Travel 3sixty May 2018

May 2018

ISSUE 14

India

Take a walk on the wild side with me, but leave me behind! Read me online.

AirAsia Inflight Magazine

Stories of the Hills Lansdowne, Uttarakhand

RECORD RECORDPLACEMENT PLACEMENT IN INDELHI DELHI--NCR NCR

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10368 Participants | 1296 Teams | 36 Hours of nonstop coding 10368 Participants 1296 Teams | 36 Hours of nonstop coding 28| centres across the country 28 centres across the country

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Tanzeem Fatima-MBA Tanzeem Fatima-MBA 81.50% Silver Medal (16-17) 81.50% Silver Medal (16-17)

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Issue 14

Navigator

May 2018

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Wanderlust – TravelHer

Wanderlust – Tharangambadi

Wanderlust – Maharashtra

Wanderlust – Lansdowne

A Snow-ful Sojourn

Cultural Concoction

Of Chisels and Tomes

High Holiday

Blogger Rhucha Kulkarni sets out on a journey to Gulmarg with her best friend Namita to create some memories.

Explore the remnants of Danish heritage in Tharangambadi, Tamil Nadu.

Head to Bhilar, India's first and only 'book village', in Maharashtra.

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Wanderlust – Lenscape

Wanderlust – Uttar Pradesh

Wanderlust – Pachmarhi

Gold Rush in Gold Coast

Winging it in Uttar Pradesh!

India excelled at the XXI Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Observe the winged beauties in five well-preserved nature parks of Uttar Pradesh.

Discover Lansdowne in Uttarakhand, one of the best places to relax in nature’s lap.

The Jewel of Central India Visit Pachmarhi, the only hill station in Madhya Pradesh, and explore its many attractions.

travel360 won Gold in the 2017 Galaxy Awards (USA) for Best Design Bound Publications in the Travel and Tourism Category

Issue 14

Navigator

May 2018

Here’s the Buzz on AirAsia’s Social Media I am very grateful to the ground staff of AirAsia at Biju Patnaik Airport, Bhubaneshwar for retrieving my camera from the screening area and delivering it to my flight before takeoff. A special mention to Mr. Sanjay Mohanty who immediately took action and ensured the camera reached me before boarding was completed. Much gratitude.

Ayesha Mahanti

It was an awesome experience travelling from CCU to JAI with AirAsia.

Wonderful staff Indrasish and Rusha from Kolkata helped me a lot.

Image: Anant Agarwal

Abdulwahid Alameri

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From the Flight Deck

Cover To Cover

10 Safety Above All

20 Interview

Author Christopher Doyle talks about Son of Bhrigu, the first book of The Pataala Prophecy series

Captain Mukesh Nema, Head, Corporate & Flight Safety, AirAsia India, talks about safety while onboard

14 Red Fort

News update from

Experience the rich heritage of Ahmedabad in Gujarat

Vanity Fare

84 All That Glitters

24 Latest Releases

Sparkle this season

with these trendy picks

Calendar

Latest movie and music releases in the month of May

16 Hot Dates

Future Forward

Events across the globe in May

City Canvas

Movies & Music

AirAsia

28 Ahmedabad, Gujarat

26 Smart Homes

Smarten up your homes with these hi- tech gadgets.

Cabin Comfort

86 Joy of Flying Inflight exercises by fitness guru Troy Bantleman

87 In Touch 88 Route Map 92 Destinations

Very pleasant encounter with Ms Shriti at the AirAsia's boarding pass counter. Very dutiful and helpful staff. Thanks AirAsia team.

Dnyanesh Moghe

Swastika, I am very happy with the services you have provided and also for the extra support and care you gave me since my hand was broken. I am very happy with your service.

Keep it up.

Salim Khan

Thanks to Jagannath Mohapatra at Bhubaneshwar Airport for giving me a very comfortable seat.

Thanks AirAsia for the wonderful services.

Vivek Kumar

I had a wonderful customer service experience at AirAsia's counter in Bhubaneshwar. Thanks to Jahan Ara Khanam for an exceptional service and for going the extra mile to help out the passengers in need.

Kim Thangjom

India

Issue 14 May 2018

AirAsia India

Singapore

Regional Managing Editor R. Rajendra

51 Goldhill Plaza, #07-10/11, Singapore 308900, Tel: +65 31632622

Manager, Public Relations Divya Kumar

UAE

Executive, Public Relations Sanya Kaushik

Maxposure Media Group India Pvt. Ltd CEO & Managing Director Prakash Johari Director Vikas Johari Editor Abhishek Chakraborty Submissions airasia@maxposuremedia.com Advertising info@maxposuremedia.com Marketing marketing@maxposuremedia.com Website maxposuremedia.com India Maxposure Media Group India Pvt Ltd

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On the Cover

International Representation North America Canada, Wayne Saint John The New Base, Tel: +1 416 363 1388, wayne.stjohn@thenewbase.com

Europe France, Nicolas Devos IMM International, Tel: +331 40137905, n.devos@imm-international.com

London, David Simpson Simpson Media Ltd, Tel: +44 79 00885456

Lansdowne, Uttarakhand Photography: Dev Raghvendra

david@simpson-media.com

Russia/Switzerland, Gleb Korotkov Halfbudget, Tel: + 7 9852243800, +41 767102525, info@halfbudget.com

Turkey, Tan Bilge, Media Ltd., Tel: +90 212 2758433, tanbilge@medialtd.com.tr

Far East Hong Kong/Indonesia Peter Jeffery Asian Integrated Media Ltd. Tel +852 39106388 peterjeffery@asianimedia.com

Japan, Michiko Kawano Pacific Business Inc Tel: +813 36616138 kawano-pbi@gol.com

Malaysia, Shallie Cheng Mind Sense Sdn.Bhd., Tel: +601 22873092 shalliecheng@gmail.com

South Korea, Jung-Won Suh Sinsegi Media Inc. Tel: +82 27858222 sinsegi-2@sinsegimedia.info

Thailand, Stephen Marsh Media Representation International Tel: +66 22042699, stephen@mediarepint.com

Australia Sydney, Charlton D’Silva Publisher’s Internationalé Tel: +612 92523476 charlton.dsilva@pubintl.com.au

CIN No U22229DL2006PTC152087 travel360 India magazine is printed and published by Prakash Johari on behalf of AirAsia India and published at Maxposure Media Group (India) Pvt. Ltd. (MMGIPL), #TheAddress, Plot No. 62, Okhla Phase III, New Delhi-110020, India. travel360 India is published monthly. All rights reserved. The writing, artwork and/or photography contained herein may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of MMGIPL. MMGIPL does not assume responsibility for loss or damage of unsolicited products, manuscripts, photographs, artwork, transparencies or other materials. The views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or AirAsia India. All efforts have been made while compiling the content of this magazine, but we assume no responsibility for the effects arising there from. For inquiries | MMGIPL tel: +91.11.43011111, www. maxposuremedia.com.

from the flight deck

1. Captain Mukesh Nema (fourth from right in back row) with his Safety brigade at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru.

2. Captain Mukesh Nema, Head, Corporate & Flight Safety, AirAsia India

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Safety Above All 05 18

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Greetings from the Safety department of AirAsia! Next time your flight lands, if the captain thanks you for choosing the safest form of travel and wishes you a safe ride home, I am sure you will be surprised. Pause and think, do you ever question if your cab driver is rested, trained, medically fit? Is the cab in good condition? Has the driver read his car handbook (can you recall where your car handbook is?)

This is primarily the reason why aviation is currently the safest mode of transportation on land or over the seas. Now that I have your attention, here’s a small peek into what goes into aviation safety. A survey conducted among AirAsia Allstars indicated that we prioritise safety above all; ‘Safety Always’ is also one of our values!

Start from how the aircraft is conceived - it takes several years before the initial blue print takes into the blue yonder. A lot of time, money and resources go into creating a safe flying machine.

When the simulations are done and the metal reinforced into an elegant bird, loads of testing and test runs are carried out on ground

and in the air before any aircraft is declared operational.

Pilots, who are said to have the offices with the best view undergo rigorous training before they qualify for the license to train further. They undergo an exhaustive selection process and training before they enter the cockpit. Their training also covers inter-personal communication and regulatory aspects. Corporate safety plays a major role in ensuring that all regulatory policies and procedures are adhered to.

The maintenance team is the one that ensures that the aircraft is always airworthy and ready to take on the schedule for the day, so they pretty much work through the night. Before the engineers get to work on aircraft in their smart uniforms, they spend a lot of time watching airplanes being fixed and taking exams. They’re the ones in charge when an aircraft needs maintenance (it’s a machine after all) and have the authority to say it will take time to ensure that the level of safety is never compromised.

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Cabin crew, whom you interact with during your flight are the face of the airline. They undergo a thorough training to ensure that you have a safe and comfortable flight (in that sequence). They have stringent timelines and procedures to adhere to and follow a checklist before every flight. Then they have the safety demonstration, ensuring that all passengers adhere to laid down procedures. The inflight service, right from the cart to the thermos to the packaging of the meals is designed to ensure cabin safety.

Should you fall in onboard, don’t fret, they are trained in first-aid and are armed with equipment to attend to you. We have you covered even when you are high above in the sky.

This is a very short insight into how the airline manages safety.

It’s called the Safety Management System that all airlines have. It’s an effective process designed to pick up a flaw before it shows up and ensures that the skies are always safer than the ground.

Hope you enjoyed the flight with us; take care and get home safe!

Enjoy amazing deals exclusively on the AirAsia Mobile App! Download now:

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Red Fort AirAsia India Inaugurates New Aircraft & Routes

Roberto Carlos Is AirAsia’s New Global Ambassador AirAsia recently announced the appointment of legendary Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos as a new global brand ambassador. The announcement was made at Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral with AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat and AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail in attendance.

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said, “No one embodies the 'dare to dream' spirit like Roberto Carlos. From playing on the streets of Garça and deciding to be a professional footballer at 12, to the amazing free kick against France and winning the World Cup, he has shown that when he wants something, he will see it through to the end. We couldn’t be prouder to have such a fighter in our roster of world champion brand ambassadors.”

1. Football legend Roberto Carlos (fourth from left) with Riad Asmat, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia (third from left), and Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X Malaysia (third from right) with AirAsia Cabin Crew.

05 18

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AirAsia Teams Up With Plug and Play

AirAsia India has announced the induction of its 18th aircraft and the introduction of four new routes connecting Kolkata. The 18th aircraft will be stationed in Kolkata, which is also the third base for AirAsia India, connecting it to Imphal, Pune, Visakhapatnam and Guwahati, in addition to increasing the frequency of flights between Kolkata and Bagdogra.

Announcing the development, Amar Abrol, MD & CEO, AirAsia India, said, “We’re happy to be expanding our presence in Kolkata with these new routes connecting Tier II and Tier III cities. 2018 continues to be an exciting year for us and we look forward to enabling many more people to experience affordable air travel.”

Guests can book their flights on airasia.com or the AirAsia Mobile App and avail fares from as low as `1699 for flights connecting Kolkata - Visakhapatnam, Kolkata - Imphal, and Kolkata - Guwahati; and `3499 for Kolkata - Pune.

Currently flying to 19 destinations with its hubs in

AirAsia recently announced a partnership with Plug and Play Tech Center, a global startup innovation platform headquartered in Silicon Valley.

AirAsia will work as an anchor partner of Plug and Play’s Travel and Hospitality programme to mentor new businesses and collaborate with emerging technologies.

Plug and Play Founder and CEO Saeed Amidi said, “We are here to help AirAsia engage with the most promising startups in the industry and bring new ideas into their business. Their expertise will be a great addition to our ecosystem and we welcome them to Silicon Valley.”

AirAsia is a pioneer in adopting new technologies to improve travel experience. At the airport, AirAsia was an early adopter of self-service kiosks that allow guests to check in, print their boarding pass and bag tags.

Recently, AirAsia debuted its Fast Airport Clearance Experience System (FACES) facial recognition boarding gates, making it the first airline in Asia to be fully automated from check-in to boarding.

“This partnership - the first of many to keep a finger on the pulse of innovation - will allow us to identify leading edge technologies that will help maintain our leadership in cost and customer experience and transform AirAsia from an airline into a global digital company.” ~ Aireen Omar, AirAsia Deputy Group CEO, Digital, Transformation and Corporate Services

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Bengaluru, New Delhi and Kolkata covering Kochi, Goa, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Pune, Guwahati, Imphal, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Srinagar, Bagdogra, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Nagpur, Indore and Chennai, AirAsia India is fast becoming India’s preferred low-cost carrier.

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calendar

Hot Dates Check out what's hot and happening in May!

New Delhi

The Yogshala Expo 2018 May 4-6

Gangtok, Sikkim

Saga Dawa May 29 Buddhist monks believe that during Saga Dawa or the Triple Blessed Festival, merits of good deeds are multiplied manifold. Prayers are

Hyderabad, Telangana

PunchLiners: Comedy Show ft. Aditi Mittal May 18 Get ready to laugh your head off with stand-up comedian Aditi Mittal who is all set to cast her brand of humour on the people of Hyderabad. With her trademark comedy act, she is a regular feature at almost all the comedy festivals across the country. Aditi also happens to be the first Indian comedian to have performed at The Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, USA.

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held at several monasteries, after which the monks carry holy texts and statues of Lord Buddha out on the streets, where people gather to receive blessings. sikkimtourism.gov.in

Bengaluru, Karnataka

Inksoul Tattoo Festival

May 25-27 Touted as one of the biggest in India, the Bengaluru edition of the Inksoul Tattoo Festival brings together the finest of tattoo artists from across the globe. With numerous music bands performing across the venue, a charming flea market and a buzzing food street, this cultural extravaganza is set to enthrall people. inksoultattoofestival.com

Image: The Yogshala Expo 2017

05 18

Participate in meditation camps, try ayurvedic products showcased on a global platform, and attend naturopathy seminars at the 2018 edition of The Yogshala Expo. With 150plus exhibitors and 25 speakers from 20 countries, this event brings together like-minded individuals interested in yoga, ayurveda, homeopathy, unani and siddha, indigenous systems of medicines, from across the globe. theyogshalaexpo. com

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calendar Palangkaraya, Indonesia

Isen Mulang Cultural Festival 2018 May 19 Celebrated in conjunction with the anniversary of the city of Palangkaraya, the Isen Mulang

Cultural Festival is an annual gathering that showcases the diverse culture of the region. It is a platform for local artists and the youth of Indonesia to display their prowess in singing, dancing, and the performing arts. indonesia-tourism.com

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Miri, Malaysia

Miri May Fest May 1-31 Aiming to promote togetherness among the people of Miri, the fest comprises of various entertainment programmes along with recreational and social activities organised by the various NGOs of the city. tourism.gov.my

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Beijing, China

Great Wall Marathon May 19 Runners need to climb 3,700 steps and run on the Great Wall of China as part of the Great Wall Marathon – an event that combines sports, culture and travel. The 42.2-km-

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long race takes participants through the scenic vistas of the countryside.

The marathon starts from the village of Huangyaguan, 120 kms east of Beijing, and attracts participants from about a dozen countries. great-wall-marathon.com

1. The seahorse, the symbol of the city of Miri, Malaysia.

2. Trojan women from the National Changgeuk Company of Korea.

Singapore

Singapore International Festival of Arts

Till May 12 Now into its 41st year, the Singapore International Festival of Arts 2018 will present diverse and distinctive works from Singapore and around the world. Theatre, music, dance, literary and visual arts are a part and parcel of the festival. sifa.sg

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cover to cover

When Science Meets Mythology Author Christopher Doyle's writings draw such logical lines between make-believe and reality, readers are hard-pressed to distinguish one from the other. Here, he takes readers to a new world of mythology, connecting the past to the present!

05 18

What led you to write fiction?

I wanted to be a published author since I was 10. In the mid-1990s, I was fascinated by non-fiction books that explained ancient historical mysteries using science. I began wondering if it was possible to use scientific facts to explain some of the stories in the Mahabharata, but I didn’t find any author who had explored this perspective. I found my love for fiction writing when I started narrating stories to my daughter over 12 years ago. She was deeply interested in history and mythology, so I began penning a story for her that used science to explain well-known concepts from the Mahabharata.

Why should one read your book, The Pataala Prophecy: Son Of Bhrigu?

Son of Bhrigu is a fantasy thriller set in modern times filled with mystery and suspense and based

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on Indian mythology. It has modern characters as well as some personalities from mythology and is rooted deeply in our ancient texts, connecting the past to the present. I have tried to ensure that the fantasy is believable and relatable to real life by drawing heavily on texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Mahabharata. And, of course, it has my trademark action scenes along with puzzles and riddles to be solved in the pursuit of unravelling a mystery from ancient India.

You must have done a lot of research before writing this book. Do you recall any interesting incidents from these explorations?

One memorable incident is when I was reading scientific white papers on virus reproduction

Quick Files

Any book you wish you would have written?

The Lord of the Rings.

Books or E-books?

Definitely books!

for The Alexander Secret on a flight and a lady sitting next to me asked if I was a virologist. I explained that I am an author and she told me that her uncle was the Regional Director for WHO, Southeast Asia and that he was a leading virologist. Coincidentally, at that time, I was searching for a virology expert to help me with the theory I was looking at to explain the Samudra manthan (churning of the ocean) myth and connecting it to Alexander the Great. It is amazing that this chance interaction led me to find an eminent virologist whose contribution was invaluable to the book.

Tell us something about you that very few people know.

I wrote my first book at the age of 14. It was a science fiction novel. Unfortunately, it never got published.

What is the worst criticism you have ever received?

I have spent a lot of time studying the Mahabharata. Considering that the Mahabharata has one lakh shlokas (verse), this was no easy task. So it hurt when I read a review that claimed I had not read the book. However, I welcome all kind of criticisms in good spirit.

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According to guinnessworldrecords.com, the author with the most published works is L. Ron Hubbard (USA). The first of his 1,084 writings was published in February 1934, and the last in March 2006.

cover to cover

The Haunted Ghost Aayush Das; BecomeShakespeare.com

To terrify us on quiet nights and to take us on a journey through life and death, Aayush Das builds a story that creates a sustained sense of terror. This book traces the adventurous journey of the protagonist who falls in love with a girl who has been dead for seven years!

The Legend of Kuldhara

Sneak Peek

Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism’s Greatest Thinker Pavan K. Varma; Tranquebar

The book takes readers on an ideological tour of the philosophies underlying the ancient religion of Hinduism. It chronicles the life of 8th century Indian philosopher and theologian, Adi Shankaracharya.

Happyness: Life Lessons From a Creative Addict

Malathi Ramachandran Publisher: Niyogi Books

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On one fateful night in the early 19th century, something happened in Kuldhara, a village in Rajasthan.

We hear of the Diwan of Jaisalmer coveting the village chieftain’s daughter.

We hear of the Paliwal community abandoning their 84 villages overnight, leaving behind a curse.

So much lies buried under the shifting sands, the silken, restless dust, that one wonders, what ever happened here?

The Legend of Kuldhara is the story of what might have happened after that night, an attempt to understand the reality of this village.

Pull of Pulses Full of Beans

Dr Yusuf Merchant; Westland

In the book, Dr Yusuf Merchant shares his personal experiences with patients of drug abuse, to help modern day individuals. He talks about the need to turn stressful situations into lifechanging ones to lead a fulfilling life.

My Husband and Other Animals 2 Janaki Lenin; Westland

Animal lover Janaki Lenin gives readers a peek into the zany and unpredictable world she has created with her husband Rom Whitaker, who is a herpetologist, wildlife conservationist and founder of the Madras Snake Park and Madras Crocodile Bank.

Legendary Maps from the Himalayan Club Harish Kapadia; Roli Books

The Himalayan Club collates various adventures and route maps that capture 90 years of the Himalayan exploration undertaken by explorers from across the globe.

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Salma Husain and Vijay Thukral Publisher: Niyogi Books

While legumes, pulses and lentils are used in many parts of the world – North Africa, Southern Europe, West Asia, China and the countries of Latin America – it is in the Indian subcontinent that they are cooked not just on a wide scale but also with unmatched culinary skills and imagination. The daal (pulses) is a staple food of this region, consumed all throughout the year. This book is a tribute to the rich and awesome diversity of Indian gastronomic traditions. The recipes in the book – that include not only lentil curries but also lentilbased snacks, savouries and sweets – cover most regions and communities of India. It also includes several international recipes. A deep knowledge of world cuisine and fine understanding of flavours have immensely helped in raising the bar of one of the simplest fares of the world.

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Disney character Aladdin was modeled after Tom Cruise because Jeffrey Katzenberg, the then chairman of Walt Disney Studios, wanted a suitable leading man for the beautiful Jasmine.

movies & music

Latest Releases We bring you your monthly dose of entertainment.

Music Update your playlist with these latest soundtracks!

Hindi

Hope Aur Hum May 11 Cast Naseeruddin Shah, Naveen Kasturia, Sonali Kulkarni, Aamir Bashir Plot Hope Aur Hum presents a simple story of human emotions, told through three generations and the differences in their ideas, in transition from the old to the new.

English

Hindi

Raazi

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Amruta Khanvilkar, Soni Razdan Plot Based on Harinder Sikka’s novel, Calling Sehmat, the film is based on the story of a Kashmiri spy married to a Pakistani man during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.

World's Strongest Man Release Date May 4 Artiste Gaz Coombes Label Caroline International

May 11 Cast Alia

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Hindi

The Dark Side Of Life: Mumbai City May 10 Cast Mahesh

Bhatt, K K Menon, Nikhil Ratnaparkhi, Neha Khan Plot Helmed by Tariq Khan, The Dark Side Of Life: Mumbai City showcases the life of various characters living in the city of Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Telugu

Naa Peru Surya Arjun, R Sarathkumar, Anu Emmanuel, Arjun Sarja Plot Allu Arjun plays the role of Surya, an Army man with anger management issues.

The movie explores a parallel story that showcases the love story between the main protagonists.

May 23 Cast Emilia Clarke, Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover Plot The film revolves around the life of Han Solo, a character from the Star Wars franchise and his descent into the underworld.

There, he meets his future co-pilot and a notorious gambler, which sets in motion the course of this saga.

Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino Release Date May 11 Artiste Arctic Monkeys Label Domino

And Justice for None Release Date May 18 Artiste Five Finger Death Punch Label Prospect Park, Eleven Seven Music

May 4 Cast Allu

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Love is Dead Release Date May 25 Artiste Chvrches Label Glassnote, Virgin

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VACATION DOWNLOAD DENIM DAYS

SPRING SUMMER 2018 COLLECTION Follow us on

Parx Exclusive Stores: Aurangabad: Pheonix Prozone Mall Bangalore: Phoenix Market City I Mantri Square Bareilly: Phoenix United Mall I Shree Shree Fashion Villa, Near Degree College Chaurah Calicut: Sky Enterprises I Rasberrey Building, Red Cross Road I Winsphere, Hi-Lite Mall-First Floor Kashipur: Shraddha Elite, Ratan Cinema Road Dehradun: Rajpur Road Jaipur: 278, Ground Floor, M.I. Road Lucknow: Vaishnavi Sales - Aliganj, Shop No. 2 & 3 Swaroop Arcade I Vaishnavi Sales - SHALIMAR ELLDEE Plaza, Shop No. G-26, Kanpur: Z Squre Mall Nainital: Guru Gobind Singh Tower Haldwani: Glamour Exclusive Rudrapur Rajiv Exclusive, H-26 Gurudwara Road, Main Market New Delhi: V3S East Centre Mall I Shop No.G-74, Shaheen Bagh Trivendrum: Mall Of Travancore, Shop No 33, Ground Floor

Fitbit is introducing the Fitbit Ace, a fitness band for kids. With an adjustable band and revised software, this smart wearable targets kids aged eight and above.

future forward

Smart-Proof Your Home What if you could play music or turn on a light without ever needing to flip a switch? What seemed like the work of an overactive imagination until quite recently is now possible with smart home devices.

Adobe Home Security Starter Kit The Adobe security kit offers door and window sensors, built-in sirens, motion detectors and a battery powered security camera. This convenient DIY

'Smart' Lighting Brighten up your home with these appliances supporting Alexa & Google

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Amazon Echo This 2nd generation hands-free smart speaker is more than just a music device. The Amazon Echo can be controlled with your voice using Amazon's voice assistant, Alexa. You can play your favourite music, ask for news and weather updates and manage a host of other activities simply by giving a voice command to the speaker. With seven in-built microphones, this speaker can hear you even while it is in use.

Logitech Harmony Elite This all-in-one remote control and hub is compatible with over

Philips Hue Starter Kit Equipped with two bulbs, this smart bulb package offers wireless connectivity. It supports Alexa voice control, Apple HomeKit, Nest and Google Home among various other smart home products.

security system can be paired with the Apple iOS and select Android devices, and supports Alexa voice commands. The keychain fob contains a disarm button that puts the entire system on standby mode except for water and fire sensors.

words: aishwarya vishwanathan

Hisense 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Wi-Fi Quiet, powerful and flexible are the three words that sum up Hisense's portable air conditioner. The new-age air conditioner provides a range of wireless features and comes with integrated Wi-Fi, an LCD panel that displays the temperature of the room and sleep-scheduling options. The device can be operated using a remote or your smartphone.

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27,00,000 home automation devices and offers a user-friendly touchscreen. It also works with Amazon’s Alexa voice control and can simultaneously connect to almost 15 home devices. The biggest advantage is that the Logitech Harmony Elite allows users to control and manage devices that are kept even in closed cabinets. It also works when you are away from home.

Latest Catch

Dell launches the latest XPS 13, 13.3� screen with an InfinityEdge HDR 4K display. It is the first laptop built with GORE thermal insulation, which provides thermal conductivity levels lower than air in a thin, flexible format, keeping your laptop cool. This insulation directs heat out of the device, lowering the temperature and enabling greater performance.

iDevices Switch Jazz up your regular lamps by plugging them into this smart switch. This plug also offers Amazon Alexa and Siri voice control. It has a built-in nightlight too.

Belkin Wemo Mini Smart Plug This is the most affordable way to switch your lamps and other devices into smart mode. It works well with Alexa, Nest, If This Then That (IFTTT) and Google Home voice controls.

TP-Link Smart LED Light Bulb Wirelessly connected via Wi-Fi, this smart bulb provides scheduling and dimming options. It supports Amazon Alexa and Google Home voice controls.

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City Canvas

Ahmedabad, Gujarat With a rich past that goes back over a thousand years, Ahmedabad in Gujarat is known for its architectural and cultural treasures. Besides, it’s the go-to destination for lovers of history and good food.

Insider's View

Do not miss these lesser-known attractions around Ahmedabad.

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About 8 kms from the city in the village of Makarba, lies the Sarkhej Roza. This is where the 15th century Sufi Saint Kattu Ganj Baksh has been entombed. The successive rulers of the Ahmed Shah dynasty kept expanding the complex by building a lake, a palace, several pavilions and a mausoleum for the royal family. The complex’s elegance, simplicity and beautiful lattice work are quite impressive.

words: Ganesh Vancheeswaran

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Ahmedabad is the largest city of the West Indian state of Gujarat, as well as its commercial capital.

It is home to stunning step wells (known as vav in Gujarati), tombs, mosques, mausoleums and havelis, apart from the serene Sabarmati Ashram, the cradle of Mahatma Gandhi’s peaceful struggle for India’s Independence. Ahmedabad wears its love for food on its sleeve; street food, traditional Gujarati eateries and neon-lit, fine-dining restaurants, the metropolis has them all.

The city is about a thousand years old. For the first 400 years of its existence, it went by the name of Karnavati. When Sultan Ahmed Shah conquered the kingdom in the 15th century, he renamed the city after him.

Recognising its rich architectural and cultural heritage, UNESCO christened Ahmedabad as India’s first, and so far its only World Heritage City. Given the range of experiences it offers, Ahmedabad can easily accommodate an itinerary for a whole week.

1. Jama Mosque 2. The walkway corridor of Sarkhej Roza

The ruins of Lothal lie just 80 kms away from Ahmedabad.

Dating back to the Harappan Civilisation, the ruins evoke images of a time long lost.

Gazing at the ruins, one can understand why this civilisation was famous for its architecture, town planning and engineering.

Lothal was also known for cotton and rice plantations, and for artisanal work on beads and semi-precious stones.

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Before Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad was the capital city of the state of Gujarat. The capital was moved to Gandhinagar in 1970.

City Canvas

Budget & Blowout Guide Treat yourself, or save your money? Our guide can help you decide.

Law Garden Handicrafts Market is a must-visit when in Ahmedabad. Colourful embroidered blouses and lehengas (traditional skirts), jewellery, bags, purses and a wide range of handicrafts from the Kutch and Saurashtra regions of Gujarat make this market a riot of colours.

The garden and terrace are the best features of the Srinekatan Heritage Villa Homestay, and makes for a peaceful and comfortable abode. Located parallel to the railway crossing near Navrangpura Police Station Road, it offers convenient connections to various parts of the city.

Air-conditioners and Wi-Fi are some of the facilities available in all its rooms.

Do

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With their deep love for food, Gujaratis take binge-eating to an all new level!

Manek Chowk is of special interest to the locals for its unique ambience and intriguing menu. This bazaar-byday turns into an open-air restaurant at night, with several food stalls offering their special fares. Methi na gotha (fritters made from fenugreek leaves), fafda (crunchy snack made of chickpea flour), jalebi (dessert made with white flour and sugar syrup) and ice-cream sandwich are some of the signature dishes here.

The ancient beginnings of Ahmedabad can be found in the walled city even today. A leisurely walk through the lanes of this old part of town is the best way to discover why this is India’s only UNESCO Heritage City. Bhadra Fort, Sidi Saiyad mosque, Ahmed Shah’s tomb, the old stock exchange, Harkunvar Sethani’s haveli and many more are waiting to be explored. Guided heritage walks are conducted every morning.

Over the years, the appeal of the Gujarati thali (a multi-course meal served on a single plate) has grown to legendary proportions. And the thali at Rajwada is a memorable affair. The restaurant mimics the atmosphere of a Gujarati village with stone walls, open courtyards, wells and water bodies. Folk musicians perform in the background as you dig into the sumptuous spread. The farsan (deep-fried snack), bajre ki roti (flat bread made from millet flour), kadhi (thick gravy made of chickpea flour), assorted vegetables, jaggery, salad and sweets leave you feeling satiated.

From old masters to amateur artists, the Archer Art Gallery displays prolific works spanning several time periods. Vernacular folk art, limitededition serigraphs, original artworks by Indian painters, early lithographs and reproductions are all available here.

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Vavs (stepwells) were earlier built to store water for entire neighbourhoods.

Interestingly, stepwells are great specimens of vernacular architecture too. Built in 1499, the Dada Harir Ni Vav is five-storeys deep with wide corridors. Intricately carved pillars support these corridors, while staircases lead to the lower part of the well.

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Image: House of MG

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Not many hotels can claim to be housed in a century-old mansion, nor can they boast having hosted Mahatma Gandhi. That is why The House of MG is unique. This early20th century mansion manages to take you to a different era while being located right in the heart of the city.

Sunlit courtyards, furniture made by local artisans, cozy corners and plenty of greenery are its chief attractions.

A top-notch rooftop restaurant, a heritage bookstore and a textile gallery showcasing traditional Indian textiles complete the package.

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Travelher

A Snow-ful Sojourn For HR professional-turned entrepreneur Rhucha, travelling is a reprieve from all the anxieties that often accompany running your own firm. This time, Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir, popularly known as “heaven on earth�, made for the perfect destination to spend some quality time with her best friend Namita, and helped create some beautiful memories.

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The snow-clad hills of Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir.

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ranslating to “meadow of flowers”, Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir is a world-famous destination, with travellers visiting in droves all year round. It houses the highest and longest ropeway in Asia; the second highest in the world, the highest golf course in the world, incredible ski routes and so much more. With snow-clad mountains, pretty streams and incredible weather, Gulmarg was perfect for my long-awaited sojourn.

I’d never been there before, and I wanted someone to share this experience with. My childhood best friend Namita was my first and, really, only choice, but she needed some coaxing, given her hectic work schedule. After some arm-twisting and cajoling, she agreed! So began our search for flights, hotels and things to do in Gulmarg. We flew down to Srinagar from New Delhi, as we both happened to be in the capital for work around the time of our trip, and then took a taxi to Gulmarg.

The route to this small but unendingly beautiful town has been carved into the mountains of Kashmir, and allows you an unhindered view of the valley below. The car ride alone felt like a breather from my busy city life, and I couldn’t wait to start exploring this paradisiacal place. After covering a distance of approximately 54 kms, we finally arrived at our destination.

Post check in, we ventured out to experience the grandeur of the hill station.

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Up and Away The gondola ride in Gulmarg is the best way to get an expansive view of the mountains, grounds and trees, all covered with untouched snow. Before the ride, we rented long snow boots, jackets and gloves to make ourselves comfortable in the shivering cold. The ride has

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Phase 1 and Phase 2, covering a total of 5 kms. Phase 1 takes you to Kongdori station at an altitude of over 8,500 ft. The real, rather unreal, fun starts on the ride from Phase 1 to Phase 2, which takes you to Apharwat, located at a dizzying height of over 12,000 ft. Panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks and valleys standing tall with aplomb, will transport you to a different world. It had snowed recently, but the sun was out in full force, the rays bouncing off the untouched, white powder. We spent some leisure time throwing snowballs at each other, all our troubles melting away.

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An Offbeat Adventure Often, the most alluring destinations are discovered well beyond the obvious.

In search of adventure, we did not stop at Phase 2, but planned to trudge beyond the bare, rocky barrens in search of Gulmarg’s hidden treasures.

It is best to rely on the knowledge of the locals for such escapades, and we had a guide accompanying us.

We had already crossed the tree-line at Phase 2, and the arid landscape captivated my soul. Once we reached an altitude of about 13,400 feet, we saw a deep, azure lake,

shimmering in the bright sunlight.

A single look at this calm stretch of blue, and all my weariness seemed to evaporate. Immediately, I took out my camera and started clicking.

A Kashmiri A-Fare! After a somewhat arduous descent from this heady place, it was time to gorge on some local food. Kashmir is famous for its rich, decadent delicacies, and our love affair with food reached its zenith here. Dinner was indulgent, with a special type of local leafy vegetable called karam haak, loaded with spices.

Non-vegetarians can relish Kashmiri wazwan dishes and the famed 36-course celebratory meal.

As the sun dipped over the Gulmarg meadows and a fruitful day ended in serene silence, I also gorged on gushtaba (curry of spicy meatballs cooked in a yogurt gravy), rista (mutton meat balls simmered in a red spicy gravy) and tandoori roti (flatbread).

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History and Heritage The next day, we awoke to a sparkling dawn. We had a breakfast of tsot, the local bread, accompanied by salty tea (made with salt, milk and baking soda) and geared up for another day of sightseeing.

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1. While Rhucha loved getting clicked at every spot there, Namita preferred to be the photographer to her muse. 2. Gulmarg is one of the prettiest destinations in Jammu & Kashmir, a joy to visit in any season.

3. The gondola ride ropeway in Gulmarg is the highest ropeway in Asia.

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About the Author

Rhucha is an HR professional-turnedentrepreneur from Mumbai. She organises wildlife travel expeditions under jungLEADz (jungLEADz.com), and is a professional photographer and published travel writer.

"The gondola ride in Gulmarg is the best way to get an expansive view of the mountains, grounds and trees, all covered with untouched snow."

Kashmir is replete with fables of royalty and richness. These came alive for us on our visit to the Maharaja Palace in Gulmarg. A short ride up the hills, and we arrived at an elaborate architectural structure built by Maharaja Hari Singh. Nestled amid trees of pine and deodar, it still houses the royal collection of armoury and valuables. We also had locals regaling us with tales of the splendour of Maharaja Palace, and we found ourselves completely mesmerised by the colourful history of the place.

After some sightseeing, it was time to bid goodbye to Gulmarg.

These glimpses have left a lasting impression on our minds, and a desire to be one with nature, and at peace with ourselves. Maybe, in a different time, in a different season, the raw beauty will pull us back to the “crown” of our country. I am sure it will offer us the much-needed “disconnect-time” that our busy urban existence necessitates. Till then snippets of serenity, Namita and I shall take back and harbour.

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Wanderlust / Tharangambadi

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Cultural

Concoction While wandering through Tharangambadi, a town in Tamil Nadu that is over two centuries old, Shubham Mansingka discovered some surprising facts about the history of the Danes in India.

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Fort Dansborg was built in 1620 and is the principle Danish highlight in Tharangambadi.

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hen I first heard of Tharangambadi, I visualised it as a fairytale place with lots to discover! Years later, my curiosity about this place got the better of me, and I decided to find out for myself what Tharangambadi is all about. This quaint seaside town on the Coromandel Coast was once a trading post for the Danish East India Company. It is also known as Tranquebar, Trankebar and Tharangambadi. The town is so tiny that the best way to see all its old Danish attractions and

other historic sights is to walk through its lovely lanes and streets.

Without any worries of commuting, therefore, I set off to explore the treasures of Tharangambadi.

Nuggets of History In the early 17th century, Denmark set up the East India Company with the purpose of establishing trade with the subcontinent. They sent a fleet of ships that landed in Tharangambadi.

Raghunatha Nayak, ruler of the then princely state, entered into a trade agreement with the Danes, giving them possession of the town. He

also allowed them to export pepper to Denmark. After about 220 years, in 1845, the Danes sold the town to the British. (source: tranquebar.in) Tharangambadi was renamed Trankebar by the Danes, and the English further anglicised the name to Tranquebar. Today, Tharangambadi remains quite the same as it was years ago. It has a small population whose main source of livelihood is fishing.

Landmarks of Tharangambadi Though Tharangambadi is a tiny town, it has many monuments, religious sites and museums

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1. The Governor’s Bungalow once functioned as the private residence of the Danish governor.

2. Fishing boats on the beach in Tharangambadi. Fishing is one of the major sources of livelihood here.

3. Memorial statue of Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg, the first linguist to visit Tharangambadi.

that highlight its history and are delightful discoveries for visitors.

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Fort Dansborg Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, Fort Dansborg was built in 1620 and is the principle Danish highlight in Tharangambadi. This is a two-storey structure, and the rooms on the lower floor are named according to what they were used for. There’s even a Wine Room!

This imposing fort is said to have been the second-largest Danish castle in the world at one point of time.

History confirms that the 10 Danish ships that arrived in India to trade in spices, silk, gold and other items landed at Fort Dansborg. Apart from its historic charm, this fort offers you breathtaking views of the sea.

The museum at Fort Dansborg has a wealth of information about Danish rule in the town. It contains important documents such as a copy of the treaty between the Nayak King and the Denmark East India Company, a preserved copy of the sale deed between the Danes and the British (from 1845) and old maps of Tharangambadi town. There are also old Hindu sculptures from the surrounding region, along with coins and pottery. On display are replicas of Danish ships that docked in Tharangambadi, as well as several objects used by the Danes.

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Gateway to Tharangambadi In Danish documents, the huge white main entrance into Tharangambadi is described as Landporten (Town Gate). Made out of brick, it is also written that the original Town Gate was destroyed in 1791 and was built later on the same lines of design.

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Governor's Bungalow Opposite Fort Dansborg is the Governor’s Bungalow that was constructed around 1780. It functioned as the private residence of the Danish governor and was bought by the Danes in 1784. This yellow building with lovely windows and doors along with huge pillars makes for an attractive sight.

Sri Masilamani Nathar Temple It is a Shiva temple that was originally built by Maravarman Kulashekhara Pandian in 1306 AD. During the tsunami in 2004, the temple suffered massive damage. At Dansborg Museum, there is an inscription on the wall that refers to the origins of

Images: Shubham Mansingka

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Churches of Tharangambadi Tharangambadi has a number of beautiful churches. Among the ones worth mentioning are the Zion Church and New Jerusalem Church.

Image: Shubham Mansingka

Zion Church The Zion Church was consecrated in 1701. Inside the church, polished brass plaques on the walls indicate that the first five Indian protestant converts of the Danish mission were baptised here back in 1707.

New Jerusalem Church This church was built by missionaries Bartholom채us Ziegenbalg and Heinrich Pl체tschau. Inspired by Danish-style architecture, the church is the prettiest of all the churches in Tharangambadi.

Tharangambadi's most famous personality, Ziegenbalg, is buried here. There are a lot of other burials within the church premises, and some have epitaphs in Danish.

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"History confirms that the 10 Danish ships that arrived in India to trade in spices, silk, gold and other items landed at Dansborg Fort."

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1. The New Jerusalem Church was built by the Royal Danish missionary Bartholom채us Ziegenbalg and Heinrich Pl체tschau almost 300 years ago. 2. The Masilamani Nathar temple is one of the oldest monuments in Tharangambadi. It survived the tsunami of 2004.

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the Masilamani Nathar Temple in the early 14th century.

Other interesting things to see in Tharangambadi include the Ziegenbalg Museum Complex; the Ziegenbalg Press, which is said to be the first printing press in India; the Tharangambadi Maritime Museum that showcases local everyday life; and the Bungalow on the Beach, which was the summer residence of the British Collector and has now been converted into a heritage hotel.

I was bewitched by the aquamarine waters juxtaposed against picture-perfect beaches, quaint streets and the feeling that time has been standing still here for centuries.

Getting There AirAsia flies to Chennai from various destinations. airasia.com

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Wanderlust / Bhilar

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Of Chisels

and Tomes The village of Bhilar in Maharashtra was little known to anyone who didn’t live there, till the unlikeliest of things spread its name and fame all across the country!

Words & Photographs Ruby Singh

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Several houses in the village have been transformed into libraries. This is a library dedicated to Shivaji Maharaj, an Indian warrior king.

etween the two picturesque hill stations of Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra lies a village called Bhilar. Until May 4, 2017, Bhilar was just like any other village in the state. But little did anyone know that this sleepy hamlet with narrow lanes and old-fashioned buildings, where the residents primarily earn their living from farming strawberries, was steadily heading towards a literary transformation. On this historic day, it was officially declared the first “Book Village of India” by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis.

A “book village”, a place where a large number of used-book stores or libraries are housed, is aimed at encouraging people’s interest in the written word. An initiative led by Education Minister Vinod Tawde, the project was undertaken by the Ministry of Marathi Bhasha. The Maharashtra state government had announced its plans to launch such a book village and literary festivals concept in Maharashtra back in February 27, 2015 on the Marathi Language Day. Bhilar's proximity to hill station Panchgani may have led the state government to choose this village in the first place. Panchgani

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1. The comic library with themed artwork on the walls. 2. The kids’ library at Bhilar showcases colourful, animated characters on its walls. 3. The revolving bookshelf contains books from across genres for people to choose from.

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Free Libraries The Book Village, or ‘Pustakanche Gaav’ in Marathi, is inspired by Hay-on-Wye – a Welsh town in Britain, which is famous all over the world for its literature festivals and bookstores. The idea behind this unique concept is to encourage reading habits among the village youth. This initiative is also a fantastic way to promote tourism in the village. Under this scheme, 25 houses in Bhilar have been converted into free libraries.

The house owners have voluntarily given up space in their homes for this noble cause - for the creation of these walk-in book havens. No permission is needed and visitors don’t need to pay to borrow a book. The best way to navigate the libraries is by referring to the map, which can be obtained from the main office, strategically located at the entrance of the village.

Genre-specific Wall Art The 2 km stretch of the main street of Bhilar

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"The village is home to more than 15,000 books, and the count grows with every passing day. At present, all the books available are in Marathi."

Noteworthy Facts

The walls of this village were painted by 75 artists with support from Asian Paints Ltd. You can simply pick up a book of your choice, read it for as long as you want and keep it back for others.

Each of the 25 chosen locations in Bhilar has a specific theme, either biographies or poetry or children's books.

is lined with vibrant boards outside each house that tell you what kind of books you can find inside. The collection boasts of books on poetry, religion, history, comedy, folktales, biographies and autobiographies.

Another aspect of the Book Village worth mentioning is the colourfully painted walls of all the libraries. Each one has been decorated to depict its genre, so you can guess even from a distance what books are housed in there. For instance, a library dedicated to children has animated characters painted all over it, the comedy collection has funny faces all over the walls, and so on. A team of 75 artists worked meticulously to transform these simple walls into a riot of colours.

All Set to Grow Strolling through the village unveils more interesting facts. For instance, most of the logistics are handled by the state government. From colourful boards all over the village to basic tablechair sets and bookshelves in the libraries, the state government has aided in every possible way, with a minimalistic and neat setup.

The village is home to more than 15,000 books, and the count grows with every passing day. At present, all the books available are in Marathi, but there are plans to bring in English and Hindi books too.

Locals, especially the elders of Bhilar, are ecstatic about this initiative. They believe that the village serves as a reminder of the literary legacy of our country. In a world that has become subsumed by technology, an initiative like this ensures that the youth will always stay connected to books. It compels them to slow down and take a moment to appreciate the rich repertoire of India’s literary treasures.

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Inspiration for Every Village Now that Bhilar has been officially designated the first Book Village of India, it is gradually grabbing the attention of bibliophiles from all over the country! The government is also planning to organise a book festival here to encourage tourism.

However, there are no specific dates declared for the same as yet.

So the next time you visit Panchgani or Mahabaleshwar, take time out to visit Bhilar and watch this concept in action. The house owners will welcome you and introduce you to the collection in their homes. And you can join the villagers – both elders and children - as they browse through volumes of books on the shelves, make their choice and flip through pages. Even if you don’t know the language, it promises to be a novel experience!

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Wanderlust / Lansdowne

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High Holiday The picturesque hill station of Lansdowne in Uttarakhand has an abundance of natural beauty, charming places of worship and a fascinating war memorial. With its peaceful vibe and old-world charm, Lansdowne makes for a relaxing escape from the city.

Words Bindu Gopal Rao

Known for its striking sceneries, Lansdowne is located in the Pauri Garhwal district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.

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ith rolling hills, pretty orchards and a clear blue sky, the quiet town of Lansdowne in Uttarakhand mesmerises visitors with its peaceful beauty.

Named after Lord Lansdowne, the Viceroy of India from 1888 to 1894, Lansdowne is also known as Kalodanada or Black Hill. Its picturesque roads are lined with British-style bungalows that continue to retain their glamour, with ornate windows and gates built during the British rule.

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Sights & Sounds Cosy fireplaces, freshly brewed tea and unobstructed views of the emerald-green expanse make Tip N Top or Tiffin Top a popular destination among tourists. A short 200-metre walk from Lansdowne takes you to this viewpoint where you can witness a breathtaking sunrise. You can also see panoramic views of the Shivalik Hills as well as the Chaukhamba and Trishul peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas (as the Himalayas located in Uttarakhand are known). The town, and the road below that appears to snake through the forests, make for an interesting sight.

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"A 200-metre walk from Lansdowne takes you to Tiffin Top, a place where you can witness a breathtaking view of the sunrise."

1. Bhulla Taal lake is located just one kilometre from Lansdowne. It is a famous picnic spot.

2. Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple is a renowned shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. 3. Himalayan bulbuls are common, and therefore easy to spot in Lansdowne.

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Travel Tips

Attend the annual festival Sharadotsav, celebrated usually in October or November. It heralds the homecoming of Goddess Durga, attracting a large number of tourists every year.

Sample the exclusive Garhwal cuisine, especially the millet breads and local vegetables.

Plan a trip in December or January - there is snowfall and the whole town transforms magically under a sheet of pure white.

This is also among the best places in Lansdowne to spot birds.

You can find around 600 species throughout the year. Apart from the black headed jay, you may also come across the Sealy bellied woodpecker, streaked laughing thrush, oriental honey buzzard, common hoopoe, Himalayan bulbul, spotted dove and blue throated barbet among others quite easily.

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Spiritual Journey After soaking in the beauty of nature, head to the Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple located about 37 kms outside the city. In the middle of a dense forest, this holy temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has a charm of its own.

As I walked through the narrow pathways leading to this ancient temple, I noticed a curtain of bells on both the sides. Investigating this unusual sight, I discovered that locals and tourists had been following a centuries-old tradition of wishing on the bells and hanging them in the temple. One of the priests drew my attention to a nearby tree that resembled the shape of Shiva’s trishul (trident) the tree branches fork out in three distinct directions, mimicking the original weapon.

Continuing on my spiritual quest, I headed to St. Mary's Church. Dating back to 1895, it is a stunning example of Victorianstyle architecture, complete with stained-glass windows. It also has a picture gallery, open to all on weekends.

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There is also a small nursery where you can buy potted plants.

The local people here are friendly and welcoming. When I stopped by at the nearby Sakhmunda Village, I was greeted warmly by the women folk. They even sang local songs as I enjoyed piping hot tea!

After a satisfying stay at Lansdowne, it was time for me to leave! Each day here had brought with it something new. And the gamut of experiences has stayed on with me. From the temple premises full of bells, to the mementos in the war memorial reminding me of the great sacrifices of our soldiers, to the breathtaking views, everything about Lansdowne holds rare allure that is sure to draw me back !

05 18 1. St. Mary's Church, located close to Tip N Top Point in Lansdowne, was constructed by Colonel AHB Hume of the Royal Engineers in 1895. 2. Bhulla Tal makes for a perfect spot for boating.

History Beckons Home to the command office of the legendary Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army, Lansdowne has the Garhwal Rifles Regimental War Memorial and a museum that offers interesting insights into the lives of the brave soldiers. This two-storey building of the museum has battle scenes of pre-Independence and postIndependence periods, portraits of soldiers, their achievements, customs, traditions, medals, appreciations, costumes, certificates, and documents of World Wars I and II, war trophies and several other antiques. Do stop by at the beautiful flower garden before you leave.

The best way to really experience the splendour of the town is to walk along its many pretty paths.

Stop by at Bhulla Tal, an artificial lake created and maintained by the Indian Army, and dedicated to the courageous legionaries of the Garhwal Rifles who helped build it.

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advertorial Serving Nourishment

For a Stronger You! British Life Sciences, a group company of British Biologicals has launched Aarogya Ragi Malt, a nourishing drink for the family. Aarogya Ragi Malt is specially formulated alike the traditional way, for general health, which can be used as an instant beverage that is ideal for all age groups. Malted Ragi is energy dense with a rich source of carbohydrates, calcium, Iron and dietary fibre, which contributes towards a healthy digestive system. It maintains strong bones and helps in keeping anemia in control. Vitamins, minerals and antioxidant properties present naturally in ragi make it an ingredient with special health enhancing characteristics.

Aarogya Ragi Malt is packed with healthy nutrients that contribute to the overall well being of an individual. It is available in almond flavour, choco cinnamon flavour and the natural flavour.

For more details contact: 1800 425 37373

Good Food CafÊ was founded in 2003, with a mission to bring some consciousness back to the business of food. The founder’s effort is to serve you food that you love made in a way that it loves you back! The cafe offers fresh, wholesome delicacies specially designed for healthy foodies. The food is super delicious and prepared fresh with premium foods and nutritious ingredients. Recipes are carefully crafted keeping in mind the macro and micro nutrients required for a healthy diet.

Some of the dishes served here are nourishing super bowls, scrumptious Super Sandwiches, Wholesome Main Course Menu, healthy pizzas, soups, fulfilling salads etc. The restaurant is serving cold pressed juices and freshly baked breads made in their in-house bakery. The breads are made with alternate flours such as wheat, ragi and activated charcoal burger buns.

Dr Sumit Jaiswal, Zenith Palstic Cosmetic and Hair Center, Indore

Adding a Touch of Glamour Welcome to Zenith Plastic Cosmetic and Hair Transplant Centre Indore, the leaders in cosmetic surgical treatment in Central India. The sole purpose of our clinic is to bring some positive changes in the life of our patients with effective treatments. Our aim is to improve the cosmetic appearance of people, ultimately giving them

physical wellbeing and psychological satisfaction. Our philosophy is to make cosmetic surgeries popular in this country. With this sole purpose, we try to give the best services at very affordable costs. It is endeavour to make it possible for people from different economies to make use of these services.

There is lot of fear in people's mind when it comes to surgery.

With improvement in surgical techniques and anaesthesia, the side effects are now very little.

With a vast experience, we have now made suitable changes in our procedures. The hospital stay is minimised and routine life is hardly affected. After a cosmetic surgery, a person can resume his work soon enough. We assure you our cosmetic surgery is safe and effective. The centre is run and managed by a team of two plastic surgeons who excel in this field.

So, if you are looking for reliable and best cosmetic surgery or hair transplant services in India, then you have landed on the right page!

We are committed to educating and improving the lives of all by providing evidence-based treatment options. After the procedure, the support system of the center is on regular follow-ups.

To book an appointment with Dr Sumeet Jaiswal or to get more information give us a call or Whatsapp on 98262 41007.

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Myriad Hues of Indore The commercial hub of Madhya Pradesh, Indore, stands as a perfect example of the cosmopolitan buzz with its bustling bazaars, mouth-watering food scene, a thriving educational hub, beautiful parks, temples and an array of hotels to stay in.

With a myriad of options to choose from, Indore, in Madhya Pradesh, is every bit charming. Its history dates back to the 16th century when the city acted as an important trading hub between the Deccan and Delhi.

It is not only the most important commercial hub of central India, but is also known for its lively vibe.

History Speaks a Thousand Words Temples and palaces are the true markers of a place's rich cultural history. And in Indore, one would never fall short of these. The

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Rajwada Palace, is a noteworthy testimony of the Holkar Dynasty. It is a seven-storey palace with traces of French, Maratha and Muslim style of architecture and was built almost 200 years ago.

Another architectural treasure that would interest history buffs is the Lal Baug Palace. It was built by Maharaja Shivaji Rao Holkar between 1886 and 1921 and acted as a hosting ground for royal receptions during his rule. This architectural marvel still continues to hold on to its royal splendour.

Temple Trail Various temples and shrines in Madhya Pradesh make it a paradise for history buffs.

Religion has played a significant role in making Indore the culturally rich heritage that it is today.

Kanch Mandir True to its name, Kanch Mandir or 'temple of glass' is a famous Jain temple. Its walls, ceiling, pillars, floor and even the doors are entirely made of glass. The statue of Lord Mahavir is decorated with coloured glass.

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advertorial The temple is replete with paintings that describe the story behind the temple's origin and existence.

“Being from Indore, I'd be very candid in saying that snacking to us came with a very pronounced Indori DNA. For us, as a brand, it was a very organic evolution. But one, that also came with a lot of heart and dildaari. We are proud of our lineage and look forward to great moments of dildaari and togetherness.”

Arvind Mehta, Chairman, Prataap Snacks Ltd

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Khajrana Temple Constructed by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar, Khajrana Temple is one of the famous Hindu temples in the country. The gate, upper wall and outer wall of the sanctum sanctorum is made of silver. This temple is famous for housing the idol of Hanuman whose eyes are bedecked with diamonds, adding to the grandeur of the place.

Kalka Temple Situated in Khajrana, Indore, Kalka Temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali. The temple was built in 1976 by a man named Shyam Bapuji.

The 9ft-tall statue inside the temple was constructed using one black stone and was brought from Rajasthan in 1984.

Annapurna Temple Dedicated to Goddess Annapurna, this temple attracts devotees from across the globe. Bearing some resemblance to the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, this temple houses the shrines of Shiv, Hanuman and Kalbhairav. The outer wall of the temple is nothing less than an architectural

wonder with beautiful images of legendary characters imprinted on it.

Wonder Surroundings Indore's strategic location makes it easily accessible from several noteworthy localities nearby. Having several attractions located in close proximity, there are many options for those who want to head out for a weekend getaway or just to explore the city inside-out.

One of the major attractions is Ujjain, a 55 kms drive from the city. This locale is famous for being a home to several temples namely Chintaman Ganesh Temple, Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple, Harsiddhi Mataji Temple, Gadkalika Mata Temple and many more. It is also the home ground to Ujjain Simhastha, a grand cultural celebration held every 12 years in the city. It attracts devotees, tourists and spectators from all across the globe.

Another destination worth visiting from Ujjain is Mandu, situated at a distance of 97 kms. It houses the iconic Mandu Fort and is famous as the spot where the legendary romance of Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati took place. The grandeur of this place is such that even though it is one of the remote cities of MP, people

“Indore has always been a food lovers paradise. In past few years, our city has made its unique identity as the cleanest city of India and has also been established as the educational and industrial hub of the country. This initiative will definitely set a milestone in city's progress. We wish our city and the concerned persons all the best and pray that fragrance of Indore keep spreading across the globe.”

Anshul Agrawal, Director, Mysore Deep Perfumery House (Zedblack), Indore

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Get married at a palace Nothing less

Make weddings grand at TGB Palace, Indore.

Make them exotic, special and one to remember for a life time.

Celebrate - 50,000 Sq. Ft. Banquets & 80,000 Sq. Ft. Open Lawns for Weddings, Banquets and Parties.

Stay - Elegantly Designed 115 Rooms including 5 Royal Deluxe Rooms.

For bookings call: 9111144555

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from all corners come here to witness the grand Afghan architectural marvels, surrounded by baobab trees, native to Africa. A walk through Mandu is sure to leave you awe-struck!

Indore is known for its history and has several temples in and around its periphery to be adorned. Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, around 79 kms from Indore is yet another holy shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are only 12 jyotirlinga temples in the world and Omkareshwar is one of them.

Just at the backwaters of Omkareshwar Dam is the Sailani Tapu. Surrounded by River Narmada from three sides, this island is an idyllic spot for water sports.

Developed on the same lines is the Hanumantiya Island by Madhya Pradesh Tourism. It is located close to Khandwa town in Western Madhya Pradesh which is famous for water adventures.

Indore is also home to several waterfalls.

The 300m-high Patalpani Waterfall is one of them and quite popular among youngsters looking for a trek. If you wish to take a refreshing break from the city life, plan a trip to the many waterfalls that line the city.

Another fall that's gaining a lot of popularity is Tincha Falls, located at a distance of about 25 kms from Indore city. It is surrounded by a canyon, a gorge, a valley and a picturesque cascade.

If shopping is your thing, visit Maheshwar, appropriately 91 kms from Indore city, for Maheshwari sarees. It is said that during the time of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar,

Rishabh Mehta from Indore has been participating in Equestrian since 2007 and has received many national medals.

Recently, he has secured third rank with bronze medal in the XVI International eventing competition held in Portugal. It is also noteworthy that Rishabh holds FEI All India Ranking No.1.

He had also participated in FEI 2016 held in Algeria. He has received both- Vikram Award (2016) and Eklavya Award (2010) from MP Government.

various craftsmen and artisans came from Surat and Malwa to design a saree of 9 yards. Following this, the production of Maheshwari sarees caught up, and these graceful sarees soon started becoming popular with women of all ages.

Growing Realms What takes ahead a city and contributes in its development is the presence of several educational institutions. Indore, being home to several noted institutions, has a thriving educational scene. IPS

Group of Institutions, Prestige Education Society, Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth and Sage University are some of the notable institutes and universities providing highstandard education in all verticals. The city is equally equipped when it comes to schools. Schools like Daly College, a school which has an enriching history of more than 125 years, Delhi Public School, Indore, Indore Public School and many more add to the list.

Indore is touted as the Commercial Capital of Madhya Pradesh. When we talk of development, the city, with a booming business and capital, speaks for itself. It is home to some of the real estate biggies like BCM Group, Arms Real Estate and Mirchandani Group. Keeping at par with the metro cities, the healthcare sector is also at its zenith with notable centres like Asian Infertility Centre, Sahaj Hospital, Life Care Hospital and Mohak Bariatrics and Robotics providing quality healthcare to people.

With hospitality giants like Indore Marriott Hotel, Hotel Wow and The Grande Bhagwati, the city is also not far behind in catering to the tourist needs. These hotels offer boutique experiences to its visitors.

Adding more feathers to the grandeur of the city is the presence of notable FMCG brands. Yellow Diamond snacks, which saw superstar Salman Khan and child actor Harshali Malhotra of Bajrangi Bhaijaan fame endorsing their varied range of snacks on television and print ads. Agrawal Papad Pvt Ltd, famous for spices and papad, and Asha Confectionery, famous for chocolates, add to the list.

In view of providing plenty of entertainment to masses at affordable rates, Opera Cinema in Indore is a chain of low-budget cineplex for two tier cities, which offers cinema experiences at nominal rates including snacks as a combo, giving a platform to small budget movies to be a part of the 100-Cr club.

Foodie Town The city of Indore is synonymous with delectable snacks and sweets. Sarafa Market, the bustling night food market, is a must-visit. When the city sleeps, thousands of visitors stream through the streets, trying out various delicacies like poha (savoury dish made of flattened rice), bhutte ki kees (corn, shredded and cooked with milk, coconut and spices) from Apna Sweets, khopra patties (deep-friend potato balls with a core of stuffed coconut) from Vijay Chaat House, sabudana khichdi (savoury dish made of sago) from Upwas Retail and dahi vade (fried urad dal balls dipped in yoghurt) from Joshi Dahi Vada House.

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advertorial Building Future with Education at IPS Group of Institutes

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Prataap Snacks: Pioneering Great Taste & Quality For a company that started off in 2004, Prataap Snacks, the BSE and NSE listed company, behind the successful brand Yellow Diamond, has done many things right to be piping the 1,000 Cr. mark. Being in an industry that is fiercely competitive, Prataap Snacks, as MD & CEO Amit Kumat points out, has kept true to its basics. "We have been very focused on understanding people’s tastes. If that part of the job is done right, half the job is done,” shares Amit Kumat.

Having begun at home turf - Indore, the company backed

by Sequoia Capital has slowly and steadily been successful in making a national footprint. Being the fastest growing snack food company, Prataap Snacks ranks among the top six players of the snack food industry, which is growing at an exponential rate. The company’s diversified product portfolio includes a wide range of salted snack food in different flavours and SKUs including potato chips, extruded snacks and traditional namkeens.

The company has a pan India distribution network and nine strategically located manufacturing facilities across the country. The company’s biggest manufacturing facility at Indore, Madhya Pradesh is spread across 12 acres.

The company has recently entered the sweet snack market with its brand, Rich Feast. MD & CEO Amit Kumat says, “Our new brand, Rich Feast marks our entry into the sweet snacks category where we see a lot of untapped growth opportunity.

With this, we will now get into a bigger macro-snack category from only being a player in the salty snacks segment. We intend to grow the Rich Feast brand further with new launches in the coming time.”

In 2016, the company roped in superstar Salman Khan to be their brand ambassador.

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Indore, the commercial and financial capital of Madhya Pradesh, is also the largest education hub of central India. It has many institutes in the field of school as well as college education. It is the only city of the country which boasts of both, an IIT & an IIM. Out of many, the IPS Academy, a premier institution of Central India, has become a celebrated brand name and has carved a unique identity for itself as a center of excellence in the entire country due to variety of reasons.

Under the visionary leadership of its President Ar. Achal Choudhary, an alumni of IIT Kharagpur, the academy has grown leaps and bounds. The academy with 16 colleges, 71 courses, 400 teachers and 10,000+ students boasts of a unique marvelous infrastructure; spread over 60 acres of lush green terrain.

The various institutes, housed in separate aesthetically designed buildings, have state of art infrastructure with well designed classrooms, laboratories, libraries and experienced faculties. At IPS Academy, it has been our endeavour to provide education to students that leads to multifaceted development of their innate talent, intellectual and physical capabilities and overall personality.

Theory sessions are suitably Ar. Achal Choudhary, supplemented with experiential President IPS Group of institutions Indore learning & practical field experience

so that students can adapt themselves to face challenges of competition and globalisation, and rise up to the expectations of the corporate world. Rigorous training and development hones the communication, leadership and entrepreneurial skills of students, ensuring promising entrepreneurs.

The presence of IPS Alumni in every nook and corner of the globe bears testimony to our triumph. IPS Institute of Engineering and Science has been accredited by NBA (National Board of Accreditation). The Institute of Business Management and Research is the only private college of MP to be placed in the rank band of 51 - 75 of best colleges of the country by MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource and Development). Also, the Department of Physics is authorised by Bhabha Atomic Centre for the preparation of laboratory grade radioactive sources.

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advertorial Making Weddings Memorable at The Grand Bhagwati Palace, Indore

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Weddings in India are no less than festivals. Besides the quintessential euphoria, weddings seamlessly weave together a celebration of culture, religion and emotion, that make every wedding symbolic and special. Every ceremony, all the nuances make the entire celebration so unique, that even the simplest of things turn out to be grand.

With evolving tastes and weddings becoming more experiential, the need for professionally managed celebrations is increasing. And here is where, The Grand Bhagwati Palace, Indore extends its services for a memorable,royal and grand affair. As the name goes, TGB Palace, Indore is all about opulence, that occasions like these, demand. The CEO, who sums up the group’s philosophy very clearly, states, “For us weddings are about creating experiences cherished by people for life.”

Right from the impressive Gregorian ramparts to the expansive architecture that lends an air of

regality, TGB is every bit a grand experience. Right from lapel pins to ideation and theme décor to cuisine, team TGB makes sure that the TGB experience stays on with guests long after the celebrations are over.

Apart from weddings and banqueting, TGB is also known for

"Education is the Key to Success" Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya is a private university established under Madhya Pradesh Niji Vishwavidyalaya (Sthapana Avam Sanchalan) Adhiniyam in 2015 in Indore. The vision is to create an educational environment that

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engages deep intellectual, moral and spiritual stimulation, thereby nurturing leadership. Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya at Indore is a multi-faculty university focusing on the needs of various segments of the society.

its fine dining experience that it gives its guests. Keeping true to its promise of creating wonderful experiences, TGB offers a global cuisine restaurant Café Piano that brings specialty cuisine from around the globe. It also doubles up as the hotel’s coffee shop.

About Shri Vaishnav Trusts Shri Vaishnav Shekshnik Avam Parmarthik Trust of Indore is a well known charitable organisation having been established in 1884. Realising that education is essential for the society, the trust, established for social and charitable activities, entered education sector in 1951.

The university started offering academic programs with Shri Purushottamdas Pasari as first Chancellor and Dr Upinder Dhar as first Vice Chancellor. Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya offers academic programmes in the streams of engineering and technology, forensic science, architecture, management, mass communication, science, social sciences, computer applications, fashion technology, commerce, agriculture and law.

Further, to ensure that students passing out from this university are job ready, SVVV has signed MoUs with industrial giants like IBM to offer academic programs suitable for industry.

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advertorial Keeping Up With the Latest Furniture Trends

Redefining Luxury in the "Food Capital of Central India"

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Your five-star escape awaits to host you for a deluxe ride in one of India’s most captivating cities, Indore.

Perched in the plush location of Vijay Nagar, which is well in proximity to the airport and the heart of the city, Indore Devesh Rawat, General Manager, Marriott Hotel is redefining luxury Indore Marriott Hotel in all its stateliness. Inaugurated on November 11, 2017, Indore Marriott Hotel is one among the premium Marriott brands with 218 room inventory, 55,000 sq ft of banqueting space, five striking restaurants and versatile indoor, outdoor and rooftop event spaces. A host of boutique amenities and a set of comprehensive planning services makes the hotel equally suitable for both business and leisure visits.

The essence of the brand is that the name of the city is given preference despite the operation being quite global.

Indore, being the land of savoury, has an impeccable food culture and so does Indore Marriott Hotel.

Devesh Rawat, General Manager, Indore Marriott Hotel shares, "Our USP is “Think Global and Act Local” which is emulated in each and every service that we offer to our customers and personalise to their taste. We offer many unique services such as experience specialist host who curates special moments for the guests, technologically advanced I-pad controlled rooms, lady chauffeur for our solo women guests, mobile check-ins, etc. Our Food & Beverage destinations are our major USP. We will have five different restaurants that makes dining an experience for our guests.

Keeping in mind the pleasant weather of the city during the evenings, all the restaurants have an Al-fresco seating."

Especially catering to the food lovers, Indore Marriott Hotel has a dynamic team of food crafters for their dining spaces namely Indore Kitchen, Indore Baking Company, One-Asia, etc. They also have an Indian restaurant and Diamante, a night club opening soon.

Stellar is an Indian based furniture brand and a name to reckon with in 70 countries and over 30 cities in India. It manufactures the entire range of furniture through manufacturing facilities in India and China. These include a range of chairs, desks, workstations, reception and conference furniture, storage furniture like cabinets and cupboards, etc. With work places increasingly getting modern and more emphasis being placed on sleek looks, Stellar, in keeping with trends, has launched a variety of products like open workstations which are in great demand.

Modern storage spaces and attractive, efficient reception desks are some of the other products that the company has recently launched. The company manufactures products for offices and educational institutes among others. It also handles furniture projects in the government as well as private corporate sectors handling every detail right from project design to execution. It has handled furniture projects of many prestigious names such as Amazon, Symbiosis Management, Mindtree, Price Waterhouse Cooper, Bits Pilani, Yamaha, Bank of Baroda, RBI, SBI, Infosys, Hotel Sayaji, Eicher Motors, Shakti Pumps, etc.

Stellar furniture is known for its quality, variety and wide price spectrum covering the premium, mid and budget segments.

It also actively participates in international furniture fairs around the world. Due to its popularity and demand, Stellar is continuously witnessing an upward trend in sales as well as market share, both in India as well as abroad.

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Wanderlust / Lenscape 1

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Gold Rush

in Gold Coast

With 26 Gold, 20 Silver and 20 Bronze medals in the XXI Commonwealth Games (CWG) held in Gold Coast, Australia, India recorded its third best performance ever in CWG history. Here’s a round-up of the top performers who brought home the Gold.

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1. Sushil Kumar The iconic wrestler Sushil Kumar proudly wears the Indian tricolour after wrestling against South Africa’s Jahannes Botha during the men’s freestyle 74kg Gold medal match at the Carrara Sports Arena.

2. Mary Kom The evergreen boxer, Mary Kom, poses with her Gold medal after beating Northern Ireland’s Kristina O’Hara in the women’s 4548kg final boxing match at the Oxenford Studios venue.

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3. Saina Nehwal India’s badminton powerhouse Saina Nehwal defeated PV Sindhu, the current world No 2, during the badminton women’s singles final at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre.

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1. Sathish Kumar Sivalingam Sivalingam lifted a total of 317kg to win the Gold in the 77kg men’s weightlifting event, securing the third Gold medal for India.

2. Neeraj Chopra India’s only medal winner in Athletics, Neeraj Chopra is the first Indian javelin thrower to claim a Gold medal at the CWG, with a season’s best effort of 86.47m in the final. In 2016, he clinched the Gold at the U-20 World Championships in Poland.

3. Vikas Krishan Boxer Vikas Krishan (in red) defeated Dieudonne Wilfried Seyi Ntsengue of Cameroon in the men’s 75kg boxing at the Oxenford Studios.

This was Vikas’ first medal at the CWG and he won the same by a 5:0 unanimous verdict in a close contest.

4. Chanu Saikhom Mirabai Twenty-three-year-old Chanu Saikhom Mirabai competes during the weightlifting women’s 48kg final of the 21st CWG at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre. The CWG record holder from Imphal, Manipur, smashed her way to a new personal record by lifting a total of 196kg.

5. Manika Batra Table tennis player Manika Batra, ranked 58th in the world, won the Gold medal in table tennis women’s singles, defeating higher-ranked opponent Mengyu Yu. She created history by becoming the first Indian woman table tennis player to win the Gold in singles in CWG’s history.

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Other Achievers Rahul Aware Gold medallist Rahul Aware defeated Canadian Steven Takahashi in the men’s 57kg freestyle wrestling match.

Aware was not selected in the 2014 and 2010 editions of the CWG. However, he was a Gold medallist in the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games.

Satwik Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa The Indian shuttlers were in top form at the CWG 2018. Satwik Rankireddy and teammate Ashwini Ponnappa gave the country its first ever Gold medal in the mixed team event against defending champions Peng Soon Chan and Liu Ying Goh of Malaysia.

Shreyasi Singh Gold medalist Shreyasi Singh celebrates her victory in the Women’s Double Trap Finals on Day 7 of the CWG at the Belmont Shooting Centre.

She shot 96 in the finals and beat Australia’s Emma Cox, 2 shots to 1 in the shoot-off.

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1. Manu Bhaker Sixteen-year-old Manu Bhaker competes in the Women’s 10m air pistol final at the Belmont Shooting Centre. She defeated two top medal contenders in the finals - two-time medallist Alejandra Zavala from Mexico and Celine Goberville, who has three medals at the International Shooting Sport Federation World Cups, from France.

2. Sumit Malik Wrestler Sumit Malik (left) won the Gold medal in the men’s freestyle 125kg after his opponent Nigeria’s Sinivie Boltic was ruled out of the final due to an injury. Earlier, Sumit defeated Pakistan’s Tayab Raza and Canada’s Korey Jarvis in dramatic bouts.

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RARE RABBIT

DLF - DELHI | UB CITY, VIRTUOUS - BENGALURU | PALLADIUM, EXPRESS AVENUE - CHENNAI LULU - COCHIN | TRILIUM - AMRITSAR | DB MALL - BHOPAL |VIRTUOUS - SURAT| PAVILION - PUNE | SEAWOODS - MUMBAI INORBIT - HYDERABAD & BARODA

Wanderlust / Uttar Pradesh

Winging it in Uttar Pradesh!

Rare and common, migratory and local - there is a whole host of avian species waiting to be seen in Uttar Pradesh. Out of the 1,300 species found in India, this state is home to over 500 of them!

Words Ragini Puri

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ttar Pradesh as a destination appeals more to history buffs, given its colourful past, rich heritage and multitude of forts and monuments. So, the state’s bird sanctuaries have thus far been hardly explored, allowing travellers to enjoy nature with little hindrance. Uttar Pradesh is bestowed with unique natural habitats that make for ideal resting grounds, not just for local birds but also for migrating avian guests that fly thousands of kilometres, from as far as Europe, Tibet, Siberia and China. You’ll get to observe a diverse bird population and be enchanted by their sheer variety!

With over 10,000 bird species around the world, it is no surprise that watching these feathered species has fascinated many. Here is a pick of the top five birding sites in the state.

Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary Sprawled over an area of 80 sq kms, Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary encompasses

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The lesser whistling duck (Dendrocygn a javanica) is commonly found in still freshwater lakes. These ducks can be spotted at the Patna Bird Sanctuary.

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two shallow canal-fed lakes – Lakh and Bahosi and the surrounding wetlands. Once a shooting range for local landlords, the area was declared a sanctuary in 1988 and has since been listed as an ‘Important Birding Area’ by the Bird Life International and Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). Just over 38 kms from the historic town of Kannauj, the sanctuary is an important breeding and nesting habitat for several species of waterfowl and hosts over 50,000 birds.

The sanctuary’s rich sightings include waterfowls such as the greylag goose, black-headed gull, white stork, common greenshank, bar-headed goose and northern pintail, among many others.

Resident avian population includes the open-billed stork, painted stork, woolly-necked stork and whitebreasted kingfisher.

Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary has an interpretation centre, observation

gazebos, a watchtower and a 10-kmlong walkway around the Bahosi Lake, which offers a fine vantage for bird watching. The best time to visit this place is from October to March.

Shaheed Chandrashekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary It’s a prized haven for resident and migratory birds that come from as far as Northern Europe, Tibet, China and Siberia.

Earlier known as Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, the Shaheed Chandrashekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary is located in the Unnao district on the Lucknow-Kanpur Highway in Uttar Pradesh.

A combination of a permanent freshwater lake and adjoining marshland, the sanctuary plays host to over 250 species of migratory birds, including the greylag goose, pintail, red-crested pochard, gadwall, coot and mallard. Resident birds at the sanctuary include a mixed heronry of the sarus crane,

"Uttar Pradesh is bestowed with unique natural habitats that make for ideal resting grounds not just for local birds but also for migrating avian guests that fly thousands of kilometres, from as far as Europe, Tibet, Siberia and China."

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1. The great pied hornbill, commonly found at Suhaildev Wildlife Sanctuary, is one of the larger members of the hornbill family.

2. The painted stork, and woolly-necked stork can be easily sighted at Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary.

painted stork, black-crowned night heron, open-billed stork and whitenecked stork, whistling teal, purple moorhen, Indian roller and the bee-eater. It can be visited any time of the year.

The sanctuary offers viewing platforms, sheds, watchtowers and cycling tracks to enjoy the experience of bird watching. There is an interpretation centre in the premises where bird enthusiasts can quench their curiosity.

Suhaildev Wildlife Sanctuary Originally earmarked as a tiger reserve, Suhaildev Wildlife is today gaining more recognition as a bird sanctuary, courtesy of a Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) report qualifying it as a first-class birding destination. According to the report published in 2015, the sanctuary is home to approximately

60 per cent of Uttar Pradesh’s and 25 per cent of India’s bird species, with nearly 300 bird species found in its wetlands.

Suhaildev Wildlife Sanctuary lies on a strip of land along the IndoNepal Border and extends from the Shravasti to Balrampur districts of Uttar Pradesh. The sanctuary has 11 wetlands and each has a vast catchment area, which supports a huge population of resident as well as migratory birds. It is also home to several threatened birds varieties, including the endangered vulture species such as white-rumped vulture and redheaded vulture.

Near-threatened species found in the sanctuary include the oriental darter, grey-headed fish eagle, cinereous vulture, river lapwing and great pied hornbill. From the vulnerable category of birds, swamp francolin, sarus crane and great slaty woodpecker are seen at the sanctuary. The large water reservoirs here attract a number of native and migratory birds such as the common pochard, red-crested pochard, great crested grebe, little cormorant, oriental pied hornbill, and several species of egrets, herons, drongos and woodpeckers.

Monsoons are a good time to visit here.

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Patna Bird Sanctuary Located in Jalesar on Agra-Etah-Aligarh road, Patna Bird Sanctuary is a unique protected area comprising of a natural freshwater shallow wetland popularly known as Patna Jheel. This is the smallest bird sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh, with a wetland area of just 1 sq km. But it is arguably one of the best as over 180 species of birds make this place their home. The best time to be here is the rainy months, when the shallow lake inside the sanctuary is transformed with the arrival of migratory birds, becoming a riot of sound and colours.

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Among the bird species found here are the red-naped ibis, bonelli’s eagle, laughing dove, greater coucal, rufous treepie, purple sunbird, oriental magpie-robin, comb duck, cotton teal, long-tailed shrike, bunting, lesser whistling duck and spot-billed duck. During the heights of winter in December and January, Patna Bird Sanctuary welcomes over 60,000 birds. Some of the most stunning birds that roost here include rosy pelican, lesser flamingo, Eurasian spoonbill, mallard and bar-headed goose. The most common migratory bird here is the northern pintail, which outnumbers all other species.

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Dudhwa National Park More famous for its tigers, Dudhwa National Park is a fabulous place to grab your binoculars and look for the feathered species. While the northern edge of the park lies along the Indo-Nepal border, the River Suheli marks its southern boundary.

Dudhwa National Park recently hosted the 3rd Uttar Pradesh Bird Festival and left bird enthusiasts smitten with its avifauna. The park boasts of an enviable bird

For The Bird Watchers

The two best binocular models for beginning are Nikon Monarchs and Leupold Yosemites.

Loud noises and sudden movements disturb animals and birds. Even the action of bringing your binoculars up to eye level must be deliberate. The closer you are to the bird, the slower and more quiet you have to be.

For birders, patience is key. It is almost impossible to truly enjoy this activity if you’re in a hurry.

Avoid wearing loud colours. Wear earthy tones to blend in.

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1. Bonelli's eagle is medium to large in size, with a body length of 65-70 cms.

2. A golden-breasted bunting, Emberiza flaviventris.

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life with over 400 resident as well as migratory species, including the swamp francolin, great slaty woodpecker and Bengal florican.

Famous for its status as the world’s rarest bustard, the Bengal florican is an endangered species (IUCN Red List) and is found only in Uttar Pradesh and Assam. Other critically endangered species in the park include the red-headed vulture, white-rumped vulture, Indian vulture and yellow-breasted bunting.

So, the next time you are in the state, make it a point to be a witness to the world of our feathered friends and explore the myriad of birds and their distinctive beauty.

Getting There AirAsia flies to New Delhi from various destinations. airasia.com

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Wanderlust / Pachmarhi

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The Jewel of Central India Pachmarhi, the only hill station in Madhya Pradesh, offers an interesting mix of scenic beauty, mythology and history. A handful of travellers know about it, even fewer have visited, but its proximity to Bhopal makes it easily accessible.

Words Abhinav Singh

The Gupt Mahadev temple is reached through a 40ft long cave. Visitors have to maneuver through a small passage between the hills to pay their respects.

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Images: Divyakshi Gupta

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M

adhya Pradesh, the second-largest state located in middle of India, is home to some noteworthy national parks as well as little-known hilly escapes. My love for this state is immense for the diversity it offers. I was in the middle of a trip to the dense forests of Satpura National Park, enjoying every bit of my wildlife safari.

However, my heart was longing for more! It was during my stay here that I heard about Pachmarhi from my guide at the national park. It is the only hill station in Madhya Pradesh located at an elevation of about 1,100 metres.

The name "Pachmarhi" is derived from the words panch (five) and mari (caves); the caves are believed to have been built by the Pandava brothers during their long exile, as portrayed in the epic Mahabharata. Even today, Pachmarhi offers an interesting mix of mythology and history along with natural beauty. I was fascinated and decided this hill station definitely

merited an extension of my stay in Madhya Pradesh.

The Colonial Past Listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Pachmarhi was discovered by Captain James Forsyth in 1857. As I crossed the Pachmarhi cantonment area, I saw vestiges of the British era all around me. Old ruins, wellpreserved churches and Raj-styled buildings hinted at Pachmarhi’s colonial past. I walked through a pathway with manicured lawns on both sides to arrive at the main gate of Christ Church, only to find it locked. Fortunately, I found the caretaker who offered to open its doors and show me around. The church is still functional and holds a Sunday mass for devotees. Built in 1875, its interior consists of a bell and stained-glass panes, which were imported from England.

Calmed by the beautiful, quiet church, I stood there in silence, meditating. I felt at peace with myself. Wanting to reflect on

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Images: Divyakshi Gupta

"Handi Khoh is another point nearby offering excellent sights of ancient canyons and ravines. Shaped like a horseshoe and at a height of about 300 ft, this vantage point offers almost otherworldly views of Pachmarhi."

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1. Christ Church in Pachmarhi is a Gothic-revival Protestant edifice built in 1875. Its architecture is a mix of European styles with Irish, French and British elements. 2. The hilly terrain of Pachmarhi is a refreshing escape for visitors. 3. The five Pandav caves in Pachmarhi have been dug out of a hillock, which was made up of huge rocks.

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Nature's Canvas The next morning, I set out to discover the natural wonders of this hill station. My first stop was Priyadarshini Point, popularly known as Forsyth Point.

Once I reached the top, the viewing area offered bewitching scenes of the mountains enveloped in mist.

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Images: Divyakshi Gupta

my day in the comfort of my room, I made my way to my accommodation - the governmentrun Champak Bungalow.

A former residence of British officers, it is a beautiful heritage property where every nook and cranny evokes its colonial past.

Tall ceilings, fireplaces and vintage phones inside the massive rooms are all quintessentially British. As I dined on the sprawling lawns of the property, I ruminated on what Pachmarhi must have been like in those times.

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Attractions

Satpura National Park It is one of the least-visited national parks of India and also one of the most beautiful ones. It is easy to spot the sloth bear, gaur and sambhar deer here.

Bhimbhetka The prehistoric rock shelters of Bhimbhetka are very well preserved. A visit to the complex will transport you into a lost world.

Bhopal There are many heritage walks and food trails in the city.

Don’t miss them!

Sanchi Stupa Built in 3rd century BC, the stupa attracts Buddhist devotees from across the globe.

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Rock-cut and blue painted carving of Shiva, also known as Jata Shankar, near Jata Shankar Cave, Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh.

Verdant valleys, water bodies, trees and temples filled up the beautiful canvas before me.

In the distance, I saw Chauragarh, an important shrine for devotees of Lord Shiva. The long trail to the temple passes through the mountains, and a flight of stairs lead you to its entrance. It is in these hills that Tantiya Tope, an Indian freedom fighter and a general in the Rebellion of 1857, rebelled against the British in the 1850s. There are several other places that offer mesmerising views of Pachmarhi. Consider revisiting Priyadarshini Point at sunset when nature puts on a spectacular show of light and beauty.

Handi Khoh is another point nearby offering excellent sights of ancient canyons and ravines.

Shaped like a horseshoe and at a height of about 300 ft, this vantage point offers almost other-worldly views of Pachmarhi.

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In the Abode of Lord Shiva As British as Pachmarhi is, many places here are also steeped in Hindu mythology. Several caves in the area are associated with Lord Shiva. Gupt Mahadev temple is the most unique of all because there is a narrow slit in the rock that allows devotees to enter the cave for darshan (seeking blessings) of the deity presiding at the end of the cave, totally unlike the entrances of most temples in India.

The slit is so narrow that it could easily be missed if not for the saffron flags and a life-size statue of Lord Hanuman outside the cave. Some of the visitors skipped going inside as it was quite claustrophobic but that didn't deter me from seeking blessings from the lord.

Next, I walked over to the Bada Mahadev Temple close by. I climbed the concrete stairs, which led to a big cave. Water constantly oozes out of the rock walls here. You can also

visit the Pandav caves, Reechgarh caves and Jata Shankar caves if you have the time - all fascinating sights, which promise you a charming sojourn.

An Offbeat Choice From mythology to colonial trails, Pachmarhi delighted me at every turn. Unlike the other hill stations of India, which are overrun with tourists almost throughout the year, Pachmarhi remains pristine. If you want a quiet, tranquil and relaxing vacation, this destination has my vote!

Getting There AirAsia flies to Indore from various destinations. airasia.com

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vanity fare

All That Glitters

Become a trend-setter this season by donning these sparkling pieces!

Of Roots and Petals

Wonder Weave

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Designer Gaurang Shah, fondly known as the master of weaves, recently unveiled his clothing line 'Neel' - a lineup of 44 indigo themed hand-woven masterpieces.

Sourcing handspun yarn from various states in India, all the indigo dyeing has been done in Gujarat.

Temple Trail Temple jewellery forms a valuable part of South India’s cultural heritage. Keeping up with these traditions is AVR Jeweller's Temple Collection.

The pieces beautifully portray goddess Lakshmi and Lord Krishna in intricate filigree.

gaurang.co

An Ode to the Forest If you appreciate the beauty of nature, Caratlane's latest collection Aaranya, is sure to excite you!

The 18k gold designs celebrate the artistic pattern of wood grains, and the entangled roots and the leaves of a tree. It translates the finesse of nature into mesmerising designs. caratlane.com

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The Pirouettes of Time Dance, in several forms has been celebrated in India over thousands of centuries. Inspired by this art form, the Jaipur Watch Company has recreated the magic of ballet into stunning watches.

The dial is embedded with figurines in coloured Swarovski crystals of 18k rose gold while the bezel is augmented with dusty pink Swarovski stones crafted in stainless steel. jaipurwatches.com

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Embrace the Sunshine Inspired by the beauty of nature, Adawna by Sonal’s Bijoux recently launched its Sunlight collection. A charming complement of sterling silver and Swarovski crystals, set in the midst of regal yellow stones, the collection comprises lustrous earrings, rings and bracelets.

Enchanted Garden The brightness of the flowers, the beauty of the leaves - nature is replete with muses for contemporary designers! In line with the theme, ShazĂŠ, a lifestyle jewellery brand, brings forth a collection inspired by the charm of gardens. The jewellery has been finished in gold, silver and rosegold accents with intricate floral work, and delicate leaf motifs. shaze.com

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cabin comfort

Joy of Flying Whether on a short- or long-haul journey, flying can be a pleasant experience if you are well-prepared.

Here are some simple steps to ensure you have a safe, smooth and comfortable journey.

Onboard Care

Inflight Exercises

Troy Bantleman, personal trainer to celebrity athletes and AirAsia big boss Tony Fernandes shows you how to perform easy exercises for a comfortable flight.

Aircraft cabins are generally very dry and dehydration can occur easily. To overcome this:

Drink lots of water but ensure the intake is slow and regular. Drinking too much water suddenly will cause the body to expel the water quickly too, forcing you to visit the toilet frequently.

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Tricep Stretch

Lower Back Stretch

Side Neck Stretch

Extend one hand down the centre of your back, while grasping your elbow with the other. Exhale slowly while pulling gently downward on your elbow, with your fingers aligned with your spine.

While seated, lift a knee up toward your chest and hold the position for 30 seconds. Gently lower the knee and perform three 30sec sets, alternating between both knees.

Gently tilt your head till you feel the stretch in your neck.

Hold the position for 30 seconds and release slowly.

Change sides and repeat until you have done three 30sec sets on both sides.

Prevent DVT Deep Vein Thrombosis can occur when a blood clot forms in the large veins of the legs or arms, blocking blood circulation. Inactivity during long flights may lead to the occurrence of DVT. If you are flying long distance, ensure you perform inflight exercises such as those listed above as a precaution against developing DVT. When possible and permissible, stretch your legs and walk along the aisle. Be aware of symptoms such as pain or swelling in the legs, which can happen even after you disembark. Seek medical attention if these occur.

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Beat the Lag

Lubricate your eyes with eye drops, as eyes are aggravated by dry atmosphere. Also, ditch the contact lenses and opt for spectacles during the flight.

Hydrate your skin by applying moisturiser or spraying a body spritzer on exposed body parts.

Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol, or keep intake to a minimum.

Ear Comfort

To counter the effects of jetlag, get as much sleep as possible when flying west to east. When flying in the reverse direction, try to stay awake as much as you can. AirAsia’s chic Snug-as-a-bug hoodie keeps you cosy with its neck pillow attached to a soft hooded collar, and is easily deflated for storage upon landing. Enjoy savings when you pre-book this item at bigdutyfree.com

Changes in air pressure or altitude cause our ears to ‘pop’ and sometimes ache during take-offs and landings. For a comfortable flying experience, suck on sweets or, mimic the act of chewing and swallowing if you do not have any sweets with you. This will relieve the discomfort and help stabilise the pressure in the ear canals. Pacifiers will work just as well for toddlers. If you have a cold, use a nasal decongestant to clear your nasal passage and alleviate the ache.

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SURABAYA Lobby Int. Terminal, Juanda Int. Airport, Jln. Raya Juanda, Surabaya, Jawa Timur Plaza East UG Flr. unit 48 Tunjungan Plaza 1 PTC Supermall, LG Floor A601A6-50, Jl. Puncak Indah Lontar 2

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JOHOR Lot 57, Aeromall Airport, Senai Int. Airport, 81250 Senai No.26 Jl. Bakri, 84000 Muar

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Malaysia

Lot G-2, Ground Flr., Plaza USIA Building, Jln. Teratai, MDLD 7084,

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Level, Lot 2, Sandakan Airport, 90000 Sandakan

Call Centre Numbers India

PENANG Lot 8, Departure Concourse, Penang Int. Airport, 11900 Bayan Lepas No.12H-G, Jln. Tun Dr Awang, 11900 Bayan Lepas

Tesco Lotus - Lad Prao, 2nd Flr, 1190, Phahonyothin Road, Jompol, Jatujak, 10900 127 Tanow Road, Bovornivet, Phra Nakorn, 10200

332, G Flr. Kim Mansion, Lebuh Chulia, 10200

Tesco Lotus - Rama1, 3rd Flr., 831 Rama 1 Road, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok,10330

A-G-7, Jln. Todak 4, Sunway Business Park, Pusat Bandar Seberang Jaya, 13700 Perai

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G2, Terminal SkyPark, Lapangan Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, 47200 Subang

Chiang Mai Int. Airport, Room No. 60, 1st Flr., Tambon Suthep, Muang Dist., 50200

Lot No.G-35, Mydin Hypermarket, Persiaran Subang Permai, USJ 1, 47500 Subang Jaya

416, Thaphae Road

1860 500 8000 Indonesia 08 04 1 333 333 Call Centre National

+62 21 2927 0999

600 85 8888 AirAsia X Premium Line chargeable at RM1.95 per minute

Thailand +66 2 515 9999

Lot S141, 2nd Flr., Plaza Metro Kajang Section 7, Jln. Tun Abdul Aziz, 43000 Kajang LG-09, Shaw Centrepoint, Jln. Raja Hassan, 41400

CHIANG RAI Chiang Rai Int. Airport, Room No. 2305/2 404, Moo 10, Robwiang Sub Dist., Muang Dist., 57100

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Krabi Int. Airport, Room No. 133, Moo 5, Petchakasem Rd., Nuaklong Sub Dist., Nuaklong Dist., 81130

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PHUKET

Suvarnabhumi Int. Airport, 6th Flr., Room No.TW6-037, No. 999, Moo 1, Bangplee, Samutprakarn 10540

Tesco Lotus - Phuket, 2nd Flr., 104, Chalermprakiat Road,

Don Mueang Int. Airport, Room No. 3307, 3rd Flr., Terminal 1.

222 Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd., Airport Sub Dist., Don Mueang Dist., 10210 Tesco Lotus - 2nd Flr., 3109 Ladpro Road, Bangkapi, 10240

Rasada Sub Dist., Muang Dist., 83000

PATTAYA Tesco Lotus South Pattaya, 2 Flr. 408/2 Moo 12, South Pattaya, Sukhumvit Rd., Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150

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Route maps

NEW DELHI Kathmandu

Jaipur

Dhaka KOLKATA

Jeddah

Bhubaneswar Visakhapatnam

Hyderabad

Chennai

BENGALURU Tiruchirappalli Kochi Colombo

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Malé

INDIAN OCEAN

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Maps not to scale and are just a graphic representation.

Maps do not reflect the opinion of the publisher with regards to the legal or geographical status of any country/territory depicted. Maps as at January 31, 2018.

Sapporo Sapporo

Beijing Beijing Seoul

Xi’an

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Seoul

Busan Busan Osaka Osaka

Tokyo (Narita/Haneda) Tokyo (Narita/Haneda)

ShanghaiShanghai Wuhan Wuhan Hangzhou Hangzhou

ChengduChengdu Chongqing Chongqing

Nanchang Nanchang ChangshaChangsha Guilin Guilin

KunmingKunming

Taipei Taipei

Guangzhou Guangzhou Shantou Shantou NanningNanning Kaohsiung ShenzhenShenzhenKaohsiung Macao Macao Hong Kong Mandalay Mandalay Hong Kong Luang Luang Hanoi Hanoi Prabang Prabang

MAI HIANGCHIANG MAI

VientianeVientiane

Yangon Yangon

Da NangDa Nang

Clark Clark MANILA MANILA BANGKOK Siem Reap BANGKOK Siem Reap PATTAYAPATTAYA Nha Trang Nha Trang Phnom Penh Phnom Penh Ho Chi Ho Chi Minh CityMinh City CEBU CEBU Sihanoukville Sihanoukville KRABI KRABI PHUKETPHUKET HAT YAI HAT YAI LANGKAWI Kota Bharu LANGKAWI Kota Bharu KOTA KINABALU KOTA KINABALU Kuala Terengganu Kuala Terengganu Banda Aceh Bandar Seri Begawan Banda Aceh Bandar Seri Begawan PENANGPENANG Miri Miri MEDAN MEDAN KUALA LUMPUR Bintulu Bintulu KUALA LUMPUR JOHOR JOHOR BAHRU BAHRU KUCHING Singapore KUCHING Pekanbaru Singapore Pekanbaru Pontianak Pontianak Padang Padang

HonoluluHonolulu

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PACIFIC OCEAN PACIFIC OCEAN

Palembang Palembang MakassarMakassar JAKARTA Semarang JAKARTA Semarang BandungBandung SURABAYA SURABAYA Yogyakarta Yogyakarta Solo Solo BALI Lombok Lombok BALI

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Indore

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Hyderabad

Goa BENGALURU

Chennai

Chiang Rai

Nan Udon Thani Loei Nakhon Phanom Phitsanulok Sakhon Nakhon Khon Kaen Roi Et Ubon Ratchathani Buriram BANGKOK PATTAYA

CHIANG MAI

Chumphon Ranong Surat Thani KRABI Nakhon Si Thammarat PHUKET HAT YAI Trang Alor Setar Kota Bharu LANGKAWI PENANG Narathiwat Kuala Terengganu MEDAN KUALA LUMPUR

Kochi

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JOHOR BAHRU

CLARK

MANILA

Caticlan KALIBO Tacloban Iloilo CEBU Puerto Princesa Tagbilaran Davao

KOTA KINABALU

Sandakan

Labuan Miri Tawau Bintulu Sibu

PACIFIC OCEAN

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INDIAN OCEAN Palembang

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Destinations India

India

India

India

India

Bagdogra

Bengaluru

Bhubaneswar

Chandigarh

Chennai

Airport Bagdogra Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 3556 Languages Bengali, English, Hindi, Nepali and Bhutanese Distance to City 12km Points of Interest Surya Sen Park, Coronation Bridge, Science City Transport

Airport Kempegowda International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 80 Languages Kannada, English, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi Distance to City 35km Points of Interest Lal Bagh, UB City, Bangalore Palace, Cubbon Park Transport

Airport Biju Patnaik International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 674 Languages Oriya, Bengali, English and Hindi Distance to City 3km Points of Interest Lingaraj Temple, Rajarani Temple, Mukteswar Mandir, Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves Transport

Airport Chandigarh International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 172 Languages Punjabi, English, Hindi Distance to City 10km Points of Interest Rock Garden, Government Museum and Art Gallery, International Dolls Museum Transport

Airport Chennai International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 44 Languages Tamil, Telugu, English, Malayalam Distance to City 20km Points of Interest Marina Beach, Kapaleeswarar Temple, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Covelong Transport

Bus

Taxi

Bus

Metro

Taxi

Bus

Taxi

Bus

Taxi

Bus

Train

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India

India

India

india

Goa

Guwahati

Hyderabad

Imphal

Indore

Airport Goa International Airport/Dabolim Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 832 Languages Konkani, English, Hindi, Portuguese, Marathi Distance to City 42km Points of Interest Fort Aguada, Chapora Fort, Mangeshi Temple, Dudhsagar Falls, Museum of Goa Transport

Airport Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 361 Languages Assamese, Bengali, English, Hindi Distance to City 22km Points of Interest Nehru Park, Umananda Temple, Kamakhya Temple, Basistha Temple Transport

Airport Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 40 Languages Telugu, English, Hindi Distance to City 28km Points of Interest Charminar, Chowmahalla Palace, Salar Jung Museum, Laad Bazaar Transport

Airport Imphal International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 385 Languages Manipuri, English, Hindi Distance to City 8km Points of Interest Manipur State Museum, Matai Garden, Shri Govindjee Temple, Manipur Zoological Garden Transport

Airport Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code 0731 Languages Hindi, English, Bundeli, Malawi and Chhattisgarhi Distance to City 7km Points of Interest Rajwada, Lal Baag Palace, Indore Museum, Annapurna Temple Transport

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All information correct at press time. Some information contained here are approximates only. DIY research is highly recommended.

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Destinations India

India

India

India

India

Jaipur

Kochi

Kolkata

Nagpur

New Delhi

Airport Jaipur International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 141 Languages Rajasthani, Marwari, Dhundhari, Hindi, English Distance to City 13km Points of Interest Hawa Mahal, Jaipur Zoo, Jaigarh Fort Transport

Airport Cochin International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 484 Languages Malayalam, English, Hindi, Tamil Distance to City 45km Points of Interest Fort Kochi, Thrikkakara Temple, Indian Naval Maritime Museum, Cochin Cultural Centre Transport

Airport Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 33 Languages Bengali, English, Hindi Distance to City 15km Points of Interest Victoria Memorial, Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Science City, Kalighat Temple Transport

Airport Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code 0712 Languages Marathi, Hindi, English Distance to City 8.9km Points of Interest Bohra Masjid, Ramtek Temple, Maharajbagh Zoo, Japanese Rose Garden Transport

Airport Indira Gandhi International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code:+91 11 Languages Hindi, English, Punjabi, Haryanvi Distance to City 15km Points of Interest Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, India Gate Transport

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05 18 India

India

India

India

India

Pune

Ranchi

Srinagar

Tiruchirappalli

Visakhapatnam

Airport Pune International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 20 Languages Marathi, English, Hindi Distance to City 10km Points of Interest Aga Khan Palace, Osho Ashram, National War Museum Transport

Airport Birsa Munda Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 651 Languages Munda, English, Hindi, Bhojpuri Distance to City 5km Points of Interest Sun Temple, Tagore Hill, Birsa Biological Park Transport

Airport Srinagar International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 194 Languages Kashmiri, Hindi, Urdu, English Distance to City 12km Points of Interest Dal Lake, Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Nishat Bagh Transport

Airport Tiruchirappalli International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 431 Languages Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, English, Hindi Distance to City 6km Points of Interest Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Jambukeshwara Temple, Kallanai Dam Transport

Airport Visakhapatnam International Airport Currency INR (Indian Rupee) Dialing Code +91 891 Languages Telugu, English, Hindi Distance to City 7km Points of Interest Submarine Museum, Rishikonda Beach, Ramakrishna Mission Beach Transport

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