Innholdsfortegnelse for March 1, 2021 i India Today

Multiple Covid-19 epidemiological models projected doom for India in 2020. In March, as India imposed an unprecedented nationwide lockdown, an expert from a Washington DC-based public health research organisation forecast up to 300 million cases and 200,000-250,000 deaths in India. In August, a modelling study by the Institute for Health and Metrics Evaluation at the University of Washington estimated India to see nearly 500,000 deaths by the end of the year. It was easy to believe these nightmarish predictions. India, with its densely-packed urban centres and abysmal health infrastructure, seemed primed for a health catastrophe. Fortunately for us, none of these gloomy scenarios came to pass. On February 9 this year, India recorded less than 9,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours. It was the lowest in eight months from…

On February 15, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath launched the ‘Abhyudaya Yojana’, a scheme under which registered civil services aspirants will be given free coaching for competitive exams. This, though, has the babus scrambling for their own notes because the scheme also requires the state’s sitting IAS, IPS and other civil service officers to double up as part-time coaches for the nearly 100,000 UPSC aspirants in UP. Outstanding officer-teachers will get a special entry in their annual confidential records. Veterans have been found asking newly-inducted officers for their recent study notes. Better revise. Classes are in session.…

On January 28, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) organised a gathering of 500-odd Hindi-speaking people in Kolkata where Mamata Banerjee, in one of her inspired moments, challenged BJP stalwarts Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his deputy, Amit Shah, to a Hindi reading contest (she alleges their speeches are written in the Gujarati script and read from a teleprompter). The West Bengal chief minister was speaking in Bengali, but her speech was peppered with Hindi phrases. How did it come to this, for it was a volte-face from June 2019 when she first raised the regional/ linguistic rhetoric after the BJP’s stunning performance in the Lok Sabha election? “If you live in Bengal, you will have to speak Bengali,” she had made it clear then. It was part of Mamata’s fightback…

BIHAR: Members of a timber mafia kill forest guards Arjun Yadav and Hiralal Kushwaha in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar’s West Champaran district in January 2019 UTTAR PRADESH: Timber smugglers shoot down deputy ranger D.N. Pandey of the state forest department in Gorakhpur’s Ramalkhana forests in July 2018 CHHATTISGARH: Maoists hack to death forest ranger Rathram Patel in Bijapur district in September 2020 RAJASTHAN: Illegal sand miners in Bundi kill forest guard Sayar Singh in April 2013. Another forest guard, Kanti Lal Bhil, is killed in Jalore in 2016…

Although the electoral battle for West Bengal is still a month away, the India Today Conclave East 2021, held in Kolkata on February 11 and 12, saw it all—from stump speeches and poll bugles to economic arguments, expositions of political strategies and much more from the two principal contenders, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In their respective sessions, Union home minister Amit Shah and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee proved to be at odds on a number of issues (see Clash of the Titans). For example, both confidently insisted their party would form the next state government, and with an absolute majority. However, as Shah said, the election results will eventually determine whose projections were correct. These and other sessions also reflected the currently…

In one of the more engaging chapters of this book about Bombay’s “cine-ecology”, Debashree Mukherjee examines the larger significance of the hunger strike by the actress Shanta Apte against Prabhat Studios, Poona, in 1939. Part of what Apte was protesting was the de-humanisation of the cine workers, treated as no different from inanimate machinery. “Exhaustion/ Thakaan” is the chapter title and, in a recent promotional event, Mukherjee mentioned two key words that help denote how film work is different from other kinds of work: exhaustion and waiting. Waiting to be called, waiting for lighting, waiting outside a vanity room. The Apte story is just one of the many sub-narratives that make up this wide-ranging academic work which studies Bombay cinema as a site of production—focusing on the industry as it…

KUMAIL NANJIANI Nanjiani will play Kingo in Marvel’s The Eternals, releasing in November. Kingo is an immortal superhuman who hides in plain sight as a Bollywood superstar (no, really). For the role, Nanjiani went from tubby everyman to shredded beast—as he put it, “I wanted to look like somebody who could hang with Thor and Captain America. I didn’t want to be the first schlubby superhero.” KARAN SONI As Deadpool’s goofy cabbie Dopinder, Soni had a tough job playing comic foil to Ryan ‘God’s perfect idiot’ Reynolds. Heclearlynailedit; Deadpool 2 saw a larger role for him and also perhaps an unintended nod at the desire for a South Asian superhero: “Taxiing is not as sexy as it looks. I want to belong to something, like you Pool sir. I want…

Cool Chic With a new collaboration between Maison Margiela and Reebok, you can expect performance and panache. That’s what the new sneakers, Classic Leather Tabi in bianchetto, is all about. Innovation and nostalgia meet fashion and functionality. This is the New Normal, and we like it! Price ₹39,999; Availability shop4reebok.com Timeless Charm Harness your inner child or cartoon favourite with Gucci’s Doraemon collection offering shoes and bags. We are cheering for the new sneakers that celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doraemon (2020) and the 100th anniversary of Gucci (2021). Salute! Price on request; Availability Brand stores Nostalgia’s New Run Christian Louboutin’s retro-futurist Vida Viva sneaker’s transparent technical rubber overshoe is fully detachable. Why? To protect the sole from rain and dirt of course. If you’re going out that is, if…

Atul Kochhar At all of our group restaurants, as with all projects that I’m involved in, we utilise sustainable and local ingredients wherever possible. My cuisine is a special fusion of Indian food heritage but also my great love of British and local ingredients. Being sustainable is even more than simply the food that we serve; it is also the people and the places working together to be greener and ensure that we all maintain a balance. Shopping local and eating local are trends that are here to stay—they are now more important than ever. We need to champion our high streets and keep them sustainable too. Vineet Bhatia “Sustainable dining is within easy reach and should be an important attribute for chefs. Restaurants should lead the way in minimising…

Personal, functional, bespoke, individualistic and authentic, a piece of jewellery is different things to different people, but a pandemic can be a leveller in ways that few can comprehend or counter. The past year has weighed on the collective psyche in a way that has inspired people to search for and forge meaningful connections, and jewellery is a beautiful and intimate way to send a heartfelt message. When lounging indoors becomes a way of life, it’s only natural that style follow suit. So whether it’s apparel or jewellery, making a statement in a subtle casual way that makes you stand apart without sticking out is truly authentic. Here versatility is key as conscious consumption lays bare the wastefulness of excess. It’s about appreciating a piece of jewellery in various ways,…

The traveller gazing at the sweeping vistas of Ladakh often misses the perspective of the region as an important trading outpost of the silk route. The region’s cultural significance as a melting pot of Central Asian cultural influences has been eclipsed by the political and religious ferment of state of Jammu & Kashmir, of which Ladakh was a part. The imperative to showcase the true Central Asian cultural heritage of Ladakh germinated the idea of creating a museum. Nestled in the courtyard of Leh’s oldest masjid, Tsas Soma Zangsti, the Central Asian Museum is Leh’s best kept secret . A tall stone and wood tower---modelled on the Tibetan-Ladakhi fort architecture by German architect Andre Alexander---houses a motley collection of artifacts, ornate vessels, manuscripts and old photographs that coalesce to give…

SPIFFY SPOUT Tap into stylish design with VitrA’s new Origin faucets and accessories. The faucets are available in polished and matte finishes such as chrome, copper, matte black and brushed nickel options. PRICE on request AT www.vitra-india.com GET IN LINE The Linea Series by Nuance Studio are striped linear panels that can be placed together in numerous ways to create unique patterns. The panels can be used indoors as well as outdoors. PRICE on request AT www.thenuancestudio.com NEW STORE Looking for dreamy furnishings and furniture that will add flair? Head to Beyond Dreams experience studio in Gurgaon. The brainchild of Akshay and Avani Khurana, the store stocks an exclusive collection of bespoke fabrics and furniture across modern, contemporary and classical design styles. PRICE on request AT SCO - 305, Gymkhana…

SUBTLE SOPHISTICATION Neutrals can be striking too. Don’t believe us, just take a look at this living space styled by The Pure Concept Home. The striped beige sofa and jute rug look spectacular against the printed wallpaper. On closer inspection you will find that textures of different materials be it the cane side table, the rug, accent chair or even the fabric panels bring in a play of beautiful patterns. This one’s truly, a class apart. Morris and Co (Montreal 216433) wallpaper ₹18,200; Oba sofa ₹92,000; cane side table ₹36,000; upholstered chair ₹38,000; Crispin Straw rug ₹38,000; Tekstiler cushion ₹2,900; Seramikku jug vase ₹5,000; Seramikku Bellied vase ₹3,600; round small table ₹8,500; Dhara timber ₹1,932 per metre All products are available at The Pure Concept Home www.thepureconcepthome.in DESIGN DIGEST Sarita…

In the world of design and architecture there are only a few who haven’t heard about IMK Architects. The practice was founded in 1957 with offices in Mumbai and Bangalore, lead by architect IM Kadri. Today his son, partner and principal architect Rahul Kadri is at the helm. Some may say architecture was in his blood, however, growing up Rahul did not want to be an architect—he was fond of horses and wanted a stud farm. “I was in boarding school, most of the time walking around in the forest that’s where my love affair with nature started,” he says. Then his father took him and his siblings for a drive, when he was 15. “He wanted to show us some of his buildings. He took us on three drives,…

The Indian Army Corps of Engineers recently decided to honour NSA Ajit Doval’s father, Major Gunanand Doval, by instituting a hockey trophy in his name. The NSA awarded the first trophy to the Bengal Engineer Group, Roorkee. A keen hockey player, the late Maj. Doval was commissioned as an officer into the corps in 1947 and retired in 1961. Interestingly, the army also handed over copies of Maj. Doval’s records to his family recently, including the ‘Part 2 order’ communicating his son’s birth.…

Between 1979 and 1985, Assam witnessed mass agitations demanding the detection and deportation of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The six-year-long agitation ended with the signing of the Assam Accord between the Union government and student groups that had led the movement. In the subsequent election, held in 1985, a new political party—the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)—came to power, with a massive mandate. The AGP was a union of the two most influential student groups in Assam—the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP). Thirty-three-year-old student leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta was elected chief minister. More than three decades later, the AASU and AJYCP have come together again to form another political party—the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP)—which will contest the assembly election scheduled for April on…

Apart from the crushing emotional loss, the financial impact of a road crash on the lives of victim families can be severe. For low-income households, it can thrust on them another kind of battle for survival. Even when crash victims survive, they often have to contend with loss of employment and income, decline in productivity and other lost opportunities. One of the key findings of a recent World Bank study is that even the chances of surviving a crash are critically dependent on victims’ financial status—whether they can afford medical care 11% More than one in 10 global fatalities related to road accidents occur in India, even though India has only one per cent of the world’s vehicles 10% of crash victims (deaths) are truck drivers (according to a 2018…

5,865,813 healthcare workers vaccinated 58.9% of the target 1,900,506 frontline workers vaccinated 21% of the target After 7.7 million doses as on February 12, only 0.0004 per cent were hospitalised, 0.07 per cent reported side-effects, 19 deaths were recorded though postmortem reports show they were not due to the vaccine. Despite this, only 4 per cent have turned up so far for their second dose COVAXIN AIIMS study estimates it is effective for 9-12 months. No serious side-effects. Phase 1 data showed enhanced immune response. Phase 3 data yet to be published Efficacy established as between 53% and 80% depending on the dosing regime. WHO-recommended for use in general population across all ages…

ANDHRA PRADESH: Double-barrel 12 bore shotguns and 0.32 calibre revolvers have been distributed in five districts that are home to red sanders trees. There are also plans to supply firearms to frontline staff ASSAM: 7.62x51 mm self-loading rifles, 5.56x45 mm INSAS rifles, 9 mm pistols, 12 bore shotguns and 0.303 rifles have been issued to the police and foresters tasked with guarding the Kaziranga National Park HIMACHAL PRADESH: Since 2016, forest personnel posted at checkposts in Bilaspur, Dharamshala, Hamirpur, Nalagarh, Nurpur and Una forest ranges have been permitted to carry pistols, guns, revolvers or rifles to check illegal tree felling and lumber smuggling KARNATAKA: About 2,000 weapons, including revolvers, pistols, slide-action guns, rifles and single-and double-barrel shotguns have been issued, though most are outdated. Guards are hesitant to use them…

The picture first did the rounds on WhatsApp. Two girls were seen hanging from a tree in the remote Uttar Pradesh village of Katra. TV journalists who reached Budaun on May 28, 2014, made apparent they were in an India they did not recognise. They called the district “Ba-dawn”; local villagers only knew it as “Ba-da-yoo”. Outrage spread as quickly as the hashtag, #BudaunRape. Everyone wanted justice for the girls, but no one asked why their bodies were left hanging for the better part of the day. In her reportage, Sonia Faleiro details, rather insightfully, the response of urban Indians to faraway horror,but The Good Girls is far too invested in its subject—the deaths of two teenagers—to be distracted by borrowed rage. Faleiro calls the girls Padma and Lalli. She…

Q. What triggered the idea of ‘maajja’? There is a need for an alternate, creative ecosystem where deserving talent gets its due. With a good team of professionals and the right infrastructure, artists can truly shine, and that is our vision with maajja. We hope to discover, nurture and showcase a range of artists; talent that is authentic, original and connects with the audience on a human level. Q. What is your role in terms of curation? My angst and my wishes and my experience—I’m trying to give all that stuff to artists. So, hopefully, they know how to be fail-proof. We want to really benefit the artist and push them to go even further, so they say, “I have something good here. How can I go further and show…

Nothing adds to the thrill of discovery more than an unexpected find, especially if the find happens to be priceless pieces of art. Sotheby’s New York sale of Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art narrates an intriguing collecting story about American physicist Robert Marshak and his wife Ruth. A leading American scientist, who was part of the Manhattan Project, Robert Marshak was brought to India in the 1960s as part of a mission to create peace after the atomic bomb. It was Homi Bhabha—father of the Indian nuclear programme—who introduced Marshak and his wife to modern Indian art. The Marshaks took cues from their host and, with a modest budget collected pieces by the same artists Bhabha supported, namely V.S. Gaitonde and Adi Davierwalla. They include V.S. Gaitonde’s exceptional canvas…

Toying with tradition may be the ultimate torture for purists, but reinventing a classic is sometimes the best way to ensure its eternal charm. So also for OMEGA’s legendary Speedmaster Moonwatch. While it has always kept pace with technological change, this year marks the beginning of a new chapter in its extraordinary history. This is not about total transformation but a continuation of the legacy and an exciting next chapter for one of history’s most recognised chronographs. Even though the Moonwatch’s most famous features remain unchanged, with the incredible upgrade of the Calibre 3861, the Speedmaster Moonwatch is now Master Chronometer certified, guaranteeing the highest standard of precision, chronometric performance and anti-magnetism in the industry. Around the wrist, the brand has integrated a fully-brushed bracelet with a five–arched links-per-row design.…

GIFTING SPIRITS Yamazaki® A single malt Scotch is tasteful but a Japanese single malt says au courant. Price ₹11,980 (Delhi); ₹17,776 (Mumbai) Belvedere Celebrate James Bond style, whether shaken or stirred, with Poland’s purest Vodka. Price ₹3735 (Delhi); ₹6176 (Mumbai); ₹6197 (Bangalore) Hennessy Very Special (Cognac) This is elegance in a bottle for the discerning palate as well as a failsafe original. Price ₹8060 (700ml) Delhi; ₹6231 (700ml) Mumbai Moët & Chandon- ROSÉ IMPÉRIAL A glass of bubbly may seem clichéd, but douse it in pink with the Rosé. Price ₹8680/- (750ml) in Delhi GIFTING CLEAN BEAUTY Just B Au Naturel Rose quartz beauty tools Think self care and reach out for a facial massage. These are all the tols you will need to boost circulation, lift, plump and sculpt.…

While the grapevine has been abuzz with wine sommeliers for a while, it’s only with the emergence of the Fine Waters category and the growth of the Fine Water industry that water sommeliers have finally stood their ground. A water sommelier is someone who is able to detect, recognise and differentiate different types of natural waters based on different natural characteristics such as minerality, carbonation, vintage, hardness, orientation, virginality, hardness and various other elements. So, a water sommelier can suggest how to pair different waters with different cuisines, wines and even spirits. Are all waters are equal? Every natural mineral / spring water is unique based on various characteristics like vintage, hardness, ph level, terroir, TDS (totally dissolved solids) etc. and more so is the case with Fine Waters. Since…

Rooted in Indian tradition yet modern and sophisticated is the best way to describe Kalyan and Sangeeta’s home in Bangalore, designed for a family with four generations living together. It is a space symbolic of modernism and progress but imbibed in culture and values. The result, prints and patterns meet and create a magically whole. All the family members were involved right from the conceptualising stage. Their life stories of challenges, achievements and memories gave us the all the input required to design their dream house resonating with emotions and feelings of each family member. The living room boasts of space and openness where the entire family can spend time together. It has a stone temple and large idols that they wanted in their home. In the master bedroom, the…

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been using the ‘hum do, hamare do’ catchphrase to taunt the government. Addressing a rally in Assam on February 14, Gandhi repeatedly used what was once a family planning slogan to take jibes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and two industrialists who he said Modi has favoured. The two businessmen are never named, though Gandhi frequently drops not-so-subtle hints about one of them. “Who has got the management of Guwahati airport?” he asked. The Airports Authority of India has leased out the airport to Adani Enterprises, headed by Gautam Adani.…

Baijayant Jay Panda’s appointment as Assam BJP in-charge has rattled many state party leaders. A former BJD MP from Odisha, who joined the BJP in 2019, Panda is taking a keen interest even in government events in the state. He recently hosted external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and Japanese ambassador Satoshi Suzuki for dinner in Guwahati. He also spoke at a state-organised event on India-Japan cooperation. When asked in what capacity Panda had participated, a state BJP leader said: “As an ex-MP.” Now, If that doesn’t explain it...…

ASSAM JATIYA PARISHAD Poll plank: Opposition to CAA; ‘Assam First’ agenda Leadership: Lurinjyoti Gogoi, 39, PhD student Alliance status: Has teamed up with Raijor Dal RAIJOR DAL Poll plank: Opposition to CAA; protection for farmers and the marginalised classes Leadership: Akhil Gogoi, 44 RTI activist and peasant leader Alliance status: Has teamed up with Assam Jatiya Parishad ANCHALIK GANA MORCHA Poll plank: Opposition to CAA Leadership: Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, 69, Rajya Sabha member and former journalist Alliance status: Part of the Congress-AIUDF alliance…

After talking with Chinese supremo Xi Jinping, a rattled US president Joe Biden warned that China will “eat our lunch”. Considering the military disengagement under way now in eastern Ladakh could end up consolidating Chinese territorial gains, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ought to worry about China feasting on India’s dinner. New Delhi’s desperation has led to a peace process of impermanent but linked de-escalations, which Beijing may convert into opportunity for annexing territory in small parcels. Consider the withdrawal of forces from the Pangong Lake area. Till not too long ago, all the eight mountainous features—the ‘Fingers’ abutting its northern shore—on India’s side of the Line of Actual Control were notionally under Indian control; today only Fingers 1 to 3 are. So why is People’s Liberation Army’s moving to its…

What does vaccine efficacy mean? Contrary to the perception that it refers to the extent to which the vaccine will protect you, vaccine efficacy indicates the percentage of people from among the vaccinated who will be protected by the vaccine. For example, if 100 people are given the vaccine and 100 are not, and only 2 people fall sick in the first group and 20 in the second, the vaccine has protected 18 people in the first group, making it 90 per cent efficacious. Can a vaccinated person still infect others? No vaccine is 100 per cent efficacious. If you do not develop enough antibodies to fight the virus, you could still transmit it. Most Covid vaccines are 70-90 per cent efficacious currently, so a majority of those taking them…

Kisan Samman Nidhi payments Mamata: The website is theirs. The portal is theirs. We have sent a letter and said that the payments should be sent to farmers’ accounts. They said that until the data review has been done, we cannot do it. We said the data is on your portal. Send it to us, we will review it. We have already reviewed 300,000 accounts and sent it. Shah: The government of India sends money (under this scheme) straight to farmers ’accounts. For this, we need certified details from the state government, including bank account details. Ask Mamataji how many bank account details she has sent. She sent us a letter just to save face. The Rs 12,000 that Bengal’s farmers were to receive, we will give after we form…

When Sumeet Vyas began his journey as a web series actor, he earned Rs 500 a day, just enough to cover the cost of petrol and cigarettes. Permanent Roommates (2014), one of India’s first streaming originals, though, became a hit and, with it, Vyas found a place on the country’s entertainment map. The actor followed up his debut with Y-Series’ Bang Baaja Baaraat (2015) and TVF’s Tripling (2016-), shows he also co-wrote. In 2020, when most actors laid low, Vyas shot two web shows, Wakaalat from Home and Dark 7 White. With his 1962: The War in the Hills all set to release on Disney+ Hotstar on February 26, it’s time to state the obvious—Vyas is one of OTT’s most reliable veterans. “I didn’t know much about the space or…

Over the past decade, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has tracked a series of tectonic shifts in popular culture. For one, it marked a generational change in perspective about films and TV. Last-generation giants like Martin Scorsese might sneer that superhero movies “aren’t cinema”, but it’s equally fair to point out that his is the perspective of an elderly white man, a group easily caricatured—think Harvey Weinstein and Donald Trump—as addicted to the alpha-male mythos and unwilling to engage with any culture but their own. The fact is, if white male shoot-em-ups were the reveries of Scorsese’s time, multicultural fantasy fiction is how this generation dreams. How else does one explain the growing mainstreet dominance of cinema like The Matrix, The Lord of the Rings, Avengers and Game of…

INDULGENCE WAS LUXURY’S BETTER HALF IN A PRE-COVID world but things have changed. After the pandemic focussed our attention on the frailty of our existence we were forced to learn that there must be more to life than having everything. Luxury in the New Normal demands a kinder, gentler, consort. It is this mindful consciousness that has inspired our cover story on sustainable dining, written by Michelin star chef Suvir Saran. Chair of the Asian arm of the Culinary Institute of America, he is the only chef on the Nutrition Advisory Board at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Consumption of healthier, fresher, natural, less processed, local, seasonal, regional food has become the call of the hour, he writes. Grounded in a new century, it…

Michelin-starred chefdom in Manhattan of the early 2000’s and bestselling cookbooks made me a popular speaker and guest chef at food and wine events and public health forums. For twenty-plus years I’ve been teaching at the Culinary Institute of America and at thought leadership summits hosted by the Harvard School of Public Health. It wasn’t my good looks that brought me this honour, it was my visceral understanding of living and working sustainably. It was my living in a heritage farmstead in a bucolic hamlet in North Country, New York. It was those years at the farm, seeing firsthand the challenges that come with living connected to the land that made me appreciate how much farther we still need to travel to make the world greener and fairer for all…

MANDARIN SUNRISE Ingredients • 75ml Jacob’s Creek Sparkling • 75ml Mandarin Orange juice • 5 ml Grenadine • Mandarin orange slice to garnish Method 1. Ensure that the Jacob’s Creek sparkling wine and juice are chilled well. 2. Mix it in the glass. 3. Then gently pour the grenadine. 4. Garnish with a slice of orange to serve. ELDERFLOWER SURPRISE Ingredients • 120 ml Jacob’s Creek Sparkling 20 ml Elderflower extract • 40 ml tonic water/ lemonade • 1 wedge of lemon or lime, • Fresh mint • Cubed ice Method 1. Place ice cubes in a large wine glass. Gently tear and muddle the mint with your hand and add into the glass along with the juice from one lemon wedge. 2. Add the elderflower extract, Jacob’s Creek sparkling…

• Donat Mg from Rojaska, Slovenia has the highest TDS—13197 mg. • Aqui Live from Australia is believed to be 600 million years old. • Cape Grim, Tasmanian Rain, Cloud Juice, are barely a few weeks old. • Vichy Catalan of Spain has the highest amount of sodium in all of sparkling waters. • Some of the most expensive waters in the world include Fillico Jewellery Water from Japan that is priced at US $616 for a one litre bottle, similarly Svalbardi from the Svalbard region in Norway costs US $166 for a litre bottle. Likewise Nevas from Germany costs close to US $190 per litre. While Acqua Di Cristallo Tribute a Modigliani comes at a whopping US $72,000, the limited edition 90H20 Beverly Hills comes at a princely ransom…

Many superlatives come to mind when you think of Rolex, but the one recurring thought is the power of legacy. Honouring tradition with innovation is a brand imprimatur, and the new 18 carat yellow gold version of its Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller, fitted with an Oysterflex bracelet is no exception to the rule. The watch is a first in the Classic category to include this innovative bracelet that is made of high-performance elastomer. It also features a bright black, sunray-finish dial with hands and hour markers in 18 carat yellow gold. Of course, the new version is equipped with the fluted, rotatable bezel unique to the Sky-Dweller, which is used to set the watch in conjunction with the ring command system. It also boasts a chromalight display, which means that the…

That bird motif, those animal prints, pretty paisleys or the abstract patterns, when used correctly they can make any space stand out. Unfortunately, people shy away from using too many prints and patterns, but truth be told all you need to do is balance them properly and watch your room shine. However, if you are still confused here are 10 ways you can use prints and patterns at home. CROCKERY “Delicate florals and checks have been popular for some time. Today you have exotic flora and fauna decorating the crockery. Playful geometric patterns or simply some dots and circles, are fun too. You also have abstract art-like design or quaint pastoral imprints on tableware. Investing in a few collections with varied colours, prints and patterns helps create a vibrant setting,”…

The idea behind this project was to create a luxuriously designed home that enhances comfort, elegance and functionality with custom touches. The residence incorporates rich use of colour with a contemporary design style. The material palette, colour schemes, textured walls and ceiling along with sensitively placed artefacts bring the spaces to life quite uniquely. So, we ensured that the residence was designed in a contemporary style. Shades of pink in varying tones ties the entire home together. The living room invites you in with its gentle tanned sofas set in a calm interior theme. Indoor plants, sculptures and wall art increase the charm of the room. A mid-century modern dining table, which can seat six is placed next to the living room, right against the kitchen. Smart and contemporary hanging…