Innholdsfortegnelse for April 10, 2017 i India Today

The appointment of Yogi Adityanath, a Hindutva ideologue, as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh has raised many eyebrows in political circles. It shouldn’t have. Since they came to power in 2014, the BJP high command has shown a penchant for unconventional appointments of chief ministers, going against the usual caste/community matrices. They appointed a Brahmin, Devendra Fadnavis, in Maratha-dominated Maharashtra; a Punjabi, Manohar Lal Khattar, in the Jatland of Haryana and a non-tribal, Raghubar Das, in tribal-dominated Jharkhand. I asked BJP president Amit Shah, while on an election tour in UP, why the party did not project a CM candidate and was there not a lesson for them in their loss in Bihar. His answer was revealing. “Our leaders,’’ he said, “become leaders when placed in the seat of…

India slipped a place in the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP’s) annual Human Development Index (HDI) in the UNDP’s latest report released on March 21. Partly developed by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, the HDI measures life expectancy, income per capita and education, dividing countries into four categories: very high human development, high, medium and low. India’s score places it in medium. The pace of India’s improvement does offer room for optimism. Still, Selim Jehan, lead author of the report, cautions “we need to examine... not just what has been achieved, but also who’s been excluded and why”. 131 INDIA’S RANK OUT OF 188 COUNTRIES. CHINA IS 90, SRI LANKA 73, US 10 AND NORWAY 1 0.624 INDIA’S HDI SCORE, PLACING IT IN THE ‘MEDIUM’ CATEGORY. 0.631 AVERAGE SCORE IN THIS…

It’s been another topsy-turvy month for the executivejudiciary relationship. On the ides of March, newspapers reported that the executive and the judiciary had broken a year-long impasse on judicial appointments by agreeing to the executive’s right to reject a judicial appointment on grounds of national security. Right on cue, there was speculation about why the court had buckled. It didn’t help that the court failed to follow applicable precedent while reviewing the process of government formation in Goa, and suggested out-ofcourt mediation in the controversial and long-pending Ayodhya case. As it turns out, this was premature, as in less than a fortnight, the Supreme Court collegium decisively rejected the executive veto on grounds of national security as the government refused to share its reasons with the collegium in writing. Are…

Just when things seemed to be settling down for Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, with the CBI giving him a clean chit on allegations of tampering with a computer hard disk linked to Vyapam, comes a report by the Comptroller & Auditor General. Released at a news conference on March 24 instead of the usual route of being tabled in the assem bly, the CAG report makes damning disclosures on numerous irregularities in the manner Vyapam or the MP Professional Examination Board has been conducting business under the BJP regime. Stating that there’s never been clarity on the real status of Vyapam—on whether it was a government department or an autonomous body—since it was set up in 1982, the CAG report red flags key appointments, be it of…

It will be a dream come true for millions of young people across the social and economic strata of Kerala. If all goes well, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan means to ensure free Wi-Fi access to his people, just 18 months from now Famously the state with the highest literacy in India, Kerala has now become the first state to acknowledge access to the internet as a basic human right, in consonance with the UN Special Rapporteur’s report of May 2011. And to make that a reality, on March 3, finance minister T.M. Thomas Isaac set aside Rs 1,000 crore in the 2017 budget to establish a Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON)—150,000 km of optical fibre cables running parallel to the state’s power transmission and distribution network to bring free Wi-Fi…

WANG YANG, 62 VICE PREMIER & POLITBURO MEMBER Foremost among the next generation of leaders in seniority, among the most liberal leaders and an advocate of reforms. But proximity to Hu Jintao has left his future uncertain ZHAO LEJI, 60 HEAD OF PARTY ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT A Xi acolyte and member of politburo. All but certain to be elevated to the next standing committee at the year-end congress CHEN MIN’ER, 56 GUIZHOU PARTY SECRETARY Seen as a protege of Xi, will require a rare double promotion straight into the elite Politburo Standing Committee. Whether or not he is appointed will reflect Xi’s might HU CHUNHUA, 53 GUANGDONG PARTY SECRETARY ‘Little Hu’, handpicked by Hu Jintao, was once seen as a sure Gen Next leader. But like Wang Yang, his closeness to…

Vidya Balan knows the power of momentum. From 2009-12, she delivered a string of acclaimed performances and box-office hits. But after the successes of Paa, The Dirty Picture, No One Killed Jessica, Ishqiya and Kahaani, she has struggled to find roles that showcase her talent and draw audiences. That may change with the April 14 release of Begum Jaan, an adaptation of the 2015 Bengali hit Rajkahini. With a powerful women-driven story set against a historical backdrop, the film offers just the canvas Balan needs to resurrect her career. The 38-year-old actress leads the ensemble drama as a foul-mouthed madam whose business is in jeopardy as her brothel lies on the line of Partition. Directed by Srijit Mukherji, the film’s cast includes her Ishqiya co-star Naseeruddin Shah, renowned stage actors…

TRADITION AS ART A fashion show on Khadi heritage (below); craftwork from Barmer, Rajasthan (above) Rajasthan’s chief minister Vasundhara Raje is fond of Bibi Russell. In her first term, the BJP CM invited the Bangladeshi fashion and textile expert, acclaimed for her use of local methods and materials in her work, to Rajasthan to promote local crafts. After returning to power in 2013, Raje asked Russell to do a second round. This month, Russell showcased the work she promoted during her second stint, focused on Barmer, near the border with Pakistan. Craftspeople from the area—mostly women—have incredible skill at woodcarving, embroidery, prints, patch and mirror work. However, they earn very little from it. At the Rajasthan Day celebrations in Jaipur on March 29, models walked the ramp in clothes that…

RIAAN GEORGE Journalist Riaan Jacob George is a luxury journalist based in Mumbai. George spends his free time learning foreign languages and teaches conversational French on weekends. A tech-geek, he loves iPhone photography. He is a fitness addict by his own admission and loves to study aviation. He has been a luxury journalist for 15 years. DIGVIJAY SINH KATHIWADA Art Collector The current scion of the Kathiwada royal family, Digvijay develops plans and programmes for his hometown Kathiwada in Madhya Pradesh as well as the restoration of the Kathiwada Raaj Mahal along with his mother Sangita Sinh Kathiwada. Digvijay and his wife Swati hosted their first sports memorabilia auction in Mumbai under the banner of Kathiwada Arts and Sports. PETER WALLMAN Car Collector Peter Wallman gained experience buying and selling collector cars in…

Simplicity and design come together to represent the magnificence that has come to be associated with the Omega Speedsmaster, one of the most recognised chronographs in the world. The pragmatic design has been presented beautifully with a classic stroke. Sixty years since its launch, the chronograph continues to be a marker of perfection, inspiration and finesse. Omega celebrates this remarkable collection with two new watches, Speedmaster with racing dial for men and Speedmaster “Cappuccino” for women. The men’s watch, Speedmaster’s motor racing heritage revisits on a matt-black dial; another add-on is the orange markings and bevelled 18 karat white gold arrowhead indexes that are filled with white Super-LumiNova on the dial. Cappuccino, on the other hand, is crafted from stainless steel and 18K Sedna™ gold. The strap is crafted from…

Cleverly packaged culture is the oeuvre of Rajasthan tourism; dunes, camels, riotous colours and strong flavours, the land of the Thar revels in its stereotypes. So just when you’ve dismissed Jaisalmer with a shrug of the “been there, done that,” nonchalance, the Marriot’s most recent outcrop proves no real exception but makes a valiant attempt with its grand architecture and the imposing Jaisalmer fort as a powerful visual landmark. Arriving amid a charming fanfare of bugles and nagadas, accompanied by a shower of rose petals, you could be forgiven for having delusions of grandeur. The traditional welcome is an instant transport to a bygone, regal era. The vast lobby is an echoing hall of brass columns and gleaming marble complemented by the gentle sounds of local folk songs. The ‘courtyard’,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his most recent radio address, called on people to “use digital money to serve India”. Though he was bullish about the people’s embrace of digital payments, recent Reserve Bank of India numbers suggest that as cash is re-entering the system, people are returning to old habits. As the economy gets ‘remonetised’ in the next two or three months, will the popularity of cash undermine the PM’s digitisation drive? Though two out of 11 platforms have shown growth, the overall value of digital transactions reduced slightly in February, while the volume of transactions reduced more substantially. 2 BILLION DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS PER MONTH REQUIRED IF THE GOVERNMENT IS TO MEET ITS TARGET OF 25 BILLION FOR 2017-2018 763 MILLION DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS IN FEBRUARY. DOWN 20 PER CENT…

@ShougatDasgupta Napoleon Complex A clip of the swaggering, bullying (and rather short) Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad assaulting an elderly Air India staffmember with his shoe went viral. Jokes were made about Gaikwad, banned from flying by various airlines, being forced to travel ‘slipper’ class on trains. Is Gaikwad from Kolhapur, asked another wag. The, er, striking thing about the clip, is Gaikwad’s conviction that violence is a justifiable response to perceived high-handedness. His colleagues in Parliament apparently agree, denouncing the airlines’ decision to ground Gaikwad as just more high-handedness. It’s enough to make you slap your head in despair. If Gaikwad doesn’t do it first. n Saudi Feminists A couple of months ago, the video to a catchy song, all handclaps and happy brass, featured Saudi girls in niqabs…

After giving the Shiv Sena a bloody nose in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections last month, the BJP is making steady inroads into another Sena bastion—Mumbai’s trade unions. Launched in January, the BJP-affiliated Rashtriya Janhit Kamgar Sanghatna (RJKS) has already grown to 50,000 members, mostly in establishments where the Shiv Sena’s Bharatiya Kamgar Sena (BKS) had hitherto held sway Nearly 70 per cent of Mumbai’s establishments—government undertakings and private businesses—are controlled by the BKS, but a toppling game is underway. For starters, RJKS spread wings in Mumbai’s Bombay Hospital and the Trident and Palladium hotels, apart from a dozen or so smaller businesses. It is now looking to expand to the local manufacturing industry, service sector and aviation, all places where it sees the BKS’s hold slackening. 70 of…

Smack. The boy grimaces, holding his cheek. “What did he say? Tell, tell,” the man in khaki urges a gaggle of girls in school uniform, as TV cameras roll . “He said, ‘She’s pretty. I’ll pick her up’,” the girls chorus in unison and giggle, braids swinging. The boy twists himself into a pretzel of misery, desperate to dodge the cameras “What are you doing here?” “Er… My wife is there,” a young man points to a shop. “Really? Why aren’t you with her, then?” Just in time, his wife emerges, adjusts the hijab on her head and unleashes a volley: “It’s a ladies’ shop, why should he go in? He’s just sitting outside, what’s your problem?” The men in khaki disappear. “I am… I am just sitting here,” a…

Q. Is NGO Jipal's claim that Kaziranga forest gua rds are killing innocent locals to show increase in number of killed poachers true? A. These claims are false and baseless. Only those who go inside the national park with the intention of poaching get killed at the hands of frontline staffin the cross-fire. Q. It also says forest officials and police are in collusion with poachers A. My government is committed to taking action against any person/ official/ agency involved in poaching. One forest and one police official have been recently arrested in rhino poaching cases. Q. Jipal also says park authorities have been encroaching on tribal land and that tribal communities should be given patta (land title)... A. All the six additions made to KNP have been via proper…

Self-proclaimed “mystic” Om Swami’s latest book, The Last Gambit, is ostensibly a coming of age parable, starting in the early 1980s. Vasu Bhatt, a middle-class, smalltown boy who is also a talented chess player, is accosted by an old man at a local tournament. After pointing out a couple of possible improvements in one of Vasu’s games, the ancient agrees to become Vasu’s “master”. He has two conditions: Vasu will never ask any personal questions, and he will never accompany Vasu to a tournament. There are parallels drawn in the story with the traditional relationships governing the world of mendicants and mystics, and it might well have worked as an extended metaphor of the guru-shishya relationship, but for one very large elephant in the bedroom. Chess is the thread that…

While India strives to be at the forefront of the digital race, art remains an area in which we lag behind: here, traditional brush-and-canvas methods still prevail. “Digital art is seen as a lower form of expression,” laments Mandy Kulkarni, whose latest exhibition— Clowning Glory—is currently showcasing at Bad Cafe, Bandra, in Mumbai. “People think because it’s made on a computer—because you have the option of pressing ‘undo’—that it has a lower value. But art is about expression, not the medium. Digital art has a complex technique and artistry.” In 2001, Kulkarni, along with his friend, photographer Suresh Natrajan, put up a street exhibition at the Kumbh Mela. They exhibited 108 concept works on life, Shiva, love and spirituality. “It got an amazing response, even from babas! It was a…

1. TO KEEP THE MIND TICKIN To have a healthy body, you need to have a healthy mind. Here are a few tips to boost your mental health 1. Get enough sleep 2. Exercise every day 3. Remember, you are what you eat 4. Cut the clutter out of your life 5. Make time for yourself 6. Meditate 7. Maintain a social life 8. Maintain work-life balance 9. See the positive side of things 10. Explore the world 2. SALT-WORTHINESS 1. As a major component of blood, salt is an important element in a person’s diet 2. The WHO recommends consuming less than five grams per day 3. Eating less salt than necessary can cause weakness or even muscle spasms 4. Consumed in excess, salt increases chances of a heart…

Q: Which boxer do you admire the most? A: I like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, because they’re great fighters. And Floyd Mayweather because he’s so professional: he is totally straightforward. He’s like: “You want to invite me, so show me the money.” Q: Something that most people don’t know about you? A: People think I am very arrogant. But I am not; I’m totally professional. I don’t have any godfather, so I have to be straightforward. [In boxing] people try to take advantage of you. Q: The top song on your playlist? A: I’m a total Punjabi music lover. Currently, I’m listening to that Daljit and Gurdas Maan song. Ki Banu Dunia Da . Q: You beat Badou Jack in the Olympics, and now he’s a world champion. Are…

The wait is finally over as French luxury fashion house Yves Saint Laurent comes to India. It is available exclusively at Le Mill in Mumbai, known for bringing some significant fashion brands to India. Founded in 1961, YSL was the first couture house to bring in the concept of prêt-a-porter by launching its Rive Gauche collection. Synonymous with youth and freedom, the collection was the first vital move towards modernising fashion and stirring the social and cultural milieu. Le Mill launches the debut collection of Vaccarello, the 36-year-old Belgian designer who seeks inspiration from his memory of a leopard-print dress with balloon sleeves from Yves Saint Laurent’s 1982 collection. For the Spring Summer’17 collection, Vaccarello has taken the dress and reinterpreted it in 10 different ways; variations of a theme:…

Behind the final collection on the runway is months of preparation and years of inspiration. The muse is often more than a single incident — it lives and grows in the recesses of the mind, and the designer turns to it season after season when the trends have passed with time. Perhaps that is why we consider their works classic. Four of India’s top designers reveal the secrets behind their creative impulse. RAJESH PRATAP SINGH Travel is designer Rajesh Pratap Singh’s meditation and muse. He talks of travel almost like as if it were a person, living and breathing, and inspiring him on many creative levels. “It’s something I have to do. Every time I start a new project or plan to do something different I travel to clear my…

The response to Rolex anywhere in the world is almost a Pavlovian one since it’s brand recognition and recall in luxury timekeeping in unprecedented. The latest Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller is a conqueror of uncharted depths. A product of decades of collaboration with diving professionals, the Sea-Dweller is waterproof to a depth of 4,000 feet and features a larger 43 mm case. Equipped with a Cyclops lens on the crystal at 3 ‘o’ clock for the first time, it makes for easier reading. A hark back to the first model, the dial bears the name Sea-Dweller in red. It also boasts an escape valve, patented by Rolex in 1967—an invention that contributes to its lofty stature. The solid-link bracelet is built with maximum resistance 904L steel, used in the aerospace…

Style F i l e Indulge the fashionista in you at the city’s new style address, AM:PM, designer duo Ankur and Priyanka Modi’s flagship store. Known for elegant yet fresh concepts in their pret lines, the store features fusion and occasion wear for the contemporary Indian woman. Smart silhouettes with keen attention to detail and artsy embellishments make for the chic evening wear from their latest collection AT Road No 10, Banjara Hills DETAILS facebook.com/ampm-by-Ankur-Priyanka-Modi High on Herb An unusual addition to the menu at The Square is a dessert with a surprise southern twist. Treat yourself to Chef Shekhar Rapaka’s special offering, the curry leaf ice cream that is made with fresh leaves besides curry leaf powder. Although the idea of curry leaf flavoured ice cream may seem odd…

Thrilled as he must have been when the Bharatiya Janata Party hit the 312 seat mark in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls on March 11, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was also in a bit of a sweat. The victory was owed in no small measure to the party’s overgenerous promise of a loan waiver to 10 million small famers in UP. Fadnavis had a problem on his hands. The opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), joined by the Shiv Sena, have been demanding a similar waiver for Maharashtra’s farmers. In fact, they did not allow proceedings in the Maharashtra assembly for eight straight days after the UP poll results. The CM was aware that giving in to their demand was certain to provoke a fiscal crisis and derail…

One Man, Two Posts Now that Yogi Adityanath has become the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, what happens to the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat he vacated or the Gorakhnath mutt he was the mahant (head priest) of? The BJP will nominate a candidate for the first, but the yogi is in no particular hurry to anoint a successor at the mutt. He’ll juggle his spiritual duties with his new-found temporal responsibility, though it remains to be seen if his 18-hour work day will leave him much time. His close aide, Dwarika Tiwari, will administer the mutt and hear out petitioners, as he used to when Adityanath had to be in the Lok Sabha. Now or Never A day after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi returned from abroad with his mother Sonia…

T he finance minister’s sleight of hand must have won him many admirers on his side of the fence. Voluminous legislation with radical implications was tabled on the evening of March 21 as amendment to the finance bill, and before the members became aware of its immense implications, it was passed the next evening. Amongst other things, electoral bonds, which can be used to make anonymous contributions to political parties, were legalised, and corporate contributions, which are most likely to go to the BJP, were freed of limits. Democracies have always separated administration of justice from government; to the contrary, the finance act has given absolute powers to the government on the choice and appointment of tribunal members. Every income tax payer has had a permanent account number and income…

CRIME METRE Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) Maharashtra Pinarayi Vijayan (CPI-M) Kerala Arvind Kejriwal (AAP) Delhi Raghubar Das (BJP) Jharkhand Amarinder Singh (Congress) Punjab N. Chandrababu Naidu (TDP) Andhra Pradesh Yogi Adityanath (BJP) Uttar Pradesh V. Narayanasamy (Congress) Puducherry K. Chandrasekhara Rao (TRS) Telangana Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed (PDP) Jammu and Kashmir Manohar Lal Khattar (BJP) Haryana Number of pending cases (as stated in their affidavits to the Election Commission) THE RICHEST N. Chandrababu Naidu (TDP) Andhra Pradesh 177 Pema Khandu (BJP) Arunachal Pradesh 129 Captain Amarinder Singh (Congress) Punjab 48 Virbhadra Singh (Congress) Himachal Pradesh 34 K. Chandrasekhara Rao (TRS) Telangana 15 THE POOREST Manik Sarkar (CPI-M) Tripura 26 Mamata Banerjee (TMC) West Bengal 30 Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed (PDP) J&K 55 Manohar Lal Khattar (BJP) Haryana 61 Raghubar Das (BJP) Jharkhand 72…

The day is clearly etched in Manisha Keer’s memory. She had reached the Shooting Academy in Bhopal for trials for admission riding pillion with her father on his bicycle on a hot July afternoon in 2013. All of 14 then, Manisha had till then never held a gun in her hand and had no idea about a sport she wanted to take up, one that in India has been dominated by those born with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouths. Today, Manisha, the daughter of a fisherman who makes a living selling his daily catch from the Upper Lake in Bhopal, is ranked first among trap shooters in India—a feat she accomplished during the trials for the India team at Patiala in December 2016. The seventh of Shakuntala and…

What does yoga mean to you? Yoga for me involves asanas, kriyas, pranayama, bandhas and meditation. When a yogi does yoga, it is to look within for answers. Any mixed feelings about turning yoga into a brand? When you have many teachers working for you, you have to make sure that they and their families are living a healthy and happy life. They cannot do that if they do not have money to take care of them. I earn and give back so that my teachers can focus on making life better for others. Any advice for yoga gurus? I would want to tell them that both heaven and hell exist, so be very sure of the path you want to take. We hear you’re also an artist? I began…

OverCart Offers small home appliances, LCDs, smartphones, tablets and laptops. 15-day return policy for defective or damaged goods. Three- to eight-month warranty for unboxed products. Apple iPhone 6S 16B unboxed: Rs 32,999 (Operating price: Rs 43,500+) GreenDust Offers deals on open box, surplus stock or refurbished washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners. All products come with a one-year warranty. Whirlpool 330 L Bottom Freezer: Rs 29,400 (Operating price: around Rs 40,000) GameXS Offers a wide range of tested and refurbished consoles and console games. It also sells controllers, headphones and more, with a seven-day return policy on all products. There’s also an open platform for gamers to sell their games and consoles. Sony Playstation 4 (500GB) preowned— Rs 20,900 (Operating price: Rs 27,990) Gobol Sells factory seconds, carton-damaged, refurbished, pre-owned…

What’s behind the recognition Indian chefs have been getting abroad? Producing Indian fare with the techniques and produce that international populations are used to has played a massive role in its increasing popularity. London’s diners, for example, have come a long way from seeing Indian food as korma, chicken tikka masala and Friday night vindaloo. Many are now aware of the regional variations in the different cuisines of the subcontinent. What’s your secret in making Benares (his restaurant in London) a success with Western audiences? I like using a combination of spices, and I blend them like an artist would mix colours. Black pepper and chilli are the most versatile spices and are used in many cuisines—they are also favourites here, so it’s easy to create popular dishes with them.…

To travel is to titillate; the mind with memories, the body with experiences and the soul with the spirit to seek, that which is inexhaustible and exotic. Who better than travel writer and famed author Pico Iyer to essay the art of holidaying. For the Spice travel issue, Iyer talks about the adventures he seeks and shares his comments on what travellers look for in their travel, apart from some notes on his most recent book, The Art of Stillness: Adventures of Going Nowhere. He doesn’t put down bucket lists, but believes that each place has a character of its own; picking the right destination is the same as recognising who you’d like to spend your time with. It’s why he has been choosing North Korea or Cuba over Bali…

1 CÉDRIC CHARLIER RUFFLED TRIM BLOU The rose-tinted silk trim blouse from Cédric Charlier is perfect for welcoming spring. The architectural ruffles add to the feminine detailing so you don’t need to accessorise further. Wear it with cotton trousers or denim shorts. Price $1,211 Availability www.net-a-porter.com 2 MIU MIU VELVET CRYSTAL NECKLACE Opulent yet minimal, the Miu Miu’s silver-tone, velvet, crystal and faux pearl necklace feels embroidered with dazzling magenta crystals. The four gleaming faux pearls designed between the intricate silvertone metal patterns make it look Victorian. Price £850 Availability www.net-a-porter.com 3 VALENTINO GARAVANI ROCKSTUD SLING BAG Suede keeps the love for leather alive during summers. The quilted bag with micro-stud detailing and rhombus patterns by Valentino is a must-have accessory this season. Rock chic never goes out of style.…

Recommended travel spots When it comes to friends in the US, I’m always recommending Iran, Vietnam and Cuba. Each of these are extremely beautiful, interesting, culturally rich, and very welcoming to Americans (even though their government isn’t). A stamp we won’t find in your passport? I haven’t really been to sub-Saharan Africa, the former Soviet Union or Eastern Europe. In India, I haven’t been to Goa, Kerala, or the other places that would be on a typical foreign tourist’s wishlist Go-to guide I rely on the Lonely Planet a lot, but not for hotel recommendations. Every time I’ve relied on them I’ve had to check-out after an hour. Sometimes, I look at more upmarket places for recommendations or even an online site. Essentials on a deserted island A pen and…

“The idea is to showcase Sri Lanka as a destination and weave in the whole jazz angle. People can come in for the jazz, and then set out to explore other parts of the country.” Gehan Fernando, Founder, Colombo Jazz Festival It’s a balmy afternoon in Colombo. The manicured lawns of the historic Galle Face Hotel are dotted with picnicking locals and tourists, sprawled on gingham- checked mats, sipping champagne and soaking up the sun, waiting for the artistes to come on stage. The setting is idyllic for an open-air concert —the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, behind the stage, and the timeless façade of the hotel, dating back to 1864, in front. Before we realise the venue fills up, the fashion quotient soars, the crowds break into frenzied…

Founder, Kathiwada Arts and Sports The Kathiwada Royal family has had the privilege and responsibility of nurturing and supporting art for the past 700 years. As a child, growing up in Kathiwada (modern day Madhya Pradesh) I was surrounded by art. My grandfather, the late Jayendra Sinh Kathiwada, had invited Narayan Shridhar Bendre (a celebrated artist of the 20th century) to come to Kathiwada and paint extensively, for what would be the equivalent of an art residency today. My mother was a shareholder in Osian’s, India’s first auction house; I too, have done a stint at Osian’s, which taught me everything about art. HOW TO CHOOSE GREAT ART I see art as any object of beauty from which I derive joy and satisfaction over a long period of time. So…

Past glory is a heavy burden to bear, no wonder that for Dorian Gray worshippers, youth remains the ultimate elixir and conquering age the final frontier. With vanity and narcissism as the twin pillars of this Holy Grail, there are no end to primo tools to primp up and iron out gravity’s lines, but a more permanent regeneration goes beyond these obvious hallmarks, explains 37-year-old Dr Sepp B. Fegerl. Rakishly handsome and charming to a fault, he is not just a picture of good health but also the glowing poster boy for Vivamayr, a health haven tucked deep in the belly of the Austrian Alps at Altaussee; a hermetic temple for most of Bollywood. Medical Director at this prestigious health clinic and retreat— one of the best medical Spas in…