Innholdsfortegnelse for September 6, 2021 i India Today

The Taliban had a saying for the American presence in Afghanistan: ‘You have the watch, we have the time.’ Well, 20 years later, the Taliban’s time has come as the Americans execute a messy withdrawal from Afghanistan. Next month will be the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks when Al Qaeda terrorists turned hijacked airliners into deadly missiles and crashed them into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, killing 2,996 people. The attacks brought a vengeful US military into Afghanistan, bent on hunting down the Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, who had been sheltered by Afghanistan’s Taliban regime. The Taliban were expelled from Afghanistan, and a new pro-Western government installed by the Allies. With around 65,000…

The SP has yet to build an effective strategy against the BJP’s Hindutva politics and prevent the consolidation of the Hindu vote in favour of the saffron party Cohesion among the party’s youth and senior leaders is missing in several districts. Many SP seniors feel undue importance is being given to youth leaders With Azam Khan battling health issues, the SP needs influential Muslim faces. Its Muslim vote bank faces a threat from Asaduddin Owaisi and his AIMIM Efforts to woo Dalit voters since the 2017 assembly election have not yielded results. The party lacks strong Dalit leaders After the demise of senior Kurmi leader Beni Prasad Verma in 2020, the SP no longer has a non-Yadav OBC leader of similar stature The party’s image has been tarnished due to…

From kurta-pyjama, Rahul Gandhi’s attire has distinctly turned casual this year. During the assembly poll campaign in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in April, Rahul was seen sporting a blue T-shirt from UK brand Hackett. In February, he attended Parliament in a white shirt from Ralph Lauren, a US brand. Of late, the Congress leader has been turning up in a peach shirt from Farah (another US brand). Three years ago, Rahul had downplayed a controversy over his expensive Burberry jacket, saying it was a gift. Political rivals have yet to share their take on his new fashion sense.…

The COVID-19 pandemic affected many industries across the world with the education sector being no exception. The journey for the education sector and the transition in the times of the ongoing global pandemic has not been a smooth one. Our conventional systems of knowledge and action both underwent a major digital revolution because of the pandemic. It has been fraught with endless conflicts and multiple challenges that the educational institutions, educators and the students together were called on to ÿght. From the delays in admissions to handling the uncertainty connected with the future of higher education, both the students and the teachers have spent countless restless hours desperately searching for updates on the same. The academic calendar was thrown off course. The question of adapting to never before seen challenges…

Rajeev Marda spent the lockdown learning music, making videos and spending time with his loved ones. Marda’s household is a joint family with several units living together in a sprawling Delhi home. They would sit together each evening playing cards and board games. “The lock-down taught us the value of family,” he says. “It also allowed us to spend time developing our passions.” The extended Marda clan—some 70 members spread across Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi—also grew closer, regularly meeting on Zoom calls to chat, sing and celebrate family occasions. To make the meetings more fun, the Mardas planned bhajan evenings for the elders and youngster nights that saw many hours of singing and dancing. Birthdays, anniversaries, festivals and other special occasions were all celebrated together. “Earlier, the entire family…

It was all of 55 years ago that Amol Palekar first graced the big screen in Satyadev Dubey’s acclaimed Marathi film, Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe. Though the actor-director, a Sir JJ School of Art graduate, has kept busy painting in recent years, he is now back on screen with the Zee5 film 200 – Halla Ho. Q This is your first film in over two decades. What kept you away? Even in my heyday, I was not keen on doing every role that was offered to me. I pursued roles only if they challenged me as an actor. My last acting stint was in Khamosh in 1986 after which I never acted in films, barring Samaantar (2009). If a role of ‘someone’s father’ with no other layers is offered to…

Q. What convinced you that now was the right time to write a book on pregnancy? I wanted to write a book about how women should not feel like they have to give up a part of their lives because they have a baby or are pregnant. Women quitting work is a big issue in India for many reasons. I was lucky. I have help and a supportive husband, but, above all, I love my work and didn’t want to lose that part of me just because I had children. I wanted to tell my readers, don’t be afraid. Q. Did you take to writing easily? What was the most challenging bit? I wanted this book to give future moms the correct information in the Indian context, to make this…

Crowning Glory A landmark first from Kama Ayurveda, the Bringadi Hair Cleanser is the first offering from the brand that is supported by findings from extensive pre-launch clinical trials. Sulphate and parabenfree, it suits all hair types. Clinically proven to reduce hair fall by 60 per cent and make it 5X more voluminous. With Amla and Bhringraj in the mix, are we surpirsed? Price ₹1,495 for 200 ml; Availability www.kamaayurveda.com and Kama Ayurveda stores. Beauty Elixir What’s 100 per cent vegan, clean and infused with good science and the best natural ingredients? Plum’s 10% Niacinamide Face Serum with Rice Water. It battles blemishes, boosts radiance, balances sebum and slows down signs of ageing. If only it could combat global warming! Perhaps not, but for everything skin friendly, it presents a…

Sustainability has been a buzzword in the design community for a very long time. We have seen very interesting examples and each one has been a torchbearer for the next great innovation in this sector. The House of Shadows, a near-net-zero home by Delhi-based ZED Lab (www.zeroenergydesignlab.com), borrows from the past, but is rooted in modern technology to achieve the feat. Inspired by Noor Mahal, the home reinterprets the architectural language of traditional Indian havelis and chhatris with a courtyard enabling social cohesion, and transition spaces enabling movement, natural ventilation and daylight. The design highlight is the parametrically crafted omnipresent double-roof that canopies the vast footprint of the horizontally-spread double unit structure. The Voronoi-patterned double roof is a combination of GRC (Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete) and FRP (Fibre Reinforced Polymer) with…

One may or may not choose to submit to clichés when it comes to judging a book by its cover but if it’s a question of spirits, ingenious boxing, innovatively accessorised, and impeccably packed provoke as much comment as interest. After all, in the sensorial race, the eyes have it. Looks have always played a big role in the popular interplay for any product, but they acquire a more distinctive role in spirits since it leads the way to showcase the product and tell its tale. Also, most markets do not allow direct advertising and marketing so innovation in packaging and design plays a crucial role in directing the consumer’s purchase decisions. Consumers are attracted to elegant solutions that are attractive to touch and see, especially those that help safeguard…

One would think that optimum dental care is a little daunting: there’s the quest for the perfect toothbrush, the right way to brush, the perfect time for which you should brush etc. But the six-monthly visits to the dentist just about offers enough time to cover plaque removal, check for cavities and a quick admonishment on not flossing adequately. But for all those obsessive hygenists and dental care enthusiasts for whom the million dollar smile also means not having to shell out a million bucks to correct toothy horrors, Oral B has launched Oral-B iO™, allegedly the biggest innovation in oral care history. Just by virtue of looks alone, it is a game-changer——certainly a very impressive addition to your bathroom vanities. This reimagined, redesigned, rechargeable toothbrush in black Anthracite looks…

A Japandi slice of heaven nestles in the lap of south Bombay. A home that celebrates simplicity, the marriage of wabi-sabi (a Japanese philosophy that embraces the beauty in imperfections) and Hygge decor (a Danish term that refers to a sense of cosiness and comfort). An uncluttered, unfussy oasis bedecked with wooden interiors and pale hues that paint quite a quaint Scandinavian-Japanese inspired picture. Sometimes it is two similarly dissimilar styles that are better than one. Called Mysiga Homu, it is seeded in a distinctly merged Scandinavian and Japanese minimalist sensibility, cocooned in sleek silhouettes and well-crafted pieces that are handmade from natural materials by artisanal hands. The hybrid aesthetic combines the immersive modern-rustic vibe of Nordic or Scandinavian designs with the traditional elegance that’s associated with Japanese styles, giving…

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has not taken a final call, but her party appears divided on election strategist Prashant Kishor’s induction. Several veterans, including an octogenarian former Union minister, are against Kishor being taken on board; they suspect he won’t abide by Congress principles and may grow into Frankenstein’s monster. If Sonia gives the green signal, Kishor will take charge of election management, which means he will have to implement his 2024 Lok Sabha election plan submitted to the Congress—selecting candidates in around 300 seats where the party has a winning chance. He may also seek a revamp of the party’s communication wing handled by Randeep Surjewala. Kishor’s plate looks full even before he has started.…

In 2017, BJP leader Sushil Modi had to change the venue of his son’s wedding in Patna following a threat of disruption by RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav’s elder son Tej Pratap. Modi was invited to Tej Pratap’s wedding the next year but gave it a miss. The bitterness of the past appears to be receding now. The BJP veteran recently heaped praise on Tej Pratap, saying he had his father’s talent for oratory, and added that his popularity was the reason he was sidelined within the RJD. Such words will be music to Tej Pratap’s ears. Is this real camaraderie or is Modi just fishing in troubled RJD waters?…

Five years after it was implemented, the efficacy of India’s Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has fallen short of expectations. Passed in 2016 after nearly a decade of deliberations, the IBC was touted as a solution for the country’s slow bankruptcy resolution processes and low recovery percentages. What lays bare its inadequacies is an observation by the NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) in June this year. While approving the sale of Videocon Industries to Twin Star Technologies, owned by industrialist Anil Agarwal, it noted that Twin Star was paying ‘almost nothing’ for the purchase, and that the 99.28 per cent ‘haircut’ (loss, in banking parlance) that operational creditors were being forced to accept was closer to a ‘tonsure, or total shave’ than a haircut. The NCLT noted that against the…

When the pandemic struck last year, we closed our studio in Worli in early March. Ordinarily, we have our studio staff travelling all over Mumbai, and we didn’t want to take chances with their health. At home, it was a little more challenging. Our twin girls—seven years old at the time—had to get used to a new learning platform, which took some initial hand-holding. We had to sit with them in turns, guiding them through classes and also making sure they were occupied post-school hours since they couldn’t go out to play. We had to maintain a tight schedule—that was the only way to get anything done. We took turns handling school, so one of us could be on top of work at all times. Balance was the solution. We…

Why and how is it that, for a minuscule community that numbers about 57,000 but will soon be down to 23,000, the Parsis cut such an inordinately high profile and exert huge influence—as tycoons (the Tatas, Wadias, Mistrys and Godrejs), jurists and lawyers (Nani Palkhiwala, Soli Sorabjee, Justice Rohinton Nariman), nationalists and rebels (Dadabhai Naoroji, Madame Cama, Kobad Gandhy) not to speak of soldiers, scientists, musicians and artists—from Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw to Homi Bhabha, Zubin Mehta to Freddie Mercury, Homai Vyarawalla to Jehangir Sabavala? And the name that outstrips them all in our anxious pandemic-afflicted age, Adar Poonawalla, of the flamboyant family that is the world’s largest vaccine producer, is also a Parsi. In her book, Coomi Kapoor examines the Parsis’ intricate ties of kinship and their unflagging zeal…

Javed Akhtar, one of India’s best-known poets, lyricists and screenwriters, started writing poems “at an age when most people stop writing poetry”. Though he had memorised thousands of couplets by the time he was a teenager, he was afraid to write himself. “I knew what was good poetry but I couldn’t find the courage to write my own. I was, perhaps, 28-30 when I finally started writing poetry,” says the 76-year-old. The Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan recipient is now the headliner of Zee Live’s first ever ‘India Shayari Project’, a poetry-centric show that celebrates India’s rich legacy of poetry and shayari. The 90-minute programme (streaming on Zee 5) is hosted by poet Dr Kumar Vishwas. It also features lyricist-screenwriter Kausar Munir and comedian and poet Zakir Khan. Each of…

“WHAT MORE CERTAIN TEACHER CAN THERE BE THAN OUR senses,” asked the Roman poet and philosopher Titus Lucretius Carus in the 1st century BC. Roughly 2,000 years later we still can’t fault the argument, especially when it comes to design. For on the cusp of passion and promise lies the source of creative instinct. Artistic passion can locate expression in shapes, capture the purely conceptual, or even address the interplay of various materials. Possibly, it’s the dulling effect of dismal confinement, the boredom of being chained to your chair, that awakens the avant garde spirit. In Spice’s design issue, we explore this compelling instinct for disruption; where reimagining ritual lends expression to the voice of dissent. In these unpredictable times, it seems almost imperative to address the numbing hegemony of…

If diving gracefully and accurately is an art, so is the Tag Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 automatic watch. This professional dive watch boasts a green sunray brushed dial that seamlessly combines refined aesthetics with extreme function. Powered by the automatic calibre 5, the 43mm case is pressure-proof and ready to perform under any condition. With a refined design and comfortable structure, the case and bracelet are built from lightweight and scratch resistant grade-2 titanium with sandblasted finishing. The robust case is complemented by bright white matching hour markers and watch hands that are generously endowed with Super-Luminova® to ensure legibility. And it isn’t just about a sophisticated dynamic that limits itself to the design vocabulary. It also includes a uni-directional rotating divers’ bezel with a ceramic insert and an engraved…

A Glass Apart Light, God’s eldest daughter, is the principal beauty in a building. This famous, timeless adage has helped shape beautiful homes across the globe. But what if a room completely does away with walls; maximises on the view and lets light invade every nook and corner? The pandemic may have prevented us from stepping outside, but that did not stop designers from letting homeowners enjoy the great outdoors from the comfort of their homes. It’s almost as if the elements have been introduced as accents of home décor. Take this apartment in Alipore, Kolkata, for instance: Designed by A Square Designs the Glass House (www.asquaredesigns.in) located on the 350 sqft terrace is covered with glass using an MS structure and aluminium windows. Patterned tile flooring brings a refreshing…

THE MACALLAN 64 IN LALIQUECIRE PERDUE sold for US$464,000 in 2010 was bottled in a crystal decanter, exclusively designed by the iconic French glassmaker Lalique. THE ISABELLA’S ISLAY WHISKEY features 8,500 diamonds, 300 rubies and exquisite white gold in its bottle design and is sold for US$6,200,000. ELIXER SCOTCH WHISKY boasts a ceramic bottle with a matte black glaze and a stopper lid. It’s lure: an aesthetic audience, enticed to try whisky in novel ways. ROYAL SALUTE 21YO by Tom Lane is a limited edition festive pack designed for Royal Salute. The idea is derived from ‘The Field of the Cloth of Gold’, a 1520 meeting between the kings of England and France, taking inspiration from the awnings and fabrics for the occasion. WOODFORD RESERVE BACCARAT EDITION It is the…

One’s expectations from an SUV have dramatically changed over the last decade. While space, power, and ruggedness continue to remain the obvious prerequisites, the demand for a certain level of comfort has increased. And when you speak about comfort and luxury, not many could discount all things, Maybach. The Mercedes GLS 600 Maybach enters the world of SUV fantasies with a massive personality, rich and well-appointed interiors, and technology that’s centred around the rear occupant’s comfort. The massive grille announces the ample use of chrome in the entirety of the SUV. The metal can be seen tastefully deployed on handle rims, side skirts, window rims, around emblems, and even the rear. On the inside, the GLS 600 Maybach is a luxurious suite. The height at which the seats are hoisted…

With roots closely associated with the first ever wristwatch, and inspired by the erstwhile Queen of Naples, Caroline Murat, the Breguet Reine de Naples 8938 is a timepiece that carries the invaluable weight of tradition. When it comes to having an opinion about traditionally-styled watches, the discerning eye always seeks out what’s different and what’s constant. This subjective balance of preferences often leads to discussions and soon settles into trends that establish pattern. This new timepiece is no different. The latest Queen of Naples tribute doesn’t distinguish itself from its predecessors in terms of the iconic oval shape. In fact, it only enhances the whole façade. Available in white gold with a light blue strap ref. (8938BB/8D/964 DD0D) and in rose gold with an orange strap (ref. 8938BR/8D/964 DD0D), the…

First DNA vaccine in the world and India’s second indigenous jab An interim efficacy of 66% against Covid infection No moderate to severe cases reported during trials, suggesting 100% efficacy The study of 28,000 people was conducted during the second wave, suggesting efficacy against newer strains A needle-free injection will prevent soreness, rashes or redness at the site of injection Prices and side-effects yet to be disclosed Company set to manufacture around 100 million to 120 million doses annually in initial stages. Doses should be available within 45 to 60 days of receiving approval…

The BJP seems to be on a poaching mission in Assam, inducting two Congress MLAs in the past three months. On August 23, Bhaskar Jyoti Baruah, the Congress’s Titabor MLA (to Sonowal’s left in the picture), shared the dais with BJP leaders in Jorhat at an event for Union minister Sarbanada Sonowal’s Jana Ashirwad Yatra. Represented by former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, Titabor is a Congress stronghold. While Baruah’s defection will be a huge embarrassment for the Congress, a top BJP source doubts his winnability on a BJP ticket in a Congress turf.…

Taking a cue from some other states, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has asked his government’s culture department to prepare an official ‘state song’, to be played on important occasions alongside the national anthem. While some lyricists have been approached, entries will also be sought from the public through an online competition. The Adityanath government, which has been celebrating Uttar Pradesh’s foundation day (January 24) since 2018, plans to release the song just in time for the assembly election in early 2022. Call it getting into the poll rhythm.…

THE US President Joe Biden is on the back foot. His top priority is to evacuate US personnel and its collaborators. The US will push the Taliban to form an inclusive government and to protect minorities and women’s rights as well as ensuring the regime does not use Afghan soil to foster terror CHINA Appears happy the US had to leave Afghanistan with its tail down. Will want a stable government in the country to ensure the success of its Belt and Road Initiative. Will push the Taliban to rein in terror organisations backing Uighur Muslim rebels in Xinjiang INDIA The major concern is that Pakistan is likely to push the Taliban to resume backing terror groups to stir up trouble in Kashmir. Will push for an inclusive government in…

VIDEOCON INDUSTRIES A three-year-long resolution process to resolve the debt of Videocon Industries and 12 group companies Creditors were forced to accept losses of 96 per cent, or about Rs 62,000 crore Sold to Vedanta Group-led Twin Star Technologies for Rs 2,962 crore DEWAN HOUSING FINANCE LIMITED The firm owed Rs 87,082 crore to banks, financial institutions and holders of fixed deposits and nonconvertible debentures After a year and a half in resolution, the Piramal Group was the successful bidder with a Rs 37,250 crore offer Creditor to see losses of at least 57 per cent, with lenders expecting a lower recovery after funds are distributed ESSAR STEEL Landmark IBC case Courts rejected all attempts by the promoters, the Ruias, to gain control of the company Over 90 per cent…

From a family perspective, getting used to working from home was itself a new experience. This was not just because me and both my children are working and had to adjust to ensure that everyone had a working space; it was also because none of us had ever worked from home before. There were both positives and negatives to the experience. The one overarching positive was how much time we got to spend together as a family—we now have at least one meal together, usually dinner. It’s nice to have all of us together as a family, and this is one aspect of the lockdown I’d like to continue. I also get to spend more time with my wife. We go for morning walks now—this has become possible since I…

In a world so breathlessly preoccupied with labels—during the pandemic more than ever—to be free of them is to taste sweet freedom. Journalist and author Payal Dhar’s new novel, It Has No Name, offers that and more, cheerfully treading a path with fewer sweeping stereotypes, liberating its characters and equally, the reader. We first meet Sami, 16, doing something she absolutely loves: playing cricket at her neighbourhood park. The next moment, she’s a ball of anxiety, alarm bells ringing in her head, as an elderly figure she recognises too well lumbers in, muttering the usual vile things to her: “What’s between your legs… are you a boy or a girl?” It’s a painful reminder of the brutal bullying Sami has faced through her childhood, frequently shamed, questioned and regularly misgendered…

THE EMPIRE Disney+ Hotstar (August 27) Based on Alex Rutherford’s Empire of the Moghul, this Nikkhil Advani series shows how Mughals—from Babur to Aurangzeb—came to rule India. Kunal Kapoor and Shabana Azmi star in the first season. HELMET Zee5 (September 3) Starring Aparshakti Khurana and Abhishek Banerjee, this quirky heartland comedy explores India’s sexual health by asking a simple question: why are we so embarrassed when buying condoms? MUMBAI DIARIES 26/11 Amazon Prime Video (September 9) Set in a government hospital, the show imagines the distress that doctors, nurses and first responders suffered on the night of November 26, 2008. The cast includes Konkona Sen Sharma and Satyjeet Dubey.…

Like a favourite book, a beautiful pen is also a personalised annotation of a thoughtful mind. For those who treasure romantic notions of penmanship, the Sailor 110th Anniversary limited-edition from William Penn is heaven sent. The famous Japanese pen company is celebrating the 110th anniversary of their founding with a commemorative special edition fountain pen series. The 21-carat gold nib is flexible and resilient and and complemented by a stunning 21-carat gold and black stainless-steel barrel. The pear skin finish on the front portion of the barrel neutralises the gold’s lustre, giving the pen a more casual appearance. The pen sheath is made of hemp cloth, which becomes softer and more comfortable to the pen as it is used. The pen is presented in a beautiful wooden box made of…

Design by its very nature is disruptive. Don’t believe us? Let’s rewind the spool of time and take a leaf out of history books. Be it gorgeous Chinese wine vessels that deftly erased the line between craft and art, carefully carved Christian baptism basins that bridged the gap betwixt religious iconography and décor or the more dramatic, Salvador Dali’s Mae West Lips Sofa or even German designer Ingo Maurer’s Lucellino (little bird) series that transformed humble screw-in lights into fluttering birds—good design has always blurred boundaries beautifully. In fact the creative vocabulary outlines the space between the lines. This year was defined by the pandemic; uncharacteristic times forced us not just to look inwards but reimagine décor, living and bathing spaces, and interiors. Naturally, individualistic enterprise spurred innovations.…

The world of aquatic sports is thrilling so it’s no surprise that the graceful HydroConquest watches from Longines——inspired by water sports——are similarly distinctive and bold. Designed to appeal to demanding athletes, it is water-resistant up to 300 metres, with a unidirectional rotating bezel, a screw-down crown and case back, and a double security-folding clasp with an integrated diving extension. It isn’t just function, but form too that is top class with a grey, blue, black sunray dial or a matte green dial on offer. Each two-tone variation of the Hydro Conquest line is equipped with an exclusive self-winding movement (L888.5) that features an anti- magnetic silicon balance-spring to guarantee not just high precision but a longer life span as well. The blue, grey, black and green variations of this collection…

With the pandemic in full swing Wonderchef’s recently launched Lazio Steam Gun is aimed at helping you steer clear of infection and germs. So, when we got our hands on it, we had to see if it was worth the hype. It was as easy as plugging in and aiming at the item to be cleaned. The manual was also easy enough to understand. We first used just water and then water mixed with sanitiser. The liquid container is just 200 ml in capacity, too little if you ask us. The device ensures spread of disinfectant across large surfaces and deep nooks and corners using nano-spray technology. It comes with a 9 ft cord, which is good, but not as convenient as a battery operate cord-free one. It kills e.coli,…

The Showstopper Whether you use them indoors or outdoors, but this planter called Lily Bowl from Artemis can’t help but stand out. It is available in five sizes. Price ₹6,500to 1,6500 (plus tax and cartage) AT www.artemiscaststone.com Make Ends Meet When a planter doubles up as a bookend, it makes your space look twice as nice. This one’s from Namak India and has a hidden bracket for support and easy watering. Price ₹2,245 AT www.namakindia.com All About Geometry Titled Escon 24 from Bonasila, this outdoor planter blends the design of an octagon with an innovative web of triangles. The wavy wall is designed to instantly draw your attention. Price ₹10,900 AT www.bonasila.com Eco Warrior Made from reinforced concrete, these planters are great in strength, durability, and damage resistance. Each pot…

There are designers that find beauty in austerity, then are those who find magic in a more maximalist approach. But as the Buddha says, there’s always the middle path. In terms of design this means walking a fine line, creating a magical albeit a challenging equilibrium. One that a dynamic duo, the brains behind FADD Studio in Bangalore, Dhaval Shellugar and Farah Ahmed Mathias are famous for. They met at Khosla Associates where Shellugar was the senior design lead, while Mathias was interning there. Mathias then moved to Milan for a master’s degree in interior design, while Shellugar continued working at Khosla Associates. When Mathias returned to India in 2011, she could think of no better partner than Shellugar. And so FADD Studio (short for Farah and Dhaval Design Studio)…