncomfortable questions at the Chief Minister. More unfortunate is the Chief Ministers failure to rein in controversial party leaders. TMC MLA Arabul Rehman spent 40 days in prison after a
DIDIS FIERCE
MUKUL ROY, 59
Rajya Sabha MP
TMC general secretary and easily Mamata Banerjees chief troubleshooter.
Diehard loyalists who are the ears and the eyes of the Trinamool chief
MADAN MITRA, 56
West Bengal transport and sports minister Has led transport unions, battling long years with the Marxists on the labour front. STREET SMART
PATCH-UP TIME?
Accompanied President Pranab Mukherjee to Bangladesh, prompting rumours of a Congress-TMC thaw.
Lives close to Chief Ministers Kolkata house near Kalighat temple.
PARTHA CHATTERJEE, 61
West Bengal commerce minister
TMCs workhorse,
FIRHAD HAKIM, 53
West Bengal urban development minister MLA from Kolkata Port constituency. Recently defended a ganglord who provoked rowdies to shoot a policeman dead.
TMCs minority
also handles other portfolios like industry, IT and parliamentary affairs. PAST LIFE Worked as an HR professional with Andrew Yule before entering politics.
VOTE-CATCHER
face.
NATION
TERROR
EXPLOSIVE LOOPHOLES
AMMONIUM NITRATE WAS THE KEY INGREDIENT USED BY BOMBERS IN THE FEBRUARY 21 HYDERABAD BLASTS
Lax rules and poor enforcement give bombers steady access to ammonium nitrate
GETTY IMAGES
By Amarnath K. Menon
t takes just two kg of ammonium nitrate (AN), costing no more than Rs 40 a kg, to fabricate a dangerous explosive. Tightly packed with shrapnelnails, nuts, boltsthe strike can be deadly as India saw yet again when two such bombs went off on February 21 in Hyderabads Dilsukhnagar and took 17 lives. Over the past decade, more than 300 people have been killed in bomb attacks in Mumbai, Jaipur and Pune. Ammonium nitrate has been the key ingredient in all the improvised explo-
sive devices (IEDs) used. The worst such attack was the July 2006 serial bombings on the Mumbai suburban rail network which killed 209 people. Intelligence officials say terrorists are trained in bomb-making at camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir but not given explosives. The emphasis is on fashioning explosives from locally procured materials like AN for Pakistan to maintain deniability in these attacks, an intelligence official says. India declared AN a special category explosive in 2008 but it is easy availability has allowed terrorists to execute strikes. Over the past few years, state po-
lice units have seized several tons of the chemical, usually after terror attacks. On February 23, the Rajasthan police seized 100 kg low-density explosive-grade prilled (white-bead) AN from Bhiwadi. The substance is available through dealers, mines, stone quarries and road construction contractors. Its part of nearly 400,000 tons of AN made annually within the country. Of this, about 180,000 tons of high-density AN melt is used to make oxidiser solution for industrial explosives. Its made by firms in Maharashtra, Punjab and Gujarat, and is safe as it contains water
DeadlyTrail Ammonium nitrate-powered explosive devices have wreaked havoc across the country
Ghatkopar, Mumbai Toll 4 Dec.2, 2002
SAURABH SINGH/ www.indiatodayimages.com
Vile Parle Station, Mumbai Toll 1 Jan.27, 2003
Mulund, Mumbai Toll 12 March 13, 2003
Mumbai (serial train blasts) Toll 209 July 11, 2006
Jaipur Toll 80 May 13, 2008
Pune Toll 17 Feb.10, 2010
Varanasi Toll 1 Dec.7, 2010
Zaveri Bazar and Opera House, Mumbai Toll 21 July 13, 2011
Hyderabad Toll 17 Feb.21, 2013
NATION
and is well-monitored. But the lightly regulated low-density AN prills used as explosives by mixing with fuel oil poses great risk. Bomb-makers prefer low-density AN because it absorbs fuel oil easily. It is mixed with diesel or any fuel oil in the ratio of 94 to 6 per cent to create the very potent AN Fuel Oil (ANFO) explosive. This IED is triggered by a battery-operated circuit that explodes a detonator. ANFO is categorised as a Class-II explosive, similar to emulsion or slurry explosives. Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals, Pune, is the only maker of the of low density AN. It is used to make explosives for use in quarries. There is no way the regulatory authority, the Chief Controller of Explosives, can check for either lawful or unlawful manufacture of ANFO. In September 2008, after the Jaipur terror strike, a working group constitued by a Ministry of Industry recommended that explosive licensing be taken out of the ambit of small scale in-
FRAUD-PROOFPDS?
Gujarat shows the rest of India the way in PDS reform by eliminating fake cards using biometric data
GUJARAT
AS REGULATORY LOOPHOLES CONTINUE, THOUSANDS OF MANUFACTURERS ARE OUTSIDE THE HOME MINISTRYS DOMAIN.
dustries and be brought under the Industries Development Regulation Act of 1951. It would then become mandatory to get MHA clearance for the licensee and the manufacturing site. AN was declared a special category explosive in December 2008 under the Explosive Substances Act. A government order of July 2011 declared it a deemed explosive and made it mandatory to obtain a licence for its manufacture, storage and transport. Yet, loopholes in the legislation continue. Industry sources say thousands of ANFO manufacturers are outside the Home Ministrys domain. Intelligence officials say only a multi-layered verification of ANFO manufacturers antecedents by the Intelligence Bureau and MHA will deter leaks of AN supplies and aid national security.
technological strategy to curb pilferage of subsidised ration, deployed by the Gujarat government over the past two years, may hold a ray of hope for the countrys corroding public distribution system (PDS). It is an open secret that the system has failed to deliver, both in terms of combating malnutrition, and in preventing subsidised foodgrain from being diverted to the black market. Gujarat is using biometric devices to prevent fair price shop (FPS) owners and ration card holders from misappropriating PDS foodgrain. It is also using its voter card database to weed out bogus ration card holders. In the state, only those with a Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number get ration cards. This eliminated as many as 1.6 million bogus card holders who managed to get hold of cards through corrupt FPS owners, middlemen and PDS officials. The move has brought down total card holders from 12.5 million in 2010 to 10.9 million by 2012. Take the example of Natwarbhai Senma, 55, from Delwara village in north Gujarat. When the state food and civil supplies directorate introduced an online system to tally EPIC data with ration cards, it found there
A RATION CARD HOLDER GETS HER CARD VERIFIED AT AN E-GRAM KENDRA
were two cards under Senmas name. The illiterate farm labourers second card, a fake, being misused by middlemen, was automatically eliminated. When Raj Kumar, Gujarats food and civil supplies secretary who engineered this change, took charge in 2009, he found there were 62.5 million PDS beneficiaries against Gujarats population of 60.4 million. Kumar evolved a system where a ration card holder has to visit his villages E-Gram Kendra, a state-run computer kiosk. The operator there verifies a holders card with a barcode reader and his thumb imprint with a biometric device, before giving him his quota of coupons. Even the opposition of Prahlad Modi, the Chief Ministers brother and president of Gujarat State FPS Owners Association, failed to stop Kumar as he had the full support of Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Says Govindbhao Thakore, a ration card holder: Instead of the FPS shop owner, the card holder is now the authenticator of the delivery of PDS, removing all possibility of wrongdoing. This system could be the answer to Indias PDS woes. by Uday Mahurkar
MOPA AIRPORT
CONTROVERSY
GOAAIRPORT
PANAJI
DABOLIM AIRPORT
The revived proposal of a second international airport splits north and south Goa down the middle. Can the Chief Minister pilot it to safety?
PARRIKAR READYFOR SECOND TAKE-OFF
GOA
THE DABOLIM AIRPORT IN GOA
ABIRDS-EYE VIEWOFMOPA
NATURE
Greenfield international airport with public-private partnership.
LOCATION
80 km north of Dabolim.
AREA
7.5 mn sq m land to be acquired.
PROPOSED INVESTMENT
Rs 20,000 crore.
By Kiran Tare
he Goa governments attempt to build a second international airport in Mopa, north Goa, has led to a vertical split in the state as affluent and influential people from south Goa are garnering support against the project. They believe it would mar their businesses and livelihood. Goas present airport at Dabolim belongs to the Navy. The Airports Authority of India looks after civil aviation in Dabolim and 35 acres of the 1,900 acres of land have been earmarked for the purpose. As Manohar Parrikar completes a
year in office on March 9, the Chief Ministers diplomatic skills will be tested as he tries to give shape to his pet Mopa airport project. In September 2012, after assuming office for the third time, Parrikar revived the Mopa airport proposal, dormant since 2000. He felt the state, whose economy is largely dependent on tourism, must have its own airport. Parrikar referred to a report by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) which states that Dabolim will be congested and incapable of catering to the growing number of passengers and dealing with the heavy air traffic by 2014. Even if
there is expansion and an upgrade, Dabolim will not be able to cope with the growing passenger traffic, estimated to cross six million by 2017, says Parrikar, who wants the new airport to start functioning by 2015. The ICAO report released in 2010 states that Mopa, the BJP bastion of north Goa, is the best option the state has to meet its growing tourism demand. In a statement in the state Assembly on February 7, Parrikar ruled out the possibility of shutting down Dabolim airport. Around Rs 350 crore has been spent on the upgrade of Dabolim airport. There is no question of closing it down after Mopa
CONTROVERSY
SOUTH GOA BEACHES LIKE COLVA, VARCA, CAVELOSSIM AND BENAULIM ARE MORE THAN 60 KM AWAY FROM MOPA
GOAAIRPORT
AFP
becomes operational as the state will need the services of both airports. He has promised a six-lane highway to ensure better connectivity between north and south Goa before the Mopa airport becomes operational. Parrikar has found an unlikely supporter in the Congress. Pratapsingh Rane, leader of the Opposition, says the lobby of hoteliers in south Goa is behind the protests against the Mopa airport. Whats the harm in having two airports? If a tourist can travel thousands of kilometres to travel to Goa, why cant he travel another 60 km to reach the hotels in south Goa? he asks. But opponents point out it will disturb the economic equilibrium in the state. Traditionally, north Goa has been popular for its beaches, restaurants and pubs while south Goa is known for the hospitality and service sectors as well as for places of worship. A report released on February 17 by an NGO, the Forum for Promoting Employment and Entrepreneurship in Goa, states: Even popular south Goa beaches like Colva, Varca, Cavelossim and Benaulim are more than 60 km away from Mopa. In 10 years, Dabolim airport will die a natural death and, subsequently, so will the businesses in south Goa. Goas Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in 2011-12 was Rs 44,460 crore. President of the Goa Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, Manguirish Pai Raikar, says south Goas contribution to GSDP is more than that of north Goa. You cannot bifurcate the GSDP of the two districts because the entire state is smaller than the neighbouring districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka. What I can say is that the money order economymoney sent by Goans living abroad to their kin in the state and the mining industry generate more revenue in south Goa than north Goa, he says. Running a campaign against the proposed airport, Vijai Sardesai, an independent MLA from Fatorda in south Goa, says, Tour operators are advertising that holiday destinations in coastal Maharashtra are close to the Goa airport. As Goa is a brand for tourism, they
Even if there is expansion, the Dabolim airport will not be able to cope with the growing passenger traffic, estimated to cross six million by 2017. The state needs the services of both airports.
MANOHAR PARRIKAR Chief Minister, Goa
are using it for their benefit, he says. In south Goa, several gram sabhas including those in Benaulim, Seraulim, Cavelossim, Chinchinim, Talaulim, Carmona and Macazana are protesting against the proposed airport. Meanwhile, businessmen, tour agencies, taxi operators, owners of small hotels, motels and restaurants have formed an umbrella association called the South Goa Action Forum (SGAF) to raise their voice against the Mopa airport. Anti-Mopa activists have also hit out at Congress and BJP leaders from Goa and Maharashtra as well as real estate barons, accusing them of buying around three million sq m of land in and around Mopa. They will sell the land at much higher rates or develop it into huge residential complexes or hotels and earn hefty profits, says Wilfred Fernandes, president of SGAF. Riding on Parrikars clean image, BJP succeeded in denting the Congress bastion of south Goa in the March 2012 Assembly elections, winning eight of 10 seats in the region. Overall, the party won 24 of 40 seats and Catholics, traditional Congress supporters, came out in support of Parrikar in an unprecedented manner. If the Chief Minister fails to win support for the Mopa airport, it might just be the beginning of the end of his charisma.
33
NEIGHBOURS
PAKISTAN
CHINAS PORT OFCALL

China makes inroads into Pakistan and gains access to the Arabian Sea with its takeover of Gwadar port
By Qaswar Abbas
AP
low-key ceremony in Aiwan-eSadr, President Asif Ali Zardaris Islamabad office on February 18, marked a momentous event. China took over operations of Pakistans strategic Gwadar deep sea port from the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) that ran it since its completion in 2007. The ceremony was attended by Zardari, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and other key ministers of the Zardari-led government, and Chinas envoy to Islamabad. Chinas control of Gwadar through the China Overseas Port Holding Company is the latest move towards its ambitious plan to safeguard its Persian Gulf route, through which over 60 per cent of its oil supplies flow. China also gets a potential naval base in the Arabian Sea, linked by road to its eastern Xinjiang province. Last year, when Pakistans Ambassador to China Masood Khan talked of a proposal to lease the port, none of the
visiting Pakistani journalists in Beijing believed him. Pakistans third port was indeed completed after China financed 83 per cent of its $248 million (Rs 14 billion) cost in 2007 but was operated by PSA on a 40-year lease. PSA backed out earlier this year after a dispute over the non-allotment of land by Pakistans government. China stepped in as part of an ambitious plan to open up an energy and trade corridor from the Gulf to its poorer western regions. So vital is the port to Chinese interests that the prospects of a simmering insurgency in Balochistanover 3,000 people have been killed in violence since 2004have not deterred it. The Pakistan army has also reportedly assured China that it would protect its personnel working on the project. Pakistani officials say both countries plan to establish a huge naval base in the port that is 460 km west of its sole naval base, Karachi. This request was first made by former defence minister Chaudhary Ahmed Mukhtar during prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilanis
2011 Beijing visit. Pakistan has now reportedly told China that it wants Chinas navy to maintain a regular presence in the Arabian Sea. Pakistans military could use Gwadar as an alternative to Karachi to prevent another blockade of its maritime options by the Indian Navy, as in the 1971 war. Pakistani defence ministry officials say the move to hand the port to China is a response to Indias growing economy and regional heft. Majority of Chinas port facilities in the Indian Ocean are dual use and there is the possibility that China can rapidly turn them for military use in future, says Asim Qadeer Rana, an Islamabad-based foreign policy expert. Rana believes Indias interest in Irans Chahbahar port is a response to Chinas presence in Gwadar. We believe that this will give strategic depth to Pakistans maritime assets, commercially and militarily, a senior official in Pakistans Ministry of Defence told INDIA TODAY. India sees this as part of a strategy to surround it with a string of pearls
34
CHINA
KASHGAR
Friendship on Fast Track

China is building key roads in Pakistan. It will follow this with a high-speed railway track.
KARAKORAM HIGHWAY 1,300 km
AFGHANISTAN
PESHAWAR
ISLAMABAD
DERA ISMAIL KHAN
ABBOTTABAD
QUETTA
PAKISTAN
INDUS HIGHWAY 1,264 km
GWADAR MAKRAN COASTAL HIGHWAY 653 km

PAKISTANI PRESIDENT ASIF ALI ZARDARI (LEFT) WITH CHINESE VICE-PRESIDENT XI JINPING IN BEIJING IN JUNE 2012
INDIA
KARACHI
OTHER ROADS GWADAR-KASHGAR ROUTE
with China having already established bases in Hambantota in Sri Lanka and Chittagong in Bangladesh. On February 6, Indias Defence Minister A.K. Antony told the media that Chinese control of the port was a matter of concern. Indian defence brass are more than just concerned. Chinas presence in Gwadar poses a strategic dilemma of a kind not faced previously. It could seriously complicate our response. In the time of war, we could risk dragging China into the picture, a senior Indian defence official says. But what is more worrying is Pakistan and Chinas rapid expansion of the Karakoram highway, which links Gwadar to Kashgar. Chinese construction firms have almost completed a 335-km tarred road from Sost, a Pakistani frontier town on its border with China, to Gilgit, the capital of the Gilgit-Baltistan province. Expansion work is in progress on the rest of the 900-km road, to link the port to Pakistans north-south Indus Highway, which will facilitate overland transport from Gwadar to China. It
takes a merchant vessel over 20 days to cover the 10,000 km distance from the mouth of the Persian Gulf to Shanghai via the narrow Malacca straits. Gwadar will enable Chinese merchant ships to load cargo at Gwadar and sail to Europe via the Red Sea, saving 3,900 km. Chinas prosperous eastern seaboard is some 3,000 km away from its remote western Xinjiang province. Gwadar, in comparison, is only 1,500 km away. With the new highway, Chinese exporters would save time and money, and Pakistani businessmen could benefit, says Mohammad Tariq, a senior Pakistani foreign affairs ministry official. Another official said the two countries are also planning a high
CHINAS PRESENCE IN GWADAR IS A STRATEGIC DILEMMA OFA KIND NOT PREVIOUSLY FACED BY INDIAS MILITARY BRASS.
speed railway track from Xinjiang to Gwadar, though this is still in the future. Sources say Chinas long-term plans also include road and rail links through Afghanistan to the land-locked Central Asian states. When this network is fully operational from Gwadar to Khunjerab (on the Gilgit-Baltistan border between Pakistan and China), Urumqi (capital of Xinjiang province), Beijing and Shanghai, it will give China alternative routes for its trade with West Asia and Europe, that will be much shorter than the one passing through Malacca, he said. China is a key weapons supplier to Pakistan, having provided the bulk of its battle tanks, fighter jets and warships. It has agreed to deliver six submarines to Pakistans navy and sell light fighter aircraft for $3 billion (Rs 164 billion). At $12 billion (Rs 657 billion), trade between the two countries peaked in 2012. The transfer of the new port is likely to be the sheet anchor of that relationship.
with Sandeep Unnithan
35
SPECIAL REPORT
SUVs
EVERYBODY
WANTS AN SUV
SUVs registered double-digit growth in 2012. The rush for the mean machine continues though prices have gone up after the Budget.
WRANGLER
The original no-holds-barred, no-nonsense offroader by Jeep.
GL-CLASS
Mercedes-Benzs seven-seater luxury crossover SUV has great presence on the road.
RANGE ROVER
Land Rovers quest to provide the ultimate in luxury combined with goanywhere ability.
Estimated price Rs 25 lakh
Price Rs 1.72 crore
36
By Yogendra Pratap
AUDI Q5
Mid-sized SUV now gets looks to kill for and provides a hi-tech cabin and a great infotainment system.
Price Rs 43 lakh
ndias love affair with the SUV will not end in a hurry. Last year, if you had gone to a car showroom to buy a sport utility vehicle (SUV), you would probably have been told to wait for three months. Whether it was the Mahindra XUV500 or the Renault Duster, the Audi Q3 or the Toyota Fortuner AT, everyone was out to own an SUV. So it does not come as a surprise that in a relatively stagnant car market, the SUV segment is registering double-digit growth across the price spectrum. Car manufacturers have realised this is the segment where the public interest lies. And unfortunately, so have the taxmen. Finance Minister P. Chidambarams proposals will ensure that most SUVs will be a lot costlier. The hike is not going to be staggering in the case of indigenously manufactured or assembled ones, but others that fall in the high-end car bracket and are imported will witness a significant hike. And because of the Governments vague definition of an SUV, many regular cars have also fallen in this segment. With increasingly aggressive styling and the ability to drive unscathed on bad Indian roads with higher ground clearance, SUVs are perfect with buyers in India. Small wonder then that these mean machines comprise almost half the over 50 new car launches planned for 2013. At the high end, theres the ultra-luxe Range Rover which made its debut this year with a price tag of Rs 1.72 crore, as well as the refurbished Rs 75 lakh-plus BMW X6. On the cheaper side, India can look forward to one of Fords bestsellers, the compact EcoSport (Rs 9 lakh), designed for the developing world. Chevrolet will go head-to-head with it by launching its first mini SUV, Trax (Rs 9.5 lakh), developed jointly by GM and Fiat. Behemoths such as the BMW X5, with an estimated price of Rs 53 lakh, will also make its mark this year. While some of the launches will be variants, like the Land Rover 2013MY Freelander 2, some like the already launched new Audi Q5 are going to be mid-life facelifts. Yet others will join the competition with new cars like the Porsche Macan
MANUFACTURERS CAN SEE SUVs ARE WHERE PUBLIC INTEREST LIES. ALMOST HALF OF OVER 50 NEW CARS TO BE LAUNCHED IN 2013 WILL BE SUVs.
37
SPECIAL REPORT
SUVs
and the big SUV from Skoda, which have not yet been launched anywhere in the world. The biggest of the new brands to enter India in 2013 will be the legendary Jeep which is being introduced by its new owner, the Fiat Chrysler Group, and will debut with the iconic Wrangler and the attention-grabbing Grand Cherokee. But the launch to look forward to the most is Maruti-Suzukis production version of the XA Alpha concept. This is simultaneously being developed by Suzuki along with the S-cross which was launched last year. The SUV was initially expected to make its debut at the 2014 Auto Expo, but after looking at the progress made by S-cross and the high demand for SUVs, XA Alpha will most likely be seen this festive season. The truck will be slightly smaller than the Renault Duster and as big as the EcoSport. Also making a comeback is the soft-roader from Honda, the CR-V, the fourth generation of which has just made its debut in India. This will probably be the only SUV to be launched with petrol engines in India. Mercedes-Benz will bring a welcome dose of luxury, starting with its huge off-roader GL-class (which will be priced above Rs 70 lakh), due to be introduced anytime in India. It will go up against the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1, which has just been launched with a facelift that will see it getting a better ride and a curvier appearance. Volvo will join the race with the SUV version of the V40, dubbed the V40 Cross Country. Land Rover is busy working on a baby Range Rover, Evoque, which, however, will not make it to the road this year. Priced as much as these vehicles but with the space and features of a segment or two above will be the Skoda Snowman (name to be finalised), which will go against the Hyundai and Toyota SUVs. Hyundai is still pondering the launch of the revamped Tucson in India this year but what is certain is that the Santa Fe will be replaced by the new one. Another newcomer that will join this mix of SUVs around the Rs 20 lakh-plus mark will be the Ssangyong Korando which is expected to be imported and sold with dual Mahindra and Ssangyong branding. It will provide a good option to people looking for five-seaters, no doubt the busiest SUV segment. The final vehicle to join the fray here will be the refreshed Ford Endeavour, which will get a totally new front face, making it more contemporary. That leaves us with the lowest segment of allSUVs below Rs 10 lakh. The compact SUV from Nissan will be a totally redone Duster with different interiors and exteriors but using the same mechanicals as the Renault vehicle. It will be positioned below the Duster but not by much. Force Motors has also been working on revamping its home-grown SUV, the Gurkha, and Skoda is all set to launch a beefed-up version of the Fabia which they will sell as an SUV amongst hatchbacks. From a rich mans indulgence to an affordable SUV, looks like its time to get behind the wheels of a mean machine.
38
SMART
ot everyone has a taste for the best engineered SUVs or the pocket to pay a high price for them. The automobile industry has plenty on offer in the coming months for the non-SUV consumers. There is something for everyone. At the bottom end of the market there are new two wheelersscooters and motorbikes from vintage brands like Piaggio and Royal Enfield. In the four wheel segment, there is a new thrust for economical carsboth in terms of their factory price and fuel consumption economy, from Volkswagen, Ford and Fiat. At the top end of the market, BMW, Mercedes and Maserati bring their latest products to the Indian market in 2013.
DRIVE
IMPROVED FUEL FOR GEN-X CARS
Three lower-end petrol cars where cuttingedge engine technology will be available
VOLKSWAGEN POLO
The hatchback, with a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine, provides better fuel economy and more power.
Price Rs 8 lakh FIAT 500 TWINAIR The car
will have a small two-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine that will be ultra fuel efficient.
SPECIAL REPORT
FORD ECOSPORT Fords
biggest launch in 2013 will come loaded with technology. Primary among that is the 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine.
SUVs
BEST OFTHE PREMIUM WHEELS

Heres what you can splurge on if you have the money
Price Rs 9 lakhRs 12 lakh
CARS TO LOOK FORWARD TO

From sedans to hatchbacks, the most-awaited launches
HONDAAMAZE Marking
Hondas entry into the diesel market, this car is powered by a 90bhp, 1.5 litre engine.
BMWX1 BMWs entry-level SUV gets new headlamps and grille, as well as minor mechanical upgrades. Price Rs 32.5 lakh (top diesel) MASERATI QUATTROPORTE
More luxurious interiors. Power comes from an all-new 523bhp, direct injection 3.8-litre twin turbo V8.
Price Rs 6 lakhRs 8 lakh CHEVROLET ENJOY

This car will start from a bare basic AC version to a fully loaded one featuring an anti-lock braking system.
Price Rs 1.5 crore and above MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS The makeover comes with
The new version will have a range of engines from a 1.4 litre TSI petrol all the way up to a 2-litre diesel engine. single-pod headlamps complete with day-time running lamps.The engines are more efficient too.
Estimated price Rs 12 lakh SKODA OCTAVIA
Price Rs 45 lakh and above
Price Rs 17 lakh
FUN ON TWO WHEELS

PIAGGIO VESPA LX125
One of the costliest scooters in India, the LX features an all-steel body and alloy wheels.
The buzz is on vintage scooters and Indian-made motorbikes
ROYAL ENFIELD CAFE RACER Estimated price Rs 2.5 lakh HERO MAESTRO Maestros edgy design includes a digital and analogue instrument panel. Power comes from a 110cc engine. Price 58,200
The long-awaited beauty will offer a powerful 535cc engine.
Price Rs 69,000
KTM DUKE 390 The bike is powered by a 373cc single-cylinder engine and weighs 140 kg.
ENVIRONMENT
WILDLIFE
LEOPARD IN YOUR GARDEN

By Jayant Sriram
As towns expand to take in forest areas that lie on the margins, drastically modifying their habitats, the human-wildlife conflict may be at its peak in India at this moment
n February 2 this year, a 12year-old boy was mauled by a black bear in Kashmirs Baramulla district. Two days later, on February 4, a leopard was beaten to death by villagers in Assams Dhubri after it attacked three people. A day after that, an injured leopard was rescued from a farmhouse in South Delhi while in Odisha, a woman was trampled by a rampaging elephant. Human-wildlife conflict is not new, but these incidents reflect that it is at its worst now. News reports highlight the threat from animals, but ignore underlying causes like destruction of ecology. As cities expand to the margins of forests, they modify habitats, altering factors such as prey density for carnivores. Adaptable animals then wander into human habitats in search of food and raid crops and livestock. Farmlands bordering forests are further denuded by contractors collecting berries, tendu, timber, honey, etc. Further deprived of green cover and food, animals are forced to take to the fields. Faced with the prospect of losing their crops, farmers then kill them. Increasing fragmentation of forests means animals will come in the path of humans. In Odisha, six elephants were mowed down by a passenger train last year; the tracks cut across their migration path. With no nationwide policy, states deal with such problems in their own ways. Karnataka has electric fencing around its reserve forests. Lessons from neighbours, too, are telling. Nepal is planning a cap on wildlife, including endangered species. Animals that cross this cap will be culled, or captured and relocated. India may not be far away.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Fourteen people killed and 17 injured by black bears between 2004 and 2007. In November 2012, four bears were killed by humans. In the same month, at least seven people were injured in bear attacks in the state.
HIMACHAL PRADESH
In 2008, the simian population in the state exceeded 400,000. There have been 2,800 attacks by wild animals since 2009. In 2010, the state issued farmers shooting permits; by 2011 more than 3,000 farmers had permits.
GUJARAT
Nilgai,wild boar, leopard and blackbuck cause serious problems in the state. Gir lions kill 1,800-2,000 livestock in the sanctuarys periphery each year. There were 3,520 cattle deaths and 130 human injuries and deaths from attacks by predators in 2010-2011; 2,068 and 113 respectively in 2011-12.
MAHARASHTRA
Between 1999 and 2005, 201 deaths and 902 human injuries due to leopard attacks were reported from Maharashtra alone. Two regions which reported high numbers of human casualties due to leopard attacks are Junnar in Pune and Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai.
PUNJAB
Punjab liberalised permits to shoot animals in Kandi and Mand forest areas in 2010. According to state forest department estimates, nearly 2,500 acres of land was affected by the wild animals, entailing a financial liability of several crores.
UTTAR PRADESH
The states 300,000-odd nilgai are said to destroy 60 per cent of its pulses output.At 1.6 million tonnes, the state produces 10 per cent of Indias 15-million-tonne annual pulses output. Leopard attacks are common in western Uttar Pradesh, where sugarcane fields provide the big cats with shelter. In 2010-11, 22 people were killed by wild animals.
WEST BENGAL
According to Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Bangalore and others, 6,358 cases of crop damage, 1,429 of property damage and 58 human deaths were recorded between 2000-2001 and 20072008 in north Bengal. In the same period, at least 23 people were killed, 57 injured, 1,763 houses demolished and 2,150 hectares of crops damaged by elephants in Gangetic Bengal.
ASSAM
At least 23 people died in human-elephant conflicts in Silonijan in 1999-2009; 120 conflicts reported in 2007-2009. In 2012, two leopards were killed in Dibrugarh and Kamrup after they injured eight people. In Guwahati the same year, at least five leopards were rescued and four killed.
ODISHA
A2006-2008 study by IISC and others shows an average of 68.5 human deaths per year by wild animals. The highest number of human killings was in Keonjhar. In the same period, retaliatory killing claimed 94 elephants.
TAMIL NADU, KARNATAKA

According to IISC, between 2008 and 2009, 240 cases of crop damage by elephants in the Nilgiris, particularly in the Bandipur forest,were reported. Twenty-one cases of cattle-lifting by carnivores were reported by IISC. Among these,villages in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, near Coimbatore,were affected the most.
KERALA, LAKSHADWEEP
Lakshadweeps fishermen kill green turtles clandestinely, as the endangered critters are considered responsible for fall in fish volumes. Kerala,with 7,000 wild elephants, has seen destruction of property worth Rs 4.10 crore by elephants in Wayanad and Kannur districts alone.
LEISURE
FA S H I O N TELEVISION BOOKS CINEMA REVIEWS E Y E C AT C H E R S
THE BITTERSWEETCITY
Amit Chaudhuris portrait of Calcutta is a linguistic marvel but it misses the citys fast changing cultural landscape and shifting class structure
By Chandan Mitra
W
CALCUTTA: TWO YEARS IN THE CITY
byAmit Chaudhuri Hamish Hamilton Price: RS 599 Pages: 308 BETWEEN THE COVERS For the most, Chaudhuris writing is about recreating the cityin his mind through the visions of those who endure and yet love the citydespite its myriad contradictions.
hen I started reading Amit Chaudhuris most recent offering, I said to myself: I should have written this book. After all, like him, I am an insider-outsider, similar to the multitude he mentions that left the city between the 70s and 90s, abandoning the place of their birth driven out by an educational structure ruined by political strife, dwindling job opportunities, mindless political violence and the sheer discomfort of being. Like Chaudhuri, I returned for three years (he was there for two), but in the worst phase of the city in its contemporary history, with 12-hour power cuts every day, telephones that became a piece of furniture. I, however, went back for my first journalistic job, unlike him to write a novel. I fled at the earliest opportunity, back to the city I had grown to like over the years and one that has been my home for over a quarter of a century since. Chaudhuri, however, reveals his disdain for Delhi, albeit in passing, saying that products from its elite institutions such as St. Stephens College, whom he encountered in Oxford, had acquired a custodial air about them by the 80s, assuming Indias leadership was theirs by right. To get back to my opening remark about writing such a book, by the time I finished reading it, I found myself asking But would I have
written this? This is not to fault the writers linguistic craftsmanship, which is undoubtedly stupendous, nor undervalue his phenomenal eye for detail, comparable to that of Amitav Ghosh in The Hungry Tide in the context of suburban Bengal. But despite his engaging prose, there is an air of pointlessness that pervades the writing. Did he write this book as a labour of love or merely because he was contracted to by the publishers? Arguably, every book does not have to have a storyline, nor a climax, nor even the anticipation of a sequel. But as a reader, I have always believed that literary effort must have a purpose beyond self-indulgence. Chaudhuri fails on that score despite his strenuous effort; the book is worth reading only because of its superb prose and not much else. Unfortunately, by the time one goes through its 300-odd pages, the writing starts appearing laboured with turns of phrase, delectable in themselves, seemingly attempted only as a substitute for a wider context or content. Calcutta wasnt a lived experience for the author. His parents moved to Mumbai during his growing-up years and thereafter he moved to Britain, first Oxford and later Cambridge. Before moving West, Chaudhuri would often visit Calcutta during the vacations, obviously
LEISURE
FA S H I O N TELEVISION BOOKS CINEMA REVIEWS E Y E C AT C H E R S
for brief spells. But a decade after his parents returned to Calcutta, Chaudhuri decided to spend two years (2009-11) to comprehend and chronicle the city he had never consciously lived in earlier. As a result, there is a palpable disconnect between the writer and his subject. His narrative consists mainly of cameos of persons he interacted with during his sojourn; he reconstructs the city mainly through their eyes. For example, the Mukherjee couple, comprising a retired boxwallah and his cultured wife, sumptuous afternoon teas at their well-appointed ground floor house in a rare Lower Circular Road bungalow. Although graphically captured by the authors powerful pen, his interactions with them appear rather surreal to those who have lived and breathed Calcutta in the citys most tumultuous times. For the most,
Calcutta wasnt a lived experience for the author. His parents moved to Mumbai during his growing-up years and thereafter he moved to Britain.
Chaudhuris writing is about recreating the city in his mind through the visions of those who endure and yet love the city despite its myriad contradictions. When the author spends days trying to unravel the lives of the citys large community of underprivileged, mostly from Bihar, he succeeds in holding up a mirror to a world that most Calcutta insiders miss. A Ramayan Shah, who runs the ramshackle Chandan Hotel on Free School Street, or Baby Misra, the attractive woman who seeks alms at the Flurys crossing each afternoon to supplement her income as housemaid in Howrah earlier in the day, are
poignant portrayals that one normally misses out in any literary excavation of Calcutta. However, the air of pointlessness pervades. What do we learn from this, apart from the fact that such an underbelly exists? What I found somewhat jarring is the authors rather puzzling selection of personalities and subjects. There appears no running thread connecting them to any larger purpose; in fact, the absence of purpose in the book is its greatest handicap. Chaudhuri meets Nirupam Sen, industries minister in the Left Front government which was in power then. But after a couple of interactions, in which the author says Sen comes across as an honest and candid Marxist, usually a contradiction in terms, the minister disappears from the narrative. The author gives a detailed socio-economic account of the bhadralok Bengalis encounter with Marwaris down the ages. Most Calcutta people know that, feel and resent the ascent of the migrant trading community from Rajasthan, but this is hardly a revelation. Disappointingly, Chaudhuri does not purvey Calcuttas fast-changing cultural landscape, its theatre and world of cinema and its transition from upper class bhadralok finesse to todays dominant lower middle class passions, although Rabindranath Tagore, his songs and poems, singers like Hemanta Mukherjee and radical composers like Salil Choudhury find mention in passing. I also failed to grasp the purpose of the elaborate diversion into Italian cuisine and why imported chefs left the city in disgust, convinced their Bengali clientele would never acquire a taste for pasta cooked as it should be. Such digressions, however, are useful for the author to connect to the citys colonial past and its vibrant yet tense interface with the British. By the time Chaudhuri decides to conclude, malls have arrived, giving an altogether new dimension to the citys existence. Townships and multi-storey apartments have heralded the onset of globalisation, although the globe still doesnt recognise Calcutta as part of that phenomenon. It is not clear if Chaudhuri approves or disapproves the change, not even if he welcomes the turbulent yet largely peaceful political churning after 34 years of Communist rule. This again is surprising as he was in the city when poriborton, which he mentions on occasion, happened before his eyes. On reading this account, many Bengalis would want to write a sequel, but one with a beginning and an end, neither of which this book has. Calcutta still awaits its contemporary Sanjay, the fabled sutradhar of the Mahabharata.
CINEMA
BUDDYFILMS
Nautanki Saala
Release date April 12 Director Rohan Sippy Key cast Ayushmann Khurrana (left), Kunaal Roy Kapur Buddy DNA Opposites attract
Gritty, earthy, unlikely friendhip is finally entering Indias creative consciousness

By Gayatri Jayaraman
THE NEW BOND FILM
here is a Chinese saying: If you save someones life, you become responsible for them. Nautanki Saala, made on a budget of Rs 12 crore and releasing on April 12, opens with this line. Kai Po Che, which released on February 22 and cost Rs 18 crore, has grossed Rs 40 crore by the second weekend. It is the first of a new wave of buddy films coming out of Bollywood. The new perspective is the ability to see unlikeliness as a part of friendship, that was once portrayed as unidimensional. A host of forthcoming films echo this change. Theres Chashme Baddoor, a remake by David Dhawan of the 1981 Sai Paranjape classic, on a budget of Rs 25 crore and set to release on April 5, with a star cast of Ali Zafar, Siddharth, and Divyendu Sharma. And theres Farhan Akhtars Fukrey, made on a budget of Rs 15 crore, releasing on June 14, the story of four high-school wastrels played by Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh, Ali Faizal, and Richa Chadda. The shift began with advertisements like Airtels 2011 TV campaign Har Ek Friend Zaroori Hota Hainow running its
44
sequel as Jo Mera Hai Woh Tera Haiand Tata DoCoMos Friendship Express. Today, it is captured in advertising campaigns like that of Fastrack and Caf Coffee Days Sit Down series, and in TV shows like Channel Vs The Buddy Project and Best Friends Forever. This is a shift from the buddy films sparked by Dil Chahta Hai (2001). Its producers and childhood friends Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan and Zoya Akhtar, created films that subconsciously reflected their own friendships in an urban setting. Many films followed suit. The real story of Indian friendship is only now coming into our creative consciousness. This is partly because our cinema has always favoured fantasy over realism, and partly because friendship has evolved over time and now demands a new language of expression. For instance, India is yet to make a gang-of-girls film, like Hollywoods Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants or Bridesmaids. Here are some of the new tropes of friendship Bollywood is working on:
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
Bound by nothing but a common cause Think The organically formed classroom of English Vinglish. What defines it Values that do not always find acceptance within
conventional social groups, diverse opinions, curiosity, a love of strangers. Agnello Dias, director of advertising agency TapRoot which crafted Airtels Har Ek Friend Zaroori Hota Hai campaign, says: There was a time when everybody had specific friendship categoriesschool, building, family and college friends. Today, friendships come from hobby classes, Facebook, Twitter, and includes people youve never met. The sequel to Airtels advertisement, Jo Mera Hai Woh Tera Hai, currently on air, depicts this evolution of ENGLISH VINGLISH closeness. We catch up once a day or maybe even a week. Today, updates mean knowing what a friend ate for breakfast. We live each others lives, says Dias. In real life The connect you feel with an acquaintance on Facebook who has more in common with you than many everyday friends.
GANGS OF WASSEYPUR
THE ENTOURAGE
the guns.
A circuit where everybody feeds off each other Think Gangs Of Wasseypur without What defines it You scratch my
back and Ill scratch yoursa bond that is formed in the days of struggle, where loyalty is sacrosanct. Many first films have been made by borrowing a camera or a cameraman, an actors favour of a cameo, or grabbing free studio hours with a mental note to return the favour. Years later, the nowcritically-lauded directors and actors cast together, lend their names to each others films, share talent pools and brainstorm. This differs from a clique as you actually have to like the person and owe him gratitude to remain in the camp. In real life The movie industry camp comprising writer/directors Anurag Kashyap, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Shridhar Raghavan, Vishal Bhardwaj and Imtiaz Ali fit the bill.
BOYS GONE WILD
Deglossed buddies united by back-slapping antics Think Tashi, Nitin and Arup in Delhi Belly or even Sid, Jai and Omi in the What defines it Bad behaviour is okay. There is space in the gang for feeders
and parasites, theres no leader, and girls just get in the way. The loser is a great starting point, says Rohan Sippy, director of Nautanki Saala, the forthcoming bromance between Ayushmann Khurrana and Kunaal Roy Kapur. They represent a new class of friendsno six-packs, no convertibles, no road trips. In real life David Dhawan, who modified the original Chashme Buddoor (1981) to make it younger, says it reflects his friends at Punes Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). Friendship has shades. We had great masti then, following girls on bikes, being backbenchers. It gives me great relief to go back to those days. Some friends are kameenas, but friendship is when you dont judge someone but can see what he is going through, he says. soon-to-be-released Chashme Baddoor.
Chashme Baddoor
Release date April 5 Director David Dhawan Key cast Siddharth, Divyendu Sharma,Ali Zafar, Rishi Kapoor Buddy DNA Fancy-free
CINEMA
BUDDYFILMS
Bollywoods Inseparables
1975
Jai and Veeru in Sholay The idealism of friends who would die for each other. Bishan and Kishan in Yaarana Classic friendship between the rich and poor.Amitabh Bachhan is the bad guy and Amjad Khan is the good guy. Akash, Siddharth and Sameer in Dil Chahta Hai The aspirations of modern urban youth in the lives of the rich brat, the flirt, and the loner. DJ, Karan, Aslam, Sukhi and Sonia in Rang De Basanti Mutual frustrations of the make-a-change generation. Arush, Tanmay and Ali in Heyy Baby Gang of boys who learn responsibility comes with fun. Jai, Aditi and their gang in Jaane Tu.. Ya Jaane Na Non-glossy look at urban college-going friendships, dating, and pressures. Joe, Adi and Rob in Rock On!! The angst of youth caught up in materialistic aspirations. Rancho, Farhan and Raju in 3 Idiots The first realistic look at the struggles, dreams, aspirations of middle-class Indian friends. Arjun, Imraan and Kabir in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara The coming-of-age of a now mature Dil Chahta Hai generation. Ishaan, Omi and Govind in Kai Po Che The gritty social and political reality surrounding middle-class Indian friendships.
THE CLIQUE
The tribe whose genetic code you choose to share Think Student of the Year What defines it A notion of cool vetted by the group. Liking each
other is optional. The agreed standards for cool are non-negotiable: Brands, books, artists, music, acceptable social hangouts and hangers on. Those who dont agree are out too. Snootiness is essential to keep the boundaries up and the riff-raff out. Social drinking clubs the new wine and whiskey circuitsare formed on these, as are regular audience groups who frequent the improv, theatre and opera circuits. A knowledgeable group can set social standards and make or break brands, bands, films and plays. They can be a powerful lobby. Each group further fragments and there is mobility within various cliques. In real life Film critics who compare notes before they publish; producer networks who ensure certain filmmakers will always have funding and aggressive marketing.
1981
2001
THE HOBBYJOCKEYS
2006
Short, strong bonds formed for a specific purpose Think Three friends setting up a sporting goods shop in Kai Po Che. What defines it A common passion, unspoken boundaries, detachment. If you stole the weeks earnings from your common business, your friends would certainly not be impressed. It takes a special friend who, despite your impulsiveness, sticks with you, because he knows your business will survive only if you work together. In Kai Po Che, Ishaan, despite his personal setbacks, is a gruff but generous cricket coach, the kind who wants to see you win. Govinds uncompromising eye on finances is required if their venture is to recover from financial losses. This kind of friendship often comes with unspoken rulesa 5 a.m. friend may not want to know what your work-day trouKai Po Che bles are like. Hed rather share Released on Feb 22 banter on how tough it is to Director Abhishek Kapoor juice a karela. You know you Key cast Raj Kumar Yadav,Amit serve a purpose, and you Sadh, Sushant Singh Rajput drift your separate ways Buddy DNA Friendship of once it is served. convenience and among In real life Running groups like dreamers and strugglers Nike Run Club, Run Mumbai Run, Indian Cyclists Network.
2007
2008
2008
2009
2011
2013
NET FLUX
5.8 million
BRITNEY SPEARS
by LAKSHMI KUMARASWAMI
5.7 million
LADY GAGA
5.1 million
LARRY PAGE
5 million
SNOOP LION
4.6 million
Source: Social Baker; Last updated: March 4, 2013
DAVID BECKHAM
star of the week

1 2 3
MARK OFACELEB
Google+, the social network started by the Web engine giant, recently hit 500 million members. Here are the people with most followers:
Smart Cube
web wow
Pixel Perfect
On a Shooting Spree
Have you met all your Facebook friends in person? Artist Ty Morin intends to connect with all 788 of his friends on the social network by photographing them in the old-fashioned way using a manual camera instead of a digital one. He is collecting money for travel, film and darkroom chemicals and has already raised $4,000. Morin, based in Connecticut, says his goal is to reconnect with people offline and stop hiding behind the screen of social media.
While many of us struggle to solve a Rubiks cube,meet Ravi Fernando,who can solve one while juggling it with two balls.The Stanford University students ability to solve the cube in under two minutes has earned him the nickname Sir Ravi The Juggler.Fernando,21, a mathematics student,is of Indian origin and is from Missouri in the US.Avideo of his feat has over 7,000 likes on Facebook and 2.9 million YouTube views.
viral video
God on Facebook
Looks like God is on Facebook.A shrine in Kolkata, built in honour of the goddess of knowledge, Saraswati, is encased in a vinyl printout of a Facebook profile . On closer look, her chat list on the side shows her friendsare other Hindu deities such as Krishna, Shiva, Kali and Lakshmi.
Imagine if Taylor Swifts back-up singer was a goat? About 12 million people have seen her song I knew you were trouble interspersed with a goat screaming.
news now
Samsungs next smartphone, Galaxy S IV, will have a unique feature that will sense the eyes movement and scroll the page accordingly. MySpace, one of the first social networks on the Web, has been relaunched with singer Justin Timberlake as its brand ambassador. The latest update to Bing Maps includes 13 million square kilometres of higher resolution satellite shots and ocean floor imagery.
app alert
Top of the Lot

Harlem Shake Creator Pro will give you step-by-step directions to create your own video similar to the Harlem Shake. Carrot rewards and punishes you based on the completion of items on your to-do list. Svpply lets you shop for clothes and accessories from over 110,000 stores and brands across the world.
Over 8 million people watched a video featuring Mark Zuckerberg,Bill Gates and other tech gods speaking on the importance of learning computer coding.
Around 5.1 million people watched Creighton Baird push his girlfriend Jessica off a 4,000 ft cliff for a rope swing through a canyon in Utah.
47
SPORT
CRICKET
SUNIEL SCORES OVER SACHIN

Film stars have a field day as the Celebrity Cricket League notches up TRPs to rival IPL
By G.S. Vivek
ednesday evening. The MCA indoor stadium in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, echoes with the sound of the ball hitting the bats sweet spot. Suniel Shetty smiles, satisfied. The Bollywood action hero and restaurateur always wanted to be a cricketer. Now, at 51, he is busy practising how to thwack the ball like he bashes up goons in the movies. Growing up, Riteish Deshmukh and Mohanlal restricted their dreams
of playing cricket to their college and colony but the passion only grew with time. Having formed his own team Veer Marathi this season, Deshmukh has been a regular every evening at Kalina sports complex near Santacruz, trying to hone his batting skills. Mohanlal has just cut short a family holiday in Spain and fought off jet lag to land straight at afternoon practice. Telugu superstar Venkatesh, who played for Loyola College, Chennai, with former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth, is turning the clock back with evening net practice after wind-
ing up shoots. When cricket meets entertainment, its IPL but when entertainment meets cricket, its CCL or Celebrity Cricket League. The third edition of CCL, a monthlong tournament with weekend matches ending on March 10, is almost rivalling IPL in TRP ratingsa phenomenal 11 on Asianet, which has been showing matches in Kochi, while all other regional channels have ratings of 4.5 on average. In comparison, IPL 5 last year had an average TRP rating of just 3.9. The fact that the organisers have roped in superstar Salman Khan
VENKATESH We should enjoy the game and use it as an opportunity to bond with other actors.
SCREEN ROLE Telugu actor FIELD AVATAR Left-hand batsman, skipper of Telugu Warriors
MOHANLAL We have had tremendous support from the crowd and we have prepared well.
SCREEN ROLE Malayalam superstar FIELD AVATAR All-rounder,owner and captain of Kerala Strikers
SUNIEL SHETTY CCL is helping actors like us fulfil our hidden desires and ambitions.
SCREEN ROLE Bollywood hero FIELD AVATAR Middle-order batsman,captain of Mumbai Heroes
RITEISH DESHMUKH We are all very serious about winning.We have been practising hard.
SCREEN ROLE Actor FIELD AVATAR All-rounder, owner of Veer Marathi
GLITZ ON THE PITCH

Charmi, 27 Brand ambassador of Telugu Warriors, the girl recreated the Cadbury admoment, breaking into an impromptu jig after her team defeated Mumbai Heroes.
The face of their team, meet these glam CCL girls
OTHER TEAMS
Chennai Rhinos Karnataka Bulldozers Kerala Strikers Bhojpuri Dabanggs
Nargis Fakhri, 33 She rooted for Delhi during the IPL but when it comes to CCL, the Rockstar girl is cheering for Mumbai. She is the brand ambassador of Mumbai Heroes.
as CCL brand ambassador has no doubt helped up the publicity blitzkrieg. Sponsors are lining up in droves. Title sponsors Kalyan Jewellers have shelled out Rs 21 crore for three years while 11 others are pumping in Rs 24 crore per year. Star Group has bought the TV rights for Rs 62 crore for the next three years and the winning prize money is Rs 5.4 crore. The spectators too seem to have lapped it up. Over 60,000 people watched the Kerala-Mumbai match in Kochi on February 9. So what is it about CCL that makes spectators and film stars go all the way?
Looking back, Vishnu Vardhan Induri, MD and founder of CCL, says, It was difficult to bring together the entire industry under one roof and initially we suffered losses but we never wanted to cut corners and decided to maintain the same broadcasting standards. Slowly, the competitiveness of the game helped it bring in the masses.
RULES OFTHE GAME

This CCL, players havent flinched in putting their body on the line for the sake of their team. The discipline extends to training sessions. Coached by Monty Desai, who trains Rajasthan Royals in IPL, Veer Marathi has cracked down on players reporting late for practice or flouting team rules. Bhojpuri Dabanggs, a new entrant to CCL this year, have asked all their actors to enrol at the Venus Sports Academy, their training base in Mumbai, for net sessions. The Bhojpuri and Telugu industry has been in partial shutdown for almost a month because of CCL practice. The Mumbai Heroes team even turn vegetarian and ban alcohol 48 hours before a game to get more flexible and lighter on the field. I havent
FLIGHT OF FANTASY
I always wanted to be a cricketer, I played at under-14 and under-16 levels but couldnt go higher. I wanted to play for Mumbai, my karmbhoomi. I am glad I am playing for Mumbai Heroes, says Suniel Shetty. Actor or cricketer, there is always a child inside us, there are always certain unfulfilled ambitions. CCL is helping people like us fulfil those desires, he adds. CCL is like the World Cup for the film industry, says Marathi actor Siddharth Jadhav of Veer Marathi.
seen such exemplary discipline. Everyone is bang on time for practice and we have only spoken about cricket. Every actor lives and dies every Friday, but trust me, we havent spoken anything about films, new releases, says Mumbai Heroes player Sameer Kochhar, who is one of the few bad boys who sneaks out to smoke after practice. Kerala Strikers are focusing more on the mental aspects of the game under renowned psychologist Vipin Roldant. The Karnataka Bulldozers team, led by superstar Sudeep of Eega fame and mentored by former Indian batsman Gundappa Vishwanath, have made it mandatory for players to assemble three days before the weekend games for team bonding. The Bulldozers hope to get third-time lucky after finishing runners-up to Chennai in the previous two editions. While CCL heads towards its climax over the weekend in Hyderabad and Bangalore, teams are already preparing for the next season. If cricket is entertainment, CCL has ensured this entertainment is serious business.
For more on the CCL, go to www.indiatoday.in/ccl-diary
Sridevi, 49 Co-owner of Bengal Tigers, the diva made heads turn when she cheered for her team, sporting the team jersey. However, Bengal Tigers failed to recreate KKRs IPL 5 magic.
Genelia DSouza, 25 Her bubbly energy rubbed off on her team Veer Marathi which managed three victories in four games. She is the brand ambassador of the team owned by her husband, Riteish Deshmukh.
49
GLOSSARY
by NISHAT BARI
change the world
Q& Three roles for A Vidya Balan cant
Bipasha Basu finds her mothering instincts, all thanks to the forthcoming film, Aatma. Q. Youre drawn to negative roles, from Ajnabee on. Do you have a dark side? A. Its because I have no dark in me that I go looking for it. Its the non-regular roles that work for me. Q. Youre down to barely one or two films a year now. Why is that? A. I did 10 films a year till I fell so sick I had to stop, then began my romance with fitness. I pushed a lot of opportunities away. Q. What phase are you in now? A. I want to be part of a film from its germ to its script, screenplay, characters, execution, casting, post-production. Aatma came a little more structured than Raaz 3. Q. Can we say the industry has better roles for women? A. I dont buy it. Three roles for Vidya Balan cant change the world. Shes also gone through a lot of flak to reach here. Dont forget that. Q. In Aatma, what interests you the most? A. The fact that I get to play a mother. A lot of actresses dont want to be mothers. If you play mother, youll look old its a bizarre idea. Q. Do we hear a maternal instinct kicking in? A. When Doyel (who plays her daughter in the film) was sick, hungry, cranky, I would deal with it. I became protective of her. Q. Is this carrying over to real life? A. Definitely, I will be a fantastic mom. That makes me very proud. Its a step up for me in acting because its made me realise something more as a human being.
(As told to Gayatri Jayaraman)
Odds?
The oddest pairs coming to a screen near youthanks to the countrys oldest actors making a beeline for the industrys youngest girls
The pair promoting I Love New York together make for a sight that is disturbing at so many levels, we hardly know where to begin. Now picture them in love. Shudder.
What Are the
Sunny Deol, 56, and Kangna Ranaut, 25
HOME EDITION
Freida Pinto finally makes time for Bollywood and she will be waltzing in on the arm of Raj Kumar Yadav, who still sports the afterglow of success from Kai Po Che. The two will be seen in an untitled revenge drama by Manorama Six Feet Under director Navdeep Singh and Vikramaditya Motwane. That Anurag Kashyaps Phantom Films is the producer only makes it more interesting.
50
MIXED SIGNALS
Rajinikanth, 62, and Deepika Padukone, 27
Nearly three years ago, Raveena Tandon was going red in the face denying a tabloid story about her having used botox. Yet there she was, pretty as a picture in a blue wrap dress, promoting its cousin Juverderm in early March. Interestingly the new line of dermal filler comes from the makers of botox. What made her cross that line?
Shouldnt somebody have paid more attention to the maths when casting the 62-year-old with 27-year-old Padukone in Kochadaiyaan?
STORM IN A TEA CUP

Sanjay Dutt, 53, and Prachi Desai, 24
R. Balkis first ad campaign with Shah Rukh Khan has been devised with Tata Teas Jaago Re series to celebrate International Womens Day on March 8. In it, Khan waxes eloquent about how he believes women should not be equal but ahead of men. Then why does the heros name always appear before the heroines name in film credits? a young
Dutt manages to look menacing even when he is wooing a girl and now the makers of Policegiri have paired him with fresh-faced Desai. Good luck convincing us about that love story.
activist asks him. The star realises he has no answer. The new campaign will focus on changing everyday biases against women.
BACK FROM BEYOND

Amrita Rao has been missing from the big screen for so long, you would be forgiven for thinking she is a newcomer. But the good news is that after a near total drought since 2009, she has three films lined up for release this year. There is Singh Saheb The Great with Sunny Deol, a role in Jolly LLB, and the biggiePrakash Jhas Satyagraha where she plays Amitabh Bachchans daughter-in-law.
ON THE SHOULDERS OF A GIANT

This image of Infosys cofounder N.R. Narayana Murthy carrying his daughter and son features in Sudha Menons book Legacy, published by Random House. He says his trajectory was shaped by daughter Akshatas birth.I never wanted her to grow up and think I had done something wrong, he says of it.
51
LEISURE
T R AV E L FA S H I O N BOOKS CINEMA REVIEWS E Y E C AT C H E R S
BHANSALI
SABYASACHI
When Vidya Balans dates for Ghanchakkar clashed with Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Ram Leela and Sabyasachi reportedly requested that he be allowed to work on Vidyas clothes too, Bhansali refused. Now that they have parted ways, does this mean Sabya, who designed for Rani Mukherji in Black, wont design for Bhansalis next with RaniHeera Mandi? Aargh.
FEUD OFTHE WEEK
Remember Pooja Ruparel who played Chutki, Kajols chirpy younger sister in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge? Now 18 years later Pooja has been signed on by Anil Kapoor for a role in his ambitious TV series 24. She will play an aide to a minister in the TV series, shooting of which has already begun. Looks like shes ready for her close-up.
THE TIME OF HER LIFE
PROTG ALERT
Mallika Barot, daughter of musician Ranjit Barot, made her debut at Mumbais Blue Frog the other night. Not bad for a 16-year-old who is in the middle of her 12th Board exams. Mallika will be taking a gap year after the exams to develop her music career. No Bollywood for her for sure, she swears. We shall see.
Going Up
Number of actors turning aam aadmi. After Katrina Kaif and Imran Khan, its now the turn of SRK to endorse a mango drink. Post-disaster film interviews a la John Abraham for I, Me aur Main and RGV for The Attacks of 26/11.
Going Down
The Gangnam craze. Just when Jackky Bhagnani bought the rights and is releasing his own Mumbaiya version.
Age of art collectors. With art now available online, youngsters are building enviable collections.
HOME ADVANTAGE
Almost 25 years after Aamir Khans first wife Reena Dutta made an appearance in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (left), his second wife Kiran Rao will make a background appearance in the film Peekay. But this is not Raos first time on screen. She made a blink-and-you-miss-it appearance in another Aamir film, Dil Chahta Hai (right).
Compiled by Gayatri Jayaraman and
52
Volume XXXVIII Number 11; For the week March 12-18, 2013, released every Friday
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POWER LIST 2013
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They Mean Business

Indias 25 most influential women and their success stories
Beauty Mommy Sunshine 26The 24 22 Barometer Dilemma Vitamin

Juggle a career with kids or turn full-time mom? Smriti Lamech addresses the question every woman will face sooner or later. Fashion designer Wendell Rodricks writes about how the beauty industry has changed over the years. Vitamin D deficiency is fast becoming a national health issue. Are desk jobs and the Indian fear of getting a tan to blame?
2 20 28 30
SNAPSHOTS PROFILE STYLE LAST WORD
Harish Aggarwal, Naveen Gupta

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Volume 7 Number 3; March 2013
Copyright Living Media India Ltd. All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in any manner is prohibited. Printed and published by Ashish Bagga on behalf of Living Media India Ltd. Printed at Thomson Press India Ltd., 18-35 Milestone, Delhi Mathura Road, Faridabad-121007, (Haryana) and at A-9, Industrial Complex, Maraimalai Nagar, District Kancheepuram-603209, (Tamil Nadu). Published at K-9, Connaught Circus, New Delhi-110001. India Today does not take responsibility for returning unsolicited publication material.
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> >SNAPSHOTS
TRENDS, NEWS AND VIEWS
QUESTIONS FOR NANCY SILBERKLEIT

1. FOR OVER SEVEN DECADES, THE LOVE TRIANGLE BETWEEN ARCHIE, BETTY AND VERONICA WAS THE CENTRAL PLOTLINE OF THE COMIC. WHY DID YOU BRING IT TO AN END? It gave the readers an opportunity to see what would happen if Archie goes with one of the two girls. It was based on Robert Frosts idea of the road not taken and people sort of ignored that. We did this just as an insight into Archies two possible choices. We would never break the love triangle. 2. CRITICS SAY ARCHIE COMICS DEAL IN STEREOTYPES. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO THAT? The beauty of Archie is that its pure fantasy. People need to be able to distract themselves and relax in Archies world. Veronica just snaps her fingers and has the Lodge airplane fly her anywhere. It may not be real, but it is fun to lose yourself in this world for a bit.
ADITYA KAPOOR/www.indiatodayimages.com
fun as well. Archie Comic is known for its wholesomeness, the friendship between the characters and their support system. All this may be perceived as preachy but we do it in an entertaining manner so that people want to pick up an Archie comic again. 4. CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT RISE ABOVE SOCIAL ISSUES? This is an attempt to offer information in a comic book format and provide children the knowledge, confidence and spark for to create. Through these books, we attempt to tackle problems that plague children and also give them some sort of a support system to turn to. The feedback we have recieved so far has been very encouraging. 5. WHAT ARE THE FUTURE PLANS FOR ARCHIE COMIC? Thats always kept under lock and key. But I would like to say that Archie Comic Publications has always taken the middle path. My husband never wanted to risk antagonising any section of Archies fan base so they played safe. But now, we are out there, we are grabbing what is relevant and incorporating it into our stories. So you will see more of that.
Nancy Silberkleit is the co-CEO of Archie Comic Publications and the founder of the non-profit organisation Rise Above Social Issues. She tells Prerna Gupta about the recent developments in the fictional town of Riverdale and what the road ahead will be like for Archie and friends.
3. YOU HAVE BROUGHT IN MORE ISSUE-BASED COMICS. DONT YOU WORRY ABOUT COMICS BECOMING LESS FUN AND MORE PREACHY? I do not see our writers being preachy. I still see them as addressing relevant social issues and presenting them in an entertaining format. I think its okay to have a message in your comic as long as it is
Cultural Nazism
WHATS NOT
The Emo Cult
Posting vague and depressing status updates on Facebook. If you are going through a hard time, pick up the phone and call a friend. Try not to air your dirty laundry in public.
Be it a movie, art or even lyrics, vehement protests over nothing are not new in India. But of late, it seems everyone has discovered their right to feel offended. By absolutely everything.
Statement Leggings
Members of the Kashmiri girl band that was forced to quit singing
From faces to Star Warsinspired prints, statement leggings are a rage this season. If youve got the chutzpah to stand out in a crowd, these are the way to go.
WHATS HOT
Second Take
With a host of sequels and remakes set to release in the days ahead, Bollywood seems to believe you can never have enough of a good thing.
02
INDIA TODAY WOMAN MARCH, 2013
> >S N A P S H O T S
France has managed to kill the last of its craftsmen, France Grand says in a matter-of-fact tone, and I fear craftsmen might disappear soon here as well. The French scholar was in the Capital recently to deliver a talk organised in the run-up to a special on-going exhibition, Masks, Other Worlds at the Crafts Museum in Delhi. The former director of the Institute Francais de la Mode in Paris, Grand says the last of the craftsmen in her country have been bought by fashion houses and now only create what the market demands. Others have switched to occupations such as carpentary, plumbing and so on. Grand says India should recognise its craftsmen so that they do not meet a similar fate. Something sold in Dilli Haat for Rs 500 is sold for 20,000 euros (over Rs 14 lakh) in Paris. Is that fair? she asks. Shouldnt the artisan be getting a little bit more? And she has a solution ready. The deserving ones should be given awards, scholarships and grants so that they can transmit their know-how. Grand, who holds a doctorate in art and semiology, has been associated with India for several decades and has worked in the areas of education and fashion with NIFT and the Chanel Foundation. At present, she is helping the Moroccan Foundation replicate successful water preservation initiatives undertaken in Rajasthan by India Water Portal and Gandhi Foundation for Peace. Though disturbed by the huge divide between the rich and poor in India, Grand says as a democracy India never ceases to amaze her. Look at the protests that followed the horrific gang rape in Delhi. I feel rather than amending the rape law, the need of the hour is swift and speedy justice while the case is still fresh in the minds of people, she says. I admire the way democracy is still alive in India.
by Supriya Sharma
VISHAL KOUL/www.indiatodayimages.com
FROM PARIS WITH LOVE

French scholar France Grand on the need to preserve handicrafts and why India needs to give its craftsmen the recognition they deserve SO MUCH FOR DIETING A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says that diet and fizzy drinks are 60 per cent more likely to cause diabetes than their full-fat versions. The primary cause for this are the artificial sweeteners in diet drinks. Another reason is that diet soda drinkers tend to consume much more than regular drinkers. The study also found that people who drank any kind of soda were at a higher risk for diabetes than those who consumed fruit juices. There, now thats reason enough to get off that silly diet and eat smart and healthy instead.
HARNESS YOUR QI It is time to put your Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon poses to good use. According to the Harvard Medical Review, Tai-chi, a martial art developed in China is valuable in treating and preventing many health problems. This art form which focuses on the mind and body, has a series of motions named after animals in action and focuses on breathing and bodily sensations. And it can be adapted for anyone, from the fittest to even those confined to wheelchairs.
WONDER DRINK Real, unsweetened, cranberry juice is a storehouse of health benefits. It helps in relieving painful urinary tract infections. It inhibits the growth of dental plaque and keeps teeth and gums healthy. Doctors say it helps prevent kidney stones by ridding the body of waste. It is rich in oxidants and it also helps prevent cardiovascular and immune diseases. It helps in flushing out excess natural bacteria from the body which can cause yeast infections.
by Prerna Gupta
MARCH, 2013 INDIA TODAY WOMAN
> >P O W E R
LIST 2013
THE INFLUENCERS
Power means different things to different people. For some it means the corner office, a seat at the boardroom table or the perks of being the boss. For others, it is an opportunity to lead by example, to be a mentor, and hopefully to leave things a little better than the way you found them. The India Today Woman Power List 2013 recognises the 25 most powerful women in India today who are influencing the way companies are run and megabrands are built and nurtured. In short, these are the women who mean business.
BECAUSE She serves as the Managing Director of Diageo, the worlds largest spirits manufacturing company.
BECAUSE This IIM Ahmedabad alumnus was promoted twice in 2012, where she joined as a marketing director in 2010. BECAUSE It was under her leadership that the company went back to the locally-made foreign liquor portfolio and launched its first brewed-in-India whiskey in 2011. In her new role, Sankaranarayanan is responsible for brand building of global favourites like Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and VAT 69. USP Well known for her expertise in brand marketing, Sankaranarayanan is responsible for spearheading Diageo Indias ambitious expansion plans. Prior to joining Diageo, Sankaranarayanan was Executive Director and Deputy CEO at Mount Everest Mineral Water (a Tata enterprise), where she was responsible for crafting the Tata Groups foray into the bottled water segment. IN HIGH SPIRITS Diageos brand portfolio includes Guinness,J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.
OCTOBER, 2012 INDIA TODAY WOMAN
AT THE TOP
GO WITH THE FLOW Abanti Sankaranarayanan

MD, DIAGEO INDIA
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AT THE TOP
BECAUSE She heads Facebook India, where the number of

users has grown by 150 per cent to notch 65 million users. BECAUSE In 2000, working for Silicon Graphics in the US, she was the youngest director of engineering and the only woman in this role in her team. BECAUSE Under her leadership, Facebook India has managed to not only grow its user base but also make significant contribution to its global business. SUCCESS MANTRA Dont be afraid to take risks. In risks will come your biggest opportunities. Be realistic and be prepared for any outcome while giving your best to whatever you do. LIFE LESSONS Her father was a government employee so she had a peripatetic childhood. Reddy believes that this is what helps her to adapt to a variety of environments and says it taught her early on to make the best of any situation.
GAME ON Neelam Dhawan

MD, HEWLETT PACKARD INDIA
BECAUSE Dhawan was among the first women to head a

technology firm in the country, when she was appointed India head of the world's largest software company, Microsoft, in 2005. She took over the India operations of computer-maker Hewlett Packard in 2008, and has managed to navigate the firm through choppy waters to take on Lenovo and Dell. BECAUSE Dhawan managed to successfully navigated turbulent market conditions in the first half of 2012 where a free fall of the rupee and a scam-ridden, policy paralysed govt slowed the economy which in turn decelerated private investment and delayed decisions on contracts. In 2013 HP will focus on its hardware business and attempt to reinvent its range of products. STRESS BUSTERS In her down time Dhawan likes to read fiction and business and management books. She listens to old Hindi music, Phil Collins, Billy Joel and The Doors. Dhawan enjoys solving puzzles and crosswords and unwinds by playing games on Xbox. Her favourite cuisine is Japanese and she likes to cook meals at home on Sundays. FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION London for its crowds and rich cultural history. GUILTY PLEASURE Chocolates
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AT THE TOP
ONLY CONNECT Kirthiga Reddy

HEAD, FACEBOOK INDIA
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BECAUSE In a traditionally male-dominated business of tractor manufacturing, Srinivasan heads Tractor and Farm Equipment (TAFE) and is determined to further her fathers legacy. BECAUSE Under her leadership, the companys turnover grew from Rs 86 crore in 1985 to Rs 5,800 crore in 2011, making it the second largest tractor manufacturing company in India and the third largest in the world. BECAUSE TAFE rose to the second number position after she made the smart move of acquiring Eicher Motors in 2005 . SMARTEST MOVE During the 2009 recession Srinivasan slashed budgets of departments across board except for R&D. When the markets recovered, TAFE was able to roll out an array of new products, thus besting its competitors. GUIDING LIGHT Her father. She says he was her guide and mentor, even long after she had firmly established herself as a businesswoman in her own right.
AT THE TOP
ON THE MOVE Mallika Srinivasan

CEO, TAFE
AT THE TOP
BANKABLE STAR Aisha De Sequeira

MD, MORGAN STANLEY INDIA INVESTMENT BANKING
BECAUSE As head of investment banking at Morgan Stanley India, she is considered to be one of the most influential women in Indias financial industry.
BECAUSE De Sequeira, who joined Morgan Stanley in 1995, feels tough times and volatile markets are best to build client relationships. Despite a slowing economy Morgan Stanley was involved in a wide range of lucrative transactions. BECAUSE Under her leadership, Morgan Stanley worked on 10 transactions in 2012 as compared to five by its closest rival. BIGGEST CHALLENGE For women to see other successful women is extremely important. Formal mentoring doesnt work because if you force two people together who dont have the right chemistry, youre never going to get the right form of mentors, she has said. ON THE WALL De Sequeira collects contemporary Indian art.
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BECAUSE The 30-year-old joined her fathers business as an
executive director after financial difficulties forced the patriarch to sell ten hospitals in 2009. Six months later she was appointed managing director of Wockhardt Hospitals with eight hospitals under her watch. BECAUSE She is now overseeing the rebuilding of the Wockhardt hospitals network. Keeping her busy right now is a Rs 350 crore state-of-the-art hospital slated to open up in south Mumbai by the end of June this year.
AT THE TOP
MIND CAPITAL Aruna Jayanthi

CEO, CAPGEMINI INDIA
BECAUSE Despite her liberal arts background, Khorakiwala has proved to be a worthy successor to her father, quickly learning the intricacies of running a hospital business. FITNESS SECRET Khorakiwala never misses her fitness routine and works out daily in the morning with her gym instructor. DID YOU KNOW? Khorakiwala has a professional deep-sea divers licence from the Maldives. She also loves to paint. Her wedding invite was a painting she made herself. And the painting she made for the inauguration of the Wockhardt Biotechnology Park in Aurangabad, drew praise from none other than former president APJ Abdul Kalam. BIG INDULGENCE Is a foodie who is not afraid to admit it.
GEN NEXT
TAKING CHARGE Zahabiya Khorakiwala

MD, WOCKHARDT HOSPITALS
BECAUSE As CEO of Capgemini India, Jayanthi is responsible for the companys consulting, outsourcing and professional service target.
BECAUSE Under Jayanthis leadership, the companys India operations grew phenomenally, with the 30,000-strong head count soon surpassing that of its headquarters in France. BECAUSE Jayanthi is responsible for leading the consulting, technology services and outsourcing services for Capgemini India that has about 40,000 employees. Earlier this month, Jayanthi announced Capegemini will hire 28,000 more employees by 2015. ALL IN A DAYS WORK Jayanthi keeps a gruelling schedule. After she reaches home at 7.30 pm she is back at her desk by 10 pm because most of Capgemini clients are based overseas. DID YOU KNOW? Her latest love is music and she recently started playing the piano.
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BECAUSE In the last couple of years, Nisaba Godrej, the
younger daughter of Adi Godrej and president human capital and innovation, has emerged as a likely successor to her father when he decides to step down. BECAUSE The Wharton School graduate, who also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, has changed the way the company functions by bringing in a more performance-oriented culture. She is said to have brought in fresh talent to give the company a much-needed makeover. BECAUSE She heads the companys corporate social responsibility initiatives and is on the Board of Directors of Godrej Consumer Products, Godrej Agrovet, Teach For India and the Heroes Project and has been largely responsible for expanding the company in Africa, Latin America and South East Asia. She famously turned around the fortunes of Godrej Agrovet, once a loss-making venture that fetched a profit of Rs 80 crore in 2011-12. GOOD SAMARITAN The education of the girl child is a cause close to her heart. She is a member of the Indian Philanthropy Forum and is also actively involved with Dasra, a strategic philanthropic foundation working with women, children and rural families since 1999. DID YOU KNOW? Godrej is a sports fanatic and enjoys trekking, equestrian and water sports.
GEN NEXT
GEN NEXT
WATER WORLD Jayanti Chauhan

DIRECTOR, BISLERI GROUP
BECAUSE Chauhan is preparing to take over operations of

the 1,000-crore Bisleri brand from her father Ramesh Chauhan. The former fashion stylist worked at her fathers company for a brief while in 2009 before she left to pursue a Masters in Arabic from London. After travelling across the globe, she returned to put to rest rumours of a company buy-out and with the perspective and motivation to take forward her fathers legacy. BECAUSE While Chauhan may have taken her time to make up her mind to join the family business, once she took the plunge she had a strategy in place and vision for the future. At present all her energies are focused on strengthening Bisleris premium packaged water brand Vedika. Bisleri is the current market leader with a 60 per cent share in the 10,000-crore branded bottled water sector in India. Chauhans long-term goals include capturing 100 per cent of the Indian market, taking Bisleri overseas and making it an international brand. DID YOU KNOW Chauhan has studied fashion styling and merchandising, photography and make-up art in the US, Milan and London, respectively. She also worked as a fashion stylist in Dubai for a year. STYLE TIP Always remember that true style is not about trends. It's about being happy when you look in the mirror.
CALLING THE SHOTS Nisaba Godrej

PRESIDENT HUMAN CAPITAL AND INNOVATION, GODREJ INDUSTRIES
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BECAUSE Nadar, 31, HCL CEO and executive director, is
tipped to take over the reins of HCL Corporationthe holding company of the $6.2 billion HCL Groupfrom father Shiv Nadar. Nadar senior confirmed the succession in an interview in January 2013 though he did not reveal when the transition of power would take place. With this, Nadar joins a long list of those who have inherited a tough job at the top. BECAUSE As CEO and Executive Director of the HCL Corporation, she is responsible for strategic decisions regarding the overall direction of the Corporation. The vision and strategy for the HCL brand and the Shiv Nadar Foundation and its related brands are guided by her as well. BECAUSE Nadar has been at the helm of the VidyaGyan School project which runs two free boarding schools in Uttar Pradesh for bright children from the economically weaker sections of society. STRESS BUSTER Nadar enjoys travelling and yoga. TURNING POINT ? Initially Nadar wanted to make a career for herself in the media and was working at Sky News London when her father convinced her that she would never be a Rupert Murdoch unless she learned to manage a business. She then decided to study business at the Kellogg School of Management.
GEN NEXT
GEN NEXT
GREAT EXPECTATIONS Rakhee Kapoor

BUSINESS MANAGER, YES BANK
BECAUSE Kapoor, 25, is the heir apparent to the fourth largest private sector bank in India. After two short stints as an investment banker in the US, Kapoor returned to work as an intern in her fathers bank. In her present capacity as the business manager, she is responsible for building the Yes brand for a new generation of consumers.
BECAUSE Kapoor, who holds a MBA degree from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, was among the three undergraduate students selected to matriculate into the MBA programme directly. BECAUSE Kapoor has big plans for Yes Bank. In seven years the bank has grown to 10,000 employees and is present in 29 states in India, with a plan to invest in 2000 ATMs across branches. Next on the target list is a compounded growth rate of 35 per cent for the next three years. Kapoor plans to grow the banks balance sheet to 150 lakh crore, deposits to 125 lakh crore and expand to 900 branches across the country. DID YOU KNOW ? Kapoor loves to play the piano and is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. She is also a sports enthusiast. WINTER WEDDING Kapoor married Delhi-based entrepreneur Alkesh Tandon in November 2012 in a spectacular ceremony.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE Roshni Nadar Malhotra

CEO, HCL CORPORATION
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BECAUSE When the Group General Manager and Country Head of HSBC India took over as the new President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in December 2012 she became the first woman to head the leading industry body.
BECAUSE Over the years Kidwai has established herself as one of India's best bankers, a shrewd negotiator with a talent for anticipating new sectors of growth. BECAUSE This Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, and named by Time magazine as one of their 15 Global Influentials in 2002. Kidwai was awarded the Padma Shri for her contribution to Indian trade and industry. WHEN NOT AT WORK Kidwai loves nature and goes on trekking tours in the Himalayas. DID YOU KNOW ? A CA by profession, Kidwai was the first Indian woman to graduate from Harvard Business School in 1982 and also the first woman to guide the functioning of a foreign bank in India.
NEW APPOINTEES
WOMAN ON TOP Naina Lal Kidwai

PRESIDENT, FICCI & COUNTRY HEAD, HSBC
NEW APPOINTEES
DIGITAL AGE Kumud Srinivasan

PRESIDENT, INTEL INDIA
BECAUSE In January 2013 she was appointed the first woman president of the $54 billion computer chip maker Intel Corp. in India.
BECAUSE Srinivasan who joined Intel in 1987 has spent more than 25 years at the company holding several business and information systems positions. Her current focus is to take India to the next level as a centre for innovation besides R&D, and also realise its true worth in terms of its market potential. BECAUSE Srinivasan believes that besides the government and private companies, there is a need and opportunity for young innovators to develop solutions that address local challenges. THE VISION She hopes to make India a digitally literate nation, with at least one digitally educated person per household. ON THE MOVE Though born in Kolkata, Srinivasan soon moved to the US for higher studies. Now she runs Intel India from its HQ in Bengaluru.
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BECAUSE Despite being married to Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani, she has created an identity of her own as an astute businesswoman. She sits on the board of hotel operator East India Hotels and also leads a number of enterprises such as the Reliance Foundation, the Dhirubhai Ambani International School and the India Premeire League team the Mumbai Indians.
BECAUSE The wife of Indias richest man is also a committed philanthropist. Ambani heads Project Drishti, a Reliance Foundation and National Association for the Blind (NAB) initiative that helps provide eyesight to blind people from the underprivileged segment free of cost. Under this project, she has also started a Hindi fortnightly newspaper in Braille. BECAUSE Quality education is a cause close to her heart. Ambani, the chairman of Dhirubhari Ambani International School, started the institution with the aim to provide education at par with that in schools and colleges abroad. LIFE-LONG PASSION Bharatanatyam. Ambani started learning classical dance at the age of five. She says dance is like meditation for her and despite her hectic schedule ensures she practices for 45 minutes every day without fail.
NEW APPOINTEES
CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK Vanitha Narayanan

MD, IBM INDIA
GLAM TIP You dont have to spend a lot of money to be welldressed. You just have to look fresh. Im only particular about my nails and hate chipped polish. Otherwise, Im ready in 15 minutes.
FIRST WOMENS CLUB
BECAUSE With her appointment as the new managing director of global technology solutions company IBM India in January 2013 Narayan became the third woman after Neelam Dhawan (HP) and Kumud Srinvasan (Intel India) to head a large multinational technology firm in the country in recent times. BECAUSE Narayanan, who worked as managing partner for the companys global business services unit until her promotion, will be responsible for all of IBMs sales, marketing, services and global delivery operations in the India/South Asia region, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. BECAUSE Narayanan is dedicated to bringing women leaders to the forefront as the executive sponsor for developing women's leadership in IBMs India/South Asia region and a member of IBMs Multicultural Womens Network. BEST ADVICE Learn to strike the right balance between work and life. Always ensure that your main priorities are right. MISSION 2013 Narayanan takes over at a time when the biggest challenge is to ensure that the company starts winning large outsourcing contracts again and also manages to fend off rivals such as Accenture and Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS), Capgemini, Wipro Ltd and Infosys Ltd.
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FIRST LADY Nita Ambani

CHAIRMAN, DHIRUBHAI AMBANI FOUNDATION
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BECAUSE As the face of Britannia for the last six years, Bali has gone all out in her efforts to promote nutrition. She is the only Indian on the 27-member United Nations committee set up to lead the 'Scaling up Nutrition' movement globally. She is passionate about fighting malnutrition and over the years has created a market for healthy food products. Though 2011 was a tough year, she managed to up the capex to Rs 191 crore in 2012. BECAUSE During her seven-year tenure, Bali has breathed new life into Brand Britannia. Marketing it as both healthy and enjoyable, Britannia was the first manufacturer in India to remove trans fat from its biscuits. India's oldest bakery products brand has also been fortifying its products with vitamins and micronutrients such as iron.
TOP STRESS BUSTER I love the theatre, classical dance and music. The interesting thing about travelling so much is that I can watch a play at the NCPA [Mumbai], and then a music programme in Chennai or in Bangalore. FITNESS FIRST Bali begins her day with pranayam and stretches. She also makes it a point to spend a half hour in the gym either in the morning or evening.
FIRST WOMENS CLUB
HEALTHY BITE Vinita Bali

MD, BRITANNIA INDUSTRIES
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FIRST WOMENS CLUB
CAPITAL ASSET Chanda Kochhar

MD, CEO, ICICI BANK
BECAUSE In 2009 she became the youngest CEO and first woman to head ICICI bank, the second-largest lender in India. She oversees assets of $93 billion, more than 2,750 branches in India and the bank's presence in 19 countries.
BECAUSE Her prime focus remains pursuing new strategies and prioritising day-to-day banking business through its branches rather than big-ticket deals. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, ICICI reported a 31 per cent year-over-year increase in profits. BECAUSE Under her leadership ICICI was declared the Best retail bank in India for five consecutive years. FINDING A BALANCE To all working women out there, Id just like to say that first and foremost you need to get rid of the inhibition that you cannot manage both family and career. Once you firmly decide to do it, you will find a way.
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BECAUSE The Managing Director and CEO of Axis Bank is

a three-decade veteran of Indian banking and one of only two women to run a private bank in India. BECAUSE During her 29-year-long career with ICICI, she built ICICI Prudential from the ground up and went on to lay the foundations of ICICI Banks personal financial services. BECAUSE Since taking charge she has more than doubled Axis Banks network to 1,500 branches and 8,300-plus ATMs. Under her, the banks assets grew 30 per cent in 2012-13 to $55bn. SUPPORT SYSTEM We are a close-knit family and make it a point to take time off for family vacations. My husband Sanjaya Sharma (her batchmate at IIM-A and currently Managing Director of Tata Interactive Systems) has always been very supportive of my career, she has said. SUCCESS MANTRA Always be open to new ideas. Success requires a passion for learning, experimenting and taking risks.
FIRST WOMENS CLUB
THE FORCE Shikha Sharma

CEO, AXIS BANK
FIRST WOMENS CLUB
IN THE GENES Kiran Mazumdar Shaw

CHAIRMAN AND MD, BIOCON
BECAUSE The company which she started in her garage in

1978 with seed capital of Rs 10,000 to make industrial enzymes is today Biocon, Asias largest biopharma concern, worth $566 million. BECAUSE In 2004 this self-taught entrepreneur was named the richest woman in India with a net worth of Rs 2,000 crore BECAUSE Because not only is she an astute businesswoman but is also considered one of Asias top philanthropists donating millions to charities that make medicines available to the poor. ART AFFICIONADO She is an avid art collector and loves paintings and sculptors by Scottish artists and Indian masters such as M. F. Husain. WORK SPACE Her office is filled with memorabilia photographs with political leaders and dignitaries, honorary doctorates and her art collection. I feel I should enjoy my workplace, so I tend to make it as homely as possible, she says.
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BECAUSE On April 1, 2013 Ramakrishna will take charge as managing director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange becoming the first woman to head the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the second woman to head a top bourse in India.
BECAUSE Ramakrishan, a chartered accountant, has been with NSE since its inception in 1991. She was part of a five-member team selected by the Government of India and tasked with the creation of a modern screen-based panIndian stock exchange. She was also part of a team formed to draft the legislative framework for Sebi. BECAUSE She takes charge at a time when NSE faces tough competition from other bourses. Known to be an aggressive strategist, she played a major role in bringing in investors such as Goldman Sachs, Temasek, NYSE and General Atlantic. MUSIC BUFF Ramakrishna enjoys listening to Carnatic music and loves playing the veena in her spare time. MEDIA SHY Despite the influence she wields, Ramakrishna is well known for staying far away from the spotlight.
FIRST WOMENS CLUB
KEEPING STOCK Chitra Ramakrishna

JOINT MD, NATIONAL STOCK EXCHANGE
FIRST WOMENS CLUB
RAISING THE BAR Zia Mody

MANAGING PARTNER, AZB & PARTNERS
BECAUSE As the founder and senior partner of AZB and Partners Mody is considered a legal giant and one of Indias foremost corporate attorneys whose counsel sought, and kept, by Indias high and mighty.
BECAUSE AZB & Partners advises the most influential companies in India and is usually their first point of call in any major merger and acquisition transaction. BECAUSE Her focus remains on ensuring the continued dominance of AZB in the legal market and to be seen as the natural firm to turn to for strategy, with hopefully flawless execution. LEARNING CURVE Modi says she is grateful to the judges of the Bombay High Court for the nurturing environment they provided her with during her salad days as a young lawyer. DID YOU KNOW Mody is the daughter of well known Indian jurist Soli Sorabjee and is an active member of the Bah' Faith.
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BECAUSE As the founder and managing director of one of
the best talent management agencies in the country, Reshma Shetty is the woman every actor worth his or her salt in Bollywood would like to manage their careers. BECAUSE Her star studded clientele comprises of the whos who of Bollywood including Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sanjay Dutt and Kareena Kapoor-Khan to name a few. One look at the surging career graph of these actors and you need no more proof of Shettys genius as a image builder par excellence. BECAUSE She is considered to be single-handedly responsible for turning around the bad boy image of Salman Khan transforming him into the much-loved Dabaang Khan that he is today. DID YOU KNOW Shetty has previously organised two of the biggest concerts in India. The first was in aid of the Kargil war and the other a fund raiser for AIDS victims. NO COMMENTS Shetty is known to be a fiercely private person who avoids all media requests for interviews and photographs.
CULTURAL CAPITAL CULTURAL CAPITAL
COMEBACK QUEEN Ekta Kapoor

JOINT MD, BALAJI TELEFILMS
BRAND BUILDER Reshma Shetty

MANAGING DIRECTOR, MATRIX INDIA ENTERTAINMENT CONSULTANTS
BECAUSE With an income of 213 crore Kapoor, the driving

force behind Balaji has clawed her way back to the top in 2012. Besides delivering on her financial commitments, she won critical acclaim for the success of The Dirty Picture, which netted Rs 82 crore at the box office and made Vidya Balan a bonafide star. BECAUSE Balaji Telefilms, a company she started at the age of 19, created Bade Achhe Lagte Hain which airs on Sony Entertainment Television and is the biggest hit soap on TV today. BECAUSE She is determined to strike a balance between the small and big screens. There are a series of big releases lined up for 2013 including Lootera, Once Upon a Time Again and Shootout at Wadala. THE OTHER SIDE Kapoor who is known as the queen of Indian television is rarely seen on TV herself because of her debilitating fear of facing the camera. DID YOU KNOW? She is known to be extremely spiritual and a firm believer astrology and numerology; her lucky numbers must add up to a total of three, six or nine.
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BECAUSE Because she won India its third medal at the London Olympics and the first ever in badminton; and is currently the second best badminton player in the world. Nehwal already holds the title for the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships and the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament.
BECAUSE In a country where cricket is the only sport synonymous with moolah, she became Indias highest-paid non-cricketing sportsperson when she signed a $7.4 million deal with Rhiti Sports in 2012. BECAUSE Her unrelenting success and indefatigable dedication has inspired a lot of youngsters to ditch the cricket bat and take up the badminton racquet, bringing a much-needed change in attitude towards the sport. IN THE FAMILY Both her parents Dr Harvir Singh and Usha Nehwal, were former state badminton champions in Haryana. MOVIE BUFF Nehwals favourite film is Chak De India.
CULTURAL CAPITAL
BRAND EQUITY Kareena Kapoor

ACTOR
CULTURAL CAPITAL
BECAUSE Kareena Kapoor Khan Pataudi is the highest paid

female celebrity in India with earnings of 73.47 crore in 2012. BECAUSE Her golden run at the box office continued post marriage with Talaash raking in about Rs 75 crore net in ten days. BECAUSE Besides notching up hits at the box-office she endorses over 16 big ticket brands making her the most soughtafter face in the ad space amongst Bollywood actresses. STYLE ICON This Bollywood A-lister and yoga enthusiast recently turned style guru with her Style Diary of a Bollywood Diva (co-authored by Rochello Pinto) in which she dished out her fashion and beauty secrets picked up over the years. DID YOU KNOW ? Kapoor cant do without her favourite perfume Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier.
MASTER PLAYER Sania Nehwal

BADMINTON
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THE DANCE OF ETERNITY

he sun has set on the banks of the Ganga. For the young lovers, it is time for a secret rendezvousthe girl on her way to meet her beloved walks with a spring in her step; a solemn-faced priest applies fresh sandalwood paste on his forehead as he prepares to offer the evening prayers; there is excitement and activity at the banks as devotees gather for the grand evening aarti. A frail, old woman kneeling by the riverside has just immersed the ashes of her young son; for her the sun has set in her life. The audience in the packed Tata Theatre at the National Centre for Performing Arts Mumbai sit with eyes glued to the spot-lit stage as Bharatanatyam dancer Malavika Sarukki becomes each of these personas during an extract The Sun Has Set from her production Ganga Nitya Vahini, which portrays the many facets of the eternal river. As the music fades and the performance comes to an end, people stand up from their seats and deafening applause fills the huge auditorium. Dance for me is a deeply meditative experience, Sarukki, 53, tells me a day later over the phone. And I wanted to evoke this more meditative quality in the Ganga Nitya Vahini production. It is not just about celebrating dance but also about the intellectual concept behind the piece. Art brings to the fore this intangible, other worldly reality. I want to share this joy of classical dance with my audience, says the Padma Shri awardee. Sarukki began training in classical dance when she was just seven and she credits her mother for developing a serious interest in classical arts in her from a young age. My mother Saroja Kamakshi had a deep interest in the arts and was the motivating factor in my early years, says Sarukki.
BHARATANATYAM EXPONENT MALAVIKA SARUKKI TELLS US ABOUT HER JOURNEY OF DANCE, SELF DISCOVERY AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION. BY SUPRIYA SHARMA
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MANDAR DEODHAR/www.indiatodayimages.com
SOMETIMES AFTER A LONG, EXHAUSTIVE DAY, I JUST SIT AND EAT CHOCOLATES. I FIND IT VERY COMFORTING.
Born and raised in Mumbai, Sarukki performed her arangetram (on-stage debut) at 12. Later she moved to Chennai for further training and learnt the dance under Guru Rajarathnam Pillai and Guru Kalanidhi Narayanan for several years. By the time I was sixteen, we shifted to Chennai for intensive training. I had decided this was my calling. It was clear that dance was my sanctuary, my private space where increasingly I found happiness. The outside world around me was far too chaotic, she says. In time, Sarukki became one of the best known Bharatanatyam artistes in India and abroad. In a career spanning four decades, she has participated in major dance festivals across the globe and has been appreciated for injecting new and innovative ideas into the traditional repertoire of Bharatanatyam. For the last 26 years, I have been doing my own choreography, extending the boundaries of Bharatanatyam in the solo form. For me Bharatanatyam is a language of dance, rather than a style, which gives immense scope for freedom, expansion and celebrating imagination as its core, says Sarukki. Apart from dance, Sarukki enjoys reading and cinema, especially Ingrid Bergman movies and those by Akira Kurosawa. I am reading the Sons of Sita by Ashok Banker at present and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I also like the theatre of Kavalam Panicker. He is simply brilliant, says Sarukki. But her biggest indulgence these days, she admits frankly, is chocolates. Sometimes after a long and exhaustive day, I just sit and eat chocolates. I find it very comforting, she says. Sarukki says each of her choreographed productions were in-
spired by different experiences. For Ganga Nitya Vahini, it was her travels to the banks of the river in different parts of the Himalayas that spurred her creativity. She says she puts a lot of research into each of her performances and tries at getting to the deeper levels of the text and poetry being represented on stage. Suppleness of mind and a mastery of the tools of technique as an artiste are essential to be able to translate an idea in the head into a dance movement. The artiste must be inventive as well, she says. Sarukki says the guru-shishya relationship has changed tremendously since the time she started training. Technology has replaced the oneto-one connection with plenty of convenient options. There is so much more available now. You have DVDs to teach you how to dance; students take music and dance lessons through Skype. Its all so chaotic, she says. But, she maintains, there are no shortcuts to perfection. Sustained practice and hard work are essential to build a successful career in the classical arts. But that does not deter those who are serious about their craft. It is gruelling initially, but you have to believe in it passionately. You have to have patience and perseverance. There are no quick returns. An artiste is not going to earn as much as an MBA student after say five years, but if material acquisition is your aim, then you shouldnt be an artiste in the first place, she points out. Though she believes that classical arts and popular culture run on parallel tracks, she admits that mass culture has certainly pushed classical arts into a corner today. Classical arts bring a certain enrichment into our lives. They are obviously not meant for mass consumption, but they must be accorded the importance and space they deserve. If dance from India just means Bollywood, then its a warning that it is time we reclaim our traditions, says Sarukki. Sarukki says classical arts need a lot more support and patronage to flourish than is provided at present. There is an audience for classical arts, we just need people in between who can connect the artist and the audience. The Spic Macay concept worked in schools and colleges. We should have more concerts and dance festivals and curate them differently. What is the fraction of money being spent on arts as compared to sports? asks Sarukki. At present Sarukki is working on her first onstage collaboration with another artist, but is reluctant to divulge more details about the project. She says even after all these years, the sheer wonder at the inward growth she discovers through her dance keeps her motivated. After years of sadhana, I feel I am now at a stage where the mind and body are in sync and I can call my dance a dynamic meditation. The horizon keeps on expanding. After all, it is but an imaginary line.
MARCH, 2013 INDIA TODAY WOMAN
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A SURPRISINGLY LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE UNAWARE THEY SUFFER FROM A VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY. THIS DESPITE INDIA BEING A TROPICAL COUNTRY. ITS TIME YOU LEARNT ABOUT THE MANY BENEFITS OF VITAMIN D AND WHY ITS IMPORTANT TO GET OUT IN THE SUN MORE OFTEN. BY PRERNA GUPTA
THE SUNSHINE VITAMIN

people who suffer from deficiency of vitamin D and Indians seem to make up a huge chunk of this number. In spite of India being a tropical country, doctors have recently noticed an increase in the number of people deficient in vitamin D. During my years of practicing medicine in London, I never came across cases of vitamin D deficiency but for the last few years in India, Ive been surprised to find that every other person has this problem, says Dr Hemant Sharma, Senior Consultant, Orthopedics, Fortis
tuck indoors for most of the day, whether at home or in the office, or the many hours in a vehicle, most city dwellers spend little or no time in the sun. Its little wonder then that doctors across India are busy prescribing Vitamin D supplements to a number of patients who come in complaining of lethargy, back aches and body aches and are shocked to learn that these are symptoms of the body not getting enough sunlight. Worldwide there are close to a billion
Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon. Chemists often run out of vitamin supplements, he adds. Apart from lifestyle-related reasons, this could also be due to the fact that Indians usually have darker skin, which means they have a higher concentration of melanin. This causes lower amounts of vitamin D produced in our bodies as compared to people with a fairer complexions. Another more common reason is that people are simply not getting enough sun. Urbanisation and modern lifestyle
22
> >H E A LT H
that a deficiency of this vitamin, also called the sunshine vitamin, can cause other major diseases as well. Fullblown cases of rickets have decreased over the years, but what has become common is people suffering from a number of illnesses, the underlying cause for which is often found to be vitamin D deficiency, said Dr Deepak Sikriwal, Consultant, Pediatrics, Fortis La Femme Hospital, Delhi. A very common problem that people these days complain of is disturbed sleep patterns while some people cannot seem to keep a regular time of sleep, there are others who suffer from excessive fatigue and sleepiness. Research conducted by East Texas Medical Centre and University of North Carolina found high concentrations of vitamin D receptors in those areas of the brain which are related to the onset and maintenance of sleep. This simply means that people who suffer from sleep disorders might be deficient in this particular vitamin. Different studies have found that treating vitamin D deficiency in patients also helps to relieve varying levels of depression. The reason why vitamin D works like an anti-depressant is because it increases the levels of serotonin in our body which is responsible for controlling our moods. I believe a lot of it has to do with genesAsians particularly seem to be suffering from this deficiency. But apart from this, there are many changes we can bring about in our lifestyle too, says Dr Sharma. Meat, eggs and fish liver oil are good sources of vitamin D so they should be an essential part of our diet. For vegetarians, there are plenty of cereals and dairy products in the market which are fortified with vitamin D and calcium. Spending at least 20 minutes every day in the sun will also help our body synthesise the vitamin our food provides us. People, though, should be careful when it comes to diagnosing a deficiency of vitamin D instead of loading up on vitamins which can also lead to hypervitaminosis D. Too much vitamin can often cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, dehydration and abdominal pain. The easiest and the safest way is to get ones vitamin levels checked by a certified doctor. A blood test for 25-hydroxyvitamin D can easily determine whether someone suffers from this deficiency. More and more doctors these days are advising that this test should become an essential part of a persons annual health checkup. This simple and inexpensive test could maybe save you from a life spent battling other much more serious illnesses.
WATCH OUT FOR

Flu: Several studies have found that a vitamin D deficiency predisposes children towards respiratory diseases. Muscle weakness: Frequent lethargy or chronic fatigue is one of the symptoms of this deficiency. Periodontal diseases: If your gums swell and bleed on a regular basis this may be due to a lack of vitamin D which produces compounds that fight bacteria. Psoriasis: A skin condition characterised by painful, red rashes, psoriasis has been found to be more common in those with a vitamin D deficiency. Depression: If you suffer from mild depression on a regular basis, it might be time to head to a doctor and get a blood test to check your vitamin D levels.
FORM-IV
1. Place of publication 2. Periodicity of publication 3. Printers name Nationality Address 4. Publishers name Nationality Address : New Delhi : Monthly : Ashish Bagga : Indian : Ashirwad, A 4/2, DLF City, Phase I, Gurgaon-122 002 : Ashish Bagga : Indian : Ashirwad, A 4/2, DLF City, Phase I, Gurgaon-122 002 : Kaveree Bamzai : Indian : K-9, Connaught Circus, New Delhi-110 001.
5. Editors name Nationality Address
has meant that much of our work and leisure moved indoors and bound us to a desk. This has led to a spike in the number of people suffering from a deficiency of vitamin D because for its synthesis and absorption in our body, sunlight is of prime importance. The disease most commonly associated with a deficiency of vitamin D is rickets which is a bonerelated disorder commonly found in children. Vitamin D helps our gut to absorb calcium and phosphorus from the food that we eat; thus a deficiency of this vitamin leads to low absorption of these minerals which in turn leads to brittle bones, osteomalacia, persistent muscle and joint pains and early onset of osteoporosis and arthritis. In a few cases, reduced calcium levels in children can also cause muscle spasms, breathing difficulties and seizures. What is not common knowledge is
6. Names and addresses : Owner: of individuals who own the M/s Living Media newspaper and partners India Limited, or shareholders holding K-9, more than one per cent Connaught Circus, of the total capital New Delhi-110 001. Shareholders holding more than one per cent of the total capital of the owner company: 1. Mr. Aroon Purie, 6, Palam Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi-110 057. 2. Mrs. Rekha Purie, 6, Palam Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi-110 057. 3. Mr. Ankoor Purie, 6 , Palam Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi-110 057. 4. Mrs. Mandira Purie (Fawcett), 5, Carlow Avenue, Napean, Ontario, K-2 GOP 9, Canada. 5. Mrs. Madhu Trehan, B-4, Maharani Bagh, New Delhi. 6. The All India Investment Corporation Private Limited, K-9, Connaught Circus, New Delhi-110 001. 7. World Media Private Limited, K-9, Connaught Circus, New Delhi-110 001. 8. IGH Holdings Private Limited, 1stFloor, Industry House, 159 Churchgate Reclamation, Mumbai- 400 020 I, Ashish Bagga, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. Sd/Ashish Bagga Signature of publisher
Dt: 01.03.13
> >B E A U T Y
INDIAS BOOMING
BEAUTY
INDUSTRY
FASHION DESIGNER WENDELL RODRICKS WRITES ABOUT HOW THE INDIAN BEAUTY INDUSTRY HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS
24
hen beauty giants first started entering the Indian market over ten years ago, as a consultant to one of them, I distinctly recall expressing my reservations about whether Indian women would ever colour or treat their naturally beautiful hair. How wrong was I. Today I rarely meet ladies who do not colour, straighten or pamper their hair in a salon almost on a weekly basis. In the days gone by only wealthy ladies made the fortnightly trip to a salon for a haircut, shampoo and blowdry like Parisian women do. In the cosmetics and beauty sector as well, there have been sweeping changes. Women who were content with kohl and lipstick now do the Full Monty with their mirrors. Every square inch of skin and scalp has become an invest-
> >B E A U T Y
ment. Apart from regular massages and learning the art of foundation (alien till a decade ago), women are investing in long term beauty. Expensive international beauty products sell briskly because the Indian woman warrants a long term investment in her skin. A daily moisturizer was once the norm. Today it is insufficient. In all this evolution, where has it left the traditional Indian shringar? The surprising figures show a rise in Ayurveda and the growing importance of natural and exotic ingredients. The gold element in Fiama Di Wills Couture Spa Range of Gel Bars endorsed by Deepika Padukone reveals that the ancient ritual of adding gold for the youthful glow is enjoying a revival. Indian beauty treatments have come a long way in the last two decades. A foundation today has built in sunscreen. A lip colour adds nourishment besides pigment. A shampoo can incorporate products that enhance growth apart from cleansing. A massage oil is infused with aromatherapy ingredients for a more soothing experience. The biggest beauty evolution in Indias recent past, however, is not restricted to women. Men have taken to healthier skin routine, away from the gym. The rise in mens salons is a testament to the fact that men want more beauty for themselves. The menu cards on offer at mens salons include treatments that were earlier exclusively meant for women. The new age man does not bat an eyelid today when asking for eyebrow plucking or full torso hair removal. Mens salons have now started offering a multitude of beauty services while beauty brands now have a special product line-up dedicated specifically for mens grooming. Where does all this lead to? It is all
for the better. It is not just the young who want to acquire healthy skin, beautiful hair and more natural looking makeup. The products that promise results find favour with a mature clientele as well. It is no longer shocking to see senior citizens zap away liver spots with lasers or fill in wrinkles with collagen. Nowadays an array of special beauty products are in fact aimed at the senior buyer who has the cash and bandwidth to afford the anti-ageing and anti wrinkle products that have such stratospheric price tags. With women across the world making an effort to always look their best,
Indian women are fast catching up with their international sisterhood. And the results are there for all to see. Wendell Rodricks is a prominent fashion designer based in Goa. He has written two booksModa Goa: History and Style which chronicles the evolution of Goan costumes and The Green Room which is an autobiographical account of his rise in the fashion industry. Recently he designed a signature series of three Fiama Di Wills Couture Spa Range Gel Bars, which are infused with real gold known for its skin care properties.
> >M O U T H P I E C E
IS GIVING UP A CAREER TO RAISE KIDS THE RIGHT DECISION FOR A WOMAN? SMRITI LAMECH ADDRESSES THIS AGE-OLD DILEMMA
THE CHOICE I
BANDEEP SINGH/www.indiatodayimages.com
ts a pity this question comes back to haunt women time and time again, because Im yet to see a man who even considered his career while planning a child. This makes one wonder how one reconciles the right to give your surname along with the freedom to continue living your life without skipping a beat. But coming back to the ladies, neither a career, nor a child are decisions made overnight. Picking one over the other doesnt come easy and the only person who can make that decision is the woman in question. Not her husband, nor her boss, nor the columnist in a magazine (ahem, yes!). Sadly, balancing both is a task worthy of Hercules and more often than not, one suffers at the cost of the other. Oh yes, there will be those who will swear theyve found the perfect balance, but what that means really, is that the balance is perfect for them. And that it might not necessarily work for another. I had every intention of being editor of a magazine at 30. So when I saw the two tell-tale lines on the pregnancy test I looked at it as a mere blip on the path to success. I had it all plannedI would put on some weight, pop out the baby (thereby magically shedding the said weight) and then get back to my goal with single-minded devotion and focus. By the time my son was six months old I figured it was time I headed back to work and so I hired a maid. Of course (wo)man proposes, God disposes and the very same focus Id displayed in the work place, sprang to the fore, making it impossible to let go. I had to pin his nappy just so (of course I cloth diapered!) and cook his food myself to ensure hygiene and bathe him myself because God forbid she should get soap in his eyes. The maid
> >M O U T H P I E C E
enjoyed a two-month holiday before my husband gently pointed out that I was paying her to enjoy the winter sunshine on our balcony while I slaved. I knew right then that motherhood had trumped career and that I couldnt go back to work just yet. The choices you make in life are rarely one big leap, one conscious decision. The edifice is made up of small building blocks of choices. The choice to nurse your baby for a year. The choice to cloth diaper. The choice to potty train early. You take one little step after another and before you know it, youve chosen your path without really planning it. Not every choice can be planned in advance and life doesnt always work according to a blue print. Which is why having a support system in place before you plan your child is a good idea, even if not always possible. A good daycare, an old family retainer, or, that perfect situation, extended family. Most often though, you dont have the luxury of family creating a support system and the ball is firmly in your court. For one, no one tells you how hard it is to leave something that has been a part of your body and now is a part of your soul, with an absolute stranger and walk away.
So if life throws you a googly in the form of a child who needs special care, that choice is lifted out of your hands. It could be something earth shattering or something less so, like a social disorder, an allergy that requires close monitoring or a bad experience with child care. And most of these require a few years of dedication after which it is easy to slide slowly back into the world of adults and assessments. Its not always necessity though. Many mothers give themselves a few months or a year before they go back to work during which time they find themselves increasingly addicted to gummy smiles, baby smells and a wealth of love and trust. Its hard to turn your back and walk away from all of that. Particularly if by that time youve revived an old hobby, discovered a love for gardening or cooking, begun to volunteer for a cause or your community. Fulltime motherhood often gives you that chance at discovering yourself that youve never had the luxury of before. Its no wonder then that a lot of women end up doing something absolutely different after their maternity break. There is a fullness of life you discover and once youve embraced it, its difficult to go back to valuing yourself
merely in terms of how much money you can earn. Often it is easier to make peace with your reduced lifestyle costs and increased time for self and family. But when you put aside all the many reasons behind your decision, when you shed the frills and cut straight to the bone, you will often find one simple but compelling reason that will push you towards that choice. In my growing years I came home from school to a joint family with grandparents, uncles, aunts and a retinue of house help. But my eyes always searched the crowd for mama. Maybe shed skipped work and stayed home today, maybe shed be the first to hear about my day. Somewhere along the last decade of being a mother I realised what my compelling reason was. I simply wanted my child to skip off the school bus knowing that mama would be waiting right there and that the most important thing for herwas hearing about his day. Almost everyone knows what the best decision for them and their family is. All you need to do is ask yourself that question and listen carefully for the answer. Smriti Lamech is a freelance writer and a popular blogger
> >S T Y L E
Da Milano bag ` 9,999
French Connection dress, ` 9,999
Go Metallic
From shimmering silver to dazzling golden, celebrate your inner goddess with the hottest metallic picks of this season.
Calvin Klein Metallic Top ` 5,399
Rosso Brunello Golden Heels, ` 5,995
Forever New Milli Metallic Leather Mini ` 4,800
Calvin Klein silver metallic jeans, ` 10,599
Forever New Chelsea Clutch, ` 2,400
Da Milano silver leather tote, ` 8,999
Da Milano embellished wallet, ` 8,999
Calvin Klein black dress, ` 7,499
28
> >S T Y L E
GO FOR GOLD
Mettalic colours are quite the rage this season. Catherine Zeta-Jones (left) sparkles in a Zuhair Murad dress at the Oscars Award Ceremony; (below) A model walks the ramp in a Rajesh Pratap Singh outfit
Burberry Metallic Petrol Blue Clutch, ` 80,000
Forever New Brittany Wedges, ` 3,800
Burberry Python Wedge Pumps , ` 69,000
Burberry Prosrum Metallic Corset Jacket , price on request
Burberry blaze bag, price on request
The best wines to gift this season are dessert wines and champagnes. They complement sweets perfectly.
Rosso Brunello Golden Heels, ` 3,899
Rosso Brunello Studded Sandals ` 4,199

Compiled by Prerna Gupta
> >L A S T
WORD
WHAT WERE THEY THINKING
Whoever said, When in doubt wear black, never saw these disasters heading their way! Parineeti Chopra: Looks like Little Bo-Peep lost her sheep and her fashion sense. From the head band to the bow everything spells a big NO for Parineeti Chopra in this outfit. Kim Kardashian: Pants under a dress with bountiful fringes and an utterly unflattering sheer top even by Kim Kardashian standards this is just too much. Sonakshi Sinha: She should know better than to don this hideous warrior princesswannabe garb. Metallic breastplates look good only on the Brad Pitts and Russel Crowes of the world.

30
If theres one Bollywood battle saga weve all had enough of its that of the two warring Khans. What started as fists of fury between the two at Katrina Kaifs birthday bash in 2008 did give rise to some interesting rumours that kept celeb-watchers entertained for a while but this saga has now grown old and stale. In their most recent showdown, Shah Rukh, playing every bit the part of a good rival, turned down an invitation from Salman to take part in the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) match stating that the CCL has no room for smaller stars like him. On the other side of the ring, Salman reportedly spoke his mind
FIVE YEARS ON... THE BATTLE CONTINUES
WORD OF THE MONTH

Cashtration: The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time
during an ad shoot when the director asked him to do a retake, retorting Agar acting hi karani hai toh Hrithik ko le lete. Aur agar over acting karani hai toh Shah Rukh ko le lete. Its time the white flag was raised on this totally senile rivalry. We desperately need new soldiers on the battlefield. Ranbir versus Ranveer anyone?
QUOTE OF THE MONTH

As a child I suffered sexual and emotional abuse for several years at the hands of a man whom my parents trusted implicitly. Growing up like most women I know, I suffered various forms of groping , touching, verbal abuse and other things I didn't know how to deal with.
Sitar player Anoushka Shankar spoke out in a video supporting One Billion Rising, a global campaign to end violence against women
A FROZEN AFFAIR
The gender-defying, career oriented, ageless wonder that is the woman of today may be fighting a no holds barred, eye-to-eye battle against her male counterpart but that dreaded curse of the biological clock still puts the latter one up against even the ballsiest of babes out there. Well, not anymore! Women today are increasingly opting for oocyte or egg freezing in order to defy their unfairly short biological clock and extend their professional life. Artificial insemination is another lifestyle choice that working women are widely making. Even Hollywood seems smitten with this idea as we saw in The Back-up Plan and Jennifer Annistons The Switch. Now career setbacks and early marriages are soon to become tales of yore.
by Mridu Rai
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MARCH 2013
RNI NO. 28587/75
APRIL 2013
MARCH 2013
DCP No.: F. 2. (I - 20) Press / 2007
MAKING A DIFFERENCE

MARCH 2013
THE POWER WITHIN

SIMPLY DELHI
Inside
COVER STORY
SIMPLY DELHI celebrates the spirit of womanhood

HERITAGE
Shes Every Woman
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Culture Gully s-11 From music concerts to exhibitions, SIMPLY DELHI brings you a lowdown on the ongoing Jashn-e-Khusrau festival
FOOD
s-12 Quick and easy festive recipes by Chef Saby and Chef Manish Mehrotra
BUZZ
Colour Palate
In and around s-14 Achecklist on what to do,what to eat and what to shop for
BOOKS Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie Chief Executive Officer Ashish Bagga Group Synergy and Creative Officer Kalli Purie Senior Editor Karuna John Editorial Team Rewati Rau, Ekta Alreja, Ekta Marwaha, Marcia Rodrigues Photo Department Reuben Singh (Deputy Photo Editor), Vikram Sharma, Vinod Singh Design Associates Madhu Bhaskar, Vandana Nayar Production Surinder Hastu (Chief of Production), Harish Aggarwal, Naveen Gupta Layout Execution Ramesh Gusain Group Business Head Manoj Sharma Associate Publisher (Impact) Anil Fernandes IMPACT TEAM Senior General Managers: Kaustav Chatterjee (East) Jitendra Lad (West) Head (North): Subhashis Roy General Manager Shailender Nehru (Bangalore) Deputy General Manager Velu Balasubramaniam (Chennai)
Australian author and journalist John Zubrzycki talks about his new book
Cover Concept by Saurabh Singh and Cover photo by Getty Images
Curious case of Jacobs diamond s-19
DJ Tiestos India Debut
OUR PICKof the month
March 31 Get your party shoes on and gear up for an electrifying evening with the worlds most celebrated EDM artist, DJ Tiesto. The Grammy nominee will kick off the first Sunburn Arena International Tour in Dubai, followed by Bangalore (March 29), Mumbai (March 30) and Delhi. Known for his avant garde use of light and music to create a pulsating ambiance, Tiesto is a global phenomenon. His performance is expected to be one of the biggest EDM gigs that Indian audiences have witnessed. Its the Tiestos signature vibe that has brought even non EDM fans to his shows. Book your tickets before theyre sold out. Venue yet to be decided Tickets priced at Rs 2,950 to Rs 6,250 For tickets, log on to bookmyshow.com
Want to tell us about an event?A new store? A restaurant?People doing interesting things?Anything newsworthy? Please email us at: simplydelhi@intoday.com
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SIMPLY DELHI
Cover story
SIMPLY DELHI CELEBRATES THE SPIRIT OF WOMANHOOD WITH THE CITYS ACHIEVERS WHOSE LIVES ARE FUELLED WITH THE FIRE TO EXCEL
SHES EVERY WOMAN...

Art is a part of education
KIRAN NADAR, 62, Philanthropist For Kiran Nadar, educating people on art is serious business. One that shes happy doing it voluntarily. The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) is hailed as Indias first philanthropist museum, that has brought the best of modern Indian art closer to the public. Located behind Select City Walk in the South Court Mall, this 18,000 square feet museum has no entry charges and is open to all. The museum hosts the works of modern Indian artists and also organises outreach programmes for schools and colleges. Our Shiv Nadar Foundation takes philanthropy seriously. Art is a part of education. India has such a rich heritage which is sadly, not being preserved. So, it is up to private institutions to take it up, says Nadar. I used to collect art, but never really planned to open a museum. Over the years, I had built a huge collection and I wanted to share it, so I thought of opening the museum, more for the love of art says Nadar. This advertising, communications and brand professional by training, Nadar was also responsible for shaping the NIIT brand in its formative years. This was when I decided to take a sabbatical since my daughter Roshni was very young. After that, I never formally went back to work, she says. Today, apart from being involved with the KNMA, Nadar is also a trustee of the Kiran Nadar Foundation, which runs many transformational educational initiatives such as the SSN College of Engineering in Chennai, the VidyaGyan Schools for the underprivileged girl children, Shiv Nadar University and Shiv Nadar Schools. She is also one of the leading Indian players of competitive Bridge, is a member of the team named Formidables, and has won laurels at the National level and also represented India several times at international competitive Bridge events. With all this under her belt, is it an effort to stay grounded? Ive had the same set of friends for the past 35 years. I guess life is made up of old associations and they help you stay grounded, she says. Even as KNMA continues to spread its wings in the Indian art circuit, Nadar wants to, construct an iconic 100,000 sq ft structure in Delhi to house various artifacts of the museum.
by Rewati Rau
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SIMPLY DELHI MARCH 2013
REUBEN SINGH/www.indiatoday.com
Aamir Khan is a friend now

SAROJ, 24, Driver at Sakha Cabs for Women Never in her wildest dreams did Saroj imagine there would be a day when shed drive through the roads of Delhi. My father was a daily wage labourer, and our financial condition wasnt good, she recalls. Getting a job at a factory wasnt difficult, but sustaining it, was, I didnt like the work environment and shifted jobs every week, she adds. Saroj wanted to support her fathers income soon after her class 12 examinations. She then began teaching Hindi and English to children at the Community Aid & Sponsorship Programme (CASP), where she read about the Azad Foundation that offered an opportunity to learn driving. This was a life changing moment for Saroj who wasted no time in enrolling for the course. I was excited to hear about the concept of a cab service run by women, and to get an opportunity to drive was amazing, remembers Saroj. She was one among the nine women to join Sakhas first batch of drivers in 2008. The seven-month training included driving classes at Marutis driving school, personal grooming sessions, an English speaking course, and the one session Saroj is most thankful for, the self defence training conducted by the Delhi Police that gave her a much needed confidence boost. Nothing can stop me now, and I can also protect my passengers and myself, says Saroj brimming with confidence.Initially people looked at us and couldnt believe their eyes that women were driving cabs, recalls Saroj, who has been navigating through the citys maddening traffic for the past four years. Ask her to name her best passenger and Saroj smiles, Aamir Khan. He is a friend now, Ive driven him around a couple of times, hes very impressed with by Ekta Marwaha my driving.
CHANDRADEEP KUMAR/www.indiatoday.com
MARCH 2013 SIMPLY DELHI
s-5
SIMPLY DELHI
Cover story
We need to realise how valuable art forms are

MEDHAVI GANDHI, 26,Social Entrepreneur Happy Hands Foundations office at Saidul Ajaib looks like a treasure trove of unique handicrafts. There are sujani embroidered laptop bags, multipurpose tea-light holders, animal-inspired earrings and more. Crafted by artisans from Orissa and Bihar, each bears a tag with the name and village of the person who made it. Medhavi Gandhis four-year-old NGO empowers artisans in remote corners of the country and helps sustain traditional crafts such as dhokra metalwork, jadupatua paintings, sikki weaving, sujani embroidery, cheriyal and Madhubani paintings. It was an interaction with artisans from across the country, during her internship at UNESCO in Delhi that sparked the idea. They did not have marketing space or skills, as a result, many did not want to continue practising their craft, says Gandhi. The Foundation teaches artisans how to add quality to their works and also gives them a sustainable development model. Their project Blueprints, showcases and sells products at exhibitions. The Foundation runs a studio, Peoples Project at Hauz Khas where the craft workshops and collaborations between urban and rural artists are hosted. Both groups get a chance to experiment and innovate. The Foundation has now grown to include 600 artisans from 25 villages across India. Our education system does not teach us about our culture and the values that arise from it. We need to realise how valuable these art forms are, before we lose them, says Gandhi.
by
In a start up everyone wears a hundred hats

SHAIFALI AGARWAL, 26, Founder, Easyfix.com Shaifali Agarwal hates leaky faucets. Especially the ones in your home. Call her complaining about one and you will find a plumber at your at your doorstep within 30 minutes. Agarwal runs Easyfix Solutions, a one-call service that provides handymen across the National Capital Region. Agarwal started the business in 2009 in an unlikely reaction to a busted geyser and endless calls she had to make to an unreliable plumber. Something she wants to spare her clients. At Easyfix, a client calls in with a problem and an expert technician is sent right away. One of the biggest lessons I have learned while starting my own venture was that failure is okay. I encourage my employees to test new things, but to not make the same mistakes twice, says Shaifali. She gave up her cushy marketing job and decided to nurture her newborn business. Agarwal soon realised that starting the business was a cakewalk compared to the the real challenge of running it. It was difficult finding talented and trusted technicians, says Agarwal who eventually zeroed on a few trusted hands. It was important for us to hold on to the fun, energetic and entrepreneurial culture that we started with. We got things done fast. In a start-up everyones wearing a hundred hats. A few months later, plumbers and electricians started turning up themselves. Now, we get at least a 100 calls every day from clients and its a lucrative job for handymen. Technicians approach us because they know they will get good work, and we also help them get enough money, says Agarwal. She now has a team of 34 technicians, with operations in Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida. Next up? Easyfix will soon take its fixing skills to Mumbai and Bangalore.
by
Marcia Rodrigues
Ekta Alreja

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Safety is no longer a womans issue

KALPANA VISWANATH, 48, Womens Rights Activist I am an optimist and am happy with the momentum that womens rights movements have now picked up, says Kalpana Viswanath who has been working on the issues of womens rights since 1991. Viswanath is on the advisory board of Jagori, a Delhi-based feminist resource centre working towards stopping sexual abuse and violence against women. She joined Jagori in 1999 and has also spearheaded the Safe Delhi campaign in 2003. That, I feel was the turning point of my life since that was the first time when I felt that womens safety was no longer a womans issue. Everyone is a stakeholder, every institution and government. That was the time when people started getting involved in a large way and the
YASBANT SINGH NEGI/www.indiatoday.com
Change happens when you stand up for a cause

LATIKA THUKRAL, 46, Citizen Activist movement caught momentum, she says. According to Viswanath, another turning point in her life was motherhood. Once I became a mother, I understood care and how to value the work of women. Unfortunately in India, we outsource this work to poorer women and havent yet learnt to engage men in it, she says. Breaking the mould of a traditional working woman, Viswanath says, If I look back, the seeds of my present path of life were sown in my childhood, the books I read as a young girl, the thoughts I had, everything revolved around activism. Jagori was something I was waiting for, it fit perfectly into my scheme of things. Theres been no looking back ever since. Viswanath wants to change mindsets and diagnose where the core problem is. Shes hopeful after the tremendous agitation over the December 16th Delhi rape case and says, as long as the youth is angry, it gives me hope to continue my work.
by Rewati Rau
Till a few months ago, Gurgaons Biodiversity Park was a dumping ground. Today, the park breathes anew and plays host to cycling enthusiasts, walkers and all those who enjoy a spot of sun and fresh air. They credit I Am Gurgaon, a citizen movement, started by resident Latika Thukral with this transformation. Thukral is one of the thousands who live at the posh Silver Oak Avenue in DLF phase I, and instead of whining about the decaying surroundings, she decided to do something to fix the problem and initiated I Am Gurgaon four years ago. The latest project, Biodiversity Park demonstrates how civic activism leads to community change. I Am Gurgaon has reintroduced as many as 57 Aravali plant species in the near barren park. When we joined efforts with the Municipal Corporation and Haryana Forest
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I believe in the multiplicity of existence

ADITI MANGALDAS, 52, Dancer Aditi Mangaldas credits her family for her liberated thought processes. An eminent Kathak dancer, Mangaldas is a trendsetter who has always challenged convention. When the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the apex government body for classical performing arts selected her for their National awards in December 2012 in the field of Creative and Experimental Dance, she declined it gracefully but was vocal about her views on the category she was honoured for. All my work has been in the field of Kathak. Eighty per cent of which is in the classical idiom and 20 per cent is contemporary work, which is also strictly rooted in Kathak, she says. I have a long way to go when it comes to contemporary work and Im still taking baby steps. Im not worthy of an award in this category where there are people like Astad Debu whove done phenomenal work, she admits. Mangaldas runs the Drishtikon Dance Foundation, which is a professional dance repertory. She wrote to the Akademi declining the award, and also took up another poignant issue involving the dress code of Kathak. At a recent festival of the Kathak Kendra, a young dancer was made to change her publicity material as her photograph showed her without a dupatta. Though this has got nothing to do with my refusal of the award, I thought it is the right time to question this attitude. Wearing of the dupatta is not the hallmark of Kathak but the debate is about the context, relevance and aesthetics, she says. A disciple of Pandit Birju Maharaj and Kumudini Lakhia, Mangaldas has spent more than 40 years dancing. She is happy with the stand she took, I believe in the multiplicity of existence I feel that one must take a stand where necessary, she says adding, All young dancers should understand that there are no shortcuts. Classical arts are like a ever rejuvenating river and preservation is not reinforcement but nur by Rewati Rau turing of a young plant .
DINESH KHANNA
Development Corporation, everyone realised that the park could be restored, recalls Thukral. Environmental experts Pradip Kishen and Vijay Dhamsana were roped in and plants were sourced from Haryana and Rajasthan. I Am Gurgaons other success stories include cleaning the streets and the project, A Million Trees. I Am Gurgaon, slowly started ironing out its problems, Funds were a problem earlier but now we have corporates supporting the cause, says Thukaral who also collaborated with other NGOs in Gurgaon. Change happens when you stand up for a cause, she says. Governments cannot do it alone; we have to take an initiative. From leading corporates, luxurious malls to a booming real estate, Gurgaon has everything. But it still has basic problems such as water shortage, power cuts and no parking space, says Thukral who was a senior vice president with Citibank till a few years ago. We encourage people to work with us, many residents have become members and help with the civic issues in their areas. This helps us to reach out to maximum people, she says. by Ekta Alreja
YASBANT SINGH NEGI/www.indiatoday.com
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SIMPLY DELHI
Circle of strength: Shilpi Marwaha conducts a theatre workshop
Theatre is a powerful tool to engage society

SHILPI MARWAHA, 23, Actor-activist Often, an activist is born when something dies inside. A few years ago, Shilpi Marwaha saw an ailing mother and child lying unattended in a corridor at AIIMS. Something snapped within and Marwaha decided to use theatre as a tool to raise awareness on social issues. Marwaha is one of the senior members of Asmita Theatre Group, to which she was introduced when director Arvind Gaur held a workshop at the Kamala Nehru College where she was a student. Asmita and particularly Arvind Gaur are responsible for shaping my sensibilities, says Marwaha who prefers acting in street plays to stage performances. For me, theatre is a powerful tool to engage the society and express my emotions including
anger, fear and a lot more, says Marwaha, who is in charge of Asmita Theatre Groups street theatre wing. She has been at the forefront of the street-protests that followed the December 2012 Delhi gangrape, as well as during Anna Hazares India Against Corruption campaign. Dressed in black kurtas, she and her group are now seen performing their issue-based plays all across the city. The group is currently performing Dastak, a collage of street plays on gender issues. Theatre is my life, says Marwaha her voice hoarse, this is what happens to your throat after seven years of performing over 12,000 street plays, I am not counting my stage performances yet, she adds. Marwaha is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Anand Rais Ranjhana. I wanted to act in films, but I am never taking a break from my nukkadnataks, she says. The movie is a stepping stone, I will do more street plays after the movie, as then it wont be by Ekta Alreja difficult to claim a captive audience.
I want to create leaders
SUDHA GUPTA, 47, Educationist Sudha Guptas first visit to a school for mentally challenged left her shaken. I felt they needed our support more than anyone else, she remembers that moment like it happened yesterday. This led to the inception of the Sparsh Special School for differently-abled children. The school, a part of the NGO Sparsh, which Gupta started in 1996, it trains 125 differently-abled children to be self reliant and also provides physical, occupational and speech therapy monitored by doctors as well as recreational activities such as music, dance and art monitored by teachers. The students, especially those from economically weaker background are charged a subsidised fee. I firmly stand for the transformation of the society. I want my students to become good human beings who will also contribute to the society, says Gupta, who is the chairperson of the Mothers Pride and Presidium group of schools. Hailing from a family of educationists, Gupta was a trendsetter with her entrepreneurial streak. My father was in the NCERT, we lived on the campus and education was in my blood. Today, over 22,000 children study at the Mothers Pride and Presidium group of schools. I want to keep opening as many schools as possible across the country and create leaders for by Rewati Rau the future,says Gupta.
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SIMPLY DELHI
CULTURE GULLY
BY EKTA MARWAHA
Heritage
FROM MUSIC CONCERTS TO EXHIBITIONS, SIMPLY DELHI BRINGS YOU A LOWDOWN ON THE ONGOING JASHN-E-KHUSRAU FESTIVAL
tanding outside Nizamuddin Police Station on a Saturday evening is not how youd plan a weekend. Thankfully, this was the meeting point for a heritage walk that took us through the folklore-lined lanes of the Nizamuddin Basti. The one we went for was conducted during the Jashn-e-Khusrau festival. The basti, that radiates from the dargah of the Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, comes alive during the festival and welcomes the thousands who walk in and out to experience its unique aura. Organised by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), the festival included heritage walks, music concerts, film screenings, and continues through the month with exhibitions at the National Museum and the National Archives. Our heritage walk was conducted by Pirzada Farid Ahmed Nizami, the Naib Sajjada Nashin of the dargah (son of the head preist). Our guide led the way through the narrow corridor lined with shops selling the offertory chadars, incense and rose petals (whose sweet smell dominates the corridor), to a little room located next to the dargahs main entrance. A narration of the legends of the Chishti Sufis, especially poet Amir Khusraus devotion to Nizamuddin Auliya accompanies the tour of the dargah and the neighbourhood. The walks are conducted by appointment and the Trust, also runs a vocational training program and a career development centre at the basti, training local youth to take these walks. The hour-long walk ends at the Chaunsath Khambhathe 17th Century marble-clad structure. Until a few years ago, this tomb and the forecourt were dilapidated, till the AKTC along with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Ritesh Ved at On the stepped inthe massive restoration Rocksesh Ved at On project commenced in 2010 and is the Rocks expected to be completed by 2016.
EKTA MARWAHA
Revisiting history: (Top) Craftsmen at Chausanth Khamba; an exhibition at the National Museum
SIMPLY DELHI had an exclusive walk through what is probably one of the most exhaustive conservation efforts undertaken in the cityeach marble block from the 25 domes of Chaunsath Khamba have been carefully dismantled by master craftsmen. They are in the process of replacing rusted dowels and the damaged marble. New stainless steel dowels and marble pieces will then be put back in original position. The meter-deep cracks in the underlying masonry are also being repaired. Today, the forecourt is the venue for cultural performances during the annual Urs of Hazrat
Nizamuddin Auliya and Hazrat Amir Khusrau Dehlavi. You can learn about the life and work of Amir Khusrau, at the two exhibitions at the National Museum and National Archives (ongoing till March 24 and 27, respectively). A must see are the original 14th Century manuscripts and copies, that includeSiyar ul Auliya, Ijaz-eKhusrawi and Qiran al-Sdain. It is for the first time that this rare collection from the archives of the National Museum has been put on public display. Catch the festivals final performance by Ustad Jameel Ahmad at the National Museum on March 8.
SIMPLY DELHI
Food
Crispy gujiyas, spicy pakoras washed down with chilled thandai are Holi must haves. This year treat yourself with something different. SIMPLY DELHI asked Chef Saby and Chef Manish Mehrotra to share festive recipes that are quick and easy to make, and will add a yummy spin to your celebrations.
COLOURPALATE
Churros & Chocolate Sauce

by Chef Saby, Director, Kitchen at Olive
Churros
Water 500 ml Butter 250 gms Maida 300 gms Eggs 8
Method
Heat water and butter together in a pan.Add flour and stir till it forms into a smooth paste.Emptythe mixture in a separate bowl and add eggs to the mixture while whisking continuously.Put the mixture in a piping bag and deep fryit until golden brown.Serve it with chocolate sauce,honeyand sugar with icing and cinnamon powder.
Chocolate sauce
Water 1.75 Ltr Grain sugar 2.25 Kg Cocoa powder 500 gms Corn Flour 100 gms
Method
In a sauce pan take 1.5 litres water and add sugar.Heat on medium flame till the sugar is completely dissolved. In a mixing bowl,add cocoa powder and cornflour,and the rest of the water.Whisk till it dissolves.In another sauce pan take water and create a double boiler by placing a large deep bowl for the sauce.Add the mixture of water and sugar with the cocoa and cornflour mixture.Whisk till it shows a saucelike consistency (not too thick not too thin).
Tostas
Multigrain buns 40 gms Butter 10 gms Mozzarella 10 gms Gruyere 10 gms Asparagus 10 gms Mushroom 12 gms Oven dried tomatoes 12 gms Cheddar 12 gms Olive 5 gms Salt and pepper to taste
Method Pre-heat the oven to 200 degree celsius.Use multigrain buns and cut them into half. Spread butter on the outside of the bun.Add mozzarella,arrange asparagus,mushroom,oven dried tomatoes and olives on the bread.Add salt and pepper,gruyere and cheddar on it.Place it in the oven for four minutes or till you see the colour change into golden.Serve hot.
"The most common dessert during holi is jalebi. Spanish Churros are a perfect substitute. You can also serve Tostas as a starter at your Holi party."
Chef Saby
by Chef Manish Mehrotra, Executive Chef, Indian Accent
Warm Doda Burfi Treacle Tart
Ingredients for tart shell

Refined flour 250 gms Castor sugar 100 gms White butter 200 gms Eggs 2
Ingredients for Filling

Chocolate sponge crumbs 165 gms Cream 70 gms Eggs 3 nos White butter 192 gms Golden syrup 720 gms Doda burfi 100 gms
Method
Mix all the ingredients for the tart shell together to make a sweet paste.Roll the paste into a sheet of 0.5 cm thickness and line the tart mould,nine inches wide and 1.5 inches deep,with this sheet properly.Bake the tart shell at 150c for 30 minutes.To make the filling,reduce white butter in a sauce pan on low flame till it turns into darkyellow shade.Add golden syrup and boil,removing the scum if it appears.Stir the mixture of cream and eggs and remove from flame while you mix it.Fill the baked tart shell with this mixture,top it with small chunks of doda burfi and bake at 150c for 40 minutes.Remove from the oven.Cool it down to room temperature and cut into desired pieces.Serve with vanilla ice cream.
"Holi is a perfect time to have traditional Indian mithai with a twist. After a great meal it is essential to top it with great dessert and celebrate a colourful Holi."
Chef Manish Mehrotra
Mishti Doi Cannoli,Amaranth Ladoos

(aprox 25 to 30 pieces) Ingredients
Refined flour 250 gms Jaggery 60 ml Desi Ghee 90 gms Water as required Readymade Misti Doi 1kg Popped amaranth seeds 50 gms Toffee sauce 50 ml
Method
Hang mishti doi in a muslin cloth or sieve for about three hours to drain as much water as possible.Mixtoffee sauce and popped amaranth seeds and make small firm balls to make amaranth ladoo.Make a smooth dough using refined flour,jaggery,desi ghee and water.Leave the dough for 15 minutes and then roll into a thin sheet of 0. 5 mm thickness. Using a round cutter, cut round discs of the flattened dough.Roll each sheet on a 0.75 inch thick stainless steel pipe to make a cannoli.Bake at 180c for ten minutes.Remove from the oven when the cut pieces of dough are crisp and light brown.Take out from the pipe carefully,fill in the chilled hung mishti doi using a piping bag and serve immediatelywith amaranth ladoo.
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SIMPLY DELHI
Buzz
STORE
IN THE CITY
MY CITY
Hot wheels
Ambika Sharma, 34, rides a superbike, but doesnt believe in living life on the edge. Sharma claims to be the only woman in India to own a Harley Davidson Road King. When she sets out for a ride on the roaring machine, she admits to getting strange looks, when people realise that beneath the leather riding-gear, is a woman with perfectly manicured nails and kohllined eyes. The ride gives me a sense of freedom and is a stress buster, says Sharma as she swings a leg over the 1700 cc, 450 kg bike. While on the road, both adults and children wave excitingly. When she
Perfect stitch
Designer Tarun Tahiliani is known for infusing indian craftsmanship in modern silhouettes, and his recently launched store in Defence Colony shares a similar story. Rich mother of pearl inlay work on the front wall welcomes you inside this design studio where tones of crme and beige dominate the interiors. Thekti glass work spans across the ceiling and adds a royal touch to this opulent store. What looks like you might be walking into someones living room is just one section of the store that exhibits Tahilianis Spring Summer 2013 collectiontunics, scarves, dresses, skirts, dhoti pants and more, for everyday wear. Bold traditional prints infused with European designs, this is his newly launched line, which has been moderately priced (Rs 3,999 onward). Adjacent to the room is the mens section that has sherwanis and bandhgalas on display. The designers signature collection including occasional wear and bridal couture has been showcased in the two rooms behind this section. The heavily embellished and embroidered lehengas, anarkalis, chikankari suits and swarovski studded saris vie for attention. by Ekta Marwaha At D-25, Defence Colony
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VISHAL KOUL/WWW.INDIATODAYIMAGES.COM
EVENTS
halts for a break, crowds encircle the superbike and questions rain down. Madam aap police wali ho kya?, bike kitne ki hai? Then there are the rude ones. Some men honk continuously, race their cars. Once a Porsche driver chased me for a long time, a typical Delhi reaction, you dont witness this even in villages, she adds. Her father, a helicopter pilot with the Indian Army and an avid biker himself, encouraged her love for biking. Many Delhi women are riding superbikes and there are several women bikers groups in the city. The Harley Owners Group (HOG) encourages women riders too, she says. Delhi roads are better than any other city but The Road King and Honda 1000 CC RR are huge and not city machines. I go on drives at dawn and I am back even before the city stirs to life, says Sharma who terms the Delhi-Leh route as her most adventurous ride. Sharma has had her share of falls too. These bikes are heavy, once the Road King tilts to 25 degrees, it is difficult to avoid a fall, says Sharma who never rides without gearing up in riding boots, elbow, shoulder and spine guards and gloves. Riding without protection is a death wish. I encourage all bikers to be safe, says Sharma.
ART EFFECT Till March 31
by Ekta Alreja
Tagore Lost & Found is an art show that celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. The show, curated by Bina Sarkar Ellias, will have artists revisiting Tagore. Each one of them have responded to Tagore with their own distinctive understanding. At F 213 C, S.I.S House, Lado Sarai Tel 65683083
FESTIVE FERVOUR Till March 10
Play it safe this Holi. Shop for some natural colours extracted from flowers, roots and herbs. Swarang at Dastkar Basant Bazar has gulaals made from kesula, marigold, red sandalwood and dried mehendi leaves. At Stall no C-33, Dastkar Basant Bazar, Kisan Haat, Anuvrat Marg, Andheria Modh, Chattarpur
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SIMPLY DELHI
Buzz
FOOD REVIEW
Mystic Masala
Brothers Mohit and Dushyant Kakkar have a well thought out storyboard they hope will help their restaurant Thirty Nine stand out in the crowd. They have attempted to recreate English explorer Alistair Kensingtons home in their restaurant. The explorer, they say, was sent to India in 1939 to study mysticism, however, he mysteriously disappeared. Thirty Nine is dressed to match the story. The furnishings are a mix of old and newantique street lamps, leather couches with knitted throws and cricket bats mounted on a wall. The three-floor restaurant has a library room with leatherbound books, a living room and an all-white bar on the terrace. The restaurant offers Anglo Indian dishes such as Spiced Roast Chicken with Vegetables, North Indian dishes such as Rogan Josh, and a few British classics such as Shepherds Pie. We started with the Rosemary Chicken
Tikka. The herb, however, didnt add any flavour to the tikka. Maple Syrup Ribs followed, tender and juicy with the caramelised maple syrup that intensified its smokiness. We recommend the Shepherds Pie, served drenched in butter, it was warm and comforting with an old-world goodness. The British Raj Country Captain Chicken Curry, a mild stew, was served with rice and olive-basil naan. The portions are large enough
to leave no space for dessert, however, we gave in to the moment and ordered the Triple Decker, layered dark chocolate, chocolate mousse and white chocolate. Appropriately rich without being cloying, this was a delicious end to the meal. Should he ever visit, the ghost of Alistair Kensington would approve. Meal for two Rs 1,500 plus taxes At T 6B, Main Market Road, Hauz by Ekta Alreja Khas Village
One for Pastafarians

A restaurant inside a mall has to work extra hard if it has massive glass walls that allow shoppers and diners to look at each other in the eye. Italian restaurant La Tagliatella, the latest at the Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj works extra hard. The restaurants menu complements its well lit yet warm interiors and the chefs here are artisanal. They aim to create over 300 compositions with pasta, pizzas and sauces. Standardisation, thankfully, does not top a discerning diners list and its the customisation and little imperfections (mostly visual) that turn a dinner into an experience. We began with Insalata Di Mozarella Gratinata with Fruits of Forest Vinaigrette, lightly dressed lettuce, watercress, rocket and radicchio, with gratinated mozzarella adding heft. We waded past a quickly hardening Mozzarelletta (melted mozzarella topped with nuts and sweet tomato) and dove into the
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pasta. The Papardelle Pepe Nero with Peperoncino Gamberi was sublime and so freshly made that the prawns and chilli pepper were mere accessories. We would have downed the plain boiled pasta drizzled with olive oil and a Parmesan dusting. The Ravioli Verdi (ricotta and vegetables with tomato, and chilli) reinforced the fact that fresh is what La Tagliatella does best. The artisnal Sei Stagioni Pizza topped with tomato, mozzarella, goat cheese, prawns, chicken ham , mushrooms, artichokes and red pep-
pers was a revelation with each bite. The toppings stayed in their place and set off varied flavour explosions. The dessert, Torta Rocher, proved that hazelnut and chocolate are a subtly sweet coupling like no other. Those who want things a bit sweeter must try the three-layered Tre Bombe Al Cioccolato Semifreddo. Be warned the portions (sans desserts) are massive, so do make sure your appetite matches. Meal for two Rs 1,800 plus taxes At Upper Ground Floor, Ambience by Karuna John Mall, Vasant Kunj
SIMPLY DELHI
Design
Q& A
They launched a luxury swimwear line at Cannes Mare di Moda in 2006 and also created the bikini sari; but designers Shivan Bhatiya, 28, and Narresh Kukreja, 27, say they are the proudest of their latest design, the Mastectomy Blouse. The designers tell Ekta Marwaha, the story behind this garment that aims to provide some succour to women who have lost a breast to cancer. Q. How did you conceptualise the Mastectomy Blouse? A. Narresh: I lost my father to cancer in 2011. Watching him go through the gruesome surgeries and therapies changed my perception of life. He avoided meeting his loved ones, only to keep his self esteem intact. The seeds for this initiative were sown then. We wanted to create something to boost self confidence in cancer survivors. Keeping in mind the physical, emotional trauma a woman undergoes mastectomy, led to this concept. Q. What are the technical aspects of the design? A. Shivan: The research and development of this blouse was rooted in an understanding of the Indian body type. It took us six years to develop the correct contouring bodice blocks to fit the unique Indian anatomy. We wanted to use our skill to get the correct cut, contour and construction; so that women who have undergone mastectomy can wear a
Contour confidence
Signature Style
In Rajesh Pratap Singhs collections, Indian textiles get place of pride. Pratap works closely with Indian weavers and his designs draw heavily from craft and traditional garments. In role as a first ever brand ambassador for Woolmark India, the designer tells Ekta Alreja that he plans to take wool awareness to its next level. Q. How will you develop wool as a premium fashion fibre? A. It is a huge responsibility, but I am excited. Not much has happened as far as wool is concerned. Merino is a fine sturdy wool and is available all over the world. Its a standardised quality product, which has various uses. Technology can help make it more versatile. I have been working with wool for over 15 years now, through this association, I hope to take wool awareness to its next level. Q. How do you plan to do that? A. I will showcase my collection made of Australian merino wool at the upcoming Wills Lifestyle India Week (March 13-17). The collection shows wool in its various forms, knits, handloom and hi-tech mill produce. The designs will be available at my stores across India. We also plan to retail it online like my other menswear collections. I will take it forward by designing wool bags, accessories and footwear. I also plan to use the wool in the carpets I design.
RAJWANT RAWAT /www.indiatodayimages.com
blouse with an inbuilt prosthetic that fits well. We have used lycra as the fabric adjusts to different sizes. We received support from the Sahachari Foundation and Womens Cancer Initiative. Q. When will it be available in the market, and at what price? A. Narresh: The aim is to reach out to even the remotest areas where women, who need to, can now wear a blouse that empowers. The blouse will be available in three tiersfirst through our two flagship stores in Delhi and Mumbai, where we can customise it; second, through retail channels including chemists and healthcare shops; and third is through donations. We are looking for corporate partnerships to help us mass produce the blouse and distribute it through NGOs. We are trying to make the blouse available at a sensitised price or even free. The idea is to make the blouse accessible, and be given as part of a post-mastectomy kit. The blouse is a prelude to the mastectomy swimwear that the we are developing presently.
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SIMPLY DELHI
Books
daughters. Why just daughters and not sons? Because Menon believes that young women should be given support and confidence to achieve their dreams. Women are tied up in societal obligations but if motivated, they can achieve anything. No dream is too big. Once women set their hearts on something, all other obstacles cease to exist, she says. In Legacy, 20 personalities across fields pen down instances that mou-lded their personalities and achievements. I used the memory mining technique and urged them to recollect forgotten stories, she says. The project threw up a range of personal anecdotes which makes these achievers seem like one of us who touched the peaks of success with their determination. by Aditi Pai horribly wrong and triggered a sensational trial in the Calcutta High Court that made headlines around the world. Zubrzycki tells the story of this man in his latest book. Q. What got you interested in Alexander Malcolm Jacob? A. This was someone who rose from obscurity to become the most famous diamond merchant, magician and spy in the late 1800s. He bridged the two worlds of Indian and European societies. He started with nothing yet he was the most famous antique dealer in India. The viceroys of India were his customers and he would pass on secrets that came to him from the royal courts of India. Q. What did you find most fascinating about him? A. He started with nothing yet he was the most famous antique dealer in India. The viceroys of India were his customers and he would pass on secrets that came to him from the royal courts of India. He loved the thrill of clinching a deal like the Jacob Diamond deal. In this case with the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad for what perhaps the most audacious deal in history. Q. Have you seen the Jacob Diamond? A. Yes, in 2006 when it was on display. It was awe-inspiring to say by Mona Ramawat the least.
A Letter TO MY DAUGHTER
ndias celeb chef Sanjeev Kapoor dreamt of being an architect and got into hospitality school only by chance. Former ICICI head K V Kamath learnt the art of saving from his mother who drew his attention to the money spent on the cigarette he was so fond of and Infosys founder Narayanmurthy would tuck his kids into bed repeating the same story every night until the tiny tots laughed and fell asleep. In her second book, Legacy, Sudha Menon has compiled several fond memories like these through letters written by prominent Indian parents to their
MANDAR DEODHAR/www.indiatodayimages.com
Curious case of Jacobs DIAMOND
journalists account of history can be fascinating, and well researched. And if its an elusive character like Alexander Malcolm Jacobspy, magician, antique dealer, mystery man in the heyday of the British Rajhistory wears an enchanting and entertaining garb of drama. Australian writer and journalist, John Zubrzyckis latest book, The Mysterious Mr Jacob: Diamond Merchant, Magician and Spy weaves such engaging tales around the man. Youll wonder if this is history or time travel! Zubrzycki is currently the world commentary editor at The Australian in Sydney and a former Delhi-based foreign correspondent, who has spent a great deal of time in India and is deeply interested in Indian history and culture. His last book, The Last Nizam, the story of the colourful Nizams of Hyderabad, was a bestseller in India and Australia. Zubrycki talks about the scandal that rocked the Raj in 1891. A notorious curio-dealer from Simla offered to sell the worlds largest brilliant-cut diamondknown after him as the Jacob Diamondto the Nizam of Hyderabad. The transaction went
SIMPLY DELHI
Products
As winter says goodbye SIMPLY DELHI lists some new products that are making their debut on store shelves this season
SPRING SPREE
Kitsch bazaar
Add colour and kitsch to your household itemsmugs, table mats or coasters. Price Rs 500 onwards Available at Springflies.com
Indian time
Add a dash of colour with this peacock design wall clock by Mad In India. Price Rs 745 Available at madinindia.in
Out of the box
Picture this animal-inspred wall art in your living area. Log on to quirkbox for a range of kitsch art works. Price Rs 1,900 Available at thequirkbox.com
Mat magic
Choose from a funky collection of table mats by Green The Gap. Made with newspaper, these artistically crafted mats are available in different hues. Price Rs 250 Available at greenthegap.com
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Cushion comfort
Dream of ancient India with a dash of Parisian love.Take your pick from these funky cushion covers by Designdeal. Price Rs 799 onwards Available at designdeal.com
A limited edition piece by Salvatore Ferragamo, the Grande Maison is a sophisticated design with 12 diamonds on the bezel and a red leather strap. Price Rs 1, 20, 000 At DLF Emporio Mall, Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj Tel 46609082
Class apart
City folk
This art collection by Bring Home Stories is inspired by the city and its phool mandis.The works are by various artists and photographers. Price On Request Available at bringhomestories.com
Love spark
Woo your special one with this diamond-studded loops by Forevermark. Price Rs 50,000 onwards At Rose, DLF Emporio, Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj Tel 46060953
Bag it!
Make every occasion special with this baguette from Fendi. Choose from colours such as golden or silvertone beaded, crackled and more. Price Rs 1,22,601 At DLF Emprio, Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj Tel 46040777
FORM-IV
Summer cool
Get comfortable and have some fun with a funky new version of Crocs beach collection. Price Rs 1,795 onwards At Shop No 30 A-1, Select Citywalk, District Center Saket Tel 47354527
Dt: 01.03.13
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SIMPLY DELHI
Celeb speak
INSPIRATIONS
CELEBRITIES ON THE WOMEN WHO INSPIRE THEM
BUBBLES SABHARWAL, Theatre Director
Sarah Ban Breathnach is a woman who inspires me. She says, Its never too late in fiction or life to reinvent yourself. To find the gifts only you can give yourself. These words have inspired me in every phase of my life.
ASHISH SONI, Fashion Designer
Naina Lal Kidwai and Indra Nooyi have shaped a corporate avataar for the Indian women in society. I think it is a pathbreaking effort and makes this a great phase for India. Their passion and determination is laudable.
REUBEN SINGH/www.indiatodayimages.com
DAVID ABRAHAM, Fashion Designer

SUMIT INDER SINGH/www.indiatodayimages.com
I cannot conclude on one name as there are many. I am inspired by the anonymous Indian woman who lives with dignity and fights for her rights everyday amidst our repressive patriachal society.
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KALYAN CHAKRAVORTY/www.indiatodayimages.com
APRIL 2013
THE POWER WITHIN

SIMPLY CHENNAI
Inside
COVER STORY
Shes Every Woman s-4 SIMPLY CHENNAI celebrates the spirit of womanhood with the stories of five women
BUZZ
In the City s-7 Achecklist on what to do,where to eat and what to shop for
PRODUCTS
Right Click s-11 We recommend some tech savvy websites to shop from
CELEB SPEAK Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie Group Chief Executive Officer Ashish Bagga Group Synergy and Creative Officer Kalli Purie Senior Editor Karuna John Correspondent Saranya Chakrapani Editorial Team Rewati Rau, Ekta Alreja, Ekta Marwaha, Marcia Rodrigues Design Associates Vandana Nayar Production Surinder Hastu (Chief of Production), Harish Aggarwal, Naveen Gupta Layout Execution Ramesh Gusain Group Business Head Manoj Sharma Associate Publisher (Impact) Anil Fernandes IMPACT TEAM Senior General Managers: Kaustav Chatterjee (East) Jitendra Lad (West) Head (North): Subhashis Roy General Manager Shailender Nehru (Bangalore) Deputy General Manager Velu Balasubramaniam (Chennai)
Inspirations
Celebrities on their icons
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Cover concept by Saurabh Singh Cover photo by Getty Images
OUR PICKof the month

DJ Tiestos India Debut
March 29 This is especially for all EDM fans in ChennaiIts time to plan a quick trip to Bangalore. Gear up for an electrifying evening with the worlds most celebrated EDM artist, DJ Tiesto. The Grammy nominee will kick off the first Sunburn Arena International Tour in Dubai, followed by Bangalore (March 29). He then moves on to perform at Mumbai (March 30) and Delhi (March 31). Known for his avant garde use of light and music to create a pulsating ambiance, Tiesto is a global phenomenon. His performance is expected to be one of the biggest EDM gigs that Indian audiences have witnessed. Book your tickets now. Tickets priced at Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,950 Venue yet to be decided For tickets, log on to bookmyshow.com
Want to tell us about an event?A new store? A restaurant?People doing interesting things?Anything newsworthy? Please email us at: simplychennai@intoday.com
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SIMPLY CHENNAI
Cover story
SIMPLY CHENNAI CELEBRATES THE SPIRIT OF WOMANHOOD WITH THE STORIES OF FIVE WOMEN WHO REINSTATE THE BELIEFTHAT LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT BY SARANYA CHAKRAPANI
SHESEVERY WOMAN...
Queen Sized
TINA VINCENT, 44, Fashion designer In an industry that has insisted on skinny frames, Tina Vincent saw sense in creating bold and beautiful dresses for voluptuous women. She started designing in 2000, when plus-size women in Chennai resorted to loose, shapeless kurtis or preferred to drape themselves in sarees. I went by one beliefyou didnt have to be a size-zero to wear a gorgeous dresses. Though I started one of the first plus-size stores in India, Tina Vincent Boutique, I realised during my travels that the concept of plus-size fashion was alien only in this country, not anywhere else. Vincents designer dreams were woven much earlier, when she was in her early teens. She launched her label Tina Vincent in 1990. My earliest memory of designing was when I was in Class Seven. I would take fabrics and paint on them, she says. Right now, Vincents running theme incorporates a lot of greens, blues and yellows. Her motto is simple show off your best assets in the clothes that fit well.
This learning method is nonthreatening for children, who become aware of their minds, bodies and capabilities
Touch Therapy
AMBIKA KAMESHWAR, 48, Dancer and social worker At 18, when most girls were busy making friends and enjoying college, Kameshwar was silently demonstrating dance mudras to the visually challenged students of Ramana Maharshi Academy for Blind, Bangalore. This was when Ambika graduated from being a professional dancer to a mentor. It was a very special moment, one I can never forget. I was teaching dance and music to these children for a few years until I moved to Chennai after my engagement in 1989. Luckily, the scope for my work increased here, as I volunteered to teach dance and music to the children at Spastics
I just went bythe belief that you didnt have to be szie-zero to wear gorgeous dresses
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SIMPLY CHENNAI APRIL 2013
Reconstructing Lives
VIDYA REDDY, 47, Founder, Tulir Eight years and several lessons later, Vidya Reddys Tulir Centre for the Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse remains the only organisation addressing the issue of child sexual abuse in Chennai. As Indians, we already have a huge problem in acknowledging sexuality as a part of our identity. And this was sexual violence on children, no one wanted to acknowledge it, she says. In its first year that Tulir(meaning a leaf) was started, Reddy recalls that people would rubbish it as a bunch of youngsters raving and ranting, only to die down eventually. The best thing for us was that we didnt have a template to follow. Our approach was to try out a method and see if it worked. We look at the problem as something that can be prevented. And if it does happen, there should be an effective and appropriate response from the
HK RAJASHEKHAR /www.indiatodayimages.com
Society of India (now Vidyasagar), she says. In September 1989, with an aim to sensitise more people towards this cause and make a larger impact, Kameshwar started RASA (Ramana Sunritya Aalaya), with guidance from her father AR Natarajan and husband G Kameshwar. As RASA expanded and became more inclusive, she found the need to equip herself better. This gave rise to her most revolutionary tool so far THD (Theatre Arts for Holistic Development). THD uses dance, mime, music, drama, arts and crafts, which make for a stimulating learning process. These are scientifically structured to achieve therapeutic goals. This learning method is non-threatening for children, who become more aware of their minds, bodies and capabilities, explains Kameshwar.
larger public, she says. With her constant communication with the state government, Tulirs impact is now being felt not just in Chennai, but smaller districts across Tamil Nadu as well. It doesnt just take an NGO or the police, but a community to protect a child. Because between the abuser and the child is the space that is occupied by people like you and me.
It doesnt take an NGO or the police, but a community to protect a child

APRIL 2013 SIMPLY CHENNAI
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SIMPLY CHENNAI
Cover story
HK RAJASHEKHAR /www.indiatodayimages.com
I was 19 years old and the only girl competing against 17 male riders
Galloping Ahead
N RUPA, 30, Jockey Shes one of the few woman horse jockeys, has over 2000 races and 420 wins to her credit, but talks about it like its the easiest image to maintain. There is really no pressure, as much as it may seem. I was brought up with horses in a private stable, she says. Rupas affinity to this sport is perhaps thanks to her family legacy. Her grandfather used to train horses for the British and both her father and brother have went on to become jockeys. Rupas tryst with horses began in her own backyard, where she was trained in horse riding by her grandfa-
ther. She rode retired race horses and recalls accompanying him to horse shows at the Officers Training Academy ground, where she participated in show jumping and dressage. She joined KS Madannas stable in 2001 and MAM Ramaswamys stablesone of the biggest in the country in 2008. These initial years of training earned Rupa her jockeying license and her first professional race in March 2002 at the Chennai Race Club. I was 19 years old and the only girl competing against 17 male riders. I finished 4th, she beams. As a woman jockey, Rupa has to put in extra effort to stay fit and says theres no better way to do that than working a horse. I work 15 to 20 horses every morning, for six days a week.
Make OverVEENA KUMARAVEL, 46, Entrepreneur
At a time when men restricted their grooming to a haircut and a shave at the roadside barber shop and women thronged chatty little beauty parlours, Veena Kumaravel gave Chennai its very first salon. In the year 2000, Naturals, which is now one of Chennais foremost salon chains, was welcomed with a lot of curiosity and some apprehension. We understood that the idea of men and women getting groomed under one roof would probably keep a few people away. Which is why, our very first salon on Khader Nawaz My job is my passion. Khan Road, was started exclusively for It gives me immense women, says Kumaravel. Naturals grew and became one of the best midsatisfaction. range destinations for general grooming as well as makeovers. Back then, the market was totally unorganised. My idea was to start a grooming centre where trained professionals were hired, quality products were used and a wide range of unique services were offered at affordable prices, says Kumaravel. Today, Naturals has 200 salons across India, over 1000 women employees and 50,000 job opportunities, according to Kumaravel. The future certainly looks bright for this entrepreneur, who plans to start 300 more salons in the country by September.
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SIMPLY CHENNAI
Buzz
IN THE CITY
Q& A
Note worthy
H K RAJASHEKHAR/www.indiatodayimages.com
They launched a luxury swimwear line at Cannes Mare di Moda in 2006 and also created the bikini sari; but designers Shivan Bhatiya, 28, and Narresh Kukreja, 27, say they are the proudest of their latest design, the Mastectomy Blouse. The designers tell Ekta Marwaha, the story behind this garment that aims provide some succour to women who have lost a breast to cancer. Q. How did you conceptualise the Mastectomy Blouse? A. Narresh: I lost my father to cancer in 2011. Watching him go through the gruesome therapies changed my perception of life. He avoided meeting his loved ones, only to keep his self esteem intact. The seeds for this initiative were sown then. We wanted to create something to boost self confidence in cancer survivors. Keeping in mind the physical, emotional trauma a woman undergoes mastectomy, led to this concept. Q. What are the technical aspects of the design? A. Shivan: The research and development of this blouse was rooted in an understanding of the Indian body type. It took us six years to develop the correct contouring bodice blocks to fit the unique Indian anatomy. We wanted to use our skill to get the correct cut, contour and construction; so that women who have undergone mastectomy can wear a blouse with an inbuilt prosthetic that fits well. We have used lycra as the fabric adjusts to different sizes. We received support from the Sahachari Foundation and Womens Cancer Initiative. Q. When will it be available in the market, and at what price? A. Narresh: The aim is to reach out to even the remotest areas where women, who need to, can now wear a blouse that empowers. The blouse will be available in three tiersfirst through our two flagship stores in Delhi and Mumbai, where we can customise it; second, through retail channels including chemists and healthcare shops; and third is through donations. We are looking for corporate partnerships to help us mass produce the blouse and distribute it through NGOs. We are trying to make the blouse available at a sensitised price or even free. The idea is to make the blouse accessible. The blouse is a prelude to the mastectomy swimwear that the we are developing presently.
Contour confessions
Dubai-based rock band Vin Sinners have been given the No. 1 spot in Dubai by one of the worlds largest music social platforms, reverbnation.com. The band, which released its first album in December 2011, was formed by Chennai-based musician Vin Nair, who is also the Global Head of Marketing at Xpress Money, in Dubai. A part of the proceeds from their music goes to the Gift a Smile Campaign by the Art of Living Foundation. On a tour to Chennai, Nair tells Saranya Chakrapani how it is to have a day job and run a rock band successfully. Q. What created this sudden urge to make music? A. Music was never a sudden thing; I have been writing songs. But the turning point came when I watched the film Rock On. I decided that if I loved music, I should have time to make it too. Thats when Atif Ali, my friend and producer heard my music and suggested that I start a band. Q. Where does your music find inspiration? A. We are into predominantly hard rock and metal. Jim Morrison andAxl Rose find a lot of influences in our music. Q. Does the future look promising for young rock musicians in India? A. I think its a great trend. But we need to respect our own musicians if we want Indian rock bands to gain momentum. Why always stick to international favourites like Deep Purple and Metallica, when you can do covers of some great Indian bands? We need to respect our own talent first.
SIMPLY CHENNAI
Buzz
Author and relationship counselor, John Gray talks about modern day romance and spirituality 11 years since his bestselling book Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus Q. Before you started writing, you were assisting a spiritual guru for a while. Your mother too worked in a spiritual book shop. Is your work influenced by any spiritual concepts? A.The first nine years of my adult life, I was a celibate yogi, a bhramachari and a personal assistant to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Ive been to India over 20 times and am influenced by the spirituality here. This acted as a foundation to my work on relationships. When I left Maharishi Mahesh Yogiand went back to California, I found that I had a great talent for counseling. Q. How did you realise that you could offer counseling to couples? A. The actual story was my celibacy for nine years. My first courses after my return to California were on spiritual sexuality. To sustain great sex, one must have love. To have love, one must have great communication. For great communication one must understand the differences between one another, in a positive way. That became the foundation of my teaching. Q. How is your teaching on relationships different from psychology schools? A. I think the strength of Men are from Mars..is that it doesnt preach, but explains to people how men and women
Love TALKS
H K RAJASHEKHAR/WWW.INDIATODAYIMAGES.COM
are. And as we look at our differences in a positive way, it improves communication so that we have lesser arguments. In addition we can learn to sustain passion. In traditional societies, passion was not a priority. The honeymoon was the romantic period, and that was it. But today, people are looking for soulmates and not role mates. Q. What is the role of social networking and the internet in relationships today? A. Social networking is a fantasy. You meet someone and sometimes theres great chemistry, sometimes there isnt. The actual neuro chemical thats produced when youre on Facebook, is Dopamine. Its the same chemical thats released when you eat sugar or chocolate. Its addictive. It gives you instant gratification, but not necessarily depth. Q. Why were divorces so rare once? A. There are two reasonsdivorces were a taboo and women were not independent in those days. But there were also women who were indeed quite content back then. They were living within the boundaries that they liked. They liked raising children when their men were away. There is nothing wrong with that lifestyle but its outdated. The author was here for a seminar organised by Life by Design and by Saranya Chakrapani Success Gyan. eties. He started with nothing yet he was the most famous antique dealer in India. The viceroys of India were his customers and he would pass on secrets that came to him from the royal courts of India. Q. Since he was an elusive character, it must have been a challenge to gather information about his life. A. I traced his life from a town called Diabakia in eastern Turkey where he was born. I went to Damascus in Syria since he was a Syrian catholic. I went to Bombay where he lived the last part of his life, to Simla where he had his famous shop and to Calcutta where he got involved in the court case with the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad. by Mona Ramavat
Curious case of Jacobs diamond

Australian writer and journalist, John Zubrzyckis latest book, The Mysterious Mr Jacob: Diamond Merchant, Magician and Spy weaves such engaging takes around the man youll wonder if this is history or time travel! Q. What got you interested in Alexander Malcolm Jacob? A. This was someone who rose from obscurity to become the most famous diamond merchant, magician and spy in the late 1800s. He was Turkish and sort of bridged the two worlds of Indian and European soci-
SIMPLY CHENNAI
Buzz
FOOD REVIEW
Welcome on board
Theres no way you can miss the generous dose of nature at Board Walk, the newly opened restaurant at the Ramada Chennai. Its almost all-glass dcor that allows you to bask in the soft, warm sunlight during the day and enjoy the sensuous luminousness after dusk. Designed like an actual boardwalk, an idea that finds inspiration in Chennais proximity to the sea, the restaurants wooden furniture is the sturdiest you can find in town. The wood for this furniture has been sourced from old Chinese boats. The result: each chair weighs more than 20 kg, and smooth, planks of wood make for a pier-like pathway into the restaurant. Unlike most multi-cuisine restaurants, where one particular cuisine aces the list, Board Walks versatility in food has indeed worked favourably for it. You can choose from a menu of Japanese, Thai, Indian, Italian and Mediterranean specialties and relish them all equally and independently. and dine as Board Walks Bulgarian band plays all-time favourite hits from the 60s. Meal for two Rs 2,500 (with alcohol), exclusive of taxes At Ramada Chennai, Gandhi Irwin Road, Egmore Tel 30004777 by Saranya Chakrapani
The Khandari Tikki (grilled patties made with yam and vegetables) and the Panko Crumbed Calamari Salad with Garlic Aioli (crumb-fried calamari with garlic mayo) are great appetizers. We recommend the Thai Green Curry and Jasmine Rice; the coconut milk flavoured with herbs and cooked with vegetables gives you a gastronomic high. Also try out the Lava Grilled Moroccan chicken. What makes this technique unique is that it uses volcanic stones to grill the food on. Among the desserts, Very Berry Strawberry ice cream or Phirni, a delicacy from Kashmir thats made with rice and milk win brownie points. If you happen to drop in during the evening, you can wine
FORM-IV
FASHION
Spring feast
Fall in love with the magic of spring with Tarun Tahilianis latest collectionIndia Modern. Characterised by textured handlooms, juxtaposed with silks and jacquards, it defines the new summer silhouette with shifts, quirky kurtas, concept saris and asymmetrical hemlines. It plays with shades of ivory, beige and grey with accents of mango sorbets, peaches and tangerines. Supporting this narrative are swathes of sushi voile, georgettes, cotton jacquards, and cutwork jamdanis from Banaras. Price Rs. 10,000 onwards. At Collage Store, No: 153, Greams Road, Egmore Tel 28291443
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SIMPLY CHENNAI
Products
SIMPLY CHENNAI shares some tech savvy websites to shop from
RIGHT CLICK
Therapy call
Nourish your hair with a healthy oil massage. Choose from a range of products like hibiscus oil, fenugreek hair conditioner and shikakai shampoo. Price Rs 120 onwards Available at mantraspa.co.in
Kitsch bazaar
Add colour and kitsch to your household itemsmugs, table mats or coasters. Price Rs 500 onwards Available at Springflies.com
Indian time
Add a dash of colour to your wall with this peacock inspired wall clock by Mad In India. Price Rs 745 Available at madinindia.in
Elegant and captivating. Designer,Vandana Dewans Karmic Kabira is a collection of contemporary jewellery with a unique style. Price On Request Available at facebook.com/karmickabirabyvandanadewan
Style statement
Cushion comfort
Happy feet
Dream of ancient India with a dash of Parisian love.Take your pick from these funky cushion covers by Designdeal. Price Rs 799 onwards Available at designdeal.com
Gear up for the summer season and flaunt your pedicured feet in these vibrant Kolhapuris. Team it with ethnic or casual outfits. Price On Request Available at utsavfashion.com
Compiled by Marcia Rodrigues
SIMPLY CHENNAI
Celeb speak
INSPIRATIONS
CELEBRITIES ON THE WOMEN WHO INSPIRE THEM
SATYAJIT DHANANAYAN, Photographer
I remember watching a television series based on Kiran Bedi. Her attitude, honesty and quest for truth made me admire her. I have read about her initiatives towards social causes which inspire me. I also admire actor Rekha for living a tough life with dignity.
VIJAY JESUDOSS, Singer
Singers Sujatha and Chitra inspire me with their dedication towards music and their career. I am awed by their humility and sincerely feel that women like them deserve a lot more respect and acknowledgement.
DHARAN KUMAR, Music Director

HK RAJSHEKHAR/www.indiatodayimages.com
I have a lot of reverence for Mother Teresa. She devoted her life for the service of the poor and believed in compassion. Its inspiring to know someone like her and thats why shes respected all over the world.
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India Today 18 March 2013

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Secret World of Raja Bhaiya and The Rise of Super Snoopers the Badlands of UP Buddy Movies

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