SEEMA February Issue 2022 by SEEMA

FEBRUARY 2022

PLUS

INSIDE

DOCTORS IN LOVE PODCASTS FOR THE PASSIONATE

8 STEPS FROM MEH TO GLAM

READING MUCH INTO ROMANCE SALEKA, DAUGHTER OF M NIGHT SHYAMALAN, CARVES HER OWN NICHE

PAYAL KADAKIA

FLIGHT OF THE UNICORN

8 Steps from Meh to Glam page 44

Saleka, daughter of M Night Shyamalan, carves her own niche page 14

CONTENTS

CONTRIBUTORS BEYOND LIMITS

PIONEERS 8

As They Sew…

Carving a Niche

RELATIONSHIPS 34

Doctors in love

Keeping the Flame Alive

BEAUTY 44

8 Steps from Meh to Glam

FILMS 48

Some of the Best Romantic Comedies

Podcasts for the Passionate

FOOD & DRINK

HEALTH & FITNESS

A Valentine’s Day Menu

SEEMA RECOMMENDS 70

What to buy for that special someone

TRAVEL 74

Top 12 Vacation Spots for Couples

SEEMA TEENS RECOMMEND 80

HOROSCOPE 93

Forecast with Farzana

ON THE COVER

Flight of the Unicorn

10 Podcasts for Teens

BOOKS 84

Couples yoga

Reading Much Into Romance

PHOTO CREDIT: ASH GUPTA

5 6

10 Podcasts for Teens page 80

SUMMIT M A RC H

WATC H

2 0 2 2

F O R

M O R E

MEET OUR

CONTRIBUTORS FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

SHARE/ LIKE/ TWEET/ US ON

SEEMA KUMAR CREATIVE DIRECTOR

SAJID MOINUDDIN DESIGN

HB DESIGN EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

ROHINI KAPUR @seemanetwork

EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE

AHAD SANWARI WRITERS @seemanetworks

@seemanetwork

ABHIJIT MASIH BINDU GOPAL RAO CAMILLE BERRY PALOMA JHINGAN MALATHY CHANDRASEKHAR PRATIKA YASHASWI RICHA SHARMA FARZANA CONTRACTOR BRAND PARTNERSHIPS, DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGY

ANJALI MANIAM

SEEMA™ ISSUE 02 | FEBRUARY 2022

ON THE COVER:

EMPOWERING SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN GLOBALLY

PHOTOGRAPH BY ASH GUPTA

GOWN NDIGO STUDIO

PRODUCED BY: JOEL WICECARVER PHOTO ASSISTANT: TUHAN BEDI

HAIR & MAKEUP: CHRISTINE TIRADO STYLED BY: JESSE J

STYLE ASST: HARLEY BARBE

SEEMA KUMAR, FOUNDER SEEMA.COM

PUBLISHED AT P.O. BOX 814, PENNINGTON, NJ 08534

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EDIT | SEEMA

BEYOND LIMITS SEEMA KUMAR, FOUNDER

A Time to Come Together

’ve been thinking about sisterhood a lot lately. I was an only child, but with a bevy of cousins, neighbors, friends and family members, I never felt alone or unsupported. Yes it takes a village, and in the crowded and cosmopolitan Mumbai and Chennai, I thrived in a circle of trust I could be myself, feel supported, and loved, warts and all. Of course, this came with unsolicited advice and judgment, but all I had to do was ignore it. I cherished this about our culture – the unbidden familiarity. Yes, they poked their noses into my business and told me what to do, but at the end of the day they had my back – this band of sisters. You could always count on them. I came to the United States as a young student and found sisterhood here: a diverse community of friends who welcomed me and with open arms and surrounded me with advice, and helped me assimilate into the college and my new adopted culture. They didn’t poke into my business, nor did they tell me what to do, but they too accepted me and appreciated me for who I was. Even today, these women are part of my FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 6

sisterhood — a band of colleagues, neighbors, friends — who I know have my back and are just a phone call away. Then I ran into a phenomenon so strange I thought I was imagining it. Women of my own community here in the United States looked the other way when I bumped into them in the supermarket or on the street. My Indian college mates, of which there were only a handful on the campus, avoided eye contact when we ran into each other. Were they embarrassed? Did they not want to acknowledge their culture? Did they not want to mingle with their own community? I didn’t quite understand, and eventually stopped paying attention. I realize that there is something unique about us that makes us want to reject our culture on one hand and criticize the mainstream on the other, all the while blending into the background in a perfect camouflage. Unlike many Black and LatinX communities, we are not united. We have no unified point of view, nor a strong sense of identity as a diaspora community. There isn’t a common bond or purpose. You might say, so what? It’s a big question. For

PHOTO CREDIT – SHRAVYA KAG

a long time, women in our community have been left behind. On the one hand, they have been revered and idolized as goddesses; on the other, they have not had equal say or rights. Even today, in many cases, women are treated as second-class citizens. Equal pay is a distant hope. And any society in which women don’t have equal rights and equal pay will lose global competitiveness. Women tend to be the chief financial officers and chief medical officers of their families. They are the fulcrum around which their communities swing. The cost of women being left behind is huge! Women lost a whopping $800 billion in income during the first year of COVID, according to a recent Oxfam report. The pandemic has negatively affected all our lives, but it has disproportionately impacted women. A record number of them — 2.3 million — left the U.S. workforce during the pandemic. Without their participation, societal and economic recovery will be compromised, and labor shortages created in many important sectors. We can’t build back better without considering the important care infrastructure we must put in place — family and paid medical leave, an improved child care system, flexible work environments, and child tax credits to ensure that women can continue to be in the paid labor force. As an influential community we can make a difference in the society we live in, and as a sisterhood, we must unite to speak on behalf of our own community and the communities within which we live, work and earn, because without us raising our voices in unison, they will be too feeble to be heard. So we must come together for the causes we care about. My hope is that with SEEMA, we will find the causes South Asian women will care about, and unite around, for us to address. I attend leadership meetings all over the world, but rarely have I seen women of South Asian origin get together at a conference for a cup of coffee and discuss issues important to us. What do we stand for, and how can we make a change, taking collective action? That will be the subject of our March summit as we celebrate Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day and the third birthday of SEEMA. We’ve come a long way to reach base camp, but there is a mountain to climb. At the SEEMA Summit, we hope to define what unites us, rather than what divides us. If we rally around what is important, we can all take action on behalf of our community. I hope you will save the date, and show up at the summit. I look forward to meeting with many of you there. We hope you enjoy this issue, which is filled with lots of love and inspiring stories – as always. FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 7

PIONEER | SEEMA

AS THEY

SEW...

With unique, handcrafted products, the workers of MarketPlace India have reaped reward for future generations ABHIJIT MASIH

he inception of MarketPlace: Handwork of India was a result of a desire to help three lowincome women in Mumbai, India. Sisters Pushpika Freitas and Lalita Monteiro founded the nonprofit to teach women to sew patchwork quilts by hand, work they could do at home without having to pay for childcare or equipment. This small experiment attracted other women in the neighborhood who needed to support their families but faced obstacles like poverty, lack of education, or cultural and religious restrictions. What began with three women in 1980 spread to 75 by 1983 and the organization

8 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022

was incorporated as a not-for-profit in Illinois by the end of 1986. Market Place put out their first printed catalog for women’s apparel and home décor in 1990, by which time they worked with more than a few hundred artisans in India. Currently, MarketPlace works with over 400 artisans organized into 11 cooperatives. This helps these artisans to achieve meaningful and sustainable self-sufficiency and empowerment by owning and running their own cooperatives. Pushpika Freitas was motivated early in her childhood, growing up in a family of six girls. Regardless of the situation at home, her parents firmly believed in educating women.

ALL PHOTOS CREDIT: PUSHPIKA FREITAS / MARKETPLACE: HANDWORK OF INDIA.

A model wearing Bindal jacket and Kavya pants, available at MarketPlace

FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 9

PIONEER | SEEMA

“BEYOND SELFRELIANCE, THESE WOMEN WANTED THEIR CHILDREN EDUCATED. FRIETAS’ MOTTO WAS “DIGNITY AND NOT CHARITY.” Pushpika Freitas, president at MarketPlace Handwork of India

“I did my bachelor’s in social work in Mumbai,” says Freitas “And then I came to the U.S. to do my masters, but I was very committed to working in India.” So she headed back and worked alongside her mother in her organization involved in the treatment of leprosy. Soon after, she received funding to start a leprosy rehabilitation center, which exposed her to life in the slums of Mumbai. She realized how fortunate she was. Freitas recalls, “A lot of the women in the slums could not find jobs, because they were uneducated … The oldest girl in the family was taken out of school to look after the other siblings so that the mother could work.” Freitas wanted to empower them, and so, without any business background, armed only with her degree, she decided to make a marketable product. On trips to the U.S. to visit family, Freitas sold clothes these women had made, and soon realized there was a market for them in America. “Earning a living and putting food on the table was the first step towards empowering these women,” Freitas said. “We concentrated on that and were really trying to 10 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022

work with women who did not have any options. I have just been an instrument providing small opportunities, and the women taking the ball and running with it. And they have, right from the beginning.” Beyond self-reliance, these women wanted their children educated. Frietas’ motto was “dignity and not charity.” She explains: “From the very beginning, we did not have any charitable programs. As an organization, we were telling the women that they have to be independent, and not dependent on charity ... Hence, though we are a nonprofit, we basically do not depend on donations.” The children of these women are reaping the benefits of the drive Freitas initiated. Some of them hold jobs in banking, sales… One of them has a son son pursuing medicine, another a daughter in dental school. Their lives are forever altered. For Frietas, the president of MarketPlace India, one story stands out. “This was a little while ago,” she says. “One of these women came to me and said that her

A model wearing Mandya Swing Kaftan, available at MarketPlace

FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 11

PIONEER | SEEMA

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Pushpika Freitas (far-center) addressing a group of artisans in Mumbai

“A LOT OF THE WOMEN IN THE SLUMS COULD NOT FIND JOBS, BECAUSE THEY WERE UNEDUCATED … THE OLDEST GIRL IN THE FAMILY WAS TAKEN OUT OF SCHOOL TO LOOK AFTER THE OTHER SIBLINGS SO THAT THE MOTHER COULD WORK” husband’s family wants to get her 14-year-old daughter married. The wife and the husband did not definitely want it, but the husband was hesitant to tell this to his family. So he asked his wife, to convince his parents. He thought she would know how to talk, because she attended meetings at the co-operative ... Not only could this woman do that, but that her husband recognized the fact that she could do that.” A distinctive feature of the MarketPlace India products is the hand embroidery, quite different the repetitive designs of the mainstream apparel industry, with its

fast, but machine-made, products. Freitas describes MarketPlace as a fair trade, non-profit organization that empowers women in India to break the cycle of poverty. What began as a small step of social work to help three women has become a successful business that has impacted not just hundreds of women in the co-operative, but also their families and their future generations. But it all began with that young girl more than 40 years ago.

FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 13

ALL PHOTOS CREDIT: SHERVIN LAINEZ

R&B and jazz singer-songwriter Saleka 14 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022

PIONEER | SEEMA

Carving a

NICHE Saleka breaks out of the shadow of her dad, M. Night Shyamalan, with her debut album AHAD SANWARI

t a dark and intimate lounge on an October night in the Lower East Side, several Indians descended upon the scene, ready to see one of their own embrace her moment in the spotlight. They were there to see R&B and jazz singer-songwriter Saleka perform songs from her upcoming debut album, Seance. To many, Saleka may be renowned director M. Night Shyamalan’s daughter. But over the last year and a half, she has broken out to create a niche of her own, winning acclaim for her singles and captivating crowds with atmospheric and narrative-driven concerts. Born into a family of Indian-American immigrants, arts has been coursing through her veins for as long as she can remember.

FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 15

PIONEER | SEEMA In an exclusive interview with SEEMA, Saleka talks about her upbringing and the inherent pressure to succeed, working with her father on his show “Servant” and movie Old, and the intricacies of the stories she tells through her new album. Tell me more about your childhood and what it was like growing up in a household where your father is already a worldwide name. I had a pretty normal childhood, I would say. We’re all super close, and still are. I think that was a big part of my childhood, family was super important. And my parents kind of instilled that value system as well, keeping the family together and seeing each other often, even our grandparents and cousins. I started music from a young age, with classical piano when I was four. And when I turned 16 or 17, I wanted to try writing my own songs and singing and exploring that. Because of my dad’s career, our household is always filled with art, we’re always talking about movies and music, just artistic things. And I don’t know who I would be if I wasn’t raised that way. I also think that I’m lucky because both my parents are interested in the arts and with my dad having made a career out of film, I was lucky enough to grow up in a household where the arts were perceived as a viable career option and to be supported in that, because I know that’s not the case in every family. It’s always a little refreshing, when you see households where children are encouraged to follow their own path, especially in the arts. That doesn’t really happen often in India. Yeah, I think my dad broke that barrier a little bit with his parents because with my grandparents’ generation; they’re all doctors. So he was the first to go into the arts in a serious way. And even when I talk to them [my grandparents] now, my grandma loves to sing, she loves to dance, but it was never something that she could really even consider as something to pursue or take seriously and at a certain age she wasn’t even allowed to do that. It makes me really appreciate being able to sing and be able to do this for my life. An interesting thing I noticed about your music is you have a range of stories to tell with them. Many of them are about love, but there’s one that’s protest-themed, and there’s “Echo,” which is

16 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022

FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 17

inspired by Greek myths. What inspires your music and storytelling? It’s definitely personal and things that I’ve observed and experienced. When it comes to more metaphoric subjects, female characters in a lot of mythology are often viewed as objects of desire and lust, things for the male characters to obtain. And when I first read those myths, I think I was in class at Brown, and I was struggling with feeling like that within the music industry. And it really just hit me, it was something that I connected to. So I just wanted to see what it would feel like to write from a character perspective, of a mythological character. But it’s still very much connected to things that I’m experiencing or feeling or trying to navigate or understand. And what are you hoping people will take away from your debut record? It [the album] was my journey of transitioning into adulthood. As I was writing this album, I was grappling with a lot of things like what it means to be a woman, what it means to be a person of color, what it means to be from an immigrant family, what it means to feel love and heartbreak and loss and all those kinds of things. So, I feel like for me, when I listen to music, it makes me feel less alone, even if it’s not something that I’ve directly gone through. So I would hope that it does that. Throughout your career, you’ve also been quite family-oriented. Your sister has directed some of your music videos, and you’ve also written and performed for your father’s work, most recently for his show, “Servant.” What’s that experience been like? I actually have an EP coming out this year in tandem with the album, it consists of four songs from the show. One was released last year and the other three will be out this year as the third season of the show goes along, which I’m really excited for. It’s been so fun! Honestly, I was very nervous to venture into that realm of film and TV, because I’ve watched it my whole life, but as an observer and not contributing to it. My dad’s projects are so large scale and professional, and everything’s just very high quality. And he’s not somebody that ever compromises and he’s very straight up about things; if he doesn’t like 18 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022

PIONEER | SEEMA really incorporate elements of what the character’s relationships are going through. I’ll go through the script and find imagery and have little references to that in the song that probably no one cares about, nobody will notice. But it’s just fun for me.

MY GRANDPARENTS TELL ME STORIES OF HOW THEY WOULD WORK OVERNIGHT SHIFTS IN THE ER FOR LIKE $1 AN HOUR, CRAZY THINGS LIKE THAT, JUST TO SAVE UP MONEY. NOW THEY’RE WATCHING THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN BE ABLE TO GO ON STAGE AND PERFORM AND DO THINGS AND TRAVEL THE WORLD” something, he’ll say he doesn’t like it. Even if it’s his children or his best friends, he’ll be like, ‘nope, that’s not getting it.’ But luckily, I feel like what they wanted was really in line with the things that I do, and the type of music that I’m drawn to, and I got to work with the music supervisor on the show before I even started writing songs. Essentially all the songs I’m writing for “Servant” are on this album that one of the characters is listening to throughout the show. So they all have to feel like this one artist singing and this one band performing and it’s this through line through the plot. So once we had that feeling established, and I knew what the sound was going to be, which ended up kind of being this minor, bluesy, jazzy vibe, I felt like it was really easy to fall into that. And it’s pretty freeing; They give me the scripts, and I’ll write for a scene or

One of the things that I’ve seen people talk about when they come from immigrant families is an inherent pressure to succeed, an internal force compelling them to push forward and justify the decisions made by generations before them. Do you feel that? I think, yes, in the sense that my grandparents are very strong, prideful people, and they want the best for their children and their grandchildren. And I feel like things that I do reflect on them, and they feel that way too. So there’s definitely a pressure in that regard, but I don’t think that’s necessarily a negative thing. I mean, it can become that, but there’s a line where it can be a beautiful thing and a motivating factor to want to bring pride and make your family feel proud of you. When my grandparents came over to this country, and my mom came to the States when she was 17 or 18, they all came with an idea of wanting the best for their kids and the next generation. I definitely feel like I want to do right by them, especially in the sense that they’ve sacrificed so much that we can have these opportunities, and they couldn’t even imagine a world in which they could grow up and want to be a singer and really do something like that. My grandparents tell me stories of how they would work overnight shifts in the ER for like $1 an hour, crazy things like that, just to save up money. Now they’re watching their children and grandchildren be able to go on stage and perform and do things and travel the world. So I think it’s important to remember that and not take it for granted. What’s next for Saleka? Well, I’m just really excited for this year. The album is here, we have a “Servant” EP coming out. I’m already a few tracks into album two, so I’m really excited to just be digging into getting back in the studio and just writing and finishing that album. Because I don’t want it to be so long before the next album comes out. And then I’m going to go into writing some more songs for “Servant” season four as well. And hopefully, be performing and doing tours and all that kind of stuff. I would love to do some more film and TV gigs outside of “Servant” as well. I’m hoping to get into that space and have some ideas brewing and some family collaborations that will be probably a couple years away before they’re out. FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 19

PIONEER | SEEMA

GOWN NDIGO STUDIO PHOTOGRAPH BY ASH GUPTA PRODUCED BY: JOEL WICECARVER PHOTO ASSISTANT: TUHAN BEDI HAIR & MAKEUP CHRISTINE TIRADO STYLED BY: JESSE J STYLE ASST: HARLEY BARBE

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COVER STORY | SEEMA

Flight of the

Unicorn Driven by her passion for

dance, Payal Kadakia has minted some pretty coin ABHIJIT MASIH

FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 21

COVER STORY | SEEMA

“I really give the credit to dance for being able to help me shape my entire identity”

s a young first generation Indian graduate from MIT, Payal Kadakia was headed for a successful career in management consulting until a jarring meeting with her boss came as a wake-up call. “I have to question your reliability and commitment,” Payal Kadakia’s manager told her plainly, questioning her competence. This was early in Kadakia’s corporate career, soon after she graduated from MIT in 2005 and secured a coveted management consultancy job in New York. Kadakia had missed an important client meeting choosing instead to honor her commitment at a South Asian dance event where she was performing. Dance had always been her first love but was a sidecar rather than the mainstay of her career. According to Kadakia, that was the moment that changed her life, when her boss informed her that she had not made the cut for the plum job. It was an inflection point at which she realized that she did not have to work harder just to prove her worth doing something she didn’t love. Instead, she could do something that she truly loved. That low point is described in the opening chapter of Payal Kadakia’s book, “LifePass: Drop Your Limits, Rise to Your Potential,” which will be launched February 15. The idea for the book came from two

questions Kadakia asked herself: 1) How are you loving your life? 2) How do you want to be living it? “I opened the book with the story, because it was such an important moment,” Kadakia says. “It forced me to start having a conversation with myself about what my own traits were, and what I could do with my career. It was the first moment where I think I made a bit of a decision in line with what I wanted to do, and which was conflicting with the normal path.” Leaving the beaten track and ditching the trappings of the traditional measures and pressures of success, she turned her passion into a successful business. That passion was her fitness start-up, ClassPass, an app that allows you to buy credits from multiple gyms and dance classes to create your own custom fitness program rather than be stuck with one gym. Last fall, Kadakia’s ClassPass, valued at over $1 billion, making it a unicorn, was acquired by Mindbody, the wellness platform. The online platform that she founded in 2013 helped people find online classes and wellness programs for their workouts. She is one of the first women of color to achieve the elusive status of a Unicorn, the first of the decade. Like the name suggests, Unicorn status is rare for a start-up. According to Forbes, only 1% of venture funded startups make it to the mythical status of a billion-dollar valuation. Kadakia made the grade in the midst of a pandemic and the huge gender disparity in the tech industry, where there are only one in four founders that are women. Finding funding for a female startup entrepreneur can be daunting. But Kadakia employed her signature method, which she shares in the book,

“LAST FALL, KADAKIA’S

CLASSPASS, VALUED

AT OVER $1

BILLION, WAS

ACQUIRED BY MINDBODY,

THE WELLNESS PLATFORM”

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DRESS D&G JEWELRY @THETRENDHAUS SHOES PRADA PHOTOGRAPH BY ASH GUPTA PRODUCED BY: JOEL WICECARVER PHOTO ASSISTANT: TUHAN BEDI HAIR & MAKEUP CHRISTINE TIRADO STYLED BY: JESSE J STYLE ASST: HARLEY BARBE

FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 23

COVER STORY | SEEMA

for reaching her goal. Tenacity that swept away the traditional rules of a career path, so that she could focus on building a business model closer to her heart. Relying on resilience and creativity – two traditionally feminine traits – Kadakia structured her thoughts, identified her desires, acknowledged both her limitations and talent, to succeed, firmly responding to any notion that questioned her competence. She aimed to create an online platform that provided people access to the best boutique fitness classes, gyms and wellness experiences around the world. The idea came from her own struggle to find a dance class for herself in a small town in New Jersey. Kadakia recalls how she didn’t have many people who looked like her in the neighborhood. She however found solace in the fact that there was a beautiful Indian community nearby. She reminisces, “I was able to really be around community celebrations and festivals. That made me feel like I really belonged. I was really blessed because I had a dance teacher, Usha aunty, who taught me these beautiful Indian folk dances when I was really young. That [let me fall] in love with my identity and where I came from. These parts of my childhood, though at times a struggle, were really these beautiful threads of who I would ultimately be and what I wanted to share with the world.” One of Kadakia’s favorite quotes, attributed to Picasso, is, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose is to give it away.” Dance was that gift. She was first drawn to it when she was but 5, when she saw Tiku Bhabhi, the 21-year-old wife of a cousin who had recently moved to the U.S. dance 24 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022

PHOTO CREDIT – PAYAL KADAKIA

Payal Kadakia as a cheerleader in school.

ONE OF KADAKIA’S FAVORITE QUOTES, ATTRIBUTED TO PICASSO, IS, “THE MEANING OF LIFE IS TO FIND YOUR GIFT. THE PURPOSE IS TO GIVE IT AWAY.” DANCE WAS THAT GIFT. before a mirror with irrepressible energy. On Kadakia, that left an indelible impression, the result being the passion of a lifetime.. Dance helped her through the turmoil of her teenage years, times during which most second-generation South Asian kids struggle with the duality of cultures. It helped her to stay rooted in her Gujarati culture. It was prioritizing dance over a client meeting that drew the harsh criticism from her supervisor. It was also the quest for a dance class that

led her to the creation of ClassPass. But Kadakia did not devote her life to dance alone. In high school, she was captain of the cheerleading squad. She was also good on the football field. She embraced both halves of her identity, exploited it, and reveled in the exercise. But even those with the thickest skins can sometimes contemplate giving up. Among them, being booed offstage or being discriminated against on the playground. But none was greater than the weight of expectations.

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PHOTO CREDIT – PAYAL KADAKIA

The Sa Dance Company in a show of layered choreography and intricate formations.

COVER STORY | SEEMA

PHOTO CREDIT – PAYAL KADAKIA

“Whether as a woman, as a daughter, as a wife, as a mom, I think carrying the weight of all of that is a lot,” she says. “Knowing that I'm an ambitious woman, and that I'm never going to stop being that person is something that I know I have to constantly reevaluate and set priorities for. That is why doing the LifePass method works for me. I set goals and priorities based on my own intentions. What's most important is really approaching things with love and care and presence of mind versus constantly feeling guilty for not doing it.” In the book, Kadakia shares her four-step approach to goal-setting to achieve personal and professional goals. “LifePass,” which comes a day after Valentine’s, is split into three parts. The first is a self-examination of your life, that encourages

PHOTO CREDIT – PAYAL KADAKIA

Valuation of over $1 billion surely deserves a celebratory jig.

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PHOTO CREDIT – PAYAL KADAKIA

COVER STORY | SEEMA

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Payal with her book Lifepass.

IN LIFEPASS, YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO: • • •

• •

•

Focus on what’s meaningful to you Embrace all parts of your identity Push past expectations to hear your own voice Turn failure into learning opportunities Make money work for you, instead of working for it Manage your time guilt-free Build a supportive tribe of people around you Set actionable goals aligned to your dreams

you to reflect upon your identity, expectations, fears and your true calling. The second part of the book helps you to identify the limitations that may hold you back in pursuing your passion and your true desires. The concluding part lets you in on Kadakia’s signature four-point method, which she advocates from her own experiences. What made her write the book? “The decade of my life since I started this company, everyone always asked me, how I was doing it? What decisions to make in your life? So I wanted to give people a bit more insight into the way I really thought about all the decisions in my life and the methodology I use,” Kadakia says. “To reflect on certain questions in their life, whether it is mental constraints that they might be facing society's expectations, identity issues, fear of failure and any other real constraints in their life. I faced all of these challenges but I always believed I could work through it. I want people to feel from this book, hearing my stories, and being able to then self reflect through the exercises, to be able to say I can get through that fear as well in my life and get to the other side of this limit.” She says her method is based on lessons that she learned from experience, examples, and conversations with entrepreneurs who she met along the way. “When I really thought about that idea, it was when I was looking for a ballet class to take online, and I couldn't find it. So that was really when the idea came to me.” She discovered that there were no apps to book a dance or fitness class while there were those that would book a table or a dental appointment, or order food. Kadakia wondered why it was not as easy to book a dance class, and then to do something about it. “When I started ClassPass, which was 10 years ago, it wasn't something that everyone was talking about. So I actually was inspired because I went out to Silicon Valley, I went up to San Francisco to visit a friend. And all of her friends were building apps and different product ideas. It inspired me to say, hey, what if I could think of an idea? What if I could build an app for the world? And that's sort of what started me on my journey. I don't think before that I ever thought about being an entrepreneur.” As a South Asian woman of color, Kadakia endured conscious and unconscious bias, especially when seeking investors, for her idea. “I never let them doubt me and I think I knew that I was different,” she says. “I felt different since I was really young. You know, I am 4 foot 11. I started dealing with that when I was younger, having some terrible experiences. It helped me learn to find a place where I could say, I am perfect the way I am. I'm here to do something great in the world and putting that mission right above how I felt or how that was going to affect me. I walked into that room with the confidence to go FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 29

COVER STORY | SEEMA

DRESS D&G JEWELRY @THETRENDHAUS SHOES PRADA PHOTOGRAPH BY ASH GUPTA PRODUCED BY: JOEL WICECARVER PHOTO ASSISTANT: TUHAN BEDI HAIR & MAKEUP CHRISTINE TIRADO STYLED BY: JESSE J STYLE ASST: HARLEY BARBE

LIFEPASS FOUR-STEP PROCESS: REFLECT

Third Step - Focus. Identifying your priorities because you really need to – Where you have been? take all the areas of your life and figure First Step - Reflect and really know where you have been and where you are. out where you’re going to put all that attention.

DREAM

and solve that mission. And no one can take that away from me.” Despite how it reflects her character, ClassPass was not her first business effort. Kadakia set up a dance company called Sa Dance Company in 2008 to increase awareness of Indian dance in the mainstream. “I really powered through and I really give the credit to dance for being able to help me shape my entire identity that way,” she says. An identity that now includes her being listed in Fast Company’s 100 most Creative People

PHOTO CREDIT – PAYAL KADAKIA

SET GOALS – Where do you want to go? – What’s the plan? Second Step - Dream so you know Fourth Step - Set. I have a whole where you’re going. Do this, not by having you talk about accomplishments, section dedicated on how actually set goals. How do you make them but talking about how you want to feel. measurable? How do you make them FOCUS really, truly the first step versus the – What are your priorities? eighth step in the process?

and Fortune’s 40 under 40. Real-life inspiration can come in many forms, genders, and ethnic backgrounds. In Payal Kadakia’s case, it just happens to be a fourfoot-eleven-inch powerhouse. We veer off a little from the entrepreneur’s journey and get to matters of heart and hearth. Kadakia used her very own LifePass system of setting goals to find her life partner, Nick Pujji, a partner at Dentons’, a law firm. She breaks down the process of achieving her romantic goal. “When I started doing the LifePass method seven years ago ... I was single at the time and I set a goal to find somebody who I would have a long-term relationship with. I was at that same time changing my mindset FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 31

PHOTO CREDIT – PAYAL KADAKIA

COVER STORY | SEEMA

Payal and Nick at their wedding with their family.

IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN PAYAL’S LIFE AND WHAT THEY MEAN TO HER: MOM AND DAD (GEETA AND HARSHAD): Who gave her life and her Number 1 cheerleaders. SISTER (AVANI): Great role model to look up to her entire life. HUSBAND (NICK): Best supporter and who brings love to her life. Also who brought her the best snacks during her writing of the book. SON (ZAYN): Who helped her create life. DANCE TEACHER (USHA PATEL): Taught her how to succeed in life.

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PHOTO CREDIT – PAYAL KADAKIA

Adoring parents Payal and Nick with their bundle of joy Zayn.

Payal with her dance teacher Usha Patel.

about what love was, after having so many expectations. I was about to turn 31, so in other people's minds, I was late to the game. I went to a school party with one of my friends on my birthday, and he walked in during halftime. We just sort of laid eyes on each other, and then the rest was history. We never looked back.”In her book dedication, Pujji finds mention as the one who brings joy to her life and also who brought her the best snacks while she was writing the book. Pujji, a turbaned Sikh, and Kadakia, a garba-

loving Gujarati, offer a blend of two rich cultures to their son Zayn. “We're raising our son as a Sikh as well,” Kadakia says. “I think it really comes down to being clear what our culture meant to us, to making sure that we're giving that to Zayn. I think it's not about just forcing him to do things, because that's how we were taught. It's really about us looking inward to say, what does our culture mean to us, individually, and then celebrating both of those things in our child.”

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RELATIONSHIPS | SEEMA

Doctors in Love When matters of the heart trump cardiac and other minor medical issues ABHIJIT MASIH

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RELATIONSHIPS | SEEMA

hen you write about love, there is never a dearth of words or incredible stories that immediately transport you to that happy place. A place, you wish, you had the ticket for permanent residency. A very few of us are lucky enough to find love at a young age. Finding the love of your life is a popular fantasy in school. That may be possible, but how realistic can it be to expect to meet your soul mate in medical school: romance while negotiating the academic challenges of becoming a physician? To find time during this intellectual endurance marathon is difficult, but not impossible. Here are some doctors who not only shouldered the weight of their academic medical texts, but also found time to find their romantic interests in medical school. Perhaps the balmy Caribbean shores on which the university is located played a part in making it conducive to let love grow. DR. BRIAN ZACHARIAH AND DR. SHERVY XAVIER Met each other at American University of Anitgua College of Medicine (AUA) Between 2009 and 2013 Specialty Brian: Psychiatry Shervy: Family medicine Current practice Brian: MindPath Health Shervy: CHI St Joseph’s Health First memory of each other. Brian: My first memory, where I really took notice of her, was during a church service. I had been praying for the right partner. Looking at her then and now, I’m blessed in how that prayer was clearly answered. Shervy: One of my favorite memories is actually the very first time we expressed our feelings for each other and decided to start this journey. We went to watch the sunset and Brian prayed for us and for our future together. It totally caught me off-guard! I knew

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back then itself that he was a keeper. Since then, I had always prayed that we’d end up together. What made you decide that he/she is the one? Brian: Every time I saw her or was around her, it felt like a breath of fresh air. Whether it was a conversation, laughter, a brief glance or a simple walk together; it became clear to me that she lent meaning to every moment. Shervy: I loved all the time that we got to spend together, and deeply missed him when we were apart. He always finds a way to make me laugh and always left me feeling like I was the most special person. In big and little ways, he never misses an opportunity to show how much he cares and how much I mean to him. Perhaps above all else, I have always been inspired by his faith in Christ. An incident where love took precedence over medicine This is a fun memory looking back, but I was late for a residency interview, and Shervy had one of her friends cover for her briefly to give me a ride. At the time we were so panicked because she could have gotten into trouble, but it all worked out, for the sake of love. Who proposed and how? We actually had a non-traditional proposal where we had our parents meet. It was special to have our families meet and share in our joy and commitment to each other. The pros and cons of being in the same profession. Being in medicine gives us a unique sense of common ground. We both understand each others’ schedules, how challenging each day can be and can discuss patient care. However, work can be time-consuming and stressful. There are some days where we have very little extra time to spend together. Favorite thing they like doing together. Working out is something we both enjoy. We both try to make time to do buddy workouts and challenge each other. Now that we also have a child, we try to catch up on shows or movies in our downtime together.

PHOTOS COURTESY: DR BRIAN ZACHARIAH AND DR SHERVY XAVIER

PIONEER | SEEMA

Then and Now: Brian and Shervy back in the day at AUA and in a recent happy moment.

Then

Now

What would you collectively prescribe for a healthy love life? 1) Emotional and physical affection — it’s key in a 38 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022

relationship. No matter how busy, we try to do even the most mundane activities together. We start each day with a hug and end every night the same. 2) It’s important to prioritize your relationship; it takes

RELATIONSHIPS | SEEMA real effort to weather the storms and still keep your relationship strong. 3) Be patient—with each other and yourself. 4) Focus on your strengths together. Don’t compare yourselves to others 5) As busy & challenging as medicine may be, we appreciate it as a blessing, but also realize that it’s transient. Our bond and desire to grow old together, however, is permanent. HARITHSA ASURI AND APARNA BHAT Met each other at American University of Antigua College of Medicine Between 2011 and 2016 Specialty Harithsa Asuri: Completed internal medicine residency at Trinity Health Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (2016-2019) Completed a fellowship on addiction medicine at Trinity Health Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (2019-2020) Aparna Bhat: Completed internal medicine residency at Trinity Health Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (2016-2019) Completed a fellowship on sleep medicine at Cleveland Clinic (2019-2020) Current Harithsa Asuri: Pursuing a residency in general public health and preventive medicine while also working on a master’s degree in Public Health at University Hospitals Cleveland-Case Western Reserve University (2021-2023) Aparna Bhat : Pursuing a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care at Cleveland Clinic (2020-2023) First memory of each other We were introduced at a mutual friend’s house in Antigua. Harithsa: The striking feature that I noticed about Aparna was her eyes. Aparna: The striking feature that I noticed about Harithsa was his smile. What made you decide that he/she is the one? Our relationship evolved organically. We started off as good friends and had shared interests in music, movies, and trying new cuisines. This friendship evolved, really without much realization, and we noticed many similarities in our upbringing and cultures. Our parents are from Karnataka, India, and we had the same mother

tongue. We were really on the same wavelength in how we envisioned our future, raising children, and even professional interests. An incident where love took precedence over medicine We can’t think of any major incident when we’ve had love take precedence over medicine. Of course, we are always mindful of the fine balance of our relationship, family commitments and the responsibilities of being a physician. We can think of many small acts of love that we do to ensure that we are supporting each other and spending time together. Who proposed and how? Harithsa and his family came to visit us in Montreal, Canada. We all went to visit some tourist sites together. When we got to Mount Royal, which is a small mountain in Montreal known for its fall colors, Harithsa got down on one knee and proposed at the top of the mountain, with our families around. It was a small, intimate and impromptu affair. What are the pros and cons of both being in the same profession? Being a physician, our work hours can be long and the commitments to your profession can often seep into your personal life. Since we are both in medicine, we understand when the other needs extra support and often take that extra step to support each other. This is especially true when we have a stressful and overwhelming day at work. Being a physician couple in training and having our son has provided us the most challenging but rewarding balance. The days are long, and there are times where we barely get to spend time together. We really wouldn’t have it any other way, but it takes a lot of clear communication and nuanced coordination. Favorite thing they like doing together We both love cooking and trying new cuisines! We love taking long walks and exploring new walking trails in local parks. We love to binge-watch action and sci-fi television shows and movies. What would you collectively prescribe for a healthy love life? 1. Listen carefully and communicate freely. 2. Support your spouse in their endeavors and encourage them to pursue their dreams. 3. Make time for one another…even after a busy and long day at work. FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 39

PIONEER | SEEMA

RELATIONSHIPS | SEEMA

Keeping the Flame Alive How to maintain the sizzle in a relationship SEEMA STAFF

alling in love is probably the easier part of being in a happy and fulfilling relationship. After the butterflies fly away and one settles into the daily rhythm of life, the perennial question is how to keep your relationship as exciting as it was in the beginning. It is not uncommon to feel lost when you are FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 41

As important as it is to spend time together, experts suggest that keeping an element of curiosity and mystery in your relationship is also necessary. “Which means, in addition to being sure you have enough time and involvement with each other — that that time isn’t stolen — making sure you have enough separateness that you can be an object of curiosity for the other person,” Richard Schwartz, associate professor of psychiatry (part-time) at Harvard Medical School and a senior consultant at McLean and Massachusetts General hospitals, was quoted as saying in a piece by The Harvard Gazette.

trying to rekindle romance with a long-term partner. Do you do things you have always done or do you try something new? What if your partner doesn’t enjoy what you have planned? Trying to reignite the spark you first felt when you met the love of your life should not be difficult, but it often is. There are many things that couples can do together and individually to bring the spark back in their love life. While you don’t need a special day to celebrate love, Valentine’s Day is just round the corner and could be a good time to reconnect with your significant other. DOING THINGS TOGETHER People get caught up with responsibilities as they grow older and as a result sometimes people move apart from each other even though they don’t do it consciously, says Dr. Ketaki Vaidhyanathan, a practicing psychiatrist in New Jersey. She suggests that couples should take out time to do things that is just for them on a regular basis. “It could be having date nights, watching a show together, taking up a hobby that both the partners enjoy, or just taking walks together,” she says. The idea is to make time for each other. Here are some things that you could do; cook a meal together, plan a picnic, revisit the places you met at when you first got together, call each other even if briefly during the day just to say hello, have a cup of coffee at your favorite cafe after work. 42 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022

SPICE UP YOUR SEX LIFE Oxytocin, also described as the love hormone, is released during sex and is known to help you bond with your partner. Reinventing your sex life is a good idea if you are feeling bored and stuck with your situation. Trying something new could help you raise excitement in your relationship. To have a gratifying sex life you need to educate yourself about sex and be aware of your body, suggests Pallavi Barnwal, a sexuality and relationship coach. “Your pleasure is in your hands. You should guide your partner and tell them what you like. Make eye contact with your partner when you talk about sexual pleasure,” says Barnwal. Dr Tammy Nelson, a sex and relationship expert, offers three tips to enhance people’s sex life – focus on the erotic, masturbate for a good sex life, and talk to your partner. In a post on her website, she says, “Interact with your partner the way you did when you were dating, when everything was new, hot, and exciting. Send flirty messages throughout the day. Schedule a sex date night every week and do everything you can to keep that date. Make your sex life a priority and make the time you set aside for sex sacred.” LOVE LANGUAGES The way you express love may be very different from your partner. You may like receiving a gift but your partner may prefer sitting with you watching their favorite movie. Sometimes people don’t not recognize the difference between their love language and their partner’s way of expressing love. Gary Chapman, a New York Times bestselling author, popularized the term “love languages” in his 1992 book, “The Five Languages of Love: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate.” According to Chapman, there are five kind of love

RELATIONSHIPS | SEEMA languages; words of affirmation, physical touch, receiving gifts, quality time, and acts of service. Understanding your love language as well your partner’s, could help you in recognizing that love can come in various ways. It would help you be open to accepting love in forms that may not be your style and also in giving love in ways your partner would appreciate. Similarly, your partner could bring you cake instead of flowers if they recognize that your love language is being fed delicious bakery. “Your love language could be different from your partner but that doesn’t mean yours is better or that your partner’s is better,” says Vaidhyanathan. “If you enjoy open display of affection, or need validation, tell your partner that you know their intention is good but their way of showing it doesn’t show you are important to them. Meet each other mid-way.” While taking initiatives to have a healthy and happy relationship with your partner is imperative, couples should reach out to an expert if they need help. Don’t

shy away from talking to a relationship expert or a sex expert depending on your situation. SOME RELEVANT PODCASTS • Masala Podcasts • I Do Podcast • Small Things Often by The Gottman Institute TWO USEFUL QUIZZES • The Passionate Love Scale by Elaine Hatfield, from the University of Hawaii and Susan Sprecher, from the Illinois State University. • 36 Questions for Closeness Generating developed by Arthur Aron, from the State University New York at Stony Brook, Edward Melinat, from the California Graduate School of Family Psychology, Elaine M Aron, from the State University New York at Stony Brook, Robert Darrin Vallone, from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Renee J Bator, the Arizona State University.

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BEAUTY | SEEMA

8 STEPS FROM

MEH TO GLAM Shine and sparkle this Valentine's Day PRATIKA YASHASWI

oday we’re going to take a deep dive into our favorite topic: Glamorous Makeup! There’s such a world of possibilities out there.

There are the glamorous red carpet looks, runway looks, covergirl glam and downright gorgeous wedding glam. If you’re planning your wedding, you’ve come to the right place. It’s a great time as any to amp up the radiance, the queenof-everything confidence—even if you’re just glamming up for your girl’s night in. But before we get into the glamorous make up tutorials and glamorous makeup looks, we’re going to get to the commonly asked questions.

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W H A T D O Y O U N E E D F O R A F U L L G L A M M A K E U P L O O K ? The thing that takes your look from stay-at-home house party to old time Bollywood actress glam is the right products. They should give you a clear, bright and glowing complexion, and a lovely (nonoily) shine. These go beyond makeup hobbyist to makeup pro, so it’s best to go to the store and not order these tools online. It’s alright if you can’t get all of them or don’t have all of them with you. Makeup is as much about looking perfect as it is about breaking and playing with rules and jugaad (innovating with what you have).

T O P U T I T I N 1 0 Q U I C K B U L L E T S , Y O U ’ L L N E E D : 1. A long-lasting primer and one that’s specifically suitable to the sensitive area below your eyes 2. A lightweight, medium-full-coverage foundation for your face and one that’s specifically to the pigmented area below your eyes. 3. A smooth concealer for your face and one that’s one to two shades lighter than your skin tone under your eyes. 4. Bronzers and highlighters for your face to sharpen up your features. 5. Eyeshadow and eyeliner. 6. Eyebrow gel or eyebrow liner. 7. Eyelash curlers or fake eyelashes. 8. Lip liners and lip color based on your choice (lipstick, liquid color, etc). 9. Glam powder. 10. Setting or fixing powder. 11. Blush. For the complexion part, you want to depend on your skincare. Maybe do a pore-shooting facial the previous day and clear your blackheads so there are absolutely no unwieldy bumps to work on during the part where you apply your foundation.Pro-tip: According to celebrity makeup and hair designer Bianca Louzado, a friendly DIY skincare hack that makes makeup last longer is a beauty ice tray with things like frozen green tea, tomato juice, rose water, etc. “It constricts my pores and make-up lasts longer.”

W H A T C A N B E A D D E D T O G I V E A G L A M O U R E F F E C T T O M A K E U P ? Sure, there are things you can add to the above makeup list to take your look to the next level—this can go from shimmering powders to lip specific primers and glitter— but it’s all wasted if you don’t have the skills to draw your lines and blend your colors appropriately.

H O W C A N I M A K E M Y M A K E U P L O O K G L A M O R O U S ?

286,990 likes

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What comes to your mind when you think of the word “glam”? Are you thinking of old Bollywood/Hollywood style glamor with the tight curls, siren lips and the bold winged eyes? Or are you looking for a softer glam that’s more popular these days like Alia Bhatt pulls off? There’s also Priyanka Chopra-Jonas’ ravishing glamor in her BAFTAs outfit video here, with the bold lip and the serious sizzle for eyeshadow: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNiJDWxj1fm/ The common factor between Chopra Jonas and Bhatt, whether their makeup is popping Hollywood glam or Bhatt’s softer, more natural glam, is the clarity, brightness and precision. Clarity and brightness can also come with skill and perfection during application. The gamechangers are precision and attention to detail. There’s no point getting all this stuff and just letting it lie there. Watch some YouTube tutorials and get practicing.

H O W D O Y O U G E T A N A T U R A L G L A M M A K E U P L O O K ? The only difference between an alland-all out glam look and a more au naturel finish are the products and shade palettes you’ll be using on your face, and probably a lovely bunch of shimmering, gold and bronze-toned dust.

H O W D O Y O U G E T G L A M F A C E ? If you’re going for the out and out glamorous look that Priyanka Chopra sports, here’s how you do it: 1. Prep the face with a lightweight moisturizer and apply a primer to create an even canvas on your face. 2. Next, use a damp beauty blender, a makeup sponge or a brush to apply foundation to the face, avoiding the area around the eyes. The tool you use depends on the foundation and, of course, your comfort. 3. Apply concealer to your blemishes. Some may be fading zits. Again, use a separate concealer for your under-eyes. 4. To sharpen your cheekbones and jaws, suck in your cheeks and get out those contouring and highlighting products. 5. Paint on some blush to the apples of the cheeks. For best results, blend with a blush brush or a separate blender. 6. Now, have some fun with the eyes. Begin with eyeshadow and finish off with mascara. 7. Lips time. If you want to go all out and ensure long lasting, set lips, you might want to use some lips-specific primers and foundation for this. 8. Finally, spray on some setting spray or set with a setting powder.

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FILMS | SEEMA

SOME OF THE BEST Romantic Comedies From 1934 to last year, these films really plucked at your heartstrings ABHIJIT MASIH

he American Film Institute defines romantic comedies as a genre in which the development of a romance leads to comic situations. Now that we have gotten used to working from home, admit it, you have also got used to those movie marathons. Well, there is never a dearth of opportunity, now that we have an unlimited amount of content available thanks to Netflix and Amazon Prime. Given that most of us work in our PJs, we give you the opportunity to do justice to them, by getting a warm blanket, perhaps a bottle of wine, and sitting back to enjoy a marathon session of the best romantic comedies – from 1934 to 2021. In these uncertain times, it helps to believe that, like in romantic movies, in the end everything works out.

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HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (2003) The film checks all the boxes, and is one of the most successful romantic comedies. It has some great one liners between the hottest couple to come together on screen. The film centers on Benjamin Barry – an advertising executive competing with two female coworkers for a major campaign for a diamond company. He cuts a deal with his competitors that the account is his if he can make a woman of their choice fall in love with him in 10 days. Andie Anderson is a writer with a column on how to lose a guy in 10 days. The film, directed by Donald Petrie, starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, is based on a short, comic book of the same name by Michele Alexander and Jeannie Long. The film was one of the most successful romantic comedies, with a story about two competing bets and one overpowering attraction. 50 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022

WHEN HARRY MET SALLY (1989) Most romantic comedies are propped on the shoulders of the female lead, and Meg Ryan shouldered many of the best romantic comedies in the late 80s and 90s. Another woman who has been carrying the weight of romantic comedies is this film’s writer Nora Ephron, who also wrote “Sleepless In Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail.” This 1989 mega hit directed by Rob Reiner, stars Billy Crystal as Harry and Meg Ryan as Sally. The story follows the title characters from the time they meet in Chicago and then off and on through 12 years of chance encounters in New York City. Harry and Sally become very good friends, but fear sex would ruin the friendship. The film’s dialogue and the chemistry between the two leading actors keeps the momentum going, making it one of the best rom-coms of all time.

THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940) When a rich woman’s ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself. The socialite character of the play—performed by Audrey Hepburn in the film—was inspired by Helen Hope Montgomery Scott, a Philadelphia socialite. The cast includes the heavyweights of Hollywood’s yesteryear, Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn and James Stewart. The film was shot in just eight weeks, and required no retakes. The film was the 5th most popular movie at the US box office in 1941 and won James Stewart the Oscar for best actor for this film. The movie has all the makings of a romantic comedy, and perhaps os one of the first in the genre. It is considered a classic, propped up by its witty, romantic script, and a splendid cast of performers. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934) Moving back in time to another classic and one of the only rom-coms to have won the big 5 at the Oscars. The film, with elements of a screwball comedy, was directed by Frank Capra. The story of the film revolves around a renegade reporter, trailing a young runaway heiress for a big story, and joining her on a bus heading from Florida to New York. They end up stuck with each other when the bus leaves them behind at one stop. The film is considered to be one of the greatest ever made, and won Oscars for best picture, best director, best actress, best actor and best screenplay. The first film to win the coveted big 5 at the Academy Awards, this is an absolute classic and perhaps the only romantic comedy to have won an Oscar. YOU’VE GOT MAIL (1998) This film was the third-most successful film of the Nora-Meg partnership. “You’ve Got Mail” is one of the everlasting romantic comedies released after “When Harry Met Sally” and “Sleepless in Seattle.” This film’s release was perfectly timed, set during the online revolution before the turn of the century. The film brought Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan together again

as book superstore magnate, Joe Fox and independent book shop owner, Kathleen Kelly, who fall in love in the anonymity of the Internet. They fall in love, using technology that would eventually put both characters out of business. Though it may seem dated now, it probably will spark memories of your first tryst with love online. “You’ve Got Mail” is one of the best romantic comedy movies, boosted by the best romantic couple of the 90s. THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY (1998) An all-star cast, including Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon and Ben Stiller, was a major box-office success. It has Diaz as the title character, with almost all the men in the film in love with her, and vying for her affections. The film was the thirdhighest-grossing film in North America and the fourth-highest worldwide, a great accomplishment for a romantic comedy. With two hours of pure entertainment, many scenes are hilarious. “Something About Mary” is a real charmer, directed by the Farrelly brothers – Bobby and Peter – who also later directed “Me, Myself and Irene.” In their signature style, this film sometimes takes the politically incorrect path to get a laugh. The 1998 film is hilarious and one of the best romantic comedies of all time. FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL (1994) One of the best British romantic comedies, it shone a bright light on the then lessknown Hugh Grant. It was written by Richard Curtis, who also wrote and directed the most watched movie over Christmas, “Love Actually.” The film cast included some of the best British actors, such as Simon Callow, Kristin Scott Thomas, Rowan Atkinson and Sophie Thompson. “Four Weddings and a Funeral” is one of the best British cinematic exports. The ensemble cast is charmingly quirky, but the film has the credit of launching Hugh Grant, and making him an endearing character in many romantic comedies. The film is brilliant romantic comedy and appeals to our love of happy endings. FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 51

NOTTING HILL (1999) This film is right up there with “Four Weddings a Funeral” as one of the most witty and sophisticated romantic comedies to come out of UK. Like Hugh Grant’s previous hit, this film also proves that sometimes it is the simple, unfussy entertainment that comes off best. The life of a simple bookshop owner changes when he meets the most famous film star in the world. The comedy centers on an enjoyable adult romance and brilliant performances from its lead pair of Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. The famous duo of Mike Newell and Richard Curtis come together again to produce this light-hearted romance.

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MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING (1997) The film is somehow lesser known romantic comedy directed by P.J. Hogan from a screenplay by Ronald Bass. The film stars Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, Cameron Diaz, and Rupert Everett. The soundtrack, “I Say a Little Prayer” by Diana King, which features heavily in the film, became a U.S. Billboard favorite. The films revolves around a woman’s long-time friend revealing that he’s engaged, after which she realizes she loves him herself, and sets out to get him only days before the wedding. This film is perfect to break the monotony of superhero and action movies. “My Best Friend’s Wedding” is an off-beat romantic comedy, with another great performance by Julia Roberts in a role she has mastered over time.

LOVE HARD (2021) If you don’t already know or have had a brush with the term “catfished,” then watch this film to get up to speed with the social media lingo. The films is about an LA girl, unlucky in love, who falls for an East Coast guy on a dating app, and decides to surprise him for the holidays, only to discover that she’s been catfished. This lighthearted romantic comedy chronicles her attempt to reel in love. The film cast includes Nina Dobrev and Jimmy O. Yang. The film, a combination of two hit Christmas movies, is worth watching if you are a fan of romantic comedies. This is one of the best recent romantic comedies available on Netflix. FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 53

FILMS | SEEMA

PODCASTS FOR THE

PASSIONATE Find love and improve your relationships with these options on Valentine’s Day

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PRATIKA YASHASWI

he thing about podcasts and books about love is that eventually, they end up being a podcast or a book about life. Our romantic relationships with all the problems, learning, growth and joy they bring go straight into the heart of our being. Maybe that’s what makes dating and relationship content so fascinating. That, and the voyeuristic pleasure of listening in on other people’s lives. The podcasts below are about love, sex and relationships, but they’re also about so much more. This Valentines’, whether you have a partner or you don’t, give one of them a try:

1. Paired by the People LAKSHMI RENGARAJAN Rengarajan is WeWork’s first director of workplace connection and was once a singles event designer. Of this podcast, Vanity Fair said that “…listening in feels…like having your brain massaged open to new possibilities in regard to the way we could connect with each other, if only we had a little help.” Format: A new setup duo is introduced each episode. They come with no matchmaking skills, and use just their instincts and personal experiences. Then, a single looking to be set up is introduced. After reading and reviewing their “story profile,” the setup duo discusses and debates who to pair with the single. Lastly, listeners get to hear a conversation between the single and the setup person.

Listen to: The Arranged Set Up.

3. Where Should We Begin? ESTHER PEREL Esther Perel is a Belgian psychotherapist who explores the need for security and the need for freedom in human relationships. Her ideas are groundbreaking and at times, quite radical. “Where Should We Begin?” has been described as “A podcast for anyone who has ever loved” Note: We covered Perel’s highly recommended book, “Mating in Captivity” in an earlier issue of Seema Magazine Format: Ranging from quick 20-minute “Esther Calling” episodes to the full hour with an anonymous couple baring the raw, profound and intimate details of their stories and problems.

Listen To: In This Relationship What Is “I” and What is “We”?

5. Love Letters MEREDITH GOLDSTEIN Meredith Goldstein is a YA Romance author and daily advice columnist at the Boston Globe. Her podcast is self-described as “Group therapy, but online” because commenters and listeners often weigh in on the letter writers’ stories themselves. Format: Each season, Goldstein explores one big theme in love and relationships. The latest season, Season 6, is all

2. Modern Love NEW YORK TIMES | DANIEL JONES AND MIYA LEE The famous New York Times column and podcast truly split open the whole mess of love and laid it out for the world to see. It’s an idea so big that a column, podcast and a TV series simply cannot exhaust the possibilities of its interpretation. Dan Jones created the Modern Love column in 2004, and Miya Lee was a submission reader for the column during her freshman year of college. Format: Evolved over the years, began with actors reading out the stories from the much loved column, now it also includes conversations between authors of the essays and the people they wrote about.

Listen to: Was it Me or Astrology?

4. Sex w/ Emily DR. EMILY MORSE “Sex w/ Emily” is ranked the #1 Sexuality podcast on iTunes. It challenges cultural taboos and misinformation, and listeners vouch for its role in improving not just their sex lives but also their relationships and marriages as a whole. Fun Fact: Dr. Morse was interviewing people about their sex lives before it was a thing, pioneered podcasting when it wasn’t a thing, and brands paid her money for products she endorsed before it was a thing. Way back in 2005. Format: Discussions of specific pleasure-related topics either by Dr Morse or by other professionals invited by Dr. Morse.

Listen to: Is Social Media Blocking Your Sex Life?

about rule-breakers. Hear rich stories, intimate interviews, and confessions from Goldstein’s life. Listen to: A Hollywood Arrangement

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FOOD & DRINK | SEEMA

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A Valentine’s Day Menu

Prepare a romantic meal with your partner for the perfect V-Day date at home

Drinks Main Course Sides Desserts

here is nothing more romantic than a quiet dinner with your special someone on Valentine’s Day. But with overbooked restaurants and the unpredictable times we live in, the best evening is spent at home. Our team has curated a special Valentine’s Day menu for you and your partner. It complements the romantic mood, is easy to prepare, and is

delicious! This exciting three course menu kicks off with three unique cocktails featuring exciting flavors from chocolate to saffron. Meanwhile, the rich and delectable truffle pasta is an exquisite main course dish, accompanied by a simple, yet flavorsome asparagus. Round off your special meal with red velvet cupcakes– a sweet end to a great evening. So set the table, light a candle, and tuck into a delectable meal — perfect for two!

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FOOD & DRINK | SEEMA

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C o u rs e

ocktail

SET THE MOOD FIRST WITH THESE

COMPELLING COCKTAILS! WE PRESENT YOU WITH THREE OPTIONS DEPENDING ON YOUR

OWN TASTE OR YOUR AMOUR’S PREFERENCE.. OR WHAT THE HECK MIX AND MATCH!

O P T I O N

T A N T A L I Z I N G

C O C K T A I L S

Camille Berry Champagne is dandy, and a top-notch bottle of red will rarely go amiss, but this Valentine’s Day why not mix things up with a few killer cocktails. Kick-off your Valentine’s Day festivities with a bit of fizz before working up to a spicy-sweet martini to make your hearts race, then finish off the evening with a rich, chocolatey, drinkable dessert. The beauty of these simple yet elegant tipples is that you can make them non-alcoholic if booze is off the menu. And hey, if you’re single and proud of it, these cocktails will taste just as good as a post-work pickme-up come February 14.

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FOOD & DRINK | SEEMA

O P T I O N

S P I C Y H O N E Y S A F F R O N M A R T I N I This tasty tipple combines three purported aphrodisiacs in the one drink: chili pepper, courtesy of Ancho Reyes chili liqueur, saffron, and honey. Your spicy honey saffron martini is a little more advanced as you’ll need to make the saffron honey simple syrup, but it’s easier to do than you might think. Mix ½ cup water, ½ cup honey, and a pinch of saffron strands in a pot, and simmer it over medium heat until the mixture thickens and the honey dissolves. Take the pot off the heat and let it cool, then transfer the syrup to a clean, airtight container. It’ll last for two weeks, giving you plenty of opportunities to use it for more cocktails, mocktails, or even desserts! Enjoy this cocktail with spicy, aromatic dishes. INGREDIENTS • 1 oz Ancho Reyes • 4 oz vodka • 1½ ounce saffron honey syrup • 1½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice METHOD 1. Fill two coupe glasses with ice. 2. Add Ancho Reyes, vodka, simple syrup, lemon juice, and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake well. 3. Discard the ice in the coupes, then strain the cocktail into each glass. Makes 2 cocktails. Pro-tip: Substitute the vodka for tequila or gin.

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ktail Cou c o

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FOOD & DRINK | SEEMA

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rse

ktail Cou c o

O P T I O N

C H O C O L A T E D E L I G H T

C H E R R Y

No Valentine’s Day celebration is complete without a little chocolate. This elegant chocolate cherry rum cocktail weaves the delectable flavors of cherry and chocolate and layers them over the complex flavors of dark rum. You can definitely play around with the flavors here. If you and your partner enjoy the enticing flavors of warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and the like, use spiced rum instead of dark rum. For a richer cocktail, mix in a little cream, milk plant milk, or coconut cream. INGREDIENTS • 1 oz crème de cacao • 2 oz dark rum • 1½ oz cherry eau-de-vie • Optional: a splash of cream, milk, or plant milk METHOD 1. Combine the ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. 2. Stir, then strain into a rocks glass filled with a single large ice cube. Makes 2 drinks. Pro-tip: This tipple would be equally lovely with other types of eau-de-vie such as raspberry, apricot, or coconut.

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ain cours

OPT FOR A DECADENT AND RICH MAIN COURSE...

T R U F F L E

P A S T A

Bindu Gopal Rao

Did you know that truffles are said to be one of the world’s finest aphrodisiacs? Well, most of us may not be aware of it, but that belief may be as old as ancient Greece and Rome. Napoleon reportedly ate truffles to increase his potency! The rarity of truffles, which has a symbiotic relationship to certain tree roots, adds to its charm. With their high concentration of proteins, they are not just healthy, but the amino acids give it that aphrodisiac quality, making them a sought-after delicacy. The earthy smell of truffles probably also adds to its charm, making it the perfect ingredient for a meal on Valentine’s Day. Little wonder then that truffles are commonly called the “diamonds of the gourmet world.”Referring to truffles, French writer Alexandre Dumas said, “They can, on certain occasions, make women more tender and men more lovable.”The best way to eat truffles is well, to eat them fresh. We share a recipe that will amp up your celebrations at home. Have fun making this truffle pasta that is simple and hits the right notes.

M U S T O R T R U S A U

H R O O M T E L L I N I I N F F L E & P A R M E S A N C E

(Recipe courtesy Chef Mintoo, Head Chef, The Salt House, Kolkata) INGREDIENTS FOR MUSHROOM FILLING FOR THE TORTELLINI • 250 grams finely chopped mushroom • 40 grams crumbled ricotta • 2 grams minced garlic • 5 grams finely chopped onion • 2 grams chopped ginger • 1 gram black pepper • 1 gram salt • 15 grams butter • 40 grams / 2 sticks blanched & chopped asparagus 64 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022

• 10 grams chopped scallions • 100 grams wonton sheets / handmade tortellini sheet FOR THE PARMESAN SAUCE • 1.4 oz fresh cream • 0.7 oz Parmesan cheese • 10 grams butter • 0.35 oz chopped onion • ¼ oz chopped garlic • 1¾ oz vegetable stock • 4 tsp white wine • 1 tsp truffle oil • 0.35 oz truffle pate • 2 tsp chopped parsley METHOD 1. Heat a large skillet. Add butter and sauté the onion and garlic till tender and translucent. 2. Add mushroom (do not overcrowd them) and cook till completely dry. Remove the sautéed mix from the stove and let it cool. 3. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and mix with the blanched and chopped asparagus, crumbled ricotta, ginger, chopped scallions. Season with salt and pepper. Mix it well and put the filling in a piping bag. 4. Lay the tortellini sheets and pipe in the mushroom filling. Folding the disk and sealing the tortellini. Blanch the tortellini in boiling water for a few minutes and keep it aside. 5. To make the Parmesan sauce, sauté the onion in butter till translucent in a pan. 6. Add in the white wine followed by the cream. 7. Add the vegetable stock and let it simmer till it thickens slightly. 8. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, truffle oil and truffle pate. 9. Once the sauce is ready, add the blanched tortellini and stir. 10. Garnish with parsley. 11. Serve and enjoy.

PHOTO CREDIT: THE SALT HOUSE, KOLKATA

Mushroom tortellini: Mushroom tortellini in truffle and parmesan sauce. FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 65

Sauteed asparagus 66 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022

FOOD & DRINK | SEEMA

de s ...ACCOMPANIED BY A CLASSY AND EASY SIDE LIKE ASPARAGUS

S A U T E E D

A S P A R A G U S

Malathy Chandrasekhar One of the easiest recipes to make over the stove top is sautéed asparagus. There is no need to use your oven, and this absolutely delicious recipe takes only 10 minutes. Just sauté the asparagus in olive oil, add lots of garlic, and season with salt, pepper, turmeric, and red chili flakes, and finally add a squirt or two of lemon juice!! Could any recipe get easier than that? INGREDIENTS • 1 Tablespoon garlic, fresh and cut into thin slices • 1/2 lb asparagus, fresh • 1 tsp olive oil, extra virgin • 1/8 tsp sea salt – or to taste • 1/8 tsp red chili flakes – or to taste • 1/8 tsp turmeric powder • 1/8 tsp black pepper, fresh ground • 1/4 tsp lemon juice – or to taste METHOD 1. Mince garlic into thin slices and set aside for about 10 minutes. 2. Rinse the asparagus, peel the stalks, and then r emove the tough white ends at the base. Chop asparagus into 4-5 inch pieces. 3. Heat olive oil on medium flame in a large skillet. 4. Add garlic and sauté and heat until fragrant (about a minute). 5. Add cut asparagus, salt, pepper, turmeric, red chili pepper flakes. 6. Cook, stirring until the asparagus is bright green and crisp-tender (4 to 5 mins). 7. Turn off heat, add lemon juice to skillet and stir a few times. 8. Serve immediately.

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essert Co

DESSERT COURSE: RED VELVET CAKE

R E D

V E L V E T

C U P C A K E S

Paloma Jhingan Do you love dessert? I do. I just can’t get enough, and it seems like there’s too little dessert in the world, like, ever. After the pandemic began, though, I have become a bit more health conscious, and careful of what I put into my body. So, I limited my eating outside and tried to cook at home for a change. Well, don’t get me wrong, I totally love junk food, but sometimes I wish I could make my own dessert instead of relying on others for them. That’s why I came up with a simple and, most importantly, an eggless recipe for some delectable red velvet cupcakes, It does have milk, but could be dairy-free if you use almond, soy or coconut milk instead. It is an easy way to make a cupcake with everyday ingredients. INGREDIENTS • 1/2 cup (3.5 oz) castor sugar • 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil • 2 tbsp (1.3 oz) yogurt • 1 tsp (5 ml) lemon juice • 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract • 1 tbsp (20 ml) red food color • 3/4 cup (5.3 oz) milk • 3/4 cup (3.2 oz) all-purpose flour • 1 tbsp (0.3 oz) cocoa powder • 1/2 tsp (0.3 oz) baking soda METHOD 1. Preheat the oven at 350 F. 2. Line a cupcake tray with cupcake liners. 3. In a large bowl, add sugar and vegetable oil and beat well until pale. 4. Add the yogurt, lemon juice, vanilla extract, red food color and milk and mix well. 5. Fold in the flour, cocoa powder and the baking soda and mix until everything is well combined. 6. Transfer the batter into the prepared cupcake pan using an ice cream scoop. 7. Bake for 20-25 mins or until an inserted skewer comes out clean. 68 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022

TIPS: Measure your flour correctly! Too much flour to the recipe is the most common mistake. Using a scale is the best and the easiest way to measure flour. If you don’t have one, fluff your flour with a spoon, sprinkle it into your measuring cup, and use a knife to level it off. Do not over mix the batter. The key to a light fluffy cupcake is mixing until just combined, otherwise you’ll activate the gluten in the flour and your cupcake will be dense and gummy. HOW LONG CAN THEY LAST? Unfrosted cupcakes will keep for 1-2 days in an airtight container at room temperature. You can freeze cupcakes for a few weeks as long as they’re well wrapped. Some additional information that should be helpful is that frosting has quite a bit of dairy product in it so you should not leave a frosted cupcake out at room temperature for more than a few hours. That’s the recipe, people! Short and sweet, just like the cupcakes. They are less gooey, more spongy, which I find a lot tastier. You can have these with coffee, tea, or even with some icing or toppings.

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S D N E M SEEMA RECOM

PIONEER | SEEMA RECOMMENDS | SEEMA

Stumped what to buy for your special someone? Here are some novel options THE LOVEBOX MESSENGER The Lovebox is a connected, messaging device that pairs with an app to go beyond regular communication and deliver special expressions of affection. The Lovebox can bring you closer to a family member, your significant other, or a friend, even when miles apart. With the Lovebox B&W, add a retro touch to the way you communicate! With it, you can exchange messages, or drawings in black and white. https://en.lovebox.love/collections/all/products/ lovebox-black-white

ABSTRACT HANDMADE FIGURE

Sharing a romantic embrace, two lovers become one in this abstract sculpture from Indonesia. Artists hand carved this sculpture from suar wood, which has a beautiful natural grain. https://www.novica.com/p/ abstract-romantic-suarwood-sculpturefrom/364769/

MASTERCLASS GIFTCARD A giftcard for your partner to a MasterClass is a supreme Valentine’s Day gift option. Give the gift of learning with classes on real estate, poker, fashion, cooking, photography with lessons from such esteemed people as Gordon Ramsay, Annie Leibovitz, Anna Wintour, etc. https://www.masterclass.com/ gift?sscid=11k6_mnpjz&utm_ source=shareasale&utm_ medium=affiliate&utm_ campaign=pp_|_brd_|_ all_|_314743&utm_term=AqProspecting

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PIONEER | SEEMA

UBUNTU LOVE BRACELETS

GOLDBELLY One of the hottest sites, GoldBelly believes food is the language of love – in its connection, memories and comfort. Goldbelly delivers some of the most famous food from local restaurants, delivering it anywhere in the U.S. What a perfect Valentine’s Day gift to surprise your partner with: one of their favorite foods from one of their favorite spots? (Crabs from Joes Stone Crab in Miami, Banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery in NYC, Gino’s Deep Dish pizza from Chicago, etc)

Ubuntu is a global lifestyle brand based in Kenya, which empowers lives with earnings from handmade products made by moms in Kenya. A portion of all sales go back to Ubuntu LIfe, the philanthropy created around these products and the brand’s mission. The love bracelet is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift supporting an ethical and charitable cause. The brand was started by Amal Wilemon a Pakistani woman in Austin and her husband. https://www.ubuntu.life/collections/bracelets

https://www.goldbelly.com/?utm_ source=googleads&utm_

CREATE YOUR OWN REEL VIEWER Nothing better than some nostalgia and great memories as a Valentine’s gift for your partner. A customized just-for-you version of one of childhood’s greatest gadgets: the reel viewer. Assemble photos of you and your partner’s favorite memories and add them into our own reel and pop into your made to order viewer. What a great and fun trip down memory lane for Valentine’s Day! https://www.uncommongoods.com/ product/create-your-own-reel-viewer

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BACK AND NECK MASSAGER

With endless Zoom calls and long working hours, the best way to unwind at the end of the day is to get rid of the soreness in our neck and shoulders. A home massager can be a lifesaver, to soothe muscles and de-stress. https://www.comfier.com/products/comfier-adjustable-air-compress-shiatsu-neck-backmassager-with-heat

PORTABLE ESPRESSO MACHINE

Whether working from home or the office, during a holiday or business travel, we all crave our favorite coffee. What better way than a portable espresso maker, so we can use the grounds of our choice? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VTA9F6U ?ots=1&slotNum=65&imprToken=22bf3b07808f-817c-d33&linkCode=ogi&tag=goodho usekeeping_auto-append-20&ascsubtag=[a rtid|10055.g.28748940[src|[ch|[lt|

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ETERNITY FLOWERS

Seema Bansal’s Venus Et Fleur elevated the floral industry by creating luxury gifts and arrangements using their special real roses Their Valentine Day collection includes Fleura Trois, Amour Trois and the very aptly named Large Heart. You can even design your own arrangement. Thanks to a special process, their Eternity Flowers last a year or more with proper care. Imagine enjoying their beauty month after month. https://www.venusetfleur.com/

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TRAVEL | SEEMA

TOP 12

Vacation Spots for Couples 74 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022

Whether you seek fun, adventure, grandeur or peace, there’s a place for you and your partner SEEMA STAFF

raveling makes you more understanding and open to new ideas. It also offers you the opportunity to unearth unique experiences. Couples who explore new places together are most likely to keep the romance alive in their relationship. Here are the 12 best places for couples to travel. You can choose one of them and then book your tickets and travel together.

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1 BALI, INDONESIA

You can go snorkeling, diving, surfing – kite surfing as well – wild-water rafting, and more in Kuta, a popular beach destination. The sunrise hike up Mount Batur, an active volcano in the Kintamani highlands, will lift your spirits. Bali also has several spectacular Hindu temples.

DALMATIAN COAST, CROATIA

In Split, on the Dalmatian coast, you can visit museums, galleries, shop, or have couples therapy. Nearby Brac is famous for the Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape) beach. In Hvar, you can see vast fields of lavender, vineyards, and ancient olive trees, or sail on a yacht. Vis, a remote, rocky island, is known for its sunlit caves, undisturbed beaches, and succulent lobster. Dubrovnik is a postcard-perfect idyllic old town while Dalmatian has a captivating landscape.

2 3

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO (U.S.)

Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, nestled in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, has scenic spots, narrow walkaways, charming adobe architecture, and museums. Canyon Road, the famed historic district, is home to many art galleries and studios. You can shop for jewelry, and dine at great restaurants. The 20th century Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is worth a visit. Santa Fe is for couples who like to deepen their bond while exploring the art scenea.

TRAVEL | SEEMA UVITA, COSTA RICA

SANTORINI, GREECE

Part of the Cycladic islands, it has a vivid rocky landscape, multicolored cliffs, dreamy whitewashed houses, gorgeous sunsets, and red and black volcanic beaches. You can explore the ancient ruins, visit vineyards, or eat at restaurants facing the sea. The seaside village of Kamari is known for its long black sand beach and an open-air cinema. Located 200 steps below Ola is Amoudi Bay, known for great swims, sunbathing, and cliff-jumping.

The main attraction is the Parque Nacional Marino Ballena, the temporary home of humpback whales. Playa Bahia Ballena, Playa Pinuela, Playa Colonia, and Playa Uvita are the four popular but virtually deserted beaches there. You can go snorkeling by eye-popping coral reefs, watch colorful birds, or visit stunning waterfalls. In September, there is a two-week Whale and Dolphin Festival. You can also take part in cycling and beach volleyball. In February, the Envision Festival, held in a jungle, will encourage you two to discover your bohemian spirits.

TULUM, MEXICO

Take a dip in the cenotes, caves filled with crystal clear water, and marvel at a cobalt blue cenote in the center of the Laguna Kaan Luum lagoon. Visit Tulum ruins in the Riviera Maya on the Caribbean. Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka’an is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Travel to the ruins of Coba, with views of the jungle and the Nohoch Mul pyramid.

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NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK (USA)

Start at the famous Central Park. Carriage rides, boat rides, and the Conservatory Garden make the park magical. Empire State Building is also a popular spot to see the city. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Top of the Rock, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, The High Line, and Manhattan Skyline are other places that you can visit. Tiffany’s offers a perfect jewelry piece for your partner.

NORTHERN SAFARI CIRCUIT, TANZANIA

It is ideal for couples who want to immerse themselves in nature, visiting Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park. You can watch the sun rise and set, climb hills, go bird watching, see wild animals chasing prey, meet the Masai tribe, or just stroll around.

VENICE, ITALY

Spread over 118 small islands, Venice is a UNESCO World Heritage property. Famous for architectural masterpieces, winding canals, and cozy bridges, the city boasts incredible sights, including the works of Renaissance artists Giovanni, Giorgione, Tiziano, Tintoretto, and Paolo Veronese. Ponte dei Sospiri, known in English as Bridge of Sighs, is a perfect place for romantic kisses. And you can also follow the tradition of kissing your partner when passing under this bridge in a gondola.

SAINT LUCIA, CARIBBEAN SEA

You can dive, snorkel or hike in the jungles of the protected Anse Chastanet Marine National Park. Visit the Pitons, two forested volcanic peaks, towering over the town of Soufriere, and Sulphur Springs Park, with its warm sulfurladen steamy waters. Hike to Fort Rodney to get a clear view of the ocean and Rodney Bay.

MOLOKAI, HAWAII (USA)

At Kalaupapa National Historical Park you can ride down 1,700 feet of high sea cliffs. Papohaku Beach Park, the longest white sand beach in Hawaii, is rarely crowded, except during the annual Hula festival. The Halawa Valley boasts lush mountains, waterfalls, a beach park with two coves, and a two-mile trail on which you can see the double-tiered Mooula falls, one of the largest in Hawaii.

SEYCHELLES

Anse Volbert is one of the most popular beaches here. For snorkeling, swim to a small islet called ChauveSouris, where you can savor traditional creole food. Mahe, the largest and the busiest island, Mahe is famous for its splendid beaches and the Morne Seychellois National Park. You can trek up Morne Seychellois, the highest peak in Seychelles. The granite Cousin Island is a paradise for bird-lovers. FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 79

TEENS RECOMMEND | SEEMA

10 PODCASTS

S N E E T FOR

These are some of the varied voices that provided succor during the pandemic PALOMA JHINGAN

isaster struck the world in late 2019, when the COVID-19 pandemic really began. Banned were human interactions, and people were confined within four walls. But we used technology to interact virtually. For example, people who like talking and knew stuff started podcasts. But, there were so many podcasts in the end, that it became hard to filter out the good from the bad. Here are 10 great podcasts for teens.

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HARRY POTTER AND THE SACRED TEXT This smashing podcast critically analyses the Harry Potter book series and creates a very fun, English class you-never-knew-you-needed atmosphere. The co-hosts delve deep into the books and explore a range of topics from commitment, revenge, and forgiveness. The books are treated as a sort of religious or sacred text, which most Potterheads can understand. The podcast states that their team loves the Harry Potter books, and not necessary the author. They continuously support trans and non-binary youth, regardless of the author’s perspective.

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PART-TIME GENIUS Ever have a burning question you think is just so peculiar that you can’t ask it out loud? This podcast answers all of those and goes into the nitty-gritty. This is great for those with inquisitive minds. For example, they discussed if humans could live without sleep, how rats outsmart humans, and many more such quirky topics. The result is interesting, and the hosts uncover some smart stuff.

THE SOCIALLY AWKWARD PODCAST This podcast is all about those awkward and cringe-worthy moments that pretty much everyone experiences, even if you don’t identify yourself as socially awkward. It’s human nature. The hosts share their mind-numbingly awkward stories and make you cringe, laugh and cry in embarrassment. How many more times can I say “awkward” in this paragraph? Most importantly, they re-iterate the message that life can be, well, awkward.

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RADIOLAB This investigative journalism podcast answers some pretty deep and interesting questions about science, legal history, innovative design, or, even the COVID-19 pandemic. The podcast breaks down scientific concepts to make them fun, riveting, and accessible. All curious minds and deep questions are warmly welcomed by the hosts Jad Abumrad, Lulu Miller, and Latif Nasser.

STUFF YOU MISSED IN HISTORY CLASS History is pretty weird, and this podcast highlights all of the great and strange stuff you missed in history class. This podcast is great for when you are bored or in need of a fun, entertaining, true real-life story. Some examples of what you will uncover when you listen to this podcast are: the government’s weird obsession with margarine, the “flying ambulance” developed for Napoleon’s army, and the tale of the first woman to circumnavigate the globe…on a bike!

TEEN GIRL TALK This one is for all the teenage girls out there. Honestly, it’s for anyone and everyone because teenagers are confusing. And teen girls? Well, even more so. Grab a notepad, a pen, and some popcorn because these ladies (not teens any more) are about to dish out some exclusive information, tips, hacks, and of course, embarrassing stories. The hosts, Franklin and Susie Cota delve into books, movies, and TV shows for teens, talking about the portrayal of the teenage years. It’s a really good idea to watch some of these movies with your friends and family.

TEENS RECOMMEND | SEEMA WAIT WAIT ... DON’T TELL ME! Ding! If you’re a trivia buff and love the sound of the bell when you get a correct answer, this show is for you! This current events quiz show also features special guests like Stephen Colbert, Kumail Nanjiani, and Jennifer Lee. Grab your family and see who gets the most right answers while playing together and listening along.

9 ADULT ISH This podcast is super insightful for older teens who are ready to launch themselves into the adult world, but are not quite, um, adults yet. Produced by YR Media, which is run by young adults, this is perfect if you want those extra nuggets of knowledge and wisdom.

WHAT’S GOOD GAMES This podcast is your source for video game news, analysis, commentary, and funny stuff for all the gamers out there. What’s great to hear is also that gaming is such a male-dominated industry, but this podcast is hosted by three women – Andrea Rene, Brittney Brombacher and Kristine Steimer. Join these gaming veterans as they take you on an interesting journey through What’s Good Games.

THE DARK PLACE This podcast offers a safe space where mental health sufferers can relate, share experiences, express themselves freely and honestly about their struggles, their achievements, and provide some resources for help to others. The weekly podcast is great for not only teens but also parents to hear the reallife difficulties that people face and to understand that they are not alone. FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 83

PIONEER BOOKS | SEEMA | SEEMA

READING MUCH INTO

ROMANCE

Immerse yourself in love, loss and longing with this Valentine’s Day booklist PRATIKA YASHASWI

he soaring of the heart. The vertiginous feeling of one’s defenses dropping. The crackling frisson of connecting with a stranger for the first time. The courage it takes to walk away from families, run away from horrors like honorkilling and caste-related murders because two have decided their love is undeniable. Love is mysterious, love is powerful, love is healing. Everybody loves love—even those who turn their nose up at cheesy notions of Valentine’s Day and Bollywood movies. Especially

when it’s at the center of a richly told narrative. There are the exceedingly gratifying reads from the romantic comedy genre with their feisty heroines and heros with lopsided grins. And the sombre tales from South Asia’s dark side, where love perseveres through caste and class divides and even war. The romance genre is a diverse one and in this month’s booklist, we’ve done our best to include something for everyone. This Valentine’s, cosy up with any one of these beautiful tales from some of South Asia’s finest storytellers.

WRITTEN IN THE STARS by Aisha Saeed Dating — even friendship with a boy — is forbidden by Naila’s conservative immigrant parents. She may choose what to study, how to wear her hair, and what to be when she grows up — but they will choose her husband. When Naila breaks their rule by falling in love with Saif, her parents are livid, and promptly pack the family off to Pakistan to get in touch with their roots. On the vacation, plans change and an arranged marriage is planned: stat. Is Naila’s fate sealed? Or can Saif come through before it’s too late? 00 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022 84

THE ROAD FROM ELEPHANT PASS by Nihal De Silva During Sri Lanka’s brutal civil war, Sinhalese soldier Captain Wasantha’s routine assignment to pick up a woman informant (a Tamil Tiger and activist, Kamala) near Jaffna turns into a nightmare when the Tigers attack the camp at Elephant Pass. Adversaries from the beginning, the two are forced to escape together and cross the abandoned Wilpattu National Park on foot. This novel won the 2003 Gratiaen Prize for creative writing in English “… for its convincing demonstration that resolution of conflict and reconciliation of differences are feasible through mutual experience and regard.”

PIONEER | SEEMA

THE BONES OF GRACE by Tahmima Anam Zubaidah Haque experiences a liberated life at Harvard where she becomes a paleontologist, participates in a dig at Baluchistan, Pakistan, and then moves back to Bangladesh to get married to her childhood friend, leaving behind Elijah Strong, the love of her life. The third in a loosely connected trilogy, “The Bones of Grace” is in the form of an epistle to Elijah, explaining Zubaida’s decisions. The novel dwells upon the narrator’s search for identity as an adopted child caught between two worlds: Bangladesh, her motherland, with all its political upheavals, and the U.S., her home. Lyrical, atmospheric, and breathtaking, it’s a great introduction to Anam’s work.

HOW TO KIDNAP THE RICH by Rahul Raina “How to Kidnap the Rich” has been called “a monstrously funny and unpredictable wild ride.” Ramesh, the gifted son of a tea stall owner, earns money by taking exams for the sons of rich men but accidentally puts Rudi first in the All Indias, a competitive national exam. Rudi catapults to celeb status and Ramesh decides to cash in — except the two are kidnapped. Through their escapes and capers across Delhi’s slums and a chain of impossible (but hilarious) situations, we find a caper, social satire, and love story rolled into one.

THE WAYWARD DAUGHTER by Shraddha Ghale “The Wayward Daughter” is a bildungsroman set in Kathmandu’s bustling politics. Cosmopolitanism exists alongside conservative attitudes; and a civil war looms in the distance. Sumnima has got dismal grades in her exams, due to which she’ll need to settle for an even more dismal college in town while her friends, the daughters of the rich and the royal will be off studying abroad. Her parents are disappointed, her annoying relatives are causing havoc in her home and worst of all, she has been lying, sneaking around and stealing money for her RJ boyfriend, who never seems to return her calls.

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PIONEER BOOKS | SEEMA | SEEMA

HONOR by Thrity Umrigar Indian American journalist Smita is in India covering the story of Meena, a Hindu woman attacked by members of her own family for marrying a Muslim man. She also finds herself increasingly drawn to Mohan, an Indian man she meets while on assignment. Smita tries to right the scales of Meena’s fate, while nursing the wounds of her own painful past. Exploring themes of love, hope, familial devotion, betrayal, and sacrifice, the two stories progress in parallel as the women strive to reconcile being true to their homelands while being true to themselves at the same time.

UNMARRIAGEABLE by Soniyah Kamal Ever dreamed of your own Mr. Darcy? Alys Binat, who has found joy teaching English literature to schoolgirls, is our Jane and Valentine Darsee is our Mr. Darcy in an entirely entertaining remix of “Pride and Prejudice” set in modern small-town Pakistan. A fabulous read for eternal Jane Austen fans, readers are divided: either they love this book for being a straight retelling of the beloved novel, or they feel it follows Austen’s book too closely right up to the character names. However, Kamal discusses homosexuality, abortion and “late marriage” which could not find a better backdrop than a Pakistani wedding.

THOSE PRICEY THAKUR GIRLS by Anuja Chauhan Anuja Chauhan is one of India’s best romcom writers, with her work flying off shelves and being turned into Bollywood films consistently for years now. Her heroines are memorable, and her writing is very punchy and of-the-times. But every book she turns out is inevitably compared in the reviews to “Those Pricey Thakur Girls.” In 1980s India, Justice Thakur and his wife watch anxiously over their five beloved daughters with all their quirks including the Judge’s favorite, the quietly fiery Debjani, who reads the English news on DD and clashes constantly with crusading journalist Dylan Singh Shekhawat and his incredible good looks.

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PIONEER | SEEMA

THE SINGLES TABLE by Sara Desai Opposites attract in this rib-tickling romance about Zara, a free-spirited, charismatic lawyer determined to find the perfect match for Jay, a military specialist and grumpy bachelor at her cousin’s wedding. In the third installment of a well-received series called “The Marriage Game,” matchmaker and matchmakee fall inescapably in love. As Jackie Lau, author of “Donut Fall in Love” quipped, “You won’t feel lonely at the singles table with this book to keep you company.” A sexy romcom and contemporary romance with a multicultural twist.

INCENSE AND SENSIBILITY by Sonali Dev Another Indian American play on a much-loved Austen classic, Yash Raje, California’s first serious Indian gubernatorial candidate blacks out in a panic at a rally, shattering an inner fortress built on a lifetime of repressed feelings. Before the truth of his condition can leak out, the family ropes in his sister’s best friend, India Dashwood, California’s foremost stress management coach, to manage the situation. What happens when Yash is forced to confront the secrets of his past — including a too brief, magical night from 10 years ago.

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HEALTH & FITNESS | SEEMA

Couples Yoga

Why and how to practice these moves with your partner RICHA SHARMA

very year, millions say “om” to each other after yoga practice. The relaxing, toning exercise can be a fantastic refuge from stress, while also developing flexibility and strength. Practicing it with another person, whether a friend, partner or significant other, may offer its own advantages. Couples yoga, or partner yoga, allows bonding through supported postures. Couple yoga poses may also have a positive impact on your relationship. PURPOSE OF PARTNER YOGA Couples yoga helps you deepen and broaden your yoga practice. As your muscles relax and stretch, your partner’s resistance keeps your limbs in place. You’ll be able to explore new poses and find deeper expressions of old ones. Putting your body in the hands of another person will push you both physically and emotionally. Working together fosters connection and tests your trustworthiness. BENEFITS OF COUPLES YOGA 1. Enhances Your Relationship Satisfaction Even thinking about going to a couples yoga class

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can make you feel better about your relationship. Yoga also cultivates mindfulness, which has been related to happier relationships in various research and studies. 2. Pumps up the Intimacy Yoga for couples can help with both arousal and sexual satisfaction. Partner yoga, according to a Loyola University Health System research, can help couples with sexual dysfunction. 3. Builds Trust and Improves Communication You rely on and lean on your partner the entire time, and communicate verbally and nonverbally. This necessitates trust, support, and vulnerability. 4. Decrease Anxiety and Stress While most yoga practices can help you relax and destress, touch is an added benefit. According to a study in Psychological Science, married couples who hold hands experience immediate stress alleviation. 5. Bring Playfulness to Your Relationship Partner yoga is lively and enjoyable, allowing people to not take themselves too seriously, and allowing them to enjoy themselves.

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HEALTH & FITNESS | SEEMA

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T H I N G S B E F O R E

T O C O N S I D E R S T A R T I N G

1. Prepare to Get Comfortable Working with a partner entails getting really close to one another physically. While this should not be a problem for couples, it may be different with others. 2. Try to Be jn Sync With Your Partner When your partner moves, try to move with them, and feel what they feel. Consider what would feel good to you in a pose, and then assist them stretch deeper in that way. 3. Don’t Forget To Keep Communicating In partner yoga, both verbal and nonverbal communication is essential. Say if anything feels nice, or if something doesn’t work for you. Inquire what works for them. 4. Maintain Trust This cannot be overstated. How often do we raise our guard, limiting our ability to move further? Don’t be frightened to place your faith in your yoga partner.

H E R E T H A T

A R E Y O U

A F E W E A S Y C O U P L E Y O G A P O S E S C A N F O L L O W A T Y O U R H O U S E .

1. Adho Mukha Vrikasana This pose enhances the strength in your chest, shoulders and arms. It also stretches your abdominal muscles. • Stand straight with your partner, then bend forward and place your hands your the floor • Take a deep breath, bend one leg on the floor and swing both your legs, wherein your partner needs to support your body to stay in that position • Take a deep breath in that position and slowly release your body • Switch with your partner and follow the same steps 2. Baddha Konasana A popular beginner couple yoga pose, this activates your sexual drive, which makes it a perfect couples yoga pose. • Sit with your partner back-to-back with the soles of your feet together • Your partner bends down towards their toes, as far as

they can reach • Release your head and shoulders onto your partner’s back • Stay in this position for a couple of breaths, release, switch positions, and repeat 3. Urdhva Dhanurasana It improves flexibility and leave you rejuvenated. It’s also known as the flying bow or the wheel pose. • Lie back and place your legs on your partner’s lower back, while your heels rest on their buttocks • Your partner bends back and tries to grab onto your shoulders • If you’re flexible enough, raise your partner off the ground using your legs • Stay in the pose for a couple of seconds, slowly release, reverse the position and repeat the process

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HEALTH & FITNESS | SEEMA

4. Adho Mukha Svānāsana Also known as the downward double dog, it strengthens bones and muscles. • Both you and your partner go into the downward dog position, with you in front of your partner • Slowly move back with your hands and feet, while climbing on top of your partner, till you reach their lower back • Ask your partner to keep guiding you to avoid an unfortunate accident • Wait in the pose for a couple of seconds, slowly release, switch positions, and repeat the steps 5. Ardha Uttanasana It is perfect if you want to strengthen your pelvic area or groin. Also known as the partner forward fold, it is an easy couples yoga pose. • Sit wide-legged before your partner, with

your soles and that of your partner together • Hold your partner’s forearm in your arm, while they hold your forearm in theirs • Take a deep breath and bend backwards while pulling your partner forward from the hips. Make sure your spine and arms are straight • Stay in that position for a few moments and then switch for the other side 6. Dvi Vrksasana The Dvi Vrksasana pose, aka the partner double tree, is good for posture and balance. How to Do It: • Stand straight next to each other, your arms touching • Lean on your partner gently, placing your arms around each other’s waist and pressing the other palm against your partner • Take a deep break and try to replicate the double tree

C O N C L U S I O N Share the gift of yoga by doing deeper stretches with your partner, both giving and receiving the benefits. Have fun experimenting with different postures and methods.

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HOROSCOPE | SEEMA

FORECAST WITH FARZANA Mar 21 - Apr 19

This month, focus on peace and do the right thing to bask in the arms of victory. Some things may not seem to be working in your favor at work. If you feel at a disadvantage, rise above the situation, assess it and claim what is yours with a logical perspective. Now is not the time to let ego get the better of you, or to be resentful about any aspect, in your life. You and your partner may feel irritable, be mindful of your communication. For singles, start moving in different social circles if you are hoping to meet someone. Financially, exercise prudence and remember to back up important data.

Apr 20 - May 20

Yes! It’s time for you to experience unconditional love on some level, and to celebrate life. If you have been busy getting things set for the future, this might be a good time to not lose track of your friends in all the plans you have. You may find yourself joining forces with like-minded people who give and receive the love, support and compassion each of you needs from one another. At work, you may collaborate on a creative project. When you communicate

more within your love relationships, you are bound to achieve more victories. Expect an unforeseen bounty coming your way, but remember to save up for a rainy day.

May 21 - Jun 20

You may find yourself burning the candle at both ends, however the effort you put in, will pay off. Stay in pursuit of that job, business idea or project, crunch time is now. Expand your skill to bolster your net worth. The financial assistance that you are hoping to receive, could be just around the corner. While your career is priority, ignoring the love of your life may not be a great idea. Be an active and equal partner. Keep the flames of love, alive with spontaneous drives or a surprise dinner. If you are single, make sure your work commitment isn’t stopping you from finding a partner.

Jun 21 - Jul 22

Take a deeper look at the people, behaviors or situations that control you, and hinder your victory. Now is the time to choose what you want and where you want to be. Reclaim your power over yourself, at work and in your relationship. If your relationship seems stagnating, it’s time to have a heart-to-heart and clear the air. The things you lean in for

comfort may at times turn into an addiction. Check habits that distract you from your goal. You have a choice; exercise it. Shake off any complacency and choose what gives you peace and inspires your growth. This is a good time to invest in a medical check-up.

Jul 23 - Aug 22

An urgent situation may put a spanner in the works, this month and you may need to take a swift yet thoughtthrough decision. Kick procrastination to the curb, get strategic and face your challenges head on. The situation is likely to create opportunities of growth for you. If you’re looking for work, be assertive, and the right opportunity will present itself. Your quick wit and charm make you a social hit with people. Your partner may need you to step up; doing your part of the chores or expressing your affection. It isn’t the time to burn any bridges. There may be an opportunity to invest in an idea that may bring you financial success.

Aug 23 - Sept 22

Wherever you are on your journey, remember to look up at the sky full of stars. For victory to be achieved, sometimes taking a pause is a smart move. Patience is your best friend. Don’t force things to happen. You are likely to reassess your relationships, workplace events and FEBRUARY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 93

HOROSCOPE | SEEMA your financial status. The key to peace and happiness is to stop pleasing others. Destiny will chart its course and makes adjustments so have a little faith that everything will work out, the way it is meant to. You might consider talking to a therapist, to relinquish worries, take personal inventory and ground yourself into a new reality.

Sept 23 - Oct 22

Step up and don’t wait for things to fall into your lap; be the creator of your own destiny if you want to see your dreams, come to life. Career-wise, this is the time to take calculated risks as you consider a move or change. Financially, think long-term, don’t burn a hole through your purse. If your relationship seems to have lost its spark, then rekindle the passion. Get out there and mingle. You won’t find the ideal partner staying within your comfort zone. Make sure you have a solid plan in place and rise to the challenge with optimism. Visualize, your victory.

Oct 23 - Nov 21

The month signals change or transition and suggests that you are likely to walk away from an existing routine in order to achieve fulfillment and victory. It may manifest as a career change, a new lover, or the end of an old friendship. Pay closer attention to your investment portfolio and savings. Emotions may overwhelm you so keep your heart centered and ask yourself whether the attachments are serving you or holding you back. Your health may need attention so relax and be good to yourself. When you step away from your limitations, you may pave the way for that much94 | SEEMA.COM | FEBRUARY 2022

needed miracle. Victory lies in going with your intuition.

Nov 22 - Dec 21

imagination to get the better of you. It’s a matter of time that the dark clouds will clear up. Keep marching in faith. Your energy may get affected by people around you. It’s okay to seek support to manage any internal shifts. Make YOU come first and focus on your well-being. It’s your energy that draws all things to you, including your relationships. Make financial prudence and focus on health, a priority. Reawaken your optimism and manifest what you need most.

You are called to let go of the past and change, so you can move forward with your plans to have a new life. Begin with yourself. Evaluate your behavior, your financial habits and focus on what can be improved. Take responsibility for your actions in relationships and your part in any conflicts. If you have been working hard, your efforts are likely to be acknowledged. Expect new contracts being signed and/or some positive cash flow. Your relationship requires balanced, open communication and Feb 21 – Mar 20 appreciation more than judgments to thrive. This is the time to build your dreams If you’ve had missteps in the past, use the and take the learning to make changes for your future. necessary steps to do so. Embrace Dec 22 - Jan 19 It is time to act instead of getting lost in the beginning of a new romance, new building castles job, new business in the air. Savor opportunities, the moment and new home and keep the real even the birth of a child or new ideas. Place world in sight your needs into perspective and never lose as you go on sight of how important you really are. Your your quest for relationships mirror your self-worth, so pay love, a career close attention to how people are treating shift or that business proposal. Your intuitive energy, you. Realign routines related to your mental and physical health. Money-wise, things are attracts abundance into your life as new opportunities come your way. It is a great likely to be stable and on the matter of love, add more soul in your romance. Pursue a time to deepen your relationships. If you hobby or be around those who elevate and have any underlying issues, bothering heal your soul. you, address and deal with them. Remember that love exists if you are only Farzana Suri is a Victory Coach who coaches willing to accept it. Tact and diplomacy people through their life’s challenges to are allies in your professional dealings. take the leap to victory, using the science of Victory is yours when you practice numerology. acceptance and allowance.

Jan 20 – Feb 20

Allow yourself to close some doors so you can open new ones. You are on the cusp of a transformation. Work-wise things may seem strained if you allow your

For a personalised forecast, you may contact Farzana at surifarzana@gmail.com or visit her website www.farzanasuri.com

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SEEMA February Issue 2022

Articles inside

Couples yoga

Reading Much Into Romance

10 Podcasts for Teens

Keeping the Flame Alive

8 Steps from Meh to Glam

Podcasts for the Passionate

Some of the Best Romantic Comedies

Top 12 Vacation Spots for Couples

What to buy for that special someone

As They Sew

Doctors in love