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NEW DELHI/METRO
Sunday, February 14, 2021
n VOL. XX NO. 7
A cyclist makes his way through Vijay Chowk on a foggy morning in New Delhi on Saturday. In Greater Noida, around a dozen
people were injured in a multi-vehicle pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway due to reduced visibility amid the fog, police said. In UP’s
Kannauj, six members of a family were killed when their car rammed into a stationary truck. ARVIND YADAV/HT PHOTO
COACH ARRESTED
AFTER FIVE SHOT
DEAD AT ROHTAK
2 years after Pulwama,
WRESTLING ARENA
ROHTAK: A day after five per-
sons were shot dead and two
Interpol issues notices
others hurt in a firing incident Neeraj Chauhan APART FROM in Pakistan, where Azhar and
in the wrestling arena of Roh- his aides are believed to be hid-
tak’s Jat College, a joint team of [email protected] MASOOD AZHAR, ing, will honour the red notices
Delhi and Rohtak police NEW DELHI: Two years after a RED NOTICES HAVE and take action against the ter-
arrested the accused, Sukhvin- terror attack on a Central BEEN ISSUED ror masterminds.
der Singh, from Samaypur Badli Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Apart from Azhar, red noti-
in Delhi. Police had announced convoy in south Kashmir’s Pul-
AGAINST HIS TWO ces, or global arrest warrants,
a reward of ₹1 lakh for informa- wama killed 40 security person- BROTHERS AS have been issued against his
tion on the accused, a certified nel, Interpol has issued red noti- WELL AS A COUSIN brothers Abdul Rauf Asghar
coach from NIS, Patiala. →P2 ces against Jaish-e-Mohammad and Ibrahim Athar, and his
(JeM) chief Maulana Masood cousin Ammar Alvi.
Azhar and three of his relatives familiar with the development The development comes at a
in connection with the brazen said on Saturday. time when the Financial Action
RINKU SHARMA strike that brought the already
fraught ties between India and
The National Investigation
Agency (NIA), which is probing
Task Force (FATF) has begun a
series of online meetings that
MURDER CASE Pakistan to a new low, people the case, hopes that authorities continued on →8
HANDED OVER TO
CRIME BRANCH { COUNTERING COVID }
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police on
Saturday said that the murder
case of Mangolpuri resident
Rinku Sharma has been trans-
Beneficiaries get 2nd dose of vaccine
ferred to their crime branch NEW DELHI: The roll-out of the 4% of the over 191,000 health a five-day period for “mop up”
that will look into the allega- second dose of vaccines against care workers who received their activity to vaccinate those who
tions levelled by his kin and the the Covid-19 was off to a slow first dose on January 16, the day might have been missed out, said
local police’s theory that the start on Saturday, with just 7,668 the nationwide roll-out of the joint secretary of the Union
crime was a result of personal beneficiaries receiving the sec- vaccination drive took place. health ministry. For health care
enmity. Sharma, who worked as ond jab, according to the provi- The government has set a workers, the deadline is Febru-
a lab technician, was stabbed sional data released by the Union deadline of March 1 to complete ary 20. India has now crossed
while returning home from a health ministry. the vaccination of the frontline the 8 million mark of the num-
party on Wednesday. →P6 This accounted for just about workers across the country, with ber of people vaccinated. →P2
ACCUSED TAKEN
TO RED FORT TO
RECREATE SCENE
NEW DELHI: Actor-turned-activ-
ist Deep Sidhu and Iqbal Singh,
both arrested in connection with
the January 26 Red Fort vio-
lence, were on Saturday taken to
the 17th century monument by
the Delhi Police’s special investi-
gation team (SIT) to recreate the
sequence of events leading to
vandalism and clashes that
erupted there during a tractor
rally by farmers protesting
against three new agricultural
laws.
The two were arrested
between Monday and Tuesday
from near Karnal Bypass in Har-
yana and Punjab’s Hoshiarpur,
respectively. They are presently
in the custody of the SIT of the
crime branch, which is probing
their alleged role in the Red Fort
violence on Republic Day. Police
have alleged that the two were
“prominent players” behind the
violence. →P7
Tracking
the virus
INDIA
CASES DEATHS
10,904,790 155,698
(+12,219) (+91)
DELHI
CASES DEATHS
636,796 (+126) 10,889 (+0)
CASES LAST 5 DAYS
142 141
127 126
100
Feb 9 10 11 12 13
India data compiled by covid19india.org and cross-checked
from inputs by HT’s correspondents and news agencies
NEW DELHI
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 14, 2021
1
Questions It’s the world’s longest serving warship,
1 and 2 commissioned by the British Navy as HMS Hermes
have from 1959 to 1984 and then serving in the Indian Navy
roughly from 1987 to 2017. And yet, plans to turn it into a
the same maritime museum and adventure centre were
answer. abandoned and it was sold for scrap in September.
ANI Now, the Supreme Court has stayed the dismantling,
but we fear much damage has already been done.
Which vessel?
2
If you knew that answer, this one will be easier. Who
Name the has been India’s top celebrity endorser for four years
Indian film running, beating out Akshay Kumar and Alia Bhatt?
shortlisted Paternity leave notwithstanding, he’s maintained his Whitney Wolfe Herd became a self-made billionaire
for the brand value at $237.7 million. last week. Name the dating app she founded. REUTERS
Oscars.
AFP
9
Always at the office? The Centre’s new labour codes
10
landfill by selling 100% recycled plastic bottles They call it Dickinsonia, a creature that from more
in the US. Name the company or the brand. than 541 million years ago. Paleontologists discovered
6
its beautiful leaf-shaped fossil, the only one in India, at
India at the Oscars? Karishma Dev Dube’s a World Heritage Site last week, on a rock shelter
live action short film, about a fierce little featuring more recent (but still prehistoric) cave
girl who refuses to be forgotten, is in the paintings. Where?
top 10. Final nominations are on March 15.
But you’ve probably already heard of the
film. What is it called? Answers on page 8
A
l
Locals hired on contract assist in rescue and restoration work at Raini village in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Saturday. At
least 38 people were killed and 166 are still missing and feared dead following flash floods after a glacial breach in the area on
February 7. Meanwhile, rescuers have begun drilling a wider and deeper hole into the tunnel at the flood-ravaged Tapovan-
Vishnugad hydel project in an attempt to reach the over 30 people trapped inside for nearly a week. PTI
Cops rule out rape bid TMC ship is about to US asks for more Draghi sworn in as
on Hyderabad girl sink: Shekhawat Covid data from China Italy prime minister
HYDERABAD: The police on NEW DELHI: Bharatiya WASHINGTON: The White ROME: The Italian president
Saturday ruled out Janata Party leader and House on Saturday called on swore in the former chief of
abduction and rape attempt Union Jal Shakti minister China to make available data the European Central Bank,
on a medical student three Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, from the earliest days of the Mario Draghi, as prime
days ago on the outskirts of who is in charge of five Lok Covid-19 outbreak, saying it minister on Saturday at the
Hyderabad, adding that the Sabha constituencies in has “deep concerns” about head of a unity government
19-year-old had fabricated West Bengal, says the the way the findings of the called on to confront the
the story because she Trinamool Congress’s World Health Organization’s coronavirus crisis and
wanted to “mislead” her electoral ship is about to report were communicated. economic slump. All but one
parents and “leave their sink. In an interview with National security advisor of Italy’s major parties have
house”. “We found that it Hindustan Times, he also Jake Sullivan’s statement rallied to his side and his
was a false case after a accused chief minister came days after a WHO team cabinet includes lawmakers
thorough investigation,” Mamata Banerjee’s returned from China and from across the political
Rachakonda police government of corruption, suggested the virus might spectrum. Draghi is tasked
commissioner Mahesh and said “Jai Shri Ram” has have originated with frozen with plotting Italy’s recovery
Bhagawat said. “She become Bengal’s election seafood products, not from a from the pandemic and must
confessed that due to family slogan. “People in Bengal are Chinese lab as some have immediately set to work on
issues she wanted to leave fed up with the TMC suggested. Sullivan plans for how to spend more
her house. Later, due to government; they are expressed “deep respect” for than 200 billion euros in
police involvement, she unhappy with corruption, the WHO but said protecting European Union funds
panicked and weaved a false the red tape and politics of its credibility is “a aimed at rebuilding the
story,” the police said. →P10 vendetta,” he said. →P2 paramount priority.” →P19 economy. →P19
hindustantimes.com NEW DELHI/METRO
fVOL.
n
@hindustantimes t @httweets i @hindustantimes l @hindustantimes
XX NO. 7 PRICE ₹6.00 /WITH HINDUSTAN ₹ 10.50 (₹ 8.50 IN FARIDABAD) 62 PAGES. AREA SPECIFIC PAGES EXTRA.
n n Sunday, February 14, 2021
stories
appropriate time: Shah conclude by Friday
Shishir Gupta
[email protected]
Good progress has
already been
Even 2020 had some happy endings.
HT Correspondents
[email protected]
J&K a priority, says home minister NEW DELHI: The Pangong Tso
disengagement between the
Indian Army and the People’s
achieved towards
this objective. The
On Valentine’s Day, meet couples who
found that most elusive of
NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR: The
Centre will grant full statehood
ON PAKISTAN REFUGEES ON J&K DEVELOPMENT Liberation Army (PLA) is pro-
ceeding as per the agreed
PLA is moving very
Are human rights available for some Modi government has done more for Jammu and Kashmir
things — love — in the midst to the Union Territory (UT) of people, not for the refugees who came since Article 370 was scrapped in schedule, with satellite imagery quickly as per the
of a lockdown →P16 Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) at showing rapid movement of
an “appropriate time”, home
here from Pakistan or Kashmiri Pandits
who were forced to run away? Not for
August 2019 than those who ruled it
for generations. J&K has been a top Chinese heavy vehicles beyond
agreed schedule
minister Amit Shah said in the Sufi saints? And not for the Valmikis who priority for the current govt since the Finger 8 mountainous spur A SENIOR OFFICIAL
Lok Sabha on Saturday, stress- have not been provided voting rights it took power in 2014. We should on the north banks of the fro-
ing that this government had over the last 70 years not do politics on Jammu and zen saltwater lake. move back to the Dhan Singh
done more for the region since Kashmir and Ladakh. The disengagement process Thapa post on the Finger 3
the nullification of its special There are several was reviewed in South Block on spur. The entire area between
status in August 2019 than those (other) issues over which Friday, with the Indian Army Finger 4 and 8 will be demilita-
who ruled it for decades. politics can be done. brass expressing satisfaction at rised with patrolling schedules
J&K has been a top priority of the process which is scheduled decided through consultations
the National Democratic Alli- to be completed by February 19 between commanders at a later
ance (NDA) government since it ON J&K REORGANISATION or in 10 days from the begin- stage.
came to power at the Centre in (AMENDMENT BILL) ning on February 10. “I under- There is evidence of the pull-
2014, Shah said. He added that This legislation has nothing to do with stand good progress has back by Chinese main battle
devolution of power took place statehood, and J&K will be accorded the already been achieved towards tanks from the southern banks
there after the government nul- status at an appropriate time. Now this objective. The PLA is mov- of Pangong Tso, matched by the
lified Article 370, which granted people chosen by the masses will rule Jammu ing very quickly as per the withdrawal of the Indian
special privileges to the erst- and Kashmir, not those born to kings and agreed schedule,” said a senior armour and artillery guns.
while state, and said the move queens official. However, there has been no
{ PROFILE } { URBAN } will hurt dynastic politics. As per the Pangong Tso dis- evidence of any withdrawal of
“We should not do politics on engagement, the PLA will move PLA forces or equipment from
Sleuth of Winter Jammu and Kashmir and east of Finger 8 on the Srijap depth areas or from central or
it suc little ti e
an so uc to o
watc ing a ovie on a
la to o one see s
li e an easie tas
MEET THE NEW BRUNCH! India services officers with the she hit back at the Congress party. One is creating fake nar- farmers’ interest would be hurt.
Axar can score big.
i ant asse
A
Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizo- leader’s “hum do, hamare do” ratives and second, lack of belief “[Congress] participated in the
!
HT’s iconic Sunday magazine in a ram Union Territory (AGMUT) jibe that questioned the govern- in a democratically elected Par- voting [of the Bills in the Parlia- Related story on page 25
Love, Laughter, Logic
Is the craze for streaming
content here to stay, or
A TV/filmstar & an OTT
is cinema where the real
sensation argue about their
action’s at?
common : movies!
younger, more fun avatar cadre was later passed by the ment’s intent behind three farm liamentary system,” she said. ment], gave [its] support, and
continued on →8 laws, and posed a 10-point ques- Her second question was then changed its mind...” →P2
If You Want to get these Newspapers Daily at earliest
English Newspapers»»
Indian Express, Financial Express, The Hindu, Business Line, The Times of India, The Economic Times,
Hindustan Times, Business Standard, First India, Mint, Greater Kashmir, Greater Jammu, The Himalayan,
The Tribune, Brill Express, The Sikh Times, Avenue Mail, Western Times, Millennium Post, The Statesman,
State Times, The Pioneer, Hans India, Free Press, Orissa Post, Mumbai Mirror, Mid-Day, Deccan Chronicle,
Deccan Herald, Telangana Today, Financial Times, The Asian Age, The Telegraph, Oheraldo, Gulf of Times,
The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal,
The Guardian, The Times
Hindi Newspapers»»
दै निक जागरण, राजस्थाि पत्रिका, दै निक भास्कर, ह द
िं स्
ु ताि, िवभारत टाइम्स, त्रिज़िस स्टैंडडड, अमर उजाला,पिंजाि
केसरी, उत्तम ह न्द,ू जिसत्ता, लोकसत्ता, ररभूमम, द पायिीयर,जागरूक टाइम्स, राष्ट्रीय स ारा, दै निक हरब्यूि, युवा
गोरव, भारतीय स ारा, स्विंतिंि वाताड, सीमा सिंदेश, दै निक सवेरा,एक्शि इिंडडया, मदरलैंड वॉइस, दे शििंध,ु ह माचल दस्तक,
News
{ SLUGFEST OVER BUDGET } IN LOK SABHA
8,160,518
TN, Goa, J&K, Bengal,
Odisha and J’khand VACCINE TRACKER the Government Rajiv Gandhi
Government General Hospital,
said the vaccination drive would
NEW DELHI: Finance minister Nir-
mala Sitharaman said on Satur-
day that Rahul Gandhi was
I will ask my friends to return
lands to the farmer... because we
took land cheap from them... We
among states that
started the second 317,594 VACCINATIONS ON
SATURDAY NA AEFI ON Saturday
TOTAL BENEFICIARIES VACCINATED
ACROSS INDIA
soon be extended to the public.
Only 1,154 health care workers
becoming a “doomsday man” for
India by creating fake narratives
are in politics, therefore, my fam-
ily and I have to take a stand on
LADAKH took the second dose in Tamil on various issues, as she hit back this matter and return the land.”
dose of Covid vaccine TOTAL DOSES 2ND DOSE
ON SATURDAY 2,904 0 Data as at 10pm on
Saturday; compiled from Nadu on Saturday, as opposed to at the Congress leader’s “hum do, She also referred to PM Modi’s
MEGHALAYA
JAMMU & KASHMIR HIMACHAL PRADESH 13,084 91
states based on inputs from the 3,027 beneficiaries for the humare do” jibe that questioned reply to the President’s address,
HT’s correspondents and
HT Correspondents 128,756 809 82,467 news agencies first dose. “It isn’t compulsory to the government’s intent behind wherein he quoted former PM
ASSAM take the second dose exactly on three farm laws, and posed a Nirmala Sitharaman Manmohan Singh that he also
[email protected] PUNJAB 475 127,191 2,215
CHANDIGARH the 28th day after the first dose. 10-point questionnaire-cum-re- supported such farm reforms. “I
NEW DELHI: The roll-out of the 103,930 59 ARUNACHAL PRADESH It can be taken soon after 28 days buttal on farmer’s welfare. questions to the Congress, which thought, he [Gandhi] would say
8,915 143 15,116 0
second dose of vaccines against HARYANA and also because it’s a weekend After responding to various the party would have to answer [something about]... forgetting
the coronavirus disease (Cov- UTTARAKHAND the numbers are low,” says Dr K issues raised by members of Par- in the due course. She sought an the statement of Dr Manmohan
200,672 325 NAGALAND
id-19) was off to a slow start on 108,774 11,467 0 Vinay, joint director, immunisa- liament in the Lok Sabha during answer from the opposition party Singh.... I thought he would say
Saturday, with just 7,668 benefi- DELHI 0 tion, directorate of public health a debate on the Union Budget over its “U-turn” on the farm leg- we will not dishonour Dr Man-
SIKKIM MANIPUR
ciaries receiving the second jab, 179,748 8,335 19,607 and preventive medicine. over two days, Sitharaman asked islation, which she said it sup- mohan Singh,” she said.
according to the provisional data 318 UTTAR PRADESH 0 0 In Chandigarh, only 325 peo- Gandhi why the Congress took a ported earlier. Her second ques- “While debating on Budget...
RAJASTHAN 858,602
released by the Union health GUJARAT ple were administered the sec- U-turn on farm reforms after it tion was related to the Congress’s several members raised the ques-
ministry.
609,459 0 ond dose as compared to 5,907 proposed a similar move during electoral promise of farm loan tion whether any APMC [Agricul-
676,453 0
This accounted for just about 0 on January 16 when the first the 2019 general elections. waivers in states such as Madhya tural Produce Market Commit-
4% of the over 191,000 health MADHYA PRADESH MIZORAM dose was administered. State “Shri Rahul Gandhi, when he Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattis- tee] has been closed after the
care workers who received their 526,783 11,406 0 Immunization Officer, Dr Viren- stood up [in Lok Sabha on Thurs- garh. “Karza maafi Rajasthan men three [farm] laws were enacted?
first dose on January 16, the day DAMAN & DIU, 0 TRIPURA dra Ahlawat said they will con- day]... when the foundation was nahi hua, Madhya Pradesh men They are not closed anywhere...
the nationwide roll-out of the DADRA AND 68,789 366 duct more vaccination sessions being laid [by him] for the [reply nahi hua... Chhattisgarh men bhi Prove even if one APMC mandi is
NAGAR HAVELI BIHAR
vaccination drive took place. MAHARASHTRA
489,449 0
Monday onwards and make up to the] Budget speech, which wo karza maafi nahi hua,” she shut?” “Why does he choose to
The government has set a 4,035 683,004 for the shortfall. never happened... I want to ask, said. insult constitutional authorities?”
deadline of March 1 to complete 78 0 WEST BENGAL The Goa government, too, on and I also share my expecta- Sitharaman’s third point was an she said.
the vaccination of the frontline GOA 495,845 896 Saturday started administering tions... Why the Congress party expectation from Gandhi that he Sitharaman also alleged that
workers across the country, with 12,949 0 JHARKHAND the second dose of Covid-19 vac- had taken a U-turn in its position would “order” the Punjab chief the Congress was creating “con-
a five-day period for “mop up” 216,970 1,960 cines to health care workers, [on farm reforms]... [mentioned minister not to implement the tinuously fake narratives”. She
KARNATAKA
activity to vaccinate those who 495,980 0 said state immunisation officer in its] 2019 election manifesto…,” “kala kaanun” [the three farm alleged that Gandhi never
ODISHA
might have been missed out, said 412,439 0
Dr Rajendra Borkar. Ranganath she said. “We need to recognise laws]. “I thought, he would reveal believed in the Indian govern-
joint secretary of the Union KERALA Bhojje, a health care worker these two tendencies of the Con- this in the House,” she said. ment but preferred to rely on out-
health ministry, Mandeep Bhan- 347,776 0 CHHATTISGARH from the Goa Medical College gress party. One is creating fake “When Rahul Gandhiji was siders, did “politics with a fringe
dari. For health care workers, 247,992 793 and Hospital, was the first per- narratives and second, lack of talking about the farm laws at group” and indulged in “bha-
LAKSHADWEEP
the deadline is February 20. 1,776 0 TELANGANA son to get the vaccine shot on belief in a democratically elected that time I expected that he yankar [frightful] abuse... total
The two vaccines that have 278,936 3,196 ANDAMAN January 16. He was again the Parliamentary system,” she said. would say that farmers have unacceptable terminology for con-
TAMIL NADU AND NICOBAR
been cleared for used in India – first person to get the second Gandhi said on Thursday that problems related to ‘parali’ [stub- stitutionally elected heads.” She
Covishield and Covaxin – require 247,372 PUDUCHERRY ANDHRA PRADESH 3,646 dose of the vaccine on Saturday. the three new farm laws would ble] and the Congress govern- said Gandhi indulged in “destruc-
0 5,514 0 354,868 3,434 0
that two doses be given 28 days Those who received the sec- allow corporates to buy unlim- ment in Punjab will give some tive” politics. “I’m very scared...
apart. However, as per the rec- ond dose of the vaccine will ited quantity of food grains for relief to them. But, that didn’t probably he is becoming a ‘dooms-
ommendation of the apex drug the reason for the low turnout. across India, even though the ond dose will begin in these develop immunity against the profiteering, kill the ‘mandi’ sys- happen,” she said. day man’ for India,” she said.
regulator, the doses can be taken Dr NK Arora, National Task attendance of health care work- states from Monday or early next infection after 14 days, Borkar tem, remove the Essential Com- She asked Gandhi for at least Congress MP TN Prathapan
within a window of four to six Force member on Covid-19 vac- ers remained low, according to week, another official said on said. Of the total 19,952 health modity Act (ECA) leading to one clause of the three farm laws later moved a notice for privilege
weeks. cines, said this was likely. “The officials in multiple states. condition of anonymity. Andhra workers in the state, 10,341 have hoarding, and deny judicial rem- that would demonstrate that motion against Sitharaman on her
“The second dose can be given numbers will probably pick up Among the states that started Pradesh and Telangana have not received their first dose so far, edies to farmers against corpo- farmers’ interest would be hurt. “doomsday man” remark.
any time between four and six Monday onwards,” he said. the second dose of Covid-19 vac- announced the days for the sec- while the remaining will receive rate buyers of their farm produce. “[Congress] participated in the Reacting to Sitharaman’s com-
weeks. That’s the window period With 84,807 people receiving cination were Tamil Nadu, Goa, ond dose of the vaccination. it by February 20, he added. “These laws will destroy India’s voting [of the Bills in the Parlia- ment on “hum do, humare do” slo-
that we have,” Dr VK Paul, mem- the shot on Saturday, as per pro- Jammu and Kashmir, West Ben- Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and food security system and will ment], gave [its] support, and gan, Adhir Chowdhury, Leader of
w
ber (health) of Niti Aayog previ- visional data, India crossed the 8 gal, Odisha and Jharkhand, an Serum Institute of India’ Covis- hurt rural economy,” he said. then changed its mind...,” she Congress Party in Lok Sabha, said:
ously told HT. He was one of million mark of the number of official said. hield vaccines require a two- The “hum do, humare do” added. “Immediately we stood up there
those who received the vaccine people vaccinated. No second dose of the Cov- dose schedule to be adminis- expression was used by Gandhi Referring to Prime Minister and objected to the comments of
on the day of the roll-out. He said The administration of the sec- id-19 vaccines was given in Uttar tered through the intramuscular READ: Over 8 to say that only four people were Narendra Modi’s reply to the the Finance Minister and even
he would take the second dose ond dose of Covid-19 vaccines Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharash- route. million people ruling this country, including two motion of thanks on the Presi- exhorted her that being a Finance
on Monday. started on Saturday, 28 days tra, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pra- Tamil Nadu health secretary J vaccinated so far, says the business houses. dent’s speech that enumerated Minister of India, she should not
The weekend, half-day work- after the first dose was given on desh, Madhya Pradesh and Ker- Radhakrishnan, who inspected govt as second phase begins Speaking in the House, Sithar- several measures for small farm- indulge in a such kind of unparlia-
ing at hospitals, could have been January 16, in several states ala. The process to give the sec- the administration of the second aman said she was posing 10 ers, Sitharaman said: “I thought mentary activities.”
AIMPLB moves SC on plea necessary documents should reach the undersigned latest by 30th March, 2021
upto 4.00 pm. Thereafter, no application form shall be accepted. Panjab University
shall not be responsible for any postal delay in delivery or loss in transit of Application
for uniform divorce laws Form.
Note: The admission to above mentioned programme at UBS, Panjab University
laws in force in Article 13 and Regional Centre, Ludhiana is based on Common Admission Test (CAT) 2020,
HT Correspondent conducted by IIM-Indore. NO SEPARATE ENTRANCE TEST will be conducted by
consequently, the judicial scru-
[email protected] UBS Ludhiana or Panjab University for above mentioned programme. UBS
tiny was not permissible.
Ludhiana uses CAT-2020 score only for short-listing of candidates. IIMs have no
NEW DELHI: The All India Mus- The AIMPLB further stated role either in selection process or in the conduct of the said programme.
lim Personal Law Board the laws related to marriage
Prof. Ravi Inder Singh (Hony. Director)
(AIMPLB) has moved the and divorce even among the
Supreme Court to oppose a Hindus were not uniform and
public interest litigation (PIL) thus the customs and practices
demanding uniformity in have been protected by the
divorce laws across India. Hindu Marriage Act itself. It
Seeking to be heard as a rep- sought dismissal of Upadhyay’s
resentative body of Muslims, petition “for the sake of justice.”
the board has emphasised that
since personal laws could not
be tested on the anvil of Articles
14 (right to equality), 21 (right to
life) or any other constitutional
provision, the court could not
issue judicial orders in this
regard.
In August 2020, Bharatiya
Janata Party leader and advo-
cate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay
had moved the top court, seek-
ing directions to the Centre to
take steps to remove anomalies
in divorce laws and make them
uniform for all citizens, without
any prejudice on the basis of
religion, race, cast, sex or place
of birth.
“The court may declare that
the discriminatory grounds of
divorce are violative of Articles
14, 15, 21 and frame guidelines
for ‘Uniform Grounds of
Divorce’ for all citizens,” it said.
Challenging the petition in its
plea filed through advocate MR
Shamshad, the Muslim rights
body submitted that the constit-
uent assembly had consciously
kept the personal laws outside
the ambit of the definition of
06 News
NEW DELHI
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 14, 2021
189,330
who were scheduled to receive administered my shift was from 1pm, so I shot on Saturday and only five 25-year-old Rinku Sharma has sioner of police (outer) Sudhan- the statements of his family
FIRST JABS OVER Beneficiaries
their second dose of the corona-
virus vaccine turned up to get
vaccinated
THE PAST FEW DAYS
in Delhi
1,856 decided to come in late,” said
Kumar. He also urged all eligible
health care workers in Northeast
district got a jab of the vaccines.
been transferred to their crime
branch that will look into the
shu Dhama did not comment on
Saturday’s mob attack at the sus-
members, eyewitnesses, and
other people related to the case.
the jab on Saturday, even as the people to get the vaccine, and As per the centre’s directions, allegations levelled by his family pect’s house despite multiple It will also examine all the video
43% turnout rate in the Capital said the jab had no side-effects the immunisation of healthcare members and the local police’s attempts. footage pertaining to the crime.
far exceeded the overall turnout FIRST DOSES OVER 4,319 on him. workers will end on February 20 theory that the crime was a Five persons, identified as On Friday, the police had said
across the country on the day. Targeted Dr Sandeep Nayyar, head of and that of frontline workers on result of personal enmity. Mohammad Danish,36, Moham- that Sharma and the accused
Across India, only 4% of those THE PAST FEW DAYS for 2nd the centre for chest medicine at March 1. Five days after each Sharma, who worked as a lab mad Islam,45, Zahid,26, were known to each other for a
who received the shot on Janu- dose on BL Kapur hospital, was first in deadline will be allotted for mop technician at a private hospital, Mohammad Mehtab,20, and long time, and had got into a
ary 16, when the inoculation
Saturday 11,912 Saturday
line to get his second shot of Cov- up to give the shots to those who was stabbed while returning Tajuddin,39, have been arrested fight at a party over the shutting
drive kicked off, turned up for id-19 vaccine on Saturday. might have missed it. After this, home from a birthday party on in the case, even as Sharma’s down of a mutual friend’s res-
the second dose of the vaccine
Friday 14,843 “I experienced no adverse immunisation of those over the Wednesday night. family members have alleged taurant.
on Saturday, according to provi- events after either shot and con- age of 50 will begin. The murder of the 25-year-old that five-six more persons were The row escalated and
sional data shared by the Union Thursday 15,807 tinued my day as usual. I will “There is a lot of messages had taken communal colours on involved in the killing. Sharma was stabbed on Wednes-
health ministry. urge everyone to get the vaccine going around among doctors Friday, with some leaders from “We are happy that the case day night. Sharma’s family
With 1,856 people getting the so that we do not have to go and other health care workers the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been transferred to the members have, however, main-
second shot, Delhi accounted for tendent of Dr Ram Manohar onwards. through what we did in 2020. that the immune response is bet- stating on social media that crime branch. Local police coop- tained that some of the accused
over 24% of the 7,668 second Lohia hospital, where 247 people Among those who did receive However, getting the vaccine ter when the doses are given 12 Sharma was collecting money erated with us but they could not had fought with him last August
doses administered, as per the received the shot in comparison the second shot of the vaccine on does not mean that people stop weeks apart. This is the reason for construction of the Ram have solved this case. At least a because of his links with Hindu
provisional data. In the Capital, to 319 the day before. Saturday was 34-year-old Man- following the precautions as it many might want to wait till the Mandir in Ayodhya. dozen people were involved in groups.
4,319 were slated to get a second Dr Rana himself missed the ish Kumar, a sanitation worker will still take a long time to six week cut-off to get the shot. The tension that has gripped my brother’s (Rinku) murder, Some leaders from the BJP —
dose of the vaccine on Saturday. second dose as he was in a kid- from the All India Institute of immunise everyone,” he said. Some might be scared of adverse the neighbourhood since, con- but only five were arrested. We including Kapil Mishra and
Even then, administration ney transplant surgery. Medical Sciences (AIIMS), who On Saturday, in addition to reactions as there could be more tinued on Saturday with a group hope the crime branch will do a Delhi unit chief Adesh Gupta —
officials attributed the low turn- “It is a very delicate surgery was the first person in the the 1,856 people who received reactogenecity during the sec- of people allegedly attacking the fair investigation” said Mannu had said on social media on Fri-
out in Delhi to the weekend, and and I did not want to take the national capital to get a jab of a the second dose of the vaccine, ond dose,” said Dr Suneela Garg, house of one of the suspects Sharma. day that Sharma was collecting
the fact that hospitals were open vaccine before it, because of the Covid-19 vaccine, on the day the 11,912 people received their first professor of community medi- despite deployment of extra On Saturday, a crime branch money for construction of the
for only half the day. slightest possibility that I might immunisation programme shots. The total on Saturday, cine at Maulana Azad Medical security personnel to prevent team, along with forensic Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Mishra
“Today, fewer vaccinations develop a fever or any other side began. 13,768, was lower than the 14,843 College. any untoward incidents. experts, visited the crime scene, even linked the killing to the col-
happened in total at the centre, effects. By the time I was done “When I had gone to the vacci- people who were administered No adverse events following The family of Sharma on Sat- lifted evidence, and met lection drive, as posts demand-
largely because it is a Saturday, with the surgery the vaccination nation centre on the first day, vaccine doses on Friday, and immunisation(AEFI) were urday also refuted Delhi Police’s Sharma’s family members. ing “justice” for Sharma gained
when many of our employees centre had closed,” he said. everybody I spoke to wanted to 15,807 the day before that. reported in people who got their theory of the murder having According to Mannu, the crime traction through the day. Gupta
have their weekly off or leave the The number of people who wait for Dr Randeep Guleria (the Among those who received second shot on Saturday and six happened over personal enmity, branch officials took names of and party MP Hans Raj Hans
hospital by mid-day,” said Dr AK receive the second dose of the AIIMS director) to get the shot. the first shot of the vaccine, AEFI were reported among and stated that Sharma had a tiff the persons involved in his also visited Sharma’s house, as
Singh Rana, medical superin- vaccine is likely to go up Monday But I went ahead and said I around 30% were health care those who got the first shot. with the arrested persons last brother’s murder from his fam- did AAP MLA Rakhi Birla.
{ } { THE CROSSWORDS }
2 YEARS AFTER Athar’s son Umar Farooq and benefit the nation,” Shah said. state was downgraded. The DISENGAGEMENT AT
PULWAMA, INTERPOL JeM commander Kamran (both He wondered what the ruling decision was against the will of PANGONG TSO SET TO CRYPTIC CLUES PUZZLE 15845 © Gemini Crosswords 2018 All rights reserved
ISSUES NOTICES killed in encounters with secu- NDA’s predecessors, who were people of J&K…The home min- CONCLUDE BY FRIDAY
will review Pakistan’s actions to rity forces) and one Ismail, alias now asking questions about ister should now fix a time line eastern sectors. ACROSS
counter terror financing amid Saifullah, are the three others development in the region, had for the restoration of state- According to the ministry of 1 Runs at twice the speed? (7)
5 Precise demand (5)
signs that Islamabad is yet to on whom information will be done for J&K since Independ- hood,” Monga said. defence, the two sides will dis-
8 I must mix mid-Atlantic alcoholic drink (9)
completely implement the mul- sought. ence. Back in the Lok Sabha, Shah cuss the disengagement in the
9 She comes from Nevada (3)
tilateral watchdog’s action plan. The Letter Rogatory request Shah also stressed that the said work on two All India Insti- Gogra-Hot Springs area and the 10 Wine from a cask (4)
The crucial plenary meeting has been approved by the minis- panchayati raj system was in tute of Medical Sciences Depsang bulge after the Pang- 12 Found to have arrived (6,2)
during February 22-25 will take try of home affairs and will be place in J&K after the Article (AIIMS) in the region had ong Tso withdrawal is com- 14 Actors show they have star potential (6)
a final call on Pakistan, which is sent to Islamabad in next two 370 move and cited the success- begun, and the Kashmir Valley pleted to ensure peace and 15 Cut by a quarter? That’s serious (6)
in FATF’s “grey list”. weeks, said a second official. ful conduct of local polls. “Even will be connected to the rail- tranquillity along the 1,597km 17 Girl thought to be like Queen Victoria? (8)
The fresh Interpol notices In a 13,500-page charge sheet our rivals could not allege any ways by 2022. He said the gov- Line of Actual Control in the 18 Finish the roadwork (4)
against Azhar and Rauf are in filed in August 2020, NIA said wrongdoing in these polls, ernment expected that around Ladakh sector. 21 Sign the French love (3)
addition to the red notices Azhar’s nephew Farooq, a which were conducted fairly 25,000 government jobs will be While Indian security plan- 22 The prime minister is pleased to gain
issued against them previously highly skilled Afghanistan- and peacefully,” he said. created in J&K by next year. ners are satisfied with the dis- weight (9)
— for their role in the attack on trained improvised explosive “Now people chosen by the The home minister also gave engagement after nearly 10 24 An air of simplicity (5)
25 Show place (7)
Indian Parliament in 2001 as device (IED) maker, executed masses will rule Jammu and the assurance to the people of months of eyeball-to-eyeball
well as the deadly attack on the the suicide bombing on the Kashmir, not those born to J&K that “no one will lose their confrontation, they are aware
Pathankot air base in 2016. Rauf morning of February 14, 2019, kings and queens,” Shah added, land” and that the government that the disengagement does DOWN
has another Interpol red notice when a CRPF convoy was mov- launching a scathing criticism had sufficient land for develop- not mean peace on its own. 1 Measures intended to do good (5)
against him for hijacking Indian ing on national highway in Pul- of “three families” that domi- ment works. According to them, both sides 2 Touring centre in Switzerland (3)
3 A number of us scowl (4)
Airlines’s Flight IC-814 in 1999, wama. nated politics in J&K for long. Replying to All India Majlis- will have to go back to their
4 Unusually astute piece of work by an QUICK CLUES
which forced the government to “Since the Pulwama attack, He did not name any party in e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) bases prior to April 2020 all artist (6)
release Azhar and two other ter- many of these high-profile ter- this context, but was apparently president Asaduddin Owaisi, along the 3,488km LAC to 5 Once was inclined to be lengthy (8) ACROSS DOWN
rorists (Mushtaq Zargar and rorist commanders have gone referring to the Congress, the Shah said the decision to restore ensure that there is no further 6 It makes a change (9) 1 Lachrymose (7) 1 Bulbous flowering plant (5)
Omar Sheikh) in exchange of under the radar in Pakistan and National Conference (NC) and 4G services in the region last military confrontation. “Disen- 5 Long-legged wading bird (5) 2 Intention (3)
7 Take steps to keep down (7) 8 Glare of publicity (9) 3 People (4)
about 150 passengers on board. haven’t been seen publicly as the Peoples Democratic Party week after 18 months was not gagement is only step one to 11 Look round for a way to throw a 9 Joke (3) 4 Roman army unit (6)
“Azhar and his brother live part of Pakistan’s strategy to (PDP). taken under pressure of any for- the entire process, with peace fight (4,5) 10 Ground-breaking tool (4) 5 Get along well (3,2,3)
freely in Pakistan despite killing show to the international com- Prime Minister Narendra eign government. and tranquillity a long way off,” 13 Have a fast time (2,6) 12 Computer programs (8) 6 Complicated procedure (9)
14 Joined up with the company at the 14 South American grassy plains (6) 7 Uncared-for state (7)
hundreds of innocent peo- munity that the terrorists aren’t Modi lauded Shah’s address and “…The (Congress-led) United said a senior military com- 15 Exertion (6) 11 Club’s governing body (9)
front (7)
ple…they are globally desig- active in its jurisdiction. As soon also praised finance minister Progressive Alliance govern- mander. 16 Possibly tread about quietly and 17 Offspring (8) 13 Ship’s biscuit (4,4)
nated wanted terrorists and as the global scrutiny subsides, Nirmala Sitharaman’s “compre- ment is gone. This is Narendra Although the disengagement leave (6) 18 Steering apparatus (4) 14 An ocean (7)
have three to four Interpol red these terrorist commanders will hensive” reply in the Lok Sabha Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party is being verified through satel- 21 In good health (3) 16 Colorado state capital (6)
19 Firearm part (5) 22 Opponent (9) 19 Possibly (5)
notices pending against them. be back, operating openly,” to a discussion on the Union government. The nation makes lite imagery each day, the big- 20 Marine detachment (4) 24 Verify (5) 20 Forbidding (4)
Pakistan must arrest them and Sameer Patil , fellow at the Budget. “A wonderful speech by it decisions. Parliament makes ger worry for the Indian Army 23 Gout doesn’t start abroad (3) 25 Compunction (7) 23 Express publicly (3)
hand them over to India,” said a International Security Studies Home Minister Shri Amit Shah its decisions. No one can pres- is the attitude of the PLA west-
counterterrorism official, Programme at Gateway House, in the Lok Sabha. Extensive in sure us,” he said. ern theatre commander when FRIDAY’S SOLUTIONS (15844)
requesting anonymity. said. detail and rich in content, it Authorities restricted the 4G summer military exercises are { SUDOKU } DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Under FATF pressure, Paki- highlights our efforts for services to buy some time and held in Tibet and Xinjiang
CRYPTIC
stan issued an arrest warrant SHAH ON J&K Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh,” make sure rumours were not region between March and
against Azhar last month, STATEHOOD he tweeted. being spread (after the Article June.
acknowledging officially for the Lok Sabha by a voice vote. The In Kashmir, Shah’s remarks 370 move), Shah added. The PLA deployment across
first time his presence in its ter- bill has already been green- drew sharp reactions. “HM’s Criticising Owaisi, he said the the Karakoram pass in Xiadul-
ritory. But Indian counterter- lighted by the Rajya Sabha. It allegations that J&K was run by AIMIM leader was creating a lah has not changed and the
rorism officials call it “total eye- replaces an ordinance issued three families pales in compari- divide between Hindu and Mus- same stands for deployment
wash”. last month. son to the country being run by lim officers. Participating in the across the Daulet Beg Oldi sec-
“The JeM chief has not even “I am piloting the bill. I have ‘hum do humaray do’,” former discussion earlier, Owaisi said tor. It is for this very reason
been charged under terror laws introduced it...Don’t impose chief minister and PDP presi- the bill will further alienate that the Indian Army has
in Pakistan despite India shar- your apprehensions on the peo- dent Mehbooba Mufti said on Muslims and Kashmir. He also adopted a trust-but-verify
ing massive evidence in all these ple of J&K…This bill has noth- Twitter, referring to Congress sought to know about the num- approach as a military flare-up
QUICK
attacks. The court warrant is to ing to do with J&K statehood. leader Rahul Gandhi’s charge ber of youngsters from the Val- is not ruled out due to the
show before the FATF plenary The region will be granted state- that the country was being run ley arrested under the Public aggression of local PLA com-
that some action is happening,” hood at an appropriate time,” by and for four people. Security Act (PSA). manders on the ground.
the official quoted above said. Shah told the Opposition that NC spokesperson Imran Dar Congress floor leader Adhir
FATF president Marcus has spoken out against the said the government gave no Ranjan Chowdhury said local
Pleyer last year cautioned Paki- move to nullify Article 370. reason behind downgrading the officers should be posted in J&K
stan that it would not be given a Targeting opposition parties, erstwhile state to a UT. “Even and accused the Centre of nulli-
chance “forever” to address out-
standing issues and that
repeated failure to deliver on
especially the Congress, he said
Article 370 was a temporary
provision but they continued
now they gave no justification
as to why they are delaying the
return to statehood. At the same
fying Article 370 “without prep-
aration”. “This government is
facing a trust deficit there.
A TWTW THE WEEK THAT WAS
Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and
each of the 9X9 squares contains all the digits from 1 to 9.
the action plan would result in a with it for 70 years for the sake time, the disempowerment of There is a lot of trust deficit and
country being put in the “black of “vote bank politics” before J&K continues…They are bring- I suggest that posting local offi- ANSWERS
list”. Pleyer also said Pakistan the Modi government nullified ing legislation after legislation cers to the largest extent will be 1. INS Viraat { WEATHER } TEMPERATURE IN
ALMANAC
had fully complied with 21 of 27 it on August 5, 2019, and bifur- to disempower the state,” he good for Jammu and Kashmir 2. Virat Kohli TEMPERATURE HIGH LOW Today is FOUR METROS
14th February 2021 Delhi
points in the action plan. cated J&K into two Union Terri- said of the move to merge the administration,” he said. 3. A necktie 1 Rajab 1442
●
28°c I 12°c
As reported by HT on Decem- tories – J&K with a legislative J&K cadre with the AGMUT Shah later explained that 4. Kangana Ranaut ● Magha,
Shukla Paksha, 3 Mumbai
ber 12, India has also prepared a assembly and Ladakh without cadre. states such as Mizoram, Goa 5. Coca-Cola SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY ● Samvat 2077
30°c I 20°c
formal judicial request, or Let- one. J&K Congress vice-president and Arunachal Pradesh are part 6. Bittu Very dense fog Dense fog Moderate fog
Sunset: Sunday
at 06:10 p.m. Kolkata
ter Rogatory, seeking informa- “Who pressured you to con- Ghulam Nabi Monga said the of the AGMUT cadre and the 7. Bumble Sunrise: Monday
at 06:59 a.m. 30°c I 19°c
tion on Azhar, Rauf, Athar and tinue with it for years?...This government never consulted Opposition’s concerns on the 8. Women driving Moonrise: Monday
Chennai
Alvi, and three Pakistani nation- government does not believe in people before doing away with bill were unfounded. 9. Denmark at 09:14 a.m.
30°c I 22°c
als who came to India to exe- vote bank politics. This govern- the statehood. “It had never 10. Bhimbetka, MP 28°c I 12°c 29°c I 11°c 30°c I 11°c Moonset: Monday
at 09:31 p.m.
cute the Pulwama attack. ment takes decisions that will happened in the history that a (with agency inputs)
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
(ORIGINAL COMPANY JURISDICTION)
IN THE MATTER OF COMPANIES ACT, 1956
In Fond Remembrance of
PUBLIC NOTICE
SECTION 529, 529A AND 530 OF COMPANIES ACT, 1956
Notice is hereby given to the workmen’s/secured creditors/unsecured
creditors and other creditors of the above named company in terms of
order of the Hon’ble High Court passed on 27.03.2019 and they are
Ban on sharp synthetic/nylon kite flying thread including required to submit to the Official Liquidator, attached to the Hon’ble
High Court of Delhi to prove their respective investments/claims against
popularly known “Chinese Manjha” the above said company by delivering the same at the office of Official
Liquidator on or before 14.03.21 or sending by post to the Official
Mrs. BANITA TALWAR
18.09.1954 - 14.02.2011
Liquidator so as to reach at the office of the Official Liquidator, Delhi
This is for the information of the general public that in order to prevent the adverse effects not later than the aforesaid date along with an affidavit in support of Is Heaven a Physician?
their investments/claims on a Non-Judicial Stamp Paper in Form No.
on human beings, cattle population, birds, soil and ecology and in exercise of the powers 66 of the Companies (Courts) Rules, 1959, along with photocopy of
They say that He can heal -
But Medicine
conferred by section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) read with original documents proving their investments/claims and any title to
priority under Section 529, 529A & 530 of the Companies Act, 1956. Posthumous is unavailable
Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs’ Notification No. SO 667 (E), dated 10th Any Workman/Secured Creditor/Unsecured Creditor to the above said – (Emily Dickinson)
company who fails to submit his/her affidavit or proof of his/her debt
September, 1992, a Notification was issued on 10.01.2017 by order and in the name of within the aforesaid time limit will be excluded from the benefits of any
Fondly remembered
& missed by:
entitlement before his/her investments/claims is proved or as the case
the Hon’ble Lt. Governor of the NCT of Delhi with the following directions:- may be from objection to such entitlement.
D.P. Talwar
& Family Members
Any workman/secured creditor/unsecured creditor to the above said
1. There shall be complete ban on the sale, production, storage, supply, import, and company who has sent his/her proof, if so, required by notice in writing
from the Official Liquidator, Delhi shall either in person or, by his/her
use of kite flying thread made out of nylon, plastic or any other synthetic material advocate attend the investigation of such debt or claim at such time and
place as shall be specified in such notice and shall produce such further
including popularly known as “Chinese manja” and any other kite-flying thread evidence of his/her debt or claim as may be required.
that is sharp or made sharp such as by being laced with glass, metal or any other Visit website www.delhiol.gov.in & www.mca.gov.in for downloading
Form no. 66 of the Companies (Court) Rules 1959.
sharp materials in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Dated this 14th day of February 2021. (D. K. SINGH)
OFFICIAL LIQUIDAOTR
2. Kite flying shall be permissible only with a cotton thread, free from any sharp/ ATTACHED TO HON’BLE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Unforgettable
8th FLOOR, A WING, LOK NAYAK BHAWAN
metallic/glass components/adhesives/thread strengthening materials. davp 07104/11/0006/2021 KHAN MARKET, NEW DELHI-110003
Any breach of the above directions may be reported to the office of the following:
S. Designation Email ID Helpline State Water And Sanitation Mission
No. Number Jal Jeevan Mission, Chhattisgarh
1. The Commissioner of Police, [email protected] 100 EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)
Name of Work : Rate Contract for Item of Works Under
Delhi Police
Jal Jeevan Mission, PHED, Chhattisgarh
2. The Divisional Commissioner, [email protected] 1077 EOI-03/Dated 10.02.2021/System No. 71531
GNCTD On behalf of Mission Director, JJM Chhattisgarh, The Chief Engineer,
Public Health Engineering Department Raipur Zone, Raipur invites
3. The Chief Wildlife Warden, [email protected] 1800118600 Expression of Interest (EOI) from the contractors registered in “Any of
the Class - A, B, C, D, E” in the unified registration system of Government
GNCTD of Chhattisgarh, for fixation of rate contract for the works of :-
4. The Commissioner, North [email protected] 155304 Probable amount of cost of work :- 2218.50 Lakhs, details of works
are as under :-
Delhi Municipal Corporation Name of Work :-
Fluoride Removal Plant (for the works in water quality affected
5. The Commissioner, South [email protected] 155305 areas, as interim measures)- Providing, installation and
Delhi Municipal Corporation commissioning of Solar based Electro-de-fluoridation plants of
153 Nos. as CWPPs; in different villages of Chhattisgarh State for
6. The Commissioner, East Delhi [email protected] 155303 rural water supply schemes.
The above said proposed under Jal Jeevan Mission to be
Municipal Corporation implemented by Mission Director, JJM, State Water and Sanitation
Mission (SWSM), PHED, Chhattisgarh. Schedule of Date- Bid
Note: The violation of directions issued under the section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Start Date- 15.02.2021, Pre Bid Date- 19.02.2021, Bid Due Date-
27.02.2021, PHY Sub Date- 02.03.2021, Open Date- 03.03.2021.
Act, 1986, or the rules made thereunder shall be punishable under section 15 of the said The detailed EOI Document will be available in the e-procurement
Act which includes imprisonment upto five years and/or with fine which may be extended to portal https://eproc.cgstate.gov.in on 15-02-2021 from 10.30 onwards.
Bids are to be submitted online in the portal https://eproc.cgstate.
Rs. One Lac or with both. gov.in on or before 17:30 hrs of 27.02.2021, In no case manual EOI will
be entertained.
(Dr. M.L. Agrawal)
The avove said NOTIFICATION is available at: www.environment.delhigovt.nic.in Engineer-in-Chief
Public Health Engineering Department,
Dr. K. S. Jayachandran and Member Secretary
State Water & Sanitation Mission
DIP/Shabdarth/0544/20-21 Special Secretary (Env.) G-87037/8 Executive Committee, Chhattisgarh, Raipur
10 News
NEW DELHI
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 14, 2021
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skirts of Hyderabad, adding that However, during probe police
the 19-year-old woman fabri-
PARENTS AND found that the woman’s state-
cated the story because she ‘LEAVE THE HOUSE’, ment was in contradiction to the
wanted to “mislead” her parents POLICE SAID evidence they found, the police
and “leave their house”. commissioner said. “We exam-
On Thursday, police officials ities. “She was not abducted. We ined the footage obtained from
said the woman’s mother found that it was a false case CCTV cameras which showed
reached out to the police and after a thorough investigation that the woman got down at the
said that she received a call from and gathering of evidence,” next stop from her actual desti-
her daughter saying she was Rachakonda police commis- nation, walked for about four
being abducted. sioner Mahesh Bhagawat said. kilometres towards Yamnampet
A police team began search- In her statement to the police, and then boarded another auto
ing for the woman and eventu- the woman said that she left col- to reach Annojiguda, from
ally found her in a state of semi- lege at 6:30pm and boarded an where she called her mother
consciousness in a bush in auto to reach her home, roughly stating that she was kidnapped,”
Annojiguda, about 20 km from 4km away. She said that two Bhagawat said.
the state capital. At that time, other men boarded the auto, “She confessed that due to
police said that an auto diver and which she said did not stop at family issues she wanted to leave
his three accomplices allegedly RLR Nagar, where she was sup- her house. Later, due to police
attempted to abduct, gang rape posed to get down. According to involvement, she panicked and
and murder the 19-year-old but her, the auto finally stopped at out of fear weaved a false story,”
failed after she resisted her Yamnampet village, roughly the police said in an official
attackers and alerted the author- 6km from where she had started. statement.
Growth is
not just about chasing success.
It’s also about learning from failures.
Growth is...On.
Follow us:
livemint www.livemint.com
NEW DELHI
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 14, 2021 My India 11
Road crashes increase household FORMER DU PROF
SAIBABA TESTS
poverty in India: World Bank report COVID +VE IN JAIL
$
Anisha Dutta minister Nitin Gadkari on Sat- household income after a NAGPUR: Former Delhi Univer-
urday, highlights the dispro- crash. About 40% of women sity professor G N Saibaba, who
[email protected]
portionate impact of a road reported a change in their is serving life term in Nagpur
NEW DELHI: More than 75% of crash on poor households that working patterns post-crash, Central Prison for alleged Maoist
poor households in India pushes them into a vicious while around 11% reported tak- links, has tested Covid positive, a
reported a decline in their cycle of poverty and debt. ing up extra work to deal with jail official said on Saturday.
income as a result of a road Post-crash impact among the financial crisis. Along with him, three other
traffic crash and the financial low income households is “The report is an eye- inmates were also found to have
loss to them amounted to more severe compared to high opener... for the government. contracted the infection, he said.
$
#
more than seven months’ income households with inci- Each death is precious, Saibaba’s wife requested the
' !
household income, while it
was equivalent to less than one
dence of fatality among poor
households as high as 44% in
whether it is from a poor fam-
ily or a rich family. Institu-
Maharashtra government that
he be released on parole and
' ! &
month’s household income for
rich households, a World Bank
rural areas compared to 11.6%
in urban areas, the report
tional reforms are very much
needed, and it is very impor-
shifted to a private hospital. “He
will be taken for a CT scan and
report released on Saturday
stated.
noted. The report also brings
out the sharp rural-urban
tant to have a streamlined and
robust and accessible legal,
other tests, after which doctors
will decide whether to shift him
The report titled “Traffic divide and the disproportion- insurance and health care eco- to a hospital,” jail superintend-
Crash Injuries and Disabilities: ate impact on women. About system,” Gadkari said. ent Anup Kumre said. PTI
The Burden on Indian Society”, 50% women were severely
released by union transport affected by the decline in their
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Reflections
{ CHANAKYA }
O
ver the past week, Prime Minis- started with Indira Gandhi’s return to power nomic freedom even while the old State-sup- var. The message will also have much ideology”, indicates that the nationalist dis- and woo the weaker segments.
ter (PM) Narendra Modi spoke in 1980, continued under Rajiv Gandhi, wit- ported structure of mandis and minimum greater traction if support for business is not course will continue to be a part of the politi- The recognition of Punjab’s sensitivity and
in Parliament thrice — while nessed preparatory work under the VP Singh support prices would remain. seen as support for a certain set of “national cal toolkit. In the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Sikh contribution to nation-building stems
responding to the discussion on and Chandrashekhar governments, and then This political message is also significant champions”, the private sector at large is ideological lexicon, nationalism has often from the awareness that India cannot afford
the motion of thanks to the got a boost under the PV Narasimha Rao- for the budget has laid out an ambitious priv- seen to grow, and growth does not lead to been, externally, directed against Pakistan to alienate a large minority in a border state.
President’s address in the Lok Manmohan Singh duo in 1991. atisation agenda — including of public sector inequality, but is accompanied with equity. and, internally, assumed a majoritarian col- The effort to reach out to Opposition leaders
Sabha and Rajya Sabha and bidding farewell But no political leader till then was willing banks — which is bound to provoke resist- The need to sustain a multi-class compact is our. This will stay. But, in addition, be pre- — be it Sharad Pawar or Azad — and the
to retiring Rajya Sabha members, particu- to own the reforms — even Rao had to frame ance from unions and the Opposition. But clearly recognised, for in all government pared for stronger rhetoric against the West, emphasis on how the government is flexibile
larly Leader of the Opposition in the Upper it as a continuation of Jawaharlal Nehru’s PM Modi has clearly decided that the next speeches through the week, the focus on wel- especially if there is a pushback by human and there is room to improve laws was an
House, Ghulam Nabi Azad. The speeches legacy to neutralise the opposition within his generation reforms cannot be held back any- fare schemes and pro-poor initiatives also rights, Left and liberal groups against what is effort to challenge the image of being
throw up a broad outline of PM Modi’s new party. And that is why while India has pro- more — and that he will politically own it and remained a part of the narrative. perceived as India’s democratic backsliding. undemocratic and show that the PM is will-
political narrative, the areas of focus for the ceeded, in terms of policy, with enabling the attempt to convert it into an asset rather than The second, related, pillar of the PM’s The PM knows well the need to remain ing to listen to diverse views. At the same
government, and the possible political fault- rise of the private sector and cutting back, fear the political costs associated with it. speech is nationalism. But this nationalism engaged with the developed democracies in time, the clear attack on the Congress for its
lines ahead. partly, on the role of the State in enterprises There remain legitimate concerns that Aat- now has both an economic subtext in the the West, but the idea of a “foreign hand” alleged inconsistency, and the coinage of the
There is no doubt that PM Modi is an where it doesn’t have a role, at the ideological manirbhar Bharat could lead to a return to form of a self-reliant India — playing on destabilising or weakening India will be con- term “andolanjeevis”, indicates that the PM
effective communicator — not just in mass level, there remains a distrust of capital and insular policies and, even if partly, delink Indian pride about becoming more autono- stantly articulated too to rally the domestic will fight and fight hard against both the
meetings and election rallies, but in the big business. Indeed, it was this political fear India from global trading networks. But the mous across sectors or encouraging domes- base. principal Opposition and segments of civil
House too, which requires a more calibrated of being seen as close to capital that led to PM’s speeches indicate that even if this hap- tic alternatives to foreign platforms — and an And finally, the PM appears to have society.
approach and a mix of asserting one’s posi- PM Modi retracting from his reform trajec- pens, on the domestic front, there will be no emotive appeal in the form of rhetoric decided that he will adopt both a conciliatory How the Opposition responds to this new
tion, engaging with the Opposition in a more tory after Rahul Gandhi’s “suit-boot ki return to the past — and instead, a liberal against critical foreign interventions. and confrontational approach with those Modi narrative — based on reforms, welfare,
conversational tone, and lacing one’s speech sarkar” jibe in his first term and adopting a economic agenda, focused on boosting com- The fact that the ministry of external opposing him. His emphasis on the purity of nationalism, with a mix of flexibility and
with wit and one-liners. Given his natural strong welfarist avatar. petitiveness and private sector, will stay. affairs chose to issue a statement in response the farm movement was an attempt to aggression — will determine India’s future
oratory skills, the PM should speak in Parlia- But at a time when the country is seeing How this plays out is to be seen, for there to global celebrities tweeting in solidarity directly reach out to farmers; his focus on political trajectory.
ment more often, for it will provide the the biggest mass movement in recent history, will remain strong opposition to these initia- with the farm protests, and the PM warned small farmers was an attempt to showcase
nation a sense of his line of thinking, ration- and the Opposition has centred its attacks on tives, including from within the Sangh Pari- against the perils of a “foreign destructive the diversity within farming communities [email protected]
Culture needs more dumping it in the open, which often meant their crucial climate summit in Glasgow in
on the banks of rivers or on the beds of September. Significantly, in view of the
streams. budget’s emphasis on reviving GDP growth,
The scientific community is still carefully the review looks beyond that as a measure
government support studying whether the Chamoli disaster was of economic growth, and suggests new
caused by an avalanche of snow, a land- tools for measuring biodiversity and con-
slide, or a glacier lake, which burst its servation efforts. It calls for “rebalancing
banks. But what is certain is that it is fur- our demand of nature’s goods and services
ulture occupies prime space in our scheme for scholarships and pensions, has ther evidence that we are not taking into and its capacity to supply them”.
C political imagination and enriches been cut to half, from ₹310 crore in 2018–19
our daily lives in myriad ways. But to ₹168 crore in 2021–22. Of the ₹310 crore
how much of this sentiment has got allocated, only ₹202 crore was spent. Fur-
translated into government support for ther, the number of beneficiaries is minus-
culture? The budget offers a window into cule. In 2016–17, 283 scholars were selected
account the possible impact on nature
development.
While the Himalayas may be the abode
when we draw up plans for economic of the Gods, the review points out that
nature is our home and tells us “good eco-
The 2021-22 Union Budget will increase nomics demands that we manage it better”.
the pressure on the government to ignore The Himalayas have reminded us how
State priorities. Allocations for the minis- for the Award of Young Artistes and only the concerns of nature. It is heavily focused urgently India needs to improve its house-
try of culture (MoC) announced ₹4,000 per month pension was on investments in infrastructure, especially keeping.
in this year stand at ₹2,688 provided to 3,133 artistes. The roads and railways, which the finance min-
crore, ₹461 crore less than last 2018 PSC report found these ister, Nirmala Sitharaman, hopes will The views expressed are personal
year. This 15% reduction comes numbers disappointing, given The immediate need is for the artistic community to unequivocally pursue its right
on top of a 30% mid-year down-
ward revision of the culture
budget for last year.
Padmapriya
the country’s vast artistic com-
munity and recommended
increasing coverage, but MoC
to public spending on culture and cultivate the political and administrative will for
the same. For, it is the State that has to be the primary patron of the arts SHUTTERSTOCK
A
l
This apathy towards culture, remained non-committal. been attributed to the absence of a com- This makes one wonder as to what pre- { SUNDAY LETTERS }
reflected in low levels of public Janakiraman Similarly, allocations to prehensive cultural directory — if we do vents the government from encouraging
spending, is not surprising. academies have been stagnant not know who we are spending for, how spending on culture through CSR, NCF and Gender and the city Farm protests: The world has the right to comment
Over the years, regardless of the around ₹350 crore, and fell this will we know how much to spend. To this other measures. This is with reference to With reference to Chanakya’s The global scrutiny of
ruling dispensation, the will to year to ₹341 crore. They are also end, an ambitious cultural mapping mis- As in other sectors, the pandemic has Lalita Panicker’s Make Indian democracy (February 7), I think there is nothing
support the sector has been ridden with vacancies — out of sion was launched in 2015 with an outlay adversely impacted art and culture, but public transport safe for wrong in people from other countries debating and
declining. Actual expenditure 878 posts, 262 were vacant as of ₹3,000 crore. Six years later, the exercise only more severely. Many art forms and women (Engender, commenting on what is happening in India. In a
by MoC, as a percentage of GDP, on March 31, 2020. Besides poor has failed to take off — out of ₹43 crore practices are on the verge of extinction or February 7). While globalised world that is obsessed with social media,
has reduced from a mere 0.017% resource provisions, the func- allocated, only ₹1 crore has been utilised. decay as they have been languishing over designing public this is the new normal. It’s time Indians and the
in 2010-11 to 0.012% in 2019-20. Maansi tioning of these akademies has Efforts to identify artistes across the coun- decades for want of resources. The imme- transport, policymakers government get used to this.
This alarming trend was invited the ire of various com- try were supposedly abandoned due to diate need is for the artistic community to need to have a gendered Joyjeet Mukherjee, via email
flagged by the Parliamentary Verma mittees. The PSC in in 2013 and lack of IT and administrative support. unequivocally pursue its right to public understanding of
Standing Committee (PSC) on a high-powered committee in The government, beyond its own bud- spending on culture and cultivate the polit- travelling patterns and
Culture in 2020, when it noted 2014 noted multiple points that getary allocations, also has the reach to ical and administrative will for the same. behaviour trends. These II
that with inflation factored in, there is nil needed resolution — lack of synergy create fund-attracting conditions for the For, it is the government that has to be the can help in designing and While the world has the right to comment on the
growth in allocations made to MoC in the between institutions; need for a grievance sector. MoC, in the ongoing budget session, primary enabler and patron of the arts — implementing more farmers protests, it’s time the agitating agriculturists
last five years. redressal body to tackle institutional com- reported that Corporate Social Responsi- no culture has survived without it. equitable policies and went back home and reassessed the government’s offer.
Tracing just one of the mandates of MoC plaints; and delays in disbursing scholar- bility (CSR) spend dropped from ₹306 efficient means of This kind of long-drawn-out protest will not lead to any
— promotion of arts through fellowships ships. Most of these recommendations crore in 2016–17 to ₹48 crore in 2019–20. Padmapriya Janakiraman leads Sahapedia’s mobility for women. solutions.
and various akademies — demonstrates were either ignored or shot down by MoC, Further, the National Culture Fund (NCF), cultural mapping project. Rohit Dubey, via email R. Sharma, via email
the dismal status of spending. The Kala with insufficient explanations. set up to enable private participation in Maansi Verma is a researcher with Sahapedia
Sanskriti Vikas Yojana, an umbrella One of the reasons for policy gaps has cultural preservation, has been dormant. The views expressed are personal Write to us at: [email protected]
R. N. I. No. DELENG/2002/07317 ● Postal Reg. No. DL(ND)-11/6059/2018-19-20 ‘Licensed to post without prepayment’ LICENCE No. U(C)-249/2012-14 Air surcharge: Raipur and beyond by Rail or Road - Re 5/-, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Hyderabad, Khajuraho, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and beyond by Rail or Road - Rs. 10/
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Hercule Poirot many books codifying the tenets chaos that surrounds us. The problem is
Sleuth
of detective fiction were written never the social order itself.
of the
in those decades too. When Christie wrote Poirot into exis-
TS Eliot, a fan of the genre, tence, women didn’t have the right to
century
wrote some of these: a key tenet vote, and the first trans-Atlantic wire-
was “fair play” — an attentive less telegraph had been relayed barely a
reader must have a shot at solving decade before. Vast changes were taking
the mystery, same as the detective. place around the world: a war to end all
For Eliot, “the character and motives wars ended with a socialist government
1
of the criminal should be normal”, replacing the monarchy in Russia; and
there should be no “relying either in the rest of the world, including in
upon occult phenomena” or “elabo- India, Britain’s imperialist power was
rate and incredible disguises”. being severely challenged by national
It’s been 100 years since the Belgian which became an instant bestseller; the Twenty Rules for Writing Detective movements. The collective anxiety of a
detective, created in wartime by Agatha fourth novel in this series came out last
year. Also released last year was a film
Stories by Van Dine in 1928 com- fast-disappearing world order was best Agatha
manded that “no willful tricks or decep- expressed by Irish poet WB Yeats in Christie was 26
Christie, took on his first case. His was a based on Christie’s 1937 novel, Death on tions may be placed on the reader”. And 1919: “Things fall apart / The centre can- when she
the Nile, starring Branagh and Gal the mystery-writer’s group London not hold / Mere anarchy is loosed upon wrote her first
unique career, and the mission given to him Gadot. Detection Club to which Sayers, Christie the world.” book, The
even more unusual: to make the world a Poirot inhabited a genre that was and Chesterton belonged, followed “Yet the detective story has kept its Mysterious
already marked by another genius Ronald A Knox’s commandments of hold; had even, in the two decades Affair at Styles,
better place. (Warning: Spoilers ahead) detective whose ratiocinative powers detective fiction. According to literary between the great wars, become more in 1916
brought his creator Arthur Conan Doyle critic Paul Grimstad, the club required popular than ever before; and there is, I
Dhamini Ratnam popular fandom as well as raucous its members to take an oath that their believe, a deep reason for this. The
2
appreciation from literary critics. But stories would avoid making use of world during those years was ridden by
[email protected] Poirot was an odd man. His head was “divine revelation, feminine intuition, an all-pervasive feeling of guilt and by a
egg-shaped. His moustache rose at the mumbo-jumbo, jiggery-pokery, coinci- fear of impending disaster which it
t’s no surprise that Hercule tips and shone as though polished. A dence, or the act of god.” seemed hopeless to try to avert because
I
Poirot, the great Belgian refu- pince-nez sat atop his nose at all times. To be fair, Christie couldn’t do much it never seemed conclusively possible to
gee detective (he served as a He wore pointy patent-leather shoes, about the second oath but she turned it pin down the responsibility,” literary Since then,
policeman in Belgium before carried a pocket watch and hated dust. to her advantage, creating not just an critic Edmund Wilson wrote in a 1944 Poirot has
moving to England), was cre- Though older by a few decades, Sher- oddball like Poirot — so unlike any mas- piece titled ‘Why do people read detect- appeared in 33
ated in the middle of World lock Holmes was decidedly cooler: he culine standard that readers were famil- ive stories?’ published in The New novels, 59 short
War 1. wore a deerstalker hat, cashmere muf- iar with — but also a character like Miss Yorker. “Nobody seems guiltless, stories, a play
Agatha Christie had served fler and the overcoat with upturned col- Marple, who relied on nothing but her nobody seems safe; and then, suddenly, and several TV
in a Red Cross hospital in Torquay, in lar that was all the rage in the late 19th powers of observation and her unobtru- the murderer is spotted, and—relief!— and movie
southwest England, where several Bel- century. Both were geniuses, of course, siveness as an old woman who got in no he is not, after all, a person like you or adaptations
gians had taken refuge. Barely 26, she but Holmes was the quintessential one’s way, to solve crimes that baffled me. He is a villain … and he has been
wrote her first work The Mysterious upper-class gentleman with some bad the police. caught by an infallible Power, the super-
Affair at Styles in 1916, though it was boy traits (his opium addiction, for Poirot’s genius was sealed when The cilious and omniscient detective, who
3
published in 1920 in the United States example), while Poirot, already a retired Murder of Roger Ackroyd was pub- knows exactly how to fix the guilt.”
and the following year in the United man albeit of the gentry, was the quin- lished in 1926. Hailed as one of great Poirot’s career continued undimin-
Kingdom. tessential outsider. detective fiction novels, …Ackroyd ished until Curtain, which Christie
A hundred years on, Poirot remains Poirot also bore a burden that Holmes shook the very foundations of the wrote during World War 2, but which
p
one of the most famous literary charac- didn’t: It was his task to restore order to reader’s expectation: the trustworthi- was released several years later, in 1975.
ters of all time, appearing in 33 novels, a world rent apart by the Great War. ness of the first-person narrator. But In Curtain, Poirot commits a murder Christie’s tales
59 short stories, and a play. He has been Indeed, he was not alone in this. The while readers may have been fooled till before ending his own life. are being taken
portrayed by several actors, including 1920s and ’30s, referred to as the Golden the very end, Poirot, who cracked the The victim was a murderer himself, forward by
Orson Welles, the more recognisable Age of Detective Fiction, were filled with case, was not. and his weapon of choice wasn’t poison Sophie Hannah,
David Suchet, John Malkovich and Ken- men labouring to do the same. Detective fiction is popular because it or a blade, but his ability to manipulate commissioned
neth Branagh, in adaptations across Christie counted as her contemporar- perpetuates a socio-cultural ethos that people into committing crimes. Poirot to write an
mediums, from theatre and film to radio ies accomplished writers such as Doro- finds many takers. The detective doesn’t did what he had set out to do at the start authorised
plays, TV series and audio books. Nicara- thy L Sayers, GK Chesterton and R Aus- just find the murderer in our midst. By of the century: restore to us the world as continuation
CHECK OUT gua even released a postage stamp in his tin Freeman. Across the Atlantic, Ameri- locating the evil — methodically, scien- we needed it to be, drained of the chan- novel in 2014
portraits of honour, in 1971. can authors such as SS Van Dine, John tifically and through sheer genius — the cers and manipulators, locating the evil
prominent In 2014, long-time publisher Harper- Dickson Carr and Raymond Chandler detective allows us readers to collec- and fixing the guilt. But by the end of it,
enactments Collins (earlier called William Collins, were churning out whodunits using the tively heave a sigh of relief: the evil can Poirot had to turn into a criminal him-
Sons) also started an authorised contin- same formulaic narrative structures. In be cast out, a semblance of order and self. His brilliant mind was no longer
uation novel written by Sophie Hannah, fact, such was the genre’s prolificity that morality can been restored despite the enough.
wknd culture
{ NEVER OFF KEY } BOSTON TYPEWRITER ORCHESTRA
Members of the Boston Typewriter Orchestra get ready to jam without paper jams.
lit
the lack of actual notes, there’s often sing-
Still
years
“You will not be able to turn on, tune in When we began, everything was mostly an
and white out / You will not be able to lose improvised jam. We eventually grew to
yourself in copy and paste and skip out for adopt more traditional song structures and
coffee during meetings / For The Revolution added lyrics and singing. Surrounding all of
Will Be Typewritten,” go the opening lines this is a sort of stage performance where
of one song. we’re playing the role of office drones. Inter-
The core members are Derrik Albertelli, stitial comedic bits are a feature of our live
Christopher Keene, Brendan Quigley, Alex performances.
Holman and Jay O’Grady, aged 40 to 60, all
paar chala gaya hun, wapas aana mushkil with day jobs (biologist, software engineer, What are its limitations?
It’s been 25 years since Maachis was released, hai, Veera’ (I’ve crossed over to the other banker, crossword constructor, librarian). We’re not creating notes per se, so melody is
with its nuanced take on radicalisation. Few side and it’s impossible to return)’ that has All members perform in formal work wear. not an option and that’s a big part of the rea-
always stayed with me because you can feel They’ve been playing together since 2004, son why we introduced singing. Another
films in the years since can hold a candle to it the character’s anguish.” perform live in the US and have released [limitation] is the simple fact of using these
The ’90s were when Hindi filmmakers three albums, the latest being Workstation machines like instruments. They take a
started to replace the evil Thakur or the to Workstation (2020). Tunes range from beating and don’t always respond the way
Karishma Upadhyay smuggler in his flashy lair with gun-toting metal to hip hop, and their music is also you want them to.
militants and terrorists, in keeping with the available on their website.
[email protected] new kinds of conflict looming to the fore- Wknd chatted with Albertelli about why What’s the most surprising thing to
front and capturing the popular imagina- they do what they do — and how. you about music from typewriters?
“W
hen some- tion in the real world. That we’ve been doing it for so long… for
one has The insurgencies in Punjab, Kashmir and How did you come up with the idea of over 16 years. The public’s sustained interest
been sub- to some extent the north-east began to be music from typewriters? in the group has carried us further than any
jected to
injustice
time and
again… He looks for others like himself...
reflected on the big screen. Over six years,
Mani Ratnam directed a trilogy of films
with such backdrops — Roja (1992, set in
Kashmir), Bombay (1995, set against the tary filmmaker, particularly on Taliban
v A former member of the group, Tim Devin,
received the gift of a typewriter from his
girlfriend while they were in a bar one
night. He started typing along to the music,
of us had ever anticipated.
A
to be told,” says Chandrachur Singh, of his stayed true to his politics. It’s not easy to do unique, he adds, is because it was a “poet’s years-long struggle to be freed
debut feature. “And the film was fair to both that in the mainstream,” Shedde says. compassionate look at the Punjab problem
sides. There’s a line in the film ‘Lakeer ke us Khan says his experiences as a documen- and the angst of the youth of the time”.
sense
bolster, this one can be This is a soft, long,
used between the rectangular pillow
loss
neck to improve hours at the desk or
posture while sleeping. behind the wheel. It
prevents slouching and
l Contoured: This pillow has an provides crucial support to
associated traumas, such as the loss of a job. lack of the ability to support a loved one ‘S’ shape that keeps the neck in the parts of the lower back that remain
Because many pandemic-era changes through their grief, and the absence of one’s hyperextended position that is healthiest unsupported when sitting.
occurred overnight and unexpectedly, we own support group, became a greatly dis- for the airways and spine during sleep. This
were emotionally unprepared to face them,” tressing aspect,” says Dr Kedar Tilwe, con- posture also helps relax neck muscles and l The wedge: These
Tank says. sultant psychiatrist at Fortis Hospital reduce muscular strain — an important triangular pillows keep
Moving on depends heavily on closure, and It doesn’t help that, nearly a year on, the Mulund and Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi. advantage in a time of the top half of the body
stressors are all still there. “This has led to a “This led to feelings of helplessness, hope- necks craned for in an elevated position.
that’s been hard to find in a year of bad news constant perception of threat, and this is the lessness and intense guilt in some. In others smartphone They are particularly
followed by worse. Take a look at how the root of the anxiety many people are feeling,” there was also a precipitation of depressive screens and beneficial for people
Tank says. and anxiety symptoms. At the same time, long hours at with acid reflux, sinus
pandemic has altered the workings of grief In the midst of ongoing stressors, with the lack of a traditional support system did the work desk. problems and snorers.
continued threat perception, it’s much mean that new ones took shape — support
harder to find closure. “Amid ongoing came from neighbours, acquaintances.” IMAGES: ROYALKING, SENSORPEDIC & HUE COTTAGE
Melissa D’Costa trauma, the stages of grief can overlap to a Social media became a place where one
far greater degree,” says psychiatrist Dr could reach out and grieve, though taking
[email protected] Sagar Mundada. this path comes with its own risks.
What makes it harder to process the grief Responses can range from tales of more
{ GREY MATTER }
W
hat happens and loss effectively is that, in many cases, tragedy to comments of judgement, criti-
when grief is the individual’s worst fears are being real- cism, censure or denial of the subject’s
a daily occur- ised — job losses, an uncertain future for experience and feelings.
The Weekly Puzzle
rence? How one’s children, contracting Covid-19 oneself, Grieving has become more complicated,
does the
mind process
loss in such a
the fear of being unable to provide for one’s
family and of course the fear of illness or
death of a loved one.
is how clinical psychologist Deekshaa
Athwani puts it. If one is grieving on social
media, Athwani adds, it is safest to treat it
A Titan challenge
reality? In the Reality becomes an anxiety trigger, and like a form of the traditional practice of Now wait a minute! Who did l The watch with ordinary
past year, there has been more illness and the immediate stress-relievers and circle of journaling, allowing a close group of others numbers on its face has a red
death to mourn. There has also been the support that would be available in normal to validate your feelings. “It is important to all these watches come from? strap.
loss of normalcy, the loss of who we were in times — friends, colleagues, extended fam- understand your needs and decide how to l Both my wife and I like
our other lives — at work, with friends, at ily, a weekend away from it all — are also grieve,” she adds. By Dilip D’Souza simple, clear dials, which is
the park or pub. exit routes blocked off by the pandemic. And this is true even if the thing you are why her Valentine’s Day gift
The pandemic represents big trauma, “Particularly during the lockdown, the grieving feels small — the loss of routine, My family teases me about my one year has just small lines
says psychiatrist Parul Tank. “Something the loss of your other selves, or even just the collection of watches. An to mark each number.
many of us have never faced in our life- sadness of another summer spent indoors. impression has taken root that I am l The Troika watch has a red
times. As a result, the way our mind proc- IN MANY CASES, THE Parul suggests using social media to constantly buying more. strap.
esses it is different from how we would reach out to people you know, and find the It burns me up though, leaves me l The Troika wasn’t my sister-
process grief or tragedy in normal circum-
INDIVIDUAL’S WORST help you need, whether it is a loved one far panting. For it’s my best guess that in-law’s gift.
stances.” FEARS ARE BEING away, a support group or a mental wellness most of the watches have been
For people who have lost something or REALISED — JOB LOSS, professional. It’s easy to forget that most of gifts. Questions:
someone during this time, there is an the people we interact with online are, effec- So anyway, this is about three of l Who gave me the Casio?
incomplete sense of loss for two reasons —
FEAR OF ILLNESS OR tively, strangers. “Anonymously reaching those watches. Can you consider l What’s on the dial of the
because even mourning looks so different, DEATH, FEAR OF BEING out online for information is also a good these clues and then answer a few watch my father gave me?
and in many cases, they never saw the loss UNABLE TO PROVIDE way to use social media without exposing quick questions about them? l What brand is the watch
coming. “The same holds true for other yourself to unkindness or worse,” she says. l The watch with the blue strap is with the brown strap?
not a Casio.
l My sister-in-law’s gift either
has Roman numerals on the dial For the answers, please turn
or is a Titan, but not both. to page 18
“I
As with most things in life, the more clearly dle, but, given rea- doubting yourself or feeling You can try to repair a toxic relationship,
you can articulate your goal, the greater your sonable parents — drained and unhappy around says Khanna. But a crucial first step is
and when it comes your partner, it’s likely that you admitting that there is toxicity and it needs
chances of chasing it down effectively down to it, most are are in a toxic relationship,” says psychother- to be addressed. The three necessary phases
— it’s not impossible apist and relationship counsellor Aman would look like this:
achi’s sister signed her up for a to get them to under- Bhonsle. A toxic relationship is defined as l Acknowledge: It is impossible to transi-
wknd lifestyle
se:
{ RUPINI DHARAN, 26, AND VIKAS BS, 39 }
18.4
“Our cat Mango, whom I had adopted
when Vikas and I were still just friends, pro-
million
vided a lot of entertainment. He’s part of the
reason Vikas and I got close. We consider in 2019
Mango our Cupid.”
31
Living together confirmed what the two
had suspected — that they had the same val-
ues and interests.
million
Rupini says she found Vikas to be more in 2020
supportive than she’d expected. He was
there for her, she says, even when he Source: Statista
Partners in play:
Chatting up AI
Dating bots powered by artificial intelligence are
helping young adults practise how to navigate a
n d in g s . O n V a le n tine’s Day,
e
e e t c o u p le s w h o found that
m
o s t e lu s iv e o f th in gs — love
m
in th e m id s t o f a lockdown
—
Natasha Rego
ive.com
natasha.rego@htl
e
way in 2020, as th
in a rather literal
ove was in the air to m ee t in th e pan-
the safest place
internet became
L
mi c. jumped from
de ians on dating apps cording to Vanessa Viegas
The number of Ind llio n in 20 20 , ac
19 to 31 mi
18.4 million in 20 tes and [email protected]
ta for um Sta tis ta. With offline da
the German da re of in ter ac tions
e table, the natu Three months
hook-ups off th he new frontier in the world of
T
re tal kin g mo re.
le we
changed too. Peop le were exchangin
g more online dating, is dating AI. Around
loc kd ow n, Ti nd er found that peop up 60% in volume and the world, young people are dating
into the sations
fore, with conver n in India. OKCu- bots powered by artificial intelli-
messages than be ce jus t be fore the lockdow gence.
28% in dura tio n sin
go up by 12%. e in video and vo
ice Selena H, 23, a chef in training from Viet-
pid saw matches rted a 38% increas
Bumble has repo M ar ch , wh en India nam, has been chatting with a “24-year-old
onths since lat e
calls in the 10 m eventually last musical stage artist from South Korea
ce d a ha rd loc kdown that would named Zen” whom she met online last year.
anno un
68 days. evaluate their She’s developed a romantic bond with him,
ic forced people to
“I think the pandem me clearer to us all what we she says. “He speaks like a true gentleman
beca
relationships. It ed change,” says and is allergic to cats.” Zen is a character in
es and what need consultant at
needed in our liv a romantic “visual novel” game designed to
ani, a relationship
Shahzeen Shivdas re meaning- help test your skill at relationships.
le Ind ia. “P eo ple were making mo was com- These games are available on apps
Bumb ica l as pe ct
as the phys
ful connections own.” such as Mystic Messenger (launched
during the lockd
pletely removed wi th un ce rta inty, as people in 2016 by the South Korean Cheritz);
In a time riddle d
ed ou t to for m new connec- Love and Producer (2017; Chinese
around the world
reach
ce s, singles were
{ DEVLINA SINHA, 29, AND VARUN KUMAR, 31 } developer Pape Games), Dream
urs, acqu ain tan
tions with neighbo lov e and relation- Daddy (2017; US-based Game
w they defined
also rethinking ho
ships, returning
to the fundamen
porta nt to th em ,
tals and asking
says counsellor A way back into love Grumps), Hatoful Boyfriend (2011;
Japanese Developer Digital) and
what was most im therapist Arati Kedia. Obey Me (2019; Japanese developer
nt
and dance moveme d conversation took priority in It had been almost five months since his last idea of a relationship,” Kumar adds. NTT Solmare).
an
Companionship e romance. Datin
g, relationship ended, almost five years since After that first date, they knew they’d be In Japan, they’re called otome or
dship came befor s, all-night
many cases. Frien ol — lon g dr ive hers. “I was going through the process of meeting again. The only thing to figure out maiden games. The characters serve
old-scho use
effectively, went nts treasured beca rewiring my brain,” says Devlina Sinha, an was how to cover the 10-odd kilometres as dating simulators, or sims. They
ons, simple mome
phone conversati event planner in Mumbai, “and Varun was between their houses, while still in lock- operate through nuanced scripts; the
was so far away. we
the next meeting te I’d been on where spending the lockdown recovering from a down. aim of the player is to make it
da te wa s the first such da , one of the six long-drawn-out breakup.” “It brought out the film hero in me, you through various levels.
“Our first vli na Sin ha , 29
th no filters,” De But the stars aligned, and when they met know,” Kumar says. He’d load bags of gro- In Mystic Messenger for
actually talked, wi the pandemic.
to who found love in ys her for their first date in June, Sinha and Varun ceries into his car and, if stopped, say he instance there are three story
couples we sp ok e
gh t ou t th e fil m hero in me,” sa
me et he r br ou ies int o my car Kumar, a supervising producer for web needed to deliver them. Or take his kitten modes: Casual, Deep and
“Trying to bags of grocer
mar, 31. “I’d load e my kitten shows, ended up on a long drive with no along and say he was going to the vet. Another. Each mode has charac-
partner Varun Ku er th em . Or tak
y I needed to deliv destination, “talking about everything”. In addition to a romantic relationship, it ters a player can choose from.
and, if stopped, sa going to the vet.” d
an d sa y I wa s rather than treate Having spent the first three months of the felt like a budding friendship, something Your avatar then chats and gets
along
we re fac ed tog ether and tackled, on ly ch ild , sa ys lockdown alone, they were starved for con- neither had experienced before. “I can hon- to know a sim. Make them happy
Hurd les h, 27, an
ve on. Joshna Josep chores when she first versation and companionship. “It was the estly say I’ve become a more inward, calm with a gesture or response and
as a reason to mo an d un used to
nis ed neat-
she was disor ga D’Costa, 28 and a first first-date I’d been on where we actually and compassionate person after meeting you earn a heart. It takes a set
r partner, Conroy d me
moved in with he s patient and ca
rin g an d he lpe talked, with no filters,” Sinha says. “It was Devlina,” Kumar says. “I used to be hot- number of hearts to make it
ss fre ak . “H e wa ys . like being 16 again.” headed. She has contributed to making me through successive levels. On
ne e sa
re disciplined,” sh of the power
become a bit mo rie s is also a reminder
Neither had expected much success from a saner person.” each level, you learn more about
Each of the six sto be en so much the date. “I almost cancelled on him. I had For Sinha, one thing sealed the deal. “On the character, their life and problems.
ul d ha ve
kdown wo
of love. “The loc en d it wi th,” Karthik been single for a long time, and had gone on our second date he promised that he would The goal is a happy ending — typically,
had her to sp
worse if I hadn’t . “O n our second dates over the years that didn’t amount to always make me chai,” she says, “whenever dating or marriage.
Kashika Gupta
Yermunja says of t he wo uld alw ays make me anything. A friend pushed me to meet him,” I wanted it.” As in real life, you can also some-
tha
date he promised nted it,” Devlina Sin
ha says Sinha says. “I guess when you’re on a dating They plan to meet each other’s parents times unlock a new level with money.
chai, whenever I wa nk the lockdown would app for a while, you get desensitised to the soon. Make enough wrong moves and you
“I thi
of Varun Kumar. en much could get stuck in an endless loop of
, it would have be
have been horrible d ea ch other,” Ankit bad endings.
dn ’t ha
worse if we ha The format is clearly problematic;
jana Parashar.
Dutta says of Nilan y, meet people wh
o { NILANJANA PARASHAR 20, AND ANKIT DUTTA, 26 } the focus is too largely on the other per-
This Valentine’s Da e an d m ad e it son, often in a sort of rescue-mission
l in lov
met virtually, fel
work, through a loc
of a pandem ic, pr ov
kdown in the mids
ing th at even 2020
t
Cupid at work in Guwahati Screengrabs
format. Still, players say they’re learn-
ing how to deal with difficult areas — like a
happy endings. from the temper, moodiness, broaching a difficult
had at least some ilanjana Parashar, a law student But their feelings grew over the lockdown popular visual subject or dealing with differing viewpoints;
(With input from
Vanessa Viegas) N in Guwahati, and Ankit Dutta, a
civil services aspirant, have lived
20 minutes away from each other
almost their entire lives.
They’ve walked the same streets, gone to
and they did both wonder what it would be
like to go on a conventional movie-and-din-
ner date.
When they finally met in May, it was
splendid, says Parashar, even though there
novel game
Mystic
Messenger.
“If you help
Jumin with his
even just how to approach a guy you’re
interested in.
Zen, for instance, started out narcissistic.
“Getting him to open has been a nice feel-
ing,” Selena says. “Loving him has become
the same stores and dined at the same res- was nothing conventional about the outing. problems you a preoccupation.” Selena spends four hours
taurants, but it took a match on OKCupid “We went grocery shopping at the local get a good a day collecting hearts.
for their paths to cross. market. I thought it was going to be a little ending, but
And even then, a real meeting would awkward to bargain in front of him…” if you act LEARNING GROUND
SHUTTERSTOCK
have to wait, because three days after they “So that’s why you didn’t bargain that obsessive and Visual novel games first emerged in
matched, the lockdown was announced. day!” Dutta says. possessive, Japan in the 1980s. At the time, most sims
v
They spent the next couple of months on “I had never had so much fun buying gro- you trigger a were female and most players were men.
the phone, sharing random thoughts and ceries,” says Parashar. bad ending,” The aim was erotic interactions with cute
long-held dreams. “It was around mid-April, With roots in the same region of Assam, says UK-based anime-like avatars.
during the Assamese festival of Bihu, that Parashar and Dutta found they had many player Lizzy In 1994, the first otome game, for women,
we decided to video call for the first time,” shared experiences growing up. “We under- Heeley, 21. was released. Angelique, by the Japanese
says Parashar. “I made the first move by stood the inside jokes, etc,” Dutta says. developer Ruby Party, had players assume
{ PRIYA DALI, 25, AND MEERA K, 24 } suggesting it.” They’re both foodies and have found ways the role of a high-school student selected to
What followed was the familiarity of a to cook together, even though they both live compete for the role of the queen of the uni-
T Tinder in March
and seemed to like
all the same things
— art, bookstores, long
walks. But Priya Dali, a free-
Bengaluru didn’t go as planned,” says Parashar. “It was
awkward because until then we had just
showed up in our pyjamas, lolled in bed.
There had been no pretence. We realised
this was not who we were.”
“I think the lockdown would have been
horrible, it would have been much worse if
we hadn’t had each other,” says Parashar.
“We were worried about what was happen-
ing around us, but amidst it all, we shared
HT PHOTO: NANDAN
PRATIM PATGIRI
more agency. “I do feel they rely on some
stereotypes, like the idea that women have
to ‘fix these men’, but at least it doesn’t feel
infantilising or demeaning,” she says.
Selena says the sims give her a sense of
lance illustrator, was in That was their only virtual date. something that was unique.” comfort. “I think it’s easier for me to flirt
Mumbai, Meera K, a Teach with them. You know that if you pick right,
for India fellow, was at least you’ll get a good response. You know being
100 km away in Pune, and a kind will give you rewards,” she says.
nationwide lockdown was The prompts help, she adds. If she doesn’t
about to be enforced. know what to say or how to proceed, sug-
It would be six “excruciat- gested dialogue is offered to her through
ing” months before they actu- messages that flash on her screen.
ally met. In the lonely mean-
while, they bonded over IN PLAY
hours-long Zoom calls in “The standout feature of otome games,
which they “really talked”, got when compared to real-life relationships, is
to know one another, com- that fortune usually favours the player, pro-
plained about work and just vides short-cuts and offers rewards at a far
kept each other company. lower level of effort,” says American game
They found in each other, developer Dan Salvato. He’s the man behind
they say, just the thing each Doki Doki Literature Club, a 2017 satirical
needed in her life. In Dali, take where players are pitted against dating
Meera found a patient listener sim tropes in a game that eventually turns
and a veteran worker-from- into a psychological horror adventure.
home with helpful tips to offer. The real twist is the emotion invested in
In Meera, Dali found an A+ pixels and bytes. Could this be the dawn of
motivator. “If you need a pep the digisexuals, a generation (or genera-
talk, she can totally bring it,” tions) that will experience sexuality with the
Meera says. help of immersive technologies and maybe
Once restrictions eased, Dali even start to see human partners as
took a trip to Pune and they optional?
met, for the first time, in Sep- Salvato has a much simpler explanation.
tember. “It didn’t feel like I was long walks. “I believe the dating sims are really an
meeting a new person, since we’d had all Dali and Meera have visited each other extension of something that’s been around
sorts of conversations by then,” Dali says. several times over the last few months. The for a long time — romantic and erotic litera-
She stayed for two weeks, time they spent night-long Zoom calls will continue, though, ture,” he says. “They just use technology to
cooking, geeking out over children’s books, since they’re going to be in separate cities make the experience more interactive and
visiting cafes and bookstores, and going on for the foreseeable future. immersive.”
18 NEW DELHI
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 14, 2021
wknd urban
{ CHENNAI SNAKE PARK } MEET ‘N’ GREET
snow
That’s what park director R Rajarathi-
oftware engineer Sathish, 28, has nam likes to hear. The idea of creating an
The iguana
garden in
Chennai is a
glass enclosure
S been fascinated by iguanas since he
was a child and first watched God-
zilla (the 1998 sci-fi film about a
giant mutant marine iguana). So when the
Chennai Snake Park inaugurated its iguana
iguana garden within the snake park was to
try and make people less apprehensive and
afraid of these reptiles.
When the park shut for eight months in
2020, amid Covid-19 restrictions, it gave
full of garden on January 31, he had to go. Rajarathinam and his colleagues the oppor-
greenery, with “I earlier saw a live iguana at the Madras tunity to rethink parts of the design.
no barriers Crocodile Bank but this was totally differ- Earlier, like the other reptiles, the igua-
between ent. There was no barrier between us,” Sath- nas had been kept in glass enclosures. The
visitors and ish says. redesign uses an open space and open lay-
reptiles. The The new iguana garden is a glass enclo- out and invites visitors to view the reptiles
idea is to show sure with a roof of latticed metal. Inside are up close, and even touch and feed them
people they rocks, trees and artificial water bodies that under supervision.
don’t need to aim to simulate the natural environment of The park chose the iguanas for this open-
fear these these reptiles from South and Central plan garden because they are “fairly friendly
reptiles, says America. Visitors walk through the glass with humans, can remember their masters
director R enclosure, amid the greenery, and are and even be toilet trained. This is important
Rajarathinam. requested not to touch the large, friendly as that means it is both safe for humans and
SATHISH SRIDHAR creatures, but the reptiles are so close, it is the type of animal that is not disturbed
by a human presence,” says SR Ganesh, a
senior herpetologist at the park.
There are 15 iguanas at the park, ranging
in age from one to nine years. However,
because they want the animals to remain as
close to their natural behaviour as possible,
the park authorities do not humanise them
by naming them or petting them, Ganesh
says.
Anusha NS, 30, an HR executive, was
among the visitors who fed one, under
supervision. She’d always been averse to
inspired Keshavan to present a plan to the chameleons, which iguanas resemble, she
India’s ski towns of Gulmarg and Manali offer perfect Himachal Pradesh government to develop says. “But this was really exciting and fun. I
slopes, powdery snow in season and a wide array of winter sports here. liked how friendly and calm they were. One
“The plan spells out details, from training even ate some spinach from my three-year
snow sports. So why aren’t they getting more attention? of children in winter sports to infrastruc- old daughter’s hand.”
ture and international partnerships,” says
Ram Lal Markandey, minister for IT and
Sonya Dutta Choudhury years in Manali. Turning a pastime into a tribal development in the HP Government
profession, she travelled to Whistler in and the legislator from Lahaul-Spiti. “We { TRACK & TRACE } BIRD COUNT INDIA
[email protected] Canada and then to New Zealand and Japan have the best natural slopes in the world,”
as a snowboarding instructor. he adds.
Featherweight champions
F
(Above) ebruary is the perfect time Now Khrime is back on the slopes she Across the Pir Panjal range, 700 km away
Snowboarding to head to India’s ski grew up on. Standing atop her snowboard, in Gulmarg, the slopes are better groomed,
instructor Cindy towns of Gulmarg and the 32-year-old demonstrates traversing the range of choices even greater, and the Natasha Rego
Khrime does a Manali, in Jammu & turns , riding the slopes as she zigzags down snow falls steadily and powder-like. But
flip on the Kashmir and Himachal the mountain. The lower slopes of the even here, the skiers must be lured. Most of [email protected]
Sethan slopes in Pradesh respectively. Solang Valley are easy to access for begin- that luring is being done by individual
HP. She’s been Besides groomed slopes ners but are shared by the growing commu- instructors. he common rosefinch winters
snowboarding
here since she
was a teenager
and travelled the
world as an
with ropeways, gondolas
and ski lifts, there’s a whole selection of off
piste trails, and a community of instructors
and enthusiasts enjoying them.
“It’s magical when it starts to snow and
nity of winter sports enthusiasts drawn to
them too — skiers, snowboarders, paraglid-
ers and snowmobilers that carve gigantic
circles in the snow.
By 4 pm the sun disappears and a chill
Every December, for instance, Mudasir
Ahmad Bhat begins sending out pictures of
skiers trailing clouds of powder snow, to his
list of contacts. “Sir ji, naya snowfall hua
hai. Kab aa rahe ho (There’s fresh snow, Sir.
T almost entirely on the Indian sub-
continent. It spends the rest of the
year spread across Asia and
Europe, but from November to February,
hunkers down here, waiting for the weather
instructor you are on your skis all day, flying down the falls over the landscape. When the snow When are you coming?),” the 27-year-old to improve before it sets off on its travels
before returning mountain,” says Shiva Keshavan. The starts to go from powdery to icy smooth, as texts. again. An animated map put together by
to guide visitors 39-year-old six-time Olympic luge partici- it refreezes, it’s time to pack up for the day. Among those who often respond is Bird Count India (BCI), using data collected
around the pant grew up in Manali and spends most Little clumps of skiers and snowboarders Maulik Sharedalal, a Mumbai-based inves- globally and from numerous bird counts in
slopes she grew winters on the slopes at nearby Solang. head to the red plastic chairs of the valley’s tor. The 54-year-old first came to Gulmarg the country, shows the massive journeys
up on (below). The adrenaline rush is what drew Cindy cafés, yanking off their bulky gear and in 2016, with his wife and then seven-year- undertaken by this little bird.
PHOTOS: RAMESH IYER Khrime to snowboarding in her teenage gratefully accepting glasses of steaming gin- old daughter. They’ve returned again and Such maps, for a range of species, are sense of how interest in birding is growing
ger-cardamom tea. again over the years. Interactive now available on the revamped website in India, GBBC 2020 had over 2,000 birders
There are good days like this one. But as “After a day of hard physical exercise on maps created birdcount.in, as part of BCI’s efforts to col- from 309 districts who uploaded 24,966
the group drives the 13 km back to Manali, the slopes, my wife and I spend the evenings by Bird Count lect, consolidate and represent data from checklists and recorded a total of 924 spe-
Khrime becomes wistful. She is not sure at the hotel bar. Sitting among skiers from India show across the country. In interactive and acces- cies, accounting for about 70% of all bird
what the next few months will bring. Mak- all over the world, over après ski drinks, we the migration sible ways, BCI aims to show how many of species known to occur in India.
ing a living in snow sports is beset with dif- compare the thrills and spills of the day,” patterns of which species are found where and when, Cornell’s popular eBird website and app
ficulties, she says. Like most instructors, she Maulik says, adding that he enjoys the sense species like and how species react to changes in habitat. are used to record this data. BCI manages
works freelance, depending on word-of- of community. the common The Bengaluru-based initiative was the eBird platform in India, coordinating
mouth referrals and her Instagram page. Pravin Devanathan, 38, a vice-president rosefinch, founded in 2013 and draws on millions of the collection of data from India, interpret-
And there is so much untapped potential. at the supply chain start-up Ninjacart in which is observations from over 70 organisations ing it (as with the common rosefinch map),
At Solang, Sethan, Gulaba, Jagatsukh — all Mumbai, says he prefers Gulmarg to the smaller than and citizen science groups in India that con- and spreading awareness through its web-
picturesque villages perched at heights of slopes of Fugen in Austria. “Here, there is a sparrow but duct sighting and counting excursions sites and social media pages.
over 4,000 metres — back country snow help for everything — from a dedicated travels through the year. “We work with them to One challenge BCI still struggles with is
trails meander through magnificent deodar guide to a porter to carry your skis — so you thousands of increase collective knowledge about bird finding birders in regions of data deficiency.
trees. In the Lahaul Valley, a few hours’ end up learning much faster,” he adds. miles each distributions and populations,” says coordi- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Haryana usually
drive away across the new Atal Tunnel, In an adventure sport on moody terrain, year. PHOTO BY nator Mittal Gala (above right), who see the least representation.
there are spectacular snow runs across rug- expertise is crucial, and some skiers keep SUBHADRA DEVI works alongside conservation scientist But even through 2020, Bird Count India
ged terrain that is now easily accessible in coming back for the guides. Suhel Quader and research associate Ash- was busy. “Birdwatchers who generally like
winter. “Talented local guides make all the differ- win Vishwanathan. being outdoors, some who even travel to
It is the beauty of trails like these, set ence,” says Angus Winstone, 48, who runs BCI also conducts the Great Backyard watch migrants and rare birds, spent a lot of
amidst breathtaking landscapes, that a ski tours agency with his wife Victoria in Bird Count in India every February, a four- time listing in their balconies, on rooftops,
New Zealand and visited Gulmarg last year. day event in which birders spend 15 minutes in gardens and backyard or local patches of
The fact that the region is under-developed per day recording on a checklist the birds green,” says Gala. “And they made some
P is another reason to bring international ski
groups here in the future, he adds.
they see and hear. The 2021 edition con-
cludes on February 15.
cool sightings.”
Highlights from last year included a few
It’s magical when it starts There’s enormous potential, says Nitisha BCI collaborated on the first global GBBC, firsts for the eBird portal: a willow warbler
Sethia, a former consultant with McKinsey launched by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, in Kerala; a Japanese thrush and a Sichuan
to snow and you are on and now founder of outdoor sports com- in 2013. Two hundred birders from India leaf warbler in Arunachal Pradesh; a Pal-
your skis all day, flying pany Adventure Play. took part that year, 438 checklists were sub- las’s rosefinch in Jammu & Kashmir; and a
She first came to Gulmarg last year mitted and 537 species recorded. For a Eurasian oystercatcher in Uttar Pradesh.
down the mountain. and says she fell in love with the town
SHIVA KESHAVAN, 39, six-time Olympic and its highest slope, Phase 2 . “It’s
luge participant who grew up in Manali, spends mostly foreigners. Why can’t more
most winters on the slopes at nearby Solang, and Indians venture higher? It’s beauti- WEEKLY l My sister-in-law gave me the Casio, bess her generous heart.
has put together a plan to develop winter sports ful, wild, pristine,” she says. PUZZLE l My father gave me the Troika, and it has elegant numerals (not
in Himachal Pradesh “There’s fresh powder snow. You SOLUTION Roman) on the dial.
can carve your own path here.” l The Casio has a brown strap.
PRESENTS
TRAILBL ZERS
The second set of winners of the HT Trailblazer Award 2021 answer questions posed
by our readers and share nuggets of wisdom in the face of trying circumstances.
{Sunday}
FARMS
DLF − SUSHANT LOK DLF − SUSHANT LOK
SUKHBIR SHOKEEN
SHOKEEN
REAL ESTATE PVT. LTD. (SINCE 1980)
9810108263
WE HAVE NO BRANCH.
FARMS
WESTEND GREENS BIJWASAN MAIN RD.
FARMS
GADAIPUR ANSAL SATBARI
THE GREENS RAJOKRI JONAPUR SULTANPUR
DLF CHATTARPUR CHHAWLA
KAPASHERA ESTATE KANGANHERI DLF CHATTARPUR RADHEY MOHAN
PUSHPANJALI JHATIKRA INDUSTRIAL LAND AVAILABLE IN HARYANA
SUKHBIR SHOKEEN
SAGAR
Since 1981
SHOKEEN
AVAILABLE FOR sale Plots & SOUTH CITY 1 Greenwood City
Floors 200, 300 & 500 sqyds Confirm Plot's & house for Sale 180
Sector-55, 56, 57, Sushant lok 2 & 3. Yd, 240 Yd, 360 Yd, 500 Yd Govt ap-
PROPERTIES
# Contact Royal Properties- proved Guest House/Nursing Home
9811303827. Plot. Shah N Baadshah 9999914266
9810108263
We have no branch
DLF-1, PLOTS 500 / 1000yds A-11 / MGF VILAS Sale Apt 3407ft 3bhk
A-18 / A-23 / A-27 / A-48 /B-6 /B-18/ +Study @4.55 Mix Pymt, 3862Ft
4bhk 3-Side @5.10. DLF Park Place
WE HAVE NO BRANCH.
DLF − SUSHANT LOK DLF − SUSHANT LOK B-19 / C-8 / D-4 / D-6 /Shahtoot /
2704ft 4bhk @4.10. Crest 3150ft
PROPERTY
Kanchnar / Arjun / Paschim Marg /
Ashoka Crescent # 9911050000 4bhk Aravali 5.40cr. 9810112870
DLF PHASE-3 plot 502 sq.yd. 402. DLF CITY: Available Plot 500sy &
and 1022.Plot 316 sq.yd. Main Road Owner's independent kothi 316 sy
and Park Facing. Confirmed Deal. well maintained. Clean direct
clear title. Devender R.D Associates deals. Many more options.
Properties 9810414957 Moti Ahuja 9810012400
BEST FARMS
yd/ Builder Floors 3, 4 BR in South Suncity,South City And All HUDA
City, DLF. Harpreet Singh Realtors Sectors, # Yogindra Estate :-
Pvt. Ltd. 9810306661 9811282135, 9811423502
WESTEND GREENS
2.5 Acre- Vastu Perfect. Fully Developed & Approved, 6 B/R, Swimming Pool, Fruit Orchard.
9811061134
300 @1.60, G-316 @1.70, SOA-316 independent house. Corner. Park
@1.80, D-500 Corner @1.95, K-300 facing, west facing. Suits for Capital SOLELY OWNED BY :
DEEPAK BHATIA
@1.95, BVM-300 @2.15, J-500 @1.95. Gains Purri Realtors 9811015635.
SL-I A-418yd @1.15. 9810112870
DLF − SUSHANT LOK DLF − SUSHANT LOK DLF − SUSHANT LOK DLF − SUSHANT LOK
GOLF COURSE Road (Sushant CENTRAL PARK I Sale 2
Lok-2) 4 bhk luxury builder floors BHK+SQ 1600 ft. 3 Balconies, All
approx 3000ft, ready, 100% pow- Woodwork, B'ment Parking, Club SOUTHCITY- 1 PLOTS 1,000
er backup @ 2.40cr onwards. 2% house, Full PBU, Vastu perfect, 3 SUSHANT LOK-1/, DLF: luxurious CONFIRM PLOT 500 yd
yds (Block-E), 500yd (East & Park)
comm. to brokers. 9810011187 Tier Security. Owner 9420689441 DLF 1/2/3/4, S.Lok- 1 Wanted/
Av'lable Plots 200/215/ 300/ 402/
builder floors : [email protected], 300yd Car Dekho.com 75,000 7.25% CORNER 500yd Block-F, 360-500
sector-46 Park, North facing
Sector-47, Also Plot 270yd East
502/1022. Old/New builder floor &
@1.85cr, [email protected]+ Stilts, lift,
modular kitchen, near metro/ Bank 1,07,000 5% yd Block-K. NSS Realtor
9810047003
facing. Contact 9910032042
kothi Available floorwise. Chawla
Estate 9560610609, 9899103600
market, N/E facing. 9911441118 SBI Bank 1,90,000 5%
BEST DEALS PNB 3,19,000 5.25%
Aralias Dominos 1,65,000
Burger King 3,00,000
Magnolias Full Building 20,00,000 9%
The Crest Available Plots /
Floors & Kothies in
DLF, SUSHANT Lok, South City, LUXURY FLOORS in DLF/ Sushant DLF / Sushant Lok DLF-1 NEW Kothi North/Corner 12m BRAND NEW Luxury Floors DLF I-
Sun City, Buy / Sell Plots, Houses, Lok-1. 215,300,418,500 yds, high Road 6 BHK With Lift & Home The- 200yd 3BHK Lift Stilt @1.85cr. S L-II,
Housing Solutions (P) Ltd. atre/ old Builtup Also Available 12m 180,200, 300,500yd Top + Roof
Builder Floors, Shops & Offices. end specs, stilt pkg, mod kitchen,
9810110325 DLF-1 Near Golf Course Road with @1.25cr onwrds Plot 300, 500yd Nr.
9810090598 Contact Fairdeals (A Real Estate
Consultancy) DLF-I. # 9810014398
AC, gated. Collaborations/ turnkey
projects undertaken. # 9990305533 9810159600 Basement. Saudagar 9990001957 Golf Course Road # 8806968000
New Delhi, Sunday, February 14, 2021 TO BOOK YOUR AD CALL SEVEN DAYS A WEEK→ 1800 103 1800 OR E-MAIL→ [email protected]
FOR ENQUIRY CONTACT→ 011-66561389/66561161
{Sunday}
SOUTH DELHI SOUTH DELHI SOUTH DELHI SOUTH DELHI SOUTH DELHI DWARKA CENTRAL DELHI NOIDA/GREATER NOIDA
PROPERTY SOUTH DELHI Urg. sale Original
Bungalow about 275 sq.yds main
VASANT VIHAR, For Rent 600yds,
kothi, 4BHK, @2.5lac also Anand lok,
FOR IMMEDIATE sale barak- VVIP SEC 15A & 44, Owner selling
450mtr Resi plot Corner wide Rd
hamba road 901 area 450sft semi
road,south. Collaboration Possible. 800yds, TF+Terr, NE facing, furnished nirmal tower also area N/East, park facing & 60mtr Comm.
Direct: # 9810175121, 9873134578, park facing @ 2.75lac, For info 650 sq. Ft. Fully furnished flat Building Sec-18. Singh. - 9810061531
DLF − SUSHANT LOK DLF − SUSHANT LOK 011-26711667 (2-5pm) Call 9999062968 narain manzil 9810001682 cosmos 9810207945
WESTEND ALL New 800yd flr@18 GK-II 250Y TF+Trc 4br lift 2car 3.85 FOR SALE, Private Bank in Sect-45
&500yd [email protected]&Defence Col 325yd GK-3 217y FF 3br sq car, adj prk 2.35
[email protected]& [email protected] & Vasant Vihar CRPark 220yFF 3BR cornr 3side 2.25 Noida, Ground Floor, 2000 Sqft.
260yd TF + [email protected] & SAFD/Green shop CR Prk comrcl GF rentd 40,000 Rent @335000/- PM, Fresh Lease.
UNLIMITED GROWTH COMMERCIAL OFFICES Avail- Deal@5% Call- 9810827087
Prk 500yd [email protected]. Ravi 9818935156 Bahlsons: 9810017982, 9810364472 able on Sale/Lease at Vegas Mall
UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITIES VASANT VIHAR 630Sqyds Builder SAFDARJUNG ENCLAVE- 200 & B-Block Dwarka Near Metro Station
Floor, For Sale 1 Floor, 4 Beds, DD, 300yds all floors Bmt+GF/FF/SF/TF+ with Luxurious Lobby & Ample Park-
Lounge, Loaded Kitchen, Servant, Terr. park fac-Hauz Khas 250yd Bmt ings. Call Satish Goel - 9811046295
stilt Parking, Excellent Location, No +GF/FF/SF wide road - 400yd TF+
• WIDE OPEN SPACES brokers plz, Contact: 9910031802 Terr. park fac, Rahul 9899215980
DLF- BUILDER Floors 200y @ BRAND NEW ultra Luxury Floors CENTRAL DELHI EAST PATEL Nagar 200yd Kothi for
1.75cr, 215y @ 1.85cr, 270y @ 2.10cr, DLF II- 500yd 4 BHK lift stilt@ 4.35cr • STATE-OF-THE-ART Self user Peaceful Location & New
316y @ 2.75cr, 360y @ 3cr, 402y @ /DLF II- 400 yd 4 BHK A class Const. Builder Flrs. New Rajender Nagar
3.65cr, 502y @ 4cr. OPAKS Realty :
9999406261
near by NH-8, Metro, Mall, best
Price Call/ whatsapp 9718511207
INFRASTRUCTURE
• DEDICATED PARKING BAYS* GURUGRAM JHANDEWALAN EXTN. for Sale
125 sq.yds, 3 Storied Building, Near
Metro Station, Clear title, Freehold.
No Tenant. Only Whatsapp :
Prime Location 128/200/375yd
Houses. Gurjesh Suri 9811722228 SALE RENTED Industrial Property
in Sec-63, Plot 4000 mtr. C.A.
1,25,000sft, Rent 30.50 LPA, Long
RETAIL SHOP for sale at ss plaza GREENWOOD CITY PLOTS • MULTI-CUISINE FOOD COURT* 8595028966
360yds @140k, 500yds@135k, Lease, escalation 15% after every
ground floor sector 47 Gurgaon size COMMERCIAL PROPERTY 3yrs.# 9971768326
300 - 2100 sq ft area reasonable 500yds(30 Mtr), 1000yd (Block-A) READY • ROUND THE CLOCK SECURITY* IMMEDIATE SALE 161 sq. yrds. for Sale at Rajindera Place 1600
@110K. NSS Realtor 9810047003 TO Karol Bagh Main Commercial Road,
price contact owner: 97 17437773 MOVE-IN sqft (Carpet Area) Rented to MNC
Free hold property. Interested BUY/ SELL Yamuna Exp Resi Plot in
For Detail Contact 9811868413 sec 18&20, Gr. Noida Resi/Industrial
Genuine Party. Contact Owner
SALE MAIN Golf Course Road FOR SALE, DLF Carlton Estate, *Terms and Conditions apply subject to payment
9910427933.
9811032527. Plots. Alpha,Beta,Gama,Delta,P-3, S.
First Floor in DLF 1, Corner & Park 3 BHK, 2 Balconies, DLF-5 @1.70 Nagri,Omicron,Sec-2,3 #Ghar Sansar
Facing below Market Price Contact negotiable. Mandated Deal. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL US ON +91 7428098006
NOIDA/
Properties #9873731820,9871015111
Owner: 9871726005, 9717000381 Anant Arora -9810068636 Disclaimers: Occupation certificate number 77/B/CC(EECB)-II/CNZ/11 dated 19.09.2014 granted to M/s DLF Homes Developers Limited by Delhi Municipal
Corporation. Specifications and amenities, information, images and visuals mentioned in the Advertisement are only representational and informative. No
READY TO move fully furnished
GREATER NOIDA
representation or warranty is made or intended as to the accuracy or completeness of information and no commitments are being given under this advertisement
as to its suitability or adequacy for any purpose or otherwise. studio apartment 550 Sft Sector 101
SOUTH DELHI
Noida Dadri Highway near 76 sector
Metro@20 Lacs. Shop also available.
Contact owner Col Soni 8447316603
UTTAR PRADESH
Prime Location, 24mtr wide road,
ANAND AGGARWAL PROP. of 1000 Sq.Yds. The Best Built & Suits Prof. Windchimes Construc- Immediate Sale Call #9999011114
9810327243, 9811257394 Most Beautiful Ground Flr For Sale. tions 9810014771,9810019279.
N/E Facing, Vaastu Perfect, Plenty
of Car Parking # 9810806666 OFFICE/SHOPS/
VASANT VIHAR – 400 – Park GODOWN
Facing - Third Floor with Terrace,
Rajesh 9810014771, Amrit OWNER SELLING Original Allotee
9810019279. Freehold DDA Shop 200 Sq Ft
VASANT KUNJ C 5, 276 sq yards, Corner DDA Market Sarita Vihar
South West facing well maintained Prime Location Immediate Sale
Furnished Duplex of Ground & First SAFDARJUNG ENCLAVE: 5 year
old & well maintained 4bhk house # 9999353522 9350608899 Owner
Floor 5 bedroom D/D, Study & SQ.
Salwan : 9810062871/9810063191 with 4 bathrooms. Corner plot, Airy
VASANT KUNJ (South Delhi) & sunny, 3 side open & east facing.
LIG Flat For immediate Sale in N-7 SAFDARJUNG ENCL 300 yd Ground floor with lift & separate PROPERTY WANTED
Narmada D-6, Top Floor. Contact: JORBAGH, 375 sq yds, Park facing Duplex Ground+ Basement with excl. gate for parking. Close to green belt
RKJ Properties: 9810038099. clear title Independent Bungalow for & market. Owner- 9560049853,
immediate sale. Contact D. Salwan:
Lift,4 B/R, DD, huge lounge, Modular PROPERTY WANTED A Re-
kitchen,top loc.Ready to shift,also TF 9818290066 nowned Sector Skill Council working
REQUIRED HOUSE in Green 9910034566
with terrace Sandeep 9266600627 under the Skill India Mission is
Park, Hauz Khas & SJE, Area 200 to looking for a standalone built up
500sqyd, Ready Payment, Only SAFDURJUNG ENCL 4BHK 3rd + VASANT KUNJ: B1 Duplex
Terr 3 car parking new @3.55, 3 BHK space of approx. 10000 to
Seller Call 7838871114 Ground & First Floor 3 BHK 12000sqft for setting up its Center
@2.90, 300yds 3rd +Terr p/f stilt Excellent Location & D3 First
@5.50 cr, Green park 311yds new of Excellence in NCR preferably in
Floor 4BHK Ample Parking. Good Noida / Gurugram. Space should
@4.55 Gurleen Singh 9953818769 Location. Contact: 9810203614
BUNGALOWS & FLOORS VASANT VIHAR Floors 250/400/
600 yds brand new spacious 3/4
HAUZ KHAS Enclave P-Block
have adequate parking space for 20
vehicles and close to metro station.
Send your enquiries to: 7835027708
bedrooms D/D lounge, park facing, 540 Yds, Park View, 2 Years Old DEFENCE COLONY Kothi 325yd
Amrita Shergil Marg Rich specifications, made by top bui- Construction, B'ment+G.Flr Du-
plex 4 BHK, S.Qtr with Indepen-
Clear title/Freehold. Collaboration NORTH DELHI WEST DELHI
TO-LET
lder # Rahul KKaushik 9899215980 avail. in Jorbagh, Def.Col., GK etc.
dent Driveway. Call 9311394364 Apptts/Floors at very reasonable
Prithviraj Road HAUZ KHAS Encl / Greater Kailash prices. 9811560156, 9899820048
ROHINI- WE Provide & Ensure the
Best Offer & Rates for Your Plots in
APPROVED SHOWROOM /
Office building at 65,South Patel Ngr
Luxury floor, Bsmt + GF Duplex. Also LSC COMMERCIAL Ground Floor, Sectors-20 to 38. Direct Meetings on Mkt, Main Patel Rd, Nr Metro Stn,
Kasturba Gandhi Marg FF & Top Flr+T.Gdrn, 4 beds & 5 bath South Ext-1, D block Market, 2800
sq ft, 2 Entrances, Freehold. Ideal
SOUTH X2(250/500) TF/GF lift/ Commission Basis. Shri Radhey 67yds, builtup area allowed 3000 ft.
D/dining Lobby Kitchen, Sep Lift, stilt @4.0/7.0 Cr; GK1(250) Bas+GF (Since 1988) - # 9810118217. Rs. 2.65cr. Owner 9625244883
Ferozshah Road, Jor Bagh S.Qtr, driway 3 cars. # 9811654291 for banks/office/showroom @ 8.25.
lift/[email protected]; (208) TF @2.85; (250) SOUTH DELHI
SOUTH DELHI
Call : 9810688074
GF @ 3.25; CR Park(320) [email protected];
Golf Links, Malcha Marg COMMERCIAL DEF Col. 0pp
Mool- Chand, D-Blk, B.G,FF. 10 Cars
EOK(200) [email protected] - 98188-88333
SARVODAYA ENCLAVE FF 3BR,
Toilets, DD, SQ, 2 Car Parking in
Kautailya Marg, Sunder Nagar Prkng. 360 yds, New-Corner. 2 Lifts,
Glass Frontage 100 ft. For office, Re- Stilt, Separate Gate, Builder Floor.
tail. Clinics. Jewellery : 9873622215 SAKET J-65 Basement 1700sq.ft. 300- 500 sq brnd new resi flr avlb ACs, Geysers, Inverter, Park Fac,
Westend Colony (Commercial) fully furnished with
cabins, A/c, pantry, washroom,
on Lease Gulmohar pk Defence. col-
ony, GK, also comm. kailash colony
Lift, Quiet location. #9560193091
parking etc. avalb on lease Contact: main road 1500-2500 sq. ft contact SARVODAYA ENCLAVE GF &
Shanti Niketan, Vasant Vihar SAFDARJUNG ENCLAVE
PLOTS & Builder Floors Available /
Wanted 40 to 400 Sq. Yards in
9818860436. Khanna Associates.9811116363 2nd Floor, 300 Sqyd each, 3 Bedro-
om, Drawing / Dining, Servant room.
Livable House For Sale Basement /
Panchsheel Park Ground/ First / Second Floor Plot E-28, ANAND Niketan, 3bedroom
Pitampura / Shalimar Bagh / Ashok
Vihar. Cont.: shopnhomes.com
RENT: G.K.-I 208 Sq.Yds. 3BHK SAFDARJUNG ENCLVE. B4/67 Car parking. Excellent Location.
Owner # 9999371425, 9811077105
Area 300 Yds. Contact : S. Kumar - 9811978870 / 9350090500. Apartment on 3rd Floor @ 65000/- one Bed room/balcony, attached
Drawing & Dining, 200 SqYd, First &
Friends Colony (East) 98110-31558, Desraj 98110-72035 Second Floor Possession 15th April
& G.K.-I 500 Sq.Ft. Ground Floor
Fully Furnished Residential Office
Bath, kitchen, 1st floor. annexy.
facing east & park Bachelor only... COMMERCIAL C-42, DDA Sheds
2021. Hemender Sharma 9811078311 @ 35000/-. Owner 9899315513. Contact: 9315793088, 01126108132. Okhla Phase-I, Brand New Modern
LOOKING FOR Collaborations/Sale
Niti Bagh, Anand Lok in South Delhi for Reputed Builder & E- BLOCK East of Kailash First Floor
Building with Lift, Glass Facade, 2nd
Floor 1250 Sq.Ft., Near Crown Plaza
Outright Purchase Immediately. JANAKPURI, 375 yds, Upper gro- A2/6, VASANT Vihar, New Delhi
3bed DD, park facing. Contact Hotel. Contact: 7042633224.
Defence Colony Rohit 9811072455, 9811655886 und floor, corner, 3 side open, park
fac, independent 4 inside car park- 9810044402
basement, GF, 1st Floor, 2nd Floor,
2 Kitchen, 2 Dining Hall, 9 Rooms,
ing, Exclusive deal, f'hold imm. sale detach bathroom. Contact:- GREEN PARK, Basement (behind
Greater Kailash - I, II VASANT VIHAR – 400 – East Surjeet 9811035422,9999456789 KALKAJI 250 Yards Fully 9971300139, 9971859607. Market), 900 Sq. Ft Carpet Area,
Facing - Confirm Bunglow Rajesh Furnished, 3BHK 1st Flr and 2BHK Suits Professionals, Fashion Desig-
9810014771, Amrit 9810019279. TDI CITY/ Ansal City / Jindal City / 2nd Flr, Power backup, Lavish ners, Consultants, Online Business,
PANCHSHEEL ENCLAVE, Affordable Rent. # 9810992211
Arjun Kohli VASANT VHR, Anand Niketan1000 Mapsko /Omaxe /eldeco city, kundli Interior with car parking, Security.
Basement Avail For Rent, Area 1800
/800/600yd TF+T, Shanti Niketan, EOK 250YD 4BHK each Flr 2nd & / Rai Industrial area. buy/ sell/ rent Prefer Company Lease 9811155195.
Sqft, Natural Light & Vent, Suits
Westend 1200 F.Flr, Kothi Vasant GREATER KAILASH 300Yds 3rd Flr+Terr North Facing & Vastu plot/ appt/ factories/ godown. ONE BEDROOM Set - bath &
Professionals, CA, Lawyer office,
9810093636 Vihar Anand/Shanti Niketan 400yd top flr+terr.Gdn.4beds d/d lounge
qtr. separate parking lift East/
perfect Next to Park 2car prkg for
each Flr Price on Request & Many
Trident Properties 9999404127. JASOLA BAANI Comm Office 2245
Sft, Fully Furn, East fac, Cent AC, 26
Doctor,Contact: Owner:9810078626. kitchen, annex block, furnished,
Fridge, AC in Gulmohar Park
reasonable price. Tara 9899755500
Park facing 7 star const. CC ready options. Vivek Batra 9818927892 BISHT PROPERTIES Pvt. Ltd. W/S, 2 Conf Room, Cabin, 2 Toilet, available for Rent @ 18K. Contact
Pavneet9811036030,9999926224 (Since 1980) Managed by Retd. Govt. Power Bk-up, 6 Lift, Parking, Secur- MULTI NATIONAL Company/ 9810163974
MAHARANI BAGH 200 Sq Yds, ity, Near Metro. Owner 9810040681 Embassy Requires Flats/ Houses/
Independent Old House for Sale, officer. Sale, Purchase, Rent & Colla PUNJABI BAGH West, Plot Area
boration. All Sectors in Rohini.98111- Bungalows/Farm Houses in South NEWLY BUILT 3rd Floor, Friends
Park facing, Excellent location, clear GK 3, Park Facing Flrs booking, 34984, 9650045100, 9999784468
280 sq.yards, East Facing Double
GK2 G+BSMT 3Bd+1study servant Delhi # Anil Makhijani 9811047035/ colony West, 4 BR, Att Baths, Italian
title. Serious buyers please call: 217 yds First & Second Flr. GK 1, Storey House on road no. 62, Kajal 9811647035 / 29835250
Prashant 7982146106, 9810073183 immediate sale. D. Salwan : quarter 3250 sqft separate parking Flooring, Daikin ACs, Mod. Kitchen,
corner & park facing 208 yds 3 cars. Ist flr fully furnished 3BHK P'backup, Pressure Pumping Water
Booking, Bsmnt + Ground & First 9910034566
GREATER KAILASH Encl 217yd # 8826700444 ISHWAR NAGAR available for System etc. Owner:- 9810035127
Flr.. Sumit #9810086833
First Floor, D/D, 3Bedrooms, Still URGENT SALE 48 Bhera Enclave Rent 1800sqft 3BHK with SQ,
Parking, Lift well Maintained Few 300 sq.yds, Corner, 2nd floor, 4BHK, FOR RENT Renovated 3 Bed Room 2nd Floor, Peaceful Location, BHIKAJI CAMA Place, Madam
years old Excellent Location. Grover Lift, Furnish @ 4 Cr. Also Basement Set & Studio flat near Huaz Khas Well Maintained, Gated colony, Bhikaji Bhawan, 5th flr. 1460 sq.ft,
Associates 9810173911, 26511118 PANCHSHEEL GF Park fac 3 BR @ Club Road 9 No. 1000 sq.ft @ 2.25 mkt, Metro Station Contact:- Contact: 9810011698 2 cabins, 1 Conf. room, 12 w/stns,
5.20; South Ex-II 3rd Flr+Tr 4 BR @4; Cr. # Deep Properties 9810444293 9350538730, 9625379116 2 bath, Pantry, Good access to Hyatt,
OKHLA-II 1250Y 3sty f'hold 10.50
Okhla-I 600y 4 story 80'wide rd 7.25
FRESH LEASE Hauz Khas 3rd Flr+Tr 4 BR @5.10;
Hauz Khas Enc 500y FF @5.90. #
ROHINI, SECTOR-26, Sale and
AVBL FOR GF sale on Main Road
MOHAN CO-OP Ind Estate Space HAUZ KHAS Prime Location
Airport, Metro & CP. # 9811015080
{Sunday}
ACADEMIC ACADEMIC
TO-LET EMPLOYMENT
SOUTH DELHI NORTH DELHI
OFFICE CABINS. A/C fully furnish- MORI GATE, Ram Bazar, 3584, first ACADEMIC
ed @20K PM incl. (Tea/coffee, Inter-
net, Elect.),Okhla Main Road. Adjoin-
ing NSIC Metro Stn., Capt.Gaur Marg.
Brokers welcome. # 9899966622.
Floor, 600 Sq. Ft. Commercial space
for Rent, Attached Toilet. Suitable
for Business of Auto Parts etc. Cont. Walk –in-interviews at
fcdkÅ gS
Agarwal # 8459172015, 9810497105
Queen's Carmel School Govt Certified
CHANDRAWAL MAIN Rd, near (An Exclusive School Only for Girls)
Kohlapur Rd/Kamla Nagar, Delhi-7,
3x1000 sqft each Floor. Ideal for (Air conditioned & E-Enabled School) DESHWAL ORGANIC
A-55 VASANT VIHAR, HS-05, Pocket-D, Beta-1, Greater Noida, U.P.
VASANT MARG.
Educational Coaching Inst, Boutique,
Gym etc. owner 9810373912 Proposed Senior Secondary School (CBSE pattern)
Under the Management of Carmel Education Society (Regd.)
d`f”k QkeZ 40 lky iqjkuk
1040 Sq. Yard Plot. EXCELLENT 3 side corner HIG
Flat FF. 3 BHK DD+2 washroom,
TELE. – 0120 – 4225050, 0120 - 4225090
Of experienced FEMALE candidat es with excellent academic recor d 20 ch?kk tehu esu jksM ij
First Flr, D/D, Lounge balcony. A 3, Sect. 9 plot no. 6 for the following posts :
5 Bedrooms, S/Qtr, New India Apart. available rent
for lease min. 2 Yrs. Rohini Delhi.
1.Headmistress : Pre requisites: (I) Trained Post -graduate with good
academic record, (ii) Minimum 08 years of teaching as PGT including
tsoj ,;jiksVZ ls ek= 30 feuV dh nwjh ij
With AC, LIFT. Two Pahwa .9810226075 3 years in administrative capacity in a Public School.
Parking in Driveway. 2. Primary Teacher(s) : (All subjects): Hons.Graduate , Trained from 9871580131
recognized Institution.
Separate Power back EAST DELHI 3.Nursery Teacher(s ): Graduate , trained from recognized Institution. WWW.DESHWALORGANIC.COM
up. Available from Age as per Rules.
1st March. FOR RENT Commercial Space 550sq Salary : Selected candidate(s) will be offered an attractive package
foot covered area 1st Floor, Road commensurating with qualifications and experience.
Mobile- 9810095151 Facing,east facing CSC 1 DDA Market Candidates qualifying through distance education need not come.
I P. Extension Patparganj, Delhi-
110092 #9811104930, 8851563274 Interested candidate(s) who can join immediately should come for
PANCHSHEEL ENCLAVE Indpt. interview along with original testimonials, certificates and latest
photographs as per the following schedule on Saturday , the 20 February
th
House 3 Levels, Newly Renovated, 5
BR, 5Bath, 3 Car parking, 2 S.Qs. FOR RENT Mayur Vihar-1,2,3,4 Bed , 2021
D/D attached bathroom in DDA
Ideal for MNC, Ltd Cos., Embassies &
and Society. Brokers excuse. 11.00 a.m. - Primary and Nursery Teachers
Co. Guest house. # 9811015080 1.00 p.m. - Headmistress
Sachar Retd. Engr. 9212113427
{Sunday}
SIKH PUNJABI
EMPLOYMENT MATRIMONIALS SM4 GURSIKH B'ful Div. Girl
28/5'3" Post Graduate from respect-
PQM4 B'FUL : Girl (Minor Dibatic)
24-10-1988/5'2"/9.50am,Delhi, BTEC
able Business family of Ludhiana. only Pbi,req Grud,boy income 25lacs
Contact: 9217191613, 9654538854 Bus & Ser both Suit'le #9818687070
EXPORT HOUSE JOBS GENERAL MULTIPLE Em: [email protected] E:[email protected]
VACANCIES PARENTS INVITE proposals for SM FOR Punjabi Khatri Beautiful, Fair,
REQD. COMPUTER Operator for MATRIMONIAL AGENCY in daughter, Canadian PR holder, 30, Slim CA, M.Com, Working Girl 17-08-
Engineering Export Co. with min. 3 West Delhi Req. only Female 5'7” well edu.& well settld. Lkng for 1982 (10:12 am) Delhi, 5', Looks very
yrs exp. # Alok Int'l Pvt. Ltd., Udyog Relationship/ Asst. Manager, Tele- gursikh boy,settld in Ontario,Canada younger. WhtsApp 9873425820 E-
Vihar, Ph-IV, Gurgaon, Ph: 0124-422- callers, Peon. Salary +Incentive Cut surd excused #9810476477 mail : [email protected]
7095 Email CV: [email protected] # 8595716983, 7982832266.
PQ,GURSIKH M 4 Bhatia girl,32/5'5" PBI HINDU Saini Bful 5'3" B.Com(H)
DELNET INVITES applications for B.Tech (India),Certification (US), D.U. B.Ed 2-7-80 13:42 Ludhiana Nvr
GENERAL MULTIPLE the post of Assistant Software CANADA PR,Wkrg as Mngr in MNC Married Ttotaller Writer Status
VACANCIES Programmer. MCA Candidates with (Bangalore) Call/Wsapp:9988008355 Family CNB Seeks non-smoker
minimum 3 years working experi- Email: [email protected] [email protected]
URGENTLY REQUIRED Personal ence and with good knowledge of
SIKH SAINI Family Seeks Alliance for
G R O O M S WA N T E D
Assistant (Female) Fluent English Java Scipt, Net Basic, SQL Server,
HTML Bootstrap and Open Source their daughter Oct. 1979/5'6", M.Com,
Fresher Also Apply Attractive Salary MBA, Working Bank Gurgaon, Good
Call- Anurag 9899142515 Technologies (LAMP), VuFind, Koha,
Dspace, etc. may apply immediately Pkg, Never Married, Respond with
to Director, DELNET, JNU Campus, Biodata with Photo.# 09818896779,
Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Email: [email protected]
Kunj, New Delhi-110070. Email :
[email protected] Salary as
AGARWAL BRAHMIN WELL ESTABLISHED Jat Sikh
Family seeking a professional match
per qualifications & experience. from USA/Canada for their USA born
GARG, 10.11.90,(10:20AM) DIVORCED ISSUELESS Gaur beautiful daughter, 26, 5'9". She is
Hisar, very fair, 5'5", MBA (XLRI, Brahmin, fair girl, 14.5.93/5'3" delhi,
HOTEL/RESTAURANT Jamshedpur) 20 Lpa (Aditya Birla mca, working govt. public sector,
doing Dermatology Residency (1st
yr) at a prominent university in the
Group) Highly Edu & B'ness fmly. highly educated family.9582458586 USA. Cont. [email protected]
REQD. PASTRY commies 4 nos / call/Wsp profile & photo: 9354323752 Em: [email protected]
senior barista 2 nos / bakery chef 2
nos & bakery helpers 4 nos walk in: PQM4 SLIM fair b'ful 25/5'4" Bisa SARASWAT BRAHMIN, Non Alliance invited for Services
B-92, G.T. Karnal Road, Ind. Area, Aggarwal girl MS (Elec) wrkg US Manglik Beautiful, Fair, Smart Girl.
MBA, NIIT. Diploma/ 5'4"/1993 Pref
officer’s, Graceful Daughter
big5 compny H1B Family hi'ly
Nr. Arya Bhatt Polytechnic # 98113-
65631, [email protected] edutd/ status Delhi # 9811083259 Professionally Qualified Suitable 26, 5’2” Post Graduated in NCR BASED Respectable Punjabi
family invites alliance For smart,
Email: [email protected] Match. Contact- 9810552549 Journalism from reputed beautiful, Very fair daughter
ARCHITECT PQM4 GARG slim girl Aug89 5'5" SM 4 Parashar Bhramin Girl, 30/5'3", university, well settled, South 31Yrs/5'4", MBA (FIN) IMT Dubai
Looking for handsome, educated,
MBA wkg Gurgaon Mgr Large
Veg, Madhya (28.08.90/ 9:22am,
Delhi), Beautiful, Pursuing MBA,
Delhi Based Sikh family, looking Well settled Boy of similar back
URGENTLY REQD. Exp. Structural Corporate. Highly edu fmly Father
retd top mgt. call/wsp profile &
Consultant - MNC, 12 Lpa. for Smart Sikh Boy, Professionally Ground. Send Bio -data /photo on
Engineer (Staad), Architect, Drafts- Whats App 9811167775 or Mail to MUSLIM BENGALI
man, Receptionist. Cont: Shukla, photo: 8375882754
Mobile:- 9810886789 Qlfd, working with well reputed [email protected]
C-55, Sec-10, Noida # 9811142911, Organization or from well SUITABLE MATCH for Anshik
[email protected] SUITABLE MATCH for Vaish/ JAT SUNNI MUSLIM 34/5'5" fair BENGALI KAYASTHA girl 29/5'2''
Agarwal Indian smart well qualified established Business Family Manglik Punjabi khatri Beautiful beautiful MBA girl working in MNC B.Tech. employed in MNC Pune
REQUIRED ARCHITECTURAL in computer from the US, 23 years Preferred from ,South Delhi /NCR fair girl, B.com +JBT 07-11-1989, seeks educated boy preferably seeks only Bengali Kayastha Soft-
Assistant 5 Years Experience, South old, 5’-3” Tall, very fair, slim girl BTECH CS, MBA from United 5'.5", Parents retired govt job Aritist working in Delhi/metro cities. ware Engineer boy Contact Mobile
EXPERIENCED FEMALE Off. Delhi Preferred. Call SK Sareen Kingdom sm4 slim fair beautiful Jat family #9899527034, 9582004487.
Assist. cum Computer Optr, Tele.Optr. 9811078300, 9911079300. Email:
from a highly respectable family.
Boy must be qualified and in a very girl 28/5`3" seek pqm from family Pl Cont:- 9891081700,9891665636 09454817993/ 09368564973 no. 9939940285, 9472927465
Acct. Assist. Field Excu. Sigma Diag. PQM 4 PB Khatri A.Mglk fair girl 5'6",
18-19 DDA Mkt. Pitampura Opp. Metro
[email protected] good job or business preferably of repute Contact-9818437663
E mail:- [email protected] 21.01.89/1:28pm/Delhi, BCA/MCA HINDU
Piller No.365. # 9999777329 outside India."Cont - 9899061374 [email protected]
(Regular) wkg as Asst. Professor (IT) MANGLIK
PART TIME JOB SM 4 Sikh Kyshap Rajput Mehra Girl 6 LPA, Father Govt.Offcer. Contact:
WE AT Swift Packers & Movers Pvt KHATRI 9810259160 SUITABLE MATCH for Punjabi BEAUTIFUL, BRAHMIN girl.
Ltd are looking for a Male Executive 05.10.1988/5'5" Convent Edu, B.Tech, Clinical Psychologist, 28, 5'4".
with own conveyance Starting Sal. URG REQD efficient Part /Full Time MBA Software Engr, Wkrg in MNC SM FOR Very Fair, B’Ful Punjabi Girl, Saraswat Brahmin Manglik, MA, Father VP at an MNC. Looking for
B R I D E S WA N T E D
professionals Age-30-70. Retd/Ex- Gurgaon 8Lpa #9971119557, 96503- 6Nov 87/9:21 pm/Kolkata,5'7", M.Sc. B.Ed, Homely, Aug 79/ 5'1", Never
20,000/- photograph at: admin@
Bankers/Ex-Rail/Ex-Govt service/ DOCTOR KHATRI B.ful Girl 39827, [email protected] Married. Cont- 9312009222,
well educated, well off boy. Contact
swiftpackersandmovers.co.in 1987/5'4" Phd. India PDF USA Wkg MNC Ggn seeks clean shaven 8800788366
VRS/Housewife/Businessman. Sal- Sikh/Hindu Punjabi well settled boy Em : [email protected]
Biotechnology Assistant Professor
ary+Incentive+PF # 8178925546 frm corporates/self-owned business HINDU JATAV girl Sept.89/5'8",fair
national Institute Govt. Job
Transferable Hyderabad 9467726073
PUNJABI Send biodata W'app 9830049687; PQM FOR (Noida) based fair girl, MCA,wkg in Income Tax Deptt. father
REQUIRED PART Time/Full time Email: [email protected] 1994 / 5.3 , Software Engineer retd. from PSU/ Mother Gztd. Officer. AGARWAL ARORA
MNC in Delhi Need Retired persons , BTech/CS father class one officer Seeks Govt. Employed (Del/NCR) with
Self employed , House Wife ,are SM 4 Mnglk/07.10.84/09:50pm Fbd/ NM PQM for Punjabi Khatri Slim girl,
5'4"/ Nov.85/ B.Sc/MBA/B.Ed/ Officer GOI., seeks liberal minded Rajput position. Caste no bar. # 9212691110
allowed , High Income & Inctv, 5'3'' M.Sc.,Phy& NET Qulfd,Asst. Prof
DIVORCEE/WIDOW Boy suitable match in early 30 s. BEAUTIFUL MATCH for goel boy PQM FOR Punjabi Professional
YMCA Uni. Fbd,60K PM Seeks edu & Central Govt.,Delhi, 10 LPA, Parents Sep1991,5.5 1/2 , b.tech diamond
Contact : 9999106532
Gztd. Officer (Retd.). Ph. 9873938174, E: [email protected] CANADA/US BASED well M-Tech+MBA (US )/36/6', Athletic,
Hi Status boy 8447672844, 742872- educated groom for b'ful fair graduate & gemologist, jewellery Fair, Working in MNC in HYD.
9873438174, JSID: ZVVU6163 9829595181.
EXCELLENT PART /full-time 7483, [email protected] ALLIANCE INVITED for CA Agarwal 26/5'6" brought up in showroom karnal, prefered c.a or Parents Doctors 9415279889.
opportunity in an MNC based in 32/5'3" working in MNC Punjabi MGLK GIRL 6.3.91/12:55pm Del/5'2" India pursuing Ph.D. in Toronto. jewellery designer 9812184800 [email protected]
Noida. Housewives and retired SUITABLE MATCH for fair SM 4 Punjabi Khatri Suri,Beautiful girl Khatri high status South Delhi
5'4",14.10.90/ 00:05AM/ Delhi,wrking /12LPA B'Ful PB. B.Tech. Q.A. Engr M 7518704500
persons preferred for details, beautiful 158 c.m 16.9.92 CA finalist business family. Issueless short DEFENCE COLONY Delhi based
Graduate in Spanish & English (Hons.) in Rep. MNC seeks PQ/Srvc/B' ness Goel bachelor 36/185, only son, self
contact - 9818841859 working as finance executive 5lkp marriage seeks smart high profile
Punjabi arora girl 9910778998
Father-Business man. # 9810823855
preferred South Delhi based
Boy of Rep. fmly D/NCR 8368768057
REMARRIAGE employed, Diploma in Jewellery BRAHMIN
Email: [email protected] BHP: [email protected] Design & Manufacturing, Diamond
professional/ b'man. Pl send detail
COMPUTER/IT at : exportscena@gmail. com Grading # 9810235079,9990814000 GAUR BRAHMIN Mglk Boy/ 12.01.
YADAV or whatsapp : 8368215820 GUJARATI, UPPER middle class,
WANTED FEMALE Good looking
WORKING GIRLS S Del based fmly. SM4 Bful,divorcee, SM4 NM Aggarwal, Singhal, 32 yrs, 92/ 2:44pm 5'8"/DLI/Wkg Pvt. Sect
I'less, Aug/79, 5-4'', wrkg in Ggn at 5'8'', Sonipat, B.Tech (IT), MBA, B.I. 10+ Lpa/Teetotaller, H'some, Smart,
Computer opt. Office at Karol Bagh. BISA AGARWAL YADAV GIRL, Greater Noida Based, DOCTOR snr posn. Want well settled boy, analyst at Ahmdbad, 7.5 LPA. Well Qlfd, Convt Edu. Del Bsd. Seeks
Exp 3yr age max 26yr.Graduate SIKH BHATIA 28/5'3" 1992 born, upper caste no bar. Ideally from Contact: 8295997079, Email: Wkg, Suitable Match. # 9899315445
Must hv good English. Salary 15k to 27/5'3" B.Tech. MBA (Finance) Color Delhi based Divorcee working girl,
RASTOGI, 05.07.86, 5'0", MBA, Fair, Job MNC mob: 9412575944, Delhi NCR/ Mumbai. Contact: [email protected]
18k Em: [email protected]
8755897113. WANTED GROOM for 5'/Slim,Pre- Business Class Family seeks Hindu / [email protected] HIGHLY EDUCATED & Cultured
M: 7982921692 working in MNC, 15 lakhs, Delhi tty, MBBS, MD(Micro),32yrs, Working Punjabi & Sikh boy. M: 09818535362 HANDSOME GARG boy 5'7"/27
based family, Seeks veg, well-edu- match 4 H'some, Highly Edu. Phy
Central Govt Delhi.Reputed Family. Em: [email protected] SUITABLE DEFENCE Services working MNC Package 8lac seeks (Hons.), MBA, MCA, LLB, 39yrs/5'10",
cated boy working in Delhi NCR. Prefer Doctors, Engineers, Govt
DESIGNERS Contact- 9650890600, 9650878690 KASHTRIYA officers, IAS/Allied, Defence, CA.
groom for issue less High income Govt teacher, banker, Doctor, other Brahmin boy, Divorcee having 1 issue
Divorcee Kyastha girl 36 / 5'4" MNC govt jobs in Delhi. # 9911110152 only. # 7827214366, 9643213534
Well educated settled boy & family NRI with global profile. Father Sr retd [email protected]
REQUIRED GRAPHIC Designer SM 4 Unmarried Delhite Singhal KSHATRIYA RAJPUT girl main consideration # 9811557086 PSU officer. Seeking similar
40/5'3" Slim Looks Very Young MA 25.02.1986 (Times 8:18am in Dubai), issueless groom. anishshrivastava88 WELL QUALIFIED science/tech MATCH FOR South Delhi based
for Apple Mac knowing Photoshop, SEEKING PROFESSIONAL qual- Brahmin boy. 5.11", BA LLB wkg in
Illustration, InDesign with good Spanish Dip. Looking Well Educated 5' NSD graduate free-lancer MD/MS/DM/MCH MATCH for @gmail.com girl for MS (Comp Sc) Apr94 5'10"
Boy Delhi/ NCR Divorcee- Excuse South Delhi Resident Contact:- MD Radiology aggarwal girl 5’2” / ified, Handsome, boy for US citizen MNC. DOB 13-2-1991 TOB 11AM
command over English & Hindi. Agarwal boy working in USA on H1B POB Delhi. Contact: 9810022960
Email: [email protected] 9350538730, 9625379116 1994 affluent doctors family mobile Indian beautiful, fair 26yrs hindu
Email:- [email protected] visa [email protected]
no7986569173 (Jatav)compassionate Batchelor girl. JATAV 9821089791
/ 9910612836.
PQM 4 26/162cm/NM, Fair, Slim, PHD FRM IIT Dr Arora girl, 1989/ 5' Caste no bar. Em: [email protected]
COMPUTER SAINI wkg scientist. Seeks wkg highly edu, SM4 BR Girl, 29/5' Approx, GOEL BOY 5'8" 70kg/4.12.88/9.15
OPERATOR Beautiful, Mangla Gotra, B.Tech,
Wkg MNC GGN,15 LPA, Father well stld profile Delhi/India/abroad Bhardwaj, DR BDS, Hospital SUITABLE MATCH from Doctors for SM HINDU Jatav girl fair, 5'1.5'/ am(Meerut)/ MBA(IIM)/ BTech(DCE)/ KHATRI
9811425233, 9910012552. Management, MDS, wkg Senior a Sikh girl born in USA, 28/ 5'4". Sept.'1993, MA, B.Ed, School Teacher, Own House(Delhi)/ Working in Axis
REQUIRES MALE /Female DTP Associate Professor in PG College Resp. Delhi bsd fmly. Seeks Employed
under Haryana Govt. Email: SM 4 Saini 28/5'2'' B'ful, fair girl Non Email: [email protected] lecuturer, Pref BR 9818033774, Working Attorney in NY & NJ. Email: Bank/ 16 LPA/ 9810008451 /
Operators Expert in Corel &
[email protected] Manglik B.Tech, MBA(IIM)wrkg in MNC 9891799453 [email protected] Groom with Position in Respectable
[email protected] PQM 4 T'Totler Khtari boy, 9.8.1986/
Photoshop for Reputed advt agency Gurgaon 17Lpa Delhi based (Cast no PB SR Br slim Fair bful Girl Job. Ph : 9953786011, 7838085518 10 PM (Delhi) 5'11', MCA, wrkg MNC
in East Delhi. Attractive Salary bar) seeks handsome well educated MSc(Comp Sci) wkg IT MNC PQ MATCH For Fair Slim V'ful, 5'6", HSME JAIN/GOEL boy 21.5.74 NCR, 25 LPA, own house in Delhi.
Contact: 9810604740, 9650208245 settled (MBA) boy Cont-9868324421 Chandigarh 5'3" Nov 79. Never 5/91 Born Working Dentist Arora /4pm/Panipat 5’7” BE (E&C) / Seeks Delhi based punjabi girl from
BRAHMIN married match #8054426749 or Girl from affluent Modern family COSMOPOLITAN 60Lpa. Wkg as Engg. Manager for a respectable family. # 9310044658
WANTED EXPERIENCE. [email protected] father Dr., Cast No Bar Contact: Email: [email protected]
large US MNC in Noida. Email:
Computer Operator Having Good
GOUR BRAHMIN Manglik Girl HIMACHALI 9453367336, 9935720600 [email protected]
Knowledge of English and Comme- PQM4 FAIR B'ful slim NM Hindu Email: [email protected] PQM 4M Rich/affluent PQM4: KHATRI Boy, 6',May'91
rce Background. Apply with Biodata: 2.4.87 / 8.07 PM Del / 5'3" Antya, BA girl 5'5" 16.8.90/18:31 Del MBA re- Del/ NCR families for similar M.Tech, Wkg MNC,NCR Ggn based
[email protected] (DU), MCA, MBA, Working IT Sector QUALIFIED/WELL SETTLED siding Noida 8 yrs MNC wkg exp Pref SUITABLE JAT Sikh Doctor match status Dec'82/5'6 Surgeon/ BISA AGARWAL
Delhi. Seeks S/M All Brahmin Boy match for beautiful well cultured from USA only for Jat Sikh Doctor Edu. Family, Father Sr. Defence Ofcr
qlfd wkg boy Del/Ncr & family. Send V well settled. Email: (Rtd) Seeks professional wrkg girl
Delhi / NCR. Father ACP / DP Retd. slim himachali rajput divorcee girl. BHP [email protected] girl, 29yrs Height-5ft. 10 inches US [email protected] 8447812220, 9711391314(wtsap)
Cont: 9810214868 Sharma (Delhi) Short marriage, issueless, 5'9", June Citizen. Educated Doctors family. SM4 HANDSOME Gupta kashyap
1984, Delhi. Working in a reputed GROOM WANTED for Upper Email: [email protected] Boy 27yrs/5'10"/MBA. Delhi based
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P
They were checking
LBW, we knew that
Rohit rules on a rank turner
Opener rides close
would be not out, we calls on way to his
SCORECARD
were trying to get seventh Test ton on a INDIA
them to look at what wicket that didn’t let
R Sharma c Ali b Leach 161
S Gill lbw b Stone 0
happened after the ball batsmen settle down C Pujara c Stokes b Leach 21
V Kohli b Ali 0
hit his (Rahane) pad. It Aditya Iyer A Rahane b Ali 67
A
R Pant batting 33
is a bit like VAR... [email protected]
R Ashwin c Pope b Root 13
CHENNAI : All of two balls, A Patel batting 5
bowled in succession and in a Total (88 ovs, 6 wkts) 300
matter of seconds, had the nar- Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-85,
rative power to sum up the 3-86, 4-248, 5-249, 6-284.
entirety of the 88 overs bowled Bowling: Broad 11-2-37-0,
on rocky course
Stadium on Saturday. Waiting also fell in safe places. And with
for Ali to release the ball was Moeen Ali bowling outside the
India’s opener, Rohit Sharma. off-stump, LBW also doesn’t
It was flighted and full, and come into play.”
Somshuvra Laha on pitching the ball emerged In the space of just one
from an explosion of dust and Sharma run at the end of the
[email protected]
scooted past the outside edge of first session (from 63 to 64), he
NEW DELHI: The first puff of dust Sharma’s bat. The close-in field- lost two partners, Cheteshwar
came off the fifth ball of the day, ers sighed and even Sharma Pujara and Kohli. When the
a full Stuart Broad delivery to held his defensive pose a frac- teams took lunch, Sharma had
Rohit Sharma. In the ninth over, tion longer than usual, his eyes Rohit Sharma drives one through the covers during his 161 on Day 1 of the second Test against England in Chennai on Saturday. BCCI scored 80 out of 106 runs. But in
left-arm spinner Jack Leach’s fixed on one of the many spots the afternoon session, his Mum-
drifter again kicked up some of rough that had emerged dur- and yet Sharma retaliated with stumps and paddle sweeps that bai mate Ajinkya Rahane would
dust. So did the Moeen Ali deliv- ing the opening few hours itself. 161 runs. That’s more than half squirted uppishly and landed help share his thus-far lone bur-
ery that dipped brilliantly to
sneak through the gap between
Ali smiled, possibly even
smacking his lips in anticipa-
of India’s total at stumps of
300/5, a great team score con-
Third umpire gets it wrong between fielders. But on a
wicket as nasty, Sharma would
den. “We really understand each
other but the main thing was
Virat Kohli’s bat and pad to clip tion of the next ball. This is how sidering what it could have been CHENNAI: A DRS referral was on-field umpire before have expected nothing less. that we were constantly chat-
the top of off-stump. All this hap- he had earlier dismissed Virat without Sharma’s runs. restored to England after an Chaudhary, failing to read Immediately after Sharma ting. I think that’s why we had a
pened before lunch. These are Kohli for a rare duck at home “See, on a pitch like this, you error by the third umpire. the passage of play, also spanked a four and a six off suc- good partnership,” said Sharma,
ominous signs, even by Indian and this is how he was later have got to be proactive before England were left frustrated rejected the review thinking cessive Stokes deliveries—both before revealing one of the
standards. Indian pitches can’t going to dismiss Ajinkya it is too late,” Sharma would and captain Joe Root miffed that the ball had pitched out- pulls, one high and the other things they chatted about. “I
be typecast because of the vary- Rahane when he was primed explain his mindset at the press after a blunder by Anil side leg-stump and so it was low—England captain Joe Root was telling him to sweep.”
ing nature of base soil, but they for a hundred—by giving the conference. “You cannot be ten- Chaudhary denied them the not an LBW. England players brought Leach into the attack. Although he was scoring in a
generally aid batting till the third The pitch in the background, ball plenty of air around off- tative or have two thoughts. If wicket of India vice-captain appeared to clarify that they And he nearly struck. Sharma hurry before lunch and was just
day before wear and tear afford which was used for the first stump and allowing the pitch to you want to sweep, you sweep. Ajinkya Rahane and a DRS were appealing for a catch off poked from the back of the 20 short of his first hundred
purchase for spinners. Test, has a reddish tinge. The do the rest. If you want to use your feet, review. After it became clear the glove and not the bat. crease and the edge fell just against England at the break,
Chennai, however, seems a one on which this Test is being The next ball to Sharma was then you do that and play with that Chaudhary had erred, Seeing the replays on the short of first slip. He was on 42 Sharma bid his time in the after-
different deal altogether. Not played has a darker tone. BCCI tossed up too, and was fast nar- the turn.” For the five-and-a- the review was reinstated. big screen, Root was left then. noon. Until he got into the nine-
often do you see two pitches on rowing into the minefield when half hours that Sharma’s In the 75th over, a Jack unimpressed as replays did To Sharma’s credit, his ties, that is. On 91, Ali bowled
the same square sporting com- Rahane made no bones about it. Sharma stepped out of the innings lasted, he did just that— Leach ball brushed Rahane’s not show what happened course-correction was almost as those two balls that encapsu-
pletely different top soil shades— “We knew it was going to turn crease and crunched the half- predominantly sweeping Ali gloves on the way to Ollie after the ball hit the pad. instant. Next ball, he lunged for- lated the day’s play—a danger-
the one used in the first Test was from Day 1, so obviously, it was volley over the bowler’s head. and using his feet to Jack Leach, Pope at forward short-leg. Rahane, though, was dis- ward to take the ball on the full ous dot followed by a six to take
dusty red, while the second one good to win the toss,” he said. The shot swerved violently right and occasionally the other way England’s appeal for a catch missed six balls later, bowled and swept Leach hard towards him to 97. But the nerves didn’t
bore a darker look. The pitch Batting technique too needs a in the Chennai air and ended up around. His runs alone are was turned down by the by Moeen Ali for 67. the boundary to get to 46. Two end there.
report before toss spoke of a dry, tweak on this pitch. Playing clattering against the concrete proof that the strategy worked. balls later, he let the ball bounce On 98, he tried to lap sweep
completely different surface that against the spin, for which Kohli steps above the Madras Cricket and swept against the spin. The his way to century off Ali, only
may not have been rolled a lot paid a hefty price, is a strict no Club. Had a spectator (allowed Swept away ampton, he scored 28 in the first crease with a first-ball bound- result was the same, and as a for the ball to clip the toe end of
for it to firm up. It was in keep- early in the innings. Rahane into an Indian ground for the It is rather incredible that innings as a middle-order bat, ary through cover. It took him bonus, he had brought up his his bat and fly over short mid-
ing with earlier reports that said showed how coming down the first time since March, 2020) before this series, then 34-Test- which wasn’t bettered in the to 29, from as many balls. It is fifty. wicket. But on Saturday, it was a
even though the base will have pitch negates slower bowlers. watched only those two deliver- old Sharma had played just one two innings (6 and 12) in his easy to say he was looking omi- “The sweep is something that case of try-till-you-get-it-right
local red soil, and the top layer Centurion Rohit Sharma, like ies and nothing else, he would long-form match against new-ish avatar of an opener in nous with the help of hindsight, can frustrate a bowler. There is with Sharma. Three jittery overs
will be primarily black clay that Joe Root in the first Test, used still have a complete picture of England, and even that came the first Chennai Test. but the innings until then (or not much a bowler or the pitch later, he lap swept Ali towards
breaks down faster. the tried and tested sweep shot. this fire-and-brimstone sort of way back in 2014—near the He got past that barrier with even later) was far from chance- can do if you are playing that fine leg and trotted two runs—
Those puffs of dust are proof He didn’t look entirely at ease day; a day when England’s spin- beginning of his stop-start Test gusto on Saturday, welcoming less. There were inside-edges shot well,” Sharma said. “It is the second of those with his bat
of rapid disintegration of the top executing it at times but Sharma ners tag-teamed with the pitch career. In that Test in South- Ben Stokes to the bowling that narrowly missed the also the safer option, because in the air.
soil. And it spun. A lot. If the got the results till he was dis-
pitch in the first Test spun more missed, ironically, trying the
than 3° on average, Day 1 of the sweep.
w
very ideal pitch for Test cricket. ring font over his bare chest. But out being able to attend cricket sport behind closed doors— while, they cheered at the Che- out what collective disappoint- for the 49th time, behind only
“It is a difficult track where today his CSK-themed body matches,” says Saravanan, even extends all the way back to a pauk simply because they were ment sounds like, at the fall of Roger Federer (67) and Novak
you don’t know whether to come paint is buried under a tri-colour as a cheer ripples through this T20I against South Africa in back, even as Sharma’s early Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Djokovic (53). “Today is better.
forward or remain on the back- T-shirt; today, he is just one stand for a Rohit Sharma cover- Dharamsala last March. shots went straight to the inner- Kohli’s wickets in quick succes- First day I feel an improvement,
foot,” said Sunil Gavaskar while READ: Good among the 11,000 fans to attend drive. Although no cricket was played circle fielders. One of them sion. That sound was a stunning and that’s the most important
doing TV commentary. The only footwork and the first day of the second Test— “This sound is what I missed that day due to rain, it was the cheering at just about anything silence, somehow quieter and thing, more than any other
reason India finished the day positive intent was the key: the first such gathering at a the most,” he says instantly. “I last time there were fans in the was D Venu, a 29-year-old man more eerie than the ever-present thing,” he said of his back. Nadal
with a smile was because they Rahane sports venue in India since coro- may never have played cricket stands, albeit drenched and who works at a marketing com- silence of a spectator-less sta- next faces fiery Italian Fabio
had won the toss and batted. navirus changed the world in well, but I have always been dejected ones. Both the sun and pany. Placed at the opposite end dium. Fognini, who beat Australian
Alex de Minaur in straight sets.
Nadal’s victory keeps him on
course to meet Djokovic in the
Quelling lockdown blues, race walker trio makes Tokyo Olympics cut final, although the defending
champion is under an injury
cloud after suffering what he
called an abdominal “muscle
Avishek Roy Goswami timed 1:28:45 to win and their motivation levels had country and an Olympics quali- was difficult to train at home. tear”. It remains unclear
the 20km men and women’s plummeted. Singh’s biggest fying event at that. Exactly a Though our coach would con- whether the Serb will be able to
[email protected]
events respectively. Kumar challenge was to get them back year ago, the race walkers had stantly tell us to train,” she said. play his fourth-round match
NEW DELHI: For three months erased the national record to peak fitness and keep them last competed in the same event Singh said the biggest chal- against Milos Raonic on Sunday.
during the lockdown, 20km 1:20:21, jointly held by KT Irfan ready for unscheduled events. but Kumar had missed the mark lenge was to keep them moti- Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos
race walker Sandeep Kumar and Devender Singh. Goswami The domestic calendar had by 34 seconds. “I was very dis- vated. “When they returned to Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev all
trained on paddy fields on the surpassed Bhawana Jat’s mark been wiped out and the coach appointed and immediately training in Bengaluru, it was a reached the last 16 on Saturday.
sliver of farm land he owns in of 1:29:54 which is awaiting rati- did not know when his wards after that the lockdown started fresh start. I had to work on Ash Barty, the women’s top
Haryana’s Sureti Jakhar village. fication. would get another chance to and Tokyo Olympics was post- their physical fitness and seed, said it was “very strange” to
At home in Meerut, Priyanka Another race walker Rahul, qualify for Tokyo. poned. Everything was uncer- encourage them. I made them play behind closed doors.
Goswami, another 20km race who finished second with a time Then came the national event tain. There was no motivation watch motivational videos. It Barty’s straightforward 6-2,
walker, was struggling to stay in of 1:20:26, also qualified for the in Ranchi. “It was a do-or-die to restart preparation,” said was also important to keep 6-4 win over Russia’s Ekaterina
shape. Uncertainty gnawing at Olympics. The Olympics qualifi- situation for race walkers,” said Kumar. “We had no choice but them injury-free because there Alexandrova put her into the
both, the Olympics looked a dis- cation cut was 1:21:00 for men Singh, a former international. to pick ourselves up. I was walk- was no competition. We put in a fourth round without dropping a
tant dream. That changed on and 1:31:00 for women. Irfan “After the Asian Race Walking ing in paddy fields in my village lot of hard work and they set as she bids to become the
Saturday. and Jat having already quali- Championships scheduled in for three months, trying to responded to the challenge in first Australian winner since
At the National Open Race fied, the number of Indian race Japan from March 21 (last year) remain as fit as possible,” says tough times. That’s why they Chris O’Neil in 1978.
Walking Championships in walkers in Tokyo has swelled to was cancelled because of Cov- Kumar, 34, who competed at have been able to come back so “It’s very strange, it changes
Ranchi, Kumar and Goswami five. id-19, the target was to qualify in the Rio Olympics in the 50km well in the very first event.” the sound in the court a little
showed great resolve to not only When Kumar and Goswami the very first event. It is quite race walk. For Kumar and Goswami, it bit,” Barty said of the empty,
book Tokyo Olympics berths, returned to the national camp possible that they won’t get any For Goswami, the dream of was double bonanza as they 7,500-seat Margaret Court
but also shatter the national in Bengaluru last July, coach other event to qualify,” he said. taking part in her first Olympics also became the first Indians to Arena.
records. Kumar clocked 1 hour Gurmeet Singh had his job cut Ranchi was holding the first was all but gone. “I had given up qualify for next year’s World “It kind of felt a little bit like
Sandeep Kumar at the National Open Race Walking in Ranchi. HT 20 minutes and 16 seconds and out. They had gained weight major athletics meet in the hope and I went back home. It Athletics Championships. practice,” she added.
Sunday, February 14, 2021 n 12 PAGES. f @HTCITY t @HTCITY i @HTCITY y /USER/HT. ENTERTAINMENT & PROMOTIONAL FEATURES
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PO
know! VD you’re a lucky guy!’ Kapoor wrote, to which
P
Dhawan replied: ‘I truly am. Hope you are ready.’
SU G LE
SIN KIARA ADVANI
Rumours are strong that this actor is taken. It started when
she came on board the film, Shershah, starring alongside a
certain Sidharth Malhotra. Advani shut rumours in March
2019, saying, “No, I’m not dating Sidharth, I’m very much
single.” Cut to January 2020, the duo shared similar pictures
of a lush landscape from Africa on social media, and fans
concluded they are vacationing. This January they posted
similar pics from a vacay in Maldives on their Instagram
stories and were spotted returning together at the airport.
What confirms matters is Advani’s recent reply to a portal on
what she’d write in Malhotra’s Tinder bio: “I don’t want to
put him on Tinder at all,” followed by “I’m kidding”.
ANANYA PANDAY
The latest heartthrob on the block too is rumoured to have found
love on the sets of a film. This was actually out of the blue because
KL RAHUL
no one saw it coming. The story started when Panday made a joint The relationship between this cricketer and actor Athiya Shetty is said to have
appearance with Ishaan Khatter at Sidhant Chaturvedi’s Diwali started in 2019. When her dad, actor Suniel Shetty was asked about it, all he said was,
party in 2020, and then drove to Katrina Kaif’s Christmas party “I am not having the relationship. You will have to ask Athiya.” Their public
together. Then came their Maldives vacation earlier this year. appearances, social media exchanges have said it all, but they refuse to talk about it.
Panday featured in many of Khatter’s posts, even appearing in a They keep posting cute pictures with each other, and their captions make it
video he made on the trip, and he gave her ‘videography credits’. abundantly clear. Sample this: Rahul posted a sun-kissed picture with Shetty on
They were spotted returning together at the airport too. Instagram in November 2020 and captioned it ‘Happy Birthday mad child’, with a
heart emoji. They were also spotted having dinner recently. What more do we say?
Text: Rishabh Suri
Actor
Dia Mirza is set to STOP PRESS
P tie the knot with { RANA DAGGUBATI } ACTOR
I look at it as
one more day
Mumbai-based P
and one more businessman Vaibhav You get a feeling of being
excuse to love Rekhi on February 15, in balanced. The bond you share
each other what may be a close-knit is a great source of calm.
and do lovey-
A
affair. Mirza hasn’t yet
dovey stuff. On enjoying married life
made any
ADITYA NARAYAN,
Singer statement.
Special days
are about
spending
‘We help each time: Punit
other be the time, I will have to do better and better.
There is no end to these special days. I
best version
think, they became special because you
spend time with that someone special
and not because you do something spe-
cial. Ab mujhe lagta hai ke main aur
of ourselves’
Nidhi thode bade hogaye hain, aur
thode buddhe bhi (laughs), to get that
excited about Valentine’s Day. The good
part is Nidhi doesn’t expect a lot, so she
loves what I do. She knows me well and
Juhi Chakraborty the initial years, as that’s for sometime now, I’ve come out of my
[email protected]
when we were both growing comfort zone and been open about my
up. I was working, there was feelings for her. So whatever I do, hon-
ditya Narayan and personal life, it could have estly, will be enough for her.”
A Shweta Agarwal
have celebrated
many a Valentine’s
Day over the 11 years of their
courtship, but this year it is
been really difficult for her
but she was there rock solid
beside me. She is the emo-
tional anchor in the rela-
tionship. We empower and
He reveals he’s never done anything
elaborate even as a teenager, on ‘special’
days. “I don’t get excited even for my
birthdays! There is too much pressure
to execute what you plan and you don’t
special as they will be cele- help each other become the end up enjoying the day,” he says.
brating the day of love as a best version of ourselves, As the couple has not been on a hon-
newlywed couple. which is great,” he shares. Kavita Awaasthi eymoon yet, Pathak says he is waiting to
“You should celebrate Agarwal says when they [email protected]
travel to Europe. “We went to Goa right
every single day. Over the met, they were very different after our wedding to celebrate my par-
years, we have gone out and people and over the years have been thinking how to crack ents’ 35th wedding anniversary but
done the regular couple
things but this year is spe-
cial,” shares Agarwal, who
tied the knot with the singer
on December 1, last year.
they’ve both evolved and
learnt a lot from one
another. “I love the fact that
both of us are secure about
each other. We let each NOTE TO
I this,” says Punit J Pathak on plans
to make his first Valentine’s Day
special, after his wedding to Nidhi
Moony Singh on December 11, last year.
“I will light up my terrace, dance to
everyone thought it was our honey-
moon. We want to go to Europe for 30
days or so. Let’s see kab hota hai,” he
concludes.
Narayan adds, “I look at it other do our things and we READERS: Some some good music, have a candle-lit din-
as one more day and one are also connected and of the coverage ner and play a movie that she likes. Dur-
more excuse to love each
other and do lovey-dovey
spend time together like a
regular couple. I am very
that appears on
our pages is
ing the lockdown we were chilling, but
since the unlock, both of us have been
P
stuff.” The couple, who met happy with how it has pro- paid for by the
concerned
working. We are torn apart as far as I’ll light my terrace,
in 2008, began dating in gressed,” says the actor. work is concerned. Saath mein
March 2010. Talking about While V-Day this year
brands. No
baithenge and will spend quality time,” dance to good music,
sponsored
their relationship and how it looks like a working day for content does or says the choreographer, director and have a candle-lit
has evolved over the years, Narayan, he promises to shall appear in actor, who’s been busy with his shows.
Narayan, 33, says it has been make it up to Agarwal later. any part of HT Pathak isn’t a fan of Valentine’s Day dinner, play a movie.
a long journey. “Like every “We’re planning a vacation without it being and says, “I don’t have a problem with
relationship, we’ve had our next month, that will make declared as such people celebrating it, but I also feel
PUNIT J PATHAK, ʔʇʍʊʋʒʇʑʏ
to our valued Choreographer-actor
ups and downs especially in up for this one,” he adds. there is too much pressure on people. If
readers.
I take Nidhi out for a cruise, the next
02 showbiz NEW DELHI
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 14, 2021
W
hile the concept wedding date, February 15.
of Valentine’s Day You see I’m very bad with
can be polarizing, dates,” she says, adding, “Ek
actor Namit Das baar main bhooli thi uske
is hardcore romantic at heart baad se I made sure I never
and hence does not mind hav- forget. So every year I thank
ing one day dedicated to cele- Valentine’s Day,” Vyas says.
While Amrita hopes for a brate love. Like other couples,
he too, is looking forward to
The couple has been
together for 12 years now and
special V-Day surprise from celebrate the special day with
his wife, actor Shruti Vyas.
will be completing 6 years of
their marriage, tomorrow.
her husband, RJ Anmol, “We are very big on Valen-
tine’s Day, at least I’m. I’m not
Vyas says over the years, the
definition of love has kept on
RJ Anmol
and Amrita
the latter leaves it on a cynic. There are some peo-
ple who feel and say things
changing. “Now we’re at this
stage where we express how
Rao
PHOTO: VIKRAM
their three-month-old that love is to be celebrated
every day, so why have one
we like to take care of each
other. We connect on music
BAWA
to decide their day to celebrate it? I don’t
have that thought. Yes, we
very well. These small things
keep us together,” she shares.
plans need to love everyday but we
need a reminder one day
Elaborating on how love
becomes stronger with time,
when we can tell our loved Das, 36, explains, “Now I
Rishabh Suri we had completed 10 years of one that we love them. If know that when I say I love
[email protected]
relationship.” there is a day for it, I’m ready you, it doesn’t exist just in
to celebrate it,” says Das. words but in what I do. When
ull of giggles and laughter is WHAT DO THEY LIKE ABOUT Vyas on the other hand you do things for each other,
ILLUSTRATION:
MADE IN
zone all the time, I will achieve that’…” SHUTTERSTOCK
INDIA FIRST V-DAY For RJ Anmol, loving Amrita comes
since 1994 It all started when Rao visited RJ naturally to him. “For me to fall in love
Anmol’s radio station for an interview. with her was not rocket science...She’s a
The two took a liking to each other, and star who’s so grounded, so beautiful not
started meeting. Recalling their first just from the outside but inside too. She
date, she says, “We were driving around came to my radio station in 2009, and
in Bandra, Mumbai, and impromptu that’s been her longest interview till
decided to drive all the way to Lonavala. date,” he chuckles.
The day ended at Bandstand. I remem-
ber it vividly.” Anmol chimes in, “The FIRST TIME AS PARENTS
initial years, we went around on a lot of As this is their first Valentines Day after
drives. Our love story is a love triangle becoming parents, are their plans any
between me, Amrita and Mumbai.” different this year? “I don’t know what
The actor is always excited for the surprise Anmol has planned, but it’ll be
day. “I’m still that girl who gets excited a special one. The first time experience
about the day. I’m hoping Anmol has a of everything is special,” says Rao.
surprise planned,” she laughs. To which While RJ Anmol reveals that every-
RJ Anmol quips, “You’ve to understand, thing will be decided by their three- Scan the code
the party who receives the gift is always month-old, “It all depends on how Veer to read more
more excited than the one giving it.” is planning for the day. Every plan is about actor Namit Das
In 2020, though the duo couldn’t be now followed by his plans to cry; (if) he Amrita Rao and
together for the first time on V-Day, RJ plans to poop, we have to take care of and RJ Anmol’s Shruti Vyas
Anmol pulled out all the stops to that! We have no plans, we don’t know love story and
surprise his wife. Rao reveals, “He what he has in mind, what surprise he V-Day plans.
raised the bar by giving me a solitaire, has planned for both of us.”
NEW DELHI
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 14, 2021
movers & shakers 03
#instastyle
# O OT D: PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/SUNNYLEONE
Celebs’
Bas ic an d
breezy asy-breezy and
E effortlessly cool
seems to be the style
mantra for these celebs, Actor Sunny Leone shared a heartfelt note for her twin boys on
spotted in and around their birthday. “My little nuggets are 3! Asher Singh & Noah Singh
Mumbai. While actor Weber you both are so so different but are the sweetest, nicest,
Pooja Hegde opted caring, intelligent little men,” she wrote, with this adorable snap.
for jogger pants with a
vibrant bomber jacket,
actor Parineeti Chopra
went for a basic attire Malaika Arora Adah Sharma PHOTOS: YOGEN SHAH
and accessorised it with a
perfect pair of sunnies.
Among others papped by
shutterbugs were actors Pooja
Malaika Arora and Adah Hegde
Sharma. HTC
Parineeti
Chopra
06 relationship NEW DELHI
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 14, 2021
{ YOUR TAROT THIS WEEK } Manisha Koushik is a renowned tarot card reader and astrologer.
She can be contacted at: +91-9650015920
Manisha Koushik February 14-20, 2021 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.askmanisha.com
Love: The Hermit Mood: Two of Swords Love: The Moon Mood: The Hierophant Career: Strength Love: Judgment Mood: Magician
Career: Two of Coins Career: The Tower You can feel positive vibrations all around you, Career: Ten of Wands
Learning about new management concepts Positive developments on personal and as you are ready to dive into new goals. You Power of persuasion and sincere efforts bring
would enhance career prospects. Raising capi- professional front are in store this week. Your need to cross-check all changes you are keen you back in the limelight on the work front.
tal for buying your dream home will not pose patient handling of things at work is likely to to implement on the professional front. Finan- You make good progress on academic front.
much difficulty. Opting for healthy lifestyle bring awards. You need to reassess investment cial position is set to improve with timely You succeed in consolidating your financial
choices will benefit you remarkably. Avoid plans to avoid losses. Erratic behaviour of decisions. A short vacation promises to be position with timely action. Those ailing for
Shraddha Kapoor getting influenced by false promises on social Bhumi Pednekar partner may change your getaway plans. You Ranbir Kapoor exciting. Family members are likely to remain Vidya Balan long are likely to show improvement soon. You
front. Domestic front could be a little troubled need to tactfully deal with an overbearing demanding this week, but you will be able to need to make efforts to bring back spark in
as family will be very demanding. Some dif- person on social front. Long pending legal meet their expectations. It is a good time to your romantic relationship. A short drive or
ferences may crop up on marital front. matters may get decided to your satisfaction. initiate a repair or renovation at home. stay with friends is likely to recharge you.
Lucky Number: 6 Lucky Colour: Lemon Lucky Number: 17 Lucky Colour: Violet Lucky Number: 7 Lucky Colour: Lemon Lucky Number: 3 Lucky Colour: Coffee
TAURUS APR 21-MAY 20 LEO JUL 23-AUG 23 SCORPIO OCT 24-NOV 22 AQUARIUS JAN 22-FEB 19
Love: The World Mood: Justice Love: The Hanged Man Mood: The Magician Love: Devil Mood: Three of Coins Love: Wheel of Fortune Mood: Devil
Career: King of Wands Career: Eight of Cups Career: Knight of Wands Career: Two of Wands
Your attention to detail and creativity is likely Promising opportunities may be headed your Following an innovative approach brings Self-starters are likely to find the work front
to bring you into prominence at work. You way. Keep seniors in the loop about develop- unlimited success on professional front. Those productive. You give a boost to your finances
need to work as a team to smooth out issues ments on the work front. Avoid being compla- in retail business can look forward to a profit- by choosing lucrative investments. Keep a tab
on marital front. Those feeling reticent in love cent on academic front. You are likely to meet able period. Family members are likely to on competitors to maintain lead on academic
are likely to gather courage to confess true Anushka Sharma romantic partner after long separation. You Taapsee Pannu appreciate your efforts to guide a younger Athiya Shetty front. Peaceful atmosphere will reflect posi- Abhishek Bachchan
feelings. Good health is assured with healthy need to avoid a strenuous exercise regimen relative. Tempting real estate deals may come tively on children. You may get to meet your
choices. Those looking to rent out their house for now. Indications of acquiring a plot in your way this week. Avoid losing your temper dream person in a family event. You will
or a part of their house may find ideal tenants. prime locations appear strong this week. as it will undo all the good work of the past. remain in demand for your wise counsel.
Lucky Number: 6 Lucky Colour: Crimson Lucky Number: 2 Lucky Colour: Peach Lucky Number: 7 Lucky Colour: Golden Lucky Number: 2 Lucky Colour: Light Pink
GEMINI MAY 21-JUN 21 VIRGO AUG 24-SEP 23 SAGITTARIUS NOV 23-DEC 21 PISCES FEB 20-MAR 20
Love: Temperance Mood: The Chariot Love: Nine of Cups Mood: Six of Coins Love: Temperance Mood: Two of Wands Love: Nine of Swords Mood: The Magician
Career: Three of coins Career: Three of Wands Career: The Moon Career: The Empress
You will be able to tackle all problems on You may get an excellent opportunity to make Your diligence on the job is noticed. Your You will be able to multi-task efficiently on
professional front. Your cheerfulness will a mark on professional front. Businessmen inventive overturns bring back spice in your professional front. Businessmen will succeed
enable you to enjoy perfect health. Invest- may seal a lucrative deal. Those looking to go marital relationship. Retailers need to be care- in expanding their horizons. Students need to
ment in business expansion will fetch hand- abroad for studies may get good options. ful about dealings involving credit. An impor- put in more efforts on academic front. Prepa-
some returns. You are likely to experience a Time spent with family will prove enjoyable. tant development brings jubilation for the ration will make your journey comfortable.
Sonam K Ahuja wonderful time on family front. Your packed Pankaj Tripathi You succeed in attracting your dream person Kartik Aaryan entire family. There is a strict need to avoid Alia Bhatt Maintaining distance from junk food will ben-
schedule this week may leave you with little with your wit. You may need to approach an self-medication. Avoid hesitation while asking efit health. Unilateral stance of spouse may
time for romance. If possible, maintain dis- old problem with a fresh perspective. your friends for help. Your commuting prob- trouble you but deal with it patiently. It is
tance from supporting contradictory opinions. Lucky Number: 22 Lucky Colour: Dark lems are likely to get resolved once and for all. excellent time for a social or religious do.
Lucky Number: 3 Lucky Colour: Coffee Turquoise Lucky Number: 15 Lucky Colour: Lavender Lucky Number: 5 Lucky Colour: Bottle Green
{ DAILY HOROSCOPE }
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK (FOR
REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY)
Experts explore Sunday, February 14, 2021
Dr Prem Kumar Sharma (Astrologer and Vaastu expert) can be contacted at: Delhi: 011-47033152, 40532026 (Sat
how the pandemic to Mon); Panchkula: 91-172-2562832, 2572874 (Tues to Thurs); Mumbai: 09716145644 (Last week of every month)
opened people to
themselves and ARIES LEO SAGITTARIUS
MAR 21-APR 20 JUL 23-AUG 23 NOV 23-DEC 21
realigned their
A L s
A loan is likely to be sanc- Marketing personnel will Financial worries become
tioned. A senior at work be able to achieve what a thing of the past. Be
outlook on may put in a good word
for you to the higher ups.
they set out for. Someone
you had helped when in
careful of professional
rivals out to unseat you. A
T I c
Deskbound professionals Financially, you will find Help required for a task
PANDEMIC CHANGED
will manage to get a whiff yourself very well off. will be forthcoming. You
of fresh air. Family togeth- Good understanding with may end up spending
erness will prove fulfilling. co-workers will be in your money you had been sav-
A long drive with friends will prove interest. A marriage in the family will ing for something. Travelling to a
quite enjoyable. Taking possession of get you completely involved. place of worship is likely.
V-DAY PERSPECTIVE
property is indicated for some. LOVE FOCUS: Lover may not agree to LOVE FOCUS: Partner does not seem
LOVE FOCUS: You may find much ful- your terms and conditions. romantically inclined, so respect that.
fillment in your love life. LUCKY NUMBER: 15 LUCKY COLOUR: LUCKY NUMBER: 22 LUCKY COLOUR:
LUCKY NUMBER: 6 LUCKY COLOUR: Red Rosy Brown Rosy Brown
Ruchika Garg 2020, people seem to have says, “Lockdown was the time ent on others for happiness.”
GEMINI LIBRA AQUARIUS
MAY 21-JUN 21 SEP 24-OCT 23 JAN 22-FEB 19
[email protected]
found a connection with their when most of the people, prob- Another survey by a match-
G l a
families and loved ones.” ably for the first time in their making service found that 46% Financially, you will man- Your bank balance is likely Your financial horizon is
bandoning the clichéd Also, as the survey suggests lives, spent some ‘me time’ and of single people find being age to remain in a com- to keep you in an upbeat set to brighten. You will be
C S P
not have anyone. They are also Things begin to look up on Driving a good bargain A boost in earning can be
made to feel awkward by social the financial front. Play- will help save much. Com- expected by some. There is
media. This breeds low self- ing one against the other munication skills are your a good opportunity await-
esteem and confidence.” on the work front may not strength in impressing ing you on the work front.
To this, Madaan adds, V-Day prove favourable. Family bonding is those who matter on the work front. Family ties get strengthened. Travel-
is not what it used to be ten likely to warm your heart. Travelling Those feeling under the weather will ling is not advised. Good returns are
years back, it’s just about to a distant place is quite possible. succeed in restoring their health. foreseen from rented property.
spending time with people you LOVE FOCUS: Your tender approach LOVE FOCUS: Love life appears promis- LOVE FOCUS: You may feel attracted to
love, family, friends and others. will bring you closer to lover. ing, so make some exciting plans. someone you have met recently, so
Asking about plans is irritating LUCKY NUMBER: 11 LUCKY COLOUR: LUCKY NUMBER: 2 LUCKY COLOUR: expect romance to blossom soon!
and even hurtful.” Light Pink Peach LUCKY NUMBER: 1 LUCKY COLOUR: Blue
very short span. It is India’s dents participate in joint pro- Universities attract the best
only university focused on edu- jects and cultural fests, too. minds as faculty and provide
cation in the creative domain. We’ve international professors choice of electives to build up a
WUD’s vice-chancellor Dr San- on advisory board. They also unique portfolio. It matches
jay Gupta is an IIT and IIM teach at WUD. any top-of-the-line global
alumnus, former dean of NIFT design school at a fee less
and a design education evan- What new programmes are than top government
gelist. He was involved in the taught uniquely by WUD? institutions. HTC
initiative of bringing fashion The latest are Computer Sci-
schools worldwide under ence and Design, UI/UX and
International Foundation of
Fashion Technology Institutes
interaction design, animation
and game design, film and
P
(IFFTI). A prolific author, edi- video, data analytics AI and We’ve exchange
tor, and consultant to national design thinking, service design,
and international organisa- digital architecture, built envi- agreements
tions, he has been a member of
bodies such as ASSOCHAM,
ronment, contemporary art,
film acting and integrated per-
with nearly 20
CII, BIS, IFFTI, NISTI, besides forming arts. universities in
being on editorial boards of sci- US, UK, Europe
entific journals.
What’s unique about WUD? and South
How did WUD ensure unin- WUD has students from 22
terrupted learning for its states and 30 specialisations, a
America.
students during Covid-19? DR SANJAY GUPTA,
We foresaw the lockdown in Vice-chancellor, World
early March ’20. Students went University of Design
home over the weekend and
online learning started a week
before lockdown. The classes
still continue with our gradu-
ate show, placements, entrance
exam and admissions also
being conducted online.
Upcycled Creative
denim for the product
gender fluid shoot for
human form garment
design and
styling
project by
second-year
students
P On his leadership
advice
A
with humility even in leadership.
08
NEW DELHI
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 14, 2021
#dailyfood
TOO!
Dump the no-good maida. From
cassava and coconut flour, cakes
made with healthier alternatives
bring you refreshing flavours
Swati Chaturvedi
[email protected]
F
rom picture-perfect focaccia to
banana bread, baking reintroduced
itself to all of us in the pandemic. While Orange and
traditional flour is still the mainstay of Almond cake made
baking, owing to its easy availability, with almond flour
people have now started choosing other more and orange zest
nutritious and often gluten-free alternatives. PHOTO: CAARA
Chef Rishabh Anand, executive pastry chef,
The Leela Palace New Delhi, says, “The rising
demand of gluten-free products has made way
for alternate flours such as amaranth flour,
coconut flour, almond flour, buckwheat flour
and banana flour. Apart from offering health
benefits, alternative flours are versatile enough
Here’s to flour power!
to be experimented with.”
Rich in fibre, containing high amounts of
amino acids and vitamins, these flours are Swati Chaturvedi Colours says it all. It can be vibrant,
slowly becoming the staple of many kitchens. colourful, appealing and creates the
Chef Rahul Chahar, bakery chef, Taj Mahal. rom Raspberry Hibiscus Soda to perfect setting for a date. It can have
“Each type of alternate flour offers a different
set of health benefits you can decide which one
best meets your needs. We follow health trends
closely as well as seek guest feedback for their
preferences helping us understand dietary
F to Cranberry Mockjito, mock-
tails are having a moment. Val-
entine’s Day is the perfect occa-
sion to insert a little magic into the
mundane, create lasting memories and
exemplary variations starting from
watermelon to edible rosella flowers to
strawberry.”
Ankit Ghawana, head nixologist at
Molecule Air Bar, says, mocktail for
preferences and offer alternates that are strengthen bonds with the ones you Valentine’s Day is the perfect way to
healthy and trendy.” love as you experiment with non-alco- enjoy the season of love as they are a
Made from fruits, nuts and seeds, chefs are holic drinks. mixture of different flavours. “With
turning to these myriad alternatives to explore And when celebrating in the com- fresh ingredients, these booze free
new textures, flavours and aromas.
Ambika Seth, executive director, Caara, says, Variety A binding force fort of your home with maybe a movie
marathon, a herb-induced energy kick,
drinks are a visual treat and a refresh-
ing retreat and are not unhealthy,” he
“Our orange and almond cake is a moist gluten Amaranth and buckwheat flour Nutty cake, sweet quick bread, instead of the numbing tiredness that shares.
free cake made with almond flour and orange
zest. There is no artificial flavouring in any of
are rich and have an earthy
flavour. Cassava flour is gluten,
pineapple upside-down cake,
banana bread and ragi
Versatility is the key comes with an alcoholic drink is the
way to go ahead. After all, these spirit
When it comes to winter recipes,
cranberries are a staple. Sharing his
our food and is topped with a light cream grain and nut-free. “Coconut pancakes are just some of Expanding your flour horizons isn’t just going free sips are the new luxury tipple. recommendation, Shivam Sehgal,
cheese frosting.” Her other creations include and almond flour are the most delicious creations which the gluten-free. It’s about texture and flavour. And With a little imagination, one can founder, Josh - The High Energy
olive oil, zucchini and jaggery cake. She adds, popular alternatives”, says alternative flours have lent most importantly, it is about having fun in the mix and match a variety of fruits such Bar, says, “Mocktails are fruity and a
“Made with whole wheat flour, a healthier Manish Sharma, executive chef, themselves to. Options abound kitchen. “I love using jowar for my cakes, almond as strawberry, wild berry, kiwi, orange, perfect blend of many flavours. Hence
alternative, it’s also sugar free as we substitute The Oberoi, Gurgaon. for vegans to try. Suchali Jain, flour for my brownies, ragi for my crepes and oat grape, pineapple and pomegranate to to keep the spirits alive and taste buds
sugar with jaggery. Spirals of dehydrated zuc- founder, Suchali’s Artisan flour for the pancakes,” says Shivesh Bhatia, create vibrant flavours. high, a classic combination of fresh
chini that binds the cake together.” Bakehouse, says, “In egg-free blogger and food stylist. Chef Nishant Choubey, says, “A rose petals and cranberry juice with a
baking, ground flax seeds can mocktail is an instant seduction. It is twist of peach works well.”
HEALTH BENEFITS be used effectively as a binder the best way to express love and desire. Makers of high-end non-alcoholic
High on fibre, alternative flours are packed in a variety of products. We use drinks focus on a unique mastery to
with nutrients, ranging from magnesium, zinc,
micro nutrients to calcium. Almond flour can
almond flour, oats flour and rice
flour in making our gluten-free
Patisserie and boulangerie create drinks that indulge the con-
sumer. They zero in on experience-cre-
improve insulin function. Wheat and coconut desserts, especially tea cakes Muffins, Linzer cookies, coconut dacquoise, ation instead of the omission of alcohol
flours have more carbs with a lower fat con- and muffins.” Unlike the hazelnut dacquoise, pain de genes (French as their main point. They talk about
tent as compared to almond flour. predictable and unhealthy almond cake), almond macaroon, coconut the creative processes of transforma-
If you are looking to experiment owing to a maida cakes, they unravel macaroon and almond génoise are some of the tion, creation, or combination and use
gluten intolerance, or culinary curiosity, here’s refreshing flavours and alternative flour based artisan products that give exotic ingredients. Served in more
a guide to the alternative flour landscape. textures. that extra burst of taste. unusual colours than their alcoholic
counterparts, mocktails add a bit of
charm too.
Like Jasmeet Singh Banga, owner,
Pirates of Grill, says, “Specially curated
Guilt-free indulgence mocktails bring in a personal touch
and are considered as romance in a
glass.”
Gluten-Free Red and 1 tsp salt. In another three pans. Bake until the Mixologists and restaurants intrigue
bowl, beat together 1/2 cup cakes spring back when the imagination by stimulating the
Velvet Cake unsalted butter and 1 ½ cup touched lightly, about 20 taste buds in a way that many alcoholic
INGREDIENTS sugar until light and fluffy. minutes. Let them cool beverages cannot do. They rather focus
Almond flour, cocoa Add 2 eggs, and fold in the down for 10 minutes and on well-being. Aryan Khati, mixologist
powder, unsalted butter, almond flour mixture 1/3 at then shift them onto a at Mai Bao, says, “My personal favour-
sugar, salt, eggs, baking soda, a time, beating just until cooling rack. ite is a beautiful blend of rose cordial,
apple cider vinegar, puréed combined after each addi- l Place one layer on a cake dill leaves, cold milk and fresh water-
beets tion. Mix in 3/4 cup freshly stand. Layer with two melon chunks.”
pureed beets for that scoops of gluten-free coco- Moreover, mocktails are not about
PREPARATION amazing red colour. nut ice cream. Add another imitating an alcoholic drink but pro-
l Spray three 9-inch cake l In a small bowl, combine 1 cake layer topped with ice viding a completely refreshing experi-
pans with non-stick cook- tsp apple cider vinegar and cream and finally add the ence. And as Sushil Dhanai, founder,
ing spray. Preheat the oven 1 tsp baking soda. (The mix- top layer. Freeze the cake Cafe Delhi Heights, puts it, ”The idea of
to 350ºF. In a bowl, whisk ture will bubble up.) Fold until ready to serve. preparing mocktails is simple. One
together 2 1/4 cups almond into the cake batter. Divide Recipe by Prerna’s remains fresh as there is no hangover
flour, 2 tbs cocoa powder the batter evenly between Handcrafted Ice Cream and one also gets to enjoy a whole
bunch of seasonal fruits.”
FUELS MENU
menu format
to
an interesting
blend of creativ
ity
OVERHAUL
and innovation
,
that aims to add
more flavour to
the
Prerna Gauba Sibbal don’t want to be monotonous. overall dining
[email protected]
They want people to start their
food experience from the menu experience of a
ining out is no more lim- itself which is why they are toying
patron
D ited only to the food, of
late, it has become a multi-
faceted experience. A
visual and gastronomical delight
that aspires to impress as soon as
with the designs, names and
medium of the menu.
To communicate with the cus-
tomer, menus need to be on point.
“Our menu is fun and quirky
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK (FOR
REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY)
you step into an eatery and feel its because our theme is such. We Moreover, it’s not just the crea- enjoy,” says restaurateur Priyank Gupta of Breaking Brew.
aroma, admire the décor or simply don’t want anything to be monoto- tivity but also the tech-innovations Sukhija of Plum By Bent Chair. Even Batra tries to trigger mem-
get bowled over by its innovative nous. With innovative menus, cus- that are fuelling the evolution Menu’s themed around school ories that one might have of popu-
menu on the wall or table. tomers take more time to read and menus. A good-looking menu is texts, ’90s memories or popular lar places and dishes, by naming
Yes, over time, restaurant order, to see how the dish actually important because the experience landmarks are also being tried by dishes on his restaurant’s menu in
menus have also undergone a turns out,” says Vikrant Batra of starts there. At our outlet, we give restaurants. “Our beverage menu the similar format. “Our ISBT
drastic change. Restaurants today Cafe Delhi Heights. a visiting card to patrons and one is something that every individual Makhani Maggi is derived from
can scan the code and open would relate to since periodic table the famous maggi available in
the menu on his/her phone. was the first thing we learnt in ISBT, Delhi. Railway cutlet from
The menu starts with the high school science. We decided to our menu reminds us of the cutlet
Restaurants are using chefs’ note ... The caricatures replicate the same since it reso- at railway stations packed in silver
references of childhood make the menu more intri- nates with the theme of popular foil and so on,”
memories or landmarks cate which the customer show Breaking bad,” says Harsh he shares.
to outline signature A beverage menu
dishes in their menu inspired by the
periodic table,
attempts to invoke
curiosity in
patrons
Why living
in the
moment is
the only
way to be
happy
INDULGING IN
iving in the present, we THE PAST OR
L are engulfed in the flames
of the past or in the fear of
the future. We make our lives
OVER THINKING
ABOUT THE FUTURE HAS
stressful when our minds are LITTLE VALUE IN LIFE.
cluttered with previous chats, CONSCIOUS THOUGHT
hurtful memories, and anxieties ABOUT THE PRESENT
and fears of what’s to come. we’ve had negative experiences in
Today’s so-called scientific and the past. DIRECTS OUR LIVES
technical era has given way to The moment we start worrying TOWARDS A
desires and wishes that never about our future, we very clearly PROGRESSIVE
seem to be satisfied, and so we are move away from the present — as
always dwelling on the past or the we begin to visualise negative FUTURE.
future. As humans we need to experiences of the past and how
control our thoughts and not the they will impact our future. And
other way round, where our mind so, we let the mindset that evolved about the present aids the
is led by our thoughts. out of them influence our present decisions we make, which direct
behaviour. our lives towards a progressive
NOT LIVING IN THE PRESENT future. Yes, we definitely need
CAN BE A SOURCE OF STRESS THE MANY BENEFITS OF to take lessons from our past
If we analyse our problems and LIVING IN THE PRESENT experiences to help us in our
the causes of stress, we will be Living in the present has a striking future decisions, but it should be
surprised to find that 90% of our effect on our emotional quotient done without letting it affect our
stress is due to over analysing our and our physical health. We are present.
past or planning about the future. well aware of the fact that the
In simple words, it means that we amount of mental stress we carry LIVING IN THE MOMENT IS
are not worried about the present has a detrimental impact on our IMPORTANT TO BE HAPPY
and the reason for our stress is health. It is only when we live in Happiness is not something
either a past event or about what the present that we are living a life about which you have to think.
is to come. in a state of acceptance. It’s only You can only experience joy and
If we are constantly knocking at then that we accept life as it is happiness by feeling it in the
the past, it means we are still not now, not how we wish it could present moment. The happiness
able to accept it. Until we accept have been. You have to experience you receive or experience does
the incidents in the past, we will the bad to appreciate the good. not depend on tangibles and
not be able to move on. The past is Indulging in the past or wealth, but it depends upon your
now gone and nothing can be over thinking about the future has ability to be grateful for the things
done about it. So fixating on it can little value in life — it is ever you have in life.
prevent us from performing an important to live our present to
action in the present, just because the fullest. Conscious thought Shivang Mathur
10 my city NEW DELHI
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 14, 2021
(PHOTOS FOR
REPRESENTATIONAL
PURPOSE ONLY) The
DENIZENS quintessential
college romance is
LOVE,
AWAY FROM THE DU freshers
PHOTO: ARUN
SHARMA/HT
MADDING sad to miss out
on Valentine’s
CROWD! Day fervour
on campus
This Aprajita Sharad tions high kar diye the. Ab vir-
Some are opting for tual campus mein koi kya hi
cycling dates when
meeting prospective
year, couples in [email protected]
#gramit
SH Raza the modernist, { ASHWINY IYER
TIWARI } FILMMAKER-WRITER
A
“The intention is to make his strug-
gles, aesthetics and art known through- On display
out the country,” says Ashok Vajpeyi, art enthusiast and former professor. at the
poet and managing trustee, The Raza February 22 will mark the onset of exhibition
Foundation. “As an artist, Raza took an Raza’s birth centenary celebrations, are books,
alternative modernist approach. His and this retrospective kick starts the catalogues,
work is deeply spiritual and expresses a events that will pay a tribute to the mas- and
sense of tranquillity,” he adds. ter. “This is the first ever archival show thousands PHOTO: SHIVAM SAXENA/HT
Raza’s belongings have been put on the artist,” says Akhilesh Varma, of letters
CATCH IT LIVE
What: Antrung Raza
together from the largest single artist’s
archive, and offer a glimpse into the art-
curator of the exhibition. “Most know
Raza the painter, but it’s equally impor-
written to
Raza
Winged beauty! @BAJRANGPUNIA
Where: Triveni Kala Sangam, ist’s evolution. “This exhibition, the first tant to know Raza the person. This As the Mughal Gardens open for visitors, amid magnificent flowers and It isn’t History that creates
Tansen Marg one I’ve visited since the pandemic hit, exhibition features over 20,000 letters fountains is spotted a peacock. The feathered creature, too, soaked in
On Till: February 22 brings out the perfectionist in Raza, that were written to Raza! He wrote the vibrant sight of roses, dahlias, pansies, and many other varieties of Heroes. It’s Heroes that create
Timing: 11am-8pm who wrote letters with almost as much back to each one of them, and saved flowers that are in full bloom at the President’s Estate. Entry to the History
Nearest Metro Station: Mandi care as he drew lines and painted can- these letters even while moving houses gardens is only through online booking, this year, in order to maintain
House on Blue and Violet lines vases,” says Purushottam Agrawal, an in France,” he adds. social distancing. Bajrang Punia, Wrestler
NEW DELHI
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2021 11
12
NEW DELHI
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 14, 2021
MET MY HUSBAND
AT THE AGE OF 59,
SAYS SUHASINI
MULAY (Inset) With
husband
Atul Gurtu
PHOTOS: FOTOCORP
AND FACEBOOK/
SUHASINI MULAY
Completing a decade
of marriage, Suhasini P
Mulay talks about a t a g e does r
Wh lea
t m a kes it c t you
her unconventional is, i
r
ha
head w e in a
y o u
love story in gotiat
will ne nship and
Rishabh Suri relatio ou won’t.
[email protected] what y MULAY,
INI
e live in the era of speed SUHAS Actor
o oesn t
in getting u in t e
i le o a ovie to
get o co n ut as
an acto ee
t at eo le watc
scenes ca e ull
a i a a an
it suc little ti e
an so uc to o
watc ing a ovie on a
la to o one see s
li e an easie tas
i ant asse
guest column
{ I SAY, CHAPS }
#SameLove
After his passionate on-screen kiss with Milind Soman that EDITORIAL
Jamal Shaikh
“they said” could derail his career, the actor holds forth on (National Editor – Brunch and
New Media Initiatives)
gender-fluidity and its growing acceptance in the mainstream Lubna Salim
Shruti Nair
Karishma Kuenzang
T
Amit Malik
he most difficult part about Kishore Rawat
playing Bhanu – a gender- FOR ADVERTISING AND MARKETING ENQUIRIES:
fluid classical dance teacher in Ad Sales (North): Amit Gandotra
[email protected]
Paurashpur (ZEE5) – was to be graceful; Ad Sales (West): Gautam Buragohain
because, in reality, I’m a total goofball! [email protected]
Ad Sales (South): Mockbul Haque
But the series is not about the dance [email protected]
teacher being bisexual or gay, just like Find Hindustan Times Brunch on Facebook.
Follow @htbrunch on Instagram and Twitter.
it’s not about Milind Soman playing the Drop us a line at: 18-20, Kasturba Gandhi Marg,
third gender. The romantic relationship New Delhi - 110001
Email: [email protected]
between the two is intriguing .
I worked on ensuring that I represent NOTE TO READERS:
the community with respect and The feature titled ‘Brunch Focus’ is a promotional article.
We would like to emphasise that no sponsored content
responsibility. The love I’m gettingg on does or shall appear in any part of Brunch without it
social media is proof of that, thouggh I’m being declared as such to our valued readers.
upgrades
{ GAME SHOW }
How they met: How they met: The How they met: The
They connected now-business couple met at an office
via common partners met off-site in 2018
friends in three years and felt an
February ago while instant spark.
2020, studying at They started
exchanged St Xavier’s dating and in
numbers College. February 2019,
THE EXPERT
and began They began Zayyan moved
talking. But talking from Delhi
Rahul was after she to Mumbai.
shy, so Urvashi expressed Yin and Yang?
made the first interest in “At times, I
move and asked playing football can be a wreck
him out. with his team. with my mood
Yin and Yang? Yin and Yang? swings but
Rahul and Urvashi “Nigel is my the way he
are total opposites! biggest critic and deals with me
She’s a total Type A supporter. We are patiently, Geeta
and he’s laidback. business partners talking me Ramakrishnan
But they know they and I can turn to through it. I is an ontological
Zayyan and coach and has authored
can lean on one him for honest feed- Kimberly and Nigel lucked out,” the book titled
Moumita started
another when the world Urvashi and back,” Kimberly says. have been dating Moumita admits. The Game of
dating last year
seems to be conspiring Rahul have Fights? “They are for three years now They order food for Change
been together
against them! for 10 months mostly about work each other and watch shows together.
Fights? “Not often! He’s and I must confess that I’m always the Fights? “We fight about silly things. But I
much quicker to apologise,” Urvashi says. one to pick a fight,”she says. can’t stay angry at him for long,” she says. Which of these
three couples will
Progress report: “We’ve discussed marriage Progress report: “We’ve discussed Progress report: “We’ve become like
take the plunge
eventually, choosing to know each other better marriage and our folks know about us. family to one other in the city. So, first? Turn to Page
each day,” she says. There’s no pressure, though,” she says. marriage is on the cards,” she reveals. 9 to find out.
NEW
COLUMN!
{ Q+A }
D-DAY DILEMMA
AY DILEM BEAUTY SECRETS
Q On my wedding day, I want to look like the
most beautiful bride ever. But I don’t like
the idea of being styled like so-and-so actress
Q beauty
How can yoga be used as a
hack?
—Mariam Sharif, Bengaluru Now playing!
from such-and-such movie. I also find the idea of
spending lakhs on one outfit absurd. Help!
—Jitisha Goel, Via email
Bpractise
eauty is a side effect of yoga. Whether you like
it or not, it’s inbuilt in the practise. When you
yoga all the inner faculties calm down, your
The HT Brunch
Podcast.
Listen to your
AMI PATEL
Celebrity stylist F irst of all, I would recommend you do not look at any
celebrity for inspiration. Your body type is different, your
skin is different, your budget is different. I believe one can
entropies cool down and that reflects back not just
in your face but your entire mind-body system. It
improves blood circulation, hence a natural facial. You
favourite stars,
columnists,
musicians…
only look their best when one brings out their personal will find yourself smiling more and almost feel like Scan the QR
style that reflects their own personality and charm. Budget happiness is injected into your lips, eyes and cheeks, code below
should never be an issue when it comes to looking your expressions of anger fear and anxiety will disappear
best. Put the look together focusing on the fit and cut of and you will get that enviable self-luminous glow
the outfit, amazing accessories and cohesive styling. With that beats Botox, any day!
gorgeous hair and make-up, fresh flowers in the hair and a
colour that enhances your already beautiful glow, you will Ami Patel is a celebrity fashion stylist,
be the most beautiful and memorable bride ever! image consultant and faculty with the Art of Living
8 FEBRUARY 14, 2021
nostalgia
{ WHEN I WAS 22… }
Dharmesh Darshan,
(Above) The director in the pool
at Otters Club in Bandra; (Left)
Dharmesh with his mother, who
“I wanted to be with my
parents and not fly the nest”
Dharmesh Darshan at his father's office in Seeking the blessings of his parents, Darshan and Dharmesh all dressed up for his birthday at his
Indore, where his passion for films developed Sheila, before launching Lootere (1993), his first film Pali Hill bungalow, in Mumbai
“R
for a group of 10 hungry children but I’ve now been advised to slow cook
between 8 and 10 years old, for the my meats for better nutrition. Give me some AHUL and URVASHI have a
morning after a sleepover? tips, please. mature mindset towards their
—Dhvani C, Via email —Toral, Chandigarh relationship, and make up for
T H
hink French toast, but done in the ere’s a tip: that’s just bad advice! There’s each other’s weakness,” says Geeta Ramakrishnan,
PRATEEK SADHU oven - it’s the easiest hack for a crowd! nothing wrong with pressure cooking ontological coach. Fighting is healthy as long as you
Award-winning Chef Just lay your bread in a baking dish and meats and most other foods - it’s a method discuss it later – something couples forget. “It’s okay to be
pour an egg-milk-cinnamon mixture over that actually retains more nutrients than most, angry with your partner,” she explains. End the day with
it. Dress it up with whatever other spices especially if you repurpose the cooking liquid. a 10-minute chat sans gadgets, and set relationship goals
and flavours you want, and bake it for Luckily that’s easiest to do here, where you can and ask each other why you are together once a month.
about 30 minutes. All the kids get fed in turn that liquid into a gravy, sauce or dressing KIMBERLY and NIGEL have a trusting relationship, but
one go, and you can treat yourself to go with the meat. since she’s usually apologising, Nigel may unconsciously
extr
to some silence and an extra Prateek’s signature restaurant, Masque, is changing be projecting an air of superiority. MOUMITA and
cup of coffee instead of
o India’s culinary landscape and was awarded the ZAYYAN seem well balanced but their constant
standing over the stove. One To Watch Award by Asia’s 50 Best in 2020 bickering on small things could eventually escalate.
10 FEBRUARY 14, 2021
social media
s
{ SOCIAL MEDIA STAR OF THE WEEK }
w
@tedthestoner JEREMY JAUNCEY
Int’l travel entrepreneur
For enabling over 17,000 pet adoptions via his Instagram pages
{ Q+A }
By Karishma Kuenzang
Why SAFE TRAVELS
@TedTheStoner?
Q always paranoid about losing
I
t started when @tedthestoner aka Jitendra “There’s no reason really my passport and money when I
Sharma got a request to help recover a and it’s got nothing to do travel. What’s the best way to keep
with getting stoned. After these safe / get over
follower’s pet in Delhi. Jitendra, 26, posted the Sushant Singh Rajput my fear?
a story via his page. Days later, the owner case, many celebs kept their —Tanya T, Via email
DM-ed to thank him for sharing as it helped distance from my account
find his dog. “That’s when I realised social
for a bit because of the
handle name.” Iknow what you mean, I have the
same with my passport. We’re a few
years off having biometric scanners
media can make a difference,” he shares how
he unknowingly started his adoption drive that will do away with passports
(they are coming though), so for now
in 2017-2018. Today, his page, along with a my passport is always with me and I
secondary official page @tedthestoner2.0 know where the British Embassy is of
(409k followers), has managed to enable over any place I’m headed to. I rarely carry
17k adoptions including dogs, cats, rabbits cash these days – either loading a local
currency debit card or using mobile.
and guinea pigs.
He’s gone from getting 10-20 requests a
day to over 1,000 a day. “The best part is when THE MEMORY CARD
owners send pictures with the newest member
of their family,” smiles the creator who has one
Q Tell us about the most
memorable road trip you’ve
ever taken.
rule: Asking people why they are giving the pet —Ravish Sarna, Dubai
up, and dissuades them if possible.
18 years old, in a 1984 (the year
I was born!) beat up Honda
All for indie breeds Civic with very dodgy brakes and
no indicator lights... I was travelling
The biggest problem the Mumbai boy, around New Zealand with some
who started from a Facebook page eleb mates, playing rugby and living in
before switching to Instagram who follo hostels. No worries, no commitments
in 2014, faces? Indie breeds
the animal lo ing Star power and easily the best road trip I’ve ever
itendra Sharma Jitendra
Sharma, a done. I’m pretty sure that’s when I fell
adoptions. “When I put a post He’s also in contact
former finance in love with travel.
about adopting a pure-bred, with celebrities,
executive, has Jeremy Jauncey is the founder and CEO
I get 1000s of DMs within who often repost his over one million of one of the world’s best-known travel
minutes. But with indie stories, which helps followers on communities called Beautiful Destinations,
breeds, I’ve had to post three- Vishal
Aditya Roy spread the word. His Instagram which was born out of a social media
Dadlani
four times,” he says, adding that Kapur big moment was when
there’s a misunderstanding that he went to follow Virat
indie dogs aren’t suitable for homes. Kohli, the day the cricketer
Raja
SUNDAY IN A SENTENCE
“Whenever you use social media for a made his Instagram debut, he found
{ FREDDY BIRDY }
good cause, some people will have issues,” he Kumari the ‘follow back’ option instead. “I’ve SOCIAL MEDIA STAR
says. Like last year, when breeder groups on now spoken to him thrice thanks to Anushka,
WhatsApp and Facebook put posts accusing who’s even helped out with a doctor’s number
him of charging for adoptions. But he follows when someone had a medical emergency and
a fairly transparent process – posting a story people like her, Raftaar, Vishal Dadlani, etc, “The happier you are on
with the number of the person reaching out aren’t doing this for f ame,” he says. social media, the less
for help. After that, the two take it forward. “The funny part is that we aren’t really you are in real life.”
saving the pet’s life, but the life of the #BrunchBook-
P
@freddy_birdy
person adopting him/her. We get a Challenge
lot of messages from people with presents book
readings with
“MY BIG MOMENT mental health issues telling us how
your favourite
much better they feel with a pet
WAS WHEN I WENT TO authors. For
around,” he concludes. Kiran Manral,
FOLLOW VIRAT KOHLI, [email protected] scan below
I SAW THE “FOLLOW BACK” Follow @KKuenzang on Twitter and Instagram
OPTION, AND DISCOVERED Who should be the next
HT Brunch Social Media Star Of The
HE FOLLOWS ME” Week? Nominate using the hashtag
—JITENDRA SHARMA #BrunchSocialMediaStarOTW or email
[email protected]
FEBRUARY 14, 2021 11
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cover story
LoveOr
mome nt, Radh
Infatuation?
ika Ma dan, 25, an d Vikrant Massey, 33, address the
Stars of the
debate du jour: has OTT finished larger-than-life cinema for good, or is it just a passing phase?
Text by Shruti Nair
Photos shot exclusively for HT Brunch by Prabhat Shetty
Styling by Priyanka Mishra (for Vikrant Massey)
and Meagan Concessio (for Radhika Madan)
I
vividly remember going to watch to OTT because they had no choice. I was
Devdas (2002), my first movie in a P very fortunate because, whether OTT or
single-screen theatre, when I was all of theatre, people have been very kind to me.
eight. It doubled as an extended family
“NOW THAT MAXIMUM Plus, given that there are so many takers
outing, for which we had booked an VIEWERSHIP IS ON OTT, for good content and diverse platforms,
entire row in the cinema hall. Now that WHO IS THE HERO? God has been kind! And it is here to stay.
used to be the charm of watching a movie on THE SCRIPT!” Not just in India, but the consumption
the big screen! Cut to last year at home, when of entertainment worldwide shows that
—RADHIKA MADAN
we finally got a decent Wi-Fi connection, streaming platforms have found their
thanks to work from home, my grandpa footing. It’s in a transitional phase still,
would nudge me to stream Malayalam movies overboard.” Radhika spontaneously chimes but it is a welcome change.”
post lunch, which kept him glued to the sofa. in: “Vikrant, I’m sorry to cut you off but do
The seismic shift in the Indian film you think that a show like Mirzapur will be COUCH COMFORT OR
industr y has been gradual and it is possible after censor board comes on board?” CURTAIN-RAISER?
happening again. The year of the pandemic As for me, I smile to myself Making a movie is an effort involving
has changed the way content is being (victoriously), as the conversation has hundreds of people. How, then, does it feel
consumed, movies included. set the premise for the debate of OTT vs when the audience pauses a movie midway
So, a few minutes into my Zoom interview, theatre-going experience! to go cook or to take a nap?
when I ask actors Vikrant Massey, 33, and Radhika takes the first pass, and says:
Radhika Madan, 25, about their viewpoints THE STREAMING “Look, for a lot of people, movie-watching
on the announcement of censorship on STORY is not a serious thing. For an actor, or for
OTT, Vikrant says, “I honestly don’t find a So, when I ask our actors to choose their people from the industry, it is. My mom
difference. We have to concede that when stance, Radhika says: “Of course, there’s doesn’t mind getting up in the middle of the
there was no censorship, people would go comfort [in streaming]. I can pause it movie to get popcorn, and I react with, ‘How
anytime; I can go to the loo and continue can you get up in the middle of a scene?’ So,
to watch on my phone. I can multitask and while I’d prefer that people watch my scenes
{ VIKRANT MASSEY } ACTOR watch, let’s not get into it in detail,” says carefully, I’ve also realised I cannot expect
Radhika and Vikrant chuckles almost as if that all the time.”
he’s guilty of doing it. “Cinema-viewing is akin to culture in our
“The definition of “But,” she adds, “I also feel that our country and the last 30 years have seen a
attention span is reducing. According to huge transition from the single-screen to
heroes and of big filmsl stats, the short films are working more, multiplexes,” says Vikrant and adds: “For a
is changing. Also, the whereas if the duration is longer, a lot of middle-class family, to go watch a movie once
concept of heroes in people tend to get distracted faster. Rest a month is an event. It’s an experience!” (Now
real life itself
re Vikrant sir will tell us,” she smiles. I realise why Devdas is etched in memory
is changing.” Vikrant nods and says: “True. Due to the so clearly.)
Covid phase, lot of people have lapped on To watch themselves on ‘the big screen’ is
cover story
14 FEBRUARY 14, 2021
cover story
P
“OTT IS A SPACE THAT
IS ALLOWING CREATIVE
PEOPLE TO SHOW
THEIR ART THROUGH
STORYTELLING!”
—VIKRANT MASSEY
TO CENSOR, OR NOT...
Circling back to the censorship issue,
Radhika takes a five-second pause before
answering, “It depends on the script, to be
very honest! I liked the fact that there was
no censorship on OTT platforms because
you could show the reality through real
emotions and real language, and you don’t
have to decorate the premise, you know? It’s a problem but if the censor board wants
{ RADHIKA MADAN } ACTOR
not a Sooraj Barjatya kind of movie, where me to reduce the nudity in the film, fair
you’ve to show hum sab saath hain (we are enough. I’ll wrap it in a different manner,
all together) and only that is celebrated. That but I’ll continue telling my stories. Also,
“I liked that there reality and freedom is going to be amiss!” this thing about realism can only be shown
was no censorship Vikrant believes in the need for self- through a particular language is not entirely
on OTT platforms check. It helps stay closer to realism. This true. When I did Balika Vadhu it ushered
because you could isn’t necessarily compromised with a censor in a new era of shows, which had social
show the reality board being present but depends on the kind realism, so if it is meant to be within rules,
of censorship that’ll come into effect, he feels. it can happen.”
through real
“Censorship was always there, whether it
emotions and was cinema, television or even newspapers. ‘IT’S ALL SCRIPTED’
real
re language” I believe that there is a manner in which Speaking of Balika Vadhu and television
everything has to be told and that needs to shows, since both Vikrant and Radhika started
be ensured. If they want me to talk about a their acting journey from TV shows, has OTT
pressing issue that I also relate to, I may have leveraged on TV’s regressive scripts, I ask.
FEBRUARY 14, 2021 15
cover story
y
“B R S
WHAT WOULD YOU
PREFER: PLAYING A
”
SIDEKICK IN A BIG
FILM OR A SMALL,
MEMORABLE ROLE?
“There are only five per cent shows which sponsors willing to pay and eventually, it
speak in larger context as opposed to 95 per P is business. So many people are still ready
cent shows, which have bad content but end to buy the substandard content to escape
up influencing the majority. It’s high time TV
“WE ARE OVER THE from their mundane lives. As an actor, what
producers and script writers make impactful SAAS-BAHU SAGAS. I can do is not be a part of such movies or a
content that’s also entertaining. We are over STOP THE PLASTIC performer of such content,” says Vikrant.
the saas-bahu sagas. Stop the plastic surgery As we end our chat, I’m relieved to have
SURGERY REDO”
redo yaar and let’s have shows like Balika not fuelled a heated argument between two
—RADHIKA MADAN
Vadhu!” says Radhika. To which, I quip: amicable actors. My takeaway: it’s always
“Even though Radhika pushes for shows multiple, contrasting voices that round off
like Balika Vadhu, don’t you think they lose remains the same, so regressive content an intelligent argument. Wouldn’t you agree?
their track over time?” is there, unfortunately. But we can’t look So, go enjoy a smart squabble, this
“Television is like a door-to-door medium. at it from a one-dimensional perspective, Valentine’s Day!
Even today, our country’s majority is the because when we ask questions like ‘Why
middle-class and their main entertainment are shows like this still made?’, the makers
[email protected]
consumption is via TV. The structure say, audiences are buying that, there are Follow @MissNairr on Twitter and Instagram
16 FEBRUARY 14, 2021
columns
{ rude food }
VIR
SANGHVI They’re
back
How three of India's finest chefs,
Alex Sanchez, Ritu Dalmia and Regi
Mathew, have been to hell and back
I
n the early months of 2020, I finally managed to score a table
at Mumbai’s Americano. I had heard good things about the
restaurant and had admired the chef-patron Alex Sanchez
when he was at The Table, a lovely and influential restaurant
near the Gateway of India.
But it took me three tries to get a table because Americano
was always packed out. When I finally ate there, I discovered
why Sanchez had disappeared after his stint at The Table: he had
spent much of his time travelling through Italy, cooking in small HOUSEFUL HEROES
towns with nonnas and learning the secrets of ‘real’ (as distinct Chef Alex Sanchez with Mallyeka Watsa, the co-founder of
Americano, which was always packed out prior to the pandemic
from ‘restaurant-style’) Italian food.
His learnings were all there on the plates. Americano, I wrote much during the pandemic, how have the others coped?
after my visit, was easily the finest European (using the term I spoke to Ritu Dalmia, queen of the Delhi restaurant scene, and
loosely: Alex is American) restaurant in Mumbai and possibly all she conceded that the restaurant industry has never known a bigger
of India. The food was not showy or fancy. But each dish had a crisis or a worse time. In the Greater Kailash market, where she ran
distinctive and delicious flavour of its own. the supremely trendy Café Diva, she says, restaurants are shuttering
A few weeks after I went, even as I was planning my next trip up every week. Even Café Diva, with its formidable reputation, has
to Mumbai, Americano shut down. Covid had just hit India and had to shut down. So has Ritu’s newly-opened Diva Spice.
though there was no requirement for restaurants to shut, Alex Some of it has to do with social distancing regulations, she
PIZZA POWER closed Americano. He was being cautious, he said, but his priority says. All restaurants have a business plan that depends on
When Americano was to protect the health of his staff, many of whom journeyed to serving a certain number of meals a day. If they have to, say, halve
had started
the restaurant’s Kala Ghoda location from the suburbs by public their seating capacity, then the economics collapse.
food delivery,
people from all transport: buses and local trains. Plus, says Ritu, there are short-sighted Delhi landlords
over the city A little later, the state government shut down all restaurants who will demand full rent even when the restaurant is shut.
ordered their and stopped public transport. So Americano would have had to Obviously, this means that restaurants have to close down. But
famous pizzas close anyway. the landlords can’t find new tenants either. So the space goes
For three months, as Mumbai went dark, I heard nothing empty. This works to nobody’s advantage, so Ritu says she can’t
more about Americano. Then I was told they had started delivery understand the inflexibility of some Delhi landlords.
food. People from all over the city ordered their famous pizzas. Ritu also runs two restaurants in Milan, Italy and their
Sanchez put together pasta kits that were not exactly DIY, but let fortunes have been mixed. They were shut down in the early
you assemble the dishes at home. part of 2020, re-opened to roaring business in the summer and
Then, finally, a few weeks ago Americano opened for business then closed again as the lockdown was re-imposed in the winter.
again. I called Alex to ask how he had coped through this dark But, says Ritu, the Italian government helps pay staff salaries,
period. It was gloomy, he said, because for much of the time he which makes a huge difference. In India, on the other hand, the
could not see a light at the end of the tunnel. His commitment was hospitality sector has received no government support.
to his staff (he did not sack a single person) and to his loyal band of
regulars who ordered delivery food when Americano was shut.
He was luckier than most, he said. His landlord was flexible
P
and understanding. He found a perfect delivery service in Thrive, ALL RESTAURANTS HAVE A BUSINESS
which was ideal for neighbourhood restaurants like his. But no, PLAN THAT DEPENDS ON SERVING A
he did not think that Americano would recoup its losses any time CERTAIN NUMBER OF MEALS A DAY.
soon. The struggle was always to simply stay afloat. IF THEIR SEATING CAPACITY IS HALVED,
If one of India’s best restaurants, with a loyal clientele, a packed
waiting list and an understanding landlord had to struggle so
THEN THE ECONOMICS COLLAPSE.
FEBRUARY 14, 2021 17
columns
SOUTHERN STAR
Chef Regi Mathew (right) is
Ritu has found ways of coping. Fortunately, three of her Listening to Alex and Ritu, I wondered what things were like
restaurants continue to flourish: the flagship, original Diva, for chef-patrons in the South. I have known Regi Mathew since
Latitude 28 in Khan Market and the wonderful café she runs at the the 1990s when he was the Thai cuisine chef at Bengaluru’s
Italian Embassy Cultural Centre. She forayed into delivery during the Taj West End. Regi left the hotel business fired by a mission to
lockdown and her (CasaDiva) pasta kits have become wildly popular popularise the food of his native Kerala.
during the pandemic. But, like Alex, she is against treating delivery He opened the stand-alone Thai place, Benjarong, after
as a replacement for customers at restaurants. Restaurateurs can leaving the West End but he really made his solo reputation with
raise some revenues from delivery to help with cash flow, she Chennai’s Ente Keralam.
explains, but the Diva group’s delivery revenues rarely exceed 10 per At present, he is best known for Kappa Chakka Kandhari,
cent of the total turnover. She is in the restaurant industry, she says, which is easily one of the best restaurants in Chennai.
and until that recovers her business will suffer. The concept is unusual. Regi and a few friends went back to
their mothers to ask for home recipes. Each of them also asked
their mothers to introduce them to 10 ladies of their mothers’
SMART MOVES
Ritu Dalmia forayed into delivery during the lockdown and her generation who liked cooking. They then requested the ladies
pasta kits have become wildly popular during the pandemic to give them home recipes. Not content with this, they went to
Kerala’s toddy shops to look for popular recipes.
Kappa Chakka Kandhari is like no other Malayali restaurant in
India because it still relies on home chefs in its kitchen and refuses
to serve Malabar Parotta (“it is not a mother’s dish”) or biryani
(“mothers don’t make it”: I’m not sure about that one, frankly).
When the lockdown hit, Regi was devastated. He had to close
down his Bengaluru operation and offered the home chefs
who cooked at his Chennai restaurant the opportunity to go
home. Most stayed with the restaurant and he struggled to find
cash flow doing some delivery and supplying food to the state
government’s Covid relief schemes.
He has kept his head above water though and his Chennai
place has re-opened successfully and by the time you read this,
Bengaluru should have too. He has taken a huge financial hit, but
is proudest of having stood by his people.
Alex, Ritu, Regi are among the finest chefs I know. They are
not mere food entrepreneurs. They work in this field because
they love food. All three of them have been to hell and back.
But perhaps better times are coming. Regi says that he expects to
be back at full capacity in a couple of months. If the market improves,
Ritu will look for a new location for Café Diva. And ironically
enough, there has never been a better time to go to Americano. With
customers only trickling back slowly to restaurants, this is the one For more columns by
time when it is not too difficult to get a table at Americano. Vir Sanghvi, scan the
I can’t wait to go! QR code. Follow Vir on
The views expressed by the columnist are personal Twitter @virsanghvi
18 FEBRUARY 14, 2021
columns
{ humour }
REHANA
Love on a platter
MUNIR Food compatibility is the essential
ingredient in long-term romantic bliss
‘I
f music be the food of love, play on’ wrote the over-quoted
Bard, whose love interests were as diverse as they were
intense, as his sonnets prove. I humbly wish to offer a counter-
view. Food, to me, nourishes love more than anything else. Jazz,
long drives and a shared addiction to reality TV are all very well,
but anyone who wishes to sustain a long-term, mutually fulfilling
romantic relationship must accept that food compatibility is
where it’s at. (Second only to temperature compatibility.)
Budget romance
The early days of dating abound in candlelit dinners of dainty
sushi and bite-sized bruschetta, nibbled at absently between long
gulps of wine. Food is simply an excuse to stare unabashedly at
the angel across the table. Items that are fiddly are a strict no-no
here; whoever wants to see their romantic fantasy struggle with
a five-layered burger with onions and pickles? I’ve spent most
of my salad days quaffing idlis at Udipis and bun maska at Irani FEED ONE’S MIND
Taste is a matter of infinite variety and complexity, yet we tend to
cafés, safe in the knowledge that the affordable meals held few find common ground with those we care about
dangers for sloppy eaters. But there’s the matter of having to be
quick about it; both kinds of establishment depend upon a quick tend to eclipse others. Spicy food is not intrinsically superior to
turnover of tables. So often, you’re just about starting to exchange bland food, for example, but it is a widely held opinion where
languid looks as the bill is served in a bowl of dubious saunf. we live. Luckily, highly developed palates are not a pre-requisite
for romantic bliss; cultural and emotional sensitivity is.
instance, accept my dahi mania, I’ll be good about your dhania assembled toastie as an elaborately planned roast. It all depends on
fixation. But some food-related differences between couples are the timing. As the world celebrates some version of Valentine’s Day,
irreconcilable. Like the mutton fiend and the vegan. (Good name it’s useful to remember that love can be poured out of an instant
For more columns
by Rehana Munir, for a contemporary take on an Aesop’s Fable, don’t you think?) packet just as easily as a vintage bottle. May we all be mindful of
scan the QR code. Or when one partner’s idea of a celebration is a Gujarati thali our audience, and keep both our wits and wallets handy.
Follow Rehana on while the other swears by khow suey. Invariably, one partner [email protected]
Twitter @rehana_munir dominates the food discourse, just like certain flavour profiles Follow @rehana_munir on Twitter and Instagram
HAVING AN INSIGHT IS ON.
GROWTH IS ON.
That’s why Long Story
A 2000 word daily insight into business, economy,
politics, technology, science, environment and culture.
relationships
“There are many [of
dad’s films] that I love “Vismaya has
and there are also never critiqued my
many I haven’t seen” performance in a
film, but shares
her opinion about
the storyline, and
the making”
Her
father’s
daughter
Hit Malayalam actor
Mohanlal’s daughter,
Vismaya, has opted for a
career in poetry and her
dad is all praises for
her dedication
By Priya Bala
A
cting, it might seem, is the
predetermined or obvious career
choice for most star kids in the
Indian film industry. Bollywood
sees them being ‘launched’ ever so often; in
Malayalam cinema, Dulquer Salman stepped
effortlessly into the large shoes of his father,
Mammootty, while Pranav Mohanlal
debuted as a child artiste in Onnaman (2002),
his father’s film, and has gone on to establish
himself as an actor, assistant director
and songwriter.
His younger sister, Vismaya, however, has
chosen a different realm for her creativity, most
recently publishing a collection of poems and
illustrations titled Grains of Stardust.
P
“I HAVE READ ALL OF
VISMAYA’S POEMS
AND, MUCH LIKE THE
MEANING OF HER NAME,
THEY TOO ARE STRANGE
AND OTHERWORLDLY”
—MOHANLAL
FEBRUARY 14, 2021 21
relationships
y Mohanlal, who’s written an eloquent
a foreword – in which he quotes Matsuo Bashō
– to the book, told HT Brunch, “I’ve never
t
planned a career in cinema for Maya. She has
d
been involved in theatre productions during
her school days, and has expressed interest in
performance art. If she wishes to pursue that
it would be entirely her choice, and if she does,
she has all my blessings.”
Poetic justice
According to Vismaya, she’s never felt pressured
to enter cinema or follow a certain career path.
“That said, I am interested in performance and
I’d be open to acting if I came across a good
script,” she says. So, we may just see her follow
in the footsteps of her father and brother. Mohanlal’s film new and different aspects each one’s duty to find that
Right now, it’s her skill as a poet that is being Onnaman (2002) of life, someone with thing towards which they
(above) where
talked about, and her father is admiring it. “I somewhat strange and feel that pull. If you do not
his son Pranav
have read all of Vismaya’s poems and, much debuted as a child different thoughts, and I find it in one place, seek it
like the meaning of her name, they too are artiste; Vismaya’s think this is a quality we someplace else. It is a deeply
strange and otherworldly. They are simple yet book (right) is share,” Mohanlal says. personal thing, and only you
philosophical and can be interpreted in many a collection of The two also share also a can know where it lies,” says
poems, titled
ways…on a spiritual level, in a personal manner, Grains of common love of nature and Mohanlal, who is known for
and so on. It depends upon the reader.” Stardust a certain conviviality. “She his deeply philosophical
Participate in the hasadesiretogetalongwith approach to his art.
people and doesn’t like rifts. Given his complete
#BrunchBookChallenge Having said that, she can be immersion in his work, the
firm and argumentative. If time he spends with family
Visit online: read.ht/yrz I were to look at aspects in is limited. “Because of my
Vismaya says the book came together quite which we differ, I’d say that while I believe in profession, and because of the fact that Maya
unexpectedly. ‘I would write a little here and the truth of my convictions, I am more flexible went to a boarding school, we have not had
there, but I never saw myself as a poet and I and accepting of circumstances and events. the opportunity to spend several days at a time
never imagined that what I was writing or That is perhaps due to my age, my travels, my together. Now she is an adult with her own
scribbling would one day become a book.” experiences and my profession.” opinions and views, and we are able to discuss
Some of the poems, she says, are personal, and share ideas with each other. We share
others emerging from her imagination.
P a good rapport. I would say that she is more
connected with her mother, but we still have a
Claim to fame “I WOULD WRITE A good and healthy relationship,” Mohanlal says.
While she has stepped into the limelight with LITTLE HERE AND Vismaya says she enjoys the time she gets
this work, she has not grabbed the attention to spend with family. Cooking together, or
that starkids do. Compare this with the focus
THERE, BUT I NEVER rather her dad cooking and the rest of the
on,say,TaimurAli KhanorAaradhyaBachchan. IMAGINED WHAT I WAS family eating, listening to music, travelling,
“I did almost all my schooling in an WRITING OR SCRIBBLING anything really. “I honestly just enjoy
international boarding school where people spending time with my family, regardless
WOULD ONE DAY
either didn’t know or it didn’t matter that I of what we’re doing,” she says.
was ‘Mohanlal’s daughter’. So, I never felt any BECOME A BOOK! ” And watching her dad’s films? “There are
different to anyone else growing up there,” —VISMAYA MOHANLAL many that I love and there are also many I
Vismaya says. haven’t seen,” Vismaya says.
After schooling at Hebron in Ooty, Maya went Vismaya says her father allowed her to figure Mohanlal says she watches her fair share
to the US and Europe to pursue her interest in things out for herself. She does go to him when of movies and reads a lot. “I find her feedback
art and theatre. “Due to this, she has not been she’s making a big decision. “I am not one to quite valuable. Vismaya has never critiqued
exposed to the limelight and therefore wasn’t so advice people. Apart from the few general my performance in a film, but shares her
involved in the industry. It was not a conscious norms, I share what I have learned from my opinion about the storyline, and the making.”
decisiontokeepherawayfromit.Itjusthappened own experiences that I think might be of help. [email protected]
to turn out that way,” Mohanlal says. As far as being an artist is concerned, it is my Follow @HTBrunch on Twitter and Instagram
belief that one needs to have the fire, drive and
Creative call commitment to persevere and succeed. I still Priya Bala is a Bengaluru-
based senior writer who
While being different from typical star kids have that desire, and remain one hundred per
specialises in food, travel and
who are prepared for cinema from a young age, cent dedicated to what I am doing. When I lose lifestyle writing. She has edited
Vismaya shares her father’s tangential creativity. that, I will know that it is time for me to stop. several major mainstream
“She is someone who loves to explore The same goes for anything in life, and it is publications in the past
22 FEBRUARY 14, 2021
music
name of
keep saying I can’t
let my musical
sensibilities go to
waste, to the
point that it
love...
was annoying”
Composer Anand
Bhaskar tells us how
his wife, Nidhi Sethia,
helped him take a
second shot at his first
love, music, which
turned his life around
By Karishma Kuenzang
C
an meeting the ‘right person’
change your life? Or, is this just
a cliché that the right and left
swiping millennials will never
relate to? For musician Anand Bhaskar,
who’s now done the music for both the
seasons of Mirzapur, meeting ‘the one’
– Nidhi Sethia, gave him the push to go
back to his true calling – music – after a
decade in advertising.
She “annoyed” him till he recorded his
originals, and his band Anand Bhaskar
Collective came together.
Couple goals
The couple tied the knot in April 2013,
his debut album released in August
2014, prompting him to quit his job
in October 2015. Snide remarks
came his way for leaving work
early for band practice. By 2018,
he had a bankable reputation in
the music scene, becoming the
go-to person for last-minute
jingles and other projects.
“Nidhi would keep
saying I can’t let my musical
sensibilities go to waste,
to the point that it was
annoying. I was 33 when
I quit my job and worried
about rent kaun dega. She
FEBRUARY 14, 2021 23
music
c
said I should dedicate at least six months to
it, after which I could decide if I wanted to
go back to a job,” the now 39-year-old says.
Anand did the rounds of composers’
offices and production houses, when he
got a jingle gig for Amul in March 2015 for
`10,000, and before long he was doing a jingle
with Akshay Kumar and got `1.5 lakh for it.
The advertising professional spent the first
three years pitching himself and learning
production and practising.
“I was aware I had started late in life and there
were many kids half my age, who sing 10 times
better than me. I needed to do whatever kids
were doing but three times over,” he says, adding
that smoking and drinking over the years had
also taken a toll on his voice.
Not that singing was a new thing for him.
He’s been singing since he was three, and even
trained in Indian classical music, growing
up in a household where his parents played
plenty of Malayalam film music, Rafi’s songs,
AR Rahman’s Tamil works and, of course,
Michael Jackson, which introduced Anand
to the world of international music.
(Above) Two next to her, for her to finally recognise me,”
P albums old,
Anand Bhaskar
he recalls, chuckling. But she didn’t respond
to his messages and so, he stopped trying.
Collective is also
“I DON’T BELIEVE IN LOVE working on an But one day, when his boss asked Anand to
get his guitar and he was forced to sing in office
AT FIRST SIGHT, BUT EP, called Ufaq;
(Right) Anand (Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here), Nidhi first
IT WAS – MAYBE THE first noticed his noticed him.
LIGHTING WAS RIGHT” wife Nidhi,
when they were
When they accidentally met in the elevator
—ANAND BHASKAR working late at soon after, Anand was determined not to
work one day ‘give her bhaav (attention)’, so when she
complimented his singing, he replied with:
“I even stole money from my dad’s briefcase “You don’t check your FB messages.” Quick
to buy cassettes,” he sniggers. But he stopped wit and a golden voice worked, and soon
training when he was 17, brainwashed by peers they were texting on Hangouts and then
and the society to go for engineering or a masters they SMS-ed for two months as Anand didn’t
degree. “I did a BA in Stats, which I’ve never have a smartphone in 2011.
used,” he laughs. “That hardwork was worth every second. It
Anand spent two years working in a BPO, took me 59 days to ask her out. Even now I feel
before coming to Mumbai to do a Masters she’s way out of my league.”
in Fashion Management and Technology They’d discuss music and Bhaskar discovered
from NIFT, and then joining Mudra, where that Nidhi loves Bollywood music. So, he invited
he met Nidhi. her to listen to an original (Hey Ram) and that
day she started pushing him to do music. “Today, Boy and the band
Cut the chase I’ve been doing music exclusively for six years His band, Anand Bhaskar Collective, too grew by
The couple, whose birthdays are five days and don’t feel bored or burnt out! That’s insane leaps and bounds in the five years. Like Ankur
apart, met in 2005 when Anand wasn’t looking compared to the fact that I changed my job seven Tewari from Ankur & The Ghalat Family, who
to date anyone and both of them had stayed times in 10 years of being in advertising and is the one to have recommended Anand for
back late at work one day. “I don’t believe BPOs,” he exhales! Mirzapur. Anand, in turn, got his entire band
in love at first sight, but it was – maybe the Not that he didn’t take up all household chores on to play for one track as well as indie musician
lighting was right,” he laughs. after he quit his job – he learnt how to make Isheeta Chakravarty to sing the track Tittar Bittar.
Then, one night he got drunk and sent her perfectly round chapatis, besides cooking. “My Season 2 was also distinctively different than
a formal email-style message on Facebook, wife would come from work (she’s currently the season 1, complete with a rap song, Munna. “My
while he still wasn’t on her friend list, asking head of development at Window Seat Films LLP) first draft got rejected,” he confesses. Then, he
her out. But his display picture was a tad old and ask me how I’d managed to make them so turned his composition process around – getting
and since Anand didn’t look anything similar round!” laughs the musician who’s now sung in the lyrics from Ginny Diwan for Tittar Bittar. The
to it in real life, she couldn’t recognise him and Baaghi 2, Mission Mangal and has also worked line ‘ho jaaye saare tittar bittar’ sparked a melody
thought it was a prank. “I had to tell Nidhi I sit with Amit Trivedi. and the song was done in an hour. “It’s an ‘item
24 FEBRUARY 14, 2021
music
song’ from a woman’s point of view while a fight
is on. I’m grateful the directors supported our
wacky ideas,” he sighs with relief.
With so much of the indie scene in it, does
he consider Mirzapur a commercial project?
“Today, I’ve been doing music “I don’t see projects as commercial and
exclusively for six years and non-commercial. I feel music is divided into
don’t feel bored... That’s insane
accessible and inaccessible melodies, which
compared to the fact that I changed
my job seven times in 10 years of can be produced with indie or film or ad or web
being in advertising and BPOs” series sensibilities. My goal is to make a melody
with high recall value, which leaves an impact
on the listener’s mind,” he explains.
You definitely have more freedom in web
series as the directors are from the new school
of thought, he points out, which allows new
composers to showcase their talent.
P
“MY GOAL IS TO MAKE
A MELODY WITH HIGH
RECALL VALUE, WHICH
LEAVES AN IMPACT ON
THE LISTENER’S MIND”
—ANAND BHASKAR
“In films, there’s a parallel compulsion to
make something commercially successful so
producers also take a call on the casting of the
singer as there is so much money involved,” he
says, before citing the likes of indie musicians
Shilpa Surroch and Keka Ghoshal, who are
singing for web series. In shows, songs make a
comeback and appear again and again and you
also check out song and credits, which makes a
big difference. Proof of which can be seen as his
YouTube subscribers and Instagram followers
have shot up, and he’s crossed 200k listeners
per month on Spotify from a week ago when it
was 30k per month. And it’s also trickling into
support for the band!
Looking ahead
Bhaskar is also doing the music for Netflix’s
Bombay Begums, which will focus on lyrics.
One song has a reggaeton vibe with vocals akin
to Nadia Hassan in the ’80s! He’s also rapping in
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s anthem, besides
working on a solo album with a pop, electronic
and hip-hop vibe.
Two albums old, Anand Bhaskar Collective
is also working on an EP, called Ufaq. The lyrics
of the titular song is being co-written by the
couple, their (fifth) song together. And no, it’s
not a mushy song, but a high-intensity rock
number about determination and reaching for
the horizon no matter how long it takes and
how becoming strong not just involves hard
work but also overcoming your inner evil and
toxicity. Just like the story of his life.
[email protected]
Follow @KKuenzang on Twitter and Instagram
FEBRUARY 14, 2021 25
obituary
TRIBUTE
RAJIV KAPOOR
P
AUG 25, 1962-FEB 9, 2021 “I UNDERSTOOD WHY NEETU
KAPOOR AND CHIMPU GOT
ALONG LIKE A HOUSE ON
FIRE – HIS KAPOOR CHARM
WAS INFECTIOUS”
underneath a waterfall in a sheer sari. Rajiv’s
illustrious father, Raj Kapoor, had finally
managed to bring out the best in his youngest
son with Ram Teri, but, unfortunately, his
subsequent death abbreviated any chances
of further collaborations, which could have
taken Chimpu’s career to the next level.
In the mid-1980s Chimpu was signed on by
big banners such as Nasir Hussain (Zabardast,
1985), Tito-Tony (Aasmaan, 1984) and Saawan
Getting personal
My date for the premiere of Chimpu’s
Rajiv Kapoor will remain etched in memory as a bon vivant, directorial debut under the RK banner Prem
large-hearted and generous member of the first family of Bollywood Granth (1996) was the feisty veteran actress
Nadira. The venue was the FC Mehra-owned
Minerva cinema again. Nadira introduced me
By Dinesh Raheja
to Chimpu as her son, and he touched her feet
and asked for blessings after acknowledging
I
first interviewed the three Kapoor me with a smile and a “thanks for coming”. If
brothers – Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv – Prem Granth hadn’t gone awry in its plot in the
when I was paying a written tribute to second half, Chimpu would’ve been enthused
their father Raj Kapoor, within days of to direct more films for his home banner.
his death... And then, last year, I wrote an I met him a couple of times thereafter – once
obituary for Rishi and today I am penning when I dropped in on the sets of Rishi Kapoor’s
one, with a heavy heart, for his younger directorial venture Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) at
brother Rajiv (Chimpu). RK studios, for which Chimpu was the producer.
The first time I saw Rajiv was outside I witnessed first-hand how close the three
Minerva cinema for the premiere of his brothers were and how they worked in tandem
(Above) Rajiv
debut film Ek Jaan Hain Hum (1983). He was Kapoor in Ram on their collective passion for filmmaking.
sitting in his car with a friend, the door left Teri Ganga Maili, I bumped into Chimpu last some years
ajar, palpably nervous and excited, drinking the film that back, when I was having dinner with my
beer to calm his nerves. It was the era of star turned his friend Santosh Sud and her filmmaker
career around;
progeny – there was Sanjay Dutt, Kumar (Left) He debuted husband Guddu Dhanoa. Chimpu was sitting
Gaurav and Sunny Deol – and the 21-year- with Ek Jaan Hain by himself at another table but the extroverted
old debutant was expected to shoot to fame Hum opposite Kapoor couldn’t refuse Guddu’s invitation to
in the same comet-like manner. Divya Rana join us. He was in high spirits and regaled
us with his stories. Chimpu was no longer
Screen presence full-of-beans as an actor, but his performance the lean youngster of Ram Teri Ganga Maili,
His launch vehicle was fuelled by big guns. and looks seemed heavily-influenced by his but his smile and demeanour were intact.
The film was produced by F C Mehra, a friend uncle Shammi, whether by design or default, I I understood why his sister-in-law Neetu
of Rajiv’s uncle, Shammi Kapoor. The second am not sure. It didn’t work in his favour because Kapoor and he got along like a house on fire
generation of Kapoors and Mehras – the two Shammi was a tough act to follow. Chimpu – his Kapoor charm was infectious.
Rajivs, one an actor the other a director – made amends and forged his individuality And that’s how I would like to remember
became friends during their joint venture, a couple of years later with Ram Teri Ganga him... just as he was that evening – gregarious,
Ek Jaan Hain Hum. Chimpu seemed to be Maili (1985), directed by his father, Raj Kapoor. large-hearted, bon vivant and a foodie!
following the template expected of star sons... Chimpu got a meaty role and a much- [email protected]
even dating the heroine of his film Divya Rana needed shot in the arm with this golden Follow @HTBrunch on Twitter and Instagram
in those days. However, their pairing on and jubilee hit, though the film’s nubile heroine
Dinesh Raheja is a reputed film historian,
off screen fizzled and so did Chimpu’s career. Mandakini stole some of his thunder, thanks columnist and TV scriptwriter who has been
His first film was breezy and Chimpu was to the famous sequence, where she stood writing on cinema for over three decades
in bed with…
{ si stori s }
ast person whom you usually te t
goo night to ?
I always rea e ore slee ing
hat is the first thing you o when you wa e up?
In my creative hase, I try not to loo at my hone But
when I m not in that s ace, I communicate as much as I can
hat o you wear to e ?
horts an shirt, ut as a i , it was urta y ama
ne thing that is always on your e si e ta le?
A remote, a ottle o water an my hone
o oesn t
in getting u in t e
i le o a ovie to
get o co n ut as
an acto ee
t at eo le watc
scenes ca e ull
a i a a an
it suc little ti e
an so uc to o
watc ing a ovie on a
la to o one see s
li e an easie tas
i ant asse
guest column
{ I SAY, CHAPS }
#SameLove
After his passionate on-screen kiss with Milind Soman that EDITORIAL
Jamal Shaikh
“they said” could derail his career, the actor holds forth on (National Editor – Brunch and
New Media Initiatives)
gender-fluidity and its growing acceptance in the mainstream Lubna Salim
Shruti Nair
Karishma Kuenzang
T
Amit Malik
he most difficult part about Kishore Rawat
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upgrades
{ GAME SHOW }
How they met: How they met: The How they met: The
They connected now-business couple met at an office
via common partners met off-site in 2018
friends in three years and felt an
February ago while instant spark.
2020, studying at They started
exchanged St Xavier’s dating and in
numbers College. February 2019,
THE EXPERT
and began They began Zayyan moved
talking. But talking from Delhi
Rahul was after she to Mumbai.
shy, so Urvashi expressed Yin and Yang?
made the first interest in “At times, I
move and asked playing football can be a wreck
him out. with his team. with my mood
Yin and Yang? Yin and Yang? swings but
Rahul and Urvashi “Nigel is my the way he
are total opposites! biggest critic and deals with
She’s a total Type A supporter. We are me patiently, Geeta
and he’s laidback. business partners talking me Ramakrishnan
But they know they and I can turn to through it. I is an ontological
Zayyan and coach and has authored
can lean on one him for honest feed- Kimberly and Nigel lucked out,” the book titled
Moumita started
another when the world Urvashi and back,” Kimberly says. have been dating Moumita admits. The Game of
dating last year
seems to be conspiring Rahul have Fights? “They are for three years now They order food for Change
been together
against them! for 10 months mostly about work each other and watch shows together.
Fights? “Not often! He’s and I must confess that I’m always the Fights? “We fight about silly things. But I
much quicker to apologise,” Urvashi says. one to pick a fight,”she says. can’t stay angry at him for long,” she says. Which of these
three couples will
Progress report: “We’ve discussed marriage Progress report: “We’ve discussed Progress report: “We’ve become like
take the plunge
eventually, choosing to know each other better marriage and our folks know about us. family to one other in the city. So, first? Turn to Page
each day,” she says. There’s no pressure, though,” she says. marriage is on the cards,” she reveals. 9 to find out.
NEW
COLUMN!
{ Q+A }
D-DAY
AY DILEMMA BEAUTY SECRETS
Q On my wedding day, I want to look like the
most beautiful bride ever. But I don’t like
the idea of being styled like so-and-so actress
Q How can yoga be used as a
beauty hack?
—Mariam Sharif, Bengaluru Now playing!
from such-and-such movie. I also find the idea of
spending lakhs on one outfit absurd. Help!
—Jitisha Goel, Via email
Bpractise
eauty is a side effect of yoga. Whether you like
it or not, it’s inbuilt in the practise. When you
yoga all the inner faculties calm down, your
The HT Brunch
Podcast.
Listen to your
AMI PATEL
Celebrity stylist F irst of all, I would recommend you do not look at any
celebrity for inspiration. Your body type is different, your
skin is different, your budget is different. I believe one can
entropies cool down and that reflects back not just
in your face but your entire mind-body system. It
improves blood circulation, hence a natural facial. You
favourite stars,
columnists,
musicians…
only look their best when one brings out their personal will find yourself smiling more and almost feel like Scan the QR
style that reflects their own personality and charm. Budget happiness is injected into your lips, eyes and cheeks, code below
should never be an issue when it comes to looking your expressions of anger fear and anxiety will disappear
best. Put the look together focusing on the fit and cut of and you will get that enviable self-luminous glow
the outfit, amazing accessories and cohesive styling. With that beats Botox, any day!
gorgeous hair and make-up, fresh flowers in the hair and a
colour that enhances your already beautiful glow, you will Ami Patel is a celebrity fashion stylist,
be the most beautiful and memorable bride ever! image consultant and faculty with the Art of Living
4 FEBRUARY 14, 2021
nostalgia
{ WHEN I WAS 22… }
Dharmesh Darshan,
(Above) The director in the pool
at Otters Club in Bandra; (Left)
Dharmesh with his mother, who
“I wanted to be with my
parents and not fly the nest”
Dharmesh Darshan at his father's office in Seeking the blessings of his parents, Darshan and Dharmesh all dressed up for his birthday at his
Indore, where his passion for films developed Sheila, before launching Lootere (1993), his first film Pali Hill bungalow, in Mumbai
“R
for a group of 10 hungry children but I’ve now been advised to slow cook
between 8 and 10 years old, for the my meats for better nutrition. Give me some AHUL and URVASHI have a
morning after a sleepover? tips, please. mature mindset towards their
—Dhvani C, Via email —Toral, Chandigarh relationship, and make up for
T H
hink French toast, but done in the ere’s a tip: that’s just bad advice! There’s each other’s weakness,” says Geeta Ramakrishnan,
PRATEEK SADHU oven - it’s the easiest hack for a crowd! nothing wrong with pressure cooking ontological coach. Fighting is healthy as long as you
Award-winning Chef Just lay your bread in a baking dish and meats and most other foods - it’s a method discuss it later – something couples forget. “It’s okay to be
pour an egg-milk-cinnamon mixture over that actually retains more nutrients than most, angry with your partner,” she explains. End the day with
it. Dress it up with whatever other spices especially if you repurpose the cooking liquid. a 10-minute chat sans gadgets, and set relationship goals
and flavours you want, and bake it for Luckily that’s easiest to do here, where you can and ask each other why you are together once a month.
about 30 minutes. All the kids get fed in turn that liquid into a gravy, sauce or dressing KIMBERLY and NIGEL have a trusting relationship, but
one go, and you can treat yourself to go with the meat. since she’s usually apologising, Nigel may unconsciously
extr
to some silence and an extra Prateek’s signature restaurant, Masque, is changing be projecting an air of superiority. MOUMITA and
cup of coffee instead of
o India’s culinary landscape and was awarded the ZAYYAN seem well balanced but their constant
standing over the stove. One To Watch Award by Asia’s 50 Best in 2020 bickering on small things could eventually escalate.
FEBRUARY 14, 2021 5
social media
a
{ SOCIAL MEDIA STAR OF THE WEEK }
w
@tedthestoner
For enabling over 17,000 pet adoptions via his Instagram pages JEREMY JAUNCEY
Int’l travel entrepreneur
By Karishma Kuenzang
Why { Q+A }
@TedTheStoner?
SAFE TRAVELS
I
t started when @tedthestoner aka Jitendra “There’s no reason really
Sharma got a request to help recover a
follower’s pet in Delhi. Jitendra, 26, posted
and it’s got nothing to do
with getting stoned. After
the Sushant Singh Rajput
Q always paranoid about losing my
passport and money when I travel.
What’s the best way to keep these
a story via his page. Days later, the owner case, many celebs kept their safe / get over my fear?
DM-ed to thank him for sharing as it helped distance from my account —Tanya T, Via email
for a bit because of the
find his dog. “That’s when I realised social
media can make a difference,” he shares how
handle name.”
Iknow what you mean, I have the
same with my passport. We’re a few
years off having biometric scanners
he unknowingly started his adoption drive
that will do away with passports
in 2017-2018. Today, his page, along with a (they are coming though), so for now
secondary official page @tedthestoner2.0 my passport is always with me and I
(409k followers), has managed to enable over know where the British Embassy is of
17k adoptions including dogs, cats, rabbits any place I’m headed to. I rarely carry
cash these days – either loading a local
and guinea pigs. currency debit card or using mobile.
He’s gone from getting 10-20 requests a
day to over 1,000 a day. “The best part is when
owners send pictures with the newest member
THE MEMORY CARD
of their family,” smiles the creator who has one Q Tell us about the most memorable
road trip you’ve ever taken.
—
rule: Asking people why they are giving the pet Ravish Sarna, Dubai
up, and dissuades them if possible.
18 years old, in a 1984 (the year
I was born!) beat up Honda
Civic with very dodgy brakes and
All for indie breeds no indicator lights... I was travelling
The biggest problem the Mumbai boy, around New Zealand with some
who started from a Facebook page eleb mates, playing rugby and living in
before switching to Instagram who follo hostels. No worries, no commitments
in 2014, faces? Indie breeds
the animal lo ing Star power and easily the best road trip I’ve ever
itendra Sharma Jitendra
done. I’m pretty sure that’s when I fell
adoptions. “When I put a post He’s also in contact Sharma, a
in love with travel.
about adopting a pure-bred, with celebrities, former finance
executive, has Jeremy Jauncey is the founder and CEO
I get 1000s of DMs within who often repost his over one million of one of the world’s best-known travel
minutes. But with indie stories, which helps followers on communities called Beautiful Destinations,
breeds, I’ve had to post three- Vishal
Aditya Roy spread the word. His Instagram which was born out of a social media
Dadlani initiative, and is today a model for start-ups
four times,” he says, adding that Kapur big moment was when
there’s a misunderstanding that he went to follow Virat
indie dogs aren’t suitable for homes. Kohli, the day the cricketer
Raja
SUNDAY IN A SENTENCE
“Whenever you use social media for a made his Instagram debut, he found
{ FREDDY BIRDY }
good cause, some people will have issues,” he Kumari the ‘follow back’ option instead. “I’ve SOCIAL MEDIA STAR
says. Like last year, when breeder groups on now spoken to him thrice thanks to Anushka,
WhatsApp and Facebook put posts accusing who’s even helped out with a doctor’s number
him of charging for adoptions. But he follows when someone had a medical emergency and
a fairly transparent process – posting a story people like her, Raftaar, Vishal Dadlani, etc, “The happier you are on
with the number of the person reaching out aren’t doing this for f ame,” he says. social media, the less
for help. After that, the two take it forward. “The funny part is that we aren’t really you are in real life.”
saving the pet’s life, but the life of the #BrunchBook-
P
@freddy_birdy
person adopting him/her. We get a Challenge
lot of messages from people with presents book
readings with
“MY BIG MOMENT mental health issues telling us how
your favourite
much better they feel with a pet
WAS WHEN I WENT TO authors. For
around,” he concludes. Kiran Manral,
FOLLOW VIRAT KOHLI, I [email protected] scan below
SAW THE “FOLLOW BACK” Follow @KKuenzang on Twitter and Instagram
OPTION, AND DISCOVERED Who should be the next
HT Brunch Social Media Star Of The
HE FOLLOWS ME” Week? Nominate using the hashtag
—JITENDRA SHARMA #BrunchSocialMediaStarOTW or email
[email protected]
6 FEBRUARY 14, 2021
cover story
LoveOr
mome nt, Radh
Infatuation?
ika Ma dan, 25, an d Vikrant Massey, 33, address the
Stars of the
debate du jour: has OTT finished larger-than-life cinema for good, or is it just a passing phase?
Text by Shruti Nair
Photos shot exclusively for HT Brunch by Prabhat Shetty
Styling by Priyanka Mishra (for Vikrant Massey)
and Meagan Concessio (for Radhika Madan)
I
vividly remember going to watch to OTT because they had no choice. I was
Devdas (2002), my first movie in a P very fortunate because, whether OTT or
single-screen theatre, when I was all of theatre, people have been very kind to me.
eight. It doubled as an extended family
“NOW THAT MAXIMUM Plus, given that there are so many takers
outing, for which we had booked an VIEWERSHIP IS ON OTT, for good content and diverse platforms,
entire row in the cinema hall. Now that WHO IS THE HERO? God has been kind! And it is here to stay.
used to be the charm of watching a movie on THE SCRIPT!” Not just in India, but the consumption
the big screen! Cut to last year at home, when of entertainment worldwide shows that
—RADHIKA MADAN
we finally got a decent Wi-Fi connection, streaming platforms have found their
thanks to work from home, my grandpa footing. It’s in a transitional phase still,
would nudge me to stream Malayalam movies overboard.” Radhika spontaneously chimes but it is a welcome change.”
post lunch, which kept him glued to the sofa. in: “Vikrant, I’m sorry to cut you off but do
The seismic shift in the Indian film you think that a show like Mirzapur will be COUCH COMFORT OR
industr y has been gradual and it is possible after censor board comes on board?” CURTAIN-RAISER?
happening again. The year of the pandemic As for me, I smile to myself Making a movie is an effort involving
has changed the way content is being (victoriously), as the conversation has hundreds of people. How, then, does it feel
consumed, movies included. set the premise for the debate of OTT vs when the audience pauses a movie midway
So, a few minutes into my Zoom interview, theatre-going experience! to go cook or to take a nap?
when I ask actors Vikrant Massey, 33, and Radhika takes the first pass, and says:
Radhika Madan, 25, about their viewpoints THE STREAMING “Look, for a lot of people, movie-watching
on the announcement of censorship on STORY is not a serious thing. For an actor, or for
OTT, Vikrant says, “I honestly don’t find a So, when I ask our actors to choose their people from the industry, it is. My mom
difference. We have to concede that when stance, Radhika says: “Of course, there’s doesn’t mind getting up in the middle of the
there was no censorship, people would go comfort [in streaming]. I can pause it movie to get popcorn, and I react with, ‘How
anytime; I can go to the loo and continue can you get up in the middle of a scene?’ So,
to watch on my phone. I can multitask and while I’d prefer that people watch my scenes
{ VIKRANT MASSEY } ACTOR watch, let’s not get into it in detail,” says carefully, I’ve also realised I cannot expect
Radhika and Vikrant chuckles almost as if that all the time.”
he’s guilty of doing it. “Cinema-viewing is akin to culture in our
“The definition of “But,” she adds, “I also feel that our country and the last 30 years have seen a
attention span is reducing. According to huge transition from the single-screen to
heroes and of big filmsl stats, the short films are working more, multiplexes,” says Vikrant and adds: “For a
is changing. Also, the whereas if the duration is longer, a lot of middle-class family, to go watch a movie once
concept of heroes in people tend to get distracted faster. Rest a month is an event. It’s an experience!” (Now
real life itself
re Vikrant sir will tell us,” she smiles. I realise why Devdas is etched in memory
is changing.” Vikrant nods and says: “True. Due to the so clearly.)
Covid phase, lot of people have lapped on To watch themselves on ‘the big screen’ is
cover story
8 FEBRUARY 14, 2021
cover story
P
“OTT IS A SPACE THAT
IS ALLOWING CREATIVE
PEOPLE TO SHOW
THEIR ART THROUGH
STORYTELLING!”
—VIKRANT MASSEY
TO CENSOR, OR NOT...
Circling back to the censorship issue,
Radhika takes a five-second pause before
answering, “It depends on the script, to be
very honest! I liked the fact that there was
no censorship on OTT platforms because
you could show the reality through real
emotions and real language, and you don’t
have to decorate the premise, you know? It’s a problem but if the censor board wants
{ RADHIKA MADAN } ACTOR
not a Sooraj Barjatya kind of movie, where me to reduce the nudity in the film, fair
you’ve to show hum sab saath hain (we are enough. I’ll wrap it in a different manner,
all together) and only that is celebrated. That but I’ll continue telling my stories. Also,
“I liked that there reality and freedom is going to be amiss!” this thing about realism can only be shown
was no censorship Vikrant believes in the need for self- through a particular language is not entirely
on OTT platforms check. It helps stay closer to realism. This true. When I did Balika Vadhu it ushered
because you could isn’t necessarily compromised with a censor in a new era of shows, which had social
show the reality board being present but depends on the kind realism, so if it is meant to be within rules,
of censorship that’ll come into effect, he feels. it can happen.”
through real
“Censorship was always there, whether it
emotions and was cinema, television or even newspapers. ‘IT’S ALL SCRIPTED’
real
re language” I believe that there is a manner in which Speaking of Balika Vadhu and television
everything has to be told and that needs to shows, since both Vikrant and Radhika started
be ensured. If they want me to talk about a their acting journey from TV shows, has OTT
pressing issue that I also relate to, I may have leveraged on TV’s regressive scripts, I ask.
FEBRUARY 14, 2021 9
cover story
y
“B R S
WHAT WOULD YOU
PREFER: PLAYING A
”
SIDEKICK IN A BIG
FILM OR A SMALL,
MEMORABLE ROLE?
“There are only five per cent shows which sponsors willing to pay and eventually, it
speak in larger context as opposed to 95 per P is business. So many people are still ready
cent shows, which have bad content but end to buy the substandard content to escape
up influencing the majority. It’s high time TV
“WE ARE OVER THE from their mundane lives. As an actor, what
producers and script writers make impactful SAAS-BAHU SAGAS. I can do is not be a part of such movies or a
content that’s also entertaining. We are over STOP THE PLASTIC performer of such content,” says Vikrant.
the saas-bahu sagas. Stop the plastic surgery As we end our chat, I’m relieved to have
SURGERY REDO”
redo yaar and let’s have shows like Balika not fuelled a heated argument between two
—RADHIKA MADAN
Vadhu!” says Radhika. To which, I quip: amicable actors. My takeaway: it’s always
“Even though Radhika pushes for shows multiple, contrasting voices that round off
like Balika Vadhu, don’t you think they lose remains the same, so regressive content an intelligent argument. Wouldn’t you agree?
their track over time?” is there, unfortunately. But we can’t look So, go enjoy a smart squabble, this
“Television is like a door-to-door medium. at it from a one-dimensional perspective, Valentine’s Day!
Even today, our country’s majority is the because when we ask questions like ‘Why
middle-class and their main entertainment are shows like this still made?’, the makers
[email protected]
consumption is via TV. The structure say, audiences are buying that, there are Follow @MissNairr on Twitter and Instagram
10 FEBRUARY 14, 2021
columns
{ rude food }
VIR
SANGHVI They’re
back
How three of India's finest chefs,
Alex Sanchez, Ritu Dalmia and Regi
Mathew, have been to hell and back
I
n the early months of 2020, I finally managed to score a table
at Mumbai’s Americano. I had heard good things about the
restaurant and had admired the chef-patron Alex Sanchez
when he was at The Table, a lovely and influential restaurant
near the Gateway of India.
But it took me three tries to get a table because Americano
was always packed out. When I finally ate there, I discovered
why Sanchez had disappeared after his stint at The Table: he had
spent much of his time travelling through Italy, cooking in small HOUSEFUL HEROES
towns with nonnas and learning the secrets of ‘real’ (as distinct Chef Alex Sanchez with Mallyeka Watsa, the co-founder of
Americano, which was always packed out prior to the pandemic
from ‘restaurant-style’) Italian food.
His learnings were all there on the plates. Americano, I wrote much during the pandemic, how have the others coped?
after my visit, was easily the finest European (using the term I spoke to Ritu Dalmia, queen of the Delhi restaurant scene, and
loosely: Alex is American) restaurant in Mumbai and possibly all she conceded that the restaurant industry has never known a bigger
of India. The food was not showy or fancy. But each dish had a crisis or a worse time. In the Greater Kailash market, where she ran
distinctive and delicious flavour of its own. the supremely trendy Café Diva, she says, restaurants are shuttering
A few weeks after I went, even as I was planning my next trip up every week. Even Café Diva, with its formidable reputation, has
to Mumbai, Americano shut down. Covid had just hit India and had to shut down. So has Ritu’s newly-opened Diva Spice.
though there was no requirement for restaurants to shut, Alex Some of it has to do with social distancing regulations, she
PIZZA POWER closed Americano. He was being cautious, he said, but his priority says. All restaurants have a business plan that depends on
When Americano was to protect the health of his staff, many of whom journeyed to serving a certain number of meals a day. If they have to, say, halve
had started
the restaurant’s Kala Ghoda location from the suburbs by public their seating capacity, then the economics collapse.
food delivery,
people from all transport: buses and local trains. Plus, says Ritu, there are short-sighted Delhi landlords
over the city A little later, the state government shut down all restaurants who will demand full rent even when the restaurant is shut.
ordered their and stopped public transport. So Americano would have had to Obviously, this means that restaurants have to close down. But
famous pizzas close anyway. the landlords can’t find new tenants either. So the space goes
For three months, as Mumbai went dark, I heard nothing empty. This works to nobody’s advantage, so Ritu says she can’t
more about Americano. Then I was told they had started delivery understand the inflexibility of some Delhi landlords.
food. People from all over the city ordered their famous pizzas. Ritu also runs two restaurants in Milan, Italy and their
Sanchez put together pasta kits that were not exactly DIY, but let fortunes have been mixed. They were shut down in the early
you assemble the dishes at home. part of 2020, re-opened to roaring business in the summer and
Then, finally, a few weeks ago Americano opened for business then closed again as the lockdown was re-imposed in the winter.
again. I called Alex to ask how he had coped through this dark But, says Ritu, the Italian government helps pay staff salaries,
period. It was gloomy, he said, because for much of the time he which makes a huge difference. In India, on the other hand, the
could not see a light at the end of the tunnel. His commitment was hospitality sector has received no government support.
to his staff (he did not sack a single person) and to his loyal band of
regulars who ordered delivery food when Americano was shut.
He was luckier than most, he said. His landlord was flexible
P
and understanding. He found a perfect delivery service in Thrive, ALL RESTAURANTS HAVE A BUSINESS
which was ideal for neighbourhood restaurants like his. But no, PLAN THAT DEPENDS ON SERVING A
he did not think that Americano would recoup its losses any time CERTAIN NUMBER OF MEALS A DAY.
soon. The struggle was always to simply stay afloat. IF THEIR SEATING CAPACITY IS HALVED,
If one of India’s best restaurants, with a loyal clientele, a packed
waiting list and an understanding landlord had to struggle so
THEN THE ECONOMICS COLLAPSE.
FEBRUARY 14, 2021 11
columns
SOUTHERN STAR
Chef Regi Mathew (right) is
Ritu has found ways of coping. Fortunately, three of her Listening to Alex and Ritu, I wondered what things were like
restaurants continue to flourish: the flagship, original Diva, for chef-patrons in the South. I have known Regi Mathew since
Latitude 28 in Khan Market and the wonderful café she runs at the the 1990s when he was the Thai cuisine chef at Bengaluru’s
Italian Embassy Cultural Centre. She forayed into delivery during the Taj West End. Regi left the hotel business fired by a mission to
lockdown and her (CasaDiva) pasta kits have become wildly popular popularise the food of his native Kerala.
during the pandemic. But, like Alex, she is against treating delivery He opened the stand-alone Thai place, Benjarong, after
as a replacement for customers at restaurants. Restaurateurs can leaving the West End but he really made his solo reputation with
raise some revenues from delivery to help with cash flow, she Chennai’s Ente Keralam.
explains, but the Diva group’s delivery revenues rarely exceed 10 per At present, he is best known for Kappa Chakka Kandhari,
cent of the total turnover. She is in the restaurant industry, she says, which is easily one of the best restaurants in Chennai.
and until that recovers her business will suffer. The concept is unusual. Regi and a few friends went back to
their mothers to ask for home recipes. Each of them also asked
their mothers to introduce them to 10 ladies of their mothers’
SMART MOVES
Ritu Dalmia forayed into delivery during the lockdown and her generation who liked cooking. They then requested the ladies
pasta kits have become wildly popular during the pandemic to give them home recipes. Not content with this, they went to
Kerala’s toddy shops to look for popular recipes.
Kappa Chakka Kandhari is like no other Malayali restaurant in
India because it still relies on home chefs in its kitchen and refuses
to serve Malabar Parotta (“it is not a mother’s dish”) or biryani
(“mothers don’t make it”: I’m not sure about that one, frankly).
When the lockdown hit, Regi was devastated. He had to close
down his Bengaluru operation and offered the home chefs
who cooked at his Chennai restaurant the opportunity to go
home. Most stayed with the restaurant and he struggled to find
cash flow doing some delivery and supplying food to the state
government’s Covid relief schemes.
He has kept his head above water though and his Chennai
place has re-opened successfully and by the time you read this,
Bengaluru should have too. He has taken a huge financial hit, but
is proudest of having stood by his people.
Alex, Ritu, Regi are among the finest chefs I know. They are
not mere food entrepreneurs. They work in this field because
they love food. All three of them have been to hell and back.
But perhaps better times are coming. Regi says that he expects to
be back at full capacity in a couple of months. If the market improves,
Ritu will look for a new location for Café Diva. And ironically
enough, there has never been a better time to go to Americano. With
customers only trickling back slowly to restaurants, this is the one For more columns by
time when it is not too difficult to get a table at Americano. Vir Sanghvi, scan the
I can’t wait to go! QR code. Follow Vir on
The views expressed by the columnist are personal Twitter @virsanghvi
12 FEBRUARY 14, 2021
columns
{ humour }
REHANA
Love on a platter
MUNIR Food compatibility is the essential
ingredient in long-term romantic bliss
‘I
f music be the food of love, play on’ wrote the over-quoted
Bard, whose love interests were as diverse as they were
intense, as his sonnets prove. I humbly wish to offer a counter-
view. Food, to me, nourishes love more than anything else. Jazz,
long drives and a shared addiction to reality TV are all very well,
but anyone who wishes to sustain a long-term, mutually fulfilling
romantic relationship must accept that food compatibility is
where it’s at. (Second only to temperature compatibility.)
Budget romance
The early days of dating abound in candlelit dinners of dainty
sushi and bite-sized bruschetta, nibbled at absently between long
gulps of wine. Food is simply an excuse to stare unabashedly at
the angel across the table. Items that are fiddly are a strict no-no
here; whoever wants to see their romantic fantasy struggle with
a five-layered burger with onions and pickles? I’ve spent most
of my salad days quaffing idlis at Udipis and bun maska at Irani FEED ONE’S MIND
Taste is a matter of infinite variety and complexity, yet we tend to
cafés, safe in the knowledge that the affordable meals held few find common ground with those we care about
dangers for sloppy eaters. But there’s the matter of having to be
quick about it; both kinds of establishment depend upon a quick tend to eclipse others. Spicy food is not intrinsically superior to
turnover of tables. So often, you’re just about starting to exchange bland food, for example, but it is a widely held opinion where
languid looks as the bill is served in a bowl of dubious saunf. we live. Luckily, highly developed palates are not a pre-requisite
for romantic bliss; cultural and emotional sensitivity is.
instance, accept my dahi mania, I’ll be good about your dhania assembled toastie as an elaborately planned roast. It all depends on
fixation. But some food-related differences between couples are the timing. As the world celebrates some version of Valentine’s Day,
irreconcilable. Like the mutton fiend and the vegan. (Good name it’s useful to remember that love can be poured out of an instant
For more columns
by Rehana Munir, for a contemporary take on an Aesop’s Fable, don’t you think?) packet just as easily as a vintage bottle. May we all be mindful of
scan the QR code. Or when one partner’s idea of a celebration is a Gujarati thali our audience, and keep both our wits and wallets handy.
Follow Rehana on while the other swears by khow suey. Invariably, one partner [email protected]
Twitter @rehana_munir dominates the food discourse, just like certain flavour profiles Follow @rehana_munir on Twitter and Instagram
HAVING AN INSIGHT IS ON.
GROWTH IS ON.
That’s why Long Story
A 2000 word daily insight into business, economy,
politics, technology, science, environment and culture.
relationships
“There are many [of
dad’s films] that I love “Vismaya has
and there are also never critiqued my
many I haven’t seen” performance in a
film, but shares
her opinion about
the storyline, and
the making”
Her
father’s
daughter
Hit Malayalam actor
Mohanlal’s daughter,
Vismaya, has opted for a
career in poetry and her
dad is all praises for
her dedication
By Priya Bala
A
cting, it might seem, is the
predetermined or obvious career
choice for most star kids in the
Indian film industry. Bollywood
sees them being ‘launched’ ever so often; in
Malayalam cinema, Dulquer Salman stepped
effortlessly into the large shoes of his father,
Mammootty, while Pranav Mohanlal
debuted as a child artiste in Onnaman (2002),
his father’s film, and has gone on to establish
himself as an actor, assistant director
and songwriter.
His younger sister, Vismaya, however, has
chosen a different realm for her creativity, most
recently publishing a collection of poems and
illustrations titled Grains of Stardust.
P
“I HAVE READ ALL OF
VISMAYA’S POEMS
AND, MUCH LIKE THE
MEANING OF HER NAME,
THEY TOO ARE STRANGE
AND OTHERWORLDLY”
—MOHANLAL
FEBRUARY 14, 2021 15
relationships
y Mohanlal, who’s written an eloquent
a foreword – in which he quotes Matsuo Bashō
– to the book, told HT Brunch, “I’ve never
t
planned a career in cinema for Maya. She has
d
been involved in theatre productions during
her school days, and has expressed interest in
performance art. If she wishes to pursue that
it would be entirely her choice, and if she does,
she has all my blessings.”
Poetic justice
According to Vismaya, she’s never felt pressured
to enter cinema or follow a certain career path.
“That said, I am interested in performance and
I’d be open to acting if I came across a good
script,” she says. So, we may just see her follow
in the footsteps of her father and brother. Mohanlal’s film new and different aspects each one’s duty to find that
Right now, it’s her skill as a poet that is being Onnaman (2002) of life, someone with thing towards which they
(above) where
talked about, and her father is admiring it. “I somewhat strange and feel that pull. If you do not
his son Pranav
have read all of Vismaya’s poems and, much debuted as a child different thoughts, and I find it in one place, seek it
like the meaning of her name, they too are artiste; Vismaya’s think this is a quality we someplace else. It is a deeply
strange and otherworldly. They are simple yet book (right) is share,” Mohanlal says. personal thing, and only you
philosophical and can be interpreted in many a collection of The two also share also a can know where it lies,” says
poems, titled
ways…on a spiritual level, in a personal manner, Grains of common love of nature and Mohanlal, who is known for
and so on. It depends upon the reader.” Stardust a certain conviviality. “She his deeply philosophical
Participate in the hasadesiretogetalongwith approach to his art.
people and doesn’t like rifts. Given his complete
#BrunchBookChallenge Having said that, she can be immersion in his work, the
firm and argumentative. If time he spends with family
Visit online: read.ht/yrz I were to look at aspects in is limited. “Because of my
Vismaya says the book came together quite which we differ, I’d say that while I believe in profession, and because of the fact that Maya
unexpectedly. ‘I would write a little here and the truth of my convictions, I am more flexible went to a boarding school, we have not had
there, but I never saw myself as a poet and I and accepting of circumstances and events. the opportunity to spend several days at a time
never imagined that what I was writing or That is perhaps due to my age, my travels, my together. Now she is an adult with her own
scribbling would one day become a book.” experiences and my profession.” opinions and views, and we are able to discuss
Some of the poems, she says, are personal, and share ideas with each other. We share
others emerging from her imagination.
P a good rapport. I would say that she is more
connected with her mother, but we still have a
Claim to fame “I WOULD WRITE A good and healthy relationship,” Mohanlal says.
While she has stepped into the limelight with LITTLE HERE AND Vismaya says she enjoys the time she gets
this work, she has not grabbed the attention to spend with family. Cooking together, or
that starkids do. Compare this with the focus
THERE, BUT I NEVER rather her dad cooking and the rest of the
on,say,TaimurAli KhanorAaradhyaBachchan. IMAGINED WHAT I WAS family eating, listening to music, travelling,
“I did almost all my schooling in an WRITING OR SCRIBBLING anything really. “I honestly just enjoy
international boarding school where people spending time with my family, regardless
WOULD ONE DAY
either didn’t know or it didn’t matter that I of what we’re doing,” she says.
was ‘Mohanlal’s daughter’. So, I never felt any BECOME A BOOK! ” And watching her dad’s films? “There are
different to anyone else growing up there,” —VISMAYA MOHANLAL many that I love and there are also many I
Vismaya says. haven’t seen,” Vismaya says.
After schooling at Hebron in Ooty, Maya went Vismaya says her father allowed her to figure Mohanlal says she watches her fair share
to the US and Europe to pursue her interest in things out for herself. She does go to him when of movies and reads a lot. “I find her feedback
art and theatre. “Due to this, she has not been she’s making a big decision. “I am not one to quite valuable. Vismaya has never critiqued
exposed to the limelight and therefore wasn’t so advice people. Apart from the few general my performance in a film, but shares her
involved in the industry. It was not a conscious norms, I share what I have learned from my opinion about the storyline, and the making.”
decisiontokeepherawayfromit.Itjusthappened own experiences that I think might be of help. [email protected]
to turn out that way,” Mohanlal says. As far as being an artist is concerned, it is my Follow @HTBrunch on Twitter and Instagram
belief that one needs to have the fire, drive and
Creative call commitment to persevere and succeed. I still Priya Bala is a Bengaluru-
based senior writer who
While being different from typical star kids have that desire, and remain one hundred per
specialises in food, travel and
who are prepared for cinema from a young age, cent dedicated to what I am doing. When I lose lifestyle writing. She has edited
Vismaya shares her father’s tangential creativity. that, I will know that it is time for me to stop. several major mainstream
“She is someone who loves to explore The same goes for anything in life, and it is publications in the past
16 FEBRUARY 14, 2021
music
name of
keep saying I can’t
let my musical
sensibilities go to
waste, to the
point that it
love...
was annoying”
Composer Anand
Bhaskar tells us how
his wife, Nidhi Sethia,
helped him take a
second shot at his first
love, music, which
turned his life around
By Karishma Kuenzang
C
an meeting the ‘right person’
change your life? Or, is this just
a cliché that the right and left
swiping millennials will never
relate to? For musician Anand Bhaskar,
who’s now done the music for both the
seasons of Mirzapur, meeting ‘the one’
– Nidhi Sethia, gave him the push to go
back to his true calling – music – after a
decade in advertising.
She “annoyed” him till he recorded his
originals, and his band Anand Bhaskar
Collective came together.
Couple goals
The couple tied the knot in April 2013,
his debut album released in August
2014, prompting him to quit his job
in October 2015. Snide remarks
came his way for leaving work
early for band practice. By 2018,
he had a bankable reputation in
the music scene, becoming the
go-to person for last-minute
jingles and other projects.
“Nidhi would keep
saying I can’t let my musical
sensibilities go to waste,
to the point that it was
annoying. I was 33 when
I quit my job and worried
about rent kaun dega. She
FEBRUARY 14, 2021 17
music
c
said I should dedicate at least six months to
it, after which I could decide if I wanted to
go back to a job,” the now 39-year-old says.
Anand did the rounds of composers’
offices and production houses, when he
got a jingle gig for Amul in March 2015 for
`10,000, and before long he was doing a jingle
with Akshay Kumar and got `1.5 lakh for it.
The advertising professional spent the first
three years pitching himself and learning
production and practising.
“I was aware I had started late in life and there
were many kids half my age, who sing 10 times
better than me. I needed to do whatever kids
were doing but three times over,” he says, adding
that smoking and drinking over the years had
also taken a toll on his voice.
Not that singing was a new thing for him.
He’s been singing since he was three, and even
trained in Indian classical music, growing
up in a household where his parents played
plenty of Malayalam film music, Rafi’s songs,
AR Rahman’s Tamil works and, of course,
Michael Jackson, which introduced Anand
to the world of international music.
(Above) Two next to her, for her to finally recognise me,”
P albums old,
Anand Bhaskar
he recalls, chuckling. But she didn’t respond
to his messages and so, he stopped trying.
Collective is also
“I DON’T BELIEVE IN LOVE working on an But one day, when his boss asked Anand to
get his guitar and he was forced to sing in office
AT FIRST SIGHT, BUT EP, called Ufaq;
(Right) Anand (Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here), Nidhi first
IT WAS – MAYBE THE first noticed his noticed him.
LIGHTING WAS RIGHT” wife Nidhi,
when they were
When they accidentally met in the elevator
—ANAND BHASKAR working late at soon after, Anand was determined not to
work one day ‘give her bhaav (attention)’, so when she
complimented his singing, he replied with:
“I even stole money from my dad’s briefcase “You don’t check your FB messages.” Quick
to buy cassettes,” he sniggers. But he stopped wit and a golden voice worked, and soon
training when he was 17, brainwashed by peers they were texting on Hangouts and then
and the society to go for engineering or a masters they SMS-ed for two months as Anand didn’t
degree. “I did a BA in Stats, which I’ve never have a smartphone in 2011.
used,” he laughs. “That hardwork was worth every second. It
Anand spent two years working in a BPO, took me 59 days to ask her out. Even now I feel
before coming to Mumbai to do a Masters she’s way out of my league.”
in Fashion Management and Technology They’d discuss music and Bhaskar discovered
from NIFT, and then joining Mudra, where that Nidhi loves Bollywood music. So, he invited
he met Nidhi. her to listen to an original (Hey Ram) and that
day she started pushing him to do music. “Today, Boy and the band
Cut the chase I’ve been doing music exclusively for six years His band, Anand Bhaskar Collective, too grew by
The couple, whose birthdays are five days and don’t feel bored or burnt out! That’s insane leaps and bounds in the five years. Like Ankur
apart, met in 2005 when Anand wasn’t looking compared to the fact that I changed my job seven Tewari from Ankur & The Ghalat Family, who
to date anyone and both of them had stayed times in 10 years of being in advertising and is the one to have recommended Anand for
back late at work one day. “I don’t believe BPOs,” he exhales! Mirzapur. Anand, in turn, got his entire band
in love at first sight, but it was – maybe the Not that he didn’t take up all household chores on to play for one track as well as indie musician
lighting was right,” he laughs. after he quit his job – he learnt how to make Isheeta Chakravarty to sing the track Tittar Bittar.
Then, one night he got drunk and sent her perfectly round chapatis, besides cooking. “My Season 2 was also distinctively different than
a formal email-style message on Facebook, wife would come from work (she’s currently the season 1, complete with a rap song, Munna. “My
while he still wasn’t on her friend list, asking head of development at Window Seat Films LLP) first draft got rejected,” he confesses. Then, he
her out. But his display picture was a tad old and ask me how I’d managed to make them so turned his composition process around – getting
and since Anand didn’t look anything similar round!” laughs the musician who’s now sung in the lyrics from Ginny Diwan for Tittar Bittar. The
to it in real life, she couldn’t recognise him and Baaghi 2, Mission Mangal and has also worked line ‘ho jaaye saare tittar bittar’ sparked a melody
thought it was a prank. “I had to tell Nidhi I sit with Amit Trivedi. and the song was done in an hour. “It’s an ‘item
18 FEBRUARY 14, 2021
music
song’ from a woman’s point of view while a fight
is on. I’m grateful the directors supported our
wacky ideas,” he sighs with relief.
With so much of the indie scene in it, does
he consider Mirzapur a commercial project?
“Today, I’ve been doing music “I don’t see projects as commercial and
exclusively for six years and non-commercial. I feel music is divided into
don’t feel bored... That’s insane
accessible and inaccessible melodies, which
compared to the fact that I changed
my job seven times in 10 years of can be produced with indie or film or ad or web
being in advertising and BPOs” series sensibilities. My goal is to make a melody
with high recall value, which leaves an impact
on the listener’s mind,” he explains.
You definitely have more freedom in web
series as the directors are from the new school
of thought, he points out, which allows new
composers to showcase their talent.
P
“MY GOAL IS TO MAKE
A MELODY WITH HIGH
RECALL VALUE, WHICH
LEAVES AN IMPACT ON
THE LISTENER’S MIND”
—ANAND BHASKAR
“In films, there’s a parallel compulsion to
make something commercially successful so
producers also take a call on the casting of the
singer as there is so much money involved,” he
says, before citing the likes of indie musicians
Shilpa Surroch and Keka Ghoshal, who are
singing for web series. In shows, songs make a
comeback and appear again and again and you
also check out song and credits, which makes a
big difference. Proof of which can be seen as his
YouTube subscribers and Instagram followers
have shot up, and he’s crossed 200k listeners
per month on Spotify from a week ago when it
was 30k per month. And it’s also trickling into
support for the band!
Looking ahead
Bhaskar is also doing the music for Netflix’s
Bombay Begums, which will focus on lyrics.
One song has a reggaeton vibe with vocals akin
to Nadia Hassan in the ’80s! He’s also rapping in
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s anthem, besides
working on a solo album with a pop, electronic
and hip-hop vibe.
Two albums old, Anand Bhaskar Collective
is also working on an EP, called Ufaq. The lyrics
of the titular song is being co-written by the
couple, their (fifth) song together. And no, it’s
not a mushy song, but a high-intensity rock
number about determination and reaching for
the horizon no matter how long it takes and
how becoming strong not just involves hard
work but also overcoming your inner evil and
toxicity. Just like the story of his life.
[email protected]
Follow @KKuenzang on Twitter and Instagram
FEBRUARY 14, 2021 19
obituary
TRIBUTE
RAJIV KAPOOR
P
AUG 25, 1962-FEB 9, 2021 “I UNDERSTOOD WHY NEETU
KAPOOR AND CHIMPU GOT
ALONG LIKE A HOUSE ON
FIRE – HIS KAPOOR CHARM
WAS INFECTIOUS”
underneath a waterfall in a sheer sari. Rajiv’s
illustrious father, Raj Kapoor, had finally
managed to bring out the best in his youngest
son with Ram Teri, but, unfortunately, his
subsequent death abbreviated any chances
of further collaborations, which could have
taken Chimpu’s career to the next level.
In the mid-1980s Chimpu was signed on by
big banners such as Nasir Hussain (Zabardast,
1985), Tito-Tony (Aasmaan, 1984) and Saawan
Getting personal
My date for the premiere of Chimpu’s
Rajiv Kapoor will remain etched in memory as a bon vivant, directorial debut under the RK banner Prem
large-hearted and generous member of the first family of Bollywood Granth (1996) was the feisty veteran actress
Nadira. The venue was the FC Mehra-owned
Minerva cinema again. Nadira introduced me
By Dinesh Raheja
to Chimpu as her son, and he touched her feet
and asked for blessings after acknowledging
I
first interviewed the three Kapoor me with a smile and a “thanks for coming”. If
brothers – Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv – Prem Granth hadn’t gone awry in its plot in the
when I was paying a written tribute to second half, Chimpu would’ve been enthused
their father Raj Kapoor, within days of to direct more films for his home banner.
his death... And then, last year, I wrote an I met him a couple of times thereafter – once
obituary for Rishi and today I am penning when I dropped in on the sets of Rishi Kapoor’s
one, with a heavy heart, for his younger directorial venture Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) at
brother Rajiv (Chimpu). RK studios, for which Chimpu was the producer.
The first time I saw Rajiv was outside I witnessed first-hand how close the three
Minerva cinema for the premiere of his brothers were and how they worked in tandem
(Above) Rajiv
debut film Ek Jaan Hain Hum (1983). He was Kapoor in Ram on their collective passion for filmmaking.
sitting in his car with a friend, the door left Teri Ganga Maili, I bumped into Chimpu last some years
ajar, palpably nervous and excited, drinking the film that back, when I was having dinner with my
beer to calm his nerves. It was the era of star turned his friend Santosh Sud and her filmmaker
career around;
progeny – there was Sanjay Dutt, Kumar (Left) He debuted husband Guddu Dhanoa. Chimpu was sitting
Gaurav and Sunny Deol – and the 21-year- with Ek Jaan Hain by himself at another table but the extroverted
old debutant was expected to shoot to fame Hum opposite Kapoor couldn’t refuse Guddu’s invitation to
in the same comet-like manner. Divya Rana join us. He was in high spirits and regaled
us with his stories. Chimpu was no longer
Screen presence full-of-beans as an actor, but his performance the lean youngster of Ram Teri Ganga Maili,
His launch vehicle was fuelled by big guns. and looks seemed heavily-influenced by his but his smile and demeanour were intact.
The film was produced by F C Mehra, a friend uncle Shammi, whether by design or default, I I understood why his sister-in-law Neetu
of Rajiv’s uncle, Shammi Kapoor. The second am not sure. It didn’t work in his favour because Kapoor and he got along like a house on fire
generation of Kapoors and Mehras – the two Shammi was a tough act to follow. Chimpu – his Kapoor charm was infectious.
Rajivs, one an actor the other a director – made amends and forged his individuality And that’s how I would like to remember
became friends during their joint venture, a couple of years later with Ram Teri Ganga him... just as he was that evening – gregarious,
Ek Jaan Hain Hum. Chimpu seemed to be Maili (1985), directed by his father, Raj Kapoor. large-hearted, bon vivant and a foodie!
following the template expected of star sons... Chimpu got a meaty role and a much- [email protected]
even dating the heroine of his film Divya Rana needed shot in the arm with this golden Follow @HTBrunch on Twitter and Instagram
in those days. However, their pairing on and jubilee hit, though the film’s nubile heroine
Dinesh Raheja is a reputed film historian,
off screen fizzled and so did Chimpu’s career. Mandakini stole some of his thunder, thanks columnist and TV scriptwriter who has been
His first film was breezy and Chimpu was to the famous sequence, where she stood writing on cinema for over three decades
in bed with…
{ si stori s }
ast person whom you usually te t
goo night to ?
I always rea e ore slee ing
hat is the first thing you o when you wa e up?
In my creative hase, I try not to loo at my hone But
when I m not in that s ace, I communicate as much as I can
hat o you wear to e ?
horts an shirt, ut as a i , it was urta y ama
ne thing that is always on your e si e ta le?
A remote, a ottle o water an my hone
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Hindustan Times, Business Standard, First India, Mint, Greater Kashmir, Greater Jammu, The Himalayan,
The Tribune, Brill Express, The Sikh Times, Avenue Mail, Western Times, Millennium Post, The Statesman,
State Times, The Pioneer, Hans India, Free Press, Orissa Post, Mumbai Mirror, Mid-Day, Deccan Chronicle,
Deccan Herald, Telangana Today, Financial Times, The Asian Age, The Telegraph, Oheraldo, Gulf of Times,
The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal,
The Guardian, The Times
Hindi Newspapers»»
दै निक जागरण, राजस्थाि पत्रिका, दै निक भास्कर, ह द
िं स्
ु ताि, िवभारत टाइम्स, त्रिज़िस स्टैंडडड, अमर उजाला,पिंजाि
केसरी, उत्तम ह न्द,ू जिसत्ता, लोकसत्ता, ररभूमम, द पायिीयर,जागरूक टाइम्स, राष्ट्रीय स ारा, दै निक हरब्यूि, युवा
गोरव, भारतीय स ारा, स्विंतिंि वाताड, सीमा सिंदेश, दै निक सवेरा,एक्शि इिंडडया, मदरलैंड वॉइस, दे शििंध,ु ह माचल दस्तक,