Innholdsfortegnelse for Monday, October 9, 2023 i India Today

The South African stand-up comic Trevor Noah has a disarming way of picking on the world’s follies and funny accents. His topics can be dead serious, and you could die laughing listening to his post-mortems. When he landed in India last week, Noah ribbed audiences about the present spree of renaming or changing everything of colonial origin, saying, “We want to change the names of our cities and maybe even our country, but we don’t want to get rid of cricket. Oh no, no, no, not cricket. Not everything the Britishers did was all that bad, after all.” In a funny way, Trevor was right. We might have a conflicted relationship with all things foreign, but cricket has put down roots and gone native. It is now seen as thoroughly…

↘ On August 5, 2019, Centre revokes special status/autonomy of J&K granted under Article 370 of the Constitution ↘ Around 8,000 people were detained, including politicians, separatists and activists, amidst a blanket communication blackout and military build-up. Many are still behind bars ↘ Ex-CMs Farooq and Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, veteran Hurriyat leader, the late Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq put under house arrest ↘ NIA also launched probes into alleged links to terror funding against Geelani, his family, the Mirwaiz, and several others ↘ Geelani, Kashmir’s most hawkish separatist leader, passed away on Sept 1, 2021 ↘ Mirwaiz’s release on Sept 22, coming after release of clerics Abdul Rashid Dawoodi and Mushtaq Ahmad Veeri, marks a softening of policy…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Bhopal on September 25 to address a grand gathering of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cadres, organised on the completion of its Jan Ashirwad Yatra. Even as the PM flew back the same evening, most within the state BJP had no inkling of the surprise the party’s central command was about to spring on them later in the day. A second list of candidates for the Madhya Pradesh assembly election was announced that evening. It featured 39 names—among them seven Lok Sabha members, including three Union ministers. The following day, the BJP announced another candidate, taking the total to 79 and covering over a third of the 230 seats, even as the rival Congress is yet to come out with its first list. It was…

The country’s second most popular Chief Minister, Bhupesh Baghel, received praise for his work from 59.1 percent of the people. According to a recent survey, Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s popularity has increased. He ranks second among the most popular Chief Ministers in the country. In the survey, 59.1 percent of people expressed satisfaction with his work. The real reason behind his popularity is, in fact, his unique and pioneering schemes that have been implemented as the first-of-their-kind welfare programs in the country. These various schemes aim to achieve overall and rapid development of society. Let’s learn about these schemes that are rapidly transforming the lives of people in Chhattisgarh and also boosting Chief Minister Bhupesh’s popularity. Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Vojana Chhattisgarh is primarily an agricultural state, with approximately…

Former Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh recently found out that he has been displaced from his room at the party’s state headquarters. The Midnapore MP has a habit of meeting party workers over tea and puffed rice from time to time. However, recently when he entered the room designated for him at the party office, he found that the air-conditioner had been removed. He went to switch on the television only to find out that the cable had also been disconnected. Ghosh—who is credited as the most successful president of BJP’s Bengal unit—had no prior knowledge about this change. Ghosh’s predecessor Rahul Sinha has also lost his room to the ongoing revamp of the old building, which is slated to become a call centre.…

If there ever was a rags to riches story, it is Dhananjay’s. He was so poor he couldn’t afford a bicycle and dream of nothing more than a square meal. Today, as the Chairman & Managing Director of the Adil Trading, UAE he is driven around in a bespoke Rolls-Royce. Dhananjay’s story is that of perseverance triumphing over all odds. He inherited a fledgling business from his father and literally gave it wings. It has been almost 30 years since the Late Mahadeo Datar opened his store in the UAE. Today, the Adil Group of grocery shops has acquired a cult status among Indian expatriates with over 8000 varieties of authentic Indian foods, including spices, pickles and pappadams, serving them from 50 branches across UAE. Dhananjay was born in a…

NEW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH AN INVESTMENT OF 78 THOUSAND CRORE RUPEES A proposal for an investment of 78 thousand crore rupees is being made under the ambit of 167 MOUs for the establishment of new industries. This will provide employment to more than 90 thousand people. Together with the current situation, a total of 177 MOUs are impactful for the establishment of industries, involving an investment of 89 thousand 597 crore rupees and providing employment to 1 lakh 9 thousand 910 people. More than 90 units have initiated commercial production with an investment of over 4 thousand 126 crore rupees in the process of setting up industries by 11 units. In the category of the country’s poorest states, Chhattisgarh, which is now undergoing rapid change, stands out. In just over five…

From humble Golu dolls made of clay and wood to dazzling gold-leaf paintings, Tamil Nadu has a long and glorious handicrafts tradition that has been preserved and nurtured to the present day. Did you know that Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Gl tags among other Indian states? Of course, the Gl-tagged products include handicrafts, many of which have been crafted in Tamil Nadu for centuries. These include everything from Thanjavur paintings to Dindigul locks, Swamimalai bronze icons, Toda embroidery, Thanjavur art plates, Mamallapuram stone sculptures, temple jewellery of Nagercoil, Arumbavur wood carvings and many more. Many handicrafts also reflect their respective regions, such as the seashell handicrafts of Kanniyakumari. One of Tamil Nadu’s most coveted crafts is the Thanjavur gold leaf painting. Also known as Thanjavur painting, it…

Winter is coming. For birders, that’s not a Game of Thrones reference but a call to make travel plans as the migration season brings avian visitors to the subcontinent. Birders, for the uninitiated, are serious enthusiasts who make life lists and keep count of the species they see, while birdwatchers are mostly just casual observers. Birders may stretch their enthusiasm to great lengths, often making transcontinental air-hops to see their ‘target species’. This kind of trophy-hunting, derisively called twitching, is not loved by climate activists. That said, as birding gains popularity, so have the destinations that birders seek out. This limited list of the top birding destinations in India is one that will most certainly ruffle some feathers. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand With over 580 recorded species, Corbett is…

Any anthology on jewellery is bound to be a passionate narrative since nothing outlines desire quite as evocatively as pirouetting jewels strung together in metal’s sensual embrace. So also the case with Francesca Amfitheatrof’s tome on Louis Vuitton’s revolutionary jewellery collections. The Artistic Director of Jewelry and Watches from the Maison brings home a new perspective to the ancient art of jewellery design with this book, much as a storyteller would with a novel. This book offers the reader an engrossing read and glimpse into four extraordinary jewel the alchemical journey lery collections, detailing from raw materials and drawing board inspiration to the final rendition of the refined jewel. Written in a journal-like style and picketed with sketches, gouaches, collages, and personal photographs, fabulous jewels showcase the artistry with which…

Anniversaries are the perfect time to review, renew and refresh past mandates, especially when it comes to marquee brands. So it came as no surprise when watch brand Frederique Constant unveiled a new version of Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture to celebrate 35 incredible years of its journey. The anniversary offering includes two Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture watches—one in 18-carat rose gold in a limited edition of 35 and the other in an unlimited edition in steel sporting a chocolate-coloured dial. Both variations feature a 41mm diameter and comes with either one or two additional, interchangeable straps. The contemporary watch has a classic multifaceted case that shows off the shimmering gleam of precious metal to the optimum; the Manufacture has enhanced the resulting interplay of light by offsetting the brushed case with a…

SRINAGAR TAJ VIVANTA Nestled in the shadow of the Zabarwan mountains with sweeping views of the Dal Lake, the Taj Vivanta occupies a place all its own in Srinagar. Peerless. Tariff: Best Available Rate | Packages start @₹33,000 per night Contact +91 194-2461111 bookvivanta.srinagar@tajhotels.com LEH | NUBRA VALLEY TUTC CHAMBA CAMPS Period-luxury meets glamping at the TUTC Chamba camps replete with canvas, leather and rattan furniture, butler on call and fine dining. There’s a distinct ‘Days of the Raj,’ ambience at the camp, presumably to cater to a British and European clientele. Tariff ₹45000—55000 (per two-person tent, inclusive of all meals) Contact +901 80109 02222 info@tutc.com PANGONG LAKE THE MERAK Eco-friendly huts with unfettered views of the Lake on one side and snow-capped peaks on the other the Merak exemplifies…

Hundreds of years ago, when the classical age of tobacco was flowering, cigars had whimsical names. The most recherché one is Shakespearean: Romeo y Julieta, founded in 1875 and made legendary by billionaire aristocrat José Rodriguez Fernández aka Don Pepin. Feeling the thick, firm texture of the brand’s tobacco leaves plucked from the Vuelta Abajo area—Cuban tobacco’s Garden of Eden where temptation is worshipped than cursed—is touching the grain of history and literature. Smoking a Romeo y Julieta Churcills, a Mille Fleurs, a number 3, or a Petitt Julieta; savouring their nutty, floral, herbal and woody flavours is serenading a legend on the terazza of legacy. The cigars were Winston Churchill’s favourites, and the marquee honours its celebrated fanboy with eponymous, AÑejados, Petit, and Wide versions. The seven-inch long cigar…

If you thought OTT was the ultimate disruptor in the entertainment see-scape, it’s time for the curtain raiser. PVR Director’s Cut has elevated the theatre experience with enough drama to befit a Yash Raj production film set. We are not just talking plush leather recliners, 4K laser projection, and Dolby Atmos surround sound, but the mood-altering ambience that resonates with a luxe family lounge feel. A vibe has been envisaged that includes premium finishes in muted greys and gold for the cinema’s brand new avatar, with specially curated artworks that bedeck the walls, and state-of-the-art clean air technology that maintains AQI levels below 50! And that’s just ambient technology; the In-Seat Cinema App, your own in-house genie, allows guests to order food and drink without leaving their seats and even…

Let’s face it. We all eagerly wait for September. Not just for the pleasant fall weather but to take a byte out of the proverbial Apple. After all, it’s that time of the year when the Cupertino-based giant brings out new iPhones. This year they went a step further and brought quite a few changes in the form of the new iPhone 15 series. A total of four iPhones were launched and here is everything you need to know about the new metallic marvels. iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus: Focussed on Sustainability Available in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes, they ditch the notch found in the previous models, and now feature the Dynamic Island cutout for interactive alerts and activities. The tech specs do not stop at that, the Super…

On September 10, Janata Dal (United) national president Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh once again raised the ‘Nitish (Kumar) for PM’ issue, a bogey that seems to raise its head every three months or so nowadays despite remonstrations by the man himself. In a video posted on Twitter, Lalan Singh was seen addressing a gathering in Nalanda, the Bihar chief minister’s home district, to virtually claim Nitish had better credentials to lead the country than many others. “Aap sabon ne ek aisa neta iss desh ko diya hai jo poore desh ka netritva karne ke liye khada hai (You have given a leader to this country who is ready to lead all its citizens),” Lalan is heard saying. The location, the Harnaut seat in Nalanda from where Nitish was first…

↘ Just like in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP was first off the mark in Chhattisgarh, coming out with a list of 21 candidates on August 17 ↘ The names include Durg MP Vijay Baghel (inset, right) from Patan, which Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel represents ↘ The 21 seats are the ones where the BJP is relatively weak, and it wants to give its candidates ample time to reach out to the electorate ↘ It will also give the party a chance for course-correction if there’s any negative feedback ↘ The BJP has eight Lok Sabha members from the state, besides Durg MP. Some of them could also get a ticket ↘ Like in MP, the Congress has yet to declare its candidates. Internal surveys point to anti-incumbency against many of…

In a media interaction on September 24, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that his party will win the upcoming assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. For Rajasthan, however, he said the contest would be pretty close. It’s natural that most politicians predict victory for their party in the run-up to elections, but Rahul’s statement on Rajasthan has raised several eyebrows within the party. Speculation is that by not expressing confidence of a victory the way he has done in the other three states, the Gandhi scion has indirectly sent a message to Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot who declined to step down last year when he was asked to contest for the post of Congress president. The first family of the Congress never forgets a snub, it seems.…

ARSHDEEP SINGH DALA, 27 Gangster/Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) A dreaded gangster from Punjab’s Moga, Dala moved to Canada with wife, daughter in 2020. Based in Surrey, he worked closely with KTF chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Pakistan-based ISYF chief Lakhbir Singh Rode. Set up modules for targeted killings/extortion in Punjab, Haryana. Faces 26 FIRs in Punjab, Interpol’s red-corner notice. SATINDERJIT SINGH, a.k.a. GOLDY BRAR, 35 Gangster Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s second-in-command, he is running the gang’s extortion racket and other criminal activities from Canada, where he moved in 2017. Allegedly ordered the hit on singer Sidhu Moosewala and ran terror modules for KTF to carry out targeted killings in Punjab. Faces at least 13 FIRs back home, two red-corner notices. Some reports suggest he escaped to the US in 2022. LAKHBIR…

2014 T20 WORLD CUP HOST: Bangladesh Finish: Runners-up Winner: SRI LANKA 2016 T20 WORLD CUP HOST: India Finish: Semi-finals Winner: WEST INDIES 2017 CHAMPIONS TROPHY HOST: England & Wales Finish: Runners-up Winner: PAKISTAN 2021 WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP Finish: Runners-up Winner: NEW ZEALAND 2021 T20 WORLD CUP HOST: UAE & Oman Finish: Group stage Winner: AUSTRALIA 2022 T20 WORLD CUP HOST: Australia Finish: Semi-finals Winner: ENGLAND 2023 ICC WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP Finish: Runners-up Winner: AUSTRALIA…

Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana • Support price of 2500 rupees for rice • Purchase of 20 quintals of rice per acre • Improved farming through cooperative policies Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Bhoomiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana • Policies for procurement of tendu leaves and minor forest produce Chhattisgarh Government’s Half Electricity Bill Scheme • Free and affordable electricity for farmers' irrigation pumps Dr. Khubchand Baghel Health Assistance Scheme Employment and self-reliance through Godhan Justice Scheme Shri Dhanvantari Generic Medical Stores Scheme Suraji Goan Yojana and Narva, Garva, Ghurva, Badi Development Program Chhattisgarh Millet Mission and procurement at support prices for Kodo-Kutki and Ragi Waiver of 9270 crore rupees in loans for 17.82 lakh farmers Distribution of agriculture loans worth 6067 crore rupees to 13.62 lakh farmers Assistance of nearly 130…

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What is your favourite travel destination? That’s a tough one! Switzerland is a forever favourite for both Saif and me. I prefer beaches for fun with friends and family. London, New York and Dubai are my favourite shopping destinations. So ‘all-time favourite’ depends on the purpose of travel! (Laughs.) In India, my favourite destinations are Ladakh and Rajasthan. I have been to Ladakh for so many shoots and it surprises me every time. I love Rajasthani food and the colour one sees everywhere! How do you manage those effortless airport looks? I never skip sleep before and after a flight. I got used to jet lag early in life. Even now if it hits, I catch up on sleep and hydrate, which helps minimise exhaustion. The first thing I do…

Butter me Up Coco Paradise is the name of the new tropical collection from Bath & Body Works, and no prizes for guessing why. Sensual, exotic and dreamy, it’s the sweetest way to escape to paradise. With salted coconut monoi, sugared neroli and bronzed sandalwood, need we remind you, life’s a beach! Price ₹2,499 (Body Butter); Availability Brand stores; bathandbodyworks.in Forever fragrance True, perfume is a mood elevator, but with so many fragrances to suit different dispositions, there are few that are whimsical, warm the heart, and soothe the soul; Idôle from Lancôme captures that everyday vibe. Its unique blend of cleanliness, freshness, and floral notes is as elegant as it is individualistic. Price ₹ 9,500 (Eau De Parfum) 100 ml An Apple a day… …In the absence of which,…

As the glitzy neon arms of the unending skyline snake their way up to embrace the night skies, it’s difficult not to get starry eyed. It isn’t just because you’re squinting to locate the crown on the world’s tallest building, but because Dubai is conceived and executed as a library of superlatives: the most glittering gold souk, the most luxurious hotels, the largest man-made island on the planet, The Palm, and even the world’s most extensive natural flower garden. It captures the grandiosity of Las Vegas, while retaining the exotica of the desert, in an oasis of indulgence whose Mission statement probably reads, ‘Nothing is Impossible’. More than a bumper sticker tagline, it breathes life into a ‘king size’ kind of vibe; a pulse that throbs with electricity that emboldens…

Minute repeaters are one of those horological complications that can best be described as mechanical masterpieces. In addition to the actual movement, they involve a chiming mechanism consisting mainly of hammers striking a gong-spring. Further, the various materials used in its design must have acoustic qualities. Last, but not the least, all the components have to be small enough to fit into a modestly sized case. Obviously, it is a skill that requires exacting standards, long years of experience and unparalleled dexterity, Price taking more than a month of work to create a minute repeater. Contrary to appearances, the minimalist dial of the 7637 uses a unique craft: the grand feu enamelling technique. The new Classique Répétition Minutes is fitted with a black alligator leather strap secured by a gold…

Ajit Pawar’s chief ministerial ambitions have never been a secret. Now, there are other aspirants for the post from the Pawar parivar. Ajit’s nephew and Karjat-Jamkhed MLA Rohit Pawar’s supporters put up banners hailing him as a “future chief minister”. Others claim that NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) chief Sharad Pawar wants to see his daughter and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule take charge as the state’s first woman chief minister. Family politics has taken on another dimension with the Pawars.…

The first inkling that India-Canada relations were in free fall came during the recently concluded G20 summit. India turned down Canada’s request for a bilateral meeting and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had only a pull-aside chat with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau instead. During their discussions, while Modi expressed his deep concerns over the continuing anti-India activities by Khalistan extremists, Trudeau talked tough about “the importance of respecting the rule of law” and concerns about “foreign interference”. It was, however, Trudeau’s actions that followed the meeting that signalled how ties between the two countries had gone truly downhill. When Trudeau’s prime ministerial aircraft developed a technical snag before take-off in New Delhi, he refused India’s offer to fly him back in another aircraft and waited two days, confined mostly to…

1950s-1960s Under the Colombo Plan, India becomes largest beneficiary of Canadian aid. Civil nuclear cooperation results in the CIRUS nuclear research reactor with Canadian collaboration being commissioned in Trombay. Canada also agrees to cooperate in building civilian nuclear reactor technology for power supply. 1974 The Pokhran 1 nuclear test see Canada accuse India of misusing Cirus for bomb-making, cutting off all nuclear cooperation and pushing for worldwide nuclear sanctions against India. Western countries, including Canada, treat India as a nuclear pariah and set up a stringent regime to prevent transfer of technology and nuclear material to Delhi. 1980s Migration from India, especially Punjab, rises due to changes in Canada’s Immigration Act. Canadian PM Pierre Trudeau, father of Justin Trudeau, doesn’t heed Indian PM Indira Gandhi’s warnings about Khalistani elements, as…

1975 FINISH: Group stage, 1W - 2L Winner: WEST INDIES 1979 FINISH: Group stage, 3L Winner: WEST INDIES 1983 ENGLAND ENGLAND & WALES FINISH: 6W - 2L Winner: INDIA INDIA HAD TO WAIT 28 YEARS AFTER KAPIL’S DEVILS FIRST LIFTED THE WORLD CUP IN ’83. AFTER 2011, WILL THIS BE ROHIT SHARMA’S SWANSONG? 1987 ENGLAND INDIA & PAKISTAN FINISH: Semi-finals, W5-L2 Winner: AUSTRALIA 1992 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND FINISH: Round robin stage W2-L5-NR1 Winner: PAKISTAN 1996 INDIA, PAKISTAN & SRI LANKA FINISH: Semi-finals, W4, L3 Winner: SRI LANKA 1999 ENGLAND, IRELAND, NETHERLANDS, SCOTLAND, WALES FINISH: Super six, W4-L4 2003 KENYA, SOUTH AFRICA & ZIMBABWE Winner: AUSTRALIA FINISH: Runners-up, W9-L2 2007 WEST INDIES FINISH: Group stage, W1-L2 Winner: AUSTRALIA 2011 BANGLADESH, INDIA & SRI LANKA FINISH: W9-L1-T1 Winner: INDIA THE IMAGE…

1 SUN. OCT. 8 IST 2:00 PM vs Australia M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai India begins its quest for a third title against the five-time champions on a traditionally spin-friendly wicket. India did well against the Aussies in the recently-concluded home series, but the last time they met in Chennai in March, Australia won. 2 WED. OCT. 11 IST 2:00 PM vs Afghanistan Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi India will be favourites as they play Afghanistan at a venue they haven’t lost an ODI match in since 1982. Spinners rule the roost in Delhi, where the ball keeps low. The short boundaries, though, always keep the batters in with a chance. 3 SAT. OCT. 14 IST 2:00 PM vs Pakistan Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad The marquee clash unfolds at the world’s largest stadium, which…

Dhoni finishes it off in style…India wins the World Cup….” That was Ravi Shastri’s booming voice resonating across TV sceens in the country as India lifted the 2011 World Cup in Mumbai. Twelve years later, the 50-overs World Cup is back on Indian soil, only this time the expectations are even higher than the six that lit up the Mumbai skyline. The relentless multi-media machine is already asking with breathless excitement: who will play the role of a Dhoni-style grand finisher and take India to the summit once again? How distinct is this boundless ambition and hype from the first time, when India travelled for the inaugural World Cup in England in 1975? Or indeed before India completed the ultimate underdog triumph in 1983? The ’75 World Cup is best…

Kannauj, where delicate fragrances have been distilled the traditional way using copper stills for centuries, has always been the unofficial perfume capital of India. Now, thanks to eighth-generation perfume scion Pranav Kapoor of Indian Naturals, visitors can enjoy an immersive perfume tour of Kannauj consisting of visits to an archaeological museum, flower plantation and perfume distillery. Stays are in the Courtyard Suite at 24 MG Road, the ancestral home and heritage perfumery dating from 1912. While the family stays upstairs, the ground floor with the perfumery has been refurbished for the guest experience and includes a fragrance gallery, perfume bar and the suite. Guests get to create their signature scent, identify ingredients and blend at the perfume bar here. Multi-course gourmet meals are rustled up by Pranav himself who happens…

The Raviz Group of Hotels has embarked on an ambitious endeavor to revive an ancient tourist route that once connected the southern regions of Kerala with Tamil Nadu. This historical route, which thrived during the 1970s and 80s, served as a bustling trading path between Tamil Nadu and Kollam, a major port in Kerala. The revitalized route has been aptly named ‘The Copper Plate Circuit’ in homage to Kerala’s oldest copper plate document, the ‘Tharisappalli Sasanam.’ This ancient decree, issued by King Ayyanadikal Thiruvadikal, granted land and privileges to Syrian Christians, providing tangible evidence of pre-European Christianity in Kerala. The Copper Plate Circuit seamlessly links Kanyakumari, Thiruchendur, Srivilliputhur, Thenkasi, and Madurai to the southern regions of Kerala, offering a diverse range of experiences that span centuries and cultures. The journey…

ALBERT EINSTEIN ONCE FAMOUSLY NOTED: “The distinction between the past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.” It is this illusion that Dubai has carefully and constantly recreated to reinvent itself and reimagine the future. Interestingly, the most recent addition to the Emirate’s litany of iconic landmarks is the Museum of the Future, which explores the possibilities and potential of future societies. Given its transformation from a trading port to a hedonistic hotspot that sports many global firsts, Spice did a deep dive into what enthrals the world about this escapist haven. From the tallest building to the most glittering gold souk, to decadent hotels, the largest man-made island, and even the world’s most extensive natural flower garden, Dubai now adds the world’s longest, steepest, fastest urban zipline,…

Are you being Served? Oozing oodles of panache, barware and stemware couldn’t get any more funky than this Funky Bull Dog Figurine from Smokey Cocktail. Their recent masterpiece: the Storage Sculpture collection is a clever ensemble that seamlessly combines practicality with opulence. For inspiration alone, this amusing bull dog in green with gold accents is a conversation starter, if not poised as a post-modern artwork. Price ₹19,999; Availability www.smokeycocktail.com March of the Icons What do you call a collaboration between two iconic British fashion brands? Fortuitous! Mulberry and Paul Smith have just launched an exclusive collection of leather bags that embodies the best of craftsmanship as well as the quintessentially British wit and spirit—time to bag that arm candy. Price on request; Availability Paul Smith Stores at DLF Emporio and Jio…

Neemrana’s Three Waters House Nos. 7 & 8, Postawaddo, Betul, South Goa - 403723 Tariff ₹14,000-25,000 plus taxes Contact +91-124-4666166, reservations@neemranahotels.com Bawri House No. 3, Survey No. 161/11, Saunta Vaddo, Assagao, Bardez, Goa 403507 Timings 12-3.30pm, 7-11.30pm (closed Tuesdays) Meal for two ₹3,000 (without alcohol) Contact +91-9205056766/8080623685 The Barfly Anjuna Mapusa Road, Saunto Vaddo, Assagao, Goa 403507 Timings 1pm-1am (closed Tuesdays) Meal for two ₹3,000 (without alcohol) Contact +91-9209196700…